Are Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally comedy's funniest couple? Both together and apart, their resumes make a strong case for it. Here's another way to make that call: catching them live onstage together in Australia in their first-ever shared in-conversation session. It's a one-night-only date for the Parks and Recreation co-stars, happening to close out Vivid Sydney 2025. If you're as obsessed with one of the best American sitcoms of the 21st century as everyone should be, you will have spotted a trend at Vivid in the past two years. At 2024's festival, Amy Poehler was on the lineup, also getting chatting. Fingers crossed for Adam Scott or Rob Lowe in 2026. Yes, you should get the bacon and whisky ready for Offerman and Mullally. You should also prepare your ears for some high-pitched laughter. Making your own canoe? If you can, that's an appropriate way to celebrate, too. Taking place on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the International Convention Centre Sydney, Offerman and Mullally's exclusive Vivid show is called Unscripted & Unfiltered with Nick Offerman & Megan Mullally, and falls into the Harbour City event's Global Storyteller series — which is also bringing Martha Stewart to the New South Wales capital in 2025, was why Poehler was on 2024's lineup, and has also seen The White Lotus' Jennifer Coolidge and Mike White, filmmakers Baz Luhrmann (Elvis) and Spike Lee (Da 5 Bloods), and Australia singer Troye Sivan get talking in past years. Parks and Recreation's on-screen Ron and Tammy Swanson were meant to tour to Australia together in 2016, but Mullally had to drop out due to a scheduling conflict, so Offerman came solo. When they finally make the trip by each other's side, the husband-and-wife duo have everything from their multi-hyphenate individual careers to collaborating as creative and real-life partners to dig into, alongside their LGBTQIA+ and environmental activism. "Megan and I are powerfully chuffed to get back to town for Vivid Sydney, but also to reprise our lovemaking session atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Once we have recharged those particular batteries, we'll be thrilled to transfer our slatternly energies to the Vivid Sydney audience," said Offerman, announcing Unscripted & Unfiltered with Nick Offerman & Megan Mullally. "Come for the anecdotes and the burlesque lust in our every turn of phrase, then get stretched out before you get home, because there's gonna be some canoodlin'." "We couldn't let Vivid Sydney take place this year without treating visitors to a masterclass in comedy. Nick and Megan are one of the funniest couples alive, and this conversation is set to be equal parts unpredictable and hilarious. Bolstering Vivid Sydney 2025's lineup alongside lifestyle icon Martha Stewart and the formidable Nigella Lawson, there really is something for everyone," added Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini. Offerman and Mullally have also appeared on Will & Grace, Childrens Hospital, Smashed, Somebody Up There Likes Me, The Kings of Summer, Bob's Burgers, The Great North and Party Down together, to name just a few of their shared credits. The Last of Us, Civil War and the upcoming Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning are some of Offerman's recent other projects, while Dicks: The Musical, The Righteous Gemstones and Reservation Dogs are among Mullally's. Unscripted & Unfiltered with Nick Offerman & Megan Mullally takes place on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the International Convention Centre Sydney, with tickets on sale on sale at 9am on Friday, May 9 via the festival website — and presales from 9am on Thursday, May 8 for Stan subscribers Vivid Sydney 2025 runs from Friday, May 23–Saturday, June 14 across Sydney. Head to the festival website for further information. Top image: Emily Schur.
Care for a cheeky cocktail looking out over Melbourne's pretty, pretty skyline? Melbourne has a shiny new rooftop bar atop the just-opened QT Melbourne. This new addition to the CBD promises to serve up openair cocktails and brewskis every night of the week. To get to this high flying bar in the sky, just head to the hotel's front door and you'll be directed to the roof by staff. Best part? There's no door charge. Just know that, while the bar is open until 1am, outdoor seating will only be available until 11pm.
MasterChef Australia fans — we know there's a heap of you out there — are in for a real treat in May when four of the show's former contestants take over Crown Melbourne's Evergreen space overlooking the Yarra. The ALUMNI pop-up restaurant will feature Kishwar Chowdhury, Callum Hann, Khanh Ong and one mystery chef who is yet to be announced. Each will have their own three-week stint at Crown, sharing some of their signature dishes and other eats from the cuisines they are best known for. The four-course set menus will cost diners $150 per person, while kids get their own $75 feast. Kishwar Chowdhury kicks off the MasterChef festivities with a menu inspired by her Bengali background, running from Thursday, May 16–Thursday, June 2. Chowdhury has a passion for sourcing rare ingredients and growing hard-to-find produce, so we are expecting a few surprises here. She's followed by Callum Hann, who placed second in the 2010 competition after cooking Peter Gilmore's famous snow egg, and will run the pass from Thursday, June 6–Sunday, June 23. Hann is a champion of sustainable cooking practices and will use his menu to showcase local farmers and discuss issues surrounding food waste. Khanh Ong, known for sharing the flavours of his native Vietnam and for his new cookbook A Gay Guy's Guide to Life Love Food, will then take over the kitchen from Thursday, June 27–Sunday, July 14. We're yet to know anything about the fourth chef but have been told their residency will be properly announced on Tuesday, June 25. Let the wild speculating begin. The ALUMNI 'MasterChef Australia' residencies begin on Thursday, May 16, at Crown Melbourne's Evergreen events space. For more information and to book a spot, visit the venue's website.
Now and then, we all need to take a break from being a part of society, close the doors, turn off notifications and binge watch TV shows while ignoring all texts and messages. The tricky part, though, is being in a you-time bubble when dinner rolls around. Our instincts tell us to snuggle into our couch burrito, order enough UberEats to feed the whole apartment block and when it arrives, awkwardly call back into your apartment, "Hey, large group of my friends, the food is here!". You're not fooling anyone and you deserve better. Put on your glad rags and treat yourself to a meal out — alone. Yes, it sounds weird (food is often such a social concept, after all) but hear us out: you should be treated to fresh, delicious food and a doting waiter, even when you're retreating into your antisocial bubble. Alone but together with American Express we've uncovered Melbourne's best eateries for when you're riding solo and intend to keep it that way. Pick a spot, bring a book (and your American Express® Card) or spend the evening people watching — there's no wrong way to do it. Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out.
The Market Pavilion – a sprawling food and dining precinct – is set to satisfy epicureans with its landmark launch at Chadstone. Spanning over 26,500 square metres, more than 50 retailers have taken up residence, offering everything from fresh produce and gourmet ingredients to artisan creations. With investment in the new precinct reaching $485 million, expect a world-class experience. Bringing together a host of favourites from across Melbourne's food and lifestyle scene, it's the ideal spot to shop and dine on the finer things in life. Throughout the massive space, visitors will encounter renowned providores, specialty grocers, local culinary masters and premium restaurants. Meanwhile, home decor and lifestyle boutiques will add another sophisticated element beneath the shopping centre's iconic gridshell roof. Taking the experience up a notch, The Market Pavilion will also host a myriad of immersive food experiences. We're talking exclusive tastings, cooking masterclasses and pop-up collaborations with a who's who of groundbreaking chefs and producers. Says Chadstone centre manager, Daniel Boyle: "With the opening of The Market Pavilion, we are redefining the way Melburnians experience food. This precinct is a celebration of quality, craftsmanship, and the rich food culture that makes our city unique." As the new retailers get comfy in their surroundings, there's no shortage of big and respected names. For food-lovers, Brunetti Oro will serve up authentic Italian coffee and cuisine, as Mörk Chocolate presents a new concept store. Casa Nata bakes some of the best Portuguese tarts in town, while That's Amore covers all your artisanal cheese needs. Then, you've got top-notch sourdough at Little Sister, deli-style creations at Hanks Bagelry, plus loads more. The Market Pavilion's existing offshoot, Dining Laneway, has also received a makeover, with casual all-day dining from PappaRich and Thai Social to Yo-Chi. Living and entertaining is also a big focus, with The Market Pavilion offering a suite of much-loved retailers primed for giving your home and lifestyle a spruce up. Think Hommey's fully vegan bedding and floral arrangements shaped by Flowers Vasette operating alongside convenient superstores like House and Readings. A development of this scale also needs a few premium services that add a touch of innovation. Make the most of The Market Pavilion's Food Concierge, where shoppers can put their fresh produce in cold storage while they roam. You can also pre-book curbside pickup from an expanded nearby carpark. There's also a new AI-driven shopping recipe tool – just input your mood, dietary requirements and number of guests to receive a little culinary inspiration. The Market Pavilion is open Monday–Wednesday from 8.30am–5.30pm and Thursday–Sunday from 8.30am–6.30pm at 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone. Head to the website for more information.
Cult favourite Gelato Messina just opened its fifth digs in Melbourne, this time taking over a shopfront on Malvern's Glenferrie Road. It's serving up all the favourites, plus a regular lineup of seasonal scoops within the new store — decked out with marble-like finishes and floor-to-ceiling wood panelling. Like all its other spots, 40 flavours are available throughout the year, each made in-house using milk sourced from its very own dairy farm in Victoria. But the team has taken it one step further with this Melbourne launch. To celebrate the occasion, Messina has teamed up with the famed Tarts Anon to create a new flavour of gelato that's only available in the Malvern store. For this one, Tarts Anon has supplied a heap of its coconut pandan tarts that the Gelato Messina team chops up and chucks into its own coconut and pandan gelato. It's a crunchy and creamy swirl of pandan and coconut goodness. Specialty cakes, bottles of Jersey milk, cookbooks and a whole host of merch are also displayed up the front, beneath a screen showing the team creating some of the best gelato in Melbourne. This new opening is perfectly timed as we slide into summer. Find Gelato Messina Malvern at 225 Glenferrie Road, Melbourne, open 12pm–late daily. Head to the venue's website for more details.
With a name like Holy Grail, a nautical aesthetic might not be what you expect at this venue, but there's no Camelots, killer rabbits or incompetent knights here. With ropes, wheels and an antique interior that feels like the bowels of a ship itself, Holy Grail is Chapel Street's own vessel for a night out. When visiting a ship, you can't be blamed for wanting to drink like a sailor, and Holy Grail emphasises the beverages. For starters, there are two separate happy hour offerings. Between the hours of 3–7pm, house beer and wines by the pot, pint, jug and glass get the discount, while from 7–9pm, you'll be able to sip on $14 Tommy's margaritas, spiced rum espresso martinis and hard slushies. Outside of the happy hours, there are cocktails aplenty. Signatures range from the punchy Breakfast Slipper (Patron Silver tequila, Midori, orgeat, lime, orange marmalade and jalapeño tabasco) to the more delicate Shy Girl (Grainshaker vodka, Fraise des Bois, Licor 43 Horchata, strawberry puree and egg white). Dessert-focused drinks are on offer if you're docked here to end the night, and if you prefer your beverages a bit more single-minded, you've got more than enough to browse through in the beer, wine and spirits lists. Hungry? Food comes in the form of pizza, thanks to Freddy's across the street. Images: Arianna Leggiero
Melbourne's CBD has no shortage of rooftop bars, with plenty packed out every time the sun decides to grace us with its presence. But The Q at the Quincy Hotel still manages to fly under the radar most days, even though it has such a prime location on the corner of Flinders Lane and King Street. To find it, you'll need to head into the Melbourne hotel and make your way to the 28th floor. Here lies the hotel pool (sadly, only available to hotel guests) and The Q, with its large indoor drinking and dining area and narrow wrap-around terrace. The indoor dining space is great, but you really come here for the views. When entering, make a beeline for the few benches located outside in the sunshine, boasting sweeping views over the city skyline and the Yarra. While many Melbourne rooftop bars are still within the city skyline, The Q rises above most other towers in the area. You really feel high above it all up here. Booze-wise, The Q is more of a luxe cocktail haunt than a casual beer and wine spot. And you'll realise this the moment you walk through the door, as you're greeted by the rhythmic sounds of cocktail shakers. Seasonal signature sips cover a broad range of spirits and flavour profiles, and you can count on the classics to be top-notch. Bar food comes courtesy of the downstairs Salted Egg restaurant, which champions elevated Southeast Asian street food. Everything is portioned out for snacking, including the fresh oysters topped with red nahm jim; fluffy pork baos; raw tuna in prawn rice cups; chicken ribs with garlic chilli fish sauce; and wild mushroom lettuce cups. Many of these options are one-bite snacks, perfect for when you're juggling a cocktail in your other hand. And to coax local workers and hotel guests up to the rooftop, the team even offers a wicked happy hour deal. From 4–6pm, Thursday to Saturday, you'll get 20% off all food and bevs. Alternatively, take advantage of the The Q's semi-regular bottomless cocktail package. The inclusions of this unlimited booze deal change from time to time, but from April–June 2024, it's all about free-flowing margaritas. If you needed an excuse to head skyward, this should do the trick.
