“I now officially declare Melbourne restaurants open for business,” Angus and Bon steakhouse owner Liam Ganley said as he cut a ribbon to cheers, confetti and applause.
How are you marking lockdown easing in Melbourne tonight? Send your photos and stories to stories@nine.com.au.
“People tooting their horns, pretending to give each other high fives (COVIDSafe version).
“The future is exciting.”
9News reporter Elisabeth Moss said champagne was on ice for some businesses ready to fling open their doors.
“The venues we’ve spoken to say they’re already at COVID capacity for tonight. That means that come midnight, many of them will have 20 people seated, at a distance, having dinner, enjoying a drink again,” she said.
Mr Ganley told 9news.com.au earlier the response from customers had been “crazy”.
“We have been inundated since yesterday,” he said.
“We are just trying to juggle everything. Everyone is just scrambling to get a table.”
Hotels and restaurants still are subject to strict customer limitations and must abide by COVID-safe regulations.
Retailers across the city also welcomed back loyal clientele as the clock struck midnight.
Kmart plans to stay open for 24 hours, and Spotlight doesn’t plan to close until 8pm.
At Chapter One, a women’s clothing boutique in Ivanhoe, in Melbourne’s northeast, family and friends gathered to pop the champagne, raise a glass, and share a few snacks.
“It’s been a long time without having your best customers through the door,” Jacqui Bonnett told 9News.
“We’ve really missed them.”
