Latest news with #Spritzes
Time Out
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Find fluffy pizza crusts and ‘divine' Italian eats at this osteria tucked away in Elizabeth Bay
Whether you mean to or not, you'll find history on every corner you turn in Italy. Beautiful churches, half-dug ruins and centuries-old restaurants. Divino Osteria is taking a page out of Italy's history book, bringing both quality Mediterranean flavours and an exciting past to the streets of Elizabeth Bay. Located in the old Sebel Townhouse Hotel (the former home of Bar Grazie), Divino Osteria's walls have once seen the likes of big stars like Elton John and David Bowie. Now they see leopard-spotted woodfire pizza crusts and heaping bowls of pasta dreamt up by owner, Paddington -local Anthony Alafaci. His Southern Italian heritage has inspired the classic Italian menu: fresh antipasti like octopus carpaccio and apple scallops; pasta faves like slow-cooked ragu rigatoni; big, fluffy and crunchy pizzas; and hearty mains like a magical-looking herb-crusted lamb cutlet. They're all cooked up by head chef Andrea Di Stefano and his team. Stefano is a Catania native, and has also worked in in European Michelin-starred kitchens, so strap in for a great Italian feast. Pair your meal with a drop from the European wine list and contemporary Italian cocktails that feature a whole lot of Limoncello and Aperol. In true Italian fashion, you can enjoy a long weekend lunch that includes a filling pizza to share and two Spritzes with your favourite plus-one – all for $60. Kicking things off before a night out instead? From 4pm to 6pm every Thursday to Sunday is happy hour. Knock back a couple of $14 Spritzes and polish them off with a olive oil-laced focaccia. The space is reminiscent of a 1960s jazz bar; bottles of vino line wooden shelves, drawings of chillies, lemons and Martini glasses dot the walls and tableside lamps are the main source of light. So, are you feeling cosy? Save yourself a seat – and plenty of room in your belly.
Time Out
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
The best clubs in Rome for 2025
As the land of la dolce vita, we Romans have a reputation for embracing pleasure in all its forms – whether that's lingering over a wine-fuelled dinner or dancing until dawn. Nightlife in the capital is just as diverse as the city itself. You might find yourself sipping Spritzes under string lights in a garden that feels more like Bali than central Rome. Or moving to electronic beats in a cavernous, post-industrial space where the music never stops. And if glamour is more your thing, you'll want to head somewhere with velvet ropes, strobe lights and a guest list full of stilettos and champagne. Whatever your vibe, Rome has a dance floor – and a crowd – for it. Best clubs in Rome 1. Alcazar Live Things to do Concerts price 2 of 4 This ex-movie theatre-turned-club in Trastevere is one of Rome's most popular venues. Come by on Thursdays to listen to live music jam sessions, and don't miss out on Friday tribute nights, led by the resident band. On Saturdays, strut your stuff on the dance floor while Italian and international artists play R&B, soul, funk and jazz. Alcazar also has a restaurant, so fill up on creative Italian dishes before the dancing begins. 2. Jackie O' Located on a side street off the famous Via Veneto, Jackie O' is an absolute classic. It's one of those clubs that used to be around when your parents went dancing, and it'll be around when your kids will go dancing, too. This exclusive pianobar attracts an elegant crowd of all ages — mainly locals — and the music is pure Italian classics. Inspired by Jackie Kennedy's timeless style, it is an upscale place with thoughtful details like candlesticks, red leather furniture and stamped ice cubes in your cocktails. 