Chamomile gin, quinoa vodka and moonshine are among the spirits now available for tasting just outside of Melbourne in Healesville, following the opening of brand new distillery Alchemy. The business has taken over a century-old bakery, which you'll find hidden away up a laneway, off the main street. And not only is there a cellar door, there's a cocktail bar and accommodation too. At the centre of Alchemy's operations is a hybrid pot still with a 100-litre capacity. This mighty machine enables founders Evan Kipping and Jannick Zester to experiment with a variety of left-of-field flavours and ideas. While the aforementioned chamomile gin, quinoa vodka and moonshine are Alchemy's core products, there's also a bunch of small-batch spirits on the go at all times. "Sinking our teeth into making multiple spirits has allowed us to collaborate with local producers," says Zester. "We've been overwhelmed with support and are currently playing with local strawberries, cumquats and grapes from the Yarra Valley." You're invited to taste Alchemy's offerings and/or settle in for a signature cocktail, craft beer or local wine — either indoors, at the bar, or out in the sunny beer garden splashed with greenery. If you want or need to sleep over, there's a two-bedroom apartment overlooking the main street that'll sort you out. To get more deeply involved, join Alchemy's barrel-ageing program. The crew is giving 100 people the opportunity to own their own 20-litre barrel. You'll start by going through the whiskey-making process, including mashing, distillation and fermentation, then, throughout maturation, make return visits to sample your creation. Two years down the track, choose to release the whiskey, stick with it as it continues to age or pop it in a bottle and take it home. Alchemy Distillers is now open at 242 Maroondah Highway, Healesville. For more info or to book a room, visit alchemydistillers.com.
Last Friday, as you may well have heard, somebody set the Lansdowne Hotel on fire. Most Sydneysiders will be familiar with the Landsdowne. It’s the neon-lit three-storey art deco hotel on the corner of Broadway and City Road, overlooking Victoria Park, which is always open when everything else is closed. It's sleazy, and the clientele are scruffy, and it has been beloved of every University of Sydney student and every local criminal and eccentric for well over a hundred years. And there it was, burning down. If you've driven through Chippendale since Friday, you'll have realised it hasn't, in fact, burnt down. Rather, a fire started on the third floor, forcing the hotel guests to evacuate, closing City Road for most of the morning, and closing the pub until, well, further notice. But the spectre of the end of the Lansdowne upset not just me but also many people I know and many more I’ve never met. In a strange way it burrowed its way into our hearts over the years, and we realised for a few moments that we would feel lost without it. Conversations with friends that night revealed a particular pattern to individual histories of the Lansdowne. While they might have tried to put in a velvet lounge or two and introduce (very decent) band nights over the last couple of years, most of the stories of the Lansdowne I heard began or ended with heady, fuzzy alcohol-soaked staggers through the open doors in the wee hours of the morning. There were stories of arguing with the bartender over the price of beer, of people making out clumsily on the couches, of untidy break-ups, of punch-ups, and of impromptu dancing on tables. It's rarely a destination in and of itself. Rather, it is the beloved pub of last resort, eternally reliable in all its sleazy neon grandeur at the intersection of two busy roads. A little bit of research reveals the Lansdowne has probably always been that way. The current incarnation has been around since 1933, a stalwart of Chippendale well before anybody could even conceive of it being included in a list of Australia’s 'hippest' suburbs. For most of its existence, Chippendale has been a violent, drunken slum, home to criminals, gamblers, and prostitutes, and then, over the years, the equally questionable musicians, students, and communists. The people who lived there were overwhelmingly poor, and the combination of factory poisons, sewerage, and the reek of the brewery in the air made it a generally unpleasant place to live. The Lansdowne, true to the grimness of the neighbourhood, was nearly always sleazy. While the Temperance Unions won a small victory in the early 20th century with the introduction of six o'clock closing times (with the aim of sending men home to their families instead of the warm embrace of a bottle of whisky), it instead marked the beginning of Sydney's much-maligned binge drinking culture. The six o'clock swill saw men flood the Lansdowne to get as much drink into them before closing time as they were physically able. The Lansdowne became a kind of feeding trough between the hours of four and six, where the long bars had a trough at the base for the men to piss in as they stood. Tiled walls were also introduced. Not for any aesthetic appeal; rather, they were easier to hose the vomit off of. Like all inner-Sydney pubs, it was a place where men went to escape, and any woman who did walk into the Lansdowne wasn't somebody likely to be too worried about her reputation. It was somewhere bookmakers and standover men hassled 'sly-groggers', prostitutes, or anybody who looked at them in a 'funny' way. During the 1930s Kate Leigh, of Underbelly fame, had a slew of standover men who would frequent pubs, including the Lansdowne, to buy the booze she would sell on the sly. One of her men, Chow Hayes, finding he had been replaced while he'd been in prison, wandered into the Lansdowne one night to locate the man who'd replaced him. He invited him outside, and he shot him. The Lansdowne continued to be sleazy and rough well past the Razor Gangs, with one of Sydney's most renowned hit men Mr Rent-A-Kill, also a frequent patron. Yet it was also the occasional drinking hole of the Sydney Push, who had amongst their number Germaine Greer, Frank Moorehouse, and Lilian Roxon and were infamously described by Barry Humphries as "a fraternity of middle-class desperates, journalists, drop-out academics, gamblers and poets manques, and their doxies". In the '80s and '90s, the Lansdowne also became one of the first venues bands were likely to play in their early careers, hosting gigs by the likes of You Am I, Peabody, The Go-Betweens, and Died Pretty. When they renovated the Lansdowne a few years ago, they made the downstairs bar airier and brighter and got rid of the cheap meals to replace them with slightly less-cheap meals. Yet for all of that, it maintains the atmosphere of its many years of questionable history. It's probably fair to say that Sydney would in many ways be bereft without places like the Lansdowne, even though they don't necessarily make us look our glittering best. That’s where the attraction lies, and that's why we are very thankful that the Lansdowne did not, in the end, burn down last week.
"You know you're like the tenth guy to try this, right? It never works out for the dipshit in the mask." So scolds TV reporter Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox, Shining Vale) in the latest trailer for Scream VI, saying what everyone that's ever watched this slasher franchise has long known. But, if bad past outcomes for fellow Ghostfaces were going to stop the next killer in the horror-film saga from getting stabby, there wouldn't even be a new flick to begin with. If you like scary movies, then you've likely watched a Scream film or five over the last quarter of a century. And, across that period — ever since the OG feature became a box-office smash in 1996, then delivered 1997's Scream 2, 2000's Scream 3, 2011's Scream 4 and 2022's Scream, plus TV spinoff Scream: The TV Series — you've seen the saga's mask-wearing killer Ghostface slash his way through the fictional Californian town of Woodsboro multiple times, as well as a college in Ohio and then Hollywood. This time, however, he's following in The Muppets' footsteps and making a date with Manhattan. In both the initial Scream VI teaser trailer from back in 2022 and the just-dropped full sneak peek, New York City has an unwanted guest — and the current person donning a Ghostface mask is more than a little obsessed with their task. Early in the clip, there's even a shrine to the franchise so far, taking a trip down memory lane through the saga's history. There's also another familiar face: Hayden Panettiere (Nashville), returning to the fold as Kirby Reed following Scream 4. She joins Cox as Weathers, the last Scream's Melissa Barrera (In the Heights) and Jenna Ortega (Wednesday) as sisters Sam and Tara Carpenter, and Jasmin Savoy Brown (Yellowjackets) as the siblings' film-obsessed pal Mindy among the existing franchise players making a comeback to get stalked by Ghostface once again. Or, make that Ghostfaces. In the two trailers so far, it's clearly Halloween, and costumes abound on a NYC subway. Among all that spooky attire: more than one black-clad person in a Ghostface mask, making Sam, Tara and Mindy more than a little distressed. Ghostface also whips out a gun in a convenience store, slinks around New York's streets and gets Gale on the phone. Does the latter signal an end to one of the series' original characters? Amid references to other horror movies, and to the franchise's own past, that's how those kinds of scenes usually play out. Whatever's in store for Gale, Kirby and company — and whether Kirby might be the killer this time around, because this series does love links when it comes to Ghostface's identity — will be revealed in early March, when Scream VI hits cinemas. Ready or Not's Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett return to direct, as they did with 2021's Scream. Also involved, featuring on-screen: She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and The Other Two's Josh Segarra, Servant and The Grand Budapest Hotel's Tony Revolori, and Australian Nine Perfect Strangers and Ready or Not star Samara Weaving, plus Dermot Mulroney (Umma) and Henry Czerny (another Ready or Not alum). Check out the full Scream VI trailer below: Scream VI releases in cinemas Down Under on March 9. Images: Philippe Bossé.
Weekends are all about catching up with mates, and there's no better way to do so than over a good brunch. Greater western Sydney is home to some excellent options for your weekend catch-ups. In partnership with Stockland, we've compiled this list of must-try spots — from sleek Parramatta CBD venues and a Mediterranean-style cafe in Merrylands to pan-Asian eateries in Cabramatta and top-notch coffee shops in Wetherill Park. Tuck into giant stacks of matcha pancakes, za'atar-spiced brekkie plates or truffle oil eggs benny — all ready to order at these six go-to brunch spots in the west.
With one of the most picturesque coastlines in the country right on our doorstep and a set of expansive rivers winding in and out of the city, Sydney's got plenty of options when it comes to hanging out by the water. Whether you're opting for a leg of the Georges River, or you're out on the coast, there's plenty to keep you occupied while you're there. Perhaps you're a wanderer who enjoys meandering at your own pace with a scenic view. Maybe you're certain that any beverage or bite to eat goes down better when you can feel the river or sea breeze against your skin. Or, you could like getting active on the water itself, but in a creative fashion. Whichever category you fall into, we've picked the best ways to make the most of your chosen body of H20 in Sydney. HEAD TO A WATERSIDE CAFE, RESTAURANT OR BAR When it comes to waterside drinks and dining, Sydney's got it in spades. There are options for just about every time of the day, from luxe brunch spots where you can start your day through to late-night oceanfront haunts like Ravesis or Manly Wine. And it's not just these stalwarts offering up dinner and drinks with a view. There are plenty of fresh faces popping up by the harbour. Take Bay Nine, for example, which has just opened in The Rocks and is offering six-, eight- and 11-course omakase menus right by the water. If you're in need of some inspiration, just make your way through our list of all the beachfront bars, restaurants and cafes you can find across this city. HIRE A PICNIC BOAT FOR YOU, YOUR DATE, MATES AND DOG Picnicking by the water in Sydney is a tried-and-tested way to spend an afternoon — and it's featured on this list a bit further down. But you can now also picnic on top of the water, all thanks to Denmark-born company GoBoat, which is sailing its 18-feet-long, dog-friendly vessels up Parramatta River. The company is all about making the whole boating caper more accessible for everyday folk, and its Scandinavian-designed vessels are slow-moving, a breeze to operate and don't require a boating licence — making for some fun, fuss-free sailing sessions. Each GoBoat boasts a central picnic table with room for eight people (and all the necessary snacks and booze). And despite what you might be thinking, they're even affordable enough to fit your budget — simply BYO food and drinks, find enough eager sailors to jump aboard and a GoBoat session will you less than $17 per person, per hour. That's $129 hourly in total. [caption id="attachment_754226" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bondi to Manly Walk by Destination NSW[/caption] PAIR A STROLL OR CYCLE WITH A WATERY VIEW Some folks prefer putting one foot in front of the other and seeing just where that takes them. Others like to sit on top of two wheels and start pedalling. Whichever one suits you best, if you live in Sydney, you won't be lacking in options — but we all know that the oceanside options sit at the top of the list. For walkers, you can pick from one of the many coastal strolls on offer ranging from the wild pathways of the Royal National Park to the sparkling new Barangaroo foreshore walk. Cyclists may find the ins and outs of the National Park a little tricky, but never fear. There are still countless bike rides to tackle from the bay run to the Manly Beach foreshore. TAKE A KAYAK TOUR You've seen Sydney and its surrounds from rooftop bars, strategically positioned restaurants and mountaintops. But jump in a kayak, where you can watch at human-powered pace, from sea level, and you'll discover a whole new perspective. Plan a day on the water leaving from one of Sydney's many choice kayak rental spots found everywhere from deep in the Hawkesbury to right in the hustle and bustle of the city. If you're looking to feel like you achieved something other than just an enjoyable day adventuring on the water, you can also add the option of helping the environment on your kayaking journey. Sydney by Kayak's Sydney Harbour clean-up tours means you can remove rubbish from the ocean while you float along Sydney Harbour. The sustainability-focused tours generally hit the harbour from 9.30–11am at $65 per person. [caption id="attachment_826961" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brooke Zotti[/caption] PICNIC IN A WATERSIDE PARK The weather is glorious. Your basket is packed with homemade salads, a big stack of cheese or the finest sandwiches your local deli can make. The lawn games are at the ready. A relaxing picnic is just moments away — and yes, because this is Sydney, it's easy to add a glistening view to your outdoor meal. While we may have been all picnicked out at one point, enough time has passed since the end of 2021's lockdown that the simple act of putting down a rug and having a snack can feel thrilling again. Sydney is home to quite an array of places that fit the bill. Whether you're keen to recline with views of the iconic skyline or rolling sand dunes, there are plenty of picnic spots that you can check off your list. For the ultimate inspiration, check out this huge guide to all the best picnic spots, as well as what to bring. [caption id="attachment_754009" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] TAKE A DIP IN A MAN-MADE OCEAN POOL There are over 100 ocean pools scattered around NSW, and Sydney is home to some of the most dramatic and fun among them. These idyllic and mostly free swimming holes can be found at some of the city's most beloved beaches and have become as much a part of Sydney's seaside culture as the sand has. These human-made wonders allow you to splash around in the saltwater or get in some laps without the risk of rips (or sharks). Highlights include Bronte Baths which was built all the way back in 1887, the iconic Bondi Icebergs and the newly renovated Dawn Fraser Baths which finally reopened to the public last year after two years. BOOK A STAY ON THIS FLOATING VILLA If you're looking to really immerse yourself in the deep blue areas of this city, what better way than to book a night's stay floating atop the ocean. Lilypad, the northern beaches' lavish floating accommodation is tipped to reopen later this month, following a series of upgrades and refurbishments. The villa, which first opened in 2019, has been fitted out with a whole new design that pulls from Spanish and Mediterranean coastal villas as well as an on-board sauna. The floating paradise has been built with respect for its natural environment, running entirely off of solar power. Inside you'll find all the comforts of a luxe home-stay from a full modern kitchen and king bedroom, to a wine cellar. The living space opens onto a deck on which you can sit and look out over the surrounding ocean while you eat or with a drink in hand. And if this is all a bit out of your price bracket, the northern beaches has plenty of other waterfront stays you can book. Top image: DNSW
Much-loved farm-to-table eatery Three Blue Ducks has expanding its ever-growing suite of establishments to regional NSW, with the Sydney restaurant group opening an outpost at Nimbo Fork Lodge, at the bottom of the Snowy Mountains, in late November. Originally opening in Bronte back in 2010, before expanding to Byron Bay, Rosebery, Brisbane (in the W Hotel) and Melbourne (inside a surf park), the restaurant collective is known for its dishes packed with locally and ethically sourced produce. The group's latest iteration is no different. The menu has been designed around the on-site kitchen garden, award-winning sustainably farmed Provenir Beef and trout from local Tumut waterways. If the locally sourced trout isn't fresh enough for you, though, you can head out to the renowned fly-fishing areas nearby and provide your own catch of the day for the chefs to use. You can eat that trout as an entree — smoked atop crisp bread with dill and crème fraîche — or as a main, where it comes whole, butterflied and with lashings of garlic, lemon and dill. Elsewhere on the menu, you'll find crumbed pork terrine, roasted beets with almond cream, Nimbo tomahawk lamb chops and harissa-spiced cauliflower with chimichurri and roasted hazelnuts. [caption id="attachment_788800" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Three Blue Ducks team by Nikki To[/caption] You can pair this food with cocktails filled with Aussie ingredients and spirits, such as the Native Negroni made with Brookies gin and Poor Toms Imbroglio; all-Aussie brews, including Bright Brewery sour ales and Heaps Normal's Quiet XPA; and local and international wines helpfully listed under headings like 'fruit forward and food friendly red' and 'light and aromatic white'. For a sweet finish, you've got three options: crema catalana (very similar to a crème brûlée), sea salt meringue with lemon curd and, the most decadent option, self-saucing choc pudding. We think the latter will be just what you're after when you head back to the lodge after a chilly day out on the snowfields — or down by the river fishing for trout. Because, of course, it's all about location at this latest Three Blue Ducks. While you could, on some days, convince us to drive four hours for the perfect chocolate pudding, that's not the only drawcard here. Located in the heart of the picturesque Tumut Valley, 30 minutes' drive from Gundagai, Three Blue Ducks is situated inside a boutique hotel with six cottages, five suites and a bar and restaurant. There are a host of activities you can experience nearby, including bike rides, bushwalks, fly-fishing and horse rides — or, if you're an avid skier or snowboarder, you can jump in the car and head to Selwyn Snow Resort, just under two hours away, when it reopens. The snowfield was extensively damaged during the 2019-20 bushfires, but is currently being rebuilt. The new restaurant is open for dinner from Wednesday to Sunday, with lunch available on weekends. For more ideas, check out our guide to activities in the Snowy Mountains region. Find Three Blue Ducks at Nimbo Fork Lodge, 330 Nimbo Road, Killimicat. You can make a booking at the restaurant here and at Nimbo Fork Lodge here.
