Strongbow | Country As Bite-Size Ballers | The Army Ordering Caviar Bumps And Mini Martinis In The Age Of Cosi Livs

"It’s less barn dance, more main character energy. Country’s having a cool-girl comeback—and we’re just getting started.”

But here we are, smoothing a mother of pearl spoonful of wildly expensive salt cured sturgeon roe onto the back of our hands. Waiting for the glistening black globs to hit room temperature, fistbumping and slurping them up with abandon, clocking our tablemates with glee.

Alex Kirkwood, Food & Beverage Director Shell House

Ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu. Ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos.

The king of local pubs and RSLs across regional towns. Tomato, cheese and chook crumbed to perfection gets a sharp, citrus lift. Keeping every mouthful fresh, this one's for the sweet sippers who still love a pub feed.

The ultimate communal pillar, the humble snag in bread is found at fetes, markets, backyard barbies, sports clubs and even elections. Sweet, fizzy refreshment cuts through the salt and generous drizzling of sauce. One hand for the brew, one for the snag—too easy.

Practical, hearty and unquestionably iconic, the country bakery meat pie is the cultural equivalent of an Americana roadside eat. Flaky pastry, rich gravy, and hearty beef meets a crisp apple hard cider—cutting through the richness, making this an iconic, down-to-earth pairing.

Some say the origins of caviar can be traced back to the Persians, savouring sturgeon roe for its medicinal benefits. Others reckon it was the great philosopher Aristotle, who described it as being served with grandeur, clad by flowers and trumpets. There’s a touch less fanfare when indulging in caviar these days, heck, find the right spot and they might even serve it as a budget-conscious bump off of your fist.

Tradition says soy on sashimi is a-okay, though when there’s rice involved, it’s a different story. Those wanting to avoid mid-meal death stares should exercise that soy sauce with caution—bonus points for anyone who can flip their nigiri and dunk it without spoiling that pristine brick of white rice.

How to live the

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Maybe washing it down with a shooter of frost bitten vodka or twinkling champagne. It's a pretty dreary world out there— that hard won freedom after the lockdown years has been met with rising rent prices, grocery prices and petrol prices.

Succession’s potent brand of unattainable luxury—and ludicrously capacious bags—is out of reach for most, but the noise around quiet luxury inspired by the HBO hit didn’t need to be so exclusive.

The 2023 taste-based cost indulgence paradox is the lipstick effect for a new age. And it’s this just-a-taste mentality that’s changing the way we eat, drink, and indulge. From fine diners doing luxe happy hour service for the first time—to delicacies served at democratic prices. Right now, share plates and chef’s menus are a pricey commitment—instead snacks reign supreme and we like ‘em fancy too. For example, a restaurant delivering an experimental 10-course snack flight featuring bite-size portions of Paroo red kangaroo tartare and Westholme Wagyu tri-tip with bone marrow sauce. The rationale is, of course, why stick to one dish, when you could sample more for less. This new army of “bite size ballers” doesn’t want to knock back $6 schooners just because life got super spenny in 2023—at least, not every day. They want to sample the best of the best and as much as they can get and all on a dime too if they can manage it.

No, we can’t all book a night at The Ritz, or even splash out on a flashy dinner every week, instead we’re searching for mere morsels of the experience—whether that is a little hunk of Beluga, a lunchtime lobster deal, a mini Martini at a top bar, or maybe even a quick dip at the swim-up bar at a five-star hotel pool.

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Rather than a financially conservative retreat, we’ve entered a new era of luxury YOLO that’s squarely centred on exceptional experiences over fancy possessions.

Whether it’s fresh caught seafood by the coast in summer or truffle-topped steaks in winter, Perth’s always had an affinity for the finer things. For most of us, though, those little luxuries sat firmly in the special occasion pile, but that mood has well and truly changed. Thanks to a relentless uprising of neighbourhood wine bars throughout Perth, bite size ballers like lobster doughnuts, Wagin duck parfait and hash browns topped with cod roe whip are being served up alongside quality pours and fine-tuned cocktails at chic little haunts all over town. Add to this our undying love for a good bottomless deal, and it’s no wonder the weekly parmi special isn’t really cutting it.

This is a story of caviar bumps and the cost of living crisis—a very unlikely pairing and definitely not the combo we had on our bingo card for 2023.

