The team at Golden Age Cinema & Bar have finalised their autumn program, and are celebrating with a screening of one of the greatest coming-of-age movies ever made. Fittingly set during the final weekend of a sleepy Oregon summer, Stand By Me is a bona fide modern-day classic, featuring fantastic performances from a cast that includes a young River Phoenix, with a screenplay that combines the perfect mix of humour and emotional depth. On the off chance that the film alone isn’t enough to get you out of the house on a Tuesday night, Golden Age are sweetening the deal with golden age prices ($10, just like when Stand By Me was released in 1986), live music, complimentary Stellas and a pie-eating competition inspired by the film's unforgettable campfire story. Doors open from 5pm, with screenings at 6pm and again at 8.30pm.
Heading to Byron Bay this July to flail around to The Cure, be obliterated by sound of The Avalanches and burl the words to The Strokes? You can't do all that without a little pre-game with your mates, preferably at a stunning beach house right on the ocean, with some of Australia's best upcoming artists playing sets just for you. Luckily for you, Concrete Playground has teamed up with Sonos to throw one heck of a beach party — and you could be on the guest list. We're putting on an intimate pre-festival gathering at one of Byron Bay's most iconic locations. It's called Beach Break (because you need one, we need one, everyone needs one). You could be joining mates CP and Sonos for a big ol' warm-up on Saturday, July 23, to be held at a secret location which only the guest list will know. You'll be kicking back at our Byron beach house with a cocktail, catching sets from Australia's one-to-watch artists Kllo and Banoffee, and listening to Sonos-curated party playlists. Register your interest and we could be seeing you at our pretty little beach house. ENTER HERE. This event is independently presented by Concrete Playground and Sonos, and is not associated with Splendour in the Grass or Secret Sounds.
Things sure are looking up for Sydney's northern beaches these days, especially when it comes to wining and dining. Merivale opened its hugely popular venue, The Newport, and it also renovated and relaunched The Collaroy. Then, Mona Vale got a slice of the gastropub pie, with the Mona Vale Hotel reworked as a food and entertainment hot-spot Park House Food & Liquor. The main attraction is Park House Food Merchants, a multi-faceted venue, complete with restaurant, cocktail lounge and all-weather courtyard. The menu draws inspiration from Southern California's food scene, for a vibrant, share-focused menu peppered with Mexican, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours. On it, you'll find dishes like harissa spiced chicken with a buttermilk cos salad, five hour braised lamb shank with grilled brocollini, and a roasted salmon fillet with pistachio and tahini yoghurt. Meanwhile, the bar's slinging an eclectic, well-traveled wine list, alongside a solid range of craft beers and barrel-aged cocktails There are weekly specials and events for big occasions at Park House, while every Friday and Saturday night there's acoustic music in the garden bar. There are plenty of event and private dining spaces here, with the sun room capable of fitting 80 for a cocktail party, while the garden bar can be booked out exclusively for groups up to 200. If you're looking for something intimate and private, the fireplace area can be booked out for meals for up to twenty.
Trying to stay healthy while eating the food you love can sometimes feel like an exercise in futility. Basically, we want to have our cake, and eat it too, but to also have that cake not ruin any chance at being healthy as blazes. Luckily, the good folk at food delivery service Youfoodz have put together a couple of recipes that offer unexpectedly healthy takes on some of our all time culinary favourites. Say goodbye to the grease-sodden offerings from your local fish and chip shop because, for dinner, they suggest a healthy, homemade alternative, that subs out those deep-fried chippies for baked roast veggie chips and a good-for-you superseed crust instead of batter. Alternatively, if you've got a hectic sweet tooth, they've got the perfect protein packed recipe for blueberry pancakes with a light honey ricotta that looks every bit as good as it sounds. Add some extra berries on top for added antioxidants and deliciousness. Healthy eating ain't so bad after all. Check 'em out and enjoy the spoils. FISH AND CHIPS Ingredients (fish) 120g cod 1tbs almond meal 1tbs slivered almonds 1tbs quinoa 5g chia seeds 5g sesame seeds Lemon wedges Salt Ingredients (chips) 60g sweet potato 60g carrot 60g potato Paprika Ingredients (tartare sauce) 2-3 tbs of your favourite prepared aioli 2 large Gherkins (chopped) 1tbs Capers (chopped) Juice of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon 2tbs fresh dill (chopped) 2tbs continental Parsley (chopped) Method 1) Pre heat oven to 180 degrees. 2) Cut vegetables into chip shapes and sizes and combine with some paprika. Bake in oven until roasted and delicious. 3) Combine almond meal, nuts and seeds and mix well, sprinkle heavily on top of cod and bake for 12-15 minutes or until cooked. 4) Add chopped gherkins, capers, dill, lemon juice and zest and parsley to prepared aioli and mix well. 5) Garnish with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of sea salt. BLUEBERRY BAKED PANCAKES AND HONEY RICOTTA Ingredients (pancake mix) 4 eggs 1 cup almond meal Half cup gluten free flour 100g protein powder Lemon zest of 2 lemons 1.5 cups natural yoghurt Quarter cup white sugar 1tsp bi carb soda 1 cup blueberries Ingredients (ricotta and honey mix) Ricotta cheese Honey Method 1) Lightly beat eggs with sugar till combined well. 2) Add almond meal, gluten free flour, protein powder and bi carb soda and mix well. 3) Add yoghurt, blueberries and lemon zest, combine all ingredients and cook in medium hot non stick fry pan till risen and golden. Combine ricotta and honey, spoon over cooked pancakes with additional berries and honey. Want someone else to cook these for you? Youfoodz will bring them right to your door. To view the full menu, head to youfoodz.com.
Like the great Mark Twain put it, “Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough.” Thanks to the proliferation of small bars around the city during the past few years, there’s no dearth of top-shelf gear to indulge in. Whether you want a 20-year-old Japanese reserve accompanied by a hand-chipped ice ball, a selection of whisky-inspired cocktails courtesy of Sydney’s ‘Ardbeg Embassy’ or a flight that lets you sample drops from all over the world in one hit, you’ve got it. GRAIN Grain offers one of the most geographically extensive whisky menus in Sydney. Within one tasting, you can travel from the remote Scottish isle of Islay to a farm in New York state to the foothills of Japan’s Mount Kaikomagatake to the steamy city of Bangalore, where India’s first single malt is made. If, at any point, you get lost, the bar’s friendly whisky experts will give you directions. Grain is attached to the Four Seasons Hotel, right near Circular Quay. The fit-out is a sleek blend of dark wood and golden lighting, with a central fireplace providing an inviting escape from the cold during winter months. In addition to the epic whisky list, there’s a selection of local wines, beers and classic cocktails with innovative twists, like the Walnut Derby (Woodford reserve and salted caramel, stirred with walnut and chocolate bitters) and the Nikka Please (Nikka from the barrel whisky, stirred with maraschino liqueur, sweet vermouth and bitters). And the bar food is next level, featuring tasty morsels like house-made corn chips with avocado and feta dip, salt and dill cured salmon with salmon roe and crisp bread, and makimono. 199 George Street, City BAXTER INN You could go to the Baxter Inn every night for a year and never drink the same whisky twice. Yep, there are more than 360 drams to try in this tricky-to-find yet always packed-to-the-rafters establishment, tucked away in a dark alleyway off Clarence Street. The bar attendants can only get to them thanks to a ladder on wheels. But it's not only the ridiculously enormous spirits menu that attracts the crowds; it's also the friendly vibe and low-key yet classy interior, complete with candles, carpet and a jazz-blues soundtrack. And let's not forget the free pretzels. The Baxter Inn is run by Anton Forte and Jason Scott, the duo behind Darlinghurst's famous Shady Pines Saloon, also on this list for its mega bourbon collection. Last year, the Baxter Inn scored seventh place in The World's Best Bars Awards. Basement, 152-156 Clarence Street, City THE WHISKY ROOM Swinging saloon doors lead into The Whisky Room, which you’ll find hidden away in the back of Surry Hills’ Clock Hotel. Chesterfields, low lighting, vintage maps and sporting trophies complete the old-timey, Hemingway-esque feel. More than 100 whiskies are on offer, including those from familiar brands based in iconic destinations, like the Scottish Highlands and the US, as well as a selection of handpicked, boutique drops from Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand. The whisky-driven cocktail menu is equally a mix of classic and adventurous, with imaginative numbers including the Japanese Plum Sour (Yamazaki, plum jam, fresh lemon, plum bitters and egg white) and the Malt Express (Black Bottle, fresh espresso, vanilla syrup and amaro). Each month brings a new whisky flight, giving you the chance to try three drops for $25. Within The Clock Hotel, 470 Crown Street, Surry Hills STITCH All those who kneel at the shrine of Ardbeg, Stitch is your temple. It’s Sydney’s only Ardbeg Embassy — and one of few bars around the world to have earned the honour. The title gives Stitch the right to serve every single bottle in the legendary whisky brand’s range, including limited editions. It also means a slew of creative Ardbeg-inspired cocktails, including Heaven Is in the Back Seat of My Sazerac (avocado-washed Ardbeg Corryvreckan, amaro, dark creme de cacao, absinthe, Peychaud's bitters) and The Smoking Rocket (Ardbeg 10yo, Calle 23 blanco tequila, chilli, lime, agave). Plus, there’s a sizeable list of other whiskies, with an emphasis on Scotland and the US. Stitch is housed in an intimate, subterranean space on York Street, where you’ll usually fight for a booth or table. Keep your hunger at bay with a range of posh hot dogs, like the Mack Ducky (duck, orange and foie gras) and the French Poodle (Toulouse-style sausage with brie). 61 York Street, City THE WILD ROVER For your Irish fix, The Wild Rover is your go-to. More than 40 whiskies from the Emerald Isle grace the laidback, folk-barn-esque establishment, including some premium numbers, like Bushmills' 21-year-old Madeira Finish and Midleton's Barry Crockett Legacy. Plus there's a generous selection of international drams, from Scotland, the US, Japan, Australia and France. If you're keen to get really serious about your tasting adventures, join The Wild Rover's Whisk(e)y Co-operative. The $25 joining fee buys a starter nip, invitations to monthly tastings and your very own whisky passport, which enables you to keep track of your progress. Whisky-inspired inventions on the cocktail menu include the Chamoflage (chamomile-infused Jameson, lemon, sugar, egg white, hopped grapefruit bitters and cracked pepper) and the Yellow Jacket (George Dickel Tennessee whiskey, yellow chartreuse, lime and house-made ginger beer). 77 Campbell Street, Surry Hills UNCLE MING'S According to the menu, Uncle Ming’s story began way back in 19th-century Shanghai when a sweet potato seller forewent his honest trade for a life of crime. He became a police officer to collect “protection money” from local opium dealers, and by the 1920s, had grown so powerful he had no choice but to leave China for Sydney, where he set up a bar. Hence, walking into Uncle Ming’s is like venturing into some debauched opium den: the red glow of caged light bulbs, vintage glam shots, wafts of incense, darkened nooks. As far as the whisky list goes, Japanese offerings star — from Yoichi, aged anywhere between 10 and 20 years, to a Yamazaki limited edition and a selection of Suntory and Nikka blends. Other beverage options include sake, plum wine, Uncle Ming’s signature beers and an excellent cocktail list, including whisky-infused creations like the Sakura Sour (Japanese whisky, maraschino liquor, lemongrass syrup and lemon) and The King and Rye (Bulleit rye bourbon, plum wine and kaffir lime syrup). Lower Ground, 55 York Street, City BULLETIN PLACE Bulletin Place's whisky collection might not be as big as that of other bars on this list, but it more than makes up for its lack of quantity in its quality and adventurousness. Bar owners Tim Philips (World Class Bartender of the Year 2012), Robb Sloan and Adi Ruiz frequently supplement the stock with newly discovered bottles from all manner of boutique distilleries and exotic locations. And the best part? When ordering, you're presented with a crate of whiskies, from which you can sample a drop or two before making final decisions. Situated in Bulletin Place, Circular Quay, the bar is a welcome escape from the tourist traps that tend to dominate the area, offering a more rustic environment with its distressed walls, murals and wooden furniture. The ever-evolving cocktail menu is updated according to the availability of seasonal ingredients. First Floor, 10-14 Bulletin Place, Circular Quay TOKYO BIRD Like Uncle Ming's, Tokyo Bird specialises in Japanese whisky. Unlike the good uncle, it's gone for the clean, sleek side of Asian design: white tiling, simple wooden stools and a communal table to make socialising fluid. More than 25 imported drams are on the constantly changing menu, with the range varying from oft-seen drops like Yamazaki 12-year-old to limited editions and reserves. New arrivals are celebrated with launch parties. Head down on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings for $35 flights and on Wednesday for bottle-specific shindigs. Shop 2, 226-228 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills (entry on Belmore Lane) SHADY PINES SALOON If bourbon's your thing, Shady Pines is where you'll find one of the best collections in the city. More than 150 American whiskies are to be found behind the bar. And the Wild West setting is the ideal spot to knock them back. Expect Johnny Cash at full volume, hunted heads on the walls, peanut shells underfoot and a distinct lack of pretension. If you can't handle your whisky straight, opt for a Mint Julep (bourbon, mint, sugar and water) or a Hangman's Fizz (date-infused whisky, maple and sarsparilla). 4/256 Crown Street, Darlinghurst EAU-DE-VIE'S WHISKY ROOM For a tranquil, sophisticated whisky experience, land yourself a comfortable couch in Eau-de-Vie's dedicated whisky room. It's hidden away at the back of the main room, which itself is secretively located through the lobby of the Kirketon Hotel. More than 40 malts are on the menu, and the bar's expert staff are happy to walk you through them. Join the whisky club for a 20% discount off all bottles. Once you've tried every single one, you'll graduate to Malt Master status, which gives you access to Eau-de-Vie's rare and hard-to-find malts. 229 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst (entry through Kirketon Hotel lobby) Top image: The Whisky Room.
If you love surrounding yourself completely in Zara, you'll now be able to extend the Zara-love to your bedroom. Zara Home has opened its first Australian store at Melbourne's Highpoint Shopping Centre, with a flagship store set to open in Sydney in just a few months. The home decor arm of the Zara-owning Inditex Group, the Australian stores is home to Zara's gorgeous printed bedding lines, table and bath linens, decorative furniture (we're talking seriously cute lamps and rugs), tablewear worth investing in, cutlery and ornamental items, all based on seasonal fashion trends — so you might be able to match your handbag to your bedspread for an undeniably strong look. The brand new 310-sqm Melbourne store embodies the Zara brand in interior design — think elegant chestnut wood and marble floors, neutral paints and mother-of-pearl details, not to forget that epic gold logo. Coinciding with international Zara Home stores (now operating in 60 countries with 437 stores), the Australian stores will unveil two collections per year, with new items delivered every week. Along with the slick furnishings and oaky utensils you'll be visualising in your rich mahogany-smelling apartments, you can pick up the Zara loungewear/pyjama line and bath and body collection instore. With 13 Zara stores currently operating across Australia, it's safe to say we're pretty dedicated Zarans. The stores mark some of the first international brand openings this year, following hugely hyped openings H&M and Uniqlo last year. Zara Home opens in Melbourne's Highpoint Shopping Centre on February 12, head for 120 - 200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong. Sydney flagship date still to be confirmed.
