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The Five Best Bars to Hide From The Storm

Thanks Melbourne! 30+ degrees all week but when the weekend comes and we get hit with an epic storm. Not even surprised. But bad weather has never stopped any Melburnian from enjoying the weekend before. Let’s not start now. Check out the five best places in Melbourne to hide out...

12 Things Christmas Workers Don’t Want you to Know

It’s all smiles and pleasantries when you walk through the shop door, but behind closed doors, there are just some things retail and hospitality workers would never say to your face. HOWEVER, we’d like to divulge those secrets today and if you’re the one working this Christmas, we feel you....

6 Tips For An Epic Office Christmas Party

So you’re in charge of the office Christmas party this year? No pressure – just your boss and everyone you work with judging you. At Hidden City Secrets, we are the king of planning parties and picking the perfect venue, so follow our guide on how to host a headache...

Where To Host Your Office Christmas Party

Christmas is rapidly approaching and if you’re reading this, you are probably a little bit unprepared for your end-of-year office party. But that’s okay, we have your back and the boss won’t even know you left planning to the last minute with these exceptional venues. Cargo Hall 39 South Wharf...

Melbourne’s Top 6 Beach Bars

Want more insider articles like this? Click here to sign up to our newsletter. So, you’ve got salt in your hair and thongs on your feet but you want to make your way to a bar and soak up the warm summer afternoon or night? Sick of those silly dress...

Win 2 Tickets to the St Kilda Openair Cinema!

*GIVEAWAY TIME! WE HAVE 2 X DOUBLE PASSES TO GIVE AWAY TO 4 LUCKY WINNERS TO ATTEND A MOVIE OF THEIR CHOICE AT THE ST KILDA OPENAIR CINEMA!* Head to the Hidden City Secrets Facebook page and tag a friend or hot date you would take in the comments below....

Jack Daniel’s Free Music Event On Next Week

Want more insider articles like this? Click here to sign up to our newsletter   The Jack Daniel’s Barrel House makes its return to Melbourne next week the 17th of November 2017, featuring major independent Australian artists and local home-grown talent. And did we mention it’s free? In partnership with...

PSA: What’s on this week for Melbourne Cup

The 12th public holiday for the year is coming up (thank goodness). It is time to prepare where you will be spending your Melbourne Cup day placing your bets and enjoying a bev on your day off. We’ve found some places to enjoy your day off without having to trudge...

Unusual After Work Bars in Melbourne

Want more insider articles like this? Click here to sign up to our newsletter.   Bored of the usual Friday night after work drinks? Fancy drinking your way into a fairy-tale or sipping your night away out of a test tube or beaker? Here’s 5 of Melbourne’s most quirky themed...

Our Spring Racing Survival Guide

The Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival – possibly the funnest event Melbourne has to offer IF you know how to prepare for it. Every year, Melburnians manage to put on their fanciest hats and make the trek to Flemington to drink champagne in the sun, complain about how much their feet...

The Last-Minute Halloweener

Just because Halloween weekend is over, it doesn’t mean all the fun has to stop. The show must go on, and go on it shall. Firstly, we vote not club-hopping in a risque nurse’s costume. Secondly, we’ve found three activities you can do post-Halloween that will truly give you a fright,...

Melbourne’s Best Steak Dinners

Never has a more controversial topic existed – who serves the ultimate steak dinner? But what makes an amazing steak dinner? At Hidden City Secrets we think that respect for produce is the most important factor, regardless of its age, price point or specialty. So we did the hard yards for...

Hump Day Vibes at 29th Apartment

Wednesday nights are back in a big way at 29th Apartment. Located in the heart of St Kilda on the ever-colourful Fitzroy Street, 29th Apartment takes you on a trip to NYC without ever leaving Melbourne. This New York apartment style bar is a favourite for good tunes, quirky decor...

The Local Of All Local Bars

There is nothing better than walking in to a pub and the bartender knows you by name, or more importantly, knows your drink of choice. The Local Taphouse on Carlisle Street thrives on delivering this service every day of the week. Their regulars are not only customers, but part of...

