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Melbourne customers are bringing the glam to Beverly rooftop in South Yarra.

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20 group-friendly spots for last-minute Christmas catch-ups in Melbourne

From new-look corner pubs and rooftop bars to tipsy trifle at Kew’s spruced up Studley Park Boathouse (pictured), here’s where to eat, drink and be merry with friends this weekend.

20 stories
Kingfish sashimi, freshly shucked oysters with lime and dill granita and kampot pepper and Queen Vic Market deli meats at Brick Lane Market.

Brick Lane’s huge new venue boasts 36 beer taps, a raw bar Queen Vic Market views

  • Tomas Telegramma
Johnny’s Green Room in Carlton is getting a reboot with a new team that includes chef Karen Martini (centre) and bartender Matthew Bax (far right).

Chef Karen Martini raises the roof(top) at Johnny’s Green Room in Carlton (reopening this weekend)

  • Emma Breheny
Mozzarella en carrozza (fried mozzarella sandwich).
14.5/20

Studio Amaro is an all-day retro Italian disco diner in Windsor

  • Dani Valent
A selection of share-friendly snacks from the Mediterranean-inspired menu at the new-look Rooftop at QT.

QT Hotel’s revamped rooftop bar is your new go-to for glam group catch-ups

  • Dani Valent
Guy Daley and Dominika Sikorska want Eat Pierogi, Make Love to show people another side of Poland.

Brunswick East Polish restaurant Eat Pierogi Make Love is open for walk-ins

  • Emma Breheny
The dining room is high-ceilinged, strung with ceramic lights as delicate as paper.
Good Food hat15/20

Enjoy a long lunch on the terrace at joyful Abbotsford Convent newcomer Julie

  • Dani Valent
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The chicken parmigiana at the Central Club Hotel in North Melbourne.

Much-loved pub the Central Club Hotel re-emerges after a two-year reno

  • Dani Valent
Antara 128 restaurant.
14/20

Bakery-restaurant Antara 128 is an all-day city venue from the team behind Aru, Sunda

  • Besha Rodell
Stokehouse Pasta & Bar remains the definition of casual-elegant Aussie beachside dining.
14/20

Stokehouse’s beachy chic ground floor restaurant has a set-price wine list

  • Michael Harden
Bright blue noren (bunting) surrounds the bar counter.
14/20

Visit Japanese cafe Ima Asa Yoru for brunch by day or izakaya-style snacks at night

  • Larissa Dubecki
The La Sirene team in their new Reservoir brewery and bar.

Alphington brewery bar La Sirene moves its wild ales to Reservoir

  • Emma Breheny
The historic Studley Park Boathouse in Kew has undergone a $5.8 million renovation.
13/20

Eat tipsy trifle at Kew’s revamped Studley Park Boathouse

  • Michael Harden
Beverly rooftop restaurant in South Yarra offers a view Melburnians haven’t seen before.
13.5/20

California-cool rooftop bar Beverly serves up never-before-seen city views

  • Dani Valent
The dining room.
14/20

Guy Grossi’s Italian menu is available across the bar, deck and restaurant at this Kew pub

  • Besha Rodell
Newly expanded rooftop bar Good Heavens, in Melbourne’s CBD.

Fancy Hank’s rooftop bar Good Heavens doubles in size

  • Dani Valent
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Sporting Club Hotel is another revamp by members of the Royal Oak and Marquis of Lorne teams.

Team behind Marquis of Lorne reboot Brunswick corner classic the Sporting Club

  • Emma Breheny
Morris House and its light, bright facade.

Morris House is a four-storey mega-venue with a rooftop bar in the city

  • Emma Breheny
The margherita pizza passes with flying colours.
13/20

Richmond’s Pizzeria Da Bruno boasts five levels of Milan supermodel good looks

  • Larissa Dubecki
Foodle is a new supermarket-sized megastore at Highpoint Shopping Centre.

Take a Christmas shopping break at Highpoint’s Asian megastore Foodle

  • Dani Valent
Louey’s pepperoni pizza is described as “fully loaded, very cheesy”.
13.5/20

The Espy’s neon-lit New York-style Italian joint is cheesy in every sense

  • Besha Rodell
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