Introduction

Geographically Australia is a continent that is a far reach from the rest of the world. Culturally, however, it is as global and diverse as its neighbouring countries and has been long regarded as the land of opportunity largely due to its gamut of land, smaller population and free lifestyle. Australia’s continued immigration from all over the world, coupled with the existing traditions of our indigenous Aborigines, has moved the country into a new millennium enriched with multiculturalism. Melbourne, as the capital city of Victoria, has embraced the ‘cultural city of Australia’ slogan and has welcomed the term ‘melting pot’ to best describe the cities bustling local culture.

Situated in the southeast of Australia, Melbourne is a far cry from the frou frou of a grand metropolis. Instead it boasts a vibe that is a perfect balance of urban living and laid back requiescence. As an aftermath to World War 2, Melbourne saw an influx of migrants from Europe and Britain and over the course of time (after stringent immigration laws were finally torn down) the city also welcomed Asian migrants from Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Malaysia, the Philippines and India. In more recent times, a wave of African immigration has heightened the cultural diversity of Melbourne. One stroll through the grid-like backstreets of the Central Business District and its surrounding inner city suburbs instantly conjures up a taste of other worldly fusions either in the food, the music, the languages, the cultural nuances, the fashion, the art or the vast and exuberant faces – or a combination of all of the above!

Record and Book Shopping

Being a comparatively smaller city, the boom of corporate giants (both musical and literary) has unfortunately gravely affected Melbourne and many of the former smaller players have been forced to shut shop. This is not to say that these places, where you can lose your ears in headphones or your nose in the pages of a captivating book for hours, no longer exist in Melbourne. Far from it.

• ABC Shop – In support of the incredible job the Australian Broadcasting Corporation do in keeping Australians up to date on life around the world, the ABC shop is an equally enlightening resource for books, music, videos and other bits and pieces that reflects the diversity of the ABC television programming and the creative talents of Australians. It’s here you’ll find a range of world music, jazz and blues and Indigenous recordings. Addresses: (The ABC Shops are located in many districts of Melbourne and Victoria. This list is not all-inclusive, but represents the most central locations). Shop M01, Mezzanine Level GPO Building, Cnr Elizabeth and Bourke Street Melbourne Website: shop.abc.net.au.
• Basement Discs – Located in the beautiful and archaic Block Arcade building in the heart of the city, this treasured hide away is definitely one place worth escaping to. Basement Discs’ beautiful interior is far surpassed by its intriguing and highly individual stocked selection of jazz, blues, RNB, country, folk, world and roots music. Address: 24 Block Place, Melbourne Website: basementdiscs.com.au.
• Blue Moon – The address if this insatiable record store speaks a thousand words. Located in the heart of the bustling cultural district of Fitzroy, this small store comes with a tasteful selection of music from around the globe and definitely reigns as the home of world music. It may be small and first appearances might suggest limited stock, but speak to the knowledgeable staff and they are more than happy to order in those special desires. Address: 30 Johnston Street, Fitzroy.
• Borders – It may be a walloping American franchise, but Borders’ large buying and importing power has secured its place as a shop where you will find just about anything on anything. An elephantine book collection and a rising music collection (that includes quite a good range of world music) makes it a must stop for brainpower. Addresses: (Borders stores are located in many districts of Melbourne and Victoria. This list is not all-inclusive, but represents the most central locations). The Jam Factory South Yarra, Melbourne Central Latrobe Street Building Melbourne and 380 Lygon Street Carlton. Website: bordersstores.com.
• Brunswick Street Bookstore – If you’ve had enough of browsing the record stores and want to head somewhere where the literary browsing is stress free, waltz over to the Brunswick Street Bookstore, a renovated stalwart that has the most amazing collection of titles including biographies, politics, history, music and travel. Not to mention it’s huge collection of art and design books – making it a Mecca for the creative minded. Address: 305 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
• Discurio – Tucked away in Melbourne city, Discurio is an understated paradiso for music lovers with a beautiful selection of sounds including, but not limited to, Australian folk and jazz, Gospel, jazz fusion, reggae and world music. Beware though – this is a dangerous pit stop that is sure to empty the pockets! Address: 113 Hardware Lane, Melbourne Website: discurio.com.au.
• Mondo Music – Nestled in the home of Melbourne’s little Italy – Lygon Street – Mondo Music is a wealthy resource if you’re searching for any music associated with Italy. It has been the dedicated home for Italian music for many years and, like Readings, stands as a landmark in this historic shopping and dining strip. While their other world music section may only take up two bays in store, it is a place where you can find some unique sounds. Address: 211 Lygon Street, Carlton.
• Readings – Favoured amongst lovers of fine things, Readings remains an absolute stalwart institution in the book industry and particularly in its landmark position in the depths of little Italy – Lygon Street. Readers is one of the original lovers and spreaders of knowledge and passion. Their divine book selection boasts an endless list of fiction, non-fiction, children’s literature, art and design coffee table and reference books, travel writings and so forth. Their tantalizing range of audio discs doesn’t shy away from being boast worthy either – crossing the genres and consistently supporting local and international talent. Readings is also a place where you can hear great music from special in store appearances. Addresses: 309 Lygon Street Carlton, 701 Glenferrie Road Hawthorn, 185 Glenferrie Road Malvern, 253 Bay Street Port Melbourne and 112 Acland Street St Kilda. Website: eadings.com.au.
• Thomas’ Music– Predominantly catering to the devoted fans of classical music, Thomas’ has been serving the musical community for decades. However, don’t turn a blind eye simply because of the abundance of classical music that adorns the shelves because Thomas’ has some gems tucked away in the world music section and all is served with a thorough splice of knowledgeable staff and historical presence. Address: 31 Bourke Street, Melbourne.

