WIN We’re giving away dinner for you and a friend at Melbourne’s hottest new restaurant. But first, we need you to help us decide what it is. Vote in our Best of 2018 Awards below (and fill out the comp form) and you’ll be in the running to score a free dinner at the winning restaurant.
Melbourne’s cultural ecosystem has boomed once again, with each new opening bigger, bolder and more impressive than the one before it. We’re eating in the middle of 50-acre sculpture parks, drinking in multi-level karaoke joints, sipping coffee in renovated power substations and having fun in inflatable labyrinths.
And the fun we’re having as a city is becoming ever more inclusive. Our festivals are catering to wheelchairs and being translated into AUSLAN, our pubs and public spaces continue to celebrate the LGBTQI+ community and we’re beginning to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People through artworks and events.
As the city continues to grow, new openings abound. Chefs — established and new — continue to experiment and specialise, opening rule-breaking barbecue joints in the inner city and degustation-only fine diners on the Mornington Peninsula. Bars no longer just serve good drinks, but transform historic spaces and serve restaurant-quality snacks inside them. Cafes continue to roast coffee, too, as well as bake, roll and batch in-house, serving up vegan croissants that achieve almost immediate cult status. Pubs may not necessarily be new, but are, instead, getting second lives — with local haunts revived by both hospitality giants and small players.
The city’s cultural calendar, not restricted to just bottomless brunches and high teas, brims with immersive experiences, fiery installations and new festivals. And, the city’s most stunning spaces are more dramatic, futuristic and sustainable.
At Concrete Playground we encourage exploration and showcase innovation in our city every day, so we thought it fitting to reward those most talented vanguards pushing Melbourne to be a better, braver city. And so, we are very pleased to announce Concrete Playground’s Best of 2018 Awards.
This year, we will be awarding a People’s Choice and Overall award in each of the following five categories:
These 36 outstanding Melbourne ventures have been handpicked by Concrete Playground for their combination of originality, innovation, creativity, approachability and sustainability. We straight-up love them.
Cast your People’s Choice votes below by 5pm on Wednesday, December 12 (you can only vote once per category, so make those votes count). People’s Choice and Overall winners in each category will be announced at 3pm on Thursday, December 13. Please note that your vote is recorded as soon as you make your selection in each category, but that you can edit your votes right up until when voting closes. If you have any questions or feedback, hit us up at [email protected]
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LAURA
A faultless degustation-only restaurant in the middle of a 50-acre Mornington Peninsula winery and sculpture park.
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CAPITANO
Italian food with an Aussie edge and revamped classic cocktails in the Beaufort's former Carlton space.
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CONGRESS - CLOSED
You'll find everything from 6.30am coffee to late-night sangas at this Collingwood wine bar.
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BAR ROMANTICA
A Lygon Street institution has been transformed into a sleek late-night Italian bar and eatery.
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MR TUCCI
This sibling-owned Glen Iris cafe feels like a conservatory and serves up cakes baked by 'Mum'.
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DUKE OF KERR-CLOSED
Located on a quiet corner in Fitzroy, this neighbourhood cafe is serving up all-day breakfast and booze, seven days a week.
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PRINCE ALFRED HOTEL, CARLTON
An old Carlton favourite has reopened with a sleek new interior that honours its colourful past.
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EAST BRUNSWICK HOTEL
The historic three-level pub has reopened with live music and an underground dining space.
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THE BEACH HOTEL - CLOSED
This Albert Park boozer has scored a new look and revamped offering of refined pub classics and lots of wines.
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BLAK DESIGN MATTERS
The first national survey of Australia's most innovative and powerful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander design.
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ABILITY FEST
An inclusive new music festival that is fully wheelchair accessible and translated into AUSLAN.
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HOUSE OF GO
Nike's multi-sensory obstacle course will have you running, slipping and bouncing through a Collingwood warehouse.
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ARCHIE BROTHERS CIRQUE ELECTRIQ
A circus-themed arcade bar from the Holey Moley crew complete with bowling, dodgems and colourful cocktails.
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STATE LIBRARY OF VICTORIA
The $88 million revamp sees the addition of two new reading rooms, a big bookstore and a new cafe.
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HALF ACRE
A dilapidated mill that's been transformed into a top-notch wining, dining and partying destination.
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LON RETREAT
The 200-acre hillside property boasts seven luxury suites, a mineral pool and its own private art gallery.
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