Even with all the specialty bars in town, Champagne has not yet had its chance in the spotlight. Does it have the dedicated Sydney fan base to carry the show? Or will we get confused drinking it with no nuptials to toast or New Year to welcome? All questions will be answered with the opening of the Champagne Room, coming to The Winery's upper floor in late September. Visitors will be able to enjoy city skyline views while sipping on their flute of Perrier-Jouet's Belle Epoque 2006, which will only be available by the glass in Sydney at this venue (and which would ordinarily set you back a cool $200 a bottle). A bevy of other choices from luxury Champagne producers will also be available, alongside cocktails and Australian and international wines. "Surry Hills nightlife is about to house one of the most exciting new bars in Sydney," says Paul Schulte, creative director of the Keystone Group. "We've created a seeming synthesis of comfort and a unique escape for Sydney's champagne lovers." Inside, the bar will be fitted with private booths with 'Champagne bells' which light up whenever you need your drink refilled, forgoing the torturous process of always trying to catch the waiter's eye. While the Champagne Room will come with The Winery's usual food options, on the weekends visitors are invited to splurge on a seafood brunch, including freshly shucked oysters, Harvey Bay scallops and Cloudy Bay prawns. Bless my poor wallet. The Champagne Room will be open every evening 5pm until late and from 11am on weekends.
The recently hatted Nour sits on a leafy stretch of Crown Street that's forever buzzing with stylistic Sydney wanderers and those enjoying long brunches on tables and chairs covering the footpath. The expertly fitted-out blush-pink restaurant welcomes diners in for a spread of contemporary Middle Eastern dishes from executive chef Paul Farag and head chef Gianluca Lonati. The wide-reaching a la carte menu sees a mezze list that takes you from simple oceanic delights like freshly shucked oysters ($6) and single Tasmanian scallops with a spoonful of xo ($9), all the way through to the simply special. Housemade areesheh cheese backdrops a vibrant pistachio ezme ready to top a perfectly crisp and flaky malawach ($24); and a creamy beef nayeh is underscored by the nuttiness of macadamia toum, to be scooped up via a floatily light rice cracker sprinkled with dukkah ($28). Perfected for sharing, the post-mezze menu splits into 'from the coal grill' and 'from the garden' — and will cater for all. Dry-aged steaks and glazed lamb shoulders are transformed with ingredients like black lime and barberries, caramelised tahini and fresh chermoula. The tang of fattoush salad (which should be a non-negotiable for your table) can be offset with a plate of fried cauliflower that brings woodfired grapes and a sprinkling of smoky almonds too. Ensure you've left room for your selection from the dessert menu, and take all the stress of what to order out of the equation by opting for either of the generous banquet options ($89pp or $119pp). Although you're spoilt for choice in this part of Surry Hills, the eating and drinking on offer at Nour is standout. It's fine dining plates, which don't lose any points on flavour, in a refined casual setting ready to host you solo, duo or in groups. Looking to celebrate? Looking to lean into a lush long lunch? Simply after an exceptional meal where the menu spoils you for choice? Head to Nour. Top image: Jason Loucas
The British Film Festival might only be six years old, but this year's event comes with a considerable sense of history. It's there in the fest's opening night film, Collette, which stars Keira Knightley as 19th-century French novelist Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette. It's evident in a four-movie tribute that'll blow the bloody cinema doors off, showcasing the work and career of Michael Caine. And, it's obvious in closing night's Stan & Ollie, with Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly as one of cinema's greatest double acts: British comedian Stan Laurel and his American counterpart Oliver Hardy. Dramatic true tales about Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart all keep the theme going, as do real-life spy thriller Red Joan with Judi Dench and the Idris Elba-directed, 70s and 80s-set Jamaican gangster movie Yardie. There's also a retrospective dedicated to Brit flicks from the swinging sixties, plus Peterloo — the latest effort from seven-time Oscar nominated writer/director Mike Leigh, which focuses on a working-class demonstration in Manchester in 1819. Screening at Sydney's Palace Norton Street, Palace Central, Palace Verona and Chauvel Cinema between Tuesday, October 23 and Wednesday, November 14 (with a few extra days always tacked on at the end to replay the most popular titles), the 2018 BFF boasts plenty of other highlights — and genres and stars as well. Catch a Scottish Christmas-themed teen-zombie-musical-comedy courtesy of Anna and the Apocalypse, and watch Rob Brydon go synchronised swimming (yes, really) in Swimming with Men. Or, see Star Wars' Daisy Ridley, Harry Potter's Tom Felton and Clive Owen take on Shakespeare in Ophelia, a reworking of Hamlet.
While Chinese art might conjure up images from centuries past for a lot of us, the White Rabbit collection maintains a focus on contemporary Chinese art created during this century. The collection rotates throughout the year, consistently bringing in new explorations into modern art in China. Beyond the art, White Rabbit also runs its own teahouse, serving up specialities in all types of Chinese tea. The warming teas sit alongside a selection of snacks, including a plate of handmade dumplings. A trip to the White Rabbit immerses you in contemporary and traditional Chinese culture, all without the cost of a plane ticket.
When he penned The Beach, the 90s-era must-read novel that became a Leonardo DiCaprio (Killers of the Flower Moon)-led movie and started his own working relationship with filmmaker Danny Boyle (Yesterday), Alex Garland told a tale of shattering the Thai holiday idyll. As his backpacker protagonist travelled to Asia, pure shores gleamed, but the supposedly utopian community on a hidden coastline that he sought, and found, was never destined to fulfil the promise of beyond-the-postcard perfection. Garland soon moved to screenwriting, kicking off the 28 Days Later franchise with Boyle and reteaming with the director on the also Cillian Murphy (Small Things Like These)-starring sci-fi gem Sunshine. Grim realities lurk in both, after an escaped virus sparks a zombie pandemic that shatters life as everyone knows it, and on a space mission to attempt to reignite the dying sun. Warfare, Garland's sixth project as a director himself, also has that familiar idea in its sights: that grasped-onto perceptions, facades and status quos always crumble or conceal horrors, or both, as driven by human nature. The same concept has proven a part of his other works as a filmmaker, starting with 2014's tech nightmare Ex Machina, then continuing through fellow movies Annihilation, Men and Civil War, plus TV series Devs — and before them, on screenplays for Never Let Me Go and Dredd. It's reasonable to expect Garland and Boyle's upcoming 28 Years Later, as well as its sequel 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (written by Garland but helmed by The Marvels' Nia DaCosta), to continue the trend. Warfare is that idea put into action, however, by the feature's entire existence and purpose. Co-directed with former Navy SEAL and Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza, drawing solely upon the latter's memories and those of his platoon during a 2006 mission in Ramadi, unfurling in real time and playing out as almost one entire hellish scene, it is as committed to depicting the nightmare reality of combat, and immersing its cast and audience in it, as is cinematically possible. The picture's singular focus and sensory saturation relies upon a valid assumption: no one is watching this in a vacuum, so no one needs the feature to spell out the context, let alone overtly express anything but total realism. The latter conveys everything anyway, and anything more vocally pointed would be beside the point. Warfare is "simply us accumulating memories, accumulating bits of information and trying to piece together what happened", Garland tells Concrete Playground. "The intention is to try to understand what happened in a sequence of events. There is no hero. There is no protagonist, because at different times different people are doing different things, and sometimes they're doing it concurrently." For D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Reservation Dogs), who portrays Mendoza as the film follows his unit on a surveillance mission surrounded by insurgents, it's pivotal that "we don't glorify anything, romanticise, make anything up. Almost all the words you hear in there are from actual memory. Everything is basically from memory," he shares. "The audience is an adult. This is not a film for children. It's a film for grownups, right? It's a film for people who live in the fucking world, right? And any adult who does not have an understanding of the Iraq War and why it happened and how it happened is an idiot. It is all available to them to find out. It's a huge global event, and if they have no historical and intellectual curiosity, that is on them. That's not on the film," Garland says, chatting about his second movie in a row, after Civil War, where the justified lack of an all-caps-style, shouting, hand-holding agenda has become a talking point, much to his frustration "I think that the concept behind that is so lazy, and it comes from a culture that we exist in at the moment where you are not allowed to offer something into the world unless you're making your private agenda clear. And I don't like that. I object to it. Because what it means is all information that is put out into the world is attached to an ideology, which means that either people are being reassured or they're feeling attacked. And some people like to be reassured and some people like to feel angry that they're being attacked, and it's juvenile, it's childish," Garland continues. "It's important: if you're going to understand something about how horrific war is, you need to be able to look at it and you need to be able to trust the information. And if we attached an agenda to it, it would make the information untrustworthy, and then we would have failed in our objective. It was the same dreary, whiny bullshit with Civil War as well, and I thought it was lazy, I thought it was unsophisticated and I thought it was dishonest. It was effectively people saying 'why aren't you agreeing with me?' — and that is the same [here]. That is what our polarised state is." For Warfare's cast, enlisting for the movie was as close to that — enlisting — as a film production can get. Before the cameras began rolling for the impressive lineup of Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter (Death of a Unicorn), Cosmo Jarvis (The Alto Knights), Joseph Quinn (Gladiator II), Charles Melton (May December), Kit Connor (Heartstopper), Michael Gandolfini (Daredevil: Born Again), Noah Centineo (The Recruit) and more, they went through a Mendoza-led three-week boot camp. During that phase, the group spent every moment together, even when they weren't specifically training. Speaking with us, Woon-A-Tai and Poulter stress how crucial the bond that the actors formed during that experience was, for them and for the picture. Mendoza is equally as adamant. His dedication to authentically recreating what he went through, plus his fellow soldiers like Elliott Miller (who can't remember it due to the traumas of the incident, as viewers witness, and who Jarvis plays), couldn't be more apparent. Enforcing the hierarchies of their characters in the film, mirroring leadership positions and communication channels, shaving each other's heads: that was all built into the boot camp. "Quickly, I think it was very unique and very different on this set compared to others," explains Woon-A-Tai. "First and foremost, I haven't played a soldier prior. I haven't been on a set that had a war — a war set — before. So I'm new and I don't understand it. But what was different that I do acknowledge is that the position that Will Poulter here, and Charles Melton and Joseph Quinn, were in," he continues. "They knew our schedule, which is not common. If I wanted to know what we're shooting that day or when's lunch or et cetera, even to ask to use the restroom, I would go to Will. And that was set up perfectly by Ray and by Alex, and also these gentlemen right over here, who I just said before, who filled in those shoes very quickly, to keep that leadership position going on-screen and off-screen. And that was beautiful." Not its stars, not Garland, not Mendoza — who worked as the military advisor on Civil War, following technical advisor jobs on the likes of Lone Survivor, Jurassic World, Mile 22, The Outpost and The Terminal List — and not audiences: no one should quickly shake Warfare, its like-you're-there naturalism and its distressing-by-reality portrait of war after viewing. With Woon-A-Tai, Poulter and its two directors, we also unpacked that key preparation process, the film's long-take visual style, why its vision of battle stands out, human nature and physically demanding productions, among other subjects, including Civil War's potential premonitions. On the Importance of Warfare's Pre-Shoot Boot Camp in Cementing a Bond Among the Cast and Helping Them Respond Authentically to Such a Testing Experience On-Screen Will: "Absolutely pivotal and central to everything that we did. And the boot camp was really the environment that fostered those bonds and allowed us to develop very sincere, authentic and real relationships and understandings between each other. I think the boot camp really served two purposes as far as us being able to execute the objective of this project. First was the emotional side of things, and those bonds that I mentioned. And then, second I think was the development of a skill set to be able to put our best foot forward as far as accurately representing Navy SEALs. And as actors, we were under no illusions about the massive gulf between us and the real individuals who serve, and the women and men who operate at that level. But Ray is a fantastic instructor — both a great teacher and a great director — and so he really couldn't have put us in a in better stead to replicate seal culture to the best of our abilities." D'Pharaoh: "And plus, if we didn't prioritise working on this bond from the jump, you would honestly see a different result on-screen, I'm sure." Ray: "It was extremely important, actually. It was one of my three critical nodes of what I wanted to do, not only just for the practicality of what you mentioned, and as it contributed to the brotherhood and what we would eventually see on film or on the screen, but I just wanted them to experience something that they could take away for the rest of their lives as well. Just the concept of the team before self, what it means to sacrifice, the burden of leadership, identifying everyone's weaknesses and strengths, and how they can help each other, essentially. There's a concept that we're only as fast or as strong as our slowest or weakest person. And then, applying those principles, all that stuff is what they were using to draw on in regards to their performances, as you mentioned. So it was a super important. It was one of the things I focused on the most." Will: "I think the guys, obviously from the point of signing on, began to just engage in even more physical conditioning and whatnot to make sure that we're all showing up to boot camp in the best shape possible. But, really, I think what we all experienced — at the risk of speaking for anyone, but I feel like I can safely generalise in this by saying that I think physically and mentally, especially, it pushed us all further than we were even necessarily prepared for. And that was absolutely necessary. A fundamental part of the story is a response to things going wrong and loss, and the reaction to that. And it's typical of Navy SEAL training to analyse how people respond to duress, and how they respond to things going wrong, and what their reaction is to things being especially difficult, and that was integrated into the training. So regardless of what individual preparation we've done, the boot camp really became defined by how we'd respond to things that Ray knew would lead us to fail." On Woon-a-Tai's Task Portraying Mendoza — While Mendoza Was Co-Directing the Film D'Pharaoh: "Of course I have a sense of responsibility that I represent this man on-screen for countless of people to watch it. And but in all honesty, though, he had way more pressure on his shoulders than I could ever have. So I don't really want to sit here and tell you how much pressure I had because, yeah I did, but it was also very much a gift. The fact that I was the only one to have to have my guy be there every single day, I can't complain. And as much pressure as it was, I wouldn't have did it any other way or wanted to do it any other way. But really, Ray had way more pressure on his shoulders than I could have ever had. He's telling the story on behalf of his personal story and the people, their personal stories who were there, but also countless other veterans who served in multiple different wars who can relate to that exact same story. And sadly, maybe in Hollywood, the depiction of a lot of stereotypes in the military community that he was breaking down with this film." On How Garland and Mendoza Came to Reunite for Warfare After Civil War Alex: "We got to know each other during the shooting of Civil War. Ray was a military advisor, and the idea to work together in a really concrete way arrived in post-production with Civil War. Ray and I had stayed in touch. Ray had some project he was working on and we discussed it — and I was very interested in some of the sequences that Ray had choreographed, and some of the qualities of realism that Ray introduces because of his experience prior to working in the film industry. And so I approached him saying 'would you be interested in working together to make a real-time movie that attempted to be forensically accurate about combat and removed some of the tricks and devices of cinema?'