Two Good Co, the social enterprise dedicated to supporting vulnerable women by providing pathways out of crisis living, has opened its first cafe and convenience store in philanthropic hub Yirranma Place. Two Good Co first launched in 2015 as a soup kitchen at Kings Cross, before expanding into selling soup products, salads and toiletries to raise funds for its good work. Created in partnership with the Paul Ramsay Foundation, the venue is open 7am–3pm weekdays, serving breakfast and lunch with a strong focus on local artisan and ethically-minded businesses. Brands you'll find within the store include The Bread & Butter Project, Kua Coffee, Mood and T Totaler teas, Blak Cede and Gelato Messina. The cafe helps fund Two Good Co's programs while also employing vulnerable women across the front of house, kitchen and concierge roles. "Training, empowering, and employing vulnerable women is the reason we do what we do," Two Good co-founder Rob Caslick said. "We see our partnership with the Paul Ramsay Foundation as a springboard to showcase this model to other organisations who want their office catering and café service to make a real difference." Alongside the standard breakfast and lunch menus, a special monthly menu curated by culinary friends of Two Good Co is also on offer. The organisation has worked with the likes of Kylie Kwong, Maggie Beer, Peter Gilmore and Matt Moran in the past, and will be teaming back up with some of its high-profile mates for these menus. Three Blue Ducks chef and co-owner Darren Robertson was the first to take charge of the menu, featuring cauliflower cheese toasties, and his renowned chocolate cookies, while Matt Moran followed with a menu headlined by Croque monsieur toasties and rice pudding with rhubarb. Head over to the Two Good Co Instagram page for this month's specials. The organisation has also expanded its catering service for those wanting to host a function while supporting a good cause. The service now offers a variety of options from small breakfasts and grazing boxes to cocktail canapes and large-scale event catering.
The term 'hotel bar' has taken on a whole new meaning with the opening of Estate within the Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach. The four-in-one venue boasts a seafood-focused dining room, a tropical terrace bar, a dedicated taqueria and even a hidden karaoke room. The multimillion-dollar refurbishment is headed by Chef (and Creative Director) Matthew Butcher, who has worked alongside a few of the culinary greats — including big names like Gordon Ramsay and Vue de Monde's Shannon Bennett. Butcher is joined by Head Chef Scott Eddington, who has clocked time with Rene Redzeppi at Noma, as well as at Australian favourites A1 Canteen, Belle's Hot Chicken and Melbourne's Mamasita. Start off at the Terrace, an outdoor bar giving off Bali beach club vibes. Think beanbags, heaps of tropical palms and a projector screening sunset films and live sporting events. Bar snacks — such as fish tacos ($20 for three), oysters ($27 for six) and totopos with guacamole ($14) — are served out of a vintage Airstream trailer alongside locally made beers and wines. Meanwhile, over at the dining room — dubbed Kitchen — expect an ocean-themed fit-out that reflects the menu's focus on fresh, local seafood. King salmon with ginger sauce ($36), zucchini tagliatelle ($32) and spicy tuna with kaffir lime ($26) all make the regularly changing menu. In the Taqueria, there are neon lights, orange furnishings and bright patterns aplenty. The main offering here is the soft-shell tacos, which come in four varieties: chicken and avo ($6), fish with mojo-spiced cabbage ($7), beef with ancho sauce ($7) and huitlacoche ($6). Otherwise, you can tuck into a big ol' bowl of vegan nachos ($18). There are heaps of margaritas and micheladas going around, too. Also hidden within the premises is a private karaoke room that can (and should) be reserved for late-night revelry. Views of the Coogee coastline surround the venue and it's set up to fully embrace in those views —the courtyard even has three-step bleachers installed, from which punters can look out over the the ocean. Estate will be run separately from the hotel, though nothing is stopping you from turning your night out into a new excuse for a staycation.
Little Shack is one of those coastal spots that could convince you to make a permanent seachange just so you can call it your local. Situated right on Port Macquarie's breakwall, Little Shack is the place you want to be during golden hour — both in the am and pm. Open from 6.30am every day, Little Shack serves up all the classics — bacon and egg burgers, ham and cheese croissants and fruit and yoghurt. There are more exciting brekkie options, too, like tacos packed with scrambled eggs, bacon, chorizo, avocado and chipotle aioli, and maqui scoops topped with fruit and granola. To drink, you can enjoy Will & Co coffee, pressed juices and even coconuts. Come lunchtime, the menu expands to include the likes of beef brisket and cheddar croquettes, a fried barramundi kebab and a decadent lobster roll, served with hash browns, caviar, pickles and fries. On Friday and Saturday nights, Little Shack transforms into a beachfront bar, serving tap beers, wine, and shared frozen cocktails.
Located en route from the city to Circular Quay, Taylor's Rooftop is the Republic Hotel's lush rooftop bar. As is usually the case with a venue's top floor space, here, after a seemingly endless flight of stairs, you'll be rewarded with a night sky, live music and a cold beer when you reach the top. If beer isn't your thing, the cocktail offerings are great for the locale — fruity, fresh and frozen could describe a large percentage of the menu. Try the Post Melone (white rum, elderflower liqueur, watermelon and pineapple, $18), a frozen coconut margarita ($17) or a pink gin spritz ($17). There are also a number of carafes to share, including the Frosty Fruit ($29), which tastes just like the beloved icy pole. The food menu covers all the usual pub classics — such as schnitzels ($20), fried chicken burgers ($19) and a sirloin steak with chips ($25) — plus some added delights. There's a trio of tacos to start; a salmon poke bowl complete with edamame, spicy mayo and crunchy wasabi peas ($22); a Beyond Meat cheeseburger ($22) for the vegetarians out there; a Japanese chicken curry ($23); and beef bourguignon pot pie with salad ($24). An otherwise smart-casual bar space is made remarkable by a vertical garden of lush greenery that sits nicely against a starry sky or a sunny afternoon. With the addition of live acoustic music and DJs throughout the week, Taylor's is the site of many glorious rooftop dance parties. Updated February 24, 2020.
Impromptu Dining is done with and in its place stands et.al, a sleek, Potts Point restaurant co-owned by chef Daniel Backhouse and manager Stephen Craig. As the name suggests, sharing a meal with friends, family, lovers et al is at the heart the restaurant's ethos and every element of the place has been designed with this in mind. Backhouse, a former chef at Bathers Pavilion and Berowra Waters Inn, and Craig, a former colleague of Colin Fassnidge at the Four in Hand Dining Room, have put a great deal of passion into the venue — and it shows. The food is an inventive take on modern classics born from the imagination and expertise of Backhouse's culinary genius. For lunch, there'll be a maple chilli bacon butty, and a burrata with shaved zucchini, tempura flowers and hazelnuts. For dinner, an impressive 600g scotch fillet served with black garlic butter and fried potatoes catches our eye, although the vodka cured salmon with zesty grapefruit, avocado and fennel makes us think we might need to order both. The dishes are designed to be crisp, carefully balanced and showcase the eloquence of simplicity whilst Craig's short, sharp and worldly wine list complements the food's clear flavours. The new space has been fitted out by Chris Wilks of Giant Design, so expect chic wooden furniture, vibrant textiles and an open plan kitchen of tiles, concrete, stainless steel and light that looks out into the courtyard dining space. Everything — from the water carafes to the saucepans — has been granted it's own place. At the risk of making a bit of a generalisation, this place oozes 'Sydney' right down to the weight of the cutlery and the shape of the wine glasses.
What's better than seeing an almost 150-year-old heritage-listed building given a new lease on life, and giving Sydneysiders new spots to eat and drink in the process? Seeing all of the above happen right beside the city's newest boutique hotel. Meet Porter House, the luxurious new precinct that's now open on Castlereagh Street. Featuring a hotel and five levels of dining, events and function options, the precinct is based around the Porter House building, which dates back to 1876. Originally commissioned by tobacco manufacturer Hugh Dixon, it was used as the Dixson & Sons tobacco factory and warehouse, then became a shopfront for WW Campbell & Co and leather merchant George Johnson & Sons. Now on offer in that space: a Euro-style delicatessen and wine bar, plus a modern brasserie. An additional bar is in the works, and the food-and-beverage part of the precinct also includes two levels of private dining spaces and function rooms. Then, next door, there's the expansive new luxury hotel. [caption id="attachment_870750" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] At Henry's Bread and Wine, which operates seven days a week on the ground floor, an all-day lineup is on the menu. That includes tucking into wagyu pastrami reubens with sour onions and prawn milk buns — and also being able to pick between eating in and taking away for breakfast and lunch. Drinks-wise, expect to get sipping at a central bar surrounded by a four-metre wall of wine, mainly from Australia. Then, Dixson & Sons — which takes its name from the Dixson family, who originally built the site all those years back — sprawls across nearly 200 square metres on the first floor. Seating 90, it skews relaxed but elegant, with banquettes, tables for two and a bar spanning six metres perched in the middle. On Executive Chef Emrys Jones' (ex-Fish Butchery, No 5, Qualia) menu: a big focus on New South Wales produce, and on using every part of each ingredient, à la Josh Niland and Fish Butchery. As well as seafood, you can look forward to tasting your way through native flavours such as bush tomato, native thyme, lemon myrtle, dessert lime and macadamia dukkha. A sampling of dishes includes beef tartare with a house-made blend of soy, bonito and nori; vegan butternut pumpkin tart; a massive beef wellington for two; and, for dessert, the jelly 'n' ice cream sandwich with croissant, blackberries and cinnamon. [caption id="attachment_870747" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] Finally, there's the 225-square-metre Spice Trader bar, which will take over the top level before summer, complete with glass panels across more than half the roof to make the most of the natural light. Drinks will come served from a 16-metre sage marble bar — and expect to knock back cocktails aplenty. Over at the $94-million Porter House Hotel — which is now open — you'll find 122 rooms and suites, a heated pool and a fitness centre. It sits across the first ten floors of a new 36-storey tower next door, with 131 residential apartments filling the other 26 levels. Linking the two buildings: a pair of new walkways featuring glass balustrades and rails, with showcasing the contrast between Porter House's heritage features and MGallery's modern design a key aim. Actually, that's the overall aesthetic in general, as seen in the hotel's interior decor. Think: leather and pressed tin touches, gold and brass fixtures, wooden flooring, soft pink and grey tones, warm lighting, curves and arches used heavily, and mismatching modern and vintage furniture. Yes, you might've just found your next staycation spot. That said, with Sydney also just gaining Australia's first Ace Hotel, and the Waldorf Astoria also opening its first-ever Australian hotel in Sydney in 2025, your list of places for a night away from home just keeps growing. The Porter House Precinct and Porter House Hotel are located at 203 Castlereagh Street, Sydney.
What was once a daggy bowlo has been transformed into a lush, summertime garden bar with million-dollar Sydney skyline views. Inside The Greens, floor-to-ceiling glass doors allow sunlight to stream into a plant-filled brasserie which is fitted out with curved booths and long communal tables. If it's a sunny day, head outside to the rustic garden, where you'll find a plenitude of daybeds and picnic settings adjacent to the lawns. The bar is run by Matt Le Rade (Ex Pelicano, Palmer & Co), and you simply can't ignore the fun and frivolous cocktails that everyone is holding. The larger groups sport Watermelon Keggers — a hollowed out half-watermelon filled with vodka, juice and bitters — as well as jugs of rose sangria, Pimms cocktails and Aperol spritzes. The kitchen was set up by Lilly Fasan, the former executive chef at The Grounds of Alexandria, in partnership with her husband Nathan. There are clear similarities between the two venues, both sharing luscious green surrounds, a seasonal menu with produce grown in-house and beautifully presented food, which is making its mark on Instagram. You'll be pleased to know that the lawn bowls greens are still fully operational and available to book for social games, so you can bring your granddad along for a bowl, while you can have a bowl. They also hold yoga sessions, organic markets, live music nights, campfire smores events and film screenings on the greens, as well as DJ sets on the weekend. The Greens definitely has its game on. Appears in: The Best Pubs in Sydney
With over 1,400 pieces on display, Capella Sydney has one of the finest art collections of any hotel in the country. If you'd like to get more acquainted with it, you're invited to take part in a new monthly series, The Art of Dining at Capella. Fusing this extraordinary art collection with tantalising cuisine from the hotel's renowned restaurant, Brasserie 1930, this fascinating encounter makes the property even more of a must-visit destination. Curated by international art and design consultancy, The Artling, leading art advisor Fiona McIntosh will guide this exclusive art tour, offering guests incredible insight into the art that adorns the hotel's storied walls. Plus, the tour includes a complimentary glass of champagne and a double pass to the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA), encouraging visitors to immerse themselves further in the city's art scene. There's enough artwork spread throughout Capella Sydney's expansive space to satisfy your cultural cravings. Focused on Australian artists across numerous mediums, you'll discover Otis Carey's GAAGAL mural in the McRae Bar, while Max Berry's Landscape Effect is a suitably peaceful complement to the divine pool area. Elsewhere, pieces by Nadia Culph, Nick Psomiadis, Belinda Yee and George Hall bring even more sophistication to the suites. Each tour begins in the hotel's Farrer Place lobby, which is home to a pair of site-specific fabric wall hangings by Elise Cakebread, Flotsam and Jetsam. Ready to check them out? Starting from Thursday, May 29, guests who make a booking for Brasserie 1930 will have an exclusive opportunity to book this private guided art tour for $40. Images: Ethan Smart.
If Hoyts Entertainment Quarter is your local picture palace, then your next trip to the movies just got a whole lot swankier. Because everyone likes going to the cinema in style, the Moore Park site has just unveiled the first stage of its new upgrade — including bigger seats, better screens and sound, and an upscale menu that spans far beyond just popcorn and choc tops. In HEQ's 12-screen main complex, movie buffs can now sit in wide recliners with extra leg room, all for the standard ticket price. And if you really want your chair to move in sync with the film for some reason, one cinema also features "motion recliners" that'll shake, jolt and otherwise shift about as the flick plays. Yes, it's a pure gimmick — no one really needs to feel like they're on a rollercoaster while they're watching the latest action blockbuster or superhero movie — but it's the industry's latest attempt to tempt you off your couch and into the kind of experience you can only have in a cinema. Hoyts has also turned three of its screens into Xtremescreen cinemas — they feature extra large screens, plus Dolby Atmos 7.1 audio — and added Sydney's first Samsung Onyx LED cinema screen. The latter spans 14 metres, displays images at 4K resolution and with high dynamic range picture quality, and can reach ten times the brightness of a standard projector. For those less concerned about technical specs and more interested in snacks, Hoyts has unveiled a new menu for its Lux cinemas, too — aka its version of gold class. On the lineup: jamon croquettes, mac 'n' cheese balls, three kinds of bao, a range of sliders and Malteaser-topped sundaes, with Manu Feildel designing the selection. A sizeable list of wine, beer, spirits and cocktails is also on offer, so you can pair your next movie with an espresso martini or a spiked milkshake. The candy bar area has had a revamp as well, and is now home to Artie's Bar and Cafe — where you can nab a pizza to take into the movie with you — plus the Baskin-Robbins ice cream-slinging Treat City. Hoyts will also be levelling up its second, smaller four-screen site at Entertainment Quarter, although that won't happen until later this year. Find Hoyts Entertainment Quarter at Bent Street, Moore Park — with Hoyts' new cinemas now open in its main 12-screen complex, and its smaller four-screen site set to be upgraded later this year.
