Sydney is a vibrant city with a rich multicultural heritage that contributes to its diverse culture and exciting arts scene. In the inner-city precincts you’ll find wonderful galleries, incredible places to dine and live performances, showcasing Sydney as a world-class destination for the arts. Here is your ultimate creative weekend in Sydney.
FRIDAY
2:00pm: Check-in to the Old Clare Hotel in Chippendale
Arrive at The Old Clare Hotel and check in to the Showroom Suite, complete with a heritage bar, salvaged and restored from the former brewery building on site. The beautifully appointed, design-forward room includes vintage furniture and lamps, a super king-sized bed and a modern oversized bathroom complete with a tub.
3:00pm: Visit the White Rabbit Gallery
Stop in at the White Rabbit Gallery in Chippendale, which presents four floors of vibrant, original, thought-provoking art. The gallery’s collection includes paintings, photography, sculpture, video art, drawings and installations. It also houses one of the world’s most significant collections of Chinese contemporary art and has a teahouse on the ground floor offering simple dumplings and tea.
5:00pm: Dine at Chin Chin in Surry Hills
Chin Chin melds Australian and Southeast Asian flavours in a modern converted warehouse space in Surry Hills. Try its tasting ‘Feed Me’ menu for a selection of dishes to share.
7:30pm: Catch a show at the Belvoir
Belvoir St Theatreis one of Australia’s most respected theatres, with Cate Blanchett and other stars gracing its stages. Since 1984, this much-loved venue has engaged prominent and promising playwrights, actors and directors for an evocative annual artistic program.
SATURDAY
9:00am: Breakfast at Soulmate
Soak up the culture of the Inner West, starting with breakfast in Newtown. Nestled in the suburb’s leafy backstreets, Soulmate is a much-loved, sunny cafe serving delicious brunch and really great coffee with generous service. Don’t leave without trying the McHenry – a hot or cold black coffee topped with whipped cream.
1:00pm: Grab lunch at The Stinking Bishops
Curate your own cheese board at The Stinking Bishops using a selection of hand-selected artisanal cheeses. You can also choose from cured meats and light grazing meals, all paired with an extensive wine list.
3:00pm: Shop til you drop in Newtown
Explore the unique boutiques, bookstores and vintage shops in Newtown, like Reunion and U Turn for second-hand clothes, Hands for lifestyle gifts,P&V Wine & Liquor for Australian and imported natural wines, Rising Sun Workshop for ramen, Better Read Than Dead for books, Aesop for skincare, and much more.
6:00pm: Find your inner drag queen at The Imperial in Erskineville
The Imperial is a jewel of the Inner West. Join the fun at Drag n’ Dine at the venue’s restaurant, Priscilla’s, and be treated to a delicious vegetable-forward dinner and drag show. You may even be called on stage for an impromptu performance. After dinner, head downstairs to dance the night away.
SUNDAY
9:00am: Head to Henry Lee's in Redfern for breakfast
A truly creative space, Henry Lee's is located in the 16 Eveleigh Creative Precinct. Admire original artworks including “Lucky Penny” designed by Vince Frost of Frost Collective.
11:00am: Visit the Art Gallery of NSW
After breakfast, head over to the Art Gallery of NSW to see its latest exhibitions and its latest space, the North Building – a new standalone building that nearly doubles the gallery's architectural footprint and exhibition space.
Discover one of Sydney’s major modern art venues, which hosts regularly changing exhibitions by major international artists such as Annie Leibovitz, Anish Kapoor, Yoko Ono, and Grayson Perry.
5:30pm: End your arts and culture play-cay with drinks and dinner Le Foote in The Rocks
Le Foote was a long-awaited Sydney restaurant – after months of restoration and renovation, the rabbit warren-like venue opened in a heritage-listed, 1838 space. Dine here for Mediterranean-style dishes cooked over coals. Go for the mouthful negronis, stay for the Greco-Roman-style mosaic mural in the back dining space, and cheers to an arts and culture-filled weekend in Sydney.