." On the Cast's Experience Working with Co-Directors with Completely Different Backgrounds and Skill Sets Will: "It's very, very cool to see two very authoritative leaders practise the humility and self-awareness that is required to co-lead a project like this, while never stepping on each other's toes — and both, I suppose, leading in their own ways and based on their own areas of expertise. Alex will be the first to say that Ray naturally ought to lead on anything that related to the experience of being at war, and anything that we were doing, I would say, sort of from an emotional standpoint — and anything that pertained to operating like a SEAL. And then I think Ray would also readily admit that Alex took slightly more of a lead when it came to the camerawork and things that related to technical direction. And they were a brilliant complement to one another." On Using Long Takes, and the Pros and Cons of How One-Shot Scenes Can Immerse Audiences and Create an Unrelenting Sense of Tension Alex: "Right or wrong, that would be, in a way, for other people to decide. But what I would say is that me personally — this is just me — I find that, for example, scenes that are all shot in a oner, where there's no cuts, I find I start to think about the filmmaking more than what is happening on-screen. So I get detached from the characters. I get detached from the narrative. And I start thinking 'where are the secret cut points?' or 'how did they orchestrate this movement through the door or over the car?' or whatever it happens to be. So I find it distancing. And what I think is, while we're talking to each other now, at the moment I'm looking at the screen, so in a way that's a close-up — but sometimes I might look over here and then it's a wide. And actually the grammar of cinema, with edits between mids and close-ups and wides, is very like our experience walking down the street or talking to someone in a room. You're sat opposite someone in a restaurant, but then you see the waiter approach, it's turned from a close-up to a wide. You blink. There are these little sort of interruptions, which are very like edits. So for me, the most truthful version is actually the classical film version of moving between close-ups, mids and wides — whereas a oner, I find slightly artificial, and not how I experience the world, paradoxically." On the Difference in How Warfare Approaches the Depiction of War Compared to Other Films, How It Continues Activist Work and Why It Should Start Conversations Will: "I think one of the things that attracted me to this project was that it seeks to break with the conventions around how war is often depicted in Hollywood. I think the tendency within Hollywood when it comes to war is to mine warfare environments for entertainment. And a lot of the time in the depiction of war, American soldiers and British soldiers especially, their place in warfare environments and their actions are glorified and romanticised. And I was excited to be part of a project that sought to go against the grain in that respect, and really focus more on depicting the real-life events with a degree of objectivity that that rarely, rarely is seen in Hollywood. So that was a process that was too exciting to turn down. I think as a civilian, a lot of our understanding of war is based in these Hollywood recreations, and they don't necessarily optimise for truth and accuracy. So we stand to learn something potentially a bit new and a bit more truthful by watching a film like Warfare. And then also my hope is that veterans feel more accurately represented, and therefore at less risk of being misunderstood by the general public in respect of what they do and why they do it." D'Pharaoh: "So with this film, what I loved about it so much when I was reading the script and while we were shooting it is that we didn't romanticise anything. We didn't make anything up or make anything look cool. And one thing that I hope people will see with this is a sparked conversation on what happened in Iraq. I think that this is a film that doesn't have a bias. I feel like this film is more like a transcript. It just states what happened and that's it. And as audience members, we should leave the theatre talking about what happened over there — yeah, talking about what happened over there. So to answer your question about activism or et cetera, this a good part of that. I don't think I'm steering away from my activism at all. I think this is sparking conversation of what happened in Iraq. It's an important conversation to have. And to have a film that doesn't have a bias or doesn't make a stance, if you may, is a perfect example to have those conversations. Because we didn't glorify anything. We didn't make anything look cool. In my opinion and in my personal opinion only, it makes it seem like this film may not want people to join the military. I don't when I watched that movie." On How Mendoza Looks Back at the Iraq War with Everything That the World Knows About It Now, Including the Claims Used to Justify It Ray: "I think when I first heard, yeah, I mean I felt a little heartbroken about it for sure. Like, I did ask myself 'what was it all for?'. There's a lot of good we did there — besides the mission set of, like 'all right, we're a direct-action force, we get tasks given that we do missions'. But there's a lot of humanitarian effort when you coexist with the people of that country. There's a lot of good humanity. You see the full spectrum, of the worst side of humanity to the best side of humanity, on both sides. And we took a lot of autonomy to do, outside of the scope of our mission, to do as much good as we could. Because when you're there and you see people that are in need — there were people that were being oppressed, whether you agree with me or not; I was there and we saw it — and we helped a lot people. Didn't have to. It wasn't something that was passed down as a policy. We're occupying their country. We would go into these people's homes — and not there for them, but just using it as depicted in the movie, as a position to use, to observe or to operate out of, and you learn a lot about them. I'm not there to hurt them. It's just we're using the home for what we need it for. And so yeah, you just learn and you want to help where you can. And there's a lot of assets we have — or whether it's just providing water or colouring books, or aid stations for battered women or battered children or foster children. So there's a lot of good we did, and that's the only salvageable thing coming out of that. Even though ISIS came back in and took it over, there's a lot of good done there. I guess that's the only way I can really live with it." On What Garland Has Learned About Human Nature Through Interrogating It On-Screen and on the Page Across His Career Alex: "I would say that part one of the answer is in what Ray just said, which is that Ray is speaking from the point of view of someone who's seen a lot of combat, and spent a lot of time at war and involved in the military. But what you can hear is — I can hear, I'm sure you can hear — is a concern for compassion and a desire to have done something good, even amidst a dreadful, horrific situation. Ray said 'this is what I can salvage from this in order to live with it, is that some good was done'. And I think that one crucial part of the human condition is that most people have a desire for goodness. And I think the other part that I've observed is that we seem to all suffer from a kind of Alzheimer's-like dementia, where we are unable to remember things for very long. So important lessons can be learned. I was born in 1970. I thought there were some lessons that were learned from the Second World War that would never be forgotten, and now I'm 55 and many of them have clearly been forgotten. There were lessons learned from Vietnam that should never have been forgotten, and then they were forgotten. And there will be lessons learned from Iraq, should be remembered, have been forgotten. And so it goes on. So a good example for me right now is that you have the leader of the most-powerful democracy in the world rather casually talking about militarily owning their sovereign peaceful neighbour, as Greenland. To me, a world leader, particularly an American world leader, in the immediate memory space of some of these things, would simply never talk like that. You could only talk like that if you've forgotten many important lessons. So goodness and dementia would be my takeaway." On Whether Poulter Enjoys Taking on Parts in Physically Demanding Productions, with Warfare Joining The Revenant on His Resume Will: "I think I do. I've been very fortunate to have those opportunities first and foremost, so I'm grateful for them. That's, I suppose, the overbearing feeling around it. But where possible, I do like to expose myself to those sort of challenges — and comparable in the sense that I guess it definitely was a test from a mental and physical standpoint. And I think that, to a degree, I couldn't necessarily have done this had I not gone through certain challenges prior. But this is totally unique in respect of what a team-orientated and collectivist process it was, and that's what I'm most grateful for. I think that we all practise this idea that we were all a team before we were individuals, and the bonds that we formed are truly unlike anything else I've experienced. So that's what I'm most grateful with in respects of Warfare, and it's the feeling that I'm left with — and I imagine will be left with long after this film was released." On If Anything Else on Woon-A-Tai and Poulter's Resumes Helped Them Prepare for Warfare D'Pharoah: "No. This is such a completely different role for me, and the fact that I had Ray Mendoza there for me by my side throughout the whole process, it would have felt very disrespectful to do anything opposite of what he wanted." Will: "There was only one other role that comes to mind for me. I was involved in a sort of satirical film that was kind of a critique, I suppose, of war, and it was called War Machine. And I played a US Marine and took part in a boot camp. And that was certainly helpful as far as being able to predict, to some degree, how close we would all get over the process and what would be required of me in a leadership position. But also to echo D'Pharaoh's point, this film broke with convention in so many ways and was so unique that really, it sort of exists in a category of its own, both as an experience and as a film." On Whether Garland Feels Like Civil War Was a Premonition — and If It That Was the Sense While Making It Alex: "At the point of writing it, it felt to me like many people were having the concerns that were reflected in the script. At the point of making it, then January the 6th that happened, where American law-enforcement officers were attacked brutally, and the seat of government was attacked brutally by someone who was denying an electoral result. And now that person is floating, in a sort of mischievous but also serious way, about a third electoral term, which means changing the constitution. It's not exactly that it's changed — it's more that it hasn't changed. So all of these conditions existed back then and they still exist now. I think they probably have gotten more serious. I think they probably have gotten more dangerous. The strange thing for me is that the fever hasn't broken. That something as basic as wanting to stick up for Capitol law-enforcement officers is somehow not possible in these conditions. It's a very, very strange situation." Warfare opened in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, April 17, 2025. Images: Murray Close/A24.
Since 1885, carousers on the North Shore have been gathering at the Woolwich Pier Hotel to sink a bev or two and catch some glistening harbour views. But, after a huge reno in October 2018, the pub looks a fair bit different. The Pier, as it's known around town, has scored slick new design and a modern new menu inspired by French and Japanese cuisine. If you're a longstanding Pier drinker, you're in for a surprise. While the building has lost none of its heritage elements, the place is now a whole lot fancier. Alexander & Co., the firm responsible for venues like Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, the East Village and Stanton & Co, has looked after the interiors, giving them a Sydney seaside stamp. Everywhere you go, you'll notice splashes of marble, leather and velvet. What was the unassuming dining room is now a European brasserie called The Eatery, and the bar has been transformed into The Parlour. For those looking to lay their eyes on the water, the wraparound balcony overlooking Cockatoo Island still has plenty of room among its 70 seats. Alternatively, you can follow the spiral staircase up to The Social, an indoor dining room that also boasts harbour panoramas. In keeping with these dramatic changes, head chef Glenn Tabudlo has launched a new menu. Start with small plates, such as tuna tartare with wasabi-ponzu dressing and rice crackers, before moving onto decadent mains, like Yamba prawns with braised kale, pont-neuf potatoes and lobster sauce Americaine, or crispy skin miso salmon with squid ink risotto, salmon roe, sesame mayo, togarashi, edamame and enoki with ponzu. Lovers of the chicken pot pie — don't panic. The much-adored staple is still available, as is a bunch of The Pier's tried-and-tested classics. Even though it has some fancy new furnishings, it is still a local pub, after all. Images: Jessie Harris.
As 2025's Sydney Film Festival announced at its closing-night gala, if you caught Jafar Panahi's It Was Just an Accident at this year's fest, then you saw the latest winner of the Sydney Film Prize. If you sat down to Songs Inside, Floodland and Wilfred Buck, you also watched 2025's recipients of the event's Documentary Australia Award, Sustainable Future Award and First Nations Award. There's more accolades where they came from, too — this time decided not by juries, but by festivalgoers. If you voted in SFF's 2025 Audience Awards at the fest's highest-selling year in its history, then you had a hand in selecting the picks for Australian feature, Australian documentary, international feature and international documentary — plus their runners up. Over 23,000 votes were received across the four fields, with the winners showcasing the breadth of flicks on offer at this year's festival. Aussie animation Lesbian Space Princess — which features The Pitt's Shabana Azeez among its voice cast — added the Best Australian Narrative Feature Audience Award to its growing haul, after collecting the Teddy Award at this year's Berlin International Film Festival. Its counterpart in the international field: All That's Left of You, about a Palestinian family in the occupied West Bank. In the documentary categories The Raftsmen and Prime Minister took out the top prizes, the first for chronicling an effort to cross the Pacific Ocean in 1973 and the second for a portrait of Jacinda Ardern. "These four films are powerful examples of the fantastically diverse kinds of storytelling that move, inspire and connect with audiences," said Sydney Film Festival Director Nashen Moodley. "Leela Varghese and Emma Hough Hobbs' Lesbian Space Princess is a singular achievement in animated cinema. This wildly imaginative feature is hilarious, heartfelt and unapologetically out there — and our audiences adored it." "The Raftsmen is a gripping and meditative exploration of adventure and human endurance. Chadden Hunter's evocative storytelling, blending archival 16mm footage with survivor testimony, brings to life one of the great oceanic journeys in modern history." "Cherien Dabis' All That's Left of You is sweeping in scope and deeply personal in its portrayal of love, loss and legacy. Tracing seven decades of Palestinian history through one family's experience, it is an emotionally resonant and beautifully crafted film that left Sydney audiences spellbound," Moodley continued. "Finally, Prime Minister offers a rare and deeply human look behind the scenes of political leadership. With unprecedented access, this nuanced portrait of Jacinda Ardern captures a leader navigating major global and national crises with empathy and resolve — clearly something that resonated with audiences in these times." Dark comedy Birthright, Sundance Audience Award-winner DJ Ahmet, the World Porridge Making Championship-focused The Golden Spurtle and Sundance Documentary Grand Jury Prize recipient Cutting Through Rocks all claimed the runner-up spots. Sydney Film Festival Audience Award Winners Australian Feature Winner: Lesbian Space Princess Runner up: Birthright Australian Documentary Winner: The Raftsmen Runner up: The Golden Spurtle International Feature Winner: All That's Left of You Runner up: DJ Ahmet International Documentary Winner: Prime Minister Runner up: Cutting Through Rocks Sydney Film Festival 2025 ran from Wednesday, June 4–Sunday, June 15 at various cinemas and venues around Sydney. The fest is screening via Sydney Film Festival's 2025 Back By Popular Demand bonus screenings at Dendy Newtown, Palace Cinemas Norton Street and Ritz Cinemas Randwick until Friday, June 20. For more information and tickets, head to the festival's website.
Watching any film by Apichatpong Weerasethakul, it's easy to pick that the Thai director is also a visual artist, even if you didn't already know going in. In every one of his features to play in cinemas, including his Palme d'Or-winner Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, Asia Pacific Screen Awards Best Film recipient Cemetery of Splendour and the Tilda Swinton (The Room Next Door)-starring Cannes Jury Prize awardee Memoria, peering deeply is rewarded. So is soaking in imagery that no other filmmaker could conjure up, as well as being immersed in his movies at a patient, reflective pace. The above films, a trio from among Weerasethakul's four most-recent releases, all had dates with the big screen in Australia — but A Conversation with the Sun (Afterimage), his next creation, isn't heading to a picture palace. Instead, the acclaimed director has crafted the cinematic installation especially for the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in Sydney. [caption id="attachment_1013104" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Apichatpong Weerasethakul in collaboration with DuckUnit, A Conversation with the Sun (installation), 2022, installation view, BANGKOK CITYCITY GALLERY, Bangkok, Thailand, 2022, image courtesy the artist and BANGKOK CITYCITY GALLERY, photograph: Miti Ruangkritya.[/caption] 2025 marks a decade and a half since Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives collected one of the world's most-prestigious film prizes thanks to its 2010 Cannes victory. This is also the year that A Conversation with the Sun (Afterimage) will grace the MCA, displaying from Thursday, August 14, 2025–Sunday, February 8, 2026. Musing on cinema and its emotional impact, fittingly, as well as memory, making images and time's passing, the large-scale work is a collaboration with Rueangrith Suntisuk and Pornpan Arayaveerasid, who hail from Bangkok-based collective DuckUnit. Inspired by pondering the sun while walking in nature, featuring video diaries projected onto floating fabric, and designed to provide a dream-like experience that appears to fade and return thanks to the curtain, it will take over a five-by-16-metre space in the MCA Macgregor Gallery. [caption id="attachment_1013105" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chayaporn Maneesutham[/caption] Weerasethakul calls the piece "a meditation". The same word applies to every one of his movies — the also Cannes-awarded Blissfully Yours and Tropical Malady, plus the Venice-premiering Syndromes and a Century as well. "A Conversation with the Sun (Afterimage) is a meditation on light, urging us to observe the impermanence of images as they shift, dissolve and reappear. The work explores the nature of projection and perception. Surfaces shift, and meanings transform. The projectors serve as both light sources and vehicles of memory, evoking sunlight, cinema and the passage of time," explains the filmmaker. [caption id="attachment_1013103" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Apichatpong Weerasethakul in collaboration with DuckUnit, A Conversation with the Sun (installation), 2022, installation view, How to Hold Your Breath – 2024 Asian Art Biennial, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taichung, Taiwan, 2024, image courtesy of the artist, photograph: Apichatpong Weerasethakul.[/caption] "Apichatpong Weerasethakul is one of the world's most-innovative artists working at the intersection of visual art, moving image and cinema. It is a privilege to be presenting his new collaborative work that has been made especially for the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. It is an exciting moment for Sydney and our visitors," said Jane Devery, MCA Australia Senior Curator, Exhibitions. Weerasethakul will also be part of an Artist in Conversation session at MCA Australia on Saturday, August 16, 2025, while a range of his short films from between 2007–24 will screen at the venue on Saturday, October 25, 2025. [caption id="attachment_1013101" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Apichatpong Weerasethakul in collaboration with DuckUnit, A Conversation with the Sun (installation), 2022, installation view, How to Hold Your Breath – 2024 Asian Art Biennial, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taichung, Taiwan, 2024, image courtesy of the artist, photograph: Apichatpong Weerasethakul.[/caption] A Conversation with the Sun (Afterimage): Apichatpong Weerasethakul in collaboration with Rueangrith Suntisuk and Pornpan Arayaveerasid displays at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA Australia), 140 George Street, The Rocks, Sydney, from Thursday, August 14, 2025–Sunday, February 8, 2026. Head to the venue website for more details. Top image: Apichatpong Weerasethakul in collaboration with DuckUnit, A Conversation with the Sun (installation), 2022, installation view, How to Hold Your Breath – 2024 Asian Art Biennial, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taichung, Taiwan, 2024, image courtesy of the artist, photograph: Apichatpong Weerasethakul.
