Category: CITIES

London’s newest, flashest entrepreneur’s club: Home Grown opens in April 2019

Posted: 17/03/2019

If there’s one thing London does well, it’s their clubs, bars and private members’ hideaways, perfect for the sneaky drink, refined surrounds and general chilled awesomeness of what it means to be a member. Home Grown is for high-growth entrepreneurs and from 3 April, will be open on Great Cumberland Place in Marylebone, right in the middle of London. Home Grown is for fast-geared people with a business mind and drive to work, never stop and never take a break. It’ll be comprised of a carefully selected membership of entrepreneurs and investors will join a star-studded group of business to create a unique new community, designed for individuals who not only work to live, but live to work. The founders of exciting brands such as Not on the High Street, Seedlip, Planet Organic, Larsson & Jennings, Pleesecakes, Duke & Dexter and Blondie’s Kitchen along with ambassadors including Daniel Priestly, Jenny Tooth OBE, Julie Devonshire OBE, Lex Deak, Camilla Dolan, Andy Yates and Stephen Page are just some of the dynamic individuals getting ready to make Home Grown their second home. Why? The new pad will be dedicated to growing businesses thanks to its networking opportunities. What will Home Grown offer? For members after a bit of benefit to their membership, it’ll host: Expert ‘How To’ talks ‘Sweatworking’ – a HIIT workout, and networking event where barriers to building better connections are broken down through exercise ‘Breaking Bread’, intimate monthly dinners with leading experts in specialist fields which will include debate, discussion and delicious dishes. Health… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Best London bars, Best London clubs, Best London members lounges, Home Grow, london, London bars, London clubs, London members lounge, London members lounges, The F London

A land of sweeping plains: Larrikin Gin’s new batch, Sunburnt Country

by James Banham

Updated: 17/03/2019

It was Dorothea Mackellar who penned the poem, My Country in 1987, with the famed stanza, “I love a sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains, of ragged mountain ranges, of droughts and flooding rains,” but it was Larrikin Gin in 2019, who put a flavour to the sentiment. The new Aussie gin includes ten native Australian botanicals, giving this smooth and strong gin a complex and totally unique Australian flavour you can only find here. They really threw the net far and wide when creating the palette of the new Sunburnt Country gin. On a journey of discovery from the Kakadu Plum of the Northern Territories to Strawberry Gum from the Northern Tablelands of NSW, Larrikin gin really shines a light on Australia as one of not only the oldest original lands on our planet, but one with the most home-grown diversity and an undeniably Aussie spirit. The gin is strong at 50.7%, but keeps a nice smooth finish that can be enjoyed straight with some ice on a hot Australian day, or is refreshingly perfect with tonic water. Other botanicals they’ve used that need to be tried to be believed are the likes of Roast Wattleseed, Lemon Myrtle, Lemon Aspen, Kakadu Plum, Native Blood Lime, Desert Lime, Bush Tomato, Strawberry Gum, Davidson’s Plum and Finger Lime. But, there’s only really one way to find out yourself if it’s for you: Sunburnt Country will be available from March online or at selected on premise outlets for $100.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: Australian gins, Best gins, gin, Larrikin Gin, THE F gin, THE F Larrikin Gin, the-f australia

Quartier Bistro and Bar is refined eating in The Rocks

by Emi Berry

Posted: 16/03/2019

Tucked away in the backstreets of The Rocks is the cozy French-inspired Quartier Bistro & Bar, a fabulous venue for an intimate dining experience or a celebratory lunch with the girls. Welcoming and stylishly decorated, this relatively new yet chic restaurant only opened its doors in late 2018. The bistro in located in the luxurious Quay West Suites Sydney on Gloucester Street. Quartier Bistro & Bar offers a breakfast menu everyday, and lunch and dinner menus from Tuesday through to Saturday (closed on Sunday and Monday). Here, you can enjoy classic French inspired dishes such as steak frites, moules marinière and charcuterie boards for two. Of course, you’ll want to finish with a traditional French dessert such as the tarte tatin or the vanilla crème brûlée to end the night on a sweet high. The bistro also host special events, so keep an eye on their website for these reasonably priced culinary promotions. Quartier Bistro & Bar recently hosted an indulgent high-tea event celebrating International Women’s Day, presented by Veuve Clicquot, with guests sampling some of the best champagne the House of Veuve Clicquot has to offer. The bistro has also collaborated with Queer Screen’s – 26th Mardi Gras Film Festival and is currently offering a Post Mardi Gras Indulgence promotion which includes an entrèe, a main plus a bottle of wine for $45 per person. This offer runs until the 31 March, 2019. Quartier Bistro & Bar is also the perfect venue for those looking for somewhere to sink into a comfortable armchair after… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: high tea sydney, Quartier Sydney, THE F Quartier

