The Millswyn: 131-133 Domain Road, South Yarra VIC (03) 9866 5627 or www.themillswyn.com.au Octogenarian Paul Lynch left some big shoes to fill, especially for 21-year- old Davis Yu — the son of property developer David Yu, and once Olympic slalom hopeful. Lynch’s, his South Yarra restaurant on the fringe of the Botanical, was an institution.
The Shore Club: 36-38 South Steyne, Manly (02) 9977 6322 or www.shoreclub.com.au Weathering the elements had nothing to do with the state of The Shore Club in Manly when owner Alex Said and licensee Michael Raft got to it. The three-year-old venue looked a decade old purely because it was so busy. In under a
Photo: Earl Carter Never having worn a dress doesn’t preclude me, a male, from knowing who Collette Dinnigan is. One of the few international stars to come out of Australia, Dinnigan’s frocks have draped from the shoulders of Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry and Naomi Watts, as well as won her acclaim and a 15-year run
Laruche: 680 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley QLD (07) 3666 0880 or www.laruche.com.au It’s not often we get to use the word ‘phantasmagorical’ in venue but it could almost have been invented to describe this new venue in Fortitude Valley. Laruche is owned by Elie Moubarak (he of Lychee Bar fame) and he’s once again joined
Rambutan: 96 Oxford St, Darlinghurst NSW (02) 9360 7772 or www.rambutan.com.au Rambutan — inspired by a Thai fruit of the same name — has joined the new ‘Darlo’ Oxford Street strip, which is enjoying a renaissance. Husband and wife team Joe Natale and Milena Molina-Natale has between them an extensive design background in fashion and
Cocktails & Dreams Nightclub: Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise (07) 5592 1955 or www.cocktailsnightclub.com.au Cocktails & Dreams on the Gold Coast has opened its VIP bar: CD’s. Aiming to attract an upmarket crowd, the club lays out a red carpet to the entrance with lavish black drapes framing the walkway and a smart dress code is
Loungueville Hotel: 80 Longueville Road, Lane Cove NSW |(02) 94272021 or www.loungevillehotel.com Longueville Hotel engaged Marchese + Partners to complete the $3.5m refurbishment of the existing hotel including the public bar, lounge, restaurant and kitchen areas, and the addition of an extensive outdoor deck area. The deck area has a range of seating options with
Cristal: (03) 9826 3330 Dean Johnson of Tryst has realised a new after-dark vision in the heart of South Yarra, Melbourne. The Cristal cocktail and champagne bar was designed from scratch and features a dedicated lounge area with leather chesterfields and high wingback chairs, a heated balcony and private entertainment booths separated by heavy drapes
Zedbar: www.zedbar.com.au A couple of years ago the owner of Albury’s Globe Hotel, Brian Grenfell, had a window of opportunity to renovate but elected to hold off. Meanwhile, Globe’s competition got busy revamping their venues and soon saw its patrons jumping ship.Drastic action was required. So designer Paul Kelly donned his super hero cape and
Wah Wah Lounge: 185 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC (03) 9654 5793 or www.wahwahlounge.com.au Owners of Melbourne’s Wah Wah Lounge went on a trans-continental odyssey of discovery prior to fitting out the two-storey dance club, eventually returning with a Euro lighting feature inspired by a Daft Punk video clip, and installed by designer Ritchie Park. The