February 2018 marks four years since the lockout laws hit Sydney's entertainment precinct. In that time, venues have shut up shop (like Hugos Lounge, which directly attributed the lockout laws to its closure), others have closed and reopened under new ownership (The Flinders and The Lansdowne, among them) and Kings Cross, once the nightlife hub of the city, has turned into a ghost town after midnight. Moreover, tens of thousands of people have rallied in opposition to the laws. Regardless, the NSW Government has given no indication that it will make any huge changes to them. The only consolation has been a half-hour extension of trading hours for businesses hosting live events. Sure, it's better than nothing — but it hasn't been enough to restore Sydney's nightlife to what it once was. That's why entrepreneur Paul G Roberts, founder of Fashion Industry Broadcast and Style Planet TV, decided to make a documentary titled After the Lockouts. When Roberts, who previously ran Melbourne night club Checkpoint Charlie, first moved to Sydney in the late 1990s, the nightlife was, in his words, "amazing". "You were spoilt for choice," he says. "You could go out from sunset to sunrise, seeing bands, going to clubs, going to cool bars...it's really not the same anymore." But, rather than mourn and complain, he wanted to get to do more research on the matter. So, with a camera crew in tow, he spent most of 2017 researching, studying media representations, speaking to venue owners and travelling to cities around the world, to find out how they manage busy nighttime economies without lockouts. "I wanted to cut through the spin and get down to the facts, the evidence," he says. After the Lockouts gains authority with interviews with some of Sydney's leading nightlife figures, including Keep Sydney Open's hardworking Tyson Koh, Mark Gerber (Oxford Art Factory), Maurice Terzini (Icebergs Dining Room), councillor Jess Scully and Dave Evans, former owner of Hugos Lounge, which closed down in mid-2015 due to revenue loss following the lockouts. There's also a tour of Amsterdam with night mayor Mirik Milan, who, since 2014, has overseen the city's nocturnal happenings. The documentary doesn't seem to include any interviews with any NSW Government spokespeople. Through the doco, Roberts also poses alternative solutions to the laws — that is, strategies for reversing the laws and renewing the city's vibrant all-night scene. "I'm very confident that anyone who sits through the whole film will walk out with a new perspective," says Roberts. "There are so many people doing a Herculean job to fight the lockout laws...but there needs to be a united voice. There needs to be an ongoing campaign to put pressure on the government. The film is just the first part of a multi-pointed campaign." After the Lockouts will premiere at a private gala screening tonight, February 1. The plan is to then roll it out across cinemas and the Internet. For more info, visit afterthelockouts.com. Image: After the Lockouts.
Surry Hills has scored a new, creatively charged culinary hot-spot, with acclaimed chef Jessi Singh opening the doors to his 'unauthentic Indian' restaurant Don't Tell Aunty. In the space once home to the Colin Fassnidge's hatted 4Fourteen, Singh's latest venture sees him returning Down Under after a few years in the States, heading up NYC's Babu Ji and Californian spin-off Bibi Ji. Back in Surry Hills, he has teamed up with restaurateur, Amar Singh (Melbourne's Horn Please and Dhaba at the Mill) to open his first Sydney outpost. This latest venture is inspired by the welcoming homes of traditional (yet, slightly eclectic) Indian aunties — complete with blue velvet banquettes and bright pink walls — but food does not stick to the rules. Instead, innovation is the hero, as Singh sticks to his signature envelope-pushing approach. As he'll tell you, "there's no ghee or oil in the curry, there's whiskey in the chai and the men do the cooking". An oft-changing menu trips all across India, with touches of Aussie and American influence peppered throughout. Street eats might include the likes of Colonel Tso's Indo-Chinese-style cauliflower with tomato and chilli; the 'Yoghurt Kebab', featuring a spiced yoghurt croquette in a vibrant beetroot ginger sauce; and the nachos-like papadi chaat. The tandoor is turning out dishes like charred local fish with ginger honey sauce, and there's a slew of crafty curries, including the short rib korma and a coconut cashew gravy. Head in for lunch, and you can snag a super affordable $10 canteen-style selection of curries and street food. Meanwhile, Rajat Parr — an international winemaker and sommelier Singh met while in the USA — has worked his magic on the drinks offering. Watch retro Bollywood films flicker on the walls, while tucking into drops from the self-serve beer fridge, approachable wines from around the world, and lively cocktails like the namesake Don't Tell Aunty — a concoction of mezcal and beetroot rimmed with black lava salt. Find Don't Tell Aunty at 414 Bourke St, Surry Hills. It's open Tuesday to Saturday 11am–2.30pm and 5–10pm.
The red light man never gives us much joy in life. Holding us up from catching the train or making us that crucial extra bit late for work, he is the cause of much frustration and general bad vibes in your day. Faced with his staunch neon presence we must choose to stand and stare at his mocking little face or dangerously make our way through oncoming traffic. Tough call. To combat this frustration and make the streets a whole lot safer, Smart — the people behind the Smart car — found a way to keep us satisfied at the lights. Operating at an intersection in Lisbon, Portugal earlier this year, The Dancing Traffic Light put an interactive and entertaining spin on the red man — he danced. Made in real-time, the dancing red man was controlled by the movements of other pedestrians nearby. Let loose inside a little dancing box with their own choice of soundtrack, passersby could manipulate the red man into all manners of disco, hip hop and salsa moves. Those waiting at the lights were then treated to the bizarre sight of a twerking pedestrian signal. Produced as part of a Smart advertising campaign promoting safety, the experiment was designed to keep people entertained enough to not jaywalk. And, for the most part, it worked. The ad claims that 81 per cent more people stopped at the lights to watch. Though there are no plans to bring the dancing red man to other parts of the world, those seem like the kind of figures we should listen to. Imagine if we could not only bring the number of pedestrians injuries down next to nil, but also provoke daily dance mobs every morning. Forget about elaborate motorways and public transport ticketing that doesn't ever work, the next state election is all about dancing red man. Via Mashable.
With less than a month of summer to go, we're pretty keen to make the most of the last of the warm weather. And what better way to do so than by hosting a summer soirée for you and your mates to sip on tasty tropical cocktails? You don't need to be an experienced bartender to impress your guests with delicious drinks. With a bottle of Malibu rum and a few other key ingredients you can serve up some seriously refreshing and summer-ready bevs. Whether you're hosting a boozy brunch with friends or a tropical-themed pool party, we've put together four foolproof cocktail recipes that'll keep you in that summer mindset til season's end. TO SIP ON POOLSIDE Nothing screams summer more than a refreshing piña colada. It's sweet, it's fruity and it has just a touch of creamy coconut goodness, making it the ideal poolside companion. Ingredients 50ml Malibu Original 75ml pineapple juice 25ml coconut cream Method Pour everything into a shaker filled with ice. Shake and pour into a tall glass before garnishing with a pineapple wedge. FOR A BOOZY BRUNCH You can kiss your mimosas goodbye in favour of this juicy cocktail — a Malibu Bay Breeze. It's a simple and surefire way to step up your brunch bev game, whether you're playing host or guest. Ingredients 50ml Malibu Original 50ml cranberry juice 50ml pineapple juice Method Load a tall glass with ice and top with Malibu Original, cranberry juice and pineapple juice. Finish with a wedge of lime for added refreshment. THE ULTIMATE PRE-PARTY DRINK If you are hosting pre-drinks, add this crowd-pleasing pour to your pre-party plans. It's light, refreshing and has a tropical twist on your classic spirit and soda combination. Ingredients 50ml Malibu Original 100ml soda water Wedge of lime Method Pour the liquids into a tall glass filled with ice. Squeeze in some lime juice and drop in the wedge. FOR YOUR NEXT GARDEN PARTY There is nothing fresher than sipping lemonade in the sun at a garden party. So, why not step it up a notch with a dash of Malibu? It's simple enough to make for multiple guests and delicious enough that it will leave everyone asking about the secret ingredient. Ingredients 50ml Malibu Original 15ml lemon juice 100ml soda water Methods Fill a tall glass with ice and top with Malibu, lemon juice and soda water. Add a wedge of pineapple or lemon to garnish and enjoy. Ready to serve tropical tipples at your next summer soirée? For more drink inspiration, head to the Malibu website.
Dulwich Hill's nighttime has expanded once more, with the opening of Butchers Brew Bar. The newcomer brings jazz and funk to Marrickville Road, slinging local craft brews, a serious wine list and live tunes six nights a week. It's an intimate, 50-seat venue owned by local and self-confessed live music junkie Caroline Buckingham, who's lived in the area for 20 years. It's housed in a former butchery (hence the name), and the 'retro-butcher' vibe has been maintained in the fit-out — the old butcher hooks have been repurposed into a ledge, and turquoise and gold tiles have been spruced up. To increase the jazz lounge feels, velvet curtains and vintage red spotlights were added, brick walls have been exposed and local artist Fernando Mosca (who's résumé also boasts Marrickville's Lazybones) was commissioned to paint a mural of Aretha Franklin. Music is the main offering here, with a focus on jazz and funk, but the genres aren't limited — other acts include surf rock bands, reggae hip-hop groups, New York jazz quintets and Brazilian musicians. Bands take the stage every Tuesday through Sunday night, with Mondays reserved for stand-up comedy by Happy Endings Comedy Club. The entertainment cover charge ranges from $10–20 — with all profits going to the band — and sometimes includes the first drink. At the bar, expect Sydney locals Young Henrys and Batch on tap ($10–12) and classic cocktails for $20, along with a compact, but carefully selected wine list ($9–15 by the glass). For hard booze, Marrickville's Poor Toms and Grose Vale's Karu Distillery are supplying the gin, while Sydney's Silver Moon Distillery is covering the vodka. According to Buckingham, the drinks at a live music venue are as important as the acts — but not all Sydney venues pay equal attention to both. "I've noticed that there'll be a beautiful venue and great band on, but a very basic or horrible wine list," says Buckingham. "I think having a nice glass of wine in your hand turns a good evening into a great evening." The drinks list may continue to grow, too, with Buckingham looking to get in bottled brews from Dulwich Hill's The Sausage Factory, which launched its own brewery Sausage Queen Brewing last year. While the in-house food offering is limited to cheese platters ($10–20) — at the moment, there's a Tasmania smoked brie, Danish blue and cheddar on offer — delivery from nearby ethical Japanese restaurant Manmaru is also available. Down the line, Buckingham is hoping to partner with Middle Eastern pizzeria Fred's Oil and Oregano Lebanese Bakery, across the street. Also to come is a mini art gallery, with local artists invited to hang and sell their work throughout the Butchers Brew space. Images: Katje Ford.
From web searches and browsers to email and document storage, Google has its fingers in plenty of different online pies. Many of its services have become such a part of our daily lives that we no longer give them much thought, but every now and then the company has fun with one of its platforms — bringing Pac-Man, Mario Kart and Where's Waldo? to Google Maps, for example. For the company's latest entertaining attempt to direct everyone towards one of its specific sites, it's playing with another retro title, combining Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? with Google Earth. Sparking immediate flashbacks to the best parts of primary school, the game sends users searching for the titular red-clad international thief as part of a jaunt called The Crown Jewels Caper. As usual, something valuable has been stolen and its your job to find it (and hunt down Sandiego in the process). Anyone keen to play along simply needs to head to the Google Earth app on Android or iOs, or visit the desktop version in chrome, and look for the Pegman icon. From there, it's time to start sleuthing — by hopping between countries, visiting landmarks, talking to locals and sorting through clues such as "I heard she exchanged all of her money for yen". In the process, you'll put your world trivia knowledge to the test and get a hefty dose of nostalgia. The game is the first in a planned series, so expect to spend more time in the future playing gumshoe and reliving your childhood. And as for the timing, it comes hot on the heels of Carmen Sandiego's arrival on Netflix, with a new animated series following the beloved character (as voiced by Gina Rodriguez). Check out the trailer below, and visit Google Earth to start playing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=14&v=TJRMplV9SpA Via Google Earth.
In a city saturated with vintage clothing stores, Fabrique Vintage is a cut above the rest. All of the stock here is hand selected and you can expect to find a huge range of items from Europe and the US when you step into this Oxford Street emporium. It's packed to the brim with great finds. Denim dominates, with jeans, shorts, overalls and jackets lining the walls. There's also a strong Americana vibe: think cowboy boots, belt buckles and kerchiefs. Like with all good vintage stores, unearthing the treasures here takes some dedication — but half the fun comes from what you find along the way. [caption id="attachment_779026" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] Images: Cassandra Hannagan
Dinner and a movie now has an entire cinema dedicated to it: FoMo Cinemas. The brand's name isn't about fearing missing out; instead, it refers to its blend of food and movies. Every one of the six screens in the new Melbourne picture palace is all about watching a film while having a meal. You'll pick between blockbuster, arthouse and retro flicks on the program, plus pizzas, burgers and deli sandwiches on the chef-designed menu. Before you take your seat, you'll also hit up the neon-lit Blade Runner-inspired bar. First announced in 2023, the 392-seat dine-in FoMo Cinemas opens its doors on Thursday, January 18 at East Brunswick Village — and adds something new not just to Melbourne's but to Australia's cinema scene. Co-owners Natalie Miller AO and Barry Peak, who co-founded Carlton's Cinema Nova, have taken their cues from two famed names in the global business: the Alamo Drafthouse chain across the US, plus Nitehawk Cinema in Brooklyn. "Barry and I have been partners in the Nova for 32 years, and Barry's always looking for new ideas and new ventures. And he was very anxious to do a cinema with food and movies based on the Nighthawk and the Alamo in America. So he went out on a survey over there and come back with all the ideas," Miller, who also spent 17 years running South Yarra's old Longford Cinema, tells Concrete Playground. "What very much appeals is the fact that people are time-poor and we are trying to encourage people to come 20 minutes earlier, sit down, they can order their food off an app and then the movie will start. Or if they want to, they can do it during the film. But the idea is to let people have their meal and their film together," Miller continues. "It's not a totally new concept because there's gold class and platinum and all those other cinemas, but ours are at standard ticket prices. So you can come at a standard ticket price and order your meal accordingly." As designed by Head Chef Darren Collier, food choices also include cheese and antipasto platters, as well as desserts — and, when it comes time to deliver your bites and drinks as the movie plays, the focus is on discreet service that doesn't disrupt the viewing experience. As is a drawcard at Alamo Drafthouse, all films are preceded by a pre-show presentation. Expect trivia, interactive quizzes and clips celebrating classic movie moments — and trailers, but no ads. The idea is that you peruse the menu while the pre-show plays, and that it's all part of the experience. And the films? Although Cinema Nova is known for its arthouse selections — and Miller is behind film distributor Sharmill Films, which has brought movies such as Triangle of Sadness and Compartment No. 6 to Australian screens in recent years — FoMo is combining those kinds of flicks with broader fare. So, in its opening weeks, you can see the Mean Girls musical, Sofia Coppola's Priscilla, Michael Mann's Ferrari, Golden Globe-winner The Holdovers, wrestling biopic The Iron Claw and Jason Statham in The Beekeeper. Among repertory titles, both Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049 will have a date with the venue, as will Chef — all befitting the picture palace's look and focus. Specs-wise, two of FoMo's cinemas have a 3D setup, and the 114-seat biggest theatre with a screen that ten-metres-plus wide boasts 4K resolution. While the newly opened East Brunswick Village is the site of the first-ever FoMo, it won't be the last if the debut location proves a success. "If you ask Barry Peak that question, he'd say absolutely yes," Miller advises about the possibility of expanding the chain across Melbourne and even nationally. "We'll test it out and we'll see how it works. We feel that Brunswick's such a growing area with such a young population and student population, and probably a cross-section of the community. And we'll see how it works, and then take it from there." Find FoMo Cinemas at East Brunswick Village, 133 Nicholson Street, East Brunswick from Thursday, January 18.