The humble doughnut has long outgrown its stale reputation as a snack reserved for Homer Simpson, police-folk and school kids. The treat has gained widespread popularity recently, with vendors exploring unique and, at times, outrageous flavour combos. Luckily for us, there's no shortage of excellent doughnut shops in Sydney, slinging freshly fried rings of joy. You'll find some stuffed with Nutella, topped with matcha, handmade with seasonal ingredients and reimagined as burger buns. If this sounds like your jam, check out our list of the best doughnuts in Sydney. Recommended reads: The Best Ice Cream and Gelato in Sydney The Best Bagels in Sydney The Best Bakeries in Sydney The Best Cafes in Sydney
Looking for a cause for celebration? Passeggiata is the place for you. Spearheaded by former 10 William Street chef and ex-Sagra owner Nigel Ward, this ambitious Italian restaurant is decked out in a bright summery yellow facade. Passeggiata takes its name from an Italian tradition — an unhurried, leisurely stroll you take with your family after a hearty meal. This is the energy that Ward brings to this eastern suburbs eatery located on Bronte Road in Charing Cross, Australia's second-oldest shopping strip. "After a big long lunch, everyone puts on their suits and their Sunday best and they all go out to the town square and walk around real slow, go have some gelato, or have a little drink somewhere," Ward told Concrete Playground. "Nobody's in too much of a hurry, the intention is to ... slow down and enjoy the little qualities of life." Passeggiata's menu is seasonal, so you can expect it to change over time, but the initial array of eats offers something for everyone, with a heavy focus on seafood. To start, there's smoked kingfish with crostino and creme fraiche, sardines "aqua pazza" with tomatoes and olives and tagliolini with prawns and calabrian chilli. Moving out of the ocean and venturing onto land, try the fried zucchini flowers with roast potatoes and rosemary salt, veal chop milanese, radicchio with cumquat or the wagyu bresaola with Jerusalem artichokes and anchovies. "I hope when people come here [that] they're not coming with an out time. They just want to come and enjoy themselves and take their time, get a nice bottle of wine [and] eat lots of food," Ward continues. There are two spaces to enjoy your meal at Passeggiata, a 40-seat main dining room downstairs and a more intimate 30-seat upstairs space which Ward plans to use for set menu dinners. "I'm building the restaurant I want to go to," Ward says. "This is it for me. I've bought the building, I want to be here for 30 years. I want this to be the Lucio's of the 21st century." Appears in: The Best Italian Restaurants in Sydney for 2023
It comes as no surprise that Australia's nightlife scenes have shifted dramatically in the past five years. From COVID-19 to the spiking cost of living, Australians' leisure habits are constantly adapting. It may have taken us nearly half a decade to get back off our couches and into our local pubs and restaurants post-lockdown, but the data shows that it's finally happening. Australians are getting more comfortable with heading back out into the nightlife. The Visa Vibe Economy report, commissioned by Visa and conducted by McCrindle, provides a comprehensive snapshot of Australian life after dark. From chasing the newest must-try restaurant to heading out to night markets, Australians are finding fresh ways to make our nights count. For one in three Australians, going out at night is "extremely or very important" to their lifestyle. Dining out is the most popular choice for leaving the comfort and safety of their houses, followed by heading to the cinema, visiting night markets and going to bars and pubs. [caption id="attachment_1018636" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Etheus[/caption] The stats also show that, despite the rhetoric around Gen Z being isolated phone addicts, the younger generations are driving Australia's night-time activity, with Gen Z choosing to go out an average of just over nine nights per month, followed by Gen Y (or millennials) with an average of 7.2 nights out a month. With Visa's new data providing a snapshot of Australia's after-dark habits in the second half of the 2020s, we spoke with two hospitality leaders to get a sense check on what the future of our nightlife may look like and how it has changed. Intentionality over consumption Across the country, operators are seeing a clear move towards more intentional nights out. Kingsley Smith, owner of The London Hotel in Paddington, notes that the midweek pub catch-up has dropped significantly. Kingsley says that Australians are drinking "considerably" less midweek. Saturday nights are still booming, however, as Kingsley observes that Australians are saving themselves for a bigger blowout on the weekend. "Saturday is still the big night out, possibly bigger than ever," he tells Concrete Playground. Jason Williams, the Director of House Made Hospitality, echoes this trend, adding that while Australians continue to socialise, caution around spending due to inflation is shaping how people engage with hospitality. "People are spending a little less, but they're still going out. Guests are chasing experiences — not just good food and drinks — but they're more value-conscious than before." [caption id="attachment_836017" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Apollonia[/caption] Kingsley believes that the future of the Australian nightlife is "food-focused" with punters looking for "alternative entertainment" outside of bars and clubs, noting that a night out "doesn't need to involve alcohol". This observation is backed up by Visa's data, which found that great food and entertainment take centre stage on Australians' nights out. At the same time, the availability of alcohol ranked low on our list of after-dark priorities. "Australians are drinking less alcohol these days, driven by health and wellness trends, shifting social habits and cost-of-living pressures," says Jason. Despite these trends, Jason remains optimistic about the future of Australian nightlife, particularly in his hometown of Sydney. "Sydney's nightlife is slowly rebuilding after years of lockout laws and red tape, and we're finally seeing real energy from all levels of government to support it," says Jason. "Spending habits are changing, but there's no shortage of passionate operators and creatives ready to deliver great experiences and that enthusiasm will help grow the audience again." [caption id="attachment_1003546" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Baptist Street Rec. Club[/caption] Even as our habits change, the magic of our cities after dark remains. "We just need to normalise going out more often and make the city feel alive after dark. More retailers staying open later would help, too," Jason shares. According to Kingsley, al fresco dining is booming among customers, and councils are (thankfully) supporting this shift. "Outdoor dining is growing in popularity, and our councils are listening and approving more sidewalk seating and parklets." A message for the home bodies With the price of a pint, the comfort of streaming services and all of our friends living on the small computer in our pockets, it's often easier (and more tempting) to choose a night in over heading out into the dark. But as the weather warms up, Kingsley offers words of encouragement to the homebodies. "Embrace our city at night," says Kingsley. "The more people out, the safer it is and the more vibrant the city becomes." Jason, on the other hand, shares a timeless and pertinent reminder to help us create the future of Australian nightlife. "Netflix will still be there when you get home. Get out and create your own stories to tell — the world's full of energy, flavour and good company if you go looking for it." Discover the vibe near you.
Doused in gravy, hot sauce or sambal, served on a plate with mac 'n' cheese, or sandwiched in a soft bun — fried chicken is the epitome of comfort food in lots of places around the world, and Sydney is no exception. This city's restaurant scene offers heavenly bird done in every way imaginable. These local joints combine nationalities and styles to champion the fried side of the chook. In Sydney, you can eat fried chicken with Taiwanese, Korean, Japanese or Indonesian influences, as well as heaps of American-style versions. If you really want to indulge, bookmark this list and hit all 13 restaurants before the end of the year. Go on, we dare you. Recommended reads: The Best Pizza in Sydney The Best Banh Mi in Sydney The Best Burgers in Sydney The Best Bagels in Sydney
Located in the Quay Quarter Tower, Martinez is a stunning two-parter from the Hinchcliff House and Promenade team. For casual drinks and al fresco dinners with views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, head to the rooftop bar. Or, for more intimate meals, grab a spot indoors in the Martinez dining room. Either way, you're in for a bang-up time. Let's start with the rooftop. As you walk out onto the terrace, you'll catch a glimpse of the harbour. It's the kind of view that makes you go, "Oh wow". The bar is designed to facilitate any occasion — there are intimate two-person tables and long benches designed for group catch-ups. Emilie Delalande of Etic (Barangaroo House) has led the colourful design work across the venue, with both the terrace and the dining room containing odes to artist residencies in the south of France. Once you've found your spot, you'll be presented with a versatile menu ranging from spritzes, rosé and oysters to negronis and steak frites. Highlights from the feeds available on the terrace include grilled swordfish steak, blue swimmer crab pasta, whipped roe and raw scallops with white soy and fennel pollen. As the sun sets, the tables on the terrace light up from within, adding to the magic. It's a perfect inner-city spot for a glass of wine paired with snacks at sunset. Then there's the dining room, serving up French and Mediterranean eats for lunch and dinner. If you're in the mood for a big night with your mates, opt for the plateau de fruits de mer — a delectable selection of the best seafood of the day, both cooked and raw, such as scallops, oysters, mussels and Moreton Bay bugs. Further down the menu, there are plenty of exciting entrees, including gnocchi Parisienne, tuna niçoise and steak tartare, as well as playful takes on French mains, like the aforementioned steak frites and swordfish steak, a crumbed pork cutlet with jamon and brie fondue, and a next-level wagyu burger topped with gruyère and maple bacon. Rounding out the myriad offerings at Martinez, you'll find a fun and sophisticated drinks list in the dining room. House Made Hospitality's producer-led approach to wine continues here, with a selection of drops that the team had a hand in crafting themselves, sitting alongside a variety of Australian and European whites, reds, and rosé. There's also a range of petit martinis, all of the cocktails from the rooftop bar, and magnums of wine. If you're a fan of your wine bright and pink, pair one of these generous bottles of rosé with the seafood platter, and you're in for a truly luxurious night of group dining.
It arrives in the dead of winter. It fills Hobart with festivalgoers in the dark of night. It gets the brave donning nothing but their birthday suits to take a dip for the winter solstice. For ten fests now, with Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art at the helm, Dark Mofo has unleashed its wildest and weirdest delights upon the Apple Isle — its most sinister, surprising, challenging and stunning as well — and tempted arts lovers Australia-wide and beyond to the nation's southernmost state. Don't just think of Dark Mofo as the twisted sibling to Tasmania's other big annual festival, summer's Mona Foma, though. Running from Thursday, June 8–Thursday, June 22 in 2023, this event adores the space where opposites clash: dark and light, birth and death, all things wholesome and hedonistic included. That's what makes it the kind of Tassie getaway where you can slumber while listening to an eight-and-a-half-hour lullaby, see garbage turned into musical instruments, then wander into a theatre-meets-rave performance and witness Dante's journey through hell, purgatory and paradise come to life. Keen on the sunnier, sweeter side of this year's lineup? Prefer letting loose and making "when at Dark Mofo" your mantra? There's an event on the 2023 program for you either way, and no matter what level of chaos you're after — and after asking the Dark Mofo team for their tips on both sides of the spectrum, we've put together this handy guide. Concrete Playground Trips' Dark Mofo accommodation package might come in helpful, too. And, while some of these events are sold out at the time of writing, keep a keen eye on the fest's resales for more tickets. WHOLESOME: [caption id="attachment_899216" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo credit: Luke Currie-Richardson. Courtesy of BARKAA and Dark Mofo, Nipaluna/Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] THE GATHERING There's no doubting that Dark Mofo knows how to throw a party. That's the entire festival from start to finish, as well as many of its events from its first moments each year to its last. But there's nothing like a massive opening-night celebration — especially when that shindig showcases and celebrates First Nations culture and talent, as The Gathering does. On 2023's bill: Palawa and mainland Indigenous artists, all taking over In The Hanging Garden from 6.30pm–12am on Thursday, June 8. When you're not listing to BARKAA's energetic tunes and Tasman Keith's synth-scored raps, you'll be enjoying dameeeela's mixes, DENNI's vocals, and MARLON X RULLA's R&B and hip hop. Kartanya + KARAI are joining forces for a performance that blends poetry and music, Rob Braslin will do a stand-up set and Lutruwita / Tasmanian Aboriginal Elder Uncle Dougie Mansell will play music inspired by the state. And, in a partnership with Melbourne's YIRRAMBOI, Kin heroes cross-cultural connections between Victoria's Koorie and Tasmania's Palawa peoples. [caption id="attachment_803281" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Max Richter — SLEEP, Kraftwerk Berlin 2016. Photo: Stefan Hoederath.[/caption] MAX RICHTER'S SLEEP For some party people at Dark Mofo — many, even — spending all night at the festival doesn't involve getting any shuteye. But hitting the hay is definitely a part of this year's fest. Actually, Dark Mofo wants you to wear your pyjamas and sleep over. The slumber party comes courtesy of Max Richter's SLEEP, which returns to Australia for an eight-and-a-half-hour overnight stint on Wednesday, June 14 (and heads to Tasmania as an Aussie exclusive). You'll close your eyes, drift off to the land of nod and Richter's compositions will play as you snooze. The forty-winks part will happen on beds provided by Dark Mofo, while the latter is based on the neuroscience of having a kip. If you've seen the documentary about it, you'll already be excited — and you'll have your PJs ready. [caption id="attachment_899213" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy of the artist and Dark Mofo, Nipaluna/Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] ZINDZI & THE ZILLIONAIRES There's a bear on Dark Mofo's 2023 program. There's also an actor and musician that usually appears on-screen to entertain the festival's youngest attendees after a song about chairs, games and stories gets a spin. That'd be Zindzi, one of Play School's beloved hosts, who joins the fest lineup with The Zillionaires, her fluffy sidekicks. This concert is firmly for kids — and the adults taking them along, with children under two admitted free. If you're making the visit to Tassie with your family, Zindzi's two daytime sets on Sunday, June 11 (at 12pm and 2.30pm) are prime all-ages fun. And yes, you'll also know Zindzi as Okenyo, and for popping up as an actor in The Code, Sisters, Wakefield and Totally Completely Fine. [caption id="attachment_899214" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo credit: Zizuke. Courtesy of the artist and Dark Mofo, Nipaluna/Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] FULU MIZIKI Venturing to Dark Mofo from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Fulu Miziki won't just entertain you with their Afro-futurist-punk sounds. That's a given; however, they'll also make you think twice about what you discard. As you watch them play, they'll be making music with garbage — which they've turned into musical instruments. There are two parts to Fulu Miziki's Dark Mofo stint. The experimental workshop on Sunday, June 11 will teach a few lucky folks how to follow in the collective's footsteps with their own refuse and reclaimed materials, complete with a concert afterwards. And, the day prior on Saturday, June 10, Fulu Miziki will also be taking to the Odeon Theatre stage. This isn't just a family-friendly part of Dark Mofo — it's eco-friendly as well. [caption id="attachment_899210" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo credit: Zan Wimberley. Courtesy of the artist and Dark Mofo, Nipaluna/Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] WITHOUT US YOU WOULD HAVE NEVER LEARNT ABOUT LOVE When we said before that there's a bear in Dark Mofo's 2023 program, we were referring to Giant Teddy, a towering Korean pop culture-inspired teddy bear that has lasers for eyes, plus a camera that'll show its live surveillance elsewhere in Hobart. But you can also expect to see stuffed toys at Without Us You Would Have Never Learnt About Love — because it makes an operatic tragedy with repurposed playthings. Artist Jason Phu is behind this creative use of jailbroken toys, and will have them performing inside a taoist robotic shrine. If it sounds like the kind of thing that you don't see every day, it truly is. Checking it out is free, and as simple as heading to the Baha'i Centre from 4–10pm between Thursday, June 8–Monday, June 12 and Wednesday, June 14–Sunday, June 18. HEDONISTIC: [caption id="attachment_898571" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo Credit: Dark Mofo/Jesse Hunniford. Image Courtesy Dark Mofo, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Dark Mofo 2018.