When Taylor Swift announced that The Eras Tour was finally shaking its way to Australia, locking in five dates in two cities in February 2024, excitement echoed as loudly as the music superstar's voice. But, with such a condensed block of shows, nerves jangled as well. Getting a ticket to Swift's concerts in America caused a Ticketmaster meltdown, and has sparked new US legislation in response — and then there's scalpers and their inflated prices. With the singer-songwriter set to play her first two Aussie gigs of the tour at the MCG in Melbourne across Friday, February 16–Saturday, February 17, the Victorian Government has taken a key step to ensure that Swift fans don't get ripped off. Under the state's Major Events Act 2009, it has declared the 'Fearless', 'Enchanted', We Are Never Getting Back Together' and 'Blank Space' talent's shows a major event, which gets a whole heap of penalties around scalping's bad blood kicking in. [caption id="attachment_906252" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ronald Woan via Wikimedia Commons.[/caption] Look what scalpers have made the Victorian Government do, basically. Under major event ticketing declarations, tickets to the concert must legally be available for a fair price, not the gargantuan costs that they can be flogged off for on the resale market. There's a specific figure specified under the law, in fact, with tickets to a declared major event unable to be resold for more than ten percent more than their original value. Other requirements include ticket package sellers needing authorisation from the event organiser, plus individual ads for tickets including both ticket and seating details. If a ticket seller flouts the rules, the penalties are steep — from $925 up to $554,760. [caption id="attachment_906254" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ronald Woan via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] This isn't just big news for Melburnians. Given that Swift is taking The Eras Tour to just two Aussie cities, it's relevant to the massive numbers of interstate and overseas attendees expected. The Victorian Government predicts that more than 60,000 people from around the rest of Australia, and from New Zealand, will be part of the 180,000 folks catching the singer during her two MCG concerts. Seeing Swift work through her entire career so far, playing tracks from each of her studio albums in a three-hour, 44-song, ten-act spectacular, The Eras Tour kicked off in March in the US, where it's still playing. Swift will also head to Mexico, Argentina and Brazil in 2023. Then, in 2024, she's off to Australia, Japan, Singapore, France, Sweden, Portugal, Spain, the UK, Ireland, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Poland. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) This'll be Swift's first tour Down Under since 2018, when she brought her Reputation shows to not only Sydney and Melbourne, but Brisbane and Perth, too. In the US, it's been breaking ticketing and venue records — expect tickets to get snapped up quickly Down Under as well, but now for a fair price in Victoria. [caption id="attachment_906253" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ronald Woan via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] TAYLOR SWIFT: THE ERAS TOUR AUSTRALIAN DATES 2024: Friday, February 16–Saturday, February 17 — Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Friday, February 23–Sunday, February 25 — Accor Stadium, Sydney Taylor Swift will bring The Eras Tour to Australia in February 2024. Tickets for the Melbourne shows go on sale at 10am AEST on Friday, June 30, with the Sydney shows on sale at 2pm AEST on Friday, June 30. The American Express VIP Package pre-sale runs for 48 hours from Monday, June 26 — from 10am in Sydney and 2pm in Melbourne — and the Frontier Members pre-sale runs 24 hours from Wednesday, June 28, again from 10am in Sydney and 2pm in Melbourne, or until all pre-sale tickets have been snapped up in both instances. Head to the tour website for further details. Top image: Ronald Woan via Wikimedia Commons.
Feeling the need for speed, posing as an assassin, faking a romance, battling tornadoes: thanks to Top Gun: Maverick, Hit Man, Anyone But You and Twisters, they've been Glen Powell's recent tasks. The actor's next job is to flee, and also to survive, in the second big-screen adaptation of a dystopian novel written by one of the most-famous authors there is under a pen name. His The Running Man gig under director Edgar Wright (Last Night in Soho) also involves following in Arnold Schwarzenegger's (Fubar) footsteps. 2025 is the perfect year for another take on the thrilling page-turner that Stephen King released in 1982, but as his pseudonym Richard Bachman. This is the year, in fact, that The Running Man is set on the page — and when King imagined that healthcare in the United States would favour the wealthy, leaving everyone else in such a scramble for medical treatment that signing up to compete in a literally killer television show is the only option. As the just-dropped first trailer for The Running Man shows, Powell's Ben Richards is the man in a bind in a near-future society. He's 35, married, has one child and is facing a medical crisis, needing a doctor for his sick daughter. He's also both unemployed and blacklisted from working. Josh Brolin (Outer Range) plays TV producer Dan Killian, who convinces Ben that entering the hit small-screen series that shares the film name could solve all of his problems. The aim, then, is for the lethal game's newest contestant to make it through 30 days while professional assassins are trying to hunting him down — and as the world watches on to huge ratings success. When Schwarzenegger portrayed Richards in 1987, the film didn't stick as closely to King's storyline. Back behind the lens for the first time since 2021's trio of films — Last Night in Soho, Sparks documentary The Sparks Brothers and concert film What the Hell Is It This Time? Sparks Live in London — Wright has also enlisted Michael Cera (The Phoenician Scheme) to lend Powell's protagonist a hand, plus Colman Domingo (The Four Seasons) as the host of The Running Man. His cast spans everyone from Lee Pace (Foundation) and Jayme Lawson (Sinners) to Emilia Jones (Winner), William H Macy (Accused) and Daniel Ezra (All American), too. The film hits cinemas Down Under on Thursday, November 6, 2025 — and its debut trailer has also dropped with ideal timing, given that watching competitors attempt to survive a deadly game was at the heart of Squid Game, which just wrapped up its third and final season, and also clearly owes King's novel a debt. Check out the first trailer for The Running Man below: The Running Man opens in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
It's been little more than a month since Maurice Terzini (Sydney's Icebergs Dining Room and Bar and CicciaBella) and Joe Vargetto's (Mister Bianco, Massi) new CBD venture Cucina Povera Vino Vero first opened its doors. But already, those doors are shut, with existing table bookings cancelled and all future reservations disabled on the venue's website. The short-lived restaurant's Instagram profile has been scrubbed of all content and Google has flagged it as being 'temporarily closed', too. While at this stage, neither co-owner has shared a public explanation for the abrupt closure, Vargetto has confirmed it'll be a permanent one — at least on his part. He shared a brief statement with Concrete Playground, saying: "It is an unfortunate situation but [I] will not be re-opening Cucina Povera". Terzini also confirmed the restaurant was closed, but told Concrete Playground that he was unable to comment further at this time. The Sydney-based restaurateur also responded to a July 23 Instagram post regarding the issue from restaurant critic John Lethlean, simply saying: "Been a tough start on this one John. We are working through it all and hope to have sorted next week. Had a series of unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances affecting our ability to do what we do best." It's unknown whether Cucina Povera will reopen in some format under Terzini, and it's unclear what will happen to the building itself. The Little Collins Street site was previously home to Vargetto's solo venture Massi, before it closed last year to make way for the restaurateurs' new joint project. As Terzini shared with Concrete Playground last November, Cucina Povera was imagined as a cosy Italo-Aus diner that's a little bit punk and built on a simple 'less is more' approach to cooking, with a vibe inspired by the garages of suburban Melbourne and Sydney. Cucina Povera Vino Vero is now closed, with bookings no longer available. We'll share more information as it comes. Top Image: Restaurateur Joe Vargetto
Your flights are booked, your bags are packed and your holiday excitement/anxiety has begun. And the last thing you want to be doing is dropping a stack of spending money on getting to the airport, either in a cab or — for those lucky enough to have an airport rail link this century — on the train. So, you'll be happy to know that, on Friday, July 26, ride share service Ola is offering its customers a pretty sweet deal. It isn't just reducing the price of trips to major Australian airports, as it has done before. This time, it's making the journey for free, up to a total value of $30 per ride. Customers in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and the Gold Coast can score the budget-friendly trip all day, as long as you're one of the first 1000 rides booked using the Ola app. If your journey clocks in at over $30, the extra distance will be charged at the usual price. You'll be given an estimate of your fare when you book, and tolls will also be at an extra cost. Depending on how far away from the airport you live, the $30 deal mightn't get you all the way there; however it will still save some precious cash from your travel budget — or let you use those funds for something more fun than transport. It's worth noting that the offer only applies to journeys to the airport, so don't count on it after you disembark at the other end. To take advantage of the special, you'll need to sign up to Ola and download the app, and use the code OLAVFF. And if you're wondering why Ola is feeling so generous, that's because it has just teamed up with Velocity Frequent Flyer. If you're a member of the latter, you can now earn points on every Ola ride — one point for each $1 spent on everyday rides, and two points for every $1 you fork out on rides to and from the airport. Ola's airport offer is valid for the first 1000 rides booked on Friday, July 26.
She's finally here, guys. HER — four levels of food, music, booze and OTT interior design from the crew who brought you Arbory and Arbory Afloat — has officially opened its doors at 270 Lonsdale Street in Melbourne's CBD. Brace yourselves. We've been patiently waiting for this one since December 2020 (seriously, what is time anymore? What year is it? We've lost all track…). Obviously, things take longer to materialise when there's a global pandemic strangling supply chains and whatnot, but regardless of the wait, HER has transformed the old Federation Building into four levels of awesomeness, each with its own distinct flavour. [caption id="attachment_841533" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parker Blain[/caption] As the Arbory guys put it: "HER is an entire building dedicated to the things Melbourne loves — fiery dining, immersive art and a vinyl soundtrack". Down at street level, you've got HER Bar, with its Parisian décor, solid collection of gins and aperitifs, and an all-day French grazing menu, courtesy of Arbory's Executive Chef, Nick Bennett, and Head Chef, Josh Rudd. Expect a truckload of pomme frites down here. Wander up the bluestone-paved "vertical walkway" and you come to Music Room: an entire floor dedicated to tunes, with scheduled DJ residencies and plenty of space to chill and vibe. Looking around at the moody LED underlighting and retro vinyl stacked behind the bar, this place feels more like Tokyo or Berlin than Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_842088" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parker Blain[/caption] Next level up, you've got BKK, a smoky Thai BBQ joint with an open kitchen, open flames, exposed brick everywhere and a glowing neon bar. This one should slot nicely into Melbourne's late-night eatery scene, with barbecue pork jowl, vegan laab with crispy eggplant and a selection of curries flying off the pass. No bookings in here, either. Just sizzle and lots of sound. Lastly, if you're still able to move at this point, we've got HER Rooftop Bar, "a world of its own, to sip sundowners and dance the night away". Her Rooftop will be kicking on till 1am, with some truly epic CBD views. There are even death star-ish heaters looming everywhere, so winter won't be a problem. Cocktails are the name of the game up here, and Tom Byrne, General Manager of HQ Group, has designed some doozies. Our picks are the Paloma, served on ice with ruby pink grapefruit, the burnt pineapple margaritas (yum), or the bitter espresso martinis. HER is open as of right now. You can check it out inside the old Federation Building at 270 Lonsdale Street. See you there (we'll be the ones hanging out in the Music Room, pretending to be cool. Come and say hi).