Addicted to the grind? We understand. You may not be taking as many trips to your local cafe for barista-made flat whites for the next week, but there are ways to stay keen for the bean, while staying safely at home for as long as it takes for the wave to pass. During the peak of lockdown in 2020, several roasters had to reduce their cafe operations, but they kept roasting, grinding and shipping coffee to customers — with some offering free delivery. Many roasters offer subscriptions for those plunging more at-home brews than ever before, some have online stores of equipment so you can up your home brewing game, and a few have sample packs and isolation gift boxes (as well as cute merch) so that we can make the most of this temporary shift in our daily habits. Here are 12 of the best roasters delivering the goods. If you choose to pick up your beans, make sure you follow the government's latest advice on social distancing. [caption id="attachment_693510" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tom Ross[/caption] EVERYDAY COFFEE The Melbourne-based micro roaster delivers espresso, filter and decaf blends, as well as your requisite brewing gear — filter papers, pour-over cones, AeroPress kits and more. If you're familiar with Everyday Coffee's cafe blends, order a bag of All Day Espresso ($16), which goes well with milky coffees for a dark chocolate and caramel flavour, or a sweet and malty black coffee. Add your grind instructions at checkout and you should have your beans via Express Post within two-to-four days. In it for the long haul? Everyday offers subscriptions to deliver freshly roasted beans to your door. Select how you make your coffee and your preferred quantity, with prices starting at $20 for 250 grams. [caption id="attachment_813753" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Abigail Varney[/caption] MARKET LANE Prefer your beans with an aesthetically pleasing Pantone-esque packaging design? Market Lane not only offers free standard shipping for all orders over $40 within Australia but also make your kitchen shelf look excellent. The coffee retailer sells beans roasted for all filter brew methods, including pour over and plunger and, right now, all their shops are open for takeaways during their usual operating hours. For the bean fiends among you, Market Lane's vending machine is on 126 Weston Street, Brunswick East and is switched on 24/7 so you'll never go empty handed. Those further afield will get theirs via Australia Post, allowing up to five days for shipping. Fond of commitment? Join the Coffee Club, which ships beans every two weeks for $20 (for 250 grams). SAMPLE COFFEE Pacemaker is Sample Coffee's year-round house blend that has a Cherry Ripe-style flavour profile and goes well with milk. The Sydney roaster has subscription services for a range of blends, delivered across the country and ground to your preference, every week, fortnight or month. A 250-gram bag is between $15.80–23.80 per delivery and quantities go up to four kilograms. The online shop also has eight single origin blends, with bags starting from $16.20, plus brewing gear like cold brew pots, mini grinders and speciality kettles, but note delivery costs are calculated based on weight and distance. LOGGERHEAD Small scale Sydney roaster Loggerhead takes delivery orders up until Tuesday, 3pm, for its weekly Wednesday roast. Its online shop has Nespresso-compatible capsules from $10 a box (of ten), and a selection of roasted blends that start at $13 for 200 grams. So if you'd rather save those essential trips out for the supermarket you can select size, roast and grind preference online. To quote the words on the Loggerhead website: rip in. MECCA COFFEE Mecca Coffee, roasted in Alexandria, Sydney, serves up its orange, honeycomb and chocolatey house blend along with six other options through the website. It's offering ten-percent off all coffee and equipment, too, as well as free shipping on all orders over $30. Just as you can for any coffee order, you can select how your beans are ground if you'd like to skip the arm workout. Sydney deliveries take 1-2 business days and for Melbourne (along with Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra) orders should arrive within 3-5 business days via Australia Post. Looking for a longer term relationship? The Blend Subscription will set up within fortnightly deliveries, making sure you'll never have to worry about a caffeine shortage. ONA COFFEE If you want to geek out, Canberra-based Ona Coffee has an extensive online shop with merch — including winter-appropriate beanies and sweats — and some serious brew gear. There's also milky coffee blends Raspberry Candy, Black Betty, The Founder and The Hitman, which you can order to your brewing style. Filter fiends get some serious Central American single origins to choose from and specialty espresso roasts. Shipping is $10 or free when you spend over $75, and deliveries to Melbourne will reach you in 2-3 days. [caption id="attachment_635510" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alana Dimou[/caption] SINGLE O In Botany Bay, Sydney's Single O is roasting and packing orders of its seasonal blends, single-source coffee and equipment. Order before 2pm and your coffee (ground to your liking or in whole bean form) is dispatched the next working day. And right now they're offering free standard shipping. Single O has equipment starting from $7, T-shirts and other merch, gift vouchers and coffee subscriptions that are well worth a browse to complement a short- or long-term working from home arrangement. ST ALI South Melbourne's St Ali has been roasting the good stuff for 15 years. Its online shop has ethically sourced Feels Good organic espresso beans, the rich and butterscotch Wide Awake espresso blend, dark roast Italo Disco and apricot and orange sweet single origins. But St Ali doesn't stop there. You can pick up Nespresso compatible capsules filled with its two house blends from $65 for 60 pods. Need a restock of your hand sanitiser? St Ali makes its own formulation in good-looking bottles, along with a collection of products all about keeping you safe and sanitised. For Australia-wide deliveries of its coffees, there's free shipping on orders over $99 so go big or go home. SENSORY LAB Sensory Lab's coffee and subscriptions can be sent anywhere in Australia either weekly, fortnightly or monthly - and shipping is free, Australia wide (with no minimum order!). Packs of whole beans start at $14 for 250 grams, and you can dive into a selection of blends or single origin beans. From the sweet red apple and caramel notes of the excellently titled Kiorero Washing Station to the chocolaty palette of the Steadfast Espresso Blend, you're guaranteed to find your flavour. It also has a limited range of mugs, totes and equipment worth a look in. PROUD MARY Proud Mary roasts its coffee in Collingwood, where you've likely eaten at its two cafes, Aunty Peg's and the eponymous Proud Mary. Founder Nolan Hirte is considered a leader in Australia's specialty coffee industry, and his mission is bridging the gap between farmers and coffee drinkers — so now's as good a time as any to support that mission through Proud Mary's $24 coffee subscription. A fortnightly run of single origin filter is shipped on Wednesdays, which gets you around 16 cups-worth. Add a single bag to your cart from $15 for a blend, and up to $22 for a single-o and in 1–4 days you'll be treated to the candy-coloured surrealist cartoons of Proud Mary's packaging in the mail. SMALL BATCH North Melbourne's socially responsible Small Batch has been roasting exceptional coffee since 2009. The juicy Golden Ticket filter is a blend from two producers, from Ethiopia and Colombia, and you can see how many pesos per carga each producer was paid by Small Batch when you select your quantity and grind. Transparency in the supply chain is Small Batch's bag, and as you're enjoying a Candyman Espresso Blend, which has a malted milk and macadamia flavour when taken with milk, you can be sure of the fact that all four producers who farmed the coffee in the blend were paid above Fairtrade prices. Standard shipping is $8 across Australia and typically takes 2–3 days, while the $13 premium rate should get your beans to you the next day. [caption id="attachment_712131" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Industry Beans[/caption] AND MORE! In Adelaide, Monastery Coffee has free shipping on coffee orders over 250 grams with single origins starting at $16, and Elementary Coffee is shipping country-wide when you spend more than $30 (get the Young Street Blend used daily in its cafes). In Brisbane, Wolff Coffee Roasters has Australian International Coffee Awards-winning filter Hummingbird Vol 3 ready to ship for those after a fruity, gooseberry-driven flavour for $16. Industry Beans has espresso blends named for its cafe locations in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, with prices starting at $15. Melbourne's Code Black Coffee is offering free shipping Australia-wide for orders over $25, which means you could grab two bags of its signature 3056 blend (named for the postcode of the roastery) for $30. Then there's Axil Coffee, Black Market Roasters, Coffee Cartel and Reuben Hills all offering subscriptions. And, Edition Coffee Roasters is delivering Australia-wide with free delivery on orders over $50. So there really is no excuse for drinking bad coffee. Top image: Single O by Alana Dimou
Sydney's scored a brand-new cultural gem — and it's making its debut with sonic elegance, pairing strings, woodwinds and ambient waves with sweeping harbour views. Pier Pavilion officially opened its doors to the public on 30 April and is set to host one of the city's most unique cultural experiences. Perched on the water's edge, the structure is a beautifully designed space that was selected from over 170 entries from architects across Australia in a meticulous design competition back in 2020. To celebrate its arrival, Barangaroo is turning the already-spectacular space into an atmospheric soundscape with Nocturne — a free evening music series showcasing some of Sydney's finest musicians. The program runs from 26 June to 19 July, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, featuring contemporary chamber music and classical interpretations of modern tunes. By night, Pier Pavilion morphs into Nocturne: an immersive instrumental experience bathed in ambient lighting. The lineup is as elegant as the venue itself, with performances by Trio Historie, Continuum Sax, Alma Moodie Quartet and The Song Company. A curated selection of food and drinks will be available onsite, and the surrounding Barangaroo precinct offers no shortage of bars and restaurants to continue your night. By day, the Pavilion is a serene space for wandering — a place to soak in coastal views, marvel at the architecture, and watch the light dance through its freestanding colonnade. Designed by Besley and Spresser, the structure is made from nearly half a million recycled oyster shells — yes, really. Its curved footprint mirrors the geometry of Sydney Harbour's coves and peninsulas, while its living roof — planted with over 2,400 native species — attracts birds, insects and other wildlife, creating microhabitats that connect the waterfront with the natural rhythms of Country. Whether you're a design lover, music enthusiast, or just want to experience something uniquely Sydney, Nocturne at Pier Pavilion is your winter go-to. For more information, visit Barangaroo Sydney and be sure to share your experience with us on socials @barangaroosydney Images: Supplied.
This Labour Day long weekend, Sydney's premier Asian supermarket, Gong Grocer is hosting a three-day Mid-Autumn Festival celebration from Saturday, October 4 to Monday, October 6. The free event will run daily from 12–8pm and pack out World Square's slice of George Street with live entertainment, cooking demos, and plenty of mooncakes. The Mid-Autumn or Moon Festival is a historic celebration in China, commemorating the end of the harvest season and the full moon. Expect traditional lion dance performances, live music, and family-friendly activities, alongside celebrity chef demos from Vincent Lim (DimSimLim), Catherine Desserts and Brendan Pang. If you aren't yet sick of Labubu's, then you can sign up for an exclusive Labubu mooncake-making experience hosted by G-LAB Patisserie. Or if that doesn't tickle your fancy, sip your way through premium sake tastings featuring brews from celebrated Japanese names like Umenoyado, Tatenokawa, and Chiebijin. Stalls from 12Cake and Ommis Foods will showcase handmade cakes, mochi, Taiwanese street eats, and mooncakes. While interactive games, including Spin-the-Wheel and the Big Chopstick Challenge, will award prizes like Labubu collectibles, plushies and limited-edition merch. Entry to this three-day Mid-Autumn festival is free, so make sure to bring your nearest and dearest this October. For more information, head to the event website.
Despite years of public rallies, crowdfunding efforts and court action, Sydney's Brutalist, box-like Sirius building is officially up for sale. Although the New South Wales government first announced that the 70s-era structure was on the market back in December, expressions of interest just opened yesterday, Friday, May 25, with Savills Australia now actively seeking buyers for the iconic location. While it's a blow for the vocal Save Our Sirius campaign, the 2-60 Cumberland Street address will apparently be subject to some restrictions. The government "will maintain interest in the site, ensuring any future developments are sympathetic to the surrounding area," according to Savills Australia. And, a proposed State Environmental Planning Policy amendment will apply, imposing new controls regarding the zoning, height, maximum gross floor area, active street frontages and design of the site. It has been a particularly eventful year for the 79-unit tower, which stands tall by the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Final public tours took place in January, a farewell party for the structure's last remaining resident — 91-year-old Myra Demetriou — was held the same month and Save Our Sirius revealed they'd be lodging their own purchase bid. In response to the official launch of expressions of interest, Save Our Sirius restated their quest to retain the building in its current form, ensure it is used as affordable inner-city housing for workers in the area, and to have its historical significance officially recognised. "We again call on the NSW Government to stop the sale, deploy Sirius for key worker accommodation, and list Sirius on the State Heritage Register," the group advised in a statement. Even with the government restrictions, if Sirius is bought by developers, the 79-unit tower is highly likely to be demolished to make room for new apartments. As well as wiping out a crucial part of '70s architectural history, it'll also mean saying goodbye to an important public housing initiative, allowing people on low incomes to live in the centre of this expensive city and enjoy harbour views. With the situation certain to keep developing over the coming months, take a look through our gallery of the building as it currently stands. Images: Katherine Lu / Kimberley Low.
Looking for a cause for celebration? Passeggiata is the place for you. Spearheaded by former 10 William Street chef and ex-Sagra owner Nigel Ward, this ambitious Italian restaurant is decked out in a bright summery yellow facade. Passeggiata takes its name from an Italian tradition — an unhurried, leisurely stroll you take with your family after a hearty meal. This is the energy that Ward brings to this eastern suburbs eatery located on Bronte Road in Charing Cross, Australia's second-oldest shopping strip. "After a big long lunch, everyone puts on their suits and their Sunday best and they all go out to the town square and walk around real slow, go have some gelato, or have a little drink somewhere," Ward told Concrete Playground. "Nobody's in too much of a hurry, the intention is to ... slow down and enjoy the little qualities of life." Passeggiata's menu is seasonal, so you can expect it to change over time, but the initial array of eats offers something for everyone, with a heavy focus on seafood. To start, there's smoked kingfish with crostino and creme fraiche, sardines "aqua pazza" with tomatoes and olives and tagliolini with prawns and calabrian chilli. Moving out of the ocean and venturing onto land, try the fried zucchini flowers with roast potatoes and rosemary salt, veal chop milanese, radicchio with cumquat or the wagyu bresaola with Jerusalem artichokes and anchovies. "I hope when people come here [that] they're not coming with an out time. They just want to come and enjoy themselves and take their time, get a nice bottle of wine [and] eat lots of food," Ward continues. There are two spaces to enjoy your meal at Passeggiata, a 40-seat main dining room downstairs and a more intimate 30-seat upstairs space which Ward plans to use for set menu dinners. "I'm building the restaurant I want to go to," Ward says. "This is it for me. I've bought the building, I want to be here for 30 years. I want this to be the Lucio's of the 21st century." Appears in: The Best Italian Restaurants in Sydney for 2023
No more a safe haven of vintage knick knacks and retro wares, this week marks the last for the iconic Sydney Antique Centre. Though the much-loved red building in Surry Hills is in fact the oldest antiques store in the country — and one of our personal favourites — the owner of the building has decided to sell. From next Monday, June 30, the store will officially close. This sad news will leave more than 50 in-house art and antique dealers out of business, with many not able to survive the move. Though some traders will move their business to online, others will struggle to find new storefronts. And by all accounts their old home, the red stalwart of South Dowling Street, is destined to become a set of inner-city apartments. Though many see vintage stores as a bit old and fusty, the Sydney Antique Store has an incredibly rich history for Sydney-siders. Its homewares were employed as perfect props on the set of Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby, and it has reportedly furnished the homes of nearly every Australian prime minister. Not to mention its importance to the average customer — it's been there for you every time you went hunting for the perfect gift, party costume or retro accessory for the season. However the store's trade was undeniably suffering, and in speaking to the site's vendors the Sydney Morning Herald discovered that many blame the trends of younger customers." A lot of young people don't have an appreciation for fine things," said vendor Lyn Doolan. "Younger kids want to go to Ikea, buy everything, then change it all three years later. It is all very disposable." "Your generation doesn't like any clutter," said fellow stallowner Bill Gregg. "They like dinnerware that goes in the dishwasher." Though we're not sure it's entirely our fault, it's definitely a tough time for vintage retailers. Independent fashion boutiques are closing down all over the country as large international buzz brands take over the market, and discount homewares are now easier to buy than ever. The loss of this vintage paradise will undoubtedly be huge for those seeking something different on the market. From now until June 30, Sydney Antique Centre will be hosting a huge closing down sale, so now's the time to get down and pay your respects. Spend the afternoon, rummage around the treasures, and pick up a bargain. Before you know it, these retro legends will have packed up their vintage leather bags and disappeared. Sydney Antique Centre is located at 531 Dowling Street, Surry Hills. It's open from 10am-6pm daily until Monday, June 30. Via Sydney Morning Herald. All images via Sydney Antique Centre.
