Australia Day is upon us once again this Tuesday January 26. The day means many different things to many different people, but one of the things that’s universally true about this annual event is that it’s a damn good excuse for a day off.

Landing during the working week this year, Australia Day 2016 sees plenty of action around Sydney, from triple j Hottest 100 listening parties to live music and much more. We asked some of our favourite local venues why theirs is the best backyard to celebrate – not only on the day itself, but on the weekend leading up to it. If you need to take Monday (and/or Wednesday) off after reading this, we won’t blame you…

Cargo Bar [pictured above]

It’s called: Oz Day at Cargo Bar

What to see and do: This Australia Day, round up your friends and family and head down to the harbour for a few beers and Aussie barbecue specials. Grab an esky of Pure Blondes for $20. Bangers and mash, the Aussie burger, and the beer battered fish ‘n’ chips are each just $18. Plus for the little ones we have a free sausage sizzle till 6pm! And it doesn’t stop there – party on into the night with DJs playing from 4pm.

For our ears: Chivary, Recess, Aftertouch

Bevvy of choice: $20 Pure Blonde eskies

Waving the flag – what’s the highlight: Aussie BBQ specials.

Cost: Free

Where: Cargo Bar, 52-60 The Promenade, King Street Wharf

When: Tuesday January 26, midday onwards

Hotel Steyne

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What to see and do: We have an epic lineup of free entry live music gigs in Moonshine, kicking off the Australia Day weekend early on Thursday night with The Belligerents and Ed Wells. Friday it’s Los Tones and The Reprobettes, Saturday Sea Legs and Phantastic Ferniture, Sunday roots and reggae with Carribbean Soul, and live tunes down in the beer garden on Sunday arvo with The Rico Brothers. It’s all leading into a special Australia Day Eve show on Monday night with local legends Winston Surfshirt and The Sweet Jelly Rolls. For the big day itself we’ve got the triple j Hottest 100, a DJ in the beer garden, and $5 schooners of VB and Carlton Draught from Saturday all the way through to Tuesday.

For our ears: Who are they? Full-time legends. What’s it sound like? Rock solid gold, my friends.

Bevvy of choice: Schooies of VB and Carlton Draught, but mainly VB for that hard earned thirst…

Waving the flag – what’s the highlight: The Australia Day Eve show up in Moonshine with Winston Surfshirt and The Sweet Jelly Rolls is gonna be a helltime. Quality live tunes, beers flowing on a Monday night, and Tuesday, ain’t no-one going to work. How good, mate. Gotta love Australia Day.

Finish this sentence: Australia is the lucky country because… We sell VB tinnies.

Cost: Free entry every day, every gig.

Where: Hotel Steyne, 75 The Corso, Manly

When: Thursday January 21 – Tuesday January 26

Marrickville Bowlo

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It’s called: Bowl Rebellion

What to see and do: To top off a massive weekend at the Bowlo, on Tuesday the 26th, The Bowl Rebellion with Front End Loader and Bart Willoughby is going to tear Marrickville a new one. The long weekend will also feature Thursday Rhythm & Bowls from 5:30pm, then Saturday SkaBQ from 2pm featuring some of Australia’s best ska bands. On Sunday the amazing Leah Flanagan will be playing with her full band from 4pm, and on Monday from 5pm Funkdafied will be hosting Grab Life By The Bowls.

For our ears: On Australia Day, Johnny G will kick off the day from 2pm outside playing old-school funk and soul by our immaculately manicured greens. Then from 5:30pm the legendary Bart Willoughby (No Fixed Address) will get up on the Bowlo’s brand spanking new stage, to be followed by Front End Loader.

Bevvy of choice: Young Henrys Newtowner will be on tap and flowing like an oasis from a sandy wasteland.

Waving the flag – what’s the highlight: An awesome gig opening the new stage and PA at the new spiritual home of rock in Sydney.

Finish this sentence: Australia is the lucky country because… Please refer to the previous four answers given.

Cost: $15, tickets from oztix.com.au or on the door if available. Drinks and food at bowlo prices.

Where: Marrickville Bowling Club, 91 Sydenham Rd, Marrickville

When: Tuesday January 26.Music outside from 2pm then inside from 5:30pm

The Shift Bar & Club

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It’s called: Australia Day Party

What to see and do: Drag shows by Hannah Conda and Felicity Frockaccino.

For our ears:Check out DJs Tom Rogers and Adam Love.

