Alice grew up around Sydney's pub bands, so her friends were all musos, but writing was her thing. She did a degree in Communications (Journalism) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

She worked her way through roles in writing and editing at a range of magazines, including writing travel, lifestyle and food content for the Virgin Australia magazine. She also worked on titles including Entertain Me, Management Today, Weight Watchers Magazine and, eventually, Women’s Health magazine for 10 years.

While working on Women’s Health’s Women in Sport campaign, she interviewed athletes daily, and became obsessed with spectator sport – especially women’s sport. So when she decided it was time to spread her wings and learn new things, this sporting focus led her to move into a marketing and content role for NRL Touch Football, and eventually a similar role at gym company One Playground.

But Alice loves writing and editing most, so she was thrilled to return to media, to Time Out, where she gets a chance to support her other passion: Sydney. She adores this diverse place she's always called home – from the scruffy music venues of her childhood, like The Bridge Hotel, to her new favourites, such as Lazybones, as well as all the incredible restaurants, beaches, bushwalks (and sporting events!) in between. She feels lucky to spend her weekdays exploring the city for work, and her weekends with her husband and son.

To read a Q&A with Alice, click here.

Alice Ellis

Alice Ellis

Editor in Chief, Australia

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Articles (158)

The best French restaurants in Sydney

The best French restaurants in Sydney

France – the home of love, day drinking, red berets and impossibly stylish people. It’s also home to fine French fare: everything from soft cheeses and fresh baguettes to bouillabaisse bursting with the flavour of the sea. When your annual leave is all dried up, Francophiles can get their fix at one of Sydney’s many excellent French restaurants. Here are the best places to dine on French cuisine, from steak frites to silky crĂšme brĂ»lĂ©es, so you can feel oh-so French any day of the week. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. While you're here, check out: These are the best Italian restaurants in Sydney Here's where to find the tastiest Greek food in Sydney Quench your thirst with our list of the best bars in the city
The best bottomless brunches in Sydney right now

The best bottomless brunches in Sydney right now

There’s a lot to love about bottomless brunch. Firstly – and perhaps the most obvious one – is the allure of free-flowing booze enjoyed with your best mates over a few glorious hours, be it Champagne, Aperols, Margaritas or beers. Secondly, Sydney’s cafĂ©s and restaurants sure do put on a show with their bottomless brunch, with generous and delicious dishes, as our Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure can attest to (and, she’s tried a lot). Plus, they’re excellent value, when you consider you get a feast and a bunch of tipples. We’re collated our top bottomless brunch picks below, which include everything from pretty Middle Eastern restaurants to classic watering holes, chic wine bars and relaxed coastal eateries. Round up your gang, make a booking and get stuck in. Cheers! Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: These are the best happy hours in Sydney right now Start your morning on the right note with our guide to the city's finest cafĂ©s Love a long lunch? Have a look at our guide to the top set menus in Sydney at all price points
The 28 best hotels in Sydney

The 28 best hotels in Sydney

The Emerald City is peppered with a whole host of dreamy stays – from boutique boltholes with rooftop pools overlooking trendy city suburbs to sky-high towers with uninterrupted views of the Opera House. To help you choose which is right for you, our team of writers (including Lifestyle Writer Winnie Stubbs and Travel and News Editor Melissa Woodley) have shared their top picks for the best places to stay in Sydney – along with tips on how to make the most of your stay. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: These are the best glamping sites in NSW. These are the best camping sites near Sydney. And these are the best spots for a weekend away if you’re keen to get out of town. Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.
The best sandwiches in Sydney right now

The best sandwiches in Sydney right now

Sandwiches? Well, they're the best thing to come out of slicing bread. Here, the criteria is pretty simple: very good things in between two very good slices of well-sliced bread. No burgers, bagels, scrolls or banh mi (they’re a league of their own). No half-hearted strings of romaine here, no siree. We're pretty passionate about sandwiches and spend our weekends hunting down our next crush. Below, you’ll find the most delicious sambos in town, from rainbow salad sandwiches to monster Reubens and classic chicken numbers. 'Wich on, friends. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Want more budget food? Here are the best cheap eats in Sydney right now. Heading our later? Check out our ultimate guide to the best restaurants in Sydney.
The best pizza restaurants in Sydney right now

The best pizza restaurants in Sydney right now

Sydney is no slacker when it comes to Italian food (just take a look at all these red-hot places here). And our pasta game is very strong. But when it comes to our pizza restaurants, we reckon they may be a slice above the rest. Whether you're a sucker for traditional Neapolitan pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven and topped with beautiful produce, get around NY-style slabs so big you can fold them in three, or you're hungry for a Sicilian-style slice with a thick and fluffy crust, Time Out Sydney's local food writers, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have pulled together the best places to get your fix – and these are the venues that are topping the class. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Hungry for more? Here's our pick of the very best restaurants in Sydney right now. Love Greek food food? Us too. Check out the finest Green eateries in Sydney.
The 38 best happy hours in Sydney right now

The 38 best happy hours in Sydney right now

We all know sh*t’s expensive right now. But the good news? You can still head out in Sydney and have a cracking time without it costing you an arm and a leg, thanks to our top-notch cheap eats, ripper steaks for $25 and under, and quality feeds for $20 and under. Plus, with most bars and restaurants offering happy hours, there’s still plenty of affordable boozing to be had. I’m out and about most nights for work, and I’m always on the lookout for great happy hours – ones that save your hard-earned cash, include a variety of options, and get bonus points if there are cheaper snacks available too. The catch? You might need to knock off work a little early, but I reckon you deserve it (sorry, bosses). Below, you’ll find the very best happy hour deals in Sydney, where you can snag a schooner from $6, tasty bites from $5 and cocktails from $10. It’s fun you can feel good about. I hope you have a happy time during these happy hours – I certainly have. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. After more fun for less? Here's our guide to the best free things to do in Sydney, the best op shops, and (of course) Sydney's best cheap eats. Thirsty for more? Here are the best bars in Sydney right now.
The best pubs in Australia

