Pyrmont Festival turns seven this year, and they're marking the occasion with one of their best programs yet. Extending the program, this year the festival will run for a whopping two weeks, from May 13–27. The annually beloved event promises a pretty well jam-packed program of live music, wine dinners, exhibitions and sculpture installations featured all around Pyrmont. Every day of the festival program is different, but each event is a particular ode to the tasty food and wine being produced both in Mudgee region and around Pyrmont. As always, the festival will kick off with a free two-day headliner event in Pirrama Park on Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21, with live music, art and over 100 food and wine stalls. You can chat to local producers and sample delicious local goodies, and you can do a wine tasting for $20. The monthly Pyrmont Growers Market will also run on Saturday, May 27. Various events will be held throughout the festival's two-week duration — the lineup can be accessed here.
Hopping on a boat is no longer the only thing to do at White Bay Cruise Terminal, all thanks to Sydney's newest electronic music venue. At Terminal 4, you'll be able to dance the night away to local and international acts while peering out over the water. And if you do want to combine a visit with a cruise, heading by either pre- or post-voyage, you'll be kicking off or ending your trip in quite the style. Forget the dark and sweaty rooms that often come to mind when anyone mentions dance parties and raves. Forget the term 'underground', too. While this site sports a strong industrial aesthetic, it's all about soaring ceilings and views out over Glebe Island and Port Jackson. While you're making shapes, you'll also score a vantage across Darling Harbour's waterways, over to the Harbour Bridge. While exactly when the venue will launch and what it'll open with hasn't yet been revealed, Terminal 4 will start welcoming in dance music fans sometime this summer — but it'll host events year-round. When the beats start dropping, the focus will be on top-notch acts, and on providing Sydney with an inclusive, progressive and multi-sensory space that's all about electronic music first and foremost. Terminal 4 is the latest venture from Untitled Group, who are also behind the Beyond the Valley, Pitch Music & Arts, Grapevine Gathering and Wildlands music festivals, plus Melbourne electronic music hub XE54. Here, Untitled has teamed up with Niche Productions, who've previously toured Jon Hopkins, Bonobo and Odesza to our shores. Find Terminal 4 at the White Bay Cruise Terminal, 2041 James Craig Road, Rozelle. To keep an eye out for events at the venue, head to its Facebook and Instagram pages. Images: Jordan Mumms.
UPDATE: Artemis II has launched and is on trajectory as planned. Visit the NASA website for further updates. Few cultural moments are as ingrained in our collective memory as the handful of missions that have sent astronaut crews into space or celebrities into orbit. Thankfully, this time it's the former — more specifically, Artemis II, the first crewed mission being sent to the moon since Apollo 17 in 1972. In a world and newscycle that are constantly circulating bad news, this seems like an occasion worth celebrating, but nobody seems to be talking about it. So, here's everything you need to know about Artemis II. Important disclaimer: this isn't going to be a moon landing. But, it's still an exciting mission and the first time that human beings are entering the moon's celestial neighbourhood since the Apollo missions. Artemis II is scheduled for a promising two-hour launch window that starts at 9.30am AEST tomorrow, Thursday, April 2, from where its crew of four (Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen) will set out on the most exciting surveying job in decades. [caption id="attachment_1088418" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Chip Somodevilla[/caption] Artemis II is performing a 10-day flyby mission, circumnavigating the celestial body to survey it for potential landing sites for subsequent Artemis missions, where NASA aims to have humans return to the lunar surface by 2028. The crew will collect data from orbit of the lunar surface and the effects of deep space travel on the human body — all to inform missions to come and a culminating long-term goal of sending humans to Mars in the 2030s. It's a mission of multiple firsts, too. The crew includes the first woman (Koch), the first person of colour (Glover), the oldest person (Wiseman) and the first non US National (Hansen) to either leave low Earth orbit or travel around the moon. It's also expected to break speed records for crewed missions on its lunar transit and reentry over the Pacific Ocean. [caption id="attachment_1088419" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, left, Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist, right, stop for a group photograph as they visit NASA's Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)[/caption] The American-organised mission will be supported from Australia, too. NASA's Deep Space Communication Complex at Tidbinbilla and the Australian National University's (ANU) Quantum Optical Ground Station at Mt Stromlo Observatory will provide tracking and communications support for the mission. Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg told the ABC,"In the Apollo era, Australia hosted the most amount of tracking stations outside of the US that supported Apollo. We were absolutely critical then; we are also absolutely critical now." [caption id="attachment_1088420" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Joe Raedle[/caption] But why is nobody talking about it? A lot of hype was built for the mission's original launch in February, only for it to be postponed by hydrogen leaks, so perhaps the rescheduled date has already been swallowed by the ruthless news cycle and the stories surrounding the fuel crisis, Iran War and any other myriad of upsetting current affairs. Plenty of people are talking about space via Project Hail Mary, but this is the real deal. But now you know. Tomorrow morning, you can tune in to the live broadcast of the launch window on NASA's YouTube channel. It currently has an 80% chance of being a successful launch, pending the weather holds. Should it be a success — humanity will be taking its biggest step towards a future in the stars since Apollo 11 landed all those decades ago. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
In Sydney, you needn't travel too far to find some truly breathtaking natural wonders. Our national parks are filled with not only pristine beaches and adventurous walking tracks, but also magical sites. We're talking spots of awe-inspiring beauty that, at one glance, will carry you out of the ordinary. On this list alone — which is only the tip of the iceberg — there's a towering waterfall, a panoramic lookout affording epic views, and giant-sized moving sand dunes. All you have to do is jump in your car (or on a train) and make tracks. [caption id="attachment_845273" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] WEST HEAD LOOKOUT, KU-RING-GAI CHASE NATIONAL PARK There's no shortage of extraordinary vistas in Sydney, but West Head Lookout is one of the best. This mind-blowing spot gives you panoramas to the south over Pittwater, east over Barrenjoey Head and north to Broken Bay. Smack bang in the middle of it all is Lion Island, backdropped by the Central Coast's uncrowded beaches. You could easily spend a day here, so it's a good idea to pack a picnic. To add some art, take a wander on the Aboriginal Heritage Walk, along which is Red Hands Cave, where you'll see historic works from First Nations artists. Idyllic Resolute Picnic Area is nearby, too, as is the stunning and secluded Resolute Beach. West Head Lookout is a one-hour drive from the Sydney CBD, just off West Head Road. BOUDDI COASTAL WALK, BOUDDI NATIONAL PARK To see several of the Central Coast's wildest and most beautiful beaches, take the Bouddi Coastal Walk. This eight-kilometre adventure hugs the coastal edge of Bouddi National Park, beginning at Putty Beach in the south and ending at MacMasters in the north. Stop by lookouts affording sweeping ocean views and rest at rainforest-encircled picnic spots. If it's low tide, see if you can spot the shipwreck of the PS Maitland at Maitland Bay. If you're keen to extend your visit, camp overnight at Putty Beach or Little Beach. It's also possible to split the trail into short sections, namely Putty Beach to Maitland Bay (three kilometres), Maitland Bay to Little Beach (3.5-kilometres) and Little Beach to MacMasters Beach (1.7-kilometres). Note that a section of Bouddi coastal walk between Mount Bouddi walking track and Old Quarry trail is currently closed for upgrades until mid-May 2022. Check the website for more details. STOCKTON SAND DUNES, WORIMI NATIONAL PARK The 4200 hectares that make up Stockton Sand Dunes form the biggest system of sand dunes in Australia. Some are as high as 40 metres. You'll find them in the Worimi Conservation Lands, about 190 kilometres north of the Sydney CBD, just beyond Newcastle. Adding to their beauty is their stunning location, foregrounded by Stockton Beach — which, at 32 kilometres, is the longest beach in New South Wales — and backdropped by 1800 hectares of forest. While you're there, consider a beachfront horse ride, a sandboarding session and/or a visit to Tin City, an 11-shack off-grid village that appeared in Mad Max (1979). Note that Worimi Conservation Lands will remain closed until 10 March, 2022, due to extreme weather. [caption id="attachment_845272" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] JENOLAN CAVES, BLUE MOUNTAINS A classic for a reason, the Jenolan Caves are a long winding collection of stunning passageways. Located 175km west of Sydney, here you'll discover some of the most ridiculously beautiful rocks on the planet. There are nine caves altogether, filled with limestone formations, pristine underground rivers and secret chambers. The only way to visit is by tour — choose the cave that most appeals to you, take it easy with a one hour Imperial Cave Tour or get an adrenaline hit on an abseiling escapade. [caption id="attachment_845277" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] BELMORE FALLS, MORTON NATIONAL PARK The area surrounding Kangaroo Valley is a haven for incredible waterfalls with both Fitzroy Falls and this towering beauty. Belmore Falls offers a wall of tall sandstone cliffs, plus a rewarding two-kilometre walking track with endless views of the surrounding bushland. On your walk around the waterfall, take in the beauty of Australia's local flora and keep a lookout for sandstone flowers like the honey flower, banksia and wattle. The falls are located two hours south of Sydney with the option to venture back up through Wollongong and grab lunch or dinner at one of the city's beloved venues. Top image: Destination NSW
Sydney hospitality legends Kenny Graham and Jake Smyth (of Mary's, The Lansdowne, The Unicorn, P&V Wine and Liquor, Mary's Pizzeria) have taken over the historic jazz venue The Basement and begun transforming it into a live gig space, a wine bar and a new harbourside Mary's. And the first of those three has just opened. Yep, you can now stroll on down to Circular Quay and dig into a juicy Mary's burger and fried cauliflower. Wait, what? Yep, this new Mary's has, for the first time ever, a vegan menu. Plant-based peeps, rejoice — you can now get your fill of the famed burgers and fried 'chicken'. The 'chicken' is fried cauliflower and the burgers are made with vegan patty, cheese, bun and a vegan take on Mary's sauce. As an added bonus, there's also no chance of contamination with the kitchen having its own vegan-only cool room, grills and fryers. If you were lucky enough to head along to Mary's Newtown's one-off all-vegan collab with Shannon Martinez (of Melbourne's Smith & Daughters and Smith & Deli), you'll know that the boys do vegan well. Very well. As co-owner Smyth said in a statement, "it's fucking delicious plant based food, designed to make your carnivorous mates jealous." Those carnivorous mates who do prefer their burgers and fried chicken the traditional Mary's way — made with juicy beef and poultry — fear not, you'll find all the meat-filled classic here, too. As well as Mary's classic loud tunes, natural wines, local beers and raucous service. In a change of direction for the duo, though, you can also eat your burgers outdoors (in the sun) at the 30-seat Mary's Alfresco.
The past lingers. At the heart of Scrublands, both in its debut season in 2023 and now in its second — aka Scrublands: Silver — history doesn't just fade as time goes by. Portrayed by Luke Arnold (Last King of the Cross), investigative journalist Martin Scarsden witnessed this truth in action in the town of Riversend the first time that this page-to-streaming series based on Chris Hammer's novels hit the small screen. There, the character was chasing a story about a shocking tragedy impacting the entire community. As he met and became closer to bookstore-slash-cafe proprietor and single mother Mandy Bond, as played by Bella Heathcote (The Moogai), he wasn't just watching on from the outside, either. Streaming on Stan from Thursday, April 17, 2025, season two of Scrublands swaps Mandy's hometown for Martin's. In their new coastal surroundings of Port Silver, she isn't free from the past's persistent grasp despite being a newcomer to the close-knit seaside spot; however, her other half is equally haunted. Martin left town as a teenager to pursue his journalism dreams, but not before sparking a scandal. Until the first episode begins, he hasn't been back since. What's meant to be a fresh beginning for a couple already burdened by recent woes soon gets swept in other directions. The murder of Martin's childhood best friend Jasper (Hamish Michael, Apple Cider Vinegar), Mandy being named as the key suspect and Martin using his reporter instincts to try to get to the bottom of another mystery affecting the woman he loves will do that. So will Scarsden's own history bubbling back up. Looking back to the start of their Scrublands journey with Arnold and Heathcote, the pair are both clear that one season was all that they were focusing on when they initially stepped into Martin and Mandy's shoes — even though Hammer's novels about their characters had already notched up three entries thanks to 2018's Scrublands, 2019's Silver and 2020's Trust. That approach was partly pragmatic. "I think having been in this game for a while, you very much try to practice not getting ahead of yourself. And I think we were all in that mode, going 'okay, this would be great. We know the books are there. And so if we do a good job, we might be asked to come back and do some more'," Arnold tells Concrete Playground. "But at first you're just going 'hey, let's try to get through this thing and not screw it up, and then let's see what people think'." "It is always tough when there is this existing property there that people really love — sometimes that can go well, sometimes it can go the opposite way, and you find 'ohh no, you didn't', and it wasn't what the fans wanted or something went awry. So I think first season, we were just trying to do the best we could with that. And then I think the response to the show was so great and kind of beyond what we could have hoped for, so once that happened, things quickly started moving towards coming back for season two." Heathcote was instantly drawn to Mandy when the project crossed her path via Wolf Creek, Rogue and Jungle director Greg McLean, who she worked with on fellow Aussie series Bloom, but the pitch was for a one-and-done project. "Bizarrely, not at the time," she advises when asked about whether season two was ever on her mind to begin with. "I've now drunk the Kool-Aid and now I've read all the books, but in the first season I didn't — because it was pegged as a miniseries, and I thought 'okay, great'. But now I think we're all hooked, on the books and each other. I just want to work with everyone again." "There was something so comforting about coming back to this role, and being back with Luke, and Sarah Roberts [Runt], Toby Truslove [La Brea], taking the band on tour to WA. It feels sort of like coming home." Both Arnold and Heathcote have enjoyed a coming-home journey themselves, as Australian actors who enjoy overseas success tend to. (See also: Jacob Elordi and Odessa Young with The Narrow Road to the Deep North, Ashley Zukerman with In Vitro, and Radha Mitchell and Jesse Spencer with Last Days of the Space Age, to name just a few recent examples). Scrublands' two leads each have the almost-requisite Aussie soaps on their resumes, Home and Away for Arnold and Neighbours for Heathcote — and, for Arnold, four seasons on seafaring American series Black Sails, around gigs in everything from Rush Hour and MacGyver to Lethal Weapon; for Heathcote, a main part in Dark Shadows led to the eclectic likes of Not Fade Away, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, The Neon Demon, Fifty Shades Darker, Professor Marston and the Wonder Women and The Man in the High Castle. Neither have been absent from Australian fare lately, though, via the likes of Glitch, The End, Preppers, True Colours and Arnold's Home and Away stint, plus Relic, C*A*U*G*H*T and others for Heathcote. With Scrublands, they're both hooked, including as viewers. Indeed, both binged Silver's four parts, texting each other, when they were able to see the finished product. And yet, Arnold wouldn't be bringing Scarsden to the screen at all if he had followed the advice given to him back on his first taste in the business, as assistant sword fight choreographer on 2003's Australian-made Peter Pan more than a decade before playing Michael Hutchence in Never Tear Us Apart changed the course of his career. The person offering those ignored words of wisdom: The White Lotus season three's Jason Isaacs. Heathcote's early experiences also resonate with her now, specifically when it comes to being part of a great cast on Scrublands (The Artful Dodger's Luke Carroll, Good Cop/Bad Cop's Debra Lawrance, Spit's David Roberts, The Twelve's Tasma Walton and Transfusion's Damian De Montemas are among Silver's ensemble). "Oh man, it's everything. I remember early on in my career, just being really terrified of working with some big-name actor — but you're also as good as the actors around you. It's pretty hard to act in a vacuum if the people around you aren't good," she notes. From the process of stepping back into Martin and Mandy's shoes for the second time, navigating complicated emotional journeys and pondering how the past keeps haunting, through to why this Aussie noir hit resonates and whether either of its leads initially dreamed of where acting would take them, we also chatted to Arnold and Heathcote about plenty more. On What Excited Arnold and Heathcote When Scrublands First Came Their Ways Luke: "I hadn't read the books yet. It came through a lovely casting director, Lou Mitchell here in Melbourne — who, back in the day, I used to read for her at auditions for other people. And so when it came through her and I had a look, and because I have in the last few years also been writing — and writing mystery novels, fantasy, mystery stories — being able to play a writer in a mystery show just felt like the perfect fit. There's sometimes a little battle in my head between the writer and the actor, and I was like 'oh, I get to bring both sides of my creative self to this job'. And so from when I put the first tape down, I put it down with my now-fiancée, and out of all the jobs I've ever done, it was the one, she was reading opposite me, she thought it was a done deal from the beginning — and ended up being right. So I think Martin and I were a good fit from the beginning, and it is a very comfortable place for me to be when I get to step into it." Bella: "It did get me excited. It's so funny, because it came about in a really surprising way. Greg McLean and I had a project that we were doing together that fell apart, and I emailed him just checking in about something and he said 'you know what, I'm doing this show, and I feel like you might be right for this role in it'. And it was Mandy. And he's like 'read the scripts and tell me what you think' — the thing that we all say to each other, where it's like 'oh, don't worry if you don't like it'. And I read it and I just ripped through them. And then I was just like 'where do I sign?'