Vivid Sydney is returning this May and the Fort Denison Restaurant is getting in on the act with its very own Dinner DeLIGHTS. This long-NYE favourite has a unique vantage point within the city's harbour and history to showcase the yearly spectacle, as our skyline again plays canvas to projections of light, music and ideas. For $99 a head, the Fort Denison Restaurant is offering an all-encompassing harbour evening, including: a two-course meal, return boat fares, an intimate talk with a Vivid Sydney special guest, entry to the park and a guided tour of Australia's only Martello tower from the NSW Parks and Wildlife Service. No word on who said special guest/s will be, but the event is known for celebrating local and international creative minds. The ferry service will be running from Circular Quay, giving guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in Vivid's light walk before they settle into their harbour views of the famous light show over dinner. Dinner DeLIGHTS will run on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the 18-day festival, 24 May to 10 June, and for the festival's closing night from 6.15pm to 9.45pm, with additional return ferries shuttles available throughout the evening. For more information head to www.fortdenison.com.au, or email reservations@tecatering.com.au to secure your booking. Places are limited.
Agreed to host a dinner party? Well, you're going to need seafood. In Greek, faros means lighthouse — so let Faros Seafood be your beacon to guide you. The freshness and quality at this beloved Marrickville fish market are impeccable, so you'll be able to prepare anything from prawn tartare to a baked snapper that'll blow your guests minds. And, it goes without saying that the customer service at this longstanding family business is always exceptional. They unsurprisingly love to talk seafood, so they'll happily assist you with ideas for dishes or serving suggestions. The market has been a staple of the Marrickville community for over 50 years. George and Dorothea Bananis, who emigrated from the Greek island Limnos, set up the oyster shucking business on Buckley Street in 1969 in the rear garage of their house. Over the years, it expanded to include all manner of seafood with the couple's son Peter now running operations.
Haymarket is clearly not short on bubble tea joints. But when Chippendale's Bubble Nini opened within the Maker's Dozen food hall in mid-2019, it brought something a little different to the area. Here, the team makes fresh pearls every morning, of which there are six different flavours. Once you've chosen from the 50 different tea options (with punny names like Jasmine Is a Cute-Tea, It Takes Two to Mango and How Ya Bean, Matcha Happening?) you can pick your pearls: sakura, matcha, taro, brown sugar, mango peanut or strawberry. It's a lot of decision making. If you're looking to narrow it down, our pick is the lavender-coloured taro pearls number, A Taro-Bly Bad Name. Bubble Nini also has locations in Chippendale's Central Park and on Sing Street in Waterloo. Images: Kimberley Low
Ever had a cocktail so good it deserved a permanent place on your skin? Now is your chance to get inked, as Bar Planet celebrates three years of slinging martinis with a one-off tattoo pop-up on Saturday, May 17. Whether you're already decorated from head to toe or a first-timer, it all kicks off at 2pm on a first-come, first-served basis. Headed up by the supremely talented Sydney-based tattoo artist Onnie O'Leary, guests can choose from a flash sheet of original Bar Planet designs inspired by the venue's iconic drinks and details. Starting from $100, the lasting memory might just be priceless. These creations are instantly recognisable to Bar Planet fans, with options including David Humphries' kaleidoscopic terrazzo bar top, bags of MSG-laced popcorn, wax-drenched candles, and the off-menu Skyscraper martini topped with a string of seven Kalamata olives. "Over the years, we've received lots of martini tattoos in our Instagram DMs," says Daisy Tulley, Group General Manager at MUCHO. "We can't believe Bar Planet has made its way onto our guests' skin! It's such a privilege and a joy to see." Images: Nikki To / Dexter Kim.
High-concept cocktails, leather booths and a distinctly horny vibe are the modus operandi at play in Pleasure Club. The new bar-meets-live music venue-slash-performance space has finally opened its doors on Wilson Street in Newtown after almost a year of preparation and the promise (according to Entertainment Manager Sabrina Medcalf) to "blow up the status quo of what your average live music bar is presenting". So does it deliver? Well, the drinks list is pretty unreal, for starters. For the venue's launch, Creative Beverage Lead Sam Kirk collaborated with booze whisperer Matt Whiley (of Re) on a cocktail series dubbed 'Nostalgia Machine'. And you very quickly get a sense of the 90s breed of nostalgia they are accessing. Our pick is the 'Cherry Ripe', an astonishingly accurate rendition of the polarising chocolate bar created with rum, cherry, dark chocolate, Davidson's plum and coconut. The 'Vegemite' is also a highlight, kind of like a dirty martini but... Vegemitey? Other creations on the menu include 'Mr Whippy', 'Cheese TV' and the more palate challenging 'Chicken Parm' made with vodka, comte cheese, bacon, tomato and chicken salt. We liken it to a chilled alcohol-laced chicken soup. Do with that information what you will. The drinks are accompanied by a simple menu of good hot dogs that pair surprisingly well with the cocktails. The vibe of Pleasure Club is an anything-can-happen horny hedonism. A glowing purple eye greets you at the street level entrance, hinting at the layers of violet hues contained within. Otherworldly decor and stage design are tone-setters for the entertainment program, which will be a true mixed bag of live music, performance art and audience interaction. According to Odd Culture Group's Creative Director Nick Zavadszky, "It really will be a different beast depending on the occasion. There will be some heaving and revelrous late nights as well as some pared back, lo-fi shows. We've spent a lot of time engineering the journey from evening into late-night, with cues for transitioning to what we call Dark Service around the 11pm mark. You'll have to experience that one for yourself." And as of this evening you can. Pleasure Club is now open from Wednesday to Sunday 4pm-4am at 6 Wilson Street in Newtown. For programming details and more follow the venue on Instagram. Images by Parker Blain.
For the past nine years, juniper spirits have been flowing everywhere from London to Melbourne thanks to big gin festival Junipalooza. But if you're a Sydneysider with a fondness for the tipple in question, you would have been looking on with a touch of envy for most of that time. Well, until 2022, when the fest finally hit the Harbour City for two huge days. Following a successful debut Sydney edition, Junipalooza is returning in 2023. Come Saturday, August 26–Sunday, August 27, the gin festival will hit Carriageworks with plenty of drinks. The Sydney event will feature sampling stations from some of the world's best distillers. Fifty distillers from around the globe will be sharing their gins, with over 100 different types set to feature. Renowned international distillers like Singapore's Tanglin Gin and India's Hapusa will be in attendance alongside local favourites like Ginny Pig Distillery, Old Young's Distiller, Melbourne Gin Company, Bondi Liquor Co and Four Pillars. If you're eager to sip your way through the fest, you can choose between three sessions, with tickets on sale now. On the Saturday, you can start the day with drinks from 11am–3pm, or spend your evening sampling gin between 4–8pm. On Sunday, an 11am–4pm session is on the cards. Top image: Jacquie Manning.
While Sydney's Italian cuisine is known for being inventive and boundary-pushing — think Bella Brutta's clam pizza or Ragazzi's ever-changing ravioli varieties — sometimes all you want is some simple homely food. Palle, the new restaurant coming to Tramsheds from the team behind A Tavola and Flour Eggs Water, is all about homely and hearty Italian food with one big speciality: meatballs. "Mum's recipe was basic, but it was full of sustenance and love. It took a pandemic to make me wonder why the meatball has taken a backseat in the dining scene," said Founder of A Tavola, Flour Eggs Water and Palle Eugenio Maiale. "Palle is all about bringing back comfort, nostalgia and love, in a fun and playful way." Translating to "balls" in Italian, Palle is bringing bright colours, terrazzo clad tabletops and a concise themed menu to Tramsheds, alongside the existing Flour Eggs Water outpost and Forest Lodge favourites like Belles Hot Chicken, China Diner, Fish & Co and Messina. On the menu at the vibrant and colourful diner, you'll find classic meatballs side-by-side with more uncommon takes like salt cod and potato balls or tangy lamb tzatziki balls. From there you have a decision to make. You can order your meatballs in a set of two, a bucket of twelve, inside a sub or on top of a bed Palle's house-made spaghetti. There's even a chicken parmi sub or a lamb ball sub with whipped feta. If you want to ease into your meal before ordering your bucket of meatballs, there's a range of classic Italian starters and sides on offer. Cold cut meats, cheesy garlic bread, fried zucchini flowers, white cabbage salad and a crab and corn crostini will all tempt you before you even get to the main event. Of course, bombolini is the obvious dessert to have on offer at a meatball restaurant and Palle doesn't disappoint, with cinnamon, raspberry, Nutella or dulce de leche-flavoured balls available post-dinner. Palle will open on Friday, May 6 at Tramsheds, 1 Dalgal Way, Forrest Lodge. It will be open for lunch and dinner Friday—Sunday. Images: Dexter Kim
