UPDATE: MARCH 15, 2020 — Organisers have announced that Vivid Sydney 2020 has been cancelled "on the recommendations of the Australian Government and health authorities regarding non-essential, organised gatherings of more than 500 people". To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. If the first big-name announcement is anything to go by, it looks like this year's Vivid celebrations are going to be golden. US neo-soul singer and poet Jill Scott is heading Down Under, as part of a global anniversary tour, to perform at the Sydney Opera House for Vivid Live 2020. The Australian-exclusive shows will see 'Jilly from Philly' take to the Joan Sutherland stage for four nights this May, celebrating the 20th anniversary of her Grammy-nominated album Who is Jill Scott? Words And Sounds Vol. 1. So, expect to dance along to 'A Long Walk', 'Gettin' in the Way' and 'Love Rain' when Scott heads to Australia for just the second time ever. Scott cut her teeth in Philadelphia's 90s spoken word and R&B scene, where she performed with the likes of Will Smith and Common. After co-writing her first Grammy Award-winning song 'You Got Me' with fellow Philadelphians The Roots in 1999, Scott released her aforementioned debut album in 2000 — and then four more, including her most recent: 2015's Woman. [caption id="attachment_761802" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jill Scott[/caption] Headline acts of the huge annual festival of music and light over the past seven years have included The Cure, Solange, Morrisey and Kraftwerk with the ballots for all four selling out. The full lineup for Vivid Live is expected to drop next month — we'll let you know as soon as it does. Jill Scott will perform four shows at the Sydney Opera House's Joan Sutherland Theatre on Friday, May 22, Saturday, May 23, Monday, May 25 and Tuesday, May 26. Pre-sale begins at 9am on Friday, February 21 and general tickets are available from 9am on Monday, February 24. You can sign-up for pre-sale access over here. Top image: Club Kooky at Vivid Live 2019 by Jordan Munns.
He wrote, directed, financed and starred in the best worst movie ever made, showed up as himself in the enormously funny making-of dramatisation of his biggest flick, and re-teamed with his best-known co-star for a two-part comedy-thriller based on their friendship — and now, like he was always destined to, Tommy Wiseau is saying "oh hi" to space. Once again working with The Room and Best F(r)iends' Greg Sestero, the distinctive Wiseau has loaned his voice to animated sci-fi series SpaceWorld, with the pair playing rival intergalactic bounty hunters. If you're naturally thinking the obvious, the company behind it has already made the blatant comparison, with Octopie calling the show "what happens when you merge The Room with Star Wars". In SpaceWorld's nearly six-minute pilot episode, Wiseau's TX battles it out with Sestero's Drogol, who — continuing a trend across their work together — happens to be his lifelong nemesis. Created by Brock LaBorde, the debut clip is suitably bizarre, even with its clear self-referential tone. As Wiseau's career just keeps proving, that's just what happens when he pops up. LaBorde is no stranger to Wiseau's orbit, having produced, co-written and starred in the 2011–12 series The Tommy Wi-Show — where Wiseau was abducted by aliens, shuttled off to a base on the mood and made to play video games. In addition to his better-known work, including his involvement with The Disaster Artist, Wiseau is no stranger to on-screen weirdness either. If you've ever come across his 2014–16 sitcom The Neighbours, which is set in an apartment building and combines the exact storylines you'd expect with his inimitable style, then you'll know exactly how odd his work can get. Whether SpaceWorld will progress beyond its pilot is yet to be seen, although it's definitely not the worst thing on Wiseau's resume. Check out the first episode below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAv4ceFJH3U SpaceWorld is distributed by Octopie, and is currently available via its YouTube channel.
If you're currently in wanderlust mode, currently waiting for a new travel deal to decide where you're going next, then we have some news for you — running off to Australia's iconic Red Centre has just gotten incredibly affordable, thanks to Qantas' latest flight sale. We think this part of Australia is always a worthy travel destination but it's just that much more appealing with cheap tickets. It's the perfect excuse to explore the extraordinary regions around or between Uluru and Alice Springs — full of quintessentially Aussie landscapes and wildlife. The sale launched this morning and runs until September 26 (or until sold out). During this time, Qantas is slinging tickets to the Red Centre for $199 each way. That's a saving of about $180 each way. But the discounted tickets are only available during specific dates in summer. Nab this deal for flights between November 1 and December 14, 2022, as well as between January 17 and March 30, 2023. This might be a quite specific period, but it's also one of the best times of year to visit. And are you wondering what to do once you get there? Uluru's incredible Field of Light installation is a permanent recommendation — and you can also check out our guide to visiting the Red Centre. Qantas' Red Centre sale runs until 11.59pm AEST on Monday, September 26 (or until sold out). Images: © Tourism NT
Cronulla is best known for its two main surf beaches, but if you venture along the promenade that hugs the picturesque coastline, you'll find a treasure trove of smaller beaches and pools. Shelly Beach Rock Pool is one of them. It's the jewel in the crown of Cronulla's smaller swimming spots and a popular place for picnicking families — not only because of its quiet beauty, but also because it's easily accessible with a pram or wheelchair. Here, there's a ramp that leads straight into the water making it a more inclusive place for swimming. The ocean pool is a great place for beginner-friendly snorkelling, as it is closed off to keep out larger ocean creatures and large waves, but is home to small and friendly varieties of sea life. It is also right next to sprawling grass lawns and a playground so, after you're done swimming, you'll have plenty of space to spread out and enjoy lunch and a lie down in the sunshine. [caption id="attachment_805728" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stef2230 via Flickr[/caption] Top image: Destination NSW
Fresh from winning the 2020 Australian Music Prize for their latest album, The Avalanches are hitting the road and bringing the acclaimed sounds of We Will Always Love You to Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. Between late April and the end of May, the beloved Australian electronic act will be touring the east coast and doing one of the things it does best: filling live music venues with its inimitable sample-based tunes. If you haven't seen Robbie Chater and Tony Di Blasi do their thing live, you're in for a treat. If you have, you'll know what you're in for. Either way, you'll hear tracks from the group's latest record — which features MGMT, Rivers Cuomo, Denzel Curry, Johnny Marr, Neneh Cherry, Perry Farrell, Karen O, Mick Jones, Sampa the Great, Tricky and more, and released last December — and, obviously, tunes from 2000's iconic Since I Left You and 2016's Wildflower, too. The tour kicks off in Melbourne on Friday, April 23, which isn't actually new news. In fact, that show at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl — The Avalanches' first live gig since releasing We Will Always Love You — is basically sold out, with just private deck tickets still available. If you're in Brisbane, though, you'll want to mark Friday, April 30 in your diary. And, for Sydneysiders, you'll need to block out Thursday, May 27. The Avalanches will play the Brisbane Riverstage in the Queensland capital, and Enmore Theatre in NSW — with pre-sale tickets going up for grabs from 10am local time on Wednesday, March 24, and general public sales hitting at the same time on Thursday, March 25. If you now have perhaps the biggest and best Australian-made earworm of the past two decades stuck in your head — that'd be 'Frontier Psychiatrist' — that's understandable. Expect it to live there for at least a few days. And if you're now looking forward to a big live gig after a lean year for music fans, that falls into the same category. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvZpn322LxE THE AVALANCHES 2021 EAST COAST TOUR DATES Melbourne — Friday, April 23 at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl Brisbane — Friday, April 30 at the Brisbane Riverstage Sydney — Thursday, May 27 at the Enmore Theatre Pre-sale tickets for The Avalanches' Brisbane and Sydney shows go on sale at 10am local time on Wednesday, March 24, with general public sales hitting at the same time on Thursday, March 25. Visit the tour website to sign up for pre-sale and for further details. Top image: Grant Spanier.
Plenty has happened across Brisbane for Melt Festival, the city's annual LGBTQIA+ celebration, in past years. Getting more than a thousand people singing together to support and champion the LGBTQIA+ community will be a first, however. After already locking in a a Brissie-only show by Broadway icon Bernadette Peters for its 2025 event, and also confirming the return of the River Pride Parade for this year, Melt has now announced 1000 Voices, which will see singers from queer and pride choirs — plus anyone else who wants to join in — get crooning. Set to take place on Sunday, November 9 to close out Melt 2025 — which runs from Wednesday, October 22–Sunday, November 9 — the choral event will feature voices from across both Australia and New Zealand. Already, participation by the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir and Brisbane Pride Choir is confirmed, but that'll be just the beginning. It's expected that folks from Melbourne, Darwin, Adelaide, Northern New South Wales, Perth, Canberra, Auckland and beyond will take part as well. Adam Majsay, Music Director of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir, is leading the charge — which will also give the River City a preview the day prior. On Saturday, November 8, a flash mob featuring some of 1000 Voices' talents will hit up a Brisbane bridge (there's plenty to choose from) as a sneak peek before the main event. "There's nothing quite like the sound of hundreds of voices rising as one — it lifts the spirit, opens the heart and reminds us what true family feels like. I've had the privilege of leading large-scale choral projects that centre inclusion and visibility, and I've seen first-hand how music welcomes people in," said Majsay, announcing 1000 Voices. "1000 Voices at Melt Festival will be more than a performance — it will be a powerful moment of connection for LGBTQIA+ singers, allies and anyone who simply loves to sing. Whether you're part of a choir or stepping into something like this for the first time, there's a place for you in this sound. And what a sound it will be — joyful, bold and unapologetically full of pride." "I'm personally so excited to be coming to Brisbane for this extraordinary event, and I can't wait to stand together with voices from all over Australia and New Zealand. Come be part of it — lift your voice and help us share in something unforgettable." If you're keen to join in, whether with your existing choir or lending your solo voice to the event, registrations are now open via the Melt Festival website. Melt takes place in spring, and returns in 2025 after being reborn in 2024 as a fringe-style celebration of queer arts and culture that not only fills Brisbane Powerhouse, but spreads across the city. Last year, more than 120 events popped up in 70-plus venues across southeast Queensland, complete with a Wicked-themed Halloween ball, a pool party and plenty more. 1000 Voices is taking place on Sunday, November 9 in Brisbane, with registrations available via the Melt Festival website. Melt Festival 2025 runs from Wednesday, October 22–Sunday, November 9. Hit up the festival website for more details.
