First, South Bank's Gallery of Modern Art filled its walls with European masterpieces. Next, a multi-sensory art experience that turns Vincent van Gogh's paintings into walk-through installations is setting up shop in Hamilton. So yes, 2021 has been a great year for looking at exceptional and iconic art in Brisbane — so much so that an exhibition that recreates Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel frescos has now popped up West End's West Village. On display from Wednesday, October 27–Wednesday, January 5, Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition is filled with life-sized versions of all the stunning art that has long made the Vatican cathedral a must-visit destination. The showcase's 34 pieces have all been created using a printing technique that emulates the look and feel — and detail, colours and brushstrokes — of the original paintings, so it really is the next best thing to seeing the real thing on the other side of the globe. Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition hits Brisbane after sold-out stops in Chicago, London and San Francisco, and takes between 60–90 minutes to peruse. Of course, you can still view the OG pieces digitally via the Vatican's online tour — but this'll let you take in the immense detail beyond your computer screen. These artworks have glistened for more than five centuries and, as absolutely everyone knows, they comprise quite the sight.
You won't have to hack together IKEA's latest collection, as the iconic furnisher of homes everywhere has just released its collaboration with Stockholm-based architect-turned-designer Gustaf Westman. Renowned for his bubbly, curvaceous pieces, it's Westman's first-ever product design collaboration, though he's far from an unknown quantity. He counts design-conscious celebs like Tyler, the Creator and Olivia Rodrigo among his fans. While we usually associate the Swedish giant with ready-to-assemble furniture made for functionality, this collaboration brings a little more personality to the fore. Created with joyful informality, Westman's 12-piece collection is inspired by seasonal celebrations, challenging tradition through his trademark sculptural shapes and bold colour combinations. "For me, this was an opportunity to take traditional holiday decor aesthetics and turn it on its head, instead, introducing a sense of playfulness and boldness," says Westman. "This is my interpretation of the holidays; it's a new design for a new generation." So, what's in store for IKEA and Westman fans? As you might expect, there's no shortage of pieces celebrating food and togetherness. The most attention-grabbing is a dedicated meatball plate — especially appropriate considering IKEA's iconic dish turns 40 this year. Meanwhile, Westman has designed an offbeat porcelain cup and saucer set for glögg, aka mulled wine, shaped by memories of his grandma's holiday baking. Westman's collection is also here to level up your lighting. There are matching candlesticks and holders in two candied colours — red and blue — and a portable, rechargeable lantern that twists from a round shape into an orbital one. Those familiar with Swedish Christmas traditions will also recognise a reimagined candelabra-style lamp, traditionally placed in windows during the holiday season. "Celebration often comes with established traditions, and we were curious to explore a more fun and inclusive take," says Maria O'Brian, IKEA Range Identity Leader. "Teaming up with Gustaf Westman felt like a natural match to help us reimagine the holidays with a twist." The limited-edition IKEA x Gustaf Westman collection will be available for purchase from Monday, September 29. Head to the website for more information.
Australia is no stranger to boasting venues on worldwide best bar and restaurant lists. In 2021, four local favourites were named among the 50 best in the world, while two Melbourne spots landed on the longlist for the best restaurants across the globe. Now, another beloved eatery Down Under can now claim to be among the upper echelon of its respective field, with Sydney's Firedoor making an appearance in the top ten of the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants rankings for 2022. The renowned Surry Hills spot took out third place, being beaten out by Buenos Aires' Parrilla Don Julio at number two and London's Hawksmoor in first. Anyone with a trip to the US planned for the near future should take note, with Keens in New York and Gibsons Italia in Chicago rounding out the top five. Cut in Beverly Hills came sixth, while Bavette's Steak House in Las Vegas was named in seventh place. And, while Carcasse in Koksijde in Belgium sits in eighth spot and El Capricho in Spain's Jiménez de Jamuz ranked ninth, Nick and Stef's Steakhouse in Los Angeles wrapped up the top ten. Other Australian steak houses could be found further down the list. Narrowly missing the top ten, Rockpool Bar and Grill came in at number 12, while fellow Sydney spots Chophouse and Kingsleys clocked in at numbers 17 and 34 respectively. [caption id="attachment_695230" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chophouse[/caption] Still on the local front, while Sydney dominated the top half of the list with four entries, those Harbour City spots weren't the only local venues to make an appearance. Three Melbourne restaurants also placed — Butcher & Vine (#77), Macelleria (#90) and Entrecote (#97). And across the ditch, Auckland's Jervois Steak House popped up at number 65 on the list. Firedoor is the creation of British-born chef Lennox Hastie, who possesses a string of Michelin stars. All the meats on the restaurant's menu are wood-fired and paired with seasonal and locally sourced produce. Reservations at the inner-city spot are notoriously hard to score, opening three months in advance and often snatched up quickly after they become available. If you want to secure a table, you'll have to head online at midday on the first Wednesday of each month. For the full rundown of the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants, head to the list's website. Top image: Nikki To
A relative newcomer to the Port Douglas restaurant scene, Melaleuca is the culmination of award-winning chef Adam Ion's nine years spent cooking in the area. The eatery is open from 3pm every day with a snack menu on offer — think oysters, ploughman's boards and fresh prawns — which you can enjoy al fresco in the courtyard under a canopy of mango trees. After dark, the focus shifts to the a la carte menu. The venue pegs itself as modern Australian but there are clear nods to Asian cuisines — Ion's wife is from Korea — in the spices and sauces that air paired with local ingredients.
Whether it celebrates music, performances or film, every arts festival is a gift. When it's brand new and combines all three, it's like Christmas. And, when it also boasts Solange's return to Australia, it's the adult equivalent of scoring the pony or bike that you always wanted when you were a kid. The event ticking all of those boxes? Volume, the newly announced fest that'll take over the Art Gallery of New South Wales this spring When it debuts from Friday, September 22–Sunday, October 8 at the Sydney gallery, Volume will hero the cutting edge and the contemporary in all of its chosen artforms — and, given that it's calling itself a festival of sound and vision, that's where it'll be focusing. Solange has the headline slot, but the Grammy–winning R&B singer-songwriter has ample company, including Sampa The Great, Mount Eerie and Sonya Holowell. [caption id="attachment_738150" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Max Hirschberger[/caption] Also taking to the stage: everyone from Black Belt Eagle Scout, crys cole, Datu Arellano, Fuji|||||||||||ta and Hamed Sadeghi to Jeff Parker, Joe Rainey, Kim Moyes, Lonnie Holley and Maissa Alameddine, and the list keeps going from there. Via Dean Hurley, KMRU, Lea Bertucci, Loraine James, Megan Alice Clune, R Rebeiro and salllvage, Volume will also host the world premieres of seven new music recordings, all commissioned by AGNSW. All up, the fest will showcase 27 local and international musicians, with the venue's music and community curator Jonathan Wilson putting together the impressive roster of talent behind the microphone. That program includes an experiential live music performance series called Play the Room, plus local and international composers creating and playing new scores courtesy of the fest's Playback sessions. [caption id="attachment_881769" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jordan Munns[/caption] And, thanks to the gallery's new North Building, the setting is as stunning as the lineup. The Tank, which is a former-WWII oil tank-turned-art space, will host shows — and give its acoustics a workout — as will the 13-metre-high atrium and sculpture gallery spaces. Volume's film and performance lineups will be announced in August, with AGNSW's film curator Ruby Arrowsmith-Todd picking the moving-image works and the venue's curator of contemporary art Lisa Catt doing the honours with the dance performances. Expect 50-plus music, film and performance events in total — some free, some ticketed, and with the program running during the day and into the evening. [caption id="attachment_906009" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Art Gallery of New South Wales, Jenni Carter[/caption] "While the visual arts have traditionally been the Art Gallery's focus, our expansion, through the Sydney Modern Project, has created an exceptional opportunity for us to extend our programming as part of our new curatorial narrative to include more cutting-edge live music, film and performance. Volume is the manifestation of this vision," said Art Gallery of New South Wales director Michael Brand, announcing the new festival. "Featuring some of the most compelling artists of our time, Volume sets a new standard for music curation in public art museums and is the most exciting performative live music and art festival to be staged in Sydney." [caption id="attachment_880684" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Art Gallery of New South Wales, Iwan Baan[/caption] VOLUME 2023 LINEUP: Solange Sampa The Great Mount Eerie Sonya Holowell R. Rebeiro Toni Muñoz Datu Arellano KMRU Lonnie Holley crys cole TENGGER Maissa Alameddine Sumn Conduit Loraine James Jeff Parker Kim Moyes Joe Rainey Mourning (a) BLKstar Lea Bertucci Black Belt Eagle Scout Hamed Sadeghi Megan Alice Clune Oren Ambarchi salllvage FUJI|||||||||||TA Naretha Williams Dean Hurley Volume runs from Friday, September 22–Sunday, October 8 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, with ticket pre sales from 10am on Tuesday, July 18 and general sales from 10am on Wednesday, July 19 — head to the festival website for further details. Top image: Ibrahem Hasan.
Can you solve a good mystery? Or spark one? Channel your inner Princess Plum, Miss Green, Mrs Mustard, Master Scarlet, Monsieur Peacock and Mr White, roam around a bar looking for the ballroom, cellar and billiard room, and be wary of candlesticks, lead pipes and spanners. That's what Cluedo! The New Suspects is all about when it heads to Baedeker, and we mean that literally. Taking place on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between Thursday, April 29–Saturday, May 15, each night will double as a lavish 1950s party complete with hidden rooms and passageways, enigmatic guests and plenty of secrets. If it sounds familiar, that's because Brisbane Immersive Ensemble has brought the ace board game to life in a theatrical reimagining in previous years — but, as the name makes plain, this time the characters and details have changed. Head along to solve puzzles, find clues and try to work out who did the deed all while you're eating, drinking and listening to a 50s-style big band. Previous seasons have proven mighty popular, because everyone loves a Cluedo-themed shows. We'll call it a case of murder mystery board game fever. [caption id="attachment_761755" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Brisbane Immersive Ensemble[/caption] Top image: Baedeker.
Adoring Pixar films is generally easy for a whole heap of reasons, and here's one them: the Disney-owned animation studio knows what it likes and what it does well, and it finds multiple ways to keep giving both a whirl in new and different fashions. Even when you can see the formula behind toys, fish, monsters and feelings having feelings — to name a few of Pixar's similar ideas — the end result usually carves its own niche, and also makes its own heartfelt and delightful impact. 2023 release Elemental looks set to be one of those flicks. Even from just its title, it's easy to see the path that the studio is taking. The question this time: what if the elements, aka fire, water, land and air, had feelings? The film dubs its characters fire-, water-, land- and air-residents, but getting big Inside Out and Soul vibes comes with the territory while watching the movie's just-dropped first trailer. That initial sneak peek is also as adorable as you'd expect if you've ever just seen one frame of a Pixar feature. The teaser heads to Element City, where its various Captain Planet-like characters reside together — and where the fiery Ember (voiced by Leah Lewis, Nancy Drew) and go-with-the-flow Wade (Mamoudou Athie, Archive 81) cross paths. As is generally the case with debut trailers, Elemental's first look is all about style and mood rather than diving too far into the story, but it does show Ember and Wade meeting, and also surveys the passengers on an Element City water train. Flaming legs, grassy creatures, critters that look like clouds, earthy parents with children in pot plants: they're all sighted. Then Ember's headphones fall off — and Wade picks them up. Directed by The Good Dinosaur's Peter Sohn, and with the rest of the voice cast yet to be announced, it's literally a story of water and fire trying to get along. Maybe Pixar is staffed by George RR Martin fans? There's a Studio Ghibli feel to it all, too, thanks to the big focus on nature (and that water train, which isn't quite a cat bus, but might get you thinking of one). Following 2022's Turning Red and Lightyear, Pixar's most recent releases, the film hits cinemas on June 15. Check out the first trailer for Elemental below: Elemental releases in cinemas on June 15, 2023.