One of Sydney's most visually and sonically impressive venues, the City Recital Hall is always looking to complement its stunning acoustics with an equally exciting program. While its bread and butter are orchestral performances, the venue will often go on a streak of booking more contemporary performers, pushing the boundaries of the type of music you might expect to see in such a classy environment. That's exactly the case with the hall's new contemporary music series 02 | 23, which is not only pulling together a diverse group of musicians ranging from hip hop legends to upcoming singer-songwriters, but will also include the venue's first-ever standing gigs. Following the installation of removable seating in the hall, the inner-city music hub can now accommodate general-admission standing gigs for those that need to move their feet when they're catching live music. [caption id="attachment_764363" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Keith Saunders[/caption] The three performances that will claim the title of the prestigious venue's first standing shows come from three very different musical worlds. On Thursday, June 8, you can catch French disco pioneer Cerrone bringing the inaugural dance floor to the hall. The next night, Friday, June 9, one of the most influential hip hop duos in the history of the genre, The Pharcyde, will be taking to the stage with Masta Ace and Marco Polo in support. And, on Saturday, June 10, local legends Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever will be arriving with their signature indie-rock tunes. They'll all be joining an eclectic cast of characters on the 02 | 23 program that runs throughout June. The lineup includes breathtaking Icelandic folk singer Ásgeir, breakout Nigerian pop musician Obongjayar, plus Cash Savage and The Last Drinks, Ichiko Aoba, Laura Jean, Yazmin Lacey and Amanda Brown. If you're looking to grab a bite to eat after the show, you're also in luck, with the hall sitting directly next to one of the best restaurants in Sydney, Ragazzi. Top image: Destination NSW.
"History has a way of repeating itself. The dangers we've seen foretell an even more menacing future." After growling about understanding real fear for the first time in the initial trailer for The Witcher season three, Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill, Zack Snyder's Justice League) is still painting a dark and brooding picture for the Netflix fantasy hit's big return, which also sees Princess Ciri (Freya Allan, The Third Day) with ghost cavalry on her tail — plus more sinister forces. Yennefer (Anya Chalotra, The ABC Murders) also has her own scares to deal with, and things are looking chaotic in general — not just in that debut sneak peek from a few months back, but in the just-dropped new trailer for The Witcher's third season. When this next batch of episodes tosses a coin to its namesake, it will take its cues from Time of Contempt, the second book in writer Andrzej Sapkowski's series. Season three hits streaming queues this winter Down Under, featuring eight instalments split into two parts. Volume 1 arrives on Thursday, June 29, with Volume 2 following on Thursday, July 27. Need a refresher on the story so far? Haven't watched the first two seasons yet? If The Witcher's name sounds familiar, that's because it's based on Sapkowski's short stories and novels — and, as well as being turned into comics, it was adapted the video game series of the same name. A Polish film and TV show also reached screens in the early 2000s, although they were poorly received. In the Netflix series, Cavill plays the witcher of the title. Geralt of Rivia is a monster hunter who prefers to work — aka slay beasts — alone in a realm called The Continent. But life has other plans for the lone wolf, forcing him to cross paths with powerful sorceress Yennefer and young princess Ciri. One of Netflix's hefty successes, The Witcher has been renewed for a fourth season, too, which happened back in 2022 long before its third had any trailers — something that also occurred with season three before season two dropped as well, and with season two before season one debuted before that. But instead of Cavill as Geralt, The Hunger Games, The Dressmaker and Independence Day: Resurgence's Liam Hemsworth will replace him, as also announced in 2022. The Witcher franchise doesn't just include the show itself, but also animated flick The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf, which hit Netflix in 2021. And, there's 2022 prequel series The Witcher: Blood Origin, which takes place 1200 years before Geralt's time, spans four episodes and stars Everything Everywhere All At Once Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh. Check out the full trailer for The Witcher's third season below: The Witcher's third season will hit Netflix in winter 2023 Down Under, releasing in two parts — with Volume 1 arriving on Thursday, June 29 and Volume 2 on Thursday, July 27.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations — giving you a little inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we take you to the multi-award-winning Saffire Freycinet on Tasmania's East Coast. We've also teamed up with Saffire Freycinet to offer an unforgettable two-night stay in one of its Luxury Suites. The exclusive deal includes three meals at the private restaurants, complimentary lounge and minibar beverages and a $100 voucher to use on the hotel's spa treatments and signature experiences. This is peak treat-yourself stuff. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? This Tassie hotel is like no other — from the panoramic views across the Hazards Mountains, Freycinet Peninsula and pristine waters of Great Oyster Bay to the hyper-personalised service, sleek design of the rooms and the long list of bespoke travel experiences. You'll pay handsomely to stay here, but it is totally worth it. Earmark Saffire Freycinet for the next time you're looking to spoil yourself silly. THE ROOMS This vast property has just 20 suites. Plus, the restaurant, bar and luxe spa are only accessible to hotel guests, so it often feels like you have the whole place to yourself. Each of the rooms looks out over the surrounding bay and mountains — seen through the floor-to-ceiling windows and private decks. Design-wise, the large suites are made up of an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary fittings, with locally made timber pieces sitting alongside mid-century classics such as chairs designed by Charles and Ray Eames and Herman Miller. Super king beds (yes, they've super-sized the beds), double walk-in showers and deep baths, extensive complimentary mini-bars, bluetooth music systems, retractable LCD TVs, private courtyards and fast wifi are also on the menu at each accommodation. FOOD AND DRINK All things local are celebrated at Saffire Freycinet's two dining rooms. Palate Restaurant is home to an elegant degustation menu that changes every day depending on what's coming out of the nearby paddocks and waters. You always have the option to pair each course with a sustainably made Tassie wine, too. The Lounge is a little more laidback, offering up a space to chill with a book or quietly hang with your travel buddies. During the day, you can enjoy fresh local produce from the barbeque and outside terrace. And at night, the lounge livens up a little as guests mingle with evening canapes and pre-dinner drinks in hand. It's serving The White Lotus realness. THE LOCAL AREA This lavish hotel is set within Tasmania's Freycinet National Park, home to stunning vistas and a thriving local ecosystem — think koalas, roos and colourful birds rummaging around lush green forests. It is also home to some of the state's most famous beaches, mostly notably Wineglass Bay. The Saffire Freycinet team will help organise scenic flights over the area, guided hikes to some of the greatest vistas and boat trips for those wanting to sneak in some snorkelling and boat-side swimming. You can arrive at the hotel by air or via the Great Eastern Drive. During this road trip, you'll pass by several wineries with cellar doors and eateries such as Devil's Corner, Spring Vale, Craigie Knowe, Milton, and the famous Kate's Berry Farm in Swansea. Hobart is also just a 2.5-hour drive away, so you can easily stop by the city for a couple of days before or after your stay. THE EXTRAS Saffire Freycinet has won award after award for its extensive list of luxury travel experiences — easily added to any stay. Each of the 14 unique activities focuses on connecting guests to place through nature, culture and produce. You can do some beekeeping on the property, taste fresh oysters at its own oyster farm (with sparkling wine in hand, of course), join one of the small group (or private) cruises of the area, quad bike around the mountains with a guide and learn how to fly-fish in the Currawong Lakes. Follow these food, culture and adventure tours with a late afternoon spa sesh. Get a massage, scrub or facial before soaking in a bath overlooking the natural surroundings. This is an unbelievably dreamy place. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips to destinations all over the world.
It's a common perception that the northern beaches is always on a health kick. And while it's largely true, that doesn't mean you should write off the peninsula completely — it's not all doom and gloom (or kale and quinoa, for that matter). What the beautiful people on the beaches have discovered is that health food doesn't have to be boring. While you might be worried at the mere suggestion of trading in your beloved bacon and egg hangover cure, you'll be missing out if you don't read on. Come the weekend, the folk on the beaches will be set up at cafes overlooking the beach, a specialty brew in one hand and a healthy breakfast burrito in the other — and you should be too. So regardless of whether you live in the area or just visit on weekends, here's ten cafes you should tick off your list — from Manly to Palm Beach, and all the beaches in between.
We've been preaching about it a lot, but Kensington Street Precinct continues to up its game — even after the main physical part of the renovation was completed last year. Gone are the run-down facades; blitzed with a bit o' glam and restored to their former glory, they're now home to some of the hottest eateries in Sydney, including Jason Atherton's Kensington Street Social, Automata and The Old Clare. Casual eats are hidden in the precinct's buzzing Asian foodie spot, Spice Alley, with hawker-style nosh from Alex Lee Kitchen, Bang Luck Thai Street Food, Old Jim Kee's and Hong Kong Diner, bookended by residents KYO-TO and Mekong. This more casual environment has been flanked with newer neighbours Bar Chinois, an Asian-French fusion bar housed in an old terrace, international chef Frederic Colin French brasserie Bistrot Gavroche, next-level dessert gallery Koi, and, most recently, private dining option The Private Kitchen and inner city cellar door Handpicked Wines. And it ain't done yet.
This Miranda-based butcher puts an emphasis on provenance and transparency, to help support Australian livestock farmers. Along with showcasing meats, it also showcases specialty farms, including the Gourmet Goat Lady, Bergalia Beef, Camden Valley Veal, Canowindra Farm Chicken, Maremma Free Range Ducks and Leadoux Turkey. To this end, you can find beautiful hunks of veal osso bucco, free-range butterflied chickens and marbled wagyu rump cap. It also has a great selection of bottled goods, including Truff Hot Sauce, McLure's Pickles, Malfroy Gold Honey, and Old Bones smoked garlic chilli sauce. Image: Leigh Griffiths
Undeniably Sydney's most beautiful theatre, the Enmore maintains an antique, old-world feel inside a contemporary venue. Built in 1908, this art deco theatre has gradually been transformed into the kind of luxury that is pure rock 'n' roll: band posters are plastered beneath luxurious chandeliers, drinks are purchased from a bar in the foyer, and the seats in the stalls are, depending on the occasion, removed to make way for standing room audiences. If the ambiance alone isn't enough to entice you, never fear: the Enmore plays host to some of the biggest acts to visit our shores. We're talking The Rolling Stones, Sonic Youth, Wu Tang Clan, The Pretenders, Grace Jones... The list goes on. And while the size and prestige of this place is strong enough to attract the big acts, the performance space remains cosy and intimate. The combination of the theatre's traditional acoustics and an immense front of house system also results in exceptional sound, making the Enmore one of Sydney's premier live venues. Image: Destination NSW
One of Sydney's most distinct locations is set to be reinvented with several new hospitality venues arriving next year. Part of the historic Sydney Harbour island, Fort Denison will be transformed into a restaurant offering fresh produce and unbeatable views with an ex-Aria chef at the helm. The new restaurant is spearheaded by hospitality collective The Point Group and will pay homage to Fort Denison's historic significance as a former defence facility. Patrons will be offered a unique dining experience featuring uninterrupted views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and Sydney city skyline. The boundary-pushing restaurant will champion a menu focused on sustainable seafood and local Australian produce. Alongside the opening of the island restaurant, The Point Group's proposal will reimagine Fort Denison with educational tours to help visitors appreciate the island's unique heritage and significance in history. A casual dining area, bar and wine room, and three exhibition spaces are also outlined in the proposal along with new interpretive installations. [caption id="attachment_822517" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joel Nickford and Brett Robinson[/caption] The Point Group has secured a 25-year lease of the iconic Sydney site. NSW Environmental Minister Matt Kean said the proposal submitted by the hospitality collective delivered "a state-of-the-art visitor experience for the whole community to enjoy, that celebrates the unique heritage and environmental values of this iconic site". Overseeing the food at Fort Denison Dining will be The Point Group's newly appointed Culinary Director Joel Bickford. Bickford has spent the last four years leading Aria's culinary team as Executive Chef and will now work in collaboration with The Point Group's Co-Founder and Director Brett Robinson to curate the dining experiences across The Point's venues. Bickford is known for his refined and innovative culinary style with a preference for seasonal Australian ingredients. [caption id="attachment_822519" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shell House[/caption] The same hospitality group has also been hard at work transforming another historic Sydney building. Announced back in May and originally slated to open in July before the latest Sydney lockdown, Sydney mainstay The Shell House is set to reopen inside the new multibillion-dollar Brookfield Place development under the guidance of The Point Group. The venue is now slated to open in October, pending public health orders, and will feature The Menzies Bar, a ground floor bar and bistro, and The Dining Room, a light-filled open kitchen, as well as a Mediterranean-influence rooftop bar with 360-degree views of Sydney. The Shell House is located at 2 Carrington Street, Sydney and is expected to open in October 2021. Fort Dennison Dining is set to open in September 2022.
Teen angst and disco balls, together at last! This rib-tickling and soul-lifting show about the complexities of teenage identity centres on Maya Wolfe, a 17-year-old with shaky self-esteem who is sent to a mysterious summer camp with a hidden agenda. There, she meets Bone, a rebel with a cause who wants to expose the camp's dark intentions. Maya must decide whether to conform or break free, all while wrestling with her growing feelings for Bone. Written by Vic Zerbst with music by Oliver John Cameron, expect moving moments of queer self-discovery, relatable adolescent awkwardness and a pumping soundtrack of disco bangers.
It's Friday night. You've just finished work for the week, don't feel like cooking, and you're in the mood for some grub and live music. Head to the Inner West and you'll find the Flour Mill Food Markets filling Summer Hill's Harvest Park with some of the area's best eats. Among the delectable eats will be seafood rolls from East Blue Seafood, Street Food Project Sydney's barbecued meats, katsu sandos from That Katsu Guy, Jeery's roti tacos and Sharon Kwan Kitchen's noodles. You can also pick up sweet after-dinner bites like Sticky Bakes' much-hyped sticky-date pudding and gooey choc-chip creations from Thicc Cookies. Local musicians will be providing the soundtrack for the night, performing from 5pm live under the stars — which have a high chance of being out according to the weather forecast. The food trucks will be operational from 4–8pm on Friday, April 27. Street parking is available; however, Flour Mill is encouraging diners to utilise the Lewisham West light rail station just beside the park, or either of the Summer Hill or Lewisham train stations that sit roughly a five-minute walk away. And, if you don't want to leave Spot and Fido at home, the market is dog-friendly so make sure to bring along your four-legged pals.
