Friendsmas often outshines the big day itself – no awkward family drama, no complex gift politics, and definitely no actual politics. It’s one of those great celebrations that feels almost untouchable because of the joy that comes with being surrounded by your people and reflecting on the year that’s been.  

But let’s be real: nothing kills the Friendsmas vibe faster than the host getting stuck with all the heavy lifting. Setting up, praying the oven doesn’t fail, and then tackling the cleanup can be hard work. A lot of the time, hosting an event like this means you won’t be able to enjoy yourself due to all of the little administrative tasks you need to complete. And even though everyone promises to pitch-in to help with the clean up, by that point their good intentions often are just that — intentions.  

This year, ditch the stress and go for a no-cleanup celebration at one of The Galeries' hot spots. The key to enjoying your Friendsmas without lifting a finger is this: go to a reliable and beloved restaurant that will take care of all the things you don’t want to have to worry about! All you need to do is turn up with an empty stomach ready to enjoy! Genius, non? From a Japanese feast at Ichi Ban Boshi to a high tea at The Grounds, here’s how to enjoy your Friendsmas at The Galeries without lifting a finger. 

A Japanese feast at Ichi Ban Boshi 

If you’ve been to this renowned restaurant, you’ll know a bad time has never been had at Ichi Ban Boshi. Beloved by Sydneysiders for over 20 years, they make their famous ramen noodles on-site and have a great tapas-style entree menu to compliment the classic noodle and rice dishes. And yes, they’re fully licensed. It’s the only place where trying to have a stack of plates as high as possible is a good thing.  

High Tea at The Grounds  

If your friends are on the more demure and very mindful end of the spectrum, you might want to consider a City High Tea at The Grounds for your Friendsmas celebrations. The iconic Sydney institution hosts an excellent high tea for large groups, with delicious sweet and savoury options — perfect for anyone who enjoys the finer things in life.  

A classic pub moment at The Arthouse Hotel  

One of life’s purest pleasures is an afternoon or evening lost to a pub session with friends. If your group is known for their penchant for fun, the Arthouse Hotel is the perfect spot to host Friendsmas. With a menu of classic pub eats, a great wine list and plenty of space for large groups (not to mention the perfect location in the CBD that’s within walking distance to some excellent karaoke spots), this one’s an unbeatable Friendsmas venue.