Cafe Paci, the highly lauded Darlinghurst pop-up circa 2013, made its grand return in 2019. Award-winning Finnish chef Pasi Petänen (Quay, Four In Hand, Marque) opened the permanent iteration of the restaurant along one of Sydney's busiest strips — Newtown's King Street. "We always planned to reopen Cafe Paci and have been looking for a permanent spot since we closed," says Petänen. "I've lived in Newtown for 15 years, so the location is really good and we are lucky to also have good operators around us like Bella Brutta, Mapo gelato and Tandem wine bar." While the original pop-up was set-menu only, this interaction of Cafe Paci is instead a la carte — which Petänen feels will create a more casual, everyday restaurant vibe, as opposed to one that's just for special occasions. "I love to do a set menu but it narrows your clientele quite a lot, and I want [Cafe Paci] to be a place where you can just pop in anytime," says Petänen. Stop in for a quick bar snack and cocktail combo, or enjoy oysters with your glass of wine. But, for the full experience, nab a seat in the dining room. A few of the original fan-favourite menu items are still here — like the house potato and molasses bread and the liquorice cake with carrot sorbet and yoghurt mousse. A few standouts from the menu items introduced to the Newtown site include potato dumplings with trout XO sauce, tomato and mozzarella calzones and Skull Island king prawns with black pepper butter. The orange, chilli and olive oil-accompanied stracciatella is a clear Instagram favourite, too. While the pop-up had a bit of a Mexican flare — as a nod to the previous Darlinghurst tenant Cafe Pacifico — the permanent location is predominantly European, pulling inspiration from Italy, France and Nordic cuisine — although you will find ox tongue on a rye taco. For drinks, renowned sommelier Giorgio De Maria (Vini, 121BC) has created the wine list, which focuses on small producers while offering something for everyone, whether you're on the look out for a classic drop of red or a glass of something funky. The interior has been designed by George Livissianis, who also looked after other impressive fit-outs for The Dolphin Hotel, Chin Chin, The Apollo and Cho Cho San. At Cafe Paci, the space is that of a relaxed, neighbourhood joint. Expect 60 seats all up, with the bar reserved for walk-ins. "The fit-out looks very European, too, and could be set in Paris or Berlin or Helsinki," says Petänen. "It has a cosy wine bar feel, and we took the saying 'something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue' as the design brief." Updated Tuesday, March 21 2023. Appears in: The Best Restaurants in Sydney
You can throw out your gym routine. On the lower north shore, keeping fit doesn't have to be a chore. If you don't want to spend a cent, there's a massive array of outdoor spaces — from national parks to beaches — where you can walk, run, cycle or paddle. With a few bucks to splash around, you can get moving in places like North Sydney's harbourside olympic pool, or Taronga Zoo's famous Tarzan course. In partnership with luxury Australian property development company Aqualand and its new Blue at Lavender Bay development, here are the top ten ways to train, tone and transform yourself on the lower north shore. [caption id="attachment_617827" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NSW National Parks[/caption] BRADLEY HEAD TO CHOWDER BAY WALK If you don't mind cracking harbour views with your workout, then set off on the Bradley Head to Chowder Bay Walk. This beauty starts at Taronga Zoo and follows the shoreline for four kilometres, winding up at Chowder Bay, where you can celebrate with a dip in a harbour pool or a glass of wine at East Coast Lounge. Along the way, don't be surprised to find yourself sharing the path with Eastern water dragons. To extend your adventure carry on to the Spit Bridge, or if you're going the other way, the Harbour Bridge. NORTH SYDNEY OLYMPIC POOL For anyone who's struggled with the monotony of the black line, the North Sydney Olympic Pool provides an antidote. Keep motivated by rewarding yourself at the end of each lap — you couldn't get a better perspective on the mighty Harbour Bridge. What's more, Luna Park is just next door, so you can wrap up your session with a ferris wheel ride. Go hard enough at your training and you might add to the 86 records set at the pool since it opened in 1936. Along with the pool, there's a gym, sauna and spa. [caption id="attachment_617801" align="alignnone" width="1920"] @hkogekar[/caption] CYCLE LANE COVE NATIONAL PARK With its trails, steep concreted drops and sealed sections, the Lane Cove National Park has cycling options for everyone. If you're after something mid-range, go for the Pennant Hills West Fire Trail, a three-kilometre journey through gum trees. There's plenty of easy rolling, as well as a scattering of hilly bits. To turn the ride into a loop, return along the Comenarra Parkway. Lane Cove National Park gives you 372 hectares of bush, waterways and fresh air. On top of the cycle paths, there are loads of walks and picnic areas. [caption id="attachment_617742" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Just Run Lah[/caption] HARBOUR BRIDGE RUN Knock over your workout and your sightseeing in one go with this run. It's a ten-kilometre circuit that connects both sides of the Harbour via the Bridge, taking in McMahons Point, Lavender Bay, Luna Park and Observatory Hill along the way. You'll hug the coast most of the time and get cracking views of the Harbour, the Sydney Opera House and Circular Quay. With all that beauty around you, you won't even know you're getting fit. Once a year, in September, expect to share the path with thousands of others when the Sydney Running Festival hits town. NORTH SYDNEY YOGA When the weather turns — or if you prefer to get flexible when there's a roof over your head — there's North Sydney Yoga. The focus is Ashtanga Vinyasa and the school is one of the oldest in Sydney. It's been running since 1985, with Angelika Knoerzer in charge since 1987. A bunch of classes are available, for everyone from school kids and beginners, to yoga junkies. If you've never done Ashtanga Yoga before, an excellent place to start is the Essentials Intensive course. You'll go to class twice a week and learn all the basics. North Sydney Yoga is at 144 Blues Point Rd, McMahons Point — not far from the water for a post-class stroll. LANE COVE BOWLING CLUB Combine your workout with mates and a couple of beers at Lane Cove Bowling Club, founded in 1952. Barefoot bowls are a steal at ten dollars per person — including gear and tips from the club's handy onsite experts. On Sunday, the social games kick off from midday. Should you work up an appetite, pop into the bistro. PILATES INTERNATIONAL Pilates International isn't limited to the North Shore, of course, but it's an excellent choice for a workout because the standard of teaching is so high. Since opening in 2000, the organisation has pretty much stuck to teachers with at least a decade's experience. The North Shore studio is in Pymble and you can count on shiny floors, lots of light and air, splashes of greenery and top-notch gear. There are classes of all types and sizes, from one-on-ones and duet lessons to sessions dedicated to the Pilates mat and pregnancy. [caption id="attachment_617810" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anton Leddin[/caption] KAYAKING BALMORAL Balmoral and surrounds offer some of the most beautiful paddling scenery you'll find on Sydney Harbour. If you're serious about building up some strength and endurance, then join Sydney Kayaks on their Group Fitness sessions. There are mixed classes, high intensity triathlon classes that include running and swimming, and sessions that combine paddling and yoga. If you prefer to take things at a slower pace, then all you have to do is hire a kayak and set off on an adventure of your own making. After conquering Balmoral, check out these sparkling spots. TARONGA ZOO ROPES COURSE Since opening in April 2016, Taronga Zoo's Wild Ropes has been inundated with would-be Tarzans. It's difficult to think of a more fun way to tone up. All in all, there are 40 obstacles, including bridges, tunnels, aerial rock walls and a hover board. While you're proving your mettle, soak up new perspectives of the water, Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and expect to meet koalas, kangaroos, emus and wallabies. The obstacles are divided into four courses, so you can start off easy and work your way up to the scary, challenging stuff. It's a good idea to book ahead online. Surround yourself with everything the lower north shore has to offer at Aqualand's Blue at Lavender Bay development. The best restaurants, cafes, bars and activities are all on your doorstep.
For anyone who's struggled with the monotony of the black line, the North Sydney Olympic Pool provides an antidote. Keep yourself motivated by rewarding yourself at the end of each lap — you couldn't get a better perspective on the mighty Harbour Bridge. What's more, Luna Park is just next door, so, you can wrap up your session with a ferris wheel ride. Go hard enough at your training and you might add to the 86 records set at the pool since it opened in 1936. Along with the pool, there's a gym, sauna and spa.
Your life is about to be filled with hand-knitted wine bags, minimalist bean bags and slick storage options. Japanese design and homewares retailer MUJI has opened its very first flagship store in New South Wales — the third MUJI in Australia. Opening on May 14 at 500 George Street, the huge 1344sqm corner space is located on level one of The Galeries (where the old Freedom Furniture was) — counting Kinokuniya, Incu and Sushi Hotaru as friendly new neighbours. If you're a bit vague on MUJI, they're a Japanese brand all up in simple, elegant homewares and consumer goods with an eco-friendly aim to reduce packaging. The company's Japanese name, 'Mujirushi Ryohin' means 'no brand quality goods', so we're talking no-name, minimal packaging products — everything from apparel and accessories, to furniture and homewares, stationery and skincare products, bedding and travel goods. Yep, they're into covering all bases with a stripped back simplicity similar to IKEA. We're keen on their Body Fit Cushion for autumn snuggling: And MUJI's classic crisp-as-furk weekendy fashion ranges: And these cute as hell 2009 MUJI penguin bowling pins clearly made for children but shoosh y'face you're not the boss of us: This is the first NSW MUJI, following Australia's first at Chadstone Shopping Centre in November 2013 and Emporium Melbourne's store opening in April last year. MUJI plan to open more Australian stores, with the promise of an online store in the near future. But MUJI are no spring chickens, having started in 1980 as a private offshoot of SEIYU (one of Japan's bigwig retailers) and growing to a total 703 stores worldwide. It isn't the only opening planned for The Galeries this year either, with more yet-to-be-revealed international and local retailers set to open throughout the year. Find MUJI at Level One, The Galeries at 500 George Street, Sydney CBD. Open from May 14.
Hendrick's, the Scottish gin distillers who would have you believe their product is harvested fresh from a Monty Python animation, are embarking on a 'horticultural quest' to make Australia their new veg patch. No longer content to raid Mr. McGregor's garden, the liquidologists and drinkticians at Hendrick's are teaming up with the University of Sydney to create the first truly Australian-grown species of cucumber. Despite the presence of a horticulture professor in their fellowship, Hendrick's are asking the public to head to Facebook and vote on soil ingredients that will produce the most distinctly Australian crop. Day One is a choice between kangaroo and emu poop. There's every reason to believe Day Ten will see Barnesy or Farnesy forced to stand waist-deep in fertiliser for six weeks. Planting begins on October 4 and the harvest will take place in mid-November, with a subsequent soiree for attendees to sample the cucumber from down under. To further celebrate the efforts of their botanical pioneers, Hendrick's are giving a Concrete Playgrounder and ten friends the chance to win a sumptuously provisioned cocktail masterclass valued at $3000. Enter below, and remember, you need to vote for your chosen ingredient on the Hendrick's Gin Facebook page to be eligible to win. [competition]589976[/competition]
Nothing says 'baller' quite like free-flowing bubbles, fluffy eggs topped with caviar and a cart of cocktails — particularly when it's all before midday. Thanks to Sydney's obsession with bottomless brunches and lunches, us mere mortals can live like Queen B and Jay Z, even if it's just for a couple of hours. Whether you're planning your weekend around it or treating yourself, here's the lowdown on Sydney's best bottomless brunches. Just remember to behave, or you won't make it to midday. Recommended reads: The Best Cafes in Sydney The Best Coffee Shops in Sydney's CBD The Best Breakfast Spots in Sydney's CBD The Best Bars in Sydney DEAD RINGER, SURRY HILLS Dead Ringer lets you go all-in with one and half hours of wine (bubbles, white, rose and red) for $45 per person. Intent on offering brunch with a difference, Dead Ringer has declared its menu free of Sydney's beloved eggs and smashed avo. Instead, it's focused heavily on lunch-style fare. The set brunch menu ($45) starts with cured salmon and a pulled pork tostada, then moves on to baked ricotta tarts and slow-roasted chicken with a creamy polenta as your main. If you'd rather pick your poison than go all out with mimosas or prosecco, you can also order the Dead Ringer bloody mary ($18), an espresso martini ($20) or breakfast juice with a touch of campari ($11) à la carte. What's the deal? $45 for food plus $45 per head for 1.5 hours of white, rose, red and sparkling wine. When? Saturday and Sunday, 11am–3pm. BARTOLO, SURRY HILLS Surry Hills' all-day Italian diner Bartolo is the latest to throw its prosecco on ice and launch a new bottomless brunch special. It's available every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12–5pm — and it includes everything from fluffy homemade focaccia to pasta and bottomless seasonal mimosas. For $85 per person, you'll get a full Italian feast. Start with a spritz on arrival and the likes of marinated Sicilian olives, gnocco fritto with anchovy butter and kingfish crostino— followed by the main course of ox heart tomato, malfadine with zucchini and chilli parmigiano reggiano, and a chive and garlic butter coated flathead. The menu may be slightly different depending on the day, but it'll be in a similar vein — cheesy, carby and perfectly paired with a mimosa or a glass of wine. It's easily one of the best bottomless brunches in Sydney. What's the deal? $85 for a spritz on arrival, food and 90 minutes of bottomless mimosas and wine. When? Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from midday. [caption id="attachment_671514" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Leticia Almeida[/caption] THE WINERY, SURRY HILLS If you're going to go anywhere for a bottomless brunch, The Winery in Surry Hills is a safe bet. Choose from peach, raspberry or lychee bottomless bellinis and the rest is done for you. Starting with olives, pita and chickpea dip to nibble on, the three-course menu ($79) has some standouts, including slow-braised beef cheek ragu, spiced chicken salad and a triple chocolate brownie. With limited capacity, the Crown Street venue fills up fast, so bookings are recommended — particularly on weekends. What's the deal? $85 for food and two hours of bellinis. When? Saturday at 11.30am, 2pm and 4.30pm, and Sundays at 11.30am and 2pm. THE ROYAL HOTEL, PADDINGTON The Royal Paddington has kept it classic when it comes to its brunch, pairing three courses of delicious breakfast fare with two hours of bottomless cocktails ($85), including mimosas, sparkling wine, bloody marys and 4 Pines pale ale. Covering off all your staples, you'll start with a peach, berry and mint salad, followed by the Summer Nourish Board, containing roasted sweet potato, grilled broccolini, zaatar crusted avocado, poached eggs and house-made falafels. Then, you'll end with a piece of rocky road slice. Bottomless watermelon seltzers ($10) can be added, as well as an extra hour of drinks ($30) if you're looking for a big weekend with one of the best bottomless brunches in Sydney. Showcasing sweeping city views from rooftop, the bottomless brunch is reminiscent of an inner city garden party, just a few floors up. What's the deal? $85 for three courses and two hours of bottomless cocktails. When? Saturday and Sunday, 11am–1pm. NOUR, SURRY HILLS The Crown Street palace of pastels and plants has a Sunday brunch offering with one of the best (and smokiest) bloody marys in the city, boundary-pushing Middle Eastern fare — and bottomless cocktails, of course. Two bottomless set menus are available (for $129 and $159), with optional bottomless premium cocktails add-ons available for both. Enjoy 90 minutes of endless rosé or beer while you feast on either the seven- or eight-course menu — including the likes of oysters, scallops, grilled octopus, beef short rib, roasted cauliflower and eggplant and a dessert ending for good measure. At this Sydney bottomless brunch destination, you get bottomless booze as well as a proper feast. What's the deal? $129 or $159 90 minutes of bottomless rosé or beer with either a seven- or eight-course set menu. When? Sunday, 10am–2.30pm. SONORA, POTTS POINT Potts Point newcomer Sonora, from the owners of Bondi's Mexican mainstays Taqiza and Carbon, has upped its weekend game and is serving up unlimited tacos and margaritas every Saturday and Sunday from 12–5pm. You can feast on endless plates of house-made tortillas topped with slow-cooked lamb, steak and avocado mousse, yucatan marinated chicken or roasted cauliflower. On top of the many many tacos, 90 minutes of bottomless booze is included as well. The endless drinks come in the form of classic margaritas, rosé and Tecate beer. And all of this will set you back just $89. It's a clear front-runner for the best bottomless brunch in Sydney. What's the deal? $89 for 90 minutes of bottomless tacos, margaritas, rosé and beer. When? Saturday and Sunday, 12–5pm. [caption id="attachment_741934" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] BABYLON, CBD Every Saturday and Sunday, head to this inner-city hideaway for unlimited mimosas and a selection of meze — all for just $68 per person. The rooftop Middle Eastern eatery is cooking up treats like woodfire shish tawook, kaddinbudu, tabbouleh and hummus. While the food is not bottomless, the drinks sure are — you'll be treated to 90 minutes of mimosas, poured to your heart's content. The deal is available from 11am–12:30pm every weekend — with no end in sight — and bookings can be made via the website. What's the deal? $68 for 90 minutes of bottomless mimosas and a selection of meze. When? Saturday and Sunday, 10.30am–12pm. Top image: Dead Ringer.
Australia's most sinister festival, Dark Mofo, is back for its seventh year — and it's set to be as boundary-pushing as ever. As always, the festival will take place in the lead up to the winter solstice, exploring connections between old and contemporary mythology through art installations, performance, talks and music — all taking place in the darkness of Tasmanian winter. Hosted by the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Dark Mofo will takeover most of Hobart between June 6–23, showcasing a melting pot of artists, creatives and thinkers who dwell in the shadows of mainstream culture. Just-announced musicians include FKA Twigs — who's also bringing her experimental dream pop to Vivid Sydney this year — New York-based composer Nicolás Jaar, American singer John Grant and multi-instrumentalist Roger Eno. Other highlights of the music program include an audiovisual 'soundbath' by Sigur Rós; an international metal program, featuring Brazil's Mystifier; and the return of Night Mass, a ritualistic series of multi-venue late-night parties featuring Sampa the Great, FAKA and Empress Of. These musicians and creatives join those announced in the first lineup drop last week, which included boundary-pushing speakers in the Dark + Dangerous Thoughts program, artists Ai Weiwei and Mike Parr, and singer and actor Sharon Van Etten. The festival's dark and quirky arts lineup has grown, too, with the addition of a latex-filled installation and performance by Japan's Saeborg and an immersive group exhibition — of ten international artists, including Canada's Cassils, USA's Paul McCarthy and India's Shilpa Gupta — inside the former Forestry Tasmania Building. The award-winning building — which once housed its own forest — is just one of many new venues to join this year's program. Come June, revellers will also be able to party inside the Old Hobart Blood Bank, the Avalon and Odeon theatres, the Old Davey St Congregational Church and aboard a floating natural wine bar, dubbed Natty Waves. Of course, all the festival favourites are set to make a triumphant return, too. You'll be able to drink and eat amongst inverted crosses and candles at the Winter Feast, try not to freeze during the very cold Nude Solstice Swim and absolve your sins at Night Mass. Images: Rémi Chauvin and Rosie Hastie.
