There's a time for coffee and there's a time for cocktails — and, sometimes, there's a time in the day when you want both. Australia's caffeinated booze expert Mr Black ticks both boxes with the release of its new bottled beverage: a pre-batched coffee negroni. The company's first bottled cocktail, the coffee negroni is made with Mr Black coffee liqueur, Campari, sweet vermouth and Moore's dry gin, which is produced at the same distillery as Mr Black, Distillery Botanica. Each bottle is going for $49 and can be used to make five cocktails (yes, that's a very reasonably $9.80 a drink). To make said cocktail, you just need to pour 100 millilitres of the sweet stuff into a glass over ice and garnish with a citrus twist — if you want to get a little fancy. No stirring (or shaking) required. It's the second new product the Mr Black team has released during lockdown, with the company launching a hand sanitiser in late March. As well as selling thousands (and thousands) of bottles to the public, the team donated hundreds to front-line medical workers, not-for-profits, testing clinics and medical centres. It's not the only distillery to launch its own hand sanitiser during COVID-19, either, with Queensland icon Bundaberg and Sydney rum distillery Brix, among others, also jumping on the trend. To get your hands on a bottle of coffee negroni, which, knowing Mr Black's track record, will sell out fast, head over to the Mr Black website. It's currently offering free shopping on all orders over $80. Mr Black's coffee negroni is on sale now for $49.
Keen for a solid burg in the CBD today? There's a cheeky little burger battle happening underneath Martin Place, with the genuine wizards at Pub Life Kitchen taking on the burgers of Barrio Cellar. On Thursday, August 27 from 12-3pm, the PLK Cheeseburger will take on the Barrio Burger, giving you an excuse to wolf down more than your average recommended burger portion for a regular Thursday. Not familiar with the competition? PLK have earned their stripes in burgery serving seriously excellent creations inside Ultimo's tiny Lord Wolseley Hotel. PLK have been known to put everything from Dorito fried chicken to chilli jam doughnuts on their buns, so don't underestimate these guys. Needless to say, their cheeseburger is a force to be reckoned with. Barrio Cellar, while they're probably known more for tacos and tequila, have created a worthy weapon of their own — the meaty, meaty, oh-so-cheesy Barrio Burger. This really is the best way any Thursday lunch could go. Bring on the burgs.
June is here, so is the cold weather — and usually the Sydney Film Festival also would be in full swing right about now. But in 2021, SFF is unleashing its cinematic wonders a little later than normal. That doesn't mean that you can't spend its traditional time slot thinking about all the things that you're going to watch between Wednesday, August 18–Sunday, August 29, though. Also a bit later than usual, SFF has just announced its first program sneak peek for 2021, ahead of the full lineup drop in July. The short version: even based on the list revealed already, your eyeballs are going to be busy at this year's 12-day fest. So far, the event has named 22 movies that'll help it make its proper return to cinemas after a two-year gap. The 2020 event moved online due to the pandemic — and when a summer season brought cinephiles back to the glorious State Theatre in January, it only screened a handful of movies. If these first 2021 titles are anything to go by, film buffs are in for quite the treat come August. Leading the charge: New Zealand's The Justice of Bunny King, which stars Essie Davis (Babyteeth) and Thomasin McKenzie (Jojo Rabbit); Riders of Justice, a revenge-fuelled Danish comedy led by the inimitable Mads Mikkelsen (Another Round); 2020 Sundance hit Zola, which is based on a lengthy 148-tweet Twitter thread; 2020 Berlinale Golden Bear winner There Is No Evil, a searing Iranian drama about the death penalty; and Undine, the alluring and beguiling latest film from German auteur Christian Petzold. Festival director Nashen Moodley has also programmed documentary The Kids, which sees Australian filmmaker Eddie Martin (All This Mayhem) explore Larry Clark's 1995 film Kids; climate change doco The Magnitude of All Things, which includes Greta Thunberg chatting about the topic; Shoplifters of the World, a drama about a fan of The Smiths trying to cope with the band's breakup; and three-time Sundance 2021 winner Hive, the first film to ever win the fest's Grand Jury Prize, Audience Award and Directing Award. Or there's also the tense and engaging Night of the Kings, which takes place in a rough Côte d'Ivoire prison; The Beta Test, a Hollywood-set horror flick that's been getting comparisons to The Twilight Zone; and the Taika Waititi-executive produced sci-fi film Night Raiders. And, on the local front, Wash My Soul in the River's Flow hones its focus on Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter, following the couple as they prepare for 2004's Kura Tungar — Songs from the River — a collaboration between the First Nation artists, Paul Grabowsky and the Australian Art Orchestra. Plus, Step into Paradise explores the collaboration and friendship between Aussie fashion designers Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson. The 2021 Sydney Film Festival will run between Wednesday, August 18–Sunday, August 29. Check out the event's just-announced titles by heading to the festival website. The full program will be released on Wednesday, July 22. Top image: Zola. Anna Kooris / A24 Films.
It's a marriage of the ultra trendy and timeless style. Italian label Superga has collaborated with 'it girl' Alexa Chung's eponymous fashion line to create an exclusive shoe collection of chunky, retro, yet elegant kicks. Trading in Superga's iconic canvas for suede and velvet, the limited edition range reboots the oldie, but goodie bowling shoe with thick soles, as well as the Italian label's sports training styles — a model from the brand's over-100-year-old history books. Now, it's all too often these sort of collaborations are only available to our mates in the northern hemisphere, but Superga and Alexa, being the inclusive types they are, will launch the Superga x ALEXACHUNG collaboration in Australia this week. And we've secured two spots for you and your plus one at the exclusive launch party happening in Sydney this Friday. While we won't know the location until the day of, we do know that Alexa Chung will be there in the flesh. So along with partying with Sydney's style set at this secret (waterside) location, you'll be rubbing shoulders with one of the fashion industry's biggest names. Whether you'll be fangirling/boying or not, it's a party you'll certainly want to secure an invite to just for the killer Sydney views, Aperol spritzes, flutes of Perrier Jouet Champagne and canapes like seared scallop with spicy shellfish vinaigrette and crackling, orecchiette puttanesca and goat's curd and tomato tartlets with black olive — what a way to kick off the weekend. Plus, on top of all that, we've secured two pairs of Supergas for you and your favourite friend. You'll be able to slip into those crisp white kicks just in time for the arrival of warmer days. The Superga x ALEXACHUNG capsule collection launch will take place this Friday, September 21 in the evening at a secret location. To secure an RSVP, as well as some Superga kicks for you and a plus one, enter your details below. [competition]689242[/competition]
Thailand is undoubtedly one of Australia's favourite holiday destinations, and Bangkok is one of the world's most visited cities by international tourists. The sprawling metropolis makes room for the old and the new — one minute you're cruising down the Chao Phraya river, the next you're travelling through the city at breakneck speed on the BTS skytrain. We've going to bet that a few of you have been to Bangkok before. Maybe you've even trekked up to Chiang Mai and Pai, or soaked up some sun scuba diving off one of Thailand's many islands. That's why we've left some of the obvious Bangkok destinations out of this article, like the mind-boggling Chatuchak markets, the opulent Grand Palace and the silk-lovers heaven that is Jim Thompson House. If you're in the country's capital and looking for a fun way to spend a few days, we recommend giving a few of these a visit. Drink at high altitudes Bangkok has quite a nifty reputation for its rooftop bar scene, so we decided to check out the highest one we could find — it was the Sky Bar at the Lebua State Tower (also known as the rooftop bar from The Hangover 2). Come alone or come in a wolf pack to the 65th floor — the service is friendly and the cocktails are outstanding. We could drink their blueberry sour G&T's all damn day, but there's also a Hangovertini for those looking to stay in theme. Sunset is generally the best time to arrive but, then again, we're yet to find a bad time to drink at high altitudes. We also climbed to the top of Moon Bar at the Banyan Tree Bangkok, located on the 61st floor. It's extremely easy to pass the hours when you're seated against the glass wall overlooking the city — with free bar snacks that were constantly replenished, no less. There was a smart casual dress code at both of these rooftop bars, so it's worth checking ahead to make sure drinking in the clouds stays firmly on your conquered list. Yes, both of these places were a bit pricier than your average 60 Baht bottle of Chang beer, but if you're after a nice night out, this is it. What can we say? Bangkok has us now. Work Your Way Out Of Escape Hunt Escape rooms are becoming a bit of a thing in Australia, but we tried out the Bangkok version at Escape Hunt anyway. For the uninitiated, escape rooms are like playing real-life Cluedo: you get 'locked' in a room, left to solve a murder mystery before your time is up. In our case, we had an hour to figure out who had killed a female painter — one of her three boyfriends, or the groundskeeper? This was totally awesome. And if Bangkok hasn't already tested your relationship with your travel partner, this certainly will. You're allowed to get clues from your host, but each clue deducts one minute off your time, so we recommend only using them when you're desperately seeking some Sherlock intuition. Thankfully, we made it out with just under two minutes to spare, and we were given the cutest tweed detective gear to put on and take photos in. Check Out Cat, Dog and Bunny Cafes Cat cafes did originate in Asia, so it's no surprise there are a few here in Thailand's capital. We're not sure exactly how many cat cafes Bangkok has, but we know there are at least three. Purr Cat Cafe Club is one of the more prominent ones in Sukhumvit, and in a city filled with apartment buildings and high rises, it's no wonder Bangkok locals are looking to spend some quality time with a furry friend. Purr is run by a Thai sitcom actress and houses 14 fluffy Persians cats. At the cafe you can have cat-shaped brownies and whiskers drawn on your hot chocolate. There is also Kitty Cat Cafe and Makura Cat Cafe in Bangkok if you can't get enough of your feline friends. Cats not your thing? Don't even worry about it. Bangkok also has a cafe that specifically houses Siberian huskies called True Love Cafe. There are 17 of these adorable pups running around, all of different colours and sizes. One final animal establishment we'd like to throw out there is the Lucky Bunny Cafe & Restaurant, which houses happy, healthy rabbits. All of the cute, all at once. Food and (Safe) Sex Together At Last With a tagline like 'Our food is guaranteed not to cause pregnancy', how could you possibly refuse a meal here? There are mannequins covered in elaborate condom costumes which are hilarious and honestly quite impressive, but Cabbages and Condoms is not the money-grabbing, photo-opportunity establishment you might first think. Cabbages and Condoms was initially created to promote a better understanding of sexual health and family planning, as a portion of the profits go towards the Population and Community Development Association (PDA). It's all in the name of an excellent cause, so you might as well get amongst. The menu is strictly Thai cuisine, and there's plenty to choose from. There are a few Cabbages and Condoms located all over Thailand, so if you're heading over to Thailand but not staying in Bangkok, there's still a chance to check this out. Grab a handful of free dingers on the way out and have yourself a safe and merry day. Choose Your Own Adventure: Thai Street Food Let's be honest, this section could be a whole article to itself. Thai street food is the best kind of street food — cheap, unpredictable (in a good way), and, above all, delicious. The rules are simple: eat anything that looks interesting, ask questions later and try something new every time. On a personal note, I spent two years of my childhood living in Thailand, so I had a slight advantage of knowing that (1) My chances of death were slim if I chose wisely, and (2) I could identify some of the strangest looking toppings on Thai snow cones. Boat noodles (kuay tiew rua) are a Bangkok street food staple, and there is a whole alley dedicated to this delicacy located near Victory Monument. For other noodles on the run, a safe bet is the readily available stir-fried wide rice noodles (pad see ew) or Pad Thai. Our favourite savoury snacks were easily the bacon-wrapped enoki mushrooms, as well as the ever-present and super cheap grilled pork sticks (moo ping). For sweets you can't go passed mango and sticky rice (kao niao mumuang) — it's traditional and delicious. For some who are keen for a little lucky dip, give the Thai snow cone (nam kang sai) a go. You fill the bottom of the bowl with anything from black jelly, chestnuts, sweetened taro to red beans, then place a mound of shaved ice on top of that and cover with flavoured syrups and condensed, evaporated or coconut milk, depending on how sweet you want it. Top image thanks to Scalino, Lubua photo taken by Vicky Chung via Flickr, cat image thanks to ironypoisoning, Cabbages and Condoms image thanks to micamonkey, street food image thanks to jaaron.
