Nine Essential Melbourne Experiences One CP Writer Can't Wait to Have Now That the City Has Reopened

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It's been two years since a certain global pandemic came along and crashed the party, giving our realities the ultimate shake-up. A string of lockdowns began, routines were thrown off-script and a whole stack of everyday experiences were put on hiatus.

It was earth-shattering and it sucked, hard. But it also gave me a new appreciation for my 12 years of memories in this city and all the quintessential Melbourne moments I'd — hopefully — soon enjoy once again. Here, we've teamed up with our mates at the AFL to pay tribute to all the classic bits we missed most — and what we're most excited about returning to now that life as we know it slowly creeps back. From a spirited footy match alongside thousands of fellow roaring fans at the 'G or Marvel Stadium, to a packed live gig — these are a few of our favourite things, Melbourne. Welcome back.

Ben Fletcher for Aunty Meredith, via Flickr

A WEEKEND ENVELOPED IN MEREDITH MUSIC FESTIVAL

Picture this: it's inconceivably early on a Friday morning in mid-December and you're travelling in convoy down the Princes Freeway, cars packed with camping gear and a tangible sense of excitement in the air. The annual pilgrimage to Meredith Music Festival has begun, and ahead of you is a weekend of open skies and live tunes. It's a warm, fuzzy memory for many locals, calling to mind blissful afternoon gigs in the 'Sup, communal sunset viewings atop Sunset Strip and long nights spent dancing in a happy crowd to sounds from a stellar lineup of acts. It's been an impossible two-year gap between visits; but that'll just make it all the more sweet when Aunty calls us up for the next edition of her wondrous summer musical escape.

A SHOW-STOPPING AFL GAME — LIVE AND LOUD

Your AFL team will always be your AFL team; whether they win or lose, and whether you cheer them on from the stadium or your couch. But oh boy, was it a shake-up not having the opportunity to see a game live for months on end. Now, after what feels like a lifetime, things are shifting back into balance and we've been gifted a whole new season of footy. And this time, we get to play spectator from wherever we fancy, be it the living room, the local pub, or right in the AFL heartland — the world-class stands at the MCG or Marvel Stadium, pie in hand and surrounded by fans. Give me a couple sessions of the latter and I'm betting the world will start feeling a whole lot closer to normal.

MIDWEEK TRIVIA AT THE PUB

When those temperatures start dipping and winter blues creep in, there's a surefire remedy to be found in a cosy night at the pub involving good company, a parma and a lively bout of trivia. And let's be honest — no amount of lockdown Zoom quiz sessions could ever come close to the real deal. Bring on some heated midweek fact-hurling as you and your (most competitive) mates battle it out at your local for trivial glory. And possibly a cheeky meat tray. For me, it'll be a Wednesday night Funky Bunch session at northside classic the Great Northern Hotel, where the prize is a bar tab, the parmas are generous and the beer list is always a winner.

A LIVE, LOUD GIG

Countless formative nights have been spent wedged among a mass of other music-lovers in front of a stage, reverberating to the sounds of a live act or DJ. And while restrictions hit pause on that beloved pastime for a hot minute, gigs are now, finally, back on the menu and many of the city's famed live music spots are back to doing what they do best. Bring on that next sweaty evening at the Corner Hotel (pictured above), sinking into some big, live sounds. And yes, it will be a late night complete with a post-show kebab, in honour of that long-forgotten lockdown curfew of yore.

CELLAR DOOR-HOPPING THROUGH THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA

Most Melburnians are lucky enough to live within a 90-minute drive from two celebrated wine regions, with both the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula on our doorstep. Which means it's totally doable to spend a solid day sipping your way between multiple cellar doors, enjoy a relaxed winery lunch and still be home in time for dinner. Last year, there was a point when a 'wine tour' involved shuffling from kitchen to living room — this year, I'm looking forward to hopping around the Peninsula between personal favourites like Kerri Greens, Montalto (pictured above) and Pt Leo Estate, and relegating that five-kilometre travel radius to a distant memory.

A GROUP FEED TO REMEMBER

Off the back of gathering restrictions, capacity limits and a whole lot of time spent not sharing meals with mates, the craving is real: I want a big group booking, a table full of folks I love and a night spent eating well while celebrating nothing in particular. After all, lively catch-ups over food are always the best kind. For a true Melbourne classic, opt for the loaded lazy susans and late-night vibe of Chinatown's Supper Inn, or lock in a date with Jim's Greek Tavern for its cacophonous dining room and waiters who won't let you leave until you're bursting.

Matthew Murphy

DINNER AND A SHOW

The many couch-and-Netflix sessions of lockdown served us well, but there's just no comparing that setup to a night out on the town with dinner and a show. Luckily for us, the city's already switched on its theatrical charms once again, with runs of Hamilton, Moulin Rouge! The Musical and An American in Paris gracing our stages, and scores more to come. Of course, they're all best enjoyed with a pre-show bite or post-curtain feed at some fine establishment in Melbourne's theatre pocket — hit The European for its old-world charms and honest fare, or venture above street level for a seat on Siglo's famed terrace.

Installation view of Alicja Kwade's work WeltenLinie 2020 © Alicja Kwade, courtesy König Galerie, Berlin. Photo: Tom Ross

A PROPER CULTURE FIX

It's safe to say that back-to-back lockdowns led to some very culture-starved Melburnians. Like most, getting extra familiar with the inside of my house left me with serious cravings for a proper art fix. Now, not only are our famed galleries and cultural spaces open once again, but we're lucky enough to have a calendar chock-full of blockbuster, buzzworthy new exhibitions heading our way. I'm more than ready for afternoons spent soaking up art while wandering the halls and grounds of the NGV, feeding my curious side with visits to Melbourne Museum and embracing the movie magic of ACMI.

BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH

For those who can cook eggs, brunch itself wasn't a true casualty of lockdown. But bottomless brunch? That, my friends, is a weekend tradition that can just never quite be replicated at home. You're already imagining it: a serve of smashed avo, a loaded brekkie roll, or maybe some chicken and waffles, paired with a few free-flowing espresso martinis or mimosas and a couple of your brunch-obsessed besties by your side. It's a mood, and when Melbourne is in fighting form, it does it oh so well. Make up for all those bottomless brunches that didn't happen last year and lock in a weekend date at the likes of Bodega Underground, Half Acre or Fargo & Co.

The 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership season is finally here— and we couldn't be more excited. For more info, head to the website.