What'd happen if the Hulk was a teenage girl, and turned into a giant, fuzzy, super-cute red panda instead of going green and getting ultra-muscular? Or, finding a different riff on the ol' werewolf situation, if emotions rather than full moons inspired a case of not-quite-lycanthropy? These mightn't be questions that most folks have ever even thought of, but writer/director Domee Shi certainly has — and they're at the core of Pixar's Turning Red, her debut feature after winning an Oscar for gorgeous 2018 short Bao. As many of the acclaimed animation studio's movies do (see also: Finding Nemo, Up, Brave and the Cars franchise, for instance), Turning Red takes its title literally. But, for the second time in the past year following 2021's Luca, it sees Pixar ask a question that isn't simply "what if toys/bugs/monsters/vehicles/fish/superheroes/rats/robots/dinosaurs/elves had feelings?" (or even if feelings had feelings themselves, or if souls did as well). It still ponders a spin on that notion, wondering what'd happen if red pandas sported human-style emotions; however, the Disney-owned company has also been musing on people becoming other kinds of critters of late, with particularly astute and endearing results here. Now streaming on Disney+ after bypassing cinemas completely, Turning Red spends its time with 13-year-old Chinese Canadian high-schooler Meilin Lee (Rosalie Chiang, also making her movie debut). The year is 2002, and she loves three things: meeting her strict but doting mum Ming's (Sandra Oh, The Chair) expectations; hanging out with her pals Miriam (Ava Morse, Ron's Gone Wrong), Priya (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Never Have I Ever) and Abby (Hyein Park, also Bao's story artist); and ridiculously popular boy band 4*Town. And while her mother doesn't approve of her friends or her taste in music, and would prefer for her to either be at school or helping out at the family's temple at all times, Mei has become quite accustomed to juggling everything that's important to her. Then, after a boy-related mishap — Mei realises that she has a crush on a 17-year-old convenience store clerk, but Ming finds out and embarrasses her in public — the red panda appears. Mei goes to bed feeling normal, albeit angsty and upset, then wakes up looking like a cuddly creature. Like werewolf tales about teenage boys tend to be, Turning Red is all about puberty and doesn't hide it, with Mei forced to face the new version of herself that's awakened overnight. This is both Pixar's 25th full-length flick and its first solely directed by a woman, and the result is one of the studio's instant classics; when the company isn't throwing love towards childhood obsessions such as toys, monsters and cars, it also adores exploring what it feels like to be a kid — and Turning Red fits the mould perfectly. Of course, while it's easy to spy commonalities among Pixar's 27 years of movies so far, it rarely makes blandly formulaic fare. That's one of its key skills, after all: throwing around familiar parts, premises and patterns, but almost always making whichever movie eventuates feel new, thoughtful and specific. That remains the case with Turning Red, which is as savvy and delightful as the very best entries on the studio's resume. A charming coming-of-age effort, it flows with warmth and insight as Mei navigates an array of hugely recognisable high-school antics — being certain that you stand out, getting teased, wanting to go to concerts, developing your own interests, growing away from your parents and forging your own identity all included — while also grappling with sometimes being a red panda. Indeed, as struggles and pressures mount, and their protagonist yearns for the space to work out who she really is and what she truly wants, Shi and her co-scribe Julia Cho (Halt and Catch Fire) have also penned a tale of teen rebellion. The movie's heavy use of crimson hues represents many things, from its chosen animal to raging hormones, and a feisty can-do temperament sits high on the list. This is a Pixar movie that asks "has the red peony blossomed?" when Ming thinks that Mei has gotten her period, rather than turned into a red panda, for instance — if there was any doubt on how eagerly and openly it embraces everything that growing up means for teenage girls. It's a film that finds the relatable in the specific in a cultural sense, too, giving Toronto's Chinese community a hefty embrace, pondering generational trauma, and also creating an on-screen world that both looks and feels lived-in. And, it's as joyous about boy bands and their status as an object of obsession for adolescent hearts and minds as the wonderful Aussie documentary I Used to Be Normal: A Boyband Fangirl Story was as well. Bright, perky but never generic animation brings Shi's vision to life, and a soundtrack peppered with boy band-style songs by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell (the latter also voicing one of 4*Town's members) helps set an upbeat tone. But don't mistake all that gloss, those earworm tunes and that endearing red panda for fluff, though: Turning Red has sweetness, soul and smarts, and it's another of Pixar's gems. Check out the trailer below: Turning Red is available to stream via Disney+ from Friday, March 11. Top image: © 2022 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
To swim at the beach is to enjoy pure, natural beauty, but swimming at the pool allows for something else: the appreciation of nature and the human-made together. Whether driven by landlocked location, the presence of healing hot springs, or just a fear of waves, people have built stunning public swimming pools all over the world. These are ten of the best. Gellert Baths - Budapest, Hungary One hundred and eighteen thermal springs produce 70 million litres of warm water in Budapest every day. It's little wonder that the Hungarian capital is otherwise known as the 'Spa City'. Of the many pools found there, the Gellert Baths are the most visited. Built during the First World War, they are famous for their majestic, art nouveau architecture and the healing powers of their springs, acknowledged since medieval times. Badeschiff - Berlin, Germany As part of a 2004 public art project, Berlin based artist Susanne Lorenz transformed the hull of a 32m-long ship into a swimming pool and set it afloat it on the River Spree. Known as the Badeschiff, meaning 'bathing ship' in English, it is now one of Berlin’s primary summer attractions and includes table tennis tables and DJs for year-round fun. Montjuic Municipal Pool - Barcelona, Spain If you're a Kylie Minogue fan, you might recognise this view. She and a crowd of rather statuesque divers spend her video clip 'Slow' rolling around on beach towels next to the Montjuic Municipal Pool. Located on a hill high above Barcelona, this one offers spectacular scenery and Olympic diving boards. The Blue Lagoon - Reykjavik, Iceland The silica- and sulphur-rich waters of the Blue Lagoon are believed to possess powerful medicinal qualities. Whether or not you're one of the faithful, you're bound to be seduced by the mystical surroundings and the year-round 37-39°C water temperatures, especially if you're visiting during one of Reykjavik's icy winters. Having appeared in The Amazing Race 6, Hostel: Part II, and Britain's Next Top Model, the Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland's star tourist attractions. Yrjonkatu Swimming Hall - Helsinki, Finland This one is a must for skinny dipping enthusiasts. Up until 2001, you weren't even allowed in the Yrjonkatu with your clothes on. These days, nudity is still popular, but not obligatory, and men and women must visit at separate times. Established in June 1928, Yrjönkatu is Scandinavia’s oldest indoor public swimming pool. Its stunning classical-style architecture conjures up an atmosphere reminiscent of the ancient Roman baths. Barton Springs Pool - Austin, Texas For thousands of years, the Tonkawa Native American tribe used the springs that feed into Barton Pool during sacred rituals. Acquired by settlers in the 19th century and then by the City of Austin during the 1920s, the springs have been transformed into a public pool, which now lies inside Zilker Metropolitan Park. The water temperature is never much lower than 20°C and rarely exceeds 22°C, so you can take the plunge in comfort at any time of year. Pocas do Gomes - Madeira, Portugal The Pocas do Gomes lie on the idyllic southern edge of Madeira, a Portugese archipelago located 400km north of the Canary Islands. Naturally formed from volcanic rock, these pools enable expansive views over the Atlantic Ocean. A nearby restaurant offers fresh seafood and Portugese-style culinary delights. Piscine Molitor - Paris, France The Piscine Molitor, after which Yann Martel's increasingly famous fictional hero is named, may not be considered one of the world’s most beautiful pools right now. Built in 1929, but having closed in 1989, it became a favourite haunt for hoodlums and graffiti artists throughout the 1990s. However, a 2014 reopening promises the reconstruction of the pool in all its art deco glory. If Ang Lee's imaginative depictions are anything to go by, the Piscine Molitor will soon be vying for top of the list. Krapfenbaldwad - Vienna, Austria Situated just outside of Vienna and surrounded by vineyards, Krapfenbaldwad affords sweeping views. Given that Austria is landlocked, this pool provides some welcome cool relief for both locals and visitors and is often packed during the summer months. The old-fashioned changing rooms add an olde worlde charm to the bathing experience. Bondi Icebergs Baths - Sydney, Australia Finally, we'd be doing ourselves a disservice were we to forget that some of the most beautiful scenery on Earth is on our doorstep. The Waverley Council recognised this back in the 1880s, when they built the Bondi Baths at the southern end of Australia's most popular beach. Since 1929, the Baths have been home to the famous Icebergs, the only licensed Winter Swimming Club in the world. To be a member, you must be willing to swim at least one length of the 50m pool on three Sundays out of every month, all winter long. Any attempts at an excuse will only see your membership relinquished. If that’s not quite your style, take a dip at your leisure for $5.50 (adults) / $3.50 (children/Seniors).
Since Netflix dropped the third season of Stranger Things way back in mid-2019, fans of the 80s-set sci-fi/horror series have been left with plenty of questions. Some were answered relatively quickly, with Jim Hopper's (David Harbour, Black Widow) immediate fate covered in an early teaser back in February 2020. Other queries took a while to answer, with the streamer only revealing an exact release date for the show's fourth season in February this year. But here's one train of thought that's been going through absolutely no one's minds until now: do they play guitar in the Upside Down? Arriving after a heap of shorter sneak peeks over the past year or so — with a couple more teasers released in May 2021, then another one in August, followed by yet another in September and one more last November — the full trailer for Stranger Things season four resolves that axe-shredding question. The answer: a wailing yes. But if you're now wondering the obvious — aka why? — you'll need to wait till the show's first new episodes arrive on Friday, May 27, or maybe even until its second batch of season four instalments hit on Friday, July 1. Also covered in this long-waited return trip to Hawkins: mysterious packages, an angry Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown, Godzilla vs Kong) setting off sparks, a new D&D club and a levitating Max (Sadie Sink, The Last Castle). Oh, and a new monster who looks like it should've crawled out of The X-Files. And yes, the vibe here is all old-school horror — which is hardly surprising given that one of those past teaser trailers had Steve (Joe Keery, Spree), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo, The Angry Birds Movie 2), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin, Concrete Cowboy) and Max exploring an eerie haunted house. Across the clips so far, viewers have also been taken to California, which is where Eleven, Joyce (Winona Ryder, The Plot Against America), Will (Noah Schnapp, Waiting for Anya) and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton, The New Mutants) have washed up following season three. Eleven is settling in as well as she can settle in anywhere, as she explains in a letter to Mike (Finn Wolfhard, The Goldfinch) — but she also can't wait until she can see him in person again. And, we've headed back to Hawkins Laboratory and its whole creepy setup, too. So, piece all these trailers together and Netflix has dropped plenty of clues about what's in store — but facing a new supernatural threat and trying to put an end to the Upside Down's horrors is the gang's main aim in season four. If it feels like series' creators Matt and Ross Duffer are working on their endgame, that's unsurprising. The pair announced a few months back that there'll only be one more season to follow after season four. But, this season has "a runtime of nearly twice the length of any previous seasons," the Duffer brothers also advised. It certainly has a whole heap of trailers, and the full sneak-peek clocks in at over three minutes. May 27 can't come soon enough — but until then, you can check out the Stranger Things season four trailer below: Stranger Things season four will be able to stream via Netflix in two parts, with Volume One dropping on Friday, May 27 and Volume Two hitting on Friday, July 1. Images: courtesy of Netflix.
