If you think the big bangs stop in Sydney at 12.15am on January 1 then think again. The whole of January is set to go off in the small bars of central Sydney with the launch of the newest YCK Laneways festival – Summer Love.
More than 130 colourful events are taking place all month long in 19 YCK Laneways venues, offering plenty of reasons to head into the CBD over the summer break. Meanwhile a new interactive YCK Laneways map feature will make it easier than ever to navigate the city’s top bars precinct.
Highlights from the festival include live painting by Luke Abdallah at Kabul Social. Luke is a blind artist of Middle Eastern heritage who uses music and dance to create incredible artworks through rhythm and sound. Sydneysiders are invited to watch Luke create a live painting while listening to Afghani music.
Live music will feature at Jolene’s – catch performances from award-winning country, rock, western, southern and blues musicians. Expect jazz performances at the Swinging Cat and Stitch Bar; an Auslan-interpreted comedy night at Papa Gede’s, and a killer lineup of DJ sets at Since I Left You. A range of free and ticketed events are on offer and bookings are strongly recommended.
Other CBD venues taking part are Sammy Junior, the Barber Shop, the Duke of Clarence, Uncle Mings, PS40, Esteban, Grandma’s Bar, Burrow Bar, Santa Catarina, Little National Hotel, Tiva and Cash Only Diner. Find the entire lineup here.
For Summer Love, YCK Laneways has partnered with comedian and producer Robyn Reynolds to curate a line-up of performers with lived experience of disability and chronic illness. “We couldn’t be prouder to be working with Robyn on the festival,” says Vice President of YCK Laneways, Karl Schlothauer. “Grab your pals and come into the city – support your favourite small bars and the talented performers that we’re playing host to.”
The festival coincides with the launch of the YCK web map, an interactive 3D map of the precinct. Throughout the festival, visitors are encouraged to collect tokens via the website by purchasing a meal or one of the bespoke cocktails that have been created in partnership with Bacardi-Martini. Guests are then able to redeem rewards by scanning the QR code in-venue. View the map here.
YCK's resident hotel, Little National, is offering 20 per cent off the best room rate to celebrate Summer Love. Simply book to stay within January 1-30, 2023 and use code TO2022 at checkout to redeem your YCK Reward.
YCK Laneways is a consortium of independently operated retail, hospitality, corporate and entertainment businesses around York, Clarence and Kent Streets. YCK Summer Love is funded by the City of Sydney’s Precincts and Activations Grant and supported by Bacardi-Martini with featured brands including Patrón Tequila, Grey Goose Vodka, Bombay Sapphire and Bacardi Rum.
Explore the YCK Summer Love program here.
