Alice Ellis

1. Vivid Sydney might be over, but Lightscape (the epic paid event in the Botanic Gardens) and Dark Spectrum (in the tunnels under Wynyard) are still on for a bit. 2. Go for a dip without the crowds. Prince Alfred Park Pool’s 50-metre, nine-lane pool is heated and open all year round. 3. Winter is the only time of year when you can walk under the romantic Japanese cherry blossom trees at full bloom. Auburn Botanic Gardens' Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the season with an epic festival (you'll have to wait until August – though mark the dates in your calendar so you don't miss out). Photograph: Cumberland Council 4. We certainly don’t get the snow fall of our European cousins, but New South Wales has some beautiful alpine resorts that makes going to the snow a lot cheaper. Head to Perisher, Thredbo or Charlotte Pass to hit the powder. Check their websites for sweet deals on ski and snowboarding during winter. 5. Warm up by an open fire at one of the city’s historic pubs, like the British-accented Lord Dudley in Woollahra. Here are the best pubs with fireplaces in Sydney. 6. With shorter days and longer nights, it’s the best time of year to spook yourself silly with one of Q Station’s Ghostly Encounters. This one is scary enough that it's only available for people aged 15 and over, and people under age 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 7. Warm your hands and belly with a delicious pie from Flour and Stone. Their chicken, tarragon and leek is a stunner, as is

Do our sofas need to see more of us? Probably not after the past few years, but such is the calibre of small-screen (and let’s face it, iPhone) entertainment these days, they’ll just need to lump it. Because the so-called golden age of television and streaming continues to produce nuggets with indecent and almost impossible-to-keep-up-with regularity, bingeing options are almost limitless. Some older viewers may even find themselves pining for the days where the remote control was a passport to three or max, four, channels, and it all felt manageable.   The tyranny of choice can be overwhelming, so to help, we’re narrowing things down... a long way down. We’re ranking the must-see series of the year to date to pare things down to telly’s must-watch elite.  And there’s loads of potential bingeable fare ahead too, with another season of Netflix’s warm and fuzzy Heartstopper and FX’s massively ace The Bear, a long-awaited return for Charlie Brooker’s bleakly brilliant dystopian visions in Black Mirror season 6, more regal shenanigans with The Crown, the thrilling climax of Stranger Things and an emotional finale for Henry Cavill in The Witcher. Keep an eye out for more hits to come, in other words. They’ll all be here. RECOMMENDED: 🔥 The best movies of 2023 (so far).😂 The best comedies of 2023 (so far).🎞️ The best movies to catch at the cinema this month. 📺 From House of Cards to Beef: the greatest Netflix originals,

Practice lacing your skates, because a cold breeze is brewing and Elsa is calling. There's icy fun in Sydney for the whole family to practice their ice-skating twirls, double axels and graceful tumbles. Here's our guide to permanent ice-skating as well as temporary pop-up ice skating rinks in Sydney and nearby. After you've slipped off your skates, you can warm up at one of Sydney's best pubs with a fireplace.

A burger is a simple premise, but doing them well is truly a dark art. Do you go with the classic sesame seed or the more gastronomic potato, milk or brioche buns? Do you prefer American cheese, blue or cheddar? How about caramelised onions, pickled or raw? Lettuce and tomato or cheese and pickles? Is your protein power chicken, fish, beef, or mushroom? And we haven’t even gotten to the question of fries yet.  There are a thousand variations on a burger, but these are the best in Sydney. OR: Here are Sydney's best pizza joints.

Whether you're a real jazz hound or you're just keen for one night of fine tunes, you'll find plenty of great jazz at these venues in Sydney. We've made this list of both jazz clubs as well as bars and pubs that present weekly jazz gigs. Want more live music? These are the best bars and pubs in Sydney for watching bands.

Contrary to contemporary yarns, there are still pubs and bars that host live music in Sydney. Many of them have successfully lashed back at the encroaching frontline of pokie machines.  We're all for it. So we've rounded up a list of our fave bars and pubs that host live bands. Hate the ding-ding of pokie machines? Here's a list of Sydney pubs without pokies. More into dancing to a DJ? Check our guide to the best clubs in Sydney.

