Learning About Wines Around the World

Standing on Bourke Street for close to a century, Florentino has long been part of Melbourne’s dining life. It is a new era at Florentino with the team behind Nomad and Reine & La Rue now at the helm. To quote the website: ‘Long-time guests will recognise the dining room they know; new guests will encounter a restaurant shaped by memory, but firmly grounded in today. The new Florentino Dining Room menus draw on the room’s grand, old-world tradition, with thoughtful refinements made for dining now.’ Sounds good, right? I booked for 6 Fine Diners to enjoy the Menu Essenza at $200 per person for dinner from 6.30pm on Saturday 30 May. You can view the menu here: https://florentino.melbourne/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Florentino-Dining-Room-Menus-17022026.pdf 
Join the waitlist to express interest. Once I have names in the waitlist, I’ll send you a ‘Meetup Message’ to confirm you have a spot and how to pay. You’ll need to send me $100 to secure your place (equivalent to the cancellation fee - this will be deducted from your bill when we settle up). Once paid I’ll move you from the waitlist to going. Please check that you don’t have your settings blocking messages; if I can’t contact you I’ll have to move on to the next person. Also if you don’t respond to my message within 3 days, I’ll let you know that I’m offering the seat to the next person on the waitlist. 
Thanks and I’m looking forward to experiencing this new chapter of Florentino with you!

Join party-people from around the globe and discover Melbourne's best bars, lounges, and clubs including a famous rooftop bar/club with amazing city views, a truly wild "underground" nightclub, and a premiere Melbourne ultra-club featuring top DJ’s from around the world -all with exclusive free VIP entry. Enjoy no entry fees, no queues, free shots and exclusive “pub crawl only” drink deals @ every bar! https://pubcrawlmelb.com.au https://www.eventbrite.com/e/melbourne-cbd-pub-crawl-tickets-45461115420

**Relaxing dinner with healthy meal in a great environment**

**Get ready to taste and make new friends in this sommelier-led event where you can learn about and taste 7 old wines - includes $40 dining credit making your tasting just $5!** THIS IS A TICKETED EVENT: [GET YOUR TICKET HERE](https://oldandrare.eventbrite.com.au) **Your wine night just got a whole lot finer!** \- Includes $40 dining credit \- Small group setting \- Sommelier run Join us for **Old & Rare Wines Tastings** and get ready to make some new friends. Led by qualified Sommelier Antony Anderson (WSET3, WSET4 pending), this evening involves a free tasting of seven back-vintage (old) wines and some wine education, followed by your choice of dinner items and additional drinks from our extensive menus. We'll be gathering at **Life's Too Short Bar**, located in the vibrant **Tribeca Arcade** on **Victoria Parade**, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia, where you can meet like-minded wine lovers and discuss all things wine, food, and common connections and interests. **Your ticket includes a $40 dining credit** towards food and drinks purchased on the evening, making your ticket (almost) free. Reserve your spot now - Then bring your appetite and sense of humour, and join us for a night of conversation, cuisine and, of course, wine! **GETTING THERE:** We recommend you use public transport or rideshare. We are on the 12/109 tram line (stop 16, Wellington St), several Bus Routes (302, 303, 304, 305, 309, 318, 350, 905, 906, 907, 908) or a 5-10 minute walk from Jolimont and North Richmond train stations. If you decide to drive and/or have a designated driver, 2-hour paid parking is available around Powlett Reserve, Darling Square, and the Fitzroy Gardens. Extended paid parking is available at Care Park at 162 Albert Street, East Melbourne or the Epworth Freemasons Car Park in Gotch Lane off Grey Street. **UNABLE TO ATTEND?** Cancellations and Refunds are generally not possible. However, for sudden illness, COVID, or other special circumstances, we may agree to reschedule your session to another night or provide a gift certificate for part or all of your ticket price. Please SMS your request to 0466 045 473\*\*.\*\* **TERMS AND CONDITIONS:** * See the ticket link for further conditions * This is a preferred pre-booked event, but walk-ins may be possible. * RSVPs on Meetup do not constitute a booking. * Minimum spend for F&B following the event is $40 * Minimum Event Sales 2. If the minimum number of seats is not sold, the event may be rescheduled later or cancelled and tickets refunded. * If you have booked a ticket and an event is amended, we will contact you before the event to advise and make new arrangements. * Please note: By Public Health Directives, all attendees must be fully COVID-vaccinated, and proof of vaccination may be required. #meetingpeople #makingfriends #winetasting #blindtasting #winegames #singles #lonely #winelovers #winebuffs #winophiles #melbournewine #winemelbourne #melbournewinetasting #socialwines #makenewfriends #wine #lovers #tasting #event #meetup

