ISSUE 5. Here’s your weekly rundown on what’s good in Sydney

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s officially a new working week, which can mean one thing and one thing only. It’s weekly guide time.

Sure, you might have spent all your energy (and money) on the long weekend. But the good news is that there’s still plenty of fun, free or cheap things to keep the fun times moving. For starters, Flickerfest has officially returned to Bondi Pavilion for their 35th lap around the sun. It’s also the final week of the Australian Open (read: every sports bar packed until Sunday), and Sydney Observatory is kicking off their Sunset Variations series.

In other words, it’s all happening this week. But don’t take my word for it, scroll down to check out what’s actually worth your time.

SPECIALS

Flickerfest

Flickerfest has officially returned to Bondi Beach this week, celebrating its 35th anniversary with ten nights of short films under the stars. What began as a school hall screening in Balmain is now Australia’s leading Academy and BAFTA-accredited short film festival, drawing standout short films from filmmakers around the world. Expect sharp, tightly curated programs, plus the quiet satisfaction of watching future Oscar contenders right alongside the beach.

• WHEN: Friday 23 January to Sunday 1 February
• WHERE: Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach
• HOW MUCH: Tickets from $22
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Sunset Variations at Sydney Observatory

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we are in fact entering our last month of summer. In other words, it’s the perfect time to introduce Sydney Observatory’s new Sunset Variations series starting this week. Think golden-hour sunsets, glasses of wine and sets from local emerging artists, all perched on top of one of the best viewpoints in town.

• WHEN: Every Friday until 27 February, from 4pm
• WHERE: Sydney Observatory
• HOW MUCH: $10 tix
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Summer of Tennis at Barangaroo

If your Australian Open viewing habits skew more beanbag than sports bar (fair), Barangaroo has you covered. Until Sunday 1 February, the Australian Open will be screened live on the streets of Barangaroo. Expect lawn games, summer energy and plenty of room to sprawl, with the option to BYO snacks or grab something nearby. There’s even a daily hidden-under-a-beanbag prize situation, because watching tennis is always better with the possibility of free gelato.

• WHEN: Until Sunday 1 February
• WHERE: Hickson Park, Barangaroo
• HOW MUCH: Free
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Madama Butterfly at Sydney Opera House

Puccini’s Madama Butterfly returns in a production that’s as devastating as it is visually immaculate. Staged at the Sydney Opera House, this award-winning version leans into timeless tragedy with floating flowers, glowing candles, sliding paper screens and costumes that do a lot of emotional heavy lifting. Expect soaring arias, long silences that hit harder than dialogue, and a slow, inevitable heartbreak that unfolds beautifully. Bring tissues. Maybe don’t bring a first date.

• WHEN: Tuesday 6 January to Wednesday 25 March
• WHERE: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
• HOW MUCH: Tickets from $50
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Pretty Woman: The Musical

Pretty Woman: The Musical has officially hit the Theatre Royal this month, bringing Hollywood escapism, big vocals and even bigger hair to the stage. Packed with all the iconic moments from the film, the production comes with a Tony-winning creative team, an original Bryan Adams score, and THE Timomatic (yes, you heard me correctly). It’s feel-good, glossy and guaranteed to deliver a solid night out.

• WHEN: Until Sunday 1 March
• WHERE: Theatre Royal, CBD
• HOW MUCH: Tix from $69
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Moonlight Cinema

Moonlight Cinema is back for its 30th (yes, 3-0) summer under the stars, returning to Centennial Park until April. Expect Christmas classics, family films, and new releases like Wicked: For Good and Eternity. To mark the milestone, Moonlight is also letting audiences vote on which nostalgic favourites should hit the outdoor screen next year. Consider this your sign to pack a picnic, claim a patch of grass, and pray for good weather.

• WHEN: Until Sunday 5 April
• WHERE: Belvedere Amphitheatre, Centennial Parklands
• HOW MUCH: Tix from $22
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Laneway Cinema in The Rocks

Sydney’s most charming outdoor cinema is back, turning the cobblestone laneways of The Rocks into an open-air movie night each Wednesday all summer long. Settle into a beanbag, grab a drink, and catch cult favourites, arthouse gems and nostalgic throwbacks under the stars. It’s all starting Wednesday 12 November with none other than Final Destination. Entry’s free, but we recommend registering for tix in advance. 

• WHEN: Every Wednesday night until 25 February
• WHERE: Laneway Cinema, The Rocks
• HOW MUCH: Free entry
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Art After Hours at NSW Art Gallery

If you’re looking for a midweek date night that’s not just drinks and discussing your favourite colours, the Art Gallery of NSW has you sorted. Every Wednesday, the gallery stays open late for Art After Hours. Think free exhibitions, guided tours, live music, films, and enough dim lighting to make you look very cultured. Grab a drink, stay for dinner, or join one of the interactive workshops. It’s also free, which is always a win.