[/caption] WINTER FEAST Winter Feast is all about tucking into local produce by the fire while listening to tunes and just generally enjoying an evening of revelry. One of Dark Mofo's annual highlights, it returns for 2023 across eight nights — running from Thursday, June 8–Sunday, June 11, then again from Thursday, June 15–Sunday, June 18, at Salamanca Lawns and Princes Wharf Shed 1 — with 90 stallholders setting up by the feast's blazes. Headlining the 2023 event is an acclaimed culinary name: Ana Roš, who you might know from Netflix documentary Chef's Table. She's the owner of Slovenia's two Michelin-starred restaurant Hiša Franko in Kobarid, and was named the world's best female chef by The World's 50 Best Restaurants academy in 2017. The World Tourism Organisation have also given her the title Ambassador of Gastronomic Tourism. At Dark Mofo, Roš will get cooking in a newly built 50-seat structure just for cooking and dining, and she'll have company: Stephen Peak and Rodney Dunn, both from New Norfolk's The Agrarian Kitchen. Their spread is set to span four courses, taking its cues from the dishes that that Roš and Peak whip up in their own kitchens. So, expect Slovenian-inspired fare, but made with Tasmania's top seasonal produce. [caption id="attachment_897774" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Camille Blake. Image courtesy of the artist and Dark Mofo.[/caption] TRANCE Slipping into a different mindset is just part of being at Dark Mofo. At TRANCE, you're openly invited to slide into a reverie in the process. Hailing from Berlin-based Chinese artist Tianzhuo Chen, this three-day performance from Thursday, June 8–Saturday, June 10 isn't just something that you watch — it's a true festival experience. You'll need to purchase a 'trance pass' to head along, which gives you access to the whole show across its run. Then, you can wander in and out as you like, seeing each day's 12-hour ritual — which is batched up in six two-hour chapters — in what's basically a physical theatre-meets-rave show. Along the way, you'll notice nods to religious iconography and pop culture alike — and Butoh choreography as well — as things get psychedelic and transcendental. You'll also spot Tinazhuo's cast of characters go all-in on testing the body's corporeal limits. [caption id="attachment_886260" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nicole Marianna Wytyczak[/caption] A DIVINE COMEDY A wild dance theatre performance inspired by Dante's The Divine Comedy? Yes, that sounds completely in Dark Mofo's wheelhouse. That production is A Divine Comedy, hailing from Austrian choreographer and performance artist Florentina Holzinger, and hitting the festival from Friday, June 16–Sunday, June 18 as both an Australian premiere and an Aussie exclusive. Holzinger is known for making challenging and provocative theatre, and for exploring gender relations — including how women's bodies are represented in art and media. For A Divine Comedy, she's staging the whole dive into the hell, purgatory and paradise as a giant autopsy room, all to explore how humans negotiate life and death. From an all-female-identifying cast spanning all ages, as well as a variety of physical, musical and athletic disciplines, expect to see nude performers, slapstick acts, bodily substances and references to slasher movies as well — plus a jam-packed selection of nods to art and dance's respective histories. [caption id="attachment_899218" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image courtesy of DarkLab.[/caption] THE BLUE ROSE BALL Get ready for a ball both wonderful and strange: Dark Mofo's hedonistic masquerade, which this year is called The Blue Rose Ball. David Lynch fans, this sounds like absolute heaven — and it is indeed inspired by the inimitable filmmaker behind Twin Peaks. The event takes its name from a secret task force in that very show, in fact, which you'll already know if you agree that it's the best show ever made (as you should). On Wednesday, June 7, a mystery venue will play host to cocktails, wines, aperitifs and epicurean provisions. Exactly what will happen from there is set to be revealed on the night — having your expectations challenged Lynch-style is part of the fun, of course — but if your costume includes red and white zigzags, you've obviously nailed it. Fancy getting a Lynch-meets-Dark Mofo fix throughout the rest of fest? From Thursday, June 8–Monday, June 12 and Wednesday, June 14–Sunday, June 18, Dark Park will also play host to a Blue Velvet Lounge, and with live tunes and performances all on theme. [caption id="attachment_899219" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo credit: Rosie Hastie, 2022. Image courtesy of Dark Mofo 2022.[/caption] NIGHT MASS If you love wild affairs that run late into the evening, it's time to lose yourself to Night Mass. Anything and everything can and does happen at this after-dark affair, which is sprawling wider in 2023 than usual — taking over three city blocks, and naming the space District X. Within the precinct's confines, there'll be 13 stages hosting a hefty list of acts, all in an area with a capacity of 4500 — with Night Mass taking place over five nights across two weekends. Those dates: Friday, June 9–Sunday, June 11, and then Friday, June 16–Saturday, June 17. On offer: everything from music and cocktail lounges through to punk theatre and junkyard raves. Attendees can also expect art, performances, cinema cabarets, games arcades, tarot readings, plenty of places to eat and drink, and fire beacons lighting the way. And, on the bill, folks such as Desire Marea, dameeeela, Amnesia Scanner, Violent Magic Orchestra and Mahne Frame, as well as Ms Boogie, Prison Religion, Pelada, Marie Davidson and Moktar. Dark Mofo 2023 runs from Thursday, June 8–Thursday, June 22 in Hobart, Tasmania, with tickets on sale now. Top image: Dark Mofo/Jesse Hunniford, 2018. Image of Société Anonyme Costume Ball Hadley's Orient Hotel. Image Courtesy Dark Mofo, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world — including our Dark Mofo tickets and accommodation package.
To everyone who'd read The Dry, or even simply heard about its following and success from a devotee who had, turning Jane Harper's debut novel into a movie seemed like one of the easiest decisions that Australia's film industry could make. More than that, it appeared certain to create that holy grail of Aussie pictures: a guaranteed and widespread homegrown hit. The response to the feature, which reached cinemas Down Under to start off 2021, proved that belief true. Robert Connolly helmed it into the top 15 Australian movies at the Australian box office of all time, on the back of over $20 million in receipts. But ask the Balibo, The Bank and Paper Planes filmmaker if he also thought that it'd have everyone across the country flocking to the silver screen, then ensure that Harper's second Aaron Falk story Force of Nature could get the film treatment, and he's not as definitive as you might expect he should be. The reason: timing. Releasing on January 1, 2021 meant that The Dry released as the COVID-19 pandemic entered its second year, after cinemas had spent a large portion of the past 12 months out of action and when capacity restrictions were a reality. "We actually weren't sure what was going to practically happen, because it came out as the pandemic was easing off and cinemas had been closed for months," Connolly tells Concrete Playground. "I remember some of the early screenings of The Dry, the cinemas were only allowed to be half capacity," he continues. "Fifty percent, yeah," Eric Bana, aka Connolly's Aaron Falk, also recalls. "My friends in exhibition, some of them were saying 'we're going to go under, we won't be here in a year'. And so we had a great hope for cinema, and a passion about cinema and exhibition, but not really any idea that it would open up so well," Connolly explains. "We were very proud of the film at that point and had really enjoyed making it, and had finished the film. And we were excited to show audiences. But I think that we'd have to be absolutely delighted that cinema has not only survived but is starting to thrive again. It's amazing talking to exhibitors at the moment, they're all saying that whereas last year there was one big blockbuster, this year there's about ten different films that are playing, and they're enjoying the fact that audiences are coming in to see different films. They might not be packed like a blockbuster, but there's a habit that's reemerging of people going to the movies, which is great for us all." Force of Nature: The Dry 2 — as The Dry's cinematic followup has been rebadged to ensure that audiences make the connection — hits the big screen with two in-built audiences, then. Folks who obsessed over Harper's Falk tales on the page and those who've only known the federal agent via film, with The Castle, Chopper, Munich, The Time Traveller's Wife and Hanna's Bana in the part, have already been packing theatres before the movie's official release on Thursday, February 8 thanks to weekends of advanced screenings. The first camp share something in common with Connolly and Bana: loving The Dry as a book first. Indeed, it was the strength of the material that got them both interested, and saw a new Aussie franchise come to life in cinemas. This saga has more than a few drawcards, too, from the page-to-screen narratives, its filmmaker and star to the strength of its supporting casts, the fact that it's an Australian whodunnit series and its broader look at the nation's landscape beyond the outback's red earth. Where The Dry was set in the Victorian wheatbelt, trading ochre for yellow as far as the eye can see, Force of Nature stays in the same state but treks through lush, sprawling, inhospitably dense, vibrantly green mountainous forests. Falk isn't visiting his home town this time. He's firmly in professional mode, on a case that's sparked another. With fellow federal police officer Carmen Cooper (Jacqueline McKenzie, Ruby's Choice), he's been working to turn Alice Russell (Anna Torv, The Last of Us) into a whistleblower against her employer, only for her to disappear on a corporate hiking retreat. Falk is desperate to find her alive — but getting to the bottom of what happened, both from her bosses Jill (Deborra-Lee Furness, Blessed) and Daniel Bailey (Richard Roxburgh, Prosper), and from her colleagues (Homeland's Robin McLeavy, Mortal Kombat's Sisi Stringer and Strife's Lucy Ansell), is hardly straightforward. That the spot where Alice has gone missing is also personal for Falk further complicates matters. Harper hasn't only written two novels about the determined detective. A third also sits on bookshelves around the country — and whether Exiles might also flicker across the screen was part of our chat with Connolly and Bana. We also asked the long-term friends, who worked together on Blueback in-between The Dry and Force of Nature, about their introduction to Aaron Falk, how Bana steps into his shoes, why the character and the tales he's in resonate so strongly, the stunning surroundings each film has taken them to, and the who's who of Aussie talent among the rest of the casts. [caption id="attachment_796115" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Dry[/caption] On First Discovering Jane Harper's Books, and Aaron Falk — and Wanting to Bring Them to the Cinema Robert: "It's interesting. Bruna Papandrea [The Dry and Force of Nature: The Dry 2's producer], who's a very long-term friend of ours, sent me the book and said 'oh, do you think there's a film in this? Would you be interested? It's incredible'. We work together, share an office, and I literally read it that night. Came in the next day, had a chat with Bruna and said 'I think it's amazing'. Then I sat down with Eric for our morning coffee and said 'god, I read this book The Dry'. And he's like 'I read it too, do you want to do it?'. It was so easy. It was one of those effortless gatherings of friends to make a film. And we never imagined that we'd be making a followup film and taking the story of Aaron Falk further. Embarking on The Dry at that point was just incredible adventure, really." Eric: "Yeah, both just fans of the book originally, and then it all just went from there." On What Appealed to Bana About Stepping Into Aaron Falk's Shoes Eric: "I love great dialogue, and when I read The Dry, I wasn't thinking about myself at all. I was also just so taken in by Jane's depiction of the landscape. And as an Australian who who loves travelling through small country towns, I just felt like finally someone gets it — finally someone's nailed it. This is Australia. And then the way the characters were introduced and evolved, and some of the scenes between Aaron and Gretchen [played by Andor and Ahsoka's Genevieve O'Reilly in the film] — I remember reading and thinking 'if they turn this into a film, these scenes would be just incredible. These things would just be incredible to play'. And that voice started in my head of like 'great, that would be a great character. This would make a great film'. And then you just sort of park it. It was given to me by my wife, who reads every adaptation I've ever been in. And then it came up between Rob and I. So I just thought it was beautifully written. I was drawn to the dialogue. I thought it had a wonderful sense of place and had great potential." On Why the World of The Dry, Force of Nature and Aaron Falk Resonates So Strongly with Audiences Eric: "We don't have a lot of whodunnits in Australia. The Brits do it really, really well. I think they engage an audience in a different way to a traditional drama. Australians love heavy, dark drama, clearly. Character-driven stuff. So in some ways, it feeds that beast. But at the same time, I think it appeals to the ego of the audience who want to figure out something. You want to feel smart. And Jane lays these little, little traps, and Rob lays these little misdirections, and you have to be engaged. There's no leaving the cinema for five minutes when you're watching one of these kinds of films. So, I think that's part of the appeal. I really do. And they're extremely visual. The location is such a major character, it inhabits the drama and infects the drama in both stories. I think that makes them unique." [caption id="attachment_796110" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Dry[/caption] Robert: "Landscape is a potent thing in cinema. The success of streaming has thrown down the gauntlet to filmmakers now that we have to make films that are bigger and more epic, and that demand to be seen in the cinema. And so my last three films — The Dry, Blueback, Force of Nature — have all shot on large-format cameras, and we've got big music and big sound design. I'm trying to lift the experience of the cinema so that it can be all-consuming. Because I definitely feel in the books. I love the way that they place character in landscape. The landscape in Force of Nature is very different to The Dry, but they're both films that are all-consuming about place, a sense of place." On Expanding the Cinematic Depiction of Australia's Landscape Beyond the Outback's Red Earth Robert: "I am fascinated by the different parts of this country, and by landscape. And so I think the films I'm making are a bit of a jigsaw puzzle of portraits of different parts of Australia. I love going somewhere and then investigating it with the film. So in Force of Nature, I loved going into this subtropical ancient forest that people have never filmed in, with the camera and with the actors, and with this incredible story that Jane Harper had created, and investigating it with the camera — and then taking that to the audience. I think having grown up in the Blue Mountains and grown up in the bush, I do completely agree with you about showing things differently. Like for me, I had never seen a film about the Australian bush that really transported me into the bush I knew, that I'd been out in as a kid and got lost in and had adventures in. So I brought very much my own ambition to kind of make a love letter to the Australian bush in some ways as well, and to show it in a way that maybe no one had really done before in an equivalent way." On How Bana Prepared to Bring Aaron Falk to the Screen for the Second Time Eric: "It felt like a cheat. I mean, I've never been able to reprise a role before. I had this huge leg up and like 'I've been this guy already'. There's a little less work required. Then it was a case of, well, 'where's he at now and how much time has passed?'