In huge news for the Australian music industry and fans alike, US music events giant Live Nation has announced it's snapped up a controlling stake in Secret Sounds Group — the organisation behind both Falls Festival and Splendour in the Grass, run by Jess Ducruo and Paul Piticco. This 51 percent stake marks the first Aussie acquisition for the enormous LA-based company, which already lays claim to over 80 global festivals, including Lollapalooza, Reading, Leeds, Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, Governor's Ball, Electric Daisy Carnival, and Rock Werchter. According to Music Business Worldwide, the deal excludes Secret Sounds Group-owned record labels Dew Process and Create Control, and Dew Process Publishing. Helmed by Michael Rapino, Live Nation has been buying up especially big in the music biz of late, with France's Nous Productions, South Africa's Big Concerts, and a majority stake in Tennessee's AC Entertainment just some of the 2016 additions to its ever-bulging portfolio. Nine months into this year, the group had already forked out a cool $113.1 million on net acquisitions. "Splendour in the Grass and Falls are the two most iconic festivals in Australia," said Rapino in a statement announcing the deal. "Jess and Paul have created events that attract the biggest artists in the world but still feel uniquely Australian. We look forward to partnering with them to find new ways to grow our live event footprint across Australia." Secret Sounds co-CEOs Ducrou and Piticco echoed the sentiment in their statement. "We started Secret Sounds with the sole mission of introducing Australians to the best artists, events and music possible, and Live Nation is the perfect partner to help us take this goal to the next level. With their support we can continue to curate the lineups that fans love, while also experimenting with new exciting ways for fans to experience live music." That such a big global player is now shouldering in on the Aussie festival scene and in control of two of our most prominent music events, could spell dramatic changes ahead. Via Pedestrian and Music Business Worldwide. Image: Splendour/Bianca Holderness. Home page image: A. Catt.
A nirvana of live music and creative thinking nestled smack bang in the middle of one of America’s most conservative states, Austin, Texas is amongst the most hypeworthy cities in the world. Never is this truer than during South by Southwest, a ten day festival of hugely talked-about movies, must-hear new music and groundbreaking, interactive tech. From flying cars to talks by Edward Snowden, this year’s event has once again got us turning green with envy. To help us cope with hardcore FOMO, we’ve come up with seven things happening at SXSW 2015 we wish we were bragging about experiencing firsthand. MEERKAT IS TAKING OVER With a tech-head on every corner, SXSW has become a premiere destination for developers looking to launch their latest app. Twitter and Foursquare both got their start in Austin, but this year the buzz has coalesced around Meerkat, an app that lets you live stream video from your phone to Twitter. Interesting idea, although whether it has staying power remains to be seen. VIRTUAL REALITY IS PUTTING PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE AT SNL40 Right now it feels like we’re right on the cusp of virtual reality actually being a thing. The team at Saturday Night Live certainly think so, teaming up with Sony to capture the filming of their recent 40th anniversary show. Just think: now you’ll be able to experience Eddie Murphy’s awkward guest spot like you were squirming in the audience firsthand. THERE'S A KWIK-E-MART FOOD TRUCK HANDING OUT FREE SQUISHEES Celebrating 25 years since the Kwik-E-Mart first opened its sliding doors on The Simpsons, Fox have created a food truck for SXSW that's serving up free squishees to lucky, lucky jerks for the duration of the festival. The flavours? 'Not So Very Cherry' and 'Give 'em the Razz'. The whole thing's a publicity stunt of course, and coincides with the announcement of the first ever 1100-piece Lego Kwik-E-Mart set. JIMMY KIMMEL TAPED A COMMERCIAL FOR A LOCAL AUSTIN VIDEO STORE For the second year in a row, late night host Jimmy Kimmel made the trip to Texas for a week’s worth of shows, with guests including Bill Murray, Willie Nelson and Kanye West. But the highlight might be the trio of TV ads he recorded for Austin’s Vulcan Video, where he and a self-effacing Matthew McConaughey pay tribute to Leonard Nimoy and extol the virtue of VHS. Alright, alright... alright? THERE'S BEEN SWORD FIGHTING AT SXSWESTEROS Well of course there was a Game of Thrones thing. HBO’s SXSW installation, teasing the launch of the show’s fifth season, has been one of the biggest drawcards of the festival, with lines stretching around the block. Fans got the chance to practice their swordsmanship, snap a pic in the Iron Throne and get a taste of the show’s latest branded beer, Three-Eyed Raven Ale. As of yet, no one appears to have been betrayed and brutally murdered, but we’ll be sure to keep you posted. TINDER'S BEING USED IN A CREEPY BUT MOVING MARKETING CAMPAIGN Okay, so we’re not exactly sure we’d actually want to experience this one. Like any popular social networking app, Tinder has got its fair share of bots, but none of them are quite like Ava. While she appears to be a pretty 25-year-old, she’s actually part of a viral marketing campaign for sci-fi thriller Ex Machina, which premiered at the festival over the weekend. It’s a clever stunt, although we can’t help but feel a little bad for the guys who swiped right. PEOPLE ARE VOLUNTARILY STAYING AT BATES MOTEL We all go a little crazy sometimes. Some of us are even crazy enough to want to stay in a pop-up Bates Motel, publicising the A&E thriller television show with a terrifying stay. An exact replica built with the help of the show's set designers for the third season of Bates Motel, the pop-up fully functioning hotel accommodates guests in three rooms from March 13-21. You're only able to check-in by winning a daily sweepstakes in the motel office. Lucky winners have found a fake blood spatter in the shower in their room, along with poor ol' Norma's bathrobe on the bed. Freaky. PEOPLE ARE GENUINELY RALLYING AGAINST ROBOTS Perhaps a few of Ava’s disgruntled victims were amongst the protestors at the Rally Against Robots, a protest march attempting to warn festivalgoers about the dangers of artificial intelligence. Or at least, that’s what it looked like. Turns out this was actually another marketing stunt, for a dating app called Quiver. That said, we’ve seen The Terminator enough times to think they might actually be on to something. PUNTERS ARE TAKING INTERSTELLAR VR TOURS Speaking of virtual reality, a VR tie-in with Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar put attendees 'inside' the film’s Endurance space craft — letting them explore the ship in zero gravity and get a glimpse of a time-warping black hole. No word on whether this experience actually helps you understand the plot of the movie, but either way it sounds pretty cool.
Ethical shopping is really goddamn hard sometimes. On one hand, you don’t want clothes that have been painstakingly made by someone earning a dollar a day in a sweatshop. On the other hand are a bunch of shopping bags because you've no idea where to even start shopping ethically. Like everything, an ethical mindset happens incrementally and the first step you can take is here — the Good On You ethical shopping assistant app is seeking crowdfunding. Intended to help you make better consumer choices, the Good On You app amalgamates information on the ethical rating of fashion brands, either by search term or in your local area. The app also measures different production impacts and processes such as child labour, treatment of animals and contribution to climate change. Basically, the app tells you all the real ingredients that went into making your must-have leather jacket, leaving no stone unturned. At times, it may be a hard pill to swallow if your favourite brands don’t pass the test, but the GOY team don't want you to stop shopping — the app also feature alternative suggestions, based on your style, that do better ethically. And perhaps the feature with the greatest potential to catalyse change is the ability to directly message brands who don’t pass muster (fire up your emoji dictionary for maximum emotional impact). There are a few ethical shopping assistant apps on the market right now, however this is the first that systematically catalogues Australian fashion and beauty brands — and it’s about time. Ethical shopping needn’t be a time-consuming ordeal and with an app that creates brand transparency it hopefully soon won’t be. Image: Dollar Photo Club and Good On You. UPDATE DECEMBER 18, 2015: Thanks to awesome crowdfunded dollars, Good On You reached their target of $15,000 and the app is now live. You can download it from their website. Go team!
A magical feast awaits the foodies of London, inspired by the writings of C.S. Lewis. For two weeks starting in late January, fiction-inspired supper club The Literary Hour is hosting a five course Narnia-themed banquet — and yes, you have to step though a wardrobe to attend. Just don't forget to bring your winter furs. Set to take place in a secret location somewhere near Tottenham Hale station in north London, Feast in Narnia is but the latest literary supper club hosted by the group. Previous dinners took their cues from the Brothers Grimm and Roald Dahl, and featured dishes such as Cinderella's pumpkin arancini and Willy Wonka's whipple-scrumptious fudgemellow delight. They've also run a not-so-fairytale dinner inspired by Hannibal Lecter, featuring blood soup, brain fritters and Silence of the (Ten Hour Slow Roasted) Lamb. What exactly you'll find on the menu in Narnia is currently being kept under wraps, although the organisers are promising "traitors' tea with Mr Tumnus" and "a fine fishy time with Mrs Beaver". We figure that it's not too much of a stretch to assume that Turkish delight will feature prominently as well. Londoners can book themselves a spot at the table via Grub Club. The rest of us might have to find our own enchanted wardrobe to transport us there first. Via Londonist.
Generally speaking, New Year's Eve can go one of two ways. Get it right, and it's a chance to let loose with your friends and celebrate the promise of the next 365 days. Get it wrong, and it's an unending hellscape of munted revellers, terrible music and being cooked to death on crowded public transport. But while it doesn't always seem like it, there are other options — ones that don't involve crushing crowds or spending an arm and a leg on some 'exclusive' party that'll only end up disappointing. If you're not one for blowouts and can't be stuffed watching the fireworks, here are five alternative suggestions for NYE 2018. HOST A DINNER PARTY At the end of the day, the best thing about New Year's Eve is getting together with your friends and loved ones. Well, it turns out you can have all that without the stress of leaving the house. Invite a few of your closest friends around and then get busy cooking. Once the night is underway you can keep yourselves amused with everything from bake-offs to board games to catching up with old episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine. If nothing else, getting your friends to supply the booze will mean you save yourself a bundle to spend in 2019. HOST A SLUMBER PARTY Doubling down on our previous suggestion, a sleepover saves you the awkwardness of kicking your mates out at 1.30am once the party has wound down — and it means you don't have to worry about dressing up, since you'll presumably all be hanging out in your pyjamas/'at home' clothes anyway. Spend the evening and early hours of the morning playing Cards Against Humanity and gorging yourself on snacks before collapsing onto a giant pile of pillows in the living room. As an added bonus, this idea means you get to wake up in a room full of your favourite people… and then you can guilt them into helping you with the cleanup. GO CAMPING While everyone else is figuring out the best way into the city, we reckon that there's a very strong case to be made for heading in the opposite direction. If it's serenity you're after, grab a tent, a sleeping bag, an esky and a couple of friends, and make your way deep into the bush. There mightn't be fireworks, but as you're ringing in the New Year gazing up at the stars, you won't feel too hard done by. Just make sure you're aware of any fire restrictions that might be in place, and be careful on the roads. Check out some of our favourite spots outside of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland. MOVIE MARATHON There were a ton of great movies to hit cinemas this year (we wrote about some of our favourites over here). As we gear up for another Oscar season, there's no better time to fire up your Netflix account and catch up with the flicks you might have missed. If you do want to get out of the house, select Palace Cinemas around the country are hosting advance NYE screenings of the crowd-pleasing Green Book, with a celebratory glass of Prosecco included in the ticket price. Alternatively, Melburnians can pay a visit to the historic Astor Theatre and rock into January with Prince's Purple Rain. FIND SOMEWHERE TO VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME IN 2018 Look, let's be honest — 2018 was not a great year. So why not spend its final moments figuring how to make 2019 a better one? Volunteering is a great item to include on your list of New Year's resolutions, and there are no shortage of worthwhile organisations looking for extra bodies. Medicine sans Frontiers, Oxfam, Second Bite and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre sit at the top of our list, but a quick Google search will reveal hundreds of others. Wouldn't it be nice to wake up on January 1 feeling good instead of just really, really hungover?
