Sydney Eat Street: YCK Laneways Intersections festival brings diners back to CBD
If you’re after a reason to get back into Sydney’s CBD, there’s 15 small bars hosting 100 events to showcase the area’s many creative offerings.
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Over six weeks, the YCK Laneways Intersections festival will showcase what Sydney’s CBD has to offer in the way of food, drink and entertainment.
The event runs from April 24 to May 22.
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Intersections festival
All roads may lead to Rome, but it’s the streets between Town Hall and Wynyard that will bring you to the YCK Laneways’ Intersections Festival, a six-week celebration spread across 15 small bars, and 100 events showcasing the area’s creative community through music, food, cocktails, entertainers, and more.
The festival itself comes on the one-year anniversary of the establishment of YCK Laneways, an initiative to revitalise the CBD after the first lockdown but it’s really an idea that has been years in the making; a way of connecting the many small bars intermingled with the shops and offices between Town Hall and Wynyard, specifically, York, Clarence, and Kent Streets.
Vice president of YCK Laneways and president of the Independent Bars Association, Karl Schlothauer, also the co-owner of Stitch, says: “As individuals, all our venues are really different, but as a collective YCK Laneways will continue to create unique experiences that get Sydneysiders excited about their city.
“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to work with some of Australia’s best chefs and an impressive pool of DJs, musicians, and entertainers, to entice people back out and let the good times roll.” (From April 11-May 22)
Chef’s selection
Three’s company and for foodies, there a few better to bring to the table than the three renowned chefs contributing to the Intersections Festival’s Chef’s Selection — each one preparing a series of three dishes in two-week blocks that will be available at select YCK bars including Prince of York, Stich, SILY, Uncle Ming’s, Burrow Bar, and more.
Manu Feildel started the rotation (April 11-24) off with Hervey Bay scallops and XO butter. Next up is clean-eating foodie Luke Hines (April 25-May 8) who is plating up Phenomenal Fish Fingers with Chilli Lime Aioli, his famous plant-based Loaded Sweet Potato Fries with Lime Guac and Cashew Sour Cream and for something sweet, Salted Peanut and Chocolate Tart (GF, plant-based).
“I couldn’t be prouder to be bringing my food to YCK Laneways,” Luke says.
“I’ve got three incredibly delicious dishes which I’ve put a lot of love into. I can’t wait to get down and enjoy the delicious food that’s on offer – but also enjoy some fantastic entertainment, amazing drinks and just all-round good times.”
From May 9-22 the pink-haired princess of pastries, Anna Polyviou is bringing her cookie dough pie, OG cookie dough sandwich and Lamington cookies ‘n’ a jar.
“I’m such a lover of Sydney’s bar scene so I’m stoked to be a part of such a fun initiative,” Anna says.
There’s only one dish per venue so that give you six reasons to visit six different venues.
Since I Left You (SILY)
It’s almost sinful how much food, fun and drinks are on offer at Since I Left You, a favourite spot for live music, particularly during the festival. The Garden Stage is a back-alley space, rescued and resurrected with murals, gardens, and stage for live music – free on Thursdays.
“The OG” toastie is the snack de jour, filled with smoked ham, caramelised onions, and gruyere cheese.
There are free and ticketed shows throughout the festival as well as unique events such as Cocktails and Crime stories; Daiquiris and robberies, $30pp with daiquiri on arrival.
Historian Max Burns-McRuvie tells stories of the nailbiting capers throughout Sydney’s colourful past. (May 4, 6-9pm, $30pp with daiquiri on arrival).
In addition to their famous toasties, SILY is serving up the Chef’s Selection: Luke Hines’ salted peanut and chocolate tart (April 25-May 8) and Anna Polyviou’s ice-cream sandwich (May 9-22).
YCK Laneways president and SILY owner Nick White says: “As a collective, we love coming together and giving people new reasons to visit the CBD and this is just another example of that. It’s already been such a great few weeks and we can’t wait for the rest of the festival.”
— 338 Kent St, Sydney; sinceileftyou.com.au
YCK Bars
There’s more to a bar than its cocktails. While the festival’s calendar boasts more than 100 events, Intersections also serves as an invitation to experience what makes small bars — specifically the 15 bars that make up YCK Laneways — so exceptional to begin with.
Some places are as well known for their food and entertainment as for their drinks such as Esteban, a two-level restaurant bar that embraces the flavours and cooking techniques of regional Central-America, as well as a love of all things Tequila (they have the largest selection of Tequila and Mezcal in Australia).
Then there’s The Prince of York. On the ground floor is an industrial chic restaurant with elevated Modern Australian fare, but downstairs it’s party central with DJs, dancing, bottomless brunch and drag bingo.
At Sammy Jr, it’s coffee and smashed avo by day, then coffee cocktails and Jazz on Friday nights.
And yes, at The Barber Shop, you can indeed get a haircut and shave, but you’ll have to wait until late afternoon to pass through the hidden door where the actual bar and its award-winning cocktails await.
WHAT’S FRESH
JOLENE’S
York St has gotten a taste of southern hospitality with the new whiskey-centric bar, Jolene’s.
The latest venture by Simon Rose-Hopkins (former licensee of Surly’s American BBQ) his inspiration comes from the live music scene in Nashville, Tennessee — so not only will you find more than 150 whiskeys here (100 of which are from the US of A), and playlist of honky-tonk favourites, but the icons of county music have both booths and cocktails in their honour. (Order an “Islands in the Stream” cocktail and take a seat with Dolly Parton, the 12-person VIP booth.)
— 73 York St, Sydney
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