CHAI CHALLENGE #3 – STORM IN A TEACUP

Moving to a new city can be a little lonely. During my first few weeks in Melbourne I filled my days finding new cafes to drink coffee, read and watch the day go by. At the corner of my street Storm In A Teacup, a tiny tea shop/cafe/bar, quickly became my preferred hideaway to escape the world.

Storm In A Teacup is devoted to the wonderful beverage that is tea. Black, white, green, oolong, fruity, tisane – you’ll find hundreds of teas on the menu carefully selected from around the world. At night the cafe turns into a bar with tea based cocktails as well as organic wines and beers available.

FIRE IN YOUR BELLY : FIRE DRUM VODKA POP-UP BAR

I’m not really much of a vodka drinker (unless I’m at Borsch, Vodka and Tears). After too many misspent evenings as a teen fueled by vodka (not underage… promise) I struggle to associate it with anything but Smirnoff double blacks and vodka-diet coke mixes.

But after a particularly long week Fire Drum Vodka’s Pop Up Bar sounded like the ideal way to spend a Friday night.

NOT YOUR GRANDFATHER’S ATTIC

Sometimes I write for other websites about Melbourne.
The Attic originally appeared on Weekend Notes: Melbourne: www.weekendnotes.com/the-attic-bar/

Melbourne would have to be one of the few cities where it’s easy to wander into a bar and accidentally end up in another one entirely. Not that anyone’s complaining if the other bar is as good as The Attic.

A planned visit to The Black Pearl on Brunswick Street and a curious climb up the back stairs led us into The Attic, the more subdued sister to its popular sibling downstairs.

ROMANCE & MYSTERY AT THE ALCHEMIST COCKTAIL BAR

Whenever I have visitors in town there’s a couple of usual spots I take them to show off some of the best food and drink Melbourne has to offer.

The Alchemist Bar is one of my most beloved bars in the city and one of the first watering holes I take all my inter-state visitors.The boyfriend took me there for our first date (aw) where I not only fell for his charms (ha!) but also the charms of this self-described ‘romantic’ cocktail bar.

DRINKS AND A SHOW AT THE BUTTERFLY CLUB

My usual art-gallery partner in crime is leaving Melbourne soon to travel and teach in China. So before he became too busy trying to pack his life into a suitcase we decided on one last cultural hurrah.

Drinks and a show was an easy choice and as for where to go he chose the venue, The Butterfly Club, with strict instructions I wasn’t allowed under any circumstance, to look up anything to with it. As someone who tends to Google the menu of any restaurant before visiting this was difficult for me.

ON TOP OF LOOP: LOOP ROOFTOP BAR

I love Melbourne in the autumn.

Boots, scarves and jackets are pulled out of closets as the days start to get a little cooler but with the odd day hot enough to remind you of summer.

As for where to enjoy the last of these warm days and nights, you can’t really go wrong at Loop Rooftop Bar, the latest addition to Loop Project Space and Bar.

BIRTHDAY WOWS

I celebrated my birthday on Friday in Melbourne for the first time and was utterly spoilt with flowers, presents, cards, birthday messages and drinks. A lot of drinks.
It’s Sunday and I’m still recovering from all the birthday drinks.

To start off my birthday I was surprised with two beautiful bouquets on Friday, one sent from a friend in Sydney…

WELCOME TO MY HAUS

I’m a little hesitant to tell you about one of my favourite bars in case it’s suddenly inundated with people and I can’t find a seat there on a Saturday night.

But I will, because I’m nice like that.

Von Haus Wine Bar is tucked away on Crossley Street, just off Bourke Street.

HOW TO ORDER A BEER IN MELBOURNE

If you want to look like a local in Australia don’t ask for a small or large beer at a pub. Depending what state you’re in glass sizes are known as a middy, glass, schooner, jug, pony or pot. To name a few.

Confused? Even us locals struggle when we travel inter-state.

Here are some Beer Basics to get you the beer you want in the size you want in Melbourne.

FAIRYTALE FUN: GOLDILOCKS BAR

You’ll have to forgive me as I’m a little worse for wear this morning after too much of a gin time last night.

The bar tenders at Goldilocks are entirely to blame.