Ten Spots Where You Can Refresh Your Weekend Routine in Glebe

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Looking to do something a little different this weekend? Sick of the usual coffee, brunch and bev plans? Make tracks to Glebe. This inner west gem has a lot more on offer than just your standard bars, coffee spots, restaurants and shops (though there are quite a lot of good ones). To spice up your weekends, we've joined forces with Sydney's newest escape room, Myst, to hunt down all of the more sensory experiences you can have around this part of town.

A Dracula-themed escape room, a brisk bayside jog, live music gigs and artisan finds galore — these ten places, dotted throughout Glebe and its surrounds, are sure to awaken your senses. So go on, skip the usual long black and eggs benny breakfast routine and get to Glebe.

GATHER YOUR CREW TO SLAY VAMPIRES AND HUNT FOR GOLD

Glebe is now home to Myst — a brand new and kinda spooky escape room complex. Yes, complex. Here you'll find not only the three themed escape rooms but several board game rooms and an immersive multi-room theatre experience, too. Slay a vampire in Dracula's Dark Awakening, search for hidden treasure in Pirates' Gold or escape from an ancient crypt in the Cursed Tomb room. If that's not enough, your crew can also join a three-hour, case-cracking murder mystery theatre, centred on the Qiang Dynasty. Myst doesn't skimp out on the details, either. Each room has custom-designed props and quality interactive technology to make for a fully immersive (and fully spooky) experience.

EAT YOUR WAY AROUND THE WORLD

Glebe's main drag is dotted with cuisines from all over the world, many of which are under-represented in other parts of inner Sydney. Here, you can eat with your hands at Ethiopian restaurant Jambo Jambo, with its mix of meat and vegetable curries atop plate-sized injera (fermented, spongy buckwheat flatbread). Plus, you can get pots of Ethiopian coffee roasted tableside for a tenner. Or, east from Ethiopia and dig into street food straight from Colombo at Dish Sri Lankan Street Food — the a la carte version of the Toongabbie namesake. You'll get curry and egg-topped hoppers, lamb and sambal murtabak (stuffed pancake), fish dosa and short rib and goat biriyani, just to name a few. And if you're after a quick bite, make your way even further east to Tea Square Cafe, a hole-in-the-wall spot dishing up traditional street eats from Hong Kong, like curried fish balls, red bean mochi French toast and bubble teas.

SCORE ARTISANAL FINDS AT THE GLEBE MARKETS

One of the best markets around town, The Glebe Markets take over Glebe Public School every Saturday, from 10am–4pm. Each week, the markets host more than 50 stalls selling everything from handmade jewellery and vintage and second-hand threads to house plants and antique homewares. For food, think vegan cupcakes, cane juice, arepas, dumplings and, of course, gozleme galore to fuel you as you sift through all the artisanal goodies. Plus, local musicians take over the lawn from noon–3pm with live tunes. And if you really want a refresh, you can even Marie Kondo your wardrobe and set up your own stall with your mates.

FIND YOUR INNER BALANCE AT A YOGA CLASS

To awaken your senses from the inside out, head down the road to Balance Yoga. This studio on Glebe Point Road offers classes every day of the week and even has a donation class on Wednesdays from 12.30–1.30pm for those trying to get your dose of hatha on a budget. Housed within a beautiful heritage building, Balance Yoga seeks to make yoga accessible to all. Mats are provided for each practice and classes range in difficulty, suitable for all levels. The studio also hosts regular workshops and yoga retreats throughout the year.

CATCH A FREE GIG

Being close to both Sydney Uni and UTS, Glebe is a lively hotspot, with a few places where you can catch a live gig — plenty of which are free. Start off at Sappho Books, Cafe and Wine Bar for one of its regular evening gigs and poetry readings in the backyard garden. Occurring a few days a week, Sappho gigs are perfect for kicking back with a glass (or two) of wine, a couple plates of tapas and engaging with an eclectic mix of acts. And if you're in the area on Sundays, don't skip The Little Guy, which hosts live music under the stairs every week, from 6–9pm, with drink specials all day and night.

GET CREATIVE AT THIS CO-WORKING SPACE

If you're looking to get creative, there is plenty going on at The Works Glebe — a three-storey warehouse that is both a co-working hub and showroom for artists of all kinds. With The Works Showroom, the space is as much a retail spot for designers to exhibit their works, as much as it is a creative space, with exhibitions showing regularly. There's also a pop-up store run by local brands and makers on premise. Open seven days a week, it's a go-to for one-of-a-kind and locally made gifts. Basically, any day you head to this multi-purpose creative hub, there'll be something going on.

Kitti Gould.

SEEK OUT GREENER PASTURES AND WATER VIEWS FOR DAYS

The Glebe Foreshore Parks offer a very choice way of shaking up your routine. From Blackwattle Bay Park to Jubilee Park, you'll be surrounded by pleasant water views, grassy areas for a picnic and many a pooch to pet. The scenic trail is a popular spot among locals for strolling, jogging or biking. Come for the views; stay for the vibes. The tranquillity you'll find here truly feels like you've left Sydney and found your way to some coastal town by the bay.

FEAST AT THE SYDNEY FISH MARKETS

The largest seafood market in the southern hemisphere, the Sydney Fish Markets is a local go-to for freshly shucked oysters, grilled mornay lobster, fresh-as fish and chips and even sushi doughnuts — not to mention all the ultra-fresh seafood to cook at home. Open from 7am, the market sees nearly 55 tonnes of fresh seafood auctioned each day. If you're here to dine in, hit up one of the many stalls selling ready-to-eat dishes and opt for one of the outdoor tables for views across Blackwattle Bay or head upstairs for yum cha with a seafood focus and water views.

GO FOR A (HEATED) DIP IN THE MIDDLE OF A PARK

Victoria Park Pool is a favourite for inner-city locals who don't want to make the trek all the way to the beach. And hey, the 50-metre outdoor pool is also heated, so it's even better for winter swims. The pool is open from 6am on weekdays and from 7am on weekends, with entry starting at $6.60 for adults and $5 for students. Plus, there's a  poolside gym that offers yoga sessions and group classes aplenty for an extra jolt of pre- or post-dip exercise.

TRACK DOWN NICHE HOMEWARES

Besides The Glebe Markets, the suburb has plenty to offer in the way of unique homewares, including its disproportionate (and very welcomed) number of bookstores with books both new and used. Of course there's Sappho and the neighbouring Gleebooks but there's also a bookshop dedicated to all things plants Florilegium. After you've stocked up on books to help you grow a green thumb (or just pretty coffee table literature), head to Mosir Life where you can nab handcrafted Japanese designs and trinkets to wear and display. Open only on Saturdays, this boutique stocks a range of wares — from delicate jewellery to homewares in ceramic, wood, glass and metal — all crafted by Japanese artisans.

Shake up your routine starting at Glebe newcomer Myst escape room, then hit one of the above to continue your full refresh.

Top image: Glebe Point Road by James Horan via Destination NSW