What's happening in Sydney
The best things to do this week
Dance under real snow at this ten-day Christmas extravaganza
[Sponsored] See Sydney through someone else’s eyes at this photography exhibition of everyday lives
The drawings of one of Sydney's most loved artists are celebrated in this exhibition
This exhibition features sculptures by Salvador Dalí alongside works from Australia's own Charles Billich
Nine Australian artists celebrate the spirit of Sydney in three galleries across the city
This huge day of celebration marks the Christmas market day and five years of the much loved Indigenous stalls and workshops setting up on Bare Island
Latest news stories
Competitions and announcements
Sydney Festival 2019 is just around the corner
Help yourself to a cool stream of Prosecco while picnicking in the leafy laneway every weekend until the end of the year
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
Our guide to casual dining in Sydney with American Express
Creative sushi chefs and excellent produce make Sydney a great place to explore the magical combination of rice, seaweed and protein. The fact that it makes for a swift, filling and inexpensive lunch makes sushi an irresistible siren song to busy workers and students, who flock to the hundreds of restaurants that fill every corner of the city. To make things even easier, at all these venues, you’ll be able to dine in confidence with the knowledge that these venues welcome American Express.
Plant eater or not, the thrill of landing a plate of crunchy, just-fried falafel is the stuff of every food nerd’s dreams. These deep-fried balls of goodness can look and taste slightly different depending on which country they come from. Syrian and Lebanese falafel tend to have a chickpea centre, while Egyptian ones are usually made of ground fava. Use our cheat sheet to track down your favourite version in Sydney, and pay in confidence with American Express at all of these venues.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A good stir-fry is all about the breath of the wok – that magical combination of heat, timing and squeaky-fresh produce that transports you straight to the backstreets of buzzy Asian cities. Whether it’s fiery kung pao chicken or a plate of Indomee Goreng with a twist, we’ve sought out the best stir fries in Sydney. Check out the diverse range of dishes that come alive in the wok, and pay in confidence knowing these venues welcome American Express.
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The new year is bringing a theatrical upheaval to Sydney’s beloved Darlinghurst Theatre Company. Inside their grand heritage-listed building in 2019, passionate artists will stage an impressive line-up of plays and musicals, as well as captivating performances across comedy, dance and cabaret. One of the most anticipated of shows is The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, which stars Australian musical theatre legend Caroline O’Connor. In her debut at the Darlinghurst Theatre Company, O’Connor will transform into the boozy, man-hunting mother whose search for a suitor quickly becomes a way to make a dime out of her musically talented daughter. Jim Cartwright's 1992 tale of fractured family ties will take audiences on a rollercoaster of success, failure, love and betrayal. The hit Broadway musical Once will make its Sydney debut with the company in 2019. The stage production, directed by Richard Carroll (Calamity Jane), is based on the hugely popular movie of the same name, and carries an impressive cargo of Tony, Grammy, Academy and Drama Desk Awards on its shoulders. It tells a tender love story and shares a message of the power of music to connect everyone. Jane Harrison's 2005 play Rainbow's End is set in 1950s Shepparton in Victoria, among three generations of a First Nations women. Their struggles for employment, housing, education and community acceptance during Menzies-era Australia offer a window into the hardships weathered by Indigenous people. The creatives
When you visit Canberra, you’re opening the larder door on an eclectic mix of cuisines and experiences. With award-winning restaurants and baristas, plus must-try dishes, it has earned its place on the gourmet map. The star of the show is Canberra’s local produce – including truffles and smoked meats.
