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White Rabbit’s latest exhibition conjures up earthly and unearthly worlds
Celebrate Sydney’s favourite pocket of inner city zen greenery
This Tina Arena-led production is seductive, powerful and completely rewarding – but you need to work for it
Bring out the snare drums and double bass – Australia’s longest running jazz festival is back
Celebrate the good stuff in life with well-being workshops and smile-inspiring workouts
An all-female cast take on this absurdist classic in Sydney Theatre Company's new production
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Bill Bailey, Ken Jeong and Iliza Shlesinger headline the eighth Sydney edition of this international comedy festival
Celebrate 20 years of great food and talented chefs at these six amazing dining events
The best of Sydney
Welcome to the Time Out EAT List, our handpicked ‘best of’ for Sydney's food scene.
We'll party on the roof, in the basement, by the pool, even once every few months in a suburban bowling club.
Let us be your guide to the sights you need to see and the ones you can wave to from an open-top bus.
It’s worth investing a little time into who and where you should get inked before making the decision to permanently commit.
We got splendidly lost sprawling warehouses and unusual independent stores.
Whether you're softening the sharp edges on a nasty hangover or kicking off the day with a bang.
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.
Sydney packs a punch when it comes to spectacular views and thrilling activities.
Whether it's a reward after tackling one of Sydney's beautiful walks or a caffienated catch up or a hangover fixer.
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.
Point your compass in the direction of one of these nearby towns, regions and bush walks.
Whether it’s the brekky pho or racks of vintage threads that gets you out of bed in the morning.
Sometimes there's nothing better than the sun on your back and a cool drink to keep things chill.
Neighbourhood guides
As the Inner West undergoes more and more plastic surgeries, Ashfield holds onto the charming remnants of its ageing looks.
Soon to be one of the most populated areas in Sydney, Parramatta's food and drink scene is on the rise
Our guide to casual dining in Sydney with American Express
What's $20 worth in Sydney these days? If you're looking for a good feed at least, a humble $20 note will actually get you pretty far. From Bondi to Barangaroo, Sydney's sprawl is dotted with foodie gems that won't cost you the earth. Grab your wallet and your comfy pants and tuck into our must-try dishes for $20 or less. And when it comes to the bill, you can pay with confidence knowing these venues take American Express.
Twirling spoons at the ready? We’ve scoured Sydney’s many Italian restaurants to find these Nonna-approved pasta dishes, from pillowy soft gnocchi to just-made tongues of ribbony linguine. We’ve also looked beyond the Boot to bring you to the best non-Italian interpretations of the flour-egg-water brief. At all these venues, you’ll be able to dine in confidence with the knowledge that these venues welcome American Express.
Sydney’s a sunshine town – and these bars, pubs and restaurants know it. Whether it’s a sunny courtyard, a sandy beachfront bar, a rooftop haven or a leafy beer garden, these are the spots to get your alfresco fix in the Emerald City. Then, when it comes to getting the cheque, you can pay in confidence knowing these venues welcome American Express.
Sydney is home to excellent Chinese restaurants that serve up dim sum with serious style. Whether you're after an elegant banquet, a hangover-soothing repast or some steaming hot dumplings, these restaurants have some seriously great dim sum dishes. At all these venues, you’ll be able to dine in confidence with the knowledge that they welcome American Express.
You can easily drop your week’s wages on dining out in Sydney but there’s no need. The city’s hot dining destinations have plenty of satisfying and scintillating stuff on their menus for less than a lobster. And when it comes to settling up you can use your American Express® Card with confidence. How about a complementary side dish with your meal? Check out the offers at Side with Amex.
A dish born in the Indian subcontinent, curry has been adopted and adapted by many cuisines, from Thailand to Malaysia and Japan-via-Britain, with each culture applying their own configuration of herbs, spices and fresh ingredients to create something entirely new. Next time you’re hankering for a serving of rendang, palak, or kang som pla, hit up one of these top curry houses around town. And after you’ve used your roti to mop up every last drop, you can pay in confidence knowing these venues welcome American Express.