While gifts are a splendid way to spoil mum this Mother's Day, the most meaningful gesture is clearing your calendar and spending quality time together. Throw in a share-worthy feast and a glass (or bottle) of bubbles, and you have yourself a memorable Mother's Day. Whether you're celebrating your mum, you're a new mum yourself, or you're looking for a way to treat the incredible women in your life this May, we've teamed up with G.H. Mumm, Perrier-Jouët, and Mumm Terroirs to round up eight of the best champagne-fuelled specials in Sydney. Cabana Bar There's few better ways to celebrate Mother's Day together than with a crisp champagne before a long lunch—and Cabana Bar in Sydney's CBD is an ideal place to raise a glass. For just $89 per person, you can kick things off with a glass of Mumm champagne before leaning into a specially-curated tropical-inspired Mother's Day menu teamed with two hours of bottomless margaritas and seasonal cocktails, on the city's largest outdoor terrace. Plus, there's a photobooth so you can take home an adorable keepsake you'll both cherish. Book your outdoor terrace table here. Cafe Sydney If your mum relishes the finer things in life, Cafe Sydney is offering up the ultimate indulgence every Sunday throughout autumn: champagne and caviar. For just $55, spoil your mum with unobstructed views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and a glass of 2016 Perrier-Jouët 'Belle Epoque' champagne paired with a divine tart of Black River Caviar - Tradition Oscietra, served simply with créme fraiche. Secure your table here. China Doll Found on Woolloomooloo's Finger Wharf, China Doll is one of Sydney's most distinctive fine dining spots. This Mother's Day, for one day only, treat your mum to a glass of Mumm Grand Cordon Rose for $30 before tucking into an award-winning modern Asian a la carte menu featuring its signature bold dishes like pork belly with chilli caramel and Nam Pla Phrik, and tea-smoked duck with tamarind and plum. Secure your table here. Darling Pavilion If you're looking for a vibrant, central lunch location with a backdrop of Tumbalong Park and sparkly Darling Harbour views, Sydney's Darling Pavilion in the heart of Darling Quarter is where you'll find it. Here, you can pamper your mum with a delicious day out in Sydney starting with Darling Pavilion's special Mediterranean Mother's Day set menu, which includes a free glass of Mumm for all mothers, all for just $55 per person. Secure a booking here. Four Hundred If your mum is a little on the mischievous side and loves to let her hair down, then Four Hundred in North Sydney is the perfect spot to kick back and spend some quality time together over a few bevvies. For one day only this Mother's Day, and for just $89 per person, you can treat mum to a glass of Mumm champagne on arrival before channelling that energy and diving into a Mexican-inspired feast, featuring two hours of bottomless margaritas and tequila spritzes. Secure a booking here. Henry G's Wine Parlour Step away from your standard lunch this Mother's Day and surprise your mum with an intimate wine tasting experience at Manly's boutique bar, Henry G's Wine Parlour. Savour a glass of Mumm champagne on arrival before soaking in a 90-minute sommelier-guided tasting featuring four expressions of Mumm champagne: Cordon Rouge, Central Otago, Tasmania and Marlborough—all for just $50 per person. There are two ticketed sessions, running at 2pm and 5pm, but last year's event sold out fast, so you'd better book asap. Secure a booking here. Nola For a taste of opulence this Mother's Day weekend, treat your mum to some champagne teamed with some of Sydney's freshest oysters at New Orleans-inspired smokehouse Nola, in Barangaroo. With a Barangaroo backdrop, you can devour $2 oysters (max six per person) for every glass of Perrier-Jouët champagne sold — or enjoy a complimentary dozen oysters for every bottle of Perrier-Jouët champagne sold. There's also a special extended cocktail menu featuring a special French 75 Perrier-Jouët champagne, plus you can score a complimentary glass of Perrier-Jouët champagne when you order the Big Easy set menu. Secure a booking here. Robin Hood Eastside this Mother's Day? Lorraine's Bistro, located on level one of The Robin Hood in Waverley, is an ambient French-inspired restaurant that's perfect for a laidback family affair on the coastal side of town. Grab a booth or table in the sun-drenched bistro and enjoy a free glass of Mumm champagne when you order the set Mother's Day menu, available on the big day only. Secure a booking here. Mother's Day is just around the corner. Be sure to indulge your mum this May by treating her to a glass of G.H. Mumm, Perrier-Jouët, and Mumm Terroirs at any of these Sydney restaurants and bars. By Elise Cullen.
Since opening on New Year's Eve 2020/21, Cafe Freda's has become the bustling restaurant, neighbourhood bar and creative space Sydneysiders hoped it would be following the closure of its beloved predecessor. Five days a week, the Taylor's Square venue serves up selections from its ever-changing menu and hosts local musicians, artists and DJs. However, this Sunday, June 20, something special is going down with the next iteration of Cafe Freda's Sunday chef pop-ups — and it's all for a good cause. This installment of the series is a collaboration with Sydney-based Syrian food caterer Racha's Syrian Kitchen and Welcome Merchant, an organisation that works with refugee and asylum seeker entrepreneurs to support their businesses in Australia. The pop-up will help support Racha's Syrian Kitchen and raise money for Welcome Merchant, so you can order a range of a la carte goodies or splurge on the set menu ($65) guilt-free. Those that elect for the set menu will start with kishqeh, fatoush salad and kebet selek made with finely ground potato, sauteed swiss chard, onion, garlic, pomegranate and walnuts. The two choices when it comes to the main meal are a chicken shwarma plate and fattet magdous, an eggplant and fried pita bread dish, which will be followed sha'ebeyat made with handmade filo pastry filled with thick fresh cream or walnut. Above Cafe Freda's at the Abstract Thoughts gallery, Welcome Merchant will also be presenting a group exhibition titled Finding Self from 2pm–6pm. Four artists, Emmanuel Asante, Nadia Obeid, Najla Sbei and Raneen Shamon, will present works exploring the construction and deconstruction of cultural identity. Dylan Berg will be on hand for the exhibition, playing tunes from African and Middle Eastern regions. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
After hosting a sellout weekender in 2024 to celebrate its 15th birthday, Strawberry Fields is turning sweet 16 in 2025 with another three-day festival filled with impressive acts hitting the decks and the stage, all on the banks of the Murray River. When you're not catching Detroit Love featuring Carl Craig and Moodymann, Gilles Peterson, Chaos in the CBD and Interplanetary Criminal at Tocumwal in regional New South Wales this November, you'll be seeing Tommy Holohan, Malugi, Lady Shaka and ISAbella. They're a mere few of the 80-plus DJs and live acts on the lineup. Other names on the bill across Friday, November 21–Sunday, November 23 include KOKOROKO, WITCH, and Circle of Live featuring Albrecht La'Brooy, Move D and Sebastian Mullaert — plus Dita, Wax'o Paradiso and Horse Meat Disco. Or, for more than three hours, Mama Snake, DJ Scorpion and Andy Garvey will play B3B. Aurora Halal, DJ Sweet6teen, Fafi Abdel Nour, DJ PGZ B2B Yikes and Karen Nyame KG are on the roster, too. Strawberry Fields is among the Australian music festivals that aren't just about who's providing the soundtrack, even though it clearly doesn't skimp on talent. This fest boasts a setup and setting worth spending a weekend enjoying no matter which acts are on the bill, with its location is a hefty drawcard all by itself. Having multiple stages pumping out tunes in leafy surroundings, and also a bush spa for a soak between sets, will do that. Folks lucky enough to nab a ticket can look forward to epsom salt baths, plunge pool sessions and sauna trips, then, plus hanging out in the festival's Mirage Motel space again, and hitting up an expanded range of workshops and talks — alongside onsite glamping and camping. Strawberry Fields 2025 Lineup DJ Afrodisiac Anu Aurora Halal Ayebatonye Baby J Bella Claxton Chaos In The Cbd Dameeeela Detroit Love (featuring Carl Craig and Moodymann) Dita DJ Friday B2B Sweetie Zamora DJ Pgz B2B Yikes DJ Sure DJ Sweet6teen Fafi Abdel Nour Gene On Earth Gilles Peterson Horse Meat Disco Interplanetary Criminal ISAbella Jenny Cara Josh Caffé Karen Nyame Kg Kirollus Kuzco B2B Quicksticks Kyle Hall Lady Shaka Malugi Mama Snake B3B DJ Scorpion B3B Andy Garvey Mazzacles Messie Mismeg Move D Myles Mac B2B DJ Possum Naycab Neptunes Trident Poli Pearl Regularfantasy Roka Sampology B2B Frank Booker Slothboogie Super Flu THC Tommy Holohan Toni Yotzi Vanna Wax'o Paradiso Wolters B2B Ned Bennett Zalina Live Asanti Beats Becca Hatch Bumpy Circle of Live (featuring Albrecht La Brooy, Move D, Sebastian Mullaert) Close Counters Corto.Alto D.D. Mirage Devaura Drifting Clouds Drmngnow / Bricky B Ella Haber Ella Thompson Empress Ferrari Party Flewnt Inkabee Jerome Thomas Juman Kokoroko Mathew Jonson Minyerra Moontide No News Rodriguez Jr. Serebii The Pro-Teens (MF Doom Tribute) Waari Wilson Tanner Witch Wrong Way Up Xpress Point Images: Duncographic / Will Hamilton-Coates / Max Roux.
Chat Thai has been one of Sydney's best Thai eateries for more than two decades, and now you can enjoy their beloved street food at the Gateway dining precinct in Circular Quay. Rejoice, Chat Thai fans. Joining the likes of Gelato Messina, Neil Perry's Burger Project, Four Frogs Creperie and The Gozleme Co. in the new eating destination, it's their biggest place yet — with a noodle bar, two kitchens and 145 seats to prove it, as well as more than 100 meals on the menu (including some brand new additions) and a hefty booze list. The Gateway Sydney restaurant joins Chat Thai's other spots in Haymarket, Centre Point, The Galeries, Manly and Randwick, meaning that you're never too far from your favourite food fix.
Located on the second floor of the Hotel CBD, York 75 is a classic sports bar in the heart of Sydney's CBD, with an unrivalled twenty screens and reservable leather booths — perfect for game day with your mates. The walls of this upscale college-style spot are adorned with an eclectic mix of vintage sports memorabilia from sports books to rackets and trophies. A highlight for many sports fans are the 20 screens (two in 3D) and bookable eight-seater booths – each with personal LED screens, so you won't miss a minute of the action. York 75 also offers in-house sports betting and an on-site TAB, so you won't need to leave to place a punt. On tap, you'll find the usual favourites plus craft beer, non-alcoholic cans and an extensive wine list also on offer. For those that like some grub with their sports, choose between an extensive burger offering (including a beer-battered fish burger with Japanese mayo), beloved Aussie pub classics like fish and chips, steak and ale pie, chicken schnitzel and, of course, a chicken parmi.