Yabun Festival is held annually on January 26 at Victoria Park in Camperdown, Sydney, on Gadigal Land. Yabun — which means "music to a beat" in the Gadigal language — features a wide range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent. Each year, Yabun consists of Corroboree, performances from First Nations musicians, a marketplace, discussions and speeches. This year, for the festival's 20th anniversary, the festival is running little differently, with three different ways for you to experience all the action — including from anywhere you like. The first is in-person at both Victoria Park and the Seymour Centre. Over at its usual home in Victoria Park, attendees can watch Indigenous cultural performances, wander through the marketplace and grab a bit to eat at the food stalls. Across the road at the Seymour Centre, the Yabun Stage will host musicians including rapper Kobie Dee, indie-pop group Pirra, the Gomeroi Dance Company and the Sounds of Freedom musical group which features survivors of the Stolen Generation and descendants including Vic Simms, Nadeena Dixon & Johnny Huckle. If you want to attend the 500-capacity Seymour Centre event, you'll need to apply for your free tickets online. If you can't make it to the city, don't feel comfortable attending in person or you live in regional NSW or interstate, you can also watch via a live stream on the festival's website or tune into the yearly broadcast of the festival on Koori Radio 93.7fm. It all kicks off at midday and will run until 10pm.
No one likes Mondays. Tuesdays are hardly anyone's favourite day either. But while you can't escape the fact that the weekend is over, you can start off your working week with a few slurps of cheap ramen. Every Monday and Tuesday between 5–6pm, Hai Hai serves up its number one dish for $10 a pop. And, here's a tip: when you're staring at a brothy bowl filled with noodles, char siu, bean sprouts, eggs and more, the fact that you're still days and days away from a break doesn't seem so bad. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available for the same price. Don't feel like slurping? Hai Hai also does mazemen — no-broth ramen — for $10 a serve on Mondays and Tuesdays as well. Unsurprisingly, there are a few conditions — including the fact that you absolutely must be seated by 6pm. There's also no waiting list for a table, and you can't hold tables either. In other words, getting there early is recommended. Images: Hai Hai Ramen.
When the time arrived to spread its footprint to Brisbane, the Gemelli Group decided to do something different. First, it stuck with what it knows, opening Gemelli Italian James St — but it also paired it with a new watering hole. Bar Tano is the company's first bar, and pairs snacks, drinks and people-watching over James Street. At this 55-seater, owners James and Alec Carney have gone dark and moody; think green marble, polished concrete and plenty of mirrors. They've also designed the street bar-style hangout as an aperitivo spot — not just for a happy hour, though, but for catching up with friends over a beverage. "Italy has such a rich culture and we're incredibly passionate about bringing that to Australia in a way that respects our heritage and the customs we love," explains James. "Bar Tano is inspired by Milan which is the birthplace of aperitivo and we wanted it to be a destination where you meet friends to reconnect over a refreshing aperitif and complimentary small bites." Drinks-wise, Italian wines and cocktails feature, as well as bespoke house tipples — like the Drive Me Nuts, which blends the negroni and the old fashioned; and the Better Than Butter, which gives whisky sours a buttery spin. For something to eat, there's ricotta dip, burrata, gnocco fritto and polpettini, plus a rotating selection of salumi and cheeses.
You can never have too many occasions to eat cheese, but this returning Brisbane cheese festival isn't just keen to shower cheese fiends with creamy goodness. A collaboration between Bruny Island Cheese Co. cheesemaker Nick Haddow and the organisers of Pinot Palooza, Mould wants dairy lovers to explore and devour the mild, hard and soft bites that Australia's best cheese wizards have to offer. After making its way to Brisbane for the first time in 2019, it's doing so again in 2021, heading by between Friday, March 26–Sunday, March 28. Yep, this time it's a three-day affair, with a bigger venue to go with it: the John Reid Pavilion at Brisbane Showgrounds. Alongside unlimited tastings of Australia's best cheeses — with the lineup still to be announced— Mould will feature flavoursome fare from cheese specialists too. Think of it as a cheese tasting trip around Australia without leaving Bowen Hills. Of course, snacking on samples and purchasing slices and slabs to take home with you are just two ways to enjoy cheese. The fest will have cooking demonstrations, masterclasses and talks so you can stretch your cheese knowledge as well as your cheese stomach. And it wouldn't be a cheese festival without beverages to wash it all down with, so expect a bar serving Aussie wines, whisky, beer and sake — all of which match nicely to a bit of cheese. Tickets cost $45, and there'll be four sessions: 4.30–8.30pm on Friday night, 11am–3pm on Saturday morning (which is sold out), 4–8pm on Saturday afternoon and 11am–3pm on Sunday.
Does your breakfast involve a slice of toast slathered with Vegemite, plus a serving of baked beans? Have you ever had a cheeky mouthful of both at the same time and found the combination to your liking? Is a tin of Vegemite-flavoured baked beans now your fantasy idea of brekkie heaven? If you've answered yes to these questions, prepare to have your tastebuds well and truly tempted. Because simply scraping Vegemite across bread is boring, it seems, the yeasty Australian staple has worked its way into plenty of other food items — such chocolate, milk shakes, icy poles, ice creams, burgers, popcorn, booze and pizza, just to name a few examples. So, SPC's decision to add Vegemite to baked beans isn't all that surprising. And, like all culinary mashups that call upon the famed spread, you'll either be ridiculously excited or so put off that you may never eat baked beans or Vegemite ever again. Inspired? Gross? Only you know the answer — because the response is different for all of us. And yes, you and your stomach are definitely allowed to feel confused about the whole concept. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SPC (@spcgloballtd) Wondering how it tastes? SPC's Baked Beans & Vegemite still has a cheesy tomato sauce, but with Vegemite added. So, the whole combo is Vegemite, cheese, tomato and baked beans. For some, that'll make it better. For others, it'll make it worse. If you're nonetheless keen, the new product is being sold in two ways — as single 425-gram tins of SPC Baked Beans & Vegemite in Rich Tomato (RRP$1.70) and in four-packs of 220-gram tins (RRP $5.00). Breakfast, brunch or whatever meal you feel like pairing baked beans and Vegemite for will never look the same. SPC's Baked Beans & Vegemite tins are available in supermarkets now.
UPDATE, FEBRUARY 13, 2020: From Monday–Thursday for a limited time, KaiKai Chicken is serving up a 'super saver' buffet package for $20 per person. Chook fiends can munch on all-you-can-eat fried chicken in 12 flavours, plus bottomless servings of fries, spring rolls, samosas, pickled radish and cucumber — and bottomless iced tea. Why did the fried chicken fan cross Hawken Drive? To eat all the greasy chook they could handle, of course. What might sound like a groan-worthy joke is actually happening in St Lucia thanks to KaiKai Chicken and its fried chicken buffet. The shop is helping locals solve the eternal question faced by hungry chook fiends everywhere — aka whether to have one finger lickin' good piece, several, or more than anyone should actually admit to. Since opening its doors in July 2017, it serves up an endless array of poultry in 12 different flavours, plus all-you-can-eat pizza, fries, salads, other sides and desserts to round out the meal. A la carte orders are also available, but who wants that when there's fried chicken and pizza at arms reach? The affordable — albeit hardly healthy — package will set diners back $24.90, with bottomless homemade lemon iced tea available for an extra $1.50, and bottomless soft drink, bubble tea and ice tea for an extra $5.50. As of December 2018, unlimited chicken nuggets now included in the standard buffet, while the endless non-boozy beverage package also boasts three types of milkshakes, in creme caramel, triple chocolate, and peanut butter and jelly shake flavours. A rib buffet is also on offer for $35.90, as well as a scaled-back wing and fries-only version for $21.90. But wait, because there really is more. Not content with serving up all-you-can-eat wings and ribs, KaiKai also do a Chix 'n' Booze buffet, which features exactly what it sounds like. For $49.90, patrons can gorge on unlimited wings, fries, hot sides, dishes from the salad bar and dessert, plus alcoholic drinks. Tipple choices include international beers and their very own KaiKai lager; Blue Hawaiian, Lychee Fairy and Tequila Sunrise cocktails; and red, white and sparkling wines. Or, if you're particularly fond of sangria, you can choose a $40 package that pairs your favourite tipple with wings and beer. Indulge in a bottomless supply of each, as well as sides — with jugs of the venue's KaiKai Lager on offer, plus three types of sangria. For folks who like chicken nuggets more than chook pieces, KaiKai has started a $20 all-you-can-eat nuggets night too. It happens every Tuesday, with five dipping sauces and six kinds of loaded fries also included. If it sounds too good to be true, we're here to tell you that it's a clucking reality; however, each visit does have a time limit. Flocking customers are asked to get their chicken fix within 90 minutes due to the demand — and, let's be honest, after an hour and a half of seeing how much chook you can feast upon, you'll probably be ready to fly the coop anyway. Image: KaiKai Chicken. Updated February 13, 2020.
The year was 1997. For the first time, Fortitude Valley's music scene came together to celebrate. Around the inner-city suburb, Valley Fiesta was born. A quarter century later and the event is still going strong, albeit after running in plenty of different formats over the years — and it's back in 2022 to celebrate its 25th birthday with 45-plus acts hitting stages across 13 venues. 2022's Valley Fiesta will run from Friday, November 25–Sunday, November 27, showering Fortitude Valley with live tunes, and giving Brisbanites a helluva way to spend the last weekend of spring. On the lineup: a whole heap of musicians to see, events dedicated to jazz and art, a carpark party, a laneway fest within the fest and even a food fiesta. Leading the music bill: Holy Holy, Gordi, Kian, WIIGZ and Alter Boy, all as part of an entirely free program. They're joined by Jess Day, Safety Club, Scraps, Radium Dolls, Dulcie and more, in venues spanning The Sound Garden, Fortitude Music Hall, outdoors at The Brightside, Woolly Mammoth, Ric's Backyard, Kickons and 4ZZZ. The jazz afternoon will showcase both existing and up-and-coming talent, while the arts session will be filled with creative workshops. Bringing the fun to the Winn, Bakery and California laneways is the returning Hidden Lanes Festival, running as a pop-up event, while King Street will host the King Street Food Fiesta on the Friday night to get this year's Valley Fiesta started. The program also includes a night of voice, circus, burlesque and drag artists; Quivr DJs doing their thing multiple times; a cultural celebration of People of Colour; and the return of 4ZZZ's legendary carpark party. VALLEY FIESTA 2022 LINEUP Holy Holy Gordi WIIGZ Jess Day Safety Club Scraps Radium Dolls KIAN Dulcie Cloe Terare Dean Brady Ash Lune Dulcie DANCINGWATER Andy Martin Moss I Was Eros Arig Guppy Doggie Heaven Images: Dave Kan.
What happens when a 20th-century pizza delivery guy gets cryogenically frozen for a thousand years, defrosting when 2999 is flicking over to the year 3000? Futurama has been telling that tale for a quarter of a century now. The animated series hasn't spent the full 25 years since its 1999 debut on-screen, weathering a chaotic run; however, it's been back again, baby, since 2023. The latest comeback's second season — dubbed the show's 12th overall — arrives from Monday, July 29, 2024, and it has a trailer. As always, shut up and take our money. This time, viewers can expect robot villages, a world dedicated to coffee and the survival of Earth under threat. Birthday party games to the death, AI proving both friendly and villainous, cute beanbags, the Planet Express team's usual interplanetary antics: they'll all feature, too, when Futurama returns to Disney+ Down Under. The Matt Groening-created show about life in the 31st century was in vintage form when it dropped its ten-episode 11th season, which embraced the fact that anything and everything can and will happen as it always has. When Futurama's return was first announced in 2022, it was for a 20-episode run, so season 12 was always going to follow. Then in 2023, the show was also renewed for two more seasons beyond that, so season 13 and season 14 are also on the way — taking viewers back to the future for even longer. Both soon and in years to come, get ready for more time with Philip J Fry (voiced by Billy West, Spitting Image), distant uncle to Planet Express cargo company Professor Hubert J Farnsworth (also voiced by West), plus the rest of the outfit's crew: one-eyed ship captain Turanga Leela (Katey Sagal, Dead to Me); fellow employees Hermes Conrad (Phil LaMarr, Craig of the Creek), Amy Wong (Lauren Tom, Dragons: The Nine Realms) and Zoidberg (also West); and everyone from self-obsessed starship captain Zapp Brannigan (West again) and his amphibious 4th Lieutenant Kif Kroker (Maurice LaMarche, Rick and Morty) through to scheming corporation owner Mom (Tress MacNeille, The Simpsons). Bender Bending Rodríguez is causing more mayhem as well, with John DiMaggio (Transformers: Rise of the Beasts) also back with the cast when season 11 arrived. When the revival was first announced, that wasn't the case — but it wouldn't be Futurama without its constantly sauced robot exclaiming "bite my shiny metal ass!". You can put a beloved show into suspended animation, but someone is going to thaw it out one day — and more than once, as fans have experienced for decades now. Initially airing from 1999–2003, the futuristic series then returned from 2008–2013, before now being given another run. Check out the trailer for Futurama season 12 below: Futurama streams Down Under via Disney+, with season 12 arriving from Monday, July 29, 2024. Read our review of season 11.
