Got a ticket to the game? What you need now is a trusty pub for a pre- or post-game bevvie, or two. No ticket? What you need is a pub with a big screen — chances are, you'll have a better view than half the people in the stadium. The trick is finding the right spot. For a venue to be game friendly, several elements need to be on point: well-positioned screens, a decent sound system, a friendly — albeit feverishly competitive — atmosphere, and quality food and beer. After all, watching a match can feel as taxing as playing one, so fuelling up and cooling down correctly is essential. We've joined forces with Heineken to round up four pubs that won't let you down. They're scattered across the eastern suburbs, the inner west and the lower north shore. So, wherever you are, both the game and a refreshing Heineken will be within reach.
Whether you need one to shield your eyeballs because face masks fog up your sunnies, or you're just a generally stylish and sun-safe individual, the classic bucket hat looks set to score some time in the spotlight this summer. And what better way to jump aboard the train, than with an unashamedly branded little number from your flatpack hero IKEA. Yep, the Swedish furniture retailer has shimmied right on into the accessories game, with its new Knorva bucket hat, priced at an easy $3.50 a pop. The one-size-fits-all headpiece has only just hit shelves, but already has Aussies utterly obsessed, with a hefty 2000 units snapped up in just one day. Crafted from the same durable material used for Ikea's signature blue Frakta carrier bags, the hats are extra versatile, designed to offer your noggin protection from both sun and rain. A year-round wardrobe winner, if you will. As an added bonus, the bucket hats are also low-maintenance, requiring little more than a rinse and dry to keep them clean. Perhaps don one to get you in the mood for whipping up a batch of IKEA's meatballs, or team with your Frakta bag for the ultimate park picnic kit. https://www.facebook.com/ikea.au/posts/10158730361883288 If you're keen to nab a bucket hat, but haven't seen any at your local IKEA store, don't stress — some states are now able to order the Knorva online. Plus, IKEA is hustling to get lots more stock to our shores in time for those hat wearin' days of summer. IKEA's Knorva bucket hats are available in select Australian stores. Otherwise, you might be able to snap one up online.
There'll be no half measures at Sydney's next pop culture-themed pop-up bar, but it will make you exclaim "yeah, science!". The latest venture from the folks behind Beyond Cinema and The Wizard's Cauldron, The Lab is a Breaking Bad-themed short-term watering hole that's heading to town in February — and bringing hazmat suits with it. Yes, you'll dress up like Walter White (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), and you'll do some cooking. Well, you'll be making cocktails. Getting you to pretend you're whipping up blue meth is more than a bit on the nose, but the molecular mixology part will get plenty of folks excited. Apparently it includes not only alcohol, but also acids, dry ice and syringes — although we're sure you're not going to be drinking anything toxic. Your 90-minute immersive boozy chemistry experience will be led by a "chief chef", who'll talk you through the scientific side of things. We feel very confident in saying that magnets aren't likely to be involved, but you might want to tread lightly if a recipe includes stevia. [caption id="attachment_740466" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Wizard's Cauldron[/caption] As well as getting to spend more time worshipping Breaking Bad's greatness — which, thanks to Netflix El Camino, has been back on everyone's minds this year — your ticket will include two (presumably blue) drinks. Non-alcoholic beverages will be available if you love the hit show but don't want any of the hard stuff. While The Lab's exact date, time, location and price haven't been announced as yet, you'll be heading somewhere in Surry Hills. Also, the February timing means you'll be following in Walt and Jesse's footsteps just as excellent Breaking Bad spinoff Better Call Saul returns for its fifth season — which happens on February 24. The Lab is set to hit Sydney at a yet-to-be-revealed date in February 2020. Sign up for further details at the pop-up bar's website.
No one needs an excuse to visit Tasmania, especially if you're keen to enjoy the Apple Isle's splendours in winter, but Dark Mofo has been giving us all one anyway for a decade. One of two massive festivals run by the Museum of Old and New Art alongside summer event Mona Foma, it's home to a dark and sinister music and arts program befitting the frosty June weather — and it'll be back again in 2023. The next fest will see Dark Mofo officially hit ten years, in fact — and will run from Thursday, June 8–Thursday, June 22 in Hobart, if you're already thinking about how to spend the frostiest part next year. While it'll clearly be a big birthday party, with the program to be announced in autumn, the festival will also mark Creative Director Leigh Carmichael's last at the helm. [caption id="attachment_763673" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Remi Chauvin[/caption] Carmichael will step down after Dark Mofo 2023, making way for a new Artistic Director from 2024 onwards. "I feel that after ten years curating the Dark Mofo program, it's time for new energy and new ideas to move the festival forward," Carmichael said in a statement. "Dark Mofo occupies an important place in the Australian arts landscape, and I am confident that it will continue to provide opportunities for artists and audiences to experience challenging art in the darkest weeks of the year. I will be devoting more time and energy into DarkLab's other cultural projects, and pushing for better venues and more public infrastructure for Hobart so that it can cement its place as a vibrant cultural city." [caption id="attachment_849628" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Blue Rose Ball. Photo credit: Dark Mofo/Jesse Hunniford, 2018. Image of Société Anonyme Costume Ball Hadley's Orient Hotel. Image courtesy Dark Mofo, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] Previous years' lineups have seen a fantastical combination of musical performances, performance art and large-scale installations come together. In 2019, the program featured the likes of artists Ai Weiwei and Mike Parr, American musician Sharon Van Etten and one of the world's largest glockenspiels, for instance. In 2022, patrons were treated to performances by The Kid LAROI, and the sounds of Chernobyl and Candyman — plus rainbow installations, and signature festivities such as the Nude Solstice Swim, the City of Hobart Winter Feast, Night Mass: Transcendence in the In The Hanging Garden precinct and the Reclamation Walk. Already keen to get booking? Fancy a Tasmania trip in the interim? Our Concrete Playground Trips Hobart getaway might also be of interest. [caption id="attachment_800592" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lusy Productions[/caption] Dark Mofo 2023 will run from Thursday, June 8–Thursday, June 22 in Hobart, Tasmania. The 2023 program will be announced in autumn. Top image: Winter Feast, Dark Mofo 2021. Dark Mofo/Jesse Hunniford, 2021. Image courtesy Dark Mofo, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Believe: it's the one-word slogan that helped a fictional football club change its mindset and its fortunes on the turf, and truly become a team. IRL, it was even adopted by the AFL's Brisbane Lions on their way to winning the 2024 premiership. It's also what Ted Lasso fans have been doing since 2023, having faith that the kindhearted Jason Sudeikis-starring Apple TV+ hit would return after its third season seemed to wrap up the show's storyline. That belief has proven well-founded: Ted Lasso is officially returning for season four. And yes, lead and executive producer Sudeikis (Hit-Monkey) will be there with it, stepping back into his two-time Emmy-winning role, donning the American-in-London coach's moustache again and presumably continuing to improve the character's knowledge of soccer. Keen to know what's in store? Other details are scarce for now, including who else among the cast will be returning. Brendan Hunt (Bless This Mess), aka Coach Beard, has been named among the new season's producers, however — a behind-the-camera role he also held in the first three seasons — so fingers crossed that he'll be back on-screen, too. Announcing Ted Lasso's fourth season, Sudeikis did provide broad details about the theme in the spotlight this time around. "As we all continue to live in a world where so many factors have conditioned us to 'look before we leap', in season four, the folks at AFC Richmond learn to leap before they look, discovering that wherever they land, it's exactly where they're meant to be," he shared. "Ted Lasso has been nothing short of a juggernaut, inspiring a passionate fanbase all over the world, and delivering endless joy and laughter, all while spreading kindness, compassion and unwavering belief. Everyone at Apple is thrilled to be continuing our collaboration with Jason and the brilliant creative minds behind this show," said Apple TV+ Head of Programming Matt Cherniss about the fourth season. Bill Lawrence, who co-developed Ted Lasso with Sudeikis, Hunt and Joe Kelly (Detroiters) — and who has been busy on the also-warmhearted Apple TV+ comedy Shrinking, which he co-created with its star Jason Segel (Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty) and Ted Lasso's Brett Goldstein (The Garfield Movie) — will be back for season four as an executive producer as well. How will Ted Lasso pick up from the end of season three? Will Goldstein return — and be here, there and everywhere — as Roy Kent? Is everyone from Juno Temple (Venom: The Last Dance), Hannah Waddingham (The Fall Guy), Jeffrey Swift (Sweetpea) and Nick Mohammed (Renegade Nell) to Phil Dunster (Surface), Toheeb Jimoh (The Power), Cristo Fernandez (Sonic the Hedgehog 3), Kola Bokinni (Foresight), Billy Harris (The Outlaws) and James Lance (The Famous Five) also coming back? Hopefully more will be revealed soon, although recent reports have mentioned Goldstein, Waddingham, Swift and Mohammed's involvement, as well as possibly Hunt and Temple. There's no trailer yet for Ted Lasso's fourth season, understandably, but check out the trailer for season three below: Season four of Ted Lasso will stream via Apple TV+ — we'll update you when a release date is announced. Read our full review of season two and season three, and our interview with Brendan Hunt.
Big names from Australia and overseas. A new stage dedicated to dance music. A health and wellness zone with guided meditation and ice baths. With the returning lantern parade, too, as well as Steven Bradbury hosting the Great Australian Pineapple Toss and the onsite ferris wheel offering a helluva view, that's how The Big Pineapple Festival is making the most of its 2025 event. After announcing its Saturday, November 1 date earlier in the year, the Sunshine Coast fest has unveiled its lineup and more about its plans to mark its ten-year anniversary. Leading the bill: Hilltop Hoods, The Cat Empire, The Jungle Giants and PNAU, as well as Polaris, SIX60, Hands Like Houses, MKTO, Rum Jungle and Thelma Plum. Superlove Arena, that purpose-built haven for electronic tunes, will feature Baauer, Bushbaby, Anna Lunoe B2B Nina Las Vegas, KLP B2B Mell Hall, Little Fritter B2B Wongo, Paluma B2B Kessin, Shimmy and Raw Ordio. And Betty Taylor, Beckah Amani, HEADSEND and IVANA are also on the fest's lineup as well, all helping the event back up being named the Festival of the Year for the fourth time at the 2025 Queensland Music Awards. For those keen to dance in the shadow of a giant piece of tropical fruit — and one of Australia's most-famous big things — hitting Pineapple Fields in Woombye also comes with the option of camping, whether you'll be bringing your own tent, hiring one onsite or glamping. "When we started this festival years ago, our goal was to put Australian artists front and centre, and create an unforgettable experience for fans," said Mark Pico, The Big Pineapple Festival's Founder and Festival Director. "To be here over a decade later with the festival stronger than ever and even earning industry awards again ... is incredibly humbling. It's a testament to the amazing community of artists, attendees and partners who have believed in The Big Pineapple Festival from the start." The Big Pineapple Festival 2025 Lineup Hilltop Hoods The Cat Empire The Jungle Giants PNAU Polaris SIX60 Hands Like Houses MKTO Rum Jungle Thelma Plum Baauer Bushbaby Anna Lunoe B2B Nina Las Vegas KLP B2B Mell Hall Little Fritter B2B Wongo Paluma B2B Kessin Shimmy Raw Ordi Betty Taylor Beckah Amani HEADSEND IVANA The Big Pineapple Festival returns on Saturday, November 1, 2025, with presale tickets available from 8am AEST on Monday, July 28 and general tickets from 8am AEST on Tuesday, July 29. Head to the fest's website for more details. Select images: Claudia Ciapocha / Charlie Hardy.
Gone are the fuzzy sound systems, sketchy parking lots and bourbon-fuelled teenage make-out sessions, as the classic drive-in movie theatre lands in Sydney with a contemporary, creative and challenging twist. This November a secret location within three kilometres of the CBD will play host to a drive-in experience for the genuine enthusiast with Downtown Drive-In. Organisers are keeping relatively tight-lipped on the details, but guaranteed is an innovative selection of films spanning a season of three themed nights. A new release, a sentimental favourite and a more mysterious “lost cinephile’s treat” are the three film categories confirmed for the exciting pop-up event. It’s been 60 years since the drive-in theatre took America by storm, which has allowed for both time and technology to facilitate a far superior model. This one will come with top-notch projection and cinema-quality sound, plus an undercover area to reduce the chance of Sydney’s unpredictable summer weather ruining the interior of your dad’s ’59 convertible. More modern luxury rides will also be up for grabs through event sponsor Audi, and for those without any wheels at all there is standard seating available too. Entry prices are set at $50 for a vehicle or $25 per person for standard seating. Stay tuned for the announcement of the venue, theme and schedule, not to mention custom food and drinks menus that will pay subtle tribute to the films. You can sign up for more information at downtowndrive.in
Donald Glover's filmography is expanding, as is his directorial resume as well. The next time that he graces a movie, the star also known as Childish Gambino play a hit musician on-screen, in a flick that he's helming himself. If it seems like art imitating life, however, we're betting that IRL Glover — whether or not he's in his Gambino guise — hasn't found himself on an island teeming with greenery, largely devoid of people and also home to giant animals. In the just-dropped trailer for Bando Stone & the New World, Glover is the film's namesake — "the singer: 'Starlight', 'Let's Make It Happen', 'Party Monkey'," he tells a woman (Jessica Allain, The Continental: From the World of John Wick) pointing a gun his way when they cross paths in a convenience store. She doesn't know who he is, has a kid in tow and is on a mission to get to the other side of the island. But they can only move during the daytime, because at night is "when everything comes out". By everything, the movie means a massive boar, octopus and flock of flightless birds, plus glowing laser netting and structures — all of which Bando is ill-equipped for. "Can you shoot? Can you hunt? Do you know how to fish? Do you know how to set a trap?" he's asked. His reply: "I can sing". Bando Stone & the New World will mark Glover's feature directorial debut, after helming a short film as Childish Gambino, his own music videos, and episodes of both Atlanta and Swarm. The script comes courtesy of Evi Wilder, while Glover's frequent collaborator Hiro Murai — who has directed a heap of his music videos as well, plus 26 Atlanta instalments, two episodes of the 2024 Mr & Mrs Smith series and 2019 movie Guava Island — is an executive producer. As for the soundtrack, that's unsurprisingly springing from Gambino. Exactly when the film will drop, other than 2024, hasn't been revealed — and nor has any Down Under release plans. It's headed for big screens in the US, though, with the trailer announcing that it's an exclusive IMAX event. Whether audiences in Australia and New Zealand will get to see Bando Stone & the New World before Childish Gambino brings his latest tour this way in 2025 also hasn't been advised so far. Check out the trailer for Bando Stone & The New World below: Bando Stone & the New World doesn't yet have a release date, other than 2024 — we'll update you when more details are announced.
