Our guide to where to eat and drink at Vivid Sydney is designed to help you find the best dining options if you are heading to the city to see the Vivid lights. Every bit as captivating as the lights themselves, you’ll want to try as many of these creative eats and cocktails as you can.

Vivid runs from 24 May-15 June 2024

Along with all the official Vivid food events, there are a number of other Vivid-exclusive bar and dining offers that are perhaps a little more accessible. We have shared our top picks below.

We all know things get very busy on the weekends during VIVID Sydney, so for the best chance of nabbing a table:

1. Consider Friday or Sunday for weekend dining. Last year, Saturdays were the busiest dining day – try one of these alternate weekend days for more dining choices. 
2. Book at 5pm or 8pm for increased restaurant availability. In 2023, 6pm and 7pm were the most popular sittings – an off-peak time can increase your chances of snagging your desired table. 

We always suggest the non football-loving book to attend on the State of Origin nights!

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Creative Cocktails & Vivid Bar Events

Zephyr & Jackalberry

Perfectly positioned along the VIVID light walk in Darling Harbour, Zephyr offers a new vantage point to view the light show and a fantastic spot to take in the light show at Cockle Bay.

The Hyatt Regency’s two bars, Zephyr Sky Bar and Jackalberry, will be serving limited-edition cocktails inspired by VIVID. You can expect a lively ambience at both venues with neon signs, funky coasters and glassware, glow-in-the-dark drinks. both venues. To make things even more exciting your cocktails will be created table side on a mobile cocktail trolley.

Bar Blu on 36 at the Shangri La Hotel

Bar Blu’s Sydney Harbour views are legendary and during Vivid this is one of the best places in the city to get an overview of all the colour.

This year you can enjoy a tasting Tapas menu and 3 very special Vivid cocktails.

Choose from:

Where: 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
When: 24 May to 15 June, 5:30pm-9pm.

Grain Bar

Grain bar will unveil a range of cocktails expertly crafted to ‘electrify the senses’, including the adventurous, gin-based “Pot Aau Feu,” which touts flavours of Wagyu Beef.

Where: 199 George Street Sydney 
When: Monday-Thursday 4-11pm; Friday-Saturday 4pm-12am throughout Vivid.

Humanity Sips at Planar

Planar Bar will offer ‘humanity sips’ that represent their take on the essence of four human spirits: serenity, compassion, harmony and resilience.

Where: Planar Bar & Dining. Ground Floor, International Convention Centre, Darling Harbour.
When: 12pm till late, daily during Vivid.

Vivid at the Pullman

The Pullman Sydney Hyde Park will be dishing up a menu of colour for Vivid. Colourful drinks on offer include: the Vivid Paradise, Pink Gin Fizz and the Green Lantern cocktails and the Sydney Sunset Cocktail.

The edible lineup includes barbequed pulled pork or vegan jack fruit sliders with a side of crispy chips, truffle mushroom arancini balls, Mexican beef empanadas with capsicum onion jam and lamb kebabs with pomegranate and mint yoghurt.

Cocktails at QT

Gowings’ Vivid 2024 ‘Kaleidosips’ cocktail collection is inspired by Yvette Mattern’s Global Rainbow which will beam from Sydney Tower. On offer are the following three cocktails ($22-$25).

Twilight Hibiscus – representing the colours blue, indigo and violet, is an exotic elixir reminiscent of the night sky. It comprises a mix of white rum, ginger, Blue Curaçao, pineapple, and hibiscus. 

Blushing Gin Mule – representing pink and green, takes a classic combination of with refreshing spiced ginger beer, fresh lime and Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin and adds a bubble-gum twist.

Golden Glow – representing yellow and arriving in a delicate ice shell. This sweet kick is made with Aqvait, Midori, banana liqueur and fresh lemon.

Where: 1/49 Market St, Sydney 
When: Gowings is open Monday to Saturday

Hello Auntie at Darling Square

#payyourauntieavisit this month! You will not be disappointed. Much loved Vietnamese eatery Hello Auntie will offer two light up Vivid cocktails.