. Because I thought she was great, and I loved how spunky she was. And I loved how much — there's something that I do that tat I really share with Mandy, where if she likes someone, she hangs shit on them. If she doesn't like someone, she also hangs shit on them. But if she really likes someone, then she just hangs even more shit on them. And I just loved that interaction that she had with both Martin and Byron [Territory's Jay Ryan in season one], and how quickly it cut through and established these relationships. Particularly the Byron storyline, I was just so impressed at how you could really feel the intimacy between them in such a short period of time. You know that expression 'show don't tell'? I just thought it did that so well, but with the thrill of the crime drama. And yeah, I just thought it was so well done and I loved it." On How the Job and Your Performance Evolves When You're Stepping Back Into a Character's Shoes for a Second Season Bella: "I guess it does evolve, because you're just layering up, aren't you? I get terrified before every job. I maybe erroneously thought that — no, I just know that I get terrified before every job. But this one felt like I put more pressure on myself or I was scared because I loved Mandy in season one, and I didn't want to do her a disservice in season two. So god, I hope I didn't. I guess the circumstances evolve, and you just put that suit back on and hope that you show up and do it justice." Luke: "It's interesting, because it's both much more comfortable and it's nice knowing 'okay, I know to a degree where this guy sits'. I also think sometimes the trap is to get too comfortable in that, and to make sure you're really looking at what the arc of this season is, what the story is. In a lot of ways, there's a lot of things that are completely different between these two seasons. The first season, Martin is the outsider. He is not emotionally or personally connected to this mystery in any way. He's got his own personal journey going on, but he is the somewhat-dispassionate journalist coming in just to tell this story, and everyone else in town has been traumatised and connected to it. This is the opposite. When we when we jump into Silver, it's Martin's old best friend who's been murdered — in a town where a lot of terrible things happened to Martin, but also he did some things that we'll find out he has some regrets, some shame over, potentially. The person who is accused of the murder is his now-partner. So he could not be more personally connected to every aspect of it. So in that way, he's going to approach it completely differently to how he did the mystery in season one. So it's somewhat comfortable, but also a completely new character in some ways." On Whether One of the Challenges of Returning to a Role Is Conveying How a Character Has Grown and Changed Between Seasons Luke: "I think so, mainly in context to Martin and Mandy. The potential relationship is only just blooming by the end of season one. So the whole year has happened for those two. So I think that's the hardest bit of catch-up to do, is to work out 'all right, how close are these two? How established is the relationship? How much trust has been built?'. Because very quickly, going back to Port Silver and the events that happened there, both of them realise that maybe they have to question how much this other person is opening up to them, how much they trust them, how truthful they're being. [caption id="attachment_929182" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sarah Enticknap[/caption] So I think that is the first thing that we had to consider — what this relationship between Martin and Mandy is, how that year has been between, how established are things, how much do they trust each other? And because it is an ongoing series — but each of these is its own standalone mystery. So in some ways, you want to get that established really quickly so you can get into the real meat of what this season's about." On How Heathcote Approached Mandy's Complicated Emotional Journey in Scrublands: Silver Bella: "I really just went off what was on the page and in the book. Although, you know what comes to mind — and this is a book that has really spoken to me, a book that I've told everyone I know to read and rabbited on about for so long. I don't know if you've ever read it? Any Ordinary Day by Leigh Sales. Oh my god, so just this idea that Mandy — everything that's happening to her is so in the present, but given everything that's happened in season one, it's just like she just has to keep going on, even given everything happened with Byron and with her dad. But she has this son and she has to raise him. And there's all this stuff happening and it's just a trauma that she doesn't have time to process right now because she just has to do the next indicated thing, and she's just so focused on Liam. It's almost like Martin has to try to think of things around the crime and what's going on, because all she can think about is like 'where's my son? I have to go get him. Is he okay? Who is he with right now?. And in some ways, I guess that sort of protects her, insulates her. I feel like if you looked at Mandy five weeks later, she'd be grappling with something different than just what she's dealing with in the shock of the moment." On Navigating the Conflicts Within Both Martin and Mandy — One So Astute in His Work and Yet Awkward in His Personal Life, the Other Fiercely Protective of Who She Loves But Struggling with Trust in Their Relationship Luke: "I think it's the great thing about having the whole story from the beginning — this feeling that 'all right, we've got all these four episodes', and so even before starting, you get to chart some evolution about what can change for him over the course of the story and why. And I think it is knowing that this guy has mostly been on his own, single, bouncing around the world, caring about one thing — which is the story — and believing that is important above all things. That would even mean that in a lot of these situations, while he would be making friends, building relationships, if some of those people are implicit in the story, if they're part of it, that he'd know professionally it's his job to put that aside in the service of the truth. So I think once you know that that is a core part of who Martin is, then it becomes a little easier to play those moments where he could maybe act in ways that are disappointing or upsetting to the people around him. And I do think that's the fun of the season. Every time you do any part, it's always fun to look at 'all right, what are you hoping they learn through the course of this story? So how do we take them a few steps back from that at the beginning?'. And I think it's sometimes the most fun stuff to see when characters are oblivious, when they put a foot wrong — when you hopefully still enjoy watching them, but you can also be frustrated by them as well." Bella: "I think she just loses patience pretty quickly with Martin and his jealousy, Martin and his inability to deal with his past and his family. I think she calls him out on it quite a few times because she just hasn't, doesn't, they don't have time to luxuriate in whatever six months of couples' therapy they need in order to deal with this. It's just like 'get over yourself. Go deal with your family. I'm going to do this thing that's right in front of me. I'm going to deal with the next crisis. I don't have time for whatever nonsense you're bringing to this'." On the Series' Exploration of the Fact That the Past Can Haunt You — Whether You've Tried to Leave It Behind in a New Setting or You're Returning Home Bella: "I don't think you need to dig deep into it because it's true. I mean, it's true for me. I think we're all shaped by our past and whatever traumas we've experienced or whatever loss we've experienced, so I think it's just something that we all carry. We carry the scars of it, hopefully to a lesser extent — or hopefully we are able to do the work so that it doesn't impact our daily life in a way that becomes unmanageable. But I guess I just agree with what Mandy says, because that's been my experience." Luke: "I think what was really great is there were extensive flashbacks in the book, and I think Felicity [Packard, Pine Gap], our writer/producer, and Ben Young [Hounds of Love], our director this season, and everyone else did a really good job of going 'okay, how do we crystallise the ideas, the themes, the character moments in those very broad flashbacks down to something that fits our format?'. And I think they did a fantastic job of that. I think it's really about tying the tragedies of Martin's history here to his own actions, and to the man he is now. And knowing that, yes, some of those blocks he might have emotionally and relationship-wise all have to do with those walls he put up at a very young age, and those decisions he made to go 'no, this is important, what I'm doing is important, so I'm going to go down that road'. So I think it's a theme that pops up with a lot of characters there, but what's fun is I think all those themes, those character moments and the mystery all end up overlapping each other really nicely." On Why the World of Scrublands Resonates with Audiences, Both on the Page and as a TV Series Luke: "This Aussie-noir thing is obviously captivating people here and around the world. It taps into that feeling of Australia I think we all have — I feel like each of these stories so far take place in an Australian small town where some dark things happened, where you've got this tight-knit community. And there is something interesting here, I think, compared to Riversend. Riversend was a place where an awful thing happened that I think really affected the whole community in terrible ways. There's a bit of a different thing going on here with Port Silver, where the change is different — there's some stuff here that happened in the past that compromised everyone and there is still some pain of that, but there's also this gentrification and other shift happening in the town. But I think overall it's that mix of a really good mystery, first and foremost. I think sometimes we can put those darker themes front and centre, and the mystery is somewhat there to support a story that's more interested in theme, in pain, in trauma — and sometimes those stories can be fantastic. But I think this story, for us, especially when we lift it to the screen, we're really trying to tell the mystery first and making sure that we fill it in with all that beautiful texture, but that from scene to scene, we're keeping you on the hook, trying to find out what happened, why and who committed the crime." Bella: "I talk to my dad about this a lot because he loves crime fiction, and it's sort of the only genre he reads. And it tracks because he was a lawyer. I can see why that would be fun for him. But I also I ripped through these books so quickly, and I don't typically read crime fiction. I read them all in two days each — less, maybe. Just couldn't put them down. And I don't know, why is that? They're just delicious and moreish. And you can't, you just want to know what happens. I want to know what happens. I wanted to know what happened watching the show. I was trying to prep this job I'm doing now, and I just thought 'I'll just watch one episode' — and then cut to it's midnight and I'm supposed to be working the next day, and I'm like 'shit, okay, stop watching them'. And I was texting with Luke, and he was still up in Australia because he and his partner had stayed up to watch them. Yeah, they're just moreish." On Scrublands: Silver Taking Aussie Noir to a New Setting in Coastal WA and Helping Expand the Vision of Australia On-Screen Luke: "I think it is the kind of secret weapon of the season, that we could not get over when we were there. This is not a side of Australia people have seen a lot of. Augusta, the town that we shot in, is like the most-southwesterly point of Australia. It's got its own little microclimate. There are humpback whales that you're seeing every day. And funnily enough, there was just this amazing silver sheen over the whole place. Very different to season one, and very different to most things that we've seen in Australia. And I think it is really great. And that just because we're making so much more stuff — and I think we're making so much interesting stuff these days, and enough of it, that we don't feel like what it would have been in the old days, where if you were trying to make a show in Australia that you wanted to export to the world, there's almost an Australian brand. And so you go 'no, don't try and' — like a show like this, you might go 'no, no, no, you buy a show that looks like this from somewhere in Europe. Let's do another McLeod's Daughters or something like that'. Where, because we're exporting so much great stuff these days, we do get to step outside that. We do get to shoot in all corners of the country, and I think it's really exciting for so many reasons. We get to really start showing the world that this isn't just a bunch of beer-drinking — even though, look, we drink a bit of beer in this as well — but it's it's not quite that one image of Australia that we were showing for a very long time." Bella: "My god, I love it — and I love the fact that they let us do it, because I think for most people, Australia, its selling point is the sun-bleached country or the beaches and sunshine and barbecues or something. So to be given — permission is the wrong word, but to be given carte blanche to shoot in winter in WA. And it's so beautiful, it's so breathtakingly beautiful that coast in winter, and the whales and that lighthouse. I just thought it was so idyllic and just really set a certain tone and mood, and I think it's incredible. I'd never been to WA before shooting there, so I'm grateful that we shot there. Because Australia, everywhere you go just feels like it could be its own little universe. They're so different, season one to season two, those settings are so vastly different — and both are so, so special and so beautiful." On What You Learn From Playing Parts Like Martin and Mandy for Two Seasons Bella: "The thing that comes to mind is that you can be tough and sensitive. That you can be tough and vulnerable, and that those things aren't mutually exclusive. I think through so much of my twenties, I thought you were either one or the other, and I feel like Mandy is all of those things all at once." Luke: "I think there's a great window, in both seasons, there's a real window into journalism that I didn't quite know before that's really interesting, and that I had to get my head around then to start playing Martin. Being in the arts, I do think we're often going to the human element first, and are empathy-forward in our ways of how we think about any story. And so just ticking over into not only the mindset of a journalist, I guess, where it's like 'it's about the truth, it's about the facts, that's what's important' — the human element is part of it, but your job as a journalist is to go in and get the truth first, and that's what matters. And I think that's so fun to play. I don't think is a spoiler to say that Toby Truslove as Doug Monkton is back, and so is Sarah Roberts as Beth, so when you get these scenes between the journos, I think that's really, really fun. And that's something that also feels different. We've seen a lot of shows of cops talking and lawyers talking and that kind of thing. I think that the camaraderie and competition between journalists is really fun to play, a whole new window. So I think extending my understanding of that world and getting to play with that is one of my most favourite elements." On Whether Arnold and Heathcote Ever Dreamed of Where Their Careers Have Taken Them Both at Home and Overseas When They Were First Starting Out — Behind the Scenes on Peter Pan and in Australian Film Acolytes, Respectively Luke: "No, of course not. It's funny on that job, being assistant to the swordmaster from Peter Pan. I'm just like everyone watching The White Lotus season three at the moment. And so I was still at high school, really, doing that job — and Jason Isaacs from White Lotus was playing Hook. And on my last day, I went in and had a chat with him, and he was like 'so what are you going to do now?' And I was like 'ohh, I'm going to go to film school, or do a writing course or go to acting school'. And there in his full Hook regalia, he was like 'well, just so you know, writers and directors often have much happier lives than actors'. And I was like 'all right' — and I ended up not taking his advice and went to drama school. And during that time, you're just hoping — like you really get it in your head that 'hey, if I can be a jobbing actor, if I can get to a point where I make most of my money from being an actor, that'll be great'. And that is a kind of dream, and it is tough. It's really hard to do. So then you spend, for a while there, doing a bunch of jobs that are really rewarding but without any — you'd go and do an acting job and then you go back to one of the countless terrible casual jobs that I've done in between. And that felt like 'well, this might be my life'. And then going through those couple of years where I got to do Never Tear Us Apart and Black Sails, obviously that really changed things. Since then, I've just been able to solely work in the creative industries, and I am eternally grateful for it. And there's always a sense that it could change at any moment. But on that, I think as well, that also led me — not to go on a whole big thing, but from that as well, that led to a bit of time where I was spending a lot of time overseas. And I then also had that moment where I was like 'oh, I don't — this isn't the life I want'. It's very easy to get drawn into this feeling of trying to go bigger and further away. And while I'm always open to working overseas, there was a shift even before 2020, when I really, I think, felt really appreciative of the industry we have here in Australia, the great things we do and being able to have this quality of life — working with these people on projects like this was really appealing. So what I'm really most grateful for is that I was able to come back to Australia and really cement myself here, and the work I've been doing the last few years has been some of the most fun and rewarding I've done." Bella: "I suppose that's what you want when you start as an actor, but also I had no concept of really where it could go — because I didn't have anyone in my family who was in this industry. It seemed sort of improbable. But I just didn't want to do anything else, so it's just like 'well, this is what I have to do'. I mean, it's a dream. I still think about that now, like the fact that I've just been able to earn a living doing this thing for the last, jeez, 18 years or whatever it's been now, feels like a small miracle." On What Heathcote Looks for in a New Homegrown Project When Adding to Her Recent Run of Scrublands, Bloom, The Moogai and More Bella: "I guess it's the same thing I'd look for overseas — just a role that speaks to me and creatives that I'm excited by. I mean, The Moogai, for example, I just thought that was a really important story and I'm always fascinated by horror films that are sort of an allegory for something bigger than just horror, genre. And Bloom, I remember just being excited to work with Phoebe [Tonkin, Boy Swallows Universe], and I was in Australia — and I met with Greg and Glen [Dolman, I Met a Girl], the writer, and just thought this would just be a laugh. I also love the comedic element of it, or the situation just felt so ludicrous, to play this old woman, this very uptight old woman, but in a young woman's body. It's giving Freaky Friday. And then Scrublands, I just love Mandy. I just thought she had such spunk. A friend of mine said something once: 'you need two out of three'. And it was pay, creative, location. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you get all three. And I suppose that's how I make most of my decisions." On What Gets Arnold Excited About a New Role in General Luke: "It can go both ways. I think what excites me sometimes is if there's some crazy challenge — where the script is so good and there's some amazing challenge in there that I haven't done yet. And you go 'all right'. And it's going to push me in ways where I can't rely on the things I think I know and the things I've done before, and just launch into something with faith in the people I'm working with and in the process, and get to just stretch myself in new and exciting ways. That's both really exciting — and also what's really exciting sometimes is when I feel like 'oh, I think I'm the right guy for this job'. It's a really rewarding, exciting thing, because there's so much self-doubt here. And every job you do, you always go 'well, everyone's going to think I suck in that'. And every audition you do, you go 'of course, I'm not going to get this'. But occasionally these things come forward where you're like 'I think this is my skill set. I think I know how to do this. And I think I can maybe bring something to this that not every actor could'. And I think, from a kind of craft sense — and just, as we said, how long I've been in this industry — it's a really nice thing when I feel 'oh, I think I could be helpful to this thing'. And that's why there was maybe a sense with Martin that I felt like 'oh, I think my writer's mind will be really useful in this role'. Because when you are in the position where your character is, you are with the audience as you're putting the pieces together, you are part of shaping the story and putting the pieces of that mystery together, I did feel like 'oh, I think I might be the right actor to make this character work'. So I think that is sometimes a great thing, when I can enter into something with a little less self-doubt and a little more excitement to bring all of me to a role." Scrublands: Silver streams via Stan from Thursday, April 17, 2025. Read our review of season one. Images: David Dare Parker / Sarah Enticknap.