Josh Niland has achieved a lot. He's opened many of Australia's top restaurants, written two acclaimed books (and just dropped a third), challenged how we see seafood in the kitchen and been named in the world's top 100 best chefs. Now, he's taking his success to the world, opening his first international restaurant at The Singapore Edition hotel. Niland's new opening will be the signature restaurant at the soon-to-open 204-room hotel, Edition's first foray into Southeast Asia. At the core of its offerings will be the chef's distinct passion for sustainable seafood — but, unlike Niland's Sydney openings, the hotel venue will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. After initially making a splash with Saint Peter, Josh and his partner Julie Niland have taken the Sydney culinary scene by storm with a series of openings including Fish Butchery, Charcoal Fish and Petermen. The duo are also revamping The Grand National Hotel, moving Saint Peter from Oxford Street into the pub. Niland's Singapore outpost will be one of five restaurants and bars that are set to open inside The Singapore Edition. The lavish accommodation is located in the downtown Orchard district and also promises to offer a rooftop pool, a spa and a fitness centre. [caption id="attachment_910017" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Petermen[/caption] The menu will be a la carte, featuring fish cut to order including rib on the bone, crown roasts and cutlets. As with all of Niland's operations, the restaurant will work with world-class ethical producers and suppliers — and minimising waste will be a top priority, with the menus at the restaurant and lobby bar working in unison to ensure all produce is used to its fullest. The Singapore restaurant doesn't have an exact open date quite yet, but it's expected to swing open its doors in November of this year. [caption id="attachment_771911" align="alignnone" width="1920"] by Rob Palmer, from Josh Niland's The Whole Fish Cookbook[/caption] If you want to get a taste of this world-class sustainable seafood operation without venturing over to Singapore, you have a few options. Book a table at the intimate Saint Peter for the classic Niland experience, or head to Charcoal Fish for a more casual takeaway-style offering. And, you can venture over to St Leonards for his newest offering Petermen, which just launched a weekly pescetarian-friendly Sunday roast. [caption id="attachment_826817" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Saint Peter[/caption] Josh Niland's new Singapore venue will open at The Singapore Edition, 38 Cuscaden Road, Singapore — it's expected to launch in November 2023. Top image: Alan Benson.
An honest man follows his ambitions, but finds trouble at every turn. We’ve seen this story done before and done well; however, films as gloomy and gripping as A Most Violent Year don’t come around that often. It’s not necessarily the chaos and corruption the movie tells of that gets under your skin, though there’s plenty of that. What makes this tense, moody thriller so insidious and effective is the way it states the costs and consequences without offering an alternative. Adapt or perish, it says. That’s just life, it tells us. When we first meet that well-intentioned businessman, Abel Morales (Oscar Isaac), he’s running — and doesn’t stop throughout the film. Yes, he’s frequently standing still, but he’s never really relaxed or comfortable. He’s continually chasing the next step in his carefully controlled climb from poor immigrant to heating oil mogul, and the movie loves nothing more than to watch his struggle. Understanding why Morales itches to keep moving is simple, despite everything — his wife, Anna (Jessica Chastain), his fancy home and his growing oil company — seeming the picture of happiness. Thugs keep hijacking his trucks, threatening his staff and prowling around his house. The assistant district attorney (David Oyelowo) has targeted him in an investigation into the industry. If a property deal crucial to expanding his empire falls through, he could lose everything. Writer/director J.C. Chandor previously made Margin Call and All Is Lost, which gives an indication of the uneasiness on display. Yet again, his characters walk the fine line between success and failure, trapped in a horror story about survival in capitalist times. The American Dream is mentioned, and that’s certainly what the movie contemplates, though it’s rarely so blunt about it. Instead, it is telling that the story is set in New York in 1981 — reportedly the city’s most crime-ridden year on record, hence the title. That Selma cinematographer Bradford Young chooses to make everything from subway cars to suburban homes look shadowy and inescapable is just as revealing. Chandor has always benefited from clever casting, but in A Most Violent Year he has hit the jackpot. Isaac is exceptional as someone trying not to drown — metaphorically, not literally, here — in stormy waters. Everyone who rightfully loved him in Balibo, Drive and Inside Llewyn Davis will only do so all over again. Morales is the type of conflicted role only he could’ve done justice to. He’s constantly composing himself for the next drama — whether discussing tactics with his attorney (Albert Brooks), or begrudgingly asking a competitor (Alessandro Nivola) for help. And then there’s his battle with Anna, as formidably played as the gangster’s daughter she is by the equally outstanding Chastain. If ever there was a depiction of marriage to test the “behind every great man, there’s a great woman” adage, it’s this one (matching stylish period outfits included). It may take time getting there, building patiently and unnervingly, but when A Most Violent Year ends, it’s like the slap in the face you knew was coming yet couldn’t duck to avoid. Another famous saying springs to mind: be careful what you wish for. Viewers wanting a complex and compelling film needn’t fear, but anyone wanting life to be full of unambiguously happy endings just might.
After seven years of bringing food to Australians' doors — and alcohol, kitchen and household products, and pop culture-themed board games in some places, too — Deliveroo has delivered a significant piece of news: it now no longer operates in the country. Via a series of messages to customers, on social media and on its local website on Wednesday, November 16, the company announced that it was shutting its Aussie service effective immediately. "Deliveroo no longer operates in Australia," the organisation's website now reads. "Deliveroo has taken the difficult decision to leave Australia. We have been proud to bring so many people amazing meals from Australia's great restaurants over the years," it continues. The company is now in administration, with KordaMentha appointed to oversee the process. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Deliveroo (@deliveroo_au) In its statements on social media, Deliveroo called the news a "sad announcement" and reiterated that it "has been a very difficult decision to make". It also called out Australia's "amazing food" and "thousands of brilliant restaurants and riders". Obviously, the sudden shuttering will impact both considerably. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Deliveroo staff will receive compensation, and drivers who made a delivery in the past three months. As a result of the closure, Deliveroo's app is now no longer accepting orders, leaving customers to use competing food-delivery services such as UberEats, Menulog and DoorDash. Since opening in Australia in 2015, in efforts to stand out in a crowded market, Deliveroo has done everything from giving away burgers and Tim Tams, offering free delivery during lockdowns and slinging free fries based on vaccination levels through to even dropping off free Gelato Messina choc tops by boat. For more information about Deliveroo ceasing operations in Australia, head to the service's website.
When it comes to art exhibitions, second chances aren't common. A big-name showcase may display at several places around the world, but it doesn't often hit the same venue twice. French Impressionism is an exception, then, returning to the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne in 2025 after initially gracing the institution's walls in 2021. When it was first announced for that debut Australian run, French Impressionism was set to be a blockbuster exhibition — and with 100-plus works featuring, including by Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt and more, it's easy to understand why. But 2021 wasn't an ordinary year, like 2020 before it. Accordingly, when this showcase of masterpieces on loan from Boston's renowned Museum of Fine Arts opened Down Under, it was forced to close shortly afterwards due to the pandemic. Cue another season in this part of the world four years later, thankfully, with French Impressionism back at NGV International from Friday, June 6–Sunday, October 5, 2025. This is one of the largest collections of the eponymous art movement to ever make its way to Australia, complete with works that've never been seen here before. [caption id="attachment_977042" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Claude Monet, French, 1840–1926, Water lilies, 1905, oil on canvas, 89.5 x 100.3 cm, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Gift of Edward Jackson Holmes Photography © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. All Rights Reserved.[/caption] Again part of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition series, French Impressionism isn't short on gems, especially given the array of artists with pieces on display, which also includes Camille Pissarro and Berthe Morisot. But one certain must-see is the presentation of 16 Monet pieces in one gallery, all in a curved display to close out the showcase — and focusing of his scenes of nature in Argenteuil, the Normandy coast and the Mediterranean coast, as well as his Giverny garden. In total, there's 19 Monet works in French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts' collection (Water Lilies among them), and that still leaves the US gallery almost as many to display in Boston. Another section digs into early works by Monet and his predecessors, such as Eugène Boudin — and Renoir and Pissarro's careers also get the in-depth treatment. As the exhibition charts French impressionism's path across the late-19th century, visitors will enjoy three never-before-seen-in-Australia pieces, with Victorine Meurent's Self-portrait one of them. Ten-plus Degas works, as well as two pieces that were part of the very first exhibition of French Impressionism that took place in 1874, also feature. If you made it along to the showcase's first trip Down Under, you will notice changes, with the exhibition design reimagined for its latest presentation. [caption id="attachment_977038" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Camille Pissarro, French (born in the Danish West Indies), 1830–1903, Spring pasture, 1889, oil on canvas, 60 x 73.7 cm, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Deposited by the Trustees of the White Fund, Lawrence, Massachusetts, Photography © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. All Rights Reserved.[/caption] Top image: excerpt of Camille Pissarro, French (born in the Danish West Indies), 1830–1903, Spring pasture, 1889, oil on canvas, 60 x 73.7 cm, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Deposited by the Trustees of the White Fund, Lawrence, Massachusetts, Photography © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. All Rights Reserved.
Whether you like to play it safe with spaghetti or go crazy with casarecce, you'll find all your favourite pastas, fresh and homemade, at new Italian diner La Favola. Let the carb-loading begin. Located on upper King Street in Newtown, La Favola has taken over the space previously occupied by stoner-food cafe D'Munchies. (Don't worry, local stoners will find another joint.) Unlike your traditional flag-bearing trattorias, there are no red-checked tablecloths or baskets of breadsticks. Instead, La Favola has opted for a clean and contemporary fit-out, replacing the massive marijuana mural with a white brick façade and a simple butcher's block menu. So who's the master of pasta at La Favola? That would be Italian chef Fabio Stefanelli, previously of Cucinetta in Woolwich and Fico in Hobart, as well as Michelin-starred Cracco ristorante in Milan. Stefanelli's recipe for success is simple — six pastas and six sauces, and patrons can mix and match as they please. As a general rule, you'll find lighter and creamier sauces, such as the carbonara ($16) and the seafood dal mare ($20), a perfect match for the spaghetti or fusilli, while richer, meatier sauces, such as the ragu Napoletano ($18), pair better with rigatoni or paccheri. That said, there's really no right or wrong way to eat the pasta here. Hell, you can even go broccoli e salsiccia with fettucine ($18) if you want to. While it's not part of the standard menu, La Favola also offers gnocchi from time to time and it's definitely worth ordering if you see it on the specials (check the restaurant's Facebook page for updates). Stefanelli's little potato dumplings are so light and fluffy you'll feel as though you can eat and eat and eat. Oh, and don't be alarmed by how quickly the food comes out, it's definitely not Latina. The self-professed "fast food" restaurant hand makes its own pasta, sauces and stocks at the start of each day. While the pasta is definitely the show-stealer, La Favola's menu also includes a small selection of starters — including a beef carpaccio with truffle cream ($18) and fried calamari ($16) — as well as a few other simple sides. If you only have room for two courses, however, make the second one dessert. You'll be completely won over by the cannolo Siciliano ($7), which is stuffed with a fresh ricotta cream made with citrus fruits that have been stewed for five hours. As you can see, La Favola is not your usual fast food eatery. Images: Trent van der Jagt
Ichi-ban is a well-known ramen in Sydney for a reason. It's cheap, it's delicious and you have it in front of you just minutes after ordering — which is handy given the queue you can expect at peak times. While there are plenty of options on the menu, including some great gyoza, the ramen is the real hero here. The noodles are made fresh and cooked al dente and we recommend the karaage ramen, which is topped with melt-in-your mouth fried chicken. Having said that, their miso ramen is also worth your money, particularly if you want to stick to the cheapest $18.90 option. While there are a few Ichi-bans now in Sydney, head to their flagship restaurant at The Galeries for the best. As of just recently, the restaurant now takes card.
