Fortyfivedownstairs, Multi-arts venue in Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Australia

Fortyfivedownstairs occupies the lower floors of a 19th-century brick building at 45 Flinders Lane. It holds two gallery spaces and a warehouse-style theatre seating up to 160, used for visual art, independent theatre and live music.

Fortyfivedownstairs was founded in 2002 by former ABC journalist Mary Lou Jelbart AM, barrister Julian Burnside AO KC and a group of supporters who backed the inner-city venue in its early years. Jelbart served as artistic director of both the theatre and the gallery from 2002 to 2022. In 2023, producer Cameron Lukey was appointed artistic director of the theatre.

The venue showcases independent artists working across theatre, dance, music, and visual arts, with rotating exhibitions in two dedicated gallery spaces throughout the year.

The venue is walkable from Melbourne's CBD, and visitors can find parking nearby or use public transport easily. It is worth checking what events are on before arriving, as the program changes regularly.

The basement was transformed into a flexible theatre space where classical music recitals and Australian play premieres share the same stage. This unexpected versatility makes the space particularly appealing to artists experimenting with different forms.