The weather is getting warmer, and we all know what that means: the outdoor cinema season is here. Movie lovers in Sydney are spoiled for choice when it comes to open-air screens — and from the looks of things that doesn't appear to be changing any time soon. Located at the North Sydney Oval, this year's Sunset Cinema kicks off on Thursday, January 18, and will run until Saturday, March 24. The program skews towards more recent films including The Disaster Artist, Wonder, Downsizing and Star Wars: The Last Jedi. They've also put together a top-notch food and beverage offering, in order to keep your stomach from grumbling during the film. Dinner will be taken care of and the site will have a fully licensed bar, serving 4 Pines craft beers and MadFish wines.
Following the world-altering whirlwind that was 2020, award-winning Eau-de-Vie closed down, promising to return in the near future. While it's taken longer than expected, the sleek cocktail bar that was once 13th on the World's 50 Best Bars list has announced it will be reopening in a new home next year. The Speakeasy Group (Mjølner, Nick & Nora's) and its directors Sven Almenning and Greg Sanderson will be bringing the new iteration of Eau-de-Vie, as well as a new accompanying restaurant called The Sanderson to the Brookfield Place development, reinvigorating the historic Beneficial House site at 285 George Street. [caption id="attachment_868199" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brookfield Place[/caption] "Eau-de-Vie is like our first child, we just have so much love for it! We looked long and hard to secure the new location, but the wait will be worth it," says Sanderson. "We really do see Beneficial House becoming a destination that our guests can spend an entire evening within. Aperitif cocktails at Eau-de-Vie, upstairs to The Sanderson for an amazing dinner, and then back downstairs for a whisky nightcap." All of the class of the original Eau-de-Vie will be on show at the new opening with moody lighting, a smooth jazz soundtrack, the signature Whisky Room and private whisky lockers. The Sanderson will both aesthetically and conceptually compliment this luxurious take on a cocktail bar, centring its menu around steak and oysters. [caption id="attachment_868200" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Sanderson render[/caption] The Speakeasy Group has taken out a ten-year tenancy on the 618-square metre space in Brookfield Place, joining the likes of Shell House, Romeo's, Edition Coffee, Gojima, NeNe Chicken and PappaRich in the huge inner-city development. "The Speakeasy Group's unique bar and restaurant offering will bring an excellent addition to our food and beverage mix at Brookfield Place Sydney and will contribute significantly to activating the precinct's nightlife," said Brookfield Properties Australia's Executive Vice President and Co-Head Danny Polijak. While we don't yet have an exact opening date for the two new restaurants, they're set to open in early 2023. [caption id="attachment_788884" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The old Eau-de-Vie[/caption] Eau-de-Vie and The Sanderson will open at 285 George Street, Sydney in 2023.
Taylor Swift, Tyler, The Creator and Creed walk into a bar. No, it's not the start of a terrible dad joke, but it could be your soundtrack to an evening at Enmore listening bar Deadwax. Taking over the former Enmore Country Club space, Deadwax is the brainchild of Dan Teh (OTiS, Glebe's The Little Guy) and Conor O'Brien (OTiS, Tio's), who've tapped Daff Blacksmith (Riley St Garage, NOLA Smokehouse and Bar) and Kate Howlett (Bar Planet) to oversee the kitchen and bar, respectively. The late-night spot joins the growing ranks of Sydney venues that put music front and centre, and the soundtrack at Deadwax is as eclectic as they come. The team has partnered with Leichhardt record store and listening room Crosstalk Records to curate a sprawling collection of vinyls that spans decades and genres — the playlist will feature everything from soul, funk and disco to bangers from the nineties and naughties and more recent releases and, yes, even a nostalgic hit of Creed from time to time, all piped through speakers from Marrickville's Translate Sound. There'll be DJs on weekends, request nights during the week and, opening soon out the back, Enmore's only karaoke room. The bar menu is just as diverse as the playlist — expect signatures like a ponzu old fashioned, a silky smooth sesame oil martini and a throwback Midori-backed melon colada, alongside a fridge lined with tins of -196. Food is by no means an afterthought, with the kitchen dishing up the likes of wagyu pastrami sandos, roe-topped snacks and jazzed-up instant noodles until last call (1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays). The red-tinged space reflects the same mix of playfulness and attention to detail. The bar top is made from 70 layers of individually resin-dipped denim, while the wavy ceiling was designed with sound treatment in mind, allowing you to chat comfortably even with the music pumping.
Twelve years after RuPaul's Drag Race first sashayed its way onto US television, viewers Down Under have finally been gifted a local version. Currently streaming via Stan, RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under is exactly what it sounds like — the hit series, still hosted by RuPaul, but featuring Australian and New Zealand drag queens. And, if you'd like to see more of this year's competitors, you'll be able to head along to the program's new live stage show. All ten of this year's drag queens will be hitting up Sydney's Hordern Pavilion, Melbourne's Palais Theatre, Perth's Crown Theatre, Brisbane's QPAC and Canberra's Canberra Theatre as part of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under Live on Stage. It too is rather self-explanatory, and it'll obviously have quite the cast when it hits the road this September. If you've been watching the TV series, you'll already know which contenders have been strutting their stuff for drag supremacy. The lineup spans seven Australians and three New Zealanders, including Art Simone from Geelong, Melbourne's Karen from Finance, and Sydney's Coco Jumbo, Etecetera Etcetera and Maxi Shield. Newcastle's Jojo Zaho and Perth's Scarlet Adams round out the Aussie queens, while Auckland's Kita Mean, Anita Wigl'it and Elektra Shock comprise the NZ contingent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdcgf5I6Qb8&feature=youtu.be RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE DOWN UNDER LIVE ON STAGE TOUR DATES: Saturday, September 18 — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney Tuesday, September 21 — QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane Thursday, September 23 — Crown Theatre, Perth Saturday, September 25 — The Palais, Melbourne Tuesday, September 28 — Canberra Theatre, Canberra RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under Live on Stage will tour Australia from September 18–28. For further details — and to buy pre-sale tickets from 12pm on Friday, May 21 and general tickets from 12pm on Monday, May 24 — head to the Live Nation website.
Things are heating up in Manly with the arrival of a new specialty store. With more independent and small-batch hot sauces being produced, plus the popularity of tongue-tingling condiments reaching an all-time high with help from Hot Ones, a group of Sydneysiders has jumped, opening a shopfront dedicated entirely to spicy sauces. THAT Hot Sauce Shop will open on Sydney Road in the Northern Beaches on Saturday, July 15. Boasting a colourful mural out the front, the store won't be easy to miss. Inside, visitors will find a sleek, simple showroom housing a far-reaching catalogue of hot sauces from Australia and across the globe — plus a hot sauce tasting table, where you can try before you buy and expand the spicy side of your palette. Local sauces like Sydney's Old Bones, Wodonga's Uncle Mungo's and Byron Bay's CrackFox will be given particular spotlight when the store officially opens, before a larger lineup of stock is introduced in August with sauces from across the globe, including the Hot Ones range. "Supporting local is very important to us," says owner Guy Lancaster. "We've been lucky enough to meet local suppliers and sauce makers who are just as passionate as we are, and who are making some truly delicious products. They care about flavour and the education of how hot sauces can elevate any simple dish, and not just about mind-numbing heat." THAT Hot Sauce Shop is the passion project of Manly locals Lancaster and his partner Elle Bowles. The pair is hoping to educate Sydneysiders not only on the specific hot sauces they love, but the variety of ways that you can incorporate them in the kitchen. "We know people will be keen to try the heat, but we also aim to cater for the new spice lovers that want to add flavour to their meals, cheeseboards or even cocktails, just like we do at home," says Bowles. If you're located on the other side of the Spit Bridge and can't make it across to Manly, you can also browse THAT Hot Sauce Shop's stock list and make an order via its online store. THAT Hot Sauce Shop will open at 1/27 Sydney Road, Manly on Saturday, July 15.
Considering it's part of the inner city, Erksineville's high street isn't as big or bustling as you may expect. But it does have everything one needs: cafes, takeaway joints, bottle shops, pubs and a grocer stocked with all of your kitchen essentials. The Fruit Village has been around since 2013. It's the sort of reliable local you can count on to have an ingredient you're missing from the fridge or pantry when cooking up a storm. But it doesn't jack up the prices just because it can — it sells everything at bargain rates, particularly in-season fruit (we've seen trays of lemons and mandarins for just two bucks each). Alongside its fresh fruit and veg, it also stocks rice, pasta, Sonoma bread and snacks.
In the 16 years since NSW's liquor licenses were relaxed to support the creation of more grassroots hospitality businesses, small bars have become the bedrock of Sydney's drinking scene. A recent addition to this collection of compact watering holes comes from one of the OG trailblazers of the city's small bar movement — House of Pocket, whose debut venture Pocket Bar (opened in 2009) was a Darlinghurst favourite for more than a decade. Kasippu is House of Pocket's first new venture in four years: a Sri Lankan-inspired "wadiya", blending South Asian cuisine with the pseudo-speakeasy vibes punters will recognise from the group's past venues. Breaking new ground, however, this is House of Pocket's first venue to so conspicuously spotlight its food offering — less a typical bar than a curry house with a hidden cocktail lounge waiting to be discovered just beyond the dining space. The idea to bring a hybrid wadiya-meets-cocktail bar experience to Sydneysiders was hatched when chef Amila Hemchandra and House of Pocket founder Karl Schlothauer travelled together through Sri Lanka. "When we were discussing the new venue concept, I invited Karl to join me [in my homeland] to experience everything — from high-end restaurants to our village cuisine," Hemchandra shares. "It was while we were sitting by a lake, eating curry, sipping kasippu and singing a bit of karaoke that the idea for the venue was born." True to Sri Lanka's culinary heritage, Hemchandra's menu for Kasippu leans heavily on plant-based curries, with just three meat and fish options amongst the nine main dishes on offer. A range of casual curry kebabs and yummy bar snacks like chicken pan rolls and fried stuffed bananas make for ideal cocktail sidekicks for peckish punters in the bar, while the full menu of curries, sides, papadums and rotis are always available during opening hours, right through until close. The venue's namesake is a home-distilled moonshine popular throughout Sri Lanka. Taking inspiration from kasippu's DIY origins, almost all the syrups, cordials and tinctures used to flavour the bar's cocktails are made in-house. A sprawling selection of 16 signature cocktails riff on tropical flavours, such as the Falooda Milk Punch, featuring Bacardi coconut rum, strawberry shrub, rose syrup, fresh lemon juice, coconut milk and strawberry jelly or the South-East Side, a mingle of turmeric-infused Bombay Sapphire gin, fresh lime juice, pandan syrup and mint. Cocktail purists are equally well served by the 37 classics also on the drinks list and a seasoned bar team that can help customers land on the drink that best suits their tastes. Live entertainment will be another cornerstone of Kasippu's appeal. Live music, stand up comedy and even karaoke will have punter's tapping their toes while they enjoy a fiery feed or a refreshing sip. Located on Kent Street, Kasippu joins the collective of bars, hotels and restaurants within the YCK Laneways precinct — an area that became Sydney's first Purple Flag accredited destination in 2023 in recognition of the neighbourhoods superb hospitality offering, its excellent transport links and its general safety after dark. Images: Declan Blackall
Nestled against Princes Highway, just north of Sydney Harbour Bridge, Crows Nest is a little goldmine of shopping and small bars. This boutique-loving north shore suburb is consistently voted one of the most liveable locations in Sydney. And it's not hard to see why — everything you could want or need is within walking distance. The close-knit community feel comes from the locally owned bars, shops and restaurants. To showcase some of the very best businesses that 'The Nest', as locals call it, has to offer, we've teamed up with American Express to create this guide to shopping small in the area. These businesses demonstrate exactly why Crows Nest is such a great place to call home, and you can shop small here with your Amex Card.