An odd couple to some, a truly remarkable couple to others. Former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne and multi-instrumentalist St. Vincent (aka Annie Clark) will be unleashing their brass-heavy collaborations at one of the classiest joints around town — the State Theatre — as part of Sydney Festival 2013. The New York-based duo will be accompanied by a brass band on the evening to ensure every quirky interjection from their debut release, Love This Giant, is executed live. Together, they have created an album oozing with eccentric musical ideas, swamped in the obscurities of jazz, pop and funk. The two artists are like kindred spirits, seamlessly creating a record that stays true to each artist's musical identity yet morphs into an entirely new musical beast of its own. When brought to life, this giant will no doubt take on greater sonic measures for an enthralling live experience. Read our list of the 12 best things to see at the Sydney Festival in 2013. https://youtube.com/watch?v=hpPYKJAnwUo
If you want or need anything even vaguely connected to tea, there's a pretty strong chance this place will have it. From tea leaves and tea cups to strainers and vintage-style tea storage tins, it's all here. After starting as a small shop in Paddington in Sydney's east over 20 years ago, The Tea Centre brand has grown to have 12 stores across Australia's eastern states, however staff here have remained attentive, knowledgeable and super friendly. All tea is ethically sourced and, once you've found the blend you like, their online store is a dream to use to buy more from the comfort of home.
This Bondi Road boutique is part shop and part workshop, with a fully functioning bespoke leather studio inside. Creating custom leather accessories from scratch, including backpacks, totes, coin purses, cross-body bags, satchels, totes and clutches, Charlie Middleton uses soft cowhide from Japan across most of its range. Many of the bags are customisable, so you can pick the colour of the main part (ranging from ballet pink to a soft cedar brown), the hardware (gold, silver or rose gold) and the handles (choose from six different colours). Each bag is then made to order, so you have your very own unique keepsake.
Make your way to the Yanada Room in Lewisham's Meriton Luna Apartments over the next six months, and a frenzy of creativity awaits — run by artistic group New Moon, it's the inner west's new collaborative and community-focused hub. Opening its doors on Tuesday, July 10 — with the official opening slated for Sunday, July 29 — the space will play host to a monthly calendar filled with exhibitions, installations, workshops, talks and more. More than that, each lineup will revolve around a particular theme, with all things food in the spotlight during July. On the first month's agenda: a community dinner that'll give you the chance to meet the New Moon team, a spoon sweets (aka preserves) sampling and demonstration session, zine-making workshops and artist chats. Or, drop by to check out an audiovisual food installation by Good Food Crap Drawing's Anna Wu and The Unbearable Lightness of Being Hungry's Lee Tram Lam, which will include interviews with Aussie folks in the food and wine industry, food samples and a visual component. Comprised of Kim Siew, Amy Mills, Rosell Flatley and Eleni Christou — and supported by the Inner West Council — New Moon came together working on community art projects, artist-run initiatives and exhibition spaces, which makes their current venture the culmination of their experience to date. Future months will see the space shine a spotlight on books, sustainability, art, craft and celebration; however the Yanada Room is also designed to offer locals an informal meeting place beyond New Moon's regular programming. Specifically, the group wants to help reduce the isolation that can come with living in a high-rise filled city — and whether you're a budding creative or someone just keen to check out new exhibitions and events, that's something we can all relate to. Find New Moon at the Yanada Room, Meriton Luna Apartments, 22 Hudson Street, Lewisham from July 10. Visit the New Moon Facebook page for further details.
Bored, retired American goth rock star Cheyenne (Sean Penn) is living in an enormous mansion in Dublin with his carefree wife of 35 years, Jane (Frances McDormand). When he learns of the death of his estranged father, Cheyenne returns to America, at which time he begins to find out information about himself and his family that he never knew. When asked about his father things begin to unravel. Cheyenne is told a story of an SS Officer who humiliated his father in Auschwitz, and who may still be living in America. This is where Cheyenne embarks on a journey across his homeland, now foreign to him, on an expedition of reconciliation where encounters with people and situations allow him to find himself. With a nod to The Cure's Robert Smith, Penn plays the complex character of Cheyenne as softly spoken and kind in a convincing and unique performance. The film draws charm and originality to the forefront with a stunning cast and compelling storyline, not to mention a remarkable soundtrack with music and lyrics by David Byrne and Will Oldham. This Must Be The Place is in cinemas April 5. You can read our full review here. To win one of ten double passes to see This Must Be The Place, just make sure you are subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address through to hello@concreteplayground.com.au
It's been a challenging year for Australia's hospitality scene, but things are already looking up for 2021. Especially now that we've been given an opening date for the hotly anticipated project from restaurateur Chris Lucas (Chin Chin, Hawker Hall, Kisume), and Martin Benn and Vicki Wild of Sydney's now-closed three-hat fine diner Sepia. More than three years in the making, the trio's landmark collaboration Society is set to open its doors in the historic 80 Collins Street building from March. This grand, multi-faceted venue will boast 180-degree views over Collins and Exhibition streets, comprising the main Society dining room, an opulent lounge bar and a lush indoor-outdoor eatery named the Lillian Terrace, in honour of former Paris End resident Lillian Wightman. While each space is set to deliver a distinctly different offering, Benn's renowned flair for avant-garde cooking will shine throughout. The bar will be your go-to for pre-dinner drinks and snack-matched cocktail sessions alike, featuring a tight array of drinking fare to complement an elegant lineup of libations. Elsewhere, you'll be able to settle in for a luxurious meal beneath the lofty ceilings of Society, or pull up a seat on the terrace for an al fresco feed overlooking the former site of 'Luxury Lil' Wightman's legendary fashion boutique Le Louvre. [caption id="attachment_787570" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nick & Nora's by Brook James[/caption] Melbourne architects Russell & George have overseen the design of the site, tasked with creating a modern twist on mid-century style, while lending an intimate feel to the spacious venue. Lucas hopes that, once complete, Society will fill a void for locals and visitors alike. "Our society, our city has been through so much this year," he said in a statement. "It is with great pride that we can finally look to opening our exciting new dining destination and add another dimension to Melbourne's already incredible restaurant scene, that has been such a big part of my life." Society will join 80 Collins Street's growing list of hospitality venues, including already open champagne bar Nick & Nora's and coffee shop Maverick, and Farmer's Daughters — a three-storey, paddock-to-plate restaurant from Pastuso chef-owner Alejandro Saravia — which is set to open next year. Society is slated to open at 80 Collins Street, Melbourne, from late March 2021.
Haunting strains of bluegrass music flow through Belgium's tear-jerking entry to last year's Academy Awards. Such mournful melodies are a fitting accompaniment to the story, about two musicians whose marriage begins to crumble after their daughter succumbs to terminal cancer. Despite the miserable subject matter, writer-director Felix Van Groeningen eschews unchecked histrionics for honest, bittersweet emotion. Actors Johan Heldenbergh and Veerle Baetens have devastating chemistry as shell-shocked parents Didier and Elise. A banjo-playing cowboy and a music-loving tattoo-artist respectively, they're a free-spirited pair brought crashing down to earth by six-year-old Maybelle's unexpected diagnosis. The best moments in the movie are undoubtedly the songs; a mix of classics and original compositions performed in key scenes by Didier, Elise and their band. In these moments in particular, Van Groeningen finds his harmony between beauty, sorrow and joy. Read our full review here. The Broken Circle Breakdown is in cinemas on Thursday, May 15, and thanks to Entertainment One, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=raaHRyBtIEo
Considering the abundant landscapes found throughout the Sapphire Coast, it's hardly surprising Merimbula and beyond is home to scores of world-class makers, producers, brewers, distillers and more. Celebrating the best of the best is EAT Festival – an annual three-day event kicking off on Thursday, March 6, where locals and visitors alike can experience remarkable local flavours. From the Fishpen's scenic waterside surrounds, the festival proudly showcases how cuisine from this part of the world is one of Australia's rising stars. To do so, they've brought together a host of much-loved names, like Valentina, North of Eden, Bar Monti and Umiko. Best of all, every dish is capped at $15, so visitors can feast on more for less. Meanwhile, the event also offers several one-off partner experiences to ensure you make the most of this foodie long weekend. Head to the North of Eden Gin School to learn the dark art of distillation, or master oyster shucking like a grizzled old salt at the Broadwater Shucking School. No matter what, EAT Festival makes savouring the finest regional cuisine a breeze. Images: David Rogers
After a tumultuous start to the year, Australia's arts and cultural industries are finally — albeit slowly — starting to come back. Over the past few months, the Australian Government's ban on non-essential gatherings, social distancing rules and the mass closure of indoor venues saw many major art events and exhibitions around the country cancelled or postponed. Now, life is looking a little more normal for Sydneysiders. As well as being able to head on a regional holiday and hit up our favourite restaurant, pub, bar or cafe, we're allowed to visit many of the city's cultural institutions in real life. Yep, you no longer have to get your cultural fix from the couch. As of this June, you can catch citywide arts festival the 22nd Biennale of Sydney, head to a free exhibition at Casula Powerhouse, ogle the best wildlife photographs of the past year and check out a blockbuster exhibition of contemporary Chinese art, just to name a few. Similarly to restaurants and cafes, cultural institutions need to adhere to strict social distancing guidelines and will be allowed one visitor per four square metres. So, capacity is limited and booking ahead — even for free exhibitions — is recommended. Here are our top picks for the month, so you can get planning.
