With an unusually late licence (until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays), this late-night cocktail bar is a must for those partying along Melbourne's famed Smith Street. During these nights, the curtained booths down the back of this small prohibition-style bar fill up fast, while night crawlers crowd the bar, the few tables lining the wall and the stools by the window — eventually sprawling outside where the busy Smith Street is heaving with folks lining up for Yah Yahs, The Lame Duck, and Wows. It really does get busy on Friday and Saturday nights, when folks come for the upbeat vibes before or after some dancing nearby, so do expect to talk loudly to your mates when visiting. But any other time of the week, this speakeasy bar has a significantly more chill vibe. Take your time exploring the long cocktails list of both classics and signature concoctions — it's also home to one of the best espresso martinis in town, guaranteed to keep you going until the early hours. Beers and wines also adorn the Caz Reitop's Dirty Secrets drinks menu, but this local spot is best known for its cocktails made by the super laidback and friendly bartenders who know exactly what they're doing. Be sure to down a few when visiting. This Melbourne bar also has a hidden private events space in the basement — known as The Vault — which is free to hire out as long as you put a minimum spend on the bar. It's equipped with its own bar and a decent dance floor — meaning no lining up to get into some of the (almost, too popular) clubs scattered around Collingwood and Fitzroy. Appears in: The Best Bars in Melbourne for 2023
It's impossible to fit Gippsland on a plate, but every year, Victoria's chefs, brewers and cheesemakers give it a red hot crack. Yep, it's that time of year again. The East Gippsland Winter Festival is back for 2024, running from Friday, June 21–Sunday, July 21 with more artisanal plates than anyone could consume in an average human lifetime. If you haven't attended before, bring your appetite. It's an incredible celebration of everything Gippsland — the people, food, produce and communities that make this place special. The event runs for a full month, with activations, dining experiences and live music popping up all over the region. Some of this year's highlights include the Guy Grossi x Sodafish collaboration lunch at Lakes Entrance, sword fighting and fireside dining at a Medieval Fire Festival in Bruthen, a sunrise bathe and breakfast (in old wine barrels, no less) at Metung Hot Springs, and a special high country lunch at Moscow Villa Hut. We recommend basing yourself somewhere central, like Bairnsdale or Bruthen, and then strategically filling your diary with delicious events and winery activations. You can browse the full program and book your spot at the website.
Winter's well and truly on its way, and yet we're foreseeing many a sky-high sip in your immediate future, thirsty Melburnians. And much of that is thanks to the city's newest rooftop bar, which finally opens its doors in South Yarra this week. Much-anticipated all-day venue Beverly makes its official debut this Thursday, April 13, gracing the top of the Goldfields House building, soaring 24 storeys above Chapel Street. Expect an effortlessly sophisticated bar and diner for all occasions and any time of year, delivering show-stopping 270-degree views across the city. Helmed by Cameron Northway (founder of LOTI, Rocker Bondi and drinks company Sweet&Chilli), along with Goldfields' Marco Gattino and Lachlan Thompson, Beverly is designed as a serene, sky-high retreat that'll glide easily from long lunch destination to after-dinner cocktail pit-stop. Taking cues from the cool-kid rooftop haunts of LA, the indoor-outdoor space has been imagined by acclaimed Melbourne studio Mitchell & Eades (Grill Americano, Carlton Wine Room, Rock Sugar). Boasting a retractable glass roof that's primed for Melbourne's erratic weather changes, it's a vision of earthy sunset tones and foliage, set against that backdrop of sweeping panoramas. Sippers of all persuasions have found themselves a new haven up here, thanks to a broad curation of drops that celebrates local goodness. Biodynamic and organic pours rule the expansive wine list, and there's an evident soft spot for quality sake, while the globe-trotting cocktail lineup reimagines the classics using Aussie spirits and native botanicals. Try the sakura-infused Sake-Tini, or the signature Goldfields crafted on Pampero Anejo Especial, Cointreau, Frangelico and tonka bean. From the open kitchen, chef David Ball (the UK's Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons, The Glass House in Hobart) delivers a menu anchored in seasonality and sustainability. It's got swagger, yet remains approachable, bundling southern Californian influences together with a touch of modern Australian flair. After work, you might find yourself matching knock-offs to snacks like burrata and truffle fondue with aged balsamic, creme fraiche and lobster cannoli, pulled duck and caviar sliders, and prawn ceviche elevated with coriander mojo and jalapeno cream. A hero pasta dish features marron and spanner crab in a shrimp bisque with preserved tomatoes, while barramundi gets a lick of smoked seaweed butter. And a flame-driven portion of the menu showcases everything from a share-friendly chicken with fries and coriander ají salsa, to three different cuts of wagyu. [caption id="attachment_898772" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sean McDonald[/caption] Find Beverly at Level 24, 627 Chapel Street, South Yarra, from April. It'll open from 4pm–late Tuesday, and from 12pm–late Wednesday to Sunday. Images: Jake Roden
Say ciao to an Italian summer at the Italian Summer on the Rooftop — Bottomless Brunch, where the Richmond Club Hotel's rooftop has been transformed into a rustic oasis, complete with mouth-watering food and drinks that will transport you straight to the heart of Italy — without the airfare. Every Saturday and Sunday from 12–2pm, the Bottomless Brunch will set you back just $55 per person. The cost includes a selection of drinks which are all perfectly paired with an antipasto grazing board that features a variety of mouth-watering Italian classics like burrata, arancini, focaccia and more. And what's on the drinks menu, you ask? We're talking frozen blood orange G&T, frozen lychee martini, pink hibiscus spritz, orange and mandarin Spritz, or a classic mimosa. Plus, with an impressive selection of tap beers and ciders, as well as house wine and sparkling, there's something for everyone. But it's not just the drinks and food that make this brunch so special — it's the rooftop setting itself. With sweeping views of Melbourne's skyline, this Italian oasis in the heart of Melbourne's bustling Richmond district is the perfect spot to soak up the sun and enjoy a fun arvo with mates or a romantic rooftop brunch date. To book a table at Richmond Club Hotel's Italian Summer on the Rooftop — Bottomless Brunch, head to the website.
Melburnians generally love to try new cuisines. We have a long history of warmly embracing flavours and cooking styles from all over the world, which has led to the creation of our vibrant multicultural food scene — something we are a bit smug about. But plenty of cuisines haven't made it to the mainstream here. One of them is Chifa — a fusion of Peruvian and Cantonese cuisines. Thankfully, hospo veterans Vincent Lombino and Jared Thibault (Lona Misa and QT's Rooftop) are now changing that with their Peruvian-Chinese restaurant and bar, Casa Chino. They already brought Chifa food to Brisbane in 2022 with Casa Chow — we're a bit gutted that Brissie beat us to this one — and the success of this spot has led them to create a similar version down in our fine city. Sharing plates are the name of the game here, with diners expected to order a heap of small and large dishes to fight over. Kick off with baos, raw dishes, skewers and dim sum treats before diving into the bigger wok-cooked plates. In just about every dish, you'll find a blend of both Chinese and Peruvian traditions. We also see quite a few Japanese influences throughout the menu. Check out how these cuisines combine in the tempura fish bao bun with aji amarillo peppers and fresh lime; the crab and prawn toast served with creamy rocoto, tobiko and bonito; and the lap cheong pipis with garlic chives, ginger and chipotle. Big and bold flavours are on show all over this menu. We don't expect that you'll be reaching for the salt or chilli when dining at Casa Chino. Drinks-wise, you can't miss the pisco. The team has a 20-strong list of piscos behind the bar, five different pisco sours and a plum and pisco negroni. Beyond that, there's a heap of signature cocktails that champion both Peruvian and Chinese flavours, plus a solid collection of beers, wines and other spirits. Either drop by for some cocktails and snacks or stick around for a Chifa feast at this Brunswick haunt.
When the first and second seasons of Sex and the City spinoff And Just Like That... started streaming, a famous setting made an appearance Down Under. If you'd always wanted to hang out on Carrie Bradshaw's (Sarah Jessica Parker, Hocus Pocus 2), stoop, that became a temporary reality in Sydney and Melbourne. For season three, which is currently working through its episodes on HBO Max, a different spot from the show is on its way to Australia. We hope you're hungry, be it for something sweet or savoury, because Hot Fellas Bakery is about to hit Sydney. Yes, this purveyor of baked goods is usually fictional. The brainchild of character Anthony Marentino (Mario Cantone, Better Things), it lives up to its name in the series. It'll also exist IRL at Darlinghurst's Taylor Square in the Harbour City, but only for one weekend: from Friday, June 27–Sunday, June 29, 2025. Hot Fellas Bakery first made the leap from the screen in New York — where else? — and will do the same in Australia just two weeks after its Big Apple debut. The pastries on offer won't cost you a thing. Neither will the coffee. There'll be limited-edition merchandise up for grabs as well. Equally doing its moniker proud is set to be part of the pop-up, too. On the menu: Vegemite babka, Golden Gaytime cream puffs and AP buttermilk croissants. While Hot Fellas Bakery has locked in a three-day Sydney run, you do only have a brief window of time each day to head by, however. It's operating from 10am–12pm on Friday, June 27, then from 8am–12pm on Saturday–June 28–Sunday, June 29, 2025 — and will close earlier each day if everything is already sold out. [caption id="attachment_1009739" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Craig Blankenhorn/Max[/caption] And if you haven't kept up with the Sex and the City world, And Just Like That... debuted in 2021 to continue Carrie, Miranda Hobbes' (Cynthia Nixon, The Gilded Age) and Charlotte York Goldenblatt's (Kristin Davis, Deadly Illusions) stories — with Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall, How I Met Your Father) largely sitting it out, except for a brief cameo in season two. Other familiar faces abound, including John Corbett (To All the Boys: Always and Forever) reprising his role as Aidan Shaw from season two onwards, plus David Eigenberg (Chicago Fire) and Evan Handler (Power) also returning. Check out the trailer for Just Like That... season three below: Hot Fellas Bakery is popping up at Taylor Square, 191–195 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney from 10am–12pm on Friday, June 27, plus 8am–12pm on Saturday–June 28–Sunday, June 29, 2025 (or until sold out). And Just Like That... streams in Australia via HBO Max. Head to the platform's website for more details.
How often do you think about the Roman Empire? So asked the much-memed question of 2023, as no one could avoid. With Gladiator II reaching cinemas to give 2024 one of its big blockbusters for the year, another query, also Roman Empire-related, springs to mind: how often do you think about Ridley Scott's 2000 epic Gladiator — the film that won five Oscars, including Best Actor for Russell Crowe as general-turned-arena combatant Maximus — whenever you're thinking about the Roman Empire? The first Gladiator is that influential. For more than two decades since its release, the swords- and sandals-heavy movie has proven an enduring pop-culture touchstone when it comes to contemplating its specific chapter of history through a Hollywood lens, and just in epic cinema overall. Are we not entertained? Audiences the world over were at the turn of the century, so it has never been surprising that talk of a follow-up has been buzzing since 2001. How a second feature would play out has shifted, changed and evolved several times since — Nick Cave even wrote a script — but the film that's transporting viewers back to the Colosseum still boasts exactly what it always needed: the now-octogenarian Scott at the helm. Audiences should be thankful that the iconic Alien, Blade Runner and Thelma & Louise filmmaker has added another Gladiator flick to his resume, returning to one of his hits again as he last did with the Alien realm with Prometheus and Alien: Covenant (and that he's continuing to be prolific, helming his fourth film of the 2020s after The Last Duel , House of Gucci and Napoleon). Paul Mescal (All of Us Strangers), Connie Nielsen (Origin) and Fred Hechinger (Thelma), three of Gladiator II's stars, aren't just grateful that Scott is behind the camera on the film; speaking with Concrete Playground when they were in Australia for the movie's premiere in Sydney, the trio couldn't have been more inspired by their time working with the director. "Basically I want to be like Ridley when I grow up. That's the root of it for me," Mescal shared with us. Nielsen described returning to one of Scott's sets, and stepping back into the Colosseum in particular, as feeling "like I was coming home". And Hechinger summed up the enthusiastic trio's communal sentiments about collaborating with the filmmaker, when asked what they had each learned from him at the end of our chat — which sparked eager answers. "I know this was your last question and you had a minute, but clearly if you asked this at the beginning of the interview, we could have talked the entire interview for five months about all the things that we learned from him." [caption id="attachment_979923" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures[/caption] As Lucius, Mescal is Gladiator II's focal point, with the Aftersun Oscar-nominee, plus The Lost Daughter, Carmen and Foe talent, leading his first Tinseltown blockbuster just four years after the Irish actor became a global obsession courtesy of Normal People. He slides into Crowe's (The Exorcism) shoes in terms of starring in a Gladiator picture, and also into Spencer Treat Clark's (Salem's Lot), who portrayed the same character as a boy in the first film. Lucius' path is familiar, too, taking him from military command to slavery and fighting for his life in front of Roman crowds. As Gladiator viewers know, his mother, aka Nielsen's Lucilla, has seen this situation occur before as well — but this time, it's Hechinger and Joseph Quinn (A Quiet Place: Day One) as sibling Emperors Caracalla and Geta who are lording over the empire, rather than Joaquin Phoenix (Joker: Folie à Deux) as her brother Commodus. Scott's knack for casting remains exceptional with Gladiator II, which also boasts Pedro Pascal (Drive-Away Dolls) as Roman general Marcus Acacius and Denzel Washington as power broker Macrinus. Mescal ensures that Lucius is a determined, devoted and unflinching leader, whether he's literally guiding an army or battling as a gladiator — and also warm, vulnerable and open. Nielsen, who has featured in everything from the Wonder Woman films and Nymphomaniac to TV's Boss and The Following between stints as Lucilla, keeps unpacking how women, even those seen to have some influence and status, can sometimes only be permitted to inhabit a certain space in their worlds. And for The White Lotus, Fear Street and Pam & Tommy alum Hechinger, playing Caracalla means being hedonistic, ruthless, reckless, power-hungry and blood-thirsty opposite not only Quinn but also Caracalla's pet monkey Dundus. With Mescal, Nielsen and Hechinger, we also discussed the present-tense nature of Scott's sets, finding space for Lucilla's political instincts, stepping beyond Crowe's shadow and turning in unpredictable performances — alongside unpacking male psychology, Gladiator II's rallying against the control of the one percent and the devil-may-care abuse of power, and more. On What Nielsen Was Most Excited About in Returning to the World of Gladiator After More Than Two Decades Connie: "The fact that this is a mature woman of experience and of intellectual weight. You don't see many women like that in the theatre kind of ever. And so the way they wrote her, they really made her, yes, the heart and the big mother in the film, but they also made so much space for her political instinct and also for her dreams. You don't really see that much, and so it was very exciting to see and expand on a woman that I played as a young girl." On Mescal Always Being in the Moment Despite the Pressures and Responsibilities of Following in Russell Crowe's Footsteps Paul: "You feel a sense of pressure and responsibility with every single film that you ever make — this being different in the sense that Gladiator, the first Gladiator, is absolutely adored, as it should be. Russell is absolutely adored for that performance, as he should be. But the idea of legacy or pressure is a fundamental problem — it's directly in conflict with trying to carve out your own performance. You can't really lean into it all that much, because the words used to describe the first one and Russell are applied over time, and with the act of making the film — Gladiator II or any film — it has to be utterly present-tense. You have to go to work and build it beat by beat, block by block, day by day. And Ridley's sets are wonderfully, wonderfully present-tense. There's no time to breathe or think about the past or think about the future. You are carving out your own plot of land and desperately trying to protect it." On How Hechinger Crafted a Hedonistic, Ruthless, Reckless and Utterly Unpredictable Character Like Caracalla — and One of a Pair Fred: "I think you want a genuine feeling of danger and ..." Connie: "Unpredictability." Fred: "... Unpredictability. I guess it's a little bit of a conundrum. How do you craft unpredictability? But I think you have to put so many things in there that you can find how to get out of your own way, or at least you have enough tools and elements that you not only surprise others but yourself. What Paul is speaking to in terms of Ridley's set is a true gift in that regard. He's building an environment that is utterly convincing, and also hurtles forward whether you interact with it or not. So the urgency and the full-body need to be heard, and to carve some space, as Paul was telling you about, I think really mixes with my character and all the characters in the film. You have to reckon with the space and there's no shortcut for you. You realise on other sets how many shortcuts are built in, and sometimes the disservice to the work that that does. I think, in this case, there's a real challenge every day — and that as an actor is a gift, because if you're playing someone who's impulsive and dangerous, the environment matches that level of danger and sense of possibility." Connie: "And also Fred, you weren't getting any rehearsals, really." Fred: "Yeah, there is no rehearsal. I mean, Ridley doesn't do rehearsals." Connie: "So you guys basically had to make up a lot of choices prior to even coming to set." Fred: "Joe Quinn and I did work closely on certain aspects of their brotherhood. There's a quality to their relationship that is a double act — at least in public they are. And so some of those Colosseum days felt like we were preparing for the Colosseum. We were preparing for a public thing. We're thinking 'how do we as a duo speak to Rome today?'