How dare Friday Club ignore the creations of Melbourne’s classy-bar king Con Christopoulos (European, City Wine Shop, Melbourne Supper Club) for so long? Siglo is his latest and it sits atop the iconic Supper Club looking out over floodlit State Parliament and the domed Princess Theatre. With gas heaters galore, it has been described as having a metal and glass pavilion that houses the main bar with display cases full of cognac and cigars, which leads out to a Parisian-style terrace with woven cafe chairs, folding wood and metal park chairs, weathered wooden benches and small round tables. Grab your galgauloises or gitanes and ascend les escaliers...

Date: 25 July 2008
Time: 5.30pm onwards
Venue: Siglo
Address: Level 2, 161 Spring Street, Melbourne.
Phone: 9654 6300
Review: http://www.theage.com.au/news/bar-reviews/siglo-bar/2008/05/12/1210444319156.html or see p.42 of July’s “Melbourne Magazine”

A synagogue in 1855, then a school, kindergarten and now an Italian bar/restaurant, Trunk is… (carefully avoiding religious, under-age binge drinking, and mafia clichés) definitely worth a look in. Its very unusual history – and news of a nutella martini – piqued our interest so we road-tested Trunk, with an architect, lawyer and engineer in tow. The architect loved Trunk’s edgy/shiny/glossy-ness, but the engie failed it on proximity (too far from Market Street), albeit draining a vase-sized glass of imported beer like a baby on a bottle. The lawyer went out for a smoke, enjoying one of the few ground level beer gardens left in the CBD, and under the shade of a 100+ year old tree (hence the name?). What will you get out of Trunk?

Date: 9 May 2008
Time: 5.30pm onwards
Venue: Trunk
Address: 275 Exhibition Street, (Cnr Little Lonsdale St), Melbourne.
Phone: 9663 7994
Web: http://www.trunktown.com.au

See you at May’s FC.

Simon, Danielle and Jonathan

The blurb on the Blue Diamond website tells of this venue’s pedigree: “The Blue Diamond was established in November 2006. The creation of Henry Maas (Black Cat and Night Cat) and Andrew Leonedas (Carlton Yacht Club Bar) it was designed to fill a much needed niche.” The word on the street – well, according to FC stalwart Mona – is this: “The top-floor, jazz-flavoured social salon set against the gittering backdrop of Melbourne city lights”. We’ve booked a corner table for 7pm so we’ve got a ‘home base’. Entry is free before 8pm, $5 after that. There’s a live band later, and when the Nov. program comes out, we’ll be sure to let you know who it is right here. By the way, this FC just happens to fall close to Mona’s birthday so be sure to congratulate her on a top choice of venue and shout her a glass of birthday bubbles.

Date: 16 November 2007
Time: 6pm onwards
Venue: Blue Diamond
Address: Level 15, 123 Queen Street, Melbourne
Phone: 03 8601 2720
Web: www.bluediamondclub.com.au

See you soon!

Simon, Danielle and Jonathan

After a short Winter hiatus, Friday Club springs back to life in September at one of Melbourne’s oldest and best-known jazz venues, Manchester Lane. Located on the ground floor of beautiful Manchester House which was built in 1913, it is described as having a classic supper club layout. Join us early, in our reserved area, for $5 Happy Hour drinks from 5-7pm, then stay on for “Soul Contention”, playing at 9.30pm. Turn up before 8pm to avoid the $10 cover charge.
Date: 7 September 2007
Time: 5pm onwards
Venue: Manchester Lane
Address: 36 Manchester Lane, which runs between Flinders Lane and Collins Street. The closest cross-street is Swanston
Phone: 03 9600 1454
Web: www.manchesterlane.com.au
Map: View Map

See you soon!

Simon, Danielle and Jonathan

The Mill is the newest addition to the Melbourne City’s Hardware Lane precinct. A converted warehouse over two floors. It’s that time of the month again for the mid winter Friday Club – regulars and new comers alike join the Friday Club get together at Charlie’s Bar (downstairs) of The Mill with free bubbles for girls from 6-8 pm.

Date: 20 July 2007
Time: 6pm onwards
Venue: Charlie’s Bar (downstairs) The Mill
Address: 71 Hardware Lane, Melbourne 3001
Phone: 03 9600 1454
Web: http://www.themillbar.com.au

Saw the biggest ever FC turn out with around 50 people gathering at its peak. Regulars and Friday Club virgins mixed and mingled in the friendly, warm ambience of Horse Bazaar. A very cool bar with amazing data show which constantly alters the bars mood with an eclectic mix of colours, shapes and images. And the men’s urinal is the best in town and well worth a look!

A special thank you to everyone new and old (to Friday Club that is) for making it to a special night that really marked a turning point for this informal gathering of friends and their friends. It just keeps getting better and many said how wonderfully friendly everyone was.

See you next time.