Every man worth his stylish salt needs to own at least one decent pair of sneakers. Don’t fight us. The right pair of sneakers – ideally something on the more luxurious end of the scale – can be incredibly versatile in that they can be dressed up with a suit or dressed down for a casual weekend look. Sneakers can come in a variety of materials: leather, suede or even vegan-friendly options, as well as a number of colours.

No longer are you just confined to white sneakers – although these are the epitome of a wardrobe staple – or running shoes for that matter, you can also grab some stylish numbers in black, blue and grey, to round out the safest colour options out there. Once you have these nailed down, you can start experimenting with bolder colours. Fortunately, you’re not just consigned to searching for a fresh pair of kicks online, and in Melbourne especially, there are a number of sneaker stores dedicated to the fashion essential.

The sneaker stores in Melbourne stock a variety of brands to suit all budgets, with models coming in a variety of materials, so you can try out a few pairs before settling on the ones for you. Make sure you take the time to really get a feel for a pair of sneakers and think about which outfits you’ll be able to pair them with once you get them home.

124 Shoes

124 Shoes markets itself as ‘authentic shoes, not for the ordinary’. Indeed, it’s a very fitting mantra to the brand, considering that every single shoe is made with tender loving care – each of them is specifically handpicked from Italy’s finest labels, made by second and third generation shoemakers that have used traditional artisan techniques to make the best shoe possible. If you’re looking for real quality and strong lasting power for your sneakers, look no further than this store. Do note however that all of their collections are Italian brands only.

Address (Little Hero Complex): Shop 24/16-30 Russell Place, Melbourne, 3000

Phone: 03 9662 2941

Sneakerboy

Sneakerboy guarantees a customer experience that you’ll remember long after your feet have slipped into your kicks. They had quite the hype in the lead up to their store openings in Melbourne and Sydney, housing some of the biggest brands including Lanvin, Balenciaga, Kris Van Assche and more.

What’s different about this store is that it doesn’t follow the typical retail model. Instead, the place is a showroom display of their stock, where you try on the sneakers in-store and then make the purchase online. Wait for a few days and before you know it, your sneakers will have arrived on your doorstep.

Address: 265 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, 3000

Phone: 03 9650 1933

RELATED: 50 Cool Ways To Wear Your Sneakers

Up There

One quaint little Melbourne store that is dedicated to providing a fine selection of globally sourced labels and sneakers for men is Up There. This store located in Melbourne’s CBD (and with two other convenient locations in the city), pitches itself on quality sneakers along with unprecedented product knowledge to back it up. As a bonus, the store also offers online sales and stocks some of the best boutique garments this side of the world.

Address: 15 McKillop Street, Melbourne, 3000

Phone: 03 9670 6225

Culture Kings

Culture Kings is the perfect destination if you’re looking for a one-stop-shop for all things streetwear from snapback hats, crewnecks and of course, sneakers. Shopping at Culture Kings is an indulging experience to the say the least – they have a barbershop on standby if you’re looking to smooth out your look, along with DJs playing the best tunes from around the world. You’ll be buying sneakers while dropping to the beat all day every day, emerging from the store a whole new man.

Address: 19-25 Russell Street, Melbourne, 3000

Phone: 03 9929 5999

Hype DC

Hype DC is one of the main chains of sneaker stores in Australia, and as a result, has multiple locations around Melbourne city. Hype DC is the go-to store if you’re a man who wants the latest street kicks, but doesn’t follow the style trend religiously.

If you’re too lazy to leave the house, don’t fret because they have an online shopping store that you can explore. And if you’re worried that you might be unavailable to pick up your order, Hype DC also offers fast free shipping to your workplace. Not too shabby.

Address: LG-18 Emporium Melbourne, 269-321 Lonsdale St, Melbourne, 3000

Phone: 03 9639 8344

RELATED: How To Dress Up White Sneakers

Platypus

Similar to Hype DC, Platypus is readily accessible with several stores all over Melbourne and over sixty stores in Australia. So regardless of where you live, you’re guaranteed to find one near you. They have a plethora of iconic sneakers brands from around the globe, which is excellent if you’re not one to bounce from store to store in your quest for the perfect sneaker.

Address: 149-151 Swanston Street, Melbourne, 3000

Phone: 03 9639 3462

Prime Athletic

Prime Athletic has become a Melbourne landmark for the style-savvy since it opened in 1997, attracting customers with its relaxed vibes. That chilled out vibe remains today, as it doesn’t overwhelm you with fashion jargon. However, with the latest drops from some of the biggest names in the sneaker industry, Prime Athletic is definitely a shop you need to be checking out, the trip to St Kilda will be well worth it.

