Sydneysiders urged to get off the couch and onto the streets
A City of Sydney-backed month long food festival is calling on Sydneysiders to hit the streets and show their support for local bars, cafes, restaurants and retailers.
The American Express delicious. Month Out showcases Sydney's popular dining precincts around Surry Hills, Potts Point and the CBD during March, celebrating the diversity of Sydney's dining scene.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the City's $95,000 seed funding for the month-long initiative will support the hospitality industry, promote local businesses and boost night-time trading.
"This is a great opportunity to show our support for local establishments in the city centre and throughout our villages," the Lord Mayor said.
"The new festival brings together a diverse range of venues to drive consumer awareness, increase foot traffic and provide a well-deserved economic boost for local traders.
"This is especially important now that the NSW Government has lifted the lockout laws in the CBD and committed to a review of the lockouts in Kings Cross within the year.
"Local businesses and restaurants have also suffered during the construction of the light rail along George Street and in Surry Hills and are currently dealing with impacts of the coronavirus.
"I encourage all Sydneysiders and tourists to get out and enjoy the wonderful dining options our city has to offer."
With more than 205 retail offerings and free pop-up events across Sydney, local restauranteurs are getting behind the event. Among them is Mary's Underground in the CBD.
"We enthusiastically support any plan that aims to get people out on the streets of our glorious city," said Mary's Group co-founder, Jake Smyth.
"Our bars and restaurants are absolutely world class – reminding ourselves of that fact is always important. I want to see people fall back in love with their city. There is so much to love, and we take it for granted far too easily."
Rebecca Yazbek, co-owner of NOMAD in Surry Hills, hopes the initiative will inspire people to try new experiences.
"Our industry is thriving and a whole bunch of restaurants, new and old, need to be revisited and put back on people's radars," Ms Yazbek said.
"We love Surry Hills for its diversity. The more people who come to experience our beautiful community and what we're all about, the better."
As part of the festival, there will be three pop-up festival hubs located in the CBD, Potts Point and Surry Hills with free entertainment and gourmet offerings:
CBD – Pitt Street, Thursday 5 March, 4pm-7pm
Surry Hills – Collins Street, Thursday 12 March, 4pm-7pm
Potts Point – Fitzroy Gardens, Thursday 19 March, 4pm-7pm
There are a wide range of events and promotions on offer, including guided walking tours, complimentary cocktails and one-off dining specials. See delicious.com.au/zones/delicious-month-out for details and bookings.
