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
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
TWO GOOD CAFE
Two Good Co, a social enterprise that supports woman at-risk, has opened its first cafe in Darlinghurst, inside the new headquarters of the Paul Ramsay Foundation. It’s a stunning sandstone, heritage listed, former church, recently refurbished and now known as Yirranma Place.
“Yirranma” is translated from Gadigal to “many-create” and the whole space is for for-purpose organisations, social enterprises and philanthropy to come together to tackle social problems and break cycles of disadvantage in Australia.
The Two Good Co social enterprise began with a street bbq, later an organic soup kitchen founded by former engineer Rob Caslick, and has branched out to sell catering-style salads and soups, supply meals for refuges and shelters, and provide employment pathway programs for vulnerable women. Its buy-one-give-one meal model is a simple and effective idea.
Alongside cafe staples, the Two Good has monthly specials, and recipe collaborations with a range of chefs. It kicked off with Three Blue Ducks’ Darren Robertson’s oozie cauliflower-cheese toastie and a salad of Italian sausage, pear, lentils and watercress. August specials will be curated by Belinda Jeffery, and Matt Moran's croque monsieur will debut in September.
The cafe also offers a concierge service for the building, which houses co-working spaces, an art gallery and recital hall.
Mon-Fri 7am-3pm.
262 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst
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
SONG KITCHEN
Located at the southern end of Hyde Park, Song Kitchen is a stylish cafe, bar and dining room, and a profit for purpose Restaurant - one of the first ventures of its kind in Australia - with 100 per cent of the profits going to fund YWCA Australia services for women and children experiencing domestic violence.
Their philosophy is based on generosity and honesty. Produce is fresh and local, portions are big and pricing is fair. The kitchen also offers quality bar food and delicious burgers for those on the go.
To complement the vibrant dishes, their wine list celebrates artisan Australian producers and alternative, lesser know grape varieties.
Dinner from 5pm, Thursday, Friday + Saturday
5/11 Wentworth Avenue, SYDNEY
DIMITRI’S PIZZERIA
Tasty pizza with 100 per cent sourdough and truly original combos.
Stretched mozzarella, sopressa, tomato and honey combine to make ‘The Bee Sting’ pizza. Wood-roasted brussels sprouts, fermented lemon ricotta, caramelised onion and fennel, with cubes of smoked curd cheese is ’The Brussel Crowe’.
In addition wood fired pizza, there’s artisan pasta, fresh salads and more, along with good beer and wine. They offer a range of best quality, locally produced ingredients while also supporting small independent businesses, just like them.
215 Oxford St, Darlinghurst
DAILY JOCKS
Calling themselves “the ultimate underwear and swimwear authority” the team at Daily Jocks know their stuff and really do have something for everyone, bringing together a global community of underwear fanatics.
Underwear, swimwear, sportswear, festishwear - all categories covered. The team is also champions of unity in the community and celebrates that diversity and inclusivity across every facet of the brand, from campaigns, to sizing, to the in-store experience.
163 Oxford St, Darlinghurst
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
LUMIERE CAFE
Lumiere Café is a bustling inner-city cafe just a block away from Taylor Sq and the Rainbow Crossing on the Darlo and Surry Hills border. Its a local’s favourite for all day breakfast and brunch.
So much choice! From the popular Ricotta Hot Cakes and French Brioche to the savoury favorites of the Corn Cake Stack and USA Burger. There’s a large selection of Eggs Benedict options. Great coffee too. Plus lots of gluten free and vegan options.
Owner Effie is warm and hospitable and will make sure you don’t leave hungry! Look out for their Bottomless Brunch deals especially around Mardi Gras time, when they really turn on the drag queen entertainment.
Made in the USA Burger
Sit indoors or outdoors and watch the passing parade. Access is easy and they’re also family, pet and wheelchair friendly.
425 Bourke Sy, Surry Hills
DON’T DONUTS
A few days after ‘the great Sydney lockdown’ started in 2021 Dont’ Donuts opened their new Darlinghurst store on Victoria St. It’s a strip that’s seen a fair amount of closures over the past year or so, with some favourites saying goodbye, but is slowly re-emerging as a foodie destination (Messina is across the road, so that helps).
They Make it Hard to Say No!
Anyway, donuts….. We haven’t worked our way through the entire line-up yet, but wholeheartedly agree with their tag-line of “dangerously addicting” with flavours ranging from classic to Vanilla Bean Glaze, Iranian Pistachio and their best sellers like Basque Burnt Cheesecake and Salted Caramel. And the intriguing sounding Vegemite Butterscotch! All wrapped in Don’t Doughnut’s signature sourdough-brioche hybrid dough.
Prices range from $6 - $7.50 with deals offering a box of six for $34. Its worth the walk but also available via Ubereats and Doordash.
324 Victoria St, Darlinghurst
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.
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.