Ways to make a night of your event - literally!

So you’ve bought yourself a ticket to one of the many stellar events coming up in Sydney. Make the most of that date in the diary by making a night of it – literally. 

 

 

Events are back! And Sydney has something for everyone in the entertainment department. No matter your thing, this city has you covered, from alfresco art shows and cinemas, show-stopping performances on the harbour and superstars storming stages across town, to much-anticipated sporting fixtures, rainbow and glitter shrouded festivals, and a bevy of incredible restaurants, boats and bars providing worthy backdrops to proposals, wedding anniversaries and milestone birthdays.

 

The bookable options are bountiful (tickets pending). But why go home when the curtains close, the bill is signed or the last firework has fizzled?

 

Turn an experience or event into something even more special, fun-filled and memorable with an overnight stay and getaway in Sydney. Redirect the cash you’d be spending on securing CBD parking or ride sharing it home in an Uber, and spend your hard earned on a luxe hotel stay instead.

 

Here are just seven ways you could turn an event into a multi-day experience in Sydney to really make it last as one you will never forget.

 

Let your HAIR down and stay

Some of the best productions from Broadway and London’s West End are making their way to our Harbour City in 2022. Get in early to nab yourself the best seats at one of the fantastic performances coming our way. The dazzling Sydney’s Lyric Theatre (literally down the street from our hotel) will be home to world wide phenomenon Wicked The Musical while The Capitol Theatre in the CBD will host Grease, so you can enjoy the classic from screen to stage. And rather than cabbing it home, make sure it’s not all over after the fat lady sings by booking yourself a room in the city, grabbing a late-night snack and a nightcap on the way (at Wayfarer’s Bar and Cafe perhaps?). 

 

Room recommendation: End the night on a high note in our The City Seeker – Deluxe Queen room.

 

 

Culture vulture and stay 

You’re all about the aesthetics and you’ve scored yourself tickets to one of the big exhibitions on the arts calendar in the city. After a day wandering hall after hall of amazing artworks, rather than working your way home, why not make a quick dash to a hotel and kick off your shoes in minutes! Sydney‘s string of beautiful art galleries showcase works from artists across all mediums, backgrounds and eras in both permanent and one-off exhibitions, so take your pick; after all it’s subjective. Explore the striking new wing at the Art Gallery of NSW which features contemporary works from both Australian and international artists. At the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) in Circular Quay, you can stroll through exhibitions and finish with a meal and glass of wine on the rooftop overlooking the Cruise Passenger Terminal and Opera House. There’s also smaller galleries dotted around town, from 107 in Redfern and Firstdraft in Woolloomooloo to White Rabbit in Chippendale and Sullivan+Strumpf in Zetland.

 

Room recommendation: The art doesn’t need to stop at the gallery, if you stay in one of our The Exhibitionist – Mural Rooms where you can admire our 25-metre-high wall mural by award-winning artist Jess Le Clerc from your window, as though it was your own private exhibition.

 

 

Wine, dine and stay 

So many amazing restaurants and bars to experience in Sydney right now, as we’ve been reminded with the landing of the latest Good Food Guide covering exciting new openings and oldie-but-goodie icons. If you’re a foodie working your way through a list as a matter of course, or you’re after a table at one of the best to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, why not make the most of it and round out the experience with an overnight stay? And if walking to and from your drinking and dining destination is your style, then you’re spoilt for choice in the city, with dining precincts like Barangaroo and Darling Square offering up endless possibilities, while some of Sydney’s most awarded restaurants call the CBD home – from Quay and Bennelong to Bentley and Hubert. In Pyrmont alone, there’s a string of excellent bars and restaurants awaiting your critique, like award-winning LuMi serving modern Italian food with a Japanese twist for their tasting menu, and Sokyo serving the freshest seafood on their menu with an impressive selection of sake and cocktails to boot. And you don’t need to fear the inevitable food coma when you have a quick stroll back to your hotel to crawl into one of the super comfy Sleepmaker beds. 

 

Room recommendation: Book yourself into one of our The Balcony rooms and you can kick off proceedings early with pre-dinner drinks and snacks on your private balcony looking over Darling Harbour with Sydney city in the background.

