Where to dine and drink across Melbourne’s municipality
The hugely successful Midweek Melbourne Money program is back for a third serving. From Monday, 7 March you can get up to 25% back on your bill. Here is where to wine and dine to make the most of Midweek Money!
The Douglas Club
472 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Set within the Equity Chambers Building, The Douglas Club is the perfect spot for a mid-week city drink. Join Bar Manager and cocktail extraordinaire Gee Shanmugam as he shakes to life the drinks menu which celebrates ‘The Golden Age of Travel’.
The new menu is bound to take you on a journey with seven new cocktail additions, including: Sorrento, Amore Monty, Loloma, Aviate, Jail Bird, Pan-Apple-Ave and Maple Lane. The Douglas Club has also welcomed new wines and a new bar snack menu curated by Sam Moore. Think spanner crab tartlet with bonito and pickled cucumbers and smoked cheddar churros with caramelised onion and thyme. The new cocktail menu and snack bar menu has launched in time for Melbourne’s Midweek Money initiative, so be sure to swing by the Club to be one of the first to sample the new offerings.
Opening hours: Monday – Thursday, 4pm until late
Bookings: https://thedouglasclub.com.au/contact/
Luci
472 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Luci’s sophisticated space showcases the 1930’s architectural heritage of the Equity Chamber Building with a contemporary edge. Adding light to Melbourne’s proud, Italian-influenced dining heritage, Luci focuses on modern Australian cuisine while still paying homage to Italian Heritage. Experience the luxurious and gourmet food by Chef Sam Moore.
Opening hours: Breakfast every day 6:30-10am, Dinner every day 6pm – 9:pm (10pm Friday)
Bookings: https://lucimelbourne.com.au/bookings/
Gradi Crown
8 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC 3006
Enjoy Johnny Di Francesco’s internationally award-winning Margherita pizza with a summer cocktail or two on the outdoor terrace at Gradi in Southbank. Soak up the revitalising summer rays and alfresco dining atmosphere of Crown Melbourne’s Riverwalk precinct with a hearty Italian feast – perfect for a group booking!
Opening hours: Monday – Thursday, 12pm – 11pm
Book: https://400gradi.com.au/400/book
Chancery Lane
430 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Chancery Lane has a few new offers to boost your Midweek Melbourne Money benefits. Bring your friends, family, lovers, colleagues or clients to a weekday lunch at Chancery Lane and celebrate the return to the city. Weekday lunchtime diners can choose from a two-course ($45pp) or a three-course ($60pp) menu and enjoy a classic European bistro dining experience. Lunch specials include dishes like hand-rolled ricotta gnocchi, confit Milla Farm duck leg, or Humpty Doo baby barramundi. And with 25 per cent back on your bill, why not stay for Happy Hour at Chancery Lane’s outdoor courtyard, Le Jardin, the perfect spot to enjoy an evening with colleagues and friends for after-work drinks. From 5–7 pm, kick off the evening with a $15 glass of Laurent-Perrier or $6 Moon Dog Lager. This offering includes menu items such as $3ea Cooper Island oysters, $8 Pomme Frites, and a $40 charcuterie plate to share, perfectly accompanying your beverage.
Opening hours: Lunch – Tuesday to Friday, noon–late Dinner – Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm–late
Book: https://chancerylane.com.au/reservations/
Longrain
44 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
There’s no better time to experience Melbourne icon, Longrain than now during Midweek Melbourne Money. Book in the $85pp banquet menu with your friends and family for the ultimate Thai-inspired culinary experience. The banquet menu includes a selection of signature dishes like Yum Kao Tod, caramelised pork belly, and king prawns. A la carte menu is also available featuring all the classic Longrain favourites.
Opening hours: Monday – Thursday, 5.30pm–late
Book: https://longrainmelbourne.com/reservations/
Longsong
Upstairs at 44 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Situated right above Longrain, Longsong is the perfect bar for pre or post-dinner drinks and overdue catch-ups with your colleagues and friends. Longsong offers a selection of punchy cocktails, local beers, wines, and flavourful Thai street-style bar snacks. With Happy Hour every evening from 5–7pm, you can also enjoy a pot of beer and prawn betel leaf snack for $10, the perfect way to begin your evening. DJs spin tunes from 6pm Thursday–Saturday so settle in!
Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 5pm–late
Book: Walk-ins only
Matilda
159 Domain Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141
South Yarra favourite, Matilda is now serving brunch! Experience signature wood-fire made dishes using native Australian ingredients in its all-new brunch menu. Dishes include Matilda’s wood-fired waffle s’more and more classic brunch dishes with an innovative twist like charred avocado. The lunch and dinner menu is also available during the week. Signature dishes include Southern Rock single origin oysters, saltbush lamb ribs, and braised pork belly. For dessert, try creme fraiche mousse with passionfruit, leatherwood honey, and bee pollen. Enjoy the option to chose your dishes or try the 4-course chef selection for $120pp or 5-course chef selection for $160pp. Matilda now offers ‘Spritz Hour’ too, on its fabulous new parklet outside. Celebrate the last few weeks of the warmer weather with $12 Parkside, Aperol spritze, and more daily options from 3-5pm (Thursday to Sunday). A snacks menu is available during Spritz Hour.
Opening hours:
Brunch 8:30am–3pm, Thursday–Sunday, Lunch 12pm–2:30pm, Thursday–Sunday, Dinner 6pm–late, seven days
Book a table: https://www.sevenrooms.com/reservations/matilda/matilda-widget?venues=chancerylane,estelle,longrainmelbourne,matilda,smithstbistrot
Image credit: Alex Squadrito