HAPPY HOURS
GET SET FOR THE BEST $20 HAPPY HOUR DEALS IN SYDNEY
NOVEMBER IS YOUR MONTH TO DINE AROUND
A month-long festival of happy hours, long lunches and bottomless brunches is hitting the suburbs of Surry Hills, Potts Point, Darlinghurst and Woolloomooloo in Sydney’s inner-east.
November 1-30, will see over 40 mouth-watering $20 deals across local pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes during the golden hours of 5-7pm.
Dine around and discover a different venue and offering. Each day, salivate over everything from hot wings to pizzas, pasta, burgers and Japanese combined with craft beers, wines, spritzes and jugs.
$20 doesnt go far these days and HAPPY HOURS brings back some good time value with a reason for locals and foodies alike, to explore our iconic neighbourhoods. Why not experiment and discover a new favourite or two?
After work, shuck to your heart’s desire with $2.50 oysters at Riley St Garage; devour burgers and fries + beer at Stonewall; down some margaritas and tacos at Lil Darlin Bar; Feast on steaks and schnitzel deals at Kings Cross Hotel; start your night with an Espresso Martini and empanada at Lilly and Bee; or a gyoza and Sapporo at Goros; beer and fried chicken or cheeseburger at Jangling Jacks; truffle and cream pasta with wine at Giul’s, gourmet cheese and paired wine at Grove Bar; pulled pork slider with fries and schooner at East Sydney Hotel; Highball and waffle at Eileen’s Bar; 12-inch pizza + beer at Ching-A-Lings; French pate + shiraz at Bon Vin; rock oysters and Prosecco at Bar Nina; Ceviche and wine at Beast & Co… to name a few!
The best and most loved venues in the area go above and beyond within the golden hour of 5-7pm - a chance to get excited about a quality offering and absolute value for money!
Also keep an eye out for Lunch-time and All-day deals including Breakfasts and Bottomless Brunches and Drag Brunch dates with entertainment. Well known foodie hot-spot Stanley St and new micro-precinct HQ Sydney in Surry Hills are also offering irresistible menus. If you want to venue-hop $100 is adding up to a great experience in the ‘hood!
This November makes no excuses - it’s the month to drop into that bar or restaurant you’ve always wanted to explore!
Find the $20 deals HERE
Find more information HERE
HEART OF SURRY HILLS
Mouth-watering morsels to sample and savour, speciality cocktails, gorgeous character-filled streets and live music and DJ talent for all to enjoy – you’ll want for nothing this November when you immerse yourself in the Heart of Surry Hills.
For four exciting weeks, from 01 to 30 November, the Heart of Surry Hills will bring together the area’s renowned and unique culinary flavours and experiences in one all-encompassing showcase.
The month-long program of food and beverage, art, markets and music includes a community art project, bespoke and signature beverage and dining menus, walking tours, and a free showcase event in Shannon Reserve featuring live music and DJ’s, food and beverage celebrating local brewers and distillers.
City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said, “The gorgeous character-filled streets Surry Hills will come alive this November with delicious bites, and entertainment for everyone – as part of the Heart of Surry Hills celebration.
“The City of Sydney is proud to support the month-long program of food, art, and music that concludes with a spectacular weekend event at Shannon Reserve.
“This activation for the month of November highlights the very best of our world-class hospitality venues, distilleries, and breweries as well as connecting communities through art and music.”
EASTSIDE UNLOCKED
EASTSIDE UNLOCKED is an epic four-week festival celebrating the very best of Sydney’s inner-east creative precinct, with drag, art, food, music, performance and more for the entire month of October.
Sydneysiders are invited to rediscover the Harbour city’s liveliest suburbs Potts Point, Surry Hills, Darlinghurst and Woolloomooloo, through over 80 colourful and diverse events at 35 venues across the precinct.
Eastside Sydney has so much to offer when it comes to culture, live performance, food, drink and more. We’re inviting Sydney to rediscover Eastside’s world-class restaurants, art galleries, cosy cocktail bars and iconic nightlife venues.
Festival program highlights include a Caribbean Festival at Rosie Campbell's, life drawing at Ching-a-Lings, a Natural Beer Festival at Bitter Phew, Murder Mystery nights at Grove Bar, a Fashion Feast at EZRA and a Rosé Festival at the Winery. Plus, an extensive lineup of comedy nights, poetry, DJ sets, trivia, live music, drag shows and more!
For those looking to embrace the spooky season, Eastside Unlocked will also see a series of Halloween events take place on the final weekend of the festival.
