Is it just us or has the June long weekend snuck up real fast this year? Well, obviously we’re not complaining, but instead, we’re whipping out our diaries and filling it to the brim with every fabulous thing happening around Sydney this weekend. From a bottomless rosé brunch to a Möet Grand Party, BBQ pork buns and all you can eat mussels, we promise you’ll forget sleep is even a thing.
Luckily, you’ve got a whole four days to hit up as many of these events as you can. The clock is ticking, Sydney, here is everything you need to do in Sydney over the Queen’s birthday long weekend.
All Weekend
Bottoms Up! Half-Priced Booze At Merivale
An almost-half-price sale on ALL cocktails, spirits, beer, wine and champagne is happening every single day this month and it’s all thanks to Merivale. Their alcohol selection is curated by a world-class team and includes anything from rare whisky at J&M to watermelon sangria jugs at Coogee Rooftop, crisp whites at The Newport, shiraz at Felix bar, champagne at Hemmesphere, Negronis at Palmer & Co and beers on tap at Queens Hotel. You get it—it’s good. Let’s drink to (all of) that, Syd!
When: During happy hour (5-7pm) every single day in June
Where: Merivale venues
Priscilla Queen of the Desert
There’s no better way to spend the Queen’s birthday than to honour the other Queen as well. This dazzling, world-class musical spectacular has more glitter than ever and will get you on your feet all night with non-stop dancefloor classics including all of our faves: ‘It’s Raining Men’, ‘I Will Survive’, ‘Finally’ and so many more. Get ready to shake your groove thing ‘cos Priscilla is back but she isn’t here for long. Hot tip: they’ve got some serious discounts happening this weekend and you can buy your tickets here.
When: Thursday 7 June – Sunday 10 June
Where: Capitol Theatre, Haymarket
Cost: From $75.90
Negroni Week
Imbibe magazine is teaming up with Campari to bring us Negroni Week from today. That means, for seven whole days, thousands of venues will celebrate almost 100 years of the iconic Negroni cocktail. Plus, they’ll be donating a portion of Negroni sales to over 40 charities. So, say cheers to charity and join in the celebrations of this iconic drink—the perfect mix of Campari, gin and red vermouth. Among some of Sydney’s participating locals are The Morrison, Fratelli Fresh and Palmer & Co. Find more participating venues/bars here.
When: Thursday 7 June – Sunday 10 June
Where: The Morrison, The Clock, Palmer and Co, Charlie Parker’s and more.
Sydney’s Transport Heritage Expo
You can ride a real vintage train and bus this week, and yes, you can even head for a spot of tea on a dining carriage from the golden era, and it’s all thanks to Sydney’s Transport Heritage Expo. There’s even The Great Train Race where the steam locomotive 3526 (‘The Nanny’) and the Southern Hemisphere’s largest operating steam locomotive 6029 (‘The Garratt’) go head to head. The Sydney Bus Museum will be operating a fleet of vintage double-decker buses around the CBD, you’ll just need a gold coin donation. More info here.
When: Saturday 9 June – Monday 11 June
Where: Central Station
Cost: From $25 per person
Australian Muscle Car Masters
Treat yourself to some MCM racing this weekend (you know you want to). You have the option of watching the Heritage or Historic Touring Cars, as well as Sports Cars and Kumho V8 Touring Cars but TBH, you’ll probably want to check out all of the above. For more info and tickets, head here.
When: Saturday 9 June – Sunday 10 June
Where: Australian Racing Driver’s Club at Sydney Motorsport Park, Ferrers Road, Eastern Creek
Cost: From $27.95
Opera Bar Vivid Drinks
Pop into Opera Bar this Saturday to wrap your lips around their neon-inspired menu featuring a trio of neon dips: beetroot hummus, Kalamata tapenade, rocket and spinach pesto served with flatbread, accompanied by three literally neon cocktails. There the Electric Blue, a Orange Glow and the Red Night, and honestly, it’s like drinking a giant glow stick. For more info, head here.
When: Until Saturday 16 June
Where: Opera Bar, Macquarie Street
Thursday 7 June
Wine, Mind & Dine At Three Blue Ducks
We’re told to use meditation apps and mindfulness techniques to keep us healthy but if you’re anything like us, we definitely struggle. But listen up because here is something fresh and exciting—we’d like to introduce you to winefulness. Manish Singh is transforming what we like to do (drink wine) into a mindfulness exercise (AKA winefulness). After a class guided by Manish, guests (that’s you) will be treated to a three-course dinner with organic wine. Winefulness is officially the best thing since sliced bread.
