Jordan Clayden-Lewis

Historically speaking, a 'dive bar' has been less about trends, craft beers, and — dare we say — particularly friendly service. They're more about police raids, underground characters and sticky floors. In Sydney though, for better or worse, dive bars have evolved past the Bundy and Coke, schooners of Old, and criminal activity (as far as we're aware). What has remained from the dive tradition, is affordable drinks, unpretentious service and a distinctly lived-in atmosphere that makes these Sydney watering-holes comfortable and like you're right at home. Side-by-side with suits, punks, hipsters, queer folks, uni students and '90s revivalists, the humble dive bar is the great equaliser — where nobody knows your name and that's just fine. We've rounded up our favourite haunts to grab a brew when you just want to pull up a pew, switch off and have a good time. Want something a little more high-brow for your knock off? Make sure you check out Sydney's best cocktail bars. Or check out our ultimate guide to the coolest bars in Sydney here.

Oz Comic-Con has served proud folk across all fandoms for close to a decade, building solid foundations within the local community by serving up the latest and greatest of all things pop culture. Now that Sydney’s open for business again, the team behind Oz Comic-Con is back with a beacon of hope for the pop culture community that would give the Bat-signal over Gotham City a run for its money. Kicking off at Sydney Showground on September 24, Oz Comic-Con will deliver all the epic elements that have made the globally-enjoyed event so successful in the past. This year, visitors can expect to see guests from film and television (with photo and autograph meet-and-greets, naturally), comic artists and illustrators, and a show floor packed with content, which includes — but isn’t limited to — industry talks and panels, free-play gaming opportunities, workshops, and exclusive merchandising.  For their gaming zone, Oz Comic-Con has also partnered with the Australasian E-sports League (AEL), offering a variety of opportunities for avid gamers to battle it out against their friends and community members. Alongside this, we’ll see the return of staple events such as Cosplay Central and Artist Alley, Tabletop Gaming, and more.  So, whether you’re an Earper, a Jedi, or a Warlock, this fully immersive and all-ages event is the perfect opportunity to connect with your fellow fandom family after far too long apart. Single-day tickets for Oz Comic-Con Sydney can be purchased on the event web

With vegan diets on the rise globally, companies are getting more and more creative at crafting plant-based food that tastes and feels like meat, or similar, at least. Impossible Foods is the mastermind behind the juicy Impossible Beef you’ve probably heard of. And to celebrate the company’s long-awaited launch in Australia, Sydney cult-favourite sneaker, fried chicken, and champagne bar, Butter is popping up in the Rocks for a never-before-seen setup. Impossible beef is made from 100% plant ingredients and uses 91% less water, 92% fewer emissions, and 92% less land than beef from Australian cows. Opening on November 26, The Butter x Impossible pop-up will feature seven tasty dishes made with Impossible beef, so you can try out your favourite plant-based burger patty combinations made with bread supplied from the epic Bread & Butter project who donate profits to help those seeking refuge and asylum. Think meat-free cheeseburgers, Aussie burgers, and more, alongside chilli cheese fries.  To finish off your plant-based beef meal, you’ll be able to bite into one of Butter’s world-famous hot cinnamon doughnuts that we know and love. Butter Bar will also be mixing up three refreshing Hennessy and Belvedere cocktails, such as the B Breezy which is served with Belvedere, grapefruit, lime leaf, cranberry, and soda, a Very Special Negroni made with Hennessy, and also the Hennything’s Possible of Hennessy, yuzu, strawberry, Cointreau, lemon, and clarified milk.   This special pop-up wi

