The Hills Are Alive music festival has today revealed their 2015 lineup, featuring a gaggle of Australian acts headlined by Melbourne-based hip-hop artist Remi. Seven years young, the 2015 edition will also mark the first time the event has spilled over into a second evening, with festival organisers promising "twice as many good vibes." Hosted at the McLaren family farm an hour and a half out of Melbourne, THAA 2015 will feature Canberra electronic group SAFIA, Tassie punk-rockers Luca Brasi, Melbourne folk-duo Pierce Brothers, Adelaide singer-songwriter Timberwolf, triple j 2012 Unearthed High winner Asta, NZ country music crooner Marlon Williams, plus a whole lot more. Despite their 2015 expansion, The Hills Are Alive remains a small festival by design, offering an antidote to the massive crowds that often characterise these kinds of events. With a capacity of just 2000 people, tickets are by invitation only, meaning you need to either be friends with one of the acts or know somebody who's been before. Attendees are encouraged to carpool to keep their impact on the environment to a minimum, while glass and pets are prohibited on account of the cows with whom you'll be sharing the campsite. The Hills Are Alive 2015 kicks off at The Farm at 3pm Friday March 27 and runs until 4pm Sunday March 29. For more information on the line-up, head to the festival website.
When we talk about playing games at Crown, we're not just talking about blackjack. Playtime Crown is filled to the brim with 150-plus classic and new-age video games – and much better odds of walking away with a win or two. Housed within the Crown Entertainment Complex, Playtime is the arcade of your kidult dreams. In addition to the video games, there is also a bowling alley, laser tag and the vortex to keep both big and little kids entertained. Remember vortexes? Most science centres had them with the express purpose of farming child vomit. It's a tube you walk down and the walls spin (seriously, if you have a weak stomach, don't do it). Fun times.
Imagine a two-day bake sale stocked with a heaving array of treats from some of the city's best-loved bakers, tart masters and pastry icons. Well, that's exactly what's in store for you when the latest edition of Baker's Dozen takes over Fed Square as part of the 2025 Melbourne Food & Wine Festival. From Saturday, March 29 to Sunday, March 30, you're invited to sink your sweet tooth into a one-stop pop-up shop showcasing mouthwatering wares from a lineup of local legends. Expect everything from buns and babka to croissants and knots — with plenty of brand new exclusive creations in the mix too. Among the culinary artists showing off their goods from 10am each day, you'll find Falco, Baker Bleu, Kudo, Monforte, Tarts Anon, The Flour and All Are Welcome, to name a few. Some of Melbourne's best bakeries and cake shops are in this incredible lineup for the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival. And it's the only time you can hit them all up in one spot – no need to spend the entire weekend tracing all over the city to get your favourite sweet treats. During the same two days, the festival will be running a pop-up hot cross bun bar, an electoral vote to choose the best scone flavour and an electrolyte-inducing stall serving coconut-infused refreshments, from tropical smoothies to froyo and coffee foams. Plus, some of the city's most beloved food and drink personalities will present fascinating culinary demonstrations for your entertainment. [caption id="attachment_993077" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Credit: Carmen Zammit[/caption] Top image: Shelley Horan.
UPDATE, Thursday, October 5: Zach Bryan's Australian show has now been moved to Flemington Racecourse due to demand. Not content with bringing Christina Aguilera to Australia for a one-off Down Under show, and boasting exclusive Eric Prydz and Jai Paul gigs as well, Victoria's statewide music celebration Always Live has added country music megastar Zach Bryan to its 2023 bill. The 17-day festival will now feature the biggest name in the genre right now, taking to the stage at St Kilda's Catani Gardens. The 'Something in the Orange' singer will head to Melbourne on Saturday, December 9 for an openair gig that'll give the Oologah, Oklahoma native's 2022 American Heartbreak album a hefty spin. Although he released two records prior — 2019's DeAnn and 2020's Elisabeth — his third album marked his major-label debut, and also the reason that Bryan has become such a sensation. Among Bryan's recent feats, American Heartbreak premiered in the top spot on America's Billboard 200. 'Something in the Orange' has now stayed in the charts longer than any single by a male country artist. In Australia, Bryan has earned that same achievement in the ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart for all country artists. And his streaming numbers? In excess of 6.8 billion worldwide. Yellowstone viewers will also know him from popping up in the western series. As he's been taking his American Heartbreak tour around the US — including stops at Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits — Bryan has been smashing attendance records, too. In his first-ever Australian stint, he'll also have tracks from his latest album to play, with the self-titled Zach Bryan releasing in August. Among the tunes: collaborations with Kacey Musgraves, The Lumineers, The War and Treaty, and Sierra Ferrell. Being brought Down Under by Untitled Group, which is also behind Beyond The Valley, Pitch Music & Arts, Grapevine Gathering, Wildlands and Ability Fest, Bryan's just-announced spot on the Always Live bill is his only currently scheduled gig in Australia. The statewide music celebration's full lineup includes more than 165 artists at 60-plus events — all, of course, in Victoria. Always Live 2023 runs from Friday, November 24–Sunday, December 10, with one pre-festival gig on Saturday, October 14. For more information, and to get tickets, head to the festival website. Zach Bryan will play St Kilda's Catani Gardens on Saturday, December 9, with pre sales from 12pm AEDT on Thursday, October 5 and general sales from 12pm AEDT on Friday, October 6.
For all the photos of you that exist out there on the web, odds are very few of them show you as you actually are. With The Naked Self , theatremakers Michele Lee and Tanya Dickson hope to strip away some of the artifice, inviting audiences to share a less curated version of themselves. In your own private booth, participants will be invited to undress, and prompted to share details about how they really see themselves. You'll also be able to listen to the audio self-portraits of other people, forming intimate connections with strangers you'll never meet or even see. This is part of the Festival of Live Art 2016 program. Image: Sarah Walker
First it was clap lights. Then it was Siri. Then Amazon released the Echo, their wireless voice-activated device. Now, Google (in true Google style) has swept in, taken all these ideas, made them better, and announced their plans to release their own voice-controlled speaker and device: Google Home. Announced at Google's I/O developer conference in California last week, Google Home is a device that isn't meant to be a device, as such. You don't swipe it or tap it — it doesn't even have a screen. Basically, it's a really smart small speaker that can both play music and listen to what you're saying. It's got a series of always-listening far-field mics that can hear you from across the room, so you can ask it questions, control your connected devices and play music and video through Chromecast. It also looks like a giant salt shaker. So it'll blend right in to your benchtop (we assume that was Google's thinking). Home will be integrated with Google Assistant, Google's voice technology (and essentially their version of Siri). Assistant will pull info from the Internet to answer your questions — like 'what's the temperature today?' and 'do you love me, Google Assistant?' — and allow you to have two-way convos with an empty room. Apparently 20 percent of all queries on Google's mobile app and Android devices are voice searches so, y'know, it's a thing. Home is essentially the same product as Amazon Echo, but it looks as though Google's voice technology and sound quality could be of a higher calibre. All remains to be seen. There's no date set as to when Google Home will be available to buy, but you can sign up to get updates on the product here. Via The Next Web.
Infamously the craziest time of the year when it comes to discounts, Black Friday sales can be hard to navigate at the best of times. To help you get prepped, we've narrowed down some of the best bargains from Amazon. You can expect to see some epic deals across homewares, beauty, shoes, electronics and fitness with brands like Samsung, Maybelline, Hugo Boss and Garmin. It's time to get shopping and make the most of the deals while they last. Homewares Stocking up on things for around the house and grabbing some homewares for a gift is never a bad idea. And with these discounts, you'll finally get your hands on those top-quality frying pans you've been putting off or actually replace that pillow you've had for an embarrassingly long time to admit publicly. Corelle Dinnerware Set for $51.99 – 60% off. Tontine Allergy Sensitive Pillow for $17.89 – 61% off. TEFAL Non-Stick Induction Wokpan for $61.19 – 49% off. PetSafe Staywell Aluminium Pet Door for $109.62 – 49% off. Tontine Single All Seasons Quilt for $31.96 – 70% off. Electronics Whether you're a Samsung or a Google person, these Black Friday discounts on all your electrical necessities are enough to make you drop everything. Google Nest Cam Wireless Camera for $166.00 – 50% off. Samsung Galaxy Buds FE Wireless Earbuds for $104.99 – 47 % off. Yamaha TW-E3C True Wireless Earbuds for $45.00 – 65% off. JBL FLIP 6 Portable Waterproof Speaker for $99.99 – 41% off. Rocketbook Core Reusable Smart Notebook for $29.90 – 46% off. Beauty For all the beauty queens out there, we know how expensive it can be to get your hands on the best makeup, moisturisers, perfumes and all the other essentials to keep you feeling at your best. Our recommendation? Stock up while you can. Vera Wang Princess Eau de Toilette for $28.13 – 68% off. Hugo Boss Boss Bottled Eau De Toilette for $84.93 – 59% off. Maybelline New York Matte Lipstick for $8.91 – 58% off. Garnier Brightening Serum for $16.63 – 55% off. Aveeno Daily Moisturising Body Wash for $11.10 – 57% off. Maybelline Superstay Vinyl Liquid Lipstick in Peachy for $11.47 – 58% off. Maybelline Multi-Use Concealer for $9.77 – 58% off. Shoes Finding durable, hardy shoes at a low price can feel almost impossible. However, you can get your hands on everyone's favourite brands including Dr. Martens, Keen, Salomon and Tevas for almost half-price with these spicy Black Friday deals. Dr. Martens Unisex Embury Leather Chelsea for $139.99 – 50% off. Skechers Women's Sneakers for $78.99 – 47% off. Salomon Men's XA PRO 3D Trail Running and Hiking Shoe for $120.00 – 48% off. Teva Men's M Forebay Sandal for $79.99 – 53% off. Nike Sneaker for $44.88 – 55% off. KEEN Women's Waterproof Hiking Boot for $153.06 – 49% off. Timberland Men's 6-Inch Waterproof Boot for $179.99 – 48% off. MERRELL Men's Moab 3 Hiking Shoe for $101.99 – 49% off. Fitness Get active, running, swimming or whatever kind of movement you prefer with these nifty fitness accessories. With these kinds of discounts, there's really no excuse not to. Speedo Men's Endurance + Aquashort for $31.99 – 42% off. Garmin GPS Fitness Smartwatch for $998.00 – 46% off. Buzio 1180ml Insulated Water Bottle for $29.58 – 44% off. Step One Men's Bamboo Trunks for $17.50 – 50% off. TriggerPoint GRID TRAVEL Foam Roller for $23.98 – 60% off. This article contains affiliate links, Concrete Playground may earn a commission when you make a purchase through links on our site. Images: supplied.
Hawthorn hasn't always had quite as much pull for beer-lovers as some of Melbourne's other brewery-filled locales. But that could all be set to change this year, after the inner-east suburb welcomes a huge new brewhouse. New independent brewery Ramblers Ale Works has made its home in a former mechanics garage on Riversdale Road, transforming the hefty industrial site into a relaxed space in which to enjoy its signature craft brews straight from the tanks. It's the brainchild of mates Ben Leslie and Ben Cumming, who've had dreams of launching their own brewery ever since starting their home brew club together a few years back. Slated to open its doors in a matter of weeks, Ramblers will be brewing a globally-inspired range of house beers onsite and serving them on tap. A food offering is set to follow a little later — it's still currently in the planning stages, though we're told the menu will feature plenty of beer elements, from pork rolls starring meat cooked in a beer and peri peri broth, to a line of sweet and savoury bar snacks made from the brewery's spent grain. Once brewing operations hit their peak, a central coolroom will feature six taps pouring seasonal and specialty beers directly from kegs, while six more taps are set to showcase Ramblers' core range of hop-driven brews. You can get excited for drops like the dry-hopped Riversdale XPA, a West Coast-style IPA dubbed On The Fritz and a malty Irish red ale to see you happily into the cooler months. There'll be plenty of guest beers on offer, too, celebrating local mates like Burnley Brewing, Watts River Brewing and La Sirene. The roomy, open space has a comfy, DIY feel, featuring lots of recycled timber with the bar and much of the furniture made by the owners themselves. There won't be any TVs or loud music, rather, Leslie describes it as "a place for people to commune". You'll find lots of seating both indoor and out, including an alfresco beer garden. Plus, fridges will be stocked with a range of canned beers to take away. Find Ramblers Ale Works at 96 Riversdale Road, Hawthorn, from late May.
They topped Triple J's Hottest 100 in 2002. They've featured Dave Grohl on drums. Their third studio album Songs for the Death is one of the all-time-great 00s records. They're Queens of the Stone Age, of course, and now they're bringing their latest tour Down Under in 2024, with the band heading our way for the first time in six years. The Josh Homme-fronted group's The End Is Nero tour will be their first trip to Australasia since 2018, and comes after their eighth album In Times New Roman... released in June this year. Homme, Troy Van Leeuwen, Michael Shuman, Dean Fertita and Jon Theodore are giving their latest shows an apocalyptic theme, which fans can look forward to seeing at 11 stops in February and March. [caption id="attachment_923130" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andreas Neumann[/caption] On the itinerary: kicking off the tour in Perth, then heading to Adelaide, Hobart, Torquay, Melbourne, Sydney, the Gold Coast and Brisbane — plus Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The Hobart gig will take place on the Mona Lawns, with the date coinciding with Mona Foma 2024 — and yes, they're the Tasmanian fest's first act, with the rest of the event's lineup yet to be revealed. Concertgoers can look forward to a setlist that steps through QOTSA's 27-year history, including their Hottest 100 winner 'No One Knows', plus everything from 'Go with the Flow' and 'Make It Wit Chu' to 'Emotion Sickness' and 'The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret'. In support: Pond and Gut Health on most Australia shows, with The Chats, Spiderbait and Lola Scott joining them in Torquay and on the Gold Coast. In NZ, Pond and Earth Tongue will do the honours. [caption id="attachment_923129" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wünderbrot via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Queens of the Stone Age formed in Seattle in 1996 after Homme's prior band Kyuss split up, is linked to the Palm Desert music scene and have seven Grammy nominations to their name. Despite the long gap since their last trip Down Under, they're no strangers to playing Australia, including a joint tour with Nine Inch Nails back in 2014. See QOTSA in February after catching Foo Fighters on their November–December Australian and New Zealand tour and you'll have quite the 00s rock experience. QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE 'THE END IS NERO' AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND TOUR 2024: Saturday, February 10 — Red Hill Auditorium, Perth Tuesday, February 13 — The Drive, Adelaide Friday, February 16 — Mona Lawns, Hobart Sunday, February 18 — Lookout, Torquay Common, Torquay Monday, February 19 — Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne Wednesday, February 21 — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney Saturday, February 24 — Lookout, Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast Sunday, February 25–Monday, February 26 — Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane Thursday, February 29 — Spark Arena, Auckland Friday, March 1 — TSB Arena, Wellington Sunday, March 3 — Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch Queens of the Stone Age are touring Australia and New Zealand in February and March 2024, with presales from 11am local time on Wednesday, October 25 and general ticket sales from 1pm local time on Monday, October 30 — head to the band's and ticketing websites for more information. Top image: Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons.
