While it’s not winter just yet, the cold weather is looming with brisk evenings becoming the norm—but there’s still heaps on this weekend to keep spirits high in Sydney/Eora.
This weekend you can celebrate Cinco de Mayo with your amigos, boogie to Tay-Tay at an album release party, indulge in a bratwurst and bier at a German cultural festival, or find a treasure at the return of The Finders Keepers market.
Here are Urban List's picks for the best things to do in Sydney this weekend.
Editor's Pick: Kyiv Social Beers and Bangers
202 Broadway, Chippendale | Sunday 5 May, 1pm–9pm
Grafton Lane in Chippendale will be closed to traffic this weekend for the Kyiv Social's Social Beers and Bangers laneway party with Ukrainian house DJs, cold beers from Young Henrys and a sizzle of sausages from LP's Quality Meats. Hosted by Kyiv Social and the Ukrainian Council of New South Wales (UCNSW), Beers and Bangers is a monthly event that celebrates the Australian and Ukrainian communities coming together with great food and tunes.
Kyiv Social is part of the Plate It Forward charity organisation and offers employment opportunities to Ukrainian refugees, and donates one meal in Sydney and one in Ukraine for every set menu bought.
The Finders Keepers Autumn/Winter Markets
Carriageworks, Eveleigh | Friday 3–Sunday 5 May
Image credit: The Finders Keepers | Samee Lapham
Australia's coolest designers and makers are converging at Carriageworks this week for another instalment of The Finders Keepers, the market celebrating creativity and connection. There'll be over 150 stalls to browse, as well as food and drink pop-ups, live DJ tunes, and more to explore while you're browsing locally designed and made fashion, homewares, edible goodies, artworks, kids products and more. You can see the full lineup of stalls and pre-pay your entry ($6 for one-day entry, $10 for a multi-day pass, under-13s free) online.
The Happy Mexican: Cinco De Mayo
The Lansdowne Hotel, 2-6 City Road, Chippendale | Saturday 4 May, from 6pm
Image credit: The Happy Mexican | Supplied
In perfect timing for Cinco De Mayo, Melbourne’s beloved Mexican joint The Happy Mexican has recently opened atop Sydney’s iconic Lansdowne Hotel. The new Mexican hotspot is starting the Cinco De Mayo celebrations one day early with irresistible Mexican food and a live Mariachi band between 6pm and 9pm.
Highlights of the night include taco ahogados; rolled crispy tortillas filled with chicken and drowned in salsa verde, guacamole, sour cream, pickled onion and coriander, and the Nopales; an earthy cactus taco stuffed with corn, potatoes and fried beans. For drinks, margaritas are a must, and on the menu is a trio of flavours such as classic, lychee and jalapeno.
The Tortured Poets Department Release Party
Liberty Hall, Building 220, Errol Flynn Boulevard, Moore Park | Saturday 4 May from 9pm
Belt out all 31 tunes from Taylor Swift’s new album at The Tortued Poets Department Release Party hosted by Superficial. This 18+ event will have the Superficial DJs playing every single song from the extensive album plus some Swiftie favourites from her other eras.
Whether you’re a T Swift fanatic or new to the scene, there’s a song for everybody. Unfortunately, Tay Tay herself can’t attend, yet there’s set to be more surprises to come. Final release tickets are $35 and selling quickly.
German Cultural Day
90 Ocean Street, Woollahra | Saturday 4 May, 1pm–9pm
Image credit: Goethe-Institut Australien | Facebook
German Cultural Day returns to Woollahra this weekend with food trucks, pop-up bars, market stalls, live entertainment and more. Wild trivia sessions, a wine-tasting experience, eco-friendly face painting and a photo booth are just a few of the activities to get involved in at this free family-friendly cultural festival.
In true German fashion, dig into pretzels, bratwurst, and German beers on tap courtesy of Beste Bier Bar, amongst a broad range of food and drink offerings. Entertainment includes fire performances, Berlin techno DJ Andi A, a live jazz band and the German International School Choir.
