As you have probably read, Saturday night was an early one for me but after such a brilliant Friday night, I couldn’t help but be just a little grateful. Friday nights for me used to be an hour train ride out to the suburbs followed by a DVD and a bottle of wine with my housemate; always a fitting end to a working week; but since I moved to the city, Friday nights have taken on a life of their own.

The after work activities in the city are endless and with so many places to visit, wine and dine, I couldn’t think of anywhere I could rather be on a Friday night. This month seems to be especially pleasing as the weather has a brisk feel but still allows outdoor dining in any of Melbourne’s fabulous laneways.

Our Friday night started at the Red Violin, on Bourke Street. You may recall I have been before and thoroughly enjoyed it. This time was no exception. Two of the most divine cocktails later, named for The Red Violin and a wonderful combination of Chambord, Absolut Vanilla, Midori and Malibu Rum shaken with cranberry, pineapple and lychee liquour, we settled into our night with that unique buzz that comes from drinks with friends at the end of the week.

We snaked our way back down Bourke Street to Melbourne’s GPO building for the opening of Twitchett and Tonge, a new retail store in the shopping precinct. The knitwear label, developed in 2006, is located on level one of the GPO and as we headed up the escalator the music and laughter could be heard. There was definitely a party on and the store was so busy with friends, friends of friends, media and VIPs, I didn’t even get a chance to look at the clothes! But there was champagne and there was cheese so who am I to argue? I’ll visit again this week because what I saw had me intrigued and I do love a good knit!

Heading back out to the streets, we ended up in Hardware Lane, a foodie strip for Melburnians and visitors alike. A favourite haunt is the Aloi Na Thai restaurant where we sat in the street (not literally, we had a table) under the heaters and chatted and laughed for the following hours until it seemed like a good idea to head home (or risk actually being in the street).

Visit Twitchett and Tonge at Melbourne’s GPO to see gorgeous pieces from the current season or buy online from the entire range (Chloe Dress, now $229)