Face of Man opened in The Strand Arcade way back in 1978. The male grooming lounge is still going strong over 40 years later, now located just down the block along George Street. The space resembles a 1920s smoking lounge and is considered the top spot for male skincare and haircare in Sydney. There are seven treatment rooms, and a wide range of options from waxing and nail care to massages, laser hair removal and tattoo removal. It's all accompanied by a glass of scotch on arrival, too. First time visitors can get a whole heap of services for just $99 all up, including professional skin analysis, a one-hour customised facial, a hydrating eye treatment, an eyebrow tidy and even a neck and shoulder massage.
The Squish Burger — a cheeseburger flattened with an iron fish press — has been making headlines (and Instagram posts) at Bondi Beach Public Bar since 2017. Now, Executive Chef Monty Koludrovic (Icebergs, The Dolphin) is moving the famed lunch item east, and adding heaps of truffle into the mix. The compact burger is heading to The Dolphin's venue-within-a-venue, Scout Sydney. The world-famous London cocktail bar made its way Down Under back in February, with founder Matt Whiley bringing his highly unusual, hyperlocal cocktails with him. Now, Koludrovic is giving us even more to love about the bar by recreating a truffled version of the BBPB Squish. While the Bondi version had two patties, the Surry Hills version has one and comes with truffled cheese, truffled burger sauce and Polish-style pickles for $28 all up. It's joined by another brand new dish, too — a $16 Chicago-style deep dish pizza, topped with tomato, garlic and fresh mozzarella (with additional prosciutto for $4). Alongside the new eats by Koludrovic, Whiley is turning out his usual high quality of seasonal cocktails. At the moment, those include the Cameflage (vodka, clarified cow and camel milk, pet nat caramel and yuzu) and the Human Race (Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz gin, wax leaf, mango and passionfruit mead and tonka). Yup, pairing them together is sounding like one very tasty combo. Scout Sydney is located on the top floor of The Dolphin Hotel at 412 Crown Street, Surry Hills. The new menu items are now available to order.
Putting the spotlight on the weird and wonderful world of science each year, Sydney Science Festival brings together global and local legends in science to celebrate, analyse and challenge all aspects of the field for 13 days' worth of performances, demonstrations and workshops. Back for its third year, running from Tuesday, August 8 to Sunday, August 20, the whopping 172 registered events span venues across Sydney and delve deeper into the questions weighing on today's leading scientists. The program begins with a free launch at the Powerhouse Museum for MAASive Lates: Science on August 10. The launch showcases a taste of what's to come during the festival, where guests get to tour the museum after hours, drive a Mars rover, play with virtual reality and 'speed date' famous scientists. If that Mars rover drive and the human colonisation of the planet catches your interest, join a panel of NASA experts at the Sydney Opera House on August 17 for Life on Mars: NASA's 2020 Rover Mission — speakers include Australian astrobiologist Dr Abigail Allwood and Mars Exploration Program scientist Dr Mitch Schulte. Also on the schedule, on August 16 at the Opera House, the government's role in climate change will be debated in The Madhouse Effect: What is Stopping Action on Climate Change by an all-star international team including U.S. climatologist Michael E. Mann, psychologist Stephan Lewandowsky and advocate Anna Rose. And for a lighter look at science in our everyday life, learn how plants influence your favourite cocktails in Botany Distilled at the Botanical Gardens Restaurant on August 16, and discover how science can improve your baking skills at Science of Cake: A Hot Mess held by Alexandria's Thrive 360 on August 19. The Sydney Science Festival is part of National Science Week, which runs from August 8 to August 20. The festival is led by the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) and the Australian Museum, in partnership with Inspiring Australia.
If there's one thing Australians do well, it's drinking beer. And if there's something that Australia does well, it would have to be pubs. Arguably, Sydney has a few of the very finest anywhere in the world, and there's really no better time than spring to crawl and trawl your way through them. We have whittled it down to the best of the best, handpicking our favourites for you. So, without further ado, here is Concrete Playground's top pubs in town. 1. The Lord Nelson Where: 19 Kent Street, The Rocks Once sandstone house, now historic pub, the Lord Nelson has to be one of Sydney's best places to enjoy a beer. This is a proper, old English-style pub, set in the right spot to have exceptional views straight across the harbour. Naval prints on the walls, no poker machines and plenty of locals: this is exactly how pubs should be. The beer on offer isn't half bad either. On tap are the six beers brewed on-site, ranging from a summer ale to a porter. The most popular is the Three Sheets, a pale ale, though we'd also recommend the Victory Bitter, a classic English ale with a touch of caramel. If you decide to venture upstairs and make the most of the view, perhaps complete the picture with the brewery's summer ale, the Quayle Ale. All are completely natural, with no preservatives, extra sugar or other additives. For review and details, click here 2. The Old Fitzroy Where: 129 Dowling St, Woolloomooloo The Old Fitz has been in operation for over a century, and remains one of the few pubs left in inner Sydney with a bit of character to it. It prides itself as being a place with history and substance, as well as a meeting place for artists, writers and musicians. It also stands as one of the last bastions of old-fashioned Australian drinking culture in the heart of one of Sydney's most gentrified areas. The Old Fitz has thirteen different beers on tap including varieties of Coopers and James Squire, as well as Little Creatures and Guinness. They also have Bulmer's Cider at the ready, which is always good for those of us who don't actually enjoy beer very much but, for fear of derision from one's friends, like to look like we're drinking one. Wines on offer are mostly Australian or Kiwi, the cheapest glass costing a mere $6.80 and most bottles averaging at about $30, and the most expensive bottle of French 'sparkling wine' will set you back $97. For review and details, click here 3. The Cricketers Arms Where: 106 Fitzroy Street, Surry Hills The Cricketers Arms, known more intimately as the Crix, is the kind of local that will make you want to move into the area. It's a beautiful old pub, boasting wooden floors and wall tiles, a laid back atmosphere, and plenty of character behind the bar. The walls are decorated with intimate paraphernalia, strung together with fairy lights, while graffiti runs amok in the toilets. The local theme stems into the drinks too, with a sturdy wine list and an excellent selection of local beers on tap. Be warned, this place is busy - and not only on nights that there's a game up the road. Friday and Saturday nights are particularly insane. We think, however, that the wild and varied crowd is all part of the fun. For review and details, click here 4. The Norfolk Where: 305 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills It's amazing what a fresh coat of paint and some mismatched furniture can do for a courtyard. Just take the Norfolk's beer garden, for example. Since it's decidedly hip transformation, the leafy backyard has become a haven for Surry Hills locals to kick back and have a drink, and you'll be hard pressed to find a seat during the packed lunch and post-work hours. It's the jewel in this redone pub's crown. There's a lot of great reasons to visit the Norfolk, and the trendy interior is just the start of it. Cocktail lovers will like the ingenuity behind drinks like the Bloody Mary, served in a Campbell's tomato soup tin, or the Ciderlicious, combining apple cider with pear vodka and smashed mixed berries. And while they still need to work out the kinks on the sharp-tasting Sangrias, the jugs are good value for groups. For review and details, click here 5. The East Sydney Where: 113 Cathedral St, Woolloomooloo If you want to get yourself a pink pepper martini and some gluten-free tapas you've come to the wrong place, my lad. Get thee up the road and into the bosom of Surry Hills, for the East Sydney Hotel is a proper pub: no nonsense beer, a decent steak and plenty of merriment. And not a cocktail umbrella in sight. The East Sydney Hotel speaks to what a Sydney pub might have been fifty years or ago, or a hundred years ago for that matter. You can imagine proper men, from the age when men still wore hats and non-ironic moustaches, populating the amiable darkness of the pub and nursing their beers after a hard day. The East Sydney prides itself on being the last proper country-style pub left in Sydney, which has got to be a hard task when you're located between the borders of Surry Hills and Woolloomooloo. For review and details, click here 6. The Courthouse Where: 202 Australia Street, Newtown Popular with students, artists and the battered men who've been frequenting it for the past forty years, The Courthouse is a beloved staple of Newtown's drinking spots. Grungy, relaxed and unpretentious with one of Sydney's finest beer gardens, I have an unabashed devotion to this place. Inside you'll find pool tables, a collection of pinball machines and a couple of vinyl couches with the stuffing falling out of them. The interior of the pub is exactly what you'd expect: dark wood on scruffy walls, well-trodden carpet and a gallery of old Sydney Swans posters. A pair of arty student types with silly beards sit at the bar alongside a bloke in a Bonds singlet, nursing a schooner, sporting an entirely un-silly beard. During AFL season expect not to be able to hold a conversation anywhere near the football-scarfed fans surrounding the televisions. For review and details, click here 7. The Hollywood Where: 2 Foster Street, Surry Hills It's difficult to speak about the Hollywood without mentioning its owner, Doris Goddard. This is partly because her paraphernalia is plastered onto one of the walls, an intimate shrine to her history. (Goddard emerged from slums of Glebe to become a successful film star, performing alongside big names like Katherine Hepburn and Bob Hope.) Another reason might be that she is often in the pub herself, occasionally for one of her renowned midnight performances. The hotel itself is perfectly suited to an ex-Hollywood starlet. Nestled amongst the deco era buildings of Surry Hill's long vanished film industry (including the heritage listed Paramount Building), all the right details are in place: from a curved wooden bar to antique toilets. That said, there's nothing fussy or intimidating about the joint. Bar staff are friendly and relaxed. The menu consists of chips in wooden bowls and cheese platters, which are more nostalgic than fancy. And the best beer on tap is the Hollywood's own lager. For review and details, click here 8. The Hero of Waterloo Where: 81 Lower Fort Street, The Rocks One of Sydney's oldest pubs, the Hero lets you time travel and sip a cold beer at the same time. Within these sandstone walls, listening to the lilting tones of the Irish bar staff, it doesn't feel difficult to reach out to your own, or someone else's, colonial ancestor. That said, there's more than that to stimulate the imagination. Ask around about the ghost of Anne Kirkman, join in a Saturday night sing-a-long held around the old piano or sneak a look at the tunnel that