The World's 50 Best Bars list was just announced in Hong Kong, with two Australian hot spots taking out impressive rankings. Sydney's Maybe Sammy affirmed its position as Australia's most consistently awarded bar on the list, while Melbourne's Caretaker's Cottage improved its previous ranking. The annual list, which has been operating since 2009, is curated from the votes of The World's 50 Best Bars Academy, which includes expert bartenders, consultants, specialists and drinks writers. The list, as voted for by more than 800 experts across the world, represents an international guide to the best bars and drinking destinations globally. The inclusion on the list this year, at number 42, marks seven consecutive years for Sydney bar Maybe Sammy. The bar, co-founded by Vince Lombardo and Stefano Catino in 2019, has garnered an impressive array of national and international awards since its opening, including being named Best Bar in Australasia five times by The World's 50 Best Bars. Catino says, "For seven years, we've proudly put Sydney on the global cocktail map, and that consistency means everything to us. Australia is one of the best food and drink destinations in the world, and we're honoured to be part of it. Thank you to everyone who voted — it truly means the world." Caretaker's Cottage, tucked away in Wesley Place precinct in a historic bluestone building, is no doubt one of Melbourne's favourite and most awarded bars. It can now add another notch in its belt, being ranked number 19 on the list, and taking out the Best Bar in Australasia award for 2025. The World's 50 Best Bars List says of the petite-sized Melbourne hotspot, "Beneath the skyscrapers in the middle of the Melbourne CBD, there's a small, humble-looking place that was once the residence of the caretaker of the church next door. It's here you'll find a small team taking care of the thirsty, the tired and those in need of a good time…the real feat they've achieved in a small place is ensuring that — despite being Melbourne's busiest cocktail bar — every guest feels like they've found a place of their own." In another impressive feat that puts Aussies on the world stage, the double-concept venue Tigra (downstairs) and Disco Pantera (upstairs) were honoured with the Best Bar Design Award 2025. Feels like a drink is in order all round. Images: Mario Francisco. All this talk of drinks got you feeling like a bar crawl? Check out the best bars in Melbourne — weekend plans sorted.
"They're more scared of us than we are of them," many mothers have told their offspring, soothing fears of monsters, spiders and other scary forces — and in The Boxtrolls, the adage proves accurate. The village of Cheesebridge is intent on exterminating the cardboard-wearing, subterranean-dwelling titular creatures, driven by tales of child stealing, people eating, and rivers of blood. All the benevolent grey critters want, however, is to play with junk and tinker with machines. A lost baby is the source of the boxtrolls' bad reputation, after the villainous Archibald Snatcher (Ben Kingsley) convinces the townsfolk of their involvement. A decade later, the missing boy has been raised by his new pals and christened Eggs (Isaac Hempstead Wright), happy in his existence beneath the streets. Then Winifred (Elle Fanning) spots him, her morbid curiosity soon turning to affinity. Alas, Snatcher's pursuit continues, with the rest of the populace ambivalent to the girl's protests. From animators Laika, The Boxtrolls is steeped in the offbeat and styled in the eccentric; this is the stop-motion studio that brought Coraline and ParaNorman to life, after all. Adapted from Alan Snow's novel Here Be Monsters!, the film shares many aspects with their previous hits: gorgeously grotesque imagery, smart gags slipped amongst endearing detail, a winning blend of the sweet and surreal, and intelligent messages for young and old. With a steampunk aesthetic, directors Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi lovingly revel in their intricate world, complete with rusting metal, slops of mud, unattractive adults and more. They remain unafraid of letting the harshness of life manifest in the gothic look, albeit lightened by the sense of adventure, the cuteness of the boxtrolls, a celebration of cheese (food, not corniness) and a story concerned with acceptance outside the norm. The weighty themes don't stop there, nor does the studio's penchant for a specific type of material. Outcast children find fondness in things typically considered strange, looking beyond accepted bounds to discover their identities and values. Open-mindedness is championed, just as the blinkered view of most — Snatcher's coveting of social-climbing grandeur, and Winifred's father's (Jared Harris) preference for dairy over his daughter — is skewered. The thoughtful feature even contemplates self-determination and the outsourcing of immoral deeds to the poor through the comic conversations of Snatcher's employees, voiced by Richard Ayoade, Nick Frost and Tracy Morgan. Such high-profile casting tops the delightfully dark film, its talent deepening the characters rather than merely inciting the usual celebrity spotting (although Ayoade and Frost's banter is always a treat). Stitching together the sensibilities of Tim Burton and Roald Dahl, The Boxtrolls is a warm and witty excursion through the weird and wonderful, as well as a true slice of cinematic enjoyment for all ages. https://youtube.com/watch?v=uHfkJMILG4U
Sydney drinks and dines divinely well and it now has a sparkly new summer spot. The beach boys behind Bondi Hardware have established a balmy bar and restaurant on the lower north shore. The Botanist, sown in the central street of Kirribilli, is the small bar come grazing ground the area desired. Laden with luscious plants, lots of wood and the occasional nautical knick knack, The Botanist feels foliaceous and fanciful. Named after the English botanist who ran a bookshop on the site during the turn of the century, the place oozes Victorian apothecary-style charm; the menu is marked with botany illustrations and water is served in scientific-looking bottles. It pulls a cheery mix of locals and North Sydney workers, but with a breezy vibe you'll find more boat shoes than Blahniks. Forget a plum in the mouth, here you get the whole fruit bowl with a drinks list focusing on herbs, fruit and exotically spiced liquors. Open up The Botanist's elegant green menu and you'll see a charming Ralph Waldo Emerson quote, "What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered." The subsequent cocktails, in the interests of discovering the most virtuous of verdures, feature herb flavours and curious combinations. The Green Grass ($16) has cinnamon-spiced vodka, apple syrup, fresh green apple juice and a little lime and is soul-soothing and festive. Lulu Warriors ($18) has pirate-like spiced rum, amaretto liqueur and pine-lime juice; improbably, it works. The Botanist's food is the kind of casual and slightly eccentric fare suited to sharing over drinks; with hints of British India, the elements are a modern mishmash of the spice trade. The lamb salad is robust and satisfying, with slow roasted spiced lamb shoulder with roasted capsicum, tomato, hummus, minted yoghurt, rocket and marinated fetta ($19). The sliders (4 for $20) are a big hit; these babies running the gourmet gamut from India (butter chicken with cucumber and lime relish) to Lebanon (lamb kofta, tabouli and hummus). The quesadillas, with chorizo, spiced beans, potato and cheese, are hearty and limey with tomato salsa and guacamole ($18). Sprightly and whimsical, The Botanist is abloom with good food, great drinks and a fun, furzy mood.
If crafting a successful sequel wasn't already a difficult assignment, doing so for a movie remembered for its quirkiness and surprise factor must border on the impossible. Still, when Kingsman: The Secret Service took in over $400 million worldwide, a follow-up was inevitable. And so two years later director Matthew Vaughn has returned to the world of suave secret agents with Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Let's be clear: this is a ridiculous movie in almost every respect, from the mad-cap story through to the action scenes, cameos and costuming. Everything in Kingsman: The Golden Circle is hyped-up, spun-around, slowed-down, blown-up or cut in half. Gravity is largely ignored, except when it's used as a weapon, and henchmen die with the same violent regularity as extras in Commando. There are robotic killer dogs, cannibalistic villains and Elton John ninja-kicking a bad guy in the face. As we said, it's ridiculous – but also surprisingly entertaining. Our villain this time round is none other than Academy Award winner Julianne Moore as Poppy, the world's leading and most ruthless drug tzar. Her Cambodian lair has been fashioned as an homage to 1950s Americana, complete with bowling alley, golden age cinema and a shake and burger diner in which she both conducts her business and minces her victims. She's an apron wearing Stepford Escobar who owns every second of screen time given to her. Tasked with stopping Poppy are the bespoke-suited Kingsmen in chav-turned-gent Eggsy (Taron Egerton) and his tech man Merlin (Mark Strong). Back too is Colin Firth's Galahad, suffering from a nasty bout of retrograde amnesia. They're also joined by their American counterparts The Statesmen, whose ranks include Halle Berry, Pedro Pascal, Jeff Bridges and a criminally-underused Channing Tatum. Silly and fun as it might be, there are some glaring problems with this film, most notably that it's unfathomably sexist. With the one exception of Julianne Moore's Poppy, every single woman in Kingsman: The Golden Circle exists only as a victim, a love interest or an assistant to her male counterparts. Given the movie was co-written by Jane Goldman, it's beyond comprehension why such rampant and unnecessary gender bias could exist in a movie where masculinity plays no meaningful purpose. Yes, it's about spies in sumptuous suits, but as one of the early scenes demonstrates, Eggsy's best friend and colleague Roxy looks as good if not better in the ole pin stripes and paisley, to say nothing of her abilities. Still, the film is entertaining in spite of its flaws and it thankfully retains enough shock factor to honour the original. The final scene also makes clear that the producers are prepping for part three. Love it or leave it, there's more Kingsman to come. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Nxc-3WpMbg
"An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all," Oscar Wilde once famously quipped. Sydney's Festival of Dangerous Ideas puts such a claim to the test. For three days, the event transforms the Opera House into a simmering cauldron of probabilities, possibilities and impossibilities. There's no question that can't be asked, no convention that can't be challenged, no notion that can't be overturned. Now in its fifth year, the Festival promises to penetrate the territory of the taboo deeper than ever before. The programme, announced today, features 82 speakers from 10 different countries and 33 hours of discussion across 32 various subjects. Journalist David Simon (creator of The Wire and Treme) will bring his intellectual might and downtown experience to the statement 'Some people are more equal than others', exploring the searing divide that undermines America's claim to the provision of equal opportunity. The perpetual question of gender and power will receive a 21st-century treatment, with Hannah Rosin considering the aftermath of 'The end of men',before joining a panel discussion proposing 'The world is not ready for women in power'. Then there'll be debates on 'monogamy vs. monogomish', the 'death of journalism', and John Safran masquerading as a white supremacist. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Already feeling fired up? Tix, available in a range of multipacks, go on sale on Monday September 2. FODI runs from 2-4 November.
In what's proving to be a huge year for new places to stay in Brisbane, Fortitude Valley has just welcomed its next addition: The Calile Hotel. Two years in the making — as anyone that spotted the constant construction site on James Street will know — the seven-storey, 175-room spot is calling itself 'Australia's first urban resort'. Yes, that means that going for a splash in the central pool, lazing around in cabanas or on a sun lounge, and eating on the hotel's outdoor deck are all on the agenda. So is hanging out at the spa, which is also open to the general public, and just making the most of Brissie's climate. The white brick design, by architects Richards and Spence, certainly highlights the tropical side of things. Think open-air spaces and breezeways, natural ventilation and plants aplenty, as well as a cool, soothing colour scheme. Inside the rooms, guests will find oak furniture, cork floors and sisal matting in the bathrooms, day beds for afternoon naps, linen robes and a mini bar stocked from local suppliers. Recognising how sunny the city gets, every room is also fitted with motorised blackout blinds. If you need to escape the glow, the in-suite Chromecast and sound bar will help as well. Rooms start from just over $200, with The Calile also featuring nine suites and two premier suites, complete with poolside and terrace-style balconies as well as two private rooftop terraces — for when you're feeling like splashing some cash around. Operated by TFE Hotels Collection, other drawcards include the all-day Lobby Bar, the opening of Hellenika's first Brisbane digs — bringing the Gold Coast's favourite Greek eats to town — and meeting and function rooms that can cater for up to 500 people, including an outdoor amphitheatre. The Calile joins W Hotel Brisbane, the Ovolo Inchcolm Hotel in Spring Hill, the Novotel in South Bank, the new Emporium (also in South Bank) and the revamped Ovolo in Fortitude Valley among the fresh staycation spots opening their doors across the city in 2018. It will boast one unique highlight, too — Ada Lane, a micro-precinct filled with five bars and eateries, that's set to open later this year. Find The Calile Hotel at 48 James Street, Fortitude Valley. Images: Sean Fennessy.
