Though the news isn't a total surprise to anyone paying attention to Good Charlotte's social channels, or to anyone who spied the mysterious billboards around the nation, Good Charlotte has confirmed dates and venues for a 2026 ANZ tour. As per Rolling Stone AU/NZ, the US pop punk group have today confirmed a lineup of arena shows in Perth, Brisbane, Bendigo, Sydney and Auckland. Joining Good Charlotte for the tour will be fellow US heavyweights Yellowcard, and Australia's own Kisschasy. "Australia is such a special place to Good Charlotte and to me personally, it feels like a home away from home in many ways, and we can't wait to head back there for some big shows," Good Charlotte frontman Joel Madden said. "It's been far too long since we've spent time with our Aussie fans, we're all in for a big treat." [embed]https://open.spotify.com/album/5IbeeWff9kyS6ZU67NdyQD?si=uWyoDRgLQK-cBxUnpamSBg[/embed] In a recent interview with Rolling Stone AU/NZ in support of their latest album, Motel Du Cap – the US band's first album in seven years – Madden confirmed that they intend to hit Australia in early 2026 for arena shows around the country. "We were trying to surprise dates this year, but it's been too hard with something with the venues or something," Madden revealed. "I don't know. It's been too hard to get dates, whatever the complications have been this year, because we wanted to drop [the dates] around when the record comes. I think it'll be arena shows, so it's harder to move those things around. So I think we're gonna come as quickly as we can at the top of '26." [embed]https://youtu.be/-DfXG1IozRU?si=apjjTG76wTu04Y5d[/embed] "That's what we're talking about right now." Motel Du Cap is the band's first full-length release since 2018's Generation Rx. In 2020, Good Charlotte released the single "Last December." Since then, band leaders and brothers Joel and Benji Madden have focused on various business ventures outside of music, including livestream platform Veeps, Joel's Artist Friendly podcast, and an entire artist management company MDDN. [caption id="attachment_1033843" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Scott Dudelson/Getty Images[/caption] General public tickets go on sale from 11am on Monday, October 20th. Click here for more details and to view all the dates and venues.
Picking just one film that Quentin Tarantino will always be known for is impossible. Pulp Fiction might seem to be the obvious answer, but given that his resume spans Reservoir Dogs, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill and Inglourious Basterds as well, alongside Death Proof, Django Unchained, The Hateful Eight and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, his career is filled with standout flicks. Only one looks set to score a Brad Pitt-starring follow-up with David Fincher directing, however — and with QT writing the script. As Variety and The Playlist are reporting, the tale of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood's Cliff Booth won't be over if this new film comes to fruition. Netflix are behind it, and the focus on Booth is why Pitt (Wolfs) is in the lead, returning to the role that won him an Oscar. There's no name for the movie yet, or much else in the way of details — including whether fellow Once Upon a Time in Hollywood stars Leonardo DiCaprio (Killers of the Flower Moon) and Margot Robbie (Barbie) will also feature or even briefly pop up. Whatever title it has and whoever else is in it, the picture will see Pitt working with two familiar filmmakers. For Tarantino, he also starred in Inglourious Basterds. For Fincher, he's led Seven, Fight Club and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. If you've been hanging out for a new movie from the latter director since 2023's The Killer, this might be it. If the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood-related film retains a look at Tinseltown and the entertainment industry, Fincher will add it alongside Mank on his resume. QT just keeps showing Once Upon a Time in Hollywood love, after releasing a novelisation based on the ten-time Academy Award-nominated as part of a two-title deal with publisher Harper Collins. The text not only retraced the tale seen on-screen, but added to it. And yes, Tarantino penned the book, which marked his first foray into printed fiction and saw him embrace his love of novels that relay the narrative of big-screen releases. It's been almost three decades since QT wrote a feature script that someone else directed, since the screenplay for 1996's From Dusk Till Dawn — which he also acted in, and Robert Rodriguez (Spy Kids: Armageddon) helmed. Tarantino is no stranger to Pitt starring in a flick that stems from his words, but with another filmmaker behind the camera, though, courtesy of 1993's Tony Scott (Unstoppable)-directed True Romance. Obviously there's no sneak peek yet for the new film, but you can check out Once Upon a Time in Hollywood's trailer below: Netflix's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood follow-up doesn't yet have a release date — we'll update you with more details when they are announced. Read our review of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Via Variety / The Playlist.
Simple Pleasures Camping Co. is returning to the grounds of Oberon's Mayfield Garden for its next luxurious eco-friendly camping retreat. After popping up in March this year, Glamping in the Garden will return this spring, from September 21 through November 17, to 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 and a six-acre water garden — plus a bluestone chapel, aviary and rose garden. Bookings include passes to explore the sprawling 160-acre gardens, with exclusive nighttime access for glamping guests. There's plenty to do apart from moseying around, including romantic canoe rides, interactive garden mazes, tours and workshops, with Spring Festival also on October 13–28. The campsite is separate into two 15-tent sites: the family-friendly area if you've got kids in tow and a more intimate adults-only section situated next to the picturesque obelisk pond. The bell-shaped tents are fitted with queen mattresses, lavish rugs, bedside tables and solar lighting. 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. Bookings for Glamping in the Garden are now open. Prices start at $290 per night and includes accommodation and dinner for two, with family packages also available. If you're looking for more glamping options, check out our ten favourite glamping spots near Sydney.
According to one urban myth, Sydney's jacarandas are the work of an unknown hospital matron who sent every new mother home with a seedling. Another states that soldiers brought the trees home as gifts on their return from World War II. The problem is that there's no evidence for either. So no one really knows how Sydney came to have so many. What we do know, though, is that, come late October, the city transforms into a vision of purple, as hundreds of jacarandas bloom. But they don't hang around for long — so, if you're keen to see them, it's time to start planning a day out. Here are a few spots — both in and near Sydney — where you can get your jacaranda fix this spring. CIRCULAR QUAY AND THE ROCKS The Rocks' heritage-listed sandstone provides another striking backdrop. Turn your adventure into a lovely walk by starting at the Royal Botanic Gardens and following the Harbour shore line to The Rocks. PADDINGTON Paddington's most famous jacarandas line Oxford Street, just outside Victoria Barracks. But you'll find plenty more among the suburb's back streets and parks — especially around Five Ways. LAVENDER BAY To see a purple sea against the brilliant blue of the Harbour, head to Lavender Bay on the lower north shore. Other spots to check out nearby include Wollstonecraft, Waverton and Kirribilli's famous (and always packed with photo-takers) jacaranda 'tunnel'. HUNTERS HILL While you're on the North Shore, head a little west to take a stroll through Hunters Hill. For a local's perspective, jump on board a walking tour with the Hunters Hill Trust. CAMDEN Found an hour's drive southwest of the Sydney CBD, Camden's town centre transforms into a blaze of purple, thanks to 39 trees planted way back in the 1920s. GRAFTON Grafton's a six-hour road trip from Sydney, but rewards you with more than 6500 trees and its famous Jacaranda Festival, set to take place between October 27 and November 4 this year. Images: Destination NSW.
If your wardrobe is filled with pop culture-themed attire, odds are that you're a fan of Brisbane's BlackMilk Clothing. Star Wars outfits, Harry Potter activewear, Avatar threads, Squid Game tracksuits, The Witcher dresses — the company has released them all. Next on its list: a new range of Stranger Things-inspired pieces. This isn't the first time that BlackMilk has teamed up with Netflix to pay homage to the 80s-set sci-fi hit; however, given that the series finally returned for season four this year — and that Halloween is almost upon us, too — the brand has whipped up another collection. Need something to run up that hill in? Not sure what to wear while battling Vecna? Just keen on a new trick-or-treating outfit? Consider all of those boxes ticked. Whether you've spent the last few years wishing you went to Hawkins High or you just want to wear clothing decked out with demorgogons, there's something here for you, too. The new 17-piece line spans includes Hawkins Demogorgons varsity jackets, Upside Down-themed dresses and leggings that look like Vecna's lair. A hoodie features the gang riding their bikes the right way up and all that evil lurking below, while a few particularly ace-looking items include Stranger Things movie posters. Another standout: a shirt paying tribute to Eddie Munson, name-checking his band Corroded Coffin. And, because the range really is timed for the spookiest period of the year, cartoon pumpkins also feature. The past few months haven't been short on ways to indulge your Stranger Things love, ranging from Spotify playlists to themed burgers — and, of course, that giant rift that arrived temporarily on Bondi Beach. A full preview of BlackMilk's new Stranger Things collection is available on its website — and if you're as keen to pick up a few pieces as Eleven is about Eggos, they go on sale at 7am AEST on Thursday, September 8. Getting in quickly, like a demon is chasing you, is recommended; items are available until sold out, and, yes, that often happens quickly. BlackMilk Clothing's new Stranger Things collection goes on sale at 7am AEST on Thursday, September 8. For more information about, head to the brand's website.
