VENUES
Has anyone ever tried to tell you that all the culture's in Melbourne? Lies! Here is an ever-expanding list of some of Sydney's top music venues. From free gigs to opera and musicals, local bands to international comedians, theatre to performance art, Sydney has it all! If you've found a venue you love and you'd like to share it, email us on info@network.org.au. Happy exploring!
The Red Rattler
6 Faversham St, Marrickville
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Run by unpaid artists and activists, The Red Rattler is a creative playground for performers, musicians, artists, designers, multi-media makers, experimentalists, film-makers, theorists, activists, collective organisers, and local punters, fitted with a full PA, stage, LED lighting rig, projector and screen, licensed bar, two non-residential artist studios, and a rooftop garden.
The Red Rattler operates a not-for-profit philosophy, with a tiered fee structure being charged to community users to cover regular outgoings only. Guests are asked to contribute a 50c donation to an eco-plan to run the space largely on renewable water and energy sources.
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Oxford Art Factory
38-46 Oxford St, Darlinghurst
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The Oxford Art Factory is a two room, multi-functional venue that has re-shaped entertainment in Sydney. Inspired by Andy Warhol’s Factory in New York during the 60’s, the venue will create a cultural focal point for international and local artists, providing them with a world-class platform from which to showcase their talents to an estimated weekly audience of over 4,500 people.
The Oxford Art Factory is more than just an impressive space. It is an informed response to Sydney’s desire for a dynamic new entertainment experience. From the unique interior fit-out to bar operations, entertainment bookings to marketing, every component of The Oxford Art Factory will draw upon the experience of industry leaders to ensure that the project realizes its full vision.
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The Factory Theatre
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As a purpose built, dedicated live entertainment venue, the Factory hosts an array of live music and performances - from international rock concerts to intimate cabaret shows, film and dance. The Factory brings a breath of fresh air to Sydney's entertainment scene and a commitment to nurturing emerging performers and acts.
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The Gaelic
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The Gaelic Theatre is an 550-capacity, split-level, multi-purpose venue situated only metres from Central Rail & Bus stations between Chalmers & Elizabeth Sts.The Gaelic has a late License, is surrounded by 24-hour hotels and food outlets, and is wheelchair accessible.
The Gaelic Theatre has played host to dance parties, product launches, fashion shows, burlesque and cabaret events, theatre, comedy, corporate functions and other private parties. And of course, the cream of International and Australian touring bands continue to grace the Gaelic’s stage.
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The Sandringham Hotel
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The Sandringham Hotel, or “The Sando” as it is affectionately known in the area, is somewhat of a Sydney icon. The hotel is renowned for it’s venue which for many years has played host to a wide variety of artists and bands both known and unknown. Within the music industry “The Sando” is recognised as a place where young bands can get a start and where established acts feel comfortable performing showcase and warmup gigs. The hotel has maintained this reputation which sets it apart from other hotels in the area.
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The Goldfish Bowl
111 Darlinghurst Rd, Kings Cross
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Goldfish, a stylish cocktail lounge bar situated accross from the famous Kings Cross Coca-cola sign. The decor is filled with ottomans, sheer curtains, hardwood tables and leather lounges.
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Excelsior Hotel
64 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills
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Seven nights a week the Excelsior Hotel brings you the best in up and coming artists and bands from around Australia & the world. See our gig guide for this week's line up and up coming gigs.
Contact 9211 4945
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The Basement Nightclub
7 Macquarie Place Circular Quay
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The Basement takes it live from centre stage 6-7 nights of the week.
You can come along just for the music or you can make a proper night of it by taking in both dinner and show where, included in one price you get entry to some hot music, and an excellent 2 course meal. So, instead of worrying about whether you can manage to fit in a meal at a restaurant somewhere else and get to the show on time, you can make life and your evening simple by doing it all in one place.
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Landsdowne Hotel
Cnr City Road & Broadway, Broadway
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New talent and live bands are synonymous with the Lansdowne. There are not many people have been through Sydney Uni who havn't spent a night or two in good company at the Lansdowne. Also well-known for it's $6 meals!
Contact 9211 2325
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Beach Road Hotel
71 Beach Road, Bondi Beach
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The Beach Road Hotel has live music at least once a week. Shows are often free. Check out the website for their lineup!
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Carriageworks
245 Wilson Street Eveleigh
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Welcome to Sydney's home for contemporary arts and culture
Extraordinary events, unforgettable festivals, new artistic endeavour and creative freedom for everyone.
Discover what's happening in 2010 and get involved - there's no other place like CarriageWorks.
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Annandale Hotel
17 Parramatta Rd, Annandale
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In the past six years The Annandale Hotel has seen bands from every genre and every level rock out on stage and pleasure audiences. From The Vines and Jet to The Bronx, The Dandy Warhols and The Living End, The Annandale has rock ‘n roll secrets galore hidden within its walls.