. This is more about policing. So The Dry was like he was in his own personal time, not as a police officer, and gets lured into elements of this potential crime that had occurred — and then is suddenly being taken down the path of investigator. Here, it's pure policing, 100-percent policing, him in his natural element. And that leads him into a personal investigation of himself and where he's at in his life, and what does policing mean. What does it mean to ask things of informants? And what are the moral ethics of that? And how does that clash with where he's at? Much to my shock, he's actually quite an experienced older officer in his early-to-mid 50s. There's a nice pension waiting for Aaron. So it's quite a different approach, because he is the vet in his professional environment, which was much different to The Dry." On Balancing the Professional and Personal Parts of Aaron Falk's Story, Helped by the Collaborative Approach to Making the Films Eric: "I think it comes down to what the material is asking of me and of the audience. And conversations that Rob and I will have about what this scene is potentially going say about Aaron, and how can we expand on that when Richard Roxburgh's character and Aaron come together, and what changes we can make to to enhance that. A lot of it is evolving when you're in the film as well, and that's why it's great having that collaborative approach, and that things aren't just locked in that — we can move, and we have the luxury because we've worked together and we're friends, we can navigate that stuff really easily." Robert: "It's a really interesting evolution, probably, in my approach to directing. There's one approach where you turn up on the day and you know what you want, and you've got a plan and a structure to get it. And there's another one, which is to turn up and work and collaborate with people that you have a great creative dynamic with, and use the day to explore the material and discover things in it. It took me a while. My earlier films, I was more anxious, probably, and they were a bit tighter because I was. But as I've got deeper into my career, I've wanted to almost call action and not quite know what's going to happen, be surprised by it. And create a situation, particularly with those five women lost in the bush, take them into a remote place, make it an incredibly tough location — they're out there — and then create situations where the camera is capturing a very real, visceral dynamic between them. So that's probably a great passion of mine — and Eric's right, we've been on the set exploring the scene. It's an evolution that happens on the page. I remember someone said that a script is written three times: on the page, during the shoot and in the edit. So when you have best screenplay awards, what are you judging? Are you judging the script on the page at the beginning, or the script you had at the end of the shoot, or the one at the end of the edit?" On Building Such Spectacular Australian Casts Around Bana as Aaron Falk Robert: "I think I've been very lucky across my career. My wife Jane Norris, one of Australia's leading casting directors, she has helped Eric and I on both these films with the casting. And she very much has an aesthetic, a casting aesthetic, which is that a film can be bedded down with a big actor like Eric playing a big character like Aaron Falk, but that Australian audiences also like seeing some of our great actors we haven't seen for a while — like Deborra-Lee Furness, Jacqueline McKenzie. In The Dry, someone like John Polson [who hadn't acted since 2000's Mission: Impossible II]. But she's always really big on new talent. She said Australians love it. She said 'let's go back to Muriel's Wedding and how we all felt seeing Toni Colette and Rachel Griffiths for the first time, who went on to become massive actors'. She's big on making sure you are championing new talent in the in the aesthetic of the ensemble, which is where The Dry had those great young actors who've gone on to have massive careers. And in this, Sissy Stringer and Lucy Ansell, playing Bree and Beth, have brought this absolute energy. So I think that that combination of experience and new talent, it's just so dynamic. It feels dynamic on set, doesn't it?" Eric: "Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, it definitely does. It was amazing. I mean, we were always really excited by the premise. It was one of the reasons we wanted to make this film. We kept talking about how amazing it would be to have five incredible actors in those roles, and that was going to really carry the the the story. Then Jane's first suggestion was was Deborra-Lee Furness, who's a very old friend of both of ours that we've known for a long time. And we just saw 'oh my god, if we can get her to say yes, we're on our way'. And she did, thankfully. And so it was amazing. They were incredible to work with, all of them. And just sitting in the edit and watching all those scenes — because as the actor, you're not always there on the day — just watching what the women were doing because they were so well-written, but then they were elevating everything and it was just so exciting." Robert: Anna Torv, I mean, we both loved her from Mindhunter. And it's similar, it's like 'do you think she'll do it?'. The excitement of casting is palpable, like when Eric and I — because Eric is producing partner on this as well and across everything creatively — and so as a team, we're all deciding on someone, and then arguing the case to them of why they must do our film." On Potentially Following Up The Dry and Force of Nature with Exiles Eric: "I really can't answer it. We never spoke about Force of Nature whilst we were making The Dry. It was never a conversation, and same with this one. We just wanted to make the best film we could, and for Australian public who gave us that opportunity by championing The Dry to the extent they did. So yeah, there is a third book there. It's Thursday, we're going to try and get through Friday, then Saturday, and then next week — and we just hope this film does well. And then we'll sit down and work out what to do next." Force of Nature: The Dry 2 releases in Australian and New Zealand cinemas on Thursday, February 8, 2024. Read our review of The Dry and Force of Nature: The Dry 2. Images: Narelle Portanier.
Sure they can't compete with the '60s, '70s or '80s in terms of powerful speeches, Sean Connery or gravity-defying perms, but the '90s don't have nothing to offer — and we're not talking in double negatives. This was the decade of music that was all about having fun and going to (drug-free) parties, and now that today's musical landscape is drenched in weightier lyrics it seems there's a yearning to grab this carefree innocence by the high waist of its mom jeans. In the last few months S Club, Aqua, The Vengaboys, the Backstreet Boys and, most recently, East 17 and Shai, have all staged moderately successful comebacks on our shores. C&C Music Factory and Hanson are scheduled to follow suit. Matching outfits and half-shaven eyebrows or not, here are ten more pop groups of the '90s that could, in theory, if you just wish hard enough, have an Australian tour on the horizon. https://youtube.com/watch?v=4NO-h9PFum4 1. STEPS Before synth-pop, there was techno line dance. Steps were manufactured in the late '90s in order to release '5, 6, 7 8' as a one-hit wonder, but the band stayed together for five years before splitting up in 2001. A decade later they eschewed reality television to reform for a four-part documentary series titled Steps: The Reunion, which apparently some people actually watched — Series 2 (Steps: On The Road Again) aired on Sky Living in April this year, following the band as they embarked on their sellout 22-date UK tour. https://youtube.com/watch?v=qZUn-KtTNmA 2. FIVE Formed by the guys behind the Spice Girls and signed by Simon Cowell, Scott, Ritchie, J, Abs and Sean were just made to take out Best Pop Act, Best British Band, Best Single, Best Album and Best Haircut (go Scott!). Apparently J's locks weren't quite so popular, because after an extended hiatus the group announced this year that they would reunite without him ("Four will make you get down now…") https://youtube.com/watch?v=UvjLgjtJKsc 3. B*WITCHED Were B*Witched the ultimate '90s role models? Not only did they reject mini dresses in favour of cultivating a tomboy image, but they taught millions of kids to speak French. Sure the girls were dropped by their record company only four years after the release of 'C'est La Vie', but in an interview in December 2008 Sinead said a reunion was not out of the question. And now that double denim is totez fashun, 2012 could just be the year. https://youtube.com/watch?v=4gAsPT-vgeM 4. 98 DEGREES Aren't these dudes just so real? 98 Degrees formed independently and were later picked up by a record label rather than being manufactured, and refined their harmonies while working as a landscaper, a bouncer, a take-out delivery boy and a stripper. Rumours of a reunion show for the second half of 2012 were denied by Nick Lachey, but Lachey also said he would stay married to Jessica Simpson forever and ever — so there's always hope. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Eo-KmOd3i7s 5. N*SYNC In 2002 N*SYNC went on a "temporary hiatus" while High Tenor Justin Timberlake went about getting crazy famous, and though Lance Bass said in 2007 that the group had definitely broken up, their website continues to keep fans updated on the various members' projects. Could their next one be a reunion? https://youtube.com/watch?v=zDKO6XYXioc 6. BOYZ II MEN What the boyz lack in matching parachute pants and neon accents they make up for in commercial success, selling more than 60 million albums worldwide and smashing the record held by Elvis Presley by staying at Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 13 weeks. Bass singer Michael McCary left the group in 2003 due to health issues but the remaining members continue to dispense emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies as a trio, releasing their most recent studio album Twenty last year. https://youtube.com/watch?v=7eul_Vt6SZY 7. BOYZONE Original member Stephen Gately tragically died of natural causes while on holiday in Majorca in 2009, two years after the band made a miraculous comeback, but the remaining members continue to keep the deliciously cheesy magic alive. Their 2010 track 'Gave It All Away', written by Mika, actually charted on our shores, and 2013 will see them tour a new album to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the band forming. https://youtube.com/watch?v=64xah1qYBYI 8. A1 Just shimmying under the metaphorical limbo stick are British-Norwegian pop group A1, who's first single 'Be the First to Believe' reached #6 in the UK singles charts right as the decade came to a close. The boys split in 2001 when Paul Marazzi decided to take his frosted tips and penchant for road worker orange elsewhere, before staging a December 2009 comeback that led to a string of new singles. 'Just Three Words' was released only last month, featuring Pakistani pop singer Annie Khalid. https://youtube.com/watch?v=k6BU6Nb_vDM 9. THE CORRS Talk about making your parents proud. While most young adults have trouble hanging around their siblings long enough to finish a meal, The Corrs have released five studio albums, including the multi-platinum Talk on Corners. They are also all actively involved in philanthropic activities, and only took a hiatus because two of them are raising families. Considering the recent surge in popularity of folk music — The Corrs' brand is a mix of pop and traditional Celtic folk — perhaps it's a good time for that hiatus to end? https://youtube.com/watch?v=qgi3PkouMxs 10. SIXPENCE NONE THE RICHER The Dawson's Creek soundtrack wouldn't have been the same without them, and neither would the '90s. After reuniting in 2007 and playing a headline slot at something called Greenbelt Festival in the UK, loyal fans including Perez Hilton are still waiting for the album that was originally scheduled to drop in 2010. But with a new release date of August 7, a tour might not be far behind.
Spring is here and it comes with good news — picnics of up to five double-vaccinated Sydneysiders are allowed. With the easing of restrictions in the air, it's time to make the most of those extra daylight hours by grabbing some tasty snacks and tipples, and hitting up one of the beautiful BYO-friendly public spaces in your area. We're spoiled for choice when it comes to chilled outdoor hangouts in Sydney's inner west. So we've teamed up with Rosie Spritz to share some of our favourites. Load up that wicker basket with a lavish spread and chilled bevs and head to one of these spots for some long-awaited catch-ups. [caption id="attachment_653289" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] BLACKWATTLE BAY PARK, GLEBE Blackwattle Bay Park stretches along the Glebe foreshore between Rozelle Bay and Blackwattle Bay, and showcases stunning views of the Anzac Bridge and the CBD. The sprawling parklands offer plenty of spots to chill out and loads of space for dogs to run around (yep, it's off-leash). The park has barbecue facilities if you're keen to pair your spritzes with some grilled snacks (we recommend prawns). Plus, there's a shared walking and cycling trail if you'd like to end your picnic with a stroll. Easily accessible, though never overly packed, this one's a no-brainer. [caption id="attachment_656242" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Low[/caption] CAMPERDOWN MEMORIAL REST PARK, NEWTOWN Arguably the crown jewel of booze-friendly inner west picnic spots, Camperdown Memorial Rest Park is a go-to for locals — and their cute pups. Barely a minute's walk from bustling King Street (where there is a conveniently located BWS for all your Rosie Spritz needs), this neighbourhood haunt wraps around a peaceful old graveyard and church, the walls of which are adorned with graffiti to complement the suburb's grungy aesthetic. The park is at its most magical just before sunset, so get your vaccinated crew together and head there for sundowners. [caption id="attachment_826941" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brooke Zotti[/caption] ASHFIELD PARK, ASHFIELD A cute local spot with amazing facilities, Ashfield Park is conveniently located at the intersection of Parramatta Road and Orpington Street. An expansive park encompassing a sports field, traditional gardens and a recently refurbished playground, it makes for a great spot to soak up those springtime rays while indulging in some simple comforts. Generally one of the quieter inner west picnic areas, it's a relatively safe bet for chilled-out vibes any day of the week. Dust off the WFH blues with a Friday arvo picnic with your pals to put a satisfying full stop in the workweek. [caption id="attachment_826973" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brooke Zotti[/caption] BICENTENNIAL PARK, GLEBE Situated on the picturesque foreshore of Rozelle Bay, this idyllic waterfront park is an oasis of greenery. Plenty of wide-open grassy spaces make social distancing super easy, and the stunning bayside views are perfect for staring at the luxe superyachts while you picnic. There are also plenty of leafy trees to shelter under if you've forgotten your sunscreen. Parents will be happy to hear that there's some fenced-off play equipment to keep the ankle-biters occupied. Pups are permitted on-leash, but there is also an off-leash section west of the canal. [caption id="attachment_788794" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Martin7d2, Flickr[/caption] BIRCHGROVE PARK, BIRCHGROVE Birchgrove Park may strike a chord in the hearts of sports enthusiasts as it's the home to the oval where the very first professional rugby league game was played in Australia, way back in 1908. The white picket fence that rings the historic oval is reminiscent of times gone by and the surrounding parkland makes for an ideal picnic spot. The park is located near the Birchgrove ferry stop and offers waterfront views, including a spectacular vista of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It's a tranquil and welcoming space, with plenty of room for you to kick back with a spritz and enjoy the sun. [caption id="attachment_731570" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alexandria Velovotee, Flickr[/caption] SYDNEY PARK, ALEXANDRIA A much-loved park with sprawling greenery, water features, running tracks and rolling hills, Sydney Park contains perhaps the most varied landscape on this list. This gargantuan park spreads across parts of four different suburbs and offers many great spots for a picnic. The ultimate afternoon hangout spot here has to be the massive hill. It's well worth trekking the steep incline to the top to catch the city in all its glory as the sun sets. Though it's often quite a busy spot, the park itself is massive, so you'll have no trouble finding somewhere to set up your decadent spread. Rosie Spritz is an ideal springtime sip and is available at BWS, Dan Murphy's and First Choice Liquor stores across Sydney. For more picnic inspiration, check out our guides to idyllic picnic spots where you can BYO booze in Sydney's inner city, eastern suburbs, lower north shore and northern beaches. Top image: Bicentennial Park, Glebe, Brooke Zotti Remember to Drinkwise.
