You’ve been told that clean living is the best way to age gracefully, so you try your best to drink water, eat healthy, wear sunscreen, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and avoid excessive alcohol. But what if a new brand of booze could make you look younger?

A new “anti-aging gin” claims to do exactly that. Anti-AGin contains a cocktail of age-defying botanicals and drinkable collagen, which the company says make it “the alcoholic equivalent of a facial.” The spirit comes from luxury hotel brand Warner Leisure Hotels, which commissioned the creative agency Bompas and Parr to bring it to life. If you can get past the cringeworthy name, the obvious question is: does Anti-AGin actually work?

STAT reports that a study published last year in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that oral ingestion of collagen might make skin more hydrated, which in turn could boost the overall appearance of the skin. It sounds promising, but the study only included 33 women, and that’s hardly a large enough trial to consider the results conclusive.

Anti-AGin also claims to smooth over sun damage, even out cellulite, and stop scars from forming – but once again, there’s no evidence to suggest that oral ingestion of collagen can do that.

The post A New Brand Of Gin Claims It Can Reverse The Effects Of Aging appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

We love few things like we love dressing up, but let’s face it: it’s not the most affordable hobby we could have chosen. From the bespoke suits to the Italian leather shoes, formalwear is a pricey endeavour. The stylish man splurges when he can, saves when he has to, and has the wisdom to know the difference. These 10 men’s dress watches are the best of both worlds – they look like splurges, but are secretly saves.

Tissot Heritage Visodate Silver Dial Automatic

Rewind to the 1950s, when Tissot celebrated its centenary with a series of innovations. One was the integration of a date function to the automatic mechanism of its watches, a feature dubbed Visodate. The Tissot Heritage Visodate translates nostalgia into 21^st century timekeeping with a curved dial and domed sapphire glass, a reliable Swiss-made automatic movement, an exhibition case back and a deployment clasp.

Hamilton Spirit of Liberty Auto

Daniel Wellington Classic Cardiff

The clean dial and unassuming size of Daniel Wellington’s Classic Cardiff lends itself well to formal attire. Relaxed and unpretentious, but still elegant, the Classic Cardiff features a strikingly simple design – ultra-thin rose gold or silver case, eggshell dial, brown leather strap – and a Japanese Quartz Movement. The straps are interchangeable, so you can customise your look. A classic and affordable dress watch.

Skagen Ancher Steel Mesh Watch

Skagen takes its inspiration from the contemporary Danish design movement, so expect quality mixed with streamlined style and simplicity. The Ancher Steel Mesh Watch clearly comes from that ethos. There is no clutter, no ostentation, no unnecessary complexities – just a minimalist, polished timepiece that won’t cost you a fortune and won’t distract from your suit.

Frédérique Constant Classics Range

The Classics collection from Frédérique Constant brings together beautiful design, technological achievement and pricing that’s impossible to ignore. In total, 9 unique automatic models make up the range, each with individual styling but a shared FC-303 automatic calibre with 26 jewels and all with sleek lines and uncluttered dials. Expect high-end quality and aesthetic standards, without the high-end price.

TW Steel Slimline

TW Steel’s mantra is “Big in Oversized Watches” – so what happens when they embrace the resurgence of slim watches? Answer: the TW Steel Slimline collection. The range encompasses 10 pieces with a classic, more formal design. All models utilise a Miyota 1S13 movement, and as far as aesthetics go, you have your choice of cases, dial colours and leather straps.

Casio MTP-1302L-1AV

Casio produces a little bit of everything, from cameras to calculators to the infamous G-Shock watches, but it’s probably not the first brand that comes to mind when you’re in the market for something formal. The Casio MTP-1302L-1AV may be the watch to change that. Not only is it elegant and inexpensive, it’s a couples watch – so you can surprise your lady friend with one, too.

Miansai M12 Silver

Miansai’s famously nautical-inspired bracelets have become a mainstay on men’s wrists, so it’s no surprise founder Michael Saiger has branched out into actual watches this year. The M12 is a big step for the brand: designed in Miansai’s Miami HQ, but powered by a Swiss-made quartz movement. Other key details include a pared-down, mid-century-ish face and coloured Italian leather straps.

Triwa Sort of Black Gold

Sort of Black Gold is a collaboration between Rasmus Storm and Triwa. Available in both chronograph and non-chronograph versions, these watches are, to put it lightly, eye-catching. The design is all gold, with the exception of black detailing on the hands, letting variations in texture and depth serve as indicators. Opt for a black leather strap if you want something slightly more subtle, or the gold-plated stainless steel if you’re feeling bold.

Larsson & Jennings Saxon

The Saxon series shows Anglo-Swedish watchmakers Larssons & Jennings at their best: luxurious but contemporary, classic but minimalistic, British yet Swedish. Featuring a slimmed-down 39mm angular case and bezel, the watches feature brushed 316L stainless steel, sculpted hands, minimal indexing and Anti-Reflective coated crystal sapphire glass. Three styles are offered, including silver, black and gold.

