Heading to Melbourne

[JoshMP]

So the missus and I will be heading over to Melbourne Friday night for 8 days of much needed rest and relaxation. We're trying to keep the plans quite fluid, not specifically saying where we will be and when.

So what would anybody suggest we see or do whilst we're there? Advice from Melbournites who know the little hidden gems much appreciated!

I've been hoarding a few special smokes for this trip and I'll post the reviews along with where I smoke them whilst I'm there.

[El Presidente]

So the missus and I will be heading over to Melbourne Friday night for 8 days of much needed rest and relaxation. We're trying to keep the plans quite fluid, not specifically saying where we will be and when.

So what would anybody suggest we see or do whilst we're there? Advice from Melbournites who know the little hidden gems much appreciated!

I've been hoarding a few special smokes for this trip and I'll post the reviews along with where I smoke them whilst I'm there.

I am sure the lads will give you plenty of leads over the coming days but what are the missus and yourself into beside cigars? Art, Music, food? Flesh it out and we will give some advice so that you have a whale of a time.

[JoshMP]

Well Music is good, especially little clubs and pubs. Jazz clubs are great.

And I'm a big fan of just walking and looking, so any places that you guys think are worth taking a walk around?

Restaurants are always a win with her, a combination of the real nice places but also any little place.

I asked B and she gave me the most non-descript answer ever "tell them everything is good" :-P

I'll do a google search for the sights and sounds of Melbourne so I'm really asking for the places out of the way that maybe not everyone knows about?

And, of course, good places to have a cigar.

[dicko]

why not catch some of the tennis while you are over?? rod laver atmosphere is electric and you can go for a nice wak along the yarra river on the way there and back. I'm back in perth just now after 5 days there myself. was awesome. food on Lygon street was fantastic too.

[maximus]

manchester lane has a great jazz club.awesome food awesome music

[OZCUBAN]

Hi Josh

You will love Melbourne (It's hard not to )

Here are a couple of links that might help you out,

SIGLO BAR

Collins Quarter

Ra

Collins quarter is really nice ,as is the food there ,upstairs is a a Cigar lounge called the Ra Bar ,very classy.

melbourne is a labyrinth of shopping and food ,and i am sure you will enjoy,I am of to Melbourne my self in Feb

Have a good time as i am sure you will

Cheers OZ(Steve)

[Wil]

It's surprisingly hard to think of good things to do in your own city! Of course there are plenty, but tourists probably see more of it than most Melbournians do!

That said, definitely head to Siglo as has been suggested. It's a great bar. Maybe have dinner at The European a few doors along first.

If you're into sport, maybe check out the National Sports Museum at the MCG. It's something I've never got around to doing (despite regular visits to the 'G during the footy season).

Aside from that, a trip down the Mornington Peninsula is always good. Great wineries (particularly if you like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir), great beaches and some awesome golf courses if you are that way inclined.

And of course there are plenty of laneway bars in the CBD to explore.

Have a great trip.

[bolivr]

Where are you coming from Littlejosh? This can lead us to suggest things you may like or some things different to your every day experience that you may say, yep, that was distinctively Melbourne.

I'll provide a 3rd vote for Siglo bar to have a smoke at and add a recommendation for the small laneways through the back of the Block Arcade. Start at Collins St, walk through, interesting shops, great place to people watch - and Haighs chocolates is there Some great coffee too.

Take the free City Circle tram just to cool your heels and trundle around the streets for a while. Would be worth a trip by tram down to St Kilda for the variety of food and the bay views. Have fun!

[Kangaroo495]

I was there three weeks recently.

Some of the best things were:

Lygon St. for food

Siglo Bar for cigars

Crown Casino

Shopping on Brunswick St.

Wine tour of the Yarra Valley (probably the absolute highlight)

Wandered around the little lanes in the city centre which was nice

St. Kilda (especially having beers at the Prince of Wales in the late afternoon), also there's a great pizza place there called Topolino's.

Food in China Town was also exceptional.

I think the highlight of Melbourne was the food!

[baragh]

What's Ra bar like? Is there an outdoor area to smoke?

Can agree with what's been said about Siglo, it's a great rooftop bar that we visited the last time we were in Melbourne.

We were also lucky enough to visit Baranows while they were allowing people to smoke indoors which was fantastic!

[Dbone]

Sounds like there's some good places to check out. Hope you and the missus have a great vacation Josh

[Bill Hayes]

Sorry for the late reply but the computer copped a virus. If a virus protection software page appears that is called 'Palladium' do not follow its instructions. Simply shut down and hope you haven't been infected. Needed the geeks to come around today to fix it. Didn't want you to think us Melbournians are inhospitable. Anyway, I live in StKilda in Melbourne which is a tourist area just 15 minutes from Melbourne CBD on the bay beaches. In StKilda, the restaurants I like are Cicciolina in Acland Street (Italian - you can't book for dinner but wait in the bar if you can't get a table but you can book for lunch) and Claypots in Barkly Street 2 minutes walk away (you can't book here either but wait in the bar until seated if you can't get a table - the wait is worth it so get there early for cheap fresh seafood - Cajun whole flathead, seafood platter, giant garlic prawns, pick your fish etc.). At the Fitzroy end of Acland Street there is Chinta Blues Malaysian Hawker Bar which serves good Malaysian food - you also can't book here. Just 5 minutes walk from my place is the Dog's Bar which serves nice wine. The George Wine bar on Fitzroy Street also serves good wine and has a nice restaurant too. The Pelican on Fitzroy Street, across the road from the Prince of Wales has a top bar and tapas and so does the Newmarket newly refurbished bar on Inkermann Street.

Away from StKilda in Collins Street in the CBD there is a new Mexican restaurant called Mama Sita. It's great modern tex mex. You can't book here either. Cumulus Inc is also great. If you want to go upmarket then I like The Press Club best of the expensive ones. I also like Siglo bar for cigars.

A trip to the Mornington Penninsula wineries is not bad either. Montalto and Ten Minutes by Tractor have good restaurants.

The Casino has Rockpool restaurant for good steaks.

Hope this helps and you have a great time in my home town!