Address: 227 Barkly Street, St Kilda, 3182

Phone: 03 9537 0344

JD Sports

JD Sports is the leading sneaker and sports fashion retailer. Hailing from London, JD Sports opened in 2017 with their first flagship store in Melbourne. JD Sports offers many limited editions and exclusive designs from the likes of Adidas Originals, Nike and Asics.

Address: Shop L01/105 Melbourne Central, 211 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, 3000

Phone: 03 8691 1460

The Secret Sneaker Store

A secret that is worth sharing, Secret Sneaker Store stocks one of the best collections of collectable sneakers in Melbourne, making it a must-visit place for hypebeasts and streetwear-fanatics alike.

Address: Shop 220B Central Shopping Centre, Level 2/211 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, 3000

Phone:  03 9191 6488

Marais

Named after the famed ultra-hip district in Paris, Marais in Melbourne stocks some of the most luxurious and high-end designer brands and their sneaker collection is one of the best in the city. Come sale time there’s always bargains to be had here with 50% off most sneaker styles.

Address: 1/314 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000

Phone: 03 9639 0314

The Sneaker Laundry

We’d all like to be able to keep our sneakers in perfect condition, but unfortunately, life gets in the way and makes it virtually impossible. That’s where The Sneaker Laundry comes in. Not a sneaker store but quite literally a laundry for your sneakers, you can take your dirty and muddied kicks here to be given some TLC and have them looking their stylish best in no time.

Address: 593 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, 3000

Phone: 03 9042 5421

Kickstw

Kickstw is Melbourne’s original consignment store that launched in 2013 from merely a tiny warehouse. Despite having no website, no online store, this sneaker store has become the holy grail of second-hand luxury sneakers and streetwear. Today, Kickstw is located on Collins Street, in the previously occupied Don’t Come Gallery in Royal Arcade, selling everything from Jordans, Yeezy, Nike SB and the list just goes on and on. So if you’re looking for a pair of fresh kicks on a bargain, make sure you check out this store.

Address: Level 2, Royal Arcade, 314 Little Collins St, Melbourne, 3000

Concrete Jungle

Concrete Jungle is the ultimate streetwear shop selling the most highly sought after sneaker brands for the best prices. Established in 2015, this Brunswick store pays homage to the 80s, where sneakers shops ruled the neighbourhood and cultivated a sense of community. Concrete Jungle has a vast selection of classic athletic sneaker brands and classic silhouettes while also highlighting local designers changing the Melbourne streetwear game for the better. Also, if you want to suss before you buy, you can shop online here.

Address: 158 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056

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The post A Guide To Melbourne’s Best Sneaker Stores appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

There are a few plane etiquette questions that have left the internet divided in recent times. First there was slammertime, where business class passengers challenged each other to skull flutes of champagne like (pampered) vikings, then there was window shade gate, where an American man and woman (verbally) fought bitterly for control of a shared space, and then there was this mid flight yoga controversy, where one woman’s cheeky act sparked outrage among fellow passengers.And who could forget the moment a Spirit Airlines passenger lit up on a flight, sparking outroar?Adding to this quirky corner of aviation news literature is yet another question that Cape Town based model Jess Lee Buchanan last night posed to Instagram.“Your nighty uncomfortable question,” Buchanan wrote.“Do you go into airplane toilets in your socks?”

The obvious answer? You wear your thick, complementary socks the airline gives you at the beginning of the flight, then throw them away at the end. Right? Wrong.Apparently, what the majority of people do, judging by Buchanan’s poll, is put on their shoes.16% said they went in socks, and 84% of respondents selected “shoes.”Well tie me up and prod me with Adidas. I might have to eat my hat. I would never have expected this.The Internet is a strange place. And plane toilets are full of terrors germs. So maybe it makes sense. But still: what an effort.Our take? You should never go to the toilet on a plane bare foot, both because it’s gross for you, and rude towards your fellow passengers, who have to see and smell your feet as you walk up and down the aisle.However, if you don’t find it gross, there’s no reason you shouldn’t wear socks. Socks are the perfect halfway mark – the perfect compromise.A JetStar survey, answered by over 20,000 Jetstar travellers, found that most are outraged at the idea of being “footloose and fancy-free” at the airport.The survey found only 6 per cent of Australians and 9 per cent of Japanese think it is OK to leave your shoes off (New Zealanders were more accepting, with 12 per cent thinking it’s fine).The survey concluded: “It’s almost unanimous – it’s not OK to travel barefoot on a plane or at the airport.”There is one caveat though. Socks are sweet. Zarife Hardy, director of the Australian School of Etiquette, told Jetstar it’s ok to take your shoes off once you are on the flight, if it’s a long haul one.“When flying internationally, wait until the plane is well and truly up in the air – and bring some socks or lightweight slippers to wear,” she told Jetstar, adding it’s not the best idea to walk around the plane barefoot, both for aesthetic and hygiene reasons.

