Sydney’s Best Music & Eats – Read Before Friday!

Summer is supposed to end tomorrow but it still feels like it will roll on for some weeks despite the calendar saying otherwise.

Whilst things are still warm I have a brilliant seaside restaurant, some Latin dancing, rugby and market recommendations for you to see through the weekend.

1. No need to look in your pantry, just book at “The Pantry” 🍽️ 

Upscale, breezy restaurant on the Ocean Promenade with beach views and rustic-chic decor, serving modern Australian dishes is The Pantry at Manly.

The breakfast menu runs from 8:00 to 11:00 am and includes a great range of options my favourites being; eggs benedict and their breakfast board.

The lunch and dinner menu are the same and just as delectable. The Tapas / To Share menu includes seaweed prawn pillows, marinated sardines and a mixed curated meat board. I highly recommend the grilled Tasmanian octopus for entrée and boneless spiced spatchcock for main course.

The wine list is a tight and a well thought out list covering the major varieties including some great choices from Australia, New Zealand, France and other growing regions.

With 2,900 Google reviews and a 4.5 star rating the patrons love The Pantry. Kristen sums it up in her Google review “…Amazing view of the beach, fantastic service and delicious food. Catered to my food intolerances really well. Highly recommend…”

Open everyday from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm for breakfast lunch and dinner. Closed on Sundays. Book on the website or call the team on 02 9977 0566.

2. Twenty+ taps of craft and local beers - what is there not to like?

The Dove & Olive in Surry Hills is an award-winning pub food with an equally impressive drinks selection that is not to be missed.

There are 26 rotating craft beers on tap as well as over 20 gins and whiskeys which means you will never get bored of the selection of drinks on offer, which cannot be said for some pubs in town.

When it comes to food and entertainment there are also some other great choices that give you an excuse to drop into the Dove & Olive. Tuesday through Friday there are $15 and $20 lunch specials. Saturday grab a burger and beer for $28.90 or a weekend roast for $29.90.

Happy hour is Tuesday to Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. All day Sunday you only fork out $8 for schooners and $10 for pints.

Located at 156 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills just up the road from Central station. Open Tuesday to Sunday from midday to 11:00 pm.

3. Latin nights by the bay 💃 

Feeling like you are in need of some dance heat … Latin dance heat ?

Friday night in Palm Grove, Darling Harbour you will find Sydney's Latin Dance lovers dance the night away as the sun goes down. Free 🤩 for everyone to enjoy, the DJ will spin those Latin beats to get everyone moving, from salsa, bachata to mambo and every style in between.

Running from 14th February to 25th April 2025 every week is fresh and unique. Edwin Rojas, DJ Dante Rivera and Feel Free Bondi are appearing tomorrow.

Check in opens at 6:00pm and a complimentary dance lesson kicks off at 6:15pm. There is a performance 👯 at 7:30pm and the live music and dancing 🕺 for all is 8:00 to 10:00pm.

And don’t forget it is FREE. More information available on the website.

4. Double Header Super Rugby Pacific - Waratahs vs Fijian Drua 🏉 

If you love your rugby you are going to have to get to Allianz stadium tomorrow night. Maybe put defer the Latin dancing for another week 😃 

Tomorrow night is a double header of the women’s and men’s Waratahs vs Fijian Drua. The 5-time champion Waratahs women’s will be a spectacle to behold.

It is also the start of the Culture Round which runs from 28 February to 2 March 2025. From artwork to music, ceremonies to heritage jerseys, Super Rugby Pacific Culture Round will showcase of ‘many flags, one competition’.

General admission tickets starts at $15 per person per person and gets you two games. Unbelievable value! Get your tickets through Ticketek.

5. Looking for a different organic food market?

The St Ives Showground Market features a variety of food and non-food stalls.

You can do your weekly food shopping with access to both certified organic and conventionally grown fresh fruit and veg, freshly baked bread and patisseries, artisan gourmet produce, seasonal produce straight from the farm, deli products, local and French cheeses, fish, meat and more. You can also get a caffeine fix and enjoy some of Sydney's best hot food.

The markets offer a range of non-food stalls, including vintage, fashion, jewellery, homewares, plants, and of course, eco-friendly, sustainable fair trade and healthy products.

Located at the St Ives Showgrounds, 450 Mona Vale Road, St Ives.

Have a great weekend.

Cheers and beers,

Mick

Founder of Mick’s Five