What Are The Best Restaurants With Live Music In Sydney?

When the worlds of food and music coexist in perfect harmony, you'll find the pulsing heart of Sydney's exciting dining scene. Looking for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy fine cuisine and relaxing tunes? Hold up a minute! On this rhythmic journey, we'll eat delicious food while listening to great bands. We'll show you the best music-filled restaurants in Sydney so you can eat, drink, and dance. Give in to the temptation of Sydney's world-famous cuisine while listening to live music.

Iconic Restaurants With Live Music

Armorica

Armorica's sumptuous dining area is widely regarded as one of Sydney's finest restaurants with live music. Armorica opened earlier this year and quickly became Crown Street's favourite Parisian restaurant. Imagine French preparations of seafood from Australia. Wood fire cooking takes centre stage on the custom-built grill, and a steak frites is the ultimate in refined French cuisine.

The cuisine has homemade pasta, creamy sauces, and desserts that will make you cry happy tears. Enjoy one of the restaurant's delicious speciality drinks with your lunch; we recommend the Petit Loulou, made with cherry, bitters, lime sherbet, Glenmorangie, and absinthe. Armorica has added live jazz beginning at 10 pm, making it the ideal place to stay after dessert and live out your Francophile fantasies. 

NOMAD

According to executive chef Jacqui Challinor, NOMAD's dining room is a favourite on Sydney's restaurant scene and one of the city's greatest places to hear live music. Fans have returned time and time due to the restaurant's produce-focused menu, charcoal barbeque, house charcuterie, and extensive wine selection. After sampling the wood-fired flatbread burrata with fennel jam, house-cured duck mortadella, and olive-oil ice-cream sandwich, you will quickly become a NOMAD devotee. The warehouse-style venue has featured DJs, guitarists, and blues singers since June 2023. 

Menzies Bar At Shell House

Menzies, a Sydney institution and home to some of the city's finest live music is illuminated by its golden bar. Despite the very European brief, the Menzies Bar on the ground floor of Shell House feels very Wall Street with its glitzy cocktails and bistro fare. Drinks like the "In-Cider Trading," which combines coffee, scotch, cider caramel, fig, and smoked honey in the style of a financier, are highly recommended.

The Sicilian margarita combines tequila, limoncello, Sichuan peppercorns, and fresh lemon juice for a zestier take on the classic. The Menzies lobster roll, as well as the pasta and the Italo-style nibbles, are extremely popular with the eaters. The Menzies Jazz Trio plays jazz every Tuesday night at 7 o'clock, complementing the New York City midweek vibe. 

Esteban

Esteban's director and bar manager fell in love with Mexican cuisine after backpacking through the country for a month. By reviving them for their second endeavour together, they created a menu that is both traditional Mexican in its depth and full of modern Australian influences. Since food and music are integral parts of cultural expression, they complement one another for the best possible modern combustion experience. Satisfy heart, soul, and stomach with creative spins on genuine favourites and a live mariachi band in the alley and occasionally roaming the restaurant on the first Saturday of the month!

Restaurant Hubert

One of the top restaurants in Sydney, Restaurant Hubert features live jazz music, so you can pretend you're in the heart of Paris without leaving Australia. The classic French cuisine and extensive wine list are a love letter to the world's most romantic city.

It has three bars, private and public dining rooms, and a theatre, and serves high-end fare like oysters, caviar, and steak tartare. Even though it has a large footprint, the atmosphere is warm and inviting. The live jazz in the Beatrix dining room at Restaurant Hubert will make you fall in love with Paris even when it rains, whether this is your fifth time here or your first tango in the City of Light.

ESQ

ESQ is in the old QVB, behind a discreet door and some sumptuous velvet drapes. The New York City speakeasy serves as both a bar and restaurant. Smooth music, swing bands, classic cocktails, and delicious bistro fare will all help you feel like you've returned to the Roaring Twenties. Sure enough, you could have walked right off the set of "The Great Gatsby" and into this establishment.

Drink international whiskies, traditional cocktails, and top-notch vintages from Bordeaux and the Barossa Valleys. Live jazz and swing bands hit the stage on Thursdays and Fridays, showcasing some of Sydney's finest local talent with weekly lineup changes. 

