This small nursery is absolute magic. What it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in charm — and a finely curated selection of plants, which includes everything from orchids to cacti. The staff are great and always ready to help when you can't figure out what you've done to make your indoor rubber tree look so sad. They understand that shoppers come from all levels of green experience, offering hard-to-kill Zanzibar Gems (the magic plant that thrives on neglect and only needs watering once every three months) to those with black thumbs, as well as being able to talk through the intricacies of garden layouts with the pros. Possibly the most welcoming feature, the Newtown Garden Market also has great standing deals meaning you can build your own flower bed or herb garden in one cheap trip.
Nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film, family drama The Past is writer-director Asghar Farhadi's first film since 2011 release A Separation, one of the most critically lauded films of the past decade. It begins with Ahmad (Ali Mosaffa) arriving in Paris from Tehran to finalise divorce proceedings with Marie (Berenice Bejo). He wanted her to book him a hotel — she hasn't, the first crack in the veneer of politeness. Temporarily back at his former home after a four-year absence, he finds Marie is now living with Samir (Tahar Rahim). The home is a mess of wet paint and half-finished renovations, as though in the process of removing any trace of Ahmad's time there. Ahmad has to share a room with Samir's eight-year-old son, Fouad (Elyes Aguis), who is acting out because of his confusion about the divorce. Ahmad snipes at Marie about this arrangement and the ensuing bickering bothers Samir, who senses there is something too familiar about their disagreements, that the feuds have the tone of a couple with unfinished business. Meanwhile, Ahmad's teenage daughter, Lucie (Pauline Burlet), has become unhappy and is often absent from home, largely because of the circumstances of Samir's split with his wife and his new relationship with her mother, as well as her own guilt at a train of events she believes she has set in motion. The Past starts off being about the final dissolution of Ahmad and Marie's relationship and the messy, unsatisfying experience of formally ending their marriage, but the story soon spirals off into something else entirely. Just when one strand seems to have exhausted itself, another complication arises, adding to the tragic mess these characters find themselves in. Yet while it is a film of revelations, there is never hint of melodrama and the story unfolds with complete, compelling realism. The small details are incredibly well-observed: one scene where Samir asks Lucie to pass him a kettle and she holds it so he has to scald his hands on the hot surface speaks volumes of their relationship, as does his almost comically stoic refusal to acknowledge what is happening. Another scene places Ahmad and Samir at a table together and watches as their silence and awkward refusal to engage with each other grows into something almost painful. Berenice Bejo won the Best Actress award at Cannes for her committed performance here, but The Past is a true ensemble piece with Burlet exceptional as the shell-shocked, troubled Lucie and Rahim having some brilliant moments as his Samir develops from being a sullen figure annoyed by the arrival of his lover's ex-husband into something much more layered and complex. A film that is rarely less than compelling for its entire running time, The Past gets even better in its wrenching unforgettable final scene, which is all the more emotionally powerful for unfolding at a glacial pace. Acting as both a haunting coda to proceedings and shedding new light on the motivations of its characters, it is an overwhelming last gasp of a truly great film. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Z2-_lt4kwXE
Situated on Kent Street alongside the likes of Papa Gede's and PS40 is Vinabar — a cosy microbar hidden behind a door disguised as a banh mi cart. If you're simply walking by, it could easily be mistaken as a spot for a quick bite as you venture through the city. Each detail throughout the moody yet sophisticated fitout tells a story. The space is adorned with vibrant silk lanterns hanging from its ceiling — which have been imported from Hoi An — a replica of the Golden Hand Bridge from Da Nang, and photographs of pre- and post-opening memories along its walls. Take a seat on either the comfortable lounge seating or at the sleek bar, and you'll be in for a treat. The brainchild of Ashwin Arumugam and Reymark Tesalona takes cues from Vietnam's lively nightlife and hospitality scene, with the intimate cocktail bar serving up stellar, Asian-inspired sips until 2am every night. Vinabar's food offering simply consists of a baby pork banh mi accompanied by a shot of Vietnamese coffee, which serves as a small bite to sustain casual drinking, or the perfect snack to satiate those hankering for a treat. The cocktail menu, however, focuses on inventive drinks with a creative Asian twist, with a new special launched every fortnight. Vinabar's main menu has four signature cocktails and one signature shot, alongside a short selection of beers, wines and mocktails. Highlights include the lychee-forward Rumble in the Jungle; a Vietnamese spin on the espresso martini known as the Cã-Phê martini; an martini inspired by banh mi; and the ginger, calamansi and tequila-starring Gaslighter — which appears similar to water but is made up almost entirely of alcohol. Plus, all of the classics are available upon request. Whether you're out on the town bar-hopping through Kent Street, enjoying an intimate night with a mate or a date, or keen for a small celebration, Vinabar is the spot for you, with space for up to 32 people. Vinabar is located at 332 Kent St, Sydney, open from 5pm–2am daily. Find out more at the venue's website. Image credit: James Scevola
Big names from Australia and overseas. A new stage dedicated to dance music. A health and wellness zone with guided meditation and ice baths. With the returning lantern parade, too, as well as Steven Bradbury hosting the Great Australian Pineapple Toss and the onsite ferris wheel offering a helluva view, that's how The Big Pineapple Festival is making the most of its 2025 event. Taking place on Saturday, November 1, the Sunshine Coast is marking its ten-year anniversary with Hilltop Hoods, The Cat Empire, The Jungle Giants and PNAU leading the bill, as well as Polaris, SIX60, Hands Like Houses, MKTO, Rum Jungle and Thelma Plum. Superlove Arena, that purpose-built haven for electronic tunes, will feature Baauer, Bushbaby, Anna Lunoe B2B Nina Las Vegas, KLP B2B Mell Hall, Little Fritter B2B Wongo, Paluma B2B Kessin, Shimmy and Raw Ordio. And Betty Taylor, Beckah Amani, HEADSEND and IVANA are also on the fest's lineup as well, all helping the event back up being named the Festival of the Year for the fourth time at the 2025 Queensland Music Awards. For those keen to dance in the shadow of a giant piece of tropical fruit — and one of Australia's most-famous big things — hitting Pineapple Fields in Woombye also comes with the option of camping, whether you'll be bringing your own tent, hiring one onsite or glamping. The Big Pineapple Festival 2025 Lineup Hilltop Hoods The Cat Empire The Jungle Giants PNAU Polaris SIX60 Hands Like Houses MKTO Rum Jungle Thelma Plum Baauer Bushbaby Anna Lunoe B2B Nina Las Vegas KLP B2B Mell Hall Little Fritter B2B Wongo Paluma B2B Kessin Shimmy Raw Ordi Betty Taylor Beckah Amani HEADSEND IVANA Select images: Claudia Ciapocha / Charlie Hardy.
In 2022, Netflix asked a question: what happens when you take the Australian teen series of the 90s and update it to the 2020s, all while riding a huge wave of nostalgia for all things stemming from three decades back? The answer seemed obvious on paper, but there were no guarantees about the new Heartbreak High revival until it actually arrived. The answer, thankfully, was a worthy successor to the beloved 1994–99 hit that every 90s Aussie kid watched. No one said "rack off" to the Sydney-set show's latest run, clearly, or to its new batch of Hartley High teens, or their fresh dose of messy teen lives. Not Aussie audiences, with the series making Netflix's top ten TV shows in the country for the five weeks after its September 2022 release. And, not the streaming service itself, given that it promptly renewed the show for season two. That was last year's news — and, if you've been hanging out for Heartbreak High's return, Netflix has just started confirming season two details. Firstly, you'll be waiting until 2024 for school to be in session again. Secondly, there'll be a couple of new students. Sam Rechner (The Fabelmans) will play country boy and classic cinema fan Rowan Callaghan, and he's destined for a love triangle. Also, Kartanya Maynard (Deadloch) joins the Hartley crew as Zoe Clarke, who has big thoughts on celibacy — she's in favour — as part of a gang of Puriteens. Attention students! Next season, we'll be joined by some new members of the class... Please make them feel welcome at recess 💔 🏫 #HeartbreakHigh pic.twitter.com/jUNGrdb57N — Netflix ANZ (@NetflixANZ) July 7, 2023 On the returning crew, character-wise: Amerie (Ayesha Madon, The Moth Effect), Harper (Asher Yasbincek, How to Please a Woman), Darren (screen first-timer James Majoos), Quinni (Chloe Hayden, Jeremy the Dud), Dusty (Josh Heuston, Thor: Love and Thunder), Ca$h (Will McDonald, Home and Away), Malakai (Thomas Weatherall, Troppo), Spider (Bryn Chapman Parish, Mr Inbetween), Ant (debutant Brodie Townsend), Sasha (Gemma Chua-Tran, Mustangs FC) and Missy (fellow newcomer Sherry-Lee Watson). Season one started with Amerie becoming a pariah at Hartley after a big revelation — an "incest map" plotting out who's hooked up with who throughout the school — and also struggling with a sudden rift in her friendship with bestie Harper. Attempting to repair her reputation, she called on help from her new pals Quinni and Darren, all while working through her crush on Dusty and developing feelings for Malakai. And that's just the start of the Heartbreak High revival's season one story. In season two, everyone will back for a second term after doing some growing up over the holidays, and Hartley is now the lowest-ranking school in the district. Netflix is teasing that threesomes, chlamydia and burning cars will be distant memory for the gang — but there'll still be teen chaos, of course, or this wouldn't be Heartbreak High. It was back in 2020 that Netflix initially announced that it was bringing the series back — and yes, it sure is a 2020s-era take on the Aussie classic, including everything from friendship fights, yelling about vaginas from the top of a building and throwing dildos at walls through to consent, crime, drugs and police brutality. The original Heartbreak High was a massive deal, and was filled with now-familiar faces, including Alex Dimitriades, a pre-Home and Away Ada Nicodemou, and Avengers: Endgame and Mystery Road's Callan Mulvey as Drazic. It painted a multicultural picture of Australia that was unlike anything else on TV at the time. And, for its six-year run across two Aussie networks, the Sydney-shot show was must-see television — not bad for a series that started as a spinoff to the Claudia Karvan and Alex Dimitriades-starring 1993 movie The Heartbreak Kid, too. Check out the trailer for the Heartbreak High revival's first season below: Heartbreak High season two will arrive sometime in 2024 — we'll update you with an exact date is announced. The show's first season is available to stream now via Netflix. Read our full review.
If you've already made plans for Sunday, February 23, you might be about to change them. At 9am the second Sydney Skinny will be kicking off, as hundreds of people disrobe and dive into the calm waters of Mosman's Middle Head for a nude swim. For those of who you didn't hear about last year's event, basically it's a ticketed swim (and the largest nude ocean swim in the world) that raises money for the rejuvenation of Sydney Harbour National Park and the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife's conservation work. Apparently in 2013 over 750 totally starkers Sydneysiders took part, and by all accounts it was a pretty liberating, joyous experience for all involved. All participants must be over 18 and capable of swimming at least ten laps of a 50-metre pool. If you're a bit of a novice, choose the 300m option, whilst the more confident can plump for the 900m swim. Lifeguards will be stationed out on the water, and only people with tickets to swim get access to the beach, so you don't have to worry about creepy clothed spectators watching you disrobe. There will even be a festival area with refreshments and a complimentary sarong to wrap up in post-plunge. So maybe you could organise to swim with a group of friends, or go solo. Whatever works. Just be prepared for the possibility of running into your old high school physics teacher or your ex-boyfriend's dad. Maybe wear a mask.
