Your ultimate food and drink guide to Vivid Sydney 2016

From Friday 27th May to 18th June, Sydney will once again be flowing with the unique atmosphere of Vivid Sydney, now a globally renowned festival of lights, music, and ideas that has seen immense growth over the past few years. The immersive lighted precincts around Sydney, from Circular Quay and Walsh Bay to The Galeries and Darling Harbour, will be packed full of things to see, do, hear, and taste, so much so that it can feel overwhelming at times.

We here at the AU are just excited about all the new additions that’ll be extending Vivid’s reach and super-sizing the festival program this year, which includes a whole range of exciting food and drink pop-ups, as well as specials at nearby restaurants, bars, and hotels. To help you navigate we’ve put together a bunch of our favourite food and drink happenings that will be available during the festival. Get across these ones, they’ll help you fuel and re-fuel over and over again while you charge through this year’s stacked program. Stay tuned to this guide as we will be updating it all throughout Vivid Sydney.

Circular Quay + Surrounds

Photo By @AverieCole www.averiecole.com
Oysters at Opera Bar. Credit: Averie Cole

Songlines x Sydney Opera House

Songlines inspire restaurants across Sydney Opera House

This year’s anticipated projections on the Sydney Opera House sails will showcase ancient Aboriginal art and stories in a program titled Songlines. As a response, restaurants across the Opera House will celebrate Australia’s rich culinary heritage with uniquely local ingredients, one such being Opera Bar, which will be offering oyster shots enriched with Indigenous berries and herbs. Also featuring will be ‘bush tucker’ including finger limes (which Rene Redzepi is very fond of), lemon myrtle, and smoked macadamia nuts. Colourful cocktails, a GIF photo booth, projections and lights will add to the playful Vivid Sydney festival atmosphere.

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Opera Bar Cocktails; Credit: Alana Dimou

The three Opera Bar cocktails (as seen above) during the festival are: Blue & Green Should Be Seen (Belvedere vodka, blue curacao, lemon, almond, pineapple, bitters & nutmeg, topped with edible flowers & jellybeans); Pink Light Disco (Hibiscus infused Belvedere vodka, aperol, vanilla, lemon, rhubarb bitters, rosewater mist, laced with Persian fairy floss); and Whip It Good (Belvedere vodka, vanilla, grapefruit soda, topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with hundreds and thousands). All will be available for $19.

Along the Western Foyers of Sydney Opera House, menus carefully curated by Chef Lauren Murdoch will feature award-winning NSW wine and produce, whipped into dishes like the Palmer’s Island Mulloway with roast tomato sauce, saffron potato, and rouille. There will also be a pop-up on the Forecourt serving up Lozzie’s Hot Dogs, jaffles, soup, and other family-friendly food and drinks.

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The Bennelong Billy. Credit: Stefanie_Miocic

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Yabbies at Bennelong. Credit: Nikki To

Moving up to premium dining, Peter Gilmore’s Bennelong will be highlighting the diversity of Australian produce with dishes like the Red Claw Yabbies from Mandandanji country in South West Queensland, served up with lemon jam, cultured cream, and buckwheat pikelets. Also on the menu will be a special cocktail, “The Bennelong Billy”, which is rum-based with river mint, quandong liqueur, and strawberry gum.

More information on Songlines can be found HERE.

Vivid Sydney at Shangri-La Sydney

One of the city’s best hotels offering specials throughout Vivid

Shangri-La Sydney is well placed as one of the best vantage points to watch all the action of Vivid, from a safe distance, away from all the prams with cocktails in hand up at spots like Blu Bar. With four venues across the hotel, Shangri-La have plenty to offer throughout the festival.

Altitude

Shangri-La’s premium dining option will be offering a seven course seasonal tasting menu inspired by the sights and colours of Vivid for $150pp (add $65 for matched wines). Designed by their new Chef de Cuisine, Ricardo Ferriera, the menu will be paired up with wines hand-picked by Executive Sommelier John MacKinnon.