World Chocolate Day is nearly here, but as much as we love them, you don't have to settle for a fancy block or bar on Monday, July 7. Instead, mix things up by biting into a special sponge-based collaboration between Pana Organic and Tokyo Lamington, with a free giveaway making the occasion an unforgettable treat. Putting their minds together to craft the ultimate dessert, this dream team has created three limited-edition lamingtons, fusing the high-end chocolatier's handmade single-origin bliss with the light, fluffy sponge that has made Tokyo Lamington a hit from Singapore to Melbourne. So, what can you expect from this decadent lamington trio? The Golden Crunch features a delicious mylk mousse, golden comb and plant-based chocolate sponge lamington, while the Crunchy Hazelnut Chocolate blends hazelnut mousse and milk chocolate ganache with a plant-based chocolate sponge coated in delicious cake crumbs. Finally, Mint Crunch is a plant-based chocolate sponge, made with Pana Organic mint crunch cream dipped in chocolate sauce and coated with coconut. Best of all, these incredible creations are available for free if you swing by Tokyo Lamington's stores on World Chocolate Day. Available from the Newtown, Sydney and Carlton, Melbourne locations, there's even the chance to score a free Pana Organic chocolate bar. Just arrive within the first 100 customers at either store to secure a second complimentary treat. With flavours this enticing, there's a good chance you'll be rushing out to grab your own. This triple-threat of soft, chocolatey goodness is being served up throughout July at both Tokyo Lamington locations. Priced at $8 each or $24 for a box loaded with all three, pick up from your nearest spot or have them delivered to your door. This inventive collab isn't one to overlook. Founded in 2012 by Pana Barbounis, Pana Chocolate is a hugely respected name in the world of chocolate, pioneering a fully plant-based, gluten-free and organic-certified lineup. Meanwhile, Tokyo Lamington focused on impressing overseas tastebuds with Australia's humble sweet treat, making its mark in Singapore before launching the brand at home in Sydney and Melbourne in recent years. Tokyo Lamington and Pana Organic's limited-edition treats are available from Saturday, July 5, with a free giveaway taking place at Newtown and Carlton stores on Monday, July 7. Head to the website for more information.
GetSashimi is Campbell Parade's fast-paced sashimi bar specialising in affordably priced fresh seafood. The no-fuss Bondi spot is open seven days a week, with both a shopfront and restaurant offering seafood fiends the chance to grab a sushi- and sashimi-filled lunch on the premises, or pick up high-quality fish to take home and incorporate into home cooking. As you enter, you'll be greeted with an eight-metre-long sashimi cabinet filled with raw tuna, scallops, oysters, abalone, salmon and everything in between. While the quality is top-notch, the price tag is incredibly reasonable. Case in point, in-demand items like yellowfin tuna will only set you back $12.99 per 100 grams. There are plenty of sushi options including nigiri tuna belly, salmon raspberry gunkan maki, tuna rolls and tempura prawn rolls — plus a selection of poke bowls topped with salmon, tuna, kingfish or mixed sashimi. Order a to-go box of everything you want, or nab a spot at the 18-seat sashimi train-style dine-in setup and take your pick of the chef's selections for the day as they travel past you.
If you've ever been to Hobart, then you know all about Sweet Envy — the Tasmanian pastry shop is regarded as the best in town, and for good reason. Now, head pastry chef Alistair Wise is gracing Sydney with his new pop-up venture Drury Lane, which is currently operating out of caffeine haven Brewtown Newtown. The partnership seems to be a natural one, combining top-notch coffees and some damn good pastries for the ultimate cafe experience. The menu is much the same as Sweet Envy, including savoury and sweet options that, until now, have only been available in Hobart. We're most excited for Wise's pecan sticky bun, topped with almond cream and salted caramel ($7); these decadent buns are sure to be the major draw for this Newtown newcomer. Apart from cafe classics like cakes, cookies and lamingtons ($6), Wise is also turning out some interesting options like the pistachio croissant — which adds rosewater and frangipane to the typical French pastry ($ 6.50) — and the Witherspoon, a chocolate shortcrust with plum compote, peanut mousse and pretzel topping ($7). The posset jar ($7), layered with lemon cream, fruit and crumble, is a non-pastry option. As with any good bakery, there are daily specials on offer, including a range of rotating pies and rolls, from cauliflower and cheese to a 'tongue and cheek' pie, as well as a chicken and sausage gumbo ($8 each). Drury Lane is also pouring coffees from Brewtown's new Marco SP9 — an extremely fancy filtered coffee pour over machine that is sure turn out some excellent brews. A speciality pastry and a cuppa? Don't mind if we do. Drury Lane has popped up upstairs at Brewtown Newtown, 6-8 O'Connell Street, Newtown. It's open pen Thursday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm for the near future. For more info, visit their Facebook page.
With over six decades under its belt, Surry Hills' The Forresters has quite the watering hole history. While the Foveaux Street site has housed a pub since the 1950s, in recent years you'd be more familiar with its $10 steak nights, value-packed happy hour deals and laidback hangs in those plaid-upholstered booths. But from next month, this colourful, kitschy haunt is jumping into a whole new phase of its life under new owners, hospitality group Applejack. You'll probably recognise that name as the one behind CBD newcomer Hester's, though Applejack's also responsible for popular venues including Neutral Bay's SoCal, bar and restaurant Bopp & Tone, and Endeavour Tap Rooms in The Rocks. The latest Surry Hills takeover will mark the group's eighth venue. [caption id="attachment_780928" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Applejack's Ben Carroll and Hamish Watts[/caption] So what's next in store for The Forresters? The new owners are keeping hush on most of the specifics for now, except to reveal plans for a 'major renovation' and a relaunch happening some time in the next few months. Group Founders Ben Carroll and Hamish Watts hinted they'd be serving up something a little more casual than the rest of their stable, going on to say: "Our goal is to deliver a community-centric watering hole with an Applejack twist." Unfortunately, there's no word yet on whether cheap steaks and $5 schooners will still be on the menu when the pub reopens its doors. The Forresters last enjoyed a major makeover back in 2012. It's been helmed by the Australian Venue Co — formerly Dixon Hospitality Group — since 2016. Find The Forresters at the corner of Foveaux and Riley Streets, Surry Hills. Applejack Hospitality will take over from September — we'll share more details about future plans as they drop.
This much-loved, Aussie-owned boutique has spread around Australia, and Newtown locals are lucky enough to have their very own Monsterthreads on King Street. The brand's t-shirts are more akin to works of art, which is no surprise considering the calibre of artists and illustrators that Monsterthreads works with. Both local and international artists design for the brand, including some based in Colombia and Kuala Lumpur. So, while the shop is Aussie as, the designs represent influences from around the globe. Apart from fashion, there's artisanal jewellery, candles, stationery, bags and a line of cute reusable kitchenware on offer, too.
Travelling Jerusalem street food container Knafeh — which has popped up on piers and festivals across the city — is turning five, and is about to embark on an international tour. But, before it goes, Sydneysiders will have one last chance to enjoy the pop-up's Middle Eastern fare. The Bearded Bakers (as Knafeh's owners are known) are hosting The Old City, a one-off immersive dinner that'll transport guests from North Strathfield to the streets of Jerusalem on Saturday, May 18. The Bearded Bakers will take over the former Arnott's biscuit factory for just one night and transform it into a Middle Eastern-style souk (openair marketplace) and communal dining experience. The three-course menu will include the authentic eats that the gents grew up eating — as well as plenty of their famed knafeh (a Middle Eastern dessert made with syrup-soaked cheese and fine string pastry). As the venue is not licensed, it'll be a booze-free event. Instead of cocktails, expect the drink pairings to include Middle Eastern coffee, tea and soft drinks. What will remain is the group's high energy-style of food service — namely a whole heap of singing and dancing that accompanies all Bearded Bakers meals. It'll cost you $100 all up and reservations are essential.
Balgowlah North Grocer may be relatively small, but it covers all the basics. Open daily until 6.30pm, it's perfectly situated in a small strip of shops on Woodbine Street, so Balgowlah and Seaforth residents can pop in on their way home from work to pick up essentials for dinner. Alongside its moderate range of fresh fruit and veggies, Balgowlah North Grocer also has bread, snacks and drinks. Oh, and good news: if you've realised on the way home that you forgot your partner or housemate's birthday, it sells fresh flowers and indoor plants, too. Images: Leigh Griffiths
For some of the best Shanghai-style food in Sydney, set your sights on Lilong by Taste of Shanghai. This Hurstville eatery is one of six other branches across Sydney, and there's certainly a reason why this chain restaurant is so popular. Not only is it diverse in its offering but it's also packed to the brim with authentic street flavours. Feel like salt and pepper pork ribs? Done. Maybe you're more into kung pao chicken with Singaporean noodles? Easy. Whatever your cravings are, be sure to also get a serving of its xiao long bao. These delicately crafted soup dumplings are handmade in-house and are a definite must-try. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
You can embrace modern Israeli flavours at Pita Mix. This petite restaurant serves comforting tucker with the soul of the Middle East. Pita Mix is a small family-owned eatery. It sources fresh produce from local farmers and markets, and caters for many dietary requirements, and its meats are all kosher. Kick off your meal with starters like cauliflower steak or charred eggplant served with spiced chickpeas, tahini and pita. Next, dig in to chicken shawarma or falafel with your choice of dips and salads, or a beef brisket burger. [caption id="attachment_779906" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yaya Stempler[/caption] Not only does the eatery offer an impressive range of beers and kosher wine, but it also allows BYO for kosher wine, too. Plus, it launches a new specials menu each fortnight for adventurous foodies. Images: Yaya Stempler
Run by couple Carla Soriano and Ben Mora, Paper Plane whisks you away from Parramatta's busy city streets into a cosy farmhouse, dotted with fresh flowers and warm timber. Back in 2013, the two quit their fast-paced corporate jobs and spent a year travelling overseas, before deciding to devote themselves to cafe life. Slide into your morning with a cup of Picasso Blend, a buttery brew with sweet caramel notes, created by Beaconsfield's Numero Uno Coffee Roasters. When it comes to ordering food, chances are, you'll be eyeing off everyone else's plates, loaded with piles of bright, colourful deliciousness, before making your decision. If you're ravenous, go for the Big Breakfast, a mountain of eggs, bacon, chorizo, hash brown, mushrooms and tomatoes on sourdough. For lighter eaters, there's a bunch of delightful morsels to choose from, including the Monte Cristo – a toastie filled with turkey, ham, Swiss cheese and cranberry sauce – and a fun take on French Toast, with custard, rhubarb, strawberries, pistachio and cinnamon. Images: Cassandra Hannagan
We all know summer can't actually last forever, but at the Great Ocean Road's newest retreat, it sure feels like it could. Occupying a prominent spot in Aireys Inlet towards the start of the famed Victorian coastal strip, Sunnymead Hotel is about as cheery as they come. Sibling to Anglesea Riverside Motel, it's the work of Damien Cerantonio (also behind Great Ocean Road Resort) and Graeme Harris, who've managed to transform a tired old-school motor inn into a beaming ray of sunshine. Heavy on upbeat charm, the 20-room boutique hotel also boasts an onsite spa and bathhouse, a modern Indian-fusion restaurant and an openair pool bar dubbed Sunnies. A retro-inspired aesthetic features throughout, anchored by a signature palette of warm yellows and oranges. Open now for bookings, Sunnymead has two different styles of rooms, all abundant in those cheerful hues, and kitted out with king-size beds, bath products by Surf Coast brand The Herbalist and mini bars stocked with local delights. You'll find locally-made ceramics by artists Angela Nicholson and Melinda Solly, and fluffy bathrobes in a playful yellow and white check that mirrors that of the eye-catching verandahs. Named in a nod to the Hindi word for orange, intimate onsite restaurant Santara is set to embrace a mix of modern Asian flavours when it opens the doors on Friday, March 17. Here, you'll be able to tuck into bites like chicken momos, beef shin tacos and soft-shell crab pakora, along with larger plates like Kashmiri chilli lamb ribs, ginger coconut mussels served with black garlic naan, and a chicken makhani curry with pomegranate. Meanwhile, Thursday, March 2 will mark the launch of Indie Spa, with its trio of private treatment rooms, DIY vichy shower, group-friendly rasul, bathhouse and lounge. This will be your go-to for a range of classic therapies designed to rejuvenate and relax, from facials and remedial massages to body scrubs and detoxifying steam sessions. While the solar-heated magnesium mineral outdoor pool is already open for business, it'll soon be joined by bar offering Sunnies, serving cocktails, poolside snacks and tunes. There'll even be a fire pit for cosying up beside during the cooler months. Keep an eye out, too, for Sunnymead's bright yellow VW kombi Daisy, which'll be used for group tours and transfers. Find Sunnymead Hotel at 64 Great Ocean Road, Aireys Inlet. 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.
