The Best Rainy Day Activities in Sydney for some Fun Indoors

Whilst we all adore a sunny day in the city, sometimes a rainy day is a good excuse to sample the swathe of groovy indoor activities available to us here in Sydney that go beyond escape rooms and the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium - not that we'd say no to those, either.

We're blessed with plenty of bars and restaurants in which to while away a dreary day, but sometimes eating and drinking just doesn't cut the mustard. So let us sort you out. 

Stuck on what to do in Sydney on a rainy day? From arcade frivolities and gallery-hopping to indoor golf, these are our picks for the best rainy day activities in Sydney. 

Koko Kawaii

Escape the rain and let your creativity run wild at Koko Kawaii, the best arts and crafts cafe in Sydney, where art, Japanese culture and coffee combine, loved by small kids and big kids alike.

From cake and cookie decorating (yes, you get to take them home with you) to DIY keychain creations inside a unique café, this is the cute and cosy place to catch up with the girls, with a side of coffee, bubble waffles, and creativity.

You'll be having so much fun in the studio, you won't even remember that it's miserable outside!

49 -53 Regent St, Chippendale

Indulge in High Tea

Paying homage to the city’s colonial history, Sydney has perfected the art of high tea. One of the best experiences can be had at Gunners Barracks in Mosman, where bite-size sandwiches, cakes and pastries are paired with tea and Champagne, all with views over Sydney Harbour.

Alternatively, Alibi in Woolloomooloo dishes up a plant-based high tea offering. You will get to indulge in the same mini-delectables but with a healthy twist.

If it's a champagne high tea you're after, you can't go past QVB sensation Reign which serves nibbles and tipples in a super luxe setting. 

Gunners Barracks: Suakin Drive, Georges Heights, Mosman 

Alibi: 6 Cowper Wharf Rd, Woolloomooloo

Reign: Level 1, Queen Victoria Building, 455 George Street, Sydney

Hit Up a Micro-Brewery 

Microbreweries have been enjoying their moment in the spotlight for a little while now, and we're thrilled to see the trend continue. After all, the best way to enjoy a brew is to settle in for a while and soak up the ambience.

Manly-based 4 Pines Brewing Company creates distinct, handcrafted beers. See the brewers in action as you drink great beer, eat delicious food and listen to live music. Or head further north to Mona Vale where Modus have set up shop. Settle in for craft beer on tap, high-quality pub food and live music.

Be sure to also add Redfern-based Atomic Beer to your list. If you're all about fancy flavours, you'll want to hit these guys up. 

4 Pines Brewing Company: 29/43–45 East Esplanade, Manly

Modus: 14 Harkeith Street, Mona Vale 

Atomic Beer: 158 Regent Street, Redfern 

Book In a Little "Me Time"

With the sun on hiatus, it's the perfect time to get those beauty treatments in! Whether you fancy an indulgent massage, a fresh mani or need to sort out your brows, Sydney is a treasure trove when it comes to looking your best.

Our personal favourite? The humble foot massage never goes astray, while a little pamper at the hair salon has us reaching for our phones to take a selfie.

Give Bouldering a Go 

If staying indoors is a struggle for you, consider heading to an indoor climbing gym to use up some energy during a bouldering sesh.

Beginners are always welcome (we find rock climbing gyms to be some of the friendliest out there!) and it's a great way to exercise both your body and mind.

There are plenty of gyms located across Sydney, but one of our faves is 9 Degrees which boasts multiple outposts across the city. Easily one of the best rainy day activities in Sydney! 

Multiple locations across Sydney

Spend the Day Gallery-Hopping

As the rain pours outside, head to a gallery to fill your soul with culture and art. The Art Gallery of NSW is more than just a beautiful building.

Inside, you’ll find carefully curated collections of Australian, European and Asian art. Gallery-hop your way quayside to the MCA, which reps Aussie and international artists plus blockbuster exhibitions by the likes of Yoko Ono and Jeff Koons.

Art Gallery of NSW: Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney

MCA: 40 George Street, The Rocks

Head to the Movies

Elevate your movie-going experience at Golden Age Cinema and Bar. Housed in the former Paramount House building in Surry Hills, Golden Age emanates Art Deco vibes with heavy splashes of old Hollywood glamour.

The bar is the perfect place to indulge in a themed cocktail or classic tipple before heading into the petite theatre.

Select from a curated selection of current cult favourites or take a trip down memory lane with one of Golden Age's regularly screened classics. 

80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills 

Challenge Your Pals to a Round of Mini Golf

Grab your clubs and make your way around everyone's favourite putt-putt and games bar, Holey Moley. Practice your aim and putting technique as you complete the 18-hole, Happy Gilmore-approved mini-golf course.

Keep hydrated with Holey Moley's array of colourful cocktails and putt your way through the nostalgic-themed holes - think The Simpsons, Harry Potter and Art Attack - which are sure to bring out the big kid in you. 

Mutliple locations across NSW, find your closest venue here.

Curl Up With a Good Read 

Nothing beats curling up in a cosy corner on a rainy day and getting lost in a book. Well...heading to the bookstore to browse the shelves comes pretty close.

Sydney is blessed with an epic selection of bookshops, each with their own quirky characters. Pop on your rain boots and score yourself a treasure that will be sure to amuse you for many rainy days to come.

Check out our list of top Sydney bookstores here and be on your way. 

Sip on Spirits

When the weather's cold, take a trip to the distillery or cellar door for a drink direct from the barrel. One of the first distilleries on the scene, Archie Rose Distilling Co. is a Rosebery institution known for its limited-release batches and distillery tours. If you're feeling fancy, book in for one of their tasting or mixing experiences.

Manly Spirits is an award-winning boutique distillery on the Northern Beaches where you can taste their gin, vodka and whisky that have been crafted using foraged coastal ingredients.

For a full list of our favourite gin bars head over here. 

Archie Rose Distilling Co: The Cannery, 85 Dunning Avenue, Rosebery

Manly Spirits: 4a/9-13 Winbourne Road, Brookvale

Hang at the Arcade

Hide away from the cruel winter weather at one of Sydney's rad arcades. Not sure where to go? Try the treasure trove that is B. Lucky & Sons.

Not your average drinking spot, hidden behind a vintage pawnshop façade you'll find a luxurious bar and arcade. Work your way through the comfort food menu whilst you play retro arcade games. To quench your thirst, the extravagant drinks menu features an array of creative concoctions.

If pinball and beer sound like your ideal combination, try the Beercade in Redfern which boasts a swathe of themed pinball machines and craft beer on tap. 

B. Lucky & Sons: Shop 207, The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park

Beercade: 113-115 Regent Street, Redfern 

Loved our edit of the best rainy day activities in Sydney and looking for more ways to stay warm inside? Be sure to check out our favourite wine bars and the best hidden gems in Sydney.