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Cocktails at Blu Bar

Blu Bar

The breathtaking views from Blu Bar will be complemented by colourful Vivid Sydney themed cocktail flights, which highlight the bar’s “Liquid Physics” approach to mixology. $28 will nab you three cocktail samples.

Lobby Lounge

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Throughout Vivid, down in the Lobby Lounge visitors can dig into “Liquid Lights”, which is a bespoke cocktail with rosemary and spice, using homemade grenadine, served with Hiramasa kingfish and garnished with a fresh chili and flaked sea salt. The cocktail and food pairing will be available for $18 throughout Vivid.

Cafe Mix

From 8th to 11th June, for $85pp, visitors will be able to dive headfirst into Cafe Mix’s seafood buffet. The buffet will feature fresh Australia seafood, international and Australian inspired dishes, and desserts designed by famed Exec. Pastry Chef Anna Polyviou.

More information can be found HERE.

Themed Parties at The Argyle

Lights, Music, and Party at this historic venue

Renowned Rocks institution The Argyle will once again be throwing their popular Vivid-inspired themed parties throughout the festival, drawing on various themes to stage elaborate blends of lights, music, and just general party vibes, lasting several days each theme. The first party will be themed after Avatar (27th-29th May), with Wonka (30th-5th June) to follow, then the venue will be designed after Star Wars (6th-12th June), and finally shaped according to the Marvel (13th-18th June) universe.

The Vivid Glow Bar at MCA Cafe

A glowing pop-up on MCA’s terrace

The cafe and sculpture terrace at Museum of Contemporary Art will be home to a special Glow Bar for the duration of Vivid Sydney, featuring Vivid inspired cocktails and a new cafe menu every Thursday to Sunday from 6pm-9pm. The MCA will also be open to the public during this time.

Vivid Stay and Dine Package at Four Seasons

Uninterrupted views across Circular Quay at Four Seasons

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It’s expected that Four Seasons get involved in some way seeing as they are one of the most well known five-star hotels in the city that is also just a stone’s throw from the famous Light Walk. They’ll be featuring a Vivid Sydney Package for visitors which includes overnight accommodation, a buffet breakfast, and a complimentary signature cocktail at their Whisky focused Grain Bar (from AU$330 per night)

Those who just want to pop-up in without staying can also take a seat at Mark Best’s awarded Pei Modern to indulge in specially designed Vivid menus that’ll be offered from Monday to Saturday each night throughout the festival. On offer will be a two-course meal for $49pp or three courses for $59pp. Those who make a dinner booking from 5:30pm to 7pm (Monday-Thursday) will also receive complimentary valet parking at the hotel for up to three hours, a valuable offer for anyone daring to drive to Vivid this year.

More information can be found HERE

Bubsy’s Bar at the Royal Botanic Garden

Wine, Cheese, and soup in an illuminated playground

Grand installations, 3D mapped projections, and a 60 metre long Cathedral of Light will be illustrating the iconic Royal Botanic Gardens at Vivid Sydney this year, an appropriately large and celebratory affair seeing as the gardens are turning 200 years old. Heading over there is an absolute must this year, an area made even more tempting by Bubsy’s Bar, who will be serving up Tyrrell’s and a range of food that includes gourmet cheese toasties, beef brisket rolls, heart-warming soups, and Liquid Lindt chocolate shops. The bar will be open from 6pm to 11pm each night of Vivid Sydney.

More information can be found HERE.

Food Trucks line Hickson Road

Some of Sydney’s best will pull up on Hickson Road

The stretch of Hickson Road Reserve is often where some of the best installations are found, so of course Vivid Sydney needs to complement this with some of the city’s finest food trucks. Those wrapping around from Circular Quay to Hickson Road will find the likes of Happy as Larry, Urban Pasta, Agape Organic, NYPDeli, and more. The line up of food trucks will rotate throughout the festival.

