Pre-gig oysters or a spritz with a view: level up your Open Air experience this summer
With Open Air at the Square in full swing, and free outdoor cinema and gigs taking over the Square most nights, we figured you probably needed some inside advice on where you can meet, eat and retreat when your dancing feet need a little rest.
Check it out.
Pre-gig meet-up drinks
First up, you’ll need a spot to meet up with friends before you head to the gig – and you don’t want to be too far from the action.
Top tips: pop into Beer Deluxe or Transport Hotel to select from a massive array of craft beers while you wait for the gang to assemble. If you’re peckish or you’ve got tardy friends, you can also order a bowl of chippies to keep you going.
If you’re seeing a weekday event, like an outdoor film on our Big Screen or The Beatles Dub Club dance party, head down the steps from Birrarung Marr Walk to the Princes Vaults to find Riverland Bar – and you can enjoy the best happy hour in the CBD, with $10 pints, wines and spritzes from 4–7pm.
- Head to Riverland for Happy Hour during the week, for $10 pints, spritzes and wines from 4–7pm.
- Gather your crew prior to an Open Air gig at Transport Hotel, for a pre-gig rosé.
If you’re in the mood for a margarita, check out Mexi by Riverland Bar (just next door to Riverland). For the adventurous marg-lover, they have spicy watermelon or coconut versions of the classic cocktail.
Or, if you’re here on Thursday for The Beatles Dub Club, you can partake of their weekly marg special, and enjoy $16 classic margaritas all day.
Ooh yeah, that’s what we’re talking about.
- Mexi by Riverland Bar has $16 classic margaritas available all-day on Thursdays.
Date night spritzes and snacks
Taking out a special someone for a night on the town? Check out Transit Rooftop Bar’s Oyster Hour – they have half-price oysters on offer every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6 until 7pm. It’s the perfect pre-gig indulgence or sunset snack before heading into the Square.
And while you’re up there on the roof – you’ll have a great view of the crowds coming in, to time your gig arrival. You’re so clever!
- Half-price oyster hour at Transit Rooftop Bar. Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6–7pm.
Time Out also have a great range of cocktails, wines, spritzes, mocktails and other beverages, as well as a comprehensive menu of all-day dining and snacks, so whatever time you arrive you can grab a table under their umbrellas and do some pre-gig people watching. We are big fans of their passionfruit martinis. Delish! And very pretty.
For spicy snacks – try Mexi by Riverland Bar, Riverland’s new Tex-Mex style pop-up, just next to Riverland Bar.
Our idea of heaven? Sitting by the river on a hot day with a frozen paloma, snacking on corn chips with salsa and guac. Yes. Yes please.
- Passionfruit martinis at Time Out Cafe. Photo: Carmen Zammit.
- Nachos anyone? Mexi by Riverland. Photo: Allegra Mazzella.
Fuel up to get your dance on
If you need something more substantial to keep you going for a proper Open Air dance party, like Big Freedia and Friends (Friday 27 February) or The Beatles Dub Club (Thursday 26 February) – we’d recommend popping into Transport Hotel, Beer Deluxe, Time Out or Riverland Bar for pub-style fare.
You can expect quick, tasty and good value options like parmas, pizzas and burgers.
If you want dinner with a view, you can’t go past Chocolate Buddha – it’s the perfect vantage point to see what’s happening in the Square, all while you enjoy delicious Japanese food in relaxed, contemporary surrounds.
- Tina Arena Candlelight Concert for Open Air. Photo: Nick Mick Pics.
- Enjoy tasty, quick and affordable pub-style fare at Beer Deluxe.
Level up with a fancy feed
Taxi Kitchen is your go-to for a meal to remember, a great option if you’re wanting to impress someone special or just elevate your night out with a special meal.
Taxi’s contemporary Asian-Australian fusion fare and innovative menu, led by Executive Chef Tony Twitchett, has found them a loyal fanbase of Melbourne foodies who know what’s what.
We’d recommend their Showstopper Menu for a pre-gig splurge ($90–160 per person) – it’s three or four courses with optional wine match, and includes a curated selection of chef specials, customer favourites and signature dishes.
At Chocolate Buddha, you can also really level up your Open Air experience by booking dinner on their terrace during an Open Air gig (maximum four guests per table) – you’ll have a first-rate view of the action, all while being able to enjoy fresh Japanese fare, and perhaps a Sapporo or sake. If you’ve got a group to entertain, have a chat to them about booking a canapés package ($29–49 per head).
Now that’s a fab way to turn your Open Air experience into a proper night out. Enjoy!
- Guests enjoy a great view of the free Tina Arena Candlelight Concert at Fed Square as part of Open Air. Photo: Nick Mick Pics.
Be sure to check venue opening hours to plan your visit. Check out all the fab, free events happening as part of Open Air this February.
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