Not all rocky road is created equal. Noosa Chocolate Factory's version — one of the reasons that the chain has a considerable following — uses soft handcrafted marshmallows atop strawberry jelly that's made from the brand's secret recipe, then covered in its small-batch chocolate. It's whipped up daily, then cut up in-store. It's also reason enough to head to Noosa Chocolate Factory's newest outpost, which is now open in Brisbane Arcade. 2024 marks 15 years since southeast Queensland's tastebuds first scored the Noosa Chocolate Factory experience — with stores now operating in Noosaville, where its factory is located, as well as Maroochydore, Adelaide Street in the Brisbane CBD and Brisbane Arcade. At the latest shop, both bestsellers and seasonal hits are the focus. And yes, launching in the lead up to festive season isn't by accident. "We're thrilled to add a new store to our Noosa Chocolate Factory family in Brisbane Arcade just in time for Christmas. The arcade is a year-round destination for locals and visitors, but especially at this time of year, when people flock to get photos of its famous Christmas decorations," said Noosa Chocolate Factory General Manager Nick Southon. On the store's shelves, you'll find freeze-dried strawberries covered with white chocolate, plus mango macadamias, marbled hazelnuts, roasted pecans, semi-dried blueberries and plenty more — including hampers for gift-giving. Indeed, the brand expects the latter to be popular, forecasting to sell 22,000 of them. While you'll still need to hit up Adelaide Street just a stone's throw away for Noosa Chocolate Factory's coffees and hot chocolates from its Brisbane cafe, adding a new River location comes after a fruitful year for the chain, even considering current economic conditions. "Despite cost-of-living prices, we have seen a significant increase in footfall to all retail spaces across Noosa, the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane," explains Southon. "We know anecdotally that consumers are seeking out quality and locally made food products. Gifts are increasing in popularity as people are potentially spending less per gift but still giving quality products that they're proud to share." Find Noosa Chocolate Factory's Brisbane Arcade store at 160 Queen Street, Brisbane — open 9am–5pm Monday–Thursday and Saturday, 9am–9pm Friday and 10am–4pm Sunday. Head to the chain's website for more details.
The crew behind Grange in South Bank has relocated, bringing the bikes and brew setup to the Paddington space formerly occupied by Atticus Finch. Setting up shop in this unassuming converted Queenslander, it offers both a fun (and dog-friendly) suburban coffee spot and a fully functioning bike shop and servicing centre. You can bring your bike in for a tune-up and enjoy one of the brews from Sunday's Coffee Co — artisan roasters from the Sunshine Coast — while you wait. Of course, you can pop in sans bike to kick back at the casual coffee bar or relax al fresco while sipping your brew of choice alongside a fresh pastry or slice from the cake cabinet. For something more substantial, grab special quiche of the day, a toastie or a wrap to go. It even has doggy treats on-hand for your furry friend. Images: Kiel Wode
Brisbane's already-hefty list of burger joints is scoring a new addition thanks to the 50s- and 60s-inspired Slim's Quality Burger. The chain initially opened in New South Wales back in 2022, serving up a classic-style and retro-influenced menu like it's operating in America seven decades back. At the time, if promised more stores around the country, too. Come September, the brand is following through on those national plans, making the leap to the Sunshine State with two stores. Slim's debut in the River City will also see the chain notch up a few firsts: its first drive-in and drive-thru diners, 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. Think: banquettes in cherry read, neon signage, chequerboard flooring and classic light fixtures. Queenslanders will need to head to Kippa-Ring and Slacks Creek at a yet-to-be-announced spring date to satisfy their burg urges at stores with nose-in parking surrounding the eateries — and views into the open kitchen from your vehicle, too. You'll also be able to order from behind the wheel via QR code. Hanging out in the carpark afterwards like this is Grease? That's up to you. Slim's hails from a trio with knowledge of the burger business, with Michael Tripp, Nik Rollison and David Hales all boasting past ties to the Noosa-born Betty's Burgers and Concrete Co. On this venture, they're pairing burgs with old-school ice cream sundaes, and the whole old-school vibe. 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 will span bacon and sausage burgs, steak and egg 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. "Our breakfast menu is designed to offer a great start to the day the Slim's way. We believe Queenslanders will love our unique take on these classics," says Slim's chef Greg Engelhardt. Slim's Quality Burger will open at 2/407 Elizabeth Avenue, Kippa-Ring, and also in Slacks Creek, sometime in September — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced.
Music festivals are back, following a chaotic couple of years for reasons that we all know and lived through. That's great news in general — and particularly ace news if you've been hanging out for the return of Listen Out, which hits Brisbane Showgrounds on Sunday, October 2. Fuzzy's national electronic-meets-hip hop festival will make a huge comeback for its first gigs since 2019, complete with a hefty lineup led by Disclosure and The Jungle Giants. Also on the bill: everyone from BARKAA and Electric Fields to BBNO$ and Tove Lo. [caption id="attachment_626784" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mitch Lowe[/caption] The lineup goes on — however, in just as excellent news, Brisbane's leg is also timed across the October long weekend. Spending a Sunday dancing in a crowd, then still having a day off afterwards? That's the perfect way to dive back into festival life. LISTEN OUT 2022 LINEUP: 24kGOLDN AJ Tracey BARKAA BBNO$ Blanke Bru-C Central Cee Chris Lake Culture Shock Dameeeela Disclosure Electric Fields James Hype JID The Jungle Giants Kito Louis The Child LP Giobbi Meduza Memphis LK Miiesha Nia Archives Pirra Pretty Girl Qrion Stace Cadet and KLP Roddy Ricch Tove Lo Trippie Red Top image: Mitch Lowe.
For the five years leading up to 2018, festival-loving Brisbanites have descended upon a secret Sunshine Coast location for the Jungle Love Music & Arts Festival, which combined a laidback atmosphere, a campground surrounded by luscious greenery, plenty of stellar tunes and performances, and the chance to go for a swim in the creek while you watch a gig. Alas, that specific event is no longer happening; however, Yonder Festival sprung up in its place in 2019 — and the latter is back in 2020. A three-day celebration of creativity, Yonder takes Jungle Love's vibe, runs with it and shapes it into something new. Running between Thursday, November 26–Saturday, November 28 in a yet-to-be-revealed spot in the Mary Valley, the fest boasts everything from a stacked music lineup across four stages to a feast of roving, theatrical and visual artists, plus a heap of workshops and panels on wellbeing. It also places a huge focus on Indigenous producers, artists and communities, as well as local creatives. It's the kind of event where you can check out A Love Supreme, Tom Thum, Luminescence, Black Bear in the Wild and more — then listen to Ruckus Slam's poetry, wander through the visual arts displays, take part in a handstand yoga session, and browse the boutique food and market stalls. Everything will operate under a COVID-19-safe plan, of course. Camping is also part of the fun (and the price), so bring your own tent or campervan — and tickets are on sale now. Also, you can BYO alcohol — but it needs to be in plastic containers, and you can also show up with a reasonable amount of booze.
Since opening in 2018 Brisbane's Howard Smith Wharves precinct has continued to expand. The spot boasts the sprawling Felons Brewery, bright Greek taverna Greca, and Louis Tikaram's excellent Cantonese restaurant Stanley — and since 2020 it has also been home to Jonathan Barthelmess' Yoko Dining. If you've ever visited Tokyo and spent time exploring the city's izakaya and music bars, you'll be well prepared for Yoko Dining. Think tunes spun on vinyl, buzzing energy and a retro-futuristic feel both in the downstairs restaurant and on the mezzanine level. In the kitchen, a hibachi has pride of place. The seafood-heavy menu heroes those unique smoky flavours that come from the Japanese-style charcoal grill. And there's a raw bar serving up fresh sashimi, ceviche and seasonal gyoza. You'll also find soft shell crab temaki, wagyu and chicken karaage among the mains — plus spicy pork udon noodles. As for dessert, choose between black sesame soft serve, mochi, green tea jellies, and a fried bread topped with yuzu curd and kinako (roasted soy bean flour). The drinks list at Yoko is just as promising as the food. Prepare to sip your way through a series of Japanese-inspired cocktails, ten different types of sake, and a range of umeshu, yuzushu (yuzu liqueur) and shochu. Japanese whiskeys, Japanese and Australian beers, and sodas with optional booze are also available — as is wine on tap and in bottles from a 100-strong list. Yoko always promises a fun, boisterous night out that forgoes pretension and polish and will put you right in the party spirit. Appears in: The Best Restaurants in Brisbane
A burger, frites and beer feast is landing on Little Stanley Street, with Fritzenberger launching its fourth Brisbane venue on the popular South Bank strip. Joining fellow burg-slinging sites in Petrie Terrace, Wilston and Albany Creek, the newcomer opens its doors at 4pm on Friday, July 24 — and plenty of the growing chain's favourite dishes will be on the menu. That means burgers, obviously, including the fritzen burger — which is made with grass-fed beef, aged cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion and Fritzensauce. You can also tuck into a buttermilk chicken burger (as made with a southern fried chicken thigh fillet), or go vegan with the mushroom schnitzel burger (which heroes a panko-crumbed, swiss cheese-filled portobello mushroom). Cheeseburgers and bacon burgers are also on offer, and this new location will also boast some fresh additions to its burg lineup. Fritzenberger makes just as big a deal about frites, which you can season as you like from the sizeable range of in-house salts. Go for the loaded frites, and they'll come covered in Twisties salt — plus cheese sauce, candied bacon, green onions and Fritzensauce. You can also eat your way through a serving of sugar frites, aka cinnamon sugared churro-style frites paired with hot Nutella sauce. Yes, that's dessert sorted. The chain's mac 'n' cheese balls will be available, too, as will an expanded variety of wings — and so will Fritzenberger's core range of beers. This isn't just a burger and frites joint, after all, but a company that brews its own hoppy beverages. Its own pale ale, lager, IPA and cider will pump through four taps, while another four will rotate through small-batch and other local brews. Open daily from 12–8pm, Fritzenberger South Bank can seat 110 people — indoors or, if you prefer a stint of people-watching, outdoors as well.
