Really, there's no better way to spend a day than basking in the sunshine with a view out to sea. When stealing a boat just isn't an option, kick back at one of Sydney's many superb waterfront venues instead — you can indulge in some food and drink, and, you know, avoid that whole criminal record thing. To help steer you in the right direction, we've teamed up with our mates at Heineken to bring you five Sydney bars with sparkling sea views. All venues come with high-quality fare, summertime vibes and the refreshing mid-strength lager, Heineken 3. A lighter beer means you can enjoy a few, without getting wobbly on your legs.
With International Margarita Day landing on Wednesday, February 22, bars and tequila brands across the country have received the memo that it's time to celebrate everyone's favourite salt-rimmed cocktail and run with it. In fact, they've been marking the whole of February as Margarita Month. From free margs to multi-venue festivals celebrating the drinks, there are plenty of ways patrons can get in on the action. One of the more tongue-in-cheek promotions is a cocktail giveaway popping up at two of Australia's most beloved bars, Tio's Cerveceria in Sydney and Los Amantes in Melbourne. The pair of tequila-loving venues have both teamed up with El Jimador to give away free margaritas, but only to a select few. Playing on the longstanding tequila maker's name, anyone named El or Jimmy can claim one free cocktail. Just show your ID and you'll be presented with a margarita on the house. The promotion does extend to anyone with Jimmy- and El-adjacent names including James, Jim, Elle, Ella and Ellie. El Jimador has also populated a helpful map on its website to make sure you can always find a margarita around the corner. The venue finder shows partnered venues that you can hit up during Margarita Month for the cocktail of the moment. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Jewellers Sarah & Sebastian brings bespoke craftsmanship, sustainability and creativity to the fore in its wide range of products. The titular two met while studying design abroad and brought their collective passion for jewellery making to Australia in 2012. An avid recreational diver, creative director Sarah Gittoes brings her passion for the ocean into many of the designs — which are then married with German-born managing director Robert Sebastian Grynofki's finesse in development and production. Socially and environmentally conscious, the pair construct high-end jewellery using recycled materials and ethically sourced stones, pairing them with traditional methods of jewellery making to yield some truly unique and beautiful pieces.
Choose your team wisely, you've only got 60 minutes to work together and escape this treacherous space. Welcome, to Break the Code Escape Room, a real-life skill tester set in the heart of Haymarket just two minutes walk from Central Station. With four themed rooms to choose from — Da Vinci, Indiana Jones, Avatar and Lost — Break the Code offers an escape room experience with cutting-edge technology and complex puzzles which makes it both highly entertaining and suitably challenging. You'll be put to the test both mentally and physically, as you collect clues to break the code before it's too late. Okay, while it might sound slightly stressful, tackling an escape room with friends or colleagues is a great way to build trust and rapport. The challenges you come up against require collaboration, logic and creativity to solve, which means everybody (and their unique skill set) will get a chance to shine. The escape rooms require at least two players and can accommodate up to eight, but work best with four to six players. At the moment, Break the Code has a birthday promotion on, so if you're looking for a nailbiting way to spend your birthday, hit them up and book a room.
If you love a hearty luxe feed paired with delicious beverages, you should make your way to this exclusive event at Bistro George at Jacksons on George. Head chef Steven Sinclair has developed a gin-infused four-course feast to celebrate the launch of Roku Gin Sakura Bloom Edition — the first in Roku Gin's Seasonal Festive Collection — on Wednesday, October 30. Roku, which translates to 'six' in English, is made with six Japanese botanicals. Each is plucked at the peak of its seasonality — as is the Japanese practice of Shun. Sinclair shares this passion for using ingredients when they are at their best, and as spring is here, he has a lot of options at his fingertips. He's going a step further with this menu and has inserted Roku Gin into every dish. The four-course meal starts off strong with Sydney rock oysters and a zingy Roku Gin and tonic granita to prepare your palate for what's on offer. Next up is a Roku Gin-cured Ora king salmon gravlax with fresh green apple, dessert lime for a pop of freshness and a warm sourdough crumpet. This is served with an S&T, a classic gin and tonic made with the Roku Gin Sakura Bloom Edition. If you love the vodka pasta trend, Sinclair elevates it with his Rigatoni al Roku Gin with fermented chilli and parmigiano reggiano. Taking a step away from traditional spring-themed dishes, the main dish is a dry-aged Wollemi duck with duck neck sausage dressed in a luscious sauce made with Roku Gin, queen garnet plum and juniper. These main dishes are paired with a Pink Sakura cocktail. It is made with the limited-edition gin with apricot, honey-fermented blueberries and lemon. To finish up, guests will be served a blood orange and Roku Gin tart, topped with creme fraiche and Alto olive oil. It is paired with Bistro Blossom, a toast to the evening's festivities made with Roku Gin Sakura Bloom Edition, lychee, rhubarb and anise. In addition to the creative gin-fused menu and paired cocktails, guests will go home with a full-size sakura-scented perfume from Grandiflora. It was crafted by florist-turned-perfumier Saskia Havekes, founder of Grandiflora (50ml, valued at $220), who used the limited edition gin as the template for the bespoke fragrance. This fragrance will only be available at the exclusive Roku Gin and Grandiflora events happening throughout spring in Sydney. Tickets to this exclusive dining event are limited. Be sure to book in fast to secure your spot. Find out more information on the event website. Roku Gin Sakura Bloom Edition is available at Dan Murphy's stores nationwide. Find out more info and purchase on the website. Images: Supplied
Good news just in time for Christmas: the team at Cabana Bar Sydney have teamed up with Balter to bring you Cerveza in the City — a four-week pop-up at 25 Martin Place Plaza celebrating the launch of its take on cerveza (and the first of its beers in glass bottles). Picture al fresco summer sundowners amongst a bustling Sydney cityscape backdrop of bustling bars, restaurants and Christmas shoppers. What could be better? Here's what to expect: 5pm–7pm every Thursday will see a live mariachi band (hell yeah), while Cabana Bar will take care of the food, featuring Cabana's crowd favourite tacos and new signatures exclusive to the event. [caption id="attachment_928085" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Grant Angus[/caption] What's a fiesta without the drinks? Enter Balter cerveza and a selection of Mexican-inspired cocktails featuring premium mixers from Strangelove, and you've got yourself a banger evening. It gets sweeter. Swing by between 4pm–6pm from Monday to Friday and snag a complimentary cerveza. Just visit Cerveza in the City to redeem your Mr Yum free beer code. You're Welcome. And to wrap things up, on the final Thursday (December 21), one lucky punter will score free beer for a year in a competition that will involve a beer tin-shaped piñata — a tiñata if you will. The pop-up will run Monday–Friday, 3pm–9pm, from Monday, November 20 to Friday, December 22. Head to the website for all the deets. [caption id="attachment_928087" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Grant Angus[/caption]
When the weather starts to cool, our stomachs start to grumble for hearty snacks and meals: think burgers and fries, sausage rolls, pasta, brownies and doughnuts. Let's call autumn and winter the seasons of indulgence, and let's call Vegan Collective's next market the ideal celebration of tasty treats for this time of year. It's all there in the name at the Autumn Indulgence Night Market, so head along from 7pm on April 12 and prepare to eat delicious vegan food made by local providers. Treat Dreams, The Vegan Teahouse, My Little Panda Kitchen, Rhubarb Bakes, Green Wise Monkeys, Herbisaurus, and GogoVego will be among the stallholders, so we'd recommend arriving hungry. Vegan Collective's last market attracted around 400 attendees to feast on meals and bites from 2o local vegan makers, in case you needed more convincing. Val York will spinning tunes for the occasion, and Astrix Little will bust out a live set. As for everything else, keep an eye on the event's Facebook page. Image: Vegan Collective / COMMUNE.
'Tis the season for art awards, with the Fisher's Ghost Art Award opening this month at Campbelltown Arts Centre. Spanning various prize categories including sculpture, contemporary, photography and traditional, it's another great chance to see a diverse collection of artists in the one space. And unlike the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes, it's free entry. The 'open' section of the award is the biggie: there's a $20k prize and it's acquisitive to the permanent collection at C-A-C. In the past contemporary artists like Elisabeth Cummings, Khaled Sabsabi and Raquel Ormella (whose work you'd have seen if you visited The Great Strike: 1917 at Carriageworks) have been awarded the prize. You'll have until December 14 to check it out. Trivia: the prize takes its name from the Campbelltown tradition it coincides with: the annual 'Festival of Fisher's Ghost'. Going strong since 1956, it's named after local farmer Fred Fisher, who was murdered by his neighbour in 1826 and is — apparently — Australia's "most famous" ghost. Held over ten days, this year there's a street fair, a carnival and fireworks alongside the art exhibition. Plus at least one person dressed up in a massive Casper-style ghost costume. Image: Fisher's Ghost Art Award 2016, photo by Document Photography.
Cutting-edge Sydney fashion retail space Chinatown Country Club (aka CCC) is hosting an archive event in its multi-functional CBD space. For just three days, you'll be able to browse vintage and archival pieces from fashion houses around the world, handpicked by CCC's expert buying team. This time, CCC is showcasing pieces from a range of Japanese studios and designers including the always colourful COMME des GARÇONS, Yohji Yamamoto, known for his over-sized, avant-garde style, and the late Issey Miyake, who took inspiration from art and technology. You'll also find items from the archives of current 'it' label Miu Miu and avant-garde French brand Maison Margiela. You can also browse styles from Melbourne brands Aphidmarket, Garb and Midnight Mart. In between sorting through the racks, take a break in the in-store cafe. In addition to a weekly rotating selection of single-origin espresso and filter brews showcasing beans from local roasters, CCC has partnered with indie, small-batch St Peters roaster Grace & Taylor Coffee Company for its house blend — you can try this in signature drinks like the Moon River, an orange blossom-infused cold brew topped with a maple cream float.
