Mission statements: I’ve never fully understood them. Surely they’re nothing more than a loud-mouth Yank invention, where hollow words are somehow a substitute for real substance. In a country where trays of nachos are bigger than Kosciuszko, the cars can drive through walls, and everything is bigger, better and ‘rocks’ more than anywhere else, no
Westgarth Cinema: www.palacecinemas.com.au The Westgarth Cinema in Northcote, the oldest cinema in Melbourne, re-opened its doors in August 2006, following a $4m investment into the restoration and improvement of its interior. The cinema was struggling and facing an uncertain future until it was rescued by Palace Cinemas, a company managed entirely by members of the
I’d like to use this instalment of Video Watch to pay homage to the ‘Spurious Rap Intro’. It’s been a pop institution for years now, so much so that I’d contend it deserves its own Grammy category: “and the best spurious, most throwaway, completely superfluous rap intro goes to…” Well I guess the winner would
Shellharbour Workers’ Club: Cnr Wattle & Shellharbour Rds, Shellharbour NSW (02) 42967 155 or www.shellys.com.au Shellharbour Workers’ Club, a prominent NSW South Coast institution, is based in a 20-year-old building that dominates its region both physically — sitting on a hilltop above Shellharbour village; and economically — as the club is one of the largest employers
Rooftop Cinema: Curtin House, 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC Where you watch a movie is becoming just as important as the movie you watch. If you’ve seen a movie at one of the more inspiring open air cinemas you’ll know that nothing ups the atmosphere like the great outdoors. So how about movies on top
The Red Hummingbird: 1st Floor, 246 Russell St, Melbourne VIC (03) 9654 2266 or www.theredhummingbird.com.au Thomas Kiltorp and his partners at The Red Hummingbird are gunning for an air of exclusivity: forget about a sign over the door that leads upstairs to the bar, the only pointer is a red birdcage. Exclusivity is one thing
Peach Tree Hotel: Castlereagh Road, Penrith NSW (02) 4721 794 or www.peachtreehotel.com.au The Peachtree Hotel is located in one of Sydney’s fastest growing suburbs Penrith. The brief from the owner Colin Parras was simple: Colin wanted a multipurpose space that appealed to all markets — kids included! The venue is big on alfresco ambience and
The Order Of Melbourne: (03) 9663 6707 or www.theorder.com.au ‘Established in 1890’ could be tacked alongside The Order of Melbourne’s Latin inscribed motto ‘Omnes Bibimus Nostris Sodalitas’, so accurate are the antique touches. Patrons often give mistaken kudos to part owner and designer of The Order, Margo Orr, ‘A lot of people walk in and
www.loof.co.sg Loof is a bar on a roof in Singapore, and its light-hearted promo material tells us it’s been “designed as a refuge for the bedraggled office worker, a respite for the brilliant mind, a sanctuary for fools, a canvas for the budding artist and the launch pad for a brilliant night”. It’s a playful
Green Bank RSL: www.greenbankrsl.com.au Greenbank RSL, one of the most successful clubs in Queensland with over 70,000 members, recently completed a $4.5m extension that included provision for a very popular outdoor smoking deck. Designed by Brand + Slater, the deck features dark timber battened walls and ceiling panels, timber dry bars, coconut-shell lacquered tables and