48 hours in Melbourne
Lockouts got you considering a southerly move? Ponder the pros and cons over a weekend making the most of this 24-hour city. By Jordan Kretchmer
EAT AND DRINK
First up get a coffee from Cumulus Inc, which is smack bang in the centre of the city (which unlike Sydney is on a grid, so it’s super easy to navigate). Locals opt for the namesake breakfast – a bumper number with a soft boiled egg, toast with spreads, yogurt with a fruity compôte and a fresh OJ or coffee – but we go for one of the best bacon sangers we’ve had in a long time. 45 Flinders Ln, Melbourne 3000. 03 9650 1445. cumulusinc.com.au.
The city’s laneway bars are no longer a secret, but it doesn’t mean that they are easy to find. In the compressed corners of the CBD’s Chinatown district is Union Electric. Keep your eye out for the marquee-lit lightning bolt opposite the Chinese grocery store and bunker down at the bar for some super drinks and solid banter. The Lola is a vay-cay in your mouth, courtesy of the highly concentrated Coco López. Enjoy with a hip-hop soundtrack and a giant portrait of Bill Murray peering over at you. 13 Heffernan Ln, Melbourne 3000. 0450 186 466. unionelectric.com.au. Continue your city bar crawl with a visit to the standing-roomonly, and no-photos-allowed Bar Americano, where the service is super personal and the cocktails are swiftly made classics. 20 Presgrave Pl, Melbourne 3000. 03 9939 1997. www.baramericano.com. Melbourne also loves a rooftop bar and so if the weather is fine go alfresco at Bomba Rooftop ( Lvl 5, 103 Lonsdale St) or Siglo ( 2/161 Spring St).
After drinking up a storm, pop in for dinner at Supernormal. They don’t take bookings but pop your name down and use the waiting time to explore the surrounding streets on a DIY wall crawl. Back in the restaurant, you’ll set off on a mod-Japanese snack adventure: baby corn comes swaddled in its husk with melted miso butter; pot sticker dumplings are stuck together by a web of crisp dumpling skin; and a crunchy whole leg of duck is paired with plum sauce, cucumber and hoisin for pack-your-own bao fun times. 180 Flinders Ln, Melbourne 3000. 03 9650 8688. supernormal.net.au.
SEE AND DO
The NGV’s blockbuster exhibition Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei shows parallels between the artists, while also capturing their individual approaches to readymades, printmaking and photography. You’ll spot celebrity polaroids, digital selfies, inflatable llamas, live Instagram feeds, soup cans, Lego and neon prints. NGV International, 180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne 3006. 03 8620 2222. www.ngv.vic.gov.au. $10-$26. Until Apr 24.
While Melbourne isn’t known for its beaches, a quick trip up to Dendy Street Beach won’t disappoint. Here you’ll find the colourful Brighton bathing boxes – a row of 82 Victorian era wooden huts painted in bright colours. Dendy St, Brighton 3186.
Finally, you’ll need to make the most of your late-night hours – with 24-hour public transport, you’ve got no excuse not to – and Revolver Upstairs (or Revs) is where it’s at. It’s equal parts sublime and scum, and on any night you’ll find two packed-out rooms with local and international selectors spinning house and techno till the early hours. 229 Chapel St, Prahran 3181. 03 9521 5985. revolverupstairs.com.au.
STAY
The Citadines on Bourke Apartments are super central, well equipped and well priced apartment-style rooms, some of which even come with city views. 131-135 Bourke St, Melbourne 3000. 03 9039 8888. www. citadines.com.au. Those looking for something a little more cultural should make a beeline for the Art Series Hotels’ the Larwill Studio. Situated just near Victoria Markets, these schmick rooms take their styling cues from an artist’s workshop. Throw in art books and utensils, smart cars available for just $50 a day and super comfy beds, and you’ve got a luxe hotel you won’t want to leave. 48 Flemington Rd, Parkville 3052. 03 9032 9111. www.artserieshotels.com.au/ Larwill.
GET THERE
Qantas ( www.qantas.com) flies to Melbourne up to 34 times a day.
Look for the lightning bolt opposite the grocery