November is a tangy mix of bright and moody and although it’s been a tough few months for Sydney let’s leave the past where it belongs. Freedoms have been fast-tracked for fully vaccinated residents which means there is much to look forward to this month. As we transition from Spring to Summer, Sydney promises to put on quite a show with some truly remarkable events around the city. Here is our live list of things to do this November in Sydney.
1. Head to this new 80’s resort-style rooftop bar with all the Palm Springs vibes
With Summer around the corner, we’re ready to step out and bathe in all the glorious sunlight the city has to offer. And lucky for us, there’s a new kid on the block courtesy of Philter Brewing. Sydney’s much loved brewers kept themselves busy during lockdown with this labour of love which has just opened its doors in Marrickville last week. Taking inspiration from elements of 80s garden bars and Palm Springs, the bar aptly named Marrickville Springs is quite the happy respite in the heart of the city.
2. Explore these immersive artworks and installations in The Rocks
The return of the arts and culture industry was possibly the first concrete indicator of life slowly going back to normal post-lockdown. Collaborating with Place Management NSW and The Rocks, Art Pharmacy is now bringing five incredible art pieces to the city’s oldest neighbourhood. The project aptly titled ‘Revival and Renewal’ is here to stay for the next year and aims to infuse new life and energy into the city after a long and uncertain lockdown.
3. Head over to Sea Life Sydney Aquarium for a unique underwater dining experience
Christmas this year is bound to be a little different. It’s like the city is coming out of a deep slumber and more than ready to make up for lost time. Sea Life Sydney Aquarium is bringing a unique Christmas at the Aquarium dining experience to the city which promises an unforgettable time to Sydneysiders.
4. All aboard! Scenic World has finally reopened
A weekend at Scenic World is all the things you love about the Blue Mountains rolled into one. Lush greenery, open skies, thrilling rides and breathtaking views all in one. The Katoomba staple has finally reopened its doors. You can also look forward to the return of Dinosaur Valley from Friday, November 26 which will bring the sprawling rainforest to life with heaps of animatronic dinosaurs.
5. Pure Parisian fun and tales of trickery and illusion await you at The Magician’s Cabaret
The Magician’s Cabaret, hugely popular for its unique setting and dreamy ambience, has remerged post-lockdown with breathtaking dinner and show spectaculars to add a bit of pizzazz to your weekend.
On Fridays, it’s magic that will bewitch you but on Saturdays, you will be charmed by authentic Parisian cabaret performances. Which do you choose?
6-16. Start planning your big adventure with our extensive glamping experiences list
The NSW glamping experience combines the magic of being one with the elements to the luxuries and creature comforts of a hotel that help you unwind and rejuvenate. Where else can you stargaze then wake up to the sweet sounds of waves crashing on the beach… all while sleeping on king-sized beds and air con?
With regional and international travel now back, we’re all pining for an escape from the city. Add these NSW glamping spots to your bucket list for a much-needed escape from the city.
17. A new public art gallery overlooking the harbour has come to town
There’s a new kid on the block — The Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf.
Sydney’s newest public art gallery will officially open to the public on November 4. Housed within the architecturally reworked 122-year-old St Brigid’s building, the gallery will offer some gorgeous views of the Sydney Harbour in Double Bay.
The Gallery has an incredible history with St Brigid’s being one of the few surviving 19th century grand mansions. It has also been the headquarters for the Royal Commission on Espionage and most recently the esteemed Double Bay Library before its relocation.
18. Get tipsy at this gin tasting and tour experience
A sense of adventure gave birth to Finders Distillery—North Sydney’s first—when two young Aussies discovered a love for them (and local produce) on a round-the-world trip. Upon their return they got to work on their own, which is now open (again) for gin tasting tours and drinks.
Housed in an industrial unit in St Leonards, Finders Distillery is by no means the biggest player on in the distillery game. However, their Australian Dry Gin, made with wattle seed and native gum, is award-winning and all the more reason why a visit should be on the cards for all gin enthusiasts.
19-33. Grab a cuppa at some of Sydney’s prettiest cafés that are just too cute to pass
I love a good café and I love it even more when it’s pretty. Despite a year of lockdowns and uncertainty, cafés continue to push the envelope with super creative menu offerings, fun twists to classic dishes, aesthetics to die for, elaborate neon and floral mash ups, and coffee — lots of seriously great coffee. When it comes to Instagram-worthy cafes, we’re spoilt for choice down here in Sydney. Here’s a lowdown of some of our favourites that more than deserve a spot on your feed.
