Author: We Know Melbourne

Yoga for a Good Cause

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Yoga classes are often priced at $20 or more, but this Thursday I joined a wonderful yoga class, for little more than a couple of gold coins. After finishing work and jumping in a lift to the 15th floor of The Swanston Hotel, I hopped into position on a mat, looking out over the city of Melbourne while the sun was just beginning to set – what a view!  Our teacher, Lucienne lead us through a series of (sometimes challenging) postures, breathing, stretches and meditation. I left feeling some soreness in my muscles but totally rejuvenated and knew I would be sure to sleep well that night. It was the absolute perfect way to end the workday and my gold coins went to Mission Australia and I even received a little gift bag filled with herbal teas, bath & body products and a free class pass at the nearby Kaya Health Club, in return for my donation. To find out more about events and news at The Swanston Hotel, Grand Mercure, sign up to their …

hot chocolate

Hash Specialty Coffee & Roasters

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New to Melbourne, Hash Speciality Coffee & Roasters is the epitome of Melbourne hipsterdom. From the logo (yes, it’s a hashtag), through to their range of filter and cold brew coffees, this cafe, is one you’ll take your out of towner friends to, that will make them question why they aren’t living in Melbourne already. While we chose to dine there for breakfast, one cooler Sunday morning we must admit that the main drawcard for us was the speciality hot chocolate – We even passed up coffee to drink it. You’ve probably seen the photos already, the one that makes you look twice and wonder how it even works. (To be honest, we thought the same thing). Served on a wooden board, their signature “Hash Hot Chocolate”, is made with Mork Dark Chocolate (80% cocoa)  and served with fairy floss to sweeten the bitterness. Pour the hot chocolate over the fairy floss over and watch it dissolve like magic. For $6 it’s a chocolate mouthgasm! Visit the Hash Specialty Facebook page here.

La Tortilleria

Hola Mexico

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Melbourne’s well-loved The Mission Foods Mexican Festival is back. This September 13, celebrate Mexican Independence Day with Melbourne’s top Mexican chefs, artists and musicians as they take over Federation Square. Surrender your senses to Mexico in many different ways including: Taste bud tour: Melbourne’s top Mexican restaurants have each been charged with presenting an authentic, regional dish from one of the 32 states of Mexico. Munch your way across Mexico with restaurants including Mamasita, Touche Hombre, Los Amates, La Tortilleria, Mexico City, Paco’s Tacos, Mesa Verde, Kikiriki, Guzman y Gomez, South American BBQ, Mad Mex, Santa Ana Tapas Bar, Taco Truck Chillis Mexican, El Sabor and many more. Mexican Cantina/Bar: Taste the most famous traditional Mexican brew, tequila, from Jose Cuervo, the oldest active distillery in Latin America where tequila is produced with the Cuervo family’s unique recipes, expertise and handcraftsmanship. There’s also mescal, Mexican beer (Corona, Pacifico, Negra Modelo) and wine. The bar opens at 1pm. Tequila and mescal tasting sessions will also run during the day. Follow the Festival’s Facebook updates for more information …

Lido cinemas

A Night at Lido Cinemas

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Having missed the opportunity to catch Dope at MIFF earlier this month, we have been eagerly awaiting it’s general release in Melbourne cinemas and on Thursday our wait was over. Lido were doing a special screening of it and we jumped to buy tickets.  You may have been to Lido cinemas back in the day if you’re from an older generation, but for us, and what it seems like the whole audience (there was definitely a generation Y thing happening), we never got to experience it in it’s full glory.  Lido Cinemas’ history dates back over 100 years, to when it first opened in 1911, but it hasn’t been a cinema this whole time. Closing down in 1960 to became a dance school, and then a cabaret theatre, the cinema then became an unused building about a decade ago. Upon entering the building, you can still notice a lot of the old fixtures and setup, but it no longer is a dated cinema. Given a fresh new look with lots of bright green couches, lighting projections and an overall modern hipster feel.  …

