Date like you mean it: First things first

Seeking a tradie or a hipster lady? Here's where to take your best lines on a Friday night, whatever your type

First published on 13 Sep 2012. Updated on 13 Sep 2012.


	Tradies The Precinct (60 Swan St, Richmond) is a hotbed of handy men – as is the Swan (425 Church St, Richmond). In fact, if you aim for Richmond, you can’t miss. It’s like shooting fish in barrel – with a nailgun.

	Suits Being a veritable business buffet, Spice Market (aka Maul Street) is the obvious answer. But for our money, Cookie boasts an equally career-focused pool of players, and has a better atmosphere.

	Hipsters Liberty Social (for the next five minutes at least) is the place to nail down a sexually ambiguous unicyclist. It’s not even a ‘bar’, it’s just “a space where parties are thrown”, so don’t, like, label it.

	Artists, Comedians Bella Union on a Friday is all velvet suits, ’50s frocks and a crowd dancing like nobody’s watching (knowing full well that everyone is).

	The Young & The Restless The Bottom End and the Rochester (202 Johnston St, Fitzroy) are where the cool kids prowl. If you’re not asked for ID, you’re too old to be pulling here. Doubly so if you actually call it ‘pulling’.

	35+ It’s tough to find a place that’s sophisticated enough to deter kids, yet allows mingling. Uptown Jazz Café and Night Cat are good. Or just pick somewhere near Flinders Street Station or Southern Cross so that you can take the V-Line back to the distant suburb you could afford a house in.

	Not Bothered The Espy is a lucky dip in the bay. Pony is a sexually charged soup. Shut your eyes, open your arms and cross your fingers.