Thanks to the chaotic weather that saw out summer, the past month has been immensely difficult across Queensland and New South Wales. That includes in the Northern Rivers region, which has been impacted by the floods to a devastating degree. Eager to help? Not sure where to start? Here's an event that'll get you to Byron Bay, showcase the area's fresh produce and put some cash towards flood-relief efforts. Just block out your calendar on Saturday, March 26 and prepare to do your part by attending a long lunch. Taking place at Crystalbrook Byron at 1pm local time, this Flood Relief Long Lunch says it all in the name. You'll hang out at the hotel's restaurant Forest, eat your way through a leisurely two-hour meal, sip cocktails and assist an enormously worthy cause. Menu highlights include oysters paired with a granita made from Brookie's Byron Slow Gin and davidson plum; hand-stretched Byron Bay mozzarella with house-made pickles; that cheese outfit again, this time with a ricotta gelato atop treacle tarts; and zucchini flowers stuffed with green and sundried olives, them battered in Stone & Wood Pale Ale. Your $160 ticket includes two cocktails — and the complete price will be donated to aid locals via Givit.
In excellent news for anyone who loves scouting out new tunes from fresh local talent, the folks at Rare Finds have announced an east coast touring circuit, kicking off in January 2018. The Sydney-based PR and artist management company has long been a champion of emerging Aussie artists, hosting regular showcases in Brisbane and Sydney over the past two years. Now it's teamed up with Oporto and creative collective Pilerats to bring its latest musical finds to a stage near you. Touring once a month across Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, each Rare Finds circuit will feature a curation of up-and-coming acts, providing an all-important live platform for these emerging artists. Headlining the first tour in January 2018 is Sunshine Coast songstress Ayla, off the back of her second EP Let's Talk Monday. She'll be joined by a different lineup in each city: Asha Jefferies, Royal & The Southern Echo and DJ Tom Bloomfield in Brisbane; Otious, Magnets and British India DJs in Melbourne; and Aikonawena, The Longboys and Rare Finds DJs on the Sydney leg. Catch the first iteration of the Rare Finds circuit on January 12 at Brisbane's Black Bear Lodge, January 19 at Melbourne's Penny Black and January 20 at Oxford Art Factory's Gallery Bar in Sydney. Tickets to the Sydney and Brisbane shows are less than $15 and the Melbourne gig is free. The Rare Finds east coast circuit will take place in January 2018 in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. For more info and to buy tickets, visit rarefinds.com.au.
Last week, Concrete Playground reported on a mini-heatwave bringing unusually toasty temps to the Harbour City this week. However, what first appeared to be a temporary reprieve from the winter status quo now looks set to become one of the hottest starts to spring on record, as temperature records for late August have been smashed across the country. Parts of Sydney hit highs of 27 Celsius on Tuesday, August 27 — eight degrees above the predicted average for this time of year. And yet, this unseasonal warmth paled in comparison to the temperature recorded in Yampi Sound in Western Australia on Monday, August 26, where the mercury peaked at a sizzling 41.6 Celsius — the highest winter temperature ever recorded in Australia, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. The previous record was a temperature of 41.2 Celsius, reached at West Roebuck on 23 August, 2020. Elsewhere in the country, local records were also bulldozed on August 26. The outback town of Oodnadatta in South Australia reached a high of 39.4 Celsius, Yulara in the Northern Territory recorded 36 Celsius, and Birdsville in Queensland peaked at 38.4 Celsius — all records for August. Far from being a passing phenomenon, heat in the mid-to-high twenties is predicted to stick around in Sydney well into next week and beyond. Early forecasts predict a high of 28 Celsius on Friday, August 30 and 29 Celsius on Thursday, September 5. The usual average temperature for early spring is 18 Celsius. While the official beginning of spring is September 1, the influence of climate change is shortening the colder seasons. Last September, much of Australia endured a similar heatwave, although the onset began during the middle of the month. On September 19, 2023, the mercury climbed to 35.9 Celsius at Sydney Airport, setting a new record for the highest temperature ever recorded in the city during September.
Sometimes, you need to take a break from your city, to get out and soak up the sun somewhere new. Sydney's sun-plenty northern beaches are the perfect destination, they're bursting with, well, beaches where you can ride the waves, catch some rays and let your worries dissipate. Moreover, there's a thriving foodie scene. Come the weekend, the folks on the beaches will be set up at cafes overlooking the sand, a specialty brew in one hand and a healthy breakfast burrito in the other — and you should be, too. To help you out, we've partnered with Qantas and curated a list of the best cafes on the northern beaches, perfect for your next cuppa. Get away from everything stressful at home, relax, and make the most of your Sydney escape.
Cuteness alert: Martin Place will be overtaken by puppies this week to celebrate International Guide Dogs Day. On Wednesday, April 30, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT will be bringing its largest puppy pop-up to date to the CBD to teach people more about the invaluable work these well-trained service doggos perform. Those who head over will have the opportunity to pat these very good boys and girls, watch training demonstrations, and talk to individuals living with low vision and blindness about life with their guide dog. Attendees can also learn about how the general public can get involved to help break down barriers and create a more inclusive world for everyone, with guide dog handlers and Guide Dogs NSW/ACT staff on site throughout the day. The proceedings kick off at 7.30am with a two-hour puppy training class, followed by one for older dogs at 9.30am. Then, at midday, you can get involved with the young pups' playtime. This year's pop-up will also feature a very special guest star: Gulliver, the world's largest guide dog. The six-foot-long, four-metre-tall fibreglass mascot will help demonstrate the critical role a guide dog can play in someone's life, while also making for a great selfie opportunity. The pop-up forms part of the Guide Dogs NSW/ACT 'Is Inclusion on Your Menu' campaign with the City of Sydney, which encourages the wider community to better understand the legal access rights for guide dogs, with many people in the low-vision and blind community still denied entry to hospitality venues because of their dog.
The Night Noodle Markets has returned for another season, whipping Sydneysiders into a frenzy of tasty things on sticks, bowls of noodles and extravagant desserts from Wednesday, October 7 to Friday, November 6. This year, instead of bumping elbows with hundreds of others in Hyde Park, you'll be able to enjoy the festival's usual lineup of tasty treats at home, in your local park or on a beach. Yes, Night Noodle Markets 2020 is coming to you via delivery. This year, the delivery-only menu showcases eight food stalls which have created special menus for the occasion. Thankfully, many of the festival favourites have made the cut. If you're feeling a bit daunted by all that decision-making and wondering how best to navigate the smorgasbord of eats, we've got your back. Here's our pick of dishes worth trying — get excited for cheesy beef-filled waffles, prawn toast doughies and Korean-style loaded toasties. [caption id="attachment_785200" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Donut Papi leche flan[/caption] LECHE FLAN DOUGHNUT BURGER, DONUT PAPI Sydney's go-to for inventive, Asian-inspired doughnut creations, Donut Papi is returning to the Night Noodle Markets with a fresh haul of crafty desserts in tow. These guys sure aren't afraid to get a little creative, as you'll know from past ingenious doughnut iterations like peanut butter birthday cake, ube Oreo and even garlic bread. But the treat you need to sink your chompers into this month is the leche flan doughnut burger ($10). A slab of lush, sticky Filipino-style crème caramel is stuffed between halves of a sugar-crusted doughnut bun, ready and waiting to ooze upon that first bite. CHEESEBURGER PUFFLE, PUFFLE Everyone loves a quirky, cheesy food creation and this one's as fun to say as it is to eat. A return favourite from last year's markets, and a riff on the egg waffles you'll find at street stalls in Hong Kong, Puffle is a savoury waffle cone made out of cheese and filled with various flavour combinations. This month, Puffle is out to win you over with two different decadent versions of its dish, including the cheeseburger ($18) — an assembly of chopped bulgogi-style beef and extra melted cheese, finished with lashings of sweet and spicy ketchup, mustard and Japanese mayo — and a KFC option with spicy Korean-style fried chicken ($18). But, whichever filling you opt for, you're in for a crunchy, oozy and delightfully messy ride. TUPUC CHICKUR AND NOTORIOUS PIG BAO, BAO BROTHERS A regular favourite at the Night Noodle Markets, Bao Brothers is back again with its modern take on the Taiwanese gua bao. This year, the four-strong menu spans Korean cauliflower, mushroom croquettes and a spicy honey prawn number. But our pick lets you try two flavours in one — the Tupuc Chickur and Notorious PIG. The former is stuffed with fried chicken, lettuce and sesame, then slathered with chilli mayo; the latter tops caramelised pork belly with pickled cucumber, a peanut praline crumb, shallots and hoisin sauce. Nab both for $16. You won't want to share, so be sure to grab a second serve if you're eating with a mate or date. [caption id="attachment_782079" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kera Wong[/caption] WAGYU BEEF DON TOASTIE, TOASTIESMITH Sydney's new toastie-themed takeaway joint — now open in Darling Square and Chatswood — will join the Night Noodle Markets lineup for the first time this year. It's offering up Korean-style sangas that pay homage to Isaac Toast, a chain that serves up this popular street eat. Like in Korea, each loaded toastie is made using thick-cut brioche and comes topped with a fluffy omelette. Of the five options available, our go-to is the wagyu beef and onion don ($12) — it's stuffed with roasted sesame slaw, seaweed and a generous dressing of truffle mayo. Other fillings include shichimi-spiced chicken with smashed avo and pineapple, fried barramundi with tartare sauce and pickled cucumbers, and grilled prawn with corn chips and sweet chilli. PRAWN TOAST DOUGHNUT, DONUT PAPI Donut Papi's menu is really doing it for us this year. While we recommended nabbing the aforementioned leche flan doughnut burger for dessert, Redfern's cult favourite sweet shop is also slinging an extra special savoury option for the Night Noodle Markets. Its prawn toast doughnut takes house-made prawn and fish mince and schmears it on a yeast-raised doughie — which is then dipped in black and white sesame seeds, panko crumbed and deep fried. The dish is also served with a plum and sweet chilli sauce for dipping. This wild new creation is sure to change your mind on what a doughnut is supposed to taste like. The Night Noodle Markets at Home menus are available via Doordash from Wednesday, October 7 to Friday, November 6 as part of Good Food Month. Check out the full food lineup here. Top image: Kera Wong
There's only one thing better than jumping in the car and travelling to a place you've never been before, and that's knowing that, upon arrival, you've got days of discovering epic food and drinks ahead of you. And if there's one area in Victoria that offers a plethora of hot restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs to get around, it's the Bendigo region, which includes Heathcote, Castlemaine, Maldon, Maryborough, Talbot, Inglewood and Wedderburn. This collection of towns feature some of the most gorgeous spots to have a meal or two (or three) and, good news, the region's less than two hours from Melbourne's CBD. So, if you can muster up the energy to leave the couch and head off on a weekend getaway this winter, make it the Bendigo region — we've got you sorted for all the best bars, pubs and eateries to hit up while you're there. TUCK INTO SMOKY MEATS AT THE WOODHOUSE The Woodhouse is, as you may have guessed from the name, all about wood, smoke and fire — so, expect plenty of grilled and roasted meats and seafood, wood-fired pizza and more. This beloved Bendigo eatery boasts several different types of grills, which burn through around 40 tonnes of local red gum per year and bestow distinctive flavours and heavenly caramelisation on everything they come into contact with. Priding itself on its veritably strong connection to the local land, The Woodhouse spotlights some of the area's most revered producers, farms and vineyards. Step into the warm brick dining room, brimming with happy locals and the aroma of woody smoke, and you'll feel right at home. [caption id="attachment_731734" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] HAVE DINNER INSIDE A HISTORIC THEATRE Located in one of Australia's oldest theatres, the Theatre Royal, Lola is an easygoing eatery with simple furnishings and decor, low lighting and food that feels like you're eating a perfect homemade meal at a mate's place. All of the pizza and pasta options are sublime — boasting fresh and innovative combinations while maintaining a rustic aesthetic. After dinner, explore more of what the Theatre Royal has to offer — after a much-celebrated reopening in 2016, the historic building is now a live music venue and cinema and also houses an espresso and wine bar. [caption id="attachment_747407" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Masons of Bendigo[/caption] ENJOY AN ARTFUL FEAST AT MASONS OF BENDIGO Artfully housed in the historical Mason glass factory, this buzzing restaurant places focus on colour, distinctive plating and small-scale local produce. The modern interior by Russell & George, featuring white brick walls, black chairs and bright timber, brings an airy, casual vibe to the upscale meal you'll be eating. Yep, Masons is one of the most relaxed fine dining experiences one can find. Try one of the Roaming menus ($69.50 per person for dinner or a very affordable $36.50 for lunch), which allows chefs Nick and Sonia Anthony to give you a true tasting tour of Victoria's luscious produce, intricately woven together to create edible art on the share-style plates. ENJOY A HEARTY PUB FEED IN THIS STUNNING HERITAGE BUILDING The Bull and Mouth Hotel was closed for a decade until locals Mick and Jo Reid finally reopened it following extensive renovations by a developer. The reopening in 2017 brought a bright, spacious boutique hotel, cafe and restaurant to the area. The hotel, which originally opened around 1904, is historically significant to Maryborough. Its resplendent Edwardian architecture — uncommon for the time in country Victoria — has acted as a historical local meeting place and landmark for years. Today, the pub and eatery is still well worth a visit for its grandeur, its history and its impressive contemporary take on beloved pub food classics. [caption id="attachment_731736" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] SIP WINE THEN SLEEP UNDER THE STARS AT BALGOWNIE ESTATE Balgownie Estate, famed for its cabernet sauvignon and shiraz, is a remarkable one-stop shop if you're looking for a special getaway. This lush, longstanding winery not only offers a gorgeous classic cellar door experience, but it also has a wine museum and a restaurant with an unmistakably French-inspired menu — think twice-baked cauliflower and goats cheese soufflé to start, followed by crispy skin duck breast with ratatouille and house-made petit fours to finish. There's stunning accommodation on offer, too. The winery has permanent glamping tents with top-notch amenities, so you can feel like you're in a luxe hotel room while lounging on the deck drinking vino under the stars and soaking in the beautiful vineyard views. EAT YOUR AWAY ALONG THIS BUZZING LANEWAY Chancery Lane is Bendigo's answer to the much-loved Melbourne laneway scene — but, if possible, it's even more charming. Enter the black Gaudi-inspired gates, designed by local artist Yvonne George, to find a vibrant laneway filled with salons, boutiques and art. You'll also find a great selection of places to eat and drink along here, too. Your first stop should be El Gordo, an incredibly popular all-day