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The Swiss timepiece is a pertinent tool to any man’s wardrobe arsenal. Going well beyond its basic duty of just telling the time, Swiss timepieces are renowned for adding flair and an extra dimension of elegance to any look whether it be a dapper suit or the latest in luxe streetwear.The OMEGA Globemaster is a formidable name in these Swiss watchmaking circles. Highly regarded for their ability to be one of the best looking and most versatile watches on the market, the classic masculine appeal of the Globemaster continues to forge ahead long after its inception in the 1950s.In order to compile a comprehensive guide to buying the perfect Swiss watch, we recruited some expert help from Stella Shi, a true purveyor of watchmaking at Swiss Concept and a graduate of OMEGA’s Grand Ambassador program in Switzerland.Watch and learn, gentleman.

Why The Swiss Watch

Just as Karl Benz created the first ever automobile back in 1886, the Swiss were the first to be involved in watchmaking back in the 16th century. It is this intangible heritage that has earned Switzerland an unyielding reputation for making the world’s finest watches whilst simultaneously setting the standard for quality.Shi explains that Swiss inventors also helped move along the history of the watch, with particular advancements in automatic or self-winding watches.“Swiss watchmaking has developed as a part of history and is deeply embedded in the Swiss culture. This effectively differentiates it from any other watchmaker from around the world.”“It’s a way of expressing individuality as well as perfecting a mechanical craft. It would be difficult to find another country today with the reputation for watchmaking that Switzerland possesses.”Most Swiss watches feature intricate mechanical movements which consist of over one hundred parts that are assembled by hand from dedicated craftsman. Material construct comes into play here with an array of jewels, different alloys and even carbon fibre all making up the price of a Swiss watch.Of course, this means that as the materials become more exotic, the watches will also become more expensive to purchase and look after. An important point to bear in mind is that Swiss watches will retain an intrinsic value that most luxury watches will have regardless of advancing technology like the smartwatch.

What To Look For In A Timepiece

Swiss watches are widely considered a statement piece or representation of success and status for men. Looking for the perfect Swiss timepiece fundamentally comes down to personal taste and the breadth of technology that a wearer seeks. One should consider the type of lifestyle they lead before investing in any sort of Swiss watch, as each one has its intended purpose and corresponding features.Think along the lines of the type of movement, the case material, the power reserve, the water resistant rating, the dial design and the case size. All of these major factors play into buying the perfect Swiss watch that’ll suit your lifestyle best.For a watch like the OMEGA Globemaster, taking the iconic design of yesterday and merging it with the technological demand of today means that it is fully capable of handling the rigours of everyday wear whilst retaining its sophisticated look. This is a fine example of where men should start.“A watch is like an exotic car that you can take to meetings. Watches are one of the few items that a man can wear that he believes display true character,” Shi adds.As such, the key areas to address when looking for a Swiss watch comes down to four factors:Craftsmanship: Look at the overall degree of craftsmanship as this can determine whether or not it’s what you need. Swiss watches can range from basic specifications all the way to extreme, moving into the region of hundreds of thousands of dollars.Tradition: Most Swiss watch brands carry with it an illustrious reputation which can date back as far as the 18th century. It’s important when looking for a Swiss watch to consider what each brand represents as they will often follow a specific design language defined by their past. Think flight inspired watches compared to a classic formal piece – two very different looks. Hence, the right look for a wearer can often come down to the watch brand itself.Technology: Swiss watches have picked up a host of advancements over the century and it is up to the buyer to understand which one of these features will serve them best. Chronographs, Tourbillons, world timers and watches with special indicators are just some examples of the breadth of technology that can be found today. Again, this can determine the final price of the watch so it’s imperative to understand how the technology can serve you.Innovation: Innovation is an extension of the aforementioned technology. Each Swiss watch brand determines how much of the latest technology they want to implement in their timepieces and this ultimately ties back to their tradition and core values. In the Swiss watchmaking world, innovation it doesn’t just mean slapping on a screen and connecting it to your smartphone though. Think along the lines of the implementation of the latest alloys, composite materials and advanced manufacturing methods.

How To Look After A Swiss Timepiece

Due to the precision nature of Swiss watches, it is absolutely imperative that they receive regular servicing in order to maintain performance, reliability, appearance and value.Tip #1: Shi says that Swiss watches should come in for a complete service at a qualified local retailer every 4 to 5 years.Tip #2: Between servicing times, wearers should follow general rules such as avoiding unnecessary shock and chemicals. Cleaning the watch after swimming in the sea and avoiding temperature fluctuations (i.e. saunas) is also something wearers should be very weary of.Tip #3: For added peace of mind, Shi says that local sales associates like herself will often spend a good amount of time going over general care rules applicable to a timepiece during the time of purchase. So ask questions and contact them if you’re uncertain on any care tips.

