We may never see a snowy Christmas in Sydney, but now that it’s finally cold enough to warrant jackets and boots, we’re getting on the warming winter roast train. We’ve found eight Sydney venues hosting Christmas in July celebrations, so you can finally rock that full Santa get-up, belly and all.
This confused calendar event is for those who want to enjoy the age-old tradition being a Christmas glutton without having to suffer the body shock of eating a steaming hot meal in the middle of an Australian summer. Many of these Sydney events require a contingent of feast-goers to ensure there are plenty of people to carry the Christmas food load and make it merry.
So bring the whole family or a gang of homesick European expats and carol the night away. For particularly frosty nights, head to these pubs with fireplaces or Sydney spots serving mulled wine.
RECOMMENDED: Places to sober up in Sydney.
Price: $65 per person, four-to-eight people
When: Sunday-Thursday throughout July
The Butler is putting on a Christmas in July fiesta in the heart of Potts Point with an Ibero-American inspired banquet meal. Any festive-themed stress is remedied immediately with a glass of wine on arrival, but the whole lamb shoulder barbacoa is the main event. It’s a Carribean-style barbecue with house-made tortillas for a twist on the classic roast.
Price: $55 per person, groups of ten or more
When: Every day in July
Barzura is providing a hearty meal from the motherland right beside Coogee Beach. Another beloved pastime that they’re whipping out for Christmas in July is the guzzling of hot winter bevvies. They've got you sorted in this department with their butterscotch hot chocolate and schnapps. It’s something to nurse while you eat baguette dumplings, which are buttery fried bread balls with beef bourguignon, or try a fresh feast of old-school roast turkey with pistachio and pancetta farce.
Price: $130 per person
When: Saturday July 20
Booze it up with this very merry offering from Manly’s Q Station Hotel. They’ve teamed up with Manly Spirits to bring you a four-course degustation with matching cocktails. While respecting the Aussie seafood tradition with a spanner crab risotto paired with oak-aged Negroni, they’re pledging their allegiance to the boozy British Christmas, serving an Irish coffee panna cotta beside an Espresso Martini to make sure you don’t fall too deep into a food coma.
Price: $59.90 per person, groups of ten or more
When: Every day in July
They’re one of Western Sydney’s few Christmas in July offerings this year, and it’s all about the meat at Restaurant 317. There are four different choices for mains including the double-up of roast chicken stuffed with ham or a slow-cooked pork belly for those who like to focus on one hunk of meat at a time. For dessert, they’re fueling the festive spirit with a sticky date Santa hat pudding and a chocolate lava cake with warm butterscotch.
Price: $65 per person, groups of six or more
When: Every day in July
Four in Hand Hotel is providing a three-course banquet meal for their Christmas in July fare. They start with true-blue fresh prawns and Sydney rock oysters, but the main event is a share-style European feast of turkey and pork loin, followed by the Christmas staple dessert, bread and butter pudding.
Price: $65 per person, groups of ten or more
When: Every day in July and even into August
The Inner-West has its fair share of pub roasts, but the Oxford Tavern is providing some stiff competition with Black Betty, a massive smoker that dominates their backyard-style patio. It's bringing a modern edge to their Christmas in July celebrations, with dishes like a smokehouse beef brisket and charcoal chicken, all served with milk buns and pickles for a build-your-own meal. To wash it down, there’s a house-mulled apple cider that’ll warm your soul.
Price: $49 per adult, $25 per child
When: Sundays in July
Set sights for the seaside and venture to Ripples Chowder Bay for festive celebrations that won't break the bank. Their $49 Xmas in July set menu of classic roast turkey or ham and Yorkshire puds is brought together with a red wine jus and plenty of olde-worldy charm. There’s also house-made focaccia to keep you sturdy because every dish is booze-infused. The kids can join in the fun with a special menu – but be sure not to promise presents – for just $25.
Price: $62 per person, groups of ten or more
When: Every day in July and into August
Darlinghurst will get a tinsley dose of Christmas spirit from the Taphouse. Try a winter fruit beer from their taplist like the Boatrocker Brewer’s Wildecherry or 3 Ravens’ blueberry and coffee sour. A pint of either is sure to be a welcome friend to the slab of roast Wagyu that leads the Taphouse’s Christmas feast, but whatever you choose, a host of sides including fan-favourite Yorkshire puddings and pigs in a blanket are sure to get you in the Christmas spirit this winter.
So cheese lovers, this is your new hit list for Sydney's best cheese dishes.
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