There are harbour views, and there are harbour views. And Solaré, the full-service restaurant, cocktail bar and Mediterranean-style beach club, boasts some serious harbour views — as one might expect, given that it's housed in a 150-foot classic superyacht which sets sail twice daily from King Street Wharf for long lunches, daybed lounging and sunset spritzes. The experience unfolds across three distinct levels. The Dining Room is a refined, sit-down restaurant built for leisurely progressions; the Terrace Deck lifts the tempo with share plates and cocktails; and the openair Sun Deck nails the beach-club brief with custom daybeds, a panoramic bar and uninterrupted skyline views. Designer Alex Zabotto-Bentley (AZB Creative) leans into 70s-tinged Mediterranean glamour — think sunflower yellows, burnt oranges, teak and green marble. [caption id="attachment_1042022" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jonny Valiant[/caption] In the kitchen, Executive Chef Pablo Tordesillas (Totti's Bondi; two-hatted Ortiga in Brisbane) teams up with Head Chef Nick Mathieson (Bistecca, Otto) on a coastal Italian menu with a seafood focus. The Dining Room runs as a set journey — begin with oscietra caviar over house potato crisps and cultured cream, then roll into snacks like a vinegar- and bottarga-dusted potato scallop with chives, plus deep-sea royal red prawns with finger lime and bisque mayo. Bigger moments include reginette with Moreton Bay bug, crustacean butter and chilli, and market fish with clams, saffron butter, fregola and spring veg. Tables can add a one-kilogram bistecca alla fiorentina as a supplement. Upstairs, the Terrace and Sun Deck are made for graze-and-gather afternoons. Sit back and soak up those views while enjoying Queensland spanner crab tartlets crowned with chervil and salmon roe, a Moreton Bay bug sando with crisp iceberg and cocktail sauce, and spaghettini tossed with spanner crab, tomato, chilli and garlic. Desserts keep the coastal mood: lemon and mascarpone sorbetto is served in a carved lemon, while fior di latte ice cream is finished with an indulgent spoon of Umai Heritage caviar. Venue Manager Mikey Hamilton (Bistecca, The Gidley, Banksii) steers service, bringing big-league polish to the yacht. [caption id="attachment_1042019" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jason Loucas[/caption] Drinks are led by Ed Loveday, who builds a harbour-ready list of crisp Mediterranean wines, lively rosés and seasonal cocktails. Expect aperitivo-leaning spritzes, martinis, margaritas, daiquiris and champagne numbers — plus a martini trolley in the Dining Room for bespoke, tableside ice-cold pours. Art threads through the space, too, with commissioned works by Daimon Downey, Jeremy Kay and Tiarna Herczeg adding sculptural colour and texture between decks. [caption id="attachment_1042020" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jonny Valiant[/caption] Top images: Jonny Valiant | Jason Loucas
Sydney is flush with world-class steakhouses. In fact, the Harbour City has a whopping five entries in the top 50 of the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants list for 2023. Liquid & Larder, the team behind two of those five standout meat emporiums, has now brought another beefy brasserie to Sydney's CBD in the form of Alfie's. Alfie's has arrived on Bligh Street from the crew behind Bistecca (number 32 on the best steak restaurants list), The Gidley (number 43) and The Rover. This one-of-a-kind opening boasts a more fast-paced dining experience than its sibling venues — aiming to provide a more approachable and affordable take on the steakhouse with a simplified menu, plus a more casual fitout inspired by graffiti and hip hop culture. "After years of perfecting the slow-dining and elevated experiences at Bistecca, The Gidley and The Rover, we're going off script at Alfie's by offering the same high-quality food and booze but fast-paced and full of action," says Liquor & Larder co-founder and Director James Bradey. There's just one cut of meat on the menu, the 220-gram Riverine sirloin which is available for $38 and is promised to hit your table within 15 minutes of ordering. This means that city workers can treat themselves to a world-class steak on their lunch break. Alfie's is the first Liquor & Larder restaurant to boast its own central butchery and steak-aging facility. This helps ensure the sirloin here — as well as the beef delivered to Bistecca and The Gidley — is all of the highest quality. It also gives diners a chance to peek behind the scenes through the butcher's window before they sit down to eat. Accompanying the steak is a range of sides which can be ordered in half or full portions. Take your pick from fire-roasted baby carrots, roast mushrooms, cucumber salad and Alfie's bubble and squeak slaw. Those looking to just enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail with a dose of people-watching can nab a spot in the walk-in bar looking out onto Bligh Street. Former Bartender of the Year and Group Bars Manager Alex Gondzioulis has designed the cocktail menu with classic and seasonal combinations on offer alongside a martini that the team claims is Sydney's coldest — served at a chilly negative-ten degrees. At the bar, there are a few British-inspired snacks to pair with your cocktail of choice, including a hot chip roast beef butty, thyme scones, cornish pasties and chips topped with chip shop-style curry sauce. There's also a daily happy hour adding to the approachability of the venue, featuring $16 martinis, $14 Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin spritzes, $3 Grifter beers, $10 wines and $17 chip and roast beef sandwiches between 4–6pm, Monday–Saturday. You'll find Alfie's at 4–6 Bligh Street, Sydney. The casual steakhouse is open for lunch (11.30am–2.30pm) and dinner (5–9pm) Monday–Saturday. Images: Dexter Kim.
City of Sydney has beefed up its fight against single-use plastic. Last week it launched a campaign in support of phasing out single-use plastic straws, which Aussies currently go through at a rate of around 10 million each day. Spearheaded by Deputy Lord Mayor and Deputy Chair of the Environmental Committee Jess Miller, the #SydneyDoesntSuck initiative throws its support behind venues taking positive action. The campaign identifies local bars and pubs that are ditching plastic straws, with punters able to search like-minded venues using the hashtag on social. It's operating alongside another initiative dubbed The Last Straw, which has set out to end the use of plastic straws in Australia, through its own extensive venue list published online. As part of the campaign, a new #SydneyDoesntSuck ad has been launched, which shows a patron at a bar asking for a straw in his drink, causing the whole room to stop and stare in silence. The guy pretty quickly caves in to the pressure, finishing with "Actually, I don't need a straw". The light-hearted video features local DJ Joyride in the role of bartender, plus cameo appearances by a bunch of Sydney bartending legends. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFBwdugk8YA Cr Miller's main aim for the campaign is to raise consciousness about our plastic use, especially within the entertainment and nightlife industries. "It's about looking to reduce single-use plastic straws in particular, because they're kind of like a gateway recyclability drug," Cr Miller told Concrete Playground. "But it also encourages venues to look at their broader operations." "It's not a full ban, it's not about saying 'we're not doing this', because some people will continue to need straws," Cr Miller said. "It's about the fact that the proliferation of straws we have is just way too much." The Sydney Opera house — including all of its on-site restaurants, such as Solotel's Opera Bar and Fink Group's Bennelong — is the latest organisation to join the #SydneyDoesntSuck campaign, pledging to be plastic straw-free by August 1, 2018. Solotel co-owner Matt Moran said in a statement that the ban at Opera Bar alone will prevent 1.3 million straws a year appearing in landfill. The campaign comes as venues across the country phase out single-use plastic straws, with even fast food giant McDonald's announcing it'll trial a switch to paper straws from next month. The movement has scored plenty of support on environmental grounds, though as highlighted by the ABC recently, it also has potential to marginalise disabled members of the community. A number of Aussies with disabilities rely on straws to eat and drink, and reusable versions aren't always an alternative. To find out what venues in your area are plastic straw-free, search #SydneyDoesntSuck on social media or head to The Last Straw website. Top image: Matt Moran and Deputy Lord Mayor Jess Miller
Sarah Silverman looks like a nice, wholesome, and sincere lady — the kind you could introduce to your mum. Well, unless your mum takes well to abortion gags, poo songs, and total disregard for racial and religious sensitivities, that may not be the best idea. But if "oh no, you didn't" laughs are your mum's thing, then you won't want to miss taking her to Silverman's Sydney show. Having started out as an occasional performer in Saturday Night Live nearly 20 years ago, Silverman has climbed the ladder and worked with showbiz giants Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chapelle, Jack Black, David Duchovny, Queens of the Stone Age, and (her former partner) Jimmy Kimmel. From 2007-10 she starred in and co-created the critically acclaimed The Sarah Silverman Program. But fame has never blunted her tongue; at 41 she remains the princess of black comedy. Rest assured, it won't be an evening of simplistic obscenity — as with all the great comics, underneath the jokes lie some pointed and unsettling truths.
Following successful stores in Dulwich Hill and Roselands, Greek bakery Alevri has arrived in Sydney's east — and it has brought its unbeatable selection of Greek treats. The Alevri menu is known for fusing Greek classics with cafe favourites. Take, for example, the bakery's latest hybrid food creation: the baklava croissant. The ingenious combo consists of a buttery croissant with layers of pistachios, almonds and walnuts, topped with a drizzle of honey lemon syrup. Other tasty selections from the menu include the signature moussaka pie, filled with Greek-style mince, eggplant, potato and topped with bechamel sauce, plus more traditional Greek eats including Tsoureki, tarts, loaf cake and loukoumades. Those looking for something heartier can turn to the lunch menu where you'll find Alevri's take on a club sandwich, burgers, salads and a lunch platter for two complete with souvlaki, chips, dip, chorizo and pita bread. Alevri was started by Aki and Kathy Daikos who were looking to bring a little Greek hospitality to Sydney. The bakery's aim is to encompass the Greek saying, 'San to spiti sou' which means to 'feel at home' and to make the trip to the bakery a daily tradition for Sydneysiders.
First, the sad news: as HBO fans in Australia and New Zealand already know, viewers Down Under can't watch HBO Max, the prestige US cable network's standalone streaming platform. Now, the great news: AMC, one of the other ace American stations behind plenty of top-notch TV shows in recent years — Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul and The Walking Dead included — is now available via its own service in our neck of the woods. In Australia, this development might spark a bout of déjà vu, because AMC+ — as AMC's streamer offshoot is called — originally launched here a year back. But it made its debut in 2021 as a streaming bundle, rather than its own service. Instead of initially existing as a separate platform, it was an add-on that you had to access via the Apple TV channels on the Apple TV app and, also through Prime Video channels if you were a Prime member. Now, however, AMC+ is its own platform — with its own app and all — and is also available in New Zealand. And while you might be thinking about the fact that this is yet another subscription to sign up for, it also includes access to horror platform Shudder and the British TV-focused Acorn TV at no extra cost. Top-notch new television shows, horror flicks aplenty and indulging your British obsession? Yes, you can now find them all in the one place. That said, a heap of AMC's best-known past shows actually sit on other platforms due to past rights deals before it made its first foray Down Under. Still, AMC+ will be the future home of The Walking Dead universe in both Australia and Aotearoa, including the upcoming The Walking Dead: Dead City and fellow future spinoffs. Right now, viewers can also catch the new TV version of Interview with the Vampire, which starts a new Anne Rice franchise, with Mayfair Witches set to follow next year. AMC+ also currently includes animated series Pantheon, the clearly crime-focused True Crime Story: It Couldn't Happen Here, and the latest series of doco satire Documentary Now! among its recent releases. Or, there's also a back catalogue that also includes Mad Men, Portlandia, Halt and Catch Fire, TURN: Washington's Spies, Hell on Wheels, Riviera and Aussie outback-set vampire series Firebite. Thanks to IFC Films, the service includes independent movies and documentaries, too. To access AMC+, you'll want to head to the platform's Australian and New Zealand websites, or you can sign up via Apple, Android and Amazon Fire devices in Australia — and Apple and Android devices in NZ. AMC+ costs $8.99 per month in Oz and $9.99 per month in Aotearoa, and new subscriptions come with a seven-day free trial first. For more information about AMC+, or to sign up, head to the platform's Australian and New Zealand websites.
