Aastha Agrawal

A WA favourite is set to open its doors in Melbourne's east, bringing burgers, beers, live sport and a whole lot of entertainment along for the ride. Varsity, which started out as a US college-themed burger and sports bar near the University of Western Australia in 2013, has since grown to ten locations across Perth. Now, it's bringing its signature mix of food and fun to Melbs for the first time, opening in Ringwood on Friday, November 13. Taking over the former Jooce nightclub site, the sprawling venue has a capacity of 1,100 people, with a bar pouring 52 taps and more than 30 screens, including three mega screens built for watching live sport. And if watching sport isn't your thing, there's a whole arcade waiting to test your competitive streak. The space features more than 70 games, including hydraulic racing games, virtual reality experiences, coin pushers, ticket and prize games, plus Pokémon and Metallica pinball machines. There's also a walk-through prize shop where guests can browse and redeem their winnings. Keen for more hands-on fun? Eight tenpin bowling lanes sit beneath an HD LED video wall spanning the width of the bowling space, while a dedicated pool room gives a nod to the old-school pool hall. The venue also has three function spaces for private events, watch parties and sports team gatherings, with large-scale murals by artist Michael Hartley decorating the interior and exterior. Photograph: Supplied | VarsityVarsity Of course, food is just as central to

Restaurateur Chris Lucas (the man behind Chin Chin, Society, Maison Bâtard and Grill Americano) and his wife and creative partner Sarah Lucas are preparing to open two new restaurants – Noēma, a contemporary Greek restaurant, and Wishbone, a Hong Kong-inspired eatery – at 435 Bourke Street, Melbourne. "They are very different concepts, but both are built around generous food and serious hospitality," explains Chris Lucas. Noēma, opening on November 19, is Lucas' most personal project to date, reflecting the Greek heritage that has shaped his life through the confident and contemporary dining culture of Greece today. Developed alongside long-time collaborator and Lucas Collective head of culinary Damian Snell, the menu will be built around exceptional Australian produce, with seafood at its heart, alongside seasonal vegetables, fresh herbs and dishes cooked over fire. Olive oil sourced from south of Athens, fresh citrus and hand-grown oregano will underpin the flavours throughout. Named after the Greek word for thought and understanding, Noēma will look beyond familiar ideas of Greek dining to deliver something sophisticated, fresh and distinctly Melbourne. Meanwhile, Wishbone will welcome diners from November 24, spanning three levels accessed via McKillop Street. Taking inspiration from the culture and energy of 1960s and '70s Hong Kong, and drawing on the restless spirit of the city's Wan Chai neighbourhood, the restaurant will reflect these influences in its atmosphere, ae

If you've ever wanted to try premium Japanese Wagyu but couldn't quite justify dropping hundreds of dollars on dinner, we’ve got good news. Melbourne CBD restaurant Niku Ou is getting a makeover, and its new approach to dining means you won't have to fork out a small fortune to get a taste of the good stuff. Located on Bourke Street, the Wagyu Ya Group restaurant temporarily closed in October for a major redevelopment, with plans to reopen in November. And while its reputation for premium Japanese and Australian Wagyu isn't going anywhere, the way diners experience it is about to change. Gone is the emphasis on elaborate set menus that can cost upwards of $300 per person. Instead, Niku Ou is introducing a more flexible, izakaya-style approach, allowing diners to pick and choose smaller portions of Wagyu without committing to a full-blown feast. The biggest drawcard? You'll be able to order selected Wagyu cuts in portions of just two, four or eight slices. That means you can sample your way through different cuts, marbling levels and flavour profiles, comparing beef from Japanese prefectures and Australian regions as you go. Sort of a choose-your-own-adventure for meat lovers, whether you're after a quick bite or a more indulgent experience. But that's not the only change on the menu. The revamped restaurant will also introduce a dedicated Wagyu sushi counter, where diners can order individual pieces of nigiri alongside raw, marinated and flame-seared (aburi) Wagyu preparation

The lunar calendar marks Diwali on November 8 this year. As the Festival of Lights approaches, Melbourne’s South Asian diaspora is on the lookout for community and connection, hoping to keep familiar traditions and a sense of belonging alive. Thankfully, Melbourne has plenty in store, from song and dance performances to art workshops and special food and drink offerings. There’s no shortage of ways to get into the festive spirit. Here are our top picks for celebrating Diwali in Melbourne. 1. Diwali activities at the Immigration Museum There’s arguably no better way to immerse yourself in Indian culture and get into the Diwali spirit than by spending the afternoon at the Immigration Museum on November 7. With most activities free, except for a $15 embroidery workshop, visitors can get henna designs, create rangoli designs (colourful floor patterns made using coloured sand), contribute a drawing or stitch to a collaborative 10-metre textile artwork or learn Indian embroidery. There’s also Nukkad Naach, billed as Australia’s first South Asian dance cypher, hosted by Melbourne dance community Magan. The event will see crews from across the city take turns in the circle, performing everything from Bollywood and bhangra to indie bangers and forgotten classics, before inviting everyone to join in at the end, regardless of their dance skills.More info here. 2. Exclusive Diwali treats and gifts at Thaali Fairfield Whether you grew up celebrating Diwali or are experiencing it for the f

Picture this: a Sunday morning pulsing with fresh beats, the scent of ceremonial-grade matcha in the air, and a room full of people swaying, boogieing or simply sipping in peace over pastries and hash browns. This was the vibe at Mix and Matcha’s debut event, a sober morning gathering blending wellness rituals, electronic music and community connection. Matcha-fuelled, music-charged and hangover-free. Held at Bourke Street Courtyard, the free (but fully booked out) session featured specialty coffee and a genre-hopping DJ set that moved from hip hop and baile funk to Afro house and amapiano. Designed as a gentle yet energising antidote to nightlife fatigue, the event offered something refreshingly new: a third space for early risers, burnt-out partygoers and caffeine connoisseurs alike. Think of it as an alternative to Zumba, a more joyful way to queue for your matcha or a soft substitute for the Friday or Saturday night you didn’t quite make.  Photograph: Supplied/Mix and Matcha As many of us collectively age out of sticky club floors and Sunday comedowns, partying culture is shifting. Since the pandemic, Australians have begun drinking less – nearly 30 per cent less than just seven years ago. The appeal of loud clubs and long lines is giving way to something calmer: mornings filled with movement, flavour and connection. And if you’re going to line up for coffee, why not add good beats and friendly faces? Enter the rise of the “third place”. Coined by sociologist Ray Oldenb