Spring Sunday

By Eric (Discover English Teacher)

It feels as though everyone here in Melbourne is waiting for this coming Sunday in the same way that children await Christmas – what wonderful gifts will lie under the tree?  Or have we in fact been naughty children and find only an ugly lump of lockdown coal? 

And yet for us the excitement is not about the promise of toys, but the possible hope that soon – very soon! – we will be allowed out of our houses; we will be allowed to walk, or ride, or jog as long and as far as we want; maybe we’ll be allowed to see our family and friends; I’m sure we’ll still have to wear masks but at least we might be allowed to go into a shop!

It’s incredible to think that such ordinary, everyday things have become shining beacons of freedom; that things which we took utterly for granted have suddenly become the most luxurious of treasures.

One such thing that I have always taken for granted is the simple joy – especially in Spring – of going to the local pub on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and sitting in the beer garden with friends.  We would sit under the trees and talk about all the things we’d done in our (pre-corona) weeks, whilst enjoying a few ice-cold beers.

Beer gardens are very common here in Melbourne, in all of Australia (and other countries), and they are a nice, relaxed way to enjoy some socializing outside while at the same time being at a bar.

I’m sure that if we are allowed to socialize, there will be strict laws controlling it – numbers, masks, colours to be worn etc, etc but perhaps at some stage in the future we can sit in the shade and have a chat – such a simple, wonderful pleasure.

Here are three beer gardens that I enjoy:

The Standard Hotel (Fitzroy St, Fitzroy), this old pub on a quiet back street has a wonderful beer garden with lots of lush greenery.

The Town Hall Hotel (Errol St, North Melbourne), another cosy local pub the beer garden here features heated booths for when the Spring winds blow a little too fresh.

The Brunswick Green (Sydney Rd, Brunswick), a little bit further out of the CBD, this place seems like a tiny little bar from the street but the beer garden is deep and green and always full of people having fun.

And by the way, a beer garden is a perfect place to try the classic Melbourne dish of ‘Chicken Parma’ – but be sure to bring an appetite.