There's something about spending a long lazy summer day at the beach that just can't be beat. Some of our overseas friends have got this down to a fine art — think beach chairs and shady umbrellas set up ready and waiting on the white sand of a Brazilian beach, with caipirinhas and coconuts served up from the little stalls dotting the shoreline. But fear not! Although we're a little short on beach bars (except this one), back in Australia we've perfected beach luxury, BYO-style. Here are our ten favourite beach chairs to bring along with you to your favourite sandy spot, whether it's on the grassy knoll at North Bondi, on a buzzing Gold Coast main beach, Victoria's quaint Brighton Beach or a tiny secret beach at the mouth of the Hawkesbury. BANANA SUNLOUNGE, SOMMERSAULT We couldn't resist. No list of beach chairs would be complete without the humble banana lounge. They'll take you to the sand, to the park, and all the way back to those memories of the days before water restrictions when you plonked one under the sprinklers in the backyard. You can even pull them out for sleepovers. Inexpensive, functional, iconic... and don't forget they fold flat for easy storage with that familiar 'click-click'. BEACH SEAT HAVANA, SUNNY LIFE Modern comfort, lightweight portability and a retro-inspired colourful print? This chair ticks a lot of boxes for seaside adventuring. As well as that, being from the clever people at Sunny Life, you can even find a beach umbrella or towel to complement your chair. But it's not just about looks — this chair has a handy pocket providing a place to stash your valuables. And see that strap? That makes for easy carrying without bumping aluminium poles all over your shoulder. DANIA FOLDING TEAK BEACH CHAIR, SKAGERAK We know teak is pretty — Danish mid-century furniture sure taught us that. But did you know this tropical hardwood also has a number of special properties that make it an excellent outdoor material? A high oil and rubber content make it naturally weatherproof, it's strong, and with a little love and recent finishing is easily cleaned. This teak beach chair will let you bring all those perks to the beach, in a fetching Danish design. If you're into your eco-credentials and a bit wary of tropical hardwoods, check out this bamboo option, and the recycled number below. TRIOPLINA CHAIR, MUUMUU DESIGN With lush covers to choose from including black and white cowhide, leather, cotton canvas and even kangaroo, Muumuu Design makes each of their stunner folding chairs by hand right in Sydney. Featuring sustainable marine-grade plywood frames and hand-finished with either a stain or clear protective finish, they're designed to last, as well as look good. The Tripolina design was first patented in 1877, and has been popular as a campaign or safari chair ever since. This is a chair with a pretty long history — and it's had a modern update thanks to the folks at Muumuu Design. Check out their full range. RECYCLED DECK CHAIR, ECOCHIC We love a good folding deck chair. Especially when they're locally made and recycled, like this chair from Ecochic. Handmade out of recycled Australian hardwood, these chairs come in natural or white. As well as being made-to-order, they're made to last — right down to the stainless steel screws and bolts. Ecochic are on a bit of a mission to make eco-friendly furniture available to people around Australia, whether or not they have access to a store. That means they keep their shipping fees as low as possible. You can check out their eco credentials here. PANTONE FOLDING CHAIRS, SELETTI Introducing Seletti, the company bringing Pantone to the beach. Their range of folding chairs are available in those familiar colours loved by many a design aficionado. Team up with your friends and see what colour palette works best for your beach times this summer. TREKKER LOUNGE, THERMAREST Next on the lounging front is this cleverly designed number from Thermarest. Known for their top-notch sleeping mats, if you do already have a Thermarest packed away for your outdoor adventures, all you need is the Trekker Lounge chair to convert your mat into a lounge chair fit for the beach. It's pretty clever, and as a bonus it's super lightweight which means it can see you from the beach to the bush, if you're planning some summer hiking too (or both, if you're lucky enough to be hiking to a secret beach somewhere). ORSON DECK CHAIR, RODA Last but not least, check this one for style. Designed by Gordon Guillaumier for RODA, the lovely lines of this chair are perfectly complemented by its matching footstool. The chair features a teak frame, and the little capote (that's the shade sail) means this is another super comfortable, shady chair to kick back in. All that's missing from this picture is some kind of delicious cool drink, and maybe one of Sydney's cracker sunsets after a day at the beach. BUNGALOW BEACH CHAIR, BUNGALOW As part of our search for the ideal beach chair, something came to us. Shade. How nifty is it to have a little awning over your head, protecting your face from the beating rays and your arm muscles, tired from shielding your face all day? So it was with much delight we stumbled across the Bungalow Beach Chair. Not only does it have a comfy towel design that lets you lounge out right on the sand, there's a hammock-shaped back to support you. But what we're eyeing off the most is that shady shade, right above where our heads go. This chair also comes with a zippered pocket for your things. Want the ultimate summer set-up? Check out these seven nifty beach tents.
Playground Weekender is, for the uninitiated, a four-day extravaganza in arguably the most gorgeous festival location near Sydney, Del Rio's Riverside Resort on the Hawkesbury. We're talking lush green bush land, a sparkly river and all the trimmings of a 'Riverside Resort' - nine hole golf courses, tennis courts, riverside chalets and kangaroos that serve you cocktails. Add yoga, the Club Tropicana (!) swimming pool, cabaret, cinema, a beauty salon and a 24 hour general store. Now back for its sixth year with a cavalcade of amazing artists and things to do, the 2012 edition will feature performances by artists such as Chic ft. Nile Rodgers, Boy and Bear, Roots Manuva, Black Lips, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, Unkle Sounds, Shapeshifters and Lanie Lane. If you need a break in between shows go and visit the Village Green, home to an array of food stalls, stand up comedy, and a beer and cider garden. Or, if you prefer, do a session of yoga and have a massage in a teepee. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Z5ExV8ABNNU
Sydney's cocktail scene is about to heat up this winter as popular Spanish liqueur Licor 43 is partnering with five top South American and Spanish restaurants to introduce the Carajillo 43. This twist on the classic Carajillo (kah-rah-HEE-yoh) cocktail combines fresh espresso with Spanish liqueur, known for its sweet, citrusy flavours, which come from a secret blend of 43 ingredients. For a limited time, from July 19, the first 43 amigos to order a meal can score a complimentary Carajillo 43 when they mention this promotion at each venue. Keep reading to find out where and how you can join the fiesta.
Matt Yazbeck knows a thing or two about an encore. After relocating his enduringly popular fine diner Toko to a moody George Street basement in 2022, the Sydney restaurateur is returning to the CBD this spring with KODA. Set to open on Tuesday, November 18, KODA will take over the former Monopole site on Curtin Place, bringing a "no-attitude, fun-times destination" to the heart of the city. "KODA is a cocktail bar and robata grill, fired up with the freshest daily ingredients and a twist on Japanese technique," Yazbeck shares in an exclusive interview with Concrete Playground. "We wanted to create something different from what we already offer [at Toko] — something more accessible without skimping on quality and experience." At the heart of the space is the robata grill, around which diners can perch for a front-row view of the kitchen in action. "The robata grill will be amazing," Yazbeck says. "Guests will be seated around it and all produce will be on an ice display for customers to choose, and chefs to grill and serve." While menu details are still under wraps, there'll be a clear departure from the envelope-pushing creations at Toko. "The flavours will be simpler and let the produce be the hero — flavours won't be too tricked-up," Yazbeck reveals. For something more relaxed, nab a sun-drenched seat by the north-facing wraparound windows for share plates and cocktails. "KODA is as much of a bar as it is a dining destination," Yazbeck explains. "The bar menu is fun and incredibly tasty — everything has a Japanese hint, but it won't be as refined as Toko." To that end, KODA's drinks list will draw inspiration from the kitchen — rooted in Japanese flavours, but not bound by them. "We use a Japanese sake or spirit as the base for most of our original cocktails," Yazbeck says. "[You'll also find] Japanese flavours and ingredients like yuzu, lychee, watermelon throughout." The venue's design will also echo the easygoing ethos. Timber star lights woven around the perimeter, cherry blossoms draped from the ceiling and those showpiece wraparound windows that let in plenty of natural light will define the room's aesthetic. "Again," says Yazbeck, "the atmosphere will lean into Japanese but won't be owned by it." Taking over the old Monopole site might come with the burden of expectation, but Yazbeck is clear that KODA stands on its own. "The concept was built before the site was locked in," he says. "The location lends itself perfectly to the concept, which has been years in the making — it's a very different offering targeting a different audience." In stark contrast to its predecessor, which was very much a venue for occasion dining, KODA is pitched as an everyday offer — the kind of place you could drop into for an after-work drink and snack, or settle in for a full robata feast. "We want people to use KODA as an escape from the usual," says Yazbeck. "We want people to feel that it's their own space to enjoy. It's an accessible venue for people to visit numerous times a week if they choose. Walk-ins are encouraged, but bookings will be taken for the grill and a handful of seats. We would love for KODA to be the highlight of our guests' week." KODA is set to open on Tuesday, November 18, at 16/20 Curtin Place, Sydney. Stay tuned to Concrete Playground for more details.
This Bondi Beach drinking and dining den has stood the test of time, hence its inclusion on our list of the best pubs in Sydney. The North Bondi RSL has held on to its loyal patrons with decent prices, classic meat raffles and honest community engagement while gathering plenty of other locals and tourists through free live music nights and the recently refurbished bistro. Plus, everyone loves those uninterrupted beach views. They'll never get old. Either spend a long sunny day out on the terrace or head inside to eat, drink and watch the footy with a bunch of rowdy sports lovers. And if you happen to be here for the marvellous sunset, be sure to pay some respect to the veterans by standing up and facing westwards with the rest of the staff and patrons. Appears in: The Best Pubs in Sydney The Best Rooftop Bars in Sydney
There are sandwiches, then there are sandwiches, and then there's Lucky Pickle. Take the sharp turn into High Holborn Street at the corner of Crown and Devonshire Streets, and you find yourself in a minuscule, hole-in-the-wall-type operation, where the staff stand behind a counter dishing out their own take on bread with fillings, and it's a take on things that's definitely worth trying. Opened by Tio's bartender Arash Katrak with Anna Berry, Lucky Pickle takes the approach of simplicity — simply choose from five different sambos. To accompany, there is a selection of soft drinks, and the whole deal is cash only. But rather than getting the feeling that there isn't much to choose from, it instead makes for a quick decision, and a high likelihood of being satisfied. The lunch variations are all a fancier version of classic sandwiches, using homemade sauces and ingredients prepared in-house. Take the pork belly sandwich, accompanied by duck liver pate, veggies and a crazily excellent sriracha. With the heat from the chilli and the spice from the coriander thrown in there, you get a unique twist on the classic Vietnamese banh mi. Sticking with the Asian theme, they also make a great chicken katsu, dished up with sesame and red cabbage, as well as the traditional Japanese tonkatsu sauce. It's not all meat (though there is also a mortadella with smoked mozzarella and pesto). The pescatarian option contains fish dip, radish, rocket and mayo, and a vegetarian option is always on rotation, whether it be a goat's cheese sandwich or quinoa salad. The style of the joint is, once again, in its simplicity. There's hardly room to sit, with a single communal table tucked in behind the door and a few bread crates outside. But that's the vibe of the shop — come in, grab a quick, tasty bite and be on your way. If you're going to sit down, grab a carafe of water and your sandwich on your canteen tray and enjoy with the magazines scattered about the place. It's important to get in quick, though, because this little gem is only open Monday to Friday, 10.30am to 2.30pm, or until they're all sold out. It's silly to say that the guys at Lucky Pickle are reinventing the sandwich because, well, how? It is fair to say, however, that this one-stop sandwich shop is creating intensely tasty versions of classic sandwiches that are well worth taking an early lunch break for.