Explore the connection between the online and IRL, as well as the role of the internet in societal inequality — all thanks to the latest production from Sydney theatre gems Darlinghurst Theatre Company and Green Door Theatre Company. Directed by Bardi and Jabirr Jabirr woman Shari Sebbens (Top End Wedding, The Sapphires), starring Vivienne Awosoga and Moreblessing Maturure, and supported by an all-female production team, Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner follows an argument between two friends over the eponymous influencer and her supposed 'self-made billionaire' status. Exploring the commodification of Black women and exploitive nature of white capitalism, as well as the politics of social media activism, the production combines on-stage performances with gifs and memes. "Racial gaslighting. Colourism. Homophobia. Online trolling. Cultural appropriation. Memes. This play leaves no stone unturned," says Green Floor Theatre Company Co-Creative Producer Bernedette Fam. Penned by Jasmine Lee-Jones, the Olivier Award-nominated play is returning after a successful first run of shows in 2021 with a second Darlinghurst run between Tuesday, January 25 and Sunday, February 20.
Back in 2021, McDonald's marked a massive milestone: 50 years since the fast food chain first started serving burgs in Australia. To celebrate, it splashed its golden arches all around the place, including on Macca's PJs. And, while that sleepwear was a limited-edition range, McDonald's has teamed up with Peter Alexander on a new line for 2023. Obviously, you'll be lovin' them. Once again, this collection features burgers, fries, golden arches, the chain's red and yellow colour scheme, and its famous figures such as Ronald, Grimace, Birdie and the Hamburglar. Do people wearing burger-covered pyjamas dream of Big Macs? That's the question you can now put to the test — again. You can clearly expect a big dose of nostalgia as well and, thanks to Ronald and company's presence, to have a fierce hankering for happy meals. Given that McDonald's opened here in the 70s, there's a huge retro feel to the entire range. If, while wearing them, you wake up and start watching cartoons, that's understandable. Thirty-seven different items arrive on Wednesday, June 14 at Peter Alexander stores and via the sleepwear brand's website until stocks last — including PJ pants and sweaters for men and women, various matching sets, and even Macca's sleepwear for dogs. That range includes a Big Mac tee, a smiling Grimace jumper and slippers embedded with the golden arches, as well as patchwork-style sets and a Macca's doggy jumper. The new McDonald's x Peter Alexander sleepwear collection goes on sale from Wednesday, June 14 via Peter Alexander stores and the sleepwear brand's website.
No matter the season, we can introduce some Italian sunshine into our golden hour tipples with a classic cocktail—and it's a lot cheaper than flying to Europe. Italy's most popular liqueur is arguably amaretto, and the world's favourite way to enjoy it is in a classic amaretto sour cocktail. Read on to discover everything you need to know about this sweet-and-sour drink that has delighted cocktail lovers for decades. What Is Amaretto? Literally translated, amaretto means 'a little bitter' and that's exactly what this luscious liqueur is: a little sweet and a little bitter. There are numerous amaretto liqueurs on the market, but the originator is Disaronno, from the municipality of Saronno in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. Depending on the brand, it can be made from apricot kernels, bitter almonds, regular almonds or peach stones. These all contain a natural compound that imparts the liqueur's almond-like flavour. Like with many liqueurs, it can be enjoyed solo, with some ice, added to coffee, poured over ice cream, used in desserts like tiramisu (yum) or marinade for meat dishes, and, of course, in cocktails. What Is Disaronno? This Italian amaretto liqueur can trace its heritage back to the renaissance in 1525. Legend has it that Bernardino Luini, an artist from the Leonardo Da Vinci School of Art, was tasked with painting a fresco of the Madonna in the Santa Maria delle Grazie Church in Saronno, Italy. To complete his work, he needed a model, and he found one in the local fair-haired and beautiful innkeeper. According to the story, the innkeeper was so honoured to be chosen as the model for Madonna that she created an amber-coloured liqueur from a secret blend of 17 herbs and fruits infused in apricot kernel oil. It got its signature amber colour from caramelised sugar. She gifted this liqueur to Luini, and it caught on. The locals dubbed it 'di Saronno', meaning of or from Saronno, and eventually, that morphed into Disaronno. The liqueur is still made in Saronno, following that same recipe from 1525. How to Make an Amaretto Sour? This cocktail is believed to have been created in the 1970s and was originally known as Amaretto di Saronno. It's a twist on a classic sour cocktail that blends sweet and sour elements. It has two main ingredients: amaretto (in this case, Disaronno) and lemon juice. The inherent sweetness of Disaronno beautifully complements the tart lemon, but if you like it sweet you can always add a touch more simple syrup. For an extra touch of luxury, you can also add egg white, which imparts a silky texture and rich mouthfeel. Ingredients: 60ml Disaronno 30ml fresh lemon juice 5ml sugar syrup (optional, to taste) 1 egg white (or 15ml vegan-friendly option such as aquafaba) Ice Method: Put ice into a cocktail shaker. Pour in 60ml of Disaronno. Add the egg white (or vegan option if using) and freshly squeezed lemon juice. If you like it sweet, add the simple syrup. Shake the shaker and strain it into a chilled tumbler over ice cubes. Garnish with a slice of lemon, and enjoy. Where Can the Amaretto Sour be Enjoyed? In the summer sun, fireside in winter – an all year round tipple. But in all seriousness, we don't always want to be the ones mixing our cocktails. There are plenty of professionals out there who can do a better job than us. Simply go to your favourite bar and order an authentic amaretto sour made only with Disaronno.
UPDATE Tuesday, 29 June: The Duke of Enmore's new food and drink menu is available for pickup or delivery, including the eggplant katsu sandwich, all the pickleback shots and a range of meal deals to enjoy at home. Also, being the legends they are, The Duke team is offering free meals and drinks to hospitality workers out-of-work due to the lockdown. Since reopening late last year, inner west stalwart The Duke of Enmore has regained its place as a bustling Enmore Road favourite. Serving up hearty pub feeds, live music aplenty and the bar's signature picklebacks, The Duke has seen a fully fledged revival over the past nine months. Now, its owners are looking to cement its place in the hearts of inner west locals by taking each of those elements to another level with a new-look menu, a dedicated pickleback bar and even more live music. The new menu comes from the minds of Odd Culture Group Executive Chef James MacDonald (ex-Restaurant Hubert, St John) and The Duke's newly appointed Head Chef Doug Alvarenga (ex-Porteño). The mealtime offerings are centred around the venue's new custom-built woodfire oven and charcoal grill, and pulls from both Middle Eastern cuisine and Alvarenga's Brazilian-Australian background. From your seat in the dimly lit diner, you can enjoy a range of woodfire flatbreads featuring combinations including lamb, onion parsley and pickles; red capsicum, hazelnut and roast garlic; and spiced mussels, dill and nigella seed. There's also an unholy-looking eggplant katsu sando wrapped in flatbread, woodfire cheese with curry butter and a beef cheek hot pocket. [caption id="attachment_816755" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eggplant Katsu Sando[/caption] Those looking to pair their hot pocket with a drink can head to the bar where they'll find a range of cocktails, natural wines and craft beers, or you can head to the beer garden where a selection of six different types of pickleback bevvies are on offer. For those not in the know, a pickleback is a mix of Jameson and pickle brine, however The Duke's picklebacks don't stop there. The Ruins Revenge, for example, combines Jameson Black Barrel, watermelon, mint and house made brine. If you head to The Duke at any point in July and August for a bite to eat or a pickle-heavy shot, chances are you'll also be able to catch some live music. Over the next two months, the Enmore Road pub will be hosting free live music close to seven days a week. Live favourites and young up-and-comers from Sydney are set to pop including Tommy Gun, 1800 Mikey, Jet City Sports Club, The Shang and Zipper. "The Duke provides a broad and boundary-free approach to live tunes. You'll find country and blues, good time rock and roll, heavy metal and dark folk several times a week," says The Duke General Manager Sabrina Medcalf. Find The Duke of Enmore at 148 Enmore Road, Enmore. It's open 12pm–midnight Sunday–Tuesday and 12pm–2am Wednesday–Saturday.
Australia's undying love of gin is set to be front-and-centre next month when the inaugural Sydney Gin Palooza comes to King Street Wharf. Hosted by the Australian Gin Distillers Association, the mini festival will bring 40 craft gin distillers from around the country under one roof on Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9. Apart from bottomless tastings, punters will also have the chance to chat directly with the makers. There will be 40 stallholders hawking over 200 gins, including Sydney locals Archie Rose and Manly Spirits Co., Tasmania's Lark Distillery, Yarra Valley's Four Pillars and Margaret River's The West Winds Gin. Representing NSW, there will be Karu Distillers, which will demonstrate the best way to mix gin and iced tea; Hemp Gin, which is one of the first Australian distilleries to create hemp seed-infused gin; and Distillery Botanica, which will share its internationally award-winning drops. Once you've picked your favourite, head to the gin shop, where you can purchase bottles for takeaway. Tickets will cost $70, with five tasting sessions to choose from across the two days. Each entry ticket includes unlimited gin tastings, mixers, and canapés. If you're keen to get in early on Saturday, a shorter two-hour brunch session will run from 11am at a discounted $55 per ticket. Apart from all of the above, the ticket will also include a coffee, croissant and a G&T to boot.
Oxford Street has long been one of Sydney's most important cultural and creative areas. As a proud LGBTQIA+ hub, the traditional home of the Mardi Gras Parade and a bustling retail, food and drink precinct, the street stands out as a cultural touchstone of the city. Currently, Oxford Street is undergoing a transformation under a new wave of development in the area. A push by the City of Sydney to further develop the Oxford Street as a creative space, and a reignited excitement for the area following the end of the lockout laws, has seen new restaurant openings, rooftop bars and cycleways, a new hotel on the horizon and the redevelopment of multiple long-standing Oxford Street venues including the Kinselas and Courthouse Hotels and the Brighton Hotel. Alongside this wave of new developments, a new multimillion-dollar project has been proposed that would see sweeping changes to a large section of Oxford Street. Property management Toga has lodged two applications with the City of Sydney for $60 million worth of renovations of three major Oxford Street buildings. The renovations would see office and retail buildings 58–76, 82–106 and 110–122 Oxford Street all transformed into a new creative, retail and commercial precinct in the heart of Darlinghurst. [caption id="attachment_801989" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A 3D rendering of the development at 82–106 Oxford Street.[/caption] The application for 58–76 and 82–106 proposes a refurbishment of the buildings with a retail, food and drink, cultural and creative premises on the lower ground, commercial offices above, as well as laneway retail spaces off Oxford Street. The development at 110–122 would include a 75-room hotel, as well as more retail, food and drink, and cultural spaces. The refurbishment would maintain the buildings' heritage facades while expanding them with a new glass roof extension and renovating the interiors, including the installation of new lifts and a redesign of the upper level offices to create larger, open-plan office buildings. Dubbed The Darlinghurst Collection, the three sets of buildings have been leased to real estate investment company Ashe Morgan by the City of Sydney for 99 years. Ashe Morgan and Toga are working together on the development. Businesses including Big Poppa's and Ariel Books have been mainstays in the space, while new businesses like the Babekuhl Gallery have migrated to the buildings recently. Many spaces across the three blocks remain empty. In the submitted proposal, Toga characterises Oxford Street as "operating below its potential" and requiring "significant renewal to rediscover its spirit and become once again a destination for Sydney locals and interstate and international visitors". According to the application, the renovations to The Darlinghurst Collection will aim to "bring new life to the precinct". The application is currently under assessment by the City of Sydney. An application for a $60 million renovation to 58–76, 82–106 and 110–122 Oxford Street is currently under review by the City of Sydney. You can find the applications here and here. Images from the development application submitted to the City of Sydney by Toga.
