For more than two decades, Fortitude Valley has been home to a huge annual street party, with live tunes taking over its two malls, various bars and plenty of venues during Valley Fiesta. But if you'd like to head to the suburb to listen to musicians do their thing beyond the popular festival, you can enjoy a free gig every Friday afternoon in April. Live and Local's shows take place from 5–7pm, with the lineup changing each week. On the upcoming bill: Emma Whines and Harry Kidd on April 16, Briana Dinsdale and Hello Jane on April 23, and Chloe Styler on April 30. Just which patch of the Valley you'll need to check out changes each week, so you could be hanging out in the Brunswick Street Mall, Bakery Lane, California Lane or Beirne Lane. And yes, every great Friday ends with ace music. Every great weekend starts with it, too.
During its 40 Days of Flavour festival, the Treasury Casino is bring back its popular wine and cheese shindigs — and this one has a little extra fizz. On Friday, April 30, the CBD venue's blend of dairy and drinks also includes bubbles. There's never a bad time to indulge in a big splash of effervescence, after all. Wine, Cheese and Bubbles down between 5.30–7.30pm, and features Australian and international wine tastings, cheese sampling, and a range of canapes and antipasto, too. Sip your way through tipples from Chandon, Robert Oatley, T'Gallant, Dal Zotto and more — and prepare to say "cheers" a whole lot. The tastiness takes place across the Treasury's ground floor, including its courtyard, Ryan's on the Park and The Lab, so expect a starry backdrop and some live entertainment as well. And, this night of drinking and eating is rather affordable as well, with the two-hour package costing $50 per person. Top image: Grace Smith.
Brisbanites are gifted brag-worthy sunshine and clear skies almost all year around, which makes for perfect outdoor gig and picnic weather. So, as the site did back in 2018, 2019 and 2020, the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens is letting everyone make the most of Brissie's ace climate with a Gigs & Picnics series. Taking place on the last Saturday of each month from March–November — running from 12–4pm on March 27, April 24, May 29, June 26, July 31, August 28, September 25, October 30 and November 27, in fact — the event will rustle up some of the city's best food trucks, put on some free tunes and invite folks to get cosy on their own blanket all afternoon. Entering through the main gateway at the intersection of Alice and Albert Streets, attendees can expect everything from jazz and modern reggae to dub and gypsy, all in gorgeous greenery-filled surroundings. You can also order a picnic basket in advance, which'll be there for you on the day. Or, if you're bringing your own feast, just remember that the gardens aren't BYO. Image: Gigs & Picnics.
New adaptations of acclaimed classics, tributes to iconic directors, topical thrillers and plenty of glimpses of Berlin — that's what's on the program at this year's German Film Festival. Like its fellow country-specific counterparts (such as the French and Spanish film fests), this showcase of cinema serves up the latest and greatest movies its chosen nation has to offer. In 2021, after sitting out 2020 for obvious years, that means that 30 films will be lighting up the big screen at Palace Barracks and Palace James St from Tuesday, June 1–Sunday, June 20. A number of GFF's big highlights this year all follow a common thread, because they're linked to the great New German Cinema director Rainer Werner Fassbinder in one way or another. That includes a 40th anniversary screening of Lola, which'll screen via a glorious new 4K restoration; biopic Enfant Terrible, which sees Oliver Masucci step into Fassbinder's shoes; and Berlin Alexanderplatz, a new screen version of Alfred Döblin's 1929 novel — which Fassbinder famously adapted into a miniseries back in 1980. Celebrating today's German greats as well, GFF will kick off with Next Door, the filmmaking debut of actor Daniel Brühl (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier). No spotlight on movies from the European nation would be complete without an appearance by the inimitable Nina Hoss (Pelican Blood), of course, which comes courtesy of drama The Audition. And, there's also Exile, starring Toni Erdmann's Sonia Huller; Fabian: Going to the Dogs, which is set in pre-World War II Berlin; and romantic comedy I'm Your Man, which follows a scientist who agrees to live with a humanoid robot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWEoRYylwwI&feature=emb_imp_woyt Top image: Berlin Alexanderplatz.
The 90s were great. That shouldn't be a controversial opinion. Whether you lived through them or have spent the last couple of decades wishing you did — aka binging on 90s pop culture — this late-night shindig at The Zoo in Fortitude Valley will indulge your retro urges. Drinks, tunes, fashion — expect all of the above at the No Scrubs: 90s and Early 00s party from 10.30pm on Saturday, May 8. Of course, it's up to you to make sure the clothing side of thing is covered, and to get into the spirit of the party. If you want to use Mariah Carey as a style icon, it'd be fitting. Expect to unleash your inner Spice Girl and Backstreet Boy too. TLC, Destiny's Child, Savage Garden, Usher, Blink-182, No Doubt — we'd keep listing artists, but you all know what you're getting yourselves into. Tickets are $13.80–$15.50 online, with the fun running through until 3am. Image: The Brightside.
In the past, The Plant Market has popped up at West End's West Village — but that's not the only patch of Brisbane benefiting from its greenery. Making a return for 2021, the event is heading northside, setting up shop at The Soul Pantry in Stafford for a Saturday filled with nature's splendour. Looking for something leafy to sit on your window sill? A statement plant for your back deck? Succulents and cacti, because they brighten up any space? Expect to find them here, all from local growers. Indoor and outdoor green babies will be on offer, as will pots from Brissie creatives. Just head on down to the free event from 9am–2pm on Saturday, April 24 — and if you have some plants at home that don't quite suit, you can bring them along to the onsite greenery adoption centre. It works the other way, too, so you can pick up a plant that someone else didn't want and take it home with you for free.
How many oysters can you eat in four days? Is that a question that you'd like to know the answer to? The time of the year traditionally associated with seafood is now upon us, so The Plough Inn at South Bank is hosting an oyster festival all weekend long. Yes, that means that the Easter Long Weekend Oyster Fest runs from Friday, April 2–Monday, April 5. Whether you want to drop by once or work it into your plans multiple times is completely up to you. If you're a big fan of the dish in question, though, don't expect to leave feeling hungry — or without an excuse to tuck into oysters aplenty. A pop-up bar will be serving freshly shucked oysters, oyster shooters, and wine and oyster combos. If you're fond of seafood in general, expect various other options on the menu as well. Plus, live music is also on the bill, as is the venue's usual food and drink lineup.