brunch and Spanish tapas bar. Here, you can enjoy huevos rancheros, bocadillos (Spanish sandwiches) and a selection of traditional conservas and tapas — think sardines with tomato and stuffed squid in ink sauce served with tostadas. Come dinnertime, make your way to The Dispensary to feast on an array of European- and Asian-inspired share-style plates. You can start with goat and turmeric croquettes or crispy tofu with broccoli before moving on to bao, confit duck cassoulet or charred pork cutlet with ratatouille and pumpkin puree. Peruse the extensive drinks menu or, for something a little different, book in for one of the venue's gin or whisky masterclasses, which will leave you with an in-depth understanding of the selected spirit — and samples, of course. TUCK INTO LOCALLY GROWN PRODUCE AT TALBOT'S PROVEDORE AND EATERY This bright venue chooses not to describe itself as a restaurant or a cafe — it's simply an 'eatery'. This summarises Talbot Provedore and Eatery's mantra for everything: simple, adaptable, everything going back to the absolute basics. Everything that's served, from the garnishes to the wine, is really and truly local — all grown or made within around an hour's drive from the kitchen. Some of it is grown in the community-maintained garden next door to the restaurant, and often Talbot residents and foragers will simply leave boxes of excess produce at the eatery's door. This means there's no menu for you to peek at before visiting, as it changes regularly depending on what produce is in — yet it's all consistently top-notch. HOP BETWEEN THE HEATHCOTE BREWERIES If you're a beer lover, then no Bendigo weekend is complete without a day trip travelling between the impressive array of nearby breweries. Start at Palling Bros — a captivating craft brewery named after Henry 'Rood' Palling, an 1850s convict who developed many of the institutions that established the area. The brewery offers a food menu that wanders far beyond your average pub grub, so you can demolish some gyoza, a pork belly yellow curry and a chocolate porter while learning all about the titular larrikin who put Heathcote on the map. Next stop is the Tooborac Hotel and Brewery. The 'Tooby' is the oldest National Trust listed country pub in Victoria, so there's plenty of history here — the brewery taps pay tribute to the working traditions of settler Australia with titles like the Shearers Lager and the Woodcutters Ale. If you're in need of a feed at this point, the hotel offers classic pub meals, as well as an in-house pie shop. Also worth a visit is Cornella Real, a microbrewery that focuses on traditional British ales. Cornella Real is located at The Shiraz Republic, right in the heart of wine region, so you can hit up the cellar door and taprooms in one go. Finish your visit with a leisurely pizza in the sunshine overlooking the grapevines. [caption id="attachment_731733" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] WANDER THROUGH AN ART AND FOOD PRECINCT The days of the old Castlemaine Woollen Mill being empty and derelict are gone. This is now the spot of The Mill Castlemaine — a creative hub for art and food lovers alike. Inside, you'll find a thriving food precinct including a cafe, coffee roastery and specialist stores for bread, cakes, beer, smallgoods. There is also an artisan and vintage precinct. It's worth putting aside a few hours to spend here, so you can spend time thumbing through the secondhand goodies at Castlemaine Vintage Bazaar and browsing the different art galleries. But when you get hungry, head to Das Kaffeehaus. This spot emulates a Vienna cafe with an element of grandeur. You can eat sausages, cold cuts, Viennese coffee and cake while surrounded by lavish period paintings, gold-framed mirrors and a chandelier. After lunch, make your way to The Taproom. It's a laidback space offering pints of a wide range of beers from the on-site Shedshaker Brewing ranging from classic ales and IPAs to more enigmatic brews such as espresso black lager and a hemp pale ale. Or, if you're more into your vino, pay a visit to Boomtown Wine, a shared co-op where winemakers can come to make (and taste) small-batch, locally sourced wines of all varieties. To start planning your trip to Bendigo — and to discover more of what's happening in the region — head to the Bendigo Regional Tourism website.
Adrenaline junkies, meet your new action sports go-to: a massive three-level skateboarding, BMX, snowboarding, skiing, rock climbing and bouldering facility that'll also mark an Australian-first. Come late 2024, American chain Woodward is making its Aussie debut, and also opening its first-ever international site, with a 3650-square-metre venue in Castle Hill in Sydney. If it gets your blood pumping, odds are that there'll be a space for it at Woodward Sydney, which'll set up shop adjacent as part of Castle Towers Shopping Centre. Think: climbing and bouldering walls, a skate park, mini ramps and a mega ramp, foam pits, a pump track, a spring floor, trampolines and a gym. And, whether you're a professional, an Olympian, aspiring to make action sports more than just a pastime or a complete beginner, the purpose-built centre promises to cater to all ages and abilities. That includes hosting individual classes, programs that span for multiple weeks, competitions, birthday parties and events — and having casual-access passes for folks who just want to give it a go. Plus, for winding down after getting sweaty, there'll be an onsite cafe and bar. "Sydney is the ideal city for our first expansion overseas given its history as a destination that embraces sports and commitment to the action sports lifestyle," said Woodward President Chris 'Gunny' Gunnarson, announcing the Castle Hill venue. "Woodward Sydney will be our most innovative concept to date — and a model for future Urban Centres. Woodward has historically been known as the place to go if you are an aspirational professional athlete, and we want all Woodward locations to be focused on empowering athletes of all abilities and ages to safely progress on a clear path at their own pace using our unique blend of innovative environments, dynamic programming, and passionate staff. Woodward Sydney will epitomise that mission." Also set to be a big focus: encouraging women to get more involved and feel more empowered in action sports, one of the brand's key missions. Woodward started out in 1970 in central Pennsylvania, and now boasts eight venues across the US, including in California, Colorado, Utah, Oregon and Vermont. The New South Wales Government is putting $1.8 million towards the company's first Australian action sports centre, via a grant from the Greater Sydney Sports Facility Fund, with an aim to both increase opportunities for Sydneysiders to get active and support athletes. "Investing in new and existing facilities to improve the quality and quantity of sports infrastructure across Greater Sydney was a priority for the NSW Government," said Minister for Sport Alister Henskens. "The NSW Government recognises the critical role sports infrastructure plays in keeping communities healthy and active. Woodward Sydney will provide an indoor action sports facility which will improve participation and pathway opportunities for emerging and elite athletes." Woodward Sydney will open at Castle Towers Shopping Centre, 22 Showground Road, Castle Hill, in late 2024. Keep an eye on the Woodward website for further details.
The NSW Government will introduce tighter restrictions for gatherings from next Friday, July 24, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian saying the state is on "high alert". This morning, Friday, July 17, new restrictions came into place for NSW pubs and hotels and these same restrictions will be applied to "all indoor hospitality venues" from next week. Group bookings will now be reduced from 20 to ten at clubs, restaurants and cafes, and larger venues will be capped at 300 people (compared to the previous one person per four-square-metre rule). All venues will also be required to have a registered COVIDSafe Plan and a COVIDSafe Hygiene Marshall. Weddings and corporate events will also be limited to 150, and funerals and places of worship 100. Everyone must be seated and there must be "no dancing, no singing, no mingling", according to the Premier. The move comes as 42 cases, as of today, are linked to the Crossroads Hotel in Sydney's southwest and Queensland declares two NSW city council areas — Liverpool and Campbelltown — hotspots. Eight new cases were recorded in NSW in the 24 hours leading up to 8pm last night, two of which were in hotel quarantine. https://www.facebook.com/NewSouthWalesHealth/photos/a.232420926957256/1347007965498541/?type=3&theater "We need to make sure we've contained this virus, we need to make sure we get on top of any potential hot spots or any potential community transmission that might be bubbling away under the surface," the Premier said. "All of us need to limit our activity, all of us need to think about what we're doing, all of us need to think about how are keeping ourselves safe, our family safe and our loved ones safe." The Premier also said that "indoor activities are the greatest threat in spreading the disease", which is why the new rules were limited to indoor gatherings. "We absolutely need everybody seated when they are in a venue... We do not want any sort of mingling, that spreads the disease." The NSW Government says it will not yet change the current 20-person limit on gatherings in homes, but it could be on the cards for the near future. "Dr [Kerry] Chant and her team have recommended that ten is a safe number," the Premier said. "We're not going to change the at this stage, but in the next little while we ask people to be thoughtful about who they welcome, how many they welcome and especially protect those most vulnerable." The new restrictions for indoor hospitality venues and limits on weddings and funerals will be introduced on Friday, July 24. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and to download a COVIDSafe Plan, head to the NSW Government website. Top image: Kitti Gould
Sydney's picnic baskets have had quite the workout so far in 2021, but one of their biggest moments to shine is about to arrive for another year. When Moonlight Cinema sets up its outdoor screen in Centennial Park from early December, it's officially cheese, snack and openair movie-viewing season. The end-of-year mainstay returns from Thursday, December 9–Sunday, April 3 with an impressive batch of films gracing its outdoor setup. Get ready to catch a heap of recent blockbusters, a smattering of brand new flicks and a lineup of Christmas movies. You can't run an openair cinema at the jolliest time of the year without the latter, obviously. The Suicide Squad opens the bill, with the lineup including Cruella, Free Guy and Red Notice as well. Also screening: Edgar Wright's new movie Last Night in Soho, animated sequel The Boss Baby: Family Business, Disney newbie Encanto and the family-friendly Clifford the Big Red Dog. Among the retro fare, The Greatest Showman and Dirty Dancing are on the program; it would't be a Moonlight Cinema season without them, either. And, for your merry outdoor movie-watching pleasure, the Christmas selection includes Love Actually, The Holiday, Elf, The Grinch, Die Hard and Home Alone. It's also worth remembering that Moonlight Cinema is BYO — and there'll be food, snacks, a bar and (if you'd like to pay for them) bean bags as well. And, in great news for movie-loving pooches, you can bring them along, too.
Summer is that excellent time of year when there's plenty to do but there doesn't seem to be as much pressure as the other months. With Christmas out of the way and the stress of work not piling on too strong just yet (hopefully), now is the perfect time to try to get a little more arts and culture into your daily life. We've teamed up with Patrón to put together a handy guide to some unexpected ways you can get in touch with your artsy side in your city. Read on for some hot tips on adding some arts and culture to your after-work agenda — and how to snag a few deals along the way, too. HEAD TO A GALLERY OR MUSEUM AFTER HOURS Galleries and museums are an obvious port of call, but it can be a little tricky to get to one when you work nine to five (and don't want to schlep it back into the city on the weekend). Luckily, plenty of our favourites keep their doors open into the night. In Melbourne, be sure to check out Melbourne Museums monthly after-hours series Nocturnal, and the National Gallery of Victoria's Friday Nights program. Meanwhile, Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art stays open until 9pm on Wednesdays so you can pop in after work and explore the Cornelia Parker retrospective exhibition. Plus, the museum is hosting a pop-up bar with Patrón, which is celebrating the craftsmanship of its tequilas, over the summer. It's open until 10pm on weekdays (plus 9pm on Saturdays and 8pm on Sundays) until February 16. After you wander around the space, you can head to the bar to witness more expressions of art — think interactive performances and VR experiences — and enjoy a Parker-inspired cocktail and some Mexican snacks. Plus, Patrón has teamed up with other bars around Circular Quay, including Bar Patrón, Quay Bar and The Argyle, to create The Art of Patrón precinct, so you can transition your night out into a summery bar crawl very easily. [caption id="attachment_719550" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matt Murphy[/caption] SNAG A LAST-MINUTE TICKET TO A THEATRE SHOW These days, all the big theatre companies and venues are slinging cheap tickets to make it easier than ever to dive into the potentially unknown theatrical world — you've just got to know how to get your hands on them. Across both Sydney and Melbourne, Opera Australia runs an access program for $20 tickets through a ballot. Also in Sydney, every Monday at midday Griffin Theatre releases $20 tickets for that evening's performance, and Sydney Theatre Company's Thirties releases a selection of $30 tickets for all its shows every Thursday at 9am. Meanwhile, the Arts Centre Melbourne's Tix at Six sells $30 tickets from the box office at 6pm every day, and The Friday Forty is a lottery to score $40 tickets to the blockbuster play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at Melbourne's Princess Theatre. Also, keep an eye out on LastTix, TodayTix and HalfTix for more deals. [caption id="attachment_652785" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY AT A SHORT COURSE Taking in all that art can leave you feeling pretty inspired, or like you really need to learn a new skill to feel better about yourself. Whatever the motivation, our cities are crawling with talented creatives willing to share their skills for a small fee. In Melbourne, creative art, craft and design hub The Windsor Workshop runs a bunch of different classes, including haute couture beading, watercolour painting, acrylic palette knife art and ceramics workshops. And in Sydney, Redfern's Work-Shop offers a similarly broad range of classes, like Japanese bookbinding, paper making and jewellery art, while The Pottery Shed will have you throwing clay in its Surry Hills warehouse. CATCH SOME ARTSY FILMS Next up, you can be inspired by films on the big screen and remember that there's more to life than blockbuster franchises. Get yourself a membership to your local cinema to make the most of the available deals. Palace Cinemas has venues all over Australia and movie club members get great discounts and exclusive events — and keep your eye out for cheap tickets there, too, usually on Mondays or Tuesdays. Sydneysiders have plenty of options, with free weekly screenings at the Art Gallery of NSW, $7.50 tickets all the time at Dumaresq Street Cinema in Campbelltown, and $6 tickets for students on Mondays at the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace. [caption id="attachment_653436" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jackson Grant[/caption] MAKE THE MOST OF THE SEASON'S CULTURAL FESTIVALS Of course, festival season is upon us, and that doesn't just mean the big camping and music extravaganzas. Every event at the MPavilion in Melbourne's Queen Victoria Gardens is free, so you can enjoy live music, a life drawing class, morning yoga sessions, Indigenous design forums and dance performances right up until March 22. You can also check out Melbourne's leading LGBTQI+ arts and culture event Midsumma Festival from January 19 until February 9, while those in NSW should be sure to make the most of Sydney Festival's stacked 2020 program, running from January 8–26. The Patrón Pop-up will run from Thursday, October 31 through February 16 (excluding public holidays). It is open every Wednesday through Sunday from 4–10pm. Visit Patron's website for more details.