This includes Hotel Hollywood’s Horror Hotel Immersive Experience, Halloween Hijinks at Soda Factory, a Haunted House party with Burlesque Entertainment at Surly’s American Tavern, Spooky Halloween Queer Cabaret at Dulcie's Kings Cross, La Vampire Du Nuit at Claire's Kitchen at le Salon, Halloween Drag Brunch at Bar Nina and a special Halloween in the Honky Tonk event at Shady Pines.
In addition, Sydneysiders will be able to experience undiscovered parts of the precinct, with an immersive augmented reality art walk designed as a treasure hunt. Artworks will come alive through digital animation and sound via the free EyeJack app.
Throughout the precinct, there will be 15 artworks to discover, created by leading artists, animators and sound designers from around the planet.
Eastside Unlocked is proudly funded by the NSW Government as part of the CBDs Revitalisation Program. With a range of free and ticketed events on offer, bookings are strongly recommended to secure your spot.
To learn more about Eastside Unlocked, or for the full program of free and ticketed events, please visit: eastsidesydney.com
THE STRAND
The Strand Hotel brings a little bit of French style to Darlinghurst as this iconic corner pub gets a make-over from the ground floor bar + bistro to a rooftop under the stars. Just in time for its 100th birthday celebrations!
Dark wood paneling, cane chairs and bi-fold doors opening onto William St give the street level Strand Bistro an inviting feel and the modern-French bistro cuisine is simple and tasty.
French and Australian wines are on offer, as well as a comprehensive cocktail list, Japanese, Irish and Scottish whiskey and beers, if a cleansing ale is what you’re after.
The venue has flexible events spaces - from the bistro (90) to the soon to open rooftop bar (50). In between, boutique accommodation is available ( 17 rooms) ranging from snug through to roomy. From Juliette balconies to a hidden library, The Strand is a boutique charmer and guests also have complimentary access to the executive co-working space and twilight aperitifs.
A real destination event space and soon to be a local favourite.
99 William St, Darlinghurst
RU PAUL’S DRAG RACE DOWN UNDER
It’s official mothertuckers! RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under is back for season 2, dropping weekly episodes on STAN, starting July 30th. Ten Antipodean Queens from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and NZ will be sashaying in front of judges RuPaul, Michelle Visage and Rhys Nicholson, all of them vying for the Drag Race Crown. As per last season, some local Oxford St favourites are included. Look out for Hannah Conda and Minnie Cooper. Definitely recommend catching this one on the big screen at a local viewing party near you.
Suggest Universal, Ginger’s or Stonewall for some Drag Race Down Under hijinks!
MARDI GRAS PARADE BACK ON OXFORD ST
The annual Mardi Gras Parade is set to return to Oxford St in February 2023, for the first time in three years. It sits in the middle of the Sydney World Pride calendar, a 17-day celebration of Australian LGBTQIA+ fabulousness, with over 300 events across the city, from the Opera House and Harbour Bridge to Bondi Beach and all stops in between. This includes Darlinghurst where there will be a series of street closures for the annual Parade and the new Pride Villages.
As the biggest event of the Sydney WorldPride festival, all eyes will be on the 12,000 marchers as 200 floats adorn Oxford Street for the first time since 2020. You can expect all your Parade favourites, from the famous rumble of the Dykes on Bikes to the quintessentially Australian Lifesavers With Pride, and the many wonders of our LGBTQIA+ communities.
Pride Villages – for 10 days from 24 February, sections of Crown Street and Riley Street will be closed and become home to stalls, dining and performances. On the final weekend of Sydney WorldPride, a section of Oxford Street itself will be closed to create a giant street party, all the way from College Street to Flinders Street.. Lots more announcements to come, so stay tuned!
More than 500,000 people are expected to participate in Sydney WorldPride, making it the biggest event to hit town since the 2000 Olympics. Other events include :
Live & Proud – Sydney WorldPride’s Opening Concert, presented by American Express – we’re getting the party started with this opening concert, hosted by Courtney Act and Casey Donovan.
Bondi Beach Party, presented by Optus – for one day only, the sandy jewel of Sydney will become the city’s hottest club for 12,000 people.
Sydney WorldPride Human Rights Conference – the largest LGBTQIA+ human rights conference ever held in Asia-Pacific region.
Blak & Deadly: The First Nations Gala Concert – experience a rainbow explosion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQIA+ artistry, across a two-hour concert hosted by Steven ‘Faboriginal’ Oliver at the Sydney Opera House.
First Nations Gathering Space – held at Carriageworks and running across six nights, featuring exhibits, theatre, dining and drag.
Rainbow Republic, presented by Optus – six hours of live music, DJs and performances await you at The Domain, for a queer megamix of international and local acts.
