When visiting a popular city, at times it can be difficult to figure out where to go that isn’t, for lack of a better word, “touristy.” There’s nothing wrong with being a tourist, but we understand the desire to find spots that are off the beaten path that can give you a more complete picture of everything a city has to offer. So we set off on a quest to find the hidden gems of Melbourne. Our list includes bars, shops, record stores, coffee shops, and bookstores. Happy exploring!
Bar Crawl Through Melbourne
Lizzie Caltabiano
There’s no doubt that Melbourne has some of the most extravagant bars that attract tourists from all over, but I want to take you to a few hidden gems of Melbourne’s nightlife and happy hour specialties. Join me on this bar crawl through Melb’s finest.
Stop 1: Peaches
First up, we have my personal favorite, the one and only Peaches. This all-pink-everything, two level bar and rooftop located on Swanston Street is the perfect spot to enjoy happy hour with a glass of wine with the girls and watch the sunset over the CBD skyline. They offer your usual beer, wine and spirits along with some killer cocktails, but when you go to Peaches you go for the aesthetic. This spot is perfect for your Instagram influencer dreams. The pastel fantasy is no easy find, though. Only those with a sharp eye will be able to spot the narrow staircase, squished between two coffee shops, that leads to this pink wonderland.
https://www.peaches.melbourne/
Stop 2: The Understudy
Just below popular bar and restaurant 1806, you’ll find this unexpected but lively cocktail bar. The Understudy offers multiple “experiences” that show off their mastery bartending skills. From the introduction to whiskey class to the advanced cocktail masterclass, there’s never a dull moment here. Or maybe you want to try their five-course cocktail and food experience where each drink comes with a suggested food pairing. But if you don’t want to take a class and just want to try some cocktails, that’s okay too. Every two weeks they change their cocktail menu, based off of eight categories: effervescent, crisp, fresh, botanical, salted, smoked, rich and experimental to feature drinks like the creamy Angel’s Milk to the frothy Silver Fizz. The Understudy offers both taste and visual appeal to any great cocktail lover, but this underground spot isn’t for the amateur drinker.
Stop 3: Sweatshop
Can you keep up? Only a few more stops to go. Next we have the alter-ego to the famous Seamstress Cocktail Bar. Just under the classic cocktail bar you will find the place where “all the mischief happens,” according to Alex, bartending extraordinaire. This bar might be small and dark but it’s definitely not one you want to miss. Here you’ll find lots of 90’s hip hop and funk that will undoubtedly make you want to hit the dance floor. Other than being a great place to bust a move, Sweatshop has many bartenders that have a dedication to mixing truly great drinks. Alex said, “I’m really passionate about what I do it may not seem like much but working here at Sweatshop really is a dream job for me. I wish I could do it for the rest of my life.”
Stop 4: Pizza Pizza Pizza
What better way to end the night than with a slice of pizza, right? At Pizza Pizza Pizza you can get the closest thing to a New York style slice of pizza in Melbourne. But wander to the back of this small pizza shop, through a black curtain and one will find a pleasant surprise, one of Melbourne’s most secretive bars, an unnamed cocktail bar. Customers definitely feel major speakeasy vibes as they sip on a hard spirit while dancing to the beat. As it gets late, sit down in one of their cozy booths, enjoy the night and don’t forget to order a piece of pizza.
http://pizzapizzapizza.com.au/
Hidden Melbourne Accessory Outlets that support your unique style
Allison Iodice
The town of Melbourne, Australia, is filled with many stores that are passed by. If you are someone who strives to find affordable and trending accessories, keep reading.
Forever New
According to the website Statista, retail accessories fall in the top five most shopped categories for the year 2019. People want to add accent pieces to their style that will stand out and compliment their fashion taste.
With places such as Burke Street, Flinders Street, and the multiple shopping malls, finding stores that sell these accessories is difficult. However, places such as Lonsdale Street contains stores that do like, Forever New. This accessory store is filled with regularly seen accessories such as necklaces, bracelets, rings and hair clips. What makes this store a top accessory contender is their collection of the rarely seen item, ear cuffs.
Piercings, though they can look cool and trendy, can be costly and painful. Ear cuffs are a hot trend that eliminates the possibility of piercing infections and prevent from breaking the bank. The small thick ring that is worn on the ear give off the look of the popular cartilage piercing. These cuffs are often hard to find. Forever New carries an entire collection and they are the store’s number one seller. Saskia, the store manager, and the owner is passionate about ear cuffs due to her own experience. Saskia had many problems with a previous cartilage piercing and “had to go to the hospital because the whole ear was so swollen.” She never wanted to wear earrings again making it her mission to sell ear cuffs and clip-on earrings throughout the store. Saskia travels every other week with her team to meet with companies to pick out new ear cuffs that she wants to have in her store.
