WINTEr '16
We Know Melbourne Your key to the city THE MINI MAG - ISSUE 3: WINTER
Content Intro •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 3 Coffee Makes the World Go Round• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 4 24 hours in Melbourne •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 5 Melbourne CBD Guide • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 6 Melbourne's Best Winter Events • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 7 Melbourne On a Budget • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 9 Melbourne's Secrets •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 10 The Life of a Circus Oz Performer • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 11 Winter Indulgences •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 12 Only in Melbourne • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 13 Chapel Street Guide • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 14 Interview : Melbourne International Film Festival •• 15 Melbourne's Must Eat Winter Dishes • • • • • • • • • • • • • 16 Melbourne Instagrammers • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 18 Melbourne Facts • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 19 Interview : Eau De Vie •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 20 Collingwood + Fitzroy Guide • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 22 Where To Stay • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 23
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From We Know Melbourne : Welcome to our third edition of We Know Melbourne’s – The Mini Mag, brought to you by the talented We Know Melbourne team at The Swanston Hotel, Grand Mercure and Mercure Welcome Melbourne. In this edition we’ve wrapped up the best of winter all for you – from the best Melbourne winter events to the must eat winter dishes, we’ve got it all. We’ve even thrown in a cocktail recipe from Melbourne institution, Eau De Vie to get you warmed up. So as the nights get longer and the temperatures lower, pull out a scarf and put on your woollen coat because this guide will make you want to get out and about to explore our fabulous city. Have any questions, recommendations or tips? Send us an email at ask@weknowmelbourne.com.au
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Coffee Makes the World Go Round If you love coffee, then Melbourne is the city for you. Our city is obsessed with coffee - from cold-drips and flat whites to magics and espressos - our café and coffee culture is unlike anywhere else in the world. Here are some of our favourite cafes in the city that we recommend when you need that next caffeine hit:
1. Market Lane Espresso | 8 Collins St A specialty coffee roastery, cafe, and retailer, born and based in Melbourne. These folks know their coffee – choose from their award winning filter and espresso brews – with locations all over Melbourne. 2. Patricia Coffee | Lt Bourke & Lt William St Standing room only. You have three choices - black, white or filter coffee. They’re always busy, but we promise it’s worth the wait. 3. Dukes Coffee | 247 Flinders Lane Specialty coffee committed to organic and ethically sourced products in the heart of the CBD. You don’t get much cooler than Dukes. 4. Sensory Lab | 297 Little Collins St From the team behind St Ali, Sensory Lab brings science and coffee together. Make sure you stop in next time you’re at David Jones. 5. Traveller Coffee | 2/14 Crossley St Top notch coffee in the Paris end of the city. Sit on the crates outside or get your coffee to go, Traveller won’t disappoint. 6. Switchboard Café | 220 Little Collins St This tiny hole in the wall café in the historic Manchester Unity building serves quality Supreme coffee with a friendly smile. 7. Brother Baba Budan | 359 Little Bourke St An institution in the Melbourne coffee scene. Look out for the dozens of chairs hanging from the ceiling, you can’t miss it.
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24 Hours in Melbourne Twenty four hours in Melbourne is nowhere near enough time, but if that’s all you’ve got, we’ve got an action packed itinerary for you. 5pm
7:30am
9am
Start your morning at the Queen Victoria Markets – open bright and early at 6am, you’ll be able to skip the crowds! We recommend to start your shopping journey with a quick coffee from Market Lane Coffee and a borek from the Borek Bakehouse Shop! The specialty shops open at 8am. Grab a Melbourne City Bike and ride through the city to Federation Square! Here you’ll find restaurants, galleries, ACMI cinema and many of Melbourne’s best free events. Get extra maps or information at the Melbourne Visitor Info Centre. Across the road you’ll find Hosier Lane, Melbourne’s most famous graffiti lane. Spend the next couple of hours exploring Melbourne’s best laneways, including Degreaves Street, Centre Place and Flinders Lane. Whether it’s shopping, eating or fuelling up on more coffee, there’s something for everyone.