3. Lanificio 159 Located inside a redeveloped wool mill in Rome's Pietralata neighborhood, Lanificio is a vast, industrial space spanning 3,500 sq m, with a hell of a lot going on. First opened in 2007, it includes shabby-chic restaurant, vintage furniture showroom, rooftop bar and Lanificio 159, a nightclub and concert venue. Lanificio 159 hosts themed nights like Shaky Shaky (Reggaeton, Hip Hop and R&B) and Club Tropicana (New Wave, Electropop and Italo Disco), along with concerts by Italian and international artists. Digitalism, Mount Kimbie and 2manydjs have all played here. Address: Via di Pietralata 159a, 00158 Rome RM, Italy Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 10am-6pm, Friday-Saturday 11pm-4.30am, closed Sunday 4. The Sanctuary Eco Retreat A green oasis just footsteps from the hip Monti area, the Sanctuary Eco Retreat is inspired by the tropical lifestyle of Mexico and Thailand. Open Thursday-Saturday from 6pm to 4am and Sundays for brunch, it's a hip hangout that will make you feel far away from the traffic and noise of Italy's buzzing capital. Come by for Asian-inspired dishes, rituals like tarot reading and fire shows, and of course, live music. You can enjoy vinyl sets in the garden area, electronic music in the Club room and good vibes from aperitivo time until late into the night. 5. Piper A Roman mainstay first opened in 1965, Piper Club is an intimate discoteca and concert venue located across from the upscale Coppedè neighborhood, not far from Villa Borghese. Historically popular with VIPs, it's a small space and perpetually crowded so show up early to avoid a long queue. The club specialises in house, techno and indie music from the 70s to 90s. Address: Via Tagliamento 9, 00198 Rome RM, Italy Opening hours: Friday-Saturday 11pm-5am, closed Sunday-Thursday 6. Profumo Spazio Sensoriale This restaurant and club in the north of the city is the it-place for a night out with the locals. With an indoor and outdoor space surrounded by a vast candlelit garden, Profumo Spazio Sensoriale is the perfect venue year-round. Sing your lungs out to '60s, '70s and '80s Italian and international songs, followed by contemporary DJ sets. In the summertime, the party moves outside, and there's no going home until the wee hours. 7. Spazio Novecento This gigantic palazzo in the EUR district boasting stunning terraces and a huge dance floor serves as a conference centre during the day and turns into a nightclub on special occasions. It's the go-to place for international DJs playing minimal techno and house music. Paul Kalkbrenner, Loco Dice and Chris Liebing are just some of the artists that have performed here. Spazio 's sound system is top-notch, and don't get us started on the brilliant light shows. Address: Piazza Guglielmo Marconi 26B, 00144 Rome RM, Italy 8. Art Cafè There are more than just cars in the underground parking garage of Villa Borghese: find one of the hottest clubs in Rome right here amid an oh-so-fashionable crowd. Dance the night away at Art Café to commercial, house and revival music amid beautifully dressed ladies and gents while admiring cool choreographies by professional dancers. The dance floor? Spacious – but the VIP tables are better. Address: Viale del Galoppatoio 33, 00197 Rome RM, Italy 9. Qube A queer nightclub in east Rome, Qube is set upon three floors with a number of themed rooms. Every night is a party here with live performances, disco music, drag shows and non-stop dancing. The crowd goes all out so come dressed to impress and express yourself. Since the 90s, every Friday is 'Muccassassina' night dedicated to celebrating queer culture. Special guests over the years have included Amanda Lepore, David Lachapelle and Alexander McQueen. Opening hours: Thursday-Saturday 11.30pm‑5am, closed Sunday-Wednesday 10. Toy Room From London and Los Angeles to Dubai and Istanbul, Toy Room is an internationally renowned club that has taken the Eternal City by storm. The eclectic and modern design (pink neon lights!) is animated by resident DJ James Da Cruz, who plays the moment's hits on a 360-degree console next to Frank, the iconic teddy bear mascot that everyone loves to dance with. If you get hungry, revel in the on-premise popcorn maker.