Over the past month, Arnott's has been unveiling a new recipe for one of its famed bikkies every week. As part of the snack expert's Big Recipe Release, it has unveiled its Monte Carlo, four-ingredient Scotch Finger and Iced VoVo recipes, as well as a twist on its Tim Tam: a salted almond Tim Tam brownie. This week, it's thrown us another curveball. The recipe isn't for one of its sweet snacks; instead, like the Tim Tam brownie, it uses one of its sweet snacks. The key ingredient this time is Nice biscuits, which you'll use as a sugar-dusted base for a silky but classic cheesecake. Obviously, the new recipe still ticks another very important box: giving everyone currently working from home — or just spending more time indoors than usual — something different to bake. Australia's oldest baker will continue to release a new recipe for one of its famous biscuits every week until social distancing regulations are lifted. Next up, will it be the Mint Slice? Pizza Shapes? We'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, though, here's the classic Nice cheesecake recipe: https://www.instagram.com/p/CAeYW1GgwSs/ CLASSIC NICE CHEESECAKE 1 250 gram packet of Arnott's Nice biscuits 125 grams melted butter 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 250 gram packets of cream cheese, at room temperature 3 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup caster sugar Method BASE: Preheat the oven to 150°C. Grease a 20 centimetre (base measurement) springform tin. Place Arnott's Nice biscuits and cinnamon in the bowl of a food processor, then process until biscuits are finely crushed. Add melted butter, then process until combined. Transfer mixture to the prepared tin — and, using the back of a spoon, press over the base and up the sides of the tin until it is spread evenly. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until needed, to ensure a firm crust. FILLING: Combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract in a medium bowl, then beat until well mixed. Add eggs one by one, beating well after each addition. Pour mixture over the biscuit base. Bake for 50 minutes, or until set. Turn the oven off, but leave the cheesecake in the oven with door ajar until it has completely cooled — as this will help prevent the cheesecake from cracking. TIPS: Add a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to your cream cheese mixture for extra flavour. Replace the cinnamon with mixed spice for a twist. Serve with your favourite berries and double cream. If you don't have a food processor, you can crush the biscuits it the old-fashioned way — by placing them in a zip lock bag and crushing with a rolling pin. Top image: Arnott's
It might be coming a little late in Melbourne's outdoor drinking season, but the city's CBD is getting a luxe new rooftop bar in April 2024. Fleet, sitting on top of Vibe Hotel Melbourne, will boast views right over Flinders Street Station and the Yarra River — that can be enjoyed no matter the weather thanks to the retractable roof and smattering of indoor seating. Interior architecture firm Paul Kelly Design (BLACK Bar & Grill and Crown Casino) has designed the light-filled space, incorporating natural and beige hues. The drinks lineup comes courtesy of food and beverage consultant Grant Collins, who is filling the menu with nautical-themed cocktails (the bar is named Fleet, after all), plus local and international wines and beers. For food, guests can expect a snacking affair, with Chef Asish Kumar running the kitchen. Little has been announced about the cuisine or kinds of dishes available so far, but it will be a celebration of Victorian producers. For now, it seems like the views and cocktails will be the stars of the show at the new Melbourne rooftop bar Fleet. Fleet is set to open in April 2024 at level 22, 1 Queen Street, Melbourne (on the corner of Queen and Flinders streets) — operating from 3pm–late Tuesday–Thursday and 12pm–late Friday–Saturday. For more details, visit the venue's Instagram page. Interior images: courtesy of Paul Kelly Design.
Imagine if you could get a sneak peek of your next holiday destination before you arrived. No, looking at photos online and scrolling through Instagram doesn't count. Taking the concept of trying before you buy to the travel industry, a company called Navitaire has unveiled what they're calling "the world's first virtual reality travel search and booking experience". Their VR system places would-be jetsetters in a room with a globe, lets them spin away, pick a place somewhere on the planet and then dive right in. After wandering through their chosen location in a virtual sense — spying tourist attractions and seeing the general sights — users can then search for flights, walk through the plane to pick their seat, give a few rental cars a try and purchase their trip, all within the virtual reality realm. Down the track, Navitaire, which is owned by travel technology company Amadeus, hopes that touring and booking hotels, and sharing searching experiences via social media, will also be able to be incorporated into their VR platform. At the moment the project is still in development, with a patent pending. Plenty of other places have combined virtual reality with scoping out ace spots — Qantas has an app that lets you take a virtual tour of Australia, and the Sydney Opera House has their own that peers behind the scenes at the iconic venue — but doing all of that and then locking in a trip straight away might be the future.
Over the past decade Hofesh Shechter has carved out a career as one of Britain’s most sought-after choreographers, delivering critical hits that showcase his prior talents as both a dancer and musician. Sun is the fourth show he’s brought to the Melbourne Festival, where it receives its world premiere. Before this, we spoke with Shechter from his adopted home of England. “Sun started with trying to find something a bit lighter, more positive. I was looking at my work thinking, 'It’s very dark, everything that comes out', which has a lot to do with my circumstances in life,” he said. Shechter was brought up in Israel, where he was called up for a period of national service. Form this, he somehow managed to continue his dance training but the experience forced him to question the realities of freedom. For Sun, he brought his initial ideas to the dancers and found they were transformed into something far more complex, with a sometimes awkward conflict between light and shade beginning to emerge. “In a way, this piece is dealing with a search for happiness," Shechter said. "Something very basic we all have — looking for a happy place under the sun. But there’s an undercurrent of danger and emotions that are much more difficult moving underneath.” This complexity is familiar to Shechter's work, as he draws from his talents across multiple art forms. Watching footage of his work, it’s clear that his musical background in particular informs the nature of his choreography — he creates movement born inside the music. In Sun he is combining prerecorded sound with original composition. “Having that strong connection between the music and the choreography allows for a fuller, more powerful experience,” he says. “In a way it just makes my life more difficult, because making a soundscape is extremely detailed and time consuming, and with the choreography as well it becomes a bit of a monster. But very rewarding.” He has an obvious passion for the connection between music and dance; not just because of the possibilities that stem from combining the two, but from the qualities they share closely beneath the surface. “It’s funny – when you’re making music you’re doing the job of arranging elements in time – it’s all about the relationship between one note to the other. So the two forms are very close friends and family.” Having worked constantly for the past ten years on pure dance as well as choreography for theatre and television, Shechter has been well-placed to observe the continuing evolution of his art form. But he’s reluctant to describe the ways in which that dance has changed. “As much as I want to think that dance is a unique department in an office that we’re working together, it is in effect made out of so many events – choreographers that appear and disappear. That makes it very hard to tell whether there is real progress or whether it’s just individual people. Contemporary dance is searching for itself. It’s still not clear what it is, and that puts the art form in a very interesting place.” Sun will be performed at the Melbourne Festival from October 11-16. Top image by Heather Judge.
Television has delivered many great characters over the decades, but Leslie Knope is the best there is. As played to perfection by Amy Poehler, she's the determined, passionate and persistent local government employee and later politician — not to mention a huge fan of waffles and Joe Biden, too — that we all wish really existed. Where The Office turns a regular paper company's operations into must-see comedy, Parks and Recreation weaves the same magic with the titular department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. Creators Mike Schur and Greg Daniels worked on both shows, but P&R evolves into its own overwhelmingly good-natured, heartwarming, hilarious creation. If you wanted to call it literally the best TV comedy of the 21st century, Chris Traeger-style, we'd wholeheartedly agree with you. And yes, with Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Aziz Ansari, Adam Scott and Rob Lowe among its cast, it's the show that just keeps giving.
The Royal Melbourne Show might be over 175 years old, but there's still plenty of reason to discover the fun. Everyone has their go-to attraction — petting the farm animals, taking to the skies on carny rides or catching the high-flying stunt shows — but one experience we all love is delving into the sprawling Showbag Pavilion. With that in mind, this massive event has just revealed its showbag lineup for 2025, with over 400 options ensuring there's something special for every age, interest and budget. As one of the Royal Melbourne Show's oldest traditions, dating back to the early 1900s, this beloved pastime combines nostalgia and novelty in equal measure. At this year's event, 70 showbags are priced at $10 or less, with confectionery icons like Bertie Beetle and Wizz Fizz available at the most budget-friendly end of the spectrum at $5 each. Then you've got cherished Cadbury chocolate showbags, from Crunchie and Caramello Koala to Curly Wurly and Chupa Chupas for a dollar more. Of course, shopping the showbags is about more than just a sweet bite. At higher price tiers, you'll find options jam-packed with merch for cherished TV characters, video games and sports teams. Think Spider-Man, The Simpsons, Minecraft, and the Los Angeles Lakers, meaning there's a stellar showbag for just about every child (or adult, for that matter). "Wandering through the largest Showbag Pavilion in the southern hemisphere is great fun and brings much joy, whether you are very young or young at heart. There's showbags for all tastes, budgets and ages with more than 400 different varieties from traditional confectionery and snack food favourites to the newest and most sought-after novelty and lifestyle bags," says Melbourne Royal CEO Brad Jenkins. Beyond stocking up on showbags, the Royal Melbourne Show is ready to debut several new attractions. The LEGO Playland Farm to City experience is the most attention-grabbing of all, with kids and grown-ups discovering four free encounters stacked with building block fun. Meanwhile, the Little Farmers Field invites little ones to get immersed in an agricultural activation, digging for veggies and riding ride-on mowers. The Royal Melbourne Show is happening from Thursday, September 25–Sunday, October 5 at the Melbourne Showgrounds. Head to the website for more information.
Saddle up, folks: Ghost Donkey, the Big Apple's beloved mezcal and Mexican bar, is set to gallop into Australia. The New York-born watering hole will open at Crown Melbourne on Friday, October 20, presenting the city with a rather lovely conundrum: how much mezcal is too much mezcal? Following expansions in Las Vegas, Denver, Phoenix and even across the ditch in New Zealand, Melbourne is the latest outpost for the popular bar. When its doors swing open, expect more than 35 kinds of mezcals and tequilas, served in either handmade copitas (and in generous pours) or shot glasses. Accompanying them will be the sort of fresh seasonal fruit and salts that'll make you wonder why you ever sipped the agave spirit any other way. As for food, expect Mexican but with a Ghost Donkey twist. Think: Baja kingfish tacos with a dash of ponzu and sambal, or perhaps nachos topped with wild mushroom and poblano salsa. And let's not forget the cocktails, because what's a bar without its signature drink? Ghost Donkey will serve its namesake cocktail, aka El Burro Fantasma, in a ceramic donkey cup (yes, really), topped with a zesty mix of fresh flowers — and featuring a blend of Pelotón de la Muerte mezcal and Aperol, plus agave, lime, pink grapefruit and chilli. Ghost Donkey isn't just a catchy name. It's an homage to the actual donkeys of mezcal production. In traditional processes, they lug heavy stones over agave hearts, crushing them pre-fermentation. So the bar isn't just a novelty — it's a celebration of Mexican heritage and tradition, splashed with an unapologetically electric design sure to enthral Melburnians and tourists alike. Whether you're a mezcal fiend, a taco enthusiast or simply looking to dip your hooves into something new, Ghost Donkey promises a dash of New York flair, a generous pour of Mexican tradition and a straight-up good time — all in a Yarraside location. Lovely. Ghost Donkey will open at Riverside at Crown (near Clarendon Street), 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank, on Friday, October 20.
This heritage-listed green space is one of St Kilda's most instantly recognisable landmarks, and it plays an important role connecting the suburb's streets to its seaside esplanade. Catani Gardens is probably best known for its meandering gravel pathways lined by Canary Island palm trees, which create many a shady spot for a picnic. It's also a popular spot for events and concerts, with a year-round roster of things to see and do on the grounds. Images: Visit Victoria
Melbourne loves a good pub revamp and the latest is a doozy, breathing new life into a sunny corner site in the heart of South Melbourne. In the 169-year-old building formerly home to The Market Hotel and The Star Hotel, Tyson and Ashleigh Chambers (Melbourne Food and Brew, Golden Hills Brewery) have unveiled their latest project, known as Hotel South Melbourne. In its previous lives, the Clarendon Street boozer played host to music legends like AC/DC and Nick Cave. Now, it's jumping into a new phase of existence complete with a refreshed fitout and a renewed gastropub focus. It's a breezy, light-filled affair with lofty ceilings throughout, a spacious front bar, sunny beer garden and 120-seat dining room. Stripping out the tired interiors of yesteryear, the owners have infused the space with more modern charms, playing warm timber and exposed brick against considered pops of colour and a splash of terrazzo. There's sport on the screens, the Chambers' own signature brews on tap, and a variety of private spaces for gatherings of all sizes and occasions. Hotel South Melbourne's multi-faceted culinary offering comes courtesy of chef Lewis Bryce (Supernormal), celebrating elevated pub classics with a modern Australian edge. Here, the public bar is your go-to for a casual feed, slinging small plates, steaks, burgers and other favourites alongside a range of pizzas — think hot salami and prosciutto with pickled chilli and honey, or perhaps the oozy potato, brie and artichoke number. Meanwhile, the pub's main restaurant steps things up a gear, beginning with snacky options like beef tartare, cacio e pepe croquettes and grilled scallops with preserved lemon butter. Slow-cooked lamb shoulder is matched with marinated eggplant, saltbush and a romesco sauce; garlicky linguine marries spanner crab and clams; and a half roast chicken is done with miso butter, leek and crispy skin. The tap list invites you to get acquainted with Golden Hills Brewery drops like the Mexican lager, a biscuity American amber ale, and the blood plum and feijoa sour. The wine offering leans local with a handful of options also by the carafe, and the cocktail lineup is filled with gently tweaked favourites. Try the spritzed fusion of limoncello, thyme and prosecco, or go for the bar's take on a sbagliato featuring Davidson plum. Find Hotel South Melbourne at 160 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne. It's open daily from 12pm–late. Images: Griffin Simm
Just like most of us, Jetstar enjoys marking the passing of another year spent journeying around the sun. And, also like most of us, it's fond of flight sales. Combine the two and you get the Australian airline's 20th-birthday celebrations, which bring the return of its popular 'return for free' sale — where you buy a ticket to your holiday destination, then the carrier covers the cost of you coming home. This time around, the airline is doing discounted flights across Australia and to a range of international destinations, including in Japan, Thailand, Bali, Hawaii, South Korea and New Zealand. Wherever you'd like to head, the key part of this sale is making your way back Down Under without paying for the flight, which'll also make your holiday oh-so-much cheaper. Running from 12am AEST on Wednesday, May 1–11.59pm AEST Thursday, May 2, or until sold out — with Jetstar members getting an extra 12 hours access to the sale from 12pm on Tuesday, April 30 — it really is as straightforward as it sounds. Whatever flights you opt for as part of the sale, you'll get the return fare for nothing. The caveats: you have to book an outbound fare, then you'll get the return fare for free — and the deal only applies to Starter fares, and only on selected flights. Also, checked baggage is not included, so you'll need to travel super light or pay extra to take a suitcase. Plus, you have to use the same arrival and departure ports for your flights — so you can go from Sydney to Osaka and back, for instance, but can't return via another place or to another city. On the international destinations list: Osaka, Phuket, Bangkok, Bali, Honolulu, Bali, Seoul, Singapore, Auckland and Wellington, to begin with. Prices obviously vary depending on where you're flying from and to, but some include Sydney to Osaka from $548, Melbourne to Singapore from $399, Brisbane to Seoul from $479, Adelaide to Bali from $349 and Perth to Bangkok from $309. Domestic fares span deals such as Sydney to Ballina/Byron from $86, Melbourne to Launceston from $87 and Gold Coast to Melbourne from $125. You'll be travelling within Australia from mid-January to late March next year, and from mid-June this year to late March 2025 if you're going global. Jetstar's 20th birthday 'return for free' sale runs until 12am AEST on Wednesday, May 1–11.59pm AEST Thursday, May 2 — or until sold out. Jetstar members get an extra 12 hours access to the sale from 12pm on Tuesday, April 30. 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.