Stokehouse, an enduring legend along the St Kilda foreshore, will welcome up-and-coming chef, Ellie Bouhadana, to reinvigorate its beach box kiosk this summer. The space will be reimagined as Ellie's Kiosk, a laidback location designed both for casual dining or take-out, and will serve Bouhadana's signature generous, no-fuss fare. Bouhadana worked as the Head Chef at Collingwood's Hope St radio for many years and has more recently spent time honing her craft at pop-ups across the globe. She now has an incredible opportunity to show off her knowledge, talent and skills in a collaboration with a restaurant as prominent as Stokehouse. "I love the energy of St Kilda, it's my neighbourhood, and being able to do what I love in my local area is amazing. I get to make the kind of food I want to eat — think relaxed, playful dishes like a fritto misto, enjoyed in one of the best spots in Melbourne." The menu will play to Bouhadana's recognisable, generous and simple dishes that champion produce and focus on flavour. Influenced by her Moroccan heritage and travels through the Mediterranean, her coastal-inspired style of cooking, showcased through snacks and small plates, has found a perfect match at this venue, with views across the sparkling seas and the smell of salty ocean in the air. Hugh Van Haandel, Managing Director of Stokehouse, says, "We can't wait to welcome Ellie to St Kilda this summer. Her approach to food and her style of cooking — relaxed, generous and fresh — perfectly aligns with the spirit of Stokehouse and the laidback energy of the foreshore — we can't wait to see what Ellie's Kiosk serves up." Ellie's Kiosk will operate from 4.30pm until after sunset on Thursdays and Fridays, and from 12.30pm on weekends (weather permitting). Either relax on the foreshore with a simple cocktail or natural wine, or take your snacks for a stroll down to the revamped St Kilda Pier to watch the sunset. [caption id="attachment_879066" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The outdoor dining area at Stokehouse Pasta & Bar. [/caption] Feature imageEllie's Kiosk, a laidback location designed both for casual dining or take-out, will be serving Bouhadana's produce-driven, no-fuss fare.: Häre Christian. Ellie's Kiosk is slated to open on the St Kilda foreshore in time for summer. If you're searching for the freshest catch of the day in the meantime, check out the best seafood restaurants in Melbourne.
It's already nicknamed the River City. It's also locked in for a stint as an Olympic city. Now, Queensland's capital will become the shimmering city, too, thanks to a new long-term after-dark light show. When Lumina Night Walk makes Brisbane its latest home, it'll get the Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha aglow — and it won't just be sticking around for a few weeks or months. Brisbane City Council has announced that it approved an application on Friday, July 28 to establish a Lumina Night Walk in the inner-west spot, and for 150 evenings per year. The plan is to get the gardens looking luminous on Friday and Saturday nights, and also likely during school holidays, with attendees peering at eight light show stations across a one-kilometre path. The site's existing Gardens Explorer Trail will get the Lumina Night Walk treatment, with the light show stations being camouflaged from view. BCC advises that no plants or trees will be removed for the new attraction. Although no opening date has yet been announced, visitors will take 50–60 minutes to enjoy the experience, with between four and six sessions held every ten minutes each night that Brisbane's Lumina Night Walk runs. The River City joins seven locations in Canada, three in Japan, one in Singapore and another in France in boasting a Lumina Night Walk. Moment Factory, which keeps hosting radiant pop-ups to the Adelaide Botanic Gardens as part of the South Australian capital's winter Illuminate Adelaide festival, will design and produce the light show. The company's standard remit: getting botanical gardens, zoos, national parks and heritage sites dazzling, aka exactly what it's bringing to Brisbane. Brissie's Lumina Night Walk will be funded, installed and operated by Australian company LightDreaming, and BCC advises that the revenue that the council receives from LightDreaming will be put back into the gardens. And, it expects that taking a lit-up stroll will be popular, increasing the Mt Coot-tha location's visitors by up to 15 percent per year. Brisbane does love an excuse to bask in a glow, as Roma Street Parkland's annual end-of-year Enchanted Garden keeps proving to sellout crowds. Over at the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, after-dark fest Botanica: Contemporary Art Outside shines a light — many, many lights — each year, too. And, during 2023's Brisbane Festival this September, Lightscape will come to town, setting up a two-kilometre trail of light and colour also at the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens on Alice Street in the CBD. Of course, shimmering sights aren't just a Brisbane favourite, as Lightscape's stints in Melbourne and Brisbane have proven, plus everything bathing both cities in radiance during their respective RISING and Vivid fests. Brisbane's Lumina Night Walk is planned as a tourist drawcard in the lead up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as one of many changes sweeping the city before, during and after the global sporting events. "Brisbane is Australia's fastest growing capital city and a world class night-time experience such as Lumina Night Walks will create more to see and do and make Brisbane an even better place to live and visit," said Deputy Mayor and Civic Cabinet Chair for Economic Development Councillor Krista Adams about the approved application. Among the other changes headed Brisbane's way: a two-level pavilion with a gin distillery and rooftop garden at The Summit atop Mt Coot-tha; a 100-metre-tall Sky Deck at the new Queen's Wharf precinct in the CBD; tearing down and rebuilding the Gabba; renewing and reinvigorating South Bank, complete with a treetop walk, a permanent handmade goods market and new riverside lawns; and making over Victoria Park. And, there's also the revamping and expanding of Northshore Hamilton, adding a new seven-hectare riverside parkland to South Brisbane, opening a fifth theatre at QPAC, and Kangaroo Point's new green bridge with an overwater bar and restaurant. Brisbane's Lumina Night Walk doesn't yet have an opening date, but will run 150 nights per year, on Friday and Saturday nights and during school holidays. Keep an eye on the Lumina website for further details. Images: Lumina.
This winter, garage goths, a fusion of jazz and metal played by musicians in clown masks, a head-on collision and sand raining down on a man in an hourglass are all on the agenda — on Dark Mofo's 2025 agenda, that is. If you needed any proof that the Tasmanian winter arts festival is back after sitting out 2024, consider the above sample of the lineup as overwhelming evidence. This has always been a fest where expecting the unexpected is the baseline, and that isn't changing in 2025. Dark Mofo already gave the world a sneak peek at what's to come from Thursday, June 5–Sunday, June 15, 2025, when the bulk of the event takes place — the Nude Solstice Swim is on Saturday, June 21 — when it announced Nathan Maynard's We threw them down the rocks where they had thrown the sheep back in March. Accordingly, when it revealed that it'd be hosting a mass installation from the multidisciplinary Trawlwoolway artist, and one that uses sheep flesh to make a statement about the treatment of First Nations people, it signalled that it was still the boundary-pushing fest that folks love flocking to when the weather cools. Now comes the full program, the first under new Artistic Director Chris Twite, which has a date with riverbanks, deconsecrated churches, rooftops, basements, bank vaults and more. 'Dark Mofo is back!" said Twite, revealing the lineup. "Once again we will bathe the city in red, filling it with art and taking over disused and hidden spaces all across Nipaluna/Hobart. Night Mass — the late-night labyrinth of revelry — will carve new paths through the city and a host of Australian-exclusive artists from around the world will storm our stages." That filling downtown Hobart with art and music for Night Mass was set to be a part of Dark Mofo 2025 was announced last year — as was the return of the aforementioned Nude Solstice Swim, the Ogoh-Ogoh and culinary highlight Winter Feast. The festival has shared more details on each now, however, including that Niyati Rao from Mumbai restaurant Ekaa is Winter Feast's guest chef, working with Craig Will, Bianca Welsh and James Welsh from Launceston's Stillwater; that Night Mass: God Complex boasts 100-plus talents involved; and that a giant Maugean skate is the focus at the Ogoh-Ogoh. [caption id="attachment_998147" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Netti Habel[/caption] On the music side of the lineup, the full program now adds The Horrors and Clown Core, plus Tierra Whack, Cold Cave, Boy Harsher, Baroness, Crime & the City Solution, Show Me the Body, Alabaster DePlume, LUCY (Cooper B Handy), Machine Girl and Mong Tong — all in Australian-exclusive gigs, and all demonstrating how wide-ranging even just the fest's tunes will be. Rap and R&B, progressive metal, art-punk, hardcore both ceremonial and digital: they're just some of the genres on offer. Portishead's Beth Gibbons is also performing at Vivid Sydney, RISING in Melbourne and Brisbane's Open Season, but her spot on the Dark Mofo bill is no less exciting — and via two shows at The Odeon, she's launching the music program. Or, you can catch Rival Consoles give the ambient synth of Landscape From Memory its Australian premiere; see Spectral Wound, Imperial Triumphant Hymns, Hulder and Slimelord at the return of Hymns to the Dead; and witness Dead Can Dance founding member Lisa Gerrard and William Barton perform their Under In Between project live for the first time. DIIV, Jessica Pratt, Drain Gang's Thaiboy Digital, Keanu Nelson, Shackleton, Siddhartha Belmannu, Gut Health, Forest Swords, Brighter Death Now, Evicshen: they're hitting the stage as well. So is a new project from German music festival Berlin Atonal, and London Contemporary Orchestra's Robert Ames teaming up with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. Featuring Brazilian artist Paula Garcia and a stunt driver, Crash Body is one of the performance highlights. The Havana-born Carlos Martiel is contributing two pieces, video work Cuerpo and new unveiling Custody, which is where the hourglass comes in — and, as part of his unpacking of systemic violence against people of colour, where Dark Mofo gets another must-see. A empty warehouse will be lit up like the sky thanks to SORA by Nonotak, Simon Zoric's Coffin Rides contemplates the afterlife and collaborative music project Everything Is Recorded from Richard Russell will ponder the winter solstice in an improvised piece. Claudia Comte's La Danse Macabre is set to combine two pianists playing the titular piece as a motocross rider jumps through a the flames from a wooden sculpture on fire — as everyone can witness on a screen in Dark Park — to comment on capitalism, while Ida Sophia's video work Witness muses on religious fervour, and Nicholas Galanin's Neon Anthem will get visitors taking knee and scereaming. From Ronnie van Hout's Quasi and Travis Ficarra's Chocolate Goblin sculptures to the extreme metal vocalisations of Karina Utomo's Mortal Voice and Dark Mofo Films making a comeback, too — with Sound of Metal, Eraserhead, The Proposition, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, The Lighthouse, Wake in Fright, Melancholia and more — if you're not finding at least 20 events on the program to get excited about instantly, then you're not looking hard enough. [caption id="attachment_994599" align="alignnone" width="1920"] We threw them down the rocks where they had thrown the sheep images: Jesse Hunniford, 2025. Image courtesy of Dark Mofo 2025.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_998148" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ednid Alvarez[/caption] Dark Mofo returns from Thursday, June 5–Sunday, June 15, 2025 and for the Nude Solstice Swim on Saturday, June 21. Head to the festival's website for further details and tickets. Images courtesy of Dark Mofo. Top image: Marcos Cimardi.
