Sunday, Funday – 5 Places for Your Next Sunday Session

Sunday sessions epitomise a lifestyle of leisure and indulgence, inviting individuals to bask in the essence of brightness, lightness and luxury - it’s a day dedicated to unwinding, shedding the cares of the week and relishing the finer moments of life.

The atmosphere is characterised by an air of relaxation and unhurried enjoyment where every element from the ambience to the offerings, is carefully curated to enhance a sense of well-being. 

Whether it is sipping a chilled glass of Champagne under the sun’s warm embrace, lounging in comfortable seating surrounded by serene landscapes or savouring gourmet delights – Sunday sessions are an oasis of tranquillity and opulence where time seems to slow down, allowing you to enjoy life’s pleasures to the fullest.

Here are five spots we highly recommend:

Find amazing 270-degree views as the sun sets at Geraldton’s only rooftop bar, Old Man & the Sea, on Cathedral Avenue. Enjoy a unique experience at this chilled-out venue located on the roof of the Gerald Apartment Hotel; open and airy for most of the year and kept cosy with specially designed pop-up sea containers offering protection from the coastal breeze.

 

Plan your next Sunday session and take advantage of Sunset Hour from 4 pm to 5 pm with cocktails for just $16 each to go with crispy fried salt and Szechuan pepper squid with aioli; move onto mains like a lamb burger with whipped goats’ feta, tomato, pesto, cos lettuce and onion rings, or seafood linguine in a creamy tomato and saffron sauce.

Creating a new and exciting dining experience in Windsor, head to The Church Bar on Kable Street for bistro fare dished up in a renovated church. Bursting with character, this restaurant is the ideal place to dine, sip and unwind with friends among arched windows, wooden tables and metal pendent light fittings; on balmy days enjoy a cocktail alfresco while listening to live music and pondering an extensive menu of classic pub food.

 

Drop in for live music from 12 pm to 3 pm every Sunday and get your arvo session going in style with a Nuns Nasty cocktail of vodka, peach schnapps, pineapple and grenadine to go with starters of fried Korean chicken wings, gochujang, Asian slaw and wasabi aioli; for the main, don’t go past the Holy Grail – chicken supreme wrapped in prosciutto, served with grilled prawns, market vegetables, mash and creamy garlic sauce.

Combining the best of East and West, head to Chop ‘n’ Chill on Horton Street in Port Macquarie for street-style Southeast Asian fare blended with the hearty smoked-meat flavours of the Americas. Nestled on the Town Green with spectacular views of the beautiful Hastings River, this restaurant is all about spending great times with family and friends; find indoor-outdoor dining in relaxing surrounds, while a kids’ play park entertains the little ones.

 

Join the action on Sundays as the best of local musicians play live in the evenings along with delicious food and a fantastic atmosphere; book your table to sing along while enjoying spicy buffalo chicken wings, blue cheese dressing, carrot and celery sticks, moving onto smoked pulled pork sliders with coleslaw, chunky fries and spicy BBQ sauce. Finish with a cheese platter to share with camembert, cheddar, housemade chutney, seasonal fruit and crackers.

Find a little slice of the Cotswolds located in the heart of Kirribilli at Bamfords on Fitzroy Street. Be transported to the gastropubs of England in an intimate, casual and cosy vibe ideal for all occasions, whether it’s a long, boozy lunch or family get-together enjoyed over a few beers, glass of wine or cocktail and delicious nibble. 

 

Stop in on Sundays for a long lunch with your besties or nearest and dearest and get in the mood for a session with share plates of meatballs and chimichurri sauce, or pulled beef brisket sliders, with pickled slaw, cucumber and herb mayo; those with more ravenous appetites opt for slow braised lamb ragu, with gnocchi, rocket, peas and Parmesan, or bangers and mash – pork sausages, mash, peas and mushroom gravy.

It’s all about easy vibes and good times at Monte Lane on Brisbane Street in Ipswich. This cool and casual venue is where sharing is caring – plates full of flavour, laughter and stories, all passed around the table – in rustic surrounds of exposed brick, polished concrete and a bifold window bringing the outside in.

 

Laid-back Sunday session vibes await – sit back, relax and unwind while sipping on a selection of cocktails and fine wines – it’s the perfect way to wrap up your weekend in style! Listen to live music while grazing on calamari fritti and lemon mayo, or cod croquettes; before sharing sliced sirloin with salsa rosa and chimichurri or pumpkin ravioli with burnt butter, sage, walnuts and dill sour cream.