• WHEN: Every Wednesday, from 6-10pm
• WHERE: Art Gallery of NSW
• HOW MUCH: Free
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

THE REGULARS

Stand Out Comedy at The Chippo Hotel

There’s a reason The Chippo Hotel’s underground comedy club has shot straight to the top of our mid-week survival list. Stand Out Comedy Club runs every Wednesday and Thursday in Chippendale’s subterranean, sunflower-filled lair. Each week brings a new lineup of emerging and established comedians who are, shockingly, actually funny. And with tickets at just $15, it’s the perfect excuse to rally the group chat, drag along a mate, or take a date who you’d like to test under pressure.

• WHEN: Every Wednesday and Thursday night
• WHERE: The Chippo Hotel, Chippendale
• HOW MUCH: Tix are $25
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

$25 Lunch Special at Door Knock

Sydney’s OG hidden bar is letting daylight in again. That’s right, Door Knock is now open for lunch, serving up one of head chef Joe Slakey’s Mediterranean-inspired mains and a glass of wine for just $25 every Thursday and Friday. The menu rotates weekly with dishes like scotch fillet, pork belly, crab cakes and beef sliders, plus a side salad and your pick of white, rosé or red.

• WHEN: Every Thursday and Friday, 12-3pm
• WHERE: Door Knock, CBD
• HOW MUCH: $25
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

tqm. Happy Hour

If you haven’t already heard, we’re lowkey obsessed with the relaunch of Tequila Mockingbird into tqm. in Paddington recently. In fact, hot take but they might just be slinging the best margs in the Inner East. So lucky for all of us that tqm. has just launched their new Happy Hour special from 4.30-6pm Tuesday through to Sunday, featuring $12 spicy and regular margies, $9 house wins and their iconic $8 ceviche tacos. Cost-of-living say who?

• WHEN: Tuesday to Sunday, 4.30-6pm
• WHERE: tqm., Paddington
• HOW MUCH: Varies
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Golden Hour at The Butler

Snagging a wine for less than $10, or margie for less than $15, is basically unheard of in Sydney nowadays. That’s except for The Butler in Potts Point, of course, which is dishing up the happy hour to end all happy hours. From 4pm to 5.30pm on Monday and Tuesday, and 3pm to 5.30pm on Wednesday through to Sunday, they’re slinging $8 wines and $14 margs as part of their ‘Golden Hour’ special. Of course, it wouldn’t be a true Golden Hour at The Butler without a fair dose of their iconic tostadas to also keep us going. If you live or work nearby, consider this your sign to make a trip asap.

• WHEN: 4pm to 5.30pm Monday and Tuesday, 3pm to 5.30pm Wednesday to Sunday
• WHERE: The Butler, Potts Point
• HOW MUCH: Varies
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

$65 Wednesday Bottomless Steak Frites at The Winery

Ladies and gents, it’s time to run, not walk, to The Winery in Surry Hills this Wednesday, because you’ll score bottomless frites and steak for just $65.Usually with these types of specials, restaurant’s will ply you with chips until you’re full, but that’s definitely not the case here. The staff are super generous in topping you up with steak too, which let’s be real, is the reason why we’re all here. For an additional $8 you can also nab bottomless tiramisu (because obviously there’s a different stomach for dessert).

• WHEN: Every Wednesday dinner service
• WHERE: The Winery, Surry Hills
• HOW MUCH: $65
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Oyster Happy Hour at The Morrison

I see no reason why the cost of living should get in the way of good taste, and neither does The Morrison. If you didn’t already know, they’re kind of the go-to place for happy hour oysters in town. In fact, they sell a minimum of 6,000 oysters every week. Every Wednesday from 6pm to 7pm, you’ll be able to snag those little gems for $2 each, which is kind of insane. If you can score a table, it’s the perfect spot to clock off work with your mates. Or head over here if you want to check out the other oyster happy hours currently happening around town.

• WHEN: Every Wednesday, 6pm to 7pm
• WHERE: The Morrison, CBD
• HOW MUCH: $2 per oyster
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

The Waratah $20 Steak and Chips

Every instagrammer in town is talking about The Waratah’s $20 steak and chips special. Unlike any review in the history of reviews, they might actually be onto something here. If you’re done with home cooking for the week and in need of an outing, the new-ish institution is slinging some of the best and ‘most elevated’ pub food in town (if that’s a thing).

• WHEN: Every Thursday, until sold out.
• WHERE: The Waratah, Darlinghurst
• HOW MUCH: $20
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.