What’s On
Looking for a fun and laid-back night out? You’ve come to the right place. We’re open for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, serving up great food, drinks, and a welcoming atmosphere. We love supporting talented local (and visiting) musicians, so you’ll often find live music setting the vibe. From amateur music nights to bingo and other crowd-favourite events, there’s always something happening. Check out what’s coming up below, gather your mates, and join us for an evening of good eats, cold drinks, and top-notch entertainment.
Coffee Tasting with Andy + Marco
FREE!
Do you fancy yourself a coffee lover? Wish you understood it more?
Join Andy + Marco for a journey into the delightful and delectable tasting notes of a variety of different blends and single origins. Become the coffee expert you’ve always wanted to be.
Sofa Sessions
Join us for an evening of thoughtful conversation and good food as we welcome philosopher Adrian Walsh. The night begins with a 30-minute talk exploring ideas that matter, followed by dinner and open discussion where guests can ask questions and dive deeper into the topic.
Entry is FREE with dinner and drinks available for purchase throughout the evening.
1920's Murder Mystery
Grab your pearls and pocket watches, slip into those glad rags and join us for an evening of murder and intrigue!
We are hosting our first ever Murder Mystery evening! Gather some friends and puzzle it out.
Tickets are $69 which includes:
Bubbles or OJ and grazing boards on arrival
Alternate Drop dinner
Participation in the Murder Mystery
Get your tickets here:
https://events.humanitix.com/murder-mystery-at-the-alternate-root
Cocktail Tasting + Food Pairing
Sip, savour, and discover at our cocktail tasting and food pairing evening. Enjoy three expertly crafted cocktails, each paired with a thoughtfully matched mini meal designed to highlight and complement the flavours in every glass. It’s a deliciously curated experience for lovers of fine drinks, good food, and great company.
There are two timing sessions available for this event.
5.30pm or 7.30pm. Each session is available for up to 10 people.
Tickets for this event are $59 and include:
3 x cocktail tastings (1 cocktail combined total)
3 x mini meals paired to each cocktail
Expert demonstration and instruction by Lucy
Get your tickets here!
Want to hold a private Cocktail Tasting + Food Pairing just for you and your friends? Reach out to events@alternateroot.com.au to book in your private event.
Adam Newling "Love Takes Care Pt.2" Tour
“This winter I’m heading back out on the road for Part 2 of the Love Takes Care solo tour. I’ve got another batch of acoustic songs coming your way, stories I’ve been piecing together over the colder months, just me and my guitar.
These ones feel like the second half of the same story, and I can’t wait to play them for you in some of my favourite towns. Grab a jumper, bring a mate, and come have a yarn.”
This is a ticketed event, grab yours here!
Music Industry Get Together "The Mix"
Calling Uralla artists, venues, promoters, artist managers, educators, techs and others involved in music and the arts.
Don’t miss The Mix hosted by MusicNSW Regional Coordinator Niño Haggith on Anaiwan country.
Join us at Alternate Root Cafe on Friday, 5 September to connect, chat, and meet others in your local music scene. You can also learn about opportunities coming up and how MusicNSW can support you. Stick around for Amateur Original Music Night after.
Free entry and no registration required.
This event is presented in partnership with Arts North West.
For access enquiries, you can contact Niño Haggith at nino@musicnsw.com.
Amateur Original Music Night
Aspiring musician? Have some new material to try out? Or just wanting a safe space to dip your toes into the world of music performance?
Join us for our Amateur Original Music Night!
Whats required?
A set of 3 songs performance ready
Originals preferred but covers are welcome!
This is a music only event, for any performances drama, poetry or art related keep an eye out for other upcoming events.
Backline will be provided by Luke, just bring along your instrument of choice and get ready to play!
Contact Grace on events@alternateroot.com.au to apply.
Cooking Demonstration!
Join our very own Chef Ziggy for a cosy evening of education! Ziggy will be running you through a handmade pasta demonstration!
The demonstration will be followed by a delicious pasta dinner and drinks.
Save the date! More details to come.
Christmas in July
Christmas in July at The Alternate Root! A night for family and friends to come together for a mid winter celebration.
