FOOD & DRINK

Discover the home of Australian whisky at Starward’s new distillery and bar precinct

16/04/2024

After winning 24 Double Gold medals in 2 years, Starward goes even bigger with its recent unveiling of a brand-new distillery tour and bar experience.

Adelaide Hills wineries worth a visit

12/04/2024

By James Banham

Renowned for its cool climate, this picturesque locale offers an ideal terroir for producing some of the most exquisite wines known to connoisseurs and casual enthusiasts alike.

A unique fusion of whiskey and art in Sydney

12/04/2024

By James Banham

The ‘Glenfiddich x Jordan Gogos Pop-Up Bar’, is an initiative set to enchant Sydneysiders from 17th April to 8th May, 2024.

Ruben’s Deli does good food in Melbourne’s Armadale

12/04/2024

By James Banham

What really sets this Melbourne gem apart isn’t just its delectable sandwiches; it’s the incredible catering service spearheaded by owner Amanda Ruben, that’s capturing the hearts of food lovers across the city.

Sweet Greek Delights in Melbourne

12/04/2024

By James Banham

Sweet Greek is offering the same beloved seasonal dishes with a fresh new look that promises to elevate your dining experience to new heights.

Tag: Best London bars

Mr Fogg’s London and Penhaligon’s launch a new cocktail

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

Mr Fogg’s is not just an establishment, it’s an experience. Much like Penhaligon’s don’t just do scents, they do olfactory adventures you never want to end. Join the two together and you’ve got one insane combination of two of Britain’s leading brands in lifestyle that are making some serious magic for everyone to enjoy. Mr Fogg’s Residence in Mayfair along with Penhaligon’s has a new limited edition, Liquid Gold cocktail inspired by the historic brand’s newest fragrance, Cairo. From 26 June, the drink will be available in Mr Fogg’s Residence for one month only. Inspired by Cairo – part of Penhaligon’s new Trade Routes collection – it’s a vibrant perfume centred on the richness and sensuality of the fabled Egyptian city. Using iconic ingredients from the ancient spice trade route – saffron and woods – the scent takes inspiration from perfumer Christophe Raynaud’s recent travels to Egypt. The Liquid Gold cocktail features a muddle of Henricks Gin, Fernet Branca, lemon juice, vanilla syrup and egg white. it all makes for a light, super smooth cocktail, the concoction is garnished with edible gold vanilla spray, patchouli incense which is set alight before being served, and hibiscus powder, mirroring the floral and earthy notes found in the fragrance. To try it for yourself, make a booking at the Residence now.

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Best London bars, Foggs Penhaligons cocktail, Liquid Gold cocktail, London bars, London cocktail, Mr Foggs, Penhaligons

LONDON: Smash gins this Saturday in style at Nine Lives for Midsummer Soltice

by James Banham

Updated: 22/06/2019

It’s summer in London and that means one thing – drinking in style. But not just anywhere, it’s gotta be done right, and there’s nowhere or no situation that calls for it just as well as Midsummer Soltice, hosted by Henricks gin. It’s all going down at Nine Lives in Southwark, giving drinkers the chance to take the party from the street, to the bar, to the basement as the sun works its gradient through the afternoon. It’s a full day thing, kicking off at 2pm and going right through to the evening’s wee-hours, complete with a playfully light yet wickedly crisp beverage, as partygoers bask in the midsummer sun (hopefully). The event will be set on the beautiful cobbled outdoor space during the day, before heading into the Victorian bar as the sun sets. It’ll put on dancers, actors, DJs and makeup artists for fans, as everyone sips on The Wickerman, a sweet-and-sour combination of Hendrick’s floral Midsummer Solstice Gin, cold-brew jasmine tea, tropical pineapple syrup and lemon; and Vivid Blooms, which comprises the celebrated gin, rhubarb and ginger cordial, aromatic lavender bitters and pomegranate and hibiscus soda. And once the sun’s gone, the party gets a bit more hedonistic with actors playing out a ritual homage to gin as bartenders pump out the Dark Side of the Sun cocktail, made with Hendrick’s Orbium Gin, nutty Frangelico liqueur, blueberry puree and fragrant lemon verbena. It’ll be delicious regardless of your taste. See more at the Midsummer Soltice website. View this post on Instagram Three men not in a… Read More

Category: LIFESTYLE

Tags: Best London bars, hendricks, hendricks gin, London bars, London drink, London gin, London Midsummer Soltice, Midsummer Soltice, The F London

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

by James Banham

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

ARTS & CULTURE

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Shooshfest: Australia’s first ever silent short film competition

17/04/2024

By James Banham

Australia’s Shooshfest, an inaugural silent short film competition, invites diverse creators to innovate in storytelling sans speech. Promising an immersive experience, it will connect with audiences, honour silent film and catalyse cinematic culture.