“If everyone maintains a pleasant level of respect, attire and personal space, then we all arrive at the end destination happy!”

More good advice comes from The Points Guy, who writes, “If you know that odor is an issue, prep well in advance by using shoe deodorizing powders or even baking soda and dryer sheets inside your shoes to quell the smell.”

“And if you want to go shoeless onboard, consider switching out your socks for a clean pair beforehand in the privacy of an airport bathroom stall.”

There you have it. Your guide to wearing socks to the bathroom on a flight.Oh and as a cheeky bonus, check out the below video by former flight attendant Kat Kamalani, if you want to learn how to get ‘guaranteed’ special treatment from flight attendants, the next time you fly.

Secret To Getting Special Treatment From Flight Attendants

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The post 'Rude' Aeroplane Toilet Behaviour Divides The Internet appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

After a fairly subdued couple of months (hell, years at this stage) thanks to The Spicy Cough, it seems that we’re finally getting back into the swing of things when it comes to big arts and culture events – overseas, at least.The return of the red carpet has also seen celebrities return to form when it comes to their fashion exploits. In the last two weeks alone we’ve had the Venice International Film Festival, the Met Gala, the MTV VMAs and New York Fashion Week, which have all seen some truly eye-catching celebrity outfits.One celeb that’s relished the chance to get back into the swing of things has been Shawn Mendes. The 23-year-old Canadian singer/songwriter and heartthrob has always been a rather crisp dresser who’s not afraid to push the boundaries, and his latest sartorial styling is no exception.Accompanying his girlfriend, singer and actress Camilla Cabello, to the 2021 Met Gala, Mendes looked very rock-and-roll in a leather blazer, black jeans, two belts, suspenders and sans shirt. Not only is leather a very weird choice for a suit blazer, but wearing one without a shirt? Madness… Like Slash on a summer holiday.He’s not the only one who’s pulled this look off in recent weeks. Some of the celebs caught doing the same include rising Australian hip-hop star The Kid Laroi and pop-punk phenom Machine Gun Kelly.

Of course, there’s a long and proud history of male musicians taking their tarps off as part of their signature look. Iggy Pop’s been doing it since the 70s (he still does it, despite the fact he’s pushing 80 – mad respect). Other shirt-phobic performers have included Billy Idol, Anthony Kiedis, Sid Vicious, Morrissey and 2Pac.RELATED: Shirtless Russell Westbrook Remains The NBA’s Most Stylish & Swole UnitWe don’t see this trend really taking off Down Under, however, especially as we’re moving into warmer weather. A leather jacket is sticky enough when you’re wearing a shirt but on bare skin? That’s madness. Imagine Midnight Oil’s Peter Garrett dancing around on stage wearing nothing but some jeans and a Schott motorcycle jacket…This tarps-off trend isn’t even the most eye-catching men’s fashion trend we’ve spotted during this awards show season. Another break-out trend has been male celebrities men wearing skirts and dresses – more on that phenomenon here.

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The post Shawn Mendes Kicks Off 2021’s Next Men’s Style Trend With ‘Unconventional’ Jacket Look appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The Porsche 911 is, quite simply, one of the greatest cars ever made.Produced over seven different generations since 1964, the 911 is in many ways the perfect sports car. Elegant, refined, full of character and performance, the iconic rear-engined coupe exudes class in a way few other vehicles do. From the gentlemanly Targa to the raucous GT2 RS, there’s really a 911 for every driver…But not for every budget. Porsche has never been a budget marque, so there’s no such thing as a ‘cheap’ 911: the current 992-generation car starts at AU$241,200, and even the cheapest used 911s on the market (typically high-mileage 996s) will set you back around $80,000 or so – and you really don’t want to be buying the cheapest 911 you can.So what do you do if you want a 911 driving experience, but you can’t justify spending close to six figures to do so? We here at DMARGE were wondering the same thing, so we decided to put the same question to some of Australia’s top motoring experts. They’ve come up with a few great alternatives.

