ISSUE 33. What’s on in Sydney this week: Runway serves, padel serves and servings of $10 entrecôte rolls

This week feels like Sydney has collectively decided to put on a show. There’s emerging fashion at Oxford Art Factory, world-class padel at the Opera House, a homecoming set from 1tbsp, comedy at the Hayden Orpheum and, because balance is important, $10 entrecôte rolls.

Basically, whether you want to watch people serve, serve on court, serve jokes or just serve yourself a very good sandwich, there’s plenty happening.

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

HIGHLIGHTS

On Cue Runway

On Cue Runway is taking over Oxford Art Factory this Thursday, bringing 17 emerging designers together for a night that feels a little less polished industry machine and a little more genuinely creative chaos. Each collection will hit the runway with its own soundtrack, interpreted live by DJs, with fashion, music and visual art all folded into the same show. At a time when half the creative world is busy asking what AI can replace next, On Cue is making a pretty convincing case for the opposite. We like that.

• WHEN: Thursday 13 August, from 7pm
• WHERE: Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst
• HOW MUCH: $18 tickets
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Padel Invitational at Sydney Opera House Forecourt

Padel is having a rather main-character moment atm, and this weekend it’s taking over the Sydney Opera House. The Padel Invitational presented by UBS will bring some of the world’s best players to a custom harbour front court alongside the likes of Pat Rafter and Casey Dellacqua. Expect elite matches, one-point showdowns, roaming food and drinks, and live entertainment across Saturday and Sunday. If you’ve somehow missed the padel obsession until now, this is probably the least subtle introduction possible.

• WHEN: Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August
• WHERE: Northern Broadwalk, Sydney Opera House
• HOW MUCH: Tickets from $30
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

1tbsp at Liberty Hall

1tbsp is bringing the Bubble Tour home this Friday, taking over Liberty Hall after a very casual first half of the year that included Coachella, a North American tour and a Phonox residency. The Sydney-based producer has built a very particular corner of electronic music where club, pop, reggaeton and maximalist production all happily collide, so expect a live show that feels less like a DJ set and more like stepping into a slightly unhinged little universe. Tickets to this one will sell out so get in quick.

• WHEN: Saturday 15 August, from 8pm
• WHERE: Liberty Hall, Moore Park
• HOW MUCH: $55 final release tickets
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Hayden Orpheum Comedy Club

The Hayden Orpheum is handing the stage over to comedy this Wednesday for its monthly Comedy Club, with the lineup curated by the world-famous Comedy Store. Cam Knight headlines a bill featuring Freya Morton, Sean Collier, Alex Cho, Benny Davis and Jen Carnovale. Expect everything from sharp stand-up and crowd work to musical comedy, all in one of Sydney’s prettiest art deco cinemas. Basically, it’s the Comedy Store lineup without having to leave Cremorne. A choc-top may or may not also be involved.

• WHEN: Wednesday 12 August, from 8:30pm
• WHERE: Hayden Orpheum, Cremorne
• HOW MUCH: $25 tickets
• 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.

FASHION & CULTURE

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.

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.

Archibald, Wynne & Sulman Prizes

The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes are in its final week at the Art Gallery of NSW, which means it’s your last chance to undertake Sydney’s annual portraiture pilgrimage. The exhibition brings together the 59 finalists and winners across portraiture, landscape, sculpture and subject painting. This year’s winner? Richard Lewer’s portrait of Pitjantjatjara Elder, artist and healer, Iluwanti Ken.

• WHEN: Until Sunday 16 August
• WHERE: Art Gallery of NSW, Darlinghurst
• HOW MUCH: From $25
• 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

Vino & Vinyl with Maple Social Club

Maple Social Club is taking things to the rooftop this Friday for Vino & Vinyl at Monica Rooftop in Paddington, pairing a vinyl set from Damien Aloysius with a very civilised amount of wine. Entry is free, but you can also opt into a $30 tasting of three wines hand-picked by Monica’s sommelier. Basically, it’s a rooftop social for anyone who’d rather meet people over a glass of wine than pretend they suddenly love run clubs.

• WHEN: Friday 14 August, from 6pm
• WHERE: Monica’s Rooftop, Paddington
• HOW MUCH: Free entry (or $30 wine tasting)
• 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

Brooki Bakehouse Sydney Flagship Opening

Brooki Bakehouse is finally putting down permanent roots in Sydney this Friday, opening its first NSW flagship at Barangaroo. The Brisbane-born viral bakery is bringing the cult chunky cookies with it (plus a Sydney-exclusive flavour), and the first 100 people through the doors from 10am will even score one for free. Given Brooki queues have historically been a sport in themselves, maybe don’t arrive at 10:01.

• WHEN: Friday 14 August, from 10am
• WHERE: Brooki Bakehouse, Barangaroo
• HOW MUCH: Free for the first 100 customers
• 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.

Locals Table at Caness

There’s a reason we keep coming back to Caness, and it’s because the food really is that good. The Paddington restaurant’s new $95 Locals Table menu includes dishes like tuna tartare, jamón croquettes and seared tuna Andaluz, with residents of the 2010, 2021 and 2025 postcodes also scoring a complimentary carafe or bottle of wine for the table. It’s available Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday nights, which is pretty exceptional value for this part of town.

• WHEN: Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday night
• WHERE: Caness, Paddington
• HOW MUCH: $95 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.