Vivid Sydney, an annual celebration of creativity, innovation and technology, will transform Sydney for 23 days from Friday May 26 to Saturday June 17. Now in its 13th year, the festival has prompted venues around the city to offer special packages with food and drink in line with the festivals underlying illumination theme.
There are now countless places where you can sip a Vivid-themed cocktail or tuck into inspired set menus all while soaking in dazzling views of the installations. But what are some of the most mesmerising, memorable and unmissable experiences?
Keep scrolling to build your food and drink itinerary to take in while enjoying Vivid Sydney.
CIRQ’s Winter Kiss, Barangaroo
CIRQ, the rooftop bar on level 26 of Crown Sydney, will be serving a special Vivid cocktail menu throughout the festival period. It’ll include drinks like Aire of Sydney, with Midori, Disaronno Amaretto and Sherry, Storm’s Eye featuring Blue Curacao, and Winter’s Kiss with Tanqueray no. 10, Cointreau and Luxardo Maraschino.
Kanade’s Vivid Cocktail, Wynyard
Kanade’s Vivid Sydney cocktail, pictured below, is made with grape juice, lychee and gin. Pair it with a sashimi and roll combo platter. The restaurant opened on Clarence Street in May this year, and aims to give Sydneysiders a Tokyo experience, without the flights. It’s open for lunch and dinner with a Japanese-Italian fushion kaiseki menu.
Gowings’ My Pink Lady, CBD
Before or after checking out Vivid exhibits, swing by Gowings restaurant and bar in QT Sydney for one of four (or all four, we aren’t judging) festival-themed cocktails. My Pink Lady mixes vodka, lemon, pineapple, cranberry, sage and, for the glowing effect, blue spirulina. The venue is open every night except Sunday.
Neon Ramen Menu by Butter and Archie Rose, Circular Quay
From May 27 to June 17 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 5pm, Neon Ramen will take over the Yallamundi Rooms in the Sydney Opera House, as part of a collab with Surry Hills’ fried chicken venue Butter and distillery Archie Rose Distillery. Guests will be treated to hot ramen with fried chicken, burgers and tenders coated in Archie Rose rum glaze and Butter’s hot cinnamon donuts, while taking in Vivid’s light show on Sydney Harbour.
Me-Gal’s Wild Flower Cocktail at Wild Lights, Mosman
Taronga Zoo’s Wild Lights activation is a trail with over 100 lanterns and lights through animal exhibits. Recently relaunched zoo eatery Me-Gal is open for dinner seven nights a week, and will serve a Vivid-themed Wild Flower cocktail. Guests will also get 10% off their bill with a Wild Lights ticket.
Zephyr Bar’s Disco Mule, CBD
Tucked into Hyatt Regency Sydney, Zephyr Bar is a five-minute stroll from Hyde Park, a great starting point for a Vivid exhibits self-tour. The bar’s mixologists have crafted a special menu of cocktails and mocktails themed to the vibrant colours of Vivid. Available from May 26 to June 17, the Vivid-themed menu features Disco Mule and Illuminate G&T.
Endeavor Tap Rooms’ Vivid Lagerita, The Rocks
The Vivid Citrus Lagerita is a combo of two of Australia’s favourite drinks: beer and Tommy’s Margarita. The beer is a Mexican-style lager brewed at Endeavour Tap Room’s own Rocks brewery. The tequila is a mix of tequila blanco, lime juice and raspberry-infused agave. Glitter is added to the mix because, Vivid.
Chefs on the Harbour on The Jackson, Sydney Harbour
The Jackson, a new superyacht, will host Chefs on the Harbour, a 3.5-hour, all-inclusive dining experience. Three of Australia’s most recognised chefs, Nelly Robinson, Khanh Ong and Mark Olive, will host their own, one-night-only dinner that’ll see them talking through the inspiration behind their five-course menu. A Night With Nelly is on Saturday, May 27, A Night With Khanh on Saturday, June 3 and A Night With Mark on Saturday, June 17.
Colourful Sliders From Pullman Sydney Hyde Park
These colourful sliders and bright blue drink are available only by booking a package stay at Pullman Sydney Hyde Park during Vivid. It includes parking, breakfast and special menu served before exploring the lights. Don’t miss views of the glittering lights from the rooftop pool.
Related: STOP THE PRESSES — Jennifer Coolidge Is Coming to Vivid
Related: Everything You Need to See, Do, Eat and Explore at Vivid Sydney 2023
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