Western Australia's Beerfarm brewery is a go-to for locals. Now, for the first time, you can get cases of its brews delivered straight from the farm to your door — even if you live on the other side of the country. And while there are things we shouldn't be stockpiling right now, if you're spending more time at home than usual, you may as well have some cold ones in the fridge. The environmentally focused, independently owned brewery is located on an old dairy farm in the Margaret River region and strives to do things a little differently. There are a few cows roaming around the property and it's almost entirely run on solar power. So, if you're a fan of funky, fermented tipples and the environment, this one's for you. And you'll be supporting a small homegrown business which, in these times, is more important than ever. It's got a tasty range of brews suited to any occasion and palate, from sessionable lagers to complex IPAs, sours, cider and saisons. Its Asam Boi Gose, which is a salted plum sour, took home a GABS award last year — so, if you've yet to try it, we recommend getting a case of it stat. Luckily, now you can. To celebrate its new farm-to-door delivery service, we've teamed up with Beerfarm to offer you $10 off your first carton. Just head here to make your purchase and enter the one-off code CPBFF20 at check out. Delivery is available nationwide, with varying shipping costs. This story includes affiliate links, which means Concrete Playground may receive a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. This does not influence our editorial recommendations or content. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Despite their lack of figuration, Dale Frank’s varnish paintings tell a story. The story of his process — layers of transparent varnish and pigment clashing and separating, creating whole new psychedelic phantasmagoria. Don’t be fooled. These seemingly random configurations, which will encourage different reactions (at his last show, one friend remarked the works heightened his sense of taste, while another quickly remarked that the colours mixing together reminded him of vomit), are actually the result of Frank’s intensely controlled working environment; dust is kept to a minimum, temperature and humidity are constantly monitored, as is the positioning of the canvases. When Frank started his varnish oeuvre, there were myths of great pockets of wet paint exploding out from his works onto boardroom floors. But fear not; a poncho won't be required. The varnish Frank now uses takes only three weeks to dry. Dale Frank has been showing at Roslyn Oxley9 for near on 30 years, and his work is held in every major public gallery in Australia, as well as in private collections throughout Australia, America, and Europe. Definitely visit this show, and be sure to pick up a price list and carefully read the title of each work as you view them. At times seemingly mundane, at others overtly profound, Frank’s titles, though on first inspection rather ambiguous, are as undeniably psychological as his paintings are physical, and will greatly inform your subjective impression of each work.
The world’s first ever Instagram relay is happening on Sunday, September 27, to celebrate World Tourism Day. Launching in Samoa at sunrise, the #helloworldRELAY will move across the planet like an enormous Mexican wave, concluding in the Cook Islands at sunset, 36 hours later. More than 80 top-shot photographers will be taking the lead, Instagramming destinations between sunrise and sunset. But the relay isn’t only for pros. Instagrammers of all kinds and aspirations are invited to get on board. Simply turn up at the scheduled Instameet nearest you. Sydney’s will, naturally, be all about the Harbour views: meet at Hyatt boardwalk (next to Hickson Road Reserve) at 3pm and make your way to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. Can’t make it? Despair not. You can watch all the action online. Prepare for a 36-hour visual feast, taking in Saigon’s steamy streets, Paris’s romantic landmarks, Switzerland’s highest mountains, Myanmar’s mystical monasteries, New York’s Brooklyn Bridge and Oman’s spectacular Mountain of the Sun. Keep up with #helloworldRELAY developments via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Move aside, mimosas — there's a new bottomless brunch in town and this one's all about the caffeinated cocktails. Spanish liqueur brand Licor 43 is dropping into Sydney and teaming up with Potts Point's Chula for a new limited-edition brunch session fuelled by free-flowing coffee concoctions. The Mexican restaurant is dishing up its Bottomless Coffee Cocktail Brunch every Saturday from February 18–March 18. For the headline act, you'll catch two different signature cocktails heroing the perfect pairing of coffee and Licor 43: the Shaken Espresso 43 and the gin-infused Uno Más 43. Meanwhile, you'll be feasting on a generous spread of dishes from the Chula kitchen, starring the likes of potato and chorizo taquitos, zesty ceviche, barbecued corn and ten-hour slow-cooked pork tacos. And for dessert: a Horchata flan paired with raspberry sorbet and a Licor 43 crumb. You've got a two-hour sitting to enjoy your feed and the free-flowing cocktails, with the whole thing clocking in at $99. Tables are available to book online.
When gallery owner Susan (Amy Adams) first rifles through a manuscript penned by her ex-husband Edward (Jake Gyllenhaal), the pages draw blood. Her finger bleeds from a simple paper cut, but another, unseen wound also opens — one caused by her actions 19 years earlier, that she thought her now-strained second marriage to the wealthy Hutton (Armie Hammer) had healed. Already an insomniac and riddled with stress about her latest exhibition opening, she's drawn to the dark tale told found within those pages. There, a man by the name of Tony (also played by Gyllenhaal) finds his family holiday with his wife (Isla Fisher) and daughter (Ellie Bamber) interrupted by Texan troublemakers (including Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Karl Glusman). Before long, the story segues from road rage terror to nightmarish tragedy to an account of violence that can only be solved with more of the same. As Susan reads, ravenously leafing through the novel at any moment that she can, it inspires memories of her younger, happier days with Edward. That's the film's second narrative within a narrative, one in which Susan earns the disapproval of her mother (Laura Linney) by wedding a writer of little means, and then struggles as their married bliss inevitably falters. And so Nocturnal Animals becomes a nesting doll of pain, heartbreak, betrayal, sorrow and, eventually, revenge. Alluring exteriors hide ugly depths on multiple levels. The film constantly juxtaposes beauty and horror; an opening sequence is filled with fleshy, scantily clad women dancing in a cloud of glitter. Who better than director Tom Ford to usher audiences into such a seductive, psychologically complex world? Nocturnal Animals is a bolder, blunter and more brutal movie than the fashion designer turned filmmaker's first effort behind the lens, A Single Man. In adapting Austin Wright's 1993 novel Tony and Susan, the writer-director proves that he still knows how to provoke a reaction. Still, where A Single Man heaved with emotion as it bewitched the eye, Nocturnal Animals seethes with emptiness. As shot by cinematographer Seamus McGarvey, the film's glossy visuals feel like vacant vessels, styled meticulously, and yet never containing more than the obvious. In a pulpy, throwaway thriller, that's fine, but Ford aims much higher than that. Ensuring that his feature wears his clear influences, from Alfred Hitchcock and Brian de Palma to David Lynch and Douglas Sirk, prominently on its impeccably dressed sleeves, he strives to craft a sensual, suspenseful exploration of regret, and the aches that mistakes can bring. Sadly, he comes up short. The cast of the work is expectedly first-rate, from the glassy-eyed Adams to the increasingly frantic Gyllenhaal to the ever-stellar, scene-stealing Michael Shannon as a cop helping Tony seek justice. Some play real characters within the world of the film, while others are literary manifestations of decades worth of pain. But then if there's one thing that Ford excels at as much as making his features look stunning, it's casting. Everyone's performance is perfectly pitched, which is perhaps why the overall lack of feeling behind the film's luxurious facade feels so very disappointing.
The south side of Newtown's King Street is now home to a brand new beer hall, with South King Recreation Club channelling RSL vibes, spinning tunes on vinyl and throwing it back to 'pre-lockout Sydney'. The venue plays up its old school atmosphere with daggy furniture and carpets, along with little touches like an administration merit board circa 2001 and mounted photos of the 'board of directors'. They've swapped the pokies for retro arcade games, but kept the meat tray raffles and cheap pub grub deals — including $12 schnittys on Wednesdays and $12 burgers on Thursdays. Parmas and beer-flavoured lamingtons also make the menu. Grab a seat in the leafy outdoor beer garden for locally brewed beers by the likes of Young Henrys and Hawke's Brewing Company. Craft tinnies and draught brews are just $5 during the bar's weekday happy hour, which runs from 5–7pm and also features a rotating list of $10 specialty cocktails — think mezcal palomas, plus bourbon-spiked peanut butter and jelly milkshakes. The bar will also pour minimal intervention wines from small producers like New Zealand's Don + Kindeli and Adelaide Hills' Ochota Barrels. Every Wednesday features your chance to win some meat, as well as badge draws, and every Thursday offers Wheel of Fortune prizes — plus DJs hitting the decks all night long. Entertainment Director Rick Hunter (who runs the monthly South King Record Fair) has lined up guest DJ appearances from some notable local acts, and has sourced one helluva collection of vintage vinyl for the venue, too. South King Recreation Club is now open at Level 1, 597 King Street, Newtown. Opening hours are Monday through Friday from 5pm–late and Saturday through Sunday from noon–late.
If you've always longed to learn how to weave coconut fronds, cook with native ingredients or meet a dingo up close, here's your chance. As part of NAIDOC Week, Barangaroo is hosting Women of Craft: a showcase of traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women's arts, crafts, cooking, music and knowledge. And it's completely free. All day long on Sunday, July 8, you'll get the chance to watch demonstrations, take part in free workshops and see traditions in action. The morning will kick off at 10am with a cleansing smoking ceremony, followed by a sand circle dance by Buuja Buuja Butterfly Dance Group. Next up will be a string of workshops. Learn how to weave coconut fronds, banana leaves and lomandra, all under the guidance of experts including Mimi Aboriginal Arts, Sylvia Nakachi and Hannah Gutchen. Then, discover the intricacies involved in making shell jewellery with Julie Freeman and her son Clive Freeman. Meanwhile, expert forager Jody Orcher and Bush Tukka Guide author Samantha Martin will be leading a bunch of food workshops and demos. Their focus is homestyle cooking using native ingredients, so you can expect to leave armed with a stack of recipes to whip in your kitchen. Every event happening at Women in Craft is free and there's no need to register. All you have to do is turn up.
