Feeling the pinch? This August, The Rocks is showcasing Sydney’s best food and drink deals and fun, budget-friendly events and activities to get you exploring its iconic, historic laneways during the winter season.
Forage The Rocks, the precinct’s annual celebration of food and drink, invites Sydneysiders to make the most of their time in the charming, inner-city heritage precinct, and visit time and time again, by offering great deals and even greater times. Whether it’s sipping through $25 cocktails and canapes, sampling NSW’s best wines at the newly-announced NSW Wine Cellar Door at The Rocks Markets, chasing the best easy eats and happy hours, mingling with like-minded people at a Conscious Connection event, or enjoying free live jazz under the stars, The Rocks is ready to heat things up this August.
For Bar Hoppers
The Cocktail Trail
Returning due to popular demand, discover limited-edition cocktail and canape pairings for just $25, at 13 of Sydney’s best bars, with five new venues joining the trail. Highlights include cult Euro wine bar and restaurant Le Foote’s two-sip martini served with a plate of marinated olives, and a Strangelove yuzu gin spritz with tuna tartare from The Glenmore.
NSW Wine Cellar Door at The Rocks Markets
Following a new 12-month partnership with the NSW Wine Association, The Rocks Markets will be home to the NSW Wine Cellar Door. When announcing the notable partnership, NSW Wine President Mark Bourne said, “It’s fitting we’re bringing NSW wines back to where it all began. The first vines in Australia were planted here in The Rocks precinct in 1788. We are excited about this opportunity to showcase wines from our 16 distinct regions, connecting Sydney’s wine lovers directly with the passionate producers shaping NSW wine’s future.” Taking place bi-monthly at Dawes Point Park, the next Cellar Door will kick off on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 August, highlighting a selection of local, cool-climate boutique wines. Featured wineries include independent organic wine producer Tamburlaine, family-owned French style winery De Beaurepaire Wines, and Canberra-born leading Tempranillo producer Mount Majura.
Cocktail Masterclasses
For those looking to level up their cocktail game, The Rocks is hosting a series of cocktail masterclasses, tastings, and a guided distillery tour. Bar Lulu will offer a 90-minute hands-on cocktail class where guests will learn to master two cocktails, and Hickson House Distilling Co. will welcome gin lovers to tour their distillery while learning to craft two gin cocktails and sampling a flight of their award-winning gin.
Happy Hours
Looking to quench your thirst without breaking the bank? The Rocks is offering epic happy hours precinct-wide this August, from $12 bottles of wine at Chateau Tanunda and $8 beers and wines, and $10 cocktails at Bar Lulu right on the water’s edge, to $8 frothy Guinness pints at The Mercantile Hotel and plenty more!
For Foodie Discoveries
Easy Eats
Find your next affordable lunch or after-work spot at The Rocks. Highlights include The Argyle’s 10c dumplings and $5 pizzas every Thursday night, $20 lunch deals of schnitzel, slaw and chips on Mondays and bangers, mash, peas and gravy on Tuesdays at The Orient and Mrs Jones, and Fortune of War Lock Up’s $18 lunch specials from Mondays to Wednesdays.
Taste Trail Food Tour at The Rocks Markets
Every Saturday, from 11 am to 12 pm, embark on a guided culinary tour through The Markets, sampling delicious, locally-made treats from artisan pizza by That’s Amore Street Pizza and authentic paella by La Gitana, to creamy fudge from The Village Providore and Ervas Bitters’ warming mulled wine. Tickets cost $40, including a tote bag and a $20 voucher, and go on sale Thursday 25 July.
Picnic Under the Bridge
Experience the charm of a picnic under the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge while indulging in mouthwatering treats and local artisan delights picked up from The Rocks Markets. This August, The Rocks will be running a competition where you can win one of nine hampers, each packed with delicious products from The Markets’ stallholders, and a grand prize of a Complimentary Twilight Tapas for two at Shangri-La Sydney. Simply visit The Rocks Markets, scan the QR code, and enter for your chance to win. Guests who spend $50 per stall will get additional entries into the competition.
Dumpling Masterclass
Led by a dumpling expert, try your hand at making Luna Lu’s signature dumplings from scratch. During the 90-minute masterclass, learn culinary secrets and, afterwards, treat yourself to the delicious, handmade morsels, complete with a glass of sparkling for $100 pp.
For Fun Socialisers
Conscious Connection Events
Ready to make new friends and form meaningful connections at some of Sydney’s most unique heritage sites? Conscious Connection Events will be hosting a series of board game social events at The Rocks, complete with tapas-style food, a drink, and fun times for just $59. Events will take place at The Rawson (8 & 17 August) and The Australian Hotel (18 & 29 August). Tickets are available [here](#).
Jazz Sessions in The Rocks
Every Thursday, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, grab your mates, sit back, and unwind to free, live music from Sydney’s best homegrown jazz musicians, curated weekly with esteemed jazz authority SIMA, under the twinkling lights of The Rocks Square. As part of the Cocktail Trail, sip on a State of the Art cocktail from the Hickson House Distilling Co cart, paired with spiced macadamias, or grab a delicious feed from surrounding retailers such as Ribs & Burgers and Pancakes on The Rocks to make a night out of it.
Explore More of The Rocks
For those looking to dive deeper into Sydney’s vibrant culture and history, there are several notable links that provide additional information and event details:
- The Rocks Markets – Discover local artisans and unique crafts each weekend.
- Luna Lu’s Dumpling Masterclass – Sign up for an unforgettable culinary experience.
- Conscious Connection Events – Join a vibrant community and make new friends while enjoying board games.
- Jazz Sessions in The Rocks – Enjoy soulful performances every Thursday night in a charming setting.
Make sure to check these links for further updates and opportunities to experience all that The Rocks has to offer!