Mama Saan

Visit the legendary Mama Saan in Bondi and indulge your senses. The lofty cherry blossoms and the crimson glow of midnight trade will entice you for a Japanese fusion meal. The presence of small and big sharing menus should serve as an immediate warning that this world is best experienced in the company of some of your closest friends.

Art and statement pieces with neon accents line the walls, while retro and modern elements can be seen throughout the space, from the furniture to the drinks. You can relax and unwind after a long week with the live music on Sunday nights and one of their inventive cocktails, such as the Yuzu Mojito or Nagano Wasabi Cosmo. No matter how you slice it, we see the bright side of life at Mama Saan.

Bad Mama

Where Taiwan and Japan collide on the Blade Runner, set, that's where Bad Mama is. Dumplings, duck pancakes, sliders, and wings are some of the most popular items on the menu. The drinks menu may include fantastic cocktails and a wide selection of whiskies from Asia and the West. Live music every Thursday at 7:30 pm includes a variety of jazz, blues, and funk artists. Jazz guitarist, composer, arranger, producer, and songwriting extraordinaire Jonathan Zwartz selects the bands each week, so you know you'll hear great music.  

Babylon

The culture of sharing a meal with friends and family is treasured in Babylon. The slow-cooked lamb shoulder, fennel pollen, pomegranate, and za'atar smoked butter on house-made Turkish bread included in the set tasting meals for four or more people make for the ideal sampling of Levantine cuisine. The "Flora" menu, which is vegetarian fare, is broad and satisfying. On Fridays and Saturdays, beginning at 6 pm, there is live music, the perfect accompaniment to the sumptuous food and trademark cocktails. If you want to enjoy the laid-back atmosphere from the rooftop courtyard, you'd better get your reservation in early.  

Mulan Music Restaurant And Bar

The Cantonese and Sichuanese dishes at Mulan Music Restaurant and Bar combine classic and modern flavours with a healthy dose of heat. Singers, saxophonists, four-piece funk bands, and swooning solos all have a chance to shine on a stage that glows straight out of Saturday Night Fever. Try the garlic open-side shrimp, deep-fried spicy chicken, or Sichuan hot pot while sipping on the house speciality, the Watermelon Tower Cocktail. The musical abilities perfectly accompany the symphony of flavours, bringing the party atmosphere from the table to the stage.

Live Music Pubs And Bars

The Lansdowne Hotel

With a few bucks and a wrist bracelet, you may enter the velvet banquette-lined, 250-person theatre that feels cosy for a folky show but lets you let loose for more rowdy bands. This reimagined centre for live music remains true to its pubby beginnings by serving beer on tap and upscale bar fare.

Botany View Hotel

The perfect place to catch a live band is a dive bar with a crumbling exterior on South King Street. A tiny corner stage adjacent to the front bar, hidden from street view. If you squint, you could be transported back to the 1970s; this is a genuine pub gig. Keep an open mind, an ear to the ground, and a close check on Facebook events, as the lineup of bands is varied and unpredictable.

Mary's Underground

Although Mary's Underground now serves food, it was originally conceived as a music venue to honour the history of the building. You'll feel a wave of nostalgia when you go in, but they've relocated the stage to the left side of the room and made plenty of room for each table. Jazzy adults-only cabaret sits alongside gritty rock and indie musicians on a buffet of musical options. 

Lazybones Lounge

This Marrickville establishment has live music on both floors, seven nights a week, and features various musical styles. There is an eclectic adult atmosphere, and the rooms are luxurious and have a unique style. There can be a cover charge, depending on the event. They have extended hours: 7 pm–midnight (Monday–Wednesday) and 7 pm–3 am (Thursday–Saturday). 

Petersham Bowling Club

Local and real-time, they book what you like the sound of and leave you to have fun. Lovely little place with retro furnishings that last updated in half a century ago, serving up delicious bistro fare and lawn bowls. Relaxing and listening to music is a breeze. The supper club is great for a mellow afternoon event, while the basement features loud bands of varying genres.