We will get-together at the KereKere cafe - at the community table just inside the cafe entrance. *This is a group for people with intermediate and advanced level French who are able to engage in a conversation en français. It is not suitable for beginners.* The cafe is close to the corner of Wellington Parade and Lansdowne St, East Melbourne in the Fitzroy Gardens. It takes about 5 minutes on Tram 75 from Flinders St Station, or 15 minute walk. Car parking around Fitzroy Gardens on Sundays now is $2 per hour with a 4 hour limit, Some parking is limited to 1 hour even on Sunday. And occasionally, if there is a game at the MCG for example there might not be much parking at all. Price: The event fee is $4.00 - cash necessary! . and please be sure you are a member of MyFrenchLife.org before attending reunion - merci https://www.MyFrenchLife.org. The event fees are transferred to MyFrenchLife contributing to the meetup platform - thank you. À bientôt ! Veronica and Daniel Réunion Hosts MyFrenchLife.org

**A taste of popular Penang Hawker experience right at the center of Melbourne CBD - Lulu's Char Koay Teow with NEW menu curated!** General Ticket: $59/pp Ticket link:[ ](https://www.globalfoodsocial.com/event-details/atasteofmalaysiapenanghawkerexperienceapril)[https://www.globalfoodsocial.com/event-details/atasteofmalaysiapenanghawkermay](https://www.globalfoodsocial.com/event-details/atasteofmalaysiapenanghawkermay) **WHAT YOU'LL EXPERIENCE** Embark on a flavour-packed journey through the vibrant street food culture of Penang. This experience showcases some of the most iconic and beloved Penang hawker dishes — from fragrant noodle bowls to irresistible local desserts — all in one unforgettable evening at one of the most popular Penang hawker food restaurant - Lulu's Char Koay Teow. Hosted by Malaysian founder **Pheh Sze**, this intimate evening offers you a true taste of her hometown Penang, which is famous for its hawker food. Enjoy a variety of popular hawker dishes which includes the trade mark char koay teow noodles in a vibrant setting that transport you right into the street of Penang! Spaces are limited, so gather your foodie friends and don’t miss out on this unique cultural dining experience **WHAT YOU'LL GET** * **Variety of four hawker dishes :** Enjoy a curated of hawker dishes * **A special drink:** Enjoy your meal with one of Malaysia's favourite drink * **Host :** Learn all about Malaysian food culture with fellow host * **Socialise and Dine :** Connect with fellow foodies , share your passion, and make lasting connections Limited tickets are available, so secure yours now for an unforgettable experience! General Ticket: $59/pp Ticket link: [https://www.globalfoodsocial.com/event-details/atasteofmalaysiapenanghawkermay](https://www.globalfoodsocial.com/event-details/atasteofmalaysiapenanghawkermay)

## Tutor Connect & Create A friendly meetup for tutors to meet each other, share ideas, and try a new activity together. The goal is to build a community of knowledge. ## What it is * A relaxed get-together for tutors of all subjects. * Open to people who enjoy teaching and learning. * A chance to talk, share experiences, and make new friends. ## Good activities * Icebreaker games. * Mini sharing circle: “What do you teach and what do you enjoy?” * Creative activity, like a puzzle challenge, drawing task, or group quiz. * Short discussion about new teaching ideas or tools. * Optional food, tea, or coffee. ## Why tutors would come * They can meet other tutors. * They can learn fresh ideas. * They can try something fun and different. * It feels social, not too serious.

