Wait, where did Pugg Mahones go?! Obviously I haven't been paying attention on my recent trips…read morearound Lygon St, as seems the oddly named The Shaw Davey Slum has been open for business for over three months now. (A rant for a different time; but are there any Irish pubs left in melbs?) We showed great trepidation about venturing into the Slum. The outside looked unappealing, garishly bright paint covered with posters advertising the different nights and specials looking like a tacky Gold Coast nightclub. Completing that picture: they had a few bouncers outside too...at 6pm on a Thurs. (Having been out of the nightclubing age bracket for some time I can't remember the last time I've even seen a door-bouncer!). The guy even clicked his counter when we entered even though we were about the only ones in there (guess it gets busy later?). Inside the decor is all over the shop. Can't figure out what they're going for. Andy Warhol's Marilyn Monroe inspired wallpaper, ergonomically-challenging bar-stools, a few nice light fixtures, and then more bright pink & orange posters smothered over the bar. Some cool touches here, some tacky ones there. (Weirdly their best design feature is the rustic-themed toilets, with - sorry to be uncouth - urinals made from what I think were discarded kegs.) You see the prices though and suddenly it makes sense: it's a uni-bar. Prices are wild. In fact I probably should have started my review there. Let me put this next point in all-caps: FOR SEPTEMBER 2014, ALL-DAY EVERY-DAY YOU CAN GET A JUG OF JAMES SQUIRE FOR $10 That's $10 for a jug of any of their tap beers actually - James Squire Lashes is just my fave. After Sept they are still only $15 I believe and since I reckon I paid $13 for a *Pint* of the same at the Portland Hotel a few days ago, that's pretty decent!...There's also cheap cocktail jugs (can't vouch for those) and $5 bottles of some beer, so if you want to save some $ and don't mind a uni crowd, definitely worth popping in to 'pre-load' up before heading somewhere ...nicer. (Note: drink responsibly) And heading somewhere nicer was what we were going to do after a drink but the cheap jugs did their trick and kept coming and kept us there until we were too starving to go anywhere else! Their food menu is similarly cheap, with a nice selection of $10 meals (and most others around $15, with two steak options $20-$25 or so). I was torn between a few of the cheap feeds, so we got a taster plate on top of our meals (also $10). This let us try a few dishes to see they were worth coming back for. It had hits (arancini balls / vegemite calamari - yes you read that right) and misses (chicken wings / pork belly....but I've never understood the allure of pure pig fat myself) but the best part was that each sample came with a paired sauce, which came in very handy for the chips that came with out other meals. The beer burger the ladies ordered was ok - wouldn't stand up to any cool new Burger place around but for $10 did the job - and my mate's steak sanga was from all reports decent but a man doesn't ask another man to sample his steak so I have to take his word on that. Have to say my parma was the real disappointment - when it came out it looked huge but was an optical illusion as it was actually as thin as a pancake, which meant it tasted more like the crumbs than the chicken. Next time I'll get a full serve of the calamari. I don't really understand the place, but then again it's not really for me. Staff were lovely though, and if I'm anywhere in the vicinity in the next few weeks will be back for the cheap beer for sure.

I remember coming here ages ago with some friends, back when it was a Pug Moloneys. Actually, come…read moreto think of it, that must have been ages back since Pug Maloney's hasn't been around since I was in University (or shortly after). Anyway, this place has certainly had a refit and is now one of those trendier pubs that you tend to find scattered around the innercity. Actually, trendy is probably not the best word to describe this place, but I wouldn't go as far as calling it classy either. They do have a rooftop bar, but everytime I've come here - once for a drink and once for dinner with friends, it's been closed. The menu options aren't huge, and the servings were that fantastic either (I believe I got a steak and chips and that was about it). It's a nice place, but not one that I would be hurrying back to any time soon.

