Head to mainstay Waterloo pub The George and you'll find that things are a little different. Well, you might not notice at first. There are still locals sitting around the bar in high-vis vests knocking back pints of Resch's and VB. The courtyard is still filled with cacti. And there's still a well worn pool table. But, sitting next to VB longnecks ($15) in the fridge, you'll see bottles of skin-contact wines and pét-nats, and beers from local breweries Young Henrys and Grifter are also available on tap. The cacti in the courtyard have been joined by a glowing al pastor fountain, and a pond filled with eels, and the adjoining kitchen is turning out tacos and tostadas instead of American-style barbecue. And where the pool table once sat — it's been moved to the front bar — is a fully stocked wine shop courtesy of natural wine retailer Drnks. The new-look George successfully combines the old and the new — joining the rapid gentrification of the surrounding suburbs — and it's all thanks to its new owners, who aren't new to epic revamps. Co-owners James Wirth and Michael Delany previously bought and made over The Norfolk, The Flinders, The Carrington and The Oxford Tavern, before selling them all in 2016. Most recently, they overhauled the The Duke on Enmore Road. To keep some of the pub's history in-tact, the team focused on reupholstering and repurposing the pub's original features — including vintage wood panelling found in the basement, which now adorns the walls. For this venue, Wirth and Delany got chef Toby Wilson (Bad Hombres, Ghostboy Cantina) and Drnks founder Joel Amos on board as co-owners, too. Amos heads up the aforementioned bottle shop — which is stocked with everything from a salty white peach beer from NZ's Garage Project to coveted magnums of wine by Gabrio Bini — and the pub's fun and funky drinks list. For food, Wilson has created a new concept, Taco King. At the centre of the food offering is the al pastor — an actual al pastor, not a fountain — a Mexican specialty that's based on the Lebanese immigrant version of shawarma spit-grilled meat. The pork coming off the al pastor is served atop tortillas — painstakingly hand-pressed one by one — with onion and salsa. Other specialties include spicy kingfish ceviche tostada ($7.5), quesadillas with chorizo ($9) and thick churros ($8) served with dulce de leche. We're hoping to see eel tacos pop up on the menu sometime soon, too. To go with the food, is a cocktail list with a distinctly South American edge. There's the Mexican French Martini ($18) made with tequila, the Brazilian-style caipirinha ($16) and the michelada ($14), made with Mexican beer, clamato (clam and tomato) juice and lime. While not strictly South American, you'll find Reverse Cowboys ($7 each) on the menu, too — shots of Baileys and Agavero tequila served in mini glass cowboy boots. We think it might just become your new favourite watering hole. Images: Kimberley Low.
In Greek, 'Ela ela' means 'come here', which is exactly what chef Peter Consistis (ex-Alpha) hopes Sydneysiders will do to sample his new menu of reimagined Mediterranean fare. Ela Ela is the sixth and final venue to open at the new dining and nightlife hotspot The Bristol. Once a historic Sydney pub, The Bristol Arms Hotel was permanently closed during the pandemic. Following a multimillion-dollar refurbishment, the building has been reborn as a multilevel hospitality haven, complete with a rooftop bar, an art deco cocktail lounge, a pumping nightclub, a sports bar and a casual public bar on the ground floor – an homage to building's pub heritage. The arrival of Ela Ela, the site's main dining space, completes The Bristol's comprehensive offering, delivering a complete night out from pre-dinner drinks to late-night revels. The restaurant's 80-seat dining space takes its design cues from a traditional Greek mezedopolio, but with a modern sheen. Green and orange jewel tones complement the rustic design of the furnishings, giving the revamped restaurant a warm and inviting atmosphere. Consistis has created a menu that champions the classic flavours of Greek cuisine, infused with his signature contemporary flare and notes from Greece's Mediterranean neighbours. Ela Ela's kitchen is centred around its woodfired grill, where charred octopus with gigantes beans and fire-roasted king prawns are imbued with a rich smokiness. For a more refined interpretation of classic Greek cuisine, Consistis presents a goat moussaka with globe artichoke and goat feta bechamel. Diners can wash their meal down with their choice of an extensive selection of beers and wines, carefully picked to pair perfectly with Ela Ela's pyro-powered menu. And as for cocktails, there are a selection of Greek-inspired mingles — in sizes 'mini' and 'not mini' — including a dirty Greek martini, featuring a tea made from tomatoes, cucumbers, green olives and feta brine, olive-infused vodka, vermouth and finished with a Greek salad skewer. [caption id="attachment_977926" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peter Consistis[/caption] Images: Paul Papadopulos
First opened in 1999, Brass Monkey has made a name for itself as the venue to catch live music in Cronulla. Over its more than two decades of operation, it has played host to live music acts from all over the world. Although the genre selection tends to favour jazz, it is not unlikely to find musicians turning out blues, roots, funk, pop, indie and world music on the stage, too. The old-world charm of this venue will transport you back to another era, with its mood lighting, velvet stage curtains, red leather booth seating and wood-panelled bar. If you've got an event to plan and a long guest list, the team at Brass Monkey can look after up to 140 people with tailored packages available to suit. And, they even offer the entire venue as an exclusive hire. Although music venues aren't typically known for their food offerings, the menu here is solid, taking its cues from Mediterranean home-style cooking.
Boasting an expansive skylight, outdoor courtyard and space for 600 people, the University of Technology's campus bar is a popular spot for bands, DJs and themed events. When it's not emptied out for parties, the lively venue serves simple drinks and classic pub food for lunch and dinner, such as mac and cheese balls, chicken wings, nachos and a range of pizzas and loaded fries. There are also pool tables, video games and big screens to entertain you and your mates between sips at the in-house bar or outdoor beer garden. Though the bar is primarily catered to students — with weekly meal specials and 10% off food and drinks for UTS students and staff — members of the public can tag along for gigs and casual drinks. Top image: Jess Gleeson
A Sydney institution has closed its doors. While Redfern Continental (and its cocktail bar GDR) are no more, we're happy to announce that a new venue has already taken its place, with Golden Gully owners Daniel McBride and Dynn Smulewicz opening a sister venue to their Leichhardt small bar last week. The new venue, like it's predecessor, is split in two. Out the front, you'll find casual restaurant The Sunshine Inn and, out the back in the old GDR space, is a degustation-only dining room dubbed DD's. Gully's Executive Chef Emma Evans (Alibi) is in the kitchen serving up elevated gastropub eats up front and a three-to-five course degustation menu out back — all of which is vegetarian and focused on locally sourced produce. While the front bar is bright and airy with a minimalist fit-out — think white walls with navy accents and natural timber furnishings — the back restaurant is dark and moody. The intimate space hosts two dinner sittings per night (with bookings essential), then turns into a cocktail lounge once the kitchen is done. It's looking to be one of Sydney's best priced degustation menus, too, ranging from a very reasonable $39–59 (for three-to-five courses, respectively). [caption id="attachment_784833" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] Expect more refined fare here that's reminiscent of Gully's set menu. It will change regularly, but some of the dishes you're likely to find on the opening menu include turnip ravioli with strawberry gum, corn-crusted fennel served atop smoked chat potatoes and a decadent Ferrero Rocher pie. Also similar to the one at Gully, the cocktail menu focuses on Aussie spirits and native flavours — but The Sunshine Inn's list will include international booze, too. The 16-strong cocktail list includes The Cure All (a tequila and mezcal take on the penicillin, made with jalapeño and ginger syrup), an amaro spritz (made using Poor Toms' Imbroglio, strawberry gum syrup and prosecco) and the Aussie Amari Sour (all $18), which McBride described as "a grown-up version of an amaretto sour". The wine list takes cues from the Gully as well, focusing almost exclusively on Aussie drops while balancing the natural with the accessible. Local winemakers Eloquesta, La Violetta and Yetti and the Kokonut all represent, and brews from Sydney's Wildflower, Akasha and Grifter are pouring as well. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
Whether you like to play it safe with spaghetti or go crazy with casarecce, you'll find all your favourite pastas, fresh and homemade, at new Italian diner La Favola. Let the carb-loading begin. Located on upper King Street in Newtown, La Favola has taken over the space previously occupied by stoner-food cafe D'Munchies. (Don't worry, local stoners will find another joint.) Unlike your traditional flag-bearing trattorias, there are no red-checked tablecloths or baskets of breadsticks. Instead, La Favola has opted for a clean and contemporary fit-out, replacing the massive marijuana mural with a white brick façade and a simple butcher's block menu. So who's the master of pasta at La Favola? That would be Italian chef Fabio Stefanelli, previously of Cucinetta in Woolwich and Fico in Hobart, as well as Michelin-starred Cracco ristorante in Milan. Stefanelli's recipe for success is simple — six pastas and six sauces, and patrons can mix and match as they please. As a general rule, you'll find lighter and creamier sauces, such as the carbonara ($16) and the seafood dal mare ($20), a perfect match for the spaghetti or fusilli, while richer, meatier sauces, such as the ragu Napoletano ($18), pair better with rigatoni or paccheri. That said, there's really no right or wrong way to eat the pasta here. Hell, you can even go broccoli e salsiccia with fettucine ($18) if you want to. While it's not part of the standard menu, La Favola also offers gnocchi from time to time and it's definitely worth ordering if you see it on the specials (check the restaurant's Facebook page for updates). Stefanelli's little potato dumplings are so light and fluffy you'll feel as though you can eat and eat and eat. Oh, and don't be alarmed by how quickly the food comes out, it's definitely not Latina. The self-professed "fast food" restaurant hand makes its own pasta, sauces and stocks at the start of each day. While the pasta is definitely the show-stealer, La Favola's menu also includes a small selection of starters — including a beef carpaccio with truffle cream ($18) and fried calamari ($16) — as well as a few other simple sides. If you only have room for two courses, however, make the second one dessert. You'll be completely won over by the cannolo Siciliano ($7), which is stuffed with a fresh ricotta cream made with citrus fruits that have been stewed for five hours. As you can see, La Favola is not your usual fast food eatery. Images: Trent van der Jagt
Shanghai Night on Liverpool Road is one of Sydney's oldest Shanghainese restaurants. The brightly lit, loud eatery remains one of the best spots to eat in Ashfield — a suburb known for its top-notch Chinese cuisine. So, that's saying something. Just don't confuse it for New Shanghai Nights, located a mere two doors down. Settle in for piled-high plates of pan-fried pork dumplings ($8.80), steamed chicken and shiitake mushroom dumplings (from $9.80), and Shanghai-style mini pork and crab buns ($10.80). If you're in need of a heartwarming bowl of wonton soups, it's got plenty of those, too, plus a heap of mains, including king prawns with eggplant ($29.80), shredded pork in Sichuan sauce ($18.80), and crispy skin duck ($18.80).
Pre-work swims and afternoon picnics are better thanks to Petersham Park's friendly neighbourhood cafe that's reinventing the classic pool canteen. Splash Coffee took over the food and drink offering at the Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre in late 2023, setting up shop with standout coffee, loaded sambos, fresh salads and a freezer stocked full of ice creams. Splash is the second Inner West opening from the team behind Newtown's always-pumping Soulmate — an accomplished crew also boasting the minds behind northwest Sydney favourites The Tuckshop and the now-closed Baron. Open seven days a week, Splash begins to stir from the early hours, swinging open its doors from 6.30am each morning. That means pre-work swims paired with a hearty brekkie and Single O coffee are well and truly on the cards. The all-day breakfast section of the menu spans granola, smashed (or splashed) avo and B&Es (or V&Es — vego and egg rolls). If you're after something bigger, picks include fish and chips, a selection of sandwiches and a loaded Bradman burger. The fish sandwich is a certain summer hit, packing thin pieces of fish schnitzel, American cheese, house-pickled beetroot, white onion, shredded lettuce and a signature sauce between two ultra-fluffy pieces of white bread. Summer swimmers can head to the takeaway window inside of the pool in order to elevate their dips with a heap of nostalgic treats on offer at the cafe — including a chip butty (with optional curry sauce), milkshakes, smoothies and your classic ice cream selections. Splash's proximity to the park also opens it up to servicing leafy picnics under the nearby trees. The team has even supplied picnic blankets, which you can borrow when you order a coffee or a feed. A bloody lovely neighbourhood spot.
UPDATE MARCH 23, 2018: If you like smoked meats and good deals, you're going to like LP's latest offering. The Chippendale eatery has just launched a happy hour running from 5–6pm, Tuesday to Friday. The drinks on offer include the usual suspects — $10 glasses of wine, $5 Peroni Reds — and creative concoctions like the Lynchburg Lemonade ($10) made from PS40's smoked lemonade. For food, there's a rotating menu of $10 snacks. Expect smoked and cured delights such as 'nduja toast, Basque anchovies and croquettes stuffed with house-made jamon. Find more info here. If you're not addicted to smoking, then you haven't tried LP's Quality Meats, a European beer hall which carves up the city's best smoked and cured delicacies. Located in a leafy pocket of Chippendale lies LP's secret smokehouse, and you're bound to find it quicker by nose than sight. The venue still retains the charm of its former life as a mechanics — it's one expansive warehouse space with polished concrete floors, tiled walls and high ceilings. Communal tables create aisles across the room and the atmosphere just sings with happy patrons, intoxicated by the promising smells of smoky goodness. The LP in question stands for Luke Powell, the ex-Tetsuya's chef and mastermind behind Mary's famous burgers. He's joined by James Audas of Noma and Tetsuya fame as sommelier and front of house. Don't judge the waiters by their butcher-style tees; this casually clad team are a well-trained, knowledgeable bunch and professional from top to tail. The menu is short and sweet, and particularly short on the sweet items with just one dessert listed. The cured and cold cuts of bierwurst ($14), salami cotto ($14), and mortadella ($14) make a great charcuterie, served on a silver platter with mustard and house-made grissini. There are a host of main-sized menu items, including smoked chicken ($24/$42), lamb belly stuffed with merguez ($36), beef short rib ($48) and smoked sausage ($14), and they all rely on the same tried and true recipe of salt and smoke, a winning combination. At this point of the night even the Young Henrys cider tastes of smoke, but there's no complaining here. The bar has interesting brews on tap — including the Nomad Pale Ale and American Brown Ale BrewCult — and depending on where you sit, you get a great view of the open kitchen and the meat-slicer in motion. Does the single dessert stack up? The proof is in the pudding. While the sad-sounding pouding chômeur (or poor man's pudding) is made from day-old pancake batter, it's surprisingly top-notch. The delicious, crispy, pie-tin pancake soaked in a sticky, jammy sauce is an absolute sensation. With so many first-class elements, LP's Quality Meats is sure to rise to the top. You know what they say: where there's smoke...