$2 oysters

1/446 Beaufort St, Highgate WA 6003

There are few places in Perth offering oysters for less than $5 a pop, but Si Paradiso somehow does it every damn week as part of their iconic Sunday Sesh. Send off your week by slamming $2 shells and top shelf wine in their breezy disco amphitheater. We’re all working from home Monday, right?

Fried chicken And caviar

224 William St, Perth WA 6000

With enough fried chicken and caviar to share between two, you’re hardly breaking the bank with this $28 steal from Double Rainbow Eating House. Chase it down with their oyster and soju flight if you’re keen to go all out or a couple of the little raw beef wagyu yukhoe (their take on tartare) and caviar served on crispy slabs of potato. Heaven.

High cheese

Crown Metropol, Crown Perth, Great Eastern Hwy, Burswood WA 6100

Perth’s pretty blessed in the high tea department, but for a little extra indulgence why not swap the scones and cream for a four-tiered tower topped with luxurious cheese delights? For just $45 per person, you can tuck into first class fromage treats like baked camembert, a piping hot raclette, brie layered with fine herbs, goat’s cheese cannolis and more. And if you're thirsty, you can always add on a champagne flight for an extra $50 per person. Not bad at all.

Bottomless Aperitivo

198 Whatley Cres, Maylands WA 6051

Volare is taking bottomless to the French Riviera, with their decadent take on aperitivo hour. Expect a line up of the fanciest European inspired snacks—like lobster doughnuts topped with roe, chicken liver parfait and carna cruda—chased down with endless spritzes, bellinis and prosecco for just $65 per person every Saturday from 4pm-6pm.

Flow Lunch

COMO The Treasury Level 4, 1 Cathedral Ave, Perth WA 6000

The eight-course Wildflower degustation is hands down one of the best dining experiences in all of Perth, but let’s face it, dropping $250+ on a meal feels a little out of reach right now. If you want to replicate the fine dining experience, though, you can always book in for Flow at the rooftop fine diner and enjoy a multi-course lunch menu for $69 per person Wednesday to Friday.

Perth

QLD

SYD

MEL

Around The World

[noun]: the art of leaning into luxe despite (or because of) cosi liv realities; opulence with a palatable price tag.

NOV 2023

Si Paradiso

Double Rainbow Eating House

Bite-Size Baller

La Vie Champagne Lounge

Volare

Wildflower

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In an era where extravagance has often been synonymous with hefty price tags, the concept of bite-size ballers in the realm of hospitality has completely shifted the accessibility of ‘living it up’. The somewhat finer things in life have been acutely democratised and all over the world you’d be hard-pressed not to find a CBD bearing a menu with bubbles of salt-cured roe or oysters for a cheap buck.

$20 caviar bumps

Temple Bar, NYC

332 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012, United States

Word on the street is that if it’s good enough for Taylor Swift, Sophie Turner and Julia Fox, it’s good enough for the rest of us. For anyone that’s been privy to New York’s Lafayette Street, a bustling strip of off-Broadway theatre and historic Greek Revival-style townhouses, you’ll be well across the chic girl-dinner opulence inside Temple Bar. This decadent diver is the kind of place where one martini gets you three oysters every Sunday and Monday. However the real stickler is that with any martini order (be it the dirty vodka or the olive oil iteration), you can cop a $20 caviar bump too.

All-You-can-Drink champagne

Sushi Yuu Tsubasa, Tokyo

150-0022 Tokyo, Shibuya City

Deep in the depths of Tokyo’s culinary scene, a plethora of luxe sushi restaurants have sided with more pocket-friendly offshoots off the back of the pandemic. At Sushi Yuu Tsubasa, you'll find an omakase line-up filled with tuna belly, Mineoka tofu, miso-marinated black cod, Kasugodai, Hirame, monkfish liver with cucumber and more. The best bit? You’ll also find an all-you-can-drink menu with champagne and sake.

£1.50 oysters

Darby’s, London

3 Viaduct Gdns, Nine Elms, London

Darby’s in London’s south-west has a reputation for being the ultimate post-work destination, packed-to-the-rafters with aromatic negronis and an oyster bar to boot. You can nab up £1.50 oysters every Wednesday to Saturday from 5pm to 7pm (and feel free to add on a glass of Prosecco).

