The A-List

For the first time in its history, Melbourne Racing Club’s Zipping Classic Day is coming to Caulfield Racecourse and is marking the return of racing to Caulfield and the end of the Spring Racing Carnival—the perfect excuse to celebrate.

Summer in this city brings with it two things many a Melburnian look forward to: Arbory Afloat reopening and Arbory Afloat x Four Pillars’ pink gin collaboration.

It’s been a decade since Urban List hit the streets—a dream launched from my bedroom that, on paper perhaps didn’t stack up, but had enough momentum to eventually connect with millions; to connect with you. 

Melbourne is a city full of gardens, but it’s time to give some love and attention to the lesser-known spots that give the Royal Botanic Gardens a run for their money—on a slightly smaller scale. From historic private gardens that have been around almost as long as Melbourne, to newly opened designs that we’re dying to check out, we’ve wrapped up the best gardens in Melbourne for you to visit in 2021. 

Stay up to date with our live list of the latest updates of restrictions around Melbourne.

We're all keen to get out and about at the moment, even if that means heading out into regional Victoria in temperature below 15°C.

In the not too distant past, the idea of a bottled cocktail would nary raise an eyebrow, though since the event of lockdowns and a few quick thinkers moving at pace, the previously overlooked booze category was given new life. 

In the few months of the year that it’s not cold or wet, us Melburnians jump at the chance to wrap our hands around a bev in the sunshine, and Melbourne mainstay bar Father’s Office is tapping right into that with a container bar and cocktail caravan set up smack-bang in the middle of the CBD’s much loved QV Square.

As we edge our way closer to the final chapters of 2021, a year dominated by snap lockdowns and subsequent digital connectivity, we sat down with Melbourne stylist and creative director Ella Murphy to discuss the future of fashion. 

If, like us, you love to indulge a little here and there then we have good news. Two iconic Melbourne based brands, Connoisseur Gourmet Ice Cream and artisan chocolatiers Koko Black have joined forces to dish up a suite of sweet treats to thrill your senses. 

Wednesday night's at Queen Vic Market are back in a big way this summer season.

Tick-off your restaurant wish list in a way that’s a little more wallet-friendly. 

Moonlight Cinema will return this summer for its 25th year, showing new and classic movies in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, and Brisbane.

After cancelling most of your holiday plans for 2020 and 2021, it's about time you put some pizazz back into your calendar. 

In 2017, Kiama four-piece indie rock band Pacific Avenue was born, but their history goes way back.

It’s been dubbed the world’s most Instagrammable exhibition—selling out stints in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, Boston, Las Vegas and Philadelphia—and is now coming to Melbourne.

The warmer months bring with them a solid excuse to drink (more) rosé (than you usually would). The stuff is perfect in the sun, with antipasti, grazing platters and of course with seafood—it’s a true all-rounder that should be celebrated in all its glory over long, balmy afternoons.

Melbourne’s long affliction for coffee has been well and truly noted, as we come into an age where people are seeking alternative brews, calming the jitters and slowing the pace it couldn’t be more timely that Yugen Tea Bar has burst onto the scene. 

Everything you need to do, see, eat and drink in the Bundaberg region.

We caught up with CIVIC and spoke to Jim over a couple of Sailor Jerry bevs about good vegan dinners, getting tattooed by Eddy Current Suppression Ring’s Danny Young, and how they’re planning to go ‘all in’ and finally celebrate their album release.

Since we spilled the tea on Entrecôte’s relocation back in April, progress has been made and the doors are finally opening at their new Prahran maison from 7am on Friday 5 November. The new venue is set to be a ‘French Party Palace’, lovingly crafted by owner Jason M Jones and his ‘all-things-design’ partner, Brahman Perera. Together, they’ve brought a slice of Paris to Prahran and all the best bits of the OG South Yarra venue will be there (with a few added extras on the side). 

