Good morning, Inner Westies. From playground openings to flash mobs and pancake stacks, we’ve rounded up everything worth knowing this weekend — no doom scrolling required.

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.

Grab your morning coffee and join us as we explore the Inner West together.

— Jess Thorning

For a breakfast that guarantees a smile, head to Happyfield. This bright yellow corner café in Haberfield brings a hit of North American diner charm to the Inner West.

Crowned Cafe of the Year in the SMH Good Food Guide 2024, this spot was opened in 2020 by two mates (one a proud Canadian) serving up Canadian-style pancake stacks with pure maple syrup alongside the cult-favourite McLovin Muffin. With retro vibes, friendly staff, and great coffee, it's easy to see why this local icon truly lives up to its name.

📍 96 Ramsay St, Haberfield / Open 7 Days / 7:30am – 3:30pm
👉️ Check out their Website and Instagram for more information

Each week (or thereabouts) we spotlight one interesting local listing — whether it’s jaw-droppingly luxe, a federation beauty, or full of fixer-upper charm. It’s a fun little peek into Inner West real estate - no judgment, just curiosity.

One of my favourite hobbies is looking at homes I’ll never be able to afford. If it’s yours too, you’re in the right place.

Featured in Home Beautiful and lovingly reimagined by Studio Trio, this c.1913 Federation stunner is as grand as it is liveable. Think: Arabescato marble kitchen with a Lacanche French cooker, glamorous banquette dining, a dreamy butler's pantry, Jetmaster fireplaces, and a versatile attic suite.

Outside, you'll find an English-inspired garden, custom porch swing, kids' playhouse and landscaping by Pepo Botanic Design. Give me one week in that butler's pantry and I'd become “That Person” with labelled spice jars. Anything but bland. This is classic Haberfield: grand and leafy.

📍144 Bland Street, Haberfield / 5 bed / 3 bath / 4 car /
👉 Listed with Belle Property Annandale

🛝 New Playground Opening at Haberfield

🧘 Kids Yoga @ Darling Quarter (ages 2 to 5 years)
Free 30-minute sessions where kids aged 2 to 5 develop body awareness and focus through fun, stretchy activities led by a qualified instructor, with mats provided and parents welcome to join.
📍 Playground Lawn, Darling Quarter / Fridays / 10:30am – 11am & 11:30am – 12pm

🌳 Explorers Play in the Park Playgroup @ Marrickville 
Join Plumtree at this free weekly playgroup where families connect while babies and toddlers up to age 3 explore and socialise through songs, play and guided activities in the park. Free. RSVP ahead.
📍 Jarvie Park, Marrickville / Monday 11 August 2025 / 9:30am – 11am

📚 HSC Study More at Five Dock Library
Extended study sessions for HSC students, offering a dedicated study space outside normal hours.
📍 Five Dock Library / Tuesday 12 & Wednesday 13 August 2025 / 7:30pm – 9:30pm

🎭 After School: Puppet Making & Storytelling (ages 8 to 11)
Kids craft puppets from recycled materials and bring stories to life through imaginative storytelling in this hands‑on after‑school workshop.
📍 Ashfield Library / Wednesday 13 August 2025 / 3:45pm – 4:45pm ♿️

🇫🇷 French Classes @ Rozelle
Fun, interactive French classes where babies, toddlers, preschoolers and their carers learn through songs, games and stories, fostering language and cognitive development.
📍 Hannaford Community Centre, Rozelle / Wednesday 13 August 2025 / 3 to 5 years 9:20am, 6 months to 2 years 10:15am and 2 to 3 years 11:05am

🎶 Women’s Singing Circle - Mums & Bubs
A joyful singing circle where women of all ages gather to harmonise, connect and nurture their emotional wellbeing, welcoming all voices and life stages. Kids welcome up to 4 years.💰$20
📍 Summer Hill Little BIG House / Wednesday 13 August 2025 / 10am – 11:30am

🍼 Baby Sensory Class @ Broadway
Weekly sensory sessions that stimulate babies’ senses through interactive activities while parents relax and connect; ideal for newborns and crawlers.
📍 Broadway Minis Hub, Glebe / Wednesday 13 August 2025 / 10am – 11am