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas in some parts of the country. After numerous periods spent empty during the pandemic, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, picture palaces in many Australian regions are back in business — including both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made, including new releases, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. THE BATMAN When The Batman begins (not to be confused with Batman Begins), it's with the slaying of a powerful Gotham figure. A shocking crime that scandalises the city, it leaves a traumatised boy behind, and couldn't be more influential in the detective-style tale of blood and vengeance that follows. But viewers haven't seen this story before, despite appearances. It isn't the start of pop culture's lonesome billionaire orphan's usual plight, although he's there, all dressed in black, and has an instant affinity for the sorrowful kid. Behold the first standout feat achieved by this excellent latest take on the Dark Knight (not to be confused with The Dark Knight): realising that no one needs to see Bruce Wayne's parents meet their end for what'd feel like the millionth time. The elder Waynes are still dead, and have been for two decades. Bruce (Robert Pattinson, Tenet) still festers with pain over their loss. And the prince of Gotham still turns vigilante by night, cleaning up the lawless streets one no-good punk at a time with only trusty butler Alfred Pennyworth (Andy Serkis, Long Shot) in on his secret. As directed by Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes' Matt Reeves, and co-scripted with The Unforgivable's Peter Craig, The Batman clocks something crucial about its namesake and the audiences that watch him, however. The caped crusader's every move stems from his inescapable grief as always, but no one has to witness its origins yet again to glean why he's become the conflicted protector of his anarchic city. Instead, here he's overtly anguished, upset, broken, broiling with hurt and working his way through those feelings in each affray — a suave, smooth and slick one-percenter playboy in his downtime, he isn't — and it's a more absorbing version of the character than seen in many of the past Bat flicks that've fluttered through cinemas. Why so serious? That question is answered quickly. Also, badging Pattinson's turn in the cape and cowl 'emo Batman' is 100-percent accurate. It's meant to be, because violence isn't just about experiencing or inflicting pain, but also about processing the emotions stirred up. Apply the label to The Batman's unrelentingly dark and rainy aesthetic as well and, once again, it suits. Lensed with such an eye for the absence of light by Australian cinematographer Greig Fraser (a Dune Oscar-nominee) that he's painting with the shadowiest of shadows, this is a grimmer Batman than Christopher Nolan's trilogy, moodier than Ben Affleck's stint, and gloomier than the Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer and George Clooney-starring movies (not to mention the upbeat and campy 60s TV series that gave us the Batusi). Like teen shows, the tone of any given Batman entry reflects the surrounding times, and the tenor here is bleak, bruised and battered. Call the prevailing batmosphere cinema's own bat-signal and that's oh-so-fitting, too. Batman is bruised and battered himself in The Batman. He flinches when jumping from skyscrapers in his winged batsuit, grimaces upon impact and sports contusions beneath his mask before that. In spurts of Taxi Driver-style narration — where he could be one of screenwriter Paul Schrader's lonely men wrestling with the world (see also: The Card Counter) — he seethes about his self-appointed task, past and the state of Gotham, exposing his psychological scars as well. That doesn't change when a serial killer who dubs himself The Riddler (Paul Dano, Okja) and must love David Fincher movies (Seven and Zodiac especially) commits The Batman's opening murder, the first in a chain targeting the city's elite. This other angry mask-wearing vigilante is also waging a war on Gotham's corruption, and leaving puzzles to be solved along the way — with Batman assisting police lieutenant Jim Gordon (Jeffrey Wright, The French Dispatch), and being aided by nightclub waiter-cum-cat burglar Selina Kyle (Zoë Kravitz, Kimi) in turn. Read our full review. BLIND AMBITION When Dolly Parton sang about pouring herself a cup of ambition in the giddily catchy 80s hit '9 to 5' — the song that accompanied a film of the same name four decades back, now echoes in a stage musical as well and will never, ever get old — she wasn't talking about wine. But Zimbabwean quartet Joseph Dhafana, Tinashe Nyamudoka, Marlvin Gwese and Pardon Taguzu have lived up to those lyrics one glass of top-notch vino at a time, despite not drinking alcohol as Pentecostal Christians. Clearly, these men have quite the story to tell. It starts with fleeing their homeland under Robert Mugabe's rule, and then sees them each make new homes at considerable risk in South Africa, where they all also eventually found themselves working with the grape. In the process, they discovered a knack for an industry they mightn't have ever even dreamed of contemplating entering otherwise — and, in 2017, they took Zimbabwe's first-ever team to the World Wine Blind Tasting Championships in Burgundy, France. In the words of the always-great and ever-quotable Parton again, Joseph, Tinashe, Marlvin and Pardon waited for their ship to come in, and for the tide to turn and all roll their way. '9 to 5' doesn't actually have a single thing to do with Blind Ambition, the film that splashes through the Zimbabwean sommeliers' story, but their against-the-odds journey is equally infectious and uplifting. The Australian-made documentary about the foursome has also been likened to another on-screen underdog tale, this time about Black men seeking glory in a field that isn't typically associated with their country of birth. Blind Ambition isn't the wine version of Cool Runnings for numerous reasons — it hasn't been fictionalised (although it likely will be at some point) and it isn't a comedy, for starters — but the comparison still pithily sums up just how rousing this true story proves. The reality is far more profound than a Disney flick, of course. Making their second wine-focused doco of the past decade, Warwick Ross and Rob Coe — the former the co-director of 2013's Red Obsession, the latter its executive producer, and both sharing helming credits here — decant emotion aplenty from the moving and inspiring Blind Ambition. It flows freely from Joseph, Tinashe, Marlvin and Pardon's plights, which the film begins to drip out individually, harking back to before the quartet had even met, then blends together. Getting across the border was especially harrowing for Joseph, for instance, while ensuring that his new life honours his parents back home is particularly important for Pardon. Overcoming poverty and adversity echoes through their stories, as does the hope that their newfound affinity for wine brings — including via Tinashe's desire to plant vines on his grandfather's land one day. From those histories grows a keen eagerness to turn vino into their futures, and amid those dreams sits the World Wine Blind Tasting Championships. The activity that gives the competition its name is serious business; the first word isn't slang for getting black-out drunk or even just knocking back drinks to the thoroughly sozzled stage of inebriation, but describes how teams sample an array of wines without knowing what's rolling over their palates. Every national squad, all with four people apiece, is given 12 drops. From the six red and six white varieties, they must pick everything they can just by sipping — the grape, country, name, producer and vintage — to earn points. And, they also need to spit out the answers quickly, within two minutes of taking a taste. Yes, it's an event that you need to train for. No, it doesn't involve getting sloshed. Read our full review. MISS MARX Daughter of Karl Marx, a socialist activist in her own right, a translator of Henrik Ibsen's The Wild Duck and Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary, and first seen in Miss Marx giving her father's eulogy in 1883, Eleanor Marx was many things — but she wasn't a fan of punk music. She simply couldn't have been, thanks to the gap between the timing of her life and the genre's arrival, with seven decades separating them. Still, that doesn't stop filmmaker Susanna Nicchiarelli (Nico, 1988) from soundtracking her biopic about the youngest Marx with rollicking punk tracks courtesy of current rockers by Downtown Boys, including a cover of Bruce Springsteen's 'Dancing in the Dark'. Such a decision is anachronistic in fact but not in spirit, Miss Marx contends, and it's a savvy observation. In much about her life — her willingness to break free of her father's and society's expectations, her anti-establishment activism, and her rejection of mainstream norms among them — Eleanor fits the tunes. If only Miss Marx moshed into cinemas with more than that smart idea layered over an otherwise by-the-numbers period drama — one that, despite its namesake's progressive quest for women's wrights, better working conditions for the masses and education across both genders, focuses on her ties to men, too. It boasts two particularly marvellous and playful scenes, one involving that punk soundtrack and an opium-fuelled dance by star Romola Garai (Suffragette) for the ages, the other toying with the dynamic between Eleanor and her paramour Edward Aveling (Patrick Kennedy, The Queen's Gambit), but a willingness to break the mould, thrash outside the lines and upset the status quo is rarely part of the movie. Eleanor's existence was defined by her dad since birth, of course. It was then linked to the already-married Edward when she decided to live with him as wife in all but the paperwork. But bringing her tale to the screen with such a focus feels not only much too straightforward, but also reductive. There's method and meaning in this choice, too; writing as well as directing, Nicchiarelli hones in on Eleanor's bonds with the two pivotal men in her life on purpose. The aim: to examine how someone who toiled for such pioneering causes still routinely put herself second to her father and her partner, and to being a caregiver in general. It's a juxtaposition that Eleanor sees herself, and more than once. She's dismissive when her friend, acclaimed South African writer Olive Schreiner (Karina Fernandez, Killing Eve), offers a word of warning about Edward, but both Nicchiarelli's script and Garai's portrayal convey that Eleanor spies the contrast between her rhetoric and her behaviour. Alas, the answer is as simple as it always is, and treated as such: her love for her dad, for the fellow Marxist activist she tried to spend her life with, and for everyone else she lends her time to. Out of them all, only her young nephew Jean (debutant Célestin Ryelandt) seems to understand her, proving accommodating about her need to travel, research, spread the word and follow her work. As Eleanor, Garai gives a deeply committed and thoughtful performance that makes viewers wish that the movie itself matched her, mirroring the same sentiments that Miss Marx's punk soundtrack inspires. She's the spark that keeps the romantic and domestic dramas as alight as they can be, and the politics-heavy sections of the film that explore her ideas and deeds as well — whether Eleanor is opening by farewelling Karl with her words ("he died in harness, his intellect untouched," she shares), arguing with Edward as they perform The Wild Duck or weathering the fallout from her unhappy relationship. In a feature that's always handsomely shot, far less engaging is the subplot involving the relationships surrounding Friedrich Engels (John Gordon Sinclair, Traces), her father's The Communist Manifesto co-author. It helps add extra strokes to the overall portrait of how women and family members around lauded men are treated, but it too is a stock-standard inclusion in a movie that openly pines to be otherwise. RUBY'S CHOICE When The Father tackled dementia, it won Anthony Hopkins an Oscar. When Still Alice had Julianne Moore grapple with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, it earned her an Academy Award, too. Led by Live and Let Die and Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman star Jane Seymour, Ruby's Choice follows in their footsteps thematically; however, it won't nab its lead actor the same shiny trophy. The Australian drama's high-profile star turns in a committed performance as the movie's eponymous figure, whose memory has begun to recede without anyone realising, but it's also a portrayal that ticks every expected box. The feature she's in garners the same description as well; getting a famous face to explore an illness on-screen is a formula that spreads well beyond on-screen depictions of neurodegenerative conditions, of course, but Ruby's Choice sticks to a template that's been trotted out so many times that it'll always be recognisable. Following Ruby and her family as they wade through the consequences of her faltering mental faculties, this is also a film designed to raise attention, with 50 percent of its profits set to be donated to dementia research. Clearly, it champions a worthy and important cause, and also takes the job of conveying the experience of both suffering from dementia and having a loved one afflicted with it as seriously as it can. But unlike The Father and Still Alice, Ruby's Choice peers on rather than plunges in. It presents how dementia looks from the outside rather than diving deep enough to express how it truly feels. It still makes it plain that this is a condition no one wants, and that dealing with it is immensely difficult — and, in its on-screen postscript about donating funds, that more cash for more research is needed — but it's a case of telling far more than showing. The titular Ruby (Seymour, The War with Grandpa) has spent five years living alone since the death of her husband and, attitude-wise, remains fiercely independent — but she also thinks that her deceased partner is just perennially away on a business trip. Her daughter Sharon (Jacqueline McKenzie, Malignant) plays along with the pretence because it is kinder than seeing her mum mourn her dad anew again and again, and also thinks it's harmless. Then Ruby forgets that she's driven her car to the library, starts a fire at home after forgetting she's cooking lamb chops and, after temporarily moving in with Sharon, her husband Doug (Stephen Hunter, The Tourist) and teenage daughter Tash (Coco Jack Gillies, Mad Max: Fury Road), forgets what she's doing several times over when left in charge of feeding pets and other household tasks for a day. Soon, Ruby's family can't deny that she needs help, but doing what's best — caring for her 24/7, contemplating whether finding a nursing facility is the better solution and affording either option — is hardly straightforward. From Never Too Late and June Again to A Stitch in Time and now Ruby's Choice, Australian cinema has turned its attention towards ageing protagonists and the reality that comes with their advancing years with frequency of late. And, excluding the first flick on that list, it has done so with sensitivity. Director Michael Budd (Life of the Party) and screenwriters Paul Mahoney (Mainland Tonight) and Ellen Shanley (a feature first-timer) are compassionate here, but also schematic. Layering on complications — including the arrival of Doug's brother Ken (Brendan Donoghue, June Again) and his teen son Ned (Rory Porter, The Dressmaker), fresh from their own troubles at home; issues with Tash, Ned and bullies at school; and family secrets let slip as Ruby increasingly thinks she's stepped back decades — they too bluntly try to tug harder at heartstrings that are already given a workout. Ruby's Choice still tackles an important subject with empathy, but also with as much force and formula as care. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in Australian cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on November 4, November 11, November 18 and November 25; December 2, December 9, December 16 and December 26; January 1, January 6, January 13, January 20 and January 27; and February 3, February 10, February 17 and February 24. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as Eternals, The Many Saints of Newark, Julia, No Time to Die, The Power of the Dog, Tick, Tick... Boom!, Zola, Last Night in Soho, Blue Bayou, The Rescue, Titane, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn, Dune, Encanto, The Card Counter, The Lost Leonardo, The French Dispatch, Don't Look Up, Dear Evan Hansen, Spider-Man: No Way Home, The Lost Daughter, The Scary of Sixty-First, West Side Story, Licorice Pizza, The Matrix Resurrections, The Tragedy of Macbeth, The Worst Person in the World, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, House of Gucci, The King's Man, Red Rocket, Scream, The 355, Gold, King Richard, Limbo, Spencer, Nightmare Alley, Belle, Parallel Mothers, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Belfast, Here Out West, Jackass Forever, Benedetta, Drive My Car, Death on the Nile, C'mon C'mon, Flee, Uncharted, Quo Vadis, Aida?, Cyrano, Hive and Studio 666.
