Sydney
Events
When: Nov. 29 – March 31
Beginning yesterday, Moonlight Cinemas returns to Sydney for the summer season. Taking place in Belvedere Amphitheatre, Centennial Park, Moonlight Cinemas is the perfect place to kick back and watch a movie beneath the stars. Check the program to see the schedule of showings.
The Finders Keepers Spring Summer Market
When: Nov. 30 – Dec. 2
The Finders Keepers Market takes place two weekends a year and this one’s here just in time to sort out your Christmas shopping. Featuring over 200 independent art and design stalls along with food and beverage stalls, live music, two bars, two coffee carts, and Food Trucks, there’s something for everyone at Finders Keepers.
When: Dec. 31
If you want a party but want to steer clear of the overcrowded mess of the CBD on NYE, this is the event for you. It’s a night of live music across 2 stages, gourmet street food and affordable drinks in a spacious, relaxing setting, topped off with an enormous midnight fireworks display. Does it get much better? The line-up features The Presets, Hayden James, Hot Dub Time Machine and much more.
Eats
Rosetta Ristorante Almafi Coast Inspired Luncheons
When: Saturdays from 12pm
A European getaway may not be in the cards this summer but Sydney’s award-winning Rosetta Ristorante has the next best thing: a summer-long Almafi Coast-inspired luncheon series.
When: Mid-December
Long-running Bondi pub The Royal has recently reopened but it’s the new Merivale restaurant that’s really causing the buzz. Totti’s, a casual Mediterranean-style eatery serving up pasta aplenty, wood-fired breads and classic Italian cocktails, is set to open mid-December.
Famed New York Pizzeria Roberta’s One-Day Appearance At Surry Hills’ Firedoor
When: Sunday, Dec. 9 from 1 pm
Roberta’s is a Brooklyn institution with a cult following that includes Beyonce, Jay-Z, Bill and Hilary Clinton. Head Chef and Owner will join the team at Firedoor for an all-day Sunday event, serving up wood-fired pizzas and select dishes from the grill.
Drinks
When: Newly Opened
Sydney’s Chinatown has recently welcomed its first-ever cocktail bar. Banchō Bar is a 100-seat laneway small bar with a 28-strong list of specialty cocktails
Sunset Sessions At Hotel Palisade
When: Nov. 19 – Dec. 10
Hotel Palisade’s rooftop is hard to beat for a sunset session. The new Chandon S Lounge makes it even better. For the next few weeks, enjoy the stunning views with a glass ($12) — or bottle ($59) — of Chandon S and feast on a range of great dishes from the menu.
El Santos: A Mexican Wrestling Themed Bar New To Surry Hills
When: Opens December 6
A taste of Mexico right in Surry Hills featuring Mexican cocktails, street food, and a good bit of entertainment with weekend DJ sets. It’s a pop up bar though, so you’ll have six months to experience it after its opening.
Melbourne
Events
The Everleigh x Rare Hare: Cuban Lawn Party
When: Dec. 2
Looking for plans for this weekend? Celebrate the arrival of longer summer days with Melbourne institutions The Everleigh and Rare Hare at their Cuban Lawn Party. There will be a live Cuban band and DJ, Everleigh cocktails and wines and street food or lunch by Rare Hare. Book your tickets ASAP.
Stomping Ground La Boca
When: Dec. 4 – Feb. 24
The Arts Centre is kicking off its summer season with acclaimed Broadway musical Evita and it’s celebrating by bringing the shows Buenos Aires setting to life with a pop-up Argentine beer garden with plenty of food, booze, and music.
Queen Victoria Market’s Summer Ice Rink
When: market days between Dec. 1 – Dec. 24 (every day except M&W)
This December, ice skating in December doesn’t have to just be a Northern Hemisphere thing. The Market has partnered with Air Canada to create Melbourne’s first outdoor summer ice rink.
Eats
When: Open now
After closing the doors on its Daylesford location earlier this year, Kazuki is back again, this time with a Carlton location in inner Melbourne. It returns with all of the Japanese-European fusion classics that made it so great along with a few new additions.
When: Open now
The bay and sunset scenery of Sebastion make it worth visiting and that’s before the fantastic modern Spanish menu is even taken into account. The enormous shoreside diner has what you need for a good feed and place to watch the sun go down.
Alliance Francaise French Christmas Market 2018
When: Dec. 15 – Dec. 16
A classic Christmas market with a French twist, Alliance Francaise brings French cooking, pastries, wine, homegoods and more all together beneath one roof.
Drinks
When: Now – Jan. 27
Matt Bax, the genius behind Bar Americanos legendary cocktails, is the mastermind behind Grau Projekt: part concept bar, part gallery space. Bax will be collaborating with whichever artist is on display each week to make drinks that complement the art. Book tickets in advance.
When: Dec. 6 from 6:30pm
Two winemakers and gin-maker collaborate and the result is pretty great: a free tasting. Taking place at RACK and RU!N while supplies last, you can sample 10 different wines and 2 gins from the likes of Allies Wines, A.Rodda Wines, and Pinkster Gins
Ginny Brings
When: Now
Today marks the launch of Ginny Brings, a service that brings a flawless G&T to your door in 30 minutes or less. Made with Tanqueray Gins and delivered with the perfect Fever Tree tonic and, of course, citrus garnish, this service is a holiday gift to all G&T lovers.
