Any exhibition boasting art by Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, Camille Pissarro and Berthe Morisot is always a must-see. When French Impressionism displayed at NGV International back in 2021, then, the Victorian venue should've had a blockbuster on its hands. But in a time of pandemic lockdowns, this feast of masterpieces on loan from Boston's renowned Museum of Fine Arts was plagued with a briefer-than-planned run. Bringing it back for a proper season might've taken a few years, but this showcase is just as huge in 2025 as it was aiming to be four years ago. When it comes to art exhibitions, second chances aren't common, of course. While a big-name showcase may display at several places around the world, it doesn't often hit the same venue twice. Between Friday, June 6–Sunday, October 5, 2025, the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne is flouting the norm, then — an understandable move when there's 100-plus works from French impressionism's best-known talents to share with art lovers. This is one of the largest collections of the eponymous art movement to ever make its way to Australia, complete with works that've never been seen here before. As it was in 2021, it's again part of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition series. One must-see: the presentation of 16 Monet canvases in one gallery, all in a curved display to close out the showcase — and focusing on his scenes of nature in Argenteuil, the Normandy coast and the Mediterranean coast, as well as his Giverny garden. In total, there's 19 Monet works in French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts' collection (Water Lilies among them), which still leaves the US gallery that's the source of the NGV's exhibition almost as many to display in Boston. Another section in Melbourne digs into early works by Monet and his predecessors, such as Eugène Boudin — and Renoir and Pissarro's careers also get the in-depth treatment. In addition, as the exhibition charts French impressionism's path across the late-19th century, visitors can enjoy three never-before-seen-in-Australia pieces, with Victorine Meurent's Self-portrait one of them. Ten-plus Degas works, as well as two pieces that were part of the very first exhibition of French Impressionism that took place in 1874, also feature. If you made it along to the showcase's first trip Down Under, you will notice changes, with the exhibition design reimagined for its latest presentation. That, too, is meant to take you back to Renoir and company's time, with interiors in Europe and across America's east coast in the era an influence. "More than 150 years after the first exhibition of French impressionist paintings were presented in Paris, the movement remains a beloved and powerful drawcard for audiences worldwide," said NGV Director Tony Ellwood, launching the exhibition for 2025. "French Impressionism From the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston offers Australians a rare opportunity to view 100 timeless masterpieces in person, and experience firsthand the bold brushwork and vivid colours synonymous with these artists." French Impressionism displays at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne, from Friday, June 6–Sunday, October 5, 2025. Head to the NGV website for more details and tickets. Images: Visitors in French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston on display from 6 June to 5 October, at NGV International, Melbourne. Photo: Dan Castano. // Installation view of French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston on display from 6 June to 5 October, at NGV International, Melbourne. Photo: Sean Fennessy.
UPDATE, Friday, May 30, 2025: Due to forecast wet weather, Nundah by Night has been postponed from Saturday, May 31 to Saturday, July 19. This article has been updated to reflect that change. When Christmas hits each year, the Nundah Markets stay up late, swapping one of its usual daytime events for a twilight shindig. That kind of fun isn't just for getting festive, though. For the past few years, it's also been for celebrating winter. Meet Nundah by Night, which will take place from 4–10pm on Saturday, July 19 in 2025. On the agenda: shopping, eating, drinking and being merry midyear. There'll be quite the lineup of places to grab handmade items from — 120-plus stalls, in fact — with clothes, jewellery, art, homewares, soap, candles and all things edible available. You'll find gourmet foods on offer as well (including bites to eat while you're there). For your $3 entry fee, you can enjoy a stint of browsing and buying under the site's fairy lights at Nundah Markets' usual spot on Station Street. And, you can stop in at the pop-up bar for a local craft brew, too — or warm up with some mulled wine. Live music is also on the lineup, as is a travelling and roving performers. And if you're wondering what you'll be snacking on, brisket, pulled pork, taco rice bowls and churros are just some of the dishes on the menu.
In recent years, there's been a growing perception that Australian nightlife is in decline, as rising cost-of-living pressures push more people to stay in and "enjoy their rent." With social habits shifting, particularly among younger generations, more than a quarter of nightclubs have closed since the pandemic. At the same time, Gen Z is increasingly being described as the "sober curious" generation, with drinking rates continuing to fall. All of these factors have resulted in quieter streets, restaurants that close earlier, and fewer people spending money in bars and clubs. The Visa Vibe Economy report, commissioned by Visa and conducted by McCrindle, surveyed Australians to learn how we spend our evenings (and how much cash we splash on a night out). It turns out that there are still a number of Australians getting out and about after dark. [caption id="attachment_1032801" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Getty Images Maskot[/caption] What's prompting Australians to get out? It should come as no surprise that we are a nation of foodies, with the research revealing the main reason we leave our homes after dark is to go out for dinner. With our major cities having thousands of world-class restaurants to choose from, it's no wonder that seven in ten Australians put food at the top of the list when deciding on a night out. Next on the list was the quality of entertainment, and interestingly, whether or not you can grab a pint at a night-time venue is low on Aussies' priority list. Only 28 percent of people surveyed felt that alcohol availability was necessary when choosing where to spend a night out. Aussies are heading out after dark for more than just a good time with mates—though that's still a big part of it. Half say they're hitting the streets to unwind and shake off the day, while many are keen to break the routine and discover something new. The call for fresh nighttime experiences is loud and clear, with over 50 percent of people wanting more night markets, festivals and late-night culture in their neighbourhoods. Of course, the cost of living also plays a crucial role, with 52 percent of us looking for more affordable options for a night out. With restaurants charging premiums due to the price of produce and the cost of living not seeming to slow down anytime soon, people's leisure budgets are clearly taking a hit. On average, 81 percent of Australians spend up to $120 per person on a night out, and cost was the most significant barrier for people not getting out and about in the evening. Who's getting out of the house the most frequently? The Visa Australia Night-time Index 2025, a new in-depth analysis measuring data such as spending, vibrancy, and venues open after dark, found Melburnians are the cohort spending the most evenings away from the couch, with the city being crowned as the number one night-time hotspot in the country. From the city's CBD laneway restaurants to the pubs in Brunswick and Fitzroy, Chapel Street's nightlife strip and St Kilda's live music scene, Melburnians have a number of precincts to choose from, all with a high standard of food, drink, and atmosphere. After the Victorian capital, Sydney was next on the list of Australian nightlife hotspots. The city and Inner South, Eastern suburbs, Parramatta, Inner South West, Inner West and North Sydney were all locations that saw the most spending after dark. Although you may feel your friends are staying in more than usual, the report finds that almost half of Australians go out in the evening at least once a week. Not bad. And despite their sober curious nature, Gen Z is leading that charge with 73 percent of the cohort getting out once or more a week. On average, the generation is spending 9.4 nights out per month, and boosting the economy at the same time. [caption id="attachment_1032802" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Getty Images Klaus Vedfelt[/caption] Where to next? Australians clearly love a night out. While we might not be hitting the clubs at the same rate as a few decades ago, the night-time economy is still contributing a lot to our way of life. So, get out there and try new restaurants, head to a night market you've not been to, and cheers to enjoying your city after dark. Discover the vibe near you. Lead image: Getty Images Thomas Barwick
Normally, no one plans to go to sleep at the movies. If an uninspiring film, being in a cavernous darkened room, the comfort of recliners and daybeds, simple tiredness or any combination of the above can cause your eyes to get heavy, however, there's now a session where dozing is encouraged. More than that, having a nap is exactly what patrons are meant to do at southeast Queensland's Limelight Cinemas when its new Snooze Sessions kick off. Is this the first trip to the flicks that's all about drifting off? This chain thinks so. Its Ipswich venue initially floated the idea as an April Fool's gag, but it's now officially on the lineup, kicking off on Monday, July 14, 2025. If you hear snoring during it, well, don't be surprised. Those chaotic A Minecraft Movie screenings with "chicken jockey" screams and other mayhem that were packing cinemas earlier in 2025? Consider Snooze Sessions the exact opposite. The projectors will still get whirring, but there'll be no shouts and thrown popcorn. Also, you won't be slumbering through a big franchise hit, side-splitting comedy, affectionate rom-com or any other type of movie. Instead, relaxing visuals are on the agenda. At its first edition, Snooze Sessions is going with a rainforest theme, not just in what graces the screen but in the dialogue-free soundscape as well. "Snooze Sessions isn't about catching the next blockbuster — it's about catching your breath. It's a unique experience that proves you don't have to watch a movie to feel transported. It's an invitation to take a break, enjoy the quiet, and reset in a darkened cinema," said CEO Ross Entwistle. Tickets cost $10 for a recliner and $20 for a double daybed — and places are limited to ensure that it truly is a restful experience Maybe this is your moviegoing dream, because picture palaces always make you sleepy. Perhaps you already know that dropping off will be impossible. Or, if you're spending cash at a cinema, you could want to actually see a film. Whatever fits, Limelight Cinemas is giving Snooze Sessions a try for a short time — and it's not joking about it. Snooze Sessions are taking place at Limelight Cinemas Ipswich, Riverlink Shopping Centre, The Terrace, North Ipswich, for a limited time from Monday, July 14, 2025. Head to the venue's website for tickets and more details.
Bear Bones Espresso joins Fonzie Abbott and Reverends as the latest Fortitude Valley coffee bar proving that you don’t have to venture to Winn Lane for a great cup o’ Joe. Flamingo Cafe may be the caffeine hounds’ venue of choice but the Valley is also home to a plethora of lesser known coffee joints, you just have to know where to look. Nestled between the Luxxbox furniture store and Light Sounds on Maclachlan Street, you really do have to look for Bear Bones. It’d be easy to mistake their cavernous frontage and metal roller doors for another industrial unit – until you spot the pot plants and technicolour graffiti. The latest venture from restauranteur Asa Boardman (brains behind New Farm’s Ponycat), the coffee shop boasts a menu of failsafe breakfast and lunch favourites (think avo on toast and pulled pork sammies), homemade cakes and a selection of T2 leaf teas. The coffee is roasted on site and also supplies Cobbler and much loved Paddington breakfast spot, Kettle and Tin. Despite the warehouse proportions, Bear Bones exudes the cosy-yet-cool vibe that has become something of a Boardman trademark. High tables are arranged for brunch catch ups and the light bulbs that hang within glass beakers kind of make you feel as if you’re having coffee in the New York apartment of a mad scientist (which we can totally deal with). Work by local artists also hangs on the walls, firmly cementing Bear Bones in its Brisbane setting. With rumours of an art studio out back and plans to start roasting their own beans onsite, we’ll be bearing with Bear Bones Espresso to see what else they have in store.
When is a brewery and bar more than just a brewery and bar? When it's also a cellar door. Borrowing a bit of terminology from the wine industry, Slipstream Brewing Company wants Brisbane beer lovers to drop by, sample its wares and take their favourites home with them. Opt for a tasting paddle, schooner or pint while you kick about at the Yeerongpilly warehouse, then grab a four-pack or growler for later. While Slipstream isn't afraid of getting experimental — whipping up a Parfait Milkshake IPA for 2018's GABS festival, for example — its standard range covers the bases, including a tropical pale ale, a rye pale ale, an American red ale, a pilsner with a pun-tastic name (Yerongpils), an IPA and a flavoursome XPA. Hops are the hero here, with the brewery favouring hop-forward beers which lean more to the bitter and fruity, rather than towards malt tastes. Nestled into an industrial park, it's a labour of love for owners Deale and Elisa Stanley-Hunt, Brisbane locals who took inspiration from the US beer scene, then brought their ideas back home And if you're after a bite during cellar door hours (from Friday–Sunday), look out for the rotating food truck lineup.
If you still have a big case of European summer envy as Australia's warm weather hits, here's one way to cure it: hanging out poolside at a northern Gold Coast beach club that takes its cues from the other side of the world. Opening at the exact right time of year, InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort's latest addition is all about waterside sipping and eating with a cruisy atmosphere (and, of course, without the expensive across-the-globe airfare). Officially welcoming in patrons on from Friday, December 1, the $2.5-million Lagoon Beach Club is the result of four months of renovations, and an eagerness to tick two boxes: giving this part of the Goldie something that it doesn't already have and lapping up those European vibes that've become the recent travel obsession. Patrons can enjoy a view over the one-acre lagoon beach with their drinks and food, with the menu heroing cocktails, seafood, pizzas and share platters. While a splash isn't on offer just for showing up, you can also grab a limited $30-per-person resort pass to use the lagoon and pool facilities, but only if you book in advance and subject to availability. "As the northern Gold Coast becomes more populated, there is a gap in the market for a destination-inspired venue that brings the 'beach' to this part of the coast," said InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort's General Manager Matt Rippin. "The Lagoon Beach Club celebrates the resort's iconic lagoon pool, adding a beach club influenced by European summers and grounded by its Australian home. It puts Sanctuary Cove on the map in a bigger way than ever before. We anticipate high demand over the summer months for a space that brings together residents, locals and visitors with an experience we know they will love." Menu highlights include oysters; prawns by the bucket, on rolls and atop pizzas; both charcuterie and cheese platters; beer-battered barramundi; and passionfruit cheesecake for dessert. If that culinary lineup makes you feel like you're on holidays, that's the point. The drinks range spans share cocktails — both red and white sangria jugs among them — as well as classic and house concoctions, plus mocktails, wine, beer and cider. The Limoncello spritz will help transport your tastebuds, as will the Sunset Colada (made with pineapple rum, lychee liqueur, strawberry purée, guava juice and coconut cream) and Chilli Sunset (featuring mango chilli gin, Aperol, pineapple juice and passionfruit pulp). Dining takes place on a sprawling deck, which can also host events. For hotel guests — and resort pass holders — three cabanas and double daybeds await, plus access to the marina. Via QR code ordering if you're making a day of it, you can also get your meal and beverages brought to your seat. InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort's Lagoon Beach Club opens on Friday, December 1, operating 10am–5pm Sunday–Thursday and 10am–9pm Friday–Saturday.
Finding somewhere to eat and/or drink along James Street is as easy as looking in any direction you like, but only one spot brings a fashion brand's aesthetic out of its clothing range and into a bar and restaurant. That venue: The Lodge Bar & Dining, the just-launched bricks-and-mortar outpost of New Zealand's Rodd & Gunn, which has thrown open its doors in a heritage Queenslander on the popular Fortitude Valley roadway. Expanding from helping stock wardrobes to tempting tastebuds isn't new for Rodd & Gunn, which originally opened its first Lodge Bar & Dining in Queenstown in 2016, then expanded to Auckland in 2020, and also made the leap to Melbourne in 2021. Brisbane's addition to the list was announced earlier in 2022, and sports the brand's rustic-meets-sophisticated vibe in venue form — plus an impressive food and drink menu. Book in for a meal here, and you'll be tucking into a menu conjured up by The Lodge Bar Group's Executive Chef Matt Lambert, which goes heavy on seasonal produce and local ingredients. Seafood features prominently, including in entrees such as sea trout tartare; via oysters from Batemans Bay, Tasmania and Moreton Bay; and from a spread that also spans eucalyptus grilled tiger prawns, open fire grilled rock lobster and mud crab royale. Blue crab spaghetti, buttered bug rolls and grilled rock lobster are big highlights, too. And, if you feel like forking out $250 for a 100-gram serving of caviar, you'll get whatever's the best at the time. Also standouts: pork terrine, muscovy duck breast, coal-roasted sun choke gnocchi and the wagyu of the moment. The Lodge Bar Group's Master Sommelier and Group Beverage Manager Cameron Douglas has come up with a wide-ranging drinks list to match — think oh-so-many wines from Italy, France, Spain, Argentina and Australia, with 36 percent of the vino offering hailing from New Zealand; and a range of creative libations that includes a rose gold negroni. There's even a dedicated cocktail room, should they be your tipples of choice. The 749-square-metre, 150-seat space also features oak wood flooring, wool rugs, and plenty of leather and brass decor, channelling an alpine mood. But the two-storey spot also makes the most of its classic Queenslander-style wraparound balcony, giving patrons a taste of NZ and the Sunshine State at once. Peering out over both James and Robertson streets come with the territory as well, naturally. While dropping in for a bite to eat and a beverage or several is the main attraction, the ground floor has been designed to let you mosey easily from its corner bar with banquette seating through to the retail space; as a Rodd & Gunn venue, being able to shop the brand's clothing was always going to be on the cards. Upstairs, there's another bar, a private dining area and that aforementioned balcony. And although this is The Lodge Bar & Dining's fourth outing, it holds pride of place for Rodd & Gunn, which has dubbed it its global flagship venue. Find Rodd & Gunn x The Lodge Bar & Dining at 49 James Street, Fortitude Valley.
