The Best Things To Do On Your Birthday In Sydney
Eloise Luke
Contributor | Urban List
If you're someone who takes birthdays seriously, you'll know how stressful the planning process can be. Whether it's the venue that will set the tone for the year ahead, a bonding session with your closest mates, or just the opportunity to switch off and escape the noise with some self care—birthday planning is often more work than it's worth.
Luckily, we've put together our favourite experiences in Sydney/Eora, to take the chore out of party planning. These are Urban List's picks for the best things to do on your birthday in 2026.
The Best Birthday Experiences In Sydney At A Glance
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For Getting The Party Started
Book A Boutique Staycation At The EVE Hotel
The EVE Hotel, 8 Baptist Street Sydney
Image credit: The EVE Hotel | Supplied
While Sydney has no shortage of boutique hotels, the benefit of the EVE Hotel is that it's perched right above Wunderlich Lane.
We're talking design-forward rooms, a rooftop pool flexing Aperol-orange cabanas and countless dining options—AKA the recipe for a boozy, sun-soaked Sydney weekend with your crew.
In Wunderlich Lane, you'll have the hard decisions of where to eat and drink—happy hour drinks at Bar Julius? Mexican fare at Lottie? Greek excellence at Olympus? Or South Asian plates at Island Radio? Book in for full day of eating and partying, followed by a lax hung Sunday by the pool.
Insider Intel
- This gem is owned by the same legends that own The Calile in Brissy—another stunning boutique stay.
Late Night Margs At Arms Length Bar
7 Kellett Street, Potts Point
Image credit: Arms Length Bar | Instagram
Run by a team with serious hospo chops, Arms Length Bar blends neighbourhood charm with wine bar polish—NYC-style booths, deep green tones and those now-iconic red tables that photograph beautifully.
The kitchen turns out comforting, quietly elevated dishes: think stuffed flatbread with triple-cream cheese, chicken parfait on Iggy’s toast, steak frites with brandy-peppercorn sauce and late-night jaffles. But the birthday highlight hits after 9pm, when the $15 margarita menu comes alive. Flavours rotate from Blue Yuzu and Kiwi and Papaya to a Mystery Marg you order blind.
Insider Intel
- Make this the last stop of the night—the marg menu doesn’t start until after 9pm, and Potts Point is full of venues itching for a bar crawl.
Have A SATC Themed Night Out At Bar Herbs
Basement, 213 Clarence Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Bar Herbs | Instagram
Call up your favourite Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda (everyone is Carrie-coded on their bday, unless you take offence). Bar Herbs is a CBD martini bar delivering the perfect Sex and the City–coded night. The MUCHO Group has reimagined its former Negroni bar into a polished, New York–leaning basement room—gold-leaf mirrors, a warm glow, and maybe a Mr Big or two.
The martini list is the main event: the signature Herbs Martini uses a seasonal vodka distilled with botanicals at Hickson House, while the Cosmo is NY nostalgic with a citrusy lift and a slow-melting lemon granita. There’s even a “Martini Your Way” menu for customised orders—twist, olive, dirty, wet, dry—whatever your birthday persona demands.
Insider Intel
- While you might say themed birthday parties are a thing of the past, there's nothing childish about putting on your best pair of kitten heels and dressing up a little for your special night.
Catch A Live Gig At The Trocadero Room
156 Enmore Road, Enmore
Image credit: The Trocadero Room | Instagram
The Trocadero Room is a live music bar serving up excellent entertainment, with a good sprinkling of Sydney's best up-and-coming talent. You can sip Midori Illusions and Negroni slushies beneath the glow of an enormous shimmering disco ball—the recipe for a grungy, loose birthday night out.
On the music lineup are local bands and DJs covering all genres, from hip-hop to post-punk and zouk. It's indie rock on Friday nights and a juicy blend of R&B, disco, funk, world, and house music on Saturdays.
Insider intel
- As well as live music, The Troc hosts variety shows, burlesque, and a Sunday comedy night to help you laugh away the Sunday scaries.
Book A Table On A Super Yacht
Solaré, Sydney Harbour
Image credit: Solaré | Supplied
A first-of-its-kind dining experience for Sydney, three-level restaurant and bar Solaré takes inspiration from Mediterranean beach clubs and the lavish yachting lifestyle—and giving you the chance to live it for a few hours.
Seeing as there's no time like your bday to go all out, boarding passes start at just $35—the 150-foot superyacht cruises for three hours at lunchtime and dinnertime daily, with a different experience available on each of its three luxe levels.
Insider Intel
- On the main deck, the 60-seat Dining Room will serve a $150pp, seasonal Italian tasting menu at lunch and dinner by executive chef Pablo Tordesillas (previously head chef at Totti’s Bondi).
