It’s only fitting that Melbournians mark the end of 2020 in style and celebrate new beginnings for 2021, and that’s exactly what the New Year Street Feasts aim to bring to the city.
Presented by the City of Melbourne, the Victorian Government and Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, this New Year celebration aims to bring the Melbourne’s streets to life with open-air dining unlike anything Australia has seen before.
Eleven outdoor dining precincts, each bringing together bars and restaurants from the surrounding streets and lanes, will set the stage for thousands of people to ring in the New Year at their favourite restaurants with friends and family across two days.
Some of Melbourne’s best-loved venues are involved, including Bar Margaux, Bar Saracen, Flower Drum, Hazel, Izakaya Den, Lee Ho Fook and Tipo 00.
Bar Margaux’s Zara Madrusan told Bars and Clubs: “We’re excited to be involved and see the city come to life to mark the end of a long year.
“We really felt this New Year was worth celebrating after all 2020 has thrown at us. Bar Margaux’s event will be a real festive celebration in true French style. Le Reveillon loosely translates to ‘the awakening’. Melbourne is coming back to life after a dark few months and in our eyes – that calls for Champagne.
“The four course menu, prepared by Margaux’s Daniel Southern will consist of French dishes traditionally shared with loved ones at festive celebrations. Banquet style tables will be dressed in linen, candles and fresh florals and guests will have the option of dining under the stars in our gorgeous hidden laneway, La Ruelle, or inside at Bar Margaux.”
Tickets for Bar Margaux include four courses with paired cocktails and beverages, and you’ll enjoy classic French dishes, elegant Champagne cocktails, fine wine and great company.
The whole Street Feasts program has something for everyone: Japanese hot dogs, beers and cocktails at Hihou; a family-friendly menu of lasagne and tiramisu at Pellegrini’s; a suckling pig bo ssäm at Supernormal; and a $1,000 all-inclusive menu with premium wine and flowers to take home at Cecconi’s.
The New Year Street Feasts initiative takes some of its cues from the piazzas and squares of Europe, opening up precincts all over the City of Melbourne, including some of the city’s most popular eat streets such as Flinders Lane and Little Bourke Street.
“Melburnians eat and drink like nowhere else in the world,” said Anthea Loucas Bosha, CEO of Food + Wine Victoria, the not-for-profit organisation behind Melbourne Food & Wine Festival.
“We’re encouraging revellers to book a table and come into the city to visit a favourite restaurant or try somewhere new. We have a long history of working with the city’s talented operators, and we’ve loved every minute of putting this extraordinary program together. With the City of Melbourne we’ve been able to add thousands of extra restaurant seats across the city for the two-day event.”
Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Sally Capp said: “This has been an incredibly tough year and it’s important that we can say goodbye to 2020 and look forward to a more positive 2021.
“We are encouraging everyone to support Melbourne’s wonderful cafes, bars and restaurants by taking part in the Street Feasts program, which will help keep cash registers ringing and Melburnians in jobs.
“Bring your friends and family and book into your favourite city venue to celebrate New Year’s Eve in a COVID-safe way that supports local businesses.”
Zara added: “Melbourne and its people deserve celebrating now more than ever, and we can’t wait to join our friends and regulars in lighting up the city to welcome 2021.”
Bookings are essential to keep the celebrations running smoothly and safely, with seats available via mfwf.com.au.
