City Guide: A week in Melbourne curated by FJ’s Senior Industry Columnist, Bianca O’Neill
IMAGE VIA @BIANCA.ONEILL/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY IZZY WIGHT
“Exploring the coolest corners of the city isn’t dependent on how much money you have… plus, I was never a beach girl, anyway.”
Here at Fashion Journal, we want to unearth the hidden spots in Australian cities that only the locals know about. There’s no gatekeeping here – this is a breakdown of the best bits of our cities. We want the underrated date spots, favourite restaurants, treasure trove op shops and the bars people will always want to go back to.
This week, we’re exploring Melbourne with Bianca O’Neill, fashion and culture columnist, content creator and FJ’s Senior Industry Columnist. While Bianca is originally a Sydney girl, she says Melbourne’s scrappy, arty vibe “definitely fits my personality more than the showy, slick, fast-paced nature of my hometown”. When she’s not writing or chatting about media theory on her Insta, Bianca spends her time exploring the city’s thriving arts and food scene.
Interested to hear how others navigate the world? Head to our Life section.
As the daughter of an Italian immigrant who has “ferried back and forth to Italy, and lived in New York and London”, Bianca finds there’s something that feels “alive” about Melbourne. “… Exploring the coolest corners of the city isn’t dependent on how much money you have… plus, I was never a beach girl, anyway.”
As an official media partner of PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival, Fashion Journal will be sharing the stories of designers, stylists and writers as they prepare for the nine-day celebration of fashion and creativity. This year, Bianca “will be attending as a working journalist, like every other year – checking out the talent on and behind the runways [and] reporting on the happenings around town”.
She’ll also be hosting a panel with tailored suiting experts Anna Cordell, James Noble and Bryan Huynh. Whether you’re a Melbourne local or just visiting for the Festival, Bianca shares her recommendations for food, drink and more below.
Drink
Smith Street and Gertrude Street
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We have a very cool apartment in Collingwood in a converted distillery, that our little family has now grown out of (le sigh), so we don’t live there anymore – but this pocket is still my favourite place to hang out. Smith Street is the life of the party, and the little Gertrude Street stretch leading past the start of Fitzroy and into the city is an absolute vibe. You’ll find me at Marion for a working vino catch-up in the sun or at Builders Arms for a glass of sparkling with that whipped cod roe.
Brunswick East and city laneway bars
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If I’m in the city, I’m probably holed up for the night at a small bar like Union Electric. We are about to move back to Brunswick East, so you’ll find me at my old haunts; pinballing between the Alderman, Old Palm Liquor and the B.East.
Eat
Collingwood and Brunswick East spots
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In Collingwood, Falco is an excellent morning coffee stop, Alimentari is a classic and I miss my fave undercover gem, Congress – can someone bring it back, please? I’ve been a Brunswick East girl almost the entire time I’ve lived in Melbourne, so if you’ll find me anywhere, it’s here; bouncing between bagels at Take Two, pizza at the original (and best) Gradi instalment and home-style Lebanese at Teta Mona.
Fine dining and old-school Italian
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I also have an office in the Nicholas Building in the city, so often I’ll be hanging around Flinders Lane; Gimlet is great (if you can get a booking). For Italian that feels like you’re in Italy, it’s Di Stasio Carlton’s courtyard, all the way.
Shop
Secondhand and vintage
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As a Nicholas Building resident, I’ll have to shout out to Kuwaii, downstairs in the historic Cathedral Arcade. Pop up the stairs to level one to pick up some affordable vintage at Retrostar, or check out Vintage Sole next to Kuwaii on the ground floor. As an avid shopper who is trying my hardest to be more sustainable, I try to buy a lot of secondhand and vintage – often I pick up hidden gems at Camberwell Market on a Sunday morning.
New and local designers
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For new, I’m a pretty dedicated Camilla and Marc girl – you can find me at their Emporium store in the city quite a bit, as well as Viktoria & Woods – but my sartorial spirit animal is aligned with the colour and craft of Mastani (the inspiring boutique is on High Street, Armadale). I wish I was cool enough to wear Strateas Carlucci – the HQ is in the street I used to live in, in Brunswick East, and the brand often used to hold pop-up sales of the edgy, chic, mostly-black clothing. For my husband, I love Christian Kimber – you can find him on Johnston Street, just off the corner of Smith.
Experience
Spectator sports
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About five years ago, I decided to no longer support horse racing, and have been looking for a more ethical sporting alternative… I think I’ve found it with the Australian Open. You’ll often find me at the finals, attempting to learn more about tennis…
Fashion and arts
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As March rolls around, of course, I’m always at PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival – I love the combination between a classic fashion week and the commercial side of fashion (i.e. shopping!). Fringe Festival challenges me, Melbourne Film Festival inspires me, and the Winter Masterpieces exhibition every year at the NGV is a must. Also, I miss White Night…
Indulge
Wine and wellness
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Melbourne really does have the best food in Australia – so when I want to splurge, it’s all about a degustation or omakase. Long hours talking about life, exploring new tastes and trying something new. Paired with wine, of course. Otherwise, it’s one of the incredible wellness spots around town; Comma in Cremorne for a magnesium tub soak, Sense of Self in Collingwood for the perfect massage vibe, or Mirosuna in South Melbourne for recentering.
The perfect day
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With two kids under three, my ideal day would probably involve waking up sometime after 5am (!) in a hotel after a staycation. I personally love the W (and if you’re looking for a quick meal downstairs, you can choose between the incredible duck lasagne at Lollo or the excellent omakase at Warabi…). For breakfast, I’ll probably be at Bowery to Williamsburg in Oliver Lane, ordering the lox and potato latkes with an extra pickle on the side. I’d wander over to the NGV for the morning – at the moment they have a great McQueen exhibition that I had to race through on Gala Night, and I’ve been meaning to go back and work my way through properly ever since.
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A late lunch in the sun (if there is any – it is Melbourne after all), probably down by the water at Arbory or an outdoor table at Cellar Bar at the top of Bourke. An afternoon massage is called for. Usually, I book Sakura Lounge for their no-frills Japanese Shiatsu, but if I’m feeling fancy I’ll head to the Langham’s Chuan Day Spa because they offer free valet parking with bookings and you can pre-game in their jacuzzi, dry sauna and colour-therapy high-pressure shower. Dinner somewhere fancy; I’ve been dying to get back to Minamishima in Richmond.
Rest and relax
Roadtrip destinations
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Victoria has an incredible array of weekend road trip options – you can find anything you’re looking for in just a short drive from the city. Mitchelton is a fave. [It’s got a] sleek hotel, accompanied by an incredible indigenous art gallery and of course, their excellent wines. Down the Peninsula, we’re getting more and more hot springs popping up for every taste.
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Point Addis for a cheeky not-too-challenging surf with barely a human in sight. And of course, our weekender at Heathcote in award-winning Shiraz country. The area is on the up and up, with a brand new (and incredible) fine-dining French restaurant, Chauncy, arriving on the high street in the past year.
Celebrate
Stomping Ground, 100 Gipps Street, Collingwood
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These days, it’s somewhere I can bring my kids that’s loud enough to drown them out. Add something to keep them busy while I have a glass of vino in peace, and that’s a bonus. We often revert back to Stomping Ground in Collingwood – excellent beer, solid food, bustling and busy enough to not feel awkward with kids, and with an indoor playground to keep them entertained. And their long tables mean plenty of room for casual get-togethers with friends.
Follow Bianca for more here.
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