New on the AU

Author: Chris Singh

Chris Singh is an Editor-At-Large at the AU review, loves writing about travel and hospitality, and is partial to a perfectly textured octopus. You can reach him on Instagram: @chrisdsingh.

Billy Kwong introduces all-day dining on Sunday plus new lunch dishes, desserts, and more (Sydney)

Following last year’s move to Potts Point, Kylie Kwong’s renowned Chinese restaurant Billy Kwong have extended their Sunday offerings to include all-day dining with new lunch dishes, a special dessert collaboration, and new bespoke project wines and beer. “As we approach one year in this beautiful new location, I wanted to up the ante –…

Read more

TV Review: The Walking Dead Season 6 Episode 6 “Always Accountable” (USA, 2015)

As the big mystery surrounding Glenn continues to linger in the minds of viewers, impatience is inevitable when confronted with a slower character-focused episode which takes us far away from the answers we all crave and focuses in on other parts of the now scattered plan from the season premiere. Last week’s “Now” was a…

Read more

Three new Star Wars: The Force Awakens TV spots released with loads of new footage

It seems that Japanese trailer and the big TV spot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens were not the last pieces of footage we’d get before the eagerly anticipated film is released next month. There are now three TV spots, one of which is an extended version of the more recent spot, one of which…

Read more

Redfern’s Three Williams to host European wine party “Red, White & Bubbles” (Sydney)

As a result of a partnership with boutique wine supplier Captains of Trade, popular Redfern cafe Three Williams will be turning into a den of European wine for Red, White & Bubbles: Euro Vino. Described as an event aimed at taking attendees on a tasting journey through Europe, this returning wine party will showcase wines…

Read more

Newtown gets a Day of the Dead inspired Mexican cantina and Tequila bar (Sydney)

Brightly coloured décor, painted skeletons, and murals by a local graffiti artist will welcome anyone who steps into Newtown’s latest opening, a Mexican cantina and Tequila bar going by the name of Calaveras. The new venture from Gerardo Macip aims to deliver a traditional cantina straight to the heart of the inner-west hub, offering a…

Read more

Redfern pub The Tudor introduces big changes to food, drink, and design (Sydney)

Long-standing Redfern pub The Tudor has taken a big step forward this year, introducing a new chef, a brand-new menu, and a redesign which sees the dark and dated interiors reformed into bright, welcoming spaces. Aimed at furthering their status as a local hub for Redfern, the team behind the venue have injected it with…

Read more

Harrison Ford is coming to Sydney to promote Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Han Solo is coming our way next month for an exclusive fan event at the Sydney Opera House! Harrison Ford has announced that he will be making his way down to the Sydney icon to promote the hugely anticipated Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Ford, who returns as Han Solo in the upcoming Star Wars…

Read more

A Tribe Called Quest and The Roots perform “Can I Kick It?” on The Tonight Show – Watch here

News hit earlier this week that seminal hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest will be making a rare appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, instantly building anticipation for what is now, unfortunately, a rare opportunity to see the group as one. Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Phife Dawg, and even “part-time” member Jarobi…

Read more

Darlo Country Club is Darlinghurst’s latest cocktail bar and diner (Sydney)

Tapping into the aesthetic of exclusive country clubs throughout California, Sydney’s newest opening Darlo Country Club is the new bar and diner at the site of the former Victoria Room. Completely transforming the space with cactus green beams, soft linen paneling, brass elements, and a lush new coat of paint, the vibrant new bar looks…

Read more

Princess Cruises introduce Whisky Bars and new features on board Sea Princess and Dawn Princess

Two of the most well known cruise ships in Australia, Princess Cruises’ Sea Princess and Dawn Princess have gone through some massive refurbishments recently, introducing numerous new venues and features on board in an attempt to adapt to contemporary trends and demand. Furthering their commitment to appealing to a large range of passengers, both ships…

Read more

Young Henry’s Real Ale is now available on tap across Australia

Young Henry’s have seen their popular Real Ale soar in popularity, and even win a gold medal at last year’s JD Wetherspoons’ Spring International Real Ale Festival. Put forth as an Australian interpretation of a classic British Bitter with a half-half blend of English and Aussie malts, YH Real Ale remains one of their most…

Read more

Juniperlooza is Melbourne’s first ever Gin festival

Two Melbourne bars, Pilgrim Bar and Riverland Bar, are coming together to host Australia’s first-ever Gin festival, titled Juniperlooza. Both venues will be hosting the event over two-days this month, showcasing Australia’s best Gins across a variety of tastings, Gin-inspired food stalls, and roaming entertainment set on the banks of the Yarra at Federation Wharf….

Read more

Beer DeLuxe in Federation Square introduces weekly brewer garden series (Melbourne)

Aiming straight for the heart of Melbourne’s summer, Beer DeLuxe at Federation Square will be offering up their lush beer garden as a dedication to Australia’s rich and diverse beer scene. Kicking off their Summer Hop Up series on November 18th, the team will transform the venue in a brewers’ garden every week throughout summer,…

Read more

Surly’s teams up with Coca-Cola to introduce Cola-infused meats for one week only (Sydney)

The iconic Coca-Cola contour bottle turns 100 this month, and to celebrate Coca-Cola South Pacific have teamed up with Sydney American BBQ joint Surly’s to create some exclusive, temporary menus blending the distinctive flavour of coke with the perfectly smoked meats the bar-restaurant has become known for. Surly’s American Head Chef Bendhan Bennison has put…

Read more

Papa Gedes enter their third year with a brand new cocktail menu (Sydney)

Sydney’s Papa Gedes have recently turned two, entering into their third year operating as one of the most charming small bars in the CBD. Themed towards the voodoo history of New Orleans, the tiki-esque bar has maintained a balance that doesn’t go over-the-top yet remains playful with a distinctive aesthetic that is clear in both…

Read more

Exclusive Single Premiere: John Depth Ft. SLik d “Juicetown” (2015)

Following their excellent debut single, “Couches”, local production team John Depth – awarded producer Tim Carr and singer-songwriter Paul Conrad – have hooked up with Long Beach rapper-singer SLik d to release “Juicetown”. The duo’s second single continues their love for the darker side of electronica, lifting SLik d’s slick raps with a forceful blend…

Read more

Jackie Onassis stealth release their debut studio album “Pristine Alley” today

Sydney’s Jackie Onassis, part of larger hip hop collective One Day, have been killing it on nationally for a few years now. Ever since their debut single “The New Dumb”, they have helped lead Australian hip-hop onto a completely new wave, pushing tradition and bringing in outside influences for a well-rounded, melodic, and endearing sound….