Deep Purple Pool Hall at Sydney Opera House

A purple-lit pop-up bar with a perfect view

Deep Purple Pool Hall
Deep Purple Pool Hall. Credit: Daniel Boud

Deep in the Sydney Opera House (behind the Concert Hall) will be where Tios and The Cliff Dive will once again bring their Deep Purple Pool Hall pop-up bar for Vivid. Fashioned as a hidden speakeasy, the Americana meets Sydney Harbour pool hall will be washed in a glowing purple haze while guests can bang on artisanal beer and wine from some of Australia’s smallest and best producers while battling it out on pool tables. Food curated by Aria Catering will also be available.

More information can be found HERE.

Vivid Dining at The Governors Table

Prix Fixie menus for Vivid pre-dining

Head along to The Governors Table at Museum of Sydney during Vivid for a special Prix Fixe menu that’s being featured alongside their full a la carte dining menu. The Prix Fixe menu is $29 for a main course plus a glass of wine, or $35 for 2 courses, and $45 for 3 courses. Dishes featuring on the menu include a Burrata Mozzarella, Grilled Asparagus, Prosciutto & Rocket, Cumin & Honey Lamb Ribs, and Milk Pudding.

For more information click HERE.

Vivid Specials at Harbour Rocks Hotel, M Gallery by Sofitel

A two-courser at Scarlett or French Crepes in a chic cafe

The marvelous Harbour Rocks Hotel will be offering up a two-course meal at their Scarlett Restaurant for $50, giving visitors the choice of an entree and either main or dessert before they head on out to the nearby Light Walk. Those looking for something a little more casual can always head on into the attached Creperie Suzette for some French treats.

For more information click HERE.

Vivid Early Bird dinner at the Tilbury Woolloomooloo

Dinner specials before heading into the Royal Botanic Gardens

To celebrate Vivid in the Royal Botanic Gardens the nearby Woolloomooloo institution, The Tilbury, will be offering up early-bird dinner specials, featuring 2 courses with a schooner or a glass of Pinot Noir for $40pp.

For more information click HERE

Island Dining at Fort Denison

Fort Dension opens to the public for Vivid

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Fort Denison opens up to the public again during Vivid Sydney, as diners are given the opportunity to view the Sydney Harbour lights from the city’s only harbour island restaurant.

Dinner De-LIGHTS, at Fort Denison Restaurant will be back again on Friday and Saturday evenings during the Vivid Sydney festival, as well as the Sunday of the long weekend. The famed restaurant has just been named in the top five waterfront restaurants in the world, alongside Club Del Doge in Venice and River Café in New York.

Running from 27th May to 18th June, guests are able to explore the festival’s light installations around Circular Quay and the Sydney Opera House, before heading off on a five-minute water taxi to the island. They are then treated to the view of the Harbour Lights boat parade and views back across the city skyline whilst enjoying a two-course dinner from within the heated marquee.

The menu will be specially prepared by Head Chef Jay, and will feature a delectable array of food for any palette or dietary requirement. There is also an extensive wine list for guests to choose from.

The two-course Dinner De-LIGHTS experience is $112.50 per person, and also includes a dedicated private return water taxi transfers to Man O’War Steps, park entry fee and a tour of the historic Martello Tower, the only one of its kind built in Australia, led by the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service.

Dinner De-LIGHTS at Fort Denison Restaurant runs from 27, 28 May and 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 17 & 18 June – dinner sittings are available at 6.30pm, 7.00pm, 7.30pm and 8.00pm.

This event will sell out fast, so book early. For more information or to make a booking, email [email protected] or click HERE

Vivid Cocktails at Theatre Bar at the End of the Wharf

A million dollar view with some Vivid cocktails in hand

The Theatre Bar at the end of the Wharf will be a nice place to escape from the street once you’re done checking out that side of Walsh Bay. Head on up to the historic Pier 4 and continue along to one of Sydney’s most unique and stylish bars to spot glowing harbour vessels while soaking up a menu of Vivid inspired cocktails.

