Your guide to the best of the Inner West from 28 to 30 August

Good morning, Inner Westies.

Cafe Lewi, Flour Mill Nights, Fashion Frenzy, Festival of Dangerous Ideas and a packed weekend of live music are all in the mix this week.

Grab your morning coffee and let’s explore the Inner West together.

Have a great weekend,
Jess

Note: Please check to confirm details are accurate with venues, event providers, restaurants and pubs by clicking through to their site. Events are occasionally cancelled at the last minute.

A Mediterranean-inspired build on 942sqm, north facing, looking onto parkland. The entrance void runs six metres up, with a curved timber staircase. The kitchen has a Taj Mahal stone island, Miele appliances and a butler's pantry. Outside, an outdoor kitchen with wine fridges, a pool, a sunken fire pit, a cabana and a basketball court. Inside, a cinema upstairs and a wine cellar off the family room. It goes to auction on 19 September. The main bedroom has a makeup table built into the walk-in robe. I have lived in flats smaller than the main bedroom.

📍 5 bed / 5 bath / 6 car / 942sqm approx.
👉 Listed with Richard Matthews Real Estate

John and Isabella met at Rockpool in 2014, later worked together at Pt Leo Estate, and spent three years building Cafe Lewi in Lewisham.

We had the parmesan and herb omelette with focaccia, which you can add Oscietra caviar to, the steak sandwich, chips with chicken salt and gravy, and a kids’ vanilla pancake with maple syrup. It was all delicious, and the team were genuinely friendly and accommodating with our small toddler.

Leave room for the pastry counter and its raspberry shortcake and choc chip cookies. Steak frites runs on Wednesday nights.

📍 Cafe Lewi, Lewisham
📆 Tuesday to Sunday
👉 Check out their Instagram

There are five sittings between Friday 4 and Sunday 6 September, including a Sunday lunch the Glebe Point Road brasserie does not normally open for, so the whole family does not have to make one o'clock on Sunday. Three courses is $96, with duck à l'orange or a Dijon-roasted Wagyu rump for mains. Chef Jeff Schroeter is also opening two 1997 Australian wines by the glass, a Henschke Hill of Grace and a Wendouree Malbec Pressings, both strictly limited and worth reserving when you book the table.

📆 Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September
📍 Darling Glebe, Glebe Point Road, Glebe
👉 Find out more

🎬 Movies for Mums & Bubs
A parent-and-baby cinema screening with pram access.
📆 Fri 28 Aug / 10am
📍 Hoyts Broadway, Glebe

🎭 After-School Drama (ages 12–17)
Teens work on character, scenes and performance skills.
📆 Fri 28 Aug / 3:45pm – 4:45pm
📍 The Place, Lewisham

🎨 Design a Stencil & Print a Zipper Purse Workshop (ages 10+)
A hands-on workshop where children design a stencil and print a zipper purse.
📆 Sat 29 Aug / 11am – 12pm
📍 Monster Mouse Studios & Gallery, Marrickville

🎲 Tabletop Games: Dungeons and Dragons One-Shot
A guided tabletop role-playing session using Dungeons and Dragons.
📆 Sat 29 Aug / 1:30pm – 4:30pm
📍 Ashfield Library

🎭 Save the Sea Dragon King: Korean Storytelling Performance & Environmental Workshop (ages 3-15)
A Korean storytelling performance with an environmental workshop.
📆 Sat 29 Aug / 2pm – 4:30pm
📍 The Canvas at Rhodes Recreation Centre

📚 HSC Workshop: Health and Movement Science
A study workshop covering Health and Movement Science exam preparation.
📆 Sun 30 Aug / 10am – 12pm
📍 Marrickville Library

👶 Baby Bounce
A library rhyme and movement session for babies and carers.
📆 Tue 1 Sept / 10am
📍 Strathfield Council Library & Innovation Hub

