Happy International Coffee Day, a day very sacred to Melbournians. Treat yourself to a coffee at your fav spot today (as if that’s not already part of your daily routine), and read on for what’s going on this first day of this new month.

The Headlines

• The annual Melbourne Fringe Festival starts today with this year’s provocative theme being ‘Eat Your Art Out’, running until 20th October. Unlike the world-renowned Edinburgh Fringe centring around comedy, the Melbourne Fringe, in true Melbourne fashion, features theatre, dance and risky visual arts. There is a packed schedule of 470+ events happening in the city, starting today in Fed Square where you’ll find a pop-up hotplate stage where you can use the bbq while artists perform around you, absolutely no way to know what that might entail unless you see for yourself.

• In today's edition of confirming things we already knew, Melbourne has been named the foodie capital of Australia. We pipped Sydney to the post with a whopping 508 restaurants across the city boasting an average rating of 4.5 or above. The top three suburbs probably don't come as much of a surprise either, the CBD takes the gold medal with Richmond and Fitzroy not far behind. Treat yourself to a meal out this evening to celebrate—it's only fair.

• If you're one of the lucky ones with a car in the city, you're not alone if you've been hit with a mysterious parking fine in recent weeks. Melbourne's parking officers are under fire for giving out unjust parking tickets to innocent drivers with one angry resident suggesting they're just trying to hit quotas. Makes a change from all eyes being on the pesky Myki inspectors.

Where to Eat and Drink

Farro Pizza has 8 eateries across Melbourne, each with a slightly different feel to fit its area. They use organic spelt for their pizza’s giving them a more earthy, savoury flavour which the staff are very passionate about, and they boast very good options for GF and vegan options, which can be hard to find in a pizzeria. With tasty cocktails, Peroni on tap and a real Italian feel about it, Farro is perfect for a street-side people-watching suburban dinner.

Where to Live

Everything about this Brunswick house radiates wholesomeness; vintage charm, a housemate that works at a community radio station and the effort that's gone into the pics. Random assortment of sofas though. If they haven't been gradually purchased on Marketplace, then we'll eat our hats. The kitchen however, looks like the perfect spot for hosting with your new roomies. Cheap bond too, if the obscene down payments from other flats are pricing you out.

Core selling point: future flatmate’s Mum lives in the back yard.

Where to Work

We all know Aussie wine doesn't hit the same as the European varieties we've been spoiled by, but if you're willing to set that aside, this wine-tasting host gig could be perfect for you. Joining in with a few tasters yourself throughout the shift will help ensure the customer walks away feeling as passionate about vino as you are, we're sure.

Where to Go

Today’s rec of course has to be a Fringe show. Fountain Lakes in Lockdown is a drag parody play at the Alex Theatre in St. Kilda, featuring some big names in drag, namely Art Simone from Drag Race Down Under. It is unfortunately about lockdown which has to be the most over exposed topic that absolutely nobody wants to hear any more about, but this act has had recent sell out seasons all across Australia which doesn’t come without merit. Tickets are $50 for the preview tonight and tomorrow before the official opening night on Thursday.

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