Overview
You might've felt a cool reprieve from the summer heat over the past couple of days; that's because autumn is coming, and unlike John Snow and winter, it's actually a good thing. (White Walkers don't really do the whole wading through fallen red and orange leaves, pumpkin spice latte in hand.) The new season brings with it that nice jeans-and-sweater weather, meaning you no longer need to be glued to your fan or air conditioner. Go on, venture outside to explore the city, without sweating bullets.
To make sure you don't miss out on any autumnal antics, we've partnered with Tanqueray to bring you some top activities to tackle this season. From Vivid light show to Sydney Comedy Festival, there's plenty to keep you (and your cosy new sweater) entertained with, of course, a gin in hand.
TAKE AN AUTUMNAL COOGEE TO BONDI WALK
Okay, this is not going to be a Northern Hemisphere-style autumn walk where crimson leaves fall from the trees and crunch beneath your feet. We are still in Australia. But, the Coogee to Bondi walk in autumn is still very pretty; you can never really get sick of those ocean views. Plus, you won't be overheated at the end like you were all summer. Once you've finished your stroll by the sea, head to the newly opened Rosenbaum and Fuller to reward yourself with a post-walk tipple. Headed up by a team of hospitality legends, you know you're in safe hands. Opt for something cool and simple like the Gin and Juice with Tanqueray gin and watermelon juice.
Caroline McCredie.
TUCK INTO AN ALL-DAY DEGUSTATION
Park hangs and picnics by the water are so last season; autumn is all about day-long degustations. Sounds kind of lavish we know, but the produce available in the autumn months is worthy of a decadent multi-course tasting. And it doesn't have to be a degustation in the traditional sense, pop by The Pacific Club in Bondi with a few mates and DIY deg featuring a whole slew of native ingredients. Kick things off with The Nut Cracker cocktail (macadamia oil washed Tanqueray, herbs de provence vermouth and lemon myrtle), then order a selection of small plates, like chargrilled octopus with fermented capsicum and radish, kangaroo tartare with native currants, pickled quandong and mountain pepper crisp, and woodfired bug with smoked macadamia cream and pancetta crumb. Sure beats sweaty cheese and crackers on the beach.
CATCH SOME STAND-UP AND COCKTAILS
Each year, Sydneysiders are treated to side-splitting comedy and big belly laughs during the Sydney Comedy Festival. Running from Monday, April 22 to Sunday, May 19, the festival will see hundreds of comedians take to stages across Sydney to make us smile. This year, the program includes big international acts, like David O'Doherty (IRE), Ron Funches (USA) and Ross Noble (UK), as well as a ton of celebrated homegrown comedians, like Cal Wilson, Fiona O'Loughlin and Nina Oyama. Head to a show, have a laugh, then make a beeline to Jacoby's Tiki Bar in Enmore for some post-comedy cocktails. We suggest The Zappa, made with Tanqueray gin, cachaça, honeydew melon, kefir, passionfruit and lemon.
Cole Bennetts.
EXPLORE VIVID THEN HEAD FOR A NIGHTCAP
Vivid Festival is back for another year, lighting up the Sydney skyline and feeding the city with music and new ideas. The festival runs from Friday, May 24 to Saturday, June 15, so you have plenty of time to plan your night out. If the neon lights and vibrant installations aren't enough to tempt you, it's been announced that legendary post-punk band The Cure will headline. Just imagine: you can get a picture of you while listening to Pictures of You at the illuminated Opera House. After you've got your bright-light fix, take a short walk to the 1950s-inspired cocktail bar Maybe Sammy in The Rocks to unwind with a Silver Slipper: that's Tanqueray gin, Oscar 687 Bianco vermouth, chartreuse, verjuice and clarified lemon cordial.
Orpheum Picture Palace in Cremorne.
WATCH A MOVIE AT AN ACTUAL CINEMA
The outdoor cinemas did their dash in summer and we loved it, but now it's time to swap the openair experience for a cinema with the roof intact. This season there are some real humdingers gracing the silver screen, like Captain Marvel from March 7, Us from March 14 and Top End Wedding from May 2, to name but a few. And while you're making those all-important seasonal switches — thongs to boots, singlets to sweaters, etcetera, etcetera — it's time to farewell the summertime spritz and imbibe some earthy autumnal flavours. Drop by celebrated cocktail bar PS40 for a Thyme to Turnip the Beet cocktail, featuring beet-infused Tanqueray gin, Manzanilla sherry, turnip puree, thyme and egg white.
Celebrate the return of autumn with a Tanqueray tipple in hand at home or around your city.
Top image: Vivid 2018 by Cole Bennetts.