. And so that it mirrored the story in a lot of ways there. And then I would say that the private side of them, that dynamic was something that was less prepared and spoken about with Joe — but implicitly by not talking about it, we were sort of secretly preparing the opposite side of it, in terms of the public and the private of their relationship." Connie:" I think for the rest of us, who were sitting around and watching them start up this whatever dog-and-pony show you guys are doing that day, I was like 'that is so cool'. It was really cool for us to watch. You guys had really worked hard to get things ready and I just love that. It's so professional." Fred: "Thank you, it means a lot." On What It Feels Like to Step Into Scott's Colosseum — for the First Time and When You're Returning Connie: "For me, it was so strange. It really felt like I was coming home. I know this place — what is it called, the prodigal daughter, returning to daddy's home?" Fred: "I felt — I think I said this to you in person — I felt that Connie was such a leader to all of us. I do remember this first days when you were talking about the experience of returning to the Colosseum, what the Colosseum was like then versus now. It not only made us feel more comfortable as people on the set, it also was really intelligent in terms of continuing to build the world for us. I think it was really creatively generous and additive." Connie: "Well, also because the first Colosseum was kind of like golden and bronzey just very sort of sun-drenched and gorgeous. And this one had a lot of red and black, and a lot of soot, a lot of homeless people at the arches outside of it. There was just a completely different set this time. And so it was both home, but it was also very clear that Ridley had told the story that 18 years had passed since we last left the Colosseum in Gladiator. And that was just very impressive for me to watch how all of the tools that he as a master plays on. And no one tells you. You have to really look. And when you're looking, you realise 'oh my god, he's playing on that and that thing', and it's like he's this master weaver." Paul: "100 percent." Fred: "I really think it's the time. It's the end of an empire. It's where greed goes to die. My first conversation with Janty Yates, our costume designer, I said to her 'I want Caracella to feel like rotting gold'. And when you looked around ..." Paul: "It felt that way." Connie: "It was rot everywhere. Social rot." Fred: "Yeah." On Mescal's Determination to Unpack Male Psychology in His Roles — and to Find Warmth, Vulnerability and Openness While Playing a Gladiator Paul: "I think it's this whole conversation about actors being transformative, which I think is so important, but it's also like if you look at painters that you really admire or any other form of artist, there is a template in the form that we admire about, say, van Gogh or Vermeer or something like that. We're not asking them to change their style every time. Acting is slightly different if you're wanting to play different characters, but there is something that I'm drawn to in terms of the complexities of male psychology. Like, what is it about the way that we think is as young men in the world? That ultimately feels like, when I'm acting, that's my job to kind of allow an audience into to our psychology. And I think when you're playing somebody who is brutalised and uses violence as a weapon in order to survive, that's one thing, but I think that you would grow tired of that as an audience if that was two-and-a-half hours of somebody expressing their life through violence. And I'm glad that you referenced that there is vulnerability there, because all of that anger isn't a means of being — it's a symptom that is built from the hurt that he's experienced. And also it's a fun lens to get to play with. Like, how are you trying to let that version of the vulnerability creep through? So I think the kind of performance style that I'm interested in, both in doing and watching, is not when you hit an audience over the head — you're trying to slowly invite them in to be suspicious or curious about what's going on underneath the surface for every character I play, and it was no different with Lucius." On Whether Gladiator II's Class Clashes Make It Feel Like a Movie for the Moment Connie: "I think it's more subtle than that. I think I can understand why there is this experience of it, because we inevitably mirror ourselves in the stories that we watch. I also know that for sure this was part of what Ridley was playing on but. But as always with Ridley, it's very subtle. I think that this is universal. It doesn't just belong to this moment. It belongs throughout history, that we consistently have to work at achieving that balance. I think maybe when I was younger, when I was like 20, 30, even 40, I still believed that we were moving towards universal democracy. When Tiananmen happened, I thought …" Paul: "That's surely going to be a moment." Connie: "For sure, that's going to be freedom for so many people. And then now we're in the position that you don't feel like we're consistently moving towards that universal freedom. And I would even say that international rule of law has really taken a step back over the last five, six years, seven years. And so I think that it's understandable that people read into it. But I do think it's subtle and I also don't think it's the main cause of the film." Paul: "I agree." On What Mescal, Nielsen and Hechinger Learned From Working with Ridley Scott Paul: "The thing that always strikes me about Ridley is if Ridley decided to never make a film again, he will go down as one of the greatest. But the thing that has struck me on a daily basis is that he could be so entitled as a man and a director, and he's one of the least-entitled people I know. His appetite for work ..." Connie: "Is total." Paul: "... is total. And I think as much as I have enjoyed everybody else that I've worked with, it's something that myself and everybody else included would probably say — that everybody else's work ethic pales in comparison to what he brings just innately as a human being. So to get to watch that from somebody in their 80s is exactly what I would dream of having when I'm — basically I want to be like Ridley when I grow up. That's the root of it for me." Connie: "For me, I look at him as a teacher at all times. I remember on the first film, I came on set in England, we were shooting the Germania battle, and I walk on set and I'm seeing 3000 soldiers on this giant open field that has literally been created by cutting and burning trees. Of course, completely sustainably. And I asked him 'but how are you going to make sure that the audience understands that Russell is coming from behind the enemy lines? How are you going to make sure they understand that?'. And then he was just like 'alright, let me show you'. And he just showed me how all of the battle cameras were turning from left towards right. And then he said 'with all of these cameras where I am filming Russell galloping behind the lines, I am sending that camera from right to left. Intrinsically people will understand that this is what's happening'. He also just drew up a diagram in three seconds and described exactly what it would look like from cut to cut to cut, like that, off the bat. When we were on stage at a screening in London just a few days ago, he started describing how he was building, for example, an action sequence that involved baboons. And the way in which he described his choices, going from 'oh, I once met that one little baboon and that baboon had alopecia' — and the creativity of his brain, and then followed by his ability to then create a way of doing it, which literally did not exist probably technically before. But he's leaning on the amazing people that he hires, and who are able to read into what he's trying to create. Then he is able to describe probably better than anyone what it is that he wants. He's able to say to me 'say that line' and I say it. And he's like 'no, not like that. Give me another line'. I'll come up with another line, and he's like 'no, too much description. Go there. Say it this way'. I'll come up with a line where, I'll go for that third time or fourth time, it'll be the right line. 'Okay, keep that line'. You just are willing to bend over backwards for him and come up with 20 different lines. I'll have written out literally 20 different versions of what I'm trying to say, and he will tell me which one that will work, and he will then, with the greatest respect, incorporate it." Fred: "His work ethic is an expression of his infinite love of cinema and the collaborative act of movie-making. I just think seeing Ridley on a film set is like is like seeing the most-perfect combination of the two." Connie: "He's like a conductor." Fred: "He shares his love in the most-infectious way. And it's funny because I know this was your last question and you had a minute, but clearly if you asked this at the beginning of the interview, we could have talked the entire interview ..." Connie: "Yep." Paul: "Just like that." Fred: "... for five months about all the things that we learned from him. He teaches a million things every day and the things that he teaches you, sometimes he doesn't even need to tell you. They're just happening. He lives through action." Connie: "But also he's amazing at actually directing without judging, which is a unique difference. He's not judging what you're doing." Fred: "Yeah." Connie: "He's directing from this open space." Fred: "Conducting." Gladiator II opened in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, November 14, 2024. Images: © 2024 Paramount Pictures.
Melbourne is fond of a good light show, if the crowds at Royal Botanic Gardens' dazzling after-dark light show, Docklands' annual fire-filled festival or the newly announced Rialto Aglow are anything to go by. Here to add to the city's illuminated calendar is Electric Kingdom, taking over Birrarung Marr for eight luminous nights across September 7–September 17. The free, after-dark lights festival is supported by the Melbourne City Revitalisation Fund, a $200 million collaboration between the Victorian Government and the City of Melbourne to grant funding for after-dark activities. Melbourne-based arts and entertainment specialists Blanck Canva are presenting Electric Kingdom, with a resume spanning towering and immersive pop-ups at White Night and Moomba. Electric Kingdom will be centred around a lineup of giant, illuminated animals, some of which will span up to 27 metres. As you explore the attractions and installations, you'll be greeted by lit-up giant pandas, giraffes, snakes and creatures from the ocean. Each luminous artwork will be displayed with immersive storytelling elements, kinetic movements, unique lighting design and an original soundscape. Highlights also include roving live performances, ambient soundscapes and light installations. "In times of financial strain, few destinations in the world prioritise free creative events. We are delighted to play a part in rekindling the joy and vibrancy of Melbourne city, while celebrating the incredible creativity of the artists that call it home," Director of A Blanck Canvas Joe Blanck says. Electric Kingdom will run from Thursdays to Sundays, 6pm-10pm from Thursday, September 7 to Sunday, September 17 at Birrarung Marr. Entry is free but registration via the website is encouraged. Images: supplied.
Nobody translates the teenage psyche to film better than John Hughes. Nobody. We have this genius to thank for the 80s classics such as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Pretty In Pink, The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles - the latter two of which are playing back to back at The Astor Theatre this Saturday night. That’s right: strap in for some quality Molly Ringwald. After briefly closing down earlier this year, The Astor Theatre was thankfully saved and given new life under the management and craftsmanship of General Manager Zak Hepburn. Their most recent calendar is fun, clever, and a little off-beat in an absolutely glorious way. If you’re after a pair of classics that get more enjoyable after every watch, don’t miss this John Hughes double feature for an awesome date night or a nostalgic evening with your pals.
With more than a century in the journalism game, Time Magazine has seen and done more than most. With this in mind, it's fair to say the editorial team is well-qualified to create a list that's loftily named The World's Greatest Places, an annual record published since 2018. Divided into distinct sections — 'Places to Stay' and 'Places to Visit' — two spots in Oceania scored a place on the former, with four more landing on the latter. On Australian shores, Sea Sea Hotel is the country's sole accommodation representative, set on Dunghutti Country near the NSW surf town of Crescent Head. Meticulously considered from top to bottom, the hotel's kitchen is also a standout amenity. Pairing modern-casual dining with an ocean-slanted, ingredient-focused menu, former Iceberg's chef Daniel Medcalf has shaped an epic experience designed to showcase the very best of the surrounding Macleay Valley region's native pantry. Also making Time's cut in our backyard is Flockhill — a historic 36,000-acre sheep station located in New Zealand's Cragieburn Valley. From a sprawling base amid the Southern Alps, this luxury accommodation is one of the most lavish ways imaginable to explore the country's wild side. Besides stays, Time had nice things to say about four places to visit across Australia and New Zealand. That includes the newly relaunched Sydney Fish Market and Pilbara's Murujuga Cultural Landscape — the world's densest collection of petroglyphs and megaliths. To see the full list, head to the website for more information. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
What's better than one major Australian structure proudly displaying the Aboriginal flag, hoisting it high for everyone to see on a permanent basis? Two, of course. Actually, watching that list keep on growing would be even better still — but for now, Melbourne's West Gate Bridge has joined the Sydney Harbour Bridge in making the Aboriginal flag an enduring fixture. As announced back on Monday, July 4 by the Victorian Government, the Aboriginal flag has taken up permanent residence upon the roadway, with permission from Traditional Owners. It was put in place last week for NAIDOC Week, and the decision was made to keep it there — rather than continue rotating it, as well as the Torres Strait Islander flag, when both Reconciliation and NAIDOC weeks pop up. "The Aboriginal flag signifies unity, identity and resilience for Aboriginal people. We are very proud that we can now fly this important symbol above Melbourne," said Victoria's Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Gabrielle Williams. "Flying the flag follows our ongoing partnership with the First Peoples of Victoria on our path to Treaty and truth." [caption id="attachment_860986" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A Canvas of Light via Flickr.[/caption] "The Aboriginal flag represents inclusiveness, recognition and respect and having it flown permanently atop the West Gate Bridge demonstrates this commitment to Aboriginal communities in Victoria," added Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation Chairperson Kelly Lehmann. "This is a significant first step, and we look forward to seeing ways in which the Torres Strait Islander flag can also be flown in the future." The Aboriginal flag joins the Australian flag on top of the West Gate Bridge and, yes, the Victorian Government is now looking into being able to fly the Torres Strait Islander and Victorian State flags there as well. It's currently exploring both the feasibility and the requirements, including current flag protocols, as well as the bridge's structural, safety and maintenance requirements. [caption id="attachment_840573" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Oliver Lupton via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] Victoria's move comes at the same time that this exact conversation has been taking place in New South Wales, about flying the Aboriginal flag on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet originally pledged to give it a permanent berth atop the country's most famous man-made structure back in February, then announced in June that it'd become a reality by the end of 2022 — before confirming on Monday, July 11 that the flag would stay hoisted above the harbour post-NAIDOC Week, too, like its Victorian counterpart. Also in Aboriginal flag news this year, the Australian Government unveiled a copyright deal at the end of January with Luritja artist Harold Thomas, who designed the symbol, to make it freely available for public use. The Aboriginal flag is now flying permanently on the West Gate Bridge, effective since Monday, July 11. Top image: Colin Campbell via Flickr.