Inviting everyone over to enjoy your sun-drenched courtyard on a Friday evening seemed like a brilliant idea at the time — it's certainly more relaxed than cramming into a busy city rooftop bar and more summery than sipping cocktails in a dark, underground basement bar. But now that your friends are due round any moment, do you have your drinks repertoire ready? Here to help you, we've got five easy-to-make cocktail recipes that'll upgrade your home bar and hosting skills — and you won't have to spend all your time in the kitchen making them, either. Spruce up your evening get-together with the world's finest French vodka, Grey Goose, which we've partnered with to showcase three vodka cocktails and two non-alcoholic options that your friends and workmates will love. GREY GOOSE ESPRESSO MARTINI In 1983 a model sauntered into a London bar and uttered the phrase "I want something to wake me up and fuck me up", and the espresso martini was born. Thirty-six years later and the caffeinated cocktail has risen to cult status. To make things easier on you, this recipe uses cold drip coffee so you don't have to worry about making a fresh espresso for each round. — 30ml Grey Goose Original — 30ml De Kuyper Crème de Café coffee liqueur — 30ml cold drip coffee — 1 pinch of salt (serves one) Shake all the ingredients, hard, in Boston tins with lots of ice till the outside is frosty. Double strain into a martini glass. Garnish with coffee beans or chocolate dust. Everyone'll be pepped for the night ahead in no time. [caption id="attachment_750115" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Camille Vidal, La Maison Wellness[/caption] HEALTH YEAH Not everyone drinks alcohol — and having a non-boozy option makes you a considerate host. This refreshingly light iced tea needs a little pre-planning, so you'll have to batch-make the tea and syrup the night before. Then, come Friday afternoon, you can to knock one of these together in no time. — 120ml roobois tea — 80ml kombucha — 20ml turmeric honey syrup — 2 dashes of lemon essential oil (serves one) Use cold water to infuse the tea as it'll avoid bitterness and tannins; add ten grams of roobois tea for every one litre of mineral water and leave to infuse overnight. Strain and keep it in the fridge. To make the syrup, use three tablespoons of turmeric honey and one tablespoon of golden unrefined sugar with 350ml of water. Add all ingredients in a saucepan, bring to boiling point and stir for one-to-two minutes until dissolved. Remove from heat and allow syrup to cool. Build the cocktail over ice in a highball, give a gentle stir to mix ingredients and garnish with a lemon wedge. SPIKED ICE TEA Thought that last one sounded good? How about having an iced tea with an extra kick? Forget woeful Long Islands and upgrade to this delicious and balanced Grey Goose version which includes a fruity twist of apricot brandy. — 30ml Grey Goose Original — 20ml apricot brandy — 20ml lemon juice — 90ml cold earl grey tea — 10ml sugar syrup Just like the boozeless option above, prep the tea overnight and brew with cold water to avoid any bitter tannin taste. Build the cocktail over ice in a highball, give a gentle stir to mix ingredients and garnish with a lemon wedge. Easy peasy! BOOZELESS GINGER MOJITO Who said drinkers had to have all the fun and flavour? When you want to take time off the sauce, or cater for guests who do, opt for this gently spiced but super-fresh non-alcoholic mojito. As a bonus you can show off your muddling skills to impress your mates. — 22ml fresh lime juice — 15ml sugar syrup — 3 wedges of fresh lime — 2cm of fresh peeled ginger — 12 fresh mint leaves — top with soda water (serves one) Muddle lime wedges, mint leaves and ginger with the sugar syrup and lime juice. Add crushed ice and churn before topping with soda water. Look at you go! ROSE SPRITZ Make like you're in the south of France with this gently fizzy, and oh-so pink cocktail that practically begs to be sipped outdoors on a terrace surrounded by your besties. — 30ml Grey Goose Original — 20ml Martini Bianco — 10ml Monin watermelon syrup — 15ml lemon juice — 45ml soda (serves one) Build all the ingredients over ice in a collins glass and top with soda water. Garnish with a lemon wedge. Then upload a pic to Instagram to make sure everyone knows you can make such a fine looking drink. Upgrade your Friday night at home by choosing premium vodka Grey Goose. Each bottle is distilled in France, and the high quality vodka has a 100 percent traceable production process, from crop to cork.
Everyone should have a go-to wine bar within a stone's throw of their house — the kind of spot that's compact but inviting, sports a highly curated vino list and boasts plenty of folks who know what they're talking about while you're getting sipping. Ardo's is that type of place, and it's seemingly on a mission to give every wine lover in Brisbane their own local outpost. When it opened in Hawthorne in August 2023, the chain notched up three sites since the year began. The experience at each Ardo's is the same, just in different areas of Brisbane. So, wine fans in Brisbane's inner east now have easy access to the plonk-slinging chain's carefully selected range of vino, including over pintxos, cheese and charcuterie, on Lindsay Street just off Hawthorne Road. Like its sibling sites, Ardo's Hawthorne is welcoming in patrons in for a glass and a bite, and will also let folks pick up their favourite tipples — or a new discovery — to take home. Offering a selection that you wouldn't just find at any bottle-o is a big source of pride, with Ardo's staff on-hand to chat you through its drops, help you make a choice and impart their expert knowledge. Here, customers can enjoy wines by the glass and the bottle. The lineup rotates, but everything you see on the shelf is able to be drunk on the premises or taken away. As you're getting cosy, you'll also be surrounded by vino all across the walls, plus a wine tap that looks like an altar. And, you'll be tucking into seasonal snacks. There are a couple of new inclusions for Hawthorne, too: gourmet seafood preserves from Conservas, which you can eat into bread and butter, or as a part of a pintxos platter; and Woombye Cheese's dairy goods.
Naldham House will soon be complete. Part of Brisbane's CBD landscape since the 1800s, the three-storey former shipping office on Felix Street relaunched in 2024 as a multi-venue hospitality hub, opening Naldham House Brasserie & Terrace on the ground floor, plus supper club-style cocktail bar and lounge Club Felix on its second storey. That left the heritage-listed site's top level awaiting the last piece of the puzzle — and left Brisbanites wondering what else would be in store. The answer: Cantonese restaurant The Fifty Six. From sometime in February 2025, the landmark waterfront building's third venue will start welcoming patrons through the door, then upstairs to the third floor. Traditional recipes made with modern techniques will be the star, with Chef Gerald Ong heading the kitchen. His inspiration: both the initial wave of Chinese immigration to Queensland, and also the influence since that cuisine in both Brisbane and Australia has taken from Chinese culture and food. If you're hankering for familiar Cantonese dishes, they'll be on the menu, but given a contemporary spin. Seasonal local produce will also be in the spotlight. Accordingly, the steaming crystal skin dumplings will be made with Moreton Bay bug, while Mooloolaba prawns will come wok-tossed, then paired with with curry leaf and salted egg. Chef Ong is also set to whip up his own oyster sauce in-house — and, for roast meats, The Fifty Six will boast a dry-ageing program. "I am delighted to be making the move north and leading this exciting Cantonese food concept for Naldham House — it's truly a passion of mine to innovate traditional Cantonese dishes and I know Brisbane will love this restaurant. The array of incredible local produce available will always feature through the menu," said Ong, who brings his experience from Tiger Lane, Chairman & Yip, Mrs Wang, Lucky Duck and Golden Panda in Canberra. On The Fifty Six team, he'll be joined by dim sum expert Ka Wai Kwok as the venue's sous chef. Although the year listed above its entrance is from four decades back, Naldham House was first built 141 years ago. The site began its life as a shipping office, then underwent major renovations in 1988. From there, it became the Brisbane Polo Club from 1994–2015. Now, since mid-July 2024, it's one of the River City's newest drinking and dining destinations — still under the name Naldham House. Thank DAP & Co to transforming this patch of the Eagle Street side of Brissie's inner city into a three-venues-in-one haven. The hospitality group co-owned by Andrew Baturo, Denis Sheahan and Paul Piticco, which is also behind The Gresham, Popolo Italian and Walter's Steakhouse and Wine Bar, has made over the site as part of the Waterfront Brisbane project that's revamping this area of town. Find Naldham House at 33 Felix Street, Brisbane City, with Naldham House Brasserie & Terrace and Club Felix now open. Naldham House Brasserie & Terrace's brasserie operates from 11.30am–3pm and 5–10pm Monday–Saturday, and its terrace from 11.30am–11pm Monday–Saturday. Club Felix trades from 5pm–2pm Wednesday–Saturday. Head to the Naldham House Brasserie & Terrace website and Club Felix website for more information. Images: Dexter Kim and Markus Ravik.
Complaining that you don't have anything to watch is impossible in the streaming age. Spending too much time trying to pick something because you're spoiled for choice? That's the current dilemma. With every new online platform, your viewing options expand — especially when Pluto TV has finally hit Australia with more than 50 streaming channels. Up and running in the US for almost a decade, this streaming service is completely free to watch — and, after announcing that it was heading our way, it launched Down Under in late August. To view Pluto TV, all you need to do is head to Network Ten's 10 Play platform, with its new channels built into the existing platform. (Just make sure that you've updated your 10 Play app to access it.) The catch: Pluto TV is a FAST service, aka free ad-supported streaming television. So, just like in the days before anyone had even dreamed up Netflix and the like, or pay TV, you won't pay a cent to watch; however, you will have to see commercials. As well as the cost — or lack thereof — Pluto TV's big drawcard is delivering its smorgasbord of content via channels, rather than just having audiences scroll through hundreds or thousands of shows and movies to decide what to watch. Basically, it replicates the linear TV experience on free-to-air, but via streaming. You'll still need to do some choosing, though, given that there's a lengthy roster of themed channels to pick from. Fancy only viewing South Park? I Love Lucy? Happy Days? Dynasty? MTV's reality shows? Nickelodeon classics? They all now have their own channels. Nickelodeon and MTV fans, you're particularly well-served. If you're keen on the former, you've got six channels to flick between: Nick Classics, Nick Jr, Nick Movies, Nick Rewind, NickTeen and NickToons. For the latter, there's eight: MTV Biggest Pop, MTV Dating, MTV Drama, MTV Entertainment, MTV Love, MTV Reality, MTV Retro and MTV The Shores. Accordingly, tuning into Pluto TV can mean watching non-stop Daria, Pimp My Ride, Lindsay Lohan's Beach Club, The Ren & Stimpy Show, Rocko's Modern Life and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Two of the MTV channels — MTV Biggest Pop and MTV Love — are also filled with music videos. Prefer Baywatch all day? The OG Beverly Hills 90210? Getting eerie with The Twilight Zone? There's now a dedicated channel for all of them as well. The list also includes The Brady Bunch, Hawaii Five-O, Merlin, Becker, Matlock, Mission: Impossible (the TV show, not the movies), The Drew Barrymore Show, The Graham Norton Show, America's Next Top Model, Survivor and Survivor US, MasterChef, and classic The Bold & The Beautiful episodes. Also, Moviesphere is your destination for flicks, Haunt TV is on hand for scares, True Stories serves up exactly that, and both Nature Time and Xtreme Adventure are as self-explanatory as they sound. Already up in running in more than 35 markets before it arrived in Australia, Pluto TV draws from the Los Angeles-based company's partnerships with 400-plus international media outfits. This is clearly a great time to be fond of Nickelodeon in particular — Network Ten also recently added a free-to-air channel devoted to the brand, the first in Australia outside of pay TV, separate to Pluto TV's online options. Pluto TV's channels are now available to stream in Australia via 10 Play.