Mother and daughter duo Lindi Katz and Jenna Isaacman have been curating casual yet elegant outfits for Sydney's best dressed at their Bondi store since 2008. While Lindi had spent 15 years running boutiques in South Africa, Jenna had been working as a designer for various fashion companies. One night, the two stayed up late getting excited about the idea of co-owning a business — and six months later, Me and Moo was born. At any one time, you'll find 30+ brands in stock. The work of homegrown designers, like Lee Matthews, Zimmerman, Ace of Something and Me and Moo's eponymous own label, hang alongside international pieces from the likes of Velvet by Graham & Spencer, D-ID and Adriano Goldschmied. In keeping with the store's vision, the fit-out is earthy and welcoming, yet refined. A dark timber island forms the centrepiece, with displays dotted around it. 'Just ins' and sales are advertised via Me and Moo's Facebook page.
Already in 2021, fans of the DC Extended Universe — the interconnected franchise that started with Man of Steel, and also includes Wonder Woman and its sequel, Aquaman and Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) — have sat down to watch an extended new version of Justice League like it's still 2017. Next on the series' viewing list: The Suicide Squad, the confusingly named sequel to 2016's Suicide Squad (because no one has challenged themselves thinking of the upcoming flick's title). Margot Robbie (Dreamland) returns as Harley Quinn, Joel Kinnaman (The Secrets We Keep) does the same as Rick Flag and Australian actor Jai Courtney (Honest Thief) also makes a comeback as Captain Boomerang. As the government agent overseeing this band of world-saving supervillains, recent Oscar-nominee Viola Davis (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom) is back as well. But don't expect to see the rest of their original costars this time around. As seen in the film's initial trailer, and now expanded upon in its just-dropped new sneak peek, The Suicide Squad sees a new group of nefarious folks joins Harley and the gang — including Idris Elba (Cats) as Bloodsport, John Cena (Playing with Fire) as Peacemaker, Peter Capaldi (The Personal History of David Copperfield) as Thinker, Pete Davidson (The King of Staten Island) as Blackguard and Sylvester Stallone (Rambo: Last Blood) as the voice of King Shark. Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit) has a yet-to-be revealed role, and Guardians of the Galaxy alums Michael Rooker and Sean Gunn show up, too — which makes complete sense given that GotG filmmaker James Gunn is behind the lens and has also penned the screenplay. By hiring Gunn, DC is clearly looking for his sense of humour, as well as his lively and OTT style. In both clips so far, all of the above is on display. So yes, if The Suicide Squad feels more in line with goofier Marvel Cinematic Universe flicks than most of DC Comics' big-screen output, there's an obvious reason for that. When the film hits cinemas Down Under on August 5, it'll initially head to Belle Reve prison, where supervillains are kept. Asked by Task Force X to participate in a secret mission in exchange for time out of incarceration, Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, King Shark, Blackguard and their pals are more than willing to help. Their job: travelling to the island of Corto Maltese on a deadly quest. It's dubbed a suicide mission in the trailer, because of course it is. Check out latest The Suicide Squad trailer below: The Suicide Squad releases in cinemas Down Under on August 5.
"The people who come here, they come to heal," says Nicole Kidman in the latest trailer for Nine Perfect Strangers. There's a disconcerting tone to her words, however. She plays Masha Dmitrichenko, the wellness guru in charge of a high-priced retreat in a super-scenic spot, and she definitely isn't making anyone feel relaxed with her presence. Whether you're checking into a nearby spa for the day or heading further afield for a lengthier stint of bliss, visiting these kinds of venues is supposed to be calming. But that really doesn't seem to be the case in this upcoming miniseries. The star-studded Nine Perfect Strangers was shot in Byron Bay, which is why it looks the striking part — but the nine guests who turn up in search of a new lease on life all appear set to get much more than they've bargained for. That's how the show's trailers have been unfolding, at least, with the latest sneak peek offering the biggest glimpse at the series yet. Given the cast involved — including not just Kidman (The Undoing), but also Melissa McCarthy (Thunder Force), Michael Shannon (Knives Out), Luke Evans (Crisis) and Asher Keddie (Rams) — Nine Perfect Strangers is easily one of the big streaming releases of the year, and that long list of famous faces will be navigating quite the eerie and creepy situation. Also part of the show: Bobby Cannavale (Superintelligence), Regina Hall (Little), Samara Weaving (Bill & Ted Face the Music), Melvin Gregg (The United States vs Billie Holiday), Asher Keddie (Rams), Grace Van Patten (Under the Silver Lake), Tiffany Boone (The Midnight Sky) and Manny Jacinto (The Good Place), who'll all navigate a ten-day retreat overseen by Kidman's Masha throughout the drama's eight episodes. The latter oversees the resort that promises to transform nine stressed city-dwellers — but, clearly, things aren't going to turn out as planned for the show's titular figures. As with Kidman's last two miniseries — Big Little Lies, which like Nine Perfect Strangers, was also based on a book by Liane Moriarty; and The Undoing — David E Kelley (LA Law, Ally McBeal, Mr Mercedes) is leading the charge behind the scenes. He's the show's co-writer and co-showrunner, with Long Shot's Jonathan Levine directing every episode. And if you're wondering where and when you'll be able to see the results, Nine Perfect Strangers will stream Down Under via Amazon Prime Video, with the series set to debut on Friday, August 20. Check out the full trailer below: Nine Perfect Strangers will start streaming in Australia and New Zealand on Friday, August 20 via Amazon Prime Video — starting with its first three episodes, with new episodes then dropping weekly afterwards. Top image: Vince Valitutti/Hulu.
If, when weekends roll around, you look for any excuse to don a nice outfit, sip fine wine and eat delicious food, listen up — Saké Restaurant & Bar Double Bay is now hosting a highly opulent Champagne lunch. To celebrate the 200th birthday of Veuve Clicquot's famous rosé Champagne, the restaurant is serving up a special two-hour food and drink package every Saturday and Sunday. As the story goes, Madame Clicquot invented the special blending technique behind the rosé Champagne after taking over the Clicquot business following the death of her husband. This prompted 'Veuve' — meaning 'widow' in French — to be added to the brand name. Unlike her predecessors in rosé-making, who simply coloured regular champagne with elderberries, Madame Clicquot allowed her fondness for red wine grapes to guide experimentation. She decided to blend red wine with still white wine, creating a newer, stronger rosé Champagne. Madame Clicquot is also credited with starting the riddling method, which ensures the champagne keeps its clear and crisp colour. In celebration of Madame Clicquot and her rosé Champagne, Saké Restaurant is treating you to a specially prepared lunch for $75 per person. The seven-plate feast includes Sydney rock oysters with spicy ponzu and onion salsa, sashimi tacos with kingfish and tuna, plus wagyu skewers served with yakiniku sauce and panko-crumbed Glacier 51 toothfish tempura. Add free-flowing Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label for an additional $99 per person, or, for those truly getting in the birthday spirit, upgrade to Veuve Clicquot Rosé for an additional $139 a head. This luxe luncheon is also happening at Saké Restaurant The Rocks, so you have double the opportunity to say cheers to Madame Clicquot, and help ring in her rosé Champagne's 200th birthday. For more info or to secure a table for the special champagne lunch, visit the Saké website.
The outer reaches of Lightning Ridge are home to a collection of fascinating landmarks and landscapes, with the self-guided Car Door Tours ensuring you journey to the very best. Just follow the green, blue, red and yellow wreckage lining the roads that leave town in all directions. You'll reach the Opal Mine Adventure on the Blue Car Door Tour, while the Red Car Door Tour swings by Ridge Castle – an offbeat mining camp with panoramic countryside views. These trips range from 10 to 45 minutes of drive time, making them perfect for a quick cruise. Even if you don't take yourself on a tour, you'll become familiar with the car doors pretty quickly — they function as de facto street signs in Lightning Ridge.
Alain de Botton has been changing the literary and modern-day philosophical landscape since he was 23, publishing books on every subject under the sun. He writes about the world, our place within it and how we interact with not only the environment but each other. He has delivered talks all over the world, including at the Opera House in 2012, discussing what and why we are the way we are. And he's coming back. On March 29, Alain hits the Opera House with his new talk, 'The News: A Users Manual', based on his book of the same name. Among other things, he will discuss our relation to the news, why we find some things interesting, and other things not at all. The news and the media are such huge parts of our lives and, in The News, Alain aims to demonstrate the how and why of our intense relationship them.
Mindfulness practice — achieving the mental state of focusing on the present moment — is gaining popularity as people attempt to regulate their stressful lives. People have turned to everything from meditation to colouring books to achieve mindfulness, but perhaps few people would think of doing a triathlon to achieve inner peace. Take three activities that promote mindfulness — specifically running, yoga and meditation — and you've got yourself a 'mindful triathlon'. Wanderlust 108 has been running these triathlon festivals since 2014, and the standard day has a few main components. First, there's the five kilometre run, although the site reassures you that you can walk instead of running — or even "prance, skip, stroll or strut" — as long as you reach the finish line. After that, theres 75 minutes of yoga accompanied by a DJ set, and finally 30 minutes of meditation to round out the whole-group activities. Once the structured section of the day has wrapped up, participants can also head to activities such as aerial yoga, acroyoga and hooping, or to lunch. It's part exercise, part dance party, part fest — and 100% focused on helping attendees feel great inside and out. Also on the agenda: walking meditation, essential oil classes and the Mindful Marketplace, which will help you take your new blissed-out state home with you. By Siobhan Ryan and Sarah Ward.