When: Thursday 7 June, 6.30-10pm
Where: Three Blue Ducks, 1/85 Dunning Avenue, Rosebery
Cost: $95
Macrame + Beachbox Interiors
If you want to put a little bit of spice into your interior’s life, then here’s some home décor fun for you—a macramé workshop. Side note: If you’re wondering what a macramé is, it’s a textile produced using knotting techniques to create a wall hanging and yes, of course you need it. Book your spot at this one here.
When: Thursday 7 June, 6pm – 9pm
Where: Beachbox Interiors, 56 York Street, East Gosford
Cost: $130
Moules Frites at Loluk Bistro
French bistro, Loluk, is offering All You Can Eat mussels and fries for $29 every single Thursday night and yep, you read that right. Disclaimer: You could possibly turn into a mussel by the time you leave but does that really sound like such a bad thing.
When: Every Thursday, 6pm – 10pm
Where: Loluk Bistro, 2/411 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
Cost: $140 per person
Friday 8 June
The Coors Block Party
The Coors Block Party is back, and once again, it’s supported by the iconic Australian hip-hop duo REMI who will be pumping tunes alongside Sydney hip-hop artist B-Wise. Coors, makers of delish beer out and proud partner of the NBA, is bringing together good music, urban street fashion and the opportunity to take to the court and shoot some hoops Lebron-style. There will be burgers to buy and Badlambs Travelling Barber from Bondi Beach offering cuts, shaves and beer trims for the guys. Plus, Hair Cartel will be offering fresh box braiding for the gals. Keen? Book here.
When: Friday 8 June, 6.30pm
Where: Max Watt’s, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
Cost: $13.80 per ticket
El Loco Later
3am is later alright! Grab your amigos and hombres while you bask in $7 tacos in an all-night (and early morning) Mexican fiesta happening at El Loco this weekend. With incredible margaritas and tequilas, endless tacos and fab DJ’s, you will be there until the doors close. De Nada (AKA, you are welcome).
When: Friday 8 June, till 3am
Where: El Loco, 64 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills
Saturday 9 June
Bottomless Rosé Brunch At Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
If there’s one thing we love, it’s bottomless brunch. And when bottomless brunch involves delicious rosé at one of the most Instagrammable venues in Sydney (AKA Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, duh), it’s like all our dreams have come true. Yes, really. For one weekend only, Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel is bringing back their stunning Love Rosé Brunch to your Insta feed. On Saturday 9 June and Sunday 10 June, you’ll have the chance to sip on endless amounts of your fave pink drink, dine on a drool-worthy menu with all your entire girl gang (or bros)—tables fit up to 14—and nab yourself a whole lot of the #bulklikes. Did we mention Watson’s famous frosé and rosé sangria is also included? Because it is. Book here.
When: Saturday 9 June, 10.30am
Where: Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
Cost: $89
World Gin Day At Gin Lane
Appropriately, Gin Lane aren’t letting World Gin Day pass without a big ol’ nod to their favourite bev. What does that mean for you? Well, you’ll be heading here during their happy hour (FYI it’s running all damn day, from 12pm till 7pm this Saturday) for half-priced classic cocktails, so a classic G&T or their steaming lightbulb cocktail (The Lightbulb Moment) will only set you back $7 each. You know what to do.
When: Saturday 9 June, 12pm - 7pm
Where: Gine Lane, Kensington Street
Cost: $7 a pop
Heaps Gay Qweens Ball
One of Sydney’s most iconic buildings, Sydney Town Hall, is opening its doors to the Qweens Ball this year and (shock horror) it’s happening as part of Vivid. You can thank the legends from Heaps Gay for this ball which will feature two grand stages starring Electric Fields and local legends Handsome and Imbi The Girl, and a whole lotta cool DJ supports. But there is more… You will get to see burlesque dancers, a leather show, drag qweens and kings and waaay more. The dress code is “luxurious queer self-expression/ op shop chic” so be sure to drape yourself in the most luxurious pieces your closest op-shop can provide. Grab your ticket here.
When: Saturday 9 June, 7.30pm-1am
Where: Sydney Town Hall
Cost: Free
Alex Perry & Sally Obermeder At Specsavers
Specsavers’ new #LoveGlasses campaign is inviting you along to Westfield Hornsby for the launch of the specs styling bar, hosted by fashion designer, THE Alex Perry and TV presenter and author, Sally Obermeder. They’ll help you find the best frames to suit your personal style and face shape plus, you’ll be in the running to win a trip to Melbourne Fashion Week, a styling session and photoshoot with Alex Perry, a $1000 designer wardrobe and a year’s supply of designer glasses from Specsavers. Sold? Same.
