SYDNEY WORLD PRIDE
Sydney World Pride is on its way! Coming to Sydney in February 2023,
Sydney will be hosting WorldPride in 2023 and its going to be a big deal! The theme for the festival, GATHER DREAM AMPLIFY.
“We want people to gather here, on the lands of the oldest surviving culture on the planet, to listen deeply. We want people to dream of the future they want and collectively work together to make those dreams a reality. We want to ensure that new voices and perspectives are amplified….” says Ben Graetz, Festival Creative Director, First Nations.
So far plans have been made for landmark events like the Opening and Closing Ceremonies (currently slated to take place in The Domain with 25,000+ attendees), First Nations Gala Concert, a world class Human Rights Conference, and the festival closing party at Bondi Beach (10,000+ partygoers). All with local and international headline artists.
There will also be a Pride March across the Sydney Harbour Bridge with over 50,000 participants – the largest pride march to ever be held in Australia.
Sydney WorldPride spans 17 Feb – 5 Mar 2023, during the usual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras season. Mardi Gras Festival events will be held within the overall Sydney WorldPride program, including Fair Day, Parade, Party, Laneway and more. More announcements are being made regularly so make sure you check www.sydneyworldpride.com/events.
MOTHER’S DAY
Looking for a lunch option, without leaving the ‘hood? Here’s our top picks for you and mum this Sunday.
Show mum a good time with a Chin Chin feast. Dig in to the mother of all menus – choose from $88pp or $135pp Feed Me Menus and devour all your favourites like Kingfish Sashimi and much more. To keep the celebrations flowing, $11 Piper-Heidsieck champagne and Mother’s Day cocktails will be pouring all day.
11am till late : $88 or $135 pp book here
69 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills
Beloved by its locals, The Old Fitzroy is a pub, brasserie and theatre all rolled into one. Recent renovations haven’t changed the look of the place but a change of chef has certainly changed to food on offer. Mother’s Day set lunch from head chef Anna Ugarte-Carral includes ricotta with grapes, roast chicken, and fig tart. Plus a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival for mum too.
midday -4pm : $60 per person
129 Dowling St, Woolloomooloo
Show mum a good time with a Chin Chin feast. Dig in to the mother of all menus – choose from $88pp or $135pp Feed Me Menus and devour all your favourites like Kingfish Sashimi and much more. To keep the celebrations flowing, $11 Piper-Heidsieck champagne and Mother’s Day cocktails will be pouring all day.
11am till late : $88 or $135 pp book here
69 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills
If mum prefers a vegan option you cant go past Potts Point’s YELLOW. The set menu is available at lunch and dinner and includes snacks and a five-course individually plated tasting menu. The vegan tasting menu changes seasonally using only of the best Australian produce available. Mother’s Day menu includes Japanese Pumpkin, Pumpkin Seed Miso Sauce, Pickled Ginger with a side of Brussel Sprouts + Sesame Dressing.
When: From noon-3:30pm & 6-10pm
How much: $105 per person
FIREDOOR
Congratulations to FIREDOOR on being voted number 3 on the Worlds 101 Best Steak Restaurants. Sydney-siders already know about this place - it’s popular and bookings are hard to come by. Chef Lennox Hastie also starred in his own Chef’s Table episode on Netflix, introducing viewers to his smoky, juicy world of barbecue and his childhood fascination with fire.
At Firedoor, the open-plan kitchen is entirely powered by wood and everything is cooked to order. Guests have a clear view of the action. Burning a variety of woods daily creates embers which are then used to cook in a way that enhances the natural characteristics of the ingredients. Hastie draws extraordinary flavors out of meat, fish and vegetables using only a wood fire, a grill and his unique skills.
If you are looking for a quintessential wood-fired dining experience with a strong focus on benchmark steak cuts - this is the place, but be warned - reservations open on the first Wednesday of every month and are three months in advance!
