Dance? Gnocchi making? Bee keeping? We know Sydney has world-class bars and restaurants. What’s more, thanks to the innate creativity of the city it’s also a wonderful place to learn something new with a huge variety of night classes on offer.
If you’ve always harboured a desire to dance salsa, write romance novels or cook like a seasoned Italian chef, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few ideas for activities in inner Sydney that deliver a good night (or day) out. Not to mention the buzz of trying something new.
Hit the dance floor with style
If you feel like your disco moves could do with an upgrade, Care To Dance has you covered. This dance school on Castlereagh Street, right near our offices, offers private tuition and group night classes. Styles taught include salsa, swing, waltzes, disco and much more. Students recommend the school for its enthusiastic staff, excellent teaching and friendly atmosphere. Once you are enrolled in a night class you can also join in with social dance nights.
Language night classes
The Berlitz Language School offers a range of language classes alongside its core English classes. Try Spanish, German, French, Chinese Japanese and Arabic for your own interest or to make an upcoming holiday a little more enjoyable. Language classes attract people from so many different backgrounds, so if you are looking to meet some different people, the Berlitz is the place to go.
Paint and sip
Cork and Chroma is a popular night course in acrylic-on-canvas painting. Here, it’s about enjoyment as well as learning, with participants encouraged to sip their favourite wine as they work. The Surry Hills studio provides all painting equipment, including easels, canvases and paint, and even ice buckets and glasses for your wine. Paint along to the session leader’s suggestions or make up something of your own. A sociable, creative and relaxing night out.
Cook up a storm
Sydney’s food culture is legendary, which means you also have the chance to learn from the best here. In Surry Hills you can learn how to make pasta from a master at Pasta Emilia, along with gnocchi and sauces, plus the restaurant also offers kids’ cooking classes. Best of all, you get to enjoy your cooking afterwards with a glass of wine. These classes sell out months ahead, so be sure to book in early. A great way to make the most of produce from your balcony kitchen garden!
Pen your masterpiece at a night class
Many an award-winning novel has its roots in a humble writing workshop with other fledgling writers. Sydney Community College is a great place to seek out a writing class, whether you’re a beginner or more advanced writer looking to have your current work-in-progress critiqued by fellow wordsmiths. But it’s not just writing on offer here – from making your own natural beauty products to bee-keeping, mastering small talk to food styling and photography – with 1200 courses to choose from, you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy. The college operates as a social enterprise so the courses are all affordable.
Learn to crochet or knit
At the beautiful heritage-listed shop Morris & Sons, just near the Queen Victoria Building, you can learn the traditional skills of embroidery, crochet and knitting in a friendly and welcoming setting. Classes are for absolute beginners as well as the more experienced. What’s more, there’s also a huge range of wools and yarns to choose from once you are ready to get started on your own creations.
Embrace your dramatic side
Darlo Drama in Darlinghurst is the place to go if you’ve always harboured a secret desire to appear on stage. If this sounds like you, the beginners’ course takes place one night a week for eight weeks, and finishes with a class stage performance in the studio theatre. You’ll meet a diverse bunch of people and the school is ideal for those looking to improve their public speaking skills, too.
Talk to us
Hopefully you’ll have some ideas for pursuing something new this year – and please let us know of other great courses and night classes available in Sydney in the comments!
