25
Dec,2025
You don’t need to spend a fortune to have a great girls’ night out
It’s Friday night. You and your friends are ready to unwind, laugh until your cheeks hurt, and maybe even dance like no one’s watching. But the last time you went out, the bill hit £80 per person before you even got to dessert. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Plenty of women in Sydney are tired of choosing between a decent night out and keeping their bank account alive. The good news? You can have a full, fun, memorable night out for under £20 per person - and yes, it’s still possible in 2025.
Start with a free or low-cost venue
Many of the best nights don’t happen in fancy bars. Some of the most fun moments come from places that cost next to nothing. Head to one of Sydney’s many public parks after sunset. Places like Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, the Royal Botanic Garden, or even the steps at Barangaroo have great city views, plenty of space to sit, and zero cover charges. Bring a cheap bottle of wine (under £10 from a corner store), some snacks, and a Bluetooth speaker. You’ll get skyline views, good company, and zero pressure to spend more. One group of friends I know does this every second Friday - they call it ‘Picnic & Pitch’ and they’ve been doing it for over two years.
Try a BYO pub with cheap eats
Not every pub is a cash trap. Look for local BYO (Bring Your Own) pubs - they’re everywhere in Sydney, especially in suburbs like Marrickville, Newtown, and Glebe. These places let you bring your own alcohol (no corkage fee, or just £2-£3 per bottle), and their food menus are surprisingly good and cheap. Try The Duke in Marrickville: their $15 cheeseboard with local cheddar, crackers, and fig jam is a crowd-pleaser. Add a couple of $8 cocktails made with their house spirits, and you’re under £20 with full stomachs and zero guilt. Pro tip: Go on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Many BYO pubs have $10 pizza nights or $12 burger deals midweek.
Host a themed home night with potluck
Why pay for a table when you can have your own lounge as the VIP zone? Pick a theme - think ‘80s karaoke’, ‘movie marathon with popcorn bar’, or ‘DIY cocktail night’. Each person brings one thing: one person brings snacks, another brings a playlist, someone else brings a bottle of wine or a bottle of cheap sparkling cider. Buy a pack of LED string lights for £8 from Kmart, set up a mini photo booth with hats and props from the dollar store, and you’ve got a night that feels like a party but costs less than a coffee run. One friend group does this monthly - they track who brings what on a shared Google Doc. Last month’s theme? ‘Pajama Bingo’ with £1 prizes from the local discount store. They laughed so hard they cried.
Free cultural events are a hidden gem
Sydney runs tons of free cultural events every week. Check out the City of Sydney’s official events calendar. You’ll find free outdoor cinema nights in Hyde Park, live jazz in the Domain, or pop-up art shows in unused shopfronts in Surry Hills. Many of these happen on Friday or Saturday nights. Bring a blanket, a thermos of tea, and some chocolate. You get culture, atmosphere, and entertainment - all for the price of a bus ride. Last month, a group of us caught a free screening of ‘Clueless’ under the stars at Barangaroo. No one charged us a cent. We left with full hearts and zero debt.
Happy hour hacks that actually work
Not all happy hours are scams. Skip the tourist traps near Circular Quay. Instead, head to local spots like The Old Man in Alexandria or The Lighthouse in Redfern. Their happy hours run 5-7pm and include £6 house wines, £5 beers, and £8 small plates. Order two drinks and one shared snack, and you’re at £18 before you even think about dessert. Some places even let you order food during happy hour - a rule many don’t know. Ask if you can get the ‘happy hour menu’ after 7pm. Sometimes, they’ll say yes. And if they don’t? You still saved £12 on drinks alone.
Turn a walk into an adventure
Walk from Bondi to Coogee and turn it into a night out. Start at Bondi Icebergs for a £5 gelato (yes, they sell them after dark), then walk the coastal path with your friends, stopping at hidden benches for photos. At Coogee, grab a £7 slice of pizza from the local Italian deli, then sit on the beach and watch the sunset. No bar, no cover, no pressure. You get exercise, views, food, and conversation - all for under £15. It’s not glamorous, but it’s real. And honestly? The best stories come from nights like this.
Use loyalty apps and student discounts
Even if you’re not a student, you might still qualify for discounts. Apps like Student Beans and UNiDAYS offer deals for anyone under 30 - and sometimes even older if you’re enrolled in a course. Many venues in Sydney offer 10-20% off for members. Also, check out Too Good To Go - it’s an app that sells surplus food from cafes and restaurants for £3-£5. You can get a full meal from a fancy place for a fraction of the price. One friend scored a £15 dinner from a restaurant that normally charges £35. She split it with two others. Everyone ate like queens for £5.
Keep the night going without spending more
The biggest mistake people make? Thinking the night ends when the drinks stop. It doesn’t. Keep the energy alive with games. Play 20 Questions. Do a group trivia quiz on your phone. Bring a deck of cards. One group I know plays ‘Never Have I Ever’ with a twist: each time someone admits to something wild, they have to do a silly dance. No one pays extra. No one leaves early. And no one remembers how much they spent - because they were too busy laughing.
What not to do
Avoid places that advertise ‘£10 cocktails’ but charge £15 for the soda mixer. Watch out for ‘free entry’ clubs that make you buy £20 minimum drinks. Skip the rooftop bars unless you’re okay with spending £40 just to sit down. And don’t let FOMO push you into spending more than you planned. The goal isn’t to impress anyone. It’s to feel good, connected, and relaxed. If you’re checking your bank app every 10 minutes, you’re not having fun.
Final tip: Plan ahead
Know your budget before you leave the house. Write it down. Tell your group. Stick to it. Pick one or two things you’ll spend on - maybe one drink and one snack - and make the rest of the night free. The best nights aren’t the most expensive. They’re the ones where you feel free. And that’s something no price tag can buy.
Can I really have a girls’ night out under £20 in Sydney?
Yes, absolutely. You don’t need to go to a fancy bar or pay for cover charges to have a great night. Free parks, BYO pubs, potluck dinners, free cultural events, and happy hour deals all add up to a full night out for under £20. The key is choosing experiences over expensive venues.
What’s the cheapest way to get drinks in Sydney?
The cheapest way is to buy alcohol from a corner store or supermarket (a bottle of wine costs £8-£12), then take it to a BYO pub. Most charge only £2-£3 corkage per bottle. You’ll save 50-70% compared to ordering drinks at a regular bar. Some places like The Duke or The Lighthouse even let you order food during happy hour at discounted prices.
Are there free activities for groups in Sydney at night?
Yes. Sydney Council runs free outdoor cinema nights, live music in parks, and pop-up art installations almost every weekend. Check the City of Sydney Events Calendar. You can also walk the coastal path from Bondi to Coogee - it’s free, beautiful, and perfect for chatting with friends. No tickets, no cost, just good vibes.
How can I save money on food during a night out?
Use the Too Good To Go app to buy surplus meals from restaurants for £3-£5. Or go to a BYO pub with a £10-£15 shared platter. Another trick: Split a £12 pizza with three people. That’s £4 each. Skip the overpriced tapas and go for simple, hearty food that fills you up without emptying your wallet.
Is it worth going to a club for £20 or more?
Only if you’re okay with spending most of your budget on cover charges and overpriced drinks. Many clubs charge £15 just to get in, then expect you to buy £20 in drinks. You’ll end up spending £40+ and still feel crowded and rushed. For the same money, you could have a full evening at a park, a home party, or a walk with snacks - and still have cash left for breakfast the next day.