runs from the hotel's maze of cellars to the harbour, safe as you are from any shanghaiing techniques. If you'd rather live in the present, perhaps you should pay a visit to the restaurant. The lamb shanks are hard to beat, with sautéed onion potato mash, green beans, and port wine, garlic and rosemary jus. Otherwise opt for the bangers and mash, with roasted onion, sautéed cabbage and red wine jus. Prices are reasonable, considering your proximity to the harbour, and the food is well worth it. For review and details, click here 9. The Flinders Where: 63 Flinders Street, Surry Hills There is something a little bit saucy about Flinders. Could it be the way that the interior flirts with Americana whilst remaining resolutely local? The audacious opening hours? Perhaps that its namesake drink is a twist on a Bloody Mary? Whatever that secret sauce is, we want more of it. The words 'dive bar' have been floating around this place since it opened, and that can only be a good thing. The drinks menu, however, may not be what you'd expect. Don't get me wrong: there are certainly tough elements. Tequila, rye whisky and absinthe all put in an appearance. But the way these elements are put together suggests something a little more considered. The Pickletini reworks this classic gin base with pickle juice, while Penicillin (with scotch, more scotch, lemon, honey and ginger) promises to cure what's ailing you. For a fundamentalist, the Aussie Boilermaker might be the go: a schooner of XXX, shot of Bundaberg rum and a home made sausage roll should do the trick. That said, the flashing neon in the window that spells out 'COLD BEER' isn't lying either. There's plenty of good options on tap, with Kirin and James Squire - both Amber and Pilsner. For review and details, click here 10. The Annandale Where: 17 Parramatta Rd, Annandale This pub rock institution is the lifeblood of the Sydney music scene. A '30s Aussie pub, converted in the early '80s into a live music venue, the Annandale has long been the quintessential Australian rock venue. There's the distinct stench of blood, sweat and tears in the air to prove it. With a substantial stage and lighting rig, and a sound system perfectly worn in to the room, any Australian band worth their salt aspires to play here (or already has). A rite of passage for up and coming bands, a night at the Annandale is memorable for musicians and punters alike. And to help the memory factor, the paved courtyard behind the hotel hosts 'pub cha' every Saturday and Sunday, offering regular favourites as well as weekly specials. For review and details, click here
This post is sponsored by our partners, the Aroma Festival. For six days, Adore Estate’s nomadic coffee lab will call Playfair Street home as part of the Aroma Festival. Made out of two shipping containers, it’s an experimental cafe, where you can sample up to five different blends, watch a host of brewing methods in action, check out expert baristas working their magic and purchase specialty tools of the trade that you can test out at home. Over the past year or so, the lab has been popping up at all kinds of major food events, including the Sydney and Brisbane Fine Food Shows, the Melbourne International Coffee Expo and the Royal Easter Show. Adore Estate Coffee, even more ubiquitous, has been adding some rather hefty accolades to its awards swag, including Silver at the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show in both 2014 and 2013. The team has been working hard at developing and perfecting the label’s five signature coffees: Pure Organic, a single origin from northern Peru; Mastro, a distinctive sweet, smooth blend that brings together Africa, Asia and the Americas; Jackson, a rich, chocolatey special; Florito, an intense blend of hill-cultivated beans from Guatemala and Costa Rica; and Jackson 5, a full-bodied, balanced number. Try them all in one fell swoop from July 21-27. Opening hours will be 11am-2pm Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm Saturday and 10am-5pm Sunday.
Pull out your loose change stash and check under the couch, because one of Sydney's favourite dumpling spots is serving up an impressive weekly deal. Every Monday, Harajuku Gyoza is slinging gyoza for $1 a piece. Head on at any time of the day and bring your appetite — and all the gold coins you can find. Customers can choose any kind of gyoza on the menu, other than open pork gyoza or Harajuku Gyoza's limited edition gyoza. And, you can order them in $5 plates of five, with one type of gyoza per plate. There is a limit of four plates per person; however that covers 20 dumplings, so you won't leave hungry. There is another catch — punters must download the Harajuku Gyoza app and present the promotional tile in the app to a staff member when you place your order to access the $1 dumpling extravaganza. Bookings are recommended, because everyone loves cheap gyoza — or, if you prefer, you can order to takeaway as well. [caption id="attachment_775115" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Harajuku Gyoza[/caption] Harajuku Gyoza's $1 dumpling deal is available every Monday until Monday, November 30 — at its Darling Harbour venue.
Editors fictional and real may disagree — The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun's Arthur Howitzer Jr (Bill Murray, On the Rocks) among them — but it's easy to use Wes Anderson's name as both an adjective and a verb. In a sentence that'd never get printed in his latest film's titular tome (and mightn't in The New Yorker, its inspiration, either), The French Dispatch is the most Wes Anderson movie Wes Anderson has ever Wes Andersoned. The immaculate symmetry that makes each frame a piece of art is present, naturally, as are gloriously offbeat performances. The equally dreamy and precise pastel- and jewel-hued colour palette, the who's who of a familiar cast list, the miniatures and animated interludes and split screens, the knack for physical comedy, and the mix of high artifice, heartfelt nostalgia and dripping whimsy, too. The writer/director knows what he loves, and also what he loves to splash across his films, and it's all accounted for in his tenth release. In The French Dispatch, he also adores stories that say as much about their authors as the world, the places that gift them to the masses, and the space needed to let creativity and insight breathe. He loves celebrating all of this, and heartily, using his usual bag of tricks. It's disingenuous to say that Anderson just wheels out the same flourishes in any movie he helms, though, despite each one — from The Royal Tenenbaums onwards, especially — looking like part of a set. As he's spent his career showing but conveys with extra gusto here, Anderson adores the craftsmanship of filmmaking. He likes pictures that look as if someone has doted on them and fashioned them with their hands, and is just as infatuated with the emotional possibilities that spring from such loving and meticulous work. Indeed, each of his features expresses that pivotal personality detail so clearly that it may as well be cross-stitched into the centre of the frame using Anderson's hair. It's still accurate to call The French Dispatch an ode to magazines, their heyday and their rockstar writers; the film draws four of its five chapters from its eponymous publication, even badging them with page numbers. But this is also a tribute to everything Anderson holds The New Yorker to stand for, and holds dear — to everything he's obsessed over, internalised and absorbed into the signature filmmaking style that's given such an exuberant workout once again. One scene, in the first of its three longer segments, crystallises this so magnificently that it's among the best things Anderson has ever put on-screen. It involves two versions of murderer-turned-artist Moses Rosenthaler, both sharing the boxed-in frame. The young (Tony Revolori, The Grand Budapest Hotel) greets the old (Benicio Del Toro, No Sudden Move), the pair swapping places and handing over lanyards, and it feels as if Anderson is doing the same with his long-held passions. Before Moses' instalment, entitled The Concrete Masterpiece, the picture's bookending story steps into Howitzer's offices in the fictional French town of Ennui-sur-Blasé. Since 1925, he's called it home, as well as the base for a sophisticated literary periodical that started as a travel insert in his father's paper back in Kansas. Because Anderson loves melancholy, too, news of Howitzer's death begins the film courtesy of an obituary. What follows via travelogue The Cycling Reporter, the aforementioned incarcerated art lark, student revolution report Revisions to a Manifesto and police cuisine-turned-kidnapping story The Private Dining Room of the Police Commissioner is The French Dispatch's final issue turned into a movie — and an outlet for both Howitzer's and the director's abundant Francophilia. Watching travel correspondent Herbsaint Sazerac (Owen Wilson, Loki) wheel around Ennui — a place that isn't quite Paris, just as The French Dispatch isn't quite The New Yorker — comes complete with choirboy gangs rumbling seniors, rat-filled tunnels and bodies fished out of rivers. Anderson's love of quaint and quirky details initially shimmers before that, in Howitzer's workspace beneath his comical "no crying" sign, but doesn't stop gleaming for a second. It's there in Moses' success, as aided by his muse/prison guard Simone (Léa Seydoux, No Time to Die), fellow inmate/art dealer Cadazio (Adrien Brody, Succession), and journalist JKL Berensen (Tilda Swinton, Memoria), who relays the specifics. And, it's clear in the chronicle by political writer Lucinda Krementz (Frances McDormand, Nomadland) about a student uprising led by the suitably moody Zeffirelli (Timothée Chalamet, Dune) over accessing girls' dormitory rooms. Regardless of their amusingly monikered setting, there's nary a trace of boredom or indifference in any of these chapters, all of which ape real New Yorker stories and scribes. So too does Howitzer, as well as Roebuck Wright (Jeffrey Wright, No Time to Die), author of the film's third major segment. The French Dispatch layers in themes and ideas as potently and deeply as its visual gems, tortured genius myths and "the touching narcissism of the young" (as the movie itself describes it) all included; however, its Roebuck-focused thread is exquisitely intelligent and affecting. On a TV set, the journalist relays his attempt to write about Nescaffier (Steve Park, Warrior), chef to the local police commissaire (Mathieu Amalric, Sound of Metal), which was derailed by a hostage situation involving the latter's son — and his piece also becomes an outsider's lament. Whether going monochrome in homage to the French New Wave, pulling off a bravura late-film long shot, or finding roles for Elisabeth Moss (The Invisible Man), Saoirse Ronan (Ammonite), Edward Norton (Motherless Brooklyn) and Willem Dafoe (The Card Counter) — plus Jason Schwartzman (Fargo), who also nabs a story credit with the director, Roman Coppola (Isle of Dogs) and Hugo Guinness (The Grand Budapest Hotel) — Anderson does his utmost at every turn. While aided by sublime work by his eight-time cinematographer Robert D Yeoman, regular production designer Adam Stockhausen and frequent composer Alexandre Desplat, the result feels like slipping not only into Anderson's head but his heart, and more so than any other feature he's made. The French Dispatch is a treasure chest for Anderson, his devotees, and lovers of words, France and inventive cinema alike, although it holds zero chance of converting his naysayers. "Just try to make it sound like you wrote it that way on purpose," is Howitzer's wise advice to his writers, but there's no doubting that every minuscule choice made in this remarkable delight is utterly and marvellously intentional.
