What's happening in Sydney
The best things to do this week
[Sponsored] Celebrate the multicultural city of Ashfield with food, entertainment and activities from around the world
Nakkiah Lui's biting political comedy is having its premiere at Sydney Theatre Company
Belfast performer Ross Anderson-Doherty's Mardi Gras comedy introduces a new weight loss program
This Mardi Gras show was a hit in the UK and is just as resonant here
Flappers, gangsters and jazz cats will be heading to the Blue Mountains
Take a trip (or just a tumble) to Neverland with the team behind The Play That Goes Wrong
This debut play features two gay robbers and a hell of a lot of cocaine
Latest news stories
Competitions and announcements
Join us for a night of ace drinks, sweet tunes, great food as we crown Sydney's best bars
Join us for a Time Out Film Club screening of one of the highlights of the festival
The Other Art Fair returns for the weekend of March 14-17
We have 75 double passes to give away to an exclusive Time Out Insiders’ sneak-peek event on Wednesday March 6 and one lucky will have the chance to make it a staycation
Café del Mar is launching in Bali mid-2019, and you have the chance to experience it like a VIP at their Grand Opening event
Angel Place houses a couple of Sydney’s hidden gems – a music venue acclaimed for having the best acoustics in Sydney and a Sri Lankan-inspired eatery
The best of Sydney
Welcome to the Time Out EAT List, our handpicked ‘best of’ for Sydney's food scene.
Let us be your guide to the sights you need to see and the ones you can wave to from an open-top bus.
Take a read and get cracking on that ultimate to-do list.
Whether it’s the brekky pho or racks of vintage threads that gets you out of bed in the morning.
Point your compass in the direction of one of these nearby towns, regions and bush walks.
Whether it's a reward after tackling one of Sydney's beautiful walks or a caffienated catch up or a hangover fixer.
Sydney packs a punch when it comes to spectacular views and thrilling activities.
We'll party on the roof, in the basement, by the pool, even once every few months in a suburban bowling club.
It’s worth investing a little time into who and where you should get inked before making the decision to permanently commit.
Sydney is obsessed with high tea, and with good reason – we know how to bake a good scone.
While away an afternoon or simply catch a break at lunch time.
Time Out took the challenge of visiting all the escape rooms in the city.
Coastal walks, bush walks, historical walks and inner city ambles: there are many routes to choose from.
There are a few hotels whose hospitality is just as popular with locals as with those visiting town.
Sometimes there's nothing better than the sun on your back and a cool drink to keep things chill.
Neighbourhood guides
You might also like...
Normally, bingeing a bit of telly is the antithesis of engaging in Sydney’s vibrant culture, but now you can turn your couch cruise into a fabulous and free city escapade. That’s the Ticket offers Sydneysiders the opportunity to be part of the audience in a huge range of Aussie TV shows. There's something for the brainy, the musical, for hopeless romantics or for those who simply want a laugh. Tickets are completely free, making it a real social saviour after a holiday blowout. Simply sign up to the mailing list – and follow them on Facebook and Instagram – to find shows that’ll suit a family of television fanatics, your team of Netflix succubi or your significant other (hint hint, check out The Proposal below). That’s the Ticket will ensure you have a superb time being the first to see popular TV shows, providing free snacks, prizes and giveaways, while making sure your data is safe and you’re not bombarded with unwanted emails. It’d be hard to find a cheaper, more entertaining adventure in Sydney, and since there are sessions on during the week and shows to fill your weekend evenings, it’s easy to get out of the living room and into all the action.
Even if you don't know the name Stephen Sondheim you'll most likely find that you are familiar with his work. It includes the likes of West Side Story, Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd and Gypsy (just to name a few). He’s also arguably one of the most important theatre composers and lyricists of the 20th century. City Recital Hall is hosting a cabaret show entitled Boys of Sondheim in dedication to his work. Featuring an all-male cast, the performance will take you through Sondheim’s work, including everything from love duets to triumphant ballads, to routines designed for their spectacle. It originally made its debut at Brisbane Powerhouse as part of the 2017 Melt: Festival of Queer Arts and Culture, and is now being performed as a 2019 Mardi Gras Festival Premier event. Among the cast are Kris Stewart (the creator, director and narrator), Anthony Nocera, Blake Erickson, James Lee, Tyran Parke, Kurt Phelan and Hayden Rodgers. The evening begins at 8pm at the City Recital Hall and tickets are $40-$55 per person with an additional booking fee if you buy them online or over the phone (but none if you do it in person).
Mardi Gras just wouldn't be Mardi Gras without a big show from Trevor Ashley. This year, the cabaret and drag artist is returning to the Opera House's biggest venue for a glitzy gala featuring some of his famous friends: showbiz royalty Rhonda Burchmore, comedian Tom Ballard, singers Tim Campbell and Shauna Jensen, actor-turned-crooner Hugh Sheridan, and Oxford Street legend Minnie Cooper. They'll be joined by a 12-piece orchestra. And it also wouldn't be Mardi Gras without a party: there's a post-show function in the Opera House's Northern Foyer, with beautiful harbour views and sounds from DJ Victoria Anthony.
Part Bali, part Ibiza and all luxury, Café del Mar Bali is the only reason you need to book your next holiday. In mid-2019, Café del Mar is opening up a luxe new location in Canggu, Bali, and this two-level pool club by the beach features ocean views, cocktail bars (including a lush swim-up bar), an underground nightclub that will open later in 2019, VIP cabanas, and a restaurant. Oh, and did we mention the 1000 square metre infinity pool? Swim through crystal clear waters that melt into the sky, while you soak up the Bali sunset and sip cocktails under the tropical sun. Speaking of announcements, the Mediterranean restaurant’s food promises to be amazing under the direction of its mystery executive chef, whose identity will be revealed in February. Café del Mar is the crew responsible for 15 luxe locations around the world and a chill house music label. The latest iteration in Bali promises to bring you the perfect blend of Café del Mar's Ibizan vibe and local culture, playing on Bali's growing music scene. Café del Mar Bali is due to kick off with a grand opening event in October 2019, and to celebrate the launch this sprawling Canggu venue will also be throwing an epic three-day music festival. Head to the Café del Mar website for a sneak peek of the new location.