With nine locations and counting, Aangan in Footscray is a true success story in the Indian culinary scene. With an interior reminiscent of Indian culture, the goal at Aangan is to transport one back to India, not just through the ambience but the skilfully and artfully prepared dishes. Chef's specials include andhra fish, tossed in a wok and flavoured with mustard seeds and curry leaves, garnished with cashews and served on a sizzling platter while vegetarians can enjoy onion rings coated in batter and fried. The rest of the menu is enormous, and highlights dishes from all across India. For some Indo-Chinese flavours, we recommend you try the chilli gobhi — a batter-fried cauliflower tossed in chilli sauce with a side of egg chowmein. There is a long list of curries too, including favourites such as butter chicken and lamb korma. Then there are the numerous fish curries. These range from a hot vindaloo to a cool coconut with ground spices. The dessert menu is not to be missed either, with local favourites amongst the classics. Aangan prides itself on its excellent service and attention to detail, while the ambience of the room itself embraces the elegance of a time-gone-by India. With space for large bookings and an excellent catering service, Aangan is a top fixture in the Footscray culinary scene. Be sure to book for weekends as they regularly pack out.
The island of Lombok is Bali's equally magical (but considerably less crowded) neighbour. Here, you get long white sand beaches, deep forests hiding waterfalls and small villages filled with friendly locals. Yes, Bali has all this too. But Lombok is significantly quieter and cheaper. Experienced travellers come here for all the luxury trimmings at beachside or mountaintop villas but at a fraction of the price. Read on to find our favourite places to stay in Lombok, all of which can be booked through Concrete Playground Trips. HOTEL TUGU LOMBOK This luxury Lombok hotel is full of character. One of the dining rooms sits under an enormous wooden pavilion filled with locally made furniture. The bar is located within a traditional hut decorated with a smattering of artworks and sculptures. And the uniquely designed rooms include features like private rooftops, lotus ponds, outdoor baths, plunge pools and more. Add the private beach and spa facilities and you're left with the total wellness package. Plus, it's only a short boat ride away from the famous Gili Islands — so your day trips are sorted. BOOK IT NOW. KU VILLAS This small resort has a few different accommodation types, ranging from individual rooms and suites (with or without a plunge pool) to larger villas with private gardens and larger pools. Modern simplicity is also key when it comes to design and amenities — expect large open rooms with classic wooden furniture and crisp white linens. The in-house spa and small restaurant both make spending entire days by the pool all too easy. We're so impressed with KU Villas that we've teamed up with them to bring our readers one massive island holiday deal. Guests will get a three-night stay, an hour-long massage, a personal chauffeur, a $200 food and beverage voucher for the nearby SIWA Clubhouse and daily breakfast for only $455 — an absolute bargain by anyone's standards. BOOK IT NOW. SELONG SELO RESORT AND RESIDENCES These villas and studios feel more like luxury homes than travel accommodations. Guests have their own modern kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms as well as private balconies with barbecues and private plunge pools. And the views — well, they are just serene. Whether you're sitting in your room or dining by the main pool and restaurant, you'll have uninterrupted sea views framed by wide-open plains and dramatic mountains. Plus, with the option to book a seven-bedroom villa, Selong Selo Resort and Residence is great for large groups of travellers. BOOK IT NOW. RINJANI BEACH ECO RESORT This rustic eco-resort has all the essentials required for having a super comfortable holiday on a tropical island — but it's the location and long list of adventure experiences that make it one of the best places to stay in Lombok. The resort's team will organise snorkelling and diving trips and hikes up to the Rinjani volcano where you'll see large emerald-green lakes and hidden waterfalls. What else is on the menu? Day trips to the nearby Gili Islands, massages at the spa and the opportunity to watch turtles hatch on the beach. Head here to immerse yourself in nature. BOOK IT NOW. JEEVA BELOLAM BEACH CAMP Now, this is the ultimate glamping destination. The off-the-grid recycled wood and alang alang beachfront lodges combine elements of Robinson Crusoe with East Indonesia aesthetics to create a boutique beach camp experience. When staying here, you'll feel totally removed from the outside world. Jeeva Beloam's 11 rooms lie within a 55-hectare nature forest preserve, facing the Timor Sea from a sand dune above a quiet 250-metre-long white sand beach. This Lombok paradise is made for true escapism. BOOK IT NOW. HARMONY VILLAS LOMBOK Is minimalism your vibe? If so, you've got to check out these beautifully designed villas in Kuta, Lombok. On the property, you'll find just five boutique villas (painted stark white inside and out) set around a luxurious lagoon-style swimming pool. It's gorgeous and calming — especially thanks to its adults-only policy. You won't find little kids running around this joint, disturbing your relaxing holiday. BOOK IT NOW. NOVOTEL LOMBOK RESORT AND VILLAS This is a stellar middle-of-the-budget resort on Lombok. You're not spending a heap of money, but you still get to stay right on the beach — free from crowds — getting all the top luxury resort inclusions. You've got large air-conditioned rooms by the water, free daily activities, three outdoor pools and a great restaurant and bar. Tick, tick, tick. It has it all. BOOK IT NOW. THE OBEROI BEACH RESORT This beachside resort is made for chilling out. Spend your days jumping from the pool to the beach and then to the bar — all before starting the rotation again. Sure, you can go on one of its snorkelling trips or have a private dinner on the shore, but you've got to take your time just hanging at the property too. That's especially true of you book the enormous luxury villa that has its own pool and private courtyard. BOOK IT NOW. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world. Top image: Selong Selo Resort and Residence
If you're have a pet, you'll know that an overnight getaway just isn't the same without your fur baby in tow. Thankfully, a new breed of modern hotels is cottoning on to our animal-obsessed ways and delivering pet-friendly accommodation options all over Australia. The latest of these is Richmond's Element — an eco-conscious Westin brand hotel that's welcoming guests of both the human and four-legged variety. The Swan Street venue also marks Element's Australian debut. The hotel is kitted out with 168 suites, sporting a contemporary design by award-winning local architects Rothelowman and rocking a colour palette inspired by native Australian flora. But to be fair, your pooch probably doesn't give a toss about the clean, modern lines, or the eco-friendly elements like LED lighting, energy-efficient kitchenettes and water-saving taps. They will, however, be pretty keen on being able to stay with you in your room. Comfy dog beds are available for any four-legged guests, though there is a maximum of two dogs per room and they can't weigh more than 20 kilograms each — apologies to all those particularly leggy hounds and hefty pooches. The hotel also has dog-friendly mini-bar offerings, with a specially curated pet degustation (dog-ustation?) menu featuring bites like the 'Quarter Hounder' (pan-fried steak served with green vegetables) and 'The Good Dog' (market fish with steamed carrot). If you are bringing along your canine mate, there's an $80 pet cleaning fee per room, per stay. Of course, there's plenty in the way of onsite eats and drinks for humans, too. The main dining space transforms daily from a breakfast cafe to Mint Lane Restaurant & Bar for lunch and dinner, and there's a 24-hour grab-and-go pantry stocked with a sizeable range of snacks and other essentials. In keeping with the whole Westin label, the hotel also has a strong wellness focus, catering to active guests on the go. You'll find yoga classes, a 24-hour high-tech gym and even a free Bikes-to-Borrow bicycle hire program. Melbourne pet owners are having a pretty great run of late. Just a couple of weeks ago the Southside's Chapel Street stretch became Australia's first permanently pet-friendly major shopping precinct, while over in St Kilda, the Newmarket Hotel is now whipping up dog-friendly parmas. Find Element Melbourne at 588 Swan St, Richmond.
June is here, so is the cold weather — and usually the Sydney Film Festival also would be in full swing right about now. But in 2021, SFF is unleashing its cinematic wonders a little later than normal. That doesn't mean that you can't spend its traditional time slot thinking about all the things that you're going to watch between Wednesday, August 18–Sunday, August 29, though. Also a bit later than usual, SFF has just announced its first program sneak peek for 2021, ahead of the full lineup drop in July. The short version: even based on the list revealed already, your eyeballs are going to be busy at this year's 12-day fest. So far, the event has named 22 movies that'll help it make its proper return to cinemas after a two-year gap. The 2020 event moved online due to the pandemic — and when a summer season brought cinephiles back to the glorious State Theatre in January, it only screened a handful of movies. If these first 2021 titles are anything to go by, film buffs are in for quite the treat come August. Leading the charge: New Zealand's The Justice of Bunny King, which stars Essie Davis (Babyteeth) and Thomasin McKenzie (Jojo Rabbit); Riders of Justice, a revenge-fuelled Danish comedy led by the inimitable Mads Mikkelsen (Another Round); 2020 Sundance hit Zola, which is based on a lengthy 148-tweet Twitter thread; 2020 Berlinale Golden Bear winner There Is No Evil, a searing Iranian drama about the death penalty; and Undine, the alluring and beguiling latest film from German auteur Christian Petzold. Festival director Nashen Moodley has also programmed documentary The Kids, which sees Australian filmmaker Eddie Martin (All This Mayhem) explore Larry Clark's 1995 film Kids; climate change doco The Magnitude of All Things, which includes Greta Thunberg chatting about the topic; Shoplifters of the World, a drama about a fan of The Smiths trying to cope with the band's breakup; and three-time Sundance 2021 winner Hive, the first film to ever win the fest's Grand Jury Prize, Audience Award and Directing Award. Or there's also the tense and engaging Night of the Kings, which takes place in a rough Côte d'Ivoire prison; The Beta Test, a Hollywood-set horror flick that's been getting comparisons to The Twilight Zone; and the Taika Waititi-executive produced sci-fi film Night Raiders. And, on the local front, Wash My Soul in the River's Flow hones its focus on Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter, following the couple as they prepare for 2004's Kura Tungar — Songs from the River — a collaboration between the First Nation artists, Paul Grabowsky and the Australian Art Orchestra. Plus, Step into Paradise explores the collaboration and friendship between Aussie fashion designers Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson. The 2021 Sydney Film Festival will run between Wednesday, August 18–Sunday, August 29. Check out the event's just-announced titles by heading to the festival website. The full program will be released on Wednesday, July 22. Top image: Zola. Anna Kooris / A24 Films.