Woken up in a self-induced, whiskey-fuelled, stomach-grating, cold-sweating Sunday Hades too many times? You’re about to feel real guilty. London’s wholesome beige cashmere cardigan of a suburb, Notting Hill, is about to open the unthinkable: an alcohol-free cocktail bar called Redemption. We like to call this a ‘juice bar’. But apparently there's more to it than that. Redemption is London’s first alcohol-free bar, the city’s only ‘cocktail spot’ with a mocktail and food menu designed by nutritional therapists. Created by Catherine Salway, ex Virgin Group Brand Director, executive chef and raw, vegan specialist Andrea Waters, the bar sports the tagline, “Spoil yourself without spoiling yourself.” It’s the latest in a ‘healthvolution’ (yep) of dry bars happening across England, tackling the country’s huge social drinking focus by simply replacing the booze with Healthy Things. It's like almost like nicotine patch for being around bars. “These days it’s hard to get away from booze – you can’t even go to the cinema without being offered a glass of wine,” says Salway and Waters. “With Redemption, we are creating a space away from temptation that still feels like a treat. We’re challenging the convention that we need alcohol to lubricate every social occasion.” Anyone who just did Dry July (right here), would probably be down with this. But let’s be honest, this isn’t a ‘cocktail bar’. Basically it’s a wholesome, vegan cafe open late and using a buzzword to generate articles like the one you’re reading now. Consider us suckers. Redemption’s less about getting smashed on Negronis and more about filling your weekends with less sugar and alcohol. Think 'beet-o-tinis', 'apple mockjitos', and the mildly terrifying-sounding ‘lettuce spray’. For those who don’t drink at all, or those looking to detox the Captain Morgan from their pores, this is a great, appealing initiative from a country whose deep-set drinking problems mirror our own. Perhaps it’s time for a Redemption of our own? *rolls over, orders pizza online, burps Chardonnay* Redemption Bar opens on August 10 at 6 Chepstow Road, London. Open Monday – Saturday 10am – 11pm. Sunday 10am – 5pm. Via VICE and Sharking for Chips and Drinks. Images: Redemption and Sharking for Chips and Drinks.
People are always finding new and exciting ways to advance technology — and when their aim isn’t creating phone apps or more realistic pornography, it’s often about helping others. The Chilean team behind the SULI project fall into the second category of helpers. Their solar-powered SULI lamp is designed to bring a quick, easy, renewable light source to people without access to electricity. SULI estimates 1.5 billion people worldwide are without access to lighting, and use alternatives (such as kerosene lamps, candles, etc.) that are expensive and dangerous. And while solar-powered lights aren’t exactly new technology, an easy, cheap and versatile application for solar lighting is. With 3D-printed accessories, the SULI lamp has applications in both the developed and developing word. It can be used as a flashlight, a bicycle light, a garden light, a reading lamp or (this is the best one) screwed onto a water bottle and transformed into a device that throws light up to five metres. The light takes up to 12 hours to charge and the charge lasts for around 50 hours. For those of you trying to cut down your electricity bills, this may be the gadget for you. With two years of development and several grants behind them, the SULI team has finally brought the project to us via Indiegogo. For US$52 plus shipping you can send yourself one lamp, but for $85 you can add a second that gets sent to Haiti, where 3500 people are still living without electricity or access to water since the devastating 2010 earthquake. SULI have already raised US$22,000 but they still need to sell a few hundred more lamps in order to keep production costs low and their altruism train rolling. So get on board with this clever idea, fill your house with SULIs and know that while your household enjoys light after dark, so does a household in Haiti. Via PSFK. Image via Suli Lab.
Anyone who’s dreamed of spending a summer living in Berlin has just gotten some added incentive. The German capital has officially enacted new rent-control legislation, in order to curtail rising rental prices that have been driving low-income earners out of the city. Must be nice. The new law, which was approved by the German parliament in March, will prohibit landlords from increasing rent to more than 10 percent above the local average. The law was already in place for existing contracts, but will now apply to new tenants as well. Berlin was previously experiencing some of the fastest rising rental rates in Europe, with the average rate jumping by more than 9 percent between 2013 and 2014 alone. If you’re wondering why Australia doesn’t have similar legislation on the books, then welcome to the club. A recent global survey that took into account rental prices as well as various other cost of living factors including food, transport and utilities found that Sydney was the fifth most expensive city in the world, with Melbourne right behind at number six. Brisbane came in at 21, while Perth and Adelaide tied at 24. By comparison, New York City was number 26. That’s right. Living in New York is less expensive than Perth. The NSW Greens Party actually proposed changes to Sydney rental laws during their state election campaign earlier in the year. Under their proposal, rises in rent would be tied to the rate of inflation, and landlords would be restricted to one price increase per year. Member for Newtown Jenny Leong has pledged to introduce the legislation to the state’s lower house. In the meantime, Flight Centre has tickets to Berlin starting at $1499. Via The Guardian. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Easter is one holiday that can lose its sheen pretty quickly. Usually once your parents decree you’re “too old” for Easter egg hunts. But with the four-day break and eating-centred celebrations (because you fasted for the last six weeks for Lent, right?), there’s plenty to get excited for.* While some venues shut, others turn on the charm. Only the best have made it into this list, our Ultimate Easter Weekend Itinerary. 'Hot Cross Chocolates' all round. *Did you notice that we didn’t say egg-cited? That took all of our effort. By the Concrete Playground team.
Meredith is a festival where you're guaranteed to have a good time, no matter what. But whatever your reasons for heading to the three-day December festival in central Victoria, you won't be disappointed with the acts Aunty Meredith has just announced for this year's lineup. If you've seen their Letterman set (and who hasn't by now), you'll be chest-beatingly happy to know that Future Islands will be headlining the bill, bringing their empassioned live show to The Sup. Todd Terje will be bringing his space disco all the way from Norway to head up vibes on Saturday night, as Chicago's Noname — both are coming to Australia for the first time. Warpaint, Total Control, ESG and !!! are among acts to join NZ's already-announced Aldous Harding. And that's not even a half of it. Aunty has really covered all bases here. You're wondering how you can get tickets to this aren't you? Meredith tickets are only available by entering the ballot. You can still do so at here up until 10.27pm on Tuesday, August 15. Fingers crossed that we can all hang out in The Sup on December 8, 9 and 10. But we know what you're really here for. We'll cut to the chase. Here's the lineup — and we're promised a few more are still to be announced. MEREDITH MUSIC FESTIVAL 2017 LINEUP Todd Terje & The Olsens Noname ESG Total Control !!! Future Islands Warpaint Downtown Boys Mark Seymour and The Undertow Aldous Harding Harvey Sutherland & Bermuda Amyl and The Sniffers Big Thief Pissed Jeans Various Asses Japanese Breakfast RVG The Teskey Brothers DJ Jnett The Senegambian Jazz Band Rings Around Saturn Kikagaku Moyo Meredith Music Festival will return to Meredith on December 8–10, 2017. Onsite camping will once again be available from Friday. To put your name in the ballot to win tickets, go to 2017.mmf.com.au.
With three holiday dates coming up, April is the month to plan a weekend getaway. If you're still looking for your ticket out of the city, Flash Camp has just announced they'll be hosting a pop-up glamping site within Shoalhaven's Coolendel private reserve from April 7 through 25, including the Easter and ANZAC Day holidays. Only a 2.5 hour drive down the South Coast from Sydney and thirty minutes from Nowra, the remote location is an easy trip to achieve a true bush experience — well, kind of. As to be expected, the tents look quite luxe. The bell-shaped, premium 'Flash Tents' come with a king-sized mattress, covered in plush bedding and perched on timber pallets. The tents also feature solar lighting, table and chairs, Biology toiletries and a hand-woven Armadillo & Co rug. For groups looking for a slightly (very slightly) more traditional camping experience, Flash Camp also offer their regular bell tents with air beds. Guests will also have access to the existing Coolendel amenities, including hot showers and barbecue facilities, as well as a communal Flash Camp tent with seating, fairy lights and a campfire. The glamping site will be located within Coolendel's 52 hectares of bushland along the Shoalhaven River. Nature lovers will be keen on this secluded grassy park, which is an ideal location for spotting wombats, goannas, wallabies and native birds. Apart from nature watching and bushwalking, guests can also try a spot of canoeing, biking and fishing. Rates vary from $110 to $220 per night, depending on day of the week and holidays. Food is not provided, though, so campers should make sure to pack the eski full for the duration of the trip. Flash Camp Glamping will pop up at Coolendel from April 7 through 25. To book, visit the Flash Camp website. For more glamping options, check out our list for the ten best glamping spots near Sydney .
If the name CJ Hendry doesn't ring a bell, a peek at these artworks will make you want to change that. Putting herself to the ultimate test, this Brisbane artist's latest collection 50 Foods in 50 Days shows just what can be achieved in a day's work. With just 24 hours, a felt tip pen and a 200,000 strong Instagram following to be held accountable to, Hendry took on the challenge of completing a hand-drawn masterpiece every day. Talk about dedication to the cause. These artworks are much more than just rushed scribbling's. They're top notch hyperreal snapshots of meals consumed by prisoners during their last days on death row. Pretty full-on. Drawn atop stunning $800 Hermes plates, Hendry has already gained the attention of the likes of Kanye West and Vera Wang (they've both nabbed pieces of her latest collections). Setting up in a pop-up luxury food store, the works will be woven into displays of gourmet oils, chocolates and teas. Pushing viewers to take part in this visual (and literal) feast, Hendry's work is sure to stir up some intriguing dinner table conversation.
A couple hundred comedians walked into a bar. And then a theatre. And then a club. And then the Melbourne Town Hall. Brace your funny bone because it's Melbourne International Comedy Festival time — and this year's lineup down not disappoint. Alex Edelman, Arj Barker, David O'Doherty and Stephen K. Amos are just some of the big international acts who'll come flying into town (and, boy, will their arms be tired). They'll share the stage with high-profile locals acts including Becky Lucas, Anne Edmonds, Charlie Pickering and Lawrence Leung. And that's to say nothing of the endless amateurs and up-and-comers who'll by cracking jokes through the festival, which runs from March 28 right through until April 22.