The Australian-premiere season of Jean Paul Gaultier's Fashion Freak Show. Trent Dalton's Love Stories making the world-debuting leap from the page to the stage. A serialised live blend of dance and theatre that asks you to binge-watch in person. The return of both Lightscape to make the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens shine and The Art Boat sailing down the Brisbane River. You'll find them all at one place and one place only in 2024: Brisbane Festival, which has just unveiled its full lineup for this year. As fans of the Boy Swallows Universe author will already know, Dalton's Love Stories was announced in advance of the complete program — and now it has excellent company. Securing the only Australian run of Jean Paul Gaultier's Fashion Freak Show, a fashion show-meets-musical revue stage production that features more than 200 original Gaultier couture pieces and celebrates the designer's 50-year career, is an incredible coup for Brisbane Festival Artistic Director Louise Bezzina in her fifth year at the helm. Also huge as part of the performance, which is headed to South Bank Piazza: a couture piece by Queensland Indigenous designer Grace Lillian Lee, as chosen by Gaultier, will feature in the Brisbane season. Lee will also unveil her first solo exhibition The Dream Weaver: Guardians of Grace at this year's fest. The overall Brisbane Festival dates for your diary: Friday, August 30–Saturday, September 21. For that three-week period, almost every corner of Brissie will play host to the fest, as 1000-plus performances — more than 320 of which will be free, and with 13 enjoying their world debuts — fill the city. Some aspects of the program will get you seated in theatres around town, of course, but Brisbane Festival has always adored taking its roster of performances, gigs, installations and parties well beyond the usual venues. Hailing from Ireland, Volcano might be among the shows popping up in expected digs — at Brisbane Powerhouse — but it's anything but standard. Watching this performance means making a date with four 45-minute episodes, complete with intermissions, in a piece that riffs on a TV sci-fi thriller. Lightscape and The Art Boat are no strangers to Brisbane, with both making a 2024 comeback to dazzle iconic areas of the city with light and colour. On the latter, DJ sets will provide the soundtrack, while Briefs Factory and a range of other artists will be in the hot seat with burlesque, drag and circus performances. Firmly new not just to the Queensland capital or Brisbane Festival but to the world is opera Straight from the Strait, which is about the seven kilometres of railway track put down in a single 1968 day by Torres Strait Islander workers — and yes, it's a true story. Also enjoying its global debut is Lighting the Dark by Dancenorth Australia, in collaboration with Chris Dyke. The latter, a performer and choreographer living with Down Syndrome, has weaved his love of Banksy, David Bowie and Freddie Mercury into what promises to be a heartfelt presentation. Kitchen Studio from artist Elizabeth Winning is yet another certain highlight, acting as an installation by day and hosting small guests for a sensory experience by evening. Still getting interactive, Adrift tasks its audience with playing a role in a participatory theatre work — following instructions received via headsets — that's a mix of a mystery and a game. The standouts keep coming, including Big Name, No Blankets, which celebrates Warumpi Band across two nights of concerts, as inspired by founding member Sammy Tjapanangka Butcher's stories; Skylore — The Rainbow Serpent, as featuring 400-plus drones to tell a First Nations story above the city; GRIMM, with Shake & Stir switching from 2023's stage iteration of Frankenstein to a show that weaves in Snow White, Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood; and this year's round of Brisbane Serenades, complete with events in Moorooka, Northshore Brisbane, St Lucia, Kuraby and Victoria Park. Or, there's the Queensland premieres of Eucalyptus and Private View and — the first turning Murray Bail's Miles Franklin Award-winning novel into an opera, and the second exploring the intersection of disability and sexual desire across a four-room setup. Riverfire, Sweet Relief!'s return headlined by Kelis, the tradition that is the Common People Dance Eisteddfod, Cirque Bon Bon bring Le Retour back to Brisbane: they're all a part of the festival as well, as is plenty more — so whether you're a Brisbanite keen to hop around your home town or an interstater planning a visit, no one will be short on things to do across Brisbane Festival's 23 days. "Brisbane Festival believes in the transformative power of the arts to unite, inspire and empower and my fifth festival program is a creative celebration of this power on both a global and a local scale," said Bezzina about the 2024 lineup. "I am delighted this year to bring leading international artists as well as creatively significant, profoundly inspiring and wholly entertaining works from across the world to our city." "Brisbane Festival remains a celebration by and for Brisbane so when we bring these global works to our city, we create opportunities to spotlight the extraordinary talents of our local artists on the world stage." Brisbane Festival 2024 runs from Friday, August 30–Saturday, September 21 at various venues around Brisbane. Head to the festival's website for tickets and further details.
At Sokyo, the phrase "looks good enough to eat" earns a new spin. Here, the sushi, sashimi, king prawns in yuzu butter off the robata grill and plenty more almost look too artful, too eye-catching and too enticing to devour. For its first expansion out of Sydney, as well as its debut eatery in Queensland, this Japanese fine-diner has given its Brisbane location in the new Queen's Wharf precinct a specific gift: Executive Chef Alex Yu, brandishing his skills as a "sashimi florist" over the restaurant's aesthetically pleasing menu. Yu earned that nickname at Sokyo Sydney, where he worked for eight years from 2014 and became renowned for his fish platters featuring floral arrangements. In 2022, he moved to Yugen Melbourne to take on that restaurant's Head Chef position. Now, he has completed the east coast capital-city trifecta by coming to Brisbane to helm the new Sokyo. Sokyo's opening, launching when Queen's Wharf did at the end of August 2024, brings a swag of good news to the River City. Brisbanites no longer need to visit Sydney to dine at the culinary standout, for starters. The second Sokyo is part of The Star Brisbane, just as the Harbour City's sits inside The Star Sydney. At The Star Gold Coast, Queensland already boasts fellow Japanese restaurant Kiyomi — a sibling eatery, if you like — but this is the first time that the Sokyo brand has set up shop elsewhere. If you haven't visited Sokyo down south, it heroes traditional cooking techniques and making dining a sumptuous feast for the senses. The restaurant's guiding principle: ritual meets art. The idea is to apply Japanese culinary practice to Australia, including using local produce — from Queensland, of course, at Sokyo Brisbane. In a space that seats 160, features both a sushi bar and a circular private dining room, and has Hassell to think for its scroll- and timber screen-heavy Japanese restaurant decor, patrons can enjoy a range of Sokyo's famous dishes that've made the jump from its OG location to Brissie. Two such highlights: spicy tuna with crispy rice, plus hiramasa kingfish with miso ceviche and crispy potato. Standouts from the rest of the menu include A5 wagyu with egg yolk, garlic chips and gold leaf; tempura snapper paired with a coriander salad; miso-glazed toothfish; and salmon belly aburi. Or, as long as you have at least one person for company, opt for the $160-per-person tasting menu. The multi-dish spread features four seafood plates, the choice to upgrade to a chef's selection of sushi or wagyu in wasabi sauce, plus mochi and strawberry milkshake ice cream, and a caramel macchiato. To wash them all down, sake, Japanese whisky, shochu cocktails, and tap and bottled beers from Japan take pride of place on the drinks list. You can also sip wine, champagne and non-alcoholic beverages.
When 2023 reached its midway point, Brisbane said goodbye to Milano's and the Pig 'N' Whistle in the Queen Street Mall, with both closing their doors at the end of June. Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner announced plans to demolish the two to free up more open space, as part of the Brisbane City Council's City to South Bank Vision, aka its roadmap to revamping the popular stretch of inner-city pavement. Don't go thinking that you can't still get something to eat at the respective George Street and Edward Street ends of the QSM, then. Replacing the two structures is a series of pop-ups, which the council also outlined last year. And, the first dining activations are now up and running, including the mall's debut pop-up restaurant, plus excuses to tuck into dessert and coffee. In the Edward Street section, Sons of Napoli has set up shop. Operating out of a vintage farm truck, it has launched a 60-seater slinging woodfired pizzas, and will stick around until early February "We're absolutely thrilled to be offering Queen Street Mall patrons a sample of delicious Italian fare from our restaurants this summer," said Sons of Napoli co-owner Judy Dillon. At the George Street end, Gelato à Go Go and Fonzie Abbott are doing the honours, giving QSM visitors more dessert and caffeine options. The two share a seating area, so you can still sit down to sip your cuppa or lick your way through an ice cream. "Our plans to revitalise Queen Street Mall will pave the way for new activations to pop up around peak seasonal dates or when major events come to town, delivering further economic benefits for Brisbane," said the Lord Mayor. "Queen Street Mall is still one of the busiest malls in Australia with more than one million movements through the mall every week and that's because it has continued to evolve over the past 40 years." Back when the council first revealed its new mall plans, it advised that turning the reclaimed space at either end of the paving into licensed pop-ups was on the cards. Gin bars and brewery tastings were also floated, so fingers crossed that they come next. Tearing down Milano's and the Pig 'N' Whistle is one of two massive changes in the Queen Street Mall in the past year. The other: losing the Myer Centre, with Myer moving out and the shopping complex itself renamed Uptown. Find Sons of Napoli at the Edward Street end of the Queen Street Mall, Queen Street, Brisbane — and Gelato à Go Go and Fonzie Abbott at the George Street end. Sons of Napoli will be onsite until early February. For more information about Brisbane City Council's City to South Bank Vision, head to Councillor Vicki Howard's website.
Stradbroke Island is famous for its white sands and crystal-clear waters — and this haven is only 30 kilometres off the Brisbane coast and accessible via ferry or water taxi. One of the most beautiful walks here is the North Gorge Walk, which crosses the northern tip of North Stradbroke. On an effortless 30-minute saunter, you'll be completely surrounded by invigorating seascapes, rugged rock formations, unspoiled bushland and loads of wildlife. If you're lucky, you might even spot a giant sea turtle. Although the walk is brief, you should take your time to make the most of it. There are plenty of seats where you can rest for a few minutes and soak up all of the sublime surrounds. [caption id="attachment_702559" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] Top image: Tourism and Events Queensland
Cru Bar + Cellar has long been a refuge for Brisbane drinkers who prefer conversation over chaos. Sitting at the top of James Street, just far enough from the heart of Fortitude Valley to avoid the frenzy, it has built a reputation as a confident bar that knows exactly who it's for. The venue's focus is, and always has been, wine. Its list is consistently recognised with industry awards, balancing depth and drinkability across Australian and international producers. Whether you're chasing a classic, something a little left of centre or a special bottle worth lingering over, the selection is guided by structure and quality rather than trend-chasing. [caption id="attachment_1079453" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Katy Bedford[/caption] Recently renovated, the space now feels sharper and more contemporary while retaining its easy sophistication, with improved flow between the various areas. High ceilings, a statement chandelier and an indoor–outdoor layout create a setting that works just as well for a long midweek glass as it does for an unhurried Saturday night. It's polished without being precious. The food menu is designed by award-winning chef Richard Ousby (formerly of Stokehouse Q, Quay and London's Michelin-starred Waterside Inn) and is built to stand confidently alongside the wine. Dishes lean seasonal and produce-driven, using top-tier Australian ingredients to suit Brisbane's climate and complement the venue's extensive list. Expect refined bar snacks, seafood and larger plates designed for sharing, with a tasting menu available for those keen to let the kitchen and sommelier do the pairing work. [caption id="attachment_1079451" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Katy Bedford[/caption] The cellar is more than just storage; Cru is one of Brisbane's strongest independent wine retailers. It's here that the venue's strengths really shine: knowledgeable staff, thoughtful pours and a genuine enthusiasm for helping guests understand what's in the glass. Keep an eye on social media for the free weekly tastings, which offer a relaxed way to explore specific regions, producers or styles. Cru Bar + Cellar endures by doing the fundamentals exceptionally well. It's a place for grown-up drinking, good bottles and nights that unfold at their own pace. Images: Anwyn Howarth
Never picked up a snowboard or snapped on a pair of skis? No problem. Not only are there ample opportunities to upskill on the slopes — there's so much more to Thredbo than snow sports. Welcome to the après-ski lifestyle: fine wine, fondue, fireplaces and some next-level snowfields fashion. This winter is your chance to go all out with luxurious champagne lunches, outdoor dance parties, live music, mountaintop feasts and fireworks lighting up the night sky. Whether you want to jump into the jam-packed events calendar or wind down by the fire at a cosy bar with a schnapps in hand, you're about to discover why Thredbo is an award-winning winter experience. THE FASHION Forget being swaddled in shapeless, dull puffer jackets and uninspiring colour palettes. Thredbo is all about the 80s snowfield chic. We're talking stylish fluoro detail, faux fur, and a killer headband and flashy goggle combo that'll have you looking sharp on the mountain and at the bar. Need some inspo? When it comes to vintage winter gear, it's go hard or go home. So crack out the snowflake sweaters and furry headbands and get ready to put your best boot forward. THE PARTIES Congratulations, you now have a wardrobe fit for the First Base First Base's A Vintage Après Ski Soirée — the wildest party you'll find in Thredbo this winter. If you think a night of dancing, DJs and Canadian Club will help to cut through winter's bite, make First Base your number one party priority. July 23 will see Stace Cadet take pride of place; August 20 brings the ever-fabulous Poof Doof to the chilly locale; and attendees on September 3 are in for a surprise headliner. Heineken is joining forces with Thredbo to transform Alpine Bar into the outdoor live music space of dreams with Heineken Saturday. Set Mo will be bringing their groove-heavy dance tracks on June 11; while the August 6 session will be a tribute to the electronic mastery of Daft Punk courtesy of Discovery, the duo dedicated to the One More Time virtuosos. And, if that mega offering still has you wanting more, White Claw Weekend is bringing KLP to increase the heat in the snow town. Seltzers and a DJ set from an industry heavyweight after a morning on our glorious slopes? The makings of an epic Saturday. If you only hit up parties for the food (we get it), take the Alpine Gondola up to Merritts Mountain House for its Bavarian-inspired winter feast. The Kareela Hutte Supper Club is a genteel affair where you can watch the Saturday night fireworks with a champagne and canapé in hand. Or, if you're after something a bit more low-key, see what's on at some of the smaller local venues, such as the regular trivia night at T-Bar. THE MUSIC Can't make it to one of the parties? Don't worry, you won't miss out on Thredbo's music scene. Venues around the village have loads of live gigs throughout the busy winter months. Swing by Merritts Mountain House for regular DJ sets or head over to the Schuss Bar to catch live bands performing. The Lounge Bar at First Base is the perfect spot to kick back with a drink by the fire and take in a solo set. Make sure you keep an ear out for more local gig announcements closer to the snow season — chances are there'll be something that grabs you. THE FOOD You might not think of Thredbo as a foodie destination, but that's about to change. Apart from its top-notch restaurants and delightful ski-side kiosks, Thredbo is laying on a spread of delicious events this winter. First up, the GH Mumm Long Lunch will return with luxurious alpine fare and the finest bubbles. On Wednesday evenings from July 13–September 7, you can ride on the Snowcat to Kareela Hutte for a night of premium wining and dining overlooking the picturesque snowy village. Craving a foodie experience, but can't wait to hit the slopes? Head up the mountain for a Sunrise Session. Nothing will beat a delicious breakfast and mimosa on the mountain before jumping on your skis or snowboard in the first rays of light. THE DRINKS Whether you're chasing a fine wine by the fire or hankering for mountaintop steins of beer, Thredbo has an ideal venue for your preferred tipple. Eagles Nest — the highest restaurant and bar in Australia — offers beer, wine and cocktails with an unparalleled view. Love a bev but can't loathe getting in and out of your gear? Head to ski-in, ski-out venue Kareela Hutte for your vino break. Down in Thredbo village, the Après Bar at The Denman boasts a brilliant range of spirits and liqueurs and a team of cocktail experts ready to shake up your perfect winter drink. For an enviable wine list, hit up Cascades Restaurant, Sante or grab a bottle at Thredbo Cellars. Or, take a trip out of town to the Wildbrumby distillery for locally produced schnapps, vodka and gin at the cellar door. THE VILLAGE Whether you stay in a cabin, chalet, apartment or the Alpine Hotel itself for your winter wonderland, you'll soon discover that Thredbo is more than a resort — it's got that community vibe. Be sure to visit the village bakery, the aptly named Local Pub to tie one on, and then go full alpine indulgence with fondue at Candlelight Restaurant and a rejuvenating session at Tineke Edwards Massage Therapy after a big day on the slopes (or in the lounge bar). For a touch of arts and culture, you can check out JK Gallery and Mountain Shop for original artworks, sculptures and homewares. THE STORIES Whatever winter adventure you choose, you'll have plenty of stories to tell. Whether you travel with the whole crew, the family, or make new friends along the way, you can sit back at the end of the day and regale them with tales of your successes and slip ups on the slopes. Did you catch the fireworks? The ice sculptures? Which roaring alpine fireplace is, in fact, the most cosy? Soon, you'll have all the intel on secret spots to share with your crew that are sure to keep you heading back, year after year. Keen to check out Thredbo's après ski scene for yourself? For more information and to plan your snow trip, visit the website.
