September 2025 Edition
What’s On
Salut, September. As winter fades, Australia awakens with sunlit afternoons, grand stages, and the season’s most anticipated events.
For Quintessentially members, the month ahead offers unrivalled access to the cultural and sporting heartbeat of the nation. In Melbourne, the AFL Grand Final electrifies the MCG, while Flemington prepares for the Spring Racing Carnival’s glamour and prestige. Sydney readies for the NRL Grand Final beneath stadium lights, as the countdown begins towards the Australian Open, where courtside dreams come alive.
Beyond the stadium, September ushers in a new chapter in dining. Quintessentially members can secure tables at the most in-demand launches: Grill Americano’s arrival in Sydney, Melbourne’s refined Harriott and Reed House, and Brisbane’s golden coastal newcomer, Layla.
Culture takes centre stage too, with exclusive previews and access to world-class showcases. The NGV reveals Nipa Doshi: A Room of My Own, while Bondi’s coastline transforms with the striking return of Sculpture by the Sea.
From the roar of the crowd to candlelit tables and coastal art trails, September’s calendar is yours to experience in signature Quintessentially style- seamlessly arranged, exquisitely curated, and always with the best seat in the house.

LIVE & LOUD
The games you can’t miss
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AFL Grand Final 2025
Experience Australia’s biggest sporting spectacle as the AFL season reaches its thrilling climax, with electrifying atmosphere, fierce competition, and a packed MCG roaring for victory.
Saturday 27th September, 2025
MCG, Melbourne -
Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival 2025
Celebrate a week of fashion, racing, and glamour at Flemington, where world-class thoroughbreds, lavish marquees, and Melbourne’s social elite gather for an unmissable Spring Racing Carnival.
Saturday 1st November – Saturday 8th November, 2025
Flemington Racecourse -
NRL Grad Final 2025
Witness the pinnacle of rugby league as the top two teams battle for glory under the lights, with a charged atmosphere and spectacular entertainment at Accor Stadium.
Sunday 5th October, 2025
Accor Stadium, Sydney -
Ashes Boxing Day Test Match 2025
An iconic cricket tradition, watch Australia face England in the Ashes at the MCG on Boxing Day, combining fierce rivalry with a festive summer atmosphere.
Friday 26th December, 2025
MCG, Melbourne -
Australian Open 2026
The first Grand Slam of the year brings world-class tennis, electric night sessions, and Melbourne’s summer buzz to centre stage at the iconic Australian Open.
Sunday 12th January – Sunday 1st February, 2026
Melbourne Park, Melbourne -
Qatar Airways Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix 2026
Feel the adrenaline as Formula 1 roars into Melbourne’s Albert Park, with high-speed drama, glamorous hospitality, and a festival atmosphere on and off the track.
Thursday 12th – Sunday 15th March, 2026
Albert Park Racetrack, Melbourne

Dining & Hospitality
A seat at the finest table
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Coming Soon: Grill Americano opens in Sydney
In Melbourne, it’s more than just a restaurant, it’s a rite of passage. Now, the Sydney chapter begins.
From visionary restaurateur Chris Lucas- the mind behind acclaimed dining destinations Chin Chin, Society and Yakimono- Grill Americano has become one of Melbourne’s most celebrated tables. Nestled on Flinders Lane, it’s a space where old-world Italian charm meets the drama of woodfired cooking, elevated by impeccable service and the kind of glamour that lingers long after dessert. This spring, Grill Americano opens its doors in Sydney. Expect moody lighting, marble-draped interiors, deep velvet textures and the hum of a room where every detail has been considered. On the menu: handmade pastas, butter-drenched lobster and signature wood-grilled steaks, kissed by flame and finished with finesse.
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Harriott: Where Melbourne Meets Europe on a Plate
From the team behind Tipo 00 and Osteria Ilaria, Harriot blends French influence with seasonal Victorian produce. Chef James Kelly crafts refined plates like Great Ocean duck three ways and truffle-laden pasta, paired with Justin Howe’s 500-bottle wine list spanning esoteric finds and celebrated names from both hemispheres.
Monday to Friday, 12pm - 11pm
Saturday, 5pm - 11:30pm
- 555 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 -
Reed House: British-Inspired Flavours in Melbourne
Chef Mark Hannell and Rebecca Baker opened Reed House, a cozy restaurant in an 1859 bluestone building. The menu blends old-school British dishes with creative twists, complemented by inventive cocktails and a diverse wine list, all served in intimate, warm spaces with fireplaces and courtyard views.
Tuesday to Friday, 12-2:30pm, 5-10pm
Saturday, 4:30-11pm
Sunday, 12-3:30pm
- 130 Lonsdale Street Melbourne 3000 -
Layla: Brisbane's Tropical Spice Journey
Shane Delia’s interstate venture, Layla, opened in Brisbane’s heritage-listed Thomas Dixon Centre. The moody space hosts Delia’s signature spice-driven menu with tropical twists- king crab with charred pineapple, pistachio-crusted quail, and fresh seafood- paired with a 150-bottle wine list curated for Brisbane’s subtropical climate.
Thursday to Sunday, 12-10:30pm
Tuesday, 5:30-10:30pm
- Cnr Montague Road &, Raven St, West End QLD 4101

