What's your age again? Old enough to remember when blink-182's classic lineup of Tom DeLonge, Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker were initially together — and old enough to be excited that DeLonge has now rejoined the band, too. If that's you, then you will have been mighty excited about the above news, as well as the fact that the trio is hitting the road on a huge world tour, including heading to Australia. To the surprise of no one, blink-182's upcoming trip Down Under has been getting a huge response, even before general tickets to its February 2024 shows go on sale. So, also unsurprisingly, the band has just added extra gigs in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. [caption id="attachment_873239" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jack Bridgland[/caption] Melburnians can now choose between Tuesday, February 13 and Wednesday, February 14 at Rod Laver Arena; Sydneysiders can opt for either Friday, February 16 or Saturday, February 17 at Qudos Bank Arena; and Brisbanites have Monday, February 19 and Tuesday, February 20 at Brisbane Entertainment Centre to pick from. Well, assuming you nab tickets quick smart from 1pm on Thursday, October 20 local time — or hop on the Live Nation and Spotify pre-sales at 1pm on Wednesday, October 19. That feeling you get when a decades-old band either reforms its beloved lineup and hits the road, or tours your way with a huge history behind them, kickstarting all those nostalgic old memories? If you're blink-182 fan, you clearly know the right words for that: well I guess this is growing up. DeLonge, Hoppus and Barker — with Rise Against in support — will start their Australian run in Perth, then head to Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. For three decades, blink-182 have been the voice inside punk and rock fans' heads, especially in the late 90s and early 00s thanks to albums Enema of the State and Take Off Your Pants and Jacket. Now that they're back together after DeLonge left the band in 2015, blink-182 are also recording new music together, with single 'Edging' out now. Expect to hear everything from 'Dammit', 'Josie' and 'What's My Age Again?' to 'All the Small Things' and 'I Miss You' live, though — and yes, the latter feels oh-so-apt right now. BLINK-182 2024 AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND TOUR: Friday, February 9 — RAC Arena, Perth Sunday, February 11 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide Tuesday, February 13–Wednesday, February 14 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Friday, February 16–Saturday, February 17 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Monday, February 19–Tuesday, February 20 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Friday, February 23 — Spark Arena, Auckland Monday, February 26 — Christchurch Arena, Christchurch Blink-182 will tour Australia and New Zealand in February 2024. Live Nation and Spotify pre-sales start at 1pm on Wednesday, October 19 — and general sales from 1pm on Thursday, October 20 (all local time). For more information, head to the Live Nation website.
One of Sydney's favourite cinemas is no more, with Palace Verona shutting up shop after almost three decades in advance of the building it called home since 1996 being redeveloped. When the Oxford Street site relaunches in its new guise, it'll still include somewhere to see a movie, thankfully — plus everything from offices and shops to a rooftop bar and restaurant. The 1138-square-metre block at 17 Oxford Street is set to become an eight-level precinct, spanning 3500 square metres of work and retail space. A further 1000 square metres will be dedicated to entertainment, including two subterranean levels that'll feature a cinema setup, plus stores on the ground floor. And on top, that's where you'll find spots to eat and drink across 620 square metres, complete with views of the harbour and Sydney's CBD. It was late in 2023 when Palace announced that its Verona picture palace, which launched in the mid-90s with Nicole Kidman (Expats) opening the venue, was leaving the building. The theatre's projectors stopped whirring this month. The cinema chain is now moving to Entertainment Quarter, with Palace Moore Park opening on Tuesday, February 27. When the new Verona will begin welcoming in patrons hasn't yet been revealed, but plenty of work clearly needs to be done first by owners WT Malouf and Fenbury. The private development companies bought the address in 2021 from Robert Bleakley, who also founded Sotheby's Australia Fine Art. The history of the building dates back to 1946, starting as an industrial facility, then becoming a cinema. The first Mambo retail store was also onsite, closing in 2006. Architecture firm Scott Carver is overseeing the redesign, which will keep the industrial brick façade. Above that, the look will be "crystalline and dynamic", according to the developers, while aiming to reinvent Oxford Street's cultural experiences. "Cinema opens a world of experience and magic beyond our everyday lives. Verona will retain these cinematic experiences loved by so many, and enhance them with live entertainment, retail and creative workspaces," said Doug Southwell, Project Architect and Scott Carver's Co-Managing Director. The revamped Verona will be adjacent to Sydney's 109-room new 25Hours Hotel at 1–11 Oxford Street, which is due to open in December 2024 — and down the road from 56-room hotel Oxford House at 21 Oxford Street. The Verona at 17 Oxford Street, Paddington doesn't yet have a relaunch date — we'll update you when further details are announced. Palace Moore Park opens at Entertainment Quarter from Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
Hankering for a schnitty? Here's where you can score a free one. Chargrill Charlie's is landing in the heart of the Inner West, and to celebrate, its brand-new Marrickville location will be slinging freebies. This Saturday, July 13th, you'll want to be one of the first 700 to head to the outpost on Victoria Road between 12 and 1pm — the locale will be giving away 700 free chicken schnitzel rolls, and it'll operate on a first-come-first-served basis. If you do miss out on the freebies, there'll still be plenty on offer, most notably its flame-grilled chook, crisp fries coated in Chargrill Charlie's house-recipe chicken salt — which you can also purchase for your own kitchen — and one of the three of sauces on offer, a must-try combo. Or, opt for one of its coveted burgers for the full experience. There is also a wide-spanning menu of sides, from mac and cheese to pad thai, sweet treats and a rotating salad bar, so you'll be spoilt for choice each time you visit the spot. And the festivities don't stop there — to celebrate its opening, the new outpost will also be throwing a party kicking off with live music and face painting stalls from 10.30am. Plus, you'll even have the chance to score some newly-launched merch from Charlie himself. Winner winner.
Supporting charities should generally be the kind of thing you do without an expectation of anything in exchange. But there's definitely something nice about getting a return on your good deeds, beyond the fuzzy feeling of helping someone in need. Making it easier than ever is SleepOut for Homeless Youth — the first public fundraiser hosted by the Property Industry Foundation — on Thursday, November 10 at Centennial Park . The event, which takes place right next to the Wild Play Discovery Centre, will encourage attendees to sleep out without a roof over their heads for one night, so they can get a glimpse into the struggles faced by homeless young Australians needing a place to sleep. The event's charitable aim is to raise funds to build a 19-bedroom refuge for young people and change some pretty rough statistics — like the fact that 44,000 people under 25 don't have a secure place to sleep. And what's in it for you (in addition to the aforementioned feel-good vibes)? In the process of spending the evening bundled in a sleeping bag and looking at the night sky, you'll also have the opportunity to enjoy some excellent entertainment, eats and general fun — there'll be goodies like food trucks, lawn games, trivia, an acoustic guitarist, and a fire-making workshop so you can toast marshmallows. Over 16 and keen to get involved? Register for free, for SleepOut For Homeless Youth's overnight fundraiser on Thursday, November 10 at Centennial Park, and do your bit to end youth homeless — while having a stellar evening out in the process.
If you've ever had a large late evening out in Newtown, there is a high likelihood that at some point, you've found yourself traversing the sprawling confines of The Bank Hotel, irrigating benevolent punters with splashes of the four drinks you juggled while making the journey from the front bar to the beer garden. It's a rite of passage and an essential experience of the Inner West after-hours bingo card. The enormous pub meets club meets live music venue meets people-watching spot has a prime position on King Street, a few doors down from Newtown train station and is a galvanising hub of the suburb. Since forever, it has been proudly operating as a safe space where all are welcome with strong ties to Sydney's queer community, which is celebrated at ongoing event series like Wednesday night's Birdcage ("Newtown's only weekly les and queer party"). The expansive garden bar is frequently the breezy meeting point for afternoon drinks and a pub feed before the night begins — and it's also scored a refreshed makeover. Opt for a taste of its Mediterranean-leaning menu and you'll find a selection of share-focused dishes, from flame-grilled cuts of barramundi and scotch fillet to the familiar chicken parma and a creamy prawn and spanner crab linguine. The other space carved out within The Bank is Waywards, a top-level venue that hosts side-splitting comedy nights and self-proclaimed best live music in the suburb. But late-night gallivanting will always be a linchpin of The Bank's appeal. Open until 2am on Monday and Tuesdays, and 4am Wednesday to Saturday, it's one of the few meeting places along King Street that is open after midnight (pro tip: The Marly is also open to 4am most nights) so see you there for the kick on.
Cleveland Street's Norfolk Hotel might not be Sydney's oldest pub, but it's got a case to make as the city's most consistently evolving. In just the past decade, the Redfern watering hole — which poured its first beer in 1921 — has passed through the hands of no less than three different hospo groups. And now, its latest iteration has been unveiled. After being taken over earlier this year by local hospo juggernaut Solotel (the group behind the likes of The Abercrombie, Chiswick and Oxford House), the new Norfolk is leaning into its long-held reputation as an easygoing, no-nonsense local, complete with trivia, spin the wheel and a badge draw. The opening follows a months-long restoration, which sees the century-old institution return with a new look and mission as it embarks on its next chapter. Helming this next chapter are GM Marcella Guilfoyle and Executive Chef Toby Wilson (pictured below), whose buzzy taqueria Ricos Tacos is still holding down the fort in the pub's courtyard, while the upstairs Club Ricos also remains intact. Wilson has also turned his attention to the Norfolk's new pub menu, which champions local suppliers — Good Ways Deli is both providing the focaccia and teaming up with Ciccone & Sons for a lamington ice cream sandwich — while showcasing pub classics with a thoroughly contemporary remix. On the menu, you'll find the likes of house-made pork and fennel sausage roll sold by the inch, beef and VB party pies, a roast chicken and sage roll with a side of dipping gravy, and those lamington ice cream sandwiches. "The new menu keeps it classic, but everything's made with heart," says Wilson. "It's a team effort to bring the best of the 'burb to the table." At the bar, you'll also find a bit of the surrounding 'burbs (and slightly further beyond) with boutique local wines available by the glass and a dark lager collab with Alexandria brewers Yulli's. There's also a selection of aperitivo-style cocktails, with some available on tap. "The Norfolk has always stood for good times, great food and that sense of belonging you only get from your local," says Guilfoyle. "We're proud to be back, collaborating with some of the neighbourhood's greatest success stories and creating a space where everyone's welcome." The Norfolk is now open at 305 Cleveland Street, Redfern. For more information, head to the venue's website. Images: Steven Woodburn.