If you’re the designated ticket-booker in your theatre-going party, you know how stressful it can be to pick the right seats. How far back can you sit and still make out an actor’s facial expressions? Will you end up with neck cramp if you sit in row B? Just how restricted is that ‘restricted view’ seat on the side? Will you feel like you’re in another postcode if you can only afford the back row? What even is the difference between the stalls and circle? (Hint: Stalls are always downstairs – the upstairs balconies in a theatre are called the circle or the mezzanine). Our editors have spent thousands of hours sitting and awing at dramas and comedies and one-woman experimental monologues, so along the way we’ve gathered plenty of intel on exactly where you want to be in Sydney's theatres. Here are our tips, from the absolute best seats to the surprising bargains you can sometimes nab. RECOMMENDED: How to score cheap theatre tickets in Sydney. 

People are choosing plant-based eating for its softer step on Earth, concerns about animal cruelty, and the health benefits of vegetable-rich diets. Plus, there's been a rise in flexitarian diets – you might not be a full-time vegan, but where you can, you opt for more plants on your plate. Only a few years ago, vegan dining meant a whole lot of pulses and sprouts, but now Sydney is home to plant-based burger shops, classic Italian pizzerias that showcase cheese and meat alternatives, gelato shops that favour coconut bases and a growing contingent of fine diners offering fancy degustations for vegans. Cool with eggs and dairy? Check out the best vegetarian restaurants in Sydney. Got a mixed group? Head to one of the best restaurants in Sydney. On a budget? Have a look at the best cheap eats in Sydney. Want to shop sustainably? Check out our guide to ethical shopping in Sydney here.

From specialty Sichuan spots to hot Cantonese kitchens, Sydney has some seriously great Chinese restaurants. Whether you want to go all out and explore regional cuisines, sit down for yum cha, grab some takeaway barbecue duck or hand-thrown noodles, these are the best Chinese restaurants Sydney has to offer. We're hungry just thinking about them.  Recommended: Here are the tastiest cheap eats in Sydney right now Check out the best Italian joints in Sydneytown Here are the top bars in the city for when you want to hit the town  

Who needs far-flung destinations when you can have world-class staycations right here at home? You don't need to leave Sydney to find astonishing accommodation where you can get your glam on for an evening or two. To guide you in your search for the high life, we’ve road-tested five-star spa hotels overlooking the city and boutique offerings that provide proximity to a wild night on the town and the city's best attractions. Want a rustic retreat without slumming it? Sleep under the fanciest canvas in these luxury glamping locations. Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

People tend to travel to the Blue Mountains for the beautiful scenery, bushwalks and cosy winter-ish getaways. But the food scene throughout the Blue Mountains is also worth a trip. There are excellent restaurants and cafés throughout Katoomba, Leura, Blackheath, Wentworth Falls, Springwood and beyond. Here are some of the best Blue Mountains restaurants for breakfast, lunch or dinner, or for sustenance after a bushwalk. We've included everything from casual spots to fine-dining restaurants. Looking for restaurants in Sydney? Here's our guide to the very best eats in town.

We’re all too aware that Sydney isn’t a cheap place, but if you know where to look you can find dinner any night of the week for under $20. Whether it's a two-for-one pub specials, all-week cheap eats, or require a little lateral thinking, Sydney is awash with budget-friendly feasts if you know where to look. Here’s our hit list for frugal dining. Want to know which cheap restaurants we rate most? Here's Time Out's guide to the best cheap eats in Sydney.

UPDATE: In the early hours of Thursday June 29, Taylor Swift announced two additional Australian dates for her The Eras Tour, due to "historically unprecedented demand". The bonus Sydney show will take place on Monday, February 26, 2024 at Accor Stadium (woot!) – while the extra Melbourne show will be on Sunday, February 18, 2024, at the MCG. This will be the first time an artist has performed four shows on one tour at Accor Stadium. Tickets for this additional Sydney show will go on sale this Friday, June 30, 2023, along with the scheduled general release of tickets for the previously announced shows. Stop whatever you're doing and log on here at 10am sharp on Friday.  Read on for our original news about Taylor's The Eras Tour, and to find out more. ***** We’ve been anticipating a visit from Tay Tay for a while now, ever since she kicked off a tour in the US in March – so news overnight that Taylor Swift is coming to Australia is shake shake shaking up the internet. And we’re happily shook that she has three concert dates in Sydney alone. Taylor Swift announced her The Eras Tour concert dates on Instagram, writing, “EXCUSE ME HI I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY 🙋‍♀️”, along with a graphic outlining 38 international tour locations and dates, which also include two nights in Melbourne. While Frontier Touring confirmed the news on Twitter, writing: “We’re enchanted to announce Taylor Swift is returning to Australia.” We answer all your pressing questions, as swiftly as possible. When i