What exactly does 'Australian life' look like, really? It's a pretty damn broad term, we know. If you were to capture a little glimpse of your own everyday Aussie existence, what would it look like? Each year, the City of Sydney holds their high profile Australian Life photography competition as part of Art and About. After a nationwide callout, 22 winning photos, all encapsulating the essence of Australian life, and taken by photographers at all skill levels, are presented in a free outdoor exhibition. Sometimes, the photos feature majestic Australian sunsets, bright outback-influenced colours or stunning beachscapes. Other times, the photos are of friends swinging off a Hills Hoist in the outback, or lying in the sun on a friend's deck. These photographs (all winners, or finalists in the competition) prove that you don't need to be a professional photographer to win the $10,000 prize. You could have a photo of your friends drinking tinnies by a campfire, or a majestic Bondi panorama you were going to post on Instagram. Think again — it could be the perfect image of Australian Life. [caption id="attachment_580209" align="alignnone" width="1280"] John Appleyard, Even When the Rain Falls (2015)[/caption] SIMPLE TECHNIQUES GO A LONG WAY Turn an everyday moment into a magic one by thinking about simple photography techniques, like framing and contrast. If you were at this football game, you may have just seen a team huddling in the rain. But John Appleyard, a 2015 finalist with Even When the Rain Falls, saw a team wearing dark colours, huddled in the foreground of an expansive, well-lit green field. The perfect backdrop for a stunning photograph. [caption id="attachment_580212" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Mark Callanan, Sundeckers (2013)[/caption] ANY OL' MOMENT CAN MAKE A NEXT-LEVEL PHOTO Mark Callanan's Sundeckers proves you don't need to be a professional to take a great shot. This shot could have come straight off someone's Instagram account, a quick shot of a group of friends taking in the first days of summer sunshine (probably after a cold winter). Learning to recognise everyday moments like this as they come, and being able to turn them into something more, will make for great photography. [caption id="attachment_580213" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Sally McInerney, Shark in Pool, Dover Heights (2012)[/caption] MAKE THEM THINK TWICE This stunning photograph by Sally McInerney, winner of the competition in 2012, plays with perspective in all the right ways. It matches the lines of a Photoshopped ocean up to the lines of a real-life Australian ocean — a detailed technique that makes you look twice, if only to figure out how the photographer achieved it. For an extra kick, she titled it Shark in Pool, Dover Heights, just to reel you in for another look. [caption id="attachment_580220" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Jenny Evans, Eleanor, Portrait of a Boxer (2013)[/caption] GET YOUR TIMING RIGHT This street mural was already beautiful. But when Jenny Evans captured it in her winning photograph Portrait of a Boxer, she made it even more mesmerising. If you're shooting outside, choose a time of day that will make your subject go further. Sunset is the perfect time to shoot landscapes, or colours like those in the indigenous flag. Overcast weather, or shade, is the perfect time to shoot people. [caption id="attachment_580208" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Georgina Pope, A Great Day for Drying (2014)[/caption] FIND INSPIRATION IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD A Great Day for Drying is the photograph Georgina Pope took when she won the Australian Life competition in 2014. She gathered a few props from around the house, and then took them out to her own backyard to be photographed with an instantly recognisable Australian icon — the Hills Hoist. No professional photography studio needed. Inspired? Art & About Sydney is inviting professional and amateur Australian photographers to submit images representing Australian life, showing the country beyond the icons. Capture any aspect of Australia, from everyday occurrences to the diversity of subcultures, from celebrations/rituals to natural/man-made environments. You could be one of the 22 finalists who'll be chosen and exhibited in Hyde Park from 15 September – 9 October 2016. The winner of Australian Life will receive $10,000. Enter here. Entries close at midnight on Friday, July 29.
After the announcement that Stereosonic will be going on a 'hiatus' for 2016 and other big music festivals — Future Music and Soundwave included — throwing in the towel due to poor ticket sales, it seemed that this big, bad world of the Australian festival scene was too brutal, too tough for anyone to even consider breaking into the market right now. Well, not exactly. Because while the big guys are struggling, boutique festivals seem to keep on thriving. And a new festival, Sandalphon, has even been announced for later this year. Sandalphon will commandeer 225 acres of private land in the Gold Coast hinterland for three days of music and general debauchery over the Queensland Queen's Birthday long weekend on October 1-3. The music acts are yet to be announced (although it's set to be a mix of indie bands, DJs and R&B artists), but it's all the other stuff that's got us pretty damn excited. There will be seven stages — one of which will be on a lake and can be viewed from the actual water while floating on inflatable pool toys (!!!) — a nightly outdoor cinema, daily yoga practice, round-the-clock bathroom attendants and free access to the things you don't think to take camping, like hair ties and straighteners. Other add-ons seem to take heed from other Australian festivals, like 'The Treehouse', a stage that will be hidden off the festival map in a secret location, a dress-up policy and a kissing booth. Looks like someone might have gone to Secret Garden. There'll be all the usual food vendors, of course, plus three sit-down restaurants, which are apparently five-star (whatever that means). Tickets start from $280 for a one-day pass, $290 for a two-day pass and $300 for a three-day pass. SO obviously it makes sense to go the whole hog and stick it out for three days. Tickets include camping and parking and can be bought here. According to Sandalphon's website, the lineup should be announced soon.
Global ride sharing service Uber have teamed up with the legends at Gelato Messina for a one day only office ice cream delivery service. This Friday July 24, heroic Uber drivers will be dispatched across Australia with ice cold scoops of fudgy, wafery, milk choc chippy goodness. As if you needed another reason to look forward to Friday. Here's how it all works: Step One – Starting at 11am, Uber users can log into the app and enter the promotional code 'IceCreamOz' along with their location. Step Two – There is no step two. Your tub of ice cream is already on its way. The #UberIceCream promotion is being run in Sydney, Parramatta, Wollongong, Byron Bay, Canberra, Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Townsville, Cairns, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth and Bunbury. Existing Uber users will be charged $15 for the transaction, while first time users get their ice cream free of charge. The company has also teased some less conventional delivery methods, including dog sleds and jet skis. This could be very interesting. Messina have even created a new flavour for the occasion, consisting of hazelnut gelato with white chocolate, hazelnut fudge, chocolate chips and cream filled wafers (unfortunately there's no backup option for people with egg or nut allergies.) Uber have actually offered ice cream delivery before, along with a number of other novelty promotions such as gourmet lunches and kittens (the kittens were not for eating, thankfully.) And while their legal status in Australia is still a little murky, as long as they keep pulling clever stunts like this – not to mention just being better than regular cabs in pretty much every way – we get the feeling that they won't be going anywhere.
Land of leafy streets, flowery parks and sparkling Harbour coves, the lower north shore could fool you into thinking that it's too quiet for any sort of nightlife. But among the greenery and gated manors, there are pubs and small bars aplenty. From Kirribilli to Cremorne, North Sydney to Neutral Bay, there's a drinking hole for whatever mood you're in, whether that's sampling fine wine and share plates in calm surrounds, or lingering over a Melbourne Bitter to a rock 'n' roll soundtrack. THE GREENS, NORTH SYDNEY The Greens isn't just a bar. It's also a lawn bowls hub and, depending on the day, a petting zoo, live music venue and outdoor yoga studio. Get as active as you like or kick back, do nothing and take in the Harbour views. On the drink side of things, you can settle in with a drink for one or grab one of the venue's share cocktails (which are designed for four people). The Watermelon Kegger (with vodka, watermelon and lychee juice) is always a hit, as is the Belvedere Spritz if you're looking for something bubbly SOCAL, NEUTRAL BAY You might not associate the lower north shore with California, but swing by SoCal and you may change your mind. SoCal is the brainchild of mates Ben Carroll and Hamish Watts, who travelled around the state together and fell for it hard. Upon returning, they decided to set up their own slice of Cali in Sydney. Settle into a burnt orange seat beneath colourful bunting, and order an cocktail smoked in-house, like the Hey Ron! with a smokey mezcal, Campari and sweet vermouth concoction. There are also a stack of Mexican-influenced snacks and feasts to match. FIREFLY, NEUTRAL BAY Firefly gets its name from Lucetta Sernia, an Italian rebel who dropped out of school as a teen to join a travelling cabaret. Years later, she swapped performing for running a small bar, which she never named to skip paying licensing fees. Locals came to call it 'La Lucetta/La Lucciola', meaning Little Light/The Firefly. Sydney's own Firefly is a sweet, laidback spot for sharing good bottles of wine and plates of sous vide hanger steak, wagyu cheeseburger sliders and Moroccan spiced chicken breast. THE BOTANIST, KIRRIBILLI The Botanist is a paean to Gerard Fothergill, the explorer and, well, botanist who studied plants and spices and their medicinal qualities. Born in England, he journeyed through India, Africa and the Middle East before spending his final years in Kirribilli. Herbs, spices and adventure are all part of The Botanist experience. Take the signature cocktail menu, for example, Purple Haze which features blueberry-infused Maker's Mark, peach liqueur and orange bitters, and the Birds of Paradise with spiced rum, Campari, mango and absinthe mist. THE OAKS, NEUTRAL BAY The Oaks has kept lower north shore drinkers fed, hydrated and merry since 1885. This Neutral Bay institution gives you a choice of five drinking dens. Nineteenthirtysix is a throwback to the 1940s with its zinc bar and leather couches, while the indoor-outdoor Garden Pavilion is all light, air and rambling vines. For pool, cards and chairs covered in blue flamingoes, check out the Cue and Cushion, and for drinks beneath their namesake oak tree wrapped in fairy lights, look to The Garden Bar. If you're hanging out in a group, get stuck into The Oaks' carafes, one being the Fijian Punch with spiced rum, lychees, mint, orange, lime and ginger. STUFFED BEAVER, CROWS NEST Complete with poutine fries, burgers, chicken wings and bric-a-brac, the second iteration of Bondi's much-loved Stuffed Beaver has opened in Crows Nest. Plus, there are new arcade games. We're talking stuff-of-gamer's-dreams machines that let you play every game created during the halcyon days of the 80s and 90s — from Double Dragon and Street Fighter to Golden Axe. Or grab a Philter brew fro Marrickville and settle in front of the enormous 120-inch screen, which will be screening a steady stream of local and international sport. On the menu you'll find the venue's much-lusted-after chicken wings, poutine fries, hot dogs, nachos and burgers — from the classic cheeseburger and the Beaver Fried Chicken Burger to the Make 'Americana' Great Again. Vegetarians are looked after, too, with a range of salads and a mushroom burger. THE CHEESE AND WINE CO, NEUTRAL BAY This aptly named cheese and wine bar sits on Grosvenor Lane, just around the corner from the institution that is The Oaks. The 50-strong wine list rotates every three months and spans from easy-to-drink vino to wines geared for a more complex palate, so both novice oenophiles and budding sommelier types can feel at home here. If you find a wine you really like, you'll eventually be able to take it home with you — all of the wines will make their way onto the online shop once they're rotated off the bar list. On the cheese side of things, the bar has 13 different types to choose from at the moment, with specialties like deep fried camembert and baked brie also making the menu. And like the wine, this list will change regularly as well. Cheese boards are served as share platters alongside charcuterie, salumi and other antipasti, so eating with your hands is encouraged. THE HAYBERRY, CROWS NEST If you like your bevs with a dose of good ol' blues, rock 'n' roll and photos of Ned Kelly, then get 'em at The Hayberry. The drinks list starts with the classics like XXXX Gold and Melbourne Bitter, swings by a bunch of bottled crafties from all over Australia and the US, and finishes up with some traditional cocktails. On tap, you'll find more craft beers, rotated seasonally and served by the pint. And make sure to match your drink choice with some beer-friendly fare, be it popcorn chicken or a Big Stack burger with waffle fries. And if you're there Thursday, don't miss the $1 wings. [caption id="attachment_666653" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Zoe May[/caption] THE FOXTROT, CROWS NEST Walking into The Foxtrot feels a bit like dropping by someone's lounge room — were that someone a bit obsessed with all things Gothic (and whiskey). Think dim lighting, cosy couches and an AstroTurf courtyard. DJs add to the atmosphere on Friday and Saturday nights, too. The drinks list specialises in refreshing seasonal concoctions, with autumn's list including the Disco Punch — with pisco, pineapple syrup and candied pineapple — and the Bison Grass Cooler with vodka, apple and lemongrass. Come Tuesday and Wednesday for $10 pizzas or Thursday for a $10 Jameson and apple juice. TONIC LANE, NEUTRAL BAY Since June 2016, Tonic Lane has been upping the spirits game on the lower north shore. By day, the venue is a cafe, but come 4pm, a bell rings and the mighty gin and tonic takes over, turning the venue into a full fledged 'ginoteria'. Holding one of Sydney's largest collection of Australian gins under one roof, the bar has over 100 Aussie gins in its arsenal, including locals such as Archie Rose, Poor Toms and Young Henrys Noble Cut, and from further afield, Four Pillars (Victoria) and Hobart No 4 (Tassie). On the cocktail list you'll find gin-based originals including the Papa Smurf — made with gin, mandarin liqueur, mint and lemon — or you can build-your-own custom cocktail. Top image: The Oaks
Those final-round, half-popped remnants of the once-brimming popcorn bag have a solid fan base it seems, with two companies (two!) now selling bags of almost-there popcorn. Washington-based company HalfPops and Minnesota-based company Pop'd Kerns have decided that fully-popped kernels are wildly overrated, now selling half-popped corn as an actual snack. Their premature little bag buddies make for quite the potentially teeth-breaking snack, selling 170-gram bags at over 2000 locations America-wide and online (not for international delivery yet, so we'll have to live with the few skerricks in our popcorn bags for now). How the companies purposely half-pop the corn isn't made entirely clear on either of their websites, so we're willing to conjure up an image of the team hiding behind unsuspecting popcorn eaters and stealing their bags when they're almost done. Hiiiiiissssss, the sweet, sweet half-popped gold! The partially-popped friends made a strong appearance at New York City's Summer Fancy Food Show, the city's first ever specialty food week. Taking over NYC's Javits Centre from June 28 to 30, the inaugural SFFS15 nabbed the title of largest specialty food trade event in North America; a leading showcase of food industry innovation. For three days, American foodies found themselves surrounded by the newest and weirdest edible developments in the game. Half-popped corn wasn't the only thing turning heads at SFFS15. Probably the most grown-up type of ice cream in the freezer, wine ice cream is the work of an upstate New York dairy called Mercer's. Don't think this is simply wine-flavoured, these creamy, creamy confections have up to five percent alcohol. Other 'fancy foods' making waves at the specialty food week included the controversial maple water, tomato butter and the retch-inducing camel milk. Like, milked from a camel. Yeesh. Via The Kitchn.