Live Houses and Music Venues

Melbourne is, undoubtedly, a musical haven and has fostered many of the arts for years on end. Ask any Melbournian and they’ll proudly tell you about the happenings on the street. Truthfully, Melbourne doesn’t have the gamut of venues and activities that a European city can boast, but it does have a medium plump sized and dedicated music scene that cuts genres and fusions from all over and if it’s live music you want, then it’s live music you’ll have. Below is a ‘starters’ menu for great venues offering equally great music. Allow some time to explore some of the other great venues around town, as this is by no means an all inclusive or exhausted list.

• 303 – This cosy and independent venue in Thornbury is the new provider of local music in Melbourne. Since its inception, 303 has aimed to support music that is as eclectic as its surrounds with daily live acts across the spectrum – from dub grooves to jazz and blues. The relaxed atmosphere of the front bar and the back room lounge makes 303 a homely alternative to artistic expression in Melbourne. Address: 303 High Street, Thornbury. Website: 303.music.net.au.
• Barbukka – Located in the heart of Smith Street in Fitzroy – a multicultural neighborhood itself – Barbukka has been around for a sum of years and has always prided itself on being a venue that world music fans can rely on. With a host of events that run mid week and on the weekends, Barbukka is where you can find Flamenco dancing, live African drum and dance, local and up coming folk bands, reggae, soukous and a plethora of other sounds – all well priced. Address: 279 Smith Street, Fitzroy.
• The Cape Lounge – With live bands on show every night this venue is one vibin’ place. A happening bar accompanied by an upstairs band room that is home to regular performances from Melbourne’s finest musicians – all wrapped up in our favourite inner city suburb of Fitzroy. Address: 298 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.
• The Corner Hotel – This legendary venue, with its newly renovated band room, is one of the original home of Melbourne music. You’ll find it all here, local and international. Reggae bands like Blue King Brown, traditional Papua New Guinean musicians like George Telek, the inimitable French man Yann Tiersen, the UK soulful pop genius Andrew Roachford and anything in between. Enjoy a spanking cheap Aussie pub meal next door before the show and enjoy the richest of this longstanding venue. Address: 57 Swan Street, Richmond. Website: cornerhotel.com.
• Hamer Hall – This may not be a conventional punters venue however Hamer Hall, situated in the Arts Centre complex, is definitely a place to experience the multicultural essence of Melbourne particularly when it teams up with Multicultural Arts Victoria. Not only does the inside of Hamer Hall bust out with eclectic musicians from around the world, but the foyer comes alive with free entertainment on a regular basis that promotes the cultural diversity of the city. Free music, craft stalls and food are all to be experienced in the home of performing arts. Address: 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Website: theartscentre.net.au.
• The Night Cat – A favourite amongst the Fitzroy goers, the Night Cat has been consistently serving the music community for the past thirteen years. With its open space dance floor and nightly happenings it is easy to groove away the night here with out realizing. From Hip Hop, Latin, Reggae and Funk to Salsa, Swing or Kitsch – the Night Cat is one of the funkiest venues around town. Address: 141 Johnston Street Fitzroy. Website: thenightcat.com.au.
• Northcote Social Club – A short walk from its neighbour 303, The Northcote Social Club is a cosy live house, pub and bar that has consistently pushed local and international music in a live pub music environment that is quintessentially Australian. Its music roster is unique, diverse and filling - harvesting the sounds of rock, reggae, ska, fusion bands, folk and hip hop to name but a few. A glimpse at their weekly roster will no doubt confirm the Northcote Social Club’s well-deserved place in the Melbourne music scene. Address: 301 High Street, Northcote. Website: northcotesocialclub.com.
• Ossobo Bar – In the heart of the city is where you’ll find this worldly pleasure. Not only does it have a scrumptious menu, but this newish venue is a haven for music lovers. Oozing with Caribbean flavours, Ossobo will take you through the sounds of hip hop, Latino (with special flavours like Reggaeton, Salsa and Meringue), African and many more with regular weekly nights and special once off performances from the best global locals around. Address: 419 Spencer Street, Melbourne. Website: ossobo.com.au.
• The Spanish Club – Right across the road from ‘Blue Moon Records’, The Spanish Club has fast become the venue for great entertainment with two rooms catering for different worldly sounds. The front bar has weekly regular guests from Flamenco dancers and Cuban salsa to intimate acoustic music – all for free. Meanwhile the back room caters to special events with regular monthly African inspired amongst others. If you’re peckish, the front bar also has a tasty menu to enjoy the music to. Address: 59-61 Johnston Street Fitzroy. Website: thespanishclub.com.au.
• The Spot – Akin to Barbukka, The Spot is aptly located in the heart of yet another of Melbourne’s multicultural precincts – Sydney Road in Brunswick. As a band room and bar, the Spot has opened its doors to a wide variety of world artists and its weekly events are as wide and varied. Relax to some Italian Gospel on Monday nights, hear the rumbling sounds of the Rumberos Latin Big Band or shake the rump to some African drumming on the weekends. The flavours are all here. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the kitchen – Lentil As Anything – that boasts the philanthropic philosophy of setting no prices for their delectable food leaving it in the hands of the user to pay what they feel the meal was worth! Address: 133 Sydney Road, Brunswick. Website: thespotbrunswick.com.