You know those bad Christmas gifts, the ones that make you slap on your very best fake smile in order to say thanks without groaning. A brick-like pud, some subpar sports socks, a sickly sweet candle — generic and uninspired clutter that you instantly want to return, regift or chuck in the trash. We don't want to sound ungrateful — sure, it's the thought that counts — but a poorly chosen present can be kind of disappointing, not to mention wasteful. Nobody wants to get — or give — a gift like that. Indeed, there's a fine art to Christmas shopping. Not all of us can be gift-giving masters, after all. So, to help you pick the perfect pressie and avoid any bigtime blunders, we've partnered with Australia Post to pull together ten stellar gift ideas, which won't warrant a return. They all cost less than a pineapple, can be ordered online and conveniently delivered to your nearby Parcel Locker so you can pick 'em up whenever it suits you. Let your fingers do the walking, forgo the crazy Christmas crowds and rest easy knowing your parcel is stored securely till you're ready to collect. Happy shopping, Santas. FRANK GREEN STAINLESS STEEL REUSABLE CUP Forget splashing cash on a mug with some trite "Keep Calm and Carry On" message inscribed on the front and get a cup that is both eco-friendly and uber trendy instead. The Frank Green stainless steel reusable cup is pretty much the Superman of drinking receptacles; crafted from commercial grade stainless steel, it's built to last forever (in a good way) which is great if you have clumsy caffeine-lovers in your midst. Drop this baby and there's no need to cry over spilt milk — it won't shatter or break. The cup is also stain and odour resistant, has a nifty spill-proof lid and a clever one-handed toggle button to drink and reseal — like we said, Superman. How much? $39.95 RELOVE PRINT BOOK SUBSCRIPTION We all know a bookworm and a surefire way to score a special place in their heart is to shout them a book subscription. Revolve Print will ship one quality preowned book to their doorstep each month, so they'll never have a shortage of great literature. What's more, they get to curate their reads and pick what kind of pageturners they receive. This gift is not only super thoughtful, but it's also eco-friendly. To take things up a notch, arrange to meet each month to discuss the books. How much? From $9 per month SMARTPHONE PROJECTOR An excellent accessory for the silly season, the portable Luckies Smartphone Projector 2.0 projects music videos, films and photographs anywhere you please. It's a great gift for the gadget-obsessed as it's both stylish and practical. With up to 8x magnification, the projector is light, compact and works with iOS and Android smartphones. Come Christmas Day, the family can stop crowding around one iPhone to look at Uncle John's travel photos and instead see them on the big screen. How much? $49.95 GROW YOUR OWN TEA Tea is a real crowd pleaser; young or old, most people enjoy a good cuppa. While you could gift a nice loose-leaf blend, why not go one step above and give that special someone a Grow Your Own Tea Kit. Each kit contains a growing pot, some soil, the tea seeds — choose between chamomile, peppermint, lemon balm or echinacea — as well as a mug and tea strainer to taste-test the brew. Not only is this pressie full of antioxidants, but it also gives the grower a sense of satisfaction and achievement, which is priceless. How much? $34.95 BACON MAKING KIT This gift is for that one friend or family member who always hangs by the Christmas ham — the bona fide pork fiend, the bigtime bacon fan. Introducing the Baconsmith Bacon Making Kit, which produces top-notch bacon in just seven days. The kit makes two-kilograms of tasty bacon — sweet or savoury, the choice is theirs. All it requires is a good slab of pork belly. The great thing about this present is that it's also like a gift to you. Give it to a housemate or your partner, and you'll reap the benefits, too, with some tasty homemade bacon to snack on next fry-up. We guarantee they (and you ) will be squealing with delight. How much? $34.95 MEMOBOTTLE A staggering one million single-use plastic bottles are purchased around the world every minute and most end up in landfill. Depressing, right? Do your bit and buy your mate a Memobottle. Remember the book Flat Stanley? This is the water bottle version of that; it's nice and slim and can slide right into compact spaces. Memobottles are great for students as they pack neatly into backpacks, between all those textbooks. The bottle has a 450-millilitre capacity and is BPA free — so the water will stay nice and pure. How much? $44.95 DIY BEESWAX WRAPS If you're friends with a passionate eco-warrior or want to inspire a less socially conscious friend, sling them this beeswax block and get them making their own environmentally friendly version of Cling Wrap. The Wanderlightly DIY Beeswax Wraps are non-toxic, biodegradable and reusable — save on cash and save the planet. Win, win. The step-by-step instructions are super simple, just add cotton fabric and you're ready to go. Since they'll be spending less money on plastic packaging for, well, the rest of their lives, it really is the gift that keeps on giving. How much? From $17.50 AESOP JET SET KIT Ah, the intoxicating aromas of Aesop. We still haven't worked out how they make it smell so darn good, but we're not complaining. Give the globetrotters in your life the gift of sweet smells and smooth skin with this Aesop Jet Set Kit. The assortment features the go-to products — like classic shampoo and conditioner, Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser and Rind Concentrate Body Balm — and can be stored in their carry-on for easy access. Aesop products are renowned for their hydrating qualities, exactly what one needs during a long-haul. How much? $41 COFFEE MUG BY INDIGENOUS ARTIST LUKE PENRITH Yes, this is the second cup we've mentioned but its eye-catching design warranted a spot on the list. Created by Aboriginal artist Luke Penrith, the mug depicts the Yilawura Camp Site in soothing green and blue tones. It's a statement piece, which would suit any kitchen or office desk. Since it's only $16, you can order two or three and gift a set. Let's face it, one can never have too many mugs. And if you're a fan of the artwork, you can pick up a range of other wares featuring the same design. How much? From $15.99 SOLAR-POWERED PORTABLE PHONE CHARGER We all have that one friend or family member who is forever searching for a phone charger. Treat them to this solar-powered portable phone charger and never hear "Hey, can I borrow a charger?" again. While the top of the line chargers can set you back around $100, hit up eBay to find a charger on the cheap. With USB connectivity, this compact little nugget will charge everything from an iPhone to a tablet to a digital camera. Just add sun and you're all set. How much? From $22.99 Christmas shopping has never been so simple — order online, ship to a Parcel Locker and avoid the hectic shops with Australia Post.
Forget flame-grilled, British company Bompas & Parr are taking the backyard barbecue to new, hardcore heights — using molten lava. Experts in curating spectacular culinary experiences that go beyond the wildest dreams of Willy Wonka himself, Bompas & Parr one-upped Sydney's last New Year's display with the world's first edible fireworks in London. This year, they're forecast to trump our favourite summer pastime, the age old Australian barbecue. We can't help but be impressed. The duo teamed up with lava expert Professor Robert Wysocki from New York's Syracuse University to learn how to transform billion-year-old basalt into magma that would cook a nice T-bone at 1350 degrees. Experiments like this one have ensured the pair have honed their charring technique to perfection. Now, Bompas & Parr are offering British diners the chance to host the ultimate summer barbecue. Apart from the five-tonne furnace for those lava-seared steaks, the company will provide designers to makeover the venue, invitations hand carved from volcanic rock and lava-heated hot tubs in which to enjoy cocktails. Plus, they promise a weird and wonderful soundscape fusing real-time volcanic frequencies from around the world with more conventional tunes. The catch to getting Bompas & Parr barbecuing in your own backyard? You'll need a minimum of 500 friends to join you. But come on, though that may seem a little high and possibly saddening, who wouldn’t want to go to this barbecue-to-end-all-barbecues?
Usually when you walk out of a cafe you're visiting for the first time, you will talk about how the coffee was or how (non-)delicious your meal was, yet upon leaving Something for Jess, all I could speak of was how happy I felt having visited. That is not to say the menu was not worth talking about, heck it is even worth writing home about. It just has such a captivating personality that you cannot help but fall in love with this quirky Chippendale boutique. As soon as you enter, you are swimming in positivity. Natural light illuminates the space and colour is splashed across the walls. A vivacity lives in the street- and op shop-sourced furniture, in the fresh flowers on tabletops, on the friendly smiles of the staff and on the wonderfully fresh and diverse menus chalked on ladders and chalkboards across the cafe. That's right, no boring old paper here; your eyes have to circumnavigate the whole interior and take in its complete character in order to uncover the fresh gems you would like to eat and drink. Fresh is the perfect word to describe the palette on offer. The seasonal menu transforms weekly according to the fresh produce received, meaning that there are plenty of reasons to return each week and even each day, with a new juice of the day on offer. For that reason I would recommend skipping the coffee ($3.50 and delicious) to enjoy the juice (a $5 thirst-quenching blend of pineapple, rockmelon and pear when this writer visited) or delicious affogato on offer. Once you've wet your whistle, you can choose from the tantalising menu. What it lacks in meal choice, it more than makes up for in flavour provision. Despite the limited range, it will take you quite some time to decide exactly which dish sounds most delicious and trust me, you only need one dish as they are deceptively filling. The torta de milanesa ($15.50) arrives on an aesthetically pleasing mishmash selection of crockery and delivers a perfect concoction of satisfying flavours that was matched by the heavenly raised portobello mushroom ($16). Whilst it is highly likely these dishes will not still be on offer when you attend, you will certainly have something equally, if not more delicious awaiting. Eating on the run is also catered for with a variety of sandwiches ($8-$10), friands ($4.50) and muffins ($4) availabl,e but if you have the time, sit down and enjoy the pleasant optimistic slice of Chippendale on offer here — it is what truly makes the place. A lot of love and thought has gone into Something for Jess — the owner named it after his wife — and it is ready to share that love with all of you. So head down for some brunch; it is the best meal of the day and not many places provide brunch-friendly meals this good. Image: jingyuuaann via Instagram.
The Inner East's accommodation game is already strong, with the likes of The Ace Hotel and Crystalbrook Albion offering characterful guest rooms with plush facilities and top-of-class hospitality. However, a newcomer to the area is ready to loft this standard to even greater heights. The EVE — a luxury boutique stay operated by TFE Hotels at the newly minted Surry Hills Village development — is set to open on February 13, 2025 and the first guests to check in can expect an exclusive package in celebration. The brainchild of SJB's Adam Haddow, 360 Degrees' Daniel Baffsky and Interior Architect George Levissianis, The EVE is designed to reflect the vibrant and dynamic energy of its urban neighbourhood while offering a lush retreat that feels a million miles from the hustle of the city: a stylish intersection of art, hospitality and culinary excellence. This trio of creatives has crafted a series of spaces that pair their beautiful aesthetics with thoughtful functionality, delivering a stay that has all the mod cons you'd expect from a five-star stay as well as a whole lot of personality. [caption id="attachment_982262" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The EVE Hotel lobby[/caption] Visitors enter via an airy art-filled lobby bar, immediately immersing them in a world of vibrant creativity. The vaulted ceilings, curated interiors and bespoke art installations — including several pieces from prominent Surry Hills artist and gallery owner, Louise Olsen — offer a striking introduction to The EVE's design ethos. Next, guests can explore a rooftop garden landscaped by Daniel Baffsky combining native and exotic plants in layered arrangements that meld architecture with nature. The 20-metre rooftop pool, finished with natural stone and imported Sukabumi tiles provides the perfect setting for a lush urban haven with panoramic views over Redfern and Surry Hills. Baffsky's planting extends seamlessly into Wunderlich Lane, Surry Hills Village's hospitality and retail precinct, creating a conscious connection between the hotel and the area's varied dining options. [caption id="attachment_982258" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rooftop garden and pool[/caption] At the heart of The EVE's hospitality offering is Bar Julius, the European-style neighborhood bar created by Liquid & Larder, the team behind celebrated Sydney venues including Bistecca and The Gidley. With an all-day dining concept, Bar Julius seamlessly transitions from morning espressos to evening cocktails, offering a menu that celebrates fresh, bold flavours and new takes on beverage classics. The inviting space, highlighting rich burgundy tones, tactile marble, and a striking ceiling mural captures the charm of a European bistro while staying firmly rooted in Sydney's dynamic culinary culture. To inspire visitors to become a part of The EVE's new beginning, the hotel will be offering a curated package titled The Reveal to welcome its first guests. Highlighting the hotel's celebration of culinary artistry, cultural immersion and luxurious ameneties, guests will be able to indulge in a Bar Julius signature cocktail and bespoke EVE gift to remember their stay. [caption id="attachment_982263" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bar Julius[/caption] "The EVE is about creating spaces that inspire and connect, while paying homage to the rich cultural and natural heritage of Sydney," says Haddow. "Every detail — from handcrafted lighting to the Australian palette — has been designed to reflect this vision." You can find The EVE Hotel Sydney at 8 Baptist St, Redfern starting Feb 13, 2024. For bookings and more information, visit The Eve website.
The sandy shores of Brighton-Le-Sands haven't gone anywhere, but the coastline is looking a little different following the relaunch of The Brighton Hotel Sydney – MGallery Collection. Moving into the former digs of the Novotel Sydney Brighton Beach, this new era for the Accor-led accommodation, aka The Brighton, is more than just a name change. Over the last three years, the sprawling property has undergone a multi-million-dollar renovation, bringing the stay up to scratch with MGallery's reputation for luxe boutique hotels. Now, every space of The Brighton has been transformed, offering guests an experience that combines coastal comfort with European-inspired elegance. Primed for tourists and business travellers alike, The Brighton's beachfront location is easily accessible from the city and the airport, with Sydney CBD just 13 kilometres away. Yet guests might mistake their surroundings for the Mediterranean, as 307 sun-soaked rooms and suites offer sweeping bay views and blissed-out textures and materials inspired by the hotel's coastal context. Dining remains a highlight, with the hatted Ammos Brighton adding even more credibility to the property's Mediterranean-inspired ambience. Helmed by Greek-Australian chef Peter Conistis, dishes such as house-made taramasalata, reimagined moussaka with pan-seared scallops, and roasted eggplant bring a contemporary edge to age-old cuisine. For something a little more casual, Coco's on the Beach is The Brighton's answer to Sydney's laidback sports bars. Set by the beachside and serving until 3am, expect easygoing bites and refreshing drinks that pair with live sport on big screens and post-swim gatherings around the pool table. Meanwhile, Sands Bar offers a dreamy terrace-side spot for golden hour cocktails. From its idyllic setting, The Brighton also includes abundant wellness activities. Think indoor and outdoor pools, and a light-filled fitness centre complete with a rejuvenating sauna and steam room. The property will also become a go-to events destination, with the newly added Brighton Ballroom accommodating up to 600 guests, each relishing the ocean views and marble decor. The Brighton Hotel Sydney - MGallery Collection is now open at 2 Princess St, Brighton-Le-Sands. Head to the website for more information. Images: Steven Woodburn / Ryan Linnegar.
In Stay of the Week, we explore some of the world's best and most unique accommodations, giving you inspiration for your next trip. In this instalment, we set the compass to regional Victoria and take a trip to Sorrento for a special stay at the newly renovated Hotel Sorrento. [caption id="attachment_899023" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Rising High Media[/caption] WHAT'S SO SPECIAL? Here, in a buzzy pocket of the Mornington Peninsula, Hotel Sorrento has sat for nearly 150 years boasting enviable bay vistas. Now, the historic sandstone building is welcoming a massive expansion including a soon-to-come 30-metre pool and rooftop yoga studio. At the moment, Hotel Sorrento boasts five separate bars, two restaurants, newly refurbished accommodation rooms as well as private dining areas. It's an all-in-one destination escape just over an hour from Melbourne's CBD. THE ROOMS There are plenty of rooms to choose from at Hotel Sorrento, starting from $325 a night. Contemporary and light-filled, rooms are accented with a variety of deep European oak, natural limestone and marble. Heritage Balcony Rooms are the crowning jewel of this hotel, boasting private balconies with exclusive vistas overlooking the bay. [caption id="attachment_899027" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Threefold Social[/caption] FOOD AND DRINK Hotel Sorrento has recently overhauled its food and drink offering, helmed by George Calombaris. "The goal is to create dishes that not only satisfy the palate but tell a story of the region and the community's rich history," George Calombaris says. Shihuishi is the newest addition to the Hotel Sorrento family, nestled in the original, grand Hotel Sorrento ballroom. Head chef Junlin (Jerry) Yi (ex-Red Spice Road) is unafraid to stray from tradition, from prawn crackers paired with crème fraîche; to spanakopita dumplings that marry whipped feta and dill. Deeper into the menu, patrons will discover Australian-Canto cuisine that nods to the Chinese restaurant that stood onsite back in the 1980s. A prawn, lap cheong and onion stir-fry is a crowd-pleaser, along with duck pancakes and black pepper beef, served on a sizzling plate. Other classics run to the likes of steamed barra with soy, ginger and spring onion, or the ever-popular pork and prawn shumai. Otherwise, if you fancy a short but sweet wander, head across the road to the Conti for a slew of venues including a public bar, beer garden, speakeasy and fine diner. Luxe speakeasy Barlow is our pick for a pre-evening tipple. Sorrento institution Stringers has also recently been revamped by The Darling Group (Higher Ground, Kettle Black, Top Paddock), turning the corner store and cafe into an all-day restaurant, pizzeria, bar and providore. THE LOCAL AREA Sorrento is a much-loved spot for both Mornington Peninsula locals and regular holiday blow-ins, due to its accessibility from Melbourne. In warmer months, swimming, snorkeling and water activities at Sorrento Beach is a must-do. If you're looking to sidestep the crowds, Diamond Bay is a popular spot for both families and couples. A range of short, all-weather walking tracks are stunning year-around, including Coppins Track which finishes at the clifftop of Diamond Bay. The cliffside Millionaires Walk is named as a nod to the lavish private residences that line this path, or try the 7km Sorrento Circuit Walk, which hits all of this town's main attractions. THE EXTRAS Hotel Sorrento is looking to install a new 30-metre pool alongside a pool-friendly bar, rooftop yoga studio and gym by the end of 2023. If you're looking for a staycation special, Hotel Sorrento's winter escape package includes overnight accommodation for two, dinner for two at Shuihuishi and a bottle of local Pinot Noir for your room. Feeling inspired to book a truly unique getaway? Head to Concrete Playground Trips to explore a range of holidays curated by our editorial team. We've teamed up with all the best providers of flights, stays and experiences to bring you a series of unforgettable trips in destinations all over the world. Images: supplied.