Attention all java devotees: the caffeine is calling in the Inner West. If you’re partial to a café that takes its coffee seriously but not itself, Ashfield Apothecary is a sure bet. This chilled space is tucked away in a little heritage shop on the green, suburban side of Ashfield train station, and while its baristas aren't messing around, you'll still find a relaxed, all-are-welcome vibe. Apothecary’s main selling point is its rotating roster of ethical coffee roasters, showcasing small-batch beans from local coffee makers such as Proud Mary, Market Lane, and Sample. Every two months, an international coffee roaster’s beans take the spotlight, or you can stick to their perennial tried and true house blend from Single O. Gotta catch ‘em all, right?  While specialty coffee is the main focus, there’s also a tight food offering featuring up-market riffs on cafe favourites that are designed to pair perfectly with your cuppa. Think fancy brekkie rolls with cured pastrami, fried egg, bush-tomato relish, kale, and sriracha mayo; house-made banana bread with cinnamon butter; and beautifully 'grammable açai bowls. If you're there for lunch, there are loaded sangas and nourishing salad bowls for you to chow down.  If you’re seeking to satisfy your sweet tooth, Apothecary’s Persian love cakes are made in-house and sold every Friday and Saturday. But you better get in quick. Word on the street is that these Middle Eastern sweets sell out pretty quickly. Although if you do miss out, the

The team behind Frenchies Brasserie in Elanora and the Sunshine Coast is set to open their third bistro, Frenchies Rotisserie in Manly on Tuesday, November 9, just in time for summer to swing into action. While Frenchies Rotisserie is essentially a takeaway chook shop, what sets it apart is the French style preparation, where Bannockburn free-range chickens are brined in a signature mix of herbs and spices before being slowly roasted, rotisserie style. As well as juicy and moreish chooks, Frenchies is slinging quality sides like frites, roast vegetables, cauliflower salad, soba noodles with edamame and seaweed, and potato salad – made in small batches and replenished frequently. Don’t forget to grab a few house-made pastries and French beers when you’re there. The laidback, fresh and earthy decor makes Frenchies feel more reminiscent of what you might expect of a Parisian café rather than a chippie in Manly. While there are a few tables inside and an alfresco dining area outside, why not head to the beach and fight a seagull for the last frite?

Much-loved Mexican chain Fonda opened its first restaurant in Melbourne’s Richmond ten years ago. Since then, it has grown to open a whole bunch of venues across Melbourne and Sydney. Thankfully, quality has not been compromised with quantity so Sydneysiders should make a bee-line for the mini-chain's second outpost in Sydney, on Crown Street. The Surry Hills casa is Fonda’s ninth venue, and much like its sister venue in Bondi which opened in 2017, the new two-storey digs in Surry Hills will serve up fresh Mexican cuisine inspired by the fondas of Mexico. Joining the menu is all your Fonda favourites, including tried and true tacos, chargrilled quesadillas, burritos rolled with their signature flour tortillas, and nachos with house-made guacamole and pico de gallo. The menu will be available for both dine-in and takeaway. We can’t forget the Margs either. Mexican eats and Margaritas are a match made in heaven. Fonda’s killer cocktail list features a tasty Margarita collection - from house specialities to traditional and frozen. You can also enjoy a selection of cerveza (beer), cider, and a wine list of local and international producers. Fonda Surry Hills also features a separate dining and outdoor courtyard called ‘Atico’, which will double as a private event space accommodating up to 80 guests. Did someone say Fonda fiesta?

The team behind popular CBD Middle Eastern eatery Above Par has opened an authentic Turkish bakery in Botany. But unlike its sister venue – with its glass-walled space and blushing upholstery – this new venture summons a more rustic spirit, not just in its decor but also in the authenticity of its kitchen talent.   The Malika Bakehouse features a team of Turkish bakers serving up a selection of freshly baked pastries. Everything from borek, a thin flaky dough with a variety of fillings; to baklava, the layered filo pastry dessert we know and love, filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey. You can also enjoy a corek, which is a salty-buttery seeded muffin (yum); pogaco, a burnished savoury bread with a rich, dense finish; or acma, a soft Turkish bagel with a toasted sesame crust. The Kunefe is a must-try – a traditional Middle Eastern dessert made with spun pastry, stretchy cheese, carob butter, pistachio, and ice cream. Think of it like a hybrid of a sweet pizza and a crumbly cookie. Unsurprisingly, Malika Bakehouse’s offerings don’t stop at their daily baked goods and decadent desserts. You can also tuck into a set menu of breakfast and brunch items – Turkish style – such as Simit Sandwiches, which is a national breakfast dish of Turkey; and a Kofte Plate, consisting of Turkish meatballs, bulghur rice, and lavash. And of course, the distinctly rich Turkish coffee is a next-level caffeine fix.  With booth seating and communal tables inside and in the large outdoor ar