The long weekend is here. And, as Monday is a public holiday, some of your regular spots will be shut. So, if you're on the hunt for a caffeine hit, long lunch or a few more beers, we've put together a list of all the bars, cafes and restaurants that'll be open on Monday, March 8. There is something for everybody on this list, too — from Gradi's award-winning pizza to Bentwood's delectable brunch plates and Embla Rooftop's sky-high sips. [caption id="attachment_754105" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pontoon[/caption] RESTAURANTS Baby Pizza, Richmond: noon–late D.O.C Pizza & Mozzarella Bar, Carlton: 5pm–late Gradi Crown, Southbank: noon–11pm Hanoi Hannah Vol. II, Elsternwick: noon–10pm Hanoi Hannah Express Lane, Windsor: 11am–9pm Marameo, CBD: 5.30pm–late Pontoon, St Kilda: noon–11pm Tokyo Tina,Windsor: 5–10pm Stokehouse, St Kilda: noon–12am Firebird, Windsor: 5.30–10pm Hawker Hall, Windsor: 12pm–late Horn Please, Fitzroy North: 6–9.30pm 400 Gradi (and Zero Gradi), Brunswick: 12–11pm 400 Gradi, Essendon: 4–10pm D.O.C Pizza and Mozzarella Bar, Carlton: 5pm–late Chin Chin, CBD: 11–late Kisume, CBD: 5pm–late Agostino, Carlton: 5pm–late Pretzel, South Yarra: 11am–9pm [caption id="attachment_754403" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Provincial Hotel[/caption] BARS Arbory Bar & Eatery, CBD: 11.30am–late Arbory Afloat, CBD: 11.30am–late Bar Carolina, South Yarra: 8am–late Harlow Bar, Richmond: noon–10pm Embla Rooftop, CBD: 3–8pm Johnny's Green Room, Carlton: 12pm–late Provincial Hotel, Fitzroy: 12–11pm The Wolf Windsor, Windsor: 12pm–1am The Smith, Prahran: 12–10pm Temperance Hotel, South Yarra: 4–10pm [caption id="attachment_671308" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bentwood by Kate Shanasy[/caption] CAFES Bentwood, Fitzroy: 7.30am–4pm Abacus Bar & Kitchen, South Yarra: 8am–4pm Glovers Station, Elsternwick: 7am–4pm King & Godfree Deli, Carlton: 12pm–late Vertue, Carlton: 8am–4pm Prior, Thornbury: 8am–4pm Denis The Menace, Richmond: 8am–3pm Acre, Burwood: 10am–2pm Winter, Malvern: 7am–4pm Juliette Coffee & Bread, all locations: 7am–2pm D.O.C Espresso, Carlton: 8am–late D.O.C Delicatessen, Carlton: 9am–5pm [caption id="attachment_758246" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Exchange Beach Club[/caption] POP-UPS & EVENTS Yarra Kitchen and Bar, Southbank: noon–10pm Melbourne Street Eatz, South Wharf: noon–11pm Exchange Beach Club, Port Melbourne: noon–10pm Top image: Firebird; Image by Parker Blain
As the force behind Cake Wines, Glen Cassidy has been shaping Sydney's epicurean side for six years now — and enjoying partaking in it as well. The brand is known for getting involved with the city's cultural events, while the man himself is full of tips and praise for Sydney's dining and drinking scene — particularly Redfern, the evolving inner-city suburb where Cake Wines opened its own cellar door in 2016. In partnership with Pullman Hotels and Resorts, we're helping you explore more on your next holiday and make sure you get those experiences that the area's most switched-on residents wouldn't want their visitors to miss. In Sydney, we've called in Glen, whose favourite spots range from the restaurant that's home to Gourmet Traveller's 2018 Chef of the Year to the joint slinging his favourite burgers in town. A stay in one of Pullman's two locations in central Sydney — Hyde Park and Quay Grand Sydney Harbour (there's also two more at Sydney Airport and Sydney Olympic Park) — will not only put you in the thick of all this action, it will let you rest and digest in five-star luxury at the end of the day. Read on for Glen's top Sydney food hot spots in his own words, and check out the rest of our Explore More content series to hone your itinerary for some of Australia's best holiday destinations. ESTER The team at Ester in Chippendale are big supporters of interesting wines — mostly natural, I think. The food is simple, but with what seems like a few very personal twists by the 2018 Gourmet Traveller Chef of the Year, Mat Lindsay. These guys have got the "local undiscovered but always full" vibe totally dialled. I love going there and sitting at the bar, with a couple of share plates and a few vinos. I've had some memorable afternoons there with Cake staff over the years. HUBERT Best in the game? Probably. The wine list, the menu, the atmos — CBD restaurant Hubert is a reimagining of classic dining, but without the stiffness that often accompanies food and wine this good. Hats off to the team (the Swillhouse Group, also behind Sydney establishments Shady Pines Saloon and the Baxter Inn) who have created this special place, and to the crew who work there. They deliver killer service and vibe, week in, week out. CAKE WINES CELLAR DOOR Yep, ok, I'm biased, but our Cellar Door in Redfern captures everything we love about food, wine and culture in this city. We have all our wines, different cultural programming each week, a solid selection of simple pizzas and charcuterie — all in a beautiful space down on Eveleigh Street. Vibes are always high at the Cellar Door as Redfern continues to evolve, and we're super proud to be part of it. ACME What's not to like? Acme in Rushcutters Bay boasts simple but creative cooking, a banging wine list, great staff and just an all-round vibe. Their creative approach to Italian food means you'll see dishes like cold spaghetti with okra, sesame and ponzu, and pig's head macaroni with egg yolk. We recently had a staff night out there for the launch of Ochota Barrels' new wines and the food was beautifully matched. No wonder they've just been awarded one hat by the Good Food Guide. REDFERN CONTINENTAL AND GDR Legends of the game. Redfern Continental presents a near-perfect example of casual dining, with a hidden gem of a night spot out the back. A complement to the pan-European offering in front, Gunther's Dining Room (aka GDR) is loosely East Germany themed, with curywurst and traditional German hotdogs on the bar menu. Factor in a killer wine list with selections from all around the world, and you've got it made here. $1 Oysters on Sundays in the bar are a must. This place is a regular haunt for Cellar Door staff. Redfern on the come up! SUPERIOR BURGER I grew up near this joint, so I am fond of the crew that is making such a positive contribution to the rapidly changing region that is Western Sydney. In a city overrun with burgers, I can hand on heart say these guys are the best I've tasted by far. The love, skill, energy and drive Jovi [chef Jovan Curic, formerly of Pub Life Kitchen] and the crew have for creating the best-tasting burgers comes out in spades. Get in your car and head to Wakeley — you will not regret it. HANOI QUAN Hanoi Quan offers a truly authentic northern Vietnamese experience. It's been at this spot in Marrickville since forever and gives nothing away from the outside. Had it not been introduced to me by the one and only DJ Arno, I wouldn't know about it, and I can honestly say my life would not be the same had I not tried their signature combination pho and grilled pork vermicelli. BART JR A new kid on the block in Redfern, Bart Jr is a cosy little joint that is quickly becoming my go-to. They have a great wine list (I drank a bottle of Piss Christ there only last week!), plus a fresh and simple menu that changes weekly. Do yourself a favour and stop by today. George, Anne [George Woodyard and Anne Cooper from Scout's Honour and Morris] and the crew have brought something special to the area for sure. DA ORAZIO PIZZA + PORCHETTA Food + wine + music = vibe. It's a hard combo to nail but full respect to Maurice [Terzini, the restaurateur who is also behind Icebergs] and the crew who balance this beautifully (shouts to Picnic on the bookings!). The Napoli-style pizza is made from dough that's left to rise for 48 hours before heading to the woodfire stove, while a whole Berkshire pig hits the spit roast every day (explaining the titular pizza and porchetta). Bondi needs more joints like this. FATIMA'S LEBANESE RESTAURANT Ok, this is the straight-up best "late night on the way home and don't want to get something gross" spot around. We are talking next-level Lebanese food. When it comes to takeaway, kebabs are as legit as they come, served by a proper maestro who has been there since as long as I can remember. Get the lot with chilli sauce, hummus, tabbouleh and salad. Fatima's will make sure you arrive home in one piece. Explore more with Pullman. Book your next hotel stay with Pullman and enjoy a great breakfast for just $1.
More than most video games, Until Dawn always felt destined for the big screen from the moment that it first had players pressing buttons. The premise of the 2015 hit is straight out of a horror movie, with a group of eight friends attempting to make it through a trip to Blackwood Mountain — the place where one character's two sisters disappeared a year prior, and where everyone is now looking for answers — alive. The cast boasted star power, including a pre-Oscar Rami Malek (The Amateur), plus Hayden Panettiere (Scream VI) and Peter Stormare (So Long, Marianne). Visually, there's also its pivotal third-person perspective. Something that Until Dawn featured as a game, however, that was unlikely to make the leap to cinemas: the choose-your-adventure approach to play. Interactive films exist, but the two best-known recent examples are each streaming releases: Black Mirror: Bandersnatch and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs the Reverend, both on Netflix. In adapting Until Dawn into a movie destined for the silver screen, so lurked the dilemma — aka how to nod to the butterfly effect-style element, where player decisions dictate the storyline. The answer came by still focusing on choice, and also nodding to the fact hundreds of endings are possible in the game, making selecting an option a move that requires careful consideration about where any path might lead. Enter the mechanism that's fuelled everything from Groundhog Day and the Happy Death Day films to Edge of Tomorrow and so much more: time loops. In the movie directed by David F Sandberg (Shazam! and Shazam! Fury of the Gods), and penned by Gary Dauberman (Salem's Lot) and Blair Butler (The Invitation), there's still a group of friends, a missing sibling and a remote setting. That said, neither its helmer nor one of its writers, both of whom first collaborated on Annabelle: Creation, set out to make a direct adaptation of the game, Sandberg and Dauberman tell Concrete Playground. "It's more like a new chapter of Until Dawn," advises Sandberg, who first made the leap to full-length flicks in horror courtesy of the short-to-feature Lights Out. "The game is so cinematic, we just didn't want to try to replicate that experience," notes Dauberman, a mainstay behind the scenes on The Conjuring Universe films, including Annabelle and its sequels — he directed as well as penned Annabelle Comes Home — and The Nun, alongside scripting IT and IT: Chapter Two. [caption id="attachment_1000992" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stewart Cook/Sony Pictures via Getty Images[/caption] Here, then, the characters are different, and the absent sister as well. The cast fighting to survive has changed, too. As a film, Until Dawn steps into a new scenario also, although Stormare remains the link among the actors to its gaming beginnings. This time, it's Clover (Ella Rubin, Anora) who is in search of Melanie (Maia Mitchell, The Artful Dodger) a year since she was last seen. The rest of her travelling group — Max (Michael Cimino, Never Have I Ever), Megan (Ji-young Yoo, Expats), Abe (Belmont Cameli, The Alto Knights) and Nina (Odessa A'zion, Am I OK?) — have helping Clover as their main aim rather than finding Melanie, though. She's determined to look for her sister. They're eager to assist her with facing her trauma and moving on. Of course, no one expects that following Melanie's path to an abandoned visitor centre in a secluded valley will lead them to being stuck battling an array of killers in a time loop, and dreading an hourglass flipping again and again. When they all die, Until Dawn's latest figures just find themselves in the same place, yet caught in another scenario. Sometimes that plunges the movie into slasher-film territory. Sometimes it skews more supernatural. Sometimes, Clover and her friends are caught in a creature feature — and the list goes on. The only way for them to be free of the nightmare, and from an experience that hops between horror subgenres, is right there in the feature's title. Make it until dawn and the hellish ordeal ends. What excited Sandberg and Dauberman, other than being gamers themselves, about taking on the task of bringing Until Dawn to cinemas? That's where our chat with the pair started. From there, we dug into selecting the different subgenres, basically making multiple horror flicks in one, Stormare's return, and how you enlist a cast when their gig is to get murdered over and over — plus interrogating choice via time loops, calling out other films using temporal repeats, the current wave of successful video game-to-screen adaptations (think: The Last of Us, Fallout, The Super Mario Bros Movie and A Minecraft Movie) and more. On What Excited Sandberg and Dauberman About Adapting Until Dawn Into a Movie Gary: "I think the thing that excited us the most — I'll speak for me — but was really being able to do a couple different subgenres of horror within one movie. The game is really this cinematic experience that's a true love letter to the genre. We wanted to make sure that was captured in the movie, and do that ourselves with the movie. And so that was really exciting. So then it just became about, 'well, how are we going to do that?'. Because it's not going to be a direct adaptation of the game — because, as I said, the game is so cinematic, we just didn't want to try to replicate that experience. So it was really about, 'okay, how can we stay true to the game, the world and all that, but also be able to do our own thing as well within the genre?'." David: "And what excited me was that Gary and Blair, they didn't try to just recreate the game — which was already so much like a movie and already cinematic. It's more like a new chapter of Until Dawn. And the fact that we have all these different horror genres in one movie. So I got to try out all these different things, including genres I'd never done before — like slasher or found footage. It was just a dream come true." On Deciding Which Horror Subgenres to Jump Between in the Film Gary: "It's interesting — Blair and I always had slasher first, and I think a large part of that's just because, I mean I know that's because of the game itself and the psycho mask and all that. And then I think it was just what could be different from slasher? We leaned into supernatural because that felt so different and a stark contrast to just the visceral kills of the slasher. So you just try to think of what's going to give that sharp contrast to whatever came before. Then you go supernatural, then you go right into body horror — which is super real and gross, whereas supernatural generally isn't that. That's the thought behind how it's laid out in sequential order, I guess." On Feeling Like This Movie Meant Making Not Just One Horror Film, But Multiple Horror Films David: "For sure, because it also, like schedule-wise and time wise, felt like we were trying to do six or seven movies in one. It was a challenge. It's a very ambitious movie for the time we had, so we had to do a lot of planning — and sometimes adapting on the day, where it's like 'okay, we're not going to have time to do all of these things, so we'll focus on what's most important to get'. So it was a challenge, but it was also the reason why I signed up for the movie — to get to do all of this. So I happily did it." On Making Dr Hill (and Peter Stormare in the Role) One of the Key Connections Between the Game and the Movie Gary: "Dr Hill, to me, was always the character I was most curious about in the game, and felt like he could be a great link, connective tissue, between the game and the movie. And he could really be the steward of the franchise, of these stories. He always felt like he's got more going on. And I think talking with the game developers and what they had intended with Dr Hill as well, it was a constant dialogue and conversation, so he just made the most sense organically to what they had in mind and what we had in mind to use. And plus, it's Peter Stormare. If you've got Peter Stormare, you want to use him every chance you get. So that was also a part of the decision. But from a storytelling aspect, I saw him as a great face of the franchise." On How You Build a Cast When the Gig Is to Get Killed Over and Over Again David: "We did a lot of auditions to try to find the right people. Michael, who plays Max, came recommended — he's worked with Gary before. But otherwise, it's just doing a lot of auditions and finding the right people who are not just good actors, but who are willing to go there, to these places. Because I had to warn the cast that this is going to be a challenging movie, like physically challenging and mentally challenging, because you're going to have to be wet and bloody and dirty and crawl through mud, and all of these things. And work nights and work in uncomfortable locations and all these things. But they were really up for it. And once we'd done all this extensive casting, they just worked as a team right away, just became instant friends and were just a pleasure to work with. And I know they really appreciated getting to do — like Maia was saying that in most movies and TV shows, she has to look pretty and perfect, and all these things. In this movie, you don't need to look perfect. You need to look like you've gone through hell. And you get to scream and let it all out. So they were more than up for it." On Calling Out How Popular Time-Loop Flicks Are in the Film — and Knowing How This Addition to the Genre Needed to Stand Out Gary: "We knew we didn't want to do the Groundhog Day-esque time loop. Happy Death Day does that so, so well and effectively. If we were going to do it, we needed to own it for us and make it different. So in a way, the knowledge of those made us just work against that — like going 'okay, we know that's out there, so we've got to do something different'. So that's kind of how we went. And then in terms of the subgenres themselves, it really was about the tropes within the subgenres that we were using as elements to each sequence — but not any specific movie per se." David: "Yeah, you don't want to shy away from some of these tropes, because you want people to feel like 'okay, now we're in this kind of film'." Gary: "Yeah, exactly." David: "But you try to subvert it so you don't know exactly what's coming, but you just need to feel familiar enough." Gary: "That's right." On Still Interrogating Choice, Even If the Film Can't Mirror the Game's Player-Shaped Storylines and Hundreds of Endings, in a Movie That's Also About Trauma Gary: "It was a really important element from the