ISSUE 24. What’s on in Sydney this week: culture, retail therapy and other highly effective winter coping mechanisms.

This week, Sydney is doing what Sydney does best. That is, pretending winter doesn’t really exist.

And fortunately for all of us, we’ve been given far too many reasons to leave the house. For starters, Skin On Skin is bringing FOR YOUR SAFE KEEPING to Carriageworks for Vivid Sydney, Sydney Film Festival is heading into its final week, and there is many a market happening around town. Some of them may or may not involve cheese.

So, before you resign yourself to another night under the heater, here’s what’s on in Sydney this week.

Editor’s Note: This article contains one affiliate link, meaning So Sydney! may earn a small commission if you click through.

HIGHLIGHTS

Skin On Skin at Carriageworks

Skin On Skin is bringing his debut Australian edition of FOR YOUR SAFE KEEPING to Vivid Sydney this weekend. The South Sudanese-born producer has built a cult following off his high-voltage blend of house, techno and 808-heavy chaos. This edition will see him joined by Loukeman, EQ and Scalymoth, so expect a big room and bigger turnout.

• WHEN: Friday 12 June, from 5:30pm
• WHERE: Carriageworks
• HOW MUCH: Tickets from $99
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Sydney Film Festival

Sydney Film Festival has officially returned for its 73rd lap around the sun, meaning it’s time to make room in your calendar for more than 200 films on the program. Highlights include 19 films direct from Cannes, alongside standouts including The Death of Robin Hood with Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer, Sundance comedy The Invite, Jane Schoenbrun’s Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma and Australian horror Leviticus. If we’re honest, getting around it is a tried and tested shortcut to just being better than everyone else.

• WHEN: Wednesday 3 to Sunday 14 June
• WHERE: Across Sydney
• HOW MUCH: Single tickets from $23
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Mould x Pinot Palooza

If fermented dairy and red wine is your winter vibe, you’re in luck this weekend. Mould x Pinot Palooza is taking over Hordern Pavilion from Friday to Sunday and bringing together over 100 Australian artisan cheeses and pinot noirs, all under one roof. Tickets include unlimited cheese and pinot tastings, meaning you can seriously make your money back with this one if you just try hard enough.

• WHEN: Friday 12 to Sunday 14 June
• WHERE: Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park
• HOW MUCH: Tickets from $59
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Makers & Shakers Market

The Makers & Shakers Market returns to White Bay Cruise Terminal this weekend, hosting over 140 Australian-made stalls to Rozelle for its 10th birthday. Expect handmade ceramics, homewares, slow fashion, jewellery, art, food and drink, plus market snacks from the likes of Shadow Baking, Gargano Pizzeria Focacceria and Cannoleria. Basically, a very efficient way to tell yourself you’re “supporting local” while leaving with a few knick knacks you almost certainly do not need.

• WHEN: Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June, 10am to 4pm
• WHERE: White Bay Cruise Terminal, Rozelle
• HOW MUCH: $6 entry
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Zaffi Bottomless Pasta Party

This one’s for the CBD corporates working from home on Friday because “it just makes more sense”. Zaffi’s Bottomless Pasta Party has just launched and is tempting us with free-flowing drinks and chef-selected pasta for just $69 per person. It’s also perfect for bottomless enthusiasts who are frankly sick and tired of another burrata and garlic bread moment. Built on late-night Lebanese hospitality, Zaffi’s also offering DJ’s throughout the night and the option to kick on after the 1.5 hours has timed out, so you can avoid the impending “where do we go now” predicament that we all know far too well.

• WHEN: Every Thursday, from 5:30pm
• WHERE: Zaffi, CBD
• HOW MUCH: $69 per person for 1.5 hours
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

FASHION & CULTURE

The Market Affair

The Market Affair is celebrating its first birthday at The Orchard this Saturday, so time to schedule in some thrift finds, tooth gems, permanent jewellery and matcha by the Napean River. It’s a wholesome little Western Sydney market moment for anyone keen to support local without travelling to the other side of town.

• WHEN: Saturday 13 June, 10am to 2pm
• WHERE: The Orchard, Jamisontown
• HOW MUCH: Free entry
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Archibald, Wynne & Sulman Prizes

The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes have returned to the Art Gallery of NSW, which means Sydney’s annual portraiture pilgrimage is officially back on. Having kicked off earlier this month, 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.

COME ALIVE! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular

COME ALIVE! has officially landed at the Hippodrome in the Entertainment Quarter, so consider this your sign to go if you’ve ever enjoyed the movie, a circus performance, or really any kind of theatre for that matter. Inspired by The Greatest Showman film, the production features an all-Australian cast led by Des Flanagan and Ruby Clark. We scored a BTS sneak peak into production and fair warning, this is actually a seriously impressive show.

• WHEN: From Tuesday 19 May
• WHERE: Hippodrome at Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
• HOW MUCH: Tickets from $69
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Vivid Sydney

If hating Vivid was a full time sport, we’d probably be the reigning champions. And while it’s historically be known to be just a little bit, well…lame, this year’s program is shaping up to hopefully prove us wrong. Ironically, Vivid’s increasingly becoming known for its music events rather than the OG favourite light and drone shows (lol). It’s as if the town has collectively realised that nightlife does get better when you add live gigs, free activities, and events that run past 9pm.