UPDATE: In the early hours of Thursday, June 29, Taylor Swift announced two additional Australian dates for her The Eras Tour, due to "historically unprecedented demand". The bonus Melbourne show will take place on Sunday, February 18, 2024 at the MCG (woot!) – while the extra Sydney show will be on Monday, February 26, 2024, at Accor Stadium. Tickets for this additional Melbourne show will go on sale this Friday, June 30, 2023, along with the scheduled general release of tickets for the previously announced shows. Stop whatever you're doing and log on here at 2pm sharp on Friday. Paging all Swifties! We’ve been anticipating a visit from Tay Tay for a while now, ever since she kicked off a tour in the US in March – so news overnight that Taylor Swift is coming to Australia is shake shake shaking up the internet. And we’re happily shaking with the news that she has two concert dates in Melbourne. Taylor Swift announced her The Eras Tour concert dates on Instagram, writing, “EXCUSE ME HI I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY 🙋‍♀️”, along with a graphic outlining 38 international tour locations and dates. While Frontier Touring confirmed the news on Twitter, writing: “We’re enchanted to announce Taylor Swift is returning to Australia.” In light of the breaking news, we've answered all your pressing questions – as swiftly as possible. When is Taylor Swift in Melbourne? Swift will be playing two dates at Melbourne's MCG on February 16 and 17. She will also be playing three dates in Sydney, fro

Sydney’s favourite house is turning the big five-oh this October, and they’ve just announced the program for their month-long birthday extravaganza. From September 28 to October 31, there’ll be free community events, world premieres, contemporary performances, family-friendly shows and stunning public art at and around the Sydney Opera House. The festival will launch with immersive sculptures by Quandamooka artist Megan Cope, who’s using tens of thousands of kinyingarra (oyster in Jandai language) shells to create a thought-provoking public artwork that will “connect the Opera House with Land, Sky and Sea Country through a First Nations lens”. Among dozens of other festivities, there will be performances by world-renowned chamber orchestra Academy of St Martin in the Fields; shows by ARIA-nominated Gumbaynggirr and Yamatji singer-songwriter Emma Donovan; a farewell performance by Australian indie-rock trio Camp Cope; an immersive portrait of this city and its people along a giant catwalk that will cover the entirety of the Opera House Forecourt; and a hip hop and contemporary dance-theatre work featuring music by Sting. Jan and Lin Utzon will be travelling from Denmark so you can hear them reflect on the legacy of their father, Opera House architect Jørn Utzon. And a free Open House Weekend – the first in almost eight years – will give thousands of visitors the chance to explore the House’s hallowed halls and behind-the-scenes areas. That’s just a tiny glimpse into the divers

Dogs in costumes. It’s a thing that’s inspired millions of YouTube videos, Instagram Reels and TikToks. Because people like dogs and people like dress-ups, and when you combine the two, it’s undeniably cute. Now, Darlo Bar is joining forces with RSPCA NSW and 35-year-old role-playing video game franchise Final Fantasy, for the ultimate dog dress-up event, Paws of Valisthea. From 10am to 1pm on Saturday, June 17, you can head to Darlo Bar to witness the magic of dogs cosplaying as mighty beasts, ahead of the launch of Final Fantasy XVI. Look, it’s just cute but there is also some contextual relevance here: the event is about celebrating our furry sidekicks, paying homage, particularly, to Final Fantasy XVI’s loyal and fearless companion, Torgal (a doggo), who bravely takes the epic journey alongside the game’s human protagonist, Clive. It's a free event. Bring your own dog, borrow one to bring along, or just admire other people’s canines in costumes. How does it work? Dog owners are encouraged to dress up their pups in coats and bandanas inspired by Final Fantasy XVI’s mythical Eikons. The dog in the most creative (and comfortable) accessories will walk away with a PS5 console and the game – and there will also be doggy treats up for grabs. On the day there will also be specially made Eikon costumes (designed by MissTwisted), which your dog can try on, ready for their close-up.  Of course, you’ll also get the opportunity to play the new game ahead of its release on June 22.  D

This was once a café doubling as an art space and concept store selling homewares and creative gifts. Nowadays, they just sell slow-cooked food (with a focus on gluten free) online.

