Jasmine Lopez is a third-year Journalism and Arts student from the University of New South Wales and has completed an internship at Time Out Sydney. She has a strong passion for political, environmental, and investigative journalism. Jasmine continues to work as a freelance journalist and produces stories online, ranging from political op-eds to longform features.

Jasmine Lopez

Jasmine Lopez

Contributor

Articles (12)

Sydney NYE Fireworks 2024: where to watch for free

Sydney NYE Fireworks 2024: where to watch for free

Sydney is renowned all over the world over for its New Year's Eve fireworks display, so why not ring in January 1 fresh from a prime position to view them? Up until recently, most of the prime spots to view the fireworks were paid – but then the NSW government went and opened up many vantage points for free. They're doing the same thing this year with a range of first-in-best-dressed spots. Read on for our full guide to watching the 2024 New Year's Eve fireworks for free in Sydney. Want to set yourself up at a venue for the night? Here's our guide to the best New Year's Eve parties in Sydney to ring in 2025.
Best New Year's Eve events and parties in Sydney

Best New Year's Eve events and parties in Sydney

This year has been a doozy when it comes to Sydney nightlife – with the addition of a slew of sexy new wine bars, unfathomably epic hotels (we’re looking at you Capella) and some seriously swish rooftop venues giving our evenings the boost we didn’t know they needed. With such a stellar run of new openings, we expect to see some pretty impressive debut NYE parties joining the old faithfuls on this year’s festive calendar.To help you choose between the good and the great, we’ve put together a round-up of the best parties to book this NYE – so you can ring in 2024 with a bang (or an intimate dinner – pick your poison). Want to watch the fireworks without the hefty price tag? Here's our guide to the best free spots in Sydney to watch the NYE fireworks. Ready for a celebration right now? Here are our picks of the best bars in Sydney.
The 12 best flower delivery services in Sydney

The 12 best flower delivery services in Sydney

When it comes to showing how much you care, flowers are a pretty safe bet. Thankfully, Sydney is home to fantastic florists willing to deliver the goods – often at just a day's notice, and some even with same-day delivery. From locally sourced flowers to customisable arrangements, our top list has everything you need to make sure you are prepped for the special day. Thanks to our team of flower-afficianados (including resident romantic – Lifestyle Writer Winnie Stubbs) you'll find something perfect here in our guide to the best flower delivery services in Sydney. Want to really win that heart? Here are Sydney's best date spots for a perfectly romantic occasions This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.
The best dancefloors in Sydney

The best dancefloors in Sydney

Dancefloors come in all shapes and sizes in Sydney – sticky-floored pubs can double up as heaving rave caves, small bars morph into late-night party dens on sporadic Wednesdays, and on most Friday nights, warehouses across Sydney's Inner West transform into laser-lit super-clubs (though we can't spill too much on that front). Sydney cops a lot of flack for its nightlife, but we think it's all about just looking in the right places. Here are our picks of the most reliable dancefloors to break some shapes in the Harbour City right now. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. Looking for somewhere more chill to whet your whistle? Here are our favourite hidden bars in the Harbour City.Want a live show? These are the best bars and pubs with live music in Sydney.
The best restaurants in Bondi right now

The best restaurants in Bondi right now

Bondi gets most of its street cred for sunny days, long swims and that postcard stretch of golden sand, but there are plenty of ace restaurants in this #blessed beachside suburb. Whether you're after a long lunch or a sandy-footed snack, you'll find somewhere great to eat – North, South and everywhere in between. Time Out Sydney's critics, including beach-going and restaurant-loving Food & Drink Editor Avril Treasure, have hit Bondi's streets – and these are the pick of the bunch. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED READS: Feel like a drink? Check out our guide to Bondi's best bars. Keep cool with our guide to the top ocean pools in Sydney.  Take a look at our ultimate guide to the best restaurants in Sydney here.
Where to watch Super Bowl 2024 in Sydney

