Daily Detours for the Week of July 10

There isn’t anything particularly funny about Mondays. From waking up knowing that the weekend is over, to coming home after work and knowing that there are still four more days to go, there aren’t many reasons to smile. So that’s where the Comedy Lounge comes in. With no more than a crisp ten dollar note, you can find yourself admitted to one of Sydney’s premier comedy venues for an evening of chortling. While it’s not exactly the star-studded Just For Laughs Gala in Montreal, the Comedy Lounge hosts some of the best up-and-coming comedians in Sydney, as well as those who swing by while on tour. It’s a great way to laugh those Monday blues away.

With winter throwing a blanket of chill and darkness over the city, it’s getting even harder to sneak in that post-work swim, with the beach definitely not on the cards. As everyone surely knows, Australians must go swimming at least once a week or we lose our citizenship, so head down to the Thorpedo’s pool to get a few lengths in. The pool is heated snugly, so the only cold you’ll worry about is the bit between getting out of the water and getting into a towel. Even then, if that’s too much, head to the steam room or the spa to get that core temperature back up to a toasty 37 degrees.

Image: Jesse Jaco.

If you’re after authentic dumplings, you go to Haymarket. And similarly, if you want real, bona fide Vietnamese food, you head to Cabramatta. The suburb has the largest concentration of Vietnamese in the state, and thus also has some of the best Vietnamese cuisine in the state, making a trip to Cabra well worth it. The footpaths on John Street are lined with shops hawking fundamental ingredients for the cuisine, alongside a slew of restaurants that specialise in a particular dish, or simply Vietnamese cuisine as a whole. No need to hunt down reviews, just head down, pick a spot and hope for the best. It almost always works out.

Image: @tom_cyh / Instagram.

For Sydneysiders who love a little jazz, the Camelot Lounge is no stranger. Hell bent on staying a bar with no pretentiousness and no expectations, the venue has remained just a joint of smooth jazz, laid-back vibes and tasty food. They’ve opened up a new bar downstairs from the main bar as well. Dubbed Django Bar, the new spot plays host to live tunes every Thursday night deep in the confines of the luxuriously decked out digs. So get in early, get yourself a selection of their delicious dips and mezze, and settle in for some free-flowing musical mischief to get you through to the weekend.

Jugemu and shimbashi are two very different styles of Japanese cooking, the former focuses on grilling, while the latter primarily involves soft, soba noodles. Rather than get suckered into a soft shell versus hard shell style debate, Jugemu and Shimbashi threw their hands up and said, “why don’t we have both?” The restaurant is split in two, with the teppanyaki grill side modelled on a modern, flashy venue, whereas the noodle side is more traditional in its decor. But whichever side you choose, you’ll find the food is incredible. After dinner, head down to the Pickled Possum for a night cap of weirdly good times. This lower north shore institution holds karaoke on Friday nights, so get ready to belt out some Aerosmith in front of a whole bunch of people.

Image: @jess.xv.v / Instagram.

Though Sydney is filled with some awesome yoga studios, there are very few options where city slickin’ yogis can breathe fresh air while trying out their best warrior one. Enter Pocket City Farms. Connecting mind and body to the actual earth, the urban farm offers outdoor yoga overlooking their crop. Their one-hour classes are open to all levels and run by Jivamukti Yoga Sydney. The yoga studio focuses on compassion for all beings, so it’s an especially smart partnership for the farm, whose own focus is to bring city dwellers closer to the natural world.

For those worried about the winter chill, the practice will be held in a heated pavilion overlooking the market garden, with additional heaters and clear blinds also available for the cooler mornings. Sign up classes in advance or just drop in on the day — they’ve got plenty of space in the great outdoors.

While a trip to the beach might not be absolutely number one on your list of things to do in the dead of winter, Redleaf Pool provides a counterpoint to the argument that it’s just too damned cold. As temperatures around town drop to a frosty level in the shadows, here, Sydney’s winter sun remains as glorious and as toasty as ever. A favourite of eastern suburbs locals, Redleaf Pool (or Murray Rose Pool) is a long-serving gem for all ages. Hold your breath and dive in for a quick swim out to one of the two pontoons. Or if it’s just too cold, traipse your way onto the boardwalk to catch some rays. Either way, bring a little picnic, someone special and a jumper (just in case), and settle in for the afternoon. Come sunset, watch the sun dip below the horizon, as the waves gently lick the supports below and another week slips by.

Image: simplethrill / Flickr.

Personalise your next adventure via The Playmaker, driven by Mazda3.

By James Whitton and Marissa Ciampi.