UPDATE: JUNE, 2020 — Employees Only has reopened and is offering a new format on Friday and Saturday nights: dinner and cabaret, followed by DJ performances. Its a la carte winter menu will be available, featuring dishes such as its signature steak tartare, prawn and crab linguine and barbecued spatchcock. Bookings are essential and can be made via the website, with two-hour sittings available. The Sydney CBD has added a highly lauded New York City import into its ranks with Employees Only opening on Barrack Street. The US venue was an architect of the modern speakeasy movement in New York and now it hopes to make a similar impact on Sydney, bringing its late-night vibes and world-class cocktails Down Under. Follow the neon psychic sign through the curtain and into its heritage-listed basement haunt. Once through the curtains, you'll see the bar offering both signature EO drinks and Sydney-exclusive drops. Classics include the Amelia (Wyborowa vodka and elderflower liqueur shaken with fresh lemon and puréed blackberries) and the Ginger Smash (rum and Barbadian sweet syrup Falernum shaken with muddled ginger and ripe mango, then topped with maraschino cherries and fresh lime). Brand new drinks created by the Sydney team include The Down Payment, a complex combination of Barsol Pisco, Italian herbal liqueur and French bitters shaken with avocado, fresh lime and aquafaba (a replacement for egg white). This level of creativity is no surprise, considering the bar is lead by 12-year EO alumni Robert Krueger and award-winning head bartender Dula Lorenzohewa. Alongside the drinks is an all-night bar menu that is available until 2.30am. Think Berkshire pork cottaletta (Italian schnitzel) with Tuscan cabbage slaw, and a monterey jack cheeseburger with pancetta, jalapeño, bois boudran sauce and relish. On the high-end, there's a decadent, three-option caviar service, all served with chive crème fraîche, grated egg and buckwheat blinis. In the kitchen are French head chefs Aurelien Girault and Leo Garnier, who have created a bistro menu reminiscent of New York but using native Australian ingredients and locally sourced seafood. The full dinner menu is served from 5–11pm and includes heartier dishes like charred calamari risotto, whole fish for two and chargrilled ribeye with red wine, watercress and horseradish. Signature NYC EO menu items are also on offer, including hand-cut filet mignon tartare, bone marrow poppers in a pastry shell and house-made cavatelli with pork sausage, rocket and parmesan. As part of the brand's tradition, special staff meals will be on offer for patrons each day at a discounted price — meaning you eat what the staff eats. Think cacio e pepe with grilled sardines, or gnocchi with gorgonzola. Another brand tradition is the chicken soup meal, which comes from a 15-year-old family recipe and will be a complimentary offering at 3am each night as the bar closes up. Designed by Tim Leveson (The Sandwich Shop, Pane e Cipolla), the space takes notes from the New York original while embracing the Sydney heritage location — including the antique main doors, industrial chandelier and large-scale, hand-painted wall murals. The curved brass-topped bar is the hero of the space and you can expect some serious mood lighting, too. Dark timber with brass finishes and green velvet banquette seating is found in the dining room, with a private room also on offer. Plus brass-embellished, vintage lockers allow customers to keep their belongings safe and come complete with interior charging stations. Appears in: Sydney's Best Underground Bars for 2023
In the most unlikely of suburban streets, S'more, hidden way up in Sydney's north shore, is a fun and laidback steakhouse with serious food and imagination to spare. The interior is kept to the bare minimum, with a few white curtains to give it that breezy suburban feel, while a large blackboard sets the tone for the evening with chef's specials galore. You may find the metal chairs a little stiff, but don't worry, as the smooth jazz soundtrack and easy Motown will have you mellowed out in no time. You don't have to dress up to come here, but you do have to book ahead, and when you book, be prepared to pay as there is a minimum for each diner. Opened by "Big" Sam Young and his partner Grace Chen, they bring years of experience from Sydney institutions such as Mr Wong. Totti's and Queen Chow. They're offering begins with a Siberian caviar menu, which can be paired with a bottle of 2015 Dom Perignon for a hefty fee. Alternatively, you can begin the night with some rock oysters with fermented hot sauce and grilled scallop 'cafe de smore' butter. Be sure to order some shallot bread with miso butter to soak up the salted egg yolk with potato cake. Small plates at S'more include soy honey butter sweet corn with sansho pepper and sweet and sour pork rib with aged vinegar caramel. Vinegar and caramel may be an unlikely pairing, but that's what these guys do best, pairing classics with fresh flavours, it brings a touch of sophistication to the otherwise casual vibe. The hibachi grill is the star attraction here, however, and the 550g O'Connor dry-aged bone-in sirloin is an absolute winner. There is also a 900g MB9 wagyu bone-in ribeye and a 1kg Jack's Creek t-bone to keep you honest. If steak isn't your thing, you're well looked after with romaine lettuce, yuzu ranch and shiso, a specialty lobster pasta and 150g Glacier51 toothfish with black bean and shimeji. S'more's wine list is impressive with plenty of juicy whites and an impressive selection of bubbles including a 1964 Dom Perignon which will set you back quite a lot. The reds have a strong Australian lean with some Barossa classics like 1999 Rockford Basket Press shiraz on offer as well as a magnum of 1986 Penfolds Grange. By the glass, there are plenty on offer across all grapes. The spirit list is impressive, with all kinds of whisky, gin, tequila and everything else inbetween. Images: Jiwon Kim Appears in: Where to Find the Best Steaks in Sydney
The soaring cost of living in Sydney is one of those recurrent news stories that dominate our news feeds every so often. This is not shocking for anyone who has ever forked out upwards of $25 for a cocktail. According to The Economist's Worldwide Cost of Living 2014 report, Sydney ranks as the fifth most expensive city – sitting not far behind our pricey friends in Singapore, Paris, Oslo and Zurich. We've all felt the strain on our wallets as we've handed over $5 for a bus ticket, or walked out of the supermarket having spent a small fortune on three measly items. To ease the pain just that little bit, we've devised the best ways to enjoy this beautiful city of ours without paying a single cent. Whether live music, trivia or a good old-fashioned stroll is your jam, it's actually not that hard to experience the city for the low, low price of free. Let your inner cheapskate shine with our week-long guide to the best free events in Sydney. TRIVIA AT THE LITTLE GUY Recount all that useless knowledge that you've accumulated over the years, compete against other people to see who has amassed more random tidbits for the chance to win money (in the form of alcohol) at The Little Guy's trivia night. Also, free popcorn. Trivia starts at 7pm every Monday night at the Little Guy in Glebe. MUSIC AND GAMES NIGHT AT 505 JAZZ CLUB Every Monday night, jazz venue 505 will be offering up jazz with a side of board games. Play against actual human beings in a social setting, instead of being beaten by your smart phone. Jazz Jam Session and Games happen every Monday night at the 505 in Surry Hills, doors open at 6pm. THE MONDAY JAM AT GINGER'S The genre will change every week, but the price tag will not. Free music sessions run every week at Ginger's in Darlinghurst. Starts at 9pm every Monday at Gingers in Darlinghurst (upstairs at the Oxford Hotel). MOVIE NIGHTS AT THE SODA FACTORY Mondays will see The Soda Factory transformed into a funky movie theatre (sans the smell of stale popcorn) with great drinks and even better vibes. Doors open at 5pm every Monday at The Soda Factory, Surry Hills. SONGWRITER'S NIGHT AT THE VIC Home to all things Aussie music, The Vic is handing over the mic every Tuesday. Come and show off your musical talent, or enjoy someone else's. Music starts at 8pm every Tuesday night at The Vic, Enmore. OLD SCHOOL FUNK & GROOVE NIGHT AT 505 Tuesdays at this beloved music mecca are all about old school jazz. Soak up some live funk as the groove bands take over the stage, with free entry every week. Old School Funk & Groove Night runs every Tuesday at the 505 in Surry Hills, doors open at 6pm. SYDNEY IDEAS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY Tuesday is just one of the days you can listen to experts in their field debate some really interesting and controversial ideas, as The University of Sydney rolls out a bunch of free talks throughout the year. Talk dates vary, the timetable is available on the Sydney Ideas website. Talks are held on campus at the University of Sydney every week during semester. LIVE BLUES AND JAZZ NIGHT AT THE COMMONS Every week this cosy bar brings live Delta Blues, East Coast Jazz and Chicago Blues to Darlinghurst. Live blues and jazz night is held every Wednesday and Thursday at 8:30pm at The Commons, Darlinghurst. TRIVIA AT THE KIRRIBILLI HOTEL Did you know that Tasmania is bigger than Sri Lanka? Did you know that gin originated in the Netherlands? The Kirribilli Hotel is all about these head scratchers every Wednesday night, with cash jackpots and confectionery to be won each week. Trivia starts at 7pm every Wednesday night at the Kirribilli Hotel, Milsons Point. ART AFTER HOURS AT THE ART GALLERY OF NEW SOUTH WALES Standing around in sterile art galleries for school excursions is a distant memory, with the Art Gallery of NSW opening its doors for free talks, music and film screenings every Wednesday night. Art After Hours will run until 10pm every Wednesday night at the Art Gallery of NSW. MCA AND LULULEMON SPRING YOGA SERIES Why go to the gym when you can hit up the MCA, who'll be hosting free evening Vinyasa yoga sessions under the sky from October 15 – January 28. The sessions are held on the museum's rooftop Sculpture Terrace, providing panoramic views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge while you're finding your centre. The spring yoga series is on at 5.30pm Thursdays. Bookings are essential via the MCA website. COMEDY NIGHT AT THE CROWS NEST HOTEL The first Thursday of every month is chuckle city at The Crowie. Let some local and international comedians win you over with some awkward anecdotes and only slightly inappropriate rants. Comedy night starts at 8pm and is held on the first Thursday of every month at the Crows Nest Hotel. FREE BOWLING AT THE STANDARD BOWL The classic gig venue has been transformed into The Standard Bowl, complete with 4 bowling alleys, a pinball machine and a bar – it's a winning combination. The Standard Bowl is open every Wednesday and Thursday night 9pm – 2am and 6pm – 3am on Friday and Saturday nights. SPOTLIGHT TALKS AT THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART Like art? Like listening to passionate people talk about their favourite artworks? Then Spotlights Talks at the MCA is definitely going to be your thing. The permanent exhibition is free everyday. Spotlight Talks usually take place everyday at 3pm-3.10pm, but check the website as dates and times can vary. The MCA is open every day from 10am – 5pm and 10am – 9pm on Thursdays. CHINATOWN NIGHT MARKET Every Friday from 4pm, China Town comes alive. More than 65 stalls line Dixon Street, selling everything from clothes to handmade jewellery, and of course lots of tasty food. The Chinatown Night Markets run from 4pm to 11pm every Friday. SALSA DANCING AT THE CUBAN PLACE What better way to celebrate the end of the work week than by throwing on your dancing shoes. Once the Cuban Place live house band Lorenzo y su Swing pick up their instruments, the stress of the daily grind will be long forgotten. The music stars at The Cuban Place at 8pm Fridays, with free entry all night long. GLEBE MARKETS Get into those weekend market vibes, as the grounds of Glebe Public School are filled with aisles and aisles of antiques, artworks and second hand clothes. Glebe is just one of many great markets in Sydney – for more check out our guide to the best markets in Sydney. Glebe Markets run every Saturday, 10am-4pm. YOGA SESSIONS AT LENTIL AS ANYTHING Transferring the "pay as you feel" mantra to yoga, Lentil as Anything are holding yoga sessions at the Newtown location every Saturday of the month. Yoga classes run from 8:30am-10am every week at Lentil as Anything in Newtown. EVELEIGH FARMERS MARKETS If you can't get enough of market stalls, food testers and friendly banter, head over to the Eveleigh Farmers Markets for some fresh food and even fresher personalities. Eveleigh Farmers Markets kick off every Saturday morning from 8am to 1pm. MANLY TO SPIT BRIDGE WALK Pre-empt that inevitable hangover by getting off your keister and enjoying some fresh air and incredible views. The track runs for 10kms and will take you about three or four hours to complete depending on how many time you get lost looking out across the scenery. The trail for the Manly to Spit Bridge Coastal Walk is well signposted, but if you want to plan your walk check out the Destination NSW guide. COOGEE TO BONDI WALK Lets be realistic here - it wouldn't be a Sydney list without a mention of the Coogee to Bondi Walk. These six kilometres of spectacular coastline are the first place you take out-of-towners, and for good reason. Fortunately walking is both free and good for you! Double win. For a guide to the walk there is a dedicated Bondi to Coogee Walk website. TERRACE COMEDY AT WORLD BAR Laughing has been proven to lower blood pressure and increase energy levels. So do your body some good by heading to Terrace Comedy at World Bar, which will run for free every Sunday evening. Terrace Comedy at World Bar in Kings Cross runs every Sunday night from 6pm. Entry is free, but it's a good idea to book a table by emailing comedy@theworldbar.com.
In late 2018, an Italian restaurant with olive trees, woodfired breads and next-level pasta opened inside Bondi pub The Royal. Called Totti's, it was an instant hit in the eastern suburbs. And now, it's also in the city. You'll find Bar Totti's inside Merivale's CBD Ivy Precinct. Like its beachside sister, it has woodfired bread alongside an extended menu of antipasto plates and snacks — spanning twenty different plates, with sardines, scallop crudo, burrata, anchovies, 'nduja, octopus and baked tomino cheese all on the list — but, unlike its sibling, it's also promising high-energy party vibes. And it's serving up food and drinks till 2am three nights a week. A horseshoe-shaped bar sits at the centre of Bar Totti's space, where the focus is on favourite Italian drops, including spritzes, digestifs and minimal-intervention wines. Sit at high top tables and listen to DJs from Wednesday–Sunday nights — or grab a seat next to the large windows overlooking George Street. [caption id="attachment_757515" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] Top images: Nikki To Appears in: The Best Italian Restaurants in Sydney for 2023
It's been written about, blogged about, hyped by almost every foodie and has queues out the door every single day — so is Bourke Street Bakery actually all that good? Um yes. Yes it is. One bite of their buttery and crisp ginger brulee tart and you'll be working out how you can schedule in a visit here every day of the week. The loaves of bread for sale are excellent — all the sourdoughs are solid and last for about a week, but the fig and cranberry is our favourite served toasted with butter or with ham and brie for an incredible sandwich. The beef brisket pie and lamb and harissa sausage rolls are so good you won't even need a squeezy packet of tomato sauce. Grab a dark chocolate and sour cherry cookie for later — you won't regret it. Appears in: The Best Bakeries in Sydney for 2023
Surry Hills' latest wine bar may be small in size and servings – with 20-or-so seats, a snacky menu of delicate share plates and a carefully curated wine list — but Bar Copains is big on many things. Think flavour, heart and coolness (in a way that isn't intimidating). 'Copains' means 'friends' in French, and fittingly so. It was born from a friendship between chefs Morgan McGlone and Nathan Sasi – and now it continues to thrive as a neighbourhood joint where friendships bloom over a glass of natural wine and some seriously delicious snacks. For some of us (with more generous spirits) the influx of share-plate menus has been welcomed with open arms. At Bar Copains you can try a Pigs Head Fritti with a zippy gribiche (kind of like a combination of tartar and egg salad) then move on to some stracciatella with truffle honey, perfectly balanced on a crunchy rye cracker. Then, why not a bite of salty anchovy and olive on a bed of puff pastry? Finish it off with a rich lamb ragu pappardelle followed by some fresh sweet peaches with meringue and cream. The menu changes regularly but one thing is constant, sharing is caring. And here you will want to, and can try it all. The venue sits on an unassuming corner on Albion street, offering an elevated yet laid-back neighbourhood charm. You can sit out on the leafy street or head inside where the walls are proudly lined with McGlone and Sasi's wine collection. The decor is paired back but with an intimate and cosy vibe that steers clear of any stuffy pretentiousness. It's a place to bring a special date or reunite with an old friend, but it's not the best spot for a big group — intimacy is key here. So yes, Sydney's Bar Copains may be small, but that is exactly how we like it.
Set within luxurious surrounds, BLACK Bar & Grill is the Star's steak in shining armour. A favourite amongst the casino's high-rolling gamblers, BLACK is a beef fiend's haven. BLACK's interior might present itself in blatant contrast to Sydney's favour of casual dining, but for that we hail it as an indulgence. Bunk down in one of the wood and copper-panelled booths, at the sultry bar or book ahead to secure a private room. And to go with the decadent decor? Celebrity chefs and inspiring food. Start with some freshly shucked oysters to awaken the buds; they come with a cucumber vinaigrette and sesame dressing. BLACK Bar & Grill's crudo of silver trevally, persimmon and burnt mandarin is another quality choice if after something light to whet one's appetite. And if we're honest, we're here for the beef. The 300g scotch fillet, grain-fed angus has a marble rating of 5+ and is suited to those after a hefty slab of meat. Add a side of burnt BBQ tomato sauce, mashed potato with chives, and some butternut pumpkin with sesame, lentil, and mint. Most likely, you'll be adjusting your notches. For something a little more refined, the flat iron, ration-fed wagyu with a +9 marble rating can only be described as a tender god. A porcini mushroom and veal sauce is a better fit for the wagyu. And for those who are game, there's always dessert. The cream cheesecake with mugwort ice cream, lavender crystal and perilla is a fun and rich indulgence, while the seasonal fruit sorbet is a tad lighter. BLACK Bar & Grill is expensive, yes, and not for everyone. But if you're around the casino traps and so happen to get lucky, you should call it all or nothing. For indulgence at its best, BLACK's the winning bet. [caption id="attachment_759153" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Blackbird Bar and Grill[/caption] Top image: Anna Kucera Appears in: Where to Find the Best Steak in Sydney
Already made Vivid plans? This could be a late addition to your itinerary. James Squire has just opened Squire's Landing, a two-storey mega venue at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay. From wherever you sit, the views of the Opera House and Bridge are truly splendiferous. Moreover, the space — which is restaurant, bar and microbrewery — is right next to Campbells Cove, where real-life convict-turned-Australia's first brewer James Squire arrived on the First Fleet nearly 230 years ago. All nine beers in James Squire's core range — from the 150 Lashes Pale Ale you see on taps everywhere to the Jack of Spades Porter — is available on-tap. Plus, there's an ever-changing selection of limited-edition releases, concocted by head brewer Peter Merrington both at the brand's brewery and Camperdown Malt Shovel Brewery and the new one glass-walled one on-site. The most interesting brew on the list right now is The Wreck Preservation Ale, which is made with 220-year-old yeast. It was discovered – still alive – by conservator David Thurrowgood of the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in bottles recovered from The Sydney Cove, a merchant ship that wrecked at Preservation Island, just off Tassie's northeast coast, in 1797. Taking care of the kitchen is head chef Chris Evanges, who works closely with Deniz Coskun, executive chef at Mantle Group, which owns the venue. Downstairs serves a casual menu, loaded with pub classics, including burgers and upstairs. For a fancier meal, book a table upstairs, where you'll be lingering over beautifully composed dishes, driven by premium produce. Think wood-fired octopus with roasted peppers, olive, nduja, lemon and pangritata (fine, crispy croutons made of sourdough and herbs, toasted in olive oil) or coffee-cured and smoked duck breast from the Hunter Valley with confit leg beignet, celeriac remoulade, pickles, salt-baked beetroot and jus. Squire's Landing is the seventh James Squire Brewhouse in Australia. The rest are dotted across Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Newcastle and Brisbane. If you're doing the Vivid light walk, keep walking — it's at the northern end of the Overseas Passenger Terminal. If you can grab a seat, settle in for the night and gaze out over the harbour. Squire's Landing is now open at Circular Quay Way, The Rocks It's open Sunday to Thursday from 10am till midnight and Friday and Saturday from 10am till 1am. For more info, visit the website.