Jolene's

Located in the YCK district of the Central Business District, Jolene's is a Tennessee-themed whisky bar named after Dolly Parton's ageless megahit song of the same name. On Friday and Saturday nights, as well as the first Thursday of every month, you can get down to some of Sydney's top country and western bands performing on a proper stage with booths named after your favourite country musicians.

Opera Bar

The venue that boasts Sydney's greatest views of the Harbour Bridge also features concerts every night of the week. From midday on weekends and 5 pm on weeknights, various local artists (and DJs) perform for free. Get a seafood plate and a beverage, and call it a night.

Marrickville Bowling Club

The Bowlo is an excellent low-key music venue for those who prefer intimate settings with a cloud of hot chippy aroma and a family-friendly bowling green over big arenas with sticky floors. From weekly staples to major label showcases and mini-festivals, you can catch a show here nearly every weekend. Magic happens when a band performs in a sports club outfitted with a stage, disco ball, and ceiling tiles that evoke space travel and the future.

Manning Bar

Manning's sightlines are among Sydney's best, so it's a relief that tours continue to pass through this tried-and-true University music venue. Plus, it's nice to have a balcony to enjoy an alfresco drink or a durry without missing a moment of the action.

The Union Hotel Newtown

This is the bar to book if you want your gig to be within easy reach of 22 taps pouring over 300 beers. The Union Hotel serves beer in a chill atmosphere, has a lively pool scene, and frequently hosts concerts. And on such a tiny stage! Short performances attract many spectators. Many local bands will be releasing EPs or playing high-energy punk concerts in small venues.

Conclusion 

Sydney's dining scene is a vibrant hub of food and music, offering a unique experience for those seeking a unique dining experience. Some of the best music-filled restaurants in Sydney include Armorica, NOMAD, Menzies Bar At Shell House, Esteban, Restaurant Hubert, ESQ, Mama Saan, Bad Mama, Babylon, Mulan Music Restaurant and Bar, and The Lansdowne Hotel.

Armorica is a sumptuous dining area with live music, offering French preparations of seafood from Australia. NOMAD is a favorite among Sydney's restaurants due to its produce-focused menu, charcoal barbeque, house charcuterie, and extensive wine selection. Menzies Bar at Shell House is a popular spot for live music, with its golden bar and glitzy cocktails. Esteban's director and bar manager revived Mexican cuisine and created a menu that combines traditional Mexican and modern Australian influences.

Restaurant Hubert features live jazz music, allowing guests to feel like they are in the heart of Paris without leaving Australia. The establishment offers three bars, private and public dining rooms, and a theatre, serving high-end fare like oysters, caviar, and steak tartare.

ESQ, located in the old QVB, serves as both a bar and restaurant, offering smooth music, swing bands, classic cocktails, and delicious bistro fare. Mama Saan in Bondi offers a Japanese fusion meal with small and big sharing menus, while Bad Mama offers a variety of jazz, blues, and funk artists.

Babylon is a popular place for sharing meals with friends and family, offering slow-cooked lamb shoulder, fennel pollen, pomegranate, and za'atar smoked butter on house-made Turkish bread. Mulan Music Restaurant and Bar offers Cantonese and Sichuanese dishes with a healthy dose of heat, featuring singers, saxophonists, four-piece funk bands, and swooning solos.

Live music pubs and bars in Sydney are diverse and offer a unique dining experience. The reimagined centre for live music in Sydney offers a variety of venues for music lovers. Some popular venues include the Botany View Hotel, Mary's Underground, Lazybones Lounge, Peterham Bowling Club, Jolene's, Opera Bar, Marrickville Bowling Club, Manning Bar, and Union Hotel Newtown. These venues offer a diverse range of music styles, ranging from jazzy adults-only cabarets to lively punk concerts. The venues also offer a variety of events, such as weekly showcases, mini-festivals, and live music performances.

The Union Hotel Newtown is a popular choice for those looking for a chill atmosphere, lively pool scene, and frequent concerts. The lineup of bands is varied and unpredictable, making it an exciting place to enjoy live music in Sydney.