Like many a Fitzroy pub, the Marquis of Lorne has been through a few refurbs over the years, finally settling into its current form spread across three levels. On the ground floor, you'll find your classic public bar with a tele in the corner and all your usual suspects on draught. Head up the stairs to then find the more refined dining room (another staple amongst some of Melbourne's best pubs). Up here, you'll find your classic pub grub has been given a makeover — think rockling burgers, chicken schnitzel with salsa verde and slaw and fried corn ribs with sweet peppers and labneh. Thankfully, it hasn't gone full fine dining restaurant on us, firmly keeping true to the pub vibes. We are also glad to see that the wine list has also been given a heap of love. Find some pet nats and really decent proseccos alongside some skin contact vinos and your usual whites and reds — focusing on bottles from Australia and Europe. Then there's the Marquis of Lorne's almighty rooftop bar — easily one of the best in Melbourne. Head up here on a sunny day to find tables full of spritzes and tinnies. But be sure to arrive somewhat early on a weekend. It fills up fast. Appears in: The Best Pubs in Melbourne for 2023
When Indigenous Australian artist Archie Moore made history at the 2024 La Biennale de Venezia, aka the Venice Biennale, in April 2024 by winning the event's coveted Golden Lion for Best National Participation, he also did Brisbane's major art galleries proud. When the First Nations talent earned Australia the top gong at the Olympics of the art world for the first time ever, he did so with an exhibition curated by Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art's Ellie Buttrose, and with a date with Brisbane GOMA on its 2025–26 program. kith and kin is displaying in South Brisbane between Saturday, September 27, 2025–Sunday, October 18, 2026 — and it has also been gifted to QAGOMA permanently. The piece didn't just make history with its Venice Biennale accolade. A hand-drawn genealogical chart that spans back 65,000 years, this creation also chronicles it. Both a personal and a political work, kith and kin steps through Moore's Kamilaroi, Bigambul, British and Scottish heritage across the installation's five-metre-high, 60-metre-long black walls. More than 2400 generations are covered. The exhibition uses chalk on blackboard, with a reflective pool sitting in the middle of the room and 500-plus document stacks suspended above it. Every aspect of kith and kin makes a statement. With its size and scale, it speaks to Australia's Indigenous peoples being among the world's longest-continuous living cultures. The use of black is also designed to look like a celestial map, and therefore nod to the resting place of First Nations ancestors. Highlighting the decrease in Indigenous Australian languages and dialects since colonisation, the fragility that stems from not being able to pass down knowledge and injustices such as deaths in custody are all also part of the work — with the aforementioned piles of paper primarily from coronial inquests. Images: Archie Moore / kith and kin 2024 / Australia Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2024 / Photographer Andrea Rossetti / © the artist / Images courtesy of the artist and The Commercial.
Games bars are only getting more popular in Melbourne — where you can play mini golf, do a spot of bowling, participate in carnival-style games or simply throw axes at a wall. And one of Melbourne's newest joint providing a space for competitive socialising (with plenty of food and bevs) is the international darts bar Flight Club. But unlike your usual bar that has a dart board located in some random corner (likely, with plenty of broken darts), Flight Club is a massive tech-filled space that offers a heap of different ways to play the classic game. These dart boards are digitally enhanced to track your scores and teach you how to play each of the different kinds of games, and they're surrounded by booths that are all yours when you make a booking. Food and drinks are also easily delivered right to your booth, so you can stay focused on beating your colleagues or mates. When it comes to drinks, Flight Club will be serving up a decent selection of wine and beer, plus a slew of signature cocktails like the Passion Dart-a-Rita (passionfruit margarita) and trophy cocktails that are served in a legit trophy with straws for everyone. Food is mostly shareable and made for the masses — think pizza paddles, popcorn chicken and sticky pork belly bites — so you can eat and play darts at the same time. One hand can hold a slice of pizza while the other chucks darts. Whether you're after a relaxed date-night spot, bottomless brunch with mates, or after-work hang with colleagues, this spot is a bullseye.
Down Driver Lane (just off Little Bourke Street) is a velvet rope guiding people down a staircase. At the bottom, a door opens automatically. Slightly unnerving, slightly impressive — Beneath Driver Lane comes with a great deal of adventure. The mysterious, underground venue gets its inspiration from the Deep South — blues, whisky and rum form the bar's identity. It's the product of owner Hamish Goonetilleke's love for New Orleans and, more specifically, the bars there. The space, located in the vault of the GPO's Money Order Office, is designed by Melbourne design agency Studio Equator. It's dark, moody and sensual with warm lights and walls flush with black and white photos from various eras. With cosy private banquettes and small round tables, Beneath Driver Lane is geared for all occasions. The venue is thoroughly considered, from the food to the design and the extra touches that really make a venue memorable – including refreshment stations in the bathrooms, equipped with mints for when you've eaten too many jamón and comté croquettes ($4 each). Speaking of food, the menu is New Orleans meets Melbourne in the best way possible. Make sure you order the three-cheese toastie with whisky bechamel ($16) it's comforting and generous and will turn even the worst of moods around. The smoked octopus with chorizo, black garlic aioli and pickled chilli ($22) is another winner. When you're ordering a beverage, be prepared to read — the drinks list is long and descriptive. Spirits? There's a strong 650 of them.There are also cocktails, including the stellar Bourbon Smash ($19) — with Buffalo Trace bourbon, cranberry juice and lime — and the inventive Poetic Charmer ($19.50) with Lillet Blanc pollen syrup and chamomile bitters . Beneath Driver Lane is a welcome addition to Melbourne's CBD bar scene. Its hidden location, moody vibe, extensive spirit list and refined design create the perfect place to escape to after a hard day in the office.
The old nine-to-five routine can be a bit of a grind — work, personal admin and trying to stay on top of your must-watch TV shows and films before someone spoils them for you — certainly takes a toll. That's why, when the weekend comes around, sometimes the only solution is to shake it off and leave your troubles behind while you dominate the dance floor. Nightclubs can be great for this, but there are times when you want something a little more chill. Thankfully, Melbourne's ever-changing bar scene has a roster of new and old venues offering up the goods for when you're ready to drop your bag off at the cloakroom and bust some moves. So, here's our list of the best Melbourne bars where you can shake off the working week and dance late into the night. Recommended reads: The Best Bars in Melbourne The Best Bars in Melbourne's CBD The Best Pubs in Melbourne The Best Wine Bars in Melbourne
Many hard-working employees (or workaholics) would argue that the EOFY is better than Christmas. With the amount of hours put in over the financial year, the celebrations may even trump the events of the previous work Christmas party. So, if you want to make it a night to remember, but you can't decide where to take your team for EOFY drinks, we've found the top places to enjoy yourself this EOFY, with no minimum spend. Yes, you read that correctly, no minimum spend, just endless fun. With a little help from The Pass, an app that allows you to order food and drinks, earn points and redeem rewards at over 190 pubs, bars and restaurants, we've narrowed down some of the best venues in Melbourne for a well-deserved afternoon pint. Each venue we've chosen has no minimum spend for EOFY functions, so you can celebrate your way. West Beach Pavilion, St Kilda We can't think of a much better way to celebrate EOFY than a beer and views of the sunset over the ocean. You'll enjoy just that at West Beach Pavilion, St Kilda's airy beachfront venue. With sweeping panoramic views, there's plenty of space for every kind of function. The Grand Beach Hall combines modern style with ocean vistas, while The Gallery offers a more intimate setting. Or for a relaxed outdoor vibe, head to The Pier Green or enjoy a laidback atmosphere at The Beach Club. Middle Park Hotel, Middle Park Just across the pond from St Kilda, Middle Park Hotel is another excellent spot for an afternoon EOFY function, made even better by the fact that there's no minimum spend. With intimate private dining spots as well as sprawling beer gardens, you can't go wrong. There's heaps of room here, which means it's a great option for companies with bigger teams. Prahran Hotel, Prahran If you're trying to decide where to take your team for EOFY drinks and are looking for a modern pub with a charming Art Deco vibe, look no further than the Prahran Hotel. The pub houses three unique bars–a public bar, an outdoor courtyard, and The Upton Bar, a large space dedicated to special events and functions. It's also conveniently located between St Kilda and South Yarra, perfect for a post-work celebratory beverage. Terminus Hotel, Abbotsford Cheers to hitting those KPIs at Terminus Hotel Abbotsford with cold beers, hearty feeds and good vibes at everyone's favourite Abbotsford local. The entire Level One is used as a function and events space, with a complimentary three-hour DJ package also on offer. This is definitely the pick for teams looking to go hard, all night long. Fairfield Boathouse, Fairfield Park End the financial year on the pristine Yarra River, with stunning views, yummy food and a relaxed atmosphere at Fairfield Boathouse. As well as an elegant function room and luxurious riverside dining, you and the team can even get out on the water for some fun, with rowing or canoeing before your event. The perfect, balanced way to round out the end of the financial year. Lakeside Pavilion, Albert Park If you don't know where to take your team for EOFY drinks, but you know you want a vibrant party, head to Lakeside Pavilion. Nestled in Melbourne's Albert Park, each guest will enjoy a complimentary arrival drink or dessert canapé to set the mood. Drinks, banter and celebrations against the backdrop of panoramic lake views, you can't get much better than this. The venue also has a capacity for up to 900 people. This means no one in the team will have to miss out. Auburn Hotel, Auburn Make your way to Hawthorn East's The Auburn Hotel to celebrate the EOFY at an iconic, laidback pub with no minimum spend. How good. Many will recognise the beautiful heritage-style building, which boasts plenty of different rooms and vibes. Choose from a beautiful wine room, a spacious openair beer garden or an atrium-style pavilion. There is also a selection of intimate private spaces, making it the ultimate spot for an EOFY soiree. Enquire now at https://thepassapp.com.au/. Images: Supplied.
Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio has won three Grammys and 11 Latin Grammys, starred in Bullet Train and hosted Saturday Night Live, among plenty of other achievements, but only in 2026 will he finally hit the stage in Australia. In February and March, Bad Bunny will tick a trip Down Under off of his list, bringing his new DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS world tour to Sydney. Named for his latest album, which released in January this year and spent three weeks in a row atop the Billboard 200 chart, the tour will see him become the first Latin act to headline stadiums globally. Only one city on Bad Bunny's jaunt around the planet is Australia, however: the Harbour City, for two shows at ENGIE Stadium across Saturday, February 28–Sunday, March 1. He's playing the New South Wales capital in-between dates in Brazil and Japan, two other countries where the 'Mia', 'Callaíta', 'Qué Pretendes' and 'Vete' singer will perform live for the first time ever. The Puerto Rican superstar's global trek follows his No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí gigs, a 30-date residency at José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in his homeland. Before that, he toured North America in 2024, and both North and Latin America in 2022. His DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS shows will take him to Europe for the first time since his 2019 X 100pre tour. On the charts, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, his sixth album, has kept garnering love — also sitting in the Billboard 200 top ten for 13 weeks, taking the number-one slot on Billboard's Latin Albums chart for 16 consecutive weeks and helping him become the first-ever Latin artist with 100 Billboard Hot 100 entries.
Sometimes in The Whitsundays, sometimes outside the Sydney Opera House, sometimes in the rooftop carpark of a Melbourne Woolworths, thousands of people have disrobed for Spencer Tunick. The New York-based artist stages naked installations in public places that also become nude photography works. He's filled Bondi beach, Federation Square, Munich's Bavarian State Opera, a patch of the Nevada desert and many more places with folks sans clothes, too — and, in both 2023 and 2024, he's turned his attention to Brisbane as well. Tunick first hit the Sunshine State last November for a piece called TIDE by the Brisbane River, which formed part of 2023's queer arts and culture-focused Melt Festival. On a spring Saturday, more than 100 participants shed their attire for the camera by the water. Before that installation even took place, it was revealed that he'd back in 2024 for an installation now called RISING TIDE. It too is part of the same fest, and it also involves another Brisbane landmark: the Story Bridge. [caption id="attachment_973212" align="alignnone" width="1920"] TIDE, Spencer Tunick[/caption] On Sunday, October 27, 2024, the famous river crossing will welcome thousands of naked volunteers. Accordingly, it isn't just traffic that will bring the structure to a standstill this spring. For the shoot, the stretch across the water is closing to cars. If you're keen to get your kit off for the camera — and be part of history — there's no limit to the number of people who can take part. RISING TIDE is just one way to engage with Tunick's art in Brisbane this year, however. The other: the just-announced TIDE Exhibition, featuring images from his debut in the River City. It'll display at Brisbane Powerhouse from Saturday, September 28–Sunday, November 10, also falling into Melt, featuring projected video from the installation. [caption id="attachment_970675" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brisbane, Spencer Tunick[/caption] The TIDE Exhibition marks a few firsts for Tunick as he celebrates 30 years of making his style of art, over which period he's staged more than 100 installations. This is his first-ever Australian exhibition, and it's the first time that his work will be on display for the public. The single-channel video at the heart of the TIDE Exhibition not only includes imagery from the shoot by the Brisbane River, but also stories from participants. "Creating TIDE was a very special experience, and I hope the exhibition will speak to diverse groups of people. It is a privilege to be making art that centres around the LGBTQIA+ community with all its beauty and vibrance," advised Tunick. When RISING TIDE was announced, the artist said that "the series will hopefully speak to diverse groups of people, and everyone navigating their way through the difficult challenges of our current world". "This challenging work on the Story Bridge marks the second in my two-part series in Brisbane scheduled one year apart, in 2023 then 2024. It is the first time I have ever worked on installations with the same institution for an extended two-year project. This will allow me to deeply explore the city, its light, environment and its people." [caption id="attachment_973211" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sydney, Spencer Tunick[/caption] [caption id="attachment_973210" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Barcelona, Spencer Tunick[/caption] [caption id="attachment_926439" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gateshead, Newcastle, England by Spencer Tunick.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_874950" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dublin, Spencer Tunick[/caption] [caption id="attachment_926442" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jay Cull[/caption] Spencer Tunick's TIDE exhibition displays from Saturday, September 28–Sunday, November 10 at Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington Street, New Farm. Spencer Tunick's 2024 Story Bridge installation RISING TIDE takes place on Sunday, October 27, 2024 during Melt Festival. Head to the festival website to register to take part. Top image: Spencer Tunick.
Melbourne got its first rooftop brewery bar overlooking the city skyline in 2024, and you can thank former Aussie Rules football player David Neitz for making it happen. He established the Brewmanity brand back in 2015, alongside fellow brewery lovers Jamie Fox and Paul Hopgood, to not only bring great craft beer to Melburnians but to also raise money to fight motor neurone disease — which Neale Daniher, Neitz's friend, fellow ex-footballer and coach, has. And in March 2024, the trio behind it took things to the next level by setting up a huge three-storey, 400-person, 34-tap brewery bar in South Melbourne. The ground floor houses the beer hall, where visitors can drink the team's craft brews surrounded by stainless steel tanks in which new creations are slowly fermenting. Head up the stairs to find another bar with a large terrace overlooking the city. But when the sun is shining, we're pretty sure punters will be racing for the rooftop, where they'll find even better vistas across Melbourne's skyline. And if Melbourne decides to throw a surprise shower (which will inevitably happen), the venue has retractable awnings ready and waiting. Each level has a bar pumping out Brewmanity beers alongside some local independent wines, spirits and cocktails. Food comes courtesy of Chef Suman, who's serving up a selection of share plates and bar bites to hungry beer drinkers. This includes a beer-braised lamb shoulder that feeds up to six people, DIY taco platters, cheeseburger sliders and mushroom arancini. There'll be no need to scale the stairs to go get a feed — just order and wait for it all to come to you. "We are proud with what we have achieved so far and there is so much more to come. We have proved that you can make a good beer that does good deeds and we hope to pour out the goodness for many years to come," said Neitz.
Hitting the town is one thing, but the people behind MCOBeauty, Nude by Nature and esmi Skin Minerals know that the real party often starts long before you arrive at the event. The three Aussie beauty brands have joined forces to launch Beauty_Bar – a bright, bubblegum-pink concept store on High Street in Armadale. Sitting among the suburb's luxe boutiques, the space is basically a Barbie dressing room come to life, swathed in pink from floor to ceiling and complete with sleek vanity stations and shelves stocked with a full range of products from each brand. Beyond retail therapy, Beauty_Bar also offers a suite of professional makeup and skincare services at refreshingly affordable prices. A quick skin pick-me-up costs $30, with a choice between a collagen-boosting LED treatment or a facial tailored to your specific skin needs. Add 20 bucks to indulge in an anti-aging facial designed to refine tone and texture, or a vitamin-C-infused treatment for a boost of brightness. Once skin prep is out of the way, there are two types of makeovers: a $40 natural look or a $50 full glam glow-up. Quick studies can definitely pick up a thing or two from getting their makeup done by an expert, but $45 lessons are also offered for beginners or anyone wanting a step-by-step guide on recreating the look at home. Getting ready is way more fun with a killer playlist and some company — the private GRWM Glow room is a stylish way to squeeze in some quality time with the girls before hen's nights, birthday bashes or any occasion where you want to turn heads. Images supplied Bookings for Beauty_Bar can be made through the website.
When Shannon Bennett, the internationally celebrated Melbourne-born chef, returned to the kitchen, it was intended to be a temporary stint. However, it seems that old habits die hard, with news just in that Bennett's residency at Fitzroy's design-forward hotel, the StandardX, has been extended indefinitely. Even after eight years away from the kitchen, Bennett's signature technical nous and creativity, paired with his distinctly laidback bistro style, proved to be as successful as ever. BistroX was intended to be a three-month pop-up, with Bennett reunited with an all-star team of hospo talent, many of whom worked with him at Vue de Monde. Among them were Cory Campbell, Cuisine magazine's Chef of the Year for 2024; Ryan Henley, who steered Christchurch dining room Pescatore to two chef's hats; and Carlos Simeos Santos, one of only 260 Master Sommeliers in the world. They were joined by front-of-house veteran Steven Kirkpatrick, who worked with the StandardX crew to deliver relaxed yet intuitive service. However, it appears that three months was not long enough for Bennett fans. Alongside his superstar team, Bennett is set to maintain his residency in the StandardX for the foreseeable future. BistroX will continue with dinner service, seven days a week, and lunch service from Friday to Sunday. BistroX is a far more casual affair than the team's credentials suggest. The approachable menu puts a modern, hyper-seasonal spin on classic bistro dishes, and will evolve regularly, shaped by both what's in season and guest feedback. "We're here to create something that feels part of the neighbourhood — a place people want to return to," says Bennett. Comfort and simplicity are the through-line of the menu, with all elements, including hand-cut pasta and house-baked breads, made from scratch. Dishes like herb-crusted tuna loin with celeriac remoulade; crayfish and black pudding flatbread; Gundagai lamb hot pot with braised shank and salted tongue baked in puff pastry; and a weekly rotating steak sourced from Victorian producers exhibit pared-back sophistication without ever straying too far from the comforts of a great local. Drinks are also in more than capable hands. Simeos Santos oversees a rotating by-the-glass wine list that's just as accessible — and thoughtfully curated — as the food it's designed to pair with. The extension of its residency proves that BistroX has been a welcome new addition to Fitzroy — and certainly a welcome return to the kitchen for one of Melbourne's most celebrated culinary figures. Images: Supplied. BistroX is now open at The StandardX Melbourne, 62 Rose Street, Fitzroy. For more information and reservations, head to the hotel's website.
UPDATE: APRIL 4, 2019 — Unfortunately all tickets to Rone's Empire sold out extremely fast so, unless you are one of the ticketholders, you won't be able to see it IRL. But you can still look at the pictures here. Melbourne's acclaimed street artist Rone has launched his latest beauty-meets-decay installation — and this time, it's taken over a deserted art deco mansion in Victoria's Dandenong Ranges. Empire has transformed the 1930s estate into an exhibition combining art, vision, sound, light and VR (as well as scent and botanical design) to take visitors on an immersive multi-sensory experience. Empire is set in the 'decaying glory' of the Burnham Beeches mansion, which is now owned by the Vue Group but has been vacant for over 20 years. The exhibition spans 12 (previously empty) rooms over multiple storeys and centres around a series of the artist's signature 'Jane Doe' monochrome portraits — the muse for which is actress Lily Sullivan (Mental, Picnic at Hanging Rock). Apart from the murals, the art deco-era furnishings are courtesy of interior stylist Carly Spooner (Fitzroy's The Establishment Studios), who also worked on Rone's The Omega Project. The rooms have been furnished with over 500 antique pieces, including a moss-covered grand piano — which was left exposed in the open garden for several weeks to attain an aged effect. The four seasons play a major role in Empire, and this varying atmosphere was accomplished by a team of specialists. These include seasonal botanical installations by design studio Loose Leaf, scent design by Kat Snowden and lighting design by John McKissock. These go alongside a multi-channel sound work by composer Nick Batterham, who recorded ambient audio in the estate's gardens across different seasons. Expect a hauntingly beautiful vibe of an era gone by, as Rone seeks to create an ambiguous storyline that can be felt by each guest individually. Rone takes personal inspiration for the space from the Mark Romanek-directed music video for the Johnny Cash cover of Hurt (originally by Nine Inch Nails) — which should give a sense of what you're in for. The mansion began as the family home to wealthy industrialist Alfred Nicholas, before becoming a research facility, then a children's hospital, luxury hotel and finally falling into disrepair in the late 1990s. It was bought, along with the estate, by Shannon Bennett's Vue Group in 2010 — while the mansion has remained deserted, the group has opened a cafe and bakery on the property. The project took one year to complete and is Rone's largest yet. It's a follow up of sorts to the artist's 2017 installation The Omega Project, in which he similarly created an exhibition in a condemned family home in the inner north just before it was demolished. Empire by Rone will be on display from March 6 until April 22 at Burnham Beeches, 1 Sherbrooke Road, Sherbrooke. All tickets are unfortunately sold out.