For all of us down here in the southern hemisphere, Christmas has never really aligned with the classic ‘snowy tree, Christmas jumpers, roast dinner and egg nog’ style of celebration enjoyed by the north. Frankly, the thought of eating a hot, greasy wad of ham on a 35-degree day is kind of gross — give us a tinnie and a prawn skewer anytime. But that doesn’t mean we don’t like to pretend, and the Hotham Street Ladies have just the thing. These cheeky Melbourne artists have created a sweet, sweet installation for the iconic Hotel Windsor that features a massive, traditional Christmas spread. There's a fat roast chicken, glazed ham, juicy lobster, baked whole fish (man, we sure eat a lot of meat at Christmas, Gaviscon must rake it in) and not to mention the succulent desserts and sides. This piece of art looks better than any Christmas meal you’ve ever made (hell it looks better than most things) and the kicker? It’s made entirely from icing sugar. The Christmas at The Windsor exhibit (which is on display from December 1 to January 5) took over a month to create and the gals used an incredible range of modelling and piping techniques to work in so much detail. Aren't across these bold, culinary artists? The Hotham Street Ladies are an artist collective of five women — Cassandra Chilton, Molly O’Shaughnessy, Sarah Parkes, Caroline Price and Lyndal Walker — who derive their name from the days when they lived together in a share house in Collingwood. Their mutal passion for cakes, baking, feminism and craft has since informed their work and it’s pretty damned cute (with a big streak of feminist badassery). Check out some of their other work, including a puppy cake covered in iced flowers, candy beards, a table setting designed around leftovers and this gloriously graphic iced period stain installation in the men’s toilets at the Victorian College of the Arts. Christmas at The Windsor is on display at the Hotel Windsor, 111 Spring Street from December 1 to the January 5.
Finally, the Bloody Mary will have a breakfast bev companion. Bacardi has been cooking up what is thought to be the first spirit distilled from tea leaves, a new product they're calling Tang. Although we're pretty sure that's already a long-copyrighted drink name for a sugary orange fizz, Bacardi are running with it as inspired by the Chinese Tang Dynasty — when the country's obsession with tea really put down its roots. And with tea still the second most widely consumed beverage in the world (behind coffee, of course), it looks like Bacardi's capitalising on a still-travelling bandwagon. Someone at Bacardi obviously saw more than The Grim in their tea leaves. Apparently the company has been developing a brand new distillation process for four years, according to The Spirits Business. Releasing complex sugars from green tea leaves, the process makes the tea leaves fermentable — so able to become booze. Looks like someone at Bacardi left the leaves in their home teapot too long and had a Brilliant Idea. The fermented gloop then heads to distillation phase, before being blended to really get those tea flavours out. Then the whole thing is diluted with French spring water at Cognac's Grey Goose distillery and you've got yourself a 'tea spirit', designed to drink alongside Chinese food or dropped into cocktails. If you're all fired up to drop a little Tang in your morning cup, be warned; it's going to be exclusively distributed in China (initially only from DFS Hong Kong until May). Plus, it's not going to be cheap. Bacardi are only making small batches of 2000 500ml bottles a go (HK$1888 or AU$318), with the first 500 of the batch numbered, so you're going to see some pretty steep eBay prices on Tang. Via The Spirits Business.
Calling all Gordon Gekkos and Jordan Belforts, the UK's got a new bar for you. The Reserve Bar Stock Exchange is London's new venue where drink prices fluctuate in real time according to their nightly popularity, opening on June 17. Set across three floors, Reserve is attempting to connect customers to the value of their cocktails, and how quickly one drink can rise in value while another crashes. It all depends on which drink is most popular on the night — classic supply and demand. There's a live market price board where you can see how different cocktails are doing, and the bar's smartphone app will let you keep track of things at your table — an app that also allows patrons to order cocktails right to their table. The bar's advice? "Buy low, play the market, and when the market crashes... everybody wins." We guess that means a sweet cheapo special. So who's the Wolf of Wall Street behind this whole deal? Reserve has been dreamt up by Alan Grant and his crew, whose former escapades include London's Cherry Jam, Supper Club and Notting Hill Arts Club. It's London's first bar of its kind, but it's not the world's — Austin, Texas has a stock market themed bar called The Brew Exchange, where the hundred beers on tap fluctuate according to popularity. If you happen to be in London (or you've got buds over there) before the bar opens on June 17, Reserve is offering punters the chance to feel like a right ol' Gecko — you can invest £25, £50 or £100 in the bar and you'll double your money instantly with a 100% return of £50, £100 or £200 in bar credit. The Reserve Bar Stock Exchange opens on June 17 at 46 Gresham Street, London. Via The Drinks Business. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
This holiday season, there's only one decoration we want hanging from our Christmas tree. It's the latest absurd dessert from the team at Gelato Messina, who so far this year have created ice cream cigars, ice cream hamburgers and an ice cream inspired by an air freshener. Available just in time for a yuletide family feed, Messina's 2015 Christmas cake combines the tastes of gingerbread, pear and chocolate. With flavours that smooth, it's no wonder they called it the Michael Baulble. The limited edition dessert, which can be ordered now until December 22 through the Gelato Messina website, consists of burnt butter and gingerbread gelato with pear mouse and fruit mince florentine, enclosed in a chocolate dome and dusted with gold powder. It also comes with vanilla brandy custard, which should be warmed and applied generously before eating. The Michael Baulble costs $90 and can be picked up from select Messina stores in Sydney (Roseberry, Miranda and Parramatta), Melbourne (Fitzroy) and Queensland (Coolangatta). According to Messina it feeds 16 people, although let's be real here: there's no way you're sharing it with that many people. Sure, Christmas is the time for giving and all that, but everyone has their limits. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=SUp6tmSbQN0 To order your own Michael Baulble, visit the Gelato Messina website. Via Good Food.
In the latest "hello young people" example of giant fast food chains desperately attempting to be cool, McDonalds has announced that a dedicated French fry 'concept store' will open tomorrow in Sydney and it's called, wait for it, Fries With That. You can probably hear us sighing from here. Located on Glebe Point Road in Glebe, Fries With That will throw its doors wide to the insatiably curious masses at 11am tomorrow and the menu is (as you may have guessed) dedicated solely to fries. It's a big trend-sucking gimmick to promote their new loaded fries menu, and they'll be test running six new varieties of toppings. The most popular topping will get the honour of becoming a permanent member of the illustrious Maccas menu. As is tradition in a democratic country, you vote by smashing down your fave French fry flavour. After Camperdown's new eatery The Corner turned out to be a Maccas in disguise last year, this is just some more casual bandwagon-jumping for Maccas. Just look at this on-trend interior, blonde wood, white tiles, exposed light bulbs — someone's been paying attention: It's only open for three days and will close up at 6pm on Sunday, giving you only three days to try all the new flavours — which are, quite honestly, boring as batshit. The six options include sour cream and sweet chilli, Caesar, curry, pesto and parmesan, chipotle cheese sauce and peri-peri cheese sauce. Yawn. They'll also be serving gravy loaded fries which launched nationally yesterday. Eh, we'll probably inhale some. Stop looking at us like that. Find Fries With That at 166 Glebe Point Road, Glebe. Opening hours Friday, May 27 to Sunday, May 29 11am-6pm.
Ever been gettin' loose out on the town and thought, “I could destroy a round of mini-golf right now.” Procure an Argyle-patterned vest and beige slacks immediately, because the good folk at Howler are bringing back their custom-made nighttime mini golf course to conquer. One heck of a drawcard launched in July, the triumphantly returning Howler Mini-Golf-O-Rama features nine holes each complete with a classic theme (think windmills, volcanos and jungles, classic mini-golf). It'll be back at Howler from Sunday December 27 to Wednesday, January 6, from 3pm on weekends and 6pm on weekdays. And it's FREE if you buy a bev. To use the course, all you have to do is turn up to Howler, buy yourself and/or your golfing buddies a drink and choose your putter. The course will be set up in what was once Howler’s bandroom, and to keep the good times flowing, guest DJs will pump up the jams (and hopefully play a non-stop dubstep remix of Lee Carvallo’s putting challenge. In fact, consider this an official request). Check out Elliphant and MØ carving up the course in July, to give you an idea. Now, let's all dig out our Happy Gilmore VHS's and prepare to just taaaap it in. Find Howler Mini-Golf-O-Rama at 7-11 Dawson Street, Brunswick from Sunday December 27 to Wednesday, January 6, from 3pm on weekends and 6pm on weekdays. Golfing is free if you buy a drink from the bar. Image via. Marcus Hansson.
Always wanted to roller skate to disco at ACMI? This is your chance. As part of Melbourne Music Week, the cultural institution will host a retro roller jam complete with disco balls, bad outfits and a live soundtrack from Australia's own jazz, soul and R&B legend Renée Geyer. Geyer — whose four-decade career has landed her in the ARIA Hall of Fame — will be supported by acts Kylie Auldist, Chelsea Wilson and DJ JNETT, who'll be spinning four decades of tunes for you to roller dance the night away to. This looks set to be one of the funnest events on the MMW program.
There was never a dearth of choice for brekky options in Collingwood, but now the choice is even tougher. Proud Sprout has opened recently on Smith Street, blending Australian breakfast and lunch classics with a Nepalese and Sri Lankan twist. Owners and operators Karishma and Waseem (who also run Little Temper in Hawthorn) grew up in Nepal and Sri Lanka before migrating to Australia a decade ago. Karishma handles the kitchen while Waseem, an architect by trade, handled the fitout. Karishma's menu combines the best of both of their lived experiences. Expect the expected with a bit of a twist — dishes like eggs benny made with smoked trout, sweet potato rosti and avocado hollandaise. Or a French toast rendered truly indulgent with custard crème, strawberries, pistachio crumb and maple. Or the special, the Rikshawwala, a dish of spiced cauliflower, potato, fried eggs and roti paratha. Like a good Melbourne cafe, they're sourcing their coffee exclusively from Padre and the drink menu features a broad range of caf and de-caf options (think smoothies, juices, and chais as well as turmeric and matcha lattes). They also do a mean lunch salad and specialise in takeaway build-your-own lunch boxes (no more sad sandies from Coles for the Smith Street lunch crowd). And keep an eye out for a dinner menu later in the year. Find Proud Sprout at 76 Smith Street, Collingwood. Open Tuesday to Friday 7am–4pm and Saturday and Sunday 8am–4pm.
