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Melbourne’s inner north is a hip and happening place… there’s a thriving art and live music scene, more gastro pubs that you can shake a deconstructed sandwich at; a mind-boggling menu of world-class restaurants and cuisines, and the city’s newest lifestyle destination in the heart of Coburg.
Live Music All Week Long
Any night of the week you are sure to find some rocking, soulful live music in the heart of Melbourne’s northern suburbs - whether it's rock, indie, jazz or heavy metal. Northcote Social Club has fast become the destination for live indie music. Stay Gold, Howler and the Brunswick Ballroom are a must for music lovers, which The Post Office Hotel Pub & Dining Hall has built a reputation for pumping out local tunes throughout the week.
Pubs, Glorious Pubs!
Start your pub crawl at the beginning of Sydney Road in Brunswick and venture all the way up the one road to Coburg, where you will be spoilt for choice . Insider Tip Sydney Road is the longest shopping strip in the Southern Hemisphere, so be sure to pack your credit card and a fold up shopping bag.
There are plenty of pubs to pick from but our top tip is to visit Brunswick’s finest pubs such as The Cornish Arms with its rooftop bar and vegan brunch. The Brunswick Green and The Retreat Hotel are always loads of fun, or pick one of the eclectic local little Brunswick bars along Lygon Street, such as Eydie’s, Bouvier Bar, Alchemy Brewing Co. and Mr Wilkinson, and drink your fill of craft beer and local wine.
Think Locally, Eat Globally
Melbourne prides itself on being the dining capital of Australia and the inner north is a place where you can think locally but eat globally. With European, Middle Eastern, Asian and more on the menus, you're virtually guaranteed your taste buds will be satiated
Stroll down East Brunswick Village - along Melbourne’s world famous Lygon Street - for a spot of Lebanese, Greek, Thai and, of course, the wealth of Italian fare that came from the post WWII Italian migration boom to Melbourne.
Locals recommend a visit to 400 Gradi to sup on their famous Margarita Pizza - it won the World’s Best Margarita Pizza in the 2014 World Pizza Championships – then follow-up with dessert at one of the many gelato bars or Italian cake shops along Lygon Street.
Just down the road from Lygon Street is the Brunswick and Coburg Sydney Road restaurant strip – that has anything from Malaysian, Turkish, Greek, Arabic, Middle-Eastern through to Japanese fare. Try the many Sydney Road Middle-eastern and Greek bakeries and cafes that showcase some of the most delicious traditional breads and cakes.
Or, head over to Northcote’s High Street for great cafes and restaurants, including Scott Pickett’s Estelle for some truly inspired modern Australian cuisine or Holy Sugar from some aesthetically pleasing desserts.
A Place You Want to Stay and Play
And when the sightseeing is done, head to Melbourne’s newest lifestyle precinct - at Coburg in the heart of Melbourne’s creative north - and immerse yourself in a slice of Victoria’s history. The ultra-modern Adina Apartment Hotel Pentridge Melbourne – a glistening glass tower with spectacular views in all directions – is perched behind the bluestone walls of the former Pentridge prison which has been completely transformed into a leisure destination with restaurants, retail and a touch of history. The hotel will open in February 2023.