In keeping with the time-honoured Australian custom of borrowing from the British (consider our system of government, for example) we’re taking temporary custody of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition (WPY). From Thursday, March 7 to Sunday, August 25 the WPY will be housed at the Australian National Maritime Museum. It showcases not only the best of the natural world, but the patience, ingenuity and talent of the photographers who spend their time embedded within wildlife so that they can get that one incredible shot. Judged by a panel of industry-recognised professionals, this year's 100 pictures were taken by some of the world’s best nature photographers and selected for their creativity, artistry and technical complexity. Previous winners have included Marsen van Oosten for his portrait of endangered golden snub-nosed monkeys, Sky Meaker for her image of a lounging leopard, and David Herasimtschuk for his image of a northern water snake and hellbender salamander battling it out beneath the water. Tickets to the exhibition are $20 for adults, $12 for children over the age of four, and $50 for a family of two adults and three children (which will save you $16). It will be open to the public from 9.30am to 5pm daily.
Save the date: the annual Time Out Sydney Bar Awards are coming to Oxford Art Factory on Sunday March 10. Join us as we toast the city’s best cocktail bars, new bars, wine bars, bartenders, rising stars and more at the party for the party-makers.You can expect an afternoon of delicious drinks, great food and sweet tunes in celebration of our stunning and resilient bar scene. Tickets ($70 + BF) include all food and drinks, and are on sale now. Got a favourite bar? Why not vote for it in the People's Choice Award? Nominees in most categories will be announced soon, so watch this space. What will be named Sydney's Bar of the Year for 2019?
One of the most-visited destinations in the world, Thailand is an explosion of scents, flavours and experiences, bursting with places to see, things to do and food to eat. The Thai capital, Bangkok, is a cosmopolitan metropolis that boasts a fascinating juxtaposition of ancient spired temples sitting alongside glittering high-rise structures; buzzing night markets set amid modern malls; and shophouse eateries coexisting with swanky restaurants. Bangkok serves as a gateway to many other parts of Thailand, including Phuket, the country’s biggest and busiest island. An irresistible draw for beach lovers for its azure-blue waters and powdery stretches of sand, Phuket is also home to luxurious resorts, world-class spa retreats, an incredible food scene and a vibrant nightlife. In association with Amazing Thailand, Time Out has created an Insider's guide to Bangkok and Phuket, as a downloadable handbook. This handy guide to two of Thailand's most popular destinations fleshes out popular places of interest as well as off-the-beaten-track gems, and rounds up where to eat, what to do, where to get your massage fix, and how to make the most of your visit. Explore more of Bangkok and Phuket Make the most of your visit with our handy guide to the best places to see, things to do and food to eat. Download the full guide
Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour is one of most exciting photographic shows of the year. The exhibition’s 100 extraordinary images celebrate the diversity of the natural world, from intimate animal portraits to astonishing wild landscapes. Score your spot at the exclusive Time Out Insiders’ sneak-peek event before the show opens to the public. Food, drink and entertainment are all provided, as well as access to the exhibition. In addition to sneak-peek tickets, one super-lucky reader will win an ultimate Sydney staycation. You’ll be treated to one night’s stay in a King Room at the award-winning boutique hotel Ovolo 1888 Darling Harbour; lunch for two at Yots Café; an afternoon Sydney Harbour cruise for two with Sydney by Sail; and two complimentary tickets to the Maritime Museum. Enter below by February 28 for your chance to win. Enter here
If you’re looking for an excuse to take a trip to Byron Bay then look no further. Bluesfest is returning for its 30th anniversary with great music and the family-friendly atmosphere it’s known for. The festival kicks off on Thursday, April 18 and runs until Monday, April 22. In 2019 it’ll play host to over 200 performances across multiple stages and you can look forward to a line-up of artists including Jack Johnson, Hozier, Iggy Pop, SIX60, Tash Sultana, Ocean Alley, Paul Kelly, Kasey Chambers, the Saboteurs and Colin Hay, among many, many more. If you feel like staying at the festival, Bluesfest has many accomodation options including camping, glamping or bringing your own motorhome or caravan on-site. If you want to settle straight in to the action book in to the festival's Tent City for an already pitched tent complete with an awning, carpet, light and stretcher beds with the option of hiring bedding, tables and chairs for extra stress-free comfort. Ticket prices start at $195 for single day festival passes with options to expand to five-day festival passes or camping. Book your ticket at the Bluesfest website.
Café del Mar is the crew responsible for 15 luxe bar-clubs around the world, not to mention the famous House Music label. In mid-2019, Café del Mar is opening up a luxe new location in Canggu, Bali, promising the perfect blend of Café del Mar's Ibizan vibe and Bali's on-the-up music scene. The new two-level Pool Club by the beach will feature ocean views, cocktail bars (including a swim-up bar), VIP cabanas, a restaurant and a huge, 1,000m2 infinity pool. To celebrate the opening, this sprawling venue will be throwing an epic three-day House Music festival with some of the world's leading DJs. We have VIP tickets to the event give away, as well as flights to Bali, 5-star accommodation and food and drink included. To enter, simply click below before June 30 2019 Enter here