Ferrari f1 red: Ferrari does Formula 1, Ferrari Red Lounge

by James Banham

Updated: 28/11/2022

Ferrari Australasia are proud to announce the launch of ‘The Ferrari Red Lounge’, a venue just for the Grand Prix in Melbourne like they’ve never done before. Just metres from the F1 track, the Ferrari space will be celebrated with a special unveiling of the limited series Icona car, the Monza SP1. It’s a space of 240 square meters, immersing anyone lucky enough to head in, into the world of Ferrari over the four-day schedule, that’ll continually evolve into the night, hosting VIP guests and private entertainment, to showcase two of the brand’s most iconic models, the Ferrari Portofino and Monza SP1. The car they’re unveiling, the Ferrari Monza SP1, is inspired by barchettas of the 1950’s aesthetic, which is futuristic, but at the same time an homage to the past. The Monza SP1 is equipped with the most powerful naturally-aspirated V12 ever produced by Ferrari. The power of the 812 Superfast’s 6.5 litre engine has been increased by 10 cv to 810 cv at 8500 rpm with a slight increase in torque to 719 Nm at 7000 rpm. See more at Ferrari.

Category: CARS, CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: ferrari, Ferrari Grand Prix, melbourne grand prix, THE F Ferrari Grand Prix, the f grand prix, THE Ferrari

Holden Suv: Holden does 5 SUVs: Here’s why they’re awesome

by James Banham

Updated: 28/11/2022

When it comes to buying or talking about cars, you don’t need to be an car-nut to make a good decision. Though, if you’re in the market for an SUV – as so many of us are – looking anywhere but the Australian car brand Holden mightn’t do you any favours. The Lion brand has long been known on Australian roads and has a soft spot in Aussie’s hearts, which is why they’re now – much like as they’ve always done – giving the people what they want and catering to the ever-lucrative and teemingly busy SUV market, which has in 2018/9 capitalised majority of the market’s demand. And it’s not going anywhere. Holden does five kinds of SUV vehicles; each one different than the last, and for good reason. Catering to the busy suburban Mum of three who’s constantly running errands, to the yuppie Surry Hills resident who needs something more compact to get from A-to-B while still packing a punch; the Holden name has fast become one to consider when it comes to SUVs and excitingly – and more temptingly – away from the tired old names in the category we see all too many of on the roads. We got to experience the Holden Proving Grounds in Victoria, Australia, where all the testing, perfecting and tuning of all Holden vehicles takes places – and what an experience it was. Here are the 5 Holden SUVs and the best bits about them, absolutely in order of preference! Holden Trax It’s compact, zippy, drives… Read More

Category: CARS, CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: Best Holden SUVs, Best SUVs, Holden SUV, Holden SUVs, SUV guide, SUVs, This is how we SUV

And you thought you nailed choreography? Sydney Dance Company has a Mardi Gras float

Sydney Dance Company Mardi Gras parade 1

by James Banham

Updated: 02/03/2019

OK, so, if you’ve ever seen the Sydney Dance Company dancers on stage, then you know what you’re in for. Prepare to pack up your dancing shoes, rip apart your pom-poms and go home if you’re in this year’s parade, because shit is about to get turned up. The world renowned dance troupe is, for the first time ever, making its debut in the 2019 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade down Oxford Street in front of millions. In honour of the Company’s 50th anniversary in 2019, the Sydney Dance Company’s choreography features a high energy, tightly rehearsed dance routine with 80 members of Sydney Dance Company’s community, led by dance class manager Ramon Doringo. If you need a taste of the kind of magic that awaits, have a look at what they did at their most recent presentation. Ramon will lead the synchronised marching troupe from the back of a golden Sydney Dance Company Studio float, complete with ballet bar, mirrors and performing drag queens. Doesn’t matter if you’re gay, or just love the energy of the LGBTIQ festival and show of pride, missing the dance rendition from the Sydney Dance Company along the full parade track is more of a sin than the life we’re all living. So get trackside! See what’s on at this year’s Sydney Mardi Gras at their program.