Don't Tell Uncle brings an exciting take on Indian street food to Cammeray courtesy of co-owners Varan Deep and Jai Singh, the talented team behind Surry Hills mainstay Don't Tell Aunty. The North Sydney venue carries over many of the beloved elements of Don't Tell Aunty: Tso's cauliflower, spiced Indian fried chicken, blue cheese naan and tandoori lamb chops all grace both menus. These playful creations are paired with standards that Singh has perfected across his years at both Don't Tell Aunty and Annandale favourite Surjit's Indian Restaurant. Chutney platters, channa chaat, lamb rogan josh, Kerala prawn masala and Makhni-style butter chicken are all on hand to round out the offerings. For those with a proclivity for feasting, Don't Tell Uncle is here to deliver the goods via a pair of set menus, each providing a delicious sample of everything you want from the array of entrees and curries. And, you can book in for a boozy weekend trip to Don't Tell Uncle with its bottomless brunch. For just $79, you and your buds can enjoy free-flowing wines and beers as you sample selections from the menu — and for an extra $20 a head you can add two hours of margaritas. North Sydney has really stepped up its food game and Don't Tell Uncle is certainly playing its part.
What's set to feature synth-heavy tunes, a big blender, plus Tony Armstrong and Courtney Act chatting Australian audiences through one of the huge music events of every year? In 2025, that's how the Eurovision Song Contest will play out. Another May is in full swing, which means that another round of acts are taking to the stage to compete for Europop glory. Flying the flag for Australia at the 69th Eurovision: Go-Jo with the song 'Milkshake Man'. The place: Basel in Switzerland, thanks to Nemo winning Eurovision 2024 with 'The Code'. And the dates for your diary: Wednesday, May 14–Sunday, May 18 Down Under. The event's 2025 semi finals take place at 5am Australian time on Wednesday, May 14 and Friday, May 16, with Go-Jo featuring in the second. Then, this year's winner will be crowned on Sunday, May 18. To watch along from home, you'll be heading to SBS and SBS on Demand — which is where Armstrong and Act come in. As announced back in April, the pair are fronting the Aussie commentary team this year, with the ex-AFL footballer-turned-TV presenter (Eat the Invaders) teaming up with the Australian Idol and RuPaul's Drag Race alum to guide audiences through the full 2025 Eurovision experience. Act was part of the 2024 coverage, too, as SBS's backstage Eurovision correspondent. Go-Jo, aka Marty Zambotto, was named in February as Australia's latest entrant. While you might've been among the folks helping his single 'Mrs. Hollywood' notch up 60-million digital streams and one-billion views, he's performing 'Milkshake Man' at Eurovision. Enter that big blender for the Manjimup-raised, now Sydney-based performer, another former footballer (in the West Australian Football League), who was the ninth most-streamed Australian artist in the world in 2023. "The Milkshake Man's purpose is to inspire people to embrace the loudest and proudest version of themselves, and I can't think of a better place to share that message than the Eurovision stage. It's an absolute dream come true to represent such a beautiful and diverse nation, and I've never been more excited to share my art and vision with the incredible Eurovision fans around the world," said Go-Jo when he was announced at 2025's Aussie competitor. And that blender? It's part of Go-Jo's staging, and measures four metres in height — with Australia going big, literally, to mark ten years since first competing in Eurovision when Guy Sebastian entered the 2015 contest with 'Tonight Again'. [caption id="attachment_1003691" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jason Henley[/caption] For newcomers, Eurovision started back in 1956 as a competition between a mere seven nations. Now, nearing seven decades later, it's a glitter-strewn and spandex-fuelled global musical phenomenon. Thirty-seven countries not only in Europe but from elsewhere are competing in 2025 — hello Australia — and viewers tune in en masse to watch, sing along and add new pop tunes to their queues. When Go-Jo performs his track in the semi final, he'll be up against performers from Ireland, Austria, Greece, Denmark, Finland, Montenegro, Latvia, Armenia, Lithuania, Malta, Georgia, Czechia, Luxembourg, Israel and Serbia. If he then makes his way through to the grand final, he'll be one of only 21 acts making the cut,. France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Switzerland are automatically guaranteed spots. You have choices if you're keen to watch — depending on whether you want tear yourself out of bed before it's light. If you want to view the proceedings live, you can from 5am on the relevant days. Streaming replays will also be available mid-morning. Or, if you can somehow manage to avoid the internet and social media, both semis and the grand final will also screen in primetime across Friday–Sunday. Can't decide whether to beat the sun or wait and host a party at sensible hour? It's worth remembering that Australians can indeed vote for Eurovision, but only until around 18 minutes after the last song is performed in each live semi-final broadcast and about 40 minutes after the last track ends in the grand final. Voting is open to everyone in all finals — whether you're from a country participating in that final or not — and the artists who get through from the two semi finals to the grand final will be solely chosen by the audience at home. Still remaining the same: the rule that says Australians can't actually vote for Go-Jo, because no one can vote for the country they represent. [caption id="attachment_1003694" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nick Wilson[/caption] "I'm so excited to jump into the world of Eurovision with the one and only Courtney Act, who has already taken me under her wing. I'm definitely not envious of her brilliance and my jealousy won't make it on screen I promise. Eurovision holds such a special place in so many hearts around the world. I look forward to being a part of the spectacle along with Courtney," said Armstrong when his Eurovision hosting gig for SBS in 2025 was announced. "I was not prepared for how much I would enjoy Eurovision last year — and this year I'm back, now with everyone's favourite IT man Tony Armstrong (who I can confirm is just as delightful and dashing in real life as you'd expect). I'll be offering my commentary expertise on every costume reveal, key change, wind machine and pyro moment I know Switzerland will deliver. Tony's already taught me a thing or two about team sport energy, and I'll be returning the favour with a crash course in camp," added Act. Eurovision 2025 Broadcasts Live broadcasts: Semi final one: 5am AEST on Wednesday, May 14 on SBS and SBS on Demand Semi final two: 5am AEST on Friday, May 16 on SBS and SBS on Demand — featuring Go-Jo Grand final: 5am AEST on Sunday, May 18 on SBS and SBS on Demand Streaming replays: Semi final one: from 8.30am AEST on Wednesday, May 14 on SBS on Demand Semi final two: from 8.30am AEST on Friday, May 16 on SBS on Demand — featuring Go-Jo Grand final: from 10.30am AEST on Sunday, May 18 on SBS on Demand Prime-time TV 'access all areas' broadcasts: Semi final one: 7.30pm AEST on Friday, May 16 on SBS Semi final two: 7.30pm AEST on Saturday, May 17 on SBS — featuring Go-Jo Grand final: 7.30pm AEST on Sunday, May 18 on SBS SBS' Eurovision 2025 coverage runs from Wednesday, May 14–Sunday, May 18. For more information, head to the broadcaster's website — and for more information about Eurovision, head to the event's website. Eurovision rehearsal images: Alma Bengtsson / Sarah Louise Bennett / Corinne Cumming.
Emma's Snack Bar in Enmore has a friendly, casual vibe and a full menu of mezze — this is Lebanese dining that always pleases. The retro interior draws inspiration from the local takeaway model; there's fluorescent signage, a blackboard menu, counter dining and a takeaway window when you're just too daggy to go inside. Another thing to note is that it's absolutely packed. Good thing it's mostly locals, so it's just a short (and sad) walk home if they forget to make a booking. The menu is designed for a relaxed pick and nibble while you sip on a glass of wine. With hummus being the staffroom lunch staple it is these days, Emma's has spiced things up by creating four different versions — our favourite being the spicy one. The garlic dip is another must-order, with so much pure garlic, it'll make you tear up a little. The oven-roasted eggplant features garlic and Lebanese spices to make a tangy, textural feast, while the spiced fried cauliflower with tahini is little short of perfection. Everyone wants more of the Moorish Chicken, which sees marinated chicken stuffed into a parcel of crispy pita. Sadly, it's cut into four slices, so you've really got no option but to share it with your 'friends'. Behold, the kebab arrives. Unwrapping the delicate paper folds reveals that this is no ordinary kebaby. A never-dry fet of falafels lie cradled in a bread blanket, lovingly tucked in with fatouche, pickles and a creamy thini sauce. It's fresh and heavenly, one of the few kebabs you'll ever eat without remorse. Although Emma's Snack Bar is a relaxed joint, the menu is all about the fine art of snacking, so don't expect generous platters of greasy food, and don't turn up at 2am (or really, really drunk) either. This is mezze so good you're sure to come back for a double dip. Images: Arvin Prem Kumar
Mucho Hospitality Group, the team behind some of Sydney's most beloved bars (Cantina OK!, Tio's and The Cliff Dive) has added another notch to their belt with Bar Planet, an exciting cocktail bar on Enmore Road. Located on the Newtown end of the bustling street, this tiny cocktail bar swaps margaritas for martinis. The signature Bar Planet Martini is made with a seasonal gin the team has created with Poor Toms distillery named the Infinite Spirit, served with an olive and citrus from a lemon rind. Always accompanied by a bag of seasoned popcorn, the drinks menu is short but self-assured. You can also make a martini your way with a range of gin and vodka options, or opt for something fruitier. Like the Scorpino for example, which is made from a mix of P&V prosecco, vodka and an in-house gelato based around a different market fruit each week. Food-wise, Bar Planet has partnered with its neighbouring Newtown institution Saray to bring patrons Turkish pizza and kebabs to pair with their cocktails. If your stomach begins to growl mid-way through your third martini, just place an order with the bar staff for whatever your heart desires from the Saray menu and the Bar Planet team will ensure it's brought down the road to you. Yes, that means you can order one of Sydney's best martinis and a mixed snack pack together at the same time. The small bar lies next to a street art-adorned alleyway leading down to another recent Newtown addition Uncanny. Leading patrons in with the glow of its neon blue sign, the bar throws together hallmarks of bistros and diners with psychedelic patterns, enlisting the team that created Restaurant Hubert and Alberto Lounge's interiors to bring it to life. And, adding to the psychedelic feel, the bar top has been designed by accomplished local artist David Humphries, mixing surfboard resin, marble, jade and French glass to create a delight for the eyes. Images: Nikki To Updated Tuesday, March 21, 2023. Appears in: The Best Bars in Sydney
When December 2023 hits, it will have been four decades since David Byrne walked out onto a Hollywood stage with a tape deck, pressed play and, while standing there solo, began to sing 'Psycho Killer'. It'll also be 40 years since then-future The Silence of the Lambs Oscar-winner Jonathan Demme directed cameras towards the legendary Talking Heads' frontman, recording the results for concert film Stop Making Sense. What's the best way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the event behind the greatest concert film ever made? By watching it, as A24 is here to help with. As well as releasing Close, Beau Is Afraid, You Hurt My Feelings, Past Lives, Beef and smash-hit Australian horror movie Talk to Me in 2023, the cult-favourite independent film and TV company is bringing a completely restored version of Stop Making Sense back to the big screen where it belongs. Madman is distributing the concert flick Down Under, where it'll get everyone wanting to wear big suits from Thursday, November 9. When it starts burning down select picture palaces around Australia, all 88 glorious minutes of Stop Making Sense will screen in 4K, as premiered at this year's Toronto International Film Festival — and also has a date with SXSW Sydney's Screen Festival in October. So, no it isn't the same as it ever was: Stop Making Sense is now even better. Stop Making Sense isn't just iconic for how it starts, which definitely isn't how concerts usually kick off. From there, as captured at Hollywood's Pantages Theatre in December 1983, David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz and Jerry Harrison put on one helluva show in support of their previous year's album Speaking in Tongues. Expect a lineup of hits, a playful approach, Byrne's famous oversized attire and even heftier stage presence, and the feeling that you're virtually in the room. Indeed, everything about this energetic and precisely executed documentary, which records the set from start to finish, couldn't be further from the standard concert flick. As 'Once in a Lifetime', 'Heaven', 'Burning Down the House', Life During Wartime', 'This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)', 'Genius of Love' and more get a whirl, each element of the film is that fine-tuned, and every aspect of the band's performance, too. And if it feels like Byrne was on-screen not that long ago, that's because his Spike Lee (Da 5 Bloods)-directed solo concert movie American Utopia did the rounds of Aussie cinemas back in 2020 — and proved one of that year's absolute best films. Check out the trailer for Stop Making Sense's 4K restoration below: Stop Making Sense will screen in Australian cinemas from Thursday, November 9. Images: Jordan Cronenweth, Courtesy of A24.