The Chaser and One Man Show's Chris Taylor is kindly taking us on a tour down Oxford Street. From Woollahra down to Hyde Park by street number. Here we go. 315 - For lease 312 - For lease 307 - For lease 305 - Fashion boutique staffed by a lonely and sad-looking attendant 301 - For lease 295 - For lease 292 - Fashion boutique staffed by an attendant uploading Facebook photos of herself from a party at Backroom last night 284 - For lease 282 - Fashion boutique staffed by an attendant uploading Facebook photos of her recent “modelling assignment” for a student hair show 278 - 280 For lease 259 - For lease 257 - Fashion boutique staffed by an attendant hanging up a 'Back in 5 mins' sign so she can go and have her eighth smoko break of the morning with her friend down at MAC Cosmetics. 231 - For lease 229 - For lease 227 - The sole food shop in the area for 20 blocks 225 - For lease 221 - Multinational fashion store selling the kind of tops and skirts that the Ascham and Kambala girls go shopping for on Saturdays. 219 - For lease 217 - Paddington pub full of middle-aged men watching a Waratahs game 213 - For lease 205 - Multinational fashion store selling the identical tops and skirts that Ascham and Kambala girls go shopping for on Saturdays. 201 - For lease. 193 - Multinational fashion store that still thinks it's cool to play Jamiroquai on the in-store sound system. 185 - For lease 179 - Paddington pub full of middle-aged men watching a Swans game 173 - For lease 168 - MAC Cosmetics where, in the absence of customers, the three attendants take it turn to do each other's makeup. 162 - For lease 157 - Cockroach-infested cafe that offers patrons a choice of nachos or fettucine carbonara. 155 - For lease 143 - Sleek independent bookshop where a half-dozen introspective browsers thoughtfully thumb the new releases, before leaving with the latest Jamie Oliver. 139 - Rival independent bookshop where a half-dozen introspective browsers thoughtfully thumb the new releases, to pass time before their film session at the Verona begins. 138 - For lease 126 - Formerly popular and iconic gay bar that's now a multinational shoe shop. 122 - For lease 116 - Formerly popular and iconic twin cinema whose landlord is so greedy that not even a multinational shoe store can afford the rent. 112 - Pie Face 105 - Empty Brazilian restaurant 102 - For lease 95 - Empty Balkan restaurant, despite owners' best attempts to make it look busy by sitting on the one lone table out the front. 93 - Subway sandwiches 87 - Empty struggling bar and nightclub that clearly must be a front for something else. 84 - For lease 82 - Iconic gay bar full of heterosexual tourists. 78 - Fast food and kebab store where everything in the bain-maries looks as if it’s been there since 1987. 68 - For lease 62 - Pie Face 56 - For lease 54 - Pie Face 49 - Pie Face 45 - Pie Face 38 - Hipster bar that the real hipsters stopped going to 18 months ago because something better, or at least newer, opened up in Redfern. 33 - Pie Face 28 - Hipster bar full of people who couldn't get into Shady Pines. 26 - Gloria Jeans. 24 - Hungry Jack's 22 - Subway sandwiches 15 - Nightclub that’s bizarrely still in business even though no-one's ever seen or met anyone who's ever gone to it. Presumably it has a Pie Face inside it. 13 - IGA store that’s exclusively patronised by the mentally unwell. 301 - For lease 8 - Pie Face 6 - For lease 5 - For lease 2 – City of Sydney sign welcoming people to "Sydney's iconic Oxford Street – the pulsing heart of the city!" 1 - For lease You can currently see Chris Taylor in One Man Show, on in Sydney at the Metro Theatre on May, The Concourse Chatswood on May 2 and the Factory Theatre on May 24. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketek.
It's official — Neil Perry's Rosetta is coming to Sydney. Perry posted an image on Instagram yesterday, announcing that the restaurant's second location is in the works at Grosvenor Place in the CBD. The much-loved Melbourne original has been teasing Sydneysiders for years, offering up authentic Italian cooking from both the country's northern and southern regions. Come this autumn, we too will boast our own version of this high-class Italian affair. Word of the restaurant's migration to Sydney was first heard back in November when Urban Purveyor Group acquired the Rockpool Group to form the Rockpool Dining Group. Their combined portfolio of eateries became 47 venues overnight, and they expect their portfolio to grow to more than 80 venues in 2017 alone. They've recently launched two take away spinoffs, Fratelli Famous and Saké Jr, and plan to open 100 of each (yes, of each) over the next five years. Plus, Perry's Burger Project plans to keep expanding, with one opening in Brisbane last month and another in Parramatta this week. Rosetta will be in good company, with Perry's fine-casual dining restaurant Eleven Bridge just down the block. We personally can't wait to dig in to some buttery, handmade pasta and fresh seafood dishes that the Melbourne location is known for, along with the expertly curated and extensive wine menu from Italy's best regions. Bring that carb food coma on. Rosetta is set to open this autumn at Grosvenor Place, 225 George Street, Sydney. Watch this space for updates on the restaurant's official opening.
UPDATE, July 20, 2020: The Lion King is available to stream via Disney+, Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. Picture this: as gorgeously detailed nature documentary footage plays, an exceptional cast of big-name actors lend their voices to prowling lions. In addition to vocalising the animals' thoughts and feelings, the human-uttered dialogue gives the majestic big cats an epic story, charting the ups and downs of a young cub born to the king and queen of the pride. The tale that follows combines parts of Hamlet, Star Wars and Kimba the White Lion, complete with love, loss, courage, threats, rebellion and father-son issues. It features witty one-liners and catchy songs, plus antics involving hyenas, meerkats, warthogs, hornbills and mandrills. But, even as the famous tones, engaging emotional beats, amusing gags, rousing music and lively array of critters all work their magic, something seems a little out of place — namely, the rendering of all of the above with such lifelike visuals. That's The Lion King circa 2019 in a nutshell. Using technology that has only improved since he turned The Jungle Book into a naturalistic spectacle three years ago, filmmaker Jon Favreau remakes another of Disney's cartoon hits with this different kind of animated wizardry. Here, unlike in his adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's classic text, there's no visible trace of humanity — and that just might make all the difference. Such an absence is true to The Lion King's source material, obviously, but without a character such as Mowgli scampering around, this special effects onslaught lacks an anchor. The film couldn't look more realistic, and yet it never feels real. While audiences have long become accustomed to getting swept away by Hollywood's trickery — especially since digital capabilities began bringing extraordinary sights to the screen — The Lion King can't quite manage the feat. Narrative-wise, anyone familiar with the 1994 movie knows what's in store. This version might credit a different writer, with Jeff Nathanson (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales) adapting the original screenplay by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts and Linda Woolverton, but it has really just been given a new coat of CGI paint. As initially presented to the animal kingdom in an awe-inspiring ceremony, young Simba (JD McCrary) is fated to follow in his father Mufasa's (James Earl Jones) regal paw prints, much to the dismay of the latter's scowling, scheming brother Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor). And so, a plot is hatched. Instead of preparing for his destiny with help from his mother (Alfre Woodard) and best friend Nala (Shahadi Wright Joseph as a cub, Beyonce once she's grown), Simba is tricked into becoming an outcast. He runs free with pint-sized pals Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen), and adopts their carefree attitude. As an adult lion (now voiced by Donald Glover), he's eventually forced to reassess his choices, as well as his role and place in the Pridelands. The cynical might say that this return to The Lion King lacks humanity behind-the-scenes, too, given all that the surefire box office hit represents. Disney keeps turning its animated back-catalogue into live-action fare — or photorealistic ones in this case — with a clear plan in mind: tap into nostalgia, then profit. Still, even knowing where it stands in the huge entertainment behemoth's filmmaking assembly line, the movie doesn't lack feeling. It's clearly the result of great affection and attention to detail, ensuring that its animals really do look like they're simply strutting through the savannah. Astutely chosen cast members such as the returning Jones, the melodic Glover, and the hilarious Eichner and Rogen all invest their four-legged alter-egos with resounding emotion. Coming back to the material that originally won him an Oscar, composer Hans Zimmer gives the story another stirring score, while Elton John and Tim Rice's reused tunes all hit the same stirring marks as they once again muse about love and life. Indeed, you can almost see the human fingerprints on the film, including in its gently moving tufts of lion fur, sweeping plains and flowering greenery — or the genuine love and care that went into them, to be more accurate. That said, viewers also bear witness as one of the most beloved movies of the past quarter-century is transformed into a very expensive and true-to-life cat video. That's no knock on feline clips or nature docos. Cooing over a cute mouser is one of life's simplest pleasures, and marvelling at the splendour of the natural world is one of its great privileges. But, watching The Lion King, it's impossible to get completely lost in any of these joys. Or, for that matter, to surrender to the slavishly faithful story or undeniably impressive visuals, which work well separately and yet don't convincingly fit together. Perhaps it isn't by accident that Timon and Pumbaa steal the show as they frolic through the film's frames, with an ad-libbing Eichner and Rogen proving the picture's standouts (sorry, Beyonce fans). It isn't new, but the wisecracking comic duo do espouse a fitting motto, and one that Disney probably hopes viewers truly take to heart this time around. It's possible to say "hakuna matata" to The Lion King redux, and feel the love for its highlights without falling tail over paws for the end product. Alas, it's harder to shake the sensation that it doesn't convincingly take its place in the cinematic circle of life. That opening, though, as recreated nearly frame-by-frame in all of its electrifying glory — it's a complete and utter wonder, albeit one that the rest of the movie can't manage to match. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TavVZMewpY
Today, Eric Bana is a world-renowned film and TV star with a resume that spans Australian and Hollywood fare. Black Hawk Down, Hulk, Troy, Munich, Star Trek, Hanna, Aaron Falk movies The Dry and Force of Nature: The Dry 2, US television shows Dirty John and Untamed: they're all on the Aussie actor's resume. At the beginning of 2000, however, he had a part in The Castle as his sole big-screen appearance, alongside his small-screen sketch comedy work in the likes Full Frontal, plus a few episodes of medical drama All Saints. Then came Chopper. Ever since Bana portrayed Mark 'Chopper' Read in the exceptional Andrew Dominik (Blonde)-directed flick, it's been one of the first roles that springs to mind whenever anyone thinks about the Australian talent. Well-deserved accolades came his way, including Best Actor at the Australian Film Institute Awards (which have since become the AACTAs). If you need a reminder of why his performance demanded such praise — and the film, too — catching a 25th-anniversary cinema screening of the iconic feature will do the job. To celebrate a quarter of a century since Chopper first hit Aussie picture palaces, the film is returning to local big screens for a limited season from Thursday, August 21, 2025. As well as the movie itself — one of the finest Australian entries in the true-crime genre, and a stunning feature debut from Dominik — audiences will also see 13 minutes of bonus behind-the-scenes footage, chats with Bana, Dominik and Read among them. How does Bana look back on the role that made him an international movie star, and tells one of the most-infamous crime tales in Aussie history? "Chopper was an incredibly unique and distinctive character. Getting the chance to play someone like him is rare. It's always a treat if a film holds up over time, and I'm proud of its space in the Australian film landscape," he advises. This isn't Chopper's first return to the big screen — it also enjoyed 20th-anniversary sessions, pops up on retrospective programs and received the Hear My Eyes treatment at MIFF 2022 — but it's always worth watching in cinemas. Marking the leap from making music videos to features, the movie also helped catapult Dominik's career, too, with The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Killing Them Softly and Blonde all following, plus episodes of Mindhunter, and Nick Cave-focused documentaries One More Time with Feeling and This Much I Know to Be True. Check out the 25th-anniversary trailer for Chopper below: Chopper is returning to Australian cinemas from Thursday, August 21, 2025.
UPDATE: JUNE 1, 2020 — Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2020 has announced its new dates, with the exhibition reopening from June 22 until January 28, 2021. The below article has been updated to reflect this. The wonders of the animal kingdom are coming to the Australian National Maritime Museum courtesy of a huge exhibition of nature photography. Headed to the venue this autumn, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year showcase comes direct from London's Natural History Museum — which has developed and produced the prestigious competition since 1965. Highlighting the astonishing sights that the natural world has to offer, this year's contest attracted 48,000 entries from 100 countries. That not only shows how much we all love creatures great, small, cute, majestic and everything in-between, but how much we love both taking and looking at snaps of them as well. From that huge number, 100 winning pics were chosen for their creativity, originality and technical excellence, and then tour internationally. You can see the eye-popping, awe- (and 'awwwww') inducing results during its Sydney stop from June 22 till February 28, 2021. Prepare to rove your eyes over everything from up-close-and-personal shots of gorgeous creatures to astonishing visions of sweeping landscapes. It'll be open every day of the week during its five-month season — from 9.30am–5pm daily. [caption id="attachment_761873" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'The Moment' by Yongqing Bao, Grand title winner of Wildlife Photographer of the Year.[/caption] Top images: Jason Bantle and Daniel Kronauer, courtesy of Wildlife Photographer of the Year and the Natural History Museum, London.