Ultra Violet – an inclusive LGBTQIA+ women’s party at Sydney’s Town Hall where Drag Kings, burlesque stars and cabaret performers take to the stage.
Domain Dance Party – dance with 10,000 of your mates at the biggest LGBQTIA+ outdoor dance party Australia has ever seen.
Pride March – 50,000 people will join this historic Pride march across one of the world’s most-recognisable landmarks, the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
VIVID
The bright lights are back with VIVID reigniting Sydney once again. Think light shows, installations, talks, performances and bright ideas!
Whilst the main event is happening in and around the CBD, Eastside venues have some great offers for pre and post VIVID experiences.
light up cocktails at THE WINERY
Try some of the best craft brews in town in this locals favourite and bar with an industrial vibe and cool crew to match.
Drop in between 5-10pm for a Cheese and Charcuterie board with a beer or wine for $49 or add an extra drink (for 2 people) $55. As Vivid lights up the skies and buildings they light up our drinks. Try the cosmic light inspired beer list as you watch the interactive beer bottle led light display, across the whole of the bar area, inspired by the VIVID night time glow.
1/137 Oxford St, Darlinghurst
Pink Guava Imperial Sour at bitter phew
VIVID NIGHTS are coming to life at Alibi Bar every night with three new cocktails, discoverable only to those in the know via blue light. Ramping up the experience every Thursday – Saturday evening, enjoy hidden cocktails and plant-based bites to the tune of Under Control DJs. It’s the perfect spot for pre or post-Vivid drinks.
Ovolo Hotel, 6 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo
ALIBI cocktails
Look into the NOMAD window and see the amazing LED light display design especially for VIVID. Come inside and Indulge in NOMAD's Caviar Course $100 per person for a limited time only - the perfect pairing of Champagne & Caviar. Featuring a serving of Polanco Grand Reserve Oscietra Caviar, crème fraîche, hash brown + a glass of Michel Gonet ‘6g’ Brut, Blanc de Noirs Champagne, it's the ultimate addition to your NOMAD feast.
16 Foster St, Surry Hills
champagne and caviar at NOMAD
Follow our laneway path and discover a magical glamping experience…
Grab your pals, sip on cocktails and enjoy an intimate grazing experience in a cosy glamping tent. Indulge in our four-course shared tasting menu for $69pp. Take it up a notch with beverage pairings for an additional $39pp.
Throughout Vivid, enjoy $10 Lightbulb Spritzes in different flavours! Mango and vanilla / Rum and mint / Vodka and orange / Vodka, rose and lychee / Gin and grapefruit /
285A Crown St, Surry Hills
GLAMPING AT THE WINERY
Enjoy your drinks with glow-in-the-dark ice cubes and straws, as you feast on a late weekend brunch (finishing at 5.15 just in time for VIVID lights) just a short walk across the Domain into the city.
55 Riley St Woolloomooloo
RILEY ST GARAGE banquet
SYDNEY WORLD PRIDE
Sydney World Pride is on its way! Coming to Sydney in February 2023,
Sydney will be hosting WorldPride in 2023 and its going to be a big deal! The theme for the festival, GATHER DREAM AMPLIFY.
“We want people to gather here, on the lands of the oldest surviving culture on the planet, to listen deeply. We want people to dream of the future they want and collectively work together to make those dreams a reality. We want to ensure that new voices and perspectives are amplified….” says Ben Graetz, Festival Creative Director, First Nations.
So far plans have been made for landmark events like the Opening and Closing Ceremonies (currently slated to take place in The Domain with 25,000+ attendees), First Nations Gala Concert, a world class Human Rights Conference, and the festival closing party at Bondi Beach (10,000+ partygoers). All with local and international headline artists.
There will also be a Pride March across the Sydney Harbour Bridge with over 50,000 participants – the largest pride march to ever be held in Australia.
Sydney WorldPride spans 17 Feb – 5 Mar 2023, during the usual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras season. Mardi Gras Festival events will be held within the overall Sydney WorldPride program, including Fair Day, Parade, Party, Laneway and more. More announcements are being made regularly so make sure you check www.sydneyworldpride.com/events.
OXTRAVAGANZA
Oxtravaganza is back! For two weeks starting Friday 18th February through to Sunday 6th March ”Darlo does Mardi Gras”. The official parade may have relocated but Oxford St plans to party on, with local businesses ramping up the glitter-vibe and our celebration of the Pink Mile will see dozens of businesses coming together to offer special retail promotions, live music + performance, viewing parties, outdoor entertainment, art walks, plus food and drink deals.
