It’s nearly tennis time again in Melbourne, and while most of the action is naturally on the court, the fun doesn’t end when the umpire calls game, set, match. Like a champion returning to defend the title, two-week dining festival Serve is back, with Mastercard and Broadsheet partnering up to serve a range of special offers at some of Melbourne’s best venues.

This January, Mastercard cardholders will have exclusive access to four priceless private dinners at top spots like Yugen Dining, Poodle, Atria and Circl, as well as 10 exclusive drink and dining offers. Best of all, each venue’s just a short stroll from all the tennis action. From bespoke cocktails to exclusive menus, here are the aces to get around:

Hazel

Hazel has made its home across two floors of the Richard Allen & Son building on Flinders Lane, complementing the historic space with menus that champion fire, smoke and Victorian wine. For Serve, though, the team is offering a refreshing Double Deuce Daiquiri for $25 with cognac, white rum and cachaça (a spirit made from sugarcane juice), plus fresh lime and a watermelon cucumber syrup.

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Dessous

Downstairs from Hazel is Dessous, a moody bar and restaurant that has made snack plates and well-matched drinks its specialty. This year, the team is celebrating the tennis season in style with a one-off cocktail called Game, Set, Match ($23) – it blends a cachaca and pandan tincture with Midori, lime and a salty mango strip on the glass.

Molli

Grab a spot among the art deco fixtures, abundant greenery and assorted curios of Abbotsford restaurant Molli. For its Serve menu, the team is offering a tennis ball tart and a Pimm’s Cup ($25) – an iconic duo, to be sure.

Future Future

Eclectic Japanese diner Future Future trades tradition for easy-going, fun and inventive dishes. This year’s Serve specials continue the theme, with two offerings – a dish of calamari udon with white sesame and crispy chilli and garlic oil ($29), and a sporty cocktail based on Japanese sports drink Pocari Sweat, with Roku gin and blueberry sake ($22).

Her

The city’s Pacific House building is the sort of multi-level venue in which you could easily lose a weekend, packed as it is with bars and restaurants like Her Rooftop, Her Bar,
and the vinyl-focused Music Room. Wherever you end up, you can order the Serve-exclusive Johnny Macaloma, a cocktail ode to tennis superstar John McEnroe that’s a twist on a Blood Orange Paloma ($18).

BKK

Another Her wonder participating in Serve is the fire-powered Thai diner BKK, which isn’t doing things by halves. You can also get the Johnny Macalomal cocktail here, as well as a lunch-only set ($35) that includes two snacks, an entree and a main. Expect dishes like chicken curry puffs with cucumber ajat, som tum (green papaya salad) and khao soi, and a coconut curry noodle soup.

Arbory Bar & Eatery

It’s no secret that this big, leafy bar by the Yarra is built for summer – and come January, we’ll be first in line for Arbory’s Serve special. You’ll find us sipping a glass of rosé paired with a prawn roll with cos lettuce, Yarra Valley salmon roe and potato chips ($30 for both).

San Telmo

Argentinian spot San Telmo employs the parrilla – a type of South American grill – to great effect, bringing the country’s affinity for chargrilled meat to hungry Melburnians. Alongside the meaty mains, you’ll find a menu of Argentinian favourites, like a special empanada for Serve, matched with a crisp cerveza ($15 for both).

Fred’s

The all-day sibling of French-influenced restaurant Frederic, Fred’s Bar is a little more casual – but no less stylish and intimate. The all-day spot is going for a double act with its Serve menu, offering up a prawn roll (that’s prawns, baby gem lettuce and Marie Rose sauce on brioche) alongside a house Aperol Spritz ($30 for both).

Robata

It’s all about charcoal-grilled Japanese bites at Robata, and you’ll find plenty of examples on the generous Serve set menu ($65), including two kinds of yakitori – chicken thigh with spring onion, and chicken meatball with tare-cured egg yolk – plus an oyster with sake ponzu, seared salmon sashimi, a chirashi hand roll and a black sesame parfait with matcha chocolate for dessert.

Serve runs from January 12 to 26, 2025. Offers are exclusively available to Mastercard cardholders only.

Serve Festival is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Mastercard