Wrap Up Your Formula One Race Day in St Kilda With Free Gigs at Last Lap Live
Level up your day at the Grand Prix with a massive free live music event along Fitzroy Street featuring an epic lineup including Kylie Auldist, The Yachtski Brothers, Hot Machine and more.
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The Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix is always a momentous weekend on the calendar. And the electric atmosphere doesn't end when the final chequered flag waves on Sunday afternoon. Just a short walk from Gate 10, St Kilda's famous Fitzroy Street will come alive on March 16 from 5pm with the sounds of music as a heap of iconic venues host free performances by renowned local bands and DJs. Plus, as you're hopping from gig to gig, keep an eye out for the roving street performers along The Esplanade and Fitzroy Street.
DJ Eden
Harvey's Sports Bar
Just five minutes from the Gate 10 exit, Harvey's Sports Bar is an obvious first pick for your post-race fun. Wind down from the (hopefully drama-filled) finish with a pint — there are 17 beers on tap to choose from — and snacks from the woodfired smoked barbecue menu (think wagyu beef brisket, buffalo cauli bites and mac 'n' cheese croquettes). Between 5.30-8.30pm, local Melbourne solo artist Olly Coombs will use loops and funky beats to provide a playful, upbeat set. Between 8.30-10.30pm, rock duo Sam + Sam will perform popular rock covers and originals before DJ Eden keeps the tunes going until 1.30am.
St Kilda Sports Club
A little further down Fitzroy Street, alt-country rock band Brooke Taylor & The Poison Spitting Gin Queens is kicking off the festivities at 7pm at legendary bowlo (aka St Kilda Sports Club). From 8.15pm, local country rock quartet Murrays Bay Country Club will hit the stage before the vibe shifts to fiery all-girls rockers Hot Machine from 9.30-10.30pm. Some more good news? The greens are kept open until 8pm so if the Formula 1 has left you feeling a little competitive, you can challenge your mates to a friendly match before the sun goes down.
The Fifth Province
You can always expect a good time (or 'craic') at St Kilda's legendary Irish pub, The Fifth Province, and that includes post-Formula 1 with old-school rock cover band The Day Drinkers hitting the stage from 6.30-9.30pm. The pub also serves up a stellar roast on Sundays so you can pair those classic tunes and a pint of creamy Guinness with striploin or roast chicken with gravy and all the trimmings.
Freddie Wimpole's
Fried chicken and beer are a staple game-day diet and we reckon that extends to Formula 1, too. Skip up to late-night bar Freddie Wimpole's, located in the historic George Hotel building, to indulge in an eight-piece bucket, served with soft potato rolls, pickles, house-made ranch and spicy mango habanero sauce. Wash it down with a craft brew from the rotating tap list or opt for a tipple from the cocktail menu. While you're eating and drinking, soak in the free folk tunes from alt-country singer Clint Wilson (6.30-7.30pm) before rock 'n' roll band Willie J's 6V6s amps up the energy.
George Lane
Also housed within the old George Hotel building, George Lane is a cool space that regularly hosts intimate live music performances. On Sunday, March 16, the lineup starts at 8.20pm with Melbourne artist and Wiradjuri woman, Ruby Mae, an indie country singer-songwriter set to release her first album Baby in April. From 9.10pm, Georgia Rodgers will treat you to her soothing blues, rock and soul stylings before renowned funk and soul artist, Kylie Auldist, takes to the stage at 10.10pm.
29th Apartment
Designed to feel like a cosy New York apartment, 29th Apartment is the perfect place to unwind after a big day with a cocktail in hand. There are board games if you want to take things easy or you could have a boogie with Nitida & The Hottiehotstuffs between 6-8pm. As they're performing, work your way through the innovative cocktail list which includes the Spicy Donkey, with chilli-infused tequila, guava liquor and spicy ginger beer, and the Mysterious Artichoke, featuring Scottish spiced rum, sweet vermouth and cynar, an Italian liquor made from artichokes.
St LuJa
Continuing down Fitzroy Street, St LuJa will be pairing its buzzy atmosphere, classic cocktails and delightful bar snacks with free tunes from Dave Larkin. The guitarist of Aussie alt-rock legends Dallas Crane will be crooning from 7.30-9.30pm. Plus, if you want something a little more substantial to snack on, the bar allows you to order in pizza from nearby Topolino's.
Ellora
Sitting pretty on the corner of Fitzroy Street and The Upper Esplanade, Ellora is a go-to in the area, particularly for its excellent views of the St Kilda Beach and Catani Gardens. Post-Formula 1, perch yourself on the newly renovated beachside balcony and watch the sun go down while listening to the groovy blend of Italian music with rock, country and jazz influences from Lorenzo and the Spaghetti Connection between 5.30-8pm. The tapas-style menu will refuel you after a long day with the likes of truffle fries, pumpkin arancini, prawn ceviche and fried halloumi on offer.
Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron
Salute the day (and summer) that was with a visit to the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron, positioned right on the boardwalk and boasting excellent views of St Kilda Beach and city skyline. Your free soundtrack for the evening, between 8-10pm, will be the smooth sounds of yacht-rock band, The Yachtski Brothers. Watching the dapper eight-member crew perform is like witnessing a time capsule from the late 70s opening so get ready to groove to classic tunes like Toto's 'Africa' and 'Hold the Line'.
For more about Last Lap Live and what's on in Melbourne's Southside, head to What's On St Kilda and Southside.