This article is part of our series on the 17 most unique things to have come out of Japan. Check out the other 16. Japan's prison themed restaurants make Draculas look like a scene from The Sound of Music. One of the freakiest is Tokyo's Alcatraz ER. Yes, it's an eatery that, to all appearances, is actually a prison hospital. Dishes include 'penis on lettuce' (a specially modelled sausage) and 'human intestines' (a really, really long sausage served up with kidney). Then, for cocktails, there's the 'brain buster', complete with fake human head, and the 'play by yourself', which, as the name hints at, comes with a vibrator or two. Make a wrong move and one of the 'nurses' will attempt to inject you with an enormous syringe. Then there's The Lockup, which is all prison, no hospital. Diners are handcuffed by a policewoman from outer space and led to a cell, where the eating happens behind bars. The food is less human and more regular than at Alcatraz ER, but the cocktail list includes the 'human experiment', which arrives as a set of test tubes containing coloured liquids, with a beaker for mixing. Once the meal's over, the lights go out and the scary stuff starts. The team behind The Lockup also runs Arabian Rock, a restaurant housed in a glowing pyramid and inspired by Disney's Aladdin.
One half of the makers of Jafflechutes, Adam Grant, has set up shop with a new endeavour. But fear not, it's just as ridiculous and strangely excellent as his first. Pimp My Myki is a glittery service Grant operates from his home that offers to decorate your Myki or Opal cards. For the low, low price of a postage stamp, your Myki could be transformed into a majestic eagle or a fierce black bear. Something to ward off ticket inspectors at the very least. The process is simple. Just post your current card to a PO Box in Fitzroy (or pay $12 for a new one to be delivered), and wait in glitterless anticipation for it to be deposited in your mailbox within the week! If you'd like a little more certainty in the process, Grant also operates a service called Bearki (or Bearpal) — for those who would just rather have a bear on their cards and be done with it. Now, this obviously isn't for everyone. Understandably some people love their snot-green Mykis. Its resemblance to the mucus-olive pack of smokes in their pocket offers a security in the fact that the world is both dreary and horrible. For the rest of us, a pimped Myki is a little pick-me-up to the 86 tram or a way to daydream about a more exciting trip. Needless to say, renowned dementors Public Transport Victoria are not happy. Despite the fact the cards still clearly display serial numbers and remain entirely functional, representatives have claimed "A Myki that has been altered or defaced in any way is an invalid ticket." In reply, Grant said, "I understand from an official standpoint they might have to say this for whatever reason, but it doesn't bother me a great deal." If a ticket inspector gets in your face about it, let's hope the picture of a cute panda bear is enough to calm them down. For more information head to Pimp My Myki, Bearki, or Pimp My Opal.
Did you forget Father's Day was coming up? Again? Okay, this year you have more of an excuse with everything that's been happening. But that doesn't change the fact that Father's Day is around the corner — on Sunday, September 6 — and you still haven't thought of what to get your dear old dad. And let's be honest, trying to figure out what to get him is more than half the battle. A bottle of his favourite spirit is always a safe bet — at least you know it's something he likes and will use, right? Unlike the shirt you bought him for Christmas that you've never seen him wear. So, if you're feeling a little guilty about a somewhat predictable gift, why not use it as a fun bonding exercise and host a cocktail making sesh? Here are four super-easy recipes that use Maker's Mark bourbon to get you started, and to help make this Father's Day one to remember. OLD FASHIONED This classic aperitif will have your dad feeling like the classy gentleman he wishes he really was. – 60ml Maker's Mark or Maker's 46 – 1 teaspoon sugar – 2 dashes bitters – 15ml water – Orange peel – Sphere ice or ice cubes Combine sugar and bitters with water in a mixing glass and stir until sugar is dissolved. Pour Maker's Mark, add ice and stir gently. Strain, pour over ice and garnish with orange peel. BOURBON AND GINGER A zingy, spritz-like tipple that's so easy to make, even you can't mess it up. – 45ml Maker's Mark – Ginger ale – Lime wedge Fill highball glass with ice. Add Maker's Mark and top with ginger ale to taste. Garnish with a lime wedge. FANCY BOURBON PUNCH This fruity, bubbly punch will help your dad feel a bit better about all his cancelled 2020 travel plans. – 1 litre Maker's Mark – 1 cup granulated sugar – Peels of three lemons and one orange – Juice of the peeled lemons and orange – 1 litre of strong sweetened tea (preferably green tea) – 250ml champagne or soda water Muddle the sugar and citrus peels in the bottom of a large punch bowl. Let sit for two hours. Stir in the juice of the peeled fruit, tea and Maker's Mark. Top with champagne or soda water just before serving and stir gently. HOT TODDY Serve this one to Pops on cold, wintry nights with a sweet treat — it's more fun than a cuppa. – 45ml Maker's Mark – 15ml lemon juice – 1 large teaspoon of honey – 1 cinnamon quill – 3 whole cloves – 1 lemon twist – Boiling water to top up Combine Maker's Mark, lemon juice and honey together in a heatproof mug. Stud your lemon peel with cloves and wrap it around cinnamon quill and add to mug. Top up mug with boiling water and stir until honey is dissolved. Find more Maker's Mark cocktail recipes by visiting the website here.
If you ever managed to wrangle a trip to Disneyland back when international travel was a thing, chances are you're well acquainted with Dole Whip. The pineapple-flavoured dairy-free soft serve has long been a staple treat for visitors to the famed theme parks, with the dessert becoming as much a symbol of Disneyland as Mickey Mouse's ears and that wild Space Mountain ride. But, this April, you won't need a plane ticket or a Disneyland pass to get your mitts on one of these classic creations — because Dole Whip is headed to the Sydney Royal Easter Show. The much-loved soft serve is set to make its first-ever appearance at the annual show, after the COVID-19 pandemic put last year's planned debut on hold. A fleet of Dole Whip trucks will be onsite slinging their signature treats for the show's duration — from today, Thursday, April 1 through until Monday, April 12. If they're a hit, Aussie distributor Ted Foster has plans to take them on the road, visiting shows all around the country. Pineapple is the OG and best-known Dole Whip flavour, first launched by the Dole Food company back in Hawaii in the 80s. But at the Royal Easter Show, you'll be able to sample a whole range of signature variations, including watermelon, strawberry and the very Aussie mango. To nab yourself some soft serve, seek out the trucks at the Woolworths Fresh Food Dome and the Kids Street Giants Stadium Concourse. Find the Dole Whip food trucks at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, which runs from Thursday, April 1–Monday, April 12 at Sydney Showground.
It's omurice time. Some dishes are as straightforward as they sound, and this one — aka omelette rice — is among them. It's an omelette made with fried rice, then typically topped with sauce. Clearly it's an easy concept to get around. And Motokichi Yukimura from Kichi Kichi Omurice in Kyoto keeps visiting Down Under to whip it up. Not all iterations of this western-influenced Japanese eggs-plus-rice staple are made equal, which is why Kichi Kichi Omurice's version might be on your travel bucket list. Chef Motokichi Yukimura's viral-famous take on the dish has made him an internet star — the term "Japan's most-famous omurice chef" has been used — and seen his eatery become a tourist destination. Sometimes, however, he brings his omurice to Australia, as he's set to again in March 2025. If you'd like the Kichi Kichi Omurice experience without the airfares, you can make that a reality in Sydney, Broadbeach and Brisbane. And if this sounds familiar, that's because Yukimura headed this way twice in 2024. He's again visiting Harajuku Gyoza to show why the dish he's been making for over 45 years is such a smash. The chef is doing 'meet and eat' events in all three cities, cooking everyone who attends his specialty — and putting on a show, complete with his Kichi Kichi Omurice song and dance. Folks in Sydney are headed to Harajuku Gyoza Darling Harbour across Tuesday, March 18–Thursday, March 20. For Brisbanites, your destination is Harajuku Gyoza South Brisbane from Sunday, March 23–Tuesday, March 25. And on the Gold Coast, Harajuku Gyoza Broadbeach is your destination on Saturday, March 22. Tickets cost $170 per person, with sittings for both lunch and dinner. That price covers tucking into Yukimura's omurice, as made at your table, plus a range of Harajuku Gyoza signature dishes — and meeting the chef. Alongside removing the need to book a flight to Japan, this is an easier way to enjoy the Kichi Kichi experience for another reason. As of January 2024, the Kyoto eatery is no longer doing bookings in advance. Now, diners are only able to make reservations on the same day they're eating, and need a password that's placed on the restaurant's door each morning to lock in their seating. Kichi Kichi at Harajuku Gyoza — March 2025 Tuesday, March 18–Thursday, March 20 — Harajuku Gyoza Darling Harbour, Sydney Saturday, March 22 — Harajuku Gyoza Broadbeach, Gold Coast Sunday, March 23–Tuesday, March 25 — Harajuku Gyoza South Brisbane, Brisbane Motokichi Yukimura will be at Harajuku Gyoza Darling Harbour, Broadbeach and Brisbane in March 2025. Head to the eatery's website for further details and bookings.
Looks like a few Black Keys-lovin' Bluesfest ticketholders will be reconsidering their Easter long weekend plans, The Black Keys have cancelled all Asia Pacific shows due to injury. Drummer Patrick Carney has sustained a serious shoulder injury, so the duo have cancelled all forthcoming concerts in Australia, New Zealand and Japan, part of their Turn Blue world tour, cancelled up until April 23. "We are very sorry to have to cancel our upcoming performances through April 23," the band said in an official statement. "Patrick sustained a dislocated and broken shoulder in January that required surgery. Working with the doctors, surgeons and physiotherapists since January, we had expected Patrick to be ready to return to touring in April. The recovery process and physical therapy has taken longer than anticipated and unfortunately Patrick is still unable to perform and needs additional time to heal. We thank all of our fans for their ongoing support and we look forward to getting back on the road as soon as possible.” "We were incredibly excited about the shows that were about to happen but there is no way around cancelling the tour with the extent of Pat’s injury," said Brian Taranto from Love Police Touring. "You just can’t have The Black Keys with no drums. We sincerely apologise for the hassle this cancellation will cause fans.” The cancellation isn't good news for Bluesfest in particular, coming just weeks after headliner Lenny Kravitz also pulled out of Bluesfest and his Australian shows due to conflicting touring commitments. All tickets (outside of Bluesfest Byron Bay) will be refunded — wherever you bought them from. Rescheduling ain't happening. For Bluesfest refund policies, visit bluesfest.com.au. CANCELLED TOUR DATES April 2 Riverstage - Brisbane, Australia April 3 Bluesfest - Byron Bay, Australia April 5 Rolling Green - Rochford Wines Yarra Valley, Australia April 7 Margaret Court Arena - Melbourne, Australia April 10 Qantas Credit Union Arena - Sydney, Australia April 11 Rolling Green - Bimbadgen Winery Hunter Valley, Australia April 14 Red Hill Auditorium - Perth, Australia April 16 Entertainment Centre Theatre - Adelaide, Australia April 18 Horncastle Arena - Christchurch, New Zealand April 19 Vector Arena - Auckland, New Zealand April 22 Studio Coast - Tokyo, Japan April 23 Studio Coast - Tokyo, Japan
It's safe to say Gami Chicken & Beer has secured its status as one of Australia's go-to fried chicken joints, slinging its signature, Korean-style chook from 23 locations across the city. After opening its seventeenth Melbourne spot, in The Glen Shopping Centre, and third Sydney store on Market Street in the CBD earlier this year, Gami is about to launch its first (super-spicy) limited-edition flavour. And, to celebrate, Gami is giving Aussies a few very good reasons to jump on board, handing out a whopping 250 pieces of its boneless fried chicken with the new sauce at every one of its stores — for free. These new fried chicken morsels come lathered in mala — a super-spicy Chinese sauce packed with sichuan peppercorns (yep, the numbing ones), chilli peppers, soybean paste and spices. As always, the chicken is also RSPCA-approved and also rocks Gami's signature blend of 17 herbs and spices. You can try the mala chicken for free from 5.30pm today, Friday, November 29, at all stores. Only the first 250 people will get a free taste, though, so don't sleep on it. Once you're hooked, you're probably going to want to schedule a return visit pretty quick, to try other Gami favourites like the chicken spare ribs, the vegetarian chicken and the aptly named Potato Heaven, featuring three layers of cheesy potato goodness — all paired with ice cold beers, of course. If you want more of the mala sauce, it'll also be available — for a limited time — with stir-fried chicken and tteok bok ki (Korean rice cakes), as well as the fried chicken. Gami will give away 250 pieces of mala boneless fried chicken from 5.30pm on Friday, November 29. Find your closest here.