Where to watch Super Bowl 2024 in Sydney

Australia loves any chance for a spectator-sport party, so watching the NFL championship game, the Super Bowl, has well and truly become a thing. That means plenty of venues across Sydney air the game and throw Super Bowl parties – this year, the event airs on the morning of Monday, February 12 (AEDT). That means beer buckets and American eats (read: wings, wings and more wings) for breakfast. Time to file for a day of annual leave? We've rounded up the best Sydney venues that are playing the game live and loud, and an epic half-time show care of our boo, Usher. Super Bowl Australia – what's the Super Bowl start time in Sydney? If you're in Sydney, make sure to switch on the TV at 10.30am AEDT. What channel is the Super Bowl on in Australia? The Super Bowl 2024 will be broadcast on free-to-air TV on Channel 7 and 7mate (as well as live streaming on 7plus if you're watching online). For subscribers, it will also show on Kayo and the ESPN channel on Foxtel. After a drink? Try one of Sydney's best bars.
The best Lunar New Year events in Sydney

The best Lunar New Year events in Sydney

Lunar New Year falls on Saturday, February 10, 2024, and it's a celebration for many cultures represented in Sydney, including the city's Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Korean communities. It's traditionally celebrated through food, art, festivities and just getting together with friends and family.  February 10 marks the beginning of the Year of the Wood Dragon, the fifth sign in the Chinese zodiac, symbolising good luck, honour, power and success in traditional Chinese culture.We've picked out some of the very best ways to harness dragon energy and soar into the new lunar year in Sydney. Hungry? Here are some of the Sydney restaurants serving up special Lunar New Year feasts for Year of the Dragon.
Restaurants and cafés open on Christmas Day in Sydney 2023

Restaurants and cafés open on Christmas Day in Sydney 2023

For those who don't have plans, it can be tricky to find a feed and some caffeine on Christmas Day in Sydney. Don't worry – we've rounded up a select few places that'll be open. For a more formal set feast, check out the best Christmas Day lunches in Sydney. While we are doing our best to keep our lists up to date, make sure you check ahead with the venue you're hitting up (some require bookings). If these book out, there's always yum cha! Here's a list of Sydney yum cha restaurants open on Christmas Day.
Where to get a drink on Christmas Day 2023

Where to get a drink on Christmas Day 2023

Look, if you're in need of a drink at a pub or bar this Christmas Day, we don't blame you. Hell, we may even see you there. Whether you're a Christmas orphan, a backpacker or you just need to get a drink in you to bookend the family madness, Time Out Sydney's writers, including Food & Drink Writer Avril Treasure, have rounded up the best places to get a drink on December 25. And if you're looking for a place to enjoy a full festive feast, check out the restaurants open on Christmas Day, as well as these top yum cha places.And for every other day of the year, it's always wise to keep this list of the best bars in Sydney handy.
The ultimate guide to Jervis Bay

The ultimate guide to Jervis Bay

The obvious choice of activity in Jervis Bay is to take advantage of the great outdoors. The spectacular bay plays host to over 90km of natural beaches and a raft of water-based pursuits – from dolphin and whale spotting, to chartered sailing, kayaking from what is claimed to be the world’s whitest sand – Hyams Beach. Looking to stay in Jervis Bay? Check out the best Airbnbs here. 
The best pubs near the Sydney Football Stadium and the SCG

The best pubs near the Sydney Football Stadium and the SCG

Whether you're a local or a visitor from out of town, nothing beats popping in for a frothy and a feed to get you fuelled up for the footy or cricket. For those heading to the game at either the SCG or Allianz from Central or Surry Hills, we've rounded up the best pubs along the route to get your pre-game on. So check out these pubs and do your team a solid by mustering up all the energy you can to cheer them on until that final siren sounds.   powered by Proxi
“I realised I could actually be myself”: Sunny is living her truth with the support of her parents

“I realised I could actually be myself”: Sunny is living her truth with the support of her parents

