Vivid Sydney: where to play, stay, eat and drink
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If you’re thinking of a Sydney road trip, there’s never been a better time than now, with Vivid Sydney transforming the city until Saturday 18 June.
The Vivid Sydney 2022 program is bursting with new events, venues, performances, and experiences, including the longest ever continuous Light Walk winding all the way from the Sydney Opera House to Central Station. But if you’d prefer to be in the thick of things, here’s our guide to where to play, stay, eat and drink around Circular Quay.
Play
Lighting of the Sails
Each year, an internationally-renowned artist is commissioned to create an original artwork for projection onto the Sydney Opera House that captures the spirit of the iconic landmark recognised as the cultural epicentre of Australia.
Known as Lighting of the Sails, this year Sydney-based creative technologists Curiious bring to life the stunning Martumili collective painting Yarrkalpa – Hunting Ground, Parnngurr Area 2013 across the spectacular sails, extending the Martu Artists’ stories beyond the walls of a gallery.
Vivid Light Walk
Creating a kaleidoscope of colour on Sydney’s iconic places and secret spaces, this year’s 8km Light Walk features more than 50 installations and projection artworks, including Ken Done’s For Sydney With Love at Customs House, Convergence by Mandylights, and Sydney Infinity.
Get the details.
Vivid Sydney Supper Club
From 10 pm ‘til late on Friday and Saturday nights during the festival, Mary’s Underground is transformed into an intimate cabaret club. Hosted by Trevor Ashley, enjoy a curated program of acclaimed headliners alongside top-flight jazz, cabaret, burlesque, and comedy acts including Mahalia Barnes, Tim Freedman, Bob Downe and Emma Pask.
Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House
Curated by the Sydney Opera House’s Head of Contemporary Music Ben Marshall, Vivid LIVE will transform the world-famous building inside and out, celebrating artists at the forefront of their genres, with more than 70 Australian and international artists presented across seven Opera House venues.
Discover more music here.
Vivid Sydney Harbour Cruise
Escape the crowds and explore the waterways of Sydney Harbour on a spectacular journey that will showcase the stunning foreshore installations. Be captivated by the magic of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and more as they transform into spectacular canvas boards of light, music and 3D projections.
Stay
Pullman Quay Grand Sydney
Want a front-row seat to Vivid? It doesn’t get better than the luxurious Pullman Quay Grand Sydney. Skip the crowds and watch the illuminations from your harbourside balcony, or get amongst it by stepping right outside your hotel doorstep.
With more than 200 searchlights shining across the harbour, over 20 interactive installations across Circular Quay, and the MCA illuminated head to toe, this is the place to stay to make a special weekend of it.
You can even enjoy an exclusive three-course Vivid-inspired menu at Q Dining.
61 Macquarie Street, Sydney | pullmanquaygrandsydneyharbour.com
Eat
Hinchcliff House
Grana, one of Hinchcliff House’s four venues.
This restored 1870s wool store just moments from Circular Quay has been transformed into a multi-level dining and drinking precinct.
There’s pocket-sized café Bar Mammoni, serving up a small breakfast menu, pastries with a difference, pizza by the slice, salads, snacks, sandwiches and more; Apollonia—a history-laden subterranean venue boasting an extensive spirits list and adventurous Italian cocktails; Lana, an Italian-Asian inspired fine-diner, and Grana—an airy and approachable all-day Italian diner driven by fresh and high quality produce.
Grana’s kingfish fillet, speck, white peas, fioretto, salmoriglio.
5 – 7 Young Street, Circular Quay | grana.sydney
Drink
Hyde Hacienda
Want to watch Vivid with drink in hand? Hyde Hacienda Sydney Bar + Lounge serves up breathtaking views of the harbour as well as a cracking cocktail menu (try the colour-changing Vivid cocktail) and mouth-watering South American-inspired eats designed to share.
This pastel oasis with lush foliage, neon lights and private booths also boasts DJs and live music—it’s one of Circular Quay’s hidden gems!
Hyde Hacienda’s Vivid Cocktail
Vivid Sydney is on until Saturday 18 June 2022. Find out more at vividsydney.com.
The HerCanberra Team travelled to Vivid Sydney courtesy of Destination NSW.
