New hot spots in Melbourne
If you’re as passionate about your music as you are about your beverages, the White Rabbit Record Bar (Kensington) and Pure Pop Records (St Kilda) could be just what you’ve been waiting for – both these uber-groovy establishments are a record/CD shop, bar/café and music venue rolled into one. Or, if beer is more your flavour, sample some of Victoria’s finest micro-breweries at new St Kilda bar The Local Taphouse. And for foodies, there’s welcome news that Andrew O'Connell, the acclaimed chef behind Circa and Three One Two, opens new café/wine bar Cumulus Inc this month.
White Rabbit Record Bar, 176 Bellair St, Kensington Ph: (03) 9376 5441
With a groovy retro fit-out that includes 70’s-style lounge coverings, dimmed hanging lampshades, and a cosy fireplace with flashy electric blue walls, the White Rabbit Record Bar features a well stocked selection of CDs as well as popular and hard-to-find vinyl guaranteed to thrill even the most serious record shop ‘ferret’.
There’s also live DJs on weekends (with names such as ‘Dave Sinclair - Patron Saint of Serious Funksters’ you know its going to be good) and a quaint brick courtyard at the rear with ample greenery to get lost in.
Pure Pop Records, 221 Barkly Street St Kilda Ph: (03) 9525 5066
Over in St Kilda, music store Pure Pop Records has been busily carving a niche for its courtyard bar as Melbourne’s newest boutique live music destination. With a relaxed, congenial atmosphere (shows are open to all ages), tasty pizzas and St Arnou beer on tap, the Pure Pop courtyard holds seven gigs every weekend and has already played host to a range of international and local names including Barry Adamson (UK), Joel Plaskett (Canada), Samson for President (Sweden), Conway Savage, Kate Miller-Heidke and Dallas Crane. Don’t miss their third birthday celebration weekend (July 18-20) when there will be gigs from some of Melbourne’s finest music talent including Dave Graney, Spencer P. Jones and Even.
The Local Taphouse, 184 Carlisle Street, East St Kilda Ph: (03) 9537 2633
The Local Taphouse is a beer bar with a difference – here, there’s not a single big-brand draught on tap among the 20 brews available. Instead lovers of the amber fluid can sample a fine range of imports and local micro-breweries in a wide range of styles. And for those who enjoy trying out the newest beers on the market, the Local Taphouse also features a showcase of four ‘guest-taps’ - single kegs brought in to ensure a rapidly changing selection. Sign up to receive regular SMS ‘Beer Bulletins’ to keep informed whenever new guest kegs are tapped.
Cumulus Inc, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Ph: (03) 9650 1445
Following outstanding success at exclusive restaurants Circa (St Kilda) and The Age Good Food Guide 2007 Best New Restaurant winner Three, One Two (Carlton), super chef and restaurateur Andrew McConnell’s latest venture (with his architecture wife Pascale Gomes-McNabb) is Cumulus Inc café/wine bar in Flinders Lane. Open all day from 7am till late for breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in-between, Cumulus Inc is a grown up bar with an emphasis on simple, great quality food prepared in a modern European style.