The newest Australian TV show to hit streamers is Stan Original Sunny Nights, and the series is equal parts bizarre and relatable. It follows siblings Vicki and Martin Marvin, played by Hollywood comedians D'Arcy Carden and Will Forte, as they attempt to start a spray-tan business in Australia. After getting into some precarious situations, the duo find themselves in hot water with members of the Sydney criminal underground, fighting to stay alive. It's an outrageous setup, and the show also includes an exploding crocodile, an ex-NRL thug for hire and evil blackmail schemes. It seems far-fetched at first glance, yet audiences continue to be drawn to the crime-comedy genre in droves. Australian shows He Had It Coming, Good Cop/Bad Cop and Population 11 were all released recently, showing the genre is holding firm. [caption id="attachment_1051421" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Lisa Tomasetti[/caption] Principal Psychologist Carly Dober from Enriching Lives Psychology says that the crime setting is so far removed from our everyday lives that it piques interest. "For many of us, this is a world we will only be spectators of and there is a fascination with how the criminal underworld operates. Without ever having to step into the dangerous world of crime, we can see some fictional depictions that keep us hooked," Dober tells Concrete Playground. "Escapism isn't a bad thing, it can be helpful to be distracted sometimes from day-to-day stressors. Plus, it's culturally relevant and keeps us with things to talk about with people." In the same way, watching comedy can tickle parts of your brain that make you feel good, which is why audiences seek out lighthearted content to unwind. "Comedy and things we find to be humorous lights up the pleasure centres of the brain. Like sex, or delicious food, laughing at something we find funny makes us feel good and creates a rush of endorphins," Dober adds. "It can also be a mood lifter and provide an adaptive coping strategy to dealing with stress." [caption id="attachment_1051422" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Lisa Tomasetti[/caption] Family is at the heart of Sunny Nights, with the Marvin siblings bickering throughout. Vicki has confidence in droves and tends not to consider other people's feelings, while Martin is slightly pathetic and has a tendency to let people walk all over him. Their main criminal nemesis, Mony (Rachel House), is also driven by her love for her brother Kash (Miritana Hughes). In the same way that audiences are drawn to the crime and comedy genre, there's also something satisfying about watching a dysfunctional familial relationship play out on screen. Dober says family dynamics can be a "winning recipe", because it creates a sense of relatability — even when placed into a strange setting like the criminal underground. "Everyone has a family — irrespective of whether they are in contact with them or not. There are so many stories that resonate, and given that many are off kilter, this provides relatability to viewers," Dober explains. [caption id="attachment_1047812" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Lisa Tomasetti[/caption] "Viewers do compare their own families to what they see on screen, [whether that's in] positive, negative [or] neutral ways. We might see an example of a family that we would like to one day have, or notice how often our family bickers with one another while watching an absurdist [or] dramatic on-screen family." Considering many Australians have had a busy festive season — whether that's with a dysfunctional family or not — it's nice to have the option to watch the drama on-screen instead of in our own lives. The full season of Sunny Nights is now available to stream on Stan, if you're looking for your next escape from reality. Stream the Stan Original 'Sunny Nights' now, only on Stan By Rachel Choy
Most of us have our favourite neighbourhood drinking den, it's easy to get lost when searching for the best bars in Sydney's CBD. It can be unfamiliar territory for those of us who don't head into the city centre regularly. And even if you do work in the area, you're unlikely to have explored all the bars hidden down laneways, in basements or on rooftops. To help you find the best bar in Sydney's CBD, we've compiled this list that includes all kinds of boozers. Whether you're after experimental cocktails in hotel bars or laidback bevs in unpretentious surroundings, we've got you sorted right here. Recommended Reads: The Best Bars in Sydney The Best Wine Bars in Sydney The Best Pubs in Sydney The Best Restaurants in Sydney's CBD
The Crows Nest sister of the CBD's longrunning Small Bar is as warm and cosy as you would expect. And this is despite it actually being quite a decent size contrary to what its name may suggest — although that may be more a sign of how Sydney's small bar scene has evolved in the past five years. In a sea of family-friendly restaurants and pubs, Small Bar is a great option for an after-work tipple, first date or catch-up with mates a little closer to home for north shore residents. Venture beyond the exposed brick bar and mood lighting indoors to find a greenery-filled, covered courtyard. The bar offers a decent wine selection, around five labels in each grape variety, at pretty reasonable prices — most hover around the $8 mark for a glass and nothing creeps over $16. For food, you can enjoy loaded fries and selection of small plates — think grilled halloumi, vegan cauliflower wings, sliders or tacos. Images: Trent Van der jagt.
There are few things that scream summer louder than drinks by the beach and Cronulla RSL boasts some of the best views around. Celebrate the longer days with a trip to this southern suburb and enjoy sunset drinks on the balcony overlooking the golden sand of South Cronulla Beach. It's a great spot for watching the die-hard surfers soak up the last light of the day. The club had a makeover a few years back, but its good looks haven't led to pretentiousness — it still has a friendly local vibe and is as laidback as a prawn on the barbie.
Housing shortages in Australia are pushing residents and buyers to extreme lengths. That's old news, but realestate.com.au reports that buyers are moving closer to the shoreline and away from capitals. Fair enough, considering that Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Canberra are among the 100 cities with the highest cost of living worldwide. According to a 2025 study by the Australian Marine Conservation Society, over 85 percent of Australia's population lives within 50 kilometres of the coast. That's not stopping aspiring homeowners from pushing closer and closer to the water, with value booms well underway in coastal towns nationwide, while other suburbs still fly under the frenzied market radar. But which towns are seeing the most excitement? [caption id="attachment_990482" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Courtesy of Lake Macquarie City[/caption] NSW's Port Kembla, with a comparatively generous average median price (AVM) of $1.01 million, saw a 13 percent growth in enquiries in the last year, making it the most in-demand regional suburb in the entire state. It's followed by other New South Wales coastal towns such as Tweed Heads, Swansea, Wollongong, Byron Bay, and multiple suburbs in the Newcastle/Lake Macquarie area. In Victoria, Geelong is a red-hot area, with Newcomb leading (AVM $609,000), and East Geelong, Clifton Springs, Curlewis, and Ocean Grove all seeing growth in enquiries over the last year. Gippsland follows, with Grantville, Ventnor and Coronet Bay all taking other spots in the top ten. [caption id="attachment_890754" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] iStock[/caption] Queenslanders are flocking to the Gold Coast in droves, specifically to Currumbin, Tugun, Southport, Runaway Bay and Labrador — which has the lowest AVM of its neighbours at $1.12 million. The Mackay/Isaac/Whitsunday area is also seeing interest in Bucasia, South Mackay and Slade Point, while the Sunshine Coast is seeing action in Currimundi and Mooloolaba. In WA, the Bunbury region is dominating the market in all ten places, with Quindalup leading by 54 enquiries, a 21 percent growth and with an AVM of $1.883 million. In South Australia, Port Augusta is the most sought-after location, with 41 enquiries per listing, while Devonport in Tasmania leads with 48 enquiries per listing. This article references data from PropTrack, as reported on by realestate.com.au. Lead image: FiledIMAGE via iStock
Set within the walls of the old Sebel Townhouse — once the beating heart of Australia's music industry — Divino Osteria brings a slice of homely Italian charm to Elizabeth Bay. Owner Anthony Alafaci has reimagined the storied space as a welcoming neighbourhood eatery that's all about warm, attentive service and traditional southern Italian flavours. Sicilian-born Head Chef Andrea Di Stefano has crafted a menu that showcases honest, home-style recipes prepared with finesse. Expect handmade pasta, stone-baked pizza from a hand-built brick oven, oversized ravioli filled with wagyu sirloin, and slow-cooked sauces that carry generations of flavour. Dishes like the signature costoletta d'agnello (a herb-crusted lamb cutlet with beetroot puree and potato terrine) speak to a chef who isn't afraid to break from tradition. To drink, you'll find a thoughtful list of sustainable wines from Italy, Australia, France and New Zealand. The cocktail list mirrors the food menu in that you'll find both traditional classics, like limoncello spritz, alongside reimagined classics, like the Aperol margarita or the mango-infused amaretto sour. Whether you're coming in for a slow Sunday lunch or a lively midweek dinner, Divino Osteria welcomes you to enjoy good food and good company, the southern Italian way. Images: Guy Davies.
Sydney Theatre Company has lifted the curtain on Folio, an appropriately dramatic bar and supper club set inside the Roslyn Packer Theatre. Inspired by the great theatre bars and speakeasies of New York, the sleek Walsh Bay venue is designed to be far more than a pre-show pitstop, welcoming anyone in search of an elegant hideaway for cocktails, bar snacks and late-night conversation. Designers Like Minds Studio have wrapped the room in a rich palette of plums, reds and golds, creating an atmosphere that evokes sitting inside a negroni. Plush velvet banquettes, chrome-edged tables and an ornate walnut-and-marble bar form a warm, enveloping backdrop, while deep-plum leather drapery reimagines the classic stage curtain as a central motif. Soft lighting and an amphitheatre-like seating arrangement set the tone for lively pre-show drinks and intimate nightcaps alike, backed by modern jazz and the occasional DJ or live set. The sense of theatre extends to a cocktail menu by award-winning bar consultant Charlie Ainsbury. Reimagined classics anchor the offer: the House Bellini, for example, sees seasonal fruit sorbet and prosecco whisked to order at the bar, while the ice-cold Flame of Love martini is poured tableside and finished with a flamed orange zest. The Infinity Old Fashioned presents a tempting proposition for whisky fans — a build-your-own old fashioned in which your chosen whisky is mixed with a mother blend of every whisky on the back bar, ensuring no two pours are ever the same. The food offering takes its cues from late-night supper clubs — like the cocktails, the menu is built around familiar dishes given a contemporary spin. Start with cold cuts from LP's Quality Meats or Yamba prawns roasted with curry mayo, before moving to heartier fare like David Blackmore wagyu lasagna crowned with truffle pecorino, the hefty Folio Burger stacked with Pino's smoked bacon and served with a fried pickle, or playful late-night classics like poutine, buttermilk fried chicken and confit garlic bread. Dessert keeps the drama going, led by a chocolate mousse with whisky miso caramel served tableside from a big bowl. Open Wednesday to Saturday (and whenever performances run), Folio sits in the heart of the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, adding an elegant and quietly theatrical new layer to one of Sydney's most beloved cultural neighbourhoods. [caption id="attachment_1053282" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trent van der Jagt[/caption] Images: Trent van der Jagt.
On the corner of Oxford and Crown Street sits an unassuming cafe. At first glance, it looks like the kind of place serving up second-rate coffees to undiscerning commuters. But, look closer and you'll find not all is what it seems. Single O batch filter. Katsu sandos on fluffy white bread. Scrambled eggs topped with edamame and yuzu mayo. Sydney, meet Sandoitchi. Located in a section of Darlinghurst noticeably lacking good coffee, especially since the closure of Edition, Sandoitchi is pairing quality cups of joe with Japanese-inflected fare worth trekking up Oxford Street on your lunch break for. If you do make said trek, let us make a suggestion: order one of the many katsu sandos on offer. Sydney isn't short on good versions of this humble Japanese sandwich, but this one's a particularly good, and slightly untraditional, take. Served with all the standards — crustless white bread, a hunk of panko-crusted patty of your choice — spanning from classic chicken to premium wagyu and bone marrow with cabbage and sweet and sour miso mayo — the classic pork katsu sando also arrives piled high with pickled carrot, American cheese and nori. Those looking to bypass the bread can order their katsu as a poké bowl, with brown rice, miso corn and shiitake topped with either pork or chicken katsu. Or, if you're searching for something meat-free, order the eggplant katsu salad bowl. For dessert options — or if you're feeling fruity — the strawberry sando is an absolute classic. Chefs Sam Lawrie and Pureephat "Bhass" Kraikangwan, and Saowanit "Ying" Boonrod originally opened the cafe while spreading their time out between the Oxford Stree favourite and CBD Thai restaurant Long Chim, keeping themselves awake during their double shifts with a steady supply of Single O Paradox (Sandoitchi's house-blend for milk coffee) and cold brews spaced out between shots of fresh ginger, carrot and orange juice. Or, possibly fuelled by Sandoitchi's hot chocolates made with 70-percent dark chocolate from Melbourne's Mörk. Either way, the trio has drummed up enough energy, skill and charm to create a cafe that's a far cry from the humdrum corner store it first appears. Images: Trent van der Jagt. Appears in: The Best Cafes in Sydney The Best Japanese Restaurants in Sydney
Lunar New Year is about gathering around the table and sharing food and festivities. For Steve Wu, executive chef of the Lotus Dining Group, it's the most important celebration of the year — one centred on family, connection and flavour. Ahead of Lunar New Year on Tuesday, February 17, Steve has created two Asian-inspired dishes designed for celebratory meals at home. These two recipes reflect how Lunar New Year cooking continues to evolve with bold, modern flavours, while staying rooted in the rituals that bring people together. From the wok-fried wasabi wagyu beef to the sealed scallops with wasabi mayo, both are full of flavour and designed to be shared, making them well-suited to the long, festive meals that define Lunar New Year. WOK-FRIED WASABI WAGYU BEEF WITH THAI BASIL Ingredients: For the Sauce 55g soy paste (thick soy sauce) 25g palm sugar 22g soy sauce (light soy sauce) 7g black vinegar 10g S&B Wasabi Paste For the Marinade 200g Wagyu flank steak 5g oil 2g soy sauce 2g potato starch For the Dish 10g cooking oil for wok 50g asparagus 50g baby corn 20g onion 10g fresh chilli (sliced) 3g Thai basil Method: Prepare the Sauce Combine the soy paste, soy sauce, and palm sugar in a small saucepan. Gently heat the mixture over low-to-medium heat, stirring until the palm sugar is completely melted and the sauce is homogenous. Do not boil. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the sauce to cool down completely. Once cooled, stir in the black vinegar and S&B Wasabi Paste. Set the sauce aside. Prepare and Marinate the Wagyu Beef Trim the Wagyu flank steak and slice it against the grain into pieces approximately 4 x 2 x 0.5 cm. In a bowl, toss the sliced beef with the 2g of soy sauce and potato starch until well coated. Finish the marinade by stirring in the 5g of oil to coat the beef slices and prevent them from sticking together. Allow the beef to marinate at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before cooking. Stir-fry the Vegetables Warm up your wok over medium-to-medium-high heat. Add the 10g of cooking oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add the asparagus, baby corn, and onion. Stir-fry the vegetables for about one minute until they start to soften slightly and take on some colour. They should still be crisp. Transfer the half-cooked vegetables to a clean plate and set aside. Sear the Wagyu Beef Use the same wok (ensure it is still hot). If necessary, add a tiny bit more oil. Increase the heat to high. Add the marinated Wagyu beef slices in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding and steaming). Sear the beef for about 30 to 60 seconds per side, depending on the thickness and your desired doneness (Wagyu is best served medium-rare). Finish the Wok Fry Add the stir-fried seared beef and vegetables together. Add the sliced chilli. Toss briefly. Pour in the prepared sauce (you may not need all of it; add to your preference). Toss quickly to coat everything evenly. Immediately add the Thai basil leaves. Toss for a final 5 to 10 seconds until the basil is wilted and fragrant. Serve on a plate. Steve's chef tip? "If you want to add some more spice, mix in 10g of wasabi with the marinade." LUNAR NEW YEAR-STYLE SEALED CALLOP WITH S&B WASABI AND MAYO Ingredients: For the Wasabi Mayonnaise Sauce 40g mayonnaise 5g lemon juice 10g honey 5g yellow mustard 4g S&B Wasabi Paste 1g salt For the Dish 6 pieces sashimi-grade scallops 50g red capsicum (diced finely) 50g yellow capsicum (diced finely) 30g fresh pomelo segments (segments peeled and gently broken) 60g cucumber ribbons 2g micro lemon balm Cooking oil: As needed for searing Method: Prepare the Wasabi Mayonnaise Sauce In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, honey, yellow mustard, S&B Wasabi Paste, and salt. Whisk vigorously until all ingredients are fully incorporated, and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the wasabi or salt if needed. Set the sauce aside. Prepare the Scallops for Searing Before cooking, gently pat the scallops completely dry using paper towels. This step is crucial for achieving a good sear. Sear the Scallops Place a frying pan over high heat until hot. Add a small amount of cooking oil. Once the oil is shimmering and almost smoking, reduce the heat slightly to medium-high. Place the scallops in the pan, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Sear both sides for 45 to 60 seconds per side, depending on your preferred internal temperature (aim for a deep golden crust). Rest the Scallops Immediately remove the seared scallops from the pan and place them on a kitchen paper towel for about one minute. This allows the internal heat to redistribute gently, ensuring the centre remains moist and tender. Plate and Serve Slice each cooked scallop in half horizontally. On serving plates, arrange a base of the diced capsicums, cucumber ribbons, and pomelo segments. Drizzle or dollop the prepared wasabi mayonnaise sauce artfully onto the plate. Place the sliced seared scallops on top of the sauce and vegetable mix. Garnish with the micro lemon balm. Steve's tip for this recipe? "Add a bit of wasabi as is at the end of preparing the dish to give it some extra punch." Feeling inspired by Steve's recipe? For the tenth year in a row, Asian Inspirations is hosting the Lunar New Year Cook Snap Win competition. There are $20,000 in prizes to be won, including the grand prize: the ultimate foodie travel adventure for two. Head to the Asian Inspiration website to learn how you could win big. Discover more recipes. Image credit: Josh Mullins
Sydney loves all things bottomless — from bao at Bondi's Easy Tiger to lunch at RAFI overlooking URBNSRF and brunch at Balmain's Casa Esquina. We can't blame you. Paying one price, then eating and drinking to your heart's content – surrounded by mates doing the same — makes eating out simple. So, it's no surprise that bottomless steak and frites at Surry Hills' French brasserie Armorica has been a big hit. And, because it's incredibly popular, it's not going anywhere. That's right — now there's always the option to pop down to Armorica any Monday night and swap 59 bucks for as much steak and as many fries as you can handle. Why not get a head start on your working week with a massive protein hit? While you're there, you'll have more than 400 wines to consider trying. Plus, there's every chance you'll be sorely tempted by the dessert menu (even after all that meat), especially the divine Armorica chocolate bar — an explosion of Valrhona chocolate mousse with salted caramel and choc chip cookie.
