Category: BRISBANE

Taste Port Douglas is back this August

La Dolce Vita Long Lunch tast eport douglas

From 8–11 August, Australia’s favourite food festival in FNQ, Taste Port Douglas, will return for its eighth iteration, delivering four days of culinary excellence in the idyllic resort destination. This year is set to be its biggest and best festival yet, as for the first time ever, its highly-anticipated dining experiences will span across both its home port of Port Douglas and the FNQ capital, Cairns. Following a turbulent start to the year, weathering Tropical Cyclone Jasper, Taste Port Douglas’ co-founders, Reina and Spencer Patrick, are excited to bring the area back to life, welcoming their all-star line-up of the nation’s top culinary talent, as well as local and far-flung visitors from across the country. “This year’s Taste Port Douglas will be a culinary celebration like no other, with a spectacular lineup of events and masterclasses hosted by some of the best talent in the country. Following the cyclone in December it’s been a tricky start to the year for the local community and businesses, and we’re now excited to see the festival bring FNQ back to life, welcoming both interstate and international guests to feast with us once again,” says Spencer Patrick, Co-Founder and Culinary Director, Taste Port Douglas. He continues: “We hosted more than 10,000 visitors at Taste Port Douglas last year, many of whom travelled from overseas to feast with us, and this year we anticipate an even bigger crowd with bringing our capital city into the action.” This year’s menu entails returning friends of the festival and new faces alike, hosting… Read More

Winter woes in Australia: Combatting seasonal blues with Hygge

a man sitting in a chair reading a book in a living room

Influenced by the cold weather, shorter days, and longer nights, new research has revealed Aussie moods are taking a dramatic downturn as the mercury drops. A new national survey from Australia’s leading meal kit delivery service, HelloFresh, shows more than half of the nation (53%) is experiencing ‘Winter Woes’, impacting our comfort levels, motivation, and eating habits. With 41% of Australians associating the seasonal shift with sadness and loneliness, the data has highlighted the biggest barriers to achieving comfort and satisfaction in winter as a lack of sunlight (61%), cold homes and poor heating (53%), and our inability to spend time outside (50%). According to Positive Psychologist and Founder of the Happiness Institute, Dr. Tim Sharp, Aussies should consider looking to the icy isles of Scandinavia for inspiration this Winter by adopting the Danish concept of Hygge (pronounced ‘Hyoo-guh’). Dr. Tim Sharp explains: “As an outdoorsy nation, our transition from autumn to winter can be particularly tough as we grapple with the reality of spending more time indoors. What we see as a result is an increase in those feelings of sadness, loneliness, and frustration, as reflected in HelloFresh’s research. Hygge encourages us to reframe how we feel about our time indoors and the winter months by finding comfort in the discomfort and embracing coziness to boost our moods and make the cooler months more bearable.” Fortunately, simple adjustments to our environment and habits can help us traverse those barriers to the comfort we all feel. Creating cosy and inviting spaces in our homes with… Read More

DAP & Co. Unveils Naldham House to Transform Brisbane’s Hospitality Scene

Paul Piticco Denis Sheahan Andrew Baturo

DAP & Co., one of Brisbane’s leading hospitality groups, has announced it will open its much-anticipated new offering in Dexus’s Brisbane landmark, Naldham House, next month after a long restoration. Set to become the city’s hottest new dining, drinking, and events destination, the iconic three-storey building will be home to three unique venue concepts, with the first two, Naldham House Brasserie & Terrace and Club Felix, to open in mid-July. Follow the journey at @naldhamhouse and @clubfelixbrisbane. Naldham House is the latest venue from DAP & Co, co-owned by Andrew Baturo, Denis Sheahan, and Paul Piticco, who specialise in respectfully restoring and refurbishing heritage-listed buildings in Brisbane to create impressive hospitality concepts. The group are behind beloved venues Popolo Italian in Brisbane’s Southbank, the award-winning Gresham Bar in the old Queensland National Bank building in Brisbane’s CBD, and Walter’s Steakhouse and Wine Bar on the ground floor of the Old Mineral House, where they brought New York charm to Downtown Brisbane. The 140-year-old heritage-listed Mary Street building will be a major milestone of Dexus’s $2.5 billion Waterfront Brisbane project on Eagle Street. The revitalised precinct will deliver a global-standard business and tourist destination that aims to maximise its prime riverside location with enhanced open spaces, amenities and a revitalised premier dining hub. The incredibly beautiful late nineteenth century maritime building, which has been unoccupied since the Brisbane Polo Club closed almost a decade ago, will lead the charge in revitalising the heritage buildings of Downtown Brisbane, with other key hospitality operators also moving into the… Read More

Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular: celebrating craft beer

Copy of GABS 2023 730

The Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular, affectionately known as GABS, stands as a unique and unrivalled event in the global beer scene. It is a singular gathering where aficionados can savour 120 fresh and exclusive festival beers, each meticulously crafted by 120 distinct artisanal breweries, predominantly comprising small independent establishments, all in the span of a single day. Annually, GABS issues a widespread call to breweries near and far, inviting them to tender their interest in brewing a bespoke GABS Festival beer. This summons acts as a fertile ground for brewers to unleash their creativity unhindered. It serves as a crucible of sorts, nurturing concepts for beers that aim to astonish and gratify the palates of attendees. Notably, over 1,400 brews have been concocted for GABS, with some of these festival creations transcending to become chart-toppers, such as Hop Nation’s revered Jedi Juice, Feral Brewing’s esteemed Karma Citra & Imperial Biggie, Deeds Brewing’s sought-after Juice Train NEIPA, and Two Birds Brewing’s iconic Taco, among a host of others! From the multitude of proposals received, only 120 elite selections secure a coveted spot – constrained by the capacity of taps adorning the vast GABS Festival bar. Each of these chosen brews exudes excitement and singularity as brewers test the boundaries of beer innovation! The current roster is a testament to this ethos, brimming with eccentric and fantastical blends. In the prevailing trends of 2024, we witness a surge in the incorporation of indigenous ingredients such as native Ooray (Davidson) plums, local macadamias, Australian endemic blood limes, ripe… Read More

New VIVA North Melbourne cabaret venue and bar

cabaret pexels laclav 16651136

This April, the industrial precinct of North Melbourne will witness a spectacular transformation with the grand opening of VIVA, an innovative venue that harmonizes live performances with exquisite dining. By seamlessly blending a vibrant bar setting with captivating cabaret experiences, VIVA is poised to redefine entertainment in Australia, creating an immersive hub for underground artistry, culinary delights, and premium libations. Step into a realm where history intertwines with modern allure at VIVA. Infused with the opulence of the 1920s and accentuated by cutting-edge staging and technology, VIVA promises to be a stage for the nation’s most distinguished dance and cabaret luminaries. The venue is crafted to whisk guests away on a journey of delight, excitement, and artistic exploration. Featuring two exclusive in-house shows that anchor the night’s entertainment lineup, VIVA kicks off with Elegant, a captivating cabaret performance brimming with comedy, dance, charm, and theatrics. For those seeking a more provocative and daring experience, Exotic awaits as the late-night spectacle designed to captivate, enthrall, and perhaps even challenge your perceptions. Elegant, the early show, is helmed by the acclaimed arts and entertainment maestro, Jason Coleman. With an illustrious portfolio encompassing iconic events like the Sydney Olympics opening ceremony, hit musicals such as Hair and Hairspray, and the beloved TV series So You Think You Can Dance, guests at VIVA are primed for an extraordinary evening within an intimate setting. Director of VIVA, Karlee Kaminski, shared, “At VIVA, we aspire to merge the enchantment of live performances with exceptional dining, service, and beverages, establishing a new… Read More

Toby’s Estate Brisbane flagship cafe is open

Tobys Estate Brisbane 4

Attention coffee aficionados in Brisbane! Get ready to embark on a journey of coffee enlightenment as Toby’s Estate introduces free monthly coffee tastings at their Brisbane flagship café. Dive into the world of Toby’s origins, coffee processes, and the latest fascinating coffee techniques in an engaging and informative setting. But wait, there’s more than just coffee awaiting you! Alongside the aromatic brews, indulge in a plethora of delectable cooked meals and sweet treats from the full kitchen, perfectly paired with your espressos and lattes for a complete sensory experience. So, Brisbane dwellers, why delay? We look forward to welcoming you soon! The Toby’s Estate Brisbane flagship café is conveniently located at 1/33 Longland St, Newstead QLD 4006, open daily from 6:30 am to 2 pm. Join us at the NEW Toby’s Brisbane flagship for this month’s complimentary tasting event! Engage with Queensland’s Toby’s experts, savor the latest Single Origin offerings, and elevate your home brewing skills to new heights. Event details: Experience the epitome of coffee excellence at Toby’s Estate Brisbane Flagship Café – where every cup tells a story, and every sip is a journey through exceptional taste and quality. Get a free tasting ticket: Register for your free ticket here.