"I don't think that art can change the world. But at least art can help us to unveil life," says Tehching Hsieh in conversation with academic Adrian Heathfield. This unveiling of life is imperative to Hsieh's performance art; he collapses the distinction between art and life in a way that is profound, pioneering and uncompromising. In 1974, Hsieh arrived in New York City. Using the name 'Sam' to mask his illegal immigrant status, he abandoned painting and began exploring durational performance art. This involved embarking on five one-year-long works, unprecedented in their physical and psychological exertion. Carriageworks presents Hsieh's debut solo exhibition in Australia: a rigorous documentation of One Year Performance 1980-1980 (Time Clock Piece). For this work, he punched a time card, once an hour, every hour, for an entire year. The installation consists of the grey uniform he wore, witness testimonies, an artist statement, the time clock, 366 time-cards, 8,621 photographs of himself punching the time clock, and perhaps what is most affecting, a 16mm film crunching the year-long experience into a gruelling six minutes — during which time, hair sprouts from his shaven head, growing to his shoulders. Intuitively, many read this work as a critique of industrial labour and exploitation. Hsieh embodies the alienated worker, tethered to a relentless, repetitive action. Yet, he is not creating a product to be consumed in a conventional sense, in his own words, he is "working hard to waste time". However, Hsieh insists that although his work fits into a political framework, he is not a political artist. His quest is more philosophical, investigating the universal aspects of being. In a way, the idea of 'punching time' is akin to killing time — a way of dealing with its constancy and absurdity. The methodical grid of 'mug-shots' wallpapering the space induces a feeling of claustrophobia. Over a prolonged time period, the execution of a simple instruction becomes a momentous task. Yet it's difficult to spot cracks of frustration or unrest in Hsieh's physical appearance. He is remarkably disciplined in the way he makes and documents his art, striving forward with self-punishing dedication. There are only very subtle details that individuate the photographs, as he presents the same resolute expression and stands in the same position. Also, Hsieh's artist statements could almost be legal contracts. They clearly outline each step of the project, committing him for the stipulated time period. In saying this, there were a number of occasions where Hsieh failed to punch the time card. However, these elements of failure seem to humanise the work. Like reporting an absence, he scrupulously documents the reasons for these failures. From working as an unfunded and illegal artist, Hsieh is now a seminal figure in the world of performance art. In recent years there has been a critical reappraisal of his work, with exhibitions at MoMA and the Guggenheim. Encircled by these hourly portraits, it's difficult not to be impressed by Hsieh's iron-clad determination. This is one work in an oeuvre of physical extremity and conceptual purity. Hsieh made out list of ten crazy things people have done in the name of live art. Check out the other nine. Image: Zan Wimberley.
There comes a time when each of us wants an upgrade: to take a grown-up step away from flat-packed, ready-made living and start turning that ‘Dream House’ Pinterest collection into a reality. Beachside hut, slick city unit or terrace house in the leafy ‘burbs – whatever your style, Concrete Playground has the pick of Sydney’s best interior (and a little bit of exterior) design stores right here. So you can put away that IKEA catalogue, pronto. Chee Soon & Fitzgerald Stocking both local and international designers like Georg Jenson, Artemide and Marimekko, as well as their own brand CSF, this Crown Street store is known for its modern decorative fabrics, wallpaper and lighting. They also provide a custom design service in store for all sorts of soft furnishings like lamp shades, rugs and throws. 387 Crown Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9360 1031 Clothfabric Whether you're covering your bed, sofa, tables or walls, Clothfabric has handmade pieces from local craftsmen who use local materials. They design all of their items from a 'surf' tea towel and 'seaweed chalk' cushions to abstract wallpaper and floral bed linen. 35 Buckingham Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9699 2266 Corporate Culture From tables to beds, lighting and acoustics Corporate Culture in Chippendale has everything to make your house designer from top to bottom. With designers from Arne Jacobsen to Hiromichi Konno you will definitely find something to fit your style. 21-23 Levey Street (off Buckland Street), Chippendale; (02) 9690 0077 David Met Nicole Vintage amazingness is what can be found at David Met Nicole with quirky pieces from the UK, France and America. Mannequins, world globes, clocks, furniture is what you will find from the 1900s to the 1950s. 382 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9698 7416 Dust For lovers of antiques and bric-a-brac, Dust is the place to be for all things unique. From headdresses, taxidermy and chandeliers to vases, lamps and artworks. 381 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst; (02) 9332 2854 Elements I Love Genuine vintage furniture and homewares collected from France and India, including ornate antique wooden doors, cast iron chandeliers and brass keys (in case you've lost your own, obviously). Personally, we're coveting the delicately (and lovingly) string-bound, battered and fraying paperbacks in the store window. 2/276 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9698 8884 Great Dane Great Dane, located in Redfern is a mix of modern and classic Scandinavian designs from furniture to accessories and lighting. Brands include And Tradition, De Vorm, NUD Collection and many more creative designers to choose from to give your home a Scandinavian edge. Slick, modern Scandinavian and Danish interior designs, from hand-crafted timber chairs and coffee tables to oak and walnut work tables and lightweight metal, timber and plexi shelving. 613 Elizabeth Street, Redfern; 0417 279 548 Hub With an array of designers that will help you fit out every nook and cranny of your living quarters Hub lives up to its name for all your furniture needs. A focus on chairs, lighting, living and floor coverings from designers across the globe such as Fatboy, Skitsch, Celine Wright and David Mellor. 66-72 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9217 0700 Ici et La Ici et La has an abundance of all things Francaise - deck chairs, striped fabrics, French garden furniture and accessories. Pieces are continually shipped from France which means there is always something new that may be perfect for your home. 7 Nickson Street, Surry Hills; (02) 8399 1173 Jardan All designed and made in Melbourne, Jardan has a wide range of sofas, chairs, tables and beds that are custom made through a family owned and run company. 650 Botany Road, Alexandria; (02) 9693 2288 Koskela At Koskela, owners Russel Koskela and Sasha Titchkosky have a philosophy to produce environmentally-friendly, sustainable furniture that is also beautiful. All of the stock at their Rosebery warehouse store, including wooden kitchen stools or a classic timber base sofa, are designed by Koskela and, where possible, made from reclaimed timbers. They also sell inspired wicker light frames, loom rugs and a colourful range of recyclable polyethylene stools for your garden or balcony. 1/85 Dunning Avenue, Rosebery; (02) 9280 0999 Latitude If your idea of a dream pad involves white-washed pine, wicker chairs and fleece blankets for curling up after a day at the beach - Latitude in Manly is the interior design store for you. Here, inspiration is drawn from chic, contemporary beachside living. Whether or not you have the beach view, you can certainly kit out your home to feel like you do. 12 Sydney Road, Manly; (02) 9976 5623 Living Edge Living Edge is Australian owned offering beautifully designed furniture from around the world with a mix of iconic and classic pieces. Priding themselves on the most carefully chosen pieces offering a huge range of pieces for your home or office. Designers such as Charles & Ray Eames, Mark Newson, Pierre Paulin are just a few of the names you will be able to find architecturally sound space. 74 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9640 5600 Macleay on Manning With brands in store like Missoni, Fornasseti, Kenzo, Paul Smith, Bouvier and Jasper Conran (and many more besides), Macleay on Manning is interior design with a little va va voom. From modern classics like Andy Warhol prints on your crockery to eery ghost-like faces engraved into the bottom of your whiskey glass, owners Jill and Rod Ordish have handpicked both local and international designs in furniture, art, jewellery and books, among other homeware treats. 1/85 Macleay Street, Potts Point; (02) 9331 4100 Object Gallery Celebrating the work of Australian designers, Object Gallery provides a sales platform for as many as 200 different artists and designers each year. The Surry Hills shop stocks an eclectic mix of ceramics, fabrics, glass, and other gifts and home knick knacks. 417 Bourke Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9361 4511 Orson & Blake If you prefer your furniture with bold prints, adventurous colour and that luxurious feel, Orson & Blake in Surry Hills is likely to have a sofa, cushion set or canvas painting to suit your style. Stocking almost everything you'd need to kit out your home, from leopard print, cowhide or shiny gold ottomans (yes please!) to your own wicker hanging chair: they have it all. 483 Riley Street, Surry Hills; (02) 8399 2525 Planet Planet prides itself on simple designs and sustainably-sourced natural fibres like oak coffee tables, muslin lampshades and oversized jute rugs. They stock a solid collection of ceramics, textiles, lighting and those big investment pieces of furniture, like a strong oak frame bed. It's like the antidote to IKEA. 114 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9211 5959 Seasonal Concepts Stepping into the wonderland that is Seasonal Concepts, in Redfern, will feel every bit like you've stumbled upon an indoor marketplace. There's a vast collection of varied and unique items, everything from antique and retro furniture to a taxidermy peacock. Pick up truly one-off, pre-loved items (quick) before someone else gets there first. 122 Redfern Street, Redfern; (02) 8399 2435 Space Space has a huge variety of creative pieces from designers and brands from around the world such as Fiam Italia, Roll & Hill and Triangolo. The showroom is big and has something for every room and taste. 84 O'Riordan Street, Alexandria; (02) 8339 7588 Shelf/Life Simple, elegant products and homeware designs with a conscience. Shelf/life carefully sources handmade, local and ethically produced stationery, kitchen accessories, gifts and ornaments to decorate your home with products that have been designed to outlive the trends. Shop 1, 50 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9211 2858 Vampt Vintage Design At their main showroom in Surry Hills, you’ll find one off vintage and retro pieces like a teak boomerang sofa table, 1960s ‘futuristic’ chairs, an Art Deco drinks cabinet, and even Danish Tivoli pendant lights by the very same Jorn Utzon who designed Sydney Opera House. 486-490 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9699 1089 Wall Candy Wallpaper Delicious, fun, playful or simple, elegant and classic. This store has a never-ending collection of Wall Candy wallpaper designs: floral, geometric, striped - you name it, and we betcha, they have every colour. 420 Crown Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9331 5884 Workshopped Like an exhibition in upcoming Australian designers, Workshopped has been supporting and selling locally designed homewares and home accessories for over a decade. Inject some fun and flamboyance in your home with some quirky, playful products like Takeshi Iue's Japanese-style fruit bowl which elegantly fans out like a flower, or a porcelain fish bowl inspired by George Orwell's 1984, offering your goldfish a touch more privacy than the average cylindrical glass bowl. 2/8 Hill Street, Surry Hills; (02) 9146 4353 Words by Emma Joyce & Jane Fayle
Dimitri's Pizzeria and its eye-catching red-and-white sign had been a permanent fixture on Crown Street since the 70s; while it moved once (around 20 years ago), it had never left the strip — until this year. In July, the Surry Hills pizza stalwart uprooted its tables (literally) and relocated to Oxford Street, setting up shop in the building previously home to Hunky Dory Social Club. Right now, it's just operating on the ground floor, but it plans to occupy all three levels — meaning the pizzeria will eventually grow six times in size. On the ground floor, it's the pretty much the same old Dimitri's, but bigger and better. Owners Ken Williams and Drew Huston have finally gotten their hands on a woodfired pizza oven and are making the type of pizza they've been wanting to do for "a long time". "It's a massive improvement on the pizza we were serving before," says Williams. And Huston agrees: "We're cooking our ideal pizza right now, I reckon." The woodfired oven can get up to 150 degrees hotter than the restaurant's previous oven (meaning the pizzas only have to spend a third of the time inside) and the pair is also making a new 100-percent sourdough base that is fermented for much longer — a minimum of 48 hours. What does all this mean for you? The dough is lighter, easier to digest and a whole lot tastier (and the pizzas land on your table much quicker). The dough is similar to that of Neapolitan-style pizzas, but Williams is quick to point out that their pizzas are not 'traditional' Neapolitan. And while the dough itself is fairly traditional — despite its use of a blend of Australian organic stone-ground flour — the toppings certainly aren't. Expect to find brussels sprouts, honey (from Williams' mum's beehive), radicchio, rainbow chard and even corn atop the pies. As well as the necessary mozzarella, which is stretched daily in-house. The pair plan to alter the toppings with the seasons, too, making the most of short-season produce like pine mushrooms and truffles. You'll be eating all of this on the old Dimitri's tables — which have been repurposed by Williams' brother Lex, a furniture builder and designer — surrounded by exposed brick walls, art, fairy lights and the restaurant's namesake: a striking red neon Dimitri. With a total capacity of around 150 people, the top two levels will be home to "Dimitri's but in bar form", which means Grifter beer on tap and all-natural wines — including the likes of Das Juice, Gut Oggau and Delinquente — and a short and sharp cocktail list. Williams says to expect "really good quality drinks, a chilled atmosphere and good times". These good times will extend to the third-level open terrace, too, where you'll be able to drink looking out on the street below. And on the rooftop — yes, it keeps going — there'll be a garden, where Williams will be growing herbs and some veggies for super-fresh pizza toppings. Images: Kimberley Low. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Pizza in Sydney for 2023
If you'd prefer to explore the Port Stephens region on two wheels than by foot, you're in luck. A bunch of shared pathways exist across the region that'll take you along the coast and through bushland, parks and the town streets. The best 'bang for your buck', so to speak (it's actually free), is the Nelson Bay to Fingal Bay Cycleway, which links three of the region's communities via an eight-kilometre route of shared and on-road paths. Starting at Dutchmans Beach, you'll wind your way through the Nelson Bay foreshore and along the coast past Neil Caroll Rotary Park. You'll then spend some time pedalling on the road through to Shoal Bay before arriving in Fingal Bay. Here, you find plenty of facilities to enjoy, including picnic spots, a patrolled surf beach and the sandy bank of Fingal Spit. You can no longer pass over the sand spit to Fingal Island, but it is accessible by boat. Image: Fingal Spit via Destination NSW
