Dave Symes is the bassist for beloved indie-folk band Boy & Bear, which has been a staple of the Australian music scene for well over a decade.

Melbourne

"I really love Northcote. When I first ended up out there at a gig at the Northcote Social Club, I had a musician friend living out that way. They had a little studio in Northcote above a flower shop, so I got to know that area quite well — all the little shops and bars. I always try to get back out there, whether to see a band at the Northcote Social Club or check some venues out. It's a really cool spot."

Northcote Social Club

"There's a great record store called Happy Valley down on Smith Street. I always tell people to go down there because that's all connected — you can walk around, and you're so close to Fitzroy."

Happy Valley Shop

"There's an amazing Japanese cafe called Kuu Cafe and Japanese Kitchen. It’s really awesome, so I highly suggest you go there."

Kuu Café + Japanese Kitchen

"I'm a bass player — I play other instruments, but that's my play in Boy & Bear. And there's a great bass shop in South Melbourne called the Bass Centre. That's an awesome shop to go to, and they've got heaps of great equipment, so head out there."

Bass Centre

"Chinatown in Melbourne is awesome. You can get around so easily, and there are many great spots to stop and eat. A friend took me there when I was last there. It was a Vietnamese restaurant called Straight Outta Saigon, which I absolutely loved. I highly recommend having a feed there."

Straight Outta Saigon