I must admit, before I discovered the Red Bull BC One competition was coming to town I had idea what b-boying was. Yet this exciting art has been around since the seventies!

So what is it? B-Boying is a unique performance art which combines gravity-defying freezes and intricate moves. The world’s top b-boyers bring skills in dancing, gymnastics, and martial arts to this amazing sport.

To spread the word about the Red Bull BC One competition, seven of the world’s top b-boyers are visiting Australia for an exhibition tour. They touch down in Sydney tonight for two very special shows. You’ve probably never heard of Brazil’s Pelezinho, Hong 10 from Korea, or Roxrite from the United States, but once you’ve seen them in action you won’t forget them.

Date: Thursday 28 August
Time: 10 pm
Location: Tank
Address: 3 Bridge Lane, Sydney
Date: Saturday 30 August
Time: 11 pm
Location: Selinas
Address: Coogee Bay Road, Coogee
Cost: Free
Website: http://www.redbull.com.au/

Image source: Scott Williams @ Flickr 

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

Guests are blindfolded, fitting with headphones, and sprayed with scented mists while they enjoy their favourite drink. The sensory journeys have been compared to spa treatments, although I can’t remember enjoying alcohol in any day spa!

“We are trying to sell it as an experience,” said Zeta’s consultant mixologist Grant Collins.

“By using your other senses you heighten your culinary experience, and if you can do it with food then you can do it with drink, but it has to be really obvious,” he added.

You can enjoy martinis while listening to Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack buddies or have a daiquiri while listening to some pounding Latino rhythms.

But my pick is the Tiki experience. How could you resist a pina colada served in a hollowed pineapple, the scent of coconut oil, and the gentle sounds of Polynesian music?

I thought cocktails couldn’t get any better, but I think I’ve changed my mind!

Trading hours: 5 pm til late Mondays to Saturdays
Location: Level 4, Hilton Hotel
Address: 488 George Street, Sydney
Public transport: Catch a #412, #413, #431-#438, #L38, #440, #L40, or #470 bus
Parking: Paid parking is available on site
Cost: Cocktail experiences cost $25
Website: http://www.zetabar.com.au/

Image source: Adyna @ Stock.xchng

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The owners have spent six years and millions of dollars restoring the popular pub. The décor is charming with a distinctly American feel. The original gothic columns have been lovingly retouched to their former glory, and the addition of plenty of gold leafing feels rich and inviting.

For the first time in history, all levels are open to the public. The main bar’s on the ground floor. This is the place to go to hear a live band or to shoot some pool. Go up a floor to enjoy the balcony, where you can sample dinner and drinks until late. There’s a function room on level two and an intimate lounge on level three. Level four’s for clubbing, with high energy dance music and brilliant glass dance floor. Level five is the rooftop which offers cocktails with a view (although admittedly the urban landscape isn’t exactly pretty). There’s another function room on level six, the Crown Room, which offers something a little more indulgent than the space on level two.

The food’s a cut above your average pub grub. Portobello mushrooms stuffed with veggies and a tasty bruschetta beats your run-of-the-mill fish and chips any day. However it’s also a lot pricier than your average pub. It’s the same situation with the alcohol. The drinks are tasty and the cocktail list inspired, but you’re probably going to leave with an empty wallet.

The Kings Cross Hotel is worth exploring to see what all the fuss is about, but you may want to wait until your next payday to really enjoy yourself.

Location: Kings Cross Hotel
Address: 248 William Street, Kings Cross
Public transport: Catch a train to Kings Cross Station
Parking: Limited metered street parking is available in the nearby side streets
Website: http://www.kingscrosshotel.com.au/

Image source: I’m George @ Flickr.com

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Known as the “Temple of Cheese,” it’s recently been given a stylish new facelift. Intimate lighting sets a romantic mood, while the black marble floor and minimalist décor add an air of sophistication.

Unlike most nightspots, you don’t have to yell and scream over thumping music. The soft jazz sounds are the ideal backdrop for conversations with friends or that special someone.

But of course, the biggest drawcards are the wines and cheeses. In fact, there are more than 270 wines and 100 cheeses to choose from. If all that sounds a little daunting, why not choose one of the specials? The White Cheese and Wine Flight and ever popular cheese board pair a selection of cheeses with expertly matches wines.

There’s also an awesome selection of breads, olives, cured meats, pates, and stacks more. Yummo. If you’re looking for a break from the night club scene, this just might be it.

Trading hours: Open Mondays to Fridays noon to 10 pm
Location: GPO Cheese and Wine Room
Address: Lower ground floor, 1 Martin Place, Sydney
Public transport: Catch the train to Wynyard station, which is one block away
Parking: Secure parking is available at the Westin Hotel, also at 1 Martin Place. Enter the car park via Pitt Street
Website: http://www.gposydney.com

Image source: Peter Donnelly @ Flickr

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

Image details: Establishment 5th Anniversary Party served by picapp.com

Ivy is the ambitious brainchild of Sydney nightclub mogul Justin Hemmes. His leisure pleasure palace promises to be a one-stop entertainment destination, and the first stage is open right now. Currently guests can dine and drink at one of the venue’s two restaurants and four bars.

Diners can choose from the American style grill Mad Cow. The menu was designed by super chef Peter Doyle so it should be something special. More adventurous tastes may way to check out Teppanyaki, which offers a modern twist on the Japanese classics.

