With the heat giving us a slight reprieve for the next few days, we can finally take a moment to embrace the weekend. We’ve got two whole days to make the most of our time off and the world is your oyster. Will you head to the beach? To a restaurant? To bed for the next 96 hours? It’s anybody’s guess! Anyways, let’s keep the good vibes flowing with this week’s edition of Feel-Good Friday.
7-Eleven and Mobil Team Up with Oracle Red Bull Racing For Ultimate Pit Stop Experience
The 2024 Australian Grand Prix is almost here and the entire city of Melbourne is getting in on the action. Albert Park is already filling up and the world’s best drivers have started descending on our cultural capital, but the real show is happening off the beaten track.
7-Eleven and Mobil have teamed up with Oracle Red Bull Racing to give everyday Aussies a serious F1 pitstop experience. Across Australian Grand Prix week customers refuelling at 7-Eleven St Kilda on Monday 18 March from 10am to 12pm will be serviced by a real-life F1-inspired pitstop. We’re talking the full kit, fuelling and all the bells and whistles.
“Alongside our fuel partner Mobil, we are proud to partner with Oracle Red Bull Racing for this year’s Australian Grand Prix. And what better way to kick-start the race week than to bring Melbournians the F1 treatment right here, near the racetrack, at 7-Eleven St Kilda,” 7-Eleven Australia chief executive officer and managing director, Angus McKay said. “Customers can experience what it’s like being on the other side of the track, paired with fun, prizes, and the excitement and energy of the Grand Prix.”
Best of all, the two brands are also offering up exclusive giveaways across the morning and the ability to get up close and personal with the Oracle Red Bull Racing static car off the track. You can follow on with the fun check out 7-Eleven on socials.
Friends with Benefits at Ovolo Hotels & THE ICONIC
Who doesn’t love a friendship that offers a little extra? The juicy details of the situationship here are that you can book yourself a luxury boutique hotel stay AND unlock a bunch of sweet perks at the same time. Ovolo Hotels has teamed up with THE ICONIC for an exclusive Friends With Benefits campaign that gives their guests a whole suite of exclusive hookups, including 20% OFF on room rates, sundowner drinks, midnight treats from your in-room loot bag, and complimentary room upgrades when you check (subject to room availability). That’s not it, though. FWBs will also nab 20% at THE ICONIC, so you can treat yourself to a new holiday fit at the same time. Want in? You can unlock this treasure trove of perks by booking your stay directly at ovolohotels.com from now until April 7.
NBA Announces ‘Gary Payton Block Party’ in Sydney
If you grew up in the ‘90s, you knew and loved ‘The Glove’. Across 17 seasons, NBA Champion Gary Payton proved to be one of the most electric players in the league, renowned for his trash talk, defence and in-your-face attitude. Now, Sydney-siders can experience it for themselves.
The NBA and Tabcorp have announced ‘Gary Payton’s Block Party’, a free fan event held at Magic’s sports bar at Hotel Steyne on Manly Beach. The official NBA party will include a viewing party to watch the game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers, fan meet-and-greets and Q&A sessions with Payton, photo opportunities with the Larry O’Brien Trophy, appearances by local personalities, NBA merchandise giveaways, and more.
“Between the success of Australians in the NBA and the national teams’ recent success on the world stage, basketball’s popularity in Australia is at an all-time high,” Payton said. “I look forward to visiting Australia once again and to meeting the country’s passionate fans at my block party.”
‘Gary Payton’s Block Party’ will be held on Saturday, March 23 in Sydney. You can find out more information about the event at the Hotel Steyne website.
Rhys Nicholson Launches New Gin with The Melbourne Gin Company
Aussie comedy legend, Rhys Nicholson has teamed up with The Melbourne Gin Company (MGC) to release a signature gin label. The aptly named Rhys Nicholson Gin Company will debut at Comedy Republic on March 28, just in time for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
The RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under judge is renowned for their sharp and cutting humour, making for the perfect blend of dry and intriguing. Gin lovers can put it to the test themselves, with a special Rhystini (Rhys Nicholson Martini) to be featured at the Comedy Republic bar.
