Sydney’s Best Bars & Performances – Your Weekend Starts Here!

As this week comes to a close I have some great choices to keep you energized and entertained. From a super important great football match to a nearby historical drinking hole, posh Italian dining and some Shakespearean culture. And a beach side shopping destination. Enjoy 😃 

1. A gem Italian restaurant in Woollahra 🍽️ 

An Italian Osteria named I Maccheroni is located at 3 Jersey Road, Woollahra. It is an authentic Italian restaurant run by Michelin Star trained Chef, Marcello Farioli.

The menu is as one would expect, just amazing. There are some stand out dishes including; entrée of pork ribs (balsamic glaze & pickles), main course Maccheroni, beef cheek ragout, cavolo nero and the main course tonnarelli, moreton bay bugs, vongole, chilli, garlic and bottarga. There is also an extensive season menu for which you cannot go past the duck agnolotti, truffle pecorino & barolo reduction and barramundi al cartoccio, broccolini, potato, cherry tomato, olives, capers.

A lesser known aspect of I Maccheroni is that Marcello Farioli runs weekly authentic Italian cooking classes every Saturday, where you and five others learn how to cook mouth-watering Italian delicacies from scratch. Bookings for the cooking classes can be made via the website.

A special one off event is scheduled for Thursday 10th April - French Wine Dinner. Attendees will experience six exquisite Burgundian wines, hand-selected by Clos Cachet Fine Wines. Of course, the kitchen will be serving up a specially curated menu, pairing each wine pour with bold, authentic Italian flavours 😋

Open seven days a week from midday for lunch and dinner with the exception of Sunday only being open for lunch. Bookings are essential and can be made online via the website or call the team on 02 9327 1416

2. Four floor pub with bistro and rooftop terrace 🍻 

The Light Brigade Hotel is an historic art deco pub which was found 140 years ago. Located on the corner of Oxford Street and Jersey Road, Woollahra (yes next to I Maccheroni).

The pub is made up of four levels. The Brigade Bar is situated on our ground level and is all about sports, the Brigade Bistro is on level one, the cocktail bar Brigade Lounge is on level two, and my favourite the Brigade Rooftop terrace sits on top - just check out that view.

The food menu is available across all levels of the pub and includes; pub classics, pastas, pizzas, salads and “smalls” - such as salt & pepper calamari, snapper ceviche, fish tacos, etc.

On top of a good selection of beer and wine you can grab a cocktail for between $18 and $22. Check out their signature cocktails like the Pornstar Martini or Jungle Bird.

Open seven days from 10:00am to midnight plus one hour later on Friday and Saturday.

3. Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more 🎭️ 

Henry 5, a Bell Shakespeare production, directed by Marion Potts is showing at the Playhouse in the Sydney Opera House.

This new production is directed by Marion Potts (Othello, Hamlet), who has returned to Bell Shakespeare after 15 years.

Young Prince Hal has left his wayward adolescence behind and assumed the mantle of kingship. Following a humiliating insult by the French prince, King Henry launches England into a war with France to claim the throne he believes is rightfully his. Very Shakespearean 😀 

The cast includes; JK Kazzi, Jack Halabi, Alex Kirwan, Odile le Clezio, Ava Madon, Harrison Mills, Ella Prince, Jo Turner, Mararo Wangai, Rishab Kern and Ziggy Resnick.

The production runs from 1 March to 5 April 2025 before it moves on to Canberra and then Melbourne.

Tickets can be booked online via the Sydney Opera House website and start at $59 + booking fee for adults with discounts for children and concession card holders.

4. Football: Sydney FC V Melbourne City ⚽️ 

Sydney FC are playing Melbourne City on Saturday night at Allianz Stadium in what will be a not to be missed home game for the Sky Blues. Sydney is trailing the pack at 7th on the A-League ladder whilst Melbourne are 4 points ahead at 4th on the ladder.

Sydney FC Head Coach Ufuk Talay believes five games against teams above them in the ladder is an advantage heading into the final stages of their Isuzu-UTE A-League campaign. “[It’s a] Massive fight coming up, the boys are in a good place, I think squad wise only missing a couple of players with Gurdy [Aaron] and Kyle [Shaw] and everyone else is available which is great…”

Gates open to the public at 4:00pm and the game stars at 5:00pm. General admission tickets for adults start at $35 plus booking fee. Discounts for concession card holders and children under 15. Get your tickets through Ticketek

5. Eat well & support your local growers, farmers, bakers, and culinary artisans 🥖 🍎 🥪 

The Bondi Growers Market is located at Bondi Beach Public School on the corner of Campbell Parade and Warners Avenue, Bondi Beach.

As they say “… Bondi’s much loved Growers market. Come meet your food makers who want to share their passion for food…”

You will find at the markets seasonal produce, fresh meat and seafood, artisan baked goods and treats, cheeses, organic and specialty products and an extensive range of street food vendors.

The punters have rated the markets 4.3 stars on Google and Blair sums it up well in the review “…Three words for this one: variety, affordable, and ESSENTIAL! I had THE best time at this market. I was blown away by how many food options could be at one little market: Columbian, French, Spanish, Indian, Vietnamese …”

The Bondi Growers Market runs every Saturday from 9:00am until 1:00pm.

Have a great weekend.

Cheers and beers,

Mick

Founder of Mick’s Five