How To Style Swiss Watches

The vast array of Swiss watches to choose from means that they can be easily worn with a range of men’s clothing.Dressier formal watches are catered more towards the sophisticated gent – a man who often works on a public front, whilst classic watches are aimed at the versatile man who requires a piece that can take on multiple duties. For the active man who’s often found outdoors in sportswear, a bulkier Swiss timepiece with a rubber band will suit the look perfectly whilst adding a healthy dose of masculinity.When it comes to matching the watch with the outfit, there really isn’t many limitations. Shi says that most men prefer to own more than one watch so that they can wear the most appropriate timepiece to compliment their outfit and occasion.One for formal duties, one for work, one for play. It’s as simple as that. If this is not an option, look at the different straps (steel, NATO strap, leather, rubber) available from your local Swiss retailer and places like Swiss Concept.

How Much To Spend

It’s crucial to understand exactly what you need from a timepiece before putting your mortgage on one. As a general rule, a first-time Swiss watch buyer should look in the region between three to five thousand dollars.This however can vary drastically as it is entirely dependent on age and individual financial situations.A perfect example of a watch which sits between the first-time buyer and seasoned buyer price bracket is the OMEGA Globemaster, a watch which offers a host of features and signature Swiss design at the AU$7,000 mark.

Rules Of Intrinsic Value

There are some things that money cannot buy and that’s the essence of Swiss watchmaking that lives in every piece. For OMEGA, it’s a process which has earned an image of purist design, innovation and production at the highest level.Shi believes that Swiss watchmaking is a craftsmanship that is both tedious but extremely unique.“A Swiss brand’s heritage and reputation is essential for the continuity of this aspect of Swiss culture; it prevents the technological takeover of the watchmaking art form.”This is an art form that can never be sold in a Swiss timepiece and an art form that OMEGA continues to practice today.Photographed by Peter Van Alphen

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Outdoor beer-swilling is a sainted pass time no man should live without. Since the earliest 19th century bier gartens of Munich, magnificent bastards the world over have loved nothing more than to bend elbows of an afternoon, into the evening, with that fuddle-faced glow that says: “I’m here, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

Some things never change, but as the city of churches can teach us there’s more than one way to build a boozy congregation. Welcome to five of the best beer gardens Adelaide. Amen to that, Mr Bartender.

The Gully Public House & Garden

1349 North East Road, Tea Tree Gully, SA

Bearing the fruits of a $2 million renovation 12 months ago, The Gully embraces both a historic past with cutting edge design. When the original licence was granted in 1854 – during the district’s earliest settlement days – the front bar played host to local council meetings. That was, until Council Chambers were built the following year – bad news indeed for crapulous Councillors.

Today the space is abundant and diverse, yet its slick, modern motif glues everything together like a charm. Lofty windows throw light onto giant greenery and unenclosed areas flow from one to the next over a split-level circular complex complete with 2 bars, dining areas, patio, hanging chairs and a mezzanine. There is simply so much going on you’ll gravitate in a million directions at once – after all, they did scoop ‘Australia’s Best Outdoor/Unenclosed Area’, thanks to the brothers and sisters at the AHA National Awards.

That said, you’d do a hell of a lot worse than to sink a few shampoos in one of the old school cabana booths, or simply grab a pew in the open air decking area, by the creek (currently waterless), under the sprawling loom of 100 year-old trees.

Best for: Group outings, watching the footy on a huge plasma, general tree awesomeness

The Bridgewater Inn

387 Mount barker Road, Bridgewater

If soaking up the great outdoors tipples your fancy then look no further than The Bridgewater Inn. This natural beaut sits proudly beside the burly rocks and rugged charm of Cox Creek, offering rustic views a mere 20-minute drive South West of the city.

The rear garden splits in two, with a long, raised decking area and a ground level creek-side patio space. The former provides ample seating and dining under a series of linked wooden gazebo garden structures, complete with creeping vines, overhanging trees and oak barrel tables – perfect for those on-your-feet tete-a-tetes.

Wander down to patio-level and you’re in the thick of the action, beside the water’s edge, with many a fine frostie ahead of you. There’s nothing complicated, just Mother Nature giving you the most passive of aggressive lessons in how to be grateful. If you don’t enjoy drinking here, you don’t enjoy drinking.

Best for: Hearty lunch, finding beer garden zen

The Wheatsheaf Hotel

39 George Street, Theberton

On Adelaide’s North Eastern city fringe sits The Wheaty – and what a gem it is. This oh-so-welcoming brew pub is awash with craft beers, experimental home brews and an extensive range of guest taps and bottles from home and abroad. Not to mention a whiskey menu that will satisfy even the most scrupulous of snifters. And, would you believe, they have a cracking garden to enjoy it all in.

Once you’ve dragged yourself away from the bar, the cosy retro sofa-ing, and a grand total of zero pokies, you’ll enter an outdoor space that splices the same come one, come all atmosphere of inside, with yet more quirks, tasteful furnishings and a slight peppering of greenery for good measure. Partly covered; partly open air, with a mix of pleather seats, stalls and wicker chairs, exposed breezeblock walls, long wooden bars and corrugated iron divides make for BS-free, undistracted pub perching at its best.

If you’re feeling peckish, you’re catered for most days with food trucks parked out front – a rotating roster including Taco Cat, Phat Buddha Rolls, Bohemian BBQ and the brilliantly named German gourmet vendors, Wienerbago, to name a few.