Regular Blue Mountains visitors and new explorers alike will be awestruck by the Capertee Valley, the second-largest canyon in the world. The mighty sandstone escarpment drops into a deep chasm of bush and grasslands that's a hiker's haven. If you're not so keen on climbing, easily accessible vantage points such as Pearsons Lookout let you gaze upon magnificent formations like Pantoneys Crown — a flat-topped monolith structure — without all the work. Campers can set up at the main grounds by the Capertee River, or you can find charming private accommodation around the valley, including three bubble tents with 360-degree views and outdoor woodfired baths. Image: Destination NSW
Fuzzy's national electronic-meets-hip hop festival Listen Out is back for another round and this year's lineup is a humdinger, topped by California's inimitable Anderson .Paak, with his live band The Free Nationals. He's joined by UK beatsmiths Gorgon City, big trap fiend Baauer, AV-happy producer Claptone live, Harlem Trap Lord A$AP Ferg, LA young gun Jauz, grime newcomer Stormzy, Swedish rap phenomenon Yung Lean and more. There's plenty of homegrown love on the bill this year, as always, with festival favourites Rüfüs marking their final Aussie shows of 2016, alongside the likes of Cosmo's Midnight, Ngaiire, L D R U, JOY, Sui Zhen and Willow Beats. Listen Out tours nationally to four of Australia's capitals, and will make its way to Centennial Park on Saturday, October 1. See the full slam dunk of a lineup below. LISTEN OUT 2016 LINEUP Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals A$AP Ferg Claptone Immortal Live Cosmo's Midnight Gorgon City DJ Set Baauer JAUZ JOY. L D R U Ngaiire Rüfüs Stormzy Sui Zhen DJ Set Tash Sultana Tchami Willow Beats Yung Lean Image: Listen Out.
With restrictions rolling back just as summer arrives, Sydney is awash with music festival announcements. One event is putting the others to shame, though, announcing a program over nearly 200 bands across three days. The newly expanded iteration of Newtown's annual suburb-wide music festival King Street Crawl has just added another 150 acts across 32 venues to its 2022 lineup, as well as a food and drink hub in Sydney Park. Now named King Street Carnival, the three-day festival will take place across the inner west between Friday, January 14–Sunday, January 16 with a lineup spanning local Australian legends like Yothu Yindi, Sarah Blasko and Hiatus Kaiyote, as well as local Sydney bands cutting their teeth on stages across Newtown and its surrounds. Sydney Park's new pop-up food and beverage precinct will be open to ticketholders and will feature eats and drops from local favourites. At Fabtown, you can snack on sustainably sourced food from Bush, next-level cafe delights from Rolling Penny, vegetarian treats from Yulli's or inventive ice cream flavours from Cow & The Moon. While you're there, you'll be able to grab a boozy beverage from Sydney distilleries, breweries and suppliers such as P&V, Grifter Brewing Co, Philter, Poor Toms and Wayward. A lineup of dance, pop and R&B acts including MADAM3EMPRESS, Vetta Borne, Millie Sykes, Deepa and Sophiya have all been added to the Sydney Park Brick Pits Heaps Gay party for those with tickets; however, the big addition to the lineup is the more than 100 bands that will pop up for a series of free gigs in venues across the inner west. Heading to venues such as Marly Bar, 1989 Arcade Bar, Botany View Hotel, Vic on the Park, The Lansdowne, Hive Bar, Tokyo Sing Song and the new Odd Culture, the fest will host free gigs spanning just about every genre of music. Catch sax-heavy punk band Party Dozen share the stage with Korean-Australian hip-hop group 1300; settle in with local indie darlings like Palms, Babitha and Ultracrush; or catch sets from next-big-thing rappers Nerve and Nooky. For the full lineup, you can flick through the program at the King Street Carnival website — or mosey down to King Street on the weekend of the festival and you're sure to find something you like. [caption id="attachment_831649" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Odd Culture[/caption] King Street Carnival will take place across 32 inner west venues between Friday, January 14–Sunday, January 16. Top image: Newtown Festival, Camperdown Park, Kirsten Muller.
In March 2022, the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade will return to the Sydney Cricket Ground, bringing its pageant of costumes, puppetry and props to the venue for the second year in a row. But it isn't the only beloved part of Mardi Gras that's making a comeback next year — with everything from the annual flag raising, Fair Day and the Paradiso Pool Party to the Sissy Ball and Laugh Out Proud also back on the program. The Mardi Gras festival has revealed a stack of returning favourites that you can pop in your diary right now. First up: the Progress Pride flag-raising at Sydney Town Hall, which'll kick off the event on Friday, February 18. The flag will then fly all throughout the fest. Fair Day returns to its home at Victoria Park on Sunday, February 20; the Kaftana Pool Party at The Ivy pool on Wednesday, February 23; and Laugh Out Proud at the Enmore Theatre on Friday, February 25. Also returning: the Sissy Ball on Saturday, February 26, this time bringing its glam ballroom shindig, house battles, DJs and live tunes to Sydney Town Hall; the Paradiso Pool Party on Monday, February 28, giving The Ivy pool a Mediterranean feel to farewell summer; and the Laneway recovery party the next day, on Sunday, March 6, at The Beresford and Hill Street. And, both the Queer Screen Mardi Gras Film Festival and Queer Art After Hours are back, too — the former from Thursday, February 17–Thursday, March 3, and the latter at the Art Gallery of New South Wales on Wednesday, March 2. There are still more guests and events to be revealed so watch this space. But we already know one thing for sure: 2022 is going to kick into gear in Sydney with quite the dazzling showcase of queer art and culture, all celebrating the theme 'United We Shine'.
Pyrmont has well and truly shaken off its rough and industrial past. Backbreaking quarries dubbed Purgatory and Hells Hole have been replaced with award-winning restaurants and glitzy bars. It's central, buzzing and diverse. Come for the view, stay for the party. You'll find a cocktail for every taste and every weekend. Settle in for an alfresco afternoon at Pizzaperta or a sunset sojourn at Peacock Lounge at Sky Terrace. The nightlife scene is well and truly swinging into the wee hours. After all, why limit happy to an hour? We give you some top-notch cocktails to try in Pyrmont before summer slips away. APEROL SPRITZ AT PIZZAPERTA As the name suggests, Pizzaperta is all about the humble wood-fired pizza. This summer, though, the team is adding a zesty twist to their artisanal menu. Serving up a summer aperitif favourite, the pizza purveyors are slinging Aperol spritz for just $12. Fruity, bitter and bubbly all at the same time — pair one of these beauties with some $5 Italian nibbles off the summer snacks menu and you'll feel like you've landed somewhere along a Venetian canal by way of Pyrmont. THE PARFUM AT SOKYO LOUNGE Pantone declared Ultra Violet as the colour of 2018, and award-winning Japanese restaurant and lounge Sokyo remains ahead of the curve. The team dreamt up a violet-toned martini dubbed The Parfum long before Pantone made the call. It's one of the prettiest cocktails around town, served in a glass goblet and garnished with edible flowers. With a gin base, Saint Germaine elderflower liqueur, Massanez crème de violette and lemon juice, The Parfum is a beautiful and delectable sip, served alongside the kingfish wings with shichimi butter, available this summer only SYDNEY SIDE AT BLACK BAR What does Sydney taste like? Zesty, spicy and sweet with a kick according to Black Bar. They've released a cocktail just for summer called the Sydney Side. Lemongrass-infused vodka, elderflower cordial, fresh lime juice and homemade secret ingredient velvet falernum cordial combine to superb effect. With each sip, see if you can guess the surprising flavours used to blend velvet falernum — a Barbados bar scene staple. Here's a hint: a spice, a herb, a root and a nut walk into a bar. The refreshing drink is served with a twist of lime and matches well with their mojama on squid ink crackers with smoked creme fraiche, oysters and other seafood. Enjoy over lunch from 12–3pm on Friday to Sunday or from 5.30pm every day except Monday. NEGRONI AT BALLA APERITIVI BAR Were you left at home in the cold while all your friends galavanted around Italian summer this year? Well, Balla Aperitivi Bar offers a pretty tasty consolation prize in the form of a well-balanced negroni, served alongside wood-fired calamari skewers. The walk-in bar is part of the award-winning Balla, so you know you'll be met with quality. Available until the end of January, the cocktail and nibbles special is one to keep in mind for when you're on the hunt for a feed before seeing a show at Sydney Lyric. FROSÉ AT PEACOCK LOUNGE ON SKY TERRACE Sydney's seasonal rooftop bar Peacock Lounge has returned to Sky Terrace for the summer and is pouring a new summer favourite that joined the likes of the spritz and G&T last year: frosé. It's set to be another scorcher this summer, so stay cool with an icy rosé cocktail. The frosty drink is available for just a crisp tenner during happy hour from 5 to 7pm every Friday. We recommend getting there early to nab the best seat in the house overlooking the water and the eventual sunset. See everything that's going on at The Star this summer here. Hungry? Hit these Pyrmont spots for some summer eats.