Category: CITIES, DANCE, DRAG, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: mardi gras, sydney dance company, Sydney Dance Company choreography, Sydney Dance Company Mardi Gras, Sydney Dance Company Mardi Gras Parade, sydney mardi gras, ThE F Mardi Gras

Sheraton grand hotel Sydney: The Sheraton Grand Sydney on Hyde Park

by James Banham

Updated: 28/11/2022

There are few places in Sydney that offer top notch accommodation, right in the middle of town with views that only the Kardashians can afford. And that’s the Sheraton Grand Hyde Park Sydney. it’s just had a massive renovation so fresh, the carpet still has bounce, each room has a bath, almost every room has a view, and what they offer in-between all that is nothing short of spectacular. From the moment you enter the hotel, it’s all smiles, all professionalism, cherry dispositions and even cheerier rooms that await with all the mod cons to make even the shortest of trip – like a night – absolutely memorable. Ascend past level 11, though, and you’re treated to all kinds of luxuries. If you’re lucky enough to score a terrace suite with private balcony that looks over Sydney’s Hyde Park with the opening of Sydney Harbour in the very visible distance, then consider yourself lucky: you’re in celebrity land. This is the kind of room the lush opt for when they’re passing through or paying a visit; and it’s easy to see why. With a bed so wide you can’t reach the other side, blinds as good as black-outs, a walk-in robe and a bathroom big enough to have a party in, the Sheraton’s rooms don’t leave much to be desired. And as is standard fora hotel of the Sheraton’s magnitude, their food offering isn’t to be scoffed at, either. If it’s not the annual Christmas in July feast they put on at the aptly named… Read More

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY, TRAVEL

Tags: Hyde Park Hotels, Sheraton Grand Hyde Park, Sheraton hotel sydney, Sheraton Hyde Park, Sheraton Sydney, sydney hotels

Carbs for Mardi Gras: Textbook Patisserie does a Golden Gaytime croissant

by James Banham

Updated: 26/02/2019

If you’re in Sydney’s inner south and know Textbook Patisserie, then prepare to have your pre-Gras diet shot to shit: they’re doing gay croissants. Because the art of butter, crispy, bread-like pastries from the pretty, wrought iron-clad streets of gay Paris just simply aren’t gay enough, John Railey is going next level. Multicoloured croissants made by the Callebaut Chocolate hero Railey will adorn the display cabinets of the Botany Road bakery this Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras season, celebrating in a more delicious way, the freedoms we’re so afforded in this wonderful era, city and country as gays and their friends. The pastry is literally rainbow coloured and bursting with coloured Callebaut Chocolate pieces, caramel, chantilly and caramel peptides for an extra little somethin’. Get them from Saturday 2 – Sunday 3 March for $12.50. Find Textbook Patisserie at 274 Botany Road, Alexandria.

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FEATURES, FOOD & DRINK, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: Croissant, Gaytime Croissant, Golden Gaytime Croissant, Mardi Gras croissant, Textbook Patisserie Sydney, THE F Croissant, ThE F Mardi Gras, THE F Textbook Patisserie

Mardi Gras drinks: Parade views from the Pullman Hyde Park

by James Banham

Updated: 23/02/2019

There’s nothing quite as gay as Mardi Gras, so if glitter, rainbows, hot bods, banging music and drinks are your thing, then heading to the Pullman Hyde Park in Sydney is where you need to be. From beside the marshalling area of the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras down Oxford Street, the Pullman is serving drinks, food, rainbows and fabulosity like no other venue along the strip. The level 1 full length windows provide prime position to look down upon the parade’s rabble, in all their semi-nude, musically-fuelled, pro-LGBTIQ glory. Aptly named the Rainbow Room, it’s the place to be this 2 March 2019. Found at the top of College Street, just metres from Oxford Street’s official parade starting line, Pullman Hyde Park is serving up tickets for $149 per person that include exclusive entry to the bright and bold Rainbow Room, bottomless beverages from pop-up bars by event sponsors Gayle, Australia’s first equality conscious beer and cider. Top that off with Absolut – don’t miss their Absolut recovery brunch at the Beresford – canapés and fabulous entertainment from drag queen hosts Shebeast & Tora Hymen, with music by DJ Victoria Anthony. Following on after the fabulous pre-parade festivities, guests can make an exit, flashing their wrist bands to be given exclusive access to a College Street viewing area, allowing them to make their way through the glittering explosion that is the Mardi Gras Parade. Get your tickets at the Pullman’s website.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LGBTIQ, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: pullman hotel, Pullman Hotel Hyde Park, pullman mardi gras, pullman rainbow lounge, pullman sydney hyde park, Pullman Sydney Rainbow Lounge, sydney gay lesbian mardi gras, the f gay, ThE F Mardi Gras, THE F Pullman

