From wonder-inducing light displays, through to thought-provoking discussions and experiences, music that moves and the best of the world’s food and drinks, Vivid Sydney 2024 will offer full sensory immersion for visitors.  

The festival serves up opportunities for both visitors and locals to gather, try something new and connect over a meal or drinks before heading out to be wowed by Light, Music and Ideas.   

To help you sip your way through the 23 nights of the festival, here are some of the top unmissable drinks experiences for Vivid Sydney 2024.  

Curated drinks at Vivid Fire Kitchen

Vivid Fire Kitchen is back in 2024 with delectable offerings at its new location on The Goods Line, bringing together the world’s hottest culinary concepts, curated drinks and cocktails from Archie Rose and Starward and entertainment with demonstrations from local and international pitmasters including California-favourite Shalamar Lane, Christine Manfield, Mindy Woods, Lennox Hastie, Jess Pryles and more.

Sip cocktails on the VividPlace Food Trail 

Step into a bustling night market in the pedestrianised laneways of Sydney Place and Bulletin Place for VividPlace Food Trail. There you can explore over 20 cafes, restaurants, and bars serving up their delicious fare until late.  

Mi goreng toasties, rare Japanese whiskey, fresh-churned gelato, one-off Vivid Sydney specials – try it all amid vibrant light at this pop-up market. Stop in before or after catching the spectacle of the nearby Light Walk.  

Matching the energy of the light show will be a lineup of live music on Thursdays to Saturdays in Sydney Place during the Vivid Sydney festival, including rooftop DJs, roving musicians, and underground live music gigs. 

“Vivid is an annual highlight for Sydney, with the event celebrating the best of the city’s incredible cultural, creative, and culinary scene,” said Karin Ragel, Director of Operations, Lendlease Investment Management. 

As part of the VividPlace Food Trail, an exciting array of cuisines and food offers will be available at Sydney Place with impressive light installations and entertainment set to round out a great experience for workers and visitors to the precinct.”

A selection of Sydney Place’s standout restaurants and bars will also showcase a series of special menus and offers throughout the festival period, such as a rotating selection of Vivid cocktail specials for $15 at Bourke & Ward (above). Learn more

Quay Quarter throwback party

Fine dining chefs from restaurants including Aria, Chiswick and Loulou Bistro will also take over the food court at Quay Quarter for a ’90s throwback party on the opening night of Vivid Sydney.

Tuck Shop will feature food collaborations, arcade games, bake sales and ’90s club hits.

There will also be Midori Splice cocktails from Colin Tam, the bar manager at The Charles.

Savour and sample at Aster 

Sip, savour and ascend to Aster Rooftop Bar at InterContinental Sydney, with unparalleled and breath-taking 270-degree views of Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Guests are invited to experience the sparkling lights of Vivid Sydney 32 levels high in the sky. Begin with a Japanese Fuji
Single Grain Whisky palate cleanser, then enjoy two cocktails set to light up the night, themed around sustainability and human endeavour.

Each cocktail is paired with a seasonal two-course meal.

Here are two highlights from the drinks menu:

Second Chance – Four Pillars Gin, strawberry, brioche, balsamic, yoghurt. Made with sustainability at the forefront, using leftover strawberries from Aster’s drinks menu and brioche from the chicken pate dish. The garnish will also be made from the brioche to create a crunchy edible garnish.

Expedition – Batanga Blanco Tequila, pistachio, tepache, green tea – A cocktail with a discovery theme and a magical glow, made with leftover pineapple from the Aster menu to make tepache, a pineapple-fermented beverage.

Learn more about the Vivid Sydney experience here.

Luxurious drinks with a view at Bennelong 

Vivid Sydney is all about offering experiences for all to enjoy, no matter the taste or budget. This year, you can sit at the bar at Sydney Opera House’s iconic Bennelong Bar and enjoy a special snack and drink by Peter Gilmore for $55.

Each night of the festival, Aurorae at Bennelong Bar will present a symphony of flavours and sounds against the backdrop of the Light Walk’s glow.

It’s a Vivid Sydney exclusive opportunity to experience whatThe New York Times dubbed the “holy grail of Australian restaurants” for an incredible price point. Learn more here.