Cultural and Musical Festivals

Particularly when the weather starts to warm, Melbourne is swimming with cultural and musical festivals that represent both the local and international arts culture scenes (music, cinema, art and design etc.) and also the multicultural communities in Melbourne. A lot of the festivals take place in community or public spaces and line the streets with festive vibes, but many of them also take places in some landmark locations in Melbourne and further abroad. Below is a list of festivals that are definite highlights on the yearly calendar.

• St Kilda Festival – The St Kilda festival is held annually in the early weeks of February when the streets are overtaken with market stalls, live bands and musicians and a host of activities that cater for everyone. The prime location and the usually warm weather turns the St Kilda festival into a mammoth weekend long party on the streets. (FREE) Website: stkildafestival.com.au.
• The Latin Festival – Formerly known as the Johnston Street Festival, this annual festival is now solely dedicated to the Latino culture in Melbourne and is one feisty hot street party – with lots of Salsa, Merengue and Reggaeton filling the streets and a range of tapas and Spanish and Latin American beverages ‘The Latin Festival’ continues kick well into the night. The festival usually takes place in the middle of November each year. (FREE) Website: hispanicfiesta.com.au.
• The High Vibes Festival – Stretched over the High Street region that covers Northcote and Thornbury this festival is truly dedicated to the multicultural community that has grown around the district. With an endless schedule of world music performances from some of the hottest musicians and DJs, roving performers, culturally diverse eats and treats and a truly sensational vibe – The High Vibes Festival continues to grow in popularity. The festival usually takes place in the last week of September each year. (FREE with some additional fee events) Website: ighvibes.com.au.
• The Brunswick Music Festival – The Brunswick Street Festival has been held annually in March for the past 27 years and is one of the cities premier music festivals and a major multicultural event for Australia. The festival showcases the talents of ethnic, indigenous, acoustic and traditional music featuring local musicians, alongside interstate and international guests. (Combination of FREE and paying events). Website: brunswickmusicfestival.com.au.
• Hume Multicultural Festival – While this may not be a festival centrally located in the city surrounds, the district of Hume puts on a great show that celebrates the cultural diversity in this western suburbs region. With an amazing program of local musicians from various ethnic groups, the Hume Multicultural Festival is definitely an underrated player. Held annually in July. (Combination of FREE and paying events) Website.
• Globe to Globe World Music Festival – This annual event, held in the first weeks of September, endeavours to celebrate the multicultural community’s vibrant spirit with people coming together in the beautiful space of Namatjira Park in Clayton. The festival is always jam packed with smoking performances from world music artists and also delivers a host of instructional workshops in instrumentation and dance and lots of arts, crafts and cuisine! (FREE) Website.
• The Emerge Festival – Annually, for the past few years, Multicultural Arts Victoria have gathered the budding talents of Melbourne’s newly arrived communities from Africa, Afghanistan and Kurdistan to celebrate their beautifully diverse cultures and artistic voice. The festival runs across two weeks and includes a large music concert, film screenings, a world refugee day rally, a women’s day, a story and song day and a new school rules dance party. It’s a great way to support our local refugee community. Website: multiculturalarts.com.au.
• The Meredith Festival – Now in its 16th year the Meredith Festival continues to provide one of the best musical experiences. Despite being a predominantly alternative music festival, Meredith does cater to music from other cultures with a tonne of live performances from global artists. All the more, Meredith promotes the wonderful vibe of outdoor festivals with performance artists, stalls and food all jam packed into a natural outdoor environment between Geelong and Ballarat. The festival is usually held in the first weeks in December each year. (FEES apply) Website: mmf.com.au.
