Free Cocktails, Express Manicures and $10,000 Shopping Tabs on Offer Under New FOMO Friday Initiative

Complimentary cocktails and free express manicures are some of the goodies Melburnians can look forward to over the next month as part of the City of Melbourne's new FOMO Fridays initiative.

Initially proposed in March earlier this year, FOMO Fridays is a joint effort by the Victorian Government, the Property Council of Australia and the Australian Retailers Association which aims to encourage CBD workers to rediscover the city's latest and greatest.

Each Friday from May 14 to June 4, locals can take advantage of a swag of giveaways and special offers from a stacked lineup of Melbourne bars, restaurants, retailers and shopping precincts.

You might fancy getting your pre-weekend glam on at Myer Melbourne, with free express manicures at the Express Yourself mani bar and a couple of complimentary cupcakes to match. Or, swing past the QV centre for a free cosmic reading and some uplifting affirmations. If you're shopping up a storm at The Strand or GPO, you're in for some free bubbly, as well as the chance to score $500 off your evening's retail haul — $10,000 worth of shopping tabs are being covered randomly each week.

Down in Collins Square, the FOMO Fridays fun kicks off early from 10am, with coffee experiences, food tastings, trivia, cocktail-making workshops and a lucky spin wheel filled with instant prizes — perfect for a Friday lunchtime visit.

Riverside Quay will also be firing right throughout the day, with roving performers, holiday giveaways and dining specials ranging from Ludlow Bar & Dining Room's $10 boozy hot chocolates and two-for-one sangria at Asado (4pm–6pm). Plenty more exclusive food and drink offers await at favourites like Lui Bar, Arbory, Heroes, Pinchy's, Spice Market, Bar Lourinha, Storyville, Good Heavens and The Boatbuilders Yard — including two-for-one bottles of wine, half-price mezze platters and cheap cocktails.

Ludlow Bar & Dining

If your interests lie elsewhere, you might fancy deals like the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel's discounted sparkling wine flights, Kino Cinema's two-for-one movie tickets, or Bodhi and Ride's specially priced twilight spin classes. Or, the many Friday discounts up for grabs at retailers like Muji, Nique, Elk and H&M.

For a real treat, you can even book yourself a staycation at one of Melbourne's most luxurious hotels and score an extra night.

Free doughnuts, dinners, drink giveaways and pre-loaded Myki cards are also up for grabs at various locations and times around the city, though you'll need to keep an eye on the What's On Melbourne Instagram page for all the details.

FOMO Fridays will feature activations and special offers at venues across the city, on May 14, 21 and 28, and June 4. For the full list of offerings and to plan your nights, see the website.

Images: Heroes, Pinchy's, Good Heavens and Storyville.