On Sunday, June 25, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is trading its regular day job to become the destination for an epic football festival that’s all about celebrating 25 days until kick-off of the FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC) here in Australia and New Zealand. Forget your regular Sunday stroll, and instead join a merry mix of fans, grassroots football communities, football legends, and FIFA and government officials as they live it up on the bridge.  This colourful free event will involve walking, jogging or dancing across the bridge, alongside the sparkling harbour, to ‘the Unity Beat’ – the official FIFA WWC 2023 chant – as well as music from participating nations. Plus, there will be loads of fun activations along the way.  It doesn’t cost to kick it at this once-in-a-lifetime event, but if you do want to attend, click here to register – and choose from one of three arrival times: 6.00, 6.15 or 6:30am (ah, yep, did we mention it’s an early start?).  “Football unites the world, and this month on the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, the power of our game to bring people together will once again be showcased,” says FIFA secretary general, Fatma Samoura.  Help set the tone for the greatest show south of the equator, and show the world how much we love the beautiful game, our Matildas and all female football players. Sydney is set to come alive during the WWC – we’re hosting more than ten matches across two venues, including Australia’s opening match against the Republic of Ireland on J

The Cricketer’s in Surry Hills has long been a pub for the youths and the young at heart. Uni students, skaters, hospo workers – as well as those sniffing out a drink on the way home from the Sydney Cricket Ground. So a French(ish) bistro is quite a departure for the pub’s upstairs restaurant. A welcome departure, we learn, when we dine at the newly opened Chez Crix one Friday night.  Boozers, never fear: the downstairs pub crowd is still your standard Cricketer’s crew, and that space is still the same. Upstairs, though, it’s a different story, with a mix of Boomer couples on dates and hip Millennials in small groups. As we head into the small upstairs bar for a pre-dinner cocktail, we see a painting of a chubby-faced man wearing an olive wreath crown and red lipstick, smoking a cigar and cheers’ing a cocktail. It’s a motif represented throughout the venue, and it gives the impression that although the diner has Frenchified, this is still a place that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s still a little bit loose.   Chez Crix is not your standard French bistro. In fact, the team gets on the front foot ahead of naysayers with a disclaimer on their reservations page stating: “*we are not French.” Head chef Antoine Vassallo (Suzie Q Coffee and Records), along with Wesley Cooper Jones (from the Old Fitz and P&V Wine + Liquor Merchants) and publican Dominic Juillet just serve up French-style dishes. The menu starts with nibbles like LP’s saucisson (a French-style salami) with gu

The government of the day built an elaborate fort on this island 30 metres off the coast of La Perouse in the early 1880s, seeing the land Cook had described a century earlier as “a small bare island” as a good place to ward off invaders. But from the moment it opened in 1885, there were problems: an 1890 Royal Commission found that inferior concrete had been used and the crumbling fort was decommissioned by 1902. It was next used as a retirement home for war vets before coming under the jurisdiction of the NSW Parks and Wildlife Service. Later, it would cameo in Mission Impossible II. The island is also the usual location of the four-times-a-year Blak Markets, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led cultural and shopping event.  Island hop? You can tour the historical island on select days ($15 per adult; $13 per concession; $10 per child; $45 for 2 adults and 2 kits). The surrounding reefs are a hot spot for local divers.

With an old-time western bar-room ambience and a focus on whiskey, the Bootlegger Bar is a must-visit for a tipple and a hearty feed. The bar occupies the famous art deco Niagara building on Bathurst Road, and specialises in American-style brisket, pulled pork and ribs as well as burgers. Whiskey flights give you three themed whiskies to try – an opportunity to expand your knowledge of bourbon, rye, Australian or Japanese whisky, single malt Scotch or gin.

Stop off for a slap-up lunch in Springwood at Arrana. If you’re in the mood to really spoil yourself, go for a multi-course menu, which marries bush ingredients such as finger lime, bunya nut, aniseed myrtle and Kakadu plum with influences from both Western and Eastern traditions.