The best pubs in Australia

Look, it's no secret that we Aussies love a good pub. Whether you like bonding over schnitties at Trivia Tuesday or downing pints with a hearty Sunday roast, pub culture has something for everyone, every day of the week.  We've collated recommendations from our local writers across the country to bring you this list of Australia's best pubs. These legendary venues see it all: post-work bevvies, celebration dinners, darts competitions and even Hollywood movie crews. If it's ace food you're after, you'll want to visit one of the most charming pubs in regional NSW for grub crafted by a celebrated Sydney chef. Craving a cold pint of Guinness? A tiny beer garden in Hobart might be calling your name. Prefer your pint with a side of live music? Well, there are plenty of places to tick that box. Find your nearest one with our ultimate guide to the best pubs in Australia (in no particular order). For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. đŸč Australia's best rooftop barsđŸ„§Â The best pies in AustraliađŸ·Â Where to find Australia's best wineries
The 52 best things to do in Sydney in 2025

The 52 best things to do in Sydney in 2025

We might be a little biased, but in our humble opinion, Sydney's got it all. Can you think of many other cities in the world that rival its natural beauty, rich heritage and history that dates back thousands of years, and its creative, culinary and cultural offerings by world-class pros. In fact, there's so much to see, do, sip and ponder here, you could be forgiven for feeling a little overwhelmed. Worry not, dear reader – we're making it simple for you. Our team (including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, Lifestyle Writer Winnie Stubbs and Editor in Chief Alice Ellis) sifted through every good time the Big Smoke has to offer and put together a Sydney bucket list for the ages. The activities we've chosen will give you a super varied experience of the city – everything from the tourist attractions that are actually worth your time to secret swimming spots that locals know and love.Whether you're a new arrival or a born-and-bred local, this 2025 Time Out Sydney round-up of the city's must-do activities will help you experience Sydney from every angle. After all those great activities you're bound to be thirsty. We suggest you head to one of the best pubs in Sydney right now, or save your cash at one of the best happy hours in the city. Need somewhere to stay? Check in to one of Sydney's best hotels. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.
The 61 best pubs in Sydney right now

The 61 best pubs in Sydney right now

Winter 2025 update: It sure is cold outside. The good news? You can warm up at one of Sydney’s best pubs – think crackling fireplaces, hearty roasts and a feel-good vibe. Below, you’ll find our favourites. There's a lot that goes into making a great pub. They need to furnish you with an excellent meal and friendly service, and a game of pool or darts doesn't go astray. On a sunny day, it's all about having a welcoming beer garden, and on a Sunday, it's all about a cracking roast. There are a lot of rock-solid pubs in this city, and these are our picks of the bunch, pulled together by Time Out Sydney's local writers, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure. Cheers! Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. For something a bit less pubby, a bit higher end, see our picks of the best bars in Sydney. Hungry? Check out our ultimate guide to Sydney's best restaurants. 
The 73 best cheap eats in Sydney right now

The 73 best cheap eats in Sydney right now

Winter 2025 update: Two things that are true right now: sh*t’s expensive and it’s cold outside. The good news? You can still enjoy a delicious meal on a shoestring if you know where to look. Keep this guide handy next time you’re catching up with a mate. My current picks? Biang Biang Noodles in Haymarket (go for the lamb and cumin); Banh Cuon Ba Oanh in Marrickville (head there when it opens or in the late arvo); and Bar Italia – it’s Albo’s fave, too. Going out for a meal is sometimes a big occasion, worth the splurge. But it doesn't have to be that way. From banh mi to tonkotsu ramen, biang biang noodles to vegan burgers, and pretty much everything else in between, some of Sydney's greatest culinary hits are the cheapest. Time Out Sydney's local food writers, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have eaten their way around town to bring you this list, and while cheap isn't what it used to be, there are still lots of excellent affordable venues to check out. These are the ones well worth their salt. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Want to spend less at the big-ticket players? Check out our cheap fine-dining hacks.
The best restaurants in Newtown

The best restaurants in Newtown

For decades Newtown has been an evolving creature, where creativity abounds and self-expression is paramount. And yes, while we still want to #keepnewtownweird and vegans are still well catered for, there's plenty on the dining scene to keep even the most straight-laced pearl clutchers happy, too.  There's high-end dining to be had in this rainbow neck of the woods, but also a bunch of hyper-focussed regional diners dishing up everything from Egyptian street food to killer pizza and fiery Chinese hot pots. Time Out Sydney's local food writers, including Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have eaten their way around King Street and beyond to bring you this guide to Newtown's best restaurants. And if you're thirsty, check out our guide to Newtown's best bars here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: The best Sydney restaurants for your dining hit list
The best places to eat and drink in Circular Quay

The best places to eat and drink in Circular Quay

It's one of the first places you'll visit as a tourist, a pre-theatre go-to, and home to some of the most iconic views in the world – but being a tourist hotspot means Circular Quay is not without its pitfalls. Thankfully, apart from the over-priced tourist traps, there’s still great eating and drinking to be had in the area if you know where to look. Living in Sydney – and working as a professional eater and drinker – I’ve spent my fair share of time in Circular Quay. Below, I’ve rounded up the best restaurants and bars in and around the harbour, from flash fine diners like Quay and Aria to Basque-inspired wine bar Deux Frùres, cheap-and-cheerful spots like Mary's and Belles Hot Chicken, and top-notch watering holes Opera Bar and Apollonia. There’s a mix of price points and cuisines, but they’re all ace (unlike the annoying seagulls) – and somewhere you'd want to bring your mates from overseas. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. After restaurants in other parts of Sydney's city? Check out our guide to the best restaurants in the CBD. Want more? Check out our ultimate guide to the best restaurants in Sydney here.

