Let’s have some HAPPY HOURS! Eastside Sydney is celebrating Surry Hills and Darlinghurst with dozens of local businesses offering special retail promotions, art exhibitions, live performances plus yummy food and drink deals.
HAPPY HOURS is a two-week event encouraging locals to support their local businesses. From 15th-31st October a wide range of offers, including food and drink deals, fashion, art and community events will inspire to be out and about in the neighbourhood.

“The idea is to encourage locals to support local and keep our area thriving,” says project manager Lorraine Lock. “We are inclusive and the 80+ businesses already on board stretch as far as Woolloomooloo, Potts Point and to our Paddington boundary.”

Local artist Jeff McCann has designed the poster artwork for the event which reflects the fun and lively style of postcode 2010.

“Our area has the most culturally creative and exciting offerings in the whole of Sydney – and we intend to keep it that way,” says Lock. “For HAPPY HOURS we have offerings from food and drink, fashion and design to bookshops and art galleries.”

A recurring theme expressed to the business chambers from local businesses over the past few months is that many have managed to keep afloat because of the support from their regulars, and they are grateful for the patronage, that kept them going day-to-day.

“This area has a strong community vibe and we are saying to our locals ‘use it or lose it’ lets all work together to give each other all the support we can.”

Businesses have come up with a multitude of fun ideas including meal deals, family nights, cocktail specials, charity involvement, drag queens, art walks, gin tastings, wine and food pairings, live music, comedy acts, karma kegs, vinyl specials and movie nights. Offerings are mostly in ‘small batches’ to comply with COVID requirements, so reservations are strongly recommended.

“You may be asked to make a reservation, book in small groups, be aware of reduced venue capacity, keep your distance, or register your name,” says Lock, “but everyone understands this is the best way to keep safe and have fun too”.

With travel limited in Australia right now, there’s no better place to be than Eastside Sydney and we are lucky to have so much on offer right on our doorstep.

VISIT the HAPPY HOURS website here to see all that’s happening!

HAPPY HOURS is a joint initiative between the Darlinghurst Business Partnership and Surry Hills Creative Precinct enabled by a grant from the City of Sydney.