At first I thought this was just a bar however it is actually, as the name suggests, the back room…read moreof a craft beer bottle shop (though I will review that separately as it is a different sort of business. Anyway, as a bar it is pretty cool, and also quite conveniently located, which is why I have found myself back here a few times after my first visit. Anyway, this is the proper definition of a craft beer bar, especially since they have a huge number of beers available, though not at cheap prices. Another thing that stands out is that they don't just sell beer, they sell art as well, though they aren't cheap (but then again when it comes to art you aren't paying ridiculous prices, namely into the hundreds of dollars). Anywaym it is a pretty cool bar, and while the beers are a little pricey, they are also pretty good.

This is the best bar in Melbourne. Amazing selection of beer in tap, that rotates all the time…read more Plus you can buy packaged beer from Carwyn to enjoy in the bar. Mind blowing assortment of spirits (try the moonshine, go on). Plus you can order food from Moor's Head and Kustom Burger. Actually, don't go here. I don't want it to be crowded.

I disagree with those who say The Point Albert Park is one of the best restaurants in Melbourne…read more The decor and architecture inside this place is nothing special. I was quite disappointed actually. It has a simple reception style decor. The restaurant is located in front of the Albert Park Lake. Depending on the day or night, the view may be nice to look at. Unfortunately, the view was far from spectacular that night. I assume that the view and location is contributes to the price and reputation of this place. I can see that this place can be a suitable venue for a wedding function as there is a separate big dining function room. Personally, this isn't my personal preference in terms of architecture and space. The actual restaurant is quite small, narrow and not as extravagant as I expected. There were many other couples that night. I personally wouldn't recommend this place for date night as there are other better places to take someone on a date. Then again, the view might be more appealing during the day or during summer night. My partner and I started with a dozen of natural oysters with lemon. Half a dozen of St Helens Tasmania and half of Coffin Bay (which is actually my favourite oysters). The oysters were ok, and was not cold enough. It was room temperature or as if the oysters were sitting in the kitchen bench for a while. I believe natural oysters served at a fine dining restaurant should be served cold, not warm. I had the Seared rock lobster, veal sweetbread, Parmesan gnocchi and crepe sauce. It was a standard sized meal for a fine dining restaurant, but if you're big eater or prefer a pub sized meal then you'll be disappointed with this dish. It was actually a good sized meal for me. The lobster meat was delicious and meaty, the parmesan gnocchi was soft, fresh and had a cheesy (not overpowering) taste upon first bite. The veal was tougher than the lobster and had a slightly burnt bitter taste. This was a good contrast to the rest of the dish which is quite delicate including the crepe sauce. It was a fine dish but I wouldn't order this dish again because I've had more memorable and scrumptious lobster dishes as a main. As for the presentation, it was average and expected more creativity for the price tag and the reputation of this restaurant. My partner ordered the David Blackmore wagyu steak which was listed on the menu. He requested for the steak to be cooked medium. Upon the arrival of his steak with no explanation of the steak so we assumed it was the David Blackmore wagyu plate, parsley and beetroot my partner ordered from the menu. The presentation was simple without any WOW factor. My partner said it was good steak but slightly too salty for his liking. I had several bites and was in love. In my opinion it was very delicious with a slight charcoaled outer taste and tender meat inside. Along with the steak and lobster as our main, we had the Cauliflower, bearnaise sauce and gruyere. We shared dessert and had the Pear souffle, Poire William and Champagne sorbet. Once again, presentation was average but the taste was amazing. The soufflé was soft and fluffy on the top and syrupy at the bottom with obvious sweetness from the pear. The champagne sorbet was perfect, cold, smooth and does not have that typical strong sweet or sour sugary sorbet taste. The bill arrived for a much high total than we expected. It turns out there was a hiccup somewhere between the waiter and the kitchen or waiter and the manager. I won't go into specific dollars but I will say we were charged for an item that wasn't even on the menu and was more expensive. Luckily, my partner enjoyed his steak (except for the slight saltiness) so was happy to pay. Personally, I think there's a problem when between 3-4 people cannot get an order right. Overall, the food delivers on quality and taste, but lacks creativity in terms of plating. So I can see how this restaurant is rated on their food but The Point Albert Park needs to work on their communication and customer service. The food is pricey but you will get quality produce. Whether it is worth the money, you'll have to judge it for yourself. Personally, I'll save my money for other places in the future because I don't believe in paying for fine food with not so fine service.

