Tarot on tap, as Sydney bars offer up more spirits

Forget happy hour, it’s now about higher powers. Sydney’s bars and restaurants are tapping into the tarot trend, offering readings alongside your favourite tipple.

The Paddo Inn’s Tarot and Tannin’s event sold out and they are planning more. Picture: Gaye Gerard

It’s written in the wine glass.

With the popularity of astrologers, psychics and tarot card readers growing it’s no surprise the hospitality industry is leaning into its spiritual side.

When Merivale launched its new venue Good Luck last year, a tarot reader was on hand to give diners readings about their future according to the tarot card they picked.

Now, Solotel’s Paddo Inn, which has become more of a wine bar than pub because of the popularity of its wine program, is turning to the cards, hosting a Tarot & Tannins night.

Food from in-house Italian restaurant Il Baretto is combined with wine and an introduction to the cards with tarot reader Ginny Shearer.

Good Luck Restaurant Lounge hosted a tarot reader at its launch.

It was supposed to be a one off, but has sold out so quickly, the inn is hosting another, with sommelier Brodie Towner surprised by the response.

“Before we even had finished putting up a display in the venue, we had people asking us about it,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Not So Secret Society, which organises weekly events for women to meet up, regularly hosts Tarot For Beginners sessions at Darlinghurst’s Taphouse.

The entrance to Sydney bar Employees Only is lit up with a psychic sign. Picture: Instagram

Searches for tarot increased by 30 per cent during the pandemic.

To find the entrance of Sydney bar and restaurant Employees Only in the CBD, you literally have to look for the red neon “Psychic” sign and head down the opulent black and golden staircase to the tarot card reader.

It comes at a time when belief in traditional religions has been on the decline and spirituality on the rise.

In particular, people are seeking out cards to find the answers.

Especially through social media and during covid, where searches for tarot cards increased by 30 per cent.

TikTok has been called TarotTok because of the prevalence of tarot accounts and readings.

Even high end fashion houses are getting in on the act, with Dior and Hermes releasing a limited edition tarot scarf collection.