Negroni Month at YCK Laneways

Overview

There's always something going on in Sydney's nightlife labyrinth, YCK Laneways. This September, the buzzing venues around York, Clarence and Kent streets are painting the town negroni red. To mark Negroni Week's 13th global celebration, the CBD precinct is teaming up with Italian aperitif, Campari, to bring Sydneysiders a month-long negroni festival.

Across the month, participating venues throughout YCK Laneways will be slinging three creative spins on the world's best-selling classic cocktail, including a signature negroni, a non-alc take, and the bartender's choice. 

Wondering which bar to head to first? At PS40, they're known for unexpected cocktail concoctions that include their own house-made sodas. Around the corner at Since I Left You, hang out under the fairy lights in the bar's atmospheric courtyard, while soaking up live music on the Garden Stage. Or at Jolene's, you can enjoy a Nashville-style take on a bar, with live country and western gigs throughout the week. 

While you're exploring the bars and sipping your way through each cocktail variation, you'll also stumble across live jazz music, roving performers, a a chance to win prizes with every negroni purchase. Plus, the laneways will be lit up with Lightstream, a new public lighting artwork that transforms the area into an immersive playgrounds. 

It all leads up to the official Negroni Week — running Monday, September 22 to Sunday, September 28 — which raises proceeds for Campari's charity partner, the Slow Food Negroni Week Fund. This fund supports a range of scholarships, awards and grants, so you'll know every sip goes towards something greater. 

We've all seen the Italian aperitif on cocktail menus. But did you know the negroni — made with equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and Campari, stirred over ice and served with an orange slice — dates back to 1919? The cocktail was named after Count Camillo Negroni, who asked a bartender to strengthen his Americano by swapping soda water for gin. Over a century later, the negroni remains a global favourite, loved for its bitter, sweet and botanical flavours.

So, if you're going to raise a glass this spring, make sure it's red — because there's no Negroni without Campari.

YCK Laneways' Negroni Month runs throughout September 2025 at Burrow Bar, Cash Only Diner, Esteban, Kahii Kissaten, Button Bar, Kuro, Next Door, Papa Gedes, Roast Republic, Since I Left You, Stitch Bar, The Barber Shop, The Duke of Clarence, Vinabar, Jolene's, Little National Hotel, PS40, Uncle Ming's.

Head to the website for venue maps and drink menus.

Please remember to drinkwise.