If you like roast pork topped with plenty of crackling, then you're probably a fan of the Brisbane German Club's pork knuckles. Slow-cooked, weighing in at one kilogram, and served with fried potatoes, sauerkraut and smoked beer gravy, these authentic-style pork hocks are one of the city's iconic dishes — and, no matter when you head by the Woolloongabba spot, they're always popular. Expect them to be flying out the kitchen on Sunday, February 28 though. The German Club is dubbing the occasion $20 Pork Knuckle Day, and the details are self-explanatory — because yes, you'll be nabbing this tasty, crispy meal for a considerable discount. Bookings are essential — again, these pork knuckles have many, many aficionados — by contacting the venue in advance. You'll likely want to make your reservation for an early time, because this is a first in, best dressed offer. Sipping your way through the bar's hefty range of German beers and schnapps will cost you extra, of course, but it'll be well worth it. [caption id="attachment_622731" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Anwyn Howarth[/caption] Top image: Brisbane German Club.
Since The Yot Club started sailing through Brisbane, the super-sized party boat has been hosting afternoon and evening shindigs. So, if you like spending the second half of the day on the water with your mates, sipping drinks and taking in the serenity, you're well and truly covered. Fancy hopping onboard for a Sunday lunch instead? That's now on offer as well — so gather the gang and make a date with Lunch on the Yot. Come 11.30am on a Sunday each week, the 40-metre-long vessel will take you for a cruise, serve up a three-course meal, pour you a cocktail upon arrival and keep you entertained with live music. Menu-wise, the selection includes prawn croquettes, Moreton Bay bug bao and oysters, so seafood-lovers will be in their element. If you'd like to sit on the main deck, the price starts at $129. For anyone keen on heading up to the VIP upper deck, that costs $149. And, if you're eager to include a drinks package, you can pay $49 extra — or $99 with Moet. Lunch on the Yot departs from Brisbane on February 14 and 21, and then again on March 21 and 28. On the Sundays that it isn't cruising the Brisbane River, it departs from the Gold Coast and hits up the tourist strip's waterways — with dates available until April 25. Images: Yot Club.
QPAC isn't home to a speakeasy, but until Saturday, March 6, it's happy to pretend otherwise. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights for the next month, it's turning the Cremorne Theatre into a club, and serving up a lineup of cabaret, circus, beatboxing, burlesque, cocktails and bites to eat. Yes, after helping to liven up the South Bank venue during 2020's QPAC Unlocked event, Club Cremorne is back. The same concept remains, so expect to laugh, relax, eat, drink and watch a heap of exceptional performers. Thanks to the circus part of the program, you'll also see hoops spin, tightrope walkers do their thing and trapeze artists swing. Comedian Damien Power is on MC duties, and the talent lineup spans everyone from Tom Thum and spoken word poet Sachem to Jacqueline Furey and the folks from Circus Company 2. You can opt for a balcony or table ticket — and, with the latter, you can order cheese, deli and antipasto platters to nibble on while you're kicking back and in in the performance. Top image: Andy Phillipson.
Fans of round foods, rejoice — they're on the menu at Locale in March. The Newstead eatery is dedicating the month to polpettes, aka Italian meatballs, but it's interpreting the term in a broad sense. So, you can expect them with spaghetti, naturally; however, you can also tuck into everything from fritters and sliders to gnocchi. Salt cod croquettes and crumbed olives are also on the short-term La Polpetteria pop-up menu, plus lobster and pistachio arancini as well. And, to wash them all down with, the venue has put together a wine list that features drops from its own vineyard in Italy. Your tastebuds will think they've left the country for several reasons. The La Polpetteria Pop-Up runs throughout the month, for dinner from 5–8.30pm between Monday–Thursday. To the surprise of no one in this time of reduced capacities, bookings are highly recommended.
Forget worms — the early bird gets gourmet bites to eat, farm-fresh produce to line the cupboards, and an enjoyable morning of browsing and shopping at Milton Markets. Every Sunday morning, more than 120 stalls descend upon the corner of Cribb and Little Cribb streets in the inner western suburb to sell tasty wares. From 6am–12pm in warmer months and 7am–1pm when it's colder, you can wander through massive fig trees to join them. Once a season, the Milton Markets also celebrates the change of weather. So, on Sunday, March 21, it's doing so with its latest Autumn Seasonal Flavours event. This time around, though, it's also dedicating the day to eco-friendly wares from local producers and makers. If fresh seasonal fruit gets your stomach grumbling, you can stock up here. If vegan eats do as well, you're in luck again. There'll be meat-free burgers, vegan sweet treats and falafels to munch on, plus plastic-free reusable products, sustainable jewellery and cruelty-free skin care to take home. As always, live entertainment and demonstrations are also on the agenda.
The Fork Festival is back for its third year, which means you can once again dine out for up to 50 percent off. Think of it as the proverbial carrot luring you out of the house. The online reservation platform's foodie affair kicked off on Monday, February 15 and is running right up till Sunday, March 28. The offer is a blessing for those feeling a little light in pocket after Christmas, NYE and Valentine's Day. To snag a discounted meal, you just need to make a reservation through The Fork website or app for one of the participating eateries for breakfast, lunch or dinner. So, where can you go? There are hundreds of great venues coming to the party, including the likes of the CBD's Pool Terrace and Bar, Lennons Restaurant and Bar and Albion's Nutmeg Indian Cuisine. [caption id="attachment_756232" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Pool Terrace & Bar[/caption] You might want to revisit an old favourite or you could get a little adventurous and road-test somewhere new. Either way, there's ample time to squeeze in a fair few discount feasts before the festival wraps up. If you're on the other side of the bar — that is, you're a venue owner — you can jump on the booking platform's bandwagon by signing up over here. You can try it out for just the duration of the festival and, thanks to the popularity of the event, you'll hopefully see a bunch of new customers come through the door. Then, if you want, you can stop taking bookings anytime after it wraps up. The Fork Festival runs from Monday, February 15–Sunday, March 28. Check out the full list of participating restaurants on The Fork's website. If you're a restaurant owner — and keen to jump on the booking platform bandwagon — head here.