Porsche’s other beauties

The most obvious place one should look if you want a 911-like experience without paying 911 prices is to look at some of the other cars in Porsche’s stable – namely, the Porsche Boxster/Cayman pair.“I think if you’re a 911 fan and you’re on a budget, you really can’t go past a Cayman,” Trent Nikolic, Managing Editor of Drive, reckons.

“It’s a 911-lite, genuinely fast, built well, and has a Porsche badge. Plus, it’s probably easier to drive to its limit for the average punter than a 911 as well.”

Mike Sinclair, Editor-in-Chief of Carsales, agrees – although he backs the Boxster over the Cayman, as they’re more affordable.

“The logical alternative is a Boxster S… A wonderfully sweet, engaging sportscar. You’ll get a decent selection of (albeit high mileage) 3.4L Boxster S’es for [around] $90k.”

RELATED: Most Underrated Porsche Ever Might Be The Best Car Investment Of 2021For those not in the know, the Boxster/Cayman are essentially the same car: the only difference is that the Boxster is a convertible and the Cayman is a coupe. They’re essentially a smaller, less powerful version of the 911 – but they still keep that rear-engined formula (rear-mid-engined in the Boxster/Cayman’s case). Naturally, they’ve always been considered ‘junior’ 911s, although some motorists will actually argue that the Cayman is arguably the pick of Porsche’s range.While on paper their performance figures are identical, the Cayman is considered more of a driver’s car – a hard-top will always have more structural rigidity than a soft-top – and top-flight performance variants of the car such as the GT4 Clubsport have been reserved for the Cayman only.

Look to Japan

“If [a Boxster/Cayman is] still out of reach, you need to step down to light RWD offerings like the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ or Mazda MX-5,” Nikolic relates.

“Obviously not the same as parking a Porsche in the driveway, but they are so much fun to drive quickly, on a windy road or at a track day. Cheap to buy and cheap to maintain, too.”

The MX-5 is an obvious choice. Like a 911, it’s got amazing handling and weight distribution, and unlike most other sports cars, is incredibly reliable. If you’re a fan of the 911 Targa, the MX-5 RF (which stands for ‘Retractable Fastback’) offers a similar experience for a fraction of the price. The 86/BRZ pair are less refined than an MX-5 and might have their engines up front, but it’s a boxer engine like the 911’s.RELATED: ‘Affordable’ Toyota SUVs Fast Becoming Perfect Alternative To Skyrocketing Defender PricesIf you want something with a bit more horsepower, Alborz Fallah, founder of CarExpert, relates that “there’s always a new Supra (good examples of old ones cost more!) and if you’re willing to wait, I’d be pretty keen on a new Nissan Z.” It’s also worth pointing out that the new 86/BRZ are on their way, too, and they also promise more horsepower.

Other options

If you’re looking for something a bit further afield, Fallah’s got a unique suggestion.“I’d look at buying an old Aston Martin Vantage 4.3L. [They make an] amazing sound and while you might need to replace the clutch, the rest of the package is bulletproof.”While this sounds ludicrous on paper, it actually makes a lot of sense. When Aston released the Vantage back in 2005, it was very much designed to compete with the 911 for sales. It’s probably the only car on this list that can match a 911 for sheer luxury, as well as prestige – but at this price point, you may as well get a 911.Sinclair has a somewhat more orthodox suggestion: “if you want a great car for $60k, buy an E92 BMW M3.” We’re really moving out of 911 territory now but the E92 M3 is a great driver’s car that would provide much of the thrills of a 911. It’s German, too – and the rumble of a V8 is a good substitute for the growl of a flat-six.RELATED: Australia’s Most Beloved Car Engine Is Now An Endangered Species

Of course, the real answer to ‘what’s the best budget alternative to a Porsche 911’ is that there is no alternative, Ian Davies, Director of Prestige Connex relates.“I think there are some fantastic sports car alternatives across a lot of prestige brands for a lot less money… However, the 911 is… the pick of the bunch; the ultimate all-rounder – in my opinion!”There’s some truth in that. You might have to save up for a very long time before you get behind the wheel of a 911, but if it’s truly your dream car, anything less than a 911 will feel like a compromise, and you might end up dissatisfied – and still out of pocket. The same is true for any dream car, or watch, or house…So if your heart is absolutely set on a 911, check out our guide to finding the best deals on a second-hand example of the famous car. Good luck!