Dog lovers’ festival coming to Brisbane

Puppy labradore dog

Brace yourselves, Brisbane dog enthusiasts! After a six-year hiatus, the most anticipated event in the canine calendar is making an eagerly awaited comeback! Prepare to indulge in a weekend full of furry fun and excitement at the nation’s favourite Dog Lovers Festival, returning to Brisbane , 9-10 March 2024 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC). This two-day extravaganza promises to be an unforgettable affair crammed with K9-focused amusement, expert insights, and a plethora of pooch-related revelry. We’re not just talking about wagging tails; the festival line-up is nothing short of spectacular, with live performances by some of the nation’s most skilled dogs, illuminating talks by distinguished dog experts, and representation from an array of leading breed clubs and adoption groups. Sneak a cuddle in the pat-a-pooch zone, or treat your four-legged friend to the ultimate shopping spree with the latest doggy products and services. “South-East Queensland boasts a community with an incredible passion for dogs,” states Jason Humphris, the Festival Founder. With the rise in dog ownership, this event provides the perfect opportunity to welcome new dog owners and those contemplating the addition of a furry companion to their lives. The ADVANCETM Stage: Where Stars Are Born! Expect a star-studded line-up led by the charismatic Shelly Horton, keeping you entertained all weekend. Sit in on expert sessions from TV’s own Dr Claire Stevens, and learn tricks of the trade from the dynamic duo, Dr Katrina Warren & Kelly Gill. Instagram’s beloved dog-fluencers will also hit the stage, and don’t miss the adored cartoon… Read More

Jewish International Film Festival is on across Australia this October

Jewish International FIlm Festival woman

This year, the Jewish International Film Festival (JIFF) returns to Australian screens from 23 October – 6 December, presenting a diverse array of enchanting and enlightening tales from Jewish cinema worldwide. Boasting 55 Australian premiere films from 19 countries, the Festival programme includes 30 feature films, 20 documentaries, two series, and six short films, alongside a suite of live events across Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, and the Gold Coast. According to Artistic Director Eddie Tamir, the 2023 JIFF reflects the timeless resilience and adaptability of the Jewish spirit, offering a remarkable line-up of films from the deepest roots of Yiddish culture to Australian stories and boundary-pushing tales. He described the Festival as an immersive journey that reflects on the past and acts as a beacon for the future. The Festival begins with the Australian Premiere of ‘Matchmaking,’ Israel’s biggest blockbuster of 2023. This romantic comedy, directed by the mastermind behind ‘Magic Men’, has won the Audience Award at the Miami Jewish Film Festival and takes audiences on a journey with Moti Bernstein, an Ashkenazi ideal who defies tradition for Nechama, a Mizrahi beauty. As for Australian stories, JIFF 2023 invites audiences to delve deep into history and emotion. ‘Revenge: Our Dad the Nazi Killer’ thrusts viewers into the post-WWII era, where three brothers uncover their father’s suspected revenge spree against Nazis. The closing night film, ‘The Jewish Nazi?’, follows the astounding journey of Alex Kurzem, made “Hitler’s youngest soldier” by a Latvian Nazi battalion after the massacre of his Belarusian family. The Festival’s… Read More

Taking bands back to their roots: Crooked Colours in Brisbane

Crooked Colours band

Aussie music legends, Crooked Colours, will head back to the venue that gave them their big break, The Brightside, Brisbane, for a one-night only gig open to the public on 9 March 2023. So if local music vibes are your thing – preferably with a drink-in-hand courtesy of Smirnoff, then this is for you. It’s happening thanks to the Smirnoff Origins series where Smirnoff Seltzer is taking Australia’s biggest musicians back to the venues that gave them their start, supported by the country’s most hotly-tipped talent. In a series of one-night-only intimate gigs hosted along the eastern seaboard, the events-Smirnoff Origins-will pay homage to the crucial role that live music plays in helping emerging talent cut their teeth, build their fan base and become fully fledged stars. Crooked Colours are next to step up to the stage, returning to Brisbane’s much loved nightclub,The Brightside on March 9, 2023.The Perth based duo found their feet at the iconic Brisbane venue, and this summer they will return to the venue where they honed their skills as musicians, generated fans and found their love for performing. Following on from one of the band’s biggest inspirations The Presets, whose Smirnoff Origins Sydney show sold out within 30 minutes, the next instalment of Smirnoff Origins is sure to be the hottest gig this summer. Crooked Colours are also tasked with finding Smirnoff’s hottest opening act, putting the call out to Queenslanders to find an emerging new artist to open their show. The chosen artist will also receive a $5,000 performance fee,double gold tickets… Read More