Situated on Kent Street alongside the likes of Papa Gede's and PS40 is Vinabar — a cosy microbar hidden behind a door disguised as a banh mi cart. If you're simply walking by, it could easily be mistaken as a spot for a quick bite as you venture through the city. Each detail throughout the moody yet sophisticated fitout tells a story. The space is adorned with vibrant silk lanterns hanging from its ceiling — which have been imported from Hoi An — a replica of the Golden Hand Bridge from Da Nang, and photographs of pre- and post-opening memories along its walls. Take a seat on either the comfortable lounge seating or at the sleek bar, and you'll be in for a treat. The brainchild of Ashwin Arumugam and Reymark Tesalona takes cues from Vietnam's lively nightlife and hospitality scene, with the intimate cocktail bar serving up stellar, Asian-inspired sips until 2am every night. Vinabar's food offering simply consists of a baby pork banh mi accompanied by a shot of Vietnamese coffee, which serves as a small bite to sustain casual drinking, or the perfect snack to satiate those hankering for a treat. The cocktail menu, however, focuses on inventive drinks with a creative Asian twist, with a new special launched every fortnight. Vinabar's main menu has four signature cocktails and one signature shot, alongside a short selection of beers, wines and mocktails. Highlights include the lychee-forward Rumble in the Jungle; a Vietnamese spin on the espresso martini known as the Cã-Phê martini; an martini inspired by banh mi; and the ginger, calamansi and tequila-starring Gaslighter — which appears similar to water but is made up almost entirely of alcohol. Plus, all of the classics are available upon request. Whether you're out on the town bar-hopping through Kent Street, enjoying an intimate night with a mate or a date, or keen for a small celebration, Vinabar is the spot for you, with space for up to 32 people. Vinabar is located at 332 Kent St, Sydney, open from 5pm–2am daily. Find out more at the venue's website. Image credit: James Scevola
Australia's drinks scene moves fast, and the most interesting releases rarely sit neatly in one category. Right now, Australian distillers, winemakers and beverage brands are pushing beyond tradition, experimenting with how drinks are made, served and enjoyed — from limited-edition spirits to low-fuss cans built for long sessions. This edit rounds up standout recent releases from producers across the country, spanning seasonal gin, expressive new wines, locally driven aperitivos and modern RTDs designed for summer lunches, late nights and everything in between. Planning where to drink rather than what to pour? Explore our guide to the best new venues to visit in Melbourne and Sydney right now. Australian Christmas Gin 2025, Four Pillars Created by Four Pillars co-founder Cameron Mackenzie, this cult annual release captures the flavours of an Australian Christmas using real Christmas puddings distilled alongside juniper, spice and dried fruit. Finished with a touch of aged Muscat, it delivers piney depth, rich sweetness and unmistakable festive character. Shop now. RoRo Aperitivo Spritz, Zonzo Estate From the team behind Zonzo Estate, this bottled spritz takes cues from classic Italian aperitivos while leaning into Australian drinking rhythms. Expect red fruit, dark spice and subtle bitterness, designed to be poured straight over ice with minimal effort. Shop now. 2025 Fiano, Oliver's Taranga Made by sixth-generation winemaker Corrina Wright, this McLaren Vale Fiano balances texture and freshness with ease. Nutty, savoury notes meet preserved lemon, basil and citrus lift, finishing with creamy length and food-friendly acidity. Shop now. Emergency Marg, El Toro Tequila This pocket-sized margarita kit pairs El Toro Blanco Tequila with citrus mixer for a fast, no-frills cocktail solution. Just add ice, shake and pour — ideal for spontaneous drinks that still deliver proper balance. Shop now. Sparkling Sake with Yuzu, Snow Monkey Brewed using premium Japanese sake liqueur and blended in Australia, this naturally fermented sparkling sake is finished with yuzu for brightness and lift. Gluten-free and lightly aromatic, it offers a refreshing alternative to beer or wine. Shop now. Cherry Vanilla Cola, Barry Co-owned by AFL stars Bailey Smith, Charlie Curnow, Nick Daicos and Josh Daicos, this whisky-based RTD taps into early-2000s nostalgia with a modern edge. Low in sugar, carbs and calories, it's built for easy drinking without sacrificing flavour. Shop now. Tequila Cabernet Sauvignon, Casa Tinto Distilled in Mexico and infused with pressed Australian wine grapes, this tequila-wine hybrid delivers dark fruit richness alongside agave warmth. Expect black cherry, cassis and vanilla, best enjoyed slowly over ice. Shop now. Vodka RTDs, UDL An Aussie classic reintroduced with a bold new look, UDL's refreshed range spans multiple fruit-forward flavours with a cleaner, more contemporary finish. Still unmistakably nostalgic — just updated for modern summer drinking. Shop now. Halfy Ultra-Low Carb Lager, Better Beer From The Inspired Unemployed's beer brand, Halfy delivers half-strength refreshment at just 2.1 percent ABV. Brewed light and crisp with the same hop profile as the original, it's made for long days and steady pacing. Shop now. Saltbush & Olive Vodka, Fellow Distilled with olive leaf, saltbush and pink grapefruit, this coastal-leaning vodka delivers savoury aromatics and clean texture. At 37 percent ABV, it shines in simple serves with grapefruit soda and fresh herbs. Shop now. Australian Aperitif, Tanica Founded on Sydney's Northern Beaches, Tanica uses native botanicals like Davidson's plum and strawberry gum leaf to create a distinctly local aperitif. Tart, vibrant and designed for spritz-style drinking in warm weather. Shop now. Sparkling Rosé NV, Red Hill Estate This newly refreshed cool-climate sparkling rosé delivers fine bubbles with notes of wild strawberry, raspberry and gentle savoury minerality. Elegant yet easygoing, it's built for aperitivo hour and summer entertaining. Shop now. 2025 Arinto, La Chica Con Tinta Created by the team at Hirsch Hill, this Heathcote-grown Arinto draws inspiration from Portuguese whites while staying firmly rooted in Australian soil. Bright citrus, melon and stone fruit meet a textured, refreshing finish. Shop now. Unico Mando, Unico Zelo Made by Riverland winemakers Brendan and Laura Carter, this vibrant mandarin liqueur uses Dekopon mandarins — prized for their size and sweetness — sourced exclusively from South Australia. At 20 percent ABV, it's bright, juicy and designed to shine in spritzes, particularly when paired with amber wine and soda. Shop now. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence our recommendations, but they may earn us a small commission. For more information, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Top-of-class bars and restaurants have been a major focus of the mammoth $60-million renovation of the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. House Made Hospitality has delivered four new hospitality concepts within the upgraded hotel: earlier in October, the first two venues – Tilda and Bar Tilda – located on the ground floor, were opened to the public and now, two more plush spaces are ready to welcome their first guests. French-Vietnamese fusion restaurant Delta Rue channels the vibrant old-world spirit of Hanoi but with a refined sense of luxury. With seating for 150 diners, plus space for an additional 60 on the sweeping horse-shoe terrace, this impressive restaurant seamlessly blends al fresco charm with indoor elegance. On arrival, guests can visit the intimate champagne bar, where seven by-the-glass sips — from single-village grower champagnes to vintage selections — are on offer. The 390-square-metre dining room's interior design, by Fender Katsalidis, also sets a luxe tone, taking its cues from French-colonial architecture and Vietnamese-style textiles and prints. "In this space, east meets west, vibrancy and structure collide, and there's a magical balance of neutrals and colour," says Karen Morris of Fender Katsalidis. A soft, nature-inspired palette of muted greens and greys counterpoints the verdant wallpaper, designed by artist Kerrie Brown, featuring lush foliage and exotic birds, while seating crafted from solid reclaimed teak with woven rope backs underlines the 1920s colonial era look. On the menu, fresh, crisp, quintessentially Vietnamese flavours take centre stage. Crafted by the hotel's Executive Chef Elliott Pinn, who has formerly overseen the dining offering at House Made's other major dining hub Hinchcliff House, there are some playful flourishes for diners to enjoy, such as the bánh mì trolley, which constructs the crowd-pleasing Vietnamese sandwich tableside to the diners' taste, before it's sliced into bite-sized pieces for easy sharing. Many of the mains are also social affairs designed to share. Guests can get hands-on with roasted duck legs, a whole roasted snapper or a dry-aged steak, accompanied by nuoc cham, rice paper, butter lettuce, and pickles, to create classic Vietnamese wraps. A fresh crab and green mango salad loaded with fresh herbs or a banana blossom salad featuring a textural mix of shaved banana blossom, pineapple, and chilli make for the perfect side dishes. Washing that down is a wine list that skews 70 per cent French alongside a range of local and international fortified and dessert wines. The cocktail list is also French-leaning with some homegrown winks thrown in, such as the French 75 featuring Pommery champagne, Unico Zelo pomelo vermouth, pear eau de vie and finger lime extract. Located on the same level as Delta Rue, Wentworth Bar is a lush terrace watering hole that looks fated to become a top go-to for an inner-city sundowner. Also designed by Fender Katsalidis, the space is sophisticated yet relaxed. Conceived to cater to punters throughout the day, there are a variety of seating options, from low-slung chairs for sun-basking, cocktail in hand, to high tables with stools for those looking to perch for a quick drink and generous seating areas intended for group gatherings. Terrazzo tables and verdant planting centred around an impressive focal point — a mature tree — transport guests far from the urban hustle just five storeys below, while DJ sets keep the good times rolling. The cocktail menu amps up the fun with playful mixes that are easy to drink. A signature will be Wentworth Bar's party cocktails. Priced at $220, they come served in a showstopping glass fountain which holds 12 standard drinks. Get the party started with the Tai Chi Mumma, a refreshing mix of Ketel One vodka, rosé, and prosecco, rounded out with raspberry, lemon, and lychee or the Strawberry Yuzu Spritz - a bright blend of white wine, herbal aperitif, yuzu, and a fruity hit of mango, passionfruit, and grapefruit. Delta Rue and Bar Wentworth open to diners from Friday, October 25. For more details and opening hours, head the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth website. Images: Steven Woodburn
Pink hues, beach-themed decor, a roller rink, desserts served in toy convertibles: you'll find them all at the Malibu Barbie Cafe. After popping up across the US — with New York, Chicago, Minneapolis, Miami, Austin and Houston all welcoming the venue — this ode to Barbiecore has made its Australian debut. Come on Aussies, let's go party in Melbourne. Being a Barbie girl in a Barbie world wasn't just a 2023 trend, back when Greta Gerwig's (Little Women) Margot Robbie (Asteroid City)-starring — and Oscar-nominated — film became one of the biggest and pinkest movies to ever hit cinemas. The 2025 way to get your fix Down Under has arrived, and it's hanging around until summer 2026. Hitting up the Malibu Barbie Cafe at The Social Quarter at Chadstone Shopping Centre in the Victorian capital means not only enjoying ice cream floats dished up in a pink Barbie car, but also frequenting the Ken Kabana bar for fairy floss-topped cocktails and putting your skates on. Initially announced in mid-June and open since Friday, June 27, this is the cafe's debut stop beyond America. It's also Melbourne's second temporary big-name pop culture-themed addition this winter, after Melbourne Museum's Star Wars Galactic Cafe opened its doors in early June. Kicking it back to the 1970s, when Malibu Barbie initially debuted, is on the agenda, too. When you're hitting the rink, so is skating surrounded by artwork of palm trees. A life-sized Barbie box? An installation that celebrates how Barbie as a brand has changed over the years? That's all on offer at the Malibu Barbie Cafe as well, alongside merchandise that you won't find anywhere else. Ken's job isn't just beach here, given that his name adorns the cocktail-slinging upstairs bar in the two-storey site. On the drinks menu: that gin and lemonade concoction with spun sugar on top; themed takes on mojitos, margaritas, cosmopolitans, espresso martinis and old fashioneds; and more. If you're keen on a booze-free version, some of the tipples are available as mocktails. There's also a snack range, including fries with pink mayo, prawn cocktails, sushi and baked brie. Downstairs, Malibu Barbie Cafe's menu is an all-ages-friendly affair, with that ice cream float just one option. Sticking with sweets means choosing from doughnuts, pink cookies, cupcakes, ice cream sundaes, fruit and marshmallows. If you can't decide, the dessert sampler dishes up a mix of picks on a Barbie boat for between four and eight people. Savoury dishes span the same small bites as at the Ken Kabana, plus burgers, poke, garlic prawn linguine, beer-battered fish tacos, club sandwiches, grilled cheese, mac 'n' cheese and salads. Or, tuck into avocado toast, açai bowls, bacon and eggs, parfait or pancakes from the all-day brunch selection. Then, to drink, milkshakes, pink lemonade and pink lattes are among the options. If you're thinking "come on Barbie, let's go party", party packages are indeed a feature — including three-hour adults-only private-dining experiences from 6.30pm Thursday–Sunday. Find Mattel's Malibu Barbie Cafe at The Social Quarter at Chadstone Shopping Centre, 1341 Dandenong Road, Malvern East, Melbourne, until summer 2026 — open from 10am–6pm Monday–Wednesday, 10am–10pm Thursday–Friday, 9am–10pm Saturday and 9am–8pm Sunday. Head to the cafe's website for more details.
Melbourne's got the Queen Victoria Market (and, more recently, Il Mercato Centrale). Adelaide's home to the Adelaide Central Market. And now, Sydney has scored its very own destination that'll finally give the Harbour City the market it's been crying out for, in the form of Hay St Market at Paddy's. The most significant new development in the Market City complex since the opening of the 1909 Dining Precinct, Hay St Market has radically transformed a 3,000-square-metre section of Paddy's Market into a bustling, world-class food destination, the likes of which Sydney has, surprisingly, never seen. The sprawling hawker-style market boasts over 48 traders plating up more than 25 international cuisines, and is open from morning until night, seven days a week. Headlining the food offer are star chefs Luke Nguyen and Mark Olive. Nguyen has his finger in a number of proverbial pies at Hay St Market: he's serving up his dad's closely guarded pho recipe and its 24-hour broth at Pho Chu Lap, creative dumplings (think: Singapore chilli crab and laksa varieties) at Luke Luk Dumplings, and reimagined banh mi at Madam Banh Mi — like the signature bo kho, in which a crispy baguette is filled with tender braised wagyu brisket and the traditional fixings, and is served with a bright, zingy salsa for dunking. Meanwhile, Olive's seafood-focused menu at Little Midden draws on Indigenous Australian flavours and techniques, like in the smoked blue gum barramundi and bell pepper skewers, which are given a lift with saltbush and pepperberry. Elsewhere, you'll find Cypriot barbecue, handcrafted pies, an oyster bar, smash burgers, Italian desserts, Spanish and Polish delis and more. There's fresh food available, too — former Rockpool head butcher Tim Casey is showcasing prime cuts at Love Me Tender, Paris-trained cheesemonger Christina Murphy is curating the selection at The Cheese Table, and veteran greengrocer Frank Canturi is bringing fresh local and seasonal fruit and veg at greengrocer The Signorelli Bros. Beyond the food, you'll also find flowers, homewares, books and more. Hay St Market is also Sydney's first fully licensed market, with two bars on site. Cans & Crates stocks over 180 canned drinks from around the world, including cocktails, beer, wine and zero-alc options, while Traders Bar serves up craft brews, regional wines and classic cocktails. "We've left no stone unturned in creating Hay St Market at Paddy's — an affordable destination that Sydney can be proud of, where visitors can eat, drink and shop," says Joseph Murray, group CEO at Doltone Hospitality Group, which is overseeing operations at the new precinct. "Inspired by some of the world's best markets, we've built something extraordinary that harnesses Sydney's cultural diversity, offers a twist on tradition and taps into our collective love of food and beverage." Hay St Market at Paddy's is now open at Market City, Haymarket. For more info, head to the venue's website. Images: Esteban La Tessa.