Best for: Flicking through the papers, board games, BYOF (bring your own food), mermaid art

Ancient World

116A Hindley Street, Adelaide

Fanning the fun for weekend party heads is CBD-based multi-arts venue, Ancient World. Beginning life as an Adelaide Fringe Festival event in 2014, the rolling monthly lease project – one of many supported by the Renew Adelaide initiative – quickly turned success into a fully blown venture.

Despite its central location you’ll need to keep a beady eye out to find it. Through a back alley, past an adult store and a sausage shop (of course), hooking a left towards the unassuming gate at the rear entrance, and you’ll discover the jewel in the crown: a pretty damn sweet courtyard come beer garden.

Everything about the place is raw, real and totally untarnished by musty money men and corporate formula. This is fertile, creative ground, and you feel it everywhere you look, flickbooking the brain back to a kind of tropical outpost oasis: potted plants-galore, rustic tables and benches, bright neons, a large brick alcove area, antique oak barrels and tribal art (you can even scribble your own, they leave markers out in the bathrooms). They like sourcing locally too, supporting many SA breweries. Today’s tasty guest taps come by way of Big Shed Brewing, featuring their deliciously dark hop monster, Frankenbrown.

The crew here lay on a playground fashioned for open minds and vibrant times, with oodles of heart and soul. The garden is the cherry on the cake.

Best for: Underground music, arty types, networking

Rocket Rooftop

142 Hindley Street, Adelaide

Smack-bang in the hub of the city’s West End clubbing district is Crippen Place, a multi-venue complex boasting late night shenanigans for sticklers of detail. Bypass the basement beats of Electric Circus, the first floor sensory explosion of kitsch Asian bar Mr.Kim’s, and Rocket Bar’s very own hipster music haven above that, and one of Adelaide’s best open air venues awaits.

Wednesday to Sunday, relax and enjoy 360 degree panoramic views of the city on Rocket’s rooftop lawn and bar (alright, so it’s not strictly a pub, but stay with me). Slip off those shoes, give your toes a wiggle and become one with the bean bag as you bask in sky-high sunset action over a spot of friendly table service (see, I knew you wouldn’t complain).

Retro decor, tap beers and ciders, and chilled tunes, all under the watchful gaze of a ginormous palm tree I like to call Peter. They even crack out an open air cinema during summer, but if you can’t wait until then, just crank the heaters and enjoy the vibes all year round.

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There are plenty of pitfalls when it comes to picking a Tinder profile picture. Too many photos with your mates and you’re lost in the crowd, too many mirror selfies and you look like a narcissist. Photo with a baby or an ex-girlfriend? Forget it. Luckily, Tinder CEO Sean Rad has crunched the numbers to help us mere mortals pick the perfect profile picture that’s proven to get you matches.

In fact, Tinder has matched more than 11 billion potential couples over the past 3.5 years and as such, has a bunch of data about what works and what doesn’t.

“The data shows this: When your photo expresses something about your interests – like a skier skiing – or something about your personality, you do better,” Rad said when he was asked what makes the perfect photo at Advertising Week Europe. “You do better as in you get more matches. I always tell people to be yourself.”

Rad said one of the most surprising things he has learnt from looking at an aggregate of all the data is how we underestimate how much information humans pick up from a simple photo. So what about the kinds of Tinder profile pics that fail miserably?

“The model-y poses never work,” Rad said. He also said he didn’t understand why people put up photos of themselves with a lot of their friends, and apparently, headshots don’t work either.

The CEO also revealed a few Tinder algorithm secrets at the event. “About 89% of our users, just through normal behaviour, find matches and have meaningful connections. But there are a group of users that despite swiping, I think, can’t find a match. We give them a little boost to get extra love and attention and hopefully they end up meeting someone.” That ‘little boost’ presents unlucky users in front of some of the most popular users on Tinder, in hopes it will increase the chances of a meeting IRL, which is Tinder’s ultimate goal.

The post Which Profile Pictures Get The Most Tinder Matches appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

‘Dude Food’: a multiverse of meat, wicked heat and salty-sweet worlds bound together by the laws of maximum taste and contempt for moderation. And when it comes to greasy grub, Brisbane has been feeling the ripple effect of a kind of burger-induced big bang that can be traced back over the last 3 to 4 years.

The result is a Queensland capital booming with choice and bouncing with creative flair – and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. So, where is a magnificent bastard to eat? Brisbanites, listen up. Here is dude food Brisbane.

#1 Red Hook

Red Hook offers straight-up, no-nonsense New York street food – and it’s not for the fainthearted. Meet the The Resolution Breaker Burger: a towering colossus of deliciousness. A mountain of double beef, double bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese and Ketchup ‘special sauce’. And if that’s not enough, quash any lingering flicker of hunger with a side of Mac ‘n’ Cheese Squares. These beauts are frozen, chopped into squares, crumbed, then deep fried, and are at their best with a side of hot sauce, giving those creamy cats a kick.

Cool fact: The barman here says that one man came here for lunch everyday for 6 months. Unsurprisingly, he died of a heart attack. He did it his way.