Few Australian actors just starting out — not even half a decade into their resumes, in fact — have enjoyed the jump into the spotlight that Eliza Scanlen did between 2018–2020. After a 15-episode run on Home and Away in 2016, Scanlen made her international debut on HBO's Sharp Objects, so in a miniseries based on a novel by Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn, and starring Amy Adams (Nightbitch) and Patricia Clarkson (She Said). Her initial role in a US film came next as one of the March sisters, Beth, in Greta Gerwig's (Barbie) adaptation of Little Women, with Scanlen starring alongside Saoirse Ronan (Blitz), Florence Pugh (We Live in Time), Emma Watson (The Circle), Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), Laura Dern (Lonely Planet) and Meryl Streep (Only Murders in the Building). Then, for her first Aussie movie, she earned a well-deserved AACTA Best Actress Award for Babyteeth, where she played a 16-year-old navigating a cancer diagnosis; Essie Davis (Apple Cider Vinegar) and Ben Mendelsohn (The New Look) portrayed her parents. Amid those impressive television and film parts, Scanlen also hit the stage at home, featuring in Sydney Theatre Company's 2019 production of Lord of the Flies with Mia Wasikowska (Blueback), Yerin Ha (Dune: Prophecy, and soon to be seen in Bridgerton's fourth season) and Daniel Monks (Kaos). On Broadway that very year, she did the same, but in To Kill a Mockingbird with Ed Harris (Love Lies Bleeding) and Nick Robinson (Damsel). 2025 sees the screen and stage sides of Scanlen's career collide. After past movies The Devil All the Time, Old, The Starling Girl and Caddo Lake, plus TV's Fires, The First Lady and Dope Girls, Scanlen is back in Australian cinemas thanks to her theatre work. From late November 2024–late January this year, the Aussie actor trod the boards in London in National Theatre's glorious new staging of The Importance of Being Earnest. Down Under, viewers can now watch Scanlen as Cecily Cardew in the Oscar Wilde-penned farce via NT Live. The British theatre company's love of recording its productions and beaming them around the world has long been an initiative to celebrate, and the reason that stunning works such as Danny Boyle's (Yesterday) version of Frankenstein with Benedict Cumberbatch (Eric) and Jonny Lee Miller (Guy Ritchie's The Covenant) alternating between Victor Frankenstein and his monster, the Carey Mulligan (Spaceman)- and Bill Nighy (That Christmas)-starring Skylight, and Jodie Comer (The Bikeriders) in Prima Facie have been accessible to audiences who couldn't attend the live shows in the UK. Add The Importance of Being Earnest to NT Live's must-sees and sparkling gems, with Scanlen joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who) as Algernon Moncrieff, Hugh Skinner (Wicked Little Letters) as Jack Worthing, Sharon D Clarke (Wicked) as Lady Bracknell and Ronkẹ Adékọluẹ́jọ́ (Alex Rider) as Gwendolen Fairfax. Director Max Webster — who also helmed National Theatre's Macbeth, Life of Pi and Henry V, all of which enjoyed the NT Live treatment — couldn't be having more fun with Wilde's now 130-year-old work. Neither could Scanlen and her co-stars, visibly so from the moment that this iteration opens with Gatwa in a hot pink dress. The last play by its author, premiering mere months before his imprisonment for homosexual acts and clearly drawing upon Wilde's own experiences as it tells of living double lives, The Importance of Being Earnest has always possessed queer subtext. Webster pushes that further forward, alongside the search for identity, plus what it means to be your own person and break free of expectations. This is still "a trivial comedy", as its originator himself dubbed it. It remains a story about impersonation and romance, too. No one has brought it to the stage like this before, however. Of course, the narrative still charts Jack's attempts to be an upstanding custodian to his ward Cecily in his country existence, only to live it up in town under a different name with his friend Algernon — and the latter's own similar scheme, aka "Bunburying", aka making up a fictitious ailing friend that often needs his attention as an excuse to ditch the city. And, this The Importance of Being Earnest remains the tale of two young women, Cecily and Gwendolen, with their sights set on married futures, but the reality of their hopes and dreams impacted by Jack and Algernon's duplicity. What's Scanlen's take on Cecily's journey? When the character falls in love with Jack's made-up brother Ernest, "I think she knows that deep down that he might not exist, but she's so invested in this imaginary world that she's built for herself to escape the boredom of her life in the country that she's willing to do anything to will this person into existence," she tells Concrete Playground. "And so when Algernon shows up at her home, she assumes him to be Ernest, her fiancé. I guess he represents to her freedom, an escape from the boredom of her life, and a promise of wealth and fun. I think she's a kindred spirit with Algernon in the play." Asked if her path to here, to acting on the London stage in a famous farce that's now screening in cinemas afterwards, was something that she could've imagined when she booked her stint in Summer Bay almost a decade ago now, and Scanlen notes that "never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I'd be onstage playing Cecily at the National Theatre. I think that is pretty special". She continues: "I don't think I was looking that far ahead. I knew that my heart was in films and television, and I knew that I wanted to make films, too. But I did find acting through theatre originally, so theatre has always had a special place in my heart — and I returned to theatre when I was 19, I think, at Sydney Theatre Company." "I guess with this career, it's not really something that you can plan. You just have to give yourself up to whatever happens, and I'm really lucky to find myself here," Scanlen also advises. "I can't see myself doing anything else. I've been doing it for so long now that the idea of pivoting careers seems crazy to me. I can't really see my life without acting and film and TV and theatre. I've just followed my curiosity along the way, and I don't really know exactly where I'm going, but I think that's how it works. You just have to stay inspired and stay curious. And I've been lucky enough that it's taken me to some just some wonderful places and I've met some wonderful people along the way." One of those people: Gerwig. Taking inspiration from her Little Women director is part of the reason that Scanlen is in The Importance of Being Earnest at all — and Gerwig came to see her in the production during its London stage season. The actor-turned-filmmaker's influence on Scanlen's career; the excitement of playing Cecily; Webster's vision for the play; being part of such a phenomenal cast; what she looks for in roles; the experience of that whirlwind Sharp Objects, Little Women and Babyteeth run: we also dug into them all with Scanlen, among other topics. On What Excited Scanlen About Being Part of The Importance of Being Earnest Onstage "It didn't take much — it didn't take anything for me to audition for this. When I heard that the National Theatre was putting on The Importance of Being Earnest, I was so excited to take a crack at it. And I auditioned and it was quite daunting, because it's such a well-known play and the language is quite challenging. And physically, too — the physical comedy is quite specific. So going into the audition, there was a lot I was thinking about. And I think also this play can be interpreted in a number of different ways, depending on what lens you're looking at it through, so I didn't really know what Max, the director, wanted to do with it at that point. So I was just taking a shot and I just gave it my best, and it worked out." On Getting Into Cecily's Mindset in Webster's Version of the Play "I guess Oscar Wilde wrote Cecily as this farcical character. Cecily is based on this farcical character of the time, which was this bloomer-wearing, cigarette-smoking, bicycle-riding, independent woman. And I guess in this play, all the characters in the play are based on tropes and stereotypes of characters at the time, and he sets them up to subvert them. So Cecily is illustrated as this young, innocent woman, but she's actually very much in charge of her own destiny and makes all the decisions. To get into character, it felt like to get into the head of Cecily, I had to do a lot of mental gymnastics — because Cecily, she doesn't feel real sometimes. And her way of seeing the world is quite convoluted because of her diary. I think Cecily is usually seen as a fantasist, but I don't think that's the most-helpful way for an actor to access the character. So I did a lot of mental gymnastics trying to understand what Cecily wanted, and why she is so attached to her diary. And she spent so much time with her diary that now her diary is the compass for truth and reality, so anything that diverges from what she's written in her diary is false. She's got a very specific worldview, I suppose. I think a lot of getting into character for this play, though, was just having fun and enjoying the surface-level nature of the play. And also interacting with the audience. The audience is really important for this play and we had very direct contact with them whilst we were performing. So just getting comfortable acknowledging the audience and getting the audience onside. It was a huge learning experience for me." On Working with the Rest of The Importance of Being Earnest's Cast "It was such a joy to come in every day and be onstage with this group of people. It's a very special time that I know I won't get back. And I think that the beauty of theatre is that it's all so temporary, but what we created together was beautiful. Honestly, I don't really know any other way to describe it other than pure joy. It was just a joy to be onstage with the company every day. Obviously, there's days where you're tired and maybe you didn't sleep well or someone's sick, but you can't really do this play without having fun. So even if you rocked up in a bad mood, you're bound to come out of it in a good mood." On NT Live Bringing the Production Beyond London and Broadening the Show's Audience "I think it's incredible. I think it's the closest thing to being there and the technology has improved so much that what NT Live is bringing out to the world is incredible and hugely impactful, too. I think theatre can feel inaccessible at times, and what NT Live does is make it really accessible, and people from all around the world can watch this play. I also think that this play has a really important message to share about being yourself and expressing yourself. And queer pride, queer joy, all of those things, I think are really important for younger audiences, and it makes me really excited to know that this play can be seen by so many school kids around the world, too. This play, it's been done many, many times before, but it's for a reason, and I'm really happy that it's been immortalised. It's really cool." On Digging Into the Play's Interrogation of Identity and Breaking Free of Expectations "I think that was a really important theme to our interpretation of the play. In the past, other versions of this play feel quite stuffy, and it is more about the snobbery of high society than it is about identity and expression and queerness. And we wanted to make it feel fresh and use the queer lens more than anything. This play is about young people inventing themselves in virtuosic expression.The opening of the play, too, the dance sequence that we put in the opening of the play, I think really represents that. It's the dream. We wanted it to be feel like an empowering play rather than weighed down by the satire of it." On the Experience of Starring in Sharp Objects, Little Women and Babyteeth in Such Short Succession at the Start of Scanlen's Career "It was pretty overwhelming. I'm aware that most people, it doesn't happen in such quick succession, usually. And I did find it quite overwhelming and felt the urge to withdraw from it all, but knew that I couldn't — and was very aware that the opportunities I was getting were really special and it would be silly not to ride the wave. But I was very young, and I think I handled it as well as I could've. But now that I'm older and I have a bit more experience and am probably a bit more mature, I can look back on that time and think to myself 'how did I do that?'. I would say that now I feel a bit more robust and in control. I think I'd be more prepared if something like that happened again. But I wouldn't change it for the world, though." On Scanlen's Trend of Starring in Adaptations, Screen and Stage, of Classic Works "It's not something that's intentional, but I feel really honoured that I'm a part of these incredible classic texts. I did To Kill a Mockingbird onstage as well, and I studied To Kill a Mockingbird in high school, so it's really cool to be able to return to these texts as an actor — and there's still so much to be learnt from these texts. I guess I'm really lucky." On What Being Cast in Little Women Meant to Scanlen — and the Influence It Still Has "It was pretty life-changing being a part of that film. Looking back now, I realise that getting roles like that are few and far between, and to be that excited about a role is pretty rare. And to get no-brainer roles as well, it's very rare. Again, I was so young, and spent a lot of time watching other people and learning. And obviously that's a text that most young women have read and have a relationship with. I think Greta, in particular, was a huge inspiration for me, because I really am inspired by the way she's moved into writing and directing, and that's something I want to keep exploring. I remember being on set on that film and thinking about going into theatre, and she was super encouraging. And so I went on to do that. I think she had a huge part to play in how I made decisions on my career and made decisions on what I wanted to do. And she actually came and saw The Importance of Being Earnest, and it felt like a really special full-circle moment." [caption id="attachment_997124" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Max[/caption] On What Else Inspires Scanlen's Choice of Roles — Other Than Gerwig "My choices on roles are informed by a few different things, but usually the question I ask myself 'is have I done this before?'. I think that's a question that most actors ask themselves. And I know I'm in a privileged position to be able to ask myself that question and not have to take every job, but I think that I'm at a stage in my career where I feel like I'm having to resist, a bit, falling into stereotypes or falling into typecasting. And I'm constantly looking for things that push myself as an actor. I felt like, for example, The Importance of Being Earnest was a huge challenge for me. I'd never done a comedy before. And I had never been entrusted with a character as substantial as Cecily and as iconic as Cecily onstage. So I felt like I was really stretched as an actor in the rehearsal room, and I guess that's the kind of thing that I'm looking for. But it's hard. It's really hard, especially in film and TV. There's so many things that need to fall into place for a film or a show to happen, and it's really hard for all of those things to be right. But I guess that's how I see things." On the Joy of Making Babyteeth in Scanlen's Home Town, and What She Looks for in Australian Projects "I love making things at home. It's an incredibly special experience. And what I loved about Babyteeth was that we shot it in my home town, so it was an incredible experience seeing a city I know so well become a set for a film. And there's parts of Sydney that I now look at in a completely different way because of it — and I just think that's really amazing. But I'm not looking for anything in particular. I think the script is obviously incredibly important, and I would love to make a film here next. But I guess I'm just waiting for the right thing to come along — but I'm desperate to work in Australia again." NT Live's The Importance of Being Earnest opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, March 27, 2025. The Importance of Being Earnest images: Marc Brenner.
