Tourists from all over the world visit Sydney every year since it is one of world world's most well-known cities. It's a lovely city with a famous harbour, and there's so much to do here that it might be overwhelming.
Nightclubs are an option for entertainment in Sydney that you may not have considered. Still, the town's clubs are worth checking out in their own right, so don't waste your time seeing the sights if you plan to go out at night.
We Sydneysiders know how to throw a good party, whether it's in the sky, the basement, or even a suburb bowling club once every few months.
The good times start as even the sun sets across Sydney Harbour Bridge. Every nook and cranny of the city is teeming with late-night excitement, from swanky CBD hangouts that treat well-heeled city slickers like VIPs to secret basement bars that feature some of 's finest up-and-coming DJs.
Everyone can find their niche in Sydney, as it is a truly unique and diverse metropolis. Going out to one of Sydney's many nightclubs or pubs is a surefire way to make some lasting memories. To help you arrange the next big night out in Sydney, this blog entry will introduce you to some of the city's finest nightclubs.
Ivy Pool Club
Pool Club at Ivy is one of the most popular bars in Sydney, and its patrons often include members of the city's social elite. An upscale venue with bookable cabanas, high-end drinks, and DJs can be found in the centre of the central business district. It has become a popular destination for young people looking to have a good time.
Nightlife tycoon and Merivale overlord Justin Hemmes is presenting free concerts and bringing back the beloved Poof Doof club night at his ritzy Ivy sector as part of his This Is Sydney initiative to revitalise the Harbour City's late-night culture.
Ivy "launched a wide variety of activities in response to the lockout law," explains Gerber. With its rooftop Pool Club and the Ministry of Sound on Saturday nights, Ivy continues to be the epitome of a Central Business District (CBD) nightclub.
Pool Club is a colourful mashup of opulence, paradise, and a kooky throwback to the swinging sixties, when striped man-togs, saturated pictures, guilt-free smoking, and Cinzano were all the rage.
Yet, it is just too cool to remain mired in antiquity. Pool Club, located on top of the venerable Ivy property, is unlike any other roof bar in town because to its chic playground and its private cabanas that surround the pool.
Usually open for free dancing on Saturday nights, the club occasionally requires a price on those occasions when it hosts more exclusive events. Though, it's clear that the developers of this establishment have the wealthy in mind; picture a cross between Entourage and Miami Vice.
The Merivale bar and restaurant on George Street has plenty of greenery and relaxing sun loungers, making it an ideal spot for a staycation. Swim Good, a specialty cocktail made of vodka, grapefruit juice, and fruit salad wine cordial, is just one of many delicious drinks available to quench your thirst. If you get hungry while lounging by the pool, don't worry; the Pool Club has its own special menu of tasty pizzas and antipasti only for you.
Keep in mind that this is a location where you go to make an impression, so don't be bashful about showing off your best assets. Guests of the Pool Club are encouraged to disrobe and dive headfirst into the refreshing water when the weather is hot. The water is far shallower than the average customer would like. Perhaps you'd rather wet your whistle while doing the macarena in a large shower stall with a group of friends (or complete strangers) than at a bar. The downstairs locker area was designed for just that purpose.
Goros
One of the hippest spots in Sydney, Goros is decorated to resemble a dive bar in Tokyo. The facility was created with late-night adventures on mind, serving delicious Japanese cuisine alongside classic arcade games, flashing neon signs, and booming karaoke.
Changing the old Tailors of Central into the a Japanese bar and snack shop was a massive undertaking. The initial phase of the radical makeover addressed the essentials, yet the place still had a spooky, empty feel on a quiet evening.
The second round was successful in removing all traces of the previous dive bar, and in its place stands Goros, a dimly lit bar decorated with rainbow neon, figures, lanterns, bamboo, and three pretty impressive karaoke booths.
Absolutely correct To warm up your voice for your greatest Johnny Cash cover, you need not travel to a different location.
An appropriate setting for a Kirin tankard. And if you pair with a Asahi or Sapporo inside a properly cold glass, you've got yourself a veritable triple-play of refreshment.