Location: 3/88 Creek Street, Brisbane QLD 4000

#2 Heya Bar

This is cuisine like no other. Heya Bar – a basement precinct inspired by Shinjuku’s Golden Gai district – pumps out Asian-style dude-friendly grub until 3am. It’s becoming increasingly famous for its cheeseburger spring roll. Yes, your ear’oles heard me correctly, a spring roll which tastes unfathomably like a classic cheeseburger.

These perfectly formed pipes of joy are brimming with bacon, beef, caramelized onion and served with lettuce, pickle and hickory aioli. I also plumped for the Tonkatsu Dog, a spin on the classic pork cutlet dish. Crumbed pork, with creamy slaw & Kimchi Mayonaise served in a soft sub, all rounded off with dashi & vinegar pre-shaken fries.

Cool fact: They have an eight-seater Japanese whiskey bar. They also run weekly comedy nights called Heya is a Joke.

Location: 351 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006

#3 Dutch Courage

Craving a little more camaraderie with your calamari? Fear not comrades, we have the perfect spot for you. Perhaps better known for its massive selection of over 100 gins, Dutch Courage Officers’ Mess invites you into a late 19th century British colonial outpost. Managing Director Mathew Hilan insists on having his own calamari taco recipe on the menu – lightly battered calamari, wild rocket, tomato and a beautifully aromatic harissa sauce, in soft tortilla wraps. Braised pork sliders with jack cheese and slaw did the trick, plus a feast of southern fried chicken tenderloins are a must too.

Cool fact: They have the second biggest selection of gin in Australia.

Location: 51 Alfred St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006

#4 Greaser

Weave through the back alleys of Fortitude Valley’s Brunswick Street, and you’ll smack face-first into an all-guns-blazing rock-n-roll drinking hole. Dingily-lit, graffiti-clad walls and plastered in vintage photographs – it’s a basement of booze, sweat and tears ready to wrestle with your rebellious side. Bands regularly take over the stage, and tonight’s 4-piece fire at will, amping up the early evening drinkers.

The grub packs a punch too. Their cheeseburger – ground angus patty, American cheese, pickles, onions, lettuce, tomato and burger sauce, served with crinkle cut chips. And be sure to try the Buttermilk Fried Chicken, served with red eye gravy and smoked chipotle mayo – rumoured to reduce grown men to tears and quite possibly the filthiest dead bird experience of your life.

Cool fact: Wander past the bar towards the rear and you’ll find a couple of reclaimed walk-in cold rooms. Quite what you do in them is anyone’s guess – we’ll leave that to your imagination.

Location: 259 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006

#5 Tippler’s Tap

Walk through the unassuming doors and you’ll slip past the kitchen to find a cavernous bar togged-out in timber and alpine wall murals. They have a huge rep for craft beer, and the kitchen dishes up a host of wings, sliders and dogs. First up: Chicago Style Dog.

This all beef frank is dragged through the classic tangy Chicago garden – onions, gherkin relish, American mustard, tomato, pickle, cucumber, sport pepper and a smidge of celery salt. Why not triple down with a huge bowl of chilli fries – beer-battered fries, beef & bean chilli, sour cream and cheese – and Tippler’s ‘Famous’ Wings – dry spice-rubbed chicken wings with blue cheese sauce. Sublime.

Cool fact: Enter the bar, look right and you’ll see Vlad, their mascot pigeon. Vlad is a Tippler Pigeon – known for their endurance.

*Since the time of writing Tippler’s Tap have relocated to Grey Street in Brisbane’s South Bank, where they have repurposed much of the interior timber and decor and brought with them largely the same menu.

Location: 5/182 Grey St, Queensland 4101 (relocated from 23 Masters St, Newstead 4006)

RELATED: Dude Food Sydney: 10 Awesome Places To Get Your Eat On

#6 The Smoke BBQ

The Smoke BBQ bring American BBQ fare of the lowest, slowest order. Bossing the kitchen sits an American smoker, imported from Kentucky, smoking 120 kilos of meat at a time. Baffled by much of the prep-less chuck-it-on-the-barbie approach of Aussie BBQ culture, manager Philip Mullen and Co are sticklers for the long hickory haul.

I got my hands on a half rack of Texas beef short ribs, seasoned and hickory smoked for 10 hours, then finished on the char grill and mopped with a sweet yet subtly spiced St.Louis style BBQ sauce, served with fries and creamy house slaw. Another house favourite: Smoked Ceegars. This densely packed bad boy of smoked chicken, corn, spinach, cheese, red beans and Southwestern heat, is rolled in wrappers, fried, and served with a cool house dipping sauce.

Cool fact: One worker here has three nipples. He says, gladly, that it doesn’t stop him doing his job. I, for one, can vouch for that.

Location: 9/85 Merthyr Rd, New Farm QLD 4005

#7 Brisbane Brewing Co.

Brisbane Brewing Co. is Grant & Michelle Clark’s third venture. Their latest project combines a love of beer (8 on-site fermentors holding 1200L apiece) with a modern eatery that gives busy Brisbane urbanites the homebrew haven they deserve. I kicked off with their impeccable brioche slider board: brisket with blue cheese and house beer mustard; pulled pork with apple slaw; leg ham, brie, smoked tomato relish; smoked chicken breast, smoked tomato and basil pesto.

