There's something oh-so-relaxing about staring at the sea, even if you're feasting your eyes on the water via the big screen. That's the concept behind the Ocean Film Festival Australia. You can't always spend all your time at the beach, by the river or in a pool — but you can spend an evening peering at the next best thing in a cinema. On select dates in March, screening at either 6.30pm or 7pm depending on the venue, the festival will unleash a cinematic feast of water-focused wonders onto the silver screen at various venues around Sydney. This is the event's 11th year, and it's heading to Randwick Ritz Cinemas on Wednesday, March 6, then Hayden Orpheum in Cremorne from Thursday, March 7–Friday, March 8, and also Event Cinemas George Street on Wednesday, March 13. Film-wise, viewers will spend time both above and below the ocean's surface thanks to a compilation of shorts from around the world. Expect to chase big waves, explore a range of sea life and get a hefty ocean rush, plus a heap of other sea adventures. One big highlight for 2024: Ice Maiden, about Lisa Blair's attempt to become the first woman to sail solo — and also without assistance, and non-stop — around Antarctica. The full program is united by a love of the ocean, an appreciation of the creatures who dwell in its waters and a curiosity to explore the substance that comprises more than two-thirds of the earth. It's the next best thing to diving in, all without getting wet.
When a business celebrates a birthday in a big way, its customers might be lucky enough to receive a present themselves. That's the case with cinema chain Hoyts, which is hitting 115 years old with two days — an entire weekend, in fact — of cheap movie tickets. Book in a big-screen date across Saturday, October 12–Sunday, October 13 to score $8 general-admission tickets. The special is open to everyone and you don't need to sign up for a membership; however, as there always is with these kinds of deals, there are a few caveats. If you reserve your $8 ticket are online, there'll also be a booking fee. And again, the deal applies just to standard sessions, not Hoyts LUX and special events — but you can pay extra to sit in a D-BOX motion recliner, for a lounge or daybed, or to get the Xtremescreen experience. If you want to head to Hoyts LUX, that'll cost you $25. Movie-wise, your viewing options include supervillain sequel Joker: Folie à Deux, more comic book-inspired antics with Hellboy: The Crooked Man, Sebastian Stan (Dumb Money)-starring Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice, gore aplenty thanks to Terrifier 3, and all-ages-friendly animation with The Wild Robot and Transformers One.
Details on what you can expect from Smoke and Mirrors, the new show debuting at this years Sydney Festival, are about as vague and mysterious as the show's name would suggest. We could tell you that it's a "part vaudeville, part fantasy" and also that it's "a lavish and lyrical journey across an illusory landscape". But that doesn't really mean much. What we can definitely tell you is that its directed by Craig Illiot and stars iOTA – those same guys who brought us the awesome and super camp musical Hedwig and The Angry Inch back in 2007. And we also know that it’s been produced by the people behind La Clique, the astonishing cabaret crowd-pleaser that’s been rocking the Spiegeltent for the last three years. So then, we can also safely assume that Smoke and Mirrors will be a world-class anarchic cabaret masterpiece, full of songs and magic and dirty jokes. And that it will be gayer than Liza Minnelli.
A new four-day festival bringing together top-shelf eats, curated drinks, cutting-edge fashion and pumping beats will take over the CBD's Machine Hall from Thursday, August 1 to Sunday, August 4. The inaugural FFWD (pronounced 'fashion forward') will feature an experimental concept store from Sorry Thanks I Love You, which will showcase new and archival pieces by top design houses including Comme Des Garçons, Acne Studios, Issey Miyake, MM6 Maison Margiela and more. But it's not just the threads that have impressive credentials. The legendary Sydney restaurateur behind Bondi Icebergs and popular Potts Point pop-up Snack Kitchen, Maurice Terzini, will be delivering a menu of Italian hits including porcini and truffle lasagna and tiramisu, served by the scoop. Mike Bennie from progressive wine merchants P&V has created a drinks offering that leans on easy-to-drink natty drops from up-and-coming Australian cellar doors. [caption id="attachment_967005" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maurice Terzini. Image: Nikki To[/caption] The party gets started on the fest's opening night with a headline set by Julian Hamilton, one half of EDM icons The Presets, who will be supported by psychedelic rock duo Velvet Trip. Across the four days, festival-goers can expect free wine tastings, fashion and hospitality industry panel discussions with top experts, rolling DJ sets, installations by Dover Street Market artist Brett Westfall and screenings of the 2023 fashion documentary High & Low — John Galliano. Entry to the festival is a very reasonable $25, however for those with cash to splash, there are three tiers of all-access passes, starting at $1000 and topping out at $5000. These VIP tickets secure access to the private opening night cocktail party and exclusive closing night afterparty, as well as a laundry list of other perks. A charity donation will also be made in the ticket-holder's name to Chris O'Brien Lifehouse. Top image: Jordan Munn
After a long, hard day, the last thing you want to do is cook. So many ingredients and so many measurements to contend with. Then comes the boiling pot, the whirring of the extractor fan, the mess — it's all too much. There is something super comforting about Indian and Pakistani cuisine — between the nourishing ingredients, creaminess and tantalising spice, it's the perfect remedy to a bad day. Thankfully, you can get heart- and stomach-warming South Asian dishes delivered straight to your sofa. The only effort required on your part is to decide what to order, get some cutlery ready and put some pants on before you answer the door. Here, we'll get you started on the first part by suggesting some top-notch dishes from reliable, family-run restaurants all across Sydney. You're on your own with the pants though.
With the reopening of the Hotel Palisade, the controversial re-do of Durty Nelly's as The Village Inn, the revamp of the Bellevue Hotel, and the recent Vic on the Park-steered reno of The Lord Gladstone, the debate over great and terrible pub renovations is rife in Sydney at present. Now there's another on the table, with Petersham's White Cockatoo set to reopen as The West Village in October. Celebrated as a tried and true 'sham local with a schnitzel worth crossing the city for, the White Cockatoo is now under new ownership — ex-Drink 'n' Dine ownership. Locky Paech, former general manager of the Forresters in Surry Hills, is one of the new co-owners of the Petersham pub. Alongside business partner James Bodel, Paech has created a new Sydney hospitality group, Goodtime Hospitality. They've recruited lauded design crew Alexander and Co. for the job, renowned for such restaurant and bar fitouts as Surly's, Daniel San, The Print Room, Watsons Bay Hotel, The Morrison and the new Village Inn. Paech told Good Food the pub won't be gimmicky, so here's hoping the pub keeps some of its integrity. If you're worried about the schnitties, Paech is apparently going to keep a version of the dish that made the White Cockatoo famous in Sydney over 12 years of glory (in case you're after the real deal, the original schnitties are now being served at The Goni's Schnitzelria in Marrickville). We're not completely sold, but we'll give it a go. Paech has also recruited former Catalina chef Sam Thomson to create an original, gastropub-style menu for the West Village, with a focus on organic, ethically-produced ingredients. The West Village will open at 30 Terminus Street, Petersham, opening in October. The White Cockatoo's famous schnitzels can now be found at The Goni's Schnitzelria, 296 Marrickville Road, Marrickville. Via Good Food. Images: The White Cockatoo Hotel, Dollar Photo Club.
CBDs all over the world are battlefields where vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians collide. In response, cities like Copenhagen and Vienna have long prided themselves on the creation of central car-free areas. In Sydney, Lord Mayor Clover Moore has been barracking for a sizeable pedestrian zone in George Street, where trees and promenades would replace traffic lights and road rage. You might remember being treated to an all-too-brief taste of the concept back in October 2012, when Art and About’s closing night manifested as a Moveable Feast. A totally tranquil Sydney CBD isn’t happening quite yet, but NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay has announced a pedestrian-friendly move. As of the end of 2014, a significant section of the CBD will receive a decreased speed limit of 40km/h — a 10km/h reduction on the current 50km/h. The limit will apply to the area bordered by Castlereagh, Pitt, Kent and Hay Streets. You can think of it as a major extension of the 40km/h section that already applies in The Rocks. The main motivation for the legislation is increasing pedestrian deaths. Seven have been killed in the CBD since 2008 — three of those in the past year and six of those in the area outlined here. "More than 90 per cent of trips made every day in the Sydney CBD are made on foot," Minister Gay announced. "We know that speed is a critical factor for the safety of pedestrians. A vehicle that hits a pedestrian at 50km/h is twice as likely to cause a fatality as the same vehicle travelling 10km/h slower." However, he also acknowledged pedestrian misbehaviour as a factor. "Pedestrians also need to play their part to reduce the number of crashes," he said. "The Sydney CBD Motorcycle Response Team will continue to monitor poor pedestrian behaviour... Pedestrians should always cross at the lights, obey traffic signals, look both ways before they cross and stay alert by not getting distracted by phones or music." Via SMH.
He's the master of fried chicken behind the Belles Hot Chicken stable, and its signature pairing of southern-inspired bird and natural wine. Now Morgan McGlone is shifting focus from the deep fryer to the rotisserie with his latest creation, Sunday — a new bar and restaurant paying homage to the classic roast chicken. Nostalgic flavours and traditional Sunday dinners are given a playful update at this Potts Point newcomer, resulting in a menu of inventive comfort food that's spiked with plenty of local, seasonal ingredients. A state-of-the-art French Rotisol rotisserie takes pride of place in the kitchen and free-range, hormone-free Bannockburn chickens from Gippsland headline the food offering. Turquoise tiles and brass accents provide a bright, cheery backdrop to dishes like Creole-style chicken wings with burnt chilli aioli, the panko-crumbed fish roll, and a schnitzel burger piled high with coleslaw, cajun aioli and pickled jalapeños. A chip butty teams fries and a madras mayo on a soft milk bun, while local burrata is matched with heirloom tomatoes and aged sherry vinegar. Options from the rotisserie might include a roasted cauliflower with sunflower seed pesto, or a classic roast chook with chips — to be backed by sides like the garlic and lemon thyme-roasted spuds, plus a signature Sunday coleslaw finished with fennel and mint. Dessert features an exclusive collaboration with Rivareno Gelato, courtesy of an indulgent two-scoop ice cream sandwich laced with chocolate bourbon sauce. Unlike the roast dinners of your childhood, Sunday's food offering comes backed by a creatively charged drinks lineup, starring four pre-batched cocktails from Australian Bartender Magazine's 2018 Bartender of the Year, Jenna Hemsworth (Restaurant Hubert). You can enjoy the negroni, Aperol spritz, margarita and cold drip martini either alongside a feed, or to take home. Meanwhile, Western Australia's Running with Thieves headlines the tap list, and you'll find a strong selection of Aussie-made natural wines rounding out the bar lineup. Find Sunday at 95 Macleay Street, Potts Point. It's open daily from 11.30am until late.