11am
Time for brunch! If you’re after something a bit more fancy, try Cumulus, they serve breakfast till 11:30am or if you’re after something a bit more Instagram worthy, try Bowery to Williamsburg for a New York style breakfast.
12:30pm
Tram to the National Gallery of Victoria, the oldest and most visited gallery in Australia. Take your time exploring the gallery yourself or take one of the daily highlight tours at 1pm (runs for 45 minutes). P.S. The largest stained glass ceiling in the world is in the Great Hall, it has 224 triangles of diamond-cut primary colours weighing 300kg each.
2:30pm
If it’s a sunny day, cross the road to the Royal Botanic Gardens and take in the rare and beautiful plants, breathtaking landscapes and iconic buildings. Perfect for a sunny afternoon. Alternatively, if the beach is more your thing, jump in a cab to St Kilda where you can stroll along the beach or have some wild fun at Luna Park.
Time to head back into the city to make a pit stop at Arbory Bar and Eatery. What was once the Flinders Street terminus for the Sandridge railway line is now a 120m outdoor space for eating and drinking. Enjoy the gorgeous views of the Yarra River, Southbank and their Espresso Martinis on tap!
6:30pm
Dine in the city and be spoilt by delicious food and international cuisine. Some of the places we recommend to try include Chin Chin, Mamasita, Fonda Mexican, Din Tai Fung, Supernormal, Cookie, Tipo 00, Movida Next Door and Embla.
9:30pm
Keen for an after dinner drink? Try Eau De Vie for fancy cocktails, Kirks Wine Bar for a wine and cheese plate, Section 8 for some outdoor drinks, Supper Club for a whiskey nightcap or Siglo upstairs for a cigar with your cognac.
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Melbourne CBD Guide
1. Captains of Industry | Level 1/2 Somerset Pl A little quirky, a little different, a very Melbourne cafe in a giant, converted loft. 2. Bowery to Williamsburg | 16 Oliver Lane Order all your American favourites such as pastrami sandwiches, bagels and key lime pie. 3. Miss Chu | 297 Exhibition St Fantastic Vietnamese hawker style fare in a happening hole-in-the-wall restaurant. 4. Arbory Bar & Eatery | Flinders Walk Melbourne’s longest bar serves Espresso Martinis on tap with fabulous views of the Yarra River. 5. Fancy Hanks | 456 Queen St A sizzling BBQ joint that serves traditional American style slow cooked BBQ. 6. Bar Americano | 20 Presgrave Pl A bar that serves the best aperitif in town with their take on the classic americano. 7. Cumulus Inc | 45 Flinders Ln Award winning chef, Andrew McConnell’s casual bar/ diner serves contemporary food that’s made to share. 8. Tipo 00 | 361 Little Bourke St Sleek interiors with some of the best pasta & wines in Melbourne. For the full We Know Melbourne CBD Guide visit: weknowmelbourne.com.au/melbournecbdguide/
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Melbourne's Best Winter Events Melbourne never sleeps, even in the coldest days of winter. Here’s our picks of what’s hot, hot, hot this winter:
3. Circus Oz | 15 June – 10 July 2016 1. MIFF | 28 July – 14 August 2016 At Circus Oz nothing is impossible and everyone is Celebrating it’s 65th year, the Melbourne International extraordinary, and things won’t be any different for the Film Festival is a cinematic feast for all film lovers. Held newest show, Twentysixteen coming this June. The over three weeks, the festival will showcase the best latest show will be a refreshing cocktail of new and old, in both Australian and international cinema, as well as innovation and tradition, with turbo-charged acrobats retrospectives and tributes. bringing amazing new skills and wizardry to the flying 2. Melbourne Jazz Festival | 3 June – 12 June 2016 trapeze, the Chinese pole and unicycle adagio. The Melbourne International Jazz Festival will bring 4. Open House Melbourne | 30-31 July 2016 Melbourne to life with the spirit of jazz. This year’s Ever wanted to know what the view is like from the program will feature more than 100 unique jazz top of the spire of Melbourne Central or what happens performances by local and international artists, and behind closed doors at the Arts Centre Melbourne? For performers in some of the city’s most iconic spaces. one weekend of the year, you can find out all this and Whether you’re a jazz aficionado or a jazz newbie, the more as you explore 100 of the city’s most historic program has something for everyone. and significant buildings, religious structures and architectural monuments
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Kaya is located at Emporium – Level 5, 287 Lonsdale Street Melbourne. See their website for timetable and class options. kayahealthclubs.com.au So you’re thinking about trying yoga? Great! But isn’t yoga just for hippies, or vegan celebrities? Don’t you need to be flexible? Not at all. There is no single reason to practise yoga, and everyone can benefit from it. So next time you’re considering a class, why not try it? Here are a few tips to get you started.