character standpoint of like, 'okay, the terror is new, but we're still here, we're still a part of this group'. And as the group starts to fracture a bit because they have different ways of how they want to go about solving this puzzle of how they're going to survive until dawn, I think it's about, one of the things is sticking together and surviving through trauma and leaning on each other to get through something — as opposed to just being off in a corner by yourself, because that's not going to get you through it, much like Clover was at the start of the movie. For Clover, for instance, she's someone who had to die over and over again in order to know how to live again. So that's kind of how we saw the character choices affecting the character arcs in the movie." David: "Yeah. And I thought it was so brilliant to have this restarting in the movie, because it does make it feel so much like the game — where you can play it several times and make different choices and see different deaths and different kills and stuff. And this was a way to get that in movie form." On the Film's Commitment to Practical, In-Camera Effects as Much as Possible David: "It's something I've always wanted to do. Since I was a little kid watching horror movies, reading all these books about effects done with latex and silicone — and makeup effects and all these things, something I've wanted to do forever, and this was a chance to do that. And I like when horror movies, in particular, do that. I'm not opposed to visual effects in any way, and there's visual effects in this movie, too, but we wanted to try to take practical as far as we could — and have things there for our actors to see and feel and react to, because it just makes it more fun for us. But I think the audience can feel that coming through as well." On How Sandberg and Dauberman's Working Relationship Has Evolved in the Eight Years Since Annabelle: Creation David: "Gary produced this movie as well. It all started with him, the project. So I guess you were more involved now. I mean, you were involved in all of Annabelle: Creation as well. So it's very similar." Gary: "I think it was similar, but I think we just got more comfortable with each other." David: "Yeah." Gary: "So I think it's evolved from that standpoint. But I think I just have a confidence in him that I don't have in a lot of people, so he's like a safe place for me. I just know that he's going to elevate whatever material I hand over to him. And so, yeah, I think it's just the familiarity and the comfortability that you oftentimes don't get in this business, because it's so transactional and it's new faces every time you go somewhere. So it's nice to have somebody who's consistent and constant." On Why Adaptations of Video Games Are Such a Focus at the Moment — and Striking Such a Chord with Audiences David: "I think it's because people who grew up with video games are now in positions to make to make and write these types of movies. And I think that really helps — because I think back in the 80s, making that Super Mario Bros movie, I don't think those people were gamers. Maybe they were, I don't know. So I think it's just like, for this generation or for us now, it's like 'well, of course video games are just as important as comic books or other movies or whatever'. So it's gotten to the respect that it deserves." [caption id="attachment_1000993" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stewart Cook/Sony Pictures via Getty Images[/caption] Gary: "Yeah, and I think from a business standpoint, it's such an IP-driven business that comic books feels a little probably picked over. And so it feels like now the attention has turned to video games — and that IP, it's just been kind of sitting there. But as gamers, we've always known it's been — it's right there. You go do this stuff, give it the money and the time it deserves, and the talent. So I'm happy and excited to see that that's coming to fruition." David: "And games, of course, have become more and more cinematic, closer to movies as well." Gary: "Yeah, yeah, which becomes part of a challenge." Until Dawn released in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
If you're a lover of contemporary art, there are two things you've probably found yourself in repeated fights over. Firstly, why a canvas with naught but a single monotone colour deserves to hang in a gallery and, secondly, why live art is more than just 'crazy for the sake of crazy'. So, the artist nailed his arm to a wall? It's about politics. She had all her clothes cut off by strangers? Gender. It's an artist's job to test the bounds of acceptance and cover unchartered ground, but some artists are notorious for taking that extra step into the unknown. We thought we'd take a look into the extreme history of the artform — the highs, the lows, and all the wilfully mutilated body parts. (TW: self harm and sexual content.) Pyotr Pavlensky nailed his testicles to some cobblestones November last year saw millions of men sympathetically shift in their seats as Russian performance artist Pyotr Pavlensky drove a decent-sized nail through his scrotum and into Red Square. After receiving worldwide attention (that headline is clickbait in any language), Pavlensky stated his actions were a form of political protest against Russia's ever-increasing "police state". "The performance can be seen as a metaphor for the apathy, political indifference and fatalism of contemporary Russian society," he said. Such tactics were not new to this ballsy artist either as 2012 saw him sew his mouth shut in support of the recently imprisoned Pussy Riot. It's one way to get people talking, but at what cost? Vito Acconci hid under gallery floorboards while masturbating While we're on the topic of male genitals, it's definitely worth bringing up American artist Vito Acconci and his seminal work 'Seed Bed' (pun entirely intended). First performed in 1972 at New York's Sonnabend Gallery, this controversial and generally well-regarded work involved the artist hiding under a makeshift ramp in the gallery space and masturbating for eight hours a day. While it outwardly seems like the engineered scheme of a sexual deviant, the work is famous for being enormously effective on its audience members. While standing in the desolate gallery space, gallery-goers could hear Acconci murmuring explicit sexual thoughts via a loudspeaker, and were uncomfortably conscious of his presence under their feet. 'Seed Bed' has since been re-performed by Marina Abramovic in a very welcome inversion of the original work's testosterone overload. Marina Abramovic stared at thousands of strangers in silence until they cried This woman is the queen of all things performance art. Aside from taking on 'Seed Bed', she has a wealth of her own legendary artworks including 'The Artist is Present', a piece that inspired a documentary in its own name. For 736 hours and 30 minutes, Abramovic sat in silence at the Museum of Modern Art staring at whoever sat opposite her. The piece proved so cathartic for audience members it has spawned not only a film, but a fan blog called Marina Abramovic Made Me Cry — the artwork had this effect on the artist herself too when her ex-lover came to visit. Don't be fooled though; Abramovic is tough as guts. In her work 'Rhythm 0' she had audiences inflict pleasure and pain on her body with objects including honey, a scalpel, a rose, and a loaded gun; and in 'Rhythm 10' she played a Russian knife game dodging her fingers with 20 knives in quick succession. There are a lot of men in live art, but this woman may be the most hardcore there is. Tehching Hsieh punched a time clock every hour, on the hour, for a year Abramovic has described Hsieh as a "master" of the form. He's done the dirty stuff — he lived alone in a wooden cage unable to read, write, or listen to radio or TV for an entire year. He then went the other way — wilfully living outside for another whole year. But in the time in-between, he undertook 'Time Clock Piece'. From 1980-1981, Hsieh punched a factory-style time clock every hour, on the hour. After shaving his head at the outset, the artist took a photo of himself each hour and the subsequent documentary evidence, as the hair grows and grows, shows a passing of time equal parts beautiful and woefully depressing. Santiago Sierra tattooed these women's backs in exchange for heroin It's impossible to be indifferent to the kind of work that Sierra does. With most pieces including people from disadvantaged backgrounds in less than desirable positions, to many the art looks a lot like exploitation. In '160cm Line Tattooed on 4 People', Sierra found four heroin-addicted sex workers who were willing to have their backs tattooed in exchange for a single shot of heroin. While on the surface this seems outright despicable, the self-aware nature of the act did serve as a counter-point for many. After all, structures of power can never change if they aren't first exposed. Taras Polataiko had women contractually obliged to marry strangers In the live art piece 'Sleeping Beauties', Ukrainian artist Taras Polataiko found five female volunteers to feign sleep in an art gallery and endure the kisses of thousands of strangers. And here's the kicker: if they ever opened their eyes after a smooch, they were contractually obliged to marry the kisser. The agreement stood for gallery-goers too — in order to gain kissing privileges you had to present a valid ID and sign a legal document promising you to marriage. The performance ended on a meaningful note however, as the beauty opened her eyes to find a woman's lips. As Ukraine still hasn't legalised same-sex marriage, the work raised important questions about the issue and thankfully gave the participants a loophole to wriggle out of . Chris Burden was crucified to a Volkswagen There's nothing artists love more than a good crucifixion to dredge religion up in their work. If you thought Madonna jumping on a cross for a music video was out there, in his 1974 work 'Trans-fixed', American artist Chris Burden actually crucified himself to a Volkswagen Beetle. For no immediately apparent reason, either. The car came out of a garage for two minutes, revved a little, then returned inside. Obviously he was never one to shy away from pain. In 1973's 'Through the Night Softly' he got down to his underwear and crawled through glass, and in his aptly-titled 1971 work, 'Shoot', he was shot point blank in the arm with a rifle. More power to him. Joseph Beuys spent three days in a small room with a coyote The creeper to inspire all creepers, Joseph Beuys was an influential German artist whose 1974 work 'I Like America and America Likes Me' consisted of him skulking around a gallery in New York with naught but a coyote, some straw to sleep on, and a disturbing get-up that made him look like a gothic shepherd. He was taken from the airport via ambulance, never having stepped on American soil and stated of the work, "I wanted to isolate myself, insulate myself, see nothing of America other than the coyote." Once his time was up, he shared an awkward hug with the somewhat domesticated creature and boarded a plane home. Mike Parr had his lips, eyes, and ears sewn together The only Australian addition to this list, Parr has made a name for himself in the field of self-mutilation. This six-hour endurance piece, 'Close the Concentration Camps', was done in protest to the prolonged detention of asylum seekers during the Howard era, and has a disquieting resonance to this day. In 2002 there were reports some detainees had sewed their mouths shut in protest, but the trauma felt very distant to many Australians. Parr's act of solidarity at the Monash University Museum of Art brought this violence uncomfortably to the fore. Francis Alys enlisted the help of 500 volunteers to move a sand dune 10cm to the left One of the main arguments people have against modern art is that it's inconsequential, and Francis Alys' work certainly makes a good case for them. In his most-famous piece, 'When Faith Moves Mountains', this Belgian artist took to the outskirts of Lima and recruited 500 people to move a sand dune, one shovel at a time, slightly to the left. In response to intense confusion from everyone in the world, he responded, "Sometimes making something leads to nothing, sometimes making nothing leads to something." Artists are nothing if not riddlers, I guess.
It's hurrah for Huzzah as Glen Iris lands a new place to eat, drink, and hang. The massive new destination, which boasts an all-weather beer garden, bar, and restaurant, was built on the simple premise of good food, great drinks, generous hospitality, and a sense of community. Huzzah is the personal project of founder Steve Jeffares, who co-founded other large-scale drinking institutions, including Stomping Ground Brewery, The Local Taphouse and GABS Craft Beer Festival. With Huzzah, he wants people to think of it not as a destination bar but as a community hub that locals are keen to return to again and again. "Huzzah is about finding joy in the everyday. It's a place to drop in for one drink and accidentally stay for three. Somewhere relaxed, welcoming and unpretentious — the kind of venue you want in your neighbourhood," says Jeffares. The all-weather beer garden caters to all four seasons in one day, with a retractable roof, ample natural light, and fresh air. And while you may be happy perched on a stool at the bar, for those with more energy, they can enjoy a bocce court, pool table and darts. You won't go hungry or thirsty with plenty of pub classics available, and a proudly local-leaning drinks list. At the heart of the drinks offering is NeighbourGOOD, Huzzah's house beer brewed by Stomping Ground. Reflecting the bar's community spirit, proceeds from each pint sold will be donated to community clubs and initiatives. Jeffares says, "If you're going to drink a beer anyway, it might as well do some good." Images: Supplied.
Take a stroll down the industrial-clad Rupert Street and you might see a small, copper fox peering at you. Don't be alarmed. For you've just discovered Collingwood's most sleek and sly bar on the block, Rupert on Rupert. The red fox, bar manager Radar Rad says, was inspired by owner Ric Corinaldi's beginnings in Warrandyte, where foxes run rampant. Midnight blues and tartan bench seats are a bold and welcoming statement from Ric and team, who have transformed this warehouse into one cunningly fine, aesthetically imagined den. The bar isn't much of a burrow — there's too much natural light flooding in from the ceiling windows for that. And the appeal lies beyond just the use of sunlight and those tempting metal curves of the motorbikes they keep on show. It's the fine touches, like the copper piping that runs around the bar for your feet to rest on, that shows this group care not only for aesthetics, but are catering to comfort and class. Venue Manager, Maxwell Finch (ex The Beaufort), further explains that Ric and team wanted a more inclusive venue, mirroring not only Ric's beginnings at the edge of suburbia, but also more of an older country mentality. They achieve this with their menu. Rupert's menu is designed to be shared, with a focus on European peasant food. Parsnip chips with babaganoush ($8.50) and panfried tofu with satay and mint ($18) make great snacking morsels to get you started. Rinse these down with one of their on-tap drinks. Choices range from a house red or white, to two apple ciders or one of their eight Australian favoured beers. The more substantial feasts include their wood-fired oven pizzas. Choose from a paprika spiced Polish sausage sort ($22.50) or maybe one scattered with smoked trout, olives and pea tendrils ($23). Dietaries can also be catered for, with gluten free pizza bases or nutzarella vegan cheese ($4 each) available on request. Finish the night with our preferred apple and whiskey squeeze The Jappels are Here ($10), and Rupert's personal favourite: a glass of Vermut Negre, a Spanish vermouth ($7), served on the rocks. With a range like that, it's definitely a classy enough place to take a date. Or your mum. Motorbikes and tartan have never worked better together. And if foxes have to surface for food and water, then Rupert provides the perfect sanctuary for such nourishment.
Is the story of the Presley family angling for a trilogy, each with a different cast, different acclaimed filmmaker at the helm and different person in the spotlight? After Baz Luhrmann's Elvis in 2022 and now the upcoming Priscilla by Sofia Coppola, that idea is two-thirds of the way there. Whether there'll also be a Lisa Marie movie is yet to be seen, but Coppola's take on the famous music name — which has A24 behind it — has just dropped its first teaser trailer. Coppola reteams with the coveted American distributor after The Bling Ring and On the Rocks to adapt Elvis and Me, Priscilla Presley's 1985 memoir that was co-written with Sandra Harmon. This isn't the first time that the book has hit the screen thanks to a 1988 TV movie, but it clearly has its namesake's approval given that she's one of the film's executive producers. (Another: Coppola's brother Roman.) The focus: the tale from when a teenage Priscilla Beaulieu met rock 'n' roll superstar Elvis Presley at a party, following their courtship and marriage. It's a well-told affair both on-screen and in the media, taking the couple from a a German army base to Graceland, with Coppola's version seeing its ups and downs — thrills and struggles, too — through Priscilla's rather than her hip-swinging husband's eyes. Playing the rock 'n' roll couple, thank you very much: Mare of Easttown, Devs, On the Basis of Sex, Bad Times at the El Royale and Pacific Rim: Uprising actor Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla, plus Australian Euphoria and The Kissing Booth star Jacob Elordi as Elvis. The first sneak peek at Priscilla teases its eponymous figure's well-known look, first moments with Elvis, arrival at Graceland, wedding, pregnancy and being a mother to Lisa Marie. Elvis' music stardom also features, including the singer at the piano, onstage and being snapped by photographers. Coppola writes and directs Priscilla, making her first film since 2020's On the Rocks, while Succession and Hello Tomorrow!'s Dagmara Dominczyk also stars. The movie is due in US cinemas in October, with release details Down Under yet to be announced. Check out the trailer for Priscilla below: Priscilla doesn't yet have a release date Down Under — we'll update you when one is announced.
Less than an hour's drive from Geelong is the magnificent You Yangs Regional Park. Known for its distinctive granite peaks and panoramic views of Melbourne and Geelong, the park also boasts over 50 kilometres of purpose-built mountain biking trails for all levels, walking paths (you can even book into a Parks Victoria volunteer-led walk) and three dedicated horse riding tracks. Speaking of animals, the You Yangs is a great spot for wildlife spotting — over 200 species of birds have been recorded here, while native Australian flora and fauna are also supported by the park.
