BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE
With crisp sunny days and fun-filled nights, the Harbour City
sparkles in chilly weather. Beat the chill with Time Out’s 50 things to do – your guide to the best Sydney winter ever
01 Take the kids to see Disney on Ice
It’s Disney Princesses all the way with the latest Disney ice spectacular, with Rapunzel, Cinderella, Snow White and Tiana (not to mention Minnie and Mickey) donning their blades for Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream at Allphones Arena. Jul 8-12. See p33.
02-05 Shimmy the cold away at a dance class
Retrosweat in Bondi allows you to dance to a dozen 1980s songs, led by Shannon Dooley who wears hot-pink Reebok Classics, white legwarmers and a striking bodysuit and crop-top combo. What a feeling! Bondi Pavilion, Queen Elizabeth Dr, Bondi 2026. 02 8362 3400. retrosweat.com.au. 7pm. $20. Wednesdays. You’ll be dancing in the dark at No Lights No Lycra – you can shake it like no one is watching. St Stephen’s Anglican Church, 189 Church St, Newtown 2042. 02 9557 2043. $5. 7.30pm. Thursdays. Learn ballet basics at Absolute Beginners classes at the Sydney Dance Company – under prima ballerina Gina Brescianini. No Black Swan tantrums, please. Pier 4/5, 15 Hickson Rd, Dawes Point 2000. $20. Wed 9.30am & 6.30pm; Fri 6.30pm; Sat 11.30am; Sun 10am. Fight the cold with a Monday twerkout – learn Reggaeton at Dance Central. Pelvic dancing isn’t as easy as it looks. 1/268 Cleveland St, Surry Hills 2010. 02 9319 2268. dancecentral.com.au. $17. Reggaeton: Mon 7.30-8.30pm.
06 Walk the Barrenjoey Lighthouse Track
This weekend walk involves a quick road trip up to Palm Beach, but the high climb offered up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse once you get there offers amazing views of the sea, Pittwater and the national park. It’s not an easy climb – that ridge is steep – but it’s a rewarding 1.5 hours. Palm Beach 2108.
07 Wallow in wintry musical melancholy with Schubert’s Winterreise
Accompanied by Malcolm Martineau on piano, the great Austrian baritone Florian Boesch sings Schubert’s Winterreise, the composer’s 1829 adaptation of 24 poems by Wilhelm Muller. It’s a sombre and beautiful sequence about loneliness, lost love and death, full off images of ice, frost and footprints lost under snow. Sniff. Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney 2000. 02 9250 7111. www.sydneyoperahouse.com. 7pm. $35-$95. Mon Jun 29.
08 Kick back with the best of Bond, James Bond
When it comes to heating up the screen nobody does it better than 007. In anticipation of new flick Spectre, Hayden Orpheum is screening two afternoon marathons featuring the very best James Bond movie for each of the six official 007s to date. On Sun Jul 19, you can catch Sean in Goldfinger (1964), George in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969), plus Roger’s The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). On Sun Jul 26 it’s Tim ( The Living Daylights, 1987), Pierce ( Goldeneye, 1995) and – scorching! – Daniel ( Skyfall, 2012). Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace, 380 Military Rd, Cremorne 2090. 02 9908 4344. www. orpheum.com.au. 1pm. $25. Jul 19 & 26.
09 Savour some cult striptease with Kill Bill: A Burlesque Tribute Parody
The Deadly Viper Assassination Squad are back in a sexy burlesque interpretation of Quentin Tarantino’s cult movies Kill Bill Vols One and Two. From Yakuza queens to schoolgirl assassins to that one in an eyepatch, the night will feature equal parts action and alluring striptease. Because that woman deserves her revenge... and we deserve to be turned on. The Vanguard, Newtown 2042. 02 9557 9409. www.the vanguard.com.au. $38.80-$129.60. Jul 22-26.
12-17 Comfort yourself with a rib-sticking Sunday roast
Dove and Olive
They like to change things up for their Sunday roasts, but on our visit we are pleased as punch with half a chook served with a hearty gravy, big chunks of roast potato, pumpkins and carrots and a sprinkling of chives for $15. 156 Devonshire St, Surry Hills 2010.
Four in Hand Hotel
The Four in Hand kitchen is all over the roast meats business. For our $24 we receive two generous slices of roast pork belly with crisp salty crackling, roast carrot, cauliflower, pumpkin and potato with a rich gravy. 105 Sutherland St, Paddington 2021.
