Daily Detours for the Week of November 20
Featuring a look inside a futuristic house (from the 50s).
Daily Detours for the Week of November 20
In partnership with
Featuring a look inside a futuristic house (from the 50s).
When your nine-to-five plays out like a well-oiled machine, it can sometimes feel like each week is a little same-same. But Sydney is brimming with a fine bounty of things to experience and explore each and every day. So aside from casual laziness and a little lack of inspiration, there's really nothing stopping you from squeezing some adventure and spontaneity into your schedule.
We've teamed up with Mazda3 to help you celebrate the little things that bring a sense of adventure to life. Shake things up, as we give you seven different detours to take each week in Sydney. From Monday to Sunday, enrich your everyday with one completely achievable activity that inspires you to take the scenic route as you go about your daily routine.
This week, go to town on some bottomless mussels and frites, unleash your inner artists at a burlesque life drawing class and catch a flick followed by a Japanese degustation. Plus, we've got your future detours sorted for the next few weeks here.
All require no more effort than a tiny break from the norm — what's your excuse for not trying them all?
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Ananas is giving bottomless a new meaning: all-you-can-eat mussels and frites. If seafood and fries is your idea of a perfect culinary pairing, then drop by on Monday to enjoy as much as you can stomach for $30. Enjoy a bucket of steaming mussels with their marinière sauce — accompanied by pommes frites, of course — all while enjoying a view of Sydney Harbour Bridge. Plus, this stellar location means that you can easily walk over to the Opera House afterwards if you’re in need of a little post-mussel muscle movement.
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6
This is most certainly not your grandma’s art class. Founded in the Big Apple in 2005, Dr Sketchy’s took regular life drawing classes and spiced things up with burlesque models, live performances and comedy skits. The result? One of the most original and entertaining art classes around. Held fortnightly on Tuesdays, the classes are open to total novices, budding Picassos and everyone in between. The $18 entry charge secures you a spot, pay five bucks more and you’ll get a drink on arrival, or you can fork out $53 for the full Dr Sketchy’s experience, which includes dinner at the pub’s restaurant Graffiti beforehand. Every session brings a new theme, so find out what’s coming up here. Previous themes have included everything from a night dedicated to Tarantino to a cheeky version of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie.
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Resist the temptation to flop down on your couch with a movie this evening. Instead, head over to Golden Age Cinema to catch a flick from their award-winning indie film program. Sinking into the plush red chairs in this charming old-school spot beats Netflix any day. Afterwards, hop on over to nearby Sasaki for some of the best Japanese food in the city. Tucked into an unassuming laneway, this tiny, minimalist restaurant boasts a menu driven entirely by what’s in season. The dishes are both unpretentious and impeccable — think whole prawn ceviche, whiting sashimi and red miso soup executed to perfection. Remember to book in advance; this glorious little spot seats only 25 people, so reservations are essential.
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4
If the old wardrobe needs a bit of a pick me up, get yourself over to SWOP quick fast. This delightful second-hand clothing store in Newtown is all about unique, beautiful and sustainable fashion. Inspired by the culture of vintage exchange in the United States, SWOP promotes anti-waste, affordability and sustainability — so it’s the perfect place to go for conscious fashion. With both contemporary and vintage threads hanging in colour-coded order, this store is a goldmine for finding that one-off piece your wardrobe needs.
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3
Somehow, entirely inexplicably, we’re already about a month out from Christmas. This year, skip the typical department stores and instead pick out unique gifts for your family and friends at The Big Design Market. The three-day independent designer extravaganza features over 230 stallholders selling furniture, fashion, homewares, textiles and much more. With such a wide range of products, you’re sure to find something for even the pickiest people on your list. The market is also offering a series of creative workshops and a smorgasbord of food options from local favourites like Gelato Messina, Welcome Dose Specialty Coffee, Archie Rose, Mary’s, Porteño, Shortstop and Smoking Gun Bagels. Prepare your bank account, and get ready to have your Christmas shopping done earlier than you ever have before.
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2
Start your weekend right with a morning yoga class at LoveSweats. This for-purpose business uses yoga to tackle social issues like homelessness and poverty, so you can get your stretch on for a really good cause. Plus, at just $15 per session, these yoga classes are a total steal. Afterwards, stroll over to the Carriageworks Farmers Market to treat yourself to some luscious homemade crumpets. These fresh-out-the-oven babies are served with Pepe Saya butter and Carriageworks’ own honey and are so delicious you’ll be hard-pressed to stop at just one.
Image: Mark Bond Photography.
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1
If you still haven’t visited the Rose Seidler House, today’s the day. One of the country’s most-renowned modernist homes, this striking little house is more than worth a day-trip. Located 30 kilometres north of the city, the house was designed by Harry Seidler, Sydney’s most famous architect, in 1950. Today, it’s part of Sydney Living Museums and has been maintained in all of its 1950s glory with its original colour scheme and furniture by top post-war designers like Charles Eames. Request a tour to gain deeper insight into the vibrant history of this modernist gem.
Image: Phyllis Wong, Sydney Living Museums.
Personalise your next adventure via The Playmaker, driven by Mazda3.