🎨 Kids Fun Lab - Ashfield Shopping Centre
A children's activity session with guided creative play.
📆 Tue 1 Sept / 10am
📍 Ashfield Mall

🎨 Homeschool Makertime: 3D Printing (ages 8–12)
A homeschool maker session introducing 3D printing.
📆 Wed 2 Sept / 10:30am – 12:30pm
📍 Darling Square Library, Haymarket

🧱 Burwood Brick Builders
A library building session using LEGO-style bricks.
📆 Wed 2 Sept / 3:15pm – 4:15pm
📍 Burwood Library and Community Hub

🎬 After School Movie Screening: Magic Beach (ages 7-12)
An after-school screening of the Australian family film Magic Beach.
📆 Wed 2 Sept / 3:30pm
📍 Ashfield Library

📚 HSC Study Nights
A supervised study night for HSC students at Burwood Library.
📆 Wed 2 Sept / 6pm – 10pm
📍 The Community Hub, Burwood

COMING UP

🎬 Dive in Movie Screening of Kung Fu Panda 4
Poolside family movie night at Ashfield Aquatic Centre, with entry from 5pm and the film starting at 6pm.
📆 Fri 4 Sept / 5pm
📍 Ashfield Aquatic Centre

🎪 Balmain Family Fun Fair
Community fair with pony rides, LEGO activities, a petting zoo, inflatables, games, food, market stalls and local performances.
📆 Sat 5 Sept / 9am – 2pm
📍 Balmain Public School and Gladstone Park

🎵 Animal Adventures with the Metropolitan Orchestra
A children's orchestral concert by the Metropolitan Orchestra.
📆 Sat 5 Sept / 9:45am, 11:30am & 1:30pm
📍 Leichhardt Town Hall

KIDS EAT FREE

Don’t forget we have our Kids Eat Free Guide. 35+ places across the Inner West where kids eat free.
Get the Guide →

ALL WEEKEND

🧩 Cardcon Mega
Trading card weekend with vendors, buying, selling, trading, pack ripping, slabs, sealed cards and memorabilia.
📆 Sat 29 Aug – Sun 30 Aug / 9am – 4pm
📍 Howie Complex, Sydney Olympic Park

🛍️ Fashion Frenzy Sydney
Pre-loved women’s clothing, shoes and accessories sale supporting Dress for Success NSW & ACT’s styling and career programs.
📆 Fri 28 Aug & Sat 29 Aug
📍 Marrickville Town Hall

🎤 Festival of Dangerous Ideas
Ten-day festival of talks, films, workshops, art and excursions exploring politics, culture, technology and ethics.
📆 Thu 20 Aug – Sun 30 Aug / Various times
📍 Carriageworks, Eveleigh and other Sydney venues

🌱 The Garden Immersive Art Shop
Hands-on Marrickville warehouse installation with a garden-themed art shop.
📆 Fri 31 Jul – Sun 30 Aug / 10am – 4pm
📍 Voluptuary Ceramics, Marrickville

FRIDAY

🏳️‍🌈 Wear It Purple Day at Inner West Pride Centre
A free breakfast supporting LGBTQIA+ young people and inclusion.
📆 Fri 28 Aug / 8am – 9:30am
📍 Inner West Pride Centre, Newtown

📚 Festival of Dangerous Ideas
A talks festival taking on hatred, belonging, conspiracy, faith and morality.
📆 Fri 28 Aug
📍 Carriageworks, Eveleigh

🧺 Flour Mill Nights: Neighbourhood Picnic
Neighbourhood picnic with cultural performances, live music, food stalls and face painting.
📆 Fri 28 Aug / 4pm – 9pm
📍 Flour Mill Precinct, Summer Hill

🧘 Yoga with Cats!
A cat-cafe yoga session with gentle movement and resident cats.
📆 Fri 28 Aug / 6pm – 7pm
📍 Yumiao Cat Cafe, Waterloo

