Lacey-Jade Christie

Perhaps you just can't face the kitchen this Christmas, or maybe you don't have somewhere to go for a festive lunch? It could be that Christmas simply isn't for you and you're just looking for somewhere to hang out on December 25. Melbourne can sometimes feel like a ghost town on the most merry day of the year, but we've rounded up a selection of restaurants and cafés that will be open and sharing in the Yuletide spirit. If you are looking for other great ways to spend the day, these are the best things to do in Melbourne if you don't celebrate Christmas. And here's where you can spot the most beautiful Christmas lights.

Feeling like you need a little extra glow in your life? Or just need to take some time out from your jam-packed schedule? Tick both boxes with these luxurious skin treatments delivered by the city's best practitioners.  We've rounded up some of the most highly regarded facials that also appeal to a broad range of skin types, from dry skin and fine lines to acne and stressed skin. Whether you prefer a science-based approach, or something a little more holistic, there's a treatment for everyone here.  Get ready to hydrate, exfoliate and massage your way to complete rejuvenation.  After more R&R? Here are Melbourne's best spas and bath houses. Want an overnight experience? These are Melbourne's best hotels with spas.

You may have heard of Mansfield or even driven through it on your way to Mt Buller and not really given it much thought. Let’s change that. Mansfield is home to horse riding adventures, world-class patisseries, cooking classes and some of regional Victoria's most luxurious accommodation.  Looking for more weekend guides? These are Victoria's best getaways to try.

Finding cute plus-size fashion is no easy task. You can go to shop after shop, scour rack after rack and still come up empty. But that doesn't mean there are no stylish plus-size options out there – you just need to know where to look. Australia is full of small businesses and local designers offering plus-size options for every occasion, but shop frontage is expensive and being stocked in mainstream stores just isn’t possible for many brands. So where can you find these brands? Online. I know online shopping is a daunting thought for many people, especially if you’ve had negative experiences before. But I’m here to tell you that you can do it. You just need a tape measure and this handy guide to Australian-based plus-size brands. Why the tape measure? Because the sizing of clothes across brands is inconsistent. So it’s time to ditch the number on the tag and pay closer attention to the size chart. Do yourself a favour; take your measurements, write them down somewhere handy and use them to choose your clothes from now on. Ignore the number on the tag. It has no moral value. After more of our city's best shopping? Check out our shopping guide here.

The following article is for general information only and not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Lacey-Jade Christie is a contributor to Time Out Melbourne and a trained nurse. For more information on the latest government advice on Covid-19, click here. With Covid-19 case numbers on the rise, it’s important to be prepared. But in 2022, being prepared is more than wearing a mask, social distancing and hand hygiene – it also means having a Covid home care kit ready, just in case. The unfortunate reality for many, especially those living in metropolitan areas, is that we may all be directly affected by Covid at some point. Fortunately, thanks to high vaccination rates, the majority of people diagnosed with Covid-19 will be able to isolate and recover in the comfort of their own homes. If you return a positive Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) or a positive Polymerase Chain Reaction test (PCR) and have been instructed to isolate at home, there are a few things that can help you manage your symptoms safely. Here's what your Covid home care kit should include: Pain relief Make sure you have paracetamol (eg Panadol) and ibuprofen (eg Neurofen) on hand to help reduce any fevers and body aches – as well as a two-week supply of any regular medications. If you find yourself without access to your medications or have run out, speak to your GP or pharmacist about having them delivered.  Hydration Water is essential, but as Covid often comes with fevers and chills you might want to add

With many Melbournians stuck in iso or opting to stay in, there's no better time to sample takeaway offerings from many of the city's most beloved venues. We've compiled a rolling list of some the best, so you can eat well and support local businesses at the same time. Please be sure to check the social media accounts of your favourite venue to keep up with what they're doing. We endeavour to keep this list as up to date as possible. If you would like your venue featured or know of any changes, please get in touch via email. Keep track of what else is going on. Here's what you can and can't do in Melbourne right now. Keep supporting your favourite restaurants even when you can't dine in. Here's how you can do it. Jump to a section: CBD NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST  REGIONAL

