THE COOLEST THINGS COMING OUT OF SYDNEY
10 trending recs from a tastemaking stylist

The up-and-coming Aussie soundsFBi is a not-for-profit independent community radio station in inner Sydney. They focus on emerging music, arts and culture and are great for finding out what’s going on in Sydney on a cultural level. They have a policy to play at least 50% Australian music, with most music coming from Sydney, so it’s great for new and interesting local music across different genres. Image: @fbiradio

The bespoke martini bar A relatively new and very cool martini bar in Newtown from the owners of other well-known and loved Sydney haunts. It feels relaxed, but is always busy and has a regular cohort of local fans lining up. There’s a lot of fun and theatrics (their signature cocktail is poured from large decanters and every drink is served with fresh spiced popcorn in a paper bag) but from the second you walk in it’s clear the bar is all about the skill and knowledge of the expert bartenders. You can order from the menu or choose your own adventure by writing how you like your martini on the back of a coaster. Overall, if you’re going for a quick drink or planning to stay it’s always a great time and good people watching. Image: @barplanetbar

The foodie's weekend hangout A regular weekend for Sydney locals usually includes a market. One of our best ones is Carriageworks Farmers Market on a Saturday morning. Carriageworks is now an arts precinct but it was formerly Sydney’s old Railway workshops, so although modernised it’s an industrial area with all the old fixings and sets a great backdrop to the market. I like to recommend it to anyone visiting Sydney because it gives a good sense of the city both architecturally and culturally. Alongside great produce and flower merchants are some of Sydney’s best chefs serving their interpretations of brunch. It draws a big crowd by mid-morning and is always great for people watching. Image: @carriageworksfarmersmarket

The latest trendI guess because it’s so transeasonal and we spend a lot of time at the beach or outdoors, for whatever reason socks and sandals seems to be a bit of a thing we love in Sydney… 

The must-watch docuseriesAn Australian documentary series created and directed by the brilliant First Nations filmmaker Warwick Thornton, and filmed by his son, Dylan River, who is an upcoming DOP. The series was made in 2020 but is still available to watch on SBS and NITV. It is set at the furthest tip of the northwest coast of Western Australia in Jilirr, Dampier Peninsula, filmed over the course of a month. It follows Thornton living in a beachside shack in complete solitude, fishing, foraging, and preparing his food. Visually, the documentary is stunning. I love it for its epic beauty, but honestly, I'm a fan of nearly everything Warwick Thornton does. Living vicariously through him for 6 episodes is a treat. Image: @sbs

The must-follow Insta pageThe DEA Store is a boutique in Redfern that has recently opened a gallery space in Surry Hills. They sell an eclectic curation of objects and homewares from Japan that sit alongside pieces from local artists and artisans. Their Instagram is interesting to follow because they have a great eye for local and international artists, and I always find it leads you to other great accounts. Image: @deastore

The cultural hotspot White Rabbit is a contemporary Chinese art gallery housing a significant collection of fascinating multi-disciplinary art by philanthropist Judith Nielsen in Chippendale. Nielsen is highly regarded in Sydney for her contribution to local culture and art. The gallery also has a library and a kiosk-style tea house serving dumplings and tea, which is a nice way to finish up. Also under the Judith Nielsen Projects umbrella is nearby Phoenix, a live theatre venue where artists and musicians are invited to create performances for one evening. Tickets are won via a ballot so it’s worth keeping an eye on what’s coming up. They’ve had Sampa the Great, among many others. Image: @whiterabbitgallery

The coolest neighbourhood Marrickville has always been a suburban area with a significant immigrant and student community, known for great Vietnamese food and the best Greek delis. Recently, with the next generations coming through, it has evolved into innovative restaurants celebrating their Australian immigrant culture, an underground music scene and diverse businesses making use of Marrickville’s endless supply of defunct warehouse and airy commercial spaces. Think warehouse parties, restaurants set in commercial spaces, artist co-ops and pop up galleries, breweries, artisan food mongers, cafes opening their roller doors at night for supper clubs and busy pubs. It was also the background to the Australian movie Candy with Heath Ledger and Abi Cornish. I highly recommend Baba’s Place, VN Street Food, Wildflower Brewery and Goldstreet Dairy. Image: @goldstreetdairy

The best on-the-go coffeePrimary coffee is a cute little hole in the wall with delicious coffee in Potts Point. They have a few seats and some baked goods, but I usually just go to get a coffee on the run or for the walk to Kings Cross markets on a Saturday. Image: @primarycoffee_

The must-try menu ​​​​ANTE is technically a sake bar, but in my opinion, has some of the best food in Sydney. It feels somewhere between a modern restaurant and an underground bar. The menu is Japanese influenced but takes inspiration from all over, and has a shifting menu so there is always something new and seasonal. Must-tries are the casarecce with crab, saffron and clementine, and the cucumber and melon with sesame and aleppo pepper. It’s vibey without being pretentious and the acoustics are amazing in that you can have a conversation and not feel like you’re listening in to other people’s. I love the decor and attention to detail, from the music to the table arrangements and the tiny origami crane left on your bill at the end of the service. It’s perfect. Image: @ante_syd