Choose from:

• The Firework (shiraz gin, gin, strawberry and St. Germain elderflower);
• The Auroras (umeshu, sloe sin, Aperol and sparkling wine).

Where: Shop 2/16 Nicolle Walk, Darling Square

Vivid Lights Secret Bar Crawl

Back for its third year, Local Sauce Tours is hosting a special Vivid lights edition of one of their popular Drink & Discover Secret Bar Crawl. Two tour routes are available, each curated to showcase Vivid 2024 installations on the way to three “hidden” bars.

The tour package includes the guided walk by a local expert, reservations at each bar, a beer or wine to get you started, and a shared snack to soak up the drinks. Guests will also receive a map with Local Sauce Tours’ bar recommendations at the end of the tour.

Where: Tour starts at the southern end of the QVB building on Tuesdays and at the “Obelisk of Distances” in Macquarie Place Park on Thursdays.
When: TBC
Cost: $60 per person, find more information and book here.

Vivid Special Dining Deals

Dynasty Dumplings at Luna LU

Luna Lu’s culinary artists have specially crafted Vivid dumplings. Using natural ingredients to create vibrant colours.

Brown Forman x Luna Lu Vivid Cocktails

Luna Lu has also collaborated with Brown Forman to create five stunning Vivid cocktails. They include:

Atelier by Sofitel – A Culinary Connection

The team at Atelier by Sofitel have pulled out all the stops this year for their Vivid Special. A ticket will seat you at one of only 20 window-side tables with a view of the Vivid Sydney Light Walk.

While taking in the lights, you’ll indelibly enjoy the four-course French-inspired menu they’ve put forth. Invoking this year’s theme of human connection, each dish has been crafted to tell a story about the producers, artisans and chefs who made your meal possible. Accompanying the meal is a small book which explains the story behind each course, a message from the chef and a full recipe so you can recreate it at home.

Where: Atelier at the Sofitel Sydney, Darling Harbour.
When: 24th May – 15th June from 5:30pm.
Cost: from $130.

Vivid Fire Kitchen

Calling all street food lovers. This year the Good’s Line near Central Station will be the home of Vivid’s Fire Kitchen.

Explore a global array of fire-cooked dishes, from Tandoor to teppanyaki, First Nations cuisine to hearty sausages. Delight in live demonstrations by leading chefs, sharing the art of fire cooking.

Fire Kitchen will be cooking up a storm every night from 6pm to 11pm.

More Vivid Foodie Fun

Vivid-Inspired Opera House Cake

The iconic Opera House Cake at Bottega Coco has been given a makeover for the occasion. Expertly crafted by head pastry Chef, Valentina Mora, the edible icon is coconut sponge, berry coulis and dark chocolate mousse on a wattleseed biscuit base. While the dessert will set you back a cool $25, you’ll enjoy every bite.

Food Trucks on the Forecourt

A range of food trucks will set up under the Opera House sails from 5pm. Vivid visitors looking for something smaller or more budget-friendly can find small plates, sides and snacks here, with vegan and vegetarian options available. More information about food trucks expected will be provided when available.

Vivid Place Food Trail

Hidden laneways you likely don’t know the name will host a lively night food markets.

Make your way to Ah Toy Lane, Sai Ying Lane, Underwood Street and Bulletin Place and you’ll find a pedestrianised culinary hub with cocktails and culinary choices from around the world produced by some of Australia’s finest chefs and bartenders as well as internationally acclaimed and Michelin starred chefs from abroad.

If that doesn’t catch your eye, note also that the food trail is open late, does not require tickets or bookings in advance, and features its own light installations.

We recommend the infamous Mi Goreng toastie (it’s sooo good) or a highball cocktail in a small underground Japanese Whiskey Bar.

If you have not planned your visit yet, check out all our tips for enjoying your night at Vivid Sydney.

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