Listings and reviews (160)

The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon

4 out of 5 stars
As I’m on my way to Sydney's Capitol Theatre for the new Australian production of The Book of Mormon, my friend tells me it’s the very first musical a lot of people see. Created by South Park duo Trey Parker and Matt Stone (with Robert Lopez), the show’s reputation for extremely irreverent jabs at religion draws a non-traditional theatre crowd. What I now realise my friend didn’t mean was, “it’s often the first musical kids see”. When I say the musical is extremely irreverent, I mean it. The humour is crass, verging on grotesque (some things I wouldn’t dare repeat). So it’s probably questionable that I’ve brought along my 13-year-old son with me. That said, he loves it.  Some of the humour is classic teen boy (i.e. a regular exclamation from one of the Ugandan characters that he has “maggots in my scrotum”). Very South Park. My son laughs loudly with the rest of the audience – and when the jokes go too far, he cringes, glancing around with a “should I be laughing at this?” look. Although the shock value is high, it’s nice seeing a Gen Alpha-ite who’s been raised on Youtube and other screen-based entertainment bopping along in his seat to the song and dance of a stage show.    What’s the premise of The Book of Mormon? The Book of Mormon tells the story of two young Mormon missionaries sent to a small village in Uganda. Although the story centres on Mormonism, Parker and Stone have been known to refer to the show as an “atheist’s love letter to religion” – a wink and a jab at o
Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival

Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival

Cherry blossom season will land in Sydney this winter, and with it, Auburn's beloved Cherry Blossom Festival, one of the most Instagrammable events on the NSW calendar. Running from August 16-24 2025 in the Auburn Botanic Gardens, this pink-hued festival is all about celebrating Japanese traditions, music, pop culture and food, with visitors able to wander through fields of fluffy pink sakura blossoms in a traditional Japanese garden.As always, this year’s program is brimming with food, activities, workshops, live music, dance and taiko drumming performances. Take a self-guided stroll beneath the blossoms, catch a mesmerising dance, music or floral arrangement demonstration, then head to the ‘Zen Zone’ and take some deep breaths by the billabong. If you’re keen to get creative, you can join one of the many workshops on offer – with the opportunity to learn everything from origami to the art of manga drawing.The Japanese Food Village will be back in full swing, serving up creative traditional Japanese delights and creative Japanese-fusion treats – arrive hungry.Tickets cost $16.60 per adult and $8.95 for kids, and residents of Cumberland City Council can visit for free. To secure a spot, you’ll need to book – you can register and buy tickets here. Want more flower power? Check out our list of the best public gardens you can visit in Sydney. RECOMMENDED:These are the best things to do in Sydney this winter. And here’s what’s on in Sydney this weekend.
Dream Circus

Dream Circus

Considering that when Luna Park opened in 1935, the only other major attraction in Sydney was the Sydney Cricket Ground, the Art Deco amusement park has long been a significant site for the city – an important destination for escapism, especially considering it opened during the Depression. Although new rides have cropped up over the years, the heritage-listed park has retained a lot of its original features – which is why there was a lot of hype when Luna Park announced that it would be opening a brand-new, first-of-its kind, high-tech attraction back in late 2023. After a bumper first season, Dream Circus – the immersive experience created right here by a bunch of talented Sydney creatives and technicians – is back.  This week, Luna Park swung open the doors to a high-tech ‘Magic Box’ inside the existing 3,000 square metre Big Top building – a venue for the immersive adventure that is ‘Dream Circus’. Time Out got a sneak peek at Dream Circus before opening day, and we have to say, it’s hard to sum up in a few sentences what you’re in for. It’s part-3D movie, where actors take you on an adventure through the circus, to the seaside, underwater and into magical dream-like states. It’s part-musical, except that the action envelops you on three sides of the room, as well as the floor and ceiling. It’s a little like a Van Gogh Alive or Frida Kahlo multi-sensory exhibition, except that rather than images being projected onto flat wall and floor surfaces, the set is built with dept
French Impressionism: From the Museum of Fine Arts Boston

French Impressionism: From the Museum of Fine Arts Boston

French Impressionism is host to arguably some of the most famous (and most loved) artists of all time. Monet, Pissarro, Renoir, Van Gogh and Degas are just some of the artists who achieved such acclaim that they remain household names even a century after their deaths. And this winter, you can see some of the artist's most beautiful and well-known works right here in Melbourne at the NGV's new exhibition, French Impressionism: From the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. From June 5 to October 5, 2025, the NGV will host more than 100 French Impressionist works by artists like Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edouard Manet, Camille Pissarro, Edgar Degas, Paul CĂ©zanne and Mary Cassatt – including works never before seen in Australia. The exhibition is running in partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, which is well regarded for its collection of French Impressionist masterpieces.    A highlight is the display of 16 canvases in one gallery, painted over a 30-year period, by Claude Monet. These works depict many of Monet’s most beloved scenes of nature in Argenteuil, the Normandy coast, the Mediterranean coast and his famous garden in Giverny.  One of the best things about this exhibition is that you will also learn the stories of the artists, exhibitions and collectors that shaped this significant movement in art history. Originally brought to the NGV back in 2021, this exhibition had to close just after it opened due to (yep, you guessed it), the pande
Sambousek Parramatta

