Peering at ancient pyramids isn't normally an Australian pastime, but it will be come spring without needing to leave the country. In 2024, the nation's fascination with Egypt thousands of years ago has already been fuelled by Sydney exhibition Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs, which wrapped up in May — and also by Pharaoh in Melbourne, which is on display until October. Next up is Horizon of Khufu, a virtual-reality experience rather than a showcase of treasures and trinkets. You won't get up close to historical items here, but you will become immersed in the past like it's all around you. Patrons will see the Great Pyramids of Giza, including flying over the Giza Necropolis. You'll climb to the top of the Pyramid of Khufu, in fact, and gaze out over Egypt with a 360-degree view. Getting a glimpse of burial chambers and embalming ceremonies, finding the queen's chamber, sailing down the Nile, attending Khufu's funeral: that's all also on the agenda, as is checking out the Great Sphinx of Giza and witnessing these ancient wonders by night. That's where your eyes will be heading, at least, via a VR headset that'll take you into a shared play space. Your peepers will also be checking out recreations of sights dating back 4500 years, to the time of Khufu, the second pharaoh of Egypt's fourth dynasty. He's the figure that's believed to have commissioned the largest of the pyramids, which was also his tomb. Your body will need to be in Sydney at the Harbour City's Fever Pavilion, where Horizon of Khufu is making its Australian debut from Thursday, September 5, 2024. There's no word yet whether the experience will then head to other Aussie cities, as some past events from entertainment platform Fever have, including its Banksy and NBA exhibitions recently. Once they've popped on their headsets, attendees will be led through Horizon of Khufu by a virtual guide, all while benefiting from design by Egyptologist and Harvard University professor Peter Der Manuelian. If you're with your date or mates, or family, the 45-minute experience also lets you visuals others in the VR space, so you won't all just be off on your own wander through bygone years. Australia joins France — where Horizon of Khufu debuted in 2022 — as well as the US, Canada and the UK in being able to enjoy this blast from the past. Unsurprisingly, it has proven popular around the globe, notching up more than one million visitors so far. If you've seen plenty of other Egypt obsessives at Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs and Pharaoh, you'll know that Aussies will help boost those numbers. Horizon of Khufu will open at Fever Pavilion, Olympic Boulevard, Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney from Thursday, September 5, 2024 — with the waitlist open now and tickets on sale from Tuesday, July 23, 2024. Head to the exhibition website for more details.
Each year on January 26 triple j put a mortgage on Australia's airwaves, pumping out the best 100 tracks from the previous year as voted by their listeners in the world's largest annual music poll. The station is one of the only non-commercial national youth radio networks anywhere in the world, and places a real focus on uncovering and supporting the best Australian talent, providing a soundtrack to many a misspent youth in the process. So it was with great excitement that listeners awaited results in triple j's inaugural Hottest 100 Australian Records of All Time this past weekend. The results provided us with some interesting factoids, and after the 47,000 votes were counted, the top gong went to Powderfinger's Odyssey Number 5. At the time of its release in 2001, the album sold more than 500,000 copies and spent almost two years weeks on the ARIA Charts, winning six ARIAs in 2001, including Album of the Year and Single of the Year for 'My Happiness'. Our personal picks for the Top Ten at Concrete Playground HQ are: 1. Since I Left You – The Avalanches 2. Frogstomp – Silverchair 3. Crowded House – Crowded House 4. Back In Black – AC/DC 5. Kick – INXS 6. Unit – Regurgitator 7. 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 – Midnight Oil 8. Lovers – The Sleepy Jackson 9. In Ghost Colours – Cut Copy 10. Human Frailty – Hunters & Collectors The full Hottest 100 Australian Albums of All Time list is as follows: 1. Odyssey Number 5 – Powderfinger 2. Frogstomp – Silverchair 3. Back In Black – AC/DC 4. The Living End – The Living End 5. Kick – INXS 6. Internationalist – Powderfinger 7. Apocalypso – The Presets 8. Wolfmother – Wolfmother 9. Since I Left You – The Avalanches 10. Unit – Regurgitator 11. Like Drawing Blood – Gotye 12. Guide to Better Living – Grinspoon 13. Crowded House – Crowded House 14. Vulture Street – Powderfinger 15. Slightly Odway – Jebediah 16. The Hard Road – Hilltop Hoods 17. Eternal Nightcap – The Whitlams 18. Woodface – Crowded House 19. Innerspeaker – Tame Impala 20. Conditions – The Temper Trap 21. 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 – Midnight Oil 22. Diorama – Silverchair 23. The Calling – Hilltop Hoods 24. Sunrise Over Sea – The John Butler Trio 25. Get Born – Jet 26. Hourly, Daily – You Am I 27. Neon Ballroom – Silverchair 28. The Cat Empire – The Cat Empire 29. The Sound of White – Missy Higgins 30. Themata – Karnivool 31. Down the Way – Angus & Julia Stone 32. Universes – Birds of Tokyo 33. Diesel and Dust – Midnight Oil 34. Memories & Dust – Josh Pyke 35. Hi Fi Way – You Am I 36. In Ghost Colours – Cut Copy 37. Highly Evolved – The Vines 38. A Book Like This – Angus & Julia Stone 39. Birds of Tokyo – Birds of Tokyo 40. Echolalia – Something for Kate 41. Double Allergic – Powderfinger 42. East – Cold Chisel 43. Freak Show – Silverchair 44. Tu-Plang – Regurgitator 45. Sound Awake – Karnivool 46. Walking On A Dream – Empire Of The Sun 47. Black Fingernails, Red Wine – Eskimo Joe 48. Ivy and the Big Apples – Spiderbait 49. Whispering Jack – John Farnham 50. The New Normal – Cog 51. I Believe You Liar – Washington 52. Murder Ballads – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds 53. Three – The John Butler Trio 54. Tea & Sympathy – Bernard Fanning 55. Blue Sky Mining – Midnight Oil 56. Bliss Release – Cloud Control 57. The Honeymoon Is Over – The Cruel Sea 58. New Detention – Grinspoon 59. As Day Follows Night – Sarah Blasko 60. We Are Born – Sia 61. Hold Your Colour – Pendulum 62. Cruel Guards – The Panics 63. Grand National – The John Butler Trio 64. Polyserena – George 65. Cold Chisel – Cold Chisel 66. Running on Air – Bliss N Eso 67. Flying Colours – Bliss N Eso 68. The Experiment – Art vs. Science 69. Gossip – Paul Kelly and The Coloured Girls 70. Young Modern – Silverchair 71. Beams – The Presets 72. Beautiful Sharks – Something For Kate 73. Highway To Hell – AC/DC 74. The Overture & The Underscore – Sarah Blasko 75. Living In The 70s – Skyhooks 76. Human Frailty – Hunters & Collectors 77. Immersion – Pendulum 78. Lovers – The Sleepy Jackson 79. Gravity Won't Get You High – The Grates 80. (I'm) Stranded – The Saints 81. Feeler – Pete Murray 82. Up All Night – The Waifs 83. Wonder – Lisa Mitchell 84. 16 Lovers Lane – The Go-Betweens 85. State Of The Art – Hilltop Hoods 86. This Is The Warning – Dead Letter Circus 87. A Song Is A City – Eskimo Joe 88. Imago – The Butterfly Effect 89. Pnau – Pnau 90. The Long Now – Children Collide 91. Gilgamesh – Gypsy & The Cat 92. A Man's Not A Camel – Frenzal Rhomb 93. Moo, You Bloody Choir – Augie March 94. Everything Is True – Paul Dempsey 95. Stoneage Romeos – Hoodoo Gurus 96. Paging Mr. Strike – Machine Gun Fellatio 97. Begins Here – The Butterfly Effect 98. The Boatman's Call – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds 99. Thrills, Kills & Sunday Pills – Grinspoon 100. Two Shoes – The Cat Empire https://youtube.com/watch?v=8fBbKtq_Li8
What do Byron Bay, Busselton, Bali and Bangkok all have in common? Alongside everywhere from Launceston, Newcastle, Uluru, Cairns, Darwin, The Whitsundays, and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts through to Singapore and Phuket, you can nab a cheap flight there and back as part of Jetstar's latest sale. This time around, fares start at $33. The one catch: you'll need to be a Club Jetstar member (but you can sign up now to get in on the bargains). There always seems to be an airline sale popping up, but this one has a heap of discounts on a huge number of fares, with 100,000 flights on offer. You do need to get in quick, however, as it's running for just 48 hours. The cheapest domestic price, $33, gets you between Sydney and Ballina/Byron, but Launceston–Melbourne is only $43, Brisbane–Whitsunday Coast and Newcastle–Melbourne are both $49, Gold Coast–Sydney is $50, Sunshine Coast–Sydney starts at $52 and Hobart–Melbourne begins at $58. To get from Brisbane to Cairns, you'll pay $76 — and from Sydney to Uluru is $105, Melbourne–Busselton / Margaret River is $135 and Darwin–Sydney is $156. The list goes on, including for overseas jaunts, where the Perth–Singapore route starts at $139, Melbourne–Singapore begins at $189, Adelaide–Bali is $215, Sydney–Phuket kicks off at $279 and Brisbane–Bangkok starts at $285. If you're keen, the sale runs from 12pm AEDT on Wednesday, March 19–11.59am ADST on Friday, March 21, 2025 — or until sold out, if snapped up earlier. And yes, if you're eager for a holiday at reduced prices, you'll want to get in quick. Travel periods vary, but you should find dates betwen late-March 2025–early-February 2026 across the full spread of specials. You'll pay extra for checked baggage if you need it, however, or you'll want to travel super light. Club Jetstar membership costs $65 a year, which you can join online while making a flight booking, and also gives you 20-percent off checked bags and seat selection. [caption id="attachment_976497" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jesse Shaw Photography[/caption] The Club Jetstar March member-only sale runs from 12pm AEDT on Wednesday, March 19–11.59am ADST on Friday, March 21, 2025 — or until sold out, if snapped up earlier. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
You could travel to the Murray and do nothing but eat, drink and be merry. And you should. The region is jam-packed with incredible producers, innovative makers and chefs, old-school artisans and new-wave cuisine. Having access to some of the country's best farmers and makers gives these venues the luxury of a hyper-local, hyper-seasonal approach to food and drink. From swanky bistros and rustic wineries to experimental distillers and fire-focused chefs, the Murray region is an unmissable foodie destination. If you're a flavour-chaser, prepare yourself to get amongst it all: swirl small-batch wines, discover ancient flavours and native ingredients, and experience new locavore dining experiences and European-inspired eateries. Whatever your taste, whenever you decide to visit, there's someone in the Murray region putting their heart and soul into something delicious. [caption id="attachment_662395" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Morrisons Riverview Winery and Restaurant[/caption] WINE AND DINE Trentham Estate Winery lies on the banks of the Murray, offering an award-winning cellar door experience. This much-lauded NSW Tourism Awards Hall-of-Famer boasts 45 sweeping hectares of vines producing French and Italian varietals. Officially established in 1988, it'd actually been in viticulture for decades beforehand, and it's still a family-run winery today. Snag a table at the restaurant to enjoy Modern European fare, or swing by the cellar door to just sit back and watch the boats slide by as you sip shiraz (also, unsurprisingly, award-winning). Morrisons Riverview Winery and Restaurant (pictured above) is more than just a darn gorgeous venue — this Moama winery also has a restaurant that should be on every foodie hitlist. The ever-changing menu is focused on local, seasonal produce with enough variety to suit all tastes. Sweetcorn bread with cashew sambal and burnt chilli butter sits alongside lamb backstrap with pickled cauli, greens, couscous and smoked eggplant puree, calamari caesar salad pimped with pork scratchings and garlic toast, and chips with kasundi, aioli and hop salt. The five-course 'Chef's Feed Me' option is the best way to sample the scope of these flavours. Enjoy it while sipping Morrisons' premium wine blends from its 15 hectares of vines — from chardonnay to moscato to shiraz. [caption id="attachment_893785" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Old School Winery and Meadery, Destination NSW[/caption] SIP SOMETHING SPECIAL For something different, take a drive out to Monak Wine Co. Its first vintage was released in 2020 making it a younger winery (albeit with 25 years of winemaking experience to draw on). Here's what else you need to know: it's family-owned, works with local growers and applies exquisite attention to detail to its small-batch, handmade drops. It's an eclectic mix of wines — some minimal intervention, all very special. The cellar door opens on Friday and Saturday to slake your curiosity. The Old School Winery and Meadery (pictured above) is more than a classic winery. Sure, it makes a few small-batch, handcrafted reds, but the main point of difference is mead — traditionally fermented honey alcohol. On the site of an old Womboota school, this rustic venue offers a taste of history in more ways than one. It has been making mead for over 20 years, spearheading the honey-wine industry growth in Australia. Mead was a drink beloved by Vikings, but the unique flavour of Australian bush honey makes this unlike any European mead. Here, the team crafts everything from sweet and fortified meads to drier styles. They also make medieval mead beakers in the on-site pottery workshop. Bring a picnic and settle into the cellar door garden for an afternoon. [caption id="attachment_893783" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Corowa Whisky and Chocolate, Destination NSW[/caption] GET SPIRITED AWAY Drink less, enjoy more: that's the ethos of Echuca Distillery, championing quality and character over quantity. Based in Echuca Moama, David De Vries and his wife Fiona have decades of experience in fragrance and flavour production science. Their fastidious research and passion for playing with gin botanicals lead to unique, expressive flavour profiles. Starting with a base of grain or grape spirit distilled in Lavender, their Italian copper still, they infuse classics like dry and navy strength gin as well as combos like yuzu and ginger, a five-citrus gin and a port barrel-aged gin. In addition to liqueurs, cocktail spirits, arak and agave, Echuca has now added a whisky to the lineup. Corowa Whisky and Chocolate (pictured above) began with an underdog story of three mates buying an abandoned flour mill for a dollar. With one of Australia's youngest head distillers, this business produces a true blue Aussie whisky. It uses local organic barley grains and Murray River water to make its signature dram, aided by the drastically fluctuating temperatures of the area which leads to faster maturation. The most popular whisky, Corowa Characters, honours the team behind it and is aged in American, French and Hungarian oak. There are other whisky styles that use ex-bourbon, ex-muscat and ex-sherry casks, as well as single barrel releases and a special collab with Bridge Road Brewers, distilled from unsold kegs of beer in 2020. For those with a sweet tooth, there are Belgian chocolates crafted in-house on offer that are the perfect complement to whisky. What more could you need? [caption id="attachment_894105" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yardbird[/caption] EAT ELITE Bistro Selle is a classic European bistro in the heart of a country city. There's a balance between comfortable familiarity, charming elegance and playful experiments. As well as freshly shucked oysters and smoked beef tartare, you'll find crispy tripe, goat ragu and a porcini-choc-fennel-malt dessert. Refined dishes are plated in an artistic, almost sculptural, way that's as pleasing to the eye as to the tastebuds. All are accompanied by an extensive wine list of Australian and European drops. The key focus of Yardbird (pictured above) is flame, from the Spanish Mibrasa woodfired oven in the kitchen to the roaring glass-fronted fire centrepiece of the dining room. It only opened in 2021, but it's been making a name for itself in the region. The decor is stylish yet warm and comforting: light-flooded, pale timber accents and post-industrial warehouse ceilings. The western European-inspired menu changes in line with the daily produce and opportunity, but can include whipped cod roe and flatbread; deep fried Crottin de Chavignol with figs, green beans and honey; bavette steak with bone marrow, persillade and green peppercorn; rosemary duck fat potatoes and mamasita-style fire-roasted corn; and poached cherry pavlova to finish. Now, imagine all that paired with a bright wine list of mineral-driven, minimal intervention vino. [caption id="attachment_893786" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The River Deck Cafe, Destination NSW[/caption] OR KEEP IT CASUAL The River Deck Cafe serves Modern Australian cuisine in Albury, overlooking the tree-lined banks of the Murray. Local and native ingredients take centre stage here, so you can really taste the region, with its creative flourish on a farm-to-table menu. It's very seasonal. So seasonal that the menu changes every two to four weeks in line with the availability of the best produce. At breakfast and lunch, it offers comforting country classics like sourdough crumpets alongside the smashed avo and house granola any city slicker expects of brekkie, followed by hearty mains like a porterhouse steak, barramundi and chips and pasta dishes. The Albury offshoot of a locally loved Lake Mulwala restaurant, Blacksmith Provedore, has distilled that same European aperitivo hour aesthetic of the original into a space within the famously top-notch Harris Farm market. With a white and grey marble bar, hanging charcuterie and rows of delicious wines, it brings more casual riviera elegance than you might expect. Plus, being in the market, it has access to the finest ingredients. As well as local produce, expect prosciutto from San Daniele, San Marzano tomatoes from Salerno and buffalo Mozzarella from Shaw River. You can start your day with luxurious pastries, a Reuben toastie or fruit-topped chia puddings. Stop by later to get in on those famous woodfired pizzas with a three-day slow-fermented base. Pair it with a spritz or cocktail special, or opt for a wine from the truly delicious list. Located at the rear of Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA), looking over the gardens, Canvas Eatery is a bright light-filled modern space offering a peaceful retreat in the heart of Albury. It's open 8am—3pm daily but also opens on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5pm till late. It serves some of the best coffee in town, according to the locals. Not to mention craft beer and excellent wines. Food-wise, it's a fun, fresh menu, with Coco Pops, crumpets with honeycomb butter and raspberry cheesecake waffles for breakfast. An open bagel smørrebrød with herb creme fraiche, smoked salmon, avo and salmon caviar features on the lunch menu. Then by night, expect an eclectic mix of share plates, including smoked river fish croquettes, prawn toast banh mi, duck parfait with rye wattleseed waffle, and pizzas. [caption id="attachment_893788" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paddle Streamer, Destination NSW[/caption] TAKE A TASTING TOUR Take a cruise down the river, capturing that old-timey charm on board an award-winning tour. Murray River Paddle Steamer's 'Wharf to Winery' premium cruise takes you along the Murray in an iconic, beautifully restored historic paddle steamer. The total tour is about three hours, accompanied by a captain's commentary on the history and culture of the area. Then it's time for a two-course lunch at Morrisons Winery and a guided tasting. On the way back, enjoy complimentary vino as you sail along the Murray in style. Nothing compares to meeting the folks behind the food, and The Eating, Drinking, Tasting tour with Albury Eating Travel allows you to do just that. A full-day tour of two to seven guests in a Mercedes van will take you around the region to chat with the experts themselves: small-scale, private farms, boutique wineries and distilleries. And each tour is unique and catered to your taste and the seasons. For more ways to enjoy the Murray region, check out our nature guide or history and culture guide. Or, to start planning your food pilgrimage to the Murray region, head to the website. Top images: Destination NSW (Corowa Distillery; Blacksmith Provedore, Albury).