There's no missing Blue Spinach — it's quite literally the giant blue building on Liverpool Street in Darlinghurst. This secondhand store is a goldmine of designer goodies, all pre-loved and therefore within a far wider range of budgets (no sign of any spinach, however). The high-end consignment has had a loyal following in Sydney for more than 20 years, and it's understandable why — it's pretty impossible not to fall in love with at least one item during every visit. Blue Spinach's owners are qualified valuers and legitimately care about the authenticity and quality of the goods they sell so you can expect to find vintage Chanel, Gucci, Hermes and more in mint condition. That means that while the items in this store may not be the cheapest, they certainly are beautiful. So, if you're after some secondhand designer goodies in tip-top condition, Blue Spinach is an absolute must-visit. Image: Trent Van der Jagt.
At Suntory, the spirit of "Yatte Minahare" — "You never know until you try" — remains as strong now, as it did 126 years ago. It has led to the creation of Japan's first whisky distillery, the reimagining of classic cocktails like the highball, and it now houses some of the world's finest brands –Yamazaki, Hakushu, Toki Whisky, Roku Gin, Haku Vodka, Maker's Mark, Jim Beam, -196 and BOSS Coffee to name a few. As Suntory looks to the future, let's travel back 126 years to the very beginning, when Shinjiro Torii, Suntory's first Master Blender, saw an opportunity and "went for it." Where it All Started Over a century ago, in a small store in Osaka, Japan, Shinjiro Torii had a dream: to create an authentic whisky in Japan. Having saved enough from his early Akadama Port Wine successes, Torii, with much resistance from family and colleagues, invested his whole fortune into the establishment of the Yamazaki Distillery in 1923. He didn't know it then, but this uncharted move transformed the spirits industry in Japan and changed the whisky-drinking world. Since then – despite some challenges along the way – the brand has grown into a global leader of drinks, with products found in countless venues across Australia and the world. Shaping how Japan drinks and what the global community knows about flavour and innovation. Successive leaders have carried forward Torii's legacy, future-proofing Torii's vision while staying true to the company's founding values of Yatte Minahare: Giving Back to Society and Growing for Good. The Recipe for Success Suntory's ability to innovate while staying grounded in its Japanese roots is a testament to the brand's vision. Take Suntory Whisky Kabukin, for example. Launched in 1937, it was Japan's first big foray into the whisky business, helping to cement Suntory's reputation as a trailblazer in the industry. The whisky's signature square bottle (Kakubin means "square bottle") became an enduring icon, and today, it remains a beloved part of Japanese drinking culture — particularly in the form of the highball, a whisky-soda cocktail that Suntory helped popularise. But Suntory's innovation continued beyond whisky. In 1992, the brand launched BOSS Coffee, a flash-brewed cold coffee in a can designed to keep Japan's workforce fuelled. This product quickly became a hit, and even today, BOSS Coffee remains a go-to drink for coffee lovers (and tradies) seeking convenience without sacrificing quality. The company's relentless pursuit of innovation led to another groundbreaking product with -196 — a vodka based ready-to-drink beverage that's taken the world by storm with its flavour and the bold process by which it's made. The 'Freeze Crush Technology' involves freezing and pulverising whole fruits in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -196°C. While Suntory has a significant global presence, its inspiration remains true to its founding philosophy: to inspire the brilliance of life. From the pristine water used at its distilleries to the careful selection of ingredients for its products, Suntory's emphasis on nature and tradition flows through everything it creates. The House of Suntory line, which includes celebrated names like Suntory Whisky, Toki, Roku Gin, and Haku Vodka, exemplifies this approach and its connection to nature. Each product in the collection pays homage to something unique from Japan's rich cultural heritage. For Roku Gin, this is done by using six carefully selected Japanese botanicals, while Haku Vodka is crafted from 100 percent Japanese white rice for an exceptionally smooth finish. [caption id="attachment_1017676" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Jiwon Kim[/caption] The Spirit of Suntory in a Glass If you've walked down the bar-lined streets of Japan or even visited one of Australia's top whisky bars, you would have encountered the highball cocktail. A balanced combination of whisky and soda (and a wedge of lemon), it has long been a fixture of Japanese drinking culture, and Suntory has played a vital role in its revival. While the highball originated in the UK, Suntory perfected the drink, rolling out Tory's Bars in the 1950s, where patrons could sip highballs after a long day at work. Today, the highball is trending. Sipped by young folk in bars, paired and reimagined by the best bartenders in the world. Celebrating 126 Years As Suntory celebrates its 126th anniversary, it remains deeply rooted in the values that Shinjiro Torii instilled over a century ago. "We have grown from our roots in Japan to become a truly global company," says Greg Hughes, president and CEO of Suntory Global Spirits. [caption id="attachment_1017677" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Jiwon Kim[/caption] From the first drops of Akadama Port Wine to the pioneering Japanese whisky and beyond, Suntory's history is marked by a continuous drive to innovate. Whether perfecting the highball or creating products like Minus 196, the company's story is one of bold experimentation, guided by a deep respect for tradition. As Suntory moves into the future, one thing is clear: it will continue to shape how the world drinks, one glass at a time. The best time to sample Suntory's work will be when Suntory Bar takes over Whisky Thief inside Sydney's Prefecture 48. Running from Friday, August 8 to Saturday, November 8, Suntory will be serving refreshing highballs and signature Suntory and experimental cocktails alongside select snacks for three months. Find out more about Suntory's legacy and full range of products at the website.
The first sip of an oat flat white from your local cafe tells you everything you need to know. On a good day, it's smooth, balanced and creamy — on a bad day, it's flat, split or watery. So what makes the difference between a great (or not so great) dairy-free coffee? According to Anthony Douglas, World Barista Champion, long-time team member at Melbourne's Axil Coffee Roasters, and MILKLAB Global Brand Ambassador, it all comes down to the milk. Anthony knows a thing or two about making great coffee. And he's spent more hours than most perfecting the relationship between espresso and milk. "When I first touched a coffee machine I had no idea there were even competitions let alone that I would be up there myself on stage," he tells Concrete Playground, when asked how he became one of the world's best baristas. "About five years into my career, that was my first exposure to competition. I decided to give it a go, and realised how much I could learn and grow through competition. That's what kept me going until I finally won." Now, his approach is all about the fundamentals. In fact, he believes a great cup of coffee should be simple. "I've always found the best results by keeping the process simple, focusing on the basics and executing them well," he says. For Anthony, a good coffee using plant-based MILKLAB comes down to three things: temperature, texture and integration. "[It's about] being really present as you're steaming the milk and breaking down those bubbles. [Also] being conscious of how you're integrating the milk with the espresso so you preserve the flavour, while still ensuring it's integrated properly from top to bottom," he says. It's something most people have tried at home, but it seems easier said than done. That is, until you've got a few of Anthony's go-to techniques up your sleeve to help achieve the perfect jug of silky milk. "I think it's important to achieve an even whirlpool and really maximise the power of the steam wand," he recommends. "Tilting the wand to the side enough so it spins, but not too close to the side, and ensuring it's angled low enough to really break down any bubbles on top." If you really want to level up your milk game, he suggests introducing the air quickly so you have more time to texturise the bubbles into that delicious, creamy microfoam. And his final tip is temperature. "Too hot and the quality of the milk degrades, is more dilute (due to the extra time spent introducing steam). Too cool and the milk can overpower the flavour of the coffee due to the lack of dilution." "Drinking temperature also has a massive impact on the types of flavours we experience and is one of the first things most customers notice when drinking a milk-based coffee." [caption id="attachment_1014856" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anthony Douglas, World Barista Champion[/caption] When it comes to plant-based options, Anthony has a clear favourite — but rates them all. "Each milk does have its own unique flavour and texture based on the ingredient it's centred around," he says. "I think my favourite would be MILKLAB Oat as it is the most versatile and works well to showcase any coffee it's paired with. MILKLAB Almond has a beautiful natural sweetness from the almond and is quite easy drinking. MILKLAB Soy I find has a great rich sweetness and body. MILKLAB Macadamia has this beautiful lush texture. And MILKLAB coconut once again has an amazing texture and tropical flavour that really works well with coffee." It turns out, not every milk behaves the same way with every coffee and there's quite a bit of science behind making sure things go smoothly. "The key is understanding how they interact with different coffee. Coffee that is highly acidic, very fresh, or roasted darker often doesn't integrate as smoothly and can cause separation or curdling," he says. If you're running into this issue, Anthony has one simple trick. "[You can] add a small splash of cold plant-based milk to the espresso before steaming and pouring. Cold milk has a higher tolerance for acidity and heat, and this step can help neutralise the compounds in the coffee that might otherwise cause a negative reaction." So, there you have it. To get a plant-based coffee worthy of a world champion, go back to basics, perfect your steam wand technique and don't forget the power of temperature. With a little intention and the right milk, you can get cafe-level results at home. Discover the full barista-approved MILKLAB range on the website.
Winstons — the posh bistro inside the Nag's Hotel in Glebe — is launching a brand new dinner series. Over six nights, owner and chef Nelly Robinson, who's also head honcho at NEL Restaurant, will team up with six different chefs to bring you an eight-course feast. The first to dip their toe into the water is Colin Fassnidge. You might know him from the Four in Hand, 4Fourteen or even My Kitchen Rules. The two will take turns presenting dishes. Though we can't spill all the details just yet, we do know that Robinson's caviar-topped prawn charcoal tartlet will be making an appearance — as will Fassnidge's pig ear schnitzel with green sauce. You'll catch Robinson and Fassnidge on Thursday, June 12. Others coming up on the program are Justin North on July 24, Julian Cincotta on August 28, Shaun Christie-David on September 11, Damian Brown and Manu Feildel (dates to be announced) .
