Tell us the occasion. We plan the whole Ballarat evening, the right venues in the right order, booked and ready. You just show up.
Takes under 2 minutes.
Questions before you start? Email hello@ludiguide.com.au and we usually reply within a few hours.
For the nights that actually matter ✦ Birthdays · Farewells · Date nights
Three weeks of suggestions. Nobody agrees. You settle for somewhere average, spend the whole night feeling responsible, and wonder why you bothered.
Ludi Guide exists for the nights that actually matter, the birthdays, the farewells, the date nights worth getting right. Tell us what you need. We take it from there.
Complete our quick wizard. Occasion, vibe, group size, and budget. Takes under two minutes.
We select the right venues in the right sequence, make every reservation that can be made, and tell you exactly when to arrive at each stop. Standard plans delivered in 2 business days, urgent occasions in 24 hours.
Every reservation that can be made is confirmed in your name. For walk-in stops, we tell you exactly when to arrive and what to ask for. No guesswork on the night.
No payment until you see your outline
As a personal service, we take a limited number of bookings each week.
Questions before you start? Email hello@ludiguide.com.au and we usually reply within a few hours.
You pay us the planning fee. You pay each venue directly on the night.
Founding rates are a thank you to our earliest customers. They will rise as we grow.
Founding rate, locked in for our first customers while we build our reputation in Ballarat.
Groups of 7 to 12, or bookings within 4 days
Founding rate, locked in for our first customers while we build our reputation in Ballarat.
For groups of up to 6
Founding rate, locked in for our first customers while we build our reputation in Ballarat.
For couples and small groups
All prices are the planning fee only. You pay each venue directly on the night.
Just need a table at one venue? Head to the venue's website or OpenTable.
Not sure which fits? The wizard works it out for you in under 2 minutes.
Changed your mind before paying? No charge, no questions.
Below is a real Ludi Guide plan. Stop 1 is shown in full so you know exactly what to expect. The detail for Stops 2 and 3 arrives with your full plan.
Your evening plan is ready
Saturday 26 September 2026 · Group of 6 · Lively and social
Your night at a glance
Stop by stop
Drinks · 60 minutes
Roy Hammond
24-28 Armstrong St North, Ballarat Central · Bar and snacks
Why we chose this for you
Roy Hammond is the right opening stop for a lively group. It is intimate enough to actually talk, the spirit shelf spans over 200 distilleries, and the Asian street food sets a generous, celebratory tone for the night ahead.
Book recommended · a table is held under Sarah, arrive close to 7pm.
Things to try
Pork belly bao
Pork and prawn dumplings
Korean fried chicken
Drinks to try
Gentlemen's Agreement, the standout signature
Yuzu in the Cloud, clarified rum under a pina colada foam
Ground Floor, a smooth whisky option
Insider: Ask for a table near the hanging birdcages, one of the most distinctive parts of the interior and a great setting for a group. The bar fills by 8pm on Saturdays so arriving on time is worth it.
Dinner · 90 minutes
Pancho
213 Mair St, Ballarat Central · Modern Latin American
Why we chose this for you
Pancho handles a social group beautifully. The Latin American share-plate format keeps the whole table connected and the energy is exactly right for a celebration. One of the best-value dinners on the strip.
Reserved · table for 6 under Sarah, confirmed by Ludi Guide.
Things to try
Three dishes worth ordering at this stop. One of them isn't obvious from the menu.
Drinks to try
Two drinks that work here. In your plan.
Insider
One thing worth knowing before you walk in.
Finale · Open late
Renard
209 Mair St, Ballarat Central · Cocktail bar and bistro
Why we chose this for you
Renard is the right closer. Terrazzo bar, native-ingredient cocktails, and disco until late. By the time you arrive the night is in full swing. It is the kind of place that makes a birthday feel properly celebrated.
Walk-in · walk-in spots are held, arrive by 10:30pm for the best of the room.
What to know
One thing worth knowing before you arrive. In your plan.
Drinks to try
The cocktail list here is the point. Your picks are in your plan.
Insider
The best spot in the room. You'll know where to ask for.
Practical notes for the night
Parking
Where to leave the car and how far from each stop.
Dress code
What works for the venues on your plan.
Weather note
What to expect on the night and whether to bring a layer.
Estimated total venue spend
A realistic per head estimate across all stops.
This is one night. Your plan is built around your occasion, your group, and your vibe. The detail in Stops 2 and 3 above is a fraction of what arrives.
Questions
I'm Elijah, and I started Ludi Guide because planning a great night out in Ballarat shouldn't be as hard as it usually is. The city has genuinely good venues. The problem is knowing which ones suit your occasion, your group, and your night, and then actually getting everyone in the door.
Ludi Guide takes that off your hands. Every plan is researched, sequenced, and booked personally. You tell us the occasion. We handle the rest.
A Ludi Guide gift covers the planning for their evening. You choose the package, we plan their whole night when they are ready to book.