If 2020 has taught us anything, it's that a lot can happen in six months. Around this time half a year ago, we were getting mighty excited about all the new movies set to reach Australian cinemas in 2020. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Now, after months spent at home, indoors, giving our streaming queues one helluva workout, it's reset time. Aussie picture palaces are slowly reopening — albeit at different rates across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane — and this year's big-screen releases are kicking off again. In great news for cinephiles, that means there are plenty of new flicks vying for your eyeballs. Some are big-budget blockbusters that've had everyone talking since last year. Others are long-awaited sequels and eagerly anticipated remakes. From the return of familiar faces to exceptional intimate dramas, we've rounded up ten new movies to look forward to seeing in a cinema throughout the rest of 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLNXHJB5Mto BABYTEETH Usually, cancer movies aren't just terrible, generic and cliched — they're insulting. Often focusing on pretty young things succumbing slowly to the insidious disease, they generally tug at the heartstrings with shameless abandon, treating their protagonists and their plights as a mechanism to wring weepy tears out of the audience. But while Babyteeth also hones in on a cancer-afflicted teenager, it could never be mistaken for the usual illness drama. As directed by feature first-timer Shannon Murphy, this lively, vibrant, insightful and genuinely moving film truly sees its main character, Milla (Little Women's Eliza Scanlen), as a person first and foremost. Story-wise, the movie charts Milla's unexpected romance with enigmatic Sydney drug dealer Moses (Acute Misfortune's Toby Wallace), as well as the reaction of her struggling parents. Also starring Essie Davis and Ben Mendelsohn as Milla's mum and dad, this is a raw, sensitive, astute and arresting addition to a genre that rarely (if ever) earns any of those terms. It's also visually striking and, unsurprisingly given the cast, boasts fantastic performances — and it's one of the best Australian movies that'll hit cinemas in 2020. Babyteeth releases in Australian cinemas on July 23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKOT56zkRQ8 NEVER RARELY SOMETIMES ALWAYS The third film from talented American writer/director Eliza Hittman (It Felt Like Love, Beach Rats), Never Rarely Sometimes Always took home Berlinale's Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize this year — the festival's second most prestigious award — but it would've been a more than worthy overall winner. First premiering at Sundance, where it also nabbed a jury prize, this a heart-wrenching gut-punch of a movie that's about an ordinary teenager in an everyday situation, while simultaneously focused on a crucial topic. When small-town Pennsylvanian 17-year-old Autumn (Sidney Flanigan) discovers that she's pregnant, she only really has one option. She's certain her family (including Sharon Van Etten as her mother) won't help, and the local women's clinic advocates having the baby, so with her cousin Skylar (Talia Ryder) she hops on a bus to New York. Their experiences in the Big Apple are tense and devastating, as is this potent, compassionate and naturalistic entire film. Never Rarely Sometimes Always releases in Australian cinemas on August 6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loGLiMU5fuI TENET Is it a follow-up to Inception? Does Christopher Nolan just like getting twisty every ten years? Or does the acclaimed director simply enjoy messing with everyone's heads? When the first trailer for Tenet dropped in 2019, it inspired all of the above questions — and keen moviegoers have been waiting for answers. For now, we do know that Nolan's latest will involve time travel, the afterlife and stopping World War III. Also: spies, boats, sensing things before they happen and objects running in reverse. Throw in an active attempt to bend viewers' minds, plus many a superbly shot and staged spectacle, and Nolan is back in the territory that has served him so well since Memento. BlacKkKlansman's John David Washington leads the cast, alongside Robert Pattinson, Nolan regular Michael Caine, Aussie actor Elizabeth Debicki and Kenneth Branagh. Tenet releases in Australian cinemas on August 13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hAL7emClFM BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC It was first uttered more than three decades ago, but the world could always use Bill & Ted's main nugget of wisdom. "Be excellent to each other," Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure first told us in 1989, before continuing the message in 1991's Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey — and the series will do so again in the long-awaited Bill & Ted Face the Music. Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves are back as everyone's favourite high school slackers and wannabe rockers, who initially started travelling through time in a phone booth to pass a history report and secure the world's future. They're middle-aged now and they even have daughters (played by Ready or Not's Samara Weaving and Bombshell's Brigette Lundy-Paine), but when you're told as a teen that your music is going to change the entire universe, that responsibility doesn't just fade because you get older. Bill & Ted Face the Music releases in Australian cinemas on August 27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7qxYOpy9Ms A QUIET PLACE PART II In 2018, A Quiet Place tasked a young family with staying soundless, lest they be heard and then killed by giant spider-like monsters. As a result, audiences keenly listened out for any noise that could put Lee (John Krasinski), Evelyn (Emily Blunt), Regan (Millicent Simmonds) and Marcus (Noah Jupe) Abbott in jeopardy, with the film serving up a mighty tense — and noise-free — time at the cinemas. Now, two years later, the frightful aliens and the hushed tones are back. So is Blunt in kick-ass mode, too. Like the first film, A Quiet Place Part II is directed and written by Krasinski, with this follow-up picking up where its predecessor left off. Certain to serve up plenty of bumps, jumps and — naturally — silence, the sequel also welcomes franchise newcomers Cillian Murphy (Peaky Blinders) and Djimon Hounsou (Guardians of the Galaxy). A Quiet Place Part II opens in Australian cinemas on September 3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlwzuZ9kOQU CANDYMAN For nearly three decades, horror movie lovers have fallen into two categories: those who've dared to say the word 'candyman' five times while staring into a mirror, and those who haven't. If you fall into the first group, then you'll be making a date with this unnerving sequel, which revives the Candyman franchise and boasts a few tricks up its sleeves. Firstly, Candyman circa 2020 is produced and co-written by Jordan Peele, who adds another frightfest to his resume alongside Get Out and Us. Secondly, it's directed by Nia DaCosta, whose Tessa Thompson-starring 2018 film Little Woods deserved more attention. And last but by no means least, it features the OG Candyman, Tony Todd, among its cast. Plot-wise, the new flick focuses on artist Anthony McCoy (Aquaman and Watchmen's Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), who decides to start exploring the Candyman legend through his art. His girlfriend Brianna (If Beale Street Could Talk's Teyonah Parris) thinks the story is just that, but then the bee-covered figure starts wreaking havoc again. That's what happens when folks say his name while looking at their own reflection, after all. Candyman opens in Australian cinemas on September 24. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfM7_JLk-84&feature=emb_logo WONDER WOMAN 1984 New Order's 'Blue Monday'. A giant mall. Women exercising in bright leotards and leg warmers. All of the above inspire instant visions of the 80s, which is where Wonder Woman is heading in her next big-screen outing. Yes, the fierce female superhero with the bullet-deflecting bracelets and Lasso of Truth is finally back, thanks to Wonder Woman 1984. This time around, she's navigating the Cold War era and facing off against Kristen Wiig. The sequel's story pits Gal Gadot's Amazon demigoddess against Wiig's Cheetah — also known as archaeologist Barbara Ann Minerva. While the franchise newcomer is looking rather meek and mild at the beginning of the just-dropped Wonder Woman 1984 trailer, she's not likely to stay that way for long in this eagerly awaited sequel. Game of Thrones, Narcos and The Mandalorian star Pedro Pascal also joins the cast as Maxwell Lord, a powerful businessman, and Chris Pine returns as American pilot Steve Trevor — despite the tragic events of the first film. And, behind the camera, writer/director Patty Jenkins is also back — as she should be given that Wonder Woman is currently the highest-grossing film ever directed solo by a woman. Wonder Woman 1984 releases in Australian cinemas on October 1. HALLOWEEN KILLS For 42 years, the Halloween franchise has been delivering stone-cold horror masterpieces, weird and wonderful detours, and entries that deserve to be locked away for all eternity with Michael Myers. The difference between the series' John Carpenter-directed best and its trashy worst is enormous, but when David Gordon Green (Prince Avalanche, Pineapple Express) took the reins for 2018's Halloween — a direct sequel to the 1978 original that ignores the seven other follow-ups and two remakes in-between — he served up one of the saga's best chapters. It helped that Jamie Lee Curtis was back, of course. Also beneficial: a meaty story that grapples with trauma, a skill for slasher thrills, a new score by Carpenter himself, and producer Jason Blum's support. So it was great news when two more movies were announced, including 2020's Halloween Kills, which brings the whole gang back to Haddonfield for another encounter with the town's masked menace. Halloween Kills releases in Australian cinemas on October 15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcPk2p0Zaw4 THE FRENCH DISPATCH An offbeat storyline. Mesmerisingly symmetrical frames. A cast that includes Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Owen Wilson, Saoirse Ronan, Willem Dafoe, Jason Schwartzman, Edward Norton, Bob Balaban and Anjelica Houston. Yep, it must be a new Wes Anderson film — and The French Dispatch looks like Wes Anderson at his most Wes Anderson-esque yet. The premise: in the fictional French town of Ennui-sur-Blasé sometime in the mid-20th century, Arthur Howitzer Jr. (Murray) has turned a series of travelogue columns into a weekly American magazine. A supplement to the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun, The French Dispatch resembles The New Yorker, is staffed by top expatriate journalists, and covers life in France, world politics, high and low art, and diverse stories of human interest. As for the film that shares its name, it focuses on three tales printed in the publication's pages. The French Dispatch releases in Australian cinemas on November 26. [caption id="attachment_774009" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Photo credit: Chiabella James. Copyright: © 2020 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.[/caption] DUNE David Lynch's Dune is one of the most unfairly maligned sci-fi films ever made. It's not the version that Alejandro Jodorowsky would've whipped up — as explored in excellent documentary Jodorowsky's Dune — but the 1984 movie still has its surreal delights. Just how Denis Villeneuve's new adaptation of Frank Herbert's 1965 novel will fare is still yet to be seen, but the French Canadian director has already revived another 80s sci-fi property to stunning effect with Blade Runner 2049. Once again, he has amassed a stellar cast, including Timothée Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem and Doctor Sleep's Rebecca Ferguson. They'll all fight over 'the spice', the most valuable substance in the universe. Dune releases in Australian cinemas on December 26. Top images: Dune: Copyright: © 2020 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures. Babyteeth: Lisa Tomasetti. Wonder Woman 1984: Clay Enos/ ™ & © DC Comics. © 2018 WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Australia may be out of the World Cup, but that doesn't mean you need to be. Futbol gives way to foosball over at The Rocks between now and September 20. As part of a live art installation titled Arena Calcetto (which means 'arena for little football'), six 10m-high towers will each encase a publicly accessible foosball table. Created by non-profit Sydney collective Archrival, the work is the result of collaboration between more than 100 designers from ten countries around the world. Every member of every foosball team is a unique, custom-made creation, while the wooden towers are inspired by Venetian sailing boats. Originally made for the Australian Pavilion at the 13th Venice International Architecture Biennale, the work had a stint at Paddington's Reservoir Gardens during last year's Art & About. But with the World Cup on, this seems like the installation's true time to shine. “With its laneways and historic buildings, The Rocks is a great setting for Arena Calcetto's extraordinary timber towers and their hidden foosball tables,” Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority CEO Catherine Gallagher said. "This fantastic installation will transform observers into contestants as they discover the custom-made tables hidden within the sculptures." See more images of the elaborately carved little players and imposing frames of Arena Calcetto here.