Melbourne Cup Carnival Garden Party

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The Emirates Melbourne Cup is coming to Como.  Get dressed in your spring racing best and spend a leisurely afternoon filled with food and fashion at the Como House’s Melbourne Cup Carnival Garden Party. The event will be spring racing themed with live entertainment and will include a silent auction with all proceeds going towards the ongoing restoration of Como. When: 12pm – 4pm, Saturday 19th September Where: Como House, Crn Williams Road & Lechlade Avenue, South Yarra Cost: $65pp (limited tickets available) We Know Melbourne readers receive a 10% discount. Use promo code CUP10 at time of booking. Book: http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=148041&bof=1 Or contact (03) 9656 9889, bookings@nattrust.com.au  

Shadow Thieves

A Sicilian Shindig

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Two of Melbourne’s finest (and yummiest) Italian restaurants, Bar Idda and Ombra Salumi Bar have joined forces this September for ‘A Sicilian Shindig.’ The evening will be a big feast to celebrate Sicilian food and wine, including dishes such as rabbit, agro dulce, verdura; arancini – pork ragu, peas, mozzarella; and cassata siciliana. ‘A Sicilian Shinding’ will be the first event in the monthly Shadow Thieves series. Stay tuned for the other collaborations they have up their sleeves. Where: Ombra Salumi Bar, 76 Bourke Street Melbourne When: 7 September, 6:30pm. Cost: $75 per person with wine. Visit the website here. 

Alumbra Bar & Club

Alumbra gets a makeover

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Before we start this article, we must confess that although we have always known of the club/bar Alumbra, it’s Docklands location scared us and we have never made the trek there. Recently revamped and given a facelift by Roar Projects, last Wednesday they held an exclusive VIP event to launch the new look and the We Know Melbourne team went along to check it out. The venue had been given a new creative identity, based on the streets of New York and upon entering the warehouse conversion, we couldn’t help but feel that we were transported to a bar in the Upper West Side. All the guests were glammed up in high heels, dresses and suits. The venue itself now had an increased capacity with an extended floorplan. We loved the idea of the outside terrace for a cheeky cocktail under the stars. However the main attraction of the night was the foodie partnership with master chef Daniel Wilson – The  man infamous for bringing to Melbourne, Huxtable and those delicious Huxtaburgers. The New York style menu …

Indian film festival

Indian Film Festival of Melbourne

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This festival celebrates the world’s largest film industry; Bollywood. All types of Indian movies are featured, from record making blockbusters to small independent productions. The festival also includes a Bollywood dance competition, awards night and master classes from some of India’s biggest movie stars and producers. When: 14 – 27 August, 2015 Where: Federation Square and various Hoyts Cinemas. Visit the website here. 

A Taste of Korea

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Head Chef Justin Lush shares his love for Korean food with a special menu of 8-dishes and authentic Korean sides – for 1 night only at Red Spice QV. Enjoy the aroma, colour, texture, temperature and variety on offer in Korean food with a taste of “Hunguk”! When: August 27, 6:30pm Cost:  $69pp for banquet or $99 for banquet with beer, wine & soft drinks included. Visit the website here. 

Top 6 tips for the perfect Hipster Christmas Party

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Planning the perfect Christmas Party for a team full of hip, young thangs can be an very tricky business! Making sure you have the right mix of old school nostalgia, modern tech, and a room with beautiful designer decor will ensure you are on track for high fives rather than some serious eye-rolling action come silly season. Check out our Top 6 Tips for the perfect Hipster Christmas Party The Swanston Hotel  Grand Mercure  have everything you need for your office Christmas party. From the dazzling heights of the 15th floor in ON15, to the chic and stylish setting of Louden, all you need to do is call (03) 8662 1341 or email H3028-SB08@accor.comwith a brief and we will create a brilliant, bespoke event that will see you crowned the office Superstar of the silly season.