23-33 Mary St, Surry Hills
UNIVERSAL
There’s fun to be had every night of the week along Oxford St, home to Sydney’s LGBTQI community and the famous Mardi Gras Parade. And a lot of that a action is happening at UNIVERSAL whether downstairs in the bar area or upstairs in the club. During the Covid-times, when we couldn’t dance, Universal did the ‘pivot’ and turned the upstairs club into an “immersive dining experience” which proved so popular they kept it going. Every Friday and Saturday you can get dinner and a show - a 3 course menu and bottomless cocktails, if you choose - plus some of Sydney’s most popular drag queens and entertainers all for $89/$149.
PREMIERE at UNIVERSAL
Downstairs in the bar area there’s also non-stop entertainment every. night with drag shows, trivia nights, hospo mondays, fireball fridays, slay for pay, sunday shenanigans and gamers nights. The bar food is good, all cocktails are $18 and the kitchen is open till midnight!
85-91 Oxford St, Darlinghurst
LUMIERE CAFE
Lumiere Café is a bustling inner-city cafe just a block away from Taylor Sq and the Rainbow Crossing on the Darlo and Surry Hills border. Its a local’s favourite for all day breakfast and brunch.
So much choice! From the popular Ricotta Hot Cakes and French Brioche to the savoury favorites of the Corn Cake Stack and USA Burger. There’s a large selection of Eggs Benedict options. Great coffee too. Plus lots of gluten free and vegan options.
Owner Effie is warm and hospitable and will make sure you don’t leave hungry! Look out for their Bottomless Brunch deals especially around Mardi Gras time, when they really turn on the drag queen entertainment.
Made in the USA Burger
Sit indoors or outdoors and watch the passing parade. Access is easy and they’re also family, pet and wheelchair friendly.
425 Bourke Sy, Surry Hills
DULCIE’S
Dulcie’s is a stylish subterranean cocktail parlour inspired by Sydney’s 1930’s speakeasies and named after Dulcie Deamer novelist, poet, thespian and journalist. Dulcie was a women ahead of her time, smart, creative and sometimes shocking to society. She was known as the "Queen of Bohemia" due to her involvement with celebrated artist Norman Lindsay’s literary and artistic circle, the Bohemian world of Kings Cross, and vaudeville. A worthy icon to be remembered!
Descend the stairs from Darlinghurst Rd and enter into Duclie’s, a cosy subterranean bar with old world charm, a warm space big on
personalised service and attentiveness to detail. Dulcie herself would approve.
Dulcie’s owner and host Brandon Martignago pride’s himself on using 100% Australian produce. Everything from boutique spirits, and mixers to the locally sourced meats and cheeses that come from dedicated distillers and providers use quality Aussie ingredients. And everything is meticulously scrutinised by Brandon’s discerning eye.
Feels like the home of a very charming and tasteful friend - this is a place to drop in for a drink and find you’ve stayed till the wee hours of the morning.
44B Darlinghurst Rd, Kings Cross
BY FREER
Designer Lesley Watson has been around the fashion industry long enough to know what women really want. Her designs are style-focused, not trend-driven. Think luxurious fabrics in casual silhouettes. Not too precious - can be washed! Classic but with unexpected twists - a dash of neon, or a selvedge edge. Silks with stretch.
They are the pieces in your wardrobe that work hard for you and that you rely on season after season. Lesley calls them “your forever pieces”. And all of them, made to be worn time and time again.
Everything at by freer is designed and made in Sydney. Small batches mean Lesley keeps an eye on the quality produced, and doesn’t make excessive amounts, holding firm to the quality and ethos of the label: sustainable and ethical luxury.
101-103 Macleay St, Potts Point
ELMS
Elms is a curated lifestyle store in the heart of Sydney’s Surry Hills, showcasing beautiful Australian and New Zealand-designed products. Everything about this store, from their sustainability credentials to their carefully edited range of women’s fashion, accessories, homewares, books, skincare, wellness, baby and children’s products, emphases quality in design, and mindfulness.
Having run two internationally successful apparel and accessories brands and retail stores in Sydney for more than eight years, founder Rebecca Elms is passionate about supporting local artisans and designers and collaborating with like-minded creatives while building the Elms community from her Surry Hills shop.
Monday - Saturday / 10.00am - 5.00pm
Sunday / 10.00am - 4.00pm
387 Crown St, Surry Hills
Hunter Lab, skincare, stocked at ELMS
RECORD STORE
If you’re a vinyl fan looking to add to your collection, get some spare turntable parts, new stylus or just hang out with your tribe in the flat music society, the Record Store on Crown St is the place for you.
