Sydney is not only one of the most vibrant cities in the world, it’s a perfect playground for a night out when “girls just wanna have fun”. South and north banks of the Sydney harbor are jam-packed with exciting hotspots, and it’s up to you and your “entourage” to take the most delightful pick.
Before we proceed with this story I just want to point out this is all based on subjective perception of me and my girlfriends – this is our idea of a perfect night out, so it’s only natural if you end up counting yourself among the few that don’t find this sort of “schedule” appealing (after all, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything absolutely everybody likes).
So, without further ado, here’s my idea of a fantastic night out in Sydney with girlfriends.
Kick off with a happy hour at Blackbird Café
The sidewalks that we like to frequent are mostly located in the slice of town between Hyde Park and Tumbalong, though we usually tend to stick to the docks. On the address of 201 Sussex Street, on the picturesque Cockle Bay Wharf, right by the Tokyo Hotel, you’ll find the iconic Blackbird Café, a Sydney cafe with an awesome drink list and one of the most exquisite locations in Sydney.
The place offers both indoor and outdoor options as it overlooks the bay. After you finish ogling at its glamorous modern façade, get into the groove of the happy hour that begins at 3 pm and ends at 6 pm. This time frame makes it a perfect starting point to kick off the night on the town over the weekend.
The beverages are perfect and you are bound to get the bang for your buck, as the pricing goes along the lines of – 5 $5 for local tap beers and Corona, $5 for house wine, $5 for house spirits and cocktails concocted by professional bartenders for $8.
After a few toasts, you are bound to have your spirits lifted and ready for a palate cleansing chat up before you press onward to another adventure.
Slide will leave you speechless
They call it one of Sydney’s best kept secrets, though I can’t see how considering it is a well-advertised location. Immerse yourself in a sea of purple neon and enjoy one of the best entertainment venues in town. Slide is not only a bar and a restaurant, it’s also a cabaret bar, a concept bar and everything you’d want from your night out.
It’s situated inside a converted Art Deco bank building on Golden Mile and it offers delicate French cuisine and cocktail list to die for. Everything you can ingest is a pure piece of art you’ll hardly forget for weeks to come. However, you are not meant to enjoy only food and impressive period architecture. Make sure to catch one of the heart-stopping shows of the renowned circus “degustation” El’ Circo. The entertainment hours usually stretch between 7 pm and 23:30 pm.
Of course, if you are fortunate enough, you can catch one of guest performances, from more regular Aussie guests like Jessica Mauboy to special occasions like Paula Abdul. Over the last decade, Slide has managed to establish a global reputation as the venue where touring singers, performers and (generally) artists can do a performance in an intimate environment.
Have a bite to eat at Pontoon Bar
Let’s go back to the Cockle Bay Wharf (what can I say, for some reason we are partial this particular waterfront). Not so far from Blackbird Café you’ll end up at Pontoon Bar. It’s not a hard place to find, you just keep on walking to the north by the water and you’ll hit it.
The first thing you’ll notice is that it has a fantastic outlook onto Darling Watermark-Large Harbour. You’ll have an excellent view of Pyrmont Bridge and Australian National Maritime Museum across the water. Pontoon Bar is a pretty renowned venue with an established reputation, very modern, downright futuristic interior design and a generally relaxed atmosphere.
What I absolutely love about this place is food – if you don’t have the appetite for more fancy meals in the slide, you can get a fantastic Chicken Schnitzel Burger or a steak sandwich in Pontoon Bar, a true no-nonsense, unpretentious, salt-of-the-earth Aussie cuisine.
Bonus: Where to go next?
This is where my girls and I usually end our night out. However, it doesn’t have to be the case with you and your friends. If we are really in the mood for a wild cocktail of dancing and mingling, we’d hit Chinese Laundry, but there’s a whole sea of hot clubs in this town. You are bound to find a place everyone in your group will enjoy.
As far as nights out are concerned, Sydney has a place for everyone. You are bound to find a club or a hotspot that appears to be literally fashioned to your unique sensibilities, and with the right friends by your side, you’ll be hard-pressed not to have a dizzying amount of fun before you finally hit the bed.
What’s the best place you’ve been with your girlfriends outside your hometown? What’s your drink of choice?
Follow more of Roxana’s adventures at High Style Life.
thanks for the wonderful ideas!