Since late in 2019, when Disney launched its own streaming platform, fans of its animated classics, beloved hits and many, many super-popular franchises have been able to binge their way through the Mouse House's back catalogue from the comfort of their couch. Come May, however, movie buffs are being asked to leave their houses to check out a selection of the company's famed titles — all thanks to the pop-up Disney+ Drive-In that's heading to the Gold Coast. Yes, a streaming service is running a drive-in. Or, to put it another way, a product designed to get everyone watching on small screens at home is now endeavouring to lure viewers out to watch its flicks on a big screen from their cars. That's a very 2020–21 situation, with Disney+ first teaming up with Openair Cinemas to make it happen in Brisbane last year, and now bringing it to the Goldie this year. The drive-in will hit Metricon Stadium on Sunday, May 9, with its season running through until Saturday, May 29. New this time around is the inclusion of movies from Star, the new Disney+ expansion that just hit Down Under in February — and brought 600-plus films and TV shows with it. As for what'll be screening, the lineup includes everything from 10 Things I Hate About You to a sing-along session of The Little Mermaid. Also on the bill: Titanic's watery romance, both the animated and live-action versions of The Lion King, Taika Waititi's Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit, multiple Oscar-nominee Nomadland and the horror thrills of 28 Days Later. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE7qjQlfoRs Popcorn, snacks and drinks will be available onsite — or you can bring your own. It's strictly a no-alcohol affair, though. If you're keen, you'll want to get in quick, as only 60 cars will be allowed in each night. And, ticket-wise, you'll be paying per car; however, prices will vary depending on how many folks are in your vehicle. Updated April 13.
When winter rolls around, W Brisbane's resident bar gets gooey in a big way. At Christmas, it got festive instead. Now that Easter is almost here, the venue is switching to an appropriately themed high tea. If you like tucking into tiny bites to eat — and also drinking cocktails — then add a trip to the Living Room to your list. On the menu: egg sandwiches with caviar, meat pies with a bush tomato chutney, hot cross scones with clotted cream and marmalade jam, plus mini chocolate raspberry Easter egg nest tarts and spiced carrot cake. But you'll probably get most excited about the boozy side of things — including 'Mezzo Mezzo' martinis and strawberry sours. Yes, it's time to chose your pals best in need of a treat, then make a date — with the High Tea of Easter kicking off on Friday, March 19 and running from Friday–Sunday each week between until Sunday, April 18. If you're keen, you have three price options. Pay $55 each, and you'll feast your way through the food. Opt for the $69 option, and you can add one of the aforementioned martinis. And for $79, you'll also get a glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne.
Already known for its bottomless vegan pizza and pasta feasts, Italian restaurant chain Salt Meats Cheese has been upping its cruelty-free food game at a monthly special event. Called Soul Meets Cheers, it serves up an entirely plant-based menu, featuring vegan versions of Italian classics. For the feast's March outing — taking place at all Brisbane venues from 5pm on Tuesday, March 9 — it'll be focusing on bites to eat inspired by Sicily. Think arancini with braised shiitake and fable ragu, pizza with grilled eggplant and roasted pine nuts, and cannoli with pistachio and vegan chocolate ganache. And yes, that's just a few of the dishes on offer. Your $49 ticket also includes a glass of vegan wine or beer upon arrival.
Traditionally, autumn is a season filled with orange, red, brown and yellowing leaves, as spring and summer's greenery makes way for winter. Come March, just over an hour outside of Brisbane, it'll also be a time for golden stems — all as part of the Scenic Rim's new Sunshine & Sunflower Day. Expect to spot sunflowers as far as the eye can see at the Jenner family farm in Kalbar. There'll be more than 200,000 of the vibrant blooms reaching up to the sky, in fact, and you'll be able to wander through them all. You'll also be able to do yoga at sunrise in the field, learn how to cook with sunflowers, fly over the top of the property, and have both dinner and breakfast there. And, obviously, taking plenty of photos with a yellow backdrop is on the program, too. The new event is the result of Russell and Jenny Jenner's change of direction during Queensland's ongoing drought conditions. Usually, they farm lucerne but, with water levels low, they opted to switch to a crop that doesn't require as much H2O. And, with all those sunflowers now looking rather striking, the couple is keen to let everyone else enjoy their golden petals. Events across the day are ticketed separately, so you can pick and choose exactly which ones you'd like to attend — and what suits your budget. For those who'll simply be happy with seeing all of those rows and rows of sunflowers, the $15 entry-level tickets will get you access to the field between 9am–3pm, plus three flowers to take home with you. There'll also be food stalls and vans onsite, plus coffee. And if you'd like to take a picnic while you're there, you can order a hamper as well.
There's no excuse for drinking the same old beer day in, day out in Brisbane. You might have a favourite, or a go-to that's usually in your fridge, but there are just so many kinds of brews to try — and so many places in Brissie making and pouring them. Between Thursday, February 25–Sunday, February 28, one Woolloongabba spot wants you to expand your drinking horizons in multiple ways. Or, if you're already a big fan or tart and tangy beers, to simply let more of them flow over your tastebuds. To see out the season (yes, autumn will be here in days), Logan Road's Easy Times Brewing Company is celebrating the Last of the Summer Sours. There'll be 15 Aussie and international sour brews on tap, so you can try a variety of types. Easy Times will have its own on offer, while others will hail from the likes of Stomping Ground Brewing Co, Deeds Brewing, Beerfarm, Blue Owl Brewing, Boatrocker and Big Shed Brewing Concern. Haven't yet made the trip to Easy Times? It set up shop in the second half of 2020, so it's still a newcomer. But if there's any reason to drop by, sipping the kinds of beers that aren't always on tap and saying cheers to the end of summer definitely ranks up there.