There are many things that the current situation is teaching us — one of the less-serious realisations being that we'll be spending more mealtimes at home. Some local eateries are still offering takeaway and delivery options, but with the government firmly advising Aussies to stay at home as much as possible, we're all going to become a lot more familiar with our kitchens. You may see this as an opportunity to crack out some of your favourite cookbooks, but with the restrictions on some grocery items, those elaborate 15-step recipes are probably going to be a little out of reach. Luckily, Queer Eye star Antoni Porowski has you covered. The Canadian, who is the food expert on the super-popular Netflix series, is hosting daily cooking tutorials on Instagram while in lockdown in Texas. The series, which he has dubbed Quar Eye, focuses on recipes that require only a handful of easily accessible ingredients with an aim to minimise waste. "It dawned on me that a lot of people in the country, and in the world, are actually going through this right now: when they go to the store and they can't find what they want. We're stuck at home so we might as well still be able to prepare good food that's good for us and makes us feel good," Porowski explained in his first video. https://www.instagram.com/tv/B90Oo5lHxYv/ Part one of the series saw Porowski create The Keep Calm-lette, an omelette served with a black bean salsa and, of course, avocado (fans of the show will know of Porowski's deep love for an avo). The punnily named dishes have continued from there, including Sequestered Salmon Squash, Cooped Up Chicken, Stripped of My Sanity Chicken Strips and Let Me Outside Leftovers. Porowski uploads his videos to IGTV and Facebook daily, so you can go back and watch them at any time. Image: Facebook
If you haven't watched Nicolas Cage pour a bottle of vodka over himself while growling with sorrow and menace, have you truly lived? If you haven't seen him milk an alpaca, get creepy about eating peaches or lend his voice to a black-and-white film noir-style Spider-Man (yes, really), then you probably should ask yourself the same thing. And if you haven't witnessed him chase a terrible CGI white jaguar around a hijacked ship, fight space ninjas, battle demonic animatronics and seek revenge over a stolen pig, well, you know you now want to after reading that sentence. The same applies to Cage playing Cage as well, naturally. That's the thing about Cage — sometimes his films are fantastic, sometimes they're terrible, but he's always compellingly, intoxicatingly watchable. He's the type of actor that no one wants to stop watching and, for better and for worse, his mighty prolific career just keeps delivering more and more movies. Currently got a Cage-sized itch that desperately needs scratching? Don't we all, and always. Indeed, there's plenty to watch from his 100-plus on-screen credits. That's a lot of flicks to choose from, so we've picked out 26 of his weirdest, wildest and most wonderful films, paired them up in double features, and basically planned out your next 13 nights of movie-watching. Consider this the viewing marathon you didn't know you needed. MANDY AND COLOR OUT OF SPACE One features Cage as a heartbroken lumberjack wreaking havoc with a chainsaw while chasing down demonic bikers. The other initially puts him in kooky dad mode, until a strange meteor unleashes mayhem and monsters — and Cage's unhinged best, of course — on a rural property. If these descriptions didn't already make it obvious, when it comes to excellent recent Cage flicks that pair out-there premises with excellent performances from their leading man, both Mandy and Color Out of Space sit at the top of the pile. They also provide quite the mind trip filled with psychedelic visuals and vivid soundscapes, all thanks to filmmakers Panos Cosmatos (Mandy) and Richard Stanley (Color Out of Space). Mandy is available to stream via Stan, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. Color Out of Space is available to stream via Shudder, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. CON AIR AND FACE/OFF If you're a Cage-loving movie buff, then you probably know exactly when cinema reached its peak. Back in June 1997, two films hit the big screen within weeks of each other, delivering a double dose of Cage action, chaos and craziness that people still watch and rewatch today. Yes, Con Air and Face/Off made their way to cinemas in the same month — and yes, that's a whole lotta Cage to soak up in a darkened room in short succession. In Con Air, he plays a former army ranger-turned-paroled convict who's trying to head home when his prison flight is hijacked by fellow criminals. In Face/Off, he's a sociopathic terrorist who switches faces with the FBI agent (John Travolta) on his trail. Unsurprisingly, neither film is subtle. Face/Off is available to stream via Disney+, iTunes and Prime Video. Con Air is available to stream via Disney+, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. RAISING ARIZONA AND ADAPTATION Often, when you're watching a Cage film, laughter is inevitable — even if you're not watching a comedy. So when Cage flexes his comic chops on purpose, the results are usually genuinely spectacular. In the case of Raising Arizona, Cage and the Coen brothers make a perfect pair. Also mighty fine: the movie's premise, following an ex-con and his wife's (Holly Hunter) zany scheme to kidnap a baby (and a quintuplet at that) so that they can start a family. With Adaptation, Cage pairs up with Being John Malkovich's Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman, and they also make quite the team — as you'd expect with Cage playing a version of Kaufman, as well as Kaufman's fictional twin brother. Raising Arizona is available to stream via Disney+, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Adaptation is available to stream via ABC iView, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. WILD AT HEART AND MOONSTRUCK Speaking of Cage and phenomenal director combos, Wild at Heart boasts one of the very best there is. The movie David Lynch made between Twin Peaks' initial run and the series' big screen prequel and sequel Fire Walk With Me, it features one of Cage's greatest performances — because Cage playing one half of a couple on the run (opposite Laura Dern), singing Elvis tunes like he was born to and navigating a Lynchian crime-romance flick is what dreams are made of. The actor also dabbles in affairs of the heart in Moonstruck, this time as an opera-obsessed baker who falls for his brother's (Danny Aiello) fiancee. It's the movie that won Cher a Best Actress Oscar, too, as the object of Cage's affection. Wild at Heart is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Moonstruck is available to stream via Stan, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT AND PIG If there's one thing that's been a constant in Cage's career, it's range: you name it, he's probably played it. His two most recent big-screen releases demonstrate that perfectly — including taking on the part he was born to, and also turning in one of his best-ever performances. In The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Cage is Cage. Yes, this Cage-loving film tasks him with jumping into his own fictionalised shoes, and he has a blast doing so. In Pig, he's seeking vengeance against the people who stole his beloved truffle pig, and he's as phenomenal as he's ever been on-screen. It sounds like the kind of premise that'd be a joke in other hands, or just a John Wick ripoff, but not with Cage at his finest and debut feature writer/director Michael Sarnoski behind this revenge thriller. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is available to stream via Google Play, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. Pig is available to stream via Stan, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. WILLY'S WONDERLAND AND JIU JITSU Sometimes, we all just want to see Cage fight things. Clearly, that's an easy sell to get film financing, too. Otherwise, there's no justification for either Willy's Wonderland or Jiu Jitsu to exist — because both films' entire concepts revolve around Cafe going fist to fist with improbable adversaries. In Willy's Wonderland, he faces off against possessed animatronic mascots at a family-friendly restaurant. He also put in a silent performance for the ages, with his drifter character grunting and growling rather than speaking. Then, in Jiu Jitsu, he's part of an ancient order of skilled martial artists who have to do combat with vicious aliens every six years. No, we didn't make all of this up — but, in each case, someone else did. Willy's Wonderland is available to stream via Stan, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. Jiu Jitsu is available to stream via Stan, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. LEAVING LAS VEGAS AND JOE Never forget that Cage, when he wants to be, is a truly talented actor. His resume can scream otherwise at times, but an exceptional Cage performance is a sight to behold. Exhibit A: his Oscar and Golden Globe-winning work as a suicidal alcoholic in Leaving Las Vegas. Exhibit B: his role as a troubled man who gives a similarly tormented 15-year-old (Tye Sheridan) a job in Joe. Made almost two decades apart, this pair of films show that Cage always has a great performance in him, no matter what else he's been acting in lately. And, while he's often known for his wild and wacky ways — in no small part due to his resume over the past decade or so — he's impressively attuned to telling bleak tales. Leaving Las Vegas is available to stream via iTunes. Joe is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. BRINGING OUT THE DEAD AND THE ROCK Speaking of Cage's absolute best performances, Bringing Out the Dead features a powerhouse effort from its main star. He's directed here by the great Martin Scorsese, so how could it not? As a paramedic who works the graveyard shift, has his own demons, and is wearied by life and the world, this is one of the greatest films on both Cage and Scorsese's resumes. It sits in stark contrast to The Rock, but sometimes a good double is all about contrast — and seeing someone at the height of their powers in two different ways. Working with king-of-the-overblown Michael Bay (the Transformers franchise), Cage tries to break into Alcatraz to diffuse a hostage situation, and he hits every mark he's asked to. He also makes a great double act with Sean Connery. Bringing Out the Dead is available to stream via Disney+. The Rock is available to stream via Disney+, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. MOM AND DAD AND MATCHSTICK MEN In Mom and Dad, Cage is no one's ideal father. Along with Selma Blair as his wife, he's trying to kill his kids. So are all the other parents in town, all thanks to a violent and murderous bout of mass hysteria. That means horror-comedy antics aplenty, as well as a whole heap of over-the-top expressions from Cage — the kind that only he can do justice to, of course. He grapples with being a dad and gives his facial muscles a workout in the entertaining Ridley Scott-directed drama Matchstick Men, too, although in a completely different scenario. This time, Cage plays a conman who discovers he has a teenage daughter (Alison Lohman) just as he's about to pull off a big job with his protege (Sam Rockwell). Mom and Dad is available to stream via Stan, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Matchstick Men is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. KICK-ASS AND SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE Still getting fatherly, Cage isn't just a dad in Kick-Ass — he's a former cop-turned-crime fighter called Big Daddy, and he's training his 11-year-old daughter (Chloe Grace Moretz) to follow in his footsteps. Focusing on their run-in with the eponymous wannabe superhero (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), this caped crusader flick isn't always as funny as it thinks it is, but Cage consistently delivers. And, if you've always fantasised about hearing Cage as Spider-Man, he delivers in the sublime and surreal Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. He's just one of many webslingers in this animated delight (and the best Spider-Man movie out of the lot); however he's a great one: Spider-Man Noir, a black-and-white Spidey from a 1930s universe. Kick-Ass is available to stream via Binge, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is available to stream via Disney+, Binge, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review. VAMPIRE'S KISS AND GHOST RIDER If you think you've witnessed Cage at his most manic but you haven't experienced Vampire's Kiss, we have some news for you: you're wrong. Nothing in the actor's filmography compares to this 80s comedy-horror film. We'll say that again: nothing. In terms of out-there Cage performances, this is ground zero. You'd expect that given that Cage plays a literary agent who starts to believe he's a vampire, and begins acting accordingly. After you've watched it, you'll spot shades of Vampire's Kiss in every other Cage film — including in Ghost Rider, where Cage blazes away as the titular bounty hunter of the damned. Adapting a Marvel comic, Ghost Rider isn't great, but like Vampire's Kiss, it's the type of movie that really has to be seen to be believed. Vampire's Kiss is available to stream via iTunes. Ghost Rider is available to stream via Netflix, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL — NEW ORLEANS AND PRIMAL Let these five words tell you all you need to know about Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call — New Orleans: Nicolas Cage and Werner Herzog. One acts, the other directs, two inimitable titans of their fields combine, and the movie that results — a crime thriller about a corrupt cop — firmly marches to its own beat. It also features a memorable iguana scene, which might've prepared Cage for his role in Primal. There, he plays a big-game hunter stuck chasing a white jaguar around a hijacked ship, all as a deranged murderer also stalks the crew and passengers. One of Cage's most recent movies, it turns out exactly as you expect it does (and with oh-so-much awful CGI). Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans is available to stream via Stan, Google Play and YouTube Movies. Primal is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. KNOWING AND DRIVE ANGRY When it comes to Cage, there's no avoiding the obvious: he has made a whole heap of ridiculous and trashy movies. Lately, they've been going direct to streaming — but, in the late 2000s and early 2010s, these kinds of Cage flicks were still hitting cinemas. The Australian-shot Knowing is one of them. Made in Melbourne, co-starring Rose Byrne, Ben Mendelsohn and Liam Hemsworth before they were Hollywood fixtures, and proving a box office hit, it casts Cage as an astrophysics professor certain he's found a code that predicts the future. Or, there's Drive Angry, where Cage escapes hell with a gun stolen from Satan, all so he can get revenge on the cult leader who killed his daughter. Knowing is available to stream via Binge, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Drive Angry is available to stream via iTunes and Amazon Video.
So far this year, Qantas has committed to phase out 100 million disposable items from 2020 onwards — and it's not done with the war on waste yet. This week, it took to the Aussie skies to notch up another milestone: the first zero-waste plane journey. On Wednesday, May 8, the carrier flew from Sydney to Adelaide. That's hardly news, but this flight removed or replaced around one thousand single-use plastic items. Sustainable alternatives were found where possible, and if an eco-friendly version couldn't be sourced, the relevant objects simply weren't included as part of the journey. Teaming up with packaging company BioPak, the airline used fully cups made from plant matter, food containers made from leftover sugar cane pulp, cutlery made from starch sourced from non-genetically modified crops and compostable napkins. It also ditched individually-packaged servings of milk and Vegemite — and collected all packaging for reuse, recycling or composting. At the airport, travellers boarding the flight also used digital boarding passes and electronic bag tags. If that wasn't possible, staff were on hand to ensure that any paper passes and tags were disposed of sustainably. To eliminate the journey's carbon footprint as well, the flight was 100 percent carbon offset. In total, 34 kilograms of waste were saved — with Qantas noting that the route usually creates around 150 tonnes of waste each year. The move comes as part of a widespread push to drastically reduce waste across the air travel industry, which has been gathering significant steam over the past year. In addition to Qantas' efforts, Portuguese charter carrier Hi Fly is aiming to become the world's first no-plastics carrier within the next 12 months, and Etihad flew the world's first long-haul flight free of the pesky products into Australia last month.
Art/Work is a new Concrete Playground series where we take some time to chat with our local creatives in an attempt to unravel the daily grind behind being an artist. First cab off the rank is Mitch Cairns, a Sydney-based artist represented by BREENSPACE. He is also one quarter of the now defunct collaborative group, Cosmic Battle for Your Heart. He can also play the drums. Most days you'll find me in a bit of a jam, I'd very much like to be in the studio, but being an adult is difficult and most days lately I'm either at accruing pennies or… When I am not there I am working on the next batch of paintings. Painting, for me, is a tricky problem and generally involves 'filling in' the frame with an image of some sort. In order to keep painting, I set up a few hooks to work out from. Currently I've been looking a lot at cartooning, straight up and down visual gags that generally involve the tragedy of going bald. After combing over this material I then go through a process which includes a night of heavy carbs, waking, stretching, keeping up fluids and eventually setting off on a light jog. My day job is at Oxford Arts Supplies, I work with good people, I get to peruse the store, at times, like a guest.... It's great, I could be digging holes right now. Like all job you've got to turn up to be paid.... this isn't a problem for me really, but I am seeking a double, anybody that fits the type of 'chubby greyhound' should apply here. Working in an art supply house is fine, the discounts aren't wild but they're helpful. In fact I work with some really awesome artists.... so yes it is quite a stimulating place to work. If money wasn't an issue I'd have a beer in the fridge. Being an artist/musician in Sydney is very tight right now. But I would never leave for any great deal of time. I have entertained moving to New Zealand, I mean our house is being bent over soon, we gotta live somewhere. My neighbourhood is currently in Rozelle, I am peninsulated. There is in fact a whole bunch of really excellent artists that live on the peninsular, its a very nice neighbourhood. Best kept Sydney secret Balmain Star. It's a pho joint in the Balmain Plaza, very simple, cheap, delicious food. I'm not sure why you'd ask me about hip Sydney secrets thou? Isn't that your job to tell us? I'm a mild mannered and sometimes awkward guy, I got no secrets..... good afternoon.
If you're the type of traveller who chooses their hotels for the perks and extra inclusions, then you might want to put Tasmania's newest place to stay on your radar. Mövenpick Hotel Hobart marks the Swiss brand's first site in Australia — and if either the chain's name or its country of origin have you thinking of sweet treats, yes, they're part of the hotel's offering. Between 4–5pm daily, Mövenpick Hotel Hobart celebrates chocolate hour. That's when you'll receive a free dessert — such as an eclair, brownie or truffle — when you purchase a chocolate-flavoured cocktail, mocktail or affogato. If you fancy tucking into something sweet at another time of day, you'll also be able to book in for a chocolate-tasting package. And, Mövenpick's hotels serve the brand's line of food and beverages, which means that Mövenpick ice cream is on the menu as well. One of more than 80 of the chain's sites worldwide, Mövenpick Hotel Hobart also boasts 221 guest rooms across levels three to 18 — because you need somewhere to enjoy its sweets. Located near the city's waterfront, the venue has been decked out with nature design-inspired interiors that take inspiration from Tasmania, with Jaws Architects doing the honours. Think: wall panelling, furniture, fabrics and colours that have all been selected to the local landscape. For guests in the mood for more than just chocolate, cocktails and ice cream, the hotel is home to Tesoro Modern Italian restaurant, and also has a big focus on nutritious breakfasts. You can start your day with a shot of juice or yoghurt blended with fresh fruit and vegetables, or with other health-focused dishes. Facilities-wise, there's also a function space that can cater for up to 100 people and a gym — and, inside some guest rooms, you'll be treated to panoramic views over Hobart, too. Find Mövenpick Hotel Hobart at 28 Elizabeth Street, Hobart — and head to the chain's website for bookings and other information.
Capturing Sydney iconography while dining can be considered touristy, but you can't deny the appeal of a meal in the shadow of Harbour City symbols. There aren't many places where it's possible to see both the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge from your table, but one is House Canteen. It is ideal for a laidback feed by the harbour or to pre-game a show at the Opera House. The menu shifts throughout the day from coffee and baked goods in the morning to hawker-style Pan-Asian street food from lunch till late. The early bird gets the worm, and in this case, said worm is the bakery menu — including the likes of coffee, cold-pressed juice and tomato and aged cheddar croissants. There are also sweeter treats like jam doughnuts, seasonal fruit danishes and orange almond slices. A visit later in the day will see street-food-style goodies become available, ranging from light snacks like prawn crackers with chilli salt or sticky chicken with shallots and sriracha to larger meals like mixed sashimi, crispy pork belly with Chinese broccoli and shiitake or brown rice poke bowls with mixed vegetables. From 9.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays, a late-night menu is available and offers dumplings, bao buns, grab-and-go sushi, and a wide range of cocktails to complete your evening. No matter the time of day you arrive at House Canteen, a proper feed is all but guaranteed.
At both the OG North Sydney outpost and the newly minted UrbnSurf venue, RAFI is laying on an extended happy hour from 3–6pm, Monday–Saturday. Prices are slashed on several of the restaurant and bar's most popular dishes, including sourdough pizzas for just $12, golden fried calamari for $13, and juicy cheeseburgers for $16. Punters can also enjoy discounted drops by the glass from Rafi's wine club selection, The Drop, for just $7, as well as Aperol and Fragola spritzes for $10 and classic margaritas for $14. Whether you're grabbing a bite after catching some waves in Homebush or you're relaxing on the al fresco terrace in North Sydney, this is a wallet-saving deal that's hard to beat. [caption id="attachment_965986" align="alignnone" width="1920"] RAFI UrbnSurf[/caption] Images: Steven Woodburn
Marrickville is famous for its pork rolls, Vietnamese food, and tasty yeeros. Now we can safely say some of Sydney's hottest cafes ply their trade in that part of the inner west. Cornersmith, Bourke St Bakery, and Coffee Alchemy have all made a name for themselves in Marrickville, and Double Roasters deserves to be in the same conversation as these cafes. Double Roasters has breathed life into a 1950s warehouse. Inside the cafe is a wave of activity: the espresso machine is purring away, with the barista furiously pumping out hot coffee; the coffee blender is sucking and spitting out aromatic beans; and staff are scurrying back and forth with plates of food. One of the selling points of Double Roasters is its passion for coffee. Single origin beans are roasted on site in 12kg batches, ensuring superior quality and consistency. After a sip of a flat white made from the Flight Path house blend, its clear these guys know their coffee. It's strong and smooth at the same time, subtlety awakening the senses. The menu is straightforward and you'll definitely get bang for your buck. The breakfast menu is dominated by vegetarian options like sauteed field mushrooms on sourdough with pecorino ($8); Double Roasters muesli with fruit salad, organic yoghurt, and honey ($7.50); or Pembroke Farm organic free-range poached eggs with toast ($8.50). And if you like some animal with breakfast? Add ham ($4) to anything you order; try the poached chicken sandwich with rocket, tomato, avocado salsa, and mayo ($9); or go for the croque monsieur, a ham and gruyere cheese toasted sandwich ($10). The roast pork belly sandwich with apple and mint relish, rocket, and aioli on toasted sourdough ($9.50) is good but not great. The roast pork belly is juicy but not melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the apple and mint relish gets lost amongst the mountain of rocket. The dish is somewhat saved by the toasted sourdough from Sonoma Bakery, and for $9.50, it's not a bad option. The avocado and feta mash with cherry tomato and rocket on Turkish bread ($8.50) sounds better than when it arrives on the table. Although the avocado and feta mash is light and blended together well, again there seems to be too much of the rocket, which lowers the quality of the dish. The best dish of the day is easily the house-made baked beans with eggs, prosciutto, and spinach ($12). The eggs and spinach are woven together with the baked beans and topped off with freshly sliced prosciutto, creating a satisfying breakfast without the heaviness of something like bacon and eggs. Double Roasters is the perfect local cafe with brilliant coffee and a decent food offering. It's how a cafe should be: full of life and the perfect start to the day.
