Casa EsquinaCredit: Steve Woodburn
Casa Esquina at Balmain
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Ease into autumn in Sydney with an array of incredible food and drink venues, plus a new stay and an Aboriginal experience. Traverse the complex and diverse world of tequila at a CBD bar, immerse yourself in the sensory delight of the Lakemba night markets, amble along an Aboriginal art trail, plus more this month.
FOOD AND DRINK
Underground tequila in the CBD
At underground Martin Place bar Centro 86 you’ll be greeted with the same unique delights (interior design, drinks, service) that the Mucho Group’s other venues Tio’s, Cantina OK!, The Cliff Dive and Bar Planet offer. Centro 86, a dedicated tequila bar, offers a range of different margaritas, plus plenty of tequilas and free spiced popcorn on arrival. Its lime green walls are adorned with posters and paintings, a nod to Mexican cantinas.
A tiny pub in Enmore
Inner West suburb Enmore is now home to a tiny pub: The Magpie. Pull up a stool at this 30-seat, ‘80s-inspired pub for local beers on tap, sports on the telly and a very low-key vibe. While there isn't a kitchen to order food from, punters are welcome to order something from the nearby chicken shop via the bar staff.
Fiery Argentinean in Balmain
Balmain has landed a hot new Argentinian restaurant and bar, Casa Esquina. The sun-drenched venue resides in the former Efendy space, and features Argentinian meats cooked over charcoal. On Wednesdays there’s a street food-style lunch menu, and on the last Sunday of every month there’s a special Asado menu, cooked over the courtyard’s open-flame barbecue.
New Korean omakase
Circular Quay has landed another top-notch venue in Matkim, a Korean omakase restaurant in the Sydney Place dining precinct. This tiny, dark-and-moody eight-seater space melds traditional Korean cuisine with western ingredients over 18 courses. Dishes you may find on the menu include yukhoe tangtangi (beef tartare with octopus) and liquid nitrogen ice-cream.
A Filipino carinderia in the Inner West
The team behind cult doughnut shop Donut Papi has opened Tita, a modern Filipino carinderia (Filipino eatery serving affordable, local dishes) in its former Gluten Free Friends shop. Drop into Tita for silogs (a classic Filipino breakfast of garlic fried rice and fried eggs), breakfast sandwiches and a special Manila latte (vanilla and condensed milk with coffee).
Casa Esquina Credit: Steve Woodburn
Casa Esquina at Balmain
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Casa Esquina Credit: Steve Woodburn
Casa Esquina at Balmain
Tita Carinderia, Marrickville Credit: Luisa Brimble
Tita Carinderia, Marrickville
#feelnewsydney
Tita Carinderia, Marrickville Credit: Luisa Brimble
Tita Carinderia, Marrickville
The Continental Deli team’s Australia Street expansion
Those behind much-loved Sydney venues Continental Deli and Bar Louise are opening three new venues on Newtown’s Australia Street, the same street home to Continental Deli. There’ll be Flora, a plant-based all-day diner heroing local produce; Mister Gotto a seafood bar serving drinks ‘fit for a fisherman’; and Osteria Mucca, a restaurant offering handmade pasta, charcoal meats and rare wines, set in an old butcher’s shop.
New Italian from the Pellegrino 2000 team
The hospitality trio behind venues Clam Bar, Pellegrino 2000 and Bistrot 916 is opening Neptune's Grotto, a northern Italian restaurant. The hot new venue will reside underneath CBD venue Clam Bar, and will have a secret entrance on Loftus Lane.
A sensory food experience in Lakemba
Lakemba’s Ramadan Nights market is well underway. During Ramadan the suburb’s Haldon Street comes alive from 6pm until 3am every night with an array of local businesses plating up delicious food from Indonesia, Pakistan, Lebanon, Syria and beyond. On until 8 April, all are welcome at the markets, and cash is preferred.
ACCOMODATION
Luxurious lodging in the Mountains
Just 700m from the Blue Mountains’ Echo Point, Sentosa is a new, luxurious five-bedroom property with a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor. Admire the parquetry floors, elegant furnishings and Miele kitchen as you spend mornings on the private terrace and days in the indoor heated pool and sauna.
EXPERIENCES
An Aboriginal artwork first in the west
Gabrugal Yana is the first Aboriginal art bushwalk, located on Dharug Country in Western Sydney. The walk aims to connect people with Dharug Country and culture, over an 11km loop trail, with First Nations artworks telling stories of the six Dharug seasons. Walkers will also enjoy views of the distant Blue Mountains and Sydney’s skyline, plus a bounty of wildlife.