Wondering what to say when you step inside Brisbane's new mini-golf bar? At Holey Moley Gold Club, it really is all there in the name. And, as awesome as the concept of having some drinks, donning a visor, hitting the indoor greens and taking a few swings on pop culture-themed holes sounds, the reality is even better (and weirder). Entering Holey Moley is like entering an alcohol-fuelled indoor amusement park for adults, even if the building it's in — a former church — makes that quite the surreal experience. So does the angel statue decked out with golf clubs, the pink-lit neon sign declaring "I like big putts and I cannot lie", and the twirling giant disco ball hanging in the centre of the venue, which visitors familiar to the site's many previous watering holes and live music spaces will recognise. Of course, with the right wall taken up by a stocked bar, it's obvious that this is a drink-focused spot with two nine-hole mini-golf courses inside, rather than a putting facility that happens to serve booze. Each hole has a six stroke maximum, however whether you decide to keep score is completely up to you — it's fun, rather than sports, that the venue wants to promote. Even taking a quick glance at the eighteen different holes on offer demonstrates that having a good time is the main aim here, unless you're scared of clowns and puppets, that is. Suspended from a frame and lurking on the ground, these vaudevillian creeps adorn the seventh stop on the ground level, which means anyone suffering from coulrophobia has plenty of time to work up the courage to play there. Beforehand, you'll hit your way through a beachy (fri)endless summer, enter a glow-in-the-dark space for three holes of luminous action, and play pinball and pool with a golf ball and club. Yes, really. Keeping with the arcade theme, a putting version of skeeball marks the end of the lower course — but don't worry, more holes await upstairs. That's where you'll show off your short game on a turntable, in a bathroom and a gym, and on a Twister board, to highlight just a selection of the standouts on the upper level. You'll also tap, tap, tap the ball into a Nintendo-focused hole that pays tribute to Super Mario and Donkey Kong, brave the Mad Putter's Tee Party, prove that you're obviously not a golfer at a bowling alley, and marvel at the glory of the nine-iron throne. You just know the latter is going to be mighty popular, particularly for selfies that'll clog up your Instagram feed. For something different between rounds, ping pong tables provide a break from the main action, as do a selection of old-school video games. Or, chew a couple of gum balls, grab a drink, and sit down and watch everyone else. In fact, the cocktail list is worth the trip alone, thanks to beverages like the Tee-quila Mocking Birdie (with Don Julio Blanco Tequila, Blue Curacao, sour mix and sugar syrup), Teeyonce Knowles (Pampero white rum, soda, fresh mint, limes and syrup) and Happy Gilmoreo (Chambord raspberry liqueur, Smirnoff Red vodka, Baileys, milk, chocolate sauce, crushed Oreos and whipped cream). Yep, we're calling it: Holey Moley is about to become everyone's favourite new hangout. Holey Moley Golf Club opens on September 29 at 25 Warner Street, Fortitude Valley. For more information, check out their website and Facebook page.
With so much space and so few people, Australia has the edge when it comes to country pubs. There are eccentric, outback institutions, hundreds of kilometres from anywhere, that have witnessed murders and shoot-outs and cattle stampedes. There are posh hotels with incredible views and gourmet menus featuring emu and camel and kangaroo. There are cosy joints with fireplaces where the locals will sidle up for a yarn within minutes and offer you a beer. Here are ten of the best of the lot. PUB IN THE PADDOCK, TASMANIA There are two reasons to visit Tassie's Pub in the Paddock. One, it's actually in a paddock. So, you'll find yourself in the country — seriously — and surrounded by spectacular, rolling green scenery. Two, it's home to a beer-sculling pig by the name of Priscilla, who can knock back a stubby in seven seconds. Don't fret; the alcohol content is significantly diluted. You can stay the night in one of six private rooms, and the pub, which has been licensed since the 1880s, is famous for its fresh-fuelled menu and hug-worthy hospitality. Find Pub in the Paddock at 250 St Columbafalls Road, Pyengana, 30 kilometres inland from St. Helens. Give 'em a call on (03) 6373 6121. GRAND HOTEL, WESTERN AUSTRALIA Built in 1902, the Grand Hotel is as friendly as ever. Back in the day, it was an epicentre for local gold diggers, but these days it shares its home town of Kookynie with just ten people. Travellers still drop by, though, to hang out on the Grand's wide, shady verandahs and stay the night in its spacious, old-school rooms. Keep an ear out for ghosts. The Grand Hotel is on Kookynie Rd, Kookynie, which lies 200 kilometres north of Kalgoorlie. Call on (08) 9031 3010. PRAIRIE HOTEL, SOUTH AUSTRALIA Situated right where the Flinders Ranges turn into the outback, the Prairie Hotel, which has been licensed since 1876, serves up your cold one with excellent mountain views. It's also home to one of Gourmet Traveller's Top 100 Gourmet experiences, the Feral Mixed Grill. That's kangaroo fillet, camel sausage, goat chop and emu patty. There's enough accommodation for 90 people, from fancied-up heritage rooms to architect-designed executive studios to self-contained cabins. You'll find the Prairie Hotel on the corner of High Street and West Terrace, Parachilna, 90 kilometres north of Hawker. Make a booking on 1800 331 473. DALY WATERS PUB, NORTHERN TERRITORY It's possible that the Daly Waters has a bigger bra collection than any pub in Australia. The legend goes that, back in the '80s, a passenger passing through bet her coach driver that, if she couldn't drink a nominated number of beers, she'd leave her bra behind. She lost. Ever since, other patrons have felt the urge to donate their undergarments to the display. Built in 1930, the Daly Waters sits on the Explorers Way, 600 kilometres south of Darwin and 900 kilometres north of Alice Springs. Its official dress is 16 Stuart Street, Daly Waters. Call up on (08) 8975 9927. SCARBOROUGH HOTEL, NEW SOUTH WALES On a sunny Sunday, many a Sydneysider scoots down to the Scarborough Hotel for a lazy afternoon overlooking the sea. Situated just an hour's drive from the city, it's not quite as hardcore countrified as other pubs on our list, but you'd travel a long way to find one with better Pacific Ocean views. The spacious 'Seacliff' Beer Garden comes with both tables and island-inspired huts. Best to book in advance on weekends. The Scarborough Hotel is at 383 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Scarborough. Make contact on (02) 4267 5444. THE LOADED DOG, NEW SOUTH WALES Country music fans crowd into The Loaded Dog every third Saturday of the month for its legendary live gigs. A stack of well-known country musicians have played there, including Amber Lawrence, Luke O'Shea and Felicity Urquhart. Built in 1848 in the then bustling, now disappearing town of Tarago, 69 kilometres northeast of Canberra, the pub used to be the main pit stop for travellers to and from the national capital. Now, it's on the scenic route, but worth the detour for its open fireplaces and hearty bistro fare. The Loaded Dog is at 1 Wallace Street, Tarago. The number is (02) 4849 4499. NINDIGULLY PUB, QUEENSLAND Daly Waters might have the bras, but Nindigully has the Akubras. One-hundred-and-forty or so of them hang on the walls, donated mostly by local farmers and stockmen. Situated on the banks of the Moonie River, Nindigully is the oldest continuously licensed pub in Queensland, having been in operation since 1864. Visitors are welcome to camp and park their caravans nearby, and there are free showers on tap. Find this one on the Carnarvon Highway via Thallon, 160 kilometres west of Goondiwindi, 45 kilometres east of St George and 70 kilometres of the Queensland-New South Wales border. Call in on (07) 4625 9637. BIRDSVILLE HOTEL, QUEENSLAND One of Australia's most famous pubs, the Birdsville Hotel perches on the edge of the Simpson Desert, in the town of Birdsville, 1,590 kilometres west of Brisbane and 720 kilometres south of Mt Isa. One hundred people live there. The pub was opened in 1884 and is a gathering place for locals, who are only too happy to shout visiting strangers a beer and a story or several. If you're keen to stay, there's plenty of room at the associated motel units. Stay over on a Sunday night and you'll be treated to a traditional roast. The Birdsville Hotel is on Adelaide Street, Birdsville, and can be reached on (07) 4656 3244. TINAMBA HOTEL, VICTORIA Tinamba Hotel makes the list for keeping its old-school, unassuming atmosphere, but introducing a delicious, locally sourced menu. The owners even list their producers on their website. Established in 1874, the pub has changed hands numerous times and is now owned by food-and-wine-loving pair Brad Neilson and Damien Gannon, who bought and revamped it in 2009. The pub is situated in Gippsland dairy farming country, in the small town of Tinamba. Find it at 4-6 Tinamba-Seaton Road and get in touch on (03) 5145 1484. TANSWELLS COMMERCIAL PUB, BEECHWORTH For getting in touch with your bush-ranging ancestry, Tanswells Commercial Pub in Victoria's northeast is the place to go. Ned Kelly and his Gang used to drink here while planning their next exploits. These days, there's an open fire and a long drinks list, featuring craft beers and wines from local, regional and international producers. Stay over and leave yourself time to wander through the historic goldfields town of Beechworth. Find Tanswells Commercial Pub at 50 Ford Street, Beechworth and phone in on (03) 5728 1480.
Canadian duo Megan James and Corin Roddick are bringing their lauded dark electro-pop sounds and captivating live show to Melbourne and Sydney, thanks to Splendour in the Grass. Purity Ring's incredibly strong debut album Shrines dealt out such slam dunks as 'Fineshrine' and ‘Obedear’, and in March this year they released their second record, Another Eternity. Their latest material emerges from the mysterious darkness surrounding Shrines, and blissfully leans towards more upbeat dream pop, which we happily receive. Hitting Australia for Splendour, Purity Ring have drummed up these hugely anticipated sideshows you should lock down tickets for immediately; who knows how long it will be until we see them next?
If there's one type of hospitality offering that Melbourne is lacking, it's the all-day venue. You know, somewhere that you can sit with a coffee and read the paper, whether it's 8am or 5pm. Somewhere that you can go to finish off some work and then transition straight into knock-off drinks. But the CBD is getting there, especially when Morgan McGlone opens his new morning-to-night all-rounder on Collins Street in February next year. Natural History will be the Belles Hot Chicken chef's biggest venue to date. That's because it won't just be one venue, but, effectively, it will be two. Up front will be the cafe, which will serve up the more casual fare: coffee, doughnuts, pastries and porchetta rolls. But venture further into the space and you'll find the bar and grill — a huge 350-seat venue in the vein of upmarket bistros you might find in NYC. It doesn't look like fried chicken is on the menu, either. Rather, diners will be able to choose from steak tartare with fried oysters, pork chops and a one-kilo T-bone steak. Desserts will be distinctly American — think key lime pie and peach cobbler. What we're perhaps more excited about is the drinks list. McGlone has been championing natural wines for a while now, and Natural History will give him the chance to stock a full bar with them, along with local craft and non-pasteurised beers. He's teamed up with the 100 Burgers group (Mr Burger etc.) and Michael Delany and Jaimie Wirth (of hospo partnership International Worldwide) to make the space a reality. The design sounds like it's aiming to transport diners far away from Melbourne with vintage 60s tiling, 19th century stained glass and a straw ceiling. There will also be a 15-metre-long taxidermy 'diorama' set up along the dining room wall, which sounds...interesting. Natural History will be open Monday to Saturday from 7am to late from February 2018. We'll keep you updated on an opening date — but until then, we'll anticipate a new space that we can visit any time of the day.