Sydney restauranteur Yashpal Erda has officially expanded his rule-breaking empire to sunny Bondi Beach with Masala Theory 2.0. A sleek sister location to the eccentric OG outpost in Surry Hills has set up shop inside the buzzy Hall Street food precinct, The Hub. Residing alongside local favourites like Da Orazio, bills, Gelato Messina and China Diner, Masala Theory 2.0 dons a more sophisticated, modern approach featuring a magenta and black theme, although it still manages to sneak in eye-catching decor with plenty of personality. Able to host up to 80 guests, the newly-opened restaurant blends Erda's heritage with contemporary dining for a less conventional experience compared with more traditional Indian restaurants. You'll spot its renowned semi-traditional bites and sips — like the signature curry bombs, the towering Three Sisters chaat, the lehsuni strawberry chicken curry and the fragrant gulabi panna cotta alongside an onslaught of new offerings. Masala Theory 2.0 dishes up a menu specially crafted by Head Chef Sreekanth Munnangi, starring new entrees like dosa onion rings, Bombay-style fish and chips, smashed chicken vindaloo curry and Asian-inspired bang bang gobhi (cauliflower) among the latest additions. "We always strive to celebrate the vast landscape that is India which continues to inspire me and push me to try new dishes, ingredients, flavour and textures," said Erda. Taking inspiration from its local surrounds, Bondi's offerings also feature the addition of seafood with a roasted coconut barramundi curry, ghee-roasted prawns and a 'prawn-tini' making its way onto the menu, as well as a variety of vegan options from meatless meatballs to chickpea biryani. And with Masala Theory 2.0's proximity to the beach — just a short five minute walk away — you'll be able to enjoy a sunshine-filled stroll around dinnertime or a hefty lunch to satiate the anticipated post-beach-trip hunger. You'll find Masala Theory 2.0 open from 5pm to 10pm Mondays to Thursdays, 12pm to 10:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays and from 12pm to 10pm on Sundays at 79 Hall Street inside Bondi's food precinct, The Hub.
Picnics are back in Sydney and Melbourne. In the past week, outdoor gathering rules have changed in both cities, with their respective lockdown restrictions now allowing outside social interaction in groups of up to five adults as long as everyone is fully vaccinated. So, if you and your mates have had the jab, you've probably been spending your time working out exactly which patch of grass you can head to. Obviously, picking exactly where you can picnic isn't quite as simple as normal. Both cities currently have travel limits in place, with Sydneysiders only able to venture five kilometres from home or stick within their Local Government Area, and Melburnians permitted to mosey ten kilometres from their houses. So, a heap of useful websites have popped up to help you work out where you and your mates' travel bubbles overlap — including newcomer Friendship Island. This aesthetically pleasing website is immensely straightforward, and easy to use. Either type in an address or drop a pin to get started. Then, you can do the same for all your friends' addresses. In the process, you'll see everyone's bubbles on-screen, with the map getting darker and clearer where they overlap. If you need a reminder of which rules you need to abide by, both the NSW and Victorian options — which you can toggle between via links at the top of the page — come with a drop-down box to the left of the screen that outlines all the specifics. Then, you just need to sort out who's bringing what to your mate picnic date. No, the website can't do that for you. To work out your bubble crossovers, head to the Friendship Island website. For more information about the rules in NSW, head to the NSW Health website. For more information about the rules in Victoria, head to the Victorian Department of Health website.
Now that we've been isolating for over a month, you may be wondering if those takeaway dumplings and home-baked cookies (as delicious as they are) are doing your body any favours? If you're craving something more nourishing as time goes by in lockdown, there is a healthy food delivery service that simplifies eating well. Macros delivers ready-made, dietitian-designed dishes to your doorstep weekly, so you can save time and money planning meals. They're prepared by chefs and delivered fresh, not frozen, so you can simply pop your meals in the microwave when you're ready to eat and you'll have comforting classics like spaghetti bolognese and shepherd's pie, or Mongolian beef and lemon barramundi, ready in a matter of minutes. How does it work? Just choose from one of six meal plans available that best suit your lifestyle. There are 'Everyday' plans, which can be ordered as single-serve or family-sized, and you can opt for meals that contain less than 350 calories if you're counting. There are 'Fitness' plans that include high-protein and low carb options (Sculpt), protein-packed and moderate carbs (Perform), or high calorie feeds (Gain) if you're bulking for the apocalypse. And, as you only order what you need, there's minimal food waste. You can also tailor your plan to suit your dietary needs, be it plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, paleo or nut-free. And, to top it off, it's a pretty affordable option in these wild times, with meals starting from $8.70. Select how many meals you'd like — from seven up to 24 a week — and you'll have a fridge full of fresh meals for when you're stuck in back-to-back work calls, or too tired from all those fitness Zoom classes you've been signing up for. Every meal can be frozen, too, which gives you an extra back-up plan when you're finding ways to save money. And, if you need to, you can also pause or skip a week of your subscription at no extra cost. Macros delivers across Australia and meal plans start from $73.50 per week. For more information, and to sign up, head to Macros' website.
UPDATE, March 26, 2021: Raw is available to stream via Stan, Binge, Shudder, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. Cinematic explorations of teen sexuality are fairly common. So is finding the horrific side of adolescent desires and urges. Indeed, there are plenty of scary big screen stories about teens battling their feelings as well as a deadly figure or force, with the filmmakers practically yelling "METAPHOR!" at the audience. But pairing such tales with cannibalism? That's something a little more unusual. Here's hoping that your stomach is empty, because Raw offers quite the filling meal. First, the rotting carcass in the room. When Julia Ducournau's debut feature screened at the Toronto International Film Festival last year, an ambulance had to be called to look after fainting movie-goers. Raw isn't actually the wall-to-wall gore-fest you might have been led to believe, but red bodily fluids do flow freely, severed limbs certainly feature, and downing rabbit kidneys with vodka is one of the more tame occurrences to fill the film's frames. Basically, the film isn't recommended viewing for those who easily get queasy. Thanks to its far-from-standard take on the savagery of growing up, however, it's absolutely vital viewing for everyone else. When the quiet and studious Justine (Garance Marillier) is dropped off at veterinary school by her vegan vet parents, she's awash with both excitement about what's to come and reluctance about leaving her old existence behind. Marillier delivers an astonishingly astute and fluid performance, and you can see both emotions swirling behind her expressive doe eyes. The look remains when Justine is dragged out of bed in the middle of the night as part of a hazing ritual, and when she's forced to attend a raucous, rave-like subterranean party. It flickers strongly when she's told, despite her protests, to eat meat, receiving absolutely no assistance from her older sister Alexia (Ella Rumpf) who also attends the same college. And, when Justine breaks out in a rash soon after gulping back her first mouthful, it positively beams from her gaze. With a ravenous appetite for dissecting what it means to chew upon adulthood when you're still just a teenage girl — one that aptly matches her protagonist's new craving for human flesh — Ducournau slices through the typical cliches to create a film that is both thought-provoking and a sensory feast. Saying that the movie is meaty might seem a little bit easy, but as its writer-director cooks up a distinctive platter of body horror musings – taking inspiration from genre king David Cronenberg while carving out her own space – such an adjective really couldn't be more fitting. To put it simply, if you have the constitution for it, you're going to want to consume every last morsel of Ducournau's film. Your eyes will drink in the visceral thrills that come from the bites and the splatter. Your ears will soak in a score that knows when to keep things simple and when to season with pounding pressure. Finally, your brain will hunger for more as it gnaws upon the onslaught of emotional and physical carnage. Bon appétit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDiVGDmgsFY
The Emerald Room is teaming up with Hendrick's Gin to host the best kind of high tea: a boozy one with live entertainment. At this unconventional event, you'll be pairing high tea classics with the cabaret venue's signature entertainment and bottomless tea and coffee — or picking between cocktails and free-flowing champagne — with prices starting from $85 per person. Every Saturday and Sunday from midday, you can pair lemon myrtle scones, cucumber and wild boar toast finger sandwiches, orange sponge cake and prawn toast with a selection of teas supplied by T2 or your choice of coffee — and you'll receive a complimentary side of thrilling entertainment. If you're opting to replace your hot cuppa with a fruity gin cocktail, you can add on the curated Hendrick's Gin flight for an extra $40. This'll include three bespoke cocktails spanning a citrus-forward Hendrick's Lunar, a refreshing Hendrick's Classic accompanied by a slice of cucumber and the floral Hendrick's Flora Adora with raspberry tonic. For champagne lovers, you can go with 90 minutes of free-flowing Moet & Chandon instead.
Cheese dreams are made of this: a cake, but made out of everyone's favourite dairy product, then topped with deli meats, fruit and edible flowers. It might sound like something that your brie-loving slumbering brain thought up after pairing wine and cheddar and then hitting the hay but, even if it is, Salt Meats Cheese are the ones now making it a reality. The Italian chain has just added one-kilogram brie cakes to its menu, so that's the kind of cheese you'll be eating by the chunky dessert-sized slice on your next big occasion. As for those toppings, prosciutto, mortadella and sopressa from SMC's deli sit atop this whopping white wheel of the good stuff. To keep tempting your tastebuds, so do pickles, fresh and dried fruits, plus those blooms that you can munch on. One whole kilogram of brie is a lot for one person to devour, so these cakes are designed to feed between ten and 15 people — but we'll leave it up to you how strictly you take that guide. If your stomach is now understandably rumbling, the brie cakes are available at SMC's Drummoyne store in Sydney, Newstead eatery in Brisbane and Surfers Paradise outpost on the Gold Coast. Each one will set you back $99, and you can place your order by contacting the store at least 36 hours in advance of when you're eager to pick your cake up. Obviously, there's only one word for this news: yum. Salt Meats Cheese's one-kilogram brie cakes are available from its Drummoyne store in Sydney, Newstead eatery in Brisbane and Surfers Paradise outpost on the Gold Coast for $99 each, with orders placed by contacting the store.
If you love cheese, but are sick of spending the bulk of your pay cheque on it, here's a solution: take a cheese-making class. Sure, it'll cost you pretty penny, but then you'll have the knowledge to make endless cheese at home, whenever you want. Also, thanks to Omnom Cheese Shop's new virtual burrata, bocconcini and ricotta workshop, you can learn along at home as well. The Sydney-based cheese outfit is adding a series of online classes to its repertoire, taking place at 6pm on Wednesday, September 23 and Wednesday, October 21. During the 80-minute class, you'll learn to how to make three types of cheese — in real-time, via Zoom, with plenty of live tips as you go. You'll also receive a DIY cheese-making kit delivered to your door as part of your $59 ticket. You will need to have some kitchen equipment on hand, and to pick up some milk and cream — with full details sent out a week before the class. Hot tip: in-person, Omnom's cheese-making sessions regularly sell out, so its online classes are certain to be popular. Another suggestion: if you want to pair your cheese-making with wine, well, that definitely isn't frowned upon. Omnom Cheese Shop's virtual burrata, bocconcini and ricotta workshop takes place at 6pm on Wednesday, September 23 and Wednesday, October 21.