How yoga can benefit you? •
The benefits of yoga are talked about all the time, from improved strength and flexibility to stress reduction and greater concentration. But these benefits only scrape the surface. For me, yoga is an analogy for life – we can use what we do and experience on the mat to analyse our tendencies and habits and make positive changes off the mat, too.
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Yoga is about connecting, in fact the word yoga means union, to connect or join. This includes connecting our minds and bodies by using our breath, connecting with our hopes and dreams, connecting with our teachers and fellow students, and connecting with the world around us. Imagine a world full of yogis (yoga practitioners)!
How to get the most out of your yoga class •
Yoga offers a time to turn your focus inward. It can be tempting to look around the room at what other students are doing, instead be as present as possible on your mat and in your own body. If you’re not sure what you’re doing, breathe and relax, even giggle at yourself a little. If we can laugh at ourselves we can face anything.
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Be sure to relax and enjoy yourself. You can’t expect to be able to do everything straight away. Just think how boring life would be if you could! The steep learning curve when you first start yoga is thrilling, mysterious, profound and indescribable. And there is always something new to learn. Enjoy it.
About Jenny Ellinghaus – Kaya Yoga Teacher Jenny believes that everyone can benefit from yoga and has a light-hearted approach to teaching, with an emphasis on having fun. Her first book, Yoga for Travellers, combines her love for travel with her passion for yoga.
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1. E ureka Skydeck Conquer your fear of heights and get a bird's eye view of Melbourne from the Eureka Skydeck. Tickets are only $20 for an 88th floor view.
Melbourne on Budget For the full We Know Melbourne CBD Guide visit: https://weknowmelbourne.com. au/2016/05/11/melbourne-on-a-budget
2. H alf Tix Half Tix is a box office located at Melbourne Town Hall, offering heavily discounted tickets to most shows and activities that are currently running around the city such as theatre shows, tours, river cruises, comedy and festival events. The only catch is the tickets are for the day of performance or event.
3. F ree Walking Tour The tour that we recommend starts from the State Library of Victoria at 10:30am daily and runs for approximately 2 ½ hours. It's a great opportunity to take your Melbourne experience to another level by absorbing the rich history, culture, art, architecture and hidden laneways and bars.
4. L ounge Kitchen & Bar Located right in the middle of city on Swanston Street, their lunch menu has 9 special dishes for only $9 each. Grab a booth inside or enjoy the sunshine on the balcony.
5. S cienceworks Museum Scienceworks Museum offers a spectacular range of themed exhibitions and interactive displays. Suitable for all ages, be entertained while learning about the wonders of the scientific world. Tickets to the museum are free for children/concession holders and $14 for adults.
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Melbourne's Secrets
From the team at The Swanston Hotel
1. J ump on a tram to Easeys Street in Collingwood and grab a burger and drink at Easey's. The burgers are great and the rooftop area is an old train that’s been converted into a restaurant with amazing city views! -Sarah, Revenue Analyst 2. N eed to burn off some energy? Head to The Tan track (a 6.5km round trip run from the hotel). Watch for the Victorian state rowing teams training on the Yarra -Geoff, Executive Housekeeper 3. S troll down Melbourne’s unique laneways to see some amazing graffiti and some hip cafes with delicious menus to fuel your day. -Kursley, Bell Captain 4. T he Melbourne Cricket Ground, otherwise known as the MCG, runs daily tours where you can go behind the scenes of this iconic sports arena. While there, a visit to the National Sports Museum is a must! -Chris, Chief Concierge 5. D o you like Italian? If so then head to Pellegini’s and have whatever is on offer. Sitting in the kitchen with the cook is a great experience with great food and it's cheap! - Kathy, Director of Talent 6. C atch Impossible Occurrences, a classic magic show hosted every Friday night at the Marriott Hotel. You’ll be amused and amazed with a great combination of illusions, magic tricks, mind reading and comedy. - Nick, Guest Relations
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The Life of a Circus Oz Performer Rob Curtis was always destined to be a star circus performer. Starting tap dancing and juggling at the age of 11, it wasn't long before he joined his first circus at just 15 years old. Fast-forward to many years later, Robbie is now a member of the Circus Oz family where he is a juggling, tumbling and acrobats master. We had a chat with him about all things Circus Oz.