This summer we're getting out of the CBD and exploring some of the buzzing areas on Melbourne's fringe. With coastal walks, nature reserves and creative hidden gems, Frankston is a vibrant beach suburb that's only getting better as each summer rolls around and visitors begin flocking. If you haven't ventured to this picturesque coastal region just 45 minutes southeast of the CBD, it's time to change that. We've put together seven reasons why you should put this severely underrated spot on your list for this summer. FIND CREATIVE INSPIRATION On the walls of unassuming buildings and streets around Frankston you'll discover a thriving street art scene, with works from local and international artists bringing the city to life. The best way to experience it is through the area's award-winning Street Art Walking Tour. Taking around 90 minutes, this tour shows off works from acclaimed international and local artists like Smug, PichiAvo, DVATE and more, while giving you a chance to get familiarised with the streets of the city. Tickets are only $15 — and that includes a coffee or tea from a local cafe. How good? If the weather isn't playing ball or you haven't had your fill of art yet, check out a new exhibition at the McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery. This modern public gallery sits on a 16-hectare property in neighbouring Langwarrin and houses more than 2,700 works — including more than 100 stunning sculptures you can discover in the park. The gallery's current exhibit Bridging the Gap is definitely worth checking out for history and art aficionados alike — it celebrates post-war Australian sculpture. GET SPENDY Looking to get a jump on your Christmas shopping, or want to give your home a freshen-up with some fresh flowers and locally made knick-knacks? Frankston has one heck of a market scene where you'll be able to find unique goods from local creatives and makers. Our favourite is the Sunset Twilight Market, which runs every month until April on the picturesque Frankston waterfront — and where you can browse jewellery, art, homewares and unique gifts as the sun goes down. Roaming performers and live music provide the vibes‚ and it's the perfect chance to capture a classic bayside silhouette photo. Make a night of it by grabbing dinner at one of the many food trucks during the special Christmas edition of the Sunset Twilight Market on Sunday, December 18. For daytime shopping, Little Beauty Market is a gorgeously curated market showcasing local art, gifts, fresh blooms, jewellery, crafts and more in Frankston's suitably named Beauty Park. You'll be able to find handcrafted natural skincare, plants, eco-friendly gifts and gourmet food options — head to the website to learn more about the market's regular makers and creators, and pop the next one in your diary — Saturday, January 21. VIBES ARE ON Pop the champagne — summer is a time for al fresco festivities and celebrations. Luckily Frankston has a stacked lineup of festivals and events this season so you can celebrate in style. For all your summer vibes, The Waterfront Festival is returning in February after smashing local crowd records last year. The 2023 edition will be even better — think two days of live music, including Aussie rock legends You Am I (whose albums have regularly topped national charts on release) and fellow legends of rock The Casanovas, who have seen similar success in their 20-year career. Plus cultural performances, shoreline activities, a market and a stunning fireworks show over the water to cap things off. You'll want to pencil Saturday, February 18 and Sunday, February 19 into your calendar — keep up to date with the programme here. GO COASTAL We couldn't write a guide to Frankston without mentioning its star attraction. If you're visiting Frankston this summer you're going to want to kick off those shoes and get your toes in the sand — the suburb has some of the best beaches in the region. We recommend making a day of it by beginning your stroll at the Frankston Pier. If you're feeling peckish, you can then mosey along the boardwalk toward Olivers Hill to grab a bite to eat. Three food trucks have set up for the summer at the base of Oliver's Hill Boat Ramp. Top off an early morning swim or surf with a coffee from Little Olly's — it opens at 6am on weekdays and 7am on weekends. For your arvo and evening eats, fuel up with a fresh feed from locally-owned Cripps Fish & Chips and wash it down with ice-cold treats like smoothies and gorgeous gluten-free ice creams from Picoletta (Mercetta). We know locals in the know will be setting up for the day on the Seaford foreshore — this postcard-perfect beach boasts white sand, crystal-clear water and some of the best sunset views you'll find anywhere around Port Phillip Bay. Plus there's a whole stretch of sand dedicated to being dog-friendly — bring your four-legged best mate out for a day trip and let them frolic in the waves. [caption id="attachment_881580" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lona Hotel[/caption] DRINK AND DINE IN STYLE One of Frankston's best-kept secrets is its thriving hospitality scene — you'll find some delicious eats and drinks throughout the area. We recommend kicking off your day by grabbing coffee and brunch at Two Boys One Beagle, a super relaxed (and pastel pink) all-day eatery which was voted Frankston's best coffee in 2019 — and standards haven't slipped. As of the new year you have a brand-new spot for your afternoon and evening hangs — bar and eatery Lona Hotel has opened its doors to the public. If the name sounds familiar it's because its sister venue can be found in St Kilda. Be one of the first to park yourself up in the beer garden when this new local fave opens this summer, and enjoy picks from the tapas-inspired menu and killer cocktail list. And of course, street art trails aren't the only tour worth taking — Frankston has its very own seven-stop Beer and Spirits Trail, featuring a real who's who of local brewers and distillers from giant beer halls to smaller family-friendly haunts. Make it your mission to tick them all off the list this summer. IMMERSE YOURSELF IN NATURE After all that eating and drinking, you'll need to get out for a walk or two. There's nothing like a hefty dose of nature to shrug off the end-of-year stress, so get yourself to Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve and find 98 hectares of land suited to walking, jogging and biking, and is home to 300-odd species of native plants and animals. If you're looking for a shady oasis to beat the heat, Sweetwater Creek Reserve offers picturesque walking paths and boardwalks under the cool canopy of trees. Be soothed by the sounds of waterfalls and wildlife as you meander along — and if little legs need a break, there are heaps of seats and rest points along the path. HEAD OUT AFTER DARK The sun has to set at some point, so take a date (or a mate) out for an evening to enjoy. Don't stress about planning it — we've got it sussed. Start your evening at Pixar Putt — the popular openair mini golf course inspired by the Disney-owned studio's loveable films is popping up on Frankston's waterfront from December 16 to January 29. This kidult-friendly course takes you past childhood heroes like Buzz Lightyear, Sheriff Woody and Elastigirl, and is sure to become a summertime favourite. Head in between 7–10pm on weekends for adults-only sessions with a fully stocked bar – that's date night sorted. Once you've finished a friendly round or two, head for a round of a different sort at one of Frankston's local watering holes. Our favourite place to catch the sunset is the foreshore's walk-up-only sunset beach bar Oliver's Corner (that's Ollie's to the locals), an ideal spot to sip a cocktail and watch the sun go down. For great vibes and live tunes, there are acclaimed live music venues throughout the area to tickle your fancy — and maybe introduce you to your new favourite local acts. We're big fans of The Cheeky Squire (especially Monday's $6 pint nights) and historic venue The Pier Hotel, but for a cocktail list and bottomless brunch deal worth savouring, hit The Deck. Frankston is delivering a stacked lineup of cultural activities, live bands, stage shows, fabulous food, twilight markets and more until May 2023. Find out more at Discover Frankston.
Appeteaser is the latest collection from Lucy Folk, and boy, is it tempting. This season Folk has used sterling silver, rose and yellow gold vermeil, freshwater pearls, powder-coated steel, 22 carat gold, rubies, white and black diamonds, tsavorite garnets, ceylon sapphires and a playful bout of colour in a series of pieces designed to make you look delicious. Some of the old favourites are back, but with a twist. There's gold corn chip necklaces, peppercorn earrings and mini-taco-adorned friendship bracelets. But expect an element of decadence with this seasons offerings, as elegant pearls and precious jewels are added in subtle ways. A couple of examples we are loving from this collection include the silver and rose gold ‘Caviar Rings’ dotted with sapphires and diamonds to add some sparkle to the seduction. Anchovy cuffs for your wrists and your ears add an intriguing texture to staple pieces, and the peppercorn and pearl earrings are delicate and divine. Probably the standout piece of the collection, however, is the Appeteaser Aphrodisiac necklace. A shucked freshwater oyster shell in either sterling silver or rose gold — with a pearl in the centre, of course — it is sure to make you the topic of conversation at any dinner party. At $750 (silver)/$850 (rose gold) a pop, you might be dining out on the cheap for a while, but if you feel like treating yourself to something scrumptious, you’d be hard pressed to beat this beauty. The Lucy Folk Appeteaser collection hits stores today and is also available online. Check out the saucily tongue-in-cheek campaign video for a little more amuse(-bouche)ment.
There's no need to feel the cold this winter. Whether you have a date with skis or you'll be trying to get as cosy as possible going about your usual routine, Aldi's snow gear sale is back to keep you warm. Making a beeline to the middle aisle to rug up has become an Australian tradition, and this year marks the first time that the supermarket chain has held two of the sales in consecutive years since before the pandemic. In budget-friendly news, too, nothing will set you back more than $100. Winter is coming, as the country is just beginning to feel — and this batch of bargains, spanning everything from gloves to thermoboots, is on its way as well. Ski trips, snowboarding sessions, building snowmen: there's attire for all of the above, plus just not shivering at home. Mark Saturday, May 18 in your diary, then make a date with your nearest Aldi supermarket. Also, prepare to have ample company. Every time that this sale happens, it draws quite a crowd — and 2024's run again includes more than 70 products, with prices starting from $4.99. Available at stores across the nation, and made to withstand extreme weather conditions, the latest range of gear includes ski jackets from $59.99, both ski pants and hoodies from $49.99, and fleece jackets from $39.99. Or, there's also balaclavas from $9.99, snowboard and ski gloves from $14.99, touchscreen gloves for $9.99, ski socks for $8.99, and scarves and beanies for $6.99. Ski goggles cost $17.99, ski helmets come in at $29.99 and thermoboots are $34.99. Need a heavy-duty boot, shoe and glove dryer? Decided that you do now that you've just read that sentence? They're also on the list, for $79.99. Because layers are pivotal, Aldi's Merino thermal underwear range is also back, with items such as adult tanks and camisoles for $19.99. Kids clothing is part of the deal, too, if you'll be travelling with younger skiers — including being able to dress a children for the snow from top to toe for under $100. 2024's Aldi Snow Gear Special Buys range is available from Aldi stores nationally from Saturday, May 18.
After one of the hottest summers on record and heading back into the cooler months, the thought of throwing on a suit is just becoming bearable. And, in perfect timing, menswear label M.J. Bale has announced a huge archive sale. Running from Thursday, March 21 to Sunday, March 24, at 255A Chapel Street, the sale will get you sorted for the season ahead (and maybe a few after that, too). Since Matt Jensen founded the quality menswear brand in 2009, it's become a staple in many of Aussie men's wardrobes. From quality office attire to special occasion wear, the label prioritises maintaining a close supply chain between Australian wool growers, Italian weavers and Japanese tailors, so you're guaranteed to find clothing that is stylish, breathable and top quality. Along with suit wear, the brand also offers laidback linen, knitwear, cotton and lightweight flannel styles, plus a great selection of accessories. And you'll be able to score some of it for up to 75 percent across the four-day sale. The M.J. Bale Archive Sale will be open 8am–8pm on Thursday, March 21 to Friday, March 22 and 9am–5pm on Saturday, March 23 and Sunday, March 24 — head to the event page for more.
Any chance to see Yayoi Kusama's work in Australia is huge news, and reason to make a date — including travel plans, if needed — to get immersed in the Japanese icon's infinity rooms, and also be surrounded by pumpkins and dots. So when the National Gallery of Victoria announced that its big summer 2024–25 showcase would be dedicated to the artist, that was enough to make the resulting exhibition a firm must-see. Adding Friday-night parties to the mix, which the NGV has just locked in, is the cherry on top, then. How many ways can Melbourne go dotty for Kusama? Everyone is about to find out, although that question keeps being answered in the lead up to the exhibition's opening on Sunday, December 15, 2024. Already, Kusama's five-metre-tall dot-covered Dancing Pumpkin sculpture has made NGV International's Federation Court its home. Then came the revelation that the showcase will feature a world record-breaking number of infinity rooms and other immersive installations. And, outside the gallery on St Kilda Road right now, Kusama's Ascension of Polka Dots on the Trees has wrapped the trunks of more than 60 trees in pink-and-white polka-dotted material. NGV Friday Nights often forms part of the venue's high-profile exhibitions, so it should come as no surprise that the event series will be back for Yayoi Kusama. The after-hours parties will kick off on Friday, December 20, 2024 for some pre-Christmas fun, then run for 18 weeks until Friday, April 18, 2025. Come quittin' time for the week, Melburnians can add spots to their late-night shenanigans. If you're making a visit from interstate, you'll want to ensure you time it to hit one of the soirees on your trip. Seeing art is obviously on the NGV Friday Nights itinerary, but so is music and culinary experiences. The NGV's Great Hall will welcome live DJ sets, including from Dijok, Small FRY, Elle Shimada, Tanzer and more. In the NGV Garden Restaurant, acclaimed chefs Martin Benn is doing a residency for the exhibition's duration, serving up Asian-inspired dishes using Australian produce, Attendees can also look forward to other dining and drinking options, such as the Moët & Chandon champagne bar, Four Pillars gin bar, Yering Station wine bar and Häagen-Dazs ice cream cart — so there's sparkling, G&Ts, wine flights and frozen treats covered — plus a Japanese-inspired menu from the Great Hall and Gallery Kitchen. Gracing NGV International's walls until Monday, April 21, 2025, Yayoi Kusama will feature over 180 works, in what'll be the largest Kusama retrospective that Australia has ever seen — as well as one of the most-comprehensive retrospectives devoted to the artist to be staged globally, not to mention the closest that you'll get to experiencing her Tokyo museum without leaving the country. Other highlights include NGV International's glass waterwall going pink, but with black rather than white dots; Kusama's new version of Narcissus Garden, which dates back to 1966 and will feature 1400 30-centimetre-diameter silver balls this time around, sitting in front of the waterwall and in parts of Federation Court; and the yellow-and-black spheres of Dots Obsession hanging over the Great Hall. Then there's the artist's sticker-fuelled, all-ages-friendly The Obliteration Room, where audiences young and old pop coloured dots everywhere — 'obliterating', as Kusama calls it — to cover an apartment interior that's completely white otherwise. Overall, Yayoi Kusama will step through the 95-year-old artist's eight decades of making art via a thematic chronology. Some pieces hail from her childhood. Some are recent. Her output in her hometown of Matsumoto from the late 30s–50s; the results of relocating to America in 1957; archival materials covering her performances and activities in her studios, especially with a political charge, in the 60s and 70s; plenty from the past four decades: they'll all appear. [caption id="attachment_981011" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yayoi Kusama, The Hope of the Polka Dots Buried in Infinity Will Eternally Cover the Universe 2019 at Kusama's solo exhibition Yayoi Kusama: All About Love Speaks Forever at Fosun Foundation, Shanghai. Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts © YAYOI KUSAMA.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_950473" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yayoi Kusama, The obliteration room 2002–present. Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, © YAYOI KUSAMA.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_950474" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of Yayoi Kusama's Flower Obsession 2017 on display in NGV Triennial from 15 December 2017 – 15 April 2018 at NGV International Melbourne. Image courtesy of NGV.[/caption] Yayoi Kusama displays at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne from Sunday, December 15, 2024–Monday, April 21, 2025 — and NGV Friday Nights: Yayoi Kusama runs each Friday night from 6–10pm between Friday, December 20, 2024–Friday, April 18, 2025. Head to the NGV website for more details and tickets. Top image: Installation view of Yayoi Kusama's Dots Obsession 1996/2015 at Kusama's solo exhibition YAYOI KUSAMA: IN INFINITY, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebaek, Denmark. YAYOI KUSAMA Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts © YAYOI KUSAMA. NGV Friday Nights images: Michael Pham / Tobias Titz.
