New Melbourne hot spots
The inner city suburbs are coming into their own as hip places to dine and drink this spring – check out these great new spots, all just a short tram ride from the CBD
Inner city bars
Melbourne’s laneway bars have become one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions (and let’s face it, what’s not to love?), but what’s lesser known to visitors is that distinctive watering holes are also proliferating in Melbourne’s inner city precincts. Groovy drinking venues are multiplying in suburbs such as Collingwood, Fitzroy, Brunswick, Northcote, St Kilda and Prahran. Check out the following hotspots which are all just a short tram ride from the city. If you want to meet a local, these are a great place to start.
Catch the tram 86 (departing cnr Swanston & Bourke streets in the city) to these hot spots:
Joes Shoe Store, 233 High Street, Northcote Ph: (03) 9482 7666
Snugly located in the heart of High Street, Northcote, Joes’ Shoe Store (named after the business that proceeded it) has an astounding lack of pretension for a new hip bar. With its ‘less is more’ retro fittings, elegant wooden bar, minimalist green leather booths and darker–than-usual lighting, Joes is a place that invites long drinking sessions, whether it’s a deep-and-meaningful with your best friend or a night’s imbibing with a group of mates. The thoughtfully chosen drinks menu, has an emphasis on boutique beers and if you are feeling peckish , orders can be made to the menu of Pizza Meine Liebe – one of the best gourmet pizza places in the area – who will have it delivered to your table.
Catch tram no. 19 (departing Elizabeth Street, city) to this hot spot:
Bar Etiquette, 408 Sydney Road, Brusnwick Ph: (03) 9389 8343
Bar Etiquette is newest bar to open on Sydney Road, lounge bar focused on quality micro brews, wine and spirits. With eclectic furnishings - ingeniously described by local trend-spotting e-zine threethousand as ‘Hard Rubbish Chic’ – it’s a comfortable, warm, and civilised venue. The enticing drinks list includes microbrews on tap, Coopers longnecks and Samuel Adams lager.
Catch tram no. 16 (departing Swanston street, city) to this hot spot
Nineteen Squares, 31 Blessington Street, St Kilda Ph: (03) 8598 9919
Nineteen Squares has quite possibly one of the smallest café interiors in Melbourne. Its name is – literally – a description of its size, with greater part of the cafe sprawling out onto the picturesque street immediately outside. This is part of its charm, and its creatively-inclined patrons take full advantage, comfortably settling in with strollers, dogs and small children in tow, as they sip Coffee Supreme, special fair trade organic coffee roasted locally and dine on homemade breakfast and lunchtime fare such as the ‘one pot wonder’ Spanish eggs, baked in a terracotta pot with salsa, chorizo or grilled veg, and feta.
Nineteen Squares will soon to expand its hours beyond day-time eating just in time to take advantage of St Kilda’s balmy summer nights. When this happens Blessington Street’s rapidly growing reputation as south-of-the-rivers answer to Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, will be complete.