ISSUE 34. What’s on in Sydney this week: sample sales, saunas and several excuses to stay out past bedtime

Sydney appears to be spending the final stretch of winter cycling through all four seasons before lunch, which is doing very little to convince us to leave the house.

Unfortunately, this week has other ideas. Katharina Lou is opening up its sample sale for anyone ready to start pretending spring is around the corner, while the Korean Film Festival is back with a full week of screenings for when you want plans that don’t involve standing outside in the cold.

There’s also free iced lattes, free potato gratins, and other things that might cost a little bit of money.

You know what to do. Here are the best things to do in Sydney this week.

HIGHLIGHTS

Katharina Lou Sample Sale

Let’s be real, the puffer jacket and trackies have had a good run. This weekend, Katharina Lou is opening the doors for a two-day sample sale packed with statement pieces, wardrobe upgrades and the kind of things you’ll convince are “investments”. Get there early and score free Brooki Bakehouse cookies too, as apparently retail therapy now comes with snacks.

• WHEN: Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August, 9am to 6pm
• WHERE: Unit 16B 32 Ralph Street, Alexandria⁠
• HOW MUCH: Free entry
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Korean Film Festival

We all want to live out a K-drama romance at some point, but if your actual Korean cinema knowledge starts and ends with Netflix, consider this your cue. The Korean Film Festival is back in Sydney for one week only, taking over Event Cinemas George Street with 10 films spanning romance, drama, comedy and everything in between. Whether you’re upgrading date night or dragging the group chat somewhere slightly more cultured, this is an easy excuse to spend a night at the movies.

• WHEN: From Thursday 20 to Tuesday 25 August
• WHERE: Event Cinemas George Street, CBD
• HOW MUCH: Tickets from $16
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Klangkuenstler at UNSW Roundhouse

If your idea of a good Saturday night involves bass you can feel in your chest, Klangkuenstler is bringing his industrial techno chaos back to Sydney this week. The German DJ and producer takes over UNSW Roundhouse this Satuday, bringing the high-intensity, 90s-rave-meets-modern-techno sound that’s made his Outworld shows a global favourite, with LOVEFROMSOPH and Lucas Boston on support.

• WHEN: Saturday 22 August, from 7:30pm
• WHERE: UNSW Roundhouse, Kensington
• HOW MUCH: $101 GA tickets
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Free Glazed Iced Lattes and Skincare at Harry’s Bondi

If there was ever a reason to get to Bondi before midday, free iced coffee and skincare is probably it. This Friday from 11am, Skin Control is taking over Harry’s Bondi, with the first 200 people scoring a free iced latte topped with honey-glazed whipped cold foam, plus a full-size Milky Toner Glazing Mist to take home. And if you miss the first 200, the limited-edition latte will still come with a free mist from 21 to 28 August while stocks last.

• WHEN: Friday 21 August, from 11am
• WHERE: Harry’s Bondi, Bondi Beach
• HOW MUCH: Free
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Connections: MCA x Tate

The MCA has joined forces with Tate for a major new exhibition bringing together works acquired through the two institutions’ international joint collection. Featuring works by 24 Australian artists, the exhibition explores cultural exchange, migration, colonisation and First Nations histories, with several new commissions created specifically for the Sydney exhibition. It’s on now at the MCA until early next year, so you’ve got plenty of time to pretend this is the week you become someone who regularly goes to galleries.

• WHEN: Until Monday 1 March 2027
• WHERE: Museum of Contemporary Art, The Rocks
• HOW MUCH: $25 adult tickets
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

FASHION & CULTURE

Cedar & Salt Sauna at Barangaroo

Barangaroo has somehow found a way to make sweating in public feel chic. Cedar & Salt has brought its Nordic-style sauna back to Marrinawi Cove for winter, meaning you can spend an hour moving between a steaming timber sauna and an extremely character-building dip in Sydney Harbour. Sessions run in communal groups of up to 12, with harbour views included and the recommended routine being heat, cold plunge, repeat until you’ve convinced yourself you’re basically Scandinavian.

• WHEN: Until end of September
• WHERE: Marrinawi Cove, Barangaroo
• HOW MUCH: From $30 per single session
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Cold Dip Club Sydney

The Cold Dip Club has landed in Sydney and it’s bringing Copenhagen-coded discipline to anyone willing to enter the Coogee surf mid-winter. The community club meets every Wednesday for a sunrise swim, followed by $2 post-dip coffees at Bathers Coogee. Perfect if you’re into making new friends, moving your body and mild suffering.