Cornucopias of cheese, rich roast lamb dinners, creamy Chardonnays — Orange is officially the new black. Grown from a rich mining past, Orange is now known as the 'food basket' of NSW, a title not halfheartedly earned. Wine is the obvious breadwinner, but it's not where the culinary adventure stops. From local produce-focused restaurants in reclaimed police stations to slick B&Bs in former sheep shearing sheds, to cellar doors in 1890s primary schools, Orange has seized its history with two, soil-happy hands and cultivated the modern foodie Mecca it is today. Just a four-hour drive from Sydney, or eight from Melbourne, Orange is in a prime spot for a seriously food and wine-drenched weekend away. You'll roll back to Sydney with a belly full of wine, cheese and lamb, your boot brimming with new wine variety favourites and your respect for Chardonnay restored. DRINK: WINE, WINE, WINE First piece of Orange advice: forget everything you know about Chardonnay. Second? You're going to taste some Australia's best, best, best wines in one weekend, so bring some Berocca and start fighting over who's designated driver. Orange is a pretty chilly place and sits over 600 metres above sea level. This means whites, sparkling and Pinot Noir country. Orange has a great many wineries, so it can be hard to know where to start (tip: just time your visit with the Orange Wine Festival). But most wineries offer free maps of the region, so start with one and take it from there. First up, let's visit Julie and Peter Mortimer, owners of Mortimers of Orange. A former Canterbury Bankstown Bulldog and extremely cheery gent, Peter Mortimer has left his NRL career behind for a life of exceedingly good Sauvignon Blanc with his wife and their five sons — and he can spin quite the yarn during a tasting, accompanied by his golden retriever, Bonnie. After planting their first vineyard in '96, the Mortimers bought the public school next door and turned it into their cellar door. There's nothing like a morning tasting with cheese and crackers where many an assembly has met. Next, we're off to Colmar Estate, run by Bill and Jane Schrapnel, two of the most knowledgable perfectionists in the game. Moving to Orange from Beecroft in Sydney, the Schrapnels have created one stunning vineyard you can can see most of right from the cellar door. But if you miss out on hitting Phillip Shaw's Cellar Door, you're doing it wrong. Shaw knows the wine game like the back of his hand, making wine since he was 12 and winning awards left right and centre for the family's celebrated varieties. You've never had Chardonnay like this, let me tell you. One of Shaw's lovely sons, Daniel, took us through the winery, past the fermenting room and to the barrels, where he gave us a taste of young Shiraz right out of the barrel. Holy. Grapes. More local wineries to note include Heifer Station Wines, run by the incredibly lovely Michelle and Philip Stivens, and the eclectic Bloodwood (appointment only). EAT: EVERYTHING YOU CAN CONSUME THAT ISN'T WINE If you think hitting the all-you-can-eat Pizza Hut is your first port of call in Orange, hold that thought. Orange is home to some of the most genuinely kickass restaurants in the game, and one of the key players is Union Bank, the newest guardians of Orange's historic former police station, school of the arts, bank and then some, owned by Nick and Emma Bacon, chef and sommelier respectively. Pull up a pew in UB's warm-lit, homey space and feast on octopus with smoked macadamia and turnip pickle, bone marrow with salsa roja, a whole chicken with garlic sauce and sumac, and a sirloin served with a miso bagna cauda, all spruced up with produce from the kitchen garden (just 15 metres from the actual kitchen). If you're serious about your food, you must take a trip to Milthorpe, a wonderfully quaint little town with a population of 650 just 15 minutes outside Orange. For breakfast, make sure you book ahead at The Old Mill Cafe, a beautiful old-fashioned tearoom whose lemon meringue pies need to be seen to be believed (and Instagrammed). But you absolutely cannot leave without visiting Tonic. Established in 2003 by owners Tony and Nicole Worland, one-hatted wonder Tonic brings both locals and foodie pilgrims alike. Tony boasts quite the resume, having worked beside the likes of Matt Moran, Michael Manners and Gordon Ramsay, so expect ambitious food that showcases local producers. If you're looking for a hit of caffeine between tastings, Orange isn't just letting the coffee scene go unperfected. Head to Bills Beans in east Orange, a former butcher's shop converted into a buzzing cafe owned by young guns Ricky Carver and Carlie Beer. Their lively barista Eric knows everyone's name and sings along to Toploader's 'Dancin' in the Moonlight' while making one of the best coffees you'll have in an age. Feast on freshly-made nosh like juicy, cheesy mushroom toasties, melt-in-your-mouth homemade pumpkin quiches and perfect, perfect scrolls. Also recommended, Good Eddy. For all your take-home local goodies, The Agrestic Grocer in town. EXPLORE: LOLLY SHOPS TO ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM It's worth inhaling more than edible and drinkable goods on your trip to Orange, especially if you're a history buff, art fan or general lover of all things vintage. Orange has a few great local galleries, including The Corner Store Gallery in east Orange. Exhibitions change every three weeks and range from James Kearns' abstract expressionist landscapes to Isobella Grist's smart collages. If you're a bit of a history nut, let's start with the fact that you're struttin' around in Banjo Patterson's birthplace (yes, there's a poetry festival, if you're wondering). After you've wandered through Orange's city centre, with many beautiful old buildings (one particularly good example in the middle of Kinross Wolaroi School), head straight for Orange's teeny neighbour, Milthorpe. We're talking antique shops, adorable design store Tomolly, a bowling club and cellar doors aplenty, like Orange heavyweights Angullong or Slow Wine Co. STAY: SHEEP SHEDS TO COUNTRY LOFTS As far as snuggly country accomodation goes, Orange has some pretty beautiful spots to kip. If you're up for a true country stay with every last modern convenience, head for the award-winning Black Sheep Inn just 9km west of Orange on Heifer Station Lane, owned by the lovely Helen and Andrew Napier. Originally a 1900s sheep shearing shed, most of the original features have been preserved — along with a wrought iron fireplace. The Inn has five snug suites, each boasting original rolling shed doors instead of blinds (a very sweet feature). Corrugated iron runs the interior design, offset with modern steel trimmings and crisp white sheets. Helen served us brekkie in the morning, a three-course feast from poached pears with straight-up insane homemade lemon curd, to freshly-toasted sourdough with unbelievably delicious homemade apricot jam. If you're headed for the quaint country streets of Milthorpe, there's plenty of boutique accomodation to snuggle into and forget you ever had some kind of job to return to. While you can take over an entire old chemist at Hockey's Accommodation, we made a temporary home of the Millthorpe Motel, a collection of 20 modern, homey rooms, from basic studio rooms to loft apartments that feel like your very own little ski lodge. Think comfy armchairs, luxe white bedding, and an easy stroll to Tonic, to repeat yesterday's belt-busting feast. Images: Andy Fraser. CP stayed, ate and wined as a guest of Orange360. For more information about Orange, head over here.
“Industry has moved abreast of art & we now trade culture as capital, Enthusiasm is currency, and here is no better Petri-dish for new forms & expressions of the contemporary than the warehouse. ...a return to the village ...except the candlestick maker, the butcher & the blacksmith are now the zinester, the permaculturalist & community theatre director.” While the vast majority of us get up every morning, go to work, and earn money to pay the rent or mortgage, some others opted out. Inspired by artistic ideals and the bohemian movements of days gone by, artists, performers and assorted creatives have been reclaiming warehouses and setting up counter-cultural enclaves where they can work among like-minded souls, and by the looks of things, throw some pretty awesome masquerade balls. Bohemianism is thriving, especially in Melbourne. This City Speaks To Me is the work of British music photographer Luke David Kellet, who spent several years living among Melbourne's bohemian community. Inspired by the artists and their lifestyle, Kellet has created a photobook which is both a documentary of, and dedication to the raw, wild energy and enthusiasm of the culture and its characters. The fluid, gonzo-esque text from poet Si complement the images and give them a hallucinatory life of their own. It’s good to see that alternative art and culture are thriving, and even better to see it portrayed so eloquently. As well as the full, print version, a shorter version of the book is available as a free download (NSFW). This City Speaks To Me
The future of wearable technology is like thinking about the universe: the possibilities of what could be discovered are endless. But it's annoying enough to integrate an Apple Watch or a Fitbit into your life, let alone walk around wearing weird spy cam glasses all the time, ala Google Glass. Seriously, no one want to be that guy. But what if you could simply attach this technology to your skin with, say, a small temporary tattoo? Well, that sound pretty good to us, and Austin-based mobile development company, Chaotic Moon, are trying to make it happen. The technology, dubbed Tech Tats, are temporary electronic tattoos that would live on top of the wearer's skin, and use the skin as an interface. The tattoo holds an ATiny85 microcontroller, which stores and receives data from temperature sensors via electroconductive paint to interact with your body. "Everyone has this idea of the future as this guy with Google Glass and the Apple Watch and five Fitbits," EricSchneider, Chaotic Moon's Creative Technologist says. "But the goal is really wearable technology that you can’t even see." As well as tracking your movements and fitness, and storing your credit card details and so on, the tats would also be able to monitor your vital signs an send that data to your phone — or even your doctor. The technology is just a prototype at the moment, but it isn't too hard see this coming to life sooner rather than later. Chaotic Moon have said — if the product gets to the public — they want to keep the price point accessible, perhaps even selling the Tech Tats in packages, like Band-Aids. It seems like a happy medium between clunky, wearable technology and getting microchips implanted under the skin — we don't want to go full robot just yet. Via Motherboard.
And just like that, there was a teaser trailer — for HBO's new Sex and the City spinoff And Just Like That..., that is. First announced back at the beginning of 2021, and already locked in for a December release, the ten-part series reunites Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon more than a decade since they last shared a screen in the terrible 2008 and 2010 Sex and the City movies. And, if you're wondering what's in store, the first teaser trailer has just been released. Obviously, Parker's Carrie Bradshaw narrates the sneak peek. It really wouldn't be a Sex and the City-related series otherwise, and you'd probably want to a pair of Manolo Blahniks at your screen in protest if that was the case. This time, the famed fictional New Yorker is waxing lyrical about life's changes — and obviously the words "and just like that" get uttered. The teaser doesn't provide much in the way of narrative detail, but it is filled with images of Carrie, Miranda (Nixon) and Charlotte (Davis) going about their lives — and of plenty of other familiar Sex and the City faces as well. The series' main trio won't have Kim Cattrall's Samantha for company, but Chris Noth, Mario Cantone, David Eigenberg, Evan Handler and the late Willie Garson all return. Yes, that's Big, Anthony, Steve, Harry and Stanford all accounted for. Grey's Anatomy's Sara Ramírez features, too — and, in news that's worth raising a few cosmopolitans, the ten-episode spinoff now has an exact release date. So, you'll be able to stream the first two episodes on Thursday, December 9 via Binge in Australia, with new episodes dropping weekly on Thursdays afterwards. In New Zealand, it'll air on Neon and Sky Go from Friday, December 10, with new episodes dropping at 1pm each week. It'll also head to SoHo from 9.30pm on Mondays from December 20. Due to Cattrall's absence, And Just Like That... is being badged as a "new chapter' in the Sex and the City story, rather than an additional season of the existing 1998–2004 program. Parker, Davis and Nixon are also named as producers on And Just Like That..., alongside Michael Patrick King, who worked as a writer, director and executive producer on the original (and on the two movies). Check out the first teaser trailer below: And Just Like That... will start streaming in Australia via Binge from Thursday, December 9. In New Zealand, it'll air via Neon and Sky Go in New Zealand from Friday, December 10, and also on SoHo from 9.30pm on Mondays from December 20.
You've got a new CBD restaurant to make a beeline to as soon as the office bell rings. And it's run by a lineup of Sydney hospitality legends. The duo behind Love, Tilly Devine and Dear Sainte Éloise, Matthew Swieboda and Nathanial Hatwell, have teamed up with chef Scott Williams (Bacco Osteria e Espresso, MoVida) and front-of-house star Felix Colman (Dear Sainte Éloise) to open Angel Place's new pasta joint and minimal-intervention wine bar: Ragazzi. Just as Love, Tilly Devine champions Aussie drops and Dear Sainte Éloise focuses more on the French, Ragazzi does the same for Italian varieties — showcasing small Italian producers and Australian wineries that use Italian grapes. Though classic Australian and French wines are also up for grabs here, too. The 38-seat wine bar features textured concrete walls, leather banquette seating and a ten-seat, wraparound brass bar. It serves up daily-changing wines by the glass, along with a whopping 300 by the bottle — so there really is a heap to choose from. To round it all out (or kick-start it all), there are also 20 different amari and aperitifs. Alongside the natural wines is a succinct food menu that changes regularly and showcases regional Italian pasta dishes. Expect the likes of agnolotti dal plin served in a broth with white asparagus, maltagliati with cuttlefish and broad beans, and cavatelli with pipis and sausage. The sausage is made in-house using whichever meat is available on the day. [caption id="attachment_747368" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To for Buffet[/caption] This focus on no-waste and nose-to-tail eating is present throughout the menu, with Williams sourcing whole cuts of meat and breaking them down to create a range of dishes. At the moment, you'll find pork belly used in croquettes, pork cutlets served as a main and other parts of the animal turned into a pork and fennel sausage. When in season, expect sea urchin to be a regular feature on the menu, too, with Ragazzi receiving deliveries from a south Sydney diver. While pasta is the star of the food show here, Williams also showcases the Spanish cooking techniques he learned in the kitchens of Madrid and Barcelona. So, expect to dig into Spanish-inflected bar snacks, such as Cantabrian anchovies on sourdough, on the regular. A few simple salads (such as shaved cabbage with hazelnut and pecorino) make the cut, too, along with daily-churned gelato for dessert. Regazzi has been bustling from the start, so do yourself a favour and make a booking here. Ragazzi is now open at Shop 3, 2–12 Angel Place, Sydney. Hours are Monday through Friday from 11am–midnight and Saturday from 3pm–midnight. Images: Nikki To for Buffet
It's been a David and Goliath battle from the very start, but it seems Goliath has finally made his size known — construction crews have this afternoon been found secretly demolishing the interior of the much-loved Palace Theatre. Though most mourned for the Palace back in June when the owner's lease ran up, many have still been fighting the good fight trying to get the venue heritage listed. After all their good work, the site was set to be reviewed for heritage protection from Melbourne City Council shortly. Now, much of what they were fighting to protect has been destroyed. Though the new owners, Jinshan Investments, are yet to obtain a demolition permit, it seems they're free to do as they see fit with the building's interior. Nearby businesses have reported the rubbish skips have been out the front all week, and construction workers have been spotted hauling out huge slabs of plaster and moulding that has been in place since the early 1900s. One worker told The Age that they were carrying out orders as the site was to be turned into apartments. City of Melbourne councillor Rohan Leppert was one of the first to speak out by calling the police to the scene. "There is no permit to demolish the building, and the owner knows that the Council and Government considers the interiors to be of significant heritage value," he said. "[It's] sheer vandalism." Protestors from Melbourne Heritage Action and Save the Palace Theatre are currently on site too. "We asked to see a copy of the demolition permit and were asked, 'who the hell are you?' and 'where's your badge?'" the group said on their Facebook page. They are now reporting that the demolition crew told police they were "removing plaster to check sprinkler systems". A snap protest has been called for 6pm tonight at The Palace. "[It's] a visual sign to the people who can turn this around that this IS NOT ON!" their Facebook post read. "While there is still something to save you all need to get off your arse and down to the Palace ... The people of Melbourne need to join together to make some damn noise." Outside the @Palace_Theatre at 6pm - make some noise! These cultural vandals need to be stopped and the decision makers must do something — Save the Palace (@SavethePalace13) November 20, 2014 It may be a fairly sad last resort, but if you've ever loved the venue it's time to get your arse up to Bourke Street. Do it for that incredible gig you snuck into when you were 17; do it for the first dates and the late nights and all the amazing bands that have played there over the years; do it for the goddamned principle of the thing. Photos via Melbourne Heritage Action.
Earlier in 2020, when social distancing and public gathering rules were in place across the country, KFC did everyone a solid by offering up free home delivery for the first time ever Down Under. Life is slowly returning to normal now, but the fried chicken chain is bringing back the deal anyway — so you can round up your housemates again and tuck into those 11 secret herbs and spices. The reason this time: State of Origin. KFC's free delivery will be available across the next three Wednesdays to coincide with this year's postponed games — so on November 4, November 11 and November 18. The great news is that you don't have to care about the matches, or watch them, to get that chicken brought to your door without paying extra. The free delivery is simply available all day on each of those three days, from open till close at your local store. The limited-time offer is available nationwide, too — and there is no minimum spend required. To get your hands on some finger lickin' good chook with no added cost, you'll just need to head to Menulog's website or use the Menulog app. And while your food is on its way, you can meditate with KFChill, a wellness website that lets you unwind to the sound of chicken frying, gravy simmering or bacon sizzling away in a pan. Yes, it'll make you hungry. KFC is offering free delivery across Australia on all orders via Menulog, with the special available on Wednesday, November 4, Wednesday, November 11 and Wednesday, November 18. To order, head to the Menulog website and or use the Menulog app.
