In hilarious news, Australia’s top-streamed artist on Spotify this year is apparently The Wiggles. Surely listen to their number one tune ‘Hot Potato’ whilst reading about what else Melbourne has to offer this morning.

The Headlines

• Group chats are currently buzzing with plans for that all-important overrated NYE night out. If you're planning to venture out and about for it, there's an overwhelming amount of choice out there. Beat has narrowed down the options on our behalf—from The Espy to Harlow, everyone's pulling out the stops for the big night with fun but obviously expensive events all over.

• Hands up if you were one of the 200 Squid Game characters that took over St Kilda beach yesterday—stinks of a Sidekicker job. If you weren't, we bet it was a terrifying sight to face during your morning beach walk while still half asleep. The event was part of the latest round of promo for the much-anticipated return of the show, which will be back on Boxing Day—the perfect way to spend your Christmas hangover.

• It's not news to anyone that Melbourne has nailed how to do a cafe well, but what is news is this list revealing the top 20 spots of 2024. We'd recommend as a wholesome read with your Wednesday morning coffee. From Northside haunts like Fitzroy's Faraday's Cage and Wide Open Road to Southside spots like The Kettle Black, plenty of the classics made the list with some inspiration for a new local. Special mention to the 417 favourite of the year—we love you Warung coffee.

Where to Eat and Drink

Nestled down Market Lane, Hutong Dumpling Bar pays homage to Beijing’s ancient alleyways and is definitely up there with some of the best dumplings in Melbourne. On the scene since 2008, it's renowned for its prawn dumplings, hot chilli wontons, and classic xiaolongbao. It's also BYO, so grab a bottle of vino and tuck into a Chinese banquet.

Where to Live

There's a room in this gorgeous South Yarra flat available for a couple of weeks in Jan. It comes with gorgeous views of the city and a Mancunian flatmate to keep you entertained. There's a gorgeous pool, tennis court, sunbathing deck, BBQs, and cabanas in the complex too. You'd also be in walking distance to the AO complex if you fancy a visit to the warm-up week ongoings.

Core selling point: rumour has it there’s a communal karaoke mic in the flat.

Where to Work

Today's job is for you if you're really in the trenches of your job search, an AI Content Writer for DataAnnotation. Pros are that you can pick your own schedule, there isn't an interview and it's fully remote. However, the cons are that it seems slightly sketchy, with payment via PayPal. Not to sound like your mum, but it’s worth doing your background research on this one. Times can get tough on the job hunt.

Where to Go

Everyone's favourite Irish pub, The Fifth Province, hosts their weekly Trivia Night on Wednesdays. Gather your mates and rack your brain for your cringiest pub quiz team name. Kicking off at 7:30pm, you can compete for prizes and get a bit lively for some midweek fun. They also serve up $22 spice bags on Wednesdays, so get yourself down for a bowl of deep-fried goodness and a couple of pints of Guinness.

Enjoying the Melbourne 417? Share this link with a friend.