• The Melbourne International Tap Festival – Only in its second year, the Melbourne International Tap Festival has set Melbourne alight with unbelievable talent and rhythms from local and International artists. Swimming in the African traditions of rhythm tap, the festival offers classes, sell-out shows, films and talks, tap jams and a host of other activities. (FEES apply) Website: mitf.com.au.
• The Next Wave Festival – The Next Wave festival is dedicated to giving the young people, from all backgrounds, in Melbourne a voice and empowering them to express themselves. Mostly supporting young emerging artists and their diversities – it is one of the few festivals that gives the youth culture of Australia an opportunity to have an audible voice and platform where they can air their ideas about their own culture and country. Website: 2006festival.nextwave.org.
• Black Harmony Gathering – An amazing day of music set in the heart of indigenous land and multicultural communities in the Yarra district – the Black Harmony Gathering celebrates and showcases Melbourne’s best indigenous, African and culturally diverse musicians whilst promoting anti-racism sentiments in the community. Usually held in March. (FREE) Website: http://www.multiculturalarts.com.au/events2006/blackharmonypressrelease2006.pdf.
• Melbourne International Film Festival – Held annually in August this film festival has become a much anticipated feast for cinema lovers and what’s best is that MIFF celebrates cultural diversity with an amazing showcase of Australian and International films. (FEES apply) Website: melbournefilmfestival.com.au.
• Melbourne International Arts Festival – Celebrating the arts is something that Melbourne prides itself on and the Melbourne International Arts Festival is a classic example of this with an array of local and international displays in the domains of dance, theatre, music, visual arts, multimedia, free and outdoor events held each year in October. (Combination of FREE and PAYING events) Website: melbournefestival.com.au.
• Melbourne Fringe Festival – As an annual arts festival, the Melbourne Fringe is pursuant in spreading the talents of independent artists through wider Melbourne and connecting these artists with ties both interstate and overseas. It’s a great time of year to see the budding ingenious artworks around. (Combination of FREE and PAYING events) Website: melbournefringe.com.au.

There are plenty more festivals that throughout the year and are definitely worth checking out such as The Sydney Road Street Party (March), Chilean Festival (September), The Buddhist Spring Festival (November), Lebanese Festival (November), The Polish Festival (November), Chinese New Year (February), and Annual Thai Culture and Food Festival (March).

Street Press

Unfortunately Melbourne does not have a dedicated street press that informs the community about multicultural events, news or life. However, the two main Melbourne street press magazines do offer some small glimpses into events around town. The local newspapers also have gig guide pull outs once a week – the EG in ‘The Age’ and the Green Guide in ‘The Herald Sun’. The best bet is to source some of the great websites that offer event listings, some of which are listed below.

• Beat Magazine – Melbourne’s largest independent street press magazine, which comes out weekly on Wednesday’s. Website: beat.com.au.
• Inpress Magazine – Melbourne’s second largest independent street press magazine, which also comes out weekly on Wednesday’s. Website: inpress.com.au.
• African Oz – One of Melbourne’s finest African community websites that offers a comprehensive listing of events, news, features and articles for all over Australia. Website: africanoz.com.au.
• White Hat – Perhaps one of Melbourne’s most comprehensive online gig guides, White Hat has been operating independently for years and keeps relatively up to date with gigs across the genres. Website: whitehat.com.au.
• Boite – The Boite celebrates Australia’s amazing cultural diversity and their website is a wealth of knowledge particularly when it comes to finding out about those great gigs they put on around town! Website: boite.asn.au.
• Multicultural Arts Victoria – Like Boite, Multicultural Arts Victoria is forever pushing the cultural diversity of Melbourne and wider Victoria and their website has a great events listing section as does their biweekly e-newsletter. Website: multiculturalarts.com.au.
• Latin Lover – A dedicated website for the Latin community in Melbourne, Latin lover provides its readers with a host of articles, reviews, dance class information and an amazing gig guide. Website: latinlover.com.au.