A chat with Yonghoon Lee, Calaf in Turandot by Opera Australia

by James Banham

Posted: 23/02/2019

New to opera, old to opera; it doesn’t matter. If there’s one voice you hear this season by Opera Australia, it’s Yonghoon Lee as Calaf in the company’s production of Turandot, on until 30 March. If there was ever a tenor to belt out the aria made most famous by the late Luciano Pavarotti, Nessun Dorma, it’s Yonghoon, who makes hitting that hair-standingly invigorating high C seem all too easy. Yonghoon is a Korean born opera singer, who’s established himself internationally as a leading tenor of his generation. He has made debuts at most of the most prestigious theatres in the world, including the Metropolitan Opera, Teatro alla Scala, Chicago Lyric Opera and so many more, and has now joined OA to give some of their singers a taste. We had a chat with him off the back of his more-than-rousing performance in Turandot at the Joan Sutherland Theatre in Sydney Opera House recently. How exciting is it to perform for OA this year? I’m so happy to work with OA. It has become a favourite place among opera singers, where we all want to perform. This year is especially exciting for me – I get to perform my favourite piece and production with my favourite artists, so it made me so thrilled to be here. You can really blow the roof off with your rendition of Nessun dorma. How long have you been practising that aria? I made my Calaf debut in 2012, but of course I sang this beautiful and famous aria long before 2012. How emotionally invested do… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, OPERA, SYDNEY

Tags: sydney opera house, the f opera, turandot, Turandot Opera Australia, Turandot Yonghoon lee tenor, Yonghoon Lee

ARTS & CULTURE

Yayoi Kasuma makes more history at NGV Melbourne

22/11/2024

By James Banham

This summer, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne invites you to lose yourself in the extraordinary universe of Yayoi Kusama.

Why rush to see The Great Mughals at V&A: a celebration of opulence, art and culture

22/11/2024

By James Banham

Today, the Victoria and Albert Museum opens the doors to a landmark exhibition, The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence. For the first time in a major show, the monumental artistic achievements of the Mughal Empire’s ‘Golden Age’ (c. 1560–1660) take centre stage, showcasing the splendour, craftsmanship, and cultural exchange that defined one of the world’s greatest empires. The Glory of the Mughals The Mughal dynasty, rooted in Central Asia, was founded in 1526 by Babur, a Timurid prince who carved out an empire stretching from modern-day Afghanistan to the edges of southern India, and from Gujarat to the borders of present-day Bangladesh. At its zenith, the empire was known for its staggering wealth, progressive governance, and artistic innovation. Focused on the reigns of three of the dynasty’s most celebrated emperors—Akbar (r. 1556–1605), Jahangir (r. 1605–1627), and Shah Jahan (r. 1628–1658)—the exhibition illuminates a period when the Mughal court transformed into a cultural powerhouse. These were the rulers who commissioned masterpieces like the Taj Mahal and fostered an artistic legacy that blended Persian, Indian, and European influences. Unveiling the Court’s Creative Mastery At the heart of the exhibition are over 200 objects, breathtaking in both their beauty and their historical value. Visitors can expect to marvel at exquisite paintings, intricately illustrated manuscripts, luxurious textiles, vibrantly hued carpets, and dazzling objects crafted from mother of pearl, jade, rock crystal, and precious metals. Many of these treasures have been hidden from public view for decades, making this a rare opportunity to immerse oneself in the artistry of… Read More

A Golden Adventure awaits at the Australian Museum with new Machu Picchu Exhibition

