• Feature

    Cocktail Hour: How to Make a Cosmo Spritz

    And just like that, the cosmo gets a summery upgrade.

  • Feature

    Cocktail Hour: How to Make Le Grand Fizz

    Spritz o'clock? It will be with this elevated take on the summer go-to.

  • Feature

    Cocktail Hour: How to Make a Fresh Cut Spritz

    Rethink the classic vodka soda with this sophisticated serve.

  • News

    Eight Melbourne Arts and Cultural Spaces to Check Out This Summer (And Where to Get a Drink Afterwards)

    Get your culture fix at one of these leading institutions — then make an afternoon of it at one of these excellent watering holes.

  • News

    Seven Aussie Summer Scenarios — and the Drinks You Should Sip on Your Next Adventure

    We've found a refreshing cocktail to complement every situation you'll find yourself in this summer.

Latest Guides
  • News

    We're Giving Away an Epic Gin and Backyard Barbecue Prize for All Those Summer Hangs

    Score a swag of gin, deck chairs and a top-quality Weber barbecue to level up at-home entertaining.

  • News

    Say Cheers to 2021's Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers

    Canberra's Bentspoke took out the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers poll for the second year in a row with its Crankshaft American IPA.

  • News

    Yarra Botanica Is Melbourne's Lush New Pontoon Bar and Eatery Docking in March

    The floating venue will make its home at Southbank this spring, brimming with plant life and slinging an all-Victorian drinks offering.

  • News

    The Stolen Gem Is the CBD's New Rooftop Cocktail Bar and Terrace Opening Next Month

    Nestled above Bourke Street, this new watering hole will be serving up 360-degree views and a cocktail list packed with local spirits.

  • News

    Hotel Sorrento Has Announced a Massive Expansion Including a New 30-Metre Pool and Rooftop Yoga Studio

    Renovations won't be completed until 2023, but in the meantime the team will host a Summer Souvas pop-up bar.

  • News

    Ten Quintessential Places to Eat and Drink Like a Local in Tropical North Queensland

    From fresh tropical fruit markets to luxe beachfront dining, there's something to please all palates in the tasty tropics.

Latest Places
  • Bar

    Hotel Mexico

    238 Whitehall Street, Yarraville

    Hotel Mexico is Yarraville's huge group hang spot that's made for margarita-fuelled sessions.

  • Bar

    Bendigo Hotel Collingwood

    125 Johnston Street, Collingwood

    Collingwood's legendary live music pub The Bendigo Hotel is back in action thanks to The Mill Brewery Crew.

  • Bar

    Punters Club

    376 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

    Millennials and Gen Zs might lament the loss of Kewpie, but Gen X music lovers will rejoice in seeing this old boozer return to Brunswick Street.

  • Cafe

    Mork Chocolate Looking Glass

    13 Centre Place, Melbourne

    The site is showcasing the team's unconventional chocolate bars, elaborate drinking chocolates that never made it onto the menu, chocolate cocktail pairings and creative desserts.

  • Bar

    Windsor Wine Room

    60 Chapel Street, Windsor

    Keep it classic with a rosé matched with burrata and oysters, or get a bit more playful by pairing a natty number with jerusalem artichoke and hazelnut gnocchi.

  • Bar

    Asado

    6 Riverside Quay, Southbank

    The 250-seat Southbank venue is working magic with an open fire pit and three-metre-long parilla grill.

  • Bar

    Champagne Problems

    238 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

    If you loved drinking and dancing at Evie’s Disco Diner but now feel a little too old for it, consider a trip to its older sibling in the CBD.

  • Bar

    Greenhart Camberwell

    1226 Toorak Road, Camberwell

    This Melbourne wine bar is straying away from the usual European influences, instead showing how contemporary Asian food and Australian wines can be a perfect pairing.

  • Restaurant

    Hotel Lona

    473 Nepean Highway, Frankston

    A two-level venue with a restaurant, public bar and rooftop in one of Frankston’s oldest buildings.

  • Bar

    Moon Dog Wild West

    54 Hopkins Street, Footscray

    Make your way through the swinging saloon doors to find bucking bulls, arcade games, pool tables, a dog-friendly rooftop, and food and drinks aplenty.

  • News

    Your Guide to the Best Food and Drink to Try Courtside at the Australian Open

    The Australian Open ain't just about the tennis — Melbourne Park's got a slew of top-notch food and drink experiences to sink your teeth into in-between matches.

  • Feature

    How to Make Pre-Batched Watermelon Margaritas for Your Next Summer Session

    Elevate cocktail hour with this sophisticated food and drink pairing.

  • Feature

    How to Make a Spicy Margarita (And What to Pair With It)

    Elevate cocktail hour with this sophisticated food and drink pairing.

  • Feature

    How to Make a Cartel Old Fashioned (And What to Pair With It)

    Elevate cocktail hour with this sophisticated food and drink pairing.

  • News

    What's Open for Eats and Drinks in Melbourne on New Year's Day

    Hit one of these spots for a January 1 filled with good food and top-notch drinks.