A 120-seat boozer with an acclaimed hospitality team and a nostalgic dessert menu will officially swing open its doors on the corner of Liverpool and Victoria Streets on Wednesday, December 6. Located a few doors down from Shadow Bakery, The Waratah will facilitate casual catch-ups, afternoon beers and moody date nights with a strong dose of Australian nostalgia. The new opening boasts a couple of different zones. Downstairs, you'll find the walk-in-only public bar, offering an easy-going atmosphere and approachable menu. Upstairs, things are a little more serious, with a terrace cocktail bar and a more built-out dinner menu. Led by hospitality heavyweights Evan Stroeve (ex-Re, Bulletin Place and Swillhouse), Alex Prichard (Bondi Icebergs) and business partner Cynthia Litster, the inner-city watering hole marks the debut of the new Sydney hospitality group Pollen Hospitality, founded by Stroeve and Litster. "It's a choose-your-own-adventure at The Waratah," says Litster. "Whether it's saddling up at the bar for a chat, orchestrating a memorable date night on the wrap-around veranda, or dropping by for a quick burger and beer, the venue empowers you to create your own adventure — we're just here to assist." The Waratah welcomes you with earthy tones, warm lighting and touches of local flora throughout the venue — setting the tone and introducing the themes of nostalgia and native ingredients. In the ground-floor pub, the classic menu is elevated with fresh produce and a flourish of Icebergs charm, courtesy of Prichard. There's a classic Aussie burger with the lot, a lobster roll topped with Ziggy's hot sauce and a double scallop dish that pairs potato scallops with raw scallops. Nab a booking upstairs at The Waratah, and the feeds are taken up a notch. Expect butterflied king prawns and wagyu steak diane, partnered with nostalgic after-dinner treats like a fairy bread ice cream sandwich and a Waratah take on a mango Weiss Bar. As for the drinks, the best spot in the house is the first-floor terrace bar. Here, you'll find a selection of cocktails titled Drinking Australia. Highlights include a cocoa and cherry negroni that uses gin, local cherries and wine made with Daintree cacao and the Mango and Cream — a combination of rum, spiced mango, caramelised cream, coconut and lime. No matter where you're seated, you can order the venue's signature summer drink: the Waratah Spritz. This refreshing sip is made from Archie Rose vodka, a house-made rhubi mistelle, watermelon wine and a dash of vanilla. "I grew up in the country, and I've always wanted my first bar to be one that reconnects people with it," says Stroeve. "I'm infatuated with the idea of presenting our country in a way that we can be proud of, not only on a global scale but in a local, colloquial and accessible way." "The Waratah is a venue that you can come and enjoy, feel comfortable and welcome, but also leave feeling encouraged. You have supported not only a small independent business but also the growers and producers who are the backbone of our food industry." The Waratah will open at 308-310 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst on Wednesday, December 6. Head to the venue's website to make a booking. Images: Jason Loucas
'Help!' 'Come Together.' 'All You Need Is Love.' Songs and lyrics that have influenced countless people around the world. Young and old. Hip and square. At the height of The Beatles' popularity, John Lennon declared that the band was bigger than Jesus. For the three lost souls at the centre of Living Is Easy with Eyes Closed, his words might as well have been gospel. Taking its title from the opening verse of the Fab Four's psychedelic ballad 'Strawberry Fields Forever', this uplifting Spanish road movie takes place in 1966, at a time when the country was still under the thumb of the fascist General Franco. Javier Camara plays Antonio, a middle-aged English teacher and diehard Beatlemaniac who, after learning that Lennon is in Spain for a film shoot, makes it mission to meet the man himself. Shortly after hitting the road, Antonio picks up a pair of hitchhikers, both of whom want nothing more than to leave their pasts behind. Pretty young Belen (Natalia de Molina) is three months pregnant and has fled the monastery where she was sent to give birth to her fatherless child. Starry-eyed Juanjo (Francesc Colomer) is a teenager with long hair and an artistic streak. He too is running away, from the demands of his domineering father. All three actors do excellent work, their underdog characters all but impossible not to like. Camara, in particular, is perfectly cast as Antonio, an eternal optimist and nice-guy who remains steadfast in his belief he will get the chance to shake his hero's hand. The interplay between the three unlikely travelling companions is funny and disarming — and while the stakes of the film may not be particularly high, you can't help but feel invested in the journey. The politics of the era are confined mostly to the background. Franco and his conservative dictatorship can be felt whenever someone turns on the radio, blaring dour Catholic masses rather than music. The film's overwhelming vibe is one of positivity and acceptance. As such, writer-director David Trueba treats the regime like the bullies that they were, doomed to be defeated by a belief in something more. Maybe that sounds a little twee, but then again, that's what The Beatles were about. Living Is Easy captures the spirit of the band — their energy, their idealism, and the hope that they inspired. It's a shame the film contains next to none of their actual music, presumably because it's so exorbitantly expensive to license. No matter. Life, as they say, goes on. https://youtube.com/watch?v=uO1jXG38XbM
Self-care means different things to each of us but, as Sydneysiders, it's hard to beat a trip to the beach for a stroll, an ocean swim or to just chill out on the sand. Combining your beach visit with a luxurious spa treatment can, therefore, be considered the ultimate one-two punch of self-care. Endota Spa Cronulla on Gerrale Street is just a few minutes' walk from South Cronulla beach. Part of the largest spa network in Australia, which first began in 2000 on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, this welcoming space has six treatment rooms, plus two double treatment rooms if you're visiting with a friend or partner. The range of treatments includes massages (remedial, hot stone and pregnancy), organic and LED facials, microdermabrasion, body wraps and scrubs. Want to keep enjoying the effects of your experience long after you leave? Add a mani, pedi, wax or spray tan to your package, too.
If you're an inner west fan of God's gift to vegetables — that is, chips — boy, do we have some news for you. Melbourne-born ethical fast food institution, and promoter of some of the best chips in the universe, Lord of the Fries is opening a store in Newtown. The much-loved Aussie chippery first hit the streets in 2004 as a food truck in Melbourne and opened its first Sydney store back in 2013. The Lord's offerings sit atop a 100 percent vegetarian menu, using oil free of chemicals, preservatives and animal products. In addition to the addictive fries, menu items include plant-based patties, hot dogs, nuggets and shakes, as well as its recently launched all-day breakfast and vegan ice cream sandwiches. To celebrate the opening of the King Street street store, it'll be giving away free burgers and fries on Thursday, March 21. The first 50 customers that stop by at 11am will receive a free burger, and the first 200 who pop past at 3pm will snag free fries.
A fast-paced sashimi bar specialising in fresh, reasonably-priced seafood has landed on Campbell Parade from the creators of the seafood delivery service GetFish. The home delivery website has been running since 2018, providing Sydneysiders across the city with access to the plentiful offerings available at the Sydney Fish Market with the click of a button. Now, the owners have turned their attention to a bricks-and-mortar offering with the arrival of GetSashimi in Bondi. Open seven days a week, GetSashimi is providing eastern suburbs residents with the chance to grab a sushi- and sashimi-filled lunch, or pick up high-quality fresh seafood to take home and incorporate into their home cooking. As you enter, you'll be greeted with an eight-metre-long sashimi cabinet filled with tuna, scallops, oysters, abalone, salmon and everything in between. While the quality is top-notch, the price tag is reasonable. Highly in-demand fish like yellowfin tuna will only set you back $12.99 per 100 grams. There are plenty of sushi options including nigiri tuna belly, salmon raspberry gunkan maki, tuna rolls and tempura prawn rolls — plus a selection of poke bowls topped with salmon, tuna, kingfish or mixed sashimi. Order a to-go box of everything you want, or nab a spot at the 18-seat sashimi train-style dine-in setup and take your pick of the chef's selections for the day as they travel past you. Both GetFish and GetSashimi are the handiwork of entrepreneur Antonio Muollo, who founded the delivery company when he was just 19 years old. "I am excited to be offering something completely unique to the Sydney market and bringing the best produce from the Sydney Fish Markets straight to Bondi daily," says Muollo. GetSashimi is open 11am–9pm Monday–Sunday at 180 Campbell Parade, Bondi. For more information and to browse the menu, head to the venue's website.
