A trip to the NGV never disappoints and it’s only a 20-ish minute walk from the courts, so you can easily pop in on your way to the AO before the day sessions start, or even after if it’s Friday as the gallery stays open till 10pm. During the AO major international exhibition Westwood | Kawakubo will be running at the NGV. The stunning exhibition pairs the work of two of fashion’s most influential and visionary designers Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons. The NGV has brought together more than 140 works to show how both designers – with contrasting philosophies and distinctive design methodologies – shared the same concerns about fashion and transformed the rules of dress. You’ll get a chronological look at how each designer evolved over decades through each item on display. ngv.vic.gov.au

Southbank has a new home of luxury: Hannah St Hotel. The shiny new boutique hotel has been designed by Flack Studio and is a sophisticated yet unpretentious expression of Melbourne. It’s where heritage meets bold contemporary details. The best bits? The indoor lap pool, which sits perched on level 9, and Coupette Bistro & Bar, Hannah St’s signature dining experience. There are actually five dining venues to try and you don’t have to be a hotel guest to nab a table. Bar Hannah is an all-day dining spot where you can settle in for a coffee or meet a friend for a glass of wine before dinner. Carriage Lounge is the perfect indoor spot for a slow afternoon, while Coupette Corner Bistro & Bar is designed for long lunches and dinners that finish long after the sun has set. If you’re after a vibrant venue for a drink with friends head up to The Terrace Lounge. A Parisian-style conservatory, the sun-filled space offers stunning views of the city. Don’t have time to linger, but want to quickly refuel? Hannah St Coffee is for you. The street-front window serves up express, matcha, fresh pastries and simple sandwiches to go. hannahsthotel.com

Get a taste of Tokyo in the heart of Melbourne. Disuko is a newly-opened Japanese rooftop bar and restaurant that will appeal to every type of diner. The Izakaya Lounge for casual diners looking for delicious dishes to pair with a cocktail, while the Half Moon Omakase is for those looking to settle in and leave the menu up to the chef to decide. As part of the omakase you’ll get a front row view as the chefs handmake each course in front of you. Those looking for a snack or a sundowner, head to the Terracotta Rooftop. Whichever option you choose, you won’t be disappointed by the food or the views. disuko.com.au

From costumes to jewellery, photography, art and music, DIVA is a groundbreaking exhibition at AMPA that celebrates history’s most provocative and powerful performer, the diva. Get an up close look at archival objects that belonged to legends such as Cher, Prince, Tina Turner, Elton John, Whitney Houston and more. Some highlights include Rhianna’s MET Gala fit from 2018’s ‘Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination’ and Kylie Minogue’s iconic dazzling blue John Galliano costume from her 2005 ‘Kylie Showgirl: The Greatest Hits’ tour. You’ll get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the artistry of these showstopping performers. artscentremelbourne.com.au

Brought to Melbourne all the way from New York, Death & Co, you can now experience the world-renowned East Village cocktail bar Down Under. The international award-winning bars opened their fifth and sixth locations in Melbourne and Brisbane in late 2025. One of the signature drinks is the Oaxaca Old-Fashioned which blends tequila/mezcal with anejo tequila, agave, and mole bitters. While the cocktails are the main drawcard, the food should not be overlooked. Menu items include fermented chilli & honey hot sauce fried chicken, dry aged beef cheeseburger, and beer battered onion rings, perfect for soaking up the booze. deathandcompanymelbourne.com.au

If you ask a Melburnian for a cocktail bar recommendation, they’ll probably respond with Caretaker’s Cottage. And for good reason. The pint-sized bar is located in a beautiful old cottage that sits right in the heart of Melbourne CBD. It’s small, but mighty, having earned a spot on the World’s 50 Best Bars list the last three years running. Now, the brains behind Caretaker’s Cottage have opened a new hotspot, 100m up the road. Three Horses is no carbon copy of Caretaker’s though. The main similarities is that the drinks are just as good as its predecessor and the menu includes sherry. Three Horses is actually all about the fortified wine. It’s woven into almost everything they do. From drinking it straight to mixed in cocktails, like a Sherry Bakewell or House Cobbler. If you can’t get behind sherry (which we’re certain is impossible after a visit), try one of the ‘whipped’ drinks like the East 8 Hold Up, which comes with Hendrick’s Gin, Fever-tree Blood Orange Soda and is whipped with tropical sorbet. threehorses.bar