Sentosa, Blue Mountains Credit: Prue Ruscoe
A luxurious lifestyle property in the Blue Mountains
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Sentosa, Blue Mountains Credit: Prue Ruscoe
A luxurious lifestyle property in the Blue Mountains
Smoky Cravings, Lakemba Credit: Destination NSW
Young people enjoying street food from Smoky Cravings in Lakemba, Sydney
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Smoky Cravings, Lakemba Credit: Destination NSW
Young people enjoying street food from Smoky Cravings in Lakemba, Sydney
More News
Vivid Sydney 2024Credit: Destination NSW
The 'Nest' installation at the Stargazer Lawn, Barangaroo during Vivid 2024. Artist: Leila Jeffreys & Melvin J. Montalban. An expansive circular structure welcomes you to bear witness to the ritualistic mating dance of the Brolga, one of only two species of crane native to Australia. Projected onto a transparent surface, the huge bird apparitions appear to float in the air and are visible from both out and inside the Nest.
#feelnewsydney #vividsydney
Calling All Dreamers: Vivid Sydney Wants You
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
#feelnewsydney #vividsydney
Vivid Sydney, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest multi-artform festival, is calling on the best creative minds to submit ideas for next year’s event.
Vivid Sydney 2025 will take place from Friday 23 May to Saturday 14 June 2025, with a program centred around the theme of Vivid Sydney, Dream.
Artists, musicians, thought leaders and food creatives are encouraged to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the opportunity to be part of Australia’s largest event and showcase their work to a mass audience across the festival pillars of Light, Music, Ideas and Food.
Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox said: “Since 2009, Vivid Sydney has grown to become Sydney’s vibrant cultural showpiece, driving significant visitation to Sydney and regional NSW and positioning our state as the arts and creative industries capital of the Asia Pacific.
“Vivid Sydney is more than a light show, it is Sydney’s living legacy that captures imaginations and shares with visitors and locals alike the very best talent from our creative, entertainment and hospitality industries.
“I encourage the brightest talents to join Destination NSW in creating an event that elevates the Harbour City as the Asia Pacific’s leader in world-class cultural experiences.”
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying a night out at Machine Hall during Vivid 2024
#feelnewsydney #vividsydney
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying a night out at Machine Hall during Vivid 2024
Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini said: “Vivid Sydney 2025 is pushing the creative boundaries across our theme of “Dream” to deliver another unforgettable global celebration.
“Dreaming is something we all do. It’s as old as time and as universal as life itself. Dreams don’t discriminate – they are borderless, ageless and endless. They can be personal or public. When shared, our dreams can become a movement. They can inspire, motivate, spark excitement and connection.
“The whole world dreams, it is something we have in common, something that unites us. Our human story is embedded in dreams, they help explain our existence and our past.
“We want the very best in homegrown talent to be part of our vibrant Vivid Sydney event program, with a unique opportunity to foster community connection, spark imagination and showcase the multitude of ways creativity can enrich our lives.
“Each year Vivid Sydney aims to deliver unparalleled artistic brilliance and we look forward to welcoming the inspirations within our community that will help shape Vivid Sydney 2025 into a show-stopping cultural phenomenon.”
The Vivid Sydney EOI outlines opportunities for artists, designers, creative industry professionals, equipment suppliers, architects, engineers, promoters, restaurants, event companies, chefs, producers and educational institutions to present their ideas, designs, concepts and interest for inclusion in the annual event.
Light and Cross Art Form EOIs will close on Monday 2 September 2024 with Ideas, Music and Food closing on Friday 27 September 2024.
This year’s Vivid Sydney attracted 2.42 million attendees, making it the third largest on record. Highlights included a record-breaking opening night and the busiest single night in the festival’s history on Sunday 9 June.
While Vivid Sydney 2024 attracted millions of people from across Australia and the globe, it also had a profound impact on the creative minds who helped bring the event to life, including Sydney’s retail, hospitality and accommodation sectors.
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Shifting Perspectives at Walsh Bay Arts Precinct for Vivid Ideas during Vivid Sydney 2024
#feelnewsydney #vividsydney
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Shifting Perspectives at Walsh Bay Arts Precinct for Vivid Ideas during Vivid Sydney 2024
Leila Jeffreys the artist behind popular Vivid Light 2024 installation Nest said: “Thank you to Festival Director Gill Minervini and all at Vivid Sydney for giving me and my artistic collaborator Melvin J. Montalban the opportunity to create art on a scale that we could not have achieved on our own.
“I visited Nest many times throughout the festival and was always moved to see people from all walks of life and ages stand together to witness the courtship dance of the Brolga, a moment where we all felt the link between the natural world and the human journey.”