Watch 70 Years Of Porsche History In 2 Minutes

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The post Australian Motoring Experts Reveal Best ‘Budget’ Alternatives To The Porsche 911 appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

You have to question your life choices when you wake up with a dead arm, a crook neck and your mate scrabbling at the car door, rasping, “let me in.”Let’s back up for a second though (or rather, by 11 hours). The trip started well. The plan was to take my converted Subaru Forester down to the snow, and test out the plywood bed I had built in the back.We left Sydney at about 7pm, and settled in for a long night of petrol station sandwiches, suspiciously closed Maccas and driving (this was back in June, before lockdowns).We got to Jindabyne at about 2am, and found what we thought was a covert corner (read: the carpark opposite some kind of Bowling club) to sleep in.Unfortunately, three things prevented us from sleeping. One: the slope. The slope meant that I would slide into my mate, at semi (fortunately not that kind of semi) awkward 10-minute intervals.Two: my mate’s legs. He’s unnaturally tall.Three: the bizarreness of the situation. Going from our normal lives, where a certain degree of civility is required for most of your waking hours, to being in a car with one of your best mates and being able to say any ill-conceived joke that might come to mind is entertaining, but not conducive to sleep.The result? My mate ended up getting sick of me giggling at my own jokes, hopped out the door, and slept on the floor, in almost freezing temperatures, with no camping matt, and just a sleeping bag.

Until 4am… When I awoke to his scrabbling.Tempting as it was to keep the doors locked, I let him back in and the awkward sliding game (plus some bonus shivering) continued.Though you might consider it callous to let your friend risk hypothermia for your own personal gain… consider this: how good is sleep?Unless you have slept on a narrow foam mattress with a 6’4″ friend, on an unfortunately angled slope, in a steamy-but-freezing car, I’m not accepting your judgement.

The moral of the story? Always bring a tent on a road trip, even if you think you won’t need it. And, for the record, I still have zero regrets – other than the fact that every time we tell this story I sound like some kind of dickhead…I’m also not the first traveller to notice the challenges of living (in my case, very temporarily) in your car. The following video, by travel blogger Sights Of Sara, goes through a few more of them (watch the video below), if you’re interested in learning more.

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The post I Committed A Cardinal Road Trip Sin & Have Absolutely Zero Regrets appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Salt Bae has blown our minds on more occasions than we care to count. From making the most underrated cut of beef a succulent affair to revealing spartan diet techniques for shredding, he certainly marches to the beat of his own drum.And that’s not to mention his fabulous Mykonos workouts, where he throws around heavy chunks of stone like they were feathers (and his brain-busting body fat percentage).Suffice to say, for many people, Nusret Gökçe has become more than just a Turkish chef/restauranteur, and even more than a salt sprinkling meme. He’s a veritable source of fitness inspiration.Enter: the following workout, which he posted to his Instagram Story earlier this year. In it, Salt Bae shows he doesn’t just keep his arms looking beefy, but actively trains his legs too.Watch Salt Bae’s leg day workout in the video below…

Salt Bae can be seen warming up with sit ups, before squatting with two 50kg dumbbells and then squatting with a heavily loaded bar bell.He then went on to slice a bunch of meat in his Abu Dhabi restaurant, and then ended the day with a leg massage.If you want to learn more about the benefits of squats (and how to do them correctly) check out this article on pressure breathing.

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The post Salt Bae Has Legs Like Tree Trunks. Here’s How To Get Them appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

It’s pretty much written in stone that Melbourne is the Australian city you need to visit if you’re after incredible nightlife, culture (hello amazing art galleries) and just a good ol’ time.

Fortunately for you, we know the best bars in Melbourne for enjoying a simple glass of wine with a date or loved one, weekend beers with the boys, or somewhere to visit with a group of friends where you can share plates of food and enjoy plentiful banter. With Melbourne being home to a number of laneways, some of these bars can be tricky to find, but hunt them out and you’ll be rewarded for your efforts with some nights to remember.

If you’re after something decidedly more casual, may we suggest you check out the coolest pubs Melbourne has to offer, and if you’re visiting the Southern city in summer you’ll no doubt want to enjoy some drinks at a rooftop bar instead? For all other occasions, these are some of the best bars Melbourne has to offer, whether you’re looking for a low-key dive bar, a whisky bar or a city wine shop, these are all the best places to kick your feet up and have a cold one.

