Mike McEnearney Is Bringing a European Summer-Inspired Food Menu to 2023's Westpac Openair Cinema

A stunning location, a giant 350-square-metre cinema screen, and an impressive range of new and classic movies: that's the Westpac Openair Cinema formula. Come January 2023, Sydneysiders will be able to enjoy that combination for another summer, with one of the city's favourite outdoor movie-watching spots returning for 40 nights from Sunday, January 8—Tuesday, February 21. But don't forget the other huge drawcard: the food.

Westpac Openair Cinema confirmed its dates for its next summer season back in October, and it's also been unveiling a few other tidbits ahead of the full program reveal later in November. One of those is the very important — and tasty — news about the event's culinary lineup, with Kitchen by Mike's Mike McEnearney behind the food range just like in 2022.

While the exact menu hasn't been revealed as yet, the 2023 spread will hero European summer influences — and you'll have two spaces to choose from. The southern end of the event will feature Mike's signature Kitchen by Mike dishes, plus reserved dining tables to eat them at, while The Point will serve up a relaxed range of meals and snacks.

Wondering what you'll be seeing on the big screen, to go with McEnearney's dishes? Three films have been locked in: this year's Palme d'Or-winner Triangle of Sadness, the Harry Styles- and Florence Pugh-starring thrills of Don't Worry Darling and the fashion-focused Mrs Harris Goes to Paris.

Back when the dates were first announced, the team behind the beloved event did drop a few other names of movies that've caught their attention, and that "would be pretty awesome experiences on Sydney Harbour", though. On that list: Elvis, Top Gun: Maverick, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, Fire of Love, Ticket to Paradise, Moonage Daydream and Bros.

Whatever else graces the screen, catching a flick at the Mrs Macquaries Point pop-up cinema is a warm-weather tradition, and those panoramic views of the city, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge that go with it are spectacular.

As happens every year, tickets are likely to go quickly when they go on sale on Monday, December 12 (with pre-sales for Westpac customers from Wednesday, December 7–Friday, December 9). Across the summer of 2018–19, more than 40,000 tickets sold within the first two days of pre-sale — so put it in your diary ASAP.

Westpac Openair 2023 runs from Sunday, January 8—Tuesday, February 21. Tickets will go on sale on Monday, December 12, with pre-sales for Westpac customers from Wednesday, December 7–Friday, December 9 — and we'll update you with further details about the lineup when it is revealed.

Westpac Openair Cinema images: Fiora Sacco.