Single in Sydney: 13 things to do if you’re flying solo this Summer
FROM festivals to man-hunting spots, Sarah reveals the top 13 things to do if you find yourself single in Sydney this summer.
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JOURNALIST Sarah Swain has been single (but dating) for longer than she cares to remember.
That’s because it’s tough out there, as any single will tell you, so to bring hope to others across the city, she’s sharing her no-holds-barred adventures on the Sydney single scene every Friday
Week 36 13 things to do when you’re Single in Sydney in summer
The best thing about being Single in Sydney, is being able to spend time doing so many things without having an annoying boyfriend trailing after me (I’m joking.)
From hot spots to look for romance to places to hang out with friends as well as things to discover solo, here are my top picks.
THINGS TO DO ... WITH THE GIRLS
1 Festival Fun
The Sydney Festival marks 40 years with a raft of great activities including American rock band The Flaming Lips’ free performance of psychedelic pop anthems in The Domain on January 9.
If that sounds too hip and trendy, I’ll see you at musical theatre and movie star Alan Cumming’s cabaret on 8 and 9 January.
2 Surfing Safari
Hop on the ferry to Manly for the Australian Open of Surfing from February 27 to March 6.
The area will be buzzing with top surfers (and hot ones too). If you want to learn yourself, head to Manly Surf School, which is where I recently took my pal Ricci Guarnaccio star of Geordie Shore, for a go. Lessons start at $70.
3 Outdoor cinema
One of my favourite things about living in Sydney in summer are outdoor movies.
My favourite’s the St George Open Air Cinema by the harbour. It sells out fast, but Ben & Jerry Outdoor Cinemas and the Moonlight Cinema are also great.
Raining? I recently tried Gold Class at Event Cinemas for the first time. With the leather recliners and waiter service, I felt like I was on a plane.
Sadly when Hunger Games Mockingjay ended I was still in Bondi Junction, but it was great all the same.
4 Rooftop drinks
The Glenmore in The Rocks, Coogee Pavilion and Watson’s Bay Hotel have some competition this year, with the new Palisades Hotel at Millers Point offering some rooftop competition in the form of the Henry Deane bar.
I also recently discovered Sky Terrace at The Star, which is one of those places you’ll pose for dozens of photos before even ordering a drink. Or is that just me?
5 Try island life
If you’ve done Sydney Harbour’s Cockatoo Island, try Fort Deniston, which is offering Sunday Sunsets Sessions throughout January. Special ferries will transport you to enjoy drinks, dining and music. Book though — it’s so busy even I couldn’t get in recently.
THINGS TO DO ... ON YOUR OWN
6 Meet Up
If you’re keen to do all these wonderful things but don’t have any pals, make it your New Year’s Resolution to find some.
Meet Up’s a great app and website which has hundreds of groups to join, from my fave the British Expats, to more niche ones such as naked yoga. Yes it exists.
7 Nail It
Getting my nails done makes me smile. Getting them done like this made me happier than Tony Abbott at a second-hand shop.
I went to I Scream Nails in Newtown. And yes, they paint them all individually. Something like this costs $55.
8 Go to a gallery
I love galleries, and not just because of the excellent gift shops at the end. But there’s nothing worse than visiting with somebody who peruses faster or slower than you.
So go solo to see the Sydney International Art Series, which is comprises two major exhibitions; The Greats: Masterpieces from the National Galleries of Scotland at The Art Gallery of New South Wales and Grayson Perry — My Pretty Little Art Career, at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
An Art Pass is available for see both for $33. Fashion fans like me will be going to Collette Dinnigan: Unlaced at Powerhouse Museum which showcases the fashion designer’s best work.
9 Chillax with a spa day
Please can somebody send me to Endota Day Spa in Martin Place? It’s at the heritage-listed Westin Hotel and sounds more relaxing than a night in bed with Netflix.
If you’re lulled into laziness after your massage or facial, skip the supermarket and order My Own Bag from My Food Bag.
I tried it recently and it was awesome to have a nice driver deliver me everything I needed to create the enclosed recipes, without having to traipse around the supermarket.
THINGS TO DO ... TO FIND MEN
10 Watch rugby (boys)
Like rugby boys? You’ll be in heaven at a four day festival of rugby at the Bondi Tens followed by the inaugural HSBC Sevens World Series.
The events run back-to-back from February 4-7. All I want to know is, which pub are they going to after?
Also get your fancy dress on for the Sevens — the theme is Go Global. What will we go as, girls?
11 Beer with the boys
I don’t like beer very much. But I’ll be giving Dave’s Brewery Tours a go. Try the The Hipster and Hops tour which offers six hours of beer tasting at the inner west’s microbreweries including Young Henry’s, Willie the Boatman, and The Batch.
It costs $160 but it’s gotta be a perfect place to pull, right?
12 Get on your bike
The perfect excuse to buy some new cycle-friendly trews, Bonza Bike Tours offers the chance to take in all the sites on the Sydney Classic Tour.
It might be popular with tourists, so it could be a great place to meet Serguo from Rio and offer to show him around, wouldn’t you say?
13 Try Craft Singles
I’ve always found speed dating pretty dire, but Craft Singles sees couples team up to complete five-minute craft challenges.
At least you’ll know if his DIY skills are up to scratch before you arrange a date, too. It’s at Workshop HQ in Redfern on Friday, January 22 and costs $60.
For more visit sydney.com visitnsw.com
Tweet me @swainey123
Single in Sydney returns in January
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