Art & Culture
Immersion in inspiration
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MECCA X NGV: Women in Design Commission 2025
For the 2025 MECCA x NGV Women in Design Commission, award-winning designer Nipa Doshi presents A Room of My Own- a handcrafted cabinet inspired by Indian Kavad shrines. Blending function and symbolism, the piece honours multigenerational female influence and personal ritual. Known for vibrant, narrative-driven work, Doshi draws on Bollywood, Indian textiles, and architecture to celebrate beauty, diversity, and cross-cultural exchange.
- Opens 25th September 2025
- National Gallery Victoria -
Coming Soon: Westwood | Kawakubo
This major exhibition unites the work of Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo, two pioneering designers who redefined fashion through radical, rule-breaking creativity. Featuring over 140 designs from global collections, it explores their shared originality and challenges to convention across themes of provocation, reinvention, the body, and the transformative power of clothes.
- Open from 7th December, 2025 - 19th April, 2026
- National Gallery Victoria -
Sculptures by the Sea - Bondi
The world’s largest annual outdoor sculpture exhibition returns, transforming Sydney’s iconic coastal walk into a two-kilometre open-air gallery. Over 100 works from Australian and international artists create a striking blend of art and landscape, with dramatic ocean vistas providing an unforgettable backdrop for this celebrated cultural event.
- 23rd October - 9th November, 2025
- Bondi to Tamarama Coastal Walk

Entertainment & Concerts
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Upcoming Concerts
Oasis | OCT- NOV ‘25
31st Oct, 1st, & 4th November - Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
7th & 8th November - Accor Stadium, SydneyKendrick Lamar | DEC ‘25
3rd December- AAMI Park, Melbourne
10th December - Allianz Stadium, SydneyEd Sheeran | FEB ‘26
31st January & 1st February - Optus Stadium, Perth
13th, 14th, 15th February - Accor Stadium, Sydney
20th, 21st, 22nd February, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
26th, 27th 28th February - Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
5th March - Adelaide Oval, Adelaide -
Melbourne Plays & Musicals
ANNIE
The beloved Broadway classic Annie brings its heartwarming story and timeless songs to Melbourne’s Princess Theatre. Follow the spirited orphan as she finds family, hope, and joy against all odds, with dazzling performances, stunning sets, and unforgettable tunes like Tomorrow.- Princess Theatre
- Until November 8th 2025 -
Sydney Plays & Musicals
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY - THE AUSTRALIAN BALLET
A grand production of Tchaikovsky’s classic, The Australian Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty enchants with opulent sets, exquisite costumes, and timeless choreography, bringing this beloved fairy tale to life on the iconic Opera House stage.- Sydney Opera House
- 3rd - 21st December 2025
The Latest Travel Journey
We've handpicked a curated selection of new openings to inspire your next trip. Think charming cottages in the English countryside, Renaissance-era villas in Florence, and glamorous Mediterranean hideaways.
At Your Request