Nice rooftop overseeing the city view!…read more There's a rooftop lounge area for cinema time and a time for sitting around to just simply relax while sipping on drinks! They provide the bar food of burgers and etc., if you want munchies. I was enjoying the sun and city landscapes here! It's quite a communal place to be and overseen to get up here! The ground floor entry is easy to miss and exterior is dull. Cheers to chill vibes!

Food: 5/5 Service: 4/5…read moreCleanliness: 4/5 Decor & Style: 5/5 This is a really neat place. I did not watch a movie here, however, I enjoyed the craft beer and the burger which was both very good! I love the concept of watching an rooftop, outdoor movie with good food and drinks. There should be many of these worldwide! Very relaxing place yet also excellent upbeat vibe at the same time if you know what I mean. I would love to come back here.

The best cinema experience I have had in ages. My son goes here all the time and swore we would…read morehave a great time seeing a new film here, and he was absolutely right. We went to see "See How They Run" last year while in town and I had almost forgotten how enjoyable it is to experience a new film with an appreciative audience. Definitely plan to visit again. Plus, the neighborhood is delightful. You can't go wrong on Lygon Street.

Welcome to the art house complex for film! Do you feel like getting all dressed up as an ode to…read more being artsy? In the mood to watch a widely reviewed festival film? How about catching that movie you've had on your radar and it just so happens that it's not showing anywhere else, but Cinema Nova? What about that moment you just wanted to watch a movie make it a little bit better with some vino and a homemade choc top? Yes, yes! You can do all this and more when you come on down to Cinema Nova! No, this isn't the type of theater that feels the need to keep with the times trying to impress the audience with the wows of modern cinema. This cinema is too cool to even care that others are competing with each other. Cinema Nova sits back and does it's own thing. The hipster of cinemas, if you will. It smirks at the idea of fancy reclining seats, shrugs off allocated seating, laughs in the face of extra leg room, and rolls it eyes to 567000 surround sound systems. All Cinema Nova calls for is simple, film goers and what going to movies used to be all about, film. It's a classic theater and will continue to stay that way and stand it's ground, the exact way cinemas should be, focusing all about what's on the screen.

Bundle up and set out on an exploration of Gertrude Street. The Projection Festival features both…read moresmall and large scale projections - from small works lighting up shop windows to whole sides of buildings awash in colourful light. There are plenty of cosy venues along the route to duck into for a warming drink or a cold beer if you're feeling the chill in the air. The scale and 'wow factor' aren't as massive as the Christmas and White Night projections, but the crowds aren't as big either. This event is more suited to conversation and casual strolling at your own pace. With the bright lights and friends & families roaming the street, it almost feels like Christmas... in July!

This festival of light happens annually in July on Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. I first heard about…read moreit through tram advertising and then read more advertising in the local street press. I highly recommend becoming a viewer next year. Whole buildings are turned into projection screens that have static and moving light displays. Also used are smaller projections within store windows and even projections on to the footpath and trees. No space is spared and the imagination of the artist is limitless. I love the concept of light as art and this festival has chosen wisely and collaborated with some fantastic artists. It is a fun and innovative festival that is free for the general public to view. Normally a five-minute walk form Nicholson St to Smith St - this exhibition takes about an hour to take in and appreciate. A small amount of time that will leave a large impression.

Went along to experience virtual reality gaming and was impressed by the range of games and…read moreplatforms available. Will be back, looking forward to seeing some of the latest gadgetry from the various Kickstarter backings they've made ... they love to push the boundaries of gaming!

From the owner: Blow your mind and step into the future, right here in Melbourne…read more *Arcade Closed til Jan 29 during insane upgrades* The same old entertainment just doesnt do it for you anymore... :( Right? You've come to the right place! Kids Birthday Party, Grown Up Gaming Bash, or Power Session, the Arcade of the future is here! Super Accessible, near the corner of Hoddle St & Eastern FWY in Clifton Hill. VR Insanity is the one of a kind, state of the art Video Game Arcade! Bookings Essential! Book early to avoid disappointment. Visit our website and Enter the Game!

