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[title]Prepare to experience our city’s busy thoroughfares through brand new eyes as cars are replaced with walking, socialising and community bonding. As part of the City of Sydney’s Sydney Streets initiative, seven village high streets ranging from Potts Point to Pyrmont will close to traffic on selected Saturdays, replacing cars with roving entertainment, chairs and tables. Everyone is invited to walk, gather, rest and relax in a safe and festive environment, with local restaurants, bars and shops extending their hours, holding in-store activations and creating special offers.
There are three series of events planned for October, January and May, and here’s everything you need to know about series one in October:
Photograph: Katherine Griffiths
Crown Street, Surry Hills, Saturday October 1 – The famous good-times strip will be closed to traffic between Cleveland and Foveaux Streets. Expect roving entertainers, al fresco dining, markets and more. Discover street food and entertainment at the Clock Hotel, get moving to an '80s aerobics class at Hiscoes Gym, spot burlesque dancers at Sky Sirens, and find Lucky Pickle and Mud Australia’s stall for sandwiches and handmade porcelain.
Photograph: Katherine Griffiths
Harris Street, Pyrmont, Saturday October 8 – From Bridge Road to Union Street, this inner-city thoroughfare will be closed off to make way for outdoor dining and entertainment. Feast on tacos and cocktails at Quarrymans Hotel and experience wine tastings and craft beers at Porters Liquor.
Photograph: Katherine Griffiths
Stanley Street, East Sydney, Saturday October 15 – Darlinghurst’s favourite Eat Street will be shut to traffic between Yurong and Crown as its many bars and restaurants spill out onto the road for a day of fun. Enjoy a Mexican-themed fiesta at Mrs Palmer/La Farmacia, free food for kids at Flave’s new Darlinghurst restaurant, cold beers from local Sydney breweries at Lord Roberts Hotel and SASH DJs at Stanley’s Bar.
Photograph: Adam Hollingworth
Redfern Street, Redfern, Saturday October 22 – Redfern’s busy high street will be pedestrian only between Chalmers and Regent for a full day of offers, games and activations from the neighbourhood’s well-loved businesses. Café Dreaming will serve up Indigenous-style foods and a didgeridoo performance. You can swap clothes at 107 Projects, enjoy music and a pop-up bar at the Redfern, as well as a DJ and games at the Tudor Hall Hotel.
Photograph: Katherine Griffiths
Haymarket, Saturday October 29 – Celebrate the CBD’s lively multicultural heart as parts of Dixon, Hay, Little Hay and Sussex Streets close to traffic and open for delicious outdoor dining and family-friendly festivities, plus the mesmerising art at the Neon Playground festival of art, lights, music, community and food.
Photograph: Katherine Griffiths
Glebe Point Road, Glebe, Saturday November 5 – Bask in spring sunshine as you nibble your way across Glebe’s best cafés, restaurants and bars. The normally bumper-to-bumper main road will be reclaimed from traffic between Parramatta and St Johns roads, with roving entertainment and al fresco dining taking its place.
Photograph: Adam Hollingworth
Darlinghurst Road & Macleay Street, Potts Point, Saturday November 12 – Leafy Potts Point will feel extra European for a day as these two streets transform into a convivial pedestrian-only zone between between Bayswater Road and Hughes Street.