At this point in human history, we've left the world 'normal' far behind us. We live in an age of out-there ideas across all mediums, from entertainment to food and beyond. So why limit yourself to routine plans, basic weekenders and tickets to the same old festivals when you could shake up your calendar with something a little more unique? There's no shortage of offbeat events taking place in New South Wales in 2023, so we've partnered with Destination NSW to showcase some of the more left-of-centre and memorable attractions across this vast state. From existential dread to fabulous festivals and some good old-fashioned silly fun, we invite you to consider the following...
For the second time in as many movies, Lady Gaga is caught in a bad romance in House of Gucci. Yes, she's already sung the song to match. The pop diva doesn't belt out ballads or croon upbeat tunes in this true-crime drama, unlike in her Oscar-nominated role in A Star Is Born, but she does shimmy into a tale about love and revenge, horror and design, and wanting someone's everything as long as it's free. Eschewing the earthy naturalism of her last film performance and tapping into her famed on-stage theatricality instead, she's perfect for the part of Patrizia Reggiani, aka Lady Gucci, aka the daughter of a trucking entrepreneur who wed into one of the world's most prestigious fashion families, helped unstitch its hold on its couture empire, then went to prison for murder. She's exceptional because she goes big and lavish, and because she knows that's the type of feature she's meant to be in: a soapy spectacle about money and power that uses its depiction of excess as an interrogation technique. Complimenting Gaga for nailing the brief — for acing it so dazzlingly that she's sauntering down her own catwalk as most of her co-stars virtually watch from the floor — gives House of Gucci a tad too much credit, though. Ridley Scott's second film in mere months following The Last Duel, and his third in a row to examine wealth and influence after 2017's All the Money in the World, this fashion-world saga skews large, lush and luxe with each choice, too, but doesn't land every sashay with quite the outsized lustre of its crown jewel. If House of Gucci's veteran director was picking an outfit instead, he would've chosen a killer gown, then wavered on the accessories. Some of his other decisions gleam, as seen in the movie's knowingly maximalist and melodramatic air. Others prove fine, like its jukebox-style soundtrack of 70s and 80s bangers. A few moves are so cartoonish — Jared Leto's ridiculousness, and the Super Mario-style accents sported by almost everyone on-screen — that they play like cheap knockoffs. The story itself is a standout, however, as adapted from Sara Gay Forden's 2001 book The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed. When Patrizia meets law student Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver, Annette) at a 70s-era party, mistakes him for a bartender, then realises who he is, it sparks a rollercoaster of a relationship — starting with Maurizio being disinherited by his father Rodolfo (Jeremy Irons, Love, Weddings and Other Disasters) for their marriage. Still, the newest Gucci knows what she wants: a place in the family's dynasty. She isn't the lone cause of the Guccis' unfolding, thanks to Rodolfo's brother Aldo (Al Pacino, Hunters), his penchant for watering down the brand and tax evasion, and his wannabe-designer son Paolo (Leto, The Little Things), but she's the Lady Macbeth pushing Maurizio to seize the company by any means. And, because the reason that House of Gucci even exists was written in news headlines over a quarter-century ago, she's behind Maurizio's killing in 1995. "I don't consider myself a particularly ethical person, but I'm fair," Patrizia offers partway into the movie, a moral code that still sees her order his hit after their divorce — helped by a TV psychic-turned-pal (Salma Hayek, Eternals), because that's the kind of tale this is. Interviewed in 2016, Patrizia called herself "the most Gucci of them all", an idea that Scott and his screenwriters Becky Johnston (Arthur Newman) and Roberto Bentivegna (short El otro lado) don't ever give Italian-lilted voice to, but still use as their basic pattern. In the sartorial realm, Gucci might stand for high-end indulgence, but House of Gucci sees both the allure and the cost of the brand reflected in Patrizia's status-hungry actions. Lust — for power, popularity, money, standing and sex all included — might be the soapiest vice of them all. Blunt, pulsating and pumping through the hot-blooded Patrizia's veins, it's House of Gucci's signature emotion, although the other deadly sins also get a whirl. No exaggerated account of life, love and the one percent's lavishness lacks in greed, pride, wrath, envy, gluttony and sloth as well, including this one, but there's nothing like unfettered desire to keep a narrative bubbling. Scott's film is positively ravenous for more, as its protagonist is at every turn. Nothing is too much for Patrizia in her quest to inhabit a life she once only fantasised about, and there's little that House of Gucci won't do to convey and embody that appetite. But all that glitters isn't always gold, or diamond-sharp, or even entertainingly gaudy, including for the picture itself. With Scott's regular cinematographer Dariusz Wolski on lensing duties, House of Gucci looks like a glitzy dream that slowly loses its glamour, and by design. Its largely Milan-set staging and obviously Gucci-heavy costuming expresses the same feeling — whether or not Paolo is urinating on silk scarves and Aldo is peddling fakes. But those pasta-sauce ad accents just play cheap and easy from the outset, and everything about Leto's prosthetic-laden, safari suit-wearing, hammed-up performance does the same. Both quickly overstay their welcomes, not that either is ever welcomed at all. Calling them knowing gags, purposefully camp flourishes or pointed parodies would be far too generous, even given the feature's gleeful soap-opera tone, overt eat-the-rich sentiments and clear awareness that it's a piece of true-crime pageantry. Thank the pop-culture gods for Gaga, then, as legions of her Little Monsters have for more than a decade. Another movie from the past year, the unshakeably misguided Joe Bell, had a character liberally sing her praises — but, surpassing even A Star Is Born, House of Gucci is her silver-screen powerhouse. Donning wiggle dresses, voluminous hair and a slinkily savage attitude, she's both lively and alive to everything happening in Patrizia's story and Scott's film alike. Whether posed opposite Driver's restrained turn as Maurizio or Pacino's also-big effort as Aldo, her presence improves her co-stars' work in every scene they share, too. Hers is an investment performance, with Scott entrusting almost everything that hits the mark in House of Gucci to his leading lady's go-for-it glow — and treating audiences to a bona fide movie-star show that Gaga couldn't wear better if it was sewn on.
Hanami and Japan go hand in hand, but what if you could indulge in the art of flower viewing (yes, that's what the term translates to in English) a bit closer to home? Well, that's where the Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival comes in. It's a celebration of everyone's favourite pink flora in Sydney's west. Between Saturday, August 21–Sunday, August 29, the Auburn Botanic Gardens will transform its Japanese Gardens into a beautiful, blooming wonderland — in a COVID-19 safe way this year, and as long as Sydney is out of lockdown. You'll be able to ramp up your appreciation of the fleeting natural phenomena that is cherry blossom season by attending viewing the eye-catching blooms in the lead up to spring. Tis the season, after all. And taking in the spectacular scenery isn't the only thing you'll be doing. There'll also be an array of Japanese food trucks, a pop-up izakaya serving up sake and Japanese craft beer, and a lineup of talks, live music and performances. Or, try to find your bliss at a meditation session, or get nostalgic in the presence of Hello Kitty. Tickets cost $11.75 for general admission and are free for Cumberland residents — and the event will run from 9am–5pm daily. Images: Destination NSW.
For four decades, The Shining has been responsible for many a nightmare — not only due to Stephen King's 1977 bestseller, which helped cement him as a horror maestro, but courtesy of Stanley Kubrick's unnerving and acclaimed 1980 film. If you've ever been spooked by twins, garish hexagonal hotel carpet designs, sprawling hedge mazes, elevators filled with blood, someone shouting "here's Johnny!" or just Jack Nicholson in general, you have this macabre masterpiece to thank. From parodies to homages to overt recreations, The Shining is also the unsettling gift that keeps giving. Everything from The Simpsons to Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Ready Player One has nodded the movie's way — as has documentary Room 237, which attempted to delve into its many secrets, meanings, theories and interpretations, too. But they've got nothing on the actual sequel to the eerie story. It picks up decades later, following the now-adult Danny Torrance as he tries to cope with the fallout from his supernatural gift. (Oh, and the memory of being terrorised by his axe-wielding dad as well.) In the just-released first trailer for Doctor Sleep — which is based on Stephen King's 2013 novel of the same name — all work and no play make Danny (Ewan McGregor) something something. He's perturbed, mainly, as he grapples with the trauma he experienced in The Shining. Then he meets a mysterious teenager (Kyliegh Curran) who also has the gift, and things get creepier than a ghastly woman peering out of a bath or the word 'redrum' written on a mirror. In a teaser filled with references to its predecessor, both of these appear. Rebecca Ferguson, Bruce Greenwood and Room's Jacob Tremblay also star, with The Haunting of Hill House's Mike Flanagan in the director's chair. While King was famously unhappy with Kubrick's take on The Shining — even writing the script for a three-part TV mini-series version in the 90s — here's hoping that he approves of Flanagan's vision. This is actually the filmmaker's second King adaptation, after Netflix flick Gerald's Game. Check out the Doctor Sleep trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFEVyTlTqYo Doctor Sleep releases in Australian cinemas on November 7, 2019.
Before 2025 is out, BENEE will release her second album. Before that, she's supporting Tate McRae's UK and Europe gigs, and already has a tune on the soundtrack for A Minecraft Movie. That's a huge year for any musician, especially after touring with Wallows in North America and Olivia Rodrigo in Australia in 2024, as well as making her Coachella debut in 2023 and singing the official song of the same year's Women's World Cup with Mallrat. But something else that's massive has been happening for Stella Bennett around the above achievements and highlights, plus her own first world tour in 20222: Head South, her debut film. Written and directed by fellow Aotearoan Jonathan Ogilvie (The Tender Hook, Lone Wolf), Head South is based on his own experiences. The filmmaker calls it "an almost-true story"; "everything in it happened, and mainly to me", he also notes. Given that the movie shot in 2022, then premiered at International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2024, then played New Zealand International Film Festival and hit cinemas in NZ that year, Head South has been a part of Bennett's life for a few years ahead of opening in Australia on Thursday, April 3, 2205. And while she can't wait for what's ahead for her musically in 2025 — "I'm so excited. I love touring. It's pretty fun being on a bus. That makes it weirdly easier, because you're not checking into hotels or being in a sprinter van, but you get rocked to sleep in the bus. It's quite strange. It doesn't sound fun, but it is fun," she tells Concrete Playground — she's always wanted to be in a film. Indeed, she hopes that more will follow. BENEE wasn't actively looking for the project that'd take her to the big screen when Head South crossed her path. "It was just an opportunity that came up," she advises. That said, "I'd definitely been saying that I want to do acting", she also reflects. "I grew up doing auditions and voiceovers, so it was definitely, when it came up, I was like 'heck yeah, definitely, I'm down'." The bug has firmly struck, though, including genuinely seeking out new parts moving forward. "I am. I've just got a new agent in America, so there are hopefully going to be some opportunities. And I want to be in a horror movie. I would love to be in a scary movie." With Head South mining Ogilvie's teenage life for inspiration, Australian talent Ed Oxenbould (Nugget Is Dead?: A Christmas Story) is the picture's lead — and the lone Aussie among the NZ cast and crew, he tells us. As Angus, it's the Puberty Blues, Paper Planes, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, The Visit, Better Watch Out, Wildlife and Irreverent star's task to virtually play his director, and to find himself thrust into Christchurch's post-punk music scene in 1979. Always trying to seem cool, the character swaps his blonde surfer-style locks and trying to pass off parsley as marijuana with his schoolmates for a cropped cut, a bass and the world revolving around Middle Earth Records. Listening to Public Image Ltd, John Lydon's band post-Sex Pistols, is one of those life-changing music moments that every teen has. Attempting to put together the band that Angus claims that he already fronts — endeavouring to impress Malcolm (Demos Murphy, The Gulf), the singer from local favourites The Cursed — isn't as straightforward as he expects, however. Angus' made-up group has a name: The Daleks. It soon has a gig as well, opening for The Cursed. BENEE plays Kirsten, who works the counter at a pharmacy, is a wiz on the guitar and is Angus' only hope for making good on his music claims. That Ogilvie's narrative focuses on a journey sparked by exaggerating to fit in, then scrambling to back it up, is indicative of its warts-and-all honesty. There's warmth to Head South, yet it's also deeply bittersweet as it balances Angus and Kirsten's growing connection, and the former's quest to truly find himself amid his self-doubts — plus "all these cute characters vibing around Christchurch", as BENEE puts it — with more than a few people taking advantage of Angus, the awkwardness with his father (Marton Csokas, Cuckoo) at home after his mother has moved out and navigating a tragedy. In Head South's performances, emotions, personal ties, portrait of a moment in music history in a specific city, soundtrack and aesthetic — scratches and splices among the visuals included — Ogilvie pushes authenticity to the fore. Much about that commitment appealed to both Bennett and Oxenbould; this isn't the kind of project that comes either of their ways often. "You don't see these type of things every day, and that's what immediately jumped out about it, was the quality of it, how unique it was. It was