Best cosy pubs in Sydney: East Village transformed into Winter Garden to escape the cold

The rooftop of a popular Sydney pub has been transformed into a glittering winter hideaway as a cosy escape from the plummeting temperatures.

East Village, in Darlinghurst, will tonight launch its beloved Winter Garden event – an annual activation perched on the iconic rooftop surrounded by stunning city skyline views.

The event, which is open for bookings all winter from 5pm to 10pm daily, will see guests treated to a ‘winter wonderland’ with thousands of warm fairy lights, lanterns, pink illumination, white florals and plants.

East Village, in Darlinghurst, will tonight launch its beloved Winter Garden event – an annual activation perched on the iconic rooftop surrounded by stunning city skyline views

The heaters will be pumping to protect guests from the icy weather and everyone will have access to blankets, faux fur, fluffy cushions and candlelit tables for the night.

The menu is equally as comforting, with a European Christmas market-inspired offering that includes two types of fondue, an authentic market Currywurst dish, vol-au-vents filled with truffled chicken, crispy potato pancakes and German fried gnocchi noodles.

In addition to a four-cheese fondue spiked with liqueur, this year a Belgian chocolate fondue fountain is available with a selection of cakes, fruit, brioche and biscuits to dip into your chocolate.

The event, which is open for bookings all winter from 5pm to 10pm daily, will see guests treated to a ‘winter wonderland’ with thousands of warm fairy lights, lanterns, pink illumination, white florals and plants 

Traditional mulled wine will be served to keep guests warm 

The four-cheese fondue spiked with liqueur is served with pickled vegetables, cured meats, crisps and bread

This year, a Belgian chocolate fondue fountain is available with a selection of cakes, fruit, brioche and biscuits to dip into your chocolate

Also on offer will be traditional Glühwein (mulled wine) and winter-warming cocktails, including a smoked rum old fashioned and Coquito shooters made with vegan eggnog, coconut, condensed milk, vanilla and cinnamon.

Other stand-out food and drink options include Dutch cinnamon doughnuts, a traditional honey mead, and a winter spritz made with Montenegro, grapefruit liqueur, ginger and burnt rosemary.

Bookings are advised and can be made via the pub’s website.