You'll have a new perch to soak up Sydney's summer weather, as the Watsons Bay Hotel has just revealed its fully renovated top and middle decks. With work commencing back in April, this significant update breathes new life into the 190-year-old venue, with a cool $3 million going towards shaping these much-loved decks into contemporary spaces that not only elevate events but also make the most of the harbourfront views. Embarking on a new vision, the primary goal behind the transformation was to create a seamless connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces. Punters who know and love the Watsons Bay Hotel will now discover wrap-around bifold windows, making the most of the fresh air and scenery. At the same time, a newly added dry bar is lined with high stools, meaning just about every guest can find a place to admire the world-class skyline in the distance. "The Top Deck has always been a special part of our venue — it's where locals and visitors have gathered for years to enjoy those incredible harbour views," says Laundy Hotels owner, Danielle Richardson. "With this renovation, we've enhanced what was already great about the space while solving practical challenges that allow us to better serve our community and guests who have made this venue a Sydney institution." Now with a capacity of 150 seated guests, the top deck has been reshaped with weddings and special events in mind, adding a dedicated internal entrance and direct bathroom access. Meanwhile, the middle deck's revamp has gone further, with a full-scale rethink bringing about new decking, banquette seating and reimagined furnishings that Emilie Delalande, Director of Etic Design, says will foster a space "where people feel they can stay for hours." Beyond both decks, the Sunset Room & Bar has also received a significant refresh, with a redesigned bar, flooring and bathrooms evoking the look and feel of a Hamptons estate. Think beachside charm but with better flow and functionality for year-round use. Combining with a colour palette brimming with coastal blues and deep harbour tones, oversized sculptural lighting elevates the evening atmosphere with creative touches that rise above tired nautical themes. Dining also has received an uplift, with Head Chef Damian Heads introducing a fresh summer menu. Inspired by Sydney coastal cuisine, expect top-quality seafood and plenty of pub classics. The venue is also levelling up its day party offering, as the Watsons Bay Hotel introduces Club Amalfi. Looking to the Med for inspiration, a bustling beach club will take over the top deck once a month, featuring share plates and premium wine magnums made for sun-drenched Sundays. Watsons Bay Hotel's top deck and mid deck have reopened. Head to the website for more information.
Sana, the latest venture from Daniel Sorridimi (owner of Blackwood Bondi and Cronulla) and renowned Head Chef Joel Bennetts, is centred around fast-casual dining with heavy Mediterranean influences and fresh, nutritious ingredients, making sure each dish is jam-packed with flavour and goodness. Inspired by sun-drenched Mediterranean and Middle Eastern coastlines, these influences are noticeable throughout. A look across the menu reveals the likes of Lebanese spiced lamb mince, pickled carrots and basmati rice mixed with lemon and herbs. Considering Sana translates to 'state of well-being' in Spanish, the name is appropriate when you start diving into the nourishing fare on offer. [caption id="attachment_988504" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] In the kitchen, Bennetts whips up a myriad of house-prepared ingredients, from pickled zucchini to 24-hour slow-cooked lamb shoulder. Customers can make the most of these authentic flavours with build-your-own bowl and protein plate menus designed for maximum customisation. Choose your protein, base, sauce and veggies, and you're ready to feast. If you prefer your menus a little less reliant on decision making, Sana's signature bowls include the green falafel with cucumber, red onion, coriander and pickled carrot, as well as the hearty lamb shoulder with confit garlic, slow-cooked lamb, pickled onion, green herb salsa, and jalapeño and garlic dressing. If you want to explore a Sana roll, try the poached chicken with shredded iceberg, red onion and cheddar cheese. To wash it all down, there's a selection of fruity, house-made, low-calorie, sugar-free and probiotic sodas. Goodness in every bite, or sip, awaits.
Brothers Ben and Chris Gleeson launched Glee Coffee Roasters on the Central Coast in 2009, and now, 10 years later, it has grown into a four-cafe business and the flagship brand for specialty coffee in the region. Located in the historic Chapman Building, the Glee Coffee Wyong outpost serves its own house blend known as "The Goods", along with single origins from Guatemala — with a taste profile of raspberry, pepper, fudge — and a Nicaragua filter roast described as having blackcurrant yoghurt, cherry, fudge and dark chocolate notes. With a breakfast menu including french toast, avocado delight and waffles, and a lunch menu of pulled pork burgers and nachos, there's something for everyone to get stuck into at Glee.
Go big by going small. That’s the philosophy of a group of local artists, who’ll next month launch a brand new exhibition space of truly pint-sized proportions. No larger than a breadbox, Sydney’s Smallest Gallery will showcase works the size of thimbles. Who’d have guessed that one of the biggest highlights of Sydney Art Month would require a magnifying glass in order to view it? The diminutive free gallery is the brainchild of Natalie Cheney and Stephen Clement, and will be housed inside the (regular sized) Nauti Studios in Stanmore. Only one person will be permitted to view the tiny gallery at the time, although it will be populated by several equally minuscule patrons. Contributors will include artists Cheney, Chris Kellan and Loni Thompson, as well as community science lab BioFoundry, who have produced a replica of the Mona Lisa made out of bacteria. Members of public can even submit pieces of their own, as long as they're less than 3cm x 3cm x 3cm. Sydney's Smallest Gallery is one of many must-see exhibitions on at this year's Sydney Art Month, which kicks off on Friday March 6 and runs until Sunday March 29. Another big standout on the program is the return of the Collector's Space, an annual exhibit displaying pieces from private collections. This year will showcase the collection of restaurateur Kylie Kwong and her partner, multidisciplinary artist Nell, as well as Max and Gabrielle Germanos’ extensive collection of work by Australian and indigenous artists. Further highlights include Art at Night — featuring after-dark openings of galleries all around the city — as well as ARTcycle tours, in which patrons bike from one art hotspot to another (although the less athletically-inclined might prefer an air conditioned bus). The Art Month program also includes a wide array of public talks, on topics ranging from video art to ceramics to art in the public space. All in all, this year's Art Month Sydney will include more than 100 participating galleries, from the big to the very, very small. For the full program, visit www.artmonthsydney.com.au. Image: Chicquero — Little People Project.
As bushfires have ravaged Australia this summer, much of the country's wildlife has been caught in the blaze, with an estimated one billion creatures killed and significant numbers injured. Photographs and footage of fire-affected animals have become a common and heartbreaking sight, with organisations such as the Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) working to assist these critters in need — and your next coffee-flavoured boozy beverage can help them. To raise money for WIRES, homegrown coffee liqueur company Mr Black has released a limited-edition version of its cold-brew tipple. Buy a bottle, and 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the wildlife rescue organisation. Each one costs $100, with Mr Black aiming to raise $10,000 for the incredibly worthy cause. As well as getting 700ml of the brand's very popular alcoholic caffeinated beverage, you'll receive it in an adorable bottle, as made in collaboration with creative studio The Young Jerks. A koala adorns the label, clinging to a branch as part of a stylised and striking — and immensely cute — design. https://www.instagram.com/p/B7aDMi0B2KM/ Orders are open now, with bottles expected to ship in six–eight weeks. And, that shipping cost will be covered by Mr Black, meaning that every dollar you spend on the Bushfire Relief Limited Edition will be donated — and won't need to cover the cost of getting the booze to you. Mr Black's Bushfire Relief Limited Edition cold brew coffee liqueur is currently available to purchase from the brand's website, with orders expected to be shipped in six–eight weeks.
If the perfect blend of mainstream chain and independent store could exist, Oscar and Friends would be it. Let us explain. If you've entered with a specific title in mind, inspired by a recent release or review, it will more than likely be there. But if your list is rather blank and you're seeking a helping hand, it's also got you covered. An expansive range and expert recommendations abound in this small store. In addition to staff picks, various literary prizewinners are also flagged, so you can leave, book(s) in hand, safe in the knowledge that your dollars have been well spent. On the first Monday of each month, Oscar and Friends also hold an evening book club allowing avid readers to wax poetic about their latest read.
Fresh off hosting a floating Lacoste tennis court during the Australian Open, Afloat has pivoted from baseline rallies to pit lanes, transforming its Yarra River footprint into the public headquarters for Audi's Formula 1 debut at the Australian Grand Prix. Yes, the same floating bar that's served spritzes and Amalfi-core summers is now, temporarily, a motorsport hub. And in case you were wondering how one installs a fleet of race cars onto a floating venue in the middle of the CBD — they were craned in over the Yarra. From Thursday, March 5 to Sunday, March 8, Afloat will become the on-water home of the Audi Revolut F1 Team, complete with a Floating Showroom featuring the team's R26 show car and Audi's 'Crocodile'-liveried R8 LMP — the latter famously winning the 2000 'Race of a Thousand Years' in Adelaide. Expect serious hardware, suspended (briefly) above Birrarung before landing on deck. The activation also includes live Grand Prix screenings across both levels, driving simulators, an interactive "Mission Control" wall, and even a 180-degree spatial film experience via Apple Vision Pro. Outside of the tech and tyres, the usual Afloat energy remains intact, with sunset DJ sets soundtracking the race-week chaos and a themed food and drink lineup leaning into the "refuelling" concept. Walk-ins can access the team experiences, while table bookings remain available for those who'd prefer their motorsport with a side of all-day dining and a guaranteed seat. Audi Revolut F1 Team at Afloat runs March 5–8, 11am–1am daily. For a closer look at what might be Melbourne's most high-octane riverside moment yet, head to Afloat's website. Images: supplied
Stay tuned. More info on its way. Images: Kitti Gould.
Here's something for Lady Whistledown to write about: for a week right now, running until Tuesday, April 23, 2024, one Australian town has been given a makeover that'll get visitors to the New South Wales Southern Highlands thinking that they've stepped into Bridgerton. Bowral is your current destination for regency-themed fun, with the country locale's homes and boutiques embracing the transformation (and its manicured gardens helping make the spot an ideal destination for the celebration). The reason for turning Bowral into Bridgerton is the upcoming arrival of the Netflix hit's third season, which is on its way in two parts. The first four episodes arrive on Thursday, May 16, then the next four on Thursday, June 13. The streaming platform's Bridgerton in Bowral festivities also include eight free screenings of the first episode of the new batch across Monday, April 22–Tuesday, April 23 at Empire Cinemas. Expect tickets, which are available online, to go quickly. A limited number of walk-in spots will also be available on each day. First announced at the beginning of April, then kicking off on Tuesday, April 16, the temporary Bowral takeover doesn't just span watching the show early if you're lucky enough to score a seat, and also seeing what this patch of regional Australia looks like when it's harking back to the regency era. A range of places around town have received the Bridgerton treatment, with local businesses joining in on the fun. The idea is to make you feel like you're getting the full ton experience. If you want to dress up to fit the part, that's obviously up to you. Some highlights for your promenade include taking in the florals at The Press Shop, then popping behind the cafe's blue door for some tea; spying the carriage outside boutique spirits supplier SoHi; and hitting up Coach House Collective, which already boasts ivy-covered doors, to peruse furniture and other treasures. Vintage lovers will want to walk through the wrought iron gates at Dirty Janes, where fashion that that takes its cues from regency times awaits. And at outdoor arcade Green Lane, you'll see topiary and other greenery — plus art if you have lunch in the library at Harry's. Romance novels are in the spotlight at Books Ever After, as accompanied by classical string music performed live on the Saturday. Bespoke Letterpress is hosting a letter-writing society, Bowral's Sweets and Treats has regency confectionery — think: violet and rose creams, as well as lemonade fizz balls — on offer, and Gumnut Patisserie is also nodding to the period in a sweet treat. Plus, you can also enjoy a picnic under the floral rotunda at Corbett Gardens, or take a drive to the pink-hued estate that is Retford Park. The latter is opening from 10am–4pm daily for the occasion (with a $15 entry fee) to let visitors explore its hedge mazes, water features and sculptures; mosey around its gardens; and play croquet and skittles on its front lawn. A garden party at Milton Park will close out the week, but tickets to that have already been snapped up. If you're going to treat yourself to a getaway this month and you love Bridgerton, you clearly need to make it this Bridgerton-loving getaway. And if you're a Bridgerton obsessive who lives in Bowral, prepare for plenty of company. Of course Netflix is bringing the series into real life to celebrate season three. This is the streaming service that set up public toilets based on Squid Game, Heartbreak High and Emily in Paris back in February, after all. In the past, all in Sydney, it has also opened a Stranger Things rift on Bondi Beach, unleashed the Squid Game Red Light, Green Light doll by Sydney Harbour and a had pop-up Heartbreak High uniform shop slinging threads in Newtown, too. [caption id="attachment_950838" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bridgerton S3 - Bowral Town Takeover, AustraliaApril 16th 2024[/caption] The town of Bowral's Bridgerton-themed makeover runs until Tuesday, April 23. For seats to screenings of the first episode of the show's' third season across Monday, April 22–Tuesday, April 23 at Empire Cinemas, head to the ticketing website. Bridgerton season three will stream via Netflix in two parts, with four episodes on Thursday, May 16, 2024 and four on Thursday, June 13, 2024. Images: Liam Daniel/Netflix.
It's pretty easy to get lost in Sydney's vibrant nightlife precinct, YCK Laneways — a hub of independently operated hospitality, retail and entertainment businesses in the CBD. Now, you can get lost, drink cocktails and win prizes at the same time. Over four jam-packed weeks, YCK is teaming up with Angel's Envy, a finished bourbon with a sweet flavour and complexity for rookie drinkers and connoisseurs alike. Together, they'll transform the bustling laneways of the precinct into a bourbon lover's dream. During August, Sydneysiders can bar-hop around their diverse collection of venues to win an epic CBD staycation or Angel's Envy merch, simply by enjoying a tipple with mates. Here's the gist: signup for YCK's Laneway Loyalty program to collect your digital tokens and win free stuff. It's as easy at that! You'll receive one token for each drink purchased at a participating venue. Once you've collected five, you'll win a limited-edition Angel's Envy jacket (you can never have too many in the wardrobe, right?) and go in the draw to win one of three epic YCK staycations valued at $1,500 each. Each week, participating venues will hero a classic cocktail — think old fashioned, whiskey sour, highball, and manhattan — putting their own spin on it with bespoke, curated menus and a range of creative spins. There will also be roaming jazz bands and live performers around the laneways to keep you entertained while you hop between bars. The venues taking part in the month-long event include Burrow Bar, Duke of Clarence, Esteban, Jolene's, Kahii, Kasippu (soon to be known as Button), Kuro Bar & Dining, Papa Gede's, Roast Republic, Stitch Bar, Since I Left You, Lucille's, Uncle Ming's and Vinabar. While each venue has its own drawcards, they all have a few things in common — they're independent, small bars with a whole lot of soul. And with so many options, you're bound to find more than a few that will cater to your needs, whatever you're craving. Sip, collect and win this August by signing up for Laneway Loyalty and exploring the precinct. To find out more about Angel's After Dark, visit the website.
