How to spend a summer day out at Arts Centre Melbourne

Jump (or should we say jeté) into your theatrical outing with a visit to the Barre, Arts Centre Melbourne’s most balletic hospitality destination. This intimate modern restaurant serves up elegant food and cocktails, with the option to head outside to the Barre Backyard for some sunny summer cocktails like the Gimlet in Thyme. Bonus: the convenient location means you can easily stroll to the next stop on your journey. Happy hour is from 4-6pm Tuesday-Saturday, and boy is it a bargain. House wines, local beers, select cocktails and house spirits start at $7. If you want to get into the mood of the shows, book an Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland pre-show dining package, or opt for a special Circus 1903 cocktail like the Ring Master or the Pineapple Daiquiri by Curatif.

The Arts Centre Melbourne’s Theatres Building is home to the State Theatre, Playhouse and Fairfax stages. But what you might not know is that this famous building also holds exciting performing arts treasures. The Australian Music Vault is a celebration of Aussie tunes past, present and future, covering the big moments and the lesser-known gems. The exhibition is free to browse and has an immersive 360-degree video experience called the Amplifier.

Roll up, roll up! Next on your itinerary is a magical experience for young and old. Pop over to the State Theatre for an edge-of-your-seat experience at Circus 1903, playing from January 4-14. Taking inspiration from the ‘golden age’ of circus, this spectacular show features an international cast of world-class performers, glamorous turn-of-the-century costumes, visually splendid staging – and stunning life-sized elephant puppets. Taking performance cues from ye olde days of the travelling circus (while leaving behind the animal cruelty) the majestic Queenie and her adorable calf Peanut have been artistically crafted by the award-winning War Horse team. Grab your ticket for $71-119.

End your day in style with a stint at Saké, Hamer Hall’s beloved riverfront Japanese restaurant and bar. We recommend trying the venue’s namesake drink, or Aka no Haru cocktail – a summery recipe featuring Aperol, yuzu saké and passion fruit. There’s also an ultra-convenient 30-minute pre-theatre menu for $89, available for lunch or dinner. Drop by for saké hour for $5-10 signature bites, $10-12 select cocktails, $10 wines and $7 Asahi. Refreshing!