"Not now, not ever." Thanks to former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, those words have been seared into Australian history forever. During her time in the nation's highest office — on October 9, 2012, in fact — Gillard uttered them as part of her groundbreaking misogyny speech, in response to then Liberal Opposition Leader and future PM Tony Abbott. It was a landmark moment. An unforgettable one, too. And, this October, it will have been ten years since it happened. To mark the occasion, Gillard is bringing the speech and its sentiments to the stage in two shows — one in Sydney and one in Melbourne. "A decade has passed since I first declared 'not now, not ever' in Parliament House, but our collective call for equity remains just as vital," said Gillard, announcing her Not Now, Not Ever live-on-stage gigs. "I am incredibly proud to be part of these special evenings that will celebrate passion and progress, reflect on how far we've come in the last ten years, but most importantly look forward to explore what comes next in the fight for equality." Not Now, Not Ever will head to Melbourne's Hamer Hall on Tuesday, October 4, before making a date with Sydney's Aware Super Theatre on Wednesday, October 5, with broadcaster and author Indira Naidoo playing host. Gillard and Naidoo will be joined by a yet-to-be-revealed lineup of guests, who'll all help reflect upon the former PM's speech. Indeed, the shows aren't simply about celebrating a historic event ten years later, but also continuing the discussion about sexism and misogyny in Australia today. How has Australia changed, if at all, since then? What does the country need to do to truly reach gender equality? How does the nation's political system, and just society in general, reinforce sexist and misogynist attitudes? Expect these questions and more to be addressed. For me, it is a personal and cathartic exercise looking back at THAT speech. But what has meant even more has been gathering the reflections and thoughts from others about then, now, and what next. In October, to mark the 10 year anniversary, I will share it all with you. pic.twitter.com/w5O1nS9KFd — Julia Gillard (@JuliaGillard) June 14, 2022 Gillard is also editing a book that's similarly called Not Now, Not Ever, and is due out on Wednesday, October 5, with proceeds going to the Global Institute for Women's Leadership. Also contributing to the tome: Cate Blanchett, Brittany Higgins, Mary Beard, Jess Hill, Jennifer Palmieri, Katharine Murphy, Wayne Swan, Anne Summers and more. Can't remember back ten years, or even what Gillard faced during 2010–13 spot in Australia's top job? Fierce and formidable documentary Strong Female Lead covered the details last year — and is available to stream now. And, you can watch Gillard's full speech below courtesy of ABC News: NOT NOW, NOT EVER WITH JULIA GILLARD 2022 DATES: Tuesday, October 4 — Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne Wednesday, October 5 — Aware Super Theatre, ICC Sydney Not Now, Not Ever with Julia Gillard will hit Melbourne's Hamer Hall and Sydney's Aware Super Theatre in October. Pre-sales tickets begin on Monday, July 18, with general sales from Monday, July 25. For more information, head to the Ticketek website.
Bluesfest has been a firm fixture of Australia's Easter weekend music calendar since its inception in 1990. Well, give or take a couple of years of COVID cancellations, of course. But now, for the first time, Melburnians will be able to get their Bluesfest fix without the pilgrimage north, when the inaugural Bluesfest Melbourne delivers the goods from Saturday, April 8–Sunday, April 9 next year. Yep, the iconic blues and roots celebration is getting its very own southern spinoff, running the same weekend that the OG fest descends on its usual home in the Byron Bay region. The new instalment will take over the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre for two days of live music, dancing, eating and drinking, headlined by renowned names like Lucinda Williams, C.W Stoneking and Buddy Guy. [caption id="attachment_877649" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kasey Chambers, by Sam Meuleman[/caption] The indoor setting is set to be a distinct change-up from the fest's not-so-weatherproof Byron base, with multiple indoor stages and theatre spaces ensuring not even Melbourne's erratic weather can throw a spanner in the works. The precinct will fire up with sounds from Aussie festival favourites like Xavier Rudd, Kasey Chambers, Henry Wagons and Ash Grunwald, along with the likes of The Doobie Brothers, Eric Gales, Paolo Nutini, Steve Earle, Melbourne Ska Orchestra and Eugene "Hideaway" Bridges. All up, you'll be able to catch more than 30 performances across the weekend. [caption id="attachment_877647" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ash Grunwald[/caption] There are a range of ticketing options on offer, from single-day passes to full weekend tickets. Buzz has also been building for the OG Bluesfest's next edition, with names like Beck, Elvis Costello, Mavis Staples and Gang of Youths set to make their way to Byron Events Farm at Tyagarah for a huge Easter weekend. [caption id="attachment_877646" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Doobie Brothers[/caption] Bluesfest Melbourne will run from April 8–9, 2023, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Grab tickets online from 9am on Monday, November 14. Top Images: Buddy Guy. Lucinda Williams, by Danny Clinch.
When Arelhe Urrperle walks the earth, people will take notice. Spying a six-metre-tall puppet that weighs 600 kilograms wandering around is bound to draw attention. Seeing it mosey through Alice Springs Desert Park, sharing Arrernte stories and language, will be a main attraction at 2024's Parrtjima — A Festival in Light, in fact — and just one of the reasons that this Indigenous arts festival should be on your itinerary this autumn as well. Erth, which has also brought dinosaurs and sharks to life around the country in the past — and held prehistoric picnics featuring puppets — is behind Arelhe Urrperle. In New South Wales, Marri Dyin, which also reaches six metres in height, has taken a stroll at Vivid Sydney 2018 and 2019, plus at the Nights on Crown Festival in Wollongong in 2019. Arelhe Urrperle will be specific to the Red Centre, however, and see Erth's puppeteers train local Indigenous performers to operate the roving puppet for Parrtjima's 2024 run. The dates to head along: Friday, April 12–Sunday, April 21. Representing Arelhe matriarchs, Arelhe Urrperle is one of this year's signature installations — and a new addition to Parrtjima for 2024. Fancy feasting your eyes on illuminated cars that form a collage of work celebrating Eastern, Western and Central language groups? Walking through an immersive passageway that pays tribute to late Arrernte leader Dr MK Turner? Thanks to fellow installations Arrernte and Honouring, they're also on the festival's just-announced program. One of the Northern Territory's annual highlights — and one of its dazzling sights, alongside natural features Uluru, the Tjoritja gorges and Kings Canyon, plus nightly light show Wintjiri Wiru, as well as Bruce Munro's Field of Light and Light Towers — this First Nations arts, culture and storytelling festival takes place against the 300-million-year-old MacDonnell Ranges. Comine that setting with art, music, talks, workshops and more, and a unique festival awaits. 2024 marks the ninth Parrtjima, with its ten-night lineup focusing on the importance of interconnectedness across First Nations culture for this year. That'll partly happen through two things that are always on the bill: two of the festival's regular annual attractions, aka a huge artwork that transforms a 2.5-kilometre stretch of the majestic ranges, showering it with light each night of the festival; and Grounded, the installation projected over the red dirt at tourism and conservation facility Alice Springs Desert Park. The Ranges Light Show will take over additional projection space in 2024, while Grounded will become more interactive. From there, the program includes a three-night marketplace for the first time in the fest's history. The Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN) Buy Blak Market will feature both food and other products from local Aboriginal businesses. On the music roster, Troy Cassar-Daley, Shellie Morris, Miiesha and Mulga Bore Hard Rock will take to the stage. Cassar-Daley and Morris are also on the talks lineup, alongside Floyd Doyle and Dr Josie Douglas. Parrtjima – A Festival in Light will return from Friday, April 12–Sunday, April 21, 2024, at venues around Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. For more information, visit the festival website. Images: Parrtjima – A Festival in Light / Arelhe Urrperle images by Steven Woodburn. 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.
In 2022, beloved social enterprise Two Good Co opened a cafe and convenience store in Darlinghurst's Yirranma Place. The venue provides Sydneysiders with tasty breakfast and lunch options, as well as products from local ethically minded businesses such as Hunter Candles and Gelato Messina — all while raising funds to help Two Good's goal of supporting vulnerable women by providing pathways out of crisis living. Each month at the cafe, the crew brings in a well-known and well-loved chef or culinary team to create special one-off menu items. Kylie Kwong, Maggie Beer, Peter Gilmore and Matt Moran have all been on curating duties in the past, and the month of November 2023 sees the pleasure fall on acclaimed chef and award-winning restaurateur Mitch Orr. Orr is known for the influential but now-closed restaurant ACME, and his current work as Head Chef of Kiln at the Ace Hotel. A purveyor of all things innovative yet unpretentious, Orr brings a flavour-forward approach to Two Good Co's monthly menu. Available throughout November, the menu features two no-fuss lunch items and a little sweet treat. Orr's selections kick off with a stacked toastie — putting a creative spin on the familiar fave — starring generous slices of mortadella, smoky roasted peppers and melted provolone sandwiched between two slices of thick white toast. Also available: a fresh cucumber, piel de sapo and enoki salad accompanied by rice noodles and topped with a hot and sour dressing — a great vego lunch option. Rounding out the offerings is a decadent dessert. Indulge in a serving of black sesame tiramisu for smooth, velvety goodness with balanced sweetness. If you want to sample the menu, just head over to 262 Liverpool Street at some point this month.