With summer just around the corner, Redfern Surf Club is kicking off the fun a little early with a massive summer block party at its Australiana–themed bar this Saturday, November 30. Its car park will transform into a block party with pop-up bars, summery tunes and even an old-school handball comp. You'll be able to grab $5 sour raspberry tinnies by Wayward Brewing Co and glasses of natural wine for just ten bucks. There'll also be loads of cocktails and slushies, including Passiona of the Ice — a frozen passionfruit margarita — and the Sour Dog, made from a mix of Campari, grapefruit and the aforementioned Wayward raspberry beer. [caption id="attachment_738251" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Redfern Surf Club by Pat Stevenson[/caption] PigOut food truck will also be dishing out a bunch of cheesy, stoner food snacks for the day, including jalapeño mac 'n' cheese spring rolls, Tex-Mex burgers (with crushed corn chips) and veggie options, too The party all kicks off at 12pm (and runs all the way through to midnight) so grab your mates and celebrate the start of summer this weekend.
Sometimes, for whatever reason, it's not time to go home yet — you just need to kick on just a little while longer. So, where do you go when you want to drink and dine with your pals well into the wee hours? Where can you channel the late (and great) Prince and party like it's 1999? These spots. We've partnered with Heineken to pull together this list of five top kick on venues, which prove the lockout laws haven't dampened Sydney's party spirit. Grab your mates, and a Heineken, and check 'em out.
The great Granny Smith is one of Australia's favourite apples. But do you know where the popular fruit gets its name? Fun fact: it comes from Ryde local, Maria Ann 'Granny' Smith, who accidentally grew the first known crop, way back in 1868. Since then, Eastwood has celebrated with a free annual festival of market stalls, food trucks, rides, live entertainment and a pop-up bar. Plus, there's also a 2,000-strong community parade through the streets. It all goes down on Saturday, October 19 this year. So, expect the neighbourhood to transform into an apple extravaganza. Begin your adventures by checking out out the market stalls along Rowe Street and Progress Avenue, peddling designer jewellery, clothing and, of course, creations inspired by apples. Be sure to drop into the Green Hub, too, to get yourself a native plant and learn all about making your home more sustainable — without spending any more money. Or, play a game of mini golf or jump on the ferris wheel. Then, head to Granny's Cider Bar on West Parade, near Eastwood Oval. Bilpin Cider will be serving up cider and other chilled offerings, soundtracked by beats from the DJ Boombox Truck. Come lunchtime, take a wander through food stalls and trucks, feast on raclette, fried chicken, Dutch poffertjes (tiny pancakes) and more. Plus, you can catch some live tunes from local musicians at the closing concert, which kicks off at 6pm. Granny Smith Festival will run on Saturday, October 19, from 9am–8.30pm. Check out the rest of the Granny Smith Festival program over here.
Ever been so caught up in work, sleep or staring blankly into space that you've missed a huge piece of breaking news, only to discover something big has happened when you later log onto Facebook and notice everyone's changed their profile picture and talking about something you definitely do not understand? Those are the times you wish a mate had just sent you a little nudge to say that, "hey, X world event is happening right now — you probs need to know about it" or "X is doing a free gig tonight" to save you looking like a fool at the water cooler the next morning at work. Well, ABC News is now that friend. All you have to do is start up a convo with them on Facebook Messenger and they'll keep you updated on the latest news through some sneaky text messages. It's called ABC News on Facebook Messenger (fitting, really), and it's the broadcaster's newest way to deliver personalised news to its audience on mobile. All you have to do is find ABC News on Messenger (you can just search for them) and start up a conversation. Then, they'll send you the latest news updates through short, snappy messages in a conversational format — just like a really, really informed friend. It's very similar to the Quartz's news service, which does basically the same thing but through their own dedicated app. The best thing about having a personal convo with the ABC — the news is put together by their digital editorial team and the service is powered by a third-party bot Chatfuel — is that you can choose what news you want to get notified about. If you want a summary of what's happened while you've been sleeping, you can choose to get one sent to you as your alarm goes off. Or, perhaps you just want to get alerts when the really big stuff happens? You can opt in for the too. You can also choose alerts for sport teams you follow, long-form news or stories that involve puppies. You can also just start up the convo at any time to see what's happening. The service was rolled out yesterday after a successful trial. You can find out more and sign up here.
Sydney's Taronga Zoo boasts its own glamping experience, as well as a luxe new eco-retreat. At Melbourne Zoo, you can stay overnight in the elephant exhibit. Next year, southeast Queensland's Australia Zoo will follow suit, opening a campground that'll also include glamping and eco cabins. Slated to launch in 2020 to celebrate Australia Zoo's 50th anniversary celebrations, the new addition to the Irwin family's Beerwah zoo has unsurprisingly been dubbed Camp Crocodile Hunter. It'll feature a combination of tent accommodation, powered sites for caravans and RVs, glamping-style tents and cabins — with 108 sites included in total. Wildlife lovers can also look forward to a new cafe, an entertainment and pool area, covered cooking areas and a mountain bike track. And, there'll be facilities for school camps, too. Expect all of the above to be put to frequent use, with Australia Zoo anticipating that Camp Crocodile Hunter will attract more than 39,000 visitors each year. Increasing both tourism and zoo patronage is clear aim of the $8 million project, which has received Queensland Government support alongside Australia Zoo's own funding. Just what else the "luxury bush camp experiences" will entail hasn't been revealed, but for folks keen to extend their trip to the famed zoo across at least two days — and avoid having to trek offsite to stay the night — that's obviously on the agenda. From the crocoseum and croc school, to the onsite wildlife hospital, to a lineup of animals that spans tigers, cheetahs, giraffes, lemurs, meerkats, otters, rhinos, kangaroos, koalas, emus, crocodiles and more, there's definitely plenty to see. https://www.instagram.com/p/BwRk7kkF1eZ/ Camp Crocodile Hunter was first announced back in April, but construction started just this month, after the completion of planning work for all of the campground essentials — aka electricity, water and public amenities. Australia Zoo's Camp Crocodile Hunter is slated to open in 2020. For further information, visit the venue's website. Top image: Andy Mitchell via Wikicommons.
There are plenty of ways to throw your support behind important cancer research, but come Saturday, April 6, there's one that's set to really stand out. Your pals at Sydney burger institution Mary's and Newtown brewery Young Henrys are once again teaming up with Cure Cancer, to host their annual fundraising barbie, BarbeCURE. Taking over Young Henrys' inner west digs from noon, the event will be a rollicking session of great eats, drinks and company — all for an excellent cause. The brewery will be slinging its legendary range of craft beer, cider and Noble Cut gin, while burgers, fries and a few surprise barbecue treats come courtesy of the Mary's crew. Last year, there was a jerked chicken burger, so expect something equally tasty. All food and drink proceeds will head to support the work of those innovative researchers at Cure Cancer — and you can help raise a few more much-needed dollars by snapping up one of Young Henrys' limited-edition Cure Cancer t-shirts on the day. BarbeCURE will run from midday–7pm.
Sydney Harbour's Pullman Quay Grand is set to open a new addition next week — and it looks tremendously luxe. Located within the Circular Quay hotel, Hacienda will be a brand new "vista bar", taking inspiration from Cuba's grandiose, plantation-style architecture and the vintage hotels of 1950's Miami. They're positioning the venue as a "botanical oasis" — and for good reason. Think luxurious, pastel lounge furniture and lush garden trestles, all surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows which showcase panoramic views of the city and Sydney Harbour, which can be drawn open to create a terrace-like feel. Applejack Hospitality have teamed up with AccorHotels to pull off this stylish throw-back of a space. If their past work — and the artist impressions of what the space will look like — is any indication (Bondi Hardware, The Butler, Della Hyde), Sydneysiders will be in for quite the treat. The drink menus will mimic the venue design by using Cuban flavours and they'll be slinging cocktails which include classic ingredients like banana, guava and custard apple. The Tropical Sour – banana-infused Encanto pisco, Tío Pepe sherry, lime and honey — sounds especially tasty, as is the Old Smoked Presidente: a concoction of aged rum, orange curacao, dry vermouth, house-spiced raspberry syrup and Angostura bitters. The bar also has an impressive stock of rum and American whiskey for those looking for something neat. The food offering, curated by Executive Chef Stefan Brademann, will complement the drinks and have a Cuban-American flare. Fusion dishes like the yuka fries, buttermilk fried chicken and a pork neck mojo will sit on the menu alongside a Cubano-Reuben hybrid and burgers galore. The menu will be balanced between bar snacks and more substantial dishes to accommodate for anything from nibbling patrons to hangry ones. This little slice of Cuban culture may play to cliches but we're not fussed — especially considering the iconic views that come with it. Hacienda will open on Monday, July 18 inside Pullman Quay Grand, 61 Macquarie St, Sydney Harbour. For more information, visit their website.
