I had my first ever Taste of Melbourne experience last night. Shameful I know since it’s been running for years, but a fitting time to visit as the global “restaurant festival” is rejuvenated by moving to a new alfresco location. And there’s plenty of liquid sustenance for barflys among the […]
Now Open: Captain Baxter
Atop Republica at the St Kilda Sea Baths, sits a new seaside bar; Captain Baxter. The bar’s mascot was once a real life naval captain (and Melbourne’ first postmaster), now transformed into a kind of giant squid wrestling, marine superhero as spray-painted on the venue’s walls. The space itself has the […]
200 years worth of champagne
What is a celebration without champagne? Especially when said celebration is all about champagne! Founded in 1812 when Eugene Laurent and Mathilde Emilie Perrier fell in love and married, French house Laurent Perrier celebrates 200 years of wine-making this year. For a lucky few select Australian devotees this meant a chance to sip a […]
Late Nights at Senorita’s
It’s the way I always imagined dining at Senoritas. Closer to the witching hour, a few bites and a few more cocktails rather than a full-on meal. The Mexican eatery has just launched a new late night menu of Antojitos (translation; “little whim”) alongside a new cocktail list. Late night hospitality suits […]
Space…the final frontier (for Whisky)
Scottish distillery Ardbeg recently launched a limited edition Whisky dubbed ‘Galileo’ after the genius Italian astronomer. Their launchpad; 1806. Fierce space invader battles were played out while mint juleps served in spacebags and experimental honey lemon shots (that were mind-bendingly hot and cold simultaneously) we used to toast the launch. The […]
Day of the Dead Festival 2012
The first Day of the Dead Festival has premièred in Melbourne, launching at the new Cellar Bar in the basement of St Kilda’s Newmarket Hotel. Intended to be a annual event, the festival is derived from Mexico’s tradition Dia De Los Muertos. Likened somewhat to Halloween, the Day of the Dead is a time when […]
Sake Bar
Why hello Hamer Hall. You are looking oh-so-tempting in your new outfit. I envision myself strolling along your Yarra-side promenade many times in search of a bite and a drink once summer truly hits Melbourne. For a quick snack Trocadero may have the best chips in town, but for cocktails […]
GQ Speakeasy presents Belvedere Unfiltered
The crystal-like space of Mon Bijou was transformed for one night only into a darkly seductive speakeasy as GQ magazine hosted a launch for Belvedere’s newly released unfiltered vodka. Bartenders weren’t shy about showing off the potent vodka; serving powerful martinis, manhattans and a cucumber smash cocktail that put hair on my chest […]
DIY Cocktails for the Spring Racing Carnival
Forget champagne. Really dedicated hosts at the Spring Racing Carnival know a fancy cocktail is in order to celebrate any big or small win (or commiserate a loss). But how to set up a worthy, hassle free bar trackside? Culinary event-makers Bright Young Things have the solution, developing a trio […]
A Very Curious Springtime Soiree. By Brown Brothers
I have a connection with Brown Brothers. It may have been the first winery I ever visited with my parents as a child. I remember the three hour roadtrip to Milawa with my siblings on hot leather carseats and the dense scent of resin-soaked oak barrels once we arrived. But […]