At Suntory, the spirit of "Yatte Minahare" — "You never know until you try" — remains as strong now, as it did 126 years ago. It has led to the creation of Japan's first whisky distillery, the reimagining of classic cocktails like the highball, and it now houses some of the world's finest brands –Yamazaki, Hakushu, Toki Whisky, Roku Gin, Haku Vodka, Maker's Mark, Jim Beam, -196 and BOSS Coffee to name a few. As Suntory looks to the future, let's travel back 126 years to the very beginning, when Shinjiro Torii, Suntory's first Master Blender, saw an opportunity and "went for it." Where it All Started Over a century ago, in a small store in Osaka, Japan, Shinjiro Torii had a dream: to create an authentic whisky in Japan. Having saved enough from his early Akadama Port Wine successes, Torii, with much resistance from family and colleagues, invested his whole fortune into the establishment of the Yamazaki Distillery in 1923. He didn't know it then, but this uncharted move transformed the spirits industry in Japan and changed the whisky-drinking world. Since then – despite some challenges along the way – the brand has grown into a global leader of drinks, with products found in countless venues across Australia and the world. Shaping how Japan drinks and what the global community knows about flavour and innovation. Successive leaders have carried forward Torii's legacy, future-proofing Torii's vision while staying true to the company's founding values of Yatte Minahare: Giving Back to Society and Growing for Good. The Recipe for Success Suntory's ability to innovate while staying grounded in its Japanese roots is a testament to the brand's vision. Take Suntory Whisky Kabukin, for example. Launched in 1937, it was Japan's first big foray into the whisky business, helping to cement Suntory's reputation as a trailblazer in the industry. The whisky's signature square bottle (Kakubin means "square bottle") became an enduring icon, and today, it remains a beloved part of Japanese drinking culture — particularly in the form of the highball, a whisky-soda cocktail that Suntory helped popularise. But Suntory's innovation continued beyond whisky. In 1992, the brand launched BOSS Coffee, a flash-brewed cold coffee in a can designed to keep Japan's workforce fuelled. This product quickly became a hit, and even today, BOSS Coffee remains a go-to drink for coffee lovers (and tradies) seeking convenience without sacrificing quality. The company's relentless pursuit of innovation led to another groundbreaking product with -196 — a vodka based ready-to-drink beverage that's taken the world by storm with its flavour and the bold process by which it's made. The 'Freeze Crush Technology' involves freezing and pulverising whole fruits in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -196°C. While Suntory has a significant global presence, its inspiration remains true to its founding philosophy: to inspire the brilliance of life. From the pristine water used at its distilleries to the careful selection of ingredients for its products, Suntory's emphasis on nature and tradition flows through everything it creates. The House of Suntory line, which includes celebrated names like Suntory Whisky, Toki, Roku Gin, and Haku Vodka, exemplifies this approach and its connection to nature. Each product in the collection pays homage to something unique from Japan's rich cultural heritage. For Roku Gin, this is done by using six carefully selected Japanese botanicals, while Haku Vodka is crafted from 100 percent Japanese white rice for an exceptionally smooth finish. [caption id="attachment_1017676" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Jiwon Kim[/caption] The Spirit of Suntory in a Glass If you've walked down the bar-lined streets of Japan or even visited one of Australia's top whisky bars, you would have encountered the highball cocktail. A balanced combination of whisky and soda (and a wedge of lemon), it has long been a fixture of Japanese drinking culture, and Suntory has played a vital role in its revival. While the highball originated in the UK, Suntory perfected the drink, rolling out Tory's Bars in the 1950s, where patrons could sip highballs after a long day at work. Today, the highball is trending. Sipped by young folk in bars, paired and reimagined by the best bartenders in the world. Celebrating 126 Years As Suntory celebrates its 126th anniversary, it remains deeply rooted in the values that Shinjiro Torii instilled over a century ago. "We have grown from our roots in Japan to become a truly global company," says Greg Hughes, president and CEO of Suntory Global Spirits. [caption id="attachment_1017677" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Jiwon Kim[/caption] From the first drops of Akadama Port Wine to the pioneering Japanese whisky and beyond, Suntory's history is marked by a continuous drive to innovate. Whether perfecting the highball or creating products like Minus 196, the company's story is one of bold experimentation, guided by a deep respect for tradition. As Suntory moves into the future, one thing is clear: it will continue to shape how the world drinks, one glass at a time. The best time to sample Suntory's work will be when Suntory Bar takes over Whisky Thief inside Sydney's Prefecture 48. Running from Friday, August 8 to Saturday, November 8, Suntory will be serving refreshing highballs and signature Suntory and experimental cocktails alongside select snacks for three months. Find out more about Suntory's legacy and full range of products at the website.
From humble beginnings in a graffiti-coated Melbourne laneway to a tapas empire to rival anything else in Australia — MoVida has come a long way. Co-founder and head chef Frank Camorra has been a driving force behind that growth. Now, over twenty years after MoVida first opened its doors, Camorra is turning his eyes to the horizon. Fresh off his latest tour of his Spanish homeland, Camorra is coming to Sydney for a partnership with another Spanish brand — CUPRA. Taking over CUPRA's Pitt Street City Garage on Thursday, October 31, the Barcelona native is bringing his specialty flavours to the Harbour City in the name of obsession. Ahead of the occasion, Concrete Playground sat down with the chef to chat about MoVida and more. On How MoVida Makes Spanish Cuisine Special "MoVida is a Spanish restaurant but it's in Melbourne. So Spanish ingredients and techniques are the starting point for our dishes, and then there's always some form of innovation but a reference back to a traditional dish. A very good example is anchovy with a smoked tomato sorbet, which is a classic Spanish combination of flavours — anchovy, bread and tomato, but it's just slightly tweaked so your tomato's now a sorbet, it's all refreshing and with the best quality Spanish ingredients that we can find." On the Origin of the Brand's Name "So MoVida is actually a cultural movement that happened in Spain in the late 70s and mostly through the 80s as well. It's what happened after the dictatorship ended as a new sort of blossoming in movies, music, literature, in all sorts of cultural ways because everything opened up. It's kind of like the Spanish punk movement, in a way. And MoVida literally means movement. So now when you go to Spain, if you ask "donde esta la movida" [where is the movement], you're asking where is it happening? Where is it interesting? We took that name because we wanted to relate to a modern interpretation of Spanish food." On the Moment He Realised MoVida Was Something Special "When we first opened MoVida, half the restaurant was a dining room, half the restaurant was a bar and high tables, and I remember that in the first three to six months, it was incredibly difficult to get people to eat at the bar. The dining room was always full. But people were happy to just sit on the bar and have a glass of wine and maybe a couple of tapas. And I remember, like, six months in, it almost happened overnight, but I looked up and saw this bar completely abuzz with people enjoying, eating and drinking convivially and thinking…jeez, this is exactly like what happens in Spain. So that was kind of the moment that I went, yeah, this is something good." On the Best Restaurant He's Ever Eaten In "The best restaurant I've ever eaten in is Aponiente, a restaurant in Puerto Santa Maria. It's all based around seafood, and they have some incredible innovations. They play with things like plankton, have dishes with bioluminescence, they even have seafood elements in the desserts—it's quite amazing." On an International Ingredient He'd Love to Bring Home "There's one thing I just tried recently, which was plankton. They said there's somebody pulling it into Australia, so I'm gonna try to do something with that. It's a plankton that's grown in the south of Spain. It seems weird, but it's farmed, and then they dry it and serve it as a powder. It was in rice, and it's almost like eating an oyster, that sort of flavour. Like the flavour in the ocean when you're going for a swim. That was pretty awesome." On Creating a Perfect Spanish Cuisine Starter Kit "There are a few ingredients that stand out as quality of Spanish food and really set it apart. One is anchovies. I think it's the product Spanish do incredibly well. They really care about the quality of the fish that goes into the can; it's very different from the usual kind of anchovies you'd get. Another one is Jamón Ibérico, Spanish ham. I just visited a factory where they cure the ham for four years, and [the pigs] eat acorns for four months before then. They take so much care and it shows in the final product. The other one is paprika, it's just one of those things…if you're gonna cook Spanish food you can't not use it. Like Italian food, you wouldn't cook without parmesan cheese, French food you wouldn't cook without butter, Japanese food without dashi, so this is that cornerstone ingredient. A bottle of sherry too, actually, that's essential just for me." On His Next Big Idea "We just opened in Singapore a few months ago and will open in Bangkok in December or January next year. We're going to try more international restaurants. That's what's on the horizon: bringing more Spanish food to Asia." On Working with CUPRA "Cupra is kind of the embodiment of what we do at MoVida or what we try to do. It showcases Spanish flair and innovation in carmaking but also in food. So I guess it's a nice symbolic clash, that flair for design, that boldness. Tradition and innovation together—that's what we do. Representing that modern side of Spain—that's what we're about." On What to Expect at The CUPRA Event "It's all about tapas, standing up, brushing shoulders, the food and the ambience that we're trying to create. It's that modern Spanish tapas, as if you're in a tapas bar in Spain, having that experience, but you're in Australia. That's what we're trying to do — standing shoulder to shoulder having good food, good wine, everything that the Spanish do so well." On His Own Definition of Obsession "Obsession, in a good way, is just trying to refine what you do. In my life it's the craft of being a chef, of obsessing over the details and doing everything you can to improve it. It's such a privilege to showcase Spain, a culture I know so well, to a group of people and obsess about making sure they're not going to have an inauthentic experience." Frank Camorra will be taking over the CUPRA Sydney City Garage, located at 68 Pitt Street on Thursday, October 31 from 6pm. For more information about CUPRA or to get behind the wheel on a test drive, visit the website. Want to win a double pass to attend? You can head to the CUPRA website and share your obsession in 25 words or less to claim a ticket.
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.
Anyone who has tasted The Gidley's extraordinary burger will know it's something special. Now, thanks to the annual rankings compiled by the respected World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants judges, we know just how special it is. Ranked ninth on The World's Top Ten Burgers list, the upmarket CBD steakhouse was the only Australian restaurant to earn a nod this year, making its burger the best in the nation. The two carefully hand-crafted beef patties are sourced from hospitality group Liquid & Larder's in-house butchery, located at The Gidley's sister venue Alfie's in the CBD. Once cooked medium rare, they're topped with mature cheddar and a few judiciously placed slivers of dill pickle, all contained within a soft milk bun. [caption id="attachment_751377" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dominic Loneragan[/caption] While customers have the option of adding an egg or rashers of bacon to their sandwich, there are no additional condiments included on The Gidley's burger, and trust us, that's a good thing. When the meat is as tender and moist as this, the rich, beefy juices are more than sufficient to self-sauce every succulent mouthful, right down to the last bite. In other great news for Sydneysiders, The Gidley's award-worthy burger is now also available at Surry Hills whisky bar The Rover. The monster burger at Shoreditch barbecue joint Salt Shed in London took out the top spot on this year's rankings., leading an impressive showing for the British capital, including Bleecker in Bloomberg Arcade in third place, Black Bear Market in Exmouth Market in fifth position, and Burger & Beyond, also in Shoreditch, in seventh. Burgers from New York, Tokyo, Copenhagen, Miami and Valencia made up the rest of the top ten list. For the full list of the World's Best Burgers, head to the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants website. Images: Dominic Loneragan
The spooky season may still be underway, but the festivities will turn Christmassy before you know it. Even if it shocks the system, early gift shopping never hurts anybody. It's a good thing the good people at Cambridge Markets have organised artisanal events all over Sydney until Christmas week. The season kicks off in the south with the Cronulla Christmas Market, which will take over Don Lucas Reserve from Saturday, November 16 to Sunday, November 17, from 10am–4pm. The following weekend (Saturday, November 23), across town in Rhodes Foreshore Park, will be the Rhodes Christmas Festival from 10am–4pm. Later that week, in the western suburbs, head to Centenary Square after work on Thursday, November 28, for the Parramatta Christmas Festival (from 3.30–7.30pm). Heading into December, the Royal Randwick Racecourse will host a Christmas festival from 1.30 to 7.30pm on Friday, December 6. If you can't make it to Randwick, check out the Ryde Christmas Market at Anderson Park instead on Sunday, December 8, from 10am–4pm. On Saturday, December 14, Burwood Park will host the Burwood Christmas Market from 12pm–9pm, which will also feature live music and a fireworks show. On the home run to Christmas, you really should have your gift shopping done by now. However, you've still got some opportunities on Saturday, December 21. In Sydney's south, the Green Square Christmas Market will run from 10am–4pm, while further west, you'll find the Wentworth Point Twilight Christmas Market from 6pm–10pm. Looking at this hefty list, you've got more than enough opportunities to get your Christmas fix. Whether it's gift shopping, a family day out or a wholesome date with your S/O, get your calendars and tote bags ready — it's market time. Cambridge Christmas Markets are coming to various locations all over Sydney. For more information on dates and times, visit the Cambridge Markets website.