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Mother's Day DIY High Tea Workshop
The Cannery, 61 Mentmore Avenue, Rosebery | Saturday 4 May, 10am or 1pm
Image credit: Cricut | Supplied
Get the jump on Mother's Day celebrations by treating Mum to a hands-on workshop hosted by design platform Cricut, Salvos Stores and Tokyo Lamington. The workshop will focus on upcycling and supporting the circular economy while also fundraising, with proceeds from each $50 ticket going to The Salvation Army.
Guests will use Cricut vinyl name decals and cutting machines to personalise thrifted teacups and saucers, assemble and decorate lamingtons and other treats, and be guided through styling an upcycled Mother's Day tablescape by thrift queen Faye Delanty. Tickets are available online for both sessions.
Newtown Record Fair
The Bank Hotel, 324 King Street, Newtown | Sunday 5 May, 12pm–5pm
Image credit: Bank Hotel | Facebook
Cratedig collectible vinyl records at The Bank Hotel’s bimonthly Newtown Record Fair. Crates upon crates of new, rare and secondhand vinyl spanning multiple genres and decades will be scattered throughout the beer garden, ready to sift through. Presented by 2SER Sydney community radio and hosted by expert record sellers, this free event is a must-do for musos wanting to fill a gap in their record collection. As you dig through, live vinyl DJs will set the scene for the perfect arvo of musical exploration.
Enjoy a hearty pub feed or take to the Garden Bar and Dining afterwards for share-style meals featuring Mediterranean flavours made with local and seasonal produce. Start with wood-fired ‘Skull Island’ prawns and charred corn ribs with harissa, manchego and lime before tucking into mains cooked over charcoal like lamb rump, pasture-fed scotch fillet or ‘Infinity Blue’ barramundi. Kids and dogs are welcome, so feel free to bring them along for a full family affair.
Cinco De Mayo Fiesta
1 Young Street, Neutral Bay | Sunday 5–Sunday 26 May
SoCal is turning up the heat for a month-long Taco and Tequila Fiesta, which kicks off this week with a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta. Spice up your weekend plans with a Sunday session filled with $15 margs thanks to Olmeca ALTOS and a lineup of to-die-for tacos. The leafy oasis will be transformed into a nightlife scene, with live music 1pm–4pm, live DJs in the evening, and a special appearance from a Mariachi band to set the Mexican spirit into full swing.
First Weekend: Maroubra Beach Markets
Broadarrow Reserve, 292-310 Fitzgerald Avenue, Maroubra | Sunday 5 May, 8am–2pm,
Sydney is adding a brand new market to its collection this weekend. Maroubra Beach Markets will take place on the first Sunday of every month at Broadarrow Reserve, just a few steps away from the beach with more than 100 stalls, including food, fashion, homewares, crafts, plants and art.
There will also be dining areas, plus a whole section devoted to sustainable shopping, with vendors offering a range of vintage and recycled goods. Local stallholders include honey producers Bezo Bees, meat smokers Bondi Smoke House, homeware makers Maroubra Design, and handmade potters Ju Proena Ceramics, while Gamal Falafel Bar and Agape Organic Food Truck will be among those dishing out the hot food.
MACximal Sydney Pop-Up
205 Oxford St, Darlinghurst | Friday 3–Sunday 5 May
The search for the perfect lippie ends this weekend as M·A·C is serving up three days of professional lip makeovers, touch-ups and sweet treats from cult-favourite BROOKI Bake House at an exclusive pop-up around Sydney. From Friday 3 to Sunday 5 May explore the sugary wonderland fit-out with velvety plush interiors, six exclusive Brooki sweet treats and even sweeter new lip shades from the MACximal lip range. A day spent trying on makeup and tucking into loaded cookies? This one is a no-brainer for your social cal this weekend–find more details on how you can attend here.
