For decades, us young folk have faced the same challenge: how can I head out without blowing every dollar currently in my possession? PEDESTRIAN.TV has partnered with NAB to share our collective insights on the matter and help all’a y’all #SpendBetter. A NAB everyday banking account will give you everything you need to better manage your cash-monay – hook yourself up with one by visiting NAB’s website HERE.
Melbourne‘s one of those locales that wankier millenials have started referring to as a hub. Y’know, a hub of culture, a hub of art, a hub of music, a hub of getting REKT, etc. But when there’s a hub, there’s usually a financial fire – one that’s hell-bent on decimating the contents of your wallet/purse. This flame is responsible for you exclaiming, “why in god’s name did I spend $300 at that bitchin’ club last night?” every Sunday morning, and is something that needs to be snuffed out ASAP.
PEDESTRIAN.TV‘s asked GL, Ecca Vandal, and Pearls – Australian creators of bonafide bangers/obvious authorities on nightlife penny-pinching – for their go-to venues, favourite cheap eats, money saving tips + a heap more.
LETS GET THIS PARTY STARTED, Y’ALL.
GL
Photo: Supplied.
“Cruising on glowing synths, gritty drum-machines, and stratospheric vocals, GL’s music is a cosmic dream-sequence not unlike a lost reel from the mid-80s,” says triple j Unearthed’s bio on the duo.
While we personally think the term “stratospheric vocals” has no place as a descriptor in 2016, we’re going to let it slide just this once. Why? ‘Cause GL are deserving of such ostentatious commentary. Tracks like What Happened To Us?, Runner and Number One have cemented this pair’s burgeoning career in Australia’s dance/electronic realms. You can check ‘em out on Facebook HERE, Instagram HERE and Soundcloud HERE or review their aforementioned banger, Number One, below:
CHEAP FOOD
Shop Ramen
329 Smith St, Fitzroy VIC 3065.
“Try all the different kinds of Ramen across visits – good quality produce, simple and delicious.”
Munsterhaus
371 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North VIC 3068.
“Great if you’re a vego or enjoy veg.”
Pizza Meine Liebe
231 High St, Northcote VIC 3070.
“Stunning pizza eat-in restaurant or next door at Joe’s Shoe Store bar.”
BOOZE BARGAINS
The Old Bar
74-76 Johnston St, Fitzroy VIC 3065.
“Classic old style pub/bar no frills.”
Photo: Kate Seabrook / The Old Bar.
Joe’s Shoe Store
233 High St, Northcote VIC 3070.
“My favourite bar in Northcote.”
Photo: @melbournebarhopper / Instagram.
FREE FESTIVALS
“The National Gallery of Victoria have great Friday night and Sunday arvo music through summer. It’s a different setting to a usual gig and you can go and see the exhibition at the same time.”
“Keep your ear out for good day parties like The Social Studio Block Party or live music at the Fairfield Amphitheatre on Sundays.”
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
“There are lots of great DJs that put on nights in Melbourne – usually wherever they play will be a good time. Venues like: Waxo Paradiso, Lost Weekend.”
“There is such a variety of venues, from beautiful historic theatres like The Forum, to smaller clubs like Shebeen. Both these venues are intimate regardless of their size. I love the audiences that go to those venues to see their favourite music.”
GL’S BUDGETING TIPS
If you’re really trying to pinch pennies then GL’s advice is to stay in or go to a mates: “House party or dance in your lounge room!”
ECCA VANDAL
Photo: Kidknot / Supplied.
To say Ecca Vandal’s dabbled in a few genres would be a pretty ‘uge understatement – she experimented with jazz as a youngster, was enticed by the rawness of hip hop as she grew older, considers Bjork a hero and responds to the heroic nature of punk rock. It’s kinda hard to categorise her sound, but you know what? It’s so brilliant that it doesn’t really matter.
Her debut single, White Flag, received the salute of approval from establishments like triple j and Channel [V] and we’d like to join them in their collective praise. Ecca Vandal is good. Like, real good.
CHEAP FOOD
N. Lee Bakery
220 Smith Street, Collingwood VIC 3066.
Smith And Deli
111 Moor St, Fitzroy VIC 3065.
Claypots Evening Star
South Melbourne Market, 101 Cecil St & York Street, South Melbourne VIC 3205.
BOOZE BARGAINS
Sister Bella
22 Drewery Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000.
“Tucked away in a little lane way in the CBD, a little slice of NYC… $5 beers all night.”
Photo: U26Melbourne / WordPress.
Forgotten Worlds
113 Johnston St, Collingwood VIC 3066.
“Epic little arcade bar on Johnston St in Collingwood. It’s great if you are in the mood for a few games and bevs – Wednesday and Thursday: $10 nachos + beer and cheap tinnies.”