Anyone in Sydney who considers themselves a Sider knows the Sun-Herald City2Surf. What with it being the largest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, attracting over 85,000 participants, this charity fundraiser/epic test of stamina and virtue is hard to miss even on the laziest of radars. With our partners The Athlete's Foot, we're putting one of our team to the test, giving him four weeks to get in shape and make it to that starting line (and, hopefully, the finish line) on August 11. Follow his ups, downs and diversions here, in his #ididit diary. And for all of you out there looking for some extra motivation to join in? The Athlete's Foot is giving away a pair of running shoes each week to their favourite #ididit photo during the running season. The Runner: Jack Arthur Smith, 24, Rugby Born and Bred I'm not from around here. In fact I was born, raised and schooled in the small market town of Rugby, England. Yes, the birthplace of that great game we Poms and our neighbours are apparently better at playing than you. But don't let this consequence fool you; I ain't no sports fan. If I was a Lion I'd be skipping down the yellow brick road with Dorothy and letting the Tinman do things to me after dark. However, while I may have spent last Saturday watching Pirates of the Caribbean and drinking Earl Grey tea, I do strongly believe in trying new things and pushing myself to stay active. I figure if I can pack my bags and travel halfway across the planet, I can handle jogging 14km through one the greatest cities on it. So when the chance to run the Sun-Herald City2Surf came along, just like when I danced in the Mardi Gras parade (twice now) or shaved my head for the World's Greatest Shave, it was against my nature to say no. Friday, July 19, 12.13pm Friday, July 19, 12.35pm Friday, July 19, 4pm My dad once told me if you're ever going to do anything, do it properly or don’t do it at all. So to fully prepare myself for the onslaught of 14km in less than four weeks, I knew there was only one thing to do: 60 minutes of pure remedial massage bliss. Say what you like, but we all know if you want something done in life, it’s better to butter up whomever you need it from first. And if that's yourself, well, too easy. Saturday, July 20, 11.40am Friday, July 26, 12.44pm Jack: Did 8km todays in 53 mins - #city2surf is just over double that... #FML #ididit http://t.co/tRMT8j07z5 — Concrete Playground (@PLAYGROUNDnews) July 29, 2013 Tuesday, July 30, 8.45pm Ever since I arrived in Sydney it's become increasingly clear it's true what they say: you people like to exercise. None more so, I would argue, than my good friend Jess Robinson who spends her free time training wannabe athletes or inspiring people from across the globe on her blog, Lazy Girl Fitness. Naturally, being somewhat allergic to exercise, it seemed more than appropriate to seek a little expert advice. A week and a bit later and I’ve run a total of almost 44km, done 96 push ups, 96 kettle bell swings, 96 squats, 160 Bulgarian lunges (honestly, don’t ask), 96 TRX rows, 40 burpees, planked more than I care to account and come close to vomming all over the gym floor about seven times. It's been all systems go, literally, and if I’m 100 percent honest, I couldn't be luckier to have such skilled support and encouragement by my side. Only two more weeks to go! Need some fitness inspiration yourself? Pay Jess a visit on Facebook or Twitter. Wednesday, July 31, 9am Sunday, August 4, 9.44am Jack: At Button Bar psyching myself up for the #city2surf. #ididit with #negroni. http://t.co/tRMT8j07z5 — Concrete Playground (@PLAYGROUNDnews) August 8, 2013 Friday, 9 August, 12.50pm Saturday, 10 August, 5.30pm As I recline here in my bedroom, rubbing my stomach and groaning from the pains of a triple-decker, hazelnut meringue cake slice from The Rocks, I honestly have no fear for tomorrow. In fact, I’m looking forward to it. I know it’s going to be killer, I know about 11km in I’m going to want to throw myself onto the ground and let the thousands of feet trample me into an early grave, but I also know I’ll push through. Why? Because it’s fun. Training has been excellent, I’ve become closer with fitness-enthused friends, and, ladies and gentlemen, my love handles have become smaller by the day. It’s a win-win-win if you ask me. I just hope no one in a Vegemite costume overtakes me. Tuesday, 13 August, 6.50pm Two days ago I ran past the finish line of this year’s Sun-Herald City2Surf on Campbell Parade, Bondi. It was fabulous: the sun was out, the sky was blue and Sydney was alive with the sounds of school bands, house parties and thousands upon thousands of runners hitting road. Atmospheres don’t get much better than this and I managed to smash the race in just over 80 minutes. Proud of myself is an understatement. Now as I sit at my desk with a one sore big toe, but otherwise generally unharmed, I can’t help but think back to when I was a fat little school kid, getting chafe on my Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award because my chubby legs rubbed together. It’s nice saying “I’ve come a long way”, and I’m pretty chuffed #ididit for Concrete Playground.
Australian gin favourite Four Pillars is getting in on the negroni week action by launching pop-up stores around the country. In Sydney, that pop-up will take place within the The Dolphin Hotel. It'll offer the gin brand's new range of bottled negronis, which range from a spiced coffee version to a herbaceous number and one that uses Four Pillars' famed Bloody Shiraz Gin. You can enjoy these batched cocktails at the bar or purchase one for takeaway, with a four-pack also on offer. The pop-up bar will run throughout negroni week, from June 24–30, with $1 from every negroni sold going to OzHarvest. The Four Pillars Pop-Up Bar will be open from 11.30am–midnight daily, with the bottle shop open till 11pm.
Barangaroo House is giving you more reason to stop by for an afterwork bev this August. Harbourside restaurant and vinyl bar Rekōdo is welcoming a series of sonic residencies from acclaimed Australian record labels to switch up those Wednesday nights. From 6pm every Wednesday in August, you will find some of the top names in the Australian music industry in charge of the Rekōdo decks — with residencies from the likes of Planet Trip, Elefant Traks, Utopian State, Future Classic and I OH YOU. Enjoy your nightly dose of sensational mixing with a side of Japanese-inspired food. Head Chef Tara Chua will be curating a limited-edition menu featuring fried cheese sandos, togarashi popcorn, and wagyu hotdogs – food you can easily snack on between trips to the dance floor. [caption id="attachment_871572" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rekodo, Steven Woodburn[/caption] On drinks we have Creative Bar Manager Jai Lyons and Otis' Connor O'Brien. Cocktails will be music-inspired and minimal-waste, creatively using leftover kitchen produce to create some seriously innovative flavours. The Another One will have you repeating DJ Khaled's iconic catchphrase after you taste the blend of Tenjaku whisky, mezcal, blood orange, Japanese-inspired Mexican mole, egg foam and lemon. The series is set to honour the Australian music scene while creating an immersive experience where food, drink, music work together to create the perfect vibe for your Wednesday night. You can check out the full program and lineup here. Images: Steven Woodburn
Mealtime in Western Sydney is about to get a whole lot more interesting, with the arrival of new culinary precinct The Paper Mill Food. Taking over a heritage building on the banks of the Georges River, the hub houses four different eateries, open for morning coffees, dinner feeds and everything in between. While the development was first announced back in 2017 as part of a broader cultural and community development, The Paper Mill Food will officially launch on Saturday, August 10. Its lineup is diverse and multicultural, with offerings for all budgets and cravings, as well as both dine-in and takeaway options. Georgie's Pizzeria & Bar will be slinging Neapolitan-style, woodfired pizzas, while casual restaurant Firepit showcases dishes cooked over charcoal or in one of two woodfired ovens. Here, think, corn-fed chicken breast with miso and corn cream, barbecue-glazed charcoal pork ribs, and even charcoal lobster served with fermented hot sauce butter and chips. Over at Shepherd's Lane, it swings from patisserie cafe by day to dessert bar after dinner, slinging dreamy sweet treats, house-made gelato and decadent cocktails. And at Charcoal Joe's, expect a modern take on Lebanese charcoal chicken, alongside a menu of mezze, meat skewers, burgers and fried chicken. The backdrop is an impressive one. Once home to Australia's largest paper mill, the building has been brought into a sleek new phase of life. Dating back to 1868, it's now sporting a contemporary makeover at the hands of DS17's Paul Papadopoulos, with the original brickwork and saw-tooth roof offset by a modern assembly of stone, steel and glass. Visitors will spy lots of custom joinery and a sprawling handmade mosaic tile floor as well. Find The Paper Mill Food at 20 Shepherd Street, Liverpool from Saturday, August 10
Who better than frank, lively and charismatic First Nations artist Richard Bell to sum up what You Can Go Now is truly about: "I am an activist masquerading as an artist," he offers. The Kamilaroi, Kooma, Jiman and Gurang Gurang man says this early in Larissa Behrendt's documentary about him, because he and the Eualayai/Gamillaroi After the Apology and Araatika: Rise Up! filmmaker both know how essential and inescapable that truth is. They're not here to reveal that Bell's art is layered with statements. Neither is the feature itself. Rather, in a powerful instant must-see of an Australian doco, they explore and contextualise what it means for Bell to be an activist spreading his advocacy for the country's First Peoples around the world by being an artist, especially when the Aboriginal art realm is so often dominated by white interests. They address and examine not just what Bell's work says but why, what it responds to and how it's significant on a variety of levels, including diving deep into the personal, national and global history — and modern-day reality — informing it. Seeing what Bell's art literally expresses — simply taking it in, as splashed across the screen instead of hanging in a gallery — is still crucial to Behrendt's film, of course. In an array of pieces that frequently use heated words on intricately and colourfully painted canvases, his work utters plenty. "I am not sorry". "Give it all back." "We were here first." "Ask us what we want". "Aboriginal art — it's a white thing." Among these and other declarations, You Can Go Now's title gets a mention, too. Every piece sighted — works that riff on and continue a dialogue with styles synonymous with American artists Roy Lichtenstein and Jackson Pollock among them — conveys Bell's activist-artist raison d'être overtly, unflinchingly and unmistakably. Excellent art doesn't end conversations, however, but continues them, pushes them further and prompts more questions. Not that this is You Can Go Now's main takeaway, but Bell makes excellent art, with Behrendt helping to fuel and unpack the discussion. It's impossible to peer at Bell's work without feeling its anger and frustration, sharing that ire and exasperation as well, and wanting a great many things — more details about his creations, the fair and just treatment of Indigenous Australians that should already be a given anyway, and to live in a world where the nation's traumatic past isn't what it is, for starters. It's also impossible to watch Behrendt's unfurling of the circumstances behind the artist's art, which intertwines Bell's own story, Australia since British colonisation and the fight against racial oppression globally, without appreciating the immense importance of his work. He boasts accolades and international acclaim, but nothing cements the potency of Bell's efforts like Bell. Hearing him talk about his childhood, then witnessing what those formative experiences have inspired: it's what this doco thrives on. So it is that You Can Go Now listens to Bell describe growing up in a tin shack in central Queensland, where he lived until he was a teen, only for it to be bulldozed by the government eight months after the 1967 referendum recognising Indigenous Australians as citizens. In tandem, the movie watches him recreate such a shanty, run it down, film it and play that video piece in another tin shed installed at the Castello di Rivoli Museo d'Arte Contemporanea in Turin in Italy. With a broader view, You Can Go Now enjoys Bell's paintings of key images from the fights for rights at home and in the US, then shows the photographs that Bell draws upon. And, it steps through the history of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy as a protest, plus Bell's replica Embassy — which has been displaying and hosting chats in Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Cairns, Moscow, Jakarta, New York, Venice, Kassel in Germany and more, and adds London's famed Tate Modern to its stops in 2023. Also filling this deftly penned, directed, shot (by The Dreamlife of Georgie Stone's Vincent Lamberti) and edited (by 2040's Jane Usher) film: addresses by the infectiously engaging Bell to camera, letting his playful but determined personality shine; text on-screen to emphasise the most pressing takeaways in his monologues; a cast of talking-head interviewees, spanning everyone from his Brisbane gallerist Josh Milani to friend and activist Gary Foley, plus current Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney; and a wealth of archival footage. Behrendt's approach is straightforward, but made dynamic and gripping through her subject, his story, the history behind both and the snippets focused on. And while Bell is an executive producer, ensuring this is his vision of himself, that doesn't make the end result any less thoughtful, passionate or compelling. In the feature's big picture, a portrait emerges of First Nations activism spread across half a century, both heartbreakingly and vitally so. In its Bell-centric guise, so too does a chronicle of activism channelled into his art to keep agitating for change, recognition and a better future. You Can Go Now's snapshot of both is thorough, so much so that it adds another want to its audience's list: wanting more time to sift through it all, something that no lone 82-minute documentary can deliver. Thankfully, this movie has company elsewhere in fellow docos such as Firestarter — The Story of Bangarra and Wash My Soul in the River's Flow. The former hones in on the pioneering and applauded Indigenous dance theatre, the latter on iconic musicians Ruby Hunter and Archie Roach, and both also survey Australia's attitudes towards its Traditional Owners, the creativity such a history has sparked, and how those resulting works are pieces of activism through and through. Indeed, You Can Go Now slides into stellar company, and into an expanding group of Aussie documentaries that will never lose their urgency as similar flicks keep emerging. Not that they can't stand alone, or don't, but You Can Go Now and its cohort actually gain strength from the fact that they're relaying a common tale. The impact of Australia's colonisation, and the prejudice and persecution that has followed, is vast. It always requires constant interrogation and confrontation. Across a life that's traversed gaining a political voice on Redfern's streets, working for the Aboriginal Legal Service, winning the 20th Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, and gatecrashing the 2019 Venice Biennale, too, Bell knows this — and so does this filmic tribute.