Summer is headed for us in full force. And, we all know it's never too early to start planning how to spend the warmer months — especially the bits that involve sipping cocktails by the water and loading up on art and culture. Thankfully, the Museum of Contemporary Art is again combining two of our favourite pastimes for its fifth annual summer pop-up bar. This year, the ground floor terrace has been transformed into an airy, garden-inspired bar, with top-notch tequila brand Patrón behind it. Plus, Patrón has partnered up with the MCA and is a sponsor of the gallery's retrospective exhibition of British artist Cornelia Parker, which is running from November 8–February 16 as part of the MCA's 2019/2020 Sydney International Art Series. At the bar, you'll be sipping on negronis, highballs and old fashioneds, but all with a summery twist. Instead of using your usual gin or whisky, the bartenders will be shaking and stirring drinks with Patrón tequila. Or, you can opt for a Patrón, lime and soda or the signature cocktail inspired by Cornelia Parker: the Cold Dark Matter, made with Patrón reposado, blackberry liqueur, lime and ginger ale. Not only will the pop-up offer modernised classic cocktails, but there'll be plenty of Mexican food to pair it with — think margarita-spiced popcorn and tostadas with pork, salmon or traditional mole. And those views across Circular Quay and the harbour add extra allure. Of course, there'll be entertainment in spades, too. Patrón and MCA have decorated the terrace with leafy decor, plus there'll be performances, installations, VR experiences for you to check out and tunes aplenty. The Patrón Pop-up kicks off on Thursday, October 31 and is open 4–10pm every Wednesday through Friday; from 2–9pm on Saturdays; and from 2–8pm on Sundays until February 16 (excluding public holidays and New Year's Eve). Visit Patron's website for more details. UPDATE: JANUARY 16, 2020 — The MCA x Patrón Pop-Up is now serving $15 cocktails every Sunday through Wednesday from 5–7pm as part of its happy hour.
Nightlife just got brighter with Heineken's new glow-in-the-dark beer bottle. Combining the coolness of a can with the curves of a bottle, this stream-lined aluminium packaging lights up under a black light to reveal a shooting star design. It's all part of the company's packaging refreshment, which takes inspiration from the night-club scene and aims to heighten the beer drinking experience. Mark Van Iterson, Manager Global Heineken Design & Concept said "We have a history of progressive design that has had lasting influence and changed the way people enjoy beer – from being the first to introduce green beer bottles to bringing draught beer to the home through DraughtKeg. Design is at the core of the Heineken brand." Heineken has also launched an initiative, Open Design Explorations, to source other branding and experiential ideas around the theme 'light up the night' from young designers around the globe. https://youtube.com/watch?v=R5mT2mhaKY0 [Via Cool Hunting]
Many of us who grew up in Sydney were lucky enough to spend our summers down on the south coast. We'd head down for a camping holiday or weekend escape and no trip was complete without a stop in at Pilgrims for its super-tasty burgers and nourishing dishes. Now, Sydneysiders don't have to travel quite as far to get their fix, because the beloved coastal cafe has just opened in Bronte. First set up in Milton in 1980, Pilgrims is now a five-branch mini-chain. There's of course the OG cafe and the most recent Bronte one, plus a Pilgrims in Huskisson, Corrimal and Cronulla. The opening of the second Sydney location marks Pilgrims' 40th birthday. The reason Pilgrims does so well is that it takes simple vegetarian staples and makes them tastier than you thought possible, then hands them to you in generous serves. For breakfast, you can choose from from acai bowls, avo on Iggy's sourdough toast, haloumi stacks and smoothies. Then, for lunch, its famed veggie burgers — think chilli jam and haloumi, curried lentil patties and mixed grain patties — are a must. On Fridays and Saturdays from 5–9pm, you'll find the menu changes a little, with a Mexican feast on offer. Burritos, tacos, nachos and bowls all come stuffed and topped with the likes of beans, spiced potato, cheese and generous dollops of guac. Cocktails, wine and beers are on offer, too. Whether you pick up your food or dine in, you'll be able to catch a glimpse of the bright, airy interior, designed by local architect firm Lane & Grove. Featuring white-washed walls, wicker chairs, light timber benches and lots of greenery, the space echoes the coastal Sydney location, as well as pays homage to the south coast.
Sydney has a thing with its regions. We tend to limit ourselves to local pockets — from the Northern Beaches to Eastern Suburbs, or the Inner West to the Greater West. But at CP, we're all about pushing people outside these imaginary walls to discover everything this incredible city has to see. Today we turn to the Inner West, where charming tree-lined streets and unassuming apartment blocks hide some of the most exciting experiences in town. You might be thinking: I know the Inner West. I've eaten at the hot Newtown spots, gone on brewery crawls in Marrickville and slurped stand-out spaghetti in Leichhardt. But we're here to tell you that there's definitely more to see. Right now we're loving Dulwich Hill. It's one of Sydney's few suburbs in which big business is yet to claim every second shopfront, leaving independent and family-owned businesses to run things their way (in some cases for the last few decades). There's more to see than we can write about, and it deserves an in-person visit, but here are some appetisers for the feast on offer. GIFTS GALORE Whether it's for yourself or someone else, there's plenty to shop on New Canterbury Road. Make your first stop Connie Dimas Jewellery, which is less than ten minutes's stroll from the light rail stop. This charming store has been part of Dulwich Hill village for over five years, and continues to delight customers with its wide variety of artisan jewellery. Thanks to her ever-growing collection of silver, gold and pearl jewellery, as well as custom designs, Connie has become a local legend, adorning necks, fingers and wrists all over the Inner West. Hailing from a family of creators and craftsmen, she eventually found her niche in the jewellery world, travelling and learning the craft worldwide. Now, she brings everything she's learned into Dulwich Hill, crafting a range of gorgeous pieces that take inspiration from our world and the people that live in it. Over the hill and to the left is Marrickville Road, where bookworms should plot a course because only a short distance down is Gleebooks. From its first store in Glebe since 1975, Gleebooks has spent over 40 years growing into one of Sydney's biggest and most loved independent bookstores, with multiple branches around town. Gleebooks is the heart of the Dulwich Hill reader community and keeps its shelves stocked with both classics and new arrivals. Gleebooks has also become just as well-known for its regular events, hosting hundreds every year across all its sites — names like Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, Colm Toibin, David Malouf and Annie Proulx have graced the doors of its various stores across Sydney. The Dulwich Hill store has recently seen the likes of Bertie Blackman, daughter of famed Australian painter Charles Blackman and Cornersmith duo, Alex Elliott-Howery and Jaimee Edwards. HOME AFFAIRS Interior design is a big business in Dulwich Hill, but one spot in particular stands out. Medina Interior offers authentic handmade furniture and interior decorations direct from Morocco — so expect vivid colours, hypnotising forms and top-quality materials that will bring a fascinating design into any home, from Fes mosaics, safi ceramics and arabesque silver, brass and copper tea sets, lanterns, leather, painted furniture, wicker wares and more. Established in 2000, Medina imports all of its products from Morocco, so you know you're getting the real deal. Owner Krisi has made a family within the Dulwich Hill community, and locals always pop in to say hi and see how she's doing. [caption id="attachment_879103" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Julian Hochgesang - Unsplash[/caption] Across and down the road is Brady's Used Furniture (also known as Sydney Used Furniture). This local legend of the Dulwich Hill furniture game has been at it for over 30 years, and recently became an online hub for all of Sydney. It's immediately visible on approach, with its gorgeous selection of wooden, fabric, leather and metal furniture spilling out beyond its doors — head inside to discover an always intriguing range of antique glassware, books and other bric-a-brac. As well as buying, Brady's is a top choice for selling your used furniture, and dishes out cash for your old couches, bedside tables and household relics. Brady's specialises in deceased estates, ensuring that treasured belongings are in the right hands for the right price. It also offers evaluations on the valid price of your possessions, so you know you're not getting ripped off. WINE DOWN You may smell Larder Wine and Cheese Bar before you see it. This hangout on Marrickville Road brings a top-shelf attitude paired with top-quality provisions from around Australia and the world. The menu is in the name, but patrons can also partake in beer, cider, charcuterie boards, cheese toasties, grazing platters and the tasty bits and bobs to fill them. You buy some to take home or order from the online shop that offers click-and-collect on its extensive range of products, but our tip is to enjoy it in store — it's an excellent excuse to put on nice clothes and indulge in wine and cheese, guided by co-owners Monique Emmi and Raymond Carbonaro. If you prefer a bit more kick than wine and cheese can offer, Butchers Brew Bar is a vibe you'll want to get involved in. It's a gem of a live music venue, putting on regular jazz, funk, blues, reggae, soul, indie pop, folk, Brazilian gigs and more. Drinks are free-flowing, with over 20 wines available by the glass, plus craft beer, cider, spirits, cocktails and alcohol-free options. There's no food menu, but there is a very welcoming BYO policy here — patrons are invited to bring any food from any local eatery. So you can chow down on Thai, Mexican, Japanese, Vietnamese, Sri Lankan, Turkish, burgers or pizzas as you take in a gig. WHEN HUNGER STRIKES Given its incredibly diverse demographic, it should comes as no surprise that Dulwich Hill is home to an incredibly diverse range of eats. If Mexican is on your mind, locals look no further than Tamaleria & Mexican Deli. Owner Rosa Cienfuegos emigrated to Australia from Mexico City in 2009, working with her father at the El Cuervo Cantina in Enmore, then breaking out on her own to run monthly pop-ups in Marrickville before finally opening a permanent spot in Dulwich Hill in 2018. Her hole-in-the-wall spot on Marrickville Road offers a broad menu of tasty, homes-style Mexican delights. As the name would suggest, the tamales here are a stand-out, having earned fame far beyond Inner West. For snacks or sweet treats, Honey and Walnut Patisserie is a must. A post-lockdown addition to Dulwich Hill village, this charming bakehouse is owned and operated by a team of four trained pastry chefs. Peter and Nelly Kalamvokis, joined by Angela and Peter Bozikis, bring decades of shared experience, and the couples' Greek heritage is visible in both the decor and menu items like spanakopita, pastitsio and tiropita, which sit alongside picture-perfect sweet treats like baked cheesecakes, velvet cakes, eclairs and everything in between. Dulwich Hill is located in Sydney's Inner West, and borders Lewisham, Marrickville, Hurlstone Park and Summer Hill. It's accessible via the L1 light rail or on T3 train line. There's also plenty of street and council parking. For more amazing ways to experience Dulwich Hill and the Inner West, head to the website.
Lobster has long been the fancy champagne of the seafood world. For most of us, it's the kind of dish that you can only justify having when you really feel like going all out and treating yo'self — but, this month, the indulgent crustacean-based meal is gracing Betty's Burgers' menu. Combining fresh lobster meat, the chain's special mayonnaise, shallots, chives, lemon and spice, Betty's new lobster roll will be on offer at all of its 22 Australian stores from Thursday, February 13. If your stomach is already rumbling, you can tuck into one for a reasonable $23 (which includes a side of fries). You'll need to get in quickly, though, as the lobster roll only available for a couple of weeks — or until sold out. It's worth noting that last time the roll was on the menu, it only lasted less than a week. So if you're particularly keen, it's best to go sooner, rather than later. Known for its Shake Shack-style burgs and frozen custard desserts (called concretes), Betty's is making a foray into lobster to celebrate its beachy roots. While you can now grab a Betty's burger at nine Sydney outlets, four Melbourne spots, five Brisbane outposts, one Toowoomba eatery and one location in Adelaide, the company first began in Noosa, and then expanded to the Gold Coast. Betty's Burgers' lobster roll is available at all 27 Australian stores from Thursday, February 13. For more information and to find your nearest store, visit Betty's Burgers' website.
Sydney's claim to fame as the home of the southern hemisphere's largest dedicated beauty store is set to be short-lived. Mecca opened its huge Australian flagship shop — its first flagship site in general, in fact — in the New South Wales capital in 2020; however, the retailer has just announced that it's going one better in Melbourne come 2023. The Victorian city's Bourke Street Mall will welcome a huge new 3000-square-metre flagship Mecca that'll sprawl across both the ground and first floors at 299 Bourke Street. That's more than 1000 square metres larger than the Sydney shop, and also five times bigger than the chain's current next largest store at Highpoint Shopping Centre. It'll also span over 35 times more space than its very first store on Toorak Road did two decades back. When it opens its doors in two years time, the beauty retailer huge site will obviously boast oh-so-much room for products, including a curated range from over 200 top brands — featuring everything from Nars and Charlotte Tilbury to Drunk Elephant and Diptyque, plus Mecca's own signature lines Mecca Cosmetica and Mecca Max. Exactly what else will fill its hefty floorplan hasn't yet been revealed but, if it takes a few cues from its Sydney counterpart, that could include a heap of beauty services; Mecca's dedicated labs for skin, makeup and brows; a Mecca gift-wrapping bar; and the Mecca concierge will help point you in the right direction as you're wandering around. The chain is calling its new store an "unprecedented beauty experience", so expect more than just a clone of Sydney's features. "After 24 years of opening stores across Australia and New Zealand, our flagships are the culmination of the past, present and future of Mecca as a business," said the brand's founder and co-CEO Jo Horgan. "We have a vision to create the world's most extraordinary, innovative and loved experiential retail destination where people can immerse themselves in the absolute best of global beauty." The new flagship announcement follows Mecca's recent move into the Northern Territory, opening its first store in Darwin — and reaching its 107th site across Australia and NZ. Mecca will open its new Melbourne flagship store at 299 Bourke Street, Melbourne, sometime in 2023 — we'll update you with further details when they're announced. Images: Mecca Sydney.