It's Friday afternoon, the weekend's beckoning and there are probably a few drinks happening somewhere in your immediate future. But they'll taste a whole lot better if someone else is shouting, right? Well, you can forget about your budget and start geeing up your work crew for knock-off time, because whiskey brand Jameson is giving away the country's biggest round of drinks. Kicking off today, Friday, September 13, Australia's Biggest Round will see the label doling out 10,000 free drinks, available at 20 different Merivale across the city. To snag yours, sign up online and then head into the likes of northern beaches hot-spot The Newport, Marrickville haunt Vic On The Park, Establishment and Bondi's The Royal, and the bar will sort you out with a free Jameson Dry and Lime. The whiskey-filled celebrations will continue at Jameson's one-day mini-festival, taking over the Vic On The Park on Saturday, October 19. There'll be a local music lineup — with acts to be announced soon — as well as market stalls, whiskey tastings and food pop-ups, with a portion of the day's bar profits heading to charity. We have an inkling these free drinks won't last long — sign-ups have only just opened and, at time of publishing, over 100 people have already claimed their free drink. Here's where you can score yours: Angel Hotel, CBD The Beresford, Surry Hills Coogee Pavilion, Coogee Establishment Bar & Garden, CBD Hotel CBD, CBD Palings, CBD Ivy Pool Club, CBD Queens Hotel, Enmore Tank Stream Bar, CBD Tennyson Hotel, Mascot The Collaroy, Collaroy The Grand & 30 Knots, CBD The Newport, Newport The Paddington, Paddington The Royal, Bondi The Royal George, CBD The Smelly Goat, Enmore The Vic on the Park, Marrickville Wynyard Hotel, CBD York 75, CBD Jameson's 10,000 free dry and limes are available from today, Friday, September 13, until sold out. To register for yours, head to the website. Top image: Coogee Pavilion
Chocolates and flowers may be Valentine's Day staples, but they're also among the easiest gifts you can give your special someone. Booking a getaway doesn't require too much additional effort; however, it's certainly more exciting — and it doesn't have to fall on February 14. No one has been travelling far to take a romantic vacation over the past year, so you and your significant other have probably spent the majority of 2020 in your own state — and much of 2021 so far, too — thanks to interstate border restrictions. But if you're keen to take your date somewhere other than your own backyard, Virgin Australia is selling flight deals for couples. They're available to multiple destinations around the country, with the cheap flights starting at $69 each for a one-way ticket. Hang on, Virgin? Yes. The same airline that, less than 12 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. Virgin's current Say 'I Do' to Valentine's Day sale runs until midnight AEST on Monday, February 17 — or until sold out. In the sale, you'll find cheap flights on a number of routes to destinations across the country, with travel dates spanning May and June this year. If you've been waiting to book your first getaway of 2021, now might be the time. The discounted economy flights include seat selection and checked baggage. Some of the routes on offer include Sydney to the Gold Coast, Byron Bay or Coffs Harbour; Melbourne to Launceston or Hobart; Adelaide to Melbourne; and Brisbane to the Whitsundays. [caption id="attachment_785976" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Whitehaven Beach in The Whitsundays[/caption] 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. Wearing masks on flights became mandatory in Australia in January. Virgin is also waiving change fees and allowing unlimited booking changes for reservations made before April 30, 2021 for travel before January 31, 2022. Virgin's Say 'I Do' to Valentine's Day sale runs until midnight AEST on Monday, February 17 — or until sold out. Find out more about current interstate border restrictions over here.
For decades, if you wanted to eat a burger patty topped with cheese, there was only one way to do it. Then a number of hybrid culinary creations started popping up — like cheeseburger spring rolls, that now-popular pub menu inclusion, as well as cheeseburger dumplings and even cheeseburger soup. Or, at Banjo's Bakery Cafe, you can opt for a double cheeseburger pie. Part of the Aussie chain's signature range, it's back on offer to help simultaneously satisfy your cheeseburger and your pie cravings. Yes, the double cheeseburger pie is exactly what it sounds like. Encased in pastry, you'll find layers of burger patty, cheese, onion, tomato sauce and mustard. And, if you're wondering about that most controversial of cheeseburger fillings — yep, that'd be pickles — they're sandwiched inside as well. This isn't the first time that Banjo's, which has stores in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania, has served up this foodie mashup. But when it does offer up items from its signature range — such Tasmanian scallop, bangers and mash, and chicken parmigiana pies — they're only available for a limited time. That's the case here, too, so you'll want to get in quick if you're suddenly, unsurprisingly feeling hungry. In NSW, you'll need to head north to Glendale to get your fix. In Victoria, stores are located in Mornington, Traralgon and Mildura. Queenslanders can pick from ten spots, including Darra, Cleveland, Park Ridge and Redcliffe, while pie-loving SA residents can hit up Glenelg — and there's 29 stores in Tasmania. Banjo's Bakery Cafe's double cheeseburger pie is currently on the menu for a limited time at the chain's store's nationally. To find your nearest location, visit the company's website.
Sydney institution Marigold Chinese Cuisine has been serving Sydneysiders its beloved Chinese dishes and yum cha for nearly forty years. Following a disastrous two years for hospitality due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the iconic Haymarket venue has announced that it is closing its doors to the public on Sunday, December 5 this year. It's shattering news for the city's recovering hospitality industry. Usually open daily for lunch and dinner, including the holiday period, Marigold is a yum cha and Christmas Day staple for Sydneysiders. "Dearest customers and supporters. With a heavy heart, we announce the closing of Marigold Restaurant," reads the statement on the Marigold website. The statement sites the pandemic, as well as plans to extend the Citymark Building as the reasons for its closure. "In the past 39 years, we have been very privileged to have served Sydneysiders and visitors from interstate and overseas, many of whom have become our friends," the statement continues. "The children and grandchildren of our customers have grown up with us and held their milestone celebrations in the restaurant." The devastating news comes just two months after it was revealed fellow iconic Sydney restaurant Golden Century had gone into administration. While there has been speculation that the venue could still be saved, the future for Golden Century remains unclear. If you want to experience Marigold one last time, the Haymarket spot is open seven days a week for yum cha and la carte 10am–3pm, and la carte dinner and dim sum degustations 5.30–9.30pm each day. You can also order takeaway by calling the restaurant on 9281 3388. Marigold is located at Level four and five, Citymark Building, 683 George Street, Sydney. It will close to the public on Sunday, December 5.
The much-anticipated Downtown Drive-In has been announced, and it knocks all of Sydney’s other outdoor movie theatres (no mean feat) right out of the car park. Over three consecutive nights from 29 November - 1 December, Carriageworks will be the backdrop for a regrettably short season of alfresco films falling under the simultaneously announced theme 'Back Roads USA'. The season will offer viewers something new, something sentimental and something excavated from the mine of cinematic classics. On The Road will transport viewers from a 120-year-old heritage building to the dusty golden age of roadside America on November 29, before John Hughes' delightfully catastrophic 1987 travelog Plains, Trains and Automobiles on the Friday. The season will close with a screening of minimalist chase film Vanishing Point (1971), which is a bit like Fast and the Furious only easier to follow, nicer to look at and five hundred times better. There will also be plenty of opportunities to play tribute to the films through cheesy, meaty deliciousness, as Sydney’s favourite American-style diner The Dip will design a custom menu for the affair. Cinema-quality digital projection will bring the lost world of drive-in cinema firmly into the present and Audi will also supply a range of luxury cars for the ultimate drive-in experience, featuring Bang & Olufsen sound systems to ensure crystal audio even if you’re munching pickles like they’re popcorn. As promised entry will be $50 per vehicle or $25 per person for deckchair seating. It's also undercover, because if you've been outside this week you'll know a Sydney spring can be kind of unpredictable. www.downtowndrive.in
Attention foodies: Sydney Living Museums and Real Food Projects are teaming up this December for the first ever Christmas Artisan Food Gift Market. This culinary celebration will feature the very best of local Sydney products. Treats include locally blended olive oils, coffee roasted in Annandale, shortbread from Bondi, pickles from Marrickville, honey from Surry Hills, beer brewed in Newtown and many more seasonal food gifts. The festival will also feature a series of up-and-coming artisan producers such as Pud Inc, Griffin Jerky and The Vegan Teahouse. The festive market atmosphere will also include food trucks, live music and a wrapping station to set you straight for Christmas. So if you're looking for something special to bring to Christmas dinner or just want to load up your pantry, check out this one-off event held at the Hyde Park Barracks Museum on December 18 from 4-9pm.
"Home means different things to different people. But to everyone in this book, Home means Redfern." That's the premise of a new book, Home: Mapping the Stories of Redfern — the product of a community writing project about the Redfern area, run by the Sydney Story Factory throughout 2013 and 2014. The Sydney Story Factory, a not-for-profit creative writing centre for young people modelled on Dave Eggers' NY project 826 Valencia, asked Redfern residents — young and old, long-time locals and newcomers — to contribute. The result is a compilation of stories of love and loss, kindness and sadness, visits to the playground and abandoned pianos given one last lease of life as an accomplished musician happens to pass by and pick out a tune. It's not a history of the place or a document of Redfern in the present moment. It's a "patchwork memoir", a giving-back to the community who gave them their stories. Get your own copy of Home at the Sydney Story Factory's Martian Embassy at 176 Redfern Street, Redfern, or online. Thanks to the Sydney Story Factory, we have five copies of Home: Mapping the Stories of Redfern to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter and email us with your name and address.
On the lookout for a dope new denim jacket? Or do you want to be rid of that weird-looking lamp taking up space in the living room? Then, by golly, you're in luck. The Garage Sale Trail works with local council partners Australia-wide to get as many trash-and-treasure troves happening on the same few days as possible. Last year, more than 400,000 Aussies took part at this festival of pre-loved stuff, holding more than 14,000 sales. Will this year's Garage Sale Trail top those hefty numbers? It'll certainly try via a huge array of events that will open their doors to bargain hunters, selling millions of items across two big spring weekends: between Saturday, November 9–Sunday, November 10, and then again from Saturday, November 16–Sunday, November 17. Aside from the retro goodies up for grabs, the Garage Sale Trail is all about sustainability. Instead of ending up in landfill, unwanted clutter becomes a fantastic find. So get that tight pair of sunnies for peanuts and help the environment at the same time. The Garage Sale Trail began humbly in Bondi in 2010 and is growing bigger every year. There'll be a right slew of sales happening all around Sydney, so keep your eyes on the event website — or register online to make a quick buck from your old junk and hang out with the friendly folks in your hood.