The idea behind The Lume was always a stunner, giving Australia its first permanent digital-only art gallery. When the Melbourne venue started welcoming in patrons in 2021, it lived up to its immersive, multi-sensory promise, initially with a spectacular Van Gogh exhibition that let visitors feel like they were walking right into the artist's work, and then with the French impressionism-focused Monet & Friends Alive. The next showcase set to grace the site's agenda has those past shows beat, however, heroing First Nations art and music. When Connection opens on Friday, June 23, it'll feature more than 110 Indigenous visual and musical artists in a dazzling fashion. At this Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre gallery, the art gracing its walls tower over patrons, with the space filled with large-scale digital pieces. And Connection will be full thanks to more than 550 works — digitals and originals alike. Set to feature: art by Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Tommy Watson, Anna Pitjara, Lin Onus, Sarrita King, Kate Constantine, Wayne Qulliam, Clifford, Gabriella and Michelle Possum Nungurrayi, and many more, in a walk-through exhibition that'll present its pieces through the themes of land, water and sky Country. Their work will score a soundtrack by Yothu Yindi, Archie Roach, Emily Wurramara, Gurrumul, Alice Skye, Baker Boy and others, plus composers such as William Barton. Grande Experiences, the company behind The Lume and its touring exhibitions — Van Gogh Alive made its way around Australia, and Monet in Paris is about to do the same from June — says that Connection will boast the largest representation of First Peoples art and culture ever assembled. It'll span over 3000 square metres, and its remit is just as sizeable: highlighting pieces by past and present artists, and surveying the entire country and Torres Strait. Shining a spotlight on emerging talents while showing their work alongside their inspirations is another key mission. "The technology Connection uses breaks down a lot of barriers to entry," says Constantine, a Gadigal artist of the Eora Nation. "A lot of people like Aboriginal art because it is colourful or pretty, but a lot of people are quite challenged by Aboriginal art too, by not knowing or understanding how to interpret it or not feeling like they have permission to be involved. Connection is just so inclusive." "I see Connection as this beautiful collection of storytellers sharing our culture with the world the way that our ancestors have taught us to do," adds Professor Wayne Quilliam, a NAIDOC Indigenous Artist of the Year, who is contributing digital storytelling via drone, photography and art to the exhibition. If it sounds familiar, that's because a smaller version premiered at the National Museum of Australia in 2022, with Grande Experiences joining forces with the Canberra gallery. Connection also benefits from an advisory panel featuring Constantine, Quilliam, King, Aboriginal art specialist Adam Knight, the National Museum's lead Indigenous curator and academic Margo Ngawa Neale, arts executive Rhoda Roberts AO, and designer and film producer Alison Page. Fingers crossed that Connection takes its show on the road, too, after thoroughly wowing The Lume. Connection opens at The Lume, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 5 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf, Melbourne, on Friday, June 23 — head to the venue's website for tickets and further information.
Just picked up a book, can't wait to read it, and in search of the perfect armchair? Having recently celebrated their bicentenary, the folks at Berkelouw in Paddington are proving that book selling is far from a dying art with the launch of Cafe 1812 — a cosy cafe, chic wine bar, and bookstore all rolled into one. Go past the paperbacks, the memoirs, and the Moleskins, and up the flight of stairs. Here's where you'll find Cafe 1812 in all its moody dark-wood glory. Behind the bar there's a dapper aproned barista polishing long-stemmed wine glasses, while out front huddles of studded leather arm chairs and threadbare woven rugs hearken to the cafes of old Rotterdam where Solomon Berkelouw — the bookstore's namesake — traded his first vellum-bound tome 200 hundred years ago. Find yourself a table by the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Oxford Street or perch on a stool at the wine bar and drink up the aged atmosphere. And if all this bibliophilism is making you hungry, there's a cafe-style menu to tempt at all hours of the day. That Gallic ode to a ham and cheese toastie — a Croque Monsieur ($7.90) — arrives griddle toasted and warm with vintage cheddar oozing from its sides. A pearl couscous salad ($9.90) follows, topped with grilled zucchini, salty olives, and a caramel-sweet fig. It's a fresh and satisfying meal in itself. Fancy something more filling? The dinnertime treats kick off at 5pm with a menu that has a European bent. Pastas and mains, including miniature Scotch fillets ($19) served with a buttery smooth mushroom sauce, offer heartier servings for the famished. Alternatively, there are share plates, from beef meatballs with black truffle mayo ($14), and generous cheese platters served with quince paste ($19), to keep the grazers happy. And lest we forget to tell you: it's on Wednesday nights that the cafe really comes to life. Urban hipsters crowd the space as a live jazz band belts out the classics of Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and the like. Sidle up to the barman and he'll whip up a wicked Negroni or recommend something from the extensive wine list; there's over 45 by the bottle and 14 by the glass on offer. Whether you're a bibliophile or a biblio-phobe, there's something to whet the appetite and stir the senses at this trendy cafe-cum-wine-bar that's fast becoming a destination in the east's gentrified enclave.
Celebrated Middle Eastern fine diner AALIA has opened an intimate, wine-first offshoot right next to its main dining room. Overlooking Harry Seidler's modernist MLC Centre on Martin Place, AALIA Wine Room is a walk-ins-only destination in its own right rather than a scaled-down restaurant, offering a more relaxed way to explore the flavours and philosophy that have earned AALIA its two hats. As the name suggests, the focus here is firmly on the wine. An expansive list curated by sommelier Sarah O'Dwyer features more than 230 bottles from emerging and established producers around the world, while a 30-plus by-the-glass selection encourages exploration of lesser-seen varietals and contemporary winemaking techniques. For those keen to dig deeper, Discovery Hour invites guests to settle in for a series of sommelier-selected pours revealed tableside. In the kitchen, Executive Chef Paul Farag distils AALIA's produce-driven Middle Eastern cooking into a tight menu of wine-friendly snacks and small plates. Expect refined, pared-back dishes that echo the flavours of the main restaurant without attempting to replicate the full experience, from basturma, pickled chilli and quail egg gilda to kibbeh nayyeh with rhubarb and buckwheat, and pickled kokotxas with tamarind and Aleppo pepper. A weekday lunch service takes an even more casual approach, reworking familiar favourites through an AALIA lens. Dishes like Murray cod shawarma with toum and pickles, steak frites with café de Cairo butter and a classic beef cheeseburger make AALIA Wine Room a solid option for a smart midweek lunch. Split across two levels, the 42-seat venue mirrors the existing AALIA aesthetic — warm timber, banquette seating, mood lighting and eye-catching tiles all feature — with subtle nods to the modernist masterpiece just beyond the windows. Images: Jiwon Kim.
It's easy to take Sydney for granted as a local. Although you might have worshipped the endless beaches, glorious weather and great leisure opportunities at one point, chances are that infatuation has faded a little with time. If an out-of-towner comes to visit, though, you're going to want to show them all this city has to offer, reminding yourself of the city's many treasures in the process. Sydney is full of restaurants — ranging from total-splurge to pleasantly affordable joints — that are guaranteed to have you and your visitors picking your jaws off the floor. Whether its sweeping ocean views, impeccable cuisine or an award-winning wine list you're after, you'll find it at one of the city's gustatory havens. To steer you in the right direction, we've enlisted help from our mates at American Express to pick out the best places to go when you've got guests in town. Perfect for leisurely lunches or glamorous sundowners, these Amex-accepting avenues all boast gorgeous interiors, stunning views and excellent menus that showcase the very best local cuisine. Not only is your guest's satisfaction and awe guaranteed, you're likely to fall back in love with the city yourself. Double win. Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out.
Keen to spend the game in some sports-loving company? Pull up a bar stool at the London — if they're not all already taken. Despite having scored a snazzy reno in recent years, this pub hasn't lost its down-to-earth character. In other words, you won't be the only fan shamelessly yelling at the big screen in between beers. The London broadcasts all Super Rugby, Wallabies and NRL matches live. On the menu is an array of hearty feeds — from share plates loaded with salmon and crab cakes ($21) to peking duck pizza ($24). Images: Katje Ford.
SXSW returns to Sydney this October, with another stacked lineup of keynote speakers, thought leaders and visionary innovators ready to explore the bleeding edge of technology, cinema and music. So, with so much to see and do, you'll need a few handy spots where you can catch your breath between thrilling gaming exhibits, debrief about fascinating conference speakers and rest your feet before the next round of live music acts. SXSW will take over various venues around Chippendale, Ultimo, Haymarket, Darling Harbour, the CBD and Surry Hills for film screenings, conferences, gaming events, gigs and expos from Monday, October 14 to Sunday, October 20. There's no shortage of incredible diners in the SXSW precinct where you can refuel and recharge. So to help you navigate your options, we've put together this list of top places to eat for every budget, from cheap bites to baller blowouts.
With so much to see, do and eat around Singapore, you might be feeling a little lost on how to best navigate the city. While Singapore's streets are renowned for being spotless, the humidity sometimes makes it difficult to wander long distances on foot. Get around by hopping on the efficient — and air-conditioned — Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system instead, which runs from Changi Airport in the east to Tuas Link in the west and through major stops such as Marina Bay, HarbourFront, Chinatown and Little India. The trains operate every 2–8 minutes from 5.30am–12.30am each day and are often conveniently connected to large shopping malls, hawker centres or other attractions through covered passageways. Simply use your existing contactless card or Apple Pay to tap on, or purchase a Singapore Tourist Pass (if you're staying for less than 3-5 days) or EZ-Link Card (if you're staying for longer). With the help of Singapore Tourism, we're spotlighting five MRT stops worth hopping off for along your commute, and what to do near each station. [caption id="attachment_981017" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Afur Wong[/caption] Maxwell Located in the heart of Chinatown, Maxwell is a stop along the Thomson–East Coast line. Jump off here to explore Chinatown and some of the city's top hawker centres as you're travelling from Gardens by the Bay towards Orchard Road. You'll find the famed Maxwell Food Centre right next to the station, which boasts over 100 stalls, including the renowned Tian Tian Chicken Rice. If you're still feeling peckish, the Chinatown Complex Market and Food Centre, which is the largest hawker centre in Singapore with 260-plus stalls, and the renovated Lau Pa Sat are both a short walk away. After lunch, take a stroll through historic Chinatown with a self-guided walking tour to see sights such as the Sri Mariamman Temple, Masjid Jamae mosque and Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, with breaks for sweet treats and coffee in between. Marine Parade Further along the Thomson–East Coast line is Marine Parade, where you can walk or cycle through East Coast Park, refuel at Marine Parade Central Market and Food Centre, shop at Parkway Parade, and discover Peranakan culture at Katong-Joo Chiat. East Coast Park offers a range of activities for the whole family, from walking and cycling trails to windsurfing, paddleboarding and skateboarding, as well as a plethora of dining options. Katong-Joo Chiat dates back to the early 19th century and was a hub for Eurasian and Peranakan communities. Step back in time and learn about the neighbourhood's rich history at The Intan (a home-turned-museum), Eurasian Heritage Gallery and Katong Antique House, before snapping some photos at the iconic pastel-hued shophouses along Koon Seng Road. Finish up your day of discovery with Peranakan cuisine at Kim Choo Kueh Chang, 328 Katong Laksa or Old Bibik's Peranakan Kitchen. Bayfront You can't go to Singapore without visiting the iconic Marina Bay area. Stop at Bayfront on the Circle or Downtown lines to explore the whole precinct. At Marina Bay Sands, you can sip a sky-high drink at CÉ LA VI, enjoy a free light and water show at the Event Plaza and dance the night away at MARQUEE nightclub. For a more laidback night, take an evening stroll around Marina Bay to snap a photo at the Here is SG sculpture and explore Merlion Park, which is adjacent to the buzzing Fullerton precinct. While you're in the area, make sure to check out other unmissable attractions, such as the sprawling Gardens by the Bay and innovative ArtScience Museum. [caption id="attachment_980376" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Danny Santos[/caption] Little India From ornate temples to vibrant street art and plentiful shopping and food options, Little India is an energetic cultural hub that's worth a stop on the North East or Downtown lines. Follow the self-guided map and visit landmarks such as the Indian Heritage Centre, Tan Teng Niah House and Sri Veerakaliamman Temple. Along the way, you'll be able to browse for Indian homewares, ornaments, jewellery and textiles. If you're really ready to shop, head to Mustafa Centre, which is open 24/7 and sells everything from home appliances and electronics to camping goods, perfume, vintage collectibles and snacks across six levels. Once you've worked up an appetite, sample some local fare at Tekka Centre, which is Singapore's largest indoor wet market and a hawker centre. Other notable eateries in the area are Podi and Poriyal for cocktails and contemporary takes; The Banana Leaf Apolo, which has been serving North and South Indian cuisine since 1974; and Bismillah Biryani, which has been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand for eight years straight. [caption id="attachment_980381" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paris Chia[/caption] HarbourFront If you continue on the North East or Circle lines until the final stop, you'll end up at HarbourFront. Alight here for outdoor expeditions to Sentosa or Mount Faber Park, with a break for bites at Seah Im Food Centre. Mount Faber Park is one of the oldest parks in the city and looks out across the southern coast of Singapore. With well-paved pathways, you can easily hike or cycle up to the highest peak at Faber Point. Other sites in the park include a rainbow-coloured stairway, two restaurants, cable car rides to Sentosa, a mini Merlion and even a famous public bathroom with views across the harbour. If heights aren't your thing and you'd rather not take a cable car to reach Sentosa, not to worry — you can also reach the island via car, bus, bike, monorail, or even on foot. You're in for an action-packed day once you're there, with attractions ranging from beaches and an aquarium to a waterpark, go-kart track, adventure park, Universal Studios Singapore, WWII fort and role-playing city for kids. Book your Singapore holiday now with Flight Centre. Top image: Paris Chia Photography. All images courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board.
