Ex-som turning salvaged aircraft into Vivid Sydney’s headline act
Sydney,April 10, 205
Award-winning low-waste bar service Trolley’d will take flight at Vivid Sydney 2025 with ‘NEON DREAMS’, a retro-futuristic roller disco diner set to transform Darling Harbour into an immersive playground of light, sound, food and cocktails.
The 350-square-metre activation represents Trolley’d’s most ambitious project to date, blending aviation nostalgia with botanical brilliance in a multi-sensory dreamscape designed to captivate Vivid Sydney’s experience-seeking audience.
Founder and Director of Trolley’d, Byron Woolfrey, says NEON DREAMS promises to elevate Sydney’s hospitality scene to uncharted heights.
“We’re creating a space where reality is suspended, where roller skates, plant-based dining and ethically foraged cocktails come together in a hazy, neon-drenched wonderland,” Woolfrey said. “It’s everything Trolley’d stands for – sustainability, innovation and immersive experiences – amplified on the world-class platform that is Vivid Sydney.”
The activation marks a significant collaboration between some of Sydney’s most innovative creative talents, with Trolley’d’s aviation-themed hospitality expertise at the helm.
NEON DREAMS will feature:
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A custom-designed retro diner headlined by acclaimed plant-based chef Shannon Martinez (Smith & Daughters), serving gourmet vegan burgers, mac & cheese, and signature sides delivered by roller-skating wait staff
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Trolley’d’s cocktails featuring diner classics with a local foraged and ethically sourced native twist
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A high-energy airline-themed roller skating rink managed by the Malt Shop Rollers, with vinyl-only DJ sets curated by Bob Gherkin
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Immersive installations designed by alternative arts collective Tortuga Studios, including a centrepiece 1979 Shorts 330 aircraft that guests can explore
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Custom-created fragrances by Cult of Scent, adding an olfactory dimension to the sensory experience
The activation aligns perfectly with Vivid Sydney’s 2025 focus on innovation and sustainability, with NEON DREAMS boasting a reduced-waste bar program, plant-based dining options, biodegradable serving materials, and ethically sourced native botanicals.
“This is a chance to showcase the hospitality industry’s capacity for positive environmental impact without compromising on creativity or experience,” added Woolfrey. “We’re proving that a party doesn’t need to cost the Earth.”
NEON DREAMS will operate throughout Vivid Sydney 2025, from 24 May to 14 June, with additional details about operating hours, bookings and experiences to be announced in coming weeks.
About Trolley’d
Trolley’d is Australia’s award-winning, sustainably focused mobile bar service, where aviation nostalgia meets botanical brilliance. Repurposing authentic airline trolleys, their crew delivers first-class cocktail experiences, crafted with locally foraged ingredients and a reduced-waste ethos. From immersive activations to high-flying private and corporate events, they shake, stir, and serve with theatrical flair.
About Vivid Sydney
Vivid Sydney is Australia’s premier festival of light, music and ideas. It is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency.
