I recently attended a conference at this venue. It's very good. The spaces are large, airy and…read moreflexible. The location is very easy to find and the facilities are well appointed. Food over the two days was consistently good, with nice variety and good quality. The barista served coffee was extra good. Service was professional, discrete and responsive. Overall, I wouldn't hesitate to come back here again. Thank you.

Did you know there's a cinema hidden away in Southbank/South Melbourne? It was news to me too, but…read moreI went to The Backlot Studios to check it out as an event venue. Backlot is a private cinema, open to groups - think work functions, parties, hens/bucks (apparently you can play games on the big screen too). The cinema fits about 80 people and the chairs are so comfy. Big black leather seats and big double seats in the back. Unlike some smaller/pop-up movie theatres, this place gives you the proper cinema experience - dark, big screen, big sound, no distractions from the outside world. There is a candy bar at the front that will play videos (and logos if you're a business hiring it out). They have catering options or there's a small surcharge per head to bring in food/drink depending on what kind of catering you're looking at. Looking forward to heading back to catch a movie with a friend or 70.

What an evening. This cinema takes intimate seriously and although I got to experience it as part…read moreof an event I would love to find out what it is like as an everyday screening. With only one screening room they managed to really make watching a movie comfortable. Between the giant leather couches, the free private parking, the movie sound which plays in the bathroom so that you don't get left behind and the decor which makes going to the movies more authentic they really did well. To top it off they even have couple's leather chairs so that you can really get up close when your parter gets a fright. I'll make sure to post more in depth once I've experience it for real!

State of Grace was one of the highlights of our Melbourne trip -- an incredible dining experience…read morefrom start to finish. The atmosphere is vibrant, stylish, and full of character. From the moment you walk in, there's a buzz that makes the place feel alive without being overwhelming. It strikes a great balance between upscale and relaxed, making it perfect for a date night or a fun evening out. The warm lighting and eclectic design add to the charm and make you want to linger. Service was friendly, attentive, and well-paced throughout the night. The staff were knowledgeable about the menu, checked in on us at the right moments, and made the whole experience feel effortless and welcoming. Every dish we ordered was excellent -- not a single miss. We started with the Cauliflower & Mozzarella Croquettes, which were crispy on the outside and perfectly creamy inside. The Grilled King Prawns were flavorful and cooked just right, while the Kingfish Ceviche was fresh, bright, and beautifully balanced. The Stracciatella & Heirloom Tomatoes was simple yet outstanding, letting the quality of the ingredients shine. For mains, the Duck Breast was cooked perfectly and full of rich flavor, and the Lamb Backstrap was tender and well-seasoned. The Pecorino & Ricotta Ravioli was comforting and delicate, while the Seafood Linguine stood out with generous portions of seafood and a beautifully balanced sauce. The Honey Glaze Carrots were the perfect side -- sweet, savory, and executed flawlessly. Overall, State of Grace delivers on every level -- ambience, service, and food. An exceptional spot that lives up to the hype, and one we'd absolutely return to on our next visit to Melbourne.

State of Grace has a positive vibe. Even before your first drink you will think oh what a cool…read moreplace. It's the decor from extravagant chandeliers to deer heads with pearl necklaces; it's beautifully eclectic. I had an old fashion and it had the right mix of orange and bitters. I also ordered the burger which was decent and the fries were hot and crispy. The night I visited there was a live singer playing tunes. Service was quick and friendly. Even the ordering is eclectic as you order electronically (QR) pasted to a library book. This place is worth a visit.

I wouldn't necessarily say that this was a random pub that I visited, namely because I knew that it…read morewas here, and I intentionally got off the train to go and check it out. Well, I guess it was a good thing that I did so since I found this place to be quite nice. Actually, they had a pretty large outdoor area as well, though their selection of beers wasn't all that great. Still, it was quite a nice pub.