A multi-level dining and party space has arrived on Little Hunter Street, adding to Sydney's current late-night revival. Joining the likes of The Abercrombie, Club 77 and the soon-to-open Pleasure Club on the list of new and revamped venues pushing Sydney's nightlife into the early hours of the morning, Zaffi is a versatile space boasting a 42-seat ground-floor restaurant and a 122-capacity basement bar that's committed to keeping the party rolling until 4am on weekends. "The name 'Zaffi' means 'celebration' in Arabic, so we wanted to create a space where people not only come to celebrate but also where people know you're going to have a good time. For me, those spontaneous nights are the best kind of nights!" says Zaffi owner Chady Khouzame. Khouzame has enlisted the help of ex-Chin Chin and Rockpool chef Graeme Hunt to create a refined Australian-Lebanese menu for the street-level dining room. It's a sharing affair at Zaffi, with plenty of mezze options including dips and veggies paired with mains like Aleppo pepper roast prawns and char-grilled spatchcock. "We want our menu to be big on flavours and sharing, so the food isn't very complicated," Hunt says. "Some light raw dishes to begin with, moving onto your mezze options, then some larger mains that have been designed to share." The two banquets menus are highly affordable, with the $60 option bringing a table-covering feast of saj, hummus, baba ganoush, eggplant fatteh, labneh, haloumi, kofta, cauliflower, spatchcock, pickles and chips — or, for an extra $29 per person, you can basically sample the entire array of eats on offer, with the addition of pan-fried snapper, slow-roasted lamb shoulder, panna cotta and cheesecake. Downstairs in Zaffi's party bunker, you'll find pink velvet-cushioned booths, neon lighting, communal tables and upbeat tunes encouraging late-night revellers to stay well past midnight. "We literally raised the roof to allow people to dance on tabletops," continues Khouzame. The snacks also keep coming, with highlights from upstairs including kofta, dips, chips and grilled honey and za'atar haloumi all available on the after-hours menu. Zaffi is open at 10–14 Little Hunter Street, Sydney, from 5pm–late Tuesday, 12pm–late Wednesday–Thursday, 12pm–4am Friday and 5pm–4am Saturday.
Sometimes, you just need to get away from it all. And what better way to do that, than by escaping to your own private luxury villa, floating offshore from Sydney's famed Palm Beach? Lilypad is a lavish, resort-style escape that's right at home on the northern beaches, and it's just become a whole lot more accessible — while it was previously only available to members, bookings are now open to the public. Of course, it's much more than just a pretty face — the floating paradise has also been built with big respect for its natural environment, running entirely off solar power. And it's been cleverly engineered to remain stable, while still embracing the natural movements and rhythms of the water below. After all, a bout of seasickness doesn't exactly scream 'luxury'. This designer lilypad can only sleep two, but can also be used to host events with up to 16 of your friends and fam. It comes decked out with an on-board, 40-bottle wine cellar — which you have unlimited access to — and comes stocked with a handy array of water equipment, including paddleboards, snorkel gear, fishing rods and a floating daybed. Guests can expect even more luxury, with their own private concierge and a self-drive luxury personal vessel for exploring the surrounds, along with gourmet brekkie by The Boathouse Group and premium booze by Glenmorangie whisky throughout their stay. Throw down even more money if you fancy adding on upscale extras like a private chef, seaplane transfers and on-board spa treatments. To enjoy your slice of floating luxury, you'll need some big cash to splash — the nightly cost is set at $1650. But, if you can somehow splurge for two nights, the booking includes a complimentary meal for two at Barrenjoey House, with the private boat transfer included (naturally). Lilypad Palm Beach is now available for bookings, starting at $1650 per night. It's located off of Snappers Lane Wharf, Palm Beach. Updated: December 19, 2019.
October isn't the only spooky month in Sydney in 2023. When late November hits, things will be getting eerie at Barangaroo's Harbour Park to end this year and start 2024. Why? How? What? The answer to those questions comes via the masters of immersive thrills behind Darkfield, who are back to give Sydney some more IRL spine tingles. During the pandemic's early days, Realscape Productions had to hit pause on touring its smash-hit series of eerie shipping container installations, including Séance and Flight, pivoting to at-home experiences instead. Darkfield brought those two favourites back to the Harbour City in autumn this year, but it doesn't done with Sydney yet for 2023. So, it's returning for a two-month season with those returning favourites, plus two unnerving new shows. The series will make its comeback from Thursday, November 23, 2023–Sunday, January 21, 2024, delivering four different unsettling productions — each taking place in blacked-out shipping containers and promising to totally mess with your sense of reality. Making its local debut is the oh-so-creepy-sounding Eulogy. This one sees audience members transported through a dark, labyrinthine hotel under the guidance of a chaperone. From there, 360-degree sound and speech-recognition technology are used to lend a disquieting dreamlike vibe. Also, it's recommended that you stick to the correct path, lest you befall some terrible fate at the end of your journey. Another Darkfield creation hitting Sydney for the very first time is Coma, which unfolds as you lie in a bunk bed and tumble into a dream state along with your fellow supine participants. The total darkness aims to impart a spooky sense of solitude, leaving you to be properly engulfed by the show's multi-sensory elements. Having earned a cult following on previous visits here and overseas, sellout shows Séance and Flight will also be getting a run throughout Darkfield's next visit. The former again plays on the concept of sensory deprivation, thrusting audiences on a journey into the supernatural realm as they join a medium in trying to contact the spirit world. As the name suggests, Flight takes place on board an imagined plane, sending passengers tripping through dual worlds as they're forced to ponder the many possible outcomes if the cabin suddenly happened to lose pressure. This is a nerve-jangler, for sure, even for those who aren't afraid of flying. The four shows will each run multiple sessions throughout Darkfield's latest Sydney stint, with prices for each ranging from $22–30. 'Eulogy', 'Coma', 'Séance' and 'Flight' will appear at Barangaroo's Harbour Park, with various sessions running from Thursday, November 23, 2023–Sunday, January 21, 2024. Tickets are available now via the website. Images: Mihaela Bodlovic, Katie Edwards and Alex Purcell.
Marrickville Metro is getting its first major upgrade since 1987, taking over the abandoned warehouse next door in a massive development project that will cost upwards of $142 million. Construction began on Edinburgh Road last week, and, once completed, it'll increase the centre size by half — adding an additional 11,000 square-metres of dining and retail space and produce markets. The project is being managed by AMP Capital, who is also responsible for the Quay Quarter Sydney development — a $2.7 billion lifestyle precinct near Circular Quay that'll include a 50-storey glass skyscraper and is slated for completion in late 2021. The size upgrade will meet growing foot traffic needs — with the number of locals regularly using the centre expected to hit 440,000 by 2021 — as well as provide a new go-to dining and retail precinct for Marrickville locals. There will be a mix of indoor and al fresco dining options, with 44 new retailers set to join the space. [caption id="attachment_706068" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A render of the new-look Marrickville Metro.[/caption] The extension's focus is on a dedicated fresh food offering, which will feature a local produce market and "never before seen store concept" from Coles. This mysterious 'black label' outlet will complete the trifecta, with existing Woolworths and Aldi stores already available in the centre. Designed by Hames Sharley Architects, the upgrade will maintain the warehouse's facade and industrial fit-out. Local artists and small businesses have also been commissioned to personalise the space for the inner west masses. The precinct will have a 'hidden' laneway entrance separate from the metro, along with a pedestrian bridge and a street level pedestrian walkway connecting the new development with the existing one. And an additional 455 parking spaces will be built, too. If all goes well, the shopping centre upgrade should be finished by September 2020. Marrickville commuters will be happy to hear that the metro will continue its normal trading hours throughout construction, though some minor disruptions should be expected. The first stage of the Marrickville Metro Development is slated for completion in late-2020. The shopping centre will trade as normal throughout the development.
For many families in the hospitality industry, children often inherit the beloved restaurants where they spent their formative years. It's not often that you find a hospitality veteran launching a restaurant specifically with his parents in mind. Brookvale's Bazaar and Bar and Sketch Manly founder, Kabir Arora, wanted to give his parents a "real place to land" once they emigrated to Australia from India. "Mum had years of catering experience back in India and deserved a kitchen where she could show off properly," says Kabir. "Dad, BJ, is a numbers guy, so he slid straight into the accounting seat. Sketch became our family project before it ever became a restaurant." If you're not familiar with the curry and craft beer house, Sketch Manly, you've been missing out. The restaurant started with Indian tapas nights that the locals packed out. Throughout COVID, Sketch Manly stayed open every day and nine years into their venture, the restaurant still hasn't closed its doors once. "That's how committed we are to being part of this neighbourhood," says Kabir. "Sketch is what it is because Manly made it that way." Kabir describes Sketch Manly as Indian home-cooking meets a cosy Melbourne bar (despite being in Sydney). "Vibey street energy, hip tunes, and a space built with genuine care for food and drinks," Kabir tells Concrete Playground. Sketch Manly's curries are all Kabir's mum's, Sukh's recipes. "It's simple food done right. Our butter chicken and mushroom korma anchor the menu, and the rest rotates seasonally. No gimmicks. Just home cooking executed properly." Said butter chicken is the "unofficial mascot of Sketch", and Kabir prides himself on their version going back to basics. "Too many Sydney spots have turned butter chicken into dessert, so we went in the opposite direction: tomato, butter, cream, a few spices, and restraint." Kabir's partner, Ivy, has also helped Manly to fall in love with the restaurant's newest dessert: the Chai-misu, an Indian twist on the ever-popular tiramisu. Alongside its food offerings, Sketch Manly is also known for pairing its homemade curries with crispy craft beers. "Spices and a crisp, cold beer are natural mates," says Kabir. "A clean lager cools things down beautifully, but a juicy pale or hazy IPA can actually lift the flavours and make the whole meal pop." Ultimately, the family ethos that began Sketch Manly is what Kabir hopes customers feel after dining in. Similar to eating at your cousin's or mum's place, he says, the family hopes diners leave full, content, happy and planning their next visit. "It's the neighbourhood curry spot where everyone feels welcome," says Kabir. "First-timers, regulars, families, tradies — whoever walks in gets treated like part of the crew. We cook the same way every day, with the same care." So, what's next for the Northern Beaches restaurant? Kabir is setting his sights on more dinner collaborations, hibachi nights, and even an expansion. "And we're finally launching Sketch Goods — small-batch chutneys, sauces, pickles, and other Indian pantry staples we've been quietly perfecting," says Kabir. The idea for Sketch Goods is simple: bring Sketch Manly's beloved flavours into other cafes, delis, pubs, and home kitchens. What began as a family project has turned into a nearly decade-long love affair with the Northern Beaches suburb, and as the Pittwater Road gem expands, it seems Sketch Manly's food and flavours could soon be enjoyed by more than just the locals. Images: Supplied
Nearly four decades ago, the nephew of a famous film director took his first big screen acting gig playing a character so minor, he didn't even get a name. Six years later, the star in question nabbed a Golden Globe nomination. Before the century was out, he won an Oscar. These days, he also has eight Razzie nominations, but if ever an actor has straddled the vast chasm between the ridiculous and sublime, it's Nicolas Cage. He has crooned Elvis songs for David Lynch, married Elvis's daughter in real life, acted opposite himself in Adaptation, taken to the skies with criminals in Con Air, named one of his sons after Superman, and starred into two of the worst Marvel-affiliated movies ever thanks to Ghost Rider and its sequel. The list goes on — and over his 37 years in the business, Nicolas Cage has amassed a whopping 95 screen credits. We could continue, but everyone knows that talking about Nicolas Cage isn't anywhere near as great as watching Nicolas Cage. Also, for some reason, it just feels better to use his entire name. Don't just take our word for it about any of the above, however — take the Ritz Cinema's. This year, as part of a six-week effort between September 2 and October 9, the Randwick venue is dedicating two days each week to Nicolas Cage mania. The cinema is calling it the We Love Nic Cage film series, and it has amassed quite the showcase of Nicolas Cage's work across six films – but let's be honest, they really could've picked any of his flicks and it'd be amazing. Attendees will get into the mood with the long-locked glory of Con Air, then watch Cage switch faces with John Travolta in Face/Off, before seeing him live life in the fast lane in Gone in 60 Seconds. Next comes jailbreak drama The Rock, his latest and maybe greatest in the form of unhinged thriller Mandy,before coming to a close with the Coen brothers' madcap comedy Raising Arizona. Tickets cost $15 per session (and $12 for members), but the memories you'll have seared into your brain forever will be priceless. A word of warning: spending this long staring at Nicolas Cage's various crazy grins won't be easy to shake, especially with four of the films screening on 35mm. If you're keen — and of course you are — here's the full rundown of films, dates and times: Con Air: Sunday, September 2 at 4.45pm and Tuesday, September 4 at 8.30pm. Face/Off: Sunday, September 9 at 5pm and Tuesday, September 11 at 8.30pm. Gone in 60 Seconds: Sunday, September 16 at 5.30pm and Tuesday, September 18 at 8.30pm. The Rock: Sunday, September 23 at 5pm and Tuesday, September 25 at 8.30pm. Mandy: Saturday, September 29 at 8.30pm and Monday, October 1 at 5pm. Raising Arizona: Sunday, October 7 at 5.30pm and Tuesday, October 9 at 8.30pm.