Sambousek Parramatta

5 out of 5 stars
✍ Time Out Sydney never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more, here. The vibe Relaxed, modern and edgy, this Lebanese street food restaurant on Parramatta's main eating strip, Church Street, is an excellent place to stop by for a cheap eat – perhaps on your way to or after a show at the Parramatta Riverside Theatres, or to take away and eat down by the river. The interiors have exposed brickwork, and there's a big sign painted on the brickwork in Lebanon's national colours, saying: Sambousek Lebanese Street Food. The counter is tiled around the edges in pretty Middle Eastern-style tiles, and there's a big, beautiful espresso machine on the countertop. You can walk in and take away, or there's seating out the back.  The food One of our favourite things about Sambousek is the huge, lit menus above the counter, which show photos of pretty much every dish you can order – so you know exactly what you're going to get. The photos are bright and colourful, and the food all looks fresh and delicious. There are loads of options to choose from so it's not easy to narrow it down. If you have a really big appetite, it'll be satisfied with a 'Phoenician Meal' (a mixed plate), which all come with tabouli, coleslaw, babaganoush, hummus, mixed pickles, plus your choice of a range of mains, including chicken shish, beef kafta, falafel
Lucien Baked Goods

Lucien Baked Goods

5 out of 5 stars
✍ Time Out Sydney never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more, here. Lucien Baked Goods is the baby of Parramatta’s most celebrated cafĂ©, Circa Espresso (just a ten-minute walk away), which has won People's Choice award for Favourite CafĂ© in Time Out's Food & Drink Awards several times, including in 2025. Lucien opened in late 2023 as a hybrid bakery-cafĂ© where you can come witness the pastry wizards at work while munching on oven-fresh croissants and sipping locally roasted coffee served in beautiful rustic mugs. I highly recommend the almond croissant. Light, flaky, buttery pastry encases a dense almond filling, and it's topped with a handful of crispy almond flakes and a dusting of icing sugar. Prime real estate is reserved in Lucien’s pastry cabinet for fresh pastries and cakes, which are baked on-site multiple times during the day. If you're having lunch, grab one of the generously-packed bagels from the display, or if you're after a sweet treat, there are canelĂ©s, choux buns, seasonal tarts, danishes and Lucien’s signature pistachio scroll of croissant dough, filled with pistachio cream and decorated with pistachio praline and rose petals. Good luck stopping at one. Cakes are available whole or by the slice including a burnt Basque cheesecake, gluten-free raspberry and almond Persian love cake, Russian honey cake (medo
Eleven Barrack

Eleven Barrack

5 out of 5 stars
✍ Time Out Sydney never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more, here. Being at Eleven Barrack feels like Christmas. Every dish or drink that lands on our table is like a gift – a perfectly presented package that, when unwrapped, contains a delightful treasure that’s a little unexpected. A very good surprise.  Take the spanner crab and fish pie. It’s a picture-perfect golden-crusted pot pie in a little cast-iron pot, with a pastry crab on top and a shellfish bisque served on the side in a classic silver gravy boat. The pie pastry is almost too flawless-looking to crack open, but when we do, we’re rewarded with a well-seasoned, creamy filling with finely chopped pieces of spanner crab, fish and spinach. It’s divine just as it is, but then you pour in the bisque, and the dish goes from delicious to unforgettable. The buttery pastry, tender seafood, creamy white sauce and that punchy, sea-flavoured sauce (the colour of crab shell) is like a pot of comfort food with a luxury upgrade. It’s arguable Sydney didn’t need another steak and seafood grill, but it did need this one. Just like Santa Claus, the Bentley Group’s co-owners Brent Savage (chef) and Nick Hildebrandt (sommelier) – who’ve also recently gifted us treats like King Clarence, Brasserie 1930 and a newly flavoured Monopole – have delivered yet again (in collaboration with g
One Playground Merrylands

One Playground Merrylands

5 out of 5 stars
One Playground (formerly Fitness Playground) has had lush gyms in Surry Hills, Marrickville and Newtown for many years (and now Haymarket), and if there’s one response that has dominated the comments section of this gym company’s social media accounts throughout that time, it’s “Bring One Playground to Western Sydney!”. Their wishes have been granted. And we bet this new Merrylands space is everything the community hoped for and way more. As a member of One Playground myself, I’d say this might just be OP’s best facility yet. It’s definitely their most expansive gym yet – 3,000 square metres of gym and wellness space is spread across two levels, including a 1,500-square-metre gym floor with more than 100 cutting-edge machines (including Technogym cardio, custom-made Gym80 strength gear, and exclusive Watson dumbbells).  This isn’t just a gym for those who want to flex their biceps in the floor-to-ceiling mirrors, though. One Playground’s “super-boutiques” are all about providing the whole shebang – the types of experiences you’d get from a gym and also boutique fitness and wellness studios, plus coaching – under the one roof for affordable membership prices. There are six studios offering up more than 300 classes per week: from the high-energy strength and conditioning classes in the Force studio to boxing in Legacy, and mindful movement classes in Motion.  There’s also reformer Pilates, and a tranquil recovery zone featuring private infrared saunas as well as communal saunas
Guildford Hotel