LATEST UPDATE: Anyone who’s tried to snag tickets to this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup games will know they’ve sold faster than Sam Kerr can run – so you’ll be pleased to hear that FIFA is about to release more tickets to all 64 of the matches that are being held in Sydney, other states of Australia and even NZ from July 20 to August 20, 2023.   They’ll become available on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at noon (AEST). “Many matches in both host countries have experienced significant interest and sales demand,” says Sarai Bareman, FIFA Chief Women’s Football Officer. “So we trust that this latest supply of tickets will enable some truly passionate fans to secure seats at matches that they may have missed out on so far.” Set your alarm for 12pm Tuesday and head over to FIFA.com/tickets to get your hands on some.  ***** From July 20 and August 20, the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 will be taking over stadiums across Australia as well as in neighbouring New Zealand. The last ticket sales phase will soon start, at 12pm AEST on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 – 100 days prior to the opening matchday. If you are keen for tickets, keep in mind that demand has been high. So high that FIFA decided to move the first Australian match to Sydney’s largest stadium, Stadium Australia – meaning that more than 100,000 fans will witness the Matildas’ first hometown World Cup match, as they take on the Girls in Green from Ireland. That release of new tickets sold out in under an hour.  Put simply, the FIFA Wom

Sydney's cheapest cinema is the Dumaresq Street Cinema in Campbelltown. All tickets for all sessions are just $7.50 – less than a third of the price of some Sydney city cinemas. Start saving for that house deposit now.

Calling all Disnerds: due to popular demand, the House of the Mouse has added a whole new season to its Australian cruise calendar. The first season of Disney Magic at Sea (which sets sail this October) was so popular that Disney Cruise Line has now announced a new season of cruises departing Australia and New Zealand in 2024 and through to 2025.  Disney Wonder cruises range from between two to seven days, for which time guests will be fully immersed within a magical Disney world. You'll get to hang out with characters such as Captains Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, experience what they call "imaginative" world-class dining, and be treated to Disney-riffic entertainment, including musical performances and original theatrical shows – all while sailing the seas and visiting ports including Noumea, Hobart and Eden. There will of course be plenty of fun for small Disney fans, with the Disney Oceaneer Club taking small sailors on plenty of adventures. While the kids are busy, adults can relax in the adults-only Quiet Cove pool, get pampered at the Senses Spa and Salon or enjoy adult conversation at Palo restaurant. Bookings are now open, and we recommend getting in quick, considering how far in advance the first season sold.  For more info or to book, head on over to the Disney Cruise Line website. Keen for more? Sydney has been ranked the world's 4th most liveable city Here's what Jennifer Coolidge did (and ate) when she visited Sydney These Sydney districts have been granted a t

Back in February we filled you in on how districts around Sydney could apply for grants of up to $200,000 each to turn their cool nightlife-boosting plans into cooler realities. It’s one part of NSW 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues’ plan to grow and amplify going-out hubs all across Sydney. Now, the NSW Government has made an announcement about the first 21 districts that will receive these Uptown Grants. You can expect to start seeing a diverse range of going-out districts developing and growing. “With an Uptown Grant, districts can bring their visions to life and deliver brilliant experiences that celebrate what’s best about their community,” says Rodrigues. NSW Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham, explains how one of the districts, in Blacktown, is using their funding: “‘The Gathering’ in Blacktown has one of many exciting visions. Their program aims to attract people to hundreds of events, artists and collectives, from hip hop to the best Afghan and Filipino food, to the incredible work of Solid Ground, haunted ghost tours and films like Here Out West. The project will focus on supporting the emergence of youth culture, a local arts and music scene and amplifying and connecting existing offerings in the community.” Each of the district groups developing the plans and receiving the funding are made up of local business owners, community organisations and other local stakeholders. Keen to know which districts secured funding and what the

Parramatta, Sydney's second CBD and all-round Western Sydney hot spot is now the second Australian district to earn international recognition as a Purple Flag zone. That basically means it’s a buzzing nightlife hub, and you should get yourself and your mates over there to party between the purple flags.   Purple Flags is an international accreditation scheme that recognises districts around the world that have nightlife that is: Vibrant (plenty going on);  Diverse (a range of different types of options, including eating and drinking, but also non-drinking activities that will appeal to a whole lot of different people);  Accessible (easy to get to via car and public transport); and Safe (for everyone). Sydney’s YCK precinct (the York, Clarence and Kent Street laneways) was the very first Australian district to be marked as a Purple Flag zone, earlier this year. Parramatta’s CBD is now the second zone.  Parramatta’s Purple Flag area covers more than 80 food and beverage venues, sporting venue CommBank Stadium, Riverside Theatres, the retail and dining at Westfield Parramatta, a cinema, public spaces, hotels, gyms and more – which all give visitors safe access to public transport, a taxi rank and 24-hour car parks. The NSW Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner (O24HEC), led by 24-hour economy commissioner Michael Rodrigues, has been working closely with the City of Parramatta and local businesses to get this over the line. “I’m incredibly excited about the first Purple F