$10 Mini gibsons

Gibson, Singapore

20 Bukit Pasoh Rd

When the clock strikes 6pm and you're yearning for a quick, spirit-lifting remedy, the timeless mini Gibson cocktail is your number one choice. Made with Roku gin and house-crafted Ginjo sake-vermouth, it's a true bite-size baller and will only set you back $10. Treat your taste buds further with a $24 lobster roll or some plump $4 oysters. Get it daily from 6pm to 8pm.

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All-You-Can-Eat Sushi And Sashimi

Nobu

Crown Sydney, Level 2/1 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo

When it comes to Japanese fine dining, Nobu is one of the most famous names you can drop. If you want a filling and wallet-friendly way to experience the style of legendary chef Nobu Matsuhisa, check out the Gochiso lunch menu—a luxe all-you-can-eat sushi and sashimi buffet available for $99 per person.

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10-Course Snack Flight

Longshore

5 Kensington St, Chippendale NSW 2008

A full degustation is a huge commitment in 2023. Longshore has a bite-size ballers solution: an $80 10-course snack menu featuring delicacies like steamed Moonlight Flat oysters, black tiger prawn tarts, and Abrolhos Island scallops.

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Crumpets And Caviar Brunch

Franca

Shop 2/81 Macleay St, Potts Point NSW 2011

Bottomless brunch might be a bit passe in Sydney these days. The solution? Add caviar, of course. Franca’s luxe brunch involves a spread of crumpets with Black River oscietra caviar and mini crab rolls with cocktail sauce. Oh, and free-flowing Mimosas or Champagne too.

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$12 Martinis

Rockpool

66 Hunter St, Sydney NSW 2000

Experience one of Sydney’s finest dining institutions at pub prices. Slip into the sleek Rockpool Bar between 4pm and 6pm weekdays for “RP Hour” and treat yourself to $12 cocktails, $15 bar snacks, and hot chips for $4.

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Menzies Bar

$10 Martinis And Lobster Rolls

37 Margaret St, Sydney NSW 2000

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Nobu

$99 All-You-Can-Eat Sushi And Sashimi

Crown Sydney, Level 2/1 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo

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Longshore

10-Course Snack Flight For $80 Each

5 Kensington St, Chippendale NSW 2008

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Franca

$125 Crumpets And Caviar Brunch

Shop 2/81 Macleay St, Potts Point NSW 2011

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Rockpool

$12 Martinis And $15 Bar Snacks

66 Hunter St, Sydney NSW 2000

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Just several years back, the right to pop a pinky finger in the air as one sips a flute of Moet Chandon was reserved for end-of-dinner checks upwards of several hundred dollars, but let’s be real, the cosi livs are here. Fortunately, the purveyors of the finer things in life are picking up what we’re putting down and serving up a healthy dash of opulence sans the price tag. You might be knocking back one of the city’s finest cocktails at bargain basement prices, or perhaps throwing back unlimited oysters at a southside favourite—though whatever route you choose to take, popping that pinky will cost you a helluva lot less in 2023.

Line Dancing Nights

The Thornbury Local

635 High St, Thornbury VIC 3071

Saddle up for monthly line dancing lessons set to boot-scootin' playlists and cheap jugs. Yee-haw meets inner-north energy.

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The Post-10pm Cheeseburger

Howler

7-11 Dawson St, Brunswick VIC 3056

One of the crown jewels in Melbourne’s culinary scene, Gimlet, is a true ‘special occasion’ fine-diner…in that for most of us, it’ll take a special occasion to tackle the prices on an albeit very worthy menu. Sure, the $188 rock lobster might be out of reach outside of your boo’s birthday dinner, however, it’s their late-night supper offering that could fall well within your weekly eating-out budget. Coming in at a modest $28, Gimlet’s cheeseburger is your burger endgame served up in one of the city’s most lavish restaurants —get to it 10pm onwards on Friday and Saturday evenings.

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Honky Tonk Tuesdays

The Gasometer Hotel

484 Smith St, Collingwood VIC 3066

You’re certainly not alone if you’ve ever not been able to book a seat at Grill Americano. One of the most sought-after seats in the city also happens to be a pricey one, unless of course, you’re dropping in on Thursdays from 4pm through 6pm. Within that glorious window of time, you can order up on several stunning cocktails, including their namesake Americano—Melbourne’s “it” cocktail made lovingly with a combo of liquors that, in theory, should combine to a much higher dollar value.