The Japanese have a particular skill when it comes to making useful objects much more compact and convenient. It seems that such skills have extended well into the realm of eyewear, as Menicon Co. has recently revealed with Magic, the world's thinnest contact lens pack. At just '12.5% of the thickness and just 40% of the volume of a conventional pack used to store contact lenses', Magic is thin enough to slide inside your wallet. With such minuscule size, these daily lenses will be much easier to carry around when you're travelling light. The packs have been patterned by designer Yoshihiro Yagi, with a simple black and white print that mimics the daily movements of the sun. Furthermore, the contact lenses contain 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate-Glycerol Methacrylate, which apparently allows for 'superior water retention'. These are set for nationwide distribution in Japan from April 2012. Watch the video below for a real glance at the dynamics of this product. [via PSFK]
Mona Vale's Fleet Street, also known as Pittwatter Cellars, is admired for its top-notch customer service and wide variety of wines. And those include a focus on non-alcoholic varieties, from the likes of McGuigan Wines Zero and Fizzero rosé. The spirits section is also impressive in its own right, with labels like Ardmore Highland single malt scotch, Bundaberg rum and Basil Hayden's bourbon. Canned mixed drinks and classic Aussie beers are also on offer here, so you can pick up something for everyone. But, if you're specifically looking to change up your own BYO game, you can do that here, too, and impress even your most discerning mates. Images: Leigh Griffiths
In October of 2025, Sydney welcomed its newest boutique hotel in the form of The Olympia, the first Australian opening for 25hour Hotels in the building that was once the West Olympia Theatre and the Grand Pacific Blue Room. Now, it's a modern hotel that brings four standout eateries and 109 guest rooms to the Oxford Street address. The Olympia pays tribute to the site's early days with a commitment to a cinematic theme in its guest rooms, with design choices and room identities harkening to cinematic archetypes of 'Dreamers' and 'Renegades' alongside artwork from local creatives, including artist Kubi Vasak. [caption id="attachment_1069491" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Justin Nicholas[/caption] At the hotel's heart are the four food and drink venues, organised by Culinary Director Mitch Orr, alongside Food and Beverage Director Raj Vanniasinkam, Venue Manager Lillia McCabe, Head Sommelier Eleonore Wulf and Head of Beverage Roean Patawaran. Each of the venues was designed by London's Studio Paskin, while The Monica was created by food and beverage studio Carte Blanche. The headliner of the on-site offering is The Palomar, a London-native restaurant that brings a menu of flavours from Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Levant made with Australian ingredients. There's also The Mulwray, a wine bar dealing in biodynamic and classic wines; rooftop bar The Monica, which pairs share plates and cocktails with a skyline view and a 1960s Hollywood theme; and finally Jacob the Angel, a London-style cafe that serves specialty coffee and pastries by Lune on the ground floor. [caption id="attachment_1069492" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] Describing the vision for the hotel's hospitality offering, Mitch Orr said, "For me, it's always about the people: putting together a team who are passionate, collaborative, and driven enough to make every service feel electric. That's what makes hospitality exciting. The talent of the team here is really second to none. Working with Chloe [Sharp] again — she's an incredible chef who really sets the tone in the kitchen — and Luke [Davenport], who brings the depth of his head chef experience and time at The Palomar in London, I'm proud of the team we've pulled together and what we're about to share with Sydney." The rooms range in size from solo traveller-friendly queen-bed rooms with courtyard views, scaling up to king-size beds with views of Oxford Street, private terraces, and eventually suites that range between 29, 44 and 69 square metres of floor space, with suitably chic amenities to match. [caption id="attachment_1069490" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Justin Nicholas[/caption] "Bringing 25hours to Sydney is a very special moment for us. From the beginning, our vision has been to create hotels that are tied to their settings and are rich in character," said Christoph Hoffmann, Founder of 25hours Hotels. "The Olympia is a perfect match for that philosophy: a historic theatre with a colourful past, at the intersection of some of Sydney's most vibrant neighbourhoods." The Olympia can be found at 1 Oxford Street, Paddington. For more information or to make a booking, visit the 25hours Hotels website.
Peruse a list of 2019's big movies, and you could be forgiven for feeling like Hollywood is living in the past. When it's not serving up Dumbo, Aladdin and The Lion King remakes, it's extending the Godzilla, X-Men, Men in Black, Child's Play, Toy Story, Spider-Man and Terminator franchises — and putting together a sequel to The Shining. The list goes on, with the new Charlie's Angels the latest to join the fold. Hello, nostalgia- and action-loving movie-goers, obviously. Back in 2000 and 2003, the world didn't really need a couple of films based on the 1976–81 television series of the same name, even if Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu made a great team. Almost two decades later, the world probably doesn't need a third Charlie's Angels movie about a private detective agency, its formidable ladies and their globe-trotting hijinks, either. But the new flick — which both revisits the franchise's familiar scenario with new faces, and reportedly continues on from both the TV show and the the first two films — does boast more than a few potential highlights. Cast-wise, Charlie's Angels circa 2019 stars Kristen Stewart, Aladdin standout Naomi Scott and British up-and-comer Ella Balinska. Like her Twilight co-star Robert Pattinson, Stewart has made some savvy film choices since farewelling the vampire romance saga, including Clouds of Sils Maria, Certain Women and Personal Shopper — and while this upbeat action flick about kick-ass ladies saving the world clearly shares little else in common with her recent dramatic roles, here's hoping it continues her good run. Elsewhere, Elizabeth Banks sits the director's chair, co-wrote the script and features on-screen as Bosley. Well, one of them — Patrick Stewart and Djimon Hounsou both play Bosley, too. Music fans can also look forward to the soundtrack, with Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus and Lana Del Rey all collaborating on a song, as the film's first trailer reveals. That's a bit of a throwback of its own, given that 2000's Charlie's Angels also featured a killer track, aka Destiny's Child's 'Independent Women'. Catch a glimpse of the new Charlie's Angels in the initial clip below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSUq4VfWfjE Charlie's Angels releases in Australian cinemas on November 14, 2019.
Other than Christmas Day's requisite feast, no one likes cooking at the end of the year. If you're not so fond of getting in the kitchen on December 25, that's okay, too. So, as 2020 dwindles to a close, takeaway is firmly on the menu. And if you're keen to both support local eateries and keep an eye on your bank balance, Deliveroo has announced a handy special for the festive season. From Monday, December 21–Sunday, December 27, the delivery service is offering Australians free delivery from a sizeable range of local restaurants. In total across the country, more than 130 eateries and restaurants are on the list — including Gelato Messina, Mary's and Royal Stacks. With Sydney's northern beaches area currently experiencing a COVID-19 cluster — and subject to stay-at-home public health orders from 5pm, Saturday, December 19 until midnight on Wednesday — Deliveroo is also kicking things off early in the region. Free delivery is already available in the area, including from I Love Pizza, BenBry Burgers, Banana Blossom, DeVita: Tastes of Napoli, Chat Thai in Manly and Little L in Mona Vale. To ensure that all of the eateries involved aren't missing out on revenue or left out of pocket, Deliveroo is footing the bill for the free delivery — in terms of the delivery fees, that is. Obviously, you'll still need to pay for whatever you'd like to eat; however, you won't have to fork out more on top to get it brought to your door. If you're in Sydney's northern beaches and you're suddenly hungry, or you're in the rest of the country and you're thinking ahead, orders need to be placed via the Deliveroo app. Deliveroo's free delivery is on offer from Saturday, December 19–Sunday, December 27 in Sydney's northern beaches area — and from Monday, December 21–Sunday, December 27 across the rest of the country — via the Deliveroo app.
Three men sit in a Japanese sushi restaurant. Three men wonder about the vacant lot across the way. Three men, given their fine barista skills, salvage the space with specialty coffee. Welcome to Salvage Specialty Coffee in Artarmon. This newbie sits tucked into the quiet side of Artarmon's train station and is the brainchild of Toby Cutler, Matt Goto, and Dan Yee, all formerly of the distinguished Air Coffee in Castle Hill. Consequently, with such experience to back them, there's no doubting these boys' ability to poor a good espresso. In an effort to get things up and running pronto, they managed to salvage all available resources with impressive results thus far. The cafe is small, yet there has been an incredibly practical use of the space. What was once a bright yellow shop is now a simple but cosy espresso bar with a cool neon sign out the front that really spruces things up. Salvage's espresso counter is this place's focal point, then there's the window counter for those after a prime position for people-watching, and outside's all about 1960s Dutch school chairs set undercover to shelter the willing on a raining day. Coffee is smooth and reasonably priced ($3 take away, $3.50 eat-in). The dark horse blend is roasted by Mecca, and a variety of specialty brewing methods is also on offer. A slow drip apparatus sits proudly on the back wall for those interested in a Kenya Gachatha AA (changes invariably), and for those keen to take some beans home and give it a nudge yourself, relevant items are available for purchase. The menu is short and sweet, with bread and pastries from artisan bakery St Malo in Crows Nest. A sweet lemon tart ($5) or an almond croissant ($4) does go down well with a coffee, but for the absolute sweet tooth hit, sit down and sample the ricotta on sourdough ($9), with honeycomb on top that appears to be fresh from the hive. A lengthier menu is on offer Saturdays, and you'd be hard pressed to say no to avocado, toasted pinenuts, lime, coriander, feta, and tomatoes on sourdough ($14) or the croque madame ($14) with a poached egg and bechamel sauce. The boys here have certainly managed to salvage something out of nothing, and lucky for them, we're already digging it.
