Drink and Discover: Six Events Where You Can Level Up Your Learning with a Glass in Hand

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It's never too late to learn. With infinite sources of knowledge on offer, there's no reason to avoid up-skilling. You could scroll through the works of a specialty Tiktokker or catch a multi-hour YouTube documentary of some kind. But that's no way to live. Let's explore ways you can enjoy a great night out in Sydney while also feeding your brain with sweet, sweet knowledge and exciting new ideas.

Nicola Bailey

Raising the Bar: 20 free talks, ten local bars, one night

Experience a different take on pub trivia at Raising the Bar, an unmissable free event that lets you engage with the research and ideas shaping your city. One of the most significant educational events in Sydney's calendar and an annual globally touring series, Raising the Bar originates from the Big Apple and holds regular events in San Francisco, Hong Kong, London, Auckland and, of course, Sydney.

Presented by the City of Sydney and the University of Sydney, it all comes down to 20 free talks across ten Sydney venues for one night only — Tuesday, April 9. This year the theme is 'Healthier Futures', exploring topics like the potential of AI algorithms in treating depression, a case for pet permissions on public transport in Sydney, how works of fiction can shape our realities and how aviation can become emission-free.

The talks will be hosted at The Abercrombie, Wayward Brewing Company, Hotel Harry, Brix Distillery, Hermann's Bar, Soultrap, The Clare Bar, The Barrie, Fortress Sydney and The Private Kitchen. All talks are free, but registration is required.

Astronomy at the Calyx: stargazing in the heart of the Royal Botanic Gardens

The Royal Botanic Gardens aren't mainly known for looking up at the sky but more so for looking down and around at the plants surrounding you. However, an exception can be made inside the immersive 'Love Your Nature' exhibit, where on Wednesday, March 20; Wednesday, April 17; Tuesday, June 18; and Tuesday, October 22, immersive astronomy nights are taking place.

With a free glass of wine on arrival, you'll spend the evening learning from First Nations Astronomer and Astrophysicist Dr Ángel Lopez-Sanchez. You'll hear about how we've discovered the multitude of 'exoplanets' in the stars, including some of the alien details of the closely studied ones, then head outside for personal stargazing led by First Nations storyteller Drew Roberts.

Art Gallery of NSW

Art After Hours: when the Art Gallery of New South Wales stays up past its bedtime

Of all the grand historical architecture found on Macquarie Street, none quite compare to the stoic exterior of the Art Gallery of NSW. Dating back to 1871, the gallery has spent the better part of 150+ years growing into the beating heart of the NSW art industry. It makes sense for a venue like this to operate fully during daylight hours, but there's an after-dark offering every week, too.

That offering is Art After Hours, where the gallery keeps its doors open until 10pm every Wednesday night, giving visitors more time to explore the galleries and enjoy some unique one-off events, too. Options vary on a week-by-week basis in terms of activities, be it a guided tour of a limited-time gallery, a talk from an artist, a film screening, a drop-in workshop, a comedy show or more. You can also grab drinks and dinner from the on-site restaurant and the evenings' pop-up bars.

Future Science Talks: monthly chats with emerging scientists at the East Village

Future Science Talks is an organisation that runs a series of programs all across the country, including a comedy school for scientists and monthly science talks at a Darlinghurst local favourite, the East Village. Future Science Talks champions initiatives designed to connect the general public with the leading work of scientists but also to make those scientists more confident speakers and storytellers.

You can participate in that initiative with Science Talks at the Pub, running on the first Wednesday of every month at 7pm at the East Village. Each month brings together six scientific minds to chat about their field, their research, and how it affects or will affect our lives. Whether the subject under the microscope is climate, microbiology, psychology or technology, there's something for everyone every month.

Kitti Smallbone, Friend in Hand Hotel

Sydney Poetry Lounge: mingle with wordsmiths in a beloved Glebe pub

If after-dark artwork is a little too grand for your tastes, there's a much more intimate event that takes place on a monthly basis in Sydney. If you prefer your learning in a spoken or written format rather than visual, crack open your poetry book and make plans to visit The Friend in Hand Hotel in Glebe.

It's here on the third Wednesday of every month that you'll find the Sydney Poetry Lounge. Each month is an open invite to the community, with ten open-mic slots for three minutes each and appearances from one or two featured poets. Being hosted at the Friend in Hand Hotel ensures you can get a beer and pub feed to go with your poetry too.

Dymocks Books in Bars: meet your favourite Aussie authors over a drink

The odds of you, dear reader, having read this much of our article and not having made a purchase from a Dymocks before are next to none. The massive bookshop brand has a presence all over Australia with some of the biggest bookstores this side of the equator. Dymocks is all about connecting audiences and authors, and one of the ways they do so is through the annual event series Books in Bars.

Every year in the autumn months Dymocks brings some of the rising literary stars of Australia to bars to discuss their new work over drinks and nibbles. For Sydney in 2024, two events remain. On Tuesday, May 7, Anna Downes will discuss her outback-set thriller Red River Road and on Tuesday, May 21 Ariane Beeston will talk through her memoir of motherhood Because I'm Not Myself, You See. Both events will take place at the East Village from 6—8.30pm.

Raising the Bar will be taking place at a variety of Sydney venues on Saturday, April 6th. Events are free, but registration is required. For more information, visit the website.

Header image: Nicola Bailey