🌟 Surry Hills' Hollywood Quarter Hosts Epic All-Night Music & Food Trail

Surry Hills’ Hollywood Quarter recently burst into a vibrant hub of live music and culinary delights, as a precinct-wide gig trail transformed the inner-city district into an almost all-night extravaganza on April 5, 2025. This spectacular event, organised in partnership with Great Southern Nights, drew in thousands, significantly boosting foot traffic, spending, and engagement within the area.

Nestled in the back streets of Surry Hills, the Hollywood Quarter, known for its beloved hospitality venues like the historic Hotel Hollywood and diverse cafes and bars, truly shone. Its appeal was further highlighted recently when Foster Street, a key thoroughfare within the Quarter, was recognised as one of Time Out’s 30 Coolest Streets in the World for 2024.

The activation marked the second consecutive year Great Southern Nights, an initiative of the NSW Government, has collaborated with the Hollywood Quarter. The event showcased 10 venues and featured 16 dynamic street performances, alongside a thoughtfully curated food trail designed to keep partygoers energised. Music programmer Trevor Brown curated the gig trail, which included free performances such as DJ Foxy Fuzz at Alberto's Lounge, and acts like The Unction at Butter.

Highlights from the diverse musical line-up included performances by Strukiii, Odyssey, and Beddy White at Butter, and Deficit at the Burdekin Hotel. The night culminated in the early hours of Sunday morning at Soda Factory, where music pulsed from 7pm until 4am. Beyond the official venues, a troupe of 15 buskers brought spontaneous joy to Foster, Hunt, and Goulburn Streets, offering everything from flamenco guitar to funky street percussion.

The accompanying food trail offered limited-edition treats, generous specials, and late-night snacks. Butter featured an artist-inspired meal by Grant Perez, while Nomad and Pellegrino 2000 provided outdoor dining with views of the street performances. Unique beverage options included popcorn and margarita combos at Tio’s and an 'apolytivo happy hour' at Poly. Each venue contributed a distinct musical and culinary experience, making the event a resounding success for Surry Hills. Residents and visitors are encouraged to keep an eye out for future events in this lively precinct.