A bank holiday given just for a footy final—have you ever heard anything more Australian in your life? Rejoice for hospo workers getting the bumper pay, and commiserations to the public paying the extra 15% for food and drinks. Enjoy the sun and long weekend regardless, here is what you can get up to.

The Headlines

• To all you Southside haters out there, Time Out has proved you wrong with the announcement of Windsor as the 10th coolest suburb in the world for 2024. With vintage shops, cool bars, and a new wave of restaurant openings, it’s very much earned its spot at number 10. Chippendale in Sydney was however named 7th in the list, but we think Melbourne wins any day.

• Who ate all the... free pies in Federation Square? If you happen to fancy a meaty freebie at 6am then you know where to go. They're up for grabs until 2pm if that's a more reasonable hour for you and you even get the chance to win a bonus prize (our guess is a pot of gravy). The perfect fuel to start your AFL filled weekend in our humble (pie) opinion.

• With AFL sweeping the city, it’s only right to mention the footy festival in Yarra Park over the weekend. If you're not yet a convert, the offer of music, food trucks and bars at this event could be the gateway you need. Featuring an ice rink (in Spring?), a McDonalds 'Fry Thru', and a Build-a-Bear workshop, there is certainly a lot to discover.

Where to Eat and Drink

To honour Windsor with its newfound coolest in the world status, today’s rec is Studio Amaro, our favourite restaurant in the area. They serve a regularly changing menu of seasonal antipasti, famous focaccia and a special looking set menu. It’s not just the food that’s earned them their 417 spot, Studio Amaro also has a basement bar open Thursday-Sunday with vinyl DJs and a very cool vibe.

Where to Live

Describing this mattress on the floor as fully furnished with a queen-sized bed is absolutely fascinating. The rest of the flat is lovely though and it's in a prime location if you want inner-city living. In fact, you're right on the doorstep of Queen Vic Market so you can be first in line at the 417's Wednesday Where to Go recs.

Core selling point: huge glass box in the middle of the lounge.

Where to Work

No job recommendation today guys, it's a bank holiday, you deserve a day off the hunt. Close down Seek and Indeed and get yourself to the pub.

Friday Event

You know summer is almost here when the day festivals start coming out to play. If you fancy a larger Friday than you had planned, there are still Listen Out tickets available. Your entertainment for the day will include the likes of Skepta, The Blessed Madonna and Tyla so grab your finest op shop bargain and get yourself to the fields.

Saturday Event

Forgive us for all the AFL chat in this edition, but it really is the only thing anyone is talking about right now. Everyone's favourite drinks app The Pass has rounded up the best places to watch it if you haven't bagged a ticket to the MCG. If you want to be right in the action, head early to Richmond Club Hotel, Duke of Wellington or The Wharf Hotel. If we just introduced you to The Pass, a) where have you been and b) use this code (9BN8F9FY3X) when you sign up for some money off your first pint.

Sunday Event

What better way to wind down after a heavy weekend than a Sunday Roast at a pub? Although they might not quite hit the same as your classic British pub, there are a few hidden gems to be uncovered. Whilst some claiming to serve a roast do actually feature a schnitzel, or distinct lack of Yorkshire pudding (an abomination), a select few do the dish proud. Our suggestion is British owned Northern Git in Thornbury.

If you missed it, here’s yesterdays edition.