Spending New Year's Eve without a plan is not cool. Do it, and you'll be the person with no taxi to hail (I dare you to try); do it, and you'll be the person left wondering how it's 2014 already, cursing yourself for all the things you haven’t done. Know what else you haven't done? You haven't listened to Concrete Playground and headed on out to one of the events we've lined up for you. Don't be that person. Here are some of the ways we thought you might like to spend your last moments of 2013 and first of 2014. New Year's Eve The Island Lounge on Clark Island We all know how crazy Sydney can get on New Year's Eve. With everyone trying see the amazing fireworks, it can be quite a pain to find a decent spot. So why not get out of the city for a better view? Clark Island is the perfect location to watch the city shine from afar. With plenty of seating areas, guests at the Island Lounge won't have to fight for a spot. Cosy up and enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the Sydney Harbour in a relaxing atmosphere of live music and entertainment. You won't have to worry about anything because at this luxury event, food, cocktails, entertainment and ferry transfers are all taken care of and included in your ticket. Tickets are priced at $440 per person. The event lasts from 5.30pm-12.30am. 18+ NYE On The Harbour If it's firework views you’re after with the chance of a good boogie (join the queue, pal), the King St Wharf’s Cargo Bar a better destination at NYE than at any other time of year. Art vs Science, Van She, Gold Fields and DJ sets from Alison Wonderland and Bag Raiders will bring in 2014 with cheer — and with no screaming children in sight. The event sells out year after year, so nab your tickets and BYO flippers in order to get down. Tickets range from $89-$180 per person. The event starts at 7pm. 18+. Image from Cargo Bar's NYE 2011 party NYE Festival at Wet'n'Wild Northern Hemisphere residents will lament their white Christmas when they see what we’ve got going on Down Under. While they’re putting on their earmuffs, we’ll be sipping a cold cider down a water slide in style to 'We No Speak Americano.' You heard me. Sydney’s newly opened Wet'n'Wild theme park is throwing an NYE party away from the harbourside crowds. So put your hands in the air from a water slide, or dance to Will Sparks, Yolanda Be Cool, Uberjackd, Faydee, Gtronic, Haezer and more on Australia’s largest artificial beach. Dayum. Tickets cost $110-$200 per person. 7pm till late. Image via Wet'n'Wild Sydney Animal House Toga Party at The Vanguard If paying $500 to live like a sardine just ain't your thang (we feel you), try out The Vanguard this New Year's. Because the resident movie buffs are chucking an Animal House-themed do, togas and all. To keep us and our garlands entertained, The Vanguard have curated an all-star soul band that includes Mojo Juju, Jeremy Davidson of The Snowdroppers and three of the guys from Gay Paris. Price: $63.80. Time: 7pm till late. Image via University of Wisconsin Archives Harbour Fireworks The Sydney Harbour fireworks are iconic, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is iconic, and this year’s creative ambassador Reg Mombassa (or the ‘Mombassador’) is iconic. Okay, it's safe to say that the annual event will once again be, um, iconic. The Sydney Harbour foreshore is visited by 1.6 million visitors each NYE, this year themed 'Shine'. Sure, nobody likes a crowd, but if you can't beat them, join them. So make like a sardine and head to Embarkation Park, Arthur McElhone Reserve, Mrs Macquarie Park or one of many less congested suburban parks (do we need to draw you a map?) to catch a glimpse of the fireworks. They set off at 9pm for the youngsters and then again at midnight. Price: free. 9pm and midnight. NYE Party at the House This is the ultimate. Combine New Year's with the 40th birthday of the country's most iconic landmark and you've got a massive banger on your hands. Located in the heart of the NYE action, this waterside resort-lounge setting on the western boardwalk of the upper concourse of Sydney Opera House is the perfect backdrop to celebrate. Partygoers will have a front row seat to the illustrious Sydney Harbour fireworks as well as to this year’s most extravagant light show, designed by artist and musician Reg Mombassa. Entertainment will be provided with live music from 14-time ARIA–nominated Sneaky Sound System, all-girl DJ duo The Faders and DJ RobKAY. Also, be sure to come hungry, because celebrity chef Matt Moran is putting together a special menu just for the event. As SSS' Connie Mitchell says, "Opera House – check. New Year’s Eve – check. Fireworks – big check. Banging new party outfit – definite check! Killer set? You bet.” Sounds like quite the bash. Tickets are priced at $554.95 per person and include all food and select cocktails. 7pm-1.30am. 18+. End of Year Party at The Bar at the End of the Wharf This event isn't only a verbal mouthful. For those of you who enjoy stuffing your faces on your day off, this NYE party is a feast of delicacies by the talented team from Fresh Catering. There will be heaps of canapes and champagne on hand when you need a break from all the dancing. Oh yes, there will be lots of dancing, with live entertainment from The Kundalini Experience (DJ Marc 'Kundalini' + live sax & percussion). On top of all of this, you'll have a bird's eye view of the Sydney Harbour fireworks display. Get ready for a spectacle of the senses. Tickets are priced at $350 per person. The party kicks off at 7pm. 18+ Image via Fresh Catering NEW YEAR'S DAY Field Day Have a field day and show 2014 who’s boss with a New Year's Day marked by dehydration, selfies and shared sweat from a mosh pit. Wiz Khalifa, A$AP Rocky, Flume, Solange, The Wombats, London Grammar, Ta-ku, Hermitude, Chet Faker and Flight Facilities will be playing into the night at the Domain event. Neatly tucked between the city and the Botanical Gardens, Field Day is one of the best for New Year's Day. So make use of your public holiday and put your hangover on the backburner. Price: $118-185. Time: 12noon till 10:30pm. NYD at Newtown Hotel If you're still functioning after the previous night's festivities and craving some more action, then head over to the Newtown Hotel on New Year's Day. With a wacky lineup of unique performers such as human cannonball/'One Man Guitar Party' Bob Log III and Italo funk disco poster-boy Donny Benet, it's safe to say this will not be a dull event. The party kicks at 3pm, so grab a bloody mary and shake off that hangover. This free event is 18+. Free entry. Image via Voodoo Rhythm Soul of Sydney: Secret NYD Block Party This exclusive New Year's Day event is keeping the party going, literally. With a variety of tunes including soul, funk, disco, boogie and house house, DJs and friends of Soul of Sydney will keep you movin' and groovin' into the new year. That's all we can tell you about this hush-hush event. You'll have to find out the rest for yourself if you're lucky enough to get an invite to this limited capacity event. Hopefuls can sign up on their waitlist and RSVP for more information. Image via Soul of Sydney. You Am I Ramblin' Gamblin' RoadStop Revue If you've been looking for a New Year's event that won't break the bank, you owe You Am I big time. The Aussie rock outfit are staging a car park takeover at The Vic for a free one-off gig coined The Ramblin' Gamblin' RoadStop Revue. Aside from welcoming the New Year, the day is for You Am I and the Addison Road venue to cheers their fans and patrons for their support. And cheers them you shall, because Young Henry's limited-edition Brew Am I pale ale will be on offer with a spit roast barbeque to line your stomach. Snowdroppers, Abbe May, Courtney Barnett, Phil Jamieson, Love Junkies and The Mountains will also be taking to the stage. From noon. Free. Sneaky and Icebergs present NYD 2014 Sneaky and Icebergs Dining Room and Bar are being ultra sneaky, keeping their NYD 2014 party very hushhush. The star-studded event — now in it’s 12th year — is back for one last time in this form. There’s no invitation for this one, you have to be a friend of a friend for the Maurice Terzini (Icebergs), Angus McDonald (Sneaky Sound System) and Dan Single (Ksubi)-founded event. We’re told there’ll be a few surprises on the day while you’re partying to Sneaky with celebs and drinking Belvedere by the glass. Holla at me, 2014. By Madeline Milani and Rachel Eddie.
Chocolate, flowers, candles, soaps, socks — if the usual Mother's Day gift ideas aren't cutting it for you this year, and you can't quite afford a weekend away on the Mornington Peninsula, don't fret. Barangaroo Artisan Market has you covered – even if you're the most last minute of last-minute shoppers. Happening at 10am on Saturday, May 10 — the day before the big day — the annual event will see more than 70 stallholders take over the streets of Barangaroo. Whether your mum's into ceramics and homewares or jewellery and textiles, you'll find something special to take home and wrap up. Alternatively, take her along for a big day out. Among the stalls, you'll find stunning functional artworks from Upcycled Glassware; slow, sustainable, ethically-sourced fashion from Essena; Aussie-made prints, cards and wrapping from Breezy Bird Studio; and unique, handcrafted jewellery from Aboriginal artist Sonia Pallett — among many, many other surprises and delights. In between browsing and buying, be treated to excellent eats, as well as live music and roving performers. Look out for the acrobatics of the Disco Divas, the juggling and hula-hooping of Kenny and Shiho, and the fluoro florals of Walks of Art, a parade inspired by Van Gogh and Monet.
Last year, just as the pandemic started shutting down our regular routines, a handy browser plug-in popped up to make life a little more bearable. That'd be Netflix Party, which helps you watch movies with your mates while still social distancing — synchronising everyone's playback so you're truly watching each and every frame at the same time. That's all well and good if you're watching via a browser, and you're watching Netflix. If you and your pals are keen on an iOS alternative that'll slide right into your chats and span other platforms, you'll soon have one. As part of its big iOS 15 announcement, Apple has revealed that it is launching a new Facetime feature called Shareplay. It'll allow you to view films and TV shows together and in sync — and listen to music as well — complete with shared playback controls. So, once you and your friends are on a Shareplay session, anyone can pause whatever you're watching or hearing. Also, you won't all need to be using an iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple TV to access the service. Apple also announced that it's going to extend Facetime calls beyond its own devices, so folks who use Android or Windows devices will be able to access the application via their web browser. A heap of other platforms will be integrated into Shareplay, if you're wondering what you and your crew will be able to binge together. They include Disney+, TikTok and Twitch, as well as Paramount+ — which will launch in Australia this August. You'll obviously all need to subscribe to whichever platforms you're planning to view or listen to — so this won't be a way to watch The Mandalorian on your mates' account. Shareplay will work with Apple Music and Apple's own range of movies and TV shows, naturally, and you'll also be able to share your screen via the feature to view other apps together. Other updates slated for iOS 15, which is expected to start rolling out from spring 2021, include redesigned notifications, a big Safari revamp, a Live Text function that'll be able to read handwritten writing in photos, enhanced features in Apple Maps and ramped up privacy controls. The weather and notes apps are getting a makeover, too, and there'll also be a new Live Translate feature as well. Apple's iOS 15 is expected to start rolling out from spring 2021. For further details, head to the Apple website.
If you're someone who habitually forgets to grab your dear ol' dad a Father's Day gift until the last minute, now is your chance to get him something really special — especially if he loves a dram and his motorsports. Glenfiddich has partnered with the Aston Martin Formula One Team to release a limited-edition 16-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (ABV 43%). Housed in an Aston Martin Racing Green presentation box, this will really pop on dad's bar shelf (when he isn't pouring himself a glass, that is). When it comes to whisky, few names are as renowned as Glenfiddich. Founded in 1887, this Scottish distillery has long been a pioneer in the production of single malt Scotch whisky and is one of the few remaining family-owned distilleries. Continuing to embrace the innovative practices of its founder, William Grant, it's responsible for some of the best-selling whiskies on the market, including the most awarded single malt Scotch whisky in the world. Its commitment to such a high level of craftsmanship is exactly why Glenfiddich has partnered with Aston Martin to release this limited-edition bottle. Announced at the Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024, this 16-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky celebrates the precision and mastery of these two iconic brands. "At Glenfiddich, we're committed to creating exceptional whiskies that honour tradition while embracing innovation," commented Brian Kinsman, Glenfiddich's Malt Master. "The Glenfiddich 16-Year-Old is a true testament to this philosophy. It combines craftsmanship and precision in a whisky that invites exploration and discovery, much like the journey of our partnership with Aston Martin Formula One Team. It's a celebration of blending tradition with the thrill of innovation." So what exactly makes this single malt Scotch whisky special? Like all of Glenfiddich's spirits, the devil is in the details. This 16-year-old whisky is aged in a carefully selected marriage of American oak wine casks, new American barrels and second-fill bourbon casks. Through the distillery's meticulous blending process, the result is a bottle that features distinct notes of maple syrup, caramelised ginger and, subtly, toasted oak. As it goes down, it has a silky and syrupy palate that tastes like fresh fruit salad and Chantilly cream. All of this culminates in a finish that's smooth and bold, with a sustained sweetness. What wouldn't Dad love about that? If he considers himself a bit of a whisky connoisseur or has an eye for the more luxurious things in life, this limited edition bottle is sure to go down smooth. It's also the perfect Father's Day gift if your dad is the kind of guy who saves spirits so he can crack them out for "special occasions". Every dram of Glenfiddich's 16-Year-Old Single Malt is sure to be enjoyed. If you're lucky, he might even let you have a glass. The Glenfiddich 16-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (RRP $150) is available at First Choice, Liquorland, Vintage Cellars and independent retailers. You can purchase it here. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy. Images: Glenfiddich
Set to open in the coming months, ultra-chic 25hours Hotels will make its Australian debut with the arrival of The Olympia in Paddington. As the opening date gets closer, the team has announced that London-based creative hospitality group Studio Paskin will also make its Australian debut, working alongside celebrated local chef Mitch Orr as Culinary Director. Studio Paskin's sibling founders, Zoë and Layo Paskin, will bring their immersive blend of storytelling and cultural richness to the gastronomic offering. The group's reputation for working with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients from small artisans and growers dovetails perfectly with Orr's experience, with his local insight and trusted relationships set to prove a harmonious pairing. As for The Olympia, the hotel will feature four venues, with three presented as a fresh iteration of Studio Paskin's existing London hotspots. The main restaurant, The Palomar, will draw on multifaceted influences, from Southern Europe to North Africa and the Levant, with cuisine produced on a woodfired grill in an open kitchen. Next, The Mulwray is an intimate wine and cocktail bar, named after the character of Evelyn Mulwray from the 1974 classic film, Chinatown. Mysteriously elegant, this film noir inspiration sets the scene. There's also Jacob the Angel, an all-day coffee house and bakery, shaped by the ever-evolving landscape of independent coffee shops. Primed for a top-notch brew with the treats to match, Baker Bleu bread will adorn the shelves. Finally, the stylish rooftop bar Monica is inspired by the sun-drenched nostalgia of West Hollywood. Conceived by creative F&B studio Carte Blanched, expect panoramic views of the city and an easygoing vibe. Launching Studio Paskin in 1995, Zoë and Layo's journey into the world of hospitality began with the opening of The End — a highly influential London nightclub that ran until 2009. With Layo touring the globe as one half of the DJ duo Layo & Bushwacka!, he's more than familiar with Sydney's nightlife venues, including the site of The Olympia, which was formerly the Grand Pacific Blue Room nightclub. The pair's creative collaboration with Mitch Orr is set to be an exciting one, as the so-called Prince of Pasta will bring plenty of inventiveness to the kitchen. Learning his trade at some of Sydney's highest profile restaurants, including Pilu at Freshwater, Sepia, and his own venture ACME, he's perhaps best known as the former Head Chef of Kiln, the Ace Hotel's acclaimed flame-forward rooftop restaurant. 25hours Hotel The Olympia is expected to open in mid-2025 at 1-11 Oxford Street, Paddington. Head to the website for more information.
