On the Trail of Small Bars and Big Art in Sydney

Summer is the perfect time to get out and explore Sydney’s streets.

Down laneways, around corners and along back streets, the City of Sydney has invited Sydneysiders to step out on a self-guided trail that links small bars with stunning artworks from the City’s growing collection.

The new City Art tour, which has been developed by the City of Sydney with Time Out Sydney, highlights must-see artworks across the City Centre, each with a suggested small bar nearby.

Pairings include Youngsters, Caroline Rothwell’s haunting bronze sculptures on Barrack Street, and Stitch, a lively underground bar near Wynyard decorated with sewing machines and specialising in tempting food like hot dogs, tacos and burgers.

“From Circular Quay to Surry Hills, our streets, laneways, parks and public spaces feature intriguing and often beautiful artworks and installations,” the Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“This self-guided tour is a great way for Sydneysiders and visitors to explore the city on foot, taking in some of our top artworks, with ideas for a spot to drink and eat at the same time.”

Highlights of the City Art tour include:

• Windlines by Jennifer Turpin and Michaelie Crawford, an elegant weathervane sculpture in Scout Place at Circular Quay that commemorates the 2008 centenary of Scouts in Australia, and Tapavino, Sydney’s very first sherry and tapas bar in Bulletin Place;

• Forgotten Songs, Michael Thomas Hill’s spectacular collection of birdcages suspended high above Angel Place, echoing the sounds of the laneway’s previous inhabitants, and The Baxter Inn, a jazz bar on Clarence Street that stocks 360 kinds of whisky;

• In Between Two Worlds by Jason Wing, an attention-grabbing artwork in Chinatown’s Kimber Lane that features bright-blue clouds on the laneway walls and large metallic ‘spirit figures’ suspended above, and Goodgod Small Club, a bar, canteen and ‘danceteria’ on Liverpool Street;

• Always was, always will be, Reko Rennie’s stunning full façade artwork that covers the T2 building at Taylor Square South with giant geometric diamond shapes painted in neon pink, black and blue, and Low 302, a cocktail bar on Crown Street featuring live music and DJs most nights; and

• Windgrid by Tim Knowles, a canopy of tiny ‘paper aeroplanes’ that dance in the breeze and cast shadows on the pavement below, suspended high above Taylor Square North, and The Commons, a rustic heritage farmhouse on Burton Street known for its seasonal, local produce.

For the full list of pairings and to download a map, visit: cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/cityart