Overview
Sydneysiders have been stepping things right up in 2015. Our bars are more groundbreaking and imaginative, our events more brilliant and immersive, and our restaurants more inventive and experimental. With new openings left, right and centre, Sydney is more vibrant, playful and fun than it ever has been.
At Concrete Playground we encourage exploration and showcase innovation in our city every day, so we thought it fitting to reward those most talented whippersnappers pushing Sydney to be a better, braver city. And so, we are very pleased to announce Concrete Playground's Best of 2015 awards.
Sydney's restaurants that have been recreating the city one dish at a time — quite literally, in the case of Bennelong's mini pavlova ode to the Opera House. Our cafes that continue to redefine our coffee breaks, from crab cake sandwiches to house-brewed coffee lemonade. Our bars that have been reclaiming the night in the face of prevailing lockout laws, one solid negroni at a time; from entire spritz menus to cigarette-inspired cocktails, sharp Japanese whisky joints to Sydney's first distillery in 160 years. And our new (or renewed) pubs that have the biggest hurdle to face — history. Renovating a pub is one thing, but creating a new local is an art.
Sydney's new event producers that have found new ways to celebrate Sydney life, reinvigorating dwindling or hidden spaces, and taking us on wild adventures in our own home. Our savvy business minds that have been hard at work inventing and developing the nifty new gadgets, services and products we can't stop talking about. From SmartCups to crowdfunded gin, anything-goes delivery services to alternative gym passes, local businesses have been making our lives much easier this year.
Click through for the nominations for:
These 36 outstanding Sydney (or Sydney-based) ventures have been handpicked by CP for a combination of their originality, innovation, creativity, accessibility and sustainability — we straight-up love 'em.
Winners will be announced Monday, December 21.