Just in time for the festive season, the Shell House is nearly ready to open its doors. Perched high above the CBD, this brand-new rooftop destination will house three bars and a dining room, including an open-air rooftop bar that opens November 10. Centering around the 400-tonne heritage Shell House Clocktower, Sky Bar is the second of the Shell House venues to open, after Menzies Bar, offering guests a new perspective on the cityscape. Designed for a fun and relaxed atmosphere, Sky Bar is serving up a delicious menu of drinks and snacks that’ll tantalise your tastebuds at high altitude. With the weather getting warmer, it’d be rude not to get on the Spritz train, right? Sky Bar has a light and bright list of them ready to be knocked back, alongside a line-up of Champers, progressive and classic wines, and more. On the food menu, you’ll find opulent share plates like Oscietra caviar, a spiced snapper collar, and coal-roasted quail. Following on from Sky Bar’s opening, Shell House will then open up the Clocktower Bar on Wednesday, November 17. Also nestled in the iconic clocktower, this luxe space offers a more intimate experience. Lined in timber joinery that captures the glory of the 1930’s Art Deco period, The Clocktower Bar is all about understanding the heritage of Shell House, all the while exploring the depth of classic cocktails. The room features a soaring clocktower to gaze up at, alongside the fully restored clock mechanisms. So not only can you expect tasty drinks

On average, men die six years earlier than women, with some reasons largely preventable. Movember is an annual event during the month of November to raise awareness on men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide. It isn’t just about growing a moustache for the month, although that is the main way the campaign encourages donations. Over eighteen years of impact, Movember has funded over 1250 men’s health projects, across 23 countries. This includes the development of 54 life-saving inventions, 74 therapies and 107 new kinds of diagnostic tests for prostate cancer, plus community-led mental health projects that have changed and saved thousands. THICC Cookies are renowned for their audaciously chunky New York-style cookies and brownies. Now, this bakery in the Rocks has gone one step beyond and baked up a very special Mo-Choc-Chip cookie just for Movember, helping raise funds for this excellent cause. The thick New York-style choc chip cookies come complete with their very own chocolate facial hair and cost just $7 for one or $26 for a Movember PRO-MO Box consisting of two moustache cookies and two Funfetti cookies. Best of all, 100 per cent of the purchase price from every Mo-Choc-Chip cookie sold in November is being donated to help fund even more men’s health projects. So even if you can only buy one (or a box), every bit counts.  “Mental health issues are a serious issue in the hospitality sector and we wanted to do something to help t

The Four Pillars Laboratory on Crown Street, like every other hospitality establishment in Sydney, has had a pretty quiet few months. But now that the city had finally reopened, so has the Lab, and all the fresh menu items, cocktails, workshops, and masterclasses that come with it. For those not already in the know, this shop-cum-bar-cum-classroom is a place to taste, talk, buy and make gin under the guidance of Melbourne's most beloved juniper genies.  One thing that has come with the reopening of this Surry Hills gin joint is a brand-new menu, which includes Eileen’s Martini Service, a new way to sip down a Four Pillars Martini. You can choose between a Picual or Eileen’s 50/50, and you'll be furnished with not one, but two Martinis. The first 50mL will come served in a chilled glass, garnished and ready to drink. Then you get to pour and garnish the second serve yourself. In true Lab style, it’s a great way to get more hands-on with your cocktail and is perfect for showing off your mixology skills on date night, by the way. One of the most bougie additions to the new menu is the Jatz & Bloody Shiraz Gin Caviar, the perfect snack to pair with your gin tipples. You'll find it on the menu as Fancy Jatz, and it’s predicted to be a favourite snack when served with spring cocktails. The Gin Shop also has some new goodies on the shelves to get you stocked up for the festive season, including the 2021 Australian Christmas Gin, Christmas Gin Puddings, Cranberry & Gin Orange Relish