Ever wanted to own your own Banksy original? Well now for a mere $435,000 you can. And while that may sound a bit steep, the price actually isn't that bad when you consider that it includes the entire three bedroom house on which the mural is painted. Located on the side of a two-story terrace in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, Spy Booth depicts three secret agents dressed in trenchcoats and dark glasses monitoring a nearby phonebooth with surveillance equipment. Painted in April 2014, it's viewed as a comment on the global surveillance scandal caused by whistleblower Edward Snowden. The house is located just a few kilometres away from the headquarters of the GCHQ, Britain's security and intelligence agency. But while you might imagine that having a Banksy on the side of your house would be a blessing, the owner of 159 Fairview Road says he has experienced constant stress since the appearance of the artwork, which he's been unable to remove or sell since council planners granted it retroactive planning permission. So instead, he's selling the whole building. "If Cheltenham want it, they can have it," 45-year-old David Possee said in an interview. "Just buy the building off me, I just want to get on with my life. Cut me free, you can have the Cheltenham Banksy." Fair warning to any potential bidders out there: while the artwork may be great, the house itself is in need of serious renovations. Or, as real estate agents Peter Ball & Co put it, "requires a comprehensive schedule of refurbishment." To view the listing, go here. Via Domain.
“Have you skied before?” This is the question I am asked — repeatedly — on the way to Thredbo: at reception when checking in at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel, at a five-course champagne brunch in an inflatable igloo on the ski slopes (a combination of words I never thought I'd say), while dancing and chatting to strangers during a poolside party started by French phenomenon La Folie Douce and, of course, when collecting gear and being assigned to a ski lesson on the final day of this weekend celebrating the Thredbo Top2Bottom race. The answer is sort of, once, when I was in high school and spent a day tumbling down Friday Flats. But if you think Thredbo isn’t for you, it’s time to think again. There’s a lot more than just skiing on offer in this alpine village getaway. ARRIVE AT THE HOTEL; DON'T LEAVE THE HOTEL From outside, the Thredbo Alpine Hotel (Friday Drive, Thredbo Village Resort, +61 2 6459 4200) looks austere — with a grey timber exterior capped by an aggressively sloping roof. But inside, it’s warm and wood-panelled, the staff are chilled out and friendly and there is a roaring log fire in the middle of the lobby lounge. The setting is pretty spectacular too. From the hotel room window, I can see a snow-covered mountain that reflects the pink morning light, and a pristine landscape of sky and trees. The rooms are small and haven’t been refurbished since the ‘80s, but this adds a rustic charm and comfort. The hotel breakfast is deliciously comprehensive, and the restaurant windows look out onto the slopes. Whether you’re into the bircher muesli or hash browns (or both), you can sit in your warm smugness and watch early morning skiers tear down the Supertrail at their own peril. The hotel also has an outdoor spa, an in-house massage therapist and sauna. So you basically have no reason to leave. OPEN CHAMPAGNE THE RIGHT WAY: WITH A SWORD On the first morning, I am whisked away to Crackenback Drive and treated by Mumm Champagne to a five-course champagne degustation with chef ambassador Josh Lopez (from Brisbane’s GOMA restaurant). The pop up restaurant is set on the snow in an inflatable igloo by the ski slopes. Mumm ambassador Chris Sheehy introduces the champagne at the beginning of each course, followed by Josh Lopez, who explains his approach to each dish. I learn how to open a bottle of champagne with a saber (the essential trick is to chill the neck of the bottle for a couple of hours to get a clean break), eat black rose caviar off the back of my hand and appreciate how truffle coated in 24 carat gold goes marvellously with a cordon rouge (that’s a type of champagne). The dessert is the highlight (or perhaps my head is rather light by this point), an architectural feat with macadamia, berries, vanilla and rose petals, matched with a light rosé. An evening champagne and caviar masterclass with Sheehy and Lopez was also available to Thredbo visitors at the Segreto Restaurant back at the Alpine Lodge Hotel. PARTY LIKE IT'S -5ºC (IT IS) Thredbo Alpine Hotel is known for its afternoon après-ski parties, and from 3-6pm international party-starters La Folie Douce took to the poolside stage, pumped up the beats and got the crowd going. It’s hard to explain the magic of La Folie Douce and exactly what happens up there on stage, but they charmed us with what essentially is a glorified karaoke-cross-Rihanna-inspired dance routine, hollering and grinding to a set of pumping music, encouraging the audience to follow suit. And before long, half the audience was up on stage, a squish-friendly party of ski jackets and champagne-fuelled shenanigans. And amazingly, it was finished in time for dinner. CELEBRATE OTHER PEOPLE'S ATHLETIC VICTORIES Upon assignment to this story I had a momentary freak-out where I thought I might have to actually ski in the 25th Anniversary Top2Bottom race — a kind of City2Surf for the slopes. Each year, a slew of skiers, snowboarders and even a select few fatbike racers (literally people riding fat bicycles down the slope) compete on Australia’s longest run (3.2km) for a $1200 prize pack. Luckily, all I had to do was hang out at the finish line by the Mumm Champagne pop-up bar and cheer them on. There were dramatic crashes, narrow finishes and plenty of champagne-popping to start the day. ATTEMPT TO SKI, DECIDE TO INVEST IN A TOBOGGAN The opportunity to ski came on the last morning of the trip. I quickly realised that the preparation for this sport takes more energy than the sport itself. I wore way too many layers of clothing, struggled to get my ski boots on and then walk in them (skis in tow) to the shuttle bus. But once on the magic carpet at the bottom of Friday Flats, under the friendly guidance of Albert our ski instructor, the snowplough position came rushing back to me and I went rushing down Friday Flats. It was exhilarating! But next time I think I'll invest in a toboggan. LET'S DO THIS; GIVE ME THE DETAILS Thredbo is open 365 days a year, though the ski season runs from the June long weekend to the October long weekend. By air: Qantas and Virgin Australia service Canberra Airport from major Australian cities. Canberra Airport is a 2.5 hour drive from Thredbo and shuttle transfers to and from the airport can be arranged. Several major car hire companies also hire from Canberra. By bus: Greyhound Australia run daily services from Canberra and Sydney, Murrays run daily services from Canberra during July and August and other service operators also offer transport and packages. By car: Thredbo is approximately 500km, or 6 hours' drive, from both Sydney and Melbourne. If you’re cruising to the mountains from Sydney, once you’re on the Eastern Distributor there are only a few sets of traffic lights to Thredbo. From Melbourne, the fully sealed Kosciuszko Alpine Way is your scenic window as you wind through the spectacular Kosciuszko National Park. The National Parks and Wildlife Service collect park use fees upon entry to the park. You can purchase your pass from the Entrance Station 13km before you get to Thredbo, the Snowy Region Visitors Centre in Jindabyne, the National Parks Visitors Centre in Khancoban, or the Thredbo Information Centre. Check out some tips for safe snow driving before you leave home. Roslyn travelled to Thredbo as a guest of Mumm champagne.
UPDATE: MARCH 31, 2020 — This much-loved vegan spot is now offering a limited menu available for takeaway and delivery, so you can enjoy penne carbonara, vodka-spiked spaghetti and tiramisu in your own home. Check out the full menu here. The early success of new Fitzroy restaurant Smith & Daughters has taken everyone by surprise, including first-time restaurant owners Mo Wyse and Shannon Martinez, who run the floor and head up the kitchen respectively. Understandably, there have been some teething issues; the restaurant has been booked out every night since opening and, at one point, they were forced to abort a lunch service to re-stock absolutely everything in their kitchen. Despite all this happening within a week of opening, the staff haven't stopped smiling, and the food certainly hasn't suffered. For a completely vegan restaurant to appeal to non-vegan patrons and avoid any subculture stereotype or prejudice is fairly remarkable. And, the Latin-inspired food is great. For a carnivore and dairy-fiend, I couldn't have been happier with what Smith & Daughters put in front of me. The tasty house-made guacamole with tortilla chips ($12) was a fabulous entry point to the menu, which consists of 'small plates' and 'big plates' — all of which are very shareable. Avoid the paella (delicious al dente rice flavoured with vegetable saffron stock was sacrificed by the faux seafood) in favour of the tacos ($14 for three), which consisted of soft, floury (but gluten free) tortillas filled with spicy 'chorizo' and potato, jackfruit carnitas or mushroom nopales and sweet grilled corn. They rival anything from the many (non-vegan) taco specialists around Melbourne. With other offerings such as Spanish tortilla with a beautifully crafted creamy house-made aioli ($7), 'tuna' and green pea croquettas ($15 for three), and crowd favourite taco con ensalada ($16), it's the sort of menu that can make decision time a tricky thing... especially if you want to leave room for a round of warm Spanish doughnuts or chocolate tart with avocado ice cream. The entire menu is plant-based, local and organic, and the kitchen puts in a lot of effort and consideration to make sure flavour is not hindered by the cause. As a result, non-vegan diners will happily return to this new culinary hotspot, and Melbourne's vegan contingent will rejoice their new favourite as one they can happily share with their non-vegan friends. If you still need any convincing, the cocktails coming from behind the bar were stunning creations in themselves.
How Kevin Hart's never made it to Australia for a stand-up tour before is beyond us (apart from a one-off set at Sydney's Comedy Store), but the celebrated US comedian is about to rectify that. Off the back of an epic US arena tour, Hart will bring his What Now? tour to Australia this February. Hitting Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney from Wednesday February 3, Hart will take over some of our biggest venues for a four-date run of shows. Both a stand-up veteran and a comedy film actor you might have seen Hart in Get Hard opposite Will Farrell, Little Fockers, Death at a Funeral, Fool’s Gold, Soul Plane, the Chris Rock-directed Top Five, or getting coffee in a car with Jerry Seinfeld. He's also starring in Ride Along 2, but Australia hasn't seen that sequel just yet. But Hart's going back to his roots with this tour. The 36-year-old really got his start while sizing men and women for footwear, when he performed at an amateur night in Philadelphia, subsequently quitting his job and ending up as a regular at lauded joints like The Boston Club, Caroline’s, The Laugh Factory, and The Comedy Store in Los Angeles. His 2011 Laugh at My Pain tour hit it out of the ballpark — in February 2011 he sold out LA's hallowed Nokia Theater for two nights in a row, breaking the record previously set by the great Eddie Murphy. KEVIN HART WHAT NOW? AUSTRALIAN TOUR: Wednesday, February 3 — Perth Arena, Perth Friday, February 5 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Staurday, February 6 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Sunday, February 7 — Allphones Arena, Sydney Tickets on sale 10am Friday, September 4. My Live Nation and ticket agent presale starts 2pm September 2 until 5pm September 3. For more info, head over here. "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee" Kevin Hart from Peter Holmes on Vimeo.