Your tastebuds are hankering for a soft drink, you also feel like something boozy, and no, a vodka and lemonade just won't cut it. The new solution to this relatable dilemma: El Camino Cantina's Not So Soft Drink Series. You mightn't have even contemplated sipping creaming soda or frozen cola-flavoured margaritas before, but that's what this new short-term menu is all about. Also on offer at the lively Tex-Mex chain's Sydney venues in The Rocks, Manly Wharf, Entertainment Quarter and Westfield Miranda: Pasito-flavoured margaritas, plus a Mountain Dew version as well. You'll be able to knock them back between Tuesday, June 1–Sunday, August 1 — in 15-ounce and 25-ounce glasses topped with a Grand Marnier float, in tasting paddles that'll let you sample all four varieties, and out of two-litre towers if you're gathering the gang. If you're a fan of its margs, you'll probably have noticed that El Camino mixes up its menu regularly with specials like these — which gives you more excuses to try more flavours. And if you're keen on a few other varieties, making the trip to The Rocks is recommended. That's the only place in town where you'll also be able to nab ginger beer, pub squash and an orange 'sun kissed' version, too.
All the elements of this cafe, an award-winning Surry Hills stalwart, make it a pretty ace place to drink coffee and eat some lunch, if you don't think too carefully about it. The first is the million-dollar fit-out. The site looks like a studio apartment of a graphic designer with lots and lots of money, with timber floors, exposed brick, a garage roller-door at one end and a semi-circular cut out of the ceiling so you can see the level above. The food is definitely not your run-of-the-mill Surry Hills fare either. With influences from South America, it has a Baleada (a Honduran tortilla), Ceviche and Empanadas for choice. The Baleada was a little salty (as was the Avocado on Toast, though this was nicely tangy), and didn't reach its full potential in terms of flavour. The Baked Eggs, however, had a rich, flavoursome tomato sauce and would be good to share. The Figs on Sourdough with Goat's Curd was perfect, with the warm comfort of the cheese and bread perfectly balanced by fresh figs and rocket. The coffee is hands down great. A few of their house roasts are always on offer, which are creamy and rich. Eating the Dogg's Breakfast, an ice cream sandwich with salted caramel, will conjure memories of your five-year-old self, sneaking past your mum for a cheeky breakfast. It's tasty in the 'oh my god, junk fooood' kind of way but again, I think they could have done something a little more exciting - as they do with the flavours of the milkshakes (black sesame, espresso and wattle seed). That's where I baulk at claiming it's the bee's knees. Eating in such an amazing space, I kind of expect the food to surprise and impress me a little more. There's nothing wrong with having a beautiful premise and keeping things low key, some of Sydney's most exciting new restaurants are utilising this combination with fantastic results, but add on a 15 minute wait on busy (read: most) days, I expect the food to be well worth it. The place lacks the personality and charm that was once the trademark of Surry Hills. Gentrification will always change the essence of a place so perhaps it's useless to be nostalgic, but Reuben Hills seems like it's trying just a little too hard to fit into what people expect it to be: a cookie-cutter version of inner city slick/cool, without striving to be individual. [nggallery id=149]
UPDATE, April 12, 2021: Seance's Sydney season has been cancelled until further notice due to ongoing issues beyond the organisers' control. For further information, head to the event's website. We'll update you with new show details when they're announced. After first spooking out Sydneysiders back in 2017, the unnerving Séance installation is returning to the city. This time around, the experience will be a little different. While past attendees stepped into a big, white container with dark curtains and black letters splashed across its side, in 2021 you'll be heading into a purpose-built space at Bay 43, an old warehouse at Circular Quay. Once inside, expected to be unnerved. That isn't changing. So, if you're not familiar with the installation and didn't have the chance to visit last time, a word of warning: it's aiming to mess with your senses. Between Thursday, April 8–Wednesday, June 30, participants will be able to take a seat inside the space, and then put on a headset. You'll next be told to put both hands on the table. The lights go out, leaving the place in absolute darkness and, for 20 uneasy minutes, you'll be taken on an immersive journey led only by touch and sounds. Expect to feel confused, repulsed and struck with temporary claustrophobia. According to organisers, numerous participants have bailed halfway through sittings in the past. You're probably thinking that there's something dark or supernatural about the whole thing — and going by the name, we don't blame you. But the installation's organiser says that 'séance' is simply a French word meaning 'session' or 'sitting'. Did we mention that the velvet seats date back to 1913 and were pulled from an abandoned theatre? And so Séance is a sensory experience that looks at the psychology of both sensory deprivation and the dynamics of a group sitting together. It's a scary indicator of how easy it is for confusion, disorientation and information overload to affect our judgement. [caption id="attachment_804877" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Séance in Sydney in 2017[/caption] Artists David Rosenberg and Glen Neath of Darkfield (who have collaborated in other sensory deprivation projects before) are the creative masterminds behind the project, which has been described as 'disorienting' and 'deeply unsettling'. You might've listened to Darkfield's at-home experiences in 2020, such as Double, Visitors and Eternal, and experienced a few bumps and jumps — and the company is hoping to find the right space to bring its other IRL installations, Flight and Coma, to Sydney this year. For now, we're serious when we say Séance is not recommended for the claustrophobic, the easily frightened or those afraid of the dark. Séance will take place at Bay 43, Circular Quay, from Thursday, April 8–Wednesday, June 30 — with sessions running Tuesday–Sunday. For more information and to buy tickets, head to Darkfield's website.
Keeping a beef-slinging diner running, transforming it into an upscale fine-diner, launching that new restaurant to the world: that's The Bear story so far. In the first, second and third seasons of hit series, those challenges awaited Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White, The Iron Claw), plus his colleagues and his loved ones, including fellow chef Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebiri, Inside Out 2) and the Berzatto family's lifelong pal Richie Jerimovich Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Hold Your Breath). Next, in season four, keeping the show's namesake fine-diner in business is the focus. There's even a literal countdown clock ticking down to the eatery's possible demise in its fourth run, as the just-dropped trailer for the series features. "That clock is telling you how much money we have left," Cicero (Oliver Platt, Chicago Med), The Bear's key investor, advises in the sneak peek. "When that shows zero, this restaurant needs to cease operations". Accordingly, "chaos and turmoil" are still being plated up in this award-winning favourite, so much so that they're specifically mentioned by Syd. "It's hard and it's brutal, and that's what makes it special," notes Carmy. Also part of the trailer: reviews calling out concerns about the restaurant's consistency, new menus, ample food shots, advice not to hide from things, the return of Carmy's mother (Jamie Lee Curtis, The Last Showgirl), and everyone from Carmy's sister Natalie (Abby Elliott, Cheaper by the Dozen) to eatery staff Marcus (Lionel Boyce, Shell), Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas, Cat Person), Ebraheim (Edwin Lee Gibson, Unprisoned) and Fak (IRL chef Matty Matheson) dealing with the pressure in their own ways. As announced earlier in May, The Bear returns in June 2025 for prime winter binge-viewing. The date for your diary: Thursday, June 26, 2025 in Australia and New Zealand. As in past years, season four will drop its entire season — ten episodes this time — in one hefty helping. The fourth season of the series has been in locked in since before season three even aired and, while throwing new challenges at its characters, is set to continue to raise a perennial question along the way: what should you cling to when you're chasing greatness, and in life in general? If you need more details about The Bear to date, its debut season jumped into the mayhem when Carmy took over the diner after his brother's (Jon Bernthal, The Accountant 2) death. Before returning home, the chef's resume featured Noma and The French Laundry, as well as awards and acclaim. Then, in season two and three, Carmy worked to turn the space into an upmarket addition to his hometown's dining scene, with help from the restaurant's trusty crew. Check out the trailer for The Bear season four below: The Bear season four will stream via Disney+ in Australia from Thursday, June 26, 2025. Read our reviews of seasons one, two and three. Images: FX / Disney+.
There's something about having the sting of chipotle on your lips and the fun of a tortilla packet in your hands. In Sydney we'll slam down Mexican food at any time of year, but in summer, we're positively loco for it. So it's a good thing that Dan Hong is opening an outpost of Surry Hills' popular-at-all-hours El Loco waterside at the foot of the Sydney Opera House throughout January. The pop-up cantina will serve a concise $6-10 menu of made-to-order tacos as well as their signature hot dogs, now in both adult and kid sizes perfect for a snack. It's the ideal side order to a night of entertainment during Summer at the House (which you might enjoy last minute for just $25) or just a few hours spent soaking up one of the city's finest views and staring down Circular Quay's brazen seagulls. Wander up to the Upper Podium of the House to check out the Cove cocktail bar, a nod to the Great Gatsby that's also open from January 4-28.
Secret Garden Festival might be the most secretive festival to grace the summer scene, and tickets for the next instalment are on sale on Thursday, November 14. As per every previous year, the lineup and location are still a complete secret, so the cash dropped for one of these tickets is a lucky dip that commits you to a whole weekend of booze, bands, friends and fun. Once again, the first day is a theme day. The 2013 festival celebrated the theme of Secret Garcon, where Friday festival goers dressed up in their favourite Cosplay attire. 2014, however, is a whole new ballgame. The Friday celebrations will be Farmers vs Zombies: a band of 'zombies' will be let loose on gardeners, who will be armed only with Nerf weapons (BYO Nerf weapons) and are expected to clear the yard in two hours, when the festival proper kicks off. Badass. The rest of the festival is given over to all manner of entertainment, including bands, artists and various other performers doing various other things. As vague as that sounds, it's mysteriously exciting. The best dang thing about the whole deal is that the entire festival is not for profit. All proceeds from tickets, food and drinks bought at the festival go towards the Sarah Hilt Foundation, which supports victims of meningococcal. So the more you drink, dance and stuff yourself, the more you're helping the community. Tickets start at $120 for one day, or $185 for both. Additional costs are involved for hiring tents, the Friday morning banquet and a bus to and from and the Farmers vs Zombies.
For the second time in a mere eight months, Sydney Film Festival is back. Get ready to watch 200-plus movies on silver screens all around Sydney between Wednesday, June 8–Sunday, June 19 — at the State Theatre, Event Cinemas George Street, Dendy Newtown, Palace Central, Palace Norton Street, Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace Cremorne, Ritz Cinemas Randwick, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre and Art Gallery of NSW. Overseen by Festival Director Nashen Moodley for the 11th time, this year's SFF spans 101 features, 53 documentaries and a whole heap of short films from 64-plus countries. (And 27 world premieres as well.) Highlights include the entire Official Competition lineup, aka the movies vying for SFF's big cash prize for films that are "audacious, cutting-edge and courageous". That's where you'll find this year's Berlinale Golden Bear-winner Alcarràs, a family drama from Spain; Blaze, a blend of live-action, puppetry and animation directed by acclaimed Aussie artist Del Kathryn Barton; and supernatural witch flick You Won't Be Alone, which stars Noomi Rapace (Lamb). And, it's home to a number of titles arriving straight from playing Cannes, too — such as Godland from Icelandic filmmaker Hlynur Pálmason (A White, White Day); Close, a teen-focused drama by Girl filmaker Lukas Dhont; and All the People I'll Never Be, about a French woman's quest to discover her Korean roots. Other big-name inclusions across the rest of the program span New Zealand comedy Nude Tuesday, which'll enjoy its world premiere at SFF; Australia's own Seriously Red, a SXSW hit about a Dolly Parton impersonator; One Fine Morning, from acclaimed French filmmaker Mia Hansen-Løve (Bergman Island); the Dakota Johnson (The Lost Daughter)-starring rom-com Cha Cha Real Smooth, which earned plenty of fans at Sundance; and Good Luck To You, Leo Grande, where Emma Thompson (Cruella) plays an older women who hires a sex worker — with 52 Tuesdays and Animals filmmaker Sophie Hyde behind the lens. Or, there's queer comedy Fire Island, about a group of friends on a wild summer holiday; Aubrey Plaza (Best Sellers)-led heist film Emily the Criminal; Cannes 2021 Jury Prize-winner Ahed's Knee, the latest from Synonyms' director Nadav Lapid; time-travel romp Incredible But True, as directed by Rubber and Deerskin's Quentin Dupieux; and One Year, One Night, which features Portrait of a Lady on Fire's Noémie Merlant. Plus, from the documentary slate, there's Sundance Audience Award-winner Navalny, about the Russian opposition leader poisoned with a nerve agent; Lynch/Oz, which takes a yellow brick road through David Lynch's filmography; Dreaming Walls: Inside the Chelsea Hotel, a step inside New York's iconic Chelsea Hotel; and stranger-than-fiction effort My Old School, where Alan Cumming (Schmigadoon!) lip-synchs to audio recordings of Scottish con-artist Brandon Lee. SFF's full lineup also covers the usual returning favourites among its strands — so its ten-film focus on female directors from Europe is back, as is its selection of movies about music, its weird and wonderful horror and genre flicks, a range of family-friendly fare, a celebration of filmmaking talent with disability, and twelve titles from First Nations creatives. The latter includes all six episodes of Mystery Road: Origins, the new prequel series that focuses on Indigenous police officer Jay Swan, which is one of the fest's massive local highlights. Another: a big-screen showing of the newly restored 4K version of Baz Luhrmann's Strictly Ballroom, arriving just before his new movie Elvis reaches cinemas. SFF also announced its first 22 movies back in April, and a few other details since — such as a retrospective focusing on the documentaries of American filmmaker Frederick Wiseman, plus Pacific First Nations anthology We Are Still Here in the coveted opening night slot.