Giant Dwarf just took out a 2014 SMAC Award for curating the best arts programming in Sydney, and now they’re celebrating their first birthday with a showcase offering a repeat of the best bits of their year. Brought to fruition by the team behind The Chaser, Giant Dwarf is a space that provides a permanent platform for Sydney’s underground comedy and theatre talent. Last year Giant Dwarf hosted a variety of performances from some of our city's brightest emerging stars — plus some surprise celeb guests you never thought you'd see reading their disturbing fanfic. On February 27, Giant Dwarf revisits some of these highlights of its opening year, with David Marr telling the story about how his marriage ended over a game of cards (from Story Club), Tracey Spicer confessing her seven deadly sins, Jordan Raskopoulos from Axis of Awesome presenting an Erotic Fan Fiction that "cannot legally be described in a press release", Rhys Nicholson's newest jokes from Comedy(ish) and Sam Campbell's TOD Talk on the axolotl. Also contributing on the night are venue regulars Zoe Norton Lodge, The Bear Pack and the Yarramadoon Public School Debaters. In the short time in which Giant Dwarf has been operating, the space has hosted some memorable performances that previously hadn't had a regular home or audience, sitting awkwardly outside of both Sydney's theatre and comedy scenes. It's now a beloved institution, with the aforementioned SMAC on its mantle. Says Giant Dwarf and The Chaser's Craig Reucassel, “We intended to burn it down for the insurance, but now I actually love it.”
As NSW's COVID-19 numbers have started to drop — with a total of seven new cases in the past 48 hours — and testing and contact tracing ramps up, the government is beginning to slowly (slowly) ease some social distancing and public gathering restrictions. Some beaches have reopened, schools are set to return from May 11 and from this Friday, May 1, you can go and see your friends and family — but there is some fine print. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said this morning, Tuesday, April 28, that from this Friday two adults will be able to go and visit another household. So, for example, you can take your sister to go and visit your parents in their house for dinner, or you and your partner could go to a friend's house for a puzzle night, but a maximum of two adult visitors, with additional small children if they have them, can go and visit a second household at any time. How far you can travel to see friends and family is a little vague at the moment, though, with the NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys saying there's no "exact limit" in terms of kilometres, but police will determine what is reasonable. While these eased restrictions mean friends and family can gather again in homes, the Premier has said if you have even the mildest sniffle or are feeling fatigued to not risk it and that it's important to practise "really good" social distancing if you're visiting someone over 70 years of age or with comorbidity (existing health conditions). The Premier also said the government is confident Sydneysiders will do the right thing with the new restrictions, as there is "too much at stake". "We don't want to see the numbers suddenly spike up because people are being irresponsible," the Premier said. She also noted that Friday's relaxation on private gatherings in homes is "not a licence to go wild and have massive parties". In fact, having a party — with more than two adult visitors from another household — could still see you cop a $1000 on-the-spot fine, as will disobeying any of the other social distancing and public gathering restrictions. From Friday, May 1, a maximum of two adults in NSW can go and visit another household, but all other social distancing and public gathering restrictions are in place for now.
As if Australia Street couldn't get any more vibrant, the team behind Continental Deli is opening not one, not two, but three new venues on the beloved Newtown thoroughfare. Flora, Mister Grotto and Osteria Mucca will all sit side-by-side with Continental when they open between 206 and 212 Australia Street later this year. The rough open date for the trio of venues is October 2024, and the announcement also comes with the promise of three boutique apartments to be rented out on top of the three venues. That's right, any travellers looking for a Sydney-to-the-core experience will be able to stay on top of one of the restaurants right in the hustle and bustle of Newtown. The ambitious project has been multiple years in the making for the Porteño Group, the crew behind Porteño, Continental, Bastardo and Bar Louise. "Three years ago it went to council," Porteño Group Founder Elvis Abrahanowicz told Concrete Playground. "It's been an actual nightmare to get anything done. We should have been open like two years ago... so, we're just happy we're just going to be opening this year." So, what do the three venues have in store for us? Abrahanowicz says Flora is expected to be the first to open its doors. Dreamt up in collaboration with the crew from the beloved now-closed Australia Street cafe 212 Blu, the multi-faceted spot will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, spotlighting the best of local produce through a plant-based menu. Supporting the eats at Flora will be coffee during the day, and a playful drinks list at night with a focus on local Australian wines and spirits. Mister Grotto will be a small 30-seat seafood bar. Expect an ever-changing menu based on what's fresh and available, with plenty of raw delights on offer. Drop in for a couple of oysters and a sake before heading out to Newtown or stick around for clams and a drop from the daily wine menu. The final piece to the puzzle is Osteria Mucca, the biggest venue of the lot. For this spot, the team is taking an old butcher shop and transforming it into an Italian restaurant. Keeping the bones of its former occupant, Abrahanowicz says Mucca will be a "homage to the cow" with plenty of cheese and steak Fiorentina available alongside hearty bowls of pasta. The three new Australia Street openings will make the stretch of road between King and Lennox Street one of the highest-density spots for standout eats in Sydney — joining a slew of beloved venues including Tokyo Lamington, Westwood Pizza and The Courthouse Hotel, all within one block. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Continental Deli Bar Bistro (@continentaldeli) Flora, Mister Grotto and Osteria Mucca will open at 206, 208 and 212 Australia Street in October 2024. Follow along with the venues' progress at the Continental Deli Instagram.
While Sydney is not exactly short on options for midweek fun and frivolity, a surprising new entrant has joined the city's lineup of hump day deal masters, tempting you off the couch and out of the house. Announced today, the Sydney Opera House has kickstarted a new Wednesday night offering, featuring a weekly changing swag of two-for-one ticket deals, and some tidy food and drink specials to match. Each week's theatre and event deals will remain under wraps until the Tuesday night, riffing on similar last-minute ticket programs offered by the likes of London's West End theatre set and on Broadway in New York. There'll be specials on shows presented by the Sydney Opera House and its resident companies, eats and drinks from onsite venues like Opera Kitchen and Portside Sydney, and even cheap parking at the Sydney Opera House Wilson Carpark. To give you a hint of what to expect, this Wednesday's lineup could see you score two-for-one tickets to Sydney Theatre Company's hilarious political farce Accidental Death of an Anarchist, for example, or a production of Molière's comedy of manners The Misanthrope. There will also be two-for-one specials on Opera Kitchen's crispy chicken, matched with a wine or Sydney Lager. While the deal itself is great, the accompanying campaign name and video are a little cringeworthy. The Sydney Opera House has dubbed it Make Wednesday Great Again, a 'satirical' riff on Donald Trump's 2016 campaign slogan (which was used by Ronald Reagan in 1980, too). It feels a little too soon to turn the presidential campaign into a marketing exercise — but, still, if it means feasting on theatre for less, this hump day treat is sure to find its fair share of fans. The two-for-one Wednesday deals will be made available to email subscribers each Tuesday night at 5pm. To sign up, head to the Sydney Opera House website. Image: Letícia Almeida
Directly opposite from Ikea, Bikebug in Tempe has a huge range of cycles, parts and accessories from leading brands in its shop and adjoining warehouse. In the workshop, the team does everything from custom bike builds, restorations and wheel building right through to emergency puncture repairs. Its selection of commuter bikes includes Schwinn's Town Bikes and the Electra Cruiser. Whether you're looking for something off the rack, or gearing up to build the bike of your dreams, there is plenty of inspiration here — and many, many options for customising. [caption id="attachment_776889" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Leigh Griffiths[/caption] Images: Leigh Griffiths
One of the first events in the Mardi Gras festival is a family-friendly, pup-friendly, eco glitter-friendly day in the park that's inclusive, relaxed and absolutely free to attend. There's always a fancy dress competition for doggos, 200 market stalls from the LGBTQI+ community, a main stage with leading queer performers in Australian music, plus the chance to shine brightly with 80,000-or-so of your nearest and dearest chosen family. It's a landmark event on the Mardi Gras calendar, and everyone gets into the party spirit with spotlight-ready outfits that'll take you into the night when the official after party kicks on. This year's lineup features queer artists Bec Sandridge and Ngaiire — so it's safe to say the organisers have excellent taste. Save the date and start planning what to wear for the event that launches a 17-day celebration of diversity, equality, justice and good times. Images: Jeffrey Feng Photography.
Following the world-altering whirlwind that was 2020, award-winning Eau-de-Vie closed down, promising to return in the near future. While it's taken longer than expected, the sleek cocktail bar that was once 13th on the World's 50 Best Bars list has announced it will be reopening in a new home next year. The Speakeasy Group (Mjølner, Nick & Nora's) and its directors Sven Almenning and Greg Sanderson will be bringing the new iteration of Eau-de-Vie, as well as a new accompanying restaurant called The Sanderson to the Brookfield Place development, reinvigorating the historic Beneficial House site at 285 George Street. [caption id="attachment_868199" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brookfield Place[/caption] "Eau-de-Vie is like our first child, we just have so much love for it! We looked long and hard to secure the new location, but the wait will be worth it," says Sanderson. "We really do see Beneficial House becoming a destination that our guests can spend an entire evening within. Aperitif cocktails at Eau-de-Vie, upstairs to The Sanderson for an amazing dinner, and then back downstairs for a whisky nightcap." All of the class of the original Eau-de-Vie will be on show at the new opening with moody lighting, a smooth jazz soundtrack, the signature Whisky Room and private whisky lockers. The Sanderson will both aesthetically and conceptually compliment this luxurious take on a cocktail bar, centring its menu around steak and oysters. [caption id="attachment_868200" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Sanderson render[/caption] The Speakeasy Group has taken out a ten-year tenancy on the 618-square metre space in Brookfield Place, joining the likes of Shell House, Romeo's, Edition Coffee, Gojima, NeNe Chicken and PappaRich in the huge inner-city development. "The Speakeasy Group's unique bar and restaurant offering will bring an excellent addition to our food and beverage mix at Brookfield Place Sydney and will contribute significantly to activating the precinct's nightlife," said Brookfield Properties Australia's Executive Vice President and Co-Head Danny Polijak. While we don't yet have an exact opening date for the two new restaurants, they're set to open in early 2023. [caption id="attachment_788884" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The old Eau-de-Vie[/caption] Eau-de-Vie and The Sanderson will open at 285 George Street, Sydney in 2023.
