Trip down trendy lane
Melbourne’s famous alleys are a treasure trove of hot spots
THERE are some 40 laneways and arcades in Melbourne to explore. Here are some favourites: Meyers Place, the bar 1. which started the trend, has relocated to new premises in Crossley Lane but it has a worthy successor in the same location called Bar Carlo, below a very old favourite Italian trattoria of mine, the Waiters Club. This club has been there for yonks and my memories are of a place where you could get a drink until the early hours despite draconian licensing laws at the time.
Bar Americano in 2. Presgrave Pl is reputedly Australia’s smallest bar, with a licence to thrill just 10 lucky cocktail addicts. The Croft Institute in 3. Croft Alley is one of the most lively late-night joints, with music to match the bar offerings. Movida is arguably the 4. city’s tapas trendsetter, with three locations in Hosier Lane and the most photographed murals ( just don’t use the word graffiti, please) in the city. Ru Yi, Rice Paper Scissors 5. and SPQR Pizza are all in a laneway oddly named Liverpool St that’s always crowded with the trendy set and great value. You’ll find Bird’s Basement 6. in Singers Lane, behind the Jazz Corner Hotel at the other end of town. This is a terrific new addition to the city’s jazz scene, a great performance venue that attracts overseas and local artists. Choose Miznon in 7. Hardware Lane for yummy Israeli street food (try the cauliflower specials). Kirks Wine Bar is also 8. in Hardware Lane. It’s like a portal to Rome or Paris. Cherry Bar is in AC/ 9. DC Lane, a tribute to the rock group and a legend in its own right for music mostly of the head-banging kind. Market Lane, leading 10. into Melbourne’s busy Chinatown, is where you’ll be swamped with every kind of Chinese and other Asian eateries, from simple noodle shops to noisy shark fin speciality places. We shouldn’t forget the city’s 38-year-old, upmarket Chinese establishment, the Flower Drum, for fine Cantonese cuisine.