If you're one of those people that cannot live without caffeine, whetting your whistle with coffee is an essential ritual. Whether it's part of your 'morning exercise' — a five-minute walk and flirting with your favourite barista — or the carefully planned work catch-up, any excuse is a good excuse. As writers, there's nothing we love more than sitting in a cafe, typing at inhuman speeds to meet a deadline and sipping madly on our coffee of choice. We've teamed up with Milklab to showcase the trusty locals we rely on for all our caffeine needs. These go-to spots hold a special place in our hearts — and our fuzzy morning brains. ALCOVE CAFE AND DELI, WILSTON Since opening in 2012, Alcove Cafe and Deli has become a staple of the Wilston community — and a staple of CP contributor Cailin Sheppard's week. Here, you'll find homely brunch dishes, daily baked treats and a carefully curated specialty coffee menu. The baristas sling your classic espressos alongside cold brew concoctions served over ice with coconut water and mint or lemonade and citrus. Or you can enjoy the best of both worlds with the Fire and Ice, in which a cold brew and a flat white are served side by side. This helps the differences between the extraction methods to shine through, especially with creamy Milklab oat milk. [caption id="attachment_833054" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mitch Clayton[/caption] BESSA, MILTON A stone's throw from much-loved Milton coffee haunt Bunker is its sibling venue, Bessa, which CP contributor Neesha Sinnya recommends. The wooden kiosk was opened on Little Cribb Street to spread out the continuous stream of customers Bunker was (and still is) subject to. Bessa serves up Five Senses Coffee with Queensland roasters on rotation for batch drops from Monday to Friday. Jaffles, pastries and doughnuts are available as sweet or savoury sidekicks to your coffee or hot chocolate, which can come spiked with lemon myrtle, lime and salt, chilli or aztec spice. [caption id="attachment_833056" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mitch Clayton[/caption] JOSIE NORTH, TOOWONG Located down a lowkey arcade in Toowong, Josie North has slowly garnered a reputation as serving some of the best specialty coffee in Brisbane. The 17-seat cafe has a simple menu of eats and a regular rotation of three Australian roasteries: Seven Seeds, Small Batch Roasting and Wood and Co Coffee. The aim here — and at the roasteries — is to produce coffee which showcases the origins of the beans rather than how they are roasted, meaning black, filter or a light, creamy option like Milklab's oat milk is the way to go if you want the full effect of the flavour. BLACK SHEEP COFFEE, WOOLLOONGABBA Black Sheep has been a mainstay of the Brisbane coffee roasting scene for almost a decade. The soon to be renamed Joyce Coffee — which will happen first thing next year — is all about cultivating a culture of community and coffee. Keeping it simple with coffee and Sprout Artisan Bakery pastries served out of its roastery, the team here showcases the in-house selection of blends and single origins through an array of brewing methods. The coffee palace will also be relocating come 2022, but just across the road to a larger space on Norman Street. Plus, you'll be pleased to hear, pooches are more than welcome to pop by here, too. [caption id="attachment_833059" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mitch Clayton[/caption] HUNTER AND SCOUT CAFE, GRACEVILLE With a full breakfast and lunch menu, smoothies, coffee and plenty of space for dining, you certainly aren't left wanting at Hunter and Scout. Sit out in the courtyard filled with tropical plants and while away the morning with friends, or bring your laptop to work remotely with a coffee at the ready. While the midday menu here is made for long lunches, breakfast is a more easy-going but indulgent affair with options like a wild mushroom and tarragon omelette, burnt butter crumpets and a cheddar cheese and chive hash brown benedict. And yes, they have alternative milks aplenty here. CHAPTER IV, PADDINGTON Perched on the upper end of Latrobe Terrace with sweeping views of Paddington and the city is Chapter IV. This quintessential neighbourhood hangout dishes up an all-day menu of brekkie classics, sangas and boujie brunch specials — think Singapore chilli crab benedict, vanilla, pear, lemon and honey panna cotta and a Japanese fritter stack. Campos is the roastery of choice for the full-range coffee selection here, best taken on the back deck with a cute coffee date by your side. [caption id="attachment_833061" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mitch Clayton[/caption] COCO BLISS, NORTH LAKES Come for the acai, stay for the coffee at this bliss bowl powerhouse's North Lakes hub. The go-to spot is all about the wholefoods, blending them together to make smoothies, juices and smoothie bowls which make a perfect light brekkie or snack. With a predominantly raw and vegan menu, it makes sense to have plant-based milks on lock (cue Milklab) as they make up the majority of bases for smoothies and coffees. As for savoury, vego and vegan toasties make great grab-and-go options while wholesome salads make up the rest. We challenged one of our writers to switch to oat milk for a week. Find out what they discovered here. Ask your barista for Milklab Oat or head to the website for more information. Top image: Black Sheep Coffee
Thirsty? If you're not now, you will be once you've read this. That's the only appropriate reaction to a festival of beer, after all. Just think of all the amber liquids and foamy goodness. Okay, enough drooling; here are the important details that every ale-lover needs. When Beer Fest On the Grass returns for its whopping tenth year from 11am on Saturday, July 29, more than 300 beers and ciders will be on offer. To line your stomach, there'll also be a range of international food trucks. Basically, if there's a beer heaven, this is it. Yes, Eatons Hill Hotel has been hosting this tipple-fuelled shindig for a decade — and will once again celebrate drinking, eating and enjoying a day in Brisbane's glorious outdoors. If you're serious about your beverages, you'll want to taste, sip, sample and chat to folks from a huge selection of breweries. And, if you're serious about fun, you'll want to gather some mates and take part in the event's other fun activities — in previous years, there's been an inflatable beer obstacle course, a keg-stacking comp and a life-sized game of foosball. Tickets are on sale now, with second-release entry starting at $23.80. Top image: Brisbane Beer Fest. Updated July 24, 2023.
Newstead Studios has long been a magnet for creatives to visit, work in and get inspired by. The light-filled studio, gallery, event and co-working space has seen the likes of Billie Eilish, Elsa Pataky, Chanel and Vogue Australia (to name a few) all make their way through its doors. For owners Cass and Sam Thies, it made sense that the next step was to open a cafe and store where local creatives and the exhibited artists could sell their work. From there, Sunroom was born. Like the studios, Sunroom is ultra aesthetically pleasing with a minimalist approach. There's a carefully curated selection of ceramics, books and prints from some of Australia's best and brightest for sale, so prepare to be tempted, regardless of whether you're there to browse or just popping by for a coffee. The food here is simple and satisfying with ciabatta sandwiches, bagels, freshly baked pastries and treats on offer, with coffee roasted by The Black Lab. Take a seat at the communal table to enjoy before having a wander through the space — if this isn't a perfect spot for a coffee date, we don't know what is.
Paul Manser really puts himself into his writing. When reading the self-penned adventures and misadventures of the Melbourne-based travel scribe, you experience the destination and surrounds from his singular POV. The scenes he often sets have a shambolic, gonzo feel as though something is about to go terribly awry, with Paul giving huge main character energy as both narrator and observer. Things often do go terribly awry and those breakneck narrative zags make for great stories, many of which are featured in his recently published collection of travel mini-memoirs Life Plans On Dive Bar Napkins, a series of stories that include a profane interlude at San Francisco's disgracefully under-recognised Hunky Jesus Contest, stinking out Pamplona due to an unfortunate case of missing luggage, and other incidents that imply Paul is fortunate to be alive and/or not incarcerated. If you are planning a trip to Los Angeles in the coming months and would be interested in some sound, sensible advice on what to do, please do not read the following guide that Paul Manser kindly compiled for us. [caption id="attachment_875641" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The author Paul Manser on a bike[/caption] PAUL MANSER: Los Angeles is the suggestive, shapely leg that slips out from beneath conservative Middle America's full-length skirt. It is the kind of leg that shows enough skin to let you know there are good times to be had, but that you could have your bank account cleaned out for your indiscretions. Not just a city built for good times, LA is also a magnet for aspiring movie stars who are drawn to the city like a mosquito, drunk on summer's blood, is to a caravan park's fluorescent blue bug zapper. You jump in an Uber and before you know it, you're listening to the CV of an out-of-work actor who played a lactose intolerant lifeguard in Baywatch for two episodes in the 90s, as they take you the long way from Santa Monica to West Hollywood just to make a few extra dollars. With so many people waiting to be 'discovered', it can be a little hard to find the real Los Angeles these days; the city the locals live. To help, here's my guide that you may (or may not) want to follow: [caption id="attachment_875639" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Santa Monica pier by Vincentas Liskauskas via Unsplash[/caption] WHERE TO GO On my first visit to LA I was told don't drink the tap water, avoid hiking Runyon Canyon in flip flops and don't ever, under any circumstances, be out in Downtown LA after dark unless you are so enamoured with acupuncture you're willing to let a teenager poke you with a blunt knife for the contents of your wallet. However, things have changed. These days Downtown LA is so cool the ice wouldn't melt on the sidewalk in a mid-afternoon heatwave. With some of the most innovative restaurants in the city like 71Above, amazing rooftop bars like Upstairs at The Ace, boutique designer hotels and an abundance of skinny-jeaned, bushranger bearded locals, downtown LA is now the place to go to eat, get rowdy and find a drinkable coffee the day after — which is no mean feat in America. [caption id="attachment_875643" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Upstairs at The Ace, The Ace Hotel Los Angeles via The Ace Hotel[/caption] WHERE TO DRINK If New York is the city that never sleeps, LA is where the beautiful people doze in seal-placenta face masks before spending their days doing hot yoga, discussing the latest colonic hotspot and looking fabulously bored poolside at one of the many party hotels of West Hollywood. While the city is undoubtedly glamorous, any self-respecting traveller with a thirst to quench will forgo the latest Insta-famous rooftop restaurant to trawl the city's bars of yesteryear. Sunset Boulevard's infamous Viper Room, Whisky a Go Go and Rainbow Bar and Grill have seen stars come and go and given birth to many a road trip playlist's favourite band, including Guns 'N' Roses. Don't assume that because the venues are a little less polished, that your night will be devoid of celebrities, although the high-profile patrons may be less 'washed' and more 'washed up' these days. That is not to say that you won't be rewarded for seeking out a more sophisticated drinking environment. Located in downtown LA, The Wolves is a spectacularly overindulged Parisian-style cocktail bar featuring Tiffany glass ceilings. The dark, moody bar features more wood and dark leather than you'd find in a friendly neighbourhood BDSM swingers club. The Wolves draws an eclectic crowd on the weekends with a cocktail list as long as the security line at LAX, but if you really feel adventurous let one of the bartenders guide your evening. That way at least you'll know who to blame when you wake up in the morning full of regret. [caption id="attachment_875652" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Wolves at Downtown LA, image via The Wolves[/caption] WHERE TO EAT While sucking down a wheatgrass and kale smoothie next to Billie Eilish as she chews on a raw vegan lasagne at Crossroads Kitchen might seem peak Los Angeles, you're probably going to need something more substantial (and a bit greasier) to soak up the booze. Try the ramen burger at Tatsu Ramen (if it is on the menu at the time.) A glorious artery-clogging delicious patty of beef sandwiched between to ramen noodle buns. Five stars. WHERE NOT TO STAY Last time I stayed in LA, I awoke to sunlight piercing the soft mustard surrounds of a hotel room that self-proclaimed three stars, but that would soon be on the receiving end of a biting TripAdvisor review I was penning in my mind. Four paragraphs alone were to be dedicated to reporting the hotel owner to the war crimes tribunal in The Hague over the fluorescent purple shower curtain that would burn holes into the retinas of small children. Then I decided that a negative review was not enough. No. A parody webpage dedicated to a hotel room that went missing in the 1970's was more fitting. It would include photos and satirical descriptions for how best to recognise the room. "ATTENTION: Be on the lookout for a hotel room with a burn mark in the two-tone green carpet resembling a snake making love to The Leaning Tower of Pisa. A stain that looks like the outline of where a jockey had been murdered with an ice cream scooper. And a bible with a series of stunningly accurate genitalia drawn throughout." Honestly, I'd tell you where this hotel was in LA, but I don't want to be sued. So maybe just avoid every hotel in the city to be safe and stay in an Airbnb instead. This guest house looks pretty good: WHERE TO BE SEEN LA is one of those cities where you go not only to see, but to be seen. With more instantly recognisable faces big screen packed into a few square miles than anywhere else in the world, paparazzi-dodging-people-watching can resemble a bloodsport at times. But what fun is merely watching others get all of the attention? Where can you go to not only watch others, be a part of the action yourself? Chateau Marmont is a place of celebrity legend. It's where Led Zeppelin rode motorcycles through the lobby in the 1960s and one of the first places to ban Lindsay Lohan from entry. These days drinking poolside at Chateau still offers up a decent chance of lounging next to brutally hungover, non-communicative, blood-shot eyed celebrity. If the Chateau sounds like the spot for you, maybe pack a pair of reflective Ray-Bans so you can get a good look at everybody, without coming across as some crazed stalker. AND, WHERE TO ESCAPE TO Los Angeles is a hot mess. The city is impossible to cross at peak hour and realistically you shouldn't attempt using the public transport unless contracting dysentery is on your bucket list. Sometimes it's a city you just need to get away from. But where to? While the internet is plastered with images of celebrities escaping to sun themselves on the beaches of Malibu, those looking for a piece of old Hollywood glamour should head inland to Palm Springs. A playground for the icons of Hollywood in the golden age of cinema, Palm Springs was the place that fabled celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Dean Martin came to escape Los Angeles. A sun drenched desert Oasis, these days travellers come to Palm Springs to admire its mid-century modern architecture, for mammoth music festivals like Coachella and Stagecoach and relax and people watch poolside in one of the many impeccably styled hotels which appear to have jumped straight out of a photo-spread in a design magazine. [caption id="attachment_875657" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Palm Springs by Cody Board via Unsplash[/caption] Paul Manser's book Life Plans On Dive Bar Napkins is available from various book stores or you can order it from Dymocks. For more of Paul's travel tales visit his website. Main image by Jake Blucker via Unsplash.