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High Tea…With A Dedicated Tea Sommelier

Yugen

605 Chapel Street, South Yarra VIC 3141

Yes, tea somms exist, and one of the country’s finest, Thibaut Chuzeville, is leading the charge at South Yarra’s ultra-aesthetic Yugen. Here, Chuzeville and the team will guide you through the delicate art of tea, pairing up flavours to your personal preference alongside sweets and savouries curated by their in-house pastry artists—don’t miss their above-opulent take on the vanilla slice, it goes hard.

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Society Social, And That Dessert Trolley

SOCIETY

80 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

You’ve probably seen it on TikTok or Instagram—white-gloved waiters doting over a dessert trolley, serving up pure decadence tableside. It all goes down at Melbourne’s ritzy and glitzy SOCIETY, and it’s just one of several moving parts to Society Social, a fine dining experience without the fine dining ticket on it. It kicks off at a modest $77pp at lunchtime Fridays through Sundays, where diners will get an insight into SOCIETY’s immaculate offering—your choice of two or three courses including a generous selection off that roaming trolley.

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Firebird

Endless Oysters For $59 Each

223 High Street, Prahran VIC 3181

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Gimlet at Cavendish House

The Ultimate Cheeseburger Post-10pm For $28

33 Russell Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

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Grill Americano

$9.50 Cocktail Hour From 4pm-6pm Every Thursday

5 Kensington St, Chippendale NSW 2008

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Yugen

High Tea With A Dedicated Tea Somm

605 Chapel Street, South Yarra VIC 3141

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SOCIETY

A Ritzy Lunch With A Dessert Trolley From $77 Per Person

80 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

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PLAYLIST

If you haven’t heard, Brisbane (and wider Queensland) is gearing up to host the 2032 Olympics—and the entire state seems to have embraced its newfound celebrity status with an appetite for self-indulgence. Sunny one day, perfect the next, al fresco has always been our signature style, but now we’re doing it with bottomless champagne on ice, while the fresh, top notch seafood fished just offshore is where it belongs—on our own plates instead of on its way overseas. Of course, we’re still all for a good early bird dinner deal—dinner by 5, bed by 9 is the optimal nightly routine here. Because a good night’s sleep before a sunrise stroll? That’s priceless.

Pour-Your-Own Wine Tasters

Wineology

471 Adelaide Street, Brisbane CBD

You know those spenny bottles of vino you linger over on a wine menu before ordering the el cheapo pinot grigio you always do? Well, you can sample them here thanks to walls of enomatic machines, which pour out tasters of an array of top shelf sips. With tasters starting from around $2 a pop, you can work your way through all of the wines on offer or start on full-size glasses when you find one you like.

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Mini Martini Flights

Midtown

15 Manning Street, South Brisbane

Why have one cocktail when you can have many? That’s the philosophy at Midtown, a sleek 40-seater dedicated to the art of the martini. For those whose credo is aligned, but bank balance isn’t, there’s the mini martini flight—half-sized serves of three of their signature variations with an equally half-sized price tag.

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$50 Steak Banquets

Rich & Rare

97 Boundary Street, West End

Once a weekly staple, a good steak has become a ‘treat yourself’ meal, since rising prices put it out of reach—but not at Rich & Rare. While elsewhere $50 might barely cover the steak, here it gets you a nine-course steak banquet, complete with starters, sides and dessert. The catch? It’s only available from 11am-6pm daily. We did say we love an early bird dinner…

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Bugs And Bubbles

Opa

123 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD

Yiros—but make it fancy. Opa’s weekend baller deal is the bite-sized moment of luxury we need, literally, with a mini Moreton Bay bug yiros and a glass of bubbles served up for $16 every Saturday and Sunday from 11am-6pm. And the river views? Those are free.

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Caviar And Champagne Trolley

kōst

3 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach QLD 4218

While caviar bumps may not be a new concept on the Gold Coast, a roaming caviar and champagne trolley certainly is. A newcomer to the Gold Coast fine dining scene, kōst is levelling up diner’s predilection for bite-sized bumps with a gold-plated trolley roaming past tables, bestowing spoonfuls of decadence to diners, washed down with flutes of champagne. This is Gold Coast fine dining par excellence—without the baller price tag.