Shows like The Wire, and even the less probing Law and Orders, have gotten us well acquainted with the idea that the fates of police officers' are deeply intertwined with the crims they spend their lives chasing. That theme and style are continued on the stage in A Steady Rain, the gripping work from playwright Keith Huff, which is set in one of the USA's signature moral battlegrounds, Chicago. Presented by original indie theatre purveyors Cathode Ray Tube (The Great Lie of the Western World), the play packages these themes for the literarily minded. It has quite an unusual structure that makes for a primal, personal mode of storytelling as its two characters, cops Denny (Michael Booth) and Joey (Sam O'Sullivan), give separate monologues that intersect, collide, and are anything but static. Their story begins with an unexceptional family dinner, to which Denny has invited his bachelor best bud and the sex worker out of whom he hopes Joey will make an honest woman. His choices that night set in motion a chain of events that erodes their friendship and risks everything Denny holds dear. The pair are old-school cops — loyal, tribal, chauvinistic, racist. Regularly offensive in that way that makes onlookers laugh awkwardly. The fact that they've been repeatedly passed over for promotion to detective is no doubt for these worrying traits, and it's this exclusion that is forming a chasm between the two now. It has made Joey determined to reform and succeed, and it's made Denny act out, become embittered, and start following his own code. This is really an actors' play, an unflinching character study that asks a lot from the two men almost constantly on stage. So it's a good thing the acting is so good. Booth is one of a kind, a magnet for our attention with minutely observed mannerisms that seem to come automatically and an intensity that burns from the inside out. His is an extreme kind of naturalism, which will come as a relief to anyone normally turned off by theatrey delivery. Underplaying is a virtue here. O'Sullivan, who was already disturbingly excellent in ATYP's Punk Rock earlier this year, is only on an upswing. Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig played these roles on Broadway, but you only think about this fact when walking into the TAP Gallery theatre, not when walking out. The performances are supported by equally subtle staging. Lights hanging overhead appropriately recall an interrogation, while the sound (by Brendan Woife) rises above white noise only to prod our anxiety with quivering violins. Denny's Timberlands and ragged Chicago Bears T-shirt speak volumes. Only the intermission is intrusive, pulling us out of a relentless story that could probably have run its 95 minutes right through from beginning to end. Cathode Ray Tube usually put on newly written works that are vividly their own, the last being in April. Those kinds of productions take a long time to gestate, so interesting imports like A Steady Rain will keep the team fondly in our thoughts in the meantime. Read Cathode Ray Tube's Hidden Sydney profile here.
Enmore Road has long been a go-to destination for excellent entertainment and nightlife. From the iconic Enmore Theatre to knockout cocktail bars, beloved pubs and incredible restaurants, it's easy to see why the Inner West strip attracts so many. This spring, the Inner West Council is showing its support of the entertainment precinct by trialling a new program that allows businesses to trade later and hold events without the red tape. That means comedy shows popping up in hair salons, Sydney Fringe Festival acts taking over bars and live music gigs having even more rooms to ring out loud in. Whether you're heading there for dinner, drinks, a show or all of the above, here are our top picks for the next time you visit the beating heart of the Inner West.
Sydneysiders, get ready. You'll finally have a chance to eat at Adelaide's Restaurant Orana this winter — without jumping on a plane heading south. The award-winning restaurant, which not only has three hats, but was also awarded the 2018 Restaurant of the Year by Gourmet Traveller, will be popping up in Surry Hills for one month, taking over the space most recently home to Longrain. The degustation-only restaurant run by star chef and owner Jock Zonfrillo will set up shop in the space from August 16–September 15, with a new design by SJB inspired by Australian flora and a new menu created just for Sydney. If you haven't been lucky enough to visit Orana before, the food is known for its inventive use of Indigenous Australian ingredients. Previous dishes have included the likes of marron with Geraldton wax and green tree ants, potato damper with roasted lamb butter (pictured below) and kangaroo with smoked potato and wattleseed. https://www.instagram.com/p/BsXC3qJAzqr/ At the Sydney pop-up, dubbed Orana in Residence, there will also be a strong focus on native produce — Zonfrillo promises over 50 Australian "seeds, fruits, nuts, trees, shoots, shellfish, honey, ants, seafood" to make an appearance — with the team sourcing ingredients from Indigenous communities across Australia. Zonfrillo not only uses and promotes Indigenous Australian ingredients at his restaurants, either, he also runs the non-profit Orana Foundation, which helps foster and preserve Australia's Indigenous food culture. And ten percent of all profits from Orana in Residence will go to this non-profit, too. A meal at the Sydney pop-up will set you back $350 — just for the food — which must be paid at time of booking, with reservations opening on Tuesday, July 9. For drinks, standard and premium wine pairings, as well as a non-alcoholic option will be available for purchase on the night. You'll also be able to order wines by the glass and bottle. We think this is going to book out very quickly, so if you're keen to go, get ready to hover over the booking system next Tuesday. Orana in Residence will pop up at 85 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills, from August 16–September 15. Reservations will open at 9am on Tuesday, July 9 via the Restaurant Orana website. The $350 food menu must be paid for at time of booking. Images: Restaurant Orana; Jock Zonfrillo by Jacqui Way; and potato damper by Lewis Potter.
If you're programming an openair cinema by the beach, which movies are a must-see? When Sunset Cinema hits Bondi Pavilion from November 2023, Jaws, Blue Crush and Finding Nemo tick the oceanside picture palace boxes. If you're showing flicks in the lead up to Christmas, what else has to get a whirl? Cue Home Alone, Die Hard and Elf, of course. And, if you're setting up shop in a year where Barbie had Ken declare that his job is "beach", you really need to show that as well. Get ready, Sydney cinephiles — all of the above are covered in Sunset Cinema's debut Bondi program. As first announced in September, cinema will join sun, surf and sand as one of the best things to enjoy at Bondi from Friday, November 17, which is when Sunset Cinema heads to Dolphin Court. There'll be bean bags to sit on. There'll be a bar serving boozy beverages, food trucks dishing up bites and popcorn as a snack option. There'll be movies under the stars, of course, with the full lineup just dropping. The season will get started with My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, then also show recent releases such as Asteroid City, A Haunting in Venice, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem and Past Lives. They aren't out yet, but Saltburn and The Marvels will be by the time that Sunset Cinema rolls around. Among the water-themed titles, Ground Swell: The Other Side of Fear and Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl are also on the bill. And, amid the festive flicks, so are The Holiday, Love Actually and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Also going retro: Dirty Dancing. In other words, there's plenty to watch — all under the beachside sky. Sunset Cinema is no stranger to Sydney. Over the summer of 2022–23, it screened in St Ives and also North Sydney, with a season at the latter also on the itinerary again from January 2024. Getting its projectors spinning at Bondi Pavilion is a brand-new addition to its lineup, however, and an exciting one. Film lovers can get their al fresco flick fix until Saturday, December 23, with Sunset Cinema screening from Monday–Saturday. BYO picnics are encouraged; however, the event is fully licensed, which means alcohol can only be purchased onsite. And if you don't pack enough snacks, that's where the hot food options, plus plenty of the requisite movie treats like chips, chocolates, lollies and popcorn, come in.
If it works for KFC and Moulin Rouge!, it can work for Christmas: that's Sydney fine-diner nel's approach in 2022. Earlier in the year, it served up a luxe 11-course degustation that riffed on the Colonel's finest. And, when Moulin Rouge! The Musical first arrived in town, it also went with a decadent nine-course array of dishes dripping with French nostalgia. Now, with the festive season upon us, the restaurant is getting merry. Nel is no stranger to Christmas spreads — or to themed degustations in general; see also: its Disney offerings — but it is celebrating 2022's jolliest time of year with a specific range of treats. The new menu takes its cues from the traditional story behind Christmas. It's also filled with festive culinary traditions, like roasts and gingerbread, but not as you know them. Available from Wednesday, November 9–Friday, December 23, the CBD institution's new Christmas menu features a turkey dinner in miniature stack form, for instance, plus a savoury gingerbread house and a spin on the Aussie favourite that is the shrimp cocktail. There's also a dish featuring lamb rolled in gold, leek hay, myrrh oil and smoked pea puree that nods to the nativity story — yes, it comes with gifts from three wise men — plus a flaming 'Santa's Beard' and a snowy 'Walking in the Air' scene. Nel's chef and namesake Nelly Robinson has found 11 ways to interpret Christmas food staples from around the world, while still giving them his usual creative spin. His menu heroes seasonal and sustainable produce, as always, and there's a matching wine journey with vino from nel's cellar to go along with it. Sydneysiders can tuck in for $165 per person, with another $165 each on top for the booze. Or, there's a non-alcoholic matching drinks selection for $85 per head. Nel will also be opening for lunch on Saturdays in November, and Friday and Saturdays in December, to give diners extra options. Nel's 2022 Christmas degustation is on offer on from Wednesday, November 9–Friday, December 23 at 75 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney. For more information or to book, head to the Nel website.
Ever wanted to eat sushi whilst watching the sun go down over one of the most beautiful beaches in the world? Well, you can, as PaperPlanes makes a splash against the sandy shores of Bondi with its contemporary Japanese cuisine and Tokyo pop culture-inspired decor. Whether you want to create your own sashimi platter or indulge at the 'rock, paper, scissors' bar with a sake whilst watching a sushi chef slice to the spins of the DJ, PaperPlanes is the Tokyo-est place to be in Bondi. PaperPlanes continues the multisensorial Asian experience that brothers Matt, Chris and Tim Barge cultivated with LL Wine and Dine, a Hong Kong-styled wine bar that has taken Potts Point by storm since opening in 2010. Creating contemporary Asian cuisine with fresh Australian produce on premises previously housing an illegal casino, LL Wine and Dine offers a unique dining experience hidden amongst the hustle and bustle of Kings Cross. So whether you fancy a taste of Tokyo or a have a hankering for Hong Kong, the Barge brothers have you covered. We have three $150 vouchers to PaperPlanes and two $150 vouchers for LL Wine and Dine to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to our newsletter (if you haven't already) and then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
Oxford Street has long been one of Sydney's most important cultural and creative areas. As a proud LGBTQIA+ hub, the traditional home of the Mardi Gras Parade and a bustling retail, food and drink precinct, the street stands out as a cultural touchstone of the city. Currently, Oxford Street is undergoing a transformation under a new wave of development in the area. A push by the City of Sydney to further develop the Oxford Street as a creative space, and a reignited excitement for the area following the end of the lockout laws, has seen new restaurant openings, rooftop bars and cycleways, a new hotel on the horizon and the redevelopment of multiple long-standing Oxford Street venues including the Kinselas and Courthouse Hotels and the Brighton Hotel. Alongside this wave of new developments, a new multimillion-dollar project has been proposed that would see sweeping changes to a large section of Oxford Street. Property management Toga has lodged two applications with the City of Sydney for $60 million worth of renovations of three major Oxford Street buildings. The renovations would see office and retail buildings 58–76, 82–106 and 110–122 Oxford Street all transformed into a new creative, retail and commercial precinct in the heart of Darlinghurst. [caption id="attachment_801989" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A 3D rendering of the development at 82–106 Oxford Street.[/caption] The application for 58–76 and 82–106 proposes a refurbishment of the buildings with a retail, food and drink, cultural and creative premises on the lower ground, commercial offices above, as well as laneway retail spaces off Oxford Street. The development at 110–122 would include a 75-room hotel, as well as more retail, food and drink, and cultural spaces. The refurbishment would maintain the buildings' heritage facades while expanding them with a new glass roof extension and renovating the interiors, including the installation of new lifts and a redesign of the upper level offices to create larger, open-plan office buildings. Dubbed The Darlinghurst Collection, the three sets of buildings have been leased to real estate investment company Ashe Morgan by the City of Sydney for 99 years. Ashe Morgan and Toga are working together on the development. Businesses including Big Poppa's and Ariel Books have been mainstays in the space, while new businesses like the Babekuhl Gallery have migrated to the buildings recently. Many spaces across the three blocks remain empty. In the submitted proposal, Toga characterises Oxford Street as "operating below its potential" and requiring "significant renewal to rediscover its spirit and become once again a destination for Sydney locals and interstate and international visitors". According to the application, the renovations to The Darlinghurst Collection will aim to "bring new life to the precinct". The application is currently under assessment by the City of Sydney. An application for a $60 million renovation to 58–76, 82–106 and 110–122 Oxford Street is currently under review by the City of Sydney. You can find the applications here and here. Images from the development application submitted to the City of Sydney by Toga.
Over the past five years, there's been an explosion in the number of brewing companies moving out of back sheds and into more permanent venues — and offering food and entertainment on site in the process. Heading up this trend is Cake Wines, Young Henrys and 4 Pines Brewing Company, who recently announced they would be opening up not one, but three new venues around Sydney in the next 12 months. Now, Endeavour Vintage Beer Co. is jumping on the bandwagon. Australia's dedicated vintage beer company is opening their own tap room venue in November, with not only a brewery but a bar and restaurant coming to their new space in The Rocks. Ben Carroll and Hamish Watts from Applejack Hospitality — aka the folks behind Della Hyde and The Botanist — will be joining up with the Endeavour team, so you know you can expect something impressive. "Having looked at sites in other metro areas of Sydney, this one came on the radar last year and sits really nicely with the direction we wanted to head," says Carroll. The announcement comes off the back of the NSW Government pledging $200 million to give Circular Quay a facelift. The Rocks will receive $15 million of this, which has seen a number of new retail and dining outlets join the area hoping to help make it more attractive to locals. Endeavour's setup will include eight taps on site, which will all pour brews selected in conjunction with the kitchen, ensuring the food and drinks offerings always complement each other. In terms of food, Carroll says, "we are left of centre when it comes to typical brew house fare. Keeping in sync with the beer side we will be using seasonal fresh produce, and will be working closely with the head brewer to create a great synergy between the beers and food. We will be offering a range of smoked produce from the land and sea, which will be served feast-style and accompanied with vibrant salads and house-made sauces. All done with the typical Applejack flair." We can't wait to see just what that means for the Endeavour space. And, according to the Endeavour Tap Rooms Sydney's Facebook page, more exciting developments are still to come. Find Endeavour Tap Rooms at 39-43 Argyle St, The Rocks from November. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for more information.