something that I knew nothing about, which is always exciting as an actor, to dive into a different world. And the fact that it was personal and true adds a whole new gravity and weight to it, which makes it really exciting. There was so much about it that was so interesting and tantalising as an idea," Oxenbould says. Among the pair, Oxenbould was the veteran on-screen, but Bennett had the music experience. Drawing upon each other's expertise was a key part of the production for both. We also chatted with the duo about being about to lean on each other, the weight of making a film that's so personal for its guiding force — and, as Oxenbould characterises it, "such a unique mix of genres" — as well as music research and more. On How BENEE Knew That Head South Was the Right Film for Her Movie Debut Stella: "I think when I initially got sent the script and story, I was obviously like 'okay, this is sick'. This is set in Christchurch, in the post-punk scene, which I honestly didn't know a lot about when I first got sent it. And then I read the script and I learned about Kirsten, and I was pretty attached to her quite early on — because I was like 'oh, there's something so vulnerable and sweet and kind of damaged and quirky about this character'. And I just instantly fell in love with the whole story. It just felt right. And also Jonathan was so nice. He was so enthusiastic from the get-go. And I was like 'he believes in me, and I'm so down to be a part of this'. I've always wanted to be in a film. And I love acting. It's a lot of fun. And it's fun to just be a different character, because I feel like my whole thing is BENEE and it's more myself — but performing, but myself. So it was cool to just completely take a different role. I want to be in a horror movie next. I want to be every different kind of character." On Whether It's Daunting Making a Project That's So Personal for Its Director — Including, for Oxenbould, Playing a Version of Ogilvie Ed: "100 percent. It's very daunting. Look, it's good. Thankfully, it was really good that Jonathan wasn't like 'you have to get me word-perfect'. It was so relaxed, and he knew that it was just a basis. And there were things that he changed and stretched in his story, so we found a really good middle ground of character and real life. But it is always daunting, knowing that these things happened to him. It adds to it — it's not just like 'ooh, how would I react?'. There was a lot of me asking him 'how did you react? How did you feel here? How can I try to bring some of that authenticity and truthfulness to that?'. But it is definitely daunting." Stella: "It definitely was. And even I remember that last scene, I feel like I got — as you got — pretty emotional, because I was like 'damn, he went through this and we're just acting this out right now in front of him', and 'what a crazy thing to experience in life' and to do it justice, basically." Ed: "Yeah, that's it. But it is surreal. Like you're saying, Stella, it's kind of weird to think 'ohh, we're acting out this crazy pivotal moment in Jonathan's life'." Stella: "Yeah." Ed: "And he's watching, and there's a whole crew watching." Stella: "You did a great job, mate. You did a great job." Ed: "Thank you. You too." On the Balancing Act of Navigating the Movie's Mix of Comedy, Darkness, Coming-of-Age Antics, Awkwardness and Heartbreak Ed: "It definitely is, but I think it comes down to Jonathan's great sense of direction — that he knew when to reel it in, he knew when to accentuate it. But I think that's also what read in the script, is the sense of humour, and all these gags that were in it that made it really fun and light. And it's also that really nice, quirky, very Kiwi sense of humour, which also just sets it apart from so many other things. But I think he just did such a good job with, on the day and in editing, just really finding that balance of heart and extremities of both sides." Stella: "Definitely. There's so much depth. And like, yeah, you were laughing — like I was hysterically laughing at times —and then other times I'm like 'well, this is dark and kind of twisted' or 'this is really sad'. I feel like that's what I want out of every movie. I want it to make me feel a bunch of things — and then I come out of it, and I feel a little bit hurt, but I also feel kind of hopeful." On the Research Required for a Film Set in the Late 70s, in the Post-Punk Music Scene, Telling a Very Specific Slice of Christchurch Life Ed: "For me, so much of the film is about these experiences that Angus goes through and he's extremely unprepared for them, and he kind of gets taken off his feet. So I had an element of that, of wanting to be a little bit carried away and swept up by the music and by everything. But I think in basic preparation, it was just a lot of looking at a lot of reference material; listening to the music; listening to what came before, what came after, what came during; and just to try to build the scene in your head — so that we were really well-versed in just that world, so that we could do our jobs truthfully and as close as possible to how these people lived and sounded and acted." Stella: "Yeah, totally. And for me, I think what was really helpful was just sitting down with Jonathan and hearing everything that he has to say about that era, and what it was like for him being in a band — because it is so different to how it is now, and making music and releasing and recording music. And he's so passionate about it because he's not only a director but also musician. So just learning from him, and then feeling prepared by that. He was like an encyclopaedia, for real — a thesis." On How BENEE's Music Experience Helped Her Make the Leap to Her First Movie Stella: "Maybe for the performance at the end. That was really fun. But also, I feel like music is my life, so it felt quite comfortable just doing this film because it was all about the music. And yeah, I think that in maybe some subtle ways that it did help me, maybe. I don't know how, but I think it did." On What Oxenbould Makes of His Journey of an Actor, From Starting Out as a Child to the Path That's Brought Him to Head South Ed: "That journey is bizarre. I've been so, so lucky, and I wouldn't change anything. I've met incredible people. I've made my strongest friends by doing it. It's given me access to a whole host of opportunities that are very, very fortunate. So I feel so lucky. But I don't know — I don't really know where it goes from here. I don't know if I hit my peak and now I've plateaued." Stella: "No, you have not." Ed: "Or I'm on a downward spiral. But it's good. It means everything to me. I'm so lucky, and I hope I can continue to do it for the rest of my life. And I'm excited to explore other areas of the industry. It was a fantastic way to learn and to grow up. I've picked up all these great things and it's made me who I am as a person. I'm very, very fortunate to the people who let me get away with all things I get away with." On What It Means to BENEE to Make Her Movie Debut in a Homegrown Film That's So Proud of Being From NZ, and with Such a Strong Connection to Music Stella: "It feels really special and authentic, and just like it was meant to be. It was just the universe being like 'girl, you're going to do this right now and it's going to be really cool'. And it feels really special that it is my home, and I am part of the music, and the music that shapes the music from Christchurch. That made no sense." Ed: "I got it." Stella: "Did you get that? But it does feel pretty special. I wouldn't have wanted it to be any other role. And also just the people, it was so nice. I don't have any other experience of working with actors or directors from America or anything, so it was pretty special that it was on this Kiwi-Aussie bus. Everyone just gets it and is super down to earth and very chill. So it was a great environment to be in, especially as a first-timer, I would say." On Being Able to Lean on Each Other While Making the Film Ed: "100 percent. It's that beautiful acting thing where you just bounce off each other, and you don't realise it but you learn so much from other people. And then by the end you're like 'ohh, thank you'. And it's not this explicit 'let me help you, ;et me sit you down, Buster'." Stella: "No, no." Ed: "You just absorb." Stella: "Yeah." Ed: "It was great." Stella: "It was a lot of fun. It makes it easier, I guess, just being able to vibe with who you're working with in any field — but especially because Ed is so good. I was like 'okay, I'm taking notes and I'm learning, and I'm going to get better at this'. So it was a pretty awesome experience." Ed: "Watching you just perform and on stage — okay, that's how you do it." Stella: "No! I was literally faking the guitar. It was insane. I was learning how to play bass — oh wait, no I wasn't, I was actually playing guitar." On What Oxenbould Looks for in an Australian or New Zealand Project — and What's Special About Working Down Under After His Success Overseas Ed: "It just means a lot more. It's a lot nicer to be talking in your own accent, and talking to people that you know. and you're in a familiar land. It just feels better. It feels nice. It means you can stay and you can work and still live with family. When you work over there, you have to kind of give up — at least I have to give up everything to go over there. But working in Australia, I love. And then working in New Zealand was an honour. I love, love, love, love New Zealand. I love Kiwis. And I was the only Aussie." Stella: "You were." Ed: "I was only one in the cast. I think the only one on the crew. So I was very intimidated." Stella: "New Zealand loves you." Ed: "But you felt very welcomed, and I was very happy. And it meant a lot that that Jonathan trusted me to be the lead of this very distinctly Kiwi film — to get a traitor in the mix." Stella: "No! No. You made peace, bro." On What BENEE and Oxenbould Learned From Making Head South Ed: "You learn so much from every project and every film, which is the best part about it — you just pick up so much from the people, from around you. But I think the main thing that I learned was just about the punk scene. It's just awesome to dive into a whole new topic. And it's not something that I ever would have probably researched or probably would have sought out a lot of information, but then having Jonathan, having this crazy, knowledgeable guy who's just always there and able to fill us in on the gaps of history, it was just great. You walk away learning a lot more about these real institutions that have shaped the music industry here and in New Zealand." Stella: "Totally." Head South opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, April 3, 2025 — and is available to stream in New Zealand via Arovision.
We've all learned plenty of things during the pandemic, including this nifty tidbit: with enough effort, you can make almost any type of food you like at home. That doesn't mean that you need to stop ordering in from your favourite restaurants, and stop supporting them during this tough time, though. Of course it doesn't. Many eateries have been helping us all level up our cooking game, in fact, by releasing DIY kits for tasty bites like deep-fried ice cream, cannoli and mochi doughnut balls. The latest make-at-home special on offer: banh mi boxes, with Alexandria Vietnamese joint Lit Canteen packaging up everything you need to tuck into these beloved baguettes. Each kit comes with bread rolls and fillings, and even a croissant — should you feel like making a banh mi croissant for lunch. There are two types of boxes on offer, too, with the OG kit including a selection of Vietnamese hams, barbecue pork patties and chicken — and the vegetarian version featuring tofu and panko-crumbed mushrooms. Both come with pickled carrots and daikon, as well as cucumber, shallots, coriander and chilli. And, you'll either get Lit Canteen's house-made mayo, pâté and soy sauce, or vegan versions of the same condiments. "Vietnamese culture is all about coming together to share food with loved ones. Furthermore, it's the act of putting on a feast to show our love, which is so important. You just have to look at pho which requires one day's labour — or two days in our case — but is a staple in bringing many families together," says Lit Canteen Co-founder Ly Dan. "With all of us missing out on that luxury right now, we wanted a way for our friends and family to still experience communal eating during lockdown," she continued. If your stomach is now grumbling with the kind of hunger that only a banh mi can fix, you can order a kit online for the next day, with delivery available Sydney-wide on Saturdays — but fees vary depending on where you live. Pick yours up and it'll cost you $45, or get it brought to your door within seven kilometres of the store and it'll set you back $55. Delivery within 15 kilometres costs $60, within 20 kilometres costs $65 and within 25 kilometres costs $75. To order Lit Canteen's DIY banh mi boxes, visit the store's website.
The meat's in the oven, the pavlova's ready to decorate and the Christmas carols are cranked. All that's left to do is take a load off with a drink of choice. This year, that might be Four Pillars' Australian Christmas Gin, with the much-loved distillery bringing back this limited-edition release for another festive season. Conceived as holiday spirit distilled in a bottle, this tipple combines all flavours and notes you'd normally taste in a classic Christmas pudding. That means warm spices and dried fruit like nutmeg, sultanas and citrus peel alongside pine-like juniper, cassia and star anise. The result? Gin that has that familiar botanical scent, but tastes like Christmas. Now on its tenth annual release, the inspiration for Four Pillars' Christmas Gin involves more than just the mere arrival of the holiday season. Instead, Co-Founder Cameron Mackenzie wanted to replicate his late mother Wilma's Derby Day tradition. With the family listening to the races, she'd whip up a Christmas pudding, with its warming scent taking over the entire house. To make each release even more special, Four Pillars teams up with a different artist every year, asking them to produce a brand-new label that reflects what an Aussie Christmas means to them. For this merry season, 2021 label artist and 2023 Archibald Packing Room prize winner, Andrea Huelin, has composed a piece incorporating elements from every past release. "Who would've thought ten years ago that Australian Christmas Gin would still be the gift that keeps on giving? This recipe is one we'll be passing down for generations to come, and all thanks to Wilma and Cam," says Four Pillars Head Distiller Sarah Prowse. Alongside complementary stocking stuffers like jars of gin and orange relish and Christmas gin puddings, Four Pillars has also revealed four jolly cocktails in collaboration with award-winning bartender Nick Tesar. From Gin & Ginger to Strawberry Smash, these easy-to-make concoctions will make listening to your odd uncle's ravings a little more bearable. Four Pillars' Australian Christmas Gin is now available online and from select bottle shops. Head to the website for more information.