With Christmas themed dinner and drinks specials, a Cookie Decorating Competition and an “Ugly” Christmas Sweater Competition it’s sure to be a fun winter warmer for you and your loved ones.
This is a ‘free to attend’ event with the option of buying a ticket to the Cookie Decorating Competition. Prizes are provided by The Sweet Shop Uralla and Little Birdy.
Book your cookie decorating tickets here (with only 30 cookies available be sure to get these early!):
https://events.humanitix.com/christmas-in-july-7wgqkr5r
Make sure to ALSO call the cafe to book your table. Ph 6778 3185
James Bennett
"Occasionally an artist stops you in your tracks and belts you right in the feels, and singer-songwriter James Bennett is certainly in the business of crafting tracks that get stuck in your head without overstaying their welcome. There's an effortless charm to Bennett's songs that carries over into real life when he talks about his music - a self-taught guitarist, a silver-tongued lyricist and a voice coated in rasping honey, it's no surprise or coincidence that a boy who grew up off the grid listening to uninterrupted Bob Dylan would end up conjuring dreamy folk magic."
James Bennett is an independent solo artist & multi instrumentalist from Port Macquarie NSW. An experienced, prolific songwriter & one who believes in writing for a purpose & not just for the sake of trying to hit the big time. Constantly evolving, while staying rooted in the sincerity that defines his music, James Bennett’s raw honesty shines through his live sets, never failing to transfix an audience.
This is a free to attend event! Book your table now. Give us a call or hit the “contact us” button up above.
Dobson's Exclusive First Tasting
We are BEYOND excited to be offering you an exclusive first tasting of Dobson’s new Absinthe ‘Euphoria’.
“Transporting us to the realm of intoxicating beauty.”
This is a FREE to attend event!
Complementary first tasting will take place from 3 -7pm followed by live music by James Bennett.
Dobon’s Distillers will be on site to offer insight.
Book a table or pop down.
Get it Done!
Writing a book? Crocheting a blanket? Sketching out your next masterpiece? Bring your unfinished project to work on in the cafe to a backdrop of Low-Fi Focus tunes.
The bar will be open and available along with our bar snacks menu, the perfect combo to get productive.
This is a free to join event!
Pop on down on the day or call in advance to book a spot! Ph 6778 3185.
Charity Bingo Night
We just love our community SO much that we want to give back! Join us in the kick off of our upcoming series of Bingo evenings designed to raise money for the various charities and not for profits that provide so much for our community.
$5 buy in with a variety of prizes on offer through the evening.
Gather some mates and call the cafe to book a table! Ph: 6778 3185
Launch Night!
Did you hear? We are launch NEW opening hours, NEW dinner menus, NEW drinks and cocktails. Join us to explore our new offerings!
Friday and Saturday will now be open through the afternoon right into evenings with a bar menu available form 3pm.
Friday 7am - late.
Saturday 8am - late.
Tag us in store in your social on the evening to receive a free “mini dessert” to celebrate.
Pop on in or call the cafe to book a table 6778 3185
Italian Night
Join us for an evening of Italian themed cuisine! Dinner service from 5pm and happy hour from 4.30pm - 6.30pm with $12 cocktails!
Call the cafe to book your table 6778 3185
Live Music
MC & the Squares are gracing our ears with their groovy tunes and we will grace you with cocktails & treats till your heart's content!
Solstice Trivia
Do you know which ancient structure is aligned with the Winter Solstice sunset? Join us for an evening celebrating the Winter Solstice! Gather some friends, book a table and come in for an evening of Solstice celebration, dinner and drinks.
Call the cafe to book your table 6778 3185
Paint and Sip Workshop
$65 Per person for a Subject Study with Sam. With all equipment provided come in for a night with award winning artist Sam Cowley. This workshop will be a unique chance to get creative and level up your art with tips and trick from a local star.
Complete registration and get your tickets at :
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/paint-and-sip-w-sam-registration-1406886548539?aff=oddtdtcreator
Your ticket price includes a glass of Petersons White Sparkling on arrival, a cocktail (or mocktail) of your choice and happy hour prices extended throughout your ticketed time.
We're open from 5:00 for dinner and drinks alongside the event.
