Daily Detours to Help You Get Cultured

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.

Since 1983, Lucio’s has brought together two of the best things in life — Italian food and art — in a beautiful terrace in Paddington. Owner Lucio Galletto OAM says the combination is like the air he breathes. The fare is of the Northern Italian variety, made with fresh, seasonal produce and pasta whipped up on-the-spot daily. To sample as many dishes as possible, go for the six-course degustation, and between the courses of hearty eats, feast your eyes on the stunning Australian artworks covering the walls. They’re part of Lucio’s private collection, and among them, you’ll spot pieces by John Olsen, John Coburn, Tim Storrier, Charles Blackman and loads of others. Some even speculate that Lucio’s could be one of the world’s best art restaurants, along with New York City’s Four Seasons, London’s Sketches and Ivy and Provence’s La Colombo d’Or.

Image: Jesse Jaco.

Every Wednesday, the MCA leaves the lights on until 9pm, letting you get to know the gallery when the daytime crowds aren’t around. Each month there’s a Sundown Sketch Club session, the next will be held on Wednesday, 1 November. This laid-back art class gives you a chance to have a scribble while sipping a glass of wine and soaking up harbour views, as you’re guided through the ups and downs of inspiration by an official MCA Art Educator. And once your masterpiece is complete, head to the Sculpture Terrace to celebrate with live music and a tasty morsel or two at the MCA Cafe.

Image: Leslie Liu.

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 too, downstairs from the main bar. 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 the delicious dips and mezze, and settle in for some free-flowing musical mischief to get you through to the weekend.

After bailing from the office at a reasonable hour (well semi-reasonable, it is Friday after all) head to Gelato Messina (in Surry Hills or Darlinghurst) and get yourself a sundae made from the daily special. Delicious frozen treat in hand, stroll down to Golden Age Cinema for a movie screening in a beautifully-restored building.The range of films they screen is eclectic — new, old, arthouse, iconic — and they also host weekly live performances in the bar. Cocktail in hand you can watch the likes of Rainbow Chan, the Great Outdoors and The Double.

The traditional Sydney weekend — a practice honed after many years of dedication — includes heading to the market for flowers, fruit and veg (with coffee in hand, of course), and then finding a way to squeeze a touch of culture into your morning. And Carriageworks has you covered for both, with their famous Saturday farmers market and eclectic exhibition space only a few steps away. In the coming months, the space will house Liveworks, experimental performance and art from across Australia and Asia, Project Banaba, a work of historical artefacts, and New Breed by the Sydney Dance Company.

Bookshops come and go, but Gould’s has stood its ground in Newtown since 1988. That’s possibly because shifting the titles anywhere else would require the Army, Navy and Air Force. But the more likely key to its longevity is its second-hand book collection being not only the biggest in Australia but also one of the most extraordinary anywhere. Forget everything primary school taught you about alphabetical order and the Dewey Decimal system. The whole point of the Gould’s experience is to get lost. Whether you’re looking for a specific book or simply browsing, you’ll be wandering down book-lined alleys, picking your way through stacks and coming across rarities and out-of-print editions. Expect to bump shoulders with at least a few frazzled uni students.

Image: Jesse Jaco.

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