Calling all gallery goers. If your love of art is on par with Charlie's love of chocolate, we've got something that'll bring a golden twinkle to your eye. We're giving away a golden ticket to the Art Gallery of NSW, which grants you and a mate access to every single exhibition held there this year. That's free passes to some of the most exciting curatorial offerings in town in your hot little art-loving hands. So what's lined up, you ask? Well, until Sunday, March 3, you can check out Masters of Modern Art from The Hermitage. The exhibition is an eye-poppingly awesome selection from the St Petersburg's State Hermitage Museum that includes works by radical innovators Monet, Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso, Gauguin, Kandinsky and Pissarro. Works by legendary Australian artist Brett Whiteley are also on show until Sunday, March 31. From early drawings of Sydney and France through to the landscapes, interiors and nudes of his later career, this survey celebrates the integral, inspirational role drawing played in his creative process. In April, the gallery hosts the most comprehensive Marcel Duchamp exhibition to ever be seen in the Asia-Pacific, treating visitors to about 150 works and documentary materials from the influential artist's rich career in The Essential Duchamp. You'll get to see early gems like Portrait of Dr. Dumouchel (1910) and Sonata (1911) alongside later career-changing works including Nude Descending a Staircase No. 2 (1912). And in November, the gallery is set to host, Japan Supernatural, a blockbuster exhibition of Japanese artworks, including those by Takashi Murakami. But that's not all. The passes also include entry into an exhibition dedicated to masterpieces from Taipei's National Palace Museum, plus the annual Archibald, Wynne & Sulman Prizes. To enter, see details below. [competition]684175[/competition]
If you've been making plans to revamp your style, but haven't been able to rustle up the coin, here's your chance. For two weeks, Hugo Boss will be hosting a mega sale at its outlet stores. You'll be able to score a further 50 percent off a massive range of premium clothing — from comfy t-shirts and soft sweaters to suave suits and women's dresses. Whether you're after a suit for a special occasion or looking to level-up your wardrobe, Hugo Boss's end-of-year outlet sale will have you sorted for a fraction of the fashion label's usual prices. You'll have to get in quick to score though, with the sale running from Wednesday, December 16 to Friday, January 1. Hugo Boss end-of-year outlet sale will run from Wednesday, December 16 to Friday, January 1. To find your closest outlet store, visit the website.
Located on the site of a former brickpit, Henson Park is an inner west haven for sports lovers. The park is the home to NRL team the Newtown Jets, who compete in the Premier League (the highest rated NSW state rugby league competition). It also hosts some AFL matches and soccer clubs. To accommodate the spectators of all this action, there's a 1000-person grandstand, which was built back in 1937. There's also a grassy knoll and large car park, for those who want to watch from the grass or their car. Other sections of Henson Park include a grass running track, adjacent tennis courts and heaps of green space for visitors to enjoy a picnic or hang session with mates. The park also has the added benefit of being down the street from The Henson — one of the best pubs in the inner west. Stop by pre- or post-match for a cold one and a feed.
Well folks, it’s that time of year again, when the rising mercury sends us outdoors en masse, pumping our concrete playground with an energy of revelry and renewal. The spirit of summer is a celebration of what it means to be alive. We rediscover our joie de vivre with sandy toes, burnished skin, BBQs by the beach, and one too many margaritas. But with so much going on at this time of year it’s hard to know where to begin, and what is supposed to be some well-deserved chill time can become a full-blown panic attack. So, what do you do when overwhelmed with options? Welcome to the inaugural Concrete Playground Summer Guide, a comprehensive shortlist of the best this city has to offer over the next three months, from rooftop bars to beaches to picnic spots to outdoor dining and much more. With two different formats — iPad/iPhone and softcover book — of the Summer Guide on offer, you’ll never be without access to the best of everything, because the year’s too long and summer’s too short to waste time on the mediocre. Now slap on your invisible zinc and get out there, blue skies wait for no one (and don’t we know it). Summer, we salute you. Buy the iPhone/iPad edition here for $5.40, or buy the softcover edition here for $14.95. Concrete Playground is giving away ten copies of the softcover edition of Sydney: The Summer Guide. To go in the running, just make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground, then email your name and postal address to hello@concreteplayground.com.au Preview The Summer Guide
The annual reason to not entirely obliterate yourself on New Year's Eve, Field Day, has announced announced one of its most all-round thumbs-up inducing lineups yet, with one big name at the top: Tyler, The Creator. The chart-topping American rapper will be heading to Australia for the first time since releasing his highly lauded album IGOR. He'll be joined on stage by fellow American and trap master RL Grime, gold masked German DJ duo Claptone, British rapper Skepta, dancefloor starters Disclosure and electro duo Snakehips, among one heck of a killer lineup. Local legends aren't scarce this year, either, with the likes of Hatchie, Pnau, Hayden James and more locked in for NYD sets. Returning to The Domain on New Year's Day, January 1, 2020, Field Day proves once again that some lineups are worth skipping the last NYE UDL for. [caption id="attachment_735766" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tyler, The Creator by Sam Rock[/caption] FIELD DAY 2020 LINEUP Tyler, The Creator Antony & Cleopatra Chris Lake Claptone Dena Amy Disclosure Dom Dolla Eves Karydas Glades Green Velvet Gunna Hatchie Hayden James IAMDDB Jauz Lastlings Nyxen Pnau RL Grime Running Touch Skepta Snakehips The Japanese House Tokimonsta Ybn Cordae Image: Field Day/AP Photography.
John Hughes’ 1987 hit combines a ‘buddy movie’ with a ‘road movie’ and an ‘odd-couple sitcom’ to create one of cinema’s all-time classic comedies. It’s a tale of man versus nature, man versus technology and even man versus fellow man as uptight ad executive Neal Page (Steve Martin) and schlumpy shower curtain ring salesman Del Griffith (John Candy) are forced together during a disaster-laden journey from New York to Chicago for Thanksgiving. This is Murphy’s Law at its most unforgiving, transforming a two-hour flight into a three-day back roads odyssey thanks to some bad weather, bad decisions and simple old bad luck. The casting was spot on in this film, which was made when both actors were at their professional peaks. The steady accumulation of frustrating setbacks was a perfect device for Martin, who easily remains the most enjoyable actor to watch suffer an explosive on-screen meltdown. His performance is more subtle and nuanced than usual, however it does also feature a scene in which he famously drops the f-bomb 18 times in less than a minute, taking the otherwise PG-13 film well into the M-bracket. John Candy is equally fantastic; creating a deeply empathic character despite traits that would have rendered him wholly annoying in the hands of almost any other actor. Together with Hughes (who also wrote the screenplay), they took a simple road movie and turned it into something far more enriching, both comically and emotionally. The team behind the much-anticipated event Downtown Drive-In has announced Carriageworks in Sydney’s Eveleigh, just three kilometres from the Sydney CBD, as the location for its three-night season, which will run from November 29 to December 1, 2012. A seldom-used section of the 120-year-old heritage listed building will form the perfect backdrop for the Back Roads USA season of films. The films to be screened include On The Road, Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Vanishing Point. Downtown Drive-In will also feature a custom menu with individual items designed by The Dip, Sydney’s favourite American-style diner, playfully paying tribute to the films and shared Americana settings and atmosphere. Major sponsor Audi will supply a range of luxury cars for the ultimate drive-in experience. The cars will also feature razor-sharp sound from audio partner Bang & Olufsen. Entry into Downtown Drive-In will cost $50 for vehicles of up to four people. Walk-in deck chair seating is also available near the screen, at $25 per person. For more information on the film schedule, drive-in experience and participating partners, visit www.downtowndrive.in
In the underworld of street art, few events can match the adrenalin-charged battle that is Secret Wars. Drawing battle lines between rival artists, this once secret tournament has made a dash for the surface to host the upcoming final between two of Sydney's most skilled street artists. After a furious rise to the top, both artists Houl and Creon have let paint fly, leaving nothing but a broken brush in their wake and for the last time are ready to step up and make their mark. But if you haven't been paying attention, here is how it works: two artists are placed side by side, whether in a hotel foyer or an abandoned meat factory. They battle with black acrylics on a fresh white canvas. Their time is 90 minutes — no pencils, no preparation. The winner is crowned by two guest judges and the all-important crowd vote. You can imagine it's like watching Michaelangelo at work, that is if he painted in the local tavern against his enemy Bramante surrounded by hooligans dissing his brush-stroke. We saw the paint fly with Houl in the semi's, but can he pull it off against Creon for the title of Secret Wars champion?
