Chrissy Flanagan is in the business of creating friendships. It’s the central tenet of Chaotic Social, her colour-drenched, “aggressively orange” event space in Petersham where the affable Chaotic Socialite hosts classes and events for people to meet, bond, and she hopes, make plans to hang out again.

“It’s a pleasure to connect people. I don’t think we do enough of it,” she tells Broadsheet.

Chaotic Social has changed drastically since it first opened in May 2023. Instead of offering one-off classes like Creepy Doll Making, Shit Macrame and stand-up comedy, the program has shifted to recurring sessions of Sausage Making and Speed Mating, plus a sewing circle, book club, Stitch and Complain, and an overthinkers therapy group.

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Things have changed on a personal level too. Flanagan’s beloved spaniel and constant companion, Poppy, passed away, and recently she rescued Bobbin, a puppy with a charming, prancing energy. She’s also launched a gender-inclusive clothing line of brightly printed activewear, and she’s hosting a space at the upcoming All About Women event at Sydney Opera House.

Hey Chrissy, what are you working on right now?
I’m curating my own space at All About Women. It’s going to be called the Chaotic Social Lounge.

We’re doing a book club, speed mating, Stitch and Complain, and there’s going to be a collaborative art project that people can just drop in to and participate in. It’s like an honour and thrill, obviously, and so amazing.

Do you have a favourite place to eat in Sydney?
I fucking love Hubert – it’s open late and you can get the full menu, but I went there a lot with my ex and I haven’t been back since. Also, I’m only a year into running a new small business and I don’t have Hubert cash.

Eventually, when I’m feeling a bit fancy again, I will rip the bandaid off. I’m also a whore for a Mary’s burger in Newtown, but actually the place I go to regularly when I’m feeling flush is Valentina’s for the sausage and egg muffin.

What’s the best place to go for a “mate date”?
I get invited to cool stuff, and if I have a new friend I take them to whatever fancy thing I have tickets for. My therapist tells me not to do this because I might not even like the person and then I’ve wasted my tickets.

This is what you should actually do. With a new friend it might take time for the friend chemistry to kick off, so it’s good to do something that isn’t super high-pressure with lots of talking. Maybe it’s an activity, like what people do at Chaotic Social, or I like the pottery studio Clay in Enmore. Going to the theatre is another good one. If there’s an interval, that’s nice; you can have bite-sized chats and a drink and snack before. One of the most frequent things I do is Cheap Tuesday at Dendy in Newtown. It’s $12 – great for broke bitches. Recently I saw Saltburn and Poor Things, two of the best films I’ve ever seen.

Where is a good dog-friendly hangout in Sydney?
Henson Park is my go-to with Bobbin. I’ve never seen an unfriendly dog in that park. You do still have to be cautious and make sure your little sheepdog isn’t running up to a huge dog when he’s excited. Sydney Park is also great, and for a dog-friendly beach, I go to Silver Beach at Kurnell. It got a massive tick of approval from Poppy. I never saw another dog. It’s great for a dog that’s not looking to hang out with other dogs, and who loves water.

Is there an essential Sydney song?
Khe Sanh by Cold Chisel. Partly because – I find this is so tragic – Jimmy Barnes’s voice is so exciting. Wait. Can I change my answer? It’s The Inner West by David McCormack and The Polaroids.

Chrissy Flanagan is hosting Chaotic Social Lounge at All About Women on March 10 at Sydney Opera House.

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@chaoticsocial

“My Sydney” is a regular column discovering the places and spaces that captivate and entice Sydney’s well-known residents.