Before Parasite and after Parasite: for audiences, for the film world in general and for composer Jung Jae-il, that then-and-now split applies. Bong Joon-ho's 2019 movie earned immensely deserved devotion and collected almost every accolade that it could — including the Palme d'Or at Cannes, the Sydney Film Prize, a Golden Globe, two BAFTAs, a Screen Actors Guild Award, an Asian Pacific Screen Award, five Grand Bell Awards and, making history, four Oscars — as it wowed everyone, viewers and awards voters alike, with its class-clash black comedy/thriller tale. It wasn't Jung's first collaboration with the Memories of Murder, The Host and Snowpiercer director or his last; however, it was an unsurprisingly pivotal, influential and impactful experience. "First of all, I just fell in love with film music," Jung tells Concrete Playground. "Because I'd been composing for so many genres, like dance, pop, all genres, for decades, but I'd never thought I would be a professional film composer," he continues. Prior to Parasite, Jung had other film scores to his name, including for the Bong co-written and produced Haemoo (also known as Sea Fog) and the Bong-directed Okja, but lending his musical talents to the Kim family's efforts to infiltrate the Park household "was very challenging and exciting," he notes. "And making music for the film, it just made me go deep inside of me. Trying to translate the director's vision and the edit, the cuts, I have to understand what the cut needs in a musical way." "I felt like I have to be a translator‚ to translate the director's vision to musical language. And it was very exciting — sometimes very despairing — but [I thought] 'oh, this could be my turning point'," Jung furthers. "And as a pop musician, pop composer, pop music is very short. Sometimes it's even two minutes. And I had a really hard time to make that short music, because I like to make drama in music — but to make drama, it's too short," he says. "So all of this is very inspiring. I can give my mind more to film music. I just love that." Jung's music career dates back to being a teenager. For the big screen, he's now also the composer behind Bong's Mickey 17, Hirokazu Kore-eda's Broker — the acclaimed Japanese filmmaker and Shoplifters Palme d'Or-winner's first South Korean feature — and 2025 Sundance-premiering American dramedy Twinless. On the small screen, one of the biggest streaming sensations of the 2020s wouldn't have proven the same without his integral contribution, with scoring Squid Game also on Jung's resume. [caption id="attachment_1009331" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Squid Game S3. No Ju-han/Netflix © 2025[/caption] Thanks to that fight-to-the-death hit Netflix dystopian thriller dropping its second season at the end of 2024, then its third and final run in mid-2025, and also due to Mickey 17 reaching cinemas and Twinless doing the film festival rounds as well, the past year has been particularly huge for Jung. Now comes a trip to Australia for something that's rarely occurred before: Parasite in Concert. At the Melbourne International Film Festival — where Twinless is also playing — the composer is both performing and conducting Parasite's score live, aided by Orchestra Victoria, across two shows on one day. "It's very special for any composer, because it's a live-to-picture show. Just performing scores live is very common, but with the screen from top to the bottom it's so very rare. It is quite challenging as well — but for me, it's a lifetime experience as well," Jung advises. The complexity springs "because I should play exactly with the screen. So we have a very complicated playing system, the metronome and clicks, and all that. That is very challenging." [caption id="attachment_1016407" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix[/caption] What goes into preparing for Parasite in Concert for Jung? "It's very simple to play just by myself, but I have to collaborate with the orchestra, so I should prepare the score and parts, and talk with the maestro or the musical director," he explains. "And I'm going to move to Melbourne just before, three days or two days before the show, and rehearse with them for about a whole day. So I should prepare the two-hour score in a day. That's very challenging for me, but very exciting as well." Attendees will witness the results on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Melbourne's Hamer Hall, in what's set to be one of the highlights of MIFF's 73rd edition — and a stunning way to help close out the festival's Thursday, August 7–Saturday, August 24 in-person stint for the year (its online program also runs from Friday, August 15–Sunday, August 31). Jung is also set to speak about his career on the same morning in an hour-long in-conversation session. In the lead up to his trip Down Under, we chatted with him about his composing journey so far, too, as well as working with Bong Joon-ho multiple times, finding inspiration, his path to Squid Game, his first response to the show's premise and more. On Jung's Journey as a Composer Leading Up to Parasite "When I was a teenager, I worked as a session musician — guitar and piano. And for many composers and many singers. And one day, this one composer called Won Il— he is a very famous composer, especially in traditional and film composing in Korea — suggested me to arrange some parts of a score, and that was the very first start for me. And then as a main composer, I worked for a film called Marine Boy. That was my first film. Nobody knows the film in Korea, but it was a little bit not a good experience for me — too many works and too little income. So I thought 'I cannot be a film composer right now'. So I just forgot about that. And after that, Baram just came to me to work with them, and they required me to make music with only traditional Korean instruments. That was very challenging and very interesting, so that's why I said 'okay' for them. And with that film, it was very interesting, but not helpful for my life — not helpful for my financial situation. So I just forgot that. And after that came the film Sea Fog, which is the film where the executive producer was Bong Joon-ho. And with the film, 'oh, this is film scoring. Oh, this is quite exciting.' And I love the orchestra — and I could use the orchestra a lot. So that was a very satisfying project. Sea Fog, nobody knows as well, but I just started to see the precious thing in film scoring. And with Okja, Parasite, I just definitely fell in love with film scoring." On Jung's Creative Partnership with Bong Joon-ho Across Okja, Parasite and Mickey 17 "As I said before, I'm just a translator. I don't want to express my own individual musical taste or musical hope like that. I'm concentrating on what this director is thinking and what this cut is saying to me. That's why Mr Bong Joon-ho likes me, because I'm just concentrating on his vision only. But that's the basic attitude for me to work with other directors as well." On the Bong Joon-ho's Meticulousness and Precision — Including Only Shooting the Exact Shots He Needs, and How That Type of Approach Carries Over to Movie Scores "To be honest, that is very common in Korean film. Everybody does that. But Bong Joon-ho really explains precisely what he's thinking. So, I don't say that much. He just tells me what he's been thinking and how this cut is completed — I think that's it. And when you get the final locked version of cut, after that I have to take care of everything regarding music. But when he doesn't like my first version of music, he tells me what he doesn't like, what he likes, very precisely — sometimes in a very imaginative way, sometimes in a very practical way. That's why Mr Bong Joon-ho is different among other directors." On Finding Inspiration for a Score From Beyond a Director's Instructions "For Parasite, Bong Joon-ho just told me that he'd been listening to baroque music, baroque-era music, a lot while he was writing the script. But as a self-taught composer, I didn't know much about baroque music. So I had to research Vivaldi, Bach every day. Sometimes I played Bach's 'Goldberg Variations' every morning. So I practiced and I exercised to get the baroque elements into my body, into my heart. That's one way to find the inspiration." On Getting Into the Right Mindset for Parasite "As a film composer, the first opening theme is very important. Even though it's not a main theme, the opening theme is very important for a composer because it's the first step. And with that first step, the path is going through — and in the script of Parasite, the first phrase was 'very hopeful music with despair'. I didn't know what to do, so I tried several versions of opening them." On How Genre Impacts the Way That Jung Tackles a Film Score "Basically I love drama, because I love to use the orchestra or piano, rather than computer music or band music. So I prefer drama rather than sci-fi or a thriller. For Mickey 17, it's a sci-fi, but it's a film about love at the same time — love and hope and peace. So I could use piano and orchestra in a very traditional way, because even if it's sci-fi, I could make the score in a very traditional way — and I am very happy with that." On Working with Hirokazu Kore-eda on Broker "I just watched this film Nobody Knows in 2004. I was really shocked, and I just fell in love with this film. And I've been tracking all of his masterpieces for decades. And finally, I heard the news that he is going to make a film with Korean staff and Korean actors. So I just wrote a letter to him with my previous works: 'I would love to work with you in Korea'. That's how I worked with him. That was the first time I approached a director before he approached me." On How Parasite's Success Helped Jung's Career, Including Putting Him on the Path to Squid Game "It was unbelievable recognition for me. I'm just a person who works backstage, behind the curtain. I had many opportunities, many chances. And because of Parasite, I just met director Hwang Dong-hyuk of Squid Game. And Squid Game is an unbelievable success. It's a phenomenon. I got proposals from many American directors for many scripts — and even I released my own solo album with Decca Records in London, which I'd never thought about before. But for me, my life is not that changed, because I'm just working alone in my own studio. But the obvious thing is now I don't have to prove myself to other people. That's quite comfortable for me — I only need to concentrate on how to make good music. That's the most-important part, most-important change for me. And I just fell in love with series or film music — to translate the vision into musical language. That's very powerful work and very useful work at the same time, because film is not going to fade away — music is film's best friend. So they're the most-exciting changes for me." On Jung's First Response to Squid Game's Premise "It was so brutal and cruel, so I just thought 'I could do this' and 'this is very quite exciting'. And I was a fan of Mr Hwang Dong-hyuk because of his previous work called The Fortress. I've watched that film about 10–20 times. So I had very deep faith in him. So even though the script was very brutal, full of blood, I could read the humanity. The very deep studying of humanity — I could read that in the script, even in the tragedy and violence. [caption id="attachment_977953" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Squid Game S2. No Ju-han/Netflix © 2024[/caption] So 'yeah, why not?'. Because he was my hero, one of my heroes — and 'yeah, I would love to do this'. But for me, it was very challenging as well because it was a series — my first time on a series — because I was very used to two-hour films. But this is nine-hour films. So 'oh, I could do that?'. That was very challenging for me." [caption id="attachment_840359" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Squid Game S1[/caption] On the Influences for Squid Game's Score "Every time that I make a new score, I search for a unique way. Unique is better than common things. That's how I'm thinking. So I just found these musical instruments which are very familiar for Korean children in elementary school — they learn that instruments like recorder, castanets, tambourine, melodeon, that kind of thing. And 'oh, that that could be very interesting'. [caption id="attachment_1007294" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Squid Game S3. No Ju-han/Netflix © 2025[/caption] And children are not good at performing, so they make disharmonies and no rhythms, then that makes some kind of scary sounds as well. So 'let's start with these elements'. That was my first way to approach Squid Game. And I composed some cues that felt a little bit like Hollywood-style music, but Mr Hwang Dong-hyuk really hated that Hollywood-style approach. So I just thought 'alright, I could just remove this Hollywood-style, I'm going to stick to very unique and powerful, sometimes-traditional style'. That's how it started from the first part." On Evolving the Music for Squid Game Across Three Seasons "I think I just concentrated on how to make this scene powerful. I could revise or rearrange and repeat the main theme — the successful themes — time to time, but I decided to make original ones a little bit more. So one is very different from two. Two is very different from one. And three is very different from two. But for season three, I repeated this one theme called 'I Remember My Name', which is first used in season one and it represents the farewell in death. That is the most-repeated theme of Squid Game — and other than that, all are original." Parasite Live in Concert takes place on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, Southbank — head to the venue website for tickets and further information. The 2025 Melbourne International Film Festival runs from Thursday, August 7–Sunday, August 24 at a variety of venues around Melbourne; from Friday, August 15–Sunday, August 17 and Friday, August 22–Sunday, August 24 in regional Victoria; and online nationwide from Friday, August 15–Sunday, August 31. For further details, visit the MIFF website.
With exciting outdoor explorations, remarkable eateries, eye-opening cultural experiences and an effortless transit system, Singapore is a no-brainer for your next family getaway. Thanks to Singapore Tourism, we've rounded up some insider tips on activities around the Lion City to delight any kids (and kids at heart) and make your family trip to Singapore unforgettable. Skip the tourist haunts for these lesser known adventures when you're here. Race at Hyperspeed at The Palawan at Sentosa Sentosa is a haven for family fun, with everything from tranquil beaches, shops and eateries to theme parks, indoor skydiving, zip-lining and treetop obstacle courses, a dolphin island, and a role-play city for kids. Can't decide where to start? Kick off your Sentosa adventures at The Palawan, where you can get a bite at the food trucks before letting your tiny tots run wild at Singapore's only floating water park, HydroDash, or at the beachside mini-golf course, UltraGolf. The Palawan is also home to a massive go-karting circuit, which spans 308 metres across three levels. What makes HyperDrive stand out is not only its sheer size, state-of-the-art electric go-karts and immersive lighting and sound features, but its innovative Game of Karts experience. Instead of just zooming around the track, drivers can participate in an interactive virtual game while racing, collecting weapons or boosts along the track to beat out the competition. Stimulate Your Senses at Sentosa's Sensoryscape While you're at Sentosa, be sure to explore the newly opened Sensoryscape. As the name suggests, this 350-metre passageway is a treat for the senses, making use of pioneering architecture, soundscapes, augmented reality and light projections. Linking Resorts World Sentosa to the beaches in the south, Sensoryscape features six stops — the Lookout Loop, Tactile Trellis, Scented Sphere, Symphony Streams, Palate Playground and Glow Garden. From verdant views and streams of water to textured plants, scented flora and edible greenery, each garden is designed to be interactive and immersive. As the sun sets, Sensoryscape comes alive with digital projections, sounds and lights to complement the installations. Be a Zookeeper for a Day at Mandai Wildlife Reserve Get up close and personal with Singapore's wildlife at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, which consists of the Singapore Zoo, Bird Paradise, Night Safari and River Wonders. Do more than just marvel at the animals when you visit the Singapore Zoo — children above the age of six can become a zookeeper for a day and learn about Mandai Wildlife's conservation efforts, meet some of the animals, try their hand at basic caring duties and enjoy lunch at Ah Meng terrace. There are two programs: the Kid Edition runs from 9am–1.45pm on Saturdays for little ones between the ages of 6–12, while the Junior Edition runs from 9am–4pm on Saturdays for teens above the age of 13. Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth at the Museum of Ice Cream With 14 themed rooms, interactive experiences, delightful photo opportunities and of course, unlimited ice cream, the Museum of Ice Cream is a pastel-hued paradise. Embrace your love of all things sweet as you play giant games, do arts and crafts, leap around in an inflatable room and dive into a pool of sprinkles. A general admission ticket will also get you unlimited amounts of five different ice cream desserts, but for only 10 SGD more, you can unlock additional flavours with a premium ticket. Marvel at Nature at the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden Located in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, this enchanting park is specifically designed for children under the age of 14 and is the first of its kind in Asia. Intended to educate little ones and foster their appreciation for nature, the gardens include a maze, playground, treehouse, pond, flying fox, potting garden, fruit orchard and classrooms, with interactive activities and educational signs dotted throughout. To preserve the magic of the grounds (and for safety reasons), adults are only permitted if accompanying a child. [caption id="attachment_983728" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Oo La Lab Facebook[/caption] Create Your Own Scent at Oo La Lab For a one-of-a-kind souvenir, book in for a workshop at Chinatown perfumerie Oo La Lab. Adults and teens can have a go at mixing their own scents to create a bespoke perfume, incense or candle. If any little ones want to have a go, there's also a 60-minute workshop for kids aged five and older, where they'll get to learn about smells, play around with fragrances and make their own scented body wash to bring home. Book your Singapore holiday now with Flight Centre.
Every July, celebrating all things French is always on the agenda, all thanks to Bastille Day. Here's one particularly tasty way to do just that: free croissants. Throughout the entire month, every day from Monday–Saturday each week, King Street Bakery is handing out 100 free buttery, flaky, oh-so-delicious pastries. In total, it'll give away 2500 plain croissants across the whole of July. The two caveats: to get your hands around (and tastebuds enjoying) a croissant without paying a cent, you will need to buy a barista-made beverage. You'll also need to get in early each day, because it's a first in, first served kind of deal. There's also only one free croissant available per person per day — and if you're wondering why there's none at all on Sundays, that's because King Street Bakery isn't open then. Still, we know exactly the two words you're looking for: très bon. While you're making the trip to Bowen Hills, if you feel like tucking into the rest of the bakery's wares — such as its viennoiseries, its range of tarts (both sweet and savoury), and its Parisian-style breakfast and lunch range — that's understandable. That part won't be free, though.
Bushfire-affected communities are doing it tough across Victoria right now. So far, upwards of 700 structures have been destroyed, and more than 1000 agricultural properties have been impacted. With community support needed more than ever, we've put together a list of ways you can donate to leading bodies, fundraise for devastated businesses or dine and shop with those contributing essential funds to the cause. Donate to the VFF Disaster Relief Fund Activated in times of crisis, the Victorian Farmers' Federation (VFF) Disaster Relief Fund provides much-needed financial support to bushfire-affected farmers as soon as possible. The peak advocacy body has just put out a call, asking for the public to dig deep and provide financial support. Head to the website to donate. View this post on Instagram A post shared by YIAGA (@yiaga.au) Show Your Support for Fowles Wines Situated on 300 acres in Avenel, the long-standing winery Fowles Wine has been severely damaged, with the family behind the business losing their home, sheds, vineyards and most of their livestock. While the cellar door and restaurant have survived, Fowles says people can support their recovery by making a wine purchase through the website, joining the wine club or visiting the cellar door now that it has reopened. Moondrop x Mel Hack Bushfire Donations New Shanghai-inspired cocktail bar, Moondrop is hosting Canada-based whiskey specialist Mel Hack for its first-ever guest shift. Having worked at some of the world's best whisky bars, Hack is teaming up with Moondrop's Jesse Kourmouzis to serve four cocktails showcasing Canadian and Asian flavours. Held from 5–10pm on Saturday, January 17, $1 from every cocktail purchase will be donated in support of the Australian bushfires. Head to Instagram for more information. View this post on Instagram A post shared by YIAGA (@yiaga.au) Harcourt Fundraiser at The Victoria Hotel Woodend with Rock & Ranges With the destroyed Harcourt Cooperative Cool Store housing products and produce for over 90 small businesses, Rock & Ranges Brewing Co-operative lost all but two kegs in the blaze. The team is donating these to a fundraiser, held from 12pm on Sunday, January 18, at The Victoria Hotel Woodend, with all beer sales going towards those impacted by the Harcourt fires. Head to Instagram for more information. Donate to Henry of Harcourt Operating since 1994, Henry of Harcourt is a small family-run orchard and cider mill, specialising in top-notch dry ciders and over 40 varieties of apples. With the Harcourt fires devastating the Henry family's home, orchard and much-loved community space for regional traders, a fundraiser has been launched to help secure the business's future. Head to the GoFundMe to donate. View this post on Instagram A post shared by YIAGA (@yiaga.au) Donate to Maison LAPALUS and Maidenii Also found at the Harcourt Cooperative Cool Store were the operations of winemaker Maison LAPALUS and vermouth brand Maidenii. Led by culinary community stalwarts Shaun Byrne and Gilles Lapalus, the businesses lost vital stock, equipment, and raw materials in the fires, including a ten-year-old solera system used to age liquors. Head to the GoFundMe to donate. Donate to A Glass Of Independent wine business A Glass Of was another business decimated by the Harcourt fires. Launched in 2020, it offers a curated collection of wines, hand-picked by restaurant sommeliers and delivered in 200-millilitre recyclable pouches. The business has lost all equipment, wine and packaging, so any support goes a long way. Head to the GoFundMe to donate. Donate to Coolstore Cafe Running alongside the local storage facility, Coolstore is a cherished local cafe serving coffee, cake and light lunches. Opened in August 2024, owners Bonnie and Remy Sowman have lost their business and income, with a fundraiser up and running to help the couple and their three kids get back on their feet. Head to the GoFundMe to donate. Shop with High Country at Home With the bushfires directly impacting crucial tourist numbers exploring rural Victoria, you can lend your support by buying from small businesses through High Country at Home. This digital platform by Tourism North East lists locally made products, including cool-climate wines, handcrafted homewares and premium chocolates, while offering a way to book future stays and experiences. Head to the website to make a purchase. View this post on Instagram A post shared by YIAGA (@yiaga.au) 600 Above 20 Percent Donations Located in Woodend, local wine bar 600 Above has showcased local wineries, breweries, and distilleries since 2023. On Sunday, January 18, the venue will donate 20 percent of all sales to the Harcourt community, helping to support those most impacted by the fires. Head to Instagram for more information. View this post on Instagram A post shared by YIAGA (@yiaga.au) Donate to the Hotel Care Foundation The Australian Hotels Association Victoria (AHA) is accepting donations for its Hotel Care Foundation, with local venues having already raised $50,000 for bushfire-affected communities, emergency services and first responders. AHA members, partners, suppliers and patrons are encouraged to donate. Head to the website for more information. Bushfire Relief Market and Raffle at Hyphen Spaces Head along to Carlton North third space Hyphen Spaces and its neighbour Sleepy's Cafe and Wine Bar from 12–6pm on Saturday, January 31, to catch a bushfire relief market and raffle. Featuring artisan products and baked goods from local creators and makers, all proceeds go towards Sikh Volunteers Australia, whose food van is a common sight during national emergencies. Meanwhile, a winning raffle ticket might score you a $150 dinner voucher for two at Sleepy's, a hand-woven scarf from artist Christy Chudosnik or an original Ying Wang artwork valued at $690. Head to Instagram for more information. BlazeAid Fundraiser at Tallboy & Moose Spend the afternoon sipping on top-quality brews alongside a feel-good sausage sizzle, as Preston brewery Tallboy & Moose hosts a beer and snags fundraiser for BlazeAid from 12–4pm on Saturday, January 24. With $2 from selected beer purchases and 100 percent of sausage sizzle sales going to a great cause, BlazeAid is a volunteer-run organisation that supports families and individuals in rural Australia following natural disasters. Head to Instagram for more information. Maidenii & Maison Lapalus Fundraiser at Gin Palace Much–loved cocktail bar Gin Palace is rallying behind Maidenii and Maison LAPALUS co-directors Shane Byrne and Gilles Lapalus from 4pm–3am on Monday, February 2. Hosting the Pour it Forward fundraiser, all takings are being donated to the pair, whose businesses were destroyed in the Harcourt bushfires. With Byrne a bartending alumnus of the bar, Maidenii's vermouth has been poured at Gin Palace for over a decade. Get down to experience a one-night-only cocktail list and plenty of legendary chicken sandwiches. Head to Instagram for more information. Toorak Cellars BBQ Summer Series 50 Percent Donations As part of its 15th birthday celebration, Toorak Cellars is hosting the second edition of its BBQ Summer Series. With some of Melbourne's best culinary duos taking charge of the tongs every Sunday from February 1–March 15, Toorak Cellars will donate 50 percent of all profits from the series to the Harcourt Relief Fund. Meanwhile, the wine bar will also be showcasing Madeinii-based martinis and Love Shack Brewing Co beers, both severely affected by the fires, throughout the event. Head to Instagram for more information. BlazeAid Fundraiser at Bar Local Drop From the backstreets of Collingwood, newcomer Bar Local Drop is hosting a bushfire fundraiser from 2pm–late on Saturday, January 31. With all proceeds going towards BlazeAid, the bar is putting together a delightful snack menu using ingredients donated by local friends, including Oceanmade, Natoora and JR Foster Meats. Think juicy skewers, pizzettas, tapioca fritti and more. To drink, Stomping Ground has supplied the beers, while Bar Local Drop is pouring Bress Wines throughout the day, showcasing the winery after it was damaged in the Harcourt fires. Meanwhile, there'll be booze, meat and wine raffles to help raise even more funds. Head to Instagram for more information.
