Enjoy the fruits of our city – without the devil's juice
Look, Sydney – if we're being real, booze in our town is kindaaa a big deal. Whether it be the plethora of pubs, bars and distilleries that pepper our Emerald City – or simply the bazillions of drinking embellishments to boozy brunches, lunches and pop-ups, it's clear that Sydney has a soft spot for the devil's drop.
Despite the undeniable good times that can come hand-in-hand with alcohol, there's also some excellent, clear-headed and regret-free fun to be had in the sharp arms of sobriety.
We've gone ahead and done the hard work for you. From non-alcoholic bars to nudist beaches and quirky adults-only clay workshops, we've put together a list of the best booze-free activities, events and cool things to do across Sydneytown. Some of them are Dry July-specific, but others you can do year-round.
Cheers to that!
Sydney has scored a brand new (and brightly, boldly orange) hub for human connection and busy hands. If you like the idea of getting stuck into delightfully haywire arts and crafts classes, thought-fuelling panels, and making new friends who appreciate statement earrings, then Chaotic Social is definitely something you should check out.
No Lights, No Lycra is an afterwork activity unlike any other. Beloved by its loyal followers for decades, this pitch black anonymous dance class is all about two things: total and unfettered freedom and the chance to seriously, seriously dance. How does it work? You arrive (solo, or with whoever you want to bring as your anonymous dancing companion), enter a community hall, and dance for a good hour and a half to absolute bangers. The catch? It’s so dark you can’t see your feet. Forget Saturday nights and 79 tequila shots. No Lights No Lycra is where it’s bloody at.
When it comes to sustainable dining, Refettorio OzHarvest is in a league of its own. By day, the not-for-profit café serves nourishing three-course lunches to Sydney’s vulnerable communities, free of charge. But come night (every second Thursday, to be exact), ‘the Ref’ opens its doors to the public for Neighbourhood Dinners, where every ticket pays for four people in need, to dine the following day. If that's not enough, the gourmet meals are completely vegetarian and zero-waste, made using up to 95 per cent rescued produce. It's a win-win-win for your palate, the planet and those in need. Plus, it's totally booze-free.
The sober-curious movement has come full circle in Sydney, with Australia's first non-alcoholic distillery, Seadrift, having opened the doors to Sydney's first non-alcoholic bar, Seadrift So-Bar. The bar serves up cocktails that contain Seadrift Classic (a gin, of sorts, infused with botanicals of tarragon, coriander and subtly saline sea-kelp), as well as a huge selection of international and local non-alcoholic spirits. Have a crack at the French 75, made with Seadrift Classic, Odd Bird non-alcoholic prosecco, and fresh lemon juice, or ask the resident bartenders to whip up a cocktail of the day.
Picture this. It’s raining. You’ve watched everything that is of even the remotest interest on Netflix, and all you want is to do something cool and funky and out of the box that takes you out of your head, but you just don’t know what. For perhaps the first time in Sydney history, there has appeared a newly perfect solution for this exact icky feeling. Crockd.
Every Wednesday evening, the Art Gallery of NSW welcomes you into its hallowed halls and throws the ultimate absolutely free mid-week social and cultural events. Until 10pm, Art After Hours offers a regular program of live music, lectures and celebrity talks, drawing workshops, film screenings, gallery tours and other events – and, of course, nocturnal access to its latest exhibitions.
Locals might stumble upon this gem if they follow the buttery aromas down Willoughby Road in Crows Nest. Crescent is fittingly named after the shape of a croissant, and you’ll see this motif throughout the shop, from grey tiles that evoke the night sky to yellow accents on the walls that recall the glow of the moon and the golden-brown colour of a well-baked croissant. With Single O on tap and a plethora of desserts to choose from, booze will be the last thing on your mind.
We're lucky here in Sydney that we have a vibrant art scene, thanks to great galleries of all shapes and sizes. From major institutions like the Art Gallery of NSW and the Museum of Contemporary Art, to independent gems like White Rabbit Gallery and a thriving scene of independent and artist-run initiatives. But where should you start? We’ve hand-picked a few, just for you.