The weekend is the best time to enjoy an Ashai or Sapporo with some light fare, so order up some gyoza, yakitori skewers, or burgers with shrimp katsu, spicy fried chicken, or delicate wagyu. When you've eaten until you're bursting! Try one of the more unusual drinks they have to offer, such a rum-infused bubble tea or an original sake banger bomb.
If you're looking for something different, the Unusual Negroni is a great choice. Campari and gin remain in the mix, and they add bitters and a sweet fruit liquor (umeshu). The end product tastes like Big Red maple chewing and is only a distant relative of the original cocktail.
If you plan on drinking a lot of big beers, keep some food on hand in case your power ballad performance suffers. Golden fried pieces of salt & pepper tofu and soft, silky gyoza appear on communal platters.
The dumplings with mayonnaise are served until the early morning hours, and you can also get fried chicken & two-minute ramen if you need a pick-me-up. Chicken thighs, wagyu, mushrooms, salmon, lamb, and pork belly are just some of the delectable options available on sticks.
When you're not creating your own original tunes on the iPad-controlled karaoke booths, you can listen to a hip-hop compilation album mix featuring artists like Afrika Bambaataa, Patrick Rock, Big Boi, and also that Max-a-Million encompass of "Sexual Healing" that appears on every '90s playlist if you listen closely enough.
Sometimes, early during the week, the bamboo stalls are deserted, making them easy pickings. The outdoor courtyard, decorated with lanterns & Japanese bunting, is where you'll find us as the weather warms up.
The Surry Hills partying bar is open until 2 am on Thursdays and Saturdays, and it quickly fills up with people playing pool, singing thier hearts out in private karaoke booths, and relaxing in the lantern-lit roof deck.
There's no better spot for a unique birthday bash or a romantic evening for two.
Goros has finally found its footing and is bringing the atmosphere of a late-night Tokyo dive bar to Sydney. During the week, you can stop by for some beverages and nibbles, and on the weekends, you can get your drink on and sing your heart out. Everything is enjoyable.
Slices Of Frankie's Pizza
We have pinball machines, pizza, and rock 'n' roll all night, every night of the week.
Frankie's is a dive pub located below Hunter Street in the heart of Sydney's commercial district. At first glance, it may look like an old-fashioned pizza parlour, but the throat live music will have you entering the dimly illuminated bar to check out the concert posters and pinball machines.
Gerber, who claims that Frankie's reminds you of his former New York home because of the live music and rock'n'roll atmosphere, says the following.
Frankie's Pizza even by Slice isn't interested in the norm, so don't be surprised to encounter a subterranean heavy metal pizza party in the middle of the business district. The front room, on the other hand, has the vibe of a pizza parlour straight out of a movie—albeit one that would be more at home in the Ninja Turtles than the Sopranos.
Postcards and vintage photographs line the walls; there are red and white tables and jar candles on every table; and the pepperoni pizza is cooked to perfection. And if you're hungry, they'll sell anyone a slice of whatever's trending for $6; a night here is definitely worth getting ready for.
No sign of good Italian boy who makes delicious red sauce just way nonna used to make it can be found once you pass through the hall of mirrors, or rather the saloon doors, and encounter Frankie's dark side.
After being kicked out of establishments like the Annandale and also the Sandringham, the rock spirit has taken refuge in the bar the band room (Vale, old friends).
Moshing and cut toes do not work together; the walls are covered with concert posters, pinball machines line the back, and plastic cups are the only safe option for serving alcohol here.
The famed house band plays every night until 3 a.m., so even if you hate Mondays, you can make up for it with a frozen Margarita or a can of Pistonhead lager.
On Tuesdays, we have karaoke, and then in the middle of the week, we have two nights with live music. The best parties are on Friday and Saturday nights, but there is no rest again for wicked (or the musicians) on Sundays.
We afraid that Google Maps is busted if you've come in search of mixology; advise you to look a little further down the road. Beers (tinnies over plastic cups) should be sunk here, while those looking to light their inner flames with whisky after 9 o'clock should squeeze into the hidden whisky area behind the stage.
If you're worried about getting scurvy, they'll even make you a rum & apple juice, but that's so not cool right now.