For many, it's not really Easter unless you've scoffed your bodyweight in hot cross buns in the lead-up. And, thankfully, you don't have to forego that tradition this year, either. A stack of local Brisbane bakeries are here to fix your cravings, self-isolation or otherwise, launching handy hot cross bun home-delivery services all across town. Jump on the phone or the web to make an order and within hours you'll be tucking into some handcrafted Easter buns, plump with fruit, loaded with spices and slathered with lashings of butter. From the traditional glazed version, to some crafty new-world remixes, here's our pick of hot cross buns you can now get delivered straight to your door. If you are going out to pick up takeaway, have a look at the latest COVID-19 advice and social-distancing guidelines from the Department of Health. CHOCOLATE HOT CROSS BUNS FROM JOCELYN'S PROVISIONS For years, cult-favourite bakery and dessert shop Jocelyn's Provisions has been answering those Easter cravings in style, with handcrafted hot cross buns that pretty much fly out the door. This year, it's whipping up two different varieties of the seasonal staple — a traditional glazed version packed with dried fruit and a blend of spices, and a decadent riff boasting plenty of melty choc chips infused through the dough. Both buns are an easy $12.50 for a six-pack. They're available for delivery to a range of Brisbane suburbs, with a $5 flat-rate fee and a $20 order minimum. How? Order online for pick up or call (07) 3852 3799 for delivery. HOT CROSS BROWNIES FROM DELLO MANO It might be best known for its indulgent chocolate brownies, but this year Dello Mano is having a crack at some hot cross buns as well. These newly debuted treats are the kind that stick with tradition, featuring spiced dough studded with loads of fruit. Or, if you fancy something a little more inventive, there's the long-time seasonal favourite 'Hot Cross Brownies' — rich brownies hand-dipped in Belgian chocolate and finished with a white chocolate cross. Both are available for delivery across Brisbane and you can even score same-day drop-off for orders placed before 11am. How? Order delivery via the Dello Mano website. GLUTEN FREE HOT CROSS BUNS FROM NODO The masters of natural, gluten-free treats at Nodo have created the dietary-friendly Easter bun you've been dreaming of. These glazed hot cross buns feature an assortment of warm spices, dried blueberries and currants, clocking in at $24 for a six-pack. Or for something a little different, try Nodo's 'Hot Cross Donut', infused with dates and Easter spices, and covered in couverture chocolate ($6 each). A contactless delivery service is now available from Nodo's Newstead and Camp Hill stores, with a $50 minimum order and a $5 flat-rate delivery fee. Just give them at least 24 hour's notice and you should score your buns between 9am and 1pm the following day. How? Nodo's hot cross buns can pre-ordered online and delivered within 24 hours. ORGANIC VINE FRUIT HOT CROSS BUNS FROM PHILLIPPA'S Long-running bakery Phillippa's is here to ensure all your hot cross bun cravings are fulfilled this Easter, even if you're stuck at home. Its chewy glazed buns are a perennial favourite, crafted with slow-fermented dough, house-made candied peel and loads of organic vine fruit. A box of six will set you back $18, with Australia-wide shipping available for a flat-rate of $9.95. And, if isolation's left you feeling a little creative, jump over to the website to find a couple of crafty recipes to put any extra buns to good use. Toasted hot cross bun ice cream might just be the Easter treat you've been waiting for. How? Phillippa's hot cross buns can be ordered online and delivered. CLASSIC HOT CROSS BUN FROM CRUST & CO A traditional artisan bakery with both French and Italian roots, Newmarket's Crust & Co has your classic hot cross bun fix sorted. Its signature Easter buns are an annual hit, made on buttery brioche and crammed full of spices, dried fruit and ginger. And this year, it's even easier to get your hands on a serve, with a new $3 home delivery service available to nearby suburbs, Thursday–Sunday. A half dozen buns clocks in at $10 — grab two packs and you've made the $20 minimum order cut-off. Shoot Crust & Co an email with your details and order before 3pm, and you should have it in your hands the next morning. How? Check out the full menu here Email orders@crustandco.com.au for delivery. Top image: Nodo Hot Cross Donuts
What's set to feature synth-heavy tunes, a big blender, plus Tony Armstrong and Courtney Act chatting Australian audiences through one of the huge music events of every year? In 2025, that's how the Eurovision Song Contest will play out. Another May is in full swing, which means that another round of acts are taking to the stage to compete for Europop glory. Flying the flag for Australia at the 69th Eurovision: Go-Jo with the song 'Milkshake Man'. The place: Basel in Switzerland, thanks to Nemo winning Eurovision 2024 with 'The Code'. And the dates for your diary: Wednesday, May 14–Sunday, May 18 Down Under. The event's 2025 semi finals take place at 5am Australian time on Wednesday, May 14 and Friday, May 16, with Go-Jo featuring in the second. Then, this year's winner will be crowned on Sunday, May 18. To watch along from home, you'll be heading to SBS and SBS on Demand — which is where Armstrong and Act come in. As announced back in April, the pair are fronting the Aussie commentary team this year, with the ex-AFL footballer-turned-TV presenter (Eat the Invaders) teaming up with the Australian Idol and RuPaul's Drag Race alum to guide audiences through the full 2025 Eurovision experience. Act was part of the 2024 coverage, too, as SBS's backstage Eurovision correspondent. Go-Jo, aka Marty Zambotto, was named in February as Australia's latest entrant. While you might've been among the folks helping his single 'Mrs. Hollywood' notch up 60-million digital streams and one-billion views, he's performing 'Milkshake Man' at Eurovision. Enter that big blender for the Manjimup-raised, now Sydney-based performer, another former footballer (in the West Australian Football League), who was the ninth most-streamed Australian artist in the world in 2023. "The Milkshake Man's purpose is to inspire people to embrace the loudest and proudest version of themselves, and I can't think of a better place to share that message than the Eurovision stage. It's an absolute dream come true to represent such a beautiful and diverse nation, and I've never been more excited to share my art and vision with the incredible Eurovision fans around the world," said Go-Jo when he was announced at 2025's Aussie competitor. And that blender? It's part of Go-Jo's staging, and measures four metres in height — with Australia going big, literally, to mark ten years since first competing in Eurovision when Guy Sebastian entered the 2015 contest with 'Tonight Again'. [caption id="attachment_1003691" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jason Henley[/caption] For newcomers, Eurovision started back in 1956 as a competition between a mere seven nations. Now, nearing seven decades later, it's a glitter-strewn and spandex-fuelled global musical phenomenon. Thirty-seven countries not only in Europe but from elsewhere are competing in 2025 — hello Australia — and viewers tune in en masse to watch, sing along and add new pop tunes to their queues. When Go-Jo performs his track in the semi final, he'll be up against performers from Ireland, Austria, Greece, Denmark, Finland, Montenegro, Latvia, Armenia, Lithuania, Malta, Georgia, Czechia, Luxembourg, Israel and Serbia. If he then makes his way through to the grand final, he'll be one of only 21 acts making the cut,. France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Switzerland are automatically guaranteed spots. You have choices if you're keen to watch — depending on whether you want tear yourself out of bed before it's light. If you want to view the proceedings live, you can from 5am on the relevant days. Streaming replays will also be available mid-morning. Or, if you can somehow manage to avoid the internet and social media, both semis and the grand final will also screen in primetime across Friday–Sunday. Can't decide whether to beat the sun or wait and host a party at sensible hour? It's worth remembering that Australians can indeed vote for Eurovision, but only until around 18 minutes after the last song is performed in each live semi-final broadcast and about 40 minutes after the last track ends in the grand final. Voting is open to everyone in all finals — whether you're from a country participating in that final or not — and the artists who get through from the two semi finals to the grand final will be solely chosen by the audience at home. Still remaining the same: the rule that says Australians can't actually vote for Go-Jo, because no one can vote for the country they represent. [caption id="attachment_1003694" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nick Wilson[/caption] "I'm so excited to jump into the world of Eurovision with the one and only Courtney Act, who has already taken me under her wing. I'm definitely not envious of her brilliance and my jealousy won't make it on screen I promise. Eurovision holds such a special place in so many hearts around the world. I look forward to being a part of the spectacle along with Courtney," said Armstrong when his Eurovision hosting gig for SBS in 2025 was announced. "I was not prepared for how much I would enjoy Eurovision last year — and this year I'm back, now with everyone's favourite IT man Tony Armstrong (who I can confirm is just as delightful and dashing in real life as you'd expect). I'll be offering my commentary expertise on every costume reveal, key change, wind machine and pyro moment I know Switzerland will deliver. Tony's already taught me a thing or two about team sport energy, and I'll be returning the favour with a crash course in camp," added Act. Eurovision 2025 Broadcasts Live broadcasts: Semi final one: 5am AEST on Wednesday, May 14 on SBS and SBS on Demand Semi final two: 5am AEST on Friday, May 16 on SBS and SBS on Demand — featuring Go-Jo Grand final: 5am AEST on Sunday, May 18 on SBS and SBS on Demand Streaming replays: Semi final one: from 8.30am AEST on Wednesday, May 14 on SBS on Demand Semi final two: from 8.30am AEST on Friday, May 16 on SBS on Demand — featuring Go-Jo Grand final: from 10.30am AEST on Sunday, May 18 on SBS on Demand Prime-time TV 'access all areas' broadcasts: Semi final one: 7.30pm AEST on Friday, May 16 on SBS Semi final two: 7.30pm AEST on Saturday, May 17 on SBS — featuring Go-Jo Grand final: 7.30pm AEST on Sunday, May 18 on SBS SBS' Eurovision 2025 coverage runs from Wednesday, May 14–Sunday, May 18. For more information, head to the broadcaster's website — and for more information about Eurovision, head to the event's website. Eurovision rehearsal images: Alma Bengtsson / Sarah Louise Bennett / Corinne Cumming.
Brisbane's dining scene has been on a mighty upward trajectory in recent years, with scores of forward-thinking restaurant, cafe and bar openings ensuring the city's food culture competes with the country's best. At the forefront of this momentum is the Tassis Group, which has just unveiled Aunty, the 12th restaurant in its impressive portfolio, joining the likes of Rich & Rare, Mulga Bill's, Stilts, Longwang and Pompette. Set to launch amid Fortitude Valley's vibrant James Street precinct in the second half of 2025, guests can expect high-quality, but approachable, modern-Asian cuisine. Balancing the rich culinary traditions of Cantonese flavours with classic techniques and contemporary flair, those familiar with the Tassis Group's approach should anticipate another distinctive dining destination. "Fortitude Valley has this incredible energy and diversity that perfectly matches what we want to achieve with Aunty," says Tassis Group founder Michael Tassis. "We've been searching for the perfect location to showcase our modern take on Cantonese-inspired Asian cuisine for almost two years, so when the Wandoo Street space in Fortitude Valley became available, it was a no-brainer." Aunty's new digs are in the former home of City Winery, just one street over from Fatcow on James Street, another Tassis-led restaurant. That makes life simple for incoming Aunty Head Chef Salvatore de Ponte, who brings 15 years of experience in top-notch kitchens across Australia, Asia, Italy and the UK, including as the former Fatcow sous chef. The menu is yet to be revealed, but expect Asian classics and innovative interpretations, complemented by banquet-style dining. "Salvatore's approach to Cantonese-inspired cooking is both respectful and revolutionary," says Tassis. "He understands that great food is about more than just ingredients. It's about technique, timing, and an almost spiritual connection to the cooking process." Like the cuisine, the restaurant's design is also highly considered. Overseen by longtime Tassis Group collaborators Clui and creative agency Allo Creative, Aunty will resonate with moody interiors and modular dining zones. Plus, the design will pay respect to traditional Cantonese teahouses, while adding modern flourishes that speak to Brisbane's evolving dining scene. Aunty is expected to open at 11 Wandoo Street, Fortitude Valley in the second half of 2025. Head to the website for more information. Images: Mitch Fresta.
Maybe you first heard of Peloton when US President Joe Biden took office, with his use of the company's technology-enabled equipment giving rise to questions about its potential White House security risks. Perhaps you've seen the mocking ad created by Ryan Reynolds' Aviation American Gin, or the Saturday Night Live spoof. Or, you could just really like expensive additions to your home gym setup, or getting guided through your workout routine by an instructor without having to leave the house. Whichever fits, Australians will soon be able to get their hands on the brand's indoor bikes — and, as of this week, you can now take part in its streamed classes as well. Back in March, the company announced plans to launch Down Under this year — and it's currently in the process of doing just that. First up: the Peloton app, which Australians can download now. It's where you'll find the company's popular workout content, including via a free trial for the next 90 days. After that, you can pay $16.99 per month to keep accessing its at-home exercise sessions via a digital subscription. On offer: instructor-led classes, motivational tracks and curated playlists, with the latter featuring the likes of Beyoncé and The Beatles. The sessions cover cycling, running, strength training, high-intensity interval training, yoga, barre, pilates, dance cardio, bootcamp and meditation. Time-wise, they span from five to 60 minutes in length and, in terms of skill, range from beginner to advanced. And if you'd like an all-access membership for your entire household — because your partner and/or housemates are keen, too — that'll cost $59 per month. Next, from Wednesday, July 14, Peloton will be roll out its physical equipment in Australia. Presumably, it won't be doing so by using its controversial 2019 TV commercial, which received considerable backlash and gave rise to the aforementioned parodies. Australians will be able to choose from two Peloton bikes to begin with, and neither comes cheap. The Peloton Bike will cost $2895, while the Bike+ will set you back $3695. If you're wondering what the difference is, the latter comes with a bigger screen that can rotate 360 degrees, and with a better sound system — because connecting to the Peloton app and streaming its workouts while you're hitting the pedals is all part of the process. The Peloton app includes material that doesn't require the brand's equipment, so you can give it a try without breaking your budget. Peloton is also setting up physical showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne, should you want to give its bikes a test run in person. The brand also makes treadmills, although when they'll be available in Australia hasn't yet been announced. Now that Peloton has arrived Down Under, it has set up shop in its fifth country worldwide, after the US, the UK, Canada and Germany. The Peloton app is now available in Australia, and the brand's bikes will be available from Wednesday, July 14. For further details, keep an eye on the company's website.
