Although the weather is turning cooler, there’s no shortage of events in Sydney worth getting dressed up for! Don’t miss out on a range of exciting offers, including Cinco de Mayo celebrations, food festivals, exclusive dinners, and new restaurant openings, happening throughout May.
Experience Metisses New Luxury Degustation, Potts Point
Immerse yourself in the seamless fusion of dining and theatre at Metisse! Explore the exquisite flavours of Chef Opel Khan’s new menu, meticulously curated to showcase his French culinary techniques and the finest seasonal produce. Our favourite dishes included his famous ‘Mosaique’, a harmonious collage of different kinds of fish, Opel’s rendition of a seafood platter called ‘Fruits de Mer’, and succulent Kobe beef boasting a marble score of 12. There are 8 meticulously crafted courses, with the option to enhance your experience with paired wines. Find out more here.
Paul John Whisky Dinner at INDU (17th)
Embark on a tantalising culinary expedition at INDU, a Sri Lankan-inspired restaurant, where you’ll be transported through a captivating array of exceptional single malt whiskies. Discover the remarkable flavours of Paul John whiskies, originating from the sun-kissed shores of Goa, nestled along India’s western coastline. Immerse yourself in a 3-hour experience featuring a delightful welcome cocktail, a delectable four-course set menu meticulously crafted by Head Chef Erry Saliman, and the opportunity to savour five distinct expressions of single malt Paul John whiskies. Delight in this extraordinary journey within the enchanting ambience of their semi-private dining room. Don’t miss the chance to secure your tickets for only $120 per person! Find out more here.
Rico’s Tacos Pops up at Harry’s Surry Hills (15th – 19th)
Rico’s Tacos and Harry’s invite you to indulge in a week-long taco extravaganza at Harry’s. Led by Toby Wilson and the Harry’s team, this collaboration promises a fusion of delicious tacos and exquisite cocktails. Experience classic fillings such as Pork Belly Carnitas, Chicken Achiote, Lamb Shank Birra, and more, complemented by Rico’s famous sides. Drop by the Rico’s Tacos X Harry’s Terrace Bar from 5 pm onwards, for a casual and enjoyable dining experience. Find out more here.
Rockpool Sydney Launches Happy Hour
RP has launched happy hour which features a generous 2-hour window of specials across snacks, cocktails and wines. Available Monday to Friday from 4pm – 6pm, it’s designed to help you slip into after-work mode and enjoy life’s simplest pleasures. Enjoy $15 Chorizo Dogs, Fish Po Boy and the famous Rockpool BLT. You can also get $4 fries, $12 martinis, old fashions, margaritas and RP spritz, a selection of $15 wines selected by the Sommelier and $7 Perini Nastro Azzurro. Does it get any better?
Maybe Sammy Launches New Cocktail Menu, Mirage
Your days of searching for a new favourite cocktail are finally over! The team at Maybe Sammy have unveiled their newest menu, and it promises to be a one-of-a-kind cocktail experience. Aptly named Mirage, the new cocktails were inspired by each of the bartending team’s personal mirage moments – those unexpected and surprising experiences that caught them off guard. Find out more here.
SoCal’s Taco & Tequila Fiesta (5th – 14th)
SoCal in Neutral Bay is back with its annual Taco & Tequila Fiesta, and this year marks the sixth year running! Get ready for a week-long celebration of Cinco De Mayo where SoCal will be transformed into a Mexican-themed wonderland with live music, paint and sip classes, bottomless fiesta parties, and the hottest chilli eating contest on the North Shore. Enjoy $3 tacos all day every day and indulge in margaritas while being transported to Mexico. Find out more here.
Six Sydney Rock Oysters & Gin Spritz for $19
Fratelli Fresh has joined hands with Bombay Citron Pressé to offer a lavish six-week deal to city dwellers. For just $19, locals can relish six succulent Sydney Rock Oysters accompanied by a refreshing Bombay Citron Pressé Spritz. The spritz is a delightful blend of Bombay Citron Pressé, St Germain Elderflower Liqueur, cucumber cordial, lemon, and Prosecco, making it the perfect complement to seafood. Bombay Citron Pressé is a flavoured gin that imparts the fresh taste of Mediterranean lemons, produced entirely from natural fruit infusion. The deal is available at all Fratelli Fresh venues in the city, including Darling Harbour, Entertainment Quarter, Manly, Westfield Miranda, and Westfield Sydney. Find out more here.
Melbourne-Based Wine & Vinyl Bar Comes To Rekodo (Every Wednesday)
If sipping minimal intervention wine and listing to Vinyl DJs is your jam, you don’t want to miss this event happening every Wednesday at Rekodo, Barrangaroo’s adored Japanese-inspired restaurant and vinyl bar. Some of Waxflower’s resident DJs are lined up to play including the Melbourne institution’s co-founder Majik Byrne, alongside Myles Mac and Montana. The team have curated Waxflower-inspired cocktails for the nights which can be paired with special snacks including Wagyu Beef Skewers and Chicken Wing Gyoza. Find out more here.
Hendrick’s Gin Parlour Returns (15th – 19th)
Gin lovers assemble! The Hendrick’s Gin Parlour will take up residency again at Carriageworks during Fashion Week. Expect a chic menu of both classic and innovative cocktails, featuring their very own Gin & Tonic, Hendrick’s Clover Club, and the Hendrick’s Haute Couture amongst others. Find out more here.