The announcement that beloved Sydney dining institution Golden Century was going into administration, prompted an outpouring of sadness from Sydney diners and the broader food community. While there were rumours circulating that the restaurant could be saved, Billy Wong of Golden Century group (the son of original owners Eric and Linda) confirmed to Concrete Playground that the OG GC site is no more: "Golden Century will no longer operate out of the Sussex Street site. We left during lockdown at the end of our lease when we were unable to negotiate a renewal," Wong told us. Thankfully, all hope is not lost. You can still get yourself the legendary dishes that made Golden Century a popular mainstay for so long — including via its two sibling venues, XOPP and The Century at The Star, so that, in the words of Billy Wong, "we can continue to serve our wonderful family of Golden Century customers with the same classic dishes, taste, and flavours." XOPP opened in Haymarket in 2019 with Billy Wong at the helm. As suggested by its name, then restaurant's signature is Golden Century Group's beloved pipis in XO sauce. Located on the mezzanine level of Darling Square's six-storey Exchange building, a few tweaks to the XOPP menu and experience have been directly informed by customer requests. "XOPP at Darling Square has reopened with installation of live seafood tanks and a new menu more aligned to the original Golden Century," Wong explains. "We listened, and many of our chef and front of house team members have joined from Sussex Street to continue serving our customers their GC favourite dishes." Yum cha is available from midday until 3pm Tuesday–Sunday, and the extensive tome-like menu is all on offer a la carte. Over at The Star, The Century has been serving Golden Century classics since 2012. The venue is open for dinner Wednesday–Sunday currently, however yum cha is yet to return since the restaurant reopened for dining. Those looking to have the Golden Century experience at home are also in luck as the restaurant group is offering a bunch of its dishes available for delivery throughout NSW and ACT via Providoor. On Providoor, you can order Golden Century's seafood banquet, XO pipis, Singapore chilli lobster, three cup chicken and black pepper beef. Signature sides and desserts like hot and sour soup, custard lava buns and jars of XO sauce are also on offer. Throughout lockdown, Providoor teamed up with the likes of Restaurant Hubert, Bistrot 916 and Ciccia Bella in order to ensure people across both states could enjoy meals from their favourite restaurants when it was otherwise impossible. The meals are delivered semi-prepared and with instructions on how to add the finishing touches so you can take partial credit for replicating the experience of the restaurants as closely as possible. While the original Golden Century is no more, Wong is optimistic about the future of his restaurants and where Sydney's hospitality scene is headed. "We feel the hospitality scene has really gone through some terrible times, many businesses and individuals without the support it needs and unfortunately we won't see them reopen or come back," proclaims Billy Wong. "Those resilient enough will have its own challenges, but the lockdown has reminded so many of us how much we actually enjoy gathering and having that great meal together with family and friends." [caption id="attachment_832825" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] Images: Steven Woodburn
With their visceral and deceptively simple sounds, the Mess Hall are loved for their attitude laden blues, heavy on guitars and stripped back to the bare bones. The two piece kicked around for a long time, impressing audiences and doing sporadic but good things for years. Since a drummer change in 2005, and signing to Ivy League in 2007, the band has stepped on the accelerator and have gone from strength to strength. The real run of success started when they won the Australian Music Prize in 2008 with their second album Devils Elbow, which amassed much critical acclaim. On the back of the album they toured non stop, here and overseas, and even opened for rock giants Foo Fighters last year. Their third album For The Birds sees the band splash a bit more pop into the mix. No glittery sparkles, but some definite added layers that bring the songwriting of Jed Kurzel to the fore. These embellishments can be heard on first single 'Bell' with its errant shakers and organ driven riff that Kurzel deadpans over "well I feel like Adam when you shot me from a cannon". Its lazy drum rolls and slightly twisted guitar solo almost hint at early Beck, but the vocal is all snarl. In March the Mess Hall embark on a huge tour with special guests Bridezilla and Cabins, taking in a few regional spots along the way. Tickets go on sale January 11 and they will hit home soil March 6 at Manning. TOUR DATES MARCH 2010: Thur 4th: Wollongong Uni, Wollongong Fri 5th: Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle Sat 6th: Manning Bar, Sydney Thur 11th: Neverland Bar, Gold Coast Fri 12th: Joes' Waterhole, Eumundi Sat 13th: The Zoo, Brisbane Thur 18th: Republic Bar, Hobart Fri 19th: Hotel New York, Launceston Sat 20th: Corner Hotel, Melbourne Sun 21st: Karova Lounge, Ballarat Thur 25th: Mojo's, Fremantle Fri 26th: Rosemount, Perth Sat 27th: Jive Bar, Adelaide We're giving away 5 double passes to see the Mess Hall play their Sydney show on March 6th. To win, just email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with "Mess" in the subject line and approximately ten words on why you want to go. https://youtube.com/watch?v=evaQHIcGkkM
Powerhouse Museum's long-awaited Parramatta site is on the way, and the ambitious Western Sydney space is finally beginning to take shape. With an opening date set for 2025, the Powerhouse team has just announced that the museum will have an increased food and drink focus, including exciting themed programs. Powerhouse is currently taking expressions of interest from folks in the hospitality industry to partner with the museum, with the venue seeking collaborators to create unique and adventurous explorations of food when the Parramatta site opens in two years' time. While things are clearly still in the early stages of planning, visitors can expect themed food and beverage offerings that are integrated into the museum's exhibitions, plus a dedicated demonstration kitchen hosting innovative food science programs. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Powerhouse Museum (@powerhousemuseum) "The retail food and beverage program will be concept-driven, collaborative and embedded into the Powerhouse program of exhibitions and programs alongside major events and festivals. It will also truly integrate Powerhouse Parramatta with its surrounds, connecting with the city physically, socially and economically," said Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah. "As a Parramatta resident, I've seen the local hospitality scene transform with an explosion of great new restaurants and local cafes," added Powerhouse Trustee David Borger. "I'm excited to see how this partnership between the museum and leaders in the hospitality scene will take shape and present a new approach that represents the incredible cultural diversity of Western Sydney." Alongside the retail offering, the Vitocco Family Kitchen will reside within the museum, seating 200 people in auditorium-style seating in front of the demonstration area. Powerhouse Parramatta hopes to attract chefs and industry leaders from across Australia and the world to present in the space. [caption id="attachment_755479" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Render of Powerhouse's Parramatta site[/caption] Set to spread across 18,000 square metres of museum exhibition and public space, Powerhouse Parramatta will be located on the banks of the Parramatta River. When it's finished, it's expected that the new venue will attract two million visitors per year, with Powerhouse Board of Trustees President Peter Collins AM QC calling it "Australia's very own Smithsonian". In the meantime, make sure to listen to the Powerhouse Museum's stunning Culinary Archives podcast hosted by Lee Tran Lam — and lock in time to visit some of our favourite Parramatta spots that exemplify Western Sydney's impressive hospitality scene, including Circa Espresso, Lilymu, Fratelli Pulcinella, Misc, Pho Pasteur, Nick & Nora's and Temasek. Powerhouse Museum Parramatta is set to open on Phillip Street in 2025. Head to the venue's website for further details. Images: renders of Powerhouse's Parramatta site.
Get ready, Sydney—Darling Harbour's Culture Alive Festival is taking over Tumbalong Park. In the spirit of Australian multiculturalism, it hosts three epic cultural festivals in February, March and May. First up is the Greek Festival, running from Saturday, February 22 to Sunday, February 23. Then, the Holi Festival from Saturday, March 15 to Sunday, March 16, and finally, Buddha's Birthday, which will take place on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4. Each will celebrate global traditions, showcase regional cuisine and present a stage for cultural performances from around the world. Whether you're a foodie, culture lover or just looking for a weekend vibe, this lineup has a little something for everyone. Greek Festival Dreaming of a Euro summer but can't quite swing the airfare? We've got the next best thing. The free Greek Festival of Sydney and its return to Darling Harbour this February from 11am until 10pm is bringing a microcosm of the Mediterranean right into the heart of the Harbour City. Prepare to gorge yourself silly on souvlaki and loosen a belt loop for loukoumades, before watching lively dance performances and traditional music from the Xylourides Siblings, Nikos Zoidakis and Rena Morfi. It's not just about the food and music though - the festival will feature market stalls loaded with handmade crafts and Greek delicacies. And if you've got little ones, face painting and kids' activities will also be on the cards. Holi Festival Famously bright, fun (and a little bit messy), the Holi Festival Sydney will transform Darling Harbour into a spectacle of colour this March. If you've never participated in the annual celebration, this is your chance to embrace the traditional Hindu celebration of spring, love, and new beginnings. The most popular way to celebrate? Throwing bright powders in the air, so unless you're planning to turn yourself into a canvas, maybe leave your white sneakers at home. In addition to throwing puffs of powder around, there will also be live music and dance performances to keep the energy high all weekend. Admission is free during select times, but paid entry packages can get you past the lines if you're keen. Buddha's Birthday Festival Need to hit pause and recharge after the vibrant Holi celebrations? Take a breath and harness the inner zen that lies inside you at Darling Harbour's Buddha's Birthday Festival on the first weekend of May. Celebrating the mindfulness and compassion that Buddhist culture is known for, this festival invites you to immerse yourself in traditional ceremonies, meditation sessions and seriously tasty vegetarian treats. Not only could you leave feeling much more peaceful and calm than when you arrived, but you'll also learn a lot that you can take away with you and share with your friends and family. There will be eco-conscious activities, cultural performances, mindfulness workshops and plenty of self-reflection. And in the spirit of Buddhist karma, this event is also free. Head to Darling Harbour's Culture Alive Festival website to see the full Culture Alive lineup and darlingharbour.com to find out more. Images: Supplied.
Have you ever dreamed of belting out 'Bulls on Parade' onstage with a full band behind you? What about a local classic like 'I Touch Myself'? Well, you now have the chance to do just that thanks to The Duke of Enmore's twice-monthly Live Band Karaoke. Odd Culture Group's perfectly grimy Sydney pub has enlisted the help of previous Frankie's mainstays Boner Contention to bring all of your dreams of performing in a band to life twice a month, taking place on Wednesdays from 8pm. The idea comes from Odd Culture's Entertainment Manager Sabrina Medcalf, who managed the now-closed beloved underground pizza joint for six years. Not content to let this beloved karaoke tradition die, Medcalf decided to bring Boner Contention over for a Duke-style version of the regular sing-alongs. "We all thought it would be a massive loss to the community if we left this eight-year-strong karaoke event to die," said Medcalf. "Seeing as my connection to Frankie's was so strong, the choice to carry the legacy over to The Duke was a no-brainer, of course, with a few changes and shakeups to call it our own." The playlist of songs that you can pull from for the Live Band Karaoke is available on Spotify, with plenty of heavy hitters including 'Bad Reputation', 'Smells Like Teen Spirit', 'Chop Suey!', 'Just a Girl', 'Highway to Hell' and 'Fight for Your Right'. There are also plenty of local favourites, with hits from the likes of The Living End, Grinspoon, Spiderbait and Rose Tattoo ready and waiting for your live reinterpretation. Plus, it's not just the microphones that will be available for a takeover from the general public. If you fancy yourself somewhat of a drummer or guitarist, you can also opt to jump on your instrument of choice for your favourite song — and yes, 'Sweet Child O' Mine' is on the list for anyone wanting to bust out that classic guitar solo. Duets are also encouraged, and even full bands are welcome to take over the entire stage for a song. "If you ever wanted the opportunity to get the feeling of fronting a band this is it," says Furnace and the Fundamentals' Digby Robinson. "These guys are world class!" If you want to head along, the dates for the rest of the year are as follows: September 6 and 20; October 11 and 25; November 1, 15 and 29; and December 6 and 20. Live Band Karaoke is on twice a month on Wednesdays at The Duke of Enmore, 148 Enmore Road, Enmore. For information on all of the pub's events, head to the venue's website.
UPDATE: NOVEMBER 13, 2019 — If you haven't been to see The Art of Banksy yet, it's now too late. The unauthorised exhibition has closed prematurely due to the current high temperatures, which could potentially cause damage to the artworks. The exhibition was scheduled to run until December 1 — if you have a ticket from today onwards, a full refund will be made into your account. When it comes to street art exhibitions, it really doesn't get any bigger than this. A retrospective of Banksy's has made its way back to Australia, featuring 80 of the artist's off-street masterpieces. Opening on Friday, September 13 at Moore Park's Entertainment Quarter, The Art of Banksy is a massive collection of pieces by the art world's chief enigma — including the darkly satirical, overtly political work that has turned the stencil-loving artist into such an infamous icon. Endeavouring to take audiences on a journey through Banksy's output and mindset, the exhibition includes the well-known Flower Thrower, Rude Copper and Girl with Balloon (a version of which was shredded after sale in a highly publicised prank late last year). If it sounds epic, that's because it is. The art featured has been sourced from over 40 different private collectors around the world, and comprises the world's largest showcase of Banksy pieces. As curated by the artist's former manager Steve Lazarides, the exhibition is also a little controversial. While every piece is original, unique and authentic, The Art of Banksy proudly boasts that the entire show is 100 percent unauthorised. No, Banksy hasn't signed off on the event. This isn't the first time the huge exhibition has head Down Under, either. It was on show in Melbourne back in 2016, too — and you can check out our full gallery from that exhibition here. Images: The Art of Banksy, Melbourne, 2016 by Olga Rozenbajgier
If you're anything like us, you buy a lot of coffee, and odds are that means you burn through a lot of takeaway cups. But what you might not realise is that those cups contain a plastic liner that means they cannot be recycled. It's for this reason that the City of Sydney is throwing its weight behind a BYO coffee cup campaign – and a ton of local cafes are already on board. The aim of Responsible Cafes is to get cafes and customers to ditch takeaway coffee for good. "There are now over 2,500 cafes across Australia offering a discount to people with a BYO coffee cup," said founder Justin Bonsey. "It's great for our pocketbooks, great for cafes to bring in new customers and great for the planet." Cafes keen to get on board can sign up via the Responsible Cafes website. In return, they'll be added to a searchable map that, according to Bonesey, is visited by over 1 million people every year. Among the cafes that have already signed up include About Life Bondi Junction and Surry Hills, Darlinghurst's Infinity Bakery and The Royal, Surry Hill's BangBang Espresso and Soul Origin locations across the CBD and suburbs. The campaign will receive an injection of government funding via the City of Sydney's latest round of knowledge exchange sponsorships. "In our area alone, 100 million takeaway coffee cups end up in landfill every year – and each one takes around 50 years to decompose," said Lord Mayor Clover Moore. "Responsible Cafes connects and promotes cafes that encourage customers to refuse takeaway cups for good, and they're aiming to recruit another 100 new city cafes." It's not the first step that the City of Sydney has taken to address the issue. Last year they gave a $17,500 grant to Closed Loop, who installed standalone bins for coffee cups in office buildings in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. And it's also not the only bit of good environmental news we've gotten recently. Just last week, supermarket chains Coles, Woolworths and Harris Farms all pledged to stop using single use plastic bags as of 2018. Keep it up, Australia.
Virtual reality is no longer just something found in science fiction films, as anyone who has experienced a VR concert or tour, attended a festival of VR flicks or bought their own VR headset is more than aware. That's just the beginning. The next step in this brave new world — well, maybe that's where everything the likes of The Matrix, TRON, eXistenZ and Strange Days told us starts to come into play. In Vienna, a world-first bar lets patrons combine the real and virtual worlds in a new fashion: by heading out for a few beverages, donning the requisite gear and hanging out in an intangible space rather than just soaking in the bricks and mortar surroundings. Who needs to chat to the people around you when you can plug in, play and interact in the VR space, right? Equipped with an array of VR gear, Vrei Lounge encourages both, with Playstation VR, HTC Vive, Samsung GearVR and more all on the menu alongside the usual selection of booze, coffee, pizzas and muffins. While you're sipping and snacking, you can play mini-golf, train to be a space pirate, repair robots, plunge into the underwater deep or race cars — virtually, of course. It might be the first of its kind, but with arcade and pinball bars popping up with frequency these days, expect more alcohol-fuelled VR haunts to follow around the world. It does indulge humanity's now-engrained love for always being glued to a screen, after all. Whether putting on a headset and having a tipple is better than lounging around and chatting to your mates — that's up to you. Via AWOL. Image: Vrei.
Oh we love cities. Make no mistake. But venture beyond the borders and go further out and you'll discover a haul of destinations rich with unique events and adventures worth road tripping for. Whether your interests are culinary, cultural or the creative arts, we've teamed up with Destination NSW to curate a guide to the biggest regional events and festivals to keep you entertained during the cooler months. From floral displays to food-packed fiestas, fruit picking and free live music performances, it's time to fuel up the car, fire up your Spotify playlist and settle in to discover the best that New South Wales has to offer. Explore the best of NSW's Regional Events and Festivals at the Destination NSW website.