When Patti Smith tells you to put your hands up and feel your fucking freedom, it's pretty difficult not to oblige. And, when you take a second to look around at the lights, gums and five stages at Tygarah Tea Tree Farm (which somehow was not a swamp despite all the area's recent rain), you realise Bluesfest 2017 is a pretty good place to do it. Of course, how you feel your festival freedom is up to you. This year, the five-day Easter long weekend festival, gave punters the opportunity to skitter from Courtney Barnett to NAS, sing along with their dads at The Doobie Brothers, feel some high note tingles during Gallant's set and join an audience-wide line dance with New Orleans eight-piece brass band The Soul Rebels. That's not to mention Patti's two sets (we're sure that everyone who saw her play Horses in full on Friday came back for her acoustic set on Saturday), a jazz orgy from the always-great Trombone Shorty and Neil Finn closing out the festival with some Crowded House on Monday. We did all of this, but we also decided to find our freedom by way of food. This is pretty easy at Bluesfest — most of the nosh on offer is delicious and, better yet, comes from local producers and eateries. As always, the offering was vast and dietaries were well catered for. Even if you weren't there this year, it's likely a lot of these eateries will make a return appearance at this year's Splendour in the Grass, and many of them can be found around Byron and the Northern Rivers area at other times of the year. Here are some of the best things we demolished during the festival. MELLAWACH FROM YAMAN Gozleme is generally a staple of the festival diet, but at Bluesfest, it's all about mellawach. But that's no reason to be disappointed — the Yemeni fried bread is possibly even better than its Turkish counterpart. Get it stuffed with spinach and feta (and served with pureed tomato, zhug and a boiled egg) or, for eating on the run between stages, you can get it all thrown in a wrap. Yaman do catering for festivals and markets around the area, and have just opened a restaurant in Mullumbimby. TEMPURA VEGGIE BOWL FROM FEDERAL DOMA CAFE Bluesfest is a long festival, and you can't survive on fried bread for the whole five days. But these Japanese bowls are another story. The veggie tempura (also available with salmon or teriyaki chicken) comes with brown rice, leafy greens and a sesame dressing, and it was one of the best things we ate at the festival. The stall is run by Federal Doma Cafe, which is worth a visit in its own right — the drive out to Federal from Byron is lovely and the food is worth hunting down outside of festival time. A DOUGHIE FROM BYRON BAY ORGANIC DOUGHNUTS Look, we're not saying this is the reason we go to Bluesfest year after year, but we're not saying it's not. These balls of dough are about as legendary as the festival itself. Like all popular eating establishments, the line can get really, really long — on Friday night it was at least 30 people deep. But you've gotta do it. For future festivals, we recommend going around lunchtime, grabbing a coffee and scoffing one of these bad boys (in caramel, chocolate, blackberry or plain) while they're still warm. Byron Bay Organic Doughnuts also regularly appear at markets in Byron, Bangalow, Brunswick Heads, Mullumbimby and Lennox Head, just FYI. LANGOS FROM LANGOS HUT How good can bread with cheese and sour cream really be? Well, pretty bloody good. Langos is a Hungarian style of fried flatbread topped with various condiments — sort of like a personal pizza, but much simpler. This is a good one if your tummy's feeling a little fragile from the night before — it's plain, but it's bready, chewy and savoury and will fill you up for a few hours. VEGAN GLUTEN FREE PASTA FROM THAT ARANCINI GUY When you've got one or more dietary requirements, you're pretty used to eating hot chips and self-supplied rice cakes at festivals. Luckily, festival food has evolved way beyond meat and wheat, and Bluesfest is certainly no exception. That Arancini Guy covered off all of our own/our mates' dietaries in one fell swoop — this lil' bowl of pesto pasta is not only vegan, but gluten-free as well. Plus, they bring their own parmesan wheel to the festival, so you can also get spaghetti straight outta the cheese wheel if there are no intolerances holding you back. These guys are actually based in Melbourne and are regulars at festivals and markets around Victoria. FALAFEL FROM FALAFEL & KEBABS BYRON BAY Every festival needs a good falafel — and while this one from Falafel & Kebabs wasn't the best falafel we've ever had, it did the trick nonetheless. The falafels were hot and crunchy, and they even have gluten-free wraps. But perhaps we've just got high standards because we know Orgasmic Food (one of Australia's best falafel purveyors) is only a few kilometres away. Someone start a petition for them to come to Bluesfest next year. MASALA DOSA FROM DOSA HEAVEN Future Bluesfest tip: walk past the potato spiral tent (there's always one...) and proceed to find potato of a different kind. Arguably the best way to eat potato at Bluesfest is when it's ensconced in a paper-thin Indian crepe and served with coconut chutney. Dosa Heaven regularly makes appearances at the markets at Murwillumbah and up on the Gold Coast too. A FLAT WHITE FROM BUNCOFFEE No Bluesfest weekend could go by without a visit to the coffee tent. Somehow the Byron-based BunCoffee crew, in their fifth year at the festival, managed to knock out copious cups of coffee each day (and night) and still make each one taste good.
From icy winds to sudden rain and spells of balmy sunshine, it can be tricky to know how to dress for the unpredictability of Aussie winters. Layering is the key to getting through the colder months — you can still wear your favourite t-shirt or mini dress and add a light trench, puffer jacket or drapey scarf to stay cosy and elevate your look with minimal effort. We've selected some of our top seasonal clothing essentials that should be a part of your capsule wardrobe for many winters to come — provided you look after them properly. Enter the Philips Garment Steamer, which not only eliminates wrinkles on all iron-safe fabrics but also removes odours and kills bacteria so you can extend your wear between washes. The compact handheld steamer is ready in just 30 seconds and can be folded to fit in your bag so you can even bring it with you when you're going straight from work to happy hour. Trench Coat You can't go wrong with a simple trench coat. The versatile jacket has remained a beloved classic for more than a century for good reason. The layering staple is substantial enough to add warmth while still light enough to minimise bulk. Wear it on top of a t-shirt and jeans to add a layer of sophistication to a simple outfit, or style it with a dress and heels for a more elegant look. You can pick up a lightweight option from Kmart for only $35 or invest in a weightier version that'll see you through many winters to come by brands such as & Other Stories ($299), UNIQLO ($199.90), DISSH ($249.99) and Assembly Label ($300). Sweater Dress For those days when it's too cold to even think about what to wear, throw on an effortless sweater dress with a pair of boots to stay snug from day to night. We'd advocate for spending a bit more on a wool or wool blend that'll last for more than one season, like AERE's Merino wool blend dress ($170), which features a chic mock neck and slit, or Seed Heritage's knit dress ($199.95), which has a roomier fit and sits above the knee. Style it with a belt and statement earrings for an elevated look, or dress it down with sneakers for a more casual vibe. Waterproof Boots Stay prepared for bouts of unpredictable weather with a pair of waterproof boots that are comfortable and stylish. Merry People's colourful Bobbi range ($159.95) is crafted with natural rubber and boasts a comfortable neoprene lining and arch support, making it suitable for all-day wear, no matter the weather. The Victorian brand also has gumboots for kids, knee- and calf-length boots, and convenient waterproof clogs that you can slip on when you're hustling out the door. Another option is Human Premium's Jam Boots ($89.95) which are similarly made with lightweight EVA and a neoprene interior. Puffer Jacket Our Aussie winters might not be as cold as other parts of the world but that morning chill can be a brutal challenge, especially when you're trying to find enough motivation to venture out of the house. Combat the nippiness with a puffer jacket that you can easily shrug off as temperatures ease during the day. Throw it on top of your activewear to keep hot girl walks alive during winter or layer it with a sweater for some extra cosiness. There are a range of choices and prices depending on what you're after like this water-resistant jacket for outdoor adventures by The North Face ($550), a lightweight option by UNIQLO for your office commute ($99.90), or statement pieces by Toast Society and AJE ATHLETICA. Blanket Scarf Tie your whole outfit together with an oversized scarf that's basically a blanket you can wear. Not only will it keep you warm but it can be styled in a variety of ways while adding a pop of vibrance and pattern to a muted winter colour palette. The Acne Studios scarf became a coveted winter accessory two years ago but you don't have to drop $500-plus to achieve the same aesthetic. Country Road, Bul and Witchery have colourful alternatives made with alpaca, mohair and wool blends for under $200 while Princess Polly has a polyester version that's only $30. Shop the Philips Handheld Steamer 3000 Series and other products on the website.
No matter what your poison, our drinking culture is heavily influenced by big brands, their labels and their signature bottles. Take Absolut Vodka for example, which for many years has run an internationally recognised campaign based on the image of the clean and simple lines of their vodka bottle, in the process making it a modern icon of design. German designer Jorn Berger is getting us to rethink how packaging affects our drinking preferences in a series called Ecohol. He has repackaged some of the world's best known alcoholic drinks, putting them into Tetra Pak cartons. Not only do Berger's designs challenge us to rethink what really influences our consumer choices, they also offer us a sustainable packaging alternative to glass or plastic bottles. Cheers to that. [Via PSFK]
Earlier this year, Mondrian Hotels launched its debut Australian stay just steps from the iconic Burleigh Heads beachfront. And like its other design-first accommodation, spanning glam locations from Los Angeles to Cannes to Seoul, the Aussie foray brought wall-to-wall luxury brimming with natural light, million-dollar views and a calming neutral colour palette. Now Modrian has opened reservations for its two highly anticipated Beach Houses. Following a similar rhythm to the hotel towers, this addition offers something of a residential experience (if you could imagine being so lucky), just with the service and amenities of a world-class hotel. Guided by acclaimed Los Angeles–based designers, Studio Carter, guests can expect privacy, luxury and bespoke hospitality. Across two- and three-bedroom stays, you can live out the beachfront lifestyle of your dreams. Accessed through private entrances, both through the hotel lobby or off the esplanade, these homes away from home come complete with magnesium plunge pools, terraces primed for entertaining, convenient laundry facilities and seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces that invite the Gold Coast warmth. Meanwhile, a full-sized kitchen enhances the long-stay appeal while bringing another level of residential comfort. The smaller details are just as impressive. Think sandy-toned interiors that reflect the laidback essence of the hotel and relaxed textural finishes inspired by coastal life. In fact, those seeking the most opulent stay can combine both residences into a five-bedroom retreat, perfect for big family vacations or celebrations with all your pals. Of course, a five-star stay like this also comes with plenty of guest perks. That includes expedited in-suite check-in, a curated gourmet welcome basket and a personal host and contact throughout your stay. Plus, you'll relish a daily à la carte breakfast at LiTO, the in-house Italian restaurant, and make the most of personalised experiences, from private chefs cooking up a feast to spa and beauty appointments, VIP restaurant and bar reservations, shopping services and more. Naturally, you're also welcome to enjoy the rest of the hotel's amenities. Step into Haven, serving elevated coastal cuisine, or slide into the Ciel Spa for holistic remedies and a high-performance gym. When it's time to explore beyond the hotel, the stunning stretch of Burleigh Heads is directly across from your accom, while the suburb's easy-breezy restaurants, bars and shops are just a few steps away. Mondrian Gold Coast's Beach Houses are now open for bookings at 3 First Ave, Burleigh Heads. Visit the website for more information. Images: Justin Nicholas.
Revered for its sun-kissed beaches, iconic landmarks, and buzzing energy, Sydney is a melting pot of multiculturalism and creativity that's constantly evolving. While many flock to the Harbour City during the warmer seasons, Sydney doesn't rest on its summer laurels and hibernate in winter—it comes alive, and Vivid Sydney is the unmissable event that kicks it all off. From cutting-edge light installations and thought-provoking talks to genre-bending music and glorious gastronomy, Vivid Sydney transforms the city into a nocturnal playground of creativity. If you're making a weekend of it and staying in the city during the festivities, Marriott Bonvoy is offering 10% off your stay across six hotels—all you need to do is sign up to become a member (for free). It's also the perfect excuse to extend your stay. Get your itinerary notepad at the ready—here's where to eat, play and stay during Vivid Sydney 2025. Eat A crowd favourite during the festival, Fire Kitchen brings flame-fuelled theatrics and foodies to The Goods Line, Ultimo. Running across 23 nights, the event features live fire demonstrations and fire-cooked dishes by culinary heavyweights such as FOX's Next Level Chef co-host Nyesha Arrington, Firedoor's Lennox Hastie, and World Food Champion and veteran chef, John McFadden. Ready to roll back in time? Acclaimed plant-based chef and author Shannon Martinez is teaming up with Trolley'd for Neon Dream, a roller disco diner pop-up serving juicy American-style plant-based burgers, crunchy fries, creamy mac and cheese, and jelly doughnuts—before guests hit the rink and groove to vinyl beats by DJ Bob Gherkin. Hungry but not sure what for? Vivid Sydney's Food Parks at both Barangaroo and Tumbalong Park offer a rotating menu of food trucks and imaginative bites. Highlights include blacklight-reactive desserts and glow-in-the-dark ping pong at Blacklight Dessert Lab, savoury Asian street eats at Food Trap, crispy Korean fried chicken from Birdman, Mexican bites from Ash's Nachos, and Japanese doughnuts from Mochii Mochii. The Maybe Sammy mixology crew are taking over the W Sydney for a Vivid-inspired pop-up for one night only. Get there between 7–9.30pm on Thursday, June 5, to try a selection of unique, light-themed cocktails. The star of the show? The Monsoon Mirage: a dreamy blend of bourbon, vermouth and peach wine, topped with a Southeast Asian fusion of calamansi and tamarind, layered with Greek yoghurt, and spiced with chilli. Plus, it arrives at your table in a glowing LED box. Play In Circular Quay and The Rocks, some of Sydney's most iconic landmarks are hosting some appropriately spectacular installations and performances. Don't miss David McDiarmind's Lighting of The Sails — Kiss of Light at the Sydney Opera House; Vincent Namatjira's King Dingo lighting up the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Eggpicnic's dreamy Bloom exhibition in the Argyle Cut tunnel, and This Is Loop's entrancing mirrored installation at First Fleet Park, made in collaboration with the NYX Electronic Drone Choir—crafted from 10,000 LED lights. Darling Harbour transforms its waterfront into a dreamscape of light shows and big-name talent. Catch an unfiltered chat with Emmy Award-winning actors and real-life partners Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation, The Last Of Us) and Megan Mullally (Will & Grace, 30 Rock), hosted by Zan Rowe. Snap pics under the glowing Cloud Swing, a Burning Man favourite, or explore Samsung Space To Dream—an installation of otherworldly waterfalls in Cockle Bay. After a six-year Vivid Sydney hiatus, Martin Place returns with a sensory-rich program of ideas, music, and visual art. Wander beneath giant cartoonish flowers sprouting from buildings in Flowers' Power, and get lost in the psychedelic projections of BioDream on the Commercial Traveller's Association Building. Other highlights include comedian, writer and architecture aficionado Tim Ross' take on 'The Australian Dream' at The State Library, After Hours: Dreams series at the Art Gallery of NSW, and a spooky and immersive screening of Edward Scissorhands by Haus of Horrors at Town Hall. The Good Lines—Sydney's repurposed urban walkway stretching from Central Station to Darling Harbour—is home to more than just Vivid Fire Kitchen, it's also becoming a corridor of light installations. Explore attractions like Starscape on Hay Street, a 40-metre tunnel illuminated by a galaxy of over 700 stars by Australian lighting design firm Mandylights; Eye of the Beholder, featuring larger-than-life blinking eyes on the Frank Gehry building by artist Sinclair Park; and QUASAR, a doughnut-shaped, hypnotic swirl of light by design duo UxU Studio. Over at Barangaroo, the cultural family-fun continues. Swing under a glowing full moon in Fly to the Moon, wander under a canopy of a thousand iridescent rods in SomniUs by UK-based design studio Illumaphonium, and bask in the glow of tear-shaped, meteorological sculptures in Lumina Dreams. At Barangaroo Reserve, don't miss An Act of Being, a stirring series of projections exploring the ongoing policies on First Nations communities, and marking the 25th anniversary of the People's Walk for Reconciliation across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Stay Base yourself close to the Vivid Sydney action at W Sydney. With panoramic views of Darling Harbour, plush king beds, and a heated infinity pool, it's a sky-high sanctuary within walking distance of Darling Harbour, Barangaroo, The Goods Line, and Martin Place. Treat yourself to exclusive Vivid Sydney cocktails in the Living Room Bar before heading out to experience Sydney at its most illuminated. Or, elevate your Sydney stay and opt for the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park's spacious suites. Designed for guests seeking comfort and sophistication in equal measure, it boasts views of Hyde Park and is surrounded by some of Sydney's best attractions. Round out the night at Sydney Common for an exclusive Vivid Sydney dessert—an indulgent layered bowl of sake-infused plum, black sesame crumble, and coconut mousse, finished with a dramatic touch of liquid nitrogen. Prefer a front-row seat to the Sydney Opera House sails? The Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel at Circular Quay offers unbeatable harbour views with a side of Vivid Sydney-themed cocktails from Small Mouth Spirits, light show sweets at Three Bottle Man, and a limited-edition craft beer—Let There Be Light—made in collaboration with Sydney's oldest pub, the Lord Nelson Brewery, paired with mouthwatering barbecue in the glowing beer garden. For a mix of luxury and heritage, pick Pier One Sydney Harbour and its rooms built on and over the water. Sip zesty Vivid Sydney-inspired cocktails at PIER BAR while soaking up unbeatable views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Walsh Bay aside floor-to-ceiling windows. A popular spot for local and international Sydney visitors for good reason—this winter offers a rare opportunity to score 10% off your stay during Vivid Sydney and beyond. For something a little different, check into Four Points By Sheraton Sydney in Central Park. This stylish base is enveloped by greenery and ideal for those wanting to explore Vivid Sydney along with some of Sydney's food meccas, like Chippendale, Newtown, and Chinatown, while staying close to Central Station, Hyde Park and the ICC. Keen to skip the crowd but stay connected? Book Moxy Sydney Airport. Offering complimentary airport shuttles, five nights of free parking, and direct train access to Circular Quay from nearby Mascot Station, it's the perfect spot for an overnight Vivid Sydney escape that balances buzz with welcomed downtime. Book your Sydney escape before September 30 to access 10% off your stay and dining with Marriott Bonvoy. All you have to do is sign up as a member—and it's completely free. With access to exclusive member rates, your stay will also earn points towards free nights at over 30 hotel brands around the world. Find out more here. T&C's apply and vary by participating hotels including blackout dates, cancellation restrictions and more. Offer may not apply in properties not participating in the award and redemption of Marriott Bonvoy. By Elise Cullen