HQ Neon Lyric Trail

The Hollywood Quarter precinct in Surry Hills will be bathed in a neon glow during Vivid Sydney this year, as the HQ Neon Lyric Trail lights up.

The curated walk invites art and music lovers to muse on the songs and lyrics that have informed our collective past and touched on the concept of humanity. 12 venues present their own interpretation, via song lyrics, which has been transformed into neon for visitors to explore. 

HQ Sydney venues will also be offering food and drink deals, live music gigs, DJ, performances, workshops and guest panels, and special cinema screenings each week. 

For more information go to https://www.hqsydney.com/vivid-24

Cocktails and current affairs at Barangaroo

From 6pm each night, Barangaroo will transform with inspiring projections and installations that spotlight the essence of humanity.

Every weeknight from 6-7pm during Vivid Sydney, patrons can also kick back with a drink and watch as the brightest minds dissect and debate the breaking stories of the day at Barangaroo House. Moderated by the brilliant Tom Wright and features a rotating selection of high-profile change-makers, analysts and experts.

Spiked coffees from Pier Bar

Pier One Sydney Harbour’s Pier Bar is located just minutes away from the incredible light displays of Walsh Bay and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

This year the bar’s baristas are welcoming guests to indulge in a locally crafted Little Marionette coffee before hitting the Vivid Light Walk, with an 18+ option to ‘spike’ the coffee with carefully selected spirits.

Vivid line-up at Luna Lu

Luna Lu has teamed up with Brown Forman on five limited edition cocktails to celebrate Vivid Sydney. They include the Jasmina Negroni with Ford Gin, Campari, dry vermouth, jasmine syrup and Peychauds; the Coconut Margarita with Herradura Reposado, coconut cream, lime juice & Clement by martinique; the Miss Midori with Diplomatico Planas, Midori, lime juice and lemonade; the Kentucky Dream with Woodford Reserve, chestnut liquor and walnut bitters; and the Apple Saketini with Herradura Legend, apple liquor, sake, sugar syrup, citrus acid and gold dust. Learn more here.

Vibrant cocktails at Pumphouse Sydney

Pumphouse Sydney has created a VIVID FIRE, EARTH, AIR, and WATER cocktail menu to bring the connection of the four elements of “Humanity”, the theme of this year’s Vivid Sydney.

The venue has also created special mocktail, HEART, served in a light-up glass that patrons can take home or while they explore the Vivid Light Walk. Learn more here.

Penfolds wines in Sydney’s most iconic restaurant location

Luke’s Table at the Pylon Lookout is back, giving you a chance to dine 87 metres above sea level, from inside one of the Harbour Bridge’s pylons.

The restaurant features dishes from legendary chef Luke Mangan, and is priced at $395 per person for a three-course meal with matching Penfolds wines. 

The evening also features a tour of the Harbour Bridge’s Museum, as you make your way up 200 steps to the Lookout. At the top, enjoy canapes and a glass of Champagne before a beautiful dining experience on a 20-person communal table.

Learn more here

Hickson Vivid House Cocktail Lab launches

Hickson Road Distillery will transform into Hickson VIVID House from 24 May to 15 June.

The main bar will be lit up in striking colours and light projections as patrons choose from a special selection of visually striking cocktails inspired by Vivid Sydney, made and garnished with native botanicals from NSW.

Every Friday and Saturday night from 6pm-11pm Hickson House’s exclusive mezzanine bar will become a VIVID cocktail lab and immersive dark room. The unique sensory experience will include bespoke cocktails, stimulated by UV light, using natural ingredients to change colour.

BridgeClimb is also offering a Vivid Sydney Climb that includes one of the best views of the festival, followed by a post-Climb Hickson House Gin & Tonic at its onsite Hickson House Celebration Bar. Learn more here.

A touch of Vivid Paradise

Situated just steps from all the action, Pullman Sydney Hyde Park’s Bar 36 will be dishing up a cocktail menu filled with colour. Specialties include the Vivid Paradise, Pink Gin Fizz, Green Lantern and a mocktail choice called the Sydney Sunset, to get people in the Vivid mood. Learn more here.

Vivid Sydney announces 2024 food & drink program