Five Bars to Visit in The Rocks During Vivid
Where to find tipples with a view during the light festival.
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The Rocks is home to some of Australia's oldest and most classic pubs, but you probably don't spend enough time in the historic area. So we've got some suggestions for you to remedy this during Vivid. Directly across the water from Bennelong Point, The Rocks is perfectly positioned for uninterrupted vistas of the Opera House, Circular Quay and the harbour. So with Vivid officially electrifying the area with light, sound and colour, it's time to take advantage of these sprawling, illuminated views. Here are five bars worth a visit — whether you're after dazzling rooftop sights, historic brews in the heart of it all or a bit of culture with your tipple.
MCA CAFE ROOFTOP BAR
The MCA Cafe's rooftop, waterfront position makes for a pretty extraordinary panorama, taking in the Opera House, the Bridge and Kirribilli. During Vivid, the bar is open until 9pm Wednesday to Sunday, making it an ideal stop on your night out in The Rocks. Miss the early evening crowds over a glass of wine four floors above, and take in unobstructed views of the full projection on the Opera House. You'll also be able to glimpse some more works below. And when you've had your fill (and once the crowds below have cleared some) head back down and out towards Circular Quay so you can see the Organic Vibrations show projected on the MCA itself.
ENDEAVOUR TAP ROOMS
With not only eight brew taps, but also four additional taps for rotating cider, wine and house cocktails, Endeavour Tap Rooms certainly spoils you for choice. Plus thanks to their partnership with Applejack Hospitality (the minds behind Bondi Hardware, Della Hyde and Circular Quay's Hacienda) you'll find yourself sitting pretty in the heritage building fit with stained glass windows, vintage wallpaper and chic chandeliers, all giving the space a living room vibe. Pre-light viewing, pop in before 6.30pm for $5 middies, $9 pints, $10 mystery paddles and bar snacks like $1 wings, plus dressed oysters on a half shell, raw hiramasa kingfish tostadas and crispy, succulent pork hock nibbles.
GLENMORE HOTEL ROOFTOP
Even though the ground floor of The Glenmore has a homey, neighbourhood vibe, during Vivid, it's all about the rooftop terrace. Barring any docked cruise ships, the view of the Opera House is pretty sublime, plus the Harbour Bridge is so close you could almost touch it. Not to mention, the retractable roof is a nice little feature, so you can continue to enjoy the sights even if it starts to rain. Order a bev — there's plenty on tap, plus wines and cocktail jugs if you're with a group — and settle in for a cruisy night overlooking the Vivid glow.
THE LORD NELSON BREWERY HOTEL
Once sandstone house, now historic pub, the Lord Nelson has to be one of Sydney's most iconic places to enjoy a beer. A proper, old English-style pub, with naval prints on the walls, no poker machines and plenty of locals: this is exactly how pubs should be. On tap you'll find the six beers brewed on-site, ranging from a summer ale to a porter. Set further from Circular Quay, the pub is an ideal spot to end up after a winding tour through the Vivid installations in The Rocks. It's also perfectly positioned near Henry Deane at Hotel Palisade to round out the night with more views over the city and a tipple or two.
THE PUSH
Named after the notorious Rocks Push, a ruffian gang during turn-of-the-century Sydney, The Push is an Art Deco incarnation of this group of bandits. Right in the thick of it on George Street near the MCA, the bar offers local and NZ wines, craft and boutique beers and ever-changing list of cocktail specials. Nestle in among the black timber panelling and leather banquettes with one of this month's Vivid-inspired cocktail in hand. The Push has created a menu of tipples touching on the full colour spectrum. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, pink, these cocktails take the Vivid experience inside combining gin with pomegranate, rum with passionfruit, tequila with white grapefruit and vodka with kiwi fruit, for a vibrant, fruity display of drinks.
Find out more things to do in The Rocks during Vivid here.
Top image: Kimberley Low.