Feeling uninspired? Stuck on date ideas? Want free booze? Or even, do you like art? We’ve put together a hot list of exhibitions for you to check out this July, a month tending towards the challenging and just plain weird. These aesthetic escapades will take you from Sydney’s smallest to most well-known galleries. Image: Aleks Danko, TASTE, 1987–88.
It has been more than half a decade since Australia's most ambitious outdoor cinema held its first Sydney pop-up, letting movie lovers catch a flick under the stars while getting cosy in one of its beds (yes, beds). Of course, that type of event hasn't really suited these COVID-19 times so far, so Mov'In has adapted in 2020 — launching Mov'In Car, a pop-up drive-in on Entertainment Quarter's rooftop. Last year, the brand also floated Mov'In Boat into Darling Harbour, too, because there are plenty of ways to watch movies in outside spaces. But this month, for six weeks from Friday, October 29 through till Wednesday, December 1, it's bringing back its automobile-based outdoor film-viewing setup. Returning now that Sydney's lockdown is over and New South Wales' roadmap back to normality is underway, Mov'In Car will screen films every night of the week except Mondays, kicking off with Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. From there, it'll move to horror flicks for Halloween — think: IT and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, so you can choose between eerie and song-filled viewing — and then cycle between classics and recent favourites. Other highlights include Wrath of Man, the latest movie to pair Guy Ritchie with Jason Statham; Oscar-winner Nomadland, which brings its own vehicle theme to the drive-in; Aussie page-to-screen drama The Dry; and Joker, featuring Joaquin Phoenix's applauded lead performance. Black Widow, Raya and the Last Dragon, Free Guy and Jungle Cruise help round out the new-ish releases — and yes, Dirty Dancing is also on the bill, because it's always on every drive-in and outdoor cinema lineup. There'll also be snacks, food and beverages available to buy, complete with all-you-can-eat pizza deals, bottomless popcorn and Nutella calzones. Mov'In Car isn't BYO, so you'll have to purchase all hot food and drinks inside — but you can bring your own non-alcoholic beverages and snacks. Price-wise, tickets for a car with one or two people cost $49.90, while you can head along with three or more people for $59.90 per vehicle. All-you-can-eat pizza costs $49.90 for two as well. Also, Mov'In Car is dog-friendly, although your pet pooch will need to stay in your car.
Start making Easter plans: Bluesfest is returning for 2023. From Thursday, April 6–Monday, April 10, the iconic annual festival will hit up Byron Events Farm at Tyagarah for its 34th event — with Elvis Costello, Mavis Staples, Bonnie Raitt and Gang of Youths leading the bill. Also heading to northern New South Wales as part of the five-day lineup: Jackson Browne, Tash Sultana, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Jimmy Barnes with The Barnestormers, and Talib Kweli, GZA and Big Freedia as special guests of The Soul Rebels. As usual, Bluesfest's roster of talent spans a hefty array of music genres — blues and roots, obviously, but also soul, rock, hip hop, R&B and more — with Beth Hart, Buddy Guy, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle and The Dukes, The Cat Empire and Xavier Rudd also set to take to the stage. Rockwiz Live will be doing its thing, too, in the perfect setting. And, would it be a Bluesfest without Michael Franti & Spearhead? In 2023, you won't need to find out. While all of the above and more were named in Bluesfest's first announcement, the second added Allison Russell, The Doobie Brothers, Counting Crows, Vintage Trouble, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats and St Paul & the Broken Bones. Organisers are calling the 2023 fest "the first original-style Bluesfest since the world's borders re-opened". While the event went ahead in 2022 after two years of pandemic cancellations (and a thwarted temporary move to October for the same reason), it showcased a primarily Australian and New Zealand lineup. With the return of international travel, Bluesfest can welcome top-notch acts from around the globe again. BLUESFEST 2023 LINEUP — FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT: 19-Twenty Allison Russell The Barnestormers Beth Hart The Black Sorrows Bonnie Raitt Buddy Guy The Cat Empire Chain Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram Counting Crows The Doobie Brothers Elvis Costello & The Imposters Eric Gales Femi Kuti & The Positive Force Gang of Youths Greensky Bluegrass Jackson Brown Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit Joe Bonamassa Joe Camilleri Presents: A Star-Studded Tribute to the Greats of the Blues Jon Stevens Kaleo Keb' Mo' Band King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Lachy Doley and The Horns of Conviction Larkin Poe Lp Lucinda Williams Marcus King Mavis Staples Michael Franti & Spearhead Nathaniel Rateliff & The Nightsweats Nikki Hill Robert Glasper Rockwiz Live The Soul Rebels & Friends with special guests Talib Kweli, GZA and Big Freedia Southern Avenue Spinifex Gum featuring Marliya Steve Earle & The Duke St Paul & The Broken Bones Tash Sultana Vintage Trouble Xavier Rudd
Many Australians spent a childhood birthday or two under one of Pizza Hut's iconic red roofs, digging into endless cheesy slices and soft serve at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Fast forward to 2020 and not a whole heap of Pizza Hut buffets exist — with only 14 dine-in outposts across the country — but the chain is still going strong with its hundreds of takeaway shops. And it's celebrating its 50th anniversary in Australia by giving away a whopping 50,000 takeaway pizzas. Pizza Hut is giving away 10,000 pizzas each day from Monday, August 3 to Friday, August 7. You just need to head over to the website between 4–6pm on one of those days, submit your details and select your closest Pizza Hut store. You can choose from five different toppings, too — the brand's five most popular flavours, in fact: Pepperoni Lovers, BBQ Meatlovers, Super Supreme, Cheese Lovers or Hawaiian. You then have until 11.59pm on Monday, August 31 to redeem your free pizza. To coincide with the giveaway, and the anniversary, Pizza Hut is releasing some fun facts about each decade every day, such as where its first Aussie restaurant was located (Belfield, NSW) and when stuffed crust was launched (25 years ago). Pizza Hut is giving away 10,000 free pizzas from 4–6pm each night between Monday, August 3 and Friday, August 7 via the website. Top images: Warrawong and Canley Heights Pizza Huts.
It's hard to say where Sydney's dining scene is headed at the moment, but one thing's for sure — fine dining is fading. While the opening of swanky-but-casual eateries like Restaurant Hubert, Mercado and Bistrot Gavroche in Sydney and Ôter and Entrecôte in Melbourne suggest an era of European bistros, in the last few weeks alone we've had news that Sydney's Sepia and Marque will be closing, and Andrew McConnell's Moon Under Water will be transforming into a more casual Chinese eatery. The latest to flick away the fine dining title? Neil Perry's Rockpool Est. 1989. In a statement released this morning, owners Perry and Trish Richards announced they will be closing their flagship restaurant on Saturday, July 30. They won't be moving out of the space though — they'll reopen just over a week later on Monday, August 8 as the more casual, a la carte Eleven Bridge. "Rockpool has been our flagship restaurant for almost three decades," said Perry. "We're moving away from that traditional concept of fine dining but maintaining all the elements that are crucial to great dining; excellent produce and service, and a contemporary style." For anyone confused, Rockpool Est. 1989 is the one located on Bridge Street in Sydney's CBD. Part of the reason for decided to close the restaurant is that their second Sydney venue, Rockpool Bar & Grill, is located super close by on Hunter Street. Perry also has another Rockpool Bar & Grill in Melbourne's Crown complex. So for anyone looking to have one last (or first) steak at the almost-thirty-year-old restaurant, you've only got two more months to do so. Godspeed. Rockpool Est. 1989's last service will be dinner Saturday, 30 July, with Eleven Bridge opening on Monday, 8 August. For more info or to make a booking, visit rockpool.com.
Three of Sydney's Japanese food favourites are coming together to celebrate all things sake across August. Nakano Darling, Tachinomi YP and Yakitori Yurippi are teaming up for Sake Month to present a range of special set menus and snacks to pair with a wide variety of sake. At both Nakano and Tachinomi YP, diners can order a limited-time sake and otsumami (Japanese for 'snack') set, with varieties of the Japanese spirit paired with moreish finger food. The menu is available daily during August and changes week to week with new combinations popping up throughout the month. Over in Crow's Nest, Yakitori Yurippi is also making the most of Sake Month with its Hide's Izakaya chef's table experience. This seven-course izakaya-style menu is limited to 24 people each Tuesday with seatings available at 5pm, 7pm and 9pm. "It's been a pretty cold winter, but it's clear that everyone loves being out again with friends and family," the venues' co-owner Tin Jung Shea said. "We get it and we wanted to create something special to give our customers more chances to have fun, stay warm, and try some amazing Japanese cuisine while they're getting back to dining out."
A favourite among Sydneysiders for its top-notch gyoza and free karaoke, Goros is turning pink for six weeks to celebrate Sakura season. As part of the Sakura Festival, pink sushi, pink burgers and pink mochi desserts will be on offer, plus Goros' signature bubble tea cocktails will be turning pink. The festival of pink has taken over the bar until Saturday, May 7 and includes a whole heap of activities and antics to accompany the brightly coloured eats and drinks. Goros dance floor will take centre stage with a heap of DJs popping up at the bar over six weeks. There are also plenty of cherry blossom-themed installations and decorations that set the vibe and create ample photo opportunities. Entry is free, but to ensure you get a spot, you can book online. Make sure to nab a karaoke room while you're there for the full Goros experience.