Back in 2001, when now-The 40 -Year-Old Virgin, Superbad, 50/50, Pam & Tommy, The Fabelmans and The Studio star Seth Rogen earned a role in Undeclared, his second TV series, Nicholas Stoller (You're Cordially Invited) was one of the show's writers. With the college-set sitcom's creator Judd Apatow (The Bubble) — who Rogen had first worked with on Freaks and Geeks — the pair co-penned an episode together. On-screen, Carla Gallo (Mayans MC) was also among the core cast members. Rogen, Stoller, Gallo: in their professional relationship, this trio was just getting started. In 2010, when Stoller helmed Get Him to the Greek, his second feature, then-Two Hands, The Goddess of 1967, Troy, Marie Antoinette, 28 Weeks Later and Sunshine talent Rose Byrne (Physical) was one of his leads. Gallo also popped up, as she did in the filmmaker's debut Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Jump to 2014 and Bad Neighbours — or simply Neighbours in the US, but renamed Down Under for obvious soap opera clash-avoidance reasons — saw Byrne, Rogen, Stoller and Gallo all join forces. Again, the quartet's collaboration was just beginning. Bad Neighbours and its sequel Bad Neighbours 2 enlisted Byrne and Rogen to play a married couple with a new baby, grappling with the major change of lifestyle that comes with becoming parents while also dealing with living next door to a fraternity. What if Byrne and Rogen instead portrayed pals, not a couple — specifically, past BFFs who've drifted apart due to the complicated balance of attempting to juggle their platonic relationship with their romantic lives (aka: one didn't like the other's spouse and said so), and then reunite? Thanks to Platonic, that's when the Bad Neighbours team became focused on good friends. In a series co-created, co-written and co-directed by Stoller and Francesca Delbanco (Friends with College), Byrne plays Sylvia, a stay-at-home mother when the first season of Platonic premiered in 2023. The setup with her husband Charlie (Luke Macfarlane, Invincible): she put her law career on hold for their children, while he kept his, becoming the family breadwinner. Rogen is Will, who kicked off the show as a beer-obsessive brewpub co-owner whose life couldn't be more different from his old friend from college's suburban existence. The two haven't kept in touch since she was honest about her thoughts on his wife, however — but that changes when Sylvia hears about Will's divorce, reaches out and reignites their chaotic dynamic. When you're making a comedy about messy friendships, including with Gallo as Sylvia's pal Katie, does it help to be making it with friends? "Definitely," Rogen tells Concrete Playground. "I think in this case it did, yeah. For sure," adds Byrne. "I think when you're doing something like this — kind of outwardly comedic, and you're being expected to take swings and try things — the better you know the people, the more comfort there is with all that. And the easier that is to put yourself out there and try ridiculous things," pipes back in Rogen. "I agree. And Nick Stoller and Seth have known each other since Seth was 18, so that's such a wildly long friendship," continues Byrne. "A very long time, yeah," Rogen adds again. "And Nick gave me my first comedic role in Get Him to the Greek. So that, to me, is a very seminal moment for my career. I feel very sentimental about that at this point. So it's nice to reunite," Byrne reflects. "And this show is so fun. It's a really fun job that we have fun on — genuine fun on-set doing." Buddy-comedy gold, and also a deeply relatable and hilarious exploration of what it means to be best friends as life tears you in an array of directions and keeps throwing crisis after crisis your respective ways — personal, professional, family, romantic, the works — was the end result in Platonic's first season. The show's second run begins with almost an inverse of where its predecessor commenced, and proves both funny and thoughtful once more. Will is about to get married, and seems to mostly have it all together in love and at work. Meanwhile, Sylvia hasn't had the success that she was hoping for with her events company, and is also in a rut with Charlie. As it follows where these new starting points take its key duo, Platonic again digs into the complexity, codependence and sometimes-toxicity of Sylvia and Will's relationship, exploring their similarities and differences, and examining what it means to have a fulfilling and supportive friendship — and one that comes with so much history. The series' second season continues another of the show's pivotal elements, too: pondering the fact that no matter if you're married with kids or thinking about it, or where you are in your work realm, no one ever really feels grown up — or, at least, how you think being an adult and in your 40s will feel when you're younger. Among other topics, we also chatted to Byrne and Rogen about that crucial theme, unpacking the impact that a friendship like Sylvia and Will's has on the romances in their lives, Rogen's fondness for examining friendship on-screen and Byrne's physical-comedy prowess. On Stepping Back Into Sylvia and Will's Shoes for a Second Season Rose: "I'm just always nervous. You're just hoping it's going to be funny again." Seth: "Yeah." Rose: "'Is this going to work?'. That feeling of butterflies doesn't necessarily go away. It's just like 'okay, this was good. We got something good last time' — but the stakes are almost higher when you go back again, because 'okay, how do you make it better?'. But I feel it's actually stronger this season. I think they wrote even more to our strengths. And TV takes a minute to settle in — it takes a minute season by season to really enrich the characters. So I was still definitely nervous starting." Seth: "For sure, definitely." On Whether There's Something That Appeals to Rogen About Digging Into Friendships On-Screen Across His Career, Including in The Studio This Year Seth: "I guess so. I think it's people. It's something I just really relate to. I think part of it is probably that my creative partner is my friend. And so I think a lot of our creative output comes through this lens of friendship, and of collaboration and of attempts to communicate things with other people. It's just very relatable. And people, as much as it speaks to my personal life, it seems to speak to other people's lives as well. And I think conflict with your friends is something that I've also found to be very interesting and entertaining subject matter, and trying to reconcile a working relationship with a personal relationship, and things like that. They're just things that are big things in my actual life, so that's always what I'm trying to put into my work. And it's also a bigger source of conflict. I've been in a very happy marriage for like 20 years, or we've been together for like 20 years. And there's not a ton of conflict or comedy that comes from that. Much more comedy comes from the things my stupid friends do — and so we write more about that." On the Importance of Platonic Also Being a Show About the Fact That No One Ever Truly Feels Grown Up, Even When They're Entering Their 40s Rose: "I like that. I enjoyed the fact that they're in their 40s, they're at very different stages of their life — Sylvia's in the trenches with little kids, raising her family, and Will is still trying to capture the heydays of being in his 20s and 30s. So it felt ripe for comedy in that way — getting older, how do you navigate that and how do you have friendships when you're raising a family? It's really hard. How do you figure that out? And again, to Seth's point, I could really relate to that as a mum, as a working mum, and all that sort of stuff." On What's Interesting About Unpacking How Friendships Can Impact Relationships Seth: "To me, what's interesting is, when you're friends with people, is the constant conundrum of 'how involved do you get in their romantic relationships?' and 'how honest do you be about your feelings about their partners and their relationships with their partners?'. And I think that's what the show really gets into. And what I really relate to when I watch it is 'if your friend is in a relationship with someone you don't think they're right for, do you say something? Do you not say something? Do you let it go? If your friend's partner seems to be going through something, do you say something? Do you not say something?'. And to me, it's more of like there's no right or wrong answer that's across the board. I think it's very specific to different situations. But it's a really interesting thing for the show to explore, because it's something that I see a lot of in my real life." On Byrne's Knack for Physical Comedy — and What Excites Her About Getting to Give Those Talents a Workout Rose: "I feel so spoiled. I love it. And Nick and Francesca write me these crazy sequences. I always get nervous. They're often with Seth and I'm falling all over him and being crazy, and in somewhere weird — where were we? Some convenience store last season. Some of my favourite performances have great comedic, physical setpieces. So it's always a big swing, and you don't know if it's going to work, but they're so fun to try to do." On Whether Platonic Is Filling a Comedy Gap on the Small Screen That's Been Missing From the Big Screen in Recent Years Seth: "Maybe. It's a little light on concept for a movie, perhaps. It could maybe use a bit more plot if it was going to be a movie. But I think tonally it captures what our movies capture. But I think what's interesting is, especially when they pitched the idea to me in the first place, that's what was exciting about it — that it was sort of capturing this energy of these R-rated comedies that we made, but more tailored to a television sensibility. Which I think means it is more of a long game — it's more of a marathon and not a sprint, which I think allows the plotlines to be a little more grounded and relatable in a lot of ways. And you're not looking for a hook where it's like 'you've got 24 hours to get a guy to a theatre' or 'you're trying to buy beer for the party that night'." Rose: "Yes, yes." Seth: "It allows them to be a little bit more slice of life, which I think is cool, but it also has the tone of these big raucous comedies we used to make." On What Gets Byrne and Rogen Excited About a New Role and a New Project at This Stage in Their Careers Rose: "I'm the fan. I love seeing stuff and meeting people — and meeting directors and writers. I still don't take for granted working in this industry." Seth: "Yeah." Rose: "I mean, Seth made a whole show about it." Seth: "Yes." Rose: "It's real. I feel like if that feeling goes away, then I should go away. For me, it's still such a thrill to work. Obviously having a family changes things, and you have to prioritise and all those sorts of stuff, but every working parent has to do that. But I still feel like I'm still the fan — when I meet people and I still get starstruck and I still want to work with people, and all those sorts of things. So for me, it's still really a thrill to be doing it." Seth: "Yeah, me too. Exactly." Platonic streams via Apple TV+, with season two premiering on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. Read our review of season one.
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas across the country. After months spent empty, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, Australian picture palaces are back in business — spanning both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made, including new releases, comedies, music documentaries, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL-G4oCoDF0&feature=youtu.be HIGH GROUND Violence is never splashed across a cinema screen unthinkingly. Depicting physical force is always a choice, even in by-the-numbers action films where fists and bullets fly far more frequently than meaningful moments. Accordingly, when brutality and bloodshed arrives in a drama that peers back at Australia's colonial past, there's no doubting that the filmmakers responsible have thought about what they're including, why, the message it conveys and the impact it'll have on the audience. High Ground is one such Aussie feature. Its main forceful encounter occurs early, motivating everything that follows and proving impossible to forget. In 1919, ex-World War I sniper-turned-police officer Travis (Simon Baker, Breath) sets out across the area now known as Kakadu National Park, leading a law enforcement team on a routine expedition; however, it doesn't take much — namely, the decisions of his less fair-minded colleagues — for the journey to end with the slaughter of Indigenous Australians. Twelve years later, in the 30s, Travis is still haunted by the incident. In one of High Ground's most important choices, it doesn't require any effort at all to understand why he feels the way he does, or why his eyes have taken on a sorrowful glint. The movie's viewers have witnessed the same awful events, with Aboriginal men, women and children who were enjoying a peaceful waterside gathering all suddenly and savagely killed, and a boy called Gutjuk (played by as a child Guruwuk Mununggurr and Jacob Junior Nayinggul as an adult) only managing to leave the scene alive thanks to Travis' intervention. Even when untainted by blood, the country's landscape has blazed with red, orange and ochre hues since long before European settlement — since the sun first started beating down upon it, undoubtedly — with those colours helping many an Aussie film bake heated feelings of fury and torment into their frames. Indeed, simmering anguish goes with the territory in High Ground. That's true of every movie that recognises that Australia was far from terra nullius when the First Fleet arrived, but there's no escaping the scorching mood that radiates here, as director Stephen Maxwell Johnson (Yolngu Boy) intends. Working with cinematographer Andrew Commis (Babyteeth) to bring screenwriter Chris Anastassiades' (The Kings of Mykonos) script to the screen, the filmmaker fills his first feature in two decades with picturesque yet also pulsating scenery. Peering down at eye-catching swathes of the Northern Territory, the nation's earthy beauty is striking and stunning, and so is the knowledge that it was walked upon by Indigenous Australians for tens of thousands of years. And one goes with the other, as the movie's soundtrack also helps reinforce, layering the noises of birds and wildlife with songs by Yolngu singers such as Yothu Yindi's Witiyana Marika — who also appears in the film as Gutjuk's grandfather Dharrpa — and his son Yirrmal Marika. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG_EVA58P-g NEWS OF THE WORLD A year after his exquisite and rightly Oscar-nominated performance in A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood, Tom Hanks returns to the big screen with his latest great film. In News of the World, he plays a Civil War veteran-turned-travelling newsman who becomes saddled with escorting a child back to her family — and he's as gripping and compelling to watch as he's ever been. Hanks' character, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, is a travelling newsman in the very literal and era-appropriate sense. He journeys from town to town to read newspapers to amassed crowds for ten cents a person, all so folks across America can discover what's going on — not just locally, but around the country and the world. Then, on one otherwise routine trip in 1870, he passes an overturned wagon. Only a blonde-haired ten-year-old girl, Johanna (Helena Zengel, System Crasher), remains alive. Kidd soon discovers that she had been abducted by the Kiowa people years earlier during a raid that saw her entire family slaughtered, and was then raised as one of their own, but she has now been left homeless after more violence. The wagon was transporting Johanna to her last remaining relatives and, in the absence of any officials willing to take over — or ensure her safety until they get around to setting off — Kidd reluctantly agrees to the task. Reading the news is still part of their trek, but so is avoiding the many dangers that plague their ride across Texas' golden-hued landscape. If the sight of a wearied Hanks donning a wide-brimmed hat, sitting atop a horse and galloping across scrubby plains feels unfamiliar, that's because it hasn't happened before — with News of the World marking his first-ever western more than four decades after he made his acting debut. (No, his time voicing cowboy plaything Woody in the Toy Story movies doesn't count.) Hanks is a natural fit, unsurprisingly. The grounded presence he has brought to everything from Apollo 13 to The Post couldn't pair better with a genre that trots so openly across the earth, and ties its characters' fortunes so tightly to the desolate and wild conditions that surround them, after all. As a result, the fact that News of the World eagerly recalls previous western highlights such as The Searchers and True Grit doesn't ever become a drawback. Instead, this adaptation of Paulette Jiles' 2016 novel makes a purposeful effort to put its star in the same company as the many on-screen talents who've shone in — and strutted and scowled through — the genre. Hanks takes to the saddle like he's been perched upon one his entire career, of course, and takes to Kidd's lone-rider status with the same naturalistic air as well. But, in a movie directed with less frenetic and jittery flair but the right amount of pulsating emotion by Captain Phillips filmmaker Paul Greengrass, he isn't the only standout. His young co-star is just as phenomenal, in fact, although that won't come as even the slightest surprise to anyone who saw Zengel's performance in 2019's System Crasher, which won the pre-teen the German Film Prize for Best Actress. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGZmwsK58M8 MALCOLM & MARIE Shot in quarantine in mid-2020, Malcolm & Marie meets its eponymous couple on a momentous night, with filmmaker Malcolm (John David Washington, Tenet) all abuzz after the premiere of his latest feature. The critics gushed to him in-person so, arriving back at the flashy house that's been rented for him, he's drunk on praise and eager to celebrate with his girlfriend and aspiring actress Marie (Zendaya, Spider-Man: Far From Home). As she cooks him mac 'n' cheese, he pours drinks and relives the evening's events. But Marie isn't as enthusiastic, or as willing to cast everything about the premiere in a rosy glow. The catalyst for her simmering discontent, other than just the state of their relationship: as Malcolm & Marie writer/director Sam Levinson admits he did himself at the premiere of his 2017 movie Assassination Nation, Malcolm forgot to thank Marie. Levinson's wife only brought it up once, he has said; however, the moment the subject comes up on-screen, Marie isn't willing to accept Malcolm's claim that he simply forgot. Cue oh-so-much arguing, mixed in with cosier banter, broader chats about art and politics, Marie's frequent escapes outside to smoke and Malcolm's impatient waiting for the first reviews of his film to drop. Again and again, their discussion circles back to their history. Malcolm's movie is about a 20-year-old addict, and Marie once was that woman. So, she feels as if her real and painful experiences have hoovered up by him, without any appreciation or recognition — without casting her in the role, too. Where everything from Blue Valentine and the Before trilogy to Marriage Story have previously gone, Malcolm & Marie follows: into the fiery heat and knotty struggles of a complicated relationship. Like Blue Valentine, it charts ecstatic highs and agonising lows. As Before Sunrise, Before Sunset and Before Midnight did, it relies upon dialogue swapped frequently and passionately. And stepping in Marriage Story's territory, it follows a director and an actor as their career choices highlight issues they've plastered over for far too long. Still, while assembled from familiar pieces, Malcolm & Marie slinks into its niche. It's devastatingly stylish thanks to its black-and-white colour palette, elegant costuming and luxurious single-location setting. It glides by almost entirely on the strength of its ferocious performances, with Zendaya and Washington both exceptional. But it's also indulgent and obvious, as well as clumsy in its handling of many of its conversation topics. The film is at its best when its characters fight specifically about their relationship, and at its worst when it forgets that it's about people rather than about ideas. Like most relationships, it soars at times and sinks at others — and, in a very 2020–1 outcome, it easily leaves viewers wondering what might've eventuated if it hadn't been cooked up in a pandemic, designed to work within COVID-19 restrictions and scripted in just six days. Malcolm & Marie is screening in select Sydney and Melbourne cinemas. Read our full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZLKevPsC6M PIXIE 2021 is barely a month old, but only one film reaching cinemas this year will feature beloved comedian Dylan Moran as a drug kingpin working out of a fish factory — and remaining as acerbic as ever in the process, of course — as well as Alec Baldwin as a gangster priest who uses his collar and church as a cover. That'd be Irish caper comedy Pixie, which takes its name from the woman, Pixie O'Brien (Olivia Cooke, Sound of Metal), at the centre of a heist, more than a few instances of double-crossing and a long-running feud between two groups of mobsters. Her stepfather Dermot (Colm Meaney, Gangs of London) leads one faction. Her still-yearning ex-boyfriend Colin (Rory Fleck Byrne, Zomboat!) is in his employ, but is willing to put his job and life at risk by ripping off a huge haul of MDMA. That said, most of Pixie's quest to cash in on the big score and flee to art school in San Francisco sees her spending time with best mates Frank (Ben Hardy, Bohemian Rhapsody) and Harland (Daryl McCormack, Peaky Blinders). The former has always had a crush on the titular character, while the latter sports his own feelings — and the fact that they're told "she won't just break you, she'll take a Kalashnikov to your heart" doesn't phase them in the slightest when they think they have a chance to earn her attention and affection. Directed by St Trinian's and St Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold helmer (and Wayne's World and Spice World producer) Barnaby Thompson using a script penned by his son Preston (Kids in Love), Pixie finds enough charm in two key places: its engaging lead actor and its energy. Cooke is fantastic, running rings around every single one of her almost-exclusively male co-stars with her smart, spirited attitude and mesmerising presence. And, tonally, the film sports a distinct mid-90s/early-00s vibe; if you found it on a streaming platform rather than showing on the big screen, you could easily think that it had been sitting in an online catalogue for quite some time and you just hadn't ever heard of it. Still, Pixie is never anything more than watchable. The younger Thompson's screenplay doesn't quite perfect its attempts to make its protagonist her own person, leaning too heavily on male fantasies even despite Cooke's impressive efforts. Also, almost every aspect of the plot seems like the product of someone who spent their formative years worshipping Quentin Tarantino, Martin McDonagh (In Bruges) and John McDonagh (The Guard). In fact, the elder Thompson's stylistic approach actually does the latter, too, which is evident no matter how quickly the whole movies zips along. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8tofjqqrV8 OCCUPATION: RAINFALL Every science fiction film that has reached cinemas since 1977 has sat in the shadows of Star Wars, the best-known big-screen franchise there in the genre. But few movies have splashed around their desire to resemble the George Lucas-created saga and its success as blatantly as the Gold Coast-shot Occupation: Rainfall, the second entry in Australia's Occupation series. Narrative-wise, it follows an alien invasion, which its 2018 predecessor first detailed. That might sound more like Independence Day than Star Wars; however, humanity's survivors are cast as rebels fighting back against ruthless extraterrestrial forces with planet-eradicating weapons, which should ring more than a few bells from a tale set a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. It's also impossible not to notice the red beams of light adorning sword-like weapons, especially when they're swung around in one-on-one face-offs; the frequent front-on shots of solo pilots sitting in their aircrafts as sky battles rage around them; the way that everything from towering military technologies to bobbing, weaving and crashing aerial conflicts are framed; and the sound effects so familiar you'd be forgiven for thinking they've just been lifted wholesale. There's also a comic green-skinned critter as a sidekick, this time quoting lines from other films rather than saying "ooh, mooey mooey, I love you!" (and, interestingly, voiced by Harry Potter's Jason Isaacs). That Occupation: Rainfall proves so derivative sits at odds with its ambition. Writer/director Luke Sparke is clearly dreaming big, which is to be admired and applauded — as any attempt to remedy Australia's lack of a big homegrown sci-fi franchise should be. Alas, just as Occupation's aping of Red Dawn and Tomorrow, When the War Began was always evident, the debt that Rainfall owes its high-profile influences is obvious to the point of being distracting. The thin storyline doesn't help, with Rainfall starting with the decimation of Sydney, then splitting its focus between resistance fighter Matt Simmons (Dan Ewing, Home and Away) and his reluctant alliance with alien Gary (Lawrence Makoare, The Dead Lands), and the ideological differences between his colleagues Amelia Chambers (Jet Tranter, Tidelands) and Wing Commander Hayes (Daniel Gillies, The Originals). Matt and Gary head to Pine Gap to track down an item of value to the extraterrestrials, which puts them in odd-couple road-movie territory, while Amelia disagrees with Hayes' willingness to conduct experiments on and torture their otherworldly foes. The clunky dialogue everyone is forced to utter doesn't assist either, and neither does the return of Star Wars alumnus Temuera Morrison or the appearance of Community's Ken Jeong — or the always-apparent reality that keeping the franchise going and laying the groundwork for a third film is the main aim above all else. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23 and July 30; August 6, August 13, August 20 and August 27; September 3, September 10, September 17 and September 24; October 1, October 8, October 15, October 22 and October 29; and November 5, November 12, November 19 and November 26; and December 3, December 10, December 17, December 26; and January 1, January 7, January 14 and January 21. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as The Craft: Legacy, Radioactive, Brazen Hussies, Freaky, Mank, Monsoon, Ellie and Abbie (and Ellie's Dead Aunt), American Utopia, Possessor, Misbehaviour, Happiest Season, The Prom, Sound of Metal, The Witches, The Midnight Sky, The Furnace, Wonder Woman 1984, Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles, Nomadland, Pieces of a Woman, The Dry, Promising Young Woman, Summerland, Ammonite, The Dig, The White Tiger and Only the Animals. Top images: News of the World, Bruce W Talamon/Universal Pictures/Netflix; Malcolm & Marie, Dominic Miller, Netflix.