Burrata Nights Return at Salt Meats Cheese (16th)
Salt Meats Cheese is bringing back Burrata Night at their venues in Circular Quay, Cronulla & Drummoyne. Taste your way through six innovative dishes topped with creamy burrata cheese including Focaccia Bruschetta, Linguine al Limone, Rigatoni Speckiali, and the popular Pistacchiosa pizza. Each dish showcases the versatility of burrata cheese and its ability to complement a range of flavours in both sweet and savoury dishes. Find out more here.
Taste The New Snack Menu From Hatted Restaurant ELE
ELE by Federico Zanellato and Karl Firla at The Star is breaking convention by offering a snack menu alongside their traditional degustation experience. Diners can savour 13 seasonal dishes at their own pace while perched in the elegant dining room or the intimate chef’s table, with delicacies such as Wagyu Tartare, Coral Trout Collar, Skull Island Prawns, and housemade sourdough & butter. Find out more here.
World Whisky Day Feast at Robin Hood Hotel With Buffalo Trace (16th & 23rd)
Critically acclaimed Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is throwing the ultimate bourbon & beef-filled pub feast at the Robin Hood Hotel. Across two nights, Sydneysiders are invited for a good time featuring a delicious 3-course bourbon-infused pub feed and guided tastings of the Buffalo Trace “Quartet”. The menu features an indulgent Jack’s Creek Steak with bourbon-infused peppercorn sauce, a grazing platter and a banoffee pie layered with Buffalo trace-infused salted caramel. Tickets are just $55pp! Find out more here.
Darkfield: Two Multi-Sensory Immersive Experiences
If you’re seeking an adventure that’s equal parts spine-chilling and unnerving, search no further. Darkfield takes place in bespoke shipping containers which have been temporarily placed outside the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo. Blending cutting-edge technology, immersive theatre, and spine-tingling horror, this unique experience transports you to an alternate realm, encased in total darkness. Find out more here.
South African Film Festival
Experience the richness and ingenuity of modern South African cinema at the annual South African Film Festival. This eagerly anticipated event showcases a range of film genres including feature films, documentaries, and short films, providing a platform for talented South African filmmakers to showcase their work to audiences across Australia. By attending the festival, you are not only celebrating and promoting South African culture but also supporting the Education Without Borders (EWB) charity, which has been providing vital educational programs to underprivileged communities in the Western Cape of South Africa since 2002. Find out more here.
Fresh Harvest Beer Festival (20th)
The Fresh Harvest Beer Festival is a celebration of the annual hop harvest featuring nine of Sydney’s top breweries. The festival will highlight unique, hop-filled creations by 2Halfs, Beer Fontaine, Bracket Brewing, One Drop Brewing Co, Rocks Brewing Co., Slow Lane Brewing, The Bondi Brewing Co., The Social Brewers, and Frenchies. This event is the perfect outing for beer enthusiasts and those curious about beer, and will take place at Frenchies in The Cannery, Rosebery from 12pm – 10pm. To enhance the experience, Frenchies Bistro team will serve a specially curated beer food menu. Find out more here.
Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon (21st)
Ready to put your running training to the ultimate test? Head to the Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon where you can explore Sydney’s city streets in Autumn for a few hours. The course options include a Half Marathon (21.1km) and a 10km run, both of which showcase iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Barangaroo Reserve, The Rocks, and Pyrmont Peninsula. The race finishes at Cathedral Square, right next to Hyde Park, where runners can celebrate in the lively event village. Find out more here.
Italo Disco Icon Pino D’Angiò Dinner & Show at Icebergs Dining Room (24th)
In celebration of Iceberg’s 20th birthday, they have invited the internationally acclaimed Italo Disco legend Pino D’Angio to the house! This will be his first-ever performance in Australia and the event will commence with an intimate dinner party in the dining room followed by an up-close and personal show at the bar where you can dance the night away to his iconic Italian disco sounds. Alex Prichard has created a delicious menu for the occasion featuring incredible seafood dishes, braised rabbit macaroni pasta, an Amalfi lemon tart and more for $250pp (which includes dinner, a welcome drink and the show). Find out more here.
All You Can Eat BBQ at NOLA Smokehouse & Bar
Barangaroo’s NOLA is hosting a weekly all-you-can-eat Southern American BBQ event every Saturday. For just $55pp, indulge in a delectable spread of smoked meats and BBQ that is second to none in Sydney’s CBD. Savour mouth-watering 12-hour smoked brisket, Cajun-rubbed smoked pork, crispy smoked chicken wings, andouille sausage, and dry-rubbed chicken thighs, all paired with a selection of delectable sides such as fries, mac and cheese, pickles, coleslaw, and jalapeno and cheddar cornbread. Find out more here.
Taste of Manly (27th – 28th)
Experience the ultimate foodie’s dream at Taste of Manly, a two-day event that celebrates drinks, food, music, and dance by the picturesque beachside. The stunning beachfront of Manly serves as the perfect backdrop for this event, which is held at the vibrant Corso. Here, you can sample the delicious offerings from local restaurants, indulge in the best Australian fine wines, and quench your thirst with the finest selection of craft beers from Northern Beaches’ breweries. Adding to the festive ambiance, talented live musicians will entertain guests throughout the event. Find out more here.