New Melbourne open-air venues launching for the spring, summer
A rooftop bar on a multi-level carpark and a luxe lakeside wedding venue turned eatery are among Melbourne’s hottest open-air venues this summer. See the full list.
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LAKESIDE AT CAROUSEL
Albert Park
Carousel is known for hosting some of Melbourne’s ritziest parties and celebrity weddings.
Now the Albert Park Lake venue is moonlighting as a summer pop-up.
Lakeside at Carousel will run as a dine-in restaurant and takeaway window, serving snacks from South Melbourne’s Half Acre and caterer Food and Desire.
Enjoy a picnic on the adjacent Pelican Lawn (hire some furniture to avoid sitting on the grass), with takeaway food such as meze platters, southern fried chicken burgers, fish and chips, hot dogs, salad bowls, charcuterie and cheese boards.
The Deck at Carousel will also offer a seated, al la carte lunch and dinner, of the same menu.
The venue hopes to host live entertainment for New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the Australian Open tennis tournament.
Open: Daily over spring and summer.
PETANQUE AT CROWN
Southbank
We can’t travel to Italy this year, but Petanque Social is giving off major Euro vibes.
The European-inspired beach club is Crown Melbourne’s summer pop-up, found on the Southbank river walk.
Lounge around on day beds and beach chairs underneath pastel blue umbrellas plucked from beach clubs in Capri.
Eat sushi from Nobu, pizzas from Gradi, charcuterie from Bistro Guillume, loaded fries from San Antone and street food snacks from Ging Thai, and wash it down with cocktails, beer, bubbles and wine from the bar.
And it wouldn’t live up to its namesake if you couldn’t play a game of petanque with your mates.
Open: Wednesdays and Thursdays 4pm to 9pm, Fridays to Sundays 12pm to 9pm.
ARBORY AFLOAT
Southbank
Arbory Afloat returns for another swim on the Yarra this summer.
The floating bar’s look and feel is usually inspired by an overseas seaside destination — but after 2020 grounded us this year, Arbory Afloat has looked to Australian Beach House culture for its theme.
Day beds, which seat 4-6 people, can be reserved for $375 each.
As more restrictions ease, Arbory Afloat will open the pool and upper deck area that has a second bar and cabanas, also available to book.
Executive chef Nick Bennett’s has released a limited food menu for now, with a full menu launching late-November including wood-fired flatbread, burrata, pickled baby octopus, chorizo Pamplona, pickled mushrooms, merguez with pumpkin and almonds, fried zucchini flowers, green olives, as well as a seafood platter.
Craft beers and Four Pillars Pink Gin, cocktails and wine rounding out the drinks.
Open: Dailyfrom 12pm to 11pm for bookings and limited walk-ins on its lower deck and undercover dining area.
PONTOON
St Kilda
Nothing says Aussie summer more than a beach barbecue.
Stokehouse’s Pontoon on the St Kilda foreshore celebrates all things summer with oysters, prawns by the bucketload, seafood skewers, swordfish or hanger steak burgers, salt and pepper chicken and fried calamari. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, group pastry chef Lauren Eldridge riffs on a childhood favourite Splice to create a frozen dessert made with pine-lime granita and fresh pineapple. If you’re only after afternoon sippers, try a coconut margaritas, spritz or beers and drink in those beach sunset views.
Open: Daily from noon till sunset.
THE COMMONS AT ORMOND COLLECTIVE
St Kilda Rd
The Commons at Ormond Collective is a beer garden, cafe and function space all rolled into one, celebrating COVID-safe outdoor dining in Melbourne.
The Big Group’s Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh opened the leafy and well-manicured hedged venue off St Kilda Rd in late October just in time for the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Come for beers and burgers, cheese and champagne or coffee and some of the tastiest cookies you’ll taste this year. Oh and you can even take your dog.
Open: Daily.
PRINCE ROOFTOP BEER GARDEN
St Kilda
St Kilda’s Prince Hotel will open a new rooftop beer garden on the top its multi-level carpark on Saturday 7 November.
Drinks include beers by Brick Lane Brewing and Nagambie Brewery and Distillery, while the food includes picnic packs by Little Prince Wine shop downstairs.
Under current guidelines the rooftop can accommodate 70 diners for seated meals and drinks only, for a two-hour period. Kids and dogs are also welcome.
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