It has been a big few months for Brisbane establishments keen to brag about the friends they keep. Every second new place seems to end their name with the "& Co" suffix, and while it might swap out an ampersand for a plus sign, Kin + Co is the latest to join the mix. That's where the Teneriffe cafe stops adhering to type, though, with its décor sparse and shiny, and its all-day breakfast menu as varied and exciting as it gets. In the former, you'll find a minimalist space as perfect for a mid-morning catchup as it is for a lunch meeting. In the latter, you'll find old favourites given new twists. Fancy your breakfast burger with candied bacon? Or your mayonnaise spruced up with lemon and avocado or Sriracha? Or your milkshakes served on almond milk and available in fig and honey, vanilla bean and Oreo varieties? How about a slice of French toast with topped with torched bananas, crème patisserie, salted caramel sauce and edible flowers? Whoever you head to Kin + Co with, thanks to their food, you'll always be in good company.
If you've ever wanted to get your hands on any of Frank Green's popular products, here's your chance to score some for free. To celebrate the recent launch of the brand's new three-in-one insulated iced coffee cup with a straw, Frank Green has teamed up with Melbourne coffee brand Industry Beans to sling some freebies. For one day only, Industry Beans will give away a limited amount of free Frank Green coffee cups with every iced coffee purchase. In Brisbane, head into Industry Beans' Newstead cafe on Friday, February 9 from 7am to grab your very own Frank Green iced coffee cup — which is available in a range of colours, from the pearly white cloud to pastels like mint gelato and lilac haze. But be sure to get in quick as stocks are limited. The reusable cup provides a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic cups, which a classic iced coffee usually comes in. And, it also offers up solutions to pesky problems that iced coffee fanatics know all too well. Frank Green's iced coffee cups contain a double-wall vacuum insulation feature to prevent condensation and guarantee that your drink will stay cool by maintaining the ice for up to 12 hours, as well as a splash-proof lid and a stainless steel straw. Plus, you can ensure that your barista never spells your name incorrectly, as the cups are monogrammable. In extra brownie points for versatility, too, it can double as a stubbie holder or cocktail glass.
Renowned for creating beautiful, healthy, glorious hair, Tigerlamb has built quite a name for itself in Brisbane, with four salons dotted across the city. Voted Newcomer of the Year in the Australian Hair Industry Awards in 2019, the Coorparoo Square salon is home to some of the most talented stylists in Brisbane, so you just know you'll walk out thrilled with your new 'do. Whether you're looking for a full hair makeover, or just a trim, the team will cater to your needs. Balayage, foils, blowdry, treatments, eyebrow waxing — they do it all. The salon also stocks a range of much-loved brands, including Olaplex, Redken and Kerastase. Images: Kiel Wode
Remember those greasy kebabs you used to order during your uni days? Well, these definitely ain't it. Known for lovingly made Greek food, The Yiros Shop now boasts seven locations across our fair city. If you decided to channel some Lindsay Lohan in Mykonos vibes last night, we would point you towards the wagyu beef yiros, which comes with tomato, red onion, parsley and tzatziki. Or, maybe you're feeling more of the lamb, rocket and feta yiros with fresh beetroot and crunchy walnuts. The best part is, all the yiros come with the fries already stuffed inside, so you'll have a free hand to delete the evidence off your socials from last night. Who knew you were an aspiring Tik Tok star, huh?
Brisbanites, next time you head to Albion, you might want to say cheers to the experience. You won't want to raise a glass of any old tipple, however, because drinking Albion Gin while in the inner north suburb should now sit on your must-do list. The new tipple is the creation of distillery Granddad Jack's, which originally set up shop on the Gold Coast and has now branched out to Brisbane. The craft outfit makes its own craft gin, whiskey, vodka, coffee liqueur and specialty spirits, including its new signature variety of juniper-flavoured booze. Visitors to its new Collingwood Street digs will also be able to sip their way through limited-edition releases, with new types launched monthly, or opt for one of two beers on tap. So, get ready to tuck into the brand's core range, which'll now also be made in the Albion venue's 300-litre still and brewhouse. The distillery also has a barrel room just to house its whiskey and barrel-aged gin, all of which you can enjoy in cocktails — and, in terms of decor, you'll be knocking back drinks while surrounded by a rustic brick, wood and leather look. Food-wise, the distillery is BYO, including from eateries in the area. Given that the new Craft'd Grounds precinct is also set to open on Collingwood Street, you'll have plenty of choices. You can bring your dog along to Granddad Jack's as well, so your pupper can also scope out the joint. Patrons will notice a greenhouse onsite, too, which is where the Granddad Jack's team will grow the different botanicals it needs to create its spirit blends, as well as its garnishes; think: edible flowers, strawberries, cucumbers and mint. That greenhouse isn't just a functional space, either. There really was a granddad Jack, the grandfather of the distillery's co-owner David Ridden, and he loved spending time in his garden and greenhouse. He also was known to hit up the race tracks at Albion Park, so Granddad Jack's new site pays him tribute in multiple ways. Ridden and his son Luke, who is also the brand's head distiller, have been operating Granddad Jack's since 2018. Find Granddad Jack's Brisbane distillery at 26 Collingwood Street, Albion — with the tasting room open Thursdays from 3–6.30pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 3–9.30pm, and Sundays from 2–6.30pm; and the liquor store operating from 12–6pm Thursday–Sunday.
Summer might be over for another year, but chasing endless sunny days, sandy spots and crashing waves is a rather easy pastime in Australia. The country is girt by sea, after all, and boasts thousands of beaches — including Western Australia's Cable Beach, which has just been named one of the best coastal spots in the world for 2023, plus the absolute top beach in the South Pacific for this year as well. The scenic Broome locale nabbed those honours thanks to Tripadvisor, which unveils a lineup of top beaches each year. Among the international plaudits, Cable Beach came in third behind Baia do Sancho in Fernando de Noronha in Brazil and Eagle Beach in Aruba in The Caribbean. It also ranked higher than spots in Iceland, Turks and Caicos, Portugal, India, Sicily, Cuba and Hawaii. Yes, that's mighty fine company to keep. [caption id="attachment_891596" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cable Beach[/caption] In the South Pacific rundown, Cable Beach beat six other Aussie locations and one from New Zealand. Also getting some love locally: Sydney's Manly Beach in second place, Emily Bay on Norfolk Island in third and Mooloolaba Beach in fourth spot. Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas and Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island adding two more Queensland locations to the list at sixth and seventh place, while Turquoise Bay in Exmouth in WA came in ninth after topping the South Pacific spots in 2022. Across the ditch, Tahunanui Beach in Nelson sits at eighth place, too. The two beaches deemed the best in the South Pacific that aren't from Down Under? Matira Beach on Society Island in Bora Bora, French Polynesia, which sits fifth and Natadola Beach in Sigatoka, Fiji, at tenth. If it's an overseas beach holiday you're after this year, you now know where to head. [caption id="attachment_891589" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Manly Beach[/caption] Back to the worldwide list, it spans 25 places, with Manly coming in 13th there ahead of locations in Grand Cayman, San Sebastian, Bali, Costa Rica, Rio de Janeiro and more. Across both the worldwide and South Pacific rankings, winners were chosen as part of Tripadvisor's Traveller's Choice awards, which is based on millions of reviews and ratings left on the online platform across 2022. [caption id="attachment_891592" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Whitehaven Beach[/caption] TOP TEN BEACHES IN THE WORLD FOR 2023: Baia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil Eagle Beach, Aruba, The Caribbean Cable Beach, Broome, Australia Reynisfjara Beach, Vik, Iceland Grace Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos, The Caribbean Praia da Falésia, Algarve, Portugal Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island, India Spiaggia dei Conigli, Sicily, Italy Varadero Beach, Cuba, The Caribbean Ka'anapali Beach, Maui, Hawaii TOP TEN BEACHES IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC FOR 2023: Cable Beach, Broome, Western Australia, Australia Manly Beach, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Emily Bay, Norfolk Island, Australia Mooloolaba Beach, Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia Matira Beach, Society Island, Bora Bora, French Polynesia Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Queensland, Australia Tahunanui Beach, Nelson, New Zealand Turquoise Bay, Exmouth, Western Australia, Australia Natadola Beach, Sigatoka, Fiji [caption id="attachment_891590" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matira Beach[/caption] To check out the full list of top beaches for 2023, head to Tripadvisor. Images: Getty Images / Tripadvisor. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Nobody in their right mind could fault a café that tops its cappuccinos with real grated chocolate. That alone would be reason enough to love Moray Café, but luckily for locals, there are plenty of other reasons as well. Nestled into the greenery of riverside New Farm, the Moray Café feels like it's a million miles away from the hubbub of Fortitude Valley. The indoor and outdoor seating overlooking Moray Street and Merthyr Road is the perfect spot to enjoy a late start to the day. But let's get back to that coffee. Moray Café roasts its own own blend—Reverends Fine Coffee—on site. As for that grated chocolate… well, it pushes a good coffee into amazing territory, so be sure to order a cappuccino. The breakfast menu at the Moray Café is a welcome change to the standard bacon and eggs you will find elsewhere in town. Asian-influenced dishes such as the sweet Japanese omelette with salmon and pickled carrot ($15), the Vietnamese coconut crepes with pork and egg ($16), and the Indonesian sambal tofu ($15.50) are light options flavoured with fresh herbs. For a Mexican vibe, try the chipotle scrambled eggs with black bean and corn salsa ($15) – a bold breakfast best enjoyed with generous hits of lime and coriander. And of course, if you are a bacon and eggs devotee, you can get them (with Turkish toast and relish) for $12. Best of all, breakfast is served until 3pm for those late risers.
It was named one of the best places in the world to visit in 2022, and it isn't short on reasons to stop by whenever you like. Back in 2022, however, the Scenic Rim region gave music fans a hefty piece of motivation to make the trip. That's when it debuted the state's newest fest, aka The Long Sunset — and the event is returning in 2023. On Saturday, April 29, the music and camping festival will sprawl across Elysian Fields in Canungra — and it'll make the most of its almost 500-acre location. Listening to live tunes may be the main drawcard, as well as bunking down for the night both before and afterwards, but this fest also fills its sprawling venue with other highlights. Think: wine tastings, celebrating local artists and artisans, and a range of homegrown food options. On the bill for 2023: Lime Cordiale, Winston Surfshirt, Hatchie and Sycco, as well as Tia Gostelow, Peach Fur, bella amor, Baby Cool and Luke Brazier. If you're camping or glamping — which gives you access from Friday, April 28–Monday, May 1 — there's also a Friday-night campfire session with Laura Frank, Seasoning and The Inadequates. Yes, as the name suggests, you can expect quite the dazzling display as day turns to night — with sunset at Elysian Fields seeing beams of light flicker over from the region's surrounding mountain ranges. The Long Sunset forms part of the also-returning Queensland Music Trails, which is all about spreading tunes and tourists across the Sunshine State. Images: Mitch Lowe.
