Sydney’s Saturday Sessions Are Giving Friday Knock-Offs a Run for Their Money

Forget waiting for Friday. New GoTab data reveals when Sydneysiders are heading out for happy hour, how the Harbour City’s habits compare to Melbourne and Queensland, and why the fun doesn’t always stop when the specials do.

Who said Friday gets to have all the fun?

From after-work drinks to weekend catch-ups, happy hour has long been a fixture on the Aussie social calendar. But fresh data from hospitality commerce platform GoTab suggests the traditional Friday knock-off might have some competition, with Saturday taking the top spot at one of Sydney’s popular entertainment venues.

And with summer just around the corner, there’s no better time to take a closer look at when Aussies are heading out, what’s filling their glasses and how long the good times last.

Drawing on ordering data from venues across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, the findings reveal some interesting differences between Sydney, Melbourne and Airlie Beach.

Sydney loves a Saturday session (and Melbourne does too)

• Saturday takes the crown in Sydney: At entertainment destination Fortress Sydney, Saturday is the busiest happy hour day, with Melbourne’s Fortress venue following the same trend.
• The sweet spot? 5pm to 6pm: A whopping 74% of happy hour orders at Fortress Sydney are placed during this hour, compared with 66% at Fortress Melbourne and 57% at Mulligans Sports Bar in Airlie Beach.
• Queensland is keeping the Friday tradition alive: Over at Mulligans Sports Bar in Airlie Beach, Friday remains the busiest happy hour day.
• One more round? At Mulligans, weekday orders keep climbing until 7pm, an hour after the venue’s 4pm to 6pm happy hour wraps up.
• Guinness is having a moment: Forget the usual cocktail suspects. Guinness accounts for 56% of happy hour orders at Mulligans.

When one drink turns into a whole evening

We’ve all been there. You pop in for a quick catch-up, and before you know it, the evening has taken on a life of its own.

And while the data doesn’t tell us exactly how long everyone is sticking around, it does show that the action can continue well beyond happy hour.

At Mulligans, orders increase by 64% between 3pm and 5pm on weekdays, compared with 44% during the same period on weekends.

Around 20% of the venue’s weekday revenue also comes from orders linked to customers who first order between 4pm and 6pm, whether or not they’ve ordered a happy hour special.

“Happy hour isn’t just about discounted drinks. It’s an opportunity to bring customers through the door earlier and potentially generate trade well beyond the specials,” said Nathan Merriman, General Manager, Australia at GoTab.

“For venues, the key is understanding when customers are ordering and using those insights to shape promotions, attract more guests and make the most of the evening rush.”

Sydney’s summer social season is calling

With warmer weather, longer evenings and end-of-year catch-ups on the horizon, Sydney’s hospitality scene is gearing up for another busy summer.

And it seems Sydneysiders are pretty comfortable ordering their happy hour favourites digitally, too.

At Fortress Sydney, QR ordering accounts for 35% of happy hour orders, compared with 30% at Fortress Melbourne.

For venues, understanding when customers are most likely to order can help them prepare for the rush and keep things running smoothly when the crowds roll in.

“As we head into the busy summer season, it’s a good reminder that every venue has its own rhythm. The more operators understand how their customers order, the better placed they are to make the most of those busy periods,” Nathan Merriman concludes.

So, whether you’re planning a Saturday session, squeezing in an after-work catch-up or simply making the most of Sydney’s longer summer evenings, it seems Friday no longer has a monopoly on happy hour.

Sydney Unleashed is one of Australia’s premier entertainment publications exploring the latest in lifestyle trends. From Sydney’s finest restaurants, cafes and bars to the hottest in gadgets, products, and home entertainment, Sydney Unleashed is your one-stop lifestyle platform.