Category: MELBOURNE

Swim in one of the most stylish pools in Melbourne – without a booking!

W Hotel pool

Summer’s on its way and that means the toggs are out and water is where you’ll find us. So, if you’re in the middle of town and in the need of a splash, head to the W Hotel in Melbourne, who’ve just decided to open up their pool without the need of a room booking. Bbook a poolside session Monday to Friday to relax and recharge in Melbourne’s most glamorous location – with 12HR access to WET, the hotel’s stunning pool with gold adorned roof and sweeping city views, steam room and fully equipped FIT gym. With a fruit platter and mocktail delivered to your sun lounge on arrival and access to order from the in-room dining menu throughout the day, W Melbourne has all the essentials covered down to towels, showers and lockers so you can simply sit back and relax. The perfect way to experience a stylish swim session with friends or family in the centre of the city – or better yet to spend the 9-5 working poolside and then recharge with a post-work dip. For more, head to the W Hotel website

At last, Sullivan+Strumpf art gallery opens in Melbourne

Sullivan Strumpf art

Melbourne’s reputation around the country and the world as the artistic and cultural centre of the Australian continent is hardly debated. So, despite the long waiting time, there’s no surprise that finally, Sydney gallerists behind Sullivan+Strumpf have decided that now’s the time to join the crowd. Further to their hometown of Sydney and second expansion into Singapore, Melbourne will now welcome a gallery in the northeast Collingwood, opening with exhibition by Tony Albert, Remark – a follow up to his sellout 2021 exhibition, Conversations with Margaret Preston. Opening in October 2022, the new 300sqm will showcase works by Sullivan+Strumpf’s impressive stable of leading contemporary Australian and Asia Pacific artists – amongst them Lindy Lee, Polly Borland, Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran, Tony Albert, Angela Tiatia, Alex Seton, and Darren Sylvester. For more and to plan a visit, head to the Sullivan+Strumpf website

Explore China’s past at the National Gallery Victoria in Melbourne

China art

Exploring the largest neighbour of Australia is now a lost easier with the latest exhibition at the NGV in Melbourne. The new exhibit named China – The past is present highlights the influence of traditional cultural and artistic practices in contemporary Chinese culture and is open this October from the 15th to 20 February 2023. The exhibition features more than 120 works drawn primarily from the NGV’s historical and contemporary collection of Chinese art and design, which, combined, span over three millennia and an array of art forms – including painting, calligraphy, ceramics, metal works, lacquer ware, textiles, furniture, video, posters, photography and mixed media.   Offering a new interpretation of the NGV’s expansive collection of Chinese art and design, the exhibition features never-before-displayed and recent acquisitions, including a photographic sequence by Sydney-based Xiao Lu, who is widely considered to be China’s first feminist performance artist and one of the best-known artists from China’s Avant Garde art movement of the late 1980s. In the photographs, the artist references traditional Chinese spontaneous calligraphic expression by tipping calligraphy ink over her body.  Tickets are free. For more head to the NGV website

Restaurant for father’s day: Best restaurants to take Dad this Australian Father’s Day in Sydney and Melbourne

Restaurant for father's day

Father’s Day is fast approaching on Sunday 4 September, so now is literally the time to get planning and making reservations to take the ol’ man if you’re not planning on getting him a gift! There are some great gift options and chances to win here, if you’re interested. NOUR Sydney Nour is a sophisticated dining space providing Sydneysiders with quality service and impeccable produce. With a fresh and exciting take on traditional Lebanese, Nour’s stylish food and signature cocktails have earned them the accolade as the best restaurant in Sydney on TripAdvisor. Dine from any available banquet menu this Father’s Day (September 4) and all Dad’s present will receive a $50 voucher redeemable across the ESCA Group. Book a table LILYMU Sydney Lilymu is where the culture, cuisine and traditions of Southeast Asia collide. Through an unrestricted approach in the kitchen and bar, Lilymu’s dishes and drinks are traditionally inspired and curated from China and South East Asia, incorporating a fresh, yet delightfully modern perspective. Dine from any available banquet menu this Father’s Day (September 4) and all Dad’s present will receive a $50 voucher redeemable across the ESCA Group. Book a table at Lilymu STOKEHOUSE Melbourne This Father’s Day, Stokehouse St Kilda is celebrating dads with a specially curated three-course menu by Executive Chef Jason Staudt.  Combining only the best seasonal produce and Australian beach luxe, the seafood-centric menu includes starters, your choice of main, sides and an incredible dessert by Group Pastry Chef Ash Smith.  You can expect to see fan favourites like Yellowfin… Read More

