New Bars, Big Games & Live Gigs – Your Weekend Plans Sorted!

As we head into the weekend a change seems to be in the air. The Summer heat has evaporated for the moment but it will come roaring back by Sunday.

Today I have a great mix of five things to keep you fed, watered and entertained. As they say, enjoy 😆 

1. Where food and wine lovers meet 🍷 

Neutral Bay has quite a few things going on and Enoteca 128 Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar is a fine example of the North side shining with their dining!

The “three Italians”, Francesco, Gianluca and Richard bring the infamous hospitality of their motherland is synonymous with warmth, relaxation, quality and above all, family to this fine establishment.

Speaking of infamy, the Friday and Saturday bottomless lunch three course meal (antipasto, pasta and a main) paired with two hours of unlimited select drinks for $99 per person is family value. Bookings are essential.

Mim sums it up in her Google review “…Fantastic find and we will definitely be back! The service was wonderful. Everyone we interacted with was really welcoming and friendly. The food was incredible and the wine list was amazing. Wonderful place for a lovely date!”

Open Monday to Thursday from 4:00 to 11:00pm and Friday and Saturday from midday to midnight. Closed on Sundays. Book online or call the team on 02 7813 2403

2. Duck into the Duck and take a seat at the Upper Duck 🦆 

Hotel Mosman gained itself the nickname of “the Duck” and a top Google rating of 4.5 stars.

The Upper Duck is the garden view terrace. A fantastic place to dine and linger with friends and soak up the views of the gardens of Boronia House.

All day, every day the pub has $7.80 schooners of Tooheys New, sparkling wine and vodka mixes. You can also grab an Aperol Spritz for $12 and if hungry an $18 chicken schnitzel meal is a top pick. Unbelievable value for any venue on the North side of the bridges

Located at 634 Military Road, Mosman. Open 10:00am to 1:00am everyday. Reservations can be made by calling the staff on 02 9960 6877 or 02 9960 5477.

3. Big Pete and the Alter Egos 😉 

With politics firmly in the rear view mirror, Peter Garrett is rocking with the Oils and as a solo artist keeping the social and environmental justice front and centre.

Supported by Jem Cassar-Daley, Peter & The Alter Egos are appearing at Twilight @ Taronga Zoo tomorrow, 21 February 2025. They will be smashing out some Oils classics and his more personal and reflective songs from when Peter went solo in 2016.

Gates open at 6:00pm and the event should conclude are 9:30pm. Perfect timing to see the sun set over Sydney and the lights come to life over the harbour skyline.

Tickets starting at @ $89.50 for adults can be purchased from Ticketek and if you would like to visit the Zoo you can do so on the day for a special price.

4. Itching for some footy, catch some games on Friday 🏉 

Pre-season is here … yes NRL is due to launch in Vegas very soon and the boys are on the pitch doing their pre-season warm up games.

On Friday, Leichhardt oval is host to two big bone crunching games. Sea Eagles (“silvertails”) head up against the Panthers "(“big time winners”) at 6:00pm.

Home town favourites, the West Tigers tackle the Parramatta Eels at 8:00pm. I can already hear the roar 🐯 

General admission tickets starts at $30 per person per person and gets you two games. Unbelievable value! Get your tickets through Ticketek.

5. Hankering for some Chinese food, drop into the Night Markets 🌃 

The Chinatown Night Markets operate from 4:00 to 11:00pm every Friday night, up to 50 market stalls pop up along the pedestrian strip of Dixon Street in the heart of Chinatown cooking up cuisine from all across Asia.

But wait, there is more than food … you can pick up everything from custom jewellery and fashion to kitschy phone cases and giant stuffed toys. There is also music playing every night and regular live performances. You’ll be swept up in the buzzy atmosphere.

Looking to get away from the hum of the night markets then drop into Hotel Morris at 412 Pitt Street, Haymarket for a quite drink in their funky Bar Morris.

Have a great weekend.

Cheers and beers,

Mick

Founder of Mick’s Five