Queensland-born cult burger joint Betty's Burgers is expanding its empire yet again, announcing it will launch its second Sydney outpost in Castle Hill this July. Since opening the Shake Shack-style burger shop back in 2014, founder David Hales has turned his humble Noosa business into an Australian-wide favourite — having opened up shop in Melbourne, Brisbane and its first Sydney store in the ICC last June. Compared with the Darling Harbour shack, which is a small 46 seater (20 indoor and 26 outdoor), the Castle Towers joint will have a considerably larger capacity, seating 85. You can expect the same menu of the Angus beef classic, southern fried chicken, pork belly and crispy fried mushroom burgers, along with Betty's signature 'concretes'. For the uninitiated, these are frozen custard shakes with your choice of mix-ins, including peanut butter brittle, hot fudge doughnut and lemon raspberry cheesecake. The opening of Betty's Burgers is part of the Castle Towers Piazza revamp, with Holey Moley and Strike Bowling having already taken up residence and Rockpool Dining Group's The Bavarian set to launch in June. The beer hall has also just opened an outpost in nearby Rouse Hill, and if things continue this way, it looks like more inner city favourites will be making their way out to The Hills. Betty's Burgers will open this July at the Castle Towers Shopping Centre at 6-14 Castle Street, Castle Hill. Keep an eye on its website for updates.
The Act of Killing is one of those movies that in its very form is something new. While filming survivors of the 1965-66 Sumatran massacre, Joshua Oppenheimer discovered that the perpetrators, now elder statesmen, remain openly proud of their crimes — and eager for fame. So he takes the project in a new direction (the survivors, for good reason, weren't keen to appear on camera anyway). Oppenheimer has the perpetrators join the film, scripting and starring in re-enactments of their murders. They jump at the chance; they're fans of American movies. The Act of Killing then becomes a documentary with fictionalised elements that, by virtue of what they reveal about their subjects, are a mode of deep-digging documentary in themselves. It's chilling but also achieves a surprising effect, leading Werner Herzog to say "I have not seen a film as powerful, surreal, and frightening in at least a decade...it is unprecedented in the history of cinema." He signed on to executive produce, along with documentary king Errol Morris. No synopsis can quite convey how extraordinary this all is. We in Australia, Indonesia's closest neighbours, have barely any memory of the genocide that took 1 million lives. The current Indonesian government still has links to the militias of 50 years ago, and in a speech by a senior politician, we see him further the ideology of the 'gangster', a libertarian delusion that alleviates the war criminals' consciences. They're welcomed on a daytime TV show as if they were pop stars, while the cheery host recognises their achievements in finding "a new, more efficient system for killing Communists". There are so many of these extraordinary scenes — too many, probably. It's hard to figure out what could have been cut, but there is a point in the middle at which it becomes a catalogue of bewilderment rather than a purposeful trajectory — and the running time is 159 minutes, so. US-born, Copenhagan-based Oppenheimer's real strength is his knowledge of Indonesia — he's spent a lot of time there, speaks the language without an interpreter and was able to really relate to his subjects as human beings. They're comfortable and candid around him, without his having to trick them into participating. He's also proved to have a great eye for character, as his main focus, Anwar Congo, is both charismatic and very easy to empathise with. Those spotlighted around him, too, serve to elucidate other sides of his character. It's challenging. We're made to wonder, who is more evil, the murderer who is an ostentatious true believer in the cause? The pragmatist quietly living out his days in great wealth? Ultimately, it's hard to believe there are evil people at all — just crazy, heightened situations with patterns that repeat all over the world. The Act of Killing is deeply humanist that way. There's no point dwelling on some minor drawbacks; The Act of Killing is the film of the year, if not the decade, if not documentary history. Just go see it already. It's simultaneously being disseminated in Indonesia via private screenings and sparking, you can imagine, a big conversation. Proof that sometimes, art changes everything. Read our interview with director Joshua Oppenheimer here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=zJ5_JAgoZ5Q
It's a romantic, classy affair at the Cottage Point Inn. Set against Cowan Creek in an old boathouse-turned-restaurant, this is not your average country drop-in-and-get-on-the-road kind of venue. Executive Chef Guillaume Zika hails from London's Hibiscus and has created a seven-course degustation menu. At $150 per person, it will cost you a pretty penny — but if you're going to do it, do it right. It's a lavish, three-hour ordeal that includes dishes like a citrus Moreton Bay bug covered in lemon hollandaise and a wagyu aiguillette served with ratatouille, sorrel puree and lemon thyme. The menu is balanced and focuses on bright, fresh flavours that add to the delicate decadence of the entire experience.
A Johnny Cash show, to be held inside Parramatta Gaol, is on the bill for the 2015 Sydney Festival's Parramatta program. Aussie rocker Tex Perkins will take on the role of the legendary singer-songwriter, recreating his groundbreaking 1968 Folsom Prison shows, framed by looming, razor-wired limestone walls in what was once the jail's exercise yard. The 19th-century jail is now out of commission but will make a suitably moody backdrop for Perkins' Far From Folsom, which also involves The Tennessee Four and Rachael Tidd doing the the vocals of June Carter. The one-night only spectacle is but one of five world premieres to which Western Sydney audiences will be treated. At the Parramatta Opening Party (POP), scheduled for January 9, Paul Kelly will bring his new collaboration, The Merri Soul Sessions, to the stage for the first time ever, for which he’ll be joined by a bunch of our best local soul performers, including Dan Sultan, Clairy Browne, Kira Puru and Vika and Linda Bull. The free event, which kicks off from 6pm at Parramatta Town Hall, will also feature Radical Son, Christine Salem, New York City DJ, $mall ¢hange, the Waratah Drumcorps and 'Uptown' Brown. Elsewhere in Parramatta, there’ll be a rooftop performance from the Stiff Gins and a block party hosted by the fine Soul of Sydney folk.
Minimalist Aussie clothing designer Assembly Label opened up a permanent surplus store in Beaconsfield earlier last year where you can nab discounted threads on the reg. Thankfully, it still hosts regular warehouse sales there, too, and its next one is happening just in time to stock up on threads for spring. The four-day warehouse sale is running this weekend, from Thursday, August 22 through to Sunday, August 25. This means the warehouse's samples and pieces from past seasons will be going at up to 70 percent off. That includes much needed swimwear, dresses and basic tees for the coming warm months, plus denim, shorts, jackets and accessories in both men's and women's designs. The label is known for its linen basics and relaxed coastal vibes that makes up the wardrobe of many a Sydneysider. Once the sale is finished, the surplus store will return to its daily trade of discounted signature basics and seasonal releases, with styles restocked weekly. The warehouse sale will be open on Thursday 8am–9pm, Friday 9am–7pm, Saturday 9am–5pm and Sunday 10am–5pm.
After announcing its dates earlier this year, Moonlight Cinema has revealed the first part of its 2018–19 program. In short: pack your picnic basket and get ready to watch a heap of flicks under the summer evening sky. Kicking off on Thursday, November 29 in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and on Saturday, December 1 in Perth, this initial lineup boasts plenty of this year's favourites, a smattering of all-time faves and a few sneak peeks at new movies coming out soon. If you're wondering why it's just the first section of the program, that's because it covers the outdoor cinema's screenings until the end of January. A February and March lineup will be announced in January. Tried-and-tested highlights include A Star Is Born, A Simple Favour and Crazy Rich Asians, plus Halloween, Bad Times at the El Royale and Venom if you're after something darker. And it wouldn't be a movie season under the stars (or a pre-Christmas lineup) without Love Actually, Elf and Dirty Dancing, now would it? You can also catch pre-release sessions of twisted period drama The Favourite, from The Lobster filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos, as well as Transformers spin-off Bumblebee. Or, opt for Viggo Mortensen-starring likely Oscar contender Green Book, or Margot Robbie and Saoirse Ronan battling it out in Mary, Queen of Scots. Heist flick Widows, amusing sleuths Holmes and Watson and the wizarding antics of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald are all also accounted for — as is Moonlight's usual food truck and licensed bar offering, and its reserved bean beds. You can also BYO booze everywhere except Brisbane. Brisbane's season is actually benefiting from two big changes, with Moonlight Cinema saying goodbye to Brisbane Powerhouse after a more than a decade and settling in at Roma Street Parkland instead. Even better — it'll run all the way through until March 31 for the first time, like its interstate counterparts. MOONLIGHT CINEMA 2018–19 DATES: Sydney: Nov 29–Mar 31 (Belvedere Amphitheatre in Centennial Park) Melbourne: Nov 29–Mar 31 (Central Lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens) Brisbane: Nov 29–Mar 31 (Roma Street Parkland) Perth: Dec 1–Mar 31 (May Drive Parkland, Kings Park & Botanic Garden) Adelaide: Dec 8–Feb 17 (Botanic Park) Moonlight Cinema kicks off on November 29. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the Moonlight website.