Whether you’re sipping on an elegant cocktail, smashing a VB at the pub or prefer your drinks on fire, everyone gets the drunken munchies. The below bars and restaurants are not only cool joints in their own right, they also encourage your boozy snacking – for free. THE LITTLE GUY What: The best popcorn. Ever. When: Available all day, every day Secretly spiced popcorn flows endlessly at the iconic Glebe bar. Their commitment to craft beer, love of all things bluegrass and nightly live music gives this little bar some big personality. The small eats menu is bar-bite focused as well, but the popcorn is worth grovelling for. Not that the loveable bartenders would make you: the popcorn is passed out in endless bowlfuls. MOJO RECORD BAR What: Tasty Toobs and Cheezels When: Available all night Dan Noble and the crew have hung up their pork crackling days for some vego friendly options. When the Tasty Toobs run out, the Cheezels are poured a plenty. Apart from these cheesy, salty freebees that help stave off those craft beer munchies, Mojo has some exciting upgrades ahead: including a top secret new menu and a live music venue. More on that to come. SHADY PINES SALOON What: Wild West peanuts When: Available all night Difficult to locate and worth the alleyway confusion, Shady Pines is no fancy cocktail bar; this no-frills saloon serves the most basic and necessary of bar snacks — shelled peanuts. This adds to the real country feel, though the cowboy hat-wearing bartenders, mounted game and blasting country music certainly add to the charm. Try the signature George Dickel cocktail ($8.50) — whiskey and fresh apple juice — while you munch away. UNCLE MING'S What: Snow pea crisps When: Available all night The underground bar is serving up its own brews, whiskey on fire and colourfully named cocktails — try the Misty Mountain Manhattan ($20) or the share cocktail Wet Bush ($42). Yes, there is plenty to love about the red-lit, speakeasy-style bar, but customers come craving the complimentary snow pea crisps. The dumpling menu ($9) is worth a look too, but these little snacks are a perfect complement to the boozy atmosphere. THE WILD ROVER What: Smoked almonds When: Available all night The Safari-painted walls, array of craft beer options and $1 oyster happy hour are much loved at this Irish pub, as are the free smoked almonds that will make your mouth water and keep the beers coming. Sip your beer from a steel mug while munching away on these irresistible treats. If you’re up for a bit of craic, this is the place to be. HINKY DINKS What: Retro Popcorn When: Available all night The 1950s style bar has a mantra: "cocktails first, questions later". And those first cocktails come served with free paprika sprinkled popcorn. Popped in a retro red machine and served in blue and white county fair cups, this bar snack is best eaten with a popcorn tequila cocktail ($18 – $22). Be sure to stay for dinner — the American-inspired menu won Best Bar Food from the Australian Bar Awards. TATLER SYDNEY What: Chilli Coated Nuts When: Available all night The live music on every week, artsy lounge area and posh cocktail menu isn’t the only reason to visit this popular night club. They offer complimentary chilli coated nuts — a delicious complement to any beverage. The snack is a milder cousin to wasabi peas and is an upscale take on the standard bar snack. This is the perfect bar to extend your night after dinner at Hinky Dinks next store. BAXTER INN What: Endless bowls of Pretzels When: Available all night The ultimate spot for swanky whisky lovers, the free pretzels are a simple yet necessary accompaniment to your drink here. Gaze up at the library wall of backlit whisky bottles while the retro dressed bartenders serve up these salty snacks. There will be no shortage here — the bowls seem to appear on telepathic command. EARL'S JUKE JOINT What: Spiced snack mix When: Available all night The 'Betta Meats' bar is always sure to have great beer, a good crowd, friendly bouncers and cool bartenders. They're also always sure to serve complimentary bar snacks, whether it be a bowl of mixed nuts or a spiced snack mix. They currently have Batch Brewing Co's What-A-Melon beer in 640ml bottles ($16), perfect to share with a date over some pre-dinner snacks. TIO'S CERVECERIA What: Bag o' Popcorn When: Available all night At the Surry Hills spot for all things Mexican kitsch, you can get an entire bag of popcorn all to yourself. It's flavoured with sweet and smoked paprika, a salty snack that goes well with their margaritas and Rio Bravo cerveza — the beer sits on ice below hanging bras and an alter to a haloed dog. The full menu of Mexican favourites and the rowdy crowd add to the fun atmosphere. GIGI What: Peanuts with your Pizza When: Available all night Newtown's most popular pizza joint always comes with a queue. Luckily, it also comes with a bowl of peanuts to stave off your pizza cravings. After all, Italian restaurants should be filled with family, friends and happiness, not hangry hipsters starving for a slice. Brilliantly, Gigi’s keeps the ambiance, and the waiting, worth it with their simple bar snack. RAMBLIN' RASCAL TAVERN What: Corn Nuts When: Available all night Why pop it when you can have it fried. The little bowl of crunchy corn kernels taste great with beer, cocktails or Mary's burgers — that's right, Ramblin' Rascal now has the Newtown favourite in-house. The hidden bar and throwback decor takes you out of the CBD in more ways than one. BAKER BROS What: Classy olives When: Available Fridays from 4pm until late This espresso bar turned Friday happy hour venue emphasises good coffee, good food and good wine. Sticking true to its Italian roots and ever feeding its patrons, Baker Bros serves olives as its bar snack of choice. They also have a bar and chef's menu available, making Friday hands down the best day to visit this friendly spot. BUTTON BAR What: Indian-style peanuts When: Available all night Served in an Indian-style curry pot, the classic bar snack is made fancy at Button Bar. The dimly lit, wooden pub bar is cosy even in its packed, noisy atmosphere. The mulled wine ($9.50) and extensive spirits menu adds to this vibe. You can also get 'Pizza All Night' ($12-$16), a hard bargain to pass up. THE DOCK What: Popcorn and dancing When: Available all night (mostly) With hilarious bartenders, a fun crowd and nights full of '90s pop, this wacky Redfern joint is an ever-changing cast of characters. But the old-school dancing isn't the only freebee at this bar — you can also get free popcorn all night long. Drink, eat, dance and be merry.
Isabella Rossellini is coming to Australia, dressed as a praying mantis and talking about sex. Set to perform her critically acclaimed, one-woman comedy show Green Porno, Rossellini will tour Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and the Adelaide Festival, with her hilarious take on the fascinating sexual habits of land and marine animals. The playful stage show, based upon Rossellini's short film series and subsequent book of the same name kookily exploring mating in the natural world, will first premier in Los Angeles this November. The screen icon — who is currently studying animal behaviour at Hunter College in New York — says that she's always been interested in animal behaviour: "...and I certainly know a lot of people that are interested I sex. So here you have the three elements that make the core concept of Green Porn." Provocative, unusual and hilarious, the show first originated in 2008, when Robert Redford asked the Italian actress to create short, environmental films for his Sundance TV Channel. Rossellini then wrote the stage production, alongside Jean-Claude Carrier —well-known author, actor, opera librettist and director. Expect a mix of live performance along with some of Rossellini's short films. The actress dresses up in a variety of ridiculous insect and sea-creature costumes, while providing a storyline that is completely scientifically accurate. https://youtube.com/watch?v=BckqviVaWl0
South Korean cafe culture has exploded over the last decade, with over 100,000 spots now dotting the nation from top to bottom. Sure, that means there's no shortage of places for specialty coffee. But recent visitors to SK will have almost certainly noticed the latest pastry craze taking over the country — salt bread. For those not planning to hop on a plane anytime soon, the good news is that you'll only have to travel as far as Chippendale to get a bite. Opening Thursday, May 8, Buttered is a brand-new South Korean bakery specialising in salt bread, where each sweet and buttery roll comes with a crisp exterior and just the right amount of flaky salt. If you haven't yet had the chance to sample, think pillowy croissant meets crusty baguette. Led by Vuza Hospitality pastry chef Philip Choi — an alumnus of Paris' renowned Le Cordon Bleu culinary school — he mastered his trade at several of Seoul's top patisseries. "Saltbread was the treat I craved most when I was homesick. It's deceptively simple, but when done right, it's magic," says Choi. "Asian cafe culture is leading the way when it comes to pastries and drinks, and I wanted to bring a slice of that creativity and comfort to Sydney, with a little twist." Planning your visit already? Buttered's signature creation is the 'Salty Boi'. Bringing the same great flavour from South Korea to Sydney, expect a bronzed exterior, layered folds and a soft, chewy centre finished with the perfect pinch of sea salt. Once you've tried the original, dive into creative sweet and savoury surprises, from roasted garlic to almond to vanilla cream. Then you've got other highlights, like distinct varieties of Tissue Bread — a soft, buttery pull-apart loaf — and the Waterfall Cake, featuring airy sponge layered with whipped cream and topped with seasonal fruits. To help your pastry go down, Buttered has rounded out their offering with a lineup of Korean-style 'ade' drinks — fruit-forward beverages combining sparkling water with house-made syrups like yuzu, strawberry and green grape. As for the new bakery's design, Buttered has found a home in Chippendale's The Brewery — a revamped heritage-listed building — where the team has paired old-world charm with contemporary design. Inside, guests are invited to peer into an open kitchen to watch the picture-perfect pastries and cakes take shape, while a minimalist dining area is ideal for kicking back on a slow morning or when you need to grab-and-go on the way to work. Buttered is open Monday–Friday from 10am–5pm and Saturday–Sunday from 9am–5om at The Brewery, 5 Central Park Avenue, Chippendale. Head to Instagram for more information.