Summer is calling. That means long sunny days, drinks with your mates, good food, and, of course, Bondi Beach. Back for its second year, THE ICONIC and Rolling Stone AU/NZ are raising the heat with SUMMER SOUNDS, a one-day-only event to help Aussies kick-start the warmer weather in style. [caption id="attachment_1025329" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] THE ICONIC SUMMER SOUNDS[/caption] On Saturday, November 1st, 2025, North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club will be transformed into a celebration of music, fashion, and culture. Aussie icons, The Veronicas, are set to hook you up and headline the party. Think sun-soaked beats, statement fits, and coastal cocktails, all set against one of the most famous beaches in the world. [caption id="attachment_1025313" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Bondi Beach via Getty Images[/caption] You might be asking, how can I attend? Luckily, THE ICONIC is giving you the chance to score tickets. All you have to do is head to THE ICONIC's website and share, in 25 words or less, which summer anthem you would play first at SUMMER SOUNDS to kick-start the party. One lucky customer will be crowned the MVP by receiving 4 x return flights to Sydney (if you and your friends aren't local), 2 x nights' accommodation in Bondi Beach, and a $3000 voucher from THE ICONIC to head to the event in style*. [caption id="attachment_1025319" align="alignnone" width="1920"] THE ICONIC SUMMER SOUNDS[/caption] There'll also be 25 SUMMER SOUNDS double passes up for grabs, ensuring more fashion fans can enjoy this money-can't-buy experience. So, start planning your look, select your party anthem, and get ready for a weekend that screams summer in Sydney. Win your way into summer's most ICONIC event. *T&C's apply
SailGP is returning to Auckland's Waitematā Harbour on Saturday, February 14 and Sunday, February 15, 2026, bringing world-class racing right to the heart of the city. The global championship features identical high-performance F50 foiling catamarans racing in short, fast fleet races designed for stadium-style spectating. It's the perfect excuse to make a trip to New Zealand and use the vibrant city of Auckland as your North Island base. The Race Stadium, located at Wynyard Quarter on Waitematā Harbour, puts you at the centre of the action. There'll be a front-row view of boats skimming past the shoreline as well as a buzzy festival atmosphere around the harbour precincts and businesses. Both race days kick off when gates open at 1.30pm NZDT, with the race window taking place from 4.00pm to 5.30pm NZDT*. In between, the waterfront comes alive with an official Race Stadium fan village featuring food, drinks, sponsor activations and entertainment. This gives you plenty of time to settle in, explore and enjoy Auckland's exciting atmosphere well into the evening. Tickets range from $110 to $350, with seating options that allow you to tailor the day to your preferences. The Waterfront Grandstand is the go-to for fans who love to be in the heart of the action and enjoy elevated and allocated seating as the F50 catamarans tear past. Looking to level up? The Waterfront Premium Lounge is a new premium grandstand experience that offers prime views, access to exclusive areas, and an all-inclusive food and drinks offering. The Waterfront Platinum is a VIP experience for groups of 10, with reserved seating, a premium menu, an open bar and a dedicated live broadcast of the races. SailGP Auckland also offers official on-water viewing options, including Bring Your Own Boat (BYOB) and licensed spectator boat experiences, so you can feel as close to the action as possible. February is coming up fast, so if you're booking the ITMSailGP tickets, here's where to stay to not miss a moment of the weekend and the best of Auckland's CBD for the ultimate New Zealand North Island shore break. Where to stay in Auckland Mövenpick Hotel Auckland Just minutes from the Viaduct Harbour and Race Stadium, Mövenpick Auckland puts you within easy reach of SailGP, Commercial Bay shopping (Auckland's premium precinct for fashion and beauty), Britomart dining and the city's best waterfront bars and restaurants. On-site, BODA Restaurant serves modern Korean fusion with harbour views, making it a perfect choice for long lunches and post-race-day dinners close to your hotel base. Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour For travellers who love a little taste of luxury, Sofitel's waterfront hotel is hard to beat. Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour is a calm and elevated retreat that's just steps away from the race action. Spend your mornings wandering through cafes and the cove that's inspired by La Rochelle in southern France. Before the race gates open, head to the Sofitel Spa for a restorative wellness pause between races and dine at the gourmet La Marée restaurant. If you're looking for a proper city break alongside SailGP action, book your stay now. Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport Hotel Just steps from Auckland's airport terminals, Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport is the perfect accommodation choice for international travellers who want to land, rest, and head into the CBD to soak up the race weekend. And, you don't have to compromise on taste, culture and experience just to be near the airport. Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport is Auckland's premium five-star airport hotel and blends convenience with cultural design. If you're jetting in and out for the weekend or are heading elsewhere on the North Island post-Sail GP, Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport is your go-to. *Please note, start times are subject to change. Discover Auckland Image credit: Supplied
It may have dropped the $2 price from its moniker, but there's nothing quite like the Sunnybank Food Trail on Brisbane's culinary calendar. The appeal is all there in the name, with the Brisbane suburb's shopping hubs becoming a diner's delight in quite the affordable fashion. Think of it as the ultimate self-guided foodie adventure, for nothing more than spare change — and, pre-pandemic, with around 22,000 people taking part. The latest time that the Sunnybank Food Trail popped up was in 2019. As many food-focused events were, it was forced to take a break when COVID-19 hit; however, now this southside feast is finally returning. Mark Saturday, July 22 in your calendar and get ready to tuck in from 12–8pm at both Sunnybank Plaza and Sunny Park. How does it work? Attendees walk between a heap of local cafes and restaurants, all at their own pace. The range of eateries taking part is usually hefty — in 2018, more than 45 places served up dishes. From chicken katsu and wontons to mochi ice cream and bubble tea, every participating joint will feature a range of authentic Asian cuisines. You'll feast on Chinese, Japanese, Hong Kong-style, Vietnamese, Korean, Malaysian and Taiwanese bites, with prices starting at $2 per tasting plate. With such an array of steaming soups and sizzling stir-fries on offer, we don't recommend eating lunch or dinner first; in fact, you'd best arrive feeling as hungry as possible. Snacking on signature dishes is the main course — or several — but there's also plenty of non-edible appetisers, too. Enjoy live music, watch traditional lion dancers, and and check out the roaming entertainment as you feast and wander, adding the perfect garnish to every meal by setting the mood. Image: Sunnybank Food Trail.
Chances are you've got a newfound appreciation for your living space after the past two years — and a renewed drive to make it a stylish oasis you actually love spending time in. If that's your mission, who better than the experts to help guide you towards style success? In partnership with Samsung, we're exploring achievable ways for you to incorporate design-forward items into your living space. So, we sat down for a special chat with Design By Them founders Sarah Gibson and Nicholas Karlovasitis, who shared their top tips for using furniture to elevate your living space. The industrial designer duo launched their Sydney-based design house back in 2007, creating a celebrated furniture, accessories and lighting brand built on a timeless aesthetic and a flair for collaboration. Steered by an ever-growing ensemble of Aussie design talent, Design By Them has crafted a collection of over 120 bespoke products to date, with numerous awards and exhibitions under its belt, including a show at Milan Design Week 2019. Here, Gibson and Karlovasitis impart a little of their design wisdom to help you create an enviable living space with minimal effort. [caption id="attachment_833654" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nicholas Karlovasitis by Paul Liddle[/caption] BEGIN WITH INSPIRATION For these designers, inspiration is sourced from far and wide, and favours eras past instead of contemporary trends. "I love design history and seeing how design has evolved over time, incrementally changed and improved with manufacturing and technology," Karlovasitis tells Concrete Playground. "I like [looking at] how movements form and how they embrace certain ideologies, as opposed to any single designer or brand." Gibson is another believer in looking to the past for inspiration; whether that involves browsing mid-century modern stores to rediscover old-school joinery techniques or scoping out some local architectural goodness. "I'm a little obsessed with Australian architecture and interiors," she explains. "I love a long walk admiring the built environment." [caption id="attachment_833684" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul Liddle[/caption] MISTAKES TO AVOID Before you jet off on a furniture-buying binge, the pair has a couple of big no-nos. Buying for the now, rather than for the future, is a common one Gibson encourages avoiding. "Having an eclectic interior means that you can collect pieces over time that will always go [together], rather than needing to redo your interior every five to ten years," she says. "You wouldn't replace your art and nor should you have to replace your furniture." And to create a space that's authentically yours, you're best to avoid simply copying those interiors you've been lusting after on Instagram. "I think your home and your possessions should be personal and reflect who you are," says Karlovasitis. "A lot of people try to recreate an interior they see without making it theirs. Spaces should feel personal." If you're a styling novice and need to build up confidence in your choices, Karlovasitis recommends investing in items that are easy to work with and around — this goes for both furniture and tech. Take, for example, Samsung's The Serif TV, which he owns and says "feels more like a considered piece of premium furniture". The TV was designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and has a chic design with an 'I'-shaped profile and easel legs. "It is flexible and complements an interior rather than looking like an afterthought or compromise," he explains. THE BEAUTY OF BUYING BESPOKE When it comes to selecting pieces for your space that will last the distance and serve you well for years to come, the pair say bespoke furniture is the way to go. "A lot of bespoke furniture is made from materials that can be refinished and wear better. This is important if you want to keep your furniture long-term," Gibson acknowledges. If you're willing to part with a little more money on these kinds of pieces, Karlovasitis says it'll be well worth your while. "You do not only pay for the manufacturing and materials that go into a piece of furniture but also the design and knowledge," he explains. "By investing in good design you reward brands that produce considered and better products." [caption id="attachment_833653" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul Liddle[/caption] STYLING ON A BUDGET The designer duo also has a few handy focus points that'll save you money in the long run if you're after bang for your buck. "Invest in things that will last, so when you look at the cost of the item over the life of the product it isn't very expensive at all," Karlovasitis offers, recommending people steer clear of trends. "I always think that anything you buy should have looked good thirty years ago, as well as today and in 30 years' time." For Gibson, a good lounge and good dining table top the list of pieces worth investing in. "Dining chairs can be expensive but you use them every day. If you don't have the budget for six chairs, you might build your collection slowly or go for an eclectic look with every chair being different," she explains. And for the rest, minimalism is best. "You don't need a TV cabinet these days, you can fix things to the wall or invest in a nice stand. Hooks are also handy and a cheap way of storing things where spaces are small." [caption id="attachment_833659" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul Liddle[/caption] RULES TO STYLE BY Finally, when it comes to rules, there are no rules. "You just have to work out your balance of minimalism and character and work towards what you like," says Gibson. "Nick and I often think like this when designing; for us, the balance of minimalism and character is somewhere in the middle. For someone else, it might shift towards the right or left. Everyone is different." Karlovasitis backs this, saying: "You can set your own rules if you want to but don't let styles or trends dictate your choices." As for the rules you can straight up ignore? "Having a strict colour palette," says Gibson. "With the right balance everything can go. Blue and green should never be seen — really?" If you're looking to add a touch of designer aesthetic to your living space, check out our editor's picks of must-have homewares. To find out more about Samsung's The Serif, created in collaboration with celebrated industrial designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, visit the Samsung website. Top image: Paul Liddle
Patience isn't a virtue in The Bear, including in its sandwich-diner setting. It can't be — no one has that luxury. Everything needs preparing and cooking now, and ideally before that, with the eatery operating on the tightest of timelines as professional kitchens tend to. Everything in Carmen 'Carmy' Berzatto's (Jeremy Allen White, Shameless) life needs solving and smoothing out ASAP, too, and he has more than his fair share of troubles and struggles on the boil. But for viewers Down Under, being patient comes with a hefty reward — because, more than two months after it dropped its first season in the US, The Bear has finally made its way to Disney+ in Australia and New Zealand since Wednesday, August 31. This brilliant small-screen feast proves worth the wait, although don't expect to relief to swell now it's finally here. Tension and chaos are The Bear's base flavours, seeping into everything that's thrown into its debut eight-episode run. It joins the lengthy list of shows set in a workplace, but it also simmers up what few TV programs about the daily grind manage. While the genre is filled with all-timers, from Parks and Recreation and 30 Rock through to Mad Men and The White Lotus just to name four recent and obvious examples, feeling like you truly know exactly what it'd genuinely be like to work in the industries depicted is rare. Watch The Bear, however, and you'll broil in a restaurant kitchen's ceaseless intensity. First, an important piece of advice: eating either before or while viewing is highly recommended, and near close to essential. If you've ever found yourself ravenous while checking out a cooking show, watching The Trip films or just seeing someone on-screen tuck into a tasty-looking dish, prepare for that sensation to get blasted like it's a crème brûlée under a blowtorch. Now, two more crucial slices of wisdom: prepare to feel stressed throughout every second of this riveting, always-taut, and exceptionally written and acted culinary series (yes, it's worth emphasising again), and also to want to enjoy one of The Original Beef of Chicagoland's famous sandwiches immediately. Although the eatery is purely fictional, its signature dish looks phenomenal. Most of what's cooked up in Carmy's kitchen earns the same description, whether he's sticking to the tried-and-tested menu or experimenting with new options. The chef's resume includes Noma and The French Laundry, as well as awards and acclaim, such as being named one of the best young chefs there is. But he has taken over the family business following his brother's suicide, arriving back home after wowing the world and excelling in fine dining — and nothing is easy. Well, coveting The Bear's edible wares is. Deciding to try to recreate them yourself is as well. But whipping them up within the series, keeping The Original Beef afloat, coping with grief and ensuring that the diner's staff work harmoniously is a pressure cooker of mayhem. That anxious mood is inescapable from the outset; the best way to start any meal is just to bite right in, and The Bear's creator Christopher Storer (who also directs five episodes, and has Ramy, Dickinson and Bo Burnham: Make Happy on his resume) takes the same approach. He also throws all of his ingredients together with precision — the balance of drama and comedy (and food porn), the relentlessness that marks every second in the eatery's kitchen, and the non-stop mouthing off by Richie, aka Cousin, aka Carmy's brother's best friend (Ebon Moss-Bachrach, The Dropout), all included. The Bear isn't a two-hander by any means, but it excels in complicated one-on-one dynamics, with Carmy and Richie's bickering, bantering, sniping and flat-out fighting repeatedly floating to the top. The two men have spent their entire lives with Mikey (Jon Bernthal, We Own This City) in-between them, and his absence isn't easily filled. As well as mourning Mikey and processing his issues with Richie, Carmy has bills to pay, debts to settle, and eerie dreams and sleepwalking episodes to navigate. He hires new sous chef Sydney (Ayo Edebiri, Dickinson) on the day she walks in, too, mixing up the place with an aim to implement some of her forward-thinking ideas — none of which Richie is thrilled about. And, amid this non-stop bombardment, there's long-standing employees such as Marcus (Lionel Boyce, Hap and Leonard), Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas, In Treatment) and Ebraheim (Edwin Lee Gibson, Fargo) to keep happy. Carmy's sister Natalie, aka Sugar (Abby Elliott, Indebted), is also financially tied up in The Original Beef, and obviously emotionally affected by Mikey's death. And when their uncle Cicero (Oliver Platt, Chicago Med) comes calling, it's also because of cash. The above relationships, details, backstories, monetary issues, past glories, present concerns and uncertain futures are all peppered throughout The Bear as each episode goes on; the series doesn't have time to lay out exposition from the get-go, write down its dramatic recipe, or step its audience through the ins and outs. As an experience for viewers, it mimics Carmy being thrust into the restaurant his brother would never allow him to work in — and Sydney showing up to apply for a job, then being pushed into the kitchen immediately. In one particularly feverish episode, life in the kitchen zips by on a single take, but the show is always operating at that level of pressure with hurtling cinematography and rapid-fire editing. If it isn't, it's usually because Carmy is asleep, his stresses infiltrating his dreams and sending him wandering as he slumbers, with the cycle repeating anyway. "Yes, chef," "thank you, chef": The Original Beef's pleasantries are spat out at pace, too, and by a fantastic cast that's operating just as fast and furiously. The irrepressibly watchable White is precise, restrained but wearied amid the mania, with Carmy trying to keep his calm on the outside but wilting on the inside; this is one of the performances of the year in one of the best new shows of the year. Moss-Bachrach plays abrasive, mouthy but vulnerable just as commandingly; Edebiri brings confidence and ambition to the passionate but no-nonsense Syd; and the charismatic Boyce makes Marcus' quest to make the perfect doughnut The Bear's sensual respite among the onslaught. Every glimpse at their hustle and bustle, and the show's at every moment, is as gripping as it is appetising — and yes, binging is inevitable. Once you're done, leave room for season two — although the quickly renewed series likely won't serve out its second helping until 2023. Check out the trailer for The Bear below: The Bear streams via Disney+.