Better known as the organisation behind uni-student guzzling grounds Manning Bar and Hermann's Bar, the University of Sydney Union has been quietly adding to their art collection over the years. In Reticulation, the official 2014 Annual USU Art Collection exhibition, the art normally kept behind closed doors comes out to play. The two USU Art Collection officers Esther Rolfe and Julian Woods have curated this year's exhibition and have asked 12 other art-minded USU folk to select some of their favourite works. Celebrating the progress of the art collection and the dedication of the wider USU community, Reticulation will boast works from famed photographers like Bill Henson and Trent Parker, artist and filmmaker George Gittoes and renowned artists such as Vergil Lo Schiavo, Euan Macleod, Terry Ngamandarra, Arthur Streeton, Imants Tillers and Tjapaltjarri Warlimpirrnga. Image: Trent Parke, Untitled (from Dream life Series), 2000.
A food truck park with laid-back summer vibes, games and mini festivals has landed on the northern beaches. Sydney's first permanent food truck destination, Truck Stop is set to makes its home inside Mona Vale's sprawling food and entertainment hot spot Park House Food & Liquor. Truck Stop is home to a rotating lineup of food trucks as well as some pretty impressive permanent features, including a bar in an old-school 50s Airstream, a pizza kitchen and a taco truck in a vintage school bus. In between eating and drinking, you'll be able to listen to live music, on a stage made from an old flatbed pickup truck, and play a round of hand ball, croquet or ping pong. On top of all that, the food truck park will also play host to a series of pop-up events, including Craftoberfest (September 28–October 7) and Pound Paws Doggy Day (November 3). So there's already a fair bit on the agenda to draw you north of the bridge (if you're not already there). Truck Stop will be open throughout spring and summer, from 5–10pm on Fridays, and 12–10pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Some love it, some hate it and others tolerate it, but there's one group that's pretty chuffed about the whole working from home lifestyle: our wet-nosed, four-legged housemates. With all that extra attention, pats on tap and probably a few more treats snuck in here and there, it's safe to say the dogs of Australia are now the number one advocates for WFH. Unfortunately for our furry mates, the dog days of WFH are almost over and those office desks are beckoning. But you can quit stressing — if you're looking for ways to keep pooch happy and stave off any separation anxiety niggles, you'll find a whole network of helping, dog-loving hands over at Dogshare. The brainchild of two busy working mums, Jessica Janson and Adriana Baron, this Aussie-born online community matches dogs with friendly, verified locals who can drop by for visits and walkies or take your pet to the vet and other appointments while you're at work. For a one-off $20 joining fee, followed by a $9 annual service cost, users can create a profile outlining their dog's size, energy levels and temperament, then search other member profiles to find a new human mate that suits their pooch's needs. All member applications are reviewed and approved before entering the system, so you know you can trust all your 'helper' picks. And you can easily pause and restart the service as you like — especially handy if Rover finds his paw-fect match straight off the bat. Dogshare's main aim is to boost meaningful connections between like-minded locals, and to foster a growing community of dogs and dog-lovers. If you and your pup are wanting a little more than an everyday dog-walker, this option is bound to impress. With any luck, a new dog-aunt or fur-uncle is just a few clicks away. Sign up to become a Dogshare member over at the website. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
The team behind Odd Culture Newtown, The Duke of Enmore, The Old Fitz and The Oxford Tavern is opening an exciting new venue which is set to serve drinks late into the night. The Odd Culture Group's newest venue will be a 400-square-metre basement bar below King Street in Newtown, boasting the City of Sydney's first 4am license for a bar in over a century. The hospitality group is hoping this will open the door to a new wave of late-night venues that will help foster a more diverse and inclusive nightlife. "This is the first 4am licence given to a bar in the area for over 100 years and is a huge win in our efforts to diversify Sydney's late night entertainment offering," Odd Culture Group CEO James Thorpe said. "We want this venue to be a milestone in our city's way to becoming a true 24-hour cultural destination, a place where you can come seven days a week at all hours and experience something special." The new venue is set to open early next year with a seven-day roster of entertainment with the Odd Culture Group Operations Manager Sabrina Medcalf promising to bring the spirit of the boundary-pushing music roster at The Duke of Enmore to this new venture. [caption id="attachment_873973" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nick Zavadszky, James Thorpe, Sabrina Medcalf and Michael Rodrigues by Maria Boyadgis[/caption] "The 4am licence is the forbidden fruit of all licences and we can't wait to share some unadulterated music bills to the public," Medcalf said. "The later, the better in my eyes. I've been amongst live music venues and late licences for most of my career and it's the most exciting, culture-building environment around." "We have been on the lookout for a basement property to deliver a live music bar for a very long time," continues Thorpe. "In a city like Sydney that is still (re)establishing its post-midnight cultural face — a task that is so often at loggerheads with the wants of a few vocal local residents — sound attenuation is incredibly important. This space ticks all the boxes — being submerged underneath King St, finding itself located in the council's tiny Late Night Management zone in Newtown, and it being centrally located next to Newtown Station." The City of Sydney classifies the majority of King Street as a Local Centre Area, except for the block between Erskineville Road and Newman Street — where you'll find The Bank, The Townie and Newtown Station — granting this area greater access to extended trading hours. Stay tuned for more information in the lead-up to the venue's opening. [caption id="attachment_828933" align="alignnone" width="1920"] King Street, Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] The Odd Culture Group's new late-night venue is set to open seven days a week with a 4am license in early 2023. top image: The Duke of Enmore
It has only been a few months since the seventh season of Brooklyn Nine-Nine hit screens — which means you've either eagerly caught every second, or you've got some catch-up binging to do. Either way, if you've been watching and rewatching the hit sitcom since it first premiered back in 2013, then you also have something else to pop in your calendar: Isolation Trivia's upcoming B99-themed online quiz evening. How long did Charles Boyle spend dreaming of Jake Peralta and Amy Santiago's wedding? What did Rosa Diaz do before she was a cop? Who keeps swooping in and taking the Nine-Nine crew's cases? Which one is Scully and which is Hitchcock? And which one of the latter duo has a twin? If you can answer all of the above — and name Captain Holt's dog, Terry's kids, Gina's dance troupe and Jake's favourite movie — then you're set for this virtual trivia night. Live-streaming from 6.30pm on Sunday, September 6 this online trivia contest is completely devoted to the show that was cancelled and then resurrected in the space of 36 hours, then was renewed for an eighth season before its seventh one even aired, and features more Die Hard references than you'd think possible in one sitcom. We'd keep asking Brooklyn Nine-Nine questions and dropping tidbits, but we'll save some for the big night. If you're as keen to take part as Terry is about a tub of yoghurt, you just need to head to the Isolation Trivia Facebook page and clear out your Sunday night. That'll be your time to shine (and that can also be the title of your sex tape if you'd like). Isolation Trivia's 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' edition takes place from 6.30pm on Sunday, September 6. Images: SBS
Kensington Street is home to countless fantastic restaurants including the endless collection of south-east Asian cuisine found in Spice Alley. The Chippendale food and drink precinct is ringing in the Year of the Tiger with a series of activations and banquets for Chinese New Year. At Spice Alley, diners can expect to see iconic dragon dancers make appearances on Saturday, February 5, and can win prizes on the Wheel of Luck when they spend $20 or more on February 5, 12 and 15. Spice Alley restaurants Shanghai Dumpling Bar and Hong Kong Diner are both offering exclusive Chinese New Year dishes including an assortment of steamy delights featuring dumplings, shumai and xiao long bao for $22.80. Elsewhere on the street, Holy Duck and Mekong are all ringing in the new year with special dishes and feasts. Holy Duck is hosting a $69 Tiger's feast banquet for group of four or more people which will include assorted rainbow dumplings, duck spring rolls, crispy duck with pancakes, salt and pepper king prawns, seafood noodles and a red envelope for each guest. Over at Mekong, you'll be treated to another $69 set menu, featuring six courses with highlights including crispy braised pork belly with chilli caramel and ginger canna cotta. [caption id="attachment_652632" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Spice Alley via Destination NSW.[/caption]
Open every single day, the ManCave Barber Shop is the place to go when you're after an above-average cut. Relax in classic leather barbershop chairs and be pampered like never before. Whether you're after a haircut, beard trim, skin treatment or hair colouring, you can get it all done at ManCave. The stylists are especially charismatic and take their grooming seriously, too. This one is specifically for the man who cares about his looks and appreciates a quality, local experience while he's at it. While the prices are of course higher than your average corner barber, it is so very worth it. Images: Trent van der Jagt.