Carriageworks will house one of the most vibrant exhibitions you'll see anywhere this summer when Until by American artist Nick Cave opens on Friday, November 23. A play on the phrase 'innocent until proven guilty' — or, rather, 'guilty until proven innocent' — Until addresses topical issues of gun violence, gender politics and race relations in America. It represents the largest solo presentation for both Nick Cave professionally and for Carriageworks to date. Carriageworks joined creative forces with the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art to ensure this exciting — and completely free — exhibition became a reality for Australian audiences after four years in the making. The unmissable centrepiece is the dazzling suspended installation 'Crystal Cloudscape', a five-tonne feature that combines an eclectic mix of crystals, beads and found objects. For audiences to get a better look at the American culture references peppered throughout this massive work, including black-faced lawn jockeys and vintage whisky decanters, four nearby ladders lead to the gallery's ceiling. Moving further through the exhibition, there's a diverse array of immersive spaces to explore with all manner of kinetic installations. These include a dreamlike 14-channel video work, a towering wall of iridescent metallic party streamers thrust into life by fan blowers and the 'Beaded Cliff Wall' — a soaring work assembled with millions of plastic hair pony beads. To demonstrate Nick Cave's renowned support for art that empowers communities, Carriageworks is hosting a three-month program to accompany the exhibition. This lineup of events will respond directly to Until through visual arts, dance and live music alongside panel discussions and community forums. Nick Cave: Until will run from Friday, November 23, 2018 to Sunday, March 3, 2019. Image: Zan Wimberley, 2018.
UPDATE MARCH 23, 2018: If you like smoked meats and good deals, you're going to like LP's latest offering. The Chippendale eatery has just launched a happy hour running from 5–6pm, Tuesday to Friday. The drinks on offer include the usual suspects — $10 glasses of wine, $5 Peroni Reds — and creative concoctions like the Lynchburg Lemonade ($10) made from PS40's smoked lemonade. For food, there's a rotating menu of $10 snacks. Expect smoked and cured delights such as 'nduja toast, Basque anchovies and croquettes stuffed with house-made jamon. Find more info here. If you're not addicted to smoking, then you haven't tried LP's Quality Meats, a European beer hall which carves up the city's best smoked and cured delicacies. Located in a leafy pocket of Chippendale lies LP's secret smokehouse, and you're bound to find it quicker by nose than sight. The venue still retains the charm of its former life as a mechanics — it's one expansive warehouse space with polished concrete floors, tiled walls and high ceilings. Communal tables create aisles across the room and the atmosphere just sings with happy patrons, intoxicated by the promising smells of smoky goodness. The LP in question stands for Luke Powell, the ex-Tetsuya's chef and mastermind behind Mary's famous burgers. He's joined by James Audas of Noma and Tetsuya fame as sommelier and front of house. Don't judge the waiters by their butcher-style tees; this casually clad team are a well-trained, knowledgeable bunch and professional from top to tail. The menu is short and sweet, and particularly short on the sweet items with just one dessert listed. The cured and cold cuts of bierwurst ($14), salami cotto ($14), and mortadella ($14) make a great charcuterie, served on a silver platter with mustard and house-made grissini. There are a host of main-sized menu items, including smoked chicken ($24/$42), lamb belly stuffed with merguez ($36), beef short rib ($48) and smoked sausage ($14), and they all rely on the same tried and true recipe of salt and smoke, a winning combination. At this point of the night even the Young Henrys cider tastes of smoke, but there's no complaining here. The bar has interesting brews on tap — including the Nomad Pale Ale and American Brown Ale BrewCult — and depending on where you sit, you get a great view of the open kitchen and the meat-slicer in motion. Does the single dessert stack up? The proof is in the pudding. While the sad-sounding pouding chômeur (or poor man's pudding) is made from day-old pancake batter, it's surprisingly top-notch. The delicious, crispy, pie-tin pancake soaked in a sticky, jammy sauce is an absolute sensation. With so many first-class elements, LP's Quality Meats is sure to rise to the top. You know what they say: where there's smoke...
In a time before Netflix, Stan and The Pirate Bay, there was only one way to binge watch TV: huddled in front of Saturday Disney, elbowing your siblings out of the way and fantasising that one day you would win that batshit insane weekly prize and all would be phenomenal. For one night only you can relive the glory days of cartoons and diabetes-inducing cereal binges at the Factory Theatre for Sydney Underground Film Festival. Aptly named the Saturday Morning All-You-Can-Eat Cereal Cartoon Party, the event is a smorgasbord of cartoons from the '40s through to the '80s (interspersed with vintage advertisements) curated by film critic and writer Kier-La Janisse. It's a format pretty much directly taken from Williamsburg's Nighthawk Cinema, but we're not complaining. While resplendent in your jimjams, you'll be able to max-out on as much nostalgic, sugary cereal you can inhale, and rub shoulders with kidults who never had the luxury of ad-skipping. This event took over Melbourne's Astor Theatre in May this year, and tickets were snapped up fast, so don't hit snooze on this one.
When it comes to being male, middle-class, and white, there are few names bigger than pop icon Ben Folds. Since going on hiatus from his not-so-aptly named trio, Ben Folds Five, the eponymous figure is venturing beyond his traditional classic-pop fusion. He still sings and plays piano, but he's upgrading slightly from his three-man ensemble (bass, drums), to a legitimate New York-style instrumental group in the form yMusic (string trio, flute, clarinet, trumpet). This new ensemble has naturally influenced Fold's sound, one only needs to listen to his solo project released last year So There, heavily featuring the chamber ensemble to hear this. Folds himself testifies to his fraternal connection with the ensemble, and it will be on display all through Australia in the month to come. Starting at QPAC in Brisbane on August 18, Folds and his new band will be playing the Opera House on August 20 and 21, the Perth Concert Hall on August 23, the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on August 25, the Palais Theatre in Melbourne on August 26 and 27, and finally the Canberra Theatre on August 28. If you want to see truly canonical pop, bridging the last few decades, you might want to catch these shows.
If you've been struggling to live in the teenies because you're musically and spiritually stuck in the noughties, we have some news that's going to bring you bolting straight into the present. Ministry of Sound are embarking on a super-niche tour. From mid-November, they'll be paying visits to Australia's capital cities to perform, get this, their greatest clubbing moments from The Annual 2001-2004. And that'll be all, folks. Leading the lineup will be OGs John Course and Mark Dynamix, who, between them, have placed millions of CDs in club-loving hands and ears over the past couple of decades. They're the mighty duo behind Ministry of Sound's annual compilations, on which you probably first heard Roger Sanchez, Basement Jaxx, Tim Deluxe, Cassius and Groove Armada. To each gig, Course and Dynamix will be inviting a bunch of cracking support artists. Sydneysiders will be treated to an extra-special tribute to early noughties break beat at a Clubber's Guide to Breaks Room. You can count on appearances by the UK's Plump DJs, as well as by homegrown breaks guru Kid Kenobi. MINISTRY OF SOUND 2001-2004 REUNION TOUR November 18 — The Prince, Melbourne December 16 — The Metro, Sydney December 20 — HQ, Adelaide January 13 — Discovery, Darwin January 15 — Matisse Beach Club, Perth January 21 — The Met, Brisbane Tickets are over here. In the meantime, to get yourself in the mood, have a listen to this dedicated Reunion Tour play list on Spotify.
Since opening in 2015, The Goods Line has helped many a pedestrian scurry between Central Station and Darling Harbour in car-free bliss. But that's not its only function, as you'll discover when Really Goods Line Day rolls around for this year's Sydney Design Festival. This seven-hour extravaganza will explore the space's potential through live music, fitness events games, talks, tastings and demonstrations. Prepare to prove your mettle in table tennis tournaments, sample quality coffee, take body balance classes, hear Sacha Cole discuss design, watch marching bands and hear DJ Mase Boogie spin some tunes. When you're not getting into the action, fuel up at food trucks courtesy of Agape Organic, De Wafel and Eat Art Truck.
AT YOUR DOOR: The Doormen of New York City marks the first large-scale photographic exhibition for New York-based Australian photographer Alina Gozin'a. Capturing a quintessential aspect of New York culture, the show takes the doormen of the city's grandest buildings — who guard a multiplicity of secrets but never share their own — and makes them the subject. In contrast to her usual portraits of movie stars and politicians, Gozin'a instead chose to "shine a light on these fascinating invisible characters who keep Manhattan turning". The result is 13 large-scale El-Greco-inspired, painterly photographic portraits of 13 doormen, all immigrants from Eastern Europe. "I am fascinated by the real cost of immigration," explains Gozin'a, who herself immigrated to Australia from the then USSR aged 14. "These men have stories of great sacrifice that I wanted to share with the world." Each doorman is captured first in his uniform, then in his own clothes, with the intent to strip away their professional façade and reveal them as real people with their own intricately complex lives. Very much Gozin'a's homage to her adopted city of New York, the show nevertheless asks whether the role of 'doorman' is a charming old-world tradition that should continue or an outdated relic of the privileged classes that alienates the man in uniform. Image: Alina Gozin'a, 'Yuri', [cropped], image courtesy and copyright of the artist.
As Sydney Fringe's free official opening party, Fringe Ignite will take over the festival's new Oxford Street Hub with 28 gigs across ten spaces. Curated by singer-songwriter Thelma Plum, the extravaganza will let you catch local singer-songwriters, bands, DJs, rappers and more in one evening. Listen out for Adrian Eagle's uplifting rootsy sounds, the powerhouse vocals of Alice Terry who released debut album The Fear Of... in June, singer-songwriter-producer Rainbow Chan and loads of others. Music will be resounding wherever you go — from the National Art School and UNSW Art and Design to Stonewall and Ching-a-lings to Ariel Bookseller and Daily Jocks. If, come 10pm, you're far from ready for bed, head to the afterparty at the Fringe Club, in the Kings Cross Hotel.