Enjoy a breakfast of champions at whatever hour you please, courtesy of Australia's first ever cereal cafe. Opening its doors in Melbourne in just over a week, this pop-up snack hub will be serving all your childhood and/or late-night share house favourites, including Froot Loops, Coco Pops and Kellogg’s Crunchy Nut. Launching February 12, Cereal Anytime is the latest temporary tenant of Richmond’s year-long food and retail precinct, Swan Street Chamber of Commerce. Supposedly, the aim of the cafe is “educating people on foods in moderation”, which might get tricky given the sugar content of what they serve. Perhaps a limit of one bowl of Frosted Flakes per customer? The cafe will operate via a “pay-it-forward” payment system. Upon entry, diners simply peel a Post-it note off the wall, which they can then use to pay for their bowl of cereal. The Post-its can be replenished for $4 a pop, ensuring that those who are a little less fortunate don’t miss out. A recent cereal cafe that opened in London served over 120 different kinds of cereal, 13 milks and more than 20 additional toppings, so our iteration has something of a reputation to live up to. It sparked huge demand, followed by something of a culture war when some very practical types balked at paying £3.50 for flakes out of a box. Melbourne's version, with its element of feelgoodery, should sidestep that issue. Hungry members of the public can help decide the cafe’s final menu and gain entry on day one (February 12) via a ballot on their Cereal Anytime Facebook page.
A few months after Tropfest's near-death experience, founder John Polson has gone into greater detail on the alleged "financial mismanagement" that almost led to the festival's downfall. Appearing on triple j's Hack with Tom Tilley, Polson spoke about the moment when he first found out about the event's economic woes, and appeared to imply that blame lay at the feet of his business partner, Tropfest managing director Michael Laverty. "We raised well over a million dollars towards Tropfest last year and I got an email in early November saying we had not enough money to move forward with the event," Polson said on the Thursday, February 12 radio show. "It was obviously an incredible shock and a devastating blow." Polson claims to have documents proving the financial mismanagement, but declined to share them due to his impending court case against Laverty's company. "I don't believe Michael Laverty did the cliche thing of going off and spending it in the Bahamas but clearly something went wrong," he said. "There was massive, massive financial mismanagement that went down with this event and it's terrible and I'm trying to fix it." Tropfest was thrown a lifeline in December when CGU insurance stepped in to fund this year's festival, which will take place this Sunday in Sydney's centennial gardens. Polson is currently working on plans to secure the festival's long term future, and recently launched a crowdfunding campaign which has a week left to reach its $100,000 target. Polson also spoke about Hollywood star Mel Gibson, who was this week announced as a Tropfest judge alongside actors Simon Baker and Rebecca Gibney, director Jocelyn Moorhouse and cinematographer Don McAlpine. The news raised some eyebrows, given Gibson's unfortunate habit of saying appalling things whenever he's near a microphone. Nevertheless, Polson defended the choice, calling Gibson "an Australian icon." "As a 15-year-old in 1980 I went to see Mad Max and watched it three or four times over," said Polson. "What's happened to him in the last few years you'd have to ask him about." Via Hack. Image: Tropfest.
How's this for a way to blow off steam at the end of a working week: Abbotsford is about to become Melbourne's official home of casual and competitive axe throwing, which is exactly what it sounds like. Maniax is the brainchild of Stephen Thomas, who first came across the sport while living in Canada. "My wife and I used to go every week to watch the league," he tells Concrete Playground. "Down this back alley in Toronto there's this small warehouse with a bunch of targets set up, and a fire burning out the front. Everyone was right into it, and it was a really cool atmosphere." Upon returning to Australia, Thomas opened Maniax Sydney, and it soon proved to be a bit of a hit. "Think of it as an alternative to bowling or lawn bowls," he says. "We get birthday parties, hens parties, bucks parties, even family groups. Then midweek, we do corporate team building sessions. Google, Spotify, Australian Navy, Commonwealth Bank, IKEA, Qantas, you name it, they've been in." For Maniax Melbourne, Thomas has secured a warehouse just east of Hoddle Street, around 100 metres from Collingwood Station. "We've got six dedicated throwing areas, so we can take six separate groups at a time," he says. "It's going to have a very rustic, very industrial feel with lots of iron and wood." Thomas also plans to partner up with local bars and restaurants. "In Sydney we've got a guy called the Pig Baron who comes and sets up a pig on a spit," he explains. "Then afterwards we send them round to the local craft brewery for a few refreshing ales after the axe throwing." When we remark that axes and alcohol should probably be kept separate, he laughs. "It's a good combination in the right order," he agrees. "Axe throwing first, then the beer afterwards. Always in that order." Admittedly, not everyone is as keen on the idea of axe throwing as Thomas is. Maniax has already been approved by the City of Yarra, but is facing a battle at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) after a member of the public lodged an appeal. Still, Thomas is confident that the decision will go in their favour, and hopes to be open for business by late October. Once they are up and running, Thomas has big plans, including league nights like the ones they've set up in Sydney. "We hope to eventually have a Melbourne champ and a Sydney champ and be able to fly the Melbourne champ up to Sydney or vice versa and have an Australian champion," he says enthusiastically. "And because we're actually part of the National Axe Throwing Federation in Canada, our league members qualify for the National Championships in Canada. I'd love more than anything to see us find an Aussie champ and then fly them over to Canada to compete." To stay up to date on Maniax Melbourne's progress, visit www.maniax.com.au/melbourne.
Sick of the winter weather? Then escape from the chill to a warm, dark cinema, where you can watch movies from places even colder than here. Returning to Palace Cinemas in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, the Volvo Scandinavian Film Festival will once again showcase the best of Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Icelandic cinema, from award-winning dramas to esoteric comedies and the very best of Nordic Noir. One of the big highlights on this year's program is the Golden Globe-nominated The Fencer, a Finnish-German-Estonian co-production — dubbed by Finland Today as "the best Finnish film in a decade" — about a fencing instructor hiding from Soviet forces in Estonia in the years after the war. It's one of a number of critically-acclaimed titles in the program this year, alongside oddball Icelandic rom-com The Together Project which took home a screenplay prize at Cannes, and the excruciatingly tense Danish drama Land of Mine, which played in competition at the Sydney Film Festival earlier this year. Check out our list of the five must-see films at this year's Scandinavian Film Festival, below. https://vimeo.com/166024818 WELCOME TO NORWAY The opening night film at this year's festival is the fittingly titled Welcome to Norway, a jet black comedy about the current European migrant crisis and the attempts of one intrepid businessman to cash in. Anders Baasmo Christiansen plays a casually racist Norwegian hotel owner who, due to mounting debt, is forced to turn his establishment into refugee housing. With a supporting cast made up of actual Syrian refugees, director Rune Denstad Langlo has created a timely piece of social satire that promises to be both funny and outrageous. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShMAkhyC6bY THE FENCER One of two post-war dramas to feature on this list, The Fencer first caught our attention at the Golden Globes earlier this year, when it competed as Finland's nominee for Best Foreign Language Film. Directed by Klaus Härö, the film tells the story of a world class swordsman turned reluctant German soldier, who in the years following WWII finds himself hiding from the Soviets in a small Estonian village, where he finds work as a school P.E. teacher and fencing instructor. Critically acclaimed in Finland, The Fencer was described by one media outlet as "the best Finnish film in a decade". Good luck finding a more glowing recommendation than that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CLtk5NewrM LAND OF MINE In the aftermath of WWII, German POWs under the command of Allied forces were put to work clearing Denmark's western coast of more than two million German landmines. This gripping Danish drama follows one such group of prisoners, with director Martin Zandvliet drawing on historical events to craft a film that combines the stomach-churning tension of The Hurt Locker with the anti-war sentiment of Joyeux Noel. With the lives and limbs of frightened young soldiers hanging in the balance for much of its running time, Land of Mine is certainly not for the faint of heart. For anyone who can handle the anxiety, however, the film is an absolute must-see. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XKM2zqzoMw THE TOGETHER PROJECT In a desperate attempt to get closer to a beautiful swimming instructor (Florence Loiret-Caille), a lonely crane driver (Samir Guesmi) signs up for lessons with her at the local pool — despite the fact he already knows how to swim. A sure-fire charmer, The Together Project is the final film from French-Icelandic filmmaker Sólveig Anspach, who passed away last year after a battle with cancer. The breezy, off-beat rom-com premiered posthumously at Cannes, where it scored strong reviews from critics and won the Directors' Fortnight SACD Prize for Best Screenplay. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6m9B-xk3sk THE PUSHER TRILOGY Long before anyone in the English-speaking world had heard of him, director Nicolas Winding Refn broke onto the scene in Denmark with this violent, kinetic crime saga set on the mean streets of Copenhagen. Crisscrossing the lives of various unseemly characters, the Pusher films, with their stylish aesthetic and searing central performances, are unmistakably the work of the same auteur who would go on to direct Ryan Gosling in Drive and Only God Forgives. Each film in the trilogy will screen just once over the course of the festival, in late night time slots befitting their underground status. Special discounted ticket prices are available to patrons who decide to see all three. The Scandinavian Film Festival runs July 5-27 in Sydney, July 6-27 in Melbourne and July 13-27 in Brisbane. For the full program, visit scandinavianfilmfestival.com.
Our city's urban landscape has inspired some pretty nifty haunts over the years, from rooftop Airstream hotels to bars inside disused trams. But it feels like we're about to reach peak Melbourne with the arrival of Whitehart, a double-decker container bar that's hidden down a CBD laneway and sporting a very healthy dose of street art. The brainchild of husband and wife duo Stephen Johnson and Sabrina Santucci, the bar's set to breathe new life into a former carpark just off Little Bourke Street, with the pair drawing inspiration from the most memorable drinking spots they've encountered on their overseas jaunts. The bar, which opens today — Friday, March 3 — is an urban oasis with a mix of indoor and openair spaces, plus multi-storey art installations and striking wall projections courtesy of local design studio Daisylegs. Throw in a considered lineup of craft brews, boutique wines and signature cocktails, and eats from a selection of the city's food vendors, and we're in for one hell of a new CBD watering hole. Whitehart opens today at 22 Whitehart Lane, Melbourne, and will be open daily. For more info, visit whitehart.com.au.
Melbourne's craft beer scene is a global contender, well deserving of a craft brewery dedicated to its culture. Stomping Ground Brewing Co. is just that, and the next great venture by craft beer heroes Guy Greenstone and Steve Jeffares. The duo are well known in the beer scene as two of the originators of craft in Australia — they're the minds behind The Local Taphouses in Melbourne and Sydney, as well as the GABS festival which is now considered one of the best beer festivals in the world. "This brewery is an opportunity to distil down what we love about the city that we live in and what we love about independent beer and hospitality in our city," says Greenstone. "We're brewing all of that love into a bottle," he adds. The two are going full steam ahead with Stomping Ground, their flagship APA aptly named after their new Gipps Street location. "It's a logical progression for us to move into the brewing space," says Greenstone. "We're passionate about craft beer and hospitality, so it made sense to make an independent beer brand." The team will be joined by long-time Taphouse manager Justin Joiner and head brewer Ashur Hall, who hails from Illawarra Brewing Company, where he worked closely with Wayward's head brewer Shaun Blissett. The massive brewery will house a twenty four-tap bar, a 2000 litre brewhouse and a beer garden with retractable roof. "We want to create an all-inclusive space where our guests can be social," says Greenstone. "We love being a catalyst for people's craft beer awakening and providing them with an awesome experience that they'll remember." While the brewery won't officially open for some months, the brewers are hosting a celebratory event for Good Beer Week on Sunday, May 15. The Breaking Ground with Friends event will act as an unofficial 'groundbreaking' of the brewery's cellar bar. The team's own core range will sit alongside collaboration beers from Stone & Wood, Burleigh Brewing, BentSpoke, Mash Brewing, Big Shed Willie Smith's and Garage Project. Stomping Ground Brewing Co. will open by July 2016 at 100 Gipps Street, Collingwood.
