Daily Detours for the Week of October 30

A staple for Melbourne comedy lovers, Quick Bites Comedy is the go-to night for checking out some of the best local, interstate and international comedians around — and it’s free. Taking turns in a rapid-fire night of laughs, each comic delivers five-to-seven minutes of their funniest material, guaranteeing an evening crammed full of both up-and-coming and established performers across a variety of acts, styles and topics.

Personalities and writers from many of Australia’s most-loved TV shows are regularly in attendance and you’re bound to discover someone who cracks you up. Held on Monday evenings at popular late-night spot Boney, the Little Collins location is perfect for getting some belly laughs in at the start of the week, ensuring the rest of your working week is just a little bit easier.

Finish off your weekend with a casual cycle through Melbourne’s northern suburbs, and do it without even crossing a road by following the Merri Creek Trail. 21 kilometres long, the trail extends from Dights Falls and the Capital City Trail in the south, to Western Ring Road in the north. Follow the creek and pass the Coburg Lake Reserve, the Brunswick Velodrome and CERES Community Park, as well as garden spots, horse paddocks and sports ovals. An afternoon of cycling is a surefire way to build up an appetite, and luckily there a number of charming picnic spots along the trail — why not throw down a rug at the northern end, near the lush greens of Coburg Lake?

Seinfeld‘s George Costanza once wisely told Jerry: “Just remember: it’s not a lie…if you believe it”. And although it’s unclear whether that advice holds up in a game of trivia, you’re welcome to give it your best shot. Themed around everyone’s favourite hapless character, George’s Bar opened its doors in early 2016 and received its fair share of hype thanks to international news coverage and the man himself, Jason Alexander, tweeting about the opening.

George’s Bar hosts a weekly Wednesday trivia night covering everything from general knowledge to music, film, pop culture, and of course a few Seinfeld curveballs thrown in for good measure. Located at the heart of Fitzroy on Johnston Street, get your pals together and find out which one is the true Costanza, Lord of the Idiots.

One dollar doesn’t buy much these days, but at Panama Dining Room your loose change gets you some fantastic seafood and a great location to match. Between 6–7pm every night of the week, Panama Dining Room hosts a $1 oyster happy hour — a pretty fantastic way to kick off your evening, if you ask us. Climbing the sheer staircase to the third level might seem like a struggle, but the views of the CBD and Smith Street from Panama’s grand arched windows is an instant reward.

Once you’ve consumed as many oysters as you can handle, head chef Ayhan Erkoc’s Turkish-inspired seasonal menu will undoubtedly be a temptation hard to ignore. Having been bought and reopened in 2014 by chef Luke Stepsys, Panama Dining Room has become a popular post-work hangout, with the former 19th century furniture warehouse’s converted loft bristling with a laid-back atmosphere and graceful interior.

NGV International’s Friday Nights series is always a cracker, and this season is no exception. A mix of local and international music acts make up the latest late-night roster, which will tie in with the NGV’s new Melbourne exhibition The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture. Throw after-dark gallery access and killer food and beverage options into the mix, and Friday night drinks are looking killer. This Friday you’ll be able to catch up-and-coming Australian artist Airling in the Great Hall from 6pm.

Every month at The Grand Richmond, yum cha hits the menu — though not as you know it. Sorry dumplings, spring rolls and pork buns, but this isn’t your time to shine. Instead, this feast of bite-sized portions is going Italian.

Yes, Italian Yum Cha is exactly what it sounds like. And yes, it sounds delicious. Make your way through little steamer baskets filled with everything from handmade rabbit tortelli and crudo of kingfish to prawn risotto and suckling pig croquettes. Smoked duck bruschetta, char-grilled quail, veal meatballs, mini buffalo mozzarella, tomato and basil lasagne — the list goes on, and also includes desserts such as tiramisu, lemon tart, chocolate terrine and toffee ice cream.

There’s two sittings: from midday to 2pm, and then from 2.15pm until 4.30pm. As is the custom, prices are tallied per dish, which come in multiple servings.

The brain behind Dr Morse‘s famous panko crumbed eggs is executive chef and partner Tyler Lee Preston, whose pan-Asian inspired menu has proved popular with northsiders for some time now. It’s hard to think of a better way to kick-off your Sunday than with Tyler’s panko-crumbed eggs Benedict, served with crispy roti, spicy hollandaise, greens and a choice of bacon or smoked salmon rillettes.

Located underneath Victoria Park train bridge, right in the hubbub of Abbotsford’s Johnston Street, Dr Morse features a great bar and a bright outside area that’s perfect for weekend hangs and sipping a few too many coffees. Bask in the late-morning sunlight — and try your best to avoid remembering it’s Monday tomorrow.

Personalise your next adventure via The Playmaker, driven by Mazda3.