A Margarita with the Matildas? Sydney pubs go large

A decade ago a regional women's soccer tournament would have attracted a proverbial man and a dog to watch in Australia. 

Now the Matildas are a box office drawcard and pubs across Sydney are planning watch parties for the  
AFC Women’s Asian Cup, which runs from March 1-21. 

Solotel pubs are turning up the volume with venues including Sackville Hotel, The Golden Sheaf and The Woodstock offering live, big-screen action. 

In celebration of the tournament, Margs for the Matildas will be flowing with $12 margaritas during every Matildas match.

 Plus, fans at The Clock in Surry Hills can enjoy a free margarita in partnership with Patrón Tequila for the first Matildas' goal in each game they play (subject to conditions). 

Here are some of the venues getting in on the fun:

The Clock, Surry Hills; Sackville Hotel, Rozelle; Golden Sheaf, Double Bay; Public House, Petersham; The Woodstock, Rooty Hill; Kings Cross Hotel, Potts Point; The Albion, Parramatta; The Erko, Erskineville. 

Bookings are recommended. 

So you really, really like to eat steak?

Are you one of those people for whom too much steak is not enough?

Melbourne bistro 98 Lygon St Bar & Bistro, in Brunswick East, has just launched a weekly bottomless steak deal starting from Wednesday.

So think unlimited premium, dry-aged grass-fed porterhouse, sliced thick, served rare and your plate refilled until you surrender.

Diners will enjoy their steak feast with frites and peppercorn sauce for $69 per person. 

Selected cellar pours, and large-format bottles offered by the glass on the night offer a wine and food matching experience.

Co-founder Ben Clark says the concept was designed to feel like a proper night out.

“Wednesday is a night people already enjoy dining out," he said. "This was about generosity, quality and creating a midweek ritual people look forward to.”

The format also reflects the venue’s broader approach to hospitality, says co-founder Simon Aukett.

“It’s indulgent without cutting corners,” he says. “The full experience, done properly, week after week.”

Bottomless Steak launches Wednesday, February 25, and will run weekly. Seats are limited, bookings are essential.

See www.98lygonst.au 

Penfolds wins court action against Chinese copycat brand

Treasury Wine Estates has secured a major intellectual property court victory in China against copycat wine operator Rush Rich.

 
TWE won more than US $10 million in damages after a long fight against the wine brand accused of trying to pass its wines off as Penfolds releases.

A Chinese court of appeal ordered the defendants behind the Rush Rich brand - branded in Chinese as “奔富酒园” - damages, a statement from the Australian wine company said.

The first two Chinese characters in the name are identical to Penfolds’ Chinese brand name “奔富,” (or Ben Fu) and the English name Rush Rich is widely seen as a literal translation of those characters, Chinese wine website Vino Joy said.

The copycat bottles also featured white labels with bold red lettering and numeric product names - hallmarks of Penfolds’ signature look.

The long-running dispute traces back to 2012, when the company behind Rush Rich applied to register the “奔富酒园” trademark and began selling wines under the name.

By 2016, the brand had established a major presence on the Chinese wine scene.

In its statement, Treasury Wine Estates said the use of the similar name and branding was likely to mislead consumers and undermine the Penfolds brand.

"TWE takes intellectual property protection extremely seriously," the company statement said.

"Protecting our brands safeguards consumers, preserves the integrity of our portfolio and defends the Penfolds heritage and reputation built over generations.

"Our approach is deliberate and sustained, combining legal enforcement, regulatory engagement, technology enabled authentication and consumer education."

Head off the beaten track for a reason

 

Holidays with a purpose are all the rage.

A lot of people want to learn, or gain a new skill, when they travel.

To meet this growing demand, World Expeditions has unveiled a new series of expert-led journeys under its Curated Adventures portfolio, responding to growing interest in "immersive, passion-driven travel experiences led by recognised authorities in their fields".

From photography and food to cultural immersion and wildflower walking, these one-off departures aim to deliver cultural exchange and the opportunity to travel in the company of an expert who opens doors others cannot.

“Special interest travel continues to surge because it offers the ultimate form of personalisation,” says Jaclyn Beagley, manager for Curated Adventures. 