Guildford Hotel

4 out of 5 stars
✍ Time Out Sydney never writes starred restaurant and bar reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills, and anonymously reviews, so that readers can trust our critique. Find out more, here. The Guildford Hotel has been on the main street of Guildford (about a 12-minute drive from Parramatta) for almost 100 years and, prior to recent renos, it was a fairly no-frills pub – a place for a beer while watching some sport. Western Sydney hotel group Sonnel has recently developed the suburb’s only pub to make it more of a community-gathering spot, an inclusive place for families and the whole community. Their mantra is “community spirit and safety at the forefront, with a dedication to family values”. The vibe There’s a sports bar with pool tables and screens on the left-hand side of the bar as you walk in, and a big, welcoming bistro on the other side, lined with comfortable, family-sized booths – the perfect place to settle in for a pub lunch or a night out with friends. There’s also a cocktail bar section these days, designed by mixologist and distiller Peter Clarke. Yep, if you came here before the glow-up, you won’t recognise the place now. There’s more dining room if you keep walking straight ahead, and everywhere you go, you’re greeted with colourful illustrations of a cockatoo – including in the beer garden, where there’s a mural painted by artist Nico Nicoson and students from Western Sydney Uni. The service is a stand-out – super-welcoming, fr
Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders

Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders

5 out of 5 stars
Pictures of Melbourne’s Hotel Indigo always showcase the wow-factor feature walls behind the hotel beds – the wall displays a striking, larger-than-life photo of a woman’s face. She’s wearing sunglasses and peeking out from behind an actual fabric (not photograph) curtain that drapes along the wall. The photo is by famous Melbourne-based fashion photographer Helmut Newton. His photographs grace walls throughout the hotel, in all of the rooms, as well as the lobby and bar – an appropriate style theme, considering Newton had a photography studio on this hotel’s very street (Flinders Lane) back in the 1940s. It’s also a dramatic style theme, which makes this a stylish yet affordable base for anyone (like me) who finds the blank walls and beige carpets of more corporate-like hotels soul-destroying.  Why stay at Hotel Indigo Melbourne? As soon as I check in to Hotel Indigo, I realise every little detail here has been considered to make sure you have a memorable Melbourne stay. As well as Newton’s photos, there is striking dĂ©cor (an old-fashioned photographer’s light, for instance), button-controlled curtains (my fave), a range of adjustable lighting options to suit the hour and mood, and a wonderful French-style bar and bistro. To top it off, there’s even a free photobooth in the lobby, so you can capture some special Indigo moments during your stay as keepsakes. This isn’t the only Hotel Indigo – Indigo properties are part of the IHG Hotels & Resorts group, which also includes In
Parkroyal Parramatta

Parkroyal Parramatta

4 out of 5 stars
Parramatta is buzzing. It’s got a light rail that takes people from one end of the city to the other and down Church Street, which is jam-packed with restaurants (every cuisine you can think of). There’s a cool town square; the Riverside Theatres; Western Sydney Stadium; a walk and cycle path that runs all the way along the river; Nick & Nora’s sky-high bar; Sydney’s most delicious array of Indian restaurants nearby in Harris Park; and an absolutely delightful riverside restaurant called Misc. If you want to make the most of all that Sydney’s second CBD has going for it, there’s no better place to stay than Parkroyal Parramatta, which is a lovely stay smack-bang in the middle of the action. You can easily walk to every one of the places I just mentioned.     Why stay at Parkroyal Parramatta? The Parkroyal is in the heart of Parramatta – on Phillip Street, near the corner of the restaurant-lined Church Street, which heads straight to the river. It’s close to the ferry, train station and light rail. It’s close to CommBank Stadium (but also Olympic Park's venues), the Riverside Theatres, the Westfield, Parramatta Park, and all the nature and heritage landmarks you might want to (should) explore. Most of the hotel's rooms have recently been refurbed – really beautifully – and the hotel has all the facilities you might be after: a pool, a gym, 24-hour room service from the ground-floor bar, buffet breakfast from the on-site restaurant, WiFi, large flat-screen TVs and more.   What
Quincy Hotel Melbourne

Quincy Hotel Melbourne

5 out of 5 stars
As I take the lift up to the 19th floor of the Quincy Hotel in Melbourne’s CBD, we stop at different levels and I see, as the lift doors open, that there’s a fabulous feature wall opposite the lift on every floor of the hotel. Some of the walls are covered in thousands of tassels, others in woven tapestries and some in feather-like materials. This is no cookie-cutter hotel – Quincy has a big personality.  Why stay at Quincy Hotel Melbourne? I get the same impression as I enter my room. The wall behind the bed features a bedhead-like artwork of pinky-red fabric with a big blue feature spot. It’s not a luxury hotel – it’s an accessible hotel with affordable rates, yet there are creative touches throughout that make sure you’re in for a fun stay. I’m not a fan of a hotel room with no soul, so this place is my vibe.  How cute is this? Quincy offers a Fragrance Service. If you’ve left your signature scent at home, or want to try some of the most popular perfumes out there, you can scan the in-room QR code and they’ll bring up their range of scents – for free – so you can spray away and find something you love. Bonus points: Quincy is the first hotel in Victoria to be a ‘Climate Active Carbon Neutral Building’ certified through the National Australian Built Environment Rating System. How good! Quincy has that small, boutique hotel feel, but remarkably, it stretches 29 storeys into the air, with 241 rooms and a rooftop bar at the peak.    What are the rooms like at Quincy Hotel Melb

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This Sydney café is leading the charge when it comes to accessible dining