Australian playwright Timothy Daly is a queen-maker. His Kafka Dances in 1993 was one of Cate Blanchett's first roles and won her the Rosemount Newcomer Award, and it's still regarded as a classic. His work is frequently performed overseas, though not so much at home, possibly because it’s a bit bonkers in that way that Europeans are more open to. In his new play Richard III (or almost), directed by Markus Weber, two prisoners (played by fit veteran thesps Gerry Sont and Lucas Connelly) are locked in a room where they are punished by having to perform bouts of Shakespeare's Richard III whenever a bell chimes. Why? By whom? What for? Daly chooses not to make it entirely clear. Instead, his play is mainly an abstract, dystopic meditation on how governments deal with art and how artists view themselves. It's not something you often think about, but theatre reviews are not written (nor plays made, for that matter) in a silo; they are in conversation with other theatre productions going on within view. Certain styles and aesthetics become the norm in a city, if not a country. So when something comes along that sits completely outside of that conversation, it's a little hard to know how to treat it. Richard III (or almost), the product of both an Australian writer and Australian director who have spent their working lives in Europe, is just such a mysterious outlier. It was apparently well received at its debut at the prestigious Avignon Festival in France, but in Sydney it seems, for want of a better word, weird. The resistance to plot, character and convention isn't total, but it is strong. I was happy to accept its abstract set-up, but then the second half seems to turn on quite a straight-up crime mystery, which doesn't wholly relate to what came before. However, the shifts in power between the two characters were a constant source of intrigue. Richard III (or almost) won't be to everyone's taste, but as a mission statement from Emu Productions, the new owners and resident company of King Street Theatre, it is compelling. It's exciting to think that they might shine a light on performance possibilities mostly unseen in Sydney. Good luck to them. Student? Get your $20 student rush tickets 30 minutes before the show nightly.
What's better than a road trip through the epicurean delights of Tasmania? Undertaking the unforgettable road trip all the way there from Sydney, stopping to feast along the way. Long gone are the days when the culinary offerings on the road were limited to Maccas and 24-hour servos, and it mightn't be obvious from behind the wheel, but the route along the Hume Highway is dotted with foodie adventures — from rolling vineyards to 19th-century pubs serving up seasonal produce. Here's where you should plan a pit stop between Sydney and Melbourne (before you board a ferry to Tassie). From pristine beaches and bountiful wine regions to alpine hideaways and bustling country towns, Australia has a wealth of places to explore at any time of year. We've partnered with Tourism Australia to help you plan your road trips, weekend detours and summer getaways so that when you're ready to hit the road you can Holiday Here This Year. Under current COVID-19 restrictions in Australia, there are limitations on where you can go on a holiday. Bookmark this for when you can explore once again. [caption id="attachment_773485" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Clonakilla via Destination NSW[/caption] MURRUMBATEMAN After a 3.5-hour drive south from Sydney, take the Barton Highway exit and drive for 15 minutes to reach this cute village in the Yass Valley; it's a gateway to wineries, restaurants and cute shops, including Robyn Rowe Chocolates, whose sweet treats are inspired by local produce, including walnuts from a backyard tree and coffee beans roasted in Canberra. If you're not the designated driver, drop into Helm Wines, afterwards, where you get to wine taste in an 1888 public schoolhouse; and Clonakilla, where some of Australia's best-reviewed wines are made. If you happen to be passing by on the second or fourth Saturday of the month, then have a wander through the Murrumbateman Village Markets, which are packed full of local produce and cooked goodies. [caption id="attachment_773499" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Long Track Pantry via Destination NSW[/caption] JUGIONG After another hour cruising south, turn off to Jugiong, a pretty village on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River. At the Long Track Pantry, you'll find good coffee, hearty brekkies and lunches, and a delicious collection of homemade jams, chutneys, oils and sauces. From there, pop into the Jugiong Wine Cellar to sample up to 18 drops from the surrounding wine regions of Gundagai, Tumbarumba, Hilltops and Murrumbateman. Also worth a visit is the Sir George, a warm and welcoming pub. Built in 1852, it also houses an artisanal bakery, a restaurant and, in winter, an open fire. On the menu are share plates of lamb croquettes and cauliflower fritters, as well as pub classics like beer battered fish 'n' chips, sausage and mash, and free range parmas, all taken to the next level with premium-quality local ingredients. [caption id="attachment_773479" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Borambola Wines via Destination NSW[/caption] BORAMBOLA WINES, NEAR WAGGA WAGGA This idyllic winery lies just 15 minutes' drive from the Hume along the Sturt Highway, which travels to Wagga Wagga. It's a relaxed spot, family owned, and where you can take your time working your way through several drops while soaking up the views of rolling vineyards. Plus, there's an apple cider and a lager, both named after the Dog on the Tuckerbox. If you've time to spare, continue to Wagga Wagga, where you can try more wines at Eunonyhareenyha Winery and Cottontails and locally brewed beers at Thirsty Crow Brewing Co. [caption id="attachment_773482" align="alignnone" width="1920"] River Deck Cafe, Albury via Destination NSW[/caption] RIVER DECK CAFE, ALBURY Perched on the banks of the mighty Murray River, Albury is surrounded by lush farmland. Numerous local eateries take advantage of this fact, and one of the best is the River Deck Cafe. You'll find it right on the water, in leafy Noreuil Park. The French-inspired menu changes with the seasons, with dishes varying from steamed Murray cod with seasonal greens, lobster bisque and zucchini flowers to kangaroo loin served rare with white and black-eyed peas, cos lettuce and game jus. If you're wondering where the produce comes from, it's usually written on the menu, and one of the River Deck's favourite suppliers is RAD Growers, a small, independent farm that lies 20 kilometres west. [caption id="attachment_665497" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Milawa Cheese[/caption] MILAWA Handmade cheeses, spicy mustards, locally grown olives and wineries: there's enough deliciousness in Milawa, a tiny town near Wangaratta — just ten minutes' drive from the Hume — to keep you going all day. If you're keen to stretch your legs, grab a free bike from Brown Brothers Winery and go exploring on two wheels. Whichever way you travel, stops should include Milawa Cheese for cheese created with traditional European methods (book ahead for a tasting); Milawa Mustards for mustards and condiments; the Olive Shop for olives, tapenades and dukkah; and finally back at Brown Brothers Winery for a tasting and lunch at the onsite hatted restaurant Patricia's Table. Just six kilometres south of town is Hurdle Creek Still, a distillery where you can sample small-batch spirits and learn all about the gin-making process. THE WEEKEND LOCAL, EUROA Every single product in this friendly shop is made, grown or created within 150 kilometres of Euroa, a little town just off the highway, about an hour's drive southwest of Wangaratta. There's coffee from Mansfield Coffee Merchants, sourdough from Strathbogie, pasta sauces, oils and pastes from the Yarra Valley, pastries from Salus Bakery and so much more. In fact, you could pretty much do your week's shopping here. It doubles up as a cafe, serving up excellent coffee and dishes driven by local produce. Another spot worth visiting in Euroa is Fare Enough, which offers light, fresh dishes, including pad thai and wombok salads. [caption id="attachment_773687" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Blue Tongue Berries via Visit Victoria[/caption] BLUE TONGUE BERRIES, NEAR SEYMOUR Take a break from driving with a bucolic frolic at this 20-acre blueberry farm, close to the Hume on Seymour's northwestern outskirts. This organic paradise is dedicated to growing the juiciest blueberries possible without harming the environment. To that end, the entire shebang is off-the-grid and self-sufficient, via a mix of solar and wind power. If you're passing by in berry season — November to February — call in advance to book a tasting session. On top of berries, the farm grows loads of seasonal fruit and veggies, as well as producing free-range eggs and lamb. Swing by the farm gate any time to grab some supplies or settle in at the cafe, which overlooks the Tallarook Ranges. You can even stay the night in one of the four homestays, all listed on Airbnb. That way you can time your visit with one of the farm's live music sessions before heading to Melbourne the next day. You're only an hour and 15 minutes' drive to Port Melbourne, where you can board a ferry to Tasmania on any day of the week. Whether you're planning to travel for a couple of nights or a couple of weeks, Holiday Here This Year and you'll be supporting Australian businesses while you explore the best of our country's diverse landscapes and attractions. Top image: Borambola Wines via Destination NSW
With the temperature and acidity of the oceans gradually rising comes the possibility of the extinction of the colourful, gorgeous coral reefs that are home to thousands of sea creatures. So, MUSA (Museum Subacuático de Arte) was created in 2009 in an attempt to preserve the precious coral reefs, using the ocean floor near Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Punta Nizuc, Mexico as a museum for sculptures that would also help sustain life beneath the surface. Senior TED Fellow and artist Colleen Flanigan's innovative Biorock sculptures have been chosen to become part of the project. Flanigan's metal sculptures are designed to counter the damage already done by global warming and pollution and regenerate the coral by raising the pH level of the surrounding water and help them acquire sufficient calcium carbonate for the coral's exoskeleton. The Biorock structures will also provide the living reefs with an alkaline environment that will increase resistance to environmental stressors. $15,000 is needed to fund Flanigan's underwater installations in MUSA, so she's kickstarted a Kickstarter account. $12,542 has been donated to date, but there is still a ways to go before the April 12th deadline. If you donate just a dollar, Flanigan will even say your name as she plants a polyp — every little bit helps.
Here's a great way to get people to pay attention to almost anything: add Paul Rudd. Movie fans have known that truth since the 90s, when he first grabbed everyone's attention in Clueless. Sure, some of his early big-screen roles — such as Romeo + Juliet as well — tried to convince us that Rudd was the lesser romantic alternative, but we all knew better. Sorry, mid-90s films, you were wrong. At the beginning of the pandemic, New York City even enlisted Rudd to spread the word about COVID-19 safety — that's how deep the "add Paul Rudd to anything" rule goes. So getting the Ant-Man and Ghostbusters: Afterlife star to run around NYC to plug Billy Eichner's new queer rom-com Bros just makes sense, obviously. Eichner is doing the running with him, bringing back his beloved comedy game show Billy on the Street for a brand-new episode to promote his new flick. Rudd has already been on the series before, in a season-three episode called 'Would You Have Sex with Paul Rudd?'. You don't have to pay many people $1 to say yes to that. This time, Eichner and Rudd jog around, stick a microphone in people's faces and ask if folks will see Bros — and tell them that Rudd wants them to. "Paul Rudd demands that you see Bros," Eichner says to one New Yorker. "I'm in" is the response, naturally. Rudd also carries that aforementioned man, upon request. Not everyone is as obliging, however. "I'm sorry I'm not Florence Pugh!" Eichner screams in response to one rejection, as only Eichner can. If this is your first Billy on the Street experience, the show sees comedian Eichner take to the New York City pavement to ask ordinary folks about movies, music and TV shows, often with a celebrity in tow. During its main run from 2011–17, episodes also involved Eichner yelling at his unsuspecting contestants about their questionable pop culture taste or utter lack of entertainment knowledge — yep, right there on NYC's streets, with a camera pointing their way — and the end result was a hilarious dream to watch for audiences, too. As for Bros, it releases in cinemas Down Under on October 27 — and sees the Parks and Recreation and Difficult People treasure becomes the first openly gay man to co-write and star in his own major studio film. He plays a podcaster who has been asked to write exactly this kind of flick, and falls in love himself (with Killjoys' Luke Macfarlane) along the way. Eichner co-wrote the Bros script with director Nicholas Stoller (Bad Neighbours and its sequel), while Judd Apatow (The King of Staten Island, Trainwreck) produces. On-screen, the cast includes Ts Madison (Zola), Monica Raymund (Chicago Fire), Guillermo Díaz (Scandal), Guy Branum (Hacks), Bowen Yang (Fire Island) and Amanda Bearse (Married with Children). Check out the trailer for Bros below: Bros opens in cinemas Down Under on October 27.
Degustation menus are an art and an experience, taking diners' tastebuds on a delicately curated journey, as Sydney restaurant NEL lives and breathes all year round. Chef and namesake Nelly Robinson likes pushing the concept further, however, as visitors to the Wentworth Avenue venue know. Maybe you tucked into his KFC-inspired spread in 2022. Perhaps you enjoyed nel's Moulin Rouge!-themed and Christmas degustations, too. Either way, you should now be adding the eatery's latest menu to your must-try list: an 11-course lineup dedicated to native Australian ingredients. On offer from Tuesday, January 17–Saturday, March 25, NEL's current degustation is a collaboration between Robinson and a guest Indigenous chef, with sustainably sourced ingredients from outback Australia at its heart. It's also a concept that's been in the works for some time, and marks NEL's first-ever degustation to hero native Aussie fare. "We are very lucky to have a forager who sources the Indigenous ingredients for us, as well as our suppliers," says Robinson, who notes that the latter work closely with local Indigenous communities. "Being from the UK, discovering these ingredients has been a real learning process. We honour the culinary stories behind them whilst pushing boundaries to continue to be at the forefront of innovation and creativity with all of our dishes," Robinson continues. On the menu: 11 dishes featuring wild barramundi, kangaroo, lemon myrtle, pepper berries, bush tomatoes and more. Some courses include native dill, others bunya nuts — and Kakadu plums get a showing as well. Accordingly, diners can look forward to saltbush mussels in a native curry sauce, scallops with warrigal green salsa and Kakadu lamingtons. Plus, there's also lemon myrtle meringue, wildfire barramundi and bush bread on offer, all immaculately plated as always. Sydneysiders can tuck in for $185 per person, with another $165 each on top for matched beverages. Or, you can sip paired non-boozy drinks for $85 instead. NEL's native Australian degustation is on offer on from Tuesday, January 17–Saturday, March 25 at 75 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney. For more information or to book, head to the NEL website.
For six years and four seasons on Westworld so far, viewers have been asked to ponder humanity's potential future with robots and simulations. A key question driving the hit film-to-TV HBO series: how might the years to come unfurl if people use mechanics, artificial intelligence and elaborately fabricated worlds as playthings and playgrounds? In new streaming series The Peripheral, a similar query arises, also musing and hypothesising on what lies ahead — and how flesh, machines, the real and the digital might coexist. The latest question, in another twisty series, as fronted by Chloë Grace Moretz (Mother/Android)? What happens if robots and virtual reality become humanity's conduit through time? (Apologies, DeLoreans and phone booths.) Bringing Westworld to the small screen and now executive producing The Peripheral, Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy clearly have a niche. If you didn't know that the latter series comes to Prime Video via the same minds as the former — adapting a 2014 book of the same name by cyberpunk pioneer William Gibson, and with Scott B Smith (The Burnt Orange Heresy, A Simple Plan) as its showrunner — you'd easily guess. The pair don't just share comparable concepts, but also a near-matching look and feel. The two play like tech-, robot-, avatar- and dystopia-obsessed siblings prophesising about humanity's possible decisions and their repercussions, plus everything that the world of tomorrow might herald and mean, all in sleek, shiny, chilly and moody episodic packaging. (Staying in this terrain isn't new for the husband-and-wife duo either, with 2021 film Reminiscence also on their resumes. Joy wrote, directed and produced the Hugh Jackman-starring feature, while Nolan also did the latter. Its focus: reliving memories, and reuniting with the people in them, in another gadgetry-enhanced but devastated future.) When storytellers speculate on what the upcoming years might hold, they theorise about choices and ramifications. The Peripheral has many to ruminate upon. When it begins, 3D print shop worker Flynne Fisher (Moretz) simply decides to assist her military-veteran brother Burton (Jack Reynor, Midsommar) by slipping into his avatar to make cash in a VR game — which she's better at than him, but sexism in the industry still reigns supreme. Then, when he's tasked by a Colombian company with testing a new virtual-reality headset that looks lower-tech, doesn't come with a glasses-like screen but exceeds the competition in its realism, she does the honours again. Flynne hasn't just plugged into a better simulation, though. Via data transfer, her consciousness is time-travelling to the future and inhabiting a robot body (which is what gives the series its title). Get ready for two visions of the future for the price of one, both riffing on aspects of life circa 2022 that could easily evolve as predicted. In Flynne's daily reality, the year is 2032, the place is small-town North Carolina and almost everyone is struggling, so much so that cash bank withdrawals earn Homeland Security's attention. The vibe is straight out of Winter's Bone, complete with a shady figure, aka local drug kingpin Corbell Pickett (Louis Herthum, Hacks), throwing his weight around. Flynne and Burton's mother (Melinda Page Hamilton, Dirty John) has lost her sight and suffers from constant pain, while Burton has his own (and PTSD) courtesy of his stint in uniform. Accordingly, sourcing funds to buy meds is a daily worry — and a problem that donning a headset is meant to fix. But The Peripheral asks another question, unpacking class divides and the technology gaps they bring: is hurtling into the future really a choice when it's a matter of financial survival? The Peripheral contemplates such existential and societal queries — sometimes overtly, sometimes as subtext — as all science fiction should. That said, it also revels in as much sci-fi detail as it can, especially regarding Flynne's leaps onwards. There, it's 2099, in a London littered with new towering sculptures that double as buildings and yet also home to far emptier on the streets. The no-nonsense Aelita West (Charlotte Riley, Swimming with Men) is initially Flynne's guide, until the furtive, James Bond-esque industrial-espionage quest they're on ends badly, and with Flynne seeing something she shouldn't. Next, Wilf Netherton (Gary Carr, The Deuce) runs point, as funded by the wealthy Lev Zubov (JJ Feild, Lost in Space) — and finding the now-missing Aelita and remaining alive in both timelines are the new aims. There's no shortage of plot: as well as time travel, VR, simulations, robots and secret quests, The Peripheral spans apocalyptic conditions, invisible cars, woodland shootouts, contract killers, conspiracies defying the bounds of time, medical chaos, unrequited romance, lottery wins and multiple turf wars. At its heart, it's also still a tale of a family trying to survive in a world crumbling around them, no matter what the future does or doesn't hold. And, the series is a puzzle and a maze, traits it eagerly relishes across its first six episodes. The questions and twists keep dropping, alongside revelations that inspire more enquiries rather than provide answers. Getting lured in happens quickly, although Prime Video is doling out the pieces patiently — starting with two episodes, then releasing future instalments weekly. The more that The Peripheral goes on, the more its Westworld comparisons gain company, with Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Tron, The Matrix franchise and Netflix's German-language gem Dark also proving influential. The series also unravels a noir-ish action detective story, asking not only whodunnit several times, but wondering when in time they hailed from like a period-hopping version of Cluedo. The layers of mystery helps keep viewers hooked — albeit with overt and forceful cliffhangers to end each episode — but The Peripheral doesn't slouch elsewhere. That includes its scheming villain, with Years and Years and The Haunting of Bly Manor's T'Nia Miller a devilish delight as the string-pulling Cherise Nuland, the head of the sinister Research Institute and a gloriously scenery-chewing nemesis for Flynne and company. 2022 marks 27 years since another Gibson adaptation spun a story about virtual data, the commodification of humans to service it, the power and control that comes with it, and the people and companies that'd kill for it all. Unlike Westworld and the rest of the aforementioned obvious touchpoints, bland Keanu Reeves movie Johnny Mnemonic mightn't come to mind while watching The Peripheral, though, apart from the shared overuse of tech jargon. What should stick here instead is a series filled with intrigue and ambition, vivid world-building and engaging performances, including from a particularly stellar Moretz. Plugging in is easy — as is staying connected. Check out the trailer for The Peripheral below: The Peripheral streams via Prime Video.