  • News

    A List of 24 Melbourne New Year's Eve Events in Case You Haven't Made Plans Yet

    Whether you're after a cruisy rooftop party, fancy dinner or lavish cocktail soiree, Melbourne's got your last-minute New Year's Eve plans sorted.

Latest Events
  • News

    Announcing Concrete Playground Melbourne's Best of 2021 Award Winners

    The very best new Melbourne bars, restaurants, events, lockdown pivots and spaces of the year.

  • Guide

    The Best Melbourne Lockdown Pivots of 2021

    These takeaway options, food pop-ups and virtual music festivals gave Melbourne's 2021 lockdowns a much-needed silver lining.

  • Guide

    The Best New Melbourne Bars of 2021

    All the latest and greatest watering holes we welcomed to Melbourne's drinks scene this year.

  • News

    Eight Cracking Aussie Wines to Stock Up on for All the Silly Season Festivities You Have Planned

    From reasonably priced rieslings for backyard barbies to impressive biodynamic cabernets for the ideal dad gift.

  • Feature

    Four Easy Gin Cocktails That'll Take You From Brunch to Nightcap

    Whether you're after a brunch-time tipple, a breezy afternoon spritz or a sultry nightcap, these gin cocktails will elevate every cocktail hour.

  • News

    Four Impressive Garnishes for Pre-Bottled Cocktails When You Want a Drink (But CBF Bartending)

    Try these low-effort, high-reward garnishes to level up your next cocktail hour.

  • News

    The Queen Vic Summer Night Market Will Return from January for a Huge Three-Month Comeback Edition

    The ever-popular summer night market is back with a weekly Wednesday night serve of food stalls, live music, pop-up bars and shopping.

  • Guide

    Six Melbourne Venues to Visit When All You Want to Do Is Sip a Spritz in the Sunshine

    Spend your summer soaking in golden rays and sipping cocktails with your mates at these must-visit Melbourne bars.

  • News

    These Four Wine Venues Have Been Dubbed Australia's Best by the 2021 Wineslinger Awards

    Melbourne's Embla is the country's best wine-sipping spot for 2021, while Sydney’s P&V Merchants is the best new vino haunt.

  • News

    These Four Australian Venues Have Been Named in the World's 50 Best Bars for 2021

    Sydney's Maybe Sammy came in at number 22, with Cantina OK! and Re also earning a spot — plus Melbourne's Above Board.

  • News

    Eat Among the Clouds at Melbourne's New Sky-High 5-Star Restaurant Strato

    Highlights of the sky-high venue include a floating al fresco lounge, immersive lighting projects and a 5-star restaurant.

  • News

    Melbourne Cocktail Haven Byrdi Has Scored a Ranking in The World's 50 Best Bars 51-100 List

    The CBD bar was the only Aussie to make this year's extended list, with the top 50 set to be revealed next week.

  • News

    Here's Which Aussie Distilleries Won Big at the 2021 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards

    Last night's awards ceremony saw plenty of love for Victorian-born spirits and a huge victory for South Australia's Never Never Distilling Co.

  • Feature

    A Bluffer's Guide to Cognac

    Is it brandy? Is it wine? Well, yes and no — cognac is somewhere in between. We take a closer look at one of the world’s most misunderstood spirits.

  • News

    Six Simple Whisky Serves for Every Type of Event You'll Be Hosting This Summer

    These easy-to-make tipples will impress no matter the occasion.

  • News

    Six Personalised Gifts for the Person You Want to Go that Extra Mile for this Christmas

    Show them you care with a gift that has their name on it — literally.

  • News

    Pearl Diver Cocktails & Oysters Is the Glam New Bar From the Speakeasy Group

    Roll in for fresh Aussie oysters served in a multitude of styles, matched with innovative cocktails packed full of complexity.

  • News

    Florescence Is the New Homegrown Gin Crafted on Plants from the Royal Botanic Gardens

    Made in collaboration with award-winning distillery Anther, it features botanicals like alpine pepper, violet kunzea and finger lime.

  • News

    Moon Dog Brewing Is Kicking Off Summer by Giving Away a Heap of Free Fizzer Alcoholic Seltzers

    Bring your vessel to Moon Dog's breweries to nab a free drink — or head to a number of other spots around the city, Sydney and Adelaide for a free schooner.

  • News

    Boatbuilders Yard and Moon Dog Brewing Are Hosting a Weekly Summer 90s RnB Party

    Yes, a Smirnoff Ice or Passion Pop is promised for every guest on arrival.

  • News

    Connie's Pizzeria Is Getting Its Own Dedicated Space Directly Above Heartbreaker

    Hold onto your parmesan shaker, people — because Connie's new home will feature a rooftop deck along with its signature NYC pizzas.

  • News

    The Arbory Bar and Arbory Afloat Team Are Opening a New Four-Storey CBD Eatery

    The crowning jewel of the venue is a European garden party-themed rooftop, featuring 360-degree views of the city.

  • News

    Four Pillars and Go-To Skincare Have Joined Forces to Create New Limited-Edition 'Go-To Gin'

    For those nights where you need to slap on a face mask, pour a G&T and put your phone on 'Do Not Disturb'.

Tap and select Add to Home Screen to access Concrete Playground easily next time. x