Radio Stations

Melbourne is lucky to have a great choice of radio stations that offer a wide scope for the multilingual and multicultural communities – musically, culturally and socially. They are a portal to the sounds, styles and news from around the world delivered to our own backyard.

• 3ZZZ FM (92.3FM) – 3ZZZ is a dedicated website and one of the largest ethnic radio stations in Australia. With contributions from and affiliations with 63 ethnic groups, 3ZZZ manages to cover and represent, brilliantly, the multicultural population in Melbourne. Website: 3zzz.com.au
• ABC Radio – Dialling in on different tones around the state of Victoria, the ABC network has a range of stations that house music, news, cultural affairs and classics in their programming – keeping Australians informed and entertained. Website: abc.net.au/radio.
• PBS Radio (106.7FM) – One of the homes of world music, PBS offer a great program selection that delves into the rhythms and timbres from the world over. From Latin Flava and Fiesta Jazz to Border Crossings and Global Village. Website: pbsfm.org.au.
• SBS Radio (93.1FM) – Having grown up with multicultural Australia, SBS offers a brilliant programming and service for the multicultural community around the nation with a great offering of news, current affairs, interviews, community information, sport and music in 68 different languages. Website: www9.sbs.com.au/radio.
• SYN FM (90.7FM) – SYN (an acronym for Student Youth Network) is a community radio station run from the RMIT headquarters and serves up a host of programs – some of which cater to multicultural you with shows from Somali Youth and MUKS to Sudanese Youth and K-Pop (Korean Pop). Website: syn.org.au.
• Triple R (102.7FM) – Triple R is a tried and true favourite with excellent music and host programming that will take you trekking around the globe from your own backyard. Tune in to particular world music favourites – Cocoa Butter (Saturday’s), The Village (Thursday’s) and Kinky Afro (Thursday’s). Website: rrr.org.au.

Dance Schools, Music Schools and Cultural Centres

Melbourne and Australia’s continual immigration history has cultivated a large sub culture based around traditional art forms and traditions from various parts of the world. With growing interest in these art and cultural traditions – taught and promoted by a diverse range of instructors – quite a number of dance schools, music schools and cultural centres have emerged over the years. Below is a short list of starting points where you can immerse yourself in global rhythms and communities.

• The Academy – This fantastic space in Collingwood specialise in the growing yet ancient Brazilian art form of Capoeira. With regular classes catering for beginners, intermediates and advanced students this school is dedicated to actively promoting and teaching this beautiful form of martial arts dancing.
• Afrobeat – Afrobeat offers a host of African-inspired drumming and dance classes, workshops, and performances. Combining irresistible rhythms and high-energy dances of West African folklore we create a unique, innovative and truly unforgettable experience that energises mind, body and spirit! Address: Various venues across Melbourne (check website) Website: afrobeat.com.au.
• The Boite – Formed in 1979 in recognition of the cultural wealth each wave of migration brings to Australia, the Boite stands in support of cultural diversity and supports excellent artists from diverse cultural communities, promotes audience development through innovative presentation and emphasises access and participation. Website: oite.asn.au/default.asp.
• The Cuban Dance Academy – Drawing on her passion for Afro-Cuban rhythms Christina, the founder of the academy, established 'Cuban Dance Academy' hoping to spread the spirit and essence of Cuba through classes and workshops that teach Afro-Cuban Salsa, Flamenco and Funky Latin Jazz. Address: Various venues across Melbourne (check website) Website: cubandanceacademy.com.au.
• King Marong – While he doesn’t operate under one venue in Melbourne, King offers great tuition as a master drummer from Guinee and also provides great educational services to those wishing to get a fuller African cultural experience. Website: kingmarong.com.
• Multicultural Arts Victoria – MAV are a great support and provider of opportunities for artists and communities of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. They have a strong list of talented artists from around the world that call Australia home and they also provide the general public with the opportunity to see the multicultural arts of Victoria on display. Address: Fitzroy Town Hall, 201 Napier Street Fitzroy Website: multiculturalarts.com.au.
• Mzuri Dance – Mzuri Dance Network offers up lessons in urban African dance forms with 'African Street' and 'Hip-Hop' as well as providing a list of Mzuri affiliated artists, bands and performances for the viewing pleasure of audiences. Address: Level 1, 181 Smith Street, Fitzroy Website: mzuridance.com.au.
• Rafetna – Rafetna is a centre for music, dance and cultural education and was conceived by talented artist, Shonah Honeyhill Sonko alongside Lamine Sonko. Rooted in the traditions of West Africa and African American culture, Rafetna endeavours and succeeds in being a resource of knowledge and community experience. Address: Various venues across Melbourne (check website) Website: rafetna.com.au.
• Rafiki – Headed up by Ray Pereira, one of Australia’s leading percussionists, the Rafiki of Africa centre explores rhythms from folkloric African traditions through percussion tuition and aims to teach and improve technique and the feel of rhythm as well as sense of groove discovered through playing challenging rhythms. Rafiki also has a host of beautiful African drums, instruments, arts and crafts for sale. Address: 260 Johnston Street, Fitzroy Website: rafiki.com.au/index.html.
• Rhythm N’ Grooves – Welcome to Melbourne's new home of African Drum, Dance, Rhythm Tap and Afro Cuban Percussion located on Hoddle Street. Rhythm n Grooves offer a wide range of tuition in various art forms catering for all ages and levels of experience from some truly amazing and world class instructors. Address: 70 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford Website: rhythmngrooves.com.
• Underbelly – Underbelly has become somewhat of an institution for providing lovers of dance with talented and creative instructors and the opportunity to learn everything from ancient dance to contemporary beats with classes in belly dance, fire twirling, African dance, Afro-funk, African drumming and Arabic drumming. Address: 1st Floor, 279-281 Smith Street, Fitzroy Website: underbellydance.com.
• Voyeur Rhythm – Labelled a centre for West African music and culture, Voyeur Rhythm delivers classes in beginner to intermediate/advanced in African drumming and also African dance (to commence in March 2006). Voyeur Rhythm also houses a shop full of African drums, Instruments, Arts and Crafts which are for sale or hire. Address: 12 Grey Street, St Kilda Website: africandrumming.com.au/index.htm.