It's the best way to feel like you're at one of the world's top music festivals without physically being there, and it's back for 2025: the Coachella livestream. When the world's eyes turn to the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California for six days each April, it isn't just folks on the ground that are paying attention. Courtesy of the fest's partnership with YouTube, everyone can stream along. Wondering when to watch? Enter this year's set times. For 2025, Coachella has made a change — or, another one, after revealing its lineup earlier than usual when it dropped in late 2024. With who'll be taking to the stage when, the festival is letting you plan ahead, unveiling both weekends' rosters at once rather than week by week. [caption id="attachment_980914" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raph_PH via Flickr[/caption] Accordingly, you can now plot out how to work in Lady Gaga, Green Day and Post Malone's headlining sets into your diary across Saturday, April 12–Monday, April 14 and Saturday, April 19–Monday, April 21 Down Under — and when you can catch Missy Elliott, Charli XCX, Megan Thee Stallion, Travis Scott, The Prodigy, Kraftwerk, Kneecap, Benson Boone, Basement Jaxx, The Go-Go's, Djo, Miike Snow, T-Pain, Jimmy Eat World, Beth Gibbons, Amyl and the Sniffers, and plenty more as well. The fest's set times have come with a few lineup amendments, however, with FKA twigs no longer playing the event on either weekend. Instead, Weezer has joined the bill for the first three-day run for 2025, while Ed Sheeran is doing the same the following week. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Coachella (@coachella) Coachella was livestreaming its sets long before the pandemic — and while beaming festivals to the world is no longer such a novelty, the calibre of the event's lineup means that it's still a mighty fine way to spend a weekend or two. The festival also has a new Coachella livestream app for this year, which lets you see the full livestream schedule, set reminders for your favourites, then watch the highlights afterwards. [caption id="attachment_912640" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hunter Kahn via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] [caption id="attachment_975321" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Harley Weir[/caption] [caption id="attachment_994173" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Raph_PH via Flickr[/caption] Coachella 2025 runs from Friday, April 11–Sunday, April 13 and Friday, April April 18–Sunday, April 20 — which is Saturday, April 12–Monday, April 14 and Saturday, April 19–Monday, April 21 Down Under — at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, and livestreams via YouTube across the same dates. Top image: Raph_PH via Flickr.
Summer is here and with it the holy trinity of sun, sand and surf — and conveniently long days to enjoy them. But before you book your annual leave and leg it to the beach, plan your suncation. Now is the time to invest in sun safe essentials so you don't come out the other side of summer looking like a shrivelled raisin. And one of the most overlooked sun-safe accessories is a beach tent. "A beach tent?" you shriek. "Good grief, I'm not 85!" Well, hold up now. Yes, beach tents may have started as a gaudy, fluorescent nightmare dotting the shore but the logic behind them is sound. And they've evolved way past the beach tents we remember as kids and they're the best way to keep the sun off. We've found some super cute ones that won't ruin your beach cred while you avoid the UV. BYRON BAY BEACH LIFE As if those gorgeous, vintage tropical prints weren't sweet enough, these tents by Byron Bay Beachlife have clearly been designed by someone who spends a lot of time on the beach. How can we tell? They're designed to cast shade but also give you a clear, 360-degree view of the beach so you can stay out of the sun but keep track of any fire hotties that wander past. And isn't that the whole point of lazing on the beach? They've been designed to be assembled in a few different ways too, so you can customise your set-up. GINGER AND GILLIGAN If you're looking to spend big bucks on your beach swag (we're talking $249 each) and be voted 'Most Opulent Beach Goer 2016', look no further than Ginger and Gilligan. We recommend their tie-dyed beach tipi because it's just so damn pretty. It's also a bit more contained than most beach tents, giving you some privacy while ocean-side, just in case you need to change. Each tent is hand-dyed so you can guarantee no one else on the beach will have a tent like yours. LOVIN' SUMMER Minimalist beach tents look incredible. You can rig your beach set-up to look like it's straight out of a photoshoot. But how do minimalist beach tents hold up against the elements? Pretty well apparently. The gorgeous tents from Lovin' Summer are only minimalist in look. They block out 99 percent of UV protection and come with specially-made pegs that anchor deep in the sand. They've also been designed to be easily assembled by a solo beachgoer, making them genuinely 'pop-up'. SOMBRILLA BY HOLLIE AND HARRIE The Sombrilla tent by Hollie and Harrie, similar to the Byron Bay Beach Life design, lets you gaze over the whole beach while staying in the shade. They come in a variety of pop colours and designs, bringing to mind the famous beach boxes of Brighton Beach. And best of all, they're versatile — you can put it up in the standard symmetrical formation for shade coverage or set it up more like a windbreaker for when the sun dips low. They also sell windbreakers, for those days when you just can't have the wind up in your business. SUNNY JIM When we say Sunny Jim tents are designed to make #beachlife easy, we really mean it. They've thought of everything you could possibly need to execute the perfect beach tent seamlessly. The cute tents fold away into an easy yoga bag and/or handbag and they come with a mallet. A mallet! Useful not only for banging in pegs but also for passing official judgements on your friends. Best of all, the shade material is made from UPF50+, the highest shade rating available. The Sunny Jim really isn't messing around here. CANCER COUNCIL The range of tents available from the Cancer Council might be a bit more in line with your original ideas about beach tents. They're the classic beach pod, closed in on three sides (no sunlight getting in here, no sir) in bright blues and yellows. They each boast the highest UPF rating (50+) and very high nostalgia factor. We'd also like to give an honourable mention to the 'Sunshade Chair', a fully shaded chair, with a drink holder included. Now that's how you stay sun safe with raditude. SPORTBRELLA Now, here us out on this one. The Sportbrella might look a bit whack, being a Frankenstein combo of beach tent and beach umbrella, but it's actually pretty useful. It's rocking that UPF 50+ rating, so you know no UV is getting in. The Sportbrella (but feel free to use it for leisure) combines the sturdiness of the umbrella staked into the sand with the privacy of an enclosed beach tent. Plus they're huge, at 2.45 metres wide and perfect for big groups. Stay tuned for our wrap-up of the summer's best beach umbrellas, coming soon.
First, it teamed up with Belles Hot Chicken to bring you this indulgent Malaysian twist on a fried chicken sando. Now, PappaRich has its eyes set on burgers. After a sneaky trial in Sydney stores last year, the Malaysian hawker chain has rolled out a nasi lamek burger across Australia — at all of its 29 stores. The burger takes the typical accompaniments in this Malaysian rice dish and sandwiches them all between two pillowy brioche buns. There are layers of crispy Malay fried chicken, spicy sambal, peanuts and anchovies, all topped with cucumber and a fried egg. As a side? Expect PappaRich's deep-fried chicken skin instead of fries, of course. On offer for lunch and dinner throughout July and August, it'll cost you $14.90 all up, which we reckon will be worth every penny. If you're in Sydney, you can grab one in Bankstown or on your lunch break at the express outlet inside Westfield in the city; in Melbourne, pop by Chadstone, Southern Cross or QV; and PappaRich in Wintergarden and Coorparoo Square will be selling them in Brisbane. There are a heap more locations though, so check the website if you're looking for one closer to you. The nasi lamek burger will be available for lunch and dinner from July 1 until the end of August at PappaRich locations across the country. Updated: July 26, 2019.
It's happening again: every now and then, Jetstar gives travellers a mighty fine reason to head to Japan (if the country's long list of existing drawcards, including its food scene, teamLab's digital art gallery and Studio Ghibli's very own theme park, to name a mere few, aren't enough already). When the Australian airline drops discounted fares to Tokyo and Osaka, they get snapped up quickly, too. If a getaway to either city is exactly what you need before 2025 is out, then, take note. The Australian airline usually has a sale of some description on offer at any given time; however, this one is only about discounted fares to Japan. This isn't among the carrier's return-for-free sales, but prices start at $249 one-way, still nabbing you a considerable bargain. Whichever of Tokyo and Osaka that you decide to fly into, Jetstar's new special will take you there while being nicer to your bank balance. The sale kicks off at 12pm AEST on Monday, May 19, 2025 for Club Jetstar members and at 12am on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 otherwise. Then, you've got until 11.59pm AEDT on Friday, May 23, 2025 to book, unless the discounted flights are sold out earlier. This round of bargain fares covers direct flights from Cairns, Brisbane and Sydney, plus connecting flights out of Melbourne (Tullamarine) and Adelaide. The cheapest price will get you from Cairns to Osaka, while Cairns to Tokyo costs $279. Brisbane fares start at $309 to Osaka and $429 to Tokyo, while Sydney's are $339 and $394 to the same cities. Melbourne's prices are $377 and $407, and you'll pay $394 and $424 from Adelaide. While travel dates vary, early October through to mid-December 2025 is among them. The normal Jetstar caveat applies, of course, as well as the standard advice to pack light: as is usually the case with airline, checked baggage is not included. Jetstar's Japan sale kicks off at 12pm AEST on Monday, May 19, 2025 for Club Jetstar members and at 12am on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 otherwise, running until 11.59pm AEDT on Friday, May 23, 2025 — unless it's sold out 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.