Photo: Philip Richardson / Facebook.
Labour In Vain
197A Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065.
“Cute little pub on Brunswick St. Drink specials during the week Monday through Thursday: $8 pints + free Pool.”
Photo: Labour In Vain.
FREE FESTIVALS
Melbourne Festival
6.10.16 — 23.10.16.
“Always an amazing showcase of incredible Melbourne talents – great installations and awesome set ups in creative performance spaces too.”
Hispanic Latin American Festival / Johnston Street Festival
TBC.
“Part of Johnston St closes down and is taken over by Melbourne’s Hispanic community. It’s a rad street party!”
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Yah Yah’s
99 Smith St, Fitzroy VIC 3065.
The Old Bar
74-76 Johnston St, Fitzroy VIC 3065.
The Bendigo Hotel
125 Johnston St, Collingwood VIC 3066.
ECCA VANDAL’S BUDGETING TIPS
“Street Level Naked For Satan on Brunswick St does $1 Pinxos at lunchtime during the week. Can load up your plate with all kinds of tasty treats and walk out the door having spent $5 – how good is that?!”
“Opt for a cheaper drink choice. Avoid the cocktails – yep, they be pricey!”
PEARLS
Photo: Pearls / Facebook.
Just like old mate Gwen Stefani, ~glam-rock~ group, Pearls, have been around the track quite a few times. As they’ve performed at several Melbourne institutions, it’s only natural that they have a few tricks up their sleeves to shave the costs of a big night out. Since signing with Remote Control Records – and dropping their debut album, Pretend You’re Mine – the group has been movin’ ‘n shakin’ in all the right places.
If you’re feeling their sound, hit ’em up on their Facebook HERE, Instagram HERE and Soundcloud HERE.
The group’s frontman, Ryan Caesar, did us a solid and detailed some pretty top-notch + cheap watering holes/eateries to get around. CHEERS PAL.
CHEAP FOOD
Don Don
Several locations.
“Pretty sure theres a few of ’em around these days. Cheap bento, simple menu.”
Pho La Que Basil Leaf
369 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065.
“Brunswick St institution. Cheap ramen. Delicious.”
BOOZE BARGAINS
John Curtin Hotel
29 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053.
“Good, cheap beers. Strong selection, all the essentials.”
Photo: John Curtin Hotel / Facebook.
The Tote Hotel
67-71 Johnston St, Collingwood VIC 3066.
“Similar as above. No frills. Drinks in glasses. Beer in pots. Good tunes.”
Photo: Nick Carson / Wikipedia.
Howler Bar
7-11 Dawson St, Brunswick VIC 3056.
“A bar guy here once gave me a free pint when my card was declined. That’s real cheap.”
Photo: Howler Bar / Facebook.
FREE FESTIVALS
Monday Night Mass
“Northcote social club every Monday night. Free, brilliant bands weekly. A rite of passage for any self respecting band.”
White Night
“Just missed it, but its a one of a kind. Always fantastic bands and projections to amaze and baffle even the most jaded punter.”
Melbourne Music Week
“Not all events are free but there are plenty that are. From early morning shows to late night sweat fests. Expertly curated and loads to do.”
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
1. “Boney is always a great place to meet like-minded inebriants in the wee small hours.”
2. “XOXO (hugs and kisses) is great. Idiots are filtered out by its discrete entrance.”
3. “Hell’s Kitchen has been a favorite of mine for years, you only have to endure the murder of rubber-necked tourists outside taking photos of the urban scenery. Very good bar.”
RYAN’S BUDGETING TIPS
“Drink at home first and reach a socially acceptable level of enthusiasm. Steer clear of fancy bars unless you’re trying to impress, and drink Geelong Bitter wherever it is served.”
“[Depending on] how short your laces are, there are tonnes of amazing Asian foods everywhere for 10 bucks a main or thereabouts. Plenty of pubs. Plenty of bands. Cinema Nova has cheap Mondays and always has an amazingly curated selection screening. Get in early though as the blue rinse set are on to it and dead keen.”
In terms of mythical drinking loopholes/discounts, Ryan’s in the same boat as us, saying, “I have no idea. If anyone finds any, let me know.”
Hopefully you’ve got a few more venue additions for the good ol’, “I’ll go there when I’m broke but wanna party,” list/feel somewhat more financially enlightened. NAB’s all about helping you #SpendBetter, and one great way to do it is to open an everyday banking account with the legends. You can find out more by visiting NAB’s website HERE.
Photo: John Curtin Hotel / Facebook.
