The Local Word: Melbourne’s 3 Coolest Cultural Experiences
Melbourne is renowned for its casually cool culture of coffee, art, food, music and good times. With its hundreds of restaurants, cafes and live music venues, you will never be short of things to do. Even though it’s right in the midst of a chilly winter, there is no time for rest in Melbourne. Here is a guide to three of the best cultural experiences in Melbourne, with the lowdown on the coolest local hangouts — so you better get booking your Melbourne tickets
Experience the Live Music Scene
Melbourne is a muso’s haven, and attracts some of the world’s most prestigious international acts. It is also blessed with an abundance of amazing local talent, as musicians from all over Australia relocate to Melbourne to be a part of its music scene. For this reason, the quality of Melbourne live music is incredibly high, and the venues are designed to showcase it. Four of the best places to experience live music in Melbourne include the John Curtin Hotel, Northcote Social Club, The Prince Bandroom and the Toff in Town.
The John Curtain Hotel in Carlton is one of the best places to see bands. With gigs playing every night of the week, you will be exposed to all different genres. The Northcote Social Club is another great venue, and it often hosts band/singer talent competitions as well as local album launches for rock bands, duos and singer/songwriters. Best of all, cover charges are usually capped at around the $10 mark. The Prince Bandroom in St. Kilda also attracts a high caliber of talent, including DJs, soloists and rock bands. It has hosted a range of international acts over the years including Dizzy Wright (USA) and John Digweed (U.K.). The cool thing about it is that it looks like a mini stadium. With one of the best sound systems in Melbourne, the Toff in Town is another great music venue. As well as being the preferred place to play for a long list of stellar local acts, it hosts a range of national and international guests on a monthly basis.
Embrace the Famed Cafe Culture
After a big night out sampling the Melbourne music scene, you’re going to be in dire need of that morning pick-me-up coffee. Luckily enough, Melbourne has one of the best — if not the very best — café cultures in Australia. Being home to some of the best baristas, cafes and coffee brands in existence, you never have to wander far to get your fix. Three of the best Melbourne cafes include Market Lane, Seven Seeds and Proud Mary. Market Lane is a coffee shop and roasting house with three different retail spaces across Melbourne. They source their own coffee beans from the best international growers, and never compromise on quality. Seven Seeds is another local favourite based in Carlton. They source their beans from South and Central America, and are renowned for their sweet fruit and creamy caramel flavours in their coffee. Located on Oxford Street in Collingwood, Proud Mary has reviewer’s all abuzz with its range of killer original coffees and coffee blends, all designed to suit various brewing techniques.
Release Your Inner Foodie
Melbourne is home to some of the best restaurants in the world, including Vue de Monde, Attica and Jacques Reymond. Vue de Monde on Collins Street sits 55 stories up in the former observation deck of one of Melbourne’s tallest towers. It offers an intimate and luxurious fine-dining experience with menu highlights including a 10-course degustation. Attica is celebrated by critics and patrons alike for Chef Ben Shewry’s innovative approach to fresh, Australian-sourced produce. It was recently named number 21 of San Pellegrino’s “World’s 50 Best Restaurants” and is a must-do if you’re in Melbourne. Jacques Reymond is another restaurant masterpiece, located on Williams Road in Prahran. Set in a 19th-century villa, Jacques Reymond is all about the total dining experience and certainly lives up to all three of its Good Food Guide hats.
Market Lane Coffee Cup >littleyiye< Foter / CC BY
About the Author: Nicola Hill is a Melbourne-based music blogger with a thirst for killer coffee and a fondness for fine-dining.