Peering at Yayoi Kusama's work doesn't just mean being surrounded by dots, pumpkins and tentacles; stepping inside her infinity rooms; and spying mirrors, balls, flowers and rainbow hues aplenty. It also means relishing every moment with her immersive art. One trip to a Kusama showcase, whether at her own Tokyo museum or elsewhere, is never enough. However long an exhibition's season runs for, it's not long enough, either. Melbourne's NGV International, the host of Australia's largest-ever Kusama retrospective, understands this — and it is giving art lovers more chances to enjoy the artist's wonders. Yayoi Kusama, as the current exhibition is called, opened on Sunday, December 15, 2024 and runs until Monday, April 21, 2025. That end date isn't being delayed, sadly, but the gallery is extending its hours instead across the showcase's final weeks. Revealed on Friday, March 21, the news was unveiled a day before a significant occasion: Kusama's 96th birthday on Saturday, March 22. Of course, this'd be exciting no matter when it was announced. From Saturday, April 5–Wednesday, April 16, the exhibition will operate from 8am–6pm. Melburnians, if you fancy exploring Kusama's work before or after the nine-to-five grind, this is your chance. Over the Easter long weekend, you'll have even longer to head by, which is also great for visitors from elsewhere making the trip to Melbourne for the break. From Thursday, April 17–Monday, April 21, the exhibition will be open from 8am–midnight daily. The National Gallery of Victoria's spectacular tribute to Kusama includes the Japanese icon's brand-new Infinity Mirrored Room–My Heart is Filled to the Brim with Sparkling Light among its ten immersive installations, breaking the world record for the number of such pieces by the artist assembled in one spot. In total, there's 200 pieces on display, taking over the St Kilda Road gallery's entire ground floor with a childhood-to-now survey of its subject's creative output. Across the eight decades of art on display, some pieces have never been seen Down Under until now. Some are sourced from private collections, and others from Kusama's own personal stash. Here's yet one more drawcard: the NGV is throwing Friday-night parties as part of the exhibition, too, running until Friday, April 18. Kusama's five-metre-tall dot-covered Dancing Pumpkin sculpture in NGV International's Federation Court, the artist's Ascension of Polka Dots on the Trees wrapping the trunks of 6-plus trees in pink-and-white polka-dotted material: they're also key elements of one of the most-comprehensive retrospectives devoted to the artist to be staged globally. Other highlights include NGV International's glass waterwall going pink, but with black rather than white dots; Kusama's new version of Narcissus Garden, which dates back to 1966 and features 1400 30-centimetre-diameter silver balls this time around, sitting in front of the waterwall and in parts of Federation Court; and the yellow-and-black spheres of Dots Obsession hanging over the Great Hall. Then there's the artist's sticker-fuelled, all-ages-friendly The Obliteration Room, where audiences young and old pop coloured dots everywhere — 'obliterating', as Kusama calls it — to cover an apartment interior that's completely white otherwise. Flower Obsession is another participatory piece, returning from the 2017 NGV Triennial. Again, you're asked to add to the work. Here, red flowers are applied to a domestic space — and again, obliterating it is the mission. If you adore the artist's way with mirrors, you'll want to see 2016's Chandelier of Grief, which features baroque-style chandelier spinning within a hexagon of mirrors; 2013's Love Is Calling, where tentacles in different colours spring from both the floor and the ceiling; and 2017's The Spirits of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens, which gets viewers peering at glowing pumpkins as far as the eye can see through a small peephole. In Invisible Life, convex mirrors line a twisting and multi-hued corridor. With its six-metre-tall tendrils — which are covered in polka dots, naturally — the yellow-and-black The Hope of the Polka Dots Buried in Infinity Will Eternally Cover the Universe from 2019 is striking without using a looking glass (or several), and has made its Australian premiere. Prefer flowers instead? Set within a dotted space, All My Love for the Tulips, I Pray Forever from 2013 sees a trio of giant tulips loom over audiences. Overall, Yayoi Kusama steps through the artist's 80-plus years of making art via a thematic chronology. While a number of pieces hail from her childhood, others are far more recent. Her output in her hometown of Matsumoto from the late 30s–50s; the results of relocating to America in 1957; archival materials covering her performances and activities in her studios, especially with a political charge, in the 60s and 70s; plenty from the past four decades: they all appear. Yayoi Kusama displays at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne until Monday, April 21, 2025 — including from 8am–6pm between Saturday, April 5–Wednesday, April 16, and from 8am–midnight between Thursday, April 17–Monday, April 21. NGV Friday Nights: Yayoi Kusama runs each Friday until Friday, April 18, 2025. Head to the NGV website for more details and tickets. Images: Visitors and artworks in the Yayoi Kusama exhibition at NGV International, Melbourne until 21 April 2025. © YAYOI KUSAMA. Photos: Danielle Castano, Sean Fennessy, Tobias Titz and Kate Shannassy.
French cuisine has a track record of being reserved for fine-dressed diners with deep pockets and fancy palates, but this fancy-yet-approachable venue in Rozelle is setting out to change the stereotype. Having opened its doors in the harbourside suburb in November, Chez Blue is set to become a hotspot for French cuisine in Sydney. Based in The Sackville Hotel and with Mark Williamson (former chef at Bistro Moncur) in charge of the kitchen, Chez Blue offers a certain French flair previously not available at the local institution. On the menu you can play it safe with the classics (steak frites, croque monsieur, chicken leg roulade and snapper fillet with clams) or veer off the well-tasted path with adventurous items like chicken liver pâté with a brûléed top to crack, a scallop tartare and a fried tripe dish. Or, bring a hungry group to tackle larger items like the one-kilogram O'Connor rib eye served with béarnaise sauce. On the drinks front, it's as good as you'd hope. An exceedingly French wine list is joined by an equally luxe cocktail list — picture sipping on the Delicious Sour, made with Calvados, Pommeau de Normandie, peach wine and a splash of citrus, or the specialty croissant-washed martini, made with Four Pillars gin that is croissant-washed in-house then combined with vermouth, vanilla, cinnamon and allspice oil. And, on Tuesday, you can save a few dollars by bringing your own favourite bottle of wine. The BYO deal is only available from 5pm and includes $25 corkage. Chez Blue is a part of the Solotel family, so event hosting is its bread and butter (second only to its actual bread and butter). Check the website to get the details on its hosting capacities, but it's a fine choice for any special occasion. Images: Steven Woodburn
Press pause on Red Dead Redemption 2, relinquish the Playstation or Xbox controller and head to a Tokyo-style gaming mecca instead. Situated in the heart of Haymarket, the Capitol Square gaming arcade is one of Australia's largest entertainment centres based on the Purikura games machines of Japan. The arcade, all bright lights and flashing screens, looks as though it belongs on the neon-lit streets of Akihabara (a technopolis in Tokyo famous for its many electronics shops). Try your hand at the claw machines and score a plush Pikachu or coveted Gundam figurine. If skill testers aren't your thing, head to the photobooths of Photoland and spend the arvo taking selfies with friends. Print your pics on stickers and walk away with a super kawaii souvenir. Once you've had your gaming fill and worked up an appetite, make a b-line for the eateries which sit below. Keep the Japanese theme in full swing and hit up Yumei Japanese Restaurant for some top-notch okonomiyaki ($16.50) and beef tataki salad ($15).
Drinking sessions with your mates are a cornerstone of the weekend. But, for those fur baby parents out there, there's nothing worse than getting stuck in and then realising you have to rush out to take care of your pup. For you, the best session is one when your best two-legged and four-legged mates are all there. We've teamed up with American Express to show Sydney dog owners that you don't need to choose between seeing your friends or hanging out with your pup. These American Express-accepting spots offer some of the best food and bevs in the city, all while catering to your doggo with special menus, play areas and outdoor seating. Looking for a spot where your dog is welcomed as much as your, er, human friends? These venues are here for you. Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out.
Sydney has no shortage of places where you can do more than just drink, but it's never had an entertainment facility quite this big. Entertainment Park, as it's fittingly named, has just opened in the west with the city's largest indoor electric go-kart track, six competition-length bowling lanes, a VR arena, racing car simulators and old-school arcade games. Located at the Aerodrome near Bankstown Airport, the indoor fun park has opened just in time for the Christmas break (and school holidays). And it has a heap to keep both kids and kidults entertained. You can start your day of activities — or night, the centre stays open till 10pm every single day — with a spin in an electric go-kart, which can reach speeds of 85 kilometres per hour as you whip around the 3500-square-metre track. Then, hop over to Hologate: the German-designed virtual reality arena. Here, you'll fight robots, zombies and dragons, or challenge your mates to a dance battle. Sounds like tiring work, right? Well, thankfully, you can fuel up in between dancing and fighting at the in-house cafe or at one of the food trucks. Both Knafeh Drive Thru and Kerbside Eatery are set to roll into the park, with more Sydney favourite trucks set to be announced over the coming weeks and months. Once you've refuelled, you can jump into a racing car simulator that is similar to the ones used be Australian V8 Supercar drivers, play one of (or all) the 50 arcade machines, have a round of pool on one of four tables or get your beard trimmed. Yep, there's even an onsite barbershop. Prices vary depending on what activity you pick, with VR games starting at $10, bowling at $16 and go-karting from $35 for ten minutes. Find Entertainment Park at 20/361 Milperra Road, Bankstown Aerodrome from 10am–10pm daily.
Redfern sometimes seems like a birthing ground for hip cafes and bars. As easy as it may be to find cafes with attractive staff and the kind of pastiche laden decor that the arts crowd and university students love, it's a little harder to find prices to match. That's what makes Cofee Tea & Me such a draw for impoverished students and Redfern urbanites alike - it has that unique combination of charming decor, really good food, and delightfully low prices. Despite the name, it is the food that is the strongest part of the cafe's appeal. While many other cafes stock a wide variety of the typical panini/pie/salad combination, Coffee Tea & Me focus on one very different offering: bagels. These aren't your typical bagels either, but denser, flatter, sesame-topped bagels that are far more filling than they look. They're baked fresh daily, off premises, and come in a range of fresh fillings - from the archetypal ham, cheese and tomato, to vegan options such as grilled seasoned tofu with tahini, tomato, avocado and fresh rocket on wholemeal. The prices are a lot less varied, stretching from $5.90 to only $7.90. The best part of the deal is the $1 regular coffee with the purchase of any bagel. Campos coffee brewed on a La Marzocco machine, or T2 tea if you would prefer. They also reward loyalty bountifully, offering a free coffee for every 5 purchased. Coffee Tea & Me may not be the best place to meet up with friends; the chandelier-lit inside area is barely able to fit three customers at a time while the quirky mismatch of outdoor furniture is only ever empty late in the afternoon, outside of meal times. It is, however, the perfect place to visit alone, and if the prospect is at all daunting, the genuinely friendly staff will make you feel right at home.
A modern, local riff on the hawker market concept, District 8 is Cabra-Vale Diggers' 600-seat food precinct, promising your tastebuds a trip down the Mekong River, without the flight to Southeast Asia. Here, a diverse lineup of restaurants and food stations delivers authentic flavours from across Vietnam, Thailand, China, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. You can drop in for a classic Malaysian-style seafood laksa, dive into a big bowl of Hanoi-worthy pho, carb-load on some Asian baked goods, or round up the crew for a proper dim sum feast. The $9.99 weekday specials also includes some pretty tasty dishes, including Monday's char siu pork and a barbecue Cantonese duck each Thursdays. Meanwhile, loud and lively Chinese restaurant Horizon is a favourite for its daily yum cha offering, as well as the hefty selection of fresh seafood tempting the dinner crowd each night. To match District 8's real-deal culinary offering, expect a fitout that wholly embraces those Southeast Asian roots throughout, from the wall of authentic maneki neko 'waving cats', to the thousands of red timber squares, hanging Chinese-style from the ceiling. If you're well practised in the art of devouring tasty Asian fare, you'll want to catch District 8's annual pho challenge. If you conquer the super-sized 2.2 kilogram bowl ($35) of meat, aromatic broth, rice noodles, bean sprouts and other additions solo in less than 30 minutes, you'll score a $50 District 8 voucher. Keep an eye on this space for dates.