Antipasto plates may not always involve much cooking, but they have the potential to show off a chef’s ability for sourcing some of the best deli goods from across the world. They also demonstrate a knack for the age-old art of preserving, pickling and curing the best local produce around. Whether it’s neat folds of cold cut meats, wedges of moreish cheese or pots of sour pickled veggies you’re after, these are the top spots in Sydney to get your antipasto fix. Then, when it comes to getting the cheque, you can pay in confidence knowing these venues welcome American Express.
You know how it is. You pop in for a quick drink when a glance at the snacks menu reminds you that something to do with your other hand would complete this picture of pre-dinner bliss. Maybe it’s a little cheese and cured meats to whet the appetite; some dips to sate the rumblings of a hungry stomach; or a bridging meal that could be a snack or could be dinner depending on how you’re feeling. And the best part is, whether you go on to make a meal out of it or leave it there, you can pay for all of these bar snacks using your American Express.
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Now in its eighth year, Just For Laughs has become a comedy fixture for Sydney, presenting a largely Antipodean, UK and American line-up across Sydney Opera House, Enmore Theatre, Factory Theatre and City Recital Hall. Highlights from this year's program include English comedy stalwart Bill Bailey, who'll be bringing stand-up, sing-alongs and satire to the Sydney Opera House in his new show, Earl of Whimsy. You know him from his laugh-out-loud roles in Crazy Rich Asians, The Hangover and Community, but did you know Ken Jeong actually started his career as a doctor before moving to stand-up? He'll be reverting back to his foundations in comedy, with a one-off Opera House performance. Iliza Shlesinger, who was the first woman to win Last Comic Standing in 2008, and has four Netflix specials to her name and the hugely popular podcast, Truth and Iliza. Improviser extraordinaire Reggie Watts, who'll be using just has voice and looping pedals to create a hilarious musical performance. Whose Line is it Anyway? stars Colin Mochrie, Brad Sherwood and Greg Proops, who'll be bringing a touch of the Whose Line magic to Sydney in an improvised performance. Ryan Hamilton and Becky Lucas will also both take to the Opera House while Ismo, Kenny Sebastian and Mo Gilligan will hit the Factory Theatre for solo shows. Returning this year is the popular All-Star Gala (which tends to sell out), which will again be hosted by Dave Hughes and features Reggie Watts, the stars of Whose Line is
Pyrmont's own cocktail and chicken devoted bar will be dishing out this new aperitivo hour every week. Inspired by the Italian tradition, you’ll be able to order up glasses of red or white wine, bitter amari or Resch's Draught for just $5. If you're after a cocktail, there will be a menu of bartender's picks. You can order up an Aperol Spritz, Negroni, Daiquiri or a Paloma. To go with your drinks, you can peruse a selection of $10 snacks, including salt and pepper silken tofu, avocado and edamame guacamole, chicken and chorizo croquettes and spicy jalapeño poppers. A highlight of the $10 menu is Whirly Bird's signature messy wings, which you can order in three different styles – chilli caramel with pickled radish, sesame and lime; satay with spicy peanut sauce and green onions; or classic buffalo wings, with honey and chilli hot sauce, blue cheese dip and celery. If you're in on Thursday night you'll also find $12 burgers, and every day you can get around the rest of the full Whirly Bird menu, which includes rotisserie chicken and porchetta, buttermilk fried chicken and salads. Whirly Bird's aperitivo hour goes down Sunday through Thursday from 5pm-7pm, making it the perfect spot for after work drinks or a pre-theatre bite to eat. Find out more about Whirly Bird.
