Footy is a way of life in Melbourne – and experiencing the city in the grip of footy fever each season is hard to beat.
Whether you're heading to a game at the MCG or Marvel Stadium, build up your barracking stamina in world-class restaurants, intimate bars and convivial breweries, and feel the buzz along Melbourne's iconic laneways.
Afternoon games
Kick off pre-match with breakfast or brunch in the city. Try Hardware Société for a French-inspired start, culinary star Higher Ground or caffeine-focused Market Lane Coffee.
Stretch your legs around the city, exploring tucked-away laneways and arcades. Admire both historic and contemporary architecture and see what lies behind boutique shop windows in Howey Place, Royal Arcade, Block Arcade, Cathedral Arcade and The Strand.
Later on in Richmond, enjoy a pint at The London Tavern, Royal Saxon or the rooftop beer garden atop The Corner Hotel. With live music on most nights of the year, the Corner is a top spot to catch a gig before or after the game.
Head over to the MCG before the game to tour the Australian Sports Museum. Make time to pay tribute to players past at the foot of statues on the grandstand concourse.
After the game, it's time to make the most of Melbourne's unrivalled restaurant scene. Choose from dining spots and bars along Flinders Lane and surrounding laneways, including Tonka, Lee Ho Fook, Supernormal and Coda. Later, head to HER Bar for a few cocktails and some late-night fun in the Music Room.