Put Shannon Martinez in charge of a menu and plant-based delights will await. Neon Dreams, a just-announced addition to Vivid Sydney 2025, is the latest example of that statement proving true. Popping up at Darling Harbour — transforming the Pier Street underpass, in fact — this event is an ode to American diners of the 1950s. Expect Happy Days flashbacks, and also Martinez's takes on burgers, mac 'n' cheese, milkshakes and jelly doughnuts. Expect a roller rink for a pre- or post-meal skate, too. "We all know and love the classic American diner menu, and what we have planned for Neon Dreams will be even more delicious. You won't even notice it's completely plant-based," advises the acclaimed chef. "All this with a retro aviation fitout and some roller-skating — let's just say Vivid Sydney hasn't seen anything like this before." [caption id="attachment_999006" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kristoffer Paulsen[/caption] As Martinez notes, the decor will fit the seven-decades-back theme, but also have another skew. If you've ever wanted to see a mail plane turned into a DJ booth — where the tunes spun will set the mood for hitting the rink — that's also on offer. For those having a skate, the venue will be fully accessible, including for wheelchairs and mobility aids. Back to the menu, you'll also be able to sip low-waste cocktails made with foraged and native ingredients — think: lemon myrtle margaritas and Illawarra plum sours — when Neon Dreams runs across Vivid's dates of Friday, May 23–Saturday, June 14. The overall festival isn't done expanding its food lineup yet, just days after it also added Martha Stewart chatting about her career and her lifestyle empire to the program — and with Nigella Lawson's touch on its culinary side part of 2025's event since the program first dropped. So, alongside Neon Dreams, the festival will also boast Hollywood Dreaming, a 23-night roster of events in the Hollywood Quarter in Surry Hills. There'll be bites to eat, and also films, music and performances — and, thanks to shindigs called Hollywood Dreaming: A Taste of HQ and Hollywood Dreaming: Foy Lane Lights Up, there'll be two huge free street parties. Accordingly, you can head by during Vivid's full run to hit up The Food Trail, where exclusive menus will be on offer at the precinct's restaurants and bars; The Neon Trail, which is where iconic movies come in; and The Gig Trail, aka live tunes and shows at Hollywood Hotel, Paramount House Hotel Rooftop and Butter. Or, make a date with A Taste of HQ on Saturday, May 31 and Foy Lane Lights Up on Saturday, June 14. The first will shut Foster Street to traffic and focus on al fresco dining, aided by Firedoor, Nomad, Gildas, Nel, Kiln, Poly, Brooklyn Boy Bagels, Alberto's Lounge, Tio's Cerveceria and Butter. The second, produced by Ace Hotel, will feature a curated digital art show, plus live tunes and pop-up snack options. "In 2025, Vivid Food offers a range of experiences for all tastes and price points. Neon Dreams and the Hollywood Dreaming program are perfect examples of Vivid Sydney constantly innovating and providing visitors with new and financially accessible experiences," explains Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini. "Darling Harbour will be the place for family friendly fun, with Neon Dreams surrounded by captivating light installations and free live music. Shannon Martinez is an absolute rock star in the culinary world, and we're excited for visitors to experience it for themselves. "After dark, Surry Hills will come alive throughout the entire festival for Hollywood Dreaming, where you can dine, drink and dance your way through the Hollywood Quarter." Vivid Sydney 2025 runs from Friday, May 23–Saturday, June 14 across Sydney. Head to the festival website for further information.
When you head to a gallery or museum, peruse its walls and halls, and stare at a famous work of art, you spend time bathing in visible beauty. If you're peering at a painting, then colours, compositions and brush strokes grab your attention. Should you be looking at a sculpture, it's the lines, shapes and forms that stand out. Even if you're the most dedicated art fan, you're really only engaging one of your senses — that's why it's called visual art. You can't touch something as iconic as the Venus de Milo, for example. You certainly can't taste it either, and it doesn't emit a sound or aroma. But if you have ever found yourself wondering just what the ancient Greek work smells like, or how some of The Louvre's other notable artworks might tickle your nostrils, you can now douse yourself in perfume inspired by eight of the Parisian museum's pieces. For the first time, The Louvre has teamed up with French beauty brand Officine Universelle Buly to create a range of scents that draw upon the gallery's masterpieces — not only for art-lovers to spray over their body, but in scented candles, scented postcards and scented soap sheets too. As well as the world's most famous statue with missing arms — which apparently smells like lilies and musk — the lineup takes its cues from Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres' La Baigneuse and Grande Odalisque, Thomas Gainsborough's Conversation in a Park, Jean-Honoré's The Lock and Georges de La Tour's Joseph the Carpenter. You can also smell like Lorenzo Bartolini's Nymph with Scorpion or, still on sculptures, you can opt for the Winged Victory of Samothrace. If the latter sounds familiar, that's because it featured in Beyonce and Jay-Z's 'Apeshit' video last year. https://vimeo.com/347284474 Buly's collection of The Louvre-themed products doesn't come cheap — ranging from just under €6 for a postcard, to around €17 for soap, to €125 for a candle or perfume. If you don't have a trip to Paris in your future, you can order the artwork-inspired scented products online.
These bite-sized Spanish morsels are a cure-all for many situations. Not quite dinnertime? Eat tapas. Have a later-than-usual restaurant reservation? Hunt down tapas. Trying to avoid entering a full-blown carb coma? Tapas. They're perfect for staving off hunger and for pairing with a carafe of sangria or a glass of refreshing manzanilla sherry. And, luckily, you don't have to jump on a plane to Europe to find quality tapas, either: Sydney has an impressive ever-growing collection of Spanish restaurants. You'll find pintxos (skewered bites from northern Spain) in Surry Hills, tapas paired with cava in Bondi and Moorish (and moreish) bites underground in the CBD. Here's a list of our favourite tapas spots around the city.
The sun is shining, your out of office is on and you've already spent a good amount of time curled up streaming TV shows. Now's the chance to catch up on your reading — so, find a shady spot on a beach, next to a pool or by a waterfall and start making your way through our favourite ten books of 2019. It's a mixed bag this year — we've been turning the pages of a novel about a debaucherous secret society, the latest Booker Prize winner (no, not The Testaments), devastating nonfiction works about Australian bushfires and a heartwarming page-turner combining politics, royalty and queer history. Some of them are immersive, some of them knotty and uncomfortable, which makes them perfect for mulling over during the holidays, and provide flavourful fodder for dinner conversations. Take your pick. LANNY BY MAX PORTER In 2016, Max Porter won the Dylan Thomas Prize for his debut novel Grief Is the Thing With Feathers — a story in which a trickster-babysitter crow visits two grieving children. This year, Porter delivered another poetic and daring tale, this time centring on a creative and mysterious boy called Lanny. There's a rhythm to Porter's writing; he illustrates one of his most exciting characters through a scrawling, italicised font that seems to slip and slide off the page. Dead Papa Toothwort is a shapeshifting spirit that feeds on the life and grime of Lanny's village in the English countryside — one with gossip at the school gates, nosy but well-meaning neighbours, and a woodland where children like to build treehouses. Reliable old Pete is Lanny's good friend. He's an older man, an artist, and one of the more likeable characters. What starts as an eerie, but largely quiet, tale of village life gathers speed towards the end, when Lanny is missing and the village mob starts pointing fingers. SUPPER CLUB BY LARA WILLIAMS Lara Williams' novel about a secret society of women who meet after dark to feast is superb. At the centre of the novel is Roberta, and the novel jumps back and forth between her days at university, where she teaches herself to cook and dates a lecturer, and the present day, where her and her wild, intense friend Stevie start the supper club. Over bowls of pasta, slabs of meatloaf, messy bouillabaisse and gallons of wine, the women gorge themselves and behave in an incredibly 'unladylike' manner in rebellion of their oppression by men. They throw food at each other, vomit, dance topless and go wild with debauchery. Intelligent and boldly written, Williams' story is less about food and more about the characters' appetites to acquit themselves of their everyday lives. Easy to read, you'll smash it quicket than your avocado on toast. RED, WHITE AND ROYAL BLUE BY CASEY MCQUISTON It might be questionable of us to include a book that would certainly not be considered literary, and falls firmly in the romance and new adult categories. But Casey McQuiston's debut novel Red, White & Royal Blue is so joyous and hopeful that it makes you want to throw away any pretence of trying to appear cool. Incorporating, and elevating, all the best cheesy rom-com tropes — enemies to friends to lovers, fake friendships, a secret relationship and an email scandal — McQuiston's writing is heartwarming, funny and intelligent as she blends politics, royalty and queer history into a big ball of happiness. I challenge you not to fall in love with this book's diverse cast of characters: Alex, the obliviously bisexual Mexican-American son of the first woman president of the United States; Henry, the compassionate, quietly homosexual prince of England with a scholarly interest in queer history; Pez, the prince's dastardly attractive Nigerian best friend; Zahra, the president's fierce and frightening chief of staff; Amy, a transwoman and former marine-turned-secret service agent who likes embroidery. Would recommend to anyone looking for a book so firmly placed in the now — but a better one than the one we've got. If it were possible, it would make your heart smile. ON EARTH WE'RE BRIEFLY GORGEOUS BY OCEAN VUONG Ocean Vuong's debut novel found itself on a host of nominee lists for literary prizes his year, earning reviews describing it as shattering, tender, haunting and stunning. On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous is a letter from a son to a mother, tracking a family history back to its roots in war-torn Vietnam and forward to the son's experiences as a queer, biracial American, and telling a story trapped between the worlds of trauma and compassion. Vuong's poetry background makes for prose that is fluid, raw and earnest, in an intimate exploration of race, class, grief and masculinity. SALT BY BRUCE PASCOE Likely already on the radar of fans of his work, Salt offers an insight into the range and depth of influential Indigenous Australian historian Bruce Pascoe. This collection of stories and essays from the award-winning author of Dark Emu includes some of his most revered work and previously unpublished pieces of fiction — tender stories exploring country, nature and identity — just waiting to be discovered. For those with a short attention span or looking for an introduction to Pascoe's works, this is an ideal read for afternoons on the beach, and a poignant reminder of our nation's history. BEAUTY BY BRI LEE Beauty marks the second book by Bri Lee in as many years to make it onto our Summer Reading List, so she must be doing something right. Once again imbuing her words with a brutal candour, Lee explores our obsession with thinness and beauty, in a world that has made huge strides against the patriarchy, yet still finds us holding ourselves to an impossible and unattainable standard of physical 'perfection'. Readers are invited into Lee's world in a 150-page essay on her battle with eating disorders and her final rejection of society's punishing ideals. For anyone that loved Eggshell Skull — and pretty much everyone else, too. THE ARSONIST: A MIND ON FIRE BY CHLOE HOOPER Published in October 2018, this novel isn't a 2019 book. But, with catastrophic bushfires currently burning across Australia, its content couldn't be timelier. Following the trial of the man charged with lighting the Latrobe Valley fires, part of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires that killed 173 people in regional Victoria and burnt over 450,000 hectares, Chloe Hooper's The Arsonist: A Mind on Fire is devastating and haunting. It includes harrowing accounts from those injured in the fires and fascinating details from the investigation, all delivered with captivating and lyrical prose. And, while it's a work of nonfiction, it reads like a thriller — and it's impossible to put down. GIRL, WOMAN, OTHER BY BERNARDINE EVARISTO Two books won this year's Booker Prize: Margaret Atwood's 34-year follow-up to The Handmaid's Tale, called The Testaments; and Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo. We're recommending you read the latter. Following the interconnected lives of 12 characters, mostly Black British women, from different generations, religions and social classes, it's a joyous, poetic read. You'll meet lesbian playwrights, investment bankers and farmers, all battling everyday problems and larger social issues, such as race and sexuality. As well as being a collection of 12 separate, intimate portraits, the book successfully paints a polyphonic picture of modern-day Britain. FLEISHMAN IS IN TROUBLE BY TAFFY BRODESSER-AKNER A renowned celebrity profiler — if you haven't already, we suggest you read her New York Times Magazine piece on Gwyneth Paltrow ASAP — Taffy Brodesser-Akner first dipped her toe into fiction this year with the release of her debut novel Fleishman Is in Trouble. And Fleishman, a recently divorced, now-single dad navigating the world of dating apps, sexts and raising two children, really is in trouble. As is our narrator: stay-at-home mum Libby. And Fleishman's ex-wife, Rachel. While the bulk of the novel is dedicated to Fleishman and his struggles, it also cleverly explores how women's stories are often over-looked and sidelined. Its ending more-than rewards readers for pushing through some of the less-gripping sections, too BELOVED BY TONI MORRISON The first African American woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, Toni Morrison passed away in August at the age of 88. Her novel Beloved wasn't published this year — in fact, it was published way back in 1987 — but we think this summer is the perfect time to revisit it, or pick it up for the first time. Arguably Morrison's best-known novel, Beloved follows an escaped enslaved woman who is haunted by decisions and trauma from her past. It's not an easy read, nor should it be. The Pulitzer Prize-winning novel has had far-reaching cultural influence since its publication, including on Jordan Peele's 2019 horror flick Us. If you'd like to explore this connection further, we suggest listening to this episode from The New York Times podcast Still Processing. Words by Aimee Sics, Emma Joyce, Leisha Kapor and Samantha Teague.
Left your Valentine's Day plans a little late? Not to worry, Opera Bar has got you covered with sweeping, romantic views overlooking Sydney Harbour. Taking only walk-ins, this playfully cheesy event is the perfect way to spend your February 14 without getting tied up in ticket sales and reservations. Hosted by two whimsical cupids, the lighthearted Day of Love affair features live tunes from the Hot Potato Band. This joyful 10-piece brass troupe will serve up their take on a host of classic love songs – expect more than a few saxophone solos. Meanwhile, there's a photo booth for snapping pics and caricature artists ready to capture your date in curious ways. [caption id="attachment_990358" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Credit: Ethan Smart[/caption] Throughout the evening, the cupids will roam the space, handing out flowers, love poems and postcards to unwitting couples. There'll also be a host of food and drink specials to celebrate the occasion, with the Cupid Club cocktail offering a tasty concoction of Bombay Sapphire, raspberry, lemon myrtle and egg whites. [caption id="attachment_990360" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Credit: Ethan Smart[/caption]
With the days growing shorter and the nights growing colder, comfort food is coming into its own and nothing is more comforting than a traditional Sunday roast. Perhaps previously associated with stodgy British pub fare, or laborious home cooking, the Sunday roast is becoming more of a gourmet affair in Sydney pubs, with great care taken to recreate and reimagine the classic British meal. The following is a list of our pick of the finest pub roasts in Sydney, sure to chase away the winter blues and provide a hearty feed.
Anything humans can eat, dogs think that they can munch on as well. But as every responsible pet parent knows, that isn't actually the case. So, we've all weathered those adorable, yearning, pleading looks from our beloved pooches as we've tucked into something that they'd like to taste as well. And, we've all felt the heartbreak at letting our cute critters down — even though it's for their health. Does your doggo get a twinkle in their eye whenever there's a doughnut around? It wouldn't be the first — and, until Monday, September 18, it's in luck. For International Dog Day on Saturday, August 26, Krispy Kreme has announced the return of its limited-edition range of "doggie doughnuts". They're doughnut-inspired dog biscuits, actually, but they sure do look like the real thing. First introduced in 2021, the eye-catching bikkies are a collaboration with Sunshine Coast-based pet treats business Huds and Toke, and they come in six different varieties. If you love Krispy Kreme's original glazed doughnuts, perhaps your pupper will adore the dog biscuit version as well. Or, you could let then go barking mad over choc iced, choc cookie, choc cheesecake, choc sprinkles and strawberry sprinkles varieties. The biscuits aren't made from doughnuts or from chocolate, of course; instead, they use a hard-baked cookie base, as well as frosting made from ingredients like carob that's been designed specifically for dog jaws. The bikkies are also meant to be good for chewing and for dental cleaning — and they're designed to last longer than your usual dog treat. If these round delights will get your four-legged friend's tail wagging, you can buy them in six-packs (for $14.90) while stocks last at Krispy Kreme stores — including via drive-thru. And, they are just for pets. So, just like how Fido or Rover can't have your doughnut, you can't have their version either. Grab some on the weekend of Saturday, August 26–Sunday, August 27 and you'll also score a complimentary pup cup. Krispy Kreme's doggie doughnuts are now available from the chain's stores in Australia and New Zealand until Monday, September 18. Images: Michael Leckie / PinPep.
