Sydney has many hidden gems that offer a taste of the glitz and glamour of Vegas, reminiscent of the famed Nevada city.
From luxurious restaurants to electrifying entertainment, Sydney boasts an array of experiences which bring a little Vegas spirit closer to home.
We are all trying to save money, and if travel is not accessible right now, there are loads of fun ways to have an international experience, here in our home town of Sydney.
With the opening of new rooftop bars, eccentric restaurants and new shows to watch, we thought a Vegas-like experience would be the perfect way to have a low-budget experience in Sydney.
Vegas isn’t all about the casinos and party lifestyle, it’s also the city known for some of the most lavish performances, quirky dining experiences and unique hotels to stay.
Where to Stay:
Where: 169 Castlereagh Street, Sydney (between Hyde Park and the Queen Victoria Building).
Price: Starting from $178 a night.
Start your Vegas experience travelling back in time to the Frank Sinatra era of Vegas, staying at a heritage listed Art Deco inspired, 1920’s hotel.
Designed with old world charm, the hotel is conveniently located in the heart of the CBD, making it easy to move around the city and see sites and attractions.
The hotel has 83 boutique hotel rooms, an elegantly-restored cocktail bar, and an elegant dining area.
The Best Cocktails:
Harper Rooftop Bar – Kimpton Margot Hotel
Where: Level 7, Kimpton Margot Hotel, 339 Pitt Street, Sydney.
Price: Cocktails start from $24 (food is also available).
The Harper Rooftop Bar is a sprawling retreat sitting amongst Sydney’s sky rises, and mixes contemporary beach-club interiors with relaxed laid-back cocktail vibes, to deliver the ultimate in feel-good fun for day and night.
The bar also hosts a monthly Vino N Vinyasa event, where you do yoga and sip wine at the same time – the ultimate chill out experience.
Eccentric Dining:
Where: 15 Bligh St, Sydney
Price: Entrees start from $20, mains start from $60
From Martini and oysters to cheese and Cognac, this French-inspired restaurant is a must. Though the restaurant has been around for a while, it is still a trend spot for many Sydney-siders, as one of the best and most authentic French bistros in Sydney.
The restaurant has three bars, a large central dining room, a pair of intimate private dining rooms and the Theatre Royale, an art-house cinema that plays host to events and private hire.
The Casino Scene:
Where: 20-80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont (right next to Darling Harbour)
Although Sydney doesn’t have a collection of colossal casinos, synonymous with the Vegas Strip, it certainly doesn’t lack in opulence and excitement when it comes to casinos.
Whilst many people enjoy blackjack online games today, it can be fun to enjoy a real-life experience watching people play blackjack and poker at the casino.
The casino features a variety of Vegas like experiences from the latest shows at their Lyric theatre, multiple levels of restaurants serving international menus and most with stunning views of the harbour, and gaming rooms adorned with megalithic fish tanks, and crystal chandeliers.
Spectacular Entertainment:
Where: 95-99 York Street, Sydney
Price: Dinner and show for 2 people RRP $180
No Vegas experience would be complete without a dose of captivating entertainment, and Sydney does deliver.
For a truly immersive experience, visitors can indulge in dinner and a show at The BirdCage on York, where you will be entertained with a risqué burlesque performance.
In April, they will be hosting a vintage, burlesque-inspired dinner and show inspired by the movie – The Great Gatsby.
The Perfect End
Where: 016 Kensington Street, Chippendale
Price: Cocktails start from $20
Finish your Vegas experience enjoying a boutique handcrafted cocktail you won’t find anywhere else in Sydney.
Playfully referencing the iconic Gin Lane print by English artist William Hogarth, Gin Lane is one of Sydney’s most unique small bars, experimenting with gin to create some of the most interesting cocktails you’ll ever experience.
The founder of Gin Lane Grant Collins is a qualified mixologist, who spend most of his spare time creating new recipes with interfering twists to keep his patrons intrigued every time they visit.