Club 77
When it comes to Sydney nightlife, 77 is the club that never closes.
Twenty years of great drinking and dancing have been offered at the William Street venue, which has hosted some of the world's most extraordinary DJs and promoted up-and-coming local talents.
Before becoming a popular spot for club kids all across town, this subterranean club was frequented by the city's goth & fetish crowd.
Now it has reopened with a brand new look and feel, complete with quirky decor, spacious booths, late night food service, and resident DJs.
77's distinctive appearance—walls covered in newspapers, plush couches, and quirky decorations—provides a fitting stage for the eclectic audience of music fans who line up around the block on weekends to hear the club's powerful sound system.
Oxford Art Factory
Oxford Art Factory, located in Darlinghurst, is one of the best venues in Sydney to see live music on any given night of the week.
Mark Gerber has had a long and fruitful life in the entertainment industry, starting as a model in New York in the 1980s and ending with his employment at Q Bar, Sydney's most famous nightclub, which closed in 2015 after 22 years due to the city's restrictive lockout regulations.
Gerber created his own venue along Oxford Street in 2007; it is a two space modelled after Andy Warhol's Factory, and it now draws an average of 5,000 punters every week.
"There are perhaps about a half-dozen places that host live music with in Central Business District... Gerber says, "There were at least twelve of them in this stretch before the lockout. That should give you a sense of where we stand right now.
Can New York's CBGB be compared to Australia's Oxford Art Factory? When you think about the calibre of performers who have played to the 500-person capacity band room over the past decade, it's not such a crazy idea.
The venue, which can accommodate a wide variety of events, stands in one of Sydney's largest partying strips. There is always something exciting happening at this lively nightclub, from showcasing up-and-coming talent on it's own live stage to organising some of the city's top after-hours events. The main area is decorated with heavy industrial components and colourful murals, while the Gallery Bar features comfortable couches and far more wall art to admire, both of which were inspired the Andy Warhol's famous New York studio.
Are you aware that in 2008 Lady Gaga performed in Australia for the very first time? Maybe you heard that Dave Grohl always wears the Oxford Art Factory tshirt he bought during a show here when he saw Chevy Metal, the cover band he was in.
Even OAF CEO Mark Gerber remembers the Brett Easton Ellis book release, saying, "You could've have seen a pin drop" as Ellis talked for 2 hours to a standing-room-only crowd after a performance by the Models.
The little stage in the snug gallery bar close to the practice room has been the launching pad for countless musicians before they found wider success. "In that tiny room, we witnessed the rise of Jezebels, Dave Faker, the Rubens, & King Gizzard and also the Lizard Wizard," recounts Gerber.
At an early gig, Tame Impala only had about 25 people in attendance, but you could "almost smell it through the air, when someone's got grandeur written all over them."
Live music venues like the Annandale as well as the Hopetoun have declined and closed down during the past decade. Despite the growing hostility towards late-night entertainment, Gerber is confident that his facility will continue to thrive because of its special place in the live music ecosystem.
It's easy to forget that in order to perform at Laneway Festival, a band must first put in the legwork of playing every venue on the festival's circuit, from the gallery bar towards the Lansdowne to the main stage and finally the Metro.
"Everyone has to begin somewhere, and governments would do well to realise that it's just as crucial to nurture emerging artists as it is to sustain long-standing ones. If you don't back every cog in the wheel, you won't be able to enjoy the music that emerged from this era a century from now. In search of the next Janis Joplin, Courtney Barnett, or the Beatles, we must continue to search.
Yes, it hasn't always been a roaring success with sold-out performances. Inside of the lockout zone is like being in cultural "East Berlin," according to Gerber. However, he recognises Sydney's resiliency.
You can't keep people from wanting to go out; that's a natural want they can't ignore.Live music will probably still be around in 10 years, and we expect the Oxford Arts Factory to look the same. In light of the adage "whatever you do, do it for the long haul," They have built something that They hope will be around for at least the next decade, if not longer.
Home The Venue
Home, the only superclub in Sydney, is renowned for its panoramic views of Darling Harbour from its three stories of dance floor, wall art, and outdoor waterfront spaces.