The Oaks Hotel is a North Shore institution and one of the most famous pubs in Sydney. The mega-barn of a pub also got a huge renovation back in 2019, during which the pokies got the boot, and in came the sleek new cocktail bar, restaurant with in-house butcher, sports bar and boutique bottleshop. The glorious beer garden also got some love, now boasting a large pavilion and terrace where you can get all cosy during the colder months. The regular events programme at The Oaks Hotel is also stacked. Monday nights are all about schnitty deals. Tuesdays are for trivia. Wednesdays are Playstation Nights. Thursdays are when you can get around local craft beer tastings. Fridays and Saturdays see live music take over the sports bar and beer garden. And Sundays are just Sundays. Any day of the week, you'll also be able to order from the long food menu. Expect pub classics like the regularly changing pot pie served with chips and peas or the sausages and mash potatoes that are drenched in thick meaty gravy. Alternatively, you can go for cleaner, elevated dishes. Try the salmon poke bowl, salt and pepper Szechuan squid or some of the five different cuts of steak served with your choice of homemade sauce. There are even separate pizza, mussels and grill sections of the menu. This makes it ideal for big groups. Everyone will find something in their foodie wheelhouse at Sydney's Oaks Hotel. Appears in: The Best Pubs in Sydney
The Entertainment Quarter's multi-storey live music venue is set for a huge transformation with the Mary's Group taking over operations at the Moore Park spot. Formerly Hi-Fi and Max Watt's, the 1200-capacity hall will be renamed Liberty Hall and taken under the wing of burger bros, Mary's founders Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham. Located across from the Hordern Pavillion and the Entertainment Quater's new pub Watson's, Hi-Fi quickly became a Sydney mainstay for midsized gigs in the early 2010s. It was then renamed Max Watt's House of Music in 2015. Now, with Smyth and Graham at the helm, the venue will host gigs ranging from local acts finding their feet and club nights to tours with big international acts. "We are humbled at another opportunity to take the reins of yet another fallen live music venue and pour energy and hard work into creating an exciting creative space for Sydney's arts community," Graham said. Liberty Hall will swing its doors open from late October with initial lineups and shows set to be announced over the next couple of months. View this post on Instagram A post shared by George Kostopoulos (@gm.kosto) "Today's announcement is another great step forward in the renaissance of Sydney's live music scene," NSW 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues said. "This new venue will give a platform for creative talent from Sydney and beyond, whilst also helping to revitalise the Entertainment Quarter precinct. It's a big shot in the arm for our city's 24-hour economy and I can't wait to experience its first performances." The live music venue will be accompanied by a new Mary's restaurant next door, serving up the team's signature burgers and fried chicken. The burger joint will become the group's fifth Sydney location, joining Newtown, Castelraigh Street, Circular Quay and the recently opened Castle Hill outpost. This won't be the team's first foray into live music programming. Below the Circular Quay location, you'll find another salvaged space, the underground gig space Mary's Underground. Previously known as The Basement, Mary's resurrected the venue a year after it was forced to close. Smyth and Graham also ran gigs out of The Lansdowne for over half a decade before stepping away from the venue in February. Thankfully for the city's live music junkies, the beloved City Road pub has been saved by the Oxford Art Factory team. [caption id="attachment_747991" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mary's by Kitti Gould[/caption] Liberty Hall will be located at Building 220, 116-122 Lang Road, The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park. It will open in late October. Images: Tom Wilkinson
Unleash your inner lumberjack (or viking) with an axe-throwing session at Throw Axe. Over two hours, you'll get a tour and tutorial of this martial skill — perfect your stance and aim with a few rounds of practice, then battle it out in a full-on tournament. Just grab a posse of six or more and you'll be throwin' in no time. You could don your civilian gear or dress up for the occasion — animal hides or a horned helmet could unleash the warrior within. Stick with a single axe throw or challenge yourself to hit the target with a double. It's part workout, but mostly fun. Plus, you don't need to be a pro-thrower or even particularly strong. Afterwards, beeline for the chillout zone that's stocked up with refreshments — and you can BYO snacks. If you've got a real appetite for destruction, head to Smash Stuff afterwards. It's here you can, well, smash stuff in the Rage Room. After all of that, you'll have surely let off all of your steam.
With Biennale 2016 out of the bag, the unofficial fringe exhibition, SafARI, is preparing for take-off. On Saturday, November 7, the organisers will reveal their program with a titanic launch party at Freda's. Leading the festivities will be teaser performances from official 2016 artists Angela Garrick, presenting An invitation to vent your frustrations about the weather, and Grace Blake (with Greg Holden), with Psychedelic visuals meets imperfect hardware clubby techno. Meanwhile, a slew of musical acts will keep your ears happy with original tunes and sound experiments, including Matthew Brown's 'dark megalithic techno', Wet Kiss's bedroom pop, Orion delivering 'Sydney's answer to New Order', Dominic Talarico's Aaliyah and Arthur Russell-influenced songs, and The Mullumbilical Brothers DJs. Young Henrys and Freda's will be providing support in the form of cheap drinks and tasty morsels. Tickets are $10 online before the event, or $15 on the door.
First there was Shirt Bar. Then came champagne and sneaker bar Butter. Now, to complete the outfit, Surry Hills has welcomed Soultrap, Sydney's first hat bar. Taking over the old Play Bar space on Campbell Street, new underground venue Soultrap combines mistelle and millinery, or more specifically, fortified wines and feathered fedoras. The hybrid venue was established by small bar specialist Christophe Lehoux who co-founded House of Pocket group, which includes much-loved drinking dens Pocket Bar, Stitch Bar and Button Bar. Lehoux is passionate about small bars and hat making, and rather than choose between his two loves, he thought, "to hell with that, I'm doing both". When he isn't taking orders or pouring drinks behind the bar, you can find him at the back of Soultrap working away in his dedicated hat workshop. His handiwork is displayed throughout the venue and all hats are available for purchase. Headgear aside, the venue functions primarily as an underground small bar and live music venue. The bar is run by Josh Craker (ex-QT Sydney) and the house specialty is mistille, a traditional French drink made from fermented grape juice and eau de vie (fruit brandy). Each region in France has its own variation and Soultrap offers a fair few, either as mistille melanges (mixed mistilles) or mistille-spiked cocktails. For an introduction into the mysterious world of mistille, we recommend the Pinocchio ($17), a simple aperitif combining Pineau des Charente and bitter Campari. The taste is sweet, light and floral, similar to Pimm's or sherry. Alongside mistelle, Soultrap serves a selection of seasonal cocktails, craft beers and organic and biodynamic wines. The cocktails are the real deal, too — strong, subtle and not too sweet. Top tipples include the Australian Fare ($22) a Manhattan made from Australian amaro and a native botanical vermouth, and the Spouses' Sour ($18) a cherry marzipan concoction, made from Aperol, gin, almond syrup and orange blossom. Soultrap's food menu is just as sophisticated as its drinks, with a selection of small French and Italian morsels, which can be combined to create a charcuterie or cheese plate. Options include the jamón serrano ($7), Brillat-Savarin ($8) squid in its ink ($8), peppered fig paste ($4) and baked camembert ($13). For something more substantial, there's also the pissaldiere ($14) a flaky French pastry topped with caramelised onions, anchovies and olives, and a smoked ocean trout dip with crisp endives dippers ($13). The tradition of live music continues with Soultrap hosting a jazz, soul and funk night every Thursday and vinyl-only DJ sessions on Saturday. And for bringing great drinks and live music back to Surry Hills — we take our hats off to them. Appears in: Sydney's Best Underground Bars for 2023
When it comes to matching drinks with our dinner, sake probably wouldn't be everyone's first choice. Nor would it probably be on the menu. Even in Japan, food and sake matching wasn't really a big thing until recently. However, more and more people have been jumping on the sake bandwagon as of late, lured by its heady aroma and diverse flavours, which span across the floral, the fruity and that of yeast and mushrooms. Slava Beliakova, one of Australia's first sake sommeliers and writer of Sake Guide, has been dedicated in breaking the traditional Japanese drink into Sydney's dining scene through leading workshops and teaching other sommeliers about its values. For Vino Paradiso, Beliakova is presenting a masterclass on 'Demystifying Sake', where participants can learn the real story of the alcohol and get the opportunity to taste three premium Japanese sakes. To tide you over until then, we put Beliakova to the sake pairing challenge. She's picked the perfect sakes to match some of the foods we've thrown at her — all favourites of ours, all oft-consumed. The sakes suggested below are available in Australia from leading restaurants and bottle shops. Sashimi Platter "Such a light, delicate dish is begging to be paired with a similarly light and fresh-tasting sake. Sake from the north-eastern prefectures of Japan has been traditionally brewed to match seafood-heavy local cuisine. Niigata, in particular, produces light, dry and smooth sake perfect for sashimi. Try Hakkaisan Junmai Ginjo or Yoshinogawa Gensen Karakuchi. Have the sake well-chilled, too." Okonomiyaki "A classic okonomiyaki derives much of its taste from the toppings — rich sauce similar to Worcestershire sauce, seaweed and katsuobushi (fermented bonito flakes). Those toppings are heavy in umami, that elusive 'fifth taste' that has become quite a buzzword. Umami taste comes from the amino acid glutamate, and imparts a pleasant savouriness to the dish. "Sake with a strong umami character is a match made in heaven for umami-rich dishes, intensifying the savouriness of both. Try Suishin Junmai Kome no Kiwami. This is a sake from Hiroshima, which, incidentally, is famous for its okonimiyaki dishes. Another way to enjoy okonomiyaki heartiness is with a gently warmed up, full-flavoured sake, such as Houraisen Kasumizuki Junmai." Pulled-pork tacos "Juicy, spicy, rich pork is just begging for a touch of acidity and sweetness. You could go two ways about it. You could match the high-octane natural flavour of pork with a full-flavoured sake that has acidity in spades. I am thinking Tengumai Yamahai Jikomi Junmai. Or you could inject freshness and fruity sweetness into the dish with an aromatic daiginjo, such as Masumi Sanka Junmai Daiginjo. Candied pineapple and green apple notes will marry well with pork that is not drowning in chilli." Southern Fried Chicken "Okay, how spicy are we talking? Heavy, fried dishes generally beg for something dry, with a prominent acidity. Try Oita Oni Koroshi Ginjo. But, as the chilli-meter rises, so should the level of sugar in the accompanying sake. If your palate is on fire, don’t stab it with acidity! One style of sake that is great with very spicy food is nigori, or cloudy sake. In nigori, some of the fermented rice solids are returned back into sake after pressing, creating a mild, sweet and creamy palate. Try Hakutsuru Sayuri Nigori Junmai." Chocolate Fondant "Sake indeed has a category that can be classified as a digestive, or dessert sake. It is koshu, aged sake. 99 percent of sake is not aged, and most of it doesn’t hold its own after 12-18 months post bottling. Sake that does age well, however, turns into something wonderful. The colour deepens, becoming golden and then amber, and sweetness, acidity and complex honey and herb aromas intensify. "One of the Australian sake importers brings a very special brew, Akishika Shuzo 'Yeast # 7' Junmai Yamahai Muroka Genshu, which is aged for five years. It is complex, sweet, acidic, with a long dry finish. A decadent sake like that could be paired with a decadent dessert — for a gourmand eager to double his or her enjoyment. Want more? Check out our Bluffer's Guide to Sake. Thanks to Vino Paradiso, we have ten double passes to give away to Vino Paradiso's masterclasses. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au with your name, address and masterclass preference out of 'Demystifying Sake' on November 1 at 11am or 'I Love the Smell of Nebbiolo in the Morning' on November 2 at 12.30pm.
Some stories are so wild that they can only be true, and the tale of Australian cult The Family is definitely one of them. That's worth remembering when it finally becomes your next homegrown streaming obsession — in fact, you probably won't be able to forget it — with Disney+ taking inspiration from the sinister Aussie sect for a new eight-part series called The Clearing. If you're new to The Family — and you didn't see the excellent and supremely creepy 2016 documentary that shares the cult's name, or the 2019 series The Cult of the Family, both by filmmaker Rosie Jones — then strap yourself in for quite the story. It was very real, forming in the 1960s around Melbourne, with charismatic yoga teacher Anne Hamilton-Byrne at its head. A cult run by a woman is already extremely rare, but this tale also includes adopting kids who looked identical, dressing them in matching clothing, claiming that Hamilton-Byrne was a living god and, because that's not enough, a lot of LSD. Police raided the sect's Lake Eildon compound back in 1987, all those children were removed from the property, and Hamilton-Byrne and her husband fled Australia, but were arrested in the US in 1993. [caption id="attachment_611844" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Family[/caption] There's more to this tale, which inspired JP Pomare's novel In the Clearing — and that's what The Clearing adapts. The show will step into the fictionalised but still chaotic details by following a woman who starts to confront her nightmarish past to stop a secret cult that's gathering up children to serve its master plan. Unsurprisingly, the mood will be tense, with the Disney+ series firmly a psychological thriller. Cast-wise, almost every famous Aussie acting name possible is involved, or so it seems, including Teresa Palmer (Ride Like a Girl), Miranda Otto (True Colours) and Guy Pearce (Mare of Easttown), as well as Claudia Karvan (Bump) and Mark Coles-Smith (Mystery Road: Origin). Also set to appear on-screen: Hazem Shammas (The Twelve), Kate Mulvany (Hunters), Xavier Samuel (Elvis), Anna Lise Phillips (Fires), Harry Greenwood (Wakefield) Erroll Shand (The Justice of Bunny King), Doris Younane (Five Bedrooms), Miah Madden (Dive Club), Julia Savage (Mr Inbetween), Gary Sweet (Wentworth), Alicia Gardiner (Offspring), Matt Okine (The Other Guy) and Jeremy Blewitt (The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart), plus Lily La Torre (Run Rabbit Run) and Ras-Samuel Welda'abzgi (Neighbours). We told you it was a hefty list. [caption id="attachment_862740" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Cult of the Family[/caption] Behind the lens, Jeffrey Walker (Lambs of God) and Gracie Otto (Seriously Red) are on directing duties, with Elise McCredie (Stateless) and Matt Cameron (Jack Irish) creating and writing The Clearing — with help from co-writer Osamah Sami (Ali's Wedding). The Clearing is one of Disney+'s first three newly commissioned local scripted dramas — its first three ever, in fact — alongside The Artful Dodger and Last Days of the Space Age. There's obviously no trailer for The Clearing yet, but you can check out the trailer for The Family below: The Clearing will stream via Disney+, with a release date yet to be revealed — we'll update you with further details when they're announced. Top image: The Cult of the Family.
Feeling a little hot? Usually, there's two solutions for that: get somewhere super cool, as in the temperature, and consume something refreshingly frosty. Combine the two, and you've got a tried-and-tested summer coping mechanism. Throw in some ice, however, and you'll really be chilled. At the Icebar Experience, you won't just find cubes of frozen water in your beverages, but sheets of it all around you. Sculptures too. You'll also drink out of ice glasses, which are certain to keep your tipples icy. We're betting vodka will feature heavily. Popping up in Elizabeth in Surry Hills, Icebar will blow into Sydney for two days only, across January 27 and 28. Tickets cost $65, which gets you 45 minutes inside the frozen hangout, a cocktail on arrival, and all the cold wine and beer you'd like. And, of course, a reprieve from what's likely to be some hefty late January heat.