An inner city pub that hasn't been touched with the wand of gentrification is as rare as hens…read moreteeth. I usually enjoy these dive pubs and can happily sink cheap beer for a few hours. Not so much at Hardimans. I almost immediately screwed up my nose and began to mentally refurbish the decor, which didnt include the ingrained regulars. This place is just a touch too bogan, I get they have their clientele but im just not a fan of footy on the big screen above my mains. Anyway a friend and I were resolute to get the Thursday $12 parma/pot special. The service was fine, cant complain for $12. The parma was massive with a wee side salad and chips, look it was pretty dry but satisfied a baser carnivorous instinct. Theres the front bar/pub/dining space which also has live music occasionally. Out the back is a "fancier" dining space open for lunch and dinner. I cant comment on the other food besides the parma but I would stick to the pub basics. Not rushing back in a hurry.

Great venue with a good selection on the menu and wine list to please all. The gnocchi was…read moredelicious and staff friendly. Will definitely be back.

From the owner: Looking for a great pub in South Melbourne?…read more Look no further than The Market Hotel an iconic pub in South Melbourne, with an award winning garden inspired fit out. With a focus on local craft beer, friendly service and relaxed vibes, The Market is a classic corner pub with a lot of heart. Beer is our backbone with multiple rotating craft taps from all over Australia, with guest appearances from the occasional overseas friend. Our staff are proud beer nerds and we've always got our eyes pealed for new brews to share with our patrons.

Club style ambience, which is not what you would expect from an actual restaurant, but the food is…read morevery good. Everything we tried was interesting and tasty. The service was ok. Nothing exceptionally good or bad. Worth trying.

Let me preface this by saying I'm visiting from Adelaide via San Diego, California. Feel free to…read moremove on to the next review . I thought this place was great. My wife and I came for dinner, and decided to return the next day for their "Boozy Brunch". The dinner was so delicious. We ordered too much, but ate as much as we could before literally throwing in the towel. I ordered a Manhattan and it was very good for Australian standards. Not the best I've had, and certainly not the worst. My wife had the Chandon Garden Spritz which she enjoyed. To eat, we shared the Pork Belly, and a cut of steak I don't recall. FYI...if it's two people, only order one of these dishes. It's plenty for two. Oh! We did have the bone marrow and dumplings for an appetizer. Both were equally delicious. Now, let me get into their "Boozy Brunch". Apologies, but brunch shouldn't be the same food items on the dinner menu. Where are the eggs? Sweet and savory items (French toast, bacon, etc)? Yes, you can get people in with bottomless drinks for two hours, but you can get more people in with eggs Benedict and avocado toast! Especially, when you throw in some really great live music and singing! I would hope on my next trip to Melbourne, that I could return to this fantastic place and enjoy a good "brekkie" with a mimosa. A few ideas...Pork Belly Benny (you already have it on your menu), fried rice with a fried egg on top, linguisa or chorizo sausage on the side. Maybe a continental breakfast tray with mini muffins, croissants, fresh fruit, coffee/tea, and don't forget the avocado toast. There isn't a restaurant in Melbourne that can't put that together on the whim. BTW...this info is free of charge. You're welcome!

I attended a two day convention here on the second floor…read more The space itself is HUGE! I didn't explore the entire center but from what I did see, it's a huge space. There was also another convention going on on the main floor. I'm not sure how many different rooms/spaces/auditoriums is in the entire center, but I'm guessing a lot! Considering everything going on over the weekend and all the people, the bathrooms remained clean. There is food and drinks available for purchase.

The location of MCEC is convenient, close to Southern Cross station and if you're really too lazy…read moreto walk, the 109 tram stop is right at its doorstep. So every time there is an interesting event, I'm usually way more inclined to make the effort to go there as opposed to say, the Showgrounds. My most recent event here was for the Madman Anime fest. There was more than enough room for all the stalls, stage and video games inside the exhibition hall. They also made use of a huge auditorium in the Plenary section. It was my first time there and whoa it was impressive! Comfortable seats, great audiovisual capabilities and lovely modern design. The ushers were friendly and did a good job of checking everyone's wristbands. MCEC is also right next to the yarra at South Wharf and Polly Woodside, which provided a stunning backdrop for those in cosplay posing for photo shoots. I've been to many events here, both day and night, and it's actually refreshing to step outside and just chill out by the water and admire the views, after a long function inside.