This is among the largest party venues with in Southern Hemisphere, with enough for approximately 2,500 revellers.
When you get to Home, the boom boxes will be going off and you'll be jumping off of the walls as you gaze out at the twinkling lights of Darling Harbour.
Home, Sydney's only legitimate "superclub," hosts a wide variety of events and regularly fires the glitter cannon at Homemade. There are DJs playing a variety of electronic dance music styles across three floors and eight separate areas.
Popular with both locals and visitors to Cockle Bay, this three-story nightclub plays mainstream dance music and occasionally hosts live artists. Its prime Harbour location makes it a popular choice for late-night clubgoers.
Overlooking Darling Harbour, the nine-bar, three-story extravaganza bumps every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with regular dance parties such as Homemade Saturday and SASH on Sundays hosting famous DJs.
At home, you can always find the busiest ballroom in the heart of the city. According to Gerber, "Home out at Darling Harbour - they're a major one" is the only nightclub in Sydney that "truly functions as a nightclub very still puts on regular events."
Over the years, the regular timetable has undergone numerous alterations. Despite ending early 2009, Sublime was perhaps the most famous weekly club night in the world and a regular sophisticated dance event at Home.
These days, you can hear anything from party tunes to techno, electro, house, R&B, or even weekly drag shows.
Goodbar
Goodbar returned in 2016 with a slick new look and a lineup of excellent live DJs, after being closed for ten years. The posh bar and its underground counterpart have quickly become one of Sydney's busiest weekend hangouts.
Located on the Paddington side of Oxford Street, just outside the lockout area, this club is a dazzling display of neon and raw concrete. Goodbar is a staple for those who love dance music and minimalist aesthetics, taking inspiration from Berlin's nightlife & industrial (yet oh so trendy) warehouse raves.
There's a serious party bunker downstairs and a classy lounge bar with such a chill dance floor upstairs. Here, you can hear some of the best house & techno DJs in the world play, together with a revolving cast of local favourites.
The industrial-style venue is reminiscent of Berlin and New York dance bunkers, with its odd neon lights, bare concrete walls, and luxury leather seats, and it's open till 4 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
On the ground floor, order from a menu of gourmet bar snacks like charcuterie platters, hot toasties, and truffle-topped popcorn while sipping on one of the expertly mixed drinks.
If, you want to party till dawn, Instead, head down the blue neon arrows that point to a basement filled with techno and international house. Patrick Topping, Idris Elba, and Seth Troxler are just a few of the previous special guests who have spun the turntables.
You may rent out the bar for an exclusive gathering, making it ideal for a special birthday celebration or a night out with the A-list in Paddington.
Marquee Sydney
Sydney residents' anger at the lockout legislation found an easy target in the Star casino, which was placed directly in the path of the boundary line drawn by parliament. What this meant was that the casino and its in-house nightclub, Marquee, were immune to the rules.
Famous musicians like Calvin Harris, Bruno Mars, Drake, Post Malone, Tisto, and Armin van Buuren have all performed at Marquee.
If this crowd is any indication, you should get here early. If you're looking for a clubbing experience similar to Home, this one is a major upgrade. It works, too; Marquee has locations in both New York & Las Vegas.
Incredibly high-quality sound system. Everything happens at a breakneck rate, from the bartenders to the wait staff to the Screens and the go dancers. Nonetheless, there are a lot other rooms to check out as well.
While the action is happening on the dance floor in the main room, you can also watch it from the alcove behind stage or chat with friends over a drink in the library just to the left of the dance floor.
Strangely, the best view of a harbour can be seen from the unisex restrooms, where many customers try to sneak through the many security officers in order to indulge in their vices.
It's true that money talks at Marquee, just like it does in Vegas. On a typical night, cover is $30, but on nights with big names like Avicii, it may cost as much as $60. A glass of house wine costs about $15, and the restaurant has a maximum card charge of $100.
It's not the place to go if you're in the mood for a chill late-night dance party or if you want to hear the latest in electronic music. Instead, it's a venue for people-watching, hearing nonstop bass, and experiencing a glimpse of both the celebrity lifestyle.