No matter where you are in Australia, you've probably spent the majority of the year in your own state (if not the majority of the year in your own bedroom), with many states and territories keeping their borders firmly closed. But, the last of the interstate restrictions are starting to ease. With the exception of WA (which is currently open to only the ACT, Queensland and the NT and Tasmania, but is set to open to NSW and Victoria from December 8) and SA residents (who are still unable to visit Queensland), Australians can pretty much visit anywhere in the country without quarantining. To celebrate, Virgin Australia is selling over 60,000 fares to destinations around the country, starting from just $75 a pop. Hang on, Virgin? Yes. The same airline that, just months ago, entered voluntary administration. It has since been sold to US private investment firm Bain Capital, launched a comeback sale in early July and its voluntary administration officially ended on Tuesday, November 17. The 12-hour Happy Hour flight sale kicks off at 11am AEDT today, Thursday, December 3, and runs until 11pm tonight — or until sold out. In the sale, you'll find cheap flights on 25 routes to destinations across the country, with travel dates between December 5 and January 19, 2021. If you've been waiting to book Christmas flights home — or a summer getaway — now might be the time. Discounted flights are economy and include seat selection and checked baggage. Some of the routes on offer include Melbourne to Newcastle from $75, Sydney to Brisbane from $95, Adelaide to Sydney from $109 and Hobart to the Gold Coast from $169. [caption id="attachment_743607" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Whitsunday Beach by Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] The discounted flights are part of Virgin's relaunched weekly Happy Hour sale series, which will take place every Thursday for the foreseeable future. As we are still in the middle of a pandemic, flying is little different to normal. Virgin has introduced a range of safety measures, including hand sanitisation stations, contactless check-in and face masks provided to all passengers (but wearing them is not mandatory). Virgin is also waiving change fees and allowed unlimited booking changes between now and January 31, 2020. You can read more about its new flexible options over here. Virgin's Happy Hour sale runs from 11am–11pm AEDT on Thursday, December 3. Find out more about current interstate border restrictions over here.
Coveting a piece that you spied on Instagram? Searched high and low for an object with absolutely nothing to show for your efforts? It's a dilemma we often find ourselves in, too. So, following our recent video with interior stylist Steve Cordony, produced in partnership with Samsung, we decided to help you bring some of the goods straight to your shopping carts. From style-heavy couches to smaller, more intricate choices, how you dress up your home should reflect your personal style. Make like Cordony and recreate his clean aesthetics, or pop your own stylist hat on and pick and mix with pieces you already own. THE SERIF, SAMSUNG (FROM $1389) Using Samsung's The Serif as the statement piece, Cordony was challenged to zhoosh up two living rooms in our recent styling video series. The boundary-pushing TV was conceptualised by Paris-based design duo Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and is a chic-yet-functional choice for any household. With clean lines and exceptional specs, it's the versatile piece you've been looking for. It boasts a sleek 360-degree design with a unique 'I'-shaped profile that acts as a shelf and has removable legs — so it's going to suit any space you're styling. This is all complemented by Samsung's QLED picture quality and powerful sound. HUXLEY TRACK ARM SOFA BED, COCO REPUBLIC (from $5775) If you're after comfort that's equally matched in style, this is the lounge for you. Natural linen is an ideal colour when forming the base palette of a room, leaving your finishings to bring the pops of colour or texture. INDIGO MERINO RUG IN SAND, CADRYS ($3600) If you want to nab this exact rug, you'd better hop to it. It's a one-of-a-kind on offer from Cadrys, the family-run business that's in possession of Australia's largest collection of antique rugs. Enjoy the pared-back colour, luxe material and the perfect base for your styled room? Find something similar here. LARGE FLOW BOWL, DINOSAUR DESIGNS ($450) Adding small, considered pieces to your space is an effortless way to add a personal touch. Splurge on a forever piece like the Flow bowl from resident resin-experts Dinosaur Designs — with a large range of colours and sizes, the hardest part will be choosing your favourite. EMILY BELLE ELLIS VASE, THE DEA STORE ($289) From Sydney-based contemporary ceramicist Emily Belle Ellis comes a vessel that allows you to get experimental with texture and form. Pop by Redfern's The DEA Store to check out this beauty among many other design-centric objects. CLASSICS CUSHION RANGE, LUCY MONTGOMERY ($285) These fringed cushions — courtesy of Lucy Montgomery, the Sydney-based interior architect and designer — allow experimentation with colour, sans commitment. Not quite ready for a bright feature wall? Or a statement lounge? Quell your desire for colour with accessories instead. MOON DISH IN ZEST, DINOSAUR DESIGNS ($80) This delightfully unique dish brings both a pop of colour and a home for trinkets — maybe shells from a morning beach walk or chic and fun marbles for a more playful edge. When it comes to a room that really shines, it's all in the details. CALACATTA NERO QUARTZ PLINTH, EN GOLD ($580) Made of solid stone, this plinth offers the perfect access point to considered style. Adding smaller pieces in differing heights will catch the eye, as well as create a base for your plant-filled pots and vases. JULIETTE BOWL, GARDEN LIFE ($70) A surefire way of making a room a delight to be in? The bright viridescence of plants. Start with your pots — play with colour, shape and size — then grab plants that are happy in the light conditions of your room. Plant your green friends in pots that are only 25 percent larger than their current ones and they'll be given their best chance to thrive. SIMONE KARRAS SPECKLED RAKU VASE, JARDAN ($390) Choosing a uniquely shaped vase will add an element of interest to any room. Sit this one atop a chic quartz plinth or side table to play with heights and finishes. Want to pop a cherry on top? Fill this speckled number with freshly picked florals or some bright citrus fruit. REX COFFEE TABLE, MCM HOUSE ($1950) From the luxury, Australian-designed furniture-heaven that is MCM House comes this circular table (which is available in two sizes and is sure to receive compliments). Designed by Sam Whitman, the table's smooth marble top and powder-coated legs form the perfect addition to any room, regardless of colour palette. VINTAGE CANE ARMCHAIRS, THE VAULT (POA) Sourcing the perfect vintage pair can be a pain, so you're best to leave it to the experts — namely, the curators at The Vault. When picking core pieces of furniture, don't be afraid to mix different styles — vintage cane chairs around a sleek coffee table or vintage books atop sleek marble plinths. MEDIUM ROUND BASKET, ORIENT HOUSE ($80) Storage and style combine in this cane basket from the treasure trove that is Orient House. Tucked under a table or with a pot plant propped up inside, it's the perfect way to add texture to the room. COLLECTION PARTICULIERE MEDIUM BOS VASE and RIPPLE TRAY, ONDENE (POA) Add finishing touches to a room in high-quality materials that are sure to go the distance. Placed on top of a side table, or the landing pad to your Serif's remote, these considered pieces from Collection Particuliere combine function and style seamlessly. To find out more about The Serif TV, visit the Samsung website.
Whether you're in lockdown, working from home or just social distancing in general, your day could always do with a few more cute animals. And, if you didn't realise this before the pandemic, you definitely will have over the past few months: the internet is always happy to oblige. Earlier in the year, Melbourne's zoos started live-streaming their penguins, leopard cubs and giraffes, while Sydney's aquarium brought us playtime with Pig the dugong, the Wild Life zoo opted for cuddles with quokkas and Brisbane's Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary opted for a non-stop look at one of Australia's cutest native marsupials. The list of animal-focused streams has grown over the course of 2020, including Melbourne Aquarium's own series of meditation and relaxation videos. And now, also from Melbourne, a den of small-clawed otters are getting in on the fun. In the latest webcam setup at Melbourne Zoo, a lens has been trained on the site's four Asian small-clawed otter pups. They were born in February this year to otter parents Paula and Odie, who became the first of their species to breed at the Victorian site since back in 2011. And, whether they're sleeping or playfully fighting — a type of behaviour that helps them bond — these little critters are immensely adorable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r14IcXmQMyg&feature=emb_logo The otter webcam joins Melbourne Zoo's Animals at Home portal, where you can also peer at the aforementioned penguins, snow leopard cubs and giraffes — and lions, too. As the otter live-stream runs all day, every day, we can't promise this won't put a slight dent in your usual plans — and, on weekdays, your productivity — but we can promise that it'll help brighten up your day every so slightly. Check out Melbourne Zoo's Animals at Home portal via its website. Images: Zoos Victoria
Late in the second season of Dr Death, the concept of trust in healthcare fuels a rousing speech. In a plea for a hospital to make the right choice about the titular practitioner, the importance of doctors doing their utmost to earn, deserve and uphold the faith that patients put in them — and that the entire medical industry is based on — is stressed like it's the most important aspect of being in the healing business. It is, of course. That anyone with an ailment or illness can have confidence that they're being given the best advice and treatment, and that whether they live or die matters to the doc caring for them, is the most fundamental tenet of medicine. It's also why this anthology series keeps proving shiver-inducing nightmare fuel, initially in its debut season in 2021 and now in its eight-episode follow-up. Streaming via Stan in Australia and TVNZ+ in New Zealand from Friday, December 22, season two of Dr Death again explores the actions of a surgeon who threatens to shatter humanity's shared belief in doctors. The first time around, Texas neurosurgeon Christopher Duntsch was sparking terror. Now, the series tells of Paolo Macchiarini. Where Duntsch specialised in operating on spinal and neck injuries, often with heartbreakingly grim results, Macchiarini was dubbed 'Miracle Man' for his pioneering research into synthetic organs and regenerative medicine. In 2008, he was among the team that undertook the world's first-ever windpipe transplant aided by using the patient's own stem cells — a procedure that he hailed as a ground-breaking step forward, then kept building upon. Even without knowing the specifics of Macchiarini's life and career when sitting down to binge Dr Death's second season — which is compellingly bingeable in a can't-look-away fashion — it's obvious that everything that the Swiss surgeon claims can't be true. If it was, he wouldn't have been the subject of the third season of the Wondery podcast that originated the Dr Death moniker, or of this TV adaptation. Hospital horrors are one strand of true-crime's trusty go-tos. Another: romantic scandals. So, when the audio network that's also behind Dirty John learned of Macchiarini, it must've felt like it had hit the jackpot. With devastating results that are chilling to watch, his patients did when he offered them hope, too. With Édgar Ramírez (Florida Man) as Macchiarini and Mandy Moore (This Is Us) as investigative journalist Benita Alexander, two unnerving stories sit inside Dr Death's return. One examines the doctor who promises survival to people with tracheal injuries or cancer, or who were born without the tube connecting the larynx to the lungs, via new experimental surgery. Later, he'll also pledge a fresh lease on life to folks who aren't facing death, turning the operation into an elective procedure. The other narrative focuses on a woman who falls for a con man. Macchiarini is the key figure in both, with his charm helping put his patients at ease and get Alexander to see him as more than just a subject. Their paths cross when she's looking for feel-good news content, choosing producing a special about his efforts with two-year-old Hannah Warren (first-timer Naomi Rothing), a candidate for a biosynthetic windpipe. Although every episode of Dr Death season two jumps between countries and years — across the 2010s, Macchiarini worked in Sweden, the US and Russia — creator and writer Ashley Michel Hoban (The Girl From Plainville) pushes the rom-con to the fore to begin with, leaving much of the quest to expose medical malpractice to later instalments. Accordingly, early chapters spend more time with Alexander in New York as she dives into her gushing Macchiarini report while coping with an ex-husband (Jason Alan Carvell, Godfather of Harlem) facing terminal cancer and supporting her pre-teen daughter Lizzi (Celestina Harris, Yuletide the Knot). When the bulk of the attention shifts to the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm after casualties start mounting, doctors Ana Lasbrey (Ashley Madekwe, The Strays), Anders Svensson (Gustaf Hammarsten, Parliament) and Nathan Gamelli (Luke Kirby, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel) relentlessly pursue their mission to stop Macchiarini from inflicting harm. The flitting-about structure isn't this season's strongest choice, but it's done with a purpose: putting viewers unacquainted with Macchiarini firmly in Alexander's shoes. From the outset, Dr Death's audience sees the transplantees who don't make it, the cavalier attitude in the operating theatre, Gamelli's skepticism from the moment the Karolinska Institute commences fawning over its star arrival and the concerning results of Svensson's trials in rats for Macchiarini. With Ramírez all enigmatic charm in the show's initial half, however, they also spy why Alexander flouted journalistic ethics to have an affair with and then plan to marry the surgeon (and fell for claims that the Pope would officiate their lavish wedding). Across both his professional and personal spheres, Dr Death demonstrates how Macchiarini trades so ruthlessly and manipulatively in hope as well, with patients and Alexander alike seeing the doc as their solution for a better future. Ramírez is convincingly smooth as Macchiarini at his most charismatic and glossily shot, while always exuding an air of insincerity like everything that he's saying is too good to be true (again, it is) if you question it. He's also hauntingly petrifying whenever he's challenged, and in the utter lack of regard he has for anyone under his knife's welfare despite claims to the contrary. Moore ensures that Alexander isn't seen as dewy-eyed or simply easily duped out of grief; that she's astute and capable makes Macchiarini's scam all the more distressing. Combining compassion, anger and exasperation, Kirby gives Dr Death's best season two performance, though, especially in a traumatic episode about Yesim Cetir (Alisha Erozer, in her first TV role) and the 191 surgeries that sprang from being in Macchiarini's care — which visibly and emotionally charts the impact on the patient, plus the toll on the doctor trying to keep her alive. (Yes, that number is correct.) While Dr Death fleshes out the characters surrounding its latest titular figure, it isn't without its gaps. Still layered within is the infuriating lust for fame, prestige and money, including over safety, that drives not only Macchiarini but also the institutions that court, celebrate and protect him. The media's role in boosting his status is given less scrutiny, even though this story screams for it. He isn't just a true-crime favourite now — 2023 has brought two new on-screen accounts about Macchiarini, following Netflix documentary Bad Surgeon: Love Under the Knife, which released in November — but was fêted by Alexander's report and others. Although Dr Death depicts interviews, spots headlines and seethes with fury generally, and can't be faulted for taking the human angle, the bleak reality that Macchiarini garnered so much trust because of his press-assisted reputation can't be shaken. Check out the trailer for Dr Death season two below: Season two of Dr Death streams via Stan in Australia and TVNZ+ in New Zealand from Friday, December 22. Images: Scott McDermott/Peacock.
What's better than seeing an almost 150-year-old heritage-listed building given a new lease on life, and giving Sydneysiders new spots to eat and drink in the process? Seeing all of the above happen right beside the city's newest boutique hotel. Meet Porter House, the luxurious new precinct that's now open on Castlereagh Street. Featuring a hotel and five levels of dining, events and function options, the precinct is based around the Porter House building, which dates back to 1876. Originally commissioned by tobacco manufacturer Hugh Dixon, it was used as the Dixson & Sons tobacco factory and warehouse, then became a shopfront for WW Campbell & Co and leather merchant George Johnson & Sons. Now on offer in that space: a Euro-style delicatessen and wine bar, plus a modern brasserie. An additional bar is in the works, and the food-and-beverage part of the precinct also includes two levels of private dining spaces and function rooms. Then, next door, there's the expansive new luxury hotel. [caption id="attachment_870750" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] At Henry's Bread and Wine, which operates seven days a week on the ground floor, an all-day lineup is on the menu. That includes tucking into wagyu pastrami reubens with sour onions and prawn milk buns — and also being able to pick between eating in and taking away for breakfast and lunch. Drinks-wise, expect to get sipping at a central bar surrounded by a four-metre wall of wine, mainly from Australia. Then, Dixson & Sons — which takes its name from the Dixson family, who originally built the site all those years back — sprawls across nearly 200 square metres on the first floor. Seating 90, it skews relaxed but elegant, with banquettes, tables for two and a bar spanning six metres perched in the middle. On Executive Chef Emrys Jones' (ex-Fish Butchery, No 5, Qualia) menu: a big focus on New South Wales produce, and on using every part of each ingredient, à la Josh Niland and Fish Butchery. As well as seafood, you can look forward to tasting your way through native flavours such as bush tomato, native thyme, lemon myrtle, dessert lime and macadamia dukkha. A sampling of dishes includes beef tartare with a house-made blend of soy, bonito and nori; vegan butternut pumpkin tart; a massive beef wellington for two; and, for dessert, the jelly 'n' ice cream sandwich with croissant, blackberries and cinnamon. [caption id="attachment_870747" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] Finally, there's the 225-square-metre Spice Trader bar, which will take over the top level before summer, complete with glass panels across more than half the roof to make the most of the natural light. Drinks will come served from a 16-metre sage marble bar — and expect to knock back cocktails aplenty. Over at the $94-million Porter House Hotel — which is now open — you'll find 122 rooms and suites, a heated pool and a fitness centre. It sits across the first ten floors of a new 36-storey tower next door, with 131 residential apartments filling the other 26 levels. Linking the two buildings: a pair of new walkways featuring glass balustrades and rails, with showcasing the contrast between Porter House's heritage features and MGallery's modern design a key aim. Actually, that's the overall aesthetic in general, as seen in the hotel's interior decor. Think: leather and pressed tin touches, gold and brass fixtures, wooden flooring, soft pink and grey tones, warm lighting, curves and arches used heavily, and mismatching modern and vintage furniture. Yes, you might've just found your next staycation spot. That said, with Sydney also just gaining Australia's first Ace Hotel, and the Waldorf Astoria also opening its first-ever Australian hotel in Sydney in 2025, your list of places for a night away from home just keeps growing. The Porter House Precinct and Porter House Hotel are located at 203 Castlereagh Street, Sydney.
