On Thursday 29 November, Melbourne Museum\u2019s special evening event SmartBar will invite visitors to walk on the dark side of our city, exposing historical scandals, ruinous rumours and infamous crimes of Melbourne.<\/p>\n
Notorious gangsters, brothels, opium dens and the poisoning of Phar Lap will be some of the highlights of the adult only event, where the Museum\u2019s exhibitions and objects come out after dark.<\/p>\n
\u201cMelbourne has a much more colourful past than most people realise,\u201d said Lauren Ellis, Programs Officer, Melbourne Museum. \u201cWe all know of Ned Kelly\u2019s escapades, but the city has been captivated by a number of shocking crimes and notorious characters over the years.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSmartBar will shine a spotlight on some of the scandalous moments of Melbourne\u2019s early history, through talks by experts and the fascinating artefacts in our exhibitions. This is the perfect opportunity to learn more about Melbourne\u2019s dark corners in a relaxed, kid-free environment,\u201d said Ellis.<\/p>\n
Visitors to the upcoming SmartBar can expect to:
\n– Walk the mean streets of 1920s Melbourne and get acquainted with Squizzy Taylor and his cohorts, the infamous gangsters renowned for sly-grog selling, robbery and even murder.
\n– Discover the events around the still unsolved 1921 \u2018Gun Alley Murder\u2019, a shocking crime that led to the arrest, conviction, hanging, and eventual posthumous pardon of a local saloon owner.
\n– Explore Phar Lap\u2019s shocking death in 1932 which resulted from arsenic poisoning, long rumoured to be the work of organised criminals.
\n– Meet Melbourne\u2019s \u2018Queen of Harlotry\u2019 \u2013 Madame Brussels, the infamous proprietor of the most expensive and opulent brothels of Little Lonsdale Street.<\/p>\n
The Melbourne Story exhibition will be open on the night, providing a thorough insight into Melbourne\u2019s unique and changing tale with conic stories and over 1200 objects. Visitors will also be able to explore Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre\u2019s Birrarung Gallery.<\/p>\n
SmartBar is an exciting new addition to Melbourne nightlife and forms part of a growing range of adult programs presented at Melbourne Museum.<\/p>\n
Food and drinks will be available for purchase on the night. To avoid the queue, buy online, print and bring your ticket with you.<\/p>\n For further information follow Melbourne Museum on Facebook | Twitter @melbournemuseum #smartbar<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" On Thursday 29 November, Melbourne Museum\u2019s special evening event SmartBar will invite visitors to walk on the dark side of our city, exposing historical scandals, ruinous rumours and infamous crimes of Melbourne. Notorious gangsters, brothels, opium dens and the poisoning of Phar Lap will be some of the highlights of the adult only event, where<\/p>\n
\nSmartBar at Melbourne Museum
\nDate: Thursday 29 November 2012
\nTime: 6pm \u20139.30pm
\nCost: Adults $18, Concession $16
\nAdults 18+ only
\nTo purchase tickets visit http:\/\/museumvictoria.com.au\/smartbar<\/a> \u00a0or phone 13 11 02.<\/p>\n