Here are Melbourne places that have shared lounges / social spaces where you’re likely to meet other guests. I’ve grouped them by the kind of vibe (best for social travellers vs boutique hotels with social lounges).

Best for meeting other travellers (hostels / social stays)

• Space Hotel (CBD) — big communal lounge, rooftop “Space Deck,” movie room, shared kitchen and events; lively backpacker vibe. (spacehotel.com.au)
• YHA Melbourne Central (CBD) — large communal kitchen, TV lounge, rooftop/social balcony, regular events (trivia, pub tours) — very social and aimed at solo travellers. (yha.com.au)
• The Village Melbourne (CBD) — communal kitchen, TV lounge, indoor dining area and an onsite bar/nightclub — built for socialising and groups. (thevillagehostels.com.au)
• Nomads / Nomads Melbourne (CBD / St Kilda locations) — on-site bar/lounge, communal kitchen, events and regular bar nights — lively social programme. (hostelmanagement.com)
• United Backpackers (CBD) — communal lounge, entertainment area and nightly activities — budget, social atmosphere. (australiabackpackers.com.au)

Boutique hotels and co‑living with social lounges (more hotel-style but sociable)

• Laneways by Ovolo (CBD) — boutique hotel with lobby/lounge bar and complimentary social hour (happy hour) — good for meeting other guests in a smaller, stylish setting. (ovolohotels.com)
• Together Co‑Living (Preston) — co‑living property with shared lounges, coworking areas and frequent on-site social events (better for longer stays). (trip.com)
• Base / other city backpacker hostels — many Base/hostel-brand properties offer communal lounges, games rooms and events for meeting people. (Check the specific Base/hostel page for details). (hostelsclub.com)

Quick tips to maximise meeting people

• Pick dorms or co‑living/co‑living rooms rather than private rooms — you’ll naturally meet more people.
• Use communal kitchens, rooftop decks and lobby bars during peak times (evenings, social hours). YHA and many hostels list regular events (trivia, bar nights, tours) that bring guests together. (yha.com.au)
• Look for properties that advertise “social hour”, rooftop BBQs, regular events or an on‑site bar — those are the easiest places to meet others. (qantas.com)

If you want, I can:

• narrow these to a particular neighbourhood (CBD, St Kilda, South Yarra, Fitzroy),
• list price ranges and approximate nightly costs, or
• check real‑time availability for specific dates (I’ll need your travel dates for that).