The Sheaf has a legendary status as an Eastern Suburbs party pub. Visiting this Double Bay venue is practically a rite of passage for young people, and there's a line-up of DJs and live entertainment throughout the week. Their beer garden is one of the best places to be, day or night. One of the Sheaf’s biggest fans works there: duty manager Kayla Lagesse. Kayla, how long have you worked here?I have worked at the Sheaf for just over four years. I applied for a job as soon as I turned 18! I started out as a food runner in the bistro and have since worked my way up to bartender, then a bar supervisor, and now a duty manager. What do you love most about your job?Hospitality is one of the greatest industries to work in. There is always something exciting happening, whether it’s a big event or helping create a new cocktail list. I’m someone who enjoys eating and drinking, and I also value being able to provide guests with a great experience and tell a story through the food and drinks they enjoy. Plus, I have met some of my greatest friends, and so many people with interesting stories along the way. Who have you met?I know many of the customers that come in very well. A mother and infant son have come in for the past three years, and some of the baby’s first words were learning the staff’s names! There were two girls who came in on a Wednesday night and one of the girls’ boyfriends had just dumped her. They seemed a bit down, so I sent them over a couple of [complimentary] Cosm
Sydney has its very own dessert truck devoted to chimney cones, a traditional Hungarian dessert that takes grilled sugar dusted doughnut-like cones, fills them with ice cream, then tops it with sweet treats. Pimp My Chimney rolls around Sydney serving up the decadent, portable dessert, and now you can find it at a bunch of locations around the city and surrounds. You'll find them regularly at EQ Moore Park and in Blacktown, and also at one-off events including the upcoming Cabaramatta Moon Festival; Penrith Octoberfest and the Marrickville Festival. To keep your eye out for where you can get around the treat, follow the Pimp My Chimney Facebook. Once you track the dessert truck down, you'll be able to try one of the eight tasty chimney cones like the Naughty Nuts Nutella, Nutella brownies, vanilla ice cream and hazelnuts; the Cheeky Choc, cookies, choc fingers, flakes, sauce and ice cream; or the oozey doozy Caramel Baby, with honeycomb, caramel fudge, caramel popcorn, caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream. Find out more about Pimp My Chimney.
Campari has always been a symbol of intrigue and passion when it comes to aperitifs. The Milanese brand is famous throughout the world as an icon of Italian style and excellence. Bitter, herbal, orange and sweet, the Campari recipe, used as the basis of many cocktails served worldwide, has been kept the same since its creation in 1860, and has remained a closely guarded secret passed down from generation to generation. The easiest way to discover the versatility of Campari is by starting with Campari and Soda: Campari, soda water, ice and an orange wedge garnish. This drink has inspired such classic cocktails such as the Americano, Milano Torino Sbagliato, the Garibaldi and of course, the iconic Negroni. Another facet of the Campari legend is its advertising. Campari has employed many greats of graphic design to create its famous posters. For instance, the futurist painter Fortunato Depero (1892-1960) designed the famous Campari Soda bottle in 1932 (it’s still in production!) and his angular, blocky poster prints are simultaneously retro and futuristic. Lenoetto Cappiello (1875-1942) was an innovative designer whose famous 1921 Campari poster features a clown and an orange peel. Marcello Nizzoli (1887-1969) is known for designing Olivetti’s famous typewriters, and his 1926 still life Campari poster regularly fetches over A$6,000 at auction. Franz Marangolo (1912-1995) created posters for Campari during the 1950s and ‘60s that are famous for their light, playful touch. A
Nostalgia-fuelled throw back party Rhythm of the Night will be stepping out of the club and into the daylight, when the '90s shindig hosts its first open-air outing at the Factory Theatre. Headed up by DJ Levins, the retro rampage will be spread across two stages, all playing nostalgic bangers from 2pm. Much like the original club night, this edition will navigate hits from all your favourite '90s divas, from Mariah to Janet; all the boys from Backstreet to 5ive, and all the Chumbawamba, Aqua, No Doubt and Vengaboys hits you can handle stuffed in between. To really take you back to 1998, Australia's own 'Jack-Jack-Jackie' Joanne will be doing a live performance, alongside DJ sets from party starters Levins, Ariane, Chux and Radge. You'll also find the Island Boys Food Trucks serving '90s snacks, plus free Zooper Doopers to keep you cool and colourful. Also if you're one of the first 50 revellers through the gate, expect some special '90s surprises. As always, hair mascara, velvet scrunchies and double denim will be wholly encouraged, so get down to Rhythm of the Day.