If you haven't experienced a sweat-inducing, VHS-style aerobics class made popular by the likes of Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons, we recommend you change that ASAP. Luckily, we've got you covered. In partnership with Good Food Month, we're hosting a series of Monday morning retro aerobics classes — and we've got six double passes to give away. Whip out the hot pink and turquoise lycra, tease up your hair and get ready for fitness queen Shannon Dooley's Retrosweat, Palm Springs edition. Dubbed 'Not Another Manic Monday', these classes will get your heart pumping as you high-kick your way into a new week with beats and moves from one of the most outlandish decades — when bum bags, acid wash and power suits were king. What's more, the Good Food Month version of the '80s workout will bring out the So Cal vibes that'll make you crave a whiz down Venice Beach with your skates, high cut leotard and pastel leg warmers. Why's that? Because this year's Good Food Month will see Hyde Park transform into Hyde Park Palms, a Palm Springs-inspired food, drink and party hub. Feeling a bit intimidated by this much energy exertion on a Monday? Don't worry, after the 50 minutes of high intensity, '80s moves, you'll be given a 'naughty' takeaway brekkie courtesy of Black Star Pastry and cake creative Katherine Sabbath, to keep you buzzing the rest of the day. What's on the menu? Think a bacon bread twist, quiche lorraine and mini custard flan from Black Star Pastry, and a cheeky cactus cookie by Sabbath. Enter our competition below to win a double pass to a Not Another Manic Monday session on Monday, October 16 or Tuesday, October 17. See you and your lycra there. [competition]638001[/competition] Words: Quinn Connors and Jonathan Ford.
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.
Brett Whiteley is considered one of the most prominent Australian artists of the 20th century. So it's a little surprising to learn that there has never been an exhibition specifically dedicated to his drawing — until now. Across summer, the Art Gallery of NSW is hosting a retrospective solely focused on this element of Whiteley's work and the pivotal role it played in his wider practice, titled Brett Whiteley: Drawing is Everything. You'll get to experience rarely seen works dating from the early days of his career through to his later years as one of Australia's most beloved and internationally successful artists. With an impressive 116 pieces on display, expect to see an amazing variety of drawings, ranging from portraits and nudes to interiors, lyrical landscapes and abstracts. The exhibition also showcases some of Whiteley's most significant paintings and sculptures, aiming to highlight the way in which drawing — which Whiteley once described as an "un-rehearsable and unrepeatable visual truth" — habitually planted the seed for his broader artistic practices. As always at the Art Gallery of NSW, there's a bunch of related workshops, talks and special events to get involved in. Over weekends during February and March, you can hop on a free shuttle between the Gallery, the Brett Whiteley Studio in Surry Hills and Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden in Lavender Bay (if you've never been, you're in for a treat.) Plus, when you visit the exhibition, you'll be given a pencil and drawing booklet so you can record your own creative response. Even if you're not much of a drawer, give it a go and don't overthink it. In Whiteley's own words, "It is better to have drawn and lost than never to have drawn at all." Brett Whiteley: Drawing is Everything is open at the Art Gallery of NSW until Sunday, March 31. For more information on the associated public programs and to purchase tickets, visit the website. We also have five double passes to the exhibition to give away. Enter with your details below. [competition]705901[/competition]
If the cloying coverage of a certain “fairytale” wedding has left you craving something satisfyingly dark and bittersweet, Ruby Moon asks why red-hooded children never make it safely to grandmamma’s house. It is a subversive re-jig of Little Red Riding Hood that “begins like a fairytale,” but ends somewhere else entirely. The best fairytales, after all, are fractured and fraught with danger; they meld tenderness with malice and romance with depravity. One day little Ruby Moon puts on her red dress and sets off to visit her grandmother at the end of the cul de sac. She never returns. Unable to compress their grief or console each other, her parents resort to re-enactment as a form of solace. When brown paper parcels containing dismantled doll parts start arriving on their doorstep, their suspicions take on a new, warping desperation and they begin interrogating their neighbours in earnest. They refuse to refer to Ruby in the past tense, convinced that behind closed doors, someone knows what happened to their daughter… Ruby Moon was short-listed for the Queensland Premier's Literary Awards, and is playwright Matt Cameron's most celebrated play. It's both a profoundly felt moral story and a surreal tragicomedy about the terrible price of love. It begs the question, if little Ruby had even reached her grandmamma's, would she have been better off?
A brand-new year is fast approaching, which means it's time to say goodbye to 2021 and get excited for what 2022 could be. Whether you're a New Year's resolution stickler or a go-with-the-flow kinda person, it's safe to say most of us would be keen to experience something different in 2022. And, let's face it, we'd be lying if we said we hadn't watched Survivor and thought, "I want to try that". Well, you can, just for a weekend, or even a few hours. Whether you're a bicycle junkie with hand-eye coordination Lebron James would envy, or if you just want to get out of your comfort zone, New South Wales has a full calendar of physical challenges to help you hit those new year goals. Here are eight you should add to your list. [caption id="attachment_838191" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination New South Wales[/caption] SPEED THROUGH THE SNOWY MOUNTAINS AT THE SNOWIES MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL When: February 4–6, 2022 Where: Snowy Mountains Over the first weekend of February, the Snowies Mountain Bike Festival returns to Thredbo. Peddle-heads from far and wide are welcome to make the descent from Thredbo to Jindabyne with two unique course options to try. The Wild Brumby course is not for the faint-hearted. Across three days, you'll test your strength, speed and stamina as you tackle 114 kilometres of rugged terrain — most of it, single track. But you'll be treated to some of the most exquisite scenery in the world as you sweat it out, so you can't complain too much. For a less technical but no less intense ride, the three-day 75-kilometre Brumby course is also on the menu. Both of these multi-day rides can also be tackled as a two-person team event, too. Looking for a challenge but can't afford the time commitment? Sign up for one of the several one-day events, which includes 45-, 30- and 15-kilometre rides. Register for the Snowies Mountain Bike Festival at the website. [caption id="attachment_838195" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] OR, TAKE IN THE SURROUNDS ON A SNOWY MOUNTAINS TRAIL RUN When: February 18–19, 2022 Where: Snowy Mountains Want to experience the Snowy Mountains from a viewpoint other than a ski lodge? Sign yourself up to the Snowy Mountains Trail Run Australia. The weekend-long festival of running includes a number of trails of varying lengths, including a 42-kilometre marathon and a 70-kilometre ultramarathon, both of which are new for the 2022 iteration. If you've got a competitive streak, there's also a $1000 cash prize each for the first male and first female runners across the line in the 70-kilometre event. Don't worry if you're not an experienced trail runner — there are a few more low-key runs for families and those who just want to get out and experience something new, including a cruisy five kilometre option. Whichever run you choose, you'll be in the perfect spot to take in the incredible views of Thredbo Valley and River within Kosciuszko National Park. The trails set off from Lake Crackenback Resort and Spa, so book ahead to make sure you don't have to go too far for your much-deserved post-run R&R. Register for the Snowy Mountains Trail Run Australia at the website. [caption id="attachment_838192" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] STAY OFF THE BEATEN TRACK AT THE TREX CROSS TRIATHLON When: February 20, 2022 Where: Snowy Mountains Stick around the Snowy Mountains after Trail Run Australia for some off-road action at the Trex Cross Triathlon on February 20. With Mount Kosciuszko as your backdrop, you'll start with a 1500 metre swim before mountain biking for 30 kilometres then finishing with a ten kilometre run on a gritty off-road track. The event is open to all experience levels, so even if you're still recovering from a summer of eating, drinking and beaching, there will be something to inspire you and fit your outdoorsy needs. Register for the Trex Cross Triathlon at the website. CHALLENGE YOUR LIMITS AT THE TRUE GRIT ENDURO When: March 5–6, 2022 Where: Lower Portland, Hawkesbury region Whether you're a fitness fanatic or a casual weekend warrior, the True Grit Aussie Titles will have something for you. This is no stroll in the park, though — this 24-hour event will present a serious challenge for even the most experienced athletes, testing both mental and physical endurance. It's billed as the toughest obstacle course race in the southern hemisphere, demanding competitors to complete as many laps of the ten-kilometre, 30-obstacle course in 24 hours at Dargle Farm on the Hawkesbury River in Lower Portland. The course will have you running, climbing and crawling as you move through grasslands, rainforest, swamps, towering sandstone cliffs and more. Not an elite athlete? No sweat (well, yes, sweat, but not as much). Just opt for the half course — it's a five-kilometre trek that features over 25 obstacles that'll put you through your paces, including traverse ropes and inclination. You can enter solo or as part of a team, too, so you don't have to battle the elements alone. Register for the True Grit Enduro at the website. [caption id="attachment_837880" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination New South Wales[/caption] TEST YOUR ENDURANCE AT THE SNOWY CLASSIC When: March 26, 2022 Where: Snowy Mountains The inaugural Snowy Classic will be taking place on Saturday, March 26, and it will see cyclists testing their endurance as they make their way through New South Wales' stunning Snowy region. The event boasts two courses on fully closed roads: a 170-kilometre ride and a 110-kilometre ride, both starting and finishing at Banjo Paterson Park, next to Lake Jindabyne. Both routes pass through the idyllic towns of Berridale, Dalgety and Jindabyne, while cyclists tackling the longer route will head up through the winding Kosciusko National Park on their way back to the finish line in Jindabyne. Fancy yourself a bit of a cycling superstar? There's a cash pool of $10,000 to be won — so slap on that lycra and get registering. Register for the Snowy Classic at the website. [caption id="attachment_837914" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marc Rafanell Lopez (Unsplash)[/caption] GET BATTLE-READY AT SPARTAN NSW TRIFECTA When: April 1–3, 2022 Where: Marulan, Southern Tablelands Ever wanted to run through mud and leap over fires without mum telling you off? Well, you're in luck, because the world's biggest obstacle race series is coming to NSW in 2022. For the first time ever, New South Wales is hosting a Spartan Trifecta weekend. Join the five-kilometre Sprint, the ten-kilometre Super or the 21-kilometre Beast depending on your fitness level, and expect swimming, running, leaping, and the oh-so-fun scrambling. You'll climb a rope, avoid barbed wire, drag a concrete block, traverse ropes and even throw spears at this event that's so challenging and rewarding, even mum will be proud. Register for the Spartan NSW Trifecta at the website. RIDE THROUGH VINEYARDS AT THE MUDGEE CLASSIC When: 30 April–May 1, 2022 Where: Mudgee That weekend in Mudgee you've been meaning to take can finally come to fruition in May — and what better way to take in one of New South Wales' premier wine regions than by cycling through it? Head to the state's mid-northwest for the Mudgee Classic, a cycling event catering to all levels of cycling ability featuring four courses: the 170-kilometre Maxi Classic, 120-kilometre Challenge Classic, 60km Rouleurs Classic and the 35-kilometre Social Classic. Whichever you choose, you'll have the best seat in the house to explore the region's expansive vineyards, rolling hills as you ride through them. Pro tip: if you plan on making a weekend of it by heading to a winery or two the night before the race (and why wouldn't you?), the Social Classic might be the one for you. Sign up for the Mudgee Classic at the website. [caption id="attachment_837810" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination New South Wales[/caption] RIDE HARD (AND PLAY HARD) AT PORT TO PORT When: May 19–22, 2022 Where: Hunter Region There's nothing better than a cold beer at the end of a hard day's work — and we say the same goes after a hard day of mountain biking. Experience it for yourself by taking part in Port to Port, a mountain bike stage race running over four days in May that takes in the Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle. It's a pretty social event, too — there's a bar positioned close to the finish line every day and participants are encouraged to unwind after each stage and enjoy the generous selection of local food, wine and beer on offer. You'll be made to work for it, though — the race spans around 196 kilometres of riding and 4300 metres of climbing. Register for Port to Port at the website. Feel new in 2022 by setting yourself a new challenge in NSW. For more information, head to the website.
