Surry Thrills

Overview

Surry Hills is home to some of Sydney's finest and most beloved restaurants, bars, pubs, hotels and cinemas — from shiny new spots to historic stalwarts. In order to celebrate this bustling suburb, a two-week festival of food, drink, music, art and just about anything else you could imagine is popping up in September.

Surry Thrills encourages downtown Surry Hills venues to flex what they've got and put on enticing one-off events throughout the 16-day program. Think: long lunches, wine tastings, big-name collaborations, bar takeovers, artist talks, art exhibitions, live music and a whole bunch more.

There's a heap of names attached to the festival, both big and small, all pulling together something different as part of the festivities. Some of the highlights include a lobster and champagne lunch at Nomad, an Astral People party and art by Rosie Deacon at Harry's, a retrospective feast celebrating ten years of Chin Chin, and bottomless drinks and fried chicken at Butter.

Declan Blackall Photography

Elsewhere on the program, you'll find private karaoke sessions in the hotel rooms of Harry's; classic thrillers double features including showings of The Silence of the Lambs, Zodiac, Rear Window and Body Double at Golden Age Cinema & Bar; and a massive collaboration between Tio's, Bad Hombres and Ricos Tacos featuring $5 margaritas.

The Paramount House Hotel is also offering deals on hotel rooms as part of the festival if you want to make a whole staycation out of the occasion. If you book a room during Surry Thrills, you'll be treated to a free dinner for two worth $250 per person, complimentary breakfast at Paramount Coffee Project and a lucky-dip item from the hotel's vending machines.

The program is huge, which means there's plenty more that's popping up — and you can explore the whole thing via the Surry Thrills website.

Rosie Deacon