WHAT'S ON

Tipples and tit flashes are bound to get the weekend vibes moving. Click here to know where.

We’re officially on the countdown to the end of winter, and things feel like they’re slowly starting to come out of hibernation. No, just me? Let me show you why you’re wrong.

In terms of weekend activities, you guys are really spoiled for choice this time round. In terms of music, Peking Duk at Ivy and Sutra Sunrise are definitely carrying Saturday night. That being said, you’ll be in safe hands at any Bondi pub post City2Surf. This time of year is also perfect for spoiling yourself with dinner and a show. Ask me? Nothing gets the weekend going like a tipple and tit flash, so perhaps Limbo the Return is the move. 

Anyway, I’ll leave you and your diary to it. Check below for this best things to do in Sydney over the weekend. 

Sydney Tattoo Convention 

Whether you’re tatted to the nines, looking for inspo, or just plain curious, head over to the Sydney Tattoo Convention in Town Hall this month. The three-day extravaganza will see over 250 local and international tattoo artists come together to showcase their work, hosts talks, and promote their business. Apparently there are also tattoo competitions, and I’m not quite sure what that means, but consider me curious.

• When: Friday 9 to Sunday 11 August
• Where: Sydney Town Hall
• How much: From $43
• Check it out here.

Above ft Peking Duk

Abbie Chatfield’s boyfriend, Adam Hyde, and that other guy who makes up Peking Duk, is performing at Ivy this weekend. It’ll be fun. It’ll be light. It’ll probably be packed with 18 year olds trying their first vodka red bull, but hey, it’s a right of passage okay? This one will sell out, so I’d jump on tickets before Saturday night in order to secure your spot on the dancefloor. 

• When: Saturday 10 August, from 9pm
• Where: Ivy
• How much: From $31
• Check it out here.

Sutra Sunrise 

Our favourite monthly 13-hour party is officially back this weekend, ladies and gentlemen. Time to strap on your Doc Martens and most outrageous pair of sunglasses, because this will be our pick of weekend parties. Hosted at the Bridge Hotel in Rozelle, Sutra Sunrise will be lining up a smorgasbord of trance, techno music and serious festival vibes. Bondi Lines even has $10 off tickets if you head here. Can’t think of a better way to go into City2Surf, can you? 

• When: Saturday 10 August, from 11.30pm
• Where: The Bridge Hotel, Rozelle
• How much: From $46
• Check it out here.

City2Surf + Afters

City2Surf is back this weekend, serving a reminder to people that a year of smoking, binge drinking and counting 10,000 steps as exercise can’t be undone by a week of training. While the race itself is sold out, I suspect the onlookers and post-run partygoers actually have the best gig. What I can recommend, however, are all the parties and pub events that go down after the fact. Might be the one day of the year where surfacing at The Sheaf isn’t social suicide. 

• When: Sunday 11 August
• Where: City to Bondi
• How much: Rego closed.
• Check it out here.

PICKLED ﻛﺑﯾس

No one said dinner and a show had to break the bank, and thank god Belvoir St Theatre gets that. This month, they bring Najee Tannous’ new production Pickled ﻛﺑﯾس to stage. The story tracks two brothers, Sammy and Yousif, who both work to navigate their Middle Eastern and queer identities after the death of their mother. The dramedy sold out during its work-in-development season, which is typically a good sign. The show also forms part of Belvoir’s 25A initiative, which supports independent and emerging artists. An honest show, reasonable prices and small theatre, what more could you ask for people. 

• When: Tuesday 20 August to Sunday 8 September
• Where: Belvoir St Theatre
• How much: $25
• Check it out here.

LIMBO The Return

There’s nothing quite like a fire-breathing, gravity-defying spectacular to warm up the winter evenings. And thankfully, LIMBO The Return has us covered until mid-August. Combining cabaret, live music, dance and acrobatics all in one, we just know it’s going to be wildly outrageous. Tickets are also pretty reasonable, starting from $55. The show is running for a strictly limited season so consider this your sign.

• When: Until Sunday 18 August
• Where: The Grand Electric, Surry Hills 
• How much: From $59.
• 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.

FINAL WEEKEND FOR: Olympics and Paralympics Live Site

Whether you’re a sports enthusiast or not, there’s no denying that the Olympics and Paralympics carry an energy that’s on a whole new playing field. This Saturday (AEST) marks the official start of the competition, and we’re absolutely heaving for it. If you’re anywhere around the area and keen to be part of the vibe, head over to Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbour to watch live games on the big screen. 

• When: From Saturday 27 July
• Where: Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour
• How much: Free entry
• Check it out here.