When in Glebe, don't miss the chance to dine at Ramen Goku. This fan-favourite ramen shop turns out super impressive noodle soups. For the broth, you have the choice of soy, miso, shio or pork tonkotsu. On top of your usual chasu, black garlic and pork ramens, there are specialties like the Gyokai Tonkotsu miso, served in a tonkatsu soy base with seafood flavour and roasted pork, and the yokohama tonkotsu of roasted pork, bamboo shoots and ajitsuke tamago (marinated boiled egg). Fans of chilled ramen should try the tsuke men, which is a cold noodle dish served with a side of seafood tonkotsu dipping sauce. Other options include a roast beef don with thinly sliced beef, home made sauce, shallots and sesame on rice; a goku curry with Japanese curry sauce and red pickled radish on rice; a roast beef salad with thinly sliced beef, avocado and a homemade dressing; and sides including deep-fried octopus, vegetable gyozas, teriyaki chicken and chicken katsu. Best of all, Ramen Goku lets you BYO wine. Images: Trent van der Jagt
Chef Matt Stone wants to you to make a bar out of your own backyard. Really. Melbourne's young gun head chef of Victoria's Oakridge winery, Stone made his industry name as head chef of Joost Bakker's Greenhouse, Silo and Brothl, then as the culinary brains behind IconPark's Sydney pop-up Stanley Street Merchants and a MasterChef regular. At his core, Stone's a stickler for ethical and sustainable cooking, so he's just released his first cookbook The Natural Cook to help fuel some of that philosophy in everyday Aussie kitchens. The (extremely well photographed) cookbook's brimming with recipes meant to make you rethink food, bring you back to basics, try traditional techniques, adopt new sustainable cooking habits and make the best of the bounty of native ingredients Australia's got going on (one of the most sustainable ways Australians can cook). Of course, the book champions Stone's infamous 'zero-waste' philosophy, whether you're making yoghurt, pickling things or making a Bloody Mary. We've taken a couple of recipes out of of Stone's book, to show you how easy it is to incorporate native Australian ingredients into your everyday — well, into your cocktails in particular. Here's a little humdinger of a recipe for a Bloody Mary using native Australian spices — a truly homegrown breakfast of champions. Once you've crafted this gem, try making Stone's ant-rimmed Aussie South Side too (recipe over here). NATIVE SPICED BLOODY MARY "For a fresh kick, you can also add finely chopped veggies such as tomato, cucumber, celery and chilli. Hangover be gone!" INGREDIENTS Serves one ice 3 dried bush tomatoes 60 ml (2 fl oz/¼ cup) vodka 15 ml (½ fl oz) lemon juice 6 dashes of Worcestershire sauce 5 dashes of Tabasco sauce (or other hot sauce) 2 large pinches of ground pepperberry, plus extra to garnish 2 large pinches of Australian Seven Spice (recipe below) (see page 211), plus extra to garnish 1 pinch of pink salt, plus extra to garnish 125 ml (4 fl oz/½ cup) tomato juice celery stalk or cucumber slice, to garnish Fill a serving glass with ice and let it stand. Muddle the bush tomatoes, and any other vegetables you feel like, in your cocktail shaker. Add all the other ingredients except the garnishes to the shaker and fill with ice. Slowly 'roll' your shaker end over end to mix and chill the ingredients without frothing things. Taste-test with a straw and add additional Tabasco if you'd like it spicier. Discard the ice from the serving glass and replace with fresh ice. Single-strain the liquid into the serving glass. Add the celery stalk or cucumber slice and finish with a pinch of salt, pepperberry and Australian seven spice. Note: Online bush food specialists offer a variety of Aussie fruits, herbs and spices, including bush tomatoes and pepperberries. HOW TO MAKE MATT STONE'S AUSTRALIAN SEVEN SPICE This is my version of Chinese five spice and it's perfect on barbecued meats, vegetables and fried bugs. If you don't feel like eating bugs with your beer then perhaps try it rubbed into barbecued chicken wings or slow-cooked beef ribs. The individual spices can vary due to season, availability and personal taste, so think of this as a rough guide. Use double the amount of mountain pepper if you like your spice mixes hot. 1 tablespoon ground bush tomato 1 tablespoon ground lemon myrtle 1 tablespoon ground wattleseed 1 tablespoon ground pepper leaf 1½ tablespoons ground mountain pepperberries 2 teaspoons ground aniseed myrtle 1 tablespoon ground mangrove myrtle Note: While most of the Australian ingredients used in this book can be substituted with something non-native, this is the one recipe I urge you to stick to (otherwise it will become 'mostly Australian seven spice'). Mix all ingredients. Store in an airtight container or jar. Recipe and image from The Natural Cook by Matt Stone (Murdoch Books). Photography by Mark Roper RRP $39.99 available now in all good bookstores and online.
Whenever Vivid takes over Sydney to kick off winter, the city instantly gets brighter. Unleashing a huge festival of lights and vibrant installations, live music, food and talks will do that, of course. Mark Friday, May 26–Saturday, June 17 in your calendars for 2023, with the annual festival returning with a typically massive program. One headlining event is an appearance from Mike White, creator and writer of HBO's The White Lotus alongside the hit show's star and entertainment icon Jennifer Coolidge. The duo is coming to the Harbour City's Aware Super Theatre at the ICC Sydney for an exclusive in-conversation session moderated by Benjamin Law as a part of Vivid Ideas. Lights-wise, more than 50 installations will be bringing bursts of colour to the Harbour City, with public installations, 3D projections and ticketed events all part of the lineup. The Vivid Light Walk is back with free public works inspired by nature popping up from over 100 light collaborators and 26 international light artists from 13 countries. First Light will also return, celebrating Australia's original custodians and opening the festival with a performance from Yolngu supergroup Yothu Yindi. Other notable installations include Written in the Stars, which will see over 1000 drones light up the night sky and a huge Tumbalong Park activation called Dance Together, which will have you shaking your hips underneath three giant floating rings suspended above your head. Plus, the previously announced Lightscape will also be a part of the program. The after-dark light festival will be taking over the Royal Botanic Garden from 5.30pm each night. 2023 marks the first time the festival has introduced Vivid Food, a dedicated lineup of culinary events, to the program. The next-level eats are headlined by a two-week residency from New York chef Daniel Humm f the three Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park at Matt Moran's Aria. There will also be a range of collaborations as part of the Vivid Chef Series, a dedicated barbecue pop-up featuring Firedoor's Lennox Hastie, Chefs on the Harbour, a view-heavy overwater dinner on the luxury superyacht The Jackson with Nel's Nelly Robinson, plus popular chefs Khanh Ong and Mark Olive, and Mary's Group's one-day HERE NOW food, wine and music festival. Music is always a huge component of the festival, and this year's lineup does not disappoint. The Sydney Opera House has rolled out a predictably showstopping and diverse mix of artists, starting with Devonté Hynes (also known as Blood Orange) performing selected classical works with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. The bill also features José González celebrating the 20th anniversary of his album Veneer, Cat Power recreating and reinterpreting a 1966 performance by Bob Dylan, and appearances from the likes of Thundercat, Yaeji, Ella Mai, Weyes Blood, Hiatus Kaiyote, Ethel Cain, Sleaford Mods, Squarepusher, Iceage, Kimbra and Budjerah. Outside of the Sydney Opera House, Vivid's music lineup will include A Bend in the River: A Celebration of the Life & Music of Archie Roach at the Sydney Town hall with Paul Kelly, Emma Donovan, Dan Sultan, Kutcha Edwards and Becca Hatch among the friends, collaborators and contemporaries that will perform during the tribute. Tumbalong Park will again host 12 nights of free live music featuring Yothu Yindi, Hatchie, Kaiit, A.Girl, Ziggy Ramo, Cornelius and a celebration of 15 years of triple j's Unearthed High competition. And, Carriageworks has curated a genre-spanning lineup with the like soft Desire Marea, Flying Lotus, Molchat Doma, Liv.e, Floodlights and Soft Centre. [caption id="attachment_892843" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption]
Summer is gone and the CBD might seem as though it's in a season-long shadow — but there's at least one place where the holiday vibes are in full swing. After a three-month hiatus, the old Verandah Bar on Elizabeth Street — which sold for over $9 million last year — has relaunched with a shiny new look. If you've ever worked in the CBD, chances are you've dropped into Verandah Bar for knock-off drinks at least once. But after 17 years of operation, new owners Simon Tilley and Nick Wills felt like it needed a spruce. They've transformed the space into a urban garden oasis, complete with tropical prints and about a greenhouse's worth of lush foliage. Rest assured that Verandah's sprawling balcony remains the same. What has changed is the layout. The venue is separated into a new restaurant — Social at Verandah, which opened a few weeks ago — and the main bar. The former features a vacation-inspired mix of warm tones, dark timber and rattan, and a bold mural by artist Chris Nixon, while the latter is more casual with curved banquettes and plants hanging from the roof. Both the restaurant and bar menu revolve around ethically sourced native Australian produce. It's approachable, yet smart, featuring a Cape Grim beef burger alongside dishes like a yabby tail and roast pumpkin tortellini, kangaroo tartare topped with quail egg yolk, and a whole suckling pig that's carved at the table. That's backed by a global-reaching wine list, extensive selections of gin and whisky, and a crop of signature cocktails. Verandah Bar is now open at 55–65 Elizabeth Street, Sydney. For more info, visit verandah.com.au. Images: Alana Dimou.
The humble icy poles is the star of childhood memories the world over, reminiscent of tuck shop visits, beachside jaunts, and those sticky days of summers past. Even when we're trying our hardest to adult, getting stuck into an icy treat is still up there with our favourite summer pastimes. And while Paddle Pops and Splices will always hold a place in our hearts and freezers, these days, you're just as likely to find us getting our kicks with some hand-crafted, locally-produced, artisan version. Yup, there's all sorts of fun things happening in the world of frozen treats right now — here's what we'll be ripping into this summer. [caption id="attachment_602909" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Pure Pops.[/caption] PURE POPS When two besties share an extreme love of frozen treats-on-a-stick, there's only one logical thing to do: start your own mini icy pole empire! That's the story behind Sydney company, Pure Pops, which has blossomed from a couple of farmers market stalls to a well-known brand, found at grocers, cafés, stores, and events across NSW. And these gals sure know how to make crowdpleasing icy poles. They've kept the sugary stuff to a minimum, going heavy on the natural fruit goodness, with most of the pops clocking in at under 80 calories. Expect summer-worthy flavours like banana caramel, blood orange, and pine-lime coconut splice. Check the website for your nearest stockist. [caption id="attachment_602934" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Marissa Fleming (The Simple Things Studio) for Liana Raine.[/caption] LIANA RAINE Liana Raine creations are kind of like the 'It Girls' of the frozen treats world — they're sophisticated, pop up on countless glossy magazine pages, and have even made it onto the runway at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. That said, when it comes to the important stuff, this family-run biz likes to keep things simple. Their all-natural, all-Aussie, artisan icy poles are crafted with the best seasonal fruit on offer, with clever new flavours added as quickly as they can be dreamt up — peach, moscato, and raspberry, anyone? Liana Raine is keeping summer retail plans under wraps for now, but in the meantime, jump on the website to order yourself a box. [caption id="attachment_602942" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Delish Ice.[/caption] DELISH ICE Old-school icy poles, served out of gorgeous vintage caravans – just try and match that for a nostalgia-tinged summer experience. These palate-pleasers from Perth-based Delish Ice are sure to win over young and old, what with the cute-as-pie retro styling and the downright tasty artisan pops. Flavours change regularly, but are sure to impress – expect combos like basil and elderflower; raspberry lemonade; and lychee, pineapple and lime. Buy them online, or catch one of their caravans or carts around Perth, Mandurah, Dunsborough, and Margaret River. They can even customise something special for your next summer shindig. [caption id="attachment_602937" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Frozen Sunshine.[/caption] FROZEN SUNSHINE With all that sunshine and humidity, it's a safe bet Queenslanders know a thing or two about icy poles. So, your tastebuds are in excellent hands with Frozen Sunshine Iceblocks, which are handcrafted in Maroochydore, using top-notch local ingredients and zero nasty flavourings or preservatives. These cool little characters are all free of dairy and made with either a fruit or creamy coconut milk base. At any time, there are at least 12 varieties on offer, so you might find yourself blissing out on a coconut and candied ginger creation; or maybe a pineapple, mango and passionfruit number. Pick up a box from the factory, or find them at markets, cafés and food stores across the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane. [caption id="attachment_602945" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Pop Shop.[/caption] POP SHOP SYDNEY Pop Shop Sydney's icy treats might just be the prettiest popsicles you ever did see. These locally-made beauties have been tricked out with everything from juicy fruit chunks, to edible flowers, and even gummy bears. Although with flavours like choc banana, Pimms, and Japanese lemonade with kiwi and orange, you probably won't be spending too long admiring the aesthetics. While these guys supply to a tight selection of cafés and stores around Sydney, their main jam is custom orders for parties, weddings, and other events. Get in touch and let them whip you up something special. [caption id="attachment_602946" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Mountain Pops (Falls Festival).[/caption] MOUNTAIN POPS Turns out, wine isn't the only Yarra Valley creation we'll be cooling down with this summer. The folks at Mountain Pops handcraft their cracking small batch ice blocks out of a kitchen in the Yarra Valley, pulling together fresh, locally-grown fruit to star in their lineup of inventive flavour combos. They've even had a play with some boozy pop varieties, which we suspect would go down a treat at your next backyard party. These thirst-quenchers are fast becoming a favourite on the festival circuit, making their way into many a hot little hand at the likes of Strawberry Fields, Rainbow Serpent Festival, Falls Festival and Yemaya. You'll also spy them at markets and events across town, and can keep tabs on their whereabouts at Where the Truck At. [caption id="attachment_602908" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Flyin' Fox.[/caption] FLYIN' FOX If you fancy keeping those food miles to a minimum, then Flyin' Fox ice blocks are sure to have you smiling. This NSW-based company handcrafts its fruit-packed icy poles in Murwillumbah, with mostly organic ingredients sourced carefully from local farms. These guys are pretty proud of our Aussie fruit, and they make it sing, in flavour combos like pomegranate and blueberry, lime and mint, and coconut and milk. You'll find them gracing the freezer section of stores and cafés across NSW and QLD, as well as in Melbourne, Adelaide, and Alice Springs. [caption id="attachment_602943" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Pop Co.[/caption] THE POP CO We guarantee this summer will see plenty of Melbourne ice block fans beating the heat with treats from The Pop Co. These guys sling handmade, gourmet popsicles out of a cheery little food cart, offering fruity flavours for all ages, alongside a range of signature, booze-infused creations. Kick it old-school with a strawberries and cream number, or embrace adulthood with a rum-laced Mojito pop. Customised flavour combinations are also on offer. The Pop Co. cart will be doing the rounds of Melbourne's markets, beaches, and outdoor events this summer, but you can always organise a special appearance, or bumper pop package for your own party. [caption id="attachment_602935" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Paleta.[/caption] PALETA This Melbourne brand pulls its name from the Spanish word for 'icy pole' and whips up its frosty treats based on authentic Mexican recipes. And indeed, these handmade sorbet icy poles, which feature an all-natural ingredient list, zero dairy or gluten, and stacks of fresh fruit, will prompt a mini fiesta in your mouth. Expect tropical flavours, like coconut, hibiscus, and your old mate watermelon, available in packs of 10 or 25, at stockists all across Melbourne. Try Aunt Maggie's in Fitzroy, The Prahran Grocer, and Market Espresso and Trolley Hire at the Queen Vic Markets. HONOURABLE EXPAT MENTION: POPS Icy poles and booze — they're the two staples of a long, hot Aussie summer. Back in October, we told you that the two had finally come together as one. Now, those Calippo-style Champagne icy poles we've all been hankering for since are finally on sale in Australia. The genius creation from POPS, a UK brand that has been keeping folks stylishly cool since 2014, have started popping up around Melbourne. Head to online alcohol delivery service tipple.com.au to order one of four flavours: the Champagne pop (called The Classic) contains half a glass of Champers (wahee!), while the Bellini blends hibiscus flowers, blood orange juice, peach Schnapps, and half a glass of Prosecco. Plus, there are a couple of all-ages products too, which see the alcohol swapped out for real fruit combinations (apple and elderflower, plus strawberry and mint). The timing couldn't be better, with the frozen delights arriving in our eskies just in time to be eaten in front of the fan (or, y'know, in the sun) this summer. As part of the Melbourne-first launch, they'll also be available at Arbory Bar and Eatery — and showering festival attendees with lickable icy alcohol goodness, including at The Pleasure Garden, Let Them Eat Cake and the Inverloch Sound of Summer. The POPS website also teases POPScycle bikes, so keep your eyes peeled.
