Mānuka Phuel SYNTHONY Festival, one of Australasia's largest one-day dance music festivals, is returning on Saturday, March 21, 2026. The grass parklands of the Pukekawa Auckland Domain will transform into a high-energy open-air dance floor, backed by the power of a full and live orchestra. Known for pushing the boundaries of live performance, SYNTHONY blends global dance anthems and New Zealand's rich culture with the power of a live orchestra, DJs, vocalists, and immersive visuals. As the sun sets over the Pukekawa Auckland Domain, the energy builds into a night designed for music lovers seeking something bigger and bolder than a standard concert, and it serves as the perfect catalyst for a New Zealand holiday. This year's lineup brings serious weight. SYNTHONY No.7 returns with a brand new set list while UK electronic music act, Faithless, is headlining the night. Other DJs and musicians on the lineup include Peking Duk, Shapeshifter, Hot Dub Time Machine, Kaylee Bell, Made You Look, The Black Seeds, and The Exponents. Taking place across two stages, the festival also features food and beverage villages, entertainment activations, and rides. The festival kicks off from 3.00pm NZDT for a celebration of live music, New Zealand culture, dancing and festivities. What to do in Auckland The Pukekawa Auckland Domain is located just minutes from the CBD, making SYNTHONY the perfect reason to book a weekend escape in the New Zealand city. Nearby accommodation options include Cordis Hotel, Auckland, a comfortable city base with an easy run to and from the Pukekawa Auckland Domain. If you're looking for a group accommodation option, Pullman Auckland Hotel & Apartments is a luxury 5-star hotel located close to Albert Park and the city centre, helping you to see the most of Auckland. Beyond the festival, Pukekawa Auckland Domain's central location gives you plenty of daytime options to explore the city. Auckland War Memorial Museum sits within the same parkland, making it an easy post-festival activity. The nearby Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki also offers a creative, city-centre cultural stop that balances the high-energy night with something distinctly Auckland before you head home. Use the Mānuka Phuel SYNTHONY Festival as your excuse to head to New Zealand and explore all that Auckland has to offer. Buy SYNTHONY tickets here. Discover Auckland Image credit: Supplied
For the creatively inclined, the best gifts are the ones that spark ideas — something they can hang, play, read, make or experience. This year's standout presents blend form and imagination, spanning gallery-worthy homewares, design-focused objects, limited-edition prints and culture-rich outings across music, theatre and the visual arts. Whether they're a dedicated gallery hopper or simply appreciate beautiful things, we've gathered thoughtful options that celebrate creativity in all its forms — and offer something a little more memorable than the usual stocking filler. Shopping for someone who thinks with their tastebuds? Explore our guide to the best small-batch foodie gifts. Disco Never Dies Tickets, Sydney Symphony Orchestra Relive the glory days of disco as the Sydney Symphony Orchestra brings the era's biggest hits back to life. Expect powerhouse vocals from Paulini, Emma Donovan and Jess Hitchcock, all led by conductor Carlo Antonioli. Grab your flares and get moving 'cos the dance floor awaits. In partnership with the SSO. Shop now. Jex Vinyl Stand, Idle Hands A minimal, sculptural vinyl stand that puts their favourite album artwork on display. Ideal for the design-minded listener who treats records like objects to admire. Shop now. Conversation Cards, Project Planet A beautifully illustrated deck designed to prompt thoughtful chats about creativity, culture and the world around us. A meaningful choice for reflective types. Shop now. Ticketek Gift Voucher, Ticketek Perfect for anyone who loves a night out, this voucher unlocks access to gigs, theatre, comedy, festivals and more. A reliably excellent choice for culture lovers. Shop now. One-Year Subscription, Overland A thoughtful gift for voracious readers, offering three print editions of Australia's longest-running literary magazine. Shop now. Cupid's Cup, Jean Riley A hand-blown piece that balances sentiment and sculptural form. A beautiful addition to any art lover's daily ritual. Shop now. Limited Edition Prints, Sunday Salon A curated selection of prints from upcoming artists, like this one by Brisbane-based painter Mia Boe. Shop now. David Shrigley 2026 Calendar, Hands A playful, month-by-month dose of Shrigley's signature wit and irreverent drawings. A smart pick for desks and studios. Shop now. Tears of the Sun Mug, Jardan A hand-painted stoneware mug with vibrant detailing that brings a little brightness to morning routines. Practical, but with artistic flair. Shop now. Candelabra by Candlelight Class, Hilary Green A hands-on session where participants shape their own sculptural candleholders in a warm, atmospheric studio. A uniquely memorable experience. Shop now. Instax Mini LiPlay, Fujifilm A hybrid instant camera that prints photos on the spot. Ideal for capturing concerts, exhibitions and creative days out. Shop now. Rano Coaster, Tanora Handwoven using traditional techniques, these organic coasters bring subtle texture and beauty to the home. A simple, thoughtful gesture. Shop now. Entwined Vase by Rachel Disalvo, Rachel Disalvo Studio Bold, contemporary ceramaics from emerging Australian artist Rachel Disalvo. Each piece adds energy and personality to a room. Shop now. Mirka Mora Bridge Set, Third Drawer Down A collectible set featuring Mirka Mora's distinctive artwork. Equal parts game and keepsake, it's a nostalgic nod to one of Australia's most beloved artists. Shop now. Guerrilla Girls Tea Towel, Heide Museum Store A striking tea towel from the legendary feminist art collective. Functional, political and unmistakably eye-catching. Shop now. 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.
Maybe you share your home with a very good pooch who likes sprawling out on soft surfaces. Perhaps your live-in company is a frequently slumbering feline who can turn anything — and we mean anything — into a bed. Either way, tell your pet that they're about to get comfier. Tell them to relinquish ownership of any Hommey cushions and throws they've taken as their own, too, because the homewares brand has just released a dog- and -cat-friendly collection. Hommey's first-ever pet range goes big on cosiness, just for your furry friends rather than for you. That said, the line looks so comfortable that you might find yourself snuggling up with your pupper or mouser while atop its soft memory-foam mattresses, resting on its bone-shaped pillows and beneath its cosy faux-fur blankets. First, those beds. Ranging from $159–229 in price, they're available in small and medium sizes, and in an array of colours including olive, cherry, stone, raven, milkshake, lilac, latte, blush, duke, marshmallow, mushroom, coffee, tan and rose. The covers come off so that you can pop them in the wash when your pet has given them a bit too much love, plus they come in either durable boucle fabric or faux fur. For popping on top, the bone-shaped cushions are decked out in almost as many colours, and in the same choice of fabrics. These cost $29 and, depending on the size of your pooch, can even be carried out in their mouth. As well as blankets priced at $49 completing the treat-your-pet set, the Hommey pet collection also spans leads ($49) and collars ($39) in a heap of hues. "Outside of playing with dogs everyday, the challenge of finding the perfect mix of function, style, convenience and affordability has been a fun process," said Hommey Founder and Chief Comfort Officer Justin Kestelman. "We love creating products that work to solve a problem, and over 12 months of development and testing our products with 30-plus owner/pets it's so exciting to see this come to life." The Hommey pet collection is on sale now — head to the Hommey website for further details.
When you're on the hunt for traditional, home-style Italian food, try Carlton's Kaprica. Just off Swanston Street, before you get to the main Melbourne Uni campus, this rustic little eatery keeps the menu short, sweet and handwritten. Take a few friends along and get a couple of pizzas ($24 each for a large), some garlic chilli prawns ($16) and a salad to share. There's also a couple more entrees, plus butternut pumpkin risotto ($22), gnocchi with buffalo mozzarella and basil ($24), and three simple spaghetti dishes. Sip wine from latte glasses and eat like you're on holiday in Italy. Images: Josie Withers/Visit Victoria.
On Richmond's Bridge Road, Mt View Hotel takes a classic sports pub and steps things up a notch. The ground-level bar features a sea of big screens to catch whatever game is playing. There are pool tables and more TVs dotted around the middle floors. But what might be Melbourne's best-kept secret is on the roof: A Bar Above has 360-degree views of the city skyline. Find your way upstairs for sunset or to grab a couple of beers with mates after a match at The 'G. When it comes to food, the kitchen makes its way across the globe. Bites like duck spring rolls and hot honey popcorn chicken satisfy in the snacks section. There's tacos filled with Argentinian steak, crispy fish or braised king oyster mushrooms. The burger bar pushes classics to their limits. And then there's a whole bunch of pub favourites, including a roster of specials. Monday is for seafood with a $22 deal on fish and chips, calamari and chips or the seafood basket and chips. Tuesdays are reserved for trivia and $15 tacos. Wednesday brings big parma energy – grab one for $23 and add a pot of Balter XPA for $7. And Thursday is steak night, where you can choose a sirloin for under $30 or the eye fillet for under $50. When it comes to drinks, Australian and New Zealand wines dominate the list. The taps include a whole bunch of craft and big-name beers. And cocktail specials often spotlight Tassie gins or seasonal spritz.
Valentine's Day has a way of sneaking up on us. Held just as the year gets going (hello, back to school), it's easy for plans to turn into a last-minute scramble. If you have kids, this feeling triples. Valentine's Day often brings a babysitter cancellation, a late meeting, daycare germs, or a sudden realisation that leaving the house together isn't happening. But staying in on the most romantic night of the year doesn't have to mean settling for baked beans on toast. With the right moves, a date night at home might even be the most romantic plan of all. Let Someone Else Handle Dinner Fewer takeaways may have been one of your New Year's resolutions, but a last-minute Valentine's Day date is a good excuse. Ordering food from your favourite restaurant via a delivery app like DoorDash means no cooking, no washing up, and a real 'treat yourself' moment. With the weight of "What's for dinner?" taken off your shoulders, your date night at home is off to a great start. Focus On Atmosphere, Not Grand Gestures Not everyone needs grand romantic gestures — especially not exhausted parents who are just trying to get through the day. Your at-home date night doesn't need a full set re-design, but rather, a few signals that the night is more special than the average. Get rid of daily clutter and set the table properly (maybe even with the fancy crockery), dim the lights, light a candle or two and swap the TV background for music. These small details can help elevate your night from just another evening into a romantic date night. If you realise that something is missing from your evening, whether that be a bottle of wine, flowers or their favourite chocolate, DoorDash also offers fast and reliable delivery for any last-minute needs. Use The Flexibility To Your Advantage Staying in means there's no schedule to adhere to: no restaurant reservations, concert start times, or babysitter curfews. You can eat earlier, later, or in stages if your kids are little. This flexibility can sometimes be a relief for parents managing it all. Once the house is quiet, spend the evening however you please, whether that be with a board game you've been meaning to get to, a movie on the couch, or just staying up chatting without distraction. Keep Expectations Realistic As with New Year's Eve, the pressure around Valentine's Day often stems from trying to make it exceptional. But by staying in and making the night your own (last-minute or otherwise), you can take the pressure off the evening and just enjoy each other's company. Because, as many parents know, sometimes having no plans can be the best plan of all. Head to DoorDash to see what restaurants are available in your area this Valentine's Day. Image Credit: Supplied and Getty Image
Ever wondered how that one friend on your Instagram feed is always seeing shows even though they're always complaining about a lack of cash — surely they don't have enough for rent and regular spenno theatre tickets? Well, chances are, they've just got the inside scoop on where to score cheap tix. And now you do, too. Having a student ID, a concession card or being under 30 will help you here — but even if you don't, there are heaps of discounts out there to help you score cheapies. Check 'em out below. [caption id="attachment_757458" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria/Roberto Seba[/caption] ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE'S TIXATSIX As the central hub of Melbourne's arts community, Arts Centre Melbourne wants to make sure its hundreds of performances a year are accessible to everyone. So, in the name of spontaneity and making things affordable, the tixatsix program slings at least 20 tickets for $30 a pop every night of the week (well, every night there's a show on). Just head to the big spire on St Kilda Road and find the Arts Centre Melbourne Level 5 box office, and from 6pm you can purchase a max of two tickets per person to a random performance happening that night. If you want to make sure it's something you're actually interested in, each night's offerings are revealed at the box office from 5pm. [caption id="attachment_658506" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rene Valle[/caption] RUSH TICKETS AT MELBOURNE THEATRE COMPANY Australia's oldest professional theatre company is known for staging awe-inspiring productions starring the biggest names in Australian theatre — so it's no surprise that its performances sell out more often than not. Thankfully, there's a bunch of different options for a cheap or last-minute culture fix. Grab your concession, student or MEAA union card and make tracks to the box office two hours before any performance to buy concession rush tickets. Folks aged under 30 also get 50 percent off tickets to mainstay productions, and most shows offer concession prices. The Seat Savers program is also a good one — from 11am–4pm every Tuesday, concession or student card holders can access $25 tickets to the following week's performances, available at the box office or online. [caption id="attachment_674451" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Harry Potter and The Cursed Child by Manuel Harlan[/caption] $40 TICKETS TO HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD If you baulked at the astronomical price of the blockbuster play about everyone's favourite boy wizard, you wouldn't be alone. The epic production is staged over two performances, doubling the cost if you want to see the whole show. Throw your pointy hat in The Friday Forty ring instead and you just might win the chance to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child for under a hundred bucks. The digital lottery is open from Monday to Friday each week, with the winners notified between 1–5pm every Friday. Winners score the opportunity to buy tickets for $40 a pop (so $80 for consecutive performances of the two parts) for shows the following week. HALFTIX MELBOURNE Longtime theatre enthusiasts will be all over this one, so it's time the rest of you realised this gem is at your fingertips. Halftix Melbourne is our answer to Broadway's Times Square ticket seller — you can buy heavily discounted last-minute tickets here for shows happening that night. Plus, as well as standard plays and musicals, it sells tickets to other events and tours. The crew updates the website each morning with the day's deals, but you have to actually physically go into the Little Collins Street office to purchase. Pre-COVID, Halftix was selling cheap tickets to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 1.5 hours before showtime. Note: Halftix Melbourne is currently on hiatus, but returns with limited hours (Tuesday to Saturday) from Tuesday, February 2. OPERA AUSTRALIA'S $20 TICKETS If a night at the opera has always seemed completely unattainable — or an expense you just can't justify — here's your chance. The Susan and Isaac Wakil Foundation Access Program supports heavily subsidised tickets to Opera Australia shows at the Arts Centre Melbourne. You just have to fill out a little survey here to enter the ballot, then you could win the chance to buy two tickets to the opera for only 20 bucks each. This year's season includes the debut Australian tour for Malta's 'young Pavarotti', Joseph Calleja. Time to get out your fancy clothes and dust off those heels for next week's date night. [caption id="attachment_757462" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Teresa Noble[/caption] PREVIEW SHOWS AT RED STITCH ACTORS' THEATRE For a show that's a little more independent, St Kilda's Red Stitch Actors' Theatre is front and centre in Australia's contemporary performing arts scene. And the tiny theatre offers pretty sweet deals for cheap tickets. Preview tickets (usually shows in the week leading up to the official opening night) for all Red Stitch productions are only $23 — less than half the standard $55 ticket price. There are also limited $15 rush tickets for those with a concession, full-time student or MEAA card, available from the box office half an hour before show time. Otherwise, full-time students and people under 30 pay just $29. [caption id="attachment_734113" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria/Josie Withers[/caption] ONLINE BARGAINS ALL AROUND TOWN Perfect for those that don't fall under the coveted concession/student/industry insider/under 30 category — and for those that want to secure a discount from the comfort of their own home — there are a few different authorised third-party sellers to keep an eye on. Once it returns post-COVID, check Lasttix for discounted shows and events (including films and other arty attractions), or head to Today Tix for last-minute deals to performances up to 30 days in advance of show time — these guys run the aforementioned Friday Forty for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Or, check out Tix to enter digital discount lotteries for big productions at venues like the Regent and Comedy theatres.