“My body mass has been mostly premium gin for the better part of two decades, so it feels only right I attach my name to one,” Rhys said. “Having been a huge (and responsible) consumer of MGC for years, I am borderline hysterical to get to work with them on our little project. This is my dream Gin. Smooth, clean and refreshing, with a hint of citrus and ginger, and not that uncouth flavoured spirit vibe. Perfect for a martini. Or whatever, to be honest. I’m in love.”
Head over to Comedy Republic to experience the Rhys Nicholson Gin, a spirit as distinctive and delightful as Rhys themself – from March 28 to April 21.
Sofitel Launches Easter Enchantment Stay
Before the bunny officially hits your household, luxury hotel brand Sofitel is serving up a tasty treat of its own. The new Easter Enchantment Stay offers guests a bespoke retreat loaded with sophisticated extras and creature comforts. What’s more, you can also score 25% off accommodation when you book a minimum of two nights. The new Sofitel Easter Enhancement Stay starts from just $689.
If the thought of an Easter long weekend getaway doesn’t quite tickle your fancy, however, the Sofitel Autumn Escape is the ultimate in luxury stays. The French-inspired escape includes accommodation, drinks at the Champagne Bar with $100 credit per booking, gourmet breakfast for two at Atelier by Sofitel and late checkout to 1pm. Holidays sorted.
Sip On Moonshine at The Hill’s District’s Newest Distillery
Call your mates, there’s a brand new spirits distillery opening its doors this weekend. Hills Distilling Co. is opening in Rouse Hill today, Friday 15 March, and is the Hills District’s first locally owned distillery, producing handcrafted premium spirits – gin, vodka & Australian white malt – using the finest homegrown local ingredients.
The Rouse Oil distillery has a cellar door that hosts gin tasting with a selection of premium mixers and unique cocktails every Friday, 3-6pm and a retail space that’s fully stocked with bottles of spirits and premium garnishes. If you’re feeling a little peckish, there is a rotating menu of handmade dancing dumplings by Chef Sebastian Tan from JINJA. On Thursdays, you can book guided tours of the gin production space, or gin-making masterclasses for small groups of up to 12.
Some standouts are the white malt spirit crafted in collaboration with Australian Brewing Co. which utilises a unique amber ale recipe, as well as their double pot-distilled moonshine-style spirit offering a silky texture with subtle spiciness. Each bottle of Hills Distilling Co.’s gin, vodka, and malt spirit is filled, polished, and packaged on-site, featuring a personal signature from the maker who bottled it. So whether you’re a Hills local or out in the area for a visit, be sure to drop by!
Benriach and The Grounds’ Whisky-Infused ‘Scotch Cross Buns’
The geniuses at Benriach have come up with the perfect solution to have a hit of whisky while out for brunch on the weekend. Benriach Single Malt Scotch Whisky and iconic Sydney venue, The Grounds, have teamed up to create ‘Scotch Cross Buns’ – an Easter classic with a delicious whisky twist. Unlike Woolies, who have been slinging whisky-free hot-cross buns since 1 January, you can pick up a limited-edition Benriach whisky-infused Scotch Cross Bun takeaway six-pack from The Grounds venues for $10 from Monday 18 March to Monday 1 April.
Guests dining in will also be in for a treat, with a new ‘Scotch Cross Bun Pudding’ dessert launching on the menu, featuring a baked Scotch Cross Bun with brown butter whisky caramel sauce and macadamia ice cream, and served alongside a new Benriach Whisky Treacle cocktail. If the Easter Bunny is reading this, we’d prefer a drop of Scotch Cross Buns over chocolate this year, please.
Coach’s Tabby Shop Introduces an Adult Jumping Castle
Luxury fashion house Coach has opened the Tabby Shop in Melbourne and it’s a little different than you may have expected. The immersive pop-up, which is set in the unique environs of Daniel’s Car Park in the Central Business District, celebrates the iconic Tabby Bag with a wide array of colourful and playful motifs.
As Coach explains, the Tabby Shop features a Daisy Daydream installation—an immersive, botanical world celebrating the daisy print hero bag of the season, a giant inflatable Tabby sculpture, DJ booth, Coach Records and Coach Coffee Shop. The pop-up will take up residence in Lonsdale Street in the heart of the CBD over four days, from Thursday 14 March to Sunday 17 March.