Robbie, you started your circus career at such a young age! Was it always a childhood dream that you got to live out? I was very physical as a youngster. I knew from very early on that I wanted to do something physically creative for a job. When I joined the Flying Fruit Fly Circus and discovered acrobatics and dance, I knew that was all I ever wanted to do!
Can you tell us your funniest/weirdest moments from your time at Circus Oz? When you work at Circus Oz, every moment is either funny or weird!
Why do you think audiences love Circus Oz so much? Circus Oz is an Australian icon. It’s been You definitely have the most unique job of anyone entertaining audiences for nearly 40 years and we know, but we can imagine it’s some pretty people that went to see Circus Oz as kids are serious work as well! Can you tell us quickly what now taking their kids! Overall I think audiences you love most about being a performer in Circus love Circus Oz because it celebrates community, Oz? humanity, hilarity and diversity. What I love most about being a performer is the Why should everyone see the upcoming opening night of a new production. There is an air TWENTYSIXTEEN this June? of nervousness, apprehension and excitement in TWENTYSIXTEEN is a fabulous new show and the air. You’re always supported by the ensemble still classic Circus Oz. It’s full of mind-blowing but you have no idea what the audience is going physical feats, hilarious tricks, live music and you’re to think and you just have to believe that the hard work you've put in during rehearsals will result in an guaranteed to have a ridiculously good time. amazing show. Finally one of your talents is juggling. Want to
give us any tips so that we can show off some circus skills to our friends? Just start by throwing an object in the air and attempt to catch it with your other hand. Go back and forth and repeat, adding more objects when comfortable. Preferably start with small objects that don't break or bite. TWENTYSIXTEEN runs from 15 June-10 July 2016 at the Circus OZ, Big Top Birrarung Marr. For the full interview visit: weknowmelbourne.com.au/2016/05/17/the-life-of-acircus-oz-performer/
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Winter Indulgences
1. AFL at the MCG Nothing says Melbourne in winter like spending a Saturday afternoon rugged up at an Australia’s most famous sporting arena, the MCG. Witness the giant leaps and bone crunching bumps of the game that is Aussie Rules Football and make sure to grab a hot pie and a cold beer to get the full experience. 2. Peninsula Hot Springs Located upon the stunning Mornington Peninsula, the Peninsula Hot Springs is a favorite retreat for body rejuvenation. There’s something magical about the contrasting chilling winters air and the steaming mineral pools underneath a clear starry sky. Any built up stress is instantly melted away as soon as you step in. 3. The QVM Night Markets Discover the delights of the Winter Night Markets at the Queen Vic with over 200 stallholders from local artisans. The chilly nights are perfect for sampling a range of freshly produced cuisine, roasted over an open fire. Live bands filling the air with funky tunes sets the perfect backdrop. 4. Star gazing at the Melbourne Observatory The Melbourne Observatory is a fantastic experience for anyone who gets a buzz from learning about astronomy and history. Located in the Royal Botanical Gardens, night tours are conducted by experienced guides where you can observe star clusters, planets and the moon. 5. Mario Kart + Beer at Bartronica If the arctic Melbourne cold has become unbearable and you just want to hide away for a while, why not relive your childhood playing a favorite video game at Bartronica. Styled as an old school games arcade, it has a range of classic pinball machines, race car simulators and classic game consoles such as the Nintendo, Sega and Atari. Have a drink from the 80’s style cocktail menu.