How good is Easter? Not only is it the longest of all long weekends, but it's also a time of celebration, of enjoying the fine things. Fine things being hot cross buns, which some may say deserve to be on the shelves year-round. But we're not here to talk about seasonal baked goods. If you're reading this, you might be lacking in the plans department for this year's Easter long weekend. If that's true, settle in, dear reader. Here's some carefully curated inspiration on how to best utilise your four treasured days of freedom. IF YOU WANT A CLASSY DOSE OF CULTURE Theatregoers need not look any further than Madama Butterfly on Sydney Harbour. It's a stage show quite unlike anything else on offer in Sydney and is playing two shows over the Easter weekend on Saturday, April 8 and Sunday, April 9 at 7.30pm. But what makes this show worth your time compared to others? The play, a historically inspired ode to unrequited love and devotion, takes place on the floating stage at Fleet Steps. Part of what makes it so impressive is that it has endured over 100 years of performing on stages worldwide. But it doesn't show its age. The award-winning production design is built around the evolving nature of the characters, with a total re-design of the stage during the intermission as a highlight. Plus, it's backlit by the Sydney Opera House itself, and a fireworks display with every show. To pair with the show's spectacle and venue, you can enjoy luxury onsite dining at one of the several popup eateries and bars, because opera is always better with a full stomach and a drink in hand. IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A SHORTCUT TO A CHOCOLATE COMA What's the maximum age for participating in an easter egg hunt? Trick question, the limit does not exist. In fact, there's no greater sport. What if we told you there's a better way to enjoy Easter goodies than buying or hunting them? Instead, make your own. Such a thing is possible at the Sydney Chocolate School, where owner and master chocolatier Rebecca Knights and her team run classes on all things chocolate. While many courses are available at the Mosman venue, Easter opens up a unique masterclass in chocolate tempering, where you can craft your own sweet treats. You'll be learning the traditional method of marble tempering, a classy approach to creating oh-so-sweet treats. The treats in question will be a variety of shapes and sizes and, assuming you resist the urge to devour them upon completion, you'll get to take them home with you. TO DODGE THE CROWDS OF KIDDOS Yes, Easter is a time for celebration. Celebrations like the Sydney Royal Easter show will appear all over Sydney. However, and there's no shame in this, you might prefer to avoid those events that lean a bit more toward the family-friendly end of things. Don't worry, long weekends also mean long nights and lengthy events that are totally child-free. Take Greenwood Hotel as an example – something of a North Sydney icon for 18+ ragers. On Saturday, April 8 it's hosting DJ legends Basement Jaxx for their Australian stop of a world tour. There's also a myriad of supporting acts playing in the pub's chapel, courtyard and lounge areas from 1pm to 10pm. Alternatively, you could take to the not-so-high seas of Sydney Harbour aboard Yeah Buoy's Easter Long Weekend Boat Party. Be immersed in good tunes and good vibes from 3.30pm-7.30 pm in the biggest party you could throw on water. And if those don't take your fancy, drag queen Trixie Mattel is coming to Roundhouse in Kensington on Sunday, April 9, for the world premiere of her new Solid Pink Disco Party. Expect pink deco, drinks, DJ sets, and probably pink drag queens too. Shockingly, the dress code is also pink. It'll be a big night, kicking off at 9pm. Lucky it's a long weekend! IF YOU WANT TO EAT LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW It's Easter. If you're not planning on partaking in at least one lunch that'll set you up for a late afternoon nap, are you doing it right? All holidays have an element of food built into their traditional bones, but that doesn't mean you need to limit yourself to spiced baked goods and chocolate at Easter. To kickstart your appetite, consider the Maestria Restaurant and Bar. This decadent venue is planning an Easter buffet worthy of any holiday. It has undergone an Easter transformation by event planning pros Anna Wang and is hosting three-hour buffet sessions plus egg hunts for all ages on Saturday, April 8. Similarly, the Amora Hotel Jamison is hosting an Easter lunch event on Sunday, April 9 in the Croft restaurant. Expect fine farm-to-plate produce from land and sea alike. And for something a bit looser, book a seat aboard a three-hour scenic lunch cruise on Sydney Harbour, running on Saturday, April 8 and Sunday, April 9 at 12.30pm. IF YOU NEED TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL We've talked all about plans big and small, but we don't all like to stay busy. If your long-weekend plans are to dodge the hustle and bustle entirely, frankly, it'd be a waste to stay at home. Why not get up and explore some of that natural beauty we're surrounded by in Sydney? Depending on your definition of Sydney's border, there are anywhere between 50 and 250 National Parks in the greater Sydney area. This includes one of the oldest in the world, the densely packed wilderness of Royal National Park. National Parks like that boast some of the most impressive natural vistas in town, including great coastal walks, bushwalking adventures and secluded swimming spots. Adventurous folks might also want to check out some awe-inspiring caves or put some distance between you and the land altogether on a kayaking excursion. For more information about Madama Butterfly on Sydney Harbour, visit the website. And for more inspiration on what's worth doing in Sydney, find it here on Concrete Playground.
In 1997, Christmas changed. With a single episode of Seinfeld, the world became privy to a new form of holiday celebration that eschewed other traditions and denominations. Instead of a tree, an unadorned pole gets pride of place. Rather than share happy stories, everyone gathered airs their grievances. And, instead of settling down on the couch after a hearty meal, attendees compete in feats of strength. Okay, so maybe you still enjoy tinsel, turkey and street cricket with your family on December 25. Even so, The Glenmore is making sure you can have some Festivus fun as well. The pub's shindig takes place on the official Festivus date of Monday, December 23. The Glenmore's rooftop will have live music going from 3pm. In keeping with tradition, there'll be a grievances wall — so you can air yours and be infuriated by everyone else's — and a "these pretzels are making me thirsty" cocktail special (a salted caramel espresso martini). Not so Seinfeld are the $12 Aperol spritzes. Don't forget to dress up, too — there will be Festivus prizes. Image: Steven Woodburn
King Street Wharf houses a string of restaurants overlooking the water, but unlike most waterfront dining in this town, eating there won't wind your bank balance back to 'insufficient funds' territory. Beginning on March 18, and set to last for three months until June 13, the precinct has begun an unprecedented lunchtime program, offering $10, $15 and $20 meals from the likes of Kobe Jones, Bungalow 8, La Cita, Cargo Bar and The Malaya. In an era where most lunch breaks don't last longer than half an hour, it's all too often that you wind up with a stale bento box or a wilting hamburger from a non-specific fast-food chain beginning with the letter 'M'. King Street Wharf, in all their wisdom, has turned all of that on its head, with their lunch program explicitly designed for frantic office workers. "Workers are busier than ever often with less than the traditional standard one-hour lunch break," explains Melinda Poile, King Street Wharf’s property manager. "We are catering to these people with special menus enabling service to be even faster. Some King Street Wharf venues are also offering takeaway for the first-time, a great way to sample a range of the menus." Over the next few months, you can head down to the waterfront and grab a wagyu steak sandwich from Wharf Teppanyaki, a somen and tofu salad from Kobe Jones or a king prawn and fennel risotto from Vessel Italian & Bar, all for under $15, and not have to spend a single minute in the soul-crushing confines of a CBD food court. And you'll be back at work well before your boss can justifiably yell at you for being a lazy sod. King Street Wharf is one of those areas of Sydney you may have overlooked. Nestled on the eastern shore of Darling Harbour, the former maritime district sometimes seems to slip the mind somewhere between Walsh Bay and Chinatown. But with the revitalisation of Pyrmont and the imminent transformation of Barangaroo from industrial wasteland into a gussied-up wonderland from which we can gaze in awe at the harbour (with or without a casino), King Street Wharf is becoming an increasingly central part of Sydney's CBD and one well worth checking out. Particularly at lunch time. Check out our pick of the best $10 lunch options here, and the best $20 options here.
The good ol' Marly has bid farewell to its upstairs neighbour Miss Peaches and is about to welcome something much quirkier in her place. The Newtown boozer's first floor space will soon be home to the weird and wonderful Cuckoo — a kooky bar inspired by Germany's alpine resorts. Venture on up and you'll feel a bit like Alice tumbling into the rabbit hole. Brought to life by hospitality group Solotel with help from International Worldwide (the creatives behind the recently renovated George Hotel, The Duke, The Old Fitz) and Monster Children, Cuckoo is filled with knick-knacks, a lounge room bar pulled straight from your opa's house and constant sounds from the collection of cuckoo clocks adorning the walls. It even has a bouldering wall, so you can really pretend you're climbing up Zugspitze. The quirkiness is also embraced wholeheartedly by the drinks list, which boasts plenty of house-infused schnapps, alongside crafty concoctions like the cardamom, sour apple and ginger-laced Apfelschorle cocktail. Meanwhile, taps are pouring Germanic-style beers from local breweries like Batch and Wayward — try yours in a stein or in the glass shoey the team's calling Das Boot. [caption id="attachment_745121" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Das Boot[/caption] Sticking with the theme, Cuckoo's food offering is filled with German classics like schnitzel, sausage and spätzle, though, thanks to a dedicated, fully-stocked condiment station, the house-made pretzels might just steal the show. Cuckoo officially opens to the public on Friday, October 18, with a rollicking launch party from 6pm. You can RSVP over here. Cuckoo will open above The Marlborough Hotel, 145 King Street, Newtown, on Friday, October 18.
