Climbing and the Pub: A vertical social adventure with 🥝 food and 🍷drink

🧗Climbing, onwards and upwards to the Pub: A Vertical Social Adventure

Eat Drink Dance Melbourne – Social Rock Climbing Night
Hardrock Climbing, Swanston St (CBD)
Thursday 8 January 2026

### Before considering going on this event make sure you read the group rules section at the end ###

Venue information inc costs.
Hard Rock Climbing
You will need to purchase entry and at a minimum also a rock climbing harness, you also have the option to hire climbing shoes (for a better experience) and chalk although these are not exactly necessary if you are new to the sport.

Ready to swap the dance floor for a climbing wall and flirt with gravity for a couple of hours? Join us for Climbing to Pub, a fun, social, slightly chaotic vertical adventure right in the heart of Melbourne.

We’ll spend around 2 hours at Hardrock Melbourne (CBD) scaling colourful walls, cheering each other on, and discovering which muscles we forgot existed. Afterwards, for those who want to keep the good vibes rolling, we’ll wander over to a Pub for dinner and drinks from around 8.30pm or earlie—because nothing says “I conquered a wall” like a cold beverage and a hearty feed.

What to Bring

• Water (hydration = happiness)
• Small towel
• Comfortable, stretchy clothes
• Runners (or hire climbing shoes for a much better grip-and-zip experience)
• A big carbohydrate snack to keep the energy flowing
• Your best “I swear I’m not afraid of heights” attitude

For First‑Timers & New Gym Climbers
If you’ve never climbed before—or you’re new to Hardrock—you’ll need to complete a compulsory safety induction. The friendly staff will outfit you with a harness and teach you how to belay safely (aka: how to hold your climbing partner’s life in your hands with confidence and charm). We’ll be doing roped climbing, so teamwork is part of the fun.

A Note from Your (Very Rusty) Host
Once upon a time I was a climbing and mountaineering instructor… and then came lockdowns, injuries, hand surgeries, and a long break from the vertical arts. So I’ll be right there with you on the baby beginner climbs, laughing, wobbling, and rediscovering my forearms. No pressure, no ego—just a group of friendly humans having a go.

What to Expect

• A fun, flirty, low‑stakes social atmosphere
• Lots of cheering, laughing, and “wait, how do I get down?” moments
• A guaranteed dose of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) if you haven’t exercised in a while
• A perfect warm‑up for the group’s cycling rides if you want to get those muscles activated

Climbing is one of the best social sports around—shared challenge, shared triumph, and plenty of opportunities to chat between climbs. Whether you’re a seasoned wall‑scrambler or a total newbie, you’re welcome.

Let’s climb, laugh, flirt with gravity… and then wander to the pub.

If you do not get there on time ask at reception for the Meetup group run by Mark

Group Rules and Event Etiquette

Fitness Requirements:
As this is a beginner event I don't have expectations, but it is a physical sport so having some basic strength would be good.

If people have time constraints
Best to give yourself some wiggle room, Things rarely go to time due to various factors especially in big groups and when you're having fun. But for climbing this is relaxed, exit at will.

+++VERY IMPORTANT+++
People who do a No Show.
This is unfortunately too common for small group events, there may be people in a waitlist wanting to come on the event and is very inconsiderate. Remove yourself from the going list at least 24 hours before the event to give people on the waitlist an opportunity. If you do a No Show you will be removed and blocked from the group.

If you remove yourself from the event an hour or two before the event (flaking) you may also be blocked and removed from the group, this is also unfair to people on the waitlist.

Please communicate with me if you do not want to be blocked and removed from the group.

People who turn up without registering
This is a major security concern, DO NOT DO THIS.You will be asked to leave the event unless you have made arrangements with the organiser PRIOR to the event.

People Who Are Late
You will be left behind and or removed and blocked from the group as a No Show. It is your responsibility to communicate with me if to think you will be late.. It"s up to you to catch up. This may not be possible on some events.