WHAT'S ON Here’s your weekly rundown on what’s good in Sydney

Helloooo Sydney, and welcome to another beautiful week in paradise!

Spring is in full swing, the sun is shining, and daylight saving has officially kicked off. Gone are the evenings we rot at home in our oodies. I officially call it time to get out there and start coordinating mid-week plans.

I’m here today to tell you there’s lots going down in Sydney this week, and you should probably get around it. You’ve got happy hours up to your eyeballs, and culture coming out of your wazoo. Sounds like a pretty good gig if you ask me.

Ok, ready? Google calendars prepped? Here are the best things to do in Sydney this week.

SXSW Festival

If you’ve been forever confused about what actually happens at Sydney’s SXSW Festival, trust me when I say you’re not alone. Managing Director Colin Daniels tells us it’s a “World Fair for creative content industries,” and a spinoff of the Austin South By South West Festival that started in 1987. This year, Sydney will host over 1,000 events covering topics from technology, to innovation, to music and gaming.

In other words, it’s essentially one big networking and idea-sharing event for creative industries. Our top picks include performances by Jorja Smith and The Kid Laroi, guest speakers such as Grace Tame, and of course, who could forget Luke Hemsworth’s session on how to bring back the Tassie tiger. Random, but vibes.

• WHEN: Various locations, main HQ Tumbalong Park
• WHERE: Monday 14 to Sunday 20 October
• HOW MUCH: Free and ticketed events
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Innocent Bystander Takeover at Babylon

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.

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.

Wednesday Bottomless Steak Frites

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.

Titanique

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.

Icebergs Lasagna, Vino + Tiramisu 

Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve done it this time. I’ve found the ultimate dinner spot for your graveyard shift date. Icebergs Bar in Bondi has announced their indefinite Tuesday night special of lasagna, vino and tiramisu that’s running for not cheap, but not crazy prices either. They’ll even be decking out the entire restaurant in those cheesy, red chequered tablecloths and serving wine carafes (how very romantic). Perfect place to impress someone you hardly know. 

• WHEN: Every Tuesday 
• WHERE: Icebergs Bar
• HOW MUCH: Depends on your taste :/ 
• 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. Every Wednesday from 6pm to 7pm, you’ll be able to snag those little gems for $1.50 each, which is kind of insane. If you can score a table, it’s the perfect spot to clock off work with your mates. 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: $1.50 per oyster
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

$5 Tacos and Free Palomas at El Primo Sanchez

Forget Taco Tuesday, Wednesday’s where it’s at (at least according to El Primo Sanchez). The Paddington institution is serving up $5 tacos from 5pm every Wednesday, which is a pretty damn good deal if you ask me. What’s more? If you’re one of the first five customers, they’ll throw in a free Paloma cocktail too. In other words, you’ve now got a great excuse to clock off work right on time.

• WHEN: Every Wednesday from 5pm
• WHERE: El Primo Sanchez, Paddington
• HOW MUCH: From $5
• 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.
• WHERE: The Waratah, Darlinghurst
• HOW MUCH: $20
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

$12 Paella Lunches @ Quay Quarter Lane 

Calling all Sydney CBD corporates in North Face puffer vests, this one’s for you. Whoever said it was impossible to find a solid and reasonably priced lunch in the city just wasn’t trying hard enough. This month, the Basque-style pintxos bar in Circular Quay is slinging generous takeaway portions of seafood paella for just $12. Now you know.

• WHEN: Every Thursday and Friday, lunchtime
• WHERE: Deux Frères, Quay Quarter Lanes 
• HOW MUCH: $12
• 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: Until Saturday 26 October
• WHERE: Capitol Theatre
• HOW MUCH: From $70
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.