Trinket Bar

87 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, 3000

Trinket Bar certainly sits on the fence between bar and cocktail bar, with its cocktails being of superb quality and the drinks it’s most keen to promote.

However, with cold craft beers, a generous selection of wines and tasty pizzas and other small sharing plates of food being served from the kitchen, Trinket Bar becomes the perfect place to head with friends to catch up and spend a night. Situated just across from Federation Square, it’s in a prime spot, too.

Bar Ampere

16 Russell Place, Melbourne, 3000

To really turn things up to 11, Bar Ampere will happily serve some late-night absinthe, and the list on offer really does need to be seen to be believed. It’s huge. Of course, knowing that absinthe can send you over the edge, Bar Ampere has a delectable food menu too, so you can keep your stomach lined.

Opening late in the afternoon and going through all the way into the early hours of the following day, Bar Ampere is the perfect bar at which to finish a night off.

Beneath Driver Lane

3 Driver Lane, Melbourne, 3000

If you’re looking for one of the Melbourne’s best basement bars to get your cocktail fix, then you’ve come to the right place. Beneath Driver Lane is tucked away off Little Bourke Street and provides delicious drinks and great live music, the ultimate way to unwind after a long day.

Whilst Beneath Driver Lane could be regarded as more of a cocktail bar, the fact it slings a number of wines and beers from the bar (not to mention it receives consistently rave reviews) it deserves to be considered one of the best all-round bars instead. Taking up residence in the vault of Melbourne’s old Money Order Office, BDL will definitely give you a night to remember. Classic cocktails are the order of the day, but with a number of top-shelf wines and world-famous whiskies to choose from, you’re spoilt for choice.

Arlechin

Mornane Place, Melbourne, 3000

Arlechin isn’t the easiest of bars to find in Melbourne, nor does its website give much away about what you can expect. All it tells you is where to find it, and that it’s walk-in only.

Alas, we implore you to seek it out, as the bar (owned by the notorious Grossi family) will reward you with a scintillating list of cocktails, wines and some food that is simply to die for. Best of all, it’s open until the early hours, so a midnight meatball feast is perfectly achievable.

Father’s Office

249 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne 3000

Be transported back to 1920s Prohibition Era America as soon as you step through the doors to Father’s Office. Fortunately, the consumption of alcohol is most definitely allowed at this bar in Melbourne CBD, with a complementary selection of food.

Perched above Little Lonsdale and Swanston Streets, Father’s Office also gives you the chance to stare down to the streets below from the large balcony, or you can make your way into the main bar to enjoy a generous selection of whiskey, rum and locally-sourced tap beers.

Ponyfish Island

Pedestrian Bridge, Southbank, 3006

Now for something a little different. Ponyfish Island is, quite literally, an island, found floating on the Yarra River underneath Pedestrian Bridge at Southbank.

Ponyfish welcomes patrons from morning through to the evening, with breakfast, lunch and dinner all being made available from the kitchen. It has been on the receiving end of an extensive renovation, meaning the bar is better than ever and an absolute must-visit next time you find yourself in Melbourne.

Jungle Boy

96 Chapel St, Windsor 3181

If you’re looking for an impressive bar serving an impressive list of cocktails, Jungle Boy is the best-kept secret since the unveiling of Beyoncé’s pregnancy photo.

Jungle Boy looks like your average meatball sandwich shop from the outside, but behind the coolroom exit door lies a hidden bar serving the crisp beers and cheeky tiki cocktails. The cosy beer garden has an intimate feel and jungle aesthetic filled with decorative plants and colourful lighting. If you want to check out this little hidden gem of a bar, make sure you book ahead, as it tends to fill up very quickly.

Arbory Bar & Eatery

1 Flinders Walk, Melbourne 3000

Taking alfresco seating to a whole new level is Arbory Bar & Eatery. This luxurious bar in Melbourne CBD offers breathtaking views of the city, and has a great selection of the tastiest wines and cocktails.

This chic, spacious riverside venue is officially Melbourne’s longest bar, as it stretches across the north banks of the Yarra River. Launched in 2015 by Tim Botterill, who set out to create a unique dinner experience that his customers never forget. It’s safe to say Arbory Bar & Eatery did just that, as you won’t find another Melbourne bar quite like it.