Over the past decade, streaming has become a firm part of every film and TV fan's life — providing more viewing choices, more places to find movies and television shows, and more excuses to spend hours and hours on the couch. But, it has also sparked a familiar dilemma. Too often, thanks to all of the options available, it's easy to while more time deciding what to check out next than actually watching something. Netflix is planning to release a solution to this problem in 2021, via a new feature. Due to rollout globally across the platform in the first half of the year, it's basically a shuffle function — and will automatically pick something for you to watch, rather than letting you keep scrolling and scrolling (and scrolling) trying to make a decision. The streaming platform revealed the news as part of its latest update to investors about its 2020 earnings, noting that the feature "gives members the ability to choose to instantly watch a title chosen just for them". Chief Operating Officer and Chief Product Officer Greg Peters said that the function would allow Netflix subscribers to indicate "that they just want to skip browsing entirely, click one button and we'll pick a title for them just to instantly play". Obviously, it seems that Netflix will be drawing upon its algorithm — as aided by your past viewing choices — to take your viewing choices out of your hands. It won't be called "I'm feeling lucky", Peters also noted, but that's the approach it'll be asking subscribers to go with in terms of finding something to watch next. The company has been testing this type of functionality in various forms over the past few years — and the concept is hardly new, as users of music streaming services know. In France at the end of 2020, Netflix also trialled a linear channel, which just played films and shows one after the other in the way that broadcast television does; however, Peters said that it is currently "unclear how that's going to work out". The idea behind these new features — whether they're just being trialled, or they're due to become permanent — is to keep people watching and encourage more folks to join up as subscribers, of course. More and more new streaming services pop up all the time, all vying for your eyeballs, or so it feels at least. That's also the reason that Netflix introduced its Top Ten lists in 2020, if you've been wondering why the platform started telling you that everyone was watching Tiger King, The Queen's Gambit and The Midnight Sky. Netflix's new shuffle feature is due to launch sometime in the first half of 2021 — we'll update you when more details are announced.
Lorde is back — but she won't be back doing live gigs for a bit longer. After five years away from music, the New Zealand pop sensation returned this year with a third studio album, with Solar Power releasing back August. Back in June, she also announced a massive 2022 tour of Australia and New Zealand; however, those shows have now been delayed until 2023. The tour has been postponed due to New Zealand's current COVID-19 outbreak and the uncertainty surrounding what'll be permitted next February and March, which is when Lorde's gigs were originally set to take place. "I am beyond devastated to be postponing these shows. Starting the tour in New Zealand was always really important to me, and would have been a huge high," Lorde said in a statement. "I fought this decision for a long time, but the truth is that touring internationally through a COVID outbreak has a ton of unforeseen moving parts, and I'd much rather play for you when we're all confident it will go smoothly. I want to apologise wholeheartedly to the fans. I'm so gutted to let you down, but so grateful for your understanding." [caption id="attachment_816623" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Come Up Show[/caption] When it kicks off in 2023, the tour will now run from Tuesday, February 21 through till Saturday, March 18. Australians are scoring eight dates across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, while New Zealanders can choose from seven shows. The Australian and New Zealand tour will begin at Days Bay at Lower Hutt on Tuesday, February 21 and Wednesday, February 22. From there the 'Royals' singer will make her way around New Zealand throughout late February and early March, and arrive in Australia on Tuesday, March 7 for two shows at the Brisbane Riverstage. Australia's east coast will be treated to two more shows each at Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl and the ICC's Aware Super Theatre in Sydney, before the tour wraps up with a couple of gigs at Perth's Belvoir Amphitheatre. The last time either country was treated to Lorde's live set was her headline set at Splendour in the Grass 2018, a full circle moment for the singer as she returned to the stage of one of her first ever performances as a last-minute replacement for Frank Ocean back in 2013. A year prior, in 2017, Lorde also toured some of Australia's largest and most iconic outdoor venues including the Sydney Opera House Forecourt. Existing tickets will remain valid for the new dates, while tickets to newly announced gigs in Lower Hutt, Brisbane and Perth start pre-sales on Wednesday, November 17 ahead of general ticket sales on Friday, November 19. LORDE 'SOLAR POWER' 2023 TOUR DATES Tuesday, February 21 – Days Bay, Lower Hutt Wednesday, February 22 – Days Bay, Lower Hutt — new show Saturday, February 25 – Electric Avenue, Christchurch Monday, February 27 – Neudorf Vineyards, Upper Moutere Wednesday, March 1 – Black Barn Vineyards, Havelock North Friday, March 3 – TSB Bowl of Brooklands, New Plymouth Saturday, March 4 – Outer Fields Western Springs, Auckland Tuesday, March 7 – Riverstage, Brisbane — new show Wednesday, March 8 – Riverstage, Brisbane Friday, March 10 – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne Saturday, March 11 – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne Monday, March 13 – Aware Super Theatre, Sydney Tuesday, March 14 – Aware Super Theatre, Sydney Friday, March 17 – Belvoir Amphitheatre, Perth — new show Saturday, March 18 – Belvoir Amphitheatre, Perth Lorde's Solar Power Tour will now take place between Tuesday, February 21–Saturday, March 18, 2023. Head to the Frontier website for all info on tickets. Top image: Liliane Callegari via Wikimedia Commons.
Kazzi Beach Greek is taking over Sydney's Greek coastal fare, offering one suburb at a time. First was Balmoral, followed by Manly — now the generous plates of Hellenic-style delights have crossed the bridge to land in Bondi Beach. Bondi makes for an appropriate setting for the restaurant, with its whitewashed walls and ever-staring mati, it's transportive from the Eastern Suburbs all the way to the island that inspires it all: Kastellorizo. There's plenty on the menu that any diners of the other two establishments can attest to as excellent, especially considering it covers the bases of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Early morning visits are met with fruit bowls, breakfast wraps, omelettes, toast and Greek pastries. Visit in the afternoon hours and the offering explodes into a huge mix of flavours. The standout entry is the chargrilled octopus — flavoursome and tender — but you could opt for something simpler like a takeaway-only souvlaki wrap to go and eat on the sand. Eat in and you can tear into a mezze plate of breads, dips and grilled seafood; maybe a generous serve of spit roast meat and salad. Large groups will be well catered f0r too, with platters and banquet menus for big headcounts and big appetites.
The wonders of the animal kingdom have arrived at the Australian National Maritime Museum, al thanks to a huge exhibition of nature photography. Displaying from Friday, April 8 through until March 2023, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year showcase comes direct from London's Natural History Museum — which has developed and produced the prestigious competition since 1965. Highlighting the astonishing sights that the natural world has to offer, this year's contest attracted over 50,000 entries from 95 countries. That not only shows how much we all love creatures great, small, cute, majestic and everything in-between, but how much we love both taking and looking at snaps of them as well. From that huge number, 100 winning pics were chosen for their creativity, originality and technical excellence, and then tour internationally. And, you can see the eye-popping, awe- (and 'awwwww') inducing results during its Sydney stop right now. Prepare to rove your eyes over everything from up-close-and-personal shots of gorgeous creatures to astonishing visions of sweeping landscapes. It's open every day of the week during its 11-month season — from 9.30am–5pm daily. [caption id="attachment_851476" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Zack Clothier / Wildlife Photographer of the Year[/caption] Top image: Jonny Armstrong, courtesy of Wildlife Photographer of the Year and the Natural History Museum, London.
Some actors have a type. The films change, and the names of their characters as well, but it can feel as if they're always playing a variation of the same person. That sensation doesn't apply to Jackie van Beek's work. Many movie lovers discovered her on-screen as Jackie, the human familiar to a Wellington sharehouse-dwelling vampire in What We Do in the Shadows. In the decade since the hit comedy, she's helped end romances in The Breaker Upperers, which she also co-wrote and co-directed with Deadloch star Madeleine Sami — and then disrobed for Nude Tuesday, this time penning the script solo, alongside portraying a woman who attempts to reignite the spark in her marriage by heading to a couples' retreat where clothes are often optional. Now arrives Audrey, a delightfully dark Australian comedy from first-time feature director Natalie Bailey (Bay of Fires, Joe vs Carole, Run) and screenwriter Lou Sanz (The PM's Daughter, 6 Festivals) that enlists van Beek as a former star. Decades after her Logie-winning heyday, Ronnie Lipsick hasn't given up on her showbiz dreams. The world beckoned when she was at the top of the acting game, but then she had her first daughter and settled into married life; however, she still knows what she wants. Her focus after 18 years of being a mum: ensuring that the movie's eponymous figure (Josephine Blazier, Fires) makes it big as well, whether she likes it or not. Nothing is going to stop Ronnie in this quest — not even Audrey falling into a coma. There's regular second chances, and then there's Ronnie's path. When Audrey can't follow the route to fame and fortune that's been plotted out for her, Ronnie impersonates her instead. There's endeavouring to cope with tragedy, and then there's the Lipsick family's response to Audrey's plight as well — including on Ronnie's husband Cormack (Jeremy Lindsay Taylor, Force of Nature: The Dry 2) and younger daughter Norah's (Hannah Diviney, Latecomers) parts. As keeps proving the case across van Beek's filmography, no one will mistake Audrey for any other movie. After debuting at SXSW in Austin, the blackly and sharply hilarious feature now hits Australian cinemas in what's been a busy year for its lead. Off-camera in 2024, the New Zealand talent was one of the driving forces behind the Australian version of The Office, and also directed an episode of Time Bandits. Audrey appealed to van Beek's love of dark comedy, she tells Concrete Playground. Unsurprisingly, Ronnie stood out as the kind of character that isn't a standard fixture on-screen. When The Breaker Upperers released in 2018, she chatted with us, alongside Sami, about creating roles for the two that didn't exist otherwise. Now, van Beek advises that when she was reading Audrey's script, she thought "oh, she's delicious. She's so challenging to like. I thought as an actor, it'll be such a great kind of joy to try, and to try to pull her off with some degree of charm." "When I read Lou Sanz's script, Ronnie Lipsick is a morally ambiguous, very career-driven kind of obsessive mother, and I just thought 'what a delight'. Because you don't come across these characters — especially as a female — you just don't come across these characters very often. Well, I hadn't," van Beek notes. "I love dark comedy. I think I was probably told the premise, I imagine by Lou or the producer Michael Wrenn before I read the script. So as soon as I heard the premise, I was like 'ooh, this sounds perfectly dark for me'. I love comedy, but I do really like the edginess of this premise. I think someone who prioritises resurrecting her career over nursing her daughter back to health is a very interesting character to play." Also built into Audrey: recognition that being a mother shouldn't mean giving up on your own journey, an adult coming-of-age tale and a woman's quest, albeit by highly questionable means such as pretending to be her teenage offspring, to reclaim her own sense of self. We discussed all of the above with van Beek, too, alongside what she drew upon to play Ronnie, portraying such a tricky character in a heightened story, what gets her excited about a new project, what you learn making a movie like Audrey and more. On the Film's Ability Not Only to Rally Against Traditional Visions of Womanhood and Motherhood, But to Take That Idea to a Comedic Extreme "It was an interesting take, because I think we've seen a lot of films, dramas and comedies, about women who are struggling, as a lot of us do — women who are struggling with that work/life balance, being being pulled one way as a mother, being pulled another way by their career. And I think we're quite used to those stories. I think this film, obviously what I love, really pushes it to a comedic extreme. I mean, I find Ronnie kind of delusionally adorable, but also abhorrent. I hope that I'm a very different woman to her. But it was delightful to play, because pushing the idea that women aren't born simply to reproduce or mother, but are born to bring about your hopes and dreams, through a career or what have you, is fun. I did find Ronnie Lipsick to be quite mentally unhinged, and in need of some professional help, I would say. She's really spinning off the planet. She's such an egotist. She's so vain. And she's really lost sight of what's important in life. But I do love this idea, to the extreme in Lou's script, that she absolutely prioritises her career over her over her daughter's health." On Finding Inspiration to Play Ronnie — and Always Trying to Win the Audience Over "I'm a mother myself. I have three children, so obviously I was able to easily draw on my own life for the harried mum aspect of the character — organising the pickups, all the logistics with the husband, wanting them to do well. So I've drawn on a lot of that. In terms of her being dangerously delusional, I didn't have much to go on from my real life. So what I did was, I came up through theatre, I was in theatre for like 20 years before I got into TV and film, and a lot of my training was about trying to win the audience over. So whether or not you were a hero or a villain, you try to charm the audience so much that you can have them onside. I really thought that would be a fun game to play, just for myself, over the course of production, to see — by finding vulnerability or delusion or asking the audience to sympathise with me in any way — whether or not I could win the audience over to my side, so they would, I guess, forgive Ronnie for some of the choices she made." On Ensuring That Depth Shines Through When You're Playing Such a Tricky Character in a Heightened Story "It was hugely important for me to navigate a truth for the character throughout the story. And, in some scenes that was harder than harder than others, because it is a very heightened story, and a very heightened reality that we were playing within. Natalie Bailey, the director, was fantastic at helping me navigate that — as was Lou, the writer, who was on set the whole time, which was incredibly useful. But it was really important to me that I could feel truth in every single scene. And so some of the more heightened ones, I really had to lean into Ronnie's delusion, I guess — so that I thought if I, as Ronnie, can actually believe what I'm saying, even if it seems ridiculous to everybody else in the scene and in the audience, as long as I can believe it, it should feel like a real human being that's going on a journey. But some scenes are more tricky than others. That's a fun challenge. I love reading a role where I go 'ooh, this is going to be quite tricky'. And it was. It was such a fun challenge to take on that part." On Adult Coming-of-Age Stories Blossoming as a Genre — and Tales of Women Aiming to Reclaim Their Identities "I'm not sure why it's coming up more now. Maybe because more adults have access to therapy and so people are reflecting on these things? Definitely on my to-do list is to carve out time to go to see therapists. I haven't quite managed to do it yet. But I'm really enjoying the stories coming out at the moment, especially with female protagonists, about women around my age — I'm 48 — who have realised that they've lost a sense of self and they are really struggling to find a way to reclaim an identity. I think what interests me is a lot of people, they don't go deep enough, and try to just reclaim their youth through surgery or affairs or whatever. I'm really fascinated by that. I think all women that I know have just read Miranda July's All Fours, which I think is an incredible examination of that kind of reclaiming that sense of self. It's a fascinating subject." On Audrey, the Australian Version of The Office and Time Bandits All Reaching Screens Within Months of Each Other "The momentum of that is quite strange because, of course, these projects all happened at quite different times and it really is coincidence, I think, that everything lands in the same few months. It all depends on how long the post-production is or the distributor. But it's exciting to have things come out. I'm always someone who really itches to get a project in front of an audience to get that response. But I'm also someone who doesn't really dwell on the response, because I've always moved on to a million other things. But I love it — as I said before, I came up through theatre, so it was all about working as hard as you can and then opening night, the curtains open and you give the projects to an audience, you share that. So it's always a relief for me when something finally is out there and you're like 'oh good, okay, actually it's opening night, the curtains are parting, and people can actually now watch it and respond'. I think I do find it hard when you're in development for a number of things, and nothing's on-screen or you're not delivering anything to an audience. You just feel like you're working in this weird, insular bubble, and what's the point if nobody is able to see this thing you're working on and respond to it. And then, of course, with every response you learn so much about what we've created. And I then I take that onto my next projects. I'm very invested in learning, I guess." On What Gets van Beek Excited About a New Project at This Stage of Her Career "The most-exciting element for me with new projects is the team on it. There are so many people from all around the world, of all different levels of experience, that I'm just dying to work with. And so for my own projects, I of course seek these people out to collaborate with — actors, directors, writers. I think that is the driving force. Second to that, well, actually shooting location is quite important for me because I have three kids and my youngest is still only 12. So I am always trying to prioritise projects like Time Bandits that can be made here in New Zealand, so that I don't have to be away from the kids and my family for too long. And then, of course, the project itself — I'm very drawn, and always have been, to projects which will potentially polarise. I kind of find it thrilling to take on a project or be a part of a project that I think could go either way. The Office, for example, it did seem so silly to create the 13th version of The Office. But, of course, I leapt at the opportunity knowing it was going to be the first version with a female lead, and I knew that was quite high-risk because people are so besotted with the UK and the US versions. But it was that risk that really thrilled me. And the same with when I get involved in some local low-budget films here in New Zealand, sometimes it's the project that draws me, like it's something that I've never kind of seen before or they're taking a big risk on something. And I'm like 'ooh, I'd love to be a part of that because I like the thrill of it'. I'm not really drawn to something that feels quite kind of tried and true, I guess." On What van Beek Learned Starring in Audrey "It's interesting. I think when I'm acting in other people's films or projects, I learn a lot about writing and directing. And then I feel like when I'm writing and directing my own projects, I learn a lot about acting. I think I learn a lot from the other people that are surrounding me. And I really enjoy jumping between acting, writing and directing for that. So I'm constantly shifting roles and having these experiences from both sides. But I think with Audrey, I'm a real believer in 'if you say yes to a project, then you really are giving yourself over to that writer and especially to the director'. So once I say yes to something, I'm pretty much like 'what do you want me to do?' — like 'here I am, what do you want me to do? I'll do anything.'. I don't say yes to a project unless I unless I'm prepared to offer up everything." Audrey opened in Australian cinemas on Thursday, November 7, 2024.