One of the main selling point for this restaurant is definitely the view, so take advantage and go…read morewhen you can actually enjoy it. Unlike me, arriving there on a rainy evening I really didn't get to enjoy any view outside. Much of it was pitch black haha Service was lovely, the host even offered to go and top up our parking meter. Being a heavily rainy night, we don't want to put her in the position but appreciated the gesture. Our meal was good and on par for the price however one visit is enough for me. The reason being that although I was there a few weeks ago, I don't remember exactly what we had :/ which usually means nothing was a stand out.

Either this place is quite new, or I missed it the first time I walked down this end of Errol…read morestreet, but it is certainly one of those places worth checking out. Okay, they only have benches out of the road, but the atmosphere inside is quite cool. In fact it is generally not all that crowded, which is what I like about some of these bars, especially the ones that haven't appeared on people's radars yet. It certainly has a nice cosy atmosphere, to the point that when I came back down here I stopped off again to have another beer.

What do you get when you cross a sunlit laneway cafe with a wine bar? Apart from an excellent…read moreexcuse for day time drinking, the answer would be Sun Moth Canteen & Bar. Only open a week, this place is brand spanking new and they are settling in - but I'm already in love. It's got the relaxed laid back feel of a brunch cafe but it's a really a bar. Melbourne has a lot of great places to drink, but not many that feel this relaxed and double as an awesome spot for lunch or a casual bite. They serve delicious coffee - but with no room for an espresso machine, it's filter only (a big mug of batch brew or iced coffee). UPDATE 28/2: now with espresso too! The wine list is excellent and designed to let the staff guide you on what is good and open if drinking by the glass. I love this concept as I'm certainly one to like a chat with my wine. The beer list is equal to the wine list, with about 6 or so taps with an interesting selection of local brews ready to go. I love that you could come here for lunch and get a great coffee, wine or beer depending on your mood. They do breakfast Monday to Friday, but are open until 11pm so definitely one to check out for either lunch, dinner or a casual afternoon beverage. As someone who likes to take beer breaks when shopping (I find the CBD crowds exhausting!) this is going to be my new go-to. Food wise, their kitchen is quite small so they put together a list of four simple but delicious dishes around the $15 mark. Lunch was tasty and filling, I'm keen to come back to check out what's on offer at other times of the day. Yep, I'll be back. Hellooo daytime wine time.

I can see why everyone loves this café, it's all about good food, coffee & atmosphere. This place…read moreoozes Melbourne Coffee culture. You definitely need to put it on your Melbourne bucket list. Minimalist aesthetics, you will see lots of wood, metal and white. Sometimes simple is beautiful. It almost feels more homely and comfortable this way. I love the idea of the centre bar. You can see all the action in the kitchen area. On my last visit I had the Kale Salad. Yup, a bowl of all things good for you. It was the vitamin fix I needed to get me through the day. Love the hummus on the side to mix in with the kale, burghul, quinoa and grains. Coffee is fab and what you would expect from a café like this. You will need to get here early to score a table. Or why not rock up around 3pm during the quiet time for coffee. It is the perfect spot for those who work mobile. Why not sit back, relax to some awesome tunes and watch the projections on the wall. I love it Sun Moth!