The minds behind Barossa Grape & Wine Association and vinous event organisers Revel have another specialised wine exploration to add to your calendar, this time devoted to the famed South Australian wine region of The Barossa Valley. On Saturday, July 14, Barossa. Be Consumed makes its Sydney debut, before returning to North Melbourne's Meat Market for the second time on July 21. Expect a one-day celebration of the Barossa's finest, showcasing a huge 44 of the region's wineries, including Yelland and Papps, home to 2018 Young Gun of Wine finalist Michael Papps, and Turkey Flat Vineyards, winner of the 2017 Jimmy Watson Trophy. You'll have the chance to meet producers while you sample their best creations, and then have bottles of your favourite wines shipped straight to your door. Drops from the likes of Seppeltsfield Road Distillers, Barossa Distilling Company and Barossa Valley Cider Co. round out the liquid offerings, while the region's top edible produce will be showcased at the Barossa Maker's Table. Meanwhile, local acts like Sam Brittain will deliver the soundtrack to your wine appreciation, and you'll even have the chance to try your hand at that beloved Barossa pastime, Kegel — a traditional German bowling game.
From January 19, the 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art will exhibit the work of prominent contemporary Chinese artist Xiao Lu. Impossible Dialogue — curated by Claire Roberts, Mikala Tai — and Xu Hong, features major performance pieces spanning Lu's 30-year career, including a new commission exploring her connection to Australia. At the centre of the exhibition is Lu's iconic yet controversial work Dialogue, in which she fired a gun at her own installation. To kick off the Lunar New Year celebrations, the team at 4A are hosting a free workshop and panel this weekend, discussing everything from the legacy of Lu's work to the representation of gender in contemporary Chinese art. Plus, if you head in on Saturday, February 9, you can get a guided tour of the exhibition and a congee breakfast for just $25. Image: Xiao Lu, Tides (弄潮), 18 January 2019, Sydney. Photograph by Jacquie Manning. Commissioned by 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art.
Cold winter weather demands comfort-inducing food, with soups, pastas and pies making up much of the weekly menu. Yet when you need a sweet treat, few bites go down better than a hot cinnamon doughnut. And with Friday, June 6, welcoming the return of National Donut Day, there's no better time to order up a steamy bunch. Best of all, Donut King isn't taking any half-measures when it comes to celebrating the big day in 2025, with the iconic brand giving away free hot cinnamon doughnuts from dawn to dusk to mark the occasion. "The magic of our hot and fresh cinnamon doughnuts bouncing along the conveyor belt and landing in a delicious carousel of sweet cinnamon is the moment we seek to share with our loyal fans every day," says Raquel Hine, Marketing Manager at Donut King. "It's what makes us famous for being the home of the hot cinnamon doughnut and why we make every National Donut Day a huge celebration for everyone to take part, absolutely free, all day!" All you have to do to score your free hot cinni doughnut is find your nearest participating Donut King store on Friday, June 6. With over 200 locations spread around the country, there's a good chance one is easily within touching distance. Alternatively, just follow that enchanting cinnamon sugar aroma that wafts from every store. On a side note, we meant it when Donut King isn't cutting any corners this National Donut Day. The team recently revealed a seriously sweet escape — the 'Hot Cinni' Hotel' — produced in collaboration with Ovolo Hotels and available for strictly limited bookings. Transforming two suites in the heritage-listed Ovolo Woolloomooloo, expect shimmering pink accents, cinnamon-painted walls, colourful pop art and even exclusive room service dedicated to hot cinnamon doughnut deliveries. Plus, the rest of the hotel features spice-forward cocktails and cinnamon-inspired nibbles. Donut King's free cinnamon doughnuts are available at participating Donut King locations on Friday, June 6 — limited to one free doughnut per customer. Head to the website for more information.
You could spend one hour trying to get a cab to some party where you might be able to hear some fireworks, or you could spend it heading up to the beautiful Glenworth Valley for Peats Ridge. This year Sydney’s alternative to a New Years spent in the city is hardcore delivering on their promise to be all about the vibes. The (huge) musical lineup will be headlined by John Butler Trio, who are pretty much Peats Ridge in the form of three musically-adept men. Other acts sure to get the vibes flourishing include NZ’s Unknown Mortal Orchestra, our own Deep Sea Arcade, techno guy Luke Slater and Friendly Fires in DJ mode. On the arts side there’s a new theatre, a trippy Derivan Art Tunnel, an actual circus complete with trapeze artists and a slew of interactive installations. Have your eyes and ears wowed, put your bottles in the bins provided and don’t forget to meet at 6pm for the infamous New Years Eve Fancy Dress Masquerade Party.
Swim season is nearly upon us (finally) and the Andrew (Boy) Charlton pool is starting it off with free entry, free brekkie and free harpists. That last one threw us for a loop, too. The pool will officially reopen for the 2018/19 season on Saturday, September 1 and it's giving free entry to the first 50 people through the door — though you'll have to wake up mighty early as the pool opens from 6am that day. If you're late, it's the standard $6.60 entry fee. And, in true 'early bird catches the worm' fashion, the first three people on line will nab a 12-month 360 active membership, which gets you access to ABC, Prince Alfred and Victoria Park pools. Now, back to the harpist. Singer and orchestral harp player Jake Meadow will perform poolside throughout the morning, while attendees are invited to swim, eat a barbecue breakfast and participate in yoga classes on the deck. And, of course, the ABC pool's proximity to the Botanical Gardens and views across the harbour make it an appealing spot as it is. The event caps off at 10am, though, so late-sleepers should be wary of hitting the snooze button.
If you've ever wanted to witness a Lost Boys-style food fight (that may or may not conclude in slicing a coconut mid-air), you might want to mark this date in your diary. Part of the Museum of Contemporary Art's C3West program, FOOD FIGHT aims to raise awareness about food security in Liverpool and South Western Sydney through artist-led workshops, performances, cooking demonstrations and choreographed culinary combat. Set to take place in Liverpool's Bigge Park on the evening of Saturday, April 30, the event will be one big celebration of food. Expect cooking shows, projections and live performances, including a DJ set from experimental artist Mish Grigor. Don't expect your usual food stalls either; among a whole slew of culturally diverse snacks, there will be Laotian fare and even traditional Ukrainian food from artist David Capra and his mum and aunty. And all this deliciousness will culminate in a 100-seat al fresco banquet and an epic food fight performance. Artists Diego Bonetto and Branch Nebula (Lee Wilson and Mirabelle Wouters) — in partnership with the MCA and Genevieve Murray of Future Method Studio — will also collaborate with various local partners, including Foodbank, OzHarvest and Youth Food Movement Australia, on a series of community engagement workshops. According to recent statistics, roughly two million Australians rely on food relief programs every year, while close to a million children go without breakfast or dinner each day. "Our aim with this FOOD FIGHT project is twofold," said Bonetto. "We want to create a fun and engaging event that serves as a wake-up call and conversation starter on a hidden issue; whilst also celebrating the community champions and everyday heroes who fight for food security in the local area, one meal at a time." The event is free to attend as a punter, and if you want to get involved as a volunteer, you can sign up at the event website. If you don't live in the area, hop on a Bankstown-bound train — the park is only a short walk from Liverpool Station. We suggest you start practicing your hot dog hurling skills.
Mooncakes, ramen, fried ice cream, taiyaki, DJs and immersive light projections. These are all part of the Darling Square Moon Festival that's taking over the Haymarket precinct from Thursday, August 25-Sunday, September 11. The traditional Mid-Autumn or Moon Festival will be celebrated over the 18 days of festivities, with some of Darling Square's beloved restaurants and bars whipping up special celebrations for the festival. From Thursday, September 1, the Gong Grocer mooncake stall will be popping up in front of Nina Tea, with special mooncakes from the likes of Wing Wah, Meixin, and Golden Century's XOPP who will roll out its popular lava mooncakes. Elsewhere, Auvers Cafe has created themed custard mooncake and soft shell crab dishes, IIKO Mazesoba is offering limited-time ramen, mochi taiyaki and tuna kakiage creations, Wingboy is serving up fried salted caramel ice cream served with coconut crumb and chocolate fudge sauce, and Chinta Ria has crafted three celebratory set menus named Love, Peace and Happiness. An immersive art cube installation will also be popping up between September 7–11, depicting the scenery of South Korea across the four seasons. Check out the full program at the Darling Square website.