Luxury apartments, a boutique hotel and a bustling retail and dining precinct are all on their way to the eastern end of Cleveland Street thanks to the new Surry Hills Village development from property group TOGA. The new precinct, which is technically located in Redfern, will be bordered by Cleveland, Marriott, and Baptist Streets. It will consist of a range of luxe housing spanning apartments and terraces. Alongside the lived-in spaces, there will be a number of extra-curricular additions to the area. Possibly most excitingly, House Made Hospitality, the minds behind many of Sydney's best new venues, will bring three new openings to Surry Hills Village. The team behind Hinchcliff House, Martinez and Promenade will be opening a restaurant, an all-day cafe and wine bar, and a cocktail bar within a heritage-listed space. We don't have the full lowdown on the trio of openings, but they'll be housed across two levels of a historic Bank of NSW building and will feature an Asian-inspired menu of eats and drinks. "We prefer sites that offer numerous opportunities to engage with guests on a daily or weekly basis, and we feel this collection of venues within Wunderlich Lane will appeal to locals as well as destination diners and drinkers, for various experiences," said House Made Hospitality Director Scott Brown. "We like that it's a pocket of Surry Hills that hasn't had a lot of attention for a while and look forward to breathing some life back into it." Adding to Surry Hills Village will be a Harris Farm Market and a new hotel. Surry Hills Boutique Hotel is expected to open in 2024 with a lobby bar, rooftop bar and a pool designed by George Livissianis Interior Architecture. Surry Hills Village is expected to open off Cleveland Street in 2024. Head to the development's website for a full rundown on all the expected offerings coming to the new precinct.
Just like their killer villains, some horror franchises never seem to die. In 2021, two big recent sagas have released their latest instalments, with Spiral: From the Book of Saw and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It keeping their respective spook-filled realms going. Alas, neither movie was anywhere near either series' best, but the fact that both Saw and Conjuring flicks are still reaching screens is a great testament to James Wan. The Australian filmmaker has been a key figure behind both franchises, directing their early instalments and still earning executive producer credits now — as he's followed the tried-and-tested path from horror movies to Hollywood blockbusters. Wan mightn't have been behind the lens of Spiral and The Devil Made Me Do It, but he is returning to his favourite genre this year — after detouring into action with Fast & Furious 7, Aquaman and the upcoming Aquaman 2. His latest flick Malignant will hit cinemas in September, marking his first horror film that isn't attached to an existing franchise since the initial Conjuring movie released back in 2013. This time around, he's playing with nightmares — but of the daylight variety. Malignant's protagonist Madison (Annabelle Wallis, Boss Level) keeps having visions of disturbing murders, only to find out that they aren't just figments of her imagination. Also complicating matters, as seen in the just-dropped trailer: the fact that, as a kid, she told people that she was speaking to the devil. The suitably moody and dark-hued trailer teases out this exact scenario, throws in a few bumps and jumps, but obviously leaves the key details for horror fans to discover when the film hits the big screen. Wan co-wrote the story behind the movie, with screenwriter Akela Cooper (upcoming Conjuring Universe sequel The Nun 2) penning the script. And, cast-wise, Maddie Hasson (Mr Mercedes), George Young (Containment), Michole Briana White (Songbird), Jacqueline McKenzie (Palm Beach), Jake Abel (Son of the South) and Ingrid Bisu (The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It) all co-star. Check out the trailer for Malignant below: Malignant opens in Australian cinemas on September 7.
On Sydney's current form, it is no great surprise to see the Mexican bar revolution spread to an increasingly cosmopolitan Balmain. Enter Cantina Bar, Darling Street's version of the latin cuisine that has the harbour city at its mercy. Admittedly, this punter entered Tiger territory with a degree of intrigue, caution perhaps. Two hours later all hesitations had been put to bed. This bar is a cracker. Cantina Bar is owned and run by the Singer brothers and judging on their other project, Rozelle's Corner Bar, the boys have a bit of hospitality nouse about them. The bar ticks all the boxes you'd want for a lazy post-work beer or squeamish first date; simple things that we want but won't likely find in the pokie tainted mega pubs of, say, Balmain. The bar is, expectedly, a shop-width across and tastefully decked out in a polished-industrial spirit. The walls are adorned with day of the dead motifs, fake flowers and … a film that outdates any of the bar staff being projected onto a side wall. The crowd, a pleasant mix of suits and skateboarders, park around the bar or sit at the front tables; here, standing ain't really an option. After copping a gorgeous sunset through the front doors, the lighting is perfect and a few salsa tunes later and we're itching to consume. Cocktails are the first order of the day. A 'pc'' fizz (gin, chamomile and grapefruit) and jalapeno margarita (both $16) take the edge off. The bar stocks a range of imported Mexican and Spanish beers ($8.50-$12) and boasts a decent wine list. The organic shiraz ($8.50 glass) comes with an ethical stamp of approval and is a delightful drop. Cantina makes the grade as a watering hole alone, but some casual dining certainly amps up the experience. The lovely bar staff recommend the pulled pork sliders ($16), and they don't disappoint. These tasty suckers are culmination of explosive flavours in a bun-sized package that go beyond generic Tex-Mex. The build-it-yourself mini fish tacos ($16) are a nice little innovation and the cactus salad ($12) a buzzy way to say you've eaten cactus. And to cap off the night, the warm churros with chilli chocolate dipping sauce ($10) are more than worth the guilt. Mexican bars may have usurped Irish pubs for the themed drinking throne, but it's a hard formula to complain about when well executed. Cantina Bar is certainly a welcome addition to the cartel and will deservedly pack out with Balmain locals and tourists after a few drinks and a mean feed.
Darlinghurst nightlife institution Club 77 will temporarily close in 2026 to undergo a major accessibility-focused redesign, made possible by Sound NSW's Venue Upgrade Grant. The venue will shut its doors on Monday, April 13, 2026, and aims to reopen on Thursday, June 4, 2026 with a completely reimagined space that prioritises inclusivity. "We believe inclusivity and accessibility are no longer just nice-to-haves, but essential components of any successful venue," the club said in a statement. The redesign will be led by Inochi Design Life, and will introduce a suite of new features: an accessible entrance with a wheelchair lift, upgraded bathrooms, an accessible bar with a lowered top, an inclusive DJ booth and live music area, accessible seating and 1.5 metres of wheelchair turning space throughout the venue. There'll also be a new dedicated sensory room, braille signage for blind and visually impaired patrons, and haptic vests available for deaf and hard of hearing guests to enhance their live music experience. Club 77's Music Director Dane Gorrel said, "It's been both a dream and mission of Club 77's long-term plan to make the venue accessible and truly inclusive. Thanks to Sound NSW, this dream is now becoming reality and we couldn't be more grateful. Everyone should be able to experience live music in an accessible, inclusive and safe environment." The upgrades have been developed with support from Accessible Arts, Electronic Music Conference, Night Time Industries Association, Green Music Australia, plus artists Aquenta of Crip Rave Theory and Transenergy director Sophie Forrest. [caption id="attachment_803921" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Club 77[/caption] A reopening party is already in the works in partnership with Crip Rave Theory, although details are yet to be announced. Images: Supplied.
For this year's Vivid Sydney Dinner on Saturday, June 3, the Ivy Ballroom will transform into nature's playhouse, with each of the evening's experiences revolving around the central theme of 'rewilding'. Food, art, light installations and live music will celebrate nature in all its glory with a focus on all things Australiana. Food will be the centre piece of this Vivid Sydney event — led by Merivale Executive Chef Ben Greeno and renowned chef and author Danielle Alvarez (formerly of Fred's). They've joined forces to create a one-off menu that champions NSW's local and seasonal produce, pairing each course with a fantastic local wine. And as this is Vivid Sydney, expect immersive light installations interacting throughout the space all night long, creating a proper feast for the senses. [caption id="attachment_897981" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Food and drink at the Vivid Sydney 2022 Dinner hosted at ivy Precinct, Sydney CBD.[/caption] Then comes the star-studded musical numbers. Eddie Perfect will play host (and perform a few tunes) throughout the Vivid Sydney Dinner, and be joined on stage by a series of performers. You'll see alt-pop singer Montaigne, African fusion artist Julian Belbachir and beloved vocal powerhouse Christine Anu belt out some of their most popular hits to a room of your fellow lovers of music, food and art. To keep the party going, Australia's 'First Lady of House' Kate Monroe will jump on the decks for a bespoke Vivid Sydney set. It's going to be a big night. And if last year's Vivid Sydney Dinner is anything to go by, it will likely sell out well in advance. To book an entire 10-person table or a just few seats on the shared tables, head to the Vivid Sydney website.
Lebanese-style charcoal chook in Sydney has long been synonymous with El Jannah. Yes, there's northern Sydney chain Chargrill Charlie's, but its sauces — Greek Island, Portuguese Piri Piri and Thai Fresh Herbs — are notably missing toum. Frango's has firm Portuguese roots and Red Rooster is, well, Red Rooster. As of July 1, though, another player has flown into the proverbial coop. Henrietta is the new restaurant by Nour's Ibby Moubadder and Jorge Farah specialising in Middle Eastern charcoal chook — and it's not too dissimilar to its Crown Street sibling. Both restaurants celebrate traditional Lebanese cooking techniques, but aren't afraid to stray from the straight and narrow. Nour's falafel comes in crumpet form and its halva is served alongside pumpkin cheesecake. Henrietta's baba ghanoush gets an umami hit from miso, its beef brisket is served atop tacos with zhug (a Yemeni hot sauce) and its chicken tawouk comes, not as a kebab, but inside spring rolls. But the newcomer's focus is not the rule-breaking sides, it's the charcoal chook. Henrietta's take comes with a glistening layer of smoky, spicy sauce, the requisite char and juicy flesh. It comes with the requisite garlic toum, too, as well as zingy pickles and Lebanese bread. It's suggested sumac chicken salt-covered chips are ordered, too, and rolled using that bread — together with the chicken, toum, chilli sauce and pickles — to create a DIY chicken sandwich. Just how you do this is illustrated in easy-to-follow steps on the menu. Sound like too much work? You can order one, pre-rolled, for $14. Alongside the charcoal chook, you'll find three Lebanese-ish desserts — chocolate mouse with rose, baklava sundaes and rice pudding with halva — as well as seven fun cocktails. A slushie machine is pumping out frozen takes on a Pornstar Martini, while a bartender shakes the likes of spicy passionfruit margaritas and hibiscus sours. Walking a fine line between casual-night-out-with-the-crew and date-night, the 65-seater restaurant has been designed by creative agency DS17 and is filled with neon signs of 'Henrietta', concrete walls and terrazzo bars. While dining out is allowed in NSW — and has been since mid-May — some Sydneysiders are still dining in. Henrietta is catering for both with its takeaway window selling its charcoal chooks for $18 a pop.
For playing Princess Diana in Spencer, Kristen Stewart earned an Oscar nomination. For doing the same in Diana the Musical, Jeanna de Waal just won a Golden Raspberry Award. Given out the day before the Academy Awards and rewarding the worst in cinema for the past year — rather than the best and brightest like their counterparts — the Razzies have named their picks from 2021's flicks. And yes, singing through the life of Princess Di wasn't considered movie magic. A filmed version of the stage production, Diana the Musical earned five awards in total — after leading the nominations with nine. The Golden Raspberries also considered it the Worst Picture of the year, and gave it the Worst Director, Worst Supporting Actress and Worst Screenplay prizes as well. If you haven't seen it yet, you might to stick with The Crown. Also winning big: needless Space Jam sequel Space Jam: A New Legacy, which picked up three awards from four nominations. It received the Worst Actor prize for LeBron James, as well as the Worst Remake, Ripoff or Sequel award, plus Worst Screen Couple. With those two movies scoring eight awards between them, there wasn't much room for many other winners at the 42nd Razzies (although, are Razzie recipients really considered winners?). But Jared Leto's awful efforts in House of Gucci still scored him the Worst Supporting Actor prize, even over Diana the Musical's Gareth Keegan. One person who was always going to end with a Razzie to his name this year was Bruce Willis. The awards even created their own category for him — because he released eight flicks last year, and all of them were terrible. Wondering which one was deemed the worst of the lot? That'd be Cosmic Sin, which saw Willis pick up the accolade for Worst Performance by Bruce Willis in a 2021 Movie. Ahead of likely winning an Oscar today, Will Smith also earned some love from the Razzies as well. The former Fresh Prince received the only Golden Raspberry anyone ever wants to get, though: the Razzie Redeemer, for actors who've come back from a spate of Razzie-worthy roles. Smith's win came for King Richard, the part he's expected to get that Academy Award for. Check out the full list of nominees and winners below: GOLDEN RASPBERRY NOMINEES AND WINNERS 2022: WORST PICTURE Diana the Musical — WINNER Infinite Karen Space Jam: A New Legacy The Woman in the Window WORST ACTOR Scott Eastwood, Dangerous Roe Hartrampf (as Prince Charles), Diana the Musical LeBron James, Space Jam: A New Legacy — WINNER Ben Platt, Dear Evan Hansen Mark Wahlberg, Infinite WORST ACTRESS Amy Adams, The Woman in the Window Jeanna de Waal, Diana the Musical — WINNER Megan Fox, Midnight in the Switchgrass Taryn Manning, Karen Ruby Rose, Vanquish WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR Ben Affleck, The Last Duel Nick Cannon, The Misfits Mel Gibson, Dangerous Gareth Keegan (as James Hewitt, the muscle-bound horse trainer), Diana the Musical Jared Leto, House of Gucci — WINNER WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Amy Adams, Dear Evan Hansen Sophie Cookson, Infinite Erin Davie (as Camilla), Diana the Musical Judy Kaye (as both Queen Elizabeth and Barbara Cartland), Diana the Musical — WINNER Taryn Manning, Every Last One of Them WORST PERFORMANCE BY BRUCE WILLIS IN A 2021 MOVIE Bruce Willis, American Siege Bruce Willis, Apex Bruce Willis, Cosmic Sin — WINNER Bruce Willis, Deadlock Bruce Willis, Fortress Bruce Willis, Midnight in the Switchgrass Bruce Willis, Out of Death Bruce Willis, Survive the Game WORST SCREEN COMBO Any klutzy cast member and any lamely lyricised (or choreographed) musical number, Diana the Musical LeBron James and any Warner cartoon character (or Time-Warner product) he dribbles on, Space Jam: A New Legacy — WINNER Jared Leto and either his 17-pound latex face, his geeky clothes or his ridiculous accent, House of Gucci Ben Platt and any other character who acts like Platt singing 24-7 is normal, Dear Evan Hansen Tom and Jerry (aka Itchy and Scratchy), Tom & Jerry WORST DIRECTOR Christopher Ashley, Diana the Musical — WINNER Stephen Chbosky, Dear Evan Hansen Coke Daniels, Karen Renny Harlin, The Misfits Joe Wright, The Woman in the Window WORST REMAKE, RIPOFF or SEQUEL Karen (inadvertent remake of Cruella deVil) Space Jam: A New Legacy — WINNER Tom and Jerry Twist (rap remake of Oliver Twist) The Woman in the Window (ripoff of Rear Window) WORST SCREENPLAY Diana the Musical, script by Joe DiPietro, music and lyrics by DiPietro and David Bryan — WINNER Karen, written by Coke Daniels The Misfits, screenplay by Kurt Wimmer and Robert Henny, screen story by Robert Henny Twist, written by John Wrathall and Sally Collett, additional material by Matthew Parkhill, Michael Lindley, Tom Grass and Kevin Lehane, from an "original idea" by David and Keith Lynch and Simon Thomas The Woman in the Window, screenplay by Tracy Letts, from the novel by AJ Finn RAZZIE REDEEMER Will Smith for King Richard
What happens when a croissanterie known for perfecting its signature dish, and also for getting inventive with its pastries, joins forces with a distillery that both knows how to make a stellar dry gin and equally likes experimenting? We're talking about Lune and Four Pillars, of course — and the result is the world's first croissant gin. Is this the new perfect brunch drink? Will this help you enjoy a breakfast of champions? You can be the judge from Wednesday, February 19, 2025, when the croissant gin hits stores — and online. And yes, it's a buttery sip. "Lune croissants are made with nearly double the butter of your average croissant, so we knew that butter had to be a key part of the gin," explains Four Pillars Head Distiller Sarah Prowse, with Lune's own clarified butter a key ingredient. Alongside that caramel slice-smelling dairy product, the croissant gin is made with almonds that've been roasted in the Four Pillars distillery kitchen, juniper and a range of other botanicals, plus wattle seed and nutmeg. The recommended way to knock it back? In G&Ts or in espresso gin-tinis. While this isn't the type of tipple that just anyone could've dreamed up, Lune and Four Pillars joining forces couldn't seem more obvious — not only for their similar meticulous approaches to their chosen wares, but as Melbourne-born success stories that hero local ingredients. The croissant gin sprang from shared visits and tours, then hand delivering butter and testing distillations. If it sounds like a bucket-list collab, Lune Founder Kate Reid agrees. "Infusing our Lune magic into my favourite gin was a dream come true. I can honestly say I've never been thirsty for a croissant before but once you taste this gin, you'll understand what I mean." "It turns out there is a knack to distilling butter, but after a few trial distillations we found our sweet spot and we couldn't be happier with the end result," explains Prowse. "The nuts and spices add a real depth to the gin, the vanilla bean brings a hint of sweetness, and then we've bought in our signature organic oranges to deliver lovely brightness and balance." The croissant gin retails at $80 a bottle — or $100 with a Four Pillars x Lune tote bag exclusively from Four Pillars. If you're among the first to get your hands on it, free croissants are also on offer. On launch day, the Four Pillars Sydney Lab in Surry Hills will be giving away free Lune croissants with first 50 bottles of gin sold, for instance. At Dan Murphy's Malvern East and BWS Hawksburn in Victoria, plus Dan Murphy's Double Bay and BWS Potts Point in New South Wales, as well as Dan Murphy's Newstead in Queensland, there'll be a limited number of Lune vouchers up for grabs on launch day as well. And on Saturday, February 22, the Four Pillars Distillery in Healesville will have free Lune croissant for the first 50 bottles purchased, too. Croissant Gin will be available from the Four Pillars website, Four Pillars Distillery, Four Pillars Lab, and select Dan Murphy's and BWS stores from Wednesday, February 19, 2025 — head to the Four Pillars website for further details.