Tekno Train creator and composer Paul Mac said: “When I set out to create Tekno Train I wanted to make an experience that fused my love of techno and trains with lights and to share this joy with as many people as possible. The positive reactions I have received from people on the train, as well as the drivers, guards, and random folks on social media has absolutely blown me away.
“Vivid Sydney 2024 has been an unexpected career highlight, and I am forever grateful to everyone who helped bring this together.”
Club Broadway MC & Music Producer DJ Dan Murphy said: “Bringing our Club Broadway show to a Vivid Sydney audience has been an absolute joy. We loved making our show accessible to a whole new audience who love the world of musical theatre.
“Vivid Sydney is such an amazing and important festival for our city, and we were thrilled to be on the program. From old to young, we had them all on the dancefloor for Club Broadway at Tumbalong Park. The night was absolutely magical and a great way to celebrate our community.”
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Sex Work; A Social History Walking Tour at Elizabeth Bay for Vivid Ideas during Vivid Sydney 2024. This fascinating walking tour is an invitation to see the area and profession in a new light. Led by writer, performer and Kings Cross local Vashti Hughes and the Inner City Legal Centre's Managing Solicitor Katie Green, you will be immersed in the sights, history and contemporary challenges of sex work in Australia's most famous redlight district.
#feelnewsydney #vividsydney
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Sex Work; A Social History Walking Tour at Elizabeth Bay for Vivid Ideas during Vivid Sydney 2024. This fascinating walking tour is an invitation to see the area and profession in a new light. Led by writer, performer and Kings Cross local Vashti Hughes and the Inner City Legal Centre's Managing Solicitor Katie Green, you will be immersed in the sights, history and contemporary challenges of sex work in Australia's most famous redlight district.
Service and Creative Skills Australia (the Jobs and Skills Council for Arts, Personal Services, Retail, Tourism and Hospitality) CEO Natalie Turmine said: “Vivid Sydney showcases brilliantly our talented and vibrant creative arts, tourism and hospitality workforce, demonstrating the wealth of exciting career opportunities available in this sector.
“Thank you to all the creative artists, technicians, performers, hospitality staff and event organisers for delivering another successful Vivid Sydney.”
Plate it Forward CEO and restaurateur Shaun Christie-David said: “Vivid Sydney shows the diversity of Sydney, shining a positive light on our city, culture and produce. As a social enterprise hospitality group, it was a privilege to partner with Vivid Sydney to bring the 2024 festival theme humanity to life through food. Food is all about sharing, love, respect and community.
“There is so much pride, joy and power that can be found in food, it is a platform to celebrate culture, make meaningful connections and create jobs. Through working with Vivid Food and selling more than 1000 tacos, more than 1500 meals will be donated to community kitchens for people in need.”
Tourism & Transport Forum CEO Margy Osmond said: “Between the lights, the music, the ideas, the food and the incredible vibe…Vivid Sydney has once again delivered a spectacular event for visitors and locals of all ages, with the big winners being local tourism and hospitality operators.”
“The bright lights of Vivid Sydney have showcased first-class hospitality, creativity and our beloved Sydney CBD and Harbour icons to audiences across the globe, demonstrating the value and huge potential of this event and the need to continue investing in world class events.”
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying the Fire Kitchen at The Goods Line during Vivid 2024. It's back and blazing brighter than ever. Vivid Fire Kitchen returns, igniting its new home at The Goods Line with flame-seared street food from around the globe. Come and enjoy the universal language of BBQ, the best NSW produce and the diversity of Sydney's food scene as we gather round the fire once again.
#feelnewsydney #vividsydney
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying the Fire Kitchen at The Goods Line during Vivid 2024. It's back and blazing brighter than ever. Vivid Fire Kitchen returns, igniting its new home at The Goods Line with flame-seared street food from around the globe. Come and enjoy the universal language of BBQ, the best NSW produce and the diversity of Sydney's food scene as we gather round the fire once again.
Accommodation Australia’s Michael Johnson said: “Once again, the juggernaut that is Vivid Sydney illuminated the city, shining a light on the beauty and culture of the city.
“Over the course of the event, hotels in the CBD enjoyed 75 per cent occupancy with bookings reaching as high as 90 per cent on weekends. There is no denying major events such as Vivid Sydney, that have the capacity to draw a high level of overnight visitation in the middle of winter, create an incredible boost for the city’s visitor economy.”
Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency.
For more information and to submit an Expression of Interest for Vivid Sydney 2025, go to www.vividsydney.com