New Melbourne hot spots
Tuscan Bar: Level 1, 79-85 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Ph: 03 9671 3322
www.tuscanbar.com.au
This brand new lavish offering at the top end of Collins street boasts rich mahogany features, deep red carpet, gold painted ceilings and huge chandeliers. Serving wines from all corners of the world and offering superb regional dishes from Tuscany and Italian specialties, this is a must-see this summer.
Cuba Lounge: 1 Parliament Square, East Melbourne
Ph: (03) 9224 1234
Melbourne's hottest new concept in lounge dining has been launched at Melbourne's Park Hyatt. Guests can relax in the ambient surrounds of the wood-panelled Cuba Lounge and enjoy canapés and pre-dinner cocktails by the fire before moving on to a dining table set for 25 to 40 guests. The room is tucked away behind the seclusion of patterned glass and enhanced with unique artwork and designer lounge furniture, making it the perfect private escape for the night.
Sumac: Shed 14, 161 Harbour Esplanade Central Pier Docklands,
Ph: 03 8623 9600
Moroccan themed event space, Sumac, is open for business in a new home within the $20M world class renovation of Shed 14 at Central Pier Docklands. With a distinct Middle Eastern flavour, Sumac will build on its reputation for delivering events with style and sophistication - its inaugural event an exclusive cocktail party with 45th Vice President of the United States, Al Gore. Able to host 140 sit down or 380 cocktail-style, Sumac can be adapted and tailored to suit a range of events.
Recorded Music Salon: 11 Collins Street, Melbourne
Ph: 03 9650 3821
This relaxed café and bar is ‘hidden’ upstairs at 11 Collins St, taking its name from a long-standing vinyl record store that used to sit below. Offering fantastic coffee and mouth-watering tapas, the atmosphere at Recorded Music Salon makes one grateful for having stumbled across a true city gem. To add to the lure, the space has recently become a bar that offers a mix of old-favourite and boutique spirits, six draught beers and a small but interesting wine list.
1806: 169 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
Ph: 03 9663 7722
www.1806.com.au
Taking its name from the year 1806, when the word ‘cocktail’ first appeared in print in New York, this brand new bar is all about cocktails. The impressive cocktail list includes at least one drink for every decade from 1806 to now. Whether it is an original ‘Bittered Sling’, the chosen drink of sophisticated businessmen in 1806, or a 1917 creation called ‘Aviation’, which consists of gin with violet, lemon and maraschino, 1806 will transport guests to a time and place reminiscent of a grander era.
Wah Wah Lounge: Level 1, 185 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Ph: 9654 5793
www.wahwahlounge.com.au
Wah Wah Lounge is the newest hot spot in Melbourne’s club scene, delivering cutting edge house music for lovers of old school house tunes and a number of excellent established Melbourne DJs. The venue’s décor is sure to impress with a grandiose lighting feature imported from the United Kingdom, valued at $40,000. Pop in for after work drinks on Friday to enjoy free massages, makeup workshops and touch ups, manicures and Champagne for members.
Melbourne's Rooftop Cinema: Level 6, 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Ph: 9663 3596
www.rooftopcinema.com.au
Located on the rooftop of Curtin House above Cookie and Toff in Town, Melbourne’s Rooftop Cinema is back for a second year with a great line up of cult and classic films (e.g. Taxi Driver, The Party and The Breakfast Club) as well as newer titles. The program starts 21 November and runs through to 30 March. Check out the website for more details.