From Etymon Projects, the team behind the north shore's popular Loulou Bistro, Boulangerie & Traiteur, comes an elegant venue in an art deco building within Sydney's CBD. Much like its counterpart north of the bridge, The Charles Grand Brasserie & Bar folds many different types of establishments into one multi-faceted one-stop shop. This time, the King Street spot is part-European brasserie, part-laidback café and part-bar. "The Charles celebrates the charm of old-school hospitality without the stuffiness," says The Charles Grand's Director of Culinary Sebastien Lutaud. "The grand brasserie experience is elegant and decadent, but with ambience too. A busy, open kitchen; duck press on the pass; tableside saucing and carving; and roving dessert trolleys create a wonderful sense of theatre that's reminiscent of the warm and welcoming brasseries of Europe." Taking from the tradition of many of Europe's longstanding brasseries, the restaurant boasts two must-try house specialities. The first is a MBS9+ black oak wagyu rump cap ($82), while the other is the classic French Canard à la Presse ($170), both of which are designed to be shared. The whole dry-aged Maremma roasted and dressed duck used in the Canard à la Presse is prepared in a dedicated duck and poultry room which allows The Charles' chefs to dry-age 100 birds at a time, for ten days each. From there, they're roasted until they have a perfectly crispy skin. Marinated octopus ($24) and steak and anchovy tartare ($34) are highlights from the entree menu, alongside a must for any luxurious French spot — caviar service ($140–420). As for the mains, you can opt for a grand schnitzel topped with salted roe ($55), crayfish vol-au-vent ($62), or an aged rack of lamb ribs ($58) just to name a few. "Refined, elegant food created using predominantly French techniques is how I've approached this menu. We hero the superb produce by serving it simply with a delicious sauce or consommé poured tableside, for example, rather than with overly complex or fussy garnishes," says executive Chef Billy Hannigan who will be flexing his classic French culinary training in the kitchen. There's a collection of more than 600 both French and Australian wines to sort through, with up to 50 available by the glass for those that like to sample throughout the night. Over at the bar, things are a bit more casual. Opening from 7am each day, city-dwellers and CBD workers can come in for an espresso and a freshly baked croissant ($6), crumpet ($6) or pastry. From 11am, the menu shifts to approachable French and European-inspired dining, ranging from pork crackling ($9) and chicken liver parfait ($22) through to flat-iron steak ($68) and butter lettuce salads ($14). Etymon Projects enlisted to H&E Architects, in collaboration with COX to create a venue that celebrates its building's historic art deco design with flourishes of black nero marble and brass. The venue will provide Sydneysiders with the opportunity to set into a decedent European holiday, any time of day, with both venues to remain open until midnight. Top image: Steven Woodburn
The Whitsundays are a tropical paradise. Travellers generally head to these islands to spend days roaming along the white sandy beaches, snorkelling around the Great Barrier Reef and escaping their hectic lives...until screaming kids ruin the peace. That's why so many people book themselves into adults-only resorts — especially for parents who just need a well-deserved break — when seeking the ultimate Whitsundays holiday. And you don't even need an entire hotel or resort to yourself — many places have large sections dedicated to adults, leaving the kids to hide away on the other side of the property. Here are our favourites in The Whitsundays. QUALIA It doesn't get much more luxurious than Qualia — and the world certainly knows it, with the five-star resort scooping up dozens of tourism awards since it opened in 2008. Qualia is based on Hamilton Island's northernmost tip and boasts world-class dining, a spa and 60 pavilions filled with top-notch amenities — including some with their very own plunge pool and outdoor shower. The resort offers a number of unforgettable experiences, like private charters around The Whitsundays, helicopter flights over the Great Barrier Reef and guided food and wine tastings at the Long Pavilion fine diner. Every aspect of Qualia, from its design to its services, is shaped to encourage relaxation. As such, the entire resort is not only 18-plus but is also only accessible to guests. We've teamed up with Qualia to offer readers an exclusive package via Concrete Playground Trips. Enjoy four nights in an ocean-view pavilion, daily breakfast, a gourmet dinner, VIP transfers and chauffeur service around Hamilton Island, a full-day helicopter tour and more. Book now from $8795 for two. BEACH CLUB HAMILTON ISLAND This luxury beachfront hotel is entirely adults-only. That means no children in the hallways, infinity pool or restaurant, so you can holiday peacefully. But, the kid-free aspect of Beach Club Hamilton Island isn't the only drawcard of this accommodation. Each of the 57 modern rooms also faces Catseye Beach and has its own private balcony. There's plenty to see and do on Hamilton Island, but if you want to stay in your adults-only oasis, then feel free to order from the club's restaurant and eat and drink by the pool all day long. You also have access to catamarans, paddleboards, windsurfing gear and tennis courts — included in the price of your room. INTERCONTINENTAL HAYMAN ISLAND RESORT This is not strictly adults-only accommodation, but InterContinental's Hayman Island Resort boasts a huge new section of the island, entirely free of children. To access this part of the resort, you'll have to book into one of the impressive beachfront pavilions (which overlook a beach where kids aren't allowed). Each standalone room has a generous living area, a plush king bed and a private deck that leads right to the beach — take a few steps across the lawn, and you're right there. When you're looking to go further afield and see the rest of what The Whitsundays offer — think flights over the Great Barrier Reef, island wildlife tours, snorkelling, diving and fishing trips — the world-class team here will organise it all for you. ELYSIAN RETREAT Looking for somewhere to really get away from it all? Make tracks to Long Island's Elysian Retreat. Not only is this resort full of luxe amenities and experiences, but it also puts sustainability at its core as the Whitsunday's first 100-percent solar-powered resort — all the while being exclusively adults only. Seclusion is guaranteed at this expansive resort. It's located in its private cove and only hosts a maximum of 20 guests. That's a rarity in The Whitsundays, where enormous accommodation complexes tend to dominate the luxury scene. But there's still a full range of experiences here — you can join a yoga class, snorkelling and kayaking tour or indulge in a spa treatment. Elysian also works with several local touring companies, organising special trips to nearby islands and the Great Barrier Reef. The fact that the only way to get to this island is via a short helicopter ride from Hamilton Island is undoubtedly one more thing to add to the list of reasons to visit. WATERFRONT WHITSUNDAYS RETREAT It's not just the islands of The Whitsundays that are home to private, adults-only digs — the mainland also has some great options. Our pick: Waterfront Whitsundays Retreat. This Airlie Beach spot only has five rooms available, making for a far more low-key stay. There's no need to get up early to shotgun a poolside lounge chair, nor do you need to worry about crowds of people getting to the retreat's barbecue area and private garden before you do. Here, you can relax and take advantage of the on-site offerings at your own pace, all while you soak up the impressive views of the Coral Sea. Feeling inspired to book a getaway unlike anything else out there? Only through Concrete Playground Trips, our new travel booking platform, can you now purchase holidays specially curated by our writers and editors. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips at destinations all over the world. Top images: Elysian Retreat
Carriageworks, Eveleigh's multifaceted arts precinct, has just announced its lineup for 2018. All our favourites — Biennale, Fashion Week, Night Markets — are returning for another year and there's a host of new artists, food initiatives and festivals added to the program, too. The season will kick off with 8000 metres of vibrant material suspended within the public space. Renowned German artist Katharina Grosse will spend a month creating the immersive artwork entitled The Horse Trotted Another Couple Of Metres, Then It Stopped. In February, there'll be plenty of rainbows and glitter when The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras celebrates its 40th anniversary. Resident company, Moogahlin Performing Arts will present Koori Gras, which includes BlackNulla Cabaret and a series of talks exploring the Indigenous queer experience. Also in February is The Backstories: Moya Dodd, a solo performance by an ex-Matilda and one of the first women on FIFA's Executive Committee. Another highlight is The Howling Girls, a world premiere presented by the Sydney Chamber Opera. The performance, based on real-life events, is a curious story of panic attacks and shared trauma in the wake of the September 11 attacks. Five teenage girls present separately to hospitals, unable to swallow and believing debris from the attack is stuck in their throats. Japanese artist Ryoji Ikeda will use sound and light to lead audiences to the point at which art and quantum physics meet in micro macro. American visual artist Nick Cave (no, not that one) will transform the public space into a sea of millions of beads and found objects for Until — the largest scale exhibition Carriageworks has presented to date. Open Frame — an experimental music festival — will return for the 2018 season with a lineup of local and international artists curated by composer Lawrence English. Sydney Writers' Festival will call Carriageworks home for the first time in 2018. There'll also be a rich food program with the continuation of Mike McEnearney's Farmers Markets and the popular Night Markets. A new series, Sydney Mad Mondays — hosted together with René Redzepi's (of Copenhagen's Noma) MAD — will bring together experts from across the food industry to discuss the future of food — think eating insects, test tube meat patties and feeding the world's homeless. To view the full lineup and buy tickets head to carriageworks.com.au.
Moore Park's Entertainment Quarter has scored a brand new pub, with the newly named Watson's taking over the much-loved former site of Irish bar PJ Gallagher's. Following a multimillion-dollar renovation, the new venue features a modern look with a fully renovated indoor and outdoor dining space plus a fresh lineup of pub feeds and tap beers. Included in the upgrades is the opening of the upper level of the pub, two al fresco decks and a courtyard bar with a four-metre screen ideal for watching sport. The deck is shrouded by three fairy light-lit Moreton Bay fig trees and will feature acoustic live music alongside all the sports action. A new tallowwood and Rivera stone top bar has been installed inside the pub which will serve a selection of 32 tap beers. On the menu at Watson's, you'll find a classic range Australian pub meals including herb and parmesan schnitzels ($27) or parmi ($29), fish and chips ($23), and a roast cauliflower salad ($22). There are also a few inventive twists on fast food and pub standards. Think a three-piece feed featuring think buttermilk chicken tenders served with fries, gravy, corn-on-a-cob and a dinner roll ($27), or the pub's take on a dinner party classic — the French onion cob loaf served with celery and carrots for dipping ($17). Accompanying mains is a dessert menu with tiramisu ($14) and sticky date pudding ($14), and a vast drinks list featuring spritzes ($16), espresso martini on tap ($16) and cocktail carafes made with vodka, T2 rose tea, lemon juice and lemonade ($38).