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Rich & Rare

$50 Steak Banquets Between 11am And 7pm Daily

97 Boundary Street, West End

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kōst

Roving Caviar And Champagne Trolley

3 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach QLD 4218

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Midtown

Mini Martini Flights For Half The Price

15 Manning Street, South Brisbane

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Wineology

Pour-Your-Own Wine Tasters From $2 A Pour

471 Adelaide Street, Brisbane CBD

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Opa

Bugs And Bubbles For $16 A Pop

123 Eagle Street, Brisbane CBD

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Of all Aotearoa’s major cities, Auckland is perhaps the best known for leading the trend of enjoying the finer things in life. So when belts start to tighten, it’s not surprising that Auckland establishments are leading the charge with $9 aperitif cocktails at hidden bars in the CBD and waterfront wine bars offering $2 oysters. That’s not to say the rest of the country is far behind of course, with tiramisu by the scoop on offer in Wellington, $10 Bloody Marys in Christchurch and $6 espresso martini shots in Queenstown.

Aperitif Cocktails

Panacea, Auckland

23 O'Connell Street Auckland CBD 1010

A visit to one of the finest cocktail establishments in Auckland won’t break the bank with aperitif cocktails at Panacea setting you back just $9 a pop. Choose between a Baby Americano, One-Shot Martini, French Press or Bellini, or sample all four at this decadent low-lit hidden lounge in Auckland CBD.

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$2 Oysters

Somm, Auckland

Shed 22, Princes Wharf, Auckland CBD, 1010

Enjoy views over the sparking Waitemata during a visit to Auckland’s first urban cellar door Somm. Once the domain of only the very well-to-do patrons, now Somm is serving $2 Oysters au naturel with lemon every Tuesday and Wednesday from 3-5pm. Perfectly paired with a crisp white, get ready to gorge and leave with change in your pocket.

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Tiramisu By The Scoop

The Ram, Wellington

103 Cuba St, Wellington 6011

An elevated take on your usual pub fare awaits you in Wellington at the newly opened The Ram on Cuba Street. While their happy hour with $10 negronis on tap has been popular the real star of the show is their miso caramel tiramisu dessert which is served tableside by the scoop.

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$10 Bloody Marys

Bloody Mary’s, Christchurch

30 Latimer Square, Christchurch Central City

Anyone who’s been to Christchurch knows that Cantabrians sure know how to party. If you’re you’re looking for a hair of the dog cure, high-end grill and bistro Bloody Mary’s will see you right. Sidle up to the bar at one of Ōtautahi Christchurch’s best restaurants on a Sunday and treat yourself to an eponymous Bloody Mary for just $10.

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Espresso Martini Shots

Margos, Queenstown

26 Ballarat Street, The Mall, Queenstown 9300

If you’re after a drink with a kick while visiting the adventure capital of Aotearoa but don’t fancy being up all night, swing by the high-energy, Mexican restaurant Margos. They’ll do you four espresso martini shots for $24 which go down a treat at any time of the day, or night.

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Panacea, Auckland

$9 Aperitif Cocktails

23 O'Connell Street Auckland CBD 1010

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Somm, Auckland

$2 Oysters Every Tuesday And Wednesday 3pm-5pm

Shed 22, Princes Wharf, Auckland CBD, 1010

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The Ram, Wellington

Miso Caramel Tiramisu Served Tableside By The Scoop

103 Cuba St, Wellington 6011

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Bloody Mary’s, Christchurch

$10 Bloody Marys Every Sunday

30 Latimer Square, Christchurch Central City

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Margos, Queenstown

Four Espresso Martini Shots For $24

26 Ballarat Street, The Mall, Queenstown 9300

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Meet The Faces Of Aussie Country

The Slingers

A curated country-coded soundtrack, from Aussie artists on the rise to line dancing bangers.

Country On The Rocks

Country style has hit the catwalk, filtering down into mag spreads and it-girl social profiles. Melbourne-born and bred fashion label Reigner—known for their bold, rhinestone-studded, western-inspired suits—has dressed everyone from country superstar Orvil Peck to local footy legend Darcy Moore, showing that country fashion is infiltrating all corners of the culture. Workwear is no longer just for the tradies, with brands like Akubra, Hard Yakka and Ringers Western being embraced by fashion-forward Aussies, blending rugged practicality with street style.