If, like us, you love to indulge in a cheeky bev or two and you’re always on the hunt for new and delicious things to try— we've got some exciting news that’s going to shake up the way you drink.

Mayo. We are truly obsessed. It’s way more than a simple condiment or side piece. To us, mayo is the main event. The unsung hero of many, if not all, of our favourite dishes. 

In a bid to bring back Melbourne’s hospitality scene sooner rather than later, the City of Melbourne has announced a new initiative that could see CBD restaurants, diners and cafes open as early as late October.

Spread across two levels the highly anticipated Yakimono will be a Toyko-chich style diner, located at 80 Collins Street; right next door to one of Melbourne’s newest fine diners, Society. The all-new Japanese restaurant is the long-time inspiration of restauranteurs, Chris Lucas, who spent three years living and working in Toyko, and wanted to bring the atmosphere of the late-night Izakaya bars to Melbourne. 

Rather than wait for the New Year's resolution we know won't stick, we're all about habits to get more good on your plate.

If you’ve spent any time endlessly scrolling through the wonderous world of TikTok you’ve probably encountered the enthusiastic and excitingly curious John O’Sullivan, AKA @depotadventures. Whilst we were all tucked away in lockdown; constricted to our 5km travel radius, John, an American born tour guide was exploring the city, iPhone in hand. His daily Tik Tok's delivered hearty recommendations, historical facts and exposed Melbourne to some of the true hidden gems that reside around town, foremostly its bars. 

At just 23 years of age, Naarm singer and artist Kaiit (she/they/he) is one of the most exciting talents to grace the Australian music scene and bless our ears with her sweet and honeyed vocals. 

Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel’s longstanding fashion house continues to dominate the globe, the luxury brand still penetrates style and culture with their timeless designs and chic aesthetic.

After several cultural pauses over the past 18 months, summer in Melbourne is coming in red hot with a swath of reopenings, reawakenings and new openings. The latest, that’ll no doubt be gracing our social calendars for months to come, is Tippy-Tay, an exuberant Italian diner hidden within the city’s cherished pub/bar/labyrinth that is the Garden State Hotel. 

Hot sauce enthusiasts may be familiar with Mat’s Hot Shop. Once an online-only store dedicated to the stuff is now about to open doors to a bricks and mortar locale that’ll act as not just a retail space, but Australia’s first hot sauce tasting room, too. 

Spring is one of the most glorious times of the year. The weather is warmer, the days are longer and you can sense the excitement brimming in the air. 

We’ll update this list as more information comes through, but for now, here are the dates and info you need to know on the reopening of all your favourite cultural hubs, hotspot, haunts and institutions.

The good news is here, the one we’ve all been waiting for; Bunnings will be reopening at 6pm this Friday 29 October and the crowd favourite community sausage sizzles will be making their triumphant return across the weekend at select stores. 

A holiday in its truest sense should feature at least a few things. Beaches are a must-have; a little sunshine also doesn’t go astray, an ice-cold bev here and there is basically a necessity, and if you’re being honest with yourself, some sort of water-based activity would tie the package up nicely, right? It’s that bucket list energy you see in postcards, and all of the above—and then some much more—comes standard at the Southern Great Barrier Reef’s sublime Lady Musgrave Island. 

There’s plenty of good news about, especially if you happen to reside in the surrounding regions of South Melbourne. Hector’s Deli, the long-running Melbourne deli sandwich landmark in Richmond has just swung open its doors to a second fresh-faced sandwich store just off Coventry Street, South Melbourne. 

As part of City Of Melbourne’s continued effort to entice Victorians back to the big smoke, they’ve just announced that parking across selected locations in the city will once again run you a grand total of five big ones. A hugely enticing offer for anyone that has previously tried to stash the car for a dinner or a CBD-based event only to be scorched with a hefty $15-30 ticket at the boom gate.

After a year of cultural pause in Melbourne, 2021 is bringing the goods with more events, festivals and exhibitions than that calendar of yours can handle. The latest announced is a permanent digital gallery, The Lume Melbourne.