They stock house, techno, rock, electronic, indie, pop, hip hop, bass music, reggae, funk, soul, jazz, blues…in fact, anything with a groove.
They also sell turntables, needles, headphones & accessories, can help with de-warping records, converting vinyl, repairing Technics 1200/1210s & pro cleaning vinyl and are always on hand with an opinion or to point you in the right direction if you’re on the search for something special, rare, old or new.
Open 11am - 5pm. 7 days, 34/277 Crown St, Surry Hills (cnr Campbell St).
SHIFT EATERY
SHIFT EATERY lays claim to Sydney’s “first vegan deli, serving up tasty af cruelty-free food”. They’re truly passionate about offering a variety of exciting options for both lifelong vegans and those that are just making the shift. It’s all about tasty options - sometimes you want a healthy wholefood bowl and other times, you just want to go all out and eat otherworldly decadent.
Shift is renowned for the World’s Best Vegan Bacon & Egg Bagel - so popular that it sells out most mornings, however don’t stress if you miss out, there are plenty of other options including all-day breakfasts and tasty af salads and bowls. They also stock a massive range of vegan deli items and goodies and you can order ahead for take-away or delivery.
241 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills
BAD HOMBRES
BAD HOMBRES, GOOD FOOD is their motto. This Mexican inspired all vegan eatery in Surry Hills also offers gluten free options, a natural wine list and tequila cocktails. Get in early for Taco Tuesdays (3 for $10) and Wine Wednesday (half price natural wines)
Cosy decor and and 80’s inspired playlists makes a great setting for groups and couples alike. Open every day till late (except Monday) you can always be guaranteed of getting your quesadilla / margarita fix!
40 Reservoir St, Surry Hills
ALIBI BAR
ALIBI - Matthew Kenney, world renowned plant-based chef, is the man behind the Alibi vegan kitchen food, with a simple food philosophy - clean eating need never compromise on taste.
Escape to the picturesque surrounds of Woolloomooloo Wharf, a heritage listed wharf now renovated and home to some of Sydney’s best food options, just a short walk from the Domain and the CBD. Try a bespoke cocktail or a wine from the expertly curated list. Bar is open 4pm till midnight.
Weekend High Tea (12-4pm) combines classical and innovative cooking techniques to give locally sourced plant-based ingredients a creative makeover. The high tea menu features both sweet and savoury options.
At Ovolo, 6 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo
alibibar.com.au
ALIBI BAR high tea
YELLOW
YELLOW - a vegan bistro located in the iconic Yellow House building in Potts Point. Backed by the award-winning team behind Bentley Restaurant + Bar, Monopole, Cirrus and Ria Pizza + Wine. It is inspired by the European dining scene where contemporary food and wine are served in an informal setting at affordable prices.
The plant-based menu has a focus on interesting and heirloom vegetables, grown by local suppliers. The eclectic wine list balances the familiar and the obscure and perfectly complements the plant-based menu.
Yellow is open five nights a week, Wednesday to Sunday for dinner, with lunch offered on weekends. They offer a 5 or 7 course Vegan tasting menu, changing every eight weeks.
According to the gurus at Gourmet Traveller….. “The most artful expression of vegetarian food in Sydney.”
57 Macleay St, Potts Point
SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHDAY
Celebrate all things Shakespeare with all who share a passion for his work, his mind and his talent. As a writer we may think Shakespeare to be courtly, cerebral, metaphysical, melancholic, Machiavellian, neurotic, light-hearted, loving and much more. However, as there are few factual things known about him we are in the curious position of compelling ourselves to adding to his portrait.
Known throughout the world, Shakespeare’s writings capture the range of human emotion and conflict and have been celebrated for more than 400 years, and yet his personal life is somewhat a mystery. No birth records exist, but an old church record indicates that he was baptised in Stratford-upon-Avon on 26 April 1564.
This is the eighth annual Sydney Shakespeare event that celebrates his life and work with performances, poetry and open readings. It is an inclusive community event and welcoming to all who share a passion for Shakespeare and would enjoy participating, being in the audience and being entertained.