The Town Hall Hotel is a North Melbourne pub icon. Sporting a relaxed urban grunge vibe, this hotel…read moreis clearly a popular local hangout. Casual Sunday, every day. I will leave the merits of the atmosphere to other patrons for comment. That said, it is a truly Melbourne pub experience. In terms of thirst, there is a good selection of wine and beer. For those who like to eat, the menu is frequently updated and has a variety of options. I ordered the Mexican Parma for dinner. It was served on top of chips. The Parma was very soggy and tasted quite bland. The guacamole topping and pub style salad didn't elevate the dish either unfortunately.

I must say that they seem to have a huge collection of music, though I couldn't tell what CDs they…read morehad because they wouldn't let me behind the bar to have a look. The musical memorabilia covering the walls of the front bar seem to suggest classic rock, but I haven't been around too long to find out (namely because this pub gets really, really crowded on a Friday night). It is also quite narrow, which means that it can also get quite cramped, especially when you try to make you way to the beer garden out the back because they seemed to have squeeze a restaurant in the middle. While I've always found a set in the beer garden, it is also small, and very crowded, so while I do really like the ambience of the place, I really not enjoy squeezing my way through large amounts of people.

A chic, small, yet vibrant modern restaurant located in the heart of Fitzroy! Once again, we…read morebrought our team member to dine here with us as a thank you gesture, and we were honestly proud of our choice. The food is undeniably good and their service is top notch! The friendly staff have impressive skills with carrying the dishes. We ordered quite a lot of food and they did not disappoint! Marion is a great little bar to visit during the day that you can nibble through as you enjoy your wine sipping session. Their wine collection is absolutely CRAZY - come visit and find out yourself!

All hail the King of Hospo!…read more Andrew McConnel, or A-Mac as I like to call him (as if to imply we are best buddies, which we totally aren't) has done it again with Marion. Serving up an ever changing menu of seasonal tasty plates and a wine list that makes me excited to be alive, Marion is the kind of place I wish was my local. Fitzroy is fast becoming THE wine bar suburb of Melbourne with Bar Clarine, Bar Liberty, Hell of the North and the ever lovable and reliable Enoteca all serving up terrific wine by the glass and bottle along with solid food offerings. If you wanted to you could jump around multiple venues in a night having a glass and a bite at each, a kind of progressive dinner. But back to Marion... it's lovely. The food and wine is top notch but what I really want to tell you about is the service. It's friendly, knowledgable and efficient. Each guest is made to feel special but not fawned over and the pace of the experience is perfectly suited to what you're in the mood for. Up for some wine nerd chat? You've got it! Want to be left alone so you can stare in to your eyes of your beloved? No worries! Want to be told what to order and drink so you can be delighted and surprised? Easy. Waiters who can read what you need, and give it to you, are as rare as hens teeth, but A-Mac attracts some of the best staff in this city and it's always a pleasure to dine in any of his establishments because of this. 5 stars.

Monkey is a beautiful little wine bar with style and quirkiness that makes you wonder why you go to…read moresome ordinary pubs so often when there are places like this around. It's easy to find, just look for people loitering on the street out front. With super-popular Moroccan Soup Bar next door, Monkey is perfectly located to attract the overflow while people wait for a table. It's a really cute little bar, it plays records instead of cds, only opens a certain few bottle of wines at a time to avoid wastage and has a really chilled vibe. When I went in there was a few small groups of friends (girls) and plenty of couples - it's that sort of place. Bit romantic but not over the top - the sort of place girls love (because I'm an expert...) and would be an ideal spot to bring a date but not your footy mates. It's not cheap, the cheapest bottle of beer is $6.5 but they're all good quality, organic, boutique beers, many of which are local so they're great for a change from the regulars. Really worth a visit.

Asked to leave by squinty eyed woman who did not work there, look I'm sorry I thought she was…read moreChinese but I only had one glass of wine while there, none of the employees stood up for me, how are we supposed to feel safe with such ambiguous and confrontational characters about and none of the bartenders caring? Why was she even getting mad at my chinese jokes if she wasn't chinese in the first place? Do not recommend.