It wouldn't be right to do a blog in Melbourne without talking more about it's bars! It's littered with chic hidden little places for drinks and conversation after work, all day drinking sessions or long nights out into the early hours. I am learning through peoples recommendations and stumbling along my own finds day by day of new venues deep into the secluded city grid-alleys to experience, people all have their own favorites that you MUST try, and i'm always willing! A few that myself and jamey T have sampled & loved are The Carlton (www.thecarlton.com.au, 193 Bourke St), decorated heaps of rainforest foliage and exotic stuffed animals, small boutique booths and a garden balcony- dont go if your a vegetarian or have issues with dead animals! The Toff in Town & the Rooftop Cinema ( both on 252 Swanston Street) are my favorite so far...its a building of about 6 floors with all different venues on each, the rooftop bar obviously being the top floor and is an open air space with deck chairs beers, & a fantastic view of the city. They also show classic movies in season when the sun goes down, you have to be early though to get a seat, its not just my favorite! I more recently went to The German Beer gardens, a pub and huge outdoor garden which has all the beers you need served in traditional unusual glasses, with live music to accompany your drinking session :)
I went to a cocktail bar with Ivan called 1806 (named the year that the word cocktail was first defined in print, 169 Exhibition St Melbourne) and tried the 'Japanese Slipper', Melbourne's most famous cocktail (Midori, Melon liqueur, Cointreau, Lemon Juice). It looked abit like a drink I used to drink in Revolution, the Del Boy, green in appearance and finished with a tacky red cherry, loved it!
When i'm short of cash, a good way to still spend some time out in the city on the cheap is to go to an exhibition opening or individual show. I've been to a couple of art expo's & a jewelry one, these put on by uni's showcasing students work or individual artists. They normally put out food and give out free wine...one I went to we had walked around the gallery in 10mins so then sat and drank & chatted for an hour, so you dont have to be interested in the subject to enjoy the event!
I have been working on the Melbourne Showboat doing a few cruises, mainly dance party's which are fun. It's basically club photography but on a boat with amazing views, I get to meet alot of people which is great & make money from it at the end of the night. As christmas is coming up there are going to be alot more events coming up as the boat is booked out for various corporate functions etc. All the crew onboard are really friendly, I have been out a few times with them after cruises, we go to a club called 'Sorry Grandma' a funny concept for a club, on fridays the night is called 'high tea' so being english I'm in my element! ha. One day we had an early start & had to sleep on the boat to leave port at 4am, after our shift though we relaxed on the boat rooftop all the way back to melbourne and i got snappy- happy on the camera admiring the scenes. I also started working in the office for the boat just one day a week, doing banking/ finance/ business tasks. At first I wasn't sure about doing this, as I would have preferred all my work within photography, but it has actually been really good to do, as I'm learning the runnings of a small business & skills that will no doubt help me in the future being a freelance photographer and having to manage my own work.
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