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1572681?fbclid=IwdGRjcARVc0dleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe62V65GrZv-CpIkQ-JfpxrvS7qKsiSC8nR68UX2NLJM0Vv8K_GpVQYzbL0mg_aem_NzRVjLjyRYkndjRfukpz9Q Tickets must be purchased for entry to this event. An RSVP on Meetup will not gain you entry without a ticket. What is a Saturday night Spectacular? It’s a variety trivia-ish style 3ish hours of team-based fun (and much, much (well, some...) more) on a Saturday night. How good is your general knowledge? Do you know your music? Can you solve puzzles? Want to take part in some team challenges? Up for a singalong? Want some hands on challenges? Then come join a mixed table and see if your team can vie to win the grand prize of $120! Let your hosts take you on a 3 hour journey of fun, laughs and terrible commentary. Come for the fun, stay for the prizes. Presented with thanks to the Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Please support your local venue and partake in dinner and drinks while you play. This is a non refundable event.

This is "***New Members Night***." If you are one of the many folks on the fence about coming to your first wine tasting with the *Hilliard Wine Club*, this is the night to come. There will be many other new people, so you won't be alone. And the regulars will be there to help make you feel welcome. We're a relaxed and warm group. We hope to see you. **SIDE NOTE:** New members are welcome to ALL our Friday night wine tastings, but this night is a special overture to those who don't want to feel that they are the only new person in the room. Don't worry. You won't be. And don't hesitate to RSVP to other events. **OLD MEMBERS NOTE**: Hey Old Members! You're not excluded from this event. We expect to see you there to help make the new members feel welcome. **Sample 4 different wines** this Friday for $15 (*Cash or Venmo only please*). Glasses are provided. Bring a snack to share. Bring a bottle to share if you care to. See all the details below for the Hilliard Wine Club Wine Tasting. In Person. In Real Life. Actual Wine from glass bottles with corks and everything. **Wine**: Tastings will be $15 for four samples as always. And you are welcome to bring a bottle of your favorite wine to share with others. Participation in the wine tastings is optional. But since you’re going, I will buy enough wine to cover you. If you bring your own wine and do not participate in the tasting you will only pay $10 to cover the door charge. **Parking**: There are several public parking lots near the Alive614 hall. Please be careful to NOT park in private parking lots. They do tow. Check Google maps to scope out your space. Anyone who is early could easily find a parking space on the street nearby. **Glasses**: …will be provided. Please note that after the wine tasting, the glasses need to be returned to the boxes at the service table. Please be gentle, our glasses are fragile. Uh, they are made of glass! **Food**: You are welcome to bring a snack to share. It is not required. Most people do though. If no one brings anything, there will be nothing. **Code of Conduct**: Though mostly understood, it’s still worth mentioning. We don’t have rules per se, but we highly discourage the following topics of discussion because they are likely to incite anti-social responses - Sex, Politics, Religion. Please don’t mistake this as an attempt to limit your free speech rights but rather a guide to a place and time for appropriate discussions. **Extra Wine**: After everyone has had their samples, we remove the pouring spouts and any remaining wine is poured freely to whomever wants it. I hate having leftover wine. **Queen of Hearts**: The Queen of Hearts raffle is a fundraiser for the club and a Barnum and Bailey type extravaganza - minus the dancing ponies, clowns, and actual circus. Bring your ***cash*** as the Queen does not accept American Express or other plastic. **After the lights go out**: After the last sip of wine, when we clean up and turn the lights out, if you still haven’t had enough of us, it is typical for a group to get together and go to a local eatery for food and/or drinks or coffee. Again, We look forward to meeting new members and reuniting with old friends. Sincerely, ***Paul Uttermohlen***, **Red 1 Realty** *Your Hilliard Wine Club Host*