For pet owners, spoiling your chosen animal companion is easy at the best of times. When it's winter — and when the country has spent months indoors due to the COVID-19 pandemic — stocking up on cute, cosy pet accessories is even less difficult than usual. Who doesn't want their schnauzer to look both snappy and snuggly, and their shih tzu to look rather nifty, too? Plenty of pet-loving shops have been willing to help, including The Iconic and Big W, with both releasing dapper pet lines this year. Now, Petstock has released a new range aimed at cooler conditions, keeping your four-legged friend looking and feeling luxe as the frostier weather settles in. Sure, most dogs are happy cuddling up in a regular old blanket, and many a cat loves jumping in an average, ordinary box. That's all well and good — or you can opt for plush beds that match your indoor decor. And, you can dress up your pooch in chunky jumpers, shiny parkas, sporty jackets and wool-lined coats, with petwear starting at $19.99. Spanning coordinated leads and collars as well, Petstock's new lineup is designed for pets of the barking kind. Of course, if you want to try to get your meowing pal into one, then best of luck to you. Petstock's winter range is currently available to purchase in-store and online, with contactless click and collect purchasing available.
The Star Sydney has opened a new tea room that's hosting high tea from midday to 4pm Thursdays through Sundays. G&Tea's $55 high tea menu kicks off with scones, as all good high teas do, before serving up a selection of sweet and savoury treats. On the savoury side of the menu, expect dishes like curried egg and chive sandwiches, smoked salmon with caper cream cheese and cajun prawns. Your sweet tooth will be satisfied by the matcha and yuzu choux au cracquelin, vanilla bean panna cotta with gin and cherry bavarois. Accompanying the meal is your choice of coffee or tea, or the addition of sparkling wine for $10 more per person. As for the tea, there are more than 25 varieties on offer ranging from your traditional tea leaves all the way through to rare and unique options. Outside of the high tea hours, G&Tea is open until 8pm seven days a week, and, as the name suggests, gin is the star after dark. Come night time, there is a range of gin-focused cocktails on offer from tea martinis through to the Hummingbird Splice which combines gin, frangelico, pineapple and lime.
When you want to cosy up with your special someone but don't want any interruptions, your best bet is to get out of town. Just a 90-minute drive southwest of Sydney puts you in the Southern Highlands, a wonderland of cool climate wines, waterfalls and beautiful hotels. Sounds idyllic, right? Well, that's why romantics have been retreating there since the late 19th century. Now, our friends at Peppers, who have not one but two properties in the Highlands where you can call home during your time away, know a thing or two about the region and have helped us create an itinerary for all you lovers out there. So, here are five ways to build even more romance into your next weekend away with your SO. DRINK WINE IN FRONT OF A ROARING FIRE Elevated 600 metres above sea level, the Southern Highlands is a mecca for wine lovers — especially those fond of cooler climate. Pioneering winery Joadja was the first winery to open in the region in the 1980s, and, since then, another 16 wineries — plus 60 vineyards — have jumped on the bandwagon. Visit Tertini for multi-award winning boutique drops, Centennial for crisp sparkling wines and the eco-friendly Tractorless, where you'll find sheep helping out in the vineyard. Once you've found a bottle or two to suit your tastes, it'll be time to scope out a roaring fire. Luckily, you'll find a ton in the hotels and pubs throughout the area, including Peppers Manor House and Peppers Craigieburn. [caption id="attachment_665487" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Biota Dining.[/caption] INDULGE IN AWARD-WINNING LOCAL PRODUCE Once you've sampled a few wines and stretched your legs, you'll be ready for a hearty feast. Make tracks to one of the Southern Highlands' most famous restaurants, Biota Dining, a double-hatted marvel in Bowral dedicated to local produce — including that from its flourishing kitchen garden. The best way to experience chef James Viles' magnificent creations is via a five- or seven-course tasting menu, matched with local wines. Other hatted spots include Katers at Peppers Manor House where Executive Chef Thomas Pirker transforms local veggies, herbs and edible flowers into artfully plated dishes and Eschalot, which sits in a stunning 19th-century sandstone house in Berrima. CHASE WATERFALLS If you and your date are craving some outdoor time, do go chasing waterfalls (sorry, TLC). The best known are Fitzroy Falls, which tumble 81 metres over a sandstone cliff face in the Morton National Park. You can reach them via an accessible boardwalk or wander along one of the circuit tracks, which range from 1.6 kilometres to five kilometres in length. From there, it's just a few minutes' drive to Belmore Falls, which cascade for 130 metres across three tiers. The best makeout point, erm vantage point is at the end of the Belmore Falls Walking Track, a 750-metre stroll from Hindmarsh Lookout Car Park. Also worth a good look are Carrington Falls in Budderoo National Park. [caption id="attachment_693679" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Flickr.[/caption] GO PLATYPUS SPOTTING There's nothing like ooing and awwing over cute animals, especially rare Aussie ones. So, head out to the bush for some platypus spotting. The only catch is, you'll need to be patient — and super quiet. The favourite place of Southern Highlands platypuses to meet humans is the Wingecarribee River around Berrima, where a walking track travels for 1.8 kilometres along the water's edge. If you see some teeny-tiny bubbles on the water's surface, then you might be in luck. Hang tight and wait for a duck-like bill to appear. If no one's prepared to meet you, there's not much you can do. At least you'll get to take a romantic stroll through pretty bushland. [caption id="attachment_693681" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peppers Cragieburn, Destination NSW.[/caption] STAY AT A COUNTRY ESTATE Many of Australia's rich and famous – including Nicole Kidman, Peter Garrett and Jimmy Barnes – have owned country estates in the Southern Highlands. But, if you're not in a position to buy a grand manor, you can stay in one for a night or two, at least. Peppers Manor House, built back in the 1920s, places you among landscaped gardens and peaceful paddocks. Whether you book a Highland Queen Room or the mighty Elizabeth Broughton Suite — with a king-sized bed, expansive living areas and a free-standing bath — you can count on high ceilings, plenty of natural light and relaxing rural views. Meanwhile, just outside Bowral, Peppers Craigieburn occupies a century-old estate, with its own nine-hole golf course, billiards room and guest lounges with open fires. Start planning your trip to the Southern Highlands, and book you and yours into a luxurious stay at Peppers. Top image: Destination NSW.
Talbingo Dam is one of the largest bodies of water that make up the Snowy Mountains Scheme, and one of the enduring drawcards of this part of the world is its popularity as a recreational fishing destination. The deep waters of the dam are home to a variety of species including rainbow trout, golden perch, redfin and more. It's also one of the few places that allows catch-and-release sportfishing for the elusive trout cod. If you're planning on dropping a line here, a small recreational fishing fee must be paid. It goes towards the ample restocking of the dams with sustainable species as well as helping to fund research and maintenance about sustainable recreational fishing. [caption id="attachment_841377" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lumi1023 (Flickr)[/caption] The sheer size of Talbingo Dam means that there's plenty of space for aquatic activities in the pristine water. There's a cordoned-off area for swimming and plenty of signage so you can't miss it. Or, if you're more of a thrillseeker, there are long stretches of deep flat water perfect for jet skiing — and the calm nature of the water makes this spot a great place to learn. If jet skis aren't your jam, then perhaps hire a canoe and set your own pace to blissfully take in the breathtaking mountain scenery that surrounds the dam. Whichever you choose, there are plenty of ways to experience this impressive body of water. Top image: Brendan J Murphy (Flickr)
Australia's annual Alliance Francaise French Film Festival marked its 30th year back in 2019, and celebrated the big occasion with no troubles at all. Proving that no one loves entering their 30s, however, the event hit a few struggles when it turned 31. That happened in March 2020, when Australia started to go into lockdown. The fest was already underway, so AFFFF had to stop screening, postpone its plans, then pick things up again in July and August after cinemas started reopening. Here's hoping that 2021, the fest's 32nd year, all runs smoothly. AFFFF has 37 films on its hefty lineup this time around, and it's touring them around the country. The event will be making its usual capital city stops, so French movie fans in Sydney can expect to spend plenty of time at Palace Central, Palace Verona, Palace Norton Street, Chauvel Cinema and Hayden Orpheum Cremorne between March 2–31 — and there'll also be seasons playing in Byron Bay and Parramatta as well. As for what you'll be seeing, AFFFF will open its 2021 lineup with Eiffel, a new biopic starring Romain Duris (All the Money in the World) as the civil engineer who gave Paris' most famous attraction its name. At the other end of its program, the fest will close out with rom-com #Iamhere, which follows a French chef who falls in love via Instagram. And, in-between its two big bookending events, viewers can look forward to a heap of movies starring recognisable faces — including Monica Bellucci, Lupin's charming Omar Sy, the incomparable Isabelle Huppert and Kristin Scott Thomas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXVezkYnDL0 Highlights include The Man Who Sold His Skin, a twisty tale about a Syrian refugee, a tattoo artist and an unusual bargain; Summer of 85, the latest film from acclaimed director François Ozon; and police drama Night Shift, which dives deep into not only law enforcement, but alsoits handling of immigration matters. Or, there's Fahim, the Little Chess Prince, about the Bangladeshi refugee who became a national French chess champion; The Godmother, which sees Huppert tussle with the drug game; and Aline, which is inspired by the life of Céline Dion. Elsewhere, the story of France's first restaurant hits the screen via 18th-century-set period drama, Delicious; Final Set sees an ageing tennis player try to win the French Open; Miss follows a boy who'd like to enter the Miss France beauty pageant; and delightful animated feature Calamity, a Childhood of Martha Jane Cannary imagines Calamity Jane's early years. Fans of Deerskin filmmaker Quentin Dupieux can also check out his latest, Mandibles — and, because AFFF always shows at least one absolute classic French flick, this year it's screening Jean-Luc Godard's 1959 masterpiece Breathless.
