MELBOURNE
Celebrity guideto... Hotspots
It’s the jewel in the events crown, but the Spring Racing Carnival isn’t the only showstopper to attract A-listers to Melbourne. Everything from the Australian Open to the Grand Prix and the Comedy Festival brings the stars in their droves to soak up everything this vibrant city and its surrounds has to offer.
Everyone from Hugh Jackman to Oprah Winfrey, Melissa Mccarthy, Elizabeth Hurley and Ellen Degeneres – to name just a few – has vacayed in the Victorian capital.
And it’s not just the city’s jampacked events calendar that appeals. Melbourne is also home to worldrenowned restaurants, a theatre scene that rivals London’s West End, and, of course, the best coffee anywhere, ever – well, according to the locals!
So why not dig out your chicest black outfit and head south to enjoy a city break – and the opportunity to spot some stars – in Melbourne!
CROWN COMPLEX
Whether it’s catching an intimate show by Mariah Carey – who performed at the iconic casino on New Year’s Eve – or spotting Kylie Minogue, Harry Styles or Ed Sheeran in one of the hotel lifts, Melbourne’s Crown complex is celebrity central. The Southbank centre comprises the casino, three hotels including the five-star Crown Towers, and a range of fine dining restaurants, including g Rockpool Bar & Grill and Nobu – co-foundeded by Robert De Niro, no less. crown melbourne.com.au
BOUTIQUE CLUB
This hip nightspot is a Melbourne institution. on. Despite having beenen on the scene for more than a decade, the Prahran venue can still pull a celebrity crowd. Famous revellers have included Ashton Kutcher, Curtis Stone, Natalie Imbruglia, Kylie Minogue and Paris Hilton. Ruby Rose has b been known to o DJ he here when she’s’s in town town, and Grand Prix drivers ofteno party att Boutique after the big race. The door policy is tough – but if you can make it past the bouncers (hint: dress to impress) you can get your groove on to a fun selection of ’80s and ’90s tunes, and
spot some A-listers while you’re at it. boutique.net.au
ROYAL ARCADE
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West paid a low-key (for them!) visit to this stunning shopping precinct on their last trip to Melbourne. Chic stores such as super-hip Marais – where Kimye browsed the designer labels – nestle againstg quirky specialty y shops: check outut Hunter Gatherer for fun vintage clothes. No wonder the fashionforward celebrity duo made a beeline for this heritage wonder. royalarcade.com.au
HOTEL BARKLY
Justin Beiber and his then squeezeq Selena Gomez were spotte spotted drinking at this St Kilda hot hotel back in 2012 – and the E England cricketers are just one of the sports teams that have been spotted sinking a couple of post-match beers at the bar. The trendy, recently refurbished rooftop bar h has spectacular views ove over Port Phillip Bay and Luna Park’s grin. It’s the place to be seen right now. hotelbarkly.com
CHIN CHIN
This Flinders Lane hipster hangout doesn’t take bookings – but that hasn’t stopped Pink, Jerry Hall and Serena Williams risking having to queue for a table. Fun, funky and with a menu packed with punchy South-east Asian flavours, this CBD eatery is where all the cool kids go. chinchinrestaurant.com.au