Sydney-based artist Rosemary Laing is bringing works from two of her celebrated photographic series to The Heide for Climarte this month. In Laing’s 2006 series, The Weather features a woman suspended in the air, caught in a storm of shredded environmental texts; a metaphor for the confusing whirlwind of facts and opinions surrounding the contentious issue of climate change. Images from Laing’s 2013 series, The Paper, depicts a casuarina forest floor covered in sheets of newspaper, suggesting the human influence on nature. Interestingly, images from each series were not created through digital manipulation; what you see in the photos was meticulously created by the photographer herself. Images from both series examine the unsettling relationship between our natural and cultural environments. Laing's series are appearing as part of Climarte, a Melbourne-wide festival focused on climate change and its representation in arts and ideas. During the festival there will be over 20 curated exhibitions, keynote lectures and public forums featuring both local and international guests.
In the middle of a gloomy Melbourne winter, we need all the cheer we can get. If that cheer comes dipped in melted cheese, so much the better. The team at Chandon has risen to the occasion this year. From July 8 to July 19, they're running a 'Fizz & Fondue Feast' at their Yarra Valley Winery. That's a custom Chandon wine flight, matched with a chef-made cheese fondue. An excellent combination for winter. Chandon's fondue is cooked on-site, using local Yarra Valley cheeses mixed with a dash of wine. You'll get your own fondue burner to keep everything hot and gooey, plus an array of gourmet goodies for dipping. Three matched sparkling wines will also be served throughout the session. Tickets for this one are $80 per person, and Chandon will be running two sessions each day. Grab your mates, grab a long fork and tuck in. Images: supplied.
Melbourne could soon be getting a brand new event space and cafe that provides support to homeless and disadvantaged youths. Home STREAT Home is the latest project from local social enterprise STREAT, who for the past seven years have offered opportunities and hospitality training to at-risk young people, via employment in their numerous cafes as well as fundraising initiatives such as their annual Melbourne Central Sleepover. Located on Cromwell Street in Collingwood, Home STREAT Home would feature an artisan bakery, coffee roastery, function space and youth training academy. With construction on the site nearly at an end, the group have launched a crowdfunding campaign via Chuffed, with the hopes of raising $100,000 to help get them over the line. "'This site will give our young people a 'home away from home'," reads the Home STREAT Home Chuffed page. "For many of the disadvantaged young people we help, this is one of the most important things we can give them, and something they've sadly not had before. A sense of home. Somewhere they are free to be themselves and feel safe. Somewhere to belong." Donors can pledge a dollar amount, or buy rewards such as fine dining vouchers, free coffee for a month or an invite to the space's opening night party. The campaign has currently received just over $20,000 in donations, with 43 days to go. They've also received the support of celebrated local chef Jacques Reymond, who has given his enthusiastic endorsement, below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfUQJeuBsJY&feature=youtu.be For more information and to donate visit www.chuffed.org/streat.
Richmond, prepare yourself for really f*cking hot bits of bird, courtesy of the poultry-smiths at Belle's Hot Chicken. The team behind the Nashville-style fried chicken joint and natural wine bar that has been doing a roaring trade in Fitzroy have just announced that restaurant number two will open this Friday, February 15, shacking up at 1/107 Swan Street. Or should we say... wait for it... Chicken Street? Is this thing on? Oh nevermind. Belle's Hot Chicken co-founder Morgan McGlone jumped on the lease at the Swan Street location last August. The restaurant will seat 100, and while further details are scant, we can expect a similar menu to the Fitzroy restaurant, albeit with a couple of extra sandwiches in both fried chicken and cornmeal-coated mushroom varieties. They'll also be well-stocked with the same selection of natural wines that have proven so popular north of the river. Other than that, expect fried chook and plenty of it. The chicken at Belle's comes in wingers, tenders or dark meat (drumsticks and thighs) and runs the gamut in terms of spiciness from 'southern' (don't be a wuss) to 'really f*cking hot'. Extras and side options include pickles, mushrooms, fries, waffles, coleslaw and oysters. Belle's Hot Chicken Richmond will open at 1/107 Swan Street, Richmond on Friday, February 19. In the meantime, you can visit their original restaurant at 150 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. Updated: Monday, February 15
Simple Pleasures Camping Co. is taking over the grounds of Oberon's Mayfield Garden for its next luxurious eco-friendly camping retreat. Glamping in the Garden will pop up from March 23 through April 30 in one of the world's largest privately owned cool climate gardens. Located three hours west of Sydney's CBD, the gardens are seriously impressive and include an 80-metre waterfall, a walled kitchen garden, an Islamic-style pond and a six-acre water garden — plus a bluestone chapel, aviary and rose garden. Bookings include three-day passes to all 160-acres, with exclusive nighttime access for glamping guests. There's plenty to do apart from moseying around, including romantic canoe rides, interactive garden games, tours and workshops, with the garden's Autumn Festival also on during April. The intimate campsite will include only 15 two-person tents, situated next to the picturesque obelisk pond. The bell-shaped tents are fitted with Hugo Sleep queen mattresses, IN BED linens, goosefeather pillows, bedside tables, solar lighting and vintage rugs from around the world. The experience also comes complete with towels, an outdoor table and chairs to sit at, lanterns and torches, along with on-site bathrooms and showers, which are exclusive to the glamping area. Bookings also include a 'paddock and garden-to-plate' barbecue menu for two, with 80 percent of the produce sourced on-site and 20 percent handpicked from local suppliers. The cook-it-yourself menu includes steaks, marinated chicken, a fresh vegetable platter and vegan salad, with all cookware provided and communal barbecues and alfresco dining area available on the campground. If you really want to be greeted to your personal oasis in style, you can add on a drink and food package, which includes bubbles, cheese and charcuterie on arrival. Bookings for Glamping in the Garden are now open. Each tent costs $290 per night and includes dinner for two, with the option of drinks ($45) and charcuterie ($26) on arrival and family packages are also available. If you're looking for more glamping options, check out our ten favourite glamping spots near Sydney. Glamping in the Garden will run from March 23 until April 30 at Mayfield Garden, 530 Mayfield Road, Oberon. Check out the website to book or for more information.
A new rooftop hotel in Melbourne is offering a luxurious alternative to the cramped family camper you would have piled into as a kid. Opening on Friday, August 26 atop a Flinders Lane carpark in the CBD, this boutique venture consists of six vintage airstream caravans transported from the U.S. and completely refitted as "designer urban accommodation", complete with queen size bed, split-system heating and cooling, and a fridge full of complimentary craft beer and wine. Throw in a little laneway graffiti art and this couldn't get any more Melbourne if it tried. In addition to the amenities listed above, each caravan at Notel Melbourne comes with a television, linen and an en suite bathroom with full height shower. Sounds a little cosy, but sometimes that's exactly what you need, especially when you're dealing with chilly Melbourne weather. There's also an 'Airstream with benefits' ultra-luxe option, which includes access to a goddamn spa outside your trailer. The rooftop itself, meanwhile, has recently gotten a new lick of paint courtesy of local artist Ash Keating. A photo posted by Notel Melbourne (@notelmelbourne) on Aug 24, 2016 at 3:03am PDT Guests will have access to tablets loaded with music and movies along with a virtual guide to help them explore the city. The space will also be available for functions, with room for up to 300 people on the roof. Keen to book a night up there? Airstreams are going at $395 a night for two people, and bookings are officially open here. Notel Melbourne is now open on the corner of Flinders and Harper Lanes, Melbourne. For more information and to book visit notelmelbourne.com.au.
It was a sad day for students past and present when iconic Melbourne University pub the Prince Alfred Hotel called last drinks back in 2015. But the good news is that you won't be mourning its loss for too much longer, with the 100 Burgers Group (who run Belles Hot Chicken, Hightail, Mr Burger) announcing it's been hard at work resurrecting the historic boozer. What's more, it's set to reopen as early as next month. The pub, which sits on the edge of the Carlton campus, was bought by Melbourne University at auction in 2015 and has sat empty since. But now it's primed to take back its mantle as beloved student pub, albeit sporting a pretty substantial makeover. The 100 Burgers Group has completely transformed the 450-person space, pressing reset on the interiors and throwing an impressive rooftop bar and terrace into the mix. The sticky carpets and tired furnishings are being switched out for a fresh mix of botanical elements, Prince Alfred references and flamboyant design touches. On the food front, there'll be one kitchen plating up all those tried and true pub classics, while another plays host to a rotating culinary offering, featuring exciting collaborations with an array of big name chefs. An on-site cafe will be slinging much needed coffees from 7am, while on weekends a bottomless brunch offering is sure to win over thirsty locals. The Prince Alfred is set to reopen in February — we'll keep you updated on an exact opening date. Find it, as always, at 191 Grattan Street, Carlton. For more info, visit 100burgers.com.au/prince-alfred.
If there's one type of hospitality offering that Melbourne is lacking, it's the all-day venue. You know, somewhere that you can sit with a coffee and read the paper, whether it's 8am or 5pm. Somewhere that you can go to finish off some work and then transition straight into knock-off drinks. But the CBD is getting there, especially with Morgan McGlone's new morning-to-night all-rounder set to open on Collins Street on March 14. First announced last year, Natural History is the Belles Hot Chicken chef's biggest venue to date. That's because it isn't just one venue, but, effectively, two. Up front is the cafe, which will serve up the more casual fare: coffee, doughnuts, pastries and porchetta rolls. But venture further into the space and you'll find the bar and grill — a huge 350-seat venue in the vein of upmarket bistros you might find in NYC. It doesn't look like fried chicken is on the menu, either. Rather, diners will be able to choose from steak tartare with fried oysters, pork chops and a one-kilo T-bone steak. Desserts will be distinctly American — think key lime pie and peach cobbler. What we're perhaps more excited about is the drinks list. McGlone has been championing natural wines for a while now, and Natural History gives him the chance to stock a full bar with them, along with local craft and non-pasteurised beers. He's teamed up with the 100 Burgers group (Mr Burger etc.) and Michael Delany and Jaimie Wirth (of hospo partnership International Worldwide) to make the space a reality. The design aims to transport diners far away from Melbourne with vintage '60s tiling, 19th-century stained glass and a straw ceiling. There's also be a 15-metre-long taxidermy 'diorama' set up along the dining room wall, nodding to the venue's museum inspiration. Natural History will be open from 7am to 1am Tuesday to Friday, and 5pm to 1am on Saturdays from March 14. For more information, head to the venue's website or Facebook page.