Haven't heard the news? World Hummus Day is just around the corner, taking over the world of dip on Tuesday, May 13. What better way to ring in the occasion than heading to Maha North for bottomless servings of Shane Delia's famous hummus? The northside sister to the much-loved Maha in the city, Maha North offers a similar kind of modern Middle-Eastern cuisine, presented in a neighbourhood brasserie. On the menu is a Maha-style selection of dips, including a candied pumpkin hummus with spiced chicken, walnuts and roasted garlic; a whipped almond hummus with smoked Ora King salmon, pine nuts and dill; and a cumin-braised Mount Zero chickpea hummus with almonds and parsley. From Tuesday, May 13–Sunday, May 18, drop in from 5pm on weekdays and 12pm on weekends to enjoy bottomless bowls of hummus for just $30, served with plentiful helpings of house-made flatbread, fennel seed lavosh and fried bread. Add a couple of dishes from Maha North's à la carte offering to transform this easygoing snack session into a fully fledged feast.
Walking into this cosy Commercial Road wine bar is a bit like walking into an old-school library — but instead of leather bound books lining the walls, it's 400 bottles of wine (the better option, obviously). The Alps was opened back in June 2016 by the very qualified team behind other local wine spots Milton Wine Shop and Toorak Cellars. It's a successful combination of wine bar and bottle shop, where 20 bottles at a time are available to taste. Not fussy about natural or biodynamic trends, The Alps focuses on serving wine that tastes of the place it was made. A cosy spot to stop by in winter — especially as you can hunker down with toasties and cheese boards. Small tables, a small fireplace and a long dining table. Simple but great.
Call it a cost-of-living-crisis miracle: Australia has a new streaming platform vying for your eyeballs, but this one won't cost you anything to watch. There's no sign-up fee, no monthly or annual subscription, and no pay-per-view purchases with Brollie. Instead, there's ads — but also 300-plus films and TV shows to enjoy for free. First announced earlier in November and now streaming as at Thursday, November 23, Brollie hails from independent Australian and New Zealand distributor Umbrella Entertainment. Accordingly, its focus is on homegrown fare. Whether you're after an early Nicole Kidman (Special Ops: Lioness)-starring movie such as BMX Bandits or Bush Christmas, the scares of The Babadook, Kylie Minogue in Cut, or documentaries such as Servant or Slave and Ablaze, you'll find them here. Other Aussie highlights include Rose Byrne (Physical) featuring opposite Heath Ledger in Two Hands, Hugh Jackman (The Son) in Erskineville Kings, and the David Gulpilil-starring like Walkabout and Storm Boy. Or, there's also a young Claudia Karvan (The Clearing) and Ben Mendelsohn (Secret Invasion) in The Big Steal — and Karvan and Jackman in Dating the Enemy. The Furnace, Girl Asleep, Head On, the Daniel Radcliffe (Miracle Workers)-led Jungle, The Last Wave, Mad Dog Morgan, Love Serenade, Puberty Blues, Sirens, Tanna, The Tracker: add them to your queue as well. An Angel at My Table, one of Oscar-winner Jane Campion's (The Power of the Dog) early films, is also available. So is fellow New Zealand effort Coming Home in the Dark. Brollie's lineup clearly isn't just about Aussie efforts, then. So, get excited about Nicolas Cage milking an alpaca in Color Out of Space, Joaquin Phoenix (Beau Is Afraid)-led masterpiece You Were Never Really Here, the live-action OG Super Mario Bros, 80s favourite Heathers, and mind-bender Vivarium with Jesse Eisenberg (Fleishman Is in Trouble) and Imogen Poots (Outer Range) among the international titles. Even 2023's Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey is there. You can say cheers to Mads Mikkelsen (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) in both Another Round and Arctic, too, or give fantasy space western After Blue (Dirty Paradise) a whirl. Takashi Miike's (First Love) Audition, the Brian Cox (Succession)-starring The Autopsy of Jane Doe, South Korean standout A Bittersweet Life, George A Romero's Night of the Living Dead and Day of the Dead, and absurdist comedy Deerskin also pop up. So do sci-fi mind-bender The Endless, LA noir Under the Silver Lake, supernatural comedy Extra Ordinary, several Re-Animator and Hellraiser flicks, and the original Suspiria. And, for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans, the three live-action 90s movies are all on offer. The list goes on, complete with The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid's Tale) in Her Smell, Japanese animation In This Corner of the World, a number of Bruce Lee titles, and Harry Dean Stanton (Twin Peaks) turning in one of his best performances in Lucky with David Lynch also acting by his side. Speaking of exceptional on-screen efforts, the David Bowie-led Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence also falls into that category. Everyone needs to have seen once-forgotten film Miami Connection once, but because it's an out-there martial arts movie that really has to be seen to be believed — and definitely not due to its acting. From the docos, You Don't Nomi pairs perfectly with Showgirls, which is also on the platform; We Were Once Kids explores the making of Kids, which again is similarly available to watch; and Zappa, The Go-Betweens: Right Here and Buena Vista Social Club all put their subjects in their names. Not Quite Hollywood's dive through Ozploitation history is obviously a perfect fit for the streamer, while the vastly dissimilar Honeyland was nominated for two Academy Awards. The television selection is currently small, with 15 titles. More Ledger in TV series Sweat, a small-screen version of Dune, the first season of Skippy and sitcom All Together Now all feature. Viewers can watch along via Apple TV, Google TV, Android TV, Chromecast with Google TV and on your browser. Whichever you pick, just don't forget that ads will appear while you're viewing — aka the tradeoff for Brollie not bothering your bank account. To help viewers sort through the Brollie collection, the service's team is highlighting its best-of picks twice monthly, and also heroing Aussie horror via an Australian Nightmares collection. At present, the latter includes The Babadook (of course), as well as Lake Mungo, The Tunnel, Razorback, Dark Age, the original Patrick and 1989 must-see Celia, among others. Brollie launched on Thursday, November 23 — head to the streaming platform's website to subscribe and for further details.
You probably don't need an excuse to sip down a sharp, slightly salty martini. However, the return of Four Pillars' Martini Collective to Melbourne for its second edition means you've got more reason than most to indulge until Sunday, June 22. Taking over seven of the city's most admired restaurants and bars, this special event sees each venue serve the same crisp mini martini made with Four Pillars' Olive Leaf Gin. However, the real fun comes in when you compare and contrast each spot's unique snack pairing against this time-tested drink. In Melbourne, Bar Bellamy, LUI Bar and Reine are back to wow customers with their inventive pairings, while Hazel, Society, Grill Americano and Bar Liberty join the line-up for the first time. Imagined as a pre-dinner sip and snack, there's no shortage of bites bound to impress. For instance, Bar Bellamy is complementing the mini martini with a smoked eel, bottarga and finger lime crostini, while LUI Bar offers a Sydney rock oyster with a mountain pepper mignonette. Also, don't forget that Saturday, June 21, is World Martini Day, so get your pals together for a cocktail-driven celebration. Images: Chege Mbuthi.
Nothing says summer like a novelty apron, a hot barbecue and a cold beer. If the size of your outdoor space has held you back from being able to make this sunny dream come true, look no further than the Weber Lumin. The Lumin is a compact, multi-functional, fully electric barbecue that can be used in the smallest of spaces, including apartment balconies or patios. All you have to do is plug the barbecue into a power outlet and you're ready to fire up. Whether you're prepping a picnic, wooing a date or hosting family and friends in your summer-ready outdoor space, we've teamed up with Weber to round up five of our top barbecue recipes for summer. Barbecued BLAT Bagels Whether you're fuelling up for a day at the beach or packing a scenic picnic lunch, you can't go wrong with these barbecued bagel sandwiches. The foolproof recipe can be pulled together in a pinch with ingredients you likely already have in your fridge. Prepare your barbecue to cook with direct medium heat and then throw the bacon and bagels on for less than five minutes. While that's going, season the tomato slices with salt and pepper. Once it's all crisp and cooked, just add some cream cheese, tomato slices, lettuce and avocado, and you're ready to pair that with a glass of orange juice or refreshing lemonade. Grilled Prawn and Guacamole Bites With grilled prawns and fresh avocado, these bite-sized appetisers are summer in a mouthful. The Mexican-inspired recipe calls for only three components and can be ready to serve in under half an hour, making it an effortless option for any hosting duties this festive season. Prepare the guacamole and Cajun seasoning while the barbecue preheats. Coat the prawns in the spices and grill them on skewers until cooked through. To serve, simply top a corn chip with a spoonful of guacamole, a prawn and coriander. Barbecued Barramundi with Quick-Pickled Onion and Salsa Verde If you've got an exciting summer evening planned, the last thing you want is to fall into an afternoon slump after a heavy meal. Opt for a hearty and nutritious feed instead with this simple barbecued barramundi. The buttery, mild fish is paired with tangy pickled onions and herbaceous salsa verde for a hit of flavour with every bite. The only advance prep you'll need to tackle are the quick-pickled onions, which should sit for at least 30 minutes. Otherwise, it's as easy as seasoning the fish fillets with olive oil, salt and pepper before cooking until the skin is crispy, and blending the chopped herbs, capers, lemon juice and olive oil for the salsa verde. Greek Lamb Share Plates with Baba Ganoush This heaping plate of lamb and accompanying sides may look daunting, but actually only takes ten minutes of prep and 25 minutes on the barbecue. That said, it's a surefire way to impress a group of guests at a laidback long lunch on your balcony or in the backyard. Be sure to have an apron and icy bev on hand, as the recipe requires a fair bit of work on the barbecue. Along with the lamb rump steaks, you'll be grilling eggplants, cherry tomatoes, olives, lemon and flatbreads. Your efforts will be well worth it in the end though, as the charred eggplant and caramelised lemon will create a smoky and aromatic Baba Ganoush. Grilled Donut S'mores with Chocolate Dipping Sauce Level up your camping game with these decadent s'mores that use donuts instead of graham crackers. Fluffy melted marshmallows and tart strawberries are sandwiched between warm, brûléed donuts and topped with a rich chocolate sauce. Whisk cocoa powder, cream, brown sugar and a sprinkle of salt over low heat to make the chocolate sauce. On the barbecue, halve and grill the donuts to create a caramelisation on the glaze, and melt the marshmallows on half of the donut slices. Lay strawberries on the other half and assemble it together, and you're ready to coat it in as much chocolate as you wish. Find out more about the Lumin at the Weber website.
Before you visit this Richmond watering hole, you should know one thing: the deceptively named Ugly Duckling is actually quite the stunner. In fact, with its contemporary design and polished patrons, it draws many more parallels with the 'beautiful swan' part of the famous fairytale. All pastel tones, grey accents and smooth surfaces, the Richmond space is fresh and chic. A narrow front bar opens out into a bright, lofty atrium, where natural light spills onto intimate tables of after-work tipplers and date-night duos. The small space fills up quickly which, thanks to that gorgeous skylight, means the acoustics are less than fantastic. Luckily, there seems to be an unspoken consensus that this is a place where it's more important to be seen than to be heard. Anyway, the liquid offerings here are much more deserving of your attention. Having marked itself as one of the strip's new go-tos for good wine and top-notch cocktails, you can be sure the Ugly Duckling's drinks list is one area that doesn't disappoint. The wine list is comprehensive and fairly wide-ranging, if slightly skewed towards those with a bit more cash to splash. A decent range by the glass and half-bottle offers a good excuse to sample a few different things, with drops from across Europe mingling with local labels. Though the snacking menu is brief, it boasts some truly excellent produce — just try the buttery-soft Wagyu bresaola and you wouldn't dare to disagree. Pay a visit and you'll soon see for yourself that this Ugly Duckling is living up to its street's name a whole lot more than its own.
It added booze to bowling, turned mini-golf courses into bars, and gave mashing buttons and hitting the arcade an alcohol-fuelled makeover as well. That'd be Funlab — and, if you like indulging your inner kidult over a few drinks, odds are that you've hit up its venues such as Strike, Holey Moley, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, and B Lucky and Sons over the past few years. That's the company's remit, after all: taking the kinds of activities that you enjoyed back when you weren't old enough to knock back cocktails, then adding the hard stuff. And, that's exactly what it's doing at Hijinx Hotel, its next venture. No, you can't stay there — but the world-first concept will see you hanging out in a space that's been decked out like a hotel, and then solving mental and physical puzzles as you wander through it. Funlab has dubbed Hijinx Hotel a 'challenge room hotel'. So, each of its 15 rooms will be filled with challenges for you to work through — with points awarded for how well you do within four minutes. Some rooms will see you play Twister or The Floor is Lava. Others will be decked out like the Titanic. There's one called the cereal ball pool room as well, which sounds chaotic. Basically, if you're a bit of a sleuth or you're never known to turn down a dare, you'll be in luck. Set to open in Alexandria in Sydney on June 3, Hijinx Hotel aims to riff on the escape room concept — but serve up fun that's far less stressful. Design-wise, it will look still like a hotel, even if you can't slumber there. There'll be a faux hotel reception and all, and the venue will take its aesthetic cues from the likes of The Grand Budapest Hotel and Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. Based on the renders so far, there's also a bit of an Overlook Hotel vibe — but sorry, The Shining fans, this new hangout isn't meant to be sinister. And yes, obviously there's a bar. Actually, there'll be three. Exactly what'll be on the menu hasn't yet been revealed, but expect booze and bites to eat. Whether you're a Sydneysider now planning your next stint of kidulting or you live elsewhere and you're making plans for a trip to the Harbour City, Hijinx Hotel visitors will find the venue alongside a huge new Holey Moley that'll feature 27 holes — including some that are ten times the size of those at other spots. And if you're wondering exactly where both newcomers will sit, they're joining the location that currently boasts Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq. Usually, Funlab launches its new concepts in one city, then shares the love across other east coast capitals. So Melburnians and Brisbanites, cross your fingers that Hijinx Hotel will eventually pop up closer to home. Find Hijinx Hotel at 75 O'Riordan Street, Alexandria, Sydney, from June 3 — we'll update you with further details when they're announced. For further information about Funlab, head to the company's website.