Cocktail Masterclass
$49 per person for a one hour session with mixologist Lucy, there are two sessions on offer starting at 6:00pm and 7:30pm.
Learn some top bartending skills and tips as Lucy steps you through the process of 3 classic cocktails at their best. Your ticket price includes antipasto platters for the table and tastings of the drinks as you go.
Our bar and kitchen will be open for regular service alongside your package.
Call the cafe to book your spot! 6778 3185.
Or email us on events@alternateroot.com.au.
Dobson's Feature Night
New cocktails just dropped for the Dobson’s Feature night 🍸 Featuring Dobson’s finest, a G&T flight worth the ride, and whiskey on the rocks. All with the smooth sounds of Dusky Buzz floating through the air. Come get your sip on.
Trivia
First Friday of the month is Trivia! $5 entry—good vibes guaranteed. Round up your sharpest mates (max 8 per team), grab a drink, and battle it out for bragging rights and awesome prizes. Questions start at 6:45pm, with food and drinks flowing from 4:30pm.
Bottomless Banquet
Book a table in to secure two hours of unlimited food and drinks. A perfect oppurtunity to try our beautiful tapas dishes and eat until you can’t anymore! Keep an eye peeled on our socials for the menu and more details.
Bits of Buzz
This duo brings groovy jazz, pop & soul covers to the table; beautifully paired with cocktails, great food and the best atmosphere in town.
Open Mic Night
Open Mic night is back this month! Come down and support our local talent
Yhan Leal
Yhan Leal is a modern folk singer-songwriter based in Bellingen, a peaceful riverside town on the east coast of Australia. Originally born in Cali, Colombia, then immigrating to Australia at 6 years old, Yhan sings in both Spanish and English. “I’m influenced by so many great artists from many genres around the world. I channel their inspiration, then I feel my own experience and create something new, in the now. It really brings it all home for me” Yhan’s love of sharing his songs has him roaming the east coast and beyond for nearly two decades, mostly under the radar but at times coming into the spotlight through album launches, radio releases and music festivals. Yhan is currently working on two albums, releasing one song at a time as they are finished: ‘Rising’ in English and ‘Mirando al Cielo’ in Spanish, Both poetic expressions of his inner and outer life, they tell of beautiful rich visions of nature, soothing the soul, and inspiring one to see the simple beauty of life. “my most joyful musical memory is when my elder brother Alexander encouraged me to have his guitar and go learn to write my own songs, I did and It’s been my anchor, lighthouse and horizon ever since” both albums are available at yhanleal.com
Trivia
We’re closed for a private function the first Friday of this month so have pushed our trivia back to make sure no-one misses out!
Live Music - Chilli Jam
Chilli Jam are an entertaining trio featuring local Armidale musicians, Massiel, Gary Daly and Mick Houlahan. Keeping it fun with a mix of rock and popular upbeat tunes. Sometimes mixing in a little Latin, jazz and blues with their own unique twist.
We will have some locally sourced specials this week as we embrace the local spirit the Seasons of New England expo brings to town.
Seasons of New England Expo Weekend
Watch as the New England comes alive with a focus on our amazing local producers.
Yhan Leal
Yhan Leal is a modern folk singer-songwriter based in Bellingen, a peaceful riverside town on the east coast of Australia. Originally born in Cali, Colombia, then immigrating to Australia at 6 years old, Yhan sings in both Spanish and English. “I’m influenced by so many great artists from many genres around the world. I channel their inspiration, then I feel my own experience and create something new, in the now. It really brings it all home for me” Yhan’s love of sharing his songs has him roaming the east coast and beyond for nearly two decades, mostly under the radar but at times coming into the spotlight through album launches, radio releases and music festivals. Yhan is currently working on two albums, releasing one song at a time as they are finished: ‘Rising’ in English and ‘Mirando al Cielo’ in Spanish, Both poetic expressions of his inner and outer life, they tell of beautiful rich visions of nature, soothing the soul, and inspiring one to see the simple beauty of life. “my most joyful musical memory is when my elder brother Alexander encouraged me to have his guitar and go learn to write my own songs, I did and It’s been my anchor, lighthouse and horizon ever since” both albums are available at yhanleal.com