Time to see QUEER stories from the NGV Collection in Melbourne running out

Queer drag queen

The National Gallery of Victoria is exploring Queerness in its full space exhibition Queer: stories from the NGV collection, which ends this month, 21 August. As they say, QUEER shines a light on the NGV Collection to examine and reveal the queer stories works of art can tell. This exhibition of works from the NGV Collection spans historical eras and diverse media including painting, drawing, photography, decorative arts, fashion, video, sculpture, and design and explores queerness as an expression of sexuality and gender, a political movement, a sensibility, and as an attitude that defies fixed definition. And this month through closing weekend of the exhibition, the Gallery will host a schedule of free programs, talks, entertainment, and late-night access to the exhibition in case you missed it or need another visit. And if you fancy a party, well the NGV has that, too. The NGV Queer Climax: Closing Weekend Party is a free event hosted by Queer performer and Drag Queen, Aysha Buffet filled with an impressive line-up of iconic queer performers, bars courtesy of Yering Station (drinks available for purchase), and late-night access to QUEER: Stories from the NGV Collection. The line-up of performers has been curated by Ruby Slippers and is an epic showcase of talent for all to enjoy.  Make a free booking here 

Melbourne’s Affordable Art Fair is back this September

View from up top 2 inc Art to Art and Fenton and Fenton

Returning to Melbourne this September 2022, Uniting trusted galleries with avid aesthetes, the famed Affordable Art Fair aims to help people discover new artists and galleries and demystify the conventional art buying experience with highly visible and relatively affordable pricing. For a few days this September (1-4), the Fair will collate myriad art forms including painting, sculpture, photography and limited-edition prints. With something to suit all budgets, prices will start from $100 and cap at $10,000. Similar to the Affordable Art Fair of 2021, buyer’s will walk away with select pieces or arrange for delivery of larger or bulkier buys for their homes, places of work and collections. Exhibiting galleries include the coveted Martinich&Carran on Victoria’s Surf Coast, Prahran’s Fenton & Fenton, Studio Gallery founded by Melbourne artist Kerry Armstrong, and all-female collective, Tits & Co. Leading Australian online gallery Bluethumb will return for its second year with M Artist Collective making its Fair debut alongside JUMBLED and BlackCat Gallery. London’s Rebecca Hossack Gallery (RHG) headlines the list of international galleries with The Gallery Eumundi travelling from Queensland. The full list of exhibiting galleries can be viewed on the Affordable Art Fair website.

NGV Melbourne hosting a jewellery and body adornment exhibition

Man jewellery scaled

There’s a new a new display highlighting the NGV’s important and multidisciplinary collection and it’s all about your favourite thing: jewellery. The NGV will present an exquisite selection of works from antiquity to the present day, reflecting the wide variety of making traditions and practices across different material, cultural and geographical contexts. And why does it matter? Well, like few other disciplines around the world and from antiquity, it’s defined by a relationship with the body, jewellery and body adornment are among the world’s oldest known artforms. Drawn from multiple areas including Indigenous Art, Decorative Arts & Antiquities, Australian Art, Asian Art, Fashion and Textiles and Contemporary Design, the exhibition will range from the ceremonial and talismanic. Think from the decorative and conceptual. The display features work composed of dazzling, highly prized materials, such as precious gems, metals and iridescent seashells, as well as unexpected materials, such as hair, plastic and rubber, which challenge conventional thinking of what constitutes jewellery and its significance. Jewellery and Body Adornment from the NGV Collection will be on display from 27 August 2022 – 12 June 2023 at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Free entry. Further information is available via the NGV website: NGV.MELBOURNE