4 reasons to get excited for ‘Frontiers: Choreographers of Canada’s at Sadler’s Wells

11/04/2024

By James Banham

This exceptional triple bill showcases the extraordinary talents of three distinguished Canadian choreographers: Crystal Pite, Emma Portner, and James Kudelka, promising an unforgettable journey through the world of contemporary ballet.

New gallery in Sydney: A Secondary Eye opens

05/04/2024

By James Banham

Sydney, Australia is set to welcome a profound addition to its art scene as A Secondary Eye announces the launch of a new gallery space nestled in the arts district of Woollahra. Opening its doors on Friday, 3 May 2024, this new venture promises a fresh perspective on Australian Indigenous and contemporary art. Founded in 2020 by Jesse-Jack De Deyne, a seasoned specialist in the secondary market for Australian Indigenous art, and Boris Cornelissen, formerly of Sotheby’s London and Hong Kong, A Secondary Eye has quickly established itself as a key player in the art world. Their focus on developing the secondary market for art and collectibles in Australia has led to the exhibition and sale of works by prominent artists like Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Sidney Nolan, and Fred Williams, among others. The gallery’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, with several pieces entering the collections of Australia’s most prestigious art institutions. Strategically located in Queen Street, a spot historically linked with the crème de la crème of secondary market art dealers, the new gallery is poised to continue its tradition of excellence. The inaugural exhibition will shine a spotlight on Rover Thomas, a luminary and trailblazer in the Australian art landscape. Known for his significant influence on the East Kimberley school of painting, Thomas’s works are lauded for their modernist abstraction and profound connection to ancestral land and Indigenous life. The exhibition, titled “Rover: Master of the Kimberley”, marks the first solo presentation of Thomas’s work in Sydney in nearly two decades. It will showcase… Read More

Momentous moment in art at National Gallery London

05/04/2024

By James Banham

In 2025, the art world will witness a remarkable event at the National Gallery as “Siena: The Rise of Painting 1300?1350” opens its doors in spring, marking the 200th anniversary of the institution. This exhibition promises an unprecedented reunion of paintings by some of the most celebrated Italian artists of the 14th century, artworks that have been scattered across the globe for centuries. Highlighting this unique collection are masterpieces in gold ground, many originally part of larger compositions, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the innovative spirit of Western painting tradition from this era. The spotlight of the exhibition is the coming together of several panels from the revolutionary double-sided altarpiece, the Maestà, painted by Duccio di Buoninsegna for the cathedral in Siena. Recognized as the first double-sided altarpiece in Western art, this narrative shift in art will be showcased along with other significant pieces from the ensemble. Notably, the National Gallery’s panels from the Maestà will be reunited with works like “Christ and the Woman of Samaria” from the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, and “The Calling of the Apostles Peter and Andrew” from the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Another focal point is the reunion of the Orsini Polyptych by Simone Martini, a folding piece created for private devotion, likely for Cardinal Napoleone Orsini. Dispersed between prestigious institutions – the Louvre in Paris, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, and the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin – the exhibition will bring together all six panels for a rare presentation. Besides these reunifications, the exhibition… Read More

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Carmen is coming to Sadler’s Wells in London

04/04/2024

By James Banham

In an event that harmoniously blends tradition with contemporary flair, Sadler’s Wells Theatre unfolds its red carpet for Acosta Danza, as they present the UK premiere of Carlos Acosta’s version of Carmen from the 2nd to the 6th of July, 2024. This adaptation by the dance legend Carlos Acosta gives a new lease of life to Georges Bizet’s opera, stirring the soul nearly two centuries after Prosper Mérimée penned the original story. Carlos Acosta himself steps onto the stage, not just as a creator but as a performer, embodying ‘The Bull’ – a symbol of fate and destiny. This role, specially crafted by Acosta, emerges from his deep-seated desire to encapsulate the essence of the narrative while marking his departure from the Royal Ballet. His rendition of Carmen holds onto the timeless and universal appeal of the tale yet introduces a fresh perspective by minimising the setting to its core elements. Joining forces with Acosta Danza are Principal dancers Laura Rodriguez, Enrique Corrales, and Alejandro Silva, alongside guest stars from the Birmingham Royal Ballet – Yaoqian Shang, Javier Rojas, and Lachlan Monaghan, who will portray Carmen, Don José, and Escamillo, respectively. This cast embodies the spirit of the characters they portray, bringing to life the tragic tale of love, passion, and jealousy. Carmen’s story has always captivated the imagination of many, attracting a variety of choreographers such as Marius Petipa and Roland Petit to its fiery core. The opera’s enchanting melodies like the ‘Toreador Song’ and ‘Habanera’ continue to resonate, underscoring the opera’s enduring popularity… Read More