Monika Behrens and Rochelle Hayley have brought out their best watercolour brushes for Bedknobs and Broomsticks series, and produced a set of finely detailed scientific illustrations of various flora, fauna and, um, sex toys. The plants and animals are elements of rituals and medicines used by wise women and in witchcraft; the dildos are there in reference to a possibly apocryphal claim that certain preparations were applied internally, using, um, aids to that. By depicting the artificial phallus on the same ground as the supplies a female healer would have had recourse to, Behrens and Hayley also make a neat point about the way womens' knowledge has been treated in this area: that it's either not taken seriously (it is kind of hard not to giggle at the meticulous rendering of some of these luridly-coloured devices) or perceived as a threat (they're witches! Witches!). Women healers threaten masculine ascendancy either by appropriating or providing a counter-tradition for treatment of the body and womens' sexuality does a pretty similar thing. The threat of the feminine is also central to Tim Schultz's Schultztown pictures. These are big, confronting nudes, grotesques whose bodies are pallidly degenerate and alien-seeming or robust to the point of animality. His two modes can be roughly described as Tim Burton doing Classical French portraits or Caravaggio painting villains from Disney films, both representing a strategy of containment of the erotic feminine and perversion of it to specific expressive ends. The titles and prices painted onto the gallery walls are suggesting what one of these might be and flipping the already foetid unwholesomeness of the chaotic salon hang into a camp critique. Image: Tim Schultz, The Piper, 2006
When it opens its borders in early March, Western Australia will allow travellers from interstate and international destinations to visit for the first time in nearly two years — and, if it's beaches you're after, you have plenty of reasons to make the trip. Already in 2022, WA's Misery Beach was named Australia's best beach for the year. Now, the state's Turquoise Bay has nabbed its own accolade, topping a list of best beaches in the South Pacific for 2022. In Tripadvisor's just-announced 2022 lineup of the region's best beaches, which ranks ten idyllic locations, seven Aussie spots made the cut — and two from New Zealand. In fact, the only patch of sand that wasn't from either country was Bora Bora's Matira Beach, which came in fifth. Yes, that means three Aussie beaches and one NZ spot pipped French Polynesia. Located in Exmouth, Turquoise Bay came in third in Tripadvisor's top ten list of beaches around the world, too, moving up a spot from sixth in 2021. So, if you're making beachy holiday plans, this WA locale has been given the tick twice over. [caption id="attachment_844142" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Greens Pool, Denmark, Western Australia[/caption] On the South Pacific list, Broome's Cable Beach, also in WA, came in second — followed by New Zealand's Kaiteriteri Beach at third, then Greens Pool in Denmark, WA at fourth. Norfolk Island's Emily Bay ranked sixth, Queensland's Mooloolaba Beach came seventh, Cape Le Grand National Park in Esperance, WA sits eighth and 2021 best beach in the world winner Whitehaven Beach in Queensland came ninth. Rounding out the rankings: Tahunanui Beach in Nelson, NZ. Clearly, WA beaches scored big — with most locations named this year also placing in 2021. [caption id="attachment_844140" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kaiteriteri Beach, New Zealand[/caption] On the worldwide list, Grace Bay Beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands emerged victorious — moving up from fourth place in 2021 — followed by Varadero Beach in Cuba at second. Brazil's Quarta Praia in Morro de Sao Paulo came fourth, Aruba's Eagle Beach sits fifth and Radhanagar Beach on Havelock Island in India ranked sixth. They were followed by Baía do Sancho in Fernando de Noronha, Brazil at seventh; Trunk Bay Beach in the Virgin Islands National Park, US Virgin Islands at eighth; Baía dos Golfinhos in Praia da Pipa, again in Brazil, at ninth and Italy's Spiaggia dei Conigli in Lampedusa at tenth. The global list also named spots from 11th to 25th place, with Broome's Cable Beach coming in 11th. Across both the worldwide and South Pacific rankings, winners were chosen as part of Tripadvisor's Traveller's Choice awards, which is based on reviews and ratings left on the online platform across 2021. [caption id="attachment_844145" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Grace Bay Beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands[/caption] TOP TEN BEACHES IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC FOR 2022: Turquoise Bay, Exmouth, Western Australia Cable Beach, Broome, Western Australia Kaiteriteri Beach, Kaiteriteri, New Zealand Greens Pool, Denmark, Western Australia Matira Beach, Bora Bora, French Polynesia Emily Bay, Norfolk Island, Australia Mooloolaba Beach, Mooloolaba, Queensland Cape Le Grand National Park, Esperance, Western Australia Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Queensland Tahunanui Beach, Nelson, New Zealand TOP TEN BEACHES IN THE WORLD FOR 2022: Grace Bay Beach, Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos Varadero Beach, Varadero, Cuba Turquoise Bay, Exmouth, Western Australia Quarta Praia, Morro de Sao Paulo, Brazil Eagle Beach, Palm, Eagle Beach, Aruba Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island, India Baía do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil Trunk Bay Beach, Virgin Islands National Park, U.S. Virgin Islands Baía dos Golfinhos, Praia da Pipa, Brazil Spiaggia dei Conigli, Lampedusa, Italy To check out the full list of top beaches for 2022, head to Tripadvisor. Top image: Tourism Western Australia.
Head to Sydney Olympic Park for Abbatoir Blues Cafe, a family-owned restaurant known for its hearty lunches, bottomless antipasto and house-made Egyptian rose tea — all of which you can enjoy over brunch. House specialties include the Elevated Toastie with wood-smoked scamorza, prosciutto and vincotto, and the green pea hummus toast with heirloom cherry tomatoes, dusted beetroot powder and pumpkin seeds. For something a little less brunchy but no less delicious, tuck into a hearty bowl of gnocchi napoletana, prawn ravioli or house-made lasagne. Slept in? The venue stays open late, serving antipasti, handmade pasta and larger meals alongside a selection of cocktails and wine.
Make a comic-book blockbuster, then make a smaller-scale but still star-studded comedy: that's been Taika Waititi's formula of late. The first time that he jumped into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Thor: Ragnarok, he followed it up with Jojo Rabbit, an "anti-hate" comedy mocking Hitler that won the New Zealand filmmaker an Oscar. Now, after returning to the MCU with Thor: Love and Thunder, he's turning a true tale about American Samoa's soccer team into his next flick. If Next Goal Wins sounds familiar, there's a few reasons for that. Firstly, it's already the title of a documentary from 2014 about the national football squad and their efforts to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Also, Waititi's dramatised version of that story has been in the making for four years, both beginning and wrapping initial production pre-pandemic — before doing reshoots in 2021. And, of course, the details themselves might ring a bell if you're a fan of the world game and you remember the American Samoan team's big 2001 defeat. Playing Australia in a qualifying match two decades back, the squad lost 31–0. Cue the hiring of Dutch American coach Thomas Rongen, who Michael Fassbender (X-Men: Dark Phoenix) plays in Waititi's movie. As the just-dropped trailer for Next Goal Wins 2.0 shows, Rongen has just lost his job when he gets the new gig in the South Pacific. From there, Waititi and the film are in classic underdog sports-film territory, but stepping through events that genuinely happened. There's another important part of this story, too, with American Samoa squad member Jaiyah Saeluathe first non-binary player to compete in a FIFA World Cup qualifier. The doco made for rousing viewing, which the latest flick overtly aims to ape — mixed with the brand of comedy that Waititi has established in everything from Eagle vs Shark and Boy to What We Do in the Shadows to Hunt for the Wilderpeople before he hit the MCU. And yes, to answer the immediate question that any trailer for one of the writer/director's pictures inspires, Waititi does indeed pop up on-screen. Alongside the filmmaker and Fassbender, the latter of which hasn't made a movie since 2019, Next Goal Wins also stars Oscar Kightley (The Breaker Upperers), Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid's Tale), Will Arnett (Murderville), Uli Latukefu (Young Rock), Rhys Darby (Our Flag Means Death), David Fane (Duckrockers), Lehi Falepapalangi (Doogie Kamealoha, MD), Semu Filipo (The Justice of Bunny King), Rachel House (Heartbreak High), Angus Sampson (Bump), Beulah Koale (Dual) and more. Check out the trailer for Next Goal Wins below: Next Goal wins releases in cinemas Down Under on January 1, 2024.
Another beloved Sydney venue has closed its doors as a result of the gruelling last few years for the arts. Surry Hills comedy and theatre venue Giant Dwarf has shut its doors, announcing online that it would not be reopening after it was forced to shut down during Sydney's last lockdown. "It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news that our doors will not be reopening. The second lockdown really hit us hard and we have been unable to find a way to continue." the statement posted on Giant Dwarf's Facebook page reads. The Giant Dwarf has served as a hub for local comedians, oddball theatre shows and inclusive art for the past eight years. It was first opened in the former space of the Cleveland Street Theatre in 2014 by the team behind The Chaser and has fostered diverse and up-and-coming artists of all kinds ever since. "The main aim for the theatre has always been to extend the vision of the production company — to create an inspiring environment for new talent to develop skills and produce original and engaging content," inaugural Giant Dwarf program director Nikita Agzarian said back in 2014. [caption id="attachment_813870" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Flowertruck at Giant Dwarf, Bronte Goddensmith[/caption] The statement posted on Thursday, January 28 cited lockdowns, uncertainty around the future and a lack of funding as reasons the venue was unable to reopen, while also thanking those that helped keep the theatre running throughout the years including staff, the City of Sydney, the Thyne Reid Foundation, independent donors and audience members. The news comes the same week that the future of iconic live music venue The Lansdowne has been thrown into uncertainty after long-time custodians Mary's announced they'd be stepping away from the venue in response to the planned conversion of the gig room into hostel rooms by the landlords. "We are forever grateful for the experience and will always remember nights we all shared," concludes the Giant Dwarf statement which you can read below. Giant Dwarf was located at 280 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills. Top image: Bronte Goddensmith
Along with death and taxes, having a lip balm with us at all times is one of life's certainties. One choice of this essential bit of kit is Dermal Therapy lip balms. And we're not alone in thinking so. Search for them on TikTok and you'll be scrolling for hours. Because it's summer, the team at Dermal Therapy are popping up at Bondi Beach on Saturday, November 29, from 12–3pm to remind us all that slip, slop, slap applies to our lips too (care of their iconic SPF 50+ lip balm). The fun-filled pop-up is taking place on the last weekend before summer officially arrives in Australia, ideal timing to snap up a whole host of summery freebies. There will be free popsicles, a live DJ bringing the vibes, fun summer props to pose with, and the chance to win a $5,000 Sunshine Coast holiday. To enter now, head to Dermal Therapy's Instagram and check out their pinned post. Why does one product need such a big celebration? The Dermal Therapy Lip Balm SPF 50+ takes everything you love about the cult-favourite original lip balm and adds one essential upgrade: high-performance sun protection. You'll still get the same clinically proven formula that nourishes and soothes dry lips, but also with broad-spectrum SPF 50+ (UVA and UVB) to shield your skin from the harsh summer sun. The best part is you won't taste any notes of sunscreen on your lips — and it's less than $7 at your local chemist or supermarket. Dermal Therapy Lip Balm 50+ is the only holy grail lip multitasker you'll need this summer for hydration, repair and UV defence. To discover the rest of Dermal Therapy's effective, not expensive range, visit their website. For your chance to win a Sunshine Coast holiday, head to their Instagram.
UPDATE, June 14, 2020: Devs is also now streaming in full on new Foxtel-run platform Binge. This article has been updated to reflect that change. If you're a fan of watching smart, rewarding, deep-thinking science fiction, then you're probably a fan of Alex Garland's. Originally an author, he initially came to fame as the writer of 90s bestseller The Beach, before moving into screenwriting with the script for 28 Days Later. More screenplays followed, including Sunshine, Never Let Me Go and Dredd — but it was his 2014 directorial debut Ex Machina that showed the extent of his filmmaking prowess. Annihilation proved a highly worthy addition to his resume in 2018, too, even after it was shuffled onto Netflix rather than screening in cinemas in much of the world. Given his track record so far, any new project by Garland is cause for excitement. This year, direct your enthusiasm towards new series Devs. The writer/director has made the leap to television with a cast led by Nick Offerman, Ex Machina's Sonoya Mizuno, Love's Karl Glusman, American Horror Story's Alison Pill and Bad Times at the El Royale's Cailee Spaeny — and, as currently streaming on Foxtel Now and Binge in Australia, it's a trippy ride into cerebral sci-fi territory. The eight-part show also radiates unease from its very first moments, all while sporting both a mood and a futuristic look that prove simultaneously unsettlingly and alluring. The setting: Amaya, a US technology company that's massive in size yet secretive in its focus, especially when it comes to its big quantum computing project. When Sergei (Glusman) is promoted to its coveted, extra clandestine Devs division, his girlfriend and fellow Amaya employee Lily (Mizuno) is thrilled for him. But when Sergei doesn't come home from his first day, Lily starts looking for answers — including from the company's guru-like leader Forest (a long-haired, very un-Ron Swanson-like Offerman). As intriguing as it is involving — as both Ex Machina and Annihilation were, too — Devs is the kind of series with twists and turns that are best discovered by watching; however as each second passes by, the stranger and more sinister it all appears. Expect conspiracies, tech thrills and big questions, in a series that does what all the very best sci-fi stories do: tackle big existential questions and intimate everyday emotions in tandem, all while asking 'what if?'. Also a highlight is Devs' spectacular set design and overall look, with Garland bringing striking, dark yet vivid images to his first small-screen project. Giant woodland areas, floating cube-like workspaces glimmering in golden hues, shimmering fields, a towering statue of a small child — they're all part of the show's appearance, and its mysteries. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8klax373ds The first season of Devs is available to stream on Foxtel Now and Binge. Images: FX Networks.