Ear cuffs are hard to find but can be used to change things up and bring a new positive feel to someone’s fashion collection. Forever New has hundreds to choose from, making it easy to find the cuff perfect for you.
https://www.forevernew.com.au/
100 Squared Emerging Designer Market
The Australian journalism website, The National, claims that “One bad hair day can lead to skipped meetings, postponed appointments, and even harsh words to friends.” When speaking of bad hair days, most people can relate. The 100 Squared Emerging Designer Market is an essential trip when in Melbourne because they can help prevent future hair disasters.
With an immense amount of hair accessories, the set of pieces that set them apart s=is their letter clips. This market sells alphabet hair clips. Shoppers can buy different letters that allow them to spell words in their hair, individualizing their outfit.
The women working, Charlotte, had the word “Love” spelled out in her hair. Charlotte claimed that she made these clips herself because the market promotes and sells work from new and upcoming fashion designers from all over Australia. Charlotte spends her days making all sorts of accessories but felt as if the alphabet clips were her favorite.
These small, silver or gold clips are a new way to express yourself while also adding a sparkle to your hairstyle. The clips can be worn whether your hair is up or down and works for all lengths and hair thicknesses. At only eight dollars per letter, people can buy words and even phrases at an affordable cost.
Lovisa
Catering to woman, Lovisa possesses all sorts of accessories and almost always has a sale going on. What people do not know about this accessory store is their animal-inspired rings. The store sells rings in the shape of birds, snakes, lions, and cats.
Using vibrant colors, different sizes, and different textures, the store carries pieces you can rarely find anyplace else. When speaking to a fellow customer, Bethany, she expressed how much she loves the attention she gets from her friends when she goes out with a lion ring on.
The store sells the unusual, making it a place to buy statement pieces. The eye-catching snake rings bring an exotic look while the peacock ring can bring a majestic one. The small store makes use of every corner with jewelry up every wall and little kiosks filled with accessories in the middle. The animal-inspired rings have the entire right wall dedicated to them making for a fun experience trying themall on.
Off the Beaten Path Record Stores in Fitzroy, Melbourne
Emma Beins
While some people may argue that vinyl records are becoming an obsolete medium with the rise of streaming platforms, the city of Melbourne serves as a place for the cultural value of records to flourish. To conduct my research, I did some exploring of Fitzroy, a bohemian-inspired neighborhood near Melbourne’s suburbs. Fitzroy has a mix of eclectic shops, bars, cafes, and of course record stores. Walking around while taking in the sights and grabbing a coffee, I couldn’t help but feel a little closer to being a Melbourne local. In this article, I’m listing the three most interesting record stores I found in Fitzroy, all conveniently located on Brunswick Street.
Poison City Records
Poison City carries the weight of keeping Punk Rock music alive and well in Melbourne. Originally an independent record label, within the last decade they decided to expand their brand into a combination of a record store and skate shop. I met the manager of the store and she told me that they look to sell albums that go along with their brand, often featuring heavy guitar, preferably more underground Australian-based bands. The interior of the store is arranged in a way that looks cool and casual, but all the music is meticulously organized by alphabetized genre, adding an air of professionalism to the chill aura of the place. Even if you don’t consider yourself a punk-rock aficionado, stopping by Poison City is a must, even to just admire the custom skateboards or wall art.
https://poisoncityrecords.com/
Polyester Records
Polyester Records is the spot for the local. The store’s interior has a funky haphazardous feel to it, with many old records, concert posters and cutouts covering the walls. The decor makes it feel like a veteran music spot, but in reality Polyester has been in business since 2008. Walking around and browsing the selection, I realized I didn’t recognize a single musician that they offered. In asking the store attendant, I learned that they exclusively sell local artists, specializing in experimental electronic music. The best part about Polyester? The back wall is fake. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, they take down the wall and the space transforms, opening up to a bar, stage, and beer garden. Every weekend Polyester showcases different local Melbourne musicians hoping to spread their music throughout the city. Polyester Records fits right in with the feel of Fitzroy: slightly off the beaten path, but no one will regret going there once you make it.