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2. G eorge Costanza Bar A hip dive bar paying homage to the 90's comedy Seinfeld. The bar is packed full of George Costanza quotes and serves Costanza-inspired toasties and cocktails.
Only in Melbourne
Been there, done that? If you're looking for something a little bit different to do, something you can brag about to all your friends back home, you'll want to seek out these hidden surprises.
4. A bbostford Convent An oasis of nature and beautiful architecture, the Convent is home to a bakery, a Japanese restaurant, Lentil As Anything, where you pay what you feel, plus weekly farmers markets and a children's farm. Bring a picnic rug and spend a day enjoying the serenity.
1. W elcome to Thornbury Forget chasing food trucks all over town, at Welcome to Thornbury you'll find the best of the best gourmet fast food trucks. With an indoor bar and DJs cranking the tunes, this is the perfect spot for a cheeky Sunday 3. B reak Room session. Exactly as the name implies, this is a room where you can go and smash everything in the room with a baseball bat, and feel good about it. Go on, blow off some steam!
5. B ey Dance Channel your inner Beyonce at a Bey Dance class. You'll learn all the moves to iconic Beyonce songs and make all your friends jealous of your Single Ladies' routine. Kale jumpers not supplied. 6. S hebeen Australia's first not for profit bar! All the beer and wine are sourced from developing countries and 100% of the profits go back to the developing world. Drink up, it would be selfish not to.
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Chapel St Guide
1. Market Lane Coffee | Prahran Markets Start your day with Melbourne's finest coffee. Their pastries are pretty tasty too. 2. Chapel St Bazaar | 217 Chapel St A treasure trove of second hand gems, lots of stylish retro homewares & bric-abrac bargains. 3. Lunar Store | 136 Greville Street Independent design store with quirky homewares and accessories. 4. The Windsor Castle | 89 Albert St A little hike off Chapel St, but it's worth the effort – a chilled out local's watering hole with very good pub grub and a busy beer garden. 5. Astor Theatre | 1 Chapel St A classic old cinema that still screens double features most nights of the week, its faded elegance gives it a lovely homely feel.
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6. Fonda Mexican | 144 Chapel St Mexican Street food! Make sure to order the frozen margaritas. 7. Toko | 142 Greville St Enjoy the casual Japanese style pub or 'izakaya-style' dining, complete with a open-air terrace, whisky lounge and delicious Japanese cuisine. 8. Hawker Hall | 98 Chapel St Inspired by the flavours found in the Singapore and Malaysian hawker centres, Hawker Hall offers up to 60 unique dishes all within a relaxed hip atmosphere. 9. Tall Timber | 60 Commercial Rd Simple, seasonal produce done well, really well. Sit outdoors in the rear courtyard and enjoy your breakfast in the sunshine. For the full We Know Melbourne CBD Guide visit: weknowmelbourne.com.au/chapel-stguide/
Interview with Michelle Carey, MIFF Artistic Director
If you ask any Melbourne cinephile what their favourite months of the year are, it will no doubt be the months of July & August. The reason? The Melbourne International Film Festival, of course. Held over two and a half weeks and attracting over 200 000 visitors each year, MIFF showcases the best cinema from Australia and around the world. We took a moment to chat to Artistic Director, Michelle Carey ahead of the festival to find out more about what goes into making the festival so unique and pulling together such a giant program for it. With a film being released every minute, the MIFF team work round the clock, and so much is dependent on an international strategy and calendar, where they go out and chase films they’re keen on and keep those conversations going. "There’s a lot of admin involved than I think people realise," says Carey. "Obviously there is the travel to international film festivals and watching lots of films but yes it never stops, there’s no real way to delineate between personal time and work right now."
So what can we expect from this year’s MIFF festival? Well as it’s their 65th birthday this year, so expect the festival to be huge. Michelle also revealed they will be doing something big on virtual reality this year, which is the first time a film festival has done that in Australia as well as a few extra special events to be revealed soon. Stay tuned! MIFF runs from 28 July – 14 August 2016. For the full interview with Michelle visit: weknowmelbourne.com.au/2016/05/17/interviewwith-michelle-carey-miff-artistic-director/
As one of the oldest film festivals in the world, MIFF is obviously very special to many and has even changed the lives for some, including Carey. "MIFF is absolutely unique and I’ve travelled to a lot of festivals around the world and I still think none of them compare to MIFF," Carey states. "It draws such a variety of audiences, it’s the first place to see a lot of the big films so people want to be there first. They join the queues, they join the discussion online. It’s just the film event of the year. It really turns film going into an event."