Big news: the artworks of Banksy, the granddaddy of street art, are coming to Australia – and not to some alleyway in the Inner West. We're talking about an exhibition featuring more than 150 pieces of Banksy's work, which will tour most of our country's capital cities. We got a sneak preview.   Photography: Supplied | Fever   The Art of Banksy: Without Limits will include murals, sculptures, photos, mapping shows (in plain speak: images or animations projected onto irregularly shaped surfaces), installations (including an “infinity room”), and a simulation of ‘Dismaland Bemusement Park’ (for those who’ve never heard of it, it’s a dark and twisted theme park that was created by Banksy in 2015). Photography: Supplied | Fever The exhibition will feature some of Banksy’s most famous works, including ‘Flower Thrower’, ‘Rude Copper’ and, of course, ‘Girl with Balloon’. But there will also be lesser-known works on display. Banky's recent Ukraine murals will be referenced, and there’s even a space that pays homage to the MV Louise Michel, the high-speed Banksy-funded boat that Banksy financially keeps afloat in the Mediterranean Sea to rescue refugees. Photography: Supplied | Fever The show will debut in Brisbane in May (you can buy tickets here if you’re in that neck of the woods), before making stops in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. We’re yet to get dates and venues for the other cities, but we’ll let you know when we do. Photography: Supplied | Fever   Like moder

2023年5月上旬、世界各国で活躍する6人の「夜の市長」がシドニーに集結。同市の夜の市長であるマイケル・ロドリゲスや、シドニーのナイトライフの継続的な向上に関心を持つ多くの人たちと議論を交わした。 今回集まったのはニューヨーク、ロンドン、パリ、ウィーン、モントリオール、バルセロナ、そしてシドニーの夜の市長たち。彼らはヴェニュー運営者たちから学ぶために街を視察。ロドリゲスがホストを担当した2日間のナイトライフのリーダー向けカンファレンス「NEON Sydney」の講演を「シドニー国際会議場（ICC）」で行った。 「NEON Sydney」の目的は、にぎやかで安全なナイトタイムエコノミーを実現するための課題と解決策を共有すること。シドニーの業界関係者は、海外の夜の市長からそれぞれの都市でうまくいっていることを共有してもらいたいと考え、逆に海外からのゲストたちもまた、シドニーから学びたいと考えてカンファレンスに参加したというわけだ。 シドニー市民でも驚く人がいるかもしれないが、この街がナイトライフの領域で短い間に成し遂げた成長ぶりは、このカテゴリーの世界のオピニオンリーダーから高く評価されている。 「カンファレンスに登場したナイトタイムリーダーたちの豪華さは、世界における日没後のトピックにおいてシドニーが影響力を持つことを証明しています」と、ロドリゲスは語った。 夜の外出がパンデミック以前のレベルより増えているシドニーでは、 この状態を継続させるために、さまざまな取り組みが行われている。 例えば、新しい夜の街を開発するためのナイトライフ助成金や、シドニー各地で展開されている（安心して遊べるナイトライフ区画を政府が認定する）パープルクラッグ政策などがある。また、新州政府はライブハウスを倍増させることを約束し、スタジアムにおけるコンサート開催数の上限も撤廃しようとしている。 世界のほかの都市が24時間にぎわう中、シドニーには独自の課題があると思われがちだが、この街の課題はほかの夜の市長たちが直面するのと同じ。どの街でも直面している問題の第1位は、騒音に関する苦情だという。 この問題を前進させるため、各都市の夜の市長は、騒音に悩む住民と健全な話し合いをすることが大切であると認識している。例えば、シドニーのインナーウェスト評議会では、コーヒーやビールを飲みながら住民の意見を聞く機会を創出。このことはまた、議会やヴェニュー運営者が、ライブなどの文化活動の価値について、背景を説明する場を得ることにもつながった。 ナイトクラブの元オーナーで、ロンドンの夜の市長（肩書は「ナイトシーザー」）を務めるエイミー・ラメは、「ナイトタイムエコノミーが都市の成功に果たす役割を認識することは、非常に重要。対象はバーやパブ、クラブといった従来のものだけでなく、夜に行われる全てのアクティビティとなります。例えば、ロンドンでは140万人が夜間に働いています。その多くは公的医療機関に従事しているのです」と言う。 ラメは、このような人たちが帰宅後に行く場所、つまり食事や遊び、買い物などの用事を済ませる場所が必要だと指摘する。 ありがたいことにシドニーで夜に遊べる場所は、徐々に増加傾向にある。ラメもそれを実感し、次のように話してくれた。「シドニーは成長軌道に乗っています。 ナイトライフを計画的に整備するいい機会でしょう。反発するのではなく、積極的になる時期なのです。シドニーからいくつかのアイデアを持ち帰って、ロンドンで実践していくつもりです」 関連記事 『'Night mayors' from

