In and out of the theatre in a flash of efficiency. No interaction, no discussion, you're here for the art and the art is all you need. Some people are purists; we respect that.  

But most of us like a little socialising stitched into our Festival experiences... 

If we're speaking your language, read on. This is essential information for the social butterflies, the nighthawks, the dancefloor demons. This is where we go for the pre-event snack and schooner, the cocktail and catch-up, the post-event debrief, the dancing and debauchery until dawn.  

This is where we gather.  

Evenings at Folio, the Festival Bar 

Our Festival Bar at Folio is the meeting point before the show and the debrief den after. The place for perfectly balanced drinks, delicious food and great tunes. These booths are where we settle in, meet like-minded festival folk and make a night of it.  

Newly opened and well worth a visit, this is the sexy little theatre bar Sydney has been crying out for. The bar's luscious textures and colour-block decor are bold to the point of bad ass. Is it burgandy? Is it mulberry? Is it eggplant, or maybe oxblood? Battle out the semantics between the claret columns, with a cocktail in hand of course. 

Nestled next to Roslyn Packer Theatre on Hickson Road within the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, there's tons of Festival programming nearby – so you'll see Festival punters, artists and staff frequenting this cosy den.  

Hot tip: Ask for the special Sydney Festival 50th Anniversary cocktail, the Archie Rose Golden Gimlet. It's delish.  

Folio Bar is open between 5pm and midnight, Tuesday to Sunday.  

Nights at Abercrombie, our late-night partner 

If you're fiending for a dance floor, or just want to keep the hang-out going into the small hours, head to our late-night partner, iconic Sydney club and bar the Abercrombie Hotel on Broadway. 

A ticket to a Sydney Festival show on any Friday or Saturday night during the Festival gets you free entry and 15% discount on drinks and food from 10pm on the night of your event. Just flash your digital ticket and you're sorted. Fun and fiscally prudent? This might be the perfect kick-on. 

A scruffy stalwart of the noughties indie-electro era, Abercrombie disappeared from our lives for a few sad years, only to re-open in a blaze of glory with chaotic 24-hour parties and quality music programming from the legends behind Freda's (the club) and Cafe Freda's.  

It's loud, it's loose, it's got three levels. Come for the dance floor, stay for the beer garden. Open 'til late.  

So that's the plan. Tell your friends, tee up some pres, see an amazing show, then charge on to the afters. We'll catch you there.