Overview
While Melbourne's outdoor cinemas have started reopening under the city's latest stage of eased COVID-19 restrictions, seeing a movie indoors isn't permitted just yet. But if you'd still like to head to a particular Carlton picture palace, sit down in its onsite eatery, tuck into dinner and sip drinks — and grab some popcorn and a choc top, too — Cinema Nova has thrown open the doors to its Bar & Kitchen, and its candy bar as well.
Now open every evening for dinner from 5pm, the Lygon Street venue is offering up a menu that includes cauliflower arancini, spiced calamari, slow-cooked braised beef, and both chicken parmigiana and eggplant parmigiana bites. You can opt for a cheeseboard, too, and wash it all down with wine, beer and cocktails. And, for dessert, there's choc tops — of course.
If you're just hankering for a cinema-style snack rather than yearning to spend time at the cinema, you can stop by the candy bar during the same window each night — and grab not only those chocolate-covered ice cream cones, but also popcorn and drinks.
Those choosing to dine are advised to book, with reservations available until 9pm each night. In line with the current restrictions on indoor hospitality, Nova's Bar & Kitchen can cater to 20 patrons. Seating is socially distanced, contact tracing is in place, payments are cashless and hand sanitiser is available for patrons as well.
And if you're wondering when the projectors will start whirring again, the Victorian Government hasn't yet announced when indoor cinemas will be allowed to operate. They're not currently able to open, and they haven't been listed so far in the next phase, due to come into effect on November 8, either.
Find Cinema Nova at 380 Lygon Street, Carlton — open daily for dinner from 5pm, with bookings recommended.