Prepare to indulge as Surry Hills brasserie Armorica celebrates its first birthday with a weeklong feast featuring unlimited fries. This once-in-a-blue-moon deal can be claimed with a steak purchase from Monday, May 20, to Sunday, May 26. On top of that, Armorica will permanently expand its trade to seven nights a week, with the first Monday service coinciding with the start of the frites fest. There'll also be VIP birthday dinner on Wednesday, May 22, which will feature a lavish four-course dinner and unlimited champagne until 8pm, with live jazz and DJs providing the soundtrack. More details can be found on the Armorica website, and you can secure a spot via the reservation website.
In a city where French restaurants often lean into theatrics and maximalism, Bouillon L'Entrecôte takes a more understated approach. Taking its cues from the bouillon restaurants that were all the rage in fin-de-siècle France — essentially large mess halls serving high-quality food at affordable prices — the Circular Quay venue opened in Quay Quarter Lanes in 2022 with a focus on classic dishes done incredibly well. It's since become a fixture in Sydney's French dining landscape — so much so, in fact, that in 2026 it unveiled an expanded, new-look ground-floor dining area, complete with a breezy al fresco area, increasing its capacity from 80 to 110 seats. Downstairs now features a richly layered fitout of merlot-hued leather banquettes, crisp white tablecloths, herringbone floors and softly textured curtains, while classic bistro chairs and cafe-style tables lining Loftus Street invite you to settle in and watch the world go by. Head upstairs and the building opens into an expansive dining room with a grander feel. Luxurious detailing and large dining tables are complemented by art and photographs sprawled across the wall — headlined by a huge portrait of legendary French chef Paul Bocuse. When it comes to the food, the options are varied without feeling overwhelming. Kick things off with a starter and a kir royale from the 'How To Be a Good French' section of the drinks list. Highlights from the hors d'oeuvre menu include foie gras-stuffed cured duck breast finished with cherry coulis; seared scallops served with foie gras mousse, onion jam, and truffle oil; and an ultra-cheesy twice-baked soufflé. The house specialty is the 200-gram sirloin steak, served with French fries, a walnut green salad and the kitchen's closely-guarded secret sauce — a recipe that neither co-owners Vincent Ventura and Johan Giausseran, nor the chefs, will give up, no matter how hard you might prod. Those looking to elevate their meal can share the 850-gram T-bone or the hefty 1.6-kilogram wagyu tomahawk. Arrive before 5pm to try the L'Entrecôte Mitraillette: grilled wagyu steak, fries and secret sauce tucked into an A.P. Bakery baguette. Daily specials round out the offer, ranging from overnight beef bourguignon to free-range chicken stew and the catch of the day. If you can squeeze in desserts, the third act is difficult to resist. The centrepiece is the thrice-baked caramelised upside-down apple tart — only six are made each day — while other standouts include the vanilla crème brûlée and caramelised pineapple flambéed tableside and served with coconut ice cream. To drink, a considerable back bar anchors a cocktail program spanning French classics and beyond, while a predominantly French wine list offers a generous selection by the glass — or carafe, bien sûr. Appears in: The Best Restaurants in Sydney Where to Find the Best Steak in Sydney
Sydney has scored a sweet newcomer bearing a hefty price tag — and it's located right across from Tumbalong Park and Darling Square. Next time you're heading to the expansive park or the ICC for an event, you can now pop in and grab a beer at the new multimillion-dollar pub Darling Pavilion. The latest venue from the hospitality group the team behind Universal, Newtown Hotel and The Imperial is bringing casual luxury to Harbour Street, boasting an elegant design from Dreamtime's interior designer Michael McCann (Mr Wong, China Diner and Felix) partnered with a relaxed atmosphere. Seating over 350 guests, Darling Pavilion's interiors consist of timber-covered ceilings, textured feature walls and copious amounts of natural light with spots of greenery littered throughout. Residing in the centre is an eye-catching 20-metre stone and marble bar— the focal point of the indoor space. Opt to unwind in the huge outdoor terrace and you'll discover the perfect spot to soak up some rays — the cosy lounges. Plus, there are custom-built DJ decks offering up live tunes to accompany you throughout the day and well into the night. "Darling Quarter holds fond memories for many Australians. It's great to see the whole area evolve with time and we're excited to introduce Darling Pavilion to the mix," says Jim Kospetas from Universal Hotels. Darling Pavilion's menu has been jointly curated by Head Chef Kyle Quy (ex-Nola Smokehouse, 2007 Young Chef of the Year Award winner) and Group Executive Chef Dean Sammut. Expect familiar pub favourites like the beloved schnitty and Neapolitan-style pizzas to dishes pulling inspiration from the Mediterranean. A few stellar options include the braised lamb shank and the mushroom and truffle pizza. Plus, there are tempting weekly lunch specials that are sure to draw you in for a midweek feed. Pair your meal with a drink — take a look at the pub's drinks offering and you'll find yourself spoilt for choice. The venue's signature artisanal cocktails — ranging from classics like the spicy margarita and a stiff negroni to seasonal sips like the fruity Oh Darling martini — reside alongside an array of beers and wines, catering to any sip you find yourself in the mood for. Whether you head in for a quick midday break or leisurely drinks after work, you're guaranteed to enjoy an elevated pub experience. You'll find Darling Pavilion at 1 Harbour Street, Sydney. It's open 10am–3am Monday–Sunday.
While there will always be a place for the milestone event restaurant — those peerless (and pricey) palaces of sliver service where the stratospheric calibre of the cuisine is matched only by the equally sky-high bill — the humble neighbourhood diner has come into its own in recent times. These comforting, casual eateries, tucked away in suburban enclaves, offer quality meals at an affordable price point, and in the current economic climate, that's good news for cash-strapped Sydneysiders. Table Manners, on the other hand, is one of a new breed of neighbourhood restaurant offering a middle way. It delivers stellar service and impressive fare that feels elevated while remaining, if not necessarily cheap, at least not bank-breaking. After all, Head Chef Luke Churchill was formerly on the pots at the eye-wateringly expensive Oncore by Clare Smyth, and a comparable meal at this Bronte newcomer will set you back significantly less. [caption id="attachment_972304" align="alignnone" width="1920"] (L–R) Alex Cameron, John Breen and Luke Churchill[/caption] Budgets aside, there's much to love about this Euro-leaning bistro from Alex Cameron, the former manager of Inner East darlings Parla, Franca and Armorica. While the name might suggest a requirement for etiquette — and indeed, there are white linen tablecloths, silver ice buckets and the gentle flicker of candlelight setting the scene — there's also a wink of informality. This high-low, double-hinged personality is perhaps best captured by the livery stamped on all the flatware, featuring a doodle of some greedy-guts customer licking their plate clean, as well as in the playful murals that fill the dining room, irreverently scrawled over the ornate, corniced walls — a wonderfully elegant riot of refinement and rebellion. While the interiors, conceived by Sydney-based designer Blainey North, resist the low-hanging fruit of seaside tropes found in many coastal eateries, Cameron isn't shunning the chilled-out beach vibes of the area he also calls home. "You can't have a neighbourhood restaurant in Bronte that feels too flash. People come here mostly for the beach and a coffee and a swim. We wanted Table Manners to be something that matched that relaxed ideal of the perfect Sydney beachside life," Cameron explains. "The dining rooms I like to go back to are comfortable — so we wanted it feel like somewhere you would want to dine with friends, but also something a bit special, like your rich Aunt's house or some Provençale estate while you're on holiday; the decor reads lux, but it's still super relaxed." Much like the interiors, the menu channels a similar laidback luxury. A TikTok-famous spaghetti all-assassina — with the pasta part blanched, part fried for a curiously crunchy finish — takes the social media trend and lifts it with the addition of three juicy, chargrilled king prawns laying atop the garlic and chilli oil-drizzled nest of pasta strands. The brilliantly named bug club, takes the classic three-layered sandwich and swaps out the usual slices of deli meat for a sweet and tender Moreton Bay bug tail, diced and dressed with mayo, tomato and crisp salad greens. The house martini is served Gidley style: with two servings per order — because one is never enough — and a little side serving of various garnishes so you can pimp your drink to your preferred taste. It's seriously executed dining that simultaneously doesn't take itself too seriously. The tone of the service follows suit. It's swift and efficient, but also warm and disarming, letting you know you're welcome and in good hands. There's an effortlessness to the experience and this is perhaps the most impressive feat of Table Manners — the confidence with which it has prototyped this new mode of mid-tier, high-low, easy going neighbourhood dining. Sydney's culinary scene is easily transfixed by the new shiny thing, which is great for venues when they open, but less so when the sheen fades and attentions drift elsewhere. But with its singular blend of polish and scruff, Table Manners somehow manages to leapfrog the fad-ness of it all — an instant classic rather than merely the new hotness. Images: Jennifer Snoo
Not all that long ago, the idea of getting cosy on your couch, clicking a few buttons, and having thousands of films and television shows at your fingertips seemed like something out of science fiction. Now, it's just an ordinary night — whether you're virtually gathering the gang to text along, cuddling up to your significant other or shutting the world out for some much needed me-time. Of course, given the wealth of options to choose from, there's nothing ordinary about making a date with your chosen streaming platform. The question isn't "should I watch something?" — it's "what on earth should I choose?". Hundreds of titles are added to Australia's online viewing services each and every month, all vying for a spot on your must-see list. And, so you don't spend 45 minutes scrolling and then being too tired to actually commit to anything, we're here to help. We've spent plenty of couch time watching our way through this month's latest batch — and, from the latest and greatest through to old and recent favourites, here are our picks for your streaming queue in February. BRAND NEW STUFF YOU CAN WATCH IN FULL NOW THE CONSULTANT If there's a question that no employee wants to hear from the person setting company agendas, pulling strings and signing paycheques, it's "what do we do?". In The Consultant, the small screen's latest moody and mysterious workplace nightmare — which adapts horror author Bentley Little's 2016 novel of the same name, but plays like Severance filtered through Servant — Regus Patoff (Christoph Waltz, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio) asks a variation of it early. "What do we make?" he queries at CompWare after he arrives amid grim circumstances. The mobile gaming outfit came to fame under wunderkind Sang (TV first-timer Brian Yoon), so much so that school groups tour the firm's office. Then, during the visit that opens this eight-part, excellently cast and supremely easy-to-binge thriller, a kid shoots and kills the company's founder. That doesn't stop Regus from showing up afterwards clutching a signed contract from Sang and spouting a mandate to do whatever it takes to maximise his legacy. Regus is as stern yet eccentric as Waltz has become known for — a suit- and tie-wearing kindred spirit to Inglourious Basterds' Hans Landa, plus Spectre and No Time to Die's Ernst Stavro Blofield. He first darkens CompWare's door in the thick of night, when only ambitious assistant Elaine Hayman (Brittany O'Grady, The White Lotus) and stoner coder Craig Horne (Nat Wolff, Joe vs Carole) are onsite, and he won't take no for an answer. There's no consultant job for him to have, Elaine tells him. There's no business to whip into shape, she stresses. By the next morning, he's corralling employees for an all-hands meeting and telling remote workers they'll be fired if they don't show up in-person within an hour, even if he proudly doesn't know what CompWare does — or care. From there, The Consultant gets creator Tony Basgallop, who is also behind Servant, doing what he loves: kicking off with a blow-in, unsettling a group already coping with tragedy and reordering their status quo with severe methods. Both of his current shows lace the chaos that follows with nods towards the supernatural, too, and both ask what bargains we're willing to make to live the lives we're striving for. The Consultant streams via Prime Video. Read our full review. CUNK ON EARTH If you've ever watched a David Attenborough documentary about the planet and wished it was sillier and stupider, to the point of being entertainingly ridiculous and ridiculously entertaining alike, then Netflix comes bearing wonderful news. Actually, the BBC got there first, airing history-of-the-world mockumentary Cunk on Earth back in September 2022. Glorious things come to waiting viewers Down Under now, however — and this gleefully, delightfully absurd take on human civilisation from its earliest days till now, spanning cave paintings, Roman empires, Star Wars' empire, 1989 Belgian techno anthem 'Pump Up the Jam' and more, is one of the best shows to hit Australia and New Zealand in 2023 so far. This series is a comedy masterclass, in fact, featuring everything from a Black Mirror-leaning skit about Beethoven resurrected inside a smart speaker to a recreation of a Dark Ages fray purely through sound also thrown in. It's flat-out masterful, too, and tremendously funny. This sometimes Technotronic-soundtracked five-part show's beat? Surveying how humanity came to its present state, stretching back through species' origins and evolution, and pondering everything from whether the Egyptian pyramids were built from the top down to the Cold War bringing about the "Soviet onion". The audience's guide across this condensed and comic history is the tweed-wearing Philomena Cunk, who has the steady voice of seasoned doco presenter down pat, plus the solemn gaze, but is firmly a fictional — and satirical — character. Comedian Diane Morgan first started playing the misinformed interviewer in 2013, in Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe, with Black Mirror creator Brooker behind Cunk on Earth as well. Over the past decade, Cunk has also brought her odd questions to 2016's one-off Cunk on Shakespeare and Cunk on Christmas, and 2018's also five-instalment Cunk on Britain. After you're done with the character's latest spin, you'll want to devour the rest ASAP. Cunk on Earth streams via Netflix. Read our full review. EMILY THE CRIMINAL Enterprising, astute, intelligent and accepting zero garbage from anyone: these are traits that Aubrey Plaza can convey in her sleep. But she definitely isn't slumbering in Emily the Criminal, which sees her turn in a performance as weighty and layered as her deservedly Golden Globe-nominated portrayal in the second season of The White Lotus — something that she's been doing since her Parks and Recreation days anyway. Indeed, there's more than a touch of April Ludgate-Dwyer's resourcefulness to this crime-thriller's eponymous figure. Los Angeles resident Emily Benetto isn't sporting much apathy, however; she can't afford to. With $70,000 in student loans to her name for a college art degree she isn't using working as a food delivery driver, and a felony conviction that's getting in the way of securing any gig she's better qualified for for, Jersey girl Emily breaks bad to make bank when she's given a tip about a credit card fraud ring run by Youcef (Theo Rossi, Sons of Anarchy). Her simple task: purchasing everything from electronics to cars with the stolen numbers. Writer/director John Patton Ford makes his feature debut with this lean, sharp, keenly observed and tightly paced film, which works swimmingly and grippingly as a heist thriller with plenty to say about the state of America today — particularly about a society that saddles folks starting their working lives with enormous debts, turning careers in the arts into the domain of the wealthy, and makes even the slightest wrongdoing a life sentence. Emily the Criminal is angry about that state of affairs, and that ire colours every frame. But it's as a character study that this impressive film soars highest, stepping through the struggles, troubles and desperate moves of a woman trapped not by her choices but her lack of options, all while seeing her better-off classmates breeze through life. As she usually is, Plaza is mesmerising, and adds another complicated movie role to a resume that also boasts the phenomenal Ingrid Goes West and Black Bear as well. Emily the Criminal streams via Binge and Netflix. PAMELA, A LOVE STORY If you weren't aware of Pamela Anderson's recent Broadway stint, bringing the razzle dazzle to a new production of Chicago in 2022, Ryan White (Good Night Oppy)-directed documentary Pamela, A Love Story will still feature surprises. Otherwise, from Playboy to Playbill — including Baywatch, sex tapes and multiple marriages in-between — the actor's story is well-known around the globe. Much of it played out in the tabloids, especially when she married Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee in a white bikini after four days together. She also graced what can easily stake a claim as the internet's first viral video, after intimate footage of Anderson and Lee was stolen, then sold. And that very experience was dramatised in 2022 limited series Pam & Tommy, including the misogynistic way she was treated compared to her spouse, how her rights to her image and privacy were considered trashed due to her nude