“I feel we’re on the cusp of something big happening in Sydney,” says the vice president of YCK Laneways, the Wynyard-based consortium of independent retail, hospitality and entertainment businesses clustered around York, Clarence and Kent Streets in the CBD.

Like a lot of operators in the hospitality industry, Schlothauer has seen behaviours change and daily attendances waver since the start of the pandemic. Now a new event, Flow and Glow, is inviting Sydneysiders to think about how to rejuvenate Sydney’s CBD.

“Everyone’s working from home now,” Schlothauer says. “You’re only in the office a couple of days a week, so how can we get people back into the city, enjoying everything the city has to offer?”

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Flow and Glow is a two-day program of panel discussions and installations taking place across Wynyard that’s intended to promote a rethink of how people and businesses interact with one another. YCK Laneways are teaming up with Bacardi and The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, and activating the stables of the former General Post Office at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

“It’s going to be an immersive experience where there’ll be some talks held next to the bar. The bar’s going to be in the theme of the 1920s with a classic cocktail list curated by YCK and Bacardi,” says Schlothauer. He says to expect plenty of vintage favourites such as Martinis and Negronis.

“[The 1920s] is basically where cocktails were born and where everything has stemmed from, so we’re looking at some of those original classics, which bartenders still use today, to reimagine what’s possible,” Schlothauer says.

Besides the pop-up bar, the activation of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney stables will include projection-art displays and live music. The big draw, though, will be the chance to engage with a series of forward-looking talks that feature experts from the hospitality and retail industries.

“I’m really excited to see the Building Brand Sydney [talk] – there’s some really cool speakers there,” Schlothauer says. “You’ve got Steve Cox from Destination NSW, for example, and they’re going to be talking about how we shape a thriving CBD, from precincts to attractions, and how we shape the future of Sydney.”

Another talk at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, Future of Retail: The Immersive Experience, will look at how retail stores balance traditional and digital models and will feature Good On You founder Gordon Renouf.

For Schlothauer, Flow and Glow is a chance to take a step back and think about how Sydney’s CBD can grow and adapt for the future.

“It’s reimagining what the CBD can be and where it’s heading into the future,” he says. “Hospitality venues are leaning towards more immersive experiences. I look forward to seeing more street art and people engaging with their city in a different way than what they previously did.”

Flow and Glow will take over Wynyard in Sydney’s CBD on Thursday October 13 and Friday October 14. View the whole program and register. Plan your visit on the Flow and Glow app.

This story is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with CBRE.