For 50 years, Australia's contribution to music, theatre, opera, circus and dance has been catalogued and preserved, and sometimes exhibited, all thanks to the Australian Performing Arts Collection. At Arts Centre Melbourne, more than 850,000 objects sit within this repository, the nation's largest dedicated to hitting a stage. That's a collection worth putting on display permanently, even if every single item obviously can't always be in the spotlight. From December 2025, the new Australian Museum of Performing Arts at Hamer Hall will do just that — aka showcase the country's performing arts legacy, successes and history for the public to enjoy. The new museum is launching in two phases in the Victorian capital: the first, arriving before this year is out, will span nearly 500 square metres, all devoted to performing arts exhibitions; then the second, which doesn't have a launch date as yet, will expand the space to around 800 square metres. AMPA will both put its own items on display and host touring international showcases. Which exhibition it'll open with in December is set to be revealed in September. The Australian Performing Arts Collection truly is a treasure trove, featuring costumes and objects from the likes of Kylie Minogue, Hugh Jackman, Nick Cave, Peter Allen and Chrissy Amphlett, plus dames Nellie Melba, Joan Sutherland and Olivia Newton-John. The Australian Ballet, Circus Oz, Melbourne Theatre Company and Opera Australia are among the Aussie arts institutions also featured. Again, while exactly what will be on display come December 2025 hasn't been revealed, the collection includes items such as Minogue's gold hot pants from the 'Spinning Around' music video, threads worn by Jackman in The Boy From Oz, Cave's visual journal aka the Handmade Book, maracas shaken by Allen, a tunic worn by Amphlett and the leather jacket of AC/DC lead singer Bon Scott. In addition, it boasts a Jean-Philippe Worth cloak donned by Melba in Lohengrin more than a century ago, a costume worn by Sutherland in 1972's Lucrezia Borgia for the Vancouver Opera, Helen Reddy's Grammy Award for 'I Am Woman', a set model for the Priscilla, Queen of the Desert stage musical — and much more. [caption id="attachment_1003659" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Corset worn by Kylie Minogue, Intimate and Live tour, 1998. Designed by William Baker. Gift of Kylie Minogue, Cultural Gifts Program, 2004. Australian Performing Arts Collection, Arts Centre Melbourne. Photo: Narelle Wilson Photography.[/caption] Historically – and until AMPA opens — the collection's pieces are usually seen in Hamer Hall and the Theatres Building's foyer displays at Arts Centre Melbourne, the Australian Music Vault, on behind-the-scenes Collection Store Tours at Hamer Hall, and if they're on loan to other institutions. "I'm so pleased to be bringing to life the long-held vision to make the riches of the Australian Performing Arts Collection more accessible to the Victorian community through new and expanded spaces," said Arts Centre Melbourne CEO Karen Quinlan. "Through treasured objects, iconic performers and a rich theatrical legacy, AMPA will enable us to share with the world the incredible performing arts history and stories of the stages of Australia and beyond." [caption id="attachment_1003660" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photograph of band Divinyls performing at Subiaco Oval on Australian Made Tour, 1987. Photograph by Bob King. Gift of The Age, 1995. Australian Performing Arts Collection, Arts Centre Melbourne.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1003661" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Costume worn by Hugh Jackman in The Boy from Oz, 2006. Designed by Roger Kirk. Gift of BFO Arena Pty Ltd, 2009. Donated in memory of Ben Gannon. Australian Performing Arts Collection, Arts Centre Melbourne. Photo: Narelle Wilson Photography.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1003662" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Set model bus for Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Australian production, 2006. Designed by Brian Thomson. Gift of Brian Thomson, Cultural Gifts Program, 2015. Australian Performing Arts Collection, Arts Centre Melbourne. Photo: Narelle Wilson Photography.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1003663" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shoes worn by Dame Nellie Melba. Gift of Pamela, Lady Vestey, 1977. Australian Performing Arts Collection, Arts Centre Melbourne. Photo: Narelle Wilson Photography.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1003664" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photograph of Dale Woodbridge-Brown, TWENTYSIXTEEN, Circus Oz, 2016. Photograph by Rob Blackburn. Gift of Circus Oz, 2023. Australian Performing Arts Collection, Arts Centre Melbourne.[/caption] The Australian Museum of Performing Arts will open at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, Southbank, in December 2025. Head to the venue's website for more details. Renders: Scharp.
This urban beer bar occupies a prime Southbank location, offering plenty of beers, garden vibes, killer food and river views. Pull up a stool in Hopscotch's leafy beer garden with a pint from one of the 52 taps, or a tasting paddle for the true beer enthusiasts. As well as a rotating selection of Aussie wines, there's a decent list of sweet and fruity cocktails, plus spiked slushies and cocktail tasting paddles. The food menu is divided into bar snacks, dishes you can eat one-handed, and those that'll take two. Then there are bowls, a Winner Winner Chicken Dinner to share between four, a nitro ice cream bar and mega steak and chicken sangas — these come as one- or two-foot sandwiches with bottomless fries on the side.
Husband and wife team John and Kerry Sartori have been supplying Melbourne's vintage lovers with all their 70s, 80s and 90s retro needs since 1995. Luckily, unlike other secondhand stores, the racks at American Vintage are always easy to explore, so finding that limited edition dark denim wrangler jacket, or scoring a pair of USA Levi's signed by Australian actor Eric Banner, isn't out of the question. In case you couldn't tell from the name, it's all very Americana – which means checkered flannels and Harley Davidson tops galore. But hey, that's the point. Images: Parker Blain.
There are few drinks that divide opinion more than the ultimate breakfast of champions, that elixir of hangovers: the Bloody Mary. After all, to what other drink is it essential that you add a generous measure of hot sauce, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish and whatever the hell else takes your fancy? The Bloody Mary can come in so many different incarnations that it can be hard to keep up. No wonder everyone has their own spin. The Bloody Mary is as individual as its drinker, and there are some that will scour a city's bars and cafes in the quest of personal perfection. That's exactly what's happened here, and we can safely state that after some extensive and truly difficult research, these are the drinks worth making the trip for. THE CATFISH, FITZROY When the guy stirring up the drinks tells you that he makes his own Bloody Mary spice mix, and then lists more ingredients for the mix than you can count on all your fingers, it's safe to say that your drink is probably going to be pretty spesh. The Catfish have the Bloody Mary down pat. Just the right blend of warmth and spice without being too demanding on the palate, it's exactly what a poor hungover soul needs. The blend is perfection, and because it's pre-mixed they can pump them out when they need to, which means that you won't be waiting 15 minutes for your drink. Plus, every time you get one it'll be just as amazing as the last time. You're a spice demon? No fear – they're happy to tailor the heat to your liking. Usually retails at $16 from Monday to Saturday, but they do 'em for $10 on Sundays (just when you need it the most, amirite?) and they'll even serve it with a smile. [caption id="attachment_604269" align="alignnone" width="1280"] isniced via Instagram[/caption] LEONARD'S HOUSE OF LOVE, SOUTH YARRA After The Sweetwater Inn closed we feared we wouldn't find a Bloody Mary as good in South Yarra again. Thankfully the same crew has opened a new venue just around the corner — and while the menu is different, they're still kept a place for their bang-on Bloody Marys. At Leonard's, they're served with a generous garnish of pickles and olives and sometimes a Pringle rim. And, you can't see here, but it's served in a glass shaped like a boot. It's too perfect. LE BON TON, COLLINGWOOD Did someone say smoke? Holy shit, guys. Almost everything in the Le Bon Ton Mary is home-crafted and house-made. They smoke their own peppers and include their own house-made pickle juice, chuck in some red and green Tabasco ('cos they fancy), and even garnish the drink with a cute skewer of their house pickles. The drink, on the whole, has quite a sweet mouthfeel, with a real punch of smoky flavours rolling in to finish things up. At $18 a go they aren't the most economical of the bunch, but smoked-goods aficionados need to give this one a try. [caption id="attachment_604261" align="alignnone" width="1280"] charbeid81 via Instagram[/caption] BORSCH, VODKA & TEARS, WINDSOR Borsch is a stalwart, and a damn fine one at that. Sitting pretty on Chapel Street since 2006, the team at BVT know their drinks, and with not one, but five variations on the theme, you're sure to find a Mary that you like. The menu lists options like the Bloody Gringo featuring coriander vodka and a floating corn chip; the Zorba Mary with oregano, feta and a Kalamata olive; the Bloody Mary with rosemary, horseradish and caperberries; and the Chiang Mai(Ry) which is a spicy chilli brew laced with a coriander vodka. They also rock a classic BM with 'enough veg to skip breakfast' and even have a 'sides' option, where you can pimp your Bloody Mary with natural oysters, some truffled mushrooms or fried whitebait, among other goodies. All the Marys come in at the $14 mark and, with some damn fine breakfast offerings too, you'll find yourself in hangover heaven. THE POST, ST KILDA All the way down the end of St Kilda Road on the corner of Inkerman sits The Post. They've gone through an uplifting refurb, had a bit of a makeover, and now boast a fairly superb eating/drinking menu. Part of that, of course, is a pretty tasty Bloody Mary. To make theirs, the bar use horseradish, a splash of red wine (for balance) and throw in a couple of special touches, delivering a great Bloody Mary that blends all of the elements nicely. You can enjoy your drink in the courtyard and take in the ambience at one of the more historic watering holes of St Kilda. $17 a hit. THE RUM DIARY, FITZROY Anyone who makes their own pickles gets a tick. And anyone who makes their own pickles and then throws some of those pickles into a Bloody Mary gets a very big tick. The Rum Diary team make a damn good Bloody Mary and will spice it up as you like to ensure that you're completely satisfied with what you're imbibing. You can pull up a seat at the bar or lounge at one of the tables out front, and with a nice long bar and a top capacity of around 60, you won't be waiting long for service. The only drawback is that the guys don't open before 2pm on weekends — but, really, you're probably not going to be able to face the day before then, are you? $18 each but the price can go up depending on your spirit of choice. [caption id="attachment_604265" align="alignnone" width="1280"] threelittlefish via Instagram[/caption] THE GALLEON, ST KILDA The Galleon have been doing Bloody Marys in St Kilda since before you were old enough to have a hangover. The Mary here can be found straight-up or with a little bit of variety, and while The Galleon do breakfast exceptionally well, they're no slouch in the drinks area, neither. You can order the standard Mary with Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce and lemon, or if you're feeling adventurous you can sample the Spanish Mary, which has an olive theme, the Evil Mary with extra chilli and Tabasco, or the Smoking Mary, which is laced with chipotle sauce and bacon salt. You can also 86 your veg intake with the Muscle Mary, which boasts a veritable garden patch of pickle, radish and carrot. The drinks are all between $12.50 and $14.50, and when you combine excellent food and drinks with their chilled atmosphere and well-worn chairs and decor, you might just start to feel better. KODIAK CLUB, FITZROY Does it count if they use Clamato? Of course it does. You just call it a Caesar. This American-themed bourbon bar has a staggeringly excellent selection of drinks and bar snacks, and if you're in the mood for an American fix, you gotta head here. Downside is that they don't open until 5pm on Saturdays and 6pm on Sunday, but hell, if you gotta have a Caesar there's really no better option. Pair it with some of their infamous Buffalo wings and you'll be set. WIDE OPEN ROAD, BRUNSWICK With the subtle signage and brick finish, Wide Open Road comes to life as soon as you step through the door. The cafe offers a lot more than the unassuming shopfront suggests — including brunch-perfect Bloody Marys as a side to your bacon sandwich. Made with a green tomato/red tomato mega mix and boasting bags of spice, it's how life's real adventurers start the day. THE GEM, COLLINGWOOD Two words: candied bacon. That's what comes atop your Bloody Mary at The Gem — the ultimate garnish for the ultimate cocktail. Further strengthening their BM game is the fact that they're only 10 bucks every day of the week. Pair it with their signature American barbecue and you've got the perfect kick-on brunch. Top image: Borsch, Vodka & Tears.
At a time when we've all been spending more of our minutes, hours, days and months on home turf, Instagram has just launched a new feature to help you make the most of it — and to help throw some love towards all of the small businesses in your area. Hitting the social media platform from today, Tuesday, September 14, the new 'Map Search' function lets you use Instagram to find restaurants, bars, shops and venues near you. Can't decide where to grab lunch? Looking for a hair salon in your vicinity? This'll assist. How does it work? Map Search uses a map (obviously) that highlights popular tagged locations. You might've seen these spots pop up in your feed anyway, and you could've even tagged some yourself. And, you can access the new function in a few different ways. You'll see an icon in Instagram's Explore feature, which is where you can hit up the map, and even filter locations by fields such as salons and restaurants. You'll also now see maps pop up whenever you search for particular hashtags — the very pandemic-appropriate #takeaway, for instance — which'll then highlight the relevant places that fit the hashtag near you. The aim: to support small businesses, and to help Instagram users do the same. Thinking local has been one of the mantras of the past 18 months or so, due to lockdowns, restrictions and border closures — and we all know that the hospitality industry, and small businesses in general, have been doing it tough during the pandemic. Map Search also helps give small businesses a boost on a platform plenty of them are using, and that many of us are using to find them anyway. So, the proprietors of restaurants, bars and shops get another way to be seen by potential customers, and patrons get another way to discover their local haunts. Fancy looking further afield? While Map Search definitely lets you find places immediately around you, users can also search anywhere they like. Either pinch and drag the map to wherever you're interested in, click on an Instagram geotag — which'll bring up the map, so you can start searching from there — or just type wherever you're looking for into Explore. For more information about Instagram's new Map Search function, head to the social media platform's website.