Have you caught one of City Live Music's pop-ups? If not, today may be the day to do it because Tash Sultana and Amy Shark are both playing pop-up gigs in the CBD. When and where haven't been announced yet, but What's On Melbourne will be releasing more information on their Instagram tomorrow. The pop-ups are brought to Melbourne by the Victorian Government’s On The Road Again live music program. The program is giving an opportunity to Aussie artists to perform and for fans to see them live and for free at secret gigs in surprise locations.  A few lucky Melbournians may have seen Tones and I, Missy Higgins and the Pierce Brothers at their pop-ups as Melbourne came out of lockdown. Now it's Tash Sultana and Amy Shark's turn, so keep your ears open and your eyes peeled. Looking for more live music in Melbourne? Check out our live music gig guide.

You might not know the name Shannon Martinez, but if you're vegan and live in Melbourne, we bet you've heard of her businesses Smith & Daughters and Smith & Deli. After eight years of providing Melburnians with take-away vegan treats at Smith & Deli and sit down meals at Smith & Daughter, Martinez is merging the two locations in a 500-square-metre space in Collingwood. This is the first time that the businesses will combine and they are doing so in a venue that Martinez hopes will become one of the largest vegan food hubs in the world. The venue will be divided into a deli with cafe-style seating, a large production kitchen, a grocery store and an elevated restaurant. The recently-opened deli offers ready-to-go meals, a deli providore, the vegan delights that Smith & Deli is known for and Smith & Deli dining. The new location includes 30 seats, tables and benches where Smith & Deli customers are able to sit and eat their deli plates that include a main, two sides, a dessert and a drink. Customers can make their selections from Smith & Deli's cafeteria-style serving station. The deli will also be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to eat in or take-away. The production kitchen features glass-frontage that was designed to help dispel the myths about vegan food being heavily processed. Sit back and watch the chefs at work while you eat. The restaurant will open in early 2022 and will reportedly offer an elevated vegan dining experience with a touch of glamour.  Keep up to date

Bombay Sapphire and Australian artist, Ellen Porteus, are bringing sippable artworks to Australian bars this summer. That is, artworks in the form of bespoke garnishes. As part of its ‘Stir Creativity' campaign, Bombay Sapphire has commissioned artist Ellen Porteus to use a selection of Bombay Sapphire-inspired cocktails as a canvas and create artworks that both top the cocktails and compliment their gin base. But not just any gin, the artwork is inspired by Bombay Sapphire, Bombay Bramble and Bombay Sunset, three of Bombay Sapphire's most notable gins. Ellen Porteus is an Australian artist who creates clever, bold and colourful works across illustration, animation and installation. Porteus’ sippable artworks are only available for a limited time at venues across Melbourne and Australia via the ‘pop-up’ Bombay Sapphire cocktail menu this summer.  Recognising that the arts and hospitality industries faced intense hardships during the pandemic, Bombay Sapphire is donating $1 per cocktail sold to TipJar and to Arts Project Australia. So you can enjoy your sippable art and support a good cause. The cocktail art experiences are available at  52 venues nationally. The Victorian bars participating are: Attria Bar, Pigalle, Beneath Driver Lane, Cru Wine Bar, Frankie, Life’s Too Short Bar, Mongkok Tea House, Montrose Social, Prohibition Food & Wine, Purple Emerald, Rice Paper Scissors, Smitten Kitten, Sparrows Cocktail Bar, The Covenant Wine Bar, The Kyn Torquay and Wyuna. In the mood

