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Restaurant

Machan Nights

40 Cleeland street Dandenong Use the, entrance to Dandenong Market, Southern Car Park, King St, Dandenong VIC 3175, Australia

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Find Machan Nights

40 Cleeland street Dandenong Use the, entrance to Dandenong Market, Southern Car Park, King St, Dandenong VIC 3175, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 410 243 530
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM Friday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM Saturday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM Sunday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Machan Nights

Right beside Dandenong Market, Machan Nights delivers fiery Sri Lankan street food, island drinks, and late-night dancing. Regulars head straight for the spicy hot butter cuttlefish and plates of chicken kottu—balanced with chilled Lion Lager, arrack cocktails, or sweet toddy. By mid-evening, a live band kicks into high gear with Sinhalese tracks, drawing crowded tables up onto the floor for an impromptu baila party.

  • Live Music & Dance Floor: Live band sets and Sri Lankan tracks transition into an open floor session for dancing by the end of the evening.
  • Island Beer & Arrack Cocktails: The bar pours authentic Sri Lankan staples, featuring Lion Lager on tap alongside island arrack and toddy.
  • Bar Bites & Kottu: Pours of cold beer pair with plates of hot butter cuttlefish, devilled platters, and dolphin kottu with cheese.
RestaurantPubRestaurant

What's On at Machan Nights

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

The Machan Nights Experience

Why diners choose Machan Nights for vibrant evenings of Sri Lankan food, music, and celebration

  • Live Music & Open-Floor Dancing

    A live three-piece band performs Sinhala favorites and takes crowd requests, building up to an open dance floor that keeps patrons moving.

    The live music created a fantastic atmosphere and made the whole dining experience even more enjoyable at the end with the dancing session.

    Ishani Sathsarani

  • Unique Open-Air Dinner Dance Energy

    The outdoor setup and spirited musical sets capture the distinct energy of Sri Lankan dinner dances under the open sky.

    The vibes were really unique in Melbourne with live Sinhalese music and dancing in the open air.

    Angus McHenry

  • Ideal for Communal Celebrations

    The venue serves as a go-to gathering hub for birthday parties and group dinners, welcoming both the Lankan diaspora and local Australian friends.

    Have come here so many times, for dinner with family, dinner out with friends, hosting non-Sri Lankan guests, for parties or just to chill.

    Malmee Weerasiri

  • Personal Table-Side Island Hospitality

    Attentive floor staff and personal table check-ins by the owner ensure that parties and large family groups feel genuinely hosted.

    A special mention must go to the owner, who took the time to walk from table to table, personally checking in with guests to ensure everyone was enjoying themselves.

    Gayan Rupasinghe

  • Authentic Bar Delicacies & Spiced Kottu

    The kitchen delivers staple bar favourites and devilled platters full of rich island spices, including crisp hot butter cuttlefish and flavourful kottu.

    Amazing Kottu fried rice hot buttered cuttlefish and many more delicacies to taste.

    Vishva Maithri

  • Imported Sri Lankan Spirits & Beers

    A specialized bar program serves hard-to-find Sri Lankan beverages alongside curated island-inspired cocktails.

    The bar is stocked with some great Sri Lankan drinks, arracks, toddy, beers, you name it.

    Gee Cole

Signature Sri Lankan bar classics and authentic specialty mains

  • Hot Butter Cuttlefish

    Highly recommend the hot butter cuttlefish, dolphin chicke kottu with cheese, King fu pork, hurullo, prawn wade & hurullo

    Pam Anushika

  • Dolphin Chicken Kottu with Cheese

    Highly recommend the hot butter cuttlefish, dolphin chicke kottu with cheese, King fu pork, hurullo, prawn wade & hurullo

    Pam Anushika

  • Hot Garlic Chicken

    We ordered the hot garlic chicken and the beach වැල්ලේ rice, they were full of flavour, hit all the right notes.

    Chatura Weerasekara (Chat)

  • Wild Boar Curry

    Wild Boar Curry is good and best of all you get Lion Lager.

    Kulanga Pathinayake

Other favorites

Authentic island beers, cocktails, and traditional bar accompaniments

  • Lion Lager

    also the best beer had in a long time (Lion Larger)..everything about this place is soo good..will be going there again. 😋

    Pam Anushika

  • Dutch Ceylon Gin

    My all time favourite is the Dutch Ceylon Gin - a must try.

    Chanuka Karunarathna

  • Sri Lankan Toddy

    Sri Lankan toddy was very enjoyable.

    Manoj Jayasundara

  • Kadala Devilled

    I had the hot butter cuttlefish and chickpea (kadala devilled) - both were fantastic.

    Shehan D

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality and cultural touches that elevate the Machan Nights experience

  • Personal Owner Table Check-Ins

    The venue owner personally makes rounds from table to table to check in with dining parties and verify guest expectations are met.

  • Live Interactive Song Requests

    Guests can make live song requests directly to the performing band during dinner, creating an interactive Sri Lankan party atmosphere.

  • Dedicated End-of-Night Dance Session

    Evenings conclude with open dance floor sessions where dining parties join together to celebrate and dance to Sinhalese music.

  • Curated Sri Lankan Spirits & Cocktails

    The cocktail program integrates authentic Sri Lankan spirits such as arrack, toddy, and Dutch Ceylon Gin into house specialty recipes.

Before you head over

Practical tips on reservations, digital ordering, and entertainment timing for your night out

  • Book Early & Clarify Group Menus

    Reserve well ahead, especially for weekend gatherings, and check set-menu requirements in advance if booking for large groups over eight guests.

  • Order via Mobile or Bar

    Review digital menus and order directly via table QR code or at the bar, keeping in mind that online ordering may incur surcharges.

  • Plan for Late-Night Dancing

    Arrive prepared for live band sets that lead into open-floor dancing in the final hours, with venue festivities concluding around 11 pm.

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