The evocative lyrics of Oh Mercy's new album Great Barrier Grief has had listeners hooked from the get-go. The band is currently touring Australia to promote the new release, exciting existing fans and attracting plenty of new ones as they go. The band relates the experience of listening to the album to "sailing on a beautiful boat on a calm blue sea in a cloudless sky." Sounds peaceful right? Except there is a shadow lurking beneath the water, a dark twist to each song that presents a challenge to accept and overcome. This one's an emotional rollercoaster. The acoustic pop sound of the album was inspired by the Australian way of life and makes for an energetic live show. Singles 'Keith St' and 'Stay, Please Stay', already familiar favourites from the album, will be brought to life with a new sound throughout the tour to keep fans guessing. https://youtube.com/watch?v=oYMSJFwtmcM
It was a sad day in March when Ramen Ichibandori, one of Sydney's most loved ramen shops, closed its Neutral Bay restaurant. Now, having just wrapped up a pop-up at Gateway's Tokyo Laundry, the brand is officially closed for business. But Owner Libras Ting and Chef Hideto Suzuki have already moved on to their next venture, and it's fast becoming a lower north shore favourite. The initial idea for Sekka Dining was to showcase regional Japanese cooking, with a specific focus on Suzuki's hometown in the far north of Honshu island, near Hokkaido. But, with the hospitality scene the way it is at the moment, Suzuki has instead moved toward a simple izakaya set up. Ting and Suzuki do not plan to remain 'just another ramen shop', though, and expect to offer yakitori and à la carte dining in the coming months. For now, Sekka focuses on two main types of ramen broth — chintan (light and clear) and paitan (thick and cloudy) — split across five options: shoyu, shio, tonkotsu, black garlic tonkotsu and a vegan tomato ramen. Each comes topped with classic pork chashu and an umami egg. The tonkotsu varieties are offered in limited quantities and have been selling out each night, so be sure to get in early if you can. [caption id="attachment_777059" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Leigh Griffiths[/caption] To accompany the ramen, there are traditional izakaya snacks like karaage chicken with yuzu-chilli mayo, pork gyoza with house-made XO dipping sauce, smoked edamame and lotus chips. For drinks, the focus is on beers and highballs, with the former including Asahi, Hitachino Nest and Tassie's Moo Brew, and the latter ranging from the classic whisky version to an Aperol and bitter lemon spritz and an ume-groni. Sake, shochu and wine lists also make the cut. The interior is still in its humble beginnings, as the team is more focused on staying operational than the on the fit-out. Instead, they're using the top-notch food offering and Japanese hospitality to create the vibe. It seems to be working so far, with the restaurant's 30 seats currently booking out for dinner every night since the restaurant opening four weeks ago. More seating will become available as governmental restrictions continue to ease, too. Suzuki and Ting are holding off planning too far ahead, as COVID-19 keeps the industry on its toes, but down the line, expect to see a yakitori menu, along with one-off collaborations and Sekka-branded products to boot. Images: Leigh Griffiths
Surrounded by water on three shores, The Entrance is nearly an island. It's an ideal place to spend a winter weekender staring into endless blue, especially when you've been desperately longing to forget all about work, traffic and the general chaos of life. And it's just a 90 minutes' drive north of Sydney. On one side lies tranquil Tuggerah Lake, and on the other, the mighty Tasman Sea. Further north are the tiny settlements of Magenta and Norah Head, where you'll come across friendly cafes, rugged lookouts and white-sand beaches backdropped by national park. Set up home base at the Pullman Magenta Shores Resort and follow our guide to fending off the winter blues with a sneaky getaway. EAT All great weekenders start with ace coffee. Get yours at the Burrow Coffee House. This cosy spot offers nice brews and beautifully composed brekkies, including a bacon and egg roll with avocado, haloumi and balsamic. When you're ready for your next brew, head a couple of kilometres south to Long Jetty. Here you'll find The Glass Onion Society, a fun, art and music-loving cafe that does Sonoma baked goods, vegan doughnuts and 'Soul Soup', among other eats sure to warm up even the frostiest morn. When lunchtime arrives, explore a bit of history in the best way possible: while eating cake. Do so by booking high tea at The Entrance Lake House, an airy, elegant cafe that's been licensed since 1905 but underwent a reno in 2012. If you happen to be around Norah Head when hunger hits, then swing by The Ark Cafe, which serves Campos coffee and gourmet bites, such as a poppyseed bagel loaded with heirloom tomatoes, haloumi, spinach, avo and pine nut pesto. This place isn't just an eatery but a social enterprise, too. A percentage of profits goes to The Welcome to Paradise Foundation, which supports aid workers in South Sudan and a food program in Nepal, among other worthy causes. There's also a quirky retail space, where you can invest in a hand-shaped surfboard created by local Christian M. Laing and peruse a bunch of ethically produced clothing and homewares. Been saving up your pennies for a posh feast or looking to impress your date? Reserve a table for dinner at Ocean, a fancy restaurant whose floor-to-ceiling windows let you gaze straight out over the Tasman. You'll get premium seafood transformed into cracking dishes, such as ocean trout with lemon mayonnaise, beetroot, asparagus, peas and potato, or mussel and shellfish chowder. A more affordable option is The Shallows Bar where you can build your own charcuterie board or grab a few wood-fired pizzas. Or head to Bistro Jinja to sample dishes from all over Asia. Tuck into Shanghai braised pork belly, Chiang Mai chicken curry and dark chocolate tart with honeycomb and sticky fig ice cream, while seeing the sunset over Lake Tuggerah. DO One of the best things about visiting The Entrance during winter is that you get all the beaches but none of the crowds. Soldiers Beach, just south of Norah Head, has the whitest sand on the Central Coast and backs onto the lush greenery of Wyrrabong National Park. While you're there, keep an eye out for whales, which pass by from May until August. An even better vantage point is Pelican Beach Road Lookout, from where you can walk the 3.4-kilometre Red Gum Trail through towering red gum forest and the 3.5-kilometre Lillypilly Loop through rainforest, cabbage palms and burrawangs. Whales aren't the only creatures worth watching around here, either. The Entrance is famous for its pelicans. It's been named the 'Pelican capital of Australia', in fact. These kooky and characterful birds make great subject matter for photos, particularly if you stop by the waterfront at 3.30pm, their daily feeding time. It's not purely about feeding either — it's a chance for volunteers to make sure none of the little guys are tangled up in hooks, lines or other debris. Make your next stop spectacular Norah Head, whose lighthouse has been operating since 1903. In fact, this became the very last lighthouse in New South Wales to lose its lighthouse keeper when it became fully automated in 1995. Half-hour tours, which take you up the building's 96 stairs for epic 360-degree views are available every day for just $6 per person. Keen to travel further? Continue another 15 kilometres north to reach Munmorah State Conservation Area, a coastal wonderland of empty beaches, lookouts and walking trails. SLEEP To sleep with still water on one side and roaring surf on the other, check into Pullman Magenta Shores Resort. This beautifully designed luxe five-star resort is ten minutes' drive north of The Entrance, on the southern edge of Wyrrabalong National Park. The resort offers apartment-style accommodation options, complete with views overlooking the landscaped gardens. Recreation is the name of the game here, so don't even think about complaining of boredom. You've got the exclusive Magenta Shores Golf Course and Country Club, a day spa, tennis courts and three swimming areas: a 2o metre indoor heated lap pool, rock pools and the Lagoon with a swim-up pool bar, all at your fingertips. Go to the AccorHotels website to book your stay in The Entrance, and to discover more of regional NSW, check out Visit NSW.
We all joke about pulling a 'don't you know who I am' card on a joint, but when Big Time rockers pull it on a tiny, tiny Seattle cafe there's some dramatic head-shaking to attend to. After finishing a gig this weekend in Seattle, Rage Against the Machine's guitarist Tom Morello attempted to skip the queue at Seattle's 5 Point Cafe — to no avail. According to Grub Street, 5 Point was at capacity when the Rage legend waltzed up to the front of the line and demanded entrance, after the cafe team "who's told bigger rock stars than him no," gave him the ol' hell no. Like any self-respecting, hospitality-burned celeb, Morello decided to get on his 4am Twitter soapbox. Having long supported worker's rights and wage raises, Morello thought now was the perfect, out-of-context time to drop this rant: Five Point restaurant in Seattle is the WORST. Super rude & anti-worker. Shittiest doorman in the Northwest. Prick. Spread the word. — Tom Morello (@tmorello) September 27, 2014 After his early-morning "so, ner" went rampaging online for a spell, restaurant owner David Meinert didn't let the guitarist have the last say, taking to Facebook with a response to the "tweet from our pal": "For the record Tom Morello — The 5 Point is totally pro-worker. We try to pay more than any other small restaurant, and on top of the higher pay, we offer health insurance, paid sick days, paid time off, retirement and profit share. Sorry if you had an issue with our staff, but typically our staff is awesome, and when they are not, it's usually a reflection of the customer. Act like a prick = get treated like a prick. "I have to say, your attacking a small business without knowing anything about it, or addressing your problem with them directly before you go on a public rant, pretty much sucks. Just lost a ton of respect for you, and I've been a fan for years, both of your work in Rage and your work for workers rights since. "PS — rock stars don't get special treatment at The 5 Point. We couldn't give less of a shit. Sorry. "And PSS — I'm the owner of the 5 Point and have worked to raise the minimum wage in Seattle and support the same nationally, worked to get paid sick days law in Seattle, and am supporting a City sponsored retirement plan for employees of small businesses. I hope you do the same for your employees on the road..." "PSSS — turns out he and his crew didn't get let in as the place was at capacity and there was a line. No one was being let in. According to our doorman who I totally trust, Tom and his crew were all totally rude. Quote from the door guys "I knew who he was, we had no room, his whole party was being rude. He wanted a special room in the back. Clearly had no ideas what it is like inside. I've told bigger rock stars than him no." Since his kneejerk reaction, Morello had time to come up with some kind of 'forgiveness' — with conditions. Willing to forgive the Seattle Evil (Egg) Empire 5 Points Cafe doorman powertrip if good guy owner D Meinert fully embraces #15Now min wage — Tom Morello (@tmorello) September 29, 2014 Meinert has somewhat relented and offered this on Facebook an hour ago: "Hey all, about this Tom Morello thing... I think Tom was in the wrong, and his tweet was offensive and pissed us off, BUT, Tom stands up for workers and uses his fame for some very good causes, almost always for those most in need. Yes he's very rich, yes he was on a big corporate record label. But every other interaction I've had with him has been cool. I would far rather people be enraged about the issues Tom is trying to bring up than wish Tom ill. So if you want to get pissed, be pissed that companies like iHop or Darden are spending millions to fight raising the minimum wage, and are supporting politicians who want to oppress women, minorities and workers, in order to get higher corporate profits. If everyone spent as much time posting about these issues as they have about Tom, we'd all be better off." Pancake Gate update: Luv&respect the workers.Glad to sit down w/owner next time in Sea, happy about his commitment to pay raise for workers — Tom Morello (@tmorello) September 30, 2014 So Morello's put his manners back in and Meinert's smoothed things over. And we can absolutely get behind Morello's famously Damn The Man activism, any day of the week. Perhaps next time ranting about workers' rights and equality is best done when you're not rock-starring your way past a queue? Via Grub Street and Stereogum.