Just like Ross and Rachel and all the other sitcom couples we've been way too invested in, the on-again off-again relationship between Uber and technical legality is the love affair of our time. And in the newest chapter of the saga, Uber is very much on again in NSW after the Baird government moved to legalise the beloved service. Yep, from midnight tonight Uber will be legal in the state of NSW, but not without some compromises. According to The Daily Telegraph, the taxi companies — playing the role of the jealous love rival in this narrative — will be compensated $20,000 per registered number plate. This might seem excessive, but the current cost to register as a cab is bonkers — in Victoria, metropolitan taxi rego currently sits at $22,703 per year. Under the new rule, Uber drivers will have to pay a license fee, although, how much that fee will be is yet to be determined. Normal taxis also get complete dibs of cab ranks (naturally) and Sydney Airport pick-ups. Guess we're still gonna have to drag out suitcases to the boundary of the airport to wait for an Uber, after all. NSW is the second Australian state to legalise Uber, following the ACT's ruling in October. It's a stark contrast to the other side of the border, where the Victorian government have just set a legal precedent that may effectively outlaw the ridesharing app. Although, there have been no signs of change yet — as all Victorian Uber users know, apart from some surging immediately after the news broke, the service has generally gone on unaffected. So what's going to happen to the landscape of private transport love now that Uber is a genuine competitor in NSW? What dramatic twists and turns can we expect next season? Stay tuned to find out. Via The Daily Telegraph.
For every great story there exists, somewhere, a pornographic adaptation of it. However, it is rare for the adaptation process to go the other way and for pornography to be turned into art. This is just one of the things that makes The Rabble's Story of O such a remarkable work. As a choice for source material, 1950s French titillater Histoire d’O is certainly an outré choice. The novel tells the story of a beautiful Parisienne who is induced by her lover to become a sex slave for a bondage club, who operate as a kind of secret society in a country chateau. The slide into depravity is framed as a romance — the heroine, known only as O, consents willingly to all manner of indignities, driven by the desire to please her lover — and the book was doubly scandalous because the author was a woman. The Rabble’s interpretation is not so much a straight telling of the story as an evocation of its mood and an exploration of the broader social issues it raises. And what issues, with a questioning eye turned to the meanings of eroticism, power, free will and identity. As a piece of theatre, it’s a scorcher. The cast, a striking assemblage from the moment they appear posing louchely on carousel horses, deliver powerhouse performances, with Mary Helen Sassman giving raw intensity to the role of O. With a script incorporating snippets from De Sade and symbolist poet Renée Vivien, as well as ideas from essayist Susan Sontag, it is a far more artful text than the notoriously clunkily written original. The intellectualisation of its subject matter is openly and powerfully expressed at the same time as the show virtually redefines viscerality in its ingenious theatrical depictions of graphic sex. The gender blurring of some key roles — most notably Sir Stephen, the master of the sadomasochistic circle, being played by a woman (Jane Montgomery Griffiths, who delivers the role with a double serving of panache) — enables power to be examined as a symbolic entity, potentially if not entirely free of the scenario’s patriarchal overtones. Sex is by turns shown as garishly carnivalian, coldly clinical or, at times, downright harrowing. It makes for frequently confronting viewing but far from being relentless, the play is expertly timed, shock points spaced among moments of gentleness and humour. It is as if the play itself acts as dominus to the audience, with a fire and ice approach, alternating warmth and brutality, each heightening the other, dragging you ever deeper under its influence. Some may find it too shocking and I did see one walk out. It was telling though that half way through the act of leaving, the departing lady paused, transfixed by a development on stage, her decision to go made but the power of the piece not releasing her. I couldn’t have looked away for a second. Story of O is theatre that absolutely commands attention.
Paul Rudd probably has an attic. And in that attic, a dusty portrait of the superstar actor is probably ageing, because the man himself doesn't seem to be. That's a perfectly logical explanation for why the Clueless, Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers, Romeo + Juliet, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Parks and Recreation, Wet Hot American Summer and Living With Yourself actor — and Ant-Man star, too — has looked the same for decades. And, it inspires a question: if you keep Rudd's likeness somewhere in your house, will you stop getting older as well? Will you start looking like Paul Rudd instead? That's a situation no one would complain about. Whatever might happen, a very real book written by Rudd's very fictional Marvel Cinematic Universe alter ego is on its way, so soon you can pop it on your shelf and find out. That tome is Look Out for the Little Guy, as penned by Scott Lang — aka Ant-Man. It's just been announced because a not-at-all-tun movie called Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania hits cinemas on Thursday, February 16. And yes, this new text will feature in that flick. See the film, buy the fake memoir: that's what's on offer for MCU fans, Ant-Man stans and Paul Rudd obsessives (so, everyone). In Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, Lang has penned the book, detailing his time saving the world. Unsurprisingly, the autobiography has proven popular. The Disney-owned Marvel will be hoping the real text does the same, of course, when it hits bookstores on Tuesday, September 5. According to the official synopsis, the memoir steps through "a bracingly honest account" of Lang's "struggles and triumphs, from serving time to being a divorced dad to becoming Ant-Man and joining The Avengers". Readers are also in for "stories of epic battles won and lost, as this everyman turned super hero finally tells all — from the official account of what really happened between The Avengers and Thanos to how shrinking down to ant-size really feels to the challenges of balancing the roles of hero and dad". Look Out for the Little Guy also has a trailer, because Marvel and the Mouse House realise that the best way to sell anything involving Paul Rudd is just giving the world what we want: more Paul Rudd. "In this new book I'm almost certain was not written by me, we pull back the curtain and uncover the man behind Ant-Man: Scott Lang," the actor advises. "Who is he? What's he like? Why does he look so much like me?" Check out the Look Out for the Little Guy trailer below: Scott Lang's Look Out for the Little Guy will hit bookstores on Tuesday, September 5, and is available to pre-order now — head to the Disney Books website for further details. Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania hits cinemas Down Under on Thursday, February 16.
Here's a trend: co-stars from Baywatch, the movie not the series, making separate biopics about wrestlers. When Zac Efron (The Studio) did it, The Iron Claw was the result, and the film about Kevin Von Erich and his family was excellent. Next, it's Dwayne Johnson's (Red One) turn in The Smashing Machine, with MMA fighter Mark Kerr in the spotlight. Johnson, aka The Rock, leaping into the ring is far from a new development, of course — but the wrestler-turned-actor is now drawing upon his sporting background and talents in the other well-known side of his career. That said, even if you've watched plenty of his WWE exploits, and then his film and TV roles in everything from The Scorpion King, the Fast and Furious franchise, Ballers and Pain & Gain to San Andreas, the recent Jumanji flicks and Black Adam, you haven't seen Johnson like this before. The Smashing Machine hits cinemas in October 2025. Opposite Emily Blunt (The Fall Guy) as Dawn Staples — with the pair reuniting after 2021's Jungle Cruise, and set to team up again next for Martin Scorsese (Killers of the Flower Moon) — Johnson helps bring the story of a wrester-turned-UFC star to the screen. In the just-dropped first trailer for the flick, Kerr is determined to keep chasing the unparalleled high that comes with winning, even while he's in pain and as it's clearly taking a toll on his relationship with Staples. The term "unrecognisable" gets thrown around a lot when actors transform for a role; however, every time Johnson's face is on-screen in the first sneak peek at The Smashing Machine, that description proves true. If the name of the movie sounds familiar, that's because there's a 2002 documentary of the same moniker that's also about Kerr. As a biopic, The Smashing Machine hails from writer/director Benny Safdie, making his first solo directorial effort after spending his filmmaking career so far co-helming with his brother Josh. On their shared resume: Daddy Longlegs, Lenny Cooke, Heaven Knows What, Good Time and Uncut Gems. It's been six years since Benny was last behind the camera on a feature, but he's been popping up in acting parts elsewhere, including in Pieces of a Woman, Licorice Pizza, Stars at Noon, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, Oppenheimer and The Curse — the latter of which he co-wrote and co-created with The Rehearsal's Nathan Fielder. Benny's brother Josh also has a new film out in 2025, also focusing on sports and also helmed on his lonesome. In Marty Supreme, Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown) is in the lead — and ping-pong is the focus. Check out the trailer for The Smashing Machine below: The Smashing Machine releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, October 2, 2025.
A George Lambert-style self portrait by Yvette Coppersmith has just nabbed the 97th annual Archibald Prize — her work Self-portrait, after George Lambert was chosen from a talented bunch of 58 finalists. This year's $100,000 prize attracted a whopping 794 entries from across the country and New Zealand, their works depicting homegrown icons ranging from NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian to actor Guy Pearce. The prestigious portrait competition pulls a compelling lineup of artworks each year, portraying an eclectic mix of artists, musicians, politicians, sports heroes and other notable Aussies. Coppersmith's winning piece pays homage to the stylings of acclaimed fellow artist George Lambert, who himself took out the 1927 Archibald Prize. The win's been a long time coming for Coppersmith, who has been a finalist five times. "Hearing of the win this morning my mind was scrambling to integrate the surreal news about something that's been 20 years in the making," she said. "I'm still trying to fathom it!" She's also only the tenth female artist in history to have taken out the top prize. In more good news, the winners of the Wynne and Sir John Sulman prizes we also revealed today — and both are Indigenous women. Pintupi artist Yukultji Napangati took out the former — which awards the best landscape painting of Australian scenery or figure sculpture — for her depiction of a scene among sandhills west of Kiwirrkura in Western Australia. The Sir John Sulman Prize goes to the best mural, subject or genre painting, and was this year awarded to Kaylene Whiskey's work of Cher and Dolly Parton. Today's announcements follow last week's naming of the 2018 Packing Room Prize, which is selected by the gallery staff who unpack and hang the Archibald Prize entries each year. That title was taken out by Jamie Preisz, for his piece Jimmy (title fight), featuring legendary singer-songwriter Jimmy Barnes. All the winning portraits and finalists will be on display at Sydney's Art Gallery of NSW from tomorrow — Saturday, May 12 — up until September 9. If you do't agree with the judges, you can cast your own vote for People's Choice. Image: Self portrait after George Lambert, Yvette Coppersmith. Photo shot by Jenni Carter courtesy of AGNSW.
Melbourne's live music and club scene lost a big (and beloved) player, when Swanston Street's legendary Lounge shut its doors for good in April. We weren't sure what would happen to the venue — if anything at all — so it's very exciting to hear that the team behind Section 8 will take over the space and reopen it as Radar Bar & Nightclub this month. Hospitality group Cast of Falcons (which runs The B.East, Ferdydurke and Globe Alley as well as Section 8) will be making its mark on the CBD venue. It'll take it into its next chapter with the help of a top-notch Funktion One sound system, lighting installations by creative studio John Fish and a youthful team headed up by Amber McCabe (The Town Mouse) and Kate Stuart (Rockpool Group, Lucy Liu). To that end, we're told you can look forward to an especially broad program of tunes, covering everything from electronic and dance, to high-energy funk and hip-hop. Some well-known labels and music collectives have jumped on board, with 1800 Tequila heading up a Thursday hip-hop night and a weekly Friday party that'll dig into deep French house and techno. Elsewhere, there'll be an eclectic calendar of ticketed gigs, with plenty of international names coming to play later in the year. It all kicks off on Friday, July 12 with a party run by arts collective Medium. Plenty of thought has also gone into the drinks offering, which is refreshingly contract-free and packed full of independent labels. The options will change up regularly, shaped by lots of staff input, so expect some robust cocktails, including a few signature tap varieties, along with local craft brews and an organic-leaning lineup of wine. All up, Radar's working a slightly more grown-up list than its siblings. Lounge sadly called last drinks for the space in April, apparently after the landlord decided not to renew the lease. But, nonetheless, it went out with a bang, hosting a special run of 29 shows to celebrate its 29 long years of life and the lineup of musical guests its hosted along the way. Cast of Falcons has some pretty big shoes to fill, that's to be sure — but we're looking forward to seeing what it does with the venue. Radar Bar & Nightclub is set to open at 1/243 Swanston Street, Melbourne, from Friday, July 12. We'll give you more details on the venue once it's open.
Would you rather spend your hard-earned pennies on a funky piece for your house than on new clothes? Are you the kind of friend that your mates come to for interior decorating advice? Then, you're also probably the kind of person that shudders at monstrous televisions that often break, not make, a living room's feng shui. Thankfully, we've teamed up with Samsung to give one lucky design geek a brand-new The Serif. This stylish TV was designed to be a focal point in the living room, and to complement interior aesthetics instead of being an eyesore taking up space in the corner. Developed through a collab between two of the world's most esteemed industrial designers — Paris-based brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec — The Serif TV features an iconic 'I' shape when viewed from the side. Its seamless form means it looks good from any angle. So, you can position it on its own legs, on a counter or on a traditional TV cabinet, and it'll not only integrate seamlessly into your home but also transform it into something resembling those chic spaces you drool over on Instagram. The major prize winner will receive one 43-inch The Serif TV and one limited-edition artwork by the Bouroullec brothers. We've also gotten our hands on 99 more of those artworks to share as runner-up rewards. To be in the running, enter your details below. To find out more about The Serif, visit the Samsung website. [competition]831045[/competition]
Melbourne's Butterfly Club has entertained the public since way back in 1999. At one point, it was Melbourne's only full-time cabaret venue, with cabarets still regularly performed today. The venue itself, located on Carson Place, is small and full of hundreds of brightly coloured kitsch items to get you in the mood for a night of frivolity. Think fairy lights, old-school dolls, mismatched furniture and artworks from every era. The place screams fun and whacky, where the weird and wonderful are both invited to perform and spectate while drinking awesome cocktails and rolling around in laughter. There are shows on almost every day at The Butterfly Club, with sometimes two or even three a day. There is a weekly burlesque drawing show with feathers, fans, fishnets, and pens and paper. You'll be invited to watch and draw along with circus, drag, burlesque and sideshow performances. Every Friday, you'll find the Big HOO-HAA!, Melbourne's longest-running import comedy show. Two teams, the Hearts and the Bones, battle it out for improv supremacy while the audience is invited into the show by offering up suggestions. On Saturday nights, the regular gig is Laugh Later, a night of top-tier comedians, while there are regular one-off shows from visiting comedians who want to test out new material. As well as comedy, there is plenty of live music at The Butterfly Club, with piano nights, tribute shows, and the famous cabaret. As for drinks, the bar has received two "cocktail glasses", the equivalent of a Chef's Hat in the bar world, thanks to The Age Good Bars Guide. It's also a very queer-friendly space, with the team going to great lengths to ensure everyone feels safe and celebrated.