Sydney bookshop Kinokuniya has a wealth of summer page-turners, new cookbooks, art and design hardbacks and a huge range of manga and anime titles. It's where you might go to pick up a gift that has the power to transport you to other worlds, or to inspire you into action. English Books Assistant Manager Marianne has worked at the CBD bookstore on and off for 14 years. "Time flies when you've got a lot of reading to do," she jokes, and one of the titles she couldn't put down this year was Carrie Tiffany's Exploded View. "Everything about it — the mood, the style, the way the plot unfolds — was so unexpected," she says. "I found it literally breathtaking at times," says the avid reader. Which is why we've asked Marianne for her help. In partnership with Kinokuniya, we asked Marianne for her top recommendations for the types of people we all seem to have on our gift lists this year. Take inspiration from her tips below. THE ONE FOR YOUR FILM BUFF FRIEND Accidentally Wes Anderson by Wally Koval ($39.99) "Wes Anderson films have that distinct look we know and love, one of faded-grandeur and pop pastel colours that seems almost too vivid, unique and meticulously constructed to be real," says Marianne. Wally Koval's first book comes from the Instagram account of the same name; "it travels to every continent to tell the extraordinary and unexpected true stories behind more than 200 stunning Anderson-esque locations," she says. "It's perfect for Anderson fans and thwarted travellers alike." THE ONE FOR YOUR FOODIE FRIEND To Asia, With Love by Hetty McKinnon ($39.99) "To Asia, With Love is Kino-fave Hetty McKinnon's homecoming," says Marianne. "It's a joyous return to the nurturing flavours and meals of her childhood and a celebration of the possibilities of modern Asian cooking". In the 2020 cookbook, the internationally renowned food writer takes us through how to make buttery miso Vegemite noodles, stir-fried salt and vinegar potatoes, cacio e pepe udon noodles and banh mi turned into a salad. "Hetty is a fave for a very good reason." THE ONE FOR COMIC BOOK FANS Mujirushi: The Sign of Dreams by Naoki Urasawa ($29.99) "When life gives you lemons, follow a chatty crow and a mysterious symbol — isn't that how the saying goes?," says Marianne. This 2020 paperback by award-winning author Naoki Urasawa follows protagonist Kamoda on a journey from Tokyo to France, where a painting heist "might just change his fate". Marianne reveals it has a tongue-in-cheek cameo and endearing characters along the way; "it's Urasawa condensed into one sweet volume". THE ONE FOR THE PLANT NERD Plantopedia: The Definitive Guide to House Plants by Lauren Camilleri and Sophia Kaplan ($59.99) "One of my lockdown projects was to keep a fiddle leaf fig alive and thriving in my living room — his name is Jean-Michel, and he's doing fine," says Marianne. She's not the only one who adopted a home jungle this year, and Plantopedia, the third book from Sydney's Leaf Supply, is the definitive guide to understanding how to maintain happy, healthy houseplants no matter what space you're keeping them in. "It has more than 130 plant profiles and detailed care information including troubleshooting tips and tricks," she says. "It's also a gorgeous book to pore over as you dream of growing your plant brood." THE ONE FOR YOUR ARTY FRIEND Vincent Namatjira: The Royal Tour by Vincent Namatjira and Tony Albert ($40) "In this debut artist book from the 2020 Archibald Prize winner, Vincent Namatjira places himself front and centre in various historical royal occasions by painting directly onto the pages of commemorative royal photobooks he found in op-shops in Alice Springs," says Marianne. "The works that populate The Royal Tour are irreverent, political, and darkly funny, wrangling history and telling truths with a subversive, cheeky grin." Which is exactly the humorous work we've come to expect from the 37-year-old artist, who took the top gong at this year's portrait prize for his depiction of sporting star Adam Goodes. THE ONE FOR YOUR BEACH-READING BUDDY Earthlings by Sayaka Murata ($29.99) "Young Natsuki, who might be a witch, or an alien from another planet, and her cousin Yuu, spend their summers in the wild mountains, dreaming of other worlds," tells Marianne. "When a terrible sequence of events threatens the two children, they make a promise: survive, no matter what". The latest fiction from the author of Convenience Store Woman is her pick for a summer page-turner this year. "It's definitely my strangest and funniest read of the year," she says. "It is perfect for devouring on summer afternoons, and then sharing with friends. You'll want to watch their reactions, as well as compare notes, when they're done." THE ONE FOR YOUR MINDFUL-LIVING MATE High Grade Living by Jacqui Lewis and Arran Russell ($49.99) "After the year we've had, authors Jacqui Lewis and Arran Russell invite us to come back to ourselves with mindfulness, creativity, and intention — goodness knows, we need it," says Marianne. She's picked out this hardback release for your friends who are into yoga, meditation and Marie Kondo. "This beautiful book examines how to audit, edit and refine your life and your space to reflect who you really are. Filled with gorgeous photography and sleek design, High Grade Living is the perfect aesthetic and spiritual inspiration for the mystics and meditators in your life." THE ONE FOR YOUR GO-GETTING COLLEAGUE Passion Purpose Profit by Fiona Killackey ($29.99) This is for those work BFs who are always talking about their side-hustle — the jobs they wish they could ditch their current ones to pursue. Passion, Purpose, Profit is a practical guide and workbook covering everything from idea-generating to hiring a great team, says Marianne. Author Fiona Killackey maps out how to develop a clear understanding of business ideas without creating financial and emotional stress. "It has step-by-step tips and templates, as well as case studies of successful creative business owners. It will have us all empowered and excited to make bank with our ideas," she says. Perfect for your aspirational pals. Find more excellent gift ideas at Kinokuniya this summer.
What would a uniquely Sydney version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet look like? Would Romeo be from the inner west, Juliet from the eastern suburbs? Would she go by 'Jules'? Would he shout 'where for art thou' via Snapchat? We're expecting the Sydney Theatre Company's new production of Romeo and Juliet to be a touch more classy than so pedestrianised (just look at that swish promo shot), but you can expect to see many aspects of our present time flickering within it. The star-crossed couple's simple wish to escape their set social milieus and live authentic lives is, after all, not unfamiliar in 2013. Director Kip Williams proved with his STC debut last year, Under Milk Wood, that he has the power to craft imagery as memorable as Baz Luhrmann's fish tank, so this production is in good hands. Rising theatre stars Eryn Jean Norvill and Dylan Young in the lead roles and Josh McConville (so sinister in The Boys) as antagonist Tybalt lead the very promising cast. Romeo and Juliet is on 17 September to 2 November at the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House, and thanks to the STC, we have five double passes to give away to the first preview on 17 September. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
Throwing a lavish dinner party? Trying to up your bartending game? Or just tired of dropping $20 per cocktail at the bar? Enter Cocktail Porter — it has you covered on all three counts. Australia's new online subscription service for at-home cocktail making is now delivering to door's across the country. While it's not the first of its kind in the country — with The Mixery delivery all the non-booze cocktail ingredients you'll need — it's the first delivering the spirits, too. It's founded by Sydney-based Cameron Northway, who also co-owns Rocker in Bondi with Three Blue Duck's Darren Robertson. He's joined by a team of renowned Australian hospo vets, including former Bartender of the Year Tim Phillips (owner of Bulletin Place and Dead Ringer). The subscription works similarly to most DIY food delivery services, except with booze. Fixings for a different drink will be delivered each month, along with a recipe card and pre-measured ingredients and premium spirits. This element of convenience will cost you $135 per month, which can be a lot to fork up at once — though it'll make 14–18 cocktails (about a tenner each), so it's a big saving for regular spenders at the bar. Each month will feature a different cocktail, curated by world-class bartenders and based on global drinking trends. At the moment, there's the Treacle Old Fashioned with sweet Italian vermouth, burnt orange-vanilla syrup and cacao-macadamia bitters; a classic gin martini with your choice of flavoured vermouth; and a bloody mary with turmeric vinegar. Coming up, November's two-in-one Spring Cup Spritz offers the options to make both Tanqueray and Ciroc spritzes in one box, along with sparkling wine, elderflower cordial and lemongrass and ginger sparkling water accompaniments. December will see a classic espresso martini box complete with Ketel One, coffee liqueur, cold drip coffee and grated dark chocolate. The fresh ingredients, garnishes and glassware are not included in the box, though the recipe card will tell you exactly what else you'll need, along with some at-home hacks if you want to avoid buying expensive tumblers, jiggers and shakers. If a month subscription is just too much, there are one-off orders and gift options, too, which are delivered within three-to-five working days — so not too much planning is needed if you want to amp up your next soiree. Cocktail Porter is now delivering across Australia.
For a gig that switches from heat to heat faster than Marty McFly into Johnny B. Goode, there ain't nothing like a Hot Dub Time Machine party. Busting out all your favourites from 1954 through to today, Hot Dub is 'powered' by the energy of the crowd, all of whom are nothing short of ecstatic to hear the classics belted out by Sydney's own DJ Tom Loud. And he's bringing the extravaganza to a city near you on a nationwide tour. Bursting onto the scene at the Sydney Fringe Festival in 2011, the Hot Dub concept is simple. The Time Machine runs on the energy of the crowd as it makes its way from the '50s to the modern day. If the energy at the show slows down to anything under extreme, you're literally stuck in time, listening to the tunes of whatever era you crashed in, until you can get crazy enough for lift-off. Coming off the back of a sold-out run across the festival circuit last year, including the Sydney Festival, Hot Dub is more than guaranteed to get your feet, legs, torso, arms and everything else moving to the beat. With balloon drops, glitter bombs and a two-storey-high visual accompaniment, Hot Dub is sure to be a spectacle for the ages. Full tour dates below. SUN 16 MAR – SYDNEY @ TBA (Secret Show) SAT 22 MAR – BRISBANE @ Chalk Hotel SAT 29 MAR – QUEENSTOWN @ World Bar FRI 4 APRIL – FREMANTLE @ Metropolis SAT 5 APRIL – PERTH @ Capitol FRI 11 APRIL – MELBOURNE @ Northcote Social Club. Tickets from northcotesocialclub.com THURS 17 APRIL – CANBERRA @ Academy SAT 19 APRIL – SYDNEY @ Metro Theatre. Tickets from www.metrotheatre.com.au THURS 24 APRIL – BALLARAT @ Karova SAT 3 MAY – BYRON BAY @ Beach Hotel SUN 4 MAY – DARWIN @ Discovery SAT 10 MAY – NEWCASTLE @ Argyle House SAT 17 MAY – COFFS HARBOUR @ Plantation For more info, head to the Hot Dub website. https://youtube.com/watch?v=iIVVvtWSBZo
For around 100,000 people annually, Sydney’s Tropfest is a chance to enjoy a day of live music, cold drinks, good company, and some of the best short films made that year. For a slightly smaller number it’s also a chance to delve beneath the immediate surface of filmmaking. Tropfest's Roughcut program is probably the festival's main draw for filmmakers and other cinephiles and will return in 2013 to pick apart the idea of collaboration as the key to creativity. Each session will focus on a different aspect of the filmmaking process, with speakers ranging from high-profile Australian actors to Natasha Pincus, aka the brain behind the world-dominating video for Gotye's ‘Somebody I Used to Know'. This year organisers have managed to pull together a lineup with more famous names than the Ocean's trilogy. Tackling the subject of taking Australian productions overseas will be writer/director Michael Petroni (Narnia) and producer Jamie Hilton (The Waiting City, Sleeping Beauty), while writer Erica Harrison and animator/director Simon Rippingale will discuss how they collaborated on crowd-funded animation A Cautionary Tail. Helming the requisite social media section will be Thomas Mai and Hattie Archibald of FanDependent, exploring how new media can help finance, market, and distribute film content. Cutting Edge will delve into post-production, and Aussie export Sam Worthington will rekindle his long-standing relationship with the festival (he took out Tropfest's Best Actor award in 2001 before going on to score the leading role in Avatar) by returning as a speaker. Tropfest Roughcut will be held in Monkey Baa Theatre Company at Darling Quarter on Saturday 16 February. A limited number of tickets are on sale via Monkey Baa's website.
Watching a movie under the stars just got that little bit swankier. In partnership with the new Volkswagen Polo, Ben & Jerry’s Openair Cinema have introduced a new premium ticket that lets you relax in comfort and style. Think Gold Class in the great outdoors. For the low price of just $27, Volkswagen Polo Class ticket holders get the best seats on the beach. The special ticket includes extra comfy bean lounger seating, a cushion and a blanket, plus a delicious Ben & Jerry’s shorty tub (we recommend New York Super Fudge Chunk) and a soft drink of your choice. Best of all, $2 from every ticket sold gets donated to WWF-Australia. There are only 30 of these prime pozzies per session, so book fast. Speaking of swanky, Openair Cinema will also be giving two lucky film-lovers a trip to Europe. It’s in partnership with Contiki, who in addition to the free return airfares will also throw in a 16-day tour hitting up locations in The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Italy, France and Morocco. All you have to do is visit the Openair website and tell them which film inspires you to take the trip of a lifetime.
