Today marks the end of one of the worst policies trialled on Melbourne.  No longer do patrons have to suffer confusion over which venues have lockouts. No longer will the streets be flooded with people “locked out” of venues. What have we learned from the lock out? Nothing it seems. Crime has increased, there’s still not enough police on the streets, and people are still fighting IN THE STREETS not in the venues.  Good old John investigated the situation over the weekend, something he perhaps could have done before the lockout.

At least footy players will have an easier time celebrating Mad Monday tonight.

Links:

Herald Sun: Violence soars in CBD fringes as revellers move out of inner city

Did we win? I’d say mostly yes but with concessions.

I’ve never been to a protest..well not on purpose anyway. I rocked up at about 5:45 and by 6:10 it was over. I was very surprised to see a huge turnout of around 3000-4000 people acting very calm and supportive. The protest had some excellent speakers who put the points across to the crowd.

As of this afternoon, 80 venues have successfully received exemption from the 2AM lockout. The catch? Venues have to double its security staff and they can not promote the fact that they have an exemption. Yes, more bald headed 100KG bouncers are the solution. There is a reason we have trained police instead of putting gorillas on every street corner. Off the top of my head, I can only think of one venue that has bouncers (sorry I mean licensed crowd controllers), that are inviting to its patrons and can hold a normal conversation (Melbourne Central Lion Hotel).

Today’s Herald Sun features a bouncer kicking a guy laying on the pavement. Yes, he did break up another beating and good on him but surely we can’t have private individuals/companies being judge, jury and executor. Also in the paper this weekend was the lack of police officers in many areas of Melbourne. Are we seeing a trend here? The government is essentially getting venues to foot the bill for bouncers to serve as police. Once again, the government misses the fact that fights happen ON THE STREET…one more time..ON THE STREET. How in the hell will having more bouncers in a venue prevent violence in the street?

Be proud of your asshat government. Hell, maybe we should get Connex to manage Melbourne’s nightlife.

Herald Sun: Wild brawls in Melbourne’s CBD as clubs fight 2am ban

Youtube: Video of the Protest

Roving police patrols at night targeting violent hotspots was a great idea but Premier John Brumby’s 2AM lockout is just ridiculous. Last week, Brumby announced a trial starting on June 3, that imposes a 2AM lockout in areas in and around Melbourne. Some areas affected include Fitzroy (i.e. Brunswick St.), the CBD, St. Kilda, and Prahran. Once you step out of a venue and its after 2AM, you will not be allowed back in. This is supposed to curb increasing violence in Melbourne. Licencees who breach this lockout will be face fines up to $6800. The only exception to the ban unsurprisingly is the government revenue maker, Crown Casino.

• Most of the late night violence has been occurring outside venues on the streets. By locking out patrons, this will just be putting more people onto the streets. More people means more fights.
• Want to go out for a smoke? Sorry, can’t come back in. Phone call? Nope. Designated driver? No way. Sorry, I lost my girlfriend/boyfriend/wife/sister etc. Sorry, can’t come in.
• First Floor, Bubble, and The Exford are three places that thrive in the late night. Take First Floor (Brunswick St., Fitzroy) as an example. It is open until the early hours of the morning but it only starts to get packed when most of the bars close on Brunswick Street. The 2AM lockout is thus removing late night licences.
• The city of Yarra consists of a large area including Collingwood, Fitzroy, and Richmond. Public drinking IS allowed. Yes, you heard that right. What do you think people will be doing on the street when they cannot get into a venue? Get ready for parks and street corners to be the new hot venue of choice.

You really have to wonder how our Victorian government comes to conclusions without any notice and without consulting with venues, patrons or generally reading any history on the issue. Only a couple of years ago, England repealed it’s 11PM closing law in order to STOP violence. It’s not just the lockout, only yesterday , the Brumby government announced that it was making certain roads in an around Melbourne, clearways during peak hour WITHOUT even consulting councils. I know the Beijing Olympics are coming up but I was pretty sure we are not living in a dictatorship government. I highly suspect that after the three month trial of this lockout, the government will come out with some skewed figures showing success and proposing that the lockout be extended permanently.

Have your say! Join the protest May 30th at Parliament House (5PM-7PM and 11PM-Midnight). Please don’t show up drunk or being an idiot.

Links:

2AM Lockout Website (an “impartial” site created by those great guys from Melbournepubs.coms )

Melbourne Locked Out (The official protest site)

Facebook Group

Facebook Event

Herald Sun: Protestors fight for their right to Party

Today, I had tea at The Coffee Club (250, Chapel St, Prahran). I ordered a Caesar Salad, and was totally blown away by the fact that there were anchovies, a poached egg and some lemon pepper calamari. Totally impressive, for about $15. I used to think Degraves St. was the best place to get this, but clearly, The Coffee Club has trumped it.

Beer? There’s quite a bit, but most are bottled (like my Leffe Blonde). I should have probably tried the amazing range of coffees available (including ice-blended ones), maybe next time.