It's hard to think of a wrong way to prepare the humble chicken — but of all the various methods, frying might be our favourite. Juicy pieces of poultry, coated in flour, salt, herbs and spices, cooked piping hot and served with tangy sauce and a cold glass of James Squire: it doesn't get much better than that. We Melburnians are spoiled for choice when it comes to this particular bird — in fact the hardest thing about putting together this list was trying not to drool over the pictures. From classic culinary contenders to some lesser-known gems, here are the best fried chicken joints Melbourne foodies should flock to. GAMI Forefather to Melbourne's Korean Fried Chicken craze, the Gami chain is now pumping out poultry at four locations (three in the CBD and one in St Kilda). While there's a small invitation of dumplings and side dishes, it's important to stay focused and keep that stomach space free for the real reason you came: fried bird bits. Honestly, there's not a great deal of decision making that needs to happen here; you either want your chicken with bones or boneless, with or without sauce. As for beer, you can get it on tap, in jugs or — our preference — in a mini keg that sits on the edge of your table. It's also advisable to request extra napkins. You'll thank us later on this one, when the sticky sweet-soy-garlic sauce drips from your fingers to your elbows, and you begin to regret the fact you brought a Tinder date along. Shop G, 535 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne (and various other locations); (03) 9670 3232; www.gamichicken.com.au DA RIN If all three of the city Gami venues are at capacity (and they often are), give newcomer Da Rin a shot. They recently entered the gauntlet by offering a similar fried chicken menu (available with or without bones, in original, sweet and spicy, and honey and garlic flavours), but stepped up the competition by throwing in a few wildcard menu contenders. Get adventurous with the dakmoraejip (a stir fry of veggies and spicy chicken giblets) or the egg tang (a savoury egg custard made with pengi mushrooms. It's better than it sounds on paper, promise). 169 Bourke Street, Melbourne; (03) 9639 0721 BELLE'S HOT CHICKEN If you're one of many seeking out the best battered chook in the city, it's hard to go past Belle's Hot Chicken, where their sole focus is just that. Chose your cut of meat (wings, tenders or dark meat), your spice level (mild, medium, hot, really hot or 'really fucking hot') and your favourite side (like coleslaw, potato salad or mac and cheese). It all comes with complimentary pickles and a slice of bread to soak up the oozing spices. This is Fitzroy's take on Nashville comfort-eating, and it's damn, damn good. 150 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy; (03) 9077 0788; www.belleshotchicken.com ROCKWELL & SONS Advance bookings are essential if you want in on Rockwell & Sons' popular fried chicken night, which only happens on Wednesday evenings. It's often booked out weeks in advance. testament not only to Melbourne's affection for a food craze but to the restaurant's ongoing success (this is no pop-up operation — they've been going strong for years). Order your bird at least three days ahead, because preparation starts early in the week with a slow-brine process, after which the poultry is slathered in buttermilk and gently tickled/served with whatever traditional accompaniments are being offered that day (such as coleslaw, mac and cheese or biscuits). 288 Smith Street, Collingwood; (03) 8415 0700; www.rockwellandsons.com.au CHICK-IN Chick-In serves similarly sticky, crowdpleasing fried favourites to Gami, albeit among more contemporary settings (rather than canteen-style decor, they've gone with a look that more closely resembles a Fitzroy single origin cafe). While the fried chicken itself is similar to that of its competitor, a major point of difference lies in the Korean-Western fusion-style accompaniments like kimchi fries, as well as the single serve, non-sharing options which cater to solo lunchtime diners during the middle-of-the-day trough-feed. Assuming you're in no hurry to return to work, try knocking back one of their soju mojitos, or relax with a bottle of One Fifty Lashes. G23/620 Collins Street, Melbourne; (03) 9973 6244; www.facebook.com/chickinmelbourne LEONARD'S HOUSE OF LOVE You'd be forgiven for thinking that Chapel Street was a rather long way away while spending some time in Leonard's House of Love. Leonard's vibe is log cabin-meets-houseparty, with an American-style menu jam packed full of poultry. You can grab original or spicy tenders, popcorn chicken, a southern fried chicken burger or a chicken and gravy roll. Even the sides are chook-based, with charcoal chicken fries and charcoal chicken nachos both totally legitimate options. 3 Wilson Street, South Yarra; 0428 066 778; www.facebook.com/leonardshouseoflove KODIAK CLUB It's said that Kodiak serve the most authentic American buffalo wings in Melbourne. Whether this is a factual claim is inconsequential — you should come here to eat, not to argue. It's an all-round pleaser of a plate, containing just enough heat to satisfy fans of vinegary hot sauce without isolating those with a lesser-trained heat palate. Order by the dozen (forget the small serve, trust us on this); your wings will arrive with wads of napkins, wet wipes, blue cheese sauce and a few stumps of celery sticks that are intended purely for garnish, not for filling up on. Don't make that rookie mistake. 272 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy; (03) 9417 3733; www.thekodiak.club HOT STAR Setting up dispensaries at several hole-in-the-wall city shopfronts, the Hot Star chicken franchise comes co-located with those takeaway tea shops that always have offensive queues sprawling outside them, blocking peak hour Swanston Street foot traffic. But one can overlook such tiny faults in return for a fillet of fried chicken as big as a human head. Nobody knows what part of the bird comes shaped this way, nor do they understand exactly what goes into that addictive, crunchy coating. But after a bite, you'll probably decide it's best not to ask questions and just run with it. 231 Swanston Street, Melbourne; www.hotstarchicken.com.au FRYING COLOURS According to its website, Frying Colours is a 'Korean Eating Place', presumably for chicken you put in your mouth using your hands. But it's more than that — the restaurant's menu extends further than other Korean chicken joints that specialise in throwing just one type of animal into the deep fryer, offering a full grill service as well as traditional bibimbap, bulgogi, hotpots and dumpling dishes. A whole chook will cost $32, which seems like about the average market rate for Korean Fried Chicken in Melbourne's current economic climate. The meat is miraculously moist without succumbing to sogginess — but if you need further lubrication, the BYO policy will hold you in good stead. 520 Macaulay Road, Kensington; (03) 9939 9679; www.fryingcolours.com.au FRIED AND TASTY Sometimes, a name says it all. The birds at Fried and Tasty are just that: fried and tasty. The acronym F.A.T is probably fairly appropriate as well, given how often we chow down at this Brunswick East chicken coop. In addition to boned chunks, tenders and BBQ wings, Fried and Tasty have a whole host of different chicken burgers and a yummy selection of sides. To be honest though, if you're not ordering buttermilk waffles with chicken, vanilla ice cream and Canadian maple syrup, you're probably doing it wrong. 360 Lygon Street, Brunswick East; (03) 8560 3328; www.friedandtasty.com JUANITA PEACHES Juanita is certainly not your standard lass, with a logo that resembles the sort of tattoo you might acquire from a trip you don't remember to Surfer's Paradise. But all in all, she's got the goods, and she's worth trying. With a small menu on offer, the fried chicken — crispy on the outside and juicy in the middle — definitely tops the list of things to order at this establishment. The burros were a little on the dry side but still tasty, and with a lick of hot sauce, all ills are remedied. All the usual sides are at the party too, including chips and a zingy slaw to cut through that chicken grease. 12 Edward Street, Brunswick; (03) 8060 6664; www.facebook.com/juanitapeaches Words by Veronica Fil, Laura Dawson, Tagen Davies and Tom Clift.
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.
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.
Melbourne has some great movie theatres, but in our opinion, there's nowhere better than The Astor Theatre. At the very end of Chapel St, The Astor is the last single-screen cinema in continuous operation in Melbourne — still standing since its grand opening right back in 1936. Two levels of seating are complete with those sorts of art deco chairs you often find in old-school cinemas or vintage stores. Despite that, there's nothing particularly old-fashioned about this cinema. It's fully air-conditioned and complete with a great sound system and a giant screen. It's famous for its double features, and regular screenings of cult classics and selected new releases. Before you arrive, visit Lucky Coq down the road for a five-dollar pizza. If it's warm enough, take it up to the rooftop — a classic Melbourne date night. Images: Charlie Kinross Photography
For 14 hours in October, Sydney became home to a very nice and very large statue of Borat. This month, the city has welcomed another supersized and temporary piece of pop culture-themed art — this time celebrating a local star. Until Tuesday, November 17, an 18-storey-high portrait of Nicole Kidman is soaring above Darlinghurst. And yes, like the sculpture of a certain fictional Kazakh journalist, it's designed to promote a new addition to your streaming queue. For the past three weeks, Binge has been dropping new episodes of HBO's twisty new six-part thriller mini-series The Undoing, with three more episodes left to air across the rest of November. In the whodunnit drama, Kidman stars as successful therapist, Grace Fraser, who lives a life of considerable luxury in New York. But when someone linked to her son's ultra-wealthy private school turns up dead, Grace's seemingly perfect existence starts to collapse — as does her marriage to charming paediatric oncologist Jonathan (Hugh Grant). Clearly, the new sky-high artwork is simply a very large advertisement for The Undoing. And we do mean large, given that it measures 18.4 metres wide and 36.8 metres high — covering nearly 680 square metres in total. That said, it's all hand-painted, with artists Hamish McBride, Laura Paige, Kailin Hegel, Jacqui Butterworth, Aly Barnard, Matt Mcenally, Meg Hardie, Meg Hales, Michael Iglesias, Nancy Ji and Tia Madden working on the portrait across 400 hours over 15 days (and using around 200 litres of paint in the process). The aforementioned creatives all hail from Apparition Media, which is also responsible for the huge mural of AFL star Adam Goodes in Surry Hills. Apparition Media's giant likeness of Kidman is just one half of an overall project, as another painting will replace it from Wednesday, November 18. Yes, you could say that the initial portrait will come undone — but just what the second picture will depict is yet to be revealed. After Monday, November 23, the wall will be painted for a third time, reverting it back to its original state. If you're wondering whether that's a sign of what's to come in The Undoing — which also features Donald Sutherland, A Quiet Place's Noah Jupe and Edgar Ramirez; is based on Jean Hanff Korelitz's novel You Should Have Known and directed by The Night Manager's Susanne Bier; and was adapted by well-known TV writer David E Kelley (Big Little Lies, LA Law, Ally McBeal, The Practice) — you'll obviously need to watch the series to find out. Check out the trailer for The Undoing below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wdlvSoWR6w The 18-storey-high portrait of Nicole Kidman will adorn the side of 227 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, until Tuesday, November 17. It'll then be replaced by a second yet-to-be-revealed painting from Wednesday, November 18–Monday, November 23. The first three episodes of The Undoing are available to stream via Binge, with new episodes added weekly on Mondays. Images: Chris Pavlich
When the end of the week rolls around it's always worth a tiny celebration — heck even if there are 52 of them, you made it through another one! It's easy to fall back on going to the pub around the corner, or the closest bar to your office, but isn't it about time you did something a little different, and even a bit special? We've done the leg work for you and found seven great bars that will shake you a sublime cocktail, and add in something a little special. Round up your mates and pick one of these from a hat — we can guarantee they will take your Friday night drinks to another level of decadence, deliciousness and double taps. Whether you've hit your targets at work, or been kicking goals at the gym, you deserve to treat yourself for the small wins and milestones. The world's finest French vodka, Grey Goose, celebrates its versatility and commitment to quality ingredients as it allows bartenders to create incredible cocktails that upgrade any summer occasion — starting with those Friday night drinks. Here's where we think you should go — and what you should order as your first, premium cocktail of the night.
If furniture could talk, the couch from Friends would have plenty to say. For a decade up until 2004, the orange-hued lounge played a pivotal on everyone's favourite 90s sitcom, as Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey and Phoebe whiled away the hours in Central Perk, reclined upon the sofa's comfortable-looking cushions, drank copious amounts of coffee and nattered non-stop about their lives. As far as on-screen seats go, it's up there with the most famous. And Australian streaming platform Stan bringing it Down Under. The current home of Friends in Australia, the service is celebrating the show's 25th anniversary — and while it can't bring Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer to our shores to mark the occasion, it can whip up a replica of the couch they plonked their butts on for ten seasons. Keen to sit where your TV besties once did (or on a settee that resembles the one they sat on, to be precise)? Then you can do just that between Thursday, August 29 and Sunday, September 22. Stan's couch pop-up is touring Aussie shopping centres during that period, spending different weekends in various spots in Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. We can't promise that the sofa will always be empty, like it magically was whenever Monica, Rachel and the gang wanted to grab a caffeine hit, but you will be able to see and touch the replica either way. An adjacent coffee cart will also serve up drinks, an acoustic performer will set the mood by playing 90s covers (including Phoebe's memorable ditties) and there'll be themed merchandise on offer, naturally. There's not much more to the promotion, other than showering Friends fans in nostalgia, letting everyone snap a selfie on the sofa and serving up a reminder that the show is available to stream. That said, if you take a pic, post it to your social media network of choice and tag Stan, you can win prizes, including a trip to New York City. COUCH DATES AND LOCATIONS Melbourne Central, Vic — Thursday, August 29 (10–9pm); Friday, August 30–Sunday, September 1 (12–5pm) Robina Town Centre, Qld — Thursday, September 5 (3–9pm); Friday, September 6–Sunday, September 8 (11–4pm) Westfield Tuggerah, NSW— Saturday, September 7–Sunday, September 8 (11–4pm) Westfield Chatswood, NSW — Saturday, September 7–Sunday, September 8 (11–4pm) Burnside Village, SA — Saturday, September 14–Sunday, September 15 (12–5pm) Westfield Southland, Vic — Saturday, September 21–Sunday, September 22 (12–5pm) Broadway Shopping Centre, NSW — Saturday, September 21–Sunday, September 22 (12–5pm) The Friends couch is touring the country between Thursday, August 29 and Sunday, September 22. Visit the Stan Facebook event for further details.
If you go nuts for doughnuts, there's only one place to pop on your itinerary for Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2: Queen Victoria Market, which is throwing a weekend-long celebration dedicated to the world's favourite holey treat. Returning for a huge 2024 edition, the Donut Festival is set to showcase a multicultural array of doughnuts and other closely-related sweet treats, from old-school US-style dough balls oozing hot jam, to choc-centred morsels and sugar-coated churros. There'll be plenty of vegan and gluten-free goodies among the lineup, which comes courtesy of traders like Daniel's Donuts (glazed creations in flavours like Golden Gaytime), St Gerry's (syrupy Greek loukoumades), MochiMelb (hand-made mochi doughnuts) and Shortstop (think brown butter and maple walnut, or honey with sea salt). These are among some of the best doughnuts in Melbourne — all found in one place. Of course, QVM's iconic American Doughnut Kitchen will also be on hand, slinging its famed sugar-coated, jammy creations, along with house-made jam by the jar. And if you're looking for a decadent drinks pairing, check out the pop-up Spiced Milo Mocktail Bar where you can nab a delightfully sweet bev. Of course, you get to enjoy all of that while feasting your ears on live tunes and roving performances. [caption id="attachment_853638" align="alignnone" width="1920"] St Gerry's[/caption]
When we talk about playing games at Crown, we're not just talking about blackjack. Playtime Crown is filled to the brim with 150-plus classic and new-age video games – and much better odds of walking away with a win or two. Housed within the Crown Entertainment Complex, Playtime is the arcade of your kidult dreams. In addition to the video games, there is also a bowling alley, laser tag and the vortex to keep both big and little kids entertained. Remember vortexes? Most science centres had them with the express purpose of farming child vomit. It's a tube you walk down and the walls spin (seriously, if you have a weak stomach, don't do it). Fun times.