If your main quibble with dumplings is that they're gone in a brief slurpy chomp, this New York restaurant's giant xiao long bao is the big ass dump you've been waiting for. Obviously, xiao long bao dumplings (or 'XLB dump dumps') are the best kind of dumplings (wo)mankind has yet imagined. Pot stickers are great, gyoza are fantastic and steamed dump dumps are just fine but really there's no better feeling than sucking down a brothy pocket of XLB. East Village newcomer Drunken Dumpling recognises this and has supersized the XLB to monstrous proportions. The XL XLB (right on) is the size of a bamboo steamer (a god damn bamboo steamer) and served with a straw (a straw!) to suck up all the delicious broth. They've got mathematics-professor-turned-dumpling-expert Qihui Guan at the helm of the XL XLB project, to ensure the physics of the bulbous dumplings are all up to code, so don't try this one at home. Via Gothamist. Image: Josh Brusin.
With its open countryside, rustic laneways and scores of cellar doors, the Hunter Valley offers acres of bike-friendly terrain. Last year, the icing hit the cake when a new cycleway opened, connecting more than a dozen wineries. Whether you're content to explore just one such patch or hope to cover as much ground (and as many wineries) as possible, our guide will take you where two wheels work best. OPTION ONE: CONQUER THE HUNTER VALLEY CYCLEWAY In August 2017, cyclists scored a win when the ribbon was cut on the new Hunter Valley Cycleway. This multi-million dollar, 10.6-kilometre adventure travels alongside Hermitage Road, from the New England Highway intersection in the north to Broke Road in the south. Electric bike hire is available at the nearby Sutton Estate. Whichever direction you choose to travel, start or finish with a wine and cheese flight at De Iuliis' stunning cellar door, designed by architect Lionel Glendenning. While gazing through floor-to-ceiling windows over landscaped gardens, you'll be feasting on divine local cheeses, matched with expressive small-batch drops. Another boutique stop en route is Peter Drayton, a fifth generation wine maker, where you can taste tyrian, a hybrid variety created by the CSIRO. There's a microbrewery onsite, too, offering seasonal brews, such as Black Forest Stout and Hazelnut Brown Ale, as well as woodfired pizzas. Then, at Mistletoe Wines, you'll be sipping sparkling rose while wandering through a sculpture garden, and, at Tintilla, sampling sangiovese overlooking an olive grove. Come lunchtime, settle in at Restaurant Botanica, within Spicers Vineyards Estate. Every morning, head chef Matthew Bremerkamp picks produce from the kitchen garden and transforms it into refined dishes. Start with a beef carpaccio served with roasted artichoke, porcini cream and parmesan, before moving onto a pistachio- and cumin-crusted lamb with asparagus and pomegranate. Or commit to the tasting menu, which lets you taste your way through five courses ($110), with optional matching wines ($155). WHERE TO STAY: Cyclists need their rest. For a stay that combines everything good about Hunter sleepovers – beautifully-designed things, vineyards, gumtrees and kangaroos at dusk – while keeping crowds at a distance, book a designer villa at Ironbark Hill. It's located right on the Hunter Valley Cycleway. You'll be soothing your tired muscles in your own spa, losing yourself in mountain views from your private deck and getting snug before a roaring log fire in your open lounge room, before collapsing into a kingsized bed. Picture windows let in loads of light, plus there's a spacious kitchen (with Nespresso machine), massive TV and BBQ. [caption id="attachment_683134" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Spicers Vineyards Estate[/caption] OPTION TWO: GLIDE DOWN POKOLBIN MOUNTAIN To cycle around secret territory, head to Grapemobile Bicycle Hire, at Pokolbin Brothers Wines. Once you're fixed up with a bike, you'll be handed a map, which guides you to boutique wineries via off-road trails and private vineyards. Work your way through Calais Estate's extensive wine list, surround yourself with rural panoramas at Waverley Estate and sink into a leather lounge in an art gallery at Gemelli Estate. Should you work up an appetite, you'll find tapas backdropped by mountains at The Verandah Restaurant, as well as cheese platters and gourmet picnic hampers at several cellar doors. For a more extensive adventure – and an adrenalin rush – go for a Grapemobile Mountain Ride. The team will drive you to Pokolbin Mountain Lookout, where you'll get a complimentary morning tea, while taking in epic vistas of the Hunter Valley, before beginning your descent. Cruise at your own pace down Pokolbin Mountains Road, passing bushland, farms and gorgeous rest stops. Bike hire continues until 6pm, so rushing isn't necessary. Be sure to pop into Nanna Kerr's Kitchen, which you'll find at number 16. Here, Matthew Kerr (yep, brother of the famous Miranda) and his husband, Jimmy, serve home-style, mostly-organic fare, very close to where their nan was born. If all the cycling has you ravenous, dig into Nanna's Got A Sore Head: three tiers loaded with fritters, spicy chorizo, beef sausage, bacon, roast tomato, marinated mushrooms, OMG potatoes, scrambled eggs, sourdough toast, Kerr's Organic Chutney, relish and jam. There's also a generous high tea, crowded with beef brisket sliders, soup shots, double choc brownies, panna cotta and other delights. If you're a vegetarian, paleos or celiac, you can count on being well looked after. WHERE TO STAY: If all that cycling has you dreaming of soft sheets and massages, a luxurious option is the tranquil hideaway of Spicers Vineyards Estate, surrounded by vineyards on one side and bushland on the other. Every room features soothing natural colours, a spa and an open fireplace, while communal facilities include an outdoor pool and a day spa. OPTION THREE: CHOOSE YOUR OWN ROUTE Cyclists who like to free range can hire a bicycle from Crowne Plaza and take themselves on their own adventure. Do be careful: some of the Hunter's roads are rather narrow. Just 15 minutes' ride from the Crowne, at 86 Halls Road, you'll find Pepper Tree Wines. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the picturesque cellar door or go straight for a tasting, working your way through several multi-award winning drops. Another 15 minutes will get you to The Cellar Restaurant, housed in a magnificent sandstone and glass building with an enormous fireplace indoors and a wisteria-draped courtyard outdoors. Among the indulgent, European-influenced offerings are braised Milly Hill lamb shank with shepherd's pie, spinach and gremolata, and duck confit with shallot tarte tatin, chestnut puree and cavolo nero. Once you've eaten to your heart's content, explore the Hunter Valley Gardens, before moving on to nearby cellar doors, which include McGuigan, Brokenwood, Tempus Two and Tamburlaine Organic. WHERE TO STAY: You can hire a bike from Crowne Plaza, so it's a convenient choice of accommodation. You'll have every activity imaginable on your doorstep, including tennis courts, basketball hoops, a Ubika Spa and a golf course. It's a good solution for groups. Jasmine Crittenden travelled to the Hunter Valley as a guest of Destination NSW.
Sunburnt settlers didn't build this city by the sea just so you could stay on land and pavement. If you always did that, you'd miss out on the joy of salt spray, the harbour wind in your hair. Whether setting sail (well, boarding a vessel) from Circular Quay, or hopping the plank at Palm Beach in the north or Cronulla in the south, there are plenty of adventures to be had in Sydney where — bar having your own boat — only a ferry can rightly take you. Pack a picnic with your squad, strap your hikers on and explore the wide reaches of this bush-clad city and beyond. [caption id="attachment_653083" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] CIRCULAR QUAY TO SHARK ISLAND Shark Island is the 1.5-hectare picnic oasis of your dreams that sits in the Sydney Harbour National Park, close to Rose Bay and Point Piper. Directions: Captain Cook Cruises steers the service, which on weekdays leaves from Circular Quay (Wharf Six) and Barangaroo (Wharf Two) five times daily. It takes between 20–25 minutes, although with this sparkling route you'll be wishing it would slow the hell down. Please note that services will resume on January 4, 2020. Cost: $20 return. Book here. What to do when you get there: There's grass, shade and 360-degree views of sexy seaside Sydney. Get that first ferry and bolt for the one 30-person gazebo if you're throwing a shindig (and book your ferry tickets in advance if you're bringing a squad of pals). Despite the name, few sharks swing their fangs by here these days, but you can spot tide pool critters in the grottos and inlets by the shore. There are toilets, water and picnic tables, but no shops — so bring all your kit in a good 'ol fashioned picnic basket. [caption id="attachment_653084" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] CRONULLA TO BUNDEENA Bundeena is a nature-filled waterside suburb with rustic charm that hugs the Royal National Park. The 20-minute route leaves from Cronulla and crosses the Port Hacking River, where you'll go a little nuts with envy over the water-lapping properties. Don't worry though — the nature on the other side will calm you back down. Directions: The ferry departs from Tonkin Wharf in Gunnamutta Bay, a five-minute walk from Cronulla Station. Cost: $6.80 each way. You just pay on-board. Info here. What to do when you get there: Strap on the old hikers and get thee to the Royal National Park. The 26-kilometre Coast Track begins at Jibbon Beach and weaves past small sandy inlets (Little Jibbon Beach is used as a nude beach if you really want to take your trip back to nature), cliffsides and bushland, not to mention a series of rock carvings from the Dharawal people who lived here for thousands of years. Walk as far as your nature-loving heart desires; Wottamolla, Burning Palms, Garie and Wedding Cake Rock are all doable in a day trip if you leave early. Back in Bundeena, grab a coffee and fish and chips on the deck of Passionfruit Cafe, or sink your toes in the sand as you wait for the return ferry to Cronulla. [caption id="attachment_653085" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nick Rains/Destination NSW[/caption] PALM BEACH TO ETTALONG This stunning half-hour journey takes in four waterways — Pittwater, Broken Bay, the Hawkesbury River and Box Head — and makes a brief pit-stop at Wagstaffe. You may even luck out and see some wildlife like seals, turtles or even penguins along the way. Directions: Catch the Fantasea-run ferry from Palm Beach Wharf on Barrenjoey Road. Cost: $12.20 one way. You can book over the phone or just pay on-board. Info here. What to do when you get there: Only 30 minutes from Palmy and you're suddenly in the Central Coast. At Ettalong Beach you can try your hand at fishing, hire a kayak from beachfront Anderson's kayaks, or lazily park your bum on the sand. Bush wanderers can jump on the Great North Walk path into the Brisbane Waters National Park from Patonga to Pearl Beach, ducking uphill to the Warrah Lookout for some spectacular views. Hungry daytrippers can soak up the sights at The Box on the Water, grab some gourmet grub from their kiosk, or head for the Cinema Paradiso complex where Bar Toto does pizza by the slice as well as charcuterie and cheese. [caption id="attachment_653087" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ethan Rohloff/Destination NSW[/caption] CIRCULAR QUAY TO COCKATOO ISLAND Find Cockatoo Island at the junction of the Parramatta and Lane Cove rivers. The UNESCO World Heritage Site has a pretty hectic past, as an air raid shelter, convict colony, gaol and even graving dock. Directions: From Circular Quay, the ferry swings past Balmain, Greenwich Point and Woolwich, which is why it takes a half hour despite being close to town. There are also services from Darling Harbour and Barangaroo. Cost: $6.12 each way using your Opal or credit card. What to do when you get there: If you're here for the history, take an audio or guided tour, or veer past the vids in the Dog Leg Tunnel. Exercise fiends will be beside themselves over the harbour views of the basketball court. Hell, there's even giant chess. Cockatoo Island also has the right look for Hollywood, having been the setting of a Wolverine escape scene and a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp in Angelina Jolie's Unbroken (of which you can see snippets in the screening room). The Harbour Trust also runs glamping, spooky haunted tours and sometimes live music sessions at sunset. [caption id="attachment_653023" align="alignnone" width="1920"] MickeyMoo via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] CHURCH POINT TO SCOTLAND ISLAND In the far northern reaches of Sydney, Scotland Island houses history and spotted gums galore, and is just the ticket for a rustic getaway on the western foreshore of the Pittwater, in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Directions: The ferry sets off from Church Point wharf hourly on the half hour and makes multiple stops on Scotland Island, including Morning Bay, Lovett Bay and Elvina Bay. It takes 20–25 minutes depending on where you hop off. Cost: $9.40 one-way or $15 return. What to do when you get there: Scotland Island was made famous by author Susan Duncan's Salvation Creek, in which she shacks up in Tarrangaua House built for poet Dorothea Mackellar in 1925. Author Di Morrissey also grew up here, and bad-arse femme fatale Tilly Devine had a retreat from her city shenanigans as well. Take a trek up Flagstaff Hill for some epic views of the Pittwater, or settle in for a BBQ at the picnic tables by Tennis Court Wharf. If you fancy doing an overnighter, there's a YHA with a big deck that presents tidy vistas over the island. [caption id="attachment_653088" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] CIRCULAR QUAY TO CREMORNE If time is of the essence but you still want to bask in the sun-kissed beauty that is Sydney, this short jaunt to Cremorne Point is just the trick. Bring your swimmers. Directions: From Circular Quay Wharf Four, this ten-minute trip across the harbour takes you past Kirribilli and Kurraba Point on to Cremorne Point Wharf. After a short walk, you can return from Mosman Bay Wharf, which will take 20 minutes. Cost: $6.12 each way (whether you return from Cremorne Point Wharf or Mosman Bay Wharf). What to do when you get there: Wander into Cremorne Reserve to gush over the sweetest darn lighthouse in Sydney at Robertson Point. Spin back past the ferry wharf and onto Maccallum Pool, a little picket-fence (free!) swimming oasis with million dollaroonie views. The walk between Cremorne Point to Mosman Bay wharves will take around 45 minutes (plus your dip), and takes in some grande ol' houses, pristine views, and the Lex and Ruby Graham Gardens, planted in the 1950s. [caption id="attachment_653090" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] CIRCULAR QUAY TO MANLY Despite being a Sydney icon since 1855, few south of the bridge would dispute that the Manly ferry is transport of choice for reaching sunny Manly. Directions: From Circular Quay (Wharf Three), the Manly Ferry turns east past Kirribilli, heads towards the headlands and through Middle and North harbours, and cruises on to Manly Cove in 30 minutes. If you're in a rush, the private Manly Fast Ferry service shaves off around ten minutes (but costs a tad more). Cost: $7.65 each way with your Opal card, or $9.70 on the Manly Fast Ferry. What to do when you get there: We hope you brought your towel and cossies, because you'll be beckoned by the beaches at every turn. Head straight on down the Corso for a spot of shopping and, when you reach the water, chuck a left along the esplanade until you hit Shelly Beach, a sheltered little oasis. Grab a lazy, seaside lunch at The Boathouse beside the sand, take a tipple on the balcony at Manly institution The Steyne, or dine with a daiquiri at Hemingway's. The more adventurous can take the stairs behind Shelly for a hike to Manly Heads or hire a surfboard and taste some salt water or maybe even catch a wave.
Discover what's brewing on the Northern Beaches with BrookieFest 2025. Returning after a triumphant first year, this free three-day festival celebrates Brookvale's transformation into a stellar destination for top-notch breweries, distilleries and art spaces. Over the last decade or so, this former industrial hub has seen its car mechanics and dusty warehouses converted into a brewer's haven. As the local scene has grown, the likes of Four Pines Brewery, Manly Spirits Co. and 7th Day Brewery teamed up to create this family-friendly bash. More than 30 eclectic events take place across February 7-9, showcasing the community's welcoming spirit with headline attractions like dachshund dashes, esky races and skateboarding demos. Plus, the kids will love face painting, pony rides and all manner of rollicking games. All this is set against the backdrop of live music and pop-up market stalls featuring the best local creative talent. Don't forget to scan your interactive digital passport at each venue, as you could earn yourself enough stamps to claim a sweet t-shirt or special gift. Amid BrookieFest 2025, the launch of The Brookie Trail is also on the agenda. Guiding Brookvale's visitors from one exciting brewery or eatery to the next, this culinary path makes it easy to encounter all the sumptuous spots this up-and-coming district has to offer.