When it opened 88 years ago at Milsons Point, Luna Park Sydney wasn't the world's first Luna Park, or even Australia's. But Harbour City residents and tourists alike have enjoyed its presence around multiple closures, reopenings and revamps ever since. Come December, the amusement park will unveil its latest reason to stop by and enjoy its attractions: Dream Circus, an immersive experience that's revamping the site's big top. If you've ever wanted to feel like you've walked into a movie, this is the Luna Park Sydney feature for you. Dream Circus will be filled with 360-degree projections, holograms, motion-activated LED screens, surround sound and lighting to immerse you in a Hollywood-style experience. It'll become Sydney's first permanent immersive-experience attraction, the venue advises — and a world-first type of attraction as well. Attendees can expect to enter a narrative journey, where characters and a spectacle that engages the senses will combine. The experience will take over the 3000-square-metre big top, with its sights filling a surface area of over 3500 square metres — and with Artists in Motion, TDC and Auditoria, who have ABBA Voyage, King Kong on Broadway, works at Vivid and Walking with Dinosaurs to their names, behind it. Luna Park Sydney expects people to flock to see the results when Dream Circus opens on Friday, December 22, just in time for the Christmas holidays, anticipating that 50,000 people will check it out over summer. The new attraction will help the site embrace the future, while still loving its status as an art-deco amusement park that dates back almost a century. "We are proud to build for Sydney one of the most technically advanced environments in the country. The result will be a venue without equal — capable of featuring the best immersive experiences, never-before-seen immersive live music and special events" said Luna Park Sydney CEO John Hughes. "As a world-class amusement park, we need to be more than rides, and expanding our depth of offering through world-class immersive experiences will mean that Sydneysiders won't have to travel the globe to experience these incredible environments. We want to be a reliable, magical, and affordable destination for all generations of Sydneysiders and visitors to our city". Dream Circus launches at Luna Park Sydney, 1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point, on Friday, December 22 — visit the park's website for more information and tickets.
Two years after The Mandalorian gave the Star Wars franchise its first live-action TV spinoff — and a year after the show's second season hit streaming — The Book of Boba Fett is about to deliver a new dose of bounty hunter thrills. This time, Disney+'s latest addition to a galaxy far, far away will focus on the famed eponymous character that dates back to the 70s, with New Zealand actor Temuera Morrison (Occupation: Rainfall) donning Boba's helmet and armour in the new streaming series. Morrison played the role in The Mandalorian, too, after initially joining the franchise back in 2002, in Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones, as Jango Fett — the OG bounty hunter who provided the genetic template for Boba. So, this is a series with a history in multiple ways. Set to start streaming on Wednesday, December 29, The Book of Boba Fett will follow its namesake and mercenary Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen, Mulan) as they head to Tatooine. There, they're trying to control the territory once overseen by Jabba the Hutt and his crime syndicate. Unsurprisingly, that requires navigating the galaxy's chaotic underworld — and, as the just-dropped trailer for the series shows, that whole process isn't going to go smoothly. If you watched The Mandalorian, you should already be primed to spend more time with Boba. If you're just a dedicated Star Wars fan in general, clearly that's long been the case. And while this will only mark Disney+'s second jump into the Star Wars realm, plenty more is in the works. So, in the next few years, you can look forward to another season of The Mandalorian, a prequel to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story focusing on Cassian Andor (Diego Luna, If Beale Street Could Talk), a series about Obi-Wan Kenobi starring Ewan McGregor (of course), and other shows about fellow Star Wars characters Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson, Zombieland: Double Tap) and Lando Calrissian (as initially played Billy Dee Williams, and also by Donald Glover in Solo: A Star Wars Story). There's also a new mystery-thriller from Russian Doll's Leslye Headland on the slate, too, called The Acolyte. Check out the trailer for The Book of Boba Fett below: The Book of Boba Fett will start streaming via Disney+ on Wednesday, December 29. Top image: © 2021 Lucasfilm Ltd.
Once the full effects of summer take hold it's hard not to feel a little trapped in the big city. Luckily, Sydney is so big that you don't need to try too hard to escape the chaos. Tucked away at the uppermost corner of Sydney, the coastal haven of the northern beaches feels more like a collection of sleepy beach villages than suburbia, and it's well worth the drive for the views alone. If you find yourself with a spare day and wanting to explore a part of Sydney that you don't usually frequent, this guide to the 'insular peninsula' will sort you out. And since the area isn't exactly renowned for its public transport, if you're in need of some wheels, check out Popcar. The car-sharing service has brand-new cars, kept in immaculate condition, stationed in parking bays all over the city — including small city hatches to spacious SUVs if you need extra room. Just make a quick booking via the app, turn up to the vehicle, tap your access card to unlock the doors and start your adventure to one (or all) of these epic northern beaches gems. Update: This year's bushfire season is particularly dangerous. Before you head on an out-of-town adventure, check the RFS NSW and NSW National Parks websites and heed any alerts and warnings. [caption id="attachment_717598" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] GRAB A SNACK FOR THE ROAD AT ROLLERS BAKEHOUSE It would be a mortal sin if, fresh off the morning ferry into Manly, you skipped out on a pre-trip power snack from the legendary Rollers Bakehouse. The sheer volume of decadent pastries that this joint churns out every day — from savoury scrolls to sugary sweet croissants — is nuts. And these OTT treats make the perfect snack for your road trip around the northern beaches. Before you pick up your Popcar and set off your adventure, nab a still-warm croissant to enjoy as you wind your way up the peninsula. STOP FOR BRUNCH AT CAFE MONAKA Northern beaches locals take their breakfast food seriously — they definitely don't give just anyone their golden stamp of brunch approval. So when you come across a place that's filled with regulars, it's a good sign. That's exactly why Mona Vale's Cafe Monaka is a non-negotiable for your brunch fix north of the bridge. The asagohan Japanese-style breakfast is a sight to behold — featuring steamed rice with furikake seasoning, grilled salmon, egg omelette, marinated vegetables and miso soup — and the matcha chiffon cake is so light it shouldn't count as dessert. For drinks, you'll find coffee by Single O and a selection of single origin Japanese teas by PNT. HIT THE SHOPS IN AVALON VILLAGE Did you really go to the northern beaches if you didn't buy something a little bougie? To pick up a unique souvenir, take a leisurely stroll through one of the northern beaches most eccentric high streets filled with cosy fashion boutiques and luxe homewares stores. This is the spot for an unusual shopping spree and a nosy around. Special shout out to the longstanding Bookoccino, which combines great coffee with even better book recommendations, and Avalon Art Gallery, which supports both local established and emerging artists. [caption id="attachment_703445" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew Gregory / Destination NSW[/caption] TAKE A HIKE THROUGH KU-RING-GAI NATIONAL PARK There are not a lot of major cities with beautiful national parks on their doorstep, so it's a little surprising that there aren't swarms of people in Ku-Ring-Gai National Park every day — but that's a very good thing when you're chasing some solitude. A massive stretch of almost 100 square-kilometres, this park could take weeks to explore in full, but if you just want a little taster of some of the best bits, start with a mid-morning visit to Great Mackerel Beach. Next, try the Red Hands Cave Walk for a look at some of the area's oldest Aboriginal cave art, then finish your adventure off with a stop at West Head Lookout for truly awe-inspiring water views. STOP FOR LUNCH AT BERT'S OR BARREL ONE COFFEE ROASTERS You're spoiled for choice come lunchtime. Whether you're looking to go all out or pig out on a budget, rest easy knowing there are plenty of top-notch options. For a taste of the high life, try Bert's Bar and Brasserie atop The Newport. The lobster pasta will make your eyes pop — first thanks to the price (a cool $129) and then from the taste. Suffice to say, it goes down pretty well when you're propped up with a cocktail on the waterfront patio. For a more low-key approach to lunch, head to Brookvale's Barrel One Roasters. Sweet-toothed visitors will enjoy the Nutella, banana and cinnamon maple syrup bagel paired with a coconut jaffa hot chocolate, while savoury lovers should opt for the Cubano sandwich of roasted pork belly, smoked ham and cheddar or the grilled cheese sando with jalapeño cheddar, roasted red peppers and cornichons. TAKE A STROLL ALONG NARRABEEN LAGOON TRAIL There's something really magical about Narrabeen Lagoon Trail — it's a winding, otherworldly trail that transforms with every step. At one point, you'll be deep in the thick of a forest that is alive with wildlife, then all of a sudden you'll be covered in basking light and admiring a wide-open view of the tranquil lagoon. It's a great walk for everyone — long enough for you to really burn off that long lunch, but flat and forgiving enough for a food coma stroll. If you're not up for a trek, you can always hire a kayak or paddleboat from Pro Kayaks. [caption id="attachment_718035" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Gould[/caption] STOP FOR DINNER AT CORRETTO DEE WHY Like most good venues in this neck of the woods, Corretto prides itself on understated quality by serving up some lavish eats — seared yellowfin tuna salad is a must-try — at a surfed-up location right on Dee Why Beach. Ransack the sharing menu for a feast of baked parmesan scallops, pulled pork sliders, grilled haloumi and glazed barbecue wings — you've earned it after a long day of adventuring. Thirsty passengers can take their pick from 15 different cocktails, including The Corretto — a super-sweet take on the espresso martini bolstered by aniseed myrtle — or a native old-fashioned, which features beeswax Jim Beam Black, wattleseed, hopped grapefruit bitters and green ants. HEAD BACK TO MANLY FOR A NIGHTCAP AT SUNSET SABI Drop your Popcar back to its dedicated bay in Manly and you'll be within walking distance of one of the suburb's best cocktail spots. At Sunset Sabi, you'll find excellent Japanese-inspired tipples. We think there's no passing up the Dragon Ball Tea, which has tea vodka with rockmelon and yuzu, or the Aloe'ha Big Wave with tequila, aloe and umeshu. If you're still a little hungry, you can order some Japanese bites from the share-style menu, too — think sushi rolls, cold soba and gyoza. A big day needs a big finish, and Sunset Sabi is the perfect goodbye before the ferry ride home. Get out and explore beyond the city this summer with Popcar car share. To sign up for just $1 and get one-day free hire ($80 driving credit), head this way. Top image: NSW Parks.
Structured as a raw open counter, the specialty meat market resides in the popular Sydney Fish Market. Vic's Meat Market is separated into sections, from organic and grass fed (Lean and Green) to the specialty wild meat section (a seasonal selection of game from kangaroo to wild boar and venison). You can stroll into the custom-built cool room if you're rugged up, or, if you're feeling peckish, make beeline for the grill. There's a chef on hand to cook your choice of steak right there and then. Plus, you can pair it with one of the many wines available by the glass. Alternatively, tuck into a cheeky $14 smoked pulled pork roll with zesty coleslaw and house-made barbecue sauce — the pork is slow cooked over ten hours in in the purpose-built Yoder smoker affectionately dubbed 'Kong'. The wagyu cheeseburger, one of the many burgers available on-site, is one of the best burgers in Sydney. If you'd prefer to take something cured home, look to one of the six varieties of biltong or 25 different salami and sliced meats. Popcorn? Consider yourself replaced as a salty, salty movie snack.
UPDATE, November 30, 2020: Upgrade is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. Watching Grey Trace (Logan Marshall-Green) is quite the sight to behold. Forget the terrible name, which sounds like it belongs to a Mad Men ad agency rather than a person — with his convulsive moves, the mechanic turned quadriplegic turned killing machine is positively hypnotic. Filmed by writer-director Leigh Whannell in a style that's somehow both twitchy and fluid, Grey dispatches with his enemies with super-human ease, combining the cool efficiency of John Wick with the technological flair of RoboCop and The Terminator. Indeed, alongside the body horror cinema of David Cronenberg and the thrilling science-fiction of John Carpenter, it's easy to spot Upgrade's action and sci-fi influences. Played with grim-faced precision by Tom Hardy-lookalike Green, Grey is not someone you'd want to mess with. But the character's flying fists aren't completely under his own control. Paralysed after a self-driving car crash and a subsequent attack by vicious thugs, he's now the recipient of a brain implant that has re-enabled his limbs. Called STEM, it's an experimental advancement designed by a young tech wiz (Harrison Gilbertson) who seems like he's up to no good, even though he's claiming he wants to assist. The fact that the secret chip has a mind of its own — or, rather, a voice (Simon Maiden) that compels Grey to hunt down the gang that killed his wife (Melanie Vallejo) — doesn't help matters. Bone-crunching, blood-splattered revenge is a dish best-served with an AI sidekick in Upgrade. Although the concept might sound more tired than wired on paper, it makes for a sharp, sleek and savage wander into genre territory. Every element that initially seems worthy of an eye-roll — pre-accident, Grey is vocal about his hatred for all things digital, for example — soon raises a smile thanks to the film's pulpy execution. Weapons immeshed into the human body? A villain that sneezes computer chips? A man virtually talking to himself for the entire flick? It all works. And while Upgrade comes from the mind of someone who has seen everything from 2001: A Space Odyssey and Blade Runner to Her and Ex Machina, Whannell has dreamed their various parts into his own new creation. There's a scene, part-way through the movie, that couldn't better encapsulate Upgrade's charms — or its savvy ability to combine its numerous sources of inspiration into an engaging vessel all of its own. It's not the most inventive of the film's many set pieces, but it makes a firm and fitting impression nonetheless. Grey awakens from an operating table, STEM freshly inserted into his spine, and Upgrade has an "it's alive!" moment. Riffing on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is hardly new — nor is taking cues from James Whale's 1931 film that brought the novel to the screen. And yet here, it really couldn't be more apt. Upgrade is a thoroughly 21st-century incarnation of the 200-year-old tale about a man reborn from cobbled-together parts, this time including both flesh and circuitry. It's also a movie put together in the same dice, splice, borrow and reuse fashion. Furthermore, Upgrade proves a much more effective use of Whannell's skills than the Insidious and Saw flicks, the two franchises that brought him to fame after initially reviewing movies on ABC TV's Recovery. Instead of serving up by-the-numbers gore and spooks, there's smarts behind this gleeful mashup of genre staples — not to mention passion, personality, a swift pace, a gorgeous red and grey colour palette, and slick yet gritty futuristic visuals. To be fair, Whannell wrote rather than directed most of his previous hits (and also co-stars in the Insidious films), with the underwhelming Insidious: Chapter 3 his only other credit behind the lens. You'd never guess that Upgrade sprang from the same person, which might just be the biggest compliment you could pay this entertainingly schlocky cyberpunk action-thriller. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEnRNIvEKu8
Chances are you've had your day in the sun with vodka at some point, whether it's past or present: discovering it as a freshly legal drinker in your late teens, all the way to pairing it with some classy lime and soda and kicking back when the kids have gone to bed. There's surely been a point in your life where you've developed your own personal relationship with the spirit, but how much do you really know about it? To accompany the release of Belvedere Vodka's Single Estate Rye Series, we thought we'd whip up a bit of a guide for you as you sip away — call it a guide for the bluffers among you, those who don't know too much about what you drink, where it's from or why it tastes the way it tastes (here's a spoiler: the last two are closely linked). Read on for a brief vodka-tasting stroll around the European history of the spirit, its variations and flavours and of course, some handy party facts to pull out next time you're sipping a vodka tonic. [caption id="attachment_676552" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rye at Lake Bartężek in Poland.[/caption] WHERE IS VODKA ACTUALLY FROM? Contrary to popular belief, vodka didn't originate in Russia. And though it is its national drink (and that of Poland and Ukraine), it's Poland who lays claim to creating the first version of the spirit, having cooked up the first batch during the Middle Ages (potentially as early as the eighth century). Though it's all a little vague, and there is stiff Russian competition when it comes to claiming it as a national symbol, we do know that the name for vodka is thought to come from the Slavic word for water: voda. [caption id="attachment_595919" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] CAN YOU TASTE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHEAP AND EXPENSIVE? Like any drink, yes. Even if you had the worst palate in the world, chances are you could pick a $20 glass of riesling from a slosh from a box of goon. However with vodka, it's a little different — the spirit is meant to be colourless and not have a very strong odour, making the taste test more of an experiential one. Vodka made from rye, like Belvedere's Smogóry Forest and Lake Bartężek, is generally more refined and smoother than other cereal grain or potato-based versions. Lesser quality vodka will often have raw materials in them that weren't removed by the distillation process, and these leftovers are indicative of a less pure, cheaper spirit. (It's those distillation leftovers that also create that vodka burn you can sometimes feel.) But again, like any drink, a lot of it comes down to personal preference, and what your tastebuds tell you they enjoy and what they don't. [caption id="attachment_676553" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rye field in Forest.[/caption] SO, WHAT IS RYE VODKA EXACTLY? Rye vodka is made by distilling fermented rye grain instead of another base carbohydrate like potato, corn, rice, wheat or molasses. In terms of taste, rye vodka is similar to rye whisky with spicy, peppery notes added by the grain. Though these notes appear more subtly than in the whisky that's been barrel-aged, rye vodka helps break down the idea that vodka is flavourless. Vodka as a whole can vary in taste dramatically due to a number of different factors like the grain or carbohydrate base, as well as the type of still used, whether the spirit was filtered or unfiltered and its terroir (more on that later). VODKA'S COMEBACK In the face of the speciality gin trend (see: pink gin) and the rise of aromatics and brown spirits, vodka is certainly holding its own, but perhaps not as you know it. The new face of vodka is one that debunks the myth that it's tasteless; hence the rise of rye vodka and its varying flavour profiles. Gone is the perception that the spirit is a flavourless drop to get you in a party mood quickly or to be paired with mixers that mask its taste; vodka is increasingly regaining its status as a spirit to enjoy in a considered way. WHAT'S TRENDING? With rye vodkas seeing this rise in popularity, the way we consume the spirit is also changing. This could be because of a key concept in its production: terroir. In terms of rye vodka production, terroir is the theory that soil, climate and topography affect the taste of the rye used. So the vodka from a certain location has its own specific complexity, character and, of course, taste. Look at Belvedere's two Single Estate Rye vodkas from Smogóry Forest and Lake Bartężek. Smogóry Forest is vast, has short, mild winters and a lot of fertile soil; Lake Bartężek in the north, on the other hand, is cold, with long winters and glacial lakes. These environments impact rye's growth and play an important role in the profile of each. Smogóry Forest vodka, for example, is sweet with notes of salted caramel, honey and white pepper, while Lake Bartężek is fuller, more floral and grassy, with notes of spearmint and toasted nuts. HOW TO DRINK VODKA So now that we've established that vodka isn't the flavourless, colourless liquid you may have once considered it to be, what's the best way to drink it? Well, if you really want to become an expert (or at least learn to taste the differences between different types), down the hatch isn't your best bet. Belvedere recommends trying its Single Estate Rye vodkas neat or on the rocks, sipping slowly to bring out the characteristics of each (just like wine). If you're keen on a mixed drink, however, go for the classic martini or try something with a twist like a vodka old fashioned or rye sour. Experience rye vodka and its array of flavours with Belvedere's Single Estate Rye vodkas from Smogóry Forest and Lake Bartężek. Top image: Brook James.