What kind of holidaymaker are you? Do you seek sun and sand on your break from the daily grind? Country-hopping and site-seeing? Or just comfortable surroundings and a cold brew or two? Those keen on the latter can now put their feet up at the ultimate accommodation for beer lovers from Monday, August 27. In fact, The DogHouse is so steeped in yeasty tipples, it's attached to and run by a brewery. After a successful crowdfunding campaign, Scottish outfit BrewDog has set up the boozy venture, which lives next to its US facility in Columbus, Ohio. So, what does the world's first craft beer hotel entail? In addition to a sour brewing facility, it includes beverages and lots of them, of course. Visitors sleep in beer-themed rooms, eat craft beer-infused meals with brews tailored to every course, take brewery tours and check out the onsite beer museum. In-room beer taps are also on the agenda, as well as shower beer fridges. And, when you check in, the concierge gives you a beer — naturally. There are 32 rooms in total, including eight deluxe suites and four that are dog-friendly, should you find yourself in America with your pooch in tow. And if you're not going to be in that neck of the woods any time soon, BrewDog is also opening a second hotel at its Scottish headquarters in 2019. The company is also heading to Australia to launch its first $30 million Aussie facility in Brisbane; however that won't have a hotel attached. Images: BrewDog.
If a traditional, British-style afternoon tea experience is what you're after, this gem nestled into the back of a heritage-listed building in The Rocks should fit the bill. Pots of tea here are incredibly good value at $5 a pop — try the caramel whiskey or apple pie varieties to feel like you're being hugged from the inside. For $14 you can get two giant fluffy scones, your pick of jam, double cream and a pot of tea of your choice — they come served with a fluffy tea cosy and with delicate patterned porcelain to up the quaint factor. The owners here are like tea sommeliers and will expertly talk you through their wares — we tried gunpowder green on their recommendation and may have a new favourite herbal tipple.
Fast food doesn't seem all that speedy when you're sat in your car, queued nine vehicles deep and trying to get through a drive-thru that's at a standstill. For folks who want their finger lickin' good fried chicken as soon as possible, with minimal waiting and hassle, KFC has a new solution — its first drive-thru-only store. Moving away from the usual one-lane drive-thru model, the chain has just opened a five-lane drive-thru-only concept in Newcastle. The first spot of its kind in the world, it features three lanes for the pick-up of online and app purchases, as well as two lanes for regular drive-thru transactions. Customers can order and pay in advance, then whiz through and pick up their food, or choose on the spot and and then collect their chicken. The idea reflects the growth on online ordering, and endeavours to respond to the rise of home delivery services such as Deliveroo and UberEats. It also nods to an obvious truth — for many folks, eating in at a suburban KFC doesn't often cross their minds. For Broadmeadow customers who choose to order by the KFC app or website, they'll receive a four-digit code with their transaction, which they'll then enter on a touchscreen when they drive up. Whichever way Newcastle residents decide to ask for their fried chook, they'll still need to wait for it to be cooked — but the whole concept is designed to speed up the time between asking for a two-piece feed and snatching those drumsticks through the drive-through window. Of course, if you need something to listen to in your car while you wait, KFC has that covered as well. Last year, it launched KFChill, a wellness website that lets you unwind to the sound of chicken frying, gravy simmering or bacon sizzling away in a pan. Yes, it'll make you hungry. You can find the drive-thru-only KFC at 80 Lambton Road, Broadmeadow. It's open from 10am–midnight daily.
After a fantastic year of programming that included works as diverse as the debut production of wonderful new Australian comedy Hubris & Humiliation and Edward Albee's provocative Tony Award-winner The Goat Or, Who Is Sylvia, the Sydney Theatre Company's 2023 season is wrapping up with another undisputed theatrical classic. Anton Chekhov's 1886 slice-of-life banger The Seagull will play at the Roslyn Packer Theatre throughout November and December, bringing to life the funny and fraught production about romance, death, the purpose of art, and existential dissatisfaction. From a Russian playwright you simply cannot have it any other way! Set at a lakeside rural estate in the Russian countryside where the drama plays out, the original text has been adapted by Andrew Upton (former co-artistic director of the STC with his wife Cate Blanchett) and his interpretation is directed by Imara Savage who might just be one of the most impressively versatile directors of stage working in the country right now. The Seagull also welcomes Australian acting great Sigrid Thornton back to the STC stage in the role of glamorous ageing diva Irina Arkadina, alongside a terrific cast including Toby Schmitz in the pivotal role of Boris Trigorin, Sean O'Shea and Megan Wilding (both of whom previously featured in STC's The Importance of Being Earnest), and Arka Das and Mabel Li in their Sydney Theatre Company debuts. If you're looking for one last theatrical experience to round out your year, Sydney Theatre Company's The Seagull might be difficult to top.
A bar that celebrates tequila and recycling? Colour us intrigued! The festive season is full of joy but we all know the pang of guilt you experience while jamming a kilogram of paper and plastic waste into the bin after unwrapping the pressies. Australia's waste generation is projected to increase by 50% over the coming weeks so tequila brand 1800 Tequila has teamed up with Aussie artists and Clean Up Australia to raise awareness of that figure with The Recycled Bar, a temporary pop-up bar created entirely from recycled materials saved from landfill. The bar is open now and can be found on the Tarpeian Lawn in Sydney's Royal Botanical Gardens in the back of a three-tonne truck. Everything – from the walls, bar, tables and chairs to the coasters and glassware is made by local independent artists using recycled materials. Prolific Sydney artist James Dive (the man behind highly visible works like ANZ's famous Mardi Gras 'GayTMs') designed the bar to highlight Australia's growing waste crisis. So is the menu: it's inspired by preserving fresh produce and offers a range of tasty low-waste cocktails and zero-waste canapés. So why are you still here? Head to the website to book a ticket to experience what a circular waste economy looks like. It's open today and tomorrow from 2-8pm.
Set on a mission to reinvent the wheel of Australian cuisine, Penelope's has found a home in the heart of Sydney. Led by owner and Executive Chef Cuong Nguyen (ex-Hello Auntie), this vibrant restaurant is dedicated to reflecting the city's multicultural landscape through an innovative menu, fantastic cocktail list and luxe dining experience. To tackle the task, Nguyen has pulled together a star-studded backing team featuring Head Chef Bremmy Setiyoko (ex-Spice Temple, Sepia) and General Manager Lee Potter Cavanagh. "We thrive on diversity and various culinary influences from around the world," says Nguyen. "Don't call us 'fusion' at Penelope's; we're simply passionate about sharing our authentic Aussie experience." Drawing influence from the plethora of cultures within the city — including Nguyen's own Vietnamese heritage and his exposure to the culinary landscape of the Inner West — Penelope's highlights Mediterranean, Asian and modern Australian flavours with creative flair and a big focus on flavour. The new 132-seater is located in Quay Quarter Tower on Bridge Street. The space features a sleek bar, a breezy balcony dining area and plush lounges through the interior dining room. The Harbour Bridge-facing venue spotlights the iconic landmark thanks to panoramic views from every seat. As for the menu, Penelope's offers a diverse range of eats meticulously crafted by Setiyoko alongside a wine list curated by Potter Cavanagh. "I'm excited to create something fresh and captivating," explains Chef Setiyoko. "Cuong has given me a lot of freedom to explore and create at Penelope's so I can cook something I'm really passionate about and [is] hopefully delicious." Standout creations on the Penelope's menu include the bakar chicken, a coriander and turmeric-coated roast chicken paired with toum (garlic sauce) and a turmeric and lemongrass sambal for some heat — a dish that hits close to home for the chef, as it draws inspiration from his mother's cooking. Then there's the surprising wonton-style pork and prawn ravioli in a familiar brown butter and sage sauce. The drinks list has also received a fair amount of attention with Potter Cavanagh's big focus on wine. Peruse away and you'll discover 100 sips ranging from Australia's up-and-coming tipples to imported wines from across the globe. For cocktails, Australian natives take centre stage with peppermint gum featuring in the whisky-based Jiminy Cricket, and wattleseed paired with a Vegemite caramel star in the Bogan Old Fashioned. And to top things off, Penelope's will be pumping the tunes with a rotation of live music and DJs. "We can not wait to share our passion for food, wine, and cocktails," says Potter Cavanagh. "We're also very proud of the space and have great tunes. I'm hoping it's somewhere that everyone can enjoy and see a piece of Sydney in it." You'll find Penelope's open from 12pm to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 12pm to 4pm on Sunday at Level 1 in Quay Quarter Tower at 50 Bridge Street, Sydney.
Marrickville's Illawarra Road now boasts a real deal Peruvian 'taberna', courtesy of long time local José Alkon (Marrick's Wines). Situated between two Vietnamese favourites, Hello Auntie and Eat Fuh, Pepito's is doing things old school. "When I visit Peru, we hang out in tabernas — these 100-year-old family-run institutions that are stripped-back places to go for a drink and some food," Alkon tells Concrete Playground. "It's a really fun kind of vibe and I wanted to bring that back to Australia." Pepito's follows the South American tradition of casual eateries that are equal parts bar and restaurant. Alkon sees a lot of parallels between Marrickville and his favourite Peruvian city, Barranco; much the way Marrickville is a melting pot of cuisines, Peruvian food is also a mash-up of cultural influences, including Japanese, Chinese and Italian. Head Chef Jeffrey Forrest adds one more influence, too. Hailing from the USA, he has worked across Michelin-starred and other highly lauded restaurants in New York (including Bouley, Aldea, Zoe, Gotham and Le Cirque). While Forrest is not of Peruvian heritage, Alkon says customers have already said that Pepito's is the best Peruvian food they've had in Australia. "Most Peruvians will tell you a non-Peruvian cannot make Peruvian food, but I think it shouldn't matter where you're from; it's about your passion and where your heart lies, and people can taste that on the plate," says Alkon. [caption id="attachment_791663" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] The menu focuses on Peruvian classics, made using seasonal Aussie produce. Expect dishes like the causa de camarones, a layered potato terrine with prawn and avocado salad; and anticuchos ($15–19), a popular Peruvian street food that consists of different skewered and barbecued meats. Pepito's specialties include Nikkei-style quail ($19) — a term that refers to Japanese Peruvian fusion — and ox heart ($16) with panca chilli peppers and huancaina (a spicy cheese sauce). There are also short rib-stuffed potatoes, olive and ham sandwiches, and plates of stir-fried beef. The menu changes regularly and seasonally, with rotating specials and around ten-to-12 dishes on the menu at any given time. The booze selection, of course, focuses on pisco, but it goes well beyond the pisco sour. Alkon is working with small boutique producers from all across Peru, notably in the south. At Pepito's, you can taste sustainably produced pisco, as well as aged bottles dating back to 2004. If straight up isn't your thing, the bar is also slinging four pisco classics ($15–20). Sitting alongside the requisite pisco sour is the Chilcano (house-made ginger ale, lime and bitters) the El Capitan (a negroni-style pisco cocktail with sweet vermouth and Campari) and the summery Pisco Punch (with pineapple syrup and lime). Meanwhile, the wine list has been pulled together by Marrickville bar Where's Nick, with a clear focus on minimal-intervention drops. To preserve the site's history while paying homage to Peru's tabernas, design firm Smith & Carmody (Cornersmith, Mecca, Brickfields) maintained many of the building's existing features. These include all original tiling, the entrance archway and the rustic brick walls, which Alkon exposed by hand using a chisel and hammer. The furniture was also salvaged from an old Queensland bowling club. And the sign from the old Vietnamese seafood shop that once occupied the space still hangs above the storefront, too. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
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.