It's hard to imagine Sydney without small bars. Today, they're entrenched in the city's nightlife, but barely over a decade ago, a night out revolved around mega clubs and mega pubs. That all changed when NSW's liquor laws were reformed in 2007. Slowly, small bars accommodating no more than 60 people began to pop up, organically concentrating in pockets around Darlinghurst and in the under-utilised industrial spaces dotting the streets behind Town Hall. [caption id="attachment_805685" align="alignnone" width="1920"] SILY[/caption] Many of the pioneers of the Sydney small bar scene started in these backstreets and continue to operate the very venues that kickstarted this era of transformation. As Sydney's nightlife changed, so too did the area where the city's small bar vanguard set up shop. More small bars, independent eateries and hotels were established in the nooks and crannies tucked between York, Clarence and Kent Streets, culminating in the formal establishment of a new nightlife and entertainment district known as YCK Laneways. In partnership with YCK Laneways, we sat down with three trailblazers who've been at the coalface of Sydney's small bar renaissance and still run venues in the area all these years later: Karl Schlothauer, owner of Stitch Bar and Kasippu, VP of YCK Laneways and CEO of House of Pocket; Nick White, owner of Since I Left You (SILY) and President of YCK Laneways; and Mikey Enright, owner of The Duke of Clarence and The Barber Shop and CEO of Barrelhouse Group. Between them, the owners have a combined thirty or so years of experience in the Sydney bar scene. [caption id="attachment_976968" align="alignnone" width="1920"] SILY owner, Nick White[/caption] "There were only pubs, nightclubs and RSLs at the time. They were the three places you could go to have a drink," says White. "You know what you're getting in for when you go to a pub, or any of those places. So, small bars provided an alternative, which was much needed in Sydney." Almost as soon as they emerged, Sydney's small bars have been quiet overachievers, creating options in the liminal space between a night in and a huge night out. Not that the bars have necessarily been quiet by choice. On Fridays and Saturdays especially, the YCK Laneways district is reliably soundtracked by the buzz of people chatting and having a good time, with music escaping from doorways that welcome in and release customers from basements and obscured spaces. But making noise once proved to be one of the precinct's more pressing challenges to overcome. "When [SILY] first opened, we didn't have use of our courtyard," says White. That might come as a surprise to anyone with even a passing familiarity of SILY. The small bar's heritage-listed courtyard is, as White acknowledges, "one of [its] big drawcards." Nowadays, SILY is known in part for its live music program, as well as one-off events that welcome local artists like Milan Ring and Becca Hatch, an offering SILY has cultivated since its inception. "Live music has always been something we've done. We've always been a supporter of the local arts scene and that's taken various forms over the years. We've got a regular Thursday music night, which has always been in place. We've now got a Tuesday jazz night [and] DJs on Friday nights." [caption id="attachment_987818" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Barber Shop and The Duke of Clarence owner, Mikey Enright[/caption] Enright and Schlothauer's venues also all have regular live music nights and both call out music as essential to cultivating memorable spaces. At The Barber Shop, hip hop tunes accompany the bar's spirits, while the Duke of Clarence stays on theme by playing predominantly English tunes by the likes of The Beatles as it serves up one of Sydney's best Sunday roasts. Meanwhile, Stitch is also home to live music one night each week. Each venue's custom music offering reflects the secret sauce that makes small bars such a draw for customers: unique experiences that feel innately human. "I think Sydney's small bars have just made nightlife more approachable and more appealing to a wider range of people," says Schlothauer. [caption id="attachment_991187" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kasippu and Stitch owner, Karl Schlothauer, Image: Tim Pascoe[/caption] The smaller scale of these venues translates to an entirely different experience for customers. It's a feature of small bars that all three owners call out. Independence lets the owners follow their own natural curiosities and interests, as well as experiment with menus and concepts more freely. This autonomy is what creates memorable experiences for patrons too, allowing customers to give direct feedback to owner-operators. "There's a lot more personal interaction between the staff and customers," says White. "A lot of small bars out there are trying to create different experiences for guests to appreciate," agrees Schlothauer. "Behind every small bar is an individual, an independent operator in the small business space." In particular in YCK Laneways, where there are so many bars in a relatively compact area, venues are increasingly focused on doing one or a few things well. "Instead of trying to be everything to everyone, the small bars — because of their size and the passion behind them — [are] becoming a lot more niche in terms of their product offering," says Schlothauer. [caption id="attachment_958206" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Barber Shop[/caption] "They have their own character [and] personality. A lot of them are run by former bartenders, so there's a lot of passion in it as well. I think that's what makes the small bar category more diverse and different," says Enright, a former bartender himself. Enright shares that his venue The Barber Shop, a gin bar with over 700 gins and has been operating in YCK since 2013, was born out of his personal interest in gin at a time when the spirit was still relatively niche and not the mainstay it is today. Not only has the bar stood the test of time, Enright has established his own distillery. The gins it produces are, of course, stocked in The Barber Shop. "I really love the subject of gin, as well as what it tastes like. We wanted to go all in on the gin side of it. Not many places — I think there weren't any — were doing it back then." The concentration of distinctive venues in close proximity to one another has another advantage that adds to the precinct's allure. "You can bounce between [YCK's venues]. You can have a drink here, a bite to eat there, a nightcap there, you can make it a night out. You can make it quite different, so I think that's one of the appealing things for people who visit here," says Enright. [caption id="attachment_981453" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kasippu[/caption] Kasippu, Schlothauer's latest venture, is a day-to-night venue that's part-cocktail bar and part-authentic Sri Lankan eatery, and perfectly embodies what Enright describes. Anyone heading out in YCK could stop by Kasippu at any point in their travels. The venue focuses on plating up authentic curries during the day, before transforming into a cocktail bar come nightfall. And once the night is well underway? There's self-service karaoke, curry kebabs and free Hydralyte slushies. And as much as the food, drink and feel of YCK Laneways' small bars invite people in, White makes the broader point that small bars are safer too. "In thirteen and a half years, we've never had a violent incident. And most small bars would say the same thing. [There have been] none or very, very low incidences of alcohol related violence or anything like that." It's little wonder that, in the face of Sydney's ever-evolving nightlife, small bars are here to stay. Explore the stories, sights and sounds of Sydney's bustling laneway nightlife. Between the lanes of York, Clarence and King Streets you'll find YCK Laneways, offering a plethora of hidden laneway and basement bars and restaurants waiting to be discovered. Check them out here.
You'll find this cafe inside a restored police cottage overlooking the Nepean River in the Regatta Park Precinct. The family- and dog-friendly spot has a bright and all-around homey decor to make you feel welcome indoors, as well as picnic tables out on the lawn. On Saturday nights and on Sundays at lunch, live tunes from local artists add to the relaxing atmosphere. The all-day brekkie menu has treats like buttermilk scones, a deep dish macadamia pancake, the Man Bun (a full fry-up stuffed into a soft milk bun) and pork belly benedict on offer. Meanwhile, the lunch menu brings a luxe lobster and prawn roll, burgers, nachos, poke bowl and salads. The venue is also open for dinner, Wednesday through Saturday, with an eclectic range of modern classics available — think cheeseburger spring rolls, crispy maple pork ribs and chargrilled octopus. And don't skip the cocktail menu, with signature tipples named after former residents of the cottage. Perhaps you'd like to try the Constable Thorsby (a mango and lime caprioska) or Constable Musgrove (lychee martini).
Sydney is known for its beaches, and while Bondi, Coogee and Manly get all the praise (and, subsequently, the tourists), there is another beachfront spot that has flown mostly under the radar. Just 13 kilometres from the CBD, you'll find Brighton-Le-Sands. The original vision for this strip of sand was to transform it into a seaside resort, similar to Brighton in the UK. That didn't quite happen — but in the past few years, the promenade that runs behind the beach has blossomed into a haven for food lovers, with restaurants, cafes, function centres and more. Step a little further away from the beach and you'll also come across local boutiques and family-run establishments that are sure to greet you as one of their own as you walk through the door. We've teamed up with American Express to highlight some of the local businesses that make this seaside town thrum with life. Better yet, you can shop small at all of these spots with your American Express Card.
The Inner East's accommodation game is already strong, with the likes of The Ace Hotel and Crystalbrook Albion offering characterful guest rooms with plush facilities and top-of-class hospitality. However, a newcomer to the area is ready to loft this standard to even greater heights. The EVE — a luxury boutique stay operated by TFE Hotels at the newly minted Surry Hills Village development — is set to open on February 13, 2025 and the first guests to check in can expect an exclusive package in celebration. The brainchild of SJB's Adam Haddow, 360 Degrees' Daniel Baffsky and Interior Architect George Levissianis, The EVE is designed to reflect the vibrant and dynamic energy of its urban neighbourhood while offering a lush retreat that feels a million miles from the hustle of the city: a stylish intersection of art, hospitality and culinary excellence. This trio of creatives has crafted a series of spaces that pair their beautiful aesthetics with thoughtful functionality, delivering a stay that has all the mod cons you'd expect from a five-star stay as well as a whole lot of personality. [caption id="attachment_982262" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The EVE Hotel lobby[/caption] Visitors enter via an airy art-filled lobby bar, immediately immersing them in a world of vibrant creativity. The vaulted ceilings, curated interiors and bespoke art installations — including several pieces from prominent Surry Hills artist and gallery owner, Louise Olsen — offer a striking introduction to The EVE's design ethos. Next, guests can explore a rooftop garden landscaped by Daniel Baffsky combining native and exotic plants in layered arrangements that meld architecture with nature. The 20-metre rooftop pool, finished with natural stone and imported Sukabumi tiles provides the perfect setting for a lush urban haven with panoramic views over Redfern and Surry Hills. Baffsky's planting extends seamlessly into Wunderlich Lane, Surry Hills Village's hospitality and retail precinct, creating a conscious connection between the hotel and the area's varied dining options. [caption id="attachment_982258" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rooftop garden and pool[/caption] At the heart of The EVE's hospitality offering is Bar Julius, the European-style neighborhood bar created by Liquid & Larder, the team behind celebrated Sydney venues including Bistecca and The Gidley. With an all-day dining concept, Bar Julius seamlessly transitions from morning espressos to evening cocktails, offering a menu that celebrates fresh, bold flavours and new takes on beverage classics. The inviting space, highlighting rich burgundy tones, tactile marble, and a striking ceiling mural captures the charm of a European bistro while staying firmly rooted in Sydney's dynamic culinary culture. To inspire visitors to become a part of The EVE's new beginning, the hotel will be offering a curated package titled The Reveal to welcome its first guests. Highlighting the hotel's celebration of culinary artistry, cultural immersion and luxurious ameneties, guests will be able to indulge in a Bar Julius signature cocktail and bespoke EVE gift to remember their stay. [caption id="attachment_982263" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bar Julius[/caption] "The EVE is about creating spaces that inspire and connect, while paying homage to the rich cultural and natural heritage of Sydney," says Haddow. "Every detail — from handcrafted lighting to the Australian palette — has been designed to reflect this vision." You can find The EVE Hotel Sydney at 8 Baptist St, Redfern starting Feb 13, 2024. For bookings and more information, visit The Eve website.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations, giving you inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we set the compass to regional Victoria and take a trip to Sorrento for a special stay at the newly renovated Hotel Sorrento. [caption id="attachment_899023" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Rising High Media[/caption] WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? Here, in a buzzy pocket of the Mornington Peninsula, Hotel Sorrento has sat for nearly 150 years boasting enviable bay vistas. Now, the historic sandstone building is welcoming a massive expansion including a soon-to-come 30-metre pool and rooftop yoga studio. At the moment, Hotel Sorrento boasts five separate bars, two restaurants, newly refurbished accommodation rooms as well as private dining areas. It's an all-in-one destination escape just over an hour from Melbourne's CBD. THE ROOMS There are plenty of rooms to choose from at Hotel Sorrento, starting from $325 a night. Contemporary and light-filled, rooms are accented with a variety of deep European oak, natural limestone and marble. Heritage Balcony Rooms are the crowning jewel of this hotel, boasting private balconies with exclusive vistas overlooking the bay. [caption id="attachment_899027" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Threefold Social[/caption] FOOD AND DRINK Hotel Sorrento has recently overhauled its food and drink offering, helmed by George Calombaris. "The goal is to create dishes that not only satisfy the palate but tell a story of the region and the community's rich history," George Calombaris says. Shihuishi is the newest addition to the Hotel Sorrento family, nestled in the original, grand Hotel Sorrento ballroom. Head chef Junlin (Jerry) Yi (ex-Red Spice Road) is unafraid to stray from tradition, from prawn crackers paired with crème fraîche; to spanakopita dumplings that marry whipped feta and dill. Deeper into the menu, patrons will discover Australian-Canto cuisine that nods to the Chinese restaurant that stood onsite back in the 1980s. A prawn, lap cheong and onion stir-fry is a crowd-pleaser, along with duck pancakes and black pepper beef, served on a sizzling plate. Other classics run to the likes of steamed barra with soy, ginger and spring onion, or the ever-popular pork and prawn shumai. Otherwise, if you fancy a short but sweet wander, head across the road to the Conti for a slew of venues including a public bar, beer garden, speakeasy and fine diner. Luxe speakeasy Barlow is our pick for a pre-evening tipple. Sorrento institution Stringers has also recently been revamped by The Darling Group (Higher Ground, Kettle Black, Top Paddock), turning the corner store and cafe into an all-day restaurant, pizzeria, bar and providore. THE LOCAL AREA Sorrento is a much-loved spot for both Mornington Peninsula locals and regular holiday blow-ins, due to its accessibility from Melbourne. In warmer months, swimming, snorkeling and water activities at Sorrento Beach is a must-do. If you're looking to sidestep the crowds, Diamond Bay is a popular spot for both families and couples. A range of short, all-weather walking tracks are stunning year-around, including Coppins Track which finishes at the clifftop of Diamond Bay. The cliffside Millionaires Walk is named as a nod to the lavish private residences that line this path, or try the 7km Sorrento Circuit Walk, which hits all of this town's main attractions. THE EXTRAS Hotel Sorrento is looking to install a new 30-metre pool alongside a pool-friendly bar, rooftop yoga studio and gym by the end of 2023. If you're looking for a staycation special, Hotel Sorrento's winter escape package includes overnight accommodation for two, dinner for two at Shuihuishi and a bottle of local Pinot Noir for your room. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world. Images: supplied.
Deep in the business district of the CBD, the bankers and traders must feel that all roads lead to China – and not just financially anymore. If they wish to continue down a culinary path after working hours, just around the corner, and down an alleyway, is China Lane, the new sister restaurant of China Doll and China Beach in Manly. Underneath an art installation nest of bird cages in Angel Lane, China Lane is a mix of suits, trendy young things checking out the CBD's newest laneway escape, and daters. If you've seen any of director Wong Kar-wai's movies, you'll get the idea – moody lighting, a modern sense of decor mixed with '50s Hong Kong glamour, and general snappiness. Head chef Ben Haywood has served under Heston Blumenthal at Fat Duck and also was sous chef at China Doll in Woolloomooloo, so don't expect traditional Chinese fare. While there are similarities to Doll's mains, there's many a signature dish here. Japanese sashimi rubs up against Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai on the menu, showing Haywood's dexterity with Pan Asian cuisine. It seems obligatory at every mod-Asian joint to have a twist on the pork bun. At China Lane, it's no different, if a little more deconstructed. Pulled pork, mayo and crisp shallots are piled upon a flattened steamed bao ($16 for two). It's lovely, if surprisingly cold – an open-topped convertible version of the standard. Pig's ears also seem to be making a comeback. Here, they're crisped and carmelised, served with lemongrass ($8), and delicious. Salads are dramatic, and given suitably explosive names like Bang Bang chicken salad ($16), or Chinese bacon with kipfler potato and the ominous sounding "son-in-law" egg ($14), a Thai standard of the deep-fried, hard boiled variety in tamarind sauce. The grilled dory with coconut sambal ($19) is a light treat, and a good compliment to the lamb and chili hot pot ($30) or the pick of the bunch, the soy-braised pork belly ($30). The kitchen and staff show an extreme amount of generosity to customers. Desserts come with an additional offering of sweeteners this evening, such as the chocolate replica of a mahjong piece. The exquisite pistachio and lemongrass parfait ($14) with pandan syrup is an aesthetic treasure, and more impressive than the blood orange and black sticky rice pudding. China Lane is another laneway bonus for the corporate end of the CBD, and means business.
Tucked into the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park lobby, The Gallery Grab & Go might just be your new early morning pitstop or afternoon pick-me-up. Whether you're an office worker on the move or a hotel guest easing into the day, this spot will serve top-notch coffee, just-baked pastries, breakfast staples and even full-sized cakes from the Elizabeth Street entrance. To celebrate the launch, The Gallery Grab & Go has created a special once-off giveaway set to get pastry fans crowding into the lobby. From 8am on Thursday, June 26, the cafe is handing out 500 honey-soaked cronuts for free, undoubtedly making your usually tired work commute a little sweeter. These are no ordinary cronuts, either. Created by Head Pastry Chef and 2024 Associate of the Year Julie Hoang, the sticky goodness soaking its golden, flaky layers is derived from the hotel's very own bee colony. Five stories up on the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park rooftop, over 120,000 bees thrive in sustainably sourced timber hives. The hotel's location is a happy hunting ground for this troupe of pollinators. With a roaming radius of five kilometres, the adjacent expanse of Hyde Park offers abundant pollen and nectar to fuel their work back in the hive. In fact, the hotel's bees produce up to 450 kilograms of honey annually, contributing to the hotel's sustainability goals. In the kitchen, Hoang uses the rooftop harvest to produce a luscious orange blossom honey syrup. After drenching the cronuts, each layer is filled with Chantilly cream and topped with toasted pistachio, making for a lavish morning bite. Now you're invited to experience it for yourself for free, but just for one day only. While a few hundred cronuts are up for grabs, don't expect these decadent treats to last long. Instead, start your day a little earlier than usual by hoofing it to The Gallery Grab & Go in the hotel lobby. Consider ordering a barista-made coffee during your visit and check out what other culinary delights await. The Gallery Grab & Go's 500 cronut giveaway is happening from 8am on Thursday, June 26 at the Elizabeth Street entrance of the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park. Head to the website for more information.
