Best things to do in Sydney, even when it rains - 8 genius ideas to have fun on a rainy weekend
There’s no doubt that on a bright sunny day, Sydney absolutely sparkles. But to truly experience this city you need to go beyond the crystal clear blue skies, and glimmering harbour and beaches.
A rainy weekend is the perfect chance to enjoy the other, more hidden, parts of Sydney life.
So, what exactly is there to do in Sydney when the weather is wetter than a mermaid’s vagina? Do mermaid’s even have…anyway, moving right along.
These 8 genius ideas are sure to help you get the most out of your Sydney weekend, no matter what the weather throws at, or down, on you.
- Get your nails done somewhere fancy - like with famous Sydney nail artist Miss Betty Rose
- See a burlesque dinner show in Sydney style at the Bamboozle Room in Potts Point
- Have a drink in a speakeasy- like Ramblin’ Rascals in the CBD
- Shop in the iconic QVB in the city centre
- Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art in the Rocks
- Go to Australia’s oldest pub, Fortune of War in the Rocks
- Have lunch at an award winning restaurant- like the Italian Bowl on King St, Newtown
- See a movie somewhere cool - like the Dendy Cinema, Newtown
We love these ideas so much, we tested them out ourselves in one fun filled, rainy 48 hours. Read on to see how we packed it all into one wet Sydney weekend.
Friday 4pm- Nails done with celeb nail artist Miss Betty Rose in Paddington
When the weather is bad, your blow dry is a ride off. This is the perfect excuse to give your nails a turn in the limelight! For the ultimate nails experience, we can’t go past nail artist to the stars: Miss Betty Rose. She has tendered the claws of celebs like Katie Perry, Pink and Delta Goodrem. She is obviously had to catch, so you will need a combination of luck and major forward planning to get this appointment. Check out her work and contact her through her Instagram.
Friday 6pm- Pre drinks at Ramblin' Rascals Tavern in the CBD
Popular with suits and bohemians alike, Ramblin' Rascals is considered one of Sydney’s best and most authentic speakeasys for a reason. Vibe: awesome. Cocktails: awesome. Staff: awesome.
Located just near museum train station, Ramblin' Rascals is also very accessible, but of course it’s a bit hard to find. That’s all part of the satisfaction of going there (It is a speakeasy after all) so we aren’t giving you anymore clues. When you do finally find it, slink on in out of the cold rain. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a cosy drink or two and soak up the atmosphere…before moving on to the next part of the evening.
Friday 7pm- Burlesque dinner show in the Bamboozle Room, Potts Point
Sydney’s original modern burlesque dinner show venue, the Bamboozle Room is the place to have a complete and unique Sydney experience. There are a few other cabaret dinner shows around, however none do interactive comedy and authentic burlesque as slick and entertaining as the Bamboozle Room. Tickets can be selected to include a multiple course dinner, or for the show only. This is very popular with couples, groups of friends, work functions and family birthday bookings. Shows include a mix of burlesque comedy and cabaret. See what is now showing.
Saturday 10am- Shopping in the QVB in the CBD
This is one of the most iconic and arguably most beautiful landmarks of Sydney, incapable of being diminished by any weather. Since most of the architectural glory is inside, you can marvel at it unencumbered, while the rain pours outside. Its historic essence and gratuitous marble create a sense of permanence and timelessness that make it an ideal place to take shelter from wild unpredictable weather.
The plethora of boutique stores, upon multiple levels, bring a myriad of things to discover. The price tags can hit heavy, like thunder, but don’t worry; the sights, sounds, smells and visual beauty of the QVB, make even pure window shopping an experience of extreme sensory satisfaction.
Saturday 1pm- Museum of Contemporary Art in the Rocks
Although it is possible to walk, on a rainy day you will want to catch an uber from the QVB down to the MCA in the Rocks. This place is a wonderland for the mind and spirit and is a must see in Sydney, for travelers, tourists and Sydneysiders alike...and its FREE! Go there if you’ve never been. If you have been, then go there again.
Saturday 6pm- Dinner and Drinks at Fortune of War pub in the Rocks
After the MCA, nip over to the Fortune of War, also in the Rocks. This is literally Sydney’s oldest operating pub. It's everything you expect and want from Sydney’s oldest pub; hearty pub feeds, heart warming spirits, and dark beers to put long surviving, convict built pub has more charm than you could poke a leprechaun at.
Speaking of leprechauns, this is the perfect place to enjoy St Patrick's Day 2020. Fortune of War regularly have live entertainment but its going to be even more golden than usual to celebrate this St Pats Day. To see whats on, visit their website.
Sunday 11am- Vintage Shopping, Newtown
Newtown has become a bit of a “nightlife hotspot”, so going on a Sunday means you can explore Newtown like the locals, without the hordes of obnoxious drunken blow ins. Head in and peruse the array of quirky shops selling vintage clothes, art, antiques, books and vinyl.
Many of the shops have awnings so going from shop to shop along King St should not be too difficult in the rain- so it wont matter that you lost your umbrella 12 hours ago, even though its like the 25th one you bought and you swore you would treasure it forever this time.
Sunday 12pm- Lunch at the Italian Bowl on Kings St, Newtown
There is no better comfort food than pasta. There is no better time for comfort food made with love, that on a dismal rainy day. And no one makes loved filled food better than the Italian Bowl- All their foodie awards, and their customers say so.
This is a very casual restaurant, so it won’t matter if you scuttle in all flustered with bad rain hair. The prices are also quite reasonable. You may have to wait for a table, so consider making a booking in advance. Visit their website for the low down.
Sunday 2pm- Movie at the Dendy Cinema, Newtown
What’s better than seeing a movie on a rainy day? Eating pasta and then seeing a movie on a rain day! The Dendy Cinema is a hop skip and a jump from the Italian Bowl, and shows all kids of movies from art house, to blockbuster to foreign. The cinema is super cosy with great service, so you are sure to feel welcomed. It also has a sophisticated little bar, so you can enjoy a glass of vino with your movie.
This is the perfect relaxed way to cap off a successful weekend of shopping, drinking, burlesque watching, culture appreciating and weather battling. Make sure you look online at the session schedule in case you need to adjust your shopping and lunch times to see your preferred movie.
You don’t want to be caught standing around in the rain...unless you want to start singing.