10 Learn how to write for TV at the AFTRS Open Winter School
Chunking a TV series is great for winter but if you’ve ever hankered to write your own then AFTRS Open can help. Their short course on writing for TV teaches scribes how to create a TV drama or comedy. Learn the structure of a TV series, how to run multiple storylines, how to structure an episode, how to create a written pitch, and writing as part of a team. www.aftrs.edu.au. Jul 6-10.
Hotel Centennial Restaurant
It’s not cheap at $35, but it is super tasty. On our visit it is sliced flank steak in a light, peppery jus joined by silky mash, roast heirloom carrots, sweet cubes of beetroot, Dutch carrots and cress. 88 Oxford St, Woollahra 2025.
The Local Taphouse
The Sunday roast here pulls a serious crowd. For $25 you get two slices of perfectly pink roast beef, roast tatties, one enormous roast carrot, broccoli, a swipe of mustard and a big, puffed-up Yorkshire pudding with a well of gravy inside. 122 Flinders St, Darlinghurst 2010.
11 Beg, borrow or steal a ticket to Cate and Rox in The Present
Andrew Upton has adapted Chekhov’s early unfinished play Platonov – about a provincial schoolmaster with an irresistible appeal to women – into a vehicle for Richard Roxburgh and Cate Blanchett (who plays the desperate widow Anna Petrovna). This STC production has understandably sold out, but late-release tickets will be offered to those who sign up. Be quick to see the Rake and the Oscars darling steam up the stage. Roslyn Packer Theatre, 22 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay 2000. 02 9250 1777. www.sydneytheatre.com.au. Aug 4-Sep 19. From $90.
Newtown Hotel
On other days you can build your own dinner, but on Sundays they can plate you a Greek-inspired roast with the lot: pulled lamb topped with a dollop of tzatziki, golden baby potatoes and braised green beans with tomato. 174 King St, Newtown 2042.
The Riverview
The Sunday roast is a hot ticket. Forty-fiveminute wait times are not unheard of, but as a reward for our patience we get a pink slice of roast beef with peas, asparagus, roast potatoes, a Yorkshire pudding and a golden fried ball of goat’s cheese and cauliflower for $25. 29 Birchgrove Rd, Balmain 2041.
18-20 Work up a sweat to the sizzling moves of salsa
The Cuban Place
Down at the Cuban Place on Friday and Saturday nights Lorenzo Y Su Swing heats things up with live Cuban music. There’s salsa dancing aplenty and $14 mojitos all night long to fuel the fun. 125 York St, Sydney 2000. 02 9264 4224. www.the cubanplace.com.au. Fri, Sat.
The Argyle
Heat up your hump day with Salsa Wednesdays in the Rocks. The Argyle hosts a weekly salsa session with DJ Miro spinning Latin and Bachata hits from 8.30pm. 18 Argyle St, The Rocks 2000. www.theargylerocks.com. Wed 8.30pm.
The Establishment
Celebrate All Things Salsa is one of Sydney’s longest running salsa nights every Tuesday evening. There are $12 Mojitos to give you some liquid courage and live percussion to keep you grooving. Beginners can also join in on the fun with free classes from 8pm. 252 George St, Sydney 2000. merivale.com. au. Tue 8pm.
21 Thrill to USA Eagles vs Canada Maples in the International Ice Hockey Cup
he high-speed thrill of ice hockey isn’t something we often get to see in Oz but the Sydney Ice Arena hosts seven titanic clashes between teams of pros representing the USA and Canada. It’s a pucking thrilling sport to behold. Sydney Ice Arena, Norwest Business Park, 11-13 Solent Circuit, Baulkham Hills 2153. sydneyicearena.com. au. Wed, Thu 7.30pm; Sat 5.45pm; Sun 3.30pm. $21.95$61.95. Jun 27-Jul 11.