One of the few remaining drive-in cinemas in the country, Village Cinemas' Coburg Drive-In theatre recalls an age long gone — though we'd argue the social distancing era has lent it a newfound sense of relevance. It's hard not to see the charm in the whole experience, from the comfort of watching latest-release or classic movies on one of the precinct's three screens from the comfort of your own car, to the retro-style American diner which you can order from an app and enjoy delivery straight to your window. Gone are the days of speakers through the window, too, with the sound coming straight through your car radio, meaning you can adjust the volume as you wish. [caption id="attachment_622464" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brook James.[/caption] Images: Brook James
Sydney, it's your time to play the most entertaining game of "what if?" there is, especially if you love classic tales, pop songs and sensational musicals. Whether you studied it in high school or just obsessed over Baz Luhrmann's glorious 90s movie, everyone knows how Romeo and Juliet ends — and it doesn't conclude happily for either of its eponymous star-crossed lovers. But what if it didn't wrap up that way? What if Juliet lived to love again? And what if her experiences from there, after thwarting theatre's greatest tragedy, involved a whole heap of earworm tunes from the last couple of decades? The answer to how all of that might turn out already exists, all thanks to Olivier Award-winning jukebox musical & Juliet. A hit in London's West End since 2019, it remixes the iconic love story in multiple ways — tinkering with its narrative and throwing in all that toe-tapping music. And, it's coming to the Harbour City in 2024. The acclaimed show arrived in Melbourne in February 2023, with Australia only its second stop outside of the UK following Toronto. Now, it's taking its Shakespeare-meets-pop spectacle to more Aussie locations, locking in a run at Sydney Lyric Theatre from Tuesday, February 27–Sunday, June 2, 2024. A Perth run at Crown Theatre has also been confirmed from Saturday, December 30, 2023–Thursday, February 8, 2024 — Brisbanites, cross your fingers that the River City also gets a spin. If you're now thinking "wherefore art thou?" about & Juliet's setup, it picks up after the ending we all know doesn't eventuate. And, it muses on what might happen if Juliet could choose her own fate instead. That scenario involves Anne Hathaway — no, not that one — and her husband William Shakespeare, and features songs by Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Robyn, Katy Perry, The Weeknd, Kelly Clarkson and more. Tunes that get a spin: 'Larger Than Life', 'I Want It That Way', '... Baby One More Time', 'Show Me Love', 'Oops!... I Did It Again', 'As Long As You Love Me', 'Stronger', 'I Kissed a Girl', 'Since U Been Gone', 'It's My Life', 'It's Gonna Be Me' and a whole heap of others. The common factor between them all is Swedish songwriter Max Martin, who penned or co-penned every track on the musical's soundtrack. As well as Martin's involvement — including as one of & Juliet's co-creators — the musical features a book by the Emmy-winning Schitt's Creek writer and The Big Door Prize creator David West Read. And if you're wondering about the show's shiny Olivier Awards, it was nominated for nine for its West End debut season, and nabbed three: for Best Actress in a Musical, Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical and Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical. Down Under, Lorinda May Merrypor plays Juliet, while Rob Mills is Shakespeare, Amy Lehpamer steps into Anne's shoes and Blake Appelqvist gets his Romeo on. Also in the cast: Casey Donovan, Hayden Tee, Jesse Dutlow, Yashith Fernando, Georgia Anderson, Jade Delmiguez, James Elmer, Riley Gill, Jerome Javier, Giorgia Kennedy, Jordan Koulos and more. "If there were ever a show and a city that were made for each other it is Sydney and & Juliet, and I am thrilled we are finally bringing them together. This show that celebrates joy, love, diversity and taking chances are the same things that inspire and drive the people of Sydney and we can't wait to share it with them," said producer Michael Cassel, announcing the Sydney season. "& Juliet was such a hit in Melbourne that it completely sold out — I just know Sydney will embrace the show with spectacular enthusiasm." Check out the trailer for & Juliet below: & Juliet will play Sydney Lyric Theatre from Tuesday, February 27–Sunday, June 2, 2024, which includes preview performances from Tuesday, February 27–Wednesday, March 6 with tickets for $79. For more information or to sign up for the ticket waitlist — before tickets go on sale in September, with pre-sales from Monday, September 25 and general sales from Friday, September 29 — head to the musical's website. & Juliet will play Crown Theatre, Perth, from Saturday, December 30, 2023–Thursday, February 8, 2024 — with pre-sales from Monday, August 28 and general sales from Thursday, August 31. Images: Daniel Boud.
Under current COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria, there are restrictions on gatherings in place. For more details on Victoria's current restrictions, see the Department of Health and Human Services website. When Melbourne's skies are putting on a proper show — bruising the clouds purple, petal and peach, the city looks like something out of a fairytale. Melbourne is home to some of the most beautiful skies in the whole world, so a spectacular sunrise or sunset can be one of the only times everyone in the city is looking up. So, we've compiled a list of the best places to catch Mother Nature in action. Drag your eyes away from your phone (after you've snapped the obligatory sunrise or sunset shot) and look up. [caption id="attachment_818358" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ain Raadik for Visit Victoria[/caption] RICHARD PRATT GARDENS, SOUTHBANK Admire a sunset against the scenic backdrop of Melbourne's hustle and bustle. Hidden between the Arts Centre and Hamer Hall, this quaint piece of greenery is home to a sleek black sculpture created by Inge King. Forward Surge (1972–1974) is made up of four pieces of imposing black steel waves — the looming artwork is eye-catching and surprisingly comfortable to lean back on while watching the sunset. The lawn of the Richard Pratt Gardens also hosts a weekly Sunday Market (10am–4pm), with local artisans showcasing a selection of handmade goods ranging from arts and crafts to delicious delicacies. Let yourself be tempted by the smell of freshly made spinach and feta gozleme and a bag of piping hot jam doughnuts — they're the perfect companion for window shopping. If you're looking for somewhere a bit more private, face north-west towards the Hamer Hall Stage Door and you'll find a small set of stairs leading up and around the Arts Centre. There's a patch of turf that overlooks Flinders Street Station and Southbank that makes for ideal viewing. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mark O'Toole (@markdotoole) ROYAL PARK, PARKVILLE Just a short drive (or tram ride) away from Melbourne's CBD is Royal Park. The impressive 180+ hectares of native parkland is home to one of Australia's best playgrounds, plenty of leash-free areas for any furry friends and a big, grassy hill that conveniently provides one of the best views of Melbourne's cityscape. If you're peckish, make a quick detour to Beatrix, a small corner bakeshop in the north with a cult following. The menu rotates weekly depending on customer demand and what's in season, with daily specials posted on their Instagram page each morning. [caption id="attachment_818465" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pete Glenane (@hivispictures)[/caption] PRINCES PIER, PORT MELBOURNE Instantly recognisable by its series of mesmerising wooden pillars, this pier in Port Melbourne has become one of the most Instagrammable backdrops for sunrise and sunset. Stretching over a whopping 580 metres, Princes Pier is steeped in rich history — which provides visitors with a unique opportunity to experience the open-air museum. As you walk down the refurbished wooden planks, learn the story of how Princes Pier used to be one of the major points for new migrants arriving in Australia for over half a century. Afterward, you can head over to Ciao Cielo on Bay Street, a refined Italian restaurant that will transport you to the streets of Tuscany. During the colder months, they set up a beautiful winter garden, complete with a fully heated marquee. Warm up with a plate of their Northern style oxtail ragu layered on top of saffron casarecce and a serve of their warm chocolate brownie served with the richest dark chocolate ganache. [caption id="attachment_818466" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Larry Koester[/caption] KINGS DOMAIN GARDENS, MELBOURNE Although the majority of us struggle to wake up with enough time to put together a nutritious breakfast in the morning — there's always a few dedicated hearts with enough energy to run a lap around Kings Domain Garden before cooling down at the Shrine of Remembrance to watch the sunrise. From the steps, the masterfully designed Ceremonial Avenue will provide you with a clear view of Melbourne's glittering skyline. On your way back into the city, reward yourself with a strong matcha latte from Little Rogue and a freshly baked pastry from Bakemono Bakers nearby. Indulge in the zesty twist on an almond croissant with subtle hints of yuzu, or the crowd-favourite matcha and red bean croffle — a hybrid of a croissant and waffle that's crispy on the outside and buttery and hot in the middle. [caption id="attachment_818467" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Graham Denholm[/caption] BIRRARUNG MARR, MELBOURNE Most Melburnians would have taken a seat on this giant slope of grass during the annual Night Noodle Markets — but for the other 11 months of the year, it's still a damn good place to watch a sunrise or sunset. You can lazily watch as boats drift past on the Yarra River and snap a pic with the iconic 'Angel' sculpture which stands at 10 metres tall and is covered head to toe in bright, hand-painted ceramic tiles. Trek back up the steep hill and cross over Flinders Street to discover the iconic Spanish bar and tapas restaurant, MoVida. Tucked inside the graffiti-scrawled walls of Hosier Lane, chef Frank Camorra and his team set the bar for Spanish produce, food and culture in Melbourne. The Cantabrian hand-fileted anchovy with smoked tomato sorbet on a crunchy crouton is not to be missed. THUNDER POINT LOOKOUT, WARRNAMBOOL A must-visit lookout point for any tourist wanting to explore the cosy town of Warrnambool, Thunder Point Lookout provides endless stretches of coastline and the kind of peaceful quiet that's impossible to find in the city. By V-Line, the ride from Southern Cross will take approximately 3.5 hours, or you can jump in the car for a road trip with a similar journey time. It'll all be worth it by the time you watch the sunset over the sparkling water of Lady Bay. Take a stroll or catch a ride back to the town centre to enjoy a modern Australian dinner at Clovelly Restaurant. Feast on dishes like fluffy bao buns filled with sticky pork belly and slaw; perfectly juicy eye fillet served with crispy potato bacon hash; housemade sweet potato gnocchi paired with creamy shiitake mushrooms and roasted garlic; and juicy lamb rump that has been lovingly slow-roasted for 16 hours. NAKED IN THE SKY, FITZROY Arguably one of the OGs of the rooftop bar scene, Naked in the Sky is open till late and offers up 270-degree views of Melbourne's horizon. Indulge in some of their gooey baked camembert cheese served with crusty ciabatta, or a dark chocolate ganache tart to share — it arrives drizzled in thick salted caramel with a generous scoop of coffee ice cream on top. There are not many better ways to finish the day than with snacks, a glass of house-infused vodka in hand and the sun slowly descending behind Melbourne's skyscrapers. [caption id="attachment_818355" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Emily Godfrey for Visit Victoria[/caption] THE GROTTO, PETERBOROUGH Victoria's Great Ocean Road is over 243 kilometres long, but we (and many other Melburnians), truly believe that this naturally carved out cave cannot be missed. After a long day of driving, this is the epitome of saving the best for last — watch the sun slowly set through the archway, as beams of colour and light reflect against the rock pools. We recommend grabbing a quick bite to eat at Forage on the Foreshore in Port Campbell as the penultimate stop. The food on the menu is mostly grown, produced or foraged locally. Enjoy dishes such as local cheese plates, braised calamari, house-made gnocchi and freshly grilled fish until 5pm. Hot tip: locals in the area have noted that the number of tourists peak at around 3pm, so plan with caution. [caption id="attachment_818468" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julian Kingma for Visit Victoria[/caption] BOROKA LOOKOUT, HALLS GAP The Grampians National Park is famous for its spectacular scenery and insane lookout points — the 168,000 hectares of land provide visitors with dozens of walks, hikes and waterfalls to explore. It makes the sunrise here especially stunning, so get out of bed early to soak in the rugged mountainous landscape as the sun paints the valley ablaze. Boroka Lookout is located in the Grampians northern region, which also happens to house the largest regional zoo in Victoria — Halls Gap Zoo. Spend the rest of the day with their inquisitive meerkats, gigantic giraffe and colossal rhinoceros. [caption id="attachment_792742" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] PONYFISH ISLAND, UNDERNEATH EVAN WALKER BRIDGE, MELBOURNE Tucked underneath the Evan Walker Bridge lies Ponyfish Island — one of Melbourne's worst-kept secrets. This floating haven is only accessible from a single stairwell descending from above and is adorned with a recently renovated Palm Springs-inspired feel. The island is home to an impressive food and drink menu, and it's also one of the few places in Melbourne with an unobstructed view of the glowing sunset dancing across the Yarra River. The wind can get a little chilly as the night progresses, so we recommend bringing a jacket and ordering a cup of warm mulled wine (or two). [caption id="attachment_818356" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mark Watson for Visit Victoria[/caption] THE BIG DRIFT, WILSONS PROMONTORY The rugged track to reach the top of the Big Drift is slightly grueling, but the view is worth it. The drive will take you approximately two and a half hours from Melbourne's CBD, so we recommend making a day out of it. Take a dip at Shallow Inlet, a sheltered beach just outside of Wilsons Prom and have a well-deserved swim before watching the sunset. This other-wordly landscape is a series of ever-changing sand dunes with views of Vereker Range in the east and the sea to the west. Remember to pack light with plenty of water, and choose footwear that you don't mind getting sandy. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gerard Shanahan (@gas_clgs) LILY STREET LOOKOUT, ESSENDON WEST It might just look like another suburban street in Melbourne, but this lookout point has won hearts in the west. You'll find rows of bicycles leaning against metal fences as herds of cyclists and runners take a well-deserved break after trudging up the Maribyrnong River Trail to admire the view. It's an underrated gem that allows Melbourne's entire city skyline to be captured within a single frame — what more could you ask for? After the sun has dipped behind the skyline, head to Hampton Road Fish and Chips, a local favourite known for their old school potato cakes and humongous pieces of flake. Finish the night off with a cheeky deep-fried Mars bar for the drive home. Top Image: Boroka Lookout, Julian Kingma for Visit Victoria & The Big Drift, Mark Watson for Visit Victoria
Are you the kind of person who just has to read the book before watching a TV show or movie? Perhaps you prefer the opposite, soaking in every minute of the series or film afresh with no knowledge of what's to come, then devouring the source material to spending more time in its world and fill in the details. Whichever best describes your style of page-to-screen fandom, you're welcome at a new Australian event that's all about streaming hits adapted from novels: Prime Book Club LIVE. You might've noticed that plenty of the streaming platform's recent fare began on the page. It's true of The Summer I Turned Pretty, and also of the Culpable trilogy and also We Were Liars, for instance. So, the service is celebrating that fact in Sydney, putting on Prime Book Club LIVE with a number of authors and actors connected to its lineup as guests. The third and final season of The Summer I Turned Pretty, the platform's most-successful original series, is streaming from Wednesday, July 16 and releasing episodes through until Wednesday, September 17. Accordingly, author Jenny Han — who not only penned the books The Summer I Turned Pretty, It's Not Summer Without You and We'll Always Have Summer that the show is based on and is the series' showrunner, but also wrote the To All The Boys I've Loved Before trilogy — is on Prime Book Club LIVE's lineup. So are Lola Tung and Rain Spencer (Test Screening). Ahead of Culpa Nuestra (Our Fault), the third and final Culpable trilogy flick after films Culpa Mia (My Fault) and Culpa Tuya (Your Fault), reaching Prime Video in October, author Mercedes Ron is also getting chatting in the Harbour City. Taking place from 5pm on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at Machine Hall in Sydney, Prime Book Club LIVE boasts Lucinda 'Froomes' Price as its host, features a #BookTok panel, and sports an immersive setup spanning interactive experiences, giveaways and more. The event is also set to cover We Were Liars — which has an Australian connection thanks to Invisible Boys talent and future The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping star Joseph Zada — and others that fit the page-to-screen mould, including upcoming book-to-screen titles. Attendance is free, but you'll either need to register for a ticket in advance from 12pm AEST on Monday, July 14 or try your luck for one of the limited seats that'll be available on the day. The Summer I Turned Pretty images: Erika Doss © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC / Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Prime Video.