As it continues in a push to produce more inclusive exercise gear, Lululemon has this week launched a new range of workout hijabs across selected international stores. The performance and lifestyle hijabs come in two styles available to buy now across New Zealand and Australia, with a third set to launch later this year. Each hijab is made using the buttery soft, sweat-wicking fabric Lululemon is famous for and offers a series of adjustable fits suited to the gym, a home workout or just those humid days of summer. The pin-free Performance Hijab ($55 AUD/$65 NZD) comes in both black and blue, and features an adjustable drawstring so it stays fitted into place while the user is working out — perfect for runners and HIIT lovers. The more traditional Scarf-Style Hijab ($49 AUD/$55 NZD) comes in soft jersey fabric and can be worn tied, twisted or tucked depending on preference. This one might be more suited to lower intensity styles, like pilates and walks. Lastly, the OTM Pull On Hijab ($49 AUD/$55 NZD) which is set to launch later this year, also has an over the head design and can be worn wrapped around the shoulders or tucked into the front of the shirt. Luluelmon certainly isn't the first activewear company to produce a hijab suited to exercise: Adidas has an option available to purchase online with its famous three stripe logo and Nike also has a monochromatic range. Under Armour also has an option with built-in headphone access. It would be great to see more brands follow suit, including locally made and designed options. The Lululemon performance hijab range launched Monday, June 6 and can be found now in select stores across Australia and New Zealand. For more information, head to the website.
If your ultimate Saturday morning is a leisurely Bunnings shopping session followed by a saucy snag in bread, why let the fun end there? Soon, you'll be able to make a proper weekend of it with a new Mercure Melbourne Doncaster hotel set to open smack bang on top of a Bunnings Warehouse. The work of global hotel group Accor and developer Accord Property Group, the unlikely pair are slated to be up and running by late 2021. Located in the heart of the bustling Doncaster Hill precinct, together they'll provide the prime spot for a snag-based staycation. Along with a couple of levels dedicated to retail offerings, the mid-range hotel will boast 183 rooms across six floors with interiors that reference parts of the area's history, including the southern hemisphere's first electric tramway: the short-lived Box Hill to Doncaster tram. It'll have all the usual trimmings you need for an overnight stay, too: a dining terrace, restaurant and bar, rooftop pool, fitness centre and sundeck — as well as a full-size, sparkly new Bunnings Warehouse, of course. And if tools, paint and plants don't offer quite enough retail therapy for you, Mercure Melbourne Doncaster also sits handily adjacent to the huge retail precinct that is Westfield Doncaster shopping centre. Mercure Melbourne Doncaster is set to open at 659 Doncaster Road, Doncaster in late 2021.
How often of late have we seen trailers for 'comedies' without a single funny clip in them? Their only virtue is in ensuring you never actually go see the final product when it comes out. But then there are those deceptive (and infuriating) films where the trailer does elicit laughter, only for you to go along to the full feature and discover you’ve already seen all the best stuff. Our first glimpse of Ted, by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, arrived back in April and felt distinctly like that latter variety. The trailer (banned in the US) was equal parts crass and dumb, but also featured one of the funniest bits of dialogue we’d seen all year (the ‘white trash names’ exchange). Pursuant to the 'formula', then, Ted seemed set to be the unfunniest disaster of 2012. Thankfully, though, the formula isn't foolproof. Ted is not just a funny film; it's side-splittingly so and manages to maintain that level throughout. Beyond the writing (which is excellent), so much of its success owes to the remarkable CGI of its lead character 'Ted' — a stuffed teddy bear miraculously brought to life by a young boy’s Christmas wish. Had audiences not been able to completely accept Ted's existence alongside his human co-stars then this movie would've crashed from the opening scene; however, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of his animators, the foul-mouthed bear (voiced by MacFarlane) is as believable as he is hilarious and steals almost every scenes he's in. Mark Wahlberg plays Ted's owner-come-best friend John, and again proves an appealing (if also surprising) comedic actor. His familiar 'just woke up and still haven't quite figured out where I am or what's going on' expression works perfectly as the immature stoner in his 30s forced to choose between his fluffy hedonistic teddy and the love of his life, Lori (Mila Kunis). Joel McHale plays a great supporting role as Kunis's sleazy boss, while Giovanni Ribisi cameos beautifully as the 'villain' hoping to buy Ted for his own son. The main 'threat', however, is simply John's reluctance to part with all 'childish things' and finally embrace adulthood. Fans of Family Guy will recognise other familiar faces and voices in supporting roles, along with MacFarlane's signature political incorrectness and constant pop-culture references (including a recurring jab at the 1980 shocker Flash Gordon). The writing occasionally dips a little too far towards the purely offensive; however, it's easily outweighed by the constant laughter and, surprisingly, several moments of genuine tenderness.
Meet Australia's next homegrown franchise: after 2019 film Top End Wedding proved a huge hit, striking a chord with lovers of big-screen rom-coms, Aussie fare, Miranda Tapsell (The Surfer) and seeing the Northern Territory splashed across cinemas, streaming series Top End Bub is set to give fans of the movie more on the small screen. And, the new series now has a trailer. When the newly engaged Lauren (Tapsell) and Ned (Gwilym Lee, SAS Rogue Heroes) made a whirlwind visit to Darwin in the successful flick, it was to get married. Six years later, the two key characters are now heading back to the Northern Territory capital. In Top End Bub, Top End Wedding's central couple enter their next chapter — and a child is indeed involved. Tapsell not only starred in Top End Wedding but co-wrote the script. With Top End Bub, she's in both roles again — and also co-created and executive produced the series with fellow returnee Joshua Tyler (100% Wolf: Legend of the Moonstone). Their new story: sending Lauren and Ned to the NT once more, away from their settled life in Adelaide, to become the guardians of their orphaned niece Taya (debutant Gladys-May Kelly). First confirmed in 2024, Top End Bub is set to span eight episodes — and you'll be watching it soon. The series hits Prime Video from Friday, September 12, 2025. Ursula Yovich (Troppo), Huw Higginson (Ladies in Black), Shari Sebbens (The Moogai), Elaine Crombie (Invisible Boys), Rob Collins (Austin) and Tracy Mann (Home and Away) are also making the leap from Top End Wedding to its new spinoff — and Sebbens and Christiaan Van Vuuren (The Office) direct Top End Bub. In a series that promises banding together for family, grappling with what it means to be a parent, onstage antics and even football — as seen in its just-dropped sneak peek — you'll be watching Brooke Satchwell (Triple Oh!), Guy Simon (The Secrets She Keeps) and Clarence Ryan (Territory) as well. Check out the trailer for Top End Bub below: Top End Bub streams via Prime Video from Friday, September 12, 2025. Images: John Platt / Prime Video.
2022 hasn't been kind to anyone's bank balances, with inflation having a hefty impact on the cost of living all around the world, including in Australia. We know you know this, and so does your wallet. In Sydney in fact, the year's financial struggles have seen the Harbour City reclaim global recognition for being a mighty expensive place to call home, taking tenth place on The Economist Intelligence Unit's annual Worldwide Cost of Living survey. While Melbourne was dubbed Australia's most liveable city in the EIU's Global 2022 Liveability Index earlier in 2022, Sydney has nabbed a less sought-after mantle, after sitting in the same spot back in 2018. Again, it's an exxy time all-round in general, with the survey noting that prices worldwide, in the 172 major cities surveyed, have shot up 8.1 percent year on year on average (in local currencies). That's the biggest jump in the 20 years that the EIU has digital data for. The place on the planet that'll trouble your pennies the most? This year, there's two: New York and Singapore. The pair of cities tied for the top spot, with New York earning the unwanted honours for the first time ever, but Singapore taking the crown for the eighth time in a decade. The two places bump down 2021 leader Tel Aviv to third, with Hong Kong and Los Angeles then sharing fourth spot. The Swiss cities of Zurich and Geneva came in at six and seven respectively, while San Francisco sits at eighth, Paris at ninth and Copenhagen shares tenth place with Sydney. Yes, this means that Sydney is more expensive to live in at the moment than London and Tokyo — two cities that aren't considered cheap at all. In fact, Tokyo dropped down 24 spots to sit in 37th place. As per The Guardian, Sydney's rise from 14th in 2021 to tenth this year isn't the only upward movement among Australia's cities. Melbourne leapt from 16th to 15th, and Brisbane from 36th to 32nd. For further details about the 2022 Worldwide Cost of Living survey, head to The Economist Intelligence Unit's website.
Does Sydney's spring sunshine have you ready to head straight from work to grab a few frosty ones with friends? Yeah, we get it — and we know a spot. This spring we're ditching the (dare we say) overdone pub scene and embracing the way of the Japanese izakaya instead. A new Suntory TOKI whisky pop-up on Thursday – Saturday evenings at Surry Hills eatery Tokyo Bird is championing the classic whisky highball and accompanying otsumami. Before heading along, we wanted to learn a little more about this post-work Japanese practice and its importance to Tokyo Bird co-owner Jason Ang. We headed to Surry Hills to get the skinny and find out all you need to know before hitting the season's most refreshing pop-up. SO, WHAT IS IZAKAYA Translating to "stay-drink-shop", in the traditional Japanese meaning an izakaya refers to an intimate spot where you're encouraged to grab a drink, settle in and get comfy. Don't mind if we do. It's a longstanding post-work custom in Japan and in recent years has become increasingly popular here in Sydney, but Ang says when he and Tokyo Bird co-owner Yoshi Onishi first opened their bar in 2014 the practice was still pretty rare. "Back then, the Japanese way of eating and drinking was still relatively new for Sydney: you'd either go to a pub to drink or to a restaurant to eat. We were one of the first small bars with a strong focus on food; particularly food that goes well with drinking, like otsumami and yakitori," Ang told Concrete Playground. "Izakaya drinking culture is about a fun but responsible approach to drinking. You drink some, you eat some, you drink some more, you eat some more. It's a relaxed, good time with company — not stuffy, not pretentious, not about the 'gram, not about being seen." Sound like your jam? Read on. THE ART OF THE HIGHBALL Forget your usual schooner. A key component of izakaya is the whisky highball, a mix of whisky and soda water which Ang says was popularised in Japan by Suntory whisky. If you haven't ventured into the world of whisky yet or it hasn't previously been your vibe, this might be a gamechanging entry point. "The whisky highball is basically whisky served on ice with soda in a tall glass and the classic Japanese highball includes a squeeze of fresh lemon," Ang told us. "It's a great introduction to whisky and a very refreshing way to enjoy whisky, especially in warmer weather." For the uninitiated, you're going to want to pair your highball with otsumami: delicious, often salty and fried snacks. Ang says highballs pair better with these bites than classic cocktails or wines due to the bubbly soda and citrus. "The carbonation and acidity of the highball helps cut through fat and saltiness on the palate," he explains. But of course, the type of whisky used is also vitally important. That's why Tokyo Bird has opted for something sweet and silky like Suntory's TOKI whisky — a blend of grain and malt whiskies which makes it soft, smooth, and perfect for cocktails. THE SPOT So now you're in the know, it's time to put your newfound knowledge to good use. Tokyo Bird's TOKI highball pop-up is on from Thursday to Saturdays now until December 10, giving Sydneysiders a chance to experience authentic izakaya culture in a fun and casual atmosphere, with a DJ playing nightly. The menu features a lineup of four TOKI highballs each paired with a delicious ostunami — so we asked Ang why the flavour combinations work so well. TOKI Suntory whisky, lemon and soda, paired with edamame "This classic whisky highball is clean and refreshing, paired with the green freshness of edamame beans." TOKI Suntory whisky lime, dry ginger ale, paired with crisp umami noodles "The addictive sweet-saltiness of these noodles needs a drink as equally moreish — and the ginger and lime combination does the job." TOKI Suntory whisky, yuzu honey and soda, paired with lotus root chips "An all-time favourite snack with an all-time favourite Japanese citrus flavour — everyone loves renkon chips and everyone loves yuzu." TOKI Suntory whisky, spiced orange syrup and soda, paired with puffed rice crackers "The more complex spiced flavours in the orange syrup can shine on their own alongside salty, crunchy rice crackers which are texturally fun and addictive." And Ang's favourite combination? "I can't go past the umami noodles with the ginger and lime TOKI highball. We tried a similar snack at a little pub in Tokyo and knew we had to replicate something like this back home — much better than bar nuts!" Suntory's TOKI whisky highball pop-up will be running at Tokyo Bird on the corner of Commonwealth Street and Belmore Lane in Surry Hills on Thursday — Saturday each week until Saturday, December 10.
