A European-inspired beach club is now running in Melbourne, lounges and all
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CARLSBERG BEACH CLUB
WORDS BY IZZY WIGHT
A premium beachside experience.
At the risk of sounding like a summer stickler, there is a right and a wrong way to do a day at the beach. If you’re planning on settling in the sand for a day or at the very least, the entire afternoon, preparation and timing are key. Unless you’re opting for Mr Bean’s Holiday-esque experience, a lack of forethought can bring unpleasant results.
Picture this: sandy, soggy snacks, shared towels (not the big, fluffy beach kind either – we’re talking someone accidentally brought a bath mat), burnt shoulders and warm drinks. On top of that, arrive too late in the day and you risk squishing your setup (or lack thereof) between beach umbrellas, longing for that blissful shade while your skin suffers under that UV 11 sun. Not ideal.
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You could safeguard your beach trip with some meticulous pre-planning or you could simply park up at a beach club. Europeans have the right idea! It’s the forever promise of icy drinks, fresh food, a laze-all-day comfortable seat and the perfect oceanside spot. If you’re a Melbourne local trying to maximise our final days of sun and blue skies, here’s some incredible news – right now, you don’t need to take an international flight to get the European beach club experience.
Located on Frankston Pier, the Carlsberg Beach Club is our answer to the umbrella-dotted shores of Côte d’Azur. It’s open from midday to sunset every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until March 31, and it’s absolutely worth a visit before the wintery weather arrives (yes, even if you don’t love beer).
While the first-ever European beach clubs were overwater wooden-stilt facilities at the end of long, rickety piers (it was 1820s Italy, to give them some credit), the Carlsberg Beach Club resembles the colourful waterfront havens we know and love today. You can wander through the green-and-white striped main beach club area for free, while the premium sun bed section is best booked in advance.
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The food and drink are also a serious upgrade from your standard fish-and-chip beach fare. Naturally, you can expect crisp Carlsberg beer on tap, alongside fruity mocktails, handcrafted cocktails and champagne. The menu, crafted by local culinary favourites, features something to suit every palate. A quick squiz at the menu promises woodfire grilled steak and poached chicken sandwiches, salt and pepper calamari, Moreton Bay bug and prawn brioche rolls topped with salted fennel remoulade and saltbush seasoning, french fries with Old Bay seasoning and smoked shallot aioli, tempura cauliflower with hot honey and kaffir lime dressing, smoked salmon, silken tofu and poached chicken poke bowls.
Adding buzz to your backdrop, a series of DJs have also been spinning on site. Known for her high-energy pop remixes and dynamic live sets, local artist DJ Darley took up residency at the Carlsberg Beach Club from January 31 until the beginning of February. Drop by now and you’ll catch Melbourne’s Alice Ivy, an acclaimed artist and producer promising a unique blend of futuristic funk, electronica and soulful beats.
Arguably the best part of the whole experience is that if you do bite the bullet and book yourself a luxe sun bed, your $60 is redeemable on food and drinks. My recommendation would be to secure a 2pm Sunday slot with some friends and recline with a cool beer, a good book and the best hot chips ever, enjoying the background beats while soaking up the sun. Remember, true relaxation is not having to pack up your wet, sandy belongings or lug a bag of warm beverages back to the car. Do as the Europeans do!
Book your Carlsberg Beach Club experience here.
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