Ones To Watch

Fusing country ballads with synth-tinged nostalgia, The Slingers are an alt-country band out of Melbourne. Since forming in 2017, they’ve dropped two EPs, signed to Flightless Records, and hit #59 on the ARIA Albums Chart with their 2023 debut Sentimentalism. A sold-out East Coast run and a Splendour set later, they’re gearing up for a second album and a UK/EU tour—one of Australia’s most exciting underground acts on the rise.

Fanny Lumsden

Fanny Lumsden is a two-time ARIA Award winner and nine-time Golden Guitar recipient, celebrated for her authentic storytelling and dynamic performances. Her 2023 album Hey Dawn debuted at #1 on the ARIA charts and earned her the 2024 Alt Country Album of the Year at the Golden Guitar Awards.

Bella Mackenzie

A Queensland-raised country-pop dynamo, Bella dropped her debut EP Wild Thing in late 2024 and is already turning heads with her empowering anthem "Cowboy." Singing at pubs since she was a teen, Bella brings small-town authenticity and big-stage ambition.

SYDNEY

BRISBANE

PERTH

The Thornbury Local

Yee-haw meets inner-north energy at The Thornbury Local, where you can park up at a leather booth and get your fill of live tunes from country stars from around the state, washed down with a cold cider.

1 / 5

Full Moon Fever

Full Moon Fever is the ultimate rooftop escape with a country edge, sitting pretty above Lulie Tavern. Overlooking Johnston Street, it’s all about laid-back charm with desert-themed decor and a menu featuring top-tier burgers, crispy fried chicken, and ice-cold tinnies.

2 / 5

Moon Dog Wild West

With a mechanical bull, pool tables, a western arcade, secret pianola bar and a sprawling rooftop, Moondog Wild West goes full throttle on the country theme. Come for the deep fried cheesy mash, and stay for the cowboy boot shot glasses.

Reigner Clothing

Designed in Melbourne, Reigner's distinctive country-fied suit range is for city slickers chasing the outback edge. With a focus on custom detailing, their suits are rhinestone encrusted, embroidery-laden and made for the pursuit of pleasure. Giddy up!

Disco Rodeo

Helmed by Kitty and Lu, Disco Rodeo's high energy line dancing classes blend country moves with disco energy. With a regular rotation of classes, boot scoot your way to Thornbury Bowls Club on Wednesdays, Fitzroy Bowls Club on Fridays and Moon Dog Wild West in Footscray on Sundays.

3 / 5

4 / 5

5 / 5

Cowboy Karaoke Family Vintage

An emporium of hand-picked vintage pieces, here you'll find embroidered shirts, neck ties, leather satchels and belts for urban cattle wranglers big and small.

5 / 5

The Honky Tonk Blues Bar

Found in Fremantle's West End, Honky Tonk Blues is a saloon-style bar serving up open mic nights, live gigs and line dancing. With live bands taking the stage 6 nights a week, dust off your boots and two-step along with your crew to some epic local talent.

4 / 5

Cherry Steppers

Saddle up for some seriously good times with Cherry Steppers, a line dancing crew with classes for all abilities and levels. You can find a session in your favourite local bar pretty much any night of the week, or sign up for a class in a local hall in Mount Hawthorn, Applecross, Bennett Springs or North Perth.

3 / 5

Parkerville Tavern

The Parkerville Tavern is a Perth Hills country classic, with roaring fireplaces, rustic charm and a sprawling beer garden overlooking the bush. From woodfired pizzas to hearty pub feeds, it’s the perfect spot to settle in for a long, laid-back session year-round.

2 / 5

Alabama Song

Alabama Song is a Northbridge dive bar channelling country vibes with a packed bar, live music, and old-school booths. Pair your tipple with bar snacks or a burger special, and you’ve got yourself a late-night haunt with serious soul.

1 / 5

Frogs Hollow Salloon

Frog’s Hollow Saloon is a 12-metre bar inside the heritage-listed John Reid & Nephews building, blending country charm with a polished edge. Slinging sips and bar snacks till 1am daily, it’s the spot where suits and akubras comfortably collide.