📆 Coming Up - Book Ahead

🎈 Mini and Me: Open Day
Fun-filled open day for little ones and grown-ups featuring jumping castle, soft play, ball pit, kids entertainment, styled photos, grazing table and more. $20 per adult (includes 1 child), additional children $5.
📍Eventure Collective, St Peters / Saturday 16 August 2025 / 10am – 2pm

🖼  Audio Descriptive Tour of the Kerameikos Exhibition
A guided audio‑descriptive tour where participants explore ancient and modern ceramics through tactile objects and discussion.
📍 Chau Chak Wing Museum, Camperdown / Friday 8 August 2025 / 10:30am – 12:30pm

🎦  Film Club @ Marrickville Library
This months free film club screening is At the Fork: Grappling with the Morality of Farming Animals for Food (Drama, PG). Bookings are essential.
📍 Marrickville Library and Pavilion, Marrickville / Friday 8 August 2025 / 10am – 12pm ♿️

🌈  Dying to Know Day LGBTQ+ Panel
A community panel and Q&A where LGBTQ+ people and allies discuss end‑of‑life planning, advocacy and support with experts across the death and dying sector. Register in advance.
📍 Inner West Pride Centre, Newtown / Friday 8 August 2025 / 1pm – 4pm ♿️

✍  The Poet's Room
Open sessions for sharing of original works, listening to others and offering constructive feedback in a supportive environment.
📍 Marrickville Library / Friday 8 August 2025 / 6pm – 7pm ♿️

🎵  Chasing the Moon @ Leichhardt Bowlo
Hot club jazz infused with European, swing and Latin influences performed by a lively six-piece band playing original tunes and classics. 💰Tickets $36.
📍 Leichhardt Bowling Club, Lilyfield / Friday 8 August 2025 / 8pm – 10:30pm ♿️

🛍️ Balmain Village Markets
Discover handmade treasures, fresh produce, local eats and live music. Plus support local artisans and performers. 
📍 St Andrews Church, Balmain / Saturday 9 August 2025 / 9am – 2pm

🔄 Book Swap @ Summer Hill
Bring pre‑loved books to swap for new reads in a community event promoting sustainable sharing. Inner West Council Residents only.
📍 Inner West Sustainability Hub, Summer Hill / Saturday 9 August 2025 / 10am – 2pm 

✍️ Inner West Writers Group @ Marrickville
A supportive group for writers of all levels to share work, exchange constructive feedback and stay motivated.
📍 Marrickville Library / Saturday 9 August 2025 / 10am – 12pm ♿️

🤸 WriggleFit
A friendly Saturday morning fitness class for dancers to improve strength, mobility and stamina without intimidation. 💰$20.
📍 The Wriggle Room, Marrickville / Saturday 9 August 2025 / 9:30am – 10:30am

🛒 Metro Markets on Smidmore
Monthly markets at Marrickville Metro featuring gourmet foods and artisanal goods from local makers.
📍 Marrickville Metro / Saturday 9 August 2025 / 10am – 4pm

🧎 Indoor Yoga @ Summer Hill
Yoga sessions to build strength and unwind while fostering community and mental wellbeing in a welcoming environment. 💰$20.
📍 Summer Hill Little BIG House / Saturday 9 August 2025 / 7:45am – 8:45am

🎵 Addi Sounds Youth Music Festival
Featuring 40 young musicians and bands across indie, rock, rap, electronic and house genres. Family-friendly fundraiser supporting Addi Road Food Relief fund and Addi Sounds Program. All ages welcome.
📍Addison Road Community Organisation, Marrickville / Sunday 10 August 2025 / 10am – 9:30pm

🌮 Olotl Taqueria at Earl's Juke Joint
Mexico City street eats takeover featuring birria beef, cochinita pork, nopales and braised shiitake tacos by Olotl Taqueria. DJ Satva spins modern cumbia, afrosound and Colombian hip hop. Espolòn tequila specials all night.
📍Earl's Juke Joint, Newtown / Sunday 10 August 2025 / 6pm – 10pm