• WHEN: Friday 22 May to Saturday 13 June
• WHERE: Across Sydney
• HOW MUCH: Free entry
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Biennale of Sydney

The 25th Biennale of Sydney is back, once again turning the city into a sprawling contemporary art trail. This year’s edition is themed rememory, which explores how personal and collective memories can shape the stories we carry into the present. Expect large-scale installations, boundary-pushing works and the kind of thought-provoking art that might leave you nodding along while quietly wondering if you fully understand it.

• WHEN: Saturday 14 March to Sunday 14 June
• WHERE: Across Sydney
• HOW MUCH: Free
• 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
• HOW MUCH: Free
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE

Oliver Dollar at Chinese Laundry

Chinese Laundry Invites is back with its community-led series built around local crew takeovers, with this week seeing Berlin house producer Oliver Dollar take to the stage. He’s been a staple in house circles for years, and will be playing alongside the likes of Lunar Disco, Tokyo Sexwale and YESIIR. Fair warning, this won’t be an early night.

• WHEN: Friday 12 June, from 9pm
• WHERE: Chinese Laundry, CBD
• HOW MUCH: Tickets from $11
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Telopia: Clocked Off, Locked In

Telopia are taking over Low 302 in Surry Hills this Friday for Clocked Off, Locked In, which sounds less like an event title and more like the emotional state of anyone attending. They’ll be joined by Retail Therapy and Xingfu for a night blending dance music, rave culture and the sounds of Sydney’s indie band scene.

• WHEN: Friday 12 June, from 7pm
• WHERE: Low 302, Surry Hills
• HOW MUCH: Tickets from $15
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Jazz Sessions in The Rocks

Jazz Sessions are back again for June, transforming The Rocks Square into a free open-air jazz spot every Thursday night. Curated in collaboration with the Sydney Improvised Music Association, the upcoming lineup includes the Magdalena Mira Quartet, Murmations, Driftwood and Lisathe across the next month. There’ll also be a pop-up bar pouring mulled wine, and $10 pizza slices up for grabs. 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

Greek Month at Yulli’s

Yulli’s Surry Hills is going full Greek every Wednesday in June, and while it might not be exactly the same as a trip to the Aegean, we think it’s a nice second prize. For $48 you can expect a Greek-inspired vegan feast with live bouzouki, and of course, an optional $47 drinks pairing. A dangerously good mid-week food option.

• WHEN: Every Wednesday in June, from 12pm
• WHERE: Yulli’s, Surry Hills
• HOW MUCH: From $48 per person
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Disco Yum Cha at NBF

You’d be surprised that Bondi in winter is a surprisingly elite combination, especially when dumplings and disco balls are involved. Thankfully, North Bondi Fish is going full throttle on weekend lunches thanks to them bringing back their renowned Disco Yum Cha serie. The bottomless-style event will be running every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm, and include the likes of soy cured ocean trout, prawn toast, and of course, 70s DJs.

• WHEN: Every weekend from 12pm, until Saturday 1 August
• WHERE: North Bondi Fish, Bondi
• HOW MUCH: From $65 per person
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Burwood Chinatown Night Markets

Newsflash: the best Chinese food in Sydney isn’t coming with a $38 price tag. Instead, it’s more likely found at the Burwood Chinatown Night Markets. Here, a mere $10 goes a lot further: think dumplings, skewers, desserts and a crowd that’s very committed to the cause. This might as well be regarded a Sydney institution.

• WHEN: Every Thursday to Sunday, 5-10pm
• WHERE: Burwood Chinatown
• HOW MUCH: Varies
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Velvet Hour at the Razz Room

York Street just scored a daiquiri discotheque, and it’s leaning fully into the bit. Odd Culture Group’s Razz Room has opened underground in the CBD, pairing a retro-leaning bar upstairs with a sunken dance floor below, plus live entertainment from 7pm to late. The real draw, though, is the daily “Velvet Hour” from 4-6pm, where classic, dirty or strawberry daiquiris go for $13. Frankly, we think that’s reason enough to show up.

• WHEN: Every day from 4-6pm
• WHERE: Razz Room, CBD
• HOW MUCH: $13 daiquiris
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.

Sakura Sandos

CBD workers, this one’s for you. Sakura House is launching a limited-run sandos menu that is beyond. It’s a three-sando lineup by ex-Cho Cho San head chef Nick Sherman, featuring a ramen egg sando, fried chicken sando and ebi katsu prawn sando. They’ll be available Thursday and Friday from 12pm until sold out. Honestly, it’s a strong lunch proposition.

• WHEN: Every Thursday and Friday, from 12pm
• WHERE: Sakura House, CBD
• HOW MUCH: From $19
• 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.

$28 Steak and Chips at The Waratah

Anyone actually in the know will tell you Thursday nights are for The Waratah. The Darlinghurst pub, which won Australian Pub of the Year last year, slings some of the best steak and chips in town for the measly price of $28. Yes, you heard me correctly. The catch? None really, other than the fact that they sell out most nights, so it’s best to book an earlier table.

• WHEN: Every Thursday, until sold out.
• WHERE: The Waratah, Darlinghurst
• HOW MUCH: $28 
• CHECK IT OUT HERE.