22 Visit the Blue Mountains for an antiques crawl
The Blue Mountains are (happily) in a time warp. Town centre buildings are original; residential streets are populated with fibro shacks; and there are more teashops, fireside roast dinners and curio stores than you can visit in a day. So it’s no wonder that it’s also a goldmine for antique and vintage treasures. Kick off your antiques crawl at Katoomba Vintage Emporium ( 59 Katoomba St, Katoomba 2780). Nestled in the main shopping drag next to the historic Carrington Hotel, this multi-roomed warren is spread over two levels, with everything from authentic glomesh clutches and felt caps to huge solid oak dressers and hallway stands. Cross the main road to find Mr Pickwick’s ( 86 Katoomba St, Katoomba 2780) and MacArthur’s Arcade ( 84 Katoomba St, Katoomba 2780) just opposite. These cavernous troves are safe bets for early-1900s jewellery, china, velvet lounges and fur coats, with accessories, ornaments, hat stands and other authentically retro delights lurking in between. Move on to Leura and you’ll find Leura Antiques ( 132 Megalong St, Leura 2780) hidden in a laneway off the main shopping drag. Small on space but big on substance, here is where you may discover a pair of 1960s Chanel Mary Janes in unbelievably good condition, or a set of spotless Wedgwood dishes. No Blue Mountains antiques quest is complete without a visit to Victory Theatre Antique Centre ( 15-17 Govetts Leap Rd, Blackheath 2785) in nearby Blackheath. This former cinema is a vintage jackpot and you’ll need to put aside a good hour or two for exploring it properly. Two levels of theatre space are filled with a village-worth of antique and vintage furniture, clothing, precious jewellery and much more.
23 Escape from a terrifying escape room
Puzzle rooms are taking Sydney by storm. The concept is simple: solve a variety of puzzles before your allotted time runs out. There are more than a dozen around town but our favourite is the ParaPark Sydney.
Hungarian expats Noemi and Laszlo Agocs have set up in the business and industrial zones of Mac Park. They’re giving Sydney’s more established companies a run for their money with the expertise and backing of ParaPark – a global network of puzzle rooms that started in Budapest.
We’re a little nervous about the paranormal edge of Passage no. 9, which requires a minimum of three players, but our games masters prepare us with one radio, a torch and a notepad and pen. Our first challenge is to locate the key to open the door – hidden in a wall of key shapes. Success! We’re off, scurrying around the dimly lit space for unusual objects or padlocks. Horrifying sounds echo through the room. Eyes dart to the bookshelf, the mirror, the strange basket in the centre – why is that there? As we collect clues it creates a breadcrumb trail and every member of the team is engaged in a different activity. One navigates a map of symbols, one is on hands and knees searching for a monkey wrench, another pieces wooden blocks together and the final player toys with a remote-controlled car. It’s all hands on deck, but we’re solving brain-teasers faster than Scooby Doo and the Mystery Gang. Tokens, numbers, pictures, nuts and bolts all pile up, seemingly unconnected. We shriek with joy when the wildest ideas give us the result we need. As we get closer to unlocking the final safe, we don’t want to leave – we’re having too much fun. Shaky hands fumble at the last lock… and we’re out! We’re exhausted, exhilarated and totally hooked on the escape room phenomenon. 2/119 Wicks Rd, Macquarie Park 2113. 0415 605 734. paraparksydney.com.au. $30-$45.
24-28 Go ice skating at a winter festival
Bondi Winter Magic Ice Rink
Everybody's favourite beachside rink is back for more slippery thrills. Bondi's Winter Magic ice rink has daily sessions open to skaters of all ages and skill levels. Bondi Pavilion, Bondi 2026. www.bondiwintermagic.org.au. Until Jul 12.
Parramatta Winterlight Festival
The main attraction at Parramatta's Winterlight Festival is the ice rink, but there are also winter-themed workshops, nightly light shows and an alpine winter village and marketplace. Prince Alfred Park, Parramatta 2150. www. discoverparramatta.com. Jun 27-Jul 13.
Sydney Winter Garden
The forecourt at St Mary's Cathedral will be transformed into a winter wonderland for 31 days of ice-cold festivities. There will be pop-up bars, cafés and an ice rink. St Mary’s Cathedral, Cnr College St & Cathedral Sq, Sydney 2000. wintergarden.com.au. Jun 19-Jul 19.
Darling Harbour Cool Yule
There will be an open-air ice-skating rink, which will operate daily, plus the Cool Yule Snow Pit will be back under Pyrmont Bridge so kids can frolic in real snow and build a cute snowman. www.darlingharbour.com. Jun 27-Jul 12.