Work has kicked off on the Regent Theatre's first makeover since the building reopened to the public back in 1996. What's more, the Melbourne heritage site's new look will be making a rather dramatic debut, having landed a blockbuster show that'll help celebrate the revamp in fittingly huge style once complete. With upgrade works slated to wrap up next year, The Regent's confirmed that in 2021, its stage will play host to the Aussie debut of Moulin Rouge! The Musical — a new production based on Baz Luhrmann's award-winning musical film, which arrives Down Under hot off the back of a much-lauded launch season on Broadway. The show brings to life the famed Belle Époque tale of young composer Christian and his heady romance with Satine, actress and star of the legendary Moulin Rouge cabaret. Set in the Montmartre Quarter of Paris, the film's known for its soundtrack, celebrating iconic tunes from across the past five decades. The stage show carries on the legacy, backing those favourites with even more hit songs that have been released in the 18 years since the movie premiered. [caption id="attachment_734113" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Regent Theatre by Josie Withers[/caption] The musical is heading to Melbourne in the hands of production company Global Creatures, along with the Victorian Government. The Government will also be a big player behind the Regent's upgrade works, having dropped a cool $14.5 million towards the $19.4 million project. It co-owns the site, along with the City of Melbourne. Once complete, the new-look theatre will be able to be set to three different configurations, from 1500 seats, to 1700 seats, to 2300 seats for the bigger shows. As well as upgrades to its façade, the building will enjoy improvements to the theatre seating, revamped bar and foyer areas, extra women's bathroom facilities, and an extension to the existing balcony. Having survived a fire, a flood and a twenty-year closure from 1970 to the mid-90s, as well as many threats of demolition, the Regent seems pretty well deserving of its coming makeover. The Regent Theatre, at 191 Collins Street, Melbourne, is set to be completed by early 2020. It'll host Moulin Rouge! The Musical in 2021. Moulin Rouge! The Musical image: Matthew Murphy.
Italian mainstay Marameo has brought back its pasta-fuelled date night for you and yours. Every Wednesday night, expect an evening filled with candlelight, mood-setting tunes, half-litres of wine and a three-course menu to boot. Set in the heart of Melbourne's CBD, Marameo boasts Italian dinner party vibes and features a stunning outdoor terrace. This is not a night at nonna's; instead, the menu puts a twist on traditional Italian fare. The menu will change regularly based on seasonal availability, so you could easily make this a weekly go-to. For the launch, diners will start with house-made rosemary focaccia alongside a selection of salami, prosciutto and mortadella. For the main course, its baked cavatappi with Bolognese ragu and pecorino béchamel, paired with a garden salad topped with fennel and radish. The evening wraps with dessert, which is currently zeppole dipped in chocolate sauce. For wine, simply choose from an Italian red or white, enough to share between two. Since romance isn't just for lovebirds, Marameo is accepting reservations for tables of two, four or six. So you can grab your mates, dates or coworkers if you fancy, too. [caption id="attachment_747585" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marameo, by Kristoffer Paulsen[/caption] Images: Kristoffer Paulsen.
Self-described as taking a "no rules approach" to American BBQ, Dexter had a lot to prove. But prove it they did — almost immediately, in fact, when they started serving their signature hot meat doughnuts. The brisket-filled deep-fried batter balls are rich and savoury, and then dusted with sugar and paprika for sweetness. Needless to say, these set the scene for the rest of the menu. The short rib comes with a caramel glaze, the mash is flavoured with bone marrow and the pig's head bun is filled with pickled pineapple and hot sauce. Choose a BBQ tray ($19-28) or a brioche bun with pickles and your choice of meat — there's pulled pork, fried chicken and fried tomato along with the pig's head. Plus, they do picklebacks. It doesn't much matter if you live in the Preston area or nowhere near it — just get here. Hot, sugary brisket doughnuts await. Images: Emily Bartlett.
Few things excite the summertime senses of Melbourne folks more than a double scoop of ice cream dripping down their hands as it melts in the hot sun. Aside from complaining about the heat, swatting flies away, and shrimp on the barbie, it's one of the most definitive features of an Australian summer. While there will always be a soft spot in our hearts for corner store Paddle Pops and Golden Gaytimes, it's hard to pass up hand-churned gelato or creative ice cream flavours from one of Melbourne's many boutique vendors. To help you make the difficult decision as to just what icy treat to choose today, we've compiled a list of the best ice cream and gelato in Melbourne. Venture forth on this icy sojourn and work your way through this list over the summer — whether you like your ice cream pure and simple, amped-up with unexpected flavours, wrapped in mochi, sandwiched between pastry or slathered in hot Nutella, we've got you covered. Recommended Reads: The Best Bubble Tea in Melbourne The Best Italian Restaurants in Melbourne The Best Cafes in Melbourne The Best Bakeries in Melbourne Good Daze Canteen, Fitzroy This feel-good, high-spirited and fun-loving ice cream shop was started by a couple of University students who put in countless hours of hard work to bring their dream to life. That dream, to "scoop you away from life's miseries", has created a store that is about more than just ice cream. It's a vibrant hub that celebrates culture and community, which is inspired by the flavours and traditions of the world. Good Daze is inclusive and welcoming, friendly and warm. There are Lacteeze tablets on the counter for any lactose-intolerant customers, there's a suggestion box where you can drop in a flavour from your childhood or culture that you'd love to see on the menu, and there's even unlimited tastes. Whether it's mango sticky rice or Milo malt crunch, Thai milk tea or guava chilli, the ice cream, and the experience, will leave you warm, nostalgic and wanting more. Piccolina Gelateria, Various Melbourne Locations A firm neighbourhood favourite across town, Piccolina has stores in Hawthorn, Richmond, Collingwood, Chadstone, St Kilda and the CBD. All stores sport a Hecker Guthrie-designed fit-out that makes playful nods to the 1950s in southern Italy. It's all about the authentic Italian gelato here. Think varieties like fior di latte, stracciatella, pistachio and lemon, plus refreshing granitas like watermelon, mint and lime. The all-natural flavours are churned using traditional techniques, and this made-from-scratch ethos applies to the nut butters, choco-hazelnut sauce (served from a fountain), caramels and jams too. Hit up any of its locations to find some of the best gelato in Melbourne. Fluffy Torpedo, Fitzroy and Brunswick Fluffy Torpedo is a whimsical shop with lolly-covered floors and handwritten chapters of novels covering the walls, taking creative ice cream flavours to new, wacky levels. We implore you to resist the urge to go with your usual pistachio or vanilla and instead, try something exciting, bizarre and even a little nuts. Here, flavours include the likes of buttered baguette, popcorn, Maltesers and pretzels, pork butter and chilli oil, and salted chilli pineapple with coconut vinegar. If that's not weird enough for you, why not try kalamata olive, blue cheese with roasted fig, hot cinnamon or Vegemite with white chocolate. If anything, it'll be an ice-cream scoop to remember. Kariton Sorbetes, Various Melbourne Locations If you need a break from traditional gelato flavours like hazelnut or pistachio, head to Kariton Sorbetes to experience artisanal flavours inspired by Filipino desserts, cocktails, or local produce. Not only is there a strong focus on creative flavours, but on quality too. Each item is made from scratch, and the small-batch, handcrafted gelato is made using premium ingredients. Signature flavours include the Ube Halaya with purple yam, blackberry jam and caramelised coconut, the Mango Float with dried mango jam and Graham Cracker crumbs, the Miso Dinosaur with malted chocolate ganache and honeycomb, and the Durian Chiffon with palm sugar jelly. Gelato Messina, Various Melbourne Locations It was with open arms that Melbourne welcomed the much-hyped Sydney gelateria onto Fitzroy's Smith Street back in 2013. Now, Gelato Messina has stores in Windsor, Richmond, Malvern and Brunswick East too. The wait for some of the best gelato in Melbourne is notoriously lengthy — in heatwaves and chilly nights alike, lines can snake down the road. But at the front of the line, an epic cabinet is always stocked with around 40 flavours — 35 regulars and five weekly specials — that are made in-house, and with Messina's own milk. While the specials of the week do tend to be extremely popular, signature flavours such as the macadamia crunch, Italian nougat, pandan and coconut sorbet, white chocolate hazelnut and blood orange sorbet, are menu mainstays for good reason. Hareruya Pantry, Carlton and CBD The tiny Japanese convenience store-meets-café specialises in bento and gelato, its name translating to 'sunny shop'. And indeed, it's as cheery as they come, drawing queues from breakfast till dinner. Shelves are stocked with a neat array of takeaway treats and snacks, while at the counter, staff scoop from shiny tubs of gelato. House-made gelato fills the Italian Pozzetti freezer, with a rotating lineup that fuses classic Japanese flavours with Italian techniques. Shirogoma (white sesame), sweet potato, and hojicha cookies and cream are just some of the varieties you might stumble upon. Get yours in a cup or take-home tub, daifuku-style (wrapped in mochi skin), or sandwiched between rice wafer crisps like a traditional monaka. Luna Blu, Elsternwick This petite, suburban gelato store is slinging some of the creamiest treats in town, using top-quality ingredients such as Gippsland milk, free-range Green Eggs and fresh seasonal fruit. The owners are so dedicated to their craft that they went all the way to the Gelato University in Bologna to learn the ins and outs of the industry. Sixteen rotating flavours are made in small batches, based on what's seasonally available. Locals return again and again for classics such as the hazelnut and coffee, and the crowd-favourite roasted strawberry. Specials may include the likes of vanilla bean, raspberry and salted choc chip, tahini with pistachio halva, Earl Grey with straciatella and butter popcorn with brittle. Whether it's an after-school snack, a post-dinner treat, or a way to cool down on a hot summer's day, Luna Blu will bring smiles all round. [caption id="attachment_700646" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josie Withers via Visit Victoria[/caption] Pidapipo, Various Melbourne Locations All along the Italian side of Lygon Street, we're accustomed to seeing the bright colours of gelato overflowing from the glass-covered containers. At Pidapipo, you will not see any gelato until it is scooped into your cone or cup. Lisa Valmorbida, the owner of Pidapipo, has introduced a stainless steel, Italian-built Pozzetti fridge, where the gelato is stored at an optimal temperature, ensuring you're tasting the gelato at its best. Regular rotating flavours are a mix of Italian gelateria classics, sitting alongside a few experimental test combinations. The hazelnut, fior di latte and pistachio are some of the best out there, but if you are feeling adventurous, try one of the lab creations thought up at Pidapipo Laboratorio in Fitzroy — past creations include coconut, roasted macadamia and white chocolate brownies, mojito sorbetto and fresh milk with dark chocolate. [caption id="attachment_864293" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shannon McGrath[/caption] Kōri, Hawthorn and CBD Kōri is scooping hand-crafted ice cream flavours, both dairy- and plant-based, with a penchant for the bold and innovative, out of a striking, orange and pink-toned shop on Glenferrie Road. Classic Japanese flavours are reimagined with locally sourced ingredients, featuring seasonal creations that complement year-round signatures on the menu. Heroes include the likes of matcha and pistachio, Hokkaido cheesecake, black sesame and dark chocolate and a frosty take on the Japanese custard dessert 'purin'. Meanwhile, dairy-free diners can look forward to options like yuzu and Fuji apple. Cuppa Turca, Northcote Once you've tried a Turkish-style ice cream sandwich, you may never go back to a "regular" one. Using stretchy Maras ice cream (the stuff can be eaten with a knife and fork) Northcote cafe Cuppa Turca serves the icy treat between two slices of crispy hand-rolled baklava. It's then topped with hot pink Persian fairy floss. For those who are after something a little less extra, there's a more tame version served between two thin wafers. Or you can just have a scoop on its own, with flavours including feta and melon, mint and brownie and Turkish delight. Whatever you pick, order it with a cup of coffee made on hot sand. Change things up a little next time you're after ice cream and gelato in Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_700643" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julian Kingma for Visit Victoria[/caption] Gelateria Primavera, Melbourne CBD Sitting quietly on the Parliament end of the city inside Spring Street Grocer, Gelateria Primavera has held down a reputation as one of the best artisanal gelaterias in Melbourne for some time now. Similarly to Pidapipo, it uses the Pozzetti storage tubs to house the gelato out of sight and ready to be eaten at the best possible temperature. The menu changes daily, but you can always find something to suit your taste made from premium seasonal ingredients. Crowd favourites include the salted caramel, hazelnut, mango passionfruit sorbet and creamy lemon gelato, but keep your eye out for specials including the likes of apple crumble and banana and dark choc chip. While you savour your creamy cone, peruse the immaculately stocked shelves of the specialty grocer. Billy Van Creamery, Fitzroy North How Billy Van Creamy managed to churn out some of Melbourne's best ice cream from a truck is still a mystery. But you no longer need to go looking for its wheels, because as of 2018, BVC opened a permanent bricks-and-mortar shop in Fitzroy North. As before, the gelato is made by hand with all-natural ingredients like organic milk, crunchy nuts and vanilla beans. The rotating selection of flavours includes salted caramel, espresso, honeycomb and an incredibly rich vanilla bean ice cream. There are also a host of vegan flavours, of which you can't go past the peanut butter chocolate chip. Zero Gradi, Various Locations Because conquering the pizza world isn't enough, 400 Gradi also has its own gelateria, which is home to traditional Neapolitan-style gelato. Classic and rotating flavour specials include pistachio, Oreo, peanut Nutella and Ferrero Rocher. It also features Nutella and chocolate taps, allowing you to take things up a notch. Good luck narrowing your choices down to just one. Granita, Italian pastries, cakes and coffee are also on offer. And, of course, some of the best pizza in Melbourne. Feature image: Luna Blu, Supplied.