“These journeys are built around passion - photography, food, culture and nature - and led by people who are true experts. Travelling with someone who deeply understands a place transforms the entire experience.”

The new line-up includes three distinctive, small-group departures:

Sri Lanka Food & Photo Adventure with Alan Benson

Celebrated photographer Alan Benson, whose work has featured in books by Luke Nguyen, Kylie Kwong and Jimmy Barnes, leads this immersive exploration of Sri Lanka’s vibrant markets, tea country and wildlife reserves. Travellers can snap stilt fishermen at sunrise, wander spice-scented kitchens and explore lush tea terraces, all while refining their photographic eye. September 13-24 from $5990 per person twin share excluding flights.

Benin and Togo with Richard I’Anson

Award-winning travel photographer Richard I’Anson hosts a visually rich journey through Benin and Togo, two of West Africa’s most culturally compelling destinations. There is a focus on vibrant festivals, traditional ceremonies, daily village life and striking architectural landscapes. January 15-17, 2027, from $9590 per person twin share excluding flights.

Drakensberg Wildflower Trails – Women’s Guided Walking Tour

Timed for peak bloom, this women’s walking adventure explores South Africa’s uKhahlamba-Drakensberg UNESCO World Heritage Site with expert mountain guide Shaen Adey, who has more than 30 years of local knowledge. Flexible day walks traverse alpine meadows and sandstone escarpments alive with seasonal wildflowers and birdlife. Comfortable lodges will provide space to unwind between walks. November 29-December 6 from $5,590 per person twin share excluding flights.

“These journeys are about travelling with curiosity and purpose,” says Beagley. “They offer perspectives and stories that stay with you long after you return home.”

For full itineraries and further information, see worldexpeditions.com/Curated-Adventures.

Brisbane says cheers to a new sports bar and eatery

 

Brisbane sports lovers have a new destination with the opening of Gas Hound Bar & Kitchen. 

The venue offers modern Australian bistro dining and sports energy in a new space at Newstead’s Gasworks Plaza. 

It is the latest venue from from local industry heavyweights Hallmark Hospitality and will feature electronic dart boards, pool tables and televised live sports. 

With a wood-fired oven as the kitchen’s centrepiece, executive chef Jason Flett has created a seasonal menu. 

“At its heart, Gas Hound serves classic pub fare but we’re elevating it with premium ingredients and beautiful presentations,” Flett said.

“We make everything from scratch - for example, hand-crumbing and pan-frying our chicken schnitzels - to give our food that extra bit of love and attention.

“About 50% of our menu will be cooked over flame in the wood-fired oven, including our steaks, to 
open up more flavour and add a touch of smokiness.”

Hallmark Hospitality director Cade Hopman said that Gas Hound’s drinks menu pairs premium spirits with modern twists on classic cocktails. 

“Highlights include the punchy Sure Fire, a tropical, ginger-spiked Margarita, the crisp and savoury Steel Tip martini, and Deep Pocket, a rich, slow-sipping take on an Old Fashioned,” Hopman said.

“Our cocktail and drinks offering is crowd-pleasing, designed to suit everything from casual catch-ups to big nights."

The revamped venue was formerly home to retro supper club Maggie May. 

Image: Markus Ravik

Otahuna Lodge offers a chance to be Lord of the Manor

Ever considered hosting a special occasion where you have an entire luxury property to yourself, your family and friends?

Historic Otahuna Lodge outside Christchurch in New Zealand has just launched its "Lord of the Manor" package.

Whether you're looking to celebrate a milestone birthday, family reunion or a memorable workplace retreat, weekend dates in 2026 are now open.

The Lord of the Manor package (available from May 1 through October 15) can be reserved at the rate of $NZ 9995 per night (weekday nights) or $11,995 (Friday and Saturday nights).

All Lord of the Manor bookings enjoy the following inclusions for up to 10 guests:

# Accommodation across five suites and two master suites

#·Pre-dinner drinks with canapés

# A four-course, set menu dinner

#· Matched wine pairings with every course

# Continental and cooked breakfasts.

Up to six additional guests (for a maximum of 16 people) can be added at a rate of $600 per additional person per night.

It is a remarkably stylish property celebrated for its architecture, award-winning gardens and sophisticated cuisine. A special place to stay.

For full details see www.otahuna.co.nz/