GLBT Travelers - Melbourne

I'll be working in Melbourne (VIC, not FL) for the next six weeks - in on Monday morning, out on Friday arvo. It's been a few years since I've spent much time there and will pick up one of the bar rags when I get there, but can anyone with more current experience than me give me an idea of the current bar/pub scene?

When I used to play in Melbourne I tended to go to the Xchange, the Laird and the Peel, plus the occasional visit to the Market or Candy Bar on weekends but I won't be on town on weekends unless there is something special on. Are those places still happening? Anywhere similar but new?

Oh, and for what it's worth I'll be staying in the CBD and won’t have a car but I'm happy to walk or jump on a tram to get out and about.

Thanks,
Greg.

I'll be working in Melbourne (VIC, not FL) for the next six weeks - in on Monday morning, out on Friday arvo. It's been a few years since I've spent much time there and will pick up one of the bar rags when I get there, but can anyone with more current experience than me give me an idea of the current bar/pub scene?

When I used to play in Melbourne I tended to go to the Xchange, the Laird and the Peel, plus the occasional visit to the Market or Candy Bar on weekends but I won't be on town on weekends unless there is something special on. Are those places still happening? Anywhere similar but new?

Oh, and for what it's worth I'll be staying in the CBD and won’t have a car but I'm happy to walk or jump on a tram to get out and about.

Thanks,
Greg.

What a timely post! Sorry to hijack your post, Greg-- but I will be in MEL in about 4 weeks, for a Thursday morning to a Sunday afternoon, July 5-8. So if there was an update on goings-on for Thur/Fri/Sat as well to add to your request for weeknight happenings, this could be the "definitive" post for MEL! :)
Finally, can anyone tell me if a hotel in East Melbourne or Abbotsford is in an OK location for getting around, to/from CBD and gay bars/clubs/saunas? I like a good sweat! :;

I'll be in Melbourne in July - so I'll be watching this thread as well.

I unexpectedly came across this thread searching for something else. I know nothing of hotels, apart from this news story which has been in the papers here of late.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/straightout-ban-at-gay-venues-sparks-uproar/2007/05/28/1180205160437.html

So does anyone have ideas on what to do in Melbourne??
Feel free to reply to any of my questions/comments:
1) A search for "Melbourne" doesn't turn up many threads on bars/clubs/restaurants/naughty places in MEL. Any thoughts?
2) We will be staying at the Sofitel Grand for 2 nights, then at the Sebel for 1 night (thanks for the secret hotel cheapie, Lastminute.com!).
3) We will have a car rental for one night, Saturday the 7th (pick-up in the city) till the 8th (dropoff at Tullamarine Airport). Where should we drive to?
4) From travel guides, St. Kilda seems to be a good spot for hanging out, restaurants, etc.
5) Any authentic and cheap Asian restaurants--Thai, Vietnamese, etc--in or near gay places? Or other don't-miss, local eateries that won't break the bank?

Thanks for any updates/info!

Hiya Kyush -

I get to MEL in mid-July, so I've been doing some homework as well. Here are two links which I found on other Australia threads.

http://www.samesame.com.au/?city=2
http://www.pinkboard.com.au/guide/map/Melbourne

Unlike Sydney, Melbourne doesn't appear to have a specific district for gay bars and clubs, although the Pinkboard map indicates the ones most frequently mentioned, The Peel, the Laird, Stingo, and DT's are in the Collingwood area, northeast of the Center City.

Don't forget that it's winter there now. Temperatures seem to range between 40F and 60F with lots of rain.