Practice lacing your skates, because a cold breeze is brewing and requests to dress up as characters from Frozen on Sydney’s ice rinks are on the rise. Some of our favourite icy pop-ups are back in town after taking a hiatus last winter, and permanent rinks are always right there waiting for eager skaters.
The Alexandra outpost of this putt-putt paradise is set in a warehouse with a soaring 14-metre ceiling, so the game designers have really been able to think big, delivering some showstopping holes that need to be seen to be believed. There's a 10-metre-tall poop emoji (no really), a gigantic recreation of the board game Mousetrap, and a huge TV game show set, just to name a few.
Compared to the colder countries of the world, NSW’s winters may not be exactly what you’d call Arctic, but our tolerance for low temps isn’t famously high – we tend to rug up with the chunky knits and winter coats as soon as it dips below 20. Which is why the state’s naturally heated hot springs make for the perfect winter or autumn destinations. They help you feel blissfully warm in the great outdoors, regardless of how low the mercury dips.
Crustless cucumber sandwiches, scones with jam and cream and tiered plates of petit fours. Sydney loves a pinky-lifting high tea, and with good reason. Once you've got baked goodies, tea selections for every palate and beautiful surrounds – maybe harbour views, like at the Mosman Barracks, or cultivated gardens at historic Vaucluse House – you've got all the elements of an aspirational afternoon of ever-so fancy leisure. Just hold the glass of bubbles if you're staying sober (and you'll save a few bucks, too).
For many Sydneysiders, weekend markets are seen as one of our most beloved cultural institutions, so our city has a whole lot of options for the market savvy explorer. Whether it's walking away with farm-fresh produce, unearthing vintage and antique treasures, snaffling fried brunchy fare on the grass, or jiving to a live saxophone player before 10am, this city's markets have something for everyone.
Hijinx Hotel is a challenge room space that pairs silly good times with a competitive edge. Each of the 15 rooms contains a unique, usually physical game. Swim in a giant cereal bowl ball pit, tiptoe around a floor of lava, or enter a neon polka dot universe or an old-timey carnival – no two rooms are the same. You’ll have just four minutes in each room to earn as many points as you can. And be ready to feel the pressure, because this hotel has a voice and it’s not afraid to up the stress levels when your time is running out.
The awe-worthy landscapes of New South Wales are a playground for hardcore hikers, where they can test their mettle against some of the most challenging and untamed wilderness in the country. But what if you’re a less seasoned explorer who's not quite ready to go full bush? Fortunately, there are still plenty of opportunities near Sydney for novice hikers to experience the great outdoors without trekking too far from civilisation.
On clear nights, you may be able to spot some stars in central Sydney, but like most big cities, light pollution will keep the full celestial wonders of the night sky obscured. Fortunately, you don't have to travel very far out of the city to improve your view.
Sydney’s larger museums and art galleries are where you can experience a well-rounded dose of arts and culture. However, for something a little offbeat, we’ve put together a list of the most quirky, niche museums in Sydney; they’ll have you laughing, gagging and wondering in awe at vintage vehicles, magic tricks and the human body – all in the name of education.
Not that anyone has too many clothes on when they strut into the surf, but there's something undeniably liberating about a dip in the sea wearing nothing at all. And it just so happens that there are several beautiful Sydney beaches where you can go skinny dipping without scandalising other sun-seekers or risking the wrath of the police!
If there’s something Sydney has in abundance, it's shoreline. Whether along the edge of our beautiful harbour or looking out to the wide-open Pacific, the places where the ocean waters meet the land hold a very special reverence for the people of this city. There are also plenty of coastal tracks that aren’t so well known. If you’re in search of a stroll with a little more seclusion, this list of secret coastal walks may have what you’re looking for.
We hate to say it, but TLC were wrong. Turns out you should go chasing waterfalls, especially in Sydney and NSW. Some are in national parks, you can swim in some, and some secret ones will take you a bit of a walk to find. Load up the picnic basket and take a road trip to find these cascading falls around Sydney. You’ll find plunge pools you can swim in, waterfalls you can walk over and mountain walks so awe-inspiring they'll make you feel small.
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