Eating & Drinking

Welcome to 2026! For our first dinner of the new year let’s head to Myanmar/Burma at Chin Taung Tan at 70 Warringa Crescent in Hoppers Crossing. This place has good reviews and caters to the large Burmese and Karen community in the west :) should be an interesting meal!

**🌿 Spandex fitness Social Stroll: 1000 Steps + Bellview Terrace - This is a Difficult Hike** _**This event will be waitlisted. If you're interested put yourself on the waitlist. Only people I have walked with before will be allowed on this hike. Please come on easier hikes with me so I can ascertain your suitability and fitness to go on difficult hikes**_ Ready to swap the treadmill for towering gums and skyline views? Join us for a 10km (feels like 15km due to vertical gain) adventure through the iconic 1000 Steps Kokoda Memorial Walk and the sweeping heights of Bellview Terrace. With the included circuit we do the equivalent of 2 sets of the 1000 steps, each set is 260m of vertical gain **+++Ensure you read the rules at the end before joining. Registering = agreeing to them+++_** This isn’t a bootcamp—it’s a social saunter. Think more talkies than walkies: a relaxed pace, plenty of banter, and photo stops to soak in the Melbourne cityscape and coastal horizon. There is some rough and slippery sections of the track so hiking shoes or runners are highly recommended. **🚉 Getting There** **Public Transport Crew**: Upper Ferntree Gully Station, turn left from the subway and walk alongside the easy and signposted walking track to the start of the 1000 steps, a 15 minute (1.4km) walk away. **Car Crew**:The car park at Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground. ** **Meet us at the 1000 Steps cafe at 10.15 a.m for a 10.30 AM start**** We won't wait for stragglers after 10.30 AM, so please be on time. **🧴 Essentials to Bring** * Sunscreen (shade is patchy, and the Aussie sun is fierce!) * Water 2l (hydration = happiness) * Comfortable clothes and shoes (spandex optional, but encouraged for maximum vibe) * Sun hat * Comfortable clothes for a hot workout * Hiking shoes/Runners are best * Snacks to keep your energy levels up. Electrolytes and sweets if it's hot to keep your salts and sugars good **☕ The Grand Finale** We’ll finish back at the base, winding down at one of the cafes near the trailhead—perfect for a coffee, smoothie, or cheeky slice of cake after our shared adventure. **Expectations** ✨ Expect laughter, light sweat, and stunning views. This is less about conquering the climb and more about connecting, exploring, and enjoying the journey together. This should take around 3 to 4 hours depending on the laughter factor. Please ensure wiggle room around your schedule as it's a guide more than a timetable. **More info**[1000 Steps Kokoda Walk information](https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/dandenong-ranges-national-park/things-to-do/1000-steps-walk) **⚠️ Group Rules & Event Etiquette ⚠️** These are basic, commonsense standards that keep events safe, smooth, and enjoyable for everyone. Sorry, **NO REFUNDS** on cost recovery fee. **👟 Fitness Requirements** This can be a difficult walk and requires above average fitness. Walking:4 km/hr + 200m vertical/hr for 15km and 4+ hours with minimal breaks. Cumulative vertical gain around 600 metres. Don't attend if you're unsure. We walk at a relaxed pace. Please ensure you meet the fitness level for the event. If the group is forced to wait excessively, you may be asked to leave the event. **⛹️ Pace: Too Fast or Too Slow** Small social events rely on staying together. If you prefer a very different pace, consider going solo, joining a faster/slower group, or choosing events that match your fitness. **👩‍💼 Time Constraints** If you’re on a tight schedule, this may not be the right event. Social activities rarely run exactly on time. **⚠️ CRITICAL EXPECTATIONS ⚠️** **👻 No‑Shows** No‑shows block waitlisted people from attending and disrupt small-group events. - Remove yourself at least 24 hours before the event. - No‑shows will likely be removed and blocked from the group. - Last‑minute cancellations (“flaking”) may also result in group removal, especially when there is a waitlist. **👀 Attending Without Being on the Going List** This is a security issue. **Do NOT turn up unannounced** If you’re not on the Going list and haven’t arranged it with the organiser beforehand, you will be asked to leave. Event check‑ins are being performed. **⏰ Late Arrivals** If you’re late, the group will not wait. - You may be marked as a No‑Show and removed from the group. - It’s your responsibility to communicate and catch up—this may not be possible for some events. **🎲 Second Chances** If something goes wrong, communicate with the organiser. Silence + poor behaviour = removal. Communication + accountability = second chances. As the organiser is busy organising this may be impossible during the event. **🚩Disclaimer: No Liability & Organiser Indemnity** By participating in this event, you acknowledge and accept full personal responsibility for your own safety, wellbeing, and belongings. The organiser assumes no liability for injury, loss, or damage incurred during the activity. Participation is entirely at your own risk.

