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Opera House announces pop-up bar and restaurant during Vivid Sydney

- Newtown bar The Midnight Special to take over the Concert Hall Northern Foyer - 

- Surry Hills' Butter and Archie Rose collaborate on a special fried chicken pop-up -

- Opera Bar curate a Vivid Sydney-exclusive menu with special lighting installations -

Sydney – Wednesday 17 May, 2023. A psychedelic Bob Dylan-inspired pop-up bar, fried chicken ramen, neon-lit harbourside dining, and outdoor food trucks. There’s plenty of ways to eat and drink your way around the Sydney Opera House during this year’s Vivid LIVE as part of Vivid Sydney (26 May – 17 June).

The Opera House’s centrepiece contemporary music event, Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House 2023, is part of Vivid Sydney, Australia’s largest festival.

Taste and Sound of Sydney by Opera Bar

Sights, sounds, sips and snacks. Inspired by Vivid Sydney’s 2023 creative theme – ‘Vivid Sydney, Naturally’ – Taste and Sound of Sydney at Opera Bar will celebrate the natural beauty of the harbour city with food inspired by the land and sea, and specially-curated cocktails as part of Vivid Sydney's brand new festival pillar, Vivid Food. 

A produce-driven menu features Sydney rock oysters with finger lime, scallop crudo with jalapeno, citrus and sea succulents, and poached quince with pepperberry goat’s cheese and buckwheat crisp.

Live music on Opera Bar’s in-the-round stage will feature burgeoning musicians Barley Passable, Djanaba and more. Up-to-date information can be found on the Opera Bar website.

Taste and Sound of Sydney is part of the Vivid Food program. Open daily from 11am until late, from 26 May to 17 June. More information can be found on the Vivid Sydney website

Other food and beverage options available at Sydney Opera House include:

Bar Subterranean by The Midnight Special

The creative team behind Newtown’s The Midnight Special will once again transform the Opera House’s spectacular Concert Hall Northern Foyer with Bar Subterranean. Open to the public with free entry, the lavish pop-up is inspired by Bob Dylan’s song ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues’, and is the perfect spot for a tipple before or after a Vivid LIVE concert, or as a pitstop on the Vivid Sydney Light Walk.

Aromatic mulled wine, Red Centre Negronis and Rosella Sour cocktails from Opera House partner Archie Rose will complement snacks and shared plates including a decadent truffled cheese toastie and cosy fennel pork sausage rolls.

Open nightly from 6pm until late, from 26 May to 4 June. Closing times may vary each night.

Vivid LIVE tickets are not required for entry. All are welcome, with entry via the western external steps of the Opera House or via the Concert Hall. 

NEON RAMEN by Butter x Archie Rose

Surry Hills’ fried chicken icon Butter and award-winning distillery Archie Rose will present NEON RAMEN, launching in the Opera House’s Yallamundi Rooms for a limited-time only from 27 May until 17 June. The menu will spotlight Butter’s famed fried chicken served atop steaming hot ramen with a special glaze, burgers (shroom for vegetarians) and tenders coated in an Archie Rose glaze and paired with golden, crispy fries. Hot cinnamon donuts round out the menu as a perfect post-dinner treat.

Serving up the cocktail menu is Opera House partner Archie Rose with their native-inspired range including the Espresso Martinique, Eucalypt Mule and Seaside Spritz. G.H. Mumm champagne is also available for a more indulgent palate.

In true Butter fashion, sneakers will adorn the walls of the northern broadwalk eatery while local DJs will be on deck for nightly entertainment against the backdrop of a glowing Sydney Harbour.


Open Friday to Sunday from 5pm until 10:30pm, from 27 May to 17 June. Bookings are highly recommended, with some space reserved for walk-ins.

Neon Harbour by House Canteen

Family-friendly dining destination House Canteen will come alive with Neon Harbour, a mesmerising LED glass-blown light installation by artist Carla O’Brien featuring life-size sculptures of underwater animals.

The waterside eatery located right next door to its neighbour Opera Bar, will serve up three special cocktails and its signature sushi donut, featuring freshly-sourced sustainable seafood.

Open daily from 7:30am until late, from 26 May to 17 June. Bookings for Neon Harbour are not available.


Outdoor food trucks on the Forecourt

As the sun sets and the city lights up, outdoor food trucks will arrive on the Opera House Forecourt to feed hungry festival-goers. A variety of snacks and small plates can be enjoyed alfresco including gozleme, German-style sausages, schnitzel burgers, wraps or coffee and gelato. Vegan and vegetarian options will be available.

Open Thursday to Sunday from 5pm until 10pm, from 26 May to 17 June. Bookings not required.

For media information, please contact:

Vivid LIVE Bar and Restaurant Media Enquiries

Alice Nguyen
Communications Specialist 
0418 413 145
anguyen@sydneyoperahouse.com

Vivid LIVE Media Enquiries

Francesca Breen
Communications Specialist 
0434 257 068
fbreen@sydneyoperahouse.com

Genvin In
Communications Coordinator
0449 939 864
genvin.in@sydneyoperahouse.com

Vivid Sydney Media Enquiries

Jenna Whyte
PR Manager – Vivid Sydney 
0484 719 536
jenna.whyte@dnsw.com.au