On a journey to live a greener life? Technology is proving itself as the key to protecting Mother Earth. Innovative products are making sustainable living more viable and, ultimately, making the world a better place.

The past two years have changed a lot of things but none more so than travel. 

We’re all going to Bonnie Doon, or at least, you could be if you book this Airbnb. Yep, the Kerrigan’s iconic holiday house is up for rent right now. 

A grip of your favourite diners have already opened up bookings, and we'll likely see more in the coming days. Lock in your first after-lockdown meal at one of Melbourne's best below.

The flip phone is iconic. Zoolander. Paris Hilton. Keanu Reeves. We were obsessed. 

It’s time to splurge on popcorn buckets as big as your head, frozen cokes and choc-tops because 20th Century Studios' newest historical drama, The Last Duel is the big-screen experience of your dreams

Life is full of iconic duos. Kylie and Kendall. Billie Elish and Nike. Supreme and Louis Vuitton. 

A new bath-house with a mission to redefine the wellness experience is opening in Melbourne’s inner-north next week. 

Melbourne's best barbershops are splattered across the city, they all know their way around a short-back-and-sides and most are already taking bookings. So get to it and lock in a trim at one of the city's best:

Nothing quite tickles the fancy of Melburnians like a secret, clandestine bar; hidden in plain sight but accessible to those in the know. You may remember last year’s Secret Gin bar atop the QT building in the city, this year it’s coming back in a big way as an Italian-themed wine bar. Together with Dal Zotto wines, the duo will be transforming the QT Hotels’ rooftop kitchen gardens into a trattoria and vineyard themed paradise—with a Bocce field to boot. 

One of the big trends in Melbourne of late is the want to utilise the Yarra more than we have in the past.

Down on one of the quiet backstreets of Collingwood, you’ll come across the understated shopfront of Jour. The quaint little brick building is adorned with a small wrought-iron sign atop and a worn-varnished door that leads into the French-provincial-style cafe and food store. 

For Victorians, this summer is bringing with it many glorious things—like being able to drink a pint at the pub and the ability to stay out past 9pm—but a more wholesome phenomenon is the welcoming of the state’s cherry season, and specifically The Cherry Trail.

After its deep hibernation through Melbourne’s frosty period, Arbory Afloat is readying the ship to welcome crowds back on board. Marking its sixth year on the Yarra, the city's favourite water-dwelling bar will be unveiling a brand new look. 

Instant Myki top-ups have arrived.

If you already love The Queen Victoria Market, it is about to get even better. Already home to some of the best food, fresh produce and souvenirs, the Queen Vic will soon house a collection of stories and novels. Set to open in 2023, a three-story library has been endorsed for $450 million by the Melbourne City council. 

To say 2021 has been a rollercoaster would be an understatement but to help you ease back into social normality, reconnect with your crew IRL and get back to your human ways, BWS is doing you a solid. 

There's no doubt that the choices of where you buy your clothes have an impact.

First up is the Volley x VB sneaker. Green Grenade drinkers will be lacing up several classic Volley Heritage silhouettes which all feature a canvas upper, metal eyelets, and 100% animal-free materials. 

Thanks to the easing of Melbourne’s restrictions we can hang together for some wholesome picnic-based fun. In perfect timing with spring weather and flowers blossoming—gather your crew and throw down a rug. To level up your picnic game, we have curated a selection of the best picnic boxes in Melbourne for you to enjoy. 

The past two years have been a real trip. Extended and snap lockdowns have left us lusting after late nights shouting at our mates over live music, the unmistakable ambient sound of cocktail shakers, and those walks home from the bar with a kebab in hand and pitstop at the local tattoo parlour.

If you don’t like egg sandwiches it’s probably time for you to turn away. Introducing Eggholic, as the name would suggest they specialise in egg-based sangas—which they do bloody well.