Quality/Quantity - I really like the dinosaur exhibits! So…read morecool. And you do not have to be a kid to enjoy this. Very immersive exhibits! Yes, this museum is very kid friendly. Current special events & exhibitions. Titanic until 4/14/24. High Tea until 4/14/24. 2/8/24 Nocturnal - Museum after dark. 2/10/24 Lunar New Year Day. 2/14/24 Valentine Day event. There are so many more exhibits and events, see website. (Yelp has the wrong website). https://museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/ Atmosphere - Another beautiful museum. And in the Carlton Gardens. Even the bathrooms are modern and beautiful... 4 floors, see directory. IMAX theater. Market Cafe. Open 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm. Yelp hours differ slightly. Service - Good. Price - $15AUD per person. Owner Comment - Congrats on your success since 2000.

Decently sized museum with lots of areas to explore a different variety of exhibitions…read more You can gets lots of historical information regarding the settlers of Australia, both new and old. There are also more modern exhibitions, including Lego. The place is great for both museum enthusiasts as well as for families with kids. The staff is friendly and can direct you if needed. The facilities are modern with plenty of restrooms and other accommodations. The crowds also seem to have been mostly well controlled. I'd say the dinosaur display is the one most definitely work checking out.

What a way to celebrate my bday. This festival blew my mind at every corner. I didn't want it to…read moreend! It's been a very long time since I went to a festival that was over the top spectacular. Nothing compares to Melbourne's special night. It felt like all of Melbourne came out to play and play nice! The city lights up even brighter in a family friendly event all across the city starting in the CBD. The news said about 650,000 came out but it looked like a million. Restaurants stayed opened, food trucks, so much entertainment. The artists in Melbourne are remarkable. So much to see and experience even down the Yarra river. The views from the bridge left me in awe. I was nerding out every other second. Fire breathing gigantic dragon, illuminated bird that flew along the river, projection art with a lovely message of friendliness love and togetherness. The frisky dancers and on my street corner. A young gentleman playing his sexyphone on the balcony. Across the street piano players and guitarists on a rooftop and so much more. All I could say is thank you Melbourne for an unforgettable bday at White Night. Mel M Yelp 18:42

Wow! First to review White Night?! This is one of my favourite nights in Melbourne. And I'm not…read morealone -over half a million people turn out for the all night art event this year. Running from sunset to sunrise, the event gets the creative juices flowing with music, dance, film, large scale art installations, performances, and projections. (Plus a number of unique quirky experiences - giant foam sculpture or 3am synchronised swimming anyone?) Many bars and restaurants stayed open late and food trucks were dotted around the city, helping revelers stay fortified throughout evening. A major tip for making the most of the evening is to stay up late or get up early. There are various hubs around the city, stretching from the Carlton Gardens, past Federation Square, and down to the NGV and Birrarung Marr. But expect large, dense crowds and long lines during prime hours before midnight. (There are 500,000 people out in the city!) By contrast, at 5am we waltzed right into the Melbourne Baths without a queue in sight. Central to White Night aesthetic are the spectacular, large scale projections on major city buildings. White Night is a memorable night out, with different experiences each year. I'll definitely be back in the crowd again next year!

What a bloody great idea! I first stumbled across something pretty similar to this down Prahran way…read morea few years back and was enamoured with the concept. As it turns out, the Incube8r woman won some kind of business model award for this place because the concepts are so sound and the place just took off. It's the sort of thing you expect in Tokyo where space is at the biggest premium. But rather than people sleeping in drawers here, people show their art and craft wares in various sized boxes and booths. You get so much crammed in to the space that shopping becomes this little exploration mission and you can spend hours rifling through clever people's creations. The prices are reasonable also (for both goods and space), so it's a must-go for birthday/Christmas shopping if you're a bit in the dark for ideas. There are so many variants in terms of style and aesthetic here, you really can't go far wrong.

I was looking for a birthday present for C and I was thinking of getting her a piece of locally…read moremade jewelery. I like to support local jewelers and a get a really unique piece rather than mass-produced jewelery. And so I stopped at Incube8r Gallery because I knew that they specialize in the work of local jewelers, designers and crafts people. Incube8r Gallery is meant to be a bit of a business incubator for local designers, hence the name of the gallery. There are all these little cabinets and other display areas where each designer features their work and I'm looking at each of them trying to find something that would suit C's style. No, good but not C's style, oh! I like those cuff-links, not for C but for me. And it kept on happening, lots of good jewelery but nothing that was just right for C. and so many items that I really liked. I had to keep on reminding myself that I was shopping for C's birthday present and not for me. It was totally unexpected and in the end I couldn't resisted and bought myself a badge. It wasn't expensive so I can still afford to buy something C really nice for birthday.