Glenfiddich X Jordan Gogos Pop-Up Bar
200 George Street, Sydney CBD | Select dates until Wednesday 8 May
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Image credit: Glenfiddich | Supplied
Join Aussie multidisciplinary artist Jordan Gogos and the world's most awarded single malt Scotch whisky, Glenfiddich, for a pop-up bar experience raising funds for social enterprise Art Aid.
The team from CBD bar Dean & Nancy on 22 will be shaking up whisky cocktails in the space filled with textile art, immersive works, sculptural furniture, and never-before-exhibited pieces in Gogos' largest immersive art installation to date. Selected pieces will be for sale with 50% of profits (and $10 from every Glenfiddich cocktail and event ticket sold) donated to Art Aid and its charities.
Events include the Glenfiddich Trailblazer Party every Friday at 5pm ($20pp including a cocktail on arrival) with live DJs, and weekly masterclasses with Glenfiddich's flagship collection or Grand Series ($30pp including four whisky tastings and snacks). The one-night-only Creative Collaborations event on Thursday 2 May will host Jordan Gogos speaking on how he approaches collaborations across art, furniture and fashion, and what we can expect from his 2024 Australian Fashion Week show ($140pp including an engraved bottle of Glenfiddich 12YO personalised on-site and an exclusive Jordan Gogos x Glenfiddich 12YO key ring). See your opportunities to visit here.
Merivale x Olmeca Altos Tequila Week
Various Venues | Until Saturday 11 May
Image credit: El Loco | Instagram
Over 55 Merivale venues are participating in Tequila Week, slinging $16 margs featuring Olmeca Altos Plata and Reposado Tequila. El Loco at Slipp Inn and El Loco at Excelsior are no strangers to tequila, serving up this cheeky margarita deal all day and night alongside their usual Mexican spread. Other participating venues include Tottis, Jimmy's Falafel, MuMu, Mr Wongs, Hotel CBD, The Collaroy and heaps more.
From Thursday to Sunday the head chef at The Alex, Mariana Beverido, is getting on the tools for a pop-up outdoor taco BBQ that will transport you to the streets of Mexico.
Plus, if you're thinking about a quick weekend away, head down south to check out the Olemca Altos bar at the Quarterdeck. The margaritas are the perfect pairing for the Narooma Oyster Festival.
Sonic Neon
Luna Park Sydney, | Until Sunday 12 May
Image credit: Sonic Neon | Supplied
Housed inside the historic Crystal Palace at Luna Park Sydney, Sonic Neon is a sound and light experience sharing an immersive rave atmosphere—and it's a must-do experience for all ages.
Eight distinct zones are packed with over 26,000 lights, laser, mirrors, a pulsating soundtrack, tactile materials and never-before-seen technology in Australia, for a a 150-metre journey culminating in an infinity mirror room with over 6,000 hanging lights and a 3-D video experience. Sonic Neon fills the 1935-built Crystal Palace with a groundbreaking experience that blends the site's history with contemporary wonder, and tickets start from $29 per person, or $99 for two adults and two children.
Cherry Bomb
Goros, 84–86 Mary Street, Surry Hills | Until Saturday 18 May
Image credit: Goros | Supplied
It's cherry blossom season at Surry Hills' Goros, where they're hosting Cherry Bomb: a sakura celebration with Bombay Sapphire complete with a festive menu and special events running for six weeks, and a pink takeover of the space with cherry blossoms, carp fish kites, and neon photo moments.
On the Cherry Bomb menu there's pink sushi, ice cream sando desserts, martinis and Cherry Pop cocktails with pearls, and a 90-minute all-you-can-eat skewer package with bottomless saké spritzes for $89pp. Don't miss the epic closing night celebration on 18 May—and there's always the free, private karaoke rooms.
Sydney Comedy Festival
Various Locations | Until Sunday 19 May
Image credit: Sydney Comedy Festival | Ticketek
Lap up the laughs at the Sydney Comedy Festival with a lineup of hilarious local and international comedians bound to get you giggling. Comedians certain to have you chuckling include Felicity Ward, star of the upcoming The Office (Australia) series, and Guy Montgomery, improviser extraordinaire from Thank God You're Here and Have You Been Paying Attention?
