Went to see a band here . Great venue , ample space , great bar. Check this place as they often…read morehave a great line up of artists performing in here.

When I first visited this place I have to admit that I wasn't all that impressed with it, however…read moreover time by opinions have begun to change. Okay, it certainly isn't one of my favourite bars, and Northcote has some pretty good offerings that I prefer much, much more, however this place isn't anywhere near as bad as I first thought it was. For one thing it is a live music venue (though they have a room set aside specifically for the music) and there is a nice deck out the back (which later in the night becomes the smoking bar. They also make some decent chips, as I discovered when I met up with a friend here for a bit of a chat. While I won't be rushing back here any time soon, it still is a pretty decent place to spend some time.

This bar wasn't all that bad, and it does seem to be one of the numerous live band places located…read morealong High Street. Okay, not numerous because I can only think of one other, but this one certainly wasn't too bad. It doesn't look like much out front, but they happen to have a pretty cool band room out the back, and the service isn't all that bad either. In fact, I suspect that this is one of those bars that you basically only go to to see a band. It wasn't bad but it really wasn't too much of a favourite either. Still it certainly works well as a place for live music.

Here are 303 reasons to go:…read more 1. It is easy to find at 303 High Street, Northcote. 2. The Melbourne Ukelele Orchestra members host open mic nights every month. Go on you know you want to! 3. It is right next door to the Northcote Social Club, which can get very busy and loud. 4. It is more refined than said Social Club - refined in the sense that when you are sitting at the bar in 303 you feel a bit like you are in a jazz student's living room: dingy couches, neat whiskies and an old smell in the air that could be culture or it may just be the rat that crawled under the bench and died a few years ago. 5. Not convinced yet? Well then there is the bizarre and absolutely must see back room. Not to hang out there mind you, but just to see this massive space. There is a huge stage that is truly epic, a remnant perhaps of headier days gone by. Most music you will find played out the front in the cute little living room atmosphere of the bar. But maybe the large stage out the back is there to entice lowly musicians in to play at this establishment with dreams of grandeur. Either way it is for me, one of Northcote's many mysteries...

Why is it that all of Melbourne's jazz bars are hidden? They are always up a laneway, or down in a…read morebasement, or in the case of Uptown up a set of uninviting stairs at the upper end of Brunswick street. I'm not going to lie to you, Uptown is small, so if you are expecting something the size of Bennetts Lane then, well, head to Bennetts Lane. But it is definitely the size of this bar that makes it great - so cosy, comfortable and gives you that feeling that you were lucky to find it and that you really have found something special. Jazz plays nightly Wednesday to Saturday from 7pm, and a surprising selection of Japanese food is also available. In fact, Uptown have self-proclaimed that they have some of the best Japanese food in town. I, unfortunately, have not tried the food as I spent all my money for the night on the rather expensive booze. Their house white was pushing $10 per glass which definitely hurt the wallet a bit, but considering the atmosphere and the incredible music it is almost worth it.

Is it bad that so many of my reviews revolve around the fun and beautiful staff at these places? Oh…read morewell, people make a place! The Jazz Cafe is quite cute. Upstairs, with its music emanating into the street at night. You may not see the door at first, but follow your ear and look upstairs. Come inside and welcome yourself into a dark den of a jazz club. Simple and straightforward. Not elaborate. Not immaculately decorated. Just a great bar with good music, and some beautiful bar girls at your service. They are always smiling, ear to ear to invite you in, and sexy and sultry as they make your drink. It's expensive, but they pour a good drink and helps you enjoy the mood.

This was my first time in a typical pub. (Yay!) So I can't really comment about the pub-ness of the…read moreplace, but I can review it like a restaurant. I ordered the eggplant parmigiana, which on Friday costs $13. (It's a dollar more on the other days of the week.) I love eggplant, so I was really happy to see the huge huge slices of eggplant on the plate covered in cheese and tomato sauce!! The dish was really satisfying. It also came with a small salad and some fries - or I guess "chips." (Please forgive me! I'm an American trying to adjust to Australia for a semester!) The place itself was nice and pleasant, although it was kind of hard to talk to people because the music was so loud (but I don't know if this is how pubs are).

A pretty traditional student-y kind of pub, the John Curtin Hotel god one for an understated…read moreafternoon/evening out with friends. Inside it looks a bit dark and broody but is actually pretty upbeat in atmosphere. The booths are a good size for medium groups, with one or two large enough to fit a bigger crew. Another plus is that the music's never too loud and it's easy to conduct a conversation. There're only a couple beers and one cider on tap, but the prices are the cheaper side of average, as is the food. The menu is your standard pub fare and nothing too special, but when lamb shank's on the specials board you can be sure it won't last long, so tender is the meat. They also do a particularly good chicken parma, which is on the larger side of average and enhanced by the option of self-serve chilli flakes at the kitchen counter. The bar staff are friendly, particularly Leon, who always gets to know the regulars. There're a couple of benches out the front that get filled pretty quickly on a warm evening, although the trees along the footpath have a cheeky habit of dropping bits and pieces of themselves into your drinks around springtime. There's also a recently revamped band room upstairs that hosts live music gigs most nights of the week and the occasional gallery exhibit. It also does trivia on a Monday night. All up, the Curtin is an easy and unpretentious staple pub where you can enjoy a relaxed couple of beers.

The Spanish Club is a tapas bar, a music venue, and a Spanish community centre. The versatility of…read morethe space reflects its eclectic mix of patrons. Despite the variety of spaces The Spanish Club remains an authentic Spanish experience. The bar is home to a small stage where flamenco and acoustic Spanish music is often played live on weekends. The patterned carpet, booths and dimly lit bar provide a unique backdrop. The chorizo, patatas bravas and paella are favourites but this is a great place to try something new. Grab a group of friends and make the most of the tapas bar. Order big and try everything. This is authentic tapas. Wash it all down with cocktails, wine, beer or the obvious choice Sangria. The large stage in the rear salon hosts a variety of live music events and rocks on the weekend. This space is a great place to sample Melbourne's live music scene. The Spanish Club has a 'anything may happen tonight' feeling. Perhaps it is the warm hospitality, diversity of patrons, the intimate bar, the classic live music venue...or maybe it's just all the Sangria I had earlier!