We don't know if you've noticed, but Christmas is just around the corner and the deadline for Australia Post delivering your presents on time is looming. Try not to panic while you think about all of the Christmas gifts you still have to buy. However, we might have an alternative for you. Australia Post's regular parcel post deadline has already passed (on December 13) and while their express delivery service is offered up until December 20, Four Pillars has entered the chat with a different option. The option of gin delivered to your door (or the door of any Melburnian) just in time for Christmas.  You can have bottles of gin, made-from-gin products and ready-made cocktails delivered right up until Christmas Eve ,with the help of Wilma’s Melbourne Gin Delivery Service. Meaning you can keep your bar cart stocked and your gin-loving friends happy this festive season even if you thought you'd left it too late in the shopping game. Orders heading to the Mornington Peninsula can be placed up until 3pm on December 17 so be quick. Melbourne-based orders will close on December 21 at 3pm in order to guarantee pre-Christmas delivery.  Order your Christmas Gin or Olive Leaf Gin (for that post-Christmas lunch Martini) by calling Four Pillars' Healsville Distillery weekdays between 9am and 5pm. There's a flat $15 delivery fee and please keep in mind that delivery can take two to three days. Find the menu and more details for Wilma’s Melbourne Gin Delivery Service on the Four Pillars Webs

If you thought gin couldn’t get any better, Never Never Distilling Co has upped the ante. Made of Kangaroo Island oyster shells, the Dark Series Oyster Shell Gin tastes like waves rolling in on a hot summer day and salt glistening on that summer tan. It tastes, in short, like summer.  Never Never Distilling Co is a relatively new distillery based in McLaren Vale. First launching into the Australian market three years ago with their Triple Juniper Gin, founders Sean Baxter, George Georgiadis and Tim Boast have since expanded their catalogue to include seven different gins, with Oyster Shell the most recent addition. The South Australian-based team were known to consume a lot of Kangaroo Island oysters and were left with the issue of what to do with the shells. Choosing to include them in the distilling process, rather than adding them to landfill, adds a subtle sea salt spray to the gin. Botanicals including Tasmanian wakame, native coastal daisies and citrus zest from marsh grapefruits complete the recipe.  The inclusion of the oyster shells makes it one of only a few oyster shell-based gins worldwide. Never Never Distilling Co recommends a Fever Tree Mediterranean Tonic and a lime leaf garnish for a simple G&T in their signature Oyster Shell Martini. Buy Oyster Shell Gin via the website. 

Opening in early 2022 and soaring 140 metres above the streets of Melbourne, Sky Bar will offer diners 360-degree views spanning across Port Phillip Bay, the Yarra River and the CBD skyline.  Diners will be able to take in said views through seven-metre high windows in any one of the five different dining spaces offered at Sky Bar. The spaces include a main cocktail and drinks lounge, a floating alfresco terrace and a mezzanine area for private dining. You'll also be able dine at Strato, a fine dining restaurant serving up contemporary Australian cuisine.  Entry to Sky Bar Melbourne will be via a private elevator located on Normanby Street in Southbank. Diners will then step into the foyer, where they can view projections curated by the Sequence Group, a Melbourne and Vancouver-based creative studio specialising in animation and visual effect. The work will showcase the views of Melbourne from the perspective of a bird, allowing diners to experience Sky Bar's spectacular views from a different vantage point. Sky Bar is set to open in March 2022. More information including opening dates and menu updates can be found on the Yarra Hotel Group website. Can't wait until Sky Bar Melbourne opens in early 2022? Check out our list of where you can find the best views of Melbourne's skyline. 

Something truly special has hit ACDC Lane. From the creative minds behind Eve Bar (remember that iconic light-up dancefloor?), Bar Bambi is here to revive Melbourne's nightlife with a mixture of fantastic food and enthralling entertainment.  Bar Bambi has taken over the old site that housed Cherry Bar, and has been designed for a mature market (millennials and older). This European-inspired lounge combines Italian share plates, live music and a Negroni and Spritz list that will keep you coming back for more. The line-up changes frequently, but that's part of the appeal. One night you might be serenaded by a piano singer, the next it might be a DJ. The vibe changes with each performer, but the menu remains the same, and it's delicious.  Guests can dine in booths that can seat up to 16 people, with bookings and walk-ins welcome. Still thirsty? These are the best wine bars in Melbourne.