Regatta Rose Bay is set to launch a new bottomless two-hour brunch on Oct 14, taking place in the waterfront restaurant every Sunday henceforth from 10am-12pm. You'll be able to enjoy glasses of Rogers and Rufus rosé and a specially designed brunch menu, against a backdrop of the sparkling Sydney Harbour waters and Rose Bay Marina. Executive chef Logan Campbell has prepared a menu that navigates brunch classics with an Italian twist, all while celebrating local produce and fresh seafood. Each of the dishes will be served in a canapé-style portion so you get to try bites of the whole menu, including truffle arancini with taleggio; mini smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels; bruschetta with tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella; mini jamon and gruyere croissants; vanilla yoghurt pots with granola and seasonal berries; and caramel muffins. Regatta is just 15 minutes from the CBD, and can be accessed by ferry, car, water taxi or boat. Bookings essential and the two-hour brunch experience costs $80pp, which includes a Rogers and Rufus rosé package and a full brunch spread. Find out more about Regatta Rose Bay.
Head up the staircase of an unassuming door in Redfern and you'll find Misfits, a buzzing bar and dining space that takes cues from the stars of the '70s and dishes out a groovy soundtrack, joined by modern bar food and cocktails. This month they are swinging into spring with a new menu. Order up beef tartare with a mustard and horseradish emulsion, cured yolk and toast; pan roasted barramundi with clams, pearl cous cous with spring veggies; or roast pumpkin and goat's cheese raviolo with pepitas and sage. The drinks menu also gets a refresh with new cocktails like the Young, Dumb and Full of Plum with Ballantines scotch and Drambuie; or the Smokin' Archie, which showcases gin from the nearby Archie Rose Distillery and stirs in Cointreau, smoked grapefruit soda and blood orange. Along with the new every day menu, the kitchen also has a bunch of daily specials from burger and a schooner Fridays to DJs all night on Saturdays, so pick a night and head on up the stairs to Misfits. Find out more about Misfits Bar and Dining.
Performance Space’s 2018 Liveworks Festival of Experimental Art, Day for Night returns with a bang from noon on Saturday October 27 at Carriageworks. Day for Night is Sydney’s hottest and most diverse queer art party. Expect trailblazing senior artists together with a new generation of performers, DJs and troublemakers. From stories of Sydney’s secret history of queer underground parties to probing the intersection of race, culture and sexuality, Day for Night is an event to make you think and sweat in equal measure. Artists include William Yang with Stereogamous, Koco Carey, Bree van Reyk, Radha La Bia plus more to be announced. Time Out has four double passes to give away to Day for Night. To win, simply sign up to our weekly email newsletter below by Thursday October 11. Already get our emails? You can still enter by signing up again (it’s OK, you won’t start getting multiple emails from us). ENTER HERE
Uni and school spring holidays are the time for rest and relaxation. Too often however, the first few chill days can quickly turn to boredom and despair as everyone else on social media seems to be living their best lives IRL. Avoid catching a bad case of FOMO these holidays at Kingpin. You probably know Kingpin as the CBD bowling alley where you can knock down a few pins with a delicious drink and burger in hand. But there’s more to Kingpin than bowling. You can also let loose over the arcade games, smash out a round of table tennis or shoot it up with mates in the laser tag course. Plus to celebrate the holidays Kingpin are offering supercharged passes to make it easier to have a rip-roaringly good time. Nab yourself a Kingpin holiday pass to enjoy any three of the centre’s activities for one price. Choose any three activities from bowling, table tennis, laser tag or the arcade and know that you’ll only have to shell out your hard-earned moolah once. Got a lot of boredom to bust? Kingpin is also offering a luxe holiday pass that lets you enjoy any three of their activities plus you get a $10 food and drink voucher – because those juicy burgers won’t eat themselves. The special spring school and uni break passes are available from September 26 to October 16 at Kingpin Darling Harbour, North Strathfield and Macquarie Square. Prices start at $26 per person.
