Suntory’s Minus 196 Vending Machine returns to SXSW Sydney
This year, Suntory’s Minus 196 Extreme Vending Machine has returned to SXSW Sydney 2024, and is available to access for free up until 20 October. For the first time, Suntory has partnered up with Newtown cult favourite Tokyo Taco to serve up a Suntory-style Japanese and Mexican fusion flavour-forward menu. As part of the collaboration, the duo has released a new collaborative food item, the Double Lemon soft serve, which will only be available at SXSW Sydney.
The Suntory Minus 196 EXTREME Vending Machine will be open every day from midday throughout the remainder of the festival, which ends on Sunday 20 October. For a complete schedule of free SXSW events, click here.
19 Crimes Possessed Wine Bar pop up
Treasury Wine Estates’ 19 Crimes has announced an exclusive Halloween pop up activation, the Possessed Wine Bar. Taking place from 25-26 October at The Shady Lady in Fitzroy, Melbourne, the event will feature a range of activities such as tarot card readers, unnerving decorations, and themed DJs. At the pop up’s conclusion on Saturday, a practising Witch will conduct a ceremonial saging, banishing any lingering spirits and returning The Shady Lady to its usual form.
Not for the faint-hearted, all guests that decide to attend will be required to sign a waiver, in case they too become possessed.
“The Possessed Wine Bar has the perfect amount of fright and delight that will keep people coming back for more - and to top it off, cocktails, wine and entertainment,” said Nick Powell, Treasury Wine Estates’ Head of Marketing for Australia.
“With 21% of Australians planning to hold or attend adult Halloween parties [this year], it is case in point that the spooky season is no longer just about trick-or-treating, now more than ever before, adults are embracing the nostalgia and horror themes with their friends instead,” said Powell.
The Possessed Wine Bar activation also coincides with a two-wine glow-in-the-dark release of 19 Crimes Hard Chard and the 19 Crimes Shiraz. In addition to the wines, guests will also be offered three specialised cocktails: The Frankenstein, Vlad’s Revenge, and A Spirit Spritzer.
The Possessed Wine Bar is a walk-in-only event, and will be open from 6pm to 1am on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 October.
Pair’d Margaret River
Next month, a new wine and food festival will be debuting in Margaret River. The event - which features over 30 events across categories such as food, wine, music, and culture - will be hosted at Howard Park Wines.
According to General Manager & Director at Howard Park Nat Burch, “the event is the coming together of an incredible group of Margaret River’s finest wine producers, giving guests access to a large collection of rare museum wines at the Wine Chapel tastings, as well as the ability to learn more through Masterclasses and Pair’d talks.”
Nick Ryan, wine writer and masterclass host, added: “If you want undeniable evidence that this is one of the most blessed places on earth to make great wine, then here it is. This is a pretty rare gathering of so many Margaret River legends, in both bottled and human form. I haven’t been this excited about a tasting for a very long time.”
Pair’d Margaret River will take place from 14-17 November, with various ticketing options allowing guests to tailor their experience to their preferences. For more information and for tickets, click here.
Ovata House
For one weekend only, Ovata by Oakridge will taking over Sydney’s Gatsby House for the inaugural Ovata House activation. The ticketed event will see guests invited to an evening of glamour at the multi-million dollar Darling Point manor, which will feature Ovata by Oakridge on pour for its duration, a selection of sparkling-wine based cocktails, a dance floor soundtracked by a live DJ, and a variety of food options.
“The name Ovata comes from the Latin word ovatus meaning to rejoice and applaud, and that’s the exact sentiment of Ovata by Oakridge; a sparkling wine that invites the celebration of life's occasions with confidence,” said Ovata by Oakridge Winemaker Teresa Heuzenroeder.
“We are so excited to invite everyone to Ovata House for an afternoon of extravagance and invite them to raise a glass of Ovata by Oakridge to celebrate whatever might be on the cards in their life.”
The Ovata House activation will run on Saturday October 26 from 3pm to 6pm and on Sunday October 27 from 2pm to 5pm. Shuttle transport to and from the venue via Edgecliff Train Station is included in the $95 ticket price. To book tickets, click here.
Sydney Gin Festival
The Sydney Gin Festival is returning again for 2024, this time to Rosehill Gardens, Parramatta. Included in the ticketed event is access to 220 boutique gins from 55 of Australia’s boldest craft distillers, including Ester Spirits, Prohibition Liquor Co, Bimbadgen Estate Distillery, and Threefold.
Additional masterclass experiences will also be on offer, hoste by gin experts from the International Spirits Academy.
The Sydney Gin Festival will take place on Friday 15 and Saturday 15 November. Tickets to the three hour tasting sessions start cost $50, with masterclass tickets costing an additional $60. For more information, visit www.ginevents.com.au.
Haunted House Immersive Exhibition in Allambie Heights
This Halloween, Rusty Barrel Spirits, Goodradigbee Distillers, Dad & Dave’s Brewing, and Berton Vineyards will be sponsoring a Haunted House Immersive Exhibition in Allambie Heights, Sydney. Taking place from 31 October to 2 November, the ticketed charity event will donate all profits to Stewart House, NSW public education’s charity of choice.
“For just a $20 donation, you'll gain entry to a spine-tingling adventure filled with creepy installations, spooky soundtracks, and a plethora of surprises,” wrote a spokesperson for the event.
“As you step into this haunted haven, prepare yourself for an immersive experience that blends art with fright… Enjoy a complimentary drink, join in a marshmallow roast, sink in to the horror cinema, consult with a fortune teller, be electrified in the glow room and immerse yourself in this authentic Halloween atmosphere designed to thrill and chill.”
The event will take place at The Brick, 14 Pozieres Parade, Allambie Heights, with tickets available for a donation of $20.
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