📌 Summer Hill Safe Space
A peer-led drop-in space for anyone feeling low, lonely or overwhelmed.
📆 Fri 28 Aug / 6pm – 9pm
📍 Little Big House, Summer Hill

SATURDAY

🧶 Intro to Rug Weaving on a Floor Loom
A hands-on weaving workshop using a floor loom.
📆 Sat 29 Aug / 9am – 5pm
📍 UTS Building 15, Ultimo

✒ WWYW x Understairs Ink Flash Tattoo Fundraiser
Flash tattoo day raising money for What Were You Wearing, with 75% of profits donated.
📆 Sat 29 Aug / From 10am
📍 Understairs Ink, St Peters

📚 Inner West Writers Group
A writing session for people working across different genres.
📆 Sat 29 Aug / 10am – 12pm
📍 Marrickville Library and Pavilion

👗 Ultimo Clothes Swap
A community clothes swap for exchanging pre-loved garments.
📆 Sat 29 Aug / 11am – 12:30pm
📍 Ultimo Community Centre

🏛️ Heritage Tours at South Eveleigh
A guided heritage tour through a historic railway precinct.
📆 Sat 29 Aug / 12pm – 2:30pm
📍 South Eveleigh

🎨 The Artist’s Way Creative Circle
A creative-circle session working through The Artist's Way.
📆 Sat 29 Aug / 1:30pm – 3pm
📍 Little Big House, Summer Hill

🎭 Dragaround – Newtown Edition
A daytime drag pub crawl with rotating performances.
📆 Sat 29 Aug / 1:30pm – 7pm
📍 Newtown: The Bank Hotel, The Marly, Newtown Hotel, Stonewall Newtown & Imperial

🎨 Inner Child Joy: A Permission Slip for Women to Play
Craft workshop for women centred on play, creativity and connection.
📆 Sat 29 Aug / 2pm – 4pm
📍 The Place, Lewisham

🎨 Metro Below: Sydney Walking Tour
A guided walking tour exploring Metro art, architecture and hidden Sydney.
📆 Sat 29 Aug / 2pm – 4pm
📍 Waterloo Metro Station

🤟 Deaf Festival Sydney 2026
A festival celebrating Deaf culture, community and services.
📆 Sat 29 Aug
📍 Sydney Olympic Park

SUNDAY

🙍‍♂ Namkook Cupsleeve Festival
A fan community cupsleeve festival with stalls and activities.
📆 Sun 30 Aug / 10:30am – 3pm
📍 Redfern Community Centre

🍵 Tea Meet Sound
A tea ceremony and soundbath session in Rozelle.
📆 Sun 30 Aug / 11:30am – 1pm
📍 Rozelle Venue

🎲 Tabletop Games Afternoon, 16 Years +
A tabletop games session for ages 16 and over.
📆 Sun 30 Aug / 12:30pm – 3:30pm
📍 Darling Square Library, Haymarket

🧵 Salvage Sunday
Textile salvage session with clothing, soft furnishings, shoes and components for makers, costumers, students and upcyclers.
📆 Sun 30 Aug / 1pm – 4pm
📍 Inner West Sustainability Hub, Summer Hill

🎨 Life Drawing Class with Tutor
A tutored life drawing class for beginners.
📆 Sun 30 Aug / 1pm – 3:30pm
📍 Peach Black Gallery, Chippendale

🌱 Kokedama Moss Balls Workshop
A plant workshop making Japanese-style moss balls.
📆 Sun 30 Aug / 2pm – 3:30pm
📍 Nauti Studios, Forest Lodge

COMING UP

☀️ Skin Checks with Skin Check Champions - Live Well
A skin check session run by Skin Check Champions.
📆 Sat 5 Sept / 8am
📍 South Eveleigh

♻ Refest
A community sustainability festival with talks, stalls and workshops.
📆 Sat 5 Sept / 10am – 4pm
📍 Waratah Mills, Summer Hill