Legendary underground LA hip hop group Jurassic 5 will take you back to the concrete streets at the Enmore this March, playing a huge sideshow for this year's Bluesfest. This charismatic six-piece formed in the '90s, comprising the remnants of Unity Committee and Rebels of Rhythm. Since breaking up in 2007 due to creative differences, the crew's notoriety has grown rather than dissipated. Having recently reunited, these old-school revivalists are back to flaunt their soulful beats and social commentary. Punching into the mainstream was never a priority for the J5 crew. In saying that, 2014's sold-out world tour has thrust the group into the limelight, revamping their global profile and earning legions of new fans. There is an enduring quality to their music; eloquent and intelligent hip hop with real heart. With one of the most energetic live shows around, J5 ought to pull on your nostalgic heartstrings with Bluesfest sideshow.
Atlanta born musician Raury has just turned 18 and is brimming with what seems to be an obscene amount of charisma for a teenager. Having earned enough attention to see him collaborating with SBTRKT, opening for OutKast and getting flown to recording studios by Kanye West (before he had released a single album), the youthful champion of hippie swagger will be touring Australia for Laneway Festival and doing sideshows across the country. His debut album Indigo Child is full of impassioned and erratic messages and crosses haphazardly between folk, rap, soul and indie rock earning him comparisons to Lorde — not only for his age, but for his seamless ability to take on different genres. While his sound is hard to pin down, his fresh energy, earnestness on stage and the real feverish soar he can bring to songs like 'God's Whisper' (the ultimate bang-your-drum, revolution round the campfire song) make him an artist you should catch from the beginning.
UK super-producer, funk-lovin' pal of Nile Rodgers and certified boss Mark Ronson is heading back to Australia. Making the trek for a special promo tour for his latest album Uptown Funk, Ronson's confirmed he'll be dropping by the Oxford Art Factory to throw a few gems on the decks for a one-off DJ set. Landing #6 in triple j's Hottest 100 for his infectious, Bruno Mars-fronted single 'Uptown Funk', Ronson's got a lot of love in Australia. Hitting OAF on Wednesday, February 4, Ronson will playa late night DJ set for anyone who remembers to nab themself a ticket at 9am on Friday, January 30. You're going to want to get in quick on this one, as far as Ronson's team have announced, this is the only ticketed show he'll be playing this visit — aside from a V Island comp show. Tickets go on sale here Friday, January 30 at 9am (exclusive pre-sale open Thursday, January 29 for Secret Sounds subscribers).
Denim crotch holes gettin' you down? Cool autumnal breezes making life slightly uncomfortable in the nether regions? You need new jeans. Yeah, you do. Luckily, Stockholm's go-to denim crew Cheap Monday have brought a brand new pop-up store to Surry Hills: Cheap Monday Pop. Taking over the Goulburn Street garage of The Record Store on Crown Street, Cheap Monday have created a little winter haven for their new season range, with doors open from Wednesday to Sunday right through to the end of June. Expect to find the latest offerings from their SS15 and PF15 collections — for dudes and ladies — from their 'Spray On' skinny jeans to their casual knitwear, jewellery, footwear, tees, tanks and even underwear. Bet you didn't know Cheap Monday do undies. Maybe you did. You go Glen Coco. It's a pretty little pop-up for Orjan Andersson's denim-toutin', internationally leading fashion retailer, bringing that sweet, sweet Stockholm minimalism and industrial aesthetic to Surry Hills. We're talking clean monochrome palettes, exposed lighting fixtures, everything you'd expect in a CM pop-up. Now, do something about that crotch hole. CHEAP MONDAY POP OPENING HOURS: Wednesday - 10am - 6pm Thursday - 11am - 7pm Friday - 11am - 6pm Saturday - 11am - 6pm Sunday - 12pm - 5pm
Bright sparks, light bulb moments, the invention of fire – glowing matter and smart ideas have a long history together, and Vivid Ideas' 2015 program brilliantly renews this union. You may find your own brain cells overcooking at the number of events on offer this year, however, as over 30 venues across Sydney get more activated than a handful of Bondi almonds. If you're lucky, your choice can be guided by your industry-specific mixers and panels, but for those of us with FOMO for innovation and creativity across multiple platforms, our list of top ten Vivid Ideas events may be a helpful guide.
It's hard to believe that it's only been six months since George Maple (aka Jessica Higgs) released her debut single. At the time, Higgs had been living in London for eighteen months, so the slinky 'Talk Talk', from her Vacant Space EP, first hit airwaves on Annie Mac's show on BBC Radio 1. Meanwhile, the New York Times had dibs on unveiling the video clip. Since then, Higgs, who's from Sydney originally, has played CMJ, SXSW, Annie Mac's AMP Collected in London and a couple of headline shows in Australia, including the Museum of Contemporary Art and Future Classic’s Christmas Weekend. So she's in prime position for taking on her first proper national tour. Three gigs are already sold out — Sydney's Oxford Art Factory on April 24 and 30, and Melbourne's The Howler on 25 April. There's still time, however, to grab tickets to the Black Bear Lodge in Brisbane on April 23, The Bakery in Perth on May 1 and The Rocket Bar in Adelaide on May 2. Meanwhile, Higgs's new tune, 'Where You End And I Begin', recorded with Philadelphian rapper Grande Marshall, is starting to rack up hits. Where You End And I Begin feat. Grande Marshall by George Maple, Grande Marshall
For all of you who've been obsessing over the case of Steven Avery, you might now have the chance to get the answers you crave. Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos, the filmmakers behind the addictive and highly frustrating Netflix true crime series Making a Murderer, is a highly-anticipated, last minute addition to the Spectrum Now Festival talks program. The pair, whose ten-part series has become a cultural phenomenon since premiering on Netflix in December, will travel to Sydney for an hour-long interview and audience Q&A session with festival ambassador and The Weekly host Charlie Pickering. Set to take place at 7pm on Thursday, March 10, tickets for the event will cost $49.90 and go on sale on Wednesday, February 24 (or you can sign up to their newsletter to access the pre-sale one day earlier). If you've been living a nomadic lifestyle out in the bush for the past few months and thus haven't heard, Making a Murderer follows the infuriating case of Wisconsin native Steven Avery, who served 18 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, only to be arrested and tried for murder shortly after he was released. If you've got a spare ten hours, you can binge watch it on Netflix right now. Just don't expect to finish with your faith in humanity intact. "We always wanted Making a Murderer to start a dialogue around important issues in our criminal justice system," say directors Ricciardi and Demos. "We are thrilled that so many people all over the world are responding to the concept of fairness and equality, and we can’t wait to come to Australia to continue this discussion."
This is music you'll have to chase around Sydney, but super worth it. Driving around the city for MoVement Sydney, Rolling Records is a mobile record store, all decked out with wood panelling, selling second-hand vinyl. But it's not just any pop-up shop set-up; there's a DJ booth, listening station and a big ol' sound system. Created by top notch Katoomba resident George Pizer, Rolling Records has been up and running since January this year, popping up all over the joint. Here's where the truck will be parked: FRIDAY — Opposite Newtown train station (Oporto carpark) SATURDAY — Bondi Markets (Bondi Public School) SUNDAY — Super Open Air feat. Honey Dijon at The Factory Theatre, Marrickville This is just one way to get into MoVement Sydney, here are seven more. Image: Rolling Records.
Sydney's schwanky rooftop pool bar, Ivy Pool Club, has had a big ol' revamp just in time for the warmer months. Unveiling a brand new look this week, moving the space from LA-inspired glamour to Italian Riveria-style trimmings, Ivy Pool Club is prepped for a whole new season of poolside lounging, overt splurging and a whole bunch of Italian-themed festivities. To royally christen the refreshed rooftop space, Merivale's crown jewel is hosting a five-day Italian extravaganza over October 19-23: La Dolce Pool Club. Think long table feasts, a decadent pool party and long, boozy lunches with Merivale's best. Here's the rundown. Monday, October 19 will see a free 'Date Night with Sinatra', with cheap pizza and pasta by the pool and live Rat Pack-era music. Then, on the Tuesday, Pool Club joins forces with Uccello for a big long table feast of Italian cocktails and hearty nosh, curated by David Lovett and Vincenzo Biondini. Wednesday will see a free mini Italian market, showcasing Sydney's best Italian cuisine — Italian barbecue, cheese and charcuterie, pizza, and gelato — among live roaming performers and special cocktails from Avión Espresso, Absolut Elyx and Havana Club. Entry is free but numbers are limited so RSVP. Friday is the long, long lunch day, as Mr. Wong’s super chef Dan Hong teamed up with Merivale chefs Danielle Alvarez and Ben Greeno for a huge poolside barbecue feast. La Dolce Pool Club runs October 19-23 at the newly revamped Ivy Pool Club, Level 4, Ivy, 320 George Street, Sydney. Check out all the event details at Merivale's website.
Usually you'd have to fork out quite the cash bundle to enjoy some apres ski wonderment, but there's a brand new pop-up in Sydney that skips the ski lodge bill. Making a little winter wonderland of the former space of Darlinghurst's Victoria Room, The Chalet is set Sydney's temporary little winter ski lodge. According to Good Food, the space will come decked out with an in-house snowmaking machine, fondue stations, a jaffle bar and even a chairlift above the entrance stairs (yeah, it's probably not exactly a working one but can you imagine if it carried you upstairs?). Now, that's theming. So who's behind this adorable wintry endeavour? Some of Sydney's finest theme-happy hospotality kings are at the helm of The Chalet, namely The Lobo Plantation's Eddie Levy and Michael Hwang and The Island's Adam Abrams and Julian Tobias. Taking time off their upcoming restaurant at the InterContinental Sydney Double Bay, the foursome have created quite the winter go-to; blending their proven decorating skills with all the mulled wine and hot chocolate you could want after a long cold day's trudgery. The Chalet will be open for three months where The Victoria Room (235 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst) used to be. According to GF, the space will then be handed over to a yet-to-be-announced team for a more permanent new spot. Images: Dollar Photo Club and The Chalet.