Already in 2021, hospitality behemoth Merivale has been on quite the shopping spree, with the Sydney-based company adding not one, not two, but five new venues to its ever-expanding portfolio so far. Those purchases have all been announced over the past few months; however, CEO Justin Hemmes isn't done yet — with The Whale Inn, a boutique hotel and restaurant in Narooma on New South Wales' south coast, the company's latest acquisition. By the time this week is out, Merivale will pick up the keys to the Wagonga Street spot, purchasing it from 15-year owners Matthew Deveson and Jen Houghton-Deveson. The venue includes 17 rooms and suites, as well as a restaurant and bar. The former will keep trading as normal after the handover, while the latter will close briefly for a revamp. Patrons will be able to drop by The Whale Inn for a drink and a bite to eat again sometime in July, although an exact relaunch date hasn't yet been revealed. Neither have Merivale's refurbishment plans — either for the restaurant and bar now, or for the property long-term. If all of sounds a little familiar, that's because it's where Hemmes snapped up The Quarterdeck in Narooma earlier in 2021. So, Merivale will now own two venues in the Eurobodalla community. "Narooma has become my second home and the backdrop to so many of my happiest memories with my family. I think it is one of the most beautiful spots in the world," said Hemmes. [caption id="attachment_804933" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Wagonga Inlet, Destination NSW[/caption] Just like its acquisition of The Whale Inn, the bulk of Merivale's new purchases have been focused on broadening the company's reach beyond Sydney, where it already operates 70-plus venues — and has been a hospitality mainstay for six decades. In Melbourne, it has bought Tomasetti House, its first site in the city. Also in Victoria, it's taking over the Lorne Hotel on the Great Ocean Road. Back in New South Wales, the hospo giant has nabbed Byron Bay's Cheeky Monkey's Bar, too. And, in Sydney, Norton's Irish Pub in Leichardt has also joined the fold. Find The Whale Inn at 102 Wagonga Street, Narooma. The hotel will remain open as normal, but the restaurant will close for refurbishment until sometime in July. Top image: Google Maps.
For a month in autumn, Scenic World in the Blue Mountains transforms its stunning rainforest surrounds into a spectacular outdoor gallery. Over 30 artworks from local, national and international artists will adorn the green floors and walls of the ancient rainforest. As you meander along the 2.4-kilometre Scenic Walkway, you'll see interactive installations and subtle artworks that blend seamlessly into the environment. Look out for Corrie Furner's This Is Not a Still Life glowing neon amongst the ferns, and peer through a large orange screen to view the mountains through the perspective of artists Elin and Keino. Get the adrenalin pumping by taking the world's steepest passenger train, the Scenic Railway, to the walkway. And, if you want even more excitement, head to the glass-bottomed Scenic Skyway — an invigorating ride on the 270-metre high cablecar that takes in some of the mountains' most spectacular vistas, including the Jamison Valley and Katoomba Falls. To complete your journey (of literal highs and lows) make a visit to Sculpture Otherwise, an exhibition of smaller sculptures held at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre. [caption id="attachment_716576" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Corrie Furner: This Is Not a Still Life[/caption] [caption id="attachment_716572" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wendy Teakel: Cycle[/caption] [caption id="attachment_716575" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elin and Keino: Blue Blue Mountains[/caption] Updated: April 12, 2019.
Our Flag Means Death might be no more, after the pirate rom-com was cancelled after two seasons, but getting giggling at Rhys Darby is still on the agenda. The New Zealand comedian has hardly been away from the screen for more than 15 years, ever since Flight of the Conchords became one of HBO's best-ever sitcoms, so he's been inspiring laughs for years. For the first time in nearly a decade, however, he's returning to the stand-up stage — and he's coming to Australia. Fans can expect gags about AI, robots, dads wearing tight jeans and more — and the mix of absurdity and insights that have always marked Darby's brand of comedy — when The Legend Returns tour plays Sydney's Enmore Theatre across Thursday, April 24–Friday, April 25. [caption id="attachment_915747" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Our Flag Means Death, Nicola Dove[/caption] Between calling band meetings on Flight of the Conchords and finding love while swashbuckling on Our Flag Means Death, his career has spanned everything from The X-Files, A Series of Unfortunate Events and Wellington Paranormal to Sweet Tooth, SpongeBob SquarePants and Monsters at Work on the small screen. On the big screen, Darby has also been a frequent presence, thanks to The Boat That Rocked, What We Do in the Shadows, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Jumanji: The Next Level, Uproar, Next Goal Wins and plenty more. [caption id="attachment_980410" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gage Skidmore via Flickr[/caption]
Move aside The Kid Laroi, you can now get the ChillinIT or A.Girl meal at Sydney's favourite fried chicken and sneaker shop Butter. The local favourite is joining forces with Spotify's immensely popular hip-hop playlist A1 for a limited-time menu curated by some of Australia's hottest young artists. ChillinIT, A.GIRL and Day1 have all been enlisted to create one-off menu items for the A1 collab, with the three crispy fried creations available for $25 across the next two weeks. ChillinIT's burger takes queues from Canadian favourites, combining maple bacon, maple barbecue sauce, cheese, mayo and fries atop a fried chicken sandwich. A.GIRL's contribution to the menu is also a take on the humble fried chicken burger, however, her creation places Nashville spiced chicken, buttermilk ranch, a fried egg and lettuce between two buns. Finally, Day1 has created a Butter-fied version of a classic kebab shop snack pack. Diners at Butter can order a mountain of chips with two fried chicken tenders, mozzarella, spicy barbecue sauce and spicy mayo piled on top. "A1 is such a solid piece in the hip hop space," A.GIRL said. "It's a movement, they've got their finger on the pulse and always know what's up! I'm high-key pumped to be a part of the collab." Each item can also be placed on a menu with a hot cinnamon doughnut and Chivas apple cocktail, or ordered in the A1 Playlist Family Box which includes all three menu items, fries, soft drinks and doughnuts. The menu is available for two weeks from Friday, June 17 across Butter's Surry Hills, Parramatta, The Rocks and Chatswood locations.
Tenth birthdays are a big deal, especially when you're an Australian music festival that's been navigating a pandemic and the resulting difficult time for the industry for half of your run, and also grappling with the impact of La Niña. Yours and Owls has been on quite the rollercoaster ride across the past decade, clearly, so of course it's celebrating its milestone birthday with a massive lineup. Fontaines DC, Denzel Curry, The Kooks and Goo Goo Dolls lead the roster of talent taking to the stage in Wollongong across Saturday, March 1–Sunday, March 2, 2025. Orville Peck, Hockey Dad, The Jungle Giants, Peach PRC and The Veronicas are also on the bill, as are Elderbrook, Honey Dijon, JPEGMafia and Salute — and plenty more. When Yours and Owls revealed that it wasn't going ahead in 2024, joining the long list of music festivals scrapping plans for this year, it thankfully only put its fun on hold for 2025. Returning in 2025 was always the intention — and this is a lineup worth waiting for. Yours and Owls didn't completely sit 2024 out, however. Earlier in October, it held a pre-party, aka the event you put on when you can't put on the full festival experience at your usual time of the year because it doesn't work for your headliners' calendars. So, a tunes-filled shindig still took over the University of Wollongong campus — complete with Golden Features, Peking Duk, Alice Ivy, Anna Lunoe and more — to keep things warm for next year. Affectionately labelled "Gong Christmas", Yours and Owls 2025 will feature four stages across its two-day run, plus a feast of local arts — and food and drinks — beyond the tunes. [caption id="attachment_976058" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Theo Cottle[/caption] Yours and Owls Lineup 2025 Fontaines DC Denzel Curry The Kooks Goo Goo Dolls Elderbrook Hockey Dad Honey Dijon JPEGMafia The Jungle Giants Orville Peck Peach PRC Salute The Veronicas Allday Babe Rainbow Coterie Cyril Dice The Dreggs Frankie Stew & Harvey Gunn Grentperez Isabel Larosa Magdalena Bay May A Mark Blair Pond Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners Sam Tompkins San Cisco Slowly Slowly Sycco Wunderhorse Battlesnake Bean Magazine Bodyjar The Belair Lip Bombs C.O.F.F.I.N Crocodylus Keli Holiday Kitschen Boy Le Shiv Miss Kaninna Nick Ward Ra Ra Viper Satin Cali Total Tommy Y.O.G.A Top Yours and Owls image: Ruby Bowland.