North Fitzroy Italian diner Lagotto is turning its attention to the sweeter side of life — and a good cause — by collecting funds for bushfire relief with a good old fashioned bake sale. On Sunday, February 2, it's firing up the oven and rounding up a couple of well-known foodie friends for a special fundraiser that'll send 100-percent of proceeds to Country Fire Authority Victoria and Wildlife Victoria. Lagotto's chefs will be staying on theme as they whip up an assortment of classic Italian treats, from biscotti and crostoli to bomboloni and stuffed cannoli. Meanwhile, local bakeries Loafer Bread, Dench and To Be Frank are coming in hot with some baked goods of their own. They're donating goodies like buttery croissants, biscuits and French-style baguettes. Even Lagotto's siblings are coming to the party — expect homemade sausage rolls from wine bar Congress and serves of yuzu custard mochi courtesy of modern Japanese restaurant Future Future. No one's going thirsty, either, with caffeinated sips donated by Vacation Coffee and native bush bellinis made in collaboration with the folks up the road at Pinotta. [caption id="attachment_723464" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Parker Blain[/caption] Both the espresso machine and the tunes will be pumping, so your freshly baked goodies are best enjoyed out on Lagotto's sunny terrace. Word is, there'll even be some cheeky dog treats on hand for very good boys and girls. PSA: bring your change — this is a cash-only sale. Top image: Kate Shanasy
Melbourne's annual winter festival RISING is back, taking over public spaces, theatres and galleries all around the city from Saturday, June 1–Sunday, June 16. All up, 116 events are running throughout the two weeks, featuring 651-plus artists. It's massive. And while it is great to have so much going on, deciding what to see can easily be overwhelming. Where do you begin? That's where we come in. We've rounded up a bunch of Melbourne's best RISING events you can still book a spot at — or that you can simply rock up to enjoy at your leisure. Most of these are very reasonably priced and plenty are totally free to enjoy. There's no excuse for missing out on RISING 2024. Recommended reads: The Best Things to Do in Melbourne This Week The Best Things to Do in Melbourne This Weekend The Best Things to Do in Melbourne This Month The Best Restaurants in the Melbourne CBD
Your tastebuds are hankering for a soft drink, you also feel like something boozy, and no, a vodka and lemonade just won't cut it. The new solution to this relatable dilemma: El Camino Cantina's Not So Soft Drink Series. You mightn't have even contemplated sipping creaming soda or frozen cola-flavoured margaritas before, but that's what this new short-term menu is all about. Also on offer at the lively Tex-Mex chain's Fitzroy venue: Pasito-flavoured margaritas, plus a Mountain Dew version as well. You'll be able to knock them back between Tuesday, June 1–Sunday, August 1 — in 15-ounce and 25-ounce glasses topped with a Grand Marnier float, in tasting paddles that'll let you sample all four varieties, and out of two-litre towers if you're gathering the gang. If you're a fan of its margs, you'll probably have noticed that El Camino mixes up its menu regularly with specials like these — which gives you more excuses to try more flavours.
Three vineyards, four labels, one overarching Mornington Peninsula winery. That's what falls under the Stumpy Gully name, and has done since 1989. Things could've been different, though, with the Zantvoort family originally planning to grow citrus when they moved over from Holland. Fans of a great locally made drop will be thankful that they decided to go with grapes instead, obviously. From that setup, Peninsula Panorama Wines is just one of Stumpy Gully's labels, but it's a good one — with a chardonnay, rosé, cabernet merlot, pinot noir and shiraz in its range. If that's too many to pick from, the latter two are particularly top choices, especially if you like cherry and raspberry tastes, or a spice, berry and vanilla oak blend. The still family-run vineyard operates its cellar door at Moorooduc, right at the beginning of the Mornington wine trail — with the restaurant onsite operating from Friday–Sunday.
What does a group of pink guards do when they hit an Australian beach? That isn't likely to be a storyline in Squid Game when it returns for its second season on Boxing Day 2024, but we have been given the answer in the lead up to the show's much-anticipated comeback anyway. In Melbourne on the morning of Tuesday, December 10, 2024, St Kilda Beach welcomed 200 visitors, all kicking back on the sand — on towels, reading, sitting under umbrellas, throwing balls, flying kites and more — in eye-catching Squid Game attire. As announced on Monday, December 9, Netflix sent a continent of pink guards to the seaside patch of the Victorian capital to remind everyone that the show's second season is on the way — and soon — in an eerie fashion. There wasn't a green tracksuit in sight, but there were plenty of jumpsuit- and mask-wearing folks enjoying a morning out. This isn't the first time that the streaming platform has brought the South Korean sensation Down Under. When season one proved a massive success, the creepy Red Light, Green Light doll from the show towered over Sydney Harbour. Up at Sydney's Luna Park, you'll have another chance to get some IRL Squid Game action — without any murder, of course — when an immersive experience hits the tourist attraction to get you playing Red Light, Green Light from Monday, December 16, 2024. Three years have passed since Squid Game became an award-winning Netflix sensation — for viewers and, in the show itself when new episodes drop, for Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae, The Acolyte) as well. Audiences and Player 456 are alike are in for a new round of life-or-death matches when the streaming smash finally returns, although only the series' protagonist will be fighting for survival again while on a quest to shut down this chaos forever in season two. No one watching should ever want Squid Game to end; however, the show itself will wrap up in 2025 with season three. First comes the long-awaited second season to end 2024, though, where Player 456 is back in the game with new fellow competitors for company. Netflix has been dropping multiple early looks at season two, including a teaser trailer to kick off November — and it finished off the month with a new glimpse at what's to come. As the show's protagonist dons his green threads once more for the new season, his new fellow competitors are wary of his motives. Also part of the recent teases: Lee Byung-hun (The Magnificent Seven) as Gi-hun's nemesis Front Man, plus Wi Ha-joon (Little Women) also back as detective Hwang Jun-ho. For season two, Gong Yoo (Train to Busan) also returns as the man in the suit who got Gi-hun into the game in the first place; however, a show about a deadly competition that has folks battling for ridiculous riches comes with a hefty bodycount. Accordingly, new faces were always going to be essential — which is where Yim Si-wan (Emergency Declaration), Kang Ha-neul (Insider), Park Sung-hoon (The Glory) and Yang Dong-geun (Yaksha: Ruthless Operations) all come in. Squid Game's pink guards took over St Kilda Beach in Melbourne on the morning of Tuesday, December 10, 2024. Head to Netflix's social media for more details. Squid Game season two streams via Netflix from Thursday, December 26, 2024. Season three will arrive in 2025 — we'll update you when an exact release date for it is announced.
No one simply likes Caramilk. Cadbury's caramelised white chocolate is adored, obsessed over and flat-out loved with undying passion, whether it's being served in standard block form or being worked into cocktails. We could keep listing more words of utter and complete devotion — and keep outlining other different ways to eat the cult-favourite dessert, too — but you get the picture. When it comes to this specific type of choccie, there's no such thing as too much. Love Caramilk? Like ice cream as well? Then you'll want to sink your teeth into Cadbury's new collaboration with Peters Ice Cream. The resulting dessert is as straightforward as it sounds, but hey, when it comes to making Caramilk ice creams on sticks, there's really no need to overcomplicate matters. Available in Australian supermarkets from today, Monday, July 26, the new Caramilk desserts coast Peters' ice cream with the beloved chocolate. So, no more needing to choose between a few squares of the smooth and creamy chocolate and something frosty. The look a little like Magnums, but in that golden Caramilk hue — and, if you're already a fan of the chocolate, they're certain to tempt your tastebuds. They come in individual servings and in boxes of four, so you can either pick up some to share or stock up on dessert for the next few days. Getting in quickly is recommended, though, given how popular all things Caramilk typically prove. Cadbury's Caramilk ice creams are now available in supermarkets — and will set you back $4 each, or $8.50 for a four-pack.
Storehouse originally launched in South Gippsland, but brought its range of lifestyle products to St Kilda in 2017. The store showcases a wealth of artisanal objects from both small and iconic Australian creators and makers, meaning that there's an oddball mix of clothing, accessories, furnishings, gifts and fine art to explore. Storehouse even designs and makes some of its wares in-house — just ask the staff which ones. Images: Tracey Ah-kee.
Iconic filmmakers dropping huge films: thanks Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon, Michael Mann's Ferrari and Ridley Scott's Napoleon, that's the current cinema story. The latter picture also sees the director reteam with Joaquin Phoenix, step into history and make an epic. And yes, the last time they did that turned out well for the pair. Back in 2000, exploring a brutal (and fictionalised) slice of the past brought both Scott and Phoenix both Oscar nominations. Repeating the feat 23 years after Gladiator, they might be hoping for the same outcome — or better. In Napoleon, Phoenix (Beau Is Afraid) is on a campaign to rule France as the movie's namesake, and Scott (House of Gucci) also returns to a period he dived into in his debut feature The Duellists back in 1977. [caption id="attachment_922708" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Aidan Monaghan[/caption] The focus this time is clearly all there in the title, charting Napoleon Bonaparte's rise to French Emperor, then fall from the post. No, ABBA's 'Waterloo' doesn't feature in either the film's first sneak peek or in the just-dropped trailer. Present instead is a whole lot of wars being waged in a quest to first fight for and then to hold onto power, as well an examination of Napoleon's relationship with Joséphine de Beauharnais (Vanessa Kirby, Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One). The hat, the determination, the military and political scheming, battle scene after battle scene: they all get a look in the Napoleon trailers, too, in a movie that's being touted by distributor Sony as boasting "some of the most dynamic practical battle sequences ever filmed". Also accounted for: lines of dialogue, as scripted by All the Money in the World's David Scarpa, establishing Napoleon's arrogance. "I'm the first to admit when I make a mistake. I simply never do," Phoenix notes in the initial glimpse. When Napoleon hits cinemas Down Under in November, Phoenix and Kirby will be joined on-screen by everyone from Tahar Rahim (The Serpent) as Paul Barras and Ben Miles (Hijack) as Caulaincourt to Ludivine Sagnier (Lupin) as Theresa Cabarrus — plus Catherine Walker (House of Gucci) as Marie-Antoinette, whose fate is seen in the two trailers. After a silver-screen date, the movie is also headed to Apple TV+, just like Killers of the Flower Moon. Check out the latest trailer for Napoleon below: Napoleon releases in cinemas Down Under on November 23, 2023. Images: courtesy of Sony Pictures/Apple Original Films.