We will meet at the starting point, take a pitstop for a coffee, then a long walk along the esplanade and finish off at the Williamstown beach. You are welcome to stay back for fish n chips bite or check out some of the locals delicacy by the Gem Pier. If you don’t feel like coffee/bite, you are welcome to just join us for a walk. Take it slow and start from there. Come join us for a chilaxing catchup! **\-\-\- Running Late \-\-\-** If you are running late, please message at least 30mins in advance. We will wait up to 15mins before heading off. Once we start, we won't be able to keep track with messages. **\-\-\- RSVP/ Change of Plan \-\-\-** If you change your plan or decide not to attend. Please update your RSVP, so others can attend. **\-\-\- Intro \-\-\-** Kudos to Friends….Expand Your Social Circle Meetup group is a community of individuals who prefer to take it slow to get to know people in Melbourne overtime. Join us on a fun journey as we explore cafes, restaurants and bars, including drinks, meals, outings, chilling, culture exchange, etc. Above all, we’d like to celebrate the importance of friendships. So if you are looking to expand your social circle and explore new adventures and venues in Melbourne, come join us! **\-\-\- WhatsApp Group \-\-\-** We use WhatsApp for more fluid communication, including ideas, interest groups, questions etc. Please let the organizer know if you would like to be added to the WhatsApp Group at the event. We will send an invite to attendees to the group. (give us some time) **\-\-\- Rules \-\-\-** Admin will only add members to the group with a clear profile picture. (No hidden behind sunglasses, masks, drawings) **You might be removed from the group in the case of…** * no show * without a clear profile picture * anti-social behaviour (i.e. acts rude / disrespectful regularly) * take advantage of individuals for personal gain(s) **\-\-\- Privacy \-\-\-** Do not disclose your contact number in this post comment. We will delete your comment/info as soon as we see it to protect your privacy.