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Melbourne's Must Eat Winter Dishes Baby, it’s cold outside. If all you’re craving is something hot to warm you up from the inside out, brave the cold because these winter dishes are worth coming out of hibernation for!
1. Pork Buns – Tim Ho Wan Join the lines at the world’s cheapest Michelin-star restaurant, because Tim Ho Wan’s world-famous pork buns are worth the wait. 2. Oven Baked Gnocchi - Solarino Flavoursome balls of goodness. This pasta dish is the perfect winter comfort food. 3. Hot & Spicy Boneless Fried Chicken- Sam Sam Crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside. Ain’t no thing like a fried chicken wing. 4. The Godfather – Hakata Gensuke If you can handle the heat, we’d recommend ordering the Godfather level 2. Be warned, it’s super spicy! 5. Squid Ink Tagliolini , squid & bottarga - Tipo 00 Cooked to perfection, this rustic dish is perfectly complemented with a winter red wine. 6. Brisket Reuben – 5 Points Deli A classic Reuben that comes with sauerkraut, swiss cheese and Russian dressing. It’s friggin’ huge so share it with a friend or if you’re anything like us, you’ll want it all to yourself. 7. Robbins Island Wagu Beef Burger Louden Kitchen & Grill A juicy beef burger paired with crispy golden chips. For the full We Know Melbourne CBD Guide visit: weknowmelbourne.com.au/2016/05/11/melbournesmust-eat-winter-dishes
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Melbourne Instagrammers
We can probably all agree that we all love Instagram a little too much. "Just one more scroll" sound familiar to you? If you're anything like us, you're checking Instagram first thing in the morning and last thing at night, and maybe a hundred times in between. Okay, well maybe you're not THAT addicted, but these Instagrammers may help get you there. Here are our 4 favourite Melbourne Instagrammers we think everyone should follow:
1. @ IEATMELBOURNE Don't look at this gram if you're hungry. We repeat, don't look at this gram if you're hungry. @IEATMELBOURNE's feed features all the latest foodie openings and drool-worthy dishes to eat.
3. @ MELBOURNELANEWAYS You can tell Natalie has a keen eye for design. Her feed is filled with photos from all over Melbourne with a focus on clean lines and compositions.
2. @ MELBOURNEILOVEYOU Super talented photographer, Chris snaps colourful photos around town and gives us travel envy every day. Also the founder of "Humans in Melbourne" on Facebook.
4. @ RAYOFMELBOURNE This colourful feed of Melbourne photos will have you double tapping and tagging your friends to say "I wish I could take photos like that."
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Melbourne Fast Facts 1. M elbourne was the capital city of Australia for 26 years between 1901 and 1927. 2. T he car park for Queen Victoria Markets is built on the site of Melbourne’s original cemetery. 3. O n average, Melbourne imports 30 tonnes of coffee beans each day – enough to make 3 million daily cuppas. 4. T he dim sim was developed by a Chinese chef, William Wing Young, who was living in Melbourne. 5. A few years ago, an attempt was made to replace the Flinders Street clocks with video screens, but the public outcry was enormous so they stayed. 6. T he National Gallery of Victoria has the world’s largest stained glass ceiling – at 51 metres by 15 metres, it’s a highly impressive structure. 7. T here are more than 3,000 cafés and restaurants serving at least 75 different ethnic cuisines in Melbourne’s laneways – in basements, on rooftops, in historic buildings and countless other quirky spaces.