For its latest celebration of both movies and music, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is going back ... to one of the best films of the 80s and one of the best time travel films in general. Hop on your skateboard or in your DeLorean, then head to Hamer Hall (at less than 88 miles per hour, of course). For three days in October, the venue is hosting another classic flick brought back to the big screen while the feature's score gets MSO's live orchestral treatment: Back to the Future. It's enough to make you exclaim "great Scott!", which is actually something you'll probably be doing once you're there — especially given that the 1985 film's original score by Alan Silvestri (Pinocchio) is gaining some extra music. Around 20 minutes of new tunes by Silvestri himself have been added to the lineup only for these shows. So, no matter how many puffy vest and self-lacing shoes you own (or wish you did), you'll be experience something that you haven't while previously watching the Michael J Fox (The Good Fight)-starring hit. MSO is busting out the flux capacitor for three gigs across Wednesday, October 23–Friday, October 25, 2024, each starting at 7.30pm, with Benjamin Northey conducting. The Back to the Future in Concert screenings join the orchestra's lineup alongside already-announced sessions of The Man From Snowy River in August, Home Alone in December and Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens in May 2025. If you've been living in 1955 or 1855 and are somehow new to all things Back to the Future, the Oscar-winning film — for Best Sound Effects Editing — follows high-schooler Marty McFly (Fox) when he hops back 30 years from the mid-80s to the mid-50s. His journey into the past comes courtesy of a time-travelling version of the most-famous gull-winged vehicle that now exists in pop culture, which is the creation of scientist Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd, Hacks). But returning home to his own time, and doing so without causing chaos with the space-time continuum — including with younger versions of his parents — isn't straightforward. Fox was already a star when the OG Back to the Future initially hit cinemas thanks to Family Ties but, as 2023 documentary Still: A Michael J Fox Movie stepped through, the Robert Zemeckis (The Witches)-directed movie took his fame up a level. Then 1989's Back to the Future Part II and 1990's Back to the Future Part III swiftly followed. Silvestri mightn't have nabbed an Academy Award nomination or win for his Back to the Future score; however, he picked up two for a couple of other Zemeckis-helmed features: Forrest Gump and The Polar Express. Check out the trailer for Back to the Future below: Back to the Future in Concert will take place between Wednesday, October 23–Friday, October 25, 2024 at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, Southbank. Tickets are on sale from 10am on Thursday, July 4 — head to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra website for more details.
The Tinder trawl just got a little more rom-com; brand new dating app Happn aims to take your missed Meet Cutes and turn them into potential dates. Using the GPS function on your phone, Happn encourages you to "find the people you've crossed paths with" in an attempt at fast-tracked 'romance'. If you've ever wondered if the babe in the cereal aisle was giving you the eyeball, now you can check without risking an ego-shattering diss. Invented by three Frenchmen (growth hacker Fabien Cohen, entrepeneur Didier Rappaport and computer engineer Antony Cohen), Happn is generating serious buzz in Europe with its cut-to-the-chase hook up philosophy. While Tinder's flick left or right mechanism is undoubtedly based on looks, lack of Southern Cross tattoos and inclusion of Distracting Hot Friends in profile pics, Tinder also brings up shared interests (if you both like Game of Thrones on Facebook, it'll show up so there's something to talk about rather than "Sup, wanna bang?"). Happn leaves this behind in favour of distance to dates. If you're within 250 metres of each other, Happn uses your phone's GPS to flag your potential romance-o-meter. Of course, your mystery spunk has to have Happn installed on their phone too (so you might be waiting a while to hear from your eyelash-battering stranger if they ain't connected). The timeline shows you the profiles of all the people you’ve crossed paths with, in real-time. Every time you come across someone in real life, their profile appears on your app. Passing someone in the supermarket aisle just got a little more loaded. Happn's sole philosophy is based around celebrating coincedence, "boosting luck" and saving you from "missed connections." But although it sounds simultaneously romantic and an easy carnal escapade, the whole GPS situation is creeping some of us out. Importantly, your position on Happn isn't saved and remains completely invisible to other members — the coordinates of where you passed another Happn user is the only thing registered; the bus stop where That Guy hopped on, the record store where you noticed Her in the hip hop section, the park where your terrier 'accidentally' found itself off leash and headed toward a swoonworthy husky owner. But what of unwanted attention from creepos using technology to be predatory, like many, many creepos tend to do? "The app is designed to guarantee the safety of all users and the confidentiality of their data," say the Happn team. "You can decide at any given time that a profile doesn’t interest you anymore; you’ll never cross paths with each other on Happn again, and they’ll never know. Also, you can report any unwanted behaviour or block a profile by clicking on the little flag at the bottom of every profile." Avoid the creeps, follow up your Meet Cute and let us know where the reception's at. You can download Happn in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Via Guardian.
Australians, if you need to renew your passport — or just find wherever you stashed it away more than 18 months ago — the time is now. When Monday, November 1 arrives, Aussies will be permitted to travel internationally again. Of course, given that the COVID-19 situation varies in each state, jetting off won't be as straightforward as it used to be; however, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed that the Federal Government will be allowing Aussies to leave the country and return from that date. Back at the beginning of October, the PM advised that Australia's indefinite ban on holidaying overseas — a ban that came into place in March 2020 to control the spread of COVID-19 — would lift sometime in November on a state-by-state basis. At the time, Morrison announced that "international travel is on track to reopen safely to fully vaccinated Australian travellers" when each state and territory individually hits the 80-percent double-jabbed threshold. Now, on Friday, October 15, the Prime Minister confirmed the exact date that Aussies will be allowed to travel internationally — after New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet announced that quarantine requirements will be dropped for folks who've had both their jabs from Monday, November 1, too. Also in NSW, caps on the number of double-vaccinated overseas arrivals will also lift on the same day. "I'm very pleased that the New South Wales Government has advised, as you've learnt today, that they will be in a position to move to a no quarantine arrangement for people arriving back in Australia from the 1st of November, which enables us to be in a position to ensure that we can lift the caps for returning Australian citizens, residents and their families from the 1st of November into New South Wales," said Morrison. He continued: "this also means is that we will be allowing Australians, permanent residents and citizens and their families, to leave Australia from wherever they live in Australia and return, but obviously the capped arrangements in other states will continue because of the vaccination levels in those places and the arrangements they have in place in each of those states and territories." Accordingly, if you wanted to hop on a flight out of NSW to an overseas destination from the beginning of November onwards, you can — and, if you're then returning to NSW and you're double-jabbed, you won't need to quarantine (not in a hotel, and not at home either). In response to the news, airlines have started bringing forward their international flight dates, so you really can start booking. Qantas has brought forward its London and Los Angeles routes from Sydney (the former now going via Darwin) to November 1, after initially intending to take to the skies again mid-November, and is also looking at possibly bringing forward the restart dates for flights to Singapore, Fiji, Vancouver and other destinations from mid-December. At this early stage, the international border will open for double-jabbed Aussies heading outwards and coming back — and permanent residents and citizens and their families, as the PM noted — but not for international travellers and international students. Plus, for those who aren't double-dose vaxxed, hotel quarantine will remain compulsory upon entering Australia, and caps upon arrival numbers will still apply. In NSW, mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine will remain in place, and only 210 overseas arrivals who aren't double-jabbed will be permitted each week. Media release: reopening roadmap update. #NSWPol #auspol2021 pic.twitter.com/mKbxdO0W53 — Dom Perrottet (@Dom_Perrottet) October 14, 2021 Arrangements in states and territories other than NSW, including the quarantine requirements upon return for double-vaccinated folks and the caps on arrivals from November 1, haven't yet been confirmed by the respective state and territory leaders. Also, exactly where Aussies can travel to out of NSW from November 1 obviously depends on border rules and requirements in other countries. The trans-Tasman travel bubble with New Zealand is presently on hold until at least mid-November, for instance, while Fiji will reopen to Aussies from Thursday, November 11. For further information about Australia's plan to restart international travel, head to the Prime Minister's website. More details about the National Plan to transition Australia's National COVID Response can be found on the same site. And, details of the New South Wales Government's current plans can be found on its website. Also, to find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia in general, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
In news that has ironically prompted outraged profanity worldwide, Vladimir Putin has signed a bill which prohibits the use of swear words in Russian film, theatre and live music performances. This legislation is just the latest in a long line of gradual moves against freedom of expression in the country. With the much-protested bills passed against the "promotion" of "non-traditional sexual relations", the increasing moves towards internet censorship, and the ruling in April this year against profanity in the media, the whole situation seems a bit fucked. Coming into effect on July 1, this most recent bill will ban four specific words from Russia's art and performance. All hailing from the lexicon of mat: khuy (cock), pizda (cunt), ebat (to fuck), and blyad (whore) will be prohibited from appearing in any new work, while books and printed materials containing such words will be sold in sealed packaging with warning labels. If artists refuse to abide this new ruling, not only will their works be refused distribution, they will be charged up to 50,000 rubles ($1,510). To further confuse matters, though the ban will include live performance and events, it will reportedly only affect products of "popular culture" and not "art". "The law is not aggressive," said a representative from the Culture Ministry to the Moscow Times. "Its only aim is to regulate this sphere, so that swearing will have its purpose." Though the difference between the two realms of production has not yet been specified by the Ministry, artists across the world can finally feel some sense of relief — who would have thought this man would be the one to pin down the elusive definition of art? Many in the Russian art world are unsurprisingly outraged by this recent move and take particular issue with its effect on literature. Mat has in fact had a rich history in Russian poetry and prose, as seen in the seminal Romantic work of Mikhail Lermontov and Alexander Pushkin. The banning of such words, pivotal to the language of the working class, will undoubtedly limit the range of character and emotion in much of Russia's cultural work. Unfortunately, I'm not that well-versed in Russian film or literature, but just imagine a world where American Psycho is illegal; a place where this iconic scene from Planes, Trains and Automobiles could never have reached its audience. In a worldwide exclusive, we've actually obtained a copy of the upcoming Russian Wolf of Wall Street re-release. It may not have the glamour or excitement of Scorsese's original, but its does 100 percent comply to the standards of the Culture Ministry. Enjoy. Via the New Yorker.
It's won 11 Tony Awards and is one of the Obamas' favourite musical, and now Lin-Manuel Miranda's game-changing musical Hamilton is finally coming to Australia. The critically acclaimed hip hop musical, for which Miranda wrote the music, lyrics and the book, is about the life of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, as well as inclusion and politics in current-day America. As well as its 11 Tony Awards, which include Best Musical, it has nabbed a Grammy Award and even a Pulitzer Prize. After hitting Broadway in 2015, then West End in 2017, and beginning its third tour of the US earlier this year, Australians can finally catch Hamilton — when it makes its Southern Hemisphere premiere at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in March 2021. According to the SMH, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane began vying for the rights to stage the musical in mid 2018, and Sydneysiders will be happy to have come out on top (this time). There's no word yet on whether it'll head to other Aussie cities later on — it's possible, other big musicals, such as The Book of Mormons, have. But, if you don't want to risk it, those located interstate should to start planning a trip ASAP — we think it'll be more than worth it. [caption id="attachment_722617" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hamilton by Joan Marcus.[/caption] It's not Miranda's first musical to hit Australia, either, his take on the classic 200s film Bring It On: The Musical hit Melbourne last year and quadruple Tony Award-winning In The Heights just finished a short season at the Sydney Opera House this January. Hamilton will make its Australian premiere at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in March 2021. You can sign-up for pre-sale tickets now. Image: Hamilton, Broadway. Photo by Joan Marcus.
If glass slippers, pumpkin carriages and fairy godmothers were on your must-see theatre list for 2021, we have bad news: the Cinderella musical won't be bringing its magic to Australia this year. That was meant to be the case, but then lockdowns hit; however, in a supremely welcome development, the beloved Broadway show is now heading our way in 2022 instead. First premiering in New York in 2013, this version of the adored fairy tale features music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, a couple of the best-known names in musical theatre history. The pair actually wrote their songs for a 1957 television production, which starred a pre-Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music Julie Andrews. (If you've seen the 1997 TV movie with Brandy and Whitney Houston — which remade that original small-screen flick — then you've already seen a version based on Rodgers and Hammerstein's original efforts.) Now, the Broadway production is finally making the jump Down Under, debuting locally at Melbourne's Regent Theatre from May 20, and then heading to the Sydney Lyric Theatre at The Star from October 23. The tour is a collaboration between Opera Australia and Crossroads Live, after the two organisations teamed up on The King and I, another Rodgers and Hammerstein hit — but this time they're all about gleaming footwear and masked balls. Don't expect the exact same story you're used to, though — as you read as a kid, and saw in Disney's classic animated film and its live-action remake. Here, Cinderella is a contemporary figure, but living in a fairytale setting. While she's still transformed from a chambermaid into a princess, the tale has been given a firmly modern spin. Shubshri Kandiah (Aladdin, Fangirls) will play Ella, Ainsley Melham (Merrily We Roll Along, Aladdin) has been cast Prince Topher and Silvie Paladino (Mamma Mia!, Les Misérables) will sparkle as Marie, the Fairy Godmother. Also set to feature in the Australian production: Tina Bursill (Doctor Doctor, Wentworth) as Madame, Ella's stepmother, as well as Todd McKenney (The Boy From Oz, Shrek) as Sebastian, the Lord Chancellor. The cast will be working with a production penned by playwright Douglas Carter Beane (Xanadu, Sister Act) based on Hammerstein's work — which was, of course, adapted from the fairy tale about a young woman dreaming of a better life. The Broadway production was nominated for eight Tony Awards and won one, for Best Costume Design. In the US, Carly Rae Jepsen played Ella for a stint, while The Nanny's Fran Drescher also took on the role of Madame, Ella's stepmother, for a period. If you're wondering how the musical works its magic, check out a clip from the original Broadway show below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wypPkiBW1Z4 Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella will hit the stage at Melbourne's Regent Theatre from May 20, 2022, before heading to the Sydney Lyric Theatre at The Star from October 23, 2022. For further details, and for tickets — for Melbourne shows from November 29, and for Sydney's season from November 22 — head to the musical's website. Images: Carol Rosegg.