This Sydney café is leading the charge when it comes to accessible dining

Tokyo Lamington is known for its delicious specialty lamingtons. What is less well known is that they’re a leader in the accessible-venues space, and advocate for other Sydney businesses to make their venues inclusive for people with low vision and blindness. This is an important example to set, considering people with low vision or blindness are still often turned away from hospitality venues for having a guide dog in tow. Tokyo Lamington put all its staff through accessibility training as part of the Access Means Business campaign developed by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT earlier this year. This training ensured Tokyo Lamington’s staff are fully prepared to assist customers with low vision and blindness and accommodate all people with disabilities, including Guide Dog Handlers.  Tokyo Lamington has hosted multiple events this year to encourage other venues to follow their lead, including the launch of the Access Means Business campaign, in collaboration with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT and the City of Sydney, and a pop-up event, inviting the local community and other local business owners to discuss how they can improve accessibility. Photograph: Supplied | Guide Dogs At the pop-up event, staff members who have undergone accessibility training spoke on what they’ve learnt, with many community members expressing shock at the discrimination people with low vision and blindness often face in hospitality venues. Members of the local police force also attended and voiced their support for the in
Time Out's Arts & Culture Awards are back for 2025 in Sydney and Melbourne

Time Out's Arts & Culture Awards are back for 2025 in Sydney and Melbourne

Australia’s arts and culture scene is buzzing. From musical extravaganzas and daring indie shows to blockbuster exhibitions and thought-provoking visual art, our diverse country is no longer just celebrated for its natural beauty. So, Time Out Australia is pleased to announce the return of our Arts & Culture Awards for 2025, covering 16 award categories. These awards – celebrating the best in performing arts, visual arts and museums over the past year – will be presented in both Sydney (in partnership with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra) and Melbourne (with the support of the Australian Cultural Fund).  Time Out launched these awards last year, and we’re pleased to present our second annual edition in 2025.  Australian Cultural Fund Manager Tracy Woolacott says, "Celebrating the daring and thought provoking is in our DNA here at the Australian Cultural Fund, so we couldn't be more excited to be partnering with Time Out to bring the Arts & Culture Awards back to Melbourne for the second year." The Sydney Symphony Orchestra also says they're proud to support an initiative "that champions the creativity, passion and diversity of Australia’s vibrant cultural scene", also adding: "These awards celebrate not only excellence in performance, but also the communities that bring the arts to life. We believe in the power of music and the arts to inspire, connect and elevate, and we’re thrilled to be part of this celebration of artistic achievement in Sydney and beyond." What are the Time
I spent 48 hours in this riverside Sydney suburb and never expected to feel this way

I spent 48 hours in this riverside Sydney suburb and never expected to feel this way

It’s funny how you can live somewhere your whole life and still overlook whole chapters of its story. For me, Parramatta was one of those skipped pages – a place I’d passed through, not somewhere I’d lingered. A bit too far for a casual dinner, a bit too close to feel like a getaway. But when my friend and I were after an easy mini escape, we took a chance on this riverside city in Sydney’s west. What we found wasn’t only great food, a buzzing high street, top bars, culture, history, nature (who knew?), but also a whole new perspective on our own city. We check into the Parkroyal Parramatta because it’s in the middle of the action, and the rooms have just had makeovers. From our room we can see the whole town: a mix of new and heritage buildings, Western Sydney Stadium, a glimpse of the river, and Church Street, which is lined with restaurants and serviced by the brand-new light rail. Photograph: Alice Ellis for Time Out We start our first evening at the Club Lounge for some complimentary bubbles and canapĂ©s, and then dinner in the hotel restaurant, Table 30. Then we hit up one of Sydney’s best bars, Nick & Nora’s – a glamorous, Art Deco-style cocktail and Champagne bar 26 storeys in the air. From up here, the city sparkles.  Next morning after brekkie (omelettes on demand, hashbrowns, waffles!), we take the Australian Heritage Walk along the river. The track is dotted with signs that trace the history of the Burramattagal people of the Dharug Nation – their deep connection
I live in one of the world’s best cities for culture right now – and this is what it’s really like

I live in one of the world’s best cities for culture right now – and this is what it’s really like

Last week Time Out named Sydney the fifth top city in the world for culture, up there with Paris, Florence, Edinburgh and Mexico City, which took spots one to four in Time Out’s 2025 list of the World’s Best Cities for Culture Right Now. ‘Right now’ is the operative phrase. Of course Sydney doesn’t have historic landmarks like the Louvre or Michelangelo’s David. But the Emerald City is finally breaking free from its all-looks, no-brains reputation, thanks to a load of work that’s gone into making Sydney a more vibrant city, and this result reflects that it’s actually beginning to pay off. After the announcement, NSW Minister for the Arts, Music and the Night-Time Economy, John Graham, MLC, then weighed in, citing some of the factors that have helped “bring Sydney back to life”. “[It’s] involved cutting lots of red tape that was holding back small venues through to large cultural events," he says. Just some of those red-tape slashes have included the introduction of Special Entertainment Precincts, where venues and patrons can make noise into the night; increased incentives for venues to host live music; the extension of venue trading hours; and the removal of some outdated rules like the no-standing-while-drinking rule, the 5km-radius-sign-up rule at clubs and the concert cap on stadiums. Sydney has definitely lost some of the wowser in the last couple of years.  I’ve lived in Sydney my whole life, so I’ve witnessed Sydney’s ongoing cultural evolution first-hand. And, as Edit
It's official: These are the 9 best burgers in Sydney right now