You're busy, we get it. You've got work to do, friends to see, grandparents to call and a pile of dirty clothes which won't wash itself. Sounds like you are in need of a refresh, my friend. And, no, that doesn't mean you have to find a new job, give up lactose or join the F45 cult — nothing that drastic. All it takes is a few little changes — some minor tweaks — and you can get a whole lot more out of your week. We've put our heads together with our mates at Coopers Dry to bring you seven easy wins to help get you inspired and feeling great all week long. [caption id="attachment_593141" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Emily Davies.[/caption] MONDAY: EAT YOUR LUNCH AT A PARK After spending all morning staring at a screen, eating your lunch al desko can be downright depressing, or, if you get crumbs all over your keyboard, totally infuriating. With spring now in full swing, why not bundle up your tucker and take it to the park. Trust us, even a sad sandwich tastes better in the sun. Not only will you get a good dose of vitamin D, but taking the lunchbox away from the inbox can do a world of good for your mental health, helping you stay happy and productive all afternoon. If you're super keen, pack a blanket, cutlery and a thermos of iced tea and have a legit picnic — it'll feel like you're on a mini-holiday from work and that's a massive win. TUESDAY: BAKE SOME COOKIES Are you looking to win friends and influence people? Forget reading that self-help book, bake cookies instead. An offering of soft-centred biscuits can be a great way to fast track your relationships, whether it's with new colleagues, disgruntled housemates or noise-complaining neighbours. Just a simple plate of chocolate-studded rounds can convey a range of sentiments, from "sorry for downloading that virus on your computer" to "thanks for not shutting down my 3am kick ons". As well as filling the home with delicious vanilla and choc smells, an evening of baking can be highly therapeutic after a long day at work. As can eating the raw dough, a very easy win. WEDNESDAY: MISS YOUR TRAIN ON PURPOSE While it may ensure you get your toe in the door exactly on time, catching the 8.13am train to work can make for a pretty stressful start to the day. Lengthy queues, crowded platforms and people encroaching on personal space is enough to put anyone in a snarky mood. Instead, try switching up your commute and catch a less-packed earlier or later service. Not only will you score a seat for your troubles, but you'll also have a quicker trip. And, depending on what time you hop on, it'll be cheaper, too. Opal, myki and Go cards all offer off-peak discounts. THURSDAY: ENJOY BREAKFAST IN BED Who said breakfast in bed was just for loved-up couples or mums on Mother's Day — we can all get in on the action. Instead of sitting in the kitchen like a schmuck, take that fresh fruit salad back to your kingdom of cushions for the horizontal brekkie that you know you deserve. You don't need an excuse. It doesn't have to be a special occasion (Thursday is good enough) nor an elaborate breakfast, in fact, it might be a little easier on the sheets if you go for a vegemite toast rather than full-on egg soldiers. And, as a pleasant side effect, you might even find it's easier to get up in the morning knowing that there's always the possibility to get back in. FRIDAY: HOST A MOVIE MARATHON Need to unwind after an exhausting week? Nothing says complete and utter relaxation like a movie marathon. While you could always head out to a ticketed showing, what's even easier and cheaper is to host one yourself. Not only have you got the obvious trackie pants advantage, but you also get to choose what you watch or don't watch. That means you can enjoy all of the Star Wars films sans The Phantom Menace because no one needs to sit through that — pick and choose as you please. We suggest whipping out some classics, like Home Alone, Independence Day (trust us) or The Breakfast Club because everybody loves a bit of cheese. SATURDAY: THROW A POTLUCK PARTY Dinner parties are magnificent things. There's nothing more glorious than tucking into a homemade meal with friends, exchanging stories through mouthfuls of mash and enjoying ice-cold beers straight from the fridge. What's not so great is crafting the dinner party menu, shopping and paying for the ingredients, then spending your day cooking like crazy until you're too stressed out to enjoy your own flambéed crepes. To share the love (and cooking load), host a potluck dinner party, where everyone contributes a dish. It's a great way to experience a whole bunch of different cuisines and cooking styles. Just grab a case of beers, and you're all set. SUNDAY: DO A SPRING CLEAN No more excuses, it's time for a good old fashioned spring clean. Not only will you find a multitude of long-lost chargers, but you might even find your sanity along the way — you'll be surprised how truly free you will feel after untangling those cables. If you can't decide whether or not to keep those ski pants that've been collecting dust for the past five years, consider the KonMari method: hold the item close to you and ask, "does this spark joy in my heart?". It's a surefire way to get rid of any unnecessary items (which you should then take to a charity shop). Having a cold hard look at your hoarding habits might just inspire you to start consuming a little more responsibly, which is always a good thing. Pro tip: if you need a little bit of motivation, it never hurts to get your best four-legged friend involved. It's a proven fact that pooches help calm the nerves. So when it all seems a bit overwhelming, pause for some pats and break it down area by area. Kick off your 'easy wins' by enjoying a Coopers Dry, or two, with your mates.
It was inevitable. They've done Seinfeld, Friends, Harry Potter and The Simpsons, and now Goodgod, specialists in esoteric pop culture trivia nights, are inviting you to brush up on your already highly detailed knowledge of the ladies of Litchfield for their first Orange Is the New Black trivia event. (If that means rewatching the whole series, so be it.) You knew all those intimate days in bed with your laptop spent hating on Vee, wringing your hands in exasperation waiting for Pornstache to get what was coming to him and crying over Poussey (don't click the link if you haven't seen season two — though if that's the case, get on it) would be put to good use one day. Hosted by Goodgod trivia regular Elisha May, it's free, it kicks off at 8pm and there are no bookings. If you're well acquainted with all the intricacies of the chicken plotline, and know why you should never, ever call Suzanne 'Crazy Eyes' after season two, this is your chance at a glory akin to being voted into WAC (and food and drinks, no mouldy bologna in sight).
Here's an incredibly obvious but still always true statement: the finest sushi you'll ever eat is found in Tokyo. That's just a delicious reality, but so is struggling to get into the best sushi joints during your Japan holiday because they're impossible to book. Thanks to Melbourne eatery Uminono, however, there's now a tour jetting out of Australia this spring that'll let you spend five nights eating your way through Tokyo's finest sushi restaurants. And yes, it takes care of all the reservations for you — including to quite the selection of exclusive spots. First, you'd best check your bank account. The Uminono x Plan Japan Luxury Sushi Discovery Experience doesn't come cheap, costing $9600 if you're willing to share a room and $11,900 if you want to bunk solo. But that fat stack of cash will get you the kind of Tokyo holiday you've only dreamed of, as co-guided by Uminono sushi chef Arnaud Laidebeur. Between Sunday, September 25–Friday, September 30 — departing out of Melbourne, and presumably assuming that Japan allows tourists back in by that time — this trip will hit up the likes of eight-seater boutique Sushi Amamoto, which boasts two Michelin stars, plus acclaimed chef Masamichi Amamoto in the kitchen; and Sugita, an extremely well-known standout that uses traditional Edomae skills to make its sushi. Also on the list are Ginza's Hakkoku, a six-seater that serves up to 30 different fish varieties; and Sushi Kimura, which is all about aged sushi and non-conventional fish varieties. While sushi is the main focus, the tour also includes a range of Tokyo fine-diners with a particular focus on French-Japanese fusion. So, that means a meal at the world-acclaimed Sugalabo, as well as Florilège and Été, with the latter only seating up to four guests a day. The exact itinerary hasn't been locked in just yet, but other restaurants on the list include Arai, Shimazu, Takamitsu and Sushi Ryujiro among the sushi spots; Ode from the French-Japanese eateries; and also eight-seater upmarket seafood and steak joint Tacubo, yakitori standouts Torishiki and Yakitori Eiki, yakiniku spot Yoroniku, the wagyu-covering Wagyumafia, Toyosu market, and a heap of street food and ramen places. Only six seats are available for the tour's September dates — so if this'll let you live your sushi dreams, and you can afford it, getting in quick is obviously recommended. And, you'll be slumbering in hotels to match the luxe culinary experience on offer, such as Palace Hotel Tokyo in the Marunouchi district and Shangri-La Tokyo, which is right near Tokyo Station. The Uminono x Plan Japan Luxury Sushi Discovery Experience arrives in Tokyo on Sunday, September 25, then returns to Melbourne on Friday, September 30. For more information or to register your interest, head to the Plan Japan website.
Following a huge ground-floor renovation, the Harbord Hotel reopened at the beginning of 2021 with a new-look terrace and main bar, a new head chef, and a commitment to surf culture and live music. The historic hotel is keeping to that focus with the launch of Froth Fest, a new 11-day festival centred around surfing and encompassing art, film, music, food and drink. Froth Fest is taking over the Freshwater spot between Friday, April 16–Monday, April 26 to coincide with the the 2021 World Surfing League Rip Curl Narrabeen Classic. The stacked program is full of talks, demos, film screenings, exhibitions and gigs that celebrate the area's love of surfing and storied history with the ocean. "Sydney's Northern Beaches have been an incubator for surf culture for more than 60 years, producing some of the greatest heroes, larrikins and infamous characters in surfing and Australian counter-culture," said Harbord Hotel owner Glenn Piper. "Froth Fest is a celebration of their art, their films, their song, their history." In one of the program's big highlights, seven-time world champion surfer Layne Beachley will host a lunch-and-learn session accompanied by a three-course set menu in the Harbord Hotel's Balsa dining room on Thursday, April 22. Throughout the rest of the program, you'll find an exhibition about pro surfer Peter Crawford, another from designer Steve Gorrow, a screening of surf film Men of Wood & Foam, surfboard demos from multiple brands, a longboarding competition and an ANZAC Day dawn service. On Wednesday, April 21, Triple J favourite Ruby Fields will bring her unique brand of punk and indie rock to the hotel for an intimate set with support from Love Drunk Hearts — and on Monday, April 26, podcast hosts The Swellians are throwing an unofficial Surfing League afterparty to close out the festival.
If you've been searching for new ways to explore Sydney but have come up short, the launch of UpTown is here to help. Thanks to the New South Wales Government's plan to encourage locals to uncover the best of the CBD's north, this new precinct is being positioned as the city's latest hotspot for nightlife, dining, celebrating the city's history and everything in-between. Located behind Circular Quay — spanning from Bridge Street to the harbourfront and Macquarie Street to George Street — this newly named district is an initiative supported by the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner's Uptown Program. The scheme aims to breathe new life into the northern district of the CBD, making it a must-visit spot for Sydneysiders and tourists alike. "UpTown Sydney CBD comprises some of Australia's oldest streets and buildings, as well as incredible new developments like Sydney Place and the award-winning Quay Quarter Tower," said Laura Southcombe, UpTown Sydney's District Coordinator. The project also wants to redefine the northern area of the CBD as a cultural hub and bring visibility to its diversity, rather than retaining its current reputation as Sydney's go-to for corporate life. Wondering what's on offer? UpTown Sydney CBD's website serves as a reference point for the district's venues and upcoming events. Currently, the outlined district comprises an array of varying venues, from the lavish likes Besuto, Lana and Intercontinental Sydney's luxe rooftop bar Aster, plus casual diners in Quay Quarter such as Belles Hot Chicken, to art-centred institutions like the Museum of Contemporary Art — and also local watering holes like Jacksons on George, Double Deuce Lounge and Maybe Sammy. "This juxtaposition of old and new is only one element why this energetic district should be front and centre in locals' minds when deciding not just where to eat and drink, but where to visit museums and catch live music," continued Southcombe. To launch UpTown Sydney, the NSW Government contributed a $200,000 grant back via the Uptown Program, which was established in 2022, to assist with getting the initiative off the ground. Not only is the program set to encourage local businesses to promote the best the area has to offer, but it also hopes to help transform Sydney's nightlife. "With both our website, which is a great resource for those looking for a night out or planning how to spend a few hours in the city, and our local community of businesses and cultural institutions coming together as one recognisable district, we're hoping to reinvigorate this part of the CBD, and help Sydneysiders reimagine it beyond its corporate and 'touristy' reputation," said Justin Newton, President of UpTown Sydney CBD and Director of House Made Hospitality. For more information about UpTown, head to the precinct's website. Images: Steve Woodburn, Tom Ferguson, Leigh Griffith and James Horan.
The dazzling light shows that are projected onto the sails of the Opera House rank among the most popular staples of Vivid. However, there's another annual fixture found within this Sydney icon that's just as worthy of a visit. Returning for its second year, Newtown bar The Midnight Special has conjured a psychedelic, neon-lit pop-up drinking den in the Concert Hall's northern foyer, inspired by Bob Dylan's 1965 anthem 'Subterranean Homesick Blues'. With a cocktail menu curated by the gin masters at Archie Rose, this immersive space offers a whole new way to experience Australia's most famous building, bathed in kaleidoscopic pink, red, orange and purple lights, and channelling a groovy 60s vibe. Entry is free and no tickets are required — simply follow the western external steps of the Opera House to enter. Alternatively, step-free access can be arranged via the Sydney Opera House team. You'll need to be quick if you want to drink like Dylan, however. Bar Subterranean is open for a strictly limited season, closing on Sunday, June 2. Images: Daniel Boud and Jordan K Munns.
Inner west locals, this one is for you. The dumpling experts at Lotus Dining Group have opened a second Lotus Dumpling Bar in Summer Hill. Plant-based eaters will be particularly pleased with the highlights of the Cantonese-leaning menu, with dedicated vegetarian and vegan dishes championed at the group's latest outpost. A well-spiced and balanced vegan five-spice tofu is an ideal start for meat-eaters and vegetarians alike, while the black fungus dumplings and a buttery and crispy eggplant served with honey and chilli round out a diverse offering. Other highlights include XO scallops with soft and fluffy Chinese dipping doughnuts, best eaten as a mopping tool for the leftover XO sauce. "We're excited to bring our dumpling bar offering to Summer Hill," says Lotus Dining Group Head Chef Steve Wu. "Over the last few years, we've seen a big shift in diners choosing to stay local so we wanted to share our Walsh Bay concept with a brand new neighbourhood within Sydney." The venue design of Summer Hill's Lotus Dumpling Bar is a nod to the original restaurant in Walsh Bay. Open brick feature walls, casual banquette benches and timber tables all feature throughout. A range of local and international wines, craft beer and cocktails is on offer to pair with your dumpling feast. Lotus Dumpling Bar Summer Hill is open at 26 Lackey Street, Wednesday to Sunday from 5pm to 10pm and for lunch on Friday to Sunday from 12pm to 3pm.