Tjanabi is set to be reborn as a once-off dinner event at the Melbourne Town Hall, inviting diners to experience a taste of culinary concepts deeply ingrained in the past and future of First Peoples food culture. The event sees Parbin-ata Dr Carolyn Briggs — a Boon Wurrung senior elder, and chairperson and founder of the Boon Wurrung Foundation — reimagine her popular Federation Square eatery from over a decade ago. Guests will be invited to listen to the stories behind culinary traditions, while tucking into a menu centred around Indigenous cooking techniques and flavours native to the region. Across a sumptuous four-course feast on Friday, June 4, guests will traverse through clay baking, native raw seafood and pre-domesticated superfoods. Expect plenty of tactile demonstrations throughout the night. All-organic arrangements by Alchemy Orange florist Shahn Stewart (Yorta Yorta) will fill the room, setting the tone as you feast and learn. Round up a friend for this one — tickets are available for tables of two, four or six diners, working out to $155 per person. [caption id="attachment_811628" align="alignnone" width="1920"] By Eugene Hyland[/caption] Images: Eugene Hyland
What happens when a croissanterie known for perfecting its signature dish, and also for getting inventive with its pastries, joins forces with a distillery that both knows how to make a stellar dry gin and equally likes experimenting? We're talking about Lune and Four Pillars, of course — and the result is the world's first croissant gin. Is this the new perfect brunch drink? Will this help you enjoy a breakfast of champions? You can be the judge from Wednesday, February 19, 2025, when the croissant gin hits stores — and online. And yes, it's a buttery sip. "Lune croissants are made with nearly double the butter of your average croissant, so we knew that butter had to be a key part of the gin," explains Four Pillars Head Distiller Sarah Prowse, with Lune's own clarified butter a key ingredient. Alongside that caramel slice-smelling dairy product, the croissant gin is made with almonds that've been roasted in the Four Pillars distillery kitchen, juniper and a range of other botanicals, plus wattle seed and nutmeg. The recommended way to knock it back? In G&Ts or in espresso gin-tinis. While this isn't the type of tipple that just anyone could've dreamed up, Lune and Four Pillars joining forces couldn't seem more obvious — not only for their similar meticulous approaches to their chosen wares, but as Melbourne-born success stories that hero local ingredients. The croissant gin sprang from shared visits and tours, then hand delivering butter and testing distillations. If it sounds like a bucket-list collab, Lune Founder Kate Reid agrees. "Infusing our Lune magic into my favourite gin was a dream come true. I can honestly say I've never been thirsty for a croissant before but once you taste this gin, you'll understand what I mean." "It turns out there is a knack to distilling butter, but after a few trial distillations we found our sweet spot and we couldn't be happier with the end result," explains Prowse. "The nuts and spices add a real depth to the gin, the vanilla bean brings a hint of sweetness, and then we've bought in our signature organic oranges to deliver lovely brightness and balance." The croissant gin retails at $80 a bottle — or $100 with a Four Pillars x Lune tote bag exclusively from Four Pillars. If you're among the first to get your hands on it, free croissants are also on offer. On launch day, the Four Pillars Sydney Lab in Surry Hills will be giving away free Lune croissants with first 50 bottles of gin sold, for instance. At Dan Murphy's Malvern East and BWS Hawksburn in Victoria, plus Dan Murphy's Double Bay and BWS Potts Point in New South Wales, as well as Dan Murphy's Newstead in Queensland, there'll be a limited number of Lune vouchers up for grabs on launch day as well. And on Saturday, February 22, the Four Pillars Distillery in Healesville will have free Lune croissant for the first 50 bottles purchased, too. Croissant Gin will be available from the Four Pillars website, Four Pillars Distillery, Four Pillars Lab, and select Dan Murphy's and BWS stores from Wednesday, February 19, 2025 — head to the Four Pillars website for further details.
Infamously the craziest time of the year when it comes to discounts, Black Friday sales can be hard to navigate at the best of times. To help you get prepped, we've narrowed down some of the best bargains from Amazon. You can expect to see some epic deals across homewares, beauty, shoes, electronics and fitness with brands like Samsung, Maybelline, Hugo Boss and Garmin. It's time to get shopping and make the most of the deals while they last. Homewares Stocking up on things for around the house and grabbing some homewares for a gift is never a bad idea. And with these discounts, you'll finally get your hands on those top-quality frying pans you've been putting off or actually replace that pillow you've had for an embarrassingly long time to admit publicly. Corelle Dinnerware Set for $51.99 – 60% off. Tontine Allergy Sensitive Pillow for $17.89 – 61% off. TEFAL Non-Stick Induction Wokpan for $61.19 – 49% off. PetSafe Staywell Aluminium Pet Door for $109.62 – 49% off. Tontine Single All Seasons Quilt for $31.96 – 70% off. Electronics Whether you're a Samsung or a Google person, these Black Friday discounts on all your electrical necessities are enough to make you drop everything. Google Nest Cam Wireless Camera for $166.00 – 50% off. Samsung Galaxy Buds FE Wireless Earbuds for $104.99 – 47 % off. Yamaha TW-E3C True Wireless Earbuds for $45.00 – 65% off. JBL FLIP 6 Portable Waterproof Speaker for $99.99 – 41% off. Rocketbook Core Reusable Smart Notebook for $29.90 – 46% off. Beauty For all the beauty queens out there, we know how expensive it can be to get your hands on the best makeup, moisturisers, perfumes and all the other essentials to keep you feeling at your best. Our recommendation? Stock up while you can. Vera Wang Princess Eau de Toilette for $28.13 – 68% off. Hugo Boss Boss Bottled Eau De Toilette for $84.93 – 59% off. Maybelline New York Matte Lipstick for $8.91 – 58% off. Garnier Brightening Serum for $16.63 – 55% off. Aveeno Daily Moisturising Body Wash for $11.10 – 57% off. Maybelline Superstay Vinyl Liquid Lipstick in Peachy for $11.47 – 58% off. Maybelline Multi-Use Concealer for $9.77 – 58% off. Shoes Finding durable, hardy shoes at a low price can feel almost impossible. However, you can get your hands on everyone's favourite brands including Dr. Martens, Keen, Salomon and Tevas for almost half-price with these spicy Black Friday deals. Dr. Martens Unisex Embury Leather Chelsea for $139.99 – 50% off. Skechers Women's Sneakers for $78.99 – 47% off. Salomon Men's XA PRO 3D Trail Running and Hiking Shoe for $120.00 – 48% off. Teva Men's M Forebay Sandal for $79.99 – 53% off. Nike Sneaker for $44.88 – 55% off. KEEN Women's Waterproof Hiking Boot for $153.06 – 49% off. Timberland Men's 6-Inch Waterproof Boot for $179.99 – 48% off. MERRELL Men's Moab 3 Hiking Shoe for $101.99 – 49% off. Fitness Get active, running, swimming or whatever kind of movement you prefer with these nifty fitness accessories. With these kinds of discounts, there's really no excuse not to. Speedo Men's Endurance + Aquashort for $31.99 – 42% off. Garmin GPS Fitness Smartwatch for $998.00 – 46% off. Buzio 1180ml Insulated Water Bottle for $29.58 – 44% off. Step One Men's Bamboo Trunks for $17.50 – 50% off. TriggerPoint GRID TRAVEL Foam Roller for $23.98 – 60% off. This article contains affiliate links, Concrete Playground may earn a commission when you make a purchase through links on our site. Images: supplied.
As it speeds towards notching up two decades of superhero movies and TV shows, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has experienced both ups and downs — but in 2025, it's finally getting fantastic. This is the year that the Fantastic Four joins the franchise, stepping back to Mister Fantastic, The Invisible Woman, The Thing and The Human Torch's beginnings in the 1960s in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The movie hits cinemas in July; however, you can get your first sneak peek now courtesy of the just-dropped teaser trailer. Before there was a MCU, there were Fantastic Four movies. The initial two to earn a big-screen release arrived in 2005 and 2007, with the latter hitting the year before Iron Man kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As Deadpool and Wolverine did 2024's Deadpool and Wolverine, the Stan Lee- and Jack Kirby-created superhero quartet now join the list of characters who are being brought into the MCU fold, as has been on the cards ever since Disney bought 20th Century Fox. Stepping into Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm's shoes this time, as first revealed for Valentine's Day 2024 in the US: Pedro Pascal, who adds the MCU to his resume alongside the Star Wars realm (thanks to The Mandalorian) and game-to-TV smash The Last of Us, as stretchy group leader Richards; Vanessa Kirby (Napoleon), who is bending light as one of the Storm siblings; Joseph Quinn (Gladiator II) proving fiery as the other; and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear), who is no one's cousin here, instead getting huge, rocky and super strong. In The Fantastic Four: First Steps' debut sneak peek, the focus is on family: family dinners, as cooked by Grimm; family connections and quirks; and the strength of family helping the titular crew with existence's challenges. "Whatever life throws at us, we'll face it together — as a family," Sue notes in the trailer. Pascal and company are taking over from two batches of past movie takes on the superhero team. In the 2005 and 2007 movies, Ioan Gruffudd (Bad Boys: Ride or Die), Jessica Alba (Trigger Warning), a pre-Captain America Chris Evans (Red One) and Michael Chiklis (Accused) starred. Then, in 2015, Chronicle filmmaker Josh Trank gave the group a spin — still outside of the MCU — with Miles Teller (Top Gun: Maverick), Kate Mara (Friendship), a pre-Black Panther Michael B Jordan (Creed III) and Jamie Bell (All of Us Strangers). Directed by WandaVision, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters and Succession's Matt Shakman, The Fantastic Four: First Steps pits Pascal, Kirby, Quinn and Moss-Bachrach against Ralph Ineson (Nosferatu) as space god Galactus and Julia Garner (Wolf Man) as the Silver Surfer. Also co-starring: Paul Walter Hauser (Cobra Kai), John Malkovich (Ripley), Natasha Lyonne (Fantasmas) and Sarah Niles (Fallen). Check out the first teaser trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps below: The Fantastic Four: First Steps releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, July 24, 2025. Images: courtesy of 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and 2025 MARVEL.
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
Evie's Disco Diner is a queer-friendly, bottomless brunch-serving, drag-bingo-playing bar that's loved by Fitzroy's late-night revellers. It's big, brash and doesn't take itself too seriously. This has been a winning combo for the team running the Gertrude Street haunt — one of our picks for Melbourne's best bars for dancing. But when they decided to open a spot in the CBD in mid-2024, they didn't want to replicate this formula exactly. Instead, Champagne Problems is like Evie's grown-up sister. She still likes to party and have a big night out, but now prefers to do so while sipping on signature cocktails, and snacking on shared plates and cheese fondue. The crew running the show describes the aesthetic and vibe as "elevated camp". Where Evie's accents are all bright pink, Champagne Problems is fully embracing lime green, from the neon sign out front, to the chairs, painted walls and cocktails like its appletini and Japanese slipper — and yes, we are as confused as you are by Midori's unexpected return to so many Melbourne bars. There's also plenty of room inside for when long drinking and dining sessions lead into dancing around the bar late at night. A regular lineup of DJs will help set the party mood as well. But before the party gets going, plenty of food is up for grabs. Small plates dominate the menu, like devilled eggs, prawn cocktails, seared scallops with beets and roasted garlic puree, oysters with champagne granita, and cheese and meat boards. A few bigger dishes also feature, like the lobster roll, beef burger, steak frites and duck a l'orange. Late at night, the kitchen serves decadent truffle gruyere jaffles and caviar bumps. And cheese fondue is also on the cards for winter, great for big group hangs. You can pair these eats with beer and wine, but Champagne Problems is more about cocktails — surprisingly, not champagne. When the sun is shining, you can sit on the outdoor tables with limoncello and yuzu spritzes and margaritas. Those wanting the harder stuff can try the cherry negroni or coconut old fashioned. Classics can also be whipped up without fuss if the signatures don't do it for you. If you loved drinking and dancing at Evie's but now feel a little too old for it, consider a trip to its older sibling in the CBD. Images: Luke Robinson, Drop Media.
This heritage-listed green space is one of St Kilda's most instantly recognisable landmarks, and it plays an important role connecting the suburb's streets to its seaside esplanade. Catani Gardens is probably best known for its meandering gravel pathways lined by Canary Island palm trees, which create many a shady spot for a picnic. It's also a popular spot for events and concerts, with a year-round roster of things to see and do on the grounds. Images: Visit Victoria
When Super Mario Kart first rolled onto Super Nintendo consoles back in 1992, it came with 20 inventive courses and endless hours of fun. Nearly three decades later, the game has become a beloved phenomenon — not just speeding through desert tracks and rainbow roads, but onto Google Maps and mobile phones, and also into reality. The hugely popular game's next stop? Theme parks. Come Thursday, February 4, 2021, you'll be able to enjoy a real-life Mario Kart experience as part of the first-ever Super Nintendo World. Initially announced back in 2017, the new site is joining Universal Studios in Osaka. Its launch was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic but, after revealing back in October that it'd open early in the new year, the fresh addition to the theme park has an official date. Actually, Universal Studios Japan has done more than lock in an exact date. It has dropped a heap of new details — and a couple of sneak peeks, too. The fact that there'd be Mario Kart and Yoshi-themed rides isn't new news; however, until now, only a few clues about what they'd entail had been released. For those keen to hop on Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge, prepare to race through familiar Mario Kart courses that've been recreated in real life. And yes, as you're steering your way along the track, you'll be surrounded by characters such as Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach. You'll also be able to throw shells to take out your opponents — because it wouldn't be Mario Kart without them. If you're wondering how it all works, expect physical sets, plus augmented reality, projection mapping and screen projection, all designed to make you feel like you're really in the game. As for Yoshi's Adventure, it'll see you climb on Yoshi's back — and it's designed to be family-friendly. So, you'll hop on, then set off on an adventure. You'll follow Captain Toad to find three coloured eggs, plus a golden egg as well. Taking over multiple levels — fitting for a gaming-themed space — Osaka's Super Nintendo World will also feature Bowser's Castle, complete with spiked fences and heavy iron doors. Peach's Castle is part of the park, too, as are other rides, restaurants and shops. A certain highlight: the world's first Mario cafe, which has already launched ahead of the rest of the site. Here, patrons are surrounded by oversized Mario and Luigi hat sculptures, the whole space is kitted out with a red and green colour scheme, and Mario Kart-style checkered floors are a feature. As for snacks, there are Mario pancake sandwiches and cream sodas, plus other drinks available in 'super mushroom' souvenir bottles. The theme park is also introducing wearable wrist bands, called Power Up Bands — which connect to a special app and allow patrons to interact with the site using their arms, hands and bodies. That mightn't sound all that exciting, but the bands will enable you to collect coins just like Mario does in the Super Mario games. Like the red-capped plumber, you'll also be able to hit question blocks to do reveal more coins. And there'll be collectible items to gather, such as keys and character stamps, which you'll find after achieving various goals. The stamps will also earn you even more coins — so you really will be basically playing Super Mario in real life. You will have to buy a Power Up Band separate to your entry ticket to enjoy that element of the park, though. If you're keen to take a look, Nintendo has released two videos that take you through Super Nintendo World — one brief, and the other running for 15 minutes. The latter is hosted by 'Mario's dad', aka Shigeru Miyamoto, the video game designer who created Super Mario Bros all those years ago. It provides a detailed walkthrough, so you'll spy everything from huge piranha plants to giant bob-ombs, all with Miyamoto's commentary . You can check out both videos below — and yes, the music will sound very familiar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4Nc9au7FjY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQaRBOI-9kg Nods to other Nintendo games are expected to pop up around the park but, for now, all other specifics remain sparse. Given that Nintendo's game stable includes everything from Donkey Kong to Tetris and The Legend of Zelda, there's plenty more to play with. Our suggestions: real-life Tetris, where you move bricks around in person, or a Donkey Kong water ride that uses the game's iconic aquatic music. While no one is travelling far at present, Universal Studios is also planning Super Nintendo Worlds for its other parks in Hollywood, Orlando and in Singapore — if you need to add more places to your must-visit list when international tourism starts returning to normal. The latter was just announced last year, and is set to open by 2025. Super Nintendo World is slated to open at Universal Studios Osaka on Thursday, February 4.