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Melbourne After Hours We chatted to Greg Sanderson, owner of one our favourite speakeasy bars, Eau de Vie and got some inside info on the world of cocktails and the Melbourne bar scene. Eau De Vie is one of Melbourne’s best kept secrets. What do you think it is about your speakeasy that constantly puts it on everybody’s favourite bar list? I think Eau de Vie has become extremely popular with the drinking culture of Melbourne for a number of reasons. Melbourne is known for it’s laneway gems whether it be cafes, restaurants or even street art. When we opened Eau de Vie we wanted to open a venue where people left talking about the drinks and the service not the $40,000 sound system or the $10,000 chair the guest was sitting on. Our devotion to great drinks and personable service is largely what Melbourne drinkers are seeking.
How do you think the cocktail/bar scene has changed in Melbourne over the years? Can you name some of your other favourite bars in Melbourne? I think the cocktail scene in Melbourne is always evolving. Whether it be brand new venues or existing venues reinventing themselves or keeping on trends and even setting them. The city is filled with fantastic bars, the fact we are so far removed from the rest of the world has enabled us to propagate our unique scene, there is an abundance of world class bartenders and most importantly the imbibing population of Melbourne are keen to experiment with new drinking trends, exotic flavours and concepts for venues that may seem a little out there. Some of the bars I love in Melbourne are (and I have to say) Boilermaker House, Black Pearl, Romeo Lane and Lilly Blacks.
Finally, If we were to buy you drink, what would it be? If you were to buy me a drink I would simply “have what your having” that way I am forced to get out of my usual repertoire of drinks and would get to know you that little bit better.
For the full interview visit: weknowmelbourne.com.au/2016/05/11/after-hours-with-eau-de-vie
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Eau De Vie Cocktail
SMOKY ROB ROY • • • • •
30ml Talisker 10ml Lagavulin 10ml Ron Zacapa 23yo 30ml Sweet Vermouth 2 Dashes Orange Bitters
Stir, strain into chilled bottle, smoke hickory wood into an upside down glass and serve on a wooden board.
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Collingwood + Fitzroy Guide
1. Smith St Alimentari | 302 Smith St Sister venue to Brunswick St Alimentari, this Italian delicatessen serves breakfast, lunch, coffee and takeaway meals. A We Know Melbourne favourite. 2. Gertrude St Enoteca | 229 Gertrude St Cosy & stylish wine bar with simple fare that complements their extensive wine selection. 3. The Everleigh | 156 Gertrude St This intimate cocktail bar is a seated only affair with table service. 4. Biggie Smalls Kbabs | 189 Smith St A notorious, New York style diner serving new-school kebabs with a hip-hop soundtrack. 5. Happy Valley | 294 Smith St A haven for artists and designers, this design/book/art shop has it all. 6. Pickings and Parry | 126 Gertrude St Stylish fashion for the dapper gentleman. 7. Mud Australia | 181 Gertrude St Beautiful handmade porcelain homewares. 8. Belle’s Hot Chicken | 150 Gertrude St Retro inspired diner, specializing in southern style fried chicken. 9. Lune Croissanterie | 119 Rose St Our favourite Melbourne bakery! The New York Times have just called their buttery croissants “the finest you will find anywhere in the world.” For the full We Know Melbourne Collingwood Guide visit: weknowmelbourne.com.au/collingwood-guide/
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Where to Stay The Swanston Hotel, Grand Mercure 195 Swanston St | 1300 650 315 A 4.5 star hotel on Swanston Street in the very heart of Melbourne’s CBD. The Swanny, as it is more affectionately known, is surrounded by the city’s most popular business and shopping precincts, theatres, galleries, bars and restaurants. theswanstonhotel.com.au
Mercure Welcome Melbourne 265 Little Bourke St | 1300 654 966 This modern 3.5 star hotel accommodation, provides guests with comfort, convenience, and great-value, budget rates that leave you more to spend on Melbourne city’s many attractions! mecurewelcome.com.au
Ibis Melbourne Little Bourke St 600 Little Bourke St | (03) 9672 0000 Great value, great location and great service make Hotel ibis Melbourne Little Bourke Street a very popular hotel choice. This 3 star hotel is clean and affordable with comfortable guestrooms and comes complete with amenities to ensure guests have a pleasant stay. facebook.com/ ibismelbournelittlebourkest
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@swanstonhotel
@weknowmelbourne
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Photo credit: Easey's
WELCOME MELBOURNE