Contact 9550 1078
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The Sound Lounge
Corner of City Rd and Cleveland St, CHIPPENDALE
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The Sound Lounge is the Seymour's live music space and is open Tuesday to Saturday. It hosts world music, jazz, cabaret and comedy and offers light meals and refreshments in a intimate cabaret style venue. The Sound Lounge caters for up to 120 people but seating is limited so please arrive as we do not reserve tables.
The Sound Lounge is home to a weekly program from SIMA (Sydney Improvised Music Assocation) and also hosts Musica Viva's Cafe Carnivale on the first Thursday of every month.
Contact 9351 7944
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This is your special invitation to gain access to a new underground space here in Sydney, which just happens to be Monsieur Camembert central!
Hallis in Wonderland (aka ‘qirkz’), which houses all my collections etc, is the centre of Camembert activity: with a French 1918 grand piano, a Hammond organ, a shocking pink drum-kit, and wrap-around sound with some 30 speakers! Not only do we rehearse here, but we (and likeminded friends) perform here, in a series of intimate house-concerts/parties!
This is THE most intimate way to experience live music that I personally have ever seen and heard, but…these shows will not be externally promoted i.e. promotion of these ‘house-concerts’ will be by mailing-list and Facebook only!
Email info@qirkz.com to be on the QIRKZ mailing-list.
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The Enmore Theatre
118-132 Enmore Road, NEWTOWN
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The Enmore Theatre is located in the Newtown Entertainment Precinct, Sydney's unique heartland of live performance, music cinemas, restaurant, bars, cafes and hotels. Historic King St and Enmore Rd play host to this vibrant nightlife.
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The State Theatre
49 Market Street, Sydney
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The State Theatre is without doubt Sydney's most versatile entertainment and event venue. Offering a sublime mixture of the traditional and contem- porary, it is the venue of choice for discerning clients wishing to host a wide range of events.
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Candy's Apartment
22 Bayswater Road, Potts Point
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When you come to Candy's Apartment you step into an underground nightclub that is relaxed, unpretentious and inclusive - not exclusive. With a world class sound system and the best local and international DJ's, it's a place where you can enjoy the music, party, dance, meet new people and who knows what else. So why don't you come down some time!
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Venue 505
280 Cleveland St Surry Hills
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505 is an artist run performance space which focusses on quality performance, engaging and nurturing community, and supporting original artists. Having run as an 'underground' space for the past five years, 2010 sees 505 move out from the shadows as it initiates an exciting new project on the Sydney landscape. Our new home/venue at 280 Cleveland St Surry Hills is music orientated and 100% performance focused. A space from which to support the local community of inner-city artists/ musicians/ performers, non-profit groups and audiences. It is our hope that this venue will become a stable home for not only 505 but a number of small arts organisations who have long been displaced into theatres, townhalls, churches and pubs.
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Notes
75 Enmore Road, Newtown
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Notes is a purpose-built 300 capacity live music restaurant and bar with an incredible sound facilities and excellent sight lines to the stage from throughout the venue. Book for dinner and a show.
Contact 9557 5111
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The Fringe Bar
106 Oxford St, Paddington 2021
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Sun Sets Sundays: Head on down to Fringe this Sunday for a relaxed evening of live msuic, food and drinks. Only $8 at the door will also get you a free drink on arrival for three to four hours of entertainment. Comedy, designer markets, and other cultural events on other days. Check out the website for details!
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The Vanguard
42 King St, Newtown
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The Vanguard is an intimate, purpose built live music venue and restaurant that plays host to the greats of Australian and international music. With a 1920’s feel to the interior, the Vanguard’s friendly and unpretentious luxury has an ambience unlike any other. Our aim is to provide patrons with an elegant and stylish restaurant, which provides live entertainment, highlighting some of Newtown and Sydney’s most talented musicians.
Box Office: 9550 3666
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Metro
624 George Street, Sydney 2000
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The Metro Theatre has long been Sydney’s leading independent rock venue and has played host to some of the most memorable live gigs Sydney music fans have seen and heard. It is a landmark venue for both international and local acts, being a pivotal breakthrough venue for bands as they break on to the scene.
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Manning Bar
Manning Rd, University of Sydney, Camperdown
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Manning has long been one of Sydney premier mid sized music venues. It is a purpose built live entertainment venue and is suitable for concerts, dance party’s and corporate events.
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Raval
42 Wentworth Ave, Surry Hills
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Ravál is a purpose built entertainment venue and cocktail bar designed to house a variety of live entertainment including Music, Cabaret, Burlesque, Theatre & Comedy. Upon its opening in August 2009 Raval has become a firm favourite on the live music scene for its brilliant sound and production, comfortable atmosphere and diverse entertainment policy. In January 2010 its Djs n’ Cocktails weekly Friday night dubbed ‘Listen Hear’ opened in fine form with a little help from Los Angeles funk powerhouse Music Man Miles of Breakestra.
The intimate size, comfy surrounds and fantastic production make for an entertainment experience unlike any other in Sydney. Every night after