Hopping on a boat is no longer the only thing to do at White Bay Cruise Terminal, all thanks to Sydney's newest electronic music venue. At Terminal 4, you'll be able to dance the night away to local and international acts while peering out over the water. And if you do want to combine a visit with a cruise, heading by either pre- or post-voyage, you'll be kicking off or ending your trip in quite the style. Forget the dark and sweaty rooms that often come to mind when anyone mentions dance parties and raves. Forget the term 'underground', too. While this site sports a strong industrial aesthetic, it's all about soaring ceilings and views out over Glebe Island and Port Jackson. While you're making shapes, you'll also score a vantage across Darling Harbour's waterways, over to the Harbour Bridge. While exactly when the venue will launch and what it'll open with hasn't yet been revealed, Terminal 4 will start welcoming in dance music fans sometime this summer — but it'll host events year-round. When the beats start dropping, the focus will be on top-notch acts, and on providing Sydney with an inclusive, progressive and multi-sensory space that's all about electronic music first and foremost. Terminal 4 is the latest venture from Untitled Group, who are also behind the Beyond the Valley, Pitch Music & Arts, Grapevine Gathering and Wildlands music festivals, plus Melbourne electronic music hub XE54. Here, Untitled has teamed up with Niche Productions, who've previously toured Jon Hopkins, Bonobo and Odesza to our shores. Find Terminal 4 at the White Bay Cruise Terminal, 2041 James Craig Road, Rozelle. To keep an eye out for events at the venue, head to its Facebook and Instagram pages. Images: Jordan Mumms.
Locals will soon score their first taste of Sydney Tower's multimillion-dollar food and drink makeover, with the first of three impressive new venues set to open its doors in a matter of weeks. First announced back in February, the Trippas White Group's $12-million redevelopment will see the creation of a new three-level bar and restaurant precinct for the famous CBD building. And we now know what's in store, with the company today revealing more about its plans for the three new offerings. Launching first, on Friday, September 25, is Infinity at Sydney Tower: an upscale restaurant replacing the former 360 Bar and Dining on Level 1. Under new Head Chef Mike Dierlinger (The Bridge Room), it's set to plate up a modern Australian menu fusing local produce with international flavours and technique. Dierlinger will draw on his experience working at Michelin-starred restaurants across the globe, to deliver a menu of elegant fare "crafted with an international twist". And you can expect a pretty flash setting to match, as the venue serves up those stunning revolving views across the city and its surrounds. [caption id="attachment_782344" align="alignnone" width="1920"] An artist's impression of Infinity[/caption] Dierlinger is also helping to guide the culinary offering of fellow Sydney Tower newcomer, Bar 83, which is also opening on September 25. Housed up on Level 3, a soaring 83 floors above street level, this one is set to be the city's highest drinking destination. It'll take the form of a luxury cocktail lounge and bar, also rocking some pretty spectacular views — till 2am on Friday and Saturday. The lounge will have a retro vibe with white and red circular seats, gold banquettes, metallic lights and art deco mirrors. Plus, it'll have some big-name talent on the floor (and behind the bar) with award-winning bartender Jenna Hemsworth (Restaurant Hubert, The Baxter Inn) stepping in as venue manager. [caption id="attachment_782937" align="alignnone" width="1920"] An artist's impression of Bar 83[/caption] Rounding out the trio will be Level 2's casual dining offering, known as SkyFeast at Sydney Tower. This one's gearing up to be a modern update on the touristy buffet of old, featuring unlimited dining options celebrating cuisines from around the world. Infinity at Sydney Tower and Bar 83 are set to open on Friday, September 25. SkyFeast will launch later this year. All three can be found at Sydney Tower, between Pitt and Castlereagh streets, Sydney CBD. Top image: Sander Dalhuisen Updated September 10, 2020.
You may not think a good gym session should be followed up with a delicious frozen dessert. Maybe an afternoon of lifting weights followed by indulging in a double-choc or salted caramel and peanut frozen treat doesn't seem like the smartest idea if you're working for those gains. Well, if you see the YoPRO Frozen Dessert Van outside your gym this month, you don't have to run the other way. It will be roaming around Sydney to give away free frozen dessert sticks or scoops of your choice for ten days only. We can't give too much away but you might want to keep a look out at Manly Wharf on Sunday, March 6 and North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club on Saturday, March 12. It'll also be parked outside gyms around town during the week — follow YoPRO on Instagram to get the scoop on where you need to be to score a free and delicious protein-packed frozen dessert. The namesake healthy snack expert's new line of high-protein frozen desserts are perfect for when you're after some guilt-free indulgence. There's a range of delicious flavours on offer, with each tub packed with ten grams of protein, no added sugar and less than 165 calories per serve. For more information, head to YoPRO's Instagram.
Arriving just in time for the 2026 edition of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, the iconic event's official app now offers a suite of innovative safety and connection features. Bringing an improved sense of community wellbeing, access to help and social moments, the update goes live on day one of Mardi Gras — Friday, February 13. There are three main upgrades to note, starting with Safety Circles. Here, users can save up to five trusted contacts and send an instant SMS update with a single tap. Using a selection of pre-configured messages like "Heading there now," or "I'm here," this feature offers a simple way to keep friends, parents and guardians in the know about your whereabouts. Also in the realm of safety, the Mardi Gras app now includes a Strobe feature that lets users quickly enhance visibility or capture attention in low-light or busy areas. For instance, you can turn your phone into a flashing beacon, complete with customisable colours, torch light and scrolling text. This way, users can locate friends, signal for help or stay visible in a crowd. Meanwhile, for those keen to get extra social during this year's festivities, the new app update also includes the Mardi Moments Fan Wall. Here, users are invited to share photos and moments from all the rainbow-soaked events they attend. At the same time, people can like and comment, helping to paint an interactive, visual story of the festival experience. "Safety and inclusion sit at the core of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras," says Mardi Gras Festival CEO Jesse Matheson. "The Festival app builds on this commitment, now enhanced with new features to deliver a safe and positive Festival experience, including Safety Circles, Mardi Moments Fan Wall and Strobe designed for large-scale events." Ready to get involved? This year's festival is as jam-packed as you'd expect, with a host of new and returning events, like the femme-charged Ultra Violet at City Recital Hall and Laugh Out Proud at the Enmore Theatre. There's also the chance to catch the latest LGBTQI+ flicks or close out the whole event with a free party at the Kinselas Hotel, headlined by Keli Holiday. The Mardi Gras App is now available from the App Store or Google Play. Head to the website for more information.
For everyone who'll always love Dolly Parton, the icon herself has unveiled excellent news: she's turning her life story and unrivalled career into a musical, which will debut on Broadway in 2026. Parton is writing the new stage show's music and lyrics. She's also co-penning the book for the musical. Will she pop up during a performance? You'll have to head along to Hello, I'm Dolly to find out. If the production's name sounds familiar, then you truly are a Parton fan: it shares its moniker with her very first studio album, which was released in 1967. In the almost six decades since — a year short of it when Hello, I'm Dolly premieres, in fact — Parton has done everything from dominate country music and star on the big screen to read bedtime stories and donate money to COVID-19 research. Her music is also no stranger to Broadway thanks to 9 to 5: The Musical, as based on the 1980 film of the same name, which made its leap to theatre's most-famous district in 2009. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dolly Parton (@dollyparton) "Hello, I'm Dolly, and I lived my whole life to see this show on stage," said Parton in a statement about the musical. Dolly diehards, you now have this in common with the legend. "I've written many original songs for the show and included all your favourites in it as well. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll clap, you'll stomp, it truly is a Grand Ol' Opera. Pun and fun intended. Don't miss it!" Parton continued. As well as composing the score and new songs for the show, and co-writing the book with Maria S Schlatter, Dolly is producing Hello, I'm Dolly with Adam Speers for ATG Productions and Danny Nozell for CTK Enterprises. There's no word on an exact opening date as yet, or any casting details or touring plans after its Broadway run, but Parton just keeps pouring cups of ambition. And if you're now begging for the musical to please head Down Under, we understand. There's obviously no clips or imagery from Hello, I'm Dolly available yet, but check out the trailer for 9 to 5 — the film — below: Hello, I'm Dolly will premiere on Broadway in 2026. We'll update you with any details of a season Down Under if and when they're announced. Head to the musical's website for further details in the interim.
Renovations to Australia's oldest pool are finally complete, with the Dawn Fraser Baths set to reopen to the public as soon as the NSW Government's public health orders allow. Constructed in the 1880s and renamed after local Olympian Dawn Fraser in the 60s, the baths were closed to the public for upgrades in 2019. The $8 million heritage restoration sees the much-loved swimming hole receive a host of cosmetic improvements, as well as addressing the structural issues that were flagged by engineers and the inner west council back in 2018. "I promised to save Dawn Fraser Baths and, while its been a long hard fight, together we have now secured the future of Australia's oldest and most beautiful harbourside pool for generations to come," Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said. "I spent half my childhood there and it's where I learnt to swim, so I know just how special this place is and how vital Dawny's is to the social fabric of our community." The restored pools were originally flagged to be completed by summer of last year, however a series of issues arose throughout the restoration process. The southern pavilion and boardwalk, for example, were found to have no structural foundations, forcing builders to construct new foundations eight to ten metres underwater. The southern pavilion, kiosk and amenities of the baths were all in need of restoration as well due to flooding worsened by rising sea levels. While the baths remain closed due to Great Sydney's lockdown, the inner west council has plans to celebrate the reopening with an extended winter swimming season and two weeks of free admission once public health orders roll back to allow residents to visit. As part of the winter season, daily health and wellbeing classes will be run at the baths including yoga, pilates and tai chi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jAuN1xpXnY You can read more about the restoration of the Dawn Fraser Baths here.
There's never been a show on TV quite like Kevin Can F**k Himself — or on streaming, where the series is now available in Australia via Amazon Prime Video. But, there have sadly been far too many programs over the years that resemble one half of this clever and cutting dark comedy. Even if you aren't a fan of the fare this newcomer riffs on, you know the type. For too long, screens have been littered with sitcoms about families, and about specific kinds of couples and their kids. Accordingly, a different one probably springs to mind for each of us. You might've started thinking about Home Improvement, or Everybody Loves Raymond — or, thanks to Kevin Can F**k Himself's title, you could've just remembered all the shows starring Kevin James. Kevin Can F**k Himself's moniker does indeed conjure up the words many of us have thought to ourselves after stumbling across awful sitcoms led by James. Here, Kevin McRoberts (Eric Petersen, Sydney to the Max) is the obnoxious manchild of a husband, while Allison (Annie Murphy, Schitt's Creek) is his put-upon wife — and whenever they're together, generally at home, she's clearly in a sitcom. The lights glow brightly, her house resembles every other cosy abode in similar shows about comparable characters, and multiple cameras capture their lives. Also, canned laughter chuckles whenever something apparently amusing (but usually just cringeworthy) occurs. And, that source of terrible humour tends to be Kevin, who skates through his days with the arrogance and obliviousness of a white thirty-something man who has always been told he can do no wrong. Helping to reinforce that mindset, he always has his ever dimwitted best pal and neighbour Neil (Alex Bonifer, Superstore) by his side, gushing over his every move. Also frequently hovering around: Neil's one-of-the-guys sister Patty (Mary Hollis Inboden, The Righteous Gemstones) and Kevin's own ever-present dad (Brian Howe, Chicago Fire). We've all seen this setup before, and Kevin Can F**k Himself's creator Valerie Armstrong — who also worked on the excellent, underrated, cancelled-too-soon Lodge 49 — definitely knows it. She isn't trying to recreate these abysmal sitcoms for fun, though. Instead, she knows that Allison and the women who've been in her place are devastatingly miserable, and she's determined to give them their time in the spotlight and explore what happens when they're not supporting player to a man they don't even want to be with. That's where the twist comes in, and it's oh-so-savvily handled. (It's also laid bare in the show's first episode, because it's that important to the series' premise.) So, whenever Kevin Can F**k Himself's leading lady is blissfully free of her horrible hubby, her life becomes a premium cable drama. Murkier tones and a much more realistic vibe kick in, just one camera films her struggles, and no one is giggling. Also, Allison starts trying to do something about her soul-crushing marriage. The visual and tonal contrast between the show's two halves is big, stark and obvious. It hits you over the head. It's meant to. On paper, the creative decisions behind Kevin Can F**k Himself stem from a high-concept gimmick, and purposefully so — but the show's central idea is also exceptionally smart. This series needs to be as blatant as it is in contrasting Allison's time with Kevin with her experiences whenever he's not around. It needs to make flagrant moves to illustrate how the world still sees marriages like theirs as bright and inviting, even when Allison endures a grim struggle. Subtlety isn't usually the best way to make a statement, after all, and that applies when you're calling out how an entire genre of TV has long treated women; that its instantly recognisable toxic tropes have become not just accepted, but imitated; and that real-life relationships based on this dynamic aren't healthy or happy. These notions bubble away throughout Kevin Can F**k Himself, including when over-lit scenes of Allison putting up with Kevin segue into dark-hued shots as soon as she's out of his presence. Usually, the change kicks in because she's walked into the kitchen and left him on the couch with his pals, or she's gone to work while he gets up to standard sitcom-style hijinks; however, Allison is desperate to make a permanent change. The series follows not just her efforts to leave Kevin, but her quest to ensure that she'll be free of him forever. You could say that she breaks bad, but she's doing good — just for herself for once. Allison's path forward is messy, naturally, and only gets more chaotic the more she commits to achieving her Kevin-free new life. Her high-school crush Sam (Raymond Lee, Made for Love) moves back to town, too, while Patty becomes an unexpected ally. Soon, the two women have a police detective (Candice Coke, Indemnity) snooping around their lives as well. Everything Allison faces could've easily fuelled a drama that didn't include sitcom-savaging segments, but the show is all the better for embracing its gimmickry. It pulls back the curtain on the glossy way that its protagonist's existence is presented to the world, exposes the reality and finds ample ways to interrogate why this sitcom fantasy has proliferated for so long. Thanks to weighty key performances by Murphy and Inboden, it also dives deep into the internalised miseries that women who've been caught in the orbit of men like Kevin keep navigating — and, episode by episode, it grows and fleshes out the pair's complicated friendship as well, and unpacks the "cool girl" archetype Patty initially represents. In the process, amidst all of its layers and switches, Kevin Can F**k Himself quickly becomes one of the best new shows of 2021. Thankfully, it has already been renewed for a second season, too, so more of its incisive charms and astute social commentary — and Murphy and Inboden's stellar work — awaits. Check out the trailer for Kevin Can F**k Himself below: The first four episodes of Kevin Can F**k Himself's first season are available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, with new episodes dropping weekly. Images: Jojo Whilden/AMC.
