Overview
There's nothing like summer in the city — warm days kicking back in the sun and balmy nights spent in the ocean air. From picnics and festivals to cinemas under the stars, there is lots to do al fresco.
We've teamed up with White Claw Hard Seltzer to put this guide together to help you stay refreshed and make the most of the outdoors during the warmest months of the year. Here are five ways to take advantage of Melbourne's stunning openair spaces this sizzling season.
All venue trading hours and events are subject to change based on COVID-19 developments. Check with the venue for the latest details, and stay up to date with current COVID-19 restrictions by visiting DHHS.
The Exchange Beach Club
SWING BY A BAR AFTER THE BEACH
Despite Melbourne not being especially known for its beach offering, the city is peppered with beachside bars and waterfront pubs that offer tranquil views and vibes. And there's nothing quite like a drink in the salty air for an after-work knock-off or a way to relax on the weekend. All three of these waterside spots stock White Claw, too, so you know you're in for a good time.
The Exchange Beach Club, Port Melbourne
Located on the shores of Port Melbourne, this pop-up kitchen is where to head to enjoy seafood snacks — we're talking oysters, lobster and prawn rolls, skin-on fries and grilled squid salad — while soaking in the rays from a daybed or cabana. The best part? The Exchange Beach Club is pup-friendly and there's an entire menu dedicated to treats for your furry friend, including doughnuts.
Pontoon, St Kilda
This chic establishment offers sweeping views of the beach with an a la carte style menu. If you feel like going a little bit fancy with handmade pasta and woodfired fish in the salty breeze, settle right in here. Interested? Mark February 13 in your calendar, when Pontoon will be hosting an epic shindig with White Claw from 5pm with local musicians Close Counters on the decks.
Hopscotch, Southbank
For more urban pub vibes, head to Hopscotch in Southbank. Here, you can expect eats and beats overlooking the Yarra. The brewpub serves street food-style dishes, such as tuna or eggplant tacos, vodka-cured king salmon and corn chip cheese croquettes. There are also burgers if you're extra peckish. Pay a visit on a Sunday arvo when Hopscotch hosts live musicians to soundtrack your end-of-the-weekend hangs.
Arbory Afloat, Parker Blain
TAKE YOUR MEAL AL FRESCO
Melbourne is ripe with places to eat and drink outdoors. Grab your mates and head to a primo al fresco table to kick back and revel in the fresh open air buzzing with city dwellers out and about.
Arbory Afloat, CBD
Take to Melbourne's renowned floating bar, Arbory Afloat, to enjoy an outdoor meal in the cocktail bar stationed on the Yarra. You can find the temporary bar and restaurant located in front of its sister venue, Arbory Bar & Eatery, where you'll be spoiled with a contemporary Mediterranean-inspired menu.
Ciao Cielo, Port Melbourne
Feeling like an Italian feed? Head to Ciao Cielo in Port Melbourne, a contemporary restaurant slinging oysters, house-made pasta, woodfired pizza and artisanal gelato. Here, you can enjoy a meal in the European-style beer garden, inspired by casual beachside dining on the Italian Riviera coastline.
Welcome to Thornbury, Thornbury
Another al fresco setting not to miss is Welcome to Thornbury's expansive outdoor setting featuring a steady rotation of food trucks. The sprawling, vibrant pub and beer garden feeds the hungry souls of the north with the likes of Mr Burger, Sparrow's Philly Cheese Steaks and Woking Amazing.
NGV Friday Nights, Eugene Hyland
HAVE A BOOGIE AT AN OUTDOOR GIG
It almost seems too good to be true, but yes, they're back. After a pretty grim past two years, the events season is upon us again, and it's time to make up for all those lost moments. Check out our recommendations for where to head for the outdoor party season.
Kick off your year at Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Running from January 5 to April 25, the Live at the Bowl series has a steady lineup of dance, music and circus events to enjoy, including The Jungle Giants, The Teskey Brothers with Orchestra Victoria and Piknic Électronik.
Boiler Room x Sugar Mountain Festival
This month also features Williamstown's supersized festival on Saturday, January 22 at Seaworks Maritime Precinct. A famed 360-degree stage will host a range of stellar homegrown and international talent — think Aussie DJ HAAi, Lauren Hansom and Kelly Lee Owens.
For the Love is returning on Saturday, March 5 at St Kilda's Catani Gardens. Punters will enjoy an all-Aussie lineup featuring the likes of Dom Dolla, Crooked Colours and Mallrat. When you need a break from the revelry, you can kick back in one of the VIP lounges, presented by Nana Judy.
The much-loved NGV Friday Nights are back to celebrate the Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto and Bark Ladies: Eleven Artists from Yirrkala exhibitions. Running all the way till late April, the after-hours weekly event boasts a lineup of Melbourne DJs playing disco, pop, lounge and house sets in the NGV Garden, plus pop-up bars and giveaways.
ROLL OUT YOUR PICNIC BLANKET
After multiple lockdowns where picnics were our only social escape, Melburnians are well accustomed to throwing an outing in the park. We've perfected the cheese platter and know just what crackers go with what dips. And with the city's abundant offering of green-filled outdoor spaces, there's no reason to stop now.
Edinburgh Gardens, Fitzroy North
Edinburgh Gardens, the city's largest park at 24 hectares, is always a good time. As you snack and sip, you can people (and pup) watch to your heart's content — there's always someone kicking a footy around, plus skateboarders showing off and plenty of off-leash space for your four-legged friends.
Fitzroy Gardens, East Melbourne
East Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens also provides a stunning location to picnic with garden structures, floral displayers and sprawling lawns lined with elm trees. As with all City of Melbourne parks, you're allowed to enjoy a tipple here.
Point Ormond Reserve, Elwood
If you're south of the Yarra, Point Ormond Reserve is the perfect spot to whip out the picnic rug. It's right near Elwood Beach with a spectacular lookout over the ocean if you want a cheeky snap for the 'gram.
CATCH A FLICK UNDER THE STARS
Take advantage of balmy summer nights by grabbing a picnic rug and settling in for a movie under the stars at an openair cinema.
The ever-popular Moonlight Cinema has returned to Melbourne's Royal Botanic Garden with a stellar lineup of flicks accompanied by available bites from food trucks. It also offers BYO movie snacks and drinks, so pick up some cans of White Claw to take along.
Cameo Cinemas in Belgrave is where movie lovers can enjoy big releases and retro flicks from deck chairs and bean bags with choc-tops and freshly popped popcorn. You can't take drinks and snacks with you to this one but you can bring along your pup, which is a win in our books.
Lido on the Roof
Atop of Glenferrie Road picture house, this Hawthorn rooftop cinema is showcasing a selection of new releases in the fresh air, including the newest Bond on the block No Time to Die, the Princess Diana biopic Spencer and cult classic 10 Things I Hate About You. And, yes, popcorn is served here, too.
For more information on White Claw, head to the website.
Top image: For the Love