The $63 million annual light show known as Vivid Sydney will run for an additional five days in 2016, leading to more bums on seats in the city’s foodservice businesses, says Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA).
Taking place is what is traditionally a quiet time for business, Vivid Sydney engages lighting artists, designers and manufacturers from around Australia and the world to illuminate Sydney’s urban spaces in an artistic display of light, colour and music.
Due to run from 27 May to 18 June, the festival drives the city’s night-time economy and last year more than 72 percent of visitors also purchased a meal, representing a significant opportunity for foodservice businesses, said R&CA's CEO, John Hart.
“The economic impact of Vivid Sydney is a clear demonstration of why government needs to support this event and the state’s major events calendar. I congratulate Destination NSW for taking this home-grown event from strength to strength,” he said.
Vivid is the perfect example of an activation strategy which promotes alternative leisure activities in Sydney late at night, Hart added.
“The city is going through a significant period of transition, with the construction of the light rail to transform the city. We need a concerted effort to put in place strategies that encourage people to visit, dine and extend their stay in the CBD.”
Throughout the festival, a number of restaurants, bars and cafes introduce Vivid-themed menus, meals, drinks or events. In 2014, O Bar & Dining created a bespoke cocktail for the event. Head bartender at the time, Glen Wheeler, shares the recipe in the video below.
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