This article is part of our series on the diverse highlights of NZ's Canterbury region, from city to snow. To book your Lake Tekapo trip, visit the 100% Pure New Zealand website. While those wanting to open bar in Melbourne or Sydney might have to settle for managing one, in Christchurch having your own place is entirely possible. This 'city of opportunity' mentality has spawned a new wave of small bars, each one taking its place in this new cultural landscape of Christchurch. The burgeoning bar culture has been vital to the reinvention of the city, as it will continue to be as it grows, rebuilds and evolves in the years ahead. From local wine and craft beer on New Regent Street to margaritas and Mexican on the north side of the city, here are our five favourite bars in Christchurch. The Last Word The Last Word is the cosiest whiskey bar in Christchurch. Even if it's the only whiskey bar in Christchurch (which is quite likely), its charm certainly isn't diminished — not in our books, anyway. And it's the first bar you should hit should you find yourself in the CBD, whether it's for a pre-dinner or post-dinner drink, or just because it's after 4pm. Nestled on the cute Spanish-style New Regent Street (which houses quite a few gems; read on), The Last Word is all about you drinking fine whiskey in a fine setting. The bar is precisely the place you want to indulge in some 21-year-old Ardbeg single malt Scotch whiskey. You're welcome to sit up at the bar downstairs, or up in the lounge-like den, complete with low leather chairs and low level lighting. If you know your whiskey you might be able to tackle the menu, but for all us mere mortals, it's best to ask the staff for recommendations — the list is huge and these guys know what they're talking about. Give them a vague indication and they'll be able to deliver on either a whiskey — Scotch, Irish, Japanese and New Zealand varietals are all on offer — or a cocktail to your liking. If you want a taste of everything though, get them to put together a tasting plate for you. Otherwise, they have a heaps of non-whiskey spirits behind the bar as well as wine and bottled beers. Basically, they have everything. You don't ever need to leave. 31 New Regent Street, Christchurch, +64 3 928 2381, lastword.co.nz Shop Eight Just a few doors down also on New Regent Street, you'll find — or be drawn to —Shop Eight. The tiny wine bar emanates a soft, golden glow out onto the quiet pedestrian-only street; sometimes there will be a guitarist riffing away in front of the bar, and even on a cold night there are bound to be one or two patrons sitting outside with a glass of red and a blanket over their knees. This place is special, and it's an absolute must-visit. The brainchild of Liz Phelan, Shop Eight is just about as Christchurch as it gets. Pretty much all the food is sourced from the Canterbury region that surrounds the city, with chef Alex Davies using what he can get to create a seasonal menu that changes each day. The cheese comes from down the road in Darfield, the olives are picked from the Peninsula and all the meat is sourced from as close by as possible. And same goes for the wine: it all comes from North Canterbury. Even the fit-out is part of the city, with Rekindle — a social enterprise that repurposes wood waste — building the bar, table and chairs out of salvaged materials. Open for lunch or dinner, it's wine time from midday — but we recommend heading in for dinner as well as a drink. 8 New Regent Street, Christchurch, +64 3 390 0199, shopeight.co.nz The Dirty Land If you can get past the name, you might actually find yourself sitting in The Dirty Land eating a taco and downing a margarita. Because, thankfully, that's about as dirty as it gets. Connected to Mexicano's next door — Christchurch's answer to the modern Mexican craze that we're already very familiar with — this bar is a nice reprieve from the adjoining restaurant that seems to be booked out any night of the week. Inside it's moody and a little bit Day of the Dead, with tables for small groups and a bar for those drinking in a duo or solo. Food comes flying in from the kitchen next door, and before you know it you'll be wolfing down an A-grade taco and some fried chicken with a drizzle of lime. The Dirty Land is one stop on the Victoria Street bar hop — particularly on Friday and Saturday nights — but during the week it's a surefire place to get a seat, a good feed and something in a salt-rimmed glass. 131 Victoria Street, Christchurch, +64 3 365 5340, thedirtyland.co.nz The Monday Room If there was ever a place to get a cocktail in Christchurch, it's at the The Monday Room. With heavy features like an open fireplace, opulent red wallpapered walls and dark timber throughout, the bar beckons a cocktail order as rich as the space would suggest. That's why you'll order the Marmalade Rum Sour, and later maybe a negroni or whiskey some way or another. You'll barely be able to help it. But drinks aren't the only thing they do well here — their Japanese-style menu covers everything from snacking right through to dessert. Share small plates like the super fresh sashimi (you are in New Zealand, after all), soft shell crab and the fried chicken, or go for it with the whole sake-steamed flounder. Everything's relatively well priced but doesn't fail to feel extra decadent. Corner Moorhouse Avenue and Madras Street, Christchurch, +64 3 377 5262, themondayroom.co.nz The Institution Literally the newest bar on the New Regent Street block, The Institution has only just opened the doors to their upstairs craft beer haven little over a month ago. The space is small, but don't be fooled — these guys pack a lot of beer. The five beers on tap are constantly rotating, and at the time of our visit they were pouring a Raindogs Brewing Wee Bairn Bitter and a Four Avenues Amber Ale, both of which are brewed in Christchurch. If you can't choose (the bottled list goes on), the bar staff will be able to make a recommendation. Beer cocktails are also on the cards — just let them know you're game. 28 New Regent Street, Christchurch, theinstitution.co.nz Getting there Air New Zealand offers regular flights from Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney to several North Island airports. A hop across the Tasman takes a comfortable three hours from Australia’s east coast. For more information go to www.airnz.com and www.newzealand.com The Last Word image thanks to pistolkeith via Instagram.
The team that made Sydney fall in love with the Taiwanese street food gua bao have a new home. Following jaunts on the food market scene and at Hudson Ballroom, Belly Bao have settled at a standalone shop on King Street. With a bigger kitchen up her sleeve, owner Sylvia Tran has expanded the menu. Whereas, at Goodgod/Hudson Ballroom, there was just one baoger offered each night, four options are now available all the time: The Baoger (Angus beef patty, cheese, cos lettuce, onion, pickled radish, Baoger sauce), as well as one with eggplant, chicken and chopped cheese. A baoger, in case you're unfamiliar with it, is a Western hamburger, but served Asian-style, with bao as bread. Newtown's vegan crowd are well-catered for across all menu categories, including the bao noodles. "They're made with exactly the same recipe as bao, but rolled out, shaped into noodle form and boiled," says Sylvia. "We're serving them with house-made satay chill oil,". For dessert, the famous Gaytime bao makes its return alongside pandan baonuts. Its liquor licence is pending so for now, the venue is BYO. Regardless, the food bill won't be a shock: the namesake belly baos are only $7. The space itself is warm and inviting: think browns, oranges and greens. There's an L-shaped bar, a banquette for large gatherings and round tables for twos and threes, surrounded by old-school Chinese restaurant chairs, newly upholstered. Keep an eye out for the Mahjong table and the dreamy, tropical-inspired feature wall by local artist Simon Wheeldon.
For diehard fans of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, one type of movie magic stands out above the rest. That'd be the kind that's had viewers flocking to Wizarding World flicks for over two decades now, and also inspired plenty of "accio April 2022!" chants over the past few months — if only in your head — as Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore gets closer to reaching cinemas. The third film in the Fantastic Beasts series and 11th in the broader Wizarding World franchise — aka the full on-screen world that's sprung up around The Boy Who Lived — The Secrets of Dumbledore arrives four years after 2018's Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. That's a hefty wait, and while the movie's release is still over a month away, a new trailer has just dropped to help fill the gap. Following on from The Secrets of Dumbledore's first sneak peek back in December 2021, the latest trailer gives viewers what they want: Jude Law's (The Third Day) young Albus Dumbledore facing off against Mads Mikkelsen's (Riders of Justice) evil Gellert Grindelwald, as the franchise has been working towards since 2016's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Of course, it wasn't always Mikkelsen playing the sinister dark wizard who just keeps trying to control all things magical, and wreak havoc on everything in general, with both Colin Farrell (Voyagers) and Johnny Depp (Minamata) previously doing the honours in past instalments. Regardless of who's playing him, Grindelwald still wants to start a war. Yes, he's solemnly up to no good, and his devoted following is only growing. So, as both trailers for The Secrets of Dumbledore have shown, it's up to future Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore, magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne, The Trial of the Chicago 7), and his pals Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston, The Third Day), Queenie Goldstein (Alison Sudol, Between Us) and Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler, The Walking Dead) to try to save the day. Ezra Miller (Zack Snyder's Justice League) also returns as Credence/Aurelius Dumbledore, while Jessica Williams (Love Life) follows up her brief appearance in The Crimes of Grindelwald by return as Ilvermorny professor Eulalie 'Lally' Hicks. And making the magic happen behind the lens is David Yates, who has directed every Wizarding World film — Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts alike — since 2007's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Obviously, when Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2 reached cinemas 11 years back, it was never going to be the end of the on-screen story, which is why the Fantastic Beasts series — which took an illustrated guide book about magical creatures, spun a story about its author Scamander and turned it into a Harry Potter prequel saga — exists. Still, conjuring up more enchantment hasn't been quite so straightforward this time around, and how you feel about the two Fantastic Beasts flicks so far might just depend on how spellbound you are with everything HP. But this franchise-within-a-franchise was always going to go on, with The Secrets of Dumbledore the third entry in the planned five-film series. Check out the trailer for The Secrets of Dumbledore below: Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore opens in cinemas Down Under on April 7, 2022.