Martin Place

A photo posted by TheJugernauts (@thejugernauts) on

8Bits+Bytes

A pop-up bar featuring burgers and arcade games

Some of Sydney’s best burger joints will be flipping up the goodness at a pop-up bar in Martin Place that’s been fitted out by the creative minds at Motti+Smith and Paper Moose to look like the inside of a vintage arcade game. You won’t miss it with its giant pixelated trees and storm clouds set against a massive LED light wall that’s three metres tall and 30 metres long. Each of the burger joints – Mary’s, Milk Bar by Cafe Ish, Pub Life Kitchen, Bang Bang, Sammy’s Burger Bar, and a special collaboration by Black Star Pastry x N2 Extreme Gelato – will be dishing up exclusive creations made only for the pop-up.

  • Our buddies at Jugernauts (@thejugernauts) have helped curate the whole thing and they’ll be jumping on board with Josh from Cafe Ish to create a Double Dribble burger which is a milk bun filled with double wagyu, double American cheddar, kimchi, green oak lettuce, miso sauce, seaweed, and aioli.
  • Mary’s will be doing up a Pac Man Burger which is a twist on their most loved classic burger, with grass-fed beef, triple cheese, Mary’s BBQ sauce, and onion rings.
  • Bangbang are doing a HACKRoulette (also as a collaboration with Jugernauts): a cheeseburger topped with chilli con carne, more cheese, and umami sauce, finished with a shot of pickle juice.
  • Sammy’s Burger Bar are entering a creation called the Polish Pounder Burger (yet another collaboration with Jugernauts) which comes with a medium custom ground beef patty, cheese, sauerkraut, Polish slab bacon, horseradish mustard sauce, and a dill pickle on toasted brioche.
  • Pub Life Kitchen are keeping their competitor a mystery until closer to the date (check back for updates closer to Vivid).
  • Black Star Pastry, Little Marionette, and N2 Extreme Gelato will be putting forth a special dessert burger inspired by the classic Italian Tiramisu dessert.

A photo posted by TheJugernauts (@thejugernauts) on

You’ll be able to vote on which burger is the best, with the (friendly) competition between all these burger lords tracked in a real time on a digital scoreboard.

Bar Pho and Sundweesh will both be on hand should you ever grow tired of knocking back burgers. Young Henry’s, 4 Pines, Batlow Cider, and James Estate Hunter Valley Wines will be providing the refreshments.

Vivid Sydney at Martin Place Bar

A simple Vivid meal deal for those exploring the precinct

Martin Place will clearly be one of the most popular places to be for Vivid Sydney this year, so one of the precinct’s established venues is a must should you need an escape from the crowd. They’ll be offering up deals including your choice of an MPB Bistro favourite with a middy of James Square or a glass of white/red for $14. Offers will run daily from 5pm, with the bistro open late. A curated list of cocktails will feature, and a number of resident DJs will help soundtrack all those flashing lights on Thursdays and Fridays.

More information can be found HERE.

Sydney CBD + Surrounds

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Specially made cocktails at Hilton Sydney

Hilton Sydney’s Vivid celebrations

The famous hotel adding colour to their menu

Hilton Hotel Sydney will be celebrating Vivid by presenting visitors with colourful delights throughout their many essential food and drink outlets – Marble Bar, Caffe Cino, Zeta Bar, and glass Wine Bar. Each venue will be amplifying some of their most popular offerings with the heart of Vivid Sydney, resulting in – for example – specially made cocktails like The Glassy Pavolva at glass Wine Bar that’s available alongside the restaurant’s renowned petit four selection.

Marble Bar and Zeta Bar will feature a set of four mini sliders served in green, charcoal, yellow, and pink, while Zeta will feature the Lights & Shadow cocktail, made with Ketel One Vodka, limoncello, passionfruit puree, pineapple, lime juice, and jalapeno syrup. For those after something non-alcoholic, Caffe Cino will flaunt colourful coffee with macaroons at the ready.

More information can be found HERE.

Vivid Inspired Dumplings at Lotus, the Galeries

Exclusive dumplings and cocktails in the CBD pre-Vivid

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Lotus, the Galeries will be at the forefront of essential dining options at one of the newest Vivid precincts with both food and cocktails inspired by the festival of light. They’ve put an impressive, highly decorated spin on their usual handcrafted dumpling offers with menu items like the Rainbow Xiao Long Bao and a playful Vivid Cocktail with hibiscus blue tea in elderflower liqueur, Lillet Blanc, gomme syrup, and rosewater, tinged with lemon juice. Dessert has even been switched up with a temporary Lotus ice cream rickshaw popping up at the venue, serving The Lotus Moon, which is mango ice cream dipped in white chocolate and coconut, with a rainbow shimmer (rickshaw available from 5:30pm daily throughout Vivid).