Staying back after school has never been more stocked with good art and a cheeky tipple. The National Art School is launching Sydney's newest after-hours art party: Twilight Sessions. A free series of midweek soirees featuring art, live music, workshops, talks and film, Twilight Sessions has all the art party trimmings, with one marked difference: it's all going down in the Old Darlinghurst Gaol. Created to coincide with the International Year of Light (which it is, apparently), Twilight Sessions is launching on Wednesday, February 25 — the first of four dotted throughout the year. So what's in store for this Wednesday hootenanny? Sticking around after Sydney Festival, celebrated, light-based installation artist Bill Culbert will be showcasing his largest solo work in Australia to date — after he blitzed the 55th Venice Biennale. You can partake in free twilight drawing sessions in the gallery, inspired by Culpert's exhibition and led by artists and NAS faculty Lynne Eastaway, Margaret Roberts and Tania Rollond, or a photography workshop with respected Australian photographer Peter Solness (places limited, bookings essential, $25 per person). Once you're all arted out, you'll find Astral People's Mike Who spinning a few tunes at the pop-up bar. Mike Who has warmed up stages for the likes of Action Bronson, Oneman and Peanut Butter Wolf, so it's a pretty big pull for NAS. For the nibblers and noshers, there'll be tasty treats and wine and beer available on the night. Now you're nice and wine-fuelled, wander through NAS's Chapel for an an exhibition from Margaret Olley Drawing Week, and upstairs, Sydney artist Gary Warner invites you to make music on the social 'lamellaphone', an interactive musical instrument made from discarded street sweeper bristles, designed to be played by several people in tandem in a manner similar to an African thumb piano. Twilight Sessions will launch on Wednesday, February 25, and run from 6-9pm. It'll be back four times in the year to coincide with NAS Gallery’s 2015 exhibition program, including the Redlands Konica Minolta Art Prize, New Disciples: 50 Years of Ceramics and Rosemary Laing.
To break up your newsfeed of cancellations and postponed events, here's a little bit of happy news. To celebrate 'International Day of Happiness', a Sydney CBD cafe is giving away free flowers and two-for-one coffees. Head over to June's Shoppe in Wynyard on the morning of Friday, March 20 to receive a bright yellow flower, along with a two-for-one coffee voucher. It'll be handing out the 200 blooms starting from 8am, so make sure you head over bright and early to score one of them. While you're there, take advantage of the adorable yellow cafe's Gabriel coffee and variety of refreshing drinks, including kombucha, cold press juices and coconut water; and try one of its open-faced sandwiches, such as the savoury avocado and buffalo mozzarella number or the sweet Nutella and banana one. If you're looking for something heartier, it also has a selection of salad bowls, and B&E rolls.
A fly is buzzing so loudly that the fine hairs on my ears prickle. Irritated, I go to swat at something in the air. These are some convincing sound effects. Tight production elements mark this staging of the William Golding classic Lord of the Flies (adapted by Nigel Williams). Marooned on an island during the Cold War, a bunch of prepubescent boys struggle with all matters relevant to the replication of civil society: democracy, defence, housing, food acquisition and rituals. Yet when the conch is stolen, the war paint spreads and hunting takes precedence, any common decency becomes swallowed by the impossibly thick scrub of the island and the mercilessly blinding sun. The minimalist raked stage, partly surrounded by water, becomes a canvas upon which the boys’ performance paints a pulsing morass of hysteria, mind-wrenching confusion and throttling rugby scrums and the Beastie's presence can be felt, presiding over them, egging them on. Director Anthony Skuse brings an innovative approach to this canonical narrative as a chorus of boys feature side-stage wearing large oversized heads like fragile cocoons containing dead flies. The giant heads behave like a Greek chorus, wobbling and mocking Piggy (Samuel Rushton) and Ralph's (Andrew Ryan) attempts to protest the irrational decisions of the group and nodding solemnly when Simon (Stephen Lloyd-Coombs) makes the terrifying realisation of his own madness. In the darkness, a body appears, bloody and wretched, crawling across the stage, its wet flesh flogged, its matted head slung forward and its pained face concealed. Simon yells accusations at the crawling mess. He growls in a deep menacing voice at the body then jerks his neck to accommodate another small voice that giggles and refutes the angry man inside. Once the voice of reason and philosophical inquiry, Simon is having another 'turn' yet he is terrified of having another turn. The fine line between sanity and insanity is blurred and the ability to control oneself when left to one's own devices is put into question. His tortured performance left my eyes glittering with cold tears.
Taking over The Gantry's previous space is PIER Dining, a breezy newcomer to Pier One Sydney Harbour that opened its doors on Wednesday, May 1. The lavish hotel on the harbour has revamped its food and drink offering, and is now serving a seafood-focused menu from an approachable openair venue. Open to hotel guests and public diners alike, PIER Dining dishes up modern seafood fare that takes cues from the eatery's waterside location. The site has been built over historic beams that once were home to the pier's Oyster Bar and Crab Cooker, and span to the deepest point of Sydney Harbour. "After listening to our guests and the local community, we have evolved the restaurant to celebrate a more casual and relaxed style of dining, leading with an a la carte menu, or feed-me menu, for those wanting to take the hassle out of ordering," said Pier One Sydney Harbour General Manager Kim Mahaffy. The harbourside space now features lounge seating with sunlight filtering through an open roof, Australian natives littered throughout and views to pair. And you'll even spot environmentally friendly coasters by Defy Designs and decorative seaweed salt jars by Dinosaur Designs. On the menu at PIER Dining is an array of fresh Australian produce, with a focus on seafood, as helmed by emerging hospitality talent and the restaurant's Chef De Cuisine Dimitri Damman — whose plethora of experience at international outposts has assisted in curating the food lineup. You'll find refreshed takes on classics, from the King George whiting parmy and a campanelle carbonara paired with cured kingfish collar through to the restaurant's signature dish: Queensland coral trout paired with green mango, chilli, ginger and coriander, which is served tableside. Other highlights include the Sydney rock oysters, which you can opt to have freshly shucked with mignonette or charred on the grill with coconut vinegar and some smoked wagyu fat; a pierlova — the restaurant's spin on a classic pav — and the Bermagui catch of the day, served with confit onions, olives and capers. Fnd PIER Dining inside Pier One Sydney Harbour, 11 Hickson Road, Dawes Point, open from Tuesday–Saturday from 5.30–late.
Some takeaway fads come and go before you even get to try them, but one fast-casual essential that remains a staple of suburban strips everywhere is the humble charcoal chicken joint. Yet as a sign of its renewed popularity, numerous big-time chains have entered the scene, to varying results. Yet one spot looking to keep standards high is Char'd, a Lebanese-style upstart that doesn't believe in taking shortcuts or making compromises when it comes to quality. Founded by James Estephan in September 2023, the 29-year-old has since launched two locations: Eastern Creek and St Clair. Like many, he got his start as a teenager whipping up burgers and fries at McDonald's before moving into digital marketing at Red Rooster. Having gained the inside word on the good and bad of the takeaway industry, Estephan stepped out on his own to show that attention to detail and genuine pride in the product can go a long way. Rising above many of its competitors, Char'd's menu is familiar but goes the extra mile. Headlined by 48-hour marinated chicken slow-cooked over real charcoal, chooks are never held for more than 15 minutes. Naturally, this dedicated approach results in fresher and juicier meals that leave a lasting impression. Built around an expansive menu that spans burgers, wraps, loaded fries and more, Char'd's tenders and fried chicken are another highlight. Marinated for 12 hours and cooked fresh to order, expect a serious crunch. Bringing a considered touch to the game, Char'd is building upon this storied takeaway tradition while adding its own bite. Char'd is open daily from 10am–9pm at locations in Eastern Creek and St Clair. Head to the website for more information. Images: Trent Van Der Jagt.
First Tropfest announced they'll be moving to Parramatta next year, then Sydney Sacred Music Festival plan a gig on a carpark rooftop, and now local music festival The Plot have confirmed they'll be returning to the Western Sydney suburb for November's festival. Parramatta is being graced with some seriously awesome events lately — and the all-Aussie festival is the icing on the cake. Now in its third year, The Plot comes courtesy of the folks behind Groovin' The Moo. The lineup, which features more Aussie artists than you can fit on the tray of a Ford Falcon, will take place at Parramatta Park on Saturday, November 19. The licensed, all-ages event will include every musical genre under the sun — the lineup includes the likes of party boys The Bennies, Montainge, Vera Blue, Indian Summer, Nicole Millar and Elizabeth Rose, just to name a few. And this will all happen in some sweet sunny grasslands with local food and beverage stalls. Those who have attended the festival before know that food is a big part of the day, with last year's event featuring nosh from local vendors Knafeh, The Emporium, Sundweesh and Riverside Brewery. But we know what you're here for — here's the first lineup announcement. THE PLOT 2016 LINEUP A.B. Original Alex Lahey Allday The Belligerents The Bennies Bootleg Rascal Buoy Dorsal Fins Dylan Joel E^st Elizabeth Rose Gold Fields Indian Summer Ivan Ooze Japanese Wallpaper Lanks Luca Brasi Mallrat Montainge Nicole Millar Ocean Alley Paces Pierce Brothers Running Touch Tash Sultana Thela Plum Tired Lion Vera Blue Ziggy Alberts
Spring is here, and with it comes longer, warmer days that are perfect for catching up with mates at the pub — with a cocktail in hand, of course. Luckily this October, the Paddo Inn is delivering the spring vibes in spades, with flowers taking over the pub's usual sleek interior. The seasonal transformation is thanks to Paddo Inn's collaboration with Hendrick's Gin to give you a taste of spring — and its new floral gin, Midsummer Solstice. And, to match its new look, the pub's got a new name: Paddo Ginn. This 'Floral Universe', it's running for the entire month of October and is like stepping into a beautifully strange and extremely colourful wonderland, created by local flower artist Dr Lisa Cooper. As you kick back in this one-of-a-kind installation of blooms, bows and feathers, you'll be sipping on Hendrick's new of new limited release gin, too. So, you can expect plenty of fun, floral frivolity. You'll be sipping on top-notch Hendrick's cocktails, with Paddo Ginn shaking and stirring up a bunch of gin-based concoctions. You can elevate your go-to G&T with a nip of Hendrick's new small-batch gin or opt for the Midsummer Solstice Spritz — a specialty blend of gin, sparkling wine and tonic water. Plus, throughout the month, there'll be a bunch of events in and around the pub to celebrate the collaboration, including pop-up bars and roving Victorian-inspired performers at William Street Festival on Saturday, October 19.
As well as warm colours and a slight chill, autumn brings spectacular flavours to the hospitality scene. This is especially true in Japan, where the culinary practice of 'shun' teaches that food and drinks should be enjoyed only when ingredients are at the peak of their seasonal freshness. For artisanal distillers like Roku Gin – a Japanese craft gin in the House of Suntory family – botanicals are only ever harvested at the peak of their quality. In the case of autumn, sansho peppers are at their best — and they're one of six botanicals enlivening this delicious drop. Deliciously, Roku is teaming up with Surry Hills bar Tokyo Bird to celebrate that commitment to freshness with a limited-time Autumn High Tea. Saturdays May 6, May 13, May 27 and June 3 will each bring two sittings at which to enjoy a themed menu — think sweet and savoury plates alongside seasonally driven Roku gin cocktails. On arrival, you'll be greeted with a Roku Gin & Tonic, take in the decorations and fall for the season's vibes (get it?). To share at the table is the Momiji, a cocktail mixing Roku with the sweet notes of pomegranate, rose and apple (and delightfully served in a teapot). You'll snack happy with delights like tuna tartare with nashi pear and nori crackers and karaage chicken bao. In terms of sweet treats, you can expect the likes of Japanese chestnut mont blanc with cream and cocoa sponge or apple pie bites with a umami bite of miso caramel. There are also add-ons: tea or more Roku cocktails, like a Japanese Negroni or Matcha Hard Shake. Roku Autumn High Tea runs from Saturday, May 6 until Saturday, June 3, with sittings at 2pm and 4pm. Bookings are essential. For more details, visit the website. Images: Declan Blackall
While the local in most suburbs is usually a hole-in-the-wall Thai joint or dingy pub with cheap nachos, in Mosman, it happens to be a high-end French bistro. Having found that a large number of regulars at the original Bistro Moncur in Woollahra were from the lower north shore suburb, the restaurant group decided to give them the classics a little closer to home. They've opened inside The Buena, which has just undergone a big refurb. Resembling a converted greenhouse, natural light pours into the restaurant from every angle, while cushioned bench seats and a mix of small marble and wooden tables make this bistro feel like a luxury indoor garden party. But while the setting is casually chic, the menu is sophisticated and quintessentially French — one that fully showcases the technical prowess of chef Guillaume Brahimi. There are light options like the vine-ripened tomato salad ($19) as a starter and the pan-fried salmon with baby mushrooms, zucchini and salsa verde ($44) for main — but for the full French experience, follow the butter, cheese and cream. The French onion soufflé gratin ($24) is what cheese lovers dream of — it's essentially a bowl of melted cheese with crusty brioche bread floating in the middle to soak it all up. If it was appropriate to lick the bowl, you would. The servings at Bistro Moncur are generous, so if you're planning to have three courses, pace yourself and share with a friend. On the other hand, c'est la vie and order the rich house-made pork sausages with potato purée and lyonnaise onions ($34) all to yourself. Renowned for their steaks, Bistro Moncur gives you a choice of a sirloin with Café de Paris butter ($48) or a prime fillet with béarnaise sauce ($49). And of course you'll need to get a side of fries and a cracking Grenache Shiraz blend from the Corbiere region in France to go along with that. There's a sizeable book of French, Australian and New Zealand drops to choose from, signature cocktails, forgotten classics and dessert drinks like the French favourite, a glass of Pernod or Ricard pastis for your night (or lunch) cap. But before you call it, come full circle and finish your meal with another souffle — this time mango — or a cherry pistachio bombe alaska (both $18). Because if the French don't get fat, neither should we. Images: Alana Dimou and DL Photography.