Cronulla on Ice
Cronulla's outdoor ice-skating rink is suitable for kids from ages two and up. It's made of real ice, and there are free adorable penguin skating aids for those who need a helping hand. Cronulla Plaza, Cronulla 2230. Jun 27-Jul 12.
29 Discover Sydney's art Underbelly
A ‘baby Biennale’ for emerging and experimental artists, Underbelly Arts Festival takes over Cockatoo Island for a two-day show of site-specific works. Cockatoo Island. underbellyarts.com.au. Aug 1-2.
30 Catch must-see musical Matilda
Tony Award-winning smash-hit Matilda the Musical at last premieres in Sydney on July 28. The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Roald Dahl adaptation, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, premiered in 2010, transferring to London’s West End the next year – followed by an extended run on Broadway.
“It leaves you breathless, exhilarated and marvelling at the many ways in which Minchin, Kelly and Dahl demonstrate that growing up is a lifelong endeavour,” said Time Out London’s review. “This is wise, wicked, glorious fun.”
Time Out New York added: “If your rotten mum or dad won’t go, I suggest nicking their wallets and buying tickets yourself.” Sydney Lyric, The Star, Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont 2009. 1300 795 267. au. matildathemusical.com. $79-$199. Jul 28-Nov 8.
32 Argue over the merits of the Archibald Prize winner
The Archibald is Australia’s most prestigious – and publicly debated – art prize. Head along to the Art Gallery of NSW to browse the winning portrait, the finalists, and vote for your favourite for the People’s Choice Award. Jul 18-Sep 27.
31 Strap on your snow boots for the Scandinavian Film Festival
You could be forgiven for thinking that ‘Nordic Noir’ is the only type of cinema coming out of the region. It is a perception that Australia’s second Scandinavian Film Festival is set to counter. The festival’s diverse program includes quirky opening night offering, Here Is Harold: a Norwegian road comedy about a man who sets out to kidnap the founder of Ikea. The Scandinavian droll sense of humour is also apparent in The Grump, a Finnish comedy about a gloomy 80-year-old farmer who raises hell when his son forces him to move to the city. Things get darker: the sombre, impressionistic Finnish film They Have Escaped deals with a teenage boy and girl who run away from a correctional facility for difficult youngsters, and Underdog explores the impact of the economic slowdown in Europe. Lovers of noir won’t be disappointed: Danish crime drama The Absent One follows a cold-case police investigation of the double murder of twin siblings, uncovering dark events at an elite boarding school. Palace Norton St & Palace Verona. www. scandinavianfilmfestival.com. Jul 8-26.
33-37 Warm the cockles with Sydney’s top five hot chocolates
Koko Black
Try the... classic Belgian It’s everything a hot choc should be: rich, creamy, but with a definite hit of highquality dark chocolate at its core. It fills a big beast of a mug, and the milk has been steamed just right so it’s smooth rather than frothy. One of the best you’ll find anywhere in Sydney. Shop 33, Ground Fl, The Strand Arcade, 412-414 George St, Sydney 2000.
Lixie Chocolaterie
Try the... plain Hand-flaked chocolate is mixed with Valrhona cocoa and heated with milk to create a brew that is aerated, not too dense or sweet, and still packs a punch of that deep cocoa-rich flavour we all want. It’s even served in an adorable glass cup and saucer. With a tiny, buttery Madeleine. And the shop has French music playing on the stereo. Are we in Darlo or Montmartre right now? 275 Crown St, Darlinghurst 2010.
Kakawa
Try the... dark No cream, no thickeners, no bullshit. Just a chocolatier heating up house-made ganache and milk in a wee pot over a stove before you. With the barest hint of sweetness, it reveals the raw elements of the chocolate itself: silky, bitter and smoky. There’s a caramel option for those on a sugar mission, and a chilli infusion if you need a good kick up the arse. 147 William St, Darlinghurst 2010.
Coco Chocolate
Try the... rose and black pepper This Kirribilli spot does it with panache – or should we say ganache? The drinks are fullbodied, not too sweet, and made from handflaked chocolate, tempered in-house. Plus it comes in flavours like lavender, cinnamon or our pick: rose and black pepper. You even get some dark chocolate on the side. 3a/9B Broughton St, Kirribilli 2061.