Kirk’s Wine Bar

46 Hardware Ln, Melbourne 3000

This funky establishment was once home to the Kirk’s Bazaar Hotel but has now transformed into one of the best bars for wine lovers in the city. Situated on the corner of Little Bourke Street and Hardware Lane, this divine bar has speciality wines and a curated menu, all served within a chic space and patio, bringing a little taste of Europe to you.

Kirk’s is buzzing with great energy from the moment to step in as you’re always greeted by friendly faces met with impeccable service. Inside there’s a wine shop, in case you want to take a few bottles to go.

Heartbreaker

234A Russell Street, Melbourne, 3000

If classic rock anthems and cocktails is your idea of a good time, then Heartbreaker could just become your new favourite bar in Melbourne. The jukebox in the corner is controlled by the clientele, so if you want to play DJ, get there early and secure yourself a spot nearby.

As for the drinks, there are four pre-batched cocktails on offer, with the idea being you receive your drink faster than the time it takes you to get your wallet out your pocket. The bar itself is dimly lit, but when you’ll likely be spending your time here well into the early hours, that’s exactly what you’re going to want.

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International travel might be off the cards for Australians right now but it isn’t for Americans, and many of the world’s most famous celebrities have taken advantage of their freedom to travel in order to jet off to Europe for the summer.Michael Jordan is no exception. The greatest basketball player of all time and one of the wealthiest athletes in the world, MJ’s got enough clout (and cash) to go just about anywhere he wants… And buy any watch he wants, too.So where did Jumpman choose to holiday this year? Croatia. A highly underrated tourist destination that’s seen a bump in popularity in recent years – in no small part thanks to the fact key scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed there – Croatia is summery and charming, with quite a Mediterranean vibe (despite the fact that it lies on the Adriatic). It’s probably not the first place you’d expect a basketball superstar to head to for a European holiday… But a great choice nonetheless, and a testament to MJ’s impeccable taste.The watch he was spotted wearing wasn’t the first thing you’d expect him to rock, either. The 6ft 6in 58-year-old was hard to miss as he strolled the streets of sunny Dubrovnik with his wife, Latin-American model Yvette Prieto, and his watch was hard to miss, too – a shockingly white Rolex Daytona customised by Bamford Watch Department. Talk about heat.

Bamford Watch Department is one of the most famous high-end watch customisers on the planet. These days, Bamford has an exclusive relationship with LVMH, and mostly works with their brands such as Bulgari, Girard-Perregaux or Zenith – but Bamford rose to fame customising Rolexes, especially Daytonas like Jordan’s.RELATED: TAG Heuer & Bamford Watch Department Team Up On The ‘Ultimate Sports Watch’Jordan’s watch is called the ‘Polar Edition’. Using a ref. 116520 Daytona as its base, the Polar Edition features a proprietary Graphite Particle Coating and a customised dial featuring the Bamford logo. Not only does the coating look cool (literally) and add a unique textural element to the watch’s case, but it also provides an additional element of scratch resistance, meaning it’s quite a practical as well as visually dramatic modification.Customised luxury watches from outfits like Bamford’s can be quite a divisive topic. Some people revile them, arguing that they cheapen (both aesthetically and literally) watches and are a hallmark of bad taste. Others argue that they’re simply making the watches that brands can’t or won’t make, and that the customer should be able to do whatever they want to their watch.That said, a watch from a respected customiser like Bamford – especially a customisation as tasteful as this one – is a very different sort of thing than a watch that’s been crassly blinged-out by some third-party jeweller or some hackjob done at home. Again, it shows that Jordan’s a cut above the average basketball player, both when it comes to performance on the court and collecting high-end timepieces.

Check out some of the best watches of the NBA below

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The post Michael Jordan Wears An Icy-Cold Rolex On His Hot European Summer Holiday appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Even before COVID-19 struck, America had huge health problems. Many of them come down to widespread sedentary lifestyles and highly processed diets. But rather than vapidly blame everything on iPads, some individuals are using this Technological New World to spread positive messages – and ‘tough love’ speeches – which seem to be really resonating with people.Enter: David Goggins. David Goggins is an ultra-marathon runner, ultra-distance cyclist, triathlete, public speaker, author and retired US Navy SEAL.He comes at you with such passion, he inspires you to go that extra mile. In many cases literally. In fact, he has inspired various people I know to do such things as run a marathon with no training.He even inspired me to run further than I ever have in my life – a feat which I found hugely positive mentally and emotionally, but which admittedly left me a little injured, and physically worse off than if I had built up to it properly.Not that Goggins explicitly tells you to do things without training, but after listening to some of the insane things he has done (like destroying himself with a leg weights workout session the day before running an ultra marathon) then it’s hard not to be inspired to try something extreme yourself.It appears I am not alone, with Goggins yesterday reposting a bunch of his followers’ Instagram posts, which show their fitness journeys over the last few years, and the progress they have made, and which they attribute to embracing Goggins’ “stay hard” mentality.Fortunately, most of these people appear to have taken a more sensible approach than myself, and have trained consistently over a number of months and years to achieve some encouraging results.Take a look at the transformations in the video below.