http://www.polyesterrecords.com/
Natural Selection Records
Walking into Natural Selection Records, I immediately started feeling calm and soothed. The whitewashed walls are filled with aesthetically pleasing record covers with their brand name, and a man spins soft electronic music from a vinyl turntable in the corner. My personal favorite feature had to be the mantelpiece shrine dedicated to Tupac and Prince, bringing some much welcome eccentricity to an otherwise simple space. I ended up talking to the owner of Natural Selection for quite a while, and he had a few things to tell me about the record industry and his love for music. I couldn’t figure out what genre Natural Selection was after, and in asking him, he said “I love music too much to pick one genre or style to represent. That’s why I’m doing this.” The owner of Natural Selection is a dj originally from Paris, and he only opened the store in the fall of 2018. I wanted to get more information on why he decided to open a record store at a time where records are not the most popular medium of music, and I think his answer summed up exactly what I was looking for. “Owning a record store isn’t a dream because there’s no money in it but the lifestyle is a dream. The dream is getting to do what I love, playing music for beautiful people, and traveling. And that makes it worth it to me.” After being in Natural Selection, I felt like I understood the record store scene within Melbourne (specifically Fitzroy) much more. I would recommend Natural Selection for someone just passing through, who wants to get an overview of what a Melbourne record store is all about. In seeing all the vinyl Fitzroy has to offer, I now thoroughly believe a music-lover’s trip to Melbourne isn’t complete without hitting at least one of these spots.
https://www.natselection.com.au/
Australia Does Not Run on Dunkin
Kelly Ewen
Before I embarked on my trip to Melbourne, my best friend gave me one piece of advice: She told me to “be present” in Australia. I didn’t really understand what that meant at the time, because obviously I will be present. But now I understand what she really meant… The Great Ocean Road, Flinder’s street and Brighton Bathing Boxes are hotspots in Melbourne–they have tours and write ups for being such hot “commods.” Aside from the hype, there’s something valuable about the unexpected places. Spending the day with no exact plan can lead you off the beat and path to hidden gems. For the sake of my endeavors, I paid close attention to quaint coffee shops that I stumbled upon in town. Coffee shops have little clues about Melbourne as a city, and if you are inquisitive, there is so much to learn.
Cartel Coffee Roaster’s Specialty Coffee
Just by the name, it’s safe to assume that this place knows good coffee. To me, ambiance is everything and this hidden gem is found in a gully off Little Bourke street. The initial ambiance is very welcoming with warm wood furniture and a sweet barista standing at the counter. The word FRESH takes over the back wall dressed up with lights and plants. Frames of aboriginal people are dispersed around the room, which highlights Australian history.
I ordered myself a whole milk latte and watched the barista, Tyler, navigate around his workspace. Behind the counter, he was in his own element. He took the milk out of the refrigerator and turned on the espresso machine in a systematic order—the muscle memory in his hands knew when the milk was steamed before his eyes did. Then, he perfected a frothy masterpiece on the top of my beverage.
I started a conversation with the barista once I heard his familiar American “accent.” Tyler has lived in Melbourne for over two years now—originally from the States– and when I asked him if he loves his job he replied, “I am the happiest I have ever been in my life. We have regulars here, and customers love this environment as much as I do…We only serve traceable coffee, and not all coffee shops can guarantee that.”
Every Tuesday and Wednesday, Cartel Coffee Roaster’s offer barista training, along with free information about their coffee projects in Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Colombia, India and Indonesia. This little shop wants to ensure the highest quality coffee from crop to cup.
I certainly plan on revisiting this hidden gem before leaving Melbourne.
Captain’s Industry
This place really took me for a spin. I was hesitant to even walk in because I felt like I held up traffic while stopping to peek inside. The waitress standing outside complimented my perfume—likely a marketing strategy— and latched onto my hesitation by inviting me in. The rich aroma inside this tiny shop was intoxicating. I told her to surprise me with a cup of coffee that she thought I would like.
Her persistence was a bit much at first, but once she (Julia) sparked a conversation, I felt more comfortable to stay and ask questions. I scrounged through my wallet for some dollar coins, and soon after I tasted the most interesting coffee ever! I know that’s a bold statement, but my taste buds were not expecting anything like this.
Julia anticipated my facial expression before I took the sip and said, “Chocolate. We infuse our traditional coffee blend with grinded chocolate beans… to tone down the bitterness.” I absolutely loved it. Captain’s Industry uses ground up chocolate as a natural sweetener. In a world where Splenda and fructose corn syrup are omnipresent in trendy drinks, I really appreciate this creativity.
Randomly she said, “Joe over there, he’s been working here for fifteen years. In that same spot, behind the corner, for fifteen years.” No wonder why the workers were all so friendly with one another. When people work somewhere for a long time, I assume they must be well-taken care of/love their job.