It can be difficult to unearth quality gifts for our paternal figures — especially when it's at a distance. No matter how many times your pops insists on "not wanting any presents" this year, you know that deep down he does. To take the guesswork out of gift giving on Dad's big day, we've compiled a list of six interesting presents you can send the father figure in your life. Whether you're near or far from the human you'd like to celebrate this September, these gifts will ensure you attain favourite child status from the comfort of your couch. THE BEER-LOVING DAD When Father's Day rolls around, the Beer-Loving Dad will want to spend it with a cold one in hand. But, being a special occasion, it's likely he'll want to go beyond his usual brew. To mix things up for your dad this Father's Day, consider sending him a BoozeBud Hops and Socks for Pops Gift Pack. Inside, he'll find 16 delicious types of beer to try, including pale ales, IPAs, lagers, sours and a comfy pair of socks to match. The pack includes independent brewery mainstays like Stone & Wood and Coopers, plus newer kids on the block such as Capital Brewing Co and Atomic Beer Project. THE ACTIVE DAD Know a dad that really loves being active? Like, a lot. You know the type — they're up at the crack of dawn for a lycra-clad, early morning cycle or a surf before they head to work. If you've got one of these in your life, then there's a good chance he could do with a new pair of running shoes because the Active Dad is known to keep a close watch of their step count. So, why not help them hit their daily 10000 strides in style with a pair of new Nike kicks. They're practical, versatile and, if you choose wisely, could elevate your dad's street cred tenfold. THE MASTERCHEF DAD Some dad's are famous for whipping up one-pot wonders. If you've never heard of this culinary creation before, lucky you. Typically, this dish consists of an assortment of limp vegetables tossed into a singular pot with stock and whatever herbs and/or spices happen to be in the pantry. Then, after being boiled within an inch of its life, dinner is served. Other dads, however, take their cooking much more seriously. Whether the father figure in your life is merely an expert in tinned things on toast or could be a serious contender on the next season of MasterChef Australia, sending a quality cookbook his way this Father's Day is top-tier gift idea. Not sure which one to buy? Try Cooking with Koori by Nathan Lyons or The Chin Chin Book bursting with recipes and intel from Benjamin Cooper. THE OUTDOORSY DAD Have a dad who's obsessed with the great outdoors? He's a loveable character who's a huge fan of getting out of town, off the grid and into good ol' fashioned nature. Perhaps this human is still reeling over the cancellation of the TV show of the same name back in 2009. If that's your guy, consider slinging him a lil something that'll level up his outdoor adventure set up and help fill the Ernie Dingo-shaped hole in his heart. We suggest sending a lightweight camping hammock or the latest cooking gear so he can test it out at home — even if the backyard is the furthest he can travel this Father's Day. THE DAD JOKE DAD A lot of dad's consider themselves comedic masterminds. Maybe there's an anonymous course they attend right before the birth of their children that instils a wacky sense of humour in them. Or, perhaps simply becoming a dad unlocks something that was within them all along. Either way, the Dad Joke Dad is a sucker for top-notch merch to help to show off his kooky personality. Thankfully, the BoozeBud Hops and Socks for Pops Gift Pack contains a pair of sidesplitting socks that dad will never want to take off. THE MUSO DAD The Muso Dad often considers himself as a rebellious type. But, despite his desire to be counter-cultural, he is somewhat easy to spot in the wild and typically exhibit one or more of the following behaviours: a history of taking you to live gigs; owning Rage merchandise; and unironically throwing around the phrase "back when music was good". Sorting out a few tickets to your muso dad's favourite band is a lil trickier this year, so we suggest taking his advice and digging into the music archives. Do your darndest to find that vinyl he's been chasing for years; sort him out with a Spotify membership complete with personalised playlists of his faves; or, if you've got a bit of extra cash to splash, send him a record player so he can dust off the record collection and put it to good use. We recommend checking out Sydney's Repressed Records, Melbourne's Discrepancy Records or Rocking Horse Records in Brisbane. Learn more about BoozeBud by visiting the website here. Top image: Discrepancy Records, Tracey Ah-kee
If there's one way to gauge how attitudes to huge live events have changed in 2022, it's this: the year has only just ticked over its halfway point, but end-of-year festivals have already been announcing their lineups. Sydney's NYE in the Park is the latest, locking in its plans for Saturday, December 31 — so you can start getting ready to farewell yet another chaotic 12 months. Fancy saying goodbye to 2022 while dancing in Camperdown's Victoria Park? Then this is the bill for you. Leading the charge: Flight Facilities, Lime Cordiale, Cut Copy and Rico Nasty, as well as San Cisco, Crazy P Soundsystem and Aussie Daft Punk tribute act Discovery. [caption id="attachment_861702" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wesley Allen[/caption] As always, the roster of talent for this music-filled NYE spans everything from electronic and dance to hip hop and indie pop tunes — with Poof Doof Drag Jamboree on hosting duties once more. Other highlights so far include Late Night Tuff Guy, Graace, Vacations, Grentperez, Becca Hatch and Tori Levett, with more still to be announced. [caption id="attachment_832015" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jordan Munns[/caption] Also on offer, as usual: gourmet street food to keep up your sustenance, pop-up bars because all that dancing is thirsty work, and a VIP garden experience if you're keen to fork out more for a closer spot to the stage, your own private viewing garden, and access to a curated cafe and cocktail bar. And if you need a reminder about what else is coming up — the other fests you'll need your sneakers for, that is — the list includes Listen Out, Summer Camp, Festival X and Grapevine Gathering, plus Falls Festival to also help see out the year. NYE IN THE PARK 2022 LINEUP: Flight Facilities Lime Cordiale Cut Copy Rico Nasty San Cisco Crazy P Soundsystem Late Night Tuff Guy Graace Vacations Grentperez Discovery Becca Hatch Tori Levett Whatslivelystage Poof Doof Drag Jamboree NYE in the Park will hit up Victoria Park, City Road, Camperdown on Saturday, December 31. Pre-sale tickets are available from 6pm on Tuesday, July 26, ahead of general ticket sales at 12pm on Wednesday, July 27. For more information or to sign up for pre-sales, head to the festival website. Images: Jordan Munns.
Its first online trailer having been released earlier this month, Tracks, starring Mia Wasikowska, has been announced as the opener for St George Openair Cinema 2014. It's based on the epic true story of adventurer and memoirist Robyn Davidson, who walked solo from Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean in the late '70s, becoming an accidental celebrity in the process. Given that the film's official release is set for March 6, the Friday, January 10, screening at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair is reason for serious excitement. The dynamic program features another 14 premieres and previews. One of the major drawcards is bound to be Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, scheduled to screen on Thursday, January 30, which tells the late, great leader's story, based on his autobiography, with Idris Elba starring as Mandela and Naomie Harris as his wife, Winnie. On the other hand, Thursday, January 16, will see the telling of a true story of quite a different kind, when a preview of Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street screens. The film recounts the tale of Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio), who spent his twenties bathing in luxury after founding successful firm Stratton Oakmont, before spiralling into corruption, power lust and drugs. Then there’s Jean-Marc Vallee’s Dallas Buyers Club, another real-to-life work, portraying the promiscuous, homophobic Ron Woodroof (Matthew McConaughey), whose attitudes change dramatically when he’s diagnosed with AIDS and told he has only 30 days to live. It’s screening on Friday, January 24. If Tracks leaves you craving another dose of Wasikowska, then catch her on Sunday, January 19, in Only Lovers Left Alive. In a vampire story directed by Jim Jarmusch (Mystery Train, Coffee and Cigarettes), she plays a wild younger sister who brings chaos into the world of her older sibling, Eve (Tilda Swinton), a super-cool vampire who’s been living a debauched yet blissful existence with her devoted rock guitarist boyfriend (Tom Hiddleston) for hundreds of years. While we’re discussing unconventional romances, Spike Jonze’s (Being John Malkovich, Where the Wild Things Are) funny, futuristic Her promises a few surprises. It depicts the story of a sensitive writer (Joaquin Phoenix) who falls in love with a female voice (Scarlett Johansson) via an advanced operating system. And if you've ever wanted to see Woody Allen act as a pimp, then John Turturro's Fading Gigolo has you covered. European cinema gets a look in, with the spectacular Italian film The Great Beauty, one of the most acclaimed works on this year’s Cannes program. Disillusioned journalist, Jep (Toni Servillo), whose dreams of becoming a novelist remain unfulfilled, spends his nights partying aimlessly with Rome’s elites, until an unexpected event alters his perspective. Plus, there’s a couple of French romantic comedies: Regis Roinsard’s ‘50s-style directorial debut, Populaire about a champion typist (Deborah Francois) who inspires her charismatic boss’s (Romain Duris) competitive streak, and Cedric Kaplisch’s Chinese Puzzle, which visits both France and New York while exploring the complications of sperm donation. If action and drama are more your bag, there’s Jason Reitman’s Labor Day, Daniel Schechter’s Life of Crime (based on Elmore Leonard’s novel of the same name) and J.C. Chandor’s All Is Lost, starring Robert Redford. St George Open Air Cinema runs from Friday, January 10, to Saturday, February 15. Tickets go on sale from 9am on December 17, 2013. They're known to sell out fast, so don't dally with your selections.