Cremeria de Luca
Try the... dark, creamy Italian More like a chocolate pudding than a drink, it’s heady with the flavour of cocoa and on the sweet, rather than bitter, side of things. Flavours include coconut and gianduja, and the drink is served in cut-glass cups on vintage crockery saucers, with a big scoop of softly whipped cream melting over the top. 84 Ramsay Rd, Five Dock 2046.
39 Get swept away to the music of Russian romantics Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff
St Petersburg-born conductor Vasily Petrenko will lead the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra through Rachmaninoff’s dramatic First Symphony, along with Macedonian pianist Simon Trpceski performing Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto. It’s a double whammy of Russian romanticism. Russian Romantics, Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House, Sydney 2000. 02 9250 7111. www. sydneyoperahouse.com. $39-$126. Jul 22-24.
38 Doll up for a night at the opera
Whether you live in Sydney or are a blow-in, you need to be able to say you've seen an opera at the Sydney Opera House. Opera Australia's winter season includes Graeme Murphy's larger-thanlife production of Puccini's Turandot, about a merciless princess and featuring famous aria ‘Nessun Dorma' ( Jun 24-Aug 28). Verdi's romantic tragedy set in Paris, La Traviata, has plenty of earworms ( Jul 3-22) and there's more Verdi with the vocally challenging Don Carlos ( Jul 14-Aug 15). Mozart's peerless sex comedy The Marriage of Figaro runs Aug 6-29, and the season wraps with Cole Porter's shipboard musical Anything Goes starring Caroline O'Connor ( Sep 8-Oct 4). www.sydneyoperahouse.com.
40 Do the Gunner's Walk at North Head
In this easy but fascinating 1.5 hour walk, amble around the historic North Head site, past military remnants, the former School of Artillery Building and the Quarantine Cemetery and take in spectacular views from the headland’s multiple lookouts. You can even slip into the abandoned tunnels if you dare (just don’t blame us if you get caught). Gatehouse Visitors Centre, North Head Scenic Dr, Manly 2095.
41 Watch whales
Sydney Eco Cruises have just 12 people on board each cruise, for a less crowded, more personalised experience spotting humpbacks, Southern Rights, dolphins, penguins and more. These guys also pride themselves on respecting the creatures’ habitat through education and strict adherence to Maritime guidelines. Customised departure points include Pyrmont Bay, Lavender Bay and Hunters Hill. TueSun 8am & 12.30pm. 0409 125 186. www.austspiritsailingco.com.au.
42-50 Find a pub with a fireplace and put your feet up
3 Weeds
You could easily while away a day among the many nooks of Rozelle’s 3 Weeds Hotel. We can’t think of many better places to hole up than beside the glorious blazer best viewed with a tap beer in hand and sofa below. 197 Evans St, Rozelle 2039.
Alexandria Hotel
During the summer months the beer garden is packed, but once the winter chill sets in the prime real estate is found in the small anteroom with the open fireplace and comfy couches facing the big screen TV. 35 Henderson St, Alexandria 2015.
The Cricketers Arms
You’ll want to head here midweek for some fireside action because Fridays and Saturdays are no-fire days, probably to prevent people getting singed during the weekend rush. 106 Fitzroy St, Surry Hills 2010.
The Hero of Waterloo
Somehow, you just lose track of time here. It’s probably something to do with the low ceilings, Sydney cut-sandstone walls, open fireplace and cold beers. Simple pleasures. 81 Lower Fort St, Millers Point 2000.
The Hotel Steyne
In Manly on a blustery day? Take shelter in one of the window booths, toast your feet by the fireside and just watch the breakers roll in. 75 The Corso, Manly 2095.
The Lord Dudley
Enter the warmth of the Lounge Bar and you’ll find an enormous fireplace roaring a welcome. 236 Jersey Rd, Woollahra 2025.
The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel
The Nelson is convict-mined sandstone walls built around a cheery hearth and microbrewery. Pick up a ploughman’s lunch and one of six award-winning ales brewed on premises. 19 Kent St, The Rocks 2000.
The Old Fitzroy Hotel
The joint houses an in-demand theatre space plus a fireplace, a pool table, and some of the nicest bar staff in the city. They also host short film nights, trivia competitions and live music. What’s not to love? 129 Dowling St, Woolloomooloo 2011.
Riverview Hotel
In the quiet backstreets of Balmain, the Riverview is gussied up in the style of a classic British gastro pub. 29 Birchgrove Rd, Balmain 2041.