With Baby Driver, writer/director/music lover Edgar Wright takes a guy, a girl, gangsters, guns and getaway cars, and sends audiences on quite the ride. The filmmaker behind Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World doesn't exactly seek to sell audiences on the high-stakes, heist-pulling lifestyle. In fact, his protagonist Baby (Ansel Elgort) desperately wants to drive away from crime. But there's one thing that brightens up this speedster's obligation to underworld boss Doc (Kevin Spacey), and it's something we can all relate to: that fantastic feeling of hearing the right song at the right time, boosting your mood and changing how you see the world around you. Whether he's hurtling through the streets or sitting in a booth at a diner, one of Baby's ever-present old school iPods always has the goods to improve any situation. His personal soundtrack makes dealing with bank-robbing thugs like Griff (Jon Bernthal), Bats (Jamie Foxx), and lovers Buddy (Jon Hamm) and Darling (Eiza González) bearable. It also makes meeting waitress Debora (Lily James), who enters his orbit literally crooning his name, all the more special. Baby is turning a routine into a dream with the right MP3s, and Wright wants viewers to lap up every second of it. Cue Queen, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and the kind of deep cuts the term 'deep cuts' was coined to describe. With Wright stylishly weaving his music choices into the fabric of both the film and its title character, there's barely a minute that passes by without the right audio accompaniment. There's singing and dancing and in-sync editing and cinematography — although Baby Driver isn't a musical. Rather, it's a playlist paired with glossy, kinetic pictures that delivers its story in video clip-length doses. Unsurprisingly, the film was actually inspired by Wright's music video for Mint Royale's 'Blue Song', which makes a blink-or-you'll-miss-it appearance here. And yet, while Baby himself might avoid lulls in his flow of sounds (at one point, we even see him time the start of a job to a specific ditty) even the liveliest of mixtapes can run out of steam. Perhaps that's why Baby Driver entertains in the moment yet can't quite maintain momentum, and why a sense of repetition eventually sets in. Recognisable refrains begin to echo across scenes, while nods to similar flicks about heists, souped-up vehicles and lovers-against-the world — including Drive, The Driver, Point Break, Wild at Heart and A Life Less Ordinary — grow increasingly obvious. Still, as you watch the cast revel in Wright's music-filled world, it's easy to enjoy much of the drive. Baby Driver's rush of attitude doesn't just ooze through its lovingly selected tunes. It's also present in Elgort and James' clear chemistry, and in the way Spacey, Hamm and González's embrace their shady supporting players. Baby's story gets dark and bloody at various points, but the film remains a light and playful dose of high-octane crime-romance hijinks. Think of it as the movie equivalent of a disposable toe-tapping pop song: mostly pumping, thumping fun, but it just can't play on forever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT7xtCrhwD0
If you love a night out with a sweet deal, then we have the scoop for you. The Hollywood Quarter is partnering with Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey for the month of October to launch Sweet Nights, with great food, drinks and live performances. Jack Daniel's Honey is a blend of Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey and its own honey liqueur. The resulting drop is as smooth as only Jack can be, with a touch of honey sweetness. It's perfect on its own, with ice and, of course, in cocktails. Five venues in the Hollywood Quarter are serving up buzzworthy cocktails with Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey and delicious bites that'll satisfy your sweet tooth. Whether you're sipping on a Jack Daniel's Honey cocktail or catching some live tunes, here's what's happening in the Hollywood Quarter this October. Butter The popular fried chicken spot in Surry Hills is serving up The Issaceatsalot Fried Chicken Irish "Spice Bag" with a zingy Jack Daniel's Honey Lemon Melon Fizz. Located on Hunt Street, Butter gets its vibe from New York City's hip hop culture. Think fried chicken with punk names — I'll have a hot AF 3PAC — served in a totally packed club-like environment. Doubting its street cred? Don't. This place is the real deal. Chicken is the name of the game at Butter. They are ramping up the good times with their Issaceatsalot Fried Chicken Irish "Spice Bag." It's a spin on the viral Irish-Chinese delicacy. Butter's version features crispy fried chicken pieces, chilli and Chinese five-spice mix, stir-fried onions and capsicum, green shallots and Irish-Chinese curry sauce — ask any Irish person; this stuff is legendary. Butter is serving this tempting snack with a Jack Daniel's Honey Lemon Melon Fizz, a bespoke cocktail made with Jack Daniel's Honey, Midori, watermelon and lemonade. The pairing is available all day, every day in October. Follow what's happening on its Instagram. Poly Poly is the Ester team's still very elegant take on a casual restaurant and wine bar. It's elevating its Apolytivo Hour — get it, aperitivo hour? — with a lush Honey Highball paired with a fried potato stack. The Honey Highball is a floral and fruity number made with Jack Daniel's Honey, Unico Pomelo vermouth — this is a wine bar, after all — bergamot soda and garnished with fresh honeycomb. The fried potato stack makes for a great accompaniment, offering a delightful crunch and rich taste that the drink cuts through. Apolytivo Hour is available every weekday, Monday to Friday — the cocktail will also be available on the weekends. Stay up to date on what's happening on its Instagram. Golden Age Cinema & Bar This revamped screening room and small bar are bringing a little old-school charm to a night at the movies. Head down during October to sip on a sweet cocktail made with Jack Daniel's Honey for Hollywood Quarter's Sweet Nights. The drop was inspired by Dig! XX (2024), a documentary on The Dandy Warhols and Brian Jonestown Massacre. It's a classic blend of lemon, peach and ginger iced tea with Jack Daniel's Honey and notes of nectar. During Sweet Nights, the cinemas and bar will screen a series of documentary and narrative films on Monday nights, like the Strokes' Meet Me in the Bathroom and Prince's cult classic Purple Rain — tying in with Jack Daniels' long-standing connection to live music. The team are also curating a lively music playlist for the bar to keep the vibes strong and to launch its new 'Hospo Nights'. The cocktail will be available all month long. Check out what's happening on its Instagram. Hotel Hollywood Nestled among Surry Hills' deco-era buildings, Hotel Hollywood exudes old Hollywood charm with its curved bar, friendly staff, and simple menu, but be sure to arrive early as it fills up fast. The spot is serving up a classic cocktail with a modern twist: its take on an old fashioned. Blending Jack Daniel's Honey, Domaine Ginger Liqueur, orange bitters and an acacia smoke infusion for a touch of complexity. Available all month long. Keep tabs on all its happenings on its Instagram. Soda Factory Venture beyond the 50s-themed Bobby's storefront to find this hidden bar bringing a real slice of New York City to Surry Hills. Simply pull on the handle of the Coke machine, and you're inside the Soda Factory. Take a seat in one of the inviting booths or comfy mid-century sofas and order up its cocktail special for Sweet Nights. Sweet meets heat with this highball JD Hot Honey. It's a blend of Jack Daniel's Honey, spicy Ancho Reye, bright, fruity notes from passionfruit, raspberry, citrus, and a touch of sugar. It's served in a highball and garnished with a passionfruit "bowl" dipped in sugar with raspberry and absinthe. A complex drop for a cool setting. Cocktail of the month is available every night for $14. Follow the good times on its Instagram. Sweet Nights is happening at The Hollywood Quarter from October 3–31. For more information, check out the website. Please Drink Responsibly Images: Supplied
Twenty years ago, Melbourne animator Adam Elliot won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for Harvie Krumpet. This winter in his home town, he's opening the Melbourne International Film Festival with Memoir of a Snail. 2024's cinema celebration in Victoria's capital will kick off with the voices of Sarah Snook (Succession), Kodi Smit-McPhee (Elvis), Eric Bana (Force of Nature: The Dry 2), Tony Armstrong (Tony Armstrong's Extra-Ordinary Things), Nick Cave (The Electrical Life of Louis Wain), Jacki Weaver (Hello Tomorrow!) and Magda Szubanski (After the Trial) echoing from a new claymation feature, Elliot's second full-length stop-motion flick after 2009's Mary and Max. "After eight long years, producer Liz Kearney and I are a bit exhausted but thrilled to be asked to be the opening night film for MIFF 2024. It is truly a Melbourne film and MIFF is the perfect place for its Australian premiere," said Elliot about Memoir of a Snail launching this year's festival on Thursday, August 8. "About Melbourne, made by Melburnians and voiced by Melburnians, Memoir of a Snail is a handmade stop-motion film lovingly crafted by a team of local artists. Opening night at MIFF will be a celebration of their artistry and a celebration of this wonderful city in which we live." Spanning its usual 18-day run — this year from Thursday, August 8–Sunday, August 25 in Melbourne cinemas; from Friday, August 9–Sunday, August 25 online; and across both Friday, August 16–Sunday, August 18 and Friday, August 23–Sunday, August 25 in regional Victoria — MIFF's 2024 program will include more than 250 titles once Memoir of a Snail commences the annual excuse to spend almost three weeks in darkened rooms. The full lineup doesn't drop until Thursday, July 11, but the fest has unveiled 23 other flicks that'll feature when the projectors get whirring. And if you're a Melburnian feeling a taste of Sydney Film Festival envy to start off June, you'll recognise a few titles. Sundance sensation I Saw the TV Glow from We're All Going to the World's Fair's Jane Schoenbrun, Hunter Schafer (Euphoria)-starring thriller Cuckoo, the Sebastian Stan (Dumb Money)-led A Different Man and restaurant-set dramedy La Cocina featuring Rooney Mara (Women Talking) are among the movies that'll play MIFF after SFF. So are Frederick Wiseman's (City Hall) Menus-Plaisirs — Les Troisgros, which brings his observational gaze to a three-Michelin-starred French restaurant; the Taika Waititi (Next Goal Wins)-executive produced We Were Dangerous; and the Bundaberg-set Flathead. While an amount of crossover always happens between each Australian city's major film fest, MIFF also boasts a heap of pictures beyond Memoir of a Snail that'll be making their Aussie premiere — or even world premiere— in Melbourne. Thanks to the MIFF Premiere Fund, which supports local flicks, audiences an look forward to Justin Kurzel (Nitram)-directed documentary Ellis Park, about iconic musician Warren Ellis establish an animal sanctuary in Sumatra; Magic Beach, an animated adaptation of Alison Lester's children's book; and Audrey, starring Jackie van Beek (Nude Tuesday) as a mother who steals the identity of her teenage daughter, who is in a coma. There's also Queens of Concrete, a doco about three skateboarders balancing been teens with trying to score an Olympics berth — and fellow documentary Left Write Hook, where seven female survivors of sexual assault as children attend a recovery program. Similarly with local ties: Fungi: Web of Life, which is playing in IMAX in 3D, is narrated by Björk, and heads to Tasmania's Tarkine rainforest in search of a specific blue mushroom. After That Sugar Film and 2040, Australian actor-turned-filmmaker Damon Gameau helms Future Council, charting a cross-Europe trip with eight young minds to explore climate change solutions. Elsewhere among the just-unveiled flicks, MIFFgoers can check out Blue Sun Palace, which just won an award at Cannes Critics' Week for its tale of two Chinese workers in New York; Didi, the coming-of-age film that nabbed first-time feature director Sean Wang two prizes at Sundance; Grand Theft Hamlet, which is indeed about staging Shakespeare in Grand Theft Auto; documentary Look Into My Eyes, about psychics and their clients from Miss Americana and Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields director Lana Wilson; and Teaches of Peaches, which goes on tour with its namesake The list already goes on, with MIFF Artistic Director Al Cossar dubbing this year's full program "another extraordinary voyage through cinema". "MIFF is pleased to share our First Glance for 2024, a sneak peek of the program arriving this August — the marvellous visions, diversions, and cinematic surprises coming your way as over 250 films illuminate the screens this winter across 18 days of unbridled binge-viewing." "First Glance already sees us lifting the lid on some of the most anticipated films of the year, alongside films you won't find anywhere else — bold, thrilling, thoughtful, hilarious, terrifying, and essential new cinema, from Australia and all around the world," Cossar continued. The 2024 Melbourne International Film Festival runs from Thursday, August 8–Sunday, August 25 at a variety of venues around Melbourne; from Friday, August 16–Sunday, August 18 and Friday, August 23–Sunday, August 25 in regional Victoria; and online nationwide from Friday, August 9–Sunday, August 25. For further details, including the full program from Thursday, July 11, visit the MIFF website.
When Brisbane Festival takes over the River City for 2023, it'll do so with more than 1000 performances across 23 spring days. Between Friday, September 1–Saturday, September 23, everything from fireworks and kazoos to gospel-meets-dance music parties and glowing gardens are on the bill — plus brand-new musicals, including one by Kate Miller-Heidke; Paul Kelly getting behind the microphone; and a day-long music festival headlined by Groove Armada and The Avalanches, too. From Brisbane Festival's full highlights, Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale is set to literally soar. It's a never-before-seen mass drone performance that'll tell a First Nations narrative. And we mean mass: 400 drones will fly through the sky above the river in front of Queen's Wharf. Also certain to stun is Circa's new world-premiere show Eternity, which will see eight acrobats and artists tumble into St John's Anglican Cathedral — and Maxine Doyle, Es Devlin and Australasian Dance Collective's Salamander, which'll head to Northshore, settle into a riverside warehouse, and ponder the future, labyrinths and landscapes beset by floods. Other standouts include The Making of Pinocchio, which hits Brisbane with international acclaim and a personal tale about gender transition; Hiromi Hotel: Yu Ka 夢花, aka Hiromi Tango's latest towering installation; and Bangarra Dance Theatre's new show Yuldea, which makes its Queensland premiere. In Tracker, Wiradjuri choreographer and Australian Dance Theatre Artistic Director Daniel Riley steps through his great-great uncle's story. In Stunt Double, film fans and theatre lovers alike can delight in a piece about the shooting of a 70s Aussie action flick filled with, yes, stunts. Love rom-coms? There's Something About Music will sing through a heap of movie soundtracks. And, with The Party, Strut & Fret return to Brisbane Festival after Blanc de Blanc and LIMBO to live up to their latest show's name. Bite Club is similarly back, courtesy of Briefs Factory, this time with Sahara Beck joining the saucy cabaret, drag and burlesque blend. Also, South Bank Piazza is welcoming in circus again thanks to Cirque Bon Bon, which hails from former Cirque Du Soleil Assistant Creative Director Ash Jacks (McCready) and choreographer Julieann Nugent. While almost every inner-city venue you can think of will host part of Brisbane Festival's 2023 program, this fest isn't just about the middle of town. The returning Brisbane Serenades takes tunes to the suburbs, with more than 23 places across the Queensland capital playing host. Also, Moorooka's block party with First Nations and World Music talents is on the bill again, as is MOSAIC Multicultural Festival. A newcomer: West End Stories, a world-premiere session heroing storytelling and songwriting about Meanjin through an Indigenous lens. Common People Dance Eisteddfod graces the lineup for the fifth year, puppeteers Erth will get you diving with sharks without actually diving with sharks and Dead Puppet Society is unleashing full-size flamingos. Bowen Hills' King Street is going retro with inflatable gaming consoles and an 80s street party complete with rollerskating, while South Bank will host the fest's wine and food hub. Given the massive number of performances — including 19 world premieres, two Australian premieres and 11 Queensland premieres, plus more than 1400 Queensland-based artists and arts workers taking part, 57 arts organisations getting involved and over 170 First Nations artists joining in — the program clearly doesn't end there. When it all comes to an end, however, All Together Now will do the honours. A closing concert at Victoria Park / Barrambin, it'll feature the already-announced 10,000-kazoo orchestra and the 100-drum percussive sounds of Noise.
When you're sitting in a cinema, you want to hear one thing and one thing only: the film that you're watching. No one likes having their movie-going experience ruined by excessive noise from those around them; however, shooshing and scowling are only somewhat effective at combating the problem. Sure, you can ask an incessant talker to pipe down, but requesting that the person behind you devours their movie munchies at a lower volume isn't so easy, particularly in a place that sells far-from-quiet foods such as popcorn and potato chips. Enter Silent Snacks, aka the invention someone really should've thought of earlier. The brainchild of theatre ticketing app company TodayTix, they're exactly what they sound like — or ideally don't, thanks to products such as Quiet (Pop)corn, Muffled Truffles, Silent Slices and Anti-Gas Lime and Mint Drink. Basically, the new snack range takes your usual cinema treats and gives them a few twists to tone down any annoying munching, crunching and slurping sounds. The popcorn has been ground down, mixed with dates, coconut butter, cocoa butter and coconut blossom nectar, and rolled into balls; chocolates have been switched with truffles; and chips swapped for dehydrated pears. And when it comes to washing it all down, Silent Snacks' beverage of choice is not only designed to reduce burping noises coming out, but is served in silicone to ensure that it's also stealthy while you're sipping it. Yep, soft, soundless packets and wrappers are all part of the package, because everyone knows that it's not just loud eating that can echo throughout a cinema, but the crinkling and rustling that goes with it. Of course, given that TodayTix only operates in the US and UK at present, you won't find these super-quiet foods at a local candy bar any time soon. Instead, we'll live in hope that something similar will pop up here soon — silently, of course. Via TodayTix.
When your nine-to-five plays out like a well-oiled machine, it can sometimes feel like each week is a little same-same. But Sydney is brimming with a fine bounty of things to experience and explore each and every day. So aside from casual laziness and a little lack of inspiration, there's really nothing stopping you from squeezing some adventure and spontaneity into your schedule. We've teamed up with Mazda3 to celebrate the landmark 40th anniversary of their iconic small cars, and in turn, help you celebrate the little things that bring that sense of adventure to life. Shake things up, as we give you seven different detours to take each week in Sydney. From Monday to Sunday, enrich your everyday with one completely achievable activity that inspires you to take the scenic route as you go about your daily routine. This week, peek into the newly resurrected Lansdowne Hotel, find out who is the most viking of all your friends and learn how to smoke your own meats and cheese. Plus, we've got your future detours sorted for the new few weeks here. All require no more effort than a tiny break from the norm — what's your excuse for not trying them all?