You eagerly await the arrival of summer. You picture yourself hitting the beach multiple times a week — sunrise walks, swims in your lunch break and sundowners at a waterside bar. Then suddenly the end of the sunny season is nigh and you realise you've not spent nearly as much time with sand between your toes as you'd hoped. It happens to the best of us. Thankfully, Sydney is blessed with dozens of beautiful beaches that'll help you enjoy those summer vibes a little longer. Exhibit A: Manly Beach. Even if Manly is your local, when's the last time you spent a full day enjoying what it has to offer? So, we've teamed up with White Claw to curate a sunrise to sunset itinerary to show how to pack the most into an excursion to the legendary Sydney beach. 7AM: GO FOR A SUNRISE SWIM You may have seen those bright pink swim caps on a rare sunrise stroll in Manly — or, more likely, you've seen them on Instagram. But since today is about changing up your routine, why not throw one on yourself and join the Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad for an early morning dip? The squad meets at 7am, seven days a week, in front of Manly Life Saving Club, before diving into the deep blue and making the journey to Shelly Beach and back — it's 750 metres each way. Who needs coffee when you can wake up with an ocean swim instead? [caption id="attachment_717595" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] 8AM: PICK UP A PASTRY AND COFFEE AT ROLLERS BAKEHOUSE You've likely worked up an appetite so, after you've dried off, make tracks to Rialto Lane where you'll find Rollers Bakehouse. This Palm Springs-inspired spot is home to some of the tastiest (and most decadent) pastries in Sydney, including sweet and savoury croissants, pies and scrolls. The flavours are constantly changing, but you can expect creative spins like sticky oat chai croissants, cereal milk cruffins and duck pancake sausage rolls. In fact, the options are so innovative that you'll struggle to select just one. Order a few — you've earned 'em — along with a batch brew or latte, nab a bench in the bright pink courtyard and enjoy. [caption id="attachment_784919" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NSW National Parks[/caption] 9AM: HEAD TO COLLINS FLAT BEACH FOR SOME LEISURELY BEACH TIME Instead of heading to Manly's main beach, opt for Collins Flat Beach, a tiny little harbour inlet that sits between North Head and Little Manly Cove. Here, you can have a splash in the calm, shallow waters and admire the views across the harbour to The Heads — all sans crowds. There's also a legit waterfall to enjoy. Though it feels quite remote, it's quite easy to get to Collins Flat. You can drive down Collins Beach Road and park near the Australian Institute of Police Management, which marks the start of a small track to the sand. Or you can drive or catch the free Hop Skip & Jump bus from Manly Council Chambers to Little Manly, walk down Stuart Street towards Skinner's Reserve and then follow the short track to Collins Flat. 11AM: TAKE A SURFING LESSON Is learning how to surf one of those things that has always been on your bucket list but you've never gotten around to actually doing it? There's no time like the present, friends. Manly Surf School runs lessons every single day for people of all ages and abilities. Adult lessons cost $75 per person (but get cheaper if you buy multiple) and last for 90 minutes. All equipment, including a surfboard and a wet suit or rash vest, is included. All you need is a towel, sunscreen and a good attitude. We're not going to sugar-coat it — it's pretty tricky. But it is also a whole lot of fun. And when you finally manage to stand up (and stay standing), the sense of achievement you'll feel is on par with winning an Olympic medal (we're guessing). [caption id="attachment_717428" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] 1PM: GET A LITTLE RETAIL THERAPY It's no secret that the water is Manly's main drawcard, but the beachside community has plenty more on offer, including several boutiques worthy of a visit. Spend a little time wandering the streets and poking your head into the retail stores that catch your eye. Looking for an outfit for a special occasion? Pop into Sir for chic minimalist designs or Coco and Lola to shop labels like Ena Pelly, Bec and Bridge and Manning Cartell. If you're more interested in dressing up your home, visit Nordic Fusion to browse chic Scandinavian-designed furniture, decor and accessories. And, of course, no trip to Manly is complete without a visit to boutique bottle-o Winona to replenish your stores of natural wine and craft beer. [caption id="attachment_715896" align="alignnone" width="1720"] Kitti Gould[/caption] 2PM: ENJOY A CONVIVIAL LUNCH AT CHICA BONITA We're not sure what it is about Mexican cuisine and salty sea air that pair so well together. But a long lunch at much-loved Chica Bonita may be the best way to figure it out — short of booking a flight to Cancun, that is. Settle in for lunch at this brightly coloured arcade bar to snack on guacamole, fish tacos and tuna tostadas before sinking your teeth into a hearty chicken burrito, loaded with black beans, red rice, chorizo and cheese. Or, you could opt for a bowl filled with crispy eggplant, chipotle, macadamia, caramelised carrot and quinoa. Pair your feast with a margarita — there are eight varieties to choose from. 3PM: CRUISE THE STREETS ON AN E-BIKE We know it's tempting, but try not to order that second serving of guacamole at lunch because the next activity is, well, active. Head to Manly Bikes on West Espalanade and hire a two-wheeler so you can spend the afternoon exploring more of the neighbourhood at your own pace. Of course, a cute aqua cruiser bike ($18 for one hour or $24 for two) will look the best against the beach backdrop but if you're feeling a little lazy after lunch, opt for an e-bike ($32 for one hour or $39 for two). The friendly staff will be happy to share route recommendations but we suggest pedalling along the beachfront from Manly Lagoon to Shelly Beach — then, if you have time, you could keep going all the way up to North Head and the Q Station. [caption id="attachment_827084" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliott Kramer[/caption] 5PM: DRINKS AT THE OFFICE If there's one quintessential Manly pasttime that needs to be on your hit list, it's sundowners at The Office. How the nickname for the small stretch of grass at East Esplanade Reserve came about is something of a mystery, but the main takeaway is this: between the hours of 8am–8pm, alcohol consumption is permitted. It's one of the very few outdoor spots in Manly where you can BYO booze, so it's best to take advantage. Swing by a bottle-o, grab a four-pack of White Claw hard seltzers and watch the ferries zip across the harbour as the sun begins to set. 7PM: WATCH THE SUN SET OVER DINNER You're coming to the end of your long day in the seaside suburb. If you're keen to grab one last drink and a bite to eat before waving goodbye, stop into the recently renovated Wharf Bar. Here, you can enjoy freshly shucked oysters, tiger prawns, salt 'n' pepper squid and sweet potato fries while watching the sun set over the harbour. Alternatively, you can extend the adventure by jumping on a ferry over to Watsons Bay (it takes just 15 minutes) to enjoy dinner and a boogie at the ever-reliable Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel. For more information on White Claw, head to the website. Top image: Paros Huckstepp
Located in Sydney's food capital of Haymarket, Porkfat stands out as an elegant alternative to Sydney's often hectic and dressed-down Thai dining scene. The food here is served in delicately hand-painted ceramics from Wiang Galon, an ancient city famous for its religious history and artistic legacy. The flavours come from the owner's hometown of Saraburi in central Thailand, and the dishes are traditional but at the same time unique, with some surprising offerings hidden amongst the classics. The papaya salad with salted duck egg, dried prawn, fish sauce and lime is the perfect light dish to kick off your dining experience, while the baked Queensland tiger prawn with vermicelli, pork fat, oyster sauce, Chinese wine, ginger and celery is a unique mix of flavours you won't find elsewhere. There's the option to add extra prawns to this and we highly recommend you do. The Porkfat specials include a deepfried whole barramundi with three flavour sauce, crispy garlic, deep fried makrut leaves and Thai basil — it is the perfect dish to share. The grilled pork chop is a signature dish and comes with smoked chilli nam jim, roasted rice, fish sauce and tamarind. Cap off your experience with its homemade coconut ice cream served with roasted peanuts and candied pumpkin. There is also a set menu for groups of six or more which includes all the favourites as well as Porkfat's popular lamb with smoked chilli, sawtooth, mint and iceberg lettuce. Images: Leigh Griffiths
After the last two years, you're probably in need of a holiday. But if border passes aren't your bag, consider treating yourself to staycation instead. Thankfully, there are heaps of exciting events happening in the Sydney CBD to give you that much-needed holiday feeling. From the Doug Aitken exhibition at the MCA to the annual Sydney Festival and the brand new six-day Elevate Sydney event happening atop the Cahill Expressway that kicks off on New Year's Day, there's no shortage of ways to escape the daily grind by hanging out in the city centre this summer. To help you find your sleepover digs, we've uncovered our favourite places to snooze in the CBD. Whether you want a classic hotel on the edge of Hyde Park or boutique accommodation on the city fringe, we've found the plushest pillows and the comfiest beds for you and your mate (or date) to have an A-plus summer staycation. QT SYDNEY, CBD Every one of QT Sydney's guest suites has been carefully crafted to reflect and honour the historic Gowings and State Theatre buildings in which it resides. QT's exterior boasts a blend of gothic, art deco, and Italianate-influenced architecture — and inside, the luxurious rooms carry through that art deco-meets-gothic aesthetic to quite the striking degree. Plus, its central CBD location makes it a breeze to get your culture fix during your stay. Nearby, you'll also find Sammy Junior, Glass Brasserie and The Grounds of the City. However, if you don't feel like leaving your hotel, you're in luck — the QT hosts the renowned Gowings Bar & Grill, too. [caption id="attachment_660514" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paramount House Hotel by Tom Ross.[/caption] PARAMOUNT HOUSE HOTEL, SURRY HILLS When Paramount House Hotel was first announced back in August 2017, the hotel promised it wouldn't be your standard luxury hotel, but rather an experience that would embed patrons into the culture of Sydney's inner city suburb of Surry Hills. All we can say is that, when it opened in 2018, it delivered on that guarantee. You'll never have a dull moment at Paramount, as the building offers up a rooftop gym, independent cinema and one of Sydney's best cafes. Set in an old 40s warehouse, the 29-room hotel features soaring ceilings with exposed brickwork, and while there's also luxury copper finishes, Jardan sofas, premium kilim rugs from Pakistan and a one-of-a-kind vending machine, the appeal of the place is less tangible in its nature. It's both the vibe and history of the surrounding community that make Paramount House Hotel a special stay. SHERATON GRAND SYDNEY HYDE PARK, CBD Back in 2018, Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park underwent a mammoth $50 million refurbishment and catapulted this luxury hotel to five-star status. Guests can book into the on-site health club for a massage, body or skincare treatment, escape to the rooftop pool or jacuzzi or enjoy one of the hotel's incredible dining options. Choose from a seafood buffet at the hotel's restaurant Feast, high tea at the Gallery, or light eats and a cocktail from the Conservatory Bar. Or, go all out and order yourself room service — you deserve it. [caption id="attachment_640064" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sofitel Darling Harbour - Interior Photographs[/caption] SOFITEL SYDNEY DARLING HARBOUR, CBD This lush 590-room hotel was designed by award-winning Sydney architect Richard Francis-Jones. Costing a cool $500 million, the 35-storey building features floor-to-ceiling views of the city and Darling Harbour, a French-inspired rotisserie and grill, a dedicated champagne bar and a decadent pool drinking and hangout space. Those staying the night at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour means you'll have your pick between a standard room or one of the 35 suites, with the latter coming complete with in-bathroom TVs, soaking tubs, private check-in and your own sky-high guest lounge. Grab a beverage or meal can from the hotel's signature restaurant and three bars or hang out by the 20-metre infinity pool — with a cocktail in hand, of course. FOUR SEASONS HOTEL SYDNEY, CBD This George Street stay is ideal if you want front row seats to the Elevate Sydney sky show this summer. Plus, with Sydney Harbour, The Rocks and Circular Quay right around the corner, you'll be spoilt for cultural and culinary choice during your stay. If shopping is more your bag, there's plenty of that nearby, too. The hotel features an Endota Spa for all your pampering needs as well a luxurious 12pm check-out time so you can relax all morning long during your stay. The best part? There are deluxe accessible rooms available complete with wheelchair-friendly showers. PIER ONE SYDNEY HARBOUR, CBD Pier One Sydney Harbour is perched right underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge and is one of the city's most historic stays. The five-star hotel boasts spectacular views of Sydney Harbour and if you stay there more than once, you'll likely have a completely different experience as no two rooms are the same. Got a pooch who you simply can't spend a night away from? This stunning harbourside hotel even has dog-friendly rooms so you and your four-legged friend can lap up the luxury together. Plus, there are plenty of dining options at your fingertips in Walsh Bay including Bar One and The Gantry Restaurant. [caption id="attachment_652632" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Spice Alley via Destination NSW.[/caption] FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON, CHIPPENDALE The buses, train and light rail make getting around the CBD is pretty breezy — especially if your starting point is near Central Station. If access to public transport is high on your hotel hit-list, book into Four Points by Sheraton. It's not just its prime position near Central Station that makes this place a great place to stay. It's also close to the bustling streets of Chippendale, Ultimo and Haymarket which are filled with top-notch eats, art galleries and theatres. Plus, there's a 24-hour fitness centre and an on-site restaurant and bar for when you don't want to leave the hotel. Elevate Sydney is happening from New Year's Day until January 6. For more information on the event, visit the website.
Bouldering is having a moment in Sydney. If you're a new to the term — or the sport — think of it as rock climbing, but without the ropes and crazy heights. One of Sydney's first bouldering-only gyms, 9 Degrees launched in Alexandria back in 2015 and has since opened locations in Parramatta and Lane Cove in Sydney, and Enoggera in Brisbane. Now, in 2020, it's unveiled its fifth gym in Waterloo. At Waterloo, like at its other gyms, 9 Degrees' bouldering climbs are split into nine different levels of difficulty. The levels are, handily, colour-coded, so you can start with yellow (easiest) and work your way up to white (hardest). Plus, the gym has a kilter board (basically, a training wall) to help you level up. The gym is open every day of the week and, excitingly, till 10pm most nights. But, with COVID-19 restrictions and density limits, weeknights (after 5pm) are booking only, so pop over to the website to lock in your session. A day pass will set you back $20 (with an extra $7 for optional shoe hire) or you can sign up for a two-week trial for $49 or grab a multi-pass. As an added bonus, well-behaved dogs are welcome at the gyms (excerpt Parramatta), but they must remain on leash at all times. 9 Degrees Waterloo is open from 10am–10pm Monday–Wednesday, 4pm–10pm Thursday and 10am–10pm Friday and 8am–9pm Saturday–Sunday.
The broken record of Sydney real estate rhetoric continues to spin — but a Newtown sale over the weekend may have hit a new pitch of absurdity. On Saturday, February 7, a four-metre-wide driveway at 184 Church Street, Newtown sold under the hammer for $1.25 million — a cool 25 percent above its already eye-watering $1 million price guide. Yes, a driveway. Not a house. Not even a studio. Just 110 square metres of land previously used for parking, watering plants and growing vegetables. According to reporting by realestate.com.au, the narrow parcel — roughly 4.08 metres wide — attracted four registered bidders, with three actively competing at auction. The reserve was set at $1.1 million, but a developer ultimately secured the site well beyond expectations. [caption id="attachment_1072478" align="alignnone" width="1920"] realestate.com.au[/caption] The listing described the block as a "ready-to-build" site with R1 residential zoning, positioned in the heart of Newtown and flanked by terraces and student accommodation. While modest in width, the land's development potential appears to have done the heavy lifting. Listing agent Chris Akkawi of Adrian William Real Estate told realestate.com.au that the buyer was a developer, though the exact plans remain unclear. "The company that purchased it is a developer — they are going to develop on it," Akkawi said. "What they are going to develop, I don't know… I think it will be something they hold on to." [caption id="attachment_1072479" align="alignnone" width="1920"] realestate.com.au[/caption] The vendor, an elderly woman who lives nearby, reportedly purchased the site in the 1980s and had used it as a personal driveway for decades. "She has just used it as parking, somewhere she can water plants, grow some veges — and now it will basically be money put to her retirement," Akkawi said. Unsurprisingly, the sale ignited strong reactions online. A post shared by Instagram account The Noticer, as cited by realestate.com.au, drew a flood of comments capturing the public mood. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Noticer (@thenoticernews) "Just stop eating smashed avo guys and you too will be able to afford a driveway like this!" one user wrote. Another simply said: "LOL Australia is cooked." Others were more succinct: "Just the driveway? Madness." And: "WTF bro." While the sale feels uniquely unhinged, it sits comfortably within Sydney's broader property fever dream. In recent years, price records have continued to tumble — from compact inner-west land parcels nudging $1.3 million, to Australia's most expensive home selling for a staggering $141.55 million at Barangaroo in 2025. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Domain (@domain.com.au) Still, there's something particularly confronting about watching a patch of asphalt outperform entire homes in other Australian cities. For first-home buyers, renters, and anyone still clinging to the idea that hard work leads to housing security, the sale feels less like a curiosity and more like a slap in the face. Images: realestate.com.au
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.