With the latest round of Darling Square openings came the second outpost of Hello Auntie — Marrickville's much-loved modern Vietnamese eatery by Chef Cuong Nguyen. At the brand new Haymarket digs, Nguyen is serving up Vietnamese street food favourites, some less-traditional dishes, a long list of Asian-inspired cocktails and a secret menu that can only be read with a UV light. Expect a more succinct menu than in Marrickville, with a range of signature and new dishes on the docket, too. Some menu items making the trip over include the fried rice with XO sauce, cured egg yolk and flying fish roe and the fan-favourite crispy banh xeo — or Vietnamese-style pancake — stuffed with prawn and pork. Some of the new dishes are not strictly Vietnamese, but instead feature ingredients and techniques from across Europe, such as the sesame-topped beef tartare with capers and cornichons and the egg noodles with stracciatella and truffle. For drinks, the cocktail list focuses on Asian ingredients and flavours and includes the likes of the Umeshu Sour (vodka and Cointreau with toasted marshmallows) and the Koh Samui (white rum, pandan, thai basil and lime). The bar is also offering a sake pairing, hand-picked by Nguyen to match the flavours of the dishes you've ordered. Don't forget to ask for the 'secret' food and cocktail menu at dinner, either, which is only available by request — and can only be read using a UV light. The fit-out also sets Darling Square apart from the Marrickville original, though the two certainly have some similarities. In the city, expect polished finishes with an earthy colour scheme, dim lighting and dark timber tables.
Olympus' arrival means you don't have to trek to Greece's rugged hills to experience the best of Hellenic village cuisine. Earmarked as one of Sydney's most exciting restaurant openings of the year, guests are now welcome to explore this homely dining experience where simplicity and community come first. Led by Jonathan Barthelmess, his team's credits include admired Sydney landmarks like The Apollo and Cho Cho San. Bringing a village-style taverna to Wunderlich Lane at the meeting point of Redfern and Surry Hills, Olympus offers an ideal spot for easygoing gatherings with family and friends. Pairing modern technique with enduring flavours, head chef Ozge Kalvo (Baba's Place, Ester) has shaped a menu of elevated meat and fish dishes, including grilled sardines, king prawn saganaki and milk-fed lamb. From an impressive kitchen adorned with a sizeable charcoal oven and a wood-fired section, Kalvo complements plentiful mains with a bevy of mezedes, such as dolmades, dips and pickled vegetables. With a focus on simplicity and ancient cooking techniques, most elements on the plate are treated with a light touch. Yet, as you'd expect from an authentic village feast, the cuisine is abundant and immaculately presented. The wine and cocktail list is also suitably meticulous. Sommeliers Zoe Brunton and Sam Christie cast their net far to bring beloved Greek winemakers big and small to Olympus' coffers. Meanwhile, visionary bartender Matt Whiley infuses exciting creations with a sense of theatre, breaking new ground on inventions like an Ouzo Colada and the Karpouzi slushy, combining Aperol and vodka with watermelon. With the restaurant named after Mount Olympus – the Greek gods' home and preferred feasting spot – it's easy to imagine Zeus or Aphrodite looking down with a watchful gaze from the striking oculus ceiling. This ode to the ancient amphitheatres of Greece was conceived by interior designer George Livissianis, who was tasked with capturing that age-old village atmosphere without overlooking Olympus' urban context. It's safe to say Livissianis succeeded, with rocky ruins reflected in soft limestone and travertine textures, and a stunning 50-year-old bougainvillea standing as an enchanting focal point beneath the restaurant's glass canopy. Expansive in scale, but intimate enough that loved ones never feel far away, heading to Olympus offers a polished dining experience where tradition and modernity meet in good-natured harmony. Find Olympus at 2 Baptist Street, Redfern, open Monday–Tuesday from 5pm–12am and Wednesday–Sunday from 12pm–12am. Head to the venue's website for more information.
After the year that's been, we've all got our sights set on making this summer one to remember. So, no doubt, you'll want to shake things up a little — and, if you're hosting the crew around for some backyard drinks, you'll want to make sure those sips are darn memorable, too. Because balmy days call for cocktails, we've teamed up with tequila distiller 1800 Tequila to help you unleash your inner bartender. Recently, the brand launched a limited-edition merch range in collaboration with Aussie accessories queen Poppy Lissiman and Sydney-based artist Manu Crooks. So, if you were looking for some bold new accessories for summer, it's got you sorted in that department — but you better get in quickly, before they sell out. Now, the two aforementioned creative legends, plus 1800's Hayley Dixon (Proximo Spirits Tequila Specialist), have come up with three tequila cocktail recipes that are guaranteed to spice up your next at-home session. POPPY LISSIMAN'S TASTE OF TULUM Serves one Sleek, chic and a little bit fun, this little libation created by Poppy Lissiman is the perfect drink for summer nights spent on the dance floor. The concoction uses 1800 coconut-infused tequila, which lends a taste of the tropics, while prosecco keeps things sophisticated. So, break out the champagne flutes and get shaking. Ingredients 30ml 1800 Coconut 15ml peach syrup 10ml Fino sherry 20ml fresh lemon juice 5ml simple syrup 90ml prosecco Method Minus the prosecco, shake all ingredients together, then double strain into a champagne flute. Top the glass with prosecco and garnish with lemon zest. MANU CROOK'S CHERRY CHILL Serves one The classic cherry-cola combo gets served a grown-up twist in this moody drink designed by hip hop artist Manu Crooks. Expect smoke and spice from the 1800's barrel-aged Reposado, which is perfectly balanced with a fun, fruity hit from the rest of the ingredients. It's safe to say that this is one smooth sip that'll see you from day to night. Ingredients 30ml 1800 Reposado 15ml cherry liqueur 2ml vanilla extract 15ml simple syrup 25ml fresh lemon juice Dash Angostura orange bitters 60ml cola Method Minus the cola, shake all ingredients together, then double strain the mix into a double rocks glass over ice. Top with the cola and garnish with a lemon twist. 1800 TEQUILA'S SUMMER STAPLE Serves one When sunny skies and post-swim sessions call for a tipple that's fresh and fruity, keep your cool with this fizzy, pink-hued number. Made with the extra-smooth, double-distilled 1800 Silver, it's a crafty riff on the classic G&T that's sure to become your new summer go-to. Ingredients 40ml 1800 Silver 15ml watermelon syrup 15ml honey syrup (three parts honey, one part warm water) 20ml fresh lemon juice 15ml fresh grapefruit juice 60ml dry tonic Method Minus the tonic, shake all ingredients together, then double strain the mix into a highball glass over ice. Top up with tonic and garnish with a watermelon wedge. Spice up your summer with these three easy-to-make 1800 Tequila cocktails, then get yourself some fresh new accessories from the 1800 Essential Artists merch range. 1800 Tequila promotes responsible drinking practices, for 18 years and over only.
The classic Italian tradition of aperitivo is more than just a pre-meal drink to warm up the appetite — it's a whole vibe. And that laidback energy is evident all day at L'uva Pasta & Wine Bar, one of a suite of new food and beverage outlets that's adding new life to 25 Martin Place (formerly known as the MLC Centre). This Roman-inspired spot is a prime location for a relaxed catch-up in the heart of the CBD, featuring cosy leather banquettes and an understated colour palette throughout. Take it all in with a selection from the excellent wine list which showcases boutique vineyards from Australia, Italy, as well as a handful from France — there's a more than handy selection available by the glass and carafe, too. Also on offer is a tight list of classic and signature cocktails designed with aperitivo hour in mind. The one-page food menu at L'uva features a considered range of share plates that'll tempt you to hang around for a bit. Highlights include a pillowy nduja gnocchi with cime di rapa, housemade focaccia with a zingy caponata dip and a signature Sardinian fregola with slow-braised octopus.
Every suburb needs a bistro. Not just the Australian bistro found inside pubs, but a neighbourhood restaurant, serving simple French-inspired food. The kind of place where people can rest their arms on white tablecloths, drink French wine and sink their spoons into souffles. The 'go-to' restaurant to suit any occasion and welcome you with open arms. And most importantly, it should be as comfortable as your own home. Macleay St Bistro in Potts Point is the essence of the neighbourhood restaurant. It's been open for nearly 30 years and is still going strong thanks to new owners (and Potts Point locals) Mark Campbell and Phillip Fikkers. Walking inside from the bustling Macleay Street, it feels as though you're entering someone's home. The lighting has a warming glow with the mood casual. Diners sit fairly close to each other and there's a calming hum coming from the kitchen while waiters are darting around tending to guests. The menu is short and straight to the point. The rock oysters with eschallot and champagne vinaigrette ($4 each) and the half-shell scallops with saffron chive and caper butter ($5 each) are a promising start. The accompaniments don't steal the thunder from the headline acts of oysters and scallops, which are incredibly fresh. The special of fried lamb's brains with celeriac pepperade ($18) is excellent. The crispy batter acts as the perfect coat for the soft brains, which had a similar consistency to the inside of a croquette. Combined with the celeriac sauce, it is magic. The organic grass-fed eye fillet with wilted silverbeet and sauce soubise ($38) was enjoyable but promised so much more. The steak lacked a touch of seasoning but this was saved by the beautifully rich sauce. To finish, the hazelnut mille feuille with coffee anglais ($15) reminded me of a dessert sandwich. Delicate cream was sandwiched by crunchy sheets of rich pastry and rested on a sauce with a hint of coffee. Instead of tasting an intense espresso, the mille feuille harmonised flavours of hazelnut and coffee with the rich cream and pastry. Although none of the dishes we tasted had the three-hat knockout punch, Macleay St Bistro consistently exceeds expectations in every department. The food, the service and the ambience make for an enjoyable evening.
If you're a soccer fan, you've probably nabbed tickets to the upcoming Western Sydney Wanderers versus Sydney FC Derby Match by now — it's taking over Parramatta's Bankwest Stadium on Saturday, May 1. The two rival teams are going head-to-head in what promises to be the biggest event in the Wanderers' season. But the party doesn't have to stop once the game wraps up. Parramatta has heaps of late-night bars that are perfect for celebratory kick-ons. Here are six spots that'll keep the good times rolling — and the good news is they're all less than a 20-minute walk from the stadium.
The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney has officially been lit up for Vivid 2019 — and from Friday, May 24, you can explore the garden's 15 glowing light installations after dark. Of course, you're going to want a beverage which you do so, which is where this pop-up nautical-themed bar comes in. With a fit-out to delight your inner wharfie, the bar will be treating chilly Vivid travellers to cosy serves of mulled wine, vino by the glass and the bottle, and a tidy line of Archie Rose gin cocktails. Make sure you try the glowing blue HMAS Royal Archie, with its blend of dry gin, macadamia and pineapple. There'll be plenty of warm food to round out your visit, including a hearty fish chowder served in a crusty bread bowl, mac 'n' cheese spiked with fresh lobster, and classic fish and chips. Throw in a cinnamon sugar-dusted pineapple fritter with ice cream and you'll be well fuelled and ready to set sail on the rest of your night's Vivid adventures. The bar will pop up in the Royal Botanic Garden from this Friday and will be open from 6–11pm each night of Vivid. You'll find it among the glowing trails of the Light Walk which, this year, includes everything from giant bees and a field of fireflies to exotic birds. Food images: Cole Bennetts.
For a city with such a warm climate, Sydney doesn't exactly have an over-supply of rooftop bars. But budding entrepreneur Lyndon Gannon wants to change that. And he has his sights set on the rooftop of the Dymocks Building, which, as you probably know, is smack-bang in the centre of the city on George Street. According to Gannon, the space (pictured) would have capacity for 200 people. He believes that a bar area, small kitchen, greenery as per The Grounds of Alexandria and pergolas — to keep out the rain, when those famous Sydney downpours do hit — could all be part of the picture. Which all sounds great, but, given that the rooftop's not been developed for public use before, it would need to jump through quite a few compliance hoops before gaining council approval. Gannon also cites "heritage and acquiring a DA for use, and construction difficulties" as issues standing in his way. While no concrete plans are in motion yet, Gannon — who was the Liberal candidate for Balmain in 2015 and, having left politics, recently founded his own company, Pie in the Sky Partnerships — says he is in conversation with the building's manager and owners. Which is promising. At the same time, he's investigating a bunch of other unusual, underutilised spaces for their hospitality potential. "Sydney has a lot of basement bars, but not many rooftop bars," Gannon says. "There's a gap in the market...There are so many dormant spaces that could be turned into exciting new places." While the Dymocks dream could turn out to be merely a pie in the sky, activating unused spaces for the public is something we'll always chuck our support behind. Watch this space.
