Bite Size: Five New Things in Sydney You Need To Know This Week – November 2, 2023

Rainbow renovations
Sydney’s rainbow crossings are on the minds of Sydney councillors, with Adam Worling putting forward a notice of motion to update the pair of permanent artworks – one in Taylor Square and the other in Prince Alfred Park – to reflect the inclusive Progress flag. Currently, the crossings depict the six-coloured rainbow Pride flag, designed by Gilbert Baker and first revealed in 1978 at the San Francisco Freedom Day Parade. The addition of a chevron striped with black, brown, white, pink and blue – representing Indigenous communities, people of colour, trans, non-binary and gender-diverse people – better represents the LGBTIQA+ community.

The motion, presented last week, was unanimously supported and the council is now looking into a timeline for the update, as well as more spots around the city for pride crossings (which will reflect the Progress flag). Nice one, team Sydney!

Sweet and spicy by the beach
Spicy Honey is the fun, fiery condiment being made in small batches in Northbridge and then sold at the markets in Bondi. The glass-bottled spicy syrup, made with locally sourced honey and spices, is designed to top food and enliven cocktails. The OG is a mix of honey and bird’s-eye chillies, prime fare for pepperoni pizzas or a spicy Margarita. The hottest of them all is Flamin’ Honey, where the simple addition of chilli flakes makes for a ripper dumpling topping. Spicing it up without the heat is Chai Honey, where cardamom, cloves, ginger and star anise will level up your tea-sipping and Whisky Sour experiences alike. This is just the start for the Spicy Honey team, with plans for their own hives and a caffeinated flavour on the horizon. @spicyhoneyau

Popping up
The city is alive with the spirit of collaboration, with cross-venue pop-ups the theme of the season. Lankan Filling Station’s Monday-night takeover series is welcoming chefs from the likes of Ester, 10 William St and Kiln to serve their renditions of biryani. Smoking Gringos is delivering its famed birria tacos at Checho’s on November 19, while Dimitri’s is firing pies at Cricketers Arms (and bistro Chez Crix, upstairs) on November 5. The pop-up-by-design Club Sup is taking over the Ace Hotel’s ground-floor cafe Good Chemistry for its first Sydney book swap. On November 25, bring a read you recommend and get ready to meet new people over pastries, coffee and plenty of literary chat.

A New Look for Chinatown
Following the announcement of a $44 million plan to reinvigorate Haymarket’s Chinatown, the City of Sydney has released renders of the proposed Dixon Street revamp. The concept was presented by Aspect Studios, the international design firm responsible for some of Sydney’s recent impressively redesigned public spaces, like Darling Quarter, Quay Quarter Lanes and Darling Square. (And the extended Bondi to Bronte Coastal Walk.)

The new look aims to “breathe new life” into Chinatown’s main strip. Lighting is at the forefront of the plans, with “coloured ribbons” of light weaving overhead, snaking between the towering landmark fig trees. You can have your say on the proposed design until Wednesday November 15.

Dia de los Muertos at the Entertainment Quarter
The Mexican holiday Day of the Dead is being celebrated this weekend with a spectacular night-time takeover of the Moore Park precinct. Rosa Cienfuegos of Tamaleria fame will be on tamale duty and Blacktown’s Smoking Gringos will bring the birria tacos. Plus, there will be stalls from Carbon, Baja Seafood and Patron.

A mariachi band, local DJs and “Latino Australiano” artist Carlos C Major will be performing live, and there’ll be street art installations and lucha libre wrestling. Plus, a tattoo station from Skullavera and a cacao ceremony hosted by Frido Cacao. The holiday is a celebration of lives lived, a tradition that honours the dead and brings communities together. Tickets to the two-day fiesta are free but need to be pre-registered.