What's On This Weekend in Sydney: The Sitchu Edit

Winter is here and Sydney is turning it up with one of the most packed event schedules we've seen to date. We're channelling long lunches, wine bars and weekend road trips. Make the most of these cool days! From Sydney's incredible foodie scene to cocktails with a view, this is the best of what's on in Sydney this weekend...

Groove to Tunes From the Best Female Vinyl DJs With Spice Trader and Hendrick’s Gin

Want to warm up your winter Friday nights? Now you can hear the best female Vinyl DJs in Sydney, at one of the city's best bars while sipping on refreshing Hendrick's Spritz Cocktails.

From 6 pm - 9 pm on Fridays until August 2, Spice Trader Sydney is spinning some sweet vinyl tunes amidst the heritage-listed Porter House building, all with a complimentary Hendricks' Spritz on arrival.

There are a few special Spritzes to choose from, including the Lunar Spritz (Hendrick's Lunar Gin with fresh lemon and ginger ale) and the Neptunia Spritz (Hendrick's Neptunia Gin with fresh mint, topped with prosecco). 

Find out more here.

Friday nights until August 2

From 6 pm - 9 pm 

Spice Trader

The Porter House Hotel

Level 3A, 203 Castlereagh Street, Sydney

Head to Rollers Bakehouse to Sample this Limited-Edition Birthday Treat 

A pilgrimage to Rollers is warranted any time of year but this July even more so. Why? They're serving up a special birthday croissant available on Saturdays and Sundays in July only. This classic twice-baled croissant is filled with a vanilla malted frangipane and rainbow birthday cake. Decorated with pink buttercream and a birthday cake crumble, it's as decadent as baked goods get. 

19 Rialto Lane, Manly 

Visit This Luxury Lodge in the Heart of the Hunter Valley

Just two hours from Sydney, Tower Lodge is the perfect place to call your home away from home while exploring the epicurean experiences and incredible scenery the region has to offer. 

With Spanish-style architecture, generously appointed (and individually styled) and exceptional cuisine, it exudes a relaxed elegance that elevates it above your average Hunter Valley stay. From roaring fireplaces to on-site whiskey tasting and unmatched dining, escape to Tower Lodge for some well-deserved rest and relaxation.

Learn more about Tower Lodge here.

6 Halls Road, Pokolbin

Dine on Morena and Diplomático's Limited-Time 'Taste of Venezuela' Menu

Calling all Sydney foodies. In celebration of World Rum Day, Latin American favourite Morena is teaming up with the good people of Diplomático to provide Sydney connoisseurs with a unique look into Venezuelan flavours. The four-course menu features nine dishes ranging from an MBS 5+ Black Opal wagyu girello drizzled with a jus enhanced with the sweet, fruity vanilla notes of Diplomático rum’s signature Reserva Exclusiva blend, to a classic Latin American flan with coconut and a rum-infused burnt caramel sauce. Naturally, a range of delish rum cocktails are ready and waiting to be paired with the meal. The Diplomático Planas white rum, fermented pineapple tepache, cumin-spiced demerara sugar and sherry has our name on it. Don't miss it!

$150 per person, bookings can be made here

From Monday 15th July to Monday 12th August

1 Martin Place, Sydney

Mould Cheese Festival

If you count cheese as a hobby, not a food group, you’ll want to pop by Australia’s premier cheese event when it touches down in Sydney. What can you expect? Over 100 varieties of cheese of every kind, ready and waiting to be sampled in a fun festival atmosphere. There will also be plenty of cheese-adjacent producers present slinging everything you need for an at-home cheese festival of your own.

$49 per person, tickets available here

Friday 26th July to Sunday 28th July

Carriageworks, Sydney

Celebrate 60 Years with Sofitel (and You Might Just Score 1st Class Euro Rail Passes and a Stay in Paris) 

Luxury hotelier Sofitel is celebrating its 60th birthday in style at Sofitel Darling Harbour's hatted restaurant Atelier. Naturally, the celebrations will be stylish as anything with a six-course dining experience, goodie bags filled with French brands and an incredible lucky door prize. The menu includes classic French dishes like hen egg custard, lobster bisque, dry-aged duck breast and tarte tatin amongst other delights. A pleasant evening, indeed! 

$220 per person including paired wines, tickets available here 

Thursday 25th July 

12 Darling Drive, Sydney 

Partake in a Retro Run 

Need a bit of a winter challenge? Sign up for an 80s-themed retro run and kick some fitness goals this month. The Real Insurance Sydney Harbour 10K and 5K event is perfect for newbies to the running scene and also a great op to get your pals together for a good old dress-up. Neon spandex and big hair are encouraged, and a pre-run 80s aerobic warmup is part and parcel of the experience. There will even be pop culture pit spots! Best of all, it's a great chance to raise funds for the Australian Cancer Research Centre. Head over here for more info and to sign up. 

Sunday 28th July 

Book a Winter Escape with Bannisters by the Sea

Just because it's winter doesn't mean you can't have a magical coastal sojourn. Bannisters by the Sea is offering the perfect two-night package for anyone looking to escape the mundane. 

Wake each morning to a delicious a la carte breaky before heading down to the spa to enjoy 25% off treatments of an hour or more. You can then while away the rest of the day spotting whales, popping out for beach walks and sipping a welcome cocktail and sharing a pizza at the pool bar. You can view further details and book your stay here. 