 A Fitzroy staple since 2013, the beloved Industry Beans has officially moved into a new building just around the corner from its original location. The new space is a light-filled warehouse that features a larger cafe, a dedicated retail store, a coffee quality and training room and a roaster.After you've ordered your coffee, you can take a peek through the large glass windows from within the cafe to catch a glimpse of the roasting process.  Those familiar with Industry Beans' other stores in Syndey, Brisbane and Melbourne should feel right at home in the new location. The venue is the brand's fourth project with Melbourne architects March Studio, who have also designed spaces like the Jackalope Pavilion. The interior is meant to reflect the journey of the brand over the past ten years and celebrate its triumphant return to Fitzroy. Think industrial features, steel mesh, recycled timber tabletops paired with sleek white booths and a lot of plants.  The menu includes Industry Bean staples like smashed avocado on toast as well as new additions like the very Instagrammable porcini nest. Perhaps most importantly, you can also grab a cup of Industry Beans' signature coffee with options like espresso, filter or even cold-brew.

So you’re looking for a mini-break to escape the hustle and bustle of the city? Allow us to direct you to Eppalock Hilltop Retreat, an eco-friendly tiny house.  Located in the secluded bushland of the Lyell State Forest, you'll get to enjoy unparalleled views of Mount Alexander and the Eppalock ranges. This tiny house is the perfect place to switch off and escape without forgoing your creature comforts. A fully self-sufficient house, Eppalock Hilltop Retreat runs on 12-volt solar power and LPG gas. There is also a generator on-site to run the wall-mounted air-conditioner, should the Australian bush become too hot. The tiny house features a loft-style bedroom with a queen-size bed, a full gas kitchen and bathroom with shower and vanity and a compost toilet. There is also a lounge and dining area with a mini log fire and wall-mounted television. While the tiny house and decor are exquisite, the real hero of this accommodation is the outdoor hot tub and chiminea fire. These two elements mean that you can soak away your worries under the light of the stunning sunset or at night in the glow of a roaring fire.  Eppalock Hilltop Retreat is located 25 minutes out of Bendigo and is perfect for your next off-the-grid micro-adventure. And if you're looking for things to do while you're in the area, check out our guide to having the perfect escape in Bendigo and surrounds.

Melbourne is about to get a lot more Instagrammable with the opening of Happy Place. The larger-than-life immersive exhibition is an influencer's dream. Grab a friend to take with you, this is an experience that is meant to be shared both IRL and on the grid. You'll need someone to take cute pictures of you in the world's largest confetti dome, someone to play six-foot-tall noughts and crosses with, and someone to help you in and out of the rubber ducky bathtub (and do the same for them). While you're there, take a bit of time to appreciate the elements that can't be posted to your grid. In the absence of smell-o-vision, your followers won't be able to appreciate the Cookie Room that actually smells like freshly baked cookies – but you can. Happy Place has multiple sessions a day to keep capacity both Covid safe and to ensure that everyone has a chance to get the perfect pic for your grid. The pop-up has sold out all around the world, so make sure you get your tickets quickly. And for Pete's sake, clean your camera lens.