Zekkai is Queen Street's newest penthouse restaurant, cocktail bar and club with sweeping views across Melbourne's skyline. In the kitchen, an ex-Nobu chef is bringing luxe Japanese dining to new heights. The new venue, which takes over the site where Blue Diamond speakeasy, a members-only jazz club, once stood, is from Lam Kai Fung (former Executive Chef of Nobu) and the promotional team behind some of Melbourne's most-loved clubs such as Bond, Trak and Ms Collins. While the rooftop venue has been given a contemporary makeover, it still pays homage to its former personality with the original grand piano remaining a centrepiece in the room — albeit now alongside a DJ booth. "Melbourne has some incredible rooftop bars, but we wanted to create something that feels truly international," says Venue Manager Warrence Moorghen, "A place you could find in New York, Tokyo or Dubai, yet still distinctly Melbourne in character." Lam Kai's menu leans luxe with dishes such as wagyu with truffle paste and mango dragon rolls. "Zekkai's menu is inspired by my journey through some of the world's top kitchens, blending Japanese precision with Melbourne's diverse palate," says Lam Kai, "Every dish is about balance, beauty, flavour and a touch of surprise." If you're looking to splash some cash, the Millionaire Margarita comes in at a whopping $115, which sees Herradura Selección Tequila finished with gold leaf and caviar. On the other extreme, happy hour offers affordable specials such as $1 gyoza, between 5 and 8 pm. The team's sky-high ambition is to create a venue where you can expect everything from elevated Japanese dining to lively sunset cocktails on the cigar terrace and a late-night party under the stars. Moorghen says, "Zekkai is about more than just dining or nightlife, it's about creating a complete experience. From our panoramic views to our curated DJ sets and premium cocktails, we've designed a venue where every visit feels unforgettable." Images: Supplied.
Many hospo veterans want to one day own their own space, and it doesn't always happen, except for cases like Una Una. This Box Hill spot is the passion project of owner Sam Hatherley, who spent 20 years working in hospo, including at Neil Perry's Rosetta Ristorante. Named after his daughter, it came about like so many great ideas, when Hatherley stepped back to play stay-at-home dad in the depths of Victoria's COVID lockdowns. Hatherley identified a missing niche in Box Hill, a step between work and home, where locals could settle in for good food and drink without having to trek it further into the city. Una Una fills that niche, initially as a cafe, now existing in a hybrid form, transitioning between a cafe and a bistro by day and night, respectively. During the daylight hours, the team stocks focaccia sandwiches, made fresh daily and toasted to order, alongside classic coffee and some specialty drinks too (think Italian whipped coffee cream, whipped orange coffee and house-made almond-lemon soda or walnut cola). Then from 5.30pm on Friday and Saturday, the space becomes an intimate neighbourhood bistro, serving a seasonal menu that uses fresh market fare alongside cocktails shaped by Hatherley's bartending experience. The spring dinner menu, crafted by an ex-chef of Bo Innovation, Juan Amado and Rosetta Ristorante, features tuna crudo, chargrilled calamari, lamb katsu, and signature roast duck breast. In terms of cocktails, you can sip classics and signatures like the Sunflower, Gin Fashion, Jasmine, Dirty Smoked Olive Martini, Tokyo Style Martini, Sgroppino, and Vanilla/Braulio Shakeado. No matter what time of day, there's a focus on quality over quantity, with just four tables for dining in and a one-pager menu that rotates every two or three months to keep things new for every visit. Images: supplied
Sake is having a moment in Melbourne right now. More and more small bars and restaurants are playing around with the spirit, adding it to cocktails and even popping a few bottles on the shelves. And plenty of spots around town have created lengthy sake menus that cover a huge range of regions and flavour profiles. But despite this increased visibility, many Melburnians still aren't so confident about the drink — certainly not like we are with wine. To help educate us on the vast world of sake, importer Nomu Saketen has teamed up with Brunswick cafe CBCB & OBFUD to run a series of informative (and delicious) sake sessions until Saturday, June 8. From 5–10pm on Friday and Saturday nights, those curious about sake can pop down to try tasting flights and paired snacks. Small-batch, hand-crafted sake makers will be championed during these sessions, primarily from the Shizuoka prefecture. Two sake flights will be on offer, plus there'll be a small range of bottles available for purchase for those wanting to take their favourite drop home. Food is kept fairly simple, and will include bites like yuzu and miso cucumber, chilli edamame and mixed mushroom crisps. Stop by before or after dinner along nearby Sydney Road to make a proper night of it.
The Esplanade Hotel Queenscliff has officially reopened with a fresh feel, a reimagined look, and a new name, following a major renovation. The venue embodies the true character of a coastal pub with warm timber decor and an inviting atmosphere for locals, visitors, families and kids. The pub, previously called the Queenscliff Brewhouse, was established in 1879, and has been an integral part of the Queenscliff community ever since. As part of this community engagement, the team spent time with locals to understand what they considered important about the venue. Turns out that locals felt strongly about the original name being reinstated, so what was going to be dubbed The Bellarine Hotel, became The Esplanade Hotel Queenscliff, once again. This is just a small example of how the pub pays respect to the community and its history. ''We are so excited to have reopened the doors of this beautiful pub," says venue manager Mitch Kovacic, "Our local legend has gotten a new lease on life, and we know our locals will love it — the buzz in the area has been awesome in the lead up to today." The extensive transformation included a revamp of the beer garden — with native landscaping, picnic-style tables and umbrellas — and of the kids' play area, making the pub even more family-friendly than it was before. Of course, the sports bar with TV screen-lined walls, a pool table and a fireplace is the ultimate spot to catch all the rowdy game-day action. The seasonal menu showcases fresh produce and pub classics. There's a chicken (or eggplant) parma, classic cheeseburger (or a plant-based version), schnitzels, fish and chips, steak with Diane sauce and seafood pasta. There are also harissa lamb skewers, crab and corn croquettes, spring gnocchi and tomato salad with peach and pickled onions. Check out the considerate kids' and seniors' menus too. To celebrate the reopening of the beloved pub, The Esplanade Hotel Queenscliff will play host to Locals Weekend, from Friday, tenth, to Sunday, October 12. The huge weekend kicks off with a free first drink, followed by live music, charity raffles, giveaways and kids' entertainment. Images: Supplied.
Earlier this year, Mondrian Hotels launched its debut Australian stay just steps from the iconic Burleigh Heads beachfront. And like its other design-first accommodation, spanning glam locations from Los Angeles to Cannes to Seoul, the Aussie foray brought wall-to-wall luxury brimming with natural light, million-dollar views and a calming neutral colour palette. Now Modrian has opened reservations for its two highly anticipated Beach Houses. Following a similar rhythm to the hotel towers, this addition offers something of a residential experience (if you could imagine being so lucky), just with the service and amenities of a world-class hotel. Guided by acclaimed Los Angeles–based designers, Studio Carter, guests can expect privacy, luxury and bespoke hospitality. Across two- and three-bedroom stays, you can live out the beachfront lifestyle of your dreams. Accessed through private entrances, both through the hotel lobby or off the esplanade, these homes away from home come complete with magnesium plunge pools, terraces primed for entertaining, convenient laundry facilities and seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces that invite the Gold Coast warmth. Meanwhile, a full-sized kitchen enhances the long-stay appeal while bringing another level of residential comfort. The smaller details are just as impressive. Think sandy-toned interiors that reflect the laidback essence of the hotel and relaxed textural finishes inspired by coastal life. In fact, those seeking the most opulent stay can combine both residences into a five-bedroom retreat, perfect for big family vacations or celebrations with all your pals. Of course, a five-star stay like this also comes with plenty of guest perks. That includes expedited in-suite check-in, a curated gourmet welcome basket and a personal host and contact throughout your stay. Plus, you'll relish a daily à la carte breakfast at LiTO, the in-house Italian restaurant, and make the most of personalised experiences, from private chefs cooking up a feast to spa and beauty appointments, VIP restaurant and bar reservations, shopping services and more. Naturally, you're also welcome to enjoy the rest of the hotel's amenities. Step into Haven, serving elevated coastal cuisine, or slide into the Ciel Spa for holistic remedies and a high-performance gym. When it's time to explore beyond the hotel, the stunning stretch of Burleigh Heads is directly across from your accom, while the suburb's easy-breezy restaurants, bars and shops are just a few steps away. Mondrian Gold Coast's Beach Houses are now open for bookings at 3 First Ave, Burleigh Heads. Visit the website for more information. Images: Justin Nicholas.
Melburnians living in the inner north know CERES as a local institution, with this Brunswick East social enterprise pushing for social and environmental change for the past 40 years. Whether you visited with school or on your own time, you've probably taken part in a gardening workshop or educational program that levelled up your green thumb. Now the organisation is stepping things up with a revamped fortnightly Saturday market, stacked with local creativity, quality vintage goods and handcrafted wares. Running from 9am–2pm, local makers, artisans and designers will take over the parkland on November 8, November 22 and December 6. Plus, there's a special Christmas market planned for December 20, perfect for any last-minute gifting needs. Tucked in between CERES' thriving green spaces, on-site cafe, bustling nursery and more, visitors can expect a curated mix of stallholders, from handmade ceramics and sustainable fashion to preserves, toys and art. And with the organisers mixing things up for every edition, you'll discover different creative goods every time you swing through. "This market brings together everything people already love about CERES: community, creativity and care for the Earth," says Sam Hulls, Market Coordinator at CERES. "We're building a space that reflects the community's values while supporting local artists and small producers."
It has been a sparse year for Melbourne movie buffs, with the city's cinemas closing down not once but twice in 2020 due to COVID-19. But projectors have started whirring again around town, and soon cinephiles will have a brand new picture palace to frequent, with Palace Cinemas opening a new 15-screen site at the former Pentridge prison in Coburg on Friday, December 11. Pentridge Cinema was originally announced back in 2016. Back in October, it was advised that it would open before Christmas this year, too. But an exact date wasn't able to be given at the time, due to Melbourne's lockdowns. Now, though, movie buffs know exactly when those new silver screens will be getting a workout. And, Palace has advised just what you'll be able to watch, too. The cinema will open with a big premiere session of Australian crime drama The Dry, and also has titles such as The Witches, Wonder Woman 1984, High Ground, Penguin Bloom, Promising Young Woman and Nomadland on its lineup. Of course, movie release dates are constantly subject to change in 2020, but you'll have plenty to watch nonetheless. When the doors open, Pentridge Cinema venue will seat 1100 film fans across its various auditoriums (before taking social-distancing into account via a chequerboard seating arrangement). Each individual theatre will be fitted out with reclining seats with individual tables and footrests, too — and film-goers will have access to a menu of food and booze as well. There's no word yet regarding screenings of famed prison-set movies — think The Rock, Escape from Alcatraz or The Shawshank Redemption — but it sure does seem like the place for that type of retro program. The $2 million cinema isn't the only new addition to the Coburg spot, with the overall precinct officially opening on Thursday, November 26. It spans 6.7 hectares, and has undergone quite the revamp. On offer: shops, dining, entertainment spaces and public areas, including a 6500-square-metre piazza. Some heritage elements from the prison have been retained, and the site will also showcase stories about its former life in its design. Palace's new Pentridge Cinema will open at 1 Champ Street, Coburg, on Friday, December 11.