Two Australian denim gurus, General Pants Co. and Ksubi, are joining forces this month to help you fill up your wardrobe on the cheap. The two homegrown fashion brands will take over Paddington Town Hall for two days only on Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13 — and denim will be on sale from just $50. Apart from designs from the two namesake brands, you can also expect threads from the likes of Insight, Arvust, Standard, Spencer Project and Alice in the Eve. Clothing from other favourite General Pants Co. designers, including Don't Ask Amanda, Subtitled and Neon Hart, will also be up for grabs. Shoppers will have the chance to nab heaps of denim and other fashion finds, and will only have to fork out a pineapple for much of it. The warehouse sale will run from 9am–6pm on Friday and 9am–4pm on Saturday. While entry is free, be sure to RSVP to the Facebook event here.
Celebrating its 45th year, the Australian Heritage Festival NSW offers a sprawling events program delving into natural, historic and Indigenous heritage. Spanning 150 free and ticketed events, the chock-a-block calendar is designed for all ages, interests, regions and budgets, so finding a nearby happening that piques your curiosity is a breeze. This edition of the festival centres on the theme, 'Unearthed', where lesser-known histories and stories are brought into the light. Meanwhile, largely overlooked knowledge empowers visitors with the information to become future custodians of culture and tradition. Best of all, there are numerous ways to get involved, from art exhibitions and ceremonies to food experiences, live performances and tours of historical sights. Running from World Heritage Day on Friday, April 18 to Sunday, May 18, the Australian Heritage Festival is the country's largest community-driven celebration of heritage. Keep an eye out for the forthcoming NSW program and head along to learn about your corner of the state and all the tales and landmarks that make it so special.
International travel could possibly be back on the cards for Australians by Christmas, but you'll be able to get a 26-film glimpse of Italy first. The reason: the 2021 Italian Film Festival. As it does every year, it's showcasing a stacked lineup of new and classic cinema from its chosen part of the globe, as part of its touring program. In a change from previous years, this year's fest will start in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, then move to Byron Bay and Sydney in line with New South Wales' roadmap out of lockdowns. Next, it'll hit up Canberra and Melbourne as they emerge from stay-at-home conditions as well. Wherever you're located, your leg of the festival will start with The Ties — and with a marriage in crisis. Starring Alba Rohrwacher (Happy as Lazzaro) and Luigi Lo Cascio (Human Capital), and helmed by Daniele Luchetti (La Nostra Vita, My Brother is an Only Child), this moving film follows a couple's tumultuous romance over the course of decades. It heads to the Italian Film Festival after opening last year's Venice Film Festival, and becoming the first Italian movie in more than a decade to do the latter. At the other end of the 2021 Italian Film Festival, the event will close with a classic: Roberto Rosselini's Rome, Open City. It's part of a four-film retrospective of the director's work, and also falls within the fest's look back at iconic Italian leading ladies. This event always comes with a big appreciation for Italy's filmmaking past, which is where documentary Fellini Forward: From the Creative Genius of Federico Fellini, about the acclaimed director, also fits in. Elsewhere, festival highlights include Cannes Film Festival Director's Fortnight winner To Chiara, about a 15-year-old who discovers her father might have criminal ties; Nanni Moretti's Three Floors, which is set across a Rome apartment block; Hidden Away, a biopic about artist Antonio Ligabue; and You Came Back, a thriller that makes ample use of Venice's lagoons. Or, there's also comedy Three Perfect Daughters; drama Tigers, about footballer Martin Bengtsson; and Sirley, which sees director Elisa Amoruso draw upon her adolescence for her first fictional film. ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2021 DATES: Wednesday, October 20–Sunday, November 14 — Palace James Street and Palace Centro, Brisbane Wednesday, October 20–Sunday, November 14 — Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas and Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas, Adelaide Wednesday, October 20–Sunday, November 14 — Palace Raine Square, Luna Leederville, Luna on SX and Windsor Cinema, Perth Friday, October 20–Sunday, November 7 — Palace Byron Bay, Byron Bay Wednesday, October 27–Sunday, November 21 — Palace Norton, Palace Verona, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinema, Sydney Wednesday, November 17–Sunday, December 12 — Palace Electric, Canberra Friday, November 19–Sunday, December 12 — Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema, The Astor and Cinema Nova, Melbourne The 2021 Italian Film Festival tours Australia between Wednesday, October 20–Sunday, December 12. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the festival website.
This article is part of our series on the 17 most unique things to have come out of Japan. Check out the other 16. Put all of Japan’s vending machines together and you’d pretty much have a department store. They’ve become so widespread for so many products that it’s more a matter of what can’t you get than what you can. Fresh eggs? Check. Toasted sandwiches? Check. Neckties? Check. Buddhist charms? Check. Umbrellas? Check. Vending machines first hit Japan in the 1950s, with run-of-the-mill drink machines. But rather than sticking with conventional products, they became the 24-hour go-to for all manner of retail. These days, you’ll find more vending machines per capita in Japan than in any other nation in the world. There are 5.52 million of them altogether. And they’re not only in cities. In fact, in rural areas, where retail opening hours are still sane, vending machines are seriously handy. Who doesn’t get a craving for a fresh egg at 3am every now and again? Plus, to supplement packaged items, there are stacks of unattended stands selling fresh fruit and vegetables through an honesty system. According to Japan expert Brian Ashcraft, one of the reasons for the proliferation of vending machines is the country’s incredibly low crime rate. “The Japan National Tourism Organisation says that the country's low crime rate is why there are so many vending machines in Japan — because the machines can be left outside and are rarely vandalised,” he writes.
The north-of-the-bridge boom is in full swing, and it shows no signs of slowing down. Once Sydney's oft-overlook CBD extension, North Sydney is now home to some of the city's buzziest restaurants on either side of the harbour — not to mention a shiny new metro making the neighbourhood more accessible than ever before. And from mid-May, there'll be one more restaurant in North Sydney to add to the list, promising to bring a whole lot of flair, flavour and finesse to the table. Located in the heart of the action on Miller Street, Toki Bistro & Bar will showcase modern Asian-inspired flavours and French culinary techniques, with a storytelling twist that will turn your meal into something far more memorable. The cleverly designed space — which includes three private dining rooms and an intimate public dining room across its 475 square metres — is moody and elegant, mixing classic Parisian bistro charm with modern luxury. Think: mahogany floors, black marble tables, deep red vintage seating and glass chandeliers glowing overhead. Upon entry, you'll be greeted by a showcase of fresh seafood set against a slick and stacked mahogany and marbled-topped bar. Leading the charge at Toki is Head Chef Jay Choy, whose culinary credentials span Michelin-starred restaurants in the US and a top-ten nod from San Pellegrino's Young Chef awards. At Toki, Choy will present a considered menu that brings together classic French technique and punchy Asian flavours, inspired by his own childhood memories and years of global experience. The public dining area offers an à la carte menu spotlighting Toki signatures — but for the full experience, you'll want to opt for one of the set menus. Highlights include beef tartare topped with caviar and crispy tendon crisps, marron udon with beurre blanc and lobster bisque, and bone marrow custard with bacon jam, uni and ikura served on a crumpet. You can pair your meal with a selection from the thoughtful wine program, which includes premium drops from Australia, Asia and France — with complimentary tastings also available to help you find your perfect match. For a more exclusive experience, step into the discreet elevator on Miller Street to access one of Toki's three private dining rooms. Here, you and your fellow diners will be treated to a ten-course tasting menu divided into four 'chapters' that mirror the milestones of life through flavour. You might start with citrus-dressed Sydney Rock Oysters before moving on to larger dishes like amaebi tart served with citrus cream and yuzu tamarind dressing or beef tartare with nashi pear, french mustard and salted tendon chips. There are luxe add-ons, too, like caviar with house-made blinis and three different types of crème fraîche, a tomahawk steak carved tableside, and a two-part duck that's been dry-aged for two weeks and uses every part of the bird, from lavender honey-glazed slices to a rich duck-and-chicken sausage featuring pistachio, yuringi onion marmalade and teriyaki-braised shiitake jam. With its slick interiors and thoughtful menu featuring standout ingredients, Toki is shaping up to be one of Sydney's most ambitious fine-dining openings this year — and one that we reckon would be well worth crossing the bridge for. Toki Bistro & Bar is slated to open in mid-May at T23-24/100 Miller Street, North Sydney, and will be open for lunch and dinner Tuesday–Sunday. For more information, head to the venue's website.
The status of Queensland's borders has changed multiple times in 2020, and whether they're open to other states or not has attracted ample public and political attention over the past few months. At present, the Sunshine State has closed off access to anyone who has been in Victoria, New South Wales or the Australian Capital Territory in the past 14 days — and, as revealed today, Monday, August 17, that is unlikely to change anytime soon. When the last border restrictions were announced on August 5, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk noted that they'd be reviewed at the end of the month. In her latest press conference, however, she said that the state's borders won't reopen until New South Wales and Victoria no longer have any COVID-19 cases that were acquired by community transmission. "We do not have any intentions of opening any borders whilst there is community transmission active in Victoria and in New South Wales," the Premier advised. "I think we're going to continue to see restrictions in Victoria up until around Christmas time. That's very unfortunate for people living down there, but it's a serious situation. You only have to look at what's happening around the world — and we don't want to see that happen here." The Premier also explained that, in good news for Queenslanders, "there has been no evidence of community transmission in Queensland now for 28 days". That's particularly significant given that the past month has seen several health alerts issued regarding areas of Brisbane that have been visited by a number of people with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. https://www.facebook.com/annastaciamp/videos/690694074852757/?__xts__[0]=68.ARBbc0v17o2dQyWT_ig-HRbWPgWa0drYvvm9Dmb83aVr9h1jP8-dKx6gLMWWNwhn8fUDjnAs8_3Cr4nVZCu27aKMq-po6yPw26D4I8gZIeqztFg_HdgrXPsOk7RhLS9g-Mcd-62BTfbD2E6BprnJVCSnhHuIjr0vXP1T2VSdxu-OyqXxBogearGuoOvC16jxpt8eZIhD6yC32KaE3NqZUjxBtA1RnVUO91dizZ80dW8wQkPK5cgBQqrt3aazyXYBm5A5HxKn0KcxgwHTiSqbb0dVpkYAhCy85GNRFZHDWe1acp-ovxYj_fDhGo268LAT_v2xQ_86-8AXXOK6mEtCEXBk0qqpnjW6iDI&__tn__=-R In case you're not 100-percent up-to-date with Queensland's border situation — or you need a refresher — the state is completely shut to folks in Victoria, NSW and the ACT, which have been declared hotspots by Queensland's Chief Health Officer. That means that all visitors from all three states and territories will be denied entry to Queensland, except for rare exemptions and returning Queenslanders. If you fall into those categories, you'll have to fork out for a 14-day stretch of mandatory hotel quarantine. As the Premier has previously advised, exemptions are limited, including for compassionate reasons. During the shutdown, the aim is to only allow folks who live in border communities and essential workers such as truck drivers to cross. Anyone who fits that description will need to obtain a pass, with those who reside in the area requiring proof of address and photo identification to do so. Queensland's borders are currently closed to everyone in Victoria, NSW and the ACT, unless they are a returning resident or are entering for one a few essential reasons. For more information, head to the Queensland Government website.
It's his first solo headlining Australian tour since 2011. It comes after the entire world, or thereabouts, watched him on the Super Bowl stage in 2024. Of course Usher's Past Present Future dates Down Under were going to be popular, then, so much so that he's added more gigs before general tickets even go on sale. The good news: the eight-time Grammy-winner is now playing six concerts each in Melbourne in November and Sydney in December. If you're located elsewhere in Australia, however, he's still only heading to the Victorian and New South Wales capitals, so you'll need to make interstate plans. Celebrating his three-decade career is the name of the game on Usher's Aussie trip — which means going all the way back to his first single 'Call Me a Mack' from 1993, also playing tracks off of his latest 2024 album Coming Home, plus working his way through plenty in-between. With the just-announced shows, adding to the tour due to presale demand, 12 dates have been locked in for Past Present Future's Aussie stop. At Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Usher will take to the stage on Wednesday, November 19–Thursday, November 20, then again on Saturday, November 22–Sunday, November 23 and then across Tuesday, November 25–Wednesday, November 26. In Sydney, he's playing Qudos Bank Arena on Monday, December 1–Tuesday, December 2, then on Thursday, December 4–Friday, December 5 and finally on Wednesday, December 10–Thursday, December 11. The initial US shows on the Past Present Future tour were announced just days before Usher's Super Bowl set, which worked through hits from across his lengthy career itself. From August–December 2024, the Texas-born singer made his way across North American stages, before heading to Europe (including England, France, the Netherlands and Germany) from March 2025. Also popping up on his setlist across the tour so far: 'Yeah!', of course, plus everything from 'Can U Get Wit It', 'Nice & Slow', 'U Remind Me' and 'U Got It Bad' to 'Burn', 'OMG', 'Euphoria' and more. And yes, this means that the last two Super Bowl half-time show headliners have both announced 2025 tours to Australia, with Kendrick Lamar on the bill at Spilt Milk. Usher's Past Present Future World Tour Australia 2025 Dates Wednesday, November 19–Thursday, November 20, Saturday, November 22–Sunday, November 23 + Tuesday, November 25–Wednesday, November 26 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Monday, December 1–Tuesday, December 2, Thursday, December 4–Friday, December 5 + Wednesday, December 10–Thursday, December 11 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Usher is touring Australia in November and December 2025. Presales are on now, while general tickets go on sale at 12pm for Melbourne and 1pm for Sydney on Friday, May 16 — head to the tour website for more details. Images: Marcus Macdonald / Bellamy Brewster.