The opening of Hyatt Centric on Downie Street means Melbourne is now home to another gorgeous boutique hotel. Featuring 278 guest rooms across 26 levels, the hotel also houses a gym, lap pool, steam room and restaurant.  The building was designed by Architectus, an architecture and design studio specialising in commercial and urban design, with interiors by Hecker Guthrie. The result is a space that exudes a contemporary and cosmopolitan feel.  The spacious rooms and suites feature a soft colour palette with uncomplicated design, and you'll notice locally inspired design elements that are intended to reflect the Melbourne urban landscape. From the Melbourne, I Love You coffee table book to the bar fridge stocked with Rob Dolan wines, the rooms feel very 'Melbourne'.  On the 25th floor, you'll find a rooftop bar and restaurant TOMA. Take in the panoramic views of the Yarra River while enjoying a hand-crafted signature cocktail made from locally sourced spirits and ingredients. TOMA's menu is full of Mediterranean-inspired delights including kingfish ceviche, Coffin Bar oysters and slow-cooked lamb shoulder.  Guests can also enjoy a coffee at Allie Lane Café located on the ground floor, or they can choose to host an event in one of the available function rooms. Entry to the building is via an inconspicuous sliding wooden door on the corner of Downie Street and Flinders Lane. You'll truly be in the heart of the CBD, with places like Southern Cross Station and the Melbourne Conve

Looking for a quirky getaway that'll look great on the grid and is environmentally friendly too? You should stay in a tiny house. Just in time for the summer holidays, ecotourism company Tiny Away has added a new teeny-tiny house to its portfolio – and it's right here in Victoria.  Located two hours from Melbourne in Kernot, Little Sprout is a 155 square-foot, one-bedroom house set in the middle of an idyllic 60-acre olive grove and regenerated eucalyptus forest. With views across the farmlands of South Gippsland to Western Port Bay, Little Sprout is a great way to unplug and recharge. Little Sprout is set on the grounds of The Grove restaurant and winery, where guests are able to dine in the restaurant, grab a picnic hamper to go or cater their own culinary adventure. Surrounding The Grove, guests will find wineries, cafes and tourist attractions including Phillip Island, Coronet Bay Coastal Walk and The Gurdies Nature Conservation Reserve. The tiny house features a queen-sized bed, ensuite, air-conditioning and fully functioning kitchenette. The kitchenette is stocked with cookware, a portable cooker, cutlery, microwave and a minifridge, with storage options installed to optimise space.  Little Sprout is also eco-friendly, following ecologically sustainable principles including a compost toilet hand basin and shower. The no-flush toilet saves around 350 litres of water per week and allows waste to be broken down via an anaerobic decomposition process. There is also an aerat

Woodlea Town can be found in the heart of Aintree and is bursting with possibilities. Here you can fulfil all of your grocery needs as well as go to the gym, grab a coffee and shop at any one of the boutique shops. You can also attend a 'meet the maker' night and get to know the Aintree locals and the people that own and make the fresh produce sold at Woodlea Town. Check out the website for more information.

Situated in South Melbourne, this sleek pub is mixing up its usual offerings thanks to new owners Isaac Constantine and Zachary Riggs. Constantine and Riggs are the founders of Chapel Street diver bar Two Wrongs and have now taken over the helm of the Golden Fleece Hotel. What was the first thing on the duo's to-do list? Demolishing most of the building and refurbishing every inch of the decor in an effort to bring a taste of Santorini to Melbourne.  Found on Montague Street in South Melbourne, The Golden Fleece Hotel is divided into two different sections, offering two different dining experiences; the rooftop for those southside summer nights, and the classic pub floor. Both experiences are set to provide a sophisticated Santorini-inspired experience including DJs, live music and art gallery showings. The new menu will feature a gourmet Greek-inspired menu of pizzas, pasta and tapas including saganaki, calamari and Spanish Yurrita (that's white anchovies for those who don't speak Spanish). For fans of the previous classic pub menu, the new owners will be paying homage to the pub's history by serving staple pub food including classic parmas, steaks and fish and chips on the ground floor. There will be traditional beers on tap, as well as a robust selection of Australian and Mediterranean liquors and cocktails. If you find a new drop that you're obsessed with, the Golden Fleece Hotel has a bottle shop on sight. The opening date hasn't been confirmed yet so keep an eye on the

