Ahhhhh Valentine’s Day. You’re just so damn extra, we don’t even know what to do with you. Between the flowers (bunches upon bunches) the food (our favourite part) and the harsh realisation that, yet again, you don’t have a date, it’s really a rollercoaster of emotions.
But whether you’re heading out with the gals, the bros or that special someone in your life, we’ve got you more than covered. Whatever comes after dinner is your own business, but until then, take a little scrolly scroll and get those last minute dinner reservations sorted.
Here is everything worth doing on Valentine’s Day in Sydney this year. You’re welcome (we think).
Park’s & Recreation Trivia Night
Made by the Hill is bringing out the big guns this year with a Parks and Recreation trivia night and you know you’re already excited. It’s appropriate since our girl Leslie was the one who coined the tern Galentine’s Day in the first place, but you’ll also be scoffing fairy floss, calzones and champagne all night long (well, from 6.30pm). Info here.
Where: Made by the Hill, Rooty Hill
Cost: Free entry, food prices vary
Let Them Eat Cake
This month’s instalment of See You Next Tuesday (appropriate) is, per usual, dedicated to the gals and cake. Specifically, Sydney’s Katherine Sabbath will be bringing all the #GirlBoss vibes, Caitlin Harnett will be dishing out her original folk songs and Themla & Louise will screen in the beer garden. There’ll also be a Vadge Draw where you can win goodies (cake) from Katherine and your $5 ticket cost will be donated to Femme Found. Details here.
Where: The Lady Hampshire
Cost: Free
Sydney Observatory
Valentine’s Day under the stars is romantic AF and you know it. Wells, so do the great guys over at Sydney Observatory, which is where you should head for a sunset over Sydney Harbour (it’s Sydney’s highest natural point FYI) and a spot of stargazing once you sun says goodnight. There’ll be canapés and sensual music under the stars. Did we mention it’s under the stars? Because it is. And you’ll even be checking them out through the South Dome telescope. Okay, okay, we’ll stop. You’re already sold. Details here.
When: 7pm - 9.30pm
Where: Sydney Observatory
Cost: $110
Donuts For My Valentine
This one’s available for actual Valentine’s Day too, but we just wanted to put it front and centre so you wouldn’t miss out. Donut Papi, Espresso Warriors and Parramatta Westfield have installed a doughnut wall for epic photo ops and you can also buy V-Day doughnuts.
Where: Parramatta Westfield
Cost: Varies
A Rooftop Romance At Intercontinental
For dinner overlooking the idyllic Mediterranean-style rooftop pool restaurant and bar, head to the Intercontinental Hotel. Moet & Chandon Rosé Imperial (and all the desserts) are involved. Info is here.
Where: Intercontinental Hotel Rooftop, Double Bay
Cost: $140 per person
Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
If you’re after a slice of #iconic Sydney this V-Day, Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel is about to become your top pick. They’re catering for all budgets and styles with a three-course dinner (including a glass of bubbles on arrival) and a takeaway picnic (because cuuuute). More details here.
When: two dinner sittings, 6.30pm & 7pm
Where: Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
Cost: $100 (three-course meal), $70 (picnic)
Blow Bar Co Date Night
Grab your date and settle in this Valentine’s Day for a makeover at Blow Bar Co. The gals will score a wash and blow-dry over a glass of bubbles and men will be treated to a head massage and beer. Throw in a cheese platter to share and you’ve got yourselves a damn good pre-dinner situation. Bookings are essential, here.
Where: Blow Bar Co, Waverley
Cost: $120 per couple
Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour
Epic views, a three-course dinner and a bottle of champs are a go at Pullman Quay Grand this V-Day and you’re juuuust extra enough to spring for this package. You’ll be sitting pretty on your own private balcony overlooking The Bridge and we promise your butler won’t judge you when you ask for the thousandth pic.
Where: Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour
Cost: from $1,199
OTTO Sydney
OTTO is one of our fave Sydney spots, and you’ll want to hit up this one. Meat eaters and vegans are welcome here, with a three-course meal for all of you and they’ll even throw in a cheeky cocktail on arrival.
Where: OTTO Sydney, Woolloomooloo
Cost: $145 per person
Firedoor
Sharing is caring, especially on Valentine’s Day. Head to Firedoor for a six-course share menu filled with seasonal produce cooked over the coals. Also, champagne on arrive (because yes).
Where: Firedoor, Surry Hills
Cost: $125 per person
Hacienda Sydney
Hacienda Sydney has one of Sydney's most #iconic views of the Harbour Bridge and, just quietly, you and your date/friend/undefined special friend will love the extra special cocktails that’ll be flowing on V-Day.
Where: Hacienda, Circular Quay
Cost: Varies
SoCal
Cocktails galore and a freaking good happy hour awaits you at SoCal this Valentine’s Day. We’ll be eating our weight in tacos while sipping (read: necking with absolutely no tact, shame or grace at all) all the booze specials. Happy hour runs from 5pm – 6.30pm and that means $5 Samuel Adams beer, $5 rosé and wine plus $10 frosé. We know, they just get us, right?
Where: SoCal, Neutral Bay
Cost: Varies
Sydney Soiree Sunset Cruise On Seadeck
Spread across three open terraces on Seadeck, Soiree in the Bay is going to be one big (but civilised?) singles party. There’ll be food, wine, banter and DJs on the decks from 6.30pm. More info here.
Where: Seadeck, Darling Harbour
Cost: $138.24
China Doll
The V-Day dinner at China Doll might not include your booze, but you won’t mind forking out for a bottle of tipple once you get cracking on the three-course feast at this iconic restaurant on the wharf.