David Goggins’ followers show off their body transformations (motivational rant comes first, then the photos)

“The comfort zone is where dreams die,” Instagram user @jzamora__ wrote, posting a before photo from March 2021 and an after photo from September 2021. “If @davidggoggins getting after it everyday then so am I.”“2 different paths, which will you choose,” Instagram user @jjxmtz wrote, posting a before photo from March 2020 and an after photo from July 2021.“Daily reminder to go to the gym and change your mindset,” Instagram user @thejacoballen wrote, alongside a transformation image comparing how he looked in February 2019 and September 2021.Another Instagram user, whose transformation Goggins also reposted, spoke to DMARGE about what inspired the change.Chad Raymond is a full-time fitness instructor in Washington DC. He told DMARGE: “My 1st impression was that David is insane!”

“Honestly, I did not start out as a David Goggins fan I thought he was ridiculous.”

“But over the 2020 lockdown I gained weight for the first time in my 52 years without intent and started to feel sorry for myself. And that’s when David’s voice started to ring true in my head.”“One day I woke up and just decided it was enough!!! When I don’t feel like getting out of bed, I hear David‘s voice. When I don’t feel like doing the extra reps, I hear David‘s voice. When my knees start to hurt, I hear David‘s voice… You get the picture.”The reason Raymond thinks Goggins resonates with people so much is this: “Once you dig into what David has gone through in his life, you know he speaks from experience. He is just a regular dude that pushes himself harder than anybody else is willing to.”

“I get the feeling he pushes his body so hard, with such intensity, not fearing death because he knows neither heaven or hell wants to deal with him (haha).”

As for what he would say to those that worry Goggins’ advice might inspire people to bite off more than they can chew, Raymond told DMARGE he was once of that perspective but has since shifted.“Fuck em… At first, this is why I wasn’t a fan of David’s, I thought he gave bad advice. But he isn’t, he’s not telling you to run 100 miles, he’s telling you to stop being a f*cking b*tch!”He added: “I hate the glorification of obesity and that [sic] we’re supposed to except being inside an unhealthy body.”

“It’s OK to love yourself, but you should always want to improve. As a fitness professional, it’s frustrating!”

This is a tricky issue, with many people laying praise on this kind of tough love message promoted by Goggins (and which has worked well for Raymond), saying that it worked for them.Many others, however, reckon that we need to reduce the stigma around being overweight, because it feeds into a negative cycle, and makes overweight people less likely to do anything about their situation. The proponents of this point of view argue that the body positivity movement is actually a more effective way to spark overweight people to lose weight, because you’re more likely to pick up healthy habits when you are happy rather than when you are depressed.That’s a discussion for another day though.Another Instagram user, @pattopit, whose transformation was also reposted by Goggins, wrote: “one year into discovering what I’m capable of, you’re an inspiration @davidgoggins, 180 to 150lbs #willneverbecivilised.”User @fijipinoallen wrote: “Stay hard – taking souls.”@_daviddingman, posting two photos, one from January 2021 at 412lbs and another from September 2021 at 280lbs wrote: “January 28, 2021, I got sober and decided to rewrite my origin story. It’s still being written. Every m*f*n day.”Further users who shared transformation photos included @letsgopuzzlez, who wrote: “throw back never wanna be this depressed again – ‘if you choose to do something attack it'” and @therealdesertgypsy, who wrote: “75 days, 401 miles, 265 workouts, 94,929 calories burned, 10, 838 min worked out, 30 lbs, 24 inches.”

“75 days ago I went to war with myself for the last time.”

“The most important conversation you have is the one you have with yourself.”Finally, @spicyalexfitnessjourney wrote: “2019, 2020, 2021, consistency is key, two years of dedication and each better than the next.”

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• I Tried David Goggins’ Craziest Fitness Advice. It Actually Worked 
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• American Man’s Incredible Transformation Proves Anything Is Possible When It Comes To Fitness

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