A Little Piece of Paris on Chapel St

Walking distance from Windsor Station on bustling Chapel St, Belle Vie is the newest tapas bar on the block and may just be the fanciest on the street. Newly renovated, Belle Vie ticks all the right boxes if you’re after the ultimate, intimate bar experience. It’s the perfect place to...

What Your Coffee Says About You

We all have our stock standard coffee order. And to the delight of baristas around the world, there are hundreds of ways we choose to enjoy our cups of sunshine. But did you know that your morning cuppa speaks volumes about the type of person you are? Caffeine is the...

Top 10 Brewery Bars in Melbourne

As the weather starts to heat up, there is nothing us Melburnians like more than a cold pint in the sun. However, a standard draught just doesn’t seem to make the cut sometimes… Craft beer is the new frosé and is slowly taking over the taps of Melbourne, as are microbreweries which...

Oktoberfest In The Gardens Is Back

Are you a beer enthusiast? Do you love all things Bavarian? Or do you just love an excuse to dress up and have a drink with friends? Well either way, ‘Oktoberfest in the Gardens’ is returning to Melbourne, so break out your Lederhosen and Dirndl and become part of Australia’s...

Where to be this AFL Grand Final Day

The wait is almost over! That one, sweet day in September is almost here, the AFL Grand Final (and a much needed public holiday). Now a well-loved Melburnian ‘tradition’, the AFL long weekend means you can kick the celebrations off early and let’s be honest, Monday is probably a write-off...

End Of Year Party Venues To Make A Statement

The end of the year is slowly approaching which means one thing; the silly season is on its way. The only way to end an arduous working year is with a bang, and Hidden City Secrets are here to help make that happen. Whether you want to treat your employees to...

Melbourne’s Best Trivia Nights

Are you the one in your group who has all this extra knowledge about anything and everything? Don’t let it go to waste! Drag your friends down to a riveting trivia night and show off all your knowledge about the hundreds of movies and TV shows you’ve watched over the years....

The Best Of The Most Liveable City In The World

Surprise, surprise! Melbourne has been awarded the most livable city in the world for the 7th year running! Are we surprised though? We’re not; the amount Melbourne has to offer, we can’t imagine any other city taking its place. Melbourne has pretty much everything you need for a happy life; a city that...

Father’s Day: Where To Go For Lunch

Wait…is it August already? No wait, it’s September. I think so anyway. I remember celebrating New Year’s like it was yesterday (well, some of it anyway). It’s hard to keep track of every special occasion. We would just like to remind you that Father’s Day is fast approaching and this...

Melbourne’s Best First Date Bars

Whether you believe in love at first sight or in order to meet your match you swipe right, EVERYONE gets nervous meeting someone new. On top of this, you have the added pressure of finding the perfect place that will set the tone for the entire evening and and means the difference...

The Best Food Trucks Around Town

When it comes to dining trends the one thing on everyone’s minds right now (and stomachs) are food trucks and their ability to keep you coming back for more (seriously though, why are they so damn addictive). What has quickly become the ‘new black’ of the food world, food trucks...

The Best Drive-Ins Around Melbourne

It’s a tale as old as time itself. You meet someone you like and want to impress them, and yet the only date idea you can think of is the most generically cliched idea that’s ever walked the face of this earth – that of going to see a movie....

9 Dog Friendly Venues For You And Your Pooch

Let’s be honest, the worst part about going out to socialize is having to leave your perfect pooch at home. Stress no more, we have four vibrant venues which welcome your little bundle of joy with open paws. In fact, a lot of these venues are more accommodating to the furry...

Best Lazy Sunday Ideas

Friday nights are for mentally checking out at 4:30pm (but sadly not physically leaving work until 5) where you can then rush off to your favourite restaurant and relax with a big glass of wine. Saturday’s are for further relaxation before getting ready for a big night out perhaps, continuing...

Our Pick Of The Best Brunch Spots

Coffees and donuts and avocado, oh my! That’s right, it’s Brunch time. Yes, that is a capital B and yes, it deserves it because Brunch makes, not only the world go ’round, but also allows us to sleep in and still have time to have a good, hearty breakfast. What...