The Whitsundays are a tropical paradise. Travellers generally head to these islands to spend days roaming along the white sandy beaches, snorkelling around the Great Barrier Reef and escaping their hectic lives...until screaming kids ruin the peace. That's why so many people book themselves into adults-only resorts — especially for parents who just need a well-deserved break — when seeking the ultimate Whitsundays holiday. And you don't even need an entire hotel or resort to yourself — many places have large sections dedicated to adults, leaving the kids to hide away on the other side of the property. Here are our favourites in The Whitsundays. QUALIA It doesn't get much more luxurious than Qualia — and the world certainly knows it, with the five-star resort scooping up dozens of tourism awards since it opened in 2008. Qualia is based on Hamilton Island's northernmost tip and boasts world-class dining, a spa and 60 pavilions filled with top-notch amenities — including some with their very own plunge pool and outdoor shower. The resort offers a number of unforgettable experiences, like private charters around The Whitsundays, helicopter flights over the Great Barrier Reef and guided food and wine tastings at the Long Pavilion fine diner. Every aspect of Qualia, from its design to its services, is shaped to encourage relaxation. As such, the entire resort is not only 18-plus but is also only accessible to guests. We've teamed up with Qualia to offer readers an exclusive package via Concrete Playground Trips. Enjoy four nights in an ocean-view pavilion, daily breakfast, a gourmet dinner, VIP transfers and chauffeur service around Hamilton Island, a full-day helicopter tour and more. Book now from $8795 for two. BEACH CLUB HAMILTON ISLAND This luxury beachfront hotel is entirely adults-only. That means no children in the hallways, infinity pool or restaurant, so you can holiday peacefully. But, the kid-free aspect of Beach Club Hamilton Island isn't the only drawcard of this accommodation. Each of the 57 modern rooms also faces Catseye Beach and has its own private balcony. There's plenty to see and do on Hamilton Island, but if you want to stay in your adults-only oasis, then feel free to order from the club's restaurant and eat and drink by the pool all day long. You also have access to catamarans, paddleboards, windsurfing gear and tennis courts — included in the price of your room. INTERCONTINENTAL HAYMAN ISLAND RESORT This is not strictly adults-only accommodation, but InterContinental's Hayman Island Resort boasts a huge new section of the island, entirely free of children. To access this part of the resort, you'll have to book into one of the impressive beachfront pavilions (which overlook a beach where kids aren't allowed). Each standalone room has a generous living area, a plush king bed and a private deck that leads right to the beach — take a few steps across the lawn, and you're right there. When you're looking to go further afield and see the rest of what The Whitsundays offer — think flights over the Great Barrier Reef, island wildlife tours, snorkelling, diving and fishing trips — the world-class team here will organise it all for you. ELYSIAN RETREAT Looking for somewhere to really get away from it all? Make tracks to Long Island's Elysian Retreat. Not only is this resort full of luxe amenities and experiences, but it also puts sustainability at its core as the Whitsunday's first 100-percent solar-powered resort — all the while being exclusively adults only. Seclusion is guaranteed at this expansive resort. It's located in its private cove and only hosts a maximum of 20 guests. That's a rarity in The Whitsundays, where enormous accommodation complexes tend to dominate the luxury scene. But there's still a full range of experiences here — you can join a yoga class, snorkelling and kayaking tour or indulge in a spa treatment. Elysian also works with several local touring companies, organising special trips to nearby islands and the Great Barrier Reef. The fact that the only way to get to this island is via a short helicopter ride from Hamilton Island is undoubtedly one more thing to add to the list of reasons to visit. WATERFRONT WHITSUNDAYS RETREAT It's not just the islands of The Whitsundays that are home to private, adults-only digs — the mainland also has some great options. Our pick: Waterfront Whitsundays Retreat. This Airlie Beach spot only has five rooms available, making for a far more low-key stay. There's no need to get up early to shotgun a poolside lounge chair, nor do you need to worry about crowds of people getting to the retreat's barbecue area and private garden before you do. Here, you can relax and take advantage of the on-site offerings at your own pace, all while you soak up the impressive views of the Coral Sea. Feeling inspired to book a getaway unlike anything else out there? Only through Concrete Playground Trips, our new travel booking platform, can you now purchase holidays specially curated by our writers and editors. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips at destinations all over the world. Top images: Elysian Retreat
While gifts are a splendid way to spoil mum this Mother's Day, the most meaningful gesture is clearing your calendar and spending quality time together. Throw in a share-worthy feast and a glass (or bottle) of bubbles, and you have yourself a memorable Mother's Day. Whether you're celebrating your mum, you're a new mum yourself, or you're looking for a way to treat the incredible women in your life this May, we've teamed up with G.H. Mumm, Perrier-Jouët, and Mumm Terroirs to round up eight of the best champagne-fuelled specials in Melbourne. Commons Collective If your mum prefers a glamorous high tea with bottomless bubbles over a hearty lunch, Commons Collective in Melbourne is an ideal spot to celebrate your mum. This Mother's Day, treat your mum to an indulgent high tea in the Commons Collectives light-filled Conservatory or moody prohibition-style Bar Moubray. Toast to your mum with a festive spritz on arrival before devouring a lavish array of sweet and savoury bites, like mini prawn and Marie rosé sauce brioche buns, rhubarb and strawberry lamingtons, and freshly baked scones. At just $99 per person, including two hours of unlimited Mumm sparkling, it's a fabulous way to show your appreciation this Mother's Day. Reserve your table here. Flour Child Instead of the standard Mother's Day flowers and candles, why not give an experience your mum can enjoy with you? Beloved Italian pizza bar Flour Child, with venues in both Richmond and St Kilda, offers three types of memorable masterclasses your mum is guaranteed to adore: pasta, cheese, and Pinsa pizza. Plus, if you book a table this Mother's Day, Flour Child is offering generous discounts across all Mumm pours, including $10 flutes and $60 bottles of Mumm Marlborough, as well as $16 flutes and $99 bottles of Mumm GV French Champagne. And finally, Flour Child's regular bottomless brunch will also include a complimentary glass of Mumm Marlborough. Secure a masterclass and table here. Hotel Nacional Is your mum a free spirit who loves to let her hair down? Then Hotel Nacional on Hardware Lane is the perfect spot to kick back and spend some quality time together over a few feel-good drinks. On the big day, for just $80 per person, you can treat your mum to 90 minutes of bottomless flutes of Mumm Marlborough and margaritas, paired with a gourmet feast of Mexican bites under the city skyline. Secure a booking here. Left Bank Devoted to making your Mother's Day extra special this year, Left Bank is serving up a glamorous and gourmet $99 three-course lunch with a glass of Mumm Marlborough on arrival. Plus, every mum will receive a 375ml bottle of G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge to take home. To elevate your Mother's Day long lunch and make it even more memorable, you'll have the opportunity to surprise your mum with a complimentary professional family portrait on the day. Simply head to the cocktail bar during your lunch to capture a family photo. Reserve your table here. Lollo Blending contemporary Italian flair with relaxed elegance, W Melbourne's flagship eatery, Lollo, offers a beautifully elevated setting to spoil your mum. This Mother's Day, enjoy a complimentary flute of Mumm Marlborough on arrival before diving into an unforgettable feast overlooking Flinders Lane. Expect an indulgent share-style menu of delicate tuna crudo, succulent picanha steak, whole King George Whiting, and Lollo's signature melt-in-your-mouth tiramisu for just $95 per person. There's also the option to kick it up a notch with exclusive Mumm Marlborough and rosé specials. Or keep the festive vibes flowing with a limited-edition Strawberry Bellini, crafted with Mumm Marlborough and playful strawberry pearls. Book your table here. Loop Rooftop For a slice of urban oasis this Mother's Day, celebrate with a charming picnic hamper on Melbourne's award-winning rooftop garden, Loop. For just $65 per person, enjoy a flute of G.H. Mumm on arrival before diving into a hearty hamper brimming with tasty bites like classic prawn cocktail, chicken katsu burgers, southern fried cauliflower bites, fries, and New York cheesecake with blueberries. For an additional $35, you have the option to elevate it to a bottomless hamper, with flowing Moon Dog beer, Loop prosecco, sauvignon blanc, and soft drinks, or deluxe bottomless with unlimited tap beer, red and whine wine, and sparkling rosé for an extra $60 per person. Or, you can always show Mum just how special she is with an upgrade of G.H. Mumm champagne for $165. Reserve your table here. Mirror Mirror Southside this Mother's Day? Mirror Mirror, located atop south Melbourne's Clarendon Hotel, is an ambient, sun-drenched rooftop bar that's perfect for a laidback family affair. Relax into an à la carte-style afternoon with bites like homemade dips, fried prawns, pea arancini, and a selection of charcuterie, and surprise mum with a free flute of Mumm Cordon Rouge on arrival. Plus, enjoy special Mumm pricing across the day with $17 glasses or $100 bottles. Secure a booking here. Mother's Day is just around the corner. Be sure to indulge your mum this May by treating her to a glass of G.H. Mumm, Perrier-Jouët, and Mumm Terroirs at any of these Melbourne restaurants and bars. By Elise Cullen
A plug nickel is a five cent coin where the "plug", or centre disk, has been removed to decrease its value. The guys from Dr Morse may have named their new hole-in-the-wall café after one of them because, well, it's not much more than a hole punched into the wall — but while Plug Nickel is definitely small, it's by no means short of value. Located just off Smith Street a few doors up from Lazerpig, Plug Nickel only has ten seats. The reasoning behind this bare bones layout is that this pocket of Collingwood already has Proud Mary and Major Major; it didn't need another sit-down speciality coffee café. Plug Nickel instead focuses on takeaway food and coffee — and you don't need many seats for that. So how do they produce edibles in a space so small? Well, food is prepared at Dr Morse on Johnston Street every morning and brought over to the Peel Street space. It's then placed, on request, into their high-tech Turbo Chef oven, which heats up food in three minutes and takes it from cold, to hot, to crispy. "Our whole thing is to have food and coffee out the door within three minutes," says Lucien Kolff, one of Plug Nickel's owners. "It fits with our whole ethos of getting things out as fast and efficiently as possible. But it's not like we're just chucking it in the microwave. It's good food." A small takeaway menu features breakfast roti, pork sandwiches, sausage rolls, pies, noodle salads and soup. They also have two cold coffee taps installed on the back bar. One pours Nitro Black, a single origin espresso infused with nitrogen that tastes like a creamy, fizzy cold coffee. The other serves Sparkling Cascara, which sees dried berries from the coffee plant brewed like tea for 48 hours. It tastes like iced tea, but is still highly caffeinated. There might not be a kitchen at Plug Nickel, but there is a hairdresser and a bike shop. After acquiring the heritage space, the owners decided it would be too disjointed to have seating in the other rooms. So they rented it out to their hairdresser friend Ginger Light, who has opened her one-seat salon Ginger Hair. Bike shop Northside Wheelers plan to be open and running in the next room by mid-June.
Gracing a Swan Street space once home to a hire vehicle company's car park, you'll now find this vibrant openair oasis decked out with eye-catching murals, Astroturf and fairy-lit palms. Over the course of a couple of lockdowns, owners Darren Legg and Brad Hicks pulled inspiration from their own favourite outdoor spaces and pastimes, commissioning local street artist and illustrator Juzpop to beautify the site with large-scale art in vivid pinks, purples and aquas. The space boasts an assortment of outdoor tables, shipping containers fitted out with timber booths and dry bars crafted from barrels. More converted shipping containers house the Pink Lemonade bar — slinging spritzes, tap brews, boozy slushies and Grey Goose cocktails — and resident kitchen, Hells Bellz BBQ Smokehouse. It's dishing up US-style barbecue fare like pork ribs, smoked wings, kransky snags and house-made slaw, alongside plant-based options including grilled portobello mushrooms and mac 'n' cheese. Other food trucks are also on rotation. As with all good outdoor drinking spots, Pink Lemonade has events and happenings aplenty. Resident DJs spin tunes through the weekend, themed cinema nights are in the works, and there'll be lots of dance parties and other music events to look forward to. Plus, bottomless brunch sessions feature every Saturday, coming in at $59 per person. Meanwhile, onsite cafe Black Drum is slinging coffee, smoothies and toasties by day, conveniently located just a few steps from Richmond station. Black Drum Cafe is open 6am–3pm Monday to Friday, and 7am–3pm on weekends.
Australia should've given rise to The Moogai before 2024, and prior to the SXSW Midnight Shorts Grand Jury Award-winning short of the same name four years earlier as well. An Aussie horror film born out of the Stolen Generations where the monsters of colonisation, White Australia policies and attitudes since remain inescapable, and where Indigenous children today are also snatched away by a literal monster, is a brilliant idea — one that instantly feels as if it needed to have been made decades back. But writer/director Jon Bell and his stars Shari Sebbens and Meyne Wyatt appreciate how deeply that this is a movie for now. Indeed, The Moogai doesn't just explore the direct ramifications of the Stolen Generations; it proves as clear-eyed about the reality for First Nations Australians today. This is not the only recent Australian film to grapple with the nation's past. Sweet Country, The Nightingale, The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson, The New Boy, The Furnace and High Ground have all stepped into the same terrain. The Mystery Road franchise, including the initial movie's big-screen sequel Goldstone and then three seasons of TV, feels the echoes that the country's history has now and, when the saga jumps backwards, not that long ago. Making his first feature after creating The Gods of Wheat Street, developing Cleverman, and also penning episodes of Redfern Now, Black Comedy, Mystery Road and more, Bell was sparked by the inhumanity of taking children away from their parents — not only when forced child removals were the abhorrent policy in Australia, but as the trauma from that practice remains a presence. The Moogai begins on the Red River Aborigines Mission in 1969, where two sisters (debutants Aisha Alma May and Precious Ann) attempt to avoid being separated from their family by white men, only for one to be spirited away instead by the picture's namesake. When it jumps to half a century later, the film spends its time with Indigenous couple Sarah (Sebbens, The Office) and Fergus (Wyatt, Strife). A lawyer and a carpenter, and parents to six-year-old Chloe (newcomer Jahdeana Mary) with a new baby on the way, they each possess different ties to their heritage. Sarah was taken from her birth mother Ruth (Tessa Rose, Firebite) not long after her first breath, then adopted by white parents (While the Men Are Away's Tara Morice and Plum's Nicholas Cassim). Newly reconnected with the woman that gave her life, she's cautious, while Fergus heartily welcomes his mother-in-law. When the Moogai enters Sarah and Fergus' lives, Sarah's fears of the malevolent force impact her every moment. Her agitated state is dismissed by doctors, however, who think that she's simply struggling after a difficult birth. Painting anything but the portrait of a perfect family also immediately earns attention from anyone watching on, medical professionals, Chloe's teachers and the police included. Alongside Australia's history that constantly demands confronting, Bell was inspired by his and his wife's anxieties when his grandchildren were born, knowing how quickly that judgements can be made in a hospital situation. Australia's past haunts its present on- and off-screen, then, in this powerful picture — a movie that was labelled "Australia's Get Out" when it made its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, ahead of charting the Aussie fest circuit, then hitting local cinemas in general release on Halloween. "It is a good comparison, because Jordan Peele, through his sketch-comedy career, too, the amount of story you have generate to be able to do that sort of stuff — no wonder Get Out was such a success and so on-point," Bell tells Concrete Playground. "And so in those terms, that's a good touchstone for us, because we're certainly trying to bridge those same audiences: people who are going to come see something, and see that it's got something to say, but it's also going to give you the genre stuff that you need. There's scares in this, but it's not grotesque and gruesome. There are also some laughs in there, which Get Out has as well. And I think there's a message in there, too, and there's a lot of heart." "I think as an artist, I don't particularly love comparisons in that way, but I absolutely understand why they're useful for audiences and for people to grasp onto something and have a quick point of reference," notes Sebbens, who also starred in the short alongside Wyatt. "But I will say it's a valid comparison and that it's Jon very much writing from a place of culture, very much writing from a place of Blackness — and employing elements of comedy. I wouldn't call this a comedy-horror by any means, but it is a psychological horror with just moments of comedy peppered throughout, and I totally understand why it reminds people of something