Leichhardt favourite Golden Gully is no more. The Norton Street bar has poured its last craft beer and served its last tasty vegan snack. But, all is not lost. The building previously occupied by the small bar has been transformed into bright new neighbourhood cocktail haunt Otis, which boasts a hefty sandwich menu, a carefully curated drinks list and an all-star bar team. Behind the welcoming newcomer is Conor O'Brien and Dan Teh. O'Brien has previously worked across a who's who of acclaimed Sydney bars including Baxter Inn, Burrow Bar, Earl's Juke Joint and Tio's Cerveceria, while Teh has been behind the bar at The Little Guy in Glebe for the past four years. Joining them is Kelsey Blacksmith (ex-Baxter Inn, Rosenbaum & Fuller and Doss House), taking charge of Otis' front of house. The space has been kept relatively similar to Golden Gully, with the biggest change being a new bright orange coat of paint. You can still find a sunny streetside spot to enjoy a schooner or hide away with a glass of wine in the newly refurbished upstairs lounge area. The cocktail menu has been carefully curated to create a fun mix of standards and intricate creations. Making good use of the team's wide range of mixology experience, the opening menu features plenty of native ingredients, as well as techniques you'd expect from a lavish CBD bar such as foams, fat washing and house fermentation. You can also expect a themed section of the drinks list that is sure to change regularly. Kicking things off is the All Day Brekkie cocktails, including concoctions like a banana bread old fashioned; a tequila, peach, pepperleaf and DOOM JUICE spritz; and the Crunchy Nut which combines Johnie Walker Black, native black tea, lemon myrtle, Bizzarro, Crunchy Nut cereal, milk and lemon. Accompanying the cocktails is a stocked fridge of natural wines, local craft beers and seltzers, with the ever-evolving vino list placing the spotlight on small, local and inventive producers. On the food menu, sandwiches take pride of place. Highlights include a porchetta roll utilising pork from Whole Beast Butchery in Marrickville, sun-blushed mayo and salsa verde; and a whopping seven-cheese toastie brought to life with truffle mayo and pickled red onion. Head in on a Sunday and you can cure your sore head from the night before with the bar's bloody mary and toastie combo for just $20. That's not the only deal you'll nab here on Norton Street. There's also a sizeable happy hour running from 5–7pm Tuesday–Saturday. Across these two hours five days a week, all pints are available for schooner prices, and two of Sydney's absolute favourite cocktails — negronis and Tommy's margaritas — are both available for just $12. Joining a host of beloved venues on the bustling Inner West thoroughfare, Otis is looking to embrace the local community as much as possible. The venue has already collaborated with neighbouring record store Crosstalk Records and, with plenty of popular Leichhardt venues a stone's throw away and the team boasting a nice list of hospo pals, you can expect some exciting teamups and events in the near future. Otis is located at 153 Norton Street, Leichhardt — open 3–12am Tuesday–Friday, 1pm–12am Saturday and 1–10pm Sunday.
One of Sydney's most successful restaurateurs, Maurice Terzini (Icebergs, Jacksons on George, Re) is back with a new casual restaurant and bar that's arrived on the streets of Potts Point. Snack Kitchen is the latest venue from the acclaimed hospo mainstay, now open in collaboration with his son Sylvester Terzini. The Macleay Street opening promises to combine high-quality Italian cuisine with a fun, social atmosphere. As the name suggests, the menu will focus on small plates, so you can order a bunch of things for the table and everyone can snack to their heart's content. Maurice Terzini said Snack Kitchen will deliver "a kitchen of simple ingredients but rich in flavour". "After steering some big ships, I feel as if I'm going back to the start of my career with a simple concept — it's coming full circle." What snacky plates of goodness can you expect exactly? Alongside your classics — olives, anchovies, prosciutto, crudo — there's mozzarella with chardonnay vinegar; mortadella paired with chilli oil; a braised bean, chickpea and ricotta combo; and polpetti with a fennel salad. Plus, you close out your experience with the perfect exclamation mark: an affogato. Pair the lot with a drop from a refined wine menu or a European-style digestive. And for those who feel like getting into the summer spirit, there's a range of spritzes and cocktails on offer. The signature Snack Spritz is sure to be a hit, combining Select, gin, cherry, Italian tonic and a basil spray. The father-son duo is also delivering a sense of family dining to the restaurant, with Snack Kitchen marking the first time they're leading a restaurant together. "After all these years of working for my father and legendary small venues, such as Napier Quarter in Fitzroy, it's so exciting to bring this knowledge into Snack Kitchen," says Sylvester. It's set to be a bustling hangout spot, bringing a more casual version of everything that Terzini is known and loved for to Sydney right when the mercury is really rising this summer. Snack Kitchen is now open at 95 Macleay Street, Potts Point, operating 3pm–late Tuesday–Saturday. For general enquiries, head to the restaurant's website.
Do you remember the first time that you saw a pastel-hued facade, ornate interior detailing, or something gloriously symmetrical indoors or out, then thought "that looks like something out of a Wes Anderson film"? For almost three decades now, we've all done it. Since his feature debut Bottle Rocket, the Asteroid City and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar director has firmly established his stylistic trademarks, ensuring that a Wes Anderson movie is always immediately recognisable as a Wes Anderson movie no matter which of the filmmaker's regular actors is in front of the camera. Brooklyn-based husband and wife Wally and Amanda Koval shared this line of thinking to the point of creating an Instagram account around it in 2017. Accidentally Wes Anderson now has 1.9-million followers. The social media feed is a curated selection of images from real life that look like Anderson has staged, styled and shot them, but hasn't — and after taking films as inspiration for an online compilation of images, Accidentally Wes Anderson has taken the IRL route itself via an exhibition. At Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition, 200-plus images await — and they're all coming to Australia for the first time. Following past runs in Tokyo and Seoul, and present seasons in London and Los Angeles, the immersive art experience will make its Down Under debut in Melbourne from Wednesday, September 18, 2024, complete with ten rooms. Some of the exhibition's walls feature facades that Anderson must covet, others find landscape that'd make the perfect Anderson backdrop, and plenty highlight either vintage vehicles or enchanting hotels. Yes, pastel tones pop up frequently. So does symmetry, including in the exhibition's presentation. The idea is to make you feel like you're stepping into Anderson's flicks by showing how the world beyond his frames often conjures up that sensation anyway. To borrow from a different filmmaker, is this the Wes Anderson version of Inception? Attendees enter an exhibition of real-life pictures inspired by an Instagram account that's inspired by Anderson's moving pictures, particularly his aesthetic within them that takes cues from real life. Accidentally Wes Anderson has also been turned into a book, too, plus a website with a map spanning almost 2000 spots across the planet that fit the theme. At Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition, patrons arrive via the lobby, then explore a space dedicated to portals, then embrace an array of facades. Checking out sections devoted to coastal scenes, planes and trains (and automobiles, of course), sports, accommodation and nature is also on the agenda. There's a space that'll get you watching big-screen travel adventures, too — and, just for Australia, one about Aussie spots that evoke Anderson. For souvenirs, you'll exit through the Accidentally Wes Anderson shop. The place will clearly look the Wes Anderson part. As for visitors, wearing a blazer and red beret, an Adidas tracksuit, a purple lobby boy uniform or khaki while you're spending an hour wandering around is up to you. There's no word yet if Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition will display elsewhere across Australia, or if folks outside of Melbourne will need to pack their matching Louis Vuitton suitcases for a trip to the Victorian capital to see it. Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition displays at 360 Bourke Street, Melbourne from Wednesday, September 18, 2024. Head to the exhibition website to join the waitlist, with tickets on sale from 6pm on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.
This family-run business has been a Marrickville staple since 2016. It's run by the second generation Alepidis family, who have amassed two decades of experience in the industry with shops in Dulwich Hill and Canterbury. The local butcher serves up the most authentic Greek-style souvlaki around town, and a fan favourite is the lamb backstrap marinated with oregano, salt and pepper. Other customer favourites include chicken souvlaki, with marinade options including lemon and pepper, honey and soy or satay sauce. All of the meat is locally sourced and prepared in-house. Souvlaki is also available in cocktail size, which makes for an ideal starters for your next dinner party. Aside from its namesake, the deli also offers antipasto makings, such as cheese, oils, dips, bread and other smallgoods. [caption id="attachment_779059" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] Images: Cassandra Hannagan
Revving up for a string of final tour shows, for the 14th time in fact, Cell Block 69 are putting on a Christmas bash that's worth cancelling your weekend plans for. A revival '80s rock band like no other, this eight-piece act will be delivering their power ballads, synth pop classics and 'Totally Awesome Rock Hits' at their annual festivities once again. 'The many faces of Corey Tour 2014' sees the band's members (all sporting the first name 'Corey') hit the Oxford Art Factory in spectacular style. Renowned for their psychedelic strobe-lit performances, Cell Block 69's shows call back to the sell out stadium gigs of their iconic predecessors. Well, in their minds at least. Part parody, part homage rock group; these guys are a whole lot of hilarious. Spending your Saturday night rocking out to a smoke-filled spectacle of unparalleled excess, get ready for a night of headbanging beats and cringeworthy dance moves.
Every neighbourhood needs a reliable Thai restaurant. For Potts Point, it's Llankelly Thai. The laneway restaurant is perfect for when you and your mates desperately need a catch-up but you're all on a budget. It likes to pride itself on simplicity, offering up food that always tastes great. The service is friendly and relaxed and they're open every day for lunch and dinner. The lunch special runs from 11:30 in the morning until 4:40 in the afternoon and it is a great place to swing by with a group of mates or colleagues. The laksa chicken is prepared in a homemade laksa based soup, paired with your choice of vegetables including carrot, broccoli and beansprouts before being topped with dried red onion. Alternatively the wanton soup with chicken wontons, vegetables and egg noodles is especially delicious. Vegetarians might enjoy pumpkin and tofu stir fry served with rice. The dinner menu is more eclectic but still has a traditional approach. Start with a roasted duck salad tossed in lychee with tomato, cucumber, shallots and chilli jam dressing and the tom yum noodle soup with Thai herbs and bok choy. For a main, the brave can try the spicy panang curry with bamboo, chilli and basil leaves, while a gentler option is the massaman with slow cooked beef, coconut milk and roasted peanuts. As you'd hope, the chef recommendations are spot on. Our favourite being the 'Holy Duck' — a stir fried roasted duck with chilli, mixed vegetables, pumpkin and basil. Llankelly Thai is the kind of Sydney restaurant you head to for classic and tasty Thai eats in a laidback setting. It's not trying to invent the wheel. That ain't necessary when the food tastes this good.