Calling all history buffs: now is an excellent time to plan a long weekend in Canberra, with an incredible exhibition celebrating the might of the Roman Empire arriving at the National Museum of Australia (NMA) on Friday, September 21. Rome: City and Empire is a collaborative exhibition with the British Museum and makes the NMA only the second institution to host it worldwide — and the only museum that will do so in Australia. The exhibition showcases over 200 jaw-dropping objects, including marble sculptures, illustrations, geometric jewellery, gold medallions and burial chests — many of which have never toured internationally, let alone reached the Southern Hemisphere. This is once-in-a-lifetime stuff. Whether you're a history aficionado who smashes all the ancient Rome questions at trivia or a total novice, the exhibition offers an opportunity to step back in time to experience what daily life was like in one of the most sophisticated, culturally diverse and creative civilisations the world has ever known. You'll leave with an insight into just how Rome became such a mighty empire — one whose aesthetics, ingenuity and approach to design continue to influence us today. Rome: City and Empire will run from Friday, September 21, 2018 to Sunday, February 3, 2019. Tickets can be purchased via the NMA's website. Images: Fragment of a diadem, Naukratis, Egypt, 67–98 CE, gold; Roman Republican coin for Julius Caesar minted in Rome, Italy, 44 BCE, silver; Mosaic panel, Halicarnassus (modern Bodrum), Turkey, 4th century CE ©Trustees of the British Museum
Barangaroo's a'Mare has long sat at the polished end of Sydney's Italian dining scene, all tableside theatre, crisp linens and a price point to match. Now, the Pavonis are opening things up. From April 22, the lauded restaurant will expand into a three-part venue, adding a new upstairs pizzeria and aperitivo bar, offering a more accessible way into one of the city's most pedigree-backed kitchens. If you know the names behind it, the move tracks. Alessandro and Anna Pavoni, the duo responsible for Ormeggio at The Spit, Cibaria Manly and Postino Osteria, have built a reputation on detail-driven Italian dining. Since opening in 2020, a'Mare has been their flagship: refined, exacting and firmly in 'special-occasion' territory. Upstairs, Pizza'Mare is shifting the dial. It's the group's first pizzeria, taking over the mezzanine with a more relaxed, drop-in format. The same produce-led philosophy, just expressed through pizza, pasta and antipasti instead of full-scale dining. The pizzas are built on a pre-fermented biga dough for a lighter, more digestible base, cooked in a Modena-imported MAM oven. Pizzaiolo Paolo Lacarpia, who has spun pizzas across Puglia and Tuscany, leads the offering under executive chef Giuseppe Fuzio. The menu leans clean and classic, with rigatoni cacio e pepe, punchy pennette arrabbiata and antipasti like Sydney rock oysters and octopus alla Luciana, alongside a tight pizza list that moves from traditional to downright luxurious. That includes the a'Marinara, topped with yellowfin tuna crudo, stracciatella and lemon zest (with optional caviar if you want to really get down). It's this balance that defines the new offering; familiar, but still unmistakably a'Mare. Next door, Vista'Mare is all about aperitivo culture, with spritzes, negronis and Venetian-style cicchetti designed for grazing by the harbour. There's also a rare Campari Seltz machine, one of only a handful worldwide, adding a direct line to Milanese drinking culture by way of frothy, ice-cold sippers. Don't fret though, none of this replaces the original experience. Downstairs, the a'Mare dining room continues as is, with its signature tableside service and dishes like trofie al pesto and cotoletta Milanese firmly leading the menu. Instead, the expansion reframes the experience. While a'Mare still sits comfortably in the anniversary and birthday camp, it now stretches across multiple formats, from a quick midweek pizza upstairs to Friday arvo knock-offs, and the full dining room experience below. For diners, this a new way in: the same kitchen, the same attention to detail, just without committing to the full-scale affair. Pizza'Mare and Vista'Mare will open on April 22, and reservations can be made at the website here. Imagery: Supplied | Steven Woodburn
Looking to start your day with something a little different? Head to the southern end of King Street where you'll find fresh and unexpected ingredients being piled onto Brickfields bread or between soft, fluffy milk buns at Rolling Penny. Following a short shutdown in 2022, the bustling Newtown cafe is here to stay, announcing it would reopen just three weeks after it closed its doors with an Instagram post that read: "I guess you don't know what you've got until it's finally gone…" Rolling Penny has built a cult following over the years through its commitment to local produce and interesting takes on breakfast classics, including its stellar brekky rolls that go far beyond your standard bacon and egg affair. While the menu is forever changing, some of the highlights Rolling Penny has served up include grilled artichoke toast; anchovy, caeser dressing, egg and charred broccolini sambos; smoked cheddar rarebit with house pickles; and loaded thick-cut speck and seared scallop burgers. More traditional breakfast items like portobello mushroom or halloumi burgers on milk buns ($14–21) stay consistent on the menu alongside lighter options like Brickfields croissants ($6.50) and housemade quiches ($6.50). Drinks-wise, you'll find Little Marionette Coffee for a caffeine kick start — but it's also a great spot to get a little boozy with your brunch. Pull some friends together and enjoy a mimosa ($12) or a bloody mary ($15) with your mushroom burger in the cafe's sunny terrace courtyard. Plus, Rolling Penny has continually bolstered its love within the community through a range of events and pop-ups throughout its seven years on King Street, even acting as the initial home to Baba's Place prior to opening its Marrickville warehouse restaurant. Appears in: The Best Cafes in Sydney Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Sydney
As a vegetarian, it can be easy to feel like an after-thought. Many meat-centric restaurants offer an animal-free option or two, but, all too often, such dishes are not particularly well-considered. That said, more and more restaurants in Sydney are demonstrating that herbivores as just as — if not more — important than their carnivorous counterparts. At the ten covered here, look forward to settling in for, not just a mighty fine vegetarian dish, but an evening-long degustation. Whether you're hoping for fine dining that takes meat-free cooking into the ether or a friendly, affordable feast, you'll find it. THIEVERY, GLEBE Since opening in Glebe in 2015, this cosy eatery has been attracting queues for its imaginative take on Middle Eastern fare. Legend goes that most of the recipes were stolen (with permission) from ex-Nomad chef Julian Cincotta by current head chef Jordan Muhamad (ex-Rockpool). Just a few of these are turmeric baghrir (crumpet) with confit leek, crème fraîche and grape molasses; sheesh barak (Lebanese dumplings) with braised silverbeet, shanklish cheese and fried chickpeas; and haloumi with honey and macadamia dukkah. The vegetarian degustation, dubbed Feast One, gets you nine courses for 52 bucks per head. YELLOW, POTTS POINT This European-style, 100-percent vegetarian bistro serves up some of the finest meat-free cooking in Sydney. It's the work of chef Brent Savage and sommelier Nick Hildebrandt, who are also responsible for Bentley and Monopole. There are degustations for vegetarians and vegans, both dotted with exotic veggies and heirloom varietals. Among the beautifully composed dishes you'll discover are a butternut pumpkin with miso brown butter and saltbush, as well as a pink lady apple terrine with burnt onion and honey. Five courses will set you back $75 (plus $65 for matching wines) and seven for $95 (plus $85). TWO CHAPS, MARRICKVILE Every Thursday and Friday night, Marrickville's Two Chaps cafe stays open late for a set vegetarian dinner featuring hand-made pasta and local cheeses. Dishes vary from week to week, but they're always made from scratch with fresher-than-fresh ingredients. One evening you might be tucking into spinach pappardelle with pine mushrooms, chestnuts, caper butter and pine nut crumbs, and, the next, ravioli with parsley root and buffalo ricotta filling, white wine butter, hazelnut and vein sorrel. You're invited to bring along a bottle of wine or two: the feast is $55 per head, including corkage. OTTO, WOOLLOOMOOLOO For Italian fare fit for a Roman emperor – with dazzling Sydney Harbour views to match – settle in for a meat-free degustation at Otto, on the Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf. Both vegetarians and vegans are looked after with dedicated six-course menus. Just a couple of the gustatory marvels you could find yourself sinking into are a pickled beetroot ravioli with goat's curd, pistachio and horse radish, and an aged acquerello risotto with mushrooms and stracciatella. Expect to pay $140 per head or $215 with matching wines. QUAY, THE ROCKS Another spot that takes vegetarian dining to transcendental levels is Quay, which, in 2017, was one of just three restaurants in New South Wales to score three chefs' hats. Chef Peter Gilmore spends a lot of time experimenting with new plants and herbs, so the menu is ever-changing, depending on his latest discoveries. Dishes that have graced the degustation previously include new season muntries (native cranberries) with sheep's milk feta, cucumber, herbs, macadamia and verjus; and stone pot green rice, buckwheat, sesame, perilla, new season asparagus and wakame broth. The restaurant is currently closed for renovations, but will reopen mid-year with a fresh look and a new menu. ALFIE'S KITCHEN, VARIOUS LOCATIONS The degustations held by Alfie's Kitchen have an unusual element: surprise. Rather than taking place in a restaurant, they happen as pop-up events – in warehouse spaces, at festivals and as part of private functions. Plus, they're not just vegetarian — they're vegan. If you've ever had any doubt about the potential of plant-based food to be as tasty, adventurous and fun as its meaty counterpart, then get along and have your fears allayed. Prepare for native influences — such as the leek smoked in blue gum with potato and finger lime — and unexpected combinations, like avocado with oyster mushrooms and macadamia cream. At present, it has two secret warehouse dinners organised for April 8 and 27, but keep an eye on Alfie's Kitchen's website for other upcoming feasts. ORMEGGIO AT THE SPIT, MOSMAN Ormeggio's contemporary creations visit both Italy and Spain. But, in lieu of the Mediterranean, they come accompanied by vistas of Middle Harbour and Pearl Bay. Executive chef Alessandro Pavoni cut his teeth in the company of renowned chefs Iginio Massari and Giuseppe Maffioli, and has sinced worked in several Michelin-starred restaurants, including Villa Fiordaliso, Lake Garda. The vegetarian degustations, available in five- ($106) and seven-course ($126) formats, are based on simple yet impeccably designed creations, such as green asparagus, corn, apple, pine nuts and coffee. Matching wines are available – both standard and premium. YULLI'S, SURRY HILLS At Yulli's, vegetarianism isn't merely an alternative: it's the reason for being. What's more, the restaurant has been around for years, so there's been plenty of time to come up with interesting dishes. These include the famous moneybags — crunchy parcels crowded with edamame and coconut — as well as jian dui, fried sesame balls filled with cucumber, pickled radish and roasted peanuts and served on a sesame leaf. The banquet, at $40 per head, is the most affordable on this list and gets you three courses plus dessert. Match your picks with Australian wines or a Yulli's Brew or two. BATHERS' PAVILION, BALMORAL Another herbivorous degustation to come with sparkling Middle Harbour panoramas is the one dished up at the Bathers' Pavilion, which is perched on the water at Balmoral. Relax into a comfy banquette in front of glass concertina windows and prepare to indulge in a decadent adventure, fuelled by seasonal produce and French influences. Chef Serge Dansereau's creations include pumpkin and goat cheese cannelloni with hazelnut, cherry tomato, dill and caper wafer; and a passionfruit mousse with Valrhona blond chocolate, turmeric and lemon sauce, and passionfruit sorbet. Five courses are priced at $130 ($190 with matching wines) and seven at $150 ($230). MOMOFUKU SEIOBO, PYRMONT This one's another extravaganza and it's possibly the most unusual, adventurous feast on the list. Momofuku Seiobo, when it opened in Pyrmont in 2011, was the Momofuku Group's first outpost beyond New York City. Barbados-born executive chef Paul Carmichael oversees the creation of 14-course degustations, driven by seasonal produce and inspired by Caribbean cuisine. Dishes vary, but previous offerings include handmade pasta with goat's curd, tomato, chilli and deep-fried mint, as well as creamy pumpkin and coconut pudding with raisin puree and banana leaf-perfumed ice cream. Expect to pay $185 per head, plus $105 for matching wines or $65 for a reduced wine menu.
Head south of Sydney or north of Victoria and you're sure to find quaint towns complete with awe-inspiring national parks and world-class wineries. The NSW south coast and southern highlands provide just this, plus an idyllic mix of rolling hillsides and romantic beachside homes perfect for you and your partner's next getaway. If you're looking to get out of the big city, there is an abundance of secluded stays scattered across southern NSW ready to serve as your landing pad to unwind and explore some of the most beautiful landscapes the state has to offer. We've done the hard work for you and found these one-bedroom (or more — in case you wanted to bring your favourite couple, too) cabins, lakeside stays and bushland cottages so that you can live out all your rom-com fantasies surrounded by rustling trees and ocean breezes. Recommended reads: The Best Places to Go Glamping in NSW The Best Tiny Houses You Can Book Around NSW The Best Hotels in Sydney The Best Places to Stay in the Blue Mountains The Bower, Mount Kembla This two-story bungalow allows you to live among the trees for the period of your stay. Just fifteen minutes outside Wollongong, you can experience the slow-moving small-town lifestyle with the nearby comforts of the city. From $350 a night, sleeps five. Bawley Point Cottage, Bawley Point Combining the best of both worlds, this south coast stay is part bushy cottage, part beach house. You can use the provided kayaks and head on an action-packed trip or just sit and read among the trees. From $220 a night, sleeps four. Soul Wood, Termeil Wake up to views of the bushland from this wooden tiny house. The dreamy outdoor bathtub is surrounded by tall native trees that will have you feeling completely immersed in the natural surroundings. From $300 a night, sleeps two. Beachfront Glamping, Bawley Point To say you're going glamping is an insult to this luxury beachfront tent. Soak up the great outdoors from the tent-style bedroom while enjoying the luxuries of a private kitchen and bathroom from the attached unit. From $320 a night, sleeps two. The Lakeside Barn, Wildes Meadow An architectural gem on the south coast, this waterfront barn was created in the 90s from the wood of old Darling Harbour wharf buildings. The barn contains a modern bathroom and kitchen, spacious living areas and a top-floor bedroom that looks out onto the lake. From $333 a night, sleeps two. Creekside Tiny House, Foxground Wake to the sounds of the gurgling creek at this modern tiny house. Located just outside of Kiama and Gerringong, the quaint stay places you nearby a variety of local hiking trails and beaches. From $298 a night, sleeps two. Studio Barn, Nowra This transformed barn somehow packs in a spacious living and kitchen area, a bedroom, a newly fitted bathroom and a private garden out back. It's a cute and affordable spot for those looking to explore the natural wonders of Kangaroo Valley. From $300 a night, sleeps two. Fig Tree Cabin, Moruya This pet-friendly cabin welcomes all of your non-human friends with open arms. From the pugs to great danes and even horses, the property will save you paying any expensive kennel fees while on your romantic adventure. From $140 a night, sleeps two. Lyra, Kangaroo Valley Relax in style with this lush Kangaroo Valley house, overlooking the Barrengarry Mountain range. The house is built from locally sourced timber and rocks and is flooded with light thanks to the large front windows and glass roof panels, bringing as much of the surrounding rainforest into your stay as possible. From $690 a night, sleeps six. Buru, Pebbly Beach Buru is more of a group couples retreat than a solo getaway — so find a couple of other lovebirds and book out this stunning, secluded stay. The renovated 1960s house backs onto a idyllic white sand beach and contains both an indoor and outdoor fireplaces perfect for cosy nights after a day of swimming, surfing and exploring. From $1164 a night, sleeps eight. New Atlas, Meroo Meadow Gaze out onto Cambewarra Mountain from the back porch of this bright beachy home just outside of Berry and less than 20 minutes drive from Seven Mile Beach. From $309 a night, sleeps four. The Old Schoolhouse, Milton This sun-drenched one bedroom loft sits on farm land just a couple minutes outside of the rural town of Milton. Sip coffee from the balcony overlooking the farm or pay a little extra and take your relaxation up a notch by sending a masseuse to the loft thanks to the accommodation's Indulgence Package. From $316 a night, sleeps two. The Lazy Curl, Woodburn This minimalist cabin will provide you with a simple and serene stay in the heart of the south coast. Its eco-friendly design generates energy through solar and collects rainwater and its indoor fireplace will keep you feeling toasty even on cold winter nights. From $245 a night, sleeps four. Monga Mountain Retreat, Reidsdale Stay in Monga National Park while living out your cottage-core dreams at this lovely bushland cabin. Comfy chairs sit on a patterned rug and quaint appliances are scattered around the wood-laden kitchen. From $155 a night, sleeps two. Tawillah Luxury Retreat, Milton This countryside couples retreat has serene views of the Milton countryside and the nearby Budawang Range. Just a two minute drive from town, enjoy a seclude getaway with a beautiful deck, sun lounges and a fire pit. From $460 a night, sleeps two. All photos courtesy of Airbnb. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. 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In the time since Sydney's lockout laws came into effect, many venues in the lockout zone have closed — but quite a few have found new life too. Club 77 was resurrected in early 2016, The Flinders reopened under new management and Flamingo Lounge took over the old Hugos space late last year. Now, Kit & Kaboodle has been given a revamp. The bar — located on level two of the old Sugarmill Hotel, which became the Potts Point Hotel under new ownership last year — is set to open this month as Boogie Mountain, a self-indulgent venue dedicated to rock and roll. The bar takes its name from a commune set in 1970s Arizona desert and boasts a passion for the hedonistic. Think luxe red velvet lounges and hidden timber-panelled nooks, plus magnums of rosé and decadent lobster poutine. "The introduction of Boogie Mountain is about creating something unique, where patrons can relate to the venues offerings," says owner John Duncan. "We are very excited to give the space a new lease on life, with Boogie Mountain adding a great new option to Sydney's late night scene." It's open Thursday through Saturday only, with weekend hours offering lock-in until 3.30am (as long as you're inside by 2am, of course). Thursdays will see vinyls on the turntable and all-you-can-eat poutine specials on offer, too. You can expect non-stop tunes all night, with the rock soundtrack including the likes of Talking Heads and Iggy Pop. When you're not getting your boogie on, it's got classic American cocktails, an all-Australian wine list and craft beer tinnies to accompany those aforementioned magnums. For food, the poutine menu is joined by share plates like saffron risotto 'disco balls' and cheese boards, along with a post-midnight snacks menu of burgers, fries and apple pie. "We wanted to create a space that celebrated what Sydney was always about — a youthful loss of innocence, a sense of adventure, simple pleasures and free spirit," says designer Byron Georgouras. Images: Dominic Loneragan
Hospitality runs in Vinay Matta's blood, but Rasā House is very much his own story. The Rose Bay venue marks the first solo foray for the second-generation restaurateur, whose parents run longtime favourites Jewel on the Bay — which is located right next door — and The Spice Room. Perched right across from the waterfront, Rasā House sits somewhere between a restaurant, a wine bar and a neighbourhood hangout, showcasing creative flavours in a warm, vibrant and immediately welcoming setting. In a recent and exciting shift, Keno Perlas, formerly of Margaret, Monopole and Cho Cho San has joined Rasā House as head chef. He brings years of experience working alongside industry veterans such as Neil Perry, Richard Purdue and Toby Stansfield to the kitchen, as well as tastes and flavours gathered from extensive travel across 52 countries. "My cooking is flavoursome, raw, sometimes ugly delicious. But it's sincere. It's done with integrity and care," says Perlas. Perlas' cooking philosophy is 'deliciousness without limitation', and so naturally, his seasonal menu spans across cuisines and continents. "I like the idea of borderless cuisine. Cuisines should inspire us, but not limit us. Deliciousness has a language of its own. It doesn't always have to be understood — sometimes it simply has to be felt." You might begin with garam masala-crumbed olives, Manchurian cauliflower with ginger and sesame, and charcoal-grilled wagyu skewers with nam jim jaew and pickles. Across the table, share claypot noodles with mushroom and ginseng broth, lamb ribs with tamarind-date glaze, cabbage and spanner crab dumplings, and roti stuffed with spiced and braised eggplant. Large plates include the likes of fish cooked in banana leaf with sambal and watermelon salad, coal-roasted chicken with char sui glaze and smashed cucumber, and ribeye steak with pear and ginger curry sauce. Whatever you order, your taste buds are sure to be in for a surprise with the array of ingredients, flavours and techniques showcased across the menu. There's a similar swagger about the drinks program, which features Asian-inspired takes on classic cocktails, like a Japanese Tea Old Fashioned and a Thai Basil and Pomegranate Smash. The menu also features a dedicated martini list — we're already eyeing off the Rasā Dry for our next visit, with its intriguing mix of Four Pillars olive leaf gin, pandan liqueur, sake, orange bitters and lemon zest — and a well-curated back bar that includes a good selection of mezcal, whisky and small-batch gin. Matta has taken charge of the wine list, a considered selection that champions small-batch producers and aromatic varietals from around the world. Expect pours from Spain, France, South Africa — even Germany and Morocco — alongside a short list of standout vintages for those chasing something more structured. There's a decent by-the-glass selection of mostly Australian drops that pair with the kitchen's spice-forward plates, and you can sample anything you're curious about before committing to a full pour. The venue itself is as warm as the hospitality. Calming earthy tones dominate the dimly lit space, which is dotted with a colourfully eclectic mix of artwork and objets. You'll also find custom murals by Sydney artist Mali Pilgrem Blasco and a record player spinning vinyl during Saturday happy hour. There's also a leafy outdoor dining area where you can take in views of the marina and Shark Island — ideal for a long lunch, sunset drink or easygoing dinner by the water. Images: Supplied.