Brisbane's Young Franco should be on your one-to-watch list. Seriously. He's heading around Australia on his very first run of national headline shows to plug his brand new single 'Don't U Want Me', out via new Australian label Of Leisure. This young whippersnapper has been garnering interest from the likes of triple j and THUMP with his sophisticated, super catchy beats, hitting it out of the ballpark on his recent UK tour, Alison Wonderland tour support and huge Splendour set. 'Don't U Want Me' featuring Blair De Milo, will be sitting pretty on our playlists all spring and summer long. Heading around Australia this October and November, Young Franco will undoubtedly show off his latest EP Franco & Friends, a feature frenzy with the likes of KLP, Set Mo, Feki and De$ignated, his recent collab with Brisbane pal UV boi, and his Motez, Alison Wonderland and Peking Duk-approved debut EP Futurefunk.
Missed The Preatures on their huge sold-out 'Cruel' tour this spring? How'd you like to catch them live this summer, for free? The Sydney fivesome are gearing up for another national escapade, this time joining forces with Corona Extra for a huge free November tour. Locked in for 20 locations across the country, Corona Sunsets will see the Sydneysiders play unplugged shows everywhere from Bondi Beach's Bucket List to the Portsea Hotel. Kicking off in Yallingup, Western Australia on November 6, the tour will wind through some of The Preatures' favourite bars in WA, NSW and Queensland before finishing up in Victoria on the last weekend in November. Isabella Manfredi, Gideon Bensen, Jack Moffitt, Thomas Champion and Luke Davison will be careening through their 2014 debut album Blue Planet Eyes, from crowd favourite singles like 'Cruel', 'Somebody's Talking' and 'Is This How You Feel?' to lesser known album gems like 'Ordinary' and 'Whatever You Want'. Fingers crossed for a raucous pub singalong to The Preatures' go-to cover, The Angels' 'Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again'. All shows are free entry, over-18s only and it's first-in, best-dressed. If Corona Extra's previous free Australian tours, like Cloud Control, are anything to go by, you're going to want to get there pretty damn early. For details head to Corona's website. THE PREATURES' CORONA SUNSETS NSW TOUR DATES: November 13 Towradgi Beach Hotel, Towradgi, 8.30pm November 14 Watson’s Bay Hotel, Watsons Bay, 3.30pm Manly Wharf, Manly, 7.30pm November 15 The Bucket List, Bondi, 2.30pm Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale, 7.30pm November 22 Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads, 8pm
Promising a whimsical new take on Shakespeare's love triangle-fuelled, shipwrecked comedy, Belvoir's production of Twelfth Night or What You Will marks the return of Keith Robinson to the stage after nearly ten years, alongside the Belvoir debut of Neighbours star Nikki Shiels. They join a large cast of veteran Belvoir performers including Peter Carroll (The Great Fire, Seventeen), Amber McMahon (Angels in America) and John Howard (Ivanov). Director (and Belvoir's current artistic director) Eamon Flack's gender-blind casting sees an even split between female and male actors, with McMahon and Emele Ugavule portraying Sebastian and Antonio respectively. This plays on the themes of gender and mistaken identity already in the play, as Shiels' character Viola disguises herself as a man called Cesario throughout. This is the first Shakespearean production by the theatre since the introduction of Flack as new artistic director. He's previously directed the Shakespearean comedy As You Like It for Belvoir in 2011, as well as Helpmann Award-winning productions of The Glass Menagerie and Angels in America. Image: Brett Boardman.
Dark and debaucherous banquets from Bompas and Parr, immersive art sleepovers at Cradle Mountain and all the demon purging and ceremonial death dances you could want in a festival. Dark Mofo is back for 2015. Centred around the winter solstice and running June 12-22, MONA's annual June festival celebrates the Neolithic-started tradition over ten days of weird and wonderful art, performance, music and happenings around Hobart. Last year's festival attracted more than 130,000 Mofos, and with this year's lineup, they're looking at a lot more pilgrims. Coinciding with MONA's huge Marina Abramovic retrospective Private Archaeology, this year's Dark Mofo is deeper, creepier and darker than ever before — with art, food, music and performance pioneered by 250 artists from around the world. For one of the biggest events of the festival, the brave and adventurous at heart will want to lock in June 15-17 for a two-night immersive art experience sleepover within Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. That's right. Immersive art sleepover. It's called Wild At Heart and is curated by the Unconscious Collective (Motel Dreaming). British jellymongers and universally applauded food artists Bompas and Parr are hosting a full-on, debaucherous banquet. Huge. And Melbourne contemporary artist Ash Keating will open an exhibition called Remote Nature Response as part of the whole WAH shebang. Music-wise, Dark Mofo is as brooding and gloomy as ever at Hobart's historic Odeon Theatre, with already-leaked, heartbreaking headliners Antony and the Johnsons leading the charge with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. British art-pop collective The Irrepressibles are also locked in, alongside Arkansas experts in doom metal Pallbearer. Seattle's 'horror-country' rocker King Dude will be there, as well as German industrial dance outfit Oake. There's plenty of Australians in the bunch too, from The Drones' brooding folkster Gareth Liddiard to Melbourne's '60s-inspired crooner Brous and performance vocalist Kusum Normoyle, modern day Divinyls-like Sydneysiders The Preatures, Hobart's eclectic pop group Tiger Choir and Melburnian chillwave must-see Klo. Also hailing from Melbourne, gloomy electronica artist Jake Blood and frenetic rock outfit My Disco. Then there’s Japan's electro-conducting EYE, who will be premiering new work CIRCOM, especially for Dark Mofo, presented by Red Bull Music Academy. Immersive art and experimental theatre fans, you'rve got plenty to look forward to. Dark Mofo set to unveil a brand new festival precinct dubbed 'Dark Park' at Hobart's Macquarie Point. Huge public artworks will invade the park, from a high-octane Fire Organ by German chemo-acoustic engineer Bastiaan Maris with producer Duckpond, to a Night Ship cruising around the river, and a full-body sonic massage immersion of Bass Bath by Melbourne’s Byron J. Scullin in collaboration with Supple Fox. Virginia Woolf’s Orlando will be performed by Victoria’s THE RABBLE theatre company at the Theatre Royal (Australia’s oldest theatre) and you'll find a dark take on Roald Dahl's The Witches at Salamanca Arts Centre’s Peacock Theatre. Plus, you won't want to miss Dark Mofo's new late-night ceremonial death dance Blacklist curated by Supple Fox. We don't even know what that means. Those keen to lose themself in a dark, dark cinema have plenty of Nordic dark folkloric films to sink their teeth into. North Hobart’s century-old State Cinema is presenting a super niche series featuring A Second Chance, A Spell to Ward off the Darkness, Down Terrace, A Field in England, Partisan, Severed Ways: The Norse Discovery of America, Valhalla Rising and more, curated Nick Batzias and James Hewison. Dark Mofo Films will also see the red carpet world premiere of Tasmanian-filmed Foxtel adult drama series The Kettering Incident at the Odeon. Last but not least, we feast. Dark Mofo's annual bacchinalian food festival returns to Princes Wharf Shed 1 — the ever-anticipated Winter Feast. Guest chefs Jake Kellie, Martin Boetz, Sean Moran, Mike McEnearney and O Tama Carey and the Mona Source restaurant team head five nights of feasting and performance, culminating in a Balinese ogoh-ogoh parade to purge all those demons and burn all those fears. Really. Then there's the annual Nude Solstice Swim — nothing like an early morning swim in Tasmanian water to cure your Mofo hangover. Dark Mofo runs June 12-22 in various locations across Hobart, Tasmania. Tickets are on sale from 10am Monday, April 20 from here. Registration for tickets for Antony and the Johnsons with the TSO over here. Images: Beth Evans, Matt Glastonbury.
Charge the flux capacitor, folks. With 2020 marking 35 years since the first film in the trilogy hit cinemas, the Hayden Orpheum is taking audiences Back to the Future. On Sunday, February 9, the venue will screen all three parts of Robert Zemeckis's iconic time travel trilogy for the bargain basement ticket price of just $20. The evening begins, as you'd expect, with the original Back to the Future — one of the greatest movies to come out of the 80s, and one of the most entertaining time travel movies ever made. You'll then get a glimpse of what was once the far-distant future but is now our recent past, with Part II set in 2015. (Seriously, aren't we all meant to be riding around on hoverboards by now?) Poor predictions aside, Part Two is a seriously underrated flick — the rare sort of sequel that actually enhances your enjoyment of the first film. The same can't quite be said of Part III, although if you can make it past the whole Wild West shtick, it's still pretty entertaining.
Looking for a last minute excuse to skip town this weekend? Get your motor running, get out on the highway and get going to Mudgee. You'll be joining thousands of visitors as they converge on the wine-loving country town, to indulge in its first-ever Food and Drink Trail. All weekend, you'll be matching Chardonnays with cheeses, and Shirazes with dishes-beginning-with-sh, as you wander from one stop to another. There are no fewer than fifteen stops on the itinerary, including Alby + Esthers, Baker Williams Distillery, Burnbrae, di Lusso Estate, Elton's + Blue Wren, Huntington Estate, Lowe Wines, Moothi Estate and Short Sheep Micro-Winery. If you're wondering what to expect, check out our Weekender's Guide to Mudgee. What's more, your food and wine will be coming at you at way-cheaper-than-Sydney prices. Just 40 bucks will buy you a 'trail pass', consisting of five vouchers, each of which gets you a sample of local wine, beer, spirit or other beverage, along with a matching, regionally-inspired small dish. And there's no stopping you: buy as many trail passes and make as much merriment as you like, all weekend long. As long as you're having a good ol' time, Mudgee won't judge.