If you're fascinated by anatomy and don't get too creeped out by cadavers, then we might've found your ultimate exhibition. Having scored rave reviews on its international tour, the world-renowned Real Bodies exhibition has finally made its Sydney debut at the Entertainment Quarter's Byron Kennedy Hall. This one digs pretty deep and is a little different to your standard cultural experience in that it features a collection of 20 real, perfectly preserved human bodies, alongside over 200 anatomical specimens. Exploring birth, life and death, through a compelling mix of art, science and emotion, Real Bodies aims to give visitors a whole new perspective on the weird and wonderful complexities of the human body. The exhibition's divided between ten different galleries, each focused on various physiological functions. Dive into the intricacies of the respiratory system in the 'Breathe' gallery, or discover the science behind physical attraction as you explore the one titled 'Love'. Just remember, it's probably not one you want to schedule in for straight after lunch.
The cold weather won't stop many from scoring a scoop of ice cream, but sometimes, a warmer bite just feels right. With this in mind, it's a good thing Gelato Messina is back with a new edition of its cult-favourite cookie pie. Made in collaboration with Tony's Chocolonely, this is the ideal chance to discover the brand's mission to end exploitation in the cocoa industry. Designed to be baked fresh at home, this feel-good cookie pie offers the ultimate treat for when you're rugged up on the couch. Plus, this inventive dessert hits all the marks of a winter treat: golden on the outside, gooey on the inside, and loaded with Tony's beloved milk and dark chocolate pieces. Crafted in-house by Messina's pastry team, expect each pie to resonate with the same thought and care as the brand's top-notch gelato. Speaking of, this molten delight is best served with a scoop of your go-to Messina flavour on top, helping to create your dream combination. Available from all Messina stores and for delivery from Monday, July 7, these limited-edition treats are served first-come, first-served. Just don't expect them to last long. Priced at $25 each, you're welcome to bundle with 500ml, 1L or 1.5L tubs of Messina gelato, so you can scoop at home until your heart and tastebuds are content. If you're keen to brave the cold weather, single-serve cookie pies will be served in all Messina stores (except Circular Quay and The Star) from Monday, July 14. Available from 5pm every Monday–Thursday throughout winter, these smaller portions are priced at $12, with your choice of gelato scoop making your after-dark adventure more than worth it. Plus, the team is getting in the mood by launching Brownie Points, a limited-edition flavour created to pair with your pie. Think salted milk chocolate gelato, lashings of caramel and Tony's double-choc brownie rolled into a toothsome scoop. It's available from all Messina stores from Saturday, July 12–Saturday, July 19, or until sold out. Tony's Chocolonely and Gelato Messina's cookie pie is available from all locations and for online delivery from Monday, July 7. Head to the website for more information.
Stealing from the rich and giving to the poor isn't just the domain of Robin Hood. In SBS's new six-part series, it's how a 13-year-old Northern Territory kid not only tries to get by, but endeavours to help his friends, family and others in his struggling community. The cheeky, big-hearted, hoodie-wearing teen's name: Robbie Hood. Giving a classic concept a uniquely Indigenous Australian spin, the idea behind Robbie Hood is both simple and ingenious, like many of the best are. Rather than following an adult outlaw attempting to correct the disparity between the wealthy and the less fortunate, the bite-sized show steps into the life of its eponymous hero (Pedrea Jackson) across its ten-minute-long episodes. In an area blighted by poverty, racism and systemic inequities at every turn — sky-high grocery prices that make meat unaffordable, and a foster-care system that does the bare minimum for kids in need, for example — when Robbie flouts the law, it's for a good reason. His light-fingered ways aren't a weapon in a folkloric class war, but a social-realist reflection of suboptimal conditions in Australia's Red Centre Forget Sherwood Forest, the Sheriff of Nottingham, Little John, Will Scarlett and Maid Marion, then. Instead, in Alice Springs' dusty surrounds, Robbie butts heads with kindly Shane the Copper (Dan Falzon), pals around with the always-hungry Little Johnny (Levi Thomas) and ever-sarcastic Georgia Blue (Jordan Johnson), and has a crush on checkout chick Mim (Tiara Doolan). He's always trying to make life easier for his Nana Mary (Audrey Martin), and, while he calls his boozing, guitar-playing dad (Andy Golledge) a dickhead, his love never falters. Robbie takes the same approach to his hometown — sure, he dubs it a shithole mere moments into the series' first episode, but it's still his home. Set in the lead up to Christmas, the show charts sweltering days, attempts to sneak into the local pool, quests to get enough pre-paid power cards to keep the electricity running and trips to the speedway, with writer/director Dylan River finding humour and heart in every scenario. Indeed, the show's ability to pair an upbeat spirit with an unflinching look at reality is one of its unwavering strengths. Robbie Hood's characters, including its irrepressible, irreverent protagonist, are well aware of their situation, and yet they're never defeated or defined by it. Perfecting that balance and happily dismantling stereotypes in the process, River is helped by his fantastic cast, especially the spirited Jackson — a first-time actor who oozes charisma as the titular thief. The series' expressive cinematography also assists, capturing the everyday minutiae of Alice Springs without a hint of sugarcoating, while also surveying its striking, sprawling desert landscape. River, however, is his own MVP. The young Aussie filmmaker crafts an entertaining and insightful exploration of life in the Red Centre, as partially inspired by his own life as well as the experiences of his friends and family. And, in making perhaps the best twist on Robin Hood yet, he also adds a stellar credit to his growing resume. The son of Samson and Delilah director Warwick Thornton, and grandson of pioneering Indigenous Australian figure Alfreda Glynn, River already has documentaries Buckskin and Finke: There and Back to his name, as well as cinematography credits on his father's Sweet Country and upcoming Adam Goodes doco The Australian Dream. All six episodes of Robbie Hood are available to stream now on SBS On Demand.
Treat yourself — or a friend — to a luxury gift box of artisanal chocolates from family-run chocolatier Just William. Owner Suzanne Francis makes the bite-sized chocolates by hand in new and surprising flavour combinations, from the popular ganache cream centre 'bombs' filled with fruit, booze or caramel, to the animal-shaped treats like mango penguins, strawberry echidnas and orange koalas. The store always has gift boxes dedicated to special occasions such as Mother's Day, Valentine's Day and Easter — so even if you forgot to save the date, Francis has your back for a premium gift set of handmade truffles on any day of the year.
Keen to explore the seas on your next trip to Jervis Bay? If you want to go beyond the usual splash in the shallows or baking on the beach, then take a half-day or full-day tour with Sea Kayak Jervis Bay. You'll learn paddling techniques, trivia-comp-winning facts about the bay and, between paddling sessions, you'll stop for coffee, cake, fruit and a dip at a stunning beach. If you're feeling intrepid, venture away from the shoreline to Bowen Island. It's illegal to disembark, but there's stacks to see from your boat, including fairy penguins — approximately 5000 breeding pairs live there. If you're a seasoned paddler, you can also hire kayaks for the day without the tour, which will set you back $60 for a full day if you're solo or $85 for a double kayak.
Along with offering excellent food and drink at its cafe, Cornersmith is also an advocate for and teacher of a more sustainable, more delicious way of living. From teaching the fundamentals of preserves, to explaining the basics of pickling, Cornersmith is dedicated to sharing ways of making your food last longer, taste better and do more for you nutritionally. Some of their recent additions include cheese making, bread baking, pastry rolling and fermenting. Fermented food has become massive in Sydney over the last few years — think kimchi, kombucha, sauerkraut, pickles (and the list goes on) — so why not try your hand at it? Classes change week to week, so check their website to see what's on.
The crew behind beloved pizza shop My Mother's Cousin is carving out a claim to be the go-to hospitality group for anything dough-related in Sydney's south. Not content with running one of the area's best pizzerias, the team has delivered another standout venue in the form of Self Raised Bread Shoppe. Decked out in retro signage and awnings accompanied by a chequered lino floor and wood panelling, the cafe and bakery is serving carb-laden goodness on Jubilee Avenue in the Sydney suburb of Carlton, just down from Jubilee Stadium. On the counter you'll find a glass cabinet with the day's baked wares for sale. Expect kouign-amanns, croissants, filled doughnuts, tarts and cinnamon buns all ready to satisfy your sweet cravings. Or, if you'd prefer the savoury route, opt for focaccia topped with tomato and ricotta, sausage rolls or a selection from the made-to-order sandwich menu. If you're heading in before 10.30am and on the hunt for something hot and hearty you have two choices. The first is the egg, cheese and potato hash on a milk bun with your choice of peppered ketchup or the specialty house sauce plus the optional addition of sausage — a perfect combo for a Sunday morning after a big night. The other option is your classic sourdough grilled cheese with mushroom as an optional added extra. From 10.30am until close, the sandwich selection expands to include mortadella, turkey, ham, and salami hoagies; tuna sandwiches loaded with dill, onion, cheese and pickles; a vegetarian delight that loads up ciabatta with artichoke, onion, rocket, parmesan and mayo; or a classic panko-crumbed schnitzel sambo on white bread. Self Raised Bread Shoppe does have more than your bread needs covered. There's also shelves of providore faves like hot sauces, cold meats, sardines, olives, burrata, coffee beans and cans of iced tea.
The Hunter Valley's music and wine festival Grapevine Gathering is gearing up to return to the vineyards of Pokolbin's Roche Estate in 2021 after taking 2020 off for obvious reasons. The festival pairs the very best drops with a vibrant music lineup full of local talent. Canberra party-starters Peking Duk and Brisbane indie-rock group The Jungle Giants are two of the bigger acts heading up the lineup. They'll be joined on the winery stage by Vera Blue, The Veronicas, San Cisco, CC:Disco!, King Stingray and Rest for the Wicked. It's going to be a big day of tunes, folks. Aussie sketch comedians and Instagram celebrities The Inspired Unemployed are taking on hosting tunes to keep you entertained between acts. In addition to the tunes, punters will have access to an array of first-rate food options and a heap of wines, of course. To help make commuting to-and-from Pokolbin a little easier, the festival has organised return buses from Sydney, Newcastle, Gosford, Maitland and Cessnock. You'll just need to add a (slightly pricey) bus pass to your ticket. Pre-sale tickets drop at 6pm on Wednesday, February 24 (you can sign-up for those here) with general tickets going on sale at midday on Thursday, February 25.