With 28 heritage-listed sites, Parramatta is home to more history than most Sydney neighbourhoods. Here, you'll find some of Australia's oldest buildings and earliest European farms. It's also where the Battle of Parramatta occurred when resistance leader Pemulwuy, backed by a 100-strong group of Bidjigal warriors, attacked Government Farm in March 1797. However much you think you know about Parramatta's storied past, there's plenty more fascinating (and sometimes dark) history to discover. You could easily spend weeks travelling through time by surrounding yourself with beautiful sandstone architecture, wandering through century-old parklands and checking out Indigenous artworks. Here are eight places to get you started. PARRAMATTA GAOL Chances are, you've seen Parramatta Gaol on TV. And it's no wonder: built between 1835 and 1842, its spooky sandstone makes for dramatic TV settings. Having closed in 2012, Parramatta Gaol was the longest-serving gaol in Australia. Over the years, several prisoners have escaped by scaling the walls. But more unusual is the story of ex-prisoner Anthes, who, in 1926, tried to break in. These days, Parramatta Gaol is empty. Well, except for the ghosts, who you may get to meet on a ghost tour. Apart from that, get a good view of the gaol from the outside and keep an eye out for special events, including open days. DAIRY COTTAGE One of Parramatta's prettiest spots is Parramatta Park, an 85-hectare greenery escape on the river. Within it, you'll find Dairy Cottage, which was built in 1798 and is one of Australia's earliest houses. The first person to live here was a convict of the Second Fleet, who turned the surrounding land into a farm. It was later transformed into a dairy to meet the milk and cheese needs of the governor. You can take an online tour via virtual reality, thanks to Google Arts and Culture. Or, to see Dairy Cottage in real life, visit the park and partake in a self-guided or professional tour. [caption id="attachment_747886" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] ELIZABETH FARM You can step back in time at Elizabeth Farm. Built in 1793 for wool farmer John Macarthur and his wife, Elizabeth, this retreat is one of the oldest houses in Australia. It has since been transformed into a hands-on museum where you can access all areas, touch the furnishings and generally make yourself at home. There's an old-school tea room that serves up sandwiches, Devonshire tea and baked treats, but you're also welcome to bring a picnic, borrow a picnic blanket and relax in the garden among lilies, roses, eucalypts and veggies. After your bite to eat, you can explore nearby cottages Experiment Farm Cottage and Hambledon Cottage, which are part of the same precinct — just be sure to check opening hours and tour information before you go. [caption id="attachment_747875" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Emma Joyce[/caption] FORESHORE WALK Combine history with natural beauty on a stroll along the Parramatta River Foreshore. A good place to start is at heritage-listed Lennox Bridge, a single-arch sandstone bridge built by convicts in the 1830s. Pop into the Visitors Centre for a brief introduction to the area and to check out the historical archives before starting your walk. Heading east, you'll see the pavement is covered in Indigenous murals created by Ngemba artist Jamie Eastwood. They tell the story of the European invasion, including Governor Arthur Phillip's boat trip to the head of the Parramatta River in search of fresh water, the bloody Battle of Parramatta and death of Indigenous leader Pemulwuy. There are signposts to help you on your way, but you can learn even more on a tour. [caption id="attachment_747884" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Carla Dibbs[/caption] PHILIP RUDDOCK V HERITAGE ARCHAEOLOGY DISPLAY CENTRE On the corner of Macquarie and Marsden Streets, at the entrance of the Crown Group's V Residential and Hotel, there's an underground cavern. Peering in, through a glass ceiling, you'll see some of the best-preserved European ruins in Australia. This is the Philip Ruddock V Heritage Archaeology Display Centre. Among its treasures are the foundations of a convict hut, the cellar of the Wheatsheaf Hotel (built in 1801) and a colonial-period cottage. The ruins were discovered in 2005 during earthworks for development. When you're finished, pop up to the 26th floor for a drink in the decadent Nick & Nora's rooftop bar, which offers incredible views all the way to Sydney Harbour. [caption id="attachment_747894" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW[/caption] OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE This rather spectacular Georgian mansion was established as a country house in 1800 for the Governor, whose main home was near Sydney Harbour. Twelve Governors used it until 1847, including Governor Lachlan Macquarie and his wife, Elizabeth Macquarie, who added major extensions. By 1857, the grounds had become part of Parramatta Park. These days, Old Government House is with the National Trust, and you can explore it on a guided tour. Every room is furnished in 1820s-style. There's also an on-site restaurant, Lachlan's, where you can treat yourself to high tea or a long lunch. PARRAMATTA FEMALE FACTORY Between 1821 and 1847, any convict woman who arrived in Australia without a job or a husband was sent to the Parramatta Female Factory, a complex of sandstone buildings on the banks of the Parramatta River. Here, each woman was put into one of three classes, depending on the severity of her crime, and made to work. Many were subjected to nasty treatment, like having their heads shaved by force, solitary confinement and slave labour. Since then, the buildings have also served as a 'lunatic asylum', orphanage and school. Now, they're empty. You can take a tour by appointment. PHIVE This newly opened precinct combines the traditions of the past with the promises of the future. The eye-catching architectural marvel boasts world-class amenities, crafted with the vibrant community in mind. Whether you're a student, a professional, a resident, or a pleasure-seeker in Parramatta, this new community centre offers an array of spaces designed to enrich your daily experiences. One of these is Keeping Place, a facility that houses First Nations cultural material. There are also around 100,000 culturally significant objects, including archaeological artefacts and ceremonial gifts, as well as extensive reading materials for visitors to use to learn about the First Nations custodians of the area, the Dharug people. To discover more historical landmarks and things to discover in Parramatta, head this way. Top Image: Dairy Cottage.
From Monday, September 13, outdoor gathering restrictions in NSW are easing to allow fully vaccinated Sydneysiders to gather in groups of five outdoors. This means if you've had both jabs, you can meet up with your equally vaccinated friends and family to enjoy a picnic in the park. To help you celebrate this little slice of freedom, we've rounded up five of the finest picnic hampers available for pick-up or delivery around Sydney. And, if you haven't been able to nab a vaccination appointment just yet, we're all about treating yourself to a hamper anyway — and spending a sun-soaked afternoon with your household in your backyard, balcony or living room digging into the goods. [caption id="attachment_626153" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stinking Bishops[/caption] THE STINKING BISHOPS Newtown favourite The Stinking Bishops takes selections from its far-reaching cheese range and puts them together with crackers and meats into hampers ideal for sunny days. Choose between the 3 Cheese Hamper ($65), Cheese and Meat Hamper ($95) or Ultimate Hamper ($110), all featuring mixes of different handpicked cheeses ranging from the soft and melty to the blue and stinky variety. Depending on which hamper you choose, you'll also be treated to the likes of quince paste, grapes and smoked wagyu. If you like a bit of mystery and surprise in your life, or you just hate choosing, you can opt for the Stinking Mystery Hampers ($50-200) which can include anything from cheeses and cured meats to bottles of wine. The shop offers delivery throughout Greater Sydney and free delivery for orders within five kilometres. Same-day and next-day delivery are both available depending on how far away you live and how early you order. SHERATON GRAND Throughout lockdown, Sheraton is bringing its indulgent high tea feasts into your home with a series of fancy boxes filled with cakes, meats, cheese and an array of next-level treats. On offer is the High Tea Box ($69), the Cheese and Charcuterie Box ($79), the Feeling Feasty At Home Box ($189) and the Picnic Indulgence Box ($125) — perfect for a stint in the park with friends or a Saturday afternoon at home with a housemate. In the picnic indulgence box you'll find a selection of seasonal fruit pots, locally sourced cheeses, chicken coleslaw sandwiches on house-made focaccia, pastries, roast veggies and charcuterie. To take things up a notch, you can add a bottle of Moet to any of the boxes for $50. Orders can be collected between 11am–3pm Friday–Sunday from Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park. Delivery is organised through Uber's Package Delivery via the Uber app. CENTENNIAL HOMESTEAD Located inside Centennial Park, Centennial Homestead offers picnic hampers for you to enjoy in the green surroundings of the inner city parkland. The hampers are $40 per person for a minimum of two people and come with a spread of dry-aged prosciutto, salami, pickles, olives, grapes, triple cream brie, vintage cheddar and sweet potato hummus. Alongside the cheese and meat spread, you'll receive your choice of sandwich from the cafe and a rocket, witlof, red cabbage, beetroot, grapefruit and orange salad, before finishing things off with a belgian chocolate mousse and fruit salad. The picnic hampers are available for pre-order via the Homestead's website and can be picked up from within the park. SYDNEY PICNIC CO Sydney Picnic Co founders Simon and Natalie Thomas pride themselves on filling your picnics with tasty hand-prepared food. Their picnic hampers range from $160–225 and come with everything you need for a memorable meal in the great outdoors. On the more affordable side of things is The Wind and the Willows pack ($160) which comes packed with marinated olives, spiced chickpea puree, buffalo mozzarella seasoned with lemon, chilli and mint, a couple of cheeses, a stack of veggies from charred asparagus to roasted beetroot and decadent chocolate brownies. However, the star of the hampers has to be The Secret Garden ($175), which offers up a spread of burrata with charred zucchini and shallots, vintage manchego, heirloom tomatoes and La Boqueria charcuterie, alongside hot smoked trout and roast chicken with kipfler potatoes and pickled peppers, and miso caramel brownies for dessert. Sydney Picnic Co is currently closed for orders but is reopening on Wednesday, September 15, so be sure to bookmark these hampers for then. You can order delivery to your home or chosen picnic location within the majority of Sydney's CBD, eastern suburbs, inner west and north shore, or you can pick up from its Surry Hills base. [caption id="attachment_696561" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kitti Smallbone[/caption] BUILD YOUR OWN There are plenty of Sydney spots that have everything you need to tailor-make your own picnic hamper. Pick and choose from Continental Deli's list of canned goods, cheeses and sandwiches. You can even order yourself some canned cocktails to really complete the experience. Cornersmith has an abundance of pickled goods, relishes and cocktail syrups that will elevate any picnic, and offers at-home pickling classes so you can DIY your own tasty treats for your next park session. Or, Fabbrica has just about everything you could possibly need for a luxe spread. Wagyu bresaola, Ortiz anchovies, Pepus clams, house-made quince jam, blocks of gruyere, goat's and buffalo blue cheese and mortadella sandwiches are all available for delivery via UberEats. Finally, if you're keen to go all out (after all, you deserve it), The Star's at Home menu includes takeaway sushi boxes from Sokyo featuring 16 delicate pieces of fresh seafood from salmon to kingfish; ocean trout and snapper. Go all out and choose a selection from each. The sky's the limit when you're putting the hamper together yourself. You can stay up to date with the developing COVID-19 situation in Sydney, as well as current restrictions, at NSW Health. Top image: Anna Kucera
This shopfront-turned-cafe is the passion project of two Italian brothers, Nick and Jo, who were born and raised in Manly. You'll find them here every morning, serving up home-style favourites alongside Jo's own coffee blend, Escobar, or at the local pub later in the afternoon. Taking the opportunity of a downtrodden strip, these lads have moved in and set up a hipster haven with odds and ends of retro furniture, display shelves filled with stuffed toys and figurines, bright, bold artworks and a fixie, which hangs along one wall. But there's more to this place than just the two of them. Their mum, Rita, is cooking out back and her Baked Bacon and Egg ($12) comes highly recommended. In fact, there's few dishes that don't have a name to them: Drew's Mushies ($12) is a plate of pan-roasted mushrooms with herbs and marinated feta, served up on toast, while Scott's 'Pesto In It' Jaffle ($6) is described as 'like Joe's Goey Egg but with pesto in it'. It's easy to feel at home fast, and we can see why almost everyone in here is on a first-name basis. Belgrave Cartel is clearly the haunt of regular locals. Nick tells us about his favourite trio, who apparently have nicknamed this place 'the anti-taste cafe'. With it's jumbled furniture and lounge room feel, it's a far cry from the shiny cafes that line The Corso. That's not to say, however, that the food isn't tasty. The Jaffles ($5-8) are the signature dish, available all week. We'd recommend the Benno ($8), aka Eggs Benedict in jaffle form, or the Green Eggs and Ham ($8), eggs and toasted leg ham topped with Rita's homemade pesto. While the coffee should be your top priority, there's also a good range of teas, served up in Japanese tea pots. On weekends, the full breakfast menu is available, including Rita's aforementioned Baked Eggs with a twist of bacon, served up on Sonoma toast. Next time around, we vow to try the Brekkie Bruschetta ($13), with pan-roasted cherry tomatoes, rocket, ricotta and parmesan on toast, and the Corn Fritter Stack ($13), with avocado salsa and feta. If you're after something simpler, take your pick from the Seinfeld Selection ($4.50): Coco Pops, Nutri-Grain or Corn Flakes. From Wednesday through to Sunday Belgrave is also open late for Italian-inspired dinner and classic cocktails (including a mean espresso martini). So everyone can get a piece of the Cartel action.
Although our arteries may be crying foul, we in Sydney have become well and truly besotted with American food. From the nostalgia of 1950s milkbars to the soul-steeling heartiness of Southern cuisine, there's a certain homey, convivial charm we can't resist. And though we may be over establishments that borrow a little too directly from their US counterparts, there are others that continue to surprise and impress us. The best places, the ones on this list, have risen above imitation and novelty, and they delve deeper into American food than mere burgers. Enjoy one tonight and celebrate America's Fourth of July. Just remember: cookies (deep-fried and dolloped with spicy mayo) are a sometimes food. 1. Hartsyard There is no denying Hartsyard's heritage; it is palpably American in taste, substance and style. As soon as you push open the glass door, the smell of hickory smoked pork greets you with open arms. You'd be forgiven for thinking you had mistakenly stumbled across a classic American backyard cook-out, but that's what’s beautiful about this Newtown newcomer. You never know what to expect. Start with the poutine ($23) for a no-holds-barred introduction to American cuisine that borrows generously from the Bible Belt, French Canada and the friction between urban and rural dining. 2. Soda Factory What you're looking for is a kitschy neon sign reading 'Bobby’s Boss Dogs'. Bobby’s draws the comparison to New York's Crif Dogs, the entrance to clandestine East Village cocktail lounge PDT. Pull on the handle of the Coke Machine and you're inside The Soda Factory — a dimly lit industrial expanse lined with inviting booths and comfy mid-century sofas. For just $9, the Johnny Drama (beef sausage topped with bacon, sour cream, avocado and tomato salsa) straddles the line between gourmet and good old-fashioned grub. 3. Marly Kitchen Chicken and waffles are a classic southern American breakfast combination that makes no sense to us Australians. Deep-fried chicken? Served with waffles? Drizzled in gravy? It just doesn't compute. And it's great that the Marly Kitchen in the hotel's new Garden Bar is doing it, because the risk, complexity and creativity is a foil to the many safe options around town where American equals burger. Choose from crispy buttermilk deep-fried chicken, smoked pulled pork, cheesy BBQ sirloin or Mexican lentil toppings ($8) for the waffles, or try something from the constantly changing special board, featuring more sophisticated options such as crispy skin roasted kingfish with tender confit kipfler potatoes and a finger-licking bushpepper aioli ($26). 4. Eathouse Diner One of the originals, and still one of the best. The red vinyl stools around a curved bar and crimson walls with a chalkboard menu on the wall conjure 1950s Americana, but there's no schtick here. The menu features Southern classics that aren't too heavy, such as fried okra in corn maize batter with spicy chipotle and tomato sauce and the delicious spicy Creole gumbo, as well as dishes with a more English or Australian heritage. The fun atmosphere and seriously good food means that, years in, this place is still full most nights of the week. 5. Miss Peaches Soul Food Kitchen Step off Missenden Road in Newtown and be transported to a pseudo-Louisiana where Miss Peaches and her Soul Food Kitchen are waiting. The spacious brick bar has old-school Southern charm with plenty of comfy booths, a balcony overlooking the hustle and bustle of King Street below, plus a blues-infused vinyl collection to get any feet dancing. The menu is the antithesis of all diets and not for the faint of heart. Think cornbread sliders filled with deep-fried mac and cheese, chicken or beef short rib (3 for $18), crispy tater tots with maple bacon ketchup ($8) or flaky crawfish pies ($12). The blackened fish ($15) is spiced up nice and jerky and a real standout of the menu. 6. Santa Barbara With its Californian atmosphere (at the Coke sign junction of King's Cross, it even feels like a highway) and lengthy menu of American/Asian/Tex-Mex/Pacific fusion, Santa Barbara is a bit of a diversion from the American norm. From the BBQ, the Coke Can Chicken ($18) is enough to feed a small army, and goes well with some jerk prawn and papaya salad ($14). 7. The Dip Founder Andrew Levins' love of food apparently began on a family holiday to Memphis. He's road tested and experimented with his recipes at legendary barbeques for family and friends, and now both family and friends are involved on the floor. There couldn't be a better fit for the stucco booths and jukebox tunes of the Goodgod's front room. The menu is heavily themed and, thankfully, priced to reflect the diner vibe. You want to get the Lev's Dawg, a kosher hotdog topped with chipotle mayo, fresh tomato salsa, grilled yellow peppers and American mustard and definitely, definitely follow up with an ice-cream sandwich. Now closed 8. Hinky Dinks Step off Darlinghurst Road and into the 1950s. The boy's hair is quaffed, the floor is black-and-white chequered, and creamy, frozen drinks come in tall, frosted sundae glasses. Except it's like an American adult milk bar because here, those drinks have (a lot of) bourbon in them. It is indeed a very specific theme here. Every detail has been considered, from the uniforms and cherry-red bar stools to the original 1950s Crosley fridge that took four people to move. But the best part about Hinky Dinks, and the part that prevents it from falling into the Disney theme category, is the staff. They are passionate bartenders and in such a small space they really make it a warm and fun experience. 9. The Bourbon Louisiana Creole food is a mishmash of different cultures, like the population of New Orleans. French, Spanish, African, Italian and Portuguese are thrown into the mix, with jambalaya the signature dish. From the oyster bar, the theme continues with grilled jumbo shrimp ($24) in creole butter and spiced salt. A gumbo with a thick, spicy duck broth and smoked sausage ($18) and clam and corn chowder ($22) pop out from the soup menu. It's interesting, amid the glittery surroundings, to eat this food that has come from simple origins. But then New Orleans does have a thriving drinking scene amongst strip joints and red light shops, so perhaps this is the ideal location. 10. Jazz City Milk Bar To end with? Dessert, of course. Try the banana cream pie, one of our favourite pies in Sydney, combining a foolproof balance between generous servings of banana, sweet caramel and cream. Part of the philosophy of the milk bar is for people to visit with their friends to enjoy American sweet delicacies like pies, cookies, cotton candy and ice cream sandwiches. However, they've also included dinner specialities like gourmet burgers and hot dogs as well as more adventurous dishes like a New Orleans BBQ Shrimp ($28) and A&W Root Beer Braised Chuck Steak ($24). Now closed. By the Concrete Playground team.