If you're the type of indecisive person who finds it hard to pick what to eat each day, you could just let the non-stop flurry of food-themed celebrations do the choosing for you. The next one on the agenda: International Meatball Day. In 2021, it rolls around on Tuesday, March 9, giving you all the excuses you need to tuck into a big plate (or several) piled high with the round morsels. Fish Lane mainstay Saccharomyces Beer Cafe is gifting you another reason to indulge, especially if you don't feel like whipping up some meatballs at home. From 4pm, it's serving up a $1 boullette special. Yes, you'll be tucking into small, Belgian-style meatballs, which'll come paired with beer gravy. However many you'd like, it's up to you — you'll just pay $1 per ball. If you'd like to match your meal with a few brews, too, you'll need a bit more pocket change. [caption id="attachment_669543" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Cole Bennetts[/caption]
Summer is well and truly over, but no one needs to tell your tastebuds that. For three days between Friday, March 5–Sunday, March 7, The Woods Bar in Mitchelton is certainly happy to pretend that it isn't yet autumn, with pina coladas taking pride of place on its menu. Multiple types of the cocktail will be on offer — as many as the bar's staff can think of and whip up — and the food lineup will hero both pineapple and coconut, too. And, if you're more of a beer kind of drinker, there'll be two themed brews on tap: 'Do You Like Pina Coladas?', an IPA from Happy Valley; and 'Caught In the Rain', a pina colada-inspired sour from Milton Common. Some other brews that fit the occasion will also be available, so you'll definitely have options. Yes, the whole event is also called Do You Like Pina Coladas? Yes, you now have the song stuck in your head. Also, there's a slight chance of some damp weather over the weekend, so you might get caught in the rain. Bookings are recommended, especially if you'd like a seat surrounded by pineapples — and wearing something tropical is encouraged.
Your next excuse to get out of the house, head out of town and spend time outdoors is here, and it's taking place for an entire month. That'd be the brand new Gondwana Festival, which turns March into a celebration of the Scenic Rim region — and the natural splendour between Lamington National Park and Mt Barney National Park, specifically — thanks to everything from rainforest walks and segway tours to glow worms and birdwatching sessions. Depending on which activities take your fancy, you'll be visiting Beechmont, Binna Burra, O'Reilly's Plateau, Lost World Valley, Christmas Creek, Round Mountain and Tamrookum. So yes, you'll only be around 90 minutes out of Brisbane. The program is concentrated around Binna Burra Mountain Lodge, Park Tours, O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat and Mt Barney Lodge, and it's a choose-your-own-adventure type setup. It's also designed to bring folks back to areas that were affected by 2019's bushfires. Highlights include daily encounters with wildlife, zipping along a flying fox, learning about birds of prey, testing your rock-climbing skills and picking whichever super-scenic walk suits your mood. And, while you can enter a cave and see glow worms even when the festival isn't on (which remains true of much of the Gondwana program), it really is a bucket list kind of experience. Images: Marc Llewellyn.
If your Easter routine usually involves a seafood feast, then you might want to make a date with a certain Kangaroo Point fish 'n' chippery this year. On Friday, April 2, One Fish Two Fish is serving up plenty of the ocean's finest for the occasion, all as part of a seven-course meal that starts with oysters — with limoncello dressing — and remains just as indulgent from there. Also on the menu: cooked Mooloolaba banana prawns, crispy calamari, seared Hervey Bay scallops, Moreton Bay bug toast and spanner crab omelette. We've only listed six seafood dishes so far, because the seventh course gets chocolatey. To wrap things up, you'll be tucking into an Easter egg on Oreo soil filled with white chocolate cheesecake and mango gel. Because you'll likely be thirsty, too, One Fish Two Fish also has two options on offer: one that just includes the lunch, for $129; and another that also spans a spritz on arrival and two hours of drinks, which'll cost you $199. Seafood fiends will need to book their spot for one of two sittings: at 12pm or at 2.30pm.
The days of simply scraping Nutella across a piece of bread — or licking a spoon filled with the choc-hazelnut spread — are long over. You can still do both, of course, but the world has come up with many far more creative ways to enjoy the beloved foodstuff. Quite a few will be on the menu at The Sound Garden on Friday, February 5, which is also known as World Nutella Day. Only one involves something to eat, too. That'd be a Nutella pizza ($17), with the spread slathered all over a base and topped with strawberries, marshmallows and raspberry jam. You'll find this dessert dish on offer from 11am onwards, alongside Nutella shots ($9.50) with either butter vodka or Tia Maria — and a heap of Nutella cocktails ($16). Say cheers to Nutella martinis (which also include chocolate vodka), or knock back a few Tipsy Dragons (with Malibu and cinnamon fireball whiskey). There's also the Nutella Toblerone, featuring Baileys, Frangelico and creme de cacao, plus a blend of rum, Baileys, Nutella and butterscotch schnapps called Release the Hazelnut. Live music will also be on offer, should your Nutella session need a soundtrack.
Cake sadly can't fix all the world's troubles, but it can provide a mighty fine temporary dose of sweetness. And if you like your baked treats by the jarful whenever the craving strikes — including when you're out and about — then The Mason Baker has just the thing for you throughout February. The Brisbane-based company is known for its mason jars filled with cakes, including salted caramel, strawberries and cream, blueberry and lemons, chocolate ganache and sticky date pudding varieties. From Friday, February 5, though, it isn't just selling them and delivering them to your door — it's vending them out of a pink-hued ATM that'll be stationed at 6 Warner Street in Fortitude Valley. You already know how vending machines work, of course, so you know how to get your hands on however many jarcakes your tastebuds demand. You'll just have to head by on Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays, in February — and after 5pm — because that's when the ATM will be up and running throughout the month. Yes, that means that you can grab an after-work cake snack, some dessert post-dinner or something sweet while you're bar-hopping late at night. And, while the Valley ATM will only be around for a month, The Mason Baker is hoping to pop up at other locations throughout the rest of the year. When the company last brought its wares to Brissie's streets back in October last year, it did so via emergency boxes that folks had to spot around town, then break open — with the cakes inside available for free. This time, however, you will need to pay for your goodies. You'll still be tucking into a heap of cake in a jar, though, and making your inner dessert fiend rather happy. Find The Mason Baker's cupcake ATM at 6 Warner Street, Fortitude Valley, from Friday, February 5 — operating from 5pm each Thursday, Friday and Saturday in February.
Grabbing a drink to celebrate the end of the working day is the whole reason that happy hours exist. But if you'd like to shake off the clients, customers, spreadsheets and Slack messages another way, you can now head to Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq to spend an hour playing games instead. The Toombul venue is calling its new special Power Hour, and it's on offer from 5pm each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Drop by, and you'll pay $10 to mash as many buttons and enjoy as many of the site's attractions as you can manage in an hour. $10 bowling is on the menu as well. Nothing will help you forget you even went to work that day like a good stint in the dodgem cars — or you can hit up the arcade consoles or hop on a virtual reality ride, too. Drinks are available also, but they're not included in the price. So, if you'd like a 'Schnapps, Crackle and Pop' (with butterscotch schnapps, maple, popcorn syrup soda and whipped cream), or an alcoholic shake topped with fairy floss, you'll need to pay extra.