Since opening in early 2020, Cadenza Floral Cafe has been serving up coffee, high tea and elaborate brunches in an even more elaborate flower-filled pink space to North Sydneysiders. Sitting under the Skye apartments on the Pacific Highway, Cadenza is the project of father-daughter duo Celine and Romi Kang. It started off life as a preserved flower store, before adding a food and beverage offering. As you can imagine, florals set the tone for the space, which is packed with colour from flower-lined, pink and turquoise walls, and plush velvet pink chairs. The menu is stacked with Korean-influenced brunch fare and fresh pastries. The indecisive out there can go for a High Rise, and get two ($34) or three ($50) dishes stacked up like the finest high tea, only there are no mini cucumber sandwiches in sight. Instead, you'll be tucking into french toast ($18) or belgian waffles ($18) topped with sticky, sugar-glazed banana, berries, ice cream and chocolate, followed by a brown rice bowl of either bulgogi beef ($16.50) or grilled prawns and crab meat ($18.50), and a muesli ($16), an acai bowl ($16). If you can fit it all in. Kimchi fried rice ($20.50), sweet potato noodles ($18.50), pulled pork burgers ($13.50) and hot dogs ($12.50) also feature for later-in-the-day meals. Theatrics (and Instagram aesthetics) are big players, with syringes full of chocolate sauce, deconstructed iced coffees, and pretty floral teas and sodas just begging you to get your phone out for the 'gram. Coffee is from boutique roastery Adore and can be made with almost every milk substitute on the market.
This French-Vietnamese fusion restaurant at the recently renovated Sofitel Sydney Wentworth channels the vibrant old-world spirit of Hanoi but with a refined sense of luxury. With seating for 150 diners, plus space for an additional 60 on the sweeping horse-shoe terrace, this impressive restaurant seamlessly blends al fresco charm with indoor elegance. On arrival, guests can visit the intimate champagne bar, where seven by-the-glass sips — from single-village grower champagnes to vintage selections — are on offer. The 390-square-metre dining room's interior design, by Fender Katsalidis, also sets a luxe tone, taking its cues from French-colonial architecture and Vietnamese-style textiles and prints. "In this space, east meets west, vibrancy and structure collide, and there's a magical balance of neutrals and colour," says Karen Morris of Fender Katsalidis. A soft, nature-inspired palette of muted greens and greys counterpoints the verdant wallpaper, designed by artist Kerrie Brown, featuring lush foliage and exotic birds, while seating crafted from solid reclaimed teak with woven rope backs underlines the 1920s colonial-era look. On the menu, fresh, crisp, quintessentially Vietnamese flavours take centre stage. Crafted by the hotel's Executive Chef Elliott Pinn, who has formerly overseen the dining offering at House Made's other major dining hub Hinchcliff House, there are some playful flourishes for diners to enjoy, such as the bánh mì trolley, which constructs the crowd-pleasing Vietnamese sandwich tableside to the diners' taste, before it's sliced into bite-sized pieces for easy sharing. Many of the mains are also social affairs designed to share. Guests can get hands-on with roasted duck legs, a whole roasted snapper or a dry-aged steak, accompanied by nuoc cham, rice paper, butter lettuce, and pickles, to create classic Vietnamese wraps. A fresh crab and green mango salad loaded with fresh herbs or a banana blossom salad featuring a textural mix of shaved banana blossom, pineapple, and chilli make for the perfect side dishes. Washing that down is a wine list that skews 70 percent French alongside a range of local and international fortified and dessert wines. The cocktail list is also French-leaning with some homegrown winks thrown in, such as the French 75 featuring Pommery champagne, Unico Zelo pomelo vermouth, pear eau de vie and finger lime extract.
He was one of the youngest cast members in Saturday Night Live's history. During his eight-season run on the iconic US sketch-comedy series, he riffed on his own life aplenty, then did the same in The King of Staten Island on the big screen, plus in streaming series Bupkis. If you've caught Pete Davidson's comedy specials, you'll know that the same applies when he's onstage, too — which Australian audiences can witness live in September and October 2025. Davidson has just locked in an Aussie leg on his latest stand-up tour, playing three cities: Perth, Melbourne and Sydney. The whirlwind trip will see him perform three gigs three nights in a row, kicking off at Riverside Theatre in the Western Australian capital on Monday, September 29. Next stop: Palais Theatre in Victoria's counterpart on Tuesday, September 30, then Enmore Theatre in the Harbour City on Wednesday, October 1. [caption id="attachment_776175" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The King of Staten Island © 2020 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS. All Rights Reserved.[/caption] Beyond SNL and otherwise fictionalising his own experiences in cinemas and on TV — and beyond his Pete Davidson: SMD, Pete Davidson: Alive From New York and Pete Davidson: Turbo Fonzarelli specials as well — Davidson has rarely been far from screens over the past decade. Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Trainwreck, Big Time Adolescence, The Suicide Squad, Bodies Bodies Bodies, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Fast X, Dumb Money: they're all on his resume. Davidson's Aussie dates come just after his latest film, heist comedy The Pickup co-starring Eddie Murphy (Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F), drops on Prime Video in early August. [caption id="attachment_897860" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bupkis, Heidi Gutman/Peacock[/caption] He also has the Australian-shot Wizards!, which is directed by Animal Kingdom's David Michôd and co-stars Orlando Bloom (Deep Cover) on its way to the screen. Similarly in the works for Davidson: How to Rob a Bank, the latest film from Atomic Blonde, Bullet Train and The Fall Guy director David Leitch, which will release in 2026. Pete Davidson 2025 Australian Tour Dates Monday, September 29 — Riverside Theatre, Perth Tuesday, September 30 — Palais Theatre, Melbourne Wednesday, October 1 — Enmore Theatre, Sydney Pete Davidson is touring Australia in September and October 2025, with presale tickets available from 10am local time on Thursday, July 31 and general tickets from 10am on Friday, August 1. Head to the tour website for more details.
On the big screen, Beetlejuice has already made a comeback, with a sequel hitting cinemas in 2024. The original 1988 film is rarely far from cinemas anyway, proving a staple at retrospective screenings. But watching the ghost with the most sing and dance onstage? That's a brand-new experience for Australian theatre audiences. Start chanting three times: seeing the Beetlejuice musical Down Under is a reality in 2025. Penned by the nation's own Eddie Perfect and debuting on Broadway in 2019, this take on Beetlejuice still focuses on the character from Tim Burton's beloved 80s flick, of course — just with songs and dance routines. Cinema's famous 'bio-exorcist' haunts Melbourne's Regent Theatre from Saturday, May 17, 2025 for its Aussie-premiere run, with Perfect starring. You don't need a Handbook for the Recently Deceased in your ghostly hands to head along, but you will spend time with a couple with one: Barbara and Adam Maitland. And, you'll see what happens when they start to suspect that they're no longer alive, a new family moves into their house and they decide they need that bio-exorcist. In the Beetlejuice musical's Aussie debut, audiences are also in for an acclaimed production directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge! The Musical), and with a book by Emmy-nominee Anthony King (Broad City) and Scott Brown (Sharp Objects) — plus Perfect's Tony-nominated original score, of course. The show picked up a whopping eight Tony nominations in 2019, and won Timbers a Drama League Award for Excellence in Directing, plus both Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk nods for set design. Images: Matthew Murphy, 2022.
Newtown's cult favourite Turkish ice creamery Hakiki has been impressing Sydneysiders since early 2015. It has earned quite the reputation for its traditional Maras-style ice cream — which is smooth and creamy, yet drip-free and melt-resistant, until the second it hits your mouth. The signature serve is so thick, it's best tackled with a knife and fork. The ingredient that gives the ice cream this unusual texture is an orchid root grown in southern Turkey. Alongside classic Anatolian treats like baklava, Turkish delight and rich Turkish coffee, the team whips up a range of traditional and innovative ice cream flavours, from old favourites like pistachio and hazelnut, to the ever-popular baklava and moreish tahini. There's even an unlikely, but delicious, combination of melon and feta.
Summer has just begun, and with it comes plenty of lazy days spent at the beach and park — and plenty of sunshine that warrants having drink in hand. With months worth of outdoor occasions to come, the usual cider, beer and chilled rosé might not cut it. That's where batched cocktails come in. The trend has only continued this year and makes classy sipping all too easy. At your next picnic, pick up one of these batched cocktails and make all of your mates jealous. [caption id="attachment_700587" align="alignnone" width="1920"] @bittersandtwists[/caption] THE BROADSIDE SALT AND PEPPERBERRY NEGRONI BY WEST WINDS If you've had enough of the classic negroni and want to bring something a little different to the picnic, grab a can of West Winds' salt and pepperberry negroni. The Margaret River distillery takes the classic Campari and sweet vermouth and combines it with West Winds 'Broadside Navy Strength' salted gin, then adds two Tasmanian pepperberries before canning. All you need is ice, and an orange for zesting if you're feeling especially fancy. Plus, the antique-looking can adds a bit of old world class to the occasion. Available exclusively online, with each can priced at $10 a pop — and, if you order six, you get a complimentary vintage can opener to bring along to the party. How much? $10 for a 110ml can. Available online. [caption id="attachment_701670" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gareth Sobey Photography[/caption] MARTINI BY THE EVERLEIGH BOTTLING CO. The Everleigh is a Melbourne institution, and, lucky for us, the bar brings a bit of its sophisticated speakeasy vibes up to Sydney — and into your glass. The Everleigh Bottling Co is dedicated to batched cocktails, all of which come in sleek glass bottles. The core range includes a martini, negroni, old fashioned and Manhattan, while the Bartender's Choice collections change regularly. At the moment, we're most keen on the martini ($17 per bottle) — a 'wet' take on a martini, with a gin to vermouth ratio of 2:1. It's best served chilled, poured it into a frozen cocktail glass and garnished with a lemon twist or an olive. Apart from online, The Everleigh range is available in some Sydney bottle shops, including Kent Street Cellars, The Henson, The Australian Wine Centre, David Jones Bondi Junction and Le Pont Wine Store in Milsons Point and Clareville. Gift sets and mix-and-match packages are also available, so you can get plenty. How much? $17 for a 90ml bottle. Available online and at select bottle shops. (NEW) OLD FASHIONED BY STARWARD WHISKY Melbourne's Starward makes tonnes of ace whiskies, but they're also slinging a classic batched cocktail with a twist. The (New) Old Fashioned is a collab between the bartenders and distilling teams and starts with Starward's signature craft whisky, which is then combined with bitters and wattleseed demerara syrup — both made in house. To top it all off, the cocktail is then matured in Australian red wine barrels before being bottled and sent off to you. It's designed as a barbecue favourite and just needs ice to complete. Get it online here, with free shipping on all orders, or in Dan Murphy's around Sydney. It's $49 per 500ml bottle, so is ideal for sharing, too. How much? $49 for a 500ml bottle. Available online and at select Dan Murphy's. AUSTRALIAN NEGRONI BY P&V WINE AND LIQUOR MERCHANTS The negroni's revived popularity shows no sign of slowing, and we think it's a must-have at pretty much every summer gathering. Newtown's boutique bottle-o P&V Wine and Liquor agrees, and it offers a batched take on the negroni all year long. The P&V Australian Negroni combines Poor Toms gin, Italian bitter orange aperitif by Adelaide Hills Distillery and sweet vermouth by Maidenii. The batch sits on the check out bar in large glass demijohns, which gets bottled per order into 375ml or 750ml wine bottles ($30 and $60 respectively) — with BYO glass bottle for filling encouraged. Ice, orange wedge, and the drink is complete. How much? $30 for a 375ml bottle. Available at P&V Wine and Liquor Merchants, Newtown. ANTICA FASHIONISTA X TEN PIECES BY MAURICE TERZINI AND BAR AMERICANO Restaurant entrepreneur and fashion designer Maurice Terzini is skilled at bringing Sydneysiders venues that fulfil our batched cocktail needs — whether it be at the bar at Bondi Beach Public Bar and or in The Dolphin's bottle shop. The latter is about to launch a whole new menu of batched cocktails for takeaway, and these include the Antica Fashionista, a designer's take on the old fashioned. It's a one-off collaboration between Terzini's fashion label Ten Pieces and world-class bartender Matt Bax of Melbourne's Bar Americano. It's available in 200ml ($35) and 500ml ($69) sizes at both The Dolphin and online. Add ice and an orange twist and you're good to drink. How much? $35 for a 200ml bottle. Available online and at The Dolphin, Surry Hills. Top Image: The Everleigh Bottling Co's core range by Gareth Sobey Photography.
