Having taken Broadway by storm, Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s The Book of Mormon Musical is coming to Melbourne, taking the stage at The Princess Theatre from January 18 to May 21. Such a buzz-worthy show is bound to pull its fair share of interstate visitors, so we’ve come up with a nifty list (and handy map) of bars and eateries worth visiting while in town. Pre-show feeds and post-curtain drinks await you at these ripper establishments:
Higher Ground
650 Little Bourke St
One of Melbourne CBD’s newest all-day offerings is also its grandest, taking over a stunning, lofty space at the end of Little Bourke St. Slinking easily from breakfast and coffee hot-spot, to after-dark diner, Higher Ground’s plating up fine dining sensibilities, from open until close. Kick-start your day with a batch brew and the steamed market fish in Japanese broth, or put it to bed, with duck liver parfait and a 16-year-old Lagavulin.
Magic Mountain Saloon
62 Little Collins St
Having won fans aplenty at favourites like Cookie and Boney, Karen Batson’s mod-Asian fare is again stealing the spotlight, this time at the neon-clad Magic Mountain Saloon. This two-level, Little Collins St venue is dishing up clever, punchy flavours from breakfast through dinner, backing it up with a strong tap beer offering, some stellar cocktails, and party-starting weekend DJ’s.
Fancy Hank’s + Good Heavens
79 Bourke St
BBQ legend Fancy Hanks recently unveiled its new Bourke Street digs and they’re well worth a look-in, both for the meaty offerings being served up on the lower level and for the vibrant rooftop bar crowning it. Downstairs, a custom-built smoker turns out a tantalising array of American-style BBQ fare, classic sides, and innovative dishes, while Good Heavens rooftop is your destination for retro-inspired cocktails in the sun.
Siglo
Level 2, 161 Spring St
Mere steps away from your theatre seat lies Siglo – one of Melbourne’ original rooftop destinations. Perched above The Melbourne Supper Club, it’s a suave terrace space that nods to eras past, where the scent of cigar smoke and views of a back-lit Parliament House across the road transport you to somewhere much more European. Quaff classic cocktails, or a fine whisky from the impressive selection behind the bar.
Section 8
27-29 Tattersalls Lane
No trip to Melbourne would be complete without a visit to one of its iconic laneway haunts. Nestled on Tattersalls Lane in the heart of Chinatown, Section 8 is the ultimate find – a cranking inner-city beer garden decked out with a swag of street art, a shipping container bar, and seating knocked up from timber pallets. Here, an ace line-up of DJ’s grace the decks, while the bar slings fun cocktails and a hefty range of bottled brews.
QT Melbourne + Rooftop @ QT
133 Russell St
To add a touch of luxury to your interstate jaunt, opt for a stay at the much-hyped QT Melbourne. This boutique hotel is the city’s newest, boasting a sparkling, industrial chic fit-out across its rooms and its sophisticated array of bars and eateries. The swankiest of these is the newly opened Rooftop at QT – a luxe indoor-outdoor space with covetable views across the city, a stellar line-up of cocktails, and a glammed-up crowd with which to mingle.
Image source: Broadsheet, Magic Mountain Saloon, Visit Victoria, Pieces of Victoria, Concrete Playground.