To the lazy bums, the disorganized and the overly prepared,
Do I have the perfect plan for your next night out!
Below I have compiled a cute little list for you where I have coupled bars and restaurants within close proximity from each other in and around Melbourne. It is the perfect plan for when your friend or boo says, “Let’s head out Saturday night for drinks and dinner”, here you can be secretly prepared without lifting a finger.
You. Are. Welcome!
A 7 minute walk from The Red Hummingbird to Bodega Underground. It’s just around three corners.
Pre Drink @ The Red Hummingbird [more info]
level 1, 246 Russell Street, Melbourne
One of Melbourne’s founding rooftop bars, The Red Hummingbird is a chic, lux and is undoubtable among the most elite and sought after rooftop bars in Melbourne. Beautiful red birds fly on the walls of this gorgeous moody bar which emphasises a magical and modern personality.
Happy Hour is Tuesday to Thursday from 4pm to 8pm and includes $8 House Spirit incl. Mixer. $5 For all, House White, House Red, House Sparkling. $5 Select Bottled Beer. $5 5 Seeds Cider. Also, the “Red Hummingbird Signature” with Bacardi Oro, fresh lemon juice, vanilla sugar syrup guava juice and fresh strawberries is a must try. Have I enticed you yet?!
Eat @ Bodega Underground [more info]
55 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Keeping in line with the moody theme, this vibrant combination with the aforementioned bar, The Red Hummingbird, will place you in the middle of an artistic and theatrical scene from a film.
Bring friends and family and taste all the flavours and colours emitted from an array of Mexican dishes Bodega Underground have to offer. You can clearly feed those pre-dinner cravings at this HOT Mexican restaurant.
There is a lot to love about this CBD taqueria; it’s affordable, with tacos coming in at two for $11–14, their menu is gluten-free, there are heaps of vegan options and it’s open seven days a week right through until 3am.
Bodega Underground is trendy, vibrant and bold taqueria. It is something out of the vivacious and colourful mind of Frida Kahlo.
It is literally just opposite each other. It is too good to believe AND you better believe it baby!
Pre Drink @ The Ugly Duckling [more info]
238 Swan Street, Richmond
Transform yourself into the beautiful swan you are for a gorgeous night on Swan Street in Richmond (no pun intended). You can sit, chill and chat in the intimate front bar where the atmosphere is laced with dark tones and moody vibes before your dinner reservation. You can even head to the stunning, modern and lush atrium at the back. This space is decorated with beautiful trees and plants. How lush!
This chic bar will also have you sipping on an assortment of vibrant, mouth-watering cocktails. It is super important to note that each drink looks stunning and has a personality all its own.
Also, definitely treat yourself with The Ugly Duckling’s formidable and long established, “Pavlova Fizz”. This beautiful concoction has been refreshing thirsts since the day they opened and is a recommended go-to and a regular’s favourite. It is a glorious mix of sour apple and kiwi freshness not to mention a show stopper when the blow torch comes out for that crispy brûlée top. Ooo La La! Boujee!
Eat @ Bahari, The Hellenic Palate [more info]
179 Swan St, Richmond
It is MasterChef Philip Vakos’ foodie hotspot!
Who does not love eating Greek food? The ‘Gringlish’ vibe of the restaurant means that their dishes are their own modern interpretation on Greek food, lifestyle and flavours. It is hearty Greek food that meet the modern Melbourne culture and it is MARVELOUS!
Made with passion and heart, their menu is often changing, with specials coming and going weekly. Evidently, there is always something new to try. You can order a slow roasted lamb shoulder with lemon, rosemary and garlic or the Wild Mushrooms with roasted garlic and served with crumbled feta and extra virgin olive oil. They also cater for Vegan, Vegetarian, halal and have heaps of gluten free options too!
You can also choose from three banquet options to fill that grumbling tummy of yours; $40, $48 and $55 per person (with an additional $5 for an optional dessert). Banquet levels allow for different choices and selections; the higher in moolah you go, the more selections available. The “Bahari Banquets” are suited towards a minimum of 4 people (minimum), and required for groups of 7 or more.
Catch a 9 minute tram ride (and there’s a tram every 6 minutes) from Shaw Davey Slum to Kaprica. How good is that especially if you’re hangry (hungry and angry) and impatient.