34. Get a sugar rush at this exciting Willy Wonka experience
If you have a sweet tooth you’ll remember the Museum of Love by Sugar Republic earlier this year. Complete with confetti showers and gorgeous backdrops, it was a true feast for the eyes — and for the Instagram feed. Now the team behind the exhibit is bringing a glorious, nostalgia-inducing Willy Wonka themed immersive experience to town and it’s just the escape we need after the last few months!
35. Enjoy a cheeky night out with some seriously hunky male dancers!
Girls just want to have fun. And, really, what’s more fun than being entertained by a parade of men with ripped torsos and bulging biceps dancing on stage? They want hip thrusts, body rolls, props, tricks and for the men to rip, strip and reveal. These women want the Magic Men and the Magic Men are more than happy to strut their stuff on stage. Magic Men are Australia’s best male dancers and their shows serve up a heart-racing and sweat-inducing spectacle.
36-43. Plan a weekend adventure at one of these epic parks and gardens
In just a matter of moments, parks and gardens can transport you away from the hustle and bustle of city life to a place where time lingers, thoughts slow, and nature’s beauty abounds. Whether you go there to look at the flowers and plants, or for a wander along the paths, they are the perfect place to kick back, relax, and take a moment for yourself.
44. Get transported to another world with these mesmerising Candlelight Concerts
Candlelight and classical music sound like the recipe for an enchanting evening. And lucky for us, some of the most beautiful candlelight concerts are back in town this Summer. Right from a dreamy ode to anime to a stunning tribute to Frank Sinatra — Fever is bringing some truly brilliant concerts to the Harbour City and we can’t hardly wait!
Find out all about them here.45-52. Regional travel is back in NSW— here are 8 fantastic day trips to add to your bucket list
Keen to hit the road? If you’re looking to get out of the city now that regional travel is back on the cards, we’ve got you covered. There are heaps of stunning day trips around town loaded with gorgeous landscapes, brilliant cafes and innovative street art. Here are some of our favourites.
53. Tune in to Taronga Zoo’s adorable cub cam
Taronga Zoo announced news of a brand new cub cam not too long ago. Which means you and I can livestream the adorable lion cubs born at the zoo from the comfort of home for a tax-deductible donation of just $7. You can also donate more if you have the means.
Born to mum Maya and dad Ato, the five lion cubs comprising of three females and two males were born on August 12 coinciding with their dad’s birthday. Check out a tiny glimpse of them with their mum.
54. Hit up Sydney’s newest rooftop bar that offers sprawling views of the Blue Mountains
Rooftop bars — we love them and we can never get enough of them here in Sydney. With Summer around the corner and life back to normal after many months, there are so many cool options around the city to explore. Adding to the list is Lady Banks Rooftop Bar, an ambitious venture by the Bankstown Sports Group (BSG).
55-74. Soak up the sun at one of Sydney’s iconic beaches
Sydney is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. A quick Google search tells us that Sydney has over a hundred beaches scattered across the city. And that’s just the recorded number, there are heaps of hidden beaches that manage to stay under the radar. Unsurprisingly, if you were to visit a new beach in Sydney every day, it would take you nearly four months to visit them all. With restrictions slowly easing , we ventured to do the nearly impossible task of listing out some of our favourites around town.
75. Say aloe to some new plant friends thanks to this vibrant Marrickville shop
So many of us became obsessed with the idea of green, leafy plants at home whether in our bedrooms, balconies or windows while we were homebound. PlantGirl in Marrickville, is all things fun and colourful but most of all it has a diverse variety of low-maintenance plants if you’re looking to join the bandwagon.
New to this plant craze and don’t really know where to get started? Head over to their website for a full lowdown on which plants and pots work best together along with a cool DIY service.
76. Grab tickets for this unique dining experience that includes a blindfold and a surprise menu
Imagine stepping inside a darkened restaurant and being served a three-course meal. You struggle at first with the cutlery, but you soon take your first bite and the flavours and textures of what you’re eating are on another level. Your sense of taste is heightened by your loss of sight. Sounds a little bit incredible, right?
An experience that’s been backed by psychologists as an ‘amplified’ way to enjoy food, the enticing Dining In The Dark event returns to Sydney so you can find out for yourself if it’s true.