Catch A Drag Show At The Imperial
35 Erskineville Road, Erskineville
Image credit: The Imperial | Instagram
Erskineville’s iconic hotel, The Imperial, has had its share of fame—there’s been a dodgy ex-licensee and forced short-term closures, but it’s also the OG home of many of the scenes shot in the Australian drag-love classic The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Dessert.
You can take the dancefloor for groovy and nostalgic tunes, but the true highlight of the night is catching a drag show. The stage may be tiny, but that won't stop these queens from flipping, cartwheeling and going all out under the disco ball.
Insider Intel
- The Imperial also has its own live music and dance venue, the Basement. Operating on Friday and Saturday nights, there’s a promising line up of events like weekly screenings of Ru Paul’s Drag Race, queer dance parties and jelly wrestling to boot.
For Practicing Self Care
Reset Studio
15 Knox Street, Double Bay
Image credit: Reset Studios | Supplied
If your ideal birthday involves slowing down rather than going big, Reset Studio is the spot. This new Double Bay wellness space feels more like a beautifully designed private residence than a commercial studio, with travertine pools, warm salt-lit rooms and sculptural stone details that are the definition of luxe.
You can book cedar saunas, contrast therapy, vitamin C showers or the red-travertine halotherapy cave. Private rooms cater to solo time, while a dedicated treatment space offers LED, massage and facials.
Insider Intel
- If you’re celebrating with a few friends, book The Circuit—only five people can join, so the whole space feels intentionally yours.
Matcha Workshop
Simply Native Japan, 1/148 Goulburn St, Surry Hills
Image credit: Simply Native | Instagram
There's never been a bigger year for the matcha industry—and if you partake, it's worth knowing how to make your own (you'll save big on the coffee budget). This hands-on matcha workshop walks you through the traditional and modern sides of Japan’s most iconic green tea. You’ll learn the fundamentals of ceremonial matcha, practise whisking a proper bowl, and taste the difference between ceremonial and culinary grades.
Once you’ve nailed the classic technique, the session shifts into café mode, where you’ll make your own frothy matcha latte using both a chasen and modern methods. Japanese sweets, take-home guides and a latte for the road are all included.
Insider Intel
- Sessions book out fast, so move quickly if you want this for your birthday.
Hit Up Carriageworks Farmers' Market
245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh
Image credit: Carriageworks | Instagram
The iconic Carriageworks Farmers Markets sets the weekly standard for farmers markets, thanks to its top-notch vendor lineup and its historic Eveleigh location. If you are starting your bday weekend off fresh, you’ll find organic and biodynamic produce, artisan breads and pastries, boutique wines, premium meats and cheeses, herbal teas, freshly cut flowers, and more.
Insider Intel
- The market runs on a Saturday, so it's ideal for sourcing your arvo charcuterie board before a night of hosting—it's one of our fave markets in Sydney for a reason.
Lax Out With A Japanese Headspa
Various Locations
Image credit: Tokyo Headspa | Instagram
If tiktok asmr is your vice, and your last basin sesh at the hairdresser was far too short, a Japanese headspa could be just what you need. These max relax treatments combine massage, hair care, scalp care, facial reflexology, and gentle touch—it's also said to reduce stress, improve sleep, and promote anti-aging (just what your bday calls for).
While Sydney has a few standouts, Tokyo Headspa has locations in Bondi and Surry Hills, and is one of our personal faves.
Insider Intel
- Book the Sakuyahime session to help stimulate hair growth and scalp health.
Have A Coffee Date At Shadow Baking
243 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst | 1 Rich St, Marrickville
Image credit: Shadow Baking | Instagram
Food rules definitely don't apply on your birthday, and there's no better way to kick off the celebrations that with some seriously good sweets to go with your coffee. Shadow Baking is the brainchild of three Gelato Messina head chefs, so you can safely assume the pastries are worth it.
Seasonal fruit-studded tarts, sweet and savoury danishes, and cult favourites like the pandan and coconut brioche are joined by classics like croissants and cinnamon scrolls, while more creative combinations like custard tart danishes, avocado and Vegemite scrolls, and mandarin and macadamia twice-baked croissants enter the rotation as specials depending on seasonal inspiration and produce.
Insider Intel
- Having established a loyal following with regular stalls at The Cannery markets in Rosebery prior to opening the brick-and-mortar location next to Darlinghurst’s Messina store, it's worth a visit for sure.
Find Your Signature Scent At Libertine Parfumerie
Various Locations
Image credit: Libertine Parfumerie | Instagram
Located at various boutique storefronts and department stores across Sydney, Libertine is a proper old school parfumerie—super luxe, with only the most exclusive scents on offer. AKA, the ideal birthday treat for a beauty lover who is in need of some annual retail therapy.
They stock a variety of perfumes, organised by occasion, season, and note—so you can rest assured you're in safe hands.
Insider Intel
- Book a scent masterclass in-store if you are in dire need of assistance.
Main image credit: Arms Length Bar | Instagram
Urban List Best Of: has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy, or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.
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