Service? They mention its full table service, but its definitely under-staffed. Sitting outside, it was almost impossible to get the attention of the waiter. A friend had a pizza, which was a base, with lots of topping – impressive, if a little different.

Will I be going back? Definitely. They bring a unique twist to the food served. Service can be improved, but maybe I should try it during lunch or dinner.

Sure, we’ve blogged and blogged about it, but the smoking ban is finally here.

Tonight is your last chance to smoke in a licensed venue. Though it’s a little unclear to me how it’s going to work. Are bars just going to stop you from lighting up after midnight? Bar Open seems to have interpreted it as last night being the last night. At least that’s what I got from the sign they’d posted – then again, I may have been a bit impaired.

So, it may be a cruel trick on some of you smokers that the ban kicked in last night. Sorry to gloat, but my clothes won’t smell like smoke anymore. And Melbourne’s climate is pretty mild – you could be in NYC in winter, shivering with your fellow smokers in a couple inches of snow. Or in St. Paul, MN, where they probably have to dig each individual out of a snow drift.

The good news? According to word of mouth, and maybe an actual study I’m too lazy to find, the ban improved the love lives of smokers in NYC. Since they had to go outside with people with whom they already had something in common (and something to bitch about), the quiet outside the bar gave smokers a chance to meet and talk. And have lots more sex than non-smokers, according to lore (and previously mentioned possible study).

So, smokers – you may have to light up outside, but use this opportunity to chat up your fellow banishees. You can have all the sex you want as long as my clothes and hair smell nice in the morning.

walking down russell street and i caught a picture of this ice horse which lost its head outside of chill bar, the bar that’s full of ice or something like that. personally it sounds like a recipe for hypothermia but anyone who’s been inside care to give a brief review?

For most people, Monday nights are just another weeknight with the dread of work the next morning. There are actually some great deals on entertainment to be had on Mondays around the city.

Pugg Mahones (an all time favourite) Hardware Lane, CBD, link

International and backpackers night
A foundation for the past few years among international students, Aussie students and backpackers. Live band plays from 10:30PM.
8-10PM $3 pints and basic spirits
10PM-12AM $4 pints and basic spirits
12AM-2AM $5 pints and basic spirits

Young & Jacksons, Flinders & Swanston St, CBD, link

Free Comedy after 9PM

Just because the Comedy Festival is over doesn’t mean there’s a lack of comedy shows. There are some small names and some big names, all free.

Strike Bowling Bar, Little Lonsdale & Swanston St., CBD, link

LOCK-IN MONDAYS
For $25,
You get:
Unlimited Bowling
Unlimited Pool
Unlimited Karaoke
Free Drink (Corona or vodka drink)

Elephant & Wheelbarrow, Fitzroy Street, St. Kilda, Link

Neighbours Night
Ok, well this isn’t cheap but for $35, you can meet some of the cast of Neighbours. Apparently, Harold does a funny stand up act where he swears a lot.

Technorati Tags: Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Neighbours, Strike Bar, Pugg Mahones, Young and Jacksons, Elephant and Wheelbarrow, St. Kilda

neomien has been kicking round the city, dealing with life offline. Not much of an excuse, but you know how it goes.

One of the most wonderful things about melbourne is the food glorious food.

Literally.

The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is coming to a close, replete with well satisfied swollen bellies and tastebuds tantalised.

An aunt of mine was in town recently and I took her on a mini tour of my favorite spots, eating and drinking that is. Yes, I’m a bit of a f**die – I suspect most of us are…..it’s a melbourne thing.

We’re spoilt for choice, so spoilt.

And the beauty of it is that it doesn’t matter what your budget is, you’re bound to find something delish to suit……and no, fastfood does NOT count…….unless you count a quick fresh soft shelled crab hand roll from Kenzan @ GPO or a reviving lamb souv dripping with garlic sauce in the early hours from Stalactites.

In my next couple of posts I’m going to reveal a few of my favs for all occasions……I’d love for you to share your favs with me too……cause there’s nothing I love more than finding a new haunt.

ps. The above pic is taken from the kitchen table of ole skool establishment Pelligrini’s Espresso Bar, home of killer coffee – the good stuff and pasta just like nonna makes.

Those of you who work know those last couple of hours at work on Fridays are magical. They are especially magical when there is a three day weekend coming up. For many, it’s a time for beer (or wine if that is your thing).

Mappyhour hopes to map out some of the happy hour deals around the world. Unsurprisingly, Melbourne seems to have a lot of participation.

If you can’t find a place on the map, there is always The Happiest Hour which verifies their happy hours. In addition, they throw in drinks cards every week.

Technorati Tags: Australia, Google Maps, Melbourne, Happy Hour

image taken by proserpina

How could I not comment on this?

Management and promoters of the Amber Lounge have a received a right royal rap over the knuckles by officials and public for their planned Christmas Bikini Party which was scheduled for the 22nd of December.

Gals who rocked up in Bikinis were to receive free entry; free cloakroom (cause you would wear something over it right?!?); free juicy tube (?!?!) AND unlimited FREE alcohol, ALL night.

Like watching a trainwreck……..
more after the jump
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