Ah, July. You filled our bellies with pizza (including ones topped with crickets). You took us to bars new and old, to a live jazz band playing in a Spiegeltent, and to a boutique with hand-crafted Italian shoes.
Here are our favourite activities we went on throughout July:
Yak’s Ultimate Pizza Competition
On a chilly Melbourne eve, Yak Bar hosted bloggers and industry luminaries for a pizza competition. Eight chefs from eight restaurants (Allium Food & Wine, Arbory Bar & Eatery, Bellota, Eleanore’s – Chateau Yering, Silo, Le Petit Gateau, Matteo’s, and Pho Nom) battling it out for our taste buds. There was a vast spread available on the night and when I say vast, I mean vast. Think cricket pizza — yep, the insect rather than the sport — truffle pizza, dessert pizza and other glorious concoctions. What’s more, the pizzas were expertly beer matched from Birra Dell’ Eremo. I had never come across this brand before and it is simply scrumptious. I will have to head back to Yak Bar just to get my hands on it!
I do enjoy the odd blogger food event. Especially for the etiquette. Food comes out, we salivate – but no one digs in. Cameras come out, social media buzzes and then, only then may we eat. Think of it as the food blogger way of saying grace!
Yak Italian Kitchen & Bar
120 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
www.yakitaliankitchen.com.au
The Pearly Shells’ Winter Ball
A big band blared away, swing dancers took to the floor — we could have been back in the 1940s. The Pearly Shells took over the Wonderland Spiegeltent on a cold July night. A performance by a Swing Patrol dance troupe, showcasing a skillful routine, gave rise to a bit of envy from the crowd. (Or just me…) Taking a few spins on the dance floor with some fab dancers made traipsing out to Harbour Town Docklands worthwhile. There’s plenty more happening at the Wonderland Spiegeltent, so hop on the 86 tram all the way to the end.
Wonderland Spiegeltent
Harbourland Docklands
120 Pearl River Road, Docklands
www.wonderlandspiegeltent.com.au
Theresa swing dances the night away
The Pearly Shells Big Band (photo courtesy Wonderland Spiegeltent)
Speakeasy HQ Launch
Want to go somewhere super cool? Make sure you experience the fun of the Speakeasy HQ at least once. In a new setup the team is trying to make the space the Australian home of Vaudeville, cabaret, burlesque, carnival, burlesque, illusion, comedy and live music. I loved the experience on opening night and couldn’t get enough of the rooftop bar. The event ticks my ‘unique’ box and makes a great night out with a bunch of friends or a pretty neat date spot!
Speakeasy HQ
377 Little Bourke Street, enter via Raceclub Lane
Melbourne VIC 3000
Speakeasy HQ on level 1, Blind Tiger on level 4
www.speakeasy-hq.com
124 Shoes’ “An Artisan Tale”
Melbourne boutique 124 Shoes hosted a media night to launch their new Emporium store. Founders Neville Colaianni and Anthony Barbieri were on hand to discuss the incredible work that goes into the design and creation of their jaw-droppingly amazing footwear — — all made by hand by Italian artisans. Some of them took weeks — like, six to eight weeks — to craft. They don’t mess around when it comes to quality. One of our friends, er, +1s, tried on a couple of pairs of their boots and was blown away. With Italian antipasti platters and free-pouring bubbles, we were ready to stay at 124 Shoes forever.
124 Shoes
Level 2, shop 201
Emporium Melbourne
287 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
www.124shoes.com.au
On our Instagram: the invitation the the launch and the shoes Theresa picked to wear that evening
Ruki and his +1 at 124 Shoes (photo courtesy Zilla & Brook)
Going Ga Ga @ Yah Yah’s
Yah Yahs, the venerable Fitzroy institution, is under new management. We went along to the re-launch party to, well, do what we always do at Yah Yahs: Drink, dance, socialise and party till we drop. This place holds a special place in the hearts of many Melburnians due to its late closing time. New management hasn’t changed the setup (or the closing time), which is great because it just works the way it is. The floor is still sticky, the bands still rock out and the people still hook up. Ah, Yah Yahs – I hope you never change!
Having said that, there are a host of new nightly events slated for Yah Yahs so keep an eye on their website (or our calendar) to stay posted.
Yah Yah’s
99 Little Smith St, Fitzroy
www.yahyahs.com.au
All in all, it was yet another month filled to the brim of all the best Melbourne has to offer: culture, music, shopping, food, all in unique settings.
We love exploring the city and all it has to offer — and sharing it with you. Here’s to another month of doing it. Bring on August!
-Ruki and Theresa
Disclosure: The Plus Ones were invited guests of Tomato Media, the Wonderland Spiegeltent, Zilla & Brook, Penney & Logan, and Speakeasy HQ.
