How to score $100 off at city restaurants

Diners can enjoy up to $100 off meals at city venues under a plan to get people back to the CBD. Here’s how you can cash in on the scheme.

Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp with staff from Pinchy’s Lobster and Champagne Bar. Picture: Rebecca Michael.

Forget the Aussie dollar, ‘Melbourne Money’ has arrived.

The Melbourne City Council is offering people 20 per cent of their money back when they dine in the City of Melbourne from Friday June 11, the start of the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, and spend between $50-$500.

The ‘Melbourne Money’ reimbursements will be offered on food and drink purchases made in-store from restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and clubs, as well as local breweries and distilleries.

All diners have to do is upload a receipt online, with the website to go live on June 11.

However, food must feature on the bill for people to be eligible for a rebate.

The scheme will be open to everybody, including interstate visitors, and there will be no limit on how many times a person can make a claim.

Melburnians are urged to get in quick though, with claims to be processed on a first-in-first-served basis until the $8.4 million fund is exhausted.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the scheme will deliver “about $40 million in spending across the City of Melbourne’s hospitality providers”.

“All tastes and flavours will be rewarded with venues spanning hidden laneway bars, hatted restaurants, rooftop and riverside dining and famous foodie strips like Chinatown and Lygon Street,” Cr Capp said.

“‘Melbourne Money’ is a great deal for locals and visitors but it is providing critical support to so many businesses in the hospitality industry that have endured the worst trading conditions in living memory.”

‘Melbourne Money’ will be offered in partnership with the state government, as part of a $107.4 million contribution to bolster City of Melbourne businesses and entice visitors back.