Sydney Nightlife

It's hard not to party here. So many like-minded people and venues to cater for just about any taste, budget, age bracket and body clock. Small bars are 'big' right now. Recent changes to liquor licensing laws have encouraged a plethora of new, intimate, 'hole in the wall' or basement bars. Hardly a week goes by without a new venue opening. This is long overdue, and adds a more urbane touch to Sydney that was sadly lacking.
Surry Hills and Darlinghurst are the more vibrant nightlife hubs, while Kings Cross, with its seedy back streets, is still worth seeking out. Absinthe Salon in Surry Hills takes you back to 1930s Paris, while Grandma's, with its eccentric basement entrance (think wall mounted stag's head) describes itself as a "retro-sexual haven of cosmopolitan kitsch and faded granny glamor". Inner city Bambini and The Winery by Gazebo cater for a more upmarket, older crowd. As does Zeta Bar in the Hilton Hotel, which is like stepping onto a James Bond movie set, except you're the star, while down on Darling Harbor, the crowd at the Loft is mostly after-work professional types, but then a shift change strangely happens later when groups of tottering young girls and their impossibly cool consorts fill the space. DJs play until very late.
For the those who party late and hard, there's no place like Home at Cockle Bay. Reputed to be the largest nightclub in Australia, its waterside location, slick interior design spread over three levels, and luxurious rooftop terrace make it hard to go past. For a slight change of pace, Tone occupies a stylishly converted warehouse in Surry Hills, and bills itself as a discerning space catering to music lovers, artists and party people.
Gay and lesbian action happens in and around Oxford Street in Darlinghurst, but hetero is OK here too. Q Bar in the Exchange Hotel still packs them in; likewise ARQ, with an extraordinary sound and lighting setup, it's a venue with the lot (nightclub, bars galore exuding a different vibe, depending on your mood, as well as a restaurant).

Zeta Bar - Hilton Hotel

488 George Street
Level 4, Hilton Sydney

Like stepping onto a James Bond set, but you're the star...
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Home

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Darling Harbour
Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Park

Other clubs may come and go, but there's no place like Home...
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Q Bar

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34-44 Oxford Street
Darlinghurst

The who's who of Oxford Street...
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Loft (The)

3 Lime Street
King Street Wharf

Like sipping cocktails in a North African kasbah...
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Absinthe Salon

87 Albion Street

The exotic drink they banned is back (green fairy optional)...
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Grandma's

275 Clarence Street
Basement

"Retro-sexual haven of cosmopolitan kitsch and faded granny glamor."...
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Comedy Store (The)

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Cnr Lang Rd & Driver Ave
The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park

Good place for a laugh...
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Sepia Restaurant & Wine Bar

201 Sussex Street

Sepia is a little hard to find. It is worth the search. Flapper jazz music, warm tones of soothing coffee and chocolate, as suggested by the name. A Sydney fine dining hot spot...
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Sydney Airport

Montreaux Jazz Bar

Tap your foot to a jazzy tune, cocktail in hand before take off. From the music festival organisers, Montreaux Jazz cafe comes to Sydney international terminal...
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Small Bar

48 Erskine Street

It's a Small Bar, It's That Simple...
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Bodhi Cafe

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Eddy Avenue
Shop 8, Central Station

Right at the station...
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Govinda's & Movie Room

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112 Darlinghurst Road
Darlinghurst

Meal & movie deal...
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Wood Glen Vegetarian Restaurant/Cafe

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92 Glebe Point Road
Glebe

Out of the woods...
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Hopetoun Hotel

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416 Bourke Street
Surry Hills

Laid back band venue and bar...
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Bank Hotel

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324 King Street
Newtown

Bank on a good night...
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East Village

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234 Palmer Street
East Sydney

Slick and trendy bar and restaurant...
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Tilbury Hotel

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12-18 Nicholson Street
Woollomooloo

Live it up!...
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City Recital Hall

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Angel Place

A new addition to Sydney's music venues...
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Stonewall Hotel

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175 Oxford Street
Darlinghurst

Welcome to the gay ghetto's haven...
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Studio at The Sydney Opera House (The)

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2 Macquarie Street,
The Sydney Opera House

Contemporary entertainment...
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