We’re living in a world where the trans experience is becoming more and more visible, and yet a host of narrow archetypes seem to flood the conversation, overshadowing the stories told by trans people themselves.   With the support of her parents and community, 14-year-old Sydneysider Sunny is able to live in her truth. When she has the chance to share her story as a young transgender woman, she can touch hearts. “Growing up, I kind of knew that I wasn't supposed to be a boy. I just thought that there  was something wrong, but I didn't know that I was allowed to fix it,” Sunny said.   It wasn’t until Sunny was asked if she wanted to be a girl that everything started to click  in place for her. “I realised I could actually be myself. And that's how I started my journey.” Sunny’s mother, Carlie, said: “As soon as Sunny found the right words to say ‘I'm  a girl’, the penny dropped for everyone. For her school, for her grandparents, for all of us, for the community. We all just kind of went, ‘Of course, that's who you always were.’”  As soon as Sunny found the right words to say ‘I'm a girl’ the penny dropped for everyone. “I think every single person wants to feel as though they're accepted, right? That's all any of us want. And so, supporting Sunny is a no-brainer. Like, we're her parents, we signed up to this when she was born,” Carlie said.   With the support of her family and friends, Sunny has not only felt comfortable to  embrace her identity, but also advocate for trans r

Listings and reviews (6)

Mikey's Pizza

Mikey's Pizza

UK-born chef Mikey Greenhalgh has been cooking his entire life, but after spending a couple of years working in Italy, he developed a passion for pizza. Next he travelled through New York, Chicago and Philadelphia, where he became smitten with American-style pizza pie.  It was on this US trip that the spark for Mikey’s Pizza was born. Returning to Australia, he set up his first US-style pizzeria in Killarney Heights on Sydney's Northern Beaches back in 2017. Now, five years later, Mikey’s has found a second home on Bondi Road.  Mikey’s is a slice of New York in Bondi – think retro net curtains, exposed brickwork and copper pipes, red and white checked tablecloths, and rock ’n’ roll vibes all round. The pizza bases are made with Australian high-protein flour and are baked on Sicilian clay stone, and then they’re topped with tasty morsels sourced from some of our favourite providores: Vic’s Meats, Forage Gourmet Edibles and Two Providores. One of the best parts is that you can order pizza by the slice if you want, meaning that you're saved from the profoundly difficult decision of only getting to try one flavour.  Start with the New Yorker pizza with garlic, tomato and vodka base, fior de latte, mozzarella, parmesan, parsley and, of course, double pepperoni. For a vegie option, go the Shrooms – it has a taleggio cream base, fior de latte, confit mushroom, shallots and garlic, finished off with porcini dust (yes!) and parmesan. The rock ’n’ roll vibe is backed up with live music
The Lies We Were Told

The Lies We Were Told

Shopfront Arts Co-Op is partnering with Monkey Baa Theatre Company to return their sold-out production The Lies We Were Told as part of the Sydney WorldPride Amplified season. Created by a group of teenagers who share their real stories, The Lies We Were Told pulls on the heart strings of us all, exploring the beautiful and terrible lies that young people are told growing up.  The cast share personal experiences and verbatim texts, picking apart the often damaging social scripts that young people are pressured to uphold.  The Lies We Were Told calls for the most damaging lies to stop being told, with one of the cast members, Sunny Morris, standing up as a role model for young people. Sunny will present her story as a young trans woman, taking on the gender binary and confronting the biggest lie told to her as a child – that she was not a girl, even though she has always known in her heart who she really is.  “Young People have more to offer than people give them credit for. Not only do they have great ideas for the world they want to build, they have great ideas full stop,” said the director, Natalie Rose. The Lies We Were Told will be playing at ARA Darling Quarter Theatre from February 21 to 23. Tickets are still available right now, and you can snatch one up by clicking right here.
A Broadcast Coup