When it was announced that Gordon Ramsay would be coming to Sydney to host a residency outside of London for the first time ever – bringing his restaurant to Matt Moran’s Aria – 6,000 tickets sold out in 60 seconds. On top of the hugely successful three-day residency, we were lucky enough to be invited to an exclusive media lunch where a real-life Gordon Ramsay was the main event. We ate, drank and made merry – and nobody got called an idiot sandwich.  Here are nine tidbits that we took away from our lunch with the G-Man… Gordon’s a gentleman. When I stood up to greet him, my napkin fell off my lap – because, overexcitement, Gordon Ramsay – and he went out of his way to get me a new one, rather than leaving it to the waitstaff.  I wasn’t the only one who was jumping out of my seat. There were more than a few shaky hands and sweaty palms in the joint. After all, celebrity chefs are the modern-day rock stars – there aren’t many celebs with the kind of mass pull of Gordon. Gordon Ramsay and Time Out Sydney Editor Alice Ellis at Aria His favourite restaurant in Victoria happened to be our Time Out Melbourne Restaurant of the Year. It’s an epic Filipino place called Serai. He raved, specifically, about their seared kangaroo ‘kilawin’ (a Filipino ceviche-style dish prepared with vinegar) with wood-roasted bone marrow. He no doubt came across it via Time Out – surely! (To see Sydney’s Best Restaurants list, click here.)  He refused to weigh in on the Sydney vs Melbourne debate.

Award-winning Rockpool Bar & Grill has been one of Sydney’s favourite restaurants for decades. That said, its price list (at the exxy end of town) means it hasn’t been easily accessible to everyone. Until now. Coined the 'RP Hour', the establishment has just introduced a happy hour with a distinctly classy, Rockpool twist. Two hours, in fact, when you can nab delicious snacks, cocktails and premium wines, on a budget. It's on from 4 to 6pm, every Monday to Friday, in the Rockpool Bar, which sits alongside Sydney’s most elegant dining room. For $15, you can get your mitts on a chorizo hot dog with chimichurri and crispy onions; a fish po boy with salted chilli mayonnaise; or a Rockpool BLT with smoked garlic mayonnaise – all made by Rockpool's chefs. Make it a meal, with a $4 side of fries. For $12, you can order a Martini, an Old Fashioned, a Margarita or an RP Spritz. For $15, you can choose a glass from the ‘Sommelier’s Selection’ of  sparkling, red and white wines. While select beers will set you back seven bucks. As always, those stopping by Rockpool Bar can also order one of Sydney’s best burgers without breaking the bank. You can get David Blackmore’s Wagyu burger with bacon, gruyere and zuni pickle, or the signature Rockpool Cheeseburger, both available with hand-cut chips and a glass of Resch’s Lager for $29 (Monday to Saturday, from open until close). “RP Hour is a terrific way to enjoy a taste of Rockpool Sydney in our more casual, yet elegant, bar setting,” says R

Five ‘night mayors’ (hehe, say that out loud) from around the world are here in Sydney to spitball with Sydney’s very own night mayor, Michael Rodrigues and a host of other people who care about the continuous improvement of our state’s nightlife. These leaders of 24-hour economies have come all the way from New York, London, Paris, Vienna, Montreal and Barcelona. They've taken reconnaissance missions around our city to learn from venue operators, and they've all spoken at NEON Sydney, a two-day conference for after-dark thought leaders, hosted by Rodrigues at the ICC.  The NEON conference has been all about sharing insights about challenges and solutions for creating buzzing and safe nighttime economies.  Sydney's stakeholders were keen to learn from the international night mayors about what’s working in each of their cities – but the international guests also came all this way because they were eager to learn from us. (Believe it or not, the accelerations Sydney has made and is continuing to make in the nightlife space are held in high regard, globally, by thought leaders in this space.)  “The calibre of night-time leaders at NEON is testament to Sydney’s influence in the global after-dark conversation,” says Rodrigues.  Going out after dark in Sydney is up beyond pre-pandemic levels, and there's a lot going on to help that continue to lift. There are Nightlife Grants to develop new nighttime districts, purple party zones are being rolled out around Sydney, the new state g