With a sculptural facade that gleams like a multifaceted jewel, the West Hotel sits on the western side of the city centre near the waterfront at Darling Harbour and Barangaroo. This new boutique hotel is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton and boasts brilliant designer touches including an atrium 'jungle' enjoying all-day sunshine; sophisticated dining at Solander Dining & Bar; and guest rooms with Wi-Fi, 49-inch TVs, Bluetooth speaker systems and Google Chromecast, so that guests can stream their own music and movies. The Curio Collection conducted research and found that curiosity plays a major role in travel choices. They narrowed down travellers into five archetypes: food-loving epicureans; arts-inspired culturalists; nature-seeking pathfinders; thrillseeking challengers; and switched-on spiritualists. With that in mind, Time Out has teamed up with West Hotel to curate five different lists of essential Sydney experiences, taking the five archetypes as inspiration. Know yourself, choose your own adventure, and explore the best of this city. And whether you're from out of town or a local seeking a staycation, you can book a weekend getaway at West Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton. Rooms start at $218 per night.
For the last six weeks of the year some of the best bars in Sydney will be extending their trading hours and opening on Sunday. And with all the end-of-year celebrating and catching up you have to somehow squeeze into your agenda, that's an extremely helpful development. These bars are the cream of the crop: Time Out award winners, five-star establishments, and even a brand new Sydney outpost of one of New York's best and most famous speakeasies. The bars are all located within coo-ee of each other in the central business district, bringing a welcome buzz to the city on a Sunday. Whether you need to put your feet up and have a cocktail after knocking over your Christmas shopping, or want get a posse together and do an afternoon crawl of some of the finest bars in town, Sunday fun days begin right here.
You know what would make theatre even better? Having a picnic whilst watching it. Well my friend, this is your opportunity to do just that. This December and next January, Sport for Jove is celebrating its ten-year anniversary by taking theatre back to some of its origins, and putting on a season of two epic Shakespeare adaptations, dubbed ‘Rose Riot’. The Hollow Crown and The Wars of the Roses will bring together and reimagine several of Shakespeare’s works, with the first combining the stories of Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V, and the second mixing Henry VI and Richard III. But great shows don’t create themselves and Rose Riot’s artistic director, Damien Ryan has a lot to say on the works and history that inspired this project. “It’s not just the extraordinary battles, political factionalism and its revolving door of new kings and queens, it is its sheer humanity that draws me to it,” says Ryan. “It is extravagant, violent, funny, fierce and very moving. It could be described as history’s greatest leadership spills.” The plays work as two separate but connected stories. So you can see one or the other or both and still get the satisfaction of a complete story. Among the award-winning company’s new cast are some seasoned vets, including the likes of James Lugton (from Macbeth and the Taming of the Shrew), Eloise Winestock (from Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It and The Tempest) and Bernadette Ryan (from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and As You Like It). Tickets range f
Whether you’re trying to escape the Bondi crowds or the manic traffic in the CBD, the Field at Easts Rugby is the perfect place for good times, fabulous bistro dining and great drinks. You won’t be able to see the city for all the gum trees that keep this Rose Bay gem on the edge of the Woollahra golf club a wonderfully secluded Sydney spot. The family-friendly pub welcomes all kinds of families (including those with four-legged friends), whether they be your real life brood of relatives, your girl gang, dog buddies or your team of sports superstars. If you’re bringing along the little ones, they can enjoy yard games of giant Jenga, Connect Four and ping pong while the bistro serves pub classics alongside modern Australian dishes from Wednesday-Sunday. The big-ticket menu items at the Field include their take on contemporary pub meals like buttermilk fried chicken with a maple glaze and a chipotle dipping sauce, as well as the sesame-crusted albacore tuna poké bowl with a zingy nam jim dressing. If it’s a bargain you’re after, swing by on Thursdays for the juicy rump steak for $14. Meanwhile on Saturdays from noon, you can try the $12 burger special that includes a classic Wagyu beef or smoky chicken loaded with avo salsa, or slow-cooked pulled pork and coleslaw. When you've got an occasion to celebrate, whether it be an end-of-year-bash or birthday parties, don't forget that the Field is also an open-air function space with a sun-drenched deck right on the sidelines of
Looking to get away for a weekend? Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley is offering guests great value packages so that you can enjoy a bit of luxury without the hefty price tag. The base package includes two nights stay at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley with a buffet breakfast, complimentary wi-fi and guaranteed late checkout. Indulge in a facial, or a massage (or both) at the hotel’s Ubika Spa. You might as well since you’ll receive two spa credits valued at $30 each. There’s a huge range of treatments to choose from, including their signature ‘vinotherapy’ range, a wine-based collection of products formulated to make you glow from within. Or you could take some time out of your day to relax in the Spa Sanctuary Suite, with treatments from full-body exfoliation to facials. Mud masks and cleanses not your thing? Take in the rolling green hills and gorgeous Hunter Valley landscapes while you play a round of golf or two at Hunter Valley Golf. The package includes two $30 vouchers, so why not? Then, after a long day of relaxing and enjoying some of the region's wineries, kick back in your suite with your free nightly drinks for two. Sound good? Make your booking at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley website here.