Other Restaurants at The Galeries

Various dining options at one of Vivid’s newest precincts

The Galeries is welcomed into the fold of Vivid precincts this year, and they’ve certainly got the dining options to justify a long meal here before or after visitors explore the dazzling Perspectives installation. Right up until 10pm, those heading along can enjoy meals at The ArtHouse Hotel, Graffiti Italian Ristorante, Lotus (as mentioned above), and Sushi Hotaru, to name a few.

Enchanted Forest at Westfield Sydney

Dine in an enchanted forest for Vivid

Westfield Sydney will be getting in on the Vivid action this year with an Enchanted Forest, providing a nice backdrop for visitors to revel in the centre’s already massive stock of restaurants and food outlets. The Food Court here will be open until 9pm from Thursday to Saturday.

Dinner in the Dark at Sydney Tower

A dinner for the senses far above Vivid Sydney

For one night only, on Saturday 4th June, the renowned 360 Bar and Dining atop Sydney Tower will be hosting ‘Dinner in the Dark’, a special event hosted by Internationally recognised Sommelier Andres Aragon. Aragon will be turning the lights down in the venue to accentuate touch, smell, taste, and sound with a five-course menu crafted with Autumn produce by Head Chef Elton Inglis. Each course will be paired with a matching wine.

For more information click HERE.

Gourmet Hotdogs on the go from The Morrison

Served from an express window

Perfectly places next to both Martin Place and Circular Quay, The Morrison will be opening up an express window to make their popular Parlour menu even more accessible. They’ve also put together what they are calling The Dirty Dog, with bacon, fresh jalapeno, and dirty queso sauce so you can grab on the go on you way down to either precinct.

Vivid Playground at Bowery Lane

A special Vivid menu at one of the area’s best cafes

The excellent Bowery Lane at 1 O’Connell Street will be channeling the colour, energy, and fun of Vivid Sydney into a pop-up fairground taking place at the cafe every Monday to Saturday throughout the festival from 6:30pm. Bowery’s big and bold approach to cafe food will be illustrated with specially crafted menu items like the Vivid Burger and matched Fluro Cocktail. Guests will also be able to choose their own culinary experience with an array of food stalls set up offering everything from Bowery’s salted popcorn and gourmet hotdogs to Wonka-inspired artisan soft serve, rotating weekly.

For more information click HERE.

Twelve Squares at Central Park

A pop-up bar in the park by Twelve Squares

Heading along to Central Park? You’ll find that popular cafe Twelve Squares have popped up a temporary bar located next to Chippendale Green so you can sit back with a drink while immersed in the precinct’s projections. Nearby, the lower ground district will also be buzzing with the space’s usual food outlets which include Ippudo, Ribs & Burgers, and more.

Vivid cocktails at Novotel Sydney Central

A special Vivid Visions cocktail along with dinner reals at Fieldhouse

Pop by Novotel Sydney Central’s Fieldhouse Restaurant before 6pm to gain access to their early-bird, pre-vivid dinner offer from $39pp with a glass of wine. Or for those in a bit of a rush, you can always pull up at the bar and order up their specially made “Vivid Visions” cocktail which is available for $15. The hotel will also be offering a “Vivid by Night” package with stays from $259 per night, which also gives you a buffet breakfast and an express tasting plate dinner for two with a glass of wine at Fieldhouse.

For more information click HERE

Sofitel Sydney Wentworth’s Soiree Bar

Sofitel’s very own in-house light and visual display

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Sofitel Sydney Wentworth are getting into the Vivid spirit by offering up a gin-based Vivid cocktail for $12 each, with a neon coaster thrown in just to keep in theme. They’ll also be hosting their own in-house light and visual display.