As we come to terms with the irreversible destruction that the horrific bushfires have caused (and continue to cause) across Australia in the past few months, one question keeps cropping up: what now? To help answer that question, the Sydney Opera House's Talks & Ideas program will take on the bushfire crisis with two special panel discussions — both centred around what to do next. Panellists will seek to answer that burning question across two 90-minute sessions on Sunday, February 16. The discussion will revolve around recovery and long-term solutions for our communities, land and wildlife, and examine both ongoing relief action and more permanent action needed for the future. The distinct panels each include community leaders, policy experts, academics and mental health professionals — some of whom were directly affected by the fires. The first session features Lorena Allam, The Guardian's Indigenous affairs editor and a Gamilaraay and Yawalaraay woman. Sitting alongside Allam will be Christine Morgan (CEO of the National Mental Health Commission and National Suicide Prevention Adviser to Scott Morrison), Doctor Larry Vogelnest (Senior Veterinarian at Taronga Zoo) and Elizabeth Mossop (UTS Dean of Design, Architecture and Building). Rounding out the panel is Findabed.com founder Erin Riley — which provides bushfire effected Australians a safe place to stay — and Milkwood permaculture co-founder Nick Bitar. Session two will be moderated by editor of The Guardian Lenore Taylor and include CEO of Firesticks and Bundjalung man Oliver Costello, an Indigenous-led network focused on cultural burning and First Nations land management practices. Plus, John Connor (CEO of the Carbon Market Institute and former CEO of the Australian Climate Institute), David Bowman (University of Tasmania Professor of Pyrogeography) and Danielle Celermajer (UTS Professor of Sociology and Social Policy) are all on the docket, too. Both sessions are absolutely free to attend, too — though registration is a must over here. For those still looking to give to the cause, donation buckets for bushfire relief will available at the door on the day. Image: Leticia Almeida.
Go on, get feasting in one of Sydney's newest tunnels. Nigella Lawson wants you to. Either part of the Vivid Sydney Dinners series setup — the unique location or the famous chef curating the menu — is reason enough to head along. Combine the two and you have one of the key events of Vivid 2025. The setting: Martin Place's Muru Giligu pedestrian tunnel. The spread: whatever takes Lawson's fancy. And to make a great event, or three, even better, a light and sound experience will work its magic on the tunnel while you dine. "Visitors cram themselves into Sydney in summer, but for me the magical time is in winter, during Vivid Sydney," said Lawson about her collaboration with the Harbour City's annual midyear arts, lights, ideas and food festival. "And having loved it for years, it is the hugest thrill to be part of the Vivid Food program this year. I'll be curating an exclusive menu for the three Vivid Sydney Dinners, and it is simply a dream come true. I mean, you know me: there can never be too many fairy lights! See you there!" As announced in 2024, Vivid 2025 runs from Friday, May 23–Saturday, June 14, celebrating its 15th year with all things dreams its theme. A bucket list-type meal overseen by Lawson? Well that's a dream inclusion. So are Tangerine Dream and Anohni and the Johnsons on the music lineup, an immersive Stranger Things experience at Luna Park, and the fact that the entire Vivid Light Walk is free. In fact, more than 75 percent of the entire just-dropped program won't cost you a cent to enjoy. On the Vivid Light Walk, that includes installations and 3D projections spanning across new backdrops, such as the Museum of Sydney, The Bond in Barangaroo and Challis House in Martin Place. At those locations and beyond — at the Argyle Cut in The Rocks and the CTA Building in Martin Place, too, to name just a couple of other spots — this lit-up reason for scenic stroll will feature swings, seesaws, animation activated via voice, a tennis match made out of light and 150 pieces a week designed by patrons. Still on the broader Vivid Light strand, Sydney Opera House's sails will boast work by the late David McDiarmid, Vincent Namatjira will take over the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia's facade and House of Romance, hailing from fashion label Romance Was Born, has a date with Customs House. Alongside German electronic-music icons Tangerine Dream at City Recital Hall and Anohni and the Johnsons at the Opera House, the Vivid Music bill includes Sigur Rós performing with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Portishead's Beth Gibbons , Japanese Breakfast, Marlon Williams, Soccer Mommy, RONA, Ravyn Lenae and Pete & Bas. On the lineup as well: Heartbreak High star Ayesha Madon, Prince's former bass player MonoNeon, V-pop via Mỹ Anh and Chi Xê, Winston Surfshirt, Grammy-winner Dobet Gnahoré, Mall Grab, Ngaiire, Skegss and more. The Upside Down has come to Sydney before, but Stranger Things: The Experience will make its first trip — and add a must-attend event to the Vivid Ideas portion of the program. Get ready to visit 1986, and Hawkins, of course, in what promises to be an immersive and interactive stint of Stranger Things-loving fun. Locations from the show are part of the event, as is a supernatural mystery. Vivid Ideas is also bringing TIME Magazine Creative Director DW Pine this way to deliver the keynote 'Where Do Ideas Come From?', tasking scientist Professor Matthew Walker with diving into why we sleep, amassing First Nations storytellers at Barangaroo Reserve each week and getting Sydney's Legs on the Wall performing new theatre work Endling. And, it's why Haus of Horror screenings of Poltergeist and Edward Scissorhands are on offer, too. At Vivid Food, Vivid Fire Kitchen will be back at The Goods Line; Vivid Chef Series will enlist Jean-Philippe Blondet, James Lowe and Brent Savage teaming up with Sydney eateries; Maryanne Street is becoming the festival's Spice Lounge; and Golden Age Cinema, Hollywood Hotel and The Soda Factory will feature in food and gig trails in the Hollywood Quarter in Surry Hills. The Carriageworks Night Market returns, and so does eating on the Sydney Harbour Bridge's southeast pylon thanks to Luke Mangan. This year's Vivid is focused on five zones, spanning Circular Quay and The Rocks, Barangaroo, Martin Place and CBD, Darling Harbour, and The Goods Line and the inner city, with each hosting Light, Music, Ideas and Food events. "Dreaming is as old as time and as universal as life itself. Dreams can be prophetic, life changing and inspirational, as well as trivial, hilarious or terrifying. These interactions are evident in every aspect of Vivid Sydney's program this year," said Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini, announcing the lineup. "Captivating light installations and 3D projections for everyone, thought-provoking and enlightening experiences, awe-inspiring performances from the world's best musicians, along with cutting-edge culinary collaborations and dinners in unexpected places: it can all be found at Vivid Sydney. In 2025, the festival celebrates creativity, innovation and connection in one of the best cities in the world." [caption id="attachment_994734" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Pollack[/caption] [caption id="attachment_994726" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jacquie Manning[/caption] Vivid Sydney 2025 runs from Friday, May 23–Saturday, June 14 across Sydney. Head to the festival website for further information.
Queensland-born cult burger joint Betty's Burgers has launched its second Sydney outpost in Castle Hill. Since opening the Shake Shack-style burger shop back in 2014, founder David Hales has turned his humble Noosa business into an Australian-wide favourite — having opened up shop in Melbourne, Brisbane and its first Sydney store in the ICC in 2017. Compared with the Darling Harbour shack, which is a small 46 seater (20 indoor and 26 outdoor), the Castle Towers joint has a considerably larger capacity, seating 85. You can expect the same menu of the Angus beef classic, southern fried chicken, pork belly and crispy fried mushroom burgers, along with Betty's signature 'concretes'. For the uninitiated, these are frozen custard shakes with your choice of mix-ins, including peanut butter brittle, hot fudge doughnut and lemon raspberry cheesecake. The opening of Betty's Burgers is part of the Castle Towers' new food and entertainment precinct. It's home 14 recently opened bars and eateries, including a collaboration between Holey Moley and Strike Bowling, a 350-seat outpost of The Bavarian, Malaysian hawker-style eatery PappaRich, Korean fried chicken and beer joint Gami and Sydney's second over-the-top Nutella-filled Tella Balls Dessert Bar.
While there may be some new additions to the Rocks, one establishment has remained a welcome hub to visitors and locals alike. Since 1915, the Mercantile has been spreading its Irish hospitality to anyone who wanders in. In fact, it's been voted Australia's best Irish pub not once, but twice. Year-round you can enjoy live music, weekday happy hour with $5 drinks and comfort food, like a classic steak and Guinness pie ($25) — right near the Sydney Harbour. During nicer weather, take a seat outside and indulge in some drinks and one of the hearty meals on offer — the Merc burger ($19) or asparagus and eggplant parma ($20) to name a couple — as you bask in the waterside view. You can even make a pitstop at the Rocks Market on weekends. Go in for a meal or a drink with friends and stay for the unbridled cosiness that fills the Mercantile. Images: Trent van der Jagt.
Nothing gets you out of a winter funk like a weekend away, and the crisp mountain air of Leura is particularly up to the task. This picturesque town, just two hours west of Sydney on the train, puts you at the doorstep of all the outdoor adventures of the Blue Mountains while nailing the kind of cosy indoor culture that wraps you in a big warm hug at the end of the day. Set up home base at the very scenic Fairmont Resort and Spa Blue Mountains, and spend your days trekking along ancient trails and your nights indulging in hearty meals, local wines and fireside chat. Here's our guide to a winter short stay in the area. EAT AND DRINK After the journey in, your first stop in Leura should be for a little sustenance. Fortunately, the cafe culture here is another part of what makes this town a winter dream. Among the best cafes in the region, the hidden Lily's Pad Cafe has just-baked breads and cakes — including gluten-free options aplenty — along with homemade toppings like chutneys, jams and curds. The courtyard is covered, heated and, best of all, dog-friendly. On Leura's main street, the leafy Red Door Cafe is a standout for healthy eating, with organic coffees and freshly squeezed juices. For eats, we're all about the zucchini and feta fritters, served with cumin yoghurt and mesclun salad, as well as the smoked rainbow trout with rocket and lentil salad, all topped with a poached egg. View-seekers should head to Solitary, set in a 100-year-old cottage overlooking the valley. Its fireplace makes this an ideal sanctuary after a winter's hike through the nearby Leura Cascades. For fireside dining in the evening, look no further than the appropriately named Embers restaurant at the Fairmont Resort and Spa. Enjoy views over the Jamison Valley along with the soundtrack of crackling flames and the flavours of a classic beef brisket given a contemporary twist. Back in town, unassuming North Indian restaurant Tamarin offers some serious eats in the most unlikely of places, just across from the station. The samosas trump most in Australia, as does its samosa chaat — a smashed and dressed version. For a dinner to remember, book yourself a table at the award-winning Leura Garage. Set in a repurposed mechanic's workshop (hence the name), the environmentally conscious restaurant focuses on locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. We suggest going with the surprisingly affordable tasting menu, which includes plenty of winter warmers, like 12-hour braised lamb shoulder and truffle mashed potatoes. Accompanying drops come from NSW wine regions like Orange and Mudgee. Your wine journey doesn't have to stop at dinner. Meander down the street to bar and bistro Bon Ton for after-dinner drinks. For winter, sip a martini in the protected comfort of the enclosed terrace. For a nightcap, stop in at the Sublime Lounge, another fire-warmed space within the Fairmont Resort and Spa. Their signature cocktail is the Berry Sublime, designed to evoke the nearby orchards with its mix of strawberry, tequila, lime, mint and an unexpected dash of white balsamic. DO If this isn't your first rodeo in the Blue Mountains, chances are you've already frequented the landmarks of Three Sisters and Wentworth Falls. And that's fine, because the region has much more to offer, with a seemingly endless number of bushwalks, lookouts, caves and valleys to explore. For a different mountain view, check out Evans Lookout, 20 minutes' drive away in Blackheath, then continue on the steep clifftop walk to Govetts Leap. If you'd rather a more leisurely stroll (and one walking distance from town), Leura Cascades is a serene canopy walk through tall eucalyptus trees. Take a short trek along the rapids on Leura Falls Creek down to Bridal Veil Falls and Leura Falls. Several walks can be accessed from here, including the Fern Bower Circuit, Echo Point and Leura Forest. Feeling like a serious adventure? Then book yourself into an abseiling and canyoning day trip. A few businesses in nearby Katoomba run tours, including the Australian School of Mountaineering and the Blue Mountains Adventure Company. They'll have you abseiling waterfalls and trekking through ancient crevices and canyons. For a more leisurely level of activity, stroll the boutiques along Leura Mall and do a spot of shopping at the likes of Quidditas General Store. If you visit during the first Sunday of the month, you can also hit Leura's flea market for everything from jewellery, clothes and homewares to local eats. For a full dose of the quirky and quaint history Leura is known for, drop by the Leuralla Toy & Railway Museum, Bygone Beautys' Teapot Museum or the National Trust property Everglades Gardens. In what might be the high tea capital of Australia, the latter two are good spots to partake. Once night falls, take a short drive over to Blackheath to catch an indie film at Mount Vic Flicks. The renovated 1930s movie theatre makes for a relaxing night out and offers house-baked treats. STAY While Leura offers an array of accommodation options, the Fairmont Resort and Spa Blue Mountains is an enduring classic. The hotel's boutique rooms and suites are individually decorated for that personalised touch, while its public spaces offer sweeping views across the Jamison Valley. It's close to the Leura Cascades, Inspiration and Sublime Points, and Empress, Gordon and Wentworth Falls, so you're well situated for many of the region's best hikes and treks. Taking time to relax within the vast gardens and grounds should also be on the itinerary. The resort houses a golf club, four luxury restaurants and a lounge. The new Ubika Day Spa opens on August 13, so now's your chance to be one of the first to lie across their massage tables and be pampered with local organic iKOU products. Don't miss the resort's signature high tea, where your miniature cakes and sandos come with a pretty spectacular view. A perfect preformed weekender comes in the shape of the MGallery Memorable Moment package, which includes one night accommodation, a full buffet breakfast and a wilderness experience for two. At the heart of the getaway is a four-hour bushwalk led by a tour guide dedicated to reconnecting you with nature — an experience exclusive to the Fairmont Resort and Spa. Go to the AccorHotels website to book your stay in Leura, and to discover more of regional NSW, check out Visit NSW.
There's more to the Canterbury-Bankstown region than just footy fanatics and stellar charcoal chicken. Keep your eyes peeled as you stroll down Burwood Road and you may notice Belmore Continental Bakery. As one of Belmore's many bakeries, this humble joint has remained a hidden gem. Its inviting open-plan shopfront allows you to walk right in and discover a plethora of pastries, shelves stacked with freshly baked bread loaves and the bakery's very own treasure chest: its banh mi stand. Not only is the local staple home to flaky pastries and golden-crusted pies — baked daily from 2am onwards — but it also boasts some of Sydney's best banh mi. Our recommendation: opt for the chicken roll with the lot, including the creamy mayonnaise and the flavourful paté. And be sure to ask for a generous topping of fresh chilli for the perfect, punch-packing bite. There are plenty of rolls to choose from, though, with the bakery's selection including pork, chicken, salad, meatballs, barbecue pork and tuna. Other store highlights include its array of meat pies spanning with classic flavours spanning from mushroom to curry — as well as its sausage rolls, custard tarts, cream- and jam-filled buns and danishes. They're all worthy of a trip to the west. To top it off, Belmore Continental Bakery's friendly staff provide top-notch service with a smile. If you become a regular visitor, you'll be aptly remembered along with your order. Head over to our Instagram for a more in-depth look at Belmore Continental Bakery.
If you're looking to visit a Hong Kong dai pai dong without leaving Sydney (and we recommend you do), look no further than Chan Kun Kee in Rhodes. The vibrant casual diner is the first international outpost for a Hong Kong team that's been serving up flavour-packed eats for over 40 years. Sydney's Chan Kun Kee opened in 2023 and the local iteration brings all the charm of its original institution to the Inner West. You'll find a variety of specialty small plates on offer ranging from stir-fries and fried noodles to loaded seafood dishes and hot pot. The must-try menu item is the claypot fish-flavoured eggplant — the best in Australia according to the team. But the menu is expansive with plenty to discover. There's spicy shredded chicken with crab roe, pork belly in a Sichuan broth, deep-fried oysters with wasabi sauce, stir-fried XO squid and a tom yum soup loaded with clams. The lunch menu — available 11am–2pm Tuesday–Sunday — refines your options, opting for more personal serving sizes. For $18, take your pick of the mains, including wasabi pork chops, stir-fried clams and a curry beef brisket, all of which are served with rice and a drink. Pair your meal with a $7 Tsingtao or Asahi, a herbal tea, or one of the housemade beverages, including the barley, lemon, yuzu and honey combination. Great Cantonese food at extremely affordable prices? What's not to love.
Daniel San has long been known for its mid-week feasts, but if you've been dropping by for unlimited dumplings on a Wednesday, we have news. Bottomless dim sum is off the menu — and all-you-can-eat wings is now on it. Yep, prepare to gorge on as many pieces of poultry as you can handle. From 4pm each Wednesday, the buckets of wings will keep coming, all for $19 per person. Even better — there are four flavours to choose from, so you can get your smokey barbecue on, opt for the ol' favourite that is buffalo, tuck into some teriyaki or add some spice with kimchi. Or, of course, you can go for all of the above. Each bucket also comes with hot chipsu — aka Daniel San's crunchy slivers of potato with yang-nyum sauce and kewpie mayo — which means that you'll technically be getting some vegetables as well. Bookings are recommended by contacting the venue, so gather the gang and make a date with plenty of chook.
