Overview
When a decent drink costs almost $20 and a restaurant main is at least $30, it might seem like $100 can't get you very far in Sydney. But we've set out to show you that you can still enjoy a night out without breaking the bank, thanks to Forage The Rocks.
The Rocks is chock-full of lively bars, restaurants and pubs offering exciting deals throughout the month of August. From happy hour tipples to decadent dinners, these are the top venues around the historic precinct where you can take advantage of exclusive specials and discounts that happen even when Forage the Rocks isn't on. Consider your next group hang sorted.
Pre-Dinner Aperitifs
Start the night off right with happy hour at two of the most elegant venues in The Rocks.
Enjoy a drink with views of Sydney Harbour at Bar Lulu, the upstairs bar of Asian fusion restaurant Luna Lu. Every Sunday to Thursday between 3–6pm, you can get a beer for only $10 or wine and cocktails for $15.
If you're feeling peckish, check out Le Foote's daily happy hour from 5–6pm, which includes a martini, negroni or sbagliato (with prosecco in it, if you know, you know) for $12, a glass of wine for $7 and the signature fish sandwich for $15.
Dinner
Once you've whet your appetite, it's time for a hearty meal to accompany your drinks — and we've found two deals under $30.
Opt to keep the winter chills at bay with a satisfying beef and Guinness pie at The Mercantile Hotel, which is paired with a pint of Guinness for just $25.
Meat lovers should head to The Orient on Friday to tuck into a rump steak with chips and slaw for $26 — get in early, as they are only available until sold out. Wash it down with a cocktail at the pub's terrace bar, Mrs Jones, which will set you back only $15 during happy hour from 5–7pm on Mondays to Wednesdays.
Dessert
No night out is complete without a sweet treat, so we've compiled two options that come in at less than $20.
For a hit of nostalgia and comfort, dig into stacks of fluffy buttermilk pancakes at Sydney establishment Pancakes on The Rocks. Go classic with the Lemon Meringue or Apple Crumble, or indulge in chocolate decadence with the Coco Berry, topped with coconut, cream, chocolate sauce and raspberry coulis. Each option is served with a generous helping of ice cream and costs $15.95.
If you're after something more luxe, meander along Kendall Lane to reach Pony Dining. The modern Australian restaurant offers house-made truffles for $4 apiece, which you can pair with David Franz Botrytis semillon or Gundog Estate muscat for $12 a glass.
Post-Dinner Drinks and Dancing
Now that you're full and fed, it's time to keep the night going strong — and maybe even throw on your dancing shoes.
Step back in time when you grab a drink at Sydney's oldest licensed pub. Dating back to 1828, The Fortune of War boasts beer on tap, glasses of wine starting from $9.80 and cocktails for $20, as well as live music from Wednesday–Sunday. Next door, you'll find The Fortune of War Lock Up, which is the venue's newly opened, more refined sibling, serving the same drinks and pub fare with table service in a refurbished police station from the 1800s.
You can't go to The Rocks without soaking up a view of the harbour, and what better place to do it than with a cold one in hand on the rooftop of The Glenmore Hotel? The Rocks institution hosts DJs on Saturday night and acoustic sets on Sunday, with daily meal and drinks specials, trivia and live sports during the week.
It's beats and bass until the early hours at The Argyle. The versatile venue has been a mainstay of Sydney's nightlife for over 15 years, housing six bars, a courtyard and a nightclub within its heritage digs. There's a $20 cover charge for headline DJs on Friday and an RnB club night on Saturday, or you can drop in during the week to avoid the entry fee.
Find more ways to Forage the Rocks at the website.
Top image: Kristoffer Paulsen