Since Australia went into COVID-19 lockdown, heading out to catch a movie in a cinema has been off the cards. We've all be watching plenty of films and TV shows at home, though, thanks to seemingly non-stop array of streaming options — but if you're a devoted Sydney cinephile, you're probably eagerly looking forward to your next night out at the flicks. While Sydney cinemas aren't open and screening a regular array of movies as yet — with the Australian Government's three-step plan allowing reopening in mid-June, but the industry generally aiming for a mid-July relaunch — Surry Hills' Golden Age Cinema and Bar is planning to let movie buffs in the doors from Monday, June 1. It's doing so by opening up for private (and socially distanced) film screenings, which'll allow you to rent out the place for a session with nine of your mates. For $125 per person, you'll get to pick your movie, enjoy drinks and snacks from Golden Age's bar, and get the run of the place with your pals for three hours. That price includes the film licensing and programming fee, $75 in bar credit per person, and glassware and cleaning charges. Sessions are available from Wednesdays–Sundays from 2–11pm. Golden Age will be adhering to social-distancing requirements, of course — so there'll be four-square-metres of space per person, allocated seating a minimum of 1.5 metres apart, thorough cleaning between sessions and prominent sanitisation stations around the place. Depending on New South Wales' future easing of restrictions, the venue might be able to allow 20 folks in at once in the near future, too — outside of bar operating hours. Golden Age Cinema and Bar's private film screenings are available from Monday, June 1. For further details, or to book, visit the cinema's website.
It isn't hard to find somewhere in Sydney showing movies under the stars over summer. Moonlight Cinema, Westpac Openair Cinema, Laneway Cinema at The Rocks, Mov'In Bed Barangaroo Beach Cinema, Sunset Cinema: they're among your choices. For three film-filled January weekends, so is the Warner Bros Discovery Open Air Cinema at Darling Quarter, which comes with one big point of difference: it's all about flicks from Warner Bros Discovery. The biggest film of 2023 for the studio — and in general — kicks off the pop-up outdoor cinema's 2024 lineup on Thursday, January 11, with the openair picture palace returning after debuting in 2023. That'd be Barbie, continuing its love affair with the Harbour City ever since stars Margot Robbie, Issa Rae and America Ferrara, plus director Greta Gerwig, hit the New South Wales capital on a pre-release promotional tour. Wearing pink is recommended, obviously. Also on the bill until Sunday, January 28, with the cinema running Thursday–Sunday each week across its three weeks on the Darling Quarter North Village Green: four Harry Potter films (The Order of the Phoenix, The Half-Blood Prince and the two Deathly Hallows movies) and all three OG Lord of the Rings flicks. Or, check out The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, both The Lego Batman Movie and the Robert Pattinson-starring The Batman, more superheroes with Shazam! and The Flash, and the remake of The Witches. Happy Feet, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, Edge of Tomorrow and The Notebook round out the lineup. As well as focusing on Warner Bros titles, this cinema also comes with an excellent price: $0. Entry to see the films is free, but you will need your wallet if you want a beanbag or picnic rug rather than just a patch of grass to sit on. And, you'll be paying for anything that you eat and drink, including getting click-and-collect pizza from Vesta Italian, Korean chicken from Goobne, Brazilian barbecue from Braza Churrascaria, cakes from Kürtosh and gelato from Gelatissimo. The food range spans Doodee King's Thai cuisine, Ichoume's Japanese bites, Dopa's donburi and Cantonese dishes from MuMian Dining, too. Plus, Archie Rose is setting up a pop-up bar, where beer, wine and soft drink will also be available. While entry is free, you do need to reserve your spot to whichever of the 18 screenings you'd like to attend in advance online.
For screen fiends who spend their winters indoors at their favourite picture palaces, there's one surefire way to know that better weather has hit: the arrival of outdoor cinema season. When Sydney's chillier temperatures give way to sunny days and warm nights, the city's spaces set up plenty of openair big screens showing flicks. One such spot: The Rocks Laneway Cinema. As you might know from past runs, this film-loving pop-up sticks around for close to half the year, screening movies every Wednesday night — and for free. After returning for the end of 2024 in November, it's screening until March 2024. Mark your diary for a date on Atherden Street. Also, get ready for different monthly themes. December will naturally showcase Christmas classics. On the lineup: 80s-era laughs thanks with Steve Martin (Only Murders in the Building) and the late, great John Candy in Planes, Trains and Automobiles, which screens on Wednesday, December 4; a dose of Dr Seuss via The Grinch Who Stole Christmas on Wednesday, December 11; and 90s favourite Home Alone 2: Lost in New York on Wednesday, December 18. Laneway Cinema's movies screen from 7pm each week — and although entry is free, bookings are recommended because seating is limited. Heading along also means helping a good cause, with the proceeds from every $2 bag of popcorn sold going to charity. The beneficiary changes monthly, too, with Plate It Forward receiving the funds in December. If you're the kind of cinemagoer that needs snacks and sips, the venues around laneway have plenty to eat and drink on offer. That means making a date with spots such as Caminetto Restaurant, Ribs and Burgers, Pancakes on the Rocks, Playfair Restaurant and more. Obviously, you'll need your wallet for whatever tempts your tastebuds. Images: Anna Kucera / Adam Scarf.
Fast-expanding hospitality collective The Point Group has added a spacious Greek restaurant and bar to its far-reaching catalogue of Sydney venues that already includes the beloved Dolphin Hotel and the multi-storey venue Shell House. "We're staying true to Greek cuisine, calling on traditional recipes, cooking techniques and flavours, combined with incredible Aussie produce to present our contemporary take on classic Greek dining," says The Point Group's Culinary Director Joel Bickford. "At the heart of the menu are the essentials; an olive oil program and house made pita, a simple base to build out our menu from." The menu takes full advantage of the restaurant's seasonal produce and both the charcoal grill and woodfire ovens that you'll find in the kitchen. Begin your night with selections from the meze menu. The options are designed to encourage shared dining, with favourites like oysters with greek yoghurt ($4 each) , taramasalata ($14), baby burrata ($10) and kingfish crudo ($18) all here. Other exciting additions you'll find across the menu include dry-aged pork souvlaki ($16), king prawn saganaki ($34), feta and sweet pepper filo pie ($18) and wood-fired beetroot with sumac and fargo ($18). As with all of The Point Group's venues, the drinks list is a main feature and not an afterthought. "We want to create the very best quality wine and cocktail bar whilst embracing the bohemian spirit of Bondi," says restaurateur Brett Robinson. Accompanying an exciting wine list are memorable cocktails like a baklava old fashioned ($23) and Topiko's iced coffee ($23). The expansive venue can seat over 200 people across the dining room, 100-seat bar and outdoor terrace. Open from midday to midnight, it offers a new spot in the bustling eastern suburbs suburb for a snack, a catch-up over a wine or a group feast. Robinson calls it: "The perfect social meeting point, a pre/post-lunch or dinner drink and reliable place for friends to relax or celebrate no matter what time of day or night".
As if Australia Street couldn't get any more vibrant, the team behind Continental Deli is opening not one, not two, but three new venues on the beloved Newtown thoroughfare. Flora, Mister Grotto and Osteria Mucca will all sit side-by-side with Continental when they open between 206 and 212 Australia Street later this year. The rough open date for the trio of venues is October 2024, and the announcement also comes with the promise of three boutique apartments to be rented out on top of the three venues. That's right, any travellers looking for a Sydney-to-the-core experience will be able to stay on top of one of the restaurants right in the hustle and bustle of Newtown. The ambitious project has been multiple years in the making for the Porteño Group, the crew behind Porteño, Continental, Bastardo and Bar Louise. "Three years ago it went to council," Porteño Group Founder Elvis Abrahanowicz told Concrete Playground. "It's been an actual nightmare to get anything done. We should have been open like two years ago... so, we're just happy we're just going to be opening this year." So, what do the three venues have in store for us? Abrahanowicz says Flora is expected to be the first to open its doors. Dreamt up in collaboration with the crew from the beloved now-closed Australia Street cafe 212 Blu, the multi-faceted spot will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, spotlighting the best of local produce through a plant-based menu. Supporting the eats at Flora will be coffee during the day, and a playful drinks list at night with a focus on local Australian wines and spirits. Mister Grotto will be a small 30-seat seafood bar. Expect an ever-changing menu based on what's fresh and available, with plenty of raw delights on offer. Drop in for a couple of oysters and a sake before heading out to Newtown or stick around for clams and a drop from the daily wine menu. The final piece to the puzzle is Osteria Mucca, the biggest venue of the lot. For this spot, the team is taking an old butcher shop and transforming it into an Italian restaurant. Keeping the bones of its former occupant, Abrahanowicz says Mucca will be a "homage to the cow" with plenty of cheese and steak Fiorentina available alongside hearty bowls of pasta. The three new Australia Street openings will make the stretch of road between King and Lennox Street one of the highest-density spots for standout eats in Sydney — joining a slew of beloved venues including Tokyo Lamington, Westwood Pizza and The Courthouse Hotel, all within one block. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Continental Deli Bar Bistro (@continentaldeli) Flora, Mister Grotto and Osteria Mucca will open at 206, 208 and 212 Australia Street in October 2024. Follow along with the venues' progress at the Continental Deli Instagram.
Prepare to say "accio remote!" and get comfier than Hermione Granger in a library. In the latest news that'll keep you glued to your couch this summer — and your latest fodder for an at-home movie marathon — everyone's favourite boy wizard is now working his magic on Binge. You won't need the Marauder's Map to find these enchanting flicks. Since Thursday, January 21, all eight movies in the Harry Potter series have hit the streaming platform, bringing their Hogwarts-set adventures to Australian audiences. If you've watched your DVD copies from the 2000s so many times that they're showing a little wear and tear — or your laptop no longer has a disc drive — this is butterbeer-worthy news. Yes, everything from Harry's (Daniel Radcliffe) first visit to Platform 9 and 3/4, the Yule Ball, the Triwizard Tournament, many a fluttering snitch and He Who Must Not Be Named are now at your fingertips. Prime viewing for wizards, witches and muggles alike — all 19 hours and 39 minutes of it. The Fantastic Beasts films haven't joined them, though with wizarding journey keeping its focus on the original franchise. If you're thinking that a time-turner might come in handy over the next few months, we completely understand. And if this sounds like somewhat familiar news, all eight movies were also available on Netflix back in 2019. That's the thing about streaming services, though — unless they're making and funding a movie or series themselves, films and shows can switch platforms as the rights deals behind them change. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG37G--drDs&list=PLnpIp0ksj4UlQWQlPaRd6WrI9XSmS6B4u Find Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber Of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and Part 2 are all now streaming on Binge.