A great beer-soaking side are the jalapeno hush puppies – deep fried balls of corn, polenta, cheese and jalapeno. Oh, and if you ever thought popcorn needed more pig, BBC have you covered with their maple bacon popcorn – fresh, lightly salted popcorn, showered with juicy, sweet, candied cubes of bacon, and maple sauce. Oink to that!

Cool fact: These guys are officially beer-lacing fiends – you can even get a pilsner cheesecake for crying out loud.

Location: 124 Boundary St, West End QLD 4101

#8 Gerard’s Bar

If you’re looking for a dude-inspired feed but want to keep one foot pivoting firmly on sophisticated soil, then Gerard’s Bar have you covered. Sister of Gerard’s Bistro, this slick, rustic charcuterie in Fortitude Valley brings Balearic tapas flair to the table. Famous for their extensive cabinet of delicate, cured meats, they also boast a couple of glaring dude food must-tries: Numero uno: Wagyu Cheeseburger.

This beaut braggs a double stack of blowtorched wagyu and bacon patties, American cheese, tomato relish, mustard and pickles in a brioche bun. Numero dos: Sobrasada Dagwood Dog – spreadable pork salami, maize polenta, deep fried and melted in the oven, served with charcoal corn pereau.

Cool fact: Technically, they don’t have a kitchen, as they have no stoves.

Location: 3a/23 James St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006

#9 Super Whatnot

Super Whatnot was born out of owner Simon Martin’s love for the Melbourne laneway bar. Its intimate, industrial-chic split-level space remains the preserve of those who like to dig a little deeper for their inner-urban drinking holes. The menu is inspired by the Americas and is designed broadly to accompany beer. You’ll need to get your mitts out and go caveman too – there’s no time for cutlery here (only wooden forks).

I started by sampling the Pao de Queijo – Brazilian cheese bread to you and me. These bite-size discs are a glorious blend of parmesan cheese, cheddar, tapioca flour and olive oil. Next, a slider version of their cheeseburger – a perfectly formed beef patty, double jack cheese, optional bacon, house chipotle sauce, tomato sauce, lettuce and mustard in a brioche bun. Oh, and please, spare a moment for the nachos – 12-hour braised brisket, pico de gallo, guacamole, lime sour cream and frijole.

Cool fact: The Sydney Wanderers FC logo looks suspiciously like Super Whatnot’s. Court case anyone?

Location: 48 Burnett Ln, Brisbane QLD 4000

#10 Mighty Mighty

Mighty Mighty are smitten with the BBQ states, with a smoky soul food menu reflecting each corner of North American cuisine. Here you can plump for dishes hailing from New Orleans, Alabama – even Alaska. However, if it’s classic meat-in-a-bun action you’re after be sure to get down before 14:30 in time for the lunch menu. Make it, and you’ll find a small selection of big-hitters – burgers and hoagies.

I puckered up to the candied pig hoagie, chock-full of succulent pork braised in copper ale for 9 hours, on a bed of jalapeno mayo mixed in red slaw and coated in adobo sauce. It’s a fat-dripping dream of sweet, heat and meat, sandwiched in a foot-long sub. Be sure to try their house favourite chicken wings too – sriracha-honey glaze, toasted ground rice – for that crunchy texture – and blue cheese dipping sauce. God all mighty mighty.

Cool fact: The giant artwork filling the back wall is in fact a 70s porn star.

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Whilst some men may enjoy more refined timepieces, others – like me – prefer large, expensive and complicated chronographs.

First invented by French artist and watchmaker Louis Moinet in 1816, the chronograph is one of the most important complications in all of watchmaking. Chronographs are simply watches that can be used as a stopwatch as well as telling the time. If you think it’s important to know the split second when your pop-tarts, chicken casserole or 70’s disco perm is ready, then a chrono is for you.

Here are some of the best chronograph watches on the market.

Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43

The Breitling Navitimer isn’t just one of the world’s most well-known chronographs, it’s probably the world’s most famous pilot’s watch, too. Boasting a circular slide rule that allows pilots to perform on-the-fly flight calculations, the latest incarnation of the iconic watch also features a subtly domed sapphire crystal and cool new dial colours in shades of blue, green and copper, such as the one above.

Retail Price: AU$12,290

Chopard Mille Miglia

Named after one of the world’s most famous races, the Chopard Mille Miglia is a chronograph for real revheads. Classically styled and highly legible, it’s filled with cool little motifs, such as a subtle red Mille Miglia direction arrow below the Chopard logo at 12 o’clock and a steering wheel design on the crown. Its strap features a tread pattern based on that of a 1960s Dunlop racing tyre. It’s the perfect watch for the vintage car enthusiast.

Retail Price: AU$8,600

Zenith Defy Extreme

Taking design cues from 70s Zenith references with its highly faceted, angular case, the Defy Extreme is bold, masculine and high-performance. It’s powered by Zenith’s El Primero 21 automatic chronograph movement, which features 1/100th of a second accuracy – mental stuff. This variant combines a sand-blasted titanium case with rose gold highlights for added luxury.