It's official: These are the 9 best burgers in Sydney right now

There are a few dishes that seem to rile Sydneysiders up more than others. The best bánh mì, for instance. Or the top places to get cracking fish and chips. Sydney’s best burgers is another lava-hot topic, with people caring about buns (nearly) as much as their firstborn. We are those people. There are a million and one variations on the burger, of course, but the essence of a truly great burger remains the same: a two-handed meal made with fresh, quality ingredients, a complementary balance of flavours and textures – salt, zing, crunch – and one that makes you smile. Here is Time Out’s guide to the nine best burgers in Sydney right now, based on us eating our way right around town. Odds are, your list will be a bit different – but the two things we can all agree on are: charcoal has no place in burger buns. Same with anything low-fat. We’re simply not interested. 1. Gidley Burger at The Gidley The burger at subterranean swish steakhouse The Gidley is our absolute favourite in Sydney. And it’s not just us – it was the only Aussie burger to make the coveted Top 10 Burgers in the world 2024 list. Made on a milk bun, it features a double beef patty sourced from their in-house butchery at sibling restaurant Alfie’s, rich cheddar cheese, secret sauce and zingy pickles. Best not to share.  Photograph: Supplied/The Gidley 2. American Cheeseburger at Next Door Neil Perry’s Margaret was recently voted the second-best steak restaurant in the world, so it makes sense that the patty at
This Australian city is one of the world’s 5 best cities for culture – and it’s not Melbourne

This Australian city is one of the world’s 5 best cities for culture – and it’s not Melbourne

Melbourne, brace yourself for a culture shock – you’ve just been dethroned as Australia's ‘cultural capital’. We promise we’re not here to stir the pot. Time Out just published its list of the Best Cities for Culture Right Now, and Melbourne’s biggest rival claimed the top Aussie spot and cracked the global top five.  To determine the rankings, Time Out surveyed 18,500 city dwellers around the world – including Melbourne – on their hometown’s cultural scene. Based on the responses, each city was scored on both the quality and affordability of its cultural offering, with only the highest-scoring cities for each country making the long list. Time Out’s culture experts (our global network of city editors and arts and culture writers) then weighed in, voting for their favourite cultural destinations.  Unsurprisingly, Paris ranked as the best city for culture on the planet, with an enormous 96 per cent of Parisians rating their city’s culture scene as either ‘good’ or ‘amazing’ in the survey. But here’s a shocking stat: Sydney came fifth on the list, receiving the joint-highest share of votes from the culture-experts panel as Paris. Bloody oath!  Photograph: Getty Images Yep, our Emerald City tied with Paris as a favourite among Time Out’s panel of experts – and Sydney locals are frothing over our arts and culture scene at the moment, too, with 70 per cent rating this city’s culture scene favourably, highlighting events like the Sydney Film Festival, Sydney Mardi Gras and Sydney
Sydney has just ranked in the world's top 5 cities for culture on this global Time Out list

Sydney has just ranked in the world's top 5 cities for culture on this global Time Out list

Sydney gets a lot of attention for its looks – our stunning harbour, pristine beaches and incredible national parks come to mind. But look beyond the surface beauty, and you'll find that Sydney has a rich arts and culture scene that is increasingly grabbing attention. Now, Sydney has been recognised for being the fifth-best city in the whole world for culture, according to a huge reader survey that forms the basis of Time Out’s World’s 20 Best Cities for Culture Right Now. Earlier this year, Time Out published its annual list of the world’s greatest cities. Some places earned kudos for their food scenes, others got top marks for their world-class public transport and walkable streets. But which were the top of the pops when it comes to art and culture? To find out, Time Out quizzed 18,500 locals in cities across the planet about the culture scene in their hometown. Photograph: OA/Neil Bennett | Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour: Guys & Dolls (2025) Based on survey responses, each city got a score for both the quality and affordability of its cultural offering, and only the highest-scoring cities for each country made the long list. Time Out’s culture experts (our global network of city editors and arts and culture writers) then weighed in, voting for their favourite cultural destinations.  It’s quite an achievement for Sydney to rank 5th in the whole world, especially considering the other top cities on the list. Paris took the number one spot, with an enormous 96 per cent of
Usher in Sydney: How to get tickets, presale, dates & everything you need to know about Usher's 2025 Australia tour

Usher in Sydney: How to get tickets, presale, dates & everything you need to know about Usher's 2025 Australia tour

If you never got over the R'n'B era of the early 2000s, now's the time to relive it. The man who is arguably the king of the genre is coming to Sydney for a run of four arena shows – yes, the one and only Usher is gracing us with his presence. As he would say, oh my gosh. As part of his Past Present Future world tour, Usher has just announced a total of eight Aussie shows in Sydney and Melbourne later this year. It's a long-awaited return Down Under for the 'Love in this Club' singer, who hasn't performed on our shores since his first solo headline tour, the OMG tour, in 2011.  The tour is essentially a victory lap for the iconic artist, who is performing in celebration of his incredible 30-year career, singing all his hits like 'DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love', 'Burn' and heaps more. Currently touring around the world, Usher is already creating lots of hype – i.e. the viral clips of him feeding women in his audience cherries. Clearly, he's still got it. So if you've got it bad for the king of R'n'B, here's everything you need to know about Usher's Sydney shows for the 2025 Past Present Future tour. When are Usher's Sydney shows for his 2025 Australia tour? Usher will perform four shows at Qudos Bank Arena in early December, on: Monday, December 1; Tuesday, December 2; Thursday, December 4 and Friday, December 5. Yep, Christmas is coming early. Where is Usher performing in Sydney? Usher will perform his four Sydney shows at Olympic Park's Qudos Bank Arena in early December. That
I finally learnt to surf (at a fake beach in Western Sydney) and this is what it was like