North Wales Live
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Bella Italia offering £1 Spritz drinks all day, with no limits
Bella Italia is running a one-day-only offer - £1 Spritz Day - with Summer Spritz drinks for a pound each, all day long on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. Guests can enjoy as many £1 Spritz cocktails or mocktails as they wish throughout the day, with no limits - as long as food is purchased. Drinking to excess is not permitted and Bella Italia will reserve the right to cease service at any time. Guests must drink responsibly at all times. Alcohol served only to guests aged 18+, and Challenge 25 is observed in all restaurants. The £1 Spritz Day can be combined with other offers, including Bella's £5 Pasta Deal and the ongoing Padlock Challenge, where guests can unlock up to 90 days of 50% off food. A Bella Italia spokesperson said: 'We wanted to go big to celebrate the start of summer, and what better way than with £1 Spritzes all day long? It's the ultimate treat - bold savings, delicious drinks, and the perfect excuse to get together. Whether you're joining us for £5 pasta, collecting Padlocks, or just dropping in for a light bite, we're making it easy to kick off summer in style.'
Cosmopolitan
27-05-2025
- Cosmopolitan
Hydra is the laidback, stunning and walkable Greek island you need to book for your next summer trip
With hundreds of islands, it can be slightly overwhelming to know which of the picturesque Greek paradises to spend your precious annual leave at. However, after spending a week on the calm, sunny and car-free island of Hydra, it's safe to say it's at the top of my list of recommendations. The small island is located less than an hour away by ferry from the city of Athens. Spend a night in the city and soak up the lively atmosphere before heading over for a week of true relaxation in Hydra. The island was beloved by Leonard Cohen, and recently featured in an episode of Prime Video's Daisy Jones and the Six. But despite its fame, the vibe is lowkey and relaxed. Cars aren't allowed so everyone travels by foot, boat or donkey. The town itself is easily walkable, and you can see it all within a day, which leaves plenty of time for the highlight - the beaches. Dotted around the island are a number of gorgeous coves, mainly rocky, that took my breath away on multiple occasions. There are so many, you'll want to spend a good week on the island hopping from place to place, picnic and books in tote bags, ready to spend afternoons swimming in the crystal clear sea followed by Spritzes and games of Uno. And when the day is over, make sure to pay attention to the unreal sunsets as you get ready for a chilled out dinner in the marina. Ready to plan a week in Hydra? Here's everything you need to know about the Greek oasis. One of the biggest reasons I love Hydra is how the buildings have been maintained, with many restrictions stopping the development of big hotels taking over. Instead, hotels are boutique and intimate, like the Hotel Miranda where we stayed. It's located just a minute's walk up a side street from the main port, and was originally a sea captain's mansion built in 1810. There are just 14 rooms in the hotel, some with balconies looking out to sea, and others with garden views. The small number of rooms and relaxed nature of the hotel makes it feel like you're staying at the house of a great family friend. And this in part is due to the fact the hotel is run by Miranda - hence the hotel's name - and her lovely family. Breakfast is served each morning in the hotel's courtyard, surrounded by lemon, orange and jasmine trees, where you can tuck into freshly made pastries and local jam, while chatting away with other guests. Simply heavenly. Over the years it's played host to a number of artists and exhibitions, and this is reflected in the walls of the hotel, which are decorated in a very classical style but with all the modern facilities you could want. Book your stay at Miranda Hotel here Hydra is the island to come to if all you want to do is relax on the beach, catch-up on your reading list and swim in crystal blue waters. However, knowing which beach to go to is crucial. Many of them are accessible by water-taxi only, so you do need to slightly plan ahead - however the ones I've listed below are all accessible on foot. The journeys to them are so picturesque, it makes the stroll all the more enjoyable. Spilla beach Located less than a five minute walk from the centre, the Spilla beach is less of a beach and more of a series of plinths to rest and dive in from. It's set between two beach bars - the Hydronetta and Spilla beach bar - which are built into the rocks. It's the sort of place you go for a proper swim and then get out for a much needed Aperol. Avlaki beach This is just a 10 minute walk from the port and is located down a long set of steps. It's a very small beach with crystal clear blue water. It's a spot for a morning swim, where it's pretty much deserted, and