Endeavour Vintage Beer Co. finally has a place to call home in The Rocks. The Endeavour Tap Rooms opened at the tail-end of 2016 (and then reopened after a spell in 2020) and, oddly enough, is more bar than a brewery. The beer itself plays second fiddle to the restaurant and main bar, which not only contains eight brew taps but also has four additional taps for rotating cider, wine and house cocktails. The tiny, 600-litre brewhouse is squeezed into a small side room and looks more like a display brewery than a functioning one. The two-storey, three-bar venue itself is nicely done, which isn't too surprising considering the partnership from Applejack Hospitality, the minds behind Bondi Hardware, Della Hyde and Circular Quay's Hacienda. They've necessarily maintained that heritage building fit-out with its stained glass windows, vintage wallpaper and chic chandeliers, giving the space a living room vibe. We're very much into the all-Australian, seasonally harvested ingredients they're using. We'd recommend the bar snacks. Think dishes like dressed oysters on a half shell, raw hiramasa kingfish tostadas and crispy, succulent pork hock nibbles that lend themselves nicely to the needs of the after-work crowd the venue seems geared towards.
Cacti lovers, take note: Madrid is now on your must-visit list. While there's no shortage of reasons to head to the Spanish locale, those fond of spiky succulents will want to flock to Desert City, a massive biotechnology nursery dedicated to cultivating, researching and showcasing cacti and other xerophytic plants. Located 20 minutes out of the city at San Sebastián de los Reyes, and transforming a highway-adjacent spot that was once an industrial wasteland, the educational ecological complex features everything a site devoted to cacti should. That includes a huge greenhouse, a nursery for those keen to take some greenery home with them, exhibition space and a restaurant. And, yes, it also boasts plenty of the plant life in the spotlight — more than 400 xerophytic species across 16,000 square metres, with 5,000 square metres taken up by an experimental botanic garden. While many of the cacti within its garden are native to the area, Desert City also includes dedicated spaces for species from other continents, aka the equivalent of globe-hopping one succulent at a time. The entire place is also designed to put the principles of 'zerolandscaping' — low water, low maintenance gardening — into practice, creating sustainable gardens that optimise natural resources. Images: Desert City / ImagenSubliminal
Inimitable frozen dessert guru Nick Palumbo is responsible for making gelato the hottest thing in Sydney served below 0°C. His revered Gelato Messina sets the benchmark for gelato in Australia, taking a traditional Sicilian craft (everything is made from scratch using raw, natural ingredients) and carefully folding in an avant-garde approach towards flavours (there are six to seven specials released each week, with even the most deceptively unassuming beige ones accumulating Facebook likes in the hundreds). Now he's been tasked with the duty of finding one Australian craftsman blending tradition with inspiration. Ketel One has snagged Nick to sit on the judging panel of their Modern Craft Project, which you might remember us talking about here and which you should probably enter if you have a traditional craft, an entrepreneurial spirit and a partiality towards $100,000 cash prizes. Before the competition kicks off we stole a few minutes out of Nick's busy schedule to get the scoop on his idiosyncratic approach to artisan gelati. Concrete Playground (CP): Why gelato? Nick Palumbo (NP): In Messina, Sicily (where we are from) there is a huge culture of gelato and I wanted to create a brand that used traditional craftsmanship but was flexible in the sense that there is no limit to how creative you want to be. CP: What flavours did you launch Gelato Messina with back in 2002? NP: We only had 20 basic flavours back then but there was always a focus on quality. The innovation started to come in about two years later once we gained the trust of our customers. Coconut lychee, which sounds boring now, was our first "experimental flavour" back then. CP: Why did you decide to do the Gelato Messina Lab? NP: Because in the gelateria, we thought we had taken the quality side of things to quite a high level and all we had now was innovation of flavours. We wanted to push the boundaries a bit and marry in the world of high end patisserie with gelato, and saw it as a huge challenge and something that, to our knowledge, no one had done before. CP: The cakes are incredibly intricate — which one is the most satisfying to assemble? NP: The Black Forest, there are lots of components and the end result looks amazing. CP: They also incorporate many ingredients that aren't normally found in frozen desserts. Which ingredient poses the most problems? NP: All the jellies, they are hard to make soft at -18°C! CP: How do you come up with new flavours? NP: Basically we look for inspiration everywhere, especially from the world of patisserie, but it's also about continually finding flavours that work together. CP: What flavour has been the biggest surprise for you in terms of popularity? NP: Salted Caramel and White Choc Chip. It's now our best seller yet but when it first came out I actually heard a few people saying they didn't like it. Now those same people love it. CP: Obviously coming up with flavours must involve a lot of trial and error. What have been some of the errors? NP: Tomato sorbet. CP: I read a story about the frontman of Amy Meredith turning to his Facebook fans to demand the return of this favourite flavour (Elvis the Fat Years, which was then reborn as Christian Skinny Jeans). Is there anyone else you would like to reincarnate as gelato? NP: My three-month-old boy! The Milky Bar Kid. CP: Why did you want to become involved with the Ketel One Modern Craft Project? NP: Because Ketel One is an amazing brand full of history, which is my dream for Messina, and because there is not much in the way of support in this country for young people with a passion to do good things so anything that will help support artisans is something I'd like to be a part of. CP: What is next for Gelato Messina? NP: We open in Bondi in the middle of next year and we open in China (Hangzhou) in April next year. CP: And finally, cup or cone? NP: Silly question, CONE!
Since 1989, the Piscine Molitor – Paris’s most glamorous interwar swimming spot and namesake of Yann Martel’s fictional hero – has been dry as a bone. Where the world’s first bikini model strutted her stuff and Tarzan once served as lifeguard, graffiti artists have been busy tagging and ravers have been busy, well, raving. In fact, a 2001 dance party run by French collective Heretik saw a 5,000-strong crowd occupy the space. But as of Monday, the indoor pool has been re-filled and re-opened in yet another incarnation. It is now part of a luxury 124-room MGallery hotel, complete with gym, spa, restaurant and bar. And the privilege of visiting for a day comes at the whopping cost of €150 (about $220). Both the 33-metre pool and the 50-metre lido have received a somewhat controversial renovation. Of the original façade, designed by Lucien Pollet, only one small section remains. But the architect behind the changes, Jean Phillipe Nuel, defends them. "We tried to conserve the dialogue between past and present," he told The Guardian. "For example, in the lobby under the original two-metre high ceiling (now mirrored) is a Rolls Royce bought by Eric Cantona, tagged by the American graffiti artist JonOne." Nuel has also managed to preserve several distinguishing Art Deco features, including the mosaics, stained glass images of bathers, blue doors and green railings crucial to Pollet’s original vision: that the Piscine Molitor should resemble an ocean liner. All the fancying up is perhaps less in keeping with Martel’s artistic decisions. The long-surviving, spiritually explorative Pi received his name because his “honorary uncle”, Mamaji, had told his father: “If you want your son to have a clean soul, you must take him one day to swim in the Piscine Molitor”. No mention of an enormous bank account. Via The Guardian.
If you've ever had a coffee at Cuckoo Callay, a Middle Eastern brunch at Nour or a charcoal chicken feast at Henrietta, you'll find Lilymu familiar. There's pink neon on the walls, hibiscus in the cocktails and friendly staff on the floor. But, it's also markedly different to any of Ibby Moubadder and Jorge Farah's other restaurants. To start: it's not on Crown Street. In fact, it's on the other side of the city, in Parramatta Square. And it's not Middle Eastern. This time, the duo is, with the help of ex-Mr Wong chef Brendan Fong, serving up contemporary takes on Chinese and Southeast Asian dishes. As you'd expect from Fong, the dumpling are great. So good, we suggest ordering a round of the tom yum prawn dumplings swimming in bright refreshing soy, lime and chilli dressing as soon as you sit down. While you're ordering entrees, the crispy fried quail. This crispy golden bite-sied bird is bursting with enough flavour to put your favourite fried chicken joint to shame. [caption id="attachment_792832" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Black garlic mie goreng[/caption] Larger dishes continue with pipis in XO sauce (market price), beef cheek massaman with the requisite kipfler potatoes and roasted duck with Laos sausage. But the dish you've likely heard the most about (and seen pop-up regularly on the 'gram) is the mie goreng. Coming loaded with black garlic and bean sprouts, and topped with an egg yolk, it's rich and indulgent. It'll also leave you almost too full for dessert — almost. You can round out your meal with mascarpone parfait, coconut sorbet or one of the liquid desserts, including a Lilymu espresso martini and an affogato martini with vanilla ice cream. Those who prefer their cocktails slightly more savoury — and earlier on in the meal — will find solace in the spiced margarita or the sour plum negroni, made with Four Pillars' always-popular Bloody Shiraz Gin. [caption id="attachment_787138" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] Images: Nikki To Updated Friday, March 31, 2023. Appears in: The Best Restaurants in Sydney The Best Degustations Under $100 in Sydney
Casual Italian Bondi joint The Corner House is the kind of cosy yet sophisticated joint that ticks most boxes on most people's list of 'crucial elements required for a pretty darn good evening.' With interiors that hark back to The Corner House's former incarnation as the Bondi tram stop and the bygone days of a less slick Sydney, salvaged railway tracks, wooden ferry pews and acid-treated steel floors give the place a contemporary-rustic kind of feel. The venue itself is divided into three parts: The Dining Room, which consists of a casual street front dining area and a more serious low-lit main room with leather banquette, The Living Room – an upstairs bar and balcony, and The Lobby – a cosy nook suitable for private functions and intimate groups. The restaurant vibe is lively but relaxed, while the upstairs bar is a little more amped, especially on weekends. The modern-Italian style food that swans out of the nothing-to-hide open kitchen is a balanced blend of rustic and refined. The main blackboard menu is ever changing with fresh seasonal produce, offering hearty treats like a delicate but rich slow-braised duck and veal shin open lasagne, perfectly pan-fried Mulloway with wee morsels of roasted winter veg, and the moistest of organic chickens on a bed of creamy parsnip puree. If you're after a cheaper, more low-key dining experience, the wood-fired pizza menu is consistent, simple and tasty with the option of the best gluten-free base around. And they serve them in the upstairs bar, which means you need not abandon your crew of 20 drinkers to grab a bite. If drinking's what you're into, the eclectic selection of cocktails packs quite the potent punch, and the small but comprehensive wine list breaks it down in simple terms like 'reds to impress', 'crowd pleasers', and 'fizzy wine'.
It's time to mark your calendars for the National Cherry Festival, the ultimate celebration of all things cherry. This annual event is set to take place in Young, NSW (the cherry capital of Australia!) from Friday, December 1 to Sunday, December 3. In case you've never been, the National Cherry Festival is a three-day extravaganza that brings together cherry growers and enthusiasts from all over Australia. Get ready to indulge in delicious cherry treats, including fresh cherries, cherry pies, cherry ice cream and more. You can also enjoy cooking demonstrations, cherry-picking competitions, live music performances, and even a seed-spitting competition. For those looking for a more relaxing experience, there will be a Cherry Blossom Walk, showcasing the stunning cherry blossoms that bloom during summer in Young. It's also a chance to meet and learn from local artisans showcasing their products and crafts, the history of the region, the cherry-growing process, and the impact of cherries on the local economy. Since Young is a four-hour drive out of Sydney, be sure to book local accommodation in advance and get the full weekender experience to celebrate of the sweetest summer fruits. For more information on the festival and how to enjoy it, visit the website. We advise against wearing white clothing.