I expected to just browse the designers featured at the local Big Design Market, but ended up…read morecoming away with several fun Christmas gifts. There are multiple stalls with 'Melbourne' themed gifts if you are shopping for interstate or overseas. Entry is free and there is a big range of prices for various budgets, from $5 bottle cap style rings to $250+ for cotton bedding. There are also items you never knew you needed but can possibly live without, like an Australian flag moustache broche. A vast majority of the products are aimed at the ladies, but there are some good things for guys here too. You can also head here for after work drinks for a beer, wine, or cider and a taco truck is parked out front. The market features some great designers and it's worth it to have a look around at the artists and craftsmanship.

What happens when you put hundreds of Australia's young, up-and-coming (or already seriously made…read moreit) designers and creatives all in one spot at once with their crafty, beautiful offerings up for sale? The Big Design Market. Seriously, go there with a budget and only go over that budget by a hundred because things could get out of control. So much beautiful bits and pieces from dog clothes to vases, calendars to jewellery to art, plants to bicycle. EVERYTHING PRETTY. And on the crowd side, so many people in outfits that I would like to borrow. It's a little crowded but nothing compared with the alcohol tastings I've been to/work out so this level of people was actually a nice change. The biggest lines and crowds were for food (especially Miss Chu's Dumplings) but there was a couple of street food traders on the outside that you could get pass outs to. And that's not really what you're there for right..? BEST PLACE EVER FOR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.

So I worked on this piece of writing recently whereby I interviewed a bunch of people from…read moreAbbotsford Convent about their ghost stories from the place. There are plenty. The main kind of repeated story (four people told me independently of a similar experience) is of a sudden rush of anxiety when climbing the eastern stair well in the main convent building. The anxiety builds to a kind of terror as the people enter the nuns quarters and has forced people to avoid this part of the building altogether. I can't say I experienced this myself, but there are certainly some spooky nooks and corridors in this complex. The convent conduct a walking tour of the place on weekends and though they won't highlight the 'haunted' spots, the place has such an amazing history (from Indigenous meeting place, through the convent and girls-home years, and into its existence today as a buzzing arts and social hub) that it's well worth the few dollars. Alternatively, you can pick up a brochure from the office and take yourself to the south eastern breezeway that cuts through the former laundries of the girls home. Stay after dark... I dare ya.

If you are in need of a weekend away but can't manage it then may I suggest a visit to Abbotsford…read moreConvent? The Convent feels world away from Melbourne despite its proximity to the CBD. There is something about the spacious grounds, historical buildings and range of eateries that promotes relaxation and escape. Maybe it's just after the battle to find a parking spot in nearby streets anything feels serene in comparison. When exploring the various buildings and grounds of the Convent you feel as though you are discovering something new. Whether it be a new favourite dish, a new piece of art in the gallery spaces or a new view of the Yarra. This space is very hospitable. It hosts markets, conferences, tours and you can also book various area's of the Convent for functions. On my last visit a wedding was underway and the happy couple appeared to be in love with the location, and hopefully each other. Grab a table at the Bakery or a spot on the lawn and write me a postcard!

On Wednesday evening I went to the opening at Seventh Gallery's latest exhibition by a group of…read morefive Melbourne artists. The small gallery was packed with people talking, drinking, spilling out into the street and occasionally looking at the installation, paintings and video. The video projections on the window of the gallery, the night screen, are on most nights. "When are the performance elements going to start?" This is seriously cool art and a lot of fun. It is called Seventh Gallery because at the time that it was established it was the 7th gallery on Gertrude St. It is an artist-run space, not for profit exhibition space. And it often has the best exhibitions that I see when I look at the Gertrude St. galleries. The committee of artists who run the gallery make some excellent choices about interesting contemporary art to exhibit every three weeks. There are two exhibition spaces in this small artist run gallery. There is the larger converted shop space with the front window and a smaller windowless exhibition space in the backroom, what must have once been the shop's storeroom. In this exhibition the same group was exhibiting in both spaces.

An artist run space is not the most everyday appearance, but they do happen often enough in…read moreMelbourne that you have start being quite out going with your social self to see them all. Seventh Gallery moves into video projection town, I believe largely due to the size of the space. Two and a half spaces (to rooms and a between) can often be found filled with light or in fact absent of it all together. Openings will occur every three weeks, with several return customers popping up as though locals, and the committee responsible for setting up and packing up but their hearts into it. The pieces themselves can be a little hit and miss at times, but it's well worth stopping in and checking it out, if only to move on quickly to the shopping opportunities around or the drinking establishments close by.