Come 2026, seven years will have passed since the last Avengers movie, with Endgame releasing in 2019. If you've been counting down the days until the next huge Marvel team-up flick — as 2025's Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* have all been laying the groundwork for — then you'll still be seeing it next year. Instead of checking it out in autumn Down Under, however, you'll need to put it on your viewing list for December. Disney has announced that the two upcoming Avengers movies, 2026's Doomsday and 2027's Secret Wars, have postponed their release dates by more than half a year each. Instead of arriving in April 2026 and May 2027, respectively, they'll now start screening in cinemas on Thursday, December 17, 2026 and Thursday, December 16, 2027. [caption id="attachment_996596" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney[/caption] If you want to consider this a new Christmas gift two years running, then, you can. Doomsday's cast is certainly stacked higher than a pile of presents, continuing to enlist just about every famous actor ever to suit up for a Marvel movie — or to do so again. Set to be the 38th Marvel Cinematic Universe entry — following the upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which releases in July 2025 — Avengers: Doomsday boasts Robert Downey Jr (The Sympathizer) rejoining the franchise, a few folks who've been in past Avengers films, recent additions to the fold, familiar X-Men faces and more. Downey Jr's return comes fresh from him becoming an Oscar-winner thanks to Oppenheimer. While the last time that he was in an Avengers picture, he played Tony Stark aka Iron Man — a role he portrayed in ten MCU movies — this time he's stepping into Victor von Doom's shoes. [caption id="attachment_973924" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2024 MARVEL.[/caption] It's a massive list from there, starting with Chris Hemsworth (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga) and Tom Hiddleston (Loki), alongside Anthony Mackie (Twisted Metal), Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice), Paul Rudd (Only Murders in the Building), Letitia Wright (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) and Winston Duke (The Fall Guy) among those with prior Avengers experience. Also, Wyatt Russell (Monarch: Legacy of Monsters), Florence Pugh (We Live in Time), David Harbour (A Working Man), Hannah John-Kamen (Breaking Point) and Lewis Pullman (Salem's Lot) are hopping from Thunderbolts* to Doomsday. Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us), Vanessa Kirby (Napoleon), Joseph Quinn (A Quiet Place: Day One) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear) are doing the same from The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Simu Liu (Last Breath) returns from Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Danny Ramirez from Captain America: Brave New World and Tenoch Huerta Mejia from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Channing Tatum (Blink Twice) was in Deadpool and Wolverine, and will keep adding to his MCU resume. As Beast from the X-Men movies, Kelsey Grammer (Paper Empire) joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in The Marvels, while Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: Picard) brought Professor Charles Xavier to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness — and they're back again now. [caption id="attachment_989732" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 MARVEL.[/caption] Ian McKellen (The Critic), Alan Cumming (Drive Back Home), Rebecca Romijn (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds), James Marsden (Paradise): they're on the list of X-Men stars — actors who were bringing Marvel comics to the screen before the MCU even existed, but in films that were their own franchise until now — that are also part of Doomsday. Now that Disney owns Fox, which previously was behind the Deadpool, X-Men and Fantastic Four flicks, it's moving characters from all of the above into its ever-sprawling screen saga. After helming Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, filmmakers Anthony and Joe Russo (The Electric State) are back as well, directing both Doomsday and Secret Wars. And character-wise, yes that's Thor, Loki, Captain America, Bucky Barnes, Ant-Man, Shuri, M'Baku, John Walker, Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, Ghost, Robert Reynolds, Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, Ben Grimm, Shang-Chi, Joaquin Torres, Namor, Gambit, Beast, Professor X, Magneto, Nightcrawler, Mystique and Cyclops covered. Check out the Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement video below: Avengers: Doomsday releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, December 17, 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars on Thursday, December 16, 2027. Via Variety / The Hollywood Reporter. Top images: photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2023 MARVEL.
The Swiss Alps has an impressive one. Canada's famed Whistler Bowl does as well. And now New South Wales' Kosciuszko National Park has just scored a spectacular suspension bridge, too. Head to this just-opened spot in the Snowy Mountains and you'll be walking across a record-breaking structure, in fact — because it takes the crown as Australia's highest suspension bridge. How high? Located between Guthega and Charlotte Pass in the Snowies, the new bridge sits a whopping 1627 metres above sea level. It's included in a new nine-kilometre track in the national park, and will eventually be part of the 55-kilometre Snowies Alpine Walk — which is opening in stages, with this marking the second leg. "The Snowies Alpine Walk is putting New South Wales on the map for multi-day hikes, and it'll be a must-do walk for anyone who loves Tasmania's Cradle Mountain Overland Track" said NSW Minister for Environment James Griffin, announcing the bridge's opening. "In fact, I reckon it'll be a strong competitor with the Overland," the Minister continued. Make the trek and you'll not only be moseying across the highest suspension bridge in the country — you'll be taking in the stunning scenery, including the alpine and sub-alpine landscapes that are unique to the Snowy Mountains region. Showcasing that terrain and its natural features, and helping cement the Snowies as a must-visit tourist destination, is understandably a key aim of the $17 million in funding that's been put towards the Snowies Alpine Walk by the NSW Government Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund program. At the federal level, an extra $10 million has come from the Australian Government's Regional Recovery Partnerships program, which is targeted at the fourth stage of the trail. Just when the third and fourth legs will open hasn't been revealed, but the third will span from Charlotte Pass through to Perisher, and the last from Perisher to Bullocks Flat. For more information about the Snowies Alpine Walk, and the new bridge between Guthega and Charlotte Pass, head to the National Parks and Wildlife Services website. Images: Boen Ferguson / Department of Planning and Environment.
Rocco's Bologna Discoteca was one of the silver linings during Melbourne's lockdown-filled 2020, popping up for just a couple of short stints to make use of the Gertrude Street space that normally houses Poodle. The temporary sandwich joint proved so popular that it made many cameo appearances since, and eventually set up a bricks-and-mortar restaurant right by Poodle. And in September 2023, Fitzroy's beloved Italian sandwich bar decided to expand by opening a new upstairs bar called Vince's Bar. Named after the father of one of the owners, it's a more relaxed and intimate space than downstairs, and boasts a focus on cocktails and snacks. Some of the highlights include the pandan negroni, made with gin, vermouth and pandan syrup; Vince's martini, which whips together vodka, grapefruit bitters and chamomile oil; and the Spaghetti Western No. 2, which uses mezcal, mango, rose vermouth, bitters and prosecco. The snack menu is also Italian-inspired, with small plates like oysters, mortadella mousse tartlets, and crescetina with Cantabrian anchovies and goat ricotta.
A top-notch cocktail is something worth savouring. It's worth searching for, too — and what a delicious quest that is. Rather than add every bar ever to your must-visit list, however, plenty of competitions, lists and rankings exist to help you find the best of the best, so that you can spend more time sipping ace drinks. One such contest: the Patrón Perfectionists Australian Cocktail Competition, which then ties into a global tournament. Its focus: getting standout bartenders shaking up and mixing tequila, and using far more than just lemon and salt. The 2022 Aussie event has just been held, with a new best local bartender crowned, as announced at a ceremony on Wednesday, November 9. Tequila lovers of Australia, you'll want to make a date with Melbourne's Pearl Diver Cocktails & Oysters, because the glam bar's Alex Boon just took out the Patrón Perfectionists Australian Cocktail Competition title. To win, Boon had to mix up two cocktails: one that blends Patrón Silver tequila with something representing local culture, using ingredients from a prescribed list, and another speciality drink that featured one Australian ingredient. For the first beverage, Boon's Frankie was inspired by Uncle Toby's oats — yes, you'll never think about the breakfast staple the same way again — while his second, the 60 Hands Highball, used mango in three different ways. Ten Australian bartenders competed for the title, hailing from an impressive list of bars from around the country, including Kayla Reid from fellow Melbourne spot Nick & Nora's; Haadee Bahar of Mimi's & Will's and Storm Evans of Cantina OK! in Sydney; and Andie Bulley of Savile Row, Bec Bayley of Before + After and Martin McConnell of Frog's Hollow Saloon, all in Brisbane. Chris Tilley of Neon Palms and Volare Bar represented Perth, Talis Heggart of Shotgun Willie's and Memphis Slim's House of Blues did the same for Adelaide, and Etien Celzner of Rude Boy flew the flag for Hobart. Boon next vies for international glory, mixing up his best against bartenders from another 18 countries, in March 2023 at Hacienda Patrón in Jalisco, Mexico. If he emerges victorious on the global stage, he'll give Australia two winners in a row, after Cantina OK!'s Harrison Kenney took out the worldwide title last year. For full details on the Patrón Perfectionists Cocktail Competition, head to the event's website.
One of Melbourne's favourite ride-by cafes, bars and restaurants, Green Park, may have called it a day, but a new eatery has arisen in its place. Owner and restaurateur Jesse Gerner has relaunched the Carlton North space as Park Street, forming somewhat of culinary supergroup in the process. Gerner has brought in team members from his other Melbourne venues as co-owners of the new venue. Kelly O'Loghlen, chef Andrew Fisk and Shane Barrett are involved with Bomba and bottle shop Samuel Pepys (with Barrett also in on the newest opening, Nómada). Russell Hall — who's currently head chef at Añada — comes in to head up Park Street's food offering, and Harry Fishman of neighbouring Velo Cycles is in on the action too. The eatery is situated on the section of the Capital City Trail that runs parallel to Park Street in Carlton North. Gerner, Hall and Fisk continue to use locally-grown produce, including veggies grown in Park Street's own garden, but have switched focus to Italian bites. Specifically on offer is a changing array of cicchetti and handmade pastas from Wednesday to Sunday. Highlights include wood-grilled sardines wrapped in pancetta and poached veal crostini, plus the likes of braised duck rotolo with wood-grilled radicchio and prawn agnolotti with shellfish bisque. From the main selection, expect roasted barramundi fillet with braised clams, and wood-grilled O'Connor flank steak with salsa verde. With a focus on small producers, the idea is to offer a place for family dinners, a quick bite on the way home, or somewhere to share snacks with friends. Capital Coffee Roasters blends are still on offer for caffeine fiends, while baking in-house pastries and breads continues daily. Anyone after breakfast or lunch will find meals such as waffles filled with braised beef cheek and cavolo nero, and suckling pig rolls with kale slaw. Drinks-wise, Park Street also boasts a range of wines from Italy, Southern France, Greece and Croatia, as well as a by-the-glass lineup that shines a spotlight on innovative, small-scale wineries alongside classic producers and varietals. The interiors have also experienced a refresh, lightening and brightening the room with white walls, mirrors, tan leather couches, indoor plants and an open kitchen to expand the space visually.