After an incredibly difficult year for the hospitality and cultural industries as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the New South Wales Government unveiled a statewide plan to motivate people to go out and help boost both sectors. Originally titled Out & About before being changed to Dine & Discover, the program offers four $25 vouchers to all NSW residents over the age of 18 — two to spend on dining out, and two to use on activities like cinemas, performing arts and amusement parks. With the program now rolled out across the state, some Sydney venues are doing special offers — even including doubling your money if you spend your voucher with them. Looking for a big feed at a small cost? Keen to get some big bang for your buck at a local cultural institution? We've compiled all the best deals around the city. [caption id="attachment_671514" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Winery by Letícia Almeida[/caption] DOUBLE YOUR MONEY WITH SYDNEY COLLECTIVE OR AUSTRALIAN VENUE CO If you head to one of Sydney Collective's eight venues with your $25 food voucher, you'll actually score $50 per meal. As the hospitality company announced back in November last year, it'll double the value of each voucher presented at every one of its sites — which include Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, The Morrison Bar & Oyster Room, The Imperial Erskineville, Park House, Northies, Daniel San, Taylor's Rooftop and Balcony in Byron Bay. The catch: the venues are only doing the double-up deals between Monday and Thursday. Each venue is different, so head to Sydney Collective's website to check out when you can score the deal at each location. That's where you'll find Sydney Collectives's terms and conditions as well. Similarly, Australian Venue Co is offering a $25 credit when you spend you vouchers across ten of its venues. Sign up to the AVC app and you'll score the extra $25 at venues including The Winery, Untied, Manly Wine, Bungalow 8, Cargo and The Rook. SCORE TWO FREE PARMYS AT THE TAPHOUSE AND ELM ROOFTOP BAR Darlinghurst beer haven The Taphouse and its new rooftop bar Elm are also offering to double your Dine & Discover cash. While you can't use your vouchers to buy alcohol, the venues have a robust food menu, including both chicken and eggplant parmys for under $25. So, you and a friend can score a parmy each with just one voucher. If you're looking for something snackier to pair with a rooftop cocktail, $50 can go a long way on Elm's share menu. Order a feast of fish tacos, southern fried cauliflower bites and fan-favourite jalapeno poppers with money to spare. ENJOY A THREE-COURSE MEAL WITH ROCKPOOL DINING GROUP If using your voucher on a main meal doesn't provide enough value for you, Rockpool is offering multi-course meal deals across four of its citywide chains. While your Dine & Discover vouchers can be redeemed at any of Rockpool's venues, including its more high-end spots like Rockpool Bar & Grill and Spice Temple, the dining group's chain restaurants Fratelli Fresh, El Camino and The Bavarian are offering the biggest bang for your buck. Head to El Camino for an entree, main and churros for dessert, all for just $25. Or, score a main plus and entree or dessert at either Fratelli Fresh or The Bavarian for a single voucher. You can browse all the potential combos at each venue on the Rockpool website. SPEND A NIGHT CATCHING THE LATEST FLICKS ON THE BIG SCREEN After a year of reduced-capacity cinemas, Sydney's theatre chains are jumping at the opportunity to get more movie buffs through the door and in front of a big-screen showing of Cruella or A Quiet Place Part II. To sweeten the deal, many of the chains are offering exclusive $25 packages for those that send their Dine & Discover with them. When it comes to the big hitters, both Hoyts and Event are offering two standard tickets or one Gold Class/Lux ticket with your discover vouchers, as well as a range of combos with your dine vouchers. The smaller independent cinemas are also jumping on board. At Palace, your vouchers will get you a movie ticket with a drink and popcorn combo — and at Dendy you'll be treated to a free large popcorn when you use your discover voucher to catch a screening. BRING OUT YOUR INNER KIDULT WITH BOWLING, MINI GOLF AND ARCADE GAMES Funlab, the team behind family-friendly and adult attractions like Strike Bowling, Holey Moley and Archie Brothers, is offering big discounts for anyone that visits one of its Sydney locations with their Dine & Discover vouchers. Each entertainment venue has a specially crafted $25 package created for the vouchers. At Strike, you can redeem your voucher for two games of bowling. At Sky Zone, $25 will get you two hours of jumping. At Holey Moley, you'll score 18 holes of mini golf — while adult arcade Archie Brothers will let you trade a voucher for 90 minutes of arcade time, and B. Lucky & Sons will grant you an hour in the arcade. Dine vouchers can also be redeemed for two pizzas at any of the Funlab venues. Top image: Watsons Bay Hotel
Drawing on a background in visual art, band Cambodian Space Project also became known for the psychedelic designs that made up its aesthetic. The artworks quickly took on a life of their own, and now dubbed Sticky Fingers Art Prints, 30 designs in editions of four will be showing at the Newsagency Gallery in Petersham, which regularly supports emerging Southeast Asian art. Srey Thy, lead singer of the Cambodian Space Project, grew up in rural Cambodia during the decline of the Khmer rouge regime and came to idolise singers like Ros Sereysothea and Pan Ron, both of whom disappeared in the Killing Fields. When Srey moved to Phenom Penh to become a karaoke singer, she met Australian musician, Julien Poulson, and, well, the rest was history. The two came together to form vibrant and soulful rock band, the Cambodian Space Project, who have garnered acclaim from local outlets such as Triple J. Aimed at fostering up-and-coming talent, Sticky Fingers has enjoyed a meteoric rise, recently opening up a shopfront in Phnom Penh as well as a studio for aspiring Cambodian printmakers and artists. And while they're in town, you can combine a good cause with a good time and catch the Cambodian Space Project performing live at the exhibition September 21. Newsagency Gallery is open weekends, 10-5.
Have you got a lot of pent up energy you can't wait to let loose? Luckily, you don't have to travel far to blow off steam. A full spectrum of thrills is on offer within Sydney and its surrounds, and you don't need to plan these adventures months in advance either. We've teamed up with Adrenaline to highlight some of the high-energy activities it offers for whenever you're ready to get going. Give the rest of the year the boost it sorely needs by canyonying your way through the Blue Mountains or leaping out of a plane over Wollongong. These eight top-notch experiences are a stellar way to set the tone for things to come. FLY OVER SYDNEY IN A BLACK OPS MILITARY-STYLE HELICOPTER If there's one thing guaranteed to put your heart in your mouth, it's a death-defying helicopter flight ramping up to almost 240 kilometres per hour. Lifting off from Sydney Airport, the helicopter will fly high above the city skyline and along the coastline. You'll be safely inside the same type of helicopter used by military forces around the world, and your flight helmet comes complete with a GoPro to capture the entire experience. Once you've safely landed, you'll receive your footage edited together with the in-flight communications and an action-packed soundtrack, providing you with endless memories of this Mission Impossible-esque experience. RACE THROUGH A RAINFOREST ON A ZIPLINE The warm temperate rainforests of the Southern Highlands make quite the impression from the ground. But they're even more awe-inspiring when you're strapped into Australia's highest zipline adventure. Soaring across a series of cables and suspension bridges at 35 metres above the ground, you'll get to experience remarkable vistas stretching all the way to the Pacific Ocean. If you decide to embark on this journey, you'll also receive an educational rundown on the region's vibrant flora and fauna, and gain access to the Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk where you can stroll among the seemingly endless green canopies. TEST YOUR UPPER BODY STRENGTH WITH AN INDOOR ROCK CLIMBING SESSION You don't have to be free soloing up a sheer cliffside like Alex Honnold to get your palms sweaty from rock climbing. You can achieve a similar rush from the safety of the Villawood's Indoor Climbing Gym, as you spend the entire day taking on a variety of challenging obstacles. The gym has 250 unique routes to test your technique on, so you'll encounter overhangs, vertical drops and sharp slabs on your way to the top of the 16-metre-tall walls. This centre serves as the perfect indoor adventure to conquer within Sydney's limits before deciding whether you have what it takes to scale an openair peak. [caption id="attachment_702979" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sydney Aquarium[/caption] MAKE SOME NEW TOOTHY MATES AT SYDNEY AQUARIUM There aren't too many places where you want to come face to face with a shark, but this 30-minute diving encounter at Sydney Aquarium is a rare exception to the rule. Although you're probably eager to leap straight in with these notorious creatures, first you'll undergo a detailed introduction to scuba diving and apply your new skills in the training pool. Then it's time to take a deep breath, as your expert instructors lead you inside the aquarium tanks teeming with over 30 sharks, including 4.5-metre long wobbegongs and other marine life, like stingrays and turtles. Friends and family can watch on from the spectators' tunnel, so get them to snap some photos of you with your new sharp-toothed pals. ZOOM OVER SYDNEY IN A FIGHTER JET Do you like to live life in the fast lane? Well, there's almost no faster lane than the one used by fighter jets. This high-octane adventure places you in the rear seat of a blisteringly quick L-39 fighter jet, with your veteran pilot more than happy to put the aircraft through its paces. Before take-off, you'll get dressed in a military-style flight suit (BYO aviator sunglasses) and partake in a safety briefing explaining the extreme g-forces your body is about to experience. Soon you'll be zooming down the runway and bursting through a 15-minute sequence of high-velocity manoeuvres that'll expand your definition of speed. Let's hope you can hold onto your lunch. JUMP OUT OF A PLANE OVER WOLLONGONG Few things are bound to satisfy an adrenaline junkie more than skydiving from a plane at 15,000 feet. And there aren't many better places to experience the thrill of plummeting towards the ground at 200 kilometres per hour than over the picturesque landscape of Wollongong Beach. Don't worry, you won't have to fling yourself into thin air on your own — you'll be jumping in tandem with a highly trained instructor who'll ensure you reach the beachfront safely. Following an electrifying free-fall lasting up to 60 seconds, you'll get to soak up the coastal views as you glide down and eventually get your feet back on solid ground. GO HORSE RIDING AND QUAD BIKING THROUGH BUSHLAND If you've been cooped up inside for the last couple of months, getting some fresh country air sounds like a smart idea. You won't have to head far beyond Sydney's outer suburbs to reach Glenworth Valley's sprawling 3000 acres of countryside for a horse riding and quad bike combo tour. You'll be given the option of trail or free-range riding depending on your previous horse riding experience, then you can spend two hours exploring the surrounding valleys and rainforests. Next, it's time for part two of your adventure as you have another 90 minutes to motor through the property's myriad bushland tracks and river crossings on a high-speed quad bike. Treat yourself to a trip that's guaranteed to jump-start the rest of your year. Head to the Adrenaline website and find an adventure that won't disappoint. Top image: Adrenaline
We know how it goes, the sun starts shining and your desire for a cocktail grows. You fish around in the fridge for some ingredients and end up with some flat tonic, a skerrick of sad-looking cucumber and you make do with a subpar G&T. Well, we're here to tell you, summer cocktails don't have to be last-resort failures. It's time to take some pride in your gin-based tipple and treat your tastebuds to something special. To set you off in the right direction, we've partnered with Greenall's and crafted five foolproof recipes for some top-notch summer cocktails — and with a particularly summery drop we might add. Inspired by the blackberries growing in English hedgerows, England's oldest gin distiller's Wild Berry Gin offers a delicate sweetness with subtle red fruit notes that develop into rich camphor and citrus tastes. While the spirit can be enjoyed simply with soda and lime, take things up a notch and try out these cocktails below. Whether you're shaking them up for a group of friends or giving your significant other a nice cool treat on a hot summer's day, these pink-hued cocktails are sure to impress. [caption id="attachment_683817" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shansay.[/caption] DOLCE VITA 'Dolce Vita' is Italian for 'sweet life' and the surest way to keep things saccharine is to pair your Wild Berry Gin with palate-smacking zingy passionfruit and sweet vermouth. — 45ml Greenall's Wild Berry Gin — 15ml Aperol — 15ml sweet vermouth — 5ml passionfruit syrup — slice of orange Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, pour in all your molto bella ingredients — minus the orange, that comes later — and stir vigorously. Hey, you've gotta work for your sweet treat. Strain over an ice-filled tumbler — or a whisky glass and a chunk of ice, if you're feeling fancy — and garnish with a slice of orange. Salute, sweet tooths. PRETTY IN PINK Just like the 1986 Molly Ringwald masterpiece, this feel-good tipple is super sweet in all the right ways and bound to be a cult favourite. — 40ml Greenall's Wild Berry Gin — 20ml raspberry puree — 30ml cream — 10ml crème de fraise de bois Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker along with a good handful of ice, then holler at Ducky and get him to give it a good shake. Next, strain the pink concoction into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a fresh raspberry, or two. Get the 80s hits pumping and enjoy this pretty little drink. FLORA DORA This is Greenall's take on a West End comedy which went on to become one of Broadway's biggest musicals, a round of applause for the Flora Dora. Get ready, this cocktail is a real showstopper. — 40ml Greenall's Wild Berry Gin — 20ml fresh lime juice — 10ml raspberry syrup — ginger beer You're the choreographer to these sweet, tart and spicy ginger elements. Your job: build all ingredients in a highball glass over ice and give 'em a good stir to make sure they hit their mark. Then, take a bow and a well-deserved sip. FOREST FRUIT CUP Give the shaker a rest and make a cocktail jug to share instead. This fruity delight will draw all your long-lost friends out of the woods (or forest) and into your home. — 50ml Greenall's Wild Berry Gin — 25ml fresh lemon juice — 10ml Cointreau — 15ml sugar syrup — 1 thin slice of ginger — 150ml ginger beer Gently press your ginger slice into the bottom of a large highball glass (a hurricane or sling will work equally well). Pour over the rest of the ingredients and stir. For added pizzazz, chuck in all the fruits of the forest along with some lemon, mint and cucumber. To make a jug, simply multiply by four. WILD BERRY FROSE Finally, you don't have to choose between your G&T, slushie or wine. It's a real problem, we swear. Greenall's have married together all three in this refreshing cocktail cool enough to tackle any heatwave. — 50ml Greenall's Wild Berry Gin — 20ml lemon juice — 10ml strawberry puree — 10ml raspberry puree — 30ml sugar syrup — 65ml rosé wine Grab your trusty blender and pulverise all ingredients with ice until a smooth granita texture is achieved. Pour the mixture into a large highball, hurricane or sling glass. Garnish with a strawberry fan if you're feeling fruity or a paper umbrella if you're feeling sassy. Make 'em all to find your go-to sweet Greenall's drink for summer. Top image: Leícia Almeida.