77. Explore the cosmos through this immersive space exhibition
What’s a better way to step out of the house after ages than taking a journey through the cosmos? Adding to the bumper calendar that we can look forward to this Summer is Neighbourhood Earth by M-Live, the company behind the highly successful Van Gogh Alive.
Science and space enthusiasts are in for a treat with a number of immersive experiences lined up. This dazzling show lit up by a number of projections will allow you to go on a stunning voyage through space including visits to Mars, Jupiter and Pluto.
The multi-sensory experience will also engage visitors through museum quality models, spacecrafts, tools, and astronaut suits while highlighting stories about space exploration and what lies for it in the future.
78-91. It’s rooftop bar season! Check out some of the very best in Sydney
Rooftop bars ooze instant cool. They help us escape the hustle and bustle of the streets without having to leave the city. They also dose us up on vitamin D, expose us to fresh air, and help us feel like we’re on top of the world — even if we’re only a couple storeys up.
It’s hardly surprising then that in a city like Sydney, which bathes in close to 2500 hours of sunlight a year, rooftop bars are a popular choice. Check out our favourites below.
92-95. Explore the harbour with these exciting Captain Cook cruises
Captain Cook Cruises has been crisscrossing Sydney Harbour for the past 50 years and in that time have welcomed aboard some extremely esteemed guests including the Pope, presidents and vice-chancellors, members of Royal families and the Dream Team as well.
More importantly, though, Captain Cook Cruises has hosted thousands of Sydneysiders onboard their fleet of restaurant, sightseeing, ferry and sailing vessels. And they’re not stopping anytime soon.
96. Learn how to make traditional Turkish mosaic lamps at this workshop
Turkish mosaic lamps are stunning. Their unique geometric patterns and designs and range of stunning colours and forms make them a superb addition to any space. But while an original lamp handcrafted in Turkey can set you back a pretty penny, Art Masterclass is teaching the ancient mosaic tradition here at its Turkish mosaic lamp workshops here in Sydney.
97. Wander around Carriageworks and take in their exciting November events
Reopening on November 3, the arts center has an amazing line-up of shows and exhibitions up its sleeve with a spotlight on leading First Nations artists.
Carriageworks CEO Blair French said, “Carriageworks is delighted to reopen with exhibitions by three key voices in Australian
contemporary art who are all current or recent artists in residence at the Clothing Store at Carriageworks. The November program
reflects the multi-arts precinct’s strong focus on supporting First Nations artists and creatives.”
98. Get your fill of drama, adventure and romance at the Japanese Film Festival
The Japanese Film Festival is almost here, and they’ve released their massive line-up to get you excited. Returning to the cinema for its 25th year, this festival showcases the latest and greatest in Japanese cinema. Find spectacular Japanese films at Palace Cinemas (Norton St, Central, Verona and Chauvel) from November 25- December 5.
Discover the full schedule here.
99. Have an evening to remember with The Bamboozle Room’s sexy variety show
The Bamboozle Room, Sydney’s premier venue combining burlesque, cabaret and comedy, has been bringing together risqué vintage glamour with dinner and a show to transport audiences to another time and place since 2016. The good times are still rolling on with this vaudevillian adventure filled with debaucherous antics and plenty of laughs.
On stage at the Bamboozle Room is The Night Cap, a variety show with a huge twist. Guests on this vaudevillian spectacle will be treated to stand-up comedy, choreographed dancing, live-singing and circus performances as well as ooh la la burlesque acts.
100. Live At Mecca resumes its monthly night of bubbles, mezze plates and music in November
Mecca Cafe and Roastery is dishing up sublime nights of music every month with the return of its Live at Mecca series. The first event, which showcased the talent of the Ben Adler Quartet, was a huge success as the concept brought together guests and performers in a relaxed and easy-going space.
Guests will once again be welcomed with a glass of sparkling on arrival before mezze plates loaded up with fire-roasted peppers, feta, olives, hummus and dukkah as well as pickled beets, piccalilli and Ibarra peppers are served and the music begins.
101. Devour the best jaffles in Australia at this Cronulla café
The indulgent cheese toastie is the perfect pick-me-up and lucky for us, the best jaffles in Australia can be found right here at home. Miss Jaffles Café in South Sydney has been crowned the winner for the best jaffles in the country by Wotif in their 2021 Uniquely Aussie Awards.
The Wotif awards, now in their fourth year running, are based on thousands of public nominations and encourage Aussies to explore and discover hidden gems within Australia.