Where: China Doll, Woolloomooloo
Cost: $135 per person
Three Blue Ducks
Old faithful cafes-turned-restaurants are all about the chill, and if that sounds like your jam, Three Blue Ducks is the best place to head this Valentine’s Day. Their three-course menu includes a glass of sparkling and it’s one of the more affordable situations in town this Wednesday. Oh, and it involves whole wood-roasted King George whiting with smoked caper butter, peas and a green salad. Yep.
Where: Three Blue Ducks, Bronte
Cost: $80 per person
Nomad
There’s a reason we love Nomad as much as we do (FYI, that’s a LOT). Those reasons start with the Nomad’s jersey milk haloumi and ends with the valrhona chocolate crème with salted pine nut brittle and crème fraiche. More details here. https://nomadwine.com.au/
Where: Nomad
Cost: $120 per person, including a glass of sparkling
Olio Kensington St
Generous Sicilian fare is on the cards at Olio Kensington Street and if that means we’ll be feasting on a six-course menu of pasta, seafood and cocktails, we’re sold. Hint: that’s exactly what it means.
Where: Olio Kensington Street, Chippendale
Cost: $388 per person
Valentine’s Day Dinner at The Wilmot
Nothing says romance quite like oysters, caviar and lobster. And this Valentine’s Day the degustation at The Wilmot combines all of that and, yes, more. Executive Chef Daniel Menzies I hosting a seriously decadent dinner with spanner crab ravioli, butter poached lobster and petit fours and matching wines because he’s just a good guy, okay. Just call Primus Hotel Sydney to book.
Where: The Wilmot
Cost: $250 per couple (add $110 for paired wines)
Limbo Unhinged
For a side of theatre with your romance, the Opera House is the only place you need to hit up. Limbo Unhinged is a circus-cabaret by the creators of Blanc de Blanc and this is easily the best offer we’ve had all Valentine’s Day. Head here for more details and to book tickets.
Where: Sydney Opera House
Cost: From $65.90 (plus $8.50 booking fee)
Culture Up Late: Anti-Valentine’s Day
Bring your mates along for an unconventional night at the museum—there’ll be live performances of love songs gone right (and oh-so-god-damn-wrong), speed dating sessions, Voodoo doll workshops, couples’ game shows and (we’re sorry in advance) a live dissection of a pig’s heart. We knowwwww, you can really go as extreme as you want with this one. Or not. Details here.
When: 5pm – 9pm
Where: Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney
Cost: $20 for adults, $18 for concession and $16 for AM members.
The Clean Eats Factory
For a #healthlife Valentine’s Day, this is pretty much your only option. Expect a dips plate for entrée, beetroot linguine or sweet potato gnocchi for main and a PLATTER of chocolate for dessert. Oh, and it’s BYO. Book here.
Where: The Clean Eats Factory, Alexandria
Cost: $90 per couple (shared seating), $110 per couple (private seating)
Coogee Pavilion
If there’s one thing Coogee Pav knows how to do, it’s party. This V-Day, they’re throwing a freaking vintage carnival-themed speed dating night, so there’ll be games, palm readers, a popcorn cart and basically just a lot of fun. Also booze. This night is kicking off the Coogee Be Mine events which will be happening monthly till May. Details here.
Where: Coogee Pavilion
Cost: Free entry
The Grounds
As expected, The Grounds is going all out (and we mean seriously wild) with the festival Valentine’s cheer. There’s the extra special Valentine’s dinner service in The Potting Shed and The Grounds of the City, plus a Midsummer Night’s Dream event in the garden, and a limited edition cake that looks like something from outer space. Basically, options, options and more options.
Where: The Grounds, The Grounds of the City & The Potting Shed
Cost: Varies
BISTRO MONCUR
If you’re wanting to go full #romance this Valentine’s Day, your best bet is a night of Parisian fine dining. Spend the night with your special someone at Bistro Moncur where there’s a seriously delish three-course meal and $45 flutes of Dom Perignon happening. Book a table here.
Where: Bistro Moncur, Mosman and Woollahra
Cost: $99 per person
TWILIGHT AT TARONGA
Treat your valentine to something super spesh this V Day at the live show, RocKwiz, coming to Taronga Zoo. Remember—you’ll need to brush up on your music trivia knowledge to impress the lucky man or lady (or dog) you’ll be taking along with you. Book a spot here.
Where: Taronga Zoo, Mosman
Cost: Tickets are $114 per person
SALT MEATS CHEESE
V Day is sorted all thanks to the Italian perfection that is Salt Meats Cheese. For $59 per couple, a three-course Italian feast will be all yours, plus a glass of prosecco on arrival. You’ll have to fight it out with your date for that last piece of salumi on the antipasto board, then choose from any of the aaaamazing pizza and pasta (we’re looking at you blue swimmer crab taglioni).
Where: Salt Meats Cheese Broadway, Circular Quay and Drummoyne restaurants
Cost: $59 per couple
O BAR & DINING
If you reeeeally want to let your special somebody know just how spesh they are, why not hit up O Bar & Dining for the fanciest Valentines dinner feast imaginable? With three packages to choose from, you could very well be dining on the 47th floor, in a window table with a bottle of 2009 Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne, a dozen long stem roses and a box of chocolates – umm, sorry WTF, sign me the hell up.
Where: O Bar & Dining, CBD
Cost: Packages from $225 to $750 per person
Here are even more things to do this month in Sydney.
Image credit: Primus Hotel Sydney