The Exchange has a monopoly on cosiness and is perhaps the pick of the bunch in Port Melbourne where you can get all snuggly and watch the game. An inviting facade, warm interior and fireplace coupled with a whole heap of meal specials means you won't want to leave — also, a $20 Sunday roast never goes astray. A proud feature of the Exchange is showing AFL games live so you can rest assured it's got your best interests at heart. Apart from its cosy interior feat. fireplace — the Exchange also boasts soul-warming lunch specials. The $18 lunch special runs from Monday to Friday between 12pm and 3pm, so there's plenty of time to head over for a lengthy mid-week lunch. On Wednesdays, it's pie day — they're served with mash and veggies — and there's nothing that gets you past hump day better than a tasty pie, that's packed with enough goodness to get you through the next 20 hours of the work week.
If you're fond of R&B, hip hop and nostalgia, you'll want to grab your diary ASAP: Fridayz Live is back for 2025. The festival last popped up in 2023, then sat out 2024. There's no lineup just yet, but the event has locked in dates and venues for its four Australian stops, with Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth on the itinerary. This year's Fridayz Live run will kick off on Friday, October 17 at Brisbane Showgrounds, then head to Sydney's ENGIE Stadium on Saturday, October 18. The following weekend, Perth's Langley Park will welcome the fest on Friday, October 24. The final stop: Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Saturday, October 25. The lineup isn't far away, either, with the announcement set for 6am on Thursday, May 22. Whoever is on the bill will follow in the footsteps of Jason Derulo, Boyz II Men, Kelly Rowland and Flo Rida in 2023, plus TLC, Shaggy, Ashanti, Craig David, Akon and Macklemore in 2022. Before that, Fridayz Live previously went by RNB Fridays, but with the same focus music-wise. Kelis, En Vogue, Usher, Salt-N-Pepa, Ginuwine, Naughty by Nature and Janet Jackson have also graced past lineups. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fridayz Live (@fridayz_live) The last time that Fridayz Live was on the concert calendar Down Under, it also went to Adelaide; however, a visit to the South Australian capital hasn't been announced for 2025. Fridayz Live joins Spilt Milk in making a comeback this year after sitting out 2024, in a welcome trend for the Aussie live music scene. Fridayz Live 2025 Dates Friday, October 17 — Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane Saturday, October 18 — ENGIE Stadium, Sydney Friday, October 24 — Langley Park, Perth Saturday, October 25 — Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Fridayz Live is touring Australia in October 2025. We'll have the lineup for you at 6am on Thursday, May 22, 2025 — keep an eye on the festival's website and Instagram in the interim.
Back in the late 90s, there was a period when every second film was a disaster film, or so it seemed. Independence Day, Daylight, twin volcano flicks Dante's Peak and Volcano, Hard Rain, duelling death-from-above movies Deep Impact and Armageddon: they all kept unleashing chaos upon the earth on the big screen. Also among them, and proving a whirlwind box-office hit: Twister. Come July 2024, that tornado-chasing picture starring Helen Hunt (Blindspotting) and Bill Paxton (The Circle) will no longer be a once-off. Cue Twisters, a sequel that arrives 28 years after the initial feature to turn it into a franchise — because everyone knows that if this followup swirls up huge audience interest, more will likely follow. Alongside Deadpool & Wolverine and Wicked: Part One, Twisters unveiled its first trailer during the 2024 Super Bowl, introducing Glen Powell's (Anyone But You) character as a "tornado wrangler" in the process. There's also twin twisters, plenty of chasing them and a whole heap of fellow familiar faces getting swept up in the action Story-wise, the film follows an ex-storm chaser played by Where the Crawdads Sing's Daisy Edgar-Jones, who has to join forces with a cavalier colleague (Powell) thanks to an intense season that sparks weather that no one has seen before. They each have teams by their side, and both end up on a path to central Oklahoma, where the bulk of the chaos looks set to converge. Also featuring on-screen: Anthony Ramos (Dumb Money), Kiernan Shipka (Totally Killer), Sasha Lane (How to Blow Up a Pipeline), Daryl McCormack (Bad Sisters), Brandon Perea (Nope), Nik Dodani (Atypical) and Maura Tierney (The Iron Claw). The fact that Lee Isaac Chung is behind the lens is no small detail, either, marking the filmmaker's first feature since Minari, which nabbed him Oscar nominations for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. Check out the trailer for Twisters below: Twisters will release in cinemas Down Under on July 18, 2024.
The Shyun name has been synonymous with some of the best Japanese food in the southeast since 2009, with its focus on quality ingredients and traditional cooking methods making it a go-to recommendation. The OG venue was joined by the ever-popular Shyun Ramen Bar in 2012, and now a third venue has just launched on the same Carnegie strip. Bringing something new to the trio, Shyun Sumibiyaki aims to deliver the same feel-good satisfaction as its predecessors, but with a focus on charcoal-fired cuisine. Presented as a 60-seat Japanese barbecue and robata izakaya, expect an intimate setting and authentic street food flavours. Situated opposite the original Shyun restaurant on Koornang Road, the latest addition to Shyun's hub of dining goodness will feature sizzling cuts of meat, seasonal vegetables and house-made sauces designed to bring bold Japanese street flavours to life. The cuisine echoes the traditional izakayas found in the alleyways of Nagoya and Tokyo, as does the design. At just 120 square metres, Shyun Sumibiyaki is a snug space, where you and your closest pals can gather around a table decked out with its own charcoal grill and share some tantalising flavours that'll have you reminiscing about your overseas adventures. "With Sumibiyaki, we wanted to create something that feels personal — a place where people can gather around the table, cook together, and share in the street food culture we grew up with," says Nakamura Akiyoshi, Shyun Sumibiyaki's Nagoya-born Executive Chef. Across an expansive menu, sumibiyaki-style barbecue with premium cuts of meat and fresh seafood is the major focus, with a series of sets making it easy to whip up a feast. The Shyun Tasting Set features the best of Shyun's menu in one offering, while the Robata Set invites guests to indulge in the ultimate grilling experience. Meanwhile, the Gyutan Zanmai selection features various beef tongue cuts and styles, showcasing maximum tenderness and flavour. Beyond the grill, there's also a sumptuous offering of seasonal izakaya small plates and a Japanese-inspired cocktail menu, spanning yuzu, matcha, shiso, and sake creations. "We've been part of the Carnegie community for 16 years now, and Sumibiyaki feels like a return to our roots while also taking a step forward," says Co-Founder Tomohiro Suzuki. "It's still very much Shyun — it's just more intimate, more expressive, and more about the experience." Shyun Sumibiyaki is open daily from 5pm–10pm at 126 Koornang Road, Carnegie. Head to the website for more information.
The Botanical Hotel on Domain Road is your one-stop shop for eating and drinking. The venue serves as a brasserie, bar, wine store and has private event spaces. It is equal parts post-run pit stop and a place to watch the footy on a Saturday night. The average South Yarra local can keep fed and watered without even having to venture to Chapel Street. The local joint opens at 7am seven days a week, serving up grab-and-go meals for breakfast. You can choose between bircher muesli, banana bread, bacon, egg and cheese on an English muffin, Penny for Pound croissant, Wonder Pies and more. Come lunch or dinnertime, punters can make their way to the brasserie for a modern Australian bar and grill. Highlights include 28-day aged (in-house) Aussie beef, local seafood platters, substantial sides (like lobster americane mac 'n cheese and beer battered onion rings) and unique desserts like deep fried coconut and passionfruit ice cream, pineapple tarte tatin and lemon bombe Alaska. All are paired with an award-winning wine list, a range of cocktails, craft beer, and local and imported spirits. The main marble bar is in the heart of the venue, serving up a wide selection of drinks — there's also a Happy Hour from 4pm–7pm, Sunday to Thursday. During the warmer months, the leafy courtyard is heaving with punters. During the wintertime, they cosy up with a rum by the fireplace. The cocktails range from the classics to house versions, like the Southside Sunsets with Beefeater gin, Joseph Cartron apple, lime, cranberry and mint. If you can't stay a while, the Botanical Winestore and Grocer offers a selection of pre-batched cocktails, wine, beer, spirits, coffee and even butchered meats. You can also order Grab and Go meals online for pick up, which is ideal for locals' quick lunch runs or post-work quick dinners. Updated October 25, 2023
Three Michelin stars. Two hats. One of the biggest culinary names in the world, one of Australia's best-known chefs as well, plus another Aussie wiz in the kitchen. Throw in a famed London restaurant and a top Sydney fine-diner, and you get you get one of 2023's biggest food events in Australia: Restaurant Gordon Ramsay coming to Aria. For three nights this autumn, from Monday, May 8–Wednesday, May 10, Gordon Ramsay's eponymous restaurant will hit up the Harbour City for one-of-a-kind residency — because it's never been done before. This is the first time that the London venue has popped up anywhere outside of the British capital. On the menu: a dining experience curated by Ramsay and Matt Moran, naturally. While the pair are joining forces to oversee the residency, Australian chef Matt Abé will be in the kitchen with the Aria team. Dubbed 'Restaurant Gordon Ramsay comes to Aria', the hot culinary ticket capitalises upon a hefty history between Ramsay, Moran and Abé. Ramsay and Moran have been friends for more than a quarter-century, while Abé got his first culinary job at the age of 17 at Aria — and now, 21 years later, he's chef patron at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. On offer: a seven-course menu for $495 per person, plating up signature Restaurant Gordon Ramsay dishes, but with British produce replaced with Australian ingredients. The menu hasn't been revealed; however, it's likely that shellfish raviolo and a pecan praline dessert will feature. And, Aria's wine program will be doing a premium vino pairing on top for another $295 a head. "What an absolute honour to have Restaurant Gordon Ramsay do their first residency outside London at Aria. Gordon is one of my closest mates, and Abé spent five years cooking with me in the Aria kitchen before moving to London where he has cemented his place as one of the world's finest chefs. These three nights will be a real highlight in the 23 years of Aria; I can't wait," said Moran. "Collaborating with my dear friend Matt Moran, and talented chef patron Matt Abé at Aria, with its magnificent views across Sydney harbour, and creating a menu that utilises Australia's incredible local produce whilst delivering the finesse of our three-star Michelin menu, is a dream come true," added Ramsay. "I'm so excited to be heading back to the restaurant where my love for fine dining began. It means so much to be coming home as the first and only three-star Australian chef, to showcase what I have learnt over the years of working for Gordon. It really is an honour to be stepping back into the kitchen at Aria, a place where I first met Gordon, and to show my earliest mentor and friend, Matt Moran, the chef I am today," noted Abé. Restaurant Gordon Ramsay's stint at Aria joins the growing list of high-profile Sydney culinary pop-ups in 2023, with France's Mirazur just finishing a three-week stay at The Gantry at Pier One Sydney Harbour at the end of March — and three Michelin-starred English restaurant L'Enclume, from British chef Simon Rogan, making Balmoral Beach's Bathers' Pavilion its home away from home in July and August. Restaurant Gordon Ramsay comes to Aria takes place from Monday, May 8–Wednesday, May 10, costing $495 per person with a wine pairing from $295 per person — with tickets on sale from 9am on Thursday, April 13 via the Aria website.
Walking into this cosy Commercial Road wine bar is a bit like walking into an old-school library — but instead of leather bound books lining the walls, it's 400 bottles of wine (the better option, obviously). The Alps was opened back in June 2016 by the very qualified team behind other local wine spots Milton Wine Shop and Toorak Cellars. It's a successful combination of wine bar and bottle shop, where 20 bottles at a time are available to taste. Not fussy about natural or biodynamic trends, The Alps focuses on serving wine that tastes of the place it was made. A cosy spot to stop by in winter — especially as you can hunker down with toasties and cheese boards. Small tables, a small fireplace and a long dining table. Simple but great.
Bar Carolina is all sleek lines and warm smiles. You enter through a beautifully light and bright conservatory with terrazzo floors and handmade turquoise lead-light panes, and the staff are quick to greet and seat and make you feel welcome. The bar and kitchen run down one side of the narrow space and the tables down the right. If you keep walking, you'll be amongst the pots of kumquats out the back. A little spritz on a Monday night? Why not. Especially when it's the Bar Carolina version with Capo Capo (a rhubarb and bitter orange aperitivo), homemade raspberry syrup, prosecco and a dash of soda. Then just when you're trying to casually, yet elegantly sip through the double straw —while realising you could probably just have used one of the straws and avoided a large amount of inelegance — the waiter will give you the lowdown on the stuzzichini (starters). It might be the Italian accent, but they sound like poetry. It would be rude not to order the vitello tonnato, given that it's the waiter's favourite dish. Warm mouthfuls of slow-cooked veal are scattered on the plate with tasty tuna sashimi, providing, as our waiter has said, a lovely mix of temperatures and flavours. This is both surf and turf and its complete antithesis. The meat and fish are tender and flavoursome, the tiny pickled mushrooms provide little pinpoints of nutty deliciousness and the anchovy mayonnaise is delicate. And yes, you should also have the zucchini flowers stuffed with soft cod mousse and the crisp pumpkin crochette. Meat and fish are cooked in the Spanish Josper oven and the pasta is (obviously) house-made. The rabbit ragu is delightful — not only for its alliteration — and the beetroot ravioli with goat's cheese is light, yet flavoursome. To end the meal, you have to order the tiramisu — because, a) it's a dome of white chocolate enshrouded in nitrogen smoke and b) you'll be overcome with jealousy when you see one pass by your table. When you crack through the chocolate shell to the coffee jelly, savoiardi and mascarpone, we promise — you won't regret it.