🎪 Strathfield Spring Festival 2026
Large community festival with carnival rides, food stalls, markets, pony rides, roving entertainment, sports activations and Bluey stage shows.
📆 Sat 5 Sept / 10am – 5pm
📍 Strathfield Park

🎳 Barefoot Bowling for Singles 40+
A social barefoot bowling session for singles aged 40 and over.
📆 Sat 5 Sept / 4pm – 6pm
📍 Balmain Bowling Club

🎨 The Black Canoe Paint & Sip
Guided 18+ painting night with art materials, charcuterie, tea, coffee and BYO drinks. Book ahead.
📆 Fri 11 Sept / 6pm
📍 The Black Canoe Gallery Café, Waterloo

APIA Leichhardt FC has been crowned 2026 NPL Men’s NSW Premiers with one regular-season round still to play. The title was sealed after a 0–0 draw against Sydney United 58.

👉 Read more

CITY OF CANADA BAY

City of Canada Bay is asking for feedback on its Draft Nature Strip Policy and planting guidelines. The policy covers how residents can create nature strip gardens while keeping footpaths safe, accessible and practical. Feedback closes Sunday 27 September 2026.

👉 Have your say

INNER WEST COUNCIL

Inner West Council has criticised the NSW Government’s latest poker machine reforms, saying the changes do not go far enough to reduce machine numbers or review operating hours. Mayor Darcy Byrne says pressure for stronger reform is likely to keep growing.

👉 Read more

ReFest is coming to the Inner West Sustainability Hub in Summer Hill on Saturday 5 September, with talks, workshops, food, markets and hands-on activities focused on reuse, repair and low-waste living. Entry is free.

👉 Find out more

🍝 Schniti Opens in Haberfield
Schniti has opened on Ramsay Street, replacing Elements Bar & Grill Haberfield under the same ownership. The new concept is built around pounded schnitzels, Italian flavours, craft beer and a dedicated kids’ menu.
📍 Schniti, Haberfield / Open now
👉 Find out more

🍔 PREGO Burgers for Colombia
PREGO is donating 100% of profits from burgers sold this Friday to families affected by the earthquake in Colombia, including staff members’ families back home. The fundraiser is running across all PREGO locations, including Glebe and Summer Hill.
📆 Fri 28 August
📍 PREGO, Glebe and Summer Hill
👉 Find out more

🍤 Toby Wilson @ Bar DEMO
Chef Toby Wilson takes over Bar DEMO for one night with nostalgic Aussie classics, cocktails and a DJ set from Rizxa33. Walk-ins only.
📆 Sun 30 Aug / From 4pm
📍 Bar DEMO, Enmore

🍔 The Big Dom @ Dom Panino
Dom Panino has added The Big Dom to the menu: a double-patty, double-cheese panino with pickles, special sauce, iceberg and a Sicilian touch.
📍 Dom Panino, Leichhardt
👉 Find out more

COMING UP

🥳 Carlisle Castle Hotel Grand Reopening
The Carlisle Castle is reopening in Newtown with $1 wings and live music from Charley Castle and Ollie Thorpe. Bookings are now live via the venue.
📆 Fri 4 Sep / From 5pm
📍 Carlisle Castle Hotel, Newtown
👉 Find out more

HAPPY HOUR HEROES

🍺 The Toxteth, Glebe | Monday to Friday | 4pm – 6pm | $7 local beers and house wines - see venue for terms and conditions.

🍸 Bar Planet, Newtown | Monday to Friday, 4pm – 5pm & Saturday to Sunday, 3pm – 4pm | $13 Martini Happy Hour - see venue for terms and conditions.

🍷 Bald Rock Hotel, Rozelle | Monday to Friday | 4pm – 6pm | Wine from $7 and beer from $7.50 - see venue for terms and conditions.

GET YOUR EVENT ON THE LIST 🎸

Our deadline is the close of business on Wednesday for each Friday edition.