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.

On the Shelf: Black Hops III Midnight Pale Ale (Limited Edition)

Black Hops III Midnight Pale Ale is a very limited edition brew created by QLD’s Black Hops Brewing in collaboration with the recently released Call of Duty: Black Ops III. It may seem weird at first, almost sacrilegious, to use a craft beer to market one of the biggest gaming franchises of all time, but…

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First Impressions: Henry Deane, Hotel Palisade – Millers Point (Sydney)

Millers Point is not often found on one’s list of essential cocktails bars in Sydney, with little reason for bar-lovers to walk all the way up Argyle Street beyond The Rocks side. That has all changed recently, with historic pub Hotel Palisade reopening after an extensive re-work in its 100th year. Since July of this…

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Surry Hills pubs Dove & Olive, and Keg & Brew, announce Thanksgiving specials (Sydney)

Sisters pubs Dove & Olive and Keg & Brew will both be honouring their American influence this year by taking part in Thanksgiving with a range of food and drink specials offered throughout the week, which include playing host to the brand ambassador for the renowned Brooklyn Brewery, Miro Bellini. Bellini will be in Surry…

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Osteria Balla Manfredi launches an organic lunch menu (Sydney)

The great Stefano Manfredi has seen his popular restaurant The Star, Osteria Balla Manfredi, become one of the top Italian restaurants in Sydney, largely in part to a constant desire for growth and a dedication to produce. As 2015 comes to a close, Balla is taking a new angle for it’s lunch offerings, introducing an…

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The Light Brigade Hotel re-brands restaurant as Brigade Dining (Sydney)

Art-deco pub The Light Brigade Hotel has unveiled the next step of a new era for the historic Woollahra local. The venue’s level two restaurant has been revolutionised and re-branded Brigade Dining, with a kitchen led by Chef Marco Adler to ensure the complete aesthetic makeover is echoed in the restaurant’s food. The famous Bayfield…

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Eric Koh’s Dim Sum Pop-Up at Work In Progress – CBD (Sydney)

Before he helps man the kitchen at Enmore’s forthcoming Queen Victoria Hotel, Merivale Dumpling Master Eric Koh has a few more weeks left running his dim sum pop-up, @EricKoh, at CBD bar Work in Progress. The pop-up was originally intended to last for six weeks through September, but an unsurprisingly high level of demand has…

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Charles Murdoch wraps up his video trilogy with “Privacy” featuring Oscar Key Sung

Future Classic’s soulful heavy-hitter Charles Murdoch has wrapped up his poignant three-part short film with the music video for single “Privacy” featuring Oscar Key Sung. Released last week, the film clip, which was created by German collective Jünglinge, gives closure to the emotional journey of a skinhead battling his his repressed desire for love. “Privacy”…

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David Bowie’s music video for “Blackstar” is very freaky

If Guillermo del Toro were to ever make a sequel to 2006 classic Pans Labyrinth then he should probably call David Bowie for some ideas. The legendary musician has released what is perhaps one of the creepiest music videos of all time for his single “Blackstar”, the title track from his forthcoming album, denoted with…

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Appleton Estate Rum takes over Sydney bars for three weekends with ‘The Appleton Trail’

Jamaican Rum has invaded Sydney’s CBD bars starting this weekend! Renowned brand Appleton Estate, who have been crafting authentic Jamaican Rums for over 265 years now, are making a big push into the Australian market with their luxury Rums, choosing the harbour city for three exclusive weekend events showcasing the distinctive spirit. From Friday 20th…

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Da Vinci’s Italian Restaurant – Summer Hill (Sydney)

We have but no choice to be more discerning when it comes to Italian food in Sydney; the proliferation of authentic, good quality Italian restaurants across the city has educated us all on the beautiful diversity this inescapable cuisine delivers. While the new ventures are consistently giving us a reason to fall in love with…

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Jupiters Gold Coast to open third new restaurant ‘Garden Kitchen & Bar’

As Jupiters Gold Coast continue to celebrate their 30th anniversary throughout November, the Broadbeach institution has announced a new outdoor restaurant, Garden Kitchen & Bar, will be the next step in the property’s major $345 million redevelopment, making it their third new dining venue in less than 12 months. Joining Italian kitchen Cucina Vivo and…

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Justin Bieber dies and Mugatu returns in the first official trailer for Zoolander 2

Some terrible madman is going around killing the world’s most beautiful people, including Usher and Justin Bieber, in Zoolander 2, forcing them to leave the world one last selfie with Derek Zoolander’s (Ben Stiller) signature look, Blue Steel. Such is life in the Zoolander universe as we once again take a close look at the…

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North Bondi Fish – Bondi (Sydney)

North Bondi Fish is at the head of North Bondi beach just below the RSL, a casual eatery looking out over that iconic beach scene with a breezy, playful interior. There’s little surprise as to why this extended from a six month pop-up into a permanent venue back in 2013; there’s something about fresh, clean…

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Nominees announced for the 2015 FBi Sydney Music, Arts & Culture Awards

Awarding the most exciting new voices across music, arts, and culture, FBi’s SMAC Awards (FBi Sydney Music, Arts & Culture) have today announced nominees for 2015. 11 categories will be carefully chosen from, and we don’t doubt that the judging process will be incredibly difficult, seeing as these shortlists are full of names which have…

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Film Review: The Hunger Games – Mockingjay: Part 2 (USA, 2015)

Suzanne Collins’ trilogy of novels was finally adapted onto the big screen in 2012, with Collins herself writing the screenplay alongside Director Gary Ross, both of whom gave us a version of The Hunger Games which expanded and retooled the first novel into a powerful, effective, and affecting viewing experience, one which quickly saw the…

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Merivale’s The Paddington to open on Oxford Street this month (Sydney)

In continuing their massive list of new openings, hospitality giants Merivale are just about ready to unveil the first of what will be three new properties on Oxford Street, opening doors to completely revamped space which will now be known as The Paddington. Formerly The Paddington Arms, Merivale’s flashy new pub reno will be in…

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InterContinental Sydney introduce new menus to 117 Dining and The Cortile

Iconic hotel InterContinental Sydney have welcomed a new Heard of Pastry in Simon Veauvy who has already begun assisting in revamping menus across the property’s dining options, including 117 Dining and The Cortile. Joining a talented culinary team which includes Tamas Pamer and Constantin Kautz, Simon shares the philosophy of working closely with NSW producers…

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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 –…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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….

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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,…

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