like Jordan Peele's Get Out. Also, I'm like, man, if you're going to be compared to any director, that's the one," she tells us. Wyatt advises that he's excited about "what indigenous people will think about the film here in Australia, particularly, because I think it's a film for them in a lot of ways." He continues: "Aboriginal people love horror films, and there's a lot of humour in there as well. And I think there's something that you can claim and take ownership of, being that Jon is the writer and the director, Mitchell Stanley's the producer, Shari and I are acting, and Tessa Rose. It's got a cast of Indigenous filmmakers, this is one of our stories that we can tell and it has been authored by First Nations people." We also chatted with Bell, Sebbens and Wyatt about the fact that the film's premise feels like it should've been explored before, their journey with The Moogai from short to feature and ensuring that it comments on today's reality as much as the past — and more. On How Writing the Short as Proof of Concept for the Feature Helped Shape The Moogai Jon: "It's a good process to go through. I'd encourage anybody to do that, because trying to tell your story in different lengths really highlights structure in a lot of ways. It also gives the feature, if there's any flab, that will get cut off. Because with the short, you're so focused on everything having to earn its place because you've got very little time. And then with the feature, I think this is certainly under 90 minutes — I think it might be 86 or 87. And in trying to get that narrative drive, the script at a certain point, I think it might have got up to 114 pages, and then I cut it down before we started shooting. Then we just cut, cut, cut to try and get narrative pace, because these days people don't give too much time to anything. It's not even change the channel, they can just click off so easily. So you've got to get an audience and you've got to keep them. And writing the two lengths brought some of those issues into sharp focus." On Sebbens and Wyatt Both Starring in the Short as Well as the Feature — and How the Former Helped Them Prepare for the Latter Shari: "Definitely as an actor, you secretly hope, but it's also so completely out of your control. And I know that that's something that Meyne and I'm just so thankful for, is a chance to come back and play in the feature. Because it's really rare, actually, that actors get to be involved in the proof of concept in the short and then make it to the big screen. So it's definitely a hope that we were holding out on. But you can't ever say it out loud. I don't know, you probably can say it out loud — there probably are actors that go 'I want to be in this'. But I guess there's also an element of still being blackfullas, we're a bit ashamed to do that stuff. But it was definitely something we both really wanted. And when it came about, we were just over the moon. It's a dream come true to get to follow the story from that concept size all the way to its full fruition. Meyne: "For me, if it was offered to me, I was always going to go from the short to the feature. But I don't know how Jon feels about it or the production house. What was in the short was a good encapsulation of the feel of what the feature is and where the film gets to go. And I think I certainly jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the feature because I feel like Fergus, in particular, had been fleshed out in a very nuanced and interesting, juicy role that had come to life in the feature. So I was always excited to be involved. And I think that the short is probably a different film to the feature in some ways. One gives you the feeling and then the next, I think they're telling a different story. And I think that's a good thing. You're able to explore something in the feature that in short-form storytelling you won't be able to, and that was always an exciting thing to jump into." Shari: "I think the biggest thing was I've never done genre before. I've never done horror before as a as a genre specifically. So it was a great exercise in knowing the mental and emotional stamina it takes to maintain a taught psychological wire for an extended period of time, but still look after yourself, and still be able to exit and enter a process every day as an artist. It also just meant that we had a really great understanding of how to work with Jon, what he wanted to say and what he wanted to do. We had a shorthand with him, which was really useful for us on set." On How the Concept for the Film Came About for Bell Jon: "Part of the initial inception, the first time I had some of those ideas was when my oldest grandson, he's a teenager now, but when he was born, me and my missus throughout all of our grandkids, when they were born we were nervous about hospitals making a judgement — as we've worked with DoCs trying to reunite families. We had seen how easily from the government's point of view reports and judgments could be made. And then we also had our own experiences, our own family experiences with close calls, and I had an uncle who was part of Stolen Generations and stuff. So we had some personal experience. But when the grandkids came along, that was another thing that brought it into sharp contrast again, because one would think that we were past this in our history, but the fear that was inside us and the way, not anxiety, but the way we were just on our toes — we were on our toes the night before, for perceptions and judgments. We were just very aware of that stuff, and we didn't want any of our grandkids to be in the system. As soon as you're in the system, then another government department pulls something up and then bam, all the stuff comes up. So we were super watchful. In a lot of ways, that was probably the initial idea. That fear just followed us. It didn't matter how many generations deep we were, this fear just followed us." On The Moogai's Premise Instantly Standing Out Shari: "I say this a lot, but I came across Jon's writing in 2012 when we did The Gods of Wheat Street together, and I was like 'oh my god, who is this person writing such rich, incredible tapestry of black lives and family on screen, and on top of that, black women?'. I was convinced that a woman had written The Gods of Wheat Street, actually. And so when I found out it was a man, I was like 'what? This brotherboy's got such a beautiful respect and understanding of women'. And so when I came across that Jon was doing a horror, and he had such great ambition and vision for it — I've trusted this man and admired this man's work for years, of course I want to be a part of that. He's someone that pushes his boundaries and his own abilities, and what he thinks he's capable of himself, so I knew that this was going to be an ambitious project and actually be — I think I'm safe in saying this — the first Aboriginal-produced directed horror film, and will stand as the first in what I hope is a long line, a huge canon of horror works to come from First Nations artists. But just the fact that it was Jon who had written it is what absolutely drew me to it in the first place. And we're very close with Mitchell Stanley, one of the co-producers as well. So it felt immediately that there was a group of Black people that wanted to reach and try something new that traditionally we've been kept out of. Because yeah, people love gritty Indigenous drama in this country, like contemporary gritty indigenous drama, and that has a place, absolutely, to speak to who we are here and now as a nation. But there's no reason why we shouldn't get to play with form and genre and style as well, like every other artist." Meyne: "One, it's a genre film, so that was always exciting. And I think that's a rare opportunity to in Australia, I think, to be involved — and particularly a First Nations genre film, a horror, psychological thriller. That was always exciting. I think what Jon's able to do is Trojan horse this social commentary. You think it's one thing and then there's something else going on entirely. I think going away with the audience, coming up with their interpretation of what's going on, and showing people rather than knocking them on their head — it's allowing you to go away and have those conversations with the people that you go 'what about that bit?'. I feel like those are always the films that I enjoy and I'm entertained by, so I always wanted to be a part of a film that allowed for that opportunity. And in the same token when you talk about Get Out, those social thrillers, horrors, it's in the social consciousness at the moment, and they are all touching on something that's saying two things at once. And I think in an Australian context, I feel like this is the right time to do it. Like you were saying before that it should have been a film that had been made — but I don't think it would have been made until Jon, a First Nations writer/director, could make that film. That was always an exciting thing to have the privilege to be involved in." On Whether There's a Sense of Responsibility in Making a First Nations Film That Treads New Ground Shari: "Oh big time. Yeah, it's something that, to be honest, it's something that you're all-too-keenly aware of every time you're taking on a role as an Aboriginal actor, because you're so aware that no matter what you do, you are seen to be representing your entire people. And it's an impossible weight and an impossible job. You can't represent every blackfulla. So I think in terms of Jon and Meyne and Mitchell, all the Aboriginal creatives around it, it's a responsibility and a weight that we were all familiar with. It wasn't a new experience to us to feel that. But I think you turn that fear into excitement, and you turn that into a challenge, and you turn that into 'well, how can we keep pushing boundaries and showing people that not one person can be responsible for an entire race of people and a representation of entire people, but that a group of us working together will bring complexity and nuance that is so often afforded to non-Indigenous stories and artists?'." On the Importance of the Movie's Connection Between Past and Present Jon: "That was one of the things that was very important to me. After Kevin Rudd made his apologies, it feels like that people are just being like 'okay, well he said sorry, can we just move on now?'. No. People are still living with this pain. And those kinds of White Australia policies, they are, probably under the United Nations definition, they are in fact genocide. Those are genocidal practices. Just trying to wrap your head around that, that's of vital importance. But at the same time, I think that this film is very much a horror film, and the horror or fear that plagues your family can absolutely be a universal thing. We've all got stuff in our past —that saying 'you don't grow out of your childhood, you escape it' — we've all got stuff that we're probably hanging on to, all of the things that have affected us. So in that sense, it's very much a universal story. You could say that the Moogai for someone else means a different thing. But in terms of where I was coming from, it was absolutely there." Shari: "I think there's no way to tell it without that, without being truthful to what the reality is for us mob, for our families, for our communities. I think there would have been absolutely — I'm just spitballing and projecting onto Jon — but I imagine for a writer/director, there are moments where it's like 'well, yeah, how much do I delve into Fergus' moment with the police?'. I think for Jon, I imagine it's what I feel, which is if your projects don't have an element of reality in them — I guess that's the scariest thing about the horror, is that the reality and the history and the current situation for so many Black people is far scarier than what you can put on-screen ever. But I think he would probably feel a bit inauthentic if that scene with Fergus and the police wasn't in there, just because that's Jon's experience as a Black man. It's Meyne's experience as a Black man. It's so many people's experience as Black people in this country. It's not saying that you have to always put these things in there as a political statement, but actually the personal is political in that way. So what they're really doing — what we're all doing — is just trying to recount things in an authentic, genuine way to get people to understand what the hell is still happening here." On Sebbens Playing Someone Who Is Devoted to Her Family, But Also Cautious About Her Heritage — And Navigating Coping with a New Baby While Also Certain that the Moogai Is Taunting Her Shari: "It's mad when you say it all out straight like that. It's like 'oh yes, that is a lot of things, isn't it, to happen to someone'. Jon and I would talk a lot, Meyne and I would talk a lot, about backstory and history — and certainly for Sarah, that's on the screen. The history of her Aboriginality that she has been denied through government policy, and that she has also denied herself because of adopted ways of thinking and shame and, I guess, internalised racism. But also Sarah is someone that wants to deeply belong, which I think is why she seeks out an Aboriginal partner in Fergus. And so in that sense, we could load ourselves up — and I did load myself up with all this history and backstory — but at the end of the day, also you just have to let it go and play what's on the page, and be present with those words and those scenes. All that work hopefully informs the weight that you bring into scenes, and it informs choices you make. But for me particularly, I was just like 'if I keep getting bogged down on this, I'm going to try and play all of those things at once'. And actually, if I just play what's on the page, it felt like the clearest way through for me." On Wyatt Stepping Into the Role of the Worried Husband and Father Who Wants to Believe Sarah, But Is Also Concerned with How She's Coping Meyne: "I think Fergus is, at one point, he should be the perspective of the audience. And you should be concerned and worried about what's going on with Sarah. There's a fine balance with him that he has to believe her, but then there has to be that skepticism. And I think he makes some decisions that are questionable and maybe problematic, but I think that's nuanced character. With Jon, there were conversations about trying to find that balance with Fergus and making sure that he's being supportive, but also touching on the trope of being the husband that isn't quite believing the wife — and as a horror film, making sure you're ticking off those boxes and those touchstones, but making sure that he isn't a complete arsehole and that it's coming from a real place, and this is a real person and it's nuanced. And someone who possibly doesn't know how to deal with, one, a malevolent spirit, but two, mental health — and not having the tools to be able to deal with somebody. I think that can always be trying for anybody, having that for the first time, especially a loved one, because it's a delicate line you're toeing." The Moogai released in Australian cinemas on Thursday, October 31, 2024. Images: Elise Lockwood / Sean Ryan.
Whenever Kmart drops a new homewares range — be it beachy and boho or colourful and cosy — it inspires a Pokémon-style response. If there's new linen, trinkets and furniture to buy, you've gotta deck out your house with them all. The Australian department store's latest must-buy pieces will spark the same reaction, too, all while heroing Wiradjuri artist Judith Young. She has teamed up with the retailer on the just-dropped Waluwin collection, the latest in the company's First Nations program. Waluwin is the Wiradjuri word for healing and good health, which Young is keen to highlight in the range of wooden bowls, serving platters, eucalyptus-scented candles, cotton quilt sets and more. Customers can also purchase other pieces of serving ware, tea towels, candles, decorative pots and a canvas art print. On sale since Monday, March 6 online and in-store, the collection keeps everything affordable — $10 gets you a reusable stainless steel tumbler, while queen bedding tops the price list at $65. Whatever you opt for, you'll see a leaf design that's "symbolic of the Waluwin way, and each leaf represents something different," Young explains. "Many Aboriginal people around this country will all have different varieties of plants and trees that they use to make them well, and that is part of the diverse story we have as Aboriginal people." We are all different, our artwork and stories are different, and each has deep significance, just as my markings have meaning to me and my family." For the Waluwin collection, Young drew upon her family's history, with her parents growing up along the Murrumbidgee River in Narrandera in New South Wales. Her mother Judith Williams (nee Johnson) was a watercolour artist, while her father Kevin Williams was a boomerang and artefact maker. Accordingly, watercolour painting and burning techniques both feature. So do lines representing tree carvings, dots that are all about mob coming together, circles that symbolise water holes, and plants such as wattle and tea tree. The collaboration with Kmart appealed to Young because "a lot of our mob positively connect and shop at Kmart around Australia," she notes. "So to have the opportunity to work with them on this collection will have an impact on family across Victoria, regional NSW, Sydney, Darwin and Adelaide. The deeper reason is that I felt that it was the right thing to do, from the first meeting the atmosphere in the head 0ffice with the design team set the flow for the entire collection." Together, Young and Kmart's design team worked through themes and topics within her artwork, including family traditions, and what various colours and markings mean. The aim: to ensure that each design has a story that connects to the land, and that exactly that came through in the finished products. "It was a new experience for me, working with a big company, and a challenge at first. The design team had respect not just for the image but the story and helped make it an easier process, as I did have some challenges with trust and getting out of my comfort zone — but to see how they were really careful when considering each marking, colour and every component was incredible. I felt respected and know that my story and that of my family has been honoured," Young continued. "From this collection, I want people to know my work is about health, healing, joy and peace, speaking to the importance of healthy minds, bodies and spirit. This comes from connecting with Country, eating well and listening to your surroundings. The collection is about covering yourself in a healthy way of living, from what you eat, drink, wear, and sleep under." Kmart and Judith Young's Waluwin collection is on sale online and in-store now.
