Between the months of May and June, Australia’s oldest and largest city plays host to an array of exciting light installations, music concerts, workshops, public talks and other entertainment programs! Vivid Sydney, arguably the most anticipated festival of Australians, shows support to a diverse lineup of artists and expert individuals from dynamic backgrounds and explores a wide-range of intriguing topics. A show where technology meets art, with light shows, musical powerhouses and resident underground artists! Exploring such displays throughout the city is a tiring activity and filling yourself with refreshments throughout is necessary to fully complete a great night out. This brief guide will assist you with some top spots to eat or drink within the city while you chase the pretty lights!
When searching for the right destinations to capture the essence of Vivid and enjoy a worthwhile dining experience you don't have to go far from the city's Central Business District. The harbour stands witness to some of the major light projections and music performances and the ideal way to enjoy them away from the crowds is to book a seat on the Vivid cruises. The highlight of the night will be the sails of the Opera House which will illuminate with bright colours creating a unique projection and you can get up-close views of this visual treat on a harbour cruise. Choose from some of the top vessels including the authentic paddlewheeler, a multi-million dollar catamaran, or a luxury glass boat. Stroll the outer decks, taking in the harbour views and night breeze, and later head inside the vast dining saloon where you can enjoy a sumptuous dinner menu! Enjoy the freshly prepared dishes and pair it with drinks and other beverages, which can be purchased from the fully licensed bar! The Vivid dinner cruise is undoubtedly one of the best ways to watch the lit-up Harbour Bridge and other surrounding attractions along with delicious dinner and food!
The next best destination on this list is the Opera Bar which is a great way to enjoy the projections produced from several towering structures, especially from the sails of the Opera House. This a great spot to get that instagrammable shot and if you can get a table in this busy restaurant/bar, there’s a whole lot of delicious food and drinks waiting for you. There are options to sit indoors and outside in this huge venue offering pizza and bistro food and an overall relaxing vibe with the harbour bridge and its precinct as backdrop!
Glenmore is one of the most talked about bars in Sydney and is considered to be one of the best, if not the best rooftop beer garden in the city. The views of the harbour spectacles along with its icons are clearer from this area! Formed in 1921, this is a popular destination for Vivid revellers and the retractable roof, along with wooden benches and red chairs, go well with the overall vibe and looks of the bar and kitchen. Watch the sights below and above right from your seats as you feast on some mouth-watering dishes and cocktails! It is important to note that getting early is a priority in this joint too!
Grabbing a seat outdoors on the Barangaroo House is just as good as the food offered there! The Vivid lights will most likely extend down the Barangaroo with light installations scattered around its precincts and along the walking trails and this outdoor seating is the ideal option to be amongst the action. There are multiple levels here including a terrace and a rooftop where you can enjoy a drink and a smoked mushroom on toast while taking a peek at the vivid installations down and above you.