Available Sunday to Thursday until the end of September 

Swing by Mode Kitchen & Bar to Sample Their Truffle Menu 

If we trust anyone with nailing a truffle menu, it's Executive Chef Francesco Mannelli of Mode Kitchen & Bar. This year, he is serving up truffles for a good time, not a long time and we recommend popping in. Look forward to the likes of zucchini flowers with buffalo ricotta and peas with white truffle, vegetarian tagliatelle “ripiene” with fresh black truffle and risotto Acquerello and black truffle.

Monday 1st July to Wednesday 31st July 

199 George Street, Sydney 

Indulge in a High Tea Buffet 

Winter is a time for feasting and Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park's buffet high tea is the place to do it. Feast on honey-drizzled dishes (from the Sheraton's own urban beehive), savoury bites, cakes, eclairs and mini pavlovas, all topped off by a chocolate fountain. The perfect winter's day out.  

161 Elizabeth Street, Sydney 

Go Whale watching 

Pack a thermos of tea and head out for a whale spotting adventure this month - it's prime time! With whale spotting ops plentiful throughout June and July, you'll have loads of chances to make your way through our edit of the best whale watching spots here. Best part? It's free! 

Score $8 Mini Martinis and Scrummy Bar Snacks at this Elite New Bar 

Fancy a spot of midweek luxury? The park views from The Bar at Sydney Common are calling your name. Swing by between 4:30pm and 6:30pm, Tuesday to Friday, and you can grab yourself $8 mini martinis, $12 negronis and $6 wines, G&T's and Sydney Beer Co lagers. The curated selection of bar snacks means you won't have to leave if you feel peckish. Think Sydney Rock Oysters dressed in finger lime and rice vinegar, roasted artichokes with parmesan custard, fried whitebait with Sichuan salt and prawn katsu sandwiches.

Level 1, Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park 

Asado Sundays at Casa Esquina 

Fond of Argentinian BBQ? Well, your dream Sunday feast has just dropped at Casa Esquina. Throughout winter this new dining gem is transforming their alfresco courtyard into a fire-cooking arena with meats cooked over the open flame. There will also be live music to complete the vibe. Gather the gang and book it in! You can peep the full menu here.  

$150 per person

Sunday 30th June, Sunday 28th July, Sunday 25th August 

79 Elliott Street, Balmain 

Head Off on a Truffle Hunt 

A treasure hunt for adults! If you're down for a little road trip, we recommend popping down to Beltana Farms to explore their 800 truffle trees. You can dine on the good stuff at the Beltana Farm farmhouse or head off for a truffle hunt to learn about the process from start to finish. They're offering hunts throughout the winter truffle season so be sure to book in if you don't want to miss out. 

14 Beltana Road, Pialligo 

Indulge in this Viral Raclette Igloo Experience 

Sydney is COLD and we're leaning into the winter weather with every seasonal delight we can get our hands on. This Raclette Igloo Experience is right at the top of our Wishlist. Enjoy views out over Sydney's skyline whilst ensconced in your own French-Alps-inspired igloo complete with falling snow, fire pits and fairy lights. Sip mulled wine, dine on oozing, melted raclette cheese and finish your night off with fire-roasted marshmallows. What could be better?! 

$99 per person, book your place here

Friday June 28th to Sunday July 28th 

Broadway Sydney Rooftop 

Alphonse Mucha: Spirit of Art Nouveau

Opening in mid-June, Alphonse Mucha: Spirit of Art Nouveau is set to be one of the best art exhibitions in Sydney to see this year. Mucha, a pioneer of modern European art, mesmerised late 19th-century Paris with his seductive, sinuous creations, defining the essence of art nouveau.

Curated in collaboration with the Mucha Foundation in Prague and supported by Destination NSW, this exhibition unveils treasures from the Mucha Family Collection. Explore Mucha's illustrations, jewellery, and more, witnessing his enduring influence on today's art scene.

From iconic posters to his quest for 'art for the people,' Mucha's legacy unfolded throughout the years, guided by his political and spiritual fervour. 

15th June to 22nd September, 2022

Naala Badu, North Building, Lower Level 2, Art Gallery of NSW

Festival of Fire at Gin Lane

What's better than a cocktail? A cocktail on fire! This winter, Gin Lane is celebrating the season with a limited-edition menu celebrating fire, spice and smoke. This is your chance to order the Goblet of Fire (shoutout to our HP fans) as well as a hot gin and tonic made with an original 1850s recipe. 

Monday June 10th to Saturday August 31st 

16 Kensington Street, Sydney 

Unwind with Free Jazz Sessions in The Rocks Every Thursday 

We can't think of a better way to welcome the end of the week. Free to attend, this weekly soiree is ideal for an affordable night out this winter. Wet weather? There's a plan for that! Each week will see a new artist take the stage. You can find the lineup here. Sessions will kick off at 6:30pm before a short break between 7:30pm and 8pm and a second set from 8pm to 9pm. Kick back with a cocktail from Hickson House and let the tunes nudge you through to the weekend. 

From 6pm, every Thursday until Thursday 29th August 

The Rocks Square, Playfair Street 

Haven't found your perfect weekend plans yet? Check out the best new restaurants openings in Sydney or our monthly guide to read about everything else that's happening this month in Sydney.