WHERE TO SIP

Aster – CBD

Located 32 Levels high at InterContinental Sydney, Aster invites guests on a sensory journey with panoramic views of Vivid Sydney. Offering a choice from three curated flavour paths – Sweet, Spicy, or Adventurous. Each will be accompanied by a bespoke cocktail and canapé. The experience continues with a shared-style entrée and main, paired with two glasses of wine. Expect bold flavours, seasonal produce, and the city’s most spectacular rooftop views.

Book here

Grain Bar – The Rocks

Located in the Four Seasons, cocktail lovers will be transported into The Dream Lab, a late-night sensory playground where glowing lab coat clad mixologists serve up high-voltage cocktails with a touch of theatre. Shaking up new takes on Grain’s Epic Sensory Cocktail menu, the Pina Fizz and Palette Pop are dialled up with fairy floss clouds, oversized lollipops, coloured ice and glow-in-the-dark garnishes. The Dream Lab officially opens nightly at 6pm when the Vivid lights start, and DJ sets every Friday and Saturday from 8pm till late will keep the energy alive, making this the city’s go-to venue for cocktails and connection during Vivid.

Book here

The Rook – CBD

The hidden rooftop gem in the heart of the CBD will be offering specially crafted share plates at just $15 each and vibrant VIVID-themed cocktails for $25 from Monday to Saturday, 5–7pm during VIVID. Enjoy skyline views, city buzz, and glowing vibes at this go-to spot for pre-VIVID indulgence.

Book here

Untied – Barangaroo

The Barangaroo rooftop bar Untied is dialling up the fun with a whimsical twist on champagne. From 23rd May until14th June, get your glow on with sparkling wine topped with a cloud of flavoured fairy floss for just $14 a glass. Choose your flavour – Blue Raspberry, Green Sour Apple, Pink Watermelon or Purple Berry Crunch – and watch your drink shimmer and swirl in spectacular colour.

Book here

Hacienda – Circular Quay

Celebrate Vivid at Hacienda with Dream Hour, happening 4-6pm Monday to Fridays. The glass‑walled lounge is serving kaleidoscopic cocktails such as Strawberry Fields Forever, Yellow Mellow, and the bubble‑topped Dreams. Chase the sunset at Dream Hour, then stay to watch the foreshore ignite with stunning Harbour views.

Book here

PARKROYAL – Darling Harbour

Running from 16th May until 15th June, PARKROYAL Darling Harbour’s Business Centre will transform into a pop-up Gin Bar hosted by local Sydney distillery Unexpected Guests for the duration of Vivid. Guests are invited to choose from three special edition gin cocktails (Spiced Negroni, Fireside Bloom and Lavender Collins), each carefully crafted and, accompanied by a cheese board. Cheeseboards will be made up of: Chevre D’argental double cream goat’s brie from the Loire Valley, France, served with honey, fennel, and coriander seed lavosh; Binnorie cheddar from Lovedale, NSW, accompanied by coconut and charcoal lavosh; and Barossa brie from the Barossa Valley, Adelaide, South Australia, paired with beetroot lavosh.

Book here

WHERE TO EAT

Opera Bar – Circular Quay

From 23rd May until 14th June, Opera Bar is turning up the heat for Vivid 2025 with a line-up of live music, limited-edition cocktails, and an unmissable ice cream collaboration with Inner West’s Ciccone & Sons who have whipped up an exclusive Vivid Gelato Special – a raspberry gelato dipped in white chocolate and macadamia crunch. Providing a front row seat to the colourful Vivid spectacles. Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge will be lighting up the skyline, and Opera Bar will have a special festival-only menu and nightly entertainment to match the festive mood and provide the perfect start or end to the Vivid trail.

Book here

Fratelli Fresh – CBD

Positioned in Darling Harbour and Westfield Sydney, Fratelli Fresh is offering a 2-course Vivid Set Menu from 5pm daily. Guests can expect comforting winter dishes such as Gnocchi Gorgonzola and Picante Pizza, paired with a selection of Vivid-themed cocktails created just for the festival. With an unbeatable location in the centre of the light walk action, it’s the ideal spot to wine, dine and glow.

Book here

Mode Kitchen & Bar – The Rocks

Diners are invited to indulge in a limited-edition Vivid menu from newly appointed Chef de Cuisine, Marco Putzolu. Each evening throughout the festival, the restaurant will offer a Vivid Dream Lab Dinner, a three-course set menu ($95 per person) designed to light up the palate with bold colours, unexpected textures, and flavours as vibrant as the city outside. The three-course menu will include: a choice of Vannella burrata with green tomato salsa verde and Yarra Valley salmon roe or yellow fin tuna sashimi with blood orange gazpacho and dill; Aquna Bay Murray Cod with local mushrooms and herbs or the Margra lamb strapback with goats yoghurt and beetroot. And, to finish, an incredible Tutti Frutti Flower, made up of individual sponge cakes filled with mousse, each as colourful as the next.

Book here

Henley’s – Darling Harbour

Henley’s Bar & Kitchen at King Street Wharf is bringing the flavour with its VIVID Fiesta of a shareable spread for two at just $49. Get cosy with guac and chips, your choice of two tacos, and two margaritas – classic or flavoured (mango, strawberry, passionfruit, or spicy watermelon!).

Book here

Kingsleys – Woolloomooloo

Begin your night of sensory wonder with an elevated waterfront dinner at Kingsleys Woolloomooloo. Their specially curated VIVID menu ($89 per person) is available daily from 5–7pm and offers a refined 2-course feast with shared starters, a main, and sides – perfect for indulging before wandering into the VIVID lights via the Royal Botanic Garden.

Book here

Bennelong – Circular Quay

Experience the lights of Vivid in Bennelong’s Dress Circle on the upper level of the restaurant, directly under the Sydney Opera House sails with uninterrupted views of the Harbour Bridge. Enjoy snacks and a glass of Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV on arrival, followed by Bennelong’s three course choice menu.

Book here

Quay – Circular Quay

With breathtaking views of the iconic Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the vibrant lights of Vivid, Quay offers the perfect location to host an unforgettable event, featuring a Vivid-inspired cocktail, Spectrum, that comes alive with a burst of colour (Spectrum: Tanqueray 10 gin, umeshu, Pavan, chamomile, honey, saffron, milk wash).

Book here