Cinemas

Melbourne is a city that prides itself on being full of film buffs. The rise of Australian films coupled with a love of foreign films has seen many unconventional art house cinemas up the anti with their programming to provide a visual insight into worlds far beyond.

• ACMI (Australian Centre of Moving Image) – The Australian Centre of Moving Image, relatively new in the iconic Federation Square Block, is not just a pretty architectural façade. In fact, it is home to the cutting edge and world leading movements in cinema, television, computer games and interactive media arts and often presents exhibitions, film programs locally and internationally, talks, forums, education programs, workshops and community activites. Address: Federation Square, Flinders Street, Melbourne. Website: acmi.net.au.
• Astor Theatre – Second to the theatre formerly known as Valhalla, the Astor Theatre is one of the most appealing theatres in terms of architecture and ambience. It was also one of the homes of off beat classics and quirky titles not shown in mainstream cinema. Now under new management, the Astor may be on its road to the mainstream, but it will still remain one of the most beautiful theatres in Melbourne. Address: Corner of Chapel Street and Dandenong Road, St Kilda. Website: astor-theatre.com.
• Cinema Nova – Without doubt, Cinema Nova has the best movie schedule in town. Quirky, art-house and off the beaten track titles are shown on a regular basis with no boundaries or borders cared for. This is the home of forward thinking cinema from around the world. Address: 380 Lygon Street, Carlton Website: cinemanova.com.au.
• Moonlight Cinema – While it is a seasonal stalwart, Moonlight has changed the way we experience and appreciate cinema by taking a predominantly indoor activity outdoors under the night sky. To boot, Moonlight has a brilliant selection of forward thinking classics and newly creative titles. Pack a hamper and some wine and soak up the herbacinium in the grass. Address: Royal Botanical Gardens, Melbourne Website: moonlight.com.au.

Restaurants and Bars

In a city that worships the food culture it is hard to surpass the elephantine collection of restaurants and bars that cater to every palate. While it is definitely an impossible task to list every culinary option on offer it’d be sinful to not offer up a few treats that’ll have you dreaming of street food stalls in foreign places while you drool over your plate. We’ve given a brief overview of imperative dining districts and/or streets in Melbourne plus a few personal favourites.

Brunswick – If you’re really keen to have a worldly experience in Melbourne than it is impossible to go past Brunswick. It truly is a melting pot of cultures and needless to say the food that accompanies this area is amazing and eclectic. Perhaps the most prominent and happening street in Brunswick is Sydney Road – where you’ll find not only a great collection of shops and a colorful populace, but a host of great places to eat. Some favourites?