Melbourne's inner south is home to historic and picturesque locales — not just the annual Formula One Australian Grand Prix. Albert Park and Middle Park contain some of the finest 1930s and 1940s architecture in Melbourne, but it's not all about history. The area is bursting with arts and cultural events, plenty of workshops and activities, heaps of cosy pubs and restaurants and cute cafes. We've teamed up with the City of Port Phillip to build this 48-hour guide to the area this winter, so you can get the most out of the suburbs before having to head back to reality. [caption id="attachment_902672" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Albert Park, Getty Images via Canva[/caption] FRIDAY It's Friday arvo and after a week toiling away at your desk, it's finally you-time — by you-time, we mean time to head away for a short mini break to Melbourne's inner south. There are many accommodation options in the locale. For a luxe seaside stay, there's The Hamptons Apartments, for something more boutique you could try the Coppersmith Hotel and for something with a historical flair, head to the Middle Park Hotel. After checking in, head to The Albert Park Hotel in time for happy hour — Monday–Friday from 4–6pm serving $6 selected pots, house wines and prosecco —and pair your beverage with some of the Chinese-inspired eats on the menu like san choi bao, crispy siu yuk pork or sticky lamb or Shandong fish dumplings. Afterwards, head to the Victorian Wine Centre's Wine Bar for live music every Friday and if you're still peckish the menu features small and large plates to pair with the local vinos and brews on offer. Choose from Nepalese dumplings, calamari and cheese and charcuterie boards. If you're after something more highbrow, take yourself to Atta where you'll find a modern fine-dining twist on Indian cuisine. Expect delicious tandoori dishes presented in a sleek modern environment matched with a creative wine menu. The menu changes with the seasons and includes choices for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diners. Options include Jhinga (tempura prawns, garlic-lemon and beetroot aioli, pumpkin puree, kasundi, puffed rice and lemon gels), Samundari jal pari (tandoori-marinated scallops with cauliflower puree, lemon foam, pineapple and cucumber gels), Dal Bukhara with slow-cooked black lentils, infused aromatic spices, coriander butter and cream and many more succulent dishes. Want to keep with the Indian theme and indulge in some cocktails and dancing? Finish up your night at Mr Brownie. See the city skyline from the rooftop bar, enjoy a tasty tipple (or cheeky curry) at the Curry Pub and have a little boogie at the Boom Boom Room. [caption id="attachment_902671" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Port Melbourne[/caption] SATURDAY Start your day right with a good cup of coffee and a tasty breakfast at the funky Halcyon Days Cafe in Albert Park — keep an eye out for the weekend specials which have included warm winter salad of potato and mortadella with bagna cauda dressing and poached egg. After breakfast, stretch your legs and head to the Gasworks Art Park to see which artist's work is exhibiting and what shows, festivals, plays or live music are happening. The Gasworks also hosts a farmer's market on the third Saturday of every month for you to stock up on fresh Victorian produce, homemade pastries, bread and cakes and lots of other goodies. Refuel and grab a sumptuous lunch at Lord Cardigan before indulging in some retail therapy in the many boutique shops along Bridport Street and Victoria Avenue as you make your way down to the seaside. Along the way, stop in for a glass of wine (or two) at neighbourhood wine bar Woodsyard — if you can't wait for dinner there are sharing platters and bigger meals on the menu — before getting to the Albert foreshore. After you've taken a nice stroll along the water, watch the sunset while enjoying a meal at Pipi's Kiosk. Named for the pipi shells that cover the sand and foreshore, the cosy restaurant is nestled against the Kerferd Road Pier and looks out onto the beach. The contemporary spot serves a standout selection of meals from snacks to mains — plus a fabulous wine list. This isn't a standard beachside kiosk, the menu here is something special — we're talking salt cod croquettes, grilled octopus, kangaroo strip loan with raspberry ketchup and roasted strawberry trifle. If you're still hungry, somehow, head to Bellota Wine Bar and enjoy some small plates paired with a delicious glass of wine before calling it a day. [caption id="attachment_902673" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Albert Park, Canva[/caption] SUNDAY For your final morning in Melbourne's inner south, jump on over to Leaps and Bounds Cafe for breakfast before walking off yesterday's feasting at Albert Park. Jog, walk or cycle around the lake on the 5km walking track. There are nine picnic areas dotted through the park for you to stop and take a breath while taking in the magnificent views of the city skyline. You can dog-watch all the cute pooches on their daily walk before heading to Middle Park Hotel for a final feed. Then, if you have time, squeeze in one final walk along the foreshore before you have to head back to reality, refreshed and recharged after discovering a new pocket of Melbourne. Looking to make the most of your next city break? Explore your city this winter with the City of Port Phillip. Top Image: Jess Cross (Flickr)
With over 45 million visitors globally, Body Worlds is one of the world's most visited health and wellness exhibitions. It's also frequently described as a "life changing experience" — visitors can expect to leave with an understanding of the marvel that is the human body. Now, the original exhibition of real human bodies is coming to Australia for the first time this August. The Body Worlds Vital exhibition, on display at the Melbourne Showgrounds from August 13–November 18, takes attendees on an intricate journey of the workings of the human body, through an authentic, visual display of over 150 donated specimens. The human bodies and body parts, donated for the benefit of public education, have gone through a meticulous process of plastination, and demonstrate the complexity, resilience and vulnerability of the human body in distress, disease and optimal health. The exhibitions were founded by anatomist and scientist Dr Gunther von Hagens and physician and conceptual designer Dr Angelina Whalley. And all the specimens displayed at the exhibitions are from an established body donation program with consenting donors — so far 17,000 bodies from around the world have been donated to Dr von Hagens' Institute for Plastination. The Australian tour specifically focuses on contemporary diseases and ailments and how everyday lifestyle choices can improve health and wellness, to live with vitality. The 150 specimens on display stem are preserved through a scientific process that replaces body fluids with polymers. Interactive elements include the Anatomical Mirror, where visitors will see how organs are positioned in their own body, a photo display that showcases longevity and healthy ageing, and healthy organs shown in direct comparison with diseased organs. Body Worlds Vital will be on display from August 13–November 18 at the Melbourne Showgrounds, Agricultural Hall 10, Epsom Road, Ascot Vale. Tickets are on sale now, via bodyworldsvital.com.
For more than a century, watching a movie has involved staring at either a rectangle or a square. They're the shapes that the silver screen is known for, and the small screen as well. But catch a film at the planetarium and everything becomes circular — which makes fulldome flicks, as they're called, something particularly special. Melbourne Planetarium plays movies on its dome via regular programs — films specifically made to take advantage of the different screening format — and the Melbourne International Film Festival has included fulldome showcases in its annual lineup. But Australia only boasts one film fest that's solely all about hemispherical views. That event: the Dome Under Film Festival, which debuted in 2020, returns to the Victorian capital from Friday, January 30 to Sunday, February 1, 2026. Dome Under Festival's latest outing once again showcases the best new fulldome releases from around the world at Scienceworks. With sessions dedicated to family-friendly titles, astronomy, art, world stories and the future, the program features plenty of highlights — covering everything from Earth's orbit, our place in the Milky Way, the secrets of an Italian forest, Mount Everest, Colombian constellations and a series of mind-bending art films designed specially to be screened on the dome. In total, 39 films from around the world will grace the dome, as handpicked by the Dome Under team. Each one will fill every inch of the planetarium's 16-metre domed ceiling — and play with 5.1 surround sound. Each film will only be screened once, with multiple films organised by theme in each session across the three-day period. This year, the festival will include a competitive section judged by a panel of three experts, awarding films for their storytelling and technical prowess. Warik Lawrance, festival founder and Museums Victoria curator, said, "Fulldome cinema is evolving at an incredible pace, and the Dome Under Film Festival has become a place where that innovation truly shines." Dome Under Fulldome Festival 2026 will run from Friday, January 30 to Sunday, February 1, 2026. For more information or to book tickets, visit the website. Images: 'One Step Beyond', 'Encounters in the Milky Way', 'The Rift' — supplied by Museums Victoria
Northside stalwart Dr Morse is moving into a new era in 2025, with a refreshed dining experience designed to bring the food and drink up to par with the dance floor. And it's not the only venue getting a boost, with much-loved Northside Group spots like Bodriggy Brewing Company and Albion Hotel Collingwood also getting taken to new heights. In charge of this revolution is executive chef David Boyle, who brings his expertise from the helm of Farmer's Daughters to give each venue a unique culinary identity. On the agenda, Bodriggy Brewing Company will continue to showcase bold Latin-American flavours, as Albion Hotel Collingwood shifts towards an English pub concept with a focus on locally sourced ingredients. With the venue's fit-out already lending itself to the theme by featuring tartan carpets and cosy wood panelling, this updated dining style is an effortless match. Yet the biggest change of all is happening at Dr Morse. Coinciding with the venue's 12th anniversary, a substantial renovation will welcome the launch of Bistro Disco – a New York Italian-inspired eatery. Featuring a heavily refreshed menu primed for lunches and dinners, expect a fresh range of deli sandwiches and pasta specials throughout the week. After-dark, family-style dishes will focus on quality produce across primi plates, antipasto and several rich pasta creations. Highlights include focaccia made with extra virgin olive oil and Bodriggy beer alongside lasagne ravioli with grass-fed beef, free-range pork, bechamel and house sugo. Meanwhile, sweet treats like torta caprese make for the ideal finish. The beverage offering has also received a shake-up, with Tyler Dent (Aru, Firebird, Mr West) and Patrick Maxwell (Cookie) curating an extended wine list and playful cocktail selection inspired by European sensibilities. Guests will encounter an apéritif vermouth program alongside classic cocktails like ice-cold martinis and sours. One special creation is the Torta Della Nonna – a punch featuring roasted pine nut bourbon, Strega, lemon and croissants. Ushering in this change is a substantial renovation. Owner and builder Anthony Daniels has refreshed the space with warm, mid-century charm, where custom-made banquette seating and tanned timber panels pair with a tiled bar and vintage lighting. A lowered wall in the dining area also helps connect inside and out, making for a seamless flow between the dining area and the bustling beer garden. Plus, dedicated DJ decks in the bistro help amplify the new vibe. "Our goal was to create a space that feels inviting, and comfortable to spend time in," says Daniels. "It's all about maintaining a fun, flexible energy while staying true to the distinctive charm Dr Morse has always been known for." Dr Morse is now open at 274 Johnston St, Abbotsford. Head to the Facebook page for more information.