Cunnamulla and the surrounding Shire of Paroo are steeped in history with the land occupied by the Gunya people long before the township's foundation. Nowadays, you can explore this history through the Cunnamulla Heritage Trail, which documents tales about the characters and buildings that forged this captivating outback community. There's great insight into the town's folklore throughout the trail. For instance, the Robber's Tree was climbed by wannabe bandit Joseph Wells as he tried to escape the police after he attempted to pillage the Queensland National Bank in 1880. Meanwhile, the towering bronze figure of the Cunnamulla Fella captures the spirit of 1950s bush characters recounted in Slim Dusty's namesake tune. Start your explorations at the Cunnamulla Fella Visitor Centre. Image: Tourism and Events Queensland
On Australia's list of big things, the Big Pineapple is among the most famous. It's big. It's a pineapple. It's heritage-listed Queensland icon. It's located on the Sunshine Coast surrounded by pineapple fields. Basically, what's not to love? It's not merely a reason to head to Nambour to gawk at over-sized tropical fruit, though. Back in 2013, it also became home to a music festival. Initially, the Big Pineapple Festival ran annually. At present, it was last held in 2021. The event's three-year hiatus is coming to an end, however, with organisers announcing that the fest will return in October 2024. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Big Pineapple Festival (@bigpineapplefestival) No specific date has been revealed as yet for this spring, and there's no lineup so far, but the fest's website says it all: "we're back baby!". The Big Pineapple Festival's site and socials have also said far more than just those three words about the event's comeback. So, you can start looking forward to a Woombye fest that'll take over the location's natural amphitheatres, get folks pitching a tent at the 4000-person campground, and also span workshops and art installations in a relaxed setting, too. The fest has always drawn a crowd, selling out in its very first year and plenty of times since. In 2021, Alison Wonderland and Peking Duk headlined, leading a lineup that unfurled top-notch entertainment across four stages. Also included at past festivals: a ferris wheel, food stalls aplenty, arts, crafts and other activities, and camping — all in the shadow of a giant pineapple that's the Sunshine Coast's biggest tourist attraction. The Big Pineapple Festival's return is welcome news at a time when the Australian music scene has been seeing cancellations, rather than comebacks. Tasmania's Mona Foma said farewell forever after its 2024 event, both Splendour in the Grass and Groovin the Moo scrapped their 2024 festivals mere weeks after announcing their lineups, Falls Festival took summer 2023–24 off, Summergrounds Music Festival at Sydney Festival was cancelled and This That hasn't gone ahead for a couple of years now. [caption id="attachment_944026" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Big Pineapple, Alpha via Flickr[/caption] The Big Pineapple Festival will return in October 2024, with an exact date yet to be announced. We'll update you with more details when they're revealed — keep an eye on the fest's website, Facebook and Instagram in the interim. Images: Claudia Ciapocha / Charlie Hardy..
When BŌS asks you to join its club, here's what it means: picking a dry-aged cut of meat from its cabinet, purchasing and reserving it, then tucking into it via the restaurant's 'Cleaver Club' whenever you're onsite. If that sounds like a swanky experience, it is, and that's what Brisbane's newest dining option has in store all round. You'd expect exactly that from a venue by Good Chef Bad Chef and Richo's Bar Snacks chef Adrian Richardson, plus ex-Cha Cha Char restaurateur Chris Higgins. Now open on Queen Street opposite Customs House, in Otto Ristorante's old Dexus Tower digs, the 120-seater BŌS gives the River City a luxe go-to with river views. Think: green hues and a plush fitout, as well as rounded edges, warm light, plenty of linen, and polished marble and brass, all courtesy of local interior design outfit Alkot Studio. Seating diners at tables and banquettes, or in the restaurant's al fresco seating, BŌS also clearly goes heavy on steak. It takes its name from the Latin word for beef, after all, which is indeed reflective of its menu. Here, you'll also find steak tartare, eight cuts from the grill included a bacon-wrapped fillet mignon, and two giant 1.2–1.5-kilogram options to share all on offer. That said, diners can also choose from oysters three ways, chargrilled Fremantle octopus, house-smoked salmon, sand crab lasagne, crackling-wrapped pork loin and duck breast with black garlic as part of BŌS' embrace of different types of proteins. The culinary theme, other than meat: modern Mediterranean, as also seen in the lineup of handmade small goods like salamis, bresaola and pastrami; the southern rock lobster with hand-cut mafaldine pasta; and the hand-stretched buffalo mozzarella. And, BŌS' sides range covers creamy mashed potatoes, wagyu-fat roasted spuds and a selection of other vegetables, while the dessert options include vanilla bean crème brûlée, Basque cheesecake, strawberries and cream, cheeses, ricotta doughnuts and dark chocolate brownies. As first announced in early November, BŌS sees Richardson and Higgins team up with lawyer Liam McMahon, with Richardson also taking cues from La Luna, his bistro in Carlton in Melbourne since 1998. The drinks list is just as much of a highlight as the meat-centric menu, thanks to restaurant manager and sommelier Romain Maunier (Montrachet, La Cache a Vin). BŌS' vino choices favour drops from high-end producers in Australia, France and Italy. "Our wine list is a journey around the world; it is the present moment but also an envy for the future, an everyday pleasure and a special celebration, a perfect food matching or just our favourite bottle," advises Maunier. If you prefer cocktails, the espresso martinis and affogatos fall into the 'liquid dessert' category; the full cocktail and spirits offerings fills seven pages; and there's a global gin selection, Bond-style martinis, share jugs of sangria and three kinds of spritzes. Come January 2023, BŌS will also boast a dedicated champagne and cocktail terrace bar — called The Aviary Terrace Bar — for summer sips and taking advantage of Brisbane's usually sultry weather, which'll pair full bottle service with city views. BŌS arrives in Brisbane at a busy time for big culinary names making a move to southeast Queensland, much to local diners' delight. Guy Grossi has announced plans to open an Amalfi-inspired restaurant in Brisbane, Hong Kong's Michelin-starred cantonese restaurant T'ang Court launched on the Gold Coast and Melbourne's famed Supernormal is planning to set up a Brissie location. Yes, that's quite the stacked list of new and upcoming eateries to add to your must-visit list. Find BŌS on level four, 480 Queen Street, Brisbane — open 12pm–12am Tuesday–Saturday. The Aviary Bar and Terrace is set to open in January 2023, and we'll update you with further details close to its launch.
Step inside a great hotel and the staff will make you feel welcome. Check in for a stay at QT Melbourne and you'll now be greeted by a very special (and adorable) employee: Russell the wellness dog-cierge. The accommodation chain's Victorian site has announced a partnership with Guide Dogs Victoria to enlist the help of a four-legged friend at the hotel — bringing cuteness, joy and companionship to patrons. If you know where QT Melbourne is located, then you'll know where this cute pooch gets his name. Russell Street's newest resident trained as a guide dog, but it was decided that he's better suited to aid with wellbeing due to his affectionate and friendly nature. While his job at the hotel from Thursday, February 27, 2025 involves being charming, greeting guests and leading walks, he also gives the venue a walking, tail-wagging tribute to the work done by Guide Dogs Victoria, even if he hasn't been dispatched to assist people with blindness or low vision. Consider this your latest reason to book in a staycation if you're a Melburnian — and great motivation to pick where to slumber on your next trip to the Victorian capital if you're located elsewhere. "We're incredibly proud to welcome Russell to QT Melbourne," said the hotel's General Manager Kristen Foat. "His presence represents not just a commitment to our guests' wellbeing, but also a deep appreciation for the important work Guide Dogs Victoria does in the community. Through this partnership, we're able to give back in a meaningful way while creating an environment of joy, connection and compassion." For more pup-centric fun, QT Melbourne is also launching a trio of experiences for or involving pooches, all of which will donate their proceeds Guide Dogs Victoria. Fancy bending and stretching on a rooftop with puppies in training to be guide dogs? Monthly Pups & Poses sessions have you covered. Keen to drop by with your own barking bestie instead? Puppacinos are on offer, as are pup staycations. You'll be heading to Deli QT, the hotel's sandwich bar, for a pup-friendly sip from 8am–3pm Monday–Saturday. And during pet-friendly sleepovers, your pooch will be able to get snacking thanks to the in-room menu for dogs. Russell joins QT Melbourne, 133 Russell Street, Melbourne from Thursday, February 27, 2025 — head to the hotel's website for bookings and more details.
In recent years, Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art has played host to an array of weird and wonderful exhibits. The Hulk's giant bed, a real-life snowman and Patricia Piccinini's otherworldly field of not-quite-flowers have all graced the South Brisbane site's halls and walls, as have David Lynch's inimitable art and a recreation of a real-life riverbed. But come summer 2020–21, the cultural institution is heading in a completely different direction. A gallery-wide celebration of motorcycles mightn't be the kind of thing you'd generally expect to find at GOMA; however, that's exactly what'll be on display from November this year till April 2021. Called The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire, the Queensland-exclusive showcase will explore the two-wheeled vehicle's enduring appeal — from the way it looks and how it has evolved over the years, to the way it's portrayed in popular culture and how it makes people feel. Obviously, the exhibition will do so by displaying plenty of motorbikes. Sourced from public and private collections from around the world, more than 100 will ride into GOMA — with some dating back more than 150 years. That'd be the Michaux-Perreaux steam-powered velocipede from 1868, which is the oldest-known motorbike on the planet. It'll be joined by a selection of the first Aussie built and designed motorcycles, including one made in Brisbane in 1906; record-breaking bikes, such as the land speed record-breaking 1951 Vincent Black Lightning; and a lineup of super-modern motorcycles that represent the vehicle's future. [caption id="attachment_762937" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Michaux-Perreaux steam velocipede (1869). Collection du musée du domaine départemental. Photo by Olivier Ravoire.[/caption] Honing in on the motorcycle's importance not just as a mode of transport, but as an ever-evolving machine, The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire will also feature interactive experiences — and while GOMA hasn't revealed what they'll be just yet, you can reasonably expect it'll be something more exciting than just hopping on a motorbike and driving around South Bank. Up Late events will form part of the program, too, for those wanting to party in the gallery and peer at historic motorcycles after dark. And, because there are quite a few motorbike-related movies to choose from — Easy Rider, Mad Max, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Purple Rain and Hot Rod, for example — GOMA's Australian Cinematheque will also get into the same gear, with its lineup set to be unveiled closer to the exhibition. The Motorcycle: Design, Art, Desire will display at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art from November 28, 2020–April 26, 2021. For further information or to buy tickets, visit the exhibition website. Top images: Vincent Black Lightning (1951), image courtesy Bonhams; Majestic 350 (1930), photo by Olivier de Vaulx; Megola Sport (1922), courtesy Guggenheim Museum, photo by David Heald.
Dining out with friends is all good fun until someone tries to split the bill. If Tim, Tahlia and Tony shared a bottle of wine, Thomas had an entree, Tamika ordered three gin and tonics, Tim couldn’t help but have dessert, meanwhile Tahlia and Tony crack a second bottle - you’ve got a mighty mess on your hands. And besides, it’s not fair on ‘budget-wise Tess’ to split the bill even if she refrained from dessert or even a sneaky vino. Enter, Vapiano. This is not casual dining as you know it. Walk in the door and be handed a plastic card - your own personal tab. No messy sharing, you’ll walk out with no bitter disputes. The venue is massive - a double storey mega-complex hidden in a lane just off Queen Street Mall. Not exactly a date venue, the solid wooden tables are designed for four or more - each features a small marble planter with a lamp and fresh basil or rosemary plants to enhance your food. The design is clean and unique - making it hard to believe Vapiano is indeed an international franchise with the same fit-out replicated across Europe and in Egypt, Brazil and South Korea. Food wise, the highlight was most certainly the antipasti plate. Stacked high with an amazing buffalo mozzarella, prosciutto, pepperoni, parmesan, olives, roast veges and bruschetta, the small size ($13.9) was on par with many boards you’d find elsewhere for double the price. We couldn’t let the L’acacia pizza go past without a try. Almost dessert-like in flavour, a strong hit of honey reaches your taste buds before the salty prosciutto and tomato base weigh out the sensation. The pizza base is beautifully thin and crisp with a great woodfired taste that allows the toppings to shine. A little sparse on the fig, but not on other flavours. We also opted for the Gamberi e Rucola, with classic italiano flavours the olives and prawns ran beautifully with a generous topping of fresh rocket giving a healthy and light flavour. The rocket and walnut salad ($10.9) was tasty, albeit a little drowned. Despite receiving a mixed leaf base rather than rocket, the lettuce leaves were crisp and very fresh. Vapiano’s pasta is made fresh on site. You line up to watch your dish being made and while it’s fun to interact with the chefs as they work, it’s a little alarming seeing how much butter, oil and cream gets added to each dish. They say ignorance is bliss, but thankfully the taste makes up for it. Staff are friendly and upbeat - our pasta cooker was a bit of a joker, asking how our night was - and the venue has a great relaxed and fun vibe. With bars on both levels, cocktails aren’t far - nor is dessert. At $3.9 a pop, get yourself a jar of cheesecake, tiramisu or panna cotta. You won’t regret it, because Tess, life’s too short not to order dessert.