My favourite hike through the urban wilderness. This is where singles and socialites slip into easy banter and deliciously aimless chatter. Meander, mingle, and flirt your way along Melbourne’s most charming inner‑city adventure walk—a playground for slow strides, quick chemistry, and whatever your heart feels like discovering 🥰 ****### Before considering going on this event make sure you read the group rules section at the end ###**** Join Eat Drink Dance Melbourne for a cheeky Australia Day social stroll that blends Melbourne’s best coffee, off-trail adventure, and optional refreshment into one glorious afternoon! My pick for apres "ski" entertainment and snacks is the Johnny Green rooftop bar atop the King and Godfrey building opposite Brunetti on Lygon St, but this will probably be busy so Brunetti is a safer bet. **🕜 Start Time: 10:00 AM Sharp**. 📍 Meeting Point: Brunetti Carlton, outdoor seating area. Get there early to grab a coffee. **Please arrive at 9.45 AM**, I won't wait for stragglers. **👟 Distance**: \~15km loop, relaxed pace, about 3 to 4km/hr. **🍺 Mid point**. Sydney Road. My favourite hipster cafe, Green Refectory, to recharge batteries with a great sponge cake, sit down or smoothie/coffee **🍕 End point**. Back at Lygon St. Brunetti, Options for Pizza/Gelati , vegan pub or Johnny Green rooftop bar. We’ll kick off with optional pre-walk coffees at Brunetti, get there early, Carlton's legendary upmarket coffee haunt with arguably the classiest brew in Melbourne. Then we’ll begin our long scenic ramble. Expect a playful, off-trail wander through the secret back lots of Royal Park Golf Course, past the Melbourne Zoo and the Netball centre and then through the lushest corners of Royal Park via the Royal Children's Hospital and their award winning kids (really a big adults) playground and some of the best views of the inner Melbourne skyline from the north. We’ll loop around Princes Hill running track, swing by the Carlton Football Ground, and return via leafy laneways to Lygon St for a well-earned refreshment—coffee, pint, or cocktail, your call. This is a social primer for your Australia Day arvo: meet new faces, stretch your legs, and share stories over drinks. Whether you're caffeinated, curious, or just craving connection, a single looking for a bit of company, this walk is your gateway to good vibes and spontaneous plans. 🎒 Bring water, comfy shoes preferably runners or hiking shoes, and your best banter. 🌦️ Weather permitting – check the forecast and dress accordingly. 💃 Optional: kick on with fellow walkers for beer, gelato, conversations, movies or dinner **Notes:** Look for a tall bloke, this is the host! Instructions on the day in the comments Bring your happy and friendly self, it'll be a relaxed walk Not a dawdle and not a run.Some of the route is along rough tracks and grass, other parts on well formed tracks or pavement . You'll be pleasantly surprised by this little adventure so close to the city. About a 4+ hour walk including civilised stopovers, we'll have short rests along the way. Feel free to enter and exit at any point, **Group Rules and Event Etiquette** **Fitness Requirements**: **Walking:** 3 to 4km/hr and 200m vertically in an hour. We usually go faster, but this is a minimum. Be mindful that if you don't have reasonable fitness, its not fair on the group to wait extended periods for you. I may ask you to exit the event if this is the case. **People who are very fast or very slow or prefer being by themselves** As a group activity I can't manage the group if it splits up, please consider going by yourself or joining a fast walkers/riders group or meeting minimum fitness requirements. **If people have time constraints** Best to give yourself some wiggle room, Things rarely go to time due to various factors especially in big groups. **+++VERY IMPORTANT+++** **People who do a No Show**. This is unfortunately too common for small group events, there may be people in a waitlist wanting to come on the event and is very inconsiderate. Remove yourself from the going list at least 24 hours before the event to give people on the waitlist an opportunity. **If you do a No Show you will be removed and blocked from the group**. If you remove yourself from the event an hour or two before the event (flaking) you may also be blocked and removed from the group, this is also unfair to people on the waitlist. Please communicate with me if you do not want to be blocked and removed from the group. **People who turn up without registering** This is a major security concern, **DO NOT DO THIS**.You will be asked to leave the event unless you have made arrangements with the organiser **PRIOR** to the event. **People who are late** You will be left behind and or removed and blocked from the group as a No Show. It is your responsibility to communicate with me if you think you will be late. It is up to you to catch up, usually this may not be possible.

**Spend Australia Day Eve making new friends! 🤗 (FREE EVENT).** Unwind on a Sunday afternoon and enjoy the long weekend celebrations with some chilled drinks and chats in one of St. Kilda's most popular venues. 😎🍻 The Esplanade Hotel, more commonly known as **The Espy** is a huge multi-level venue offering a range of different spaces to suit every mood and attracts beach-goers, live band enthusiasts and dance floor divas alike, particularly in the warmer months. We will be located in the newly built **Sunroom Deck** (pictured in the main image) which is the perfect outdoor space in which to enjoy some summertime drinks and mingles. 🎉🥂 👉 When you arrive, make your way to the Sunroom (on the right hand side as you enter) and then walk through to the adjacent outdoor Deck. There will be a 'Melbourne Mingle' sign outside our allocated area, so if unsure have a look for that or ask one of the staff. **Coming alone? No worries!** Most people attend our events solo 👍 Don't be afraid to talk to a someone new. Just remember, we are all there for the same reason – to meet new people and have fun! Check out Melbourne Mingle on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/melbourne_mingle) or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567494869532) 👀