For more information click HERE

Vivid Deals at Mercure Sydney Central

Dinner deals and cheese boxes

If you pop by the Four Elements Restaurant in Mercure Sydney Central you’ll find an offering of a two-course meal for $68 per person, presenting choices between any of the dishes from the restaurant’s current menu. Diners will also receive an Australian cheese box to munch on while they go explore Vivid Sydney.

For more information click HERE

Carriageworks + Inner West

Sydney Table at Carriageworks

A special series of dinners marrying food and art

A photo posted by Vivid Sydney (@vividsydney) on

Some of Sydney’s best Chefs have come on board for a series of exclusive dinners at Carriageworks to take place throughout Vivid Sydney, featuring talents from the fields of food, music, art, and design. Limited to just 50 guests a session, talents will descend upon Carraigeworks trendy little space Bay 21 to create experiences curated by Carriageworks Farmers Market Creative Director Mike McEnearney and Carriageworks Director Lisa Havilah. Head Chefs such as Mark Best and Mitch Orr will team up with world class photographers, artists and dancers , showcasing produce sourced from Carraigeworks Farmers Markets (see full itinerary and pairings below).

  • Friday 27 May, 7pm – Mitch Orr, ACME with Amrita Hepi, Dancer and FBi Radio
  • Friday 3 June, 7pm – Sam Miller, Silvereye and Artist Lisa Madigan
  • Saturday 4 June, 7pm – Hamish Ingham, Bar H and Designer Vince Frost
  • Thursday 9 June, 7pm – Mark Best, Marque and Photographer Petrina Tinslay
  • Friday 10 June, 7pm – Claire van Vuuren & Mitchell Grady, Bloodwood and Floral Artist Anna McMahon
  • Friday 17 June, 7pm – Mat Lindsay, Ester and Ceramicist Ion Fukazawa
  • Saturday 18 June, 7pm – Alex Herbert, Bird Cow Fish and Artist Thomas Jackson

Tickets to the exclusive events are priced at $150 a pop, on sale HERE, and include an Archie Rose Signature Dry Gin Martini, with River Mint distillate, Asahi beer and matching wines supplied by Cake Wines.

More information can be found HERE.

Night Market at Carriageworks

Over 50 stalls from the best in NSW

Young Henry’s, Archie Rose, Icebergs, Porteno, and Cornersmith will be among the top Sydney outlets hosting stalls at Carriagework’s The Night Market on the 4th and 18th June. It has been curated by Carriageworks Farmers Market Creative Director Mike McEnearney (who just opened his new restaurant in the CBD) so there’s no doubt of the quality that will be available at Sydney’s first large scale immersive contemporary food and wine event.

FULL STALLHOLDER LINE-UP:
A&W Muscat
Archie Rose
Ashtons Australian Coffee
Billy Kwong
Blini Bar
Brilliant Food
Burrawong Gaian
Cakes Wines
Ce Ce Liqueur
Chrissy’s Cuts Sausages
Cornersmith
Country Valley Dairy
Dessertmakers
Ding the Recipe
Efendy
Freeman Vineyards
Gumnut Chocolates and Biscuits
Hand N Hoe Organic Macadamias
Icebergs
Jollie Gourmet
Jonima Flowers
Juicing by Colours
Kemps Creek Farms
Kitchen Green
Kurrawong Organics
La Bastide
Linga Longa Farm
Melanda Park Pasture Raised Pork
Millamolong Australia
Moobi Valley
Mountain Goat
Naturally Falafel
Neo Organic Tea
Pasta Emilia
Pepe Saya
Porteno
Prickle Hill Produce
Pukara Estate
Salads Direct
Shepherd’s Artisan Bakehouse
Single Origin Roasters
Slow Wine Co.
Sweetness the Patisserie
The Herb Store
The Pines Kiama
Thievery
Thirlmere Poultry
Vale Creek Wines
Watkins Family Farm
Willowbrae Chevre Cheese
Yalla Foods
Young Henrys Brewing Company

Darling Harbour + Surrounds

Vivid in a Glass at Cockle Bay Wharf

Some of the precinct’s finest catch Vivid in a glass

the water-side precinct of Cockle Bay Wharf will once again be bringing back their exclusive food and drink offerings to meet, and surpass, the success of their involvement last year. The renowned dining and entertainment hub will be drawing on some of their best venues to absorb inspiration from all the lights, music, and ideas to design special cocktails and desserts to keep visitors satisfied while roaming street performers in lit-up costumes add to the VIVID atmosphere and complement the Darling Harbour activations in line of sight.

