Where cats like to play – and stray – in the city

Friday 5 March 2010, 3.16 PM
By The Team | Posted in Places

Discover your own tale of feline psychology and sociology on a magical prowl in Melbourne’s streets, alleys and laneways.

Name your own cat-like alter ego to coincide with memories of CATS, the musical based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot, playing at the Regent Theatre from 6 March to 4 April. It’s the cat’s whiskers – especially if you get your claws free tickets (see below)!

Curious kittens and alley cats love to prowl around Melbourne’s alleys and lanes for the quintessential bar experience. Sophisti-cats in the know scamper into The Paris Cat, a cosy and laid back jazz club inspired by the 30s French bee-bop era. Smooth music will keep you purring (and off the velvet red curtains) while the menu of fine wines and cocktails will have you reminiscing about the golden era. Be tempted by the tapas or lap at a Bailey’s drizzled ball of ice cream.

Step up to the 50s and 60s at Tony Starr’s Kitten Club and ascend the stairway behind a bright green door to retro kitty heaven. Take smooth, cool cats Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr with martini in hand as inspiration then pamper in the plush powder room or soak up live jazz, comedy and cabaret in the Galaxy Space. Love cats can canoodle in the Love Lounge.

Now-cats will be enticed to the bottom of ACDC Lane to enter through the red door into the intimate surrounds of The Alley Bar. They say it’s cool for cats, it’s cool for ca-a-a-a-ats!

Empathising a bit with Grizabella, that shabby old grey cat that stumbles about? Get your glamour back, puss – venture underground into the Campbell Arcade beneath Flinders Street and get a revamp at The Cat’s Meow. This clothing store with a difference stocks Melbourne and Australian made fashions and accessories from independent designers. Texture and natural fibre loving cats love the range of one-off originals and practical every day basics with a twist.

Whether you prefer curling on a rug, watching the world from the window-sill or running around knocking over rubbish bins, you still have to keep yourself nice. Smitten Kitten is the quintessential lingerie boutique to tickle your feline fantasies. Purr your way through the many Melbourne and Australian made and designed labels and fabulously chic French frills.

WIN! We have 2 x A Reserve Tickets to CATS the Musical: Now and Forever on Tuesday 16 March, 8pm at the Regent Theatre to giveaway to one lucky cat. Simply share this page using the button below then send your name and phone number to thatsmelbourne@melbourne.vic.gov.au Entries close 5pm, Thursday 11 March. Winners will be contacted on Friday 12 March.

Now before you scat cats, let us know if there are other cool-cat hang-outs in Melbourne in the comments section below.

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