WHAT'S ON Here’s what to do this weekend if you’re still scratching your head for plans

Ladies and gents, say it with me…It’s Thursdayyy. That means one and one thing only. The weekend is nearly upon us, making it officially time to start putting together those last minute plans if you haven’t already got your shit sorted. Here’s where I also come in, to help guide along the way.

And thanks to this week’s long weekend, it’s here earlier than usual. If you’re wondering what’s good in Sydney, it’s time to strap yourselves in for a winner. Firstly, there are still a few last minute tickets to Mode Festival on Cockatoo Island – without a doubt, this is our weekend top pick. Not feeling like the full day commitment? BROOKtoberfest in the Northern Beaches and the Innocent Bystander long lunch series at Babylon are also prime choices.

In other words, your fully spoiled for choice. Lucky you.

Primed and prepped? Check below for the best things to do in Sydney this weekend.

LAST MIN TIX: Mode Festival

Festival season is once again locked in and we’re not mad about it at all. This weekend, Mode Festival is officially back and taking over Cockatoo Island for the coolest music and arts festival in town. House and techno fans, time to pay attention as the lineup is a cracker. Expect to see the likes of Club Angel, Mabel, Bored Lord and Pearson Sound, just to name a few. Surprisingly, there are also still tickets left. Take my advice and make this your sign to nab the last of them.

• WHEN: Saturday 12 October
• WHERE: Cockatoo Island
• HOW MUCH: $190
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

BROOKtoberfest

Forget the pub crawl, we’ve all been there and done that. This weekend, Sydney’s Northern Beaches is scoring a brewery crawl that really shouldn’t be missed. Introducing BROOKtoberfest, Brookvale’s very own take on the iconic German festival. Over the course of the day, you’ll move between venues including including Freshwater Brewing, 7th Day Brewing, Bucketty’s, Dad & Daves, Manly Spirits, and Goodradigbee on a German-style crawl. Other than the obvious choice of beer, there’ll also be plenty of cocktails, German snacks and entertainment to keep you busy. It also runs for six hours, so remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

• WHEN: Saturday 12 October
• WHERE: Brookvale
• HOW MUCH: $75
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Ramen Fridays at Cho Cho San

If you’re looking for a little lunchtime treat come the end of the week, look no further than the Ramen Fridays special currently going down at Cho Cho San. From 12pm to 3pm (or until stocks last), they’re slinging pork gyoza and prawn katsu ramen bowls for just $30. It’s also not just any ol’ bowl of ramen you’re getting. You’ll have to crack through the crispy gyoza netting in order to score strands of silky noodles, chicken shoyu broth and shiitake tare. I’m drooling just writing this.

• WHEN: Every Friday, 12pm to 3pm
• WHERE: Cho Cho San, Potts Point
• HOW MUCH: $30
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Sydney Streets

Our favourite block party is officially back for another weekend, and if that’s not a sign that summer is nigh, then I don’t know what is. Sydney Streets is returning to Glebe Point Road this Saturday for an epic lineup of live music, entertainers, shopping deals and alfresco dining. Come October the streets are typically heaving, so definitely treat this as your first stop of the evening.

• WHEN: Saturday 12 and Saturday 19 October, 11am to 10pm
• WHERE: Glebe Point Road and Stanley Street
• HOW MUCH: Free
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Innocent Bystander Long Lunch Series

A sunny day. A rooftop. A tipple of wine. Name a better day, I’ll wait. And you can have just that and more this month, as beloved Yarra Valley winery Innocent Bystander takes over Babylon in the CBD for over two weeks. While tastings are available anytime, it’s the weekend activities that really steal the show.

Starting at 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays, Babylon will be hosting long lunch events with live DJs, collaborative menus, and a free pop-up tattoo studio. You’ll get two hours of food and wine for $79, with the option to extend for an extra hour at $20. Bottomless wine and free tattoos? What could possibly go wrong?

• WHEN: Thursday 10 to Sunday 27 October
• WHERE: Babylon, Westfield CBD
• HOW MUCH: Long lunch tickets from $79
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Above ft. Torren Foot

It’s safe to say that Sydney is spoiled for choice this weekend when it comes to live music. If you’re not quite willing to commit to a full day festival, opt for the more manageable Saturday night sesh at Above. And before you judge us for recommending the Ivy, hear me out. Torren Foot, most famously known for songs New Bottega and Be Randy, will be headlining the night. He’s got 1.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and any house music enthusiast will be able to confirm that the set will almost certainly be a cracker.

• WHEN: Saturday 12 October, from 9pm
• WHERE: Above at the Ivy
• HOW MUCH: Tickets from $21
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Rosé Rising at Barangaroo House

Call us basic, but there’s nothing quite like sipping on a rosé tipple when the weather warms up. Sure, the complex flavours are nice, but let’s be real—I’m only drinking it because it’s cute and pink. Luckily, Barangaroo House isn’t here to judge, which is why they’re hosting a month-long rosé celebration in partnership with Moët Hennessy.

All three levels are getting a rosé-themed makeover, with drink specials like frosé, Veuve Clicquot Rosé bubbles, and our personal fave—the Whispering Angel classic French rosé. Naturally, there’s pink bar bites to match. Catch us inhaling Skull Island pink bao buns and strawberry fried ice cream.

• WHEN: Tuesday 1 to Thursday 31 October
• WHERE: Barangaroo House
• HOW MUCH: Varies
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

$35 Bottomless Fajitas at SoCal

All I’ll say is: Friday’s, fajitas, fiestas. That’s it. Thank god SoCal gets it, because they’re hosting a $35 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: $35
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Titanique: The Musical

We love Celine Dion. We love the movie Titanic. But honestly, never in a million years did we think we’d be combining the two icons in the one sentence, let alone the same show. If you’re confused, let me explain. Titanique: The Musical is the weird, wild and wonderful musical, where the story of Jack and Rose is told from Celine Dion’s perspective. Originally a one-night-only production in Los Angeles back in 2017 quickly took off, with the off-Broadway parody having won three awards at the Lucille Lortel Awards in 2023. Now, the show’s hit Sydney and the shores of The Grand Electric in Surry Hills. We reckon it’s worth giving a shot.

• WHEN: Until Sunday 3 November
• WHERE: The Grand Electric, Surry Hills
• HOW MUCH: From $75
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Sister Act The Musical

Calling all musical buffs, this one’s for you. Sister Act is officially reaching Australian shores this month, and delivering a show that’s bound to get your habit in a twist. Australian idol star, Casey Donovan, will be appearing as Dolores Van Cartier, alongside Genevieve Lemon as Mother Superior, and Rhonda Burchmore as Sister Mary Lazarus. Tony and 8-time Oscar award winner Alan Menken also did the original soundtrack, so you can expect some seriously good hymns and hallelujahs. 

• When: From Wednesday 7 August
• Where: Capitol Theatre
• How much: From $70
• Check it out here.

a’Mare Pasta Sundaes

We all know I’m an absolute sucker for a bougie deal on a (relative) budget. If you are too, then listen up: the A’mare Pasta Sundays special kicks off this week. For $55, you’ll score a generous serving of various pastas, a scoop of gelato, and a glass of wine. Are there cheaper places to grab dinner? Sure. But A’mare scores high in my books, and it’s almost impossible to leave with change from a $100 note. In other words, consider this your time to pounce.

• When: Every Sunday, dinner
• Where: a’Mare at The Crown
• How much: $55
• Check it out here.