Hospitality is one of many Australian industries hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a number of restaurants, bars and cafes closing their doors permanently over the past few months. Joining that, sadly, growing list is Chippendale's A1 Canteen. Opening in mid-2018, A1 Canteen is the casual sister venue to neighbouring Kensington Street fine-diner Automata. It quickly grew a legion of fans — and Instagram followers — for its take on a New Orleans muffaletta (a layered sandwich packed with cured meats and cheeses) and curried eggs served with LP's sausage. If the sound of those dishes is making your stomach rumble, you do still have time to visit. The canteen will remain open for just under a month, before shutting up shop for good on Friday, October 9. [caption id="attachment_692341" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Muffaletta[/caption] The impending closure was announced on Instagram by chef Clayton Wells, who oversees both A1 and Automata, who said that this year has been "challenging for everyone" in hospitality. Wells said the venue's lease was up for renewal, but the team was unable to justify extending it during "such a volatile climate for cafes and restaurants". "The closure of A1 Canteen has been an extremely difficult decision to make, however we feel it will create space for new iterations and exciting projects when the climate is right," Wells said in the statement. "Part of running a restaurant is adapting to change, and we'll be using this time to really focus on our diners at Automata and new experiences to come." https://www.instagram.com/p/CE8AVOID7Xs/ While A1 Canteen will close its doors in just a few weeks, Wells says Automata "continues to thrive" and will be celebrating its fifth birthday next week. Find A1 Canteen at 10 Kensington Street, Chippendale until Friday, October 9.
Situated between Narrabeen and Warriewood beaches, and overlooking Turimetta Beach, is a patch of lush grass perfect for picnics — Turimetta Headland. Pack a lunch of fresh sourdough, soft and hard cheeses, dips, charcuterie, grapes and strawberries, a rug and some chilled drinks and set yourself up on the headland to take in the picturesque coastal views of Long Reef. The area is not only beautiful, it's also steeped in history — Turimetta's rocky seashore once provided shellfish for First Nations peoples, with the evidence still remaining there today. Just a head's up, Turimetta Beach is not patrolled, so if you do want to go for a dip, take it easy. Image: Northern Beaches Council
With gathering and venue restrictions in place following Victoria's recent almost two-week lockdown, and Greater Sydney and southeast Queensland both currently in lockdown, it's currently a tricky time to host Australia's biggest film festival. The Melbourne International Film Festival kicks off on Thursday, August 5, and announced its full 2021 program back in mid-July; however, responding to the reality both in the city and nationwide at present, it's making some considerable changes to its format. In 2020, the event was forced to go digital due to the pandemic — a development that's part of this year's lineup, too, but in conjunction with physical screenings in Melbourne and Victorian cinemas. Initially, in-person sessions were set to span the festival's first week or so, before the event closed up online. Now, MIFF has announced that it's flipping that order and expanding its virtual component. Accordingly, for the full duration of the festival, MIFF will screen more than 90 features and a range of short films via its online platform MIFF Play. They'll be available to not only to Melbourne viewers, but to cinephiles Australia-wide, which'll make for handy viewing for those under stay-at-home conditions. Last year's jump to digital resulted in MIFF's biggest festival yet, audience-wise, in fact — and this year's online selection will now start the fest with 2021 Sundance hit CODA, a coming-of-age story about the daughter of adults who are deaf, which is also an English-language remake of French feature The Bélier Family. Which other movies will be added to the online lineup haven't yet been revealed, but MIFF has announced a number of new titles that'll screen in cinemas between Thursday, August 12–Sunday, August 22. That's when Melburnians will be able to see this year's Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or -winner Titane, which saw French filmmaker Julia Ducournau (Raw) become only the second female filmmaker to win the coveted prize. Also headed to MIFF straight from the prestigious fest: romantic-comedy The Worst Person in the World from director Joachim Trier (Thelma, Oslo, August 31st); JFK Revisited: Through the Looking Glass, a Donald Sutherland- and Whoopi Goldberg-narrated documentary from Oliver Stone; and Abdullah Mohammad Saad's Rehana Maryam Noor, the first film from Bangladesh to officially screen at Cannes. During the physical portion of the program, Leah Purcell's exceptional The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson will still take the opening night slot, just on Thursday, August 12. Due to gathering limits, MIFF will also screen the feature at a range of other venues, including The Astor Theatre, The Sun Theatre, Pentridge Cinema, Lido Cinema and CBD venues. The fest's already-announced lineup still remains in place, which means that Melburnians can also look forward to seeing Adam Driver-starring musical Annette; Memoria, which features Tilda Swinton in Cemetery of Splendour filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul's English-language debut; and Bergman Island, the Tim Roth and Mia Wasikowska-starring latest title from Mia Hansen-Løve (Things to Come). Other highlights include No Sudden Move, Steven Soderbergh's crime flick with Don Cheadle, Benicio Del Toro and Jon Hamm, and Pig, which sees Nicolas Cage play a truffle hunter (yes, really). The 2021 Melbourne International Film Festival runs from Thursday, August 5–Sunday, August 22 — screening online for the festival's entire duration, and playing at a variety of venues around Melbourne from Thursday, August 12–Sunday, August 22. For further details, visit the MIFF website.
One of Surry Hill's favourite coffee spots is about to open an offshoot in the CBD. After operating their coffee cart in the lobby at 5 Martin Place for the past few months, Reuben Hills have officially revealed plans to carve out a space in the building lobby for a cafe in its own right. Plans for the new cafe are still in their early stages, although we do know they'll be calling it Hills Bros, and it's safe to assume their operating hours will encompass the morning work rush. It's the latest in a series of Reuben Hills offshoots by owner Russell Beard, who has also collaborated with Melbourne-based roasters Seven Seeds on the Paramount Coffee Project in Paramount House. No word yet on the Hills Bros menu, although if it's anything like it's Surry Hills sibling you can expect a mix of coffees, teas and shakes, along with food influenced by Central and Southern American flavours — they make some of Sydney's best fried chicken. Likewise, we're still waiting to see whether they'll have a retail arm similar to RH's, where you can buy coffee paraphernalia and blends from around the world. Hills Bros will open in the coming months at 5 Martin Place. Follow them on Instagram to stay in the loop as further details develop. Image: Marissa Ciampi.
Italian-born chef Nicola Coccia has fine dining credentials stretching from the Southern Highlands to Circular Quay, and shortly after writing his cookbook Farm to Flame, Coccia and his French-born wife Alexandra packed in the top end restaurant game for a sea change. The former owner of Bistro Officina in Bowral moved to Ettalong in 2019, and channelled his passion for cooking over flames into a cosy tavern, located right by the beach. Here, the $85 five-course menu is influenced by the Coccias' European upbringings, which is especially present in the list of wines, largely from Italy and France. Woodfired Moreton bugs are served with pumpkin seeds and smoked broth; handmade cacio e pepe is topped with black truffles; and flanked steaks with mushrooms and cavolo nero. Or, for a little extra, you can ask for black angus dry-aged rib eye served on the bone. And everyone gets to taste one of the most-talked about accompaniments: woodfired sourdough slices served with double smoked butter. [caption id="attachment_777049" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Head chef and owner Nicola Coccia by Kitti Gould[/caption] To dine in, you can choose from two seatings on Friday and Saturday nights — 5pm or 7.30pm — or lunch from midday on Sunday. The vegetarian set menu subs in smoked hen egg, broad beans, celeriac, chestnut and spigarello in place of the steaks. And the wine list leans heavily on organic, biodynamic and vegan selections from boutique wineries of Nicola's and Alexandra's home regions, as well as a couple of local craft beers (Murray's, Balter and Six Strings, for example). It also offers a takeaway menu of lasagne and tiramisu from Wednesday to Sunday, and out front you'll find its newest venture: a Louisiana-inspired fried chicken shop. The Hot Chook Shop (open Wednesday to Saturday from 5pm, and from 12 on Sunday) is a casual eatery found in the venue's front wine bar. Pull up a stool and order tenders, wings or drumsticks with the choice of three levels of spice, then wash it all down with a glass of on-skin pinot grigio or finish off with limoncello and doughnut ice cream. Images: Kitti Gould
A great trailer does two things: makes you want to run to the cinemas to see the film in question, and makes you hit replay on the preview itself the moment it's finished. Or, thanks to the rise of TV trailers, it inspires your next date with your couch. You'll want to get as comfy as possible to binge-watch the next season of your favourite show, after all. 2019 is almost over, but more trailers keep popping up for both big- and small-screen highlights due this year and next. And this fortnight is no different, with everything from True Detective to The Secret Life of Pets to How to Train Your Dragon dropping trailers for their next instalments — and the new Jungle Book-inspired film, the Andy Serkis-directed Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, too. That said, it's a great time for previews of films that aren't based on existing series or properties, although Norwegian disaster flick The Quake — the sequel to 2015 epic The Wave — still falls into that category. Elsewhere, however, High Life sends Robert Pattinson into space, Cam finds the horror in webcams, Blue My Mind steps into a dramatic teenage transformation and dystopian sci-fi effort Captive State battles with aliens. Animated efforts Missing Link and Spies in Disguise explore humanity's past and our penchant for espionage, respectively, while festival hit Capernaum follows a boy's tough fight for freedom — and his tough life on the streets that inspires it. On the small screen, Dogs, Dogs of Berlin (yes, they're diferent shows) and Kingdom are all headed to Netflix. The first is a docuseries about gorgeous canines from around the world, the second is a gritty cop show set in the German city that gives the show its name, and the third unleashes zombies in medieval Korea. Check out this week's full slate below — and prepare some busy viewing ahead. TRUE DETECTIVE SEASON 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btoZfxs0pE0 Coming to Foxtel in January. MOWGLI: LEGEND OF THE JUNGLE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVBjPpUlQrE On Netflix December 7. HIGH LIFE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WI49OA3BjU Australian release date TBC. DOGS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pLCmLgjiJ8 On Netflix November 16. CAM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN8xZ5WDonk On Netflix November 16. THE QUAKE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=094n7ami6N0 Australian release date TBC. MISSING LINK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM5VC7nCv_Y In Australian cinemas April 11, 2019. DOGS OF BERLIN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzcDBHjHePk On Netflix December 7. CAPERNAUM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULUo0048xZE Australian release date TBC. BLUE MY MIND https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yyf26VkZP0 Australian release date TBC. KINGDOM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdDKLeKiFaU On Netflix January 25, 2019. CAPTIVE STATE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESxrJtJfIFU Australian release date TBC. THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_Dy6cIyOJg In Australian cinemas June 20, 2019. HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBcIzV_eIJE In Australian cinemas January 3, 2019. SPIES IN DISGUISE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSSGHvzMY60 In Australian cinemas September 19, 2019. Image: Warrick Page/HBO.
