ISSUE 5. Here’s everything worth doing in Sydney this weekend
BY: Kartya Vucetic
Alas, ladies and gentlemen, it appears the silly season is officially coming to an end. After all, it’s only so long we can justifiably day drink, spend our entire pay check, and clock off at 4pm, right?
Wrong.
Sure, the seasonal festivities might be wrapping up. But that doesn’t necessarily mean your weekend fun has to, and that’s where we come in. Highlights for this weekend include the NSW Wine Cellar Door, sunset drinks at Sydney Observatory’s new live music series, and of course, your final opportunity to catch Flickerfest before it’s gone for another year.
In other words, there’s lots happening. So scroll down for our top picks of things to do in Sydney this weekend.
SPECIALS
FINAL CALL FOR: Flickerfest
Image: Flickerfest
Flickerfest returns to Bondi Beach this weekend, 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.
NSW Wine Cellar Door
Image: The Rocks
NSW Wine is back with another cellar door installation in The Rocks. The pop-up tasting experience lets you sample drops from some of the state’s best wine regions without committing to a long weekend away. Expect guided tastings, winemaker chats, and a very civilised excuse to wander around one of Sydney’s most scenic precincts with a glass in hand. Equal parts educational and indulgent (as all good wine events should be).
- WHEN: Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February
- WHERE: The Rocks
- HOW MUCH: Tastings from $5
- CHECK IT OUT HERE.
Sunset Variations at Sydney Observatory
Image: Supplied, Leo Harunah
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
Image: Supplied
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.
Hot Marg Summer at NBF
Image: Supplied
North Bondi Fish is officially in its spicy era, launching Hot Marg Summer in partnership with Patrón Tequila. Running until 28 February, the summer-long takeover brings a dedicated menu of chilli-forward margaritas. The Mango & Chamoy Frozen Spicy Marg is on the top of our hit list, but we’d be lying if we said we weren’t slightly curious to give the Carolina Reaper Spicy Marg a crack. Expect beachside sipping, icy glasses, and just enough regret to keep things interesting.
- WHEN: Until Saturday 28 February
- WHERE: North Bondi Fish, Bondi
- HOW MUCH: $24 Margs
- CHECK IT OUT HERE.
Madama Butterfly
Image: Opera Australia
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
Image: Instagram @prettywomanthemusicalau
Pretty Woman: The Musical officially hit the Theatre Royal last 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.
REGULARS
$12 Bloody Mary Saturdays at Bar 26
Feeling a little spiritually misaligned? Bar 26 has a fix for that, and it’s rimmed with celery salt. Every Saturday from 2pm to 10pm, they’re slinging handcrafted Bloody Mary’s for just $12 a pop, aka half price. That’s cheaper than a green juice (and way more effective). Whether you’re hair-of-the-dogging or just here for the spice, consider this your new weekly ritual.
- WHEN: Every Saturday, 2pm to 10pm
- WHERE: Bar 26, Lilyfield
- HOW MUCH: $12
- CHECK IT OUT HERE.
Golden Keys
Image: The Golden Sheaf
Live piano parties have been popping up everywhere lately, so it’s no surprise that the good ol’ Sheaf has decided to also get in and amongst the action. Kicking off every Friday from 8pm, Golden Keys has officially become the place in the East for live music. Think: piano in the middle of the room, no setlist, and $12 margs to help loosen those vocal cords.
- WHEN: Every Friday, from 8pm
- WHERE: Golden Sheaf, Double Bay
- HOW MUCH: Free entry
- CHECK IT OUT HERE.
Piano Bar Fridays
Image: Supplied
Another live music staple in the Sydney scene, Bungalow 8 is back again this Friday with its ‘Keys Gone Wild’ live piano event. Sydney’s been itching for a solid (and regular) live music option in the city, and it appears our prayers have finally been answered. Expect no set lists, but instead a song request system that’ll have the piano man playing all types of karaoke-style hits well into the evening. If history is anything to go by, lines go out the door pretty quickly for this one, so we suggest getting there early or risk singing all by yourself.
- WHEN: Every Friday, from 9pm
- WHERE: Bungalow 8, Barangaroo
- HOW MUCH: Free entry
- 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.
$35 Bottomless Fajitas at SoCal
Image: SoCal Neutral Bay
All I’ll say is: Friday’s, fajitas, fiestas. That’s it. Thank god SoCal gets it, because they’re hosting a $40 bottomless fajita special from 3pm till late every Friday. The Neutral Bay institution will let you have at it for about 2-hours, which should hopefully be enough time to make yourself feel more than slightly ill. After all, it’s all about value adding in this economy, right? Perhaps wash it down with a margarita. Perhaps more than one.
- WHEN: Every Friday, from 3pm
- WHERE: SoCal, Neutral Bay
- HOW MUCH: $40
- CHECK IT OUT HERE.