Here at Concrete Playground, we're big proponents of the night-time economy. Cities that keep things moving after dark often offer the best in food, beverages and culture. And while Australians are notorious morning people (who love their 8am flat whites), data from Visa has shown that we still find a lot of value in getting out in the evening. The Visa Australia Night-time Economy Index 2025 is a new in-depth analysis measuring data such as spending, vibrancy, venues open and even the number of nightworkers who are boosting the economy after dark. According to the data, Melburnians are getting off the couch the most frequently and spending their hard-earned dollars on bars, restaurants, and late-night feeds. Sydney and its surrounding metro areas also nabbed 12 of the 20 top night-time hotspots, proving that the city is slowly bouncing back from its lockout laws. Of course, it's not exactly surprising that the two most populous East Coast cities are ruling the after-dark economy. However, there are also several regional areas, such as Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, that are tapping their cards once the sun sets. Canberra is also increasing its evening spending, thanks to tourists and the opening of more eateries. To learn more about the future of the night-time economy and what's trending after dark right now, Concrete Playground's Managing Editor, Eliza Campbell and Staff Writer Alec Jones shared their insights. CP: Melbourne was named the number one night-time hotspot in Australia according to data from Visa. Does this surprise you? Eliza: It doesn't surprise me at all. This city has an inherent underground nature that invites you to always be exploring and looking beyond the surface — particularly after dark. And nightlife isn't limited to weekends, either. Between gallery exhibitions, secret music gigs and speakeasy bars, there's something to get lost in at all hours, any day of the week. CP: 12 out of 20 of the night-time hotspots were in Sydney and its metro areas. What's your favourite thing about Sydney after dark? Alec: This began to pick up in late 2023 after we all shook off the last of lockdown fever, but it's that feeling of merriment in the air. It's like static electricity. Walking past busy bars and restaurants in suburbs like Darlinghurst, Surry Hills, and Newtown, hearing the chatter and seeing people share food and drinks with their friends and family, it never fails to make me smile. CP: What's one trend you're seeing emerge in the night-time economy that excites you? Eliza: The resurgence of secret gigs and DJ sets. I love the idea of last-minute announcements to see some of the world's best artists in intimate settings — first-come, first-served. There's less of a distinction between going to a live gig and going to a bar now. We want once-in-a-lifetime cultural experiences that blend seamlessly into the fabric of our city's nightlife, and I'm so here for it. Alec: Venues in Sydney that are really performing are the ones with a loyal audience, but also a hook. Something you can't find anywhere else, whether it's on the menu or just in the space. People aren't going out just to get drunk or have a feed; they're doing it to go to these specific places. [caption id="attachment_885691" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Above Board[/caption] CP: What's your top tip for planning the perfect night out? Eliza: Have a rough outline of the kind of evening you want to have — but leave room for spontaneous adventures. There's nothing worse than not knowing where to go or what to do next, but equally, some of the best nights are all about the memories you make getting from point A to point B. CP: What's a venue or precinct that gets the night-time experience right? Alec: YCK Laneways in the Sydney CBD has actually done a great job of revitalising an area that doesn't really scream "nightlife." The bars in that area are some of the most interesting venues you'll find in the city and are all within walking distance of one another (and your bus or train home). Eliza: One of my favourite Melbourne venues that absolutely nails the night-time experience is Collingwood's Beermash — and its (somewhat secret) adjoining speakeasy bar, Above Board. Beermash spotlights independent craft beer and wine producers and lets you take-away or drink-in at bottleshop prices. Al fresco drinks on the Smith Street terrace can be followed by award-winning cocktails upstairs in what's, in my opinion, one of Melbourne's most unique hidden bars. From casual and fun to cosy and intimate — the perfect evening trajectory. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Beermash (@beermash) [caption id="attachment_1025682" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Hyde Park[/caption] CP: How is nightlife intersecting with other parts of culture (like art, fashion, live music) in interesting ways right now? Eliza: What's interesting about the intersection of nightlife and culture right now is that there's less separation than ever before. With the rise of low- and no-alcohol trends, nightlife in 2025 isn't just about partying or bar-hopping anymore. People still want to experience their city after dark — but that now spans the full spectrum of the arts: galleries and museums staying open late, fashion infiltrating the food and drink scene, and live music spilling out from bandrooms into public (and often free-entry) spaces across the city. CP: Where's your favourite after-dark venue? Eliza: An after-dark venue needs good music, good drinks and just the right amount of grunge. For me, that's Heartbreaker in the CBD. Catch me screaming post-punk revival with a negroni in hand in the early hours of the morning. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Heartbreaker Bar 💔 (@heartbreakerbar) Alec: Crows Nest on the lower North Shore has exploded since the Metro station opened, Parramatta is packed with great venues, and love it or hate it, Bondi continues to be iconic without trying very hard. Ask a local who lives in a different part of Sydney from you and follow their advice. [caption id="attachment_994726" align="alignleft" width="1920"] Carriageworks[/caption] CP: What do you hope to see more of in our after-dark spaces from both venues and councils? Eliza: I'll always scream and shout about supporting the Arts. Free entertainment like live music, performance and exhibitions not only supports our incredible local arts community but also helps people stay connected to the endlessly inspiring, exciting and thought-provoking creative industries — especially in tough political and economic climates. The more we can bring people together, the better. Alec: Regular events like night markets consistently draw big crowds from locals, but what if instead of the same old gozleme and chips-on-a-stick stands, we got famous restaurants from around Sydney to get involved? That'd help connect communities with food and drink they can't usually find on their side of whatever the closest bridge is (we don't cross any of them enough). CP: For people who say, "There's nothing to do after 9pm anymore", what would you tell them? Alec: You're not trying very hard. You can find something really cool if you just look a little bit harder. Eliza: I'd say, "Where are you? Obviously not in Melbourne." Discover the vibe near you. Lead image: FG Trade Latin / Getty
If bliss to you means peering at infinite reflections in lit-up mirror rooms, wading through brightly coloured ball pits and having pillow fights — plus hanging out in digital forests, watching tales told via shadows and hopping over musical tiles, too — then prepare to beam with joy when Dopamine Land arrives Down Under. The latest multi-sensory experience that's hitting Australia, it's being pitched as an interactive museum. Inside, you'll find themed spaces that you can mosey through, engage with their contents and, ideally, bask in nothing but pure happiness. With a name like Dopamine Land, it's immediately clear that contentment, glee, merriment and exuberance is the aim of the game here. So is evoking those feel-good sensations through nostalgia, because this is another kidulting activity — it's all-ages-friendly as well — and it's making its Aussie debut in Brisbane from Tuesday, May 28, 2024. Brisbanites, and anyone keen for a Sunshine State trip to revel in more than the sun's glow, can look forward to wandering around Dopamine Land at Uptown in the River City's Queen Street Mall. Locals know that the site was previously the Myer Centre — and, decades back, was home to a dragon-themed rollercoaster. So, it's a fitting venue to get everyone channeling their inner child, unleashing their imagination and, yes, hitting each other with cushions. Heading this way direct from London, the experience combines optical illusions, engaging soundscapes and more across its ten themed rooms. The ball pit is self-explanatory, but also takes its cues from Miami in the 80s, complete with a pina colada scent, an electro soundtrack and LED lights that pulse to mirror waves. The pillow-fight space also doesn't need much explaining; however, the decor is inspired by marshmallows and boxes of lollies, Mexican wrestling is also an influence and you can win the pillow-fighting championship. Fancy seeing stories play out via shadows? There's a room for that featuring a big top-style roof. If you try your hand at the musical tiles — well, your feet, to be more accurate — you'll create a melody as you jump around, with the lights changing as you go as well. And if getting as serene as possible is your aim, head to the Keep Calm Forest, which artificially recreates a woodland via LED trees, mirrors and sounds to match. There's even a room dedicated to the autonomous sensory meridian response, or ASMR, which goes big on projections and animations by Australian digital artist Cassie Troughton.
Whether it's a low-key fish 'n' chip picnic on the beach or splurging on a decadent platter for your anniversary, seafood is synonymous with romance (after all, everyone knows the claims about oysters being an aphrodisiac). At just 2.5-hours north of Sydney, perched on the edge of a huge protected marine park, Port Stephens is famed for its abundance of fresh seafood. The local cafes, restaurants and bars take full advantage of their proximity to the freshest catches, so when you're looking to treat your special someone to a romantic escape from the city, consider Port Stephens. With the Hunter Valley region just nearby, you'll also have your pick of quality drops to pair your seafood feast with as you make eyes at each other across the table. Here are some of the must-visit restaurants, cafes and bars on your weekend away. Unattached? These spots are just as suitable for a group getaway or some much-needed quality time with your bestie. Please stay up to date with the latest NSW Government health advice regarding COVID-19.
It has been more than two decades since Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone first brought its magic into our lives, and muggles still share one particular dream: to attend Hogwarts. Yes, it's a fictional setting. Yes, we all know that. But that still hasn't stopped all manner of places trying to make the school an enchanting reality, from HP-inspired wizarding schools to huge brunches held in Great Hall-like spaces to activewear decked out in house colours. London's Warner Brothers Studio Tour is going one step further as part of its The Making of Harry Potter exhibit: it's letting visitors try on authentic Hogwarts robes. Short of casting a spell to go back in time and star in one of the eight Harry Potter films — or somehow finding your way onto the Fantastic Beasts' set — that's as close as you're going to get to some actual Hogwarts action. The specific tour wizard obsessives will want to take is the Behind the Seams experience, which dives into the costumes created for the movie franchise — all 25,000 of them. Sketches, finished outfits and stories about their creation are all part of this wander through a workshop-like environment, with threads worn by Cedric Diggory, Professor Sprout and even Voldemort on display. That's all great and bewitching, but the main attraction is the chance to pick your house colours and pop on a robe that featured in one of the movies. We'd tell you to BYO wand, but you've probably already thought about that. Anyone finding themselves in London over the next few months can take the Behind the Seams tour between May 23 and July 22, with sessions running daily until June 2 and then every weekend afterwards. Tickets cost £65, which includes the one-hour costume frenzy — but no, you can't wear your Hogwarts garb for the whole hour, sorry — as well as the standard studio tour, complete with a walk through the Forbidden Forest and a wait on Platform 9¾. For more information, visit the Behind the Seams website.
Balcon by Tapavino is a contemporary Spanish restaurant that brings the rustic and refined flavours of northern Spain to Australia. Part of the Tapavino restaurant group, Balcon offers a culinary experience that complements its flagship, Tapavino, and sister venue, Born, in Barangaroo. Balcon is a treasure trove of Spanish delights, featuring over 500 Spanish wines and refined tapas. The moody red lighting around the bar and the wine cages surrounding the dining area create a warm, inviting atmosphere perfect for any occasion, from a casual lunch with friends to corporate functions and events. Tapas options include Croqueta del Dia with pear aioli and Angelachu anchovies with picual olive oil and sourdough. For entrees, savour dishes like eggplant with saffron honey glaze and grilled WA octopus with kipfler potatoes and ajada oil. Main courses feature Spanish bomba rice with eggplant and zucchini or Basque-style Jack's Creek angus flank steak with mojo verde. The charcuterie board is a must-try, offering house mató cheese with wild honey and jamón serrano with buffalo milk curd. Balcon also boasts daily specials such as braised lamb shoulder on Tuesdays and roasted pork cutlet on Fridays. The set menus provide a curated selection of the best dishes, while the canape selection and drink packages cater to larger gatherings. Don't miss happy hour from 3.30–6pm, Tuesday to Friday, with great deals on house beer, wine, sangria, and cocktails. Plus, for wine enthusiasts, selected bottles are 50% off from 4–5.30pm. Balcon by Tapavno's kitchen closes at 9pm each night, and the restaurant closes at 11pm.
Australian barbecue is a big deal, and Sydney's restaurant scene wouldn't be the same without it. Though Aussies may be known for their BBQ, we by no means limit ourselves to the standard backyard barbecue nosh. Sydneysiders are lucky enough to have barbecue joints from around the world at their disposal, from slow-cooked Texan barbecue to self-cooked to Japanese yakitori to Brazilian churrasco — you name it, we've got it. We've put together a list of the best barbecue spots, spanning across all the different cuisines, continents and condiment reccommendations. So get your appetites ready — you're gonna need 'em. Top image: Papi Chulo.
Anything Jamie Dornan can do, Zac Efron can, too? That's the situation that'll play out on streaming service Stan this January. First, Dornan will get stranded in the outback in TV thriller The Tourist, and then Efron will do the same in Gold — aka the movie he shot when he decamped from Hollywood to Australia during the pandemic and seemed to be the only thing other than COVID-19 that was making headlines. Gold will also play in some cinemas, if you'd like to watch Efron try to survive the Aussie landscape on the big screen — with the film receiving a theatrical release on January 13, then streaming via Stan on January 26. Wherever you choose to watch it, you'll see the High School Musical, The Greatest Showman and Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile actor get a serious case of gold fever after stumbling upon the biggest gold nugget ever found. Efron's character, known only as Man One, discovers the huge chunk of gold with the movie's writer/director/co-star Anthony Hayes (Total Control) — who, yes, plays a figure known as Man Two. The pair of drifters then come up with a plan to excavate the precious metal, but it involves Man One staying behind to guard it while Man Two goes to nab the necessary equipment. As the just-dropped first trailer for Gold shows, that doesn't look too promising for Man One. Gold also features Wentworth and Cargo's Susie Porter as a stranger who crosses Man One's path — and obviously features oh-so-many lingering looks at the outback backdrop that filmmakers have loved ever since 70s greats such as Wake in Fright and Walkabout. Plonking big-name stars against Australia's striking terrain is only a small genre, but it's still a growing one — with Gold joining everything from The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Australia to The Rover and The Dressmaker. Check out the trailer for Gold below: Gold will screen in selected cinemas from January 13, and stream via Stan from January 26.
ANTE, a Newtown jazza kissu (or listening bar), is one of the very best bars in Sydney, especially if you're a fan of fine sake — of which there are over 65 kinds available. Grab a seat at the long timber bar overlooking the huge selection of vinyl and sake, and let the bartenders talk you through all the options. You can follow their lead on particular sips, but we recommend getting the sake tasting flight, especially if you're new to the world of sake. It features a great cross-section of sakes and will help you discover your own preferences. A decent range of Japanese spirits, cocktails and beers are also up for grabs, alongside a truly impressive selection of eats — designed to pair with sake. The menu changes fairly regularly, but it tends to include a handful of pastas, izakaya-style bites and decadent desserts. Like many of the other best bars in Sydney, ANTE takes its food very seriously.