Most people will be familiar with celebrity chef Manu Feildel through his prime-time stint judging My Kitchen Rules. Soon, however, Sydneysiders will have the chance to flip the script, judging Feildel's skills on the pots as he returns to the kitchen to launch a new bistro in the heart of the Inner West. Bistro Red Lion by Manu will occupy the upper level of the 196-year-old Red Lion Hotel in Rozelle, which has undergone a $1.5-million top-to-bottom renovation over the past eight months. For his return to a restaurant kitchen following a four-year hiatus, Fieldel — a sixth-generation chef — is presenting a menu of rustic French bistro fare, including treasured recipes passed down through the Feildel family. For his return to a restaurant kitchen following a four-year hiatus, Feildel has collaborated with long-time friend and Laundy Hotels Group Executive Chef Jamie Gannon to deliver a concept that can appeal to a broad range of diners through "delicious, approachable food rather than aiming for the stars". "I want guests … to forget the outside world and feel as though they're dining at my home," Feildel said. Crowd-pleasing comfort foods will feature prominently, including a double-baked comté cheese soufflé designed for sharing and a country-style pâté with prune and armagnac jam, a recipe created by Feildel's father. Carnivores will be well served with hunger-busting mains such as the pork tomahawk, chargrilled and served with braised fennel and mustard sauce; confit chicken served on a bed of cannellini beans with and kale fricasée and jus gras; and, of course, steaks — here, you can carve into a butcher's cut of beef accompanied by pommes dauphine house-made sauces including peppercorn, mushroom and blue cheese. Desserts will be similarly indulgent, with a selection that includes a luxuriant chocolate mousse topped with hazelnut chantilly cream, as well as a riff on crêpes Suzette featuring flambéed canelés, the cork-shaped Bordeaux-famous pastry, served with vanilla ice cream. With almost two centuries of heritage to honour, renovating Red Lion was a necessarily sensitive process. Design collective Co:Aika was tapped to realise a fitout that has the updated finishes today's pub-goers expect, while cherishing the existing charm of this historic Rozelle institution. And first thing's first: yes, the pub's iconic taxidermied lion will remain a focal point of the ground-floor space. So too will many of the venue's original features, including the working fireplace, balustrades and sweeping staircase. Exposed sandstone walls, contemporary light fixtures and cosy booth seating will add a modern touch, but tempered with a heritage-inspired colour scheme. The 120-seat bistro on the first floor will evoke the spirit of a Parisian bistro, with a muted yet sophisticated palette of creams, egg-shell blue and taupe, counterpointed by the rich stain of the extensive wood panelling. Pops of colour from modern artworks and other objets d'art will add some playful winks that echo the restaurant's unpretentious ethos, while the restored wrap-around balcony is set to offer year-round al fresco dining overlooking Darling Street. Don't worry if French cuisine isn't your feed of choice — Red Lion's ground-floor kitchen will continue to serve pub favourites, including the hotel's ever-popular hand-crumbed schnitzel, alongside bangers and mash, pepper steak pie, and a slow-cooked beef ragu bolognese. Red Lion, including Bistro Red Lion by Manu, will open to the public from Friday, July 12, with the restaurant operating Thursday–Sunday. Red Lion's ground floor kitchen will operate daily, 10am–9pm. Images: Kitti Gould
Perhaps unsurprisingly, you'll find Little Beach Boathouse perched right on the edge of Nelson Bay's Little Beach. In fact, when the tide is high, the outdoor seating area of the downstairs bar and cafe, Below Deck, is actually over the water. Upstairs, the main restaurant offers coastal dining at its best — fresh seafood and a winning view of the shimmering bay. The restaurant opened back in 2013 (followed by the bar in 2016) with a focus on locally sourced ingredients — from the seafood and produce to the drinks. The extensive wine list heavily features drops from the Hunter Valley, and local craft brewery Murray's makes it on the beer list. Lunch is a fairly straightforward affair — one main and sourdough for $40 per person. But you're given the option to add in starters and dessert if you want to linger a little longer admiring the view (you will). Prawn cocktails, Port Stephens rock oysters with native pepperberry mignonette or Hervey Bay scallops with cauliflower puree are among your upgrade options. Come dinnertime, you can opt for a two- or three-course set menu ($55 or $65 respectively). Predictably, it's mostly seafood on offer, think squid ink spaghetti, miso glazed salmon and market fish, but there are meat and vegetarian options, too. Image: Destination NSW
Paddington's much loved restaurant Fred's has been a go-to dinner spot since it opened back in 2016. Now, internationally renowned head chef Danielle Alvarez is opening for the daytime crowd, starting Saturday, April 28. The new Saturday morning offering will see the front bar reimagined into a European-inspired café from 8–11am each week. It'll serve up pastries, sweet treats and coffees for dine-in or takeaway. The succinct brekkie menu has been curated by Alvarez and includes options like savoury scrolls with goat's curd and leeks, buttermilk scones with lemon curd, apple and quince galettes, and plum and almond cakes. Plus, there will be canelés, those rum and vanilla pastries from Bordeaux with a custard centre and caramelised crust. Everything will be made in-house using organic flour and butter. Apart from these goodies, there will also be $65 seasonal produce boxes on offer from Sift Produce. The company — who supplies to the Fred's kitchen — works specifically with small-scale farmers who practice regenerative agriculture, so each box will include just-harvested ingredients sourced directly from local growers. You'll need to pre-order by sending Sift an email. The chef sees this new offering as a step toward turning Paddington into a destination for home cooks. "I would love our guests to be able to buy some of the produce we offer in the restaurant, to cook with the ingredients at home and get a better understanding of what true seasonality means," Alvarez said. It's certainly in the right spot, with the neighbourhood's adored seafood restaurant Saint Peter also just opening a Fish Butchery, plus the institution that is the Paddington Markets happening across the road every Saturday.
Merivale's bygone bistro and cocktail bar Lotus makes a grand return to its Challis Avenue digs on Saturday, October 19 with a revamped menu and an all-star team — including original head chef, Dan Hong (Ms. G's, Mr. Wong, El Loco). It comes following the closure of Potts Point's seven-year-old The Fish Shop — which was helmed by the late and great Jeremy Strode — back in June, and Merivale's recent sale of the iconic property, which has been in the family since the 80s. As an extended pop-up, Lotus 2.0 will run until the new owners take over the building, allowing Sydneysiders to say a proper farewell to the institution. Back in the early 2000s, Lotus's decadent and lively atmosphere made it a Kings Cross go-to for more than a decade, and the team has done its best to bring back these good-time vibes. The space is a nod to the original bistro, dialling up the 70s glamour with mirrored ceilings, chocolate-coloured carpet, velvet and floral upholstery, and even the eye-catching onyx bar you might remember from the old days. The menu sees the return of a few favourite dishes, too, including the cheeseburger (now with brisket, chuck steak and dry-aged beef fat) and the hot fudge sundae with raspberries, peanuts and honeycomb. The throwback dessert vibes continue with the Frosty Fruits granita and coconut sorbet. Hong — who first took on the top spot at Lotus at just 24 years old after returning to Sydney from a stint in New York — has also created some new dishes, reflecting the time that's past and the chef he is today. The black truffle triple-grilled cheese toastie looks like a must try, as do the handmade noodles with prawns, XO and coriander Behind the bar, Colin Tam and Sam Egerton are shaking and stirring Lotus classics like a martini with Polish vodka, peach schnapps, apple juice and passionfruit, and new, soon-to-be favourites such as the Goldmember (Montenegro, yuzu and mandarin) and a burnt orange margarita with vanilla. While there's no word yet on exactly how long Lotus 2.0 will be with us, Merivale's other recent pop-ups — including Mr Liquor's Dirty Italian Disco and Kingdom of Rice, both at Mascot's Tennyson Hotel — shut up shop without too much notice, so we recommend booking in a visit. Find Lotus 2.0 at 22 Challis Avenue, Potts Point from Saturday, October 19. It's open from Tuesday–Saturday, 4pm–midnight and Sunday, 1–9pm.