When it first launched in New South Wales back 2022, Slim's Quality Burger combined two trends in one: Australia's undying love of burgers and the current affection for all things nostalgic. Started by a trio with knowledge of the burg business, with Michael Tripp, Nik Rollison and David Hales all boasting past ties to the Noosa-born Betty's Burgers and Concrete Co, this chain adores kicking it old school. Think: 50s- and 60s-inspired decor, a throwback vibe like it's operating in America seven decades back, plus classic meat-and-bread combos paired with ice cream sundaes. While Queensland isn't short on places to enjoy burgers, this Aussie brand was always planning on going national — and now it's Brisbane's turn. Head to Kippa-Ring and you'll find the chain's Sunshine State debut, its first drive-in and drive-thru diner, and its first to offer a breakfast menu. Adding a meals-on-wheels component is the latest step in Slim's ode to Americana, as already splashed through its vintage-leaning aesthetic, with features banquettes in cherry read, neon signage, chequerboard flooring and classic light fixtures. On Elizabeth Avenue, customers will find nose-in parking surrounding the eateries — and views into the open kitchen from your vehicle, too. You can also order from behind the wheel via QR code. Hanging out in the carpark afterwards like this is Grease? That's up to you. This chain is all about a lean menu of options made with simple but quality ingredients. Burger-wise, customers can choose between original, cheeseburger, a double and a triple, plus 'the works' burgs, all made with angus beef — and variations of the above with bacon. There's also four different chicken varieties, including with crispy fried or grilled chook, and a veggie option using a plant-based patty. Sides focus on fries either with sea salt, loaded with cheese and grilled onion, or also featuring maple-smoked bacon. As for those sundaes, they come in hot fudge, salted caramel and strawberry flavours. And to wash it all down, there are spiders — because plonking a scoop of ice cream in some soft drink never gets old — plus post-mix soda from the fountain, and chocolate, vanilla and strawberry thickshakes. For those keen on an early-morning Slim's fix, the breakfast offering spans bacon and sausage burgs, steak and egg burgs, fried chicken burgs, works burgs, veggie egg and cheese burgs, hash browns, chia pudding with strawberries and nut-free granola, a full coffee lineup, freshly squeezed orange juice and more.
Colourful seating, umbrellas as decor and palm tree murals set the scene at Mika Airlie Beach. With a menu that spotlights Mexican favourites, it's an easy choice for a day spent hanging out on the Esplanade. Fresh, local ingredients meet classic recipes. There are chips and dips (guac and queso) to snack on, as well as fresh ceviche made with locally caught fish. Fajitas and tacos are filled with tender steak, marinated chicken or roast lamb. If you can't decide, there's share plates that spotlight some of the best bits of the menu – and make room to show off plenty of Aussie seafood. The drinks menu echoes the tropical atmosphere, with margs, mojitos and sours made to order. The "Frozen Fiesta" section caters to particularly hot days – a pina colada, strawberry daiquiri or mango spliced are equal parts drink and dessert. If you're in the mood for something sweet, cinnamon churros, which are deep-fried and dusted in cinnamon sugar, can be served with chocolate or caramel sauce for dipping. Music and events that tap into Mexican culture bring even more atmosphere to the space, which looks over the water right in the heart of Airlie Beach.
Brisbane has already scored one new green bridge in 2024 — and by the time that the year is out, the city's pedestrians and cyclists will be able to cross the river via another. Launching Breakfast Creek's Yowoggera green bridge opened the year. Getting folks strolling and rolling across Kangaroo Point's counterpart is set to close it. Only the latter comes with its own restaurant, bar and cafe, however. Brisbane City Council has announced that the final span of the new 460-metre bridge that's connecting Alice Street and Edward streets in the CBD to Scott Street in Kangaroo Point has just been placed. That means that the project is now 85-percent done. There's still more work to underway, but Brisbanites can expect to be moseying over it sooner rather than later — although no exact opening date, other than late 2024, has been announced. Also now in place: the stay cables supporting the bridge's main 182.7-metre span. Workers are currently concreting the bridge deck; adding the structure's balustrades, as well as its seating and lighting; and installing the covered pedestrian walkway, which will help power the bridge via solar panels. Stairs to Scott Street and a lift up to the bridge deck from CT White Park are also still in the works. And if you're wondering about overwater restaurant Stilts, the steel framework is in place and the roof is being installed. On the CBD side of the bridge, construction of riverside cafe Mulga Bill's is also ongoing. The complete bridge, a single-mast cable stayed structure with minimum width of 6.8 metres, will feature dedicated cycle and pedestrian paths across its expanse. On either side, viewing platforms will give visitors a 360-degree view of the city. It was back in 2021 that Brisbane learned of the structure's plan to become a destination for eating and drinking as well, viaan overwater venue and a cafe in its plaza area. Then, in 2023, Brisbane City Council revealed a heap more details, including that two dining spots will open in 2024 — and that Tassis Group, the hospitality crew with Fatcow on James St, Longwang, Fosh Restaurant & Bar, Opa Bar + Mezze, Yamas Greek + Drink, Rich & Rare, and Massimo Restaurant and Bar to its name, is behind them. Tassis will open restaurant and bar Stilts — which was formerly going to be called Bombora — for bites and drinks ten metres above the Brisbane River, plus the Mulga Bill's cafe to take care of bridge visitors' caffeine fix. Neither have exact launch dates at present. Views are clearly a big highlight at Stilts, which will feature vistas spanning over the Brisbane River, CBD, Story Bridge and Kangaroo Point cliffs. Nothing has been unveiled about the menu yet, but the venue's design will take its perch to heart, evoking moving water in a homage to its above-the-river spot. As for Mulga Bill's, it'll sit by the river in the new urban plaza that's being created on the corner of Edward and Alice streets. The cafe is pitched as a stopover spot for frequent bridge users, which it'll reflect in its bicycle-themed decor. And, food-wise, it'll serve up wood-fired pizzas, steak and seafood to eat in, plus pastries and picnic boxes to grab and go. Both venues are expected to score ample foot traffic. Indeed, more than 6000 pedestrians, cyclists and e-mobility riders are forecast to be using the bridge every day by 2036. The Kangaroo Point Green Bridge is set to open by late 2024, stretching from Alice Street and Edward streets in the CBD to Scott Street in Kangaroo Point. We'll update you with exact launch dates when they're announced. Head to the Brisbane City Council website for more details in the interim. Images: Brisbane City Council.
Brisbane will never get tired of finding things to do near, around, in or on its very own river, including hitting up overwater bars and hiring picnic boats. If there's one thing that the Sunshine State capital particularly loves when it comes to the Old Brown Snake, however, it's party vessels cruising down the waterway while pairing views, tunes and drinks. Now floating out of the City Botanic Gardens River Hub each weekend, Oasis is the latest — and your new excuse to temporarily say goodbye to dry land. Announced back in April, launching later that same month and currently boasting a stacked roster of weekend shindigs locked in until the end of June, Oasis follows in The Island, Seadeck and Yot Club's slipstream. For this stint of ditching the shore for a watery jaunt, Brisbanites can hop onboard a $10-million steel-hull catamaran. And the soundtrack? It comes via DJ-backed gatherings by both day and night. Oasis isn't small, stretching to 35 metres in length and accommodating 500 people across three levels. And, it's sticking around permanently, rather than cruising in and out seasonally. Oasis was also custom-designed for Brisbane's windy waterway, with Alex Zabotto-Bentley — who also did the honours for Seadeck and Sydney's Glass Island — taking care of the hues, fixtures and fittings. The aim: to immerse partygoers in a Sicily and Capri vibe. Thanks to The White Lotus' second season, nodding to Italian islands is quite the vibe right now. Taking to the water for weekly Saturday and Sunday festivities — and the occasional Friday-night special event — Oasis lets its passengers rove its trio of floors, each of which is decked out in its own way and provides a different experiences. They all come with their own bar, sound system, standing areas, and seating including VIP tables — but, the lower floor goes with copper, dark tones and a pressed tin ceiling, and the middle deck with greenery and wood aplenty. Up on top, pink and white stripes are a feature, alongside tropical plants. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Oasis Brisbane (@oasisbrisbane) "Brisbane is famous for its energised spirit, its youthful vitality, its vibrant love of the outdoors and its love of celebration, and Oasis has been designed to amplify this," said founder Dave Auld back when Oasis was first announced. "As we look forward to the Olympics in 2032, Brisbane will become one of the hottest cities in the world, and the Brisbane River one of the hottest pieces of real estate — and that's where Oasis calls home!" The boat's lineup of DJs and artists rotates weekly, and Oasis also serves up sips and bites to eat. And, if you want to book the whole place out for your own soirée, that's available Monday–Friday. Upcoming events include Boatbreaks on Saturday, June 3, headlined by the USA's Dr Fresch and the UK's Georgie Riot; Planet of the Breaks on Friday, June 16, where breaks, drum and bass, and jungle tunes will echo thanks to A.Skillz and Krafty Kuts; and queer boat party Splash Out on Saturday, June 24. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Oasis Brisbane (@oasisbrisbane) Oasis departs from City Botanic Gardens River Hub, 147 Alice Street, Brisbane City. Head to the vessel's website for bookings and further details.
Back in 2021, McDonald's marked a massive milestone: 50 years since the fast food chain first started serving burgs in Australia. To celebrate, it splashed its golden arches all around the place, including on Macca's PJs. And, while that sleepwear was a limited-edition range, McDonald's has teamed up with Peter Alexander on a new line for 2023. Obviously, you'll be lovin' them. Once again, this collection features burgers, fries, golden arches, the chain's red and yellow colour scheme, and its famous figures such as Ronald, Grimace, Birdie and the Hamburglar. Do people wearing burger-covered pyjamas dream of Big Macs? That's the question you can now put to the test — again. You can clearly expect a big dose of nostalgia as well and, thanks to Ronald and company's presence, to have a fierce hankering for happy meals. Given that McDonald's opened here in the 70s, there's a huge retro feel to the entire range. If, while wearing them, you wake up and start watching cartoons, that's understandable. Thirty-seven different items arrive on Wednesday, June 14 at Peter Alexander stores and via the sleepwear brand's website until stocks last — including PJ pants and sweaters for men and women, various matching sets, and even Macca's sleepwear for dogs. That range includes a Big Mac tee, a smiling Grimace jumper and slippers embedded with the golden arches, as well as patchwork-style sets and a Macca's doggy jumper. The new McDonald's x Peter Alexander sleepwear collection goes on sale from Wednesday, June 14 via Peter Alexander stores and the sleepwear brand's website.
After adding German-themed drinking spots to Chermside, South Bank and Bowen Hills, Rockpool isn't done with its new mission to spread steins and schnitzels across the city. Brisbanites can now enjoy all of the above at The Bavarian The Barracks, with the hospitality group expanding its footprint and one of its brands. Situated the top of Petrie Terrace, on the edge of the Barracks complex, the site is no stranger to hearty meals paired with hefty brews — for 26 years, up until April 2018, it was home to the city's most prominent Hog's Breath Cafe. With The Bavarian taking over the premises, the two-level spot is now a huge restaurant and beer hall that can accommodate 600 people. It also features a mix of indoor and outdoor seating, including in its 300-seater, string-lit beer garden. Visitors to any of Rockpool's other Bavarian joints — on Eagle Street, at Broadbeach and Coomera, and on the Sunshine Coast — will know what they're in for. As well as a range of 20 Australian, German and international brews on tap (and served in one-litre steins), plus a sizeable schnapps selection, the menu spans pretzels, pork knuckles, sausages and platters piled with meat. Picking a particular night of the week to head by is recommended, with different specials offered on various evenings, such as a two-for-one schnitzel deal on Tuesdays. Fancy stopping by for an afternoon brew and bite? The chain's Royal Snack Hour promotion, which offers up free gourmet sausage rolls, sloppy fries and popcorn chicken with a drink purchase between 4–6pm, also applies here. And if you're in the vicinity for lunch from Monday–Thursdays, there's also a $10 daytime deal. Decor-wise, think bright but rustic, including stone walls with timber finishes, communal wood tables and plenty of noticeable flourishes — including a beer barrel wall, and a chandelier made out of more than 500 steins. Greenery can be seen both inside and out, and, in a nod to the beer hall's location, so can 12 large-screen TVs playing sports. Indeed, although it might seem as if The Bavarian's latest outpost is rather close to its sibling venues in the CBD and just over the river in South Brisbane, setting up shop on Petrie Terrace is a smart move. The inner-city area is already home to more than a couple of watering holes, with two pubs and a burger brew bar just along Caxton Street; however, the proximity to Suncorp Stadium means that there are always plenty of hungry, thirsty Brisbanites in close range. Find The Bavarian The Barracks at 5 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane, open from 11am Monday–Sunday.
Dinner and a movie now has an entire cinema dedicated to it: FoMo Cinemas. The brand's name isn't about fearing missing out; instead, it refers to its blend of food and movies. Every one of the six screens in the new Melbourne picture palace is all about watching a film while having a meal. You'll pick between blockbuster, arthouse and retro flicks on the program, plus pizzas, burgers and deli sandwiches on the chef-designed menu. Before you take your seat, you'll also hit up the neon-lit Blade Runner-inspired bar. First announced in 2023, the 392-seat dine-in FoMo Cinemas opens its doors on Thursday, January 18 at East Brunswick Village — and adds something new not just to Melbourne's but to Australia's cinema scene. Co-owners Natalie Miller AO and Barry Peak, who co-founded Carlton's Cinema Nova, have taken their cues from two famed names in the global business: the Alamo Drafthouse chain across the US, plus Nitehawk Cinema in Brooklyn. "Barry and I have been partners in the Nova for 32 years, and Barry's always looking for new ideas and new ventures. And he was very anxious to do a cinema with food and movies based on the Nighthawk and the Alamo in America. So he went out on a survey over there and come back with all the ideas," Miller, who also spent 17 years running South Yarra's old Longford Cinema, tells Concrete Playground. "What very much appeals is the fact that people are time-poor and we are trying to encourage people to come 20 minutes earlier, sit down, they can order their food off an app and then the movie will start. Or if they want to, they can do it during the film. But the idea is to let people have their meal and their film together," Miller continues. "It's not a totally new concept because there's gold class and platinum and all those other cinemas, but ours are at standard ticket prices. So you can come at a standard ticket price and order your meal accordingly." As designed by Head Chef Darren Collier, food choices also include cheese and antipasto platters, as well as desserts — and, when it comes time to deliver your bites and drinks as the movie plays, the focus is on discreet service that doesn't disrupt the viewing experience. As is a drawcard at Alamo Drafthouse, all films are preceded by a pre-show presentation. Expect trivia, interactive quizzes and clips celebrating classic movie moments — and trailers, but no ads. The idea is that you peruse the menu while the pre-show plays, and that it's all part of the experience. And the films? Although Cinema Nova is known for its arthouse selections — and Miller is behind film distributor Sharmill Films, which has brought movies such as Triangle of Sadness and Compartment No. 6 to Australian screens in recent years — FoMo is combining those kinds of flicks with broader fare. So, in its opening weeks, you can see the Mean Girls musical, Sofia Coppola's Priscilla, Michael Mann's Ferrari, Golden Globe-winner The Holdovers, wrestling biopic The Iron Claw and Jason Statham in The Beekeeper. Among repertory titles, both Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049 will have a date with the venue, as will Chef — all befitting the picture palace's look and focus. Specs-wise, two of FoMo's cinemas have a 3D setup, and the 114-seat biggest theatre with a screen that ten-metres-plus wide boasts 4K resolution. While the newly opened East Brunswick Village is the site of the first-ever FoMo, it won't be the last if the debut location proves a success. "If you ask Barry Peak that question, he'd say absolutely yes," Miller advises about the possibility of expanding the chain across Melbourne and even nationally. "We'll test it out and we'll see how it works. We feel that Brunswick's such a growing area with such a young population and student population, and probably a cross-section of the community. And we'll see how it works, and then take it from there." Find FoMo Cinemas at East Brunswick Village, 133 Nicholson Street, East Brunswick from Thursday, January 18.
When is a hotel not really a hotel? When it's a hotel-themed bar that decks out its interiors like somewhere you can stay — taking a few cues from Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel and The Shining's Overlook Hotel, in fact — but doesn't actually include slumbering in its rooms. When is an escape room bar not at all an escape room bar? When it takes the escape room concept of theming different spaces — those aforementioned hotel-style rooms — and decks them out with challenges instead. Yes, the premise behind Hijinx Hotel needs a bit of explaining. It also gleans inspiration from all those supremely Instagrammable pop-up installations that include ball pits, but this one is sticking around in one spot permanently. Plus, it jams in three different bars for multiple cocktail-sipping opportunities, nods to New York hotels in its facade, and ensures that each one of its rooms pays homage to either a movie or a board game from the 80s and 90s. First announced back in mid-April, and now opening its doors in Sydney on Friday, June 17, Hijinx Hotel is basically an OTT nostalgia bomb — and something that Willy Wonka would've been proud to dream up if the fictional character branched out beyond making chocolate and candy. It hails from a team that know a few things about indulgent kidulting experiences, with Funlab also behind venues such as Strike, Holey Moley, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, and B Lucky and Sons. And, Hijinx Hotel also sits next to a brand-new 27-hole Holey Moley, too, with the boozy mini-golf spot's latest venue going big on Alice in Wonderland vibes. Escapism is clearly the name of the game here, and partying like you would've before you were old enough to drink alcohol — but with the hard stuff definitely on offer. Wondering what that entails? Yes, it's as chaotic as it all sounds. Firstly, you enter via the faux hotel lobby bar that's full of colour and surrealist touches. You won't miss the purple unicorn in the centre of the bar, for instance. Instead of merely checking in, though, you'll down cocktails in the neon-lit space — including a particularly potent Red Bull number that's served in a golden owl-shaped vessel, multiple types of margaritas, and the bubble-topped Bubble and Pop (made with tequila, white chocolate, passionfruit, lemon and egg white, and that scented bubble) — and hang out in booths. As for the not-quite-hotel rooms themselves, there's 15 of them, with ten opening at launch and five more unveiling their wonders in the weeks afterwards. To gain access, you do need to head to reception t0 pick up a swipe card. Next, you'll follow the concierge's instructions to the red elevator — without a river of blood flowing out of it, thankfully. Inside the rooms, prepare to play games inspired by Twister, Scrabble and Tetris — here called Poke A Dot, Scrambled and Shape'n Up — in separate spaces. Or, Tom Hanks fans can live out their Big dreams in the piano room, which features a giant keyboard across the floor, and requires you to play it with your feet. Prefer Titanic? Then make a date with the Draw Me Like One Of Your French Girls room, which is designed to make you feel like you're in the middle of a sinking ship. Other highlights include a pastel ball pit that resembles a huge bowl of cereal, a room that releases balls from the top of the wall like you're in a life-sized pinball machine, and another that's all about shooting hoops. In each, you'll need to complete a challenge within a set time — with set packages spanning five rooms starting at $25 per adult for 30 minutes. As well as that already-mentioned lobby bar, there are two other places in quench your thirst — and you can snack on bites such as fries, pizzas and two-cheese toasted sandwiches. Whether you're a Sydneysider scoping out your next boozy bit of fun, or you live elsewhere and you're making plans for a trip to the Harbour City, you now have somewhere new to head to. And, as well as that new Holey Moley, there's also an Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq in the same complex. Usually, Funlab launches its new concepts in one city, then shares the love across other east coast capitals. So Melburnians and Brisbanites, cross your fingers that more Hijinx Hotels will eventually pop up closer to home. Find Hijinx Hotel at 75 O'Riordan Street, Alexandria, Sydney, from Friday, June 17. For further information or to make a booking, head to the venue's website.