Usually, IKEA's food game is as unmistakably Scandinavian as its hard-to-pronounce furniture names — headlined, of course, by those iconic Swedish meatballs. But come Wednesday, February 10 in Logan and Thursday, February 11 in North Lakes, the retailer is shaking things up and taking a jaunt to the other side of the globe, dishing up an Asian-inspired feast in celebration of the Lunar New Year. The dinner is set to run from 5.30pm each night — and arriving hungry is recommended. On the menu, you'll find classic dishes like dumplings, spring rolls, and deep-fried eggs in sweet and sour sauce. There's both beef and vegetarian hot pot, tofu salad with chilli and sesame, hokkien noodles and honey soy chicken wings, and even sweet offerings like fruit salad, chocolate wafers and coconut rice pudding with mango sauce. Adult tickets to the buffet feast are $29.95, though IKEA Family members can nab theirs for just $24.95. And, you could even squeeze in a spot of pre- or post-dinner flatpack shopping while you're there. [caption id="attachment_757260" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Maksym Kozlenko via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Images: Maksym Kozlenko via Wikimedia Commons.
Usually, no one wants to think pink at the beach. Typically, it means you've forgotten to slip, slop and slap — and your skin is paying the price. But at the new Rosé Coast Gold Coast festival, those reddish hues will be confined to your wine glass. You'll still want to protect yourself from the sun's rays, of course, but you also be celebrating rosy vino in a stunning location. The first-time festival hits up Kurrawa Beach from 11am–6pm on Saturday, May 1, with prosecco, sparkling rosé, rosatos and frosé all on the menu from more than 20 Australian wine-growing regions. Although the day focuses on rosé, there will be other beverages available — including red and white wines, gin, cocktails and beer. So, that's what you'll be drinking. Food-wise, different bars will cater to different types of dishes. One will serve up cheese and charcuterie platters, another will be all about freshly shucked oysters, and a third will go heavy on fish 'n' chips, crab rolls and prawn salads. Or, you can choose between burgers and Italian cuisine, and then lick your way through some gelato for dessert. Thanks to the location, you'll also be able to try your hand at a range of beach games, or give a sand-sculpting workshop a go. Rosé masterclasses, beachside massages, wine-tasting sessions set to music, pinot-fuelled art classes and a silent disco are on the bill, too. Tickets start at $49, and go on sale at midday AEST on Monday, February 22. If you're gathering the gang, there's a cabana option, which costs $2490 for up to ten people — and includes your own private space, four bottles of rosé, massages, masterclasses and a meal.
The Sunday roast is a tradition for a reason — but at Emporium Hotel's Signature Restaurant, it's going with a multi-plate seafood feast instead. Fancy swapping your usual end-of-weekend lunch for a five-course version that's big on the ocean's finest? Well, that's what's on the menu at the South Bank spot. On Sundays between 12–2.30pm, Signature is hosting Signature Sunday Seafood Lunches — and arriving hungry is definitely recommended. You'll start with Fraser Island spanner crab paired with chilled watermelon soup, avocado and rice. Next, you'll tuck into Mooloolaba king prawns, before moving on to Coral Coast barramundi with vegetables for the main course. Cheese follows, as does an apricot terrine for dessert (and no, neither of the last two dishes involve seafood of any kind, because of course they don't). The whole meal will set you back $75, or you can level it up with matching wines if you like. If so, you'll be paying $150 — and ending your weekend with in decadent style.
Already known for its bottomless vegan pizza and pasta feasts, Italian restaurant chain Salt Meats Cheese has been upping its cruelty-free food game at a monthly special event. Called Soul Meets Cheers, it serves up an entirely plant-based menu, featuring vegan versions of Italian classics. For the feast's February outing — taking place at all Brisbane venues from 5pm on Tuesday, February 2 — it'll be focusing on bites to eat inspired the northern region of Lombardy in Italy. Think polenta fries with napoletana sauce, three-pumpkin pizza and Milanese-style risotto. And yes, that's just a few of the dishes on offer. Your $49 ticket also includes a glass of vegan wine or or Young Henrys beer or cider upon arrival.
Every weekend could use a stint of sea shanty singing. They could use some other live tunes — the kind that don't get sung on boats — plus poetry based on tarot card readings and magnets, a spoken word ode to reality TV and an adult bubble show, too. They're the types of things you'll find on the Ruckus Fest: Music and Arts Fest lineup on Friday, November 5 and Saturday, November 6, as well as theatre, puppetry, stand-up comedy and improv as well. This two-day festival celebrates independent artists and performers, and it's giving you multiple ways to attend. Head along on the Friday night and you'll be able to bathe in cabaret — or head, by on Saturday for workshops, performances, and an arts market and zine fair. It all takes place at The Old Museum in Bowen Hills, and marks the fest's second-ever event after debuting back in 2019. More than 35 artists and collectives are on the bill, so you won't be lacking things to watch — all thanks to the folks at Ruckus Slam, who've put Ruckus Fest together.
No one ever eats one piece of cheese — or a single cheesy dish — and feels like it's enough. If you're a dairy fiend, cheese in all its glorious forms is one of the most moreish dishes there is. Salt Meats Cheese clearly feels the same, because it's dedicating a whole night to the creamy substance. Wondering what you're having for dinner on Tuesday, December 14? That'd be cheese, more cheese, and then even more cheese. The Cheesy Affair will serve up five different types of cheese-heavy options, ranging from $15–30 in price, so you can pick which ones you'd like to try. Start with truffled burrata with cherry tomatoes and basil, then work your way through baked brie, cacio e pepe and a ten-cheese pizza (decked out with ricotta, taleggio, gorgonzola, mozzarella, pecorino toscano, parmigiano reggiano, provolone, mascarpone, pecorino romano and brie, if you're wondering). For dessert: mascarpone and pistachio tiramisu. If your stomach is now grumbling, you'll need to book in advance, given that folks sure do love cheese. The Cheesy Affair is only happening at select venues — so you'll want to make a date with the chain's Newstead and Surfer's Paradise locations from 5pm.
