Karen’s guidebook
City/town information
Melbourne
Sightseeing
Walk down the famous bluestone laneway and admire the street art that has made the Melbourne urban art scene known across the globe. Take in the dizzying array of colours, characters and shapes created by local and international artists alike. Pick out everything from stencils and paste-ups to murals and installations. Take a wander on your own or join one of the popular walking tours to get some background on the artists and their work. Take a detour round into Rutledge Lane and explore the work lining the walls, windows and wheelie bins of this sister 'gallery'.
Once you've had your fill of the colour and mayhem of the street art, slow things down with a refreshing cocktail at Bar Tini – a popular pre-gig drink spot for the Forum Theatre crowd. Alternatively, sit elbow-to-elbow with other hungry punters at Movida – one of the city's best tapas restaurants.
Content: Visit Victoria
245 personas locales recomiendan
Hosier Lane
7-9 Hosier LnWalk down the famous bluestone laneway and admire the street art that has made the Melbourne urban art scene known across the globe. Take in the dizzying array of colours, characters and shapes created by local and international artists alike. Pick out everything from stencils and paste-ups to murals and installations. Take a wander on your own or join one of the popular walking tours to get some background on the artists and their work. Take a detour round into Rutledge Lane and explore the work lining the walls, windows and wheelie bins of this sister 'gallery'.
Once you've had your fill of the colour and mayhem of the street art, slow things down with a refreshing cocktail at Bar Tini – a popular pre-gig drink spot for the Forum Theatre crowd. Alternatively, sit elbow-to-elbow with other hungry punters at Movida – one of the city's best tapas restaurants.
Content: Visit Victoria
Just across Flinders Lane from Centre Place, bustling Degraves Street was one of the first Melbourne 'laneways' to make such a ruckus. Join the happy throng, which includes students and shoppers, tourists and lunchtime workers, on this pedestrian walkway linking the city's fashion precinct with Flinders Street Station.
Take your friends from out-of-town to Degraves Espresso, a quintessentially Melbourne cafe experience. Despite the Parisian vibe cast by the cafe umbrellas in the shadow of the impressive Majorca Building, the dining on Degraves veers towards the Italian, with Il Tempo and Andiamo leading the charge. For the sugar fiends, there's Little Cupcakes and Waffle On.
Sharpen up with a short course at the Centre for Adult Education campus, stocking up on artisan notebooks at Il Papiro and canvassing the goods at Senior Art Supplies. Traverse the cobblestones with new kicks from Sole Devotion, adorn the earlobes with quirky wares from Sine Qua Non and celebrate all things Victorian at Clementine's.
Descend the stairs to subterranean Campbell Arcade, which connects to Flinders Street Station. Check out the artworks in the Dirty Dozen exhibition windows or enjoy more culinary and creative adventures at Cup of Truth, Corky St Claire and the curious zine outlet, Sticky.
Content: Visit Victoria
23 personas locales recomiendan
Degraves Street
Degraves StreetJust across Flinders Lane from Centre Place, bustling Degraves Street was one of the first Melbourne 'laneways' to make such a ruckus. Join the happy throng, which includes students and shoppers, tourists and lunchtime workers, on this pedestrian walkway linking the city's fashion precinct with Flinders Street Station.
Take your friends from out-of-town to Degraves Espresso, a quintessentially Melbourne cafe experience. Despite the Parisian vibe cast by the cafe umbrellas in the shadow of the impressive Majorca Building, the dining on Degraves veers towards the Italian, with Il Tempo and Andiamo leading the charge. For the sugar fiends, there's Little Cupcakes and Waffle On.
Sharpen up with a short course at the Centre for Adult Education campus, stocking up on artisan notebooks at Il Papiro and canvassing the goods at Senior Art Supplies. Traverse the cobblestones with new kicks from Sole Devotion, adorn the earlobes with quirky wares from Sine Qua Non and celebrate all things Victorian at Clementine's.
Descend the stairs to subterranean Campbell Arcade, which connects to Flinders Street Station. Check out the artworks in the Dirty Dozen exhibition windows or enjoy more culinary and creative adventures at Cup of Truth, Corky St Claire and the curious zine outlet, Sticky.
Content: Visit Victoria
Since opening its doors way back in 1892, Block Arcade has remained one of Melbourne's best-loved and most ornate shopping precincts. The arcade boasts a soaring glass canopy and mosaic floors, which were inspired by Milan's famed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.
Saunter in off Collins Street and make your way through the dazzling interiors, checking out the bespoke tailors and jewellers, art dealers and spice merchants that inhabit this special piece of Melbourne. Pick up sweet nothings at the chocolate shop, then walk on through to Block Place or Block Court, to continue exploring the bustling cafes and bakeries, boutiques and specialty shops.
Content: Visit Victoria
82 personas locales recomiendan
Block Arcade
282 Collins StSince opening its doors way back in 1892, Block Arcade has remained one of Melbourne's best-loved and most ornate shopping precincts. The arcade boasts a soaring glass canopy and mosaic floors, which were inspired by Milan's famed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.
Saunter in off Collins Street and make your way through the dazzling interiors, checking out the bespoke tailors and jewellers, art dealers and spice merchants that inhabit this special piece of Melbourne. Pick up sweet nothings at the chocolate shop, then walk on through to Block Place or Block Court, to continue exploring the bustling cafes and bakeries, boutiques and specialty shops.
Content: Visit Victoria
Food scene
For a night out full of speakeasy charm, oh-so-knowledgeable barkeeps and impeccable cocktails, head to The Everleigh, above Belles Hot Chicken on Gertrude Street. Fight for one of the only three seats at the bar, settle into a comfy leather booth or take a seat outside and order an alfresco Americano or French 75 from the new handmade pop-up bar.