When: Saturday 9 June, 11am
Where: Level 3, Westfield Hornsby, 236 Pacific Hwy, Hornsby
Cost: free
Wine-Infused High Tea
A match made in heaven: wine and high tea. With a glass of sparkling wine on arrival, you’ll be in for a treat when you head to Gledswood Hills this weekend with their indulgent high tea where each item is infused with wine (definition of multi-tasking) sourced from award-winning Australian winemakers. To book, head here.
When: Saturday 9 June
Where: Gledswood Homestead & Winery, 900 Camden Valley Way, Gledswood Hills
Moët & Chandon Grand Day
Merivale is throwing a party and we hear it’s going to be a damn good one (no surprises). The Establishment is hosting a champagne brunch (from 12pm) with bottomless Moët & Chandon and food including freshly shucked oysters, Crystal Bay king prawns, and poached trout. Not to mention the curated selection of canapés and cheeses. Then, once the sun goes down the real party will kick off (at 7pm sharp) upstairs at Hemmesphere where DJ’s, rosé, and live entertainment all come together for a night you will remember (if you slow down on the bubbly). Tickets are available here for the brunch and for the party here.
When: Saturday 9 June, Brunch at 12pm, Party at 7pm
Where: The Establishment, 252 George Street, Sydney
Cost: $60-$120
Sunday 10 June
Buns ‘n’ Bubbles – Yum Cha at Queen Chow
Hands down, one of the best yum cha in the inner west, Queen Chow has got you sorted this Sunday. They’re offering all day yum cha, sparkling wine specials, hang over cure cocktails and chilled DJ beats. Juuuust what you’ll need after your Saturday night this weekend. You can book here.
When: Sunday 10 June
Where: Queen Chow, 167 Enmore Road, Enmore
Reptile Man At The Newport
Hold up. The Reptile Man (we’re visualising Indiana Jones situation here TBH) and his reptiles (yes, actual reptiles!) are coming to The Newport and that means you are too. You can catch them from 12pm till 2pm, or not… depends how fast they are.
When: Sunday 10 June, 12pm – 2pm
Where: The Newport
Sunday Feast at The Paddington
The Paddington is bringing a long Sunday lunch and a whole lotta fun this week at their Sunday Feast. There will be $20 wine carafes and a wonderful selection of food, so grab your friends and get ready to roll outta here. Book here.
When: Sunday 10 June
Where: The Paddington, 384 Oxford Street, Paddington
Cost: $45 per person
WET DREAMS
DRNKS and The Dolphin presents Wine + Food Festival with 30+ wine makers, chefs, brewers and importers (you can find the full line up here). There’ll be wine tasting from 1pm till 4pm and a FREE pizza party (our kinda party) from 4pm to late. Buy tickets here.
When: Sunday 10 June, 1pm-late
Where: The Dolphin, 412 Crown Street, Surry Hills
Cost: Wine tasting (1pm-4pm) $50; Pizza party (4pm-late) free
Beefeater PINK
Celebrate like a royal this Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend and hit up The Vic On The Park for special cocktails, basketball in the courtyard and DJ sets by Luen Jacobs and World Champion DJs. There will be a British-inspired menu boasting a traditional Sunday Roast and you can scoff it all while you watch live graffiti art and live bands inside. Don’t forget to bring your pooch along too! You can book your spot here.
When: Sunday 10 June
Where: The Vic On The Park, 2 Addison Road, Marrickville
Newtown Chilli Festival
If you’re a chilli lover or you really need to brush up on your chilli-handling skills (we can relate), The Bank Hotel’s annual chilli festival is waiting for you with open doors. There will be a chilli eating competition, a chilli brew off, chilli-sauce sellers, hot food specials and chill-inspired cocktails. What’s more? Young Henrys, 4 Pines and Saucing Brewing Co will be offering their own chilli-inspired brews. And after this, you will no longer be that one person who sweats their face off at the table after a single spoonful of hot curry. More details here.
When: Sunday 10 June, 12-9pm
Where: The Bank Hotel, 324 King Street, Newtown
Monday 11 June
Build Your Own Terrarium Bar
There is no better way to relax this public holiday than by building your very own terrarium. How you layer your masterpiece is completely up to you, choosing everything from the soil to pebbles, plants and decorations. They have everything you could have ever dreamed of in terrarium heaven—succers, pricks, air plants, crystals, flamingos (not real ones, but these will do) and so many types of vases (we honestly didn’t know there were so many shapes and sizes). Buy tickets here.
When: Monday 11 June
Where: Little Succers, 10 Bartley Street, Chippendale
Cost: $20
Want to check out all the free things happening in Sydney this month? Yeah, you do.
Image Credit: Caitlin Hicks