The event will occupy four rooms on the first-floor of the Shakespeare Hotel, offering a speak-easy atmosphere with the interior design and architecture of the mid-eighteen hundreds.
An open reading and open mic will be staged throughout the event. Registrations are encouraged to ensure a position. Email through your participation to mail@poetrysydney.org
Expect new experiences through poetry and performance in celebration of Shakespeare at his place.
WHAT: Will DO! Celebrating William Shakespeare
WHEN: 6.30pm doors open for 7.00pm – 10.00pm, Wednesday 27 April 2022
WHERE: Shakespeare Hotel, 200 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills
TICKETS: $25, Bookings HERE
REGISTRATIONS: Open reading and mic registrations, email: mail@poetrysydney.org
BEST VEGAN
Whether you’re a committed vegan, vegetarian, meatless monday kinda person or just yearning for the tastiness of fresh plant-based food, we got you covered.
SHIFT EATERY lays claim to Sydney’s “first vegan deli, serving up tasty af cruelty-free food”. They’re truly passionate about offering a variety of exciting options for both lifelong vegans and those that are just making the shift. It’s all about tasty options - sometimes you want a healthy wholefood bowl and other times, you just want to go all out and eat otherworldly decadent.
241 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills
BAD HOMBRES, GOOD FOOD is their motto. This Mexican inspired all vegan eatery, in Surry Hills also offers gluten free options, a natural wine list and tequila cocktails. Get in early for Taco Tuesdays (3 for $10) and Wine Wednesday (half price natural wines).
Cosy decor and and 80’s inspired playlists makes a great setting for groups and couples alike. Open every day till late (except Monday) you can always be guaranteed of getting your quesadilla / margarita fix!
40 Reservoir St, Surry Hills
ALIBI - Matthew Kenney, world renowned plant-based chef, is the man behind the Alibi vegan kitchen food, with a simple food philosophy - clean eating need never compromise on taste.
Try a bespoke cocktail or a wine from the expertly curated list. Bar is open 4pm till midnight.
Weekend High Tea (12-4pm) giveS locally sourced plant-based ingredients a creative makeover and features both sweet and savoury options.
At Ovolo, 6 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo
alibibar.com.au
YELLOW - a vegan bistro located in the iconic Yellow House building in Potts Point. The plant-based menu has a focus on interesting and heirloom vegetables, grown by local suppliers. The eclectic wine list balances the familiar and the obscure and perfectly complements the plant-based menu.
Wednesday to Sunday for dinnerYellow is open five nights a week, with lunch offered on weekends. They offer a 5 or 7 course Vegan tasting menu only, changing every eight weeks.
57 Macleay St, Potts Point
DON’T DONUTS
A few days after ‘the great Sydney lockdown’ started in 2021 Dont’ Donuts opened their new Darlinghurst store on Victoria St. It’s a strip that’s seen a fair amount of closures over the past year or so, with some favourites saying goodbye, but is slowly re-emerging as a foodie destination (Messina is across the road, so that helps).
They Make it Hard to Say No!
Anyway, donuts….. We haven’t worked our way through the entire line-up yet, but wholeheartedly agree with their tag-line of “dangerously addicting” with flavours ranging from classic to Vanilla Bean Glaze, Iranian Pistachio and their best sellers like Basque Burnt Cheesecake and Salted Caramel. And the intriguing sounding Vegemite Butterscotch! All wrapped in Don’t Doughnut’s signature sourdough-brioche hybrid dough.
Prices range from $6 - $7.50 with deals offering a box of six for $34. Its worth the walk but also available via Ubereats and Doordash.
324 Victoria St, Darlinghurst
BUTTER DOES RAMEN
Cult favourite BUTTER - for lovers of fried chicken, sneakers and champagne is bringing back the World Famous Butter Fried Chicken Ramen to the menu just as the weather starts to get cold and our thoughts turn to nourishing, tasty, steaming bowls of goodness.
Executive Chef Julian Cincotta’s signature Fried Chicken Ramen has developed a cult-following over the past few years and is the perfect companion to get you through the looming winter.
Plus last year’s Butter Ramen Club Tour (cut short by lockdown) is back too!