"Do you guys ever think about dying?" When life in plastic is fantastic, that's not a line anyone that would expect to come out of Barbie's (Margot Robbie, Babylon) mouth. And, amid giant blowout parties with planned choreography with all her pals, and the constant devotion of her beau Ken (Ryan Gosling, The Gray Man), such existential musings do come as a shock. When she can no longer float off of her rooftop and her usually arched feet become flat, the Barbie movie's main namesake heads to the real world for answers. That's the plot for Greta Gerwig's film, which marks the actor-turned-director's third solo stint behind the camera after Lady Bird and Little Women, and has been teasing its extremely pink on-screen worlds in not one but two trailers prior to the just-dropped full sneak peek. Even dolls living in a dreamland struggle with life's big questions, it seems — and, when the film's key Barbie and Ken drive through Barbie Land's gates to discover what's on the other side, they struggle with Los Angeles as well. With mugshots to prove it, they even get arrested. Splashing as much humour as pastel hues throughout its frames, Barbie is scripted by Gerwig and fellow filmmaker Noah Baumbach — her helmer on Greenberg, Frances Ha, Mistress America and White Noise, and real-life partner — and boasts a cast that's a gleaming toy chest of talent. Indeed, it might just be the most anticipated toy-to-film release ever. There's that pedigree, of course. There's also the picture's patently playful vibe, which started with parodying the one and only 2001: A Space Odyssey and has kept beaming brightly from there. All those on-screen stars help fill the feature with Barbies, including Issa Rae (Insecure) as president Barbie, Dua Lipa (making her movie debut) as a mermaid Barbie, Emma Mackey (Emily) as a Nobel Prize-winning physicist Barbie, Alexandra Schipp (tick, tick... BOOM!) as an author Barbie and Ana Cruz Kayne (Jerry and Marge Go Large) as a supreme court justice Barbie — plus Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton) as diplomat Barbie, Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live) as a Barbie who is always doing the splits, Hari Nef (Meet Cute) as doctor Barbie, Ritu Arya (The Umbrella Academy) as a Pulitzer-winning Barbie and Sharon Rooney (Jerk) as lawyer Barbie. There's also a whole heap of Kens, including Simu Liu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), Kingsley Ben-Adir (One Night in Miami), Ncuti Gatwa (the incoming Doctor Who) and Scott Evans (Grace and Frankie). And, Michael Cera (Arrested Development) plays Alan, Emerald Fennell (The Crown) plays Midge, Helen Mirren (Shazam! Fury of the Gods) is the narrator, America Ferrera (Superstore) and Ariana Greenblatt (65) are humans, Jamie Demetriou (Catherine Called Birdy) is a suit, Will Ferrell (Spirited) wears a suit as Mattel's CEO and Connor Swindells (also Sex Education) is an intern. Will this be the best figurine-to-film adaptation yet in a mixed field that also includes the Transformers series, Trolls, The Lego Movie and its sequel, Battleship and the GI Joe films? The answer will be pulled out of the toy box in cinemas on July 20 Down Under. And yes, Aqua's 'Barbie Girl' finally (finally!) gets a spin in this trailer, although you likely already had it stuck in your head just thinking about this movie anyway. Check out the full trailer for Barbie below: Barbie releases in cinemas Down Under on July 20, 2023.
If Melbourne's famous for anything, it's a sense of discovery. Nothing beats the absolute thrill of ducking down a laneway, following the scent of coffee, and stumbling into something you didn't even know you were looking for. In one particularly special part of the city — Little Collins street — that discovery will bring you to Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins. The hotel and its close neighbours are stitched together from historic buildings that once housed everything from Turkish baths to grand music retailers. Inside, things get even cooler. Its interiors are threaded with local stories, from a statement spiral staircase inspired by the drapery sold by Sidney Myer (yes, the founder of the eponymous department store) to a huge lobby mural by renowned Melbourne artist Lisa King. Best of all, the hotel's position on Little Collins street puts you right in the centre of Melbourne's CBD. Here's how to plan your next weekend exploring the neighbourhood. Begin in the Laneways Forget Google Maps for a while. The best part of this Melbourne neighbourhood is its grid-like layout, meaning it's almost impossible to get lost. In fact, the laneways around Little Collins are best explored without a plan. Hosier Lane is the obvious icon, its walls splashed with artwork and graffiti. But veer off course and you'll also stumble upon AC/DC Lane with its nod to Aussie rock, or Centre Place where tiny cafes and restaurants are packed with the local lunch crowd. Take Coffee Seriously It might sound cliché, but in this neighbourhood coffee really is the fuel that keeps everything moving. Pellegrini's, which opened in 1954, is a time capsule of Melbourne's espresso beginnings, when Italian immigrants kickstarted the city's coffee culture. Nearby, Brother Baba Budan is instantly recognisable for the chairs hanging from its ceiling, and Dukes on Flinders Lane is where the locals queue for their morning fix. Staying nearby means you're never more than a few minutes from a genuinely great cup. Dine Like a Local Melbourne is nothing if not a food city and around Little Collins, you'll find flavours from every corner of the globe within walking distance. Fern Bar and Dining, tucked inside Hotel Indigo, is a slick all-day spot where menus lean into seasonal Victorian produce and good vibes. It's perfect for a pre-theatre bite or early-morning brekky. Venture outside the hotel and you're spoiled for choice: Cumulus Inc serves refined share plates in a converted warehouse, Grossi Florentino is your go-to for old-school Italian, and Embla is the best place to crack a bottle of natural wines and seriously good bar food. Our best advice? Come hungry. Soak Up The Architecture From gothic banks to Victorian-era buildings and Art Deco beauties, Melbourne's skyline is a result of decades of boom and reinvention. Design lovers will want to check out the Gothic Revival spires atop the Manchester Unity Building, look up at Gaunt's Clock in Royal Arcade, and explore the intricate mosaic floors inside the Block Arcade. If you're planning a trip for next winter, Open House Melbourne also gives you the rare chance to peek inside heritage buildings usually closed to the public. Around here, even the spaces between buildings are just as interesting as what's inside them. The Perfect Base When you're done wandering, Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins makes for a fitting place to land. Home to 179 modern, stylish rooms, it's built in a historic building and filled with nods to the neighbourhood. With a beautiful lobby area, luxe outdoor courtyard garden, and views across the city from almost every window, the space feels less like a cookie-cutter hotel and more like a continuation of the streets outside. Want to stay in the thick of it? Find out more about Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins here.
World Chocolate Day is nearly here, but as much as we love them, you don't have to settle for a fancy block or bar on Monday, July 7. Instead, mix things up by biting into a special sponge-based collaboration between Pana Organic and Tokyo Lamington, with a free giveaway making the occasion an unforgettable treat. Putting their minds together to craft the ultimate dessert, this dream team has created three limited-edition lamingtons, fusing the high-end chocolatier's handmade single-origin bliss with the light, fluffy sponge that has made Tokyo Lamington a hit from Singapore to Melbourne. So, what can you expect from this decadent lamington trio? The Golden Crunch features a delicious mylk mousse, golden comb and plant-based chocolate sponge lamington, while the Crunchy Hazelnut Chocolate blends hazelnut mousse and milk chocolate ganache with a plant-based chocolate sponge coated in delicious cake crumbs. Finally, Mint Crunch is a plant-based chocolate sponge, made with Pana Organic mint crunch cream dipped in chocolate sauce and coated with coconut. Best of all, these incredible creations are available for free if you swing by Tokyo Lamington's stores on World Chocolate Day. Available from the Newtown, Sydney and Carlton, Melbourne locations, there's even the chance to score a free Pana Organic chocolate bar. Just arrive within the first 100 customers at either store to secure a second complimentary treat. With flavours this enticing, there's a good chance you'll be rushing out to grab your own. This triple-threat of soft, chocolatey goodness is being served up throughout July at both Tokyo Lamington locations. Priced at $8 each or $24 for a box loaded with all three, pick up from your nearest spot or have them delivered to your door. This inventive collab isn't one to overlook. Founded in 2012 by Pana Barbounis, Pana Chocolate is a hugely respected name in the world of chocolate, pioneering a fully plant-based, gluten-free and organic-certified lineup. Meanwhile, Tokyo Lamington focused on impressing overseas tastebuds with Australia's humble sweet treat, making its mark in Singapore before launching the brand at home in Sydney and Melbourne in recent years. Tokyo Lamington and Pana Organic's limited-edition treats are available from Saturday, July 5, with a free giveaway taking place at Newtown and Carlton stores on Monday, July 7. Head to the website for more information.
One for the horror buffs, a ghost tour of Ararat's J Ward is just the ticket for those who love their thrills and chills. Over the two-hour nighttime tour of the infamous gaol-turned-ward for the criminally insane — that, over its time, housed such notorious criminals as Chopper Read, Gary Webb and Bill Wallace — you'll get to explore sites like the governor's bathroom, hangman's gallows, the original kitchen, showerblock and grave sites, searching for the souls that still linger there.
Situated on the edge of the Great Dividing Range, Lexton is home to mind-boggling natural beauty. To experience the variety of landscapes in one place, a 30-minute drive to Mount Buangor State Park is your best bet. With its 15 kilometres of interconnected trails, this is the place to explore mountain peaks or delve deeper into the valley floor. If you're looking for a low-intensity hike, the Waterfalls Nature Walk trail should be at the top of your to-do list. Taking just 45 minutes to complete, this return journey sees hikers wander through blue gum forests on their way past three waterfalls, including the stunning Ferntree Falls and Cascade Falls. Image: Elliot Kramer
If the brief for opening a new cafe in Brunswick is to meld a neighbourhood vibe with delicious coffee and innovation, then Kines have nailed it with their most humble of espresso bars. The brains behind the build is Keeden Harvey, who has teamed with fine furniture maker Callum Matheson, to convert the old shoe warehouse into Hope Street’s newest digs. The space is decked out with custom-built furniture and other pieces that look more like they survived a friend's spring clean. And perhaps that's exactly what happened, as the whole thing is a collaboration; you can spy Matheson working next door, while down back sits JacksonJr, a space that is open for pop-ups and creatives to rent month-to-month. Currently, it's home to The Break Room: a place where you can unleash your anger on items of delicate crockery by way of a pink baseball bat. Really. The sharedness of the whole space makes it perfect for those who need an ad-hoc office. The crowd’s a mix of students, freelancers and creative sorts, all happily making use of the free Wi-Fi and finger-tapping away while the soft crackle of vinyl plays overhead. Harvey invites guests to freely swap the Wu-Tangs for the Leonard Cohens at any time. And we invite you to mull it all over with a hearty cup of their Seven Seeds filter ($4). If you prefer your re-fuel milky, then you’ll be pleased to hear the creamy tides are from St David Dairy. The menu’s tight — it is an espresso bar, after all — but tasty. The beetroot toastie with goats' cheese and wilted citrus greens ($14) is our top pick; the pickled roots are all grandma’s recipe and are sliced generously thick. Try it with a side of house-made kimchi ($4) for some extra zing. Out front, sit beside a mural by street artist Toggles (aka Jasper Killick) which provides the perfect bacterial banter as you finish your session with one of Citizen Cacao’s raw chocolates. The orange and pistachio number ($4) is a fine choice to sneak from the shelf into your mouth. And if you feel morose to leave, then book one of their rare, but refined dinners. They happen once a month and are perfect for those looking to treat themselves to an evening six-courser ($80). So pop in sometime, and take your share of Kines' humble hospitality.