A Broadcast Coup

Ensemble Theatre presents the world premiere of A Broadcast Coup by Melanie Tait, the writer of the sell-out The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race.  Tait has collaborated with director Janine Watson (Nearer The Gods, Still Unqualified) and a cast of talented actors and top creatives to produce a performance that will not only make you laugh hysterically, but think about some real issues.  This play casts a light on the all-too-familiar issues that can come up in any workplace, delving into abuse of power and lack of accountability from controversial public figures and sparking some much-needed debate. Cut-throat journalist Jez Connell has brought down one of TV’s most lauded stars for behaving badly. A Broadcast Coup follows her as she investigates Michael King, the top-rated darling of public radio.  “This play draws on my decade-plus working in the media – from things I would see and hear across networks and, to be honest, just thought were part of working in that arena. It was only after the #MeToo reckoning I began to see that some behaviour was unacceptable and could even change,” said Tait. Covid delays mean that the opening of this play has been a long time coming, but the wait has surely been worth it.  A Broadcast Coup runs from January 26 to March 4, 2023. Tickets are still available right now, and you can snatch one up by clicking right here.
King

King

With its great success at the 2019 Mardi Gras Festival and endless praise from critics all over the world, the powerful music-dance collaboration King will relaunch for 2023 before heading overseas to festivals across Europe.  Award-winning Australian director/choreographer Shaun Parker has collaborated with the globally celebrated Bulgarian singer/songwriter and queer performance artist, Ivo Dimchev.  Dimchev and nine of Australia’s most talented young dancers will take the stage for an inspiring performance set in a magical realm that is "part elite cocktail-bar and part jungle". What better way to celebrate WorldPride than to experience a theatrical performance that not only tackles the power systems hindering male sexuality and identity, but includes some humour along the way? King opens at the Seymour Centre’s Everest Theatre on February 28, 2023, for six shows, until Saturday March 4. Tickets are still available right now, and you can snatch one up by clicking right here.
Genesis Owusu

Genesis Owusu

Canberra’s multi-ARIA award winning legend Genesis Owusu will be coming to Sydney this March, and he’s performing for one night only. Red Bull Symphonic will return this year at the Opera House, where the Ghanaian-Australian singer will unite with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Australian composer Alex Turley for a worlds-colliding, memorable performance.  Known for his exceptional artistic revolution and soul-bearing diversity, Owusu is revolutionising what it means to be an Australian artist, taking on one city at a time. His live shows have garnered a reputation for raw, high-energy thrills at every moment, leading to sold-out Australian tours in 2021 and 2022. Owusu has promised a compelling reimagination of his renowned catalogue of poetic punk and electronic hybridity that has earned a worldwide following.  He says of Red Bull Symphonic: “If you’ve seen me perform live, you know I love the drama. Bringing out the grandeur in every element. What’s grander and more theatrical than a punk-funk-rap enigma backed by a 40-piece orchestra? We getting real thespian out here.” Owusu will be performing at the world famous Concert Hall of Sydney Opera House on Thursday, March 23.  Find tickets or join the waitlist here.
Palm Tree Music Festival

Palm Tree Music Festival

World renowned DJs and producers Tiësto and Kygo are coming to Australia to headline the Palm Tree Music Festival this March. But wait, there’s more. The chart-topping Lost Frequencies and Sam Feldt will also be there, along with electronic musician Frank Walker.  Developed by Kygo, this one-of-a-kind festival experience was inspired by the bonds and memories forged with friends from years of touring around the world, and promises to pack "the unmatched feeling of summer in paradise". Palm Tree Music Festival has graced the shores of the Hamptons, New York, Cabo, Mexico and Croatia. But Australia’s next up for 2023, so ready the crew for an unforgettable time and paradise in summer vibes. Tiësto has revolutionised the dance music landscape, selling over 36 million albums and earning a following of over 30 million people spanning the globe.  Norwegian DJ, musician and remixer Kygo has been viewed over three-billion times on YouTube and has collaborated with Selena Gomez, Ellie Goulding and Imagine Dragons. He’s also remixed tracks by the likes of Whitney Houston, Ed Sheeran and Coldplay.  Kygo says, "I can't wait to be joining Tiësto and other great artists to perform at Palm Tree Music Festival in Australia. Bringing the festival to new locations is always so exciting because we get to share this unique festival experience with new people." The tour will commence on Friday, March 10 at The Dome, Sydney Showgrounds, before heading to Brisbane’s Riverstage on Saturday, March 11