Enjoy a new type of 'lobby luxury' at Melbourne's QT with the addition of the Champagne Bar. Found in the previous Cake Shop location in the QT lobby, the QT and Perrier-Jouet collaboration is serving Champagne, hand-crafted cocktails and a carefully curated bar menu to the delight of Champagne and cocktail lovers alike.  Executive Head Chef Paul Griffiths has curated the menu to suit the culinary needs of all who sip pretty at the Champagne Bar. The menu includes fresh oysters, lobster rolls and mini wagyu burgers making the Champagne Bar an ideal location for an early evening bite or a nightcap. Cocktail attire is encouraged, so dress to the nines for a delightful evening sipping bubbles.  The Champagne Bar is walk-ins only, and the menu and more information can be found on the QT website. 

Australia 108 is the newest edition to the city's skyscrapers and is officially the tallest building in Melbourne, standing at 319 metres. With residential apartments and business opportunities available, Australia 108 is sure to be a thriving metropolis, just minutes from Southbank's best attractions. 

If you're a person with a lot of pent-up frustration bubbling under the surface then we have found the perfect activity for you.  Located in Keilor, the Smash Room is a venue that will let you vent all of your frustrations safely. How? By smashing everything in sight with a baseball bat. Simple, yet effective.  Chuck on a boiler suit and goggles, grab a baseball bat and get pumped. When you enter the smash room you can throw, smash, bash and break whatever you want. Leave your rage on the floor with the shards of ceramic vases crunching under your feet. Each smash room is also equipped with speakers so you can pick the perfect vibe to ensure a smashing good time.  The Smash Room is the only venue in Australia that allows more than 2 people in a room at once, so get a group together and make a night of it. There is also a dining room on-site, and while there are no kitchen facilities, patrons are encouraged to bring their own catering to refuel after your session. Not into smashing? Fear not, the Smash Room also offers UV neon table tennis tables and will soon also feature a function room with a lounge, karaoke machine and VR machines. The smash room offers a safe way to release your frustrations while also being conscious of their impact on the environment. Donations of preloved items are welcome and all recyclable waste produced in the session is removed and recycled by the local council. Tickets to the Smash Room start at $100 for a 40-minute session. The Smash Room also ta

In its first major update since the redevelopment of the Espy in 2018, the Garden State Hotel is serving an Italian dinner party with a twist.  Featuring a traditional Italian menu designed by head chef Dylan Evans, mix-matched plates and walls adorned with vintage glass bottles you'd be forgiven if, only for a moment, you thought you were somewhere on the Amalfi Coast. The twists are many and so much fun. You can start your meal with a Garden State Hotel Negroni, by pressing the Negronis buzzer in your booth. Then move on to your Italian feast (featuring 'Last Night's Lasagne') to the beats of the venue's DJ and finish the night by selecting an Italian delicacy from the roving dessert cart.  Negronis, DJs and dessert not your thing? Take a look at the Garden State Hotel sommelier Matt Skinners' curated wine list that puts Italian grapes centre stage and the cocktail list that has something for everyone. 

Betty's Burgers Luxe Lobster Rolls are back but for a limited time (last year they sold out so this year we aren't messing around). From November 11 you can get Betty's Burgers Luxe Lobster Rolls in-store. Recognising the clear demand for the diamond of the Betty's Burgers menu, they've upped their quantities and Betty's Burgers estimates that this year's supply should last approximately two weeks. But, we wouldn't risk it.  At $19 each, you get a warm, buttered brioche bun topped with lobster, mayo, shallots and fresh lettuce. Just one Luxe Lobster Roll will have you setting calendar reminders for lobster roll week after week for the rest of your life. Not wanting to leave your furry buddy out, Betty's Burgers have teamed up with Big & Little Dogs to create lobster rashies for your furry friend.  Order your rashie here and be quick to wrap your hands around our favourite lobster roll before they sell out. That's not the only cheap eat in town. Check out our list of the best snacks in Sydney for $15 or less.