Julian Cincotta's World Famous Fried Chicken Ramen
Chef Julian has linked up with some of Australia's best chefs to create a range of mouth watering Ramen variants for the Tour.
Here’s a taste of the line up...
Julian Cincotta (of Butter Sydney) / Butter's World Famous Fried Chicken
Kerby Craig (of Ume Burger) / The Ume Miso Corny
Nick Smith (of Rising Sun) / Burnt Ends Chicken Hot Ballz
Julian Cincotta (of Butter Sydney) / French Dip Ramen
Louis Tikaram (of Stanley Brisbane) / 5 Spice Fragrant Ramen
Luke Powell (of LP's Quality Meats) / Smokey Flavour Packed Chicken Special Ramen
Nick Smith's Burnt Ends Chicken Hot Ballz Ramen
First up is Julian’s Fried Chicken Ramen - a tonkotsu style ramen consisting of one of Butter’s crispy fried chicken tenders, fresh thick cut ramen noodles, ajitsuke tamago (marinated soft boiled half egg) and enoki mushrooms in a chicken and dashi based broth.
The Butter Fried Chicken Ramen ($20) will be available in limited numbers each day from Tuesday 19th April.
Also, keep an eye out for the release of Butter Ramen Club apparel range, available online and at the Surry Hills store.
6 Hunt St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
OXTRAVAGANZA
Oxtravaganza is back! For two weeks starting Friday 18th February through to Sunday 6th March ”Darlo does Mardi Gras”. The official parade may have relocated but Oxford St plans to party on, with local businesses ramping up the glitter-vibe and our celebration of the Pink Mile will see dozens of businesses coming together to offer special retail promotions, live music + performance, viewing parties, outdoor entertainment, art walks, plus food and drink deals.
Saturday 26th February is ‘Shop Till You Drop’ day on Oxford St and surrounds. The best vintage stores, drag queen costumes, leather, glitter and sequins will help create your ultimate Mardi Gras outfit. Live performers are out and about and the ‘instax selfie booth’ guarantees instant gratification - a photo for just a gold coin, with all proceeds going to The Gender Centre. There’s also drag story time, bottomless brunches, wrestling demos, undie models, naked barbers and more!
Across the full 2 weeks explore our LGBTQI history in photo exhibitions; take a class and learn how to draw, get introduced to kink and somatic sexology. Or just kick back with a cocktail, alfresco in a beer garden or hidden rooftop spot. Order a Young Henry’s beer and raise money for charity. There’s a full schedule of drag, cabaret and variety shows, bingo and trivia. And on Parade Night join a Live Viewing Party, popping up in dozens of venues, around the neighbourhood.
THE GLITTERING MILE
The Glittering Mile is where it all began. In 1978 the party that became a protest started on Darlinghurst road and in 2022 it returns. We’ve come a long way since those days and and for two weeks (Thursday 17th February through to Sunday 6th March), Mardi Gras returns to the Cross to celebrate our LGBTQI community in camp sophistication and glamour amidst the neon.
From bottomless brunches and alfresco dining to cabaret shows and cosy cocktail dens. Retail offerings, history talks and walks or live music, viewing parties and art exhibitions, in 2022 all that glitters will be gold. There’s so much to do from Oxtravaganza to the Glittering Mile this Mardi Gras, so come join the party.
Kick off on Thursday 17th February at ‘Shop Late’ as you stroll the neighbourhood and check out the local style stakes - start with a shopping expedition and finish with a cocktail, a quick snack, or a 5 star meal.
Over the next two weeks take in some art, find a new favourite bar or come to a show. On the night of the Parade, Mardi Gras viewing parties will be at different venues, with fun hostessing and some performances as the parade goes on - it’s next best thing to being there!
SYDNEY SUMMER STREETS
This summer the city streets will be taking on a festive vibe with street closures, al-fresco dining and entertainment all adding to a carnivalé atmosphere for the City of Sydney’s Summer Streets Festival.
Street closures on Darlinghurst Rd, Redfern St and Crown St in Surry Hills will be encouraging locals to come outside and mingle with their community.
Expect marching bands, drag royalty, fire-eaters and plenty of food and drink options.
Check out the City what’s on page for more details.