Bevvy of choice: Cocktails. Try the Hair Basil cocktail for $16 or a jug of mojito for $30.

Waving the flag – what’s the highlight: The joy of fun at The Shift; the great music and fab shows.

Finish this sentence: Australia is the lucky country because… We get to be free and diverse.

Cost: Free entry

Where: Midnight Shift Bar & Club, 85 Oxford St, Darlinghurst

When: Tuesday January 26

Newtown Hotel

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It’s called: Our annual Australia Day Hottest 100 party with PhDJ from Purple Sneakers and FBi superstar Shag spinning tunes post-countdown.

What to see and do: The Cider Yard will be converted into an epic pool party with Super Soakers, a blow-up pool and a BBQ. We will be running a lucky dip on the day – who knows what that will entail?

For our ears: Triple j’s Hottest 100 during the day and as the sun goes down PhDJ and Shag.

Bevvy of choice: Newtown’s always good for a cider. We have over 30 on the menu so you’d be hard up to not find one you love. We also have a big tank of the freshest beer you can buy. It comes straight off the brewery in Melbourne and is tanked up on the overnighter and pumped fresh into our tank system. It’s Carlton Draught, so you can’t go wrong on Australia Day.

Waving the flag – what’s the highlight: Usually the D-floor – we’re the only place on King Street you’ll find a daytime dancefloor.

Cost: Free

Where: Newtown Hotel, 174 King St, Newtown

When: Tuesday January 26, from midday

Orient Hotel

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What to see and do: We have live bands and DJs on Saturday and Sunday split over three levels. We also have the restaurant, casual dining area, an outdoor area and beer garden. On Australia Day from 1pm-12am we have live entertainment with Tom Trelawny, Watsup and Gary Johns Trio performing live. We will also have the triple j Hottest 100 playing on the top level of the Orient Hotel. Activities will include the Hottest 100 Bingo and a slider eating contest!

For our ears: It sounds like a great mix of ’80s, ’90s and music from right now!

Bevvy of choice: Beer, of course! We will have $6 cans of Carlton Dry available all day.

Waving the flag – what’s the highlight: The Orient is one of the most traditional hotels in The Rocks, specialising in live party bands and DJs. Don’t miss hanging out on Australia Day in one of Sydney’s most iconic pubs.

Finish this sentence: Australia is the lucky country because… we have places like The Orient!

Cost: Entry is free.

Where: Orient Hotel,89 George St, The Rocks

When: Tuesday January 26, 1pm-midnight

S.A.S.H By Day / S.A.S.H By Night

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Venue: The Greenwood Hotel / Home Nightclub

What to see and do: A heap of dancing – over 15 hours, to be exact!

For our ears: From slow-slung Sunday afternoon warm house grooves to funk, soul and disco, to all things deep, chugging and driven.

Bevvy of choice: The frozen Patron cocktails are a pretty great treat on a steamy summer’s day.

Waving the flag – what’s the highlight: As the sun sets over the Greenwood’s outdoor courtyard to the soundtrack of Germany’s Monkey Safari played through the Funktion-One system. It’s about being in the sun, being happy and dancing with friends.

Finish this sentence: Australia is the lucky country because… we aren’t New Zealand.

Cost: $15

Where: The Greenwood Hotel / Home Nightclub

When: Sunday January 24 from 1-9pm / 8pm-4am

Slyfox

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It’s called: Bad Deep presents Strayadelica / Foxlife featuring Andy Baxter and Ken Fan

What to see and do: Loads of drink specials and a heap of dancing to a Funktion-One sound system with a bunch of legends!

For our ears: On Friday it’s eclectic house music DJs: Amateur Dance, Chux, Levins, Le Fruit, Bad Deep DJs. Saturday features the best in underground house music, including two special guests from Ibiza by the name of Andy Baxter and Ken Fan, plus our trusty residents Rabbit Taxi and Mesan.

Bevvy of choice: Besides some good ol’ fashioned tinnies, on Friday we have $20 cocktail jugs from 10pm-midnight and on Saturday we have $10 cocktails from 10pm-midnight.

Waving the flag – what’s the highlight: The best in sound, DJs and punters nearly anywhere in Sydney.

Finish this sentence: Australia is the lucky country because… Bob Hawke.

Cost: $10 before midnight, $15 after. Drink specials from 10pm-midnight.

Where: Slyfox, 199 Enmore Road, Enmore

When: Friday January 22 and Saturday January 23, 10pm-late

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