Are Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally comedy's funniest couple? Both together and apart, their resumes make a strong case for it. Here's another way to make that call: catching them live onstage together in Australia in their first-ever shared in-conversation session. It's a one-night-only date for the Parks and Recreation co-stars, happening to close out Vivid Sydney 2025. If you're as obsessed with one of the best American sitcoms of the 21st century as everyone should be, you will have spotted a trend at Vivid in the past two years. At 2024's festival, Amy Poehler was on the lineup, also getting chatting. Fingers crossed for Adam Scott or Rob Lowe in 2026. Yes, you should get the bacon and whisky ready for Offerman and Mullally. You should also prepare your ears for some high-pitched laughter. Making your own canoe? If you can, that's an appropriate way to celebrate, too. Taking place on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the International Convention Centre Sydney, Offerman and Mullally's exclusive Vivid show is called Unscripted & Unfiltered with Nick Offerman & Megan Mullally, and falls into the Harbour City event's Global Storyteller series — which is also bringing Martha Stewart to the New South Wales capital in 2025, was why Poehler was on 2024's lineup, and has also seen The White Lotus' Jennifer Coolidge and Mike White, filmmakers Baz Luhrmann (Elvis) and Spike Lee (Da 5 Bloods), and Australia singer Troye Sivan get talking in past years. Parks and Recreation's on-screen Ron and Tammy Swanson were meant to tour to Australia together in 2016, but Mullally had to drop out due to a scheduling conflict, so Offerman came solo. When they finally make the trip by each other's side, the husband-and-wife duo have everything from their multi-hyphenate individual careers to collaborating as creative and real-life partners to dig into, alongside their LGBTQIA+ and environmental activism. Top image: Emily Schur.
Beloved pub The Alexandria Hotel has reopened to the public after half a decade, with new owners Merivale unveiling a new dog and family-friendly outdoor dining space called Backyard at The Alex. The new outdoor area boasts food trucks, classic pub eats, pop-up bars and live entertainment. "What we're trying to do with the indoor space is kind of flip the traditional concept of you get your drink inside and you head outside to the beer garden," The Alexandria Hotel General Manager Sam George told Concrete Playground. "We want to make this the backyard of this community. A place where you go, have fun, relax, listen to some good music, have some good drinks, eat some good food." Backyard at The Alex is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday–Sunday and shares similarities to Merivale's fan-favourite beer garden at the Vic on the Park with long communal tables, grandstand seating, a basketball court and a large outdoor screen for sports. As for the food and drinks, a rotating assortment of food trucks runs alongside the kitchen. Each time you head down you'll find a different selection of vendors with the reassurance that the kitchen will also be on hand with cheeseburgers ($20-25), next-level nachos ($18-24), chicken wings ($15) and shredded chicken chimichangas ($20). While the food is ever-changing, an assortment of by-the-books cocktails, beers and wines are on offer, reminiscent of Merivale's other pubs. When plans were unveiled in 2015 to bulldoze 150-year-old pub in order to turn it into an apartment complex, the community banded together to save the pub. The result of a public push to maintain the venue resulted in the purchase of The Alexandria by Merivale in 2016. "Institutions like this must be preserved, they reflect our history and help shape our culture — especially when they mean as much to their local community as The Alex does," Merivale owner Justin Hemmes said back in 2016. Images: Steven Woodburn
City Recital Hall will host a high-octane reimagining of a sci-fi classic this March, when Hear My Eyes — Terminator 2: Judgment Day lands in Sydney for a one-night-only anniversary special. Celebrating 35 years of James Cameron's cyberpunk blockbuster, the immersive event pairs a 4K screening of the original theatrical cut with a live electronic score and laser show, transforming the film into a full-scale audiovisual experience. Presented by Melbourne collective Hear My Eyes — which has previously reimagined films including Two Hands, Pan's Labyrinth and Hellraiser — the event sees Belgian techno producer Peter Van Hoesen performing a newly composed live score that promises to be cerebral and bass-heavy. He'll be joined by the Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio (MESS) Synthesiser Ensemble, while Australian artist Robin Fox adds precision laser choreography that echoes the film's exploration of human-machine duality. Released in 1991, Terminator 2: Judgment Day remains one of the most influential action films ever made. The winner of three Academy Awards, the film was celebrated as much for its groundbreaking visual effects and captivating action sequences as for its ever-relevant themes of technology and humanity. This immersive screening offers a new way to experience one of cinema's most enduring thrill rides, inviting fans and newcomers alike to relive the Connors' fight against Skynet in a way that feels as bold and urgent as it first did 35 years ago. Image Credit: Supplied
To celebrate their first birthday, Petersham nostalgia hub Daisy's Milkbar is hosting a sundae eating competition. These are the real hunger games; a fight to the death to prove yours is the stomach of steel and brain most resistant to freeze. In one year, Daisy's has made a home in our hearts as one of Sydney’s most fun cafes, a homage to retro treats like milkshakes, candy, burgers and banana splits. If the potential title of sundae champ isn't incentive enough, all entrants get a free sundae to slam, and Daisy's is promising "a bunch of cool prizes" for the winner. Register your interest ASAP at hello@daisysmilkbar.com as places are limited. You've got one icey fight ahead of you. May the odds be ever in your favour.
Six years ago, while receiving a standing ovation in Paris, Concha Buika burst into tears on stage. "I don't feel I am more special than you," she explained to a Guardian reporter, reflecting on the event. "But in that moment I realised what was happening to me, how amazing it was. People in the audience were crying with me." Eight years before, Buika had been carving out a living in Las Vegas as a Diana Ross and Tina Turner impersonator. An independent album released in 2002 didn't make many waves. But when she teamed up with producer Javier Limon (Lagrimas Negras), something more powerful than either of them had predicted was unleashed. The resulting album, Mi Nina Lola (My Child Lola), became the sweetheart of Spanish youth. Buika's flamenco training, gained through singing on the street and hanging out with local Romani people, met Limon's ingenious capacity for fusion, which brought African rhythms, jazz, blues and soul into the mix. Above it all resides Buika's searing emotional honesty. "I sing the the truth. I sing about love. I sing to let the things inside me out so they don't hurt me," she says. "I feel what I sing, and I sing what I feel. Really, that's all I can do." Since then, she's collaborated with the likes of Chucho Valdes, Anoushka Shankar, Nelly Furtado and Seal; performed in the film The Skin I Live In; received a Grammy Award nomination; and been listed in the NPR's 50 Great Voices gallery for radio. https://youtube.com/watch?v=B8SVDn34vVQ
2017 was an action-packed couple of months for scripted storytelling. As we are wont to do, we made sure you knew what international and Australian films to watch before the end of the year, and we've just put together our list for the best films of 2017. But what about television? We may have gotten through the past 12 months on a steady diet of Stranger Things, the return of Twin Peaks, a dollop of BoJack Horseman, regular portions of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and late-night benders of Margaret Atwood-inspired dystopia. But how much Australian television do you remember watching? If none come to mind straight away, we're here to cure that case of pop cultural amnesia. So fire up your local streaming services, prepare your stash of Zooper Doopers, put your phone on Airplane Mode, get into your cosiest staying-in-for-the-summer outfit and settle in for some top-notch Australian-made series. Here's ten to get you started. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oZaOr5v9So KIKI AND KITTY What if your new best friend was also the human embodiment of your vagina? For some, that's a rhetorical question. For Nakkiah Lui, it's the beginning of a brand new series. Written by and starring Lui (who plays the lead role of Kitty), and directed by Catriona McKenzie, Kiki and Kitty is modern-day absurdist comedy at its best. Launched as one of the new short-form series for ABC Comedy earlier this year, each episode explores what it's like to be "the good black girl in a bad white world". It's fierce, funny and unapologetically explores the politics of race and gender in a way that few Australian television shows would dare. Available on: ABC iView. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5HSsrjoedk RONNY CHIENG: INTERNATIONAL STUDENT You may recall Ronny Chieng from his day job as a correspondent on Comedy Central's The Daily Show. Based on his real-life experience of being a university student in Melbourne, Chieng plays a version of himself on the show. Cultural stereotypes are both exploited, and interrogated, for laughs but also for thoughtful reflections on what it means to be a young person who switches countries, and cultures, full of hope and expectation. This is perfect viewing for anyone who appreciates a story from an outsider's perspective with a sharp comedic edge. Available on: ABC iView. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1UXO2uLH-s ROSEHAVEN Daniel and Emma are fictional best mates. So are real-life comedians Luke McGregor and Celia Pacquola, who also happen to be the co-creators and writers of the show. Exploring what happens between moving back home to help out with the family business and a failed marriage, this Tasmanian-made series is deeply endearing. Both seasons play like a love letter to rural life, and what happens when we decide to give up on ambition. Daniel/McGregor and Emma/Pacquola are about propping each other up just as much as they're about mocking the hell out of each other. For those of us who prefer to find gentle humour through genuine friendships. Available on: ABC iView. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swTlbwspBaE GLITCH Set in the fictional country town of Yoorana, Glitch explores what happens when seven people rise from the dead with no memory of who they are, or how they died. Sitting somewhere between supernatural mystery and sci-fi, the series was created by Tony Ayres (producer of The Slap) and Louise Fox (previously a writer on Broadchurch). If you were previously a fan of the 2012 French series Les Revenants, the first two seasons of Glitch offers an Australian gothic take on small town urban legends and unfinished business. Available on: Netflix Australia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjuXTD0m9Lc ROUND THE TWIST Totalling four magical seasons, Round the Twist was definitive in making strange the new normal on 90s Australian television. Galore with monsters, werewolves, human ice cream machines and the haunted lighthouse that started it all, the series is the equivalent of audio visual comfort food for old fans. Also guaranteed to be a cornucopia of oddball amusement for the yet to be initiated. It's now all on Netflix. Available on: Netflix Australia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pSChPGBFD4 THE OTHER GUY If modern break-ups and heartache need to be key story ingredients for your summer viewing, consider The Other Guy. In the long tradition of male comics playing versions of themselves on screen, comedian and Triple J life member Matt Okine is AJ, an aimless breakfast radio host who has just split up with his longtime girlfriend (Valene Kane). The show deals less with the heroics of finally accepting adulthood, and more about the funny, sad and inane aspects of getting older anyway. Give it a go if you loved Master of None, Love or Please Like Me. Available on: Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAKZYp9-MoM NO ACTIVITY Two cops on a nighttime stake-out, a methamphetamine shipment that never arrives, and mindless conversations form the basis of the first season of this slapstick improvised comedy. And if you want more, there's a second season to devour as well. For fans of Mike Schur's American workplace comedies (The Office, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Parks and Recreation), No Activity is Australia's equivalent of the nothing-ever-happens type of comedy. Expect some sincere moments among the sly laughs too. Available on: Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoH1z7JetiM THE FAMILY LAW Adapted from Benjamin Law's book-length series of personal essays on his family, The Family Law deals with the aftermath of a family's breakdown in the wake of a divorce, and what it's like to grow up on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland as an Asian kid who dreams of starring on Home and Away (spoiler alert: it's no walk in the park). It's rare that a series can be awkward, hilarious and heartbreaking all at once, but The Family Law manages to fictionalise Ben's coming-of-age without forgetting to look at weighty issues too, like coming out as a Chinese-Australian teen, the deportation of extended family, and the unexpected death of grandparents with grace and warmth. Available on: SBS On Demand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsh_hVbkkcQ&t=25s OTHER PEOPLE'S PROBLEMS Boasting an all-female creative team (from the co-creators and writers to the starring roles), Other People's' Problems is a dramedy about reluctant copywriter Florence and the ever-enterprising Ann, who team up to ghostwrite letters for people in exchange for clothes. In a misguided attempt to prove they're both great at helping people, acting as agony aunts leads them to wondering if they're actually just rubbish at dealing with their own problems. As with all the best stories, this one is based on writers Penelope Chai and Jane Dickenson's experiences of starting a bartering project called Clothing for Correspondence (pen to paper in exchange for clothes from your wardrobe). A perfect snack of a series for the heartfelt snail mail letter writers and op-shop fiends among us. Available on: ABC iView. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bIpoZKt6Gs GET KRACK!N Kate and Kate, the co-creators of ABC's The Katering Show, are back to take on the world of Australian breakfast television. You can be guaranteed two things for every 30 minute episode in the series: these two do not know how to host a breakfast TV show, and it is too damn early in the morning (we're talking go-to-air-at-3am.-early) to have maintained one's A-game. For anyone who is resistant to the real thing, cosy up to this eye-wateringly hilarious time on the grey green couch of never-ending awkwardness. Available on: ABC iView.