Although summer may have come and gone, mark our words, the tropical vibes are showing no signs of slowing down at Taqiza — especially when half-priced margaritas are involved. The intimate, buzzing Mexican restaurant in Bondi is joining forces with Tequila Ocho to keep the summer dream alive for one month this winter by halving the cost of its margaritas. With boutique Tequila Ocho as the boozy base, you can take your pick between a classic drop or a jalapeño version — and it won't cost you more than a tenner. This cheeky deal is available on weekdays through July, between 5–7pm. Stop by on the after-work wind-down for a hard-earned tipple and we suggest you pair these affordable beverages with some of Taqiza's traditional Mexican fare — from corn esquites, ceviche and crab tostadas to guacamole, quesadillas and some of the best tacos in town. To get in on this margarita-fuelled madness, grab your mates and reserve a table online here.
There are harbour views, and there are harbour views. And Solaré, the full-service restaurant, cocktail bar and Mediterranean-style beach club, boasts some serious harbour views — as one might expect, given that it's housed in a 150-foot classic superyacht which sets sail twice daily from King Street Wharf for long lunches, daybed lounging and sunset spritzes. The experience unfolds across three distinct levels. The Dining Room is a refined, sit-down restaurant built for leisurely progressions; the Terrace Deck lifts the tempo with share plates and cocktails; and the openair Sun Deck nails the beach-club brief with custom daybeds, a panoramic bar and uninterrupted skyline views. Designer Alex Zabotto-Bentley (AZB Creative) leans into 70s-tinged Mediterranean glamour — think sunflower yellows, burnt oranges, teak and green marble. [caption id="attachment_1042022" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jonny Valiant[/caption] In the kitchen, Executive Chef Pablo Tordesillas (Totti's Bondi; two-hatted Ortiga in Brisbane) teams up with Head Chef Nick Mathieson (Bistecca, Otto) on a coastal Italian menu with a seafood focus. The Dining Room runs as a set journey — begin with oscietra caviar over house potato crisps and cultured cream, then roll into snacks like a vinegar- and bottarga-dusted potato scallop with chives, plus deep-sea royal red prawns with finger lime and bisque mayo. Bigger moments include reginette with Moreton Bay bug, crustacean butter and chilli, and market fish with clams, saffron butter, fregola and spring veg. Tables can add a one-kilogram bistecca alla fiorentina as a supplement. Upstairs, the Terrace and Sun Deck are made for graze-and-gather afternoons. Sit back and soak up those views while enjoying Queensland spanner crab tartlets crowned with chervil and salmon roe, a Moreton Bay bug sando with crisp iceberg and cocktail sauce, and spaghettini tossed with spanner crab, tomato, chilli and garlic. Desserts keep the coastal mood: lemon and mascarpone sorbetto is served in a carved lemon, while fior di latte ice cream is finished with an indulgent spoon of Umai Heritage caviar. Venue Manager Mikey Hamilton (Bistecca, The Gidley, Banksii) steers service, bringing big-league polish to the yacht. [caption id="attachment_1042019" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jason Loucas[/caption] Drinks are led by Ed Loveday, who builds a harbour-ready list of crisp Mediterranean wines, lively rosés and seasonal cocktails. Expect aperitivo-leaning spritzes, martinis, margaritas, daiquiris and champagne numbers — plus a martini trolley in the Dining Room for bespoke, tableside ice-cold pours. Art threads through the space, too, with commissioned works by Daimon Downey, Jeremy Kay and Tiarna Herczeg adding sculptural colour and texture between decks. [caption id="attachment_1042020" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jonny Valiant[/caption] Top images: Jonny Valiant | Jason Loucas
The Office is reopening — in America, and in the same universe as the Steve Carell (Asteroid City)-led series dwelled in from 2005–13. It was back in 2023 that news dropped of a potential US reboot of the beloved sitcom, and now the project has been given the green light; however, the as-yet-untitled show isn't simply walking into Dunder Mifflin with new staff. Instead, US streaming service Peacock is staying in the same world as the Scranton-set show that itself was a remake — of the original UK version that arrived in 2001 — by moving the mockumentary format to a new workplace. This time, the same documentary crew who spent time with Michael Scott and company will focus on a dying newspaper office in America's midwest, where the publisher is trying to keep the business going with help from volunteer reporters. [caption id="attachment_765735" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Run, HBO[/caption] Leading the cast: Domhnall Gleeson, who co-starred with Carell on 2022's The Patient, plus Sabrina Impacciatore from The White Lotus season two. Who they're playing hasn't been revealed as yet. There's no character details at all so far, or anything more on the plot or fellow actors, but Greg Daniels — who created the US version of The Office to begin with, and has also been behind Space Force and Upload — is steering the project behind the camera with Nathan for You co-creator Michael Koman. "It's been more than ten years since the final episode of The Office aired on NBC, and the acclaimed comedy series continues to gain popularity and build new generations of fans on Peacock," said NBCUniversal Entertainment President Lisa Katz about the new series. "In partnership with Universal Television and led by the creative team of Greg Daniels and Michael Koman, this new series set in the universe of Dunder Mifflin introduces a new cast of characters in a fresh setting ripe for comedic storytelling: a daily newspaper." [caption id="attachment_870908" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The White Lotus, HBO[/caption] For everyone who has ever had a cringeworthy boss, annoying co-worker or soul-crushing office job, a truth remains apparent, then: this situation, which The Office franchise has understood for more than two decades now, shows no signs of fading away. As well as the UK and US versions so far, other international takes on the show have followed, including an in-the-works Australian series that'll mark the 13th iteration beyond Britain to-date. On its first go-around, the American The Office proved one of the rare instances where a TV remake is better than the original. It was also immensely easy to just keep rewatching, as fans have known for over a decade. Of course, that's what you get when you round up Carell, John Krasinski (Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan), Jenna Fischer (Splitting Up Together), Rainn Wilson (Weird: The Al Yankovic Story), Mindy Kaling (Velma), Ed Helms (Rutherford Falls), Ellie Kemper (Happiness for Beginners), Craig Robinson (Killing It) and more in the same show, and let all of them break out their comedic best. There's no sneak peek at the new The Office spinoff so far — it doesn't start production until July — but, in the interim, you can check out a couple clips from the US version below: The new spinoff of the US version of The Office doesn't have a release date yet — we'll update you with more information when it is announced. The Office Australia will stream via Prime Video sometime in 2024 — we'll update you with an exact launch date when one is announced.
High teas are back in a big way, with QT Sydney getting in on the action with the help of renowned patissier Adriano Zumbo. Launching on Saturday, August 2, a brand-new QTea High Tea Menu is jam-packed with indulgent creations that delve far beyond the traditional, served in the suitably luxe surrounds of the hotel's NY-inspired Gowings Bar & Grill. This high tea is divided into sweet and savoury selections, with those on the sugary side of life spanning options like A Rare Pear — macadamia cake layered with pear vanilla cream — and fun-loving Zumbarons — Adriano's signature macarons prepared in a myriad of playful flavours. Over to the savoury assortment, expect harissa prawn rolls, mac and cheese croquettes and Thai chicken sambos adorned with tangy lime dressing. Of course, this opulent feast comes with free-flowing loose-leaf tea, while you're welcome to pair lavish cocktails and champagne with your bite-sized morsels. Spanning 90-minute sessions with bookings available every Saturday and Sunday from 11am–3.30pm, Adriano Zumbo will also be in the house himself for two special sittings on Saturday, August 9, and Sunday, August 10. This might be your only chance to get the inside word on what makes his Zumbarons so magical.
When Christmas and New Year are over, the temptation to hibernate grows pretty strong — so, you're probably going to need a little something extra to tempt you off the couch come January. Handily, online reservation platform The Fork has a winning idea up its sleeve: it's offering a huge five weeks of dining specials nationwide. Kicking off on Monday, January 6, the second ever The Fork Festival will see top restaurants across the country offering sit-down meals for half the usual price. Yep, 50 percent off your total food bill, folks — think of it as the proverbial carrot luring you out of the house. So far, 300 restaurants have signed up, but The Fork is expecting this number to grow to over 500 by January. To snag a half-price meal, you just need to make a reservation through The Fork website or app at one of the participating eateries for any service (breakfast, lunch or dinner) during the five weeks. [caption id="attachment_653288" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Boathouse at Blackwattle Bay by Kitti Gould.[/caption] There are some great venues coming to the party, too. In Sydney, you'll find discounted eats at the likes of Eliza Food and Wine, Uccello, The Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay, Berowra Waters Inn, Butcher and the Farmer and Little Jean. Melbourne spots include Tulum Restaurant, Pascale Bar & Grill and Meat and Wine Co in South Yarra and Hawthorn. Brisbane folk can score discounts at the likes of Corbett & Claude and Malt Dining, and Perth diners should put Hunter and Barrel and Meat and Wine Co. You might want to revisit an old favourite or you could get a little adventurous and road-test somewhere new. Either way, there's ample time to squeeze in a fair few discount feasts before the festival wraps up on February 9. The Fork Festival runs from January 6–February 9. The full list of participating restaurants will be released on the website on January 6. Top image: Eliza Food and Wine, Sydney.
A sad fact about cozzie livs going up and up is that the amount of cash people have to spend on their family and friends shrinks and shrinks. Fortunately, Afterpay is bringing back its Pay It Forward Mystery Market from 8am on Thursday, August 14, to address what it's calling the 'generosity gap'. Centred around a standout activation tucked into Pitt Street Mall, the first 1000 Afterpay customers will score themselves a mystery box, taking home the prize inside and receiving an identical one to present to a loved one. Just don't think you'll be walking away with socks and undies. Featuring a total prize pool valued at over $200,000, there's no shortage of incredible gifts perfect for spreading the good times. Up for grabs are a $5,000 Webjet voucher, a Dyson Airwrap, or even a Nintendo Switch 2 — just imagine non-stop multiplayer fun with your best pal. Meanwhile, other much-loved brands like Ninja, CROCS, Petbarn, Red Balloon and Prezzee are getting in on the action. With Afterpay Day happening from Thursday, August 14–Sunday, August 17, the Pay It Forward Mystery Market signals the start of this bi-annual shopping event.
Darlinghurst is known for its vibrant LGBTQI presence, shown in the abundance of rainbow-clad convenience stores, bars and shops. Stonewall is at the forefront of these uber proud establishments, with its status as a heritage-listed building and a history of encouraging people to celebrate their identities. Named after the original Stonewall Bar in Manhattan — home to the historic Stonewall riots of 1969 — the three-story property consists of three different bars that are offering a menu packed with booze-charged concoctions. Dick's Diner is supplying the nightly refuel when you need to replenish your energy. Indulge in a menu of classic bar fares, including a wagyu beef burger and salt and pepper squid. For 17 years, Stonewall has the been the peak place for queer-supportive fun from nightly drag shows and karaoke to parties led by some of Sydney's up and coming DJs. You'll be dancing the days away in the same venue that Jean Paul Gaultier boogied in once upon a time. Images: Katje Ford.