Retail Price: AU$31,700

Bell & Ross BR 05 Chrono

Stylish and modern, the Bell & Ross BR 05 Chrono is the perfect timepiece for the urban explorer. A masterclass in industrial design, we love how the chronograph pushers integrate effortlessly into the BR 05’s crown guards: sleek polished buttons that complement the links in the BR 05’s integrated steel bracelet.

Retail Price: AU$9,600

Raymond Weil Freelancer Chronograph 7741

Green watches are all the rage right now, and the new Raymond Weil Freelancer Chronograph 7741 is one very green chrono that’ll have your friends green with envy. A classic tri-compax chrono with a ceramic bezel and generous dashings of lume, this is a Swiss-made chronograph that looks good without breaking the bank.

Retail Price: AU$5,695

IWC Schaffhausen Portofino Chronograph

Do you like Italian sports cars? So does IWC Schaffhausen, who took the inspiration for the sleek push-buttons on the Portofino Chronograph from the cockpit of 1960s Italian sports cars. In keeping with the sporty aesthetic, the watch features a minimalist dial with appliquéd Roman numerals and convex sapphire glass. A Milanese mesh bracelet is available in addition to the classic alligator leather strap.

Retail Price: AU$10,500

A. Lange & Söhne Triple Split

A. Lange & Söhne is a highly prestigious firm that has a long history of producing some of the most refined, complicated and stylish timepieces in horological history. The Triple Split is the world’s first mechanical split-seconds chronograph that allows for multi-hour comparative time measurements – that is, the Triple Split can compare the times of two opponents in a race, time consecutively starting events or add the times of multi-hour events.

Retail Price: AU$238,575

TAG Heuer Monaco

Worn by everyone from Steve McQueen and Max Verstappen to Chris Hemsworth and Will Smith, the TAG Heuer Monaco is a truly famous timepiece and a must-have chronograph. Its distinctive square case design now houses TAG’s in-house Heuer 02 movement, which boasts an 80h power reserve and 100m of water resistance.

Retail Price: AU$10,250

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

Rolex needs no introduction. Introduced in 1963, the Cosmograph Daytona was created to meet the singular demands of the professional race car driver. Today, it’s one of the world’s most coveted watches. In its current incarnation, the watch features a patented in-house chronograph mechanism and a bezel with a tachymetric scale – perfect for recording your lap times, or how long someone stares at your Rollie.

Retail Price: AU$52,950

Bulgari Octo Finissimo Chrono

First introduced in 2014, the Bulgari Octo Finissimo has quickly become one of the most exciting and in-demand watches on the planet, and the focus of many record-breaking feats of horology. Take this: the Octo Finissimo Chrono, which has the world’s thinnest mechanical chronograph movement. Elegant and avant-garde, this is a chronograph like no other.

Retail Price: AU$28,200

OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional

Of course, we couldn’t have a serious discussion about chronographs without mentioning the most famous chrono of all: the OMEGA Speedmaster, better known as the ‘Moonwatch’. The first watch on the moon is one of the world’s most popular watches, yet modern incarnations remain faithful to those enterprising originals. For instance, this reference still boasts a Hesalite crystal and hand-wound movement. No watch collection is complete without a ‘Speedy’.

Retail Price: AU$9,750

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The post The Best Chronograph Watches To Stop The Clock For appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

If you were stomping your feet in fluro during the wee hours of the noughties, then there’s no doubt you’d be familiar with electro house act Sneaky Sound System. 

A staple of the Australian dance music scene since late 2001, D’Marge recently sat down with one-half of the duo, Angus McDonald, to chat about everything from the Lockout Laws to love and keeping your style simple.

Sneaky Sound System, originally comprised of McDonald and MC Daimon Downey, came from humble beginnings with a dance music night called ‘Sneaky Sundays’.

“It was really just a bit of fun to start with, we’d play records, Daimon would MC and it just kind of took off, it struck a chord basically.”

McDonald, who began on guitar with influences like New Order, The Cure, David Bowie and Daft Punk always had dreams of a career in music, having a strong grip on songwriting and experience playing guitar since he was “just a kid.”

“We used to play every party in town for quite a few years, then after we put out our first single in 2004 it was pretty clear that we wanted a female singer.”

Sneaky “stumbled” across South African-born singer-songwriter Connie Mitchell in 2005, a founding member of 90’s techno outfit Primary, and “that’s when everything obviously took off”.

11 years on and despite massive changes in the Australian and international music scenes, McDonald believes we’re “at the forefront of some amazing cutting edge electronic music.”

Cutting edge couldn’t be more spot-on. In fact, McDonald admits it’s not always easy staying at the forefront. “You’re never going to be red hot all the time,” McDonald says, referring to the recent EDM craze blasting through the world that has been perhaps a little ostracising for Sneaky Sound System.

“We didn’t fit into it or feel comfortable trying to adapt our music to that style. You’ve got to be true to yourself I think.”