Some films are long, slow and serious. Others are brief, quick and fun. There's a place for the former, of course; however. Radical Reels champions the latter category, combining the most action-packed mountain movies it can find into a compilation of high-octane shorts. Radical Reels is the adrenaline-loving little brother of the Banff Mountain Film Festival, the prestigious international film competition and annual presentation of short films and documentaries about mountain culture, sports, and environment. From the most recent festival's batch of submissions, a subset of daring displays have been singled out for not just one evening at the cinema, but four. Between Tuesday, November 23–Friday, November 26 at Brisbane Powerhouse, Radical Reels will approach the very edge of action sports and natural highs: the wild rides, long lines, steep jumps, and skilled stunts, as well as the rugged playgrounds thrill-seekers explore on their mountain bikes, paddles, ropes, skis, snowboards and wingsuits. Expect the world's best extreme athletes getting fast and furious — and expect quite the thrilling ride from the comfort of your cushy cinema seat, too. Images: Jeremy Bernard.
The 90s were great. That shouldn't be a controversial opinion. Whether you lived through them or have spent the last couple of decades wishing you did — aka binging on 90s pop culture — this late-night shindig at La La Land in Fortitude Valley will indulge your retro urges. Drinks, tunes, fashion — expect all of the above at the No Scrubs: 90s and Early 00s party from 9pm on Thursday, October 28. Of course, it's up to you to make sure the clothing side of thing is covered, and to get into the spirit of the party. If you want to use Mariah Carey as a style icon, it'd be fitting. Expect to unleash your inner Spice Girl and Backstreet Boy too. TLC, Destiny's Child, Savage Garden, Usher, Blink-182, No Doubt — we'd keep listing artists, but you all know what you're getting yourselves into. Tickets cost $17.34 online, with the fun running through until 3am. And if you're wondering why it's happening on a Thursday, that's because the next day is the belated Ekka public holiday. Image: No Scrubs.
If there's one thing that almost every trip out of the house could use, it's more dogs. Thankfully, plenty of places around Brisbane are willing to oblige; however, you don't normally get to go "awwww" over cute canines when you're sitting inside a theatre. That alone makes new Brisbane Festival show Let's Be Friends Furever more than a little special — because yes, four-legged, fluffy-tailed woofers really are the stars here. This theatre experience pays tribute to all doggos great and small, all as part of a format that combines a dog show, a TED talk, and the usual shower of affection that all pooches deserve always and forever. There's also a video part of the proceedings, and a feeling that Brisbane Powerhouse's Powerhouse Theatre has been turned into a dog park. And, we can not stress this enough, real-life dogs will definitely be in attendance. Running from Thursday, September 16–Saturday, September 25, this show is all about celebrating real stories about real dogs and the real people that spend their lives with them, so expect warm feelings to emanate in a big way. In fact, this world-premiere production might just be the most adorable thing you can to in a theatre. Top image: Morgan Roberts.
Eventually, Denis Villeneuve's version of Dune will reach cinemas. Thanks to the pandemic, it's been a long time coming — but those sand worms and spice wars will hopefully be worth the wait. Until then, Dendy Coorparoo has a very fitting way for film buffs to pass the time, all thanks to a retrospective focusing on Villeneuve's past flicks. One of the reasons that this new take on Dune has everyone so excited is because the filmmaker behind it has quite the impressive resume. You've likely already seen and loved Blade Runner 2049 and Arrival, because Villeneuve has dived into sci-fi before. You may have done the same with Sicario and Prisoners as well. Now, you can watch them again on the big screen between Thursday, September 2–Wednesday, September 22 — and check out Oscar-nominee Incendies, too. The lineup also spans two movies few folks in Brisbane have had the chance to see in a cinema before: the Jake Gyllenhaal-starring Enemy, which is a weird and dark delight, and the stunning Polytechnique, which is based on shocking real events. And, rounding out the program are August 32nd on Earth and Maelstrom, so you'll truly be getting the full Villeneuve treatment.
If this returning Brisbane food event needs a theme song, it has plenty of options to choose from. Sure, most tracks that reference wings in their name come soaked in emotion (we're thinking about Jeffrey Osbourne's 'On the Wings of Love' and Bette Midler's 'Wind Beneath My Wings', for starters, because 80s tunes are just that impossible to forget). But hey, who isn't in love with crispy, deep-fried chicken wings? We're going on about potential anthems because the Australian Buffalo Wing Festival will make you want to sing an ode to its titular dish, we're betting. That's what showcasing all the great places in Brissie that sell these delectable sites of poultry does. Well, that and fill your stomach. Featuring everywhere from King of the Wings and KaiKai Chicken to Fritzenberger and Bite Markets among its locations — and Wing Fury, Seoul Bistro and Lefty's Music Hall, too — the fest is a choose-your-own-adventure kind of affair. Basically, pick an eatery between Monday, August 30–Sunday, September 5, and start munching. Or, go on a buffalo-crawl in search of the many deals on offer. Each joint will be serving up their own flavours, so you really will want to taste them all.
Three days, nine events, multiple art forms, plenty of stringed instruments. Add them all together, and that's the returning Restrung Festival, which is back for another round of genre-bending tunes. If you thought that violins, cellos and the like were just for classical music fans, prepare to have your perception altered at this fest. Here, everything from electronica, folk and jazz to rock, pop and minimalism also gets a look-in, challenging the status quo when it comes to these instruments. Taking over Metro Arts from Thursday, October 14–Saturday, October 16, the festival features strings doing different and unexpected things: responding to the pandemic in Topology's Killing Music, getting experimental in Dots+Loops' latest underground club-inspired performance, and pondering colonial Australia in Dreaming in the Sand, for instance. On Saturday night in Metro Arts' outdoor Factory Lane, there'll also be performance pop-ups — and three different art installations all inspired by strings will also be in display across the festival's run.