Beach umbrellas aren't new, but they're making a comeback in a big way this spring thanks to the popularity of social-distanced picnics. So, you can enjoy these sun-filled bliss outdoor sessions without worrying about sunburn, we suggest investing in a great shady beach umbrella. It'll be useful now and when summer hits, too. There are enough patterns, prints and fringes to satisfy even your wildest 70s design cravings, as well as clever bamboo and and biodegradable PVC eco designs, laser-prints to create dappled shade where you sit, understated parasols, and many, many, many eye-catching prints. With so much choice, there's really no excuse to be sporting a sunburn this summer. KEN DONE BEACH UMBRELLA, BASIL BANGS It was a hard choice between the many bangin' prints this company has on offer (check out their other options for extra inspiration). But this print by famed Australian artist Ken Done won our hearts. Inspired by tropical reefs with plenty of pinks, oranges and blues, it's a suitably bold park (and beach) accessory. Started by surfer and industrial designer Mike Durante, Basil Bangs has made it its mission to reimagine the vintage beach umbrellas Aussies love. That means the latest fabrics, pop art prints, and hard-wearing fixtures. Oh, and and matching, red-wine-proof picnic rugs. TAKE YOUR PICK FROM SUNDAY SUPPLY CO We couldn't choose between the lush designs at Sunday Supply Co. Each comes with cotton tassels, an extendable timber pole and a sturdy, custom-designed aluminium alloy hinge and hardwares. The premium fabric canopies are UPF 50+ and, with a diameter of two metres, will cast shade aplenty. But apart from all that, they look so damn pretty it's hard not to pick up more than one. BLOCK PARTY UMBRELLA, SUNNY LIFE Sunny Life has a whole range of umbrellas splashed with bold, playful prints. But who could resist this vibrant geometric number to shade their summer beach playground? Like many of the modern beach brollies popping out about the place, this one comes with a carry bag and sturdy, adjustable pole. But it's also waterproof, with a UPF 30 sun protection coating and a nifty 360-degree tilt function. Plus, that bold print is mighty hard to miss, even on a crowded beach. DAYTRIPPER BEACH UMBRELLA, BEACHKIT Here's one for the practical picnickers and beachgoers. While this classic blue-and-white striped number doesn't have quite the same look-at-me factor as some of its bolder counterparts, it does have some great design features that will make your beach trip a whole lot more comfortable. Like the two-piece vented top, designed to stop any gusty winds from flipping it inside out. The Daytripper's also got an extra wide 210-centimetre canopy for full coverage, and a self-anchoring sand lock that should help avoid any fly-away mishaps. WELLEN AND TIER SUN UMBRELLA, LIFE! Available in two hand-drawn prints, these sun umbrellas from lifestyle brand Life! are destined to get a solid workout over the coming balmy months. Each comes with a colour-coordinated carry bag for easy transport and a sand anchor to keep things nice and secure down at the beach. The design also features a UPF 50 canopy coating, a rust-resistant pole and a nifty tilt function to help you stay shaded all day long. Right now, you can even nab one on sale for $80. WHITE COAST, SUNBELLA There's something about the sheer simplicity of this umbrella that we really, really like. A cool white hue reminiscent of those Greek island houses we dream about, a summery cotton-blend canopy, a wooden sand-spiral handle and a UPF rating of 50+. With an 80-centimetre diameter and lightweight frame, this one easily doubles as a personal parasol to shade you while you're strolling around. And shipping to most Aussie locations will only cost around $10. Need more sun shade than this? How about a whole beach tent? Top image: Sunday Supply Co.
Some shows commence with a dead girl wrapped in plastic. Others begin with a plane crash on a spooky island. With Outer Range, it all kicks off with a void. On the Abbott family ranch in Wyoming, in the western reach that gives the show its name, a chasm suddenly appears. A perfect circle swirling with otherworldly mist and resembling an oversized golf hole, it's just one of several troubles plaguing patriarch Royal (Josh Brolin, Dune), however. There is indeed a touch of Twin Peaks and Lost to Outer Range. A dash of Yellowstone, The Twilight Zone, The X-Files and whichever family-focused prime-time soap opera takes your fancy, too. As a result, while Royal is visibly disconcerted by the unexpected opening staring at him in an otherwise ordinary field, he has other worries. His rich, ostentatious and increasingly madcap neighbour Wayne Tillerson (Will Patton, Halloween Kills) suddenly wants a parcel of the Abbotts' turf, claiming mapping inaccuracies. One of Tillerson's mouthy and entitled sons, Trevor (Matt Lauria, CSI: Vegas), ends up in a bar spat with Royal's sons Rhett (Lewis Pullman, Them That Follow) and Perry (Tom Pelphrey, Mank). And there's also the matter of Perry's missing wife, who disappeared nine months back, leaving both her husband and their young daughter Amy (Olive Abercrombie, The Haunting of Hill House) searching since. Into this sea of faith-testing chaos amid such serene and dreamlike scenery, a stranger arrives as well: "hippie chick" backpacker Autumn Rivers (Imogen Poots, The Father). She just wants to camp for a few days on the Abbotts' stunning and sprawling land, she says. She just happened this way, she claims in the process. But the always-guarded, fiercely protective Royal is immediately suspicious — and while he still takes the fat wad of cash she waves around as payment to stay on the outskirts of the property that's been owned by his wife Cecilia's (Lili Taylor, Perry Mason) ancestors for generations, he remains openly and grimly wary. That's Outer Range's setup, although it's also just where the genre-bending new addition to Prime Video launches into its many mysteries. Across its eight-episode first season, it's a ranch-dwelling western, complete with a family battling secrets and struggles of both the internal and external kind, and left grappling with existential doubts when they keep being stripped of everything they believe in. It's an offbeat enigma, too, where bottomless gaps in the centre of the earth aren't the only things that can't be easily explained. Thanks to said hole and surrounding supernatural occurrences, it dives into eerie sci-fi as well. And with Indigenous acting sheriff Joy (Tamara Podemski, Run) trying to work out what's going on on several levels, all while campaigning to be elected to her job outright, it's also a detective quest and a thriller. In other words, it's a puzzle box of a program — and the weirder that Outer Range gets, and moodier as well, the more it intrigues and engrosses. Its giant twists are obviously best discovered by watching, but its small quirks are quickly compelling. This is a series where an ethereal feeling permeates the land, even when Royal is nowhere near the void he's desperate to keep hidden. It's a show where one of the other neighbour sons, the quiet yet perturbing Billy (Noah Reid, Schitt's Creek), loves breaking out into song, crooning 80s and 90s pop and rock hits at odd moments. At a funeral, he even sings Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush duet 'Don't Give Up', covering both parts himself and leaving mourners utterly bewildered. Reid is unnervingly difficult to peel your eyes away from in Outer Range, but the series is well-cast in every part — starting with Brolin as Royal, naturally. While the Milk Oscar-nominee has been happily dallying with sci-fi of late, including getting villainous in Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame and Deadpool 2, his is a grounded performance here. He sidles in as a stern-and-silent western archetype, unfurling more of Royal's layers — and unpacking what it means to embody that portrait of western masculinity in the process — with each grimace and glare. Taylor does phenomenal work in support, and although Poots sometimes suffers from the thinner writing establishing Autumn's moves and motivations, she still commands the frame. Family, faith, fate, the land, legacies, the ties of love, the disappointments of life, the inexplicable elements inherent in all of the above: they're all baked into Outer Range, providing plenty of puzzle pieces for its actors to play with. That said, as created and co-written by TV first-timer Brian Watkins, the series turns those familiar components into something shadowy and surreal. Its narrative path isn't always tricky to predict — one huge late revelation especially — however, it constantly surprises in how it tackles its moments and dynamics on a scene-by-scene basis. That's what lingers in Billy's songs, overtly so. It's there in Cecilia's response to every trying development that's sent the Abbotts' way, usually with her at home, on the sidelines, yet no less impacted. And it blazes through in the choice of shots, which bask in the glory of nature's vast expanse but also see far more than just postcard-perfect wonders. The latter stem from a strong roster of contributors, spanning filmmakers such as She Dies Tomorrow's Amy Seimetz and A Cop Movie's Alonso Ruizpalacios in the director's chair, as well as cinematographers such as Waves and Red Rocket's Drew Daniels, The Last Black Man in San Francisco's Adam Newport-Berra, and Seimetz regular Jay Keitel. Helping ramp up the tension, composers Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans' (Windfall, Becoming Cousteau, The White Tiger) anxiety-inducing score drips with tension, too. Pondering big ideas with heaving style and hefty ambition, Outer Range frequently looks and sounds cinematic — and, from the moment it first spies its gaping chasm, swiftly makes for beguiling viewing. With Jordan Peele's latest horror epic Nope also on its way in the coming months, 2022 seems set to be a big year for disquieting screen stories set amid vast American ranches and springing from stellar talent. What that film will bring is currently yet to be seen, of course, but Outer Range gives this entrancing trend an impressive start. Check out the trailer for Outer Range below: Outer Range's first two episodes are available to stream via Prime Video from Friday, April 15, with two new episodes dropping weekly until Friday, May 6.
Head west to Penrith to catch the first ever touring exhibition from the Maruku Arts archive, which is based at Mutitjulu, near Uluru. The carvings and artefacts communicate the stories and law of Anangu culture. "Punu (carved objects made of wood) is a significant and prolific artform in Central Australia and its production and display are integral to the maintenance of culture and to the sharing of knowledge,” says Louise Partos, executive officer of Artback NT. There are 88 punu objects, as well as sculptures, audio and video, representing three generations of artists. Explore at your own leisure with the bespoke mobile app.
In the Melbourne–Sydney rivalry, the Victorian capital beat its New South Wales capital to score the first-ever Australian IKEA Plan and Order Point concept store back in 2022. But the Harbour City isn't too far behind, with the Swedish retailer announcing its second condensed site: in Belrose in the Northern Beaches, and opening this winter. If you believe that IKEA's warehouse-style stores are basically furniture-filled playgrounds for adults, then you'll know their regular sprawling outposts are more than just a shopping space — they're the place where we all go to dream about our ideal homes. Who hasn't wandered through the Nordic brand's showroom setup, felt inspiration strike and suddenly known exactly what you want your house to look like? We all have, and that's often why visiting the chain isn't a short trip. Fancy decking out a specific part of your home, but without also conjuring up plans for every other single room in your house, then picking up three throw cushions, realising you need a new lamp, somehow buying another Billy bookcase and also eating all of the Swedish meatballs? In other words, fancy solving a particular home-design problem without indulging in the full IKEA experience? That's where the brand's Plan and Order Point concept stores come in — a place, as the name suggests, where you can simply plan out what you need, then order it, all while getting advice from IKEA experts (and, yes, without having to wander through the chain's warehouses). IKEA has been rolling out its Plan and Order Point locations around the world for a few years now, finally bringing the idea to Australia last year. Now, the second Aussie version of the concept store — and first Sydney one — will launch on Belrose's HomeCo shopping centre, and focus on the brand's more complex home solutions and products, such as kitchens and wardrobes. Know that you want to give your kitchen a makeover, but daunted by the IKEA options? Desperate to organise your clothes, but looking for some advice about what'd work best for your bedroom? That's the kind of one-on-one service that'll be on offer — after which customers can order whatever they've decided upon while they're still at the Plan and Order Point, and then either get it delivered or pick it up at your chosen IKEA warehouse. "The Plan and Order Point format has opened up new opportunity for IKEA to be exactly where our customers need us to be, and this is a key part of our growth strategy for IKEA in Australia," explains Johanna Gbenplay, IKEA Australia's Market Area Manager. "We already have a strong presence with three IKEA stores in Sydney, but we will now be on the doorstep of the many people of the Northern Beaches area, who we know are avid home furnishers and renovators, but may have not considered IKEA as close or convenient for them previously." "We have learnt valuable lessons from our first opening at Highpoint, Melbourne, and are anticipating an exciting response from existing and new customers when IKEA Belrose arrives in June." This more compact IKEA outlet will only span 215 square metres, but it still gives customers access to the full IKEA range. Keen to order something that isn't a new kitchen or wardrobe? You can also do that here. Although Belrose's new IKEA doesn't open till June — with an exact date still to be revealed — you can keep an eye out for bookings for planning appointments on the IKEA website. IKEA's Belrose Plan and Order Point will open sometime in June at 4–6 Niangala Close, Belrose. Head to the IKEA website for more information and bookings.
