Embrace the summer pop-up

From as soon as travellers arrive at Melbourne Airport, to the top of a barge on the Yarra River or at the famed Queen Victoria Market, here’s five of the best places to quench one's thirst with the tastiest of cocktails and most refreshing ales.

Be it a long- or short-haul flight, Melbourne’s renowned culinary, wine and craft beer scene comes to life at Melbourne Airport this summer as Stomping Ground offers some refreshing bevvies and snacks at Terminal 3½ between the Virgin Australia and Jetstar domestic terminals. Featuring ten of the iconic brewery’s beers on tap, Terminal 3½ is open every week day from 7:30am - 9:00pm (with beer flowing from 10am). Chilled beer is complemented by Victorian wines, ciders and locally produced soft drinks, with Proud Mary delivering coffee to the masses and food trucks on rotation to ensure a fresh option is available for pre/post-flight. Departure Dr, Melbourne Airport VIC 3045, (03) 9415 1944

Stomping Ground is also expanding its offering in the heart of the city, as Stomping Ground La Boca descends on the Arts Centre. Celebrating the arrival of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s EVITA, the pop-up bar and diner celebrates the spirit, sounds, smells and tastes of Argentina within a colourful beer garden. A new, Argentinian-inspired, lager will be served on-site, as visitors relax and enjoy live music and entertainment alongside delights from Asado by San Telmo. Patrons can bring along their dancing shoes to learn tango at the venue. The Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne

The iconic Arbory Afloat has re-berthed adjacent to its big sister, The Arbory, for the summer of 2019. Bigger, brighter and bolder than its voyage last year, the stunning floating bar atop the Yarra River features timber furniture, deck-striped cushions and luxe day beds to channel a Mediterranean vibe as Melbourne’s skyline shines throughout its surrounds. A dedicated gin and tonic menu showcases eight different local and international gin labels. The cocktail list is summer-ready with Pimm’s Cups, watermelon Margaritas, Aperol Spritz, Espresso Martinis, frozen Pina Coladas, white Negronis and pomegranate Mojitos. 1 Flinders Walk, Melbourne VIC 3000, (03) 9614 0023

Set on the rooftop of Melbourne Central, Reunion Island Pool Club offers an inner-city oasis for those seeking plunge pools, palm trees and prosecco. On the former location St Jerome’s - the hotel, the pool club offers more than just pools - earlybirds (before lunch) have multiple recreation options from yoga to meditation, massage and pilates. The space then transitions in the afternoon for sunbathing and swimming, and in the evenings, sunsets and sipping. Rooftop Melbourne Central La Trobe St & Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Melbourne’s original night market is back for its biggest summer yet at the Queen Victoria Summer Night Market. Set to feature more than 60 global street food stalls, 100 specialty shopping outlets, festival bars and a rotating line-up of live music and entertainment, the Summer Night Market is set to be a Melbourne’s hottest mid-week summer playground. Soak up those balmy evenings with a range of heavenly, summer-style dishes, refreshing beverages and plenty of backyard style games like totem tennis, Jenga and chess.  Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3000