Is Sydney Film Festival in its body-horror era? In 2024, the Harbour City's annual citywide celebration of cinema closed with The Substance, after it had wowed Cannes but before it was an Oscar-winner. The very next movie that the event is screening, aka 2025's just-announced opening-night picture, also falls into the genre. Together stars Alison Brie (Apples Never Fall) and Dave Franco (Love Lies Bleeding), had this year's Sundance buzzing and marks the feature directorial debut of Australian filmmaker Michael Shanks (The Wizards of Aus). The Aussie film will kick off one of the country's major yearly odes to movies on Wednesday, June 4 — and will do so with a flick about a couple moving to the country, then finding more than just the relaxing quiet life they're seeking awaiting. Brie and Franco play Millie and Tim. After their big shift, she feels more at home than he does, ramping up their codependent relationship on his side. Then, as the teaser trailer featuring staring animals, unexpected strands of hair, a cave and declarations of love starts to show, things get strange. Also co-starring Australian actor Damon Herriman (How to Make Gravy), Together has a date with SFF almost two months in advance of its Aussie and US cinema release date at the end of July. In Sydney, it leads a lineup that's drop its full program on Wednesday, May 7, but already includes a Jafar Panahi retrospective, Justin Kurzel (The Narrow Road to the Deep North)-directed documentary Ellis Park, and everything from homegrown animation Lesbian Space Princess to Barry Keoghan's (Bird) new Irish thriller Bring Them Down. "We are thrilled to open the 2025 Festival with Together, a fiercely original work that showcases the creative ambition of a new voice in Australian cinema," said Sydney Film Festival Director Nashen Moodley, announcing 2025's opening flick. "Michael Shanks has crafted a bold and inventive debut that shifts seamlessly between tones, anchored by fully committed performances from Alison Brie and Dave Franco." Added Shanks: "having Together open Sydney Film Festival is a huge honour. Despite our US leads, this is an Australian film through and through, and I'm so proud to showcase what amazing crew and cast we have in our local industry." "I got altitude sickness in Utah when the film premiered in Sundance, and thankfully that's far less likely to happen when it premieres in Sydney." Check out the teaser trailer for Together below: Sydney Film Festival 2025 runs from Wednesday, June 4–Sunday, June 15 at cinemas across Sydney. Head to the festival website for further information and tickets — and check back here for the full lineup on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
Melbourne has been back under lockdown for almost a month and a half now, but when 11.59pm hits on Friday, September 17, a things are changing. The stay-at-home conditions will remain in place; however, Melburnians will be able to venture further away from home — and go out for outdoor social gatherings. Instead of only being permitted to exercise or shop for essentials within five kilometres of your house, as has been the case so far, you'll now be able to double that distance. You'll also be allowed to head out within that ten-kilometre radius to meet with someone you don't live with for a picnic, a walk or some other outdoor activity. Or, if you and your friends are fully vaxxed with both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, then up to five adults from two households, plus their dependents, will be permitted to gather outdoors. So, if you're currently scrambling to find quick ways to map out your ten-kilometre zone, that's completely understandable. While you're probably quite familiar with the five-kilometre patch of land surrounding your house thanks to more than a few lockdowns over the past 18 months or so, there are a few easy ways to check out your household's government-approved travel radius now that you have more room to play with. But none have proved quite as popular as KM From Home — a website that originally launched in Ireland back in March, when that country introduced its own travel restrictions — and was jumped on by Melburnians back in August 2020. The online map is free and easy to use — simply centre it to your address, select a ten-kilometre radius and you'll see a big red or blue bubble encompassing the zone you're free to travel in under the Victorian Government's new rules. You'll find other radius apps out there as well, including the likes of Map Developers and The Age's tool. Alternatively, if you've got a Garmin watch, you can download this range warning and it'll alert you when you're closing in on a certain distance from your run's starting point. Want to check a specific cafe or shopping centre to see if it falls in your ten-kilometre zone? There's a function on the Google Maps app that allows you to measure a distance as the crow flies. On desktop, simply right click on a location on the map, select 'measure distance' and then click anywhere else on the map and it'll show you exactly how far the address is from your starting point. Under the new rules, you can head out to exercise or for outdoor social gatherings for a maximum of four hours per day. And this must all be done within ten kilometres of your home, of course. You can leave your bubble for permitted work, or if you're shopping for essentials and there are no shops in your radius. Lockdown rules in metropolitan Melbourne will ease slightly from 11.59pm on Friday, September 17, with exercising, shopping for essentials and outdoor gatherings within ten kilometres of your house permitted from that point. For more information about the rules, head to the Victorian Department of Health website. Images: Km From Home
At Suntory, the spirit of "Yatte Minahare" — "You never know until you try" — remains as strong now, as it did 126 years ago. It has led to the creation of Japan's first whisky distillery, the reimagining of classic cocktails like the highball, and it now houses some of the world's finest brands –Yamazaki, Hakushu, Toki Whisky, Roku Gin, Haku Vodka, Maker's Mark, Jim Beam, -196 and BOSS Coffee to name a few. As Suntory looks to the future, let's travel back 126 years to the very beginning, when Shinjiro Torii, Suntory's first Master Blender, saw an opportunity and "went for it." Where it All Started Over a century ago, in a small store in Osaka, Japan, Shinjiro Torii had a dream: to create an authentic whisky in Japan. Having saved enough from his early Akadama Port Wine successes, Torii, with much resistance from family and colleagues, invested his whole fortune into the establishment of the Yamazaki Distillery in 1923. He didn't know it then, but this uncharted move transformed the spirits industry in Japan and changed the whisky-drinking world. Since then – despite some challenges along the way – the brand has grown into a global leader of drinks, with products found in countless venues across Australia and the world. Shaping how Japan drinks and what the global community knows about flavour and innovation. Successive leaders have carried forward Torii's legacy, future-proofing Torii's vision while staying true to the company's founding values of Yatte Minahare: Giving Back to Society and Growing for Good. The Recipe for Success Suntory's ability to innovate while staying grounded in its Japanese roots is a testament to the brand's vision. Take Suntory Whisky Kabukin, for example. Launched in 1937, it was Japan's first big foray into the whisky business, helping to cement Suntory's reputation as a trailblazer in the industry. The whisky's signature square bottle (Kakubin means "square bottle") became an enduring icon, and today, it remains a beloved part of Japanese drinking culture — particularly in the form of the highball, a whisky-soda cocktail that Suntory helped popularise. But Suntory's innovation continued beyond whisky. In 1992, the brand launched BOSS Coffee, a flash-brewed cold coffee in a can designed to keep Japan's workforce fuelled. This product quickly became a hit, and even today, BOSS Coffee remains a go-to drink for coffee lovers (and tradies) seeking convenience without sacrificing quality. The company's relentless pursuit of innovation led to another groundbreaking product with -196 — a vodka based ready-to-drink beverage that's taken the world by storm with its flavour and the bold process by which it's made. The 'Freeze Crush Technology' involves freezing and pulverising whole fruits in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -196°C. While Suntory has a significant global presence, its inspiration remains true to its founding philosophy: to inspire the brilliance of life. From the pristine water used at its distilleries to the careful selection of ingredients for its products, Suntory's emphasis on nature and tradition flows through everything it creates. The House of Suntory line, which includes celebrated names like Suntory Whisky, Toki, Roku Gin, and Haku Vodka, exemplifies this approach and its connection to nature. Each product in the collection pays homage to something unique from Japan's rich cultural heritage. For Roku Gin, this is done by using six carefully selected Japanese botanicals, while Haku Vodka is crafted from 100 percent Japanese white rice for an exceptionally smooth finish. [caption id="attachment_1017676" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Jiwon Kim[/caption] The Spirit of Suntory in a Glass If you've walked down the bar-lined streets of Japan or even visited one of Australia's top whisky bars, you would have encountered the highball cocktail. A balanced combination of whisky and soda (and a wedge of lemon), it has long been a fixture of Japanese drinking culture, and Suntory has played a vital role in its revival. While the highball originated in the UK, Suntory perfected the drink, rolling out Tory's Bars in the 1950s, where patrons could sip highballs after a long day at work. Today, the highball is trending. Sipped by young folk in bars, paired and reimagined by the best bartenders in the world. Celebrating 126 Years As Suntory celebrates its 126th anniversary, it remains deeply rooted in the values that Shinjiro Torii instilled over a century ago. "We have grown from our roots in Japan to become a truly global company," says Greg Hughes, president and CEO of Suntory Global Spirits. [caption id="attachment_1017677" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Jiwon Kim[/caption] From the first drops of Akadama Port Wine to the pioneering Japanese whisky and beyond, Suntory's history is marked by a continuous drive to innovate. Whether perfecting the highball or creating products like Minus 196, the company's story is one of bold experimentation, guided by a deep respect for tradition. As Suntory moves into the future, one thing is clear: it will continue to shape how the world drinks, one glass at a time. The best time to sample Suntory's work will be when Suntory Bar takes over Whisky Thief inside Sydney's Prefecture 48. Running from Friday, August 8 to Saturday, November 8, Suntory will be serving refreshing highballs and signature Suntory and experimental cocktails alongside select snacks for three months. Find out more about Suntory's legacy and full range of products at the website.
If you're fond of cats big and small — fluffy, hair-free, scampering, sleeping and the like — then you'll know one golden rule: every day is better when there's meowing mousers involved. And, maybe you've secured that sweet situation thanks to your own purring pet. Or, perhaps you're just the kind of person who makes a beeline to any kitten they see, tries to become its best friend and can't focus on anything else while it's in the vicinity. Whichever fits, adding more cats to your day is something that every feline fan wants — and it's definitely a part of the Cat Protection Society of Victoria's new dream gig. It's a volunteer job, spanning a three-month stint in Melbourne, but it'll 100-percent bring kittens your way. The role: CPSV's official 'cat cuddler'. Yes, that's really what it's called. Obviously, what it entails is rather self-explanatory — because the lucky person who scores the position will be tasked with providing love, affection and enrichment to the cats and kittens in the society's care as they wait to be adopted. The word you're looking for? "Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww". This is the organisation that offered cat cuddling gift vouchers as Christmas gifts last year, after all — but this is even cuter. The caveats: you'll need to be in Melbourne to take the gig, and you'll need to have a minimum of three hours per week — on one weekday each week, and during normal operating hours — to head to CPSV's adoption centre to give its kitties all those snuggles. If that sounds like you — or if you've got a pussy-loving pal that you know would love it — all applicants have until Friday, June 4 to apply to temporarily join the society's team of around 40 volunteers. To throw your name in the ring, you'll want to head to the CPSV website and upload a short video (up to two minutes max) that explains why you should be the official Cat Protection Society Cat Cuddler, and also complete the online application form. To apply for the Cat Protection Society of Victoria's 'cat cuddler' position before Friday, June 4, head to the organisation's website.
Charming Richmond brewery and bar Nice Guys boasts a strong sustainability focus, as well as a retrofuturistic fitout that pays homage to the gritty end of Victoria Street. Here, the brewery itself is open to the public, so punters can enjoy a close glimpse of the large steel tanks where the magic is made — and that supply the 25-strong tap list with signature creations like the Kiwi lager made with New Zealand barley malt and a bright mango-forward NEIPA. Core brews like an American pale ale also sit alongside seasonal specials like a sweet, full-bodied vanilla porter. You'll also find non-beer delights on offer, like Victorian wines, classic cocktails and craft cider, all served on tap in an effort to minimise wastage. The space is both comfy and community-driven, with artists commissioned to fill the venue with locally-made furniture, handmade macrame and custom lamp shades. Cantilever chairs, swivel stools and velvet couches help lend the feel of a vintage furniture bazaar — and, out front, the dog-friendly beer garden zone is filled with lush indoor plants and a central fireplace to keep things cosy during the cooler months. Soon to round out the fun will be Nice Guys' new kitchen, serving a rotating menu of bao, buns and American barbecue. Images: Julia Sansone
Whether you're lining up those dates as fast as your finger can swipe right or you and your significant other have a semi-regular date night locked in, the whole dating game can start to feel a bit monotonous after a while. Sure, a casual drink at your local bar might be an easy go-to, but it doesn't exactly stir that adventurous spirit. Luckily, this city of ours is brimming with non-boring date opportunities. We've hunted down some of its best for you to try next time you're given planning privileges. Opt for one of these and you're pretty much guaranteed a good time… even if the company turns out to be the opposite. GET STARRY-EYED AT THE PLANETARIUM Is there anything more romantic than gazing at a glittering, star-filled sky with your fave squeeze by your side? If that tickles your date night fancy, book yourselves in for one of the adults-only Friday night sessions that Scienceworks Planetarium hosts regularly throughout the year. Each night usually features two full-dome film screenings — one aimed at astronomy junkies and followed by a presenter-led exploration of the night sky (7.30pm), and the other promising a trip into the unknown by way of a space-focused art film (9.30pm). There's also a fully stocked bar so you can team your astronomical travels with a tipple or two. DIVE INTO A NIGHT OF ART, FOOD AND MUSIC AT THE NGV For a date-night culture fix that covers lots of different interests at once, you can't go past the NGV's much-loved Friday Nights sessions, which run across various seasons and happen most weeks of the year. First up, you and your boo will have after-hours access to whatever big-name exhibition is running at the time — which in itself offers something a little more special than the usual daytime gallery-hopping. Then, there's the assortment of pop-up bars and eateries themed around the gallery's current art and design showcases. Kick back in the gardens with a few gin cocktails in hand, try a wine tasting or settle in with a date night bite to eat. There's also a stellar DJ lineup soundtracking each season of NGV Friday Nights, so you can round out your evening with some tunes or even hit the dance floor. Past seasons have featured hit acts like Nai Palm, Electric Fields, Banoffee, C.FRIM, Emma Volard, Kee'ahn and stacks more. EMBARK ON A BOOZE-MATCHED CHEESE FLIGHT For an extra-cheesy date idea — literally — you can't go past a gourmet tasting session at Melbourne's OG licensed fromagerie. Milk the Cow's expert staff are the masters of cheese and booze pairing, and you can experience their talents via a whole range of curated tasting flights starting at just $24 a pop. Settle in and bond over some top-notch international cheese expressions, each matched carefully to a different drink as part of a themed selection — perhaps a flight of gin, Aussie craft beer or even sparkling wine. It's the perfect opportunity to unleash your inner food nerd; plus ,with all that sipping and sampling, you'll probably discover some shared favourites to revisit on your second date. [caption id="attachment_526340" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Charlie Kinross Photography[/caption] TAKE IN A CLASSIC DOUBLE FEATURE AT THE ASTOR Dating is a fast-paced machine these days, so sometimes it's nice to slow things down and kick it old school. And what better place to do that than Melbourne's only remaining single-screen cinema still in continuous operation? The majestic Astor Theatre is a glorious throwback to the 1930s, with a glitzy old-world foyer and a program packed with re-released classic films spanning a whole range of genres. Fancy doubling the fun? The cinema also serves up regular double features, whether you and your date are into sci-fi classics, you both dig mystery flicks, or you simply want to cosy up nice and close for back-to-back cult horror films. [caption id="attachment_622487" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brook James[/caption] GO FOR A JAUNT ON THE RIVER Here's something your SO might not have done before: a self-guided cruise along a serene section of the Yarra. Boasting a picturesque riverside spot just seven kilometres out of the city, Fairfield Boathouse has a watercraft situation to suit everyone, with a range of canoes, kayaks and even hand-built Thames-replica rowing skiffs available to hire. Pick your favourite for a relaxing river jaunt with your companion, maybe flexing some boating skills in the process. Then cap off the adventure with a visit to the Boathouse's historic tearoom, where you can reward yourselves with a romantic session of homemade scones and tea. [caption id="attachment_794305" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parker Blain[/caption] BECOME A PAIR OF COCKTAIL WHIZZES Instead of just kicking back and drinking cocktails on your date, go one better and learn how to whip up a few sips of your own. In Melbourne, we've got a world-class cocktail scene — and who better to teach you and your plus one the ropes than one of our city's own bartending wizards? Acclaimed bar 1806 hosts intimate cocktail-making (and mocktail-making) classes, during which you'll learn the tricks of the trade, boost your street cred with some new skills and gain insight into your love interest's favourite drinks. Eau de Vie also offers a trio of cocktail masterclasses, each focused on a different classic style of drink-making. BOUNCE YOUR WAY RIGHT INTO THEIR HEART Get physical with some good, clean kidult fun by booking yourselves in for an energetic, fast-paced trampolining session. With seven Victorian outposts to choose from, Bounce Inc is an indoor trampoline centre where you can jump, flip and spring around to your heart's content, testing out signature activity courses like the basketball-inspired Slam Dunk, and offerings like the monster-sized trampoline they've dubbed the Super Tramp. Here in this huge padded playground, you'll get to unleash your inner kid and get a bit nostalgic, while showing off some slick moves. And of course, there's nothing like some high-energy activity to send any first date nerves packing. What's more, if you find yourselves with a new shared passion for the bounce, why not lock in the Friday-evening freestyle sessions as a standing date night? [caption id="attachment_814550" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Smash Splash[/caption] MESS AROUND AT YOUR OWN PRIVATE PAINT PARTY There's a quick way to diffuse any nervous first date energy and it involves some plain white walls, a bunch of paint and 30 minutes spent getting messily creative. Over in Oakleigh, Smash Splash is offering some unconventional forms of stress relief, including its series of 'splash rooms'. Here, you and your date will don protective suits, head into your own private pod and experience the supreme satisfaction of hurling paint balloons at the wall for half an hour ($110). Prefer to keep things a little cleaner? The venue also has smash rooms — you'll get a couple of hammers and a room full of objects begging to be broken to bits. [caption id="attachment_563352" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Salsa Foundation[/caption] LEARN TO SALSA Show off your killer dance moves — or maybe just your self-deprecating sense of humour — and sign you and your date up for a salsa class. In the CBD, The Salsa Foundation holds free beginners classes every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, with zero experience required and an unpretentious social vibe to help put yourselves at ease. Plus, there's a program of more advanced sessions you can work your way up to if dance date numero uno proves a success. Start your evening with a bit of nerve-loosening dance floor action; then, stick with the theme hitting one of Melbourne's excellent South American eateries for a post-salsa refuel session. [caption id="attachment_787570" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nick & Nora's by Brook James[/caption] DRINK YOUR WAY AROUND THE CITY Date night drinks at a bar is a fine proposition, but the sheer amount of quality Melbourne watering holes means you'll be missing out if you limit yourselves to just one. A handful of companies offer bar tours, but for bonus points we recommend shirking them in favour of creating your own inner city bar crawl. Head to Pearl Chablis & Oyster Bar for fine wine and molluscs, pop past Nick & Nora's for top-notch cocktails or hunt down State of Grace's secret basement bar. Or check out our pick of the city's most romantic drinking spots, work out an itinerary and take all the credit. You'll get to do some exploring — and even if you're not sold on your date, you'll at least end up with some great ideas for the next one. Top image: Smash Splash.
Mornington Peninsula is home to stacks of world-class day spas and bathing spots, but the Surfcoast has long lagged behind. Fortunately, things are looking up for this side of Victoria's coast, thanks to the late-2024 opening of About Time — a luxe day spa and bathhouse located in Torquay, right at the start of the Great Ocean Road. It comes from the folks who created Little Company (champions of slow, pared-back facials and LED lightroom therapy) and STILL Beauty (massage experts), so you're sure to get some damn good wellness treatments at About Time. The Torquay spa is also fully equipped for all your luxury bathing needs within its brutalist building. Inside, it has a magnesium pool, cold plunge pool, traditional sauna and steam room, plus private infrared saunas and ice baths that can be booked for groups of up to eight people. Step outside to the garden surrounded by towering gum trees, and you'll find hot and cold magnesium pools that are tailor-made for social bathing with mates. You're free to chat out here, but it seems like the indoor bathhouse is more of a quiet self-care space. With so little competition out this way, About Time is set to be incredibly popular with locals and day-trippers alike — be sure to book well ahead.
