Welcome to our new interview series, A Tryst About Town. We join an escort as they share the best of their hometown cities. Today we're in Melbourne with Lucy De L'amour!
What’s special about Melbourne?
Melbourne is my home – where I grew up, and where I keep returning to because of everything it offers. Melbourne has a wonderful blend of offering everything that a large city can, such as amazing food, cultural experiences, and diverse opportunities for entertainment and enrichment, while also hiding so many gorgeous little secrets such as nature walks, inspiring small businesses brimming with creativity, and of course all of the delicious, debaucherous events!
Do you have a fond memory of the city that you can share with us?
Every time I find a little hidden slice of heaven in this city, be it a beautiful public garden, an amazing suburban deli, a heart-warming community gathering or jaw-dropping artistic experience! I adore being able to then share those WOW moments with others! It brings me so much joy to help people to fall in love with this city, and its many facets, just as I have.
The laneways of Melbourne are famous, where are your favourite places to wander around the city?
My favourite laneways to explore in the CBD are the lanes that connect to Little Bourke Street between William Street and Elizabeth Street, where you can find fantastic coffee, great gelato and many small street art pieces. Flinders Lane also has lots of interesting lanes to wander down, full of street art and small galleries, as well as some of the city's best restaurants!
Melbourne is known for its small bars and cocktail lounges. Do you have a favourite place for a drink?
There really is a bar for every occasion! There is a strong cocktail culture here, but what I love most is a quiet wine in a tucked-away, relaxed space, such as Cabinet Bar & Balcony in Rainbow Alley, or The Moat on Little Lonsdale Street. The Moat is underneath The Wheeler Centre, Melbourne's home for books, writing and ideas, and is the perfect place for a bite to eat after attending one of the thought-provoking readings or discussion panels regularly presented.
The city is also known for its coffee, where is the best coffee house?
Brother Baba Budan on Little Bourke Street has consistently impeccable coffees and taste in music! It's a funky little space with a great vibe, and slightly off the beaten track while still being very central.
Are there any events, shows, or gig venues around Melbourne that you recommend?
So many! For exciting, small-scale shows, I adore The Butterfly Club which not only has an impressive schedule of varied and interesting performers, but also contains a quirky, curio-filled bar, and is – naturally – tucked away at the end of a tiny laneway!
Where are your favourite places to have dinner, be they extra fancy, or a hole in the wall?
My favourite go-to spot is Wakuda, which is a modern Japanese restaurant with individual booths to provide privacy, and is found by taking a lift located just off Little Bourke Street. The food and service is fantastic, and they have regular live music. It's casual enough to meet for a relaxed lunch, yet still worthy of a romantic dinner date – the oysters are fantastic!
Have you got any recommendations for great galleries or museums in Melbourne?
For visually arresting, large scale artworks, you can't miss Arc One gallery on Flinders Lane. They consistently showcase amazing contemporary Australian artists who command the space with their striking pieces – the most memorable exhibition being a collaboration of Honey Long and Prue Stent, who re-contextualise the Australian landscape as a sensual, living, amorphous being. I also highly recommend ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) for immersive and stunning exhibitions showcasing screen culture, as well as a rich programme of arthouse and cult film classics.
What is your ideal social date with a client?
I love discussing ideas and learning about people, so it would be an adventure that tells me more about their passions, whether it be a fun board game over drinks at Fortress, a leisurely walk and picnic at one of Melbourne's many gardens, an evening seeing a thought-provoking performance, or something else entirely – in Melbourne, the options are as endless as your imagination!
Is there a hotel that has your heart?
In the city, I love QT Hotel for its chic design and fabulous rooftop bar, located in the middle of the city and close to great Melbourne restaurants and event venues. For a sneaky trip out of the city, I would happily run away to Peppers Moonah Links Resort, a stone's throw away from Peninsula Hot Springs, a winery and brewery, and situated on a golf course.
If a client wanted to relax and pamper you, where are the best spas in the city?
I was recently gifted a spa package for Sakura Lounge, in Warburton Lane in the CBD. It was a divinely relaxing experience, down to the lovely tea and mochi! I would love to return soon for that blissful massage.
For visitors, what is the best way to get around?
Definitely by tram and walking! There are so many details and little shops you can miss if you don't take your time to enjoy looking around. Trams are free in the city and are frequent enough to not worry about the timetable, and stop at almost every street block. I find that the many available walking tours are not only highly informative and entertaining, but are useful to get your bearings. The best way to see the city though is by spending time with a companion who is passionate about the city (like me!), and can give you a personalised, memorable tour based on your interests – and enjoy an evening together afterwards!
My social handles are:
Instagram - @lucydelamour
X - @lucydelamour
My website - lucydelamour.au
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The Good Client Guide destigmatizes sex work while providing guidance on how to be a better client and ally. Better experiences for workers mean better experiences for clients! To make this happen, we’re welcoming submissions from both providers and their customers.