Read more

Brooklyn trio Wet release new single “It’s All in Vain”

Brooklyn indie-pop trio Wet released their self-titled EP last year and almost instantly became one of the year’s biggest buzz bands, racking up a dedicated fan base and selling out shows both around the states and overseas. They’ve been fairly quiet since then; releasing two singles, “Deadwater” and “Weak”, from their forthcoming debut and patiently…

Read more

Three Williams hooks up with Tomislav Martinovic to introduce a new burger to their menu (Sydney)

Redfern’s Three Williams has teamed up with acclaimed Chef Tomislav Martinovic to beef up the burger offerings at the popular cafe. And it’s not some limited edition burger either; from today (Friday November 13th) their burger creation, Mr Davis, will be available on Three Wills’ lunchtime menu, giving you something else to scoff down aside…

Read more

A Tribe Called Quest will reunite for Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show this week

Largely considered one of the greatest hip hop groups of all time, A Tribe Called Quest will be reuniting this week for a special one-off performance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their debut album, the classic People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. The news came…

Read more

Missy Elliott releases full video for “WTF” with Pharrell Williams

The undeniable Missy Elliott has solicited a trunk-rattling bass monster of a beat from Pharrell Williams, who helps her make her long-awaited comeback with single “WTF (Where They From)”. Idiosyncratic like all great Missy songs, “WTF” showcases that golden flow that saw her quickly become one of the most recognisable names in hip-hop back in…

Read more

Drake’s “Hotline Bling” goes to church with a gospel cover from Anthony Hamilton and The Hamiltones

Anthony Hamilton and The Hamiltones decided to get together backstage this week and film a freestyle gospel version of Drake’s “Hotline Bling”. Offering a decidedly different take on hip hop’s biggest viral hit of 2015, the soulful collective tackle the track acapella, backed by nothing but some hand-clapping, finger-snapping soul and take-em-to-church adlibs. Hamilton was…

Read more

Goodtime Hospitality rework The White Cockatoo into West Village, Petersham (Sydney)

Petersham pub The White Cockatoo has gone through a substantial revamp by new hospitality group Goodtime Hospitality – co-owned by entrepreneur James Bodel and Locky Paech (ex The Norfolk; The Forresters). Now know as West Village, the conveniently located venue is a blend of local pub familiarity and modern design with an acute attention to…

Read more

Film Review: Spectre (USA, 2015)

Spectre is the 24th James Bond film, 52 years into a franchise that has defined and redefined espionage thrillers, showing absolutely no signs of stopping both financially and creatively after Skyfall’s overwhelming success in 2012. Sure Daniel Craig’s iteration of Bond has given us some dull moments (see Quantum of Solace), but the 47 year…

Read more

Single of the Day: Jackie Onassis Ft. Spit Syndicate “Stay In” (2015)

Melodic and lush, “Stay In”, a new offering from Jackie Onassis and Spit Syndicate, toasts to the night in and continues the hype for Kai Tan and Raph Lauren’s long-awaited debut album. Kai, Nick Lupe, and Jimmy Nice bounce off the package of deep drums and percussion Raph serves up, giving us something more intimate…

Read more

One Day add their own live show to Sydney festival One Day Only

As Sydney hip hop collective One Day prep their first ever boutique festival One Day Only they’ve decided to jump on the line-up as a collective, meaning that we’ll get to see all seven members on stage performing tracks from last year’s epic Mainline, and hopefully some new material. This is, of course, in addition…

Read more

Erykah Badu shares single “Phone Down” ahead of new mixtape

Recent news that Erykah Badu will be releasing a new mixtape, titled You Cain’t Use My Phone, sent her many fans around the world into frenzy. We don’t often get full projects from the Queen of Neo-Soul nowadays, so her being inspired enough to give us a bunch of new material is a big deal….

Read more

Nina Las Vegas heads to Florida on new track “Contagious”

Continuing to build her new label NLV Records by releasing a series of tracks showcasing the roster, Nina Las Vegas has hooked up with Miami bass champ Snappy Jit for a dance-floor killer titled “Contagious”. Making the track available for free download for seven days only, Nina has offered this production up as the third…

Read more

Belle’s Hot Chicken to open at Barangaroo (Sydney)

We already know that the Barangaroo precinct will be home to Sydney’s Noma pop-up, but details are slowly starting to roll in of the other exciting venues looking to complete the development’s food element. Melbourne’s hugely sought-after Belle’s Hot Chicken will open at Barangaroo from November 19th, staying on at the harbour-side hub for 10…

Read more

Merviale’s intimate Whisky bar, J&M, opens in Sydney

Hospitality group Merivale will officially open doors to J&M, an intimate Whisky Bar located on Level 2 of Angel Hotel, from 11th November 2015. Initially, J&M will function as an exclusive showcase for Chivas Regal, driven by the sensory experience of Chivas 18. Aimed at a complete but intimate experience, J&M will be one for…

Read more