Our Top 5 Stalls At The Winter Night Market

Not entirely sure where to go on a cold winters night? Your choices include cuddling on the couch with a block of chocolate (or whichever type of sweets you seem to enjoy) or weathering Melbourne’s gloomy nights. Tough choice…but we have found just the place for you. How could we...

Top 10 Hidden Bars in Melbourne

So you’re going out Friday night for drinks but you’re stuck going to the same spot every week… Your bartender knows your order where you sit in the same booth with the same conversation on how great the parma is here? I think it’s safe to say it’s time to...

Light Up Your Next Event At Luminare

Luminare is located in the heart of South Melbourne with magnificent rooftop views. A contemporary New York styled apartment with a chic and sophisticated décor. As translated to describe a light or an opening that lets light in, Luminare is the place to host your next special occasion. At night,...

The Non-Touristy Tourist Guide To Melbourne

Do you walk around the city with your head down paying more attention to how many likes your latest Instagram photo has than to your current concrete surroundings? Having a friend from Sydney down for the weekend that wants to go to all the trendiest places without looking too, like,...

The Woolshed – A New and Improved Piece of History

Nestled in Docklands among the surrounding concrete playground and the breathtaking harbour views, sits The Woolshed – the newly refurbished fine dining and function experience. Starting its journey in 1916 as a part of Australia’s busiest port, The Woolshed now plays home to a restaurant, a live entertainment spot and...

Bastille Day French Festival

Melbourne is in its 3rd year celebrating La Fête Nationale (National French Day) and a huge French festival is happening this 15-16 July at the Meat Market in North Melbourne where entry to all things Francais is only $2! From delicious croissants and pastries to countless cheeses and wines to enjoy,...

Fine Dining That Won’t Break The Bank

Wondering how you’re going to juggle your social life when you’re supposed to be saving for that European holiday you said you’d go on last year and now last year is this year and you’re still not any closer so you’ll tell yourself it’ll be next year? Trying to impress...

Baroq Is Back

Sheer opulence is what you can expect come August, when after 2 years of extensive renovations, Baroq reopens its doors and revolutionises Melbourne’s nightlife scene. Located down Drewery Lane in the CBD, you will find a mansion style venue that proves it really is what’s on the inside that counts. Collective...

Melbourne’s Best Function Venues With A View

Are you after a lavish night filled with spectacular views with a hint of sophistication to celebrate a special event? Can’t find a perfect venue to meet all your expectations? Well, look no further! Whether you’re looking to celebrate a birthday or wedding or just looking for a private dining...

Melbourne’s Cosiest Bars To Escape Winter

We are all starting to feel the struggles of winter; where lounging on a sofa in front of a Netflix series sounds more appealing than venturing out in to the cold. However, there are plenty of venues accommodating those bitter nights waiting for you to explore. On those evenings you...

Top 10 Quirky Bars in Melbourne

Feeling a bit adventurous? Or enjoy the thrill of finding one-of-a kind bars? Well, HCS have done some digging to find the quirkiest bars of them all. Quirky bars may not be the hottest go-to spots, but isn’t that the way they get discovered? Idiosyncratic. Apparently it’s the definition of...

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The Most Colourful Mexican Fix In Melbourne!

Nachos, tacos, burritos, quesadillas and bowls… oh my! Among the bars and restaurants of Melbourne sits the hot spot for local foodies, and the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of Smith St. If you’re craving a fix of Mexican cuisine, look no further than the heart of a beloved Austral

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“Gringlish” Food Is Taking Melbourne By Storm… Only At This Venue!

The following is a public service announcement for all Melbourne foodies: You have to dive into the delectable menu of Bahari: The Helenic Palate right now. Like, immediately! Serving up unique “gringlish” dishes, this little pocket of casual elegance in the Richmond bar and restaurant scene is th

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Oh My GIN! Here Is Your Gintastic Tasting Guide!

We are nearing the end of the year and we bet you are in desperate need of a night out with your friends! You need strong alcohol, tasty food and good vibes so you can finally let loose. Most bars can get repetitive, serving boring wine lists, the same tap beers and a generic list […]

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