Recently launched Melbourne restaurant, Society, was forced to shut its doors just five days after opening due to the city’s extended lockdowns. Now, teaming up with South Australian distillery, Never Never Distilling Co, the two businesses crafted a new Oyster Shell Gin, a unique spirit inspired by the Australian coastline. Oyster Shell Gin uses Kangaroo Island oyster shells to pass on a minerality and subtle saline character to the gin. Other coastal botanicals such as saltbush, Tasmanian wakame and native coastal daisy also support the flavour of this delicate drop. While oyster shell gins aren’t exactly common on the global gin market – there are only a handful available worldwide –they are a growing category, especially here in Australia. Not only is Never Never's Oyster Shell Gin an expression of our sprawling coastline. But it’s also conceived as a contemporary seafood pairing option and is aligned with Society’s focus on delicate and stunning flavours. When tasting Oyster Shell Gin, the palate presents the savoury minerality of the oyster shell and dried Australian wakame. The mid-palate incorporates salted citrus, pine, and coriander spice. The finish is then long and luxurious, making the gin a winner in dry Martinis, spirit-forward cocktails, and with refreshing speciality tonics. This collaboration shows that when restaurants and distilleries unite, something special can be served up. Never Never x Society Oyster Shell Gin will be available at Society as they reop

In case you missed it, Taronga Zoo welcomed the birth of five adorable lion cups back in August – three females and two males. And until now, we’ve only been able to see the little cuties via a ‘Cub Cam’, which gave us behind-the-scenes access to watch them growing up. However, now that Taronga Zoo is back open, Sydneysiders can finally go see the cubs in person. Thursday, November 4th, is a mane event kind of day. In their brand-new home at Taronga’s African Savannah enclosure, the five lion cubs will be making their public debut, and for a roarly good view, guests can go and watch them from the zoo's new lion observation platform. This is the first time Taronga Zoo has had lion cubs in over 18 years, so it’s a pretty special occasion not to be missed. The cubs were born on August 12 to mum and dad, Maya and Ato, which also happened to be the first-time dad's fourth birthday. Taronga Zoo guests can visit the lion cubs from November 4th. Feeling in a wild mood? Here's where to find Sydney's best animal attractions.

Summer’s just around the corner, so the silly season shenanigans won't be far behind. Which makes the release of this fancy new bottled cocktail range by Maybe Sammy perfectly timed. If you aren’t familiar with Maybe Sammy, the Sydney bar won the Mitcher’s Art of Hospitality Award last year, which recognises the best level of service that bargoers can experience anywhere in the world. Not only that, but Maybe Sammy also jumped the ranks to number 11 in the 50 best bars in the world, judged by an international panel of 500 industry experts. So you can imagine that their new bottled cocktails are top-notch. Varieties include Italian Dirty Martini; an Italian take on a dirty martini featuring Oregano-infused olive brine, Cafe Tropical; a modern approach to a cocktail made with pineapple-infused rum, and an (almost) classic Old Fashioned with mandarine and frankincense for an extra Chrissie kick. Aside from the new range, Maybe Sammy will still be slinging their fan-favourite originals – Chamomile Martini, Eucalyptus Gimlet, Jasmine Negroni – and the limited edition Angelo Azzurro. Unsurprisingly, the drinks are super tasty, but they also come in adorable boxes that make them ideal Christmas gifts. They come in 100mL individual serves for just $18, a 500mL bottle for $69, a 3-pack of single serves for $54, or a 500mL trio pack for $219. Best of all, if you live in the Sydney metro area, you can choose your favourite bottled cocktails and get them delivered with premium block ice