Since first jamming in a white goods warehouse in Adelaide, Bad//Dreems aren't playing to an audience of washing machines any more. Their breakthrough singles 'Dumb Ideas' and 'Cuffed and Collared' ensured that their brand of underground guitar rock found its way to Australian airwaves. Before long, they were sharing stages with the likes of The Preatures, Wavves and Cosmic Psychos, and billed for Groovin' The Moo, Laneway Festival and Splendour in the Grass. Now, to mark the release of their debut LP, Dogs At Bay, Bad//Dreems are playing shows all over Australia in September and October. Recorded with renowned producer Mark Opitz (AC/DC, The Angels, INXS, Cold Chisel) and Colin Wynne, the album is mostly about the band's relationship with Adelaide — but anyone who hails from a small town will relate. "At its best [Adelaide] is an idyllic town, with a temperate climate and beautiful surrounds. At its worst it is stiflingly conservative, inward looking and somewhat bereft of culture," says guitarist Alex Cameron. "The record is about growing up and living in Adelaide, as well as leaving and returning there. There's nothing parochial about this though. It's just what we know. I think the experiences are probably common to everyone who has a hometown."
Renowned Sydney designer Henry Wilson has joined forces with innovative Sydney-founded furniture website NOMI to design an exclusive, super sleek, flat-packed shelving system called the Chevron Shelves. Customisable online down to the individual panel, the Chevron Shelves are delivered flat-packed and assembled without any tools. No tools. At all. Au revoir, Allen keys. Pairing up with one of Sydney's most celebrated multidisciplinary designers is a big new project for NOMI — the Sydney company revolutionising customisable furniture online. Wilson is well-known for his minimalist, bragworthy furniture, lighting and interiors — usually featuring some kind of self-build component (meaning extra dinner party bragging points). With the no-tools approach and customisable colour being the biggest drawcards, NOMI and Wilson both see manufacturing technique and swanky aesthetic as equally important in the design process. "Our mission is to combine innovative design with efficient manufacturing and cutting edge online technology," says NOMI director and co-founder Henry Gresson (another creative Henry). "Henry's Chevron Shelf epitomize this mission and we are very excited to have him on board." Taking its name from an Ancient Grecian interlocking zig-zag pattern, each Chevron Shelf can be customised in both size and colour with NOMI's slick website. You can pick your desired shelf height, shelf width and pick different colours for every single side panel, shelf layer and back wall — kind of like Shoes of Prey for furniture. Each unit will set you back around $150 each, depending on the material you pick, the width and the amount of layers you add. With each shelf made up of four pieces of precision-milled Birch-play and available in all the shades you've envied in glossy interior design magazines (teal, olive, rose), you can tailor the shelves to suit whichever room needs serious organising. "Everything about the Chevron Shelf reflects its construction method," says Wilson. "It achieves maximum yield from the resources used in its production. It's exciting for me to see it within in the NOMI range where the full potential of its flexibility can realised." Check out NOMI and Henry Wilson's Chevron Shelf here and get customising.
In a few years, when someone hands you an Australian $5 note, that cold hard cash in your hand will look more than a little different. The nation's banknotes have undergone a makeover in the past few years, with a revamped $5 note doing the rounds since 2016 — but that same denomination is about to get another redesign to replace Queen Elizabeth II. Whether you pay for your coffees with actual money or you barely handle physical coins and notes, every Aussie knows that the late monarch's likeness adorns some of our legal tender, including our $5 note. Accordingly, with the Queen's passing in 2022, we all started wondering two things: whether we'd get a day off (answer: yes) and what's happening to our currency. Now, the Reserve Bank of Australia has announced that the $5 note will replace the portrait of the Queen, but not with King Charles III. Instead, in welcome news, one side of the note will feature "a new design that honours the culture and history of the First Australians". "This decision by the Reserve Bank Board follows consultation with the Australian Government, which supports this change," the organisation said in a statement. "The Bank will consult with First Australians in designing the $5 banknote. The new banknote will take a number of years to be designed and printed. In the meantime, the current $5 banknote will continue to be issued. It will be able to be used even after the new banknote is issued." The other side of the $5 note will remain unchanged, so it'll still boast an image of the Australian Parliament. That design features the Forecourt Mosaic, which is based on Michael Nelson Jagamara's Central Desert dot-style painting Possum and Wallaby Dreaming. As the Reserve Bank's statement makes plain, exactly how the new $5 note design will pay tribute to Australia's Indigenous culture and history hasn't yet been finalised. In the past, Australia's currency has featured imagery of Aboriginal rock paintings and carvings, and designs based on a bark painting by David Malangi Daymirringu, thanks to the original $1 banknote from 1966 — before that denomination was replaced with a gold coin. The Reserve Bank also issued a one-off $10 note as the nation's first-ever polymer banknote in 1988, which highlighted examples of ancient and contemporary Aboriginal art. And, the $50 banknote currently in circulation pays tribute to author, activist, inventor, musician, preacher and Ngarrindjeri man David Unaipon. For more information about Australia's currency and any changes, head to the Reserve Bank of Australia's website.
Western Australia is already home to Australia's best beach for 2022, the best beach in the South Pacific for this year as well, all that coastline and plenty of beloved sandy spots. But come the summer of 2024–25, it'll score a new reason to get splashing. That's when global surf park brand Aventuur is set to open a massive site in Perth, creating the southern hemisphere's largest venue of its type. Manmade waves have been having their moment Down Under of late. Urbnsurf opened Australia's first inland surf park near the Melbourne Airport in 2020, then revealed plans for Brisbane, Sydney and Perth sites. New South Wales' Hawkesbury region is also getting a giant wave pool and luxury resort, the Sunshine Coast is due to welcome Kelly Slater's second surf ranch, and the Gold Coast has been earmarked for an Endless Surf wave pool. But Aventuur is going as big as possible with its $100-million WA venture, which'll feature 25 different types of waves. Clearly, providing breaks and barrels that everyone can surf — no matter your skill level — is one of big aims of Aventuur's Perth Surf Park, which'll take over a 5.7–hectare site on Prinsep Road in Jandakot, adjacent to the Kwinana Freeway and the Cockburn Central train station. That'll include what it's calling a Wavegarden Cove, aka the huge 56-module surfing lagoon that'll be the key drawcard — and will constantly whip up perfect waves. Also set to feature: accommodation, which'll be handy for anyone making the trip west just for some manmade surf action; a beach club; bars and restaurants; and retail stores, all as part of a hefty surf sports, recreation, leisure and entertainment hub. There'll also be a health and wellness centre, co-working offices, and functions and event spaces. Get ready for provide personalised coaching, fitness and surf skate programs as well, and regular events such as outdoor surf movie nights and photography exhibitions. Yoga and meditation retreats will also make the most of the site, as will live music and cultural festivals — and, naturally, professional surfing competitions. Already an avid surfer? Know someone who might be the next Mick Fanning or Stephanie Gilmore? Then get excited about Perth Surf Park's high-performance surf academy. Whether you're a future superstar or just learning, there'll also be a hire store doing board, wetsuit and equipment rentals — so you won't have to bring your own gear with you. While surfers won't be able to live out their Point Break and Blue Crush dreams until the summer of 2024–25, Aventuur has just has signed a long-term ground lease with the Western Australian Planning Commission for its Perth Surf Park site. And if you're wondering why surf parks keep popping up — especially in a country girt by sea, and therefore surrounded by so many glorious beaches — they're able to provide controlled and reliable conditions, including waves that aren't daunting for newcomers. Perth Surf Park will feature knee-high whitewater for beginners, for instance, as well as ideal waves for experienced surfers. Aventuur's Perth Surf Park is due to open on Prinsep Road in Jandakot, Perth, Western Australia, in 2025. For more information, head to the venue's website. UPDATE, June 22, 2022: The headline for this article originally said that Aventuur's Perth Surf Park will open in 2024. Aventuur has since clarified that the park will be completed late in 2024, opening over the summer of 2024–25. The headline has been amended to reflect that change.
Another week, another Gelato Messina special. That's been the dessert chain's contribution to making lockdown a little more bearable over the past year and a half, and it isn't changing that tactic now. So, if you're under stay-at-home conditions in Sydney and Melbourne, you now have another indulgent sweet treat to look forward to. And for folks in southeast Queensland, you've got an excuse to treat yo'self to a decadent dessert anyway. On the menu this time: the return of the brand's Basque cheesecake gelato, but without the sticky Cinnabon-style scrolls it came paired with when it made its debut back in August. You'll be able to buy a one-litre tub of the stuff, which comes filled with exactly what it says on the label — that'd be Basque cheesecake gelato — and is topped with a slice of toasted Basque cheesecake. The special can only be ordered online on Monday, September 27. It will set you back $35 — and, because Messina's specials always prove popular, the brand is staggering the on-sale times. Accordingly, folks in Queensland and the ACT are able to purchase at 9am, Victorians at 9.30am, and New South Wales customers split across three times depending on the store (with pies from Circular Quay, Surry Hills, Bondi, Randwick and Miranda on sale at 10am; Brighton Le Sands, Tramsheds, Parramatta and Darlinghurst at 10.30am; and Darling Square, Newtown, Rosebery and Penrith at 11am). The catch? You'll have to peel yourself off the couch and head to your local Messina store to pick up your order. They'll be available for collection between Friday, October 1–Sunday, October 3. Sydneysiders, remember to abide by lockdown restrictions when it comes to picking up your bavarian — which means sticking to your Local Government Area, or within five-kilometres from home. Melburnians, under new eased lockdown rules that come into effect in mid-September, you're permitted to travel within a ten-kilometre radius to pick up food. You can preorder a Messina Basque cheesecake gelato tub from Monday, September 27, to pick up from Friday, October 1–Sunday, October 3.
It's no secret that toasties are having a moment, with just about every cafe in town serving up its version of a grilled cheese — not that we're complaining. However, if you're keen to try something just a little different, La Panineria is setting up shop in a hole-in-the-wall spot along Curtin Place, giving you the chance to indulge in loaded Tuscan schiacciata sandwiches. Set to open in June, La Panineria is led by the same family-run outfit behind Tessuto, the easygoing trattoria that recently opened in the CBD. For their latest venture, expect loaded Tuscan flatbread, pizza by the slice and pistachio-stuffed lobster tail pastries, all served from a smartly designed laneway venue that echoes Italy's charming piazzas — just with more colour. While only 30 square metres in size, La Panineria will offer top-notch coffee, sweet treats and savoury sarnies throughout the week, starting from 6am. That's good news for early-rising office workers needing a stellar bite for a more satisfying morning. It might even be the ideal time to indulge in a schiacciata — the thinner, crispier alternative to its more famous Italian bread cousins. Although it might look like focaccia on the surface, La Panineria's Head Chef and co-owner Mattia Senesi explains that schiacciata's time-consuming process — the dough can rest for up to three days — makes it lighter, more flavoursome and easier to digest. With this in mind, each slice is primed for stacks of toppings. "It also has special meaning to me as it's the bread of my childhood and my family," says Senesi. This love of Italian cuisine was a major motivator for opening La Panineria, with the team on the hunt for the perfect venue for the past three years. Having secured its Curtin Place location, co-owner Anthony Arienzale is keen to add a few more Italian traditions to Sydney's bustling sandwich scene. "Schiacciata bread is still relatively unknown in Sydney, but we want to continue to shine a spotlight on it," says Arienzale. "Name something better than classic fillings like prosciutto, mortadella, fresh mozzarella and polpette alongside olive-oil-washed crispy bread with a soft and fragrant underbelly." La Panineria is expected to open in June in Curtin Place, off 280 George Street, Sydney. Head to the website for more information.
It's been 12 years since the Red Hot Chili Peppers last made a headline tour of Australia. And they're finally on their way back down under. In February and March 2019, the LA-based rockers will play all over the country, including a one-off A Day on the Green and their first-ever show in Tassie. To catch them on the Green, get yourself to Mt Duneed Estate, Geelong, on Saturday, March 2. You can expect to hear tunes from the Peppers' new (and eleventh) studio album, The Getaway, as well as old hits, like 'Californication', 'By The Way' and 'Under The Bridge'. Since making their first release — a self-titled EP — in 1984, the band has sold more than 60 million albums, won five Grammys and entered the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. Outside of its one-off A Day on the Green appearance — an Aussie-wide festival that is also playing host to our own Kyle Minogue — the Peppers will also be playing headline shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth and a smaller show out on Hope Estate in the Hunter Valley. If you fancy a trip down south, or are maybe hanging around after Mona Foma, the Peppers are heading to Tasmania for the first time ever, to perform at a rare intimate show — with a capacity of just 1290. Supports acts for all shows will be announced soon. RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS 2019 DATES Tasmania — Derwent Entertainment Centre, February 17 Sydney — Qudos Bank Arena, February 19 Hunter Valley — Hope Estate, February 23 Brisbane — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, February 25 Melbourne — Rod Laver Arena, February 28 Geelong — A Day on the Green, Mt Duneed Estate, March 2 Perth — NIB Stadium, March 5 Pre-sale tickets for A Day on the Green will be released at 10am on Wednesday, November 22, with all other Live Nation pre-sales going live at midday on Thursday, November 23. All shows go on sale to the public at midday on Monday, November 26. Image: Steve Keros.