• Rumeli Turkish Restaurant – Sydney Road is, perhaps, one of the original homes of Turkish food and Rumeli’s endeavours to uphold this tradition as it provides the best in authentic food and entertainment with live gypsy jazz, live music and belly dancers shimmying around regularly while you eat! Address: 618 Sydney Road, Brunswick.
• La Paella – Serving up amazing quality dishes from the traditions of Spain and Morocco, La Paella is an ambient restaurant that sings of Iberian culture in the heart of Melbourne’s multicultural district. Address: 217 Sydney Road, Brunswick
• Lentil Africa – Not quite located in Sydney Road, but still a clincher for the Brunswick district - the kitchen is run by an African women’s cooperative and has some amazing Horn of Africa organic food platters whilst promoting the ‘Lentil as Anything’ mentality of ‘pay what you feel the meal was worth’. Features some great African cultural highlights such as music, poetry and dance over the weekends. Address: 328 Victoria Street, Brunswick
• Middle Eastern Bakery Tours – One of the delights of Sydney Road are the Middle Eastern bakeries that serve up sugary fresh sweets and loaves every day. Each year in March and April, the district offers people the chance to explore the ovens of the Middle East with local comedian Monica Dullard. For more information on the tours please call 9380 2005. It’s $35 per person, which gives you a cultural insight plus lots of delicious samples to take home!
  Carlton – Carlton could undoubtedly claim the title as the place to eat in Melbourne. At the forefront, take a walk down Lygon Street to get the congested (and somewhat harassing) vibe of our ‘Little Italy’ with its endless list of Italian restaurants (amongst others) and gelati/icecream stores – the surrounding streets, such as Elgin Street and Rathdowne Street, are also home to some fine dining.
• Abla’s – In all honesty, Lebonese food doesn’t come much better than this! Head honcho – Abla – make this feel more like you’re dining at the family home of your Lebonese best friend as she personally sees to every table with that hint of true first class service. And that’s before we have even reached the food, which I am sure is some form of divinity! It is imperative that the banquet is given a good go and is worth every dime of the $40 or so. Address: 101 Elgin Street, Carlton
• Il Gambero – For over 30 years Il Gambero has serviced the Italian district of Lygon Street offering an authentic Italian dining experience. Their menu is classic with pizza, pasta, chicken, seafood and meat dishes galore – all served in a warm environment that looks just like my grandmother’s kitchen. Address: 215 Lygon Street, Carlton.

CBD (Central Business District/City) – It goes without saying that the city has an overspill of amazing restaurants that also highlight the multiculturalism of Melbourne. Federation Square (opposite Flinders Street Station) is busting with restaurants from Modern Australian to Modern Japanese, whilst over the road in the waterfront district of Southbank you’ll find a barrage of upper-end restaurants. However the true treasures will be found in a self-discovery exploration of the city’s laneways. Venture down Hardware Lane, Bennetts Lane, Flinders Lane, Warbuton Alley and Meyers Place are just a few worth exploring to discover the secret restaurants, bars and clubs of Melbourne.

If you’re after some streets that are more out in the open and offer a taste of other worlds than stroll down to Lonsdale Street (the block between Russell and Swanston Street) for some true Greek delights or wander down Little Bourke Street (the block between Swanston and Russell Street) to visit Melbourne’s acclaimed Chinatown. It’s endless exploring so here are a few tips to get you started.

• Chocolate Buddha – Committed to providing the freshest and most organic made products, Chocolate Buddha is a deadly busy place that provides amazing modern Japanese cuisine. It’s reasonable prices, fast patron turnover, and communal dining vibe make this restaurant a city hotspot from Monday to Sunday. Address: Federation Square, Flinders Street, Melbourne.
• The Dumpling House – If you want to experience the chaotic downtown feel of China then you must visit the Dumpling House – forever busy – you’ll be sharing paper clothed tables with the elbows of strangers whilst sucking down the free green tea and eating extremely cheap Chinese food. Address: Tattersalls Lane, Melbourne
• Robot Bar – This truly is a slice of Tokyo buried in the laneway culture of Melbourne. Amazing vibe, lots of Japanese alcohol (sake and beer), creative Japanese snacks (wasabi peas and sushi anyone?) and some looped anime on the screen make this one of the coolest haunts on the streets of Melbourne. Address: 12 Bligh Place, Melbourne
• Pellegrini’s – Walking into Pellegrini’s feels like you have just walked into a godfather movie. This small espresso bar is as authentic Italian as you can possibly find in Melbourne. With an old Italian lady behind the stove – the food is destined to be good. Not only do they make the best coffee in town, but the home cooked massive meals and the classic vibe are an irreplaceable combination in Melbourne. Address: 66 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Fitzroy and North Fitzroy – Is there anything that Fitzroy doesn’t offer? Not really. Aside from being the hip musical and cultural hub of Melbourne – Fitzroy is also the place where you’ll most likely be able to satisfy pretty much every taste bud from every country. If you’re after that post-partying street food vibe then it is a must to visit one of the ample souvlaki restaurants along Brunswick Street and Smith Street in the wee hours of the morning. Don’t forget taking a walk down Gertrude Street, which runs parallel to Brunswick and Smith Street – it has its own vibe and a great collection of individual restaurants. If you prefer a sit down meal, however, here are some personal highlights from the region.