Sydney’s Sepia has won prime position on the Australian Financial Review’s inaugural
We've known for a while that the team at Fancy Hank's are opening a new two-storey venue on Bourke Street in the CBD. We also know it'll have its very own rooftop bar. But what of their original digs opposite Queen Victoria Market? Fear not, meat lovers: the masters of all things smoked and char-grilled aren't leaving you in the lurch. It may not technically be called Hank's anymore, but Knuckles BBQ Sandwiches & Bar does a pretty good impression. Dubbed a "pop-down", the newly opened restaurant features a scaled-back version of the Fancy Hank's menu split into two distinct sections: "sandwiches" and "not sandwiches". On the sandwich side you'll find sandwiches (duh) including a pork sanga with Kentucky-style slaw and kewpie mayo, as well as a southern fried chicken number featuring Alabama BBQ sauce and American cheese. As for things that aren't sandwiches, think stateside favourites such as chicken wings, tater tots, potato salad and fried pickles, plus a chocolate cherry brownie with ice cream for dessert. They'll also serve $7 pints of Furphy during Happy Hour, which runs generously from 4pm to 7pm each day. "After two great years at the Victoria Market, Knuckles provides the perfect homage to Fancy Hank's: tasty food, cold beer, no frills and a let-your-hair-down kind of atmosphere," said Fancy Hank's co-owner and head chef Mike Patrick. Find Knuckles Sandwich Bar at 456 Queen St, Melbourne. For more information follow them on Instagram.
Built on implausible plot twists and steamy lesbian sex, at a glance South Korean thriller The Handmaiden doesn't exactly cry out to be taken seriously. Frankly, it's part of the genius of director Park Chan-wook that the film can be enjoyed as nothing more than a piece of arthouse pulp – albeit an immensely stylish and entertaining one. But look beneath the B-movie trappings and you'll uncover a deceptive intelligence. At its core, this is a film about the unspoken link between seduction and deception, as well as the collective male sexual ego that has been warped and inflated by the consumption of way too much porn. After dipping his toes into the English-language market with the neo-gothic Stoker, Park seems to be much more at home back in South Korea working in his native tongue. Ironically, The Handmaiden is actually based on the novel Fingersmith by UK author Sarah Waters. The location has been changed from Victorian-era England to 1930s Korea, but the story remains more or less the same: a pickpocket (Kim Tae-ri) becomes the handmaiden of a wealthy heiress (Kim Min-hee) with the aim of helping a con-man (Ha Jung-woo) seduce her and steal her fortune. But loyalties are soon tested, and motivations blurred, when the two women fall in love with each other instead. That's just the first of the film's three distinctive chapters, but to reveal anything more would be to ruin all the fun. Suffice it to say, over the course of a breezily paced two-and-a-half hours, Park leads the audience down a winding road of perspective shifts, flashbacks and preposterous twists – some of which are predictable, some of which are not. Regardless of how much you see coming, you would do well to suspend your disbelief, because The Handmaiden goes to some fairly unlikely places. Yet no matter how silly it gets, the story and the characters are never anything less than enthralling. It's the kind of movie we'd happily watch twice in one sitting – and unlike many films that rely on surprise revelations, we can confirm that it actually gets better the second time around. Repeat viewings will no doubt be aided by the movie's exquisite appearance. The Handmaiden is without question one of the most beautiful looking films of the year, the work of a master in complete control of his craft. The images ooze sensuality long before anybody gets naked, with every camera move and close-up an act of cinematic seduction. The costumes, sets and natural locations are stunning without exception. Park exhibits a similar level of control over the film's fluid tone, which shifts from silly to sexy, from funny to frightening, from depraved to uplifting, without ever missing a beat. By every measure it's his most assured work to date. To compare him to an American contemporary in David Fincher, if the violent cult hit Oldboy was Park's Fight Club, then The Handmaiden is his Gone Girl – less raw, more elegant and all the more subversive for its (comparatively) restrained approach. As restrained as a film with several explicit lesbian sex scenes can be, anyway. Like Fincher's recent masterpiece (come at me), The Handmaiden is a tale of female empowerment masquerading as something much more tawdry. At times, perhaps, it fits the part a little too well, with the aforementioned sex scenes playing an awful lot like heterosexual male fantasy. Then again, at least the film depicts lesbian sex and romance as just that: sexy and romantic. The same certainly cannot be said of the erotic forays made by the movie's various men. Indeed, whether it's a self-described seduction expert mansplaining to a woman what women want in a man, or a group of high society types listening with rapt, sweaty attention to a reading from an erotic novel, The Handmaiden mocks common male attitudes towards women and sex, both of which it posits are at least partially linked to lurid fantasies pedaled by pornographers. Contemporary studies around online porn and its impact on adolescent boys suggest the movie is right on the money. As for those men who seek to exploit or prey upon women? Let's just say that, by the time the story ends, the ladies make sure they get their just desserts. Park's cast is uniformly terrific, but special attention must be given to Kim Tae-ri and Kim Min-hee. In a film that has so much to do with the performative nature of sexual relationships, and how we shape and cultivate our image and behaviour in order to meet (or sometimes hoodwink) the expectations of a potential mate, their marvelous, multi-layered performances are the glue that holds everything else together. Like the puzzle-box plot and immaculate aesthetic, their work is packed with levels of hidden intent that make the second viewing of The Handmaiden even more rewarding than the first. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHOmrolJEiY
RISING Melbourne is back for 2023, and the lineup is, frankly, ridiculous. There's a giant Archie Rose negroni tank, a sci-fi wine wall pouring tap vino from Glou Sustainable Wine Bar, and Night Trade, the festival's pop-up hub, which has taken over the grounds of St. Paul's Cathedral. It's everything we love about Melbourne under moonlight: the food, the arts, the community and the char-grilled Filipino BBQ skewers. But no visit to RISING this year is complete without a visit to The Rink. This is Melbourne's new annual ice-skating tradition, where visitors can skate on the banks of Birrarung Murr, under an enormous Big Top and a blanket of stars. When you've done a few laps, you can refuel rink-side, with buttered popcorn, hot dogs (both meat and vegan), loaded fries, hot pies from Pie Thief and woodfired pizza from Fugazi. There will also be free-flowing cocktails from Archie Roach and boozy hot chocolates, courtesy of the guys at Mork. If you're going to attempt any reverse triple axels, we suggest you do them before your hot chocolate. RISING runs from June 7 to June 18, but The Rink is sticking around until July 8. Entry is free, but skating at The Rink will set you back $22. That gets you up to 90 minutes of skate time. Children under 12 must skate with an adult. Ironic mittens and pompom beanies are highly recommended. [caption id="attachment_856290" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Rink, 2022.[/caption] Images: supplied.
If you want to see glamping taken to a whole new level, get thyself to Uluru right now. As if sleeping under the stars while taking in views of an ancient sacred site wasn't enough, you can do it in a luxury desert camp named Longitude 131°. What's more, all 15 of its tents have been made even fancier (and altogether less tent-like), thanks to the addition of some extraordinary Ayers Rock-facing balconies. The brainchild of designer Max Pritchard, these dreamy verandas come with lush day beds, armchairs and EcoSmart fireplaces, made of stone and rosewood. So, you can loll around and toast marshmallows, while keeping an eye on Uluru all night long. If you're travelling with your bestie, you'll be snuggling in front of the fire in a bespoke swag. Handmade by South Australia's Country Sew 'n' Sew, it's an all-Aussie creation, made of a cotton underlay, wool and a canvas exterior. As you might've guessed, it's based on an old-school Aussie drover's bedroll, but is built for two and, needless to say, is way, way comfier than what swaggies were lugging around in Henry Lawson's days. Plus, while you're kicking back, you'll be invited to order port, Cognac and other digestifs of your choosing. The balconies are just one of many extras brought to Longitude 131° since Baillie Lodges took over in late 2013. Since then, the tents have also scored a mega, multi-billion buck revamp, which brought new fabrics, designer furnishings, ceramics, Indigenous artworks and signature 'Baillie Beds'. "Our aim is to take the property to new levels of luxury, while at the same time enhancing its connection with Uluru and the desert environment," says managing director James Baillie. "The new balconies and luxury swags create a whole new level of intimacy, completely removing any barrier between the visitor and the landscape at Australia's spiritual heart." Prices start from a cool $1350 per person per night. We're sure you'd forget about the cash once you're snuggled up in that swag under the stars though.
The folks behind profit-for-purpose eateries Gratia and Folonomo have come up with a brand new way for you to give to charity. And it's dead easy. All you have to do is shop online — in your regular fashion, at your favourite stores — and, with every purchase, a percentage goes straight to a not-for-profit of your choice. To make it happen, simply download the free Folo browser extension, which takes about 30 seconds. In case you're wondering, this miracle doesn't cost you (or your nominated charity) a cent. In fact, it's the retailers' pockets that cover your donations. "It works according to a cash back system," explains Folo's Jaimee Abict. "A percentage of what the user spends online goes into their Folo account. This money accumulates and, once a year, the user decides to keep it or give it away." More than 700 retailers are already on-board. These include big names like Expedia, Dan Murphy's, Eurocar, Woolworths, Coles, The Iconic and Sephora. And, later in the year, the Folo team plans to roll out across the US, where the online shopping industry is worth around $300 billion annually. "Folo has the potential to solve the age-old problem of regular fundraising. And its scale can't be overstated," Abict says. "500 users spending $95 a month would raise more than $30,000 in a year. Beyond that, the numbers get ridiculous. A million users could raise over $60 million per year." Users get to choose from hundreds of charities, including large organisations, like Medecins sans Frontieres, the Australian Red Cross and St Vincent de Paul, as well as smaller ones, such as the Australian Breastfeeding Association, Interchange Inner East and the Victorian Deaf Society. If you can't make up your mind, you can opt to support a cause, like climate change, indigenous equality or global education.
Maintaining that perfect yoga pose may have just gotten a wee bit easier, thanks to the latest innovation in wearable tech. Australian company Wearable Experiments have developed a pair of yoga pants with electronic sensors that will vibrate when you're body is out of alignment. Thanks to the Nadi Smart Fitness Pants, you'll never have to feel self-conscious at beginner's yoga class again. Y'know, except for the fact you're wearing vibrating leggings. The unassuming looking pants come fitted with sensors that can sense your body's position. If you're not downward dogging quite hard enough, subtle haptic vibrations on the wearers skin let them know they need to adjust. And while you might think wearing vibrating pants would be distracting (get your mind out of the gutter), the vibrations are designed to be so subtle that you process the feedback subconsciously. "As someone who doesn't always know the correct form or alignment or pose, I find having that proper guidance is crucial," said Wearable Experiments co-founder and CEO Billie Whitehouse at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this month. "As a lifestyle product, Nadi not only acts as that guide, but also integrates into your everyday life – reminding you of something as simple as uncrossing your legs while sitting down." The pants, along with corresponding Android and iOS apps, will be available later in the year for an undisclosed amount of money. According to Mashable, the pants will last up to 25 washes, and can be recharged by a basket that is currently being developed. In addition to their yoga pants, Wearable Experiments also make smart rugby and football jerseys that let fans feel what the players on the field are feeling. What a brave new world. Via Mashable.