An eccentric alchemist's den now dwells on Cleveland Street; a realm where regular ingredients are turned into hearty nosh, where you'll find 'remedies and elixirs for curious souls'. Time for you to meet the elusive Dr Faustus, the brand new eatery just opened at 380 Clevelenad Street, Surry Hills. Sharing a name with a 16th century Christopher Marlowe play — in which a German scholar, Dr Faustus, dabbles in dark magic in his quest for scientific knowledge and power — this is one quirky new Sydney brunch spot. The creation of Sydneysider Adam Kane, Dr Faustus looks like its been on Cleveland Street for decades — low, brassy ceiling fans, glass-doored wooden cabinets of oddments, varnished tabletops, polished cement flooring, stained glass detailing, old bottles holding freshly-picked flowers. You'll find laboratory-grade flasks, mason jars and metal plates inside; the bizarre collection of the elusive Dr Faustus. Hearty, quirky Australian cafe food is the go at Dr Faustus, from blood sausage with red onion and apple salsa, to zucchini fritters on iceberg lettuce. Breakfasting? You've got some pretty solid options here — eggs three ways (pickled hen egg, quail egg, caviar), the Our Way BLT (bacon, onion, gruyere, foie gras 'smear'), Welsh Rarebit (Guiness bechamel, aged cheddar, Worcestershire sauce and egg). Lunching at Dr Faustus means a Taco Salad (ground chicken, romain, olives, corn, tomatoes, avocado and the immortal chipotle dressing), a Brussels sprout Caesar, and pulled mushroom with kale-slaw. Yep, kale-slaw. Then there's the ultimate brunch sandwich, the New Orleans classic Muffuletta — topped with a big ol' pickle. Get down to see Dr Faustus for an infusion of hearty grub, fresh coffee by Californian barista Mark Fransen and a solid spot to shelter from the summer rain. Find Dr Faustus at 380 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills. Open Monday to Sunday 7am - 5pm.
When everything in the world has fallen into tiny, cracked pieces, the absurdist playwright always seem to be there to try and build it back up again, or at least offer a witty commentary on the whole debacle. The Turquoise Elephant, opening at Griffin on October 14, promises not to buck the trend, with playwright Stephen Carleton's work poised to have deliciously scathing dig at modern life. The play follows the story of three women, all of whom are drowning in the world's problems, but can't seem to agree of any of them. Much in the tradition of Absurdists like Dario Fo and Ionesco, Carleton says of the play, "Every time you think things can't get any more ludicrous, another catastrophe occurs." The Turquoise Elephant is brought to life by director Gale Edwards, a legend of the Australian theatre, who has directed most things you've heard of and everything you haven't.
The time has come again to celebrate the world’s largest LGBTQI celebration, the 37th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. The march up Oxford and Flinders Streets in Darlinghurst commemorates the 1978 demonstration of a few hundred people standing up against discrimination and has become a celebration that draws tens of thousands onto the street. Get up to Oxford Street early on in the afternoon to take in the visual extravaganza of costumes, floats and fabulous fun.
Drum roll please: Groovin the Moo is here, and 2014 looks like a real crowd-pleaser. The big guns on the lineup this year include a few topnotch international acts, like electronica king Robert Delong (USA) and Dizzee Rascal (UK), as well as some of our well beloved locals like Karnivool, Illy and Architecture in Helsinki. The Naked and Famous (who we'll probably end up claiming as Australian soon) are making their way across the ditch, too. A fair slab of the artists announced have really proved their worth lately, taking out a number of spots in triple j's Hottest 100 of last year, including the winner of the coveted number one spot, Vance Joy. Rounding out the first announcement are Action Bronson, Andy Bull, Cults, Disclosure, Holy Fuck, The Jezabels, The Jungle Giants, Kingswood, The Kite String Tangle, Loon Lake, Parkway Drive, Peking Duck, The Presets, Thundamentals, Violent Soho, Wave Racer and What So Not. Groovin the Moo will hit Maitland Showground on Saturday April 26. This year marks the move towards something new as well, with the very first Groovin the Moo art exhibition. It's running in conjunction with the Maitland Regional Art Gallery, making a space for images, graphics, objects and a mishmash of multimedia from the Groovin the Moo archives to show off the colourful history of the festival itself. It runs from March 7 to May 25, and entry is free. Over the last couple of years we've seen huge changes on the Australian music festival scene, losing some stalwarts and seeing some youngsters really come to fruition. Since its inception, Groovin the Moo has been one of those festivals that really looks like sticking around, bringing the best in Australian and international talent to the country, to the people who can't get to shows in the big smoke. Tickets are now sold out for Maitland and there's more information available at the Groovin the Moo website. https://youtube.com/watch?v=uJ_1HMAGb4k
Two locally acquired cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Sydney, involving a man in his 50s and his wife — and, as a result, the New South Wales Government is bringing back a number of restrictions in the Greater Sydney region. Come 5pm today, Thursday, May 6, Sydneysiders will need to scale back their at-home gatherings, and also wear masks in indoor settings. In addition, singing and dancing indoors will be off the cards again. Announced this morning by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, the changes only apply to the Greater Sydney area, which includes the Central Coast, Wollongong, the Blue Mountains and the region down to Illawarra. The new rules will be in effect until 12am on Monday, May 10 morning, too — and the Premier has advised that anyone who can adopt the new restrictions before 5pm today should do so. Within homes in Greater Sydney, only 20 people will be allowed, including children. "We know that transmission in the family home is a high risk," said Premier Berejiklian. She continued: "I appreciate that it's Mother's Day, but we also appreciate that 20 people within the home is manageable for people to celebrate that important day." Outside of the house, masks will be mandatory again in all indoor spaces. That includes public transport, supermarkets, retail stores, theatres and any indoor events. It also applies to workers in the hospitality industry — so, while no space, capacity or patron restrictions are being implemented in cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars as part of these new changes, folks will need to wear masks in hospitality venues for the next three days. And, if you're having a beverage in a bar, you're being asked to sit down. So yes, vertical drinking at pubs, clubs, restaurants and the like has been scrapped again, too. Plus, although dancing has only been back on the cards since late March, it'll be banned in indoor venues once again until Monday. Singing will be as well. At weddings, dance floors will still be able to operate, but they'll only be able to accommodate 20 people at once. https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1390115056969404421 Premier Berejiklian said that the NSW Government isn't asking people to change their weekend plans. "Enjoy Mother's Day. Do what you would normally do. This is the opposite approach. We're saying to businesses to keep doors open," she advised. The restrictions are being put back in place after the two new NSW cases occurred in people who haven't been overseas recently, and don't work in hotel quarantine, border or health roles. NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said that the sequence from the new case matches a case in a returned overseas traveller, but NSW Health hasn't been able to directly connect the two people as yet. "What we're concerned about is that there is a missing link — that there is someone, because there is no direct contact that we've been able to establish yet, between the cases," Dr Chant noted. Sydneysiders are also asked to continue to frequently check NSW Health's long list of locations and venues that positive coronavirus cases have visited over the past week — and, if you've been to anywhere listed on the specific dates and times, get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days after your visit. In terms of symptoms, you should be looking out for coughs, fever, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or loss of smell or taste — and getting tested at a clinic if you have any. For more information about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.
Darling Quarter is diving head first into the spirit of eating, drinking and being merry at its redeveloped dining precinct. There's a collection of fresh, new restaurants that have opened just in time to add a little food-focused fun to your end-of-year festivities. While that stand-out playground and waterpark — the big draw card for the kids — in Tumbalong Park is ready and waiting, so too are a whole host of places. Take Dopa, the retro, Tokyo-inspired donburi and dessert bar by the crew who brought us cult Surry Hills fave Devon; and Goobne, which is slinging its famed Korean oven-roasted roast chicken. There's also MuMian (pictured below), little sister to Tao, one of Sydney's most stunning Cantonese restaurants; the cool new Japanese joint Ichoume (and its strikingly colourful interiors); Vesta Italian (top image), which will be serving up pizzas and Aperol Spritzes all summer long; and the classic fave Gelatissimo — because what's summer without a scoop of ice cream? Whether you plan to squeeze in a long, lazy, last-minute office Christmas lunch, a breezy evening family meal close to the CBD or a festive gathering with your pals in the new year, Darling Quarter has the spot for you. Plus, it's a top notch area for a picturesque stroll — the large-scale vertical garden boxes dressed in red bows are ideal for a 'gram refresh (and the plants will even be available for purchase in the new year, with all proceeds going to charity). Darling Quarter has a range of fresh, new festive dining options ready and waiting for you — head to the website for the full list.
Autumn is still beach weather on Hamilton Island. Getting cosy in Tasmania is one of the best ways to embrace an Australian winter. Celebrating spring or kicking off summer on either the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast, or in Byron Bay, will get you primed for sunny days. With Qantas' latest flight sale, discounting one-million seats across routes to 60 domestic destinations — with 35-plus routes under $150 — they're all options. The airline's usual sale starting price for a one-way fare is $109 — and this time, that'll get you either from Brisbane to Proserpine on the Whitsunday Coast or from Sydney to Byron Bay/Ballina (and vice versa on both routes). Flights between the Gold Coast and Sydney kick off at $119, as do fares from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island. For $129, you can head from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast or Tamworth. Then, specials on the Sydney–Brisbane route begin at $139, as do Sydney–Hobart, Melbourne–Adelaide, Sydney–Bendigo and Adelaide–Whyalla. If you're eager to venture between Melbourne–Sydney or Albury–Sydney, that'll set you back $149. Brisbane–Hamilton Island, Burnie–Melbourne, Orange–Sydney and Melbourne–Mildura fares are all $159. Or, $169 covers Brisbane–Melbourne, Davenport–Melbourne, Adelaide–Mount Gambier and Merimbula–Sydney legs, while $179 will get you from Perth–Geraldton, Mt Isa–Townsville and Griffith–Sydney. For those feeling flush and keen to travel business class, that's also part of the airline's sale, starting at $369 from Brisbane to Proserpine. Wherever you're hoping to vacation, you'll need to be able to travel between Tuesday, April 29–Thursday, June 26, Tuesday, July 22–Thursday, September 18 or Tuesday, October 14–Wednesday, December 10, all in 2025. So, that gives you choices across autumn, winter, spring and early summer trips, although the specifics vary per destination — as always. If this is the answer to your holiday dreams, you'll need to get in before 11.59pm AEDT on Sunday, March 2, 2025. And yes, the usual caveat applies: if fares sell out earlier, you'll miss out. [caption id="attachment_928567" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tasmania, Luke Tscharke[/caption] Qantas' 'The 1 million seat sale' runs until 11.59pm AEDT on Sunday, March 2, 2025, or until sold out if prior.
It has been an immensely tough few weeks for southeast Queensland's Binna Burra Lodge, with the beloved Gold Coast hinterland site devastated by bushfires at the beginning of September. While the heritage-listed venue is currently planning its reconstruction process, including when it'll welcome patrons back through the doors, the iconic spot has announced a piece of good news — a new climbing attraction that'll open in 2020. While a specific launch date is yet to be revealed — unsurprisingly, given that the 86-year-old site is in rebuild and fundraising mode — Binna Burra Lodge will become home to Australia's first commercial via ferrata. The Italian term translates to "iron path", and is used to describe cliff-face climbing routes that use steel cables, fixed metal rungs, bridges and ladders to let folks of all skill levels to make the journey. Receiving $1.48 million in funding from the Queensland Government, the via ferrata will open up a section of cliff that's usually only accessible to highly experienced rock climbers (and even then, only by using special equipment). When it launches, anyone will be able to scale the track safely, enjoying its adventurous thrills and impressive views, with 30 people at a time able to use the system. Binna Burra Lodge expects that its new addition will be popular, anticipating that more than 50,000 Australian and international visitors will flock to the region as a result. The via ferrata will join the site's range of existing outdoor activities, which — when the venue becomes operational again — include bushwalking, abseiling, flying fox, archery, camping and trekking through the hinterland. [caption id="attachment_742692" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Binna Burra Lodge's sky lodges, before September's bushfires. Via Binna Burra Lodge.[/caption] Via ferratas are common in Europe, especially through the Alps — and particularly in the Dolomites in Italy, as well as throughout Austria, Germany and Switzerland. If you're wondering how they work, they typically rely upon a length of steel rope, which is affixed to the rock at certain intervals. Climbers then attach themselves to the cable, while also stepping on metal pegs and rungs, and using ladders and bridges, to make their way through the course. Binna Burra Lodge's via ferrata is expected to open in 2020. For more information, visit the site's website. To donate to the venue's reconstruction fundraising campaign, visit the GoFundMe page. Top image: Binna Burra Lodge.