When Brisbane Open House returns for 2024, it'll let Brisbanites take a wander through a space that dates back to 1846 and is also the River City's oldest European-style residential property. That place: Newstead House. But that's not your first chance to check out the historic riverside site after its three-year restoration. If you're keen to pop by before that — and enjoy live tunes, food trucks, markets, lawn games and tours — then head to the abode's one-day official reopening shindig between 10am–2pm on Saturday, July 6. Before the restoration and also prior to the pandemic, the Newstead spot regularly held picnic-worthy weekend sessions — and this celebration is following in that trend. Entry is free, but you'll need your wallet for whatever you choose to eat when you get cosy on the sprawling grass. To take a peek at Newstead House's unveiling, you'll be wandering through the site at your own pace, spying how far it has come from its first days as a two-level Georgian cottage. You'll also notice period decor that dates back to between 1862–90, when it was home to local businessman George Harris and his family. For kids — because this is a family-friendly affair — there'll be a roving magician, face-painting and an educational reptile showcase.
Harveys is a charming bistro on James St, New Farm, that is all about the little details. The staff are dressed stylishly, inspired by the surrounding chic fashion boutiques. Every dish on the menu is a classic with a contemporary twist. You can choose to sit inside and soak in the modern decor, or out on the leafy outdoor area for some people watching in the blissful Queensland sun. If you are looking for a satisfying brunch, opt for the spiced mince in flour tortilla with poached egg, sour cream and avocado, perfectly washed down with a freshly squeezed orange juice. For a lighter option, the fresh seasonal fruit bowl with toasted coconut, passionfruit and organic honey is the 'little black dress' of the breakfast world: a staple and slimming classic. When accessorised with the optional homemade vanilla bean yoghurt, this dish is a knockout. The relaxed atmosphere and a clean and modern approach to its dishes makes Harveys the kind of place you take someone you want to impress.
Living in a river city like Brisbane means making the most of that winding waterway every chance you can, especially when the climate is sultry and sunny, too. When it opened back in late 2020, Will & Flow offered Brisbanites another way to do just that with the ol' brown snake: by sipping drinks over the water while peering out at South Bank. The city's second overwater bar in the last few years — following Mr Percival's over at Howard Smith Wharves — Will & Flow boasts a killer location, stunning views and an impressive deck where you can enjoy both. Obviously, plenty to eat and drink is also on the menu. But that spectacular spot meant it was susceptible to Brisbane's floods when they wreaked havoc earlier in 2022. Now, after a few months spent recovering, the venue has reopened. Up and running again since late June, Will & Flow is back doing what it has always done best: pairing sips and bites to eat with that dazzling vista. Run by the Treasury Brisbane — marking its first off-site location, in fact — the bar has also undergone an interior revamp, and given its menu a makeover as well, all while bringing back one of its beloved regular events. Part of the Queen's Wharf precinct, and sitting between the QUT Gardens Point CityCat stop and the Goodwill Bridge, Will & Flow has gone natural with its new furnishings. There's also a new deck area, plus an outdoor kitchen. The menu still spans coffees during the day, cocktails after work and meals from morning till evening, but now starts with woodfired open omelettes with mushrooms, onions, tomato and buffalo mozzarella for breakfast — and breakfast pides with bacon, pork sausage, mushroom and egg. The lunch range includes cheesy baked potato gnocchi with creamy mushroom, woodfired pizzas, and pork meatballs with pomodoro sauce and pecorino, while pides feature there as well. Think: garlic and cheese pides, one topped with salt and vinegar potato and buffalo mozzarella, and a barbecue beef brisket flat bread with sour cream, avocado and tomato relish. Also getting a shakeup: the cocktail range, with dessert cocktails now on offer to suit the colder weather. Enjoy chocolate hazelnut martini made with Frangelico, crème de cacao and vodka, a lamingtini made with Baileys, Frangelico, Coconut Monin, cream and chocolate bitters, as well as a 'Winter Warmer' that combines custard, Makers Mark, Mozart chocolate liqueur and Baileys. And if you head by on a Thursday night from 4.30pm, Beats and Eats is back. For $20, you can choose from a menu of woodfired pizzas and pides, and get a glass of sparkling glass of prosecco — with DJs providing the tunes. Find Will & Flow in the Queen's Wharf precinct, between the QUT Gardens Point CityCat stop and the Goodwill Bridge — open Thursdays from 4.30–9.30pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 6.30am–10pm, and Sundays from 6.30am–9pm. Images: Mitch Lowe.
When a seafood restaurant is absolutely brimming with people every night of the week (and even on the same day as the Caxton St Seafood and Wine Festival), then you know they must be dishing up something more than your everyday fish 'n' chips. Reef Seafood + Sushi at Gasworks Plaza offers such variety — with fresh, made-to-order seafood plates of crayfish, shellfish and fish fillets; Tasmanian, New Zealand and South Australian sourced oysters and imported caviar; as well as fresh nori rolls and sashimi expertly sliced by a team of Japanese chefs — that even the most discerning of seafood aficionados will be impressed. Specialty dishes include the lobster mornay (a succulent lobster tail smothered in a rich, creamy mornay sauce, topped with cheese and baked until melted, $29) and Reef's own giant seafood platter with calamari, prawns, miso scallops, beer-battered fish fillets, crab claws, lobster, oysters, sashimi and chips. At 99 bucks a pop, it's the perfect option for a group seafood feast. If you're after something smaller, then you can't go wrong with the crumbed oysters ($15) or a fresh swordfish fillet with house-made lemon butter sauce ($23.90). Served with salad (topped with a delicious Japanese-style sesame dressing) and tangy, crunchy chips, it's a fresh, filling dish that gets in your daily dose of omega-3s. Set in the relaxed atmosphere of Gasworks with a view of the Gas-o-meter lights and a menu a mile long (as well as a fully stocked bar and cocktail list), Reef is sure to reel you in every time. They certainly got us. Hook, line and sinker.
Traditionally, a food outing with kids in tow has involved a jumbo pack of wipes, stale nuggets and worn-out parents who wished more than anything that they had booked an expensive babysitter while they indulged their passion for food. Well, times have changed. Now more than ever, restaurants have parents in mind. So we've teamed up with Holden Equinox, the SUV for parents with nothing to prove, to find Brisbane's top ten kid-friendly cafe and restaurants. These places offer some of the best, most exciting food offerings in the city — with a little extra somethin' somethin' to make family outings a delight. Now you can save the babysitter for when you actually need the alone time, not just a great feed someone else has cooked. RISTORANTE LA FAMIGLIA It doesn't get any more family friendly that this Italian joint, with the word family literally there in the name. Ristorante La Famiglia specialises in regional Pugliese food such as orecchiette (little ear-shaped pasta), with a fresh and tasty kids menu to match. Desserts are designed to be shared, spreading the post-feast sugar high evenly among family members. 3/855 Stanley Street, Woolloongabba PLUM TUCKER Come to Plum Tucker to feast on delicious and healthy brunch dishes. Table service and a kiddies' corner complete with books, toys and colouring-in activities makes it perfect for parents who actually want to have a conversation over their eggs Benny. You might even get some food envy from the kids' menu. With options like a mini bacon and egg burger on Turkish, the little rascals have plenty to choose from. 1/5 Enoggera Terrace, Red Hill THE PRIORY KITCHEN Let's be honest, there are only so many ways you can get creative with eggs and avocado. Brunch spots that offer fresh and exciting menu options are very hard to come by — which is why The Priory is a rare gem in the inner south. Ample seating options, high chairs and a full kids' menu that will have you pretending to be under 12. There'll be no objection to finishing off Three-Year-Old's fruit salad sundae complete with summer fruits, passionfruit jelly, lemon sorbet and brioche cinnamon toast. Shop 4/855 Stanley Street, Woolloongabba MECCA BAH A now not-so-well-kept secret, this hot spot in the valley not only offers incredible Middle Eastern and Mediterranean grub, it welcomes kids — to the extent that it hosts children's pizza-making classes and parties. For just $35 per child, kids learn the art of dough acrobatics, followed by a pizza buffet, soft drink and fairy floss. A wise investment for weekly at-home pizza nights; there's no need to buy frozen bases when your child's learned the trade straight from a the pizza maestro. Win. 21/1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley THE COFFEE NOOK A popular spot on the south side for busy parents, The Coffee Nook offers quick and friendly service, consistently excellent coffee, plus one of the best beef burgers in town. With ample parking and jumbo babycinos on offer, this hole-in-the-wall is a great spot at which to refuel after a sleepless night (or 20). 2/5 Secam Street, Mansfield SEPTEMBER 18 This is one restaurant where the whole family is sure to eat their vegetables. September 18 (no, not the last time you went to the bathroom without an audience), the all-vegan eatery at North Lakes, is a family-friendly destination for plant-based meals. The cosy spot provides high chairs, and its Malaysian-inspired dishes are bound to please palettes young and old, timid or bold. Think dumplings, noodles and stay mock chicken. 1650 Anzac Avenue, North Lakes PAWPAW Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this buzzing Woolloongabba eatery covers all bases and is especially creative when it comes to catering for little ones with allergies. Vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options are all available in the form of breakfast bowls, French toast and steamed bao. Bonus: they serve all their kid-sized drinks with lids so as to avoid spills and frantic table wipe-downs. 898 Stanley Street East, Woolloongabba SAIKO TEPPANYAKI Nothing says family fun like having an egg thrown at your face. Saiko is a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant, which means the food is cooked right in front of you, flamboyantly, on huge grills. This is for parents who are looking for more than just your ordinary dinner. The magic of interactive dining never gets old — much like the teppanyaki masters themselves. Book early to avoid missing out on all the theatrical fun, and bring some extra wipes for the grown-ups in case the sake interferes with your ability to catch rice in your mouth. 17/1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley PIZZALUNGA DA CARLO Woodfired one-metre-long pizzas are the specialty at Pizzalunga. And there is no need to keep the kids occupied with an iPad when they can watch the pizza chefs in action in this open-plan kitchen. All pizzas are hand rolled, and there's a simple but delicious kids' menu on offer as well — for the minority of the population who like their pizzas on a smaller scale. For those with a second dessert stomach, the woodfired Nutella pizza topped with fresh strawberries is a must. 3 Aspinall Street, Nundah MRS BROWN'S BAR & KITCHEN Remember when you used to socialise at bars and drink alcohol out of a lovely glass? It feels like so long ago. Thankfully, Mrs Brown is here to help. Home to an impressive selection of wine and spirits, as well as Asian-inspired bar food, Mrs Brown's aims to bring locals together, including the reason why we took up daytime drinking in the first place — our offspring. It's rare to find a bar that will accommodate the kids; even rarer to find one with such a welcoming vibe and plenty of high chairs on offer. 32 Commercial Road, Newstead Drive your family on adventures in and outside of town in the Holden Equinox, the SUV for parents with nothing to prove. Find out more on the Holden website.
