{"id":37573,"date":"2015-01-22T13:15:39","date_gmt":"2015-01-22T03:15:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/blog\/?p=37573"},"modified":"2018-05-14T07:38:38","modified_gmt":"2018-05-13T21:38:38","slug":"the-geeks-guide-to-melbourne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/the-geeks-guide-to-melbourne\/","title":{"rendered":"The geek’s guide to Melbourne"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you hear the word ‘geek’ you probably think of the guys from Big Bang Theory<\/a>, or a carnival sideshow featuring some very frightened chickens. But if you look it up in the dictionary, you’ll find that ‘geek’ can be applied to anyone who’s “enthusiastic and knowledgeable about a specified area of interest”. You can be a geek about cars, or a geek about art. You can be a geek about cocktails, or movies, or politics, or travel (guilty!).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Being a geek isn’t about thick-framed glasses and living in your parents’ basement – it’s about the passion you have for the things you love.\u00a0 And when I think ‘passion’, I think MELBOURNE<\/a>. So come with me and get geeky in Australia’s cultural capital.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

And leave that chicken alone!<\/p><\/div>\n

Food geek<\/strong><\/p>\n

Melbourne is a foodie’s paradise, so it’s no surprise that Heston Blumenthal chose it for his first international opening. The Fat Duck<\/a> arrives at Crown Melbourne in February and is already booked out, but we’ll all get a second chance at Heston hedonism when Dinner opens permanently in September (also at the Crown).<\/p>\n

\"Laneway<\/a>

Laneway cafe, Melbourne<\/p><\/div>\n

In the meantime, why not sample one of Melbourne’s best degustations? Cumulus Up<\/a> offers a well-priced (and delicious!) Chef’s Selection in a casual-cool setting, or you can go all-out at the stunning Vue de Monde<\/a>. But if you\u2019ve got a sweet tooth like I do, skip dinner and go straight to three-course dessert at Om Nom Kitchen and Dessert Bar<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Music geek<\/strong><\/p>\n

Did you know that Melbourne has more vinyl stores per capita than anywhere else in the world? I’m assuming that’s because of the growing hipster population, a joke I make with no malice or judgement. We’re all friends here in the geek-o-sphere!<\/p>\n

On my last trip I spent waaay too much money at Record Collector’s Corner<\/a> – check them out for hard-to-find treasures from all over the world. For a night out, pop by Cherry Bar<\/a> in AC\/DC Lane (guess what genres they play!) and Bennett’s Lane<\/a>, the world’s best jazz club. And don’t miss Chapel Street on a Sunday afternoon, when almost every pub has some form of free live music. I love the Lucky Coq<\/a> and its delicious $4 pizzas.<\/p>\n

\"Chapel<\/a>

Chapel St street art<\/p><\/div>\n

Game geek<\/strong><\/p>\n

This wouldn’t be a geek guide if I didn’t include something<\/em> for the gamers, and when it comes to gaming Down Under PAX Aus<\/a> is the biggest something of all. Despite still being ten months away, 3-Day Badges for the 2015 show are already half sold out. Get yours ASAP if you want to go!<\/p>\n

If conventions aren’t for you, Melbourne still has plenty to help you get your game on. Shop for board games, miniatures, RPG books, and more at Mind Games<\/a>, or stock up on books, DVDs and accessories at pop culture megastore Minotaur<\/a>. For fans of puzzles and old-school adventure games, I also seriously recommend trying an escape room. My partner and I did Escapism<\/a> at Strike Bar. We ended up trapped in a creepy garden for all eternity, but it was fun!<\/p>\n

\"Escapism,<\/a>

Very excited to get locked in a room – Escapism at Strike QV<\/p><\/div>\n

Drink geek<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most of us love the odd drink (or seven), but Melbourne has treats and experiences for even the most discerning livers. Lovers of suds will be in their element with a brewery tour or beer tasting experience<\/a>, while wine buffs will adore spending a day at a Yarra Valley winery<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you’d rather do your own thing, there’s no shortage of places to enjoy a highbrow tipple. Sample one of Whisky and Alement<\/a>‘s famous beer and whisky matchings, or enjoy vodka cocktails and tasty pintxos at Naked For Satan<\/a>. Melbs also has an awesome assortment of themed and novelty bars, which I’m a bit of a sucker for. My current fave is the medieval-style Holy Grail<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Holy<\/a>

Mood lighting at Holy Grail<\/p><\/div>\n

Sport geek<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Sport geek” may sound like a contradiction in terms, but memorising player stats and grand final scores takes nerdy dedication that lesser fans will never understand. That’s OK – the world’s Ultimate Sports City<\/a> shares your passion. That’s why the Heritage Listed Melbourne Cricket Ground is home to the National Sports Museum<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"AAMI<\/a>

AAMI Park and the MCG<\/p><\/div>\n

As cool as the NSM is, nothing compares to actually being at an event. Melbourne’s 2015 calendar is already jam-packed \u2013 visit in March for the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix<\/a> and Cricket World Cup Final<\/a>, July for the International Champions Cup<\/a>, October for the Melbourne Marathon<\/a>, or November for the world-famous Melbourne Cup<\/a>. Oh, and sometime in April \u2013 October for a little local game known as AFL<\/a>\u2026<\/p>\n

Fashion geek<\/strong><\/p>\n

The battle continues to rage over whether Sydney or Melbourne is Australia’s style capital, but Melbs is consistently putting her best Louboutin-clad foot forward. If you adore beauty and couture, don’t miss The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier<\/a> at the National Gallery of Victoria (ending 8 February) or the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival<\/a> (14 \u2013 22 March).<\/p>\n

\"Melbourne\"<\/a>

High-end retail therapy<\/p><\/div>\n

For something a little different, make a beeline (or should that be A-line\u2026?) to Fitzroy. Shop at in.cube8r gallery<\/a> for funky handcrafted jewellery and accessories (and to support local artists!), or Sheila Vintage<\/a> for rad retro fashion. Also check out Ministry of Style<\/a> for club and festival gear with an edge.<\/p>\n

Book geek<\/strong><\/p>\n

My favourite kind of geekiness (although being a writer could make me kind of biased). Luckily I’m not alone \u2013 Melbourne’s enthusiasm for the written word has seen it named a UNESCO City of Literature<\/a>, only the second place to receive the honour. If you want the complete bookworm experience, come in August for the Melbourne Writers Festival<\/a> and leave an extra day to explore the State Library<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"State<\/a>

Spying on students at the State Library Victoria<\/p><\/div>\n

Of course, there’s still plenty to see (and read) all year round. Check out old favourite Readings<\/a> for in-store signings and performances, or to make a donation to The Readings Foundation<\/a>. If your interests are a tad more niche, you’ll love Collected Works Bookshop<\/a> (for poetry, literature, and academia) and PolyEster Books<\/a> (for everything alternative and subversive).<\/p>\n

What are you geeky for? Tell us in the comments.<\/strong><\/h2>\n