 

 

Rock all night and stay 

Nothing beats the thrum and thrill of live music. And when your favourite musician or band is in town, make the most of every moment in every way with a memorable musical weekend away. One of Sydney’s shiniest new entertainment venues, ICC Sydney in Darling Harbour boasts an incredible line-up of local and international artists to grace the stage and your ears including Pentatonix and Ruel, to name drop a few for 2023. Also in the CBD is independent rock venue The Metro Theatre with its intimate space and stage, and the famed Sydney Opera House which plays host to bands and musicians both inside its beautiful walls and alfresco on the forecourt. And just 15 minutes away in Moore Park is The Hordern Pavillion which attracts top talent from all over the globe. For something a little different, catch a ferry to Twilight at Taronga Zoo for a once in a lifetime musical experience each summer. Watch the sun set behind the Sydney Harbour Bridge as you jam to your favourite song next to the elephant enclosure – what a treat! Set yourself up with pre-gig drinks at one of Sydney’s many bars, or start proceedings off early and catch live music at one of the local pubs.

 

Room recommendation: Take the stress out of parking, choosing a designated driver or working out how to get home, and know there’s a super comfy bed waiting for you after dancing the night away, in one of our The Snug and Cosy – Standard Queen rooms.

 

 

Kiss the chef and stay

Have you booked or been gifted with a voucher for one of Sydney’s excellent interactive culinary experiences? Turn your foodie activity into a food-filled getaway! Be guided by top chefs as you watch, cook and eat at one of Australia’s leading cooking classes, Sydney Seafood School at the iconic Sydney Fish Market in Pyrmont. Foodie students can watch a live cooking demo before creating the gourmet dish themselves and then enjoying their pièce de résistance with a glass of wine in the stunning private dining room. Or try Cornersmith Cooking School in Potts Point where you can learn to pickle, ferment, make dumplings or cheese. Yes please! After the class you will be armed with new skills and knowledge of seasonal eating and how to reduce food waste while you’re at it. Or live your best ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ life at Pasta Emilia in Sydney’s Surry Hills. Learn the secrets of making the ultimate pasta dough from scratch and then reap the rewards and enjoy your hard work with a glass of organic wine. 

 

Room recommendation: Round out the whole experience with a stay in our Low Roller – Standard King room and add on breakfast so you can eat your way through the weekend.

 

 

Take me out the ball game and stay

Australia is a sports-loving country and Sydney has some of the best venues to watch, cheer and support your favourite sporting legends year-round. Do pre-match prep and post-game celebrations in style by continuing the winning streak with a stay in the city. Grounds of the biggest fixtures on the sporting calendar can be easily reached from the city via public transport or a quick drive. Like the world-class Sydney Cricket Ground in Moore Park which hosts Test, One Day International and Twenty20 cricket, as well as AFL, rugby league, rugby union, and association football. Or there’s the sprawling Sydney Olympic Park, home to some of the biggest sporting events in Australia and top teams the Socceroos, Sydney Kings, NSW Waratahs and State of Origin NSW. Meanwhile, the racing, fashion, food and drink of Royal Randwick racecourse are just a skip away, so you can get dressed up and make a day and a night of the races at spring or autumn carnivals each year. Without having to worry about getting home afterwards! 

 

Room recommendation: Gather a few mates and stay together in one of our The Good Twin single bed rooms, or book two rooms which interconnect for more space together.

 

 

Family fun and stay

If you’re going to go to the effort of lugging the kids along to an event or attraction, why not give yourself extra breathing room and time in your itinerary and a bit of a treat with a getaway to go with it? Enjoy the sights of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge en route to an incredible array of animals great and small with a city stay and ferry trip across the harbour to Taronga Zoo. Or travel by foot, hand-in-hand, across the Pyrmont Bridge and find Nemo at SEA LIFE Sydney aquarium in Darling Harbour. You could even double down and go for an action packed weekend with an attraction pass for the whole family to WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and get a pic with a koala, or Spiderman at Madame Tussauds. Just down the road in Ultimo is the Powerhouse Museum where there are exhibitions the whole family will be interested in!  There’s also the Maritime Museum which hosts both free and paid exhibitions throughout the year, or the Chinese Garden of Friendship to explore (and don’t forget the family-friendly dumplings restaurant for lunch!).

 

Room recommendation: Keep the family together and book interconnecting rooms so they have their space when needed, but you can keep a close eye on them too.

 

 

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For more events, festivals and fixtures on Sydney’s calendar, visit our What’s On page.

 

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Aiden Darling Harbour is located on the fringe of Sydney’s CBD in the village of Pyrmont, with easy access to all forms of transportation, leading to all great Sydney venues and events spaces, including many on foot!

 

If you’re looking to spend the night with us in Sydney, browse our collection of room types here to find the perfect fit for your stay. Any questions? Get in touch with our team at hello@aidendarlingharbour.com.au or call +612 7203 8600.