It's undeniably tough for a hotel to cater their rooms to every guest that will ever stay in them, but this problem can be far more real for the intrepid traveller with a disability. The latest design of hotel room from new collaboration AllGo, however, seeks to change this fact by creating an adaptable room that makes rooms more accessible than ever before, all while channelling the contemporary aesthetic guests have come to expect from upmarket hotel experiences. The AllGo project is the brainchild of international architecture studio Ryder and contemporary bathroom design firm Motionspot. The idea came from the need to "create a concept that redefines the design of hotel bedrooms and bathrooms so they deliver the individual access requirements of guests without compromising on the aesthetics of the environment," according to Motionspot founder Ed Warner. Each room, according to the design, will incorporate features like handrails with braille printed on them, retractable wall panels that can fold away and act as furniture, wheelchair-friendly flooring, and motorised tracks to assist in access and egress to the bed. The best part is, however, that these features can be easily added and removed before the guest even arrives. The AllGo concept took out the top gong at the lauded Celia Thomas Prize late last year. The prize awards £20,000 (nearly AU$34,000) to the design that best creates a hotel experience for people with disabilities, and that can best "challenge the perception of hotel facilities set aside for disabled people, which can often be viewed as joyless, poorly designed and over-medicalised," according to the Royal Institute of British Architects. Gold medal-winning Paralympian, member of British parliament and bad-ass Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson was one of the driving factors in having the Celia Thomas Prize created. "Great architecture is about spaces that make you feel better and which make you want to return," she said, and the AllGo design strives to achieve that goal for everyone. Motionspot and Ryder will use their winnings to have a pilot program for the design up and running within the year. Via PSFK.
Melbourne creatives have been holding out for the 2026 return of the city's massive celebration of the written word: Melbourne Writers Festival. While the big day isn't until May, when the four-day program will run from May 7–10, we've gotten our first taste of the program this morning with the announcement that New York Times Bestselling Author R.F. Kuang leads the international guest writer lineup. Kuang is perhaps best known for her globally beloved series The Poppy War, and also her standalone works Babel, Yellowface and most recently Katabasis. Her work has drawn a global readership and rewritten the contemporary literary landscape with its interrogations of power, colonialism, translation, authorship and cultural identity. Kuang will be taking part in events throughout the festival weekend, but first in an in-conversation event with The Radiant Emperor Duology author Shelley Parker-Chan at Melbourne Town Hall on Friday, May 8. Here, Kuang will reflect on her career so far, the life of a storyteller amidst the global cultural reckoning and the timeless appeal of speculative fiction. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Melbourne Writers Festival (@melbwritersfest) MWF Festival Director Veronica Sullivan said, "Rebecca (R.F.) Kuang is without a doubt one of the world's most exciting contemporary novelists. With each new book, she pushes the boundaries of genre and imagination in breathtaking new ways. We are delighted to have Rebecca join us at this year's 40th anniversary edition of Melbourne Writers Festival to discuss Katabasis, and know her many readers in Melbourne will warmly welcome her to our City of Literature in May." The full festival program for Melbourne Writers Festival is yet to be confirmed, but we know exactly when to expect it: the full program and ticket release will happen at 7.30pm on Thursday, March 19. Tickets to R.F. Kuang: Katabasis at Melbourne Town Hall are on sale now, get yours or find more information on the Melbourne Writers Festival website. Image: John Packman
Maybe Sammy is no stranger to winning an award. The Sydney bar has been named in the top 50 bars in the world every year since 2019 and took out the Best International Bar Team at the Tales of the Cocktail 2022 Spirited Awards. Now, all of those accolades have culminated in it taking out the top spot in the data-driven Top 500 Bars list for 2023. The international award compiles its list based on over 2000 sources, including hospitality experts, journalists, online reviews, search engine results and social media. It announced the list in Paris on the morning of Monday, November 13, Australian time, and the boundary-pushing Harbour City cocktail bar Maybe Sammy came out on top, being named the number-one bar in the world. [caption id="attachment_639976" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Black Pearl (#119)[/caption] Maybe Sammy was listed at number 17 in the 2022 list, jumping all the way to the top spot following another busy year for the inner-city haunt. Maybe Sammy Venue Manager Sarah Proietti and Bar Manager Hunter Gregory were in attendance to accept the award, with the venue beating out acclaimed bars around the world for the title. New York's Double Chicken Please, Barcelona's Paradiso, Paris' Little Red Door and Singapore's Jigger & Pony rounded out the top five, while 22 other Australian bars made the top 500. [caption id="attachment_707971" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Baxter Inn (#87), Leticia Almeida[/caption] The next highest spot on the list from Down Under was The Baxter Inn at 87, followed by Black Pearl at 119, Re- at 122, Cantina OK at 132 and Dean and Nancy on 22 at 134. The Gresham Bar was Brisbane's top-ranked venue, clocking in at number 475, while Adelaide's Maybe Mae snuck into the list at 485. "To be named number-one bar in the world by the Top 500 Bars feels very surreal," said Maybe Sammy co-founder Stefano Catino. "It's such an honour for our bar team to be recognised for the time and effort they put into making the experience at Maybe Sammy exceptional, and for that to be acknowledged on a global scale is so humbling." It follows a huge year for Maybe Sammy, which included the opening of the team's Paddington tequila bar El Primo Sanchez, a new Maybe Frank outpost at The Federal, and the launch of Maybe Cocktail Festival featuring guest bartenders from international cocktail bars — many of which also made the Top 500 Bars list. [caption id="attachment_795641" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Gresham (#475), Millie Tang[/caption] For the full Top 500 Bars list for 2023, head to the ranking's website.
Australia's festival scene is undoubtedly on the comeback trail, with Rolling Loud having just announced its return to our shores the first time since 2019. Set to shake the eardrums of hip hop fans in Sydney and Melbourne, this one-day experience is building the hype by revealing the 2026 headline act is trap and pop-rap superstar, Gunna. Performing exclusively at both stops of Rolling Loud Australia, the Atlanta-based rapper will be joined by a host of crowd-pleasing international artists and up-and-coming local names. With the rest of the lineup set to be announced in the coming weeks, motor-mouthed music lovers can expect the festival to feature epic performances and captivating on-site experiences. "We're thrilled to finally bring Rolling Loud back to Australia," say Rolling Loud Co-Founders Matt Zingler and Tariq Cherif. "The energy from Sydney in 2019 was unforgettable, and this time we're expanding that experience with shows in both Sydney and Melbourne." Fortunately, you won't have to wait long to vibe out to your favourite artists, with Rolling Loud Australia touching down at Sydney's Centennial Park on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Then, the festival keeps the party going by heading to Melbourne for the first time, taking over Flemington Racecourse on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Since its Australian debut over five years ago, Rolling Loud has embarked on global expansion, bringing the world's largest hip hop festival to massive crowds in almost every corner around the world. Before touching back down in Australia, the festival is travelling to India for its inaugural edition, with Central Cee, Wiz Khalifa, Don Toliver, Westside Gunn and more whipping crowds up into a frenzy. "Australia has always shown real love for Rolling Loud, and we can't wait to deliver something special for the fans Down Under," say Zingler and Cherif. Rolling Loud Australia is happening on March 7, 2026 at Sydney's Centennial Park, and Sunday, March 8, 2026 at Melbourne's Flemington Racecourse. Head to the website for more information.
Why drink a regular beer when you can enjoy a beverage that glows in the dark? And why scour the shops for bottled varieties when you can make your own bright bioluminescent tipples? They're the questions former NASA biologist Josiah Zayner will get you pondering when you discover his latest illuminating product. After leaving the American space agency to start his own company, The Odin, he has created a fluorescent yeast kit that will add a glow to your home brewing endeavours — or perhaps inspire you to start. The key ingredient is called the Green Fluorescent Protein, or GFP, that actually originally comes from a jellyfish. With the Engineer Any Yeast to Fluoresce kit, you'll actually make your own yeast that contains the protein, which will then glow when exposed to a black light. Technically, thanks to some concerns by the US Food and Drug Administration, it's being sold for educational purposes — but Zayner does intend for it to be used for brewing beer. The Odin has a full statement about any safety concerns on the company's website. The good news is that the kit ships internationally, so you really can make your glow-in-the-dark beer dreams a reality. The not-so-good news — if you're low on cash and time, that is — is that it costs US$199 and requires ten hours of effort over the course of two days to get to the ready-to-brew stage. Luminous beer might light up your next drinking session, but it isn't something you can make lightly, it seems. For more information about the Engineer Any Yeast to Fluoresce kit, visit The Odin's website. Via Eater. Image via The Odin.
Been seeing idyllic tiny houses all over your feed lately? Well here's your chance to join the tiny crowd. The guys at Tiny Away have just built a collection of cabins at the foot of the Grampians National Park. The new site is called Tiny Away Escape at Grampians Edge, and there are ten tiny houses on the property so far, set amongst the gum trees of the Grampians. There are also a bunch of communal amenities, like a recreation room, outdoor fire pit and swimming pool. "Whether you're a couple looking to break away from it all, or a family or group looking for a multi-site accommodation offering, Tiny Away Escape at Grampians Edge is an exciting innovation of the Australian resort concept and we're thrilled to be able to start to welcoming guests," Tiny Away co-founder Jeff Yeo says. The tiny houses themselves are all sustainably-built and include your usual mod-cons: split-system air conditioning, a teeny kitchenette, cooking stuff and a bathroom with gas-heated showers. Tiny Away Escape also has powered and unpowered sites nearby, if tiny houses are too spacious and you'd rather sleep in a tent, or a swag. Bookings for Tiny Away Escape at Grampians Edge are open now. More are expected to follow, and you can check out the tiny houses here. Images: Supplied
The best things are often kept in the cellar: fine wines, precious possessions, rare treats. But in Kura ('cellar' in Japanese), it's good food, sake and the simple beauty of sharing them with good family and friends. That's the essence of this Brunswick establishment, which opened in 2022 to much praise as one of the best spots for sake and yakitori in the city. The premise is robata-yaki, a cooking technique originally christened by hungry and inventive Japanese fishermen who wanted to cook meals without having to disembark their vessels. The answer came in the form of charcoal grills. Kura cooks all of its hot food in the same way, with local seafood taking centre stage. The a la carte menu offers starters such as woodfired edamame, beef tataki and poached Hokkaido scallop, assorted sushi and sashimi for fresh flavours, and crowd-favourite yakitori. For those, take your pick of grilled firefly squid, chicken and leek, pork belly-wrapped enoki mushrooms and eggplant with sesame and spring onion. On the refreshments front, the aforementioned sake collection is the standout, with six pages and a diagram dedicated to them on the menu. But the liquid offering extends well beyond the rice-based spirit to house beers, wines, cocktails, umeshu, shochu and non-alcoholics.
Melbourne's street art scene is about to be outdone. Over three days this April, the township of Benalla in northeast Victoria will be hosting one of Australia's largest street art festivals. The annual Wall to Wall Festival, now in its fifth year, will bring together a lineup of local and international artists to create 70 new murals around the town. You'll be able to watch the famed artists at work, including Greek muralist Insane51, who's known for his 3D artworks — that look impressive with and without 3D glasses. Other highlights include a carwash takeover by local artist Callum Preston — who's work often involves recreating old-school Aussie milk bars — and a large-scale grain silo mural in the nearby town of Goorambat, by Melbourne's Dvate. Along with the live painting, there'll be an exciting program featuring workshops, guided street art tours, virtual reality painting, a cinema and after-dark projections. You'll also be able to unleash your inner Banksy by participating in the Paint by Numbers community mural, which entails the creation of a permanent, large-scale town mural with the help of one of the festival's artists.