Your favourite Aussie bartenders add local flavour to 4th of July cocktails

D68vlei0 scaled

The 4th of July may pass Australians by with nary a thought, but what if we told you it was worth celebrating this year with an American classic cocktail in hand, but with a local twist.  Partnering with ‘Cheers! Spirits from the USA’, 22 well-known Australian bartenders and mixologists lent their expertise to creating a free cocktail book for Independence Day, containing a range of cocktails that hero American spirits, but with an Aussie twist, and designed specifically to be made and enjoyed ar home.  The cocktail list highlights the quality and versatility of American spirit brands including Angel’s Envy, Jack Daniels, Koval, Maker’s Mark, Old Forester, Wild Turkey, Westland, Westward American Single Malt Whiskey and Woodford Reserve. Once you download the cocktail book, the recipes are yours to keep, but if you do prefer someone else making your drinks (you’re only human), the participating bartenders will also have them available at their venue from June 27-July 4.  Have a gander at the below list of bartenders and their creations, plus the venue to find them at:  Simon Hopkins (Jolene’s Sydney – NSW) puts a chocolate spin on the classic Old Fashioned using Westward Whiskey. Dan Gregory (The Gresham Bar – QLD) is showcasing a Woodford Reserve Goin’ Out West. Adam Lau (Grain Bar – NSW) develops the DJ Sutherland celebrating Westland American Oak Whiskey. Grace Rawlins (Memphis Slim’s House of Blues –  SA) is using Westland Peated Whiskey in the innovative Spicy Peat cocktail. Chris Garner (The Barrie – NSW) is highlighting Wild Turkey… Read More

The ultimate Japanese culinary and KI NO BI gin experience at Sake Melbourne

KINOBIGIN SakeLaunch StevenWoodburn 25

World Gin Day is just around the corner. And what better way to celebrate than treating yourself to an intimate tasting experience at Sake that includes a spectacular six-course dinner accompanied by KI NO BI gin cocktails and tastings! The ‘6 Elements’ dinners will take place in Sydney and Melbourne and will deliver the ultimate culinary experience for lovers of gin and Japanese cuisine alike. The ‘6 Elements’ dinners are inspired by KI NO BI’s intricate production process, where botanicals are divided into six different categories, known as the 6 Elements, steeped in rice spirit, and then distilled individually. Produced in Kyoto, KI NO BI gin is distilled with Japanese botanicals, grouped by flavour to create the six elements which are macerated and distilled separately, before being blended with Fushimi water.   The 6 Elements that make up the dry style of gin KI NO BI is renowned for are Base, Citrus, Tea, Herbal, Spice and Fruity & Floral, which are then blended to create the distinctive KI NO BI flavours. As most gin lovers would appreciate, water is a vital ingredient of this popular spirit, as it makes up more than 50% of the liquid inside every bottle. The KI NO BI distillery is located close to the famous sake-producing area of Fushimi, south of Kyoto city. The name “Fushimi” comes from the Japanese words for “hidden” or “underground” and “water”, and Fushimi water is renowned for its purity, softness and flavour. In addition to the pureness provided by the Fushimi water, quality ingredients… Read More

8 places in Melbourne to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee

Melbourne rooftop view city

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is celebrating 70 years on the throne. If that’s not cause to celebrate – even for the strongest non-monarchist amongst us – then what is? But where? I hear you ask. Well, here you go. Eight of Melbourne’s finest establishments to celebrate the milestone none of us will ever reach, but we’re so happy someone else did. Fargo & Co – bottomless brunch, DJs until late and exclusive cocktail list 216 Swan St, Richmond Friday 10th June – DJs on the decks until late. Sat 11th and Sunday 12th June – O.G. Bottomless Brunch from 12-2 pm and 3-5 pm ($69pp), with the option to upgrade to be seated in a lush après ski lodge cabin and enjoy a chocolate fondue fountain for an extra $10pp, at $79pp. Bookings essential. DJs on the decks until late plus an exclusive cocktail list. Harlow – open all long weekend for live music, bottomless brunch and drag trivia 447 Church St, Richmond Friday 10th June – Live music in the beer garden, then DJs until late. Saturday 11th (11.30 am and 2 pm) and Sunday 12th June (12 pm) – Disco Drag Bottomless Brunch, which includes 2 hours of bottomless beverages (Bacardi cocktails, Moon Dog seltzers, house wine, sparkling and beer), plus a choice of dish from the new lunch menu, hosted by a fabulous Drag Queen. $69pp, bookings essential. DJs on the decks until late. Monday 13th June- Open for normal trade, Drag Queen trivia in the main bar from 7:30pm. Free… Read More