Sasha Murray

Journalist, copywriter and marketer with six years of experience in media and publishing.  

A 24-Hour Music Doco Marathon, “Surreal Aerobics”, Micro-Bars and a Late Night Club: All at Rising’s Free Night Trade 2024

Melbourne’s always-eccentric music, arts and performance festival Rising is back this June. Many of last year’s highlights will return, including Night Trade, which runs for throughout the festival. But the pop-up has been reimagined for the 2024 edition.
Night Trade made easy by Up, the festival's free hub and social club, is within 20 minutes of all Rising events. This year it’s inside the Capitol Arcade: the historically camp arcades underneath the Capitol Theatre connecting to Howey Place,...

Nine Aussie Bars Shaking Up the Best Amaretto Sours – The Perfect Year-Round Cocktail

With Aperol Spritz season well behind us, our drink of choice during the chillier months is aromatic but still refreshing: an Amaretto Sour.

The sweet and sour Italian cocktail is traditionally made with amaretto liqueur and lemon juice, though most versions today are topped with fluffy egg-white foam, and sugar syrup. Disaronno is the original Italian amaretto liqueur, making it the base of choice for many bartenders. It’s believed to have originated in the 16th century, and has a sweet and un...

Abbotsford: The inner north suburb with lively beer halls and tranquil parks

For those who love Melbourne’s inner north but prefer a more relaxed lifestyle, Abbotsford has to be top of the list. It’s quiet, leafy and within walking distance of Fitzroy, Collingwood, Clifton Hill and Richmond.Morning people thrive in Abbotsford, in part because it’s bordered by Yarra Bend Park. On a sunny day, locals love to run along the river (or walk with a coffee in hand).Elevate your living experience with our digital magazinesElevate your living experience with our digital magazinesB...

Masses Bagels Just Might Be Melbourne’s Most Popular Market Stall Right Now

Carlton Farmers Market regulars are already well acquainted with Masses Bagels. It’s hard to miss the stall thanks to a constant line of customers eager to get their hands on bagels, tartines and bialys before they sell out. And they always sell out. Founders Jack Muir-Rigby and Carmen Newton had what Muir-Rigby describes to Broadsheet as a “life-changing” bagel when the pair were living in Japan. They returned to Australia in 2019 and started making bagels together for fun while Muir-Rigby was

First Look: Spanish Cold-Cuts and Anchovies Rule at New Collingwood Sandwich Shop The Continental

It’s been three years since Chris Wright, Miles Brooks and Jonathan Reisacher opened their ’70s-inspired Collingwood wine bar, Gum. The trio was waiting for the right time to open a Mediterranean-leaning food venue, and when the Turkish restaurant next door – once a popular taxi driver hangout – became available, everything fell into place. The Continental joins an ever-expanding wave of sandwich delis around Melbourne, but here Spanish ingredients are the focus. “We’re huge fans of the Mediterr

How London-Based Producer Fred Again Took Over Our Lives for a Week With His Surprise Australian Tour

Not many musicians could announce, sell out and perform a Sydney Opera House show in less than 24 hours. But that’s the magic of London-based producer Fred Again (aka Fred Gibson). For some, it might seem like he is only just stepping into the spotlight. His resume says otherwise: Grammy awards; a headlining gig to close out Coachella; writing and producing credits for big names like Ed Sheeran and Stormzy; and frequent collaborations with friends Skrillex and Four Tet. Fred started his career i

Skip Dinner and Drinks and Head to Melbourne’s Best Outdoor Date Spots This Summer

Summer is all about fun and spontaneity, and your dates should be no different. For those of us on dating apps like Bumble, first date suggestions usually involve drinks, dinner or coffee – often inside, in the comfort of aircon and flattering lighting. These dates are classics for a reason: short enough if you don’t hit it off straight away but just long enough to get a feel for the other person. But if you’re looking to change it up and date differently this summer, a playful outdoor activity

Nine To Try: Melbourne’s Best Specialty Iced Coffees To Keep You Cool This Summer

If you’re as passionate about iced coffee as Ben Affleck is, our city’s coffee shops have you covered. Affleck – a Boston boy if there ever was one – has a particularly strong affinity for Massachusetts coffee chain Dunkin’, formerly known as Dunkin Donuts. But here in Melbourne, of course, it’s the specialty coffee shops and cafes that make the best (and most creative) iced brews. In recent years, Melbourne coffee makers have been getting inventive, turning out more than just iced long blacks a

Road Test: All the Facial Sunscreens Worth Stocking Up on This Summer (and How To Save $20 on Your Order)

Finding the right facial sunscreen is hard work. You can get away with a cheap supermarket bottle of body sunscreen as long as it’s labeled SPF50+. But there’s more to factor in when you’re buying a product for your face. If you have sensitive skin like me, the wrong sunscreen could cause you to break out. If it’s for everyday wear and on-the-go use, it needs to be small enough to fit into your bag. And some of the best have a hefty price tag to match. To save you the work, I spent the summer br

12 To Book: Epic Dance Parties and Day Festivals in Melbourne This Summer

Melbourne label Butter Sessions is throwing its first party of the year at Northcote club 24 Moons. Miami DJ duo INVT will play an exclusive Melbourne set, while Gunna/Kurnai, Gunditjmara, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta DJ Naycab will go back-to-back with Gunai/Kurnai and Yorta Yorta DJ and producer dj pgz. Label heads Sleep D will close out the night with their last Aussie DJ set for the summer.

To help you navigate where to boogie this summer, we’ve rounded up some of the best ones to add to your

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