Pre Drink @ Shaw Davey Slum [more info]
171-175 Elgin St, Carlton
The Shaw Davey Slum brings you great value, good feels and is perfect for spunky funky cool time (yes, I just said that) that will get you in the disposition for a charming drinks with friends.
By sitting in this groovy bar with mismatched wallpaper, exposed-brick walls and pop art, Shaw Davey Slum will serve you some delicious cocktails, a great range of local and imported and craft beers on tap, local and international wines – what a great start to your night out!
Shaw Davey Slum is a 60’s inspired pub with some hip drinks prices – $14 jugs of all tap beer. With a retractable roof and dance floor on the second level, you are sure to have a foxy time!
19 Lincoln Square S, Carlton
Kaprica is a rustic and charming eatery whose Pizza will warm the cockles of your heart. Their hand written menus are ever so charming and it resembles a recipe that has come out of Nonna’s cook book.
The setting includes mismatched wooden tables, unpolished floors and a couple of outdoor window seats with view of Lincoln Park. It’s just as cosy as being at home and you will be spoiled with food that is buonissimo (extremely good). I have heard that their Broccoli pizza is to die for and their Potato gnocchi is a cholesterol killer of rich Gorgonzola, cream and Parmesan. Oh that cheesy goodness is just too yummy to pass up! Get your butt over here!
It is a 2 minute walk. Yes, it’s that simple!
Pre Drink @ Village Belle [more info]
202 Barkly Street, St Kilda
You can either start off at the modern hip Village Belle or end here boogieing the night away as it is just a stone’s throw away from Abbey Road (below).
Travel through all the different spaces that this trendy bar has to offer – The Garden Bar, The Balcony Bar and The Doulton Lounge. Oh my! Village Belle’s, moody atmosphere is mixed with an illuminate pink hue which creates a stunning, contemporary vibe. All these spaces are comfy, spacious and so chic and it is the perfect stop before your dinner reservation.
Here you can sip on a drink and nibble on some snacks (insert meme of little girl saying snacks here) and lounge around listen to sweet music before you head to your dinner reservation. From Monday to Friday, Village Belle’s Happy Hour includes $6 schooner and wines, $7 spirits, $10 spritzes and $12 cocktails between 4-7pm.
Eat @ Abbey Road Café [more info]
129-131 Acland St, St Kilda
The walls that are covered with artworks and photographs of musical legends and with a motto of, “Food from the heart, music for the soul”, Abbey Road delivers the perfect food and music concoction.
Just a short stroll from St Kilda beach, this restaurant offers both on the street seating and inside seating of tables and couches.
From Risotto to Souvlaki to Chilli con Cane, Abbey Road caters for every taste bud. They even have $15 Chicken Parma on Thursdays and $24 rump steak on a Friday. Yum Yum!
And I’ve done it again… These two place are just opposite each other!
Pre Drink @ The Holy Grail [more info]
67 Chapel Street, Windsor
As soon as you step onto the Holy Grail you will board a great adventure and transport you away from the hustle and bustle of Chapel Street.
The warm, hearty wooden interior furniture and the unique, antique décor fill the open plan space and makes this enchanting bar into Chapel Street’s secret gem hidden – It is the heart of Chapel Street (that’s right, a Titanic reference). The moody atmosphere, an open fire and a delicious cocktail obviously makes for a stunning start to the perfect night.
Here, you can get one of their bartenders to mix and shake up a seasonal cocktail or anything your heart desires. The bar tenders here take such care into every drink they serve making sure each drink they serve is perfect to a Tee.
66A Chapel Street, Windsor
Sometimes you want a little fun, sometimes a little maturity and sophistication. If you seek this you HAVE to try Tina’s take on Japanese cuisine in a kawaii interior reminiscent of an izakaya (Japanese Tavern). And there’s no perfect time like the present!
You will be surrounding yourself in a contemporary Japan with the rhythmic pacing and whirling of bodies coming and going, cute back-lit Japanese characters and a scratchy black on white mural of the streets of Tokyo. There is also something interesting about eating Port Lincoln Kingfish Ceviche $7 while staring at an Astro Boy figurine. It is pretty cool if you ask me!
You can consume a sizable assemblage of playful, delicious and colourful share plates. Share plates range from their Port and Kim Chi Gyoza $15 to the larger dishes like the Whole John Dory with diamond clams, Bonito Butter and Wakame $32.