After almost a decade in Paddington, Tequila Mockingbird has come to an end. But that doesn't mean the story is over. Housed in a heritage-listed, 19th-century terrace, the venue won countless fans throughout the years with its Latin American share plates and innovative cocktails. Plus, it offered one of the city's most comprehensive tequila and mezcal lists. Yet Michael Fegent, owner and Director of Atticus Hospitality, isn't one to rest on his laurels, delivering a dream concept that's been years in the making — tqm. Opening on Thursday, May 8, the old restaurant has undergone a full-scale refurbishment. Leading the culinary revolution is newly appointed Atticus Hospitality Executive Chef Jose Garcia — a Michelin-rated chef who last served as Executive Chef of Fogón Asado in Buenos Aires, which was ranked the 36th best steak restaurant in the world, according to the respected World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants list. With Fogón Asado also renowned for its theatrical flourishes, tqm guests can expect a similar playfulness on the menu. Garcia has placed several of his signature dishes on tqm's menu, including XO prawns rice, fried green plantain with smoked fish, and blood sausage croquette. Meanwhile, smaller dishes, like grilled haloumi and tomato salad, and sweet potato puree with nut dukkah, are long-standing recipes of the renowned chef. With each dish inspired by an aspect of Garcia's life — from road trips across Venezuela with his dad to his mum's love of seafood — an upbeat personality will ripple through tqm's food. "My inspiration comes from multiple past experiences, from my favourite chefs, and from my Latin and family roots. Every time I have the chance to highlight something my mum or grandmother taught me, I try to do it," says Garcia. "Since I was a kid, I've loved cooking, eating, and being in the kitchen. From the age of 13, I knew I wanted to be a chef. And when I started studying, one of my goals was to be part of the group of chefs who have worked to showcase and elevate Venezuelan cuisine and flavours around the world." With Tequila Mockingbird renowned for its cocktails, a host of new creations will carry on this legacy at tqm. For instance, the Grande Chartreuse Colada features green Chartreuse, Bacardi, pineapple and coconut, while the Caribbean Queen combines Plantation pineapple rum, Rhubi and Averna with fresh strawberry and pineapple. The new venue will also debut its first-ever collection of house wines, with red, white and rosé varieties made in collaboration with two distinct winemakers in the Hunter Valley and McLaren Vale. As for the refurbed decor, things are looking a little brighter. The facade now dazzles in bright yellow, speaking to the restaurant's Venezuelan connection. This golden hue is also used extensively across the bar, dining room and lush courtyard. For Fegent, it's all about bringing home the culinary passion he encountered in South America a decade ago. "Over the course of many trips, where I visited 30-plus local restaurants, Jose's restaurant Fogón Asado was the absolute standout… I can't wait to showcase his extraordinary, world-class cooking from our little part of Sydney and give our customers something truly unique and special." tqm will open Tuesday–Thursday from 4.30pm–late and Friday–Saturday from 12pm–late at 6 Heeley St, Paddington. Head to the website for more information.
Everyone has heard about — or tried to eat their way through — KitKat's famed range of weird and wonderful Japanese flavours. A cough drop version once existed, and it really wasn't great. The sake version, a perennial favourite, is absolutely delicious. But if you're vegan, none of these varieties will have tempted your tastebuds. KitKats in general won't have either, actually. That changed back in 2021 for Aussies who follow a plant-based, dairy-free and cruelty free diet, and were also keen to sink their teeth into a KitKat. The brand launched a vegan-certified KitKat, as made with a rice-based milk alternative. The result: a KitKat covered in a smooth plant-based milk chocolate — not dark chocolate — which is then layered over the usual crisp wafers. The original run of plant-based KitKats was a limited-time deal; however, they're now back in Australian supermarkets again. This time, they've hit Coles stores — and only for a short period. That means that everyone can now have a break — and a KitKat — with KitKat Plant Based joining other plant-based alternatives among Nestle's products. So, if you'd like to crack open a few fingers while tucking into a glass of plant-based Milo, you'll be able to. The 41.5-gram bars cost $3 and, if you're super keen, they can also be ordered from the KitKat Chocolatory website. When your next sugar craving hits, add them to your list alongside vegan Natural Confectionery Co fruit lollies, vegan choc tops, and vegan Magnums, Cornettos and Weis Bars. KitKat Plant Based is available now at Coles stores around Australia — or you can them from the KitKat Chocolatory website.
If you want to awaken all of your senses at once, you need to pay a visit to Sydney's Masala Theory. Expect to be treated to a plethora of neo-Indian snacks and dishes, putting a fun spin on authentic Indian food while embracing the best Indian cuisine has to offer. The concept of the joint was conceived by Owner Yashpal Erda after he was inspired to make his mark on the representation of Indian cuisine in Australia. Ever since, Masala Theory's semi-traditional offerings have aimed to challenge those preconceptions. You'll find this inventive eatery tucked away into a crevice of Crown Street, just past Giuls and Kürtosh. Seating 60, the eclectic venue is adorned with bright interiors, sprays of colour, hand-painted imagery artworks and our personal favourite, a motorbike with neon lights mounted along one of the walls. Start your meal with a bang and dig straight into the renowned curry bombs — thin crispy balls of pastry with the filling of your choice, to which you'll add the curry sauce. These bit-esized morsels are the restaurant's signature dish and a must-try. You can also kick off your night with the theca paneer tikka for a delicious textural journey, the chicken lukhmi for a flavour hit or the Three Sisters chaat for a challenge — and a snap for IG. For something different, try the cheesy masala pavs — masala-buttered sliders with curried chickpea and cheddar cheese. But if snacking on miniature burgers at an Indian restaurant goes against your rules (fair), then opt for the dhungar chicken tikka masala — smoked chicken coated in a creamy masala sauce. The gol hatti chole and tikki — a potato patty accompanied by green curried chickpeas, chiffonade poppadum and pickled mango — is a must-try and completely meat-free. Plus, the dessert selection does not disappoint. Opt for the deconstructed motichoor ladoo for a semi-traditional dessert, or try the gulabi panna cotta for an inventive treat. This experimental menu item boasts Indian rose cream, vanilla pollen and strawberry jelly. Strawberry milk fans, this one is for you in particular. Want to make your meal extra special? Try out Masala Theory's Ride & Dine taxi offering. Here you'll experience a one-hour ride around the city in a decorated Delhi-style taxi before enjoying the restaurant's culinary offerings. It's a real joy for tourists and Sydneysiders alike. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
Back when Orange FOOD Week began, the region's culinary scene consisted of little more than a couple of burgeoning vineyards. Now, as the event enters its 35th year, Australia's longest-running regional food festival has an extraordinary array of local chefs, cooks, farmers and restaurateurs to highlight. In 2026, eight of these gastronomic events will be held at Hotel Canobolas, one of Orange's most storied venues. Presented on Friday, March 27, a major highlight of this ten-day festival is Locally Grown with Chef Joel Bickford. Following a sold-out edition in 2025, Bickford will link up with fellow Point Group collaborator, Food & Beverage Director Alex Kirkwood, to serve a four-course feast showcasing seasonal veggies, ethically raised meats and signature ingredients sourced from farms throughout the Orange region. Plus, Fire & Wine will make its festival debut, offering diners an open-air celebration of local produce from within the Canobolas Courtyard. Starting at 3pm on Sunday, March 22, chefs Joel Bickford and Danny Corbet will serve up a curated wood-fired menu inspired by the region's growers. Meanwhile, Orange's top wines will be poured throughout the afternoon, specifically chosen to complement the smoky cuisine. As for the rest of the festival, Hotel Canobolas will be jam-packed with community happenings. For instance, Raw Fizz on Thursday, March 26, provides a chance to drink and mingle with local winemakers, while the annual Night Markets return on Friday, March 28, complete with a delicious charcoal barbecue. Of course, the wider program for Orange FOOD Week is similarly stacked, with close to 100 more activations to explore in and around town.
The past 18 months really emphasised just how important our local cafes are. As many of us worked from home, the neighbourhood coffee shop and its familiar faces became focal points for our communities — after all, the majority of the IRL interactions we had over winter were with the baristas and waitstaff who show up every day to bring a little joy to the monotony. To that end, Concrete Playground teamed up with Milklab to shine a spotlight on a few beloved Sydney cafes that have been keeping our writers and editors fuelled with caffeine and wholesome community vibes. [caption id="attachment_835946" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arvin Prem Kumar[/caption] ADA'S AFFAIR, DARLINGHURST WHAT IT IS: This charming cafe has all the hallmarks of a neighbourhood favourite — solid food options, excellent coffee, and friendly, warm service. Tucked away on an unassuming Darlinghurst corner behind St Vincent's Hospital, Ada's Affair might just be the neighbourhood's best-kept secret. WHY WE LOVE IT: Expertly brewed coffee by Sample always makes a cup here a cut above. It's an ideal foil for the tight menu of thoughtfully elevated brunch classics and fresh pastries. WHAT TO ORDER: Start your day right with a cup of the batch brew and a BAE, Ada's perfectly constructed brekkie burger featuring house-made bacon jam, spinach frittata, cheese and smoky tomato relish on a brioche bun. WEST JULIETT, MARRICKVILLE WHAT IT IS: A bucket-list inner west cafe, West Juliett has been delivering the goods for nearly a decade. Set in a large, light-flooded corner space with whitewashed brick walls, polished concrete floors and a decent amount of comfortable outdoor seating, this Llewellyn Street spot is a favourite for both two- and four-legged patrons. WHY WE LOVE IT: There's a big focus on keeping things homemade here, with everything from the pastries to the sodas made in-house. There's also a range of house-made preserves — and an excellent hazelnut dukkah — available to take home to help you level up your DIY breakfast game. WHAT TO ORDER: The picture-perfect Buckwheat Benny — featuring buckwheat pancakes, beetroot hummus, broccolini, spring peas, poached eggs and hollandaise — is as good as it looks. Save room for one of the enormous homemade cookies and pair it with a Milklab Oat cap for an unimpeachable treat. TWO DOORS DOWN, GLADESVILLE WHAT IT IS: This bright and airy cafe on Gladesville's main thoroughfare offers a relaxing getaway from busy Victoria Road. Grab a seat in the cosy courtyard to soak up the rays as you tuck into Middle Eastern-inspired brunch fare. WHY WE LOVE IT: Excellent service and a wide-ranging brunch menu make Two Doors Down one of the suburb's most popular spots. The coffee here, by Campos, is as consistent as you'll find, too, and is complemented by the full suite of Milklab milks. WHAT TO ORDER: Try the sambousek — a classic Lebanese snack of a fried pastry parcel bursting with aromatic minced meat, pine nuts and spices, and served with a fresh green salad and homemade hummus. For dessert, opt for a velvety hot chocolate with coconut milk — Two Doors Down owner Elie Youssef swears that it tastes like a liquid Bounty bar. SHOWBOX COFFEE, MANLY WHAT IT IS: Showbox is a Manly go-to for excellent coffee and baked goods in a warm setup on buzzy Whistler Street with a pared-back interior of exposed brick and pale wood. WHY WE LOVE IT: A constantly evolving food and coffee menu showcasing local producers and roasters means that you can have something different on just about every visit. There's also a solid selection of homemade cakes and pastries, with a rotating selection that became a must-try for north shore dwellers during lockdown. WHAT TO ORDER: While much of the menu changes regularly (recent dishes have included a hot dog with LP's chorizo, shaved garlic brussels sprouts, bourbon onion jam and dijon mustard, and potato rosti with a herbed yoghurt base, roasted radicchio, broccolini and dill), it's hard to go past the epic ham and cheese toastie. It's a two-handed affair with shaved doubled smoked ham, swiss, cheddar and garlic salt sandwiched in perfectly toasted sourdough and topped with lashings of parmesan. Add a Milklab flattie to the mix for a luxurious mid-morning combo. [caption id="attachment_835959" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arvin Prem Kumar[/caption] PLUNGE NO. 46, SUMMER HILL WHAT IT IS: Set in the heart of Summer Hill village, Plunge has been a go-to for Hillians on both sides of the train tracks for nearly 20 years. The space itself features minimalist decor and plenty of outside seating — including kerbside, for all your weekend people-watching needs. WHY WE LOVE IT: Coffee by Alchemy, a Mediterranean-accented menu and a friendly atmosphere make Plunge one of Summer Hill's most popular spots. If you can't snag a table, grab your order to go and find a spot in one of the many nearby parks just outside the village. WHAT TO ORDER: The Summer Cous Cous Porridge is a true delight. It's a colourful plate, topped with tropical fruit, pistachio and mascarpone. If you're after something more straightforward, there's a great range of wraps and toasties — the three cheese and truffled mushroom option makes for a truly luxurious cafe experience. MADAME & YVES, CLOVELLY WHAT IT IS: Yves Scherrer might just be one of the most credentialed pastry chefs working in Australia. The classically trained pâtissier began training at age 16 in his native France before working in venues around Europe, the US and Canada. He moved to Australia just over a decade ago, where he worked at restaurants including Est and Kisumé before opening his eponymous Clovelly venue. WHY WE LOVE IT: World-class pastries with views of one of Sydney's most picturesque beaches has seen Madame & Yves build a loyal following since opening in 2019. The cosy spot is bathed in white and features clever pastel accents, making it a perfect accompaniment to Clovelly's chilled beachside vibes. WHAT TO ORDER: Madame & Yves' homemade baked goods take temptation and inject it with high voltage. A classic croissant is always a good place to start but if you want to branch out there's a range of tricked up croissants, beautiful eclairs and a tight selection of homemade gelato to tempt you further. Whichever you choose, be sure to pair it with a bowl of coffee, French style. We challenged one of our writers to switch to oat milk for a week. Find out what they discovered here. Ask your barista for Milklab oat or head to the website for more information. Top image: West Juliett
He turned the world's most famous shipwreck into one of biggest movies in history and reinvented 3D filmmaking to make another box office behemoth — and now James Cameron is bringing the ocean's depths to Sydney. Making its world premiere at Sydney's Australian National Maritime Museum from May 29, 2018 until January 30, 2019, James Cameron – Challenging the Deep will dive deep into the Titanic and Avatar director's rather expensive hobby: deep-sea exploration. When you make a movie about a necklace called the Heart of the Ocean, becoming obsessed with the sea is understandable, and Cameron has quite the array of artefacts, specimens, underwater recordings, inventions, cinema-scale projections, and film props and costumes to prove it. They'll all be on display, in a showcase that examines the filmmaker's passion for understanding and wading through our oceans. According to the The Sydney Morning Herald, Cameron himself will be in attendance to open the exhibition — taking a break from making four (yes, four) Avatar sequels. And if you're wondering why he's launching his latest project here, it could have something to do with his custom-built Deepsea Challenger submersible, which was made in Sydney. Back in 2012, Cameron piloted the vessel to the Mariana Trench, a cool 10,994 metres below the sea and also the deepest part of the ocean, becoming the first person to venture there solo. You might've seen a documentary about his efforts, 2014's Deepsea Challenge 3D, which is just one of the many movies to chart his fascination with what lurks beneath. After kicking things off with 1989's The Abyss, he not only sent Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio running around the RMS Titanic, but made his own documentary about exploring its real-life ruins, aka 2003's Ghosts of the Abyss. Expect The Abyss and Titanic to feature heavily in the exhibition. James Cameron – Challenging the Deep will display at Sydney's Australian National Maritime Museum from May 29, 2018 until January 30, 2019. For more information, visit the exhibition website. Image:NOAA/Institute for Exploration/University of Rhode Island via Wikimedia Commons.