Autumn is still beach weather on Hamilton Island. Getting cosy in Tasmania is one of the best ways to embrace an Australian winter. Celebrating spring or kicking off summer on either the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast, or in Byron Bay, will get you primed for sunny days. With Qantas' latest flight sale, discounting one-million seats across routes to 60 domestic destinations — with 35-plus routes under $150 — they're all options. The airline's usual sale starting price for a one-way fare is $109 — and this time, that'll get you either from Brisbane to Proserpine on the Whitsunday Coast or from Sydney to Byron Bay/Ballina (and vice versa on both routes). Flights between the Gold Coast and Sydney kick off at $119, as do fares from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island. For $129, you can head from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast or Tamworth. Then, specials on the Sydney–Brisbane route begin at $139, as do Sydney–Hobart, Melbourne–Adelaide, Sydney–Bendigo and Adelaide–Whyalla. If you're eager to venture between Melbourne–Sydney or Albury–Sydney, that'll set you back $149. Brisbane–Hamilton Island, Burnie–Melbourne, Orange–Sydney and Melbourne–Mildura fares are all $159. Or, $169 covers Brisbane–Melbourne, Davenport–Melbourne, Adelaide–Mount Gambier and Merimbula–Sydney legs, while $179 will get you from Perth–Geraldton, Mt Isa–Townsville and Griffith–Sydney. For those feeling flush and keen to travel business class, that's also part of the airline's sale, starting at $369 from Brisbane to Proserpine. Wherever you're hoping to vacation, you'll need to be able to travel between Tuesday, April 29–Thursday, June 26, Tuesday, July 22–Thursday, September 18 or Tuesday, October 14–Wednesday, December 10, all in 2025. So, that gives you choices across autumn, winter, spring and early summer trips, although the specifics vary per destination — as always. If this is the answer to your holiday dreams, you'll need to get in before 11.59pm AEDT on Sunday, March 2, 2025. And yes, the usual caveat applies: if fares sell out earlier, you'll miss out. [caption id="attachment_928567" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Tasmania, Luke Tscharke[/caption] Qantas' 'The 1 million seat sale' runs until 11.59pm AEDT on Sunday, March 2, 2025, or until sold out if prior.
Wall to wall books. Books from ceiling to floor, interspersed with communal tables. Gertrude & Alice is what Shakespeare's is to Paris, and provides a welcome haven amongst the surfers and backpackers of Bondi Beach. The food served is fresh and universally excellent, and it's one of the best places to go if you're feeling a bit lonesome, because the welcoming communal tables ensure that you'll always feel at home. Named after Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, the famous expat American couple who encouraged the careers of Hemingway and Henry Miller, amongst others, there's a lot of heart to this place, as well as lovely velvet sofas and delicious chai. They also boast a Hemingway room, quieter and lined with reference books and the perfect place to woo another attractive bookworm. Guzzle down on a honey infused chair and sink into one of the snug sofas. With over 25,000 books at your disposal Gertrude and Alice is the unchallenged coffice for workers with research heavy projects, people addicted to the smell of ancient books or those seeking solace from the cold pinch of traditional libraries. A coffice for readers.
Grab your most colourful beach floatie and your most surf-friendly some out-there fancy dress — the 14th annual Manly Inflatable Boat Race returns to delight kidults on Sunday, February 25. The charity event will see participants take their makeshift boats and paddles through a one-kilometre course, starting off at Shelly Beach and ending back at shore. You must be at least 12 years old to participate and, of course, be able to swim. Following the race, the Hotel Steyne will put on a sausage sizzle while token prizes are awarded. The day isn't just for laughs though, with all proceeds going to Tour de Cure, an Aussie-based fundraiser that benefits cancer research. Even the booking fee will be donated thanks to Humanitix, Australia's first not-for-profit ticketing platform. Early bird tickets have already sold out, but you can still nab $55 tickets online up until February 24, or pay $60 on the day. Registration begins at 8.45am at the south end of Manly Beach near Manly Life Saving Club, with the race starting at Shelley Beach 10.30am. Here's a chance to enjoy yourself silly while doing some good. May the best floatie win.
The Bar at Buena Vista, Cuba's Grandfathers of Music [and Grandmother], brings the music and spirit of 1940s and 1950s Havana, the golden age of Cuban Jazz, to the State Theatre in Sydney. This is when the musicians of the now infamous Buena Vista Social Club first began playing together. They were re-united in 1997 to record an album, which spawned a concert and also the hugely successful Wim Wenders documentary. This in turn brought many of Cuba's exceptionally talented veteran jazz stars to our attention, most of whom went on to tour and to record albums with seemingly tireless enthusiasm, while our appetite for their magical music has remained similarly unfettered. The show, written and directed by Toby Gough, promises to recreate the 'bar' at the Buena Vista Social Club, giving us a unique chance to experience the magical atmosphere and infectious sounds of this legendary venue. Cuban masters: Reynaldo Creagh, 93, lead singer; Maestro Rubalcaba , 84, on piano; and Maracaibo, 83, on guitar, will be taking the stage with Cuba's original diva, the singer Siomara Avilla Valdes Lescay. The scene will be completed with a full band and troupe of dancers.
We firmly believe that no one should ever have to settle for weak tea bags, cheap toiletries or anything less than a well-stocked bar downstairs when booking a hotel stay. Thankfully, New Zealand is teeming with boutique hotels that are high on class and have everything you want for a special overnight stay. We've rounded up the boutique hotels and plenty of newcomers that are worth your time. The thick of a global pandemic seems like an unlikely time to open a brand new hotel, but the past few months have seen a surprising number of boutique properties pop up across New Zealand. That's great news for locals, and also for Australians looking for an excuse to take advantage of the trans-Tasman bubble on their next holiday. If you're looking for some inspiration for your next getaway, how about booking a room at Auckland's striking new brick-clad hotel? Dunedin also has its own new five-star boutique worthy of a visit, and there's an attractive design-led property in Wellington, too — and they're just a few of the new places to consider. NAUMI STUDIO HOTEL, WELLINGTON This eclectic new boutique hotel in Wellington's Cuba Street precinct showcases the work of local artists and designers. The 116-room Naumi Studio Hotel Wellington is the fourth property to arrive from Singapore-based private hospitality label Naumi Hotels in New Zealand and, like its sister properties, the Wellington outpost is an absolute feast for the eyes, with bold spaces "inspired from seafaring, the literary world and an enduring love." Guests will see the work of several New Zealand artists and designers. A large-scale floral backdrop in the reception area was created by Art Dep't NZ and is completely covered in gold leaf. Underfoot the botanical theme is brought to life by rugs from painter Karl Maughan, while the lobby features a larger than life floral sculpture from light artist Angus Muir. There are six room types to choose from, and the onsite bar serves up the likes of lychee mojitos and bourbon sours. THE HOTEL BRITOMART, AUCKLAND The striking brick-clad Hotel Britomart was officially the country's first 5 Green Star hotel when it opened last year. That certification marks a commitment to sustainability during the build and the use of eco-friendly materials. It offers 99 guest rooms and five suites — three of which have lush sky gardens and front-row seats overlooking the Waitemata Harbour. Cheshire Architects, who also master-planned the Britomart neighbourhood, looked after the new hotel both inside and out. Inside are "cocoon-like" rooms with timber-lined walls, tiled bathrooms and built-in sofas. Smaller touches include hand-made ceramics, bronze-and-paper table lamps and minibars full of locally sourced treats. You don't have to walk far for a first-class meal, either. The ground floor is home to several new food and beverage offerings, including a seafood-focused restaurant from the Orphans Kitchen team, the new 70-seater from top chef Michael Meredith, and the refreshed outpost of Cafe Hanoi. HOTEL FITZROY, AUCKLAND Privately owned hotel group CPG Hotels is currently in the process of opening a collection of boutique five-star hotels across New Zealand. One of the first under the Fable banner is Hotel Fitzroy. Located just a short walk from the main strip of Auckland's shopping and dining precinct, Ponsonby, the property takes over a historic two-storey villa. A contemporary black-panelled building stands behind the property, bringing the room count to ten. Inside, each guest room has been outfitted with premium soft furnishings, linens and amenities. There's also an intimate library for guests to unwind or enjoy complementary snacks and fine wine. Hotel Fitzroy offers custom experiences including a dedicated host service and tailored activities. While the property doesn't offer an on-site restaurant, guests can order continental or cooked tray service breakfast direct to their room. The complimentary mini-bar is also replenished daily, while the room service menu is available 24 hours. THE DAIRY AND THE CENTRAL PRIVATE HOTEL, QUEENSTOWN The folks from Naumi Hotels haven't only brought their bold, design-led approach to the capital. Queenstown also welcomes two new eye-catching properties from the Singapore-based private hospitality label. Rustic glamour and old-world charm meet in Queenstown's The Dairy Private Hotel, while sister property The Central Private Hotel brings a fresh take on retro postmodernism. At both boutique properties, guests can take their pick from 14 spacious rooms — every space comes with its own bright cacophony of colour. Each property comes equipped with an inviting lounge area and its own complementary drinks hour serving award-winning New Zealand wines. With a nod to its past as Queenstown's original 'dairy' (corner store), The Dairy also offers an old-fashioned sweet selection. Here, you'll also find an outdoor jacuzzi with views across the picturesque Remarkables. FABLE DUNEDIN, DUNEDIN Dunedin's historic Wains Hotel has been given a new lease on life under the new masthead Fable Dunedin. The boutique five-star opening, found just a short walk from the Octagon, brings the Victorian-era hotel into the modern age without losing the glory of its past. Guests are welcomed by a concierge in a top hat and tails, before being guided to one of 50 luxurious rooms or suites that come lined with vibrant, custom-designed carpets and specially commissioned tartan blankets paying homage to the city's Scottish ties. The Press Club restaurant and bar is led by Fable Group executive chef, Jinu Abraham. Abraham has prepared a menu sourced heavily from local suppliers alongside an extensive whisky menu. There's slow-cooked lamb shoulder served with miso-glazed pickles, Otago wild fallow with venison boudin noir, and pork belly matched with scallops. OHTEL, WELLINGTON Just a skip, hop and a jump from Wellington's iconic Oriental Bay, Ohtel is New Zealand owned and operated and was architecturally designed and built by Alan Blundell. After being inspired to create a baby 'design hotel' following a trip to New York in 2000, Alan set about bringing the 10 room, four-storey structure to life. Ohtel is known for its locally-sourced menu offerings, such as freshly baked goods from Pandoro some 300-odd metres down the road, and organic dairy products from Zany Zeus in Lower Hutt. Keep your eyes peeled for their sister site which has recently opened in Auckland's Viaduct. THE INTREPID HOTEL, WELLINGTON New kid on the block and dubbed the 'traveller's hotel', The Intrepid Hotel brings the wide world to Wellington, without the MIQ requirements. Having just undergone earthquake strengthening, the former Cadbury chocolate warehouse, built in 1909, is situated on Ghuznee Street, which means it has some of the city's best bars and restaurants at your fingertips. On that note, be sure to venture around the corner to Pomodoro Pizza, then satisfy your sweet tooth at Lashings. As an added draw, you can forego the kennels and bring your beloved pooch with you because The Intrepid Hotel has set aside a special room — complete with a designer dog bed — to accommodate you and your furry friend. THE MARTINBOROUGH HOTEL, WAIRARAPA A self-proclaimed "beautiful old girl", the Martinborough Hotel is the perfect place to stay once you've braved the sketchy Rimutaka Hill road from central Wellington. This hotel began as a way station for prosperous travellers to and from the South Wairarapa's huge isolated sheep stations back in the 1880s. The hotel was restored back in 1996 to become a hotspot, known for its bar and restaurant, among locals and tourists alike. In the heart of the town centre, this is an easy place to crash after a few glasses of Pinot Noir on your tour of the local vineyards (via crocodile bike, of course). PLUME VILLAS MATAKANA, AUCKLAND CITY If the fast-paced city life is driving you to a near on meltdown, then a peaceful country escape may be just the ticket. An hour drive north from Auckland (depending on the state of the traffic) brings you to the up-and-coming town of Matakana. Here you'll find the quaint-yet-modern Plume Villas. Joining the already established vineyard, restaurant and conference centre, Plume Villas is the latest addition to the family and it is evident that the owners have poured their love into the properties. Plume has all the basic amenities, as well as a petanque court, swimming pool and even a wine library. A great place to stay for a weekend of wine tastings, and of course eating your way around the local Saturday markets. HOTEL DEBRETT, AUCKLAND Hotel DeBrett is an art deco-style, luxury hotel located smack bang in the middle of Auckland City. The hotel offers a range of room styles, each uniquely decorated with eclectic interiors, and the in-house restaurant, DeBretts Kitchen, is also worth a visit, even if just to scope out the grand glass atrium roof overhead. Although, this boutique inner-city hotel is arguably best-known for its decadent 1920s-themed high teas, where the dress code is 'Flappers and Dappers'. Don't fret if your suitcase doesn't include any Great Gatsby-esque attire, because for just $15 you can deck yourself out in a house-provided costume kit containing faux pearls, a feather boa and more. So, in short, there's no excuse for party poopers. THE BOATSHED, WAIHEKE ISLAND If you're wanting a piece of laidback island time luxury then The Boatshed on Waiheke Island is the place for you. This 5-star boutique accommodation is tastefully nautical and there is a range of modern sea-themed rooms to choose from. Each room boasts magnificent panoramic views of the ocean but if you're looking to celebrate a special occasion, we suggest you opt for the Owner's Cottage, which sleeps four. Here, stretching across a generous 210 square metres, you will find three fireplaces, a full chef's kitchen, BBQ, heated pool and to top it all off; a grand piano. QT, WELLINGTON Part art gallery, part eclectic collector's showroom, checking into the QT Wellington is a surreal experience. Situated on Cable Street, opposite Te Papa Museum, this swanky hotel is a treasure trove of oddities. Despite Wellington's fantastic hospitality scene, you're forgiven if you don't want to venture out of the hotel into the wind gusts that whip around Tory Street. There are three stellar options to eat and drink on site. And it's worth noting that the hotel's French-inspired Hippopotamus Restaurant and Cocktail Bar does an exquisite high tea. This is a great activity to schedule for your next weekend away.