modelling days, and the unsurprising fallout within her relationship. No matter how familiar the details are, Pamela, A Love Story does something that little else on-screen has, however: it lets Anderson tell her story herself. Much of the doco focuses on the Barb Wire and Scary Movie 3 star in her childhood home in Ladysmith on Canada's Vancouver Island, watching old videos, reading past diaries and chatting through the contents. She's recorded and written about everything in her life. Sitting in front of the camera without a trace of makeup, with her sons Brandon and Dylan sometimes talking with her, she gives her account of how she's been treated during the highs and lows of her career. The film coincides with a memoir, Love, Pamela, so this is a tale that Anderson is currently on the page and in streaming queues — but it's still a powerful portrait of a woman made famous for her appearance, turned into a sex symbol to the point that male interviewers in the 90s could barely talk about anything else, then cruelly judged and discarded. She's frank and sincere, as is the movie amid its treasure trove of archival footage. Pamela, A Love Story streams via Netflix. SHARPER Sharper didn't start its life on the page, with director Benjamin Caron (Andor) instead working with Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka's (both Superstore alumni) script; however, it spins the type of tale that'd flow easily in chapters. The slick-looking and smartly cast psychological thriller adopts that kind of structure anyway, unfurling its story in five parts — each named for a character. To begin with, the kindly, soft-spoken Tom (Justice Smith, Jurassic World Dominion) meets the well-read Sandra (Briana Middleton, The Tender Bar) at the used bookstore he owns. He asks her out, she declines, then returns to take up his offer. Then, before his section of the flick is out, he's been swindled out of $350,000. To help fill in the gaps, Sharper jumps into Sandra's backstory, which involves con artist Max (Sebastian Stan, Fresh). His history comes next, and so on. Socialite Madeline (Julianne Moore, Dear Evan Hansen), paramour to billionaire Richard Hobbes (John Lithgow, The Old Man), also pops up, also scoring her own dedicated segment. The connections between characters, and the deceptions many are spinning as well — most on purpose, some on themselves without realising it — are obviously best discovered while watching this twisty Manhattan-set movie. Sharper achieves its number-one task, however, and one that's essential for any film that's actively playing up its mysteries: keeping viewers wanting to puzzle through its glossily shot pieces. It helps that eating the rich is firmly on the menu, biting in as heartily to the well-to-do and entitled as The White Lotus and Succession have earned such acclaim doing. Also crucial: the top-notch roster of on-screen talent, especially whenever Stan, Moore or both feature. He's a picture of smooth-talking charm, but sly, sneaky and making everyone in his orbit succumb against their better judgement, while she's exceptional, as always, as a woman doing whatever she must — and selling whatever she needs to — to keep moving forward. Sharper streams via Apple TV+. BAD BEHAVIOUR When high school is hellish on television, sometimes that happens literally; Buffy the Vampire Slayer's teens did their studies above a hellmouth and Stranger Things' crew is constantly trying to avoid the Upside Down. In Bad Behaviour, hell is the girls of Silver Creek, the wilderness campus of an exclusive all-female boarding school where young women decamp to spend a year learning resilience away from the wider (and supposedly wilder) world. It's where Joanna Mackenzie (Jana McKinnon, We Children From Bahnhof Zoo) attended on a scholarship, sharing a cabin with Alice Kang (Yerin Ha, Sissy) before they cross paths again ten years later — Jo striving to become a writer, but paying the bills in hospitality; Alice a musical prodigy-turned-global classical star. While Jo doesn't have fond memories of her year away, she's shocked at Alice's frosty reception. Indeed, she'd always thought that the domineering Portia (Markella Kavenagh, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) was the bully of their dormitory, making her own experience a nightmare. But this blast from the past gets Jo rethinking her own behaviour. Adapted from Rebecca Starford's book of the same name by Pip Karmel (Total Control) and Magda Wozniak (Neighbours), with Corrie Chen (New Gold Mountain) directing, Bad Behaviour is spot-on about the Mean Girls-meets-The Lord of the Flies realm it navigates. Starford's tome is a memoir, after all. For anyone who has ever been or known a teenage girl — so, everyone — this four-part series feels deeply lived-in, even if you've never attended a private school, let alone such an education institution's remote campus. With McKinnon, Ha and Kavenagh all delivering potent performances, and the latter making a memorable antagonist, the mood is equal parts tense and reflective. As Bad Behaviour flits between Jo's time at Silver Creek, including the thrall that Portia held over her, and her adult awakening to who she really was while she was there, it's unafraid to face stark truths about our teenage demons as well. Bad Behaviour streams via Stan. SOMEBODY I USED TO KNOW Gotye and Kimbra's similarly titled Hottest 100-winner doesn't get a play in Somebody I Used to Know. Instead, the Alison Brie (Happiest Season)-starring and co-written rom-com gets its lead making up her own lyrics to Third Eye Blind's 90s hit 'Semi-Charmed Life'. She plays Ally, a documentarian who has been chasing her dream by making and hosting reality TV — a cooking competition with a Survivor twist called Dessert Island — and gets singing at the wedding weekend of her ex Sean (Jay Ellis, Top Gun: Maverick). Her career is the whole reason that he's now marrying the younger Cassidy (Kiersey Clemons, Antebellum), after she traded their home town of Leavenworth, Washington, and his dream of a quiet life for Hollywood. But an impromptu trip back after Dessert Island is cancelled leads to an unexpected run-in, a promise to Sean's mother (Olga Merediz, In the Heights) that she'll be the nuptials' videographer, and old feelings resurfacing. When Ally takes to the stage, she's battling with Cassidy, who fronts a punk band, and overtly trying to win Sean back. Brie and her Somebody I Used to Know co-scribe Dave Franco, also the film's director and her IRL husband — with the pair reteaming as filmmaker and star after 2020's The Rental, too — are well aware that they're toying with familiar parts. (In cinemas rather than on streaming, What's Love Got to Do with It? also follows a filmmaker shooting a loved one's wedding while grappling with work troubles and harbouring a crush). Accordingly, Brie and Franco are also highly cognisant of how the tale they're telling usually goes. This romantic comedy doesn't avoid many of its genre's tropes, lacing them throughout the script knowingly so that it can unpack and build upon them. The whole 'workaholic discovers what she really needs after a career upset' setup is a prompt, getting Brie and Franco thinking about what that really means beyond the cliched idea of getting romance to solve your problems. That said, it mightn't have worked as charmingly as it does without either Brie or Clemons. Somebody I Used to Know streams via Prime Video. GEORGE & TAMMY Stepping into a real-life Tammy's shoes is turning out well for Jessica Chastain, as two of her most recent roles have proven. In 2022, she won an Oscar and a Screen Actors Guild Award for playing televangelist Tammy Faye in The Eyes of Tammy Faye. In 2023, she has backed that up by scoring another Screen Actors Guild Award, this time for playing country icon Tammy Wynette in George & Tammy. Chastain might run out of IRL Tammys from here. If Parks and Recreation ever makes another comeback, perhaps she can add a fictional Tammy there. For now, she's made the most of Faye and Wynnette's stories — especially the latter. This time, the Scenes From a Marriage and The Good Nurse star is on the small screen, in a six-part series that focuses not only on the singer behind 'Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad', 'D.I.V.O.R.C.E.' and ;Stand By Your Man' (and, with The KLF in the 90s, 'Justified and Ancient'), but also on fellow musician George Jones (Michael Shannon, Amsterdam). Always an on-screen powerhouse himself, Shannon hasn't been notching up accolades for his work on George & Tammy, but he deserves to — and any series that pairs these two acting titans was always going to be worth watching. The ups and downs of Jones and Wynnette's intertwined lives and careers are a matter of history, but it's all brought to the screen with fierce and committed performances that cut to the heart of the two famous figures, handsome staging and lensing, impressive supporting turns by Steve Zahn (The White Lotus) and Walton Goggins (The Righteous Gemstones), and genuine appreciation for the central pair's contribution to their chosen music genre. The soundtrack takes care of itself, and easily, and Australian filmmaker John Hillcoat ensures that this biographical affair is never a by-the-numbers effort. Indeed, the series is also worth seeing as the latest work by the Ghosts… of the Civil Dead, The Proposition and The Road director alone. George & Tammy streams via Paramount+. NEW AND RETURNING SHOWS TO CHECK OUT WEEK BY WEEK PARTY DOWN Sometimes, dreams do come true. More often than not, they don't. The bulk of life is what dwells in-between, as we all cope with the inescapable truth that we won't get everything that we've ever fantasised about, and we mightn't even score more than just a few things we want. This is the space that Party Down has always made its own, asking "are we having fun yet?" about life's disappointments while focusing on Los Angeles-based hopefuls played by Adam Scott (Severance), Ken Marino (The Other Two), Ryan Hansen (A Million Little Things), Martin Starr (Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities) and more. They'd all rather be doing something other than being cater waiters at an array of California functions, and most have stars in their eyes. In the cult comedy's first two seasons back in 2009–10, the majority of its characters have their sights set on show business, slinging hors d'oeuvres while trying to make acting, screenwriting or comedy happen. Bringing most of the original gang back together — Lizzy Caplan had scheduling issues making the also-excellent Fleishman Is in Trouble, but Jane Lynch (Only Murders in the Building) and Megan Mullally (Reservation Dogs) return — Party Down keeps its shindig-by-shindig setup in its 13-years-later third season. Across its first 20 instalments as well as its new six, each episode sends the titular crew to a different soirée. This time, setting the scene for what's still one of the all-time comedy greats in its latest go-around, the opening get-together is thrown by one of their own. Kyle Bradway (Hansen) has just scored the lead part in a massive superhero franchise, and he's celebrating. Ex-actor Henry Pollard (Scott) is among the attendees, as are now-heiress Constance Carmell (Lynch) and perennial stage mum Lydia Dunfree (Mullally). Hard sci-fi obsessive Roman DeBeers (Starr) and the eager-to-please Ron Donald (Marino) are present as well, in a catering capacity. By the time episode two hits, more of the above will be donning pastel pink bow ties, the series keeps unpacking what it means to dream but never succeed, and the cast — especially Scott and the ever-committed Marino — are in their element. Party Down streams via Stan. Read our full review of season three. SERVANT When M Night Shyamalan (Knock at the Cabin) earned global attention and two Oscar nominations back in 1999 for The Sixth Sense, it was with a film about a boy who sees dead people. After ten more features that include highs (the trilogy that is Unbreakable, Split and Glass) and lows (Lady in the Water and The Happening), in 2019 he turned his attention to a TV tale of a nanny who revives a dead baby. Or did he? That's how Servant commenced its first instantly eerie, anxious and dread-filled season, a storyline it has followed in its second season in 2021, third in 2022, and now fourth and final batch of episodes currently streaming. But as with all Shyamalan works, this meticulously made series bubbles with the clear feeling that all isn't as it seems. What happens if a caregiver sweeps in exactly when needed and changes a family's life, Mary Poppins-style, but she's a teenager rather than a woman, disquieting instead of comforting, and accompanied by strange events, forceful cults and unsettlingly conspiracies rather than sweet songs, breezy winds and spoonfuls of sugar? That's Servant's basic premise. Set in Shyamalan's beloved Philadelphia, and created by Tony Basgallop (The Consultant), the puzzle-box series spends most of its time in a lavish brownstone inhabited by TV news reporter Dorothy Turner (Lauren Ambrose, The X-Files), her celebrity-chef husband Sean (Toby Kebbell, Bloodshot), their baby Jericho and 18-year-old nanny Leanne Grayson (Nell Tiger Free, Too Old to Die Young) — and where Dorothy's recovering-alcoholic brother Julian (Grint, Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities) is a frequent visitor. That's still the dynamic this season, which keeps slowly and powerfully moving towards its big farewell. Dorothy is more determined than ever to be rid of Leanne, Leanne is more sure of herself and her abilities than she's ever been — in childminding, and all the other spooky occurrences that've been haunting the family — and Sean and Julian are again caught in the middle. However Shyamalan and Basgallop wrap up this discomforting tale, and whether or not they stick the landing, Servant has gifted viewers four seasons of spectacular duelling caregivers and gripping domestic tension, and one of streaming's horror greats. Servant streams via Apple TV+. Read our full review of season four. HELLO TOMORROW! In 2022, scam culture was here to stay, as drawn-from-reality hits such as Inventing Anna and The Dropout repeatedly promised. In 2023, playing fast and loose with the truth sits at the heart of Hello Tomorrow!, too, which tells a fictional tale about the deceptions people spin to chase their dreams. The show's beaming face: travelling salesman Jack Billings (Billy Crudup, The Morning Show), the regional manager for BrightSide Lunar Residences, and a passionate pusher of timeshares on the moon. He's this intriguing dramedy's version of Don Draper, but with Mad Men's 60s surroundings swapped for The Jetsons-style robot help and hovering vehicles. There's a The Twilight Zone-meets-Leave It to Beaver feel to Hello Tomorrow!, too, as its characters seek the same thing we all do: a better life. Creators Amit Bhalla and Lucas Jansen (both Bloodline alumni), also co-writers and showrunners with You're the Worst's Stephen Falk, zoom in further, focusing on the reasons anyone holds onto to hope their lot will improve. Befitting any blend of all of the above series, the look of Hello Tomorrow! is retro-futuristic, steeped in 50s-era visions of what might come. The time and place is an alternative version of that decade, in a suburban enclave called Vistaville, where one of Jack's biggest fibs has its origins. He's summoned back with his crew of hawkers — the gambling-addicted Eddie (Hank Azaria, The Simpsons), promotion-coveting Herb (Dewshane Williams, In the Dark) and resident righthand-woman Shirley (Haneefah Wood, Truth Be Told) — by his mother Barbara (Jacki Weaver, Penguin Bloom) after his wife Marie (Annie McNamara, Severance) is injured by a self-driving delivery van. His son Joey (Nicholas Podany, Archive 81) is struggling to cope, a task made all the more difficult by Jack's absence from his family's lives for decades. He's skilled at sharing stories about his domestic bliss on the moon to customers, but being a happy head of a lunar household is merely one of his go-to falsehoods. Hello Tomorrow! streams via Apple TV+. Read our full review. A RECENT CLASSIC MOVIE YOU NEED TO CATCH UP WITH TONI ERDMANN Standing in a bar, being interrupted by a stranger, making awkward small talk: we've all been there. Hearing from your parents more frequently than you have time for, despite your best intentions: many of us have experienced that as well. In Toni Erdmann, both scenarios combine in the way that many people might have nightmares about. What if the person accosting you while you try to enjoy a drink turns out to be your dad, just sporting a bad wig, false teeth and calling himself Toni Erdmann? At its simplest, that's the idea behind German writer/director Maren Ade's phenomenal comedy. Here, Ines (Sandra Hüller, I'm Your Man), a German consultant living in Bucharest, is irritated when her practical joke-loving, divorced and lonely father Winfried (Peter Simonischek, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore) arrives for an unexpected visit. But that soon gives way to unbridled horror when his alter ego Toni starts following her around. Once is odd, twice is annoying, and three times... well, that's something else. Then again, one of the basic elements of life is repetition, which Toni Erdmann demonstrates disarmingly well across its 162 minutes. First, you'll cringe. Then you'll laugh. Before long, you may find yourself crying. Those are the stages that audiences cycle through while watching Ade's film, and it's no accident. The mastery evident in ensuring that every detail of the movie imitates life can't be underestimated. The naturalistic camerawork and astute commentary on the importance of humour is not unlike Toni's ridiculous headpiece: it's just what's visible on the surface. Though its first half might make you yearn for a bit less time in the titular character's awkward company, that's by design; in contrast, the second half will make you hope that the movie doesn't end, all while marvelling not only at Ade's astute direction, but at Hüller and Simonischek's pitch-perfect performances. Toni Erdmann streams via SBS On Demand. Read our full review. Need a few more streaming recommendations? Check out our picks from January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December 2022, and January 2023. You can also check out our list of standout must-stream 2022 shows as well — and our best 15 new shows of last year, top 15 returning shows over the same period, 15 shows you might've missed and best 15 straight-to-streaming movies of 2022.
