Now in its seventh consecutive year, March into Merivale got underway last week in some serious style. The event, now firmly cemented in the Sydney socialites’ diary, kicks off Merivale's five week long celebration of everything they do with the mother of all parties hosted at none other than their crown jewel, ivy. The $45 ticket price included eight tokens to redeem at any of the food stalls or bars and those who didn't feel eight were enough to satisfy could top up at various locations within the venue.
With all the usual Merivale venues represented across Ash St, Palings, Level 2, the Ivy Ballroom and Pool Club, food and drink were the main theme, but there was plenty of opportunity to feast your eyes and ears too with an array of live music and performance in every corner of the venue.
As you entered via Ash Street was pretty plain to see there was something big happening. El Loco seemed to draw the most energy from the crowd, perhaps from the bright splashes of colour and Mexican flare it’s known for, or maybe it was those dangerously easy to sip Margaritas and calamari tacos they do so well!
If you weren’t quite in party mode just yet, hatted restaurant Felix was dishing up Sydney rock oysters and Chandon to the well-distinguished guests. As easy as it would have been to pick your way through the options down stairs, there were 20 or so others to check out.
The next stop on my culinary adventure was to Palings and Level 2. A live band was smashing some kind of Latin-esque swing and a dj spun tracks in between sets. This must be where the crowd from El Loco had moved to because the energy here was something else. Once again spoiled for choice, with food and drink from Palings, Sunee’s Thai, Ms.G’s, The Fish Shop and Coogee Pavilion, my pick was the Burrata and heirloom tomatoes from Palings. Up top, Lorraine’s Patisserie found a perfect food and drink match in Dude donuts and Nougat ice cream paired with a Palmer & Co spiced Rum cocktail.
While the official event only ran through to 9pm, the night then only seemed to gain momentum for anyone who was keen to see hump day out with a bang! Don't worry if you missed the event though, there's five jam packed weeks of events. And as cliched as it sounds there's something for everyone, Monday night Yoga at the Ivy pool to dust off the weekend cobwebs right through to dessert classes that are all about meringues!
March into Merivale runs until March 29th. Tickets to events and more information can be found at www.marchintomerivale.com.au