• The Moroccan Soup Bar – This quiant restaurant, a long time player in North Fitzroy, not only offers up the best in cheap Vegan dining delivered verbally by an endearing waitress, but it also offers an unmistakable vibe that transports you to exotic realms of the Casablance imagination. Address: 183 St Georges Road, North Fitzroy.
• Nyala Restaurant – Serving up traditional food, mostly from the Eastern Regions of Africa, Nyala is a gorgeous restaurant accompanied by warm staff that make this dining experience a must. They have a selection of poultry, meat and vegetarian dishes all adequately priced and don’t forget to try the sweet cous cous desserts – they’re to die for! Address: 131 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
• Wabi Sabi Salon – By far, one of the finest and most experential Japanese eateries around, Wabi Sabi Salon is the size of a shoebox with a life time of memories crammed in. Enjoy the true Tokyo-ite style with traditional tatami mats morphed with modern kitsch while you scoff down some sake, meltable salmon sushi and green tea cheescake from the menu that’ll leave you gagging for the rising sun. It’s a little on the expensive side, but well worth the money! Address: 94 Smith Street, Fitzroy.

Prahran/South Yarra/Toorak – These three districts – all in close proximity – offer a wide range of restaurants to suit all budgets. Prahran and the bordering area of South Yarra are perhaps better for the more money conscious diners whilst Toorak and the upper end of South Yarra cater more for the bigger spenders. Regardless, there are so many great eating and drinking places to explore here. One particular favourite definitely deserves a mention.

• Revolver’s Patee Thai – Situated in the back of this Melbourne music institution, Patee Thai has serviced the fans of Revolver for quite some time. Let’s rewind for a minute – Revolver has forever been one of the places that you can crawl to in order to hear great music largely of the rock, hip hop and electronica variety and it is also one of the few places that has an ‘all night long’ policy. It’s dingy, dark and stinks of stale beer, but it has one of the best vibes in Melbourne. And, on top of all of that, they have Patee Thai there to satisfy the hunger pangs and it’s fantastic. It really epitomizes the term cheap and delicious! Address: 229 Chapel Street, Prahran.

Richmond – This classy suburb, located only 5 minutes from the city centre, has an eclectic range of restaurants – both eat in and take away. There are so many streets - Church Street, Bridge Road and Swan Street - combusting with eateries that you would need a year alone to sample all of them. However, if you want a true multicultural experience then head down to Victoria Street, which borders on the suburbs Richmond and Collingwood/Abbotsford. Aptly nicknamed as ‘Little Saigon’ this strip will take you to the heart of Vietnam with cheap, quality food!

St Kilda – One of the most picturesque bayside suburbs of Melbourne, St Kilda is alive every night of the week with great restaurants and bars, music venues and a plethora of tourist attractions. There are restaurants that adorn the beautiful St Kilda beach and the lively strips of Fitzroy Street, Inkerman Street and Acland Street are constantly bustling. In fact, Acland Street has fast become one of Melbourne’s favoured dining streets.

Shopping and Tourism

If you haven’t yet worn yourself out with all the eating, drinking and musical experiences than Melbourne and greater Victoria have some truly amazing tourist places to visit – not to mention some great shopping. For shopping, any of the aforementioned districts in the restaurant/bar section also double as shopping havens. While the CBD caters for mainstream shopping tastes, some of the shops down Brunswick Street in Fitzroy will definitely lend a hand to a more unique/boutique shopping experience.

If you’re after some cheap bargains than check the outlet districts on Smith Street in Fitzroy and Bridge Road in Richmond, not to mention Nicholson Street in Carlton. More importantly if you’re keen to do some touring while you are in town then there is an information centre in Federation Square in the city, which has a wealth of resources to further extend your tourist travels, or you can use the following great websites to find out about the ‘dos’ of Melbourne and Victoria.

Don’t forget to check out Australia’s indigenous Aboriginal culture. The art work, music, instruments, culture and food are extremely unique and a very important part of our country. You can take tours ‘Discover Aboriginal Victoria’ that will give you an amazing cultural and historical overview of Aborigines. (For more details on the ‘Discover Aboriginal Victoria’ tours please visit this site.)

• http://www2.visitvictoria.com
• http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au
  

Last Updated 12/15/2006 08:50PM; 5,139 Hits