Bones is a slick 20-seat ramen restaurant hidden right on the border of Potts Point and Rushcutters Bay. The hidden gem opened at the beginning of 2022 with Michael Mu Sung of Farmhouse and Jeremy & Sons at the helm. You'll find it across the road from Farmhouse, decked out in red brick, ocean blue tiles and parquet wood floors courtesy of design firm, Guru Projects. It's walk-in only with ten of the seats overlooking the ramen action in the kitchen, while the other ten are outside, ready for sunny days and brisk nights. "Bones is our chance to serve something that we love and in our own style. The ramen dishes themselves are high-quality, something we felt was missing from the Elizabeth Bay/Potts Point dining precinct," explains Mu Sung. As for the ramen, it's a tight, spicy menu, stuffed with seasonal ingredients and headed up by Jacob Riwaka — whose previous culinary experience spans years at Newtown favourite Rising Sun Workshop and Cornersmith restaurants. "Unique to Bones will be our in-house production, barrelling and storage of taré, which is the soy seasoning for the broths. Controlling this from the restaurant means we're able to ensure continuity across our bowls at the highest possible standard," Riwaka says. Scan the menu and you'll find four specialty ramen bowls. These change but generally include pork, chicken, seafood and vegetarian options. Highlights include the niboshi shio seafood soup with prawn dumplings, scallops and shallots. Looking for a complete feast? Add snacks and sides like fried chicken— plus a small but tasty selection of drinks including a gentle pét-nat and local craft beers like Sailor's Grave and Yulli's. Appears in: The Best Japanese Restaurants in Sydney
While not an official Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras event it is no coincidence that camp icon Sophie Ellis Bextor will be performing a one-off headline show at Max Watt’s smackbang in the middle of gay Christmas. Read my lips: there will be murder on the dance floor but you better not kill the groove or else Ellis Bextor is gonna burn this goddamn house right down. Now that her 2001 classic is playing in your head, let’s take a moment to consider if any other early-2000s song provided more potential for shimmying, sashaying, and general booty shaking than this? The answer: absolutely not. So we know, we know, we know, that there may be other events that you want to go to but don’t miss this and, most importantly, do not kill the groove.
UPDATE: MARCH 13, 2020 — Due to the current global situation surrounding COVID-19, My Chemical Romance has decided to postpone their trip Down Under. And, as a result, Download has cancelled its Sydney and Melbourne festivals. Ticket holders will receive a full refund — including booking and payment processing fees — and organisers are currently working with My Chemical Romance and Deftones to schedule separate headline shows in 2020. We'll let you know when these are announced. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. The black parade is coming back to Australia, with the freshly reunited My Chemical Romance heading to Sydney and Melbourne for the 2020 Download Festival. The US group went its separate ways in 2013, but it seems you just can't keep this 00s emo outfit apart. Just last week, MCR announced that they're literally getting the band back together, and, after selling out their first reunion gig in Los Angeles quick smart, they're taking the show on the road. If you're keen relive your angsty emo teenage years and catch Gerard Way and co eight years after they last came to our shores for the 2012 Big Day Out, you'll need to head to the aforementioned festival — MCR aren't doing any sideshows on this tour. But, when Download hits Melbourne's Flemington Showgrounds on Friday, March 20 and Sydney's Parramatta Park on Saturday, March 21, the headliners will have plenty of support, including a heap of other rock and heavy metal standouts from the past few decades. They include Deftones, Jimmy Eat World, Clutch and Ministry — aka some heavy hitters in the worlds of alternative metal, punk-influenced rock, hard rock and industrial metal. Those keen on melodic metal will want to flock to Sweden's In Flames, while Scotland's Alestorm will get silly with pirate metal (yes, that's a thing), and Italy's Lacuna Coil will play their brand of rhythmic metal. And, no matter your tastes, Mongolia's The HU promise something you probably haven't seen before: hard rock combined with traditional Mongolian throat singing. Basically, if it's a type of rock or metal (of the musical kind), you'll find it on Download's lineup. Testament, Carcass, Baroness, New Year's Day and Venom Prism help round out the overseas contingent, while Australia is represented by local punk legends Bodyjar, plus Hands Like Houses, In Hearts Wake, Ne Obliviscaris and Clowns [caption id="attachment_749356" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Deftones[/caption] DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL 2020 FIRST LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT My Chemical Romance (only Aus shows) Deftones Jimmy Eat World Clutch (only Aus shows) Ministry In Flames Testament Alestorm (only Aus shows) Carcass Lacuna Coil (only Aus shows) Hands Like Houses In Hearts Wake The HU Baroness Ne Obliviscaris Bodyjar New Years Day Clowns Venom Prison SKYND Thornhill Disentomb Stand Atlantic Plini RedHook Dregg Download 202o was scheduled to hit Melbourne's Flemington Showgrounds on Friday, March 20 and Sydney's Parramatta Park on Saturday, March 21. Top image: My Chemical Romance performing by NBSTwo via Flickr
Time can start to feel like an abstract concept when your regular routine is torn up and you're stuck in the same place day in and day out. But, even if you're not paying attention, the days are still ticking by and you could be totally unaware of a big date that's looming. Whether it's a special birthday, a landmark anniversary, or celebrating how long you've survived in lockdown, don't let it pass you by. The celebration may not be exactly how you imagined it, but you still deserve a special evening filled with good food, good drinks and good company. With restaurant dining currently on hiatus across the city, some of Sydney's best eateries are offering takeaway and delivery for the first time. So, we've put together a list of some of the most luxe, inventive or fun meals you can order to create a special night at home. Wash your hair, put on a clean shirt or fancy dress for the first time in weeks and make your special occasion one of the more memorable evenings spent in isolation.
It took a mere one episode when House of the Dragon premiered for HBO to sign on for season two of the Game of Thrones prequel. That second season debuts on Monday, June 17, 2024 Down Under, but the US network behind the TV adaptations of George RR Martin's novels just can't wait to go all in on more battling Targaryens, already renewing the show for season three. Yes, Succession may be over, but the fight for the Iron Throne between half-siblings Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney, Rogue Heroes) and Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy, Mothering Sunday) is sticking around for at least another batch of episodes after 2024's return to Westeros continues the story before the hit fantasy series everyone watched from 2011–19. Both figures want to rule the Seven Kingdoms. Both claim the famous seat as theirs. Both are destined for war: the Targaryen civil war between the green and the black camps known as the Dance of the Dragons. "We are in awe of the dragon-sized effort the entire team has put into the creation of a spectacular season two, with a scope and scale that is only rivalled by its heart. We could not be more thrilled to continue the story of House Targaryen and watch this team burn bright again for season three," said Francesca Orsi, the Executive Vice President of HBO Programming, and Head of HBO Drama Series and Films, about the renewal. There's no details yet on when season three of House of the Dragon will arrive — including if it'll be in winter in Australia and New Zealand, as has proven the case for both season one and two — but this account of flowing long blonde hair, carnage, fire, dragons, conflicting factions and fights for supremacy is nowhere near done yet. When the show's season season premieres, it will arrive two years after the first debuted in 2022. If you haven't yet caught up with the series so far, which is based on Martin's Fire & Blood on the page, it dives into a prior battle for the Iron Throne. Paddy Considine (The Third Day) started the series King Viserys — and it's exactly who should be his heir that sparked all the fuss. The words "succession" and "successor" (and "heir" as well) got bandied around constantly, naturally. Also, Australian actors Milly Alcock and Ryan Corr were among the stars. As this first Game of Thrones spinoff jumps back into House Targaryen's history, the initial season kicked off 172 years before the birth of Daenerys and her whole dragon-flying, nephew-dating, power-seeking story — and gave HBO its largest American audience for any new original series in its history when it debuted. If you're thinking that House of the Dragon is basically a case of new show, same squabbles, as it was easy to foresee it would be, you're right. It's pretty much Game of Thrones with different faces bearing now well-known surnames — and more dragons. Game of Thrones was always going to spark spinoff shows. Indeed, when HBO started thinking about doing a prequel six years ago, before the huge fantasy hit had even finished its run, it was hardly surprising. And, when the US network kept adding ideas to its list — including a Jon Snow-focused series with Kit Harington (Eternals) reprising his famous role, novella series Tales of Dunk and Egg and an animated GoT show, to name just a few prequels and spinoffs that've been considered, but may or may not actually come to fruition — absolutely no one was astonished. So far, just House of the Dragon has hit screens; however, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight, the Dunk and Egg adaptation, is now due in 2025. Also returning among the cast when House of the Dragon season two hits: Olivia Cooke (Slow Horses) as Alicent Hightower, Matt Smith (Morbius) as Prince Daemon Targaryen, Rhys Ifans (The King's Man) as Ser Otto Hightower, Eve Best (Nurse Jackie) as Rhaenys Targaryen and Steve Toussaint (It's a Sin) as Lord Corlys Velaryon, plus Fabien Frankel (The Serpent), Ewan Mitchell (Saltburn) and Sonoya Mizuno (Civil War). HBO is also adding new faces to the mix, with Clinton Liberty (This Is Christmas) as Addam of Hull, Jamie Kenna (Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story) as Ser Alfred Broome, Kieran Bew (Warrior) as Hugh, Tom Bennett (Black Ops) as Ulf, Tom Taylor (Love at First Sight) as Lord Cregan Stark and Vincent Regan (One Piece) as Ser Rickard Thorne. They join Abubakar Salim (Napoleon) as Alyn of Hull, Gayle Rankin (Perry Mason) as Alys Rivers, Freddie Fox (The Great) as Ser Gwayne Hightower and Simon Russell Beale (Thor: Love and Thunder) as Ser Simon Strong among the season two newcomers. Check out the full trailer for House of the Dragon season two below: House of the Dragon streams Down Under via Foxtel and Binge in Australia, and SoHo, Sky Go and Neon in New Zealand, with season two arriving on Monday, June 17, 2024. Season three doesn't yet have a release date. Read our review of season one. Images: HBO.
Prepare to stare at the moon in all of its glory — up close, without a telescope and without zooming into space. Measuring seven metres in diameter and featuring renderings of the celestial body's surface based on NASA imagery, the Museum of the Moon is a detailed installation by UK-based artist Luke Jerram. The giant sculpture has been touring the world since 2016, displaying in New York, Hong Kong, Mumbai and plenty of spots around Europe. Between December 1, 2018 and April 28, 2019, it'll add Melbourne to its orbit. Inspired by Jerram's time living in Bristol and "noticing the huge tidal variation as he cycled over the Avon Cut each day" according to the Museum of the Moon's website, the artwork recreates the moon at a scale of approximately 1:500,000, with each centimetre equating to five kilometres of the lunar surface. And if you're wondering just how intricate the 120dpi imagery is, the high-resolution NASA photograph that it uses is 21 metres wide, and was taken by by a satellite carrying the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera. The spherical sculpture is lit from within, so it'll add a glow when it comes to Scienceworks for five months. It also combines its imagery and light with a surround sound piece created by composer and sound designer Dan Jones, and just how each venue displays it is up to them. Basically, it's never the exact same installation twice. Jerram has multiple moons, with several touring simultaneously — so the Museum of Moon will also be on display in Newcastle in the UK across some of the same period. Its stint at Scienceworks will mark the Museum of the Moon's second visit Australia, following 12-day showing on the Gold Coast during the city's Commonwealth Games-adjacent arts festival earlier this year.
Housing shortages in Australia are pushing residents and buyers to extreme lengths. That's old news, but realestate.com.au reports that buyers are moving closer to the shoreline and away from capitals. Fair enough, considering that Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Canberra are among the 100 cities with the highest cost of living worldwide. According to a 2025 study by the Australian Marine Conservation Society, over 85 percent of Australia's population lives within 50 kilometres of the coast. That's not stopping aspiring homeowners from pushing closer and closer to the water, with value booms well underway in coastal towns nationwide, while other suburbs still fly under the frenzied market radar. But which towns are seeing the most excitement? [caption id="attachment_990482" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Courtesy of Lake Macquarie City[/caption] NSW's Port Kembla, with a comparatively generous average median price (AVM) of $1.01 million, saw a 13 percent growth in enquiries in the last year, making it the most in-demand regional suburb in the entire state. It's followed by other New South Wales coastal towns such as Tweed Heads, Swansea, Wollongong, Byron Bay, and multiple suburbs in the Newcastle/Lake Macquarie area. In Victoria, Geelong is a red-hot area, with Newcomb leading (AVM $609,000), and East Geelong, Clifton Springs, Curlewis, and Ocean Grove all seeing growth in enquiries over the last year. Gippsland follows, with Grantville, Ventnor and Coronet Bay all taking other spots in the top ten. [caption id="attachment_890754" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] iStock[/caption] Queenslanders are flocking to the Gold Coast in droves, specifically to Currumbin, Tugun, Southport, Runaway Bay and Labrador — which has the lowest AVM of its neighbours at $1.12 million. The Mackay/Isaac/Whitsunday area is also seeing interest in Bucasia, South Mackay and Slade Point, while the Sunshine Coast is seeing action in Currimundi and Mooloolaba. In WA, the Bunbury region is dominating the market in all ten places, with Quindalup leading by 54 enquiries, a 21 percent growth and with an AVM of $1.883 million. In South Australia, Port Augusta is the most sought-after location, with 41 enquiries per listing, while Devonport in Tasmania leads with 48 enquiries per listing. This article references data from PropTrack, as reported on by realestate.com.au. Lead image: FiledIMAGE via iStock
Burberry sponsored a runway show at the Beijing Television Center this week to promote the opening of a new flagship store in Beijing and the introduction of digital technology to all of the company's stores throughout China. Burberry pulled off a classy and luxurious showcase as always, but this was no ordinary catwalk. The designer clothing line ditched the human models this time and traded them in for a more tech-savvy lineup: life-size holograms of models adorned in beautiful Burberry garb. Technology aided the fashion frenzy as the show went through the four seasons; at one point the models even burst into snowflakes. The holograms paraded down the British-inspired runway in front of an audience of celebs and top models to live music from Keane, who were making their debut appearance in China. Burberry's holographic beauties may not be tangible, but at least they are sure to avoid tripping over their heels and tumbling off stage. https://youtube.com/watch?v=P74xmTK6W4Y
Mucho Hospitality Group, the team behind some of Sydney's most beloved bars (Cantina OK!, Tio's and The Cliff Dive) has added another notch to their belt with Bar Planet, an exciting cocktail bar on Enmore Road. Located on the Newtown end of the bustling street, this tiny cocktail bar swaps margaritas for martinis. The signature Bar Planet Martini is made with a seasonal gin the team has created with Poor Toms distillery named the Infinite Spirit, served with an olive and citrus from a lemon rind. Always accompanied by a bag of seasoned popcorn, the drinks menu is short but self-assured. You can also make a martini your way with a range of gin and vodka options, or opt for something fruitier. Like the Scorpino for example, which is made from a mix of P&V prosecco, vodka and an in-house gelato based around a different market fruit each week. Food-wise, Bar Planet has partnered with its neighbouring Newtown institution Saray to bring patrons Turkish pizza and kebabs to pair with their cocktails. If your stomach begins to growl mid-way through your third martini, just place an order with the bar staff for whatever your heart desires from the Saray menu and the Bar Planet team will ensure it's brought down the road to you. Yes, that means you can order one of Sydney's best martinis and a mixed snack pack together at the same time. The small bar lies next to a street art-adorned alleyway leading down to another recent Newtown addition Uncanny. Leading patrons in with the glow of its neon blue sign, the bar throws together hallmarks of bistros and diners with psychedelic patterns, enlisting the team that created Restaurant Hubert and Alberto Lounge's interiors to bring it to life. And, adding to the psychedelic feel, the bar top has been designed by accomplished local artist David Humphries, mixing surfboard resin, marble, jade and French glass to create a delight for the eyes. Images: Nikki To Updated Tuesday, March 21, 2023. Appears in: The Best Bars in Sydney