It's rare that a chart-topping contemporary artist gives their discography an orchestral twist — it's even rarer that it happens twice. But the odds are in your favour if you're a Vera Blue fan, as she's teaming up with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) for the second time this July for Orchestral Veil, giving the ethereal Australian singer's discography an extra cinematic edge. Developed in collaboration between Blue and Australian arranger/composer Alex Turley (whose sonic resume includes notable works with Rüfus Du Sol, G Flip and Parkway Drive), the concert will feature her longtime bandmates Dave Jenkins and Ross James and conductor Leonard Weiss leading Melbourne's best orchestra in spectacular new renditions of Blue's emotionally vibrant works. [caption id="attachment_1073254" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Samantha Meuleman[/caption] Blue, who previously collaborated with MSO on their first concert series in 2021, said, "Performing with the MSO is incredibly special to me. Five years ago, hearing my songs open up through a full orchestra was surreal, and that sense of scale and emotion has stayed with me. My music is cinematic at heart, and the orchestra gives it this huge, living, breathing dimension. I can't wait to share that with everyone." Vera Blue cemented her position as one of Australia's brightest rising musical stars with a haunting folk sensibility before entering a new era as the platinum-selling, ARIA-nominated force in Australian music. From breakthrough anthems like Hold and Regular Touch to recent releases In The Corner and Go Lucky, this will be a new take on a modern sound that simply can't be missed. Vera Blue and MSO will perform 'Orchestral Veil' on Saturday, July 11. Tickets go on sale Thursday, March 12. For more information, visit the website.
The force is strong with this one — the Lego-building force, that is, with the largest collection of life-sized Lego Star Wars models ever assembled, as well as the biggest touring Lego exhibition, hitting Australia in 2025 (and world-premiering Down Under). Melbourne has locked in the first-ever Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition season. And yes, of course it'll open on Sunday, May 4. Melbourne Museum will be filled with more than eight-million bricks, all making models based on the George Lucas-created space saga. What music goes best with turning all that Lego into a Star Wars fan's dream? 'Luke's Theme', aka the franchise's main tune? 'The Imperial March' when things get tricky? 'Parade of the Ewoks', just because? That's a question for Ryan McNaught aka Brickman, who has indeed been spending time turning plastic rectangles, squares and other shapes into a recreation of a galaxy far, far away. The exhibition is set to take 25,000-plus hours of building, which is occurring at McNaught's headquarters in Tullamarine. Here's a question for attendees, too: which tunes will pair well with walking through this Lego Star Wars wonderland? The full list of models that'll feature hasn't been unveiled so far, but one will be life-sized — and that'll be a Lego Star Wars first. A huge 64,759 bricks are being used to craft the three-metre-high X-wing Red-5, taking 382 build hours. Attendees can also expect to see battle scenes between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, plus Qui-Gon Jinn and Darth Maul duelling, and also Emperor Palpatine's throne flanked by two Royal Guards. If you're keen to check it out, you'll need to be in the Victorian capital to wander through Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition. As well as the hosting the world-premiere season, which will run until Monday, January 26, 2026, the stint at Melbourne Museum is an Australian exclusive. While you're there, you won't just be looking at all things Star Wars in Lego — you'll be able to get building yourself. Images: Museums Victoria.
Salona is a Greek eatery that has been run by three generations of the same family for nearly six decades. It is a beacon of heritage and history, community and convivality, and generosity and growth. It may be the oldest Greek restaurant owned and operated by the same family in Melbourne, but in the hands of the next generation, Salona still manages to feel fresh, exciting and vibrant. Stavros Konis, of Kafeneoin, took over the reins in 2006 with his wife, Alexandra, making them the third-generation family members to run Salona. This changing of the guard saw the reimagination of the venue, with Konis expanding the restaurant into the former travel agency next door and freshening up the fit-out. While walls may have been painted, and an al fresco area added, the heart of Salona — its traditional Greek menu — has largely remained true to its original iterations. There are dips, olives, pickled veggies and complimentary bread to start. Meze range from spicy cheese croquettes and pork and leek sausage, to pickled octopus and grilled kefalograviera cheese with apricot jam. Mains are hearty and rich, and while undoubtedly Greek in flavour and technique, they focus on Australian produce where possible. There's wild-caught, fresh fish of the day, baked goat with potatoes in parchment paper, Australian wild king prawn Greek Pasta, and lamb cutlets sold by the half kilo. It's no mean feat to have existed as a prominent member of Melbourne's hospitality landscape for over half a century, and it's even more impressive for a venue to maintain the energy, focus and loyal following of customers to be able to look ahead to the next however many decades with the same confidence. Images: Dan Castano Dazey Studio.
The Whitsundays is a stunning holiday destination. Thanks to its gorgeous natural surroundings, vacationing at the Sunshine State spot is rarely solely driven by wanting to dine at a particular restaurant, then; however, on Hamilton Island, that might be the motivation now. If any eatery and bar is worth planning a getaway around, it's the brand-new Catseye Pool Club. First announced in 2024 and open since late April 2025, it's Josh and Julie Niland's latest venture — and their first ever in Queensland. When the pair revealed that they were launching their debut Sunshine State restaurant on Hamilton Island, it was huge news. Indeed, this is one of the big culinary openings of 2025. Catseye Pool Club is part of The Sundays, the also brand-new 59-room hotel at Catseye Beach's northern end that's all about luxury, but also boasts being family friendly as part of its point of difference. This Niland venture stands out from the duo's other restaurants for a few reasons. There's the location, of course — and eating here does indeed mean dining at an oceanfront tropical destination. Then there's the fact that Catseye Pool Club isn't a seafood joint. Whenever Josh and Julie's names come up, it's usually in the same breath as their preferred form of protein. Acclaimed Sydney restaurants, award-winning cookbooks, global kudos, a sustainable seafood restaurant in Singapore: championing a fin-to-tail approach to the ocean's finest, their footprint spans all of the above. Whole-fish cookery remains a feature at Catseye Pool Club, but it's just one part of the menu. This restaurant and bar heroes Australian ingredients and celebrate shared dining, with dishes designed to be tucked into communally. Taking your time in the sun, making the most of the fact that you're on an island and relaxing in general are also key aspects of the vibe — and the pool club part of the restaurant's name says plenty. Yes, the eatery is by the pool, so expect to peer at water from multiple sources. "Whilst 'family-style' or 'share-style' dining is very much a way restaurants have operated for many years, the Catseye Pool Club approaches its menu with each item very much designed to be enjoyed as a whole table, with all the trimmings coming with each dish," explained Josh back in March. The opening food and drink lineup spans 14 pages, starting with rock oysters with pepperberry mignonette, pizza bread, and a selection of wild raw fish and scallops for two. Almost everything edible from there is for at least a pair of diners, whether battered and fried wild fish tacos, Tweed Heads rock lobster, roast pork, Bowen mud crab pie, sirloin on the bone, lamb cutlets or line-caught trout tempt your tastebuds — or raspberry and coconut trifle, chocolate cake or flambé pineapple tart among the desserts. The one exception: the neapolitan sundae is just designed for one. Catseye Pool Club is also serving up breakfast just for hotel guests — and patrons can be enjoy its range of meals if they're hanging out by the pool rather than sitting at a table. At a hotel run by Hamilton Island Enterprises, which is also behind qualia, guests can also make the most of that oceanfront swimming pool surrounded by private cabanas, alongside a pickleball court and tropical gardens. Room options include balcony and terrace, plus interconnecting family rooms, all decked out in calming hues. "The Sundays brings something truly special to Hamilton Island — an elevated boutique escape that welcomes families and reflects the warm, laidback, uniquely Australian style of hospitality Hamilton Island is known for," advises Hamilton Island CEO Nick Dowling. "The Sundays is part of Hamilton Island's ongoing evolution — reimagined for today's traveller on the site of one of the island's original hotels. Over the years, we've evolved our accommodation, dining and experiences to reflect what our guests are looking for. Those who've been returning for decades know that you don't need to travel far to tick off a bucket-list destination — the Great Barrier Reef is right here on our doorstep.' Find Catseye Pool Club at The Sundays, Catseye Beach, Hamilton Island — and head to the hotel's website for more details.
When it comes to brunching in Toorak, there's a new kid on the block. In the Toorak Village space formerly home to Grange Road Egg Shop, you'll now find Fleur Espresso — a sunny new cafe helmed by chef Ash Tirosh (District Brewer, Junior) and environmental waste management guru Kham Bayani. A few carryovers from the site's past life remain, including the egg-shaped Arne Jacobsen 'Drop' chairs and the cheery wall murals by local artist Deams. But otherwise, Fleur marks a whole new beginning; one that will be driven by strong sustainability practices courtesy of Bayani's expertise. Star among these is the worm farm, which has pride of place near the front counter and is busy processing the cafe's food scraps into fertiliser for its many indoor plants. Not that there'll be many leftover scraps with this menu, filled with Tirosh's playfully revamped cafe classics. All-day breakfast at Fleur means plates like the brekkie carbonara with smoked pancetta and manchego cream, a blue swimmer crab omelette, Turkish eggs featuring crumbed eggplant and aleppo chilli butter, and a crème caramel-inspired french toast. Come lunch, you're in for the likes of nasi goreng salad with a gutsy sambal dressing, slow-cooked lamb shank on almond pilaf, fried chicken bao and a brisket reuben. And of course, you'll want to try a coffee by Roasting Warehouse, crafted on Fleur's statement baby pink La Marzocco machine. Find Fleur Espresso at 1A Grange Road, Toorak. It's open 7am–3pm Tuesday to Friday, 8am–2pm Saturday and 9am–2pm Sunday.
Since the first Iron Man film in 2008, Marvel has trained superhero fans well. Notching up 33 movies in its enormous cinematic universe with 2023's The Marvels and showing zero signs of stopping, the comic book company has basically taken over the big screen, with this year delivering Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, too — and, as always, there's plenty more flicks on the way. Marvel hasn't just taken over picture palaces. Via Disney+, the small screen is also home to many a MCU story, including Secret Invasion and season two of Loki in 2023. Keen to see your favourite spandex-clad crime-fighters try to save the world in person as well? Along with splashing Marvel's heroes and villains across every screen it can find, that's also coming — and soon. Marvel Universe LIVE! is exactly what it seems — and if it sounds familiar, that's because it was meant to head Down Under in 2020, but then the pandemic hit. So, when it makes the trip to Australia in April 2024, it'll be unveiling its show to Aussie audiences for the first time. Melbourne's season takes place from Friday, April 12–Monday, April 15 at Rod Laver Arena. The production takes more than 20 characters such as Spider-Man, The Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy, teaming them up on stage and letting audiences marvel (pun intended) at their exploits. Featuring everyone from Iron Man, Thor, Black Panther and the Hulk to Captain America, Doctor Strange and Black Widow, it tasks the beloved superheroes with facing off against some of Marvel's infamous villains, including Nebula, Loki and Green Goblin. And, it packages their antics with video projections, special effects, pyrotechnics, martial arts, and both aerial and motorcycle stunts. The performance is aimed at all ages and, in news that's about as unsurprising as most wisecracks that Tony Stark ever uttered, the show has proven a massive success in the United States, Latin America and Europe. As a result, it was only a matter of time until it hit Australia after its pandemic delay. Obviously, attendees won't be watching Robert Downey Jr (Oppenheimer), Chris Hemsworth (Extraction II), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar), Scarlett Johansson (Asteroid City) and Tom Hiddleston (The Essex Serpent) — or any of the many, many other high-profile stars who feature in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, because that list truly seems endless. But, if you're happy to get your Marvel fix however you can, add this to your 2024 calendar.
It's been 11 years since the Japanese fashion giant UNIQLO first came to Australian shores, and the brand has come a long way since then. From its early days in the Emporium to 40 stores spread across the country, UNIQLO has gone back to its roots to celebrate these achievements with a new and improved flagship store where it all began. After the Emporium store closed for renovations in July, doors reopened earlier this week to a queue of 400 eager Melbournians, who were treated to the first look at the now 4,590-square-metre store, having doubled in size since closing. As well as just more room for shelves, racks and the fashionable self-styling that UNIQLO specialises in, the new store also stars a UNIQLO debut. Customers here can get hands-on with their own products with UTme! — a print-on-demand service where you can pick and print patches onto t-shirts, hats and tote bags. The patches on offer all feature IP artworks from local Melbourne icons — including author and multi-disciplinary artist Beci Orpin, beloved sandwich spot and bakery Hector's Deli and multi-disciplinary curator DOCG. The opening celebrations are ongoing, too. From now until Sunday, November 30, you can catch traditional Japanese drumming performances inside and enjoy a pop-up photobooth that could win you a $1000 store voucher. Plus, labubu lovers can take a picture with Zimono inside the store and share it on Instagram to enter the running to win a Popmart prize pack. "Today is an exciting milestone for UNIQLO Australia as we reopen our Emporium store - the very first UNIQLO store to open in Australia 11 years ago. It's a special moment to celebrate how far we've come. We're grateful for the incredible support from the Melbourne community and we can't wait to welcome everyone back into this new and elevated space," said Tim Routley, UNIQLO Australia CFO. UNIQLO Melbourne Emporium is open now at 269-321 Lonsdale St, Melbourne. Find out more on the website.
Steel your livers, drinking buddies — the booziest week (and a bit) of the year is upon us once again. Running from May 11–20, Good Beer Week celebrates everything you can pour into a pint glass, and this year's lineup looks as thirst-quenching as ever. From brewery tours to workshops to mouth-watering dinners – not to mention an alcohol-fuelled mini golf tournament – the Good Beer Week 2018 program is packed to the brim with highlights. Gastronomers will be licking their lips at the Foodie section, too, which features events from some of the city's top eateries. Meanwhile, the Beer Geek and Beer School streams are perfect for anyone hoping to better understand their booze. You can even pick up some tips on how to brew your own. To help you sort the Tecate from the trub, we've rounded up our top seven hop-filled events happening during the ten days.