Expect native ingredients, beef dry-aged in-house, woodfired flavours and nostalgic cocktails on Blackbird Melbourne's modern-Australian menu. The three-level Flinders Lane venue is the interstate expansion of Ghanem Group's award-winning Blackbird Brisbane, offering a striking cocktail bar and lounge, a split-level dining space and a private events floor. Quartzite backlit bars, mirrored ceilings and dramatic chandeliers (curated by Space Cubed Design Studio) bring the group's intention — to establish a sophisticated dining experience that is "unmistakenly Melbourne" — to life. Manning the charcoals on the Josper Basque Grill are Ghanem Group Executive Chef Jake Nicolson, Executive Chef Melbourne Tim Menger (formerly of Entrecôte) and Blackbird Head Chef Josh Moroney (formerly of Nomad). Nicolson invites Melburnians to "experience one of the best steaks in the country" with showcase premium Australian cuts such as the chocolate-fed Mayura Station one-and-a-half to two-kilogram full-blood wagyu tomahawk headlining the menu. Dishes such as paté with lilly pilly jam, Paroo kangaroo with toasted pepperberry and riberry jus, and wood-roasted rock lobster with warrigal greens and native herb butter speak to the focus on foraged native ingredients. So too does the cocktail list, with concoctions like the Pacific Highball pairing Glenmorangie Original with Davidson plum apera and black walnut bitters. Beverage Manager Aaron Clark injects the drinks list with Aussie nostalgia, creating whimsical cocktails such as the Pavlova Punch, Mango Weiss Colada and the Tim-Tam Slam. The drinks offering is bolstered by a 650-bin wine list, so you're unlikely to leave thirsty. Images: supplied
Bringing a touch of 1920s glam to East Melbourne, Hemingway's Wine Room has made its post-lockdown return, following a short-lived launch of less than two weeks back when the doors first opened in June. After cementing itself in the hearts of local residents with its elegant delivery offering — Maisonette by Hemingway's — the venue's now getting to make a proper debut. A double shopfront on Wellington Parade has been transformed into a chic, vintage-inspired wine bar and brasserie that nods to the classic 20s-era haunts of New York and Paris. Art deco features abound, while a bold colour palette of black and red rounds it out in unmistakably French style. In the kitchen, Head Chef Patrick Dang (Sydney's Salt, Kyneton's Royal George and his own much-hyped Hong Kong venue Saam) has drawn on wide-roaming experience to create a sophisticated, Euro-accented menu, with two-to-five course prix fixe options also available. Aussie produce is celebrated throughout, across dishes like the scallop tartare starring foie gras rillette, roast Aylesbury duck teamed with charred turnip and caramelised pineapple, and a sweet corn agnolotti with cheddar fondue. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, a $109 per person long lunch offering will see you unwinding over a two-course feed matched with free-flowing wine poured from magnums. Assembled by Co-Owner and Sommelier Glen Bagnara, the rest of the wine list celebrates both the old world and the new, with a thoughtful range of bottles alongside an oft-changing rotation of premium pours by the glass. Meanwhile, a cocktail lineup showcases five favourite sips of Ernest Hemingway himself, reimagined with modern, high-end ingredients. Settle into a banquette and tumble back in time with help from the rye- and mezcal-based Spice Racket, or perhaps the Dame Blanche — a decadent sour blending Four Pillars Rare Gin, apricot brandy and lemon myrtle syrup. Find Hemingway's Wine Room at 150 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne. It's open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch, and Tuesday to Saturday for dinner. Venue images: Filip Konikowski
There's no one right way to experience SXSW, whether you're attending the Austin or Sydney version, but one of the event's huge highlights is its high-profile list of folks who get talking. This is the kind of event where you could be listening to Chance The Rapper one moment, then Black Mirror's Charlie Brooker the next, as everyone learned in the Harbour City in 2023. In 2024, it's also the type of festival where Lucy Lawless, Grace Tame and Tim Minchin will be chatting — plus Nick Kyrgios, Noémie Fox, Suzie Miller and Stephen Page as well. Another week, another lineup drop for 2024's SXSW Sydney as it moves closer and closer to its Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 dates. The event began revealing its program back in May, which was just the beginning. Another announcement arrived in June, then not one, not two, but three more in July — and also another, focusing on the free hub at Tumbalong Park, at the beginning of August. Then came more music acts and speakers, still in August, and now arrives even more talents that'll be part of SXSW Sydney's conference. [caption id="attachment_971189" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul McMillan[/caption] From just the people mentioned above, SXSW Sydney 2024 has warrior princesses, activists, comedians, sports stars, playwrights and the former Bangarra Dance Theatre Artistic Director on its bill. Among the highlights, Lawless has moved behind the camera for the first time on documentary Never Look Away about CNN camerawoman Margaret Moth, and will chat about her directorial debut — while Stephen Page and actor Hunter Page-Lochard (Critical Incident), his son, will explore whether there's a global market for First Nations content and artists. With fellow guests such as Ogilvy Global CEO Devika Bulchandani, Google Analytics and Google Voice founder Wesley Chan, Intel Corporation's first futurist Brian David Johnson, and MIT Technology Review CEO and publisher Elizabeth Bramson-Boudreau, everything from artificial intelligence in marketing and entrepreneurs keen to make the leap to America through to thinking about the future and new tech innovations will be covered as well. Also among the new additions: Fox joining Clare Stephens for But Are You Happy? live, Welcome to the Future! with Charles Firth and Dom Knight similarly taking to the stage, and sessions digging into neurotechnology and how to change habits. [caption id="attachment_971190" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ian Laidlaw[/caption] SXSW Sydney's latest 2024 wave expands a program that already features Australian filmmaker Warwick Thornton (The New Boy), Aussie composer Jed Kurzel (Monkey Man), Barbie executive producer Josey McNamara, Brave co-director Mark Andrews, Mortal Kombat helmer Simon McQuoid, human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson, author Johann Hari, Australian race car driver Molly Taylor, pianist Chad Lawson, Aussie astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg, TikTok marketing head Sofia Hernandez and Academy Award-winning Slumdog Millionaire composer AR Rahman — among a hefty list of others. More lineup details will keep being revealed over the coming month and a half, with the full event set to span more than 1000 speakers, 60-plus tech exhibitors, over 200 artists, 120-plus games and more than 75 screenings. [caption id="attachment_971191" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jaimi Joy[/caption] [caption id="attachment_971192" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paul McMillan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_967878" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jaimi Joy[/caption] [caption id="attachment_953724" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jaimi Joy[/caption] [caption id="attachment_923286" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for SXSW Sydney[/caption] SXSW Sydney 2024 will run from Monday, October 14–Sunday, October 20 at various Sydney venues. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for further details.
Embracing winter's charm is made easy from the refined surroundings of the Jackalope Hotel on the Mornington Peninsula. Available until September, this luxury stay is offering a Winter Solstice Package, featuring a suitably tranquil combination of fireside moments, indulgent dining and luxurious encounters that'll make your season. Available for two- or three-night stays, this package is stacked with benefits included in the price, from a curated turndown gift on the first night of your stay to handcrafted s'mores by the firepit and a pair of plush bathrobes that are yours to take home. Dining is also a highlight, with the package offering lunch for two at the award-winning Rare Hare cellar door, brimming with seasonal dishes like woodfired Lebanese eggplant with red miso, and pork belly with spiced pear and Madeira jus. This being a dream winter escape, relaxation is a major priority. As part of the package, guests can get immersed in an intimate spa retreat, with $100 credit for select well-being treatments guided by personal preferences and expert therapists. Meanwhile, your stay also includes Jackalope's signature perks, like the complimentary mini bar and morning yoga on the terrace. Set amid a private vineyard smack-bang in the middle of the Peninsula's famed wine region, every space of this opulent accommodation offers abundant art, design and storytelling. Rising from the serene landscape, Jackalope's bold black facade emanates a luxe experience, with the hotel's bespoke rooms and suites decked out with premium features, from designer furniture to deep-soak Japanese tubs.
Much-loved brewery and cider producer Kaiju has opened its very own brewpub, beer hall and pizzeria, after close to a decade spent crafting award-winning drops. The lofty 445-square-metre warehouse space rocks a fun fitout by We are Humble Architects, filled with bright pops of colour and large-scale hand-painted murals by Mikey Burton — the same US-based artist responsible for much of Kaiju's distinctive can art. It includes a playful, 12-metre work depicting the Melbourne city skyline complete with landmarks like the MCG and St Kilda Beach. Kaiju Cantina's 16 taps are pouring house favourites like the Kaiju Krush tropical pale ale and Aftermath double IPA, alongside limited-edition and small-batch brews crafted on the site's own dedicated six-hectolitre brewing setup. Keep an eye out also for regular collaborations done with local emerging brew stars and brewing students. A locally-focused lineup of booze-free options, wine and spirits is also on offer, including pours from the likes of Seaford's That Spirited Lot Gin and The Gospel Whiskey out of Brunswick. Meanwhile, the food menu is all about beer's true BFF, pizza. Expect seasonal ingredients, hand-stretched bases and plenty of classic Italian flavours — think, a vegetarian combination of mushrooms, parmesan and truffle oil ($24); a classic capricciosa number topped with artichokes and olives ($26); and even a cheeseburger-inspired creation featuring American-style cheese, beef, pickles and mustard ($25). And those midweek munchies are sorted with selected $20 pizzas — and $8 schooners — every Wednesday and Thursday. [caption id="attachment_841812" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kim Jane Photography[/caption] Images: Kim Jane Photography
United Places' remit was to create a home away from home. Its success is immediately apparent, with the greenery from the Royal Botanic Gardens across the road extending right into the 12 luxury suites, creating a space you'll never want to leave. It may be small, but it has got to be one of Melbourne's top hotels. Each suite offers hardwood floors and polished kitchens, while terraces with sweeping city and parkland views complement the cosy living zones. You also have your own laundry facilities (hard to find in boutique hotels these days) and a large en-suite bathroom with rain shower. While you're at United Places, you'll haver to eat at acclaimed chef Scott Pickett's hatted restaurant, Matilda. The kitchen's contemporary Australian cuisine is produced entirely over open flames and hot coals — and you won't have to leave your room to enjoy it, with the high-end meals delivered directly to your suite. Dining at the restaurant is an experience in itself though, so we'd recommend heading in one night, too. These guys also care deeply about sustainability. Their rainwater is collected, stored and harvested for toilet flushing, reducing our water usage by 52%. All the bathroom amenities contain no harmful chemicals or additives and they use eco-friendly organic enzyme cleaning solutions that are biodegradable and phosphate free. The property uses a solar energy system to offset greenhouse emissions for all common areas. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Everything at United Places is very clearly thought out. It's a thoroughly modern hotel. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world. Images by Sharyn Cairns Appears in: The Best Hotels in Melbourne
Doughnut purists will be familiar with this one. This family-run business has been kneading and frying dough since the 1950s. The iconic blue and white van has long been a necessary pit stop during a visit to the Queen Victoria Markets to stock up on a paper bag of the fresh, fried delights. Sometimes simplicity rules and this is definitely the case here: the unchanged recipe involves a quick fry of the yeasted dough in sizzling oil following by a generous dusting of sugar. The final step is an injection of hot red jam into the doughnuts core which explodes into your mouth (and onto your clothes if you're not careful) on first bite.
Thinking about Irish cuisine may conjure up cravings for hearty, meaty dishes; however, don't go expecting the usual fare at Brunswick's The Snug Public House. In a venue first, they've launched a new vegan menu, giving the usual Irish staples a vegetable-focused twist. Bangers and mash, Irish stew and shepherds pie are still on offer, of course — but you won't find any animal products in these versions. The fresh, cruelty-free lineup also includes corn bruschetta, parmesan polenta, barbecue pulled jackfruit, fish-less fillets, beef-less burgers, Guinness chocolate mousse and other boozy desserts. In total, more than 30 vegan meals are now available. Different ingredients doesn't mean a change in taste, though, with traditional Irish flavours still reigning supreme. "I make it the way my Mum made it back in County Armagh," says The Snug's head chef and co-owner Kerri-Anne McConville, who has also cooked up a storm at The Quiet Man Irish Pub, The Celtic Club and The Fifth Provence. Anyone that can't drag themselves away from a meat-filled menu can still pick from The Snug's existing selection. Drinks-wise, prepare to pair your dishes with more than 120 different beverages, with three quarters of them vegan. Find The Snug Public House at 68 Sydney Road, Brunswick, or visit their website and Facebook page for more information.