You know that feeling of walking into your hotel room after a long day to find everything spick and span — without any effort on your part whatsoever. Now, you can have that exact feeling at home, thanks to Urban Company. The cleaning app recently launched in Sydney and boasts direct access to heaps of Sydney's top cleaning professionals, making it easier than ever to keep on top of household chores, without actually having to do them yourself. Change the bed linens? Sure. Fold your clothes? Of course. Assembling your IKEA furniture? Can do. Cleaning up your house at the end of a lease so you don't have to spend days doing it (and procrastinating doing it) with your housemates? Yep, that too. Each cleaner has been qualified through an in-person boot camp and Urban Company keeps each side honest with its rating and review system. To stay on the app, professionals need to maintain a 4.7 or above star rating, similar to most rideshare and food delivery apps. Instead of paying per hour, the app is set up as a pay-per-room system, with bedrooms starting from $15, and kitchens and bathrooms from $19. Carpet cleans will set you back around $30 a room and end-of-lease cleans from $249 for a studio apartment. You can also easily view availability through in-app calendars and re-book with preferred professionals. Apart from hotel-level cleaning, Urban Company also offers services like gardening, carpet and sofa steam cleaning, window cleaning and help with plenty of other domestic chores. The app can also connect you with trade professionals for additional odd-jobs, such as furniture building and TV mounting. Urban Company is already operating across 22 cities in India, Singapore and the UAE, with over 30,000 individual professionals available on the platform at any given time. You can sign up to Urban Company and download the app. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
This article is part of our series on the 17 most unique things to have come out of Japan. Check out the other 16. As if Japan’s global contribution by way of regular sushi conveyor belts weren’t enough, the humble sushi train has gained a serious speed injection at Uobei, a chain restaurant found in Tokyo and other locations. Order your sushi via tablet and within one minute, you’ll see it hurtling towards you, covering seven metres in just eight seconds. This high-tech arrangement replaces the conveyor belt with three rails, stacked vertically, which allow three plates to travel at once. As soon as you’ve grabbed your food, hit another button and the tray bolts straight back to the kitchen, continuing its breakneck speed. Uobei’s sushi might not be the most incredible sushi you’ve ever come across, but it is affordably priced, at just $1 a pop. And the menu is available in several languages, including English. Another high-tech, fast sushi set-up came to Australia late last year, when Toshiba brought the world’s first ever sushi rollercoaster to District 01, Surry Hills for just three nights. Hundreds of people queued to nab some free Zushi-made delights and watch it delivered to them via miniature fairground attraction. Find Uobei at 2-29-11 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. Open daily 11am to midnight. Image: Brian Sterling, Flickr CC.
This post is sponsored by our partners, Wotif.com. Adelaide born and bred, comedian and known barfly Cam Knight has seen the city at its best. Here are a few of his tips for making the most of your time in the understated SA capital. Stay in the city at one of the boutique accommodations, like the Adabco Boutique Hotel, which is set within the beauty of a Heritage-listed, 19th-century Venetian gothic style building. If that’s not your style, The Mayfair is a 1940s-inspired, Hollywood-style boutique hotel in the heart of the city — slated for completion in October of this year. Wake up with the best coffee at the Coffee Branch on Leigh Street in the West End. Owner Josh has the palate of a genius, the speed of a mouse on Red Bull and the memory of an elephant that just snorted a mouse on Red Bull. Hire a free bike. Sounds like an oxymoron but Adelaide City Bikes has a free bike hire scheme. The whole place is flat and gridded so it's impossible to (a) get exhausted or (b) get lost. Adelaide city is low density and it still has a lot of original buildings standing. You can explore North Adelaide, River Torrens, or the various parklands that surround the city and still have plenty of time left over for drinking (and eating). Take a stroll down Ebenezer Place. It feels like a little Melbourne-esque laneway hidden between Rundle and Grenfell Streets with a lot of quirky shops selling one-of-a-kind items well worth a gawp. You’ll want lunch or brunch, yeah? Hey Jupiter will serve you a delicious amount of French food without the snootiness. There’s also Nano. They make their very own bread and do simple, restrained, tasty Italian food. Get thee to a pub. Order a Coopers beer at The Austral or The Exeter on Rundle Streett, or turn a corner and head to The Crown & Anchor on Grenfell Streett. The Wheatsheaf out in Thebarton is the place for craft beer, and The Grace Emily on Waymouth Street is the best pub for live music. There’s a lot to chose from (or ‘heaps’, as the locals would say). Radelaidians are super-friendly people who will love to help you have a top night out. Feel free to start a conversation up wherever you go. Hunt out a different style of bar like Udaberri on Leigh Street in the West End, which has been made out of a shipping container. The food is pintxos, the Basque region’s version of tapas, or you can simply order a 1kg rib eye steak like a boss. Press Club Food & Wine do one of the best burgers in town and regularly change their beloved wine list. Take in a night of comedy at the Rhino Room on Frome Street. There are always big name comedians from interstate or overseas on, plus some excellent local acts. The Howling Owl Cafe downstairs is not only a cafe; it's a bar and an art gallery showcasing some very talented local artists. You’ll also find the Urban Cow Studio tucked in to this building. Their art gallery has an opening night on the first Wednesday of every month, which includes wine, music and fun. Their shop showcases jewellery and all sorts of exciting new work from emerging or established artists. Visit Adelaide when the Fringe is on. The festival is huge — it’s like a circus exploded in the East Parklands. There are over 900 different events to choose from, including cabaret, magic shows, circus, comedians, puppetry, dance and so much more. Check out shows running late into the night at Rhino Room, Producers Bar, Gluttony and The Garden Of Earthly Delights. Rundle Street usually closes to traffic at night over the Fringe weekends, so you can roam the streets in a bleary haze taking in the energy of it all without fear of being run over. Get out to McLaren Vale for a day or two. It’s easily one of Australia’s greatest wine regions and is seriously only about 35 mins south from the city. Some of the vineyards, like Chapel Hill, have accommodation which are very handy post tasting tour for a cheeky nap. Spoiler: it’s almost impossible to feel hung over waking up to the beautiful landscape of the Adelaide Hills. Don’t believe me? Check this out. Do a tasting tour or have a very, very understanding friend or partner who elects to drive you around. Coriole, Samuel’s Gorge, Alpha Box & Dice, Primo Estate, Chapel Hill and D’Arenburg should get you going. If you get chatting with the wine makers they may have a few drinks with you and recommend some top places to visit, whilst also letting you into their intriguing world. Grab a bite at The Famous Star of Greece in Port Willunga, perched atop the cliffs looking out to one of the most stunning ocean views whilst savouring the freshest seafood around. Sounds terrible, huh?
Four exhibitions have just opened at Gaffa, collecting four different surveys of the world. Erica Molesworth's Pinpoint is a study in mapping, water-divining and what changes when you see land as something to be used. Two hazy white prints of satellite photography are overlaid with so much deliberate noise that you need to stand halfway across the room to see them properly, which works well. The rest of her exhibition includes photos of rusty, brown outback landscapes, and a dam laid sideways in its frame with its slipway dribbling out water like a waterfall. Sanaz Hoseinabadi's Platonic Divide exhibition collects her wonderful, white 3-D sculptures made from 2-D cardboard — their shapes are the abstract made solid. Uncollapsed fragments from Flatland, accreted lens flares, errant sound waves and white arabesques. Jess Calley wonders if Facebook is just yet another way to hide away the inner self. Her Status Update satirises the social side of the site, including photographs of her 'like' stickers stuck on real-world real graffiti, shops and galleried art around Melbourne and San Francisco. The other drawings and collages are sat against real Facebook status updates, with an almost cubist bottle of VB for This Essay is Killing Me and a disembodied Mac keyboard for Happiness. Gaffa's Lauren Hill isn't that Lauren Hill, but the title of Everything is Horrible plays on her namesake. The show plays a collection of unmanipulated and retouched images off against each other, never making clear which is which. Some digital changes are obvious, like the cryptically titled Couch/Tree, but others are harder to pick apart. This is part of the point of her collection, which includes images like the lopsided Six Feet High and Rising and vengeful Untitled cake nestled on a tray of sandwiches. Gaffa is closed Sundays. Image from Pinpoint by Erica Molesworth.
When chef Brent Savage and sommelier Nick Hildebrandt of Bentley Restaurant Group transplanted their moody-chic mod-French wine bar-cum-bistro Monopole from Potts Point to the CBD in 2020, the move also ushered in a change of identity. The brooding intimacy, dark furnishings and wine-bottle-stacked walls of the OG Monopole were replaced with soaring ceilings, a vibrant vermillion paint job, abstract pendant fixtures and floods of light through the wall-to-wall windows. The menu also brightened, shifting from riffs on French fare to a broader-spectrum pan-European offering, with Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and, oui, also French flourishes on the plate, alongside a thoroughly considered and impressively worldly wine list. But it seems what goes around comes around. The next era of Monopole will see a return to the venue's French roots. Starting Tuesday, July 2, a new-look dining room at Curtain Place will provide the backdrop for a menu of classic French dishes and a more tricolore-centric wine, aperitif and digestif selection. Far from joining the ranks of Sydney's many casual bistros and brasseries, Monopole 3.0 will be a top-of-class destination for fine French cuisine. "The space feels refined, the wines and broader beverages are heavily French, and Brent has designed a menu of French classics done our way," Hildebrandt said. Working with celebrated designer Pascale Gomes-McNabb — who, in addition to designing all of Bentley Restaurant Group's Sydney venues, has also created dining spaces for Melbourne institutions including Cutler & Co. and Stokehouse — has tamped down the playfulness of the existing decor. Velvet drapes, sheer curtains, vintage wine posters and antique light sconces tell a more elegant story, underlined by the restaurant's new ivory crockery. Gracing those plates, Savage's new menu is a French gastronome's dream, although there are still a handful of surprises that might raise a purist's brow. Gourmet virtuosity in the form of quenelle de poisson — poached fish dumplings served in a red fish bisque — and boudin blanc du homard — sausages made from crayfish and dressed with morel mushrooms and tarragon butter — will share the pass with items like the burger de canard, which, just as it sounds, is a duck burger served with house-made pickles, comté cheese, hot sauce and a generous slather of duck liver parfait. Monopole's wine list has been largely French-leaning for a few years now, but the new list fully embraces this Francophilia with both arms. In preparation, Hildebrandt has spent time touring wine producers in Champagne, Alsace and Burgundy, and now Sydneysiders will have a chance to taste the expertly fermented fruit of these labours. Classic French cocktails and a wide selection of the verdant herbal liqueur chartreuse will also star behind the bar. While the spirit of the new Monopole is unerringly fine-dining, affordability has also been a consideration for Savage and Hildebrandt. A fixed-price menu will be available during lunch service and for dinner reservations before 6pm, with two courses for $55 and three courses for $70. A five-course tasting menu will also be available throughout evening service for $90, placing a night of extraordinary Gallic flavours within reach of diners on a budget. Monopole's new dining room opens for service from Tuesday, July 2. Visit the Monopole website to make a booking.
Before soaking up some rays, sifting through Greenpeace bumper stickers and grooving to some alternative-rock at Newtown Festival, muse over the sights and smells of this iconic inner-west suburb at the turn of the millennium. A '90s themed Newtown walking tour will take place on Saturday, October 19, supported by the City of Sydney and hosted by writer Vanessa Berry. Newtown has a long-held reputation as being the heart of counter-culture. However, with the onset of boho chic and skyrocketing real estate prices, whether it has retained its gritty edge is debatable. The pre-yuppie utopia saw the burgeoning of grassroots political activism, the boom of pub rock heralded by the late Sando and the colourful main drag of King Street with its multicultural cuisine and cheap student eats. There was also the former glory of the Newtown Hotel as the keystone of gay and lesbian pride, and the Goth-den that was Camperdown Park. Departing from the Newtown Library, the tour will stop at various sites of cultural and historical interest. Allow yourself to be transported back to a period of anarchist fervour and avant-garde excitement, retracing the steps of queens, punks, Goths and rockers. This unique opportunity is perfect for both locals and tourists. Image Credit: Reclaim the Streets Rally, courtesy of Vanessa Berry.
We're a long way from New York City's Lower East Side, but it'll feel a whole lot closer (for at least one night) when celebrated speakeasy-style cocktail bar Death & Co hits Down Under. The NYC team will be visiting three much-loved venues across Australia for a series of cocktail-fuelled dinners. Out to offer locals a taste of their contemporary drinks mastery, Death & Co's David Kaplan and Alex Day are swinging past Surry Hills' The Winery for two nights. The dinner on Sunday, February 2 is already sold out, but there are still spots available for the one on Monday, February 3. Launched in 2006, the NYC bar is considered something of a pioneer in the world of modern cocktail bars, having scored a slew of big-time awards, played host to a roll-call of bartending legends and birthed its share of now-iconic cocktail creations. Each of the Aussie dinners will see the team showcase five crafty concoctions, matched with five courses from the host venue. The tour's a collaboration with US label Aviation Gin, which just so happens to be owned by your good mate Ryan Reynolds, so you can expect lots of gin. There will be sips like the Have At It welcome shot, blending Dry Sack Sherry, gin, lemon juice and grapefruit, and the Trust Fall: a fusion of Aviation gin, pisco and vermouth, finished with lychee liqueur, raspberry, absinthe and Peychaud's Bitters. At The Winery, the booze is carefully paired with dishes like 'drunk mussels' done with gin, absinthe and tomato, spanner crab toast with stracciatella and caviar, and a deep-fried carrot cake to finish. Tickets to each event clock in at $95 per person (or $145 if you also want a signed copy of Death & Co's own book, Cocktail Codex). All that should leave you feeling pretty inspired to try out some drinks wizardry in your own home bar.
