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 ROVER
The new-look Rover’s make over has given the bar all the charm and sophistication of a New York style cocktail bar. The dimly lit copper shines and is at once inviting and exciting for The Rover’s welcome return to the Surry Hills bar scene.
Here you can tuck into a very satisfying martini and some freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters. Or roll into the night and indulge in a generous seafood-driven menu boasting poached octopus, smoked sardines and a curried fish finger sandwich, all washed down with quaffable, punchy wines from near and afar.
Whether dropping in for a casual tipple or seeking a proper night out, the extensive wine offering, formidable whisky list and English-inspired menu guarantees to keep you satisfied, whichever way the night goes.
Walk-ins only.
Tuesday – Friday 4:00pm - late
Saturday12:00pm - late
75 Campbell St, Surry Hills
THE WINERY
The Winery is a beautifully quirky urban wine bar with a leafy laneway & terrace for drinking in the sunshine, a bar & restaurant for dining under the fairy lights. The expansive wine list offers over 30 meticulously selected wines by the glass and a euro-inspired menu for romantic and relaxed dining. The 3 course feasting menu ($65) and the bottomless brunch ($79) are great value and perfect options for groups. Plenty of cocktails on offer too. Look out for their regular events, including drag brunches, valentine’s, mother’s day, dj afternoons, etc..
285A Crown St, Surry Hills
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.
UNIVERSAL
There’s fun to be had every night of the week along Oxford St, home to Sydney’s LGBTQI community and the famous Mardi Gras Parade. And a lot of that a action is happening at UNIVERSAL whether downstairs in the bar area or upstairs in the club. During the Covid-times, when we couldn’t dance, Universal did the ‘pivot’ and turned the upstairs club into an “immersive dining experience” which proved so popular they kept it going. Every Friday and Saturday you can get dinner and a show - a 3 course menu and bottomless cocktails, if you choose - plus some of Sydney’s most popular drag queens and entertainers all for $89/$149.
PREMIERE at UNIVERSAL
Downstairs in the bar area there’s also non-stop entertainment every. night with drag shows, trivia nights, hospo mondays, fireball fridays, slay for pay, sunday shenanigans and gamers nights. The bar food is good, all cocktails are $18 and the kitchen is open till midnight!
85-91 Oxford St, Darlinghurst
DULCIE’S
Dulcie’s is a stylish subterranean cocktail parlour inspired by Sydney’s 1930’s speakeasies and named after Dulcie Deamer novelist, poet, thespian and journalist. Dulcie was a women ahead of her time, smart, creative and sometimes shocking to society. She was known as the "Queen of Bohemia" due to her involvement with celebrated artist Norman Lindsay’s literary and artistic circle, the Bohemian world of Kings Cross, and vaudeville. A worthy icon to be remembered!
Descend the stairs from Darlinghurst Rd and enter into Duclie’s, a cosy subterranean bar with old world charm, a warm space big on
personalised service and attentiveness to detail. Dulcie herself would approve.
Dulcie’s owner and host Brandon Martignago pride’s himself on using 100% Australian produce. Everything from boutique spirits, and mixers to the locally sourced meats and cheeses that come from dedicated distillers and providers use quality Aussie ingredients. And everything is meticulously scrutinised by Brandon’s discerning eye.
Feels like the home of a very charming and tasteful friend - this is a place to drop in for a drink and find you’ve stayed till the wee hours of the morning.
44B Darlinghurst Rd, Kings Cross
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.