Although Potts Point locals were saddened by the sudden closure of Bourke Street Bakery, a brand new all-day eatery should lift a few spirits. The folks behind Redfern's Moon Park, which closed in September 2016, will be opening their anticipated new venue, Paper Bird, on Monday, July 31, with Korean, Japanese and Chinese spins on breakfast, lunch and dinner. Initially, Paper Bird will open for breakfast and lunch only (Monday to Friday 7am-3pm, Saturday to Sunday 8am-3pm), and will not be taking bookings for breakfast and lunch. "The breakfast dishes will be familiar, but with an Asian twist," says Ned Brooks, who co-owns the eatery with head chefs Ben Sears and Eun Hee An. "Singapore barbecue bacon, smashed avo and eggs on toast with dried fish, toasted muesli and persimmon ... It's often about swapping one European ingredient with an Asian one." A friendly nod to former tenants, Paper Bird will be serving Bourke Street Bakery sourdough, rye, potato bread and croissants for brekkie, and they'll be doing all-day Xi'an cumin lamb sausage rolls with cumin and black vinegar. They're also serving up breakfast bao, bagels with smoked trout zuke and floss, and 'King's Congee' with rice and milk porridge, crab corn and doughnut chips. Doughnut chips. If you've been missing that Moon Park fried chicken, you'll soon be scoffing it again on a fried chicken and bacon muffin called 'The Big Bird', or as an all-day snack — five pieces of shrimp brined fried chicken with soy and syrup will set you back $25. The all-day lunch and dinner menu will see plenty of curious offerings including Chongqing popcorn, bocconcini kushiage, menbosha (that's a prawn toast sandwich), crispy scallion pancakes, Japanese cheesecake with preserved cumquat, sweet potato doughnuts with date ice cream, and milk bingsu with anglaise and yuzu curd. And that's just your first visit with one buddy. Don't look at us. On the drinks menu, you'll find about 100 wines, with 20 or so available by the glass. Brooks, who'll be running the bar, says, "Around 50 percent are Australian and 50 percent international, from France, Italy, Spain and America." There's also a high-end sake list, a bunch of beers and cocktails. Single Origin will be taking care of the coffee. Going against Sydney's current obsession with guttings and renovations, the team hasn't torn the site apart. "The fitout is already lovely," Brooks says. "It was made by craftsmen and we don't want to touch it too much. We don't want to see a beautiful bar top and dark wooden banquettes get ripped out and turned into landfill ... Sydney is an expensive city, but people still want to go out to drink and eat. One way to reduce prices is to spend less money on renovations." Designed in collaboration with Phillip Arnold of Plus Minus Design, the space offers indoor seating for about 60, including 10 spots at the bar, plus 15 places outside. Paper Bird will confirm a start date for dinners soon, and reservations will be available only through the website. Paper Bird will open Monday, July 31at 46A Macleay Street (enter via Crick Avenue). Opening hours will be Monday to Saturday 7am–midnight, Sunday 8am–3pm. By Jasmine Crittenden and Shannon Connellan. Image: Nikki To.
Sydney's Angel Place is pretty well populated with high-end restaurants these days, with Long Chim and Mercado joining China Lane and the Merivale-encircled cornucopia last year. The CBD laneway hub will soon joined by a new Italian restaurant that boasts freshly-baked panini and pastries, handmade pastas, locally-sourced produce and two serious chefs. Bacco Osteria e Espresso is the first city collaboration between executive chef Andrew Cibej and head chef Scott Williams, both of whom hail from Surry Hills stalwarts Vini, 121BC, Berta and Chippendale's Ester. Various owners of China Doll, China Lane and Mercado are also all involved. Designed by Anthony Gill Architects, the team responsible for the chefs' aforementioned venues, Bacco will open as a trattoria-style restaurant and espresso bar. An earthy, olive colour palette dominates the interiors, and unifying wooden finishes gives off a warm, intimate feel. The team have also imported all of their cooking equipment from Italy, so expect a highly particular menu. Bacco's espresso bar opened mid-May, launching with a front window that turns out Little Marionette coffee and Bacco's house-baked breads, pastries and paninis, the latter of which include porchetta and pickles and vitello tonnato varieties. The team are also offering up pizza-by-the-slice, making them our personal inner-city heroes. The trattoria-style restaurant section will open next Monday, May 29, and focus on rustic, yet polished Italian fare — think goat ragù strozzapreti and spaghetti with sea urchin, along with handmade gnocchi in a pistachio and pecorino sauce, made by Cibej's nonna no less. The decadent antipasti will offer dry-aged lamb tartare with whipped anchovy and smoked swordfish with kohlrabi and apple, and dessert includes house-baked ricotta cheesecake. The extensive wine list has been curated by Clint Hillery (sommelier for China Doll Group) and features over 70 local and imported wines across Italian and New South Wales varietals. Overall, the team is going for an unpretentious, casual vibe. Bacco Osteria e Espresso is located 1 Angel Place, Sydney. The espresso bar is now open Monday through Friday from 7am until late and the restaurant is opening on May 29, with opening hours on Monday through Friday from noon until 10pm and Saturday from noon until midnight.
Beloved Sydney winery Cake Wines is shaking things up after a string of secret pop-up parties, moving into more grown-up, sit-down territory this time. Cake is launching a series of 'community feasts', taking place on select Saturdays through November and December. The feasts will bring hungry Sydneysiders together with chefs, producers and winemakers for a series of communal lunches and dinners. Each feast will be held in a different community garden or farmers market, starting with St Helen's Community Garden in Glebe on November 7. For the inaugural feast, chef Richie Dolan from Chiswick will join Cake Wines' head winemaker Sarah Burvill and garden manager Jock Keane to deliver a bespoke menu made with produce grown in the St Helen's Garden, with the food specially matched with a wine from Cake's 2014 and 2015 vintage releases. "This is a chance to prioritise the importance of real community, the gardens and the food they can provide, and of course, the wines that go along with that," says Burvill. "I’m really excited about working closely with the gardeners and chefs to understand the range of produce and food that will be on offer so I can match the wines accordingly and make this a really special experience." Future feasts will be held at the Ultimo Community Garden with Thievery head chef Jordan Muhamad on November 21; the Carriageworks Farmers Market with chef and creative director Mike McEnearney on December 5; 107 Project's Rooftop Garden with Redfern Continental chef Bobby Fry on December 12; and Charlie's Garden in Redfern with Hartsyard head chef Gregory Llewellyn on December 19. Each event will host around 120 guests over two sittings, with lunch sessions commencing at 12.30pm and dinner sessions commencing at 4.30pm. Tickets cost $120 a head and include food as well as a matched Cake Wines and James Squire beer option. Best of all, a portion of wine sales will be donated back to the host garden. To book your ticket, go here. https://vimeo.com/142993326
One of Queensland's top chefs is making his mark on Sydney, at the helm of a new gourmet venture on College Street near Hyde Park. Opening this week, The Resident is owned by the same foodies behind Lotus Dumpling Bar, but don't expect Chinese food here. Instead you'll find a mix of Spanish and Mediterranean morsels, served up under the watchful eyes of Pablo Tordesillas. Tordesillas is best known as the head chef at Ortiga, which prior to its closure was one of the most celebrated Spanish eateries in Brisbane. At The Resident, he'll serve up a small but sophisticated menu that combines tapas-style snacks and salads with mains cooked over a charcoal grill. You might start with a number of small plates – think fried cuttlefish with egg and potato, and mussels with lemon myrtle, artichoke and dill – before working your way up to lamp rump with turnip and rapini sauce, or octopus with ajo blanco, sumac and grapes. If you're really hungry, you could even try tackling their 1kg dry aged rib eye. At $95 it's not exactly cheap, but then again, this is a kilo of steak we're talking about here. Just make sure you leave room to sample their selection of sweets and cheeses. Personally, we've got our eye on the rum baba with quince, lemon balm and almond cream. Find The Resident at 18 College Street, Darlinghurst. For more information visit The Resident's website.
If you were to name a New Year's Eve special edition brewski, what would it be? This was the hectic face-melter of a question we asked you guys a few weeks back, when Young Henrys announced the search for a name for their special edition beer, made especially for the upcoming epic NYE Above the Harbour event. Young Henrys are only making 20 kegs of this special brew, available to everyone with tickets to NYE Above the Harbour. A light, summery fruity pale ale brewed especially for the night with Australian malts, Antipodean hops from NZ, and later dry hopped with Aussie varieties like Galaxy, the beer will only be available for ticketholders. We had hundreds of entries to name the beer, so many name possibilities for the midnight brew — some awesome, some wildly questionable. And the winner is? Broken Resolutions. Nice one, Grant Seylhouwer, y'massive realist. "It's estimated that only eight percent of resolutions are successful, so why kid yourself. Break your resolution pre-NYE with a cold Young Henrys' 'Broken Resolution' Beer." Dammit, he's so right. Grant's taking home a case of Young Henrys tinnies and a double pass to the event because he hit the nail on the head. Luckily, if you're keen to try the brew, the general admission tickets are still on sale — the VIP tix have sold out, soz. New Years Eve Above the Harbour is happening at Tarpeian Way, The Domain on December 31 from 6pm – 12.30am (doors open 5.30pm). Capacity is strictly limited so book your tickets here.
Things are looking dicey for the future of Australia's creative industry. Devastating budget cuts courtesy of the federal government can often have that effect. The latest casualty is Paddington's film, television and digital media training organisation Metro Screen, which yesterday announced that it will cease operations at the end of the year after failing to secure the necessary funding. "Every effort has been made by Metro Screen to secure additional funding but to no avail," read a statement by Kath Shelper, chair of the Metro Screen Board, which was posted on the organisation's website. "We need to be responsible to our staff and ensure we are able to meet our obligations to them, and therefore it is with regret that the Board has made the decision to close Metro Screen in December 2015." First established in 1981 with funding from the (now defunct) Australian Film Commission, Metro Screen has for decades helped emerging screen practitioners by providing training, equipment and funding assistance. In recent times, the not-for-profit organisation has operated with the aid of a $240,000 grant from Screen Australia, but that money will dry up at the end of the year. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Screen Australia is itself expected to lose $3.6 million in federal funding over the next four years. According to Metro Screen CEO Christian Alvarez, the Metro Board had hoped to secure around $750,000 in new projects to help cover the loss, but admitted that while they had successfully secured "some significant high profile projects in the past 12 months, unfortunately the target has not been met." Current Metro Screen programs and classes are expected to continue as normal until the organisation closes its doors in December.