In the heart of Sydney city, you'll find the bright and bustling Haymarket: the epicentre of Asian culture and cuisine. The streets are alive with colour, movement and smells beckoning you from one restaurant to the next. Clusters of caligraphy-covered shops compete for space along the packed streets illuminated by glowing lanterns and neon lights. The smell of garlic frying and meats grilling wafts through the air, as dumpling carts emit a steamy haze. It's all very Blade Runner-esque — and just like that complex sci-fi it can, at first, be a little difficult to navigate. To one side, you'll see Paddy's Markets heaving with bargain hunters; the other, Dixon Street, full to the brim with cuisines from across Asia. But where should you start? Don't stress. Last year, we partnered with City of Sydney and spoke to chef Mori Higashida of tip-top ramen joint Gumshara about his favourite spots around the area. And now, we've teamed up with City of Sydney again to pull out ten essential spots for you to hit next time you're wandering around Haymarket. Read on, take note and make tracks to this inner-city culinary wonderland.
Bar Patron has undergone its fair share of evolution since launching in 2018. Originally opened by Neil Perry and the Rockpool Dining Group, the Mexican-inspired restaurant sat dormant for three years during COVID times before it was revamped under hospitality group Pacific Concepts, now rebranded as Hunter St. Hospitality (The Collective, El Camino Cantina, 24 York). Yet the world's only Patrón-dedicated tequila bar has decided to embrace its name, shifting away from its Mexican dining focus to become a fully-fledged tequila bar. From its airy home in Circular Quay, guests can now expect cocktails to be front and centre, while a tightened food menu complements, not overshadows, what's shaken and stirred behind the bar. The drinks list goes far beyond the basics. Led by Bar Manager Andori Sanchez (El Primo Sanchez) and Hunter St. Hospitality Beverage Director Ali Toghani, a thoughtfully assembled selection of seven signature cocktails draws from varied regions of Mexico, with each designed to showcase a specific area's standout produce and character. For instance, the El Mariachi draws inspiration from Jalisco — the birthplace of tequila — offering a zesty, tropical blend of Patrón Reposado, hibiscus, Campari, blood orange liqueur and mango. Oaxaca, the heartland of mezcal, sets the tone for La Llorona, featuring a smoky, spicy base balanced against pineapple sweetness — another regional staple. There's also El Cielo De Mayo, where the light agave flavours of Patrón El Cielo mix with fresh lime, pomegranate grenadine and apple juice to reflect Puebla's fertile farmland and citrus trees. While the new direction for Bar Patrón has reduced the focus on food, don't assume what remains lacks the same punch that came before. Overseen by Hunter St. Hospitality Culinary Director Santiago Aristizabal, each dish showcases regional Mexican touches and premium Australian produce, ensuring lunch or dinner remains a delight. Order a round of tacos to start, choosing from options like wagyu cheek, grilled prawn and pork barbacoa. Snacks like salty chicharrones and tuna tostada also won't go amiss. For something larger, favourites like Glacier 51 toothfish with adobo, and braised short rib birria are still on the menu. With long lunch specials and happy hours offered throughout the week, swing through Bar Patrón for a cocktail, a casual bite and front-row Sydney Harbour seats. Bar Patrón is open from Tuesday–Thursday from 12–10pm, Friday–Saturday from 12–11pm, and Sunday–Monday from 12–9pm at 2 Phillip Street, Sydney. Head to the website for more information. Images: Steven Woodburn.
As the state capital and one of the region's most vibrant cities, Sydney is bursting at the seams with diverse cultural happenings. Luckily, we're here to guide you. We've rounded up a trifecta of the most thrilling and culturally important experiences over the coming months.
If you've been following Dark Mofo's 2023 lineup announcements, you'll have spotted that the Tasmanian winter festival knows how to serve up multiple courses. First, it announced Florentina Holzinger's dance theatre performance A Divine Comedy back in January. Then, it followed up with the full boundary-pushing lineup in March; however, there was still more to come. So, the fest added a few fresh events in mid-April, and unveiled the huge roster of talent for this year's Night Mass as well. Next on the menu: announcing that Ana Roš is hitting the Apple Isle to headline Dark Mofo's annual Winter Feast. For Dark Mofo newcomers, Winter Feast is all about tucking into local produce by the fire while listening to tunes and just generally enjoying an evening of revelry. It's one of the Hobart-based festival's annual highlights, returning for the 2023 event across eight nights — from Thursday, June 8–Sunday, June 11, then again from Thursday, June 15–Sunday, June 18. [caption id="attachment_898569" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ana Roš | Dark Mofo 2023.[/caption] Attendees will head to Salamanca Lawns and Princes Wharf Shed 1, where 90 stallholders will set up by the feast's blazes. (Concrete Playground Trips' Dark Mofo accommodation package might come in handy — it helpfully includes Winter Feast tickets.) Roš, who folks might know from Netflix documentary Chef's Table, heads to Australia with plenty of well-deserved fanfare. She's the owner of Slovenia's two Michelin-starred restaurant Hiša Franko in Kobarid, and was named the world's best female chef by The World's 50 Best Restaurants academy in 2017. The World Tourism Organisation have also given her the title Ambassador of Gastronomic Tourism. [caption id="attachment_898571" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dark Mofo and City of Hobart Winter Feast. Photo Credit: Dark Mofo/Jesse Hunniford. Image Courtesy Dark Mofo, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Dark Mofo 2018.[/caption] At Dark Mofo, she'll get cooking in a newly built 50-seat structure just for cooking and dining, and she'll have company: Stephen Peak and Rodney Dunn, both from New Norfolk's The Agrarian Kitchen. Peak is the eatery's Head Chef, Dunn is its co-founder, and together they're a key part of a spot that was named Regional Restaurant of the Year at the National Good Food Guide Awards — and also earned two hats in the process. They're particularly passionate about supporting local producers, as well as about ethical and sustainable farming, which will come through on the Winter Feast menu. That spread is set to span four courses, taking its cues from the dishes that that Roš and Peak whip up in their own kitchens. So, expect Slovenian-inspired fare, but made with Tasmania's top seasonal produce. [caption id="attachment_898570" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stephen Peak | Dark Mofo 2023.[/caption] "Both Ana Roš and The Agrarian Kitchen have elevated regional dining in their respective countries by taking a bold and innovative approach to their food. We're thrilled to be able to highlight such incredible artists of the culinary world," said Winter Feast Food Curator Amanda Vallis. As for who'll be taking care Winter Feast's stalls — and what'll be on their menus, and which installations will surround them — that's all still to be unveiled. Expect more details mid-May, ahead of Dark Mofo 2023's Thursday, June 8–Thursday, June 22 dates. [caption id="attachment_898572" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dark Mofo Winter Feast. Image Courtesy Dark Mofo, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] Dark Mofo 2023 runs from Thursday, June 8–Thursday, June 22 in Hobart, Tasmania, with tickets on sale now. Top image: Winter Feast, Dark Mofo 2022. Photo credit: Jesse Hunniford, 2022. Image courtesy of Dark Mofo 2022. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world — including our Dark Mofo tickets and accommodation package.
We get it. Keeping date night interesting can be a task and a half, even in the early days of a romance when you want to prove how fun you are. By the time date three rolls around, things might be getting...serious, so it's time to up the ante with a memorable night out. Apart from having no plan at all, the worst mistake you could make is spending half the night commuting from one place to the next. Our advice? Find one area filled with lots of options and stick to it. Melbourne is better known for its buzzing laneways but Sydney's CBD has its own top-notch network of hidden walkways worth exploring. Tucked away between York, Clarence and Kent streets, YCK Laneways is an enclave of bars and restaurants waiting to cater to your next date night and help you keep that keeper.
If you haven't been to Barrington Tops, a lush NSW getaway spot four hours north of Sydney, then lose no time in making it your next vacay spot. Verdant greenery, intrepid trails to explore, beautiful native flora and fauna, and plenty of adventurous activities make Barrington Tops the ultimate underrated getaway spot, whether you're going with your significant other, your whole family or a big group of mates. Okay, so we know we're spoiling it a bit by writing about it, but we just couldn't keep this one to ourselves. To help streamline the plethora of awesome things to see and do in the region, we've teamed up with Wild Turkey to bring you a few of our faves. [caption id="attachment_843191" align="alignnone" width="1920"] MidCoast Water (Flickr)[/caption] TAKE A BUSH WALK THROUGH THE WORLD HERITAGE-LISTED BARRINGTON TOPS NATIONAL PARK You simply cannot go to this part of the world without checking out the massive national park for which it is perhaps best known. There's a lot of ground to cover — literally — so we recommend doing an overnight hike to explore this diverse terrain. The best way to see as much as you can is to start on the Gloucester River walking track, where you'll see the majestic namesake river (pictured above), gullies and impressive views as well as all manner of native wildlife. Make sure you pack lunch and something to swim in, as you'll have access to idyllic spots for riverside picnics and river swims along the way, too. Spend the night surrounded by ancient rainforest in the Gloucester River campground and set off the next morning on the Sharpes Creek walking track, where you can spot platypus and eastern water dragons. If you're pressed for time (or don't love the idea of camping overnight in the bush), then there are a number of tracks you can easily complete in the space of a day or less. [caption id="attachment_843945" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliot Kramer[/caption] CHALLENGE YOURSELF ON THE CORKER TRAIL If you fancy yourself a bit more of an adventurer, tackle the Corker trail, a challenging walking track recommended for experienced bushwalkers only that runs all the way from the Lagoon Pinch picnic area right across to Careys Peak on the Barrington Plateau. Be warned, it's not called the Corker for nothing, so expect a pretty tough slog through challenging terrain. It's well worth it at the end, though, as you'll be rewarded with a scenic lookout over the snow gums, swamps and wide open grass plains of the Barrington Plateau for a view that will leave you as breathless as the hike did, if not more. The hike will also take you by Wombat Creek campground, a perfect spot to set up camp and spend a night under the stars. [caption id="attachment_843943" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliot Kramer[/caption] TAKE A 4WD TRIP TO THE REMOTE GUMMI FALLS CAMPGROUND High in the sub-alpine region you'll find the remote Gummi Falls Campground, which is well and truly out there in the wild. You'll need to take a 4WD to access this untamed, natural bit of country, but don't worry, there are barbecue facilities and toilets once you're there. Spend your day mountain biking or horse riding through the many trails that surround the bewitchingly beautiful region, and try to spot elusive native fauna like the long-nosed potoroo, spotted-tail quoll and powerful owl. If you fancy a different angle, drop a line in the crystal clear Manning River, known for its abundant supply of freshwater bass. [caption id="attachment_843187" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Doug Beckers (Flickr)[/caption] MOUNTAIN BIKE ALONG THE BARRINGTON TRAIL If you've read this far, you may have already surmised that Barrington Tops is a great spot for mountain biking — and the vast array of rugged terrain and beautiful scenery are arguably even better experienced on two wheels. While you're spoilt for choice in terms of which path to take, we recommend starting with the Barrington trail, a well traversed dirt and gravel road spanning nearly 15 kilometres and, running from Mount Barrington past Brumlow Top and on to Polblue Mountain. On this trail, you'll have access to incredible views, a diverse spread of forest habitats and perfect mountain air. [caption id="attachment_843949" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliot Kramer[/caption] TACKLE THE BLUE GUM LOOP TRAIL, AND COOL OFF WITH A DIP IN A SECLUDED RIVER AFTERWARDS The idyllic Blue Gum Loop trail runs alongside a pristine river and showcases some of the region's finest plant life — the trail is named for the towering blue gum trees that dominate the landscape here and bestow this place with an ethereal beauty. Immerse yourself in their majesty on a leisurely 3.5-kilometre looped trail, which will give you a bird's-eye view of the cascades of the stunning Williamson River from a high steel span bridge, easily accessible from the walk. There's a great spot to stop for a picnic at Fern Creek cascades, and, if you're feeling a bit hot after all that walking, wander down one of the many short detours to find a secluded spot by the riverbank to cool off with a refreshing dip. [caption id="attachment_843198" align="alignnone" width="1920"] MidCoast Water (Flickr)[/caption] GO WHITE WATER KAYAKING ON THE BARRINGTON RIVER RAPIDS If you're chasing more of a thrill from nature, check out the white water kayaking along the surging rapids of the mighty Barrington River. Fed by the pristine, fresh waters that run from Barrington Tops, these rapids rush after periods of heavy rainfall, when the river swells to cover ground it ordinarily wouldn't. Kayaking and rafting tours are readily available, but are subject to rainfall prior, so keep an eye on the weather and get booking when the rain falls. [caption id="attachment_843189" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Russell Street (Flickr)[/caption] TAKE IT ALL IN FROM ONE OF THE REGION'S MANY LOOKOUTS With all of this natural beauty surrounding you, it can be hard to get a sense of the region as a whole. So it's definitely worth your while to check out one, if not several, of the many scenic lookouts that offer an all-encompassing view of this stunning landscape. Devils Hole lookout sits at an altitude of 1400 metres and offers breathtaking views of the dense forestry and undulating mountains beyond. The nearby, and epically titled, Thunderbolts lookout showcases the gorgeous plateau region between Scone and Gloucester, dense with Antarctic beech trees and moss-covered forest floors. Elsewhere, Careys Peak is at the end of an invigorating walking track that will take you through heavily wooded country before giving way to a peak in the Williams Range, where you can survey the ground you've just traversed from a cracking lookout spot. Find out more about Wild Turkey's Discovery Series at the website. Top image: Russell Street (Flickr)