By the time EDM radio favourites like Skrillex, Avicii and Tiesto were pumping out bangers, Sneaky already had 3 records under their belt and could focus their energy elsewhere, a process McDonald says allowed him to find solace and inspiration.

“We went on tour and spent a lot of time in Europe, basically going back to our roots, playing quality house music rather than big, noisy, predominantly shitty, whatever-you-want-to-call-it music.” Staying out of the limelight temporarily, Sneaky continued writing and recording. “We just waited until the time felt right, and it felt right, right now.”

Right now, however, is an unpredictable time in McDonald’s Sydney stomping ground. Just take the controversial lockout laws, that have enforced 1:30am lockouts and 3am last drinks at the city’s hotspots and major venues, subsequently having a knock-on effect for the Australian music scene.

“They’re just ridiculous”, McDonald says of the new legislation. “You could talk about it all day but it’s just insane that you could go and bring in a law that doesn’t even deal with the issue.”

“A lot of our friends have lost their businesses, they’ve lost homes. It’s really dampened the spirit of people here.”

“The fact is, that’s what the talk of the town is…that Sydney is not the place to go, and that has a big effect on artists because there’s nowhere to perform. Hopefully, common sense will prevail, they’ll realise the damage has been done to the live music scene and to the artistic world, and it will improve.”

As for making it big overseas, it’s a completely different ball game where McDonald says things are “breaking off a bit, rather than being one big hotspot”. “We’ve spent a lot of time in Ibiza, for example, and I think that’s changing for the worse because it’s going down the Vegas route. Then you’ve got other places, like Mykonos and Croatia that have that sense of innocence…a good vibe.”

With plenty of world tours, awards and nominations to look back on, you’d think there aren’t many ‘pinch yourself’ moments left for Angus and Connie, but there are a couple McDonald will never forget.

Hearing their single ‘Pictures’ on the radio for the first time while driving past Stonehenge on the way to play Glastonbury to a packed out tent was a highlight that McDonald says “nothing could have prepared us for the scale of”. Add to that a night in the studio with Jay-Z, Kanye and Beyonce and Sneaky Sound System appear to have literally, done it all.

But how do the Australian electro duo escape from the heat and craziness of it all? Well, home is a good place to start. With a studio on the first floor of his home, McDonald explains a renovation that has meant he and Connie would almost never have to leave.

“It’s our sanctuary. We were stuck right into the party scene for a while, but these days we’ve gone almost in the opposite direction, we like to be as quiet as possible.”

“We’ve done it enough times…if we never went to another party again we’d be happy.”

Angus and Connie, who got hitched last year, have managed to balance a professional and personal relationship with the simplicity of friendship, having worked together on a platonic level for 6 or 7 years before becoming an item.

“We both had long term partners and we were such great mates, we knew everything about each other, so it felt very natural in the end….We get to travel the world together, we know what makes each other tick, and we can separate the professional and personal things in a heartbeat because we had done it for so long beforehand.”

“We like to think it’s a never ending honeymoon, we couldn’t be happier, to be honest.”

Sneaky frontwoman Connie has made a name for herself for her elaborate and colourful on-stage costumes, a concept McDonald admires but admits he isn’t about to try and compete with.

“I’m not an idiot. I learnt a long time ago that people are looking at one person up there and it’s not me. I’m not trying to compete with Connie, she’s a star and she’s so beautiful”.

“I have 80 identical white t-shirts, and 4 pairs of identical black pants,” McDonald jokes. After struggling to finesse his fashion sense, Angus says “I thought ‘screw it’, this is my uniform.”

Whilst he considers himself an anti-materialist, McDonald can’t go past his favourite brands. “I always buy the same pair of Neil Barrett jeans, I love Margiela shirts and Dior when Hedi Slimane was there. I also have a Panerai watch, which was a very generous gift from my wonderful friends.”

Simplicity at its finest, a mindset both Connie and Angus continue to live by in the music-making process. Just take Sneaky’s latest track ‘I Ain’t Over You’, a single that McDonald says could be “sung from the mountaintops” and was “knocked up in a morning, and by the afternoon, had the bones.”

“House music is like rock music or blues, it doesn’t change. Great house records today sound like great house records 25 years ago – that’s what I like about it.”

Sneaky Sound System will be heading to Europe for 3 months from the 1st of June to start a residency in Mykonos followed by shows in Spain, the UK and other parts of Europe, before returning to Australia with plans for an album and shows in late 2016.

The post Angus McDonald Talks Electro Music & The Importance Of Simplicity appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

GoPro are taking their stories on the road with a new series called Two Roads which looks at the journeys of nine talented athletes from around the world.

The engaging segment highlights the areas of sport which rarely get a glimpse in such as the personal challenges that athletes face and what happens away from the bright lights of competition.

RELATED: Watch Insane Footage From GoPro’s Best Of 2015 Showreel

In part one of Two Roads, pole vaulter Allison Stokke reveals to the audience what it was like to compete on the world circuit from a very young age and touches on that infamous photo that made her an internet sensation nine years ago.

The post POLE VAULTER ALLISON STOKKE JOINS GOPRO TO TALK INTERNET FAME & FITNESS appeared first on DMARGE Australia.