The Easter long weekend is one of the busiest stretches of the year at King Street Wharf, and one of the better ones to be on the water side of the city. Four days, mostly warm, and a promenade that runs from family lunches at midday through to late trading.
What the weekend usually looks like
Venues along the promenade put on food and drink specials across the four days, live music and DJs run in the bars from Thursday evening, and the outdoor tables fill early whenever the weather holds. Because it is a public holiday weekend, expect the waterfront tables to go first and to be worth booking.
One thing worth planning around: Good Friday trading is restricted, so some venues open later, close earlier or run a reduced offer that day. Thursday, Saturday and Sunday are the nights that tend to run late.
Where to start
Henley’s Bar and Kitchen runs cocktail and food specials across the long weekend and suits a casual catch up or a family trip into the city.
Cargo Bar is the late one, with DJs across the weekend and a bigger door on the Saturday and Sunday nights.
Bungalow 8 runs across all four days, with live music and afternoon sessions as well as the evenings.
For a long lunch rather than a late night, Casa Ristorante Italiano and Manjit’s at the Wharf are both set up for a table that is not in a hurry.
Before you come
Line ups, specials and trading hours change every Easter, and public holiday surcharges are common, so confirm with the venue rather than relying on last year’s programme. The wharves guide lists what is currently on the promenade, the getting here guide covers transport, and the parking guide is worth reading before you drive in on a public holiday.
Looking for something on the water instead? The harbour operators run dated event cruises over the holidays: see Australian Cruise Group.