• WHEN: Every Wednesday, from 6:30am
• WHERE: Coogee Beach
• HOW MUCH: Free
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Black Myth at White Rabbit Gallery

Our favourite Sydney art gallery is officially back in action with its newest exhibition, Black Myth. Drawing from the wildly successful video game, the exhibition explores how ancient mythology can still tell us things about the modern world. Inspired by Journey to the West, Black Myth brings together artists including Sun Xun, Zong Ning and Hou Chun-Ming to explore transformation, transcendence and the darker side of myth through woodcuts, ink painting, photography and plenty of strange, otherworldly figures.

• WHEN: Until Sunday 15 November
• WHERE: White Rabbit Gallery, Chippendale
• HOW MUCH: Free entry
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Art After Hours at NSW Art Gallery

If you’re looking for a midweek date night that’s not just drinks and discussing your favourite colours, the Art Gallery of NSW has you sorted. Every Wednesday, the gallery stays open late for Art After Hours. Think free exhibitions, guided tours, live music, films, and enough dim lighting to make you look very cultured. Grab a drink, stay for dinner, or join one of the interactive workshops. It’s also free, which is always a win. 

• WHEN: Every Wednesday, from 6-10pm
• WHERE: Art Gallery of NSW, CBD
• HOW MUCH: Free
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE

Show Us Ya Tips

If your Saturday night plans are looking a little too respectable, Angels Only has other ideas. Show Us Ya Tips is taking over The Abercrombie with body and sex-positive performances from professionals and amateurs. Expect dancing, strutting and teasing for tips, with funds going back to sex-worker-led organisations and community. Ticket holders also score free entry to Playnice Confidential afterwards, running until 5am with Matt Vaughan, Aunty Jonny and Simon Caldwell on the decks.

• WHEN: Saturday 22 August, 8-10pm
• WHERE: The Abercrombie, Chippendale
• HOW MUCH: Tickets from $11
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

BURNR + Miguel De Bois

If your Saturday night needs a little more BPM, BURNR and Miguel de Bois are taking over Metro Social this weekend. Expect a fast, sweaty mix of hard house, trance and 90s rave energy from two rising names in the club circuit, with the kind of set built for staying on the dancefloor far longer than planned. Very much a night for people who have no intention of going home early.

• WHEN: Saturday 22 August, from 10:30pm
• WHERE: Metro Social, CBD
• HOW MUCH: $50 third release tix
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Jazz Sessions in The Rocks

Jazz Sessions are back again for August, transforming The Rocks Square into a free open-air jazz spot every Thursday night. Curated in collaboration with the Sydney Improvised Music Association, the lineup remains mixed, the pizza remains $10, and the pop-up bar remains pouring mulled wine. Consider this your new go-to date night idea.

• WHEN: Every Thursday night, 6:30-8:30pm
• WHERE: The Rocks Square
• HOW MUCH: Free
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

FOOD & DRINK

The Little Food Market at Carriageworks

Carriageworks is turning into one very dangerous place for anyone who claims they’re “just having a look” this weekend. The Little Food Market makes its Sydney debut this weekend, bringing together over 180 Australian producers for three days of tastings, shopping, chef demos and very serious snacking. Expect everything from artisan cheese and small-batch spirits to boutique wine, condiments and full-sized dishes from some of Sydney’s favourite kitchens.

• WHEN: Friday 21 to Sunday 23 August
• WHERE: Carriageworks
• HOW MUCH: Tickets from $15
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Potato Utopia Pop-Up at NO.22 Home

Paddington is giving you a very solid reason to browse homewares this weekend. Potato Utopia is popping up inside NO.22 Home on Saturday, handing out free freshly cooked potato gratins (random, we know) while you check out the store’s new Supper Club range. There’s also a chance to win five boxes of gratins delivered straight to your door, which feels like a rather respectable Saturday outcome.