Once a year, the Caxton Hotel welcomes in seafood lovers, throwing a huge annual festival that pairs plenty of the ocean's finest with a huge Paddington street party. On Saturday, November 13, it's adding another big shindig to its agenda — without the fish, but will plenty of craft brews instead. Kicking off at 12pm, the inaugural Caxton Craft Park Party is all about beers from Aussie craft breweries, including regular favourites and up-and-comers. So, you'll spend your Saturday sipping tipples from Stone and Wood, Young Henry's, Brouhaha and Revel Brewing Co, as well as from Ballistic, Wayward, Your Mates, Brooklyn Brewery and Heads of Noosa. Also on offer: live music, food stalls, char-grilled meat platters and just generally taking over The Caxton Hotel's car park and beer garden. Entry is free, but you'll obviously need your wallet for all those brews — whether you're keen to stick with the tried-and-tested or expand your beer repertoire.
UPDATE, February 7, 2022: The Big Anxiety Festival will no longer take place from Wednesday, February 9–Saturday, February 12, and has moved its dates to the end of May instead. This article has been updated to reflect that change. Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia so, when The Big Anxiety Festival makes its Brisbane debut in May 2022, it should be well-attended. First staged in Sydney back in 2017, and now taking its first trip north, the mental health and arts festival was created by the University of New South Wales and the Black Dog Institute along with over 25 partners across Greater Sydney, to use art as a means to transform the way people think about and deal with mental health. Given everything that life has thrown our way during the pandemic, that task is as worthy now as ever — although there's never a bad time to focus on mental health. Accordingly, from Thursday, May 26–Saturday, May 28, the inaugural Brisbane fest will bring together artists, scientists, technologists, thinkers, mental health workers, activists and people with lived experience to explore the field. The main focus: how arts-based experiences can help people work through not just anxiety, but stress and trauma, whether via interactive environments with a big reliance upon technology or thanks to innovative conversation formats. Taking place at QUT Gardens Point Theatre, highlights include Edge of the Present, the world's first virtual reality environment for suicide prevention, which uses visual transformations to help improve mood and hopefulness — and EmbodiMap, another interactive VR tool that tasks users with painting out their feelings, thoughts, and emotions onto a 3D life-sized version of their body in order to confront feelings of anxiety, stress and trauma. Plus, Gold Coast artist and art therapist Daniele Constance will curate Awkward Conversations, which'll enlist artists with lived experience to participate in no-holds-barred discussions. Chatting about the subject will be a big part of two-day festival-within-the-festival The Big Reach, too, with the ticketed event bringing together workshops, conversations and performances, as well as immersive media demonstrations, all thanks to more than 30 artists and presenters. This is the kind of festival where you can take sessions on writing as a form a self-care, use augmented reality as a way to explore trauma in storytelling, and step into a 3D experience based on memories of time spent in the Parramatta Girls Home. Or, you can view virtual reality artworks by Uti Kulintjaku, which is an Aboriginal-led mental health literacy project comprised of Ngangkari (traditional healers) and multi-artform artists from the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara lands in the remote western desert of Central Australia. [caption id="attachment_837623" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Edge of the Present, Jessica Maurer.[/caption]
There's never a bad time to enjoy a Cantonese meal with cracking river views at Stanley, the Howard Smith Wharves restaurant that pairs the two in fine style. That said, stopping by to celebrate lunar new year is obviously recommended. To mark the year of the tiger, chef Louis Tikram is adding special dishes to the menu — and for two nights only. Exactly what you'll be able to tuck into hasn't been revealed but, based on how delicious Stanley's regular spread is, your tastebuds won't be disappointed. The LNY specials will be available alongside the usual a la carte and banquet offerings, too — which spans everything from Moreton Bay bug spring rolls and Peking duck pancakes to kung pao cauliflower and salt and pepper squid — so you can enjoy the best of both worlds. You'll need to make a date for either Saturday, January 29 or Tuesday, February 1, with seatings from 5pm each evening. And there'll also be lion dances on both nights — at 6.30pm and 8.30pm on Saturday and just 6.30pm on Tuesday.
We've all been spending more time inside than usual this year. In the process, we've all been looking at our furniture far more often than we usually would. So, if you've been rocked by the urge to redecorate, rearrange and reorganise, that's hardly surprising — those well-loved cushions, that old couch or your overflowing shelves could probably do with sprucing up. If IKEA is your furniture go-to, then its end-of-year sale is here to help, too — offering discounts of up to 50 percent off on some items. Whether you're in need of something big like a bed, chair or desk, or you're eager to fill your walls and surfaces with frames and vases, you'll find slashed prices on a heap of products. And if you still have some Christmas gifts to buy, you might be in luck as well. The sale runs until Thursday, January 7 — and, for Brisbanites, you have multiple options if you're eager to start buying. Head into the Logan or North Lakes stores; browse online, then opt for click-and-collect; or do all your perusing and purchasing on the company's website, before waiting for delivery.
As fun as parties, feasts and downing eggnog all are at this time of year, one thing can make them better: games. We're not just talking about guessing how long until your uncle falls asleep after lunch, or seeing who knows all the words to every pop Christmas carol. Instead, we're talking about eating, drinking, playing and being merry in Brisbane's very own bar-slash-arcade. 'Tis the season for all of the above at Netherworld, and it's throwing quite the shindig to prove it. Just bring your button-mashing self; some cash for tokens, brews, eggnog and a Hellmouth roast; and your willingness to get snapped on a winter wonderland-themed Christmas stage It all takes place from midday on Saturday, December 19, complete an appropriately merry soundtrack to accompany your rounds of playing whatever pinball, arcade, console or board game takes your fancy. A karma keg will be pouring at the bar, too, raising cash for those needing some festive help. [caption id="attachment_622335" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Sarah Ward[/caption] Top image: Cole Bennetts.
While an actual holiday to Hawaii might be off the cards for some time, Brisbanites — and those visiting the River City — can get a good dose of vacay vibes at Osbourne Hotel's New Year's Eve party, aptly dubbed NYE Tropicala. Wave goodbye to 2020 (finally, finally!) and celebrate a brand new year at the Fortitude Valley venue's extravaganza, complete with hula dancers and fire performers, themed food stations, a Hendricks gin bar, champagne at midnight and, of course, plenty of piña coladas served in pineapples. Although the official event ends at midnight, the pub will be open till late, so you can continue to dance into the early hours. Tickets are $105 a pop, plus a booking fee, and include unlimited food and selected drinks for four hours. As part of the deal, you'll also score a piña colada on arrival — plus champagne when the clock strikes 12. NYE Tropicala runs 8pm till midnight. To book, head to the website or to the Facebook event.