You'll find out why this cocktail den has earned so many awards, including two years on the coveted 'World's 50 Best Bars' list.
Content: Visit Victoria
109 personas locales recomiendan
The Everleigh Melbourne
150-156 Gertrude StFor a night out full of speakeasy charm, oh-so-knowledgeable barkeeps and impeccable cocktails, head to The Everleigh, above Belles Hot Chicken on Gertrude Street. Fight for one of the only three seats at the bar, settle into a comfy leather booth or take a seat outside and order an alfresco Americano or French 75 from the new handmade pop-up bar.
You'll find out why this cocktail den has earned so many awards, including two years on the coveted 'World's 50 Best Bars' list.
Content: Visit Victoria
211 Gertrude Street
Fitzroy VIC 3065
https://buildersarmshotel.com.au/
84 personas locales recomiendan
Builders Arms Hotel
211 Gertrude St211 Gertrude Street
Fitzroy VIC 3065
https://buildersarmshotel.com.au/
Distinguished by its kaleidoscope of cultures and flavours and its iconic red light beaming brightly onto one of Melbourne’s backstreet laneways, Lucy Liu Kitchen & Bar is an essential ingredient that has helped to fashion Melbourne’s coveted food identity since 2014.
Blurring the lines between diverse cuisines, the menu serves up both street and refined, modern Asian food that breaks with tradition and has flavour at its core. Executive Chef and co-owner, Zac Cribbes, advocates both Thai and Chinese flavours, both playing a huge role in the bold and enticing menu. Head Chef, Jenna Louise North, who joins him in the kitchen, steers away from strict food traditions, which allows the pair borrow bits and pieces and marry new flavours into their own unique style of cuisine. Think classic Asian, hot, sour, salty and sweet flavours that fill every dish on the menu.
The Lucy Liu experience was created to be fun, exciting and accessible for all. From office workers enjoying a lunch-time get-together, a special occasion celebrated in the private dining room, an intimate dinner-for-two, or a group of friends sharing a table amongst the buzzing crowd, every experience is honed to meet the occasion. The dining room is constantly buzzing and filled with happy banter, crafty cocktails, thoughtful service and some of the city’s most sought-after dishes – what more could you want from a night out on the town?
During a research trip to Shanghai in 2013, the team wandered from the glitz and glam of the bund, to the back-street markets. They stumbled upon Mr Zhu, an elderly gentleman who had been crafting stamps from jade for the past 40 years. Straightaway they asked him if he could produce a Lucy Liu stamp. Now carved and pressed, both the restaurant name and hand-crafted logo were born.
Lucy Liu’s modern, experimental menu is complemented perfectly by the polished design of the venue. Its elusive red-light entry off Oliver Lane provides an air of mystery and intrigue. However, no shady rooms or ladies of the night lurking inside, instead guests are introduced to Lucy’s stylish, yet minimalist design. Concrete floors, exposed bricks and a ceiling of impressive wooden batons mirror the venue’s Asian influence. Booths and bar-style low communal tables fill the open-plan restaurant, topped with hologram-decorated menus and Japanese Mino ware.
For a quintessential Melbourne experience, look no further than Lucy Liu – this is an encounter you will want to repeat, over and over again. www.lucylius.com.au
58 personas locales recomiendan
Lucy Liu Kitchen and Bar
23 Oliver LnDistinguished by its kaleidoscope of cultures and flavours and its iconic red light beaming brightly onto one of Melbourne’s backstreet laneways, Lucy Liu Kitchen & Bar is an essential ingredient that has helped to fashion Melbourne’s coveted food identity since 2014.
Blurring the lines between diverse cuisines, the menu serves up both street and refined, modern Asian food that breaks with tradition and has flavour at its core. Executive Chef and co-owner, Zac Cribbes, advocates both Thai and Chinese flavours, both playing a huge role in the bold and enticing menu. Head Chef, Jenna Louise North, who joins him in the kitchen, steers away from strict food traditions, which allows the pair borrow bits and pieces and marry new flavours into their own unique style of cuisine. Think classic Asian, hot, sour, salty and sweet flavours that fill every dish on the menu.
The Lucy Liu experience was created to be fun, exciting and accessible for all. From office workers enjoying a lunch-time get-together, a special occasion celebrated in the private dining room, an intimate dinner-for-two, or a group of friends sharing a table amongst the buzzing crowd, every experience is honed to meet the occasion. The dining room is constantly buzzing and filled with happy banter, crafty cocktails, thoughtful service and some of the city’s most sought-after dishes – what more could you want from a night out on the town?
During a research trip to Shanghai in 2013, the team wandered from the glitz and glam of the bund, to the back-street markets. They stumbled upon Mr Zhu, an elderly gentleman who had been crafting stamps from jade for the past 40 years. Straightaway they asked him if he could produce a Lucy Liu stamp. Now carved and pressed, both the restaurant name and hand-crafted logo were born.
Lucy Liu’s modern, experimental menu is complemented perfectly by the polished design of the venue. Its elusive red-light entry off Oliver Lane provides an air of mystery and intrigue. However, no shady rooms or ladies of the night lurking inside, instead guests are introduced to Lucy’s stylish, yet minimalist design. Concrete floors, exposed bricks and a ceiling of impressive wooden batons mirror the venue’s Asian influence. Booths and bar-style low communal tables fill the open-plan restaurant, topped with hologram-decorated menus and Japanese Mino ware.
For a quintessential Melbourne experience, look no further than Lucy Liu – this is an encounter you will want to repeat, over and over again. www.lucylius.com.au