Goodbye Swallow, ciao Volare
Volare, a small bar from the team behind Neon Palms, has opened at the former site of Maylands’ Parisian-themed small bar, Swallow. Described by its owners as a European-influenced aperitivo bar, Volare (say it “vo-la-ray” – the Latin and Italian word for “to fly” and a nod to the site’s former tenant) will become a “third place” between home and work where people in the local community can mingle. “Aperitivo bars in Europe are all about connecting people,” says partner Hayden Carter. “A large consideration in our business plan is contributing to the community spirit of Maylands and expanding on the wonderful reputation Swallow Bar has built within this suburb and its greater community area.” The drinks list will show off European aperitives, digestives, cocktails and wines while chef Luca Minetti’s menu will include chicken parfait cannoli and hibachi-grilled octopus glazed with Negroni and served with the grilled Sicilian vegetable salad, caponata. The bar is walk-ins only and open from 3pm till 11pm, Wednesday to Sunday.

The State Buildings casts a shadow
On Sunday September 25, State Buildings hosts Shadow Play, a one-night event that sees the precinct transform into a labyrinth of reimagined, nocturnally themed spaces. Stilt-walkers, sax players, DJs, roving performers and a silent Italo disco are among the evening’s entertainment options while drinks and nibbles will keep spirits high. General admission tickets are $145 inclusive of a four-hour, free-flowing beverage and snacks package; a $225 Shadow Room package with Leeuwin Estate wines and Long Chim package is also available. Tickets are available online.

A springtime wine and music micro-festival for the Swan Valley
We’re pleased to see the worlds of good music and good drinking continue to converge. On September 24, Swan Valley brewery Txoko Brewing is hosting Oochie by Day, a springtime festival with Sydney DJ Magda Bytnerowicz headlining. Bytnerowicz will be supported by a trio of local DJs as well as Swan Valley minimal intervention winemakers from the Swan Garagistas collective. Txoko will also be supplying beers and food. Tickets are available online.

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A Perth cooking OG comes out of retirement
Alain Fabregues, chef-owner of Mundaring’s legendary The Loose Box and a Perth cooking veteran, is taking up residence at Casa this week alongside former kitchen brigade member and Casa chef, Paul Bentley. During Fabregues’s residency, guests can enjoy a $55 prefix menu with plenty of truffle action. Among the dishes on offer: truffled egg soldiers, goldband snapper with truffle potato puree, and Fabregues’s signature pig trotter from his Loose Box days.

A celebration of laksa
The Malay Association of Western Australia will be organising Laksa Festival 2022 on Sunday October 30, bringing together various expressions of Southeast Asia’s famous spicy and sour noodle soup. Various stallholders will set up on the day while a people’s choice award will also be awarded. Keep tabs on the event’s Facebook page for further details.