If were a kid in Australia over the past four decades, your birthday probably wasn't complete without a butter cake mix, vienna cream icing and some lollies. Thanks to The Australian Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cake Book, that combination has long been the stuff of youthful dreams — and yes, you probably begged for it to be served in various creative shapes and configurations at all of your childhood birthday parties. We all know the book in question. Even when we were months and months away from next blowing out our candles, we all pored over pictures of its cakes for hours and hours, studiously planning which one we wanted next. And, we all should have a copy of that beloved tome on our shelves now; however, you'd best save some room for its new companion. Get ready to bake your way through the Allen's Party Cake Book, a collaboration between the sweet brand The Australian Women's Weekly that reimagines a heap of the cakes we've all grown up loving with Allen's lollies. To answer your number one question, yes, the famed train cake is included. There are 38 cakes in total, obviously all featuring plenty of Allen's lollies — think: snakes, freckles, bananas, strawberries and cream, raspberries and more — in a big way. That's reason enough to bake a cake, naturally. If you're currently in lockdown, consider it an excuse to treat yo'self to something tasty. And if you need another reason, the book has been released to celebrate Allen's 130th birthday, so you can get mixing and baking to commemorate the occasion. To nab a copy of the Allen's Party Cake Book, you'll need to head to Coles, where they're available for a limited time while stocks last. Because you'll need lollies for all of the recipes, you'll get a copy of the recipe book for free when you buy three Allen's or Bakers Choice products in one transaction. The Allen's Party Cake Book is available from Coles supermarkets while stocks last.
Every phrase has to start somewhere, and "you had me at hello" started with Jerry Maguire. When it's uttered by Renée Zellweger to Tom Cruise, it's one of those big on-screen moments that lovers of romantic comedy-dramas will still be talking about decades from now — as they have been for the nearly quarter-century since the Cameron Crowe-directed movie first arrived on screens. Everyone knows that aforementioned piece of dialogue, and the film's other catchy line: "show me the money". You might recall that Cuba Gooding Jr won an Oscar for his supporting performance, too. But you may not always remember how astutely the feature steps through its narrative, spinning a story about a sports agent who has an epiphany about the ruthless business he's in, decides that both him and the entire industry should do better, subsequently gets fired from his high-paying job and then goes out on his own.
If you stream it, they will come: so discovered the Melbourne International Film Festival in 2020, when its biggest commitment to putting its lineup online resulted in the event's larget audience ever at the time. Now that the early days of the pandemic are over, the fest has been back in cinemas for a few years, and gloriously so. But for those located elsewhere around Australia, or folks who can't fit in as many IRL trips to the flicks as they'd like, or Melburnians who want to deploy every way there is to see as many movies possible during the festival, MIFF is still embracing its digital component. MIFF Online kicks off after the IRL event and runs past its in-person counterpart's end, too. To stare at the big screen, you'll be heading along between Thursday, August 7–Sunday, August 24. To play along from your small screen of choice, the dates are Friday, August 15–Sunday, August 31. While the range of films available to view on your couch via ACMI's Cinema 3 is smaller, there's still plenty to see — including both features and shorts. A post-apocalyptic musical starring Tilda Swinton (The Room Next Door), Michael Shannon (The Bikeriders), George MacKay (The Beast) and Moses Ingram (Lady in the Lake), The End hails from The Act of Killing and The Look of Silence's Joshua Oppenheimer — and it's one of the highlights on 2025's MIFF Online program. Fittingly, so is Videoheaven, with Alex Ross Perry (Her Smell) paying tribute to the video-store era via a Maya Hawke (Inside Out 2)-narrated film essay solely comprised from movie and TV clips. Or, you can visit Inner Mongolia's plains courtesy of To Kill a Mongolian Horse, catch coming-of-age tale Little Trouble Girls, explore a sunny sailing voyage with Kyuka Before Summer's End and join John Magaro (Materialists) for a road trip from Utah to Nebraska in Omaha. Tomorrow We Move from MIFF's 2025 Chantal Akerman retrospective is also available for viewing online, as is the new stop-motion animation Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hourglass from the Brothers Quay (The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes) — plus SXSW-winning documentary Ghost Boy from Rodney Ascher (Room 237, The Nightmare, A Glitch in the Matrix), about a man with locked-in syndrome. 2025's MIFF spans Footy Shorts, a partnership with the AFL that's resulted in five short flicks focusing on the sport — and they're on the MIFF Online lineup as well. For more filmmaking in brief, the Australian shorts package is also making the leap to digital.
Polica's ethereal melodies, dark lyrics, escapist dancing and double drummers inspired Bon Iver's Justin Vernon to describe them as "the best band in the world". Having won buckets of Sydney love on their first visit, this Minneapolis-based group is returning to play the Opera House for Vivid, with third album United Crushers in hand. Expect more of their unique blend of drum and bass, hip hop and synth-pop, plus a bigger emphasis on Channy Leaneagh's extraordinary voice. After Vivid, Polica will be heading to Europe to play a stack of festivals, including Germany's Hurricane and Southside, Ireland's Castlepalooza and London's Hyde Park.
Even though, officially, Apple continues to remain tight-lipped on precisely what will be revealed at its unveiling next Tuesday, September 9, a confident New York Times report suggests that we can expect two iPhones with bigger, better screens and Apple's first wearable computer, which journos and techies the world over have dubbed the iWatch. The smartwatch will be the first brand new product to have hit the Apple shelves since Timothy D. Cook took the reins following Steve Jobs' death in October 2011. Industry experts are predicting the wearable Mac will be available in two sizes, feature a flexible screen protected by tough-as-nails sapphire crystal and perform miracles via a teeny-tiny, stamp-sized circuit board. Okay, not exactly miracles, but similar tasks like displaying maps and measuring bodily movements (such as heart rate and footsteps) with frightening accuracy. What's more, speculation is rife that both the iWatch and the iPhones will take us one step closer to a cashless society: forget fumbling with cards and coins, you'll just flash your wrist at the register and your bill will be taken care of. So you’ll be able to pick up bread and milk on the way home from your morning marathon session without jingling for the whole run. This will work using what’s known as 'near-field communication', technology that powers devices within proximity to swap info wirelessly. It also looks like the iWatch (and possibly the iPhones) will be capable of wireless charging. Beyond this, most of the hype surrounding the iPhones is around the old 'size matters' adage. We’re pretty sure that, like the iWatches, they’ll come in two sizes — one at 4.7 inches and the other at 5.5. Edges are highly likely to take on the tapered design that gives iPads such a sleek look and feel. Of course, this possibility has led busy urban types to ask the big question: how will we text with just one hand? Unsurprisingly, Apple has preempted the concern and made changes to the software interface. Apparently, there'll be two different modes on offer — one that you can make work with one hand while the other's clinging to your coffee; the other requiring the commitment of both paws. You can switch from one to the other as you please. The potentially less exciting news is that you might have to get your Guns 'N' Roses on and practise a little patience. While the iPhones should be retailing within the next few weeks, the chances are that you won’t be able to buy your very own iWatch until 2015. You might as well enjoy your exercise sessions multi-tasking free in the meantime. Via New York Times. Image credit: iWatch concept based on the Nike Fuelband by Todd Hamilton.
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.
Once upon a time Woollhara was heavy on pub grub of varying quality, then the team of The Wine Library opened an Oxford Street space. Tucked in a very unassuming shop for this legendary street, The Wine Library melds a high-top bar at the front, nooky intimacy out the back and a trim courtyard in the middle. At 7pm you'd be hard-pressed to swing a kitten. There's a queue that snakes out the door as locals and blow-ins from across the bridge cram in for their share of prosecco and a selection of small bites or a bottle of Super Tuscan and some delectable pasta dishes. Working backwards around the clock, at 5pm The Wine Library is civility defined. There's room to crook your elbows and make your way through a wine list pregnant with hundreds of options. There's Spanish pink that's dangerously affable, and the wines by the glass come in two-sized pours. For a Friday or Saturday lunch, it's just right. There's plenty of room to breathe and time to ponder the clipboard menu, which takes a jolly tour all over the world. Grab some edamame or gruyere croquettes to start, work your way to burrata with yellow peach, basil and truffle oil or tiger prawns with garlic, butter and herbs; upgrade to crumbed market fish with peas and beurre blanc or ricotta and spinach cannelloni with Napoli sugo and pesto. If you can't resolve a meal without something sweet, you shouldn't miss the lemon tart paired with creamy Jersey milk ice cream. Perfect to share and pick at with a moscato. Otherwise, take refuge with an affogato, with or without liqueur — all in all, pretty heavenly. Updated March 2024 Images: Byron Martin for PADDO(Collective)
On the lookout for a dope new denim jacket? Or do you want to be rid of that weird-looking lamp taking up space in the living room? Then, by golly, you're in luck. The Garage Sale Trail works with local council partners Australia-wide to get as many trash-and-treasure troves happening on the same few days as possible. Last year, more than 300,000 Aussies took part at this festival of pre-loved stuff, holding more than 15,000 sales. Will this year's Garage Sale Trail top those hefty numbers? It'll certainly try via a huge array of events that will open their doors to bargain hunters, selling millions items across two big spring weekends: between Saturday, November 11–Sunday, November 12, and then again from Saturday, November 18–Sunday, November 19. Aside from the retro goodies up for grabs, the Garage Sale Trail is all about sustainability. Instead of ending up in landfill, unwanted clutter becomes a fantastic find. So get that tight pair of sunnies for peanuts and help the environment at the same time. The Garage Sale Trail began humbly in Bondi in 2010 and is growing bigger every year. There'll be a right slew of sales happening all around Sydney, so keep your eyes on the event website — or register online to make a quick buck from your old junk and hang out with the friendly folks in your hood.
Despite boasting a city right on the water, most of Sydney's inner-city harbour shores have been definitively off-limits to swimmers for decades. This is all beginning to change, however, with significant investment in cleaning up our waterways leading to the reintroduction of swimming in Barangaroo — the first new harbour spots for summer dips in what could be many according to plans from the City of Sydney and NSW Government. Today it has been announced that Marrinawi Cove, a secluded section of Barangaroo Reserve that boasts skyline views, has just reopened to swimmers. The introduction of this swimming enclosure marks the first new harbour swimming spot to be created west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in more than 50 years. "Our city stopped building ocean and harbour pools more than half a century ago — it's past time to provide more great, safe public places to swim," said Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes. "Being able to swim at Marrinawi Cove is only possible because we have invested in cleaning up our harbour from industrial wastelands to aquatic playgrounds." "Marrinawi Cove offers a fitting foundation for a swimming enclosure, and we know for thousands of years our traditional custodians, the Gadigal, used the land around Barangaroo for fishing, canoeing and swimming," Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich said before taking a fully-clothed dip in what he described as Sydney's first city beach. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alex Greenwich MP (@alexgreenwich) Stokes also promised that the push for harbour swimming spots wouldn't stop with Marrinawi Cove. The minister said he's bookmarked spots at Blackwattle Bay, Bays West and other Barangaroo locations as possible sites for urban renewal and future summer swims. This isn't the first Sydney spot to reopen to swimming in recent years. Improvements to water quality have also seen the likes of Bayview Park reopen for safe swimming. That section of the Parramatta River recently joined Dawn Fraser Baths, Cabarita Park beach, Chiswick Baths and Lake Parramatta as one of five areas along the waterway where people can now swim. The Parramatta River Catchment Group (PRCG) has also earmarked spots including Bedlam Bay, McIlwaine Park and Putney Park as possible new swim sites along the river. If you're in need of additional inspiration our list of the best swimming spots around Sydney and local swimming holes for any mood ought to keep you busy. You can read all about the reintroduction of swimming to Marrinawi Cove at the NSW Government's website. Images: Bec Dreher
Few labels have had the broad appeal and lasting success that Finnish design house Marimekko has enjoyed over the past six decades. Launching in a Helsinki restaurant in 1951, the label experienced a surge in popularity in the 1960s. Its bold prints and distinctive outfits were symptomatic of changes occurring at the time in both design and, more broadly, culture: liberation and defying expectation. Now, to celebrate this legendary brand, a large-scale exhibition is coming to Victoria. It will run from March 3–June 11, 2018, at the Bendigo Art Gallery — its only Australian stop. Original sketches, fabrics and other archival material will track the label's story. The exhibition will also highlight the revolutionary artists behind the brands unique aesthetic and feature many examples of the fashion and homewares designs including the iconic red 'Unikko' poppy print. For true enthusiasts, a number of events have been scheduled to coincide with the three-month residency, including talks by exhibition designer Megan Atkins and senior curator Leanne Fitzgibbon. On Saturday, April 14, the gallery will also host a 60s-themed party — BYO glad rags and groovy moves. Tickets to the exhibition are $15 and are available here.