Cocktail lovers will want to check out the Ivy Lounge, which promises “Mikey Enright’s most creative cocktail menu ever.” With creations like the Thai Basil Bang Bang and White Paper Bag, they might be right. The Ivy Bar has urban styling, an impressive wine list, and some tasty bar snacks. The Royal George creates the warmth of a traditional British Alehouse, complete with some quality pub grub. If you’d like to enjoy a drink outside, step out to the Ivy Terrace. This open air space has cool cabanas and views of the buzzing lower floors.

The Ivy also has a few spaces for just chilling out. Relax in the gorgeous outdoor patio, or the live music hub, The Den.

When it’s finished the Ivy plans to have 18 bars, a 1000 capacity ballroom, stacks of retail outlets, boutique hotel rooms, a day spa, a swimming pool bar, and plenty of restaurants. Quite simply it’s going to be massive. Stage 1 gives us a taste of what’s in store.

Trading hours: Restaurants open Mondays to Fridays for lunch and dinner, and Saturdays for dinner. Bars are open Mondays to Saturdays 11 am til late
Location: Ivy
Address: 320-330 George Street
Public transport: Catch a train to Town Hall station. Ivy is a short walk away
Parking: Limited street parking
Website: http://www.merivale.com.au/

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

This area’s more famous for strip joints than sophistication, but The Piano Bar breaks the mould. Here you can enjoy chic cocktails, delicious canapes, laid back tunes, and the kind of up market atmosphere rarely seen around these parts.

The Piano Room is already shaping up to be a great place to catch live music, with former Bardot pipette Belinda Chapple and Australian Idol contestant Daniel Mifsud scheduled to appear this week.

So let the 18-year-olds have their noisy clubs. If you’re over 30, you’ll have a much better time at The Piano Room.

Trading hours: Open daily from 5 pm until late
Location: The Piano Room
Address: Corner of Kings Cross and Darlinghurst Roads, Potts Point
Public transport: Catch a #324, #325 or #311 bus from the city
Parking: Limited street parking is available
Website: http://www.pianoroom.com.au

Image source: Luis Tapia @ Stock.xchng

Post from: The Sydney Traveler

We all love chocolate, but an Easter egg hunt for clothes, swimwear, and sunglasses is sure to go down a treat with fashionistas. And cocktails are the ideal way to satisfy your sweet tooth. DJs Tenzin and Timmy Trumpter, Peoples Republic, and Charlie Brown will keep you dancing til dawn.

Date: Sunday March 23
Time: 1 pm til late
Location: Ivy
Address: 320-330 George Street, Sydney
Public transport: Catch a train to Town Hall station
Parking: Park at the nearby Grosvenor Place Wilson car park
Cost: $80. Buy your tickets from Suite 11, 35 Buckingham Street, Surry Hills between 11 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday
Website: http://www.oneday.net.au

Image source: Andrejs Pidjass @ Stock.xchng

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The police list names the 100 most violent pubs and clubs in the state. Sadly, Sydney pubs claim the top two spots. The Mean Fiddler Hotel at Rouse Hill had 51 assaults last year, while The Coogee Bay Hotel had 41.

If you want to stay safe you might also like to avoid Manly’s Steyne Hotel and the Campbelltown Catholic Club. They come in at number four and five on the list.

The scariest part of all this is that many assaults go unreported, so the actual figures are likely to be much higher.

Image source: Patryk Specjal @ Stock.xchng

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“Unlike North America, much of Europe and even Melbourne, Sydney has a very lineal nightlife, we have a large choice of restaurants, a large choice of bars and pubs, but few places that merge the two successfully,” explained Springfield’s’ designer Chris Jolliffe.

“Springfield’s will be an oasis in an edgy part of town, a place that doesn’t shy away from the colourful nightlife of Darlinghurst Road, though still provides a cosy environment for the city’s switched-on set.”

The food in the restaurant has a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Made with fresh produce, it’s literally bursting with flavour. I can’t go past the crispy beer battered barramundi, or the parmesan and rosemary crusted lamb rack. Sit down for a full three-course meal, or share the grazing plates with friends as you enjoy the fine Australian, Italian, and Spanish wines. 

Springfield’s has full service dining areas, a cocktail lounge, private dining room, and a casual bar spread over three levels to suit all kinds of groups. 

Trading hours: 5 pm to 3 am Wednesdays to Saturdays
Address: 23 Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross
Public transport: Catch a train to Kings Cross station. Springfield’s is a short walk away
Parking: Limited street parking is available
Cost: Entrees from $8, mains from $18
Website: http://www.springfieldsrestaurant.com.au/

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But you don’t need to wait until the big day to party. The Newport Arms Hotel is holding its 12th Annual Australia Day Eve Garden Party and Fireworks Extravaganza this Friday night. Just try saying that three times after a couple of schooners!

Start grooving from 7 pm when the pub blasts some funky beats into the beergarden. At midnight the fireworks over Pittwater will ring in Australia Day.

Aussies like to drink, so you can expect this to be a big night. Make sure you save yourself the hassle and leave the car at home. Special STA buses will travel to and from the venue every half hour to get you where you need to be safely.

Date: Friday January 25
Time: From 7 pm, fireworks at midnight
Location: The Newport Arms Hotel
Address: 2 Kalinya Street, Newport
Public transport: Shuttle buses provided
Parking: Plenty of onsite parking
Cost: Free
Website: http://www.newportarms.com.au/

Post from: The Sydney Traveler