Bowl-A-Rama. Sounds like a Fred Flinstone bowling festival, but unfortunately for devotees of the prehistoric inhabitant of Bedrock (and fortunately for the rest of us) it's not. We're talking bowl as in skateboarding bowl. And Bowl-A-Rama as in bonafide skateboarding festival. As in the best skaters in Australia, competing on one of the finest bowls in the world for the biggest prize money in the history of the event, all with the backdrop of the iconic Bondi Beach. Last year, the Vans Bowl-A-Rama attracted more than 60 of the world's top skaters and more than 6,000 spectators. This year, the event kicks off with a free launch party at the Beach Road Hotel, with loads of music and giveaways. The week-long festival also includes the Love & Guts Art Show, featuring the work of some of the world's most creative skaters past and present, like Lance Mountain, Steve Cavallero, Christian Hosoi, Pat Hgoho, and the Vans Wrap Party and awards night. https://youtube.com/watch?v=oinHX-LqqgY
Mainstay Waterloo pub The George is the next Sydney pub in line for a major revamp, thanks to new owners who, collectively, are behind The Duke of Enmore, Ghostboy Cantina and natural wine retailer Drnks. Together, they'll relaunch the Elizabeth Street pub as a new-age venue with three faces: a late-night pub, an authentic taco joint and a natural wine bottle shop. Co-owners James Wirth and Michael Delany are known for their epic revamps — previously, they bought and made over The Norfolk, The Flinders, The Carrington and The Oxford Tavern, before selling them all in 2016. Most recently, they overhauled the The Duke on Enmore Road. The George, on the other hand, has never been renovated before. "I had my eye on [The George] for over a decade — I always liked the kind of ugly look of it, it's almost like a Commonwealth Bank from the outside" says Wirth. "It's a rare pub because it was built in the 60s, unlike the typical 1800s or 1920s era you see in Sydney." To keep some of the pub's history in-tact, the team will focus on reupholstering and repurposing the pub's original features — including vintage wood panelling found in the basement, which will now adorn the walls. Apart from that, the place will get a new coat of paint and the concrete beer garden will get a refresh. https://www.instagram.com/p/BvIbBYbAxce/ For this venue, Wirth and Delany have got chef Toby Wilson (Bad Hombres, Ghostboy Cantina) and Drnks founder Joel Amos on board as co-owners, too. Amos will head up a brand new natural wine bottle shop. That means lots of natural wine from independent producers and "interesting stuff that people would bother travelling for". The bottle-o's labels will be available for both takeaway or dine in, with an additional $20 charged for the latter. And if you don't feel like dropping $35 on a bottle pét-nat, Wirth says that cheap cases of beer will be available for takeaway, too. Otherwise, at the bar, there'll be eight taps with Aussie classics like VB and Resch's alongside local craft brews from Grifter, Philter and the bar's own Waterloo Lager. For food, Wilson has created a new concept, Taco King, which promises to be one of the chef's most expansive offerings yet. "We've wanted to do a natural wine bar and taco joint for a while, so when The George came up, we decided to just plug in the concept there," says Wirth. "Mexican is kind of everywhere in Sydney but there's not heaps of great Mexican, and Toby is really committed to making it authentic." https://www.instagram.com/p/BvJDipHghmL/ At the centre of the food offering is the al pastor, a Mexican specialty that's based on the Lebanese immigrant version of shawarma spit-grilled meat — and is a rare find in Sydney. Other specialties include spicy kingfish ceviche tostadas, battered fish tacos and zucchini flower quesadillas with salsa verde, along with Mexican-style sandwiches and hamburgers. The cocktail list will also have a South American edge, like the Mexican French Martini made with tequila, the Brazilian-style caipirinha and the michelada, made with Mexican beer, tomato juice and lime. And it'll all be available until late on the weekend. These hospitality heavyweights aren't stopping there, either — the same crew has also snatched up The Old Fitzroy in Woolloomooloo. The team has already begun rolling out a new English-style pub menu, but will fully relaunch the pub in about 6–8 weeks. We'll keep you updated on that one. The George will reopen in early April at 760 Elizabeth Street, Waterloo. We'll keep you updated you with an exact opening date soon.
Looking for an excellent wine to sip? Plenty of prizes, nods and gongs have you covered. Looking for a great bar to drink a few glasses in? That's the domain of the Wineslinger Awards — which announced its top 50 venues for 2020 back in August, and has now revealed its picks for the best four wine-sipping spots in the country. Wine lovers in Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Geelong, rejoice — your patch of turf is home to one of 2020's top vino venues in Australia. Only one can boast the overall winner, though, and that'd be Melbourne. This year's Wineslinger award went to the Carlton Wine Room — and that's a particularly nice win given that the venue was closed for almost seven months of the year due to COVID-19 lockdowns. In the other fields, Adelaide's Leigh Street Wine Room nabbed the 'Best New Haunt' prize. Yes, that gong is rather self-explanatory. And in the 'Maverick' category — which is awarded to a venue that pushes the limits — Brisbane's Snack Man emerged victorious for defying food-and-wine pairing combinations (including matching Chinese snacks with European vino). The three aforementioned awards were all voted on by more than 100 industry experts; think sommeliers, winemakers, hospitality tastemakers and journalists. But for vino aficionados at home, there's also the 'People's Choice' prize — and that went to Union Street Wine in Geelong, which has been serving great drops since 2014. [caption id="attachment_789256" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Carlton Wine Room[/caption] For folks looking for your next drinking spot, you now have four places to add to your must-visit list — whether they're close to home or you're making travel plans for when life gets back to normal. If you need further suggestions, the 50-venue shortlist shared the love around the country, with 15 bars in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, 12 in Victoria, eight in Western Australia, and five each in South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland. The Wineslinger Awards were created in 2018 by Rory Kent, who also founded the Young Gun of Wine Awards. Where the latter prize aims to recognise stellar up-and-comers, the former is all about excellent and innovative places where vino lovers can enjoy an ace drop. Announcing this year's Wineslinger winners, Kent noted that "2020 has been the toughest year ever for Wineslingers in this country, and that's made it equally tough on cutting edge winemakers who rely on the passionate individuals and their brilliant venues to capture the imaginations of wine lovers". He continued: "we're so excited to celebrate the places and hospitality professionals serving up the best wine experiences in the country, and after months of lockdown and restrictions, getting back to supporting them in person." For further details about this year's Wineslinger Award winners, visit the awards' website. Top images: Carlton Wine Room, Snack Man, Leigh Street Wine Room, Union Street Wine.
Vivid Sydney is returning this May and the Fort Denison Restaurant is getting in on the act with its very own Dinner DeLIGHTS. This long-NYE favourite has a unique vantage point within the city's harbour and history to showcase the yearly spectacle, as our skyline again plays canvas to projections of light, music and ideas. For $99 a head, the Fort Denison Restaurant is offering an all-encompassing harbour evening, including: a two-course meal, return boat fares, an intimate talk with a Vivid Sydney special guest, entry to the park and a guided tour of Australia's only Martello tower from the NSW Parks and Wildlife Service. No word on who said special guest/s will be, but the event is known for celebrating local and international creative minds. The ferry service will be running from Circular Quay, giving guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in Vivid's light walk before they settle into their harbour views of the famous light show over dinner. Dinner DeLIGHTS will run on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the 18-day festival, 24 May to 10 June, and for the festival's closing night from 6.15pm to 9.45pm, with additional return ferries shuttles available throughout the evening. For more information head to www.fortdenison.com.au, or email reservations@tecatering.com.au to secure your booking. Places are limited.
One minute Sydney's Johnny Took, Matt Mason and Tommy O'Dell were writing nostalgic garage pop in a Newtown bedroom. The next, they were on high rotation on triple j, applauded by Splendour in the Grass-goers and basking in Channel V praise along the lines of "terminally infectious". With comfortably breezy tunes that could rival Oasis, DMAs are Australia's answer to Brit-rock — and they have the wardrobe of Adidas to match. The trio's sweet acoustic sound first hit the ears of influential label I OH YOU (Violent Soho, DZ Deathrays) in September 2013. "A good friend (who I guess I owe a beer to now) called me up and began barking down my phone about an amazing young band from Newtown," explained I OH YOU director Johann Ponniah, who released the trio's debut EP earlier this year. Their debut single 'Delete' swept across social media and dominated radio rotation, then the lads were one of the highlights of Splendour in the Grass this year, prompting many a singalong to 'Feels like 37' and 'The Plan'. Living well up to the significant hype, DMAs played their Britpop-loving butts off, as frontman Johnny Took steered the crew with his Gallagher-like pipes and tambourine stick. After a few smaller, low-key shows to promote their debut EP, the Sydneysiders are now embarking on their first ever national tour; playing shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Fremantle. If you haven't seen DMAs live yet, get amongst it at Oxford Art Factory this Friday and Saturday. Adidas trackies optional. Supported by The Creases. Words by Molly Glassey and Jasmine Crittenden. https://youtube.com/watch?v=vKSWC5r1tYg
The clocks have ticked forward, and we all know what that means: the outdoor cinema season is almost here. Movie lovers in Sydney are spoiled for choice when it comes to openair screens — and from the looks of things that doesn't appear to be changing any time soon. Following on from Moonlight Cinema's announcement of their 2016/17 program, Sunset Cinema is the latest openair picture house to make a return for the summer. Returning to North Sydney Oval, Sunset Cinema kicks off on Thursday, January 19, before running Wednesdays through Saturdays until March 18. The program skews towards more recent films including Captain Fantastic, The Magnificent Seven, Bridget Jones's Baby and The Girl on the Train, although they have squeezed one retro title in there: Dirty Dancing. They've also put together a top-notch food and beverage offering, in order to keep your stomach from grumbling during the film. They'll set up a snack bar and the site will have a fully licensed bar, serving 4 Pines craft beers and MadFish wines. For the full program, visit sunsetcinema.com.au/northsydney.
Last year's inaugural Antidote, Sydney Opera House's new festival of ideas, action and change, saw an impressive lineup of LBGTQI+, Indigenous and feminist rights activists — and 20,000 balloons — fill the iconic building last year. For its second weekend-long run on September 1 and 2, the festival is bringing in a host of international heavyweights to inspire and incite positive change in this crazy messed-up world. Leading the list is investigative journalist Ronan Farrow, whose exposé on Harvey Weinstein in The New Yorker — along with The New York Times' piece — won him a Pulitzer Prize and triggered the start of last year's global #MeToo movement. He'll speak alongside WikiLeaks whistleblower, trans activist and US Senate candidate Chelsea Manning and Black Panther comic writer Ta-Nehisi Coates. These high-profile American voices will be joined by a pretty diverse list of thought-provokers, including Syrian urban planner Marwa Al-Sabouni, South African storyteller Sisonke Msimang and Liz Jackson, the founder of disability self-advocacy organisation, the Disabled List. You'll also be able to settle in for a night of queer stories with Maeve Marsden and get Benjamin Law and his mum to answer some of your most embarrassing questions. Extending its practical positioning, the festival will also feature a few workshops this time around — you'll be able to learn how to fillet a fish with Saint Peter's sustainable fishmonger Josh Niland and Kirsty Mootz will show you how to make your own organic skincare with things you find in your house. Antidote comes at a time when a lot of us are angry and anxious about what's happening in the world. Hopefully you can take away some action points — and if you don't, well, talking it out should at least prove cathartic. Antidote will take place at the Sydney Opera House on September 1–2, 2018. Tickets will go on sale at 9am on Friday, June 22 here.
