Five things to do around Sydney over the next few weeks

Two of the World’s Best Bars are coming to Sydney for a “Singapore Social” party; Nespresso are wheeling people around in free rickshaws to show off their new sustainable boutique; and a bunch of the world’s hottest producers and contemporary hip hop artists are taking over Olympic Park. There is an incredible amount of reasons to get out of the house for Sydneysiders and visitors over the next few weeks, so we’ve rounded up five of favourites we think should definitely be on that social calendar.

Drink, Dine and Dance at Singapore Social

The Singapore Tourism Board is throwing a huge party in Sydney (and one in Melbourne) this month, and bringing plenty of their city’s finest along with them for the ride. Cocktails fans (ie, everyone) will definitely want to head along to this one as well, because the board has managed to bring two of Singapore’s best bars – both currently ranked in the World’s 50 Best Bars list – to town, those being Native (#13 in the world) and Operation Dagger (#23 in the world).

Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st February will see Singapore Social take over the The Rooftop Sydney, fuelled by both Native’s owner and mixologist Vijay Mudaliar who has designed two celebratory cocktails for the event, including a “Forager’s Garden” with Brass Lion Gin, blue pea flowers, pandan kombucha, and wild torch ginger; and Operation Dagger founder Luke Whearty, an Aussie-cum-Singaporean who will also be serving up two special cocktails, one being the “Soapberry Sling” with Soapberry, Longan nectar, fermented oats, and coconut.

MasterChef Australia 2018 winner Sashi Cheliah will be handling the food for the party, drawing on his Singaporean heritage with a five-course degustation menu (on the rooftop) matched with all the aforementioned cocktails. Expect dishes like chilli crab sliders, crispy-skin pork with sweet & sour sauce, and chicken rendang wrapped on roti jala with pineapple cucumber achar.

And you can’t throw a party without music. Singapore’s legendary turntablist DJ KoFlow and pop singer Tabitha Nauser are both on board for the party will be showcasing their respective talents through the night, thrown a little live music in the mix while all that food and drink flow all night.

Entry to Singapore Social is free but reservations from 6pm are advised and can be made HERE.

Address: 200 Sussex Street, Sydney (above the Shelbourne Hotel)

Get Lit at Hidden Sydney

Perth-born festival Hidden is turning into a nation-wide touring festival this year, with plans to stop by Sydney’s Showground on Saturday 2nd March. Fans of hip hop, both of the traditional and mumble varieties, should definitely be paying attention to this one since the single-stage line-up includes Atlanta hotshot J.I.D, alongside TroyBoi, Lil’ Yachty, Godlands and Ski Mask the Slump God. Electronica will also enjoy an equal presence at the festival with Kayzo, CRAY, and Gentlemen’s Club.

Tickets and more information can be found HERE.

Address: 1 Showground Rd, Sydney Olympic Park

Explore Art Month Sydney

Mark Thursday 7th March down in those calendars as that is when the 10th annual Art Month Sydney will officially kick off, reimagining the city with free exhibitions, workshops, panels, studio visits, tours, precinct nights and parties. The milestone will be defined by the institution’s largest and most ambitious program to date, which will of course include a return of the flagship “Art at Night” events, where galleries open late each Thursday for curated walking tours and parties.

There’s a lot to get across so make sure you click through to their official website HERE and start putting together your itinerary.

Party at Barangaroo House

Tri-level hotspot Barangaroo House are in the midst of a multi-day 1st anniversary celebration that kicked off just a few days ago, spread across all three levels – Smoke, Bea, and House Bar – by bringing in a bunch of premium offers, music, entertainment and giveaways. It’ll all be centred around an official birthday bash on Thursday 21st February where Daft Punk tribute band Discovery have been tapped to play across both House Bar and Smoke from 8pm. The celebrations will, however, be lasting right up until Sunday 31st March so you’ve got plenty of time to head along and see what they’re up to, you might even score a free meal or a bonus magnum of Grey Goose while you’re at it.

All information can be found HERE.

Address: 35 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo

Cruise Sydney in a Free Coffee-Fuelled Rickshaw

Nespresso are doing rickshaws now. That’s both a really weird sentence and one that’s entirely true, with Nespresso coming up with an odd way to celebrate their new George Street Boutique location. The recently opened store, defined by its elegant sustainable fit-out which includes tabletops made from recycled coffee grounds, are telegraphing their move from the old Pitt Street store by offering people free rickshaw rides around the city. The route obviously starts from the former Nespresso digs near the entrance of Westfield Sydney (188 Pitt St), buzzes around the city, and ends up at the new store (345 George St). They’ll be doing this until Saturday 2nd March so keep this in mind next time you want to see Sydney from a different perspective.

Address: 188 Pitt Street, Sydney

Feature Image: Barangaroo House

Chris Singh

Chris Singh is an Editor-At-Large at the AU review, loves writing about travel and hospitality, and is partial to a perfectly textured octopus. You can reach him on Instagram: @chrisdsingh.