Just like that, it's footy finals time again. It feels like yesterday we were excitedly kicking off the season. Now, the eight finalists are locked in, which means you need to start thinking about your game day plans across the 2025 Toyota AFL finals series. If you're contemplating hosting your own watch party, here are some tips for gathering the crew (without opening a packet of chips and calling it a day). Patricia Nahuelhual/ Getty Images Footy Colours If you're hosting a game day party, you've got to set the tone. Buy napkins and cups in the team's colours, hang streamers, and pull out your favourite AFL beanies and scarves (even if your team's not playing). We're not doing half measures here. By putting effort into the aesthetics, your guests are sure to appreciate your hosting abilities and crown it the "best game day party ever". [caption id="attachment_1019239" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raquel Arocena Torres[/caption] Up The Food Ante Have you ever hosted a last-minute watch party and panic-bought $7 chips from the bottle-o? Us too. Consider this article your formal warning. Don't stress, though. Most of your mates will be there for the game rather than the hors d'oeuvres. Ensure your guests are well fed with a decent meal like homemade tacos, pizzas, or even a good old sausage sizzle. [caption id="attachment_1019273" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Maskot/ Getty Images[/caption] Stock The Bar Cart While most good house guests will BYO booze, ensure you have a wide range of mixers, non-alcoholic beverages, and a backup bottle of wine or carton of beers. No one wants to miss the goal of the match because they took one for the team and ducked into the bottle shop. If you have time, create an at-home bar space to make your guests feel like they're at the local pub (although that is another good watch option if you don't want the clean up). Mood Lighting While some AFL games kick off in the afternoon (including the Grand Final), the festivities can stretch well into the evening. No one wants to feel like they're under the floodlights at their local footy ground while watching the game. Once the sun dips, switch out the overhead glare for warm lamps or fairy lights — something that feels more cosy lounge bar than training oval. It'll keep the mood mellow and give your mates zero reason to call it a night early. [caption id="attachment_1019274" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Getty Images[/caption] Comfy Watching Spots No one wants to ride out four quarters on a wobbly plastic chair that feels one snack plate away from collapse. You don't need a massive lounge room or futon to make this happen. Pull in any spare armchairs from other rooms, throw a few comfy pillows and blankets onto the floor and let your mates sink in. The goal: make it feel less like a waiting room and more like your own private footy lounge. Afterparty Options The night doesn't have to end at the final kick. While some punters may be nursing their footy wounds post-game, others may be ready to head to the dancefloor. Scope out the bars and clubs running post-match parties so you've got somewhere to keep the good times rolling. It's the end of the season after all, and we need to farewell an epic match before doing it all over again in 2026. Still trying to find some grand final tickets? Test your Footy IQ and go in the draw to win tickets to the 2025 Toyota AFL Grand Final here. T&Cs Apply. Lead image: Getty Images
A well-stocked deli cabinet is the stuff of foodie dreams — plump salamis and prosciutto waiting to be sliced, hefty wedges of cheddar and wheels of gooey brie, pots brimming with glossy olives and house-made dips. It's a mouthwatering sight for anyone with a penchant for quality snacking. Whether you're shopping for premium picnic accompaniments or assembling a crowd-pleasing grazing board to kick off a household dinner party in style, you need a great local Melbourne deli in your life. And here, we've rounded up some of the city's finest. From charmingly classic European spots steeped in tradition, to shiny modern food stores stocked with the latest and greatest in locally-made wares, here's your guide to Melbourne's best delis. Find your local and get snacking. Recommended reads: The Best Sandwiches in Melbourne The Best Bottleshops in Melbourne The Best Bakeries in Melbourne The Best Cafes in Melbourne MEATSMITH, FITZROY, ST KILDA, BRIGHTON & BALWYN Chef Andrew McConnell's specialty butcher, food store and deli is a firm favourite among those who take their meat products seriously. If you're looking for some quality grub, you'll find it here in strong supply at Meatsmith. Along with a premium butchers selection, the marble cabinets are brimming with top-notch Euro-style smallgoods, homemade terrines, imported and local cheese, charcuterie, pâtés, and house-made preserves and mustards. A supporting range of gourmet groceries and a tight selection of booze makes this a one-stop shop kind of deal. No idea where to even start? Go for one of the curated charcuterie packs, loaded with the knowledgeable staff's latest top picks at this fab Melbourne deli chain. [caption id="attachment_828281" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shanasy[/caption] KING & GODFREE, CARLTON Nestled right in the Italian heartland of Carlton's Lygon Street, long-running King & Godfree has been a go-to deli pitstop for multiple generations of discerning food-lovers. Following a refresh in 2018, it's now a stylish Italian cafe, wine shop and food store, complete with fridges stocked full of top-quality groceries, pantry staples and gourmet extras. At the deli counter, you'll find dreamy cheeses sourced from across Europe and Australia, along with sliced-to-order meats, a range of antipasto options and plenty of premium smallgoods. Load up your basket with some top-shelf Italian prosciutto, olive-flecked mortadella and perhaps some gutsy imported gorgonzola, and you're guaranteed some very happy picnic buddies. OBELIX & CO, FITZROY NORTH This quaint French-inspired deli and larder in the heart of Fitzroy North is a charcuterie-lover's dream. At Obelix & Co, expect to be tempted by a generous curation of culinary goodies, headlined by the owners' own house range of charcuterie, sausages, terrines and lush pâtés. From duck rillettes, to truffle-spiked brie, to sticks of wild venison salami, this spot promises to elevate any picnic or dinner party with a few extra Frenchy-chic vibes. There's also a great lineup of fresh baguettes, gourmet pantry staples, fancy butter and handmade condiments to match your deli haul, along with some standout mix-and-match hamper packs for those short on time. [caption id="attachment_688356" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Simon Shiff[/caption] LAIKON DELI, RICHMOND Bridge Road stalwart Laikon Deli has close to five decades under its belt and it's earned itself plenty of loyal regulars along the way. The family-run European deli scored a spruce-up and a new cafe in 2018, yet still retains its homey feel and traditional charms, with family photos on the walls and floor-to-ceiling shelves brimming with products. The generously loaded front cabinet beckons with its assortment of cheese, meat and antipasto products; ranging from wedges of imported comte, to Portuguese-style roast chicken and hot Calabrese salami, ready to be sliced to order. Don't forget to nab a serve of the house-made tiramisu while you're at this beloved Melbourne deli. CASA IBERICA DELI, FITZROY A colourful beacon of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American cuisine, Casa Iberica has been a staple of Johnston Street since 1975. Just look for the vibrant street art, head through the door and you're met with a heaving array of authentic food products and deli items from the homeland, along with a selection of locally-made iterations. The cabinets are filled with piles of olives, wedges of manchego and goat's cheese, and even Casa Iberica's own signature line of smallgoods — including air-dried wagyu bresaola, Spanish-style chorizo and pancetta. Whether you're looking for some Latin American cooking inspo, or you're sourcing a top-notch picnic spread with some international flair, this family-run spot is sure to impress. D.O.C. DELICATESSEN, CARLTON & MORNINGTON If you've ever had a meal at a D.O.C. eatery, you'll know to expect very good things from its sibling delicatessen, the original version which sits fittingly in the heart of Carlton. Gracing the cabinets at the Melbourne delis, you'll find the same premium prosciuttos, salamis and mozzarellas the team have hand-picked to star throughout the restaurant group's latest pizza and pasta menus. It has specialty Italian deli goods as far as the eye can see, from cold-cuts and cheeses, to tinned anchovies and olives. Oh, and plenty of great vino. Otherwise, for high-quality snacking with minimal fuss, pre-order one of the picnic-friendly boxed antipasto platters. STOCKED FOOD STORE, TOORAK, MALVERN & HAWTHORN With three modern outposts, housing an ever-growing curation of groceries, pantry staples, take-home meals and deli goods, Stocked Food Store certainly lives up to its name. If you're here to stock an enticing grazing platter of your own, you'll be spoilt for choice with its selection of top Aussie and European products — from hand-sliced salmon gravlax, to home-made salami, to decadent wheels of the triple-creme Brillat Savarin out of France. You'll also find fresh loaves of Bromley's Bread, loads of antipasto classics and crackers galore. Or, you can forgo the decision-making and let Stocked's experts whip you up a dreamy picnic or lunch platter, starring a variety of cheese, cold cuts and dainty sandwiches. CONTINENTAL DELI, HAWTHORN The long-standing, family-run Continental Deli has been winning over Hawthorn locals with its selection of Australian and imported goods for over four decades. Visit this classic European-style arcade deli and you'll find it hard to leave without amassing a shopping basket chock-full of luxurious French cheeses, Italian meats, locally-made sweet treats and other grazing platter must-haves. Should you find yourself in the area at lunchtime, you'll definitely want to try one of the Melbourne deli's cult-favourite house-made rolls. And if you're looking to really impress at your next picnic session, the team also makes a pretty mean snack board to order. Top Image: King & Godfree, by Sarah Pannell
Gelato probably isn't your regular first meal of the day, but it's not unheard of either. For instance, Sicilians stuff sweet ice cream inside warm bread to create brioche con gelato. But despite Messina's Italian roots, the team is ready to reveal a more Aussie-inspired anytime treat, where gelato meets muesli as part of a limited-edition scoop. Created in collaboration with regenerative macadamia farmers, Brookfarm, a brand-new breakfast gelato flavour — Good Morning, Honey — is about to hit Messina stores nationwide for one week only. Combining creamy honey gelato made with Australian rainforest honey, each bite is packed with chewy clusters of Brookfarm's Toasted Macadamia Muesli, coated with churned coconut butter for even more crunch. "This is the first time Messina has ever used muesli in a flavour, and what an innovation it has been. As soon as the team tasted Brookfarm's muesli, we knew it would make a great addition to a gelato flavour," said Donato Toce, head creative chef and co-owner of Gelato Messina. Yet this breakfast-inspired ice cream is celebrating more than just a timeless morning meal. Brookfarm is marking its 25th birthday with this first-of-its-kind collab, growing from a rundown dairy farm in the Byron Bay hinterland to a thriving macadamia orchard responsible for top-notch muesli, granola, porridge and more. "Whether you're a breakfast lover, a gelato lover, or a bit of both, we're confident people are going to fall in love with this flavour," says Brookfarm CEO Will Brook. "Messina has married the flavours of Brookfarm's Toasted Macadamia Muesli and local Rainforest honey perfectly with their creamy gelato base." Available from Thursday, November 27–Thursday, December 4, or until sold out, a scoop of Good Morning, Honey is your chance to enjoy guilt-free cereal for dinner or gelato for breakfast. Just swing by your nearest Gelato Messina store to discover whether ice cream goes hand in hand with the first meal of the day. Gelato Messina and Brookfarm's Good Morning, Honey gelato is available in Gelato Messina locations nationwide from Thursday, November 27–Thursday, December 4, or until sold out. Head to the website for more information.
If you like filling your house with Swedish furniture and homewares, then an IKEA voucher is probably high on your Christmas list. Or, you could treat yo'self in the lead up, because buying yourself a few presents is always perfectly acceptable — and also get your festive shopping done, listen to Christmas tunes and tuck into a three-course Christmas dinner. Yes, two faves are joining forces, again — and this time, instead of Halloween, IKEA is embracing Christmas. Yes, you can eat those Swedish meatballs; however, there's more on the menu, including either a Swedish seafood tasting plate or vegetable ball falafels for starters. From there, there's roast turkey with cranberry and orange stuffing, herb-crusted baked salmon, Christmas plum pudding with berry compote, DAIM cake and berry gelato cake. Happening at the brand's Springvale and Richmond stores in Melbourne, the Christmas feast costs $30 for adults and $25 if you're an IKEA Family member. You'll want to book tickets ASAP — IKEA's food events are always popular — for 6pm on Thursday, December 8 at Springvale, and the same time on Tuesday, December 13 at Richmond.
Ice cream season is just around the corner, but Melbourne's newest destination for cold, creamy scoops feels like it's a gift from some time far, far into the future. At Federation Square's new Niska store — which launched today, Tuesday, September 17 — you're served not by the usual humans, but by a team of friendly robot staff. Touted as the country's first-ever robotics-run retail store, the shop takes your regular ice creamery to a whole new level. Founded by and named after Aussie robotics startup Niska, it's offering punters a pretty unique food experience — that is, the chance to grab some locally made ice cream, from three different robots named Pepper, Eka and Tony. Enter the bright, white shop and you'll see them hard at work, each tasked with a different step of the serving process. One takes your order and payment via an interactive menu screen. Here, you can choose from suggested dessert combos, or create your own from a selection of ice cream flavours, toppings, sauces and extras. The frozen stuff is all made locally in Melbourne, with ice cream varieties including favourites like hazelnut, salted caramel, coconut and rocky road. A second robot staff member has just one arm, but scoops like a boss, filling diners' cups from a rotating wheel of different flavours. The final futuristic helper adds any toppings to the cup and delivers the final product to a glass kiosk. There's a screen displaying which orders are on the way and a handy ding of a bell when one's ready to be picked up — when yours is up, just scan your receipt barcode and it'll let you grab it. Still a little iffy? A real, live human staff member is always on hand — just in case or any ice cream emergencies — and any potential robot glitches are managed by an off-site computer tech support team. Happily, Niska's futuristic leanings extend beyond the high tech staff to other important areas. In a nod to the planet's future, the store's ice cream cups are made from clear polycarbonate with a P5 grading, and are fully recyclable when placed in one of the in-store bins. Find Niska at Tenancy 20, within the Crossbar Building in Federation Square, Melbourne. It's open daily 11am–8pm.
Sydneysiders, start bragging. Folks across the rest of Australia, start making cocktail plans for your next trip to the Harbour City. The World's 50 Best Bars list for 2022 has just been announced — the top 50, after dropping the extended 51–100 rundown in late September — and two Aussie spots have made the cut. They're both in Sydney, and they've both been in this position before. Indeed, in a piece of familiar news, the nation's highest-ranking spot to get sipping in 2022 is Sydney's Maybe Sammy. And, it's the fourth year in a row that the innovative bar in The Rocks has made the list, taking 29th place. That's a drop from 2021 when it came in 22nd, and from 2020's 11th spot, but higher than in 2019 when it sat at 43rd. Also pouring a big glass of déjà vu is Cantina OK!, another World's 50 Best Bars list mainstay. After placing 23rd in 2021, it came in 41st this year — after sitting at 28th in 2020, too. [caption id="attachment_704012" align="alignnone" width="1920"] DS Oficina[/caption] For those yet to be acquainted with Maybe Sammy in The Rocks, its luxurious styling nods to old-school Vegas glamour, all blush pink velvet banquettes and lush indoor greenery, while the list of theatrical signature drinks pays homage to the classics. At Cantina OK!, you'll find a pint-sized mezcal bar in an old garage down a service laneway — complete with bright pink and purple walls, Mexican vibes and laneway seating. That's it for Aussie showings in the top 50; however, in the longlist from last week, Melbourne's Caretaker's Cottage came in at 60th spot and Sydney's Re took out 87th position. [caption id="attachment_714476" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Low[/caption] The overall winner this year, and marking the first time the gong has been won by a bar that isn't in New York or London: Paradiso in Barcelona. Also, Brisbanites, rejoice — the acclaimed venue has been teaming up with W Brisbane's Living Room Bar since May, with the North Quay venue serving up a range of ten tipples created by Paradiso's owner and mixologist Giacomo Giannotti. Paradiso took out this year's top spot ahead of London's Connaught Bar, which did the same in 2020 and 2021 and now sits eighth. In the rest of the top ten: London's Tayēr + Elementary in 2nd, Barcelona's Sips in third, Licorería Limantour in Mexico City in fourth and Paris' Little Red Door in fifth, as well as Double Chicken Please in New York at number six, Barcelona's' Two Schmucks at seventh, New York's Katana Kitten in ninth spot and Cartagena's Alquímico in tenth. Making holiday plans based on the globe's best watering holes? It's as good a reason for a getaway itinerary as any. The annual World's 50 Best Bars awards are voted on by bar industry experts from around the world, including bartenders, consultants, drinks writers and cocktail specialists. For the full of the World's 50 Best Bars for 2022 (and the longlist, and past years' lists), head to the website. Top image: Kimberley Low.