• WHEN: Saturday 22 August, from 10am
• WHERE: NO.22 Home, Paddington
• HOW MUCH: Free entry
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Entrecôte Rolls at Will’s

In news that feels suspiciously generous for the eastern suburbs, Will’s are serving up $10 entrecôte rolls every Thursday throughout August. Head to the Euro-inspired cocktail bar adjacent to Mimi’s for steak frites-filled rolls drenched in that iconic green sauce that no one still really understands. They’re also available all day, ideally with a drink in hand.

• WHEN: Every Thursday in August
• WHERE: Will’s, Coogee
• HOW MUCH: $10
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Friends of The Clock

There’s nothing quite like sitting on The Clock’s terrace, drink in hand on a sunny winter afternoon. This August, the Surry Hills pub is making the case even stronger with Friends of The Clock, a limited-edition menu created with local favourites Tonton Bread, Bourke Street Bakery and Veneziano Coffee Roasters. Expect popcorn chicken with Bourke Street Bakery hot sauce, a meatball focaccia pocket, tiramisu and several very winter-appropriate cocktails, available all month from $16.

• WHEN: Throughout August
• WHERE: The Clock, Surry Hills
• HOW MUCH: Dishes from $16
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Suntory House Takeover

Suntory House is returning to Sydney for its third rendition, taking over Sakura House in the CBD until early October. Inspired by Japan’s nomikai tradition of post-work drinking, the limited-time residency will serve highballs, sours, beer on tap and bespoke cocktails like the ‘Mazda Zoom Zoom’ melon float. Of course, it comes alongside all the elevated izakaya snacks Sakura House has become well-known for.

• WHEN: Friday 31 July to Saturday 3 October
• WHERE: Sakura House, Martin Place
• HOW MUCH: Free entry
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Island Radio Bottomless Yum Cha

As Sydneysiders, we’re almost all well-versed by now in the weekend bottomless brunch session. But bottomless yum cha, however, is something that we hadn’t tried until now. Introducing Island Radio’s bottomless Dim Sum Saturdays, which serves up the likes of dumplings, steamed buns, wagyu nigiri and other yum cha classics alongside 90 minutes of bottomless booze for $90 a head. Honestly, after trying it for ourselves recently this one has instantly shot up to the top of our list.

• WHEN: Every Saturday and Sunday
• WHERE: Island Radio, Redfern
• HOW MUCH: $90 per person
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Retro Sundays at Chiswick Woollahra

Chiswick Woollahra is turning back the clock this August with Retro Sundays. It’s a four-week dinner series serving nostalgic favourites like Beef Wellington, Chicken Kiev and corned beef with parsley béchamel, alongside throwback desserts and playful retro cocktails. Running every Sunday and setting you back $60, we think it’s a rather dignified way to treat the scaries.

• WHEN: Every Sunday until 30 August
• WHERE: Chiswick, Woollahra
• HOW MUCH: $60 per person
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Winter Arbour at RAFI

RAFI’s Winter Arbour is back by popular demand for its second season, turning its North Sydney entrance into a moody winter dining space with botanical installations, immersive lighting and a menu built around Westholme Wagyu. The $128pp banquet includes Wagyu tartare, toothfish with koji, crispy eggplant, slow-braised Wagyu cheek and several other very serious sides.

• WHEN: Until Sunday 6 September
• WHERE: RAFI, North Sydney
• HOW MUCH: $128 per person
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Bottomless Frites Wednesdays at Hamsi Taverna

Hamsi Taverna has launched Bottomless Frites Wednesdays at Sydney Fish Market, which is exactly as sensible as it sounds. For $55, choose between a lobster roll, mussels, steak or snapper, then keep the fries coming all night, with $15 Martinis and Negronis, $12 house wine and $8 beers from 5pm.

• WHEN: Every Wednesday, from 5pm
• WHERE: Hamsi Taverna, Sydney Fish Markets
• HOW MUCH: $55 per person
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Oyster Happy Hour at Morrison’s

I see no reason why the cost of living should get in the way of good taste, and neither does Morrison’s. If you didn’t already know, they’re kind of the go-to place for happy hour oysters in town. In fact, they sell a minimum of 6,000 oysters every week. Every Wednesday from 6-7pm, you’ll be able to snag those little gems for $2 each, which is kind of insane. Or if you want to check out the other oyster happy hours currently happening around town, head over here.

• WHEN: Every Wednesday, 6pm to 7pm
• WHERE: Morrison’s Oyster Bar & Grill, CBD
• HOW MUCH: $2 per oyster
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.