Arcadia Unbound has a large and incredibly loyal following — and for a good reason. The store has moved locations a few times but owner Garry Einstein has been working in the comic book sphere since the 90s. Incredibly knowledgeable and true fans of the art form, the team at Arcadia Unbound are friendly, approachable and happy to point you in whatever direction your particular tastes take you. The store has a great selection of comics, action figures, trading cards and other pop culture paraphernalia and, most importantly, very reasonable prices. For those who still enjoy physically flicking through comics, Arcadia Unbound is a true gem of find.
The James Street Reserve Community Garden, established in 2010 to make use of a valuable but erstwhile neglected nook of public land, is a beautiful and productive garden tended to by passionate local community members. You can contribute to the health and maintenance of the garden by joining a working bee on the first Saturday of every month, from 9–11am, or by simply paying the lush patch of flora a visit at any time to scope the latest produce. Despite increasingly living in urban environments, our need for nature remains. Even just marvelling at lavender or freshly grown bok choy can be enough to provide that much needed connection with the great outdoors.
Warm spring nights, outdoor shopping, eating, drinking and music. These are a few of my favourite things, and there are few occasions when the universe brings them together in one big extravaganza of all things good. This is precisely what’s on offer every Friday night from November at Markets by Moonlight at The Rocks. Picture yourself on a balmy summer night, ambling through the cobblestone streets, perusing the wares of around 50 specialty stalls full of tasty fashion, arts and crafts, jewellery and homewares (perfect for early gift grabbing before the holiday season) and catching gigs from some of Australia’s best merging artists. Literally. I’m talking artists like Fergus Brown, Parades, Guineafowl and Nicholas Roy. And it’s all free! So take a refreshing break from the standard Friday night after-work drinks and soak up the best of Sydney in the springtime.
Enmore stalwart The Warren View Hotel has just been treated to a major face lift — and it's celebrating in an even bigger way. Head along to the relaunch on Friday, November 15 from 3–6pm and enjoy Grifter brews on the house. This is not a drill — the Wazza is pouring free craft beer to all of its adoring fans for three full hours. This massive beer shout will include all four of its Grifter brews on tap: the Serpents Kiss watermelon pilsner, the C-Boogie cucumber kolsch, the Pink Galah pink lemonade sour and the OG pale ale. If you miss out, there'll also be $7 schooners of the four pours going throughout November. On the Friday night, there'll also be tunes and the chance to try the latest pub menu by newly appointed Head Chef Ernie Priestley . While it has undergone a facelift, the pub is still independently owned — which it has been for a whopping 149 years. Sydney Design firm Warrane (Coogee Bay Hotel, The Tilbury) has looked after the new fit-out. It has the same "old pub" feel and the same heritage-listed exterior, but new modern touches inside. And, fret not, — the leafy dog-friendly beer garden is still in tact, as are the 100-percent independent beer taps and weekly drag trivia nights. Now all you have to do is plan how you'll sneak out of work early on Friday. Grifter Bar Shout runs from 3–6pm.
There is a yin and yang equilibrium to food trends — as our penchant for green smoothies and raw vegan treats grows, a corresponding demand for finger-lickin' fried chicken emerges. It's all about balance. And providing the wings-and-drumsticks side to that balance are places like Belle's Hot Chicken. Belle's set up its first ever home in Melbourne back in 2014, and has since taken poultry fans by storm, with Sydney stores in Barangaroo and Tramsheds. Get stuck into chicken drumsticks ($19), tenders ($20) and and spicy chicken sandwiches ($14.50), or if you're feeling particularly extra, max out with the "Baller Bucket" ($70) complete with sixteen wings and your choice of four sides and four sauces. They also have a killer lineup of drinks, from funky wines and top shelf spirits, to the newly launched boozy slushies and Belles' very own draught beer, created with Adelaide brewers Pirate Life. [caption id="attachment_677689" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] Top image: Kitti Gould
Merivale is currently throwing Beer Oh Beer!, a huge month-long festival celebrating all things beer. The Sydney hospitality giant is dedicating all of September to frosty cans and perfect pours of everyone's favourite golden ale. Highlights of the festival include Dan Hong and Michael Fox's Biru & Yakitori Party and a beer and pizza pool party, but things have just been taken up a notch with Merivale announcing a new week-long happy hour that will be offering nearly half-priced beers at venues across Sydney. Between Monday, September 12 and Sunday, September 18, all Merivale pubs and bars will be taking 49-percent off the price of all schooners of beer bought between 5-7pm. This means that you can enjoy a discounted frothy in the Vic on the Park's beer garden or on the deck at The Newport. Other Merivale venues that will be taking part in the promotion include the newly opened beer garden Backyard at The Alex, as well as Coogee Pavilion, The Grand Hotel, The Royal Bondi, Wynyard Hotel, The Paddington and The Beresford, just to name a few. This isn't the first time Merivale has offered 49-percent off drinks. Last week it celebrated the opening of the new Allianz Stadium — where it is overseeing the food and drink programming — by offering discounted pre-match beverages. And in 2019, the hospo powerhouse discounted all drinks across all of its venues for 31 days. Outside of the schooner promotion, there are plenty of other events and pop-ups taking over Merivale venues throughout September. Every Tuesday during the festival, The Beresford is turning its first-floor room into the Barrel O Laughs comedy club. For $20, comedy fans will be treated to comedy sets from the likes of Dave Hughes, Matt Okine and Al Del Bene, with a schooner of Hahn Super Dry to match. Elsewhere, a beer-based game of shuffleboard will be touring Merivale's venues, the founders of Balter will be hosting a dinner at The Collaroy and Merivale has created its own beer in collaboration with Camperdown's Malt Shovel. Dubbed The Good Tap, the brew will be served at Vic on the Park, The Newport, The Royal, The DOG, Excelsior and Queens Hotel, with proceeds from each pour going to charity. [caption id="attachment_828769" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vic on the Park's beer garden[/caption] Merivale's 49-Percent Off Schooners promotion will be available at all of its bars and pubs from 5–7pm, Monday, September 12–Sunday, September 18. Top Images: Steven Woodburn
Please note: This article contains descriptions of sexual misconduct. A shocking ABC investigation, published on September 4, revealed a culture of sexual exploitation, misogyny and failures of management at venues operated by hospitality heavyweight Merivale. Now, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Good Food have uncovered yet more troubling revelations about the hospo giant. A bombshell exposé, published on October 29, alleges that staff working at Merivale's exclusive members-only club, Level 6, located at the business' sprawling Ivy precinct in the CBD, were expected to "accommodate [the] advances" of wealthy patrons. In return, staff — who were often aged between 18 and 21 — could expect gifts of luxury goods such as designer handbags and hundreds of dollars in tips. "It was like a strip club with no one taking off their clothes," one former Level 6 staff member told The SMH, with another describing the venue as "One step away from being a brothel". [caption id="attachment_704747" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Level 6[/caption] Former staff alleged that this sexual quid pro quo intensified in 2013 when a pole-dancing pole was installed at Level 6. Around the same time, according to The SMH report, drug use by patrons became increasingly normalised and tolerated. Journalists Eryk Bagshaw and Bianca Hrovat claim they spoke to dozens of former Merivale employees during their investigation, but the vast majority of them only agreed to do so anonymously as they feared repercussions from the hugely influential hospitality employer. "They hire people very, very young. There are thousands of 18- to 21-year-old girls out there who are young, naive and sucked in by Merivale," one former manager told The SMH. "[They are] ushered into the cult and then … bad things start happening, and they feel like they can't say anything." The report alleges that on occasions when police attended Ivy, a "blue lights" warning would be shared to a staff WhatsApp group or via internal radio comms. A Merivale statement asserted that alerting staff to the presence of police was "standard industry practice", adding: "Every team member and especially our managers have duties under the law to assist police. They cannot do so if they are unaware of their presence on site." [caption id="attachment_814113" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ivy[/caption] One former host from Level 6 anonymously shared their experience of sexual assault in the workplace, saying a male patron "would grab you and throw you on the couch and put his hand up your skirt… He went underneath my clothes and grabbed my underwear." The same host said of her experiences working for Merivale, "I was disgusted. I couldn't believe it. This is my place of work and this is happening. You certainly didn't feel like you could do anything about it." The extensive reporting also detailed unsafe and abusive activities — including sexual misconduct and drug use — at several other Merivale venues, including cocktail bar Hemmesphere, Level 5 (the event space directly beneath Level 6 at Ivy), Felix and the Bondi outpost of Totti's. However, the report conceded that some former Merivale employees and guests who were interviewed for the article believed their access to drugs, exclusive venues and wealthy patrons were unofficial perks. [caption id="attachment_702661" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Totti's Bondi[/caption] While Merivale denies the allegations in the report, the company has engaged leading human rights and discrimination lawyer Kate Eastman, SC, to lead an investigation. A statement from Merivale added that if any of the allegations are found to be true, the company "regrets any distress caused." This latest reporting on Merivale echoes the seismic allegations The Sydney Morning Herald and Good Food published about Swillhouse Group, published on August 21. Anton Forte, the founder of Swillhouse Group, stepped down as the company's CEO on Friday, October 25, following months of attempted rehab, including hiring Justine Baker, a hospitality veteran and former CEO of Solotel, as well as two independent consultants, to oversee cultural reforms across the company. If you need to speak to someone about an experience you have had or are seeking information, please contact 1800Respect on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800respect.org.au.