Back by popular demand, each of the participating Cockle Bay Wharf venues (see below) has designed a bespoke $15 cocktail or a decadent $10 chocolate sundae, courtesy of Lindt, served in a keepsake illuminated resin glass.

Eight of the precinct’s top restaurants, clubs, and bars have put forth bright, light, and inventive VIVID cocktails including Boogie Wonderland, made with bitters, elderflower, and sparkling wine, The Huntress, made with in-house barrel-aged Ketel One Vodka, Cointreau, and cranberry juice, and Lemon Teardrop, which is a blend of Limoncello with Vodka, Blue Caracao, lemon juice, and sugar syrup. Venues offering these cocktails include: meat and cocktail staple Hunter & Barrel, crowd favourite Blackbird Cafe, steakhouse I’m Angus, Mediterranean powerhouse Adria, renowned restaurant Nick’s Seafood, live music venue Tokio Hotel Live, harbour mainstay Pontoon, and the legendary Home The Venue.

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Those not after an alcoholic hit can head along to the precinct’s Lindt Chocolate Cafe for a specially made dessert that will only be available for as long as the festival. The Lindt VIVID Sundae will be an indulgent build of vanilla white chocolate ice cream flecked with brownie pieces and topped with gooey chocolate fudge sauce and Chantilly cream which is then finished with shavings of white and dark chocolate.

Cockle Bay Wharf will also host live street performers dressed in LED lit costumes, all of whom will be performing for free every evening from Thursday to Sunday during the festival; presenting everything from stilt walking to fire twirling from acts like Space Ballerina and Birds of Paradise.

For more information on what’s on for Cockle Bay Wharf during VIVID Sydney click HERE.

Vivid Sydney at The Ternary

Kaleidoscope Cocktails at Novotel’s awarded restaurant

Novotel Darling Harbour’s The Ternary will be perfect for watching all the action on Darling Harbour during Vivid, and that all-encompassing view can be bolstered by a special dinner menu to enjoy before you head on out to experience the on-the-water show. Chef Anthony Flowers has designed a menu that highlights all three of the restaurants distinctive offerings – The Grill Kitchen, Asian Kitchen, and Wine Bar – with a choice of either a two ($55) or three ($65) course experience. Dining here will also include the specially crafted Kaleidoscope cocktail (or for the children a Passion Sunrise mocktail + glow pack and map) by The Ternary Bar or a glass of wine, James Square 150 Lashes Pale Ale, or soft drink.

More information can be found HERE.

Vivid Special at Cafe Del Mar

Meal deals on the terrace for one of the precinct’s best views

If you’re heading down to check what Vivid is bringing to Darling Harbour this year then a stop-off at Cafe Del Mar is essential. The team there will be offering not just one of the best vantage points on the harbour from which to view the laser fountain water theatre, but also a $35 meal deal which includes one course plus a glass of Chandon or Peroni on the terrace.

Chatswood

Chow Down in Chatswood

Market Stalls, Food Trucks, and more

Chatswood will no doubt be a popular precinct this year with the Bio-Kenetic energy of WildLight, and so the North Shore’s food and dining hub will definitely be complementing all of that buzz with some of the finest food around. Throughout Vivid Sydney, a range of market stalls and food trucks will be lined up along Anderson Street, while the area’s new Asian inspired Hawker Lane in Westfield Chatswood will be ready, willing, and able to serve up their delicious street food. There’s always Chatswood’s dining precinct, The District, to explore as well.

For the full program of Vivid Sydney head to the official website HERE.

Stay tuned to this guide as we will be updating it all throughout Vivid Sydney

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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.