It was an incredibly sad day when iconic St Kilda venue Stokehouse burned down in 2014. But after a three-year hiatus, it returned with a bang, renovated and designated into a 'precinct' of multiple bars and restaurants, adding plenty of glamour to the seaside like only Stokehouse can. The Van Haandel Group opened the first two stages of the beachside precinct. Fish and chip kiosk Paper Fish followed by ground floor venue Pontoon. But while the 400-capacity casual beachside bar and eatery was an exciting opening, it was certainly no match for the hardcore anticipation that has surrounded the relaunch of the one and only Stokehouse Restaurant, that finally opened in December 2016. The new building was designed by architect Robert Simeoni which, as well as having a five Green Star rating for sustainability, looks pretty epic due to half of it being covered by a sand dune. After doing a stellar job on Stokehouse's previous 2010 refurbishment, Pascale Gomes McNabb returned to fit out the new restaurant space, which includes a 12.5-metre oval bar and room for 130 diners. Chef Jason Staudt is on the pans, and his menu kicks off with starters such as roasted southern calamari with caponata and tarragon, beef tartare with Oscietra caviar jacket potato and a premium oyster service. Mains include local rock flathead served with spaghetti squash and fish collar nduja, a Gundagai GLQ 5+ lamb tomahawk with puntarelle and sweetbread and a steamed wild barramundi with pickled dill blossom. Be sure to stay for dessert and enjoy a strawberry Eton mess with forage frais and black pepper meringue, or a selection of cheeses with condiments and lavosh. Alternatively, dine downstairs to Stokehouse Pasta & Bar if you're feeling in the mood for carbs over seafood — or just a few cheeky seaside cocktails. Images: Emily Weaving. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Pasta in Melbourne for 2023
It's easy to get stuck in the daily grind of city life. Work, errands, coffee catch-ups, life admin, more work, forced exercise, more work. And while Melbourne is a pretty fantastic city to complete all of the above within, it is surrounded by often-forgotten, easy-to-reach day-trip destinations that help shake up the monotony of daily life. Life is short, so it's imperative that once in a while, you plan a day of adventuring just for the sake of it. Head out of town to feed the soul with fresh air and open landscapes, and while you're at it, feed your stomach by heading to one of Melbourne's many sensational, road trip-worthy regional restaurants. There is no shortage of options, but you're likely short on time, so to help, we've compiled a list of the best drinking and dining destinations that make the drive out of town well worthwhile. From breathtaking wineries to fine dining establishments, standout hotel restaurants to farm-to-table diners showcasing the best local produce, all you need is Google Maps, maybe a snack for the car (not too much, you don't ruin your meal ahead), and you're set for a day trip to remember. Recommended Reads: The Best Restaurants in Melbourne for 2025 The Best Seafood Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Ice Cream in Melbourne The Best Bakeries in Melbourne BRAE, BIRREGURRA Behind the illustrious Great Ocean Road is another landmark that's just as impressive on a culinary level: Dan Hunter's Brae. The restaurant has been making jaws drop and clutching awards since its opening in 2014, including being named on the World's 100 Best Restaurants list. Located in a farmhouse, the restaurant's interiors are simple, allowing the impeccable food to take centre stage. The menu changes daily, featuring ingredients grown in the lush outdoor garden. Depending on the season, the harvest may include the likes of nasturtium flowers, red mizuna, turnip leaves, Tahitian limes, Myer lemons, Geraldton wax tips, and sea parsley leaflets. Brae is a dining experience you'll never forget. LAURA, PT. LEO ESTATE It's hard not to be impressed when you visit Laura. Sweeping vistas, thoughtful food and matched wines, and front-row seats to the world-class, 16-acre sculpture park that attracts locals, out-of-towners and art fanatics from even further abroad. Head Chef Josep Espuga's ethos of cultivating authentic relationships with suppliers and producers aligns seamlessly with Laura's unwavering commitment to showcasing local ingredients and putting premium Peninsula produce on a pedestal. Here, the dedication to sustainability and bridging the gap between grower and table is evident in a kitchen garden that supplies the kitchen with many of its fresh ingredients. The eight-course seasonal menu, or the four-course signature menu, is peppered with impeccable produce grown on the property, and where possible, supplemented with premium ingredients found along the pristine Mornington Peninsula, or further afield in Victoria. ZONCELLO, YARRA VALLEY This Yarra Valley drinking and dining destination is the second outpost from the group behind Zonzo Estate, which has been in the works for over ten years. Zonzo Estate Director Rod Micallef says "Zoncello is a natural extension of the brand. It's about energy, connection and indulgence. Just like our spritzes, the venue is designed to be fun, vibrant, and a little bit brazen, while still deeply rooted in Italian tradition." The menu, designed by Executive Chef David Petrilli, was created to be savoured alongside a fresh spritz in hand. The approachable and easy-to-share Italian menu features an impressive selection of cold cuts, as well as cheesy things and pickled goodies from the in-house salumeria. There is everything from wagyu bresaola to truffle and squid ink salami, to local buffalo mozzarella, dry-cured black olives and Roman artichokes. TOTTI'S, LORNE The first Victorian outpost of this NSW export plates up the faithful interpretation of Italian fare that's earned Totti's its unwaveringly popular status interstate, though with a few twists and new creations courtesy of the local chef. Familiar favourites are in strong supply, including the famous puffy woodfired bread, a range of antipasti and beloved freshly made pastas. The restaurant embraces its coastal setting, with a space well suited to long weekend lunches and thirsty walk-ins, strolling fresh off the beach. Expect foreshore views from every seat in the house. DU FERMIER, TRENTHAM Annie Smither's unassuming, humble dining room, situated unexpectedly on a country road in the heart of Trentham, offers a dining experience unlike any other in Victoria. An ever-changing menu of classic French farmhouse dishes showcases seasonal produce, most of which is grown at Annie's beloved farm, Babbington Park, located nearby. While an often overused adage, a meal at Du Fermier feels sincerely like being invited into Annie's warm, comfortable home, where you are treated more like an old friend than a paying customer. RARE HARE, MERRICKS NORTH Rare Hare is the less formal of the two restaurants at the design-forward, ultra-luxe Jackalope Hotel on the Mornington Peninsula. The rustic space with exposed brick floors, open fireplaces and dark wooden furniture is juxtaposed beautifully against the sweeping, bright green vistas of the vineyards visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the restaurant. Unlike many regional fine diners, Rare Hare helpfully offers à la carte dining, meaning you can enjoy a more casual meal here. Menu mainstays include the potato bread, the chive waffle with horseradish cream and salmon roe, fried barra wings with skordalia, and the unmissable woodfired chocolate chip cookie (which in and of itself is worth the drive from Melbourne). PORT PHILLIP ESTATE, RED HILL SOUTH Port Phillip Estate's sculptural, limestone-rammed building is one of the most impressive structures gracing Red Hill. It proudly overlooks vineyards and Westernport Bay, creating an inspiring setting. Depending on the time of year, the seasonal menu may feature dishes such as woodfired quail with Estate leek cream and mushroom ketchup, duck breast with rhubarb mille-feuille and blueberry port jus, and a local lime meringue tart accompanied by macadamia and coconut mint sorbet. Produce from regional neighbours is also honoured, such as cheeses, wines and poultry. RE'EM, YARRA VALLEY Yarra Valley winery Helen & Joey Estate leapt into the world of dining and accommodation when they established Re'em, within its vast 200-acre property, in 2024. The site takes full advantage of the estate's rolling vineyard and ornamental lake, with the dining spaces and each of the 16 boutique rooms boasting views across the winery and the surrounding region. In the 80-seat restaurant, guests can cosy up in booths by floor-to-ceiling windows or head to the shaded terrace to sample an impressive selection of contemporary Chinese dishes, each of which has been designed to pair with the estate's wines. Helen & Joey's esteemed portfolio of wines spans four brands — Wayward Child, Re'em, Unicorn and Alicorn. THE WOODHOUSE, BENDIGO The Woodhouse is, as you may have guessed from the name, all about wood, smoke and fire — so, expect plenty of grilled and roasted meats and seafood, woodfired pizza and more. This beloved Bendigo eatery boasts several different types of grills, which burn through around 40 tonnes of local red gum per year and bestow distinctive flavours and heavenly caramelisation on everything they come into contact with. Priding itself on its veritably strong connection to the local land, The Woodhouse spotlights some of the area's most revered producers, farms and vineyards. Step into the warm brick dining room, brimming with happy locals and the aroma of woody smoke, and you'll feel right at home. KILLARA ESTATE, SEVILLE EAST Overlooking perfect rows of vines and hills, this winery churns out some quality food in the Yarra Valley. Italian classics make up the menu, such as pork and fennel Sicilian sausages with onion jam, bolognaise-filled arancini and freshly sliced mortadella. Traditional pizzas and pastas are also available. Pair your meal with one of the winery's home-produced shiraz, chardonnay, Moscato or pinot grigio, and you won't regret it. Feature image: Laura, Pt Leo Estate.
Anyone looking to get a little creative with their cocktails had best pay a visit to Fitzroy's new boozy laboratory. Opening last month on Smith Street, The Bitters Lab is exactly what it sounds like: a store dedicated to bitters and tonics. It's bound to take your drink-mixing skills to the next level. The space is the new home base for online retailer Only Bitters, run by local alcohol enthusiasts Sophia and JD Dimitropoulos. The interior is set up like an old time apothecary, its shelves lined with glass beakers and bottles full of bitters, syrups, tonics, vermouths and vinegars. Not sure what you're after? The tasting table in the centre of the room will be littered with open bottles for you to sample at your leisure. Plus, Sophia and JD are usually on-hand for some help and a chat. In addition to their pre-made botanicals, The Bitters Lab sells cocktail recipe books and all the raw materials you'll need to make your very own bitters at home. They're also planning on hosting a number of special events, workshops and masterclasses — keep your eyes on their website for those. Find The Bitters Lab at Shop 9, 397 Smith Street, Fitzroy. For more info visit thebitterslab.com.au.
Malvern Road is the home of Rock Sugar, South Yarra's newest Thai eatery. Before you dismiss this as news of yet another Thai restaurant, hold your horses — this isn't just any old stir fry and noodle canteen. The masterminds behind restaurant, which opened this week, are experienced Thai chef Kam McManamey (Botherambo, ex-Bang Pop), front of house Simon Tammesild (Mr Miyagi) and owner Nikon Souphan (Kanpai). The menu is being spruiked as modern Asian, featuring dishes like sour orange curry of pumpkin, eggplant, lychee, and white fungus, and pork neck with prawn floss, green nam prik, green mango and sticky rice. Gluten intolerant? No stress, because the menu is mostly gluten free. McManamey felt the need to create a menu that pushed the boundaries, travelling to Thailand to find inspiration (a good move if you're opening a Thai restaurant, huh). The outcome is a menu that will challenge Melburnians in what he describes as an "outrageously competitive market". And he's right. Rock Sugar will also be offering 'rocktails' — made to order cocktails, served in bubble cups (much like bubble tea). The list won't feature your standard cocktails though — creations include the Thai Basil Smash (coconut water, gin with Thai basil and lime) and the Chilli Choc Martini (chocolate sorbet, cognac, and scud 'bird's eye' chilli). Yes please. For those who like to stick with the classics, the beer list will have all the standard Australian and Thai beers, as well as a wine list featuring grapes from Australia, New Zealand and Europe. If you're not sure how to recognise Rock Sugar, just look out for their mascot Phi Phi — a waving pink neon Fortune Cat. You've got to be doing something right if you've got a neon pink mascot for your restaurant, right? Rock Sugar is open 5pm to late, Wednesday to Sunday at 477 Malvern Road, South Yarra.
If taking high tea or riding a bike across a balance beam four storeys in the air sounds like your kind of thing, then read on. After five years of construction, Sydney's newest aerial park, Skypeak Adventures has opened. The park, which is located next to the Saint Mary's Leagues Stadium is the second park of its type and scale to open in Sydney after Urban Jungle was unveiled in Olympic Park in 2013. The adventure park features a series of obstacle courses and challenges, all suspended high in the sky. Think bridge walks, barrel runs, rope climbs, chasm jumps or trapeze swings, 22 metres above ground. A variety of passes are available, giving visitors access to different areas of the course. The 'Momentum' pass involves a 15-metre freefall/leap of faith into the unknown (hopefully a net?), while the 'Skypeak Tree' course involves scaling a huge ancient River Red Gum. High tea, minus the scones and cakes will be available, in the form of a picnic table suspended nine metres above a void. For the less adventurous (or perhaps more sane) visitors, a series of very stable platforms allow you to take an elevated walk through the park and interact with the more courageous. No judgement. Western Sydney is becoming a bit of a destination for thrill seekers, offering a host of extreme activities including Wet 'n' Wild, iFly, Cables Wake Park and, of course, Aqua Golf. Skypeak Adventure passes start at $29 for adults, with the course open from 9am to 7pm everyday.
Chimac Plus is a classic Korean barbecue joint, brought to life with an elegant interior and dim lighting which set the mood for an intimate and tantalising feast. The all-you-can-eat menu includes a meat selection of pork belly, soy-marinated pork scotch, oyster blades marinated in soy, a range of bulgogi and fried chicken wings in wonder soy — all complemented with classic sides like kimchi, spicy fish cakes, pickled onions and steamed rice. From the a la carte menu, try the fried chicken coated in a sticky and sweet chilli paste or the mad chilli chicken (hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot and hot they warn). For a barbecue set, look no further than the 'Show Me What You Got' option, which includes oyster blade steak, beef bulgogi, spicy pork bulgogi, soy chicken and plain pork belly and soy wings. You can add extra meat on your own accord. There is also a Kor-Mex menu (Korea meets Mexico, duh) that includes takor (think tacos, quesadillas and burritos with your choice of beef, spicy pork and chicken or kimchi). Pair this with some loaded fries and enter a brave new world of Korean cuisine. Wash it down with some Korean or Japanese beer or some Korean rice wine. If you're off the booze, try a bong bong or two (a Korean grape drink) which is delightfully fizzy. All up, Chimac Plus is the perfect place for a chill catch-up with serious and fun cuisine. Images: Tran Nguyen
One of Australia's most redeeming qualities is its ability to give good afternoon sun. There's something about its familiar glow that almost demands casual drinks — whether it's cracking open a cold beer after a long day, heading to the pub after work, or deciding on a whim that your backyard is perfect for having people over. Here in Melbourne, we love a drink in an inner city park. In the height of summer you'll see people of all ages chilling out in Fitzroy Gardens, Edinburgh Gardens or any other area where there's an expanse of green grass. The standard of our parks is off the chart. Here's a list of ten outdoor spots where you can BYO drinks in Melbourne. DIGHTS FALLS After a bike ride in the sunshine, head to the Merri Creek trail for a stroll past tree-lined banks and on to Dights Falls. The weir here is artificially made and was built in the 1840s to provide water to the 'Ceres' flour mill. After spending an afternoon lying in the sun here, saddle up your bike and head for home. They way home might include a stop in at Collingwood Children's farm for a chat with some pigs, and then a visit to all-round charity good guys Lentil As Anything for some post-ride sustenance. FITZROY GARDENS One of the most stunning parks in town, Fitzroy Gardens is home to Victorian-era design and pathways lined with shrubs. Don't you just love a good shrub? Get your fix here as you wander the diverse and picturesque grounds. You might explore the Fairie Tree or the model Tudor village, or you might just pull up a spot on the lawn and lie in the sun with a drink. It's completely up to you. [caption id="attachment_593161" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Instagram: @isa8486[/caption] TIDAL PARK Wilson's Prom is a classic camping spot, and Tidal River is the main spot within it for camping and accommodation. Norman Beach is only a walk away from your tent (or cabin) home, and even though there are 484 camping and caravan sites you won't feel like the crowds are too much, except on school holidays when you should probably choose to not come during that time and that'd be a-ok. Camping facilities are pretty comprehensive (such that you won't be far from a hot shower) and if you want to barbecue your dinner you can on the free gas barbecues. CUMBERLAND RIVER HOLIDAY PARK You want to make sure that you book well ahead to get a prime river spot at this popular holiday park. This uber-picturesque location is nestled on the mouth of the Cumberland River, and is a pretty hot location for wedding pics because of a very photogenic backdrop. Grab your tent, a few mates, an esky full of drinks and set off on a weekend out of town in one of the prettiest spots around. HALF MOON BAY A little bit further south on the ocean past St Kilda lies Half Moon Bay. This local's spot is protected by a rock wall, and has in the past played host to some impromptu beach parties. If there's not a spontaneous beach rave happening at the moment that you happen to be there that's okay – it's plenty of fun to frolic in the shallows as you spend a sunny afternoon here enjoying some rays. There's also a row of shops not too far away in case you run out of drinking and eating supplies. PRINCES PARK This sprawling green is home to approximately a million possums, mums jogging with prams, kids playing soccer and, if you're lucky, a bunch of die-hard fantasy fans doing a spot of Larping (prime people watching opportunity). With free barbecue facilities on site, Princes Park is the perfect spot for an afternoon get together with some mates. Keen for some friendly exercise? Hire a tennis court for a hit, and then cool off with a couple of cold ones in the afternoon sun. EDINBURGH GARDENS It's the spot to see and be seen, and if you head there on a sunny day you'll probably find that at least 20 percent of your friends have checked in here. Space is the only issue here – there's a risk of getting doinked in the head by a rogue frisbee. But that's a small price to pay for the possibility that the person chucking it might be incredibly good looking (it's Fitzroy). The all-round amazing supermarket Piedimonte is right around the corner. It's picnic location perfection. TURPINS FALLS We'll be honest. The water at Turpins Falls is cold, no matter what the season. But if you grab a spot in the sun to warm up like a lizard, you won't find it too bad. Pack up a cute picnic and hightail it outta town for a 70 minute drive north out of Melbourne. This stunning spot is always pretty packed in summer, but that only adds to the atmosphere of the place. PARLIAMENT GARDENS When you're riding the 86 or 96 trams (or any other tram that passes Parliament) you'll be greeted with the lovely sight of Parliament Gardens. This cute-as-a-button patch is recognisable for its fountains, palm trees, statues, and park weddings that often occur within it. It's a great spot to cool off on a hot day, and boasts a great view of Parliament House, Eastern Hill and St Patrick's Cathedral. Check out the bronze statues of Pastor Sir Douglas and Lady Gladys, two of Australia's most prominent Indigenous leaders, then relax on the grass as you watch the world go by. Top Image: Kimberley Low
We don't know how things go down in your household, but the only food we generally pair a cider with is a packet of salt and vinegar chips on a balmy afternoon. But while this is undoubtedly a terrific use of an ice-cold bottle of the alcoholic apple beverage, it turns out that cider is great when used as an ingredient in your food as well. It's not just us saying that, by the way. Melbourne's Scott Pickett, chef and restaurateur at Saint Crispin and Estelle Bistro, agrees. "It adds an interesting element to a sauce or dish or puree, as opposed to using your standard red or white wine," says Pickett, who after reopening his Northcote restaurant The Estelle as Estelle Bistro earlier this year, has just opened the second phase of the space: Estelle by Scott Pickett. And what does cider complement best? According to Scott, it goes best with cured salmon and fish, charcuterie and — of course — pork. Pork jowl — which, for the record, is the cheek of the pig — is somewhat of a signature for Scott, who has continually used the jowl on the menu at his evolving High Street restaurant. With Estelle Bistro opening in February, the lineup changed, but jowl still stands as a stalwart. Only now it benefits from the addition of an ingenious cider gel. Adding the blobs of cider to the plate adds a whole other taste to the pork, says Scott. '"The sweet, yet dry flavour profiles of the cider and the fragrant apple add an extra element to the dish." So if you want to get a bit fancy with your cider and experience the true culinary chemical reaction that occurs when pork and apple are combined in the same mouthful, try making Scott Pickett's signature pork jowl with cider gel and boudin noir (that's a French blood sausage) this weekend. Fancy, fancy recipe below: Ingredients 3 pork jowls, skin on 500ml apple juice 375ml James Squire cider 200g boudin noir (blood sausage) 4 pickling onions 5g agar agar 1tsp seeded mustard Red mustard leaves 500g rock salt 1 bunch of thyme 1 bunch of sage 4 cloves of garlic For the pork jowl Place the rock salt, thyme, sage and garlic in a food processor and process all ingredients until well combined. Trim any excess fat and skin from the pork jowls, cover them in the salt mix and leave to sit in the fridge overnight. The next day, rinse off the salt and place jowls on a roasting rack lined with baking paper and roast at 230 degrees for 80 minutes. For the cider gel Pour the cider into a saucepan and, on the stove, reduce it until there's only half the liquid left. Add the apple juice and agar agar. Bring the liquid back to the boil, and when it's boiling, pour into a bowl and place it in the fridge to set. Once it has set, place the liquid into a blender and puree until a smooth gel forms. For the Boudin Noir crumb Roughly break up the boudin noir and place it on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake in the oven at 150 degrees until the sausage has dried out and resembles large breadcrumbs. To serve Cut the pickling onions in half and roast with the layers facing down in a very hot pan. Continue to roast until slightly charred and tender, and when you remove them from the oven, separate the layers to get a shell-like shape. Take out the pork and cut it into 2cm slices. Place one slice of the pork jowl in the centre of the plate, and surround it with three dabs of the cider gel and three of the onion shells. Top with the boudin noir crumbs, dribble the grain mustard over the plate and garnish with the mustard leaves.