Lastly, my personal favorite, the ambiance. The booths were covered in Italian newspaper print and the atmosphere was much darker than the little shop off of Little Bourke street. More of a rustic vibe pertaining to a bustling coffee crowd.
Don’t Judge Melbourne by it’s Cover
By Paige Boyadjis
Bookstores may not be at the top of every traveler’s priority list, but the ones in Melbourne are surely worth a visit. Melbourne bookstores give travelers the chance to relax, learn something new, and immerse themselves in the local culture. Here are some of the best hidden hideouts for readers visiting Melbourne:
Brunswick Bound
Hidden amongst retail shops, pharmacies, and cafés, Brunswick Bound is an easily overlooked gem in the bustling neighborhood of Brunswick. Full of modern texts for the “woke” reader, this unknown spot is perfect for both travelers and locals who are looking to learn something new. Topics such as politics, economics, and cultural phenomena run rampant across the bookshelves in this store. When I asked fellow customer Marielle about her experience, she noted that she’s a Brunswick Bound regular and “always finds something new to read” when she’s there. Another customer nearby chimed in jokingly “I’ve definitely become smarter just by being in this place.”
Meditation Centre & Bookshop
Amongst the craziness of fast-paced life, Meditation Centre & Bookshop can be a place of peacefulness and solace. For meditation and yoga lovers, this bookstore offers a balance between wellness and reading. Fay, an employee, says that after a near-fatal car accident she “turned to meditation and wellness books to help her start over.” When I asked if working at this bookstore was the perfect job for her, she said “can’t imagine it gets much better than this.” For people interested in wellness, meditation, fragrance and oils, food, and lifestyles, this is certainly the bookstore for you. Complete with a lounge area and audiobook listening station, this bookshop offers a complete wellness experience for the mind and body. Cozy up the lounge with a matcha latte and read about how to adopt a vegan lifestyle while learning new yoga poses.
City Basement Books
This bookstore is conveniently located but relatively unknown because of its underground location. For people looking for something different or books that aren’t topping every bestseller list, City Basement Books is a great spot. For travelers, this lowkey bookstore offers local travel guides and texts written by Victoria natives. It’s easy to get lost in the endless aisles of City Basement Books and it’s easy to find customers lining the floor and sitting in corners reading new books. When I stumbled upon a woman about my own age reading a foreign text in the corner, she told me that she had been there for hours reading and sipping her latte. Their endless supply of texts can occupy the day of any travel, especially those hoping to learn something about the people, land, and culture of Victoria.
http://www.citybasementbooks.com.au/
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Cozy Cafes in Melbourne
Sarah Lotito
Melbourne has a lot going for it: beautiful street art, world-class coffee, nice people, and an easy to navigate city. But, tucked away from the major streets are some cozy cafes that are definitely not to be missed.
MIDDLETOWN
Middletown is a cafe on 229 High Street in Prahran, VIC. While Middletown might not necessarily be hidden behind a secret door or require you to know a password to gain access, it is off the suburb’s main street (Chapel St) and centered near many businesses. This place is perfect for a quick stop during your lunch break or an inviting place to have a work meeting or event.
It is “primarily for the [LGBTQ+ community] and the wealthy” said the waitress who served me, “they love the avo toast and modern yet cozy atmosphere.” Once I heard this, I knew I had to try it. The avocado toast was definitely very distinctive, the crushed avocado accompanied dried olives, grilled tomatoes, jalapenos and a large poached egg on a crisp sourdough bread.
Unlike many cafes, they offer iced coffee, which was the best news I had all day. The iced coffee was simple yet delicious, exactly what I was craving. A friend of mine ordered the coffee spritz, can it get any more Australian? It was a blend of iced coffee, sparkling water and tonic, odd yet worth a try.
Middletown – Fine Food & Specialty Coffee
ROLLER DOOR
Next up is Roller Door, a quaint cafe located at 13 Stawell St in West Melbourne that’s hidden away in a converted tool shed. This cafe is one not to be missed, as it offers a variety of foods that caters to meat eaters and vegetarians.
This place is great for someone who wants delicious food on a budget. Everything on the menu is under $20, which makes it a popular place for locals to quickly become regular.
Alison, a Melbourne local and mom of two, said, “I love Roller Door. It’s a short walk from my home and I get to eat heaps of yummy food for a pretty decent price. I always get the acai bowl for brekkie or the tempeh hot roll for lunch.”
I was sold. The crumbled tempeh on a hot roll was delicious. If you have any vegetarian friends, I highly suggest letting them in on this great place. It’s perfect for a nice lunch date or a spot to catch up with a friend.
AUSSIE TRAVELERS 