Watch Australia’s Funniest Lawyers at the Comedy Store on Thursday to Saturday or at the Factory Theatre on Sunday as ex-barristers and criminal prosecutors turned comedians swap the courtroom for the stage.
For $35 you can catch the Best of The Fest with a mystery lineup of the biggest local comedians at the Factory Theatre every Wednesday to Sunday night until 19 May. Head to the website to see the full lineup and book tickets.
Ramses & The Gold Of The Pharaohs
The Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Darlinghurst | Until Sunday 19 May
Image credit: Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs | Supplied
After showing in Paris, Houston, and San Francisco, the incredible Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition is headed to Sydney. The blockbuster exhibition will feature the actual sarcophagus of Ramses II—one of the most impressive royal coffins from ancient Egypt ever to be discovered—plus 181 priceless artefacts including animal mummies, jewellery, spectacular royal masks, and exquisite amulets, making it the largest cultural exhibition to visit Sydney in over a decade. Buy tickets here.
Yo-Chi X Pistachio Papi
Various locations | Until Sunday 26 May
Insanely popular frozen yoghurt shops Yo-Chi are collaborating with Aussie-made pistachio spread Pistachio Papi to bring their vibrant green goodness to topping bars across Australia.
The creamy, nutty 100% Italian pistachio spread is available to drizzle on your froyo or acai bowls, and pairs perfectly with Yo-Chi's flavours like strawberry and signature tart yoghurt. And, yes, there's still Nutella so you can create a perfectly indulgent nutty combo. Pistachio Papi is available in all Yo-Chi stores until Sunday 26 May (or until stock runs out).
Dale Frank: Growers And Showers
NAS Galleries, 156 Forbes Street, Darlinghurst | Until Saturday 1 June
Image credit: National Art School | Supplied
Check out the expanded painting practice of one of Australia’s foremost contemporary artists, Dale Frank, at this significant exhibition of over 40 large-scale works he developed since the '70s. It's his first solo institutional exhibition in over 20 years.
The vivacious collection includes various mediums and unexpected surfaces from poured epoxy-glass on metallic Perspex to CDs, human hair wigs, shattered glass and air vent ducts, showcasing his experimental approach to artmaking. Sculpture, sound and performance round out the experience to create immersive experiences to capture Frank's maximalism. Dale Frank: growers and showers is free to visit at the National Art School, 11am–5pm daily.
Biennale Of Sydney
Various locations | Until Monday 10 June
Image credit: Biennale of Sydney | Daniel Boud
The completely free cultural kaleidoscope that is the Biennale of Sydney makes a grand return for its 24th time with Ten Thousand Suns featuring works from 96 leading artists from 50 countries spread over six spaces including the Art Gallery of NSW, Museum of Contemporary Art, Chau Chak Wing Museum, and the recently refurbished White Bay Power Station.
The Biennale is the largest contemporary art event in Australia, making it an unmissable event for art aficionados—and it's all completely free to experience. Check out the full program of artworks or programmed events like after-dark sessions, tours, performances and workshops to plan your experience.
Maho Magic Bar
Pyrmont Bay Park, Pirrama Road, Pyrmont | Until Sunday 16 June
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Image credit: Maho Magic Bar | Kate Prendergast
Prepare to be wowed as master magicians and sleight-of-hand specialists perform exclusive magic shows at your table at the Maho Magic Bar. This neon-soaked pop-up experience will transport you to Tokyo as you witness modern and mischievous spins on traditional Japanese magic tricks.
Magicians include Kaori Kitazawa bringing kawaii charm to her tricks and Shirayuri serving up hipster-style magic to Australia after performing in Hollywood and Las Vegas. Indulge in flaming cocktails, saketinis and yuzu margaritas or savour traditional spirits like sake, shochu and umeshu.
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Main image credit: SoCal | Instagram
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