Taking over a beloved corner of Llewellyn Street, White Rabbit has brought a commitment to high-quality artisan goods to the former home of West Juliett. The longstanding Marrickville favourite closed down without warning in mid-2022 — but when one door closes, another opens. This is the fourth outpost for White Rabbit, with its Marrickville iteration joining spots in Drummoyne, Double Bay and Kiaora Lane. The group of cafes looks to bring together top-quality local suppliers, helping to expand their reach. That's exactly what you'll find at the Marrickville venue, with Sonoma Bakery's bread and baked goods, Goose Bakery's pastries, Pepe Saya butter and The Little Marionette coffee all featured on the menu. Outside of Sonoma's loaves, plus Goose's dark chocolate and sea salt cookies, there's a menu of hefty cafe classics. Highlights from the all-day breakfast menu include XO chilli scrambled eggs with mushrooms, fried shallots and sourdough; sweet corn and zucchini fritters topped with avocado salsa, halloumi, chickpea hummus and chilli oil; and a classic bangers and beans big brekkie, featuring braised cannellini beans, 'nduja, pork and fennel sausages, pork belly, potato, fried eggs and toast. Later in the day, you can turn your attention to the lunch menu, which is headlined by a fresh tuna ceviche bowl packed with zucchini and carrot noodles, brown rice, avocado, edamame, wakame, oxheart tomato, white miso and ginger; and a loaded parmesan and herb-crumbed chicken sandwich on toasted Sonoma sourdough. The White Rabbit team has made the most of the building, keeping the bright white aesthetic of West Juliett while shaping the space into a takeaway bakery and 100-seat cafe with both indoor and al fresco dining.
When is a food court not a food court? When it's Regent Place, the bright arcade surrounded by shops but serving up lively food in restaurants with character. The shops aren't really the attraction, either, and with the arcade tucked away in the nebulous area below Town Hall and above Chinatown, it's not a place you're likely to stumble into without instruction. So we're here to instruct. Recently developed, Regent Place is like a cool offshoot of Chinatown — or the new J-Village, as it's sometimes known. Level one is a neon-bright Tokyo mirage, while in the basement is the jumble of Senyai Thai, a Misschu hut and AstroTurfed cocktail bar Assembly. The developers have succeeded in giving it a really transporting feel, like its own closed-off world, and it's an approach it would be great to see others borrow from. Next time you're in the city shopping, seeing a movie at Event Cinemas or a catching a gig at the Metro, duck off George Street and into one of these six stellar Regent Place establishments. Yebisu Izakaya Settle in for a long, congenial night of grazing on Japanese share plates and sake. Yebisu Izakaya has a gargantuan menu; with more than 100 dishes, the focus is on dizzying quantity rather than A-class quality, and that's fine when your meal is as fun and reliable as this. It's perfect for a party, really, as all tastes are accounted for, whether you fancy regional rarities such as dried skate fin ($8.80) and vinaigrette tuna skin ($10.80), dependables of the sushi or yakitori variety or just giving up on the world and going for fried mixed cheese ($14.80). The iPad menu system means you can order course by course if you want to, and there's no awkward sitting around trying to get the waitstaff's attention. Sake and shochu are a specialty at Yebisu, and you'll also be visited by an attendant with sake trolley and plenty of recommendations to share. Lunch Mon - Sun noon - 3pm, Dinner Sun - Thu 5pm - 11pm, Fri - Sat from 5pm-midnight; (02) 9266 0301 Assembly From the team responsible for Pocket Bar, the Assembly team have done their best to counter the shopping hub feel and ensure the bar itself is a departure from its surrounds. The bar itself is far from sparkling tiles and polished steel - it has the atmosphere of an adult's treehouse. Dividers built from wooden pallets, milkcrate tables, bunker-style lights, slightly creepy mannequins and one of the cleverest dumb waiters we've ever seen, made from the repurposed mechanism of a garage door. The drinks from mixologist/general manager Ben Taouss are almost as intelligent, and most definitely as playful. Our picks are the Lavender Hill Cappuccino ($17), a martini with Pop Rocks and an apple foam; or the Earl Negroni ($18), Hendricks, Campari and Antica formula with orange marmalade, served up in a teacup. If you'd prefer, there's a shifting range of fairly standard beers and a moderate wine list also on offer. Mon - Fri 12pm - 12am, Sat 5pm - 12am; (02) 9283 8808; www.assemblybar.com.au Tenkomori Ramen House Ramen is king at Tenkomori. Every kind of ramen dish comes in three types of broth: shoyu, miso and tonkotsu. The pork kakuni ramen with tonkotsu broth ($7.30) is certainly indulgent. The pork belly falls apart at the slightest pressure with the spoon and when slurped down with noodles and the soup, you just can't wait for the next spoonful. If you want egg, pickled mustard green and bamboo that'll be an extra $2.50. Pick up a piece of karaage chicken for $2 a pop, or fried tofu for $1.50 and although they are both deep-fried, they're not dripping in oil. The kaarage chicken bowl ($4.50) has fried chicken sitting on top of rice, with generous lashings of Japanese mayo. If you don't feel like a noodle soup, try the Ontama chilli pork ($8.90) with a choice of hot or cold ramen, chilli pork, bean sprout and topped with an egg. It's fresh and packs a punch with the chilli. The pace at Tenkomori is fast and crowds continually flock to Tenkomori for a cheap fix of noodles and deep-fried goodness. Mon - Sun 11am - 10pm; (02) 9266 0660; www.facebook.com/TenkomoriRamenHouse/ Senyai A laneway eatery resembling what one might expect to find in Bangkok's steamy back streets, Senyai is as close to Thai authenticity as you can get. Start with a serve of miang kham ($6) — betel leaves topped with diced lime, red chilli, dehydrated prawns, nuts, red onion, and coconut sauce. Next try the po pia jaan ($12) — crispy prawn pancakes covered in layers of super-fine deep-fried rice paper, with an almost spongy inner texture. Another for those seeking out something hefty is the khao kha moo ($18) — incredibly slow-braised pork hock cooked in cinnamon and star anise (with veggies and rice). Somtum Thai ($16), a traditional Thai green papaya salad with all the extras, is your go-to when looking to cleanse the palette. The roti grob ($6) are sweet, Thai pancakes that are simple, light, and perfect for a crisp finale to your meal. Mon - Sun 11am - 10.30pm; (02) 9283 8686; www.senyai.com.au Miss Chu The queen of rice papaer rolls continues her expansion across Sydney with her latest tuckshop opening it's shutters here in Regent's Place. The usual suspects are all here. Get an order of the tasty Satay Chicken ($7.50) or Roast Duck ($9) rice paper rolls; a serve of succulent dumplings ($7) and if it's pay day, $13 will get you the melt-in-your-mouth Sashimi Tuna. This should leave you with just enough room for a Peking Duck Pancake ($3.50). Sit at the tuckshop window or at one of the street-style wooden ironing-board tables nearby. Or if you're feeling really lazy, make use of their bike-basket delivery service. Mon - Sun 11am - 9pm; (02) 9283 0357; www.misschu.com.au Chanoma Cafe The team running this Japanese cafe are known as the Matcha Masters because their traditional green tea powder is some of the best in Sydney. There's matcha lattes, floats, frappes and parfaits that are sure to give you your daily green tea fix. Try the Oreo matcha frappe ($6.50) to balance out your naughty and nice. To curb your hunger the Japanese style hot dogs are most definitely not your ordinary dogs. Slathered with Japanese mayo and with soft and crunchy textures these hot dogs are often deep fried and usually sprinkled with seaweed flakes. Try the deep fried Tonkatsu dog ($6.20) or the creamy shrimp croquette dog ($6.20) for a walk on the wild side. (02) 9266 0667 By the Concrete Playground team.
Life was already pretty dandy for the residents of Summer Hill. This leafy inner-west slice of paradise is well-known for its large family parks, tennis courts, trendy cafes and a local barber who stands out the front of his shop greeting everyone who walks by. Now, just to rub it in our faces, they have a really awesome small bar. Located on the main intersection, where Smith Street meets Lackey, The Temperance Society sprawls over two narrow levels, weaving in and out of rooms like a family home. Upstairs there's a brightly wallpapered library filled with Chesterfield lounges, leather-bound books and the smell of rich mahogany. It looks like they've taken inspiration from Ron Burgundy's apartment. Downstairs there's the bar, a fairy-lit courtyard and various intimate nooks on the way. The primary focus is the drinks list, which showcases quality bevvies from within a 7km radius. On tap there's Young Henrys cider; a fruity German-style Zonnebeke witbier by Marrickville's Batch Brewery; a malty, red rye ale by Chippendale's Ironbridge Brewery; and a clean and grassy Convict Lager by The Rocks Brewing Co. Drinks can be bought via the pot/pint/jug ($5/$10/$17.50) depending on the intensity of your night, and for most, it's just a short stumble home to bed anyway. Lucky bastards. Cocktails also play up the local theme. The Lackey Street Lush ($14) combines vodka and cloudy apple, every 20-year-old's favourite drink, or there's the Smith St Society Classic ($18), a thick and spicy tropical punch filled with hunks of fresh orange, dark rum, caramelised brown sugar and ginger beer. The crowd-pleaser is the Little Myrtle ($18), which is made with Botanica's lemon myrtle liqueur, elderflower syrup and a toothpick threaded with blueberries. It has the delicious lemon fizz of a melted Calippo. The star of the spirits list is the Sullivan's Cove ($68), a luxury small batch whisky recently named best Australian single malt at the World Whiskies Awards, although you'll need to have a few drinks first before you're convinced to hand over the cash. Bar snacks consist of quick and easy cold charcuterie platters. Choose from a rabbit, quail and pistachio terrine ($9), sourced from Marrickville's Black Forrest Smokehouse and served with pickled green tomatoes, or there's a cheese plate ($9) with Hunter Valley Cheese Co. cheddar, pickles, onion and relish. The dip platter ($5.50) includes two dips homemade by a local Lebanese resident and served with a mountain of sliced sourdough. For the ridiculously cheap prices, it's surprising to find the serving sizes extra generous. One plate between two will have you cancelling your dinner plans. The Temperance Society is a charming old-world bar serving quality local drinks at unbeatable prices. I hate you Summer Hill.
A number of prominent Australian musicians, including Little May, Montaigne, Ngaiire and Abbe May, are uniting through social media in order to throw their support behind International Breast Cancer Awareness month. The I Touch Myself Project was inspired by the 1990 hit song by Australian rock band Divinyls, whose lead singer Chrissy Amphlett died from breast cancer in 2013. The campaign was originally launched by the Cancer Council in 2014, with the likes of Megan Washington, Sarah Blasko and Olivia Newton John collaborating on a music video to encourage women to check themselves for the disease. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeaO2BrrIf8 Now the campaign has been resurrected by a new group of female artists, who have taken to Instagram to share photos of themselves holding their breasts in their hands and encouraging other women to do the same, using the hashtag #itouchmyselfproject. "Every year, hundreds and thousands of women die from treatable breast cancer, simply because they are diagnosed too late," posted the members of Little May. "In memory of the late legend, Chrissy Amphlett, we have joined friends @ngaiire @actualmontaigne @katysteele @abbemayzing to touch ourselves as she had asked." Every year, hundreds and thousands of women die from treatable breast cancer, simply because they are diagnosed too late. In memory of the late legend, Chrissy Amphlett, we have joined friends @ngaiire @actualmontaigne @katysteele @abbemayzing to touch ourselves as she had asked. The Divinyls 'I Touch Myself' is now an anthem for the early detection of breast cancer. For International Breast Cancer Awareness month take a picture of your own hand bra, and tag 5 of your friends to do the same.. @becsandridge @catalish @ella_hooper @lexi_b__ @jessicahamiltn #myhandbra #itouchmyselfproject @itouchmyselfproject A photo posted by Little May (@littlemaymusic) on Oct 3, 2016 at 8:54pm PDT Every year, hundreds of women die from treatable breast cancer, simply because they are diagnosed too late. @actualmontaigne @abbemayzing @katysteele , @littlemaymusic and I have stepped out in our hand bras in honour of the late Chrissy Amphlett who wanted her song 'I Touch Myself' to be an anthem for spreading the awareness of touching ourselves for early detection. Spread the word this Breast Cancer Awareness Month by taking a pic of your own hand bra and tagging 5 of your friends to do the same. Will you touch yourself @beemcsee @haileycramer @julianedisisto @summerpagaspas @mamikoyo @vassi_lena ? #myhandbra #itouchmyselfproject #ngaiire A photo posted by N G A I I R E (@ngaiire) on Oct 3, 2016 at 7:07pm PDT Chrissy Amphlett did a wonderful thing before the world lost her to breast cancer, and that was to make sure she was doing the most she could to avail women of a similar fate. I am proud to be a part of the #itouchmyselfproject and to raise awareness of breast cancer alongside a plethora of other excellent women and @berleiaus. I touch myself for breast cancer awareness. Will you? Photographed by the amazing Tony Mott! A photo posted by Montaigne (@actualmontaigne) on Oct 4, 2016 at 2:08am PDT Every year, hundreds and thousands of women die from treatable breast cancer, simply because they are diagnosed too late. In memory of the late legend, Chrissy Amphlett, I am humbled to join friends @ngaiire @actualmontaigne @littlemaymusic @abbemayzing to touch ourselves as she had asked. The Divinyls 'I Touch Myself' is now an anthem for the early detection of breast cancer. For International Breast Cancer Awareness month take a picture of your own hand bra, and tag 5 of your friends to do the same.. @tanzertanzertanzer @leelulahula @sezzyfilmy @wheelsanddollbaby @jaala_bandthing Photo by #tonymott @itouchmyselfproject #itouchmyself #myhandbra A photo posted by Kａt y S t e e l e (@katysteele) on Oct 4, 2016 at 3:02am PDT Every year, hundreds of women die from treatable breast cancer, simply because they are diagnosed too late. The great @ngaiire, @actualmontaigne, @katysteele , @littlemaymusic and I have stepped out in our hand bras in honour of the late Chrissy Amphlett who wanted her song 'I Touch Myself' to be an anthem for spreading the awareness of touching ourselves for early detection. Spread the word this Breast Cancer Awareness Month by taking a pic of your own hand bra and tagging 5 of your friends to do the same. #itouchmyselfproject #myhandbra Photo taken by the radical Tony Mott. A photo posted by Abbe May (@abbemayzing) on Oct 3, 2016 at 7:10pm PDT