I finally learnt to surf (at a fake beach in Western Sydney) and this is what it was like

I grew up on Narrabeen Beach – not on it, but practically on it. The shack I lived in was built on the sand dunes, back when they were knew better, and before 'beachfront' meant a $12-million teardown. I spent countless salty childhood hours bodysurfing and getting thrown about by the waves, but I never caught the surfing (on a board) bug. So when my husband and son want to go try the perfectly formed waves at Sydney’s new wave park (I say ‘new’, but URBNSURF turns one next week!), I decide to go along to Olympic Park and take a beginner surf lesson. What better way to learn than on the consistent, predictable waves of an artificial surf park? I’m not alone in my late-onset surf ambition; in the year since opening, more than 18,000 women have taken learn-to-surf lessons, with female entry to the park increasing all the time.  I can only get into a 7.30am session, but that ends up being a blessing – my class is just me and two others. Our lesson starts on dry land, and my coach is good to learn from, because he too only started learning to surf as an adult (he knows what it’s like to flail). He gives us a safety briefing, then teaches us how to lay on the (foam) longboard and paddle, do a kind of cobra pose, and then a couple of different options for standing up. Photograph: Alice Ellis for Time Out He warns us that one of the hardest parts of being in the surf will be wading out with the board, not only because of the whitewash, but because there’s a current pushing against
Shocking fact: Sydney venues still turn away guide dogs – this new initiative is here to help

Shocking fact: Sydney venues still turn away guide dogs – this new initiative is here to help

It's a sad fact that – despite society's empathy and our love of Labradors – people with low vision or blindness are often turned away from venues for having a guide dog in toe. Shocking, right? (NSW law states that everywhere needs to allow guide dogs, including hospo venues.) These gaps in support often lead people to retreat from social interactions in public. Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is hosting an event at NSW Parliament House this week to celebrate the success of their new Access Means Business initiative (which provides hospitality businesses with resources to make Sydney’s venues more inclusive to people with low vision or blindness) and to launch the Self-Advocacy Toolkit (a practical resource created to support people with low vision or blindness to advocate for their rights).  This brand-new Toolkit will provide straightforward, accessible information about the legal right to enter hospitality venues in NSW with a guide dog, along with clear steps to take if access is refused.  Alan Edwards, a ‘Lived Experience Presenter’ says that when he started getting out and about with a guide dog, it was life-changing, but also surprising. “I was delighted at how much easier it was for me to be involved in life. I was also confronted by some people unfairly and illegally restricting access. “It was and remains challenging to stand up to this. This Toolkit gives people practical tools to confidently advocate for themselves and for inclusive practices. I hope that through toolkits lik
NSW early voting: everything you need to know for the 2025 Australian election

NSW early voting: everything you need to know for the 2025 Australian election

The democracy sausage is arguably one of Australia’s most iconic dishes (if you can call it that). But is that snag sambo really worth lining up at the local school on a Saturday to cast your vote? If you've got other plans on the Australian federal election day (this coming Saturday, May 3, 2025), you can pre-poll, and early voting is open now. We've broken down everything you need to know about casting your vote for the 2025 federal election. When is the Australian election 2025? Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called the next Australian federal election for this coming Saturday, May 3. Who has to vote in the Australian election? Anyone who is an Australian citizen, aged 18 and over, must vote in the election.  How to enrol in the Australian election?  All Australians must be enrolled to vote. You can check your enrollment here. If you've just turned 18 or moved since the 2022 election, you'll need to have already enrolled (close date for enrolment was 8pm on Monday, April 7). Failure to vote will result in a $20 fine. How to vote in the Australian election? On election day, Australians can vote at polling booths in their state or territory, including churches, schools, community halls and public buildings. Locations are available via the Australian Electoral Commission's “Where can I vote” page, with polling stations open from 8am to 6pm. Once you arrive at your polling station, you’ll be provided with two ballot papers. The smaller piece is for the House of Representa
Sydney's metro stations have been ranked based on how jam-packed the trains get

Sydney's metro stations have been ranked based on how jam-packed the trains get

Packed like a can of sardines. If you’ve ever travelled on the Sydney Metro during morning peak hour, you’re probably nodding in agreement. Sydneysiders have well and truly embraced the extension of the metro, but with popularity comes potential crowding, especially during the morning rush. And where does it get busiest? The Sydney Morning Herald has revealed that the M1 line gets particularly jam-packed at Crows Nest, which is the morning hot spot for city-bound commuters. Metro trains at Crows Nest Station depart at 82 per cent capacity during the 8 to 9am rush, and it’s projected to get more crowded, with ongoing residential and office developments in the area. Crows Nest's packed factor is closely followed by Chatswood (which depart at 77 per cent capacity), Victoria Cross in North Sydney (at 76 per cent capacity), and North Ryde (at 69 per cent capacity). So, where is everyone going? New data reveals that Martin Place Station recorded an average of 17,000 taps between 6.30am and 10am on weekdays in February – well above the 2024 forecast of 15,600. Gadigal Station (Town Hall) also surpassed projections, hitting 9,700 average taps in February, up from a forecast of 7,500. To give you a sense of scale, full capacity on these driverless metro trains is 1,152 passengers – that’s all 378 seats taken plus standing passengers. Morning peaks tend to be busier than evenings, with school and office start times overlapping, while the trip home tends to be more spread out because p