If you'd lived in Sydney 100 years ago, the Queen Victoria Building would've been your go-to farmers' market. Local growers and makers would pour in, peddling fresh produce, groceries and textiles. To celebrate this delicious history, the QVB has decided to host a pop-up foodie market this August. For five tasty, tasty days between Wednesday, August 3 and Sunday, August 7, a crowd of Sydney's favourite providores will take over the building's first floor. You'll be able to wander from stall to stall, browsing, sampling and deciding which morsels to take home. If dairy is your weakness, get into Pepe Saya's perfectly creamy, cultured butter, which will be sold alongside a stack of artisanal breads. Also delivering on the freshly-baked front will be Sonoma, with their 36-hour-made sourdough. Meanwhile, Salt Meats Cheese will be serving up a truffled mushroom toastie filled with provolone, cheddar, mozzarella and truffled mushrooms. Once that's done and dusted, move onto Vanto's Naples-style wood-fired pizza. Next up is dessert. There'll be no shortage of choice for sweet tooths, with Nutorious selling caramelised nuts and popcorn prepared in an old-school copper barrel, Spoon and Fork offering a selection of too-good-looking-to-eat cakes and biscuits, Koko Black taking care of chocoholics and Doughnut Time presenting a new, QVB-inspired creation. Wash it all down with a coffee from Kikko Cafe and pick up a bunch of Mr Cook flowers on the way out. The QVB Marketplace will open 10am-4pm, from Wednesday 3 to Sunday 7 August. On the Thursday, opening hours will extend to 7pm. Image: Pepe Saya.
Good news and bad news, dessert lovers. The good news is that Gelato Messina, Andy Bowdy Pastry and New York ice cream kings Big Gay Ice Cream are teaming up for a night of sugary extravagance unlike anything you've ever seen. Dubbed Superbowl Sundae, the event will bring together some of the most delectable names in dessert for a two hour seminar and party. There'll be ice-cream, cakes and scintillating conversation, the latter presumably conducted in between mouthfuls of the former. Basically it's everything a card-carrying dessert addict could desire. The bad news? Tickets have already been well and truly gobbled up. It's cruel really, announcing something this spectacular when there are only 40 places available. Guess they underestimated how much Sydneysider's love sugar. Anyone who did manage to nab themselves a ticket will get the chance to talk to (and be fed by) Messina head chef Donato Toce, pastry czar Andy Bowdy and Big Gay Ice Cream founders Bryan Petroff and Douglas Quint. The rest of us will have to make do with trawling the internet for pictures and dreaming about what could have been. Rocky Roadhouse: almonds, chocolate bits and mini-marshmallows with some Maldon salt. In Dalton's legendary words, "FAT DON'T HURT!" Repost from @jamiehannn. #thefattening ・・・ nsfw A photo posted by 💃🏼🍦💃🏼 (@biggayicecream) on Mar 10, 2016 at 6:02pm PST
Food will fly thick and fast at a brand new community initiative in Western Sydney, led by the Museum of Contemporary Art. Part of the museum's C3West community program led by local artists Diego Bonetto and Branch Nebula (Lee Wilson and Mirabelle Wouters), FOOD FIGHT is the result of a partnership with Genevieve Murray of Future Method Studio, and aims to raise awareness about food security in Liverpool and South Western Sydney through workshops, performances, cooking demonstrations and choreographed culinary combat. Set to take place in Liverpool's Bigge Park on the evening of Saturday, April 30, the event will feature market stalls, cooking shows, projections and live performances, before culminating in an epic food fight and 100-seat al fresco banquet. The artists will also collaborate with various local partners, including Foodbank, OzHarvest and Youth Food Movement Australia, on a series of community engagement workshops. "Our aim with this FOOD FIGHT project is twofold," said Bonetto. "We want to create a fun and engaging event that serves as a wake-up call and conversation starter on a hidden issue; whilst also celebrating the community champions and everyday heroes who fight for food security in the local area, one meal at a time." According to recent statistics, roughly two million Australians rely on food relief programs every year, while close to a million children go without breakfast or dinner each day. "The issue of food security barely raises an eyebrow in our society. Yet it is an issue which continues to worsen," said Foodbank NSW business development manager Tony Gatt. "In NSW alone, over 90,000 people rely on Foodbank's emergency food relief each month." "This is why initiatives such as FOOD FIGHT as so important," Gatt continued. "Anything we can do collectively to break down the veil of ignorance about food security, build empathy and address the stigma associated with food relief is a step in the right direction." For more information about FOOD FIGHT, go here.
Your lords might not be a-leaping nor your maids a-milking quite yet. But, to make sure your Christmas dinner goes to plan, it’s time to start a-booking. After all, as soon as that Melbourne Cup starter gun goes off, you’ll know you’re in the home straight. So, here’s a few ideas to get your geese a-laying from Urban Purveyor Group. From big companies to smaller startups, it's not the easiest to find a Sydney restaurant for a work or family Christmas do. UPG have venues catering for groups of ten to 3000 and tailored packages aplenty, so there'll be something to fit your outing in the collection. If their champagne-fuelled brunches are anything to go by, the French-inspired Ananas Bar & Brasserie is bound to be a winner. This year, they’ve delivered some extraordinary creations, from a Mad Hatter's feast with a dessert fairyland to a spooky Halloween buffet with an edible graveyard. Steak and seafood fiends might be more at home at New York-inspired eatery The Cut Bar and Grill. Christmas shindigs, which might include this killer banquet menu, are available for small groups and massive parties — and you can even chat to the team about matching wines with your work dinner. Then, at Sake, you can usher in the season Japanese-style either in The Rocks or Double Bay. Their contemporary culinary approach covers both classics and experimental dishes. Three set menus, varying from the chef’s selection to new classics to signature dishes (check out the menus here), offer plenty of choice. Plus, they do sushi-making classes if you're after a less obvious team building type of Christmas activity. Finally, if beer is crucial to your festive cheer, there’s The Argyle, Bavarian Bier Cafe and Lowenbrau. The former’s menu is absolutely huge and lets you eat anyway you like — from share platters to woodfired pizzas — and the heritage-listed, sandstone courtyard is great for summery evenings. The latter guarantees a party atmosphere, a gigantic beer list and stacks of hearty fare. Of course, you might want your own space for Christmas get-togethers, and there's private dining spaces aplenty in every one of these venues. For example, even on a regular day Ananas has innovative two- and three-course set menus available and a variety of spaces for a quirky Christmas outing option — try Le Salon, which fits up to 44 guests, or the whole venue fits 300 for bigger companies. To make a booking, get in touch with Urban Events.
Start planning your costumes, brush up on your heaps sick macaroni necklace skills and dig out your ol' faithful tent. One Australia's best and most beloved festivals, Secret Garden Festival, is back for another year, announcing the 2016 festival dates today. Returning to the festival's hallowed and not-so-secret-anymore location outside of Sydney, Secret Garden is celebrating its eighth year over February 26 and 27. And what's more, they're expanding (a little). Donning a bigger sunhat than ever, Secret Garden will be taking place over two full days and nights on Friday and Saturday, giving 'Gardeners' more live music, dress-ups, art installations, face painting, craft, lawn games, love and glitter than ever. But as usual, in true SG tradition, the lineup will not be revealed until after the tickets go on sale — that's at 9am on Wednesday, November 11. As always, proceeds from ticket and bar sales will go toward charity — and these guys have donated more than $200,000 to Oxfam, The Boys and Girls Brigade and the Sarah Hilt Foundation. Noice. Capacity hasn't changed even though the festival program has, so tickets are going to evaporate. Sign up for the presale at Secret Garden's fancy new website if you're keen to nab a spot at the festival. And you will — last year Client Liaison brought confetti cannons so... yeah. Secret Garden Festival returns to its (sort of) secret location on February 26 and 27, 2016. General tickets are on sale at 11am on Wednesday, November 11 from Secret Garden's website. Images: Anna Warr, Jack Toohey.
The annual reason to not entirely obliterate yourself on New Year's Eve, Field Day, has announced announced one of its most all-round thumbs-up inducing lineups yet, with the UK's dynamic duo of crisp dancefloor gems at the top: Disclosure. With a shiny new album brimming with singles, Disclosure are returning to Sydney to play live pickings from newbie Caracal along with favourites from their wildly popular debut Settle. The lads will be joined by fellow Brits The Wombats and Django Django, the insanely visceral RL Grime, Australia's beloved beats duo Flight Facilities, and the legendary Pusha T, amongst one heck of a killer lineup. Local legends aren't scarce this year, with the likes of Ta-Ku (live), San Cisco, Allday, SAFIA, Com Truise and more locked in for NYD sets. Returning to The Domain on New Year's Day, January 1, 2016, Field Day proves once again that some lineups are worth skipping the last NYE UDL for. Enough chatskies, here's that lineup you're after. FIELD DAY 2016 LINE-UP: Disclosure (live) Flight Facilities The Wombats Pusha T RL Grime Golden Features Halsey Skepta Boys Noize Seth Troxler Django Django Ta-Ku (live) Zeds Dead Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (dj set) San Cisco Allday Daniel Avery SAFIA Young Fathers Com Truise The Avener Snakehips Tuka Luke Million Sam Feldt JOY. Ngaiire Motorik + triple j Unearthed Artist and many more Field Day returns to The Domain on January 1, 2016. Tickets on sale Tuesday, October 13 at midday from Field Day's website. Image: Field Day/AP Photography.
