WHAT'S ON

Get out of monk mode, there’s shit going down in Sydney this week.

We might be halfway through the month, but make no mistake, Sydney is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Yes, okay, it might be bloody cold, but is that really an excuse to go into monk mode for the next two months? Obviously not.

In light of all this, I’ve put together some of the best things happening in Sydney this week. Tuesday’s a winner, with lasagna, vino, and tiramisu specials at Icebergs Bar, as well as writing showcases at the State Library. It’s also the final week of Volume Festival, so you best believe we’re stopping by for one last hurrah.

Without further ado, I present to you So Sydney!’s top picks for this week.

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

Fresh Takes: Winter ‘24

Picture this: negroni in hand, sitting in a library bar, listening to some of the best new written works this season. That ultimate literary wanker could be you, and we would 100% support it. This Tuesday marks the NSW State Library’s seasonal event where they host established and emerging writers to showcase their most recent work. This round will see James Bradley, Ashlee Donohue, and Winnie Dunn, just to name a few. Definitely worth the check out.

• When: Tuesday, 6-8pm
• Where: NSW State Library
• How much: $10
• Check it out here

Final Week for Volume Festival

NSW Art Gallery’s mammoth Volume Festival is officially wrapping up this week, so consider this your sign to stop by before it’s too late. During the day, you’ll be able to enter the Think Space to check out Every dull moment (EDM), a digital art and music installation by the brains of none other than Zawada and Flume. Weekday evenings will also be a treat, with Kim Gordon taking over the program Thursday and Friday night. Go on, get some culture into ya.

• When: Until Sunday 21 July
• Where: NSW Art Gallery
• How much: Free and ticketed
• Check it out here

Capella x Lode Pies

Deny all you’d like, but we just KNOW you CBD corpies love an excuse to inject unnecessary luxury into the most basic of things. Cue the Capella x Lode Pie collaboration taking place until early August, where the fine dining restaurant will be serving up what can only be described as the bougiest pie known to mankind. Yes, they’re $39 and absolutely outrageous, but I can’t resist.

• When: Until 9 August
• Where: Capella
• How much: From $39
• Check it out here

$15 Marg Month @ Salty’s Bondi

Last time I checked, it wasn’t a crime to be basic, and thank god for that, because Salty’s is exactly where I’ll be having every post-work drink this month. The Bondi institution will be serving up $15 margaritas every day, all day, for all of July. It’s also timed perfectly with National Tequila Day on July 24, just in case you hadn’t already marked it in your calendar.

• When: All of July
• Where: Salty’s Bondi
• How much: $15 margs
• 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

King Lear by Bell Shakespeare

Might be the English nerd in me but low-key this hits. A Shakespeare tragedy, especially one performed by Bell Shakespeare, has never disappointed. Tickets also start at $42, which is less than two Aperols at Thursday post-work drinks. Peter Evans directs this iconic classic on filial ingratitude (look it up), and you’ll probably learn a great Victorian insult to keep up your sleeve.

• When: Until Sunday 20 July
• Where: The Neilson Nutshell
• How much: From $42
• Check it out here

Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett

It’s official, Bernie Dieter is back to hosting her opulent eastern Berlin kabarett at the Sydney Spiegeltent. Think debauchery, theatrics, and circus acts all in one show. It feels as if cabaret has suddenly become trendy again this year, and we’ll be the first to admit that we’re here for it. Besides, I’ve personally always wanted to see a hair-hanger. This one’s not for your weak-stomached mates.

• When: Until Sunday 28 July
• Where: The Entertainment Quarter
• How much: From $50
• Check it out here

Dracula at the Sydney Theatre Company

Go on, have your goth moment. If you feel like treating yourself to some culture this month, book a ticket to Kip Williams’ theatrical adaptation of Dracula. The director’s latest iteration of the hybrid genre ‘cine-theatre’ should be interesting at the very least. Besides, if you’re going to go into full angsty mode you might as well do it under the guise of dinner and a show.

• When: Until Sunday 4 August
• Where: Roslyn Packer Theatre
• How much: From $70
• Check it out here

Laozi’s Furnace @ White Rabbit Gallery

Our favourite (and free) Chippendale gallery is back this month with its new installation, Laozi’s Furnace. Artists featured in the exhibition explore Tang Dynasty alchemists and their quest for immortality, applying these principles and artistic techniques to a modern-day environment. Definitely a strong rainy day option.

• When: Until November
• Where: White Rabbit Gallery, Chippendale
• How much: Free
• Check it out here