5 / 5

Chattahoochee Joes Honky Tonk

Oozing with outback charm, Chattahoochee Joe's is a fresh addition to Fortitude Valley, welcoming die-hard country fans and novices alike. Playing host to Brisbane's best country artists, cowboy karaoke and line dancing, here you'll find honky tonk-inspired memorabilia, neon signs and dance floor ready for a knee-slapping good time.

4 / 5

CMC Rocks Festival

For country music fans across the globe, making the trip to CMC Rocks QLD is an annual pilgrimage, and one of the highlights of the year. Known for delivering killer line-ups and can’t-miss experiences, It all goes down in March at Willowbank, Ipswich QLD.

3 / 5

Honky Tonk's

Urban meets country at Honky Tonk's in heart of Fortitude Valley. With live country music every Friday and Saturday night and DJs spinning saloon-style tunes, there's a reason to head to this old-school dive bar every night of the week.

2 / 5

Lefty's Music Hall

Step into Lefty’s and you’re straight in an old-school saloon—think red velvet, chandeliers and moody lighting. Live country, blues, rockabilly, and soul set the soundtrack, while classic eats and drinks keep the good times rolling.

1 / 5

Route 66

Sitting pretty on Enmore Road, this family-run vintage emporium sells pre-loved pieces for the concrete cowboys and cowgirls. We're talking embroidered western shirts, plush leather cowboy boots, and all the belts, bolo ties and cowboy hats a city slicker could ask for.

5 / 5

Beaver Dining Parlour

It's all about bevs, burgers and bloody good poutine at Beaver Dining Parlour. The shelves are stacked with retro goodies, the flat screen TV broadcasts local sport and the drinks on tap are ice cold. Don't be afraid to grab a stool at the bar and get chatting to the drink-slinging legends, or tuck yourself away in a booth for date night.

4 / 5

Tamworth Country Music Festival

Spanning 10 days, thousands of country fans descend on Tamworth every year for a toe-tapping good time at Australia's largest and longest-running country music festival. This vibrant hub of music, culture, and community plays host to the iconic Golden Guitar Awards alongisde buskers, free and paid gigs and a plenty of good times.

3 / 5

Saddle Club

A queer line dancing community in Sydney, Saddle Club is the perfect place to live out your wildest country fantasies. They run weekly boot scooting workshops and social events where the tunes are loud, the heel stomping repetitive and the energy infectious.

2 / 5

Jolene's

As the name suggests, Jolene's is Dolly Parton meets Johnny Cash—with dark, moody red velvet booths named after legendary country singers. Music is at the heart and soul of this place, where you can catch live gigs from local country and rock bands four nights a week.

1 / 5

For concrete cowboys and cowgirls, boot scootin’ is the new barre class, with rodeo nights filled with energy and laughter popping up in bars, halls and festivals around the country. From Coyote Ugly tribute nights with Disco Rodeo to 100-strong Saddle Club sessions helmed by Kath Ebbs, line dancing is replacing run clubs as the new way to sweat it out.

But country down under isn’t about Nashville sparkle, instead it’s dusty boots, sing-alongs under spinning disco balls, and wide-open skies. This movement, fuelled by a new generation's craving for irony, Aussie humour, and TikTok trends, putting country culture front and centre.

The result? A new generation of laidback larrikins chasing a taste of country culture in their city.

And in music venues, mechanical bulls and chicken wire-lined stages can be found up and down the east coast and over in the west. Punters have discovered a new rising talent pool of country musicians, building their loyal fanbase through social media, or as support acts to the world's biggest country stars. From line dancing on TikTok and chart-topping country collabs to cowboy boots on the catwalk, country culture has officially infiltrated the mainstream—and we’re here for it. With Strongbow in hand, we’re saddling up and showing you how to ride the wave of the country revival, Aussie style.

COUNTRY CULTURE

COUNTRY BANGERS, COWBOY BOOTS AND APPLE CIDERS

tracking the rise of country-core IN AUSTRALIA

...

Max Jackson

Coonamble-born and ABC Music-signed, Max won the 2025 Golden Guitar for Female Artist of the Year. She had already taken home Toyota Star Maker 2022 and is blazing an independent trail with her nuanced country storytelling.

Lane Pittman

At just 17, Lane went viral on The Voice, joined Team Keith, and supported Luke Combs on tour. His 2024 self-titled EP hit #8 on the ARIA Australian Artist Albums Chart—and he’s already bagged a 2025 Golden Guitar for New Talent. Country’s next big thing.