If ever there was a time to treat yourself to a vacation, it's now, and you'll still find scores of memorable holiday destinations located in New Zealand. No long-haul flight required. What's more, if you're after a true break from reality, New Zealand is brimming with unique stays that'll transport you blissfully far from your everyday. Indulge in a few nights in a leafy treehouse, a beautifully restored truck perched right on the bay, or even a mountaintop cabin with views for days. Here, we've taken care of the hard bit and pulled together 15 of the most unique stays you can book in New Zealand. Pick your favourite, pack those bags and embark on a holiday that's worth writing home about. Recommended reads: The Best Places to Go Glamping in New Zealand The Best Places to Go Glamping in Australia Ten of the Most Luxurious Waterfront Stays You Can Book in Auckland The Most Unique Stays with Breathtaking Views of New Zealand's South Island Glamcamping, Whananaki A secluded waterfront cabin and campsite set among untouched wilderness, with hiking trails, clear blue ocean and private sandy beaches right on its doorstep. From $148 a night, sleeps six. The Grove Farm Stay, Thornton With features like a hot tub and king size bed, this comfy yurt makes for an idyllic farm stay. All just metres from the beach. From $276 a night, sleeps four. Mud Hut at Welcome Rock Trails, Garston Dose up on serenity at this rustic high-country hikers' hut, kitted out with a cosy fireplace, outdoor tub and some of the best views going around. From $125 a night, sleeps four. Fairytale Treehouse, Whangarei Your own magical treehouse escape, complete with cosy interiors, leafy wraparound deck and 28 lush acres to explore at your leisure. From $290 a night, sleeps two. The Amazing House Truck, Wainui Bay This former truck has been transformed into a comfy bayside getaway, complete with a woodfire and outdoor bath. Spend your days swimming, hiking or soaking up those views. From $237 a night, sleeps four. The Mudcastle, Nelson Fancy holidaying like royalty? Try this picturesque castle retreat, complete with fairytale features, a private pool and sweeping countryside views. From $1336 a night, sleeps 16. Alpine Cube, Ben Ohau Check out of reality and into this architecturally designed nature cabin, featuring zero wi-fi, a luxe open air spa and all the tranquility you could dream of. From $498 a night, sleeps two. Blackpool House, Auckland This contemporary couples' retreat boasts a lush, leafy setting, with stunning architecture, a cosy mezzanine library nook and a sun-drenched deck that's primed for relaxing. From $390 a night, sleeps two. Warm Cosy Yurt, Motueka Valley Al fresco drinks among the treetops and stargazing through the rooftop skylight — enjoy it all at this kitted-out yurt overlooking the Motueka River. From $122 a night, sleeps three. Rocky Point Hut, Pepin Island A tranquil hideaway for two with an outdoor tub offering epic panoramas, this clifftop hut is the stuff of holiday dreams. From $219 a night, sleeps two. The Treehouse, Waiheke Island Hidden among the treetops, this contemporary cabin will charm you with its romantic loft bedroom, leafy gardens and blissful outdoor spa. From $292 a night, sleeps four. Woodpecker Bay Bach, Punakaiki Wake to the sound of crashing waves at this quaint beachfront stay. It's rocking a charmingly kitsch style and a bathtub with views to swoon over. From $226 a night, sleeps two. Away Treehouse, Auckland Blissful treehouse vibes abound at this secluded forest retreat. Unplug and recharge, while enjoying the cosy wood fire, outdoor spa and peaceful treetop setting. From $438 a night, sleeps two. Kauri Forest Chalet, Auckland In the heart of the bush, this secluded chalet makes for a tranquil couples' escape. Hiking trails abound and the beach is just a short drive away. From $180 a night, sleeps two. Te Kouma Heights Glamping, Manaia Find luxury off the grid in this tent for two with endless ocean and farmland views. Enjoy fully equipped solar power, a king bed and two claw-foot outdoor tubs facing the glittering Coromandel Harbour. From $332 a night, sleeps two. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy. Images: courtesy of Airbnb.
Patricia Coffee Brewers might seem simple on the surface, perhaps yet another Melbourne cafe crammed into a barely workable space. But look again. As one of the first spots in the city to charm drinkers with a tiny standing room-only space, it's the mixture of old-school allure and Melbourne sensibilities that has coffee lovers – literally – lining up outside the door every morning (and afternoon). Since its opening in December 2011, this inconspicuous slice of the city has gone about serving excellent coffee that it roasts itself — white, black or filter — in its own simple way. It's the little details that make Patricia stand out from the crowd: the beautiful marble bar, gentle white ceramic cups, handmade brass hooks, leather aprons and a carefully selected array of reading material. A small selection of pastries on offer changes daily and complements the black brew, all sourced from local suppliers, including All Are Welcome, Mörk, Small Batch and Sucette. Visit on a day when canelés are behind the glass, and you might just end up with a special Patricia creation called a Clouds Mountains: an affogato served with one of these pastries right in the middle of it. Like the most beautiful, elegant dame you know, Patricia manages to hit the flawless spot between great product, delightful service and strong aesthetic consideration. Despite its specialty approach to coffee, the best thing about Patricia remains its accessibility and extremely welcoming service. Be prepared for a rough — almost neverending — peak hour; learn how to duck and fold and, if you're lucky, score one of the coveted perches at the beautiful bay windows. Bask underneath the 'Sunshine' neon installation looming from the ceiling, or enjoy the few minutes you have to take a quick read of the daily news that you'll find expertly pinned to the back wall. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Coffee in Melbourne
True-crime documentaries aren't just having a moment. They've been monopolising everyone's viewing lists for the past decade, and making us all fans of the gripping genre in the process. The secret (well, other than the thousands of secrets each true-crime doco is brimming with)? The breadth of topics, because this field can cover everything from fast food scams and unsettling cults to personal quests to catch an elusive serial killer. No matter the subject matter, scenario, illicit acts or people responsible, great true-crime documentaries all have two other things in common: they're impossible to stop watching once you've started, and they'll make you want to seek out more once your series of choice has come to an end. Of course, there are so many to choose from, so we've teamed up with streaming service Binge to pick five standouts that you can feast your eyes on right now — including via a 14-day free trial for new customers.
It's official: on Monday, March 31, 2025, you'll need to subscribe to a new streaming service if you want to watch HBO shows in Australia. In 2024, the US network confirmed that it was bringing Max, its dedicated platform, Down Under in 2025. Now it has locked in the launch date. And yes, that timing means that you'll need to sign up to see the second season of The Last of Us. From House of the Dragon, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and any other Game of Thrones spinoffs through to Euphoria and upcoming IT prequel series Welcome to Derry, HBO's lengthy list of must-see TV shows will have their own dedicated platform in Australia. The American station's streamer debuted in America in 2020, and has been rolling out through Latin America, the Caribbean, parts of Europe and Japan since as well, before setting its sights on Aussie audiences. While the great streaming service rush, when new platforms seemed to appear every few weeks or so, is a few years in the past, HBO bringing Max to Australia is huge news. At present, the US network's shows largely screen and stream to Aussie viewers via Binge and Foxtel. When the former launched, boasting HBO's catalogue was one of its big selling points. The deal between Binge, Foxtel and Warner Bros Discovery — which owns HBO — was extended in 2023, but it was reported at the time, accurately so it proves, that Max might debut in Australia from 2025. While the platform will be available direct to consumers via its website and app stores — so you'll sign up for it by itself — for viewing via mobile, tablet, gaming consoles and connected TV, it will still keep a connection with Foxtel. If you subscribe to the pay-TV service, you'll get access to the Max app without paying extra. For everyone else, details about Max's subscription options, which'll include premium, standard and an ad-supported tier, are still to come — as is pricing. HBO shows — HBO Originals and Max Originals alike — aren't all that's heading to Max. Warner Bros Discovery's stable of brands includes Warner Bros (of course), the DC Universe, Harry Potter, Discovery, Cartoon Network, TLC, ID and HGTV, to name a few. Max will also show movies from Warner Bros Pictures, including recent cinema releases such as Barbie, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice and Twisters. The Lord of the Rings and DC Universe franchises, And Just Like That..., Friends, Rick and Morty: they're just some of the other movies and TV shows that will be on Max as well. HBO is also behind The White Lotus, True Detective, The Rehearsal, The Penguin, Dune spinoff Prophecy, The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, The Wire, Oz, Deadwood, Big Love, True Blood, Big Little Lies, Westworld, Succession, The Larry Sanders Show, Sex and the City, Flight of the Conchords, Bored to Death, Girls, Veep, Barry, Enlightened — and plenty more. "We've been clear that the globalisation of Max is a top priority, and Australia represents one of our biggest new markets and a significant opportunity to delight even more fans with the incredible stories told by our iconic brands. Combining an unrivalled breadth of high-quality content, legendary franchises and a strong product experience, Australians can look forward to the highest-calibre streaming proposition from March 31," said JB Perrette, CEO and President of Global Streaming and Games at WBD. "WBD has a long history in Australia, and we know our world-class content from HBO, Warner Bros, Discovery and more is incredibly popular with audiences here. We have a clear strategy to maximise reach through our direct-to-consumer app and distribution partnerships, and our collaboration with Foxtel at launch is a testament to that. We can't wait for fans across the country to experience Max," added WBD Australia and New Zealand General Manager Michael Brooks. Max launches in Australia on Monday, March 31, 2025 — head to the streaming service's website for more details.
The Smith in Prahran, known for its delicate share plates and thoughtful wine and cocktail list, is a gastropub that with a difference. Former director of both Taxi and Circa, the Smith's Scott Borg has created a venue to be enjoyed by every diner and drinker alike. With a bar and courtyard, striking dining space, and two function rooms, this Prahran resident has it all. Aptly titled, Mr Smith (dark leather, masculine fittings) and Mrs Smith (bright white walls and minimalist features), aesthetic photo-worthy angles are all over this joint. Chef Michael Lambie, also of Taxi and Circa, has created a contemporary and creative menu designed to be shared, with dishes such as sticky pork belly, tempura rockling fillets, and roast spiced cauliflower feasted on by guests. Images: Giulia Morlando. Appears in: The Best Bottomless Brunches in Melbourne for 2023
Nestled into Belgrave and the Dandenong Ranges for over a century, the Micawber Tavern has long been a popular pitstop before or after a trip to Puffy Billy or the 1000 Steps Walk. Yet the venue is entering its next chapter following its recent purchase by Julien Moussi's Only Hospitality Group for a cool $4.7-million. Now, with numerous exciting changes in the works, taking this local institution to even greater heights is firmly on the agenda. Under Moussi's guidance, this proud Irish pub will extend its previous service to open every day of the week for lunch and dinner. While a new menu is still a work in progress, diners can expect a seasonal uplift where fresh and inventive cuisine becomes a top priority. Plus, the recently renovated Micawber Quarters accommodation is now open for bookings, while plans are moving in the right direction to renew the pub's beer garden with native plants that complement the surrounding landscape. "The Micawber Tavern has a rich history and is a true landmark in Belgrave. My team and I look forward to building upon the pub's strong foundation, enhancing its offering and ensuring it remains a key destination in the area," says Moussi. As a leading figure in Melbourne's hospitality scene, Moussi and the Only Hospitality Group are behind several venue revitalisations, including the Hotel Collingwood and Hawthorn's The Beehive Hotel. Meanwhile, venues also under the group's ownership include the Hobson Bay Hotel, Pavilion Geelong, Caledonia Shores, My Other Brother and Pantry Glen Iris. Plus, Moussi is the founder and director of Inglewood Coffee Roasters, whose beans keep countless locals awake day in and day out. So, with this much experience to draw on, it's safe to say the historic Micawber Tavern is in good hands. As a beloved local watering hole immersed in lush foliage, the venue offers a choice visit during blissful sunshine in the warmer months or a cosy retreat from the cold once the weather turns south. Either way, visitors will usually find live music in the beer garden or inviting fireside dining – not to mention perfectly poured pints of Guinness. "This is an exciting next chapter for the Micawber Tavern. Julien's expertise in hospitality will ensure this iconic venue continues to thrive, creating more memorable experiences for the locals and visitors who love this pub," says Paul Jones, managing director of Jones Real Estate, who facilitated this significant acquisition. The Micawber Tavern is open Monday–Thursday from 12pm–10pm, Friday from 12pm–12am and Saturday–Sunday from 11am–10pm at 65/71 Monbulk Rd, Belgrave. Head to the website for more information.