If you're after an epicurean escape without the hassle of long flights or using up precious days of leave, look no further than the Orange region. Less than four hours by car from Sydney and two hours by air from Brisbane, the area boasts 40-plus cellar doors and wineries that produce everything from chardonnay to vermentino and pinot noir to tempranillo. While wine is obviously the star of the show, you should do more than just sip your way through the region on your next visit. That's why we've teamed up with Orange360 to spotlight six wineries that pair your tipples with tasty bites — whether it's fresh oysters, a long lunch with breathtaking views, or a decadent multi-course meal. Printhie Wines As a Halliday five-starred winery, you can expect the exceptional at Printhie Wines. Beyond its range of renowned wines, Printhie offers several bespoke experiences to take your tasting to the next level, including its hatted restaurant, Printhie Dining. Open for lunch from Friday–Sunday and dinner from Thursday–Saturday, Printhie Dining serves a four-course degustation featuring seasonal produce sourced from the estate and its surrounds. Expect delicate dishes like kingfish with sweet alyssum, celeriac and lemongrass tea; lamb with vadouvan and smoked bone marrow; and pepperberry tea custard with chocolate ganache, bottlebrush and fermented cherries — all served with paired wines. More modest offerings at Printhie Wine Bar include a curated cheese board, charcuterie and oysters shucked to order from a state-of-the-art oyster tank developed by a marine biologist and oyster farmer. If that's not enough, take it outside with a picnic on the grounds accompanied by a bottle of vino, or elevate your four-course meal with a sparkling masterclass, fly-fishing session or helicopter tour. Rowlee Wines Pull up a seat for elegant dining paired with single-vineyard wines and idyllic views at Rowlee. With floor-to-ceiling windows and al fresco tables, you'll feel like you're lounging on a farm in Tuscany as you drink in unobstructed views across the vineyard. If you have time to indulge in a leisurely lunch or dinner — you are on holiday after all — settle in at Rowlee Bar and Dining for communal-style, farm-to-table dishes. The seasonal menu focuses on innovation and sustainability, and includes plates like hay-fried chicken with pumpkin sauce and garden curry; coal-roasted fish with preserved lemon; roast pork collar with fermented rhubarb and honey; and sustainably sourced butter-poached lobster with shellfish sauce. Finish it off with an apple and strawberry gum ice cream sandwich or gelato topped with fennel and olive oil. You can also keep it casual at the Garden Bar, which offers snacks alongside more substantial fare, such as a pork and pecorino pancake, chilli of Black Angus beef with lettuce cups, and a lobster roll with bottarga mayo. Borrodell Estate With a restaurant, cellar door-slash-wine bar, and suites and cottages all on the property, you could easily while away a whole day at the expansive Borrodell Estate. Perched at the top of one of Australia's highest vineyards, Sister's Rock restaurant looks out onto rows of pinot noir vines and Towac Valley beyond. Accessible yet elevated, the set menu highlights local produce from Borrodell Estate and around Orange, and is available for lunch from Thursday–Monday and dinner on Friday–Saturday. Start with roast carrots and feta, grilled artichoke, and steamed mussels in tomato sauce, before choosing a main from the scotch fillet with Moroccan eggplant salad, pan-fried barramundi with green peas and zucchini sofrito, or vegetarian lasagne. Needless to say, you should enhance your meal with one of the recommended wine pairings alongside each dish. Ross Hill Wines Need to work up an appetite? At Ross Hill Wines, you can step into the kitchen and pick up some well-tried tips to whip up your own culinary creations at home. The carbon-neutral winery — proudly the first in Australia — boasts its own wine and food school, Barrel and Larder. Hosted by chef Michael Manners and other guest chefs from the region, the classes range from Spanish cooking to Swiss dishes and pie-making. Of course, the winery also caters to those who'd rather have their food prepared for them, with tasting plates of snacks and dip available at the cellar door. For something more special, book in advance for their Pinnacle long lunch series, where renowned local guest chefs prepare a three-course spread on select Saturdays of each month. Swinging Bridge Let's face it — all that wine tasting might not leave much room for a multi-course feast. Swinging Bridge has you covered with two dining experiences at its cellar door near Mount Canobolas. For something lighter during the day, the winery offers a tasting of seven wines complemented by a selection of canapés. These are designed by the chef and sommeliers to enhance the flavour and notes of the wine, without the risk of sending you into an afternoon slump. If you decide you are hungry after all, book in for an in-depth tasting and long lunch. The three-hour experience starts with a guided tour of the family-run estate, followed by a five-course lunch and accompanying wines. Indulge with Swinging Bridge is only available at 11am or 1pm on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Heifer Station Heifer Station might not have a restaurant, but it makes up for it with a range of picturesque grazing experiences. The setting varies seasonally — you'll either be sprawled out on the vineyard lawns with your own private picnic in summer or snuggled by the indoor fireplace in winter. Both packages include a glass of sparkling and a tasting flight of Heifer Station's esteemed, single-vineyard wines, along with a gourmet cheese and charcuterie platter. There's also an option that includes an interactive tasting tour before you settle in with your nibbles. Otherwise, you can go big before you go home by adding on a helicopter tour of the estate and Mount Canobolas, followed by a guided wine tasting and a picnic or fireside spread. Plan your trip now to the Orange Region at the Orange360 website. Images: courtesy of Destination NSW and Orange360.
If you've ever strolled through Darlinghurst, odds are you've probably passed through Darlo Village without even realising it. That's kind of the point. This little pocket, framed by Victoria, Burton and Liverpool Streets and Darlinghurst Road, doesn't scream for your attention. But those who take the time to stop and explore are rewarded with a neighbourhood that punches well above its weight. Unlike the rest of Sydney's eastern suburbs, here you won't find a main drag stacked with designers or nightclubs. What you will find is late-night wine bars, rooftop courtyards, local barbers, trivia nights and cafés that haven't updated their signage since the 80s (in the best way possible). It's a mix of old-school charm and modern, local-led venues that you'll instantly feel right at home in. Here's what to check out on your next wander through Darlo Village. Darlo Bar, 306 Liverpool St You might hear Darlo Bar before you actually find it. This quirky corner pub is packed with locals most nights of the week. It's an inner-east institution where drag bingo, trivia and the occasional spontaneous dance floor are all part of the experience. The rooftop courtyard is the kind of place you stop in for one drink and leave four rounds later, after becoming besties with your neighbour. Darbury, 1/249 Darlinghurst St Part Italian sandwich bar, part wine bar, Darbury has made a name for itself with exactly the kind of vibe you want on a Friday night. It's got laidback indoor-outdoor seating, industrial interiors, light snacks, good drinks and the sense you've stumbled onto a locals-only secret. Order a coffee or a negroni, depending on the time of day you swing past (the egg and bacon brekkie roll doesn't miss). [caption id="attachment_929494" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Jason Loucas[/caption] The Waratah, 308-310 Liverpool St A few doors up from Darlo Bar, Waratah is a newer addition to the strip and already earning loyal fans. Set across two levels, it offers native-Australian-inspired food downstairs and a rooftop cocktail bar up top. It's breezy, stylish and made for golden-hour hangs — you can grab an Aussie-spirit-led cocktail and some Geraldton wax-poached prawns and feel smug about not waiting in line at a nearby pub. Bills, 433 Liverpool St This OG Sydney brunch haunt still holds court on Liverpool Street, and while the ricotta hotcakes are what everyone talks about, this spot deserves credit for its low-key evening service too. Go on a weeknight for a wine and relaxed dinner – or duck in for a lazy solo breakfast when you've got time to kill. Buffalo Dining Club, 116 Surrey St Yes, this is that place with the pecorino wheel. Need we say more? Buffalo's cheese-obsessed pasta offering is well-known among Darlo Village's local crowd, and for good reason. With no bookings and no frills, it's got a casual, romantic vibe that turns a simple dinner into something you'll want to pencil in for date night every week. Gazi, 1/235 Victoria Street From Melbourne chef George Calombaris comes this Greek dining room where you can pile up on pita, souvlaki and saganaki with honey. The pop-up restaurant is only open for a limited time in Darlinghurst, so now's the time to check it out. Kitanda, 261 Victoria St A tiny slice of Brazil in the heart of Darlo, Kitanda is where locals go for proper street food, creamy chicken coxinha that actually tastes like the ones from São Paulo, and an excellent value Happy Hour that includes bevs and bites. It's no-frills but full of flavour. Pun Pun, 249 Victoria St This Japanese-inspired sandwich shop is all about convenience-store cool done right. Think perfectly made shokupan (milk bread) sandos stuffed with steamed custard egg or sesame fried chicken. Grab one with a matcha latte and you've got yourself a top-tier lunch on the go – or an easy sit-down if you manage to snag a stool. Gelato Messina, Shop 1/241 Victoria St No list would be complete without Messina. The Darlinghurst location is the original, the one that started it all, still serving up some of the best gelato in the city. You know the drill: pick up a scoop (or a 1L tub), then take a slow stroll down Victoria Street. Grand Royal Barbers, 397 Liverpool St Darlo Village isn't just about good food and drinks, it's also got a few staples that keep the neighbourhood looking and feeling fresh. Grand Royal is one of them. This barbershop (and hang-out spot) has been running for over 20 years and is the kind of place where you end up chatting for half an hour after your cut. [caption id="attachment_648425" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] Black Bottle, Shop 2/118/116 Darlinghurst Rd Black Bottle nails the European wine bar vibe with a range of great wines, a French bistro menu and dim lighting. Settle in at the bar and pick something off the blackboard menu – it's all seasonal, shareable and surprisingly affordable. Plus, every Thursday you can get a meal and glass of wine for $25. Tropicana Caffe, 227 Victoria St Tropicana Caffe doesn't look like much from the outside, but trust us, this is a Sydney institution. A favourite since 1980, inside this cafe you'll spot screenwriters, DJs, hungover teens and long-time locals in the same room, all there for strong coffee and simple food that always hits the spot. Darlo Night Markets, St John's Church This evening market, which is held on the third Saturday of every month, focuses on food and fashion. Come for the vintage and pre-loved fashion stalls, such as Goldtone Vintage, Blu Cosmos, House of Rei, Responsibly Gorgeous and more. Stay for the local food vendors, which serve Korean burgers, Spanish paella and Italian pastries. It's on from 5 to 9 pm, and families, kids and dogs are all welcome. Radio Free Alice, 134A Darlinghurst Rd This boutique record store specialises in rare and collectible vinyl releases, CDs, books and films. You'll want to visit on a Saturday where you have no plans, because you'll lose track of time flipping through crates or asking the staff for obscure recommendations. And yes, there's a solid chance you'll walk out with something unexpected. Whether you live nearby or haven't thought about this part of Sydney in years, Darlo Village is worth a visit. A neighbourhood made for wandering, lingering, and discovering your new favourite spot. To find out more on the Darlo Village. visit the website. By Jacque Kennedy
The World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants has handed down its list of the top spots in Australia ahead of its annual global awards in May. And this year, a Sydney favourite has taken out the top spot. The World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants, managed and published by Upper Cut Media House, headquartered in London, launched in 2019. It's Steak Ambassadors work tirelessly across each continent to discover the best quality steaks in the world. The criteria for evaluation include such categories as the selection and quality of meat offered (including the taste, terroir, marbling, preparation, aging process, and breeds), the service and expertise in the product, the description given on the menu, the ambiance of the restaurant, and a curated wine list. Before the global list is revealed, the Steak Ambassadors have unveiled the 30 Best Steak Restaurants in Australia. No surprise to anyone who has kept tabs on the many awards and accolades received in recent years, that Neil Perry's Margaret in Double Bay has taken out the top spot. In fact, Sydney took out the top three spots, with Firedoor coming in second, and Aalia in third. Next up on the list are Agnes in Brisbane, followed by Arkhé in Adelaide. At this point, you might be wondering if the ambassadors made it to Melbourne. But fear not, Steer Dining Room took out sixth place, Victor Churchill eighth, and Gimlet at Cavendish House came in at number 15. Images: Supplied. Feeling carnivorous? Check out the best steak restaurants in Melbourne and the best steak restaurants in Sydney.
Summer in Australia must've treated Kesha well at the beginning of 2025, because she has just confirmed a return visit in 2026. In January, the pop star ventured Down Under for two gigs, playing a House of Kesha show in Sydney and also the Australian Open's music lineup in Melbourne. Next year, she'll be taking to the stage at a series of headline concerts around the country, with stops in four cities confirmed so far. Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth are on the two-time Grammy-nominee's itinerary when she brings The Tits Out tour this way. The gigs are part of the biggest headline run of Kesha's career so far, which kicked off in July 2025 in the US and also has European shows locked in for March 2026. In Australia, Riverstage in the Queensland capital is the singer's first destination, hitting up the venue on Thursday, February 19. She'll also play Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne on Sunday, February 22; Adelaide's AEC Arena on Tuesday, February 24; and Perth HPC on Thursday, February 26. At the time of writing, there's no Sydney gig on the agenda to date — but if you want to start speculating about a Harbour City stop, it's worth noting that Kesha will be in the country during 2026's Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. It's taking place from Friday, February 13–Sunday, March 1, with the parade on Saturday, February 28. No lineup details have been announced as yet. [caption id="attachment_975223" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brendan Walter[/caption] With ten top-ten singles across her career so far, plus six albums under her belt — 2023's Gag Order and 2025's Period among them — Kesha has no shortage of tunes to draw upon live. 'JOYRIDE', 'TiK ToK', 'Only Love Can Save Us Now', 'Your Love Is My Drug', 'Take It Off' and 'We R Who We R' are among the tracks on her current setlist. Kesha is making the trip Down Under in what's already a big month for tours, with February 2026 also welcoming Lorde's Australian shows and seeing G Flip kick off their next national run of gigs. Kesha The Tits Out 2026 Australian Tour Dates Thursday, February 19 — Riverstage, Brisbane Sunday, February 22 — Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne Tuesday, February 24 — AEC Arena, Adelaide Thursday, February 26 — Perth HPC, Perth Kesha is touring Australia in February 2026, with ticket presales from 10am on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 and general sales from 10am on Friday, August 8, 2025 — head to the tour website for more details. Top image: Ryan Bakerink/FilmMagic.
2025 marks once, not twice, but three times in a row now that winter in Melbourne is being bookended by major arts festivals. RISING kicks off the cooler weather, then Now or Never helps farewell the frostier temperatures. As the former was as well, the latter is back in a big way this year, whether you're keen to witness one of the city's key spaces undergo a spectacular transformation just for the fest, fill 11 days and nights with live tunes, hear more about astronauts and astronomy, see where the lines between cinema and real-time performances blur, or celebrate queer Black excellence. Now or Never packs its lineup with arts, ideas, sound and technology events. From Thursday, August 21–Sunday, August 31 around Melbourne, 2025's fest features more than 140 free and ticketed sessions, which are the products of 285-plus local and international artists. Whatever else you head to, making a date with the Royal Exhibition Building — the venue that hosted its first large-scale live music performances in over 20 years at 2023's debut Now or Never — is a must, however, if you want to step inside a pink bubble. Free, running for the first four days of 2025's festival, and both an Australian premiere and a Melbourne exclusive, MATRIA looks set to prove quite the stunner. The installation's aim: to turn the Royal Exhibition Building, its temporary home, into a womb-like space via a recycled pink inflatable. Courtesy of Barcelona-based collective Penique Productions, translucent membrane will wrap around the venue's wooden interior skeleton — and breathe. The accompanying soundtrack, complete with a solo vocalist, will get it vibrating. Dancers will also help the installation's skin move and stretch, and you can expect to see futuristic art feature as well. Inside MATRIA, you'll be cocooned — and you'll also engage with more of Now or Never's program, because the site is still hosting shows and gigs within the installation. Dancer and choreographer Amber McCartney is teaming up with DJ Shapednoise on one, composer Alex Zhang Hungtai is in the spotlight on another, and rRoxymore is also doing the honours one evening. Or, get inhaling and exhaling along with MATRIA thanks to The Breath Haus and its meditation and breathwork sessions. For more music, Melbourne Town Hall will feature four nights of acts spanning Marie Davidson, DJ Python, DJ Logic1000, Young Marco and Yarra — plus Japanese visual and sound artist Ryoji Ikeda bringing ultratronics and its blend of minimalistic light and sound to Australia for the first time. Also engaging multiple senses in the same venue is Einder, a 20-metre-long light and sound installation by Dutch artist and composer Boris Acket. For one evening only, you can also feast beneath it, with Julia Busuttil Nishimura in charge of the multi-course menu. For a memorable outdoor installation, Dr Christian Thompson is on the case at the Evan Walker Bridge. Burdi Burdi (Fire Fire) is all about quiet reflection, and will be the Bidjara/Chinese Australian artist's largest such work. Hit up State Library Victoria instead and you'll spy DELIRI from the Barcelona-based Hamill Industries, a large-scale projection musing on understanding and deconstructing reality that's taking over the building's facade. Thinking about the cosmos is on the bill when Aussie astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg and astronomer Dr Tania Hill team up, complete with a screening of a short film commissioned by the Australian Space Agency. For more folks chatting, former Australian of the Year Tim Flannery will contemplate facing the future as the climate changes. Plus, the Charting the Future: First Nations Knowledges and Artificial Intelligence session will examine Australian innovation, not just looking at machine learning now and beyond, but also at knowledge in First Nations cultures — and neuroscientist Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston is digging into potentially living forever. If you're all about the big screen, ACMI is presenting Rashaad Newsome's documentary Assembly, which steps behind the scenes of his installation at New York's Park Avenue Armory. With this year's Melbourne International Film Festival, it's also screening VR documentary The World Came Flooding In. Or, drop by for PARA.CINE's merging of where cinema and real-time virtual performances intersect. One world-premiere piece is giving picture palaces a zoological spin. The other boasts New York's Team Rolfes, with speeding jockeys at its centre.
Gone are the days when discount shopping meant losing hours rifling through a dark, dusty warehouse for a hidden gem. The outlet stores themselves aren't extinct — in fact, they're thriving. They just look a little different now. Case in point: Incu's new outlet store. The multi-brand boutique, which twin brothers Brian and Vincent Wu first opened in 2002, recently unveiled its new outlet store in Rosebery, and it's a beauty. Incu enlisted Akin Atelier to design the chic minimalist space with light timber, ceramic tiles and plenty of light. Here, you can expect to find the same high-end international and local labels that are stocked in Incu's main stores — like Acne Studios, Rag & Bone, Saturdays NYC and Comme des Garçons — but it's all past-season collections at massively reduced prices. Images: Akin Atelier