The atmosphere at Marquee is perfect for those who like to dress provocatively, spend a lot of money, and dance the night away with their arms in the air.
Tokyo Sing Song
This King Street dive bar features wildly unconventional performances for its late-night clientele. Those familiar with Japanese pachinko parlours will recognise the setting as a combination of a speakeasy in the Lower East Side and the seediest bar your sleaziest imagination can conjure.
The music is varied, and there is a little stage where strange and wonderful acts are put on.
The venue has a new curator every month who schedules some wild events (it may be a band, DJs, or an experimental artist out to really mess with you).
At night, the Inner West is also a draw, especially the bohemian neighbourhoods of Newtown, Enmore, and Marrickville.
"There's a different kind of evening business sector in the Inner West - it has always been different, more pub-driven," says Gerber, explaining why there aren't many traditional nightclubs there. Tokyo Sing Song is a cosy little dive bar located beneath the Marly Bar in the Marlborough Hotel.
This underground club on King Street is open until 4 in the morning on Fridays and Saturdays and has a massive dance floor, two stages, and the sole Pioneer soundbar in the southern hemisphere.
Stonewall Hotel
Stonewall Hotel, one of Sydney's premier LGBTQIA+ establishments, has been open for business for almost 23 years. This club has a strong sense of community and hosts events that reflect this, making it a welcoming and fun space for people of all backgrounds to let loose and dance the night away.
Looking for a club that's more homosexual than a Cher and Dolly Parton concert including Liza as the opening act? Look no further than Stonewall. The cheery snap fingers and "Hey Miss Thang" pleasantries given up by peroxided tykes who are breastfeeding make up for the place's lack of decor.
Stonewall does have a young clientele; those over the age of 35 can feel out of place among the predominantly 18-25 year olds who frequent the bar. (And you're probably too old to visit if you understand why it's named Stonewall.)
Stonewall, so named for the groundbreaking New York gay club (really, Google the original), rages seven nights a week... While you chow down on a $10 Meals on Heels meal from Dick's Diner, the only commotion will be over who correctly identified the RuPaul's Drag Race star on Turbo Trivia.
Most of the activity takes place in the downstairs main bar, where events like Tuesday's queer karaoke and Wednesday's Malebox day (wear a # on your lapel and to get picked by a random person) inject much-needed energy into the LGBT Sydney early during the week.
The place is always, always, always packed on Friday and Saturday nights. Once the drag shows start at 11 p.m., you're in for a fantastic evening.
Stonewall is a three-story nightclub that hosts fashion exhibits, private parties, live music, and drag acts every night of the week. Daily happy hour from 7 to 9 p.m., daily prise wheels, and weekly drag shows featuring the city's best performers can be expected. So, you say you're hungry? Visit Dick's Restaurant for some delicious bar food. The hotel is adjacent, so guests may party without worrying about finding a place to stay.
Have you ever fantasised about dancing inside a cage with a waxed hottie or performing on stage with a drag queen? This was the cause championed by the bar bearing its name in New York City's Greenwich Village. So break free; you won't regret it.
Conclusion
Annual visitors come from all corners of the globe to see what makes Sydney one of the world's most visited cities. Sydney has a wide variety of nightlife options, from upscale clubs in the Central Business District (CBD) that cater to well-heeled city dwellers with VIP treatment to hidden basement pubs that showcase some of Sydney's best emerging DJs. The Pool Club at Ivy is a hotspot for young individuals looking to let loose, thanks to its reservable cabanas, high-end drink selection, and resident DJs. As part of his This Is Sydney effort, Justin Hemmes is reviving the Harbour City's nightlife by hosting free concerts and reviving the Poof Doof club night in the exclusive Ivy district. The Pool Club, atop the Ivy building, is a trendy hangout with a playground and VIP cabanas.
On Saturday nights, you can dance there for free, but VIP events will cost you. The Merivale on George Street is a bar and restaurant with a garden and sun loungers, perfect for a staycation. Enjoy a refreshing Swim Good drink prepared with vodka, grapefruit juice, and fruit salad wine cordial while dining on delicious pizzas and antipasti from the Pool Club's curated menu. When the temperature outside rises, guests are invited to strip down to their underwear in the downstairs locker area before plunging into the cool pool. Goros is a Sydney institution, a Japanese bar and snack shop styled after a Tokyo watering hole.
