Kings Cross Hotel

The verdict

One of Sydney’s iconic pubs is serving up some of the best pub grub in town and trust us, you need to add a visit to your calendar this weekend. Kings Cross Hotel is six levels of fun, starting with the dive bar on the ground level, to the rooftop on the, ahem, rooftop, and of course the cult-movie dedicated cinema in between (this one is only happening during Vivid—head here for more).  

Come Saturday night the hotel transforms for Uptown party night, where the cocktails flow all night long and dancing outrageously with your mates is encouraged mandatory. Our top picks from the bar are the King’s Cooler (east sangiovese rosé, Chambord, citrus, strawberry and soda) and the New Spritz On The Block (Regal Rogue Bold Red, prosecco, grapefruit and soda). 

If you’re heading here earlier and need a hearty meal to get the night started, head straight for the food menu (obvs). Here you’ll find classics, like a chicken parmigiana and grain fed scotch fillet, served with the foolproof potato and salad combination. Anyone on a budget will be pleased to know that they also have weekly dinner specials, involving $1 wings, burgers, and schnitz + bits. 

Image credit: Kings Cross Hotel