Over the past few years, almost every pub in Brisbane has undergone a revamp — or that's how it feels, at least. Many of those makeovers have come courtesy of Australian Venue Co, which has been renovating a heap of its watering holes around and near the River City. Brighton Hotel is the latest, getting a new lease of life in the northside coastal suburb. Cue a new beer garden, a new bistro and a new sports bar for the spot on Brighton Terrace. AVC has also rolled out the remodelling crew to The Wickham, the Cleveland Sands, Salisbury Hotel, the Crown Hotel in Lutwyche, Royal Hotel in Nundah, Bribie Island Hotel and Capalaba's Koala Tavern since 2021; yes, the company has been busy. At Brighton Hotel, which is freshly reopened as at the beginning of May 2024, sprucing up the place took five months — and now patrons can reap the benefits. In the beer garden, picnic-style seats await, as does festoon lighting — plus, because the pub has relaunched just as the weather gets cooler, heaters as well. You won't miss the outdoor area, as it is the first part of the venue upon arrival. Expect it to be particularly busy when spring and summer roll back around. Two skylights brighten up the bistro, which also features greenery. Sit down for a meal and you'll have chargrilled Australian king prawns with confit garlic butter, buffalo cauliflower tacos, beef and pork rissoles, wagyu beef burgers, chicken schnitzels and chicken parmigianas, and roast of the day among your options. From the grill, four steak choices range from 180-gram eye fillets to 500-gram rumps. And for dessert, baked custard tarts, plus the candied ginger and sticky date pudding, should tempt tastebuds. Visiting the sports bar means choosing between booth and high-table seating, and having whatever game happens to be on as either a drawcard or a backdrop on the big-screen LED TVs. Also, because the venue is also a motel — so, if you want to turn the trip 20 minutes from Brisbane into an overnight stay, you can — its rooms have had a makeover as well. Whatever day you head by, you can take advantage of menu specials. Happy hour runs from 3–5pm Monday–Thursday with selected schooners and house wines costing $6, $10 cocktails are on offer between the same times on Saturdays and Sundays, $20 steaks and trivia are available on Tuesday evenings you can tuck into a $19 roast on Wednesdays, for instance.
The country music craze has made its mark on Fortitude Valley – Honky Tonks on Wickham Street raises the bar with its Southern-inspired cocktail menu. Here, mixologists shake and serve concoctions like the Bubble O' Bob – an Aperol, gin and strawberry concoction – Campfire PB&J, Pineapple Prairie and Southern Spice (the house take on a fiery marg). There's cups of fresh peanuts to snack on while you sip your drink and take in the atmosphere. Live music plays every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with sets usually at 6pm and 9:30pm. A DJ closes out the night after local and international country artists have taken the stage. Sometimes the set lists lean a little more crooner, with rhythm and soul beats. Other times, it's classic country storytelling with banjos, fiddles and pedal steel guitars taking the stage. The common denominator is a good time had by all. Neon-lit signs, leather seats and old-timey touches set the scene for Brisbane's country music fans to gather and enjoy a boot scootin' time. Revellers might dress the part in Stetson's and spurs – but everyone is welcome to come and try their hand at a two-step.
There are few places in Brisbane that you can order dark chocolate waffles. In fact, we can only be certain of one place that serves them, and that is Kettle & Tin. Served with a raspberry and blueberry compote and vanilla ice cream, this a the breakfast indulgence to break you new-year-resolution - and only two weeks into 2014. #sorrynotsorry Waffles are god's gift to sauce lovers - a vessel created with optimal liquid-holding pockets, and a morsel coveted for its soft yet crunchy design. Kettle & Tin realise waffles are a superior and underrated option and will serve them any way they can - sweet with passionfruit ice cream or savoury - think sweet potato waffles with jamon, corn relish and a poached egg. The problem with making a new years resolution is that in telling yourself you can't have something means you simply want it more. Though, resolving to eat waffles once a month is a resolution we could get behind, and probably achieve. Set in one of those charming Queenslanders Paddington is so well known for, Kettle & Tin, however, do more than waffles and a mean eggs benedict. Pop in after dark when the relaxed day-time crowd start to get rowdy as beer and cocktails creep onto the menu (well, admittedly you can order alcohol from 10am). Just 18 months young, this venue is already proving a classic in Brisbane's dining market and it is not hard to see why. Offering an array or craft beer, cocktail punches and quality food at night, they specialise in a relaxed style dining to be shared with friends. If the venue itself weren't already cool enough, it must be noted that they have a herb garden out the back and a bee hive on the roof - we'll drink to that. A final note to Kettle & Tin: If you remove those aforementioned dark chocolate waffles, you will break hearts and we may break you. Much love, CP.
First, Boy Swallows Universe was a must-read book by Trent Dalton, spinning a tale about a young boy, his prophetic brother and his jailbreaking best friend as they navigate the heroin-filled underworld of 80s Queensland. Then, the Brisbane-set story became one of 2021's stage hits, earning admirers new and old while treading the boards. Next, it's about to become your next must-binge homegrown show, with Netflix announcing a streaming adaptation of the award-winning book earlier in 2022. If you've been wondering since how the latter might turn out, the platform has just dropped more details — and some behind-the-scenes photos. You can stop your fan casting, because unveiling which famous faces are taking on the novel's characters is Netflix's new news. It's a hefty list, with the eight-part limited series set to star Travis Fimmel (Raised by Wolves) as Lyle Orlik, Simon Baker (Blaze) as Robert Bell and Phoebe Tonkin (Bloom) as Frances Bell — as well as Felix Cameron (Penguin Bloom) as Eli Bell, plus Lee Tiger Halley (The Heights) as Gus Bell. Also nabbing parts: Bryan Brown (Hungry Ghosts) as Slim Halliday, Anthony LaPaglia (Nitram) as Tytus Broz, and Sophie Wilde (Eden) as Caitlyn Spies, plus Christopher James Baker (Ozark) as Ivan Kroll, HaiHa Le (Back to the Rafters) as Bich Dang and Deborah Mailman (Total Control) as Poppy Birkbeck. And, you'll see Ben O'Toole (Barons) as Teddy, Zachary Wan (Never Too Late) as Darren Dang, and Millie Donaldson and Eloise Rothfield as Shelley Huffman (aged 17 and 13, respectively). Exactly when the series will hit your queue still hasn't yet been revealed, but it's scripted by screenwriter John Collee (Master and Commander, Happy Feet, Hotel Mumbai), and the show's executive producers include Troy Lum (The Water Diviner, Saving Mr Banks, Mao's Last Dancer), Andrew Mason (The Matrix, The Water Diviner), Sophie Gardiner (Howard's End, Chimerica), Kerry Roberts (Foe, Boy Erased), and Aussie actor and filmmaker Joel Edgerton (The Underground Railroad, The Green Knight). On directing duties: Bharat Nalluri (The Man Who Invented Christmas), Jocelyn Moorhouse (The Dressmaker) and Kim Mordaunt (The Rocket). On the page, Boy Swallows Universe has snagged a slew of local awards, including Book of the Year, Literary Book of the Year and Audio Book of the Year at the 2019 Australian Book Industry Awards. The novel, which has sold a hefty amount of copies in Australia alone — 160,000 in 2019, when the play was announced — was also longlisted for Australia's most prestigious literature prize, the Miles Franklin Award. And, while bringing Boy Swallows Universe to the screen has been in the works for some time — with Harper Collins selling the television rights to the novel back in 2019, and Edgerton set to produce the show since then — if you've been waiting to actually lock your eyes on a Boy Swallows Universe series, now it's finally happening. Boy Swallows Universe will hit Netflix as an eight-part series sometime in the near future. We'll update you with further information, including a release date, when it's announced. Images: Netflix.
On the big screen, Beetlejuice is making a comeback, with a sequel currently in the works. The original 1988 film is rarely far from cinemas anyway, proving a staple at retrospective screenings. But watching the ghost with the most sing and dance onstage? That's a brand-new experience for Australian theatre audiences. Start chanting three times: seeing the Beetlejuice musical Down Under will become a reality in 2025. Penned by the nation's own Eddie Perfect and debuting on Broadway in 2019, this take on Beetlejuice still focuses on the character from Tim Burton's beloved 80s flick, of course — just with songs and dance routines. Cinema's famous 'bio-exorcist' will start haunting Melbourne's Regent Theatre sometime in April 2025, in what'll be its Aussie-premiere run. "While Beetlejuice began on stage in America, this show has a macabre sensibility and twisted humour that Australians will delight in," said Perfect, announcing the Aussie premiere. "I always hoped it would have a life here at some point and I am thrilled that moment has finally arrived. I can't wait to share it with a home crowd for the first time." "Australian fans were some of the loudest begging us to bring Beetlejuice to Australia. We listened and we can't wait to expand our community of Netherlings down under. We are thrilled to bring this hilarious and remarkably touching show to a whole new place and share the electrifying experience that audiences on Broadway, and now throughout North America, have fallen in love with," added Mark Kaufman, Beetlejuice Executive Producer and Executive Vice President of Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures. You don't need a Handbook for the Recently Deceased in your ghostly hands to head along, but you will spend time with a couple with one: Barbara and Adam Maitland. And, you'll see what happens when they start to suspect that they're no longer alive, a new family moves into their house and they decide they need that bio-exorcist. When Beetlejuice first burst into picture palaces, it did so with The Flash's Michael Keaton, Stranger Things' Winona Ryder, Schitt's Creek's Catherine O'Hara, GLOW's Geena Davis and Dr Death's Alec Baldwin all starring. Who'll follow in their footsteps in Melbourne is yet to be revealed. No matter which actors take to the stage in the Beetlejuice musical's Aussie debut, audiences are in for an acclaimed production directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge! The Musical), and with a book by Emmy-nominee Anthony King (Broad City) and Scott Brown (Sharp Objects) — plus Perfect's Tony-nominated original score, of course. The show picked up a whopping eight Tony nominations in 2019, and won Timbers a Drama League Award for Excellence in Directing, plus both Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk nods for set design. The Beetlejuice musical will make its Australian premiere at Melbourne's Regent Theatre, 191 Collins Street, Melbourne, from April 2025 — head to the production's website for further information and to join the ticket waitlist. Images: Matthew Murphy, 2022.
Get set to jump up, jump up and get down, just go ahead and jump, or get jumpin' jumpin at Samford until April 15. Whichever jump-themed song you now have stuck in your head, it's appropriate. We are talking about a pop-up inflatable theme park, after all. Setting up shop at the Samford Netball Club over the school holidays, The Inflatable Factory is fun for kids and kidults alike, boasting quite the range of blow-up bouncy attractions. On-site you'll find a 12-metre-high slide, a Zorb ball ramp and a 20-metre-long wild west obstacle course — plus a bubble soccer arena, and more. Tickets cost $17 for as much jumping around as you can fit into two hours — which, let's face it, is probably just about the right amount of time. If you do want to stay longer, you can purchase an extra hour for $7. There's also coffee and snacks available as well.
Whether you're an early riser, work crazy hours or just happen to need a place to go for breakfast at 6am on Friday, it is always a good idea to have some early-opening cafes in your repertoire. All cafes on this list are open before 7am on weekdays, serve hot food and have ample seating. Enjoy! Stomp espresso Stomp espresso is open from 5.30am on weekdays, for which they deserve a pat on the back. Add another one for their excellent coffee. 109 Holland Road, Holland Park Java Coast Cafe Make the most of the inner city oasis that is Java Coast Cafe by enjoying your coffee in the privacy of their shady courtyard. 340 George Street, Brisbane Double Shot espresso Early birds may be lucky enough to beat the breakfast rush at Double Shot espresso. Late risers are looked after too, with the all-day breakfast. 125 Oxlade Drive, New Farm Brother Espresso At Brother Espresso on sunny tree-lined Riding Road, the food is to be grabbed and gulped but the coffee is to be savoured. 358 Riding Road, Bulimba Esher St Cafe and Deli Esher St Cafe and Deli has it all — an Italian-inspired menu with all-day breakfasts, locally roasted coffee, deli goods, gifts and trinkets, as well as hampers. 46 Esher Street, Tarragindi Hansel & Gretel espresso and Breakfast Bar Follow the trail of happy and satiated customers to Hansel & Gretel, where your food choices are endless. Corner Samford Road and Pickering Street, Gaythorne Foxy Bean Southside breakfast favourite, Foxy Bean, has been causing a stir in Woolloongabba for the past three years and has become somewhat of a go-to for guaranteed good food, good service and good vibes. 896 Stanley Street East, Woolloongabba Jacu espresso All-day breakfasts, cold press coffees and an ever changing lineup of blends make Jacu espresso an easy choice for Norman Park locals. 172 Bennetts Road, Norman Park Little Corner Cafe This Wooloowin favourite is known for its sunny setup and friendly service, and for the espresso smoothie with honey and yoghurt. 86 Dickson Street, Wooloowin Strauss Strauss has generated some serious buzz among caffeine lovers since its inception. You’ll find this cosy nook in a little laneway on Elizabeth Street. 189 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane Moose & Gibson Around the corner from everyone’s favourite antique precinct, Woolloongabba's Moose & Gibson welcomes breakfasters with simple, tasty fare. 77 Jurgens Street, Woolloongabba Tall Short Espresso Once in the form of a roaming red Kombi, Tall Short Espresso now comes with a place for customers to sit when they sip their coffee and nibble on a bagel. Shop3, 244 Given Terrace, Paddington Pourboy espresso Much loved amongst city workers, Pourboy espresso has really honed the craft of coffee and breakfast. However you like yours, the folks at Pourboy, under head barista Sebastian Butler-White, have the brew for you. 26 Wharf Street, Brisbane Samson & Sophie There are some very tasty-sounding breakfast dishes here. Case in point: the slow-cooked ham hock and beans in a rich tomato blend with two poached eggs and organic sourdough. Shop 1, 2 Macquarie Street, Newstead Slinky Espresso Come here for a welcoming atmosphere and well-priced, tasty food. 3/190 Fairfield Road, Fairfield First Pour First Pour Brisbane at Veneziano Coffee Roasters in West End has some tasty-looking breakfast treats which are not to be ignored. That said, you come here for the coffee. 369 Montague Road, West End Blackbird Espresso Despite the minimal kitchen setup at this Coorparoo cafe, they offer a few hot breakfast items, including savoury mince and cheddar cheese jaffles and pancakes with bacon, ice-cream and maple syrup. 1/4 Newman Avenue, Camp Hill Atticus Finch Bring along your pet to this new Paddington haunt. Get a serious cup of coffee or perhaps some toast with satay chilli paste, tamarind and coriander. 83 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington Cafe O-Mai The Vietnamese and Vietnamese-inspired dishes here are a breath of fresh air to jaded (or perhaps just spoilt) Brisbane breakfast enthusiasts. The baby pho (starting at $7) is the ideal morning meal: warm, restorative and laden with wholesome ingredients and starchy carbohydrates. 15 Cracknell Road, Annerley Dot Espresso On your way to or through the Southbank Parklands? Head to Dot Espresso for a cup of joe and enjoy the view of the sheep. Little Stanley Plaza, South Brisbane
When Michael Crichton put pen to paper and conjured up a modern-day dinosaur-filled amusement park, he couldn't have known exactly what he'd done. The author easily imagined the story making its way to the big screen, because the Jurassic Park novel started out as a screenplay. He could've also perceived that a whole film and TV franchise could follow, and that folks would be quoting the movies for decades. And yet, we're guessing that he didn't predict the latest development: a recreation of the Jurassic World movies, which started with the fourth flick in the series back in 2015, made completely out of Lego. Jurassic World by Brickman first popped up in Melbourne in 2021, then Sydney in 2022. Brisbanites can wander through it, too — and peer at more than 50 dinosaurs, props and scenes from the Jurassic World movies that have all been fashioned out of the popular plastic bricks in the process. That's all on display at Queensland Museum from Friday, December 8, 2023–Sunday, July 28, 2024 as the exhibition keeps touring the country (including extending its Brissie dates for an extra two weeks, after it was initially due to close on Sunday, July 14). More than six million Lego blocks have been used in Jurassic World by Brickman, each brick stacked together to create the four-metre-tall park gates, the lab where the dinosaurs are genetically engineered, those instantly recognisable jeeps, a heap of creatures and more. Welcome to... your Lego Jurassic World fantasy, basically. Lego dinosaurs are clearly the main attraction and, yes, this event has gone big. There's a life-sized brachiosaurus that weighs more than two tonnes, a huge tyrannosaurus rex, two life-sized velociraptors (Blue and Delta), and everything from a stegosaurus to a triceratops, too. Plus, you'll see some prehistoric creatures in the baby dinosaur enclosure, encounter more on the loose and learn how to track them over the exhibition's recreation of Isla Nublar (while using your imagination a whole heap, obviously). If it all sounds rather sizeable, that's because Jurassic World by Brickman is the largest Lego exhibition in Australia. It also lets Lego aficionados get building while they're there, with 2.5 million bricks to play with. This is a family-friendly affair, too, so expect to have plenty of small dinosaur fans for company. Images: Anna Kucera. Updated Wednesday, July 10, 2024.