In addition to offering up tasty Japanese cuisine till the wee hours of the morning, it also features vintage arcade games, bright neon signage, and booming karaoke in a setting designed for late-night adventures. No need to go far to work on your vocal range for your best Johnny Cash cover. Grab some gyoza, yakitori skewers, or burgers topped with shrimp katsu, spicy fried chicken, or tender wagyu over the weekend. Experiment with something out of the ordinary, like their rum-infused bubble tea or their signature sake banger bomb. Keep some food on hand if you intend to consume many large beers; else, your power ballad performance may suffer. Need a pick-me-up? You can get fried chicken and two-minute ramen till the wee hours of the morning, or you can stay in and eat some dumplings with mayonnaise.
Content Summary
- Sydney, as one of the world's most well-known cities, attracts visitors from all over the globe every year.
- It's a beautiful city with a world-famous harbour, but you could feel overwhelmed by all the options available to you.
- In Sydney, nightclubs offer a different kind of entertainment than what you might expect.
- Don't waste your time seeing the attractions if you intend to go out at night, for the town's clubs are worth checking out in their own right.
- From ritzy CBD hangouts that treat well-heeled city slickers like VIPs to hidden basement bars that feature some of's finest up-and-coming DJs, there is late-night excitement to be found in every corner of the city.
- Sydney is such a diverse and interesting city that everyone can find their place there.
- Creating unforgettable moments is as simple as heading out to one of Sydney's many bars or clubs.
- This blog post will introduce you to some of Sydney's best nightclubs in order to assist you in planning your next big night out in Sydney.
- Club Ivy Pool The social elite of Sydney can often be found at Pool Club at Ivy, one of the city's most prominent bars.
- The Pool Club, above the historic Ivy Hotel, stands out from the competition with its posh playground and private cabanas surrounding the pool.
- The club is usually free to enter and dance on Saturday nights, however admission may be charged for special events.
- The Merivale on George Street is a bar and restaurant with a garden and sun loungers, perfect for a staycation.
- Relaxing by the pool can work up an appetite, but don't worry—the Pool Club has a delicious selection of pizzas and antipasti just for you.
- Remember that you are attempting to create a good impression here, so don't be shy about flaunting your finest features.
- When the temperature outside rises, guests of the Pool Club are invited to strip down to their underwear and plunge into the cool pool.
- Goros Goros, one of Sydney's trendiest hangouts, is styled after a swanky watering hole in Japan's capital.
- In order to turn the former Tailors of Central into a Japanese bar and snack shop, extensive renovations had to be made.
- In its stead is Goros, a low-key bar adorned with rainbow neon, figures, lanterns, bamboo, and three decent karaoke booths. The second round was successful in eradicating all signs of the former dive bar.
- Correct, without a doubt No need to go far to work on your vocal range for your best Johnny Cash cover.
- The perfect place to enjoy a Kirin tankard.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nightclubs
Sydney nightclubs
- Home The Venue in Darling Harbour is Sydney's original superclub.
- The ivy precinct on George Street is another huge venue with multiple bars and restaurants (including Bar Totti's, Felix and The Royal George), a rooftop pool club, regular free gigs and a much-loved Poof Doof night.
Sydney's only superclub, Home, is the Darling Harbour party palace with three dancing floors, flashing lights and thumping music. With a capacity of 2500, it's been known to host some of the city's biggest-ever bashes, fronting an eclectic mix of techno, electro, house and R&B.
Sydney is one of the liveliest cities for enjoying the nightlife. There are many clubs and bars which are home to some of the best local and international DJs, like Chinese Laundry, Oxford Art Factory, Stonewall, and more.
The laws are easing, but there's little doubt that if you want bars, nightlife and live music, Melbourne is the better place for you.
The average event-goer spends $81 on a night out and goes out twice weekly. Tickets eat up the largest share of spend — and drive other nightlife event spending.