We've adopted her as one of our very own, and now, the ARIA Award winning songstress Ladyhawke (real name Pip Brown) has embarked on an Australian tour in support of her latest release, Anxiety. The New Zealand-born singer/songwriter made a name for herself back in 2007, with her stunning collaboration on PNAU's single, Embrace. She went on to release her explosive self-titled record – featuring stellar hits My Delirium, Paris Is Burning and Back Of The Van – which saw her receive a number of accolades. Her second record continues with the brand she created for herself on her debut, lush, '80s-inspired electronic pop, as heard in the first two singles Black, White & Blue and Sunday Drive. All The Colours will be supporting her at her Metro Theatre show. https://youtube.com/watch?v=RAX3yqiCqTE
Leaping into the spotlight this year, Jagwar Ma have been busy creating a buzz overseas and back home in Australia. Their recent Glastonbury set brought in waves of acclaim from prominent music publications like NME, who listed Jagwar Ma as the #1 Must See Act, and the Independent, who labelled the Sydney trio as "the ideal Glastonbury band". The outfit even received a nod of approval from Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher, who proclaimed his love for the Australian rock band in a recent interview. With their debut album, Howlin' now unleashed to the masses, the duo continues to impress. Their trippy, blissed-out sound is a perfect marriage between pulsating dance rhythms and gritty guitar riffs. To celebrate the release of the record, Jagwar Ma will be heading out on a national album launch tour with two Sydney shows at The Standard, the first of which has already sold out, before taking a spin around Europe and The States. Supporting duties for both evenings go to solo electronic producer Guerre and DJ Angelo Cruzman. Update: Friday's show is sold out, a second show is on sale for Sunday. https://youtube.com/watch?v=K8KCPw9kYpo
Trevor Powers is the man behind the Youth Lagoon moniker, under which he explores precious memories of the past, personal thoughts and feelings via his unique brand of melancholic pop. His first collection of songs became known as The Year Of Hibernation, Powers’ strong debut, which saw drifting melodies flirt with sample-heavy rhythms. His lyrics are highly evocative with such expressive lines as, “When I was seventeen my mother said to me, 'Don’t stop imagining, the day that you do is that day that you die'”. Powers was last in the country in February where he played a string of sold out shows. He now returns to Australia for Splendour In The Grass as well as a couple of sideshows, bringing with him a stellar line-up of supporting artists, including Sures and Bearhug.
Belles Hot Chicken is set to open its third and most impressive Sydney outpost in March, bringing its cult-favourite fried chicken to Circular Quay. The Belles team has built a passionate fanbase — and landed on our favourite Sydney fried chicken spots — through its Glebe and Barangaroo eateries in Sydney, alongside multiple Melbourne venues. Now, it's bringing its fun and flavoursome approach to Nashville-style takeaway to a 130-seat restaurant-style opening. Arriving in the Quay Quarter Tower on Friday, March 3, Belles Hot Chicken Circular Quay will bring the expected hallmarks of the chain to an expansive new space with spectacular harbour views. Belles' vintage Americana style is here in spades. Fresh from working with Lune, Ewert Leaf has collaborated with Belles' Design Director Vicki Punch to create a warm, welcoming space fitted out with neon signs, vintage tiles and vending machines, plus an entirely chrome ceiling and cork detailing. On the menu, things will stick close to the other locations, with an elevated and varied drinks menu to complement the eats. Pair tenders, drumsticks, wings and buffalo cauliflower — all available in heat levels ranging from chicken salt to Really F**king Hot — with Belles Original Draught, orange wines and house cocktails like spiked iced tea. Spicy chicken sandwiches and loaded fries also feature, with a highlight-reel set menu available for $40 per person if you want the decisions taken out of your hands. Some of the more extravagant or unique drinks you'll find at the Circular Quay spot include Pappy Van Winkle 15-year-old Kentucky bourbon available for $85 a pop, Louis Roederer Cristal Brut (because who doesn't want to pair champagne and fried chicken?, and Baba's Place and DNA Distillery's canned rakija and tonic RTDs. "Belles Circular Quay feels like a real coming of age for our eight-year-old brand. Off are the training wheels, it's full noise from here," says Joss-Jenner Leuthart, Belles Hot Chicken's Managing Director. Rounding out the vibrant energy of this new outpost is a set of vinyl turntables ready for a DJ to take hold and spark a party at any point in time. With enough champagne and spiked iced tea, it could just happen. As a special gift to the Belles fans that have helped the brand blossom since hitting Sydney in 2015 (after launching in Melbourne in 2014 first), the team is opening up the preview night — an event that would usually be reserved for those in its inner circle — to the public. There's 100 spots available to head along on Thursday, March 2 and experience the restaurant before it opens. If you want to be a part of the sneak peek, you can register your interest at the Belles website. Belles Hot Chicken Circular Quay will open on Friday, March 3 at Quay Quarter Towers, 50 Bridge Street, Sydney — and operate from 11.30am–9pm Monday–Thursday and 11.30am–10.30pm Friday–Saturday.
Surry Hills grill house Porteño will play host to an immersive evening of smoke, peat and meat with Laphroaig Tales of Fire featuring Adelaide grilling master Jake Kellie for one night only on Thursday, September 7. Tales of Fire brings together taste trailblazers in the world of whisky and food to celebrate both. Always drawn to the flame of fire-powered cooking, Kellie is the former Head Chef of the Michelin-starred barbeque restaurant Burnt Ends in Singapore. After returning to Australia, the accomplished chef opened his new trailblazing venue Arkhé in Adelaide in 2021. Kellie will share his tales of fire as he showcases his distinct fire-cooking skills. Together with Porteño's Elvis Abrahanowicz, Ben Milgate and the rest of the Surry Hills crew, Kellie will serve up a cracker five-course smoky masterpiece that combines the elements that make up Laphroaig Whisky: salt, peat and fire. To whet your palate, Kellie has hinted that Kaviari Paris caviar and Mayura Station 40-day dry-aged signature series striploin will both be making an appearance on the menu. Each course will be paired with carefully selected scotch cocktails and guests will also enjoy a Laphroaig-tasting flight. This will include the incredibly rare Laphroaig x Francis Mallmann Limited Edition collab, a 17-year-old expression finished in a white Madeira cask that was hand-chosen by Patagonian fire chef and Laphroaig Taste Trailblazing partner, Francis Mallmann. There are only 276 bottles in the world and one will set you back 800 euros — this could be one of your only chances to taste it. [caption id="attachment_602532" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Steven Woodburn[/caption]
Two Australian denim gurus, General Pants Co. and Ksubi, are joining forces this month to help you fill up your wardrobe on the cheap. The two homegrown fashion brands will take over Paddington Town Hall for two days only on Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13 — and denim will be on sale from just $50. Apart from designs from the two namesake brands, you can also expect threads from the likes of Insight, Arvust, Standard, Spencer Project and Alice in the Eve. Clothing from other favourite General Pants Co. designers, including Don't Ask Amanda, Subtitled and Neon Hart, will also be up for grabs. Shoppers will have the chance to nab heaps of denim and other fashion finds, and will only have to fork out a pineapple for much of it. The warehouse sale will run from 9am–6pm on Friday and 9am–4pm on Saturday. While entry is free, be sure to RSVP to the Facebook event here.
When your nine-to-five plays out like a well-oiled machine, it can sometimes feel like each week is a little same-same. But Sydney is brimming with a fine bounty of things to experience and explore each and every day. So aside from casual laziness and a little lack of inspiration, there's really nothing stopping you from squeezing some adventure and spontaneity into your schedule. We've teamed up with Mazda3 to celebrate the landmark 40th anniversary of their iconic small cars, and in turn, help you celebrate the little things that bring that sense of adventure to life. Shake things up, as we give you seven different detours to take each week in Sydney. From Monday to Sunday, enrich your everyday with one completely achievable activity that inspires you to take the scenic route as you go about your daily routine. This week, peek into the newly resurrected Lansdowne Hotel, find out who is the most viking of all your friends and learn how to smoke your own meats and cheese. Plus, we've got your future detours sorted for the new few weeks here. All require no more effort than a tiny break from the norm — what's your excuse for not trying them all?
The Northern Beaches aren’t famous for their burgeoning art scene. Not yet, anyway. Enter Fifty-One: curated by The Bubble Co., it's a monthly event founded with the purpose of uniting creatives on the Northern Beaches and developing the art scene. Promising pizza, beer, music, local art, and plenty of people with whom you can hold an interesting discussion, there are huge things that can be expected of Fifty-One. This month is the second Fifty-One, with a Dia De Los Muertos theme. Hosted by the Pony Room with a live Mariachi band, Mexican-themed life drawing classes, Mexican beers and tequila sunrises, the setting is perfect for a showcase of the work of local underground artists such as Louis Leinbach, Sabina Fatt, Nick Bazarow, and Billy Reilly. So, come check out the creative side of the Insular Peninsula.
In the entertainment world, 2020 is the year of the drive-in, with everything from gigs and parties to movies serving up some in-car action. In the culinary space, this is the year of the drive-thru, of course — and while picking up something to eat without venturing out of your car isn't new by any means, being able to collect El Jannah's beloved charcoal chook while remaining behind the wheel definitely is. Come Saturday, August 8, fans of tasty Lebanese-style chicken will be able to motor on over to El Jannah's new Smithfield digs, which marks the chain's first drive-thru store. Located on Smithfield Road, it'll give poultry fans exactly what they want: not only another place to nab their favourite dish, including in halves and quarters, on rolls and burgers, as part of a platter, and on skewers and in salads, but a spot to do so in a hurry. The Smithfield shop will also be open to walk-in customers, should you find yourself in the area sans wheels. It'll serve up not only charcoal chicken paired with chips and garlic sauce — aka the combo that has earned El Jannah quite the cult following over the years — but also the chain's recently launched fried chicken range as well. So, if for some reason you need some variety in your chook feasts, you'll have options. If you're already a fan, you might've spotted that the new El Jannah site is located in Sydney's west, where the brand first made its home. It joins stores in Blacktown, Campbelltown, Punchbowl, Granville, Kogarah and Penrith, as well as the Newtown venue — which heralded the chain's much-welcomed entry into Sydney's inner-west in 2019. And, although El Jannah moving into the drive-thru business is new, exciting and reason enough to head for a drive when your stomach next demands, you can be forgiven for thinking this sounds more than a little familiar. While we already noted that 2020 is the year of the drive-thru, it's specifically the year of the Sydney-based charcoal chicken drive-thru — with that other local fave, Frango, launching its own car-friendly joint in July. Find El Jannah's Smithfield drive-thru at 3/16 Smithfield Road, Smithfield from 10am on Saturday, August 8.