Hana and Jessie- Lee's Bad Habits

Melbourne’s Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits fuse alt-country and rock with magnetic, hook-laden energy. Since 2017, they’ve released acclaimed albums like Say What You Mean and wowed audiences at Tamworth, Port Fairy, Gympie Muster, and beyond.

Caitlin Harnett & The Pony Boys

Sydney’s Caitlin Harnett & The Pony Boys are alt‑country storytellers blending Americana, rock, and soul. Since 2015, they’ve released Late Night Essentials and 2023’s acclaimed All Night Long, toured Australia and the U.S., and shared stages with Orville Peck.

Lily Grace

Gold Coast country-pop sensation Lily Grace hit #1 on the ARIA Country Albums Chart with her 2024 debut Old Enough To Know Better. At just seventeen, she’s opened for Vance Joy, played Tamworth and Gympie Muster, and made her US TV debut on Fox 5 Las Vegas.

A symbol of "go-big-or-go-home" of the country scene, this one's perfect pre-gig or after a long day's work. Bold, juicy flavours meet a low-carb cider pour. Keep things balanced and light while still bringing the flavour.

A Classic Crumbed Chook x Hard Cider With Zesty Lemon

CLICK TO REVEAL!

The Humble Snag In Bread x Original Apple

Burger With The Lot x Lower Carb Cider

Meat Pie x Hard Apple

Just take the number of country-themed queer pride events growing in regional Aus—or fringe festivals heroing country X drag mashups in their glitter-filled lineups.

Up in Sydney, a gaggle of uni students spend a Saturday trawling vintage stores, searching for the perfect pair of cowboy boots or distressed denim jacket. Over in Brissy, a rising alt-country star from rural QLD takes the stage at a packed dive bar in The Valley, and in Perth a crew of punters in wide-brimmed hats and Wranglers spill out of a laneway bar, belting Luke Combs covers.

This is country culture in Australia in 2025.

Urban List X Strongbow Playlist

n a cavernous hall on a Thursday night in Melbourne, a line of boot scooters in Akubras, Blundstones and rhinestone-studded leather jackets take their place as the starting bars of Chappell Roan's The Giver hits.

According to Spotify, Australia is now the world’s third-largest market for country music, behind only the US and Canada. Meanwhile, music entertainment company Live Nation say that 68% of Aussie Gen Zs are listening to more country music than ever before, with the number of international country artists increasing fivefold since 2019.

Country music's evolution has been brewing for a while. Back in 2019, Lil Nas X released Old Town Road, blending a classic banjo twang with an earworm-inducing hip hop beat and dragging Billy Ray Cyrus back into the limelight. A year or two later, Zach Bryan and Morgan Wallen hit the mainstream, breaking countless records and topping the charts. Track to 2025, and Beyonce's country-fied Cowboy Carter is a smash hit, while Post Malone has crossed genres to a full-blown country pivot.

"It’s less barn dance, more main character energy. Country’s having a cool-girl comeback—and we’re just getting started.”

Queer culture is another driving force behind the Aussie country revolution—taking the symbols and sounds of the bush and remixing them with drag, camp, and queer community. It’s part reclamation, part celebration of the playful side of the genre.

country as feeds, and the perfect sips to match.

Country As in

Melbourne

Full Moon Fever

2 / 5

Disco Rodeo

5 / 5

Reigner Clothing

4 / 5

Moon Dog Wild West

3 / 5

Route 66

5 / 5

Beaver Dining Parlour

4 / 5

Tamworth Country Music Festival

3 / 5

Saddle Club

2 / 5

Jolene's

1 / 5

Frogs Hollow Salloon

5 / 5

Chattahoochee Joes Honky Tonk

4 / 5

CMC Rocks Festival

3 / 5

Honky Tonk's

2 / 5

Lefty's Music Hall

1 / 5

Cowboy Karaoke Family Vintage

An emporium of hand-picked vintage pieces, here you'll find embroidered shirts, neck ties, leather satchels and belts for urban cattle wranglers big and small.

5 / 5

The Honky Tonk Blues Bar

4 / 5

Cherry Steppers

3 / 5

Parkerville Tavern

2 / 5

Alabama Song

1 / 5