Find us an occasion that isn't improved by pie, and we'll find you a plate full of reasons why the dish should always be on the menu. Pie suits every day, date, theme and celebration, because there's just so many different types of it — and that includes Halloween. Pie Town agrees, clearly, and it's doing more than just pumping out the food it's known for. The West End eatery is spending the week leading up to October 31 making 15-centimetre pumpkin, chocolate mousse and matcha custard pies, but it wants you to book yourself a slot to come in and decorate them. You'll be getting spooky, of course. Think eyeballs, fangs, tombstones, zombie hands and witches feet, all atop a delicious pie that you'll then take home with you. Tickets cost $25 and, if you're trying to decide which day to attend, you might want to think about just how much you love puppies. On Halloween itself, Pie Town is hosting a parade of costumed pooches, so you can either bring your own or head along and watch everyone else's adorable doggos.
Add Ireland to the list of places that you won't be jetting off to in 2020, but you can still visit via your screen. And, add Australia's annual Irish Film Festival to the growing ranks of cinema events making the jump online — so Aussies around the country can pop their own popcorn, scoop themselves some ice cream and watch along from their couches. In its virtual-only guise, the 2020 Irish Film Festival runs from Thursday, November 19–Sunday, November 29, with a lineup of features, shorts and documentaries on its bill. It's serving up something for everyone, so if you're keen on a dark comedy set in a small Irish town (thanks to Dark Lies the Island) or a doco about Nobel Prize-winning author Seamus Heaney (as seen Seamus Heaney and the Music of What Happens), you'll find both on the program. Among the highlights, horror-comedy Extra Ordinary stands out — as you'd expect of a movie about a driving instructor with supernatural powers, and one that co-stars Will Forte and Aussie comedian Claudia O'Doherty, too. Or, there's also grim and involving gang drama Calm with Horses, as led by Lady Macbeth's Cosmo Jarvis and The Killing of a Sacred Deer's Barry Keoghan. Tickets are on sale now — for individual sessions, in three-movie passes and as an all-access festival-long pass. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4MRcUzmFv8&feature=emb_logo
They're words every hungry stomach likes to hear: cheap dumplings. And, much to your tummy's delight, they're words that apply at Jade Buddha on Tuesdays each week from 12–1pm and 6–7pm. That's when the Eagle Street spot's fifty-cent pork dumpling offer is available, and it's all rather simple. Venture in for lunch or dinner between the allocated times, buy a drink and then order up to ten tasty parcels in exchange for a dodecagonal coin each. Want more? That's on offer too, but you'll have to pace yourself. Once you're done with your first serving, you can grab another beverage and another plate of dumplings. Given the location, you'll also be doing all of the above while soaking in riverside views. Obviously, arriving early is recommended — there's limited stock available, and Jade Buddha is also operating under a COVID-19 Safe plan.
Brisbanites haven't had much to say cheers to this year — but with the city slowly reopening after the most recent COVID-19 lockdowns, that's changing. And if you're looking for something to sip while you gather the gang (responsibly, while socially distancing and adhering to the requisite rules, of course), South Bank's Mister Paganini is doing an aperitivo special every single day. From 4–6pm daily, you can head by for $10 spritzes — with six varieties available. Choose from Pimms with prosecco, cucumber, mint and ginger ale; elderflower liqueur with lime and soda; or pink gin with rose syrup and strawberries. Or, you can opt for a version with Cointreau, orange juice and chilli sugar syrup; a mix of Chambord, chardonnay, lemonade, lemon and berries; or the classic that is Aperol, orange, soda and prosecco. If you're also feeling peckish, Mister Paganini's usual menu will be on offer.
Artistic inspiration comes in many forms. A fantastic view can do the trick. A refreshing beverage could get your creative juices flowing. Or, at the Breakfast Creek Lifestyle Precinct's three-night Paint and Pop Pop-Up, you can try both. Putting a paintbrush in your hand and seeing what a dose of liquid courage brings out is hardly a new concept, and Cork & Chroma have the history to prove it. But, between 6–9pm from Tuesday, December 15–Thursday, December 17, it's setting up shop somewhere other than its usual South Bank and South Brisbane sites, and hosting three sessions with quite the bubbly accompaniment. Your $125 ticket includes the class — where you'll whip up something arty on a canvas — plus Veuve Clicquot and nibbles for three hours. And, because of the location, you'll score views of the river to go with your champagne and painting, all in a brand new events space. Tickets are on sale now, but places are limited — so this is a get-in-quickly kind of affair.
Get your shopping done under twinkling lights while surrounded by real (not plastic) Christmas trees. No, this isn't a festive dream — it's the reality of South Bank's annual Christmas markets. Whether you've been every year since you can remember, or you've never gone a-browsing at the inner-city spot, visiting The Collective Markets Christmas Edition is worth the trip. While the entirety of South Bank will be in a merry mood (including via a free and festive outdoor cinema program), they can't steal the show from the most important part of the proceedings: the wares on offer at the rows of stalls. From 10am–10pm between Friday, December 18–Wednesday, December 23, you'll find handmade toys, jewellery and other trinkets just begging to be given as gifts, as well as tasty treats to add to your Christmas feast. Yep, everyone's a winner here. Reflecting the situation we all find ourselves in in 2020, you will need to check-in when you enter and exit the markets, for COVID-19 safety purposes.
The BrisStyle team is a rather busy bunch. A few times a year, it puts on twilight markets in King George Square, but that isn't its only regular event. If you're particularly after a treasure trove of handmade goodies — and who isn't? — it hosts another opportunity to browse and buy that's dedicated to exactly those kinds of objects. And, because it's that time of year, it's putting on a Christmas version of the latter. Fashion, art, jewellery, homewares — if someone's been using their nimble fingers to make it, then you can probably trade your hard-earned cash for their hard work. In fact, there'll be more than 70 artisans selling their wares. And, while you're shopping, you'll also be able to grab a bite at the onsite cafe and listen to live tunes from local musos. The BrisStyle Handmade Christmas Markets take place on Saturday, December 12, so that's when you can take care of your gift-buying needs. Head along from 9am–3pm, with it all taking place in the Queensland Museum's whale mall. Image: BrisStyle.