Once again we all blinked and a year passed. Now Christmas is on its way and following that, 2019. With it, comes the return of Luna Park’s New Year’s Eve Harbour Party. Located within a stone’s throw of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Harbour Party is the perfect spot to soak up the fireworks as they glitter across the night sky. Get lost on the park grounds while you gorge on delicious food and unlimited free rides, and rock out to the night’s epic line-up of Australian and international artists. Among the entertainment will be the Veronicas, Nicole Millar, KLP, and Joyride, to name a few. The party will feature a variety of pop up bars to cater to your drinking desires, and if you’re feeling peckish then you can stop by the newly opened, Hungry Horse or Helter Skelter. Tickets range from general admission ($149) to Palais VIP ($579). All tickets will give you entry to the Big Top and Crystal Palace, but get exclusive access to the Deck, Sonar, and Palais with one of the VIP tickets, each of which include a selection of canapés, a carvery and a range of beverages from which to choose. Book your tickets on the Sydney Luna Park website here.
Recreational drug use is a reality in our city’s nightlife and entertainment industries. And the Global Drug Survey wants to have a honest conversation about it. For more than five years the Global Drug Survey (GDS) has been asking people to share their recreational drug habits by filling out a confidential and encrypted online survey. Because recreational drug use is illegal in many countries, it can be hard to get accurate and honest information on the issue. The survey is privately commissioned by a group of international experts in drugs, health and public policy – so you don’t need to fear being contacted by the feds. This year the GDS is asking questions like: Have you tested your pills? How much do you trust the police? How much do you trust your dealer? Would you pay more for fair trade cocaine? What’s the deal with microdosing? Would you take a trip to heal your mind? Have you tried any edibles lately? Since 2011 the GDS has received responses from more than half a million people, making it the largest drug survey in the world. By taking the survey you’ll be helping to make recreational drug use safer and create policy that focuses on drug use as a health issue. The survey also unearths some very interesting factoids that make you sound really smart – for instance, the 2017 survey revealed that Australia is the third most-expensive country in which to purchase MDMA. Ready to spill your guts? Head over to the Global Drug Survey website to make your subm
This summer, experience innovative leaps in the world of visual arts, theatre, music, dance, film and literature at the longest-running arts festival in Australia. For its 66th year, Perth Festival will invite the brightest and bravest creatives from around the world to present three weeks of performances, installations, exhibitions and events across the city. From February 8 to March 3, the 2019 program will take place – the fourth and final festival masterminded by beloved artistic director Wendy Martin. Of more than 80 exciting events on the bill, 26 will be exclusive to the summer festival in Perth. Selecting the top events on the program is a difficult task, but a few fantastic international and local ones do stand out. The 2017 festival favourite, Boorna Waanginy: The Trees Speak, will return this year, transforming Kings Park with the cultural and ecological knowledge of the Noongar people, who are the original owners of the land around Perth. This epic work will run over four nights, and includes light installations and audio-visual works that use the natural environment to share a message of sustainability and maintenance of the Indigenous landscape. Australian born theatrical genius Barrie Kosky brings his Komische Oper Berlin company to Australia for the first time with their production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, accompanied by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. The production drops Mozart’s famous opera into a melting pot of 1920s silent movies, Weimar c