🎱 Jack's Pool Comp @ Newtown
Weekly pool competitions with singles and doubles matches, open to all skill levels with cash prizes for winners.
📍Kelly’s On King, Newtown / Sunday 10 August 2025 / 4:30pm

🎯 Inner West Sydney Cornhole League
Join this fun and inclusive league every fortnight at White Bay Brewery. Everyone is welcome and able to play - all ages event.
📍 White Bay Brewery, Rozelle / Thursday 14 August 2025 / 6:30pm

🎵  Lost Birds
Powerful concert featuring Sydney Philharmonia Choirs in a unique industrial setting. Christopher Tin's "Lost Birds" memorial to extinct species pairs with Joseph Twist's "Timeless Land" celebrating Australian nature, plus Vivaldi's Four Seasons reimagined for choir. A moving musical tribute to the natural world. 💰Starts at $50 (Under 30s are $30).
📍 White Bay Power Station, Rozelle / Saturday 16 August 2025 / 2:30pm

🏁 Unmarked IV Sydney
Two-day curated automotive showcase featuring Australia's finest car builds. Each day presents different vehicles including 4x4 offroad rigs, race cars, classics, collectibles, stance cars and motorbikes. 💰 $35 for a one day pass.
📍 The Venue, Alexandria / Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 August 2025 / 3pm – 9pm

🍷 Winter Cellar Door
A showcase of over 20 NSW wineries with live music and food stalls inviting visitors to sample more than 120 wines under one roof.
📍 Carriageworks, Eveleigh / Sunday 17 August 2025 / 11am – 5pm ♿️

🎬 Family History Film Workshop
Learn to record life stories using just your smartphone with filmmaker Danika Armytage. Beginner-friendly, hands-on workshop perfect for all ages during Family History Month. Free event with limited spots!
📍Marrickville Pavilion, Marrickville / Sunday 17 August 2025 / 2pm – 4pm

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

🌮 Domingo De Carnitas
Tacos De Carnitas, juicy slow-cooked pork served up classic Mexican style. 1 for $7 or 3 for $20. Plus a small cup of Pozole with the tacos. Sunday only!
📍Abes Comida Mexicana / Sunday 10 August 2025 only / 11am – 3pm

🍽 Sunday Roast Club @ Gary Owen Hotel
Head to Gary Owen Hotel for their Sunday Roast. Family Roast Feast for $79, Single Roast $28 and Kids Eat Free - see venue for terms! Walk-ins welcome, but bookings are recommended.
📍Gary Owen Hotel & Bistro, Rozelle

🍕 Pizza Special @ The Warren View Hotel
Half price Teddy’s Pizza Wednesday to Friday between 5pm & 6pm, with any beverage purchase. Limited time only. See venue for terms and conditions.
📍 The Warren View Hotel, Enmore

🧒 Gladstone Park Bowling Club Balmain | Sunday | 4pm – 7pm | Kids Eat Free with any adult main meal purchase - see venue for terms and conditions.

🍷 Estate Meets Plate @ ABODE Bistro Bar
Exclusive one-night event with Sidewood Estate, featuring estate-crafted wines, a 4-course menu by Head Chef Josh Askew, live entertainment, and a mystery wine challenge. Enjoy guided tastings and stories from the Sidewood team. $169 per adult. 
📍ABODE Bistro & Bar, Park Royal, Darling Harbour / Friday 15 August 2025 / 6pm

Hidden behind a butcher shop facade on King Street, Earl’s brings New Orleans soul to the Inner West. It’s all dark wood, moody lighting, and smooth tunes. A local institution known for seriously good cocktails and zero pretence.

Earl’s is teaming up with Inner West food favourites for three Sunday night pop-ups this August, featuring Olotl Taqueria (10 Aug), Little Lagos (17 Aug), and Kolkata Social (24 Aug). Expect street eats, cocktail specials by Espolòn Tequila, and DJs spinning from 6pm to 10pm. No bookings, just walk in hungry.

📍 407 King St, Newtown / Tuesday to Sunday / Open 6pm to Midnight.
👉 See their Website and Socials for more info.

Thanks for reading. Please feel free to reply with any feedback.

Reminder: 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 and specials can change.

Have a fun weekend!

Jess