Sydney’s café scene is more competitive - and more creative - than ever. From Surry Hills to Newtown, café owners are embracing bold design choices to stand out. One trend leading the charge? Custom neon signs.
These glowing works of art are more than just décor - they’re marketing tools, mood-setters, and Instagram bait rolled into one. Here are five neon sign trends set to light up Sydney cafés in 2025.
1. Curvy Fonts & Script Lettering
Neon in flowing script has always had charm - but 2025 is taking it to the next level. Expect to see ultra-curvy, hand-drawn styles spelling out café names, uplifting quotes, or even cheeky one-liners like “Espresso Yourself”.
Why it works: Soft curves feel inviting and personal - perfect for creating a relaxed, social atmosphere.
2. Dual-Colour Neon for Visual Impact
Forget single-tone signs. Sydney cafés are now opting for two-tone neon designs - like pink and orange, or blue and white - to create contrast and draw the eye.
Think: “Coffee” in electric yellow with “& Chill” in soft lilac. The effect? Scroll-stopping signage that pops on camera and IRL.
3. LED Neon Logos & Custom Icons
More cafés are going beyond text to light up their logos in neon. Whether it’s a steaming coffee cup, croissant, or a minimalist line-art leaf, custom icons give cafés a way to express identity in a fun, recognisable way.
Bonus: They look incredible in both daylight and nighttime settings - and make great backdrops for customer selfies.
4. Wall-to-Wall Neon Installations
Smaller signs are great, but in 2025 we’re seeing a move toward bigger, bolder designs - entire neon walls, layered signs over murals, or multiple mini phrases scattered around a space.
Perfect for industrial cafés with exposed brick, or minimalist interiors that need a single, high-impact statement piece.
5. Eco-Friendly Neon That Saves Power
As sustainability becomes more important to Sydney’s café crowd, businesses are making the switch to energy-efficient LED neon signs.
These signs use far less electricity than traditional glass neon and don’t contain toxic gases - so they’re safer, longer-lasting, and environmentally conscious. Plus, you’ll save on energy bills.
Bring Your Neon Vision to Life with Neon Lanes
At Neon Lanes, we design and deliver custom LED neon signs across Australia - including heaps of happy clients in Sydney’s hospitality scene.
Whether you’ve got a concept in mind or want to start from scratch, we’ll help you create a sign that sets your space apart - and makes your customers reach for their phones.
👉 Start designing your custom café neon sign today at neonlanes.com.au or reach out for a free quote.
