Our Assistant Editor’s favourite Melbourne date-night spots
IMAGE VIA @THE_ALDERMAN_BAR/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY IZZY WIGHT
From pizza in the park to bougie three-course meals.
Having lived in Melbourne now for just over eight years, I have my favourite food and drink spots down to a curated catalogue. When it comes to date nights of any kind (platonic, romantic, casual, special occasion, etc), I revel in the opportunity to plot the perfect evening.
Interested to hear how others navigate the world? Head to our Life section.
If millennials were the generation of frivolous avocado toast purchases, Gen Z might be the one of anchovy toast and natural wine, and I’ve accepted that. Whether you’re organising a night with a friend, celebrating an anniversary or planning a Friday night date, read on for my recommendations.
Weekend date night
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When it’s not a work night and I have a little more flexibility in my evening, I love heading to Brunswick East for a few wines and home-style Sicilian food. I’d recommend starting at either Waxflower or Bahama Gold for a glass of wine and some solid pre-dinner people-watching, which is a favourite activity of mine.
Then walk a stone’s throw to Bar Idda, where you can share classic wine-bar picky bits like focaccia, Sicilian olives and crispy fried potatoes, as well as dishes like stuffed sardines, mushroom ragu and ricotta gnocchi. If you have the energy for a nightcap, head next door to The Alderman and enjoy a spritz with a really big olive. I love olives.
Date night activity
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Hours of conversation are great and all, but sometimes you want to punctuate your evening with an activity or two. My boyfriend and I have a shared love for games (and competition) of all kinds, and will often start the night with a round of pool, darts or cards, depending on the vibe. If your companion doesn’t feel like being thrashed in a heated game of pre-dinner Skip-Bo, a more sophisticated activity is going to the movies, a gig or a gallery.
The NGV offers a rotating Friday Nights program, where you can enjoy current exhibitions, music residencies, food and drink (don’t forget to book). Following that, I love listening to records in the cosy hub of Music Room, located in the four-story Her building. Its soft lighting and Japanese art deco-inspired interiors make it feel like a warm respite when it’s cooler outside, and the 3,000 vinyl-plus record reserve means there’s always something interesting spinning.
Casual friend date
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For less of a romantic endeavour and more of a casual hang, I’d opt for some takeaway food in Edinburgh Gardens (weather permitting) and a drink across the road at Monty’s Bar when it gets late. Is it a little bit of a Melbourne Northside cliché? Maybe, but I never claimed to be an out-of-the-box date night thinker. Sometimes it’s better to go with what you already know, particularly if the other party is indecisive and you’re hungry and/or thirsty. Nearby, you have the choice of salads and (naturally) falafel pockets from Just Falafs or pizza from 1000 Lire or Pizza Magma. Once you’ve munched, order a pint of Monty’s Lager and sit in the leafy courtyard.
Special occasion date night
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For something like an anniversary or birthday celebration, I’m prepared to leave the confines of my Northside safe zone for a bougie night in the CBD. The five-star hotel Le Méridien, located at the top of Bourke Street, is home to the 1930s film-inspired cocktail bar and restaurant, Dolly. Before your dinner booking, I’d suggest a walk to the rooftop bar Siglo, which offers expansive sunset views of the city.
Then descend the spiral staircase and enter the mirrored interiors of Dolly, where you can promptly order yourself a glass of champagne and choose from the nostalgic menu of vegetable tartelette, Beef Wellington and Bombe Alaska (for the theatrics). For extra luxury, book a Le Méridien room upstairs. That way, you can rest your head on a plush pillow when you’re full and snoozy.
Lazy date night
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It’s hard to muster up the energy for a full-on affair on a weeknight, so instead, I’d suggest a chill movie at Cinema Nova and some Italian food on Lygon Street. Book your tickets in advance for the $10 cheap Monday deal, but don’t worry about making a dinner reservation. Instead, leave it up to chance and walk up Lygon Street until you find a spot you like the look of (or until you’re sick of looking). Finish with ice cream from Pidapipò, because it’s worth lining up for.
For date night meals to cook at home, head here.
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