Overview
Hanging solo in Sydney can be a beautiful thing. When you're caught up in company you might not notice the little things — like the fact that your train is going over Sydney Harbour on the actual Sydney Harbour Bridge — and you definitely don't get the whole plate of dumplings to yourself. But Sydney ain't no Japan and we don't have a restaurant that will place a giant stuffed animal across from you so you don't feel awkward dining alone, so if you're seeking full loner solitude, it's best to choose your spots wisely.
We got solo artist and new Sydney producer Wishes — who's doing some shows with Neon Indian next month and has just racked up some pretty sweet Spotify stats with his debut single 'I Want To Be Alone With You' — to give us the prime places for successful solo hangs. They're perfect for brooding, staring blankly off into the horizon or simply drowning your lonesome sorrows in a big, beautiful plate of dumplings.
CHINESE NOODLE RESTAURANT(S), HAYMARKET
Best dumplings in Sydney, hands down — and it just happens to be right near my studio. Dirt cheap as well. There are three Chinese Noodle Restaurants in close proximity of each other, but they all offer the same menu, so take your pick. It's communal seating and they pack people in, so they're are perfect for sneaking in a meal alone. I went by myself once and was allocated a seat at a two-seater table. Five minutes later a pretty girl sat opposite me and we struck up a conversation — things we’re going great until it became clear she had come to meet a Tinder date, and after realising I wasn't the guy she was suppose to be meeting, left abruptly. True story.
OBSERVATORY HILL PARK, MILLERS POINT
If you don't have a massive problem with people rocking selfie sticks, then I'd definitely recommend Observatory Hill. Great views of the harbour, and plenty of spaces to sit alone and stare off into the middle distance pensively. I went to the actual observatory (i.e. not the parklands surrounding, but the building housing the telescope) on a year six excursion and, from memory, it was great. So would recommend that too.
THE LOCAL TAPHOUSE, SURRY HILLS
I could have just done a list of five bars to drink in by yourself – but The Local takes the cake. The ambiguous seating arrangement in the downstairs section means that you're unlikely to get that I'm-alone-in-a-bar-and-everyone-is-starting-at-me feeling, as the orientation of the couches defies all logic. For the more outdoorsy solo drinker types, there is a great rooftop bar. Additionally, they have heaps of beers on offer, and they are constantly changing their kegs. Perfect for drowning your lonesome sorrows.
HORNBY LIGHTHOUSE, WATSONS BAY
There's a bit of a walk to get up there, but the Hornby Lighthouse has, without a doubt, the best views of Sydney. It’s pretty much a cliff with a lighthouse and a stone gazebo-like structure. If you stand on said cliff you can see Sydney in all its glory on one side, and the ocean/big wide world on the other. Perfect for loner reflection. Word of warning, though: it's probably a make-out spot at night, so maybe best that you make day of it.
CHINESE GARDENS OF FRIENDSHIP, DARLING HARBOUR
Feeling lonesome in Sydney? Then what better place to go then the Chinese Garden of Friendship. Right? I've never been inside, but the photos look amazing — and apparently they've got real live carp! I went once and baulked at the price of admission, and instead just walked around the outside of the place. I managed to catch a glimpse of a big lizard (Komodo dragon?) through the fence — so if you're cheap, maybe just do that.
By Wishes.
Wishes will be supporting Neon Indian in Wollongong on Monday, December 14 and Sydney at the Oxford Arts Factory on Tuesday, December 15. For more information, visit his Facebook page.
Images: Chinese Noodle Restaurant, Alpha via Flickr; Hornby Lighthouse, Toma Iakopo; Chinese Garden of Friendship, Matt Chan.