21/11/2024

By Danielle Kirk

Sydney, prepare yourselves for a cultural gold rush. From November 23, the Australian Museum is rolling out its latest blockbuster, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru. This dazzling exhibition is your passport to ancient Peru, featuring 134 priceless treasures from the land of the Incas and 14,000 years of history. Think glittering jewels, royal tomb artefacts, and a VR journey to one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It’s more than a history lesson—it’s a time machine with all the bells, whistles, and human sacrifice relics you could dream of. Following the success of the Ramses Exhibition at the Australian Museum (fun fact, it became the highest grossing exhibition in the State’s history, selling over 500,000 tickets!), Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru is created in partnership with Peru’s Museo Larco, Museo de Sito Manuel Chavez Ballon, and Neon Global, taking you on a journey through five ancient Peruvian empires, spanning over 3,000 years of rich history. Parts of the collection have only been shown in four other cities around the world, in fact, some of the artefacts have never left Peru before, and now we’re lucky to set sights on them in Sydney. Expect to see the most opulent Andean gold collection to ever leave Peru, intricate ceremonial masks, and objects that whisper secrets of long-lost rituals. For the tech-savvy explorers, the Machu Picchu and the Spirit of the Condor VR experience will transport you above the clouds for a bird’s-eye tour of the legendary citadel. Guided by the… Read More

NGV Architecture Commission 2024: Home Truth by Breathe

14/11/2024

By James Banham

In a bold reimagining of Australian home design, Home Truth by Breathe has been announced as the winner of the NGV Architecture Commission for 2024. This captivating installation takes the form of a labyrinthine house-within-a-house, challenging the notion of ever-expanding home sizes in Australia. At the heart of this design is a powerful message: rethink how we build to create more sustainable, higher-quality, and community-orientated living spaces. Home Truth invites visitors to step into a space that questions the ethical and ecological ramifications of the sprawling, oversized homes that have become prevalent across the nation. An external frame mirrors the silhouette of the average Australian home, which, at 236 square metres, ranks as the largest globally. Nestled within this silhouette is a serene timber structure, representing a smaller, more sustainable living footprint. This juxtaposition of scales is not just an architectural statement but a call to action. By contrasting these two structures, Home Truth shines a light on how smaller, more considered homes could help reduce suburban sprawl, mitigate environmental impacts, and enhance community wellbeing. It is a thought-provoking invitation for audiences to consider alternative, sustainable housing models that could lead to positive lifestyle changes. Visitors entering through the expansive garage door of the larger house find themselves navigating a maze of rooms and corridors, eventually arriving at the intimate timber retreat. This wooden haven offers a space for meditation and reflection, presenting a tangible vision of a more sustainable housing future. Constructed from framing pine and Saveboard, Home Truth uses materials emblematic of current… Read More

LOEWE PRECO SS25 SUNA FUJITA CERAMICS RGB CROPPED 4X5 3 5

Suna Fujita, LOEWE & Melbourne Art Fair to exhibit works

14/11/2024

By James Banham

In an exciting fusion of art and fashion, Melbourne Art Fair has announced a groundbreaking partnership with LOEWE, the esteemed luxury fashion brand renowned for its dedication to craftsmanship since 1846. This collaboration brings to life an exquisite preview of Jonathan Anderson’s renewed partnership with the Kyoto-based ceramist duo, Suna Fujita, marking a world-first exhibition in Australasia. The LOEWE x Suna Fujita collection made its debut with an intimate showcase at LOEWE’s Melbourne Collins Street store, offering an exclusive viewing experience of twenty whimsical ceramic pieces. These delicate works, celebrated for their intricate hand-painted scenes featuring ocean creatures and cosmic animals, seamlessly blend artistry with everyday function, transforming accessories and ready-to-wear items into enchanting works of art. Fair Director Melissa Loughnan expressed her enthusiasm for this creative union, stating, “This partnership is a reflection of Melbourne Art Fair and LOEWE’s shared commitment to supporting living artists and creatives, and an exciting precursor to the 18th edition of the Fair, which promises to be one of our most dynamic and anticipated showcases yet.” The collaboration not only highlights the playful essence of Suna Fujita’s ceramics but also underscores the vibrant art scene that Melbourne Art Fair champions. Launching today, the LOEWE x Suna Fujita collection is available both in stores and online at loewe.com, continuing until 29th December 2024. This artistic venture paves the way for the 18th edition of Melbourne Art Fair, set to take place from 20-23 February 2025 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The fair will present a remarkable assembly of… Read More