Content Summary: 

• When the worlds of food and music coexist in perfect harmony, you'll find the pulsing heart of Sydney's exciting dining scene.
• Looking for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy fine cuisine and relaxing tunes?
• We'll show you the best music-filled restaurants in Sydney so you can eat, drink, and dance.
• Give in to the temptation of Sydney's world-famous cuisine while listening to live music.
• Armorica's sumptuous dining area is widely regarded as one of Sydney's finest restaurants with live music.
• Armorica opened earlier this year and quickly became Crown Street's favourite Parisian restaurant.
• According to executive chef Jacqui Challinor, NOMAD's dining room is a favourite on Sydney's restaurant scene and one of the city's greatest places to hear live music.
• The Menzies lobster roll, as well as the pasta and the Italo-style nibbles, are extremely popular with the eaters.
• The Menzies Jazz Trio plays jazz every Tuesday night at 7 o'clock, complementing the New York City midweek vibe.
• Esteban's director and bar manager fell in love with Mexican cuisine after backpacking through the country for a month.
• One of the top restaurants in Sydney, Restaurant Hubert features live jazz music, so you can pretend you're in the heart of Paris without leaving Australia.
• The classic French cuisine and extensive wine list are a love letter to the world's most romantic city.
• The live jazz in the Beatrix dining room at Restaurant Hubert will make you fall in love with Paris even when it rains, whether this is your fifth time here or your first tango in the City of Light.
• ESQ is in the old QVB, behind a discreet door and some sumptuous velvet drapes.
• The New York City speakeasy serves as both a bar and restaurant.
• Drink international whiskies, traditional cocktails, and top-notch vintages from Bordeaux and the Barossa Valleys.
• The presence of small and big sharing menus should serve as an immediate warning that this world is best experienced in the company of some of your closest friends.
• Art and statement pieces with neon accents line the walls, while retro and modern elements can be seen throughout the space, from the furniture to the drinks.
• You can relax and unwind after a long week with the live music on Sunday nights and one of their inventive cocktails, such as the Yuzu Mojito or Nagano Wasabi Cosmo.
• No matter how you slice it, we see the bright side of life at Mama Saan.
• Where Taiwan and Japan collide on the Blade Runner, set, that's where Bad Mama is.
• The drinks menu may include fantastic cocktails and a wide selection of whiskies from Asia and the West.
• Live music every Thursday at 7:30 pm includes a variety of jazz, blues, and funk artists.
• The culture of sharing a meal with friends and family is treasured in Babylon.
• On Fridays and Saturdays, beginning at 6 pm, there is live music, the perfect accompaniment to the sumptuous food and trademark cocktails.
• Music Restaurant And Bar The Cantonese and Sichuanese dishes at Mulan Music Restaurant and Bar combine classic and modern flavours with a healthy dose of heat.
• This reimagined centre for live music remains true to its pubby beginnings by serving beer on tap and upscale bar fare.
• The perfect place to catch a live band is a dive bar with a crumbling exterior on South King Street.
• Although Mary's Underground now serves food, it was originally conceived as a music venue to honour the history of the building.
• This Marrickville establishment has live music on both floors, seven nights a week, and features various musical styles.
• Located in the YCK district of the Central Business District, Jolene's is a Tennessee-themed whisky bar named after Dolly Parton's ageless megahit song of the same name.
• The venue that boasts Sydney's greatest views of the Harbour Bridge also features concerts every night of the week.
• From midday on weekends and 5 pm on weeknights, various local artists (and DJs) perform for free.
• Get a seafood plate and a beverage, and call it a night.
• The Bowlo is an excellent low-key music venue for those who prefer intimate settings with a cloud of hot chippy aroma and a family-friendly bowling green over big arenas with sticky floors.
• From weekly staples to major label showcases and mini-festivals, you can catch a show here nearly every weekend.
• Manning's sightlines are among Sydney's best, so it's a relief that tours continue to pass through this tried-and-true University music venue.
• This is the bar to book if you want your gig to be within easy reach of 22 taps pouring over 300 beers.
• The Union Hotel serves beer in a chill atmosphere, has a lively pool scene, and frequently hosts concerts.
• Many local bands will be releasing EPs or playing high-energy punk concerts in small venues.