Saturday 26th February is ‘Shop Till You Drop’ day on Oxford St and surrounds. The best vintage stores, drag queen costumes, leather, glitter and sequins will help create your ultimate Mardi Gras outfit. Live performers are out and about and the ‘instax selfie booth’ guarantees instant gratification - a photo for just a gold coin, with all proceeds going to The Gender Centre. There’s also drag story time, bottomless brunches, wrestling demos, undie models, naked barbers and more!
Across the full 2 weeks explore our LGBTQI history in photo exhibitions; take a class and learn how to draw, get introduced to kink and somatic sexology. Or just kick back with a cocktail, alfresco in a beer garden or hidden rooftop spot. Order a Young Henry’s beer and raise money for charity. There’s a full schedule of drag, cabaret and variety shows, bingo and trivia. And on Parade Night join a Live Viewing Party, popping up in dozens of venues, around the neighbourhood.
THE GLITTERING MILE
The Glittering Mile is where it all began. In 1978 the party that became a protest started on Darlinghurst road and in 2022 it returns. We’ve come a long way since those days and and for two weeks (Thursday 17th February through to Sunday 6th March), Mardi Gras returns to the Cross to celebrate our LGBTQI community in camp sophistication and glamour amidst the neon.
From bottomless brunches and alfresco dining to cabaret shows and cosy cocktail dens. Retail offerings, history talks and walks or live music, viewing parties and art exhibitions, in 2022 all that glitters will be gold. There’s so much to do from Oxtravaganza to the Glittering Mile this Mardi Gras, so come join the party.
Kick off on Thursday 17th February at ‘Shop Late’ as you stroll the neighbourhood and check out the local style stakes - start with a shopping expedition and finish with a cocktail, a quick snack, or a 5 star meal.
Over the next two weeks take in some art, find a new favourite bar or come to a show. On the night of the Parade, Mardi Gras viewing parties will be at different venues, with fun hostessing and some performances as the parade goes on - it’s next best thing to being there!
SYDNEY SUMMER STREETS
This summer the city streets will be taking on a festive vibe with street closures, al-fresco dining and entertainment all adding to a carnivalé atmosphere for the City of Sydney’s Summer Streets Festival.
Street closures on Darlinghurst Rd, Redfern St and Crown St in Surry Hills will be encouraging locals to come outside and mingle with their community.
Expect marching bands, drag royalty, fire-eaters and plenty of food and drink options.
Check out the City what’s on page for more details.
A TASTE OF STANLEY ST
Posted December 15th, 2021
Come on down to Stanley St on Saturday January 15th, as they celebrate GOOD FOOD MONTH with A Taste of Stanley St with international food and drink pairings from some of the best venues in town. For just $20 each!
The street will be closed to traffic so diners can cruise and choose - from 11am through to 10pm join us for food and drink combos, live music and al-fresco dining. Taste the many cuisines on offer at a dozen restaurants, bars and cafes. The cost is only $20 each, so we’re pretty sure you will have room for more than one tasting. Dine with drag queens, toe-tap the afternoon away to a mariachi band, and after the sun sets enjoy fire performances.
If travel seems a distant dream right now, take a day-trip to Stanley St and taste the world on your plate.
OFFERS INCLUDE :
Mexican medicine Guadalajara style tacos washed down with a Margarita at LA FARMACIA
Enjoy classic Italian Spaghetti Bolognese, Garlic Bread and Red Wine at BILL + TONI’S
Choose from pork or beef Asian sliders, a pint of Sapporo or Asahi beer at DUMPLINGS & BEER
Indulge in a French Chicken Liver Parfait, Onion Jam and Pinot Pairing at BON VIN
Rock the super fresh Rock Oysters, paired with Doom Juice Rose at BAR NINA
Take a trip to Spain with ‘picas’ Spanish Patas Bravas, Olives and Estrella Beer at BAR TAPA
Try a taste sensation of the famous Hot Wings and Craft Beers at WINGS N TINS
Ya Welcome to try a Louisiana Chicken burger and a dry Daiquiri pairing at THE BIG EASY
HAPPY HOURS FESTIVAL
The HAPPY HOURS Festival is back, a month late, happily undefeated by Covid, or recent lockdowns, or rainy El Nina weather! There’s something to suit everyone , during this 11 day festival of food and drinks deals; performances of comedy, cabaret, drag and music; and spoken word, poetry and book launches.
There is nowhere in Sydney as diverse as Eastside and the businesses of Darlinghurst, Surry Hills, and Potts Point are throwing open their doors and preparing to play host and encourage Sydney-siders to once again kick up their heels.
Taking place from 25th November until 5th December HAPPY HOURS is the first festival to emerge this summer and offers over 100 mouthwatering food and drink deals, plus performances in smaller bars and venues - inspiring city dwellers to rediscover their local hoods and support local business.