We round up the best bars, restaurants and foodie pop-ups to enjoy during the festival.
The Rocks
Watch the Harbour Bridge light up from some of the best seats in town at The Rocks. The city’s popular dining destination will be hosting a series of Vivid culinary and drink events.
An ideal alfresco pit spot on the Vivid Sydney Light Walk, head along to The Rocks Markets on Friday evenings and eat your way around tantalising food trucks, with bites ranging from gozleme and gelato to pizza and BBQ.
Waterfront steakhouse 6HEAD is putting on a bit of gastronomic theatre with a multi-sensory dining event, where guests will have all five senses stimulated.
If you’re looking for a sweet treat, Creperie Suzette is serving up Vivid-inspired delights with rainbow bagels and glitter coffees.
For some of the best views of the illuminated city, head along to the rooftop Blue Bar on 36 and sample some of their special Vivid Sydney cocktails.
Craft beer lovers can pull up a seat at Endeavour Tap Rooms to sample their ‘Glivid’ paddle tasting boards and beer tasters sprinkled with beer.
Circular Quay
After you’ve wandered along the light trail, head down for some cocktails and late-night entertainment at the Vivid Sydney Supper Club. The new addition for 2022 sees basement bar Mary’s Underground in Circular Quay transformed into an intimate cabaret lounge, with entertainment by diva Trevor Ashley. The Vivid Sydney Supper Club runs each Friday and Saturday from 10pm to 1am throughout the festival.
For a truly iconic spot, head along to the Opera Bar and see the Vivid lights illuminate the Sydney Opera House up close.
Late-night revellers will be glad to hear that twelve Circular Quay restaurants and bars will be extending their hours, under the new Vivid Sydney Later initiative. Among the restaurant opening until midnight every Wednesday and Sunday during the festival including Bistecca, Lana, Besuto, Tapavino, Grana, Londres 126, Bar Mammoni and Bouillon l’Entrecote. In addition, a handful of bars including Double Deuce, Apollonia and Maybe Sammy will stay open until 2am.
Carriageworks
The inner-city precinct of Carriageworks is home of one of the best bars in the world and a fantastic spot for a unique tipple. Revolutionary no-waste bar, Re, recently crowned number 46 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2021 list, operates solely on food waste, serving up inventive and delicious cocktails and bites.
If you’re feeling peckish, chef Kylie Kwong’s casual Cantonese eatery, Lucky Kwong in South Eveleigh serves up fresh, flavoursome fare made with locally-sourced produce.