[blob:https://www.facebook.com/6dd3fbc2-2357-4495-badb-75055a562729]() Come along to Iddy Biddy Bar in St Kilda for Australia Day Eve Karaoke and dinner (both optional.) Tables booked under Andrew Goodwin (ph: 0424453134) at 6pm for dinner. Here is a copy of the menu. [https://www.iddybiddy.com.au/food-menu.html](https://www.iddybiddy.com.au/food-menu.html) [https://www.iddybiddy.com.au/drinks-menu.html](https://www.iddybiddy.com.au/drinks-menu.html) Then Straya Day Mate Karaoke from 7pm. So singing is totally optional and you can sing as many, IF ANY, songs that you like and watching on all night is totally fine too. Event cohosted by Martin Carr. So plenty of parking around the general area and getting the tram up from Balaclava Station to the corner of Carlisle Street and Barkly Street or catching the 96 tram near here or buses up Barkly Street probably the best ways to get here via public transport. PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT IS ON MULTIPLE GROUPS.

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

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

**It's National Margarita Day!** Let's throw off our winter blahs and bask in the delight of margaritas and mexican food! We'll find a good spot...or, two to gather for drink specials, food and fiesta. [El Vaquero](https://www.vaquerorestaurant.com/menus) on Rte 161 Dublin has a huge bar area where we'll meet. Those wanting to sit down and eat dinner can grab a seat at our reserved table. Those just there for margs and chips n salsa can hang out in the bar. Their wonderful ***Happy Hour lasts til 8pm every night - Jumbo Margarita $9.99 Flavor $10.99!***

Hello everyone! For our first dinner together, we’re keeping things low-key and casual. Take a look at the menu and let us know what you think we want this to be easy, relaxed, and enjoyable for everyone. Quick housekeeping note: many restaurants require most of the party to be present before seating. No-shows impact the entire group, so if someone repeatedly commits and doesn’t show more than once, we’ll have to remove you from future dinners to keep things fair and smooth for everyone. Looking forward to a great night and even better conversations 🍽️✨

Yes, the [Chocolate Café](https://www.chocolatecafecolumbus.com/menu-1?menu=signature-desserts) serves chocolate fondue *(Chocolate Fondue Day is Feb 5th)*! No one does chocolate fondue like they do. It's rich, creamy, and served with an array of fresh fruit and other dipping items. They encourage making it a party! A perfect winter warmup to share with friends! **Chocolate Fondue Kit:** Served with dippers, including marshmallows, Rice Krispie treats, graham crackers, pound cake, strawberries, and pretzels. **COST**: Bring ***$5.00 cash*** to cover your portion of our delightful dessert bar. **EARLY ARRIVALS**: Go ahead and order dinner (before dessert). I love their toasted sandwiches and their soups. **PARKING**: In our parking lot, on the street (but not between 4-6 pm) or behind the Buckeye State Building. [Chocolate Cafe](https://www.chocolatecafecolumbus.com/): A fully stocked amount of *chocolate candies* including truffles, chocolate covered pretzels and chocolate and caramel turtles. We have menu options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Join us for brunch or a late night meal. Soups, salads & sandwiches served daily. Check out our [menu](https://www.chocolatecafecolumbus.com/_files/ugd/7ea733_0ebab62dcfc0435aa189b6d1a3c3ec82.pdf) for more information. We also offer wine, martinis and cocktails! Enjoy a *famous chocolate martini* or hand crafted cocktail, too!