There's something unwaveringly, undeniably appealing about French cinema. Whether you're hooked on the industry's characteristically stunning cinematography, rawness of storyline, or you simply prefer watching films in a language other than English, French films continue to prove some of the world's most captivating. Haven't watched much French cinema? Lucky for you, and hardcore Francophiles, the annual Alliance Française French Film Festival is just around the corner, starting in Sydney on March 7 with a strong 45-film lineup. While you're waiting for the festival to begin, whet your appetite with a few older releases you might have missed from the last year or so. All five of these films capture stories that are often ignored in mainstream media and will make you cry, laugh, and reflect. BANDE DE FILLES (GIRLHOOD) Set in the banlieues (suburbs) of Paris, Céline Sciamma's Girlhood follows Marieme (Karidja Touré), a teenager who drops out of school and joins a badass crew of fellow young, black, female dropouts. A beautiful celebration of black femininity and female friendship, this award-winning coming-of-age story screened at Cannes in 2014, then received four nominations at the 40th César Awards, including Best Director for Sciamma and Most Promising Actress for Touré. Available to stream on Stan, to rent on Dendy Direct, Quickflix, Google Play and Microsoft. QUAND ON A 17 ANS (BEING 17) This touching story by André Téchiné and co-writer Céline Sciamma explores the sexual awakening between two French teenagers who, on the surface, couldn't be more different. The relationship between Damien (Kacey Mottet Klein) and Thomas (Corentin Fila) is intimately-observed and full of a raw electricity that you can almost feel through the screen — making its Golden Bear nomination at the Berlin International Film Festival a no-brainer. Pack your Kleenex for this one. No streaming available now, rent on iTunes, Microsoft, Google Play and Pathe. DHEEPAN This timely film by revered director Jacques Audiard tells the story of three Sri Lankan refugees who pose as a family to receive asylum in France. Its title character (played by Antonythasan Jesuthasan) is a former Tamil militant who hopes to build a new life and forget the horrors of his past. Awarded the Cannes Palme d'Or in 2015, the film is a compelling snapshot of the contemporary immigrant experience in Europe. Available to stream on Stan and Foxtel Play, to rent on Dendy Direct, Quickflix, Google Play, PlayStation and Microsoft. DIVINES The winner of the 2016 Cannes Camera d'Or, Houda Benyamina's directorial debut is an exhilarating drama that centres on the intense friendship between two young women, Dounia (Oulaya Amamra) and Maimouna (Déborah Lukumuena). Confronted by their limited prospects in the outskirts of Paris, the pair soon fall into drug dealing, attracted by the opportunity to make a quick buck. Oscillating gracefully between moments of sheer joy and pain, this powerful social commentary is packed with memorable scenes. Prepare yourself for the gut-wrenching, if somewhat over the top, ending. Available to stream on Netflix. LA BELLE SAISON (SUMMERTIME) Set in the 1970s, this stirring love story between farm girl Delphine (Izia Higelin) and radical feminist Carole (Cecile De France) is an ode to self-liberation and discovery. On a whim, 24-year old Delphine decides to leave her rural town and move to Paris, where she meets — and falls in love with — Carole, a Spanish literature professor and feminist activist. Directed by Catherine Corsini, the film skilfully captures the complexities of navigating individual desires with familial and societal expectations. If you've seen a streaming/renting option let us know, otherwise buy from Palace Cinemas' shop. Watch them all before the Alliance French Film Festival kicks off. Want to win tickets?
Taking their celebrated bakery beachside, Love Tilly Group has set its sights on beloved Coogee Beach. Fabbrica Bread Shop is now bringing its popular pastries to eastern shores a year after opening its first location in the docklands of Rozelle. Led by Head Baker Aniruddha Bhosekar and Sous Baker Alyce Bennett, the OG Fabbrica quickly earned a reputation for the calibre of its sourdough, which is used throughout Love Tilly Group's various venues. Today, the bakery boasts a cult following among Sydneysiders, hungry for treats like shakshuka Danishes, anchovy toast and an array of unique pastries. Bhosekar and Bennett will also be overseeing Fabbrica's second site, incorporating the classic baked goods that put the first Fabbrica on the map plus a selection of new creations including a couple of Roman classics. Exclusive to the Coogee outpost will be soft, golden maritozzi – the traditional filled brioche bun originating from Rome – bursting with sweet and savoury fillings like strawberries and Chantilly cream, vegan cherry, and curried egg and achari mayo. Visitors can also indulge in one-metre-long Roman pizzas del Giorno, along with a DIY focaccia bar for those who want to try their hand at making their own Italian bread. Coogee's Fabbrica will also be offering a rotating selection of crowd-pleasing toasties, ideal for a post-beach snack. "It's everything you'd want in a great local bakery, whether you're picking up some still-warm pastries and a coffee to enjoy by the beach after a morning swim, building a DIY sandwich from our sando bar for lunch, or simply swinging by to collect a loaf of sourdough," says Love Tilly Group co-owner Matthew Swieboda. "We're excited to have some new creations for Coogee and look forward to sharing them with you."
This article is sponsored by our partner, Toshiba. Acclaimed around the world for its delicate complexity, Japanese cuisine has an attention to detail that is exquisite. No wonder it’s seen as an art form to many. Consequently, the dining scene is equally as impressive, in every sense of the word. Yes, they have 32 Michelin-starred restaurants in the country, but it's not all fancy, elegant and expensive. Think complete opposite to fine dining. Think of cafes where you can pat owls, restaurants where you throw your rod out of the boat and fish for your dinner, and cafes where French maids serve you chicken katsu and write ‘love’ on it. These places will literally change your notion of what is possible in the culinary showground. For a seriously Japanese experience that's a little closer to home, check out Toshiba's Pop-Up Zushi Roller-Coaster, a totally free and fantastic dining set-up on for a limited time only. Dine with a furry friend Created by a Finnish artist back in 1945, the Moomins are a fairytale family of white, roundish hippopotamus-like creatures that live in Moominvalley. We all know that Japan has paved the way for these kinds of things, with Hello Kitty cafes left, right and centre, so it’s only natural that a Moomin cafe exists in Tokyo. And Moomin fans will hit the roof. From the cutlery right through to your food, everything is in the shape of Moomin, and if you're a solo patron, you can even dine with a giant stuffed Moominpapa as your companion. It’s Moomin madness. Don’t be surprised if you end up talking like Thingumy and Bob. "Hmmmm….this yushi is really summy", etc. Dine with a feathered friend Cat cafes are so 2013. The quirky hangout craze in Japan now is places where you can drink your coffee with some friends — of the feathered sort. Owl cafes have become quite the hoot (excuse the pun) since Fukuro no Mise in Tokyo gained popularity in 2012. And we’re talking real owls here. Here you can eat your owl-inspired food while patting a barn owl. Understandably, this is not normal interaction for owls and humans, so there are strict guidelines to follow once you’re inside, such as washing of hands, not talking too loudly and having a staff member present should you want to hold one. The queues can get lengthy due to number restrictions, so make sure you don’t get too excited once you're in; it could send them into a flutter. Fish for your Food Like the idea of fishing for tea, but not hanging out in a dinghy for hours in the hopes of catching a feed? Zauo restaurants in Tokyo are taking fresh seafood to the next level. Ushered to a seat in the boat-shaped area, you can then request a fishing rod and some bait and commence fishing for your dinner from the moat beneath, swarming with various kinds of fish. The rule is that once you’ve caught it, you’ve bought it. So be careful should you be the adept trawler — you better hope that ¥16,000 ($170) lobster you snagged is tasty. There is fun in this though; the whole restaurant cheers you on if you’ve had success. Furthermore, the chef can prepare it however you like. Alternatively, if your patience is wearing thin and you feel like a floundering angler, simply order direct from the menu and beat the others to it. Dine on a cute, fake train Railway enthusiasts, unite! Little TGV is one of Tokyo’s distinctively themed cafes, with train-themed decor and booth seating similar to that of a railway carriage. A model railway chugs around the eatery, and as well as train-shaped food, the menu is inspired from railroads and trains all over the country. A cross between an izakaya and a maid-cafe, this place runs along the same lines, with waitresses dressed in train conductor uniforms. This, however, doesn’t mean it’s solely male clientele; Little TGV is popular with both local and foreign patrons wishing to soak up some of the cutesy/randomness of Japanese culture. High-speed sushi No longer do you have to wait five minutes till that California roll glides past you again. The high-tech sushi train at Uobei is all about delivering dishes via a high-speed chute. Customers place their order from the computer touch screen from their bench and within 60 seconds the high-speed rail sends the sushi careening down the chute, stopping right in front of you. After you’ve taken the plates (maximum three on one rail at a time), a simple press of a button sends the dishes flying back to the kitchen. Not quite sure how your green tea could fare at this speed, but that is what we call fast food.
There are two reasons why this concert has made our list. First up, it involves the Town Hall's grand organ. That thing, which was the biggest organ on the planet when it was installed in 1890, can make 'Chopsticks' sound like Beethoven. Secondly, Anna von Hausswolff won’t be performing 'Chopsticks'; she’ll be playing and singing her dark, dramatic meditations on life and death. Genre-wise, they're tough to categorise, combining the influences of opera, film scores, black metal, the Cocteau Twins, Jefferson Airplane and her famous, avant-garde composing dad, Carl Michael Von Hausswolff. Plus, she'll be supported by New Zealand's Aldous Harding, a '60s-influenced folk artist who dazzled Australian audiences earlier this year. Anna Von Hausswolff is one of our top ten picks of the Sydney Festival. Check out our other favourite events over here.