April 28, 2023 Update: Restaurant food delivery service Providoor, which launched during one of Sydney's lockdowns, bringing joy to many bored food lovers. Now, in a statement on the company’s website, founder Shane Delia said Providoor would be placed in liquidation, and could no longer accept new orders. “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the closure of Providoor, a business borne out of the very worst days the hospitality industry has ever seen,” he wrote. “While today is a very sad day, I am proud of Providoor and what it has achieved. We served more than one million meals and built something that made a difference during some very dark days.” Hear, hear! Read on for more info about Providoor, which we wrote when they first launched. ***** Do you want the good news or the bad news first? The bad news is that Sydney’s extended lockdown doesn’t seem to have an end in sight, with case numbers on the rise and the community adjusting again to the new normal of life indoors. The good (great) news however is that premium meal delivery service Providoor is expanding and now Sydneysiders have access to more top-tier restaurants than ever before. Since its founding in March 2020 by Melbourne-based chef, Shane Delia (Maha, Maha Bar and Maha East) Providoor has been delivering meals from some of the best restaurants in Melbourne including Longrain, Cumulus Inc, Maha, Entrecôte, Supernormal and Gingerboy to customers stuck inside and missing that special dining experience.  Joi

Ever heard of crayweed? Probably not, since this type of seaweed – which used to play an important role in Sydney’s underwater eco-system – went MIA from our urban coastline decades ago. But fear not, this is a good news story: because Operation Crayweed is working to restore Sydney’s lost underwater forests. First up, here’s a turbo tutorial on Sydney’s marine history… Sewage waste that polluted beaches in the 1980s meant the water quality of Sydney’s beaches was (literally) garbage, and crayweed populations carked it. Despite improvements in Sydney’s sewage systems by the ’90s, the damage had already been done – sampling done in 2008 revealed that crayweed had completely disappeared along a 70km stretch of Sydney’s coastline, all the way from Cronulla to Palm Beach. Pretty cray, considering seaweed is the habitat and food for hundreds of species of sea creatures, as well as capturing carbon and producing oxygen – much like trees on land. So things were looking grim under water – until Operation Crayweed, a project by the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS), came about. In 2012, crayweed rejuvenation techniques were trialled in Long Bay, and there were almost immediate sea-changing results.  The researchers basically facilitate seaweed sex – they take adult male and female crayweed, attach both to biodegradable mesh mats, then fix the mats on rocky reefs. They found the crayweed reproduces quickly, creating baby crayweed that attaches to the rock, creating the self-sus

New restaurant and bar St Siandra will bring year-round summer vibes to Mosman. Next February, this new Mediterranean-inspired venue will open on a white-sand private beach overlooking the turquoise waters of the Spit.  The St Siandra menu will be a celebration of Australian seafood – think seven-spice Moreton Bay bugs; Pacific oysters with ajo blanco (white gazpacho); Clarence River baby octopus skewers; and Jack's Creek Angus Wagyu striploin with butter-poached lobster tail.   From February, St Siandra will be open for breakfast on weekends, lunch Wednesday to Sunday, and dinner Thursday to Sunday. For updates, visit www.stsiandra.com.au. Don't want to wait until February for waterside dining? Here's our list of the best waterfront restaurants in Sydney.

It did seem unthinkable that, after 31 years, Sydney’s most well-loved Saturday markets could be completely kaput. Of course others felt the same, and now (praise be), someone has stepped in to save Glebe Markets from total extinction. Except now it's called Markets at Glebe. Phew, Sydneysiders will be able to continue getting their weekly fix of second-hand vintage silk dresses, denim everything and gozleme at Glebe Public School each Saturday. So, who’s this knight in shining vintage leather armour? The crew from Organic Food Markets, who have stepped in to run the inner-city institution on an interim licence.  This has become a bit of a trend – Glebe institutions announcing closure and then being resurrected. It happened recently with beloved date bar the Different Drummer and iconic vego café, Badde Manors.   A tender process will start soon to find a long-term operator, with almost a dozen operators already having expressed interest in running the markets on an ongoing basis. Though, it should be noted that some stallholders are concerned about the future of the markets, especially because – as reported in the Sydney Morning Herald – they feel left in the dark about what’s going on, with the markets being a significant income source for the 100 or so regular stallholders that set up each weekend.  Get ready. Long days of thrifting, coffee and priceless finds await.  Love vintage treasures? Here's our guide to the best op shops in Sydney.