then heading back for breakfast. There are no toilets or facilities, just two ledges to rest on. However there is a very nice restaurant, Téchne, at the top, which is open for lunch and dinner. Kamini If you're looking for a beach to spend the whole day on then I'd head to Kamini. It's about a 20 to 25 minute walk from the port, or you can get a water taxi. You can either lay a towel out on the beach for free or there are a few rows of sun beds and umbrellas you can rent for the day. They're part of the Castillo restaurant, which is truly stunning,and you can either eat in the restaurant, or order to your sunbed. We ended up taking sandwiches with us and ordering rosé while playing Uno all afternoon. Honestly, it doesn't get better than that. Mandraki Located to the right side of the port, this is either a five minute water taxi or 20 minute walk. There are two beaches, one that belongs to the Mandraki Hotel where prices for the sunbed a day are pretty spenny, or there's the public beach which has sun beds at a more affordable rate, restaurants, toilets and a beach bar. There's a number of yachts docked around this beach which makes for some great people watching. To note: apart from the beach at the Mandraki Hotel, the rest of the beaches on the island are made up of stones and not sand, so while not essential, next time I'd definitely bring a pair of water shoes. While you can get a water taxi to one place, there are also plenty of boat tours that will arrange to take you to many of the best beaches on the island in one day. Ideal if you're only there for a long weekend and want to pack as much in as possible. If you need a bit more activity in your day, then start the morning off with a horse ride. Harriet's Hydra Horses company leads group riding treks across hydra, visiting monasteries and beaches dotted across the island. She keeps the groups small and every trek is personalised to that group. Hydra is a small island with a small main town, but it's still packed with plenty to keep you entertained. As well as the shops lining the main port, there's also a number of galleries, the Hydra museum, and Leonard Cohen's house (you can't go into his old house but you can walk past and take pictures) to keep you busy. A classic no frills Greek taverna which easily had some of the best food we ate on the island. It's all about the salads, fresh fish and peppers stuffed with feta, and it's located in the most gorgeous square with live music playing. In the same square is Kafeneio, which is a more modern and elevated take on classic Greek dishes. It kind of felt like if you picked up an east London restaurant and dropped it onto a Greek island. This seafood restaurant elevated above the port is the best place to go for good food and unmatched views in the evening. While they specialise in seafood (order the king prawn linguine - you won't be disappointed), they also do plenty of Greek classics. You can't really leave Greece without having gyros, and this was our favourite place on the island to get them. The gyros are super fresh, have a variety of toppings available and the come in very large portions. There are plenty of places to drink along the main port, however our favourite place for cocktails was at Amalour. It's set in a lively square and looks out on a number of bustling restaurants. They do an unreal margarita and from around 11, you can start dancing until the early hours. Hydra isn't the island to come to if you want to go out partying every night - Amalour and Red Club are the only two venues to play late nice music. Amalour is perfect if you just want to let you hair down for one night while you're there. For more low key and intimate evening drinks head to the L'Americano. It's just down the road from the Miranda Hotel and does an incredible cocktail menu. With relaxed jazz music playing you could easily spend a few hours here. Oh and be sure to try the spicy white negroni. The best (and basically only) way to get to Hydra is to fly into Athens and from there take an hour and a half ferry from the port, which you should book ahead. Lydia Venn is Cosmopolitan UK's Senior Entertainment and Lifestyle Writer. She covers everything from TV and film, to the latest celebrity news. She also writes across our work/life section regularly creating quizzes, covering exciting new food releases and sharing the latest interior must-haves. In her role she's interviewed everyone from Margot Robbie to Niall Horan, and her work has appeared on an episode of The Kardashians. After completing a degree in English at the University of Exeter, Lydia moved into fashion journalism, writing for the Daily Express, before working as Features Editor at The Tab, where she spoke on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour and Talk Radio. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of Gilmore Girls and 00s teen movies, and in her free time can be found with a margarita in hand watching the Real Housewives on repeat. Find her on LinkedIn.