The casual sibling to Stokehouse above (where rowdy Pontoon once lived), this laidback, all-day spot is a go-to for Mediterranean eats and beachside sips. Hugh and Pete van Haandel (sons of Stokehouse precinct owner Frank van Haandel) are steering the venue's latest guise, built around a pasta-heavy food offering that fuses European flavours with Aussie flair. Breezy coastal-inspired interiors and timber finishes are set against the backdrop of sand and sea, and there's been a strong focus on sustainability throughout the build and in the ongoing offering. Food at Stokehouse Pasta & Bar bears similar DNA to the restaurant upstairs, yet with a much more casual lean. It's especially primed for seaside snacking sessions, with the likes of Marlin crudo with peach and fennel, anchovy toast with pickled capsicum, and wagyu bresaola with blood plum. Move into pasta territory for plates like crab, garlic and chilli spaghetti, fusilli with basil, pistacio and parmesan, and rgatoni with pranws. There are also hearty mains including fish and chips with tartar sauce, a woodfired half chicken with white romesco or a grass-fed 300 gram scotch fillet. While the sun is still setting late into the evening, and to make the most of the end of summer, Stokehouse Pasta & Bar have launched a late-afternoon offering, $30 Sticks & Spritz. Between 3 and 5pm daily, you can grab a spritz, Aperol, or Limoncello, plus three skewers, for just $30. Skewers include the likes of lamb with apricot and rosemary and octopus with chorizo and black garlic. The perfect pit stop after work, or snack to line your stomach before dinner. Also out to save you some coin is Stokehouse Pasta & Bar's wine list, where the lineup trips from Australia to Europe, with pours to suit palates both simple and adventurous; while cocktails span from the classics to signature offerings like the Stokehouse Spritz — a delicate blend of Amaro, orange, white peach and jasmine soda. Images: Interiors by Tom Blachford, Food and Drink by Arianna Leggiero.
With a luxurious yet welcoming blue and white interior and boundless natural light flooding in from two walls of uninterrupted windows, Middletown Prahran is a brunch venue designed to relax, inspire and rejuvenate. The space invites you to sit back and chill out as the world roars on outside — as the team of baristas turns out delicious brews by Code Black Coffee. The all-day breakfast menu features light and easy options such as oat granola with maple toasted oats, mixed nuts, vanilla yoghurt and dried and fresh fruits and corn fritters with jalapeños and a harissa-honey pumpkin puree, blistered cherry tomatoes, a poached egg and lemon coconut yoghurt. If you're after something more substantial, its big breakfast is bound to keep you busy for an hour or so. It features chilli scrambled eggs, pork sausages, streaky bacon, hash browns, roasted tomatoes and tomato relish on sourdough toast. If you're vegetarian, there are plenty of options for you, too. But our fave choice is the avocado on toast topped with cherry tomatoes, lemon vinaigrette, hazelnut and almond dukkah. Meanwhile, suppose you're swinging by for a work meeting or catch up over a meal. In that case, the lunch menu offers classics such as a beef burger with American cheese, burger sauce, pickles and tomatoes, while the fish and chips consist of a beer-battered John Dory with smashed peas, fries and tartare. For something leaving you a little lighter, opt for the Japanese pumpkin salad with cauliflower and brown rice or the chicken avo sandwich, which is loaded up with tasty cheese and seeded mustard. Drinks-wise, there's a decent range of teas, smoothies and fresh juices. And as the morning catch-up drags into the afternoon, treat yourself to a cheeky mimosa or espresso martini or a glass of wine from Victoria or South Australia. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Melbourne for 2023
Trattoria Emilia is all about that refined rustic Italianate vibe, as if you're putting your feet up at a waterfront cafe in Sorrento. Owners Francesco and Luca have created a restaurant with a special focus on the ambience, allowing the diners imagination to take them back to the sunny shores of Italy. It's all about tradition here, while using modern cooking techniques to create something unique. The menu begins with classic small bites, including marinated olives, gnocco grotto with prosciutto di Parma, and Cantabrian anchovies in whipped butter and crostini. Entrees include Fremantle octopus with potato, celery, chives and olive dust, while vegetarians can enjoy some roasted Jerusalem artichokes with cashew, chestnut and black garlic. The Trattoria Emilia mains include a handful of pasta dishes, with the pork and beef ragu being a highlight, while the roasted lamb rump with eggplant and zucchini is deliciously succulent and full of flavour. A proper Italian restaurant isn't complete without a tiramisu, and the one here was coated in a Frangelico sauce with coffee and cacao. Delicious. Back in the day this joint was BYO on certain nights, but as the restaurant has evolved so has the wine list, so leave your bottles in the cellar. The list is impressive with a heavy focus on Italian bottles, while some stellar Aussie drops get a look in too. [caption id="attachment_608218" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Brook James[/caption] Appears in: Where to Find the Best Pasta in Melbourne for 2023
If you've ever wandered out of a movie at 10pm, left a restaurant after dinner or got out of work around midnight and thought, damn, I could really do with some artisan blue cave-aged cheese right now — you're not alone. In fact, Daniel Verheyen is right there with you. After finishing up many a night with a standard cheese board at The Smith, Verheyen decided to roll his love for cheese, wine and hospitality into a late-night licensed fromagerie: Milk the Cow. Of course, you're probably familiar with Milk the Cow. You've probably been there. Tasted the cheese. Gone back. But if St Kilda was a bit too far from home — Fitzroy Street is a fair whack from Fitzroy, to be fair — you'll be happy to know that the Cow has traveled north, making a second home in Carlton. Aesthetically, the Carlton venue looks much the same as her southside sister: the colour palette is still pastoral, the light fittings are made from milking clusters and the cheese is on display in the store-long cabinet. As well as the main bar, 40 people can be sat upstairs, as well as a handful on the street outside. On a summer night, it's bliss. Right in the heart of Lygon Street's Italian precinct, this isn't a location that's exactly starved for cheese and wine. But you don't go to Milk the Cow for fresh mozzarella and just-made ricotta — you go for the selection of over 150 cheeses you'll seldom get anywhere else. There is cheese that's been imported from France, Ireland and Norway as well as the Yarra Valley; cheese that's been washed in chai, paprika and cognac; aged in caves and sat ripening out the back until just the right time to eat. There's all sorts of soft, hard and in-between cheese — all curated on a rotating basis by head cheesemonger Laura Lown. There's so much that you simply shouldn't make a decision on your own. Luckily, all the staff are well informed in the art of cheese (as well as the impressive task of remembering what they're all called) and can help you find your perfect match. But if you're look for a taste of everything — and at a fromagerie, who isn't? — look no further than one of the cheese flights. Matched with wine, beer, cider, whiskey, sake or sparkling, each flight will give you four wedges of cheese and four tastes of the matching drop. And, starting at just $16 (for 30ml / 15g), it's possibly the most affordable cheese tasting you can do short of a block of cheddar and a cleanskin. Even better, the wine, beer and cider flights change weekly. It seems that Daniel Verheyen wasn't the only one looking to satisfy late night cheese cravings. Much like his St Kilda venue, the early success of Milk the Cow Carlton hinges on the fact that the Lygon strip was desperate for a place to pop in for a drink post-Nova that was casual, tasteful and cool — and wasn't Brunetti. That, and people just really dig cheese.
The past seven years saw Jason M Jones' Parisian diner Entrecôte establish itself as a true icon of the Domain Road strip, despite originally being conceived as just a one-year pop-up. But now, with its lease finished, the restaurant farewelled its historic South Yarra digs and made the move to a 200-seat home in Prahran's Greville Street, where it opened last September. Taking over the site once home to Toko and Fog, Entrecôte's new iteration both revived its trademark aesthetic and steered things into a new direction. Jones' partner, designer Brahman Perera, lead the fitout, which features an opulent fusion of elements old and new, a healthy collection of fine art and plenty of bold colour. Fancy fireplaces and oak wall panelling were imported from France and, in addition to the main dining rooms and brasserie, you'll find a glamorous private event space modelled on a Parisian pied-à-terre (aka an apartment). From the kitchen comes a similar offering to the one made famous on Domain Road, with classic French brasserie fare served all day long, from breakfast croque monsieurs to that after-dinner fromage. The legendary steak frites will of course be returning as the headline act, featuring pasture-fed Cape Grim Angus porterhouse and Entrecôte's secret herb butter sauce. Favourites like the escargot and beef tartare were also carried over, starring alongside a lineup of new and returning seasonal creations. As for Entrecôte's line of A la Maison retail products that made their mark during last year's pandemic, they've got their own home here in the new digs. An onsite store is stocked with signature items like the aforementioned herb butter sauce and the restaurant's French dressing, as well as other French groceries, takeaway coffee, pastries and sandwiches to-go. The venue isn't afraid of a little party action either, with live jazz from a rotation of resident musicians soundtrack Friday and Saturday nights. There are also DJs spinning French vinyl tunes on the regular, and more of Entrecôte's much-loved opera dinners to come. Top Images: Lillie Thompson and Entrecôte
Opened by renowned chef Scott Pickett (Estelle, Matilda, Pastore and Longrain), Chancery Lane resides in the historic Normanby Chambers site at 430 Collins Street. The space is kitted out with moodily lit dining zones, curved banquettes and arched windows framed in dapper black steel, while the Euro-accented bistro serves up fare that's at once timeless and unafraid of modern technique. The expansive seafood selection features a range of caviar served by the gram or the tin, alongside bites like prawn cocktails with apple and cantaloupe. A rich chicken liver parfait with pineapple on brioche makes for a decadent snack, as does the king dory with Cafe de Paris — surely a cult favourite in the making. Deeper in, you might find yourself tucking into a local snapper with turnip and sauce bois boudran or a Westholme wagyu flank. And while the cheese selection features an impressive, global lineup, prepare to be more than little swayed by lush desserts like the lemon and rum baba. A grand, globe-trotting wine cellar rounds out the fun at Melbourne's Chancery Lane, including a pick of top-shelf wines displayed artfully in a former safe within one of the dining room walls. Images: Tania Bahr Vollrath Appears in: The Best French Restaurants in Melbourne for 2023
Just because the days are getting fresher needn't mean scrapping your beloved weekly brunch routine. Half Acre's light-filled atrium space proves a primo weekend setting, even right through the depths of a grizzly Melbourne winter. Especially thanks to the South Melbourne eatery's weekend brunch offering, which is dishing up a bottomless New York-inspired feast every Saturday and Sunday for two hour seatings. Taking cues from the Big Apple's Soho House, this luxe buffet brunch is all-you-can-eat — so, make sure you head along hungry. It features a generous banquet spread, which may be loaded with shakshuka eggs in a tangy tomato and pepper sauce, challah french toast with rosewater berry compote, and oven-roasted figs with stracciatella, kale pesto and olive. But what really dials up the weekend vibes here is Half Acre's self-serve bottomless drink offerings, with cocktails, prosecco, wine, cocktails and more. Unleash some brunch-time creativity as you mix and match your drinks to match the eats. Then there is the carnivore-enabling dining series Tomahawk Thursdays at which, from lunch through to dinner every Thursday, you can join forces with a fellow meat lover in your life (or two of them) and tackle the 1.2kg Southern Ranch dry aged tomahawk steak served with black garlic butter and caramelised onion jus, a bargain at $110. Imagery: Tom Ross Appears in: The Best Bottomless Brunches in Melbourne for 2023
Hitting the indoor mini-golf course for a few holes of pop culture-themed fun and a few rounds of delightfully named beverages isn't just something Brisbanites should enjoy, or Sydney residents either. After launching in Queensland in late 2016, and announcing their first New South Wales venture, Holey Moley Golf Club officially opens in Melbourne today, Thursday, April 20. From noon, 590 Little Bourke Street will be home to 27 holes of club-swinging antics across two levels. It's Holey Moley's biggest venue yet, which means that there's plenty of room for the three nine-hole courses. The Brisbane bar is known for its creativity when it comes to creating courses, and this venue is no exception. Melburnians will be able to tap, tap, tap their way through rooms dedicated to The Simpsons and Game of Thrones and throwbacks to Pacman and Barbie dolls. Plus, everyone will be able to break out into song at the same time, with karaoke part of the antics. If you choose to work your way through the Happy Gilmore soundtrack, no one will stop you (at least not any of the staff). Drinks-wise, expect cocktails. The Caddyshack Bar boasts a pun-laden drinks list that includes the The Sugar Caddy, the Teeyonce Knowles and a Long Island Iced Tee (just what it sounds like, but with an appropriate name). Beer, cider and wine will also be available, but when you're aiming for a hole-in-one, it seems appropriate to be drinking from one (made from Pampero white rum, cinnamon whisky, half a banana, sugar syrup and a doughnut — yep, a doughnut) at the same time. Holey Moley Golf Club is now open at 590 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne. It will be open noon till late Monday to Friday, and 10am till late on weekends. For more info, check out their website. Images: Lucas Dawson.