Right now, the culinary name on everyone's lips in Melbourne is Rosheen Kaul. The chef made a name for herself when turning Brunswick East's Etta into one of the city's best restaurants and publishing her hugely successful cookbook Chinese-ish: Home cooking, not quite authentic, 100% delicious. Kaul has made it to the big leagues, but still doesn't feel like she's fully cooked — "I will not say I've reached my final form as yet," she shares with Concrete Playground. To get closer to that final form, Kaul decided to leave Etta and throw herself back into the wild. She's now writing a new cookbook, collaborating with chefs all over Australia and judging the upcoming S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition — alongside the likes of Josh Niland, Jake Kellie, Brigitte Hafner and Brent Savage. Kaul has already played a great part in helping develop what contemporary Australian cuisine is and can be, but she has plenty more to give. We also spoke with her about her future plans — both for herself and the country's culinary landscape — as well as the best advice that she has ever received and how it helped her become so successful. On Joining the Big Leagues in Melbourne's Food Scene "There is an incredible responsibility that comes with being a more-prominent face in the Melbourne food scene. I am acutely aware that I represent a demographic that is only now seeing representation in food media, and I am both honoured and empowered to have a platform to share my experiences as a female chef and as an Asian Australian." On What Kaul Has Been Up to Since Leaving Etta "I had planned to take a break when I left Etta, but I definitely underestimated how bored I'd be without the high energy and stimulation of kitchen life. I'm nearly at the finish line with the manuscript for my next cookbook, and I'm spending the rest of the year travelling around Australia cooking with some of my amazing friends and peers in their venues interstate. It's a brilliant way to keep myself in the kitchen, and frequently put myself well out of my comfort zone. Cooking my food in different spaces and running different types of services is really helping me zone in on the core of my style of cooking. Beyond the woodfire, beyond a specific style of service, I've had to figure out precisely what makes my food 'me' — that can be applied to say a breakfast pop-up, a charcuterie pop-up, a rural pub takeover or a completely lo-fi open fire in the bush. I'm excited to see all of the different forms my food takes around Australia." [caption id="attachment_962874" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Annika Kafcaloudis[/caption] On Kaul's Upcoming Cookbook "I'm incredibly excited about this next book. I can't reveal the title as yet, and it will be published with the same publisher as Chinese-ish — so it will be fantastic. After the international success of Chinese-ish, I didn't think I would write another one as I felt like I couldn't possibly top the first, but inspiration comes from all sorts of places, and I was hit with an absolute bullet train of inspiration one day and I knew I had to get it all out in a book. See, the thing is I wrote Chinese-ish before Etta, and still didn't quite know who I was as a chef, nor had I really zoned in on my style of cooking as yet. Writing Chinese-ish gave me an incredible insight to my own identity as a person straddling multiple worlds and cultures, and my time at Etta gave me the platform to put that on a plate and the time to refine my ideas. I will not say I've reached my final form as yet, but I am miles away from the chef I was when I wrote my first book. There was no need for me to reach into my past for recipes this time — rather, each of the 160-odd recipes are Rosheen originals born from the confidence and self-awareness I've gained over the past few years. Vibrant, colourful, delicious and bold — it's a book of sauces, condiments and dressings as wildly cross-cultural as I am. I can't wait to share it with you all next year." On Judging at the S.Pellegrino Young Chef of the Year Academy Competition with Some Huge Names in Food "Big names indeed, and I'm honoured to be counted among them. Josh Niland, particularly, is a chef whose work I've followed for many years, and learned so many techniques from that I've applied in my own kitchens and taught my own chefs. Brigitte curates one of the most incredible, immersive dining experiences in the country with such a generous style of cooking and I've had the privilege of dining at Tedesca Osteria twice. Brent Savage's restaurants are legendary, and some of the most pitch-perfect dining experiences I've had in Sydney were at Bentley and Cirrus. And Jake Kellie, I've admired for many years during his time at Burnt Ends, and I'm thrilled to be cooking with him at Arkhe in August." On the Importance of Celebrating and Supporting Young Chefs "Australia doesn't share the same long history of haute cuisine as other countries, and it is only now that we are beginning to articulate what 'Australian cuisine' is, was and can be — encompassing native and traditional ingredients and influence from waves of immigration, and reflective of where we are as a nation. It's hugely important to support our young chefs in Australia on that journey to define who we are, and to have more chefs that thrive on the world stage. For Australia, we're at the precipice of our culinary journey, and we have to see the ideas of the current industry taken to the next level by the next generation of chefs." [caption id="attachment_962876" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Etta by Annika Kafcaloudis.[/caption] On How Melbourne's Food Scene Stacks Up Against Other World-Leading Culinary Cities "I'm originally from Singapore, and I can say with certainty that the dining scene in Melbourne is well up there with cities like London and Paris. Not as saturated, sure, but the fresh ideas, breadth of styles and respect for ingredients coupled with incredibly strong skills puts this city firmly in the same calibre. Melbourne did host the World's 50 Best a few years ago for a reason, so I certainly am not biased in this opinion. What I do love about cooking in Melbourne is the freedom. We have sensational produce, young farmers serious about healing our topsoil — growing truly delicious ingredients — and such a wealth of cultures and histories to be inspired by. It's an incredible time to be a chef in Melbourne." On the Best Advice That Kaul Has Ever Received "I've been told a few things in my life that have focused and sharpened my trajectory, the major one being to be a sponge: learn anything and everything from the people around you. Everyone is good at something, and whether it be a Demi-Chef or a Head Chef training you, there is always something to learn, whether you agree with them or not. The more talking you're doing, the less you're learning. When I was working at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Chef Ashley Palmer-Watts once said 'the moment you lose your temper, you've lost control of the situation'. I held that statement close when I started running my first kitchen. If you stay calm, calculated, and ready for any and all possibilities, you'll never be taken by surprise. Three steps ahead, always." And Some Advice for Young Chefs Looking to Succeed in the Industry "Leave your ego at the door. You also have to continually challenge yourself — don't ever be the smartest person in the room — because complacency is akin to failure, and there were times when I was feeling a little too comfortable at Etta. The best thing I could do for myself as a 31-year-old chef was to throw myself out into the world again and seek new challenges. It's a scary thing, defending your credibility, but I know I can be more, and it is worth every bit of fear and discomfort." Top image: Kristoffer Paulsen.
Spring is here and it comes with good news — picnics of up to five double-vaccinated Sydneysiders are allowed. With the easing of restrictions in the air, it's time to make the most of those extra daylight hours by grabbing some tasty snacks and tipples, and hitting up one of the beautiful BYO-friendly public spaces in your area. We're spoiled for choice when it comes to chilled outdoor hangouts in Sydney's inner west. So we've teamed up with Rosie Spritz to share some of our favourites. Load up that wicker basket with a lavish spread and chilled bevs and head to one of these spots for some long-awaited catch-ups. [caption id="attachment_653289" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] BLACKWATTLE BAY PARK, GLEBE Blackwattle Bay Park stretches along the Glebe foreshore between Rozelle Bay and Blackwattle Bay, and showcases stunning views of the Anzac Bridge and the CBD. The sprawling parklands offer plenty of spots to chill out and loads of space for dogs to run around (yep, it's off-leash). The park has barbecue facilities if you're keen to pair your spritzes with some grilled snacks (we recommend prawns). Plus, there's a shared walking and cycling trail if you'd like to end your picnic with a stroll. Easily accessible, though never overly packed, this one's a no-brainer. [caption id="attachment_656242" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Low[/caption] CAMPERDOWN MEMORIAL REST PARK, NEWTOWN Arguably the crown jewel of booze-friendly inner west picnic spots, Camperdown Memorial Rest Park is a go-to for locals — and their cute pups. Barely a minute's walk from bustling King Street (where there is a conveniently located BWS for all your Rosie Spritz needs), this neighbourhood haunt wraps around a peaceful old graveyard and church, the walls of which are adorned with graffiti to complement the suburb's grungy aesthetic. The park is at its most magical just before sunset, so get your vaccinated crew together and head there for sundowners. [caption id="attachment_826941" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brooke Zotti[/caption] ASHFIELD PARK, ASHFIELD A cute local spot with amazing facilities, Ashfield Park is conveniently located at the intersection of Parramatta Road and Orpington Street. An expansive park encompassing a sports field, traditional gardens and a recently refurbished playground, it makes for a great spot to soak up those springtime rays while indulging in some simple comforts. Generally one of the quieter inner west picnic areas, it's a relatively safe bet for chilled-out vibes any day of the week. Dust off the WFH blues with a Friday arvo picnic with your pals to put a satisfying full stop in the workweek. [caption id="attachment_826973" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brooke Zotti[/caption] BICENTENNIAL PARK, GLEBE Situated on the picturesque foreshore of Rozelle Bay, this idyllic waterfront park is an oasis of greenery. Plenty of wide-open grassy spaces make social distancing super easy, and the stunning bayside views are perfect for staring at the luxe superyachts while you picnic. There are also plenty of leafy trees to shelter under if you've forgotten your sunscreen. Parents will be happy to hear that there's some fenced-off play equipment to keep the ankle-biters occupied. Pups are permitted on-leash, but there is also an off-leash section west of the canal. [caption id="attachment_788794" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Martin7d2, Flickr[/caption] BIRCHGROVE PARK, BIRCHGROVE Birchgrove Park may strike a chord in the hearts of sports enthusiasts as it's the home to the oval where the very first professional rugby league game was played in Australia, way back in 1908. The white picket fence that rings the historic oval is reminiscent of times gone by and the surrounding parkland makes for an ideal picnic spot. The park is located near the Birchgrove ferry stop and offers waterfront views, including a spectacular vista of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It's a tranquil and welcoming space, with plenty of room for you to kick back with a spritz and enjoy the sun. [caption id="attachment_731570" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alexandria Velovotee, Flickr[/caption] SYDNEY PARK, ALEXANDRIA A much-loved park with sprawling greenery, water features, running tracks and rolling hills, Sydney Park contains perhaps the most varied landscape on this list. This gargantuan park spreads across parts of four different suburbs and offers many great spots for a picnic. The ultimate afternoon hangout spot here has to be the massive hill. It's well worth trekking the steep incline to the top to catch the city in all its glory as the sun sets. Though it's often quite a busy spot, the park itself is massive, so you'll have no trouble finding somewhere to set up your decadent spread. Rosie Spritz is an ideal springtime sip and is available at BWS, Dan Murphy's and First Choice Liquor stores across Sydney. For more picnic inspiration, check out our guides to idyllic picnic spots where you can BYO booze in Sydney's inner city, eastern suburbs, lower north shore and northern beaches. Top image: Bicentennial Park, Glebe, Brooke Zotti Remember to Drinkwise.
Would you like some creepy with your coffee? David Lynch takes advertising to dark places with this disturbing film promoting his signature coffee line. I'm curious as to exactly what David Lynch Signature Cup would taste like. Obviously it would depend on whether you choose the espresso blend, house roast or decaf. My intuition tells me Lynch likes his coffee strong, dark and somewhat syrupy – much like his genius mind. All the blends are all organic and fairly traded, as we learn from a bizarre dialogue between Lynch and the decapitated Barbie doll head he cradles in his hand. [Via Lost At E-Minor]
There are few things that scream summer louder than drinks by the beach and Cronulla RSL boasts some of the best views around. Celebrate the longer days with a trip to this southern suburb and enjoy sunset drinks on the balcony overlooking the golden sand of South Cronulla Beach. It's a great spot for watching the die-hard surfers soak up the last light of the day. The club had a makeover a few years back, but its good looks haven't led to pretentiousness — it still has a friendly local vibe and is as laidback as a prawn on the barbie.
While the NSW Government attempts to improve music festival safety by introducing a tough new licensing regime and jacking up costs for event organisers, its ACT counterpart is throwing its support behind pill testing. As reported by the ABC, the ACT Government has given the green light for a pill-testing trial to go ahead at the Canberra leg of this year's Groovin' The Moo festival, held at Exhibition Park in April. It'll be only the second time Australia has seen a trial like this, allowing festivalgoers to have their illicit substances tested for dangerous ingredients. The first took place at the same festival last year, when 85 substances were tested and some potentially deadly components were found, as well as plenty of hidden extras like toothpaste, paint and lactose. Now, the government's on board for round two, with ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr Tweeting after the decision, "Governments have a responsibility to not only try and prevent drug use but also to support initiatives that reduce the harms associated with drug use." https://twitter.com/ABarrMLA/status/1097411427709509634 The upcoming trial will be headed up by harm reduction advocates Pill Testing Australia. In its ACT Drug Strategy Action Plan released last year, the ACT Government stated it would continue to support pill testing and be "examining further opportunities to expand pill testing at events in the ACT". In the wake of a spate of festival deaths from suspected drug overdoses, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and her government have remained staunchly opposed to the idea of pill-testing, despite international research and the success of last year's local pill-testing venture. Let's see if Canberra's controversial move to host a second trial makes them any more likely to change their minds. Via: abc.net.au Image: Jack Toohey.