Nell: GRAVEST HITS is an anthology of sorts. The artist has pulled together all of the main themes that she has explored in her works thus far. It would be quite easy for an exhibition like this to feel bitsy and cobbled together, but this "best of Nell" idea works well and gives coherent insights into her diverse practice. The name of the show itself references the 70s garage punk band The Cramps’ first EP (The Cramps: Gravest Hits). One of the album’s songs, Human Fly, resonates particularly strongly with Nell’s works, many of which incorporate the insect. Where there are humans, you’ll find flies, features an open book with a picture of Rodin’s The Thinker covered in plastic flies. The title borrows from a quote by Japanese poet and lay Buddhist priest Kobyashi Issa. It’s a whimsical meditation on spirituality and decay. There is something deliciously simple and refined about Nell’s practice. Characterised by an ‘elegant conjunction of two ideas’, she expresses herself clearly and without excessive ornamentation. Buddhist philosophy is a great influence and can be seen in many of her pieces, most overtly in Self-nature is subtle and mysterious - the world is both wonderful and fucked. The work features an androgynous figure seated in the lotus position, covered in iridescent flies. A glowing neon rod protrudes from her core. For all that a figure covered in insects should be repulsive, the work is incredibly tranquil and meditative. Musical themes underpin many of the works. A Short History of Rock ‘n’ Roll - Suicide/O.D.is a morbid list of two categories: one side lists nameless people who have suicided ("the drummer suicided, the sound mixer suicided…"), the other, nameless people who have overdosed on drugs. Several mosaics adorn the walls, made exclusively of record covers. Each cover bears the marks of having been well loved: watermarks, creases, and annotations. It’s a collector’s dream. If the show leaves you hungry for more Nell, you can head over to Alaska Projects. The artist is also showing work at that artist run space in conjunction with her exhibition at Roslyn Oxley9. Image: Self-nature is subtle and mysterious - the world is both wonderful and fucked, 2013
Ever thought that your childhood toys defined who you've become as an adult? Photographer Richard Hedger's Toy with Me is a new body of work exploring the intricacies of that notion. In a series of intriguing portraits, Hedger portrays people from all walks of life — such as Tom Ballard, Brendan Maclean and Alex Greenwich — through the toys of their past. It's an invitation for audiences to visually match each toy with its significant other, while reflecting on the debate around the increasingly gendered presentation of toys. Want more Mardi Gras events? Check out our top ten picks of the festival.
Indonesia might be one of Australia's closest neighbours, but our understanding of its cuisine often doesn't stretch far beyond nasi goreng and sate. And yet, the world's largest archipelago boasts one of the most diverse food cultures on the planet, shaped by the unique flora across its 17,000 islands, its pivotal role in centuries of spice trading — nutmeg, clove and pandan leaves are just some of the spices native to Indonesia — and subsequent influences from Asia, the Middle East and Europe. This is the starting point for Aroma of Indonesia. The 44-seat Clarence Street venue, which bills itself as Sydney's first premium Indonesian restaurant, is on a mission to showcase regional dishes rarely seen outside Indonesia. Yes, there's nasi goreng and sate — but here, they share the spotlight with lesser-known specialties that read like a journey through the archipelago, from a Padang-style rendang made with 2GR Full Blood wagyu, to tongseng domba, a Central Javan lamb shank curry with charred cabbage and tomato. Desserts nod to tradition with playful twists, like a pandan sago pudding with jackfruit and coconut, or a crème brûlée infused with the famously divisive durian. Cocktails follow a similar theme — signatures include the Aroma Island, a mix of coconut rum, purple ube, pineapple juice and condensed milk topped with a coconut aroma bubble, and the Toraja Negroni, made with house-infused coffee gin and a touch of gula aren (palm sugar from South Sulawesi). Set within the Barrack Place precinct, Aroma of Indonesia is the latest venture from Indonesian-born, Sydney-trained chefs Nessiana Pamudji and Ferry Tshai, the husband-and-wife duo behind Kent Street fave The Sambal. With Aroma, they've channelled both their heritage and 15 years of combined experience in some of Sydney's top kitchens, including China Doll and Billy Kwong, into a menu that elevates Indonesian flavours without losing authenticity. Warm interiors inspired by Bali's Tegalalang Rice Terraces set the scene for an elevated yet inviting dining experience — one that gives Indonesian cuisine the stage it deserves.
The husband-and-wife hospitality mavens behind revered Sydney restaurants a'Mare, Ormeggio at the Spit, Chiosco and Postino Osteria have added yet another Italian diner to their impressive portfolio. However, this latest venture realises a concept quite unlike any of Alessandro and Anna Pavoni's previous endeavours. Located within the Manly Pacific Hotel, which recently underwent a $30 million renovation, Cibaria offers diners the choice of several styles of Italian cuisine prepared at various open kitchens dotted throughout the beachfront venue. Delivering an interesting new riff on the recent boom in multi-venue hospitality hubs in Sydney — including the likes of The International, The Bristol and Prefecture 48 — Cibaria also features a double-storey terrazza event space for private functions and a "cocktaileria, birreria and champagneria", revamping the Manly Pacific's existing cocktail lounge 55 North with an infusion Stivali swagger. The heart of Cibaria is the Trattoria, which will operate from 11.30am until late, seven days a week. This part of the venue features six distinct kitchens. The Forneria, centred around a woodfired oven, will be serving up freshly prepared pizzettas. The Antipaseria will offer cold and raw dishes, such as a Catalana salad of king prawns and classics like vitello tonnato, as well as gorgonzola, served from a roving trolley al cucchiaio style — drizzled with locally sourced honey. The Friggitoria heroes deep-fried delights, including fritto misto and cacio e pepe suppli — Rome's answer to arancini. At the Spaghetteria, pasta takes the spotlight — think Venetian-inspired squid ink tagliolini with crab and slow-cooked ragú alla Bolognese with green tagliatelle. Showcasing dishes cooked over coals, the Bisteccheria will serve perfectly charred steaks, whole fish and crustaceans. Finally, the Pasticceria will round out this epicurean adventure through the cuisine of Italy with a range of desserts, from tried-and-true favourites like tiramisu and straccetti (sweet pizza dough with cinnamon, orange, honey and buffalo ricotta cheese) to house specialities, such as the soon-to-be-famous cheesecake from Head Chef Victor Moya. If, for some inexplicable reason, you're still hungry, a visit to the Gelateria is a must. Sydney has no shortage of gelato options, but Chef Moya charts his own path through this crowded offering with authentic flavours such as nocciola (piedmont hazelnut), cremino bianco (white chocolate gelato with roasted coconut), as well as weekly specials such as burro bruciatto (burnt butter gelato, coffee cookies, caramelised peanuts) and Italian mojito (rum, lime, basil sorbet). Catering to Manly's earlier rises, The Caffetteria, which will open daily from 9am–4.30pm, will be serving breakfast classics, top-quality coffee and a selection of takeaway options for grab-and-go diners. After dark, 55 North will be shaking and stirring classic cocktails and spritzes alongside Italian-inspired signature mingles such as the Paloma Italiano, featuring Espolon Reposado, Campari, agave, aranciata and grapefruit juice; and the Ligure starring Skyy vodka, limoncello, lemon juice and basil. The bar snacks menu distils the flavours and techniques on display in the Trattoria into a more casual menu featuring cacio e pepe fritters, lobster rolls, a smashed burger alongside sweets like nutella bombolone and a cheese plate. "When people think of Cibaria I'd like them to think of the Italian way of eating and socialising around a piazza. An all-day solution to different needs; from your morning espresso at the caffetteria, to an afternoon stop at the gelateria and aperitivo at the champagneria, to the spaghetteria or bisteccheria in the evening," Alessandro Pavoni says of his vision for the new venue. "The great thing about Cibaria is that you can now create your own Italian experience in one place." [caption id="attachment_981780" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alessandro Pavoni[/caption] Cibaria will open at the Manly Pacific Hotel, 55 North Steyne, Manly, from mid-December.
There hasn't been much to look forward to in 2021, but we're all eagerly anticipating one big thing. That'd be the moment that 11.59pm on Friday, December 31 passes by, ticking over to 12.00am on Saturday, January 1, 2022. And, because it's actually almost that time of year, plenty of events have started announcing their New Year's Eve plans so you can work out how to spend that long-awaited moment. Here's another one: Annus Finis, MONA's first-ever NYE shindig. Taking place from 6.30pm on Friday, December 31 (obviously), this New Year's Eve party will take over MONA's lawns and main stage with live tunes, food and drinks, and the general kind of end-of-year shenanigans that every NYE get-together needs. Here, that also means an all-Tasmanian lineup, with Indigenous singer-songwriter Denni, hip hop artist Greely and audio visual artist and DJ Dameza helping do the honours. Also on the bill: Medhanit, Too Many Jasons, Scraps, Silver Fleet Ships, and what's being described as "an absurdist, anarchist ensemble boasting some of Tasmania's most talented performers" who'll pair up punk and Japanese influences. So, if a trip to Tassie is now on your NYE agenda — with the state reopening to double-vaccinated arrivals in mid-December, handily — you now know how can say goodbye to 2021. As for what you'll be eating and sipping, MONA's burger bar Dubsy's will be dishing up its diner-inspired fare, and the Moorilla Wine Bar will be doing both food and drinks. "Here at MONA, we love to throw a party, and I think we're pretty good at it," said MONA CEO Patrick Kelly, announcing Annus Finis. "We're excited to see our lawn full of punters again, and hopefully we can cast some MONA magic over New Year's Eve after what has been another challenging year for tourism and events, saying goodbye to arguably the worst year since 2020." MONA has also already announced that it's bringing back Mona Foma in January — so if you can't spend NYE in Tassie, you still have options for a 2022 trip to the Apple Isle. Annus Finis will take place at MONA from 6.30pm on Friday, December 31. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the MONA website. Images: Mona/Jesse Hunniford.
TIVA combines Sydney's love of luxurious bars and live music into a romantic venue underneath The Charles Grand Brasserie & Bar. Head down Wednesday through Saturday, and you're sure to find a band or a solo artist filling the room with jazz, soul, R&B or folk music until late. Plus, accompanying this roster of live entertainment is a daily program of DJs spinning tunes Monday through Saturday. The venue is reminiscent of many classic lounge bars, boasting subtle lighting, velvet booths and mirrored tables. A palette of navy and black tones pulls the room together, complimented by polished steel and marble finishes, giving it a luxe atmosphere. Once you've found your table or booth, your attention will turn to what you'll pair the night's playlist with. If you've come for a few drinks, there's plenty to choose from. "Tiva is a place you want to settle in to enjoy the music. High-end spirits, elegant cocktails, champagne, and table service with some understated theatre are the ultimate support act to the incredible entertainment planned," says Head of Bars Jonothan Carr (About Time, The Rover, Grandma's Bar). The espresso martini ($24) is elevated by the use of a high-end French press, the single malt whiskey and cognac old fashioned ($24) is served tableside in a decanter, and the Regal Margarita ($24) is complete with smoked paprika and roasted pineapple. As for food, Tiva takes queues from its upstairs sibling, The Charles Grand, serving up a French-inspired array of eats. Highlights include hashbrowns with roasted chicken cream ($10), a wagyu cheeseburger ($30) and crumbed Moreton Bay bug sandwiches ($20) — as well as caviar service ($140), of course. Pulling together champagne, impressive cocktails and French bar snacks with top-notch live music, Tiva is coming to Sydney's most romantic venues list. Head to the bar's website to see the list of performances it has coming up. Appears in: Sydney's Best Underground Bars for 2023
Forget grey. Come October-November, the Northern Rivers of New South Wales will be covered in 50 shades of purple when the historic town of Grafton gives off big main character energy through its annual showcase of violet-hued blooms. With roots as the oldest floral festival in the country, the Grafton Jacaranda Festival really knows what it takes to celebrate one of Australia's most-loved flowers. And, for one week between Friday, 27 October and Sunday, 5 November, visitors and locals alike will line the main street of Grafton to watch the annual float parade, settle in for a round of drag queen bingo (complete with lavender eyeshadow), enjoy a lazy long lunch underneath a floral lilac canopy or watch the beautiful trees of See Park illuminated as the sun goes down. While the fest will feature a mix of ticketed and free activities, if there's one event which we recommend committing to, it's Jacaranda Thursday. On this day Grafton's main street will close down as people meander throughout the CBD, soak up the atmosphere and simply stop and smell the jacarandas. The Grafton Jacaranda Festival will run from Friday, 27 October and Sunday, 5 November 2023. For the full event program visit their website.