**Local Cantina -** We'll shut down wine club at 8 pm this evening and take a short walk to our neighborhood Tex-Mex eatery - Local Cantina. Join us after wine club for a snack or meal. Please RSVP early AND Please let me know in the comments if you plan to join us after at the diner so I can have accurate numbers for the reservations. **On Freestyle night** \- just bring a bottle to share\. There is NO formal wine tasting like on other weeks\. Door charge is $10 \(cash or Venmo only please\)\. We may have some left over wines to clear out\! Glasses are provided\. Take Care\. See you there\. **Parking**: There are several public parking lots near the Alive614 hall. Please be careful to NOT park in private parking lots. They do tow. Check Google maps to scope out your space. Anyone who is early could easily find a parking space on the street nearby. I am told that the Chase parking lot is safe after hours. **Glasses**: …will be provided. Please note that after the wine tasting, the EMPTY glasses need to be returned to the boxes at the service table. Please do not make me hunt down your empty glass. Please be gentle, our glasses are fragile. Uh, they are made of glass! **Food**: You are welcome to bring a snack to share. It is not required. Most people do though. If no one brings anything, there will be nothing. **Code of Conduct**: Though mostly understood, it’s still worth mentioning. We don’t have rules per se, but we highly discourage the following topics of discussion because they are likely to incite anti-social responses - Sex, Politics, Religion. Please don’t mistake this as an attempt to limit your free speech rights but rather a guide to a place and time for appropriate discussions. Again, We look forward to meeting new members and reuniting with old friends. Sincerely, ***Paul Uttermohlen***, **Red 1 Realty** *Your Hilliard Wine Club Host*

Welcome, readers! Our May read is **_Kindred_ by Octavia E. Butler.** The story follows Dana, a Black woman living in 1976 California, who is suddenly pulled back to a Maryland plantation before the Civil War. She learns her survival is tied to a white slaveholder’s son. Forced to move between centuries, she must endure the brutal realities of slavery while fighting to hold on to her identity. Tense, intimate, and unforgettable, Kindred explores how the past refuses to stay buried. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

**On Freestyle night** \- just bring a bottle to share\. There is NO formal wine tasting like on other weeks\. Door charge is $10 \(cash or Venmo only please\)\. We may have some left over wines to clear out\! Glasses are provided\. Take Care\. See you there\. **Parking**: There are several public parking lots near the Alive614 hall. Please be careful to NOT park in private parking lots. They do tow. Check Google maps to scope out your space. Anyone who is early could easily find a parking space on the street nearby. I am told that the Chase parking lot is safe after hours. **Glasses**: …will be provided. Please note that after the wine tasting, the EMPTY glasses need to be returned to the boxes at the service table. Please do not make me hunt down your empty glass. Please be gentle, our glasses are fragile. Uh, they are made of glass! (ps - empty the glasses into the sink, not the trash ... please) **Food**: You are welcome to bring a snack to share. It is not required. Most people do though. If no one brings anything, there will be nothing. **Code of Conduct**: Though mostly understood, it’s still worth mentioning. We don’t have rules per se, but we highly discourage the following topics of discussion because they are likely to incite anti-social responses - Sex, Politics, Religion. Please don’t mistake this as an attempt to limit your free speech rights but rather a guide to a place and time for appropriate discussions. **After the lights go out**: After the last sip of wine, when we clean up and turn the lights out, if you still haven’t had enough of us, it is typical for a group to get together and go to a local eatery for food and/or drinks or coffee. Again, We look forward to meeting new members and reuniting with old friends. Sincerely, ***Paul Uttermohlen***, **Red 1 Realty** *Your Hilliard Wine Club Host*

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who enjoy talking to people from other countries, and those who would like to discuss international travel and culture, and who enjoy getting together for good conversations."