Looking for another idea for date night? There are stacks of things to do in Sydney, but coming up with something novel isn't always easy. Good news: Scout, the sleek cocktail bar within The Dolphin, has come to your rescue with a brand-new cocktail to kick off your next romantic night out. And you won't be sipping on any old cocktail either. The 'Papaya Don't Preach' ($21), a delightfully refreshing tasting concoction, is Scout's take on the classic whisky highball. Plus, one of the world's most celebrated bartenders is behind it. Talented mixologist Matt Whiley is the man behind London's famed cocktail bar, Scout, which was named one of the World's 50 Best Bars earlier this year. Now, he's in Sydney. So, if it's been a while — or never — since you last visited this Surry Hills spot, there's never been a better time to stop by. Scout's Sydney outpost is known for its unusual cocktails, made with fresh ingredients, including lots of native Australian ones. And Whiley's highball is no exception. He's joined forces with Johnnie Walker Black Label Whisky to come up with a brand new take on the classic. For one, he's tossed out your regular supermarket soda and replaced it with tea tree distillate, papaya cordial and pluot (apricot and plum hybrid) soda. Plus, your A-class 'Papaya Don't Preach' will come topped with a papaya glass garnish. Just swing by Scout any time from Thursday, September 17 onwards. Luckily, if you and your date get a bit peckish, you can head downstairs to The Dolphin's hatted dining room – overseen by Icebergs' Maurice Terzini – for Italo-Australian fare, including next-level pizzas and pastas. Images: Trent van der Jagt.
Beginning to feel anxious out about Christmas? If the holiday season is a stress-fest for you, then maybe a little deep breathing and downward dog will do you some good throughout the month. In December, World Square will host three charity yoga sessions on the rooftop of the Ernst and Young Tower. Taught by yogi masters from Life and Balance Yoga School, each hour-long session starts at 7am. The cost is $15, with all proceeds going towards MS Australia. After the stretch-sesh, participants get a free voucher from Crave Frozen Yogurt for some tasty brekkie. Rooftop views, good deeds and froyo? We can't think of a better way to start the day. Classes are held on December 4, 11, and 18, with registration commencing in the lobby at 6.45am. All you need is your mat, warm layers (as it can get a bit windy), and a cheery attitude. RSVP to worldsquare.admin@au.brookfield.com to guarantee your spot.
Have you ever needed to convey an important message to someone in a big way, but sweated to find the perfect gift to do so? Maybe you needed to say, 'sorry for being a jerk', 'thanks for being a great mate', or simply, 'I love you'. Well, perhaps not surprisingly, there’s a website to fix that problem. Sorry Thanks I Love You is an online store that’s working to reignite the culture of giving. By taking a short personalised shopping quiz based on the person in mind (with questions such as ‘What were they like a kid?’ or ‘What would they do with 24 hours in NYC?’), Sorry Thanks I Love You has everything you could ever need to help you say any of those five little words (you'd hope). The site features handmade accessories, homewares, gourmet foods, fresh flowers from boutique florists and craft beverages sourced from around the world. And now you can see and try out all these goodies for yourself at Sorry Thanks I Love You's pop-up store in Martin Place, open right up until Christmas. The store will feature tons of products, including knives carved from Scandinavian reindeer antler, hand-woven Kashmiri scarves and traditional Japanese furoshiki wrapping cloths. Gourmet goodies include wheels of Bruny Island cheese and premium single malt whisky distilled in highland Tasmania, which you can taste test in the store. You'll also find colourful wares from the iconic Finnish design brand Marimekko. The Sorry Thanks I Love You store is open: Monday: 8am - 5.30pm Tuesday and Wednesday: 8am – 7pm Thursday: 8am – 8pm Friday: 8am – 7pm Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 5pm
Add another impressive name to the long list of shows, plays and musicals alike, that've been treading the boards across Australia in recent years. That roster has spanned everything from The Book of Mormon, Hamilton and Moulin Rouge! The Musical through to Come From Away, SIX the Musical and The Mousetrap — but only Choir Boy hails from the Oscar-winning writer of the famously not-La La Land drama Moonlight. Tarell Alvin McCraney's other queer coming-of-age play premiered in London in 2012, then did the rounds of the US before opening on Broadway in 2018. It might've taken more than a decade since its stage debut for the show to make its way Down Under, but fans of Moonlight are in for a tale about sexuality, race, hope and gospel music, all focused around a young gay man finding his voice, that's certain to prove worth the wait. Story-wise, Choir Boy follows Pharus Young, who is determined to be the best choir leader that the Charles R Drew Prep School for Boys has ever seen in its 50-year history. That's easier said than done, though, given the rituals that've long been a part of the school, and the masculine expectations as well. Filled with a cappella gospel tunes, Choir Boy scored four Tony Award nominations back in 2019, including for Best Play and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play — and won Best Sound Design of a Play, while also nabbing music director Jason Michael Webb a Special Tony Award. In Sydney, it is playing as part of Sydney WorldPride from Tuesday, February 14–Saturday, March 11 at Riverside Theatres Parramatta. Leading the cast is international musical theatre performer Darron Hayes, joined by Tony Sheldon (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert), Robert Harrell (The Shield), Zarif (Lonesome), Quinton Rofail Rich (Godspell), Theo Williams (Passing Strange), and debutants Gareth Dutlow, Abu Kebe and Tawanda Muzenda, while Dino Dimitriadis (Overflow, Cleansed) and Zindzi Okenyo (seven methods of killing kylie jenner, Orange Thrower) direct.
Another week, another outdoor cinema announcement — but we're not complaining. Sydney’s filmgoers sure are making the most of the city’s parks and clear skies this summer, and another Sydney outdoor cinema is back for a 2016 season. This time, it’s the second season of Sydney Hills Outdoor Cinema that we’re bringing to you. It’s happening between Friday, January 15 and Sunday, February 14 in Castle Hill’s Heritage Park. Not only will 31 films be a-screening, there’ll also be street food, drinks, beats and live music. The program covers new releases, action, adventure, thrillers, comedy and kids’ cartoons. The 24th James Bond film, SPECTRE, will get things warmed up on opening night, followed by Mockingjay Part 2 on the following evening and The Martian on Sunday, January 17. More big action and adventure flicks coming up include Star Wars: The Force Awakens, 1991 classic Point Break and Goosebumps. Comedy also gets plenty of attention, with showings of The Night Before, Man Up, Sleeping with Other People, The Intern, Now Add Honey, Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse, Love The Coopers, Sisters and others. The crew from local eatery The Tuckshop will be onsite dishing up tasty street food, including their signature cheeseburgers, gourmet hot dogs and healthy ‘fork-biting’ salads. Alternatively, you can make a picnic of it by preordering a cheese platter and bottle of wine for two. Then, for dessert, Gelato Messina will have you covered with its double chocolate and tiramisu choc-tops. Meanwhile, the licensed bar will be serving summery cocktails, Aussie wines and a bunch of beers and ciders from Vale Brewing. Every screening will begin with pre-film entertainment, programmed by MTV. You can expect live acoustic acts, DJs and, throughout the season, guest appearances from MTV VJs Kate Peck and Krit. General admission tickets are $19. But if you want to get fancy, make yourself a VIP. For $32, you’ll score premium seating, a complimentary blanket, a deckchair and a gold-dipper Gelato Messina choc top. If you’re travelling with friends, consider booking a VIP Bell Tent, which gives you your very own viewing courtyard and a private butler. Really. Sydney Hills Outdoor Cinema runs January 15 to February 14 at Castle Hill's Heritage Park. For more info or to book tickets, head to the website.
Before the year is out, Bondi Beach will have a brand new pub. And the folks behind it are no strangers; at the helm is Maurice Terzini, king of the Icebergs and Surry Hills' Dolphin Hotel, in this latest venture after just launching his own gin. But, unlike his other projects, the Bondi Beach Public Bar (BBPB) won't have a dedicated dining room. Instead, the venue is going for a casual, old-school feel, inspired by Aussie pub culture of the '70s and '80s, when rock reigned supreme and the likes of AC/DC and Midnight Oil dominated the charts. As a soundtrack, expect a steady stream of rowdy tunes, reeling from rock and roll to surf rock to proto-punk. The drinks list, taken care of by wine director James Hird, also has its origins in the '70s and '80s — but with some modern polishing. Forget anything remotely post-mixed and keep a look out for Terzini signatures, including the Negroni Spritz and the No. 8. New creations will include the Harvey Wallbanger and the White Russian, with the latter landing in your hand in a can. As you might've guessed, there'll be an Italian bent to the food offerings, with dashes of Australiana. Leading the feast are a flat, crispy Romanesque pizza; the Double Patty Bondi Matty burger; Bella's Fried Chicken, which is an homage to Belle's Hot Chicken chef Morgan McGlone; and gelato-based sweet hits created by Jaclyn Koludrovic, who is responsible for The Icebergs' desserts. According to Terzini, the design brief, as implemented by designer George Livissianis, went like this: "I told him to think [American fashion designer] Rick Owens goes to Palm Springs via Bondi". Get ready a raw, punk-influenced interior, featuring loads of concrete. BPPB will open in late December, seven days a week, at 203/180 Campbell Parade, Bondi. Keep an eye on the pub's website and Facebook page for further details.
It's been 12 years since the Red Hot Chili Peppers last made a headline tour of Australia. And they're finally on their way back down under. In February and March 2019, the LA-based rockers will play all over the country, including a one-off A Day on the Green and their first-ever show in Tassie. To catch them on the Green, get yourself to Mt Duneed Estate, Geelong, on Saturday, March 2. You can expect to hear tunes from the Peppers' new (and eleventh) studio album, The Getaway, as well as old hits, like 'Californication', 'By The Way' and 'Under The Bridge'. Since making their first release — a self-titled EP — in 1984, the band has sold more than 60 million albums, won five Grammys and entered the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. Outside of its one-off A Day on the Green appearance — an Aussie-wide festival that is also playing host to our own Kyle Minogue — the Peppers will also be playing headline shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth and a smaller show out on Hope Estate in the Hunter Valley. If you fancy a trip down south, or are maybe hanging around after Mona Foma, the Peppers are heading to Tasmania for the first time ever, to perform at a rare intimate show — with a capacity of just 1290. Supports acts for all shows will be announced soon. RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS 2019 DATES Tasmania — Derwent Entertainment Centre, February 17 Sydney — Qudos Bank Arena, February 19 Hunter Valley — Hope Estate, February 23 Brisbane — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, February 25 Melbourne — Rod Laver Arena, February 28 Geelong — A Day on the Green, Mt Duneed Estate, March 2 Perth — NIB Stadium, March 5 Pre-sale tickets for A Day on the Green will be released at 10am on Wednesday, November 22, with all other Live Nation pre-sales going live at midday on Thursday, November 23. All shows go on sale to the public at midday on Monday, November 26. Image: Steve Keros.
Summer may have come to an end, but that doesn't mean the good times have to stop as well. In autumn, everything is balanced. Night and day are equally long, the weather isn't too hot or cold. Plus all activities and events for the winter start to kick off. But before that, there's a festival for all things autumn that deserves a visit. Equinox – Autumn Celebration of the Senses will take place in the Blue Mountains throughout four weekends from Friday, March 10 to Sunday, April 2. Every weekend will involve different events, each themed on a particular sense — taste, hear, feel and see. First up (for taste) is the weekend of Feast (Friday, March 10 to Sunday, March 12), where seven restaurants across the region have curated autumn-themed menus for you to enjoy. There'll also be Equinox Under the Stars, an evening of stargazing, live music and food on Saturday, March 11. The following weekend (Friday, March 17 to Sunday, March 19) is the Blue Mountains Music Festival, where you can catch over 100 folk and blues performances across seven venues. Following that is the weekend of Feel (Friday, March 24 to Sunday, March 26), where you can catch magic shows, masquerade balls, ghost tours and more across the region. Finally, there's the weekend of See (Friday, March 31 to Sunday, April 2). For the festival's final weekend, you can catch live music, revamped local nature tours, a local film festival, an antique fair and more. For more information on the Equinox festival, its events and venues, or to get tickets, visit the website.
If there's an ideal tipple for a wintry night, it's surely a warming whisky. And what's even better than that? Three top-shelf single malts with three matching dishes — right on Sydney Harbour. Introducing The Perfect Match from Kingsleys. On any Wednesday night, head to the restaurant at Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf, where your adventure will start with a half dozen mixed oysters — served with chilli and coriander or Kilpatrick-style — accompanied by a ten-year-old Talisker. Next up, you'll get a ribeye with red wine jus paired with a ten-year-old Ardbeg. Then, for a sweet farewell, it's dark chocolate ganache or Fourme d'Ambert (French blue cheese) with 12-year-old Glenmorangie Nectar D'Or (which means golden nectar — an apt description for this luxe drop, which does its final maturing in Sauternes casks). The Perfect Match menu isn't Kingsleys' only news. To mark the coming of winter, head chef Lars Svensson has created a new, share-style, charcoal-driven menu. One of the best ways to try it out is with the Feast set menu which, for $79 a head, gives you a cornucopia of meats — think wagyu on the bone, pasture-fed lamb shoulder and glazed beef short ribs — accompanied by a bunch of sides, sauces and bone marrow. You'll need at least five buddies to book. The Perfect Match menu is available for $85 per person, every Wednesday for lunch and dinner, and the Feast menu is available daily, at $79 a head and for groups of six and more. Bookings are recommended via phone or the website. Images: Leticia Almeida
If you're looking for an after-work drink, CBD venue The Menzies Bar and Bistro is hosting Martini Hour every Tuesday–Saturday between 4–6pm. Here you can nab yourself the classic cocktail stirred through shards of countertop ice and served alongside fresh lobster rolls — each for just $10. The Menzies Bar is located inside the multi-level Shell House. The impressive CBD venture by hospitality collective The Point Group will host four venues across the historic building. While Martini Hour is the ideal time to hit this new bar and restaurant up for a drink and a bite to eat, there is a wide selection of exciting bistro dishes and inventive cocktails on offer Tuesday–Saturday. Try small plates like gruyere croquettes or more hearty meals like trout paired with leek, mussels and orange wine. Outside of the martinis, you can opt for The In-Cider Trading, which features scotch, coffee, fig, cider caramel and smoked honey — or the Sicilian Margarita, which has been brought over from Surry Hills favourite The Dolphin. If you're heading in to enjoy a $10 martini, make sure to check if there's a live set or DJ set popping up at the mega-venue that night. Updated Friday, October 28, 2022.
Okay, so free shipping and a 0% chance of being talked into buying a bag you don't need because it would look so cute with those shoes is great, but shopping IRL has plenty of bonuses, too. You'll find pretty much all of them at Fashion's Night Out, which is probably the best idea to come out of Anna Wintour's brain since she decided Seth Meyers should wear a lacey Marc Jacobs dress to the CDFA awards. Fashion's Night Out was initiated by Wintour four years ago to pump money back into the flailing retail economy, and Sydney's own edition is now bigger and better than ever. Excuses you didn't really need to buy a whole bunch of nice new things for spring include pop-up beauty bars, free champagne, complimentary nibbles, gifts-with-purchase, and photo booths, with the majority of them taking place around Westfield and the CBD. Get a free beauty consultation and eye mask at Clinique, a hand massage at L'Occitane, head to Mulberry for an evening of prizes and Polaroids, or chill out at the pop-up Galliano bar with a tasty Ristretto cocktail. As luck would have it, this year's theme is 'Fashion Meets Music', with world-class DJs and talented classical pianists putting the remixed remixes of Carly Rae Jepsen happily to rest.
Another week, another cookie pie — again. That's how it often feels thanks to Gelato Messina's beloved dessert specials, but no, we're not complaining. After the gelato chain first introduced its cookie pies to the world in 2020, it has kept bringing the OTT dessert back over and over. We all need an extra dose of sweetness every now and then, clearly, including while both Sydney and Melbourne are in lockdown. So, it should come as no surprise that Messina is serving up the decadent dessert once more. This time, it's one of the chain's Frankenstein's monster-style desserts (although cookie pies generally fall into that category anyway). This version is also a returning favourite — and, if you like all things red velvet, prepare to get excited. Hang on, a cookie pie? Yes, it's a pie, but a pie made of cookie dough. And it serves two-to-six people — or just you. You bake it yourself, too, so you get to enjoy that oh-so-amazing smell of freshly baked cookies wafting through your kitchen. Now that you're onboard with the overall cookie pie concept, the red velvet version really is exactly what it sounds like. That crunchy, crumbly red velvet and choc chip cookie pie comes filled with a thick layer of cream cheese custard, too, so prepare to get a little gooey. You can only buy this pie in kits, which means that you'll get some of the cult ice creamery's famed gelato along with it. You can opt for a 500-millilitre tub for $38, a one-litre tub for $44 or a 1.5-litre tub for $48. If you're keen to get yourself a piece of the pie, they're available to preorder online on Monday, September 13. And, because Messina's specials always prove popular, the brand is now staggering the on-sale times. Accordingly, folks in Queensland and the ACT are able to purchase at 9am, Victorians at 9.30am, and New South Wales customers split across three times depending on the store (with pies from Circular Quay, Surry Hills, Bondi, Randwick and Miranda on sale at 10am; Brighton Le Sands, Tramsheds, Parramatta and Darlinghurst at 10.30am; and Darling Square, Newtown, Rosebery and Penrith at 11am). The catch? Most people will need to peel themselves off the couch and head to their local Messina store to pick up their order. The pies will be available for collection between Friday, September 17–Sunday, September 19. Sydneysiders, remember to abide by lockdown restrictions when it comes to picking up your pie — with folks in most suburbs required to stick to their Local Government Area, or within five-kilometres from home, and a strict five-kilometre limit in place in LGAs of concern. Melburnians, if the current lockdown conditions remain in place until then, you'll also only be permitted to travel within a five-kilometre radius to pick up food. Don't live near enough to a store in Sydney and Melbourne? Messina now delivers these specials as well, but only to select areas each time. It'll be bringing the red velvet pie to Sydneysiders in North Kellyville, Glenhaven, Castle Hill, Cherrybrook, Pennant Hills, West Pennant Hills, Baulkham Hills, North Rocks, Carlingford, Epping, North Epping and Beecroft. To get it brought to your door in Melbourne, you'll need to live in Heidelberg, Heidelberg West, Reservoir, Thomastown, Fawkner, Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Maribyrnong, Footscray and Williamstown. Then, when it comes to cooking the pie, you just need to whack it in the oven for 25 minutes at 160–180 degrees and voila! You can preorder a Messina red velvet cookie pie from Monday, September 13, to pick up from all NSW, Vic and Queensland Gelato Messina stores — or for delivery in some Sydney and Melbourne suburbs.
Cuteness alert: Martin Place will be overtaken by puppies this week to celebrate International Guide Dogs Day. On Wednesday, April 30, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT will be bringing its largest puppy pop-up to date to the CBD to teach people more about the invaluable work these well-trained service doggos perform. Those who head over will have the opportunity to pat these very good boys and girls, watch training demonstrations, and talk to individuals living with low vision and blindness about life with their guide dog. Attendees can also learn about how the general public can get involved to help break down barriers and create a more inclusive world for everyone, with guide dog handlers and Guide Dogs NSW/ACT staff on site throughout the day. The proceedings kick off at 7.30am with a two-hour puppy training class, followed by one for older dogs at 9.30am. Then, at midday, you can get involved with the young pups' playtime. This year's pop-up will also feature a very special guest star: Gulliver, the world's largest guide dog. The six-foot-long, four-metre-tall fibreglass mascot will help demonstrate the critical role a guide dog can play in someone's life, while also making for a great selfie opportunity. The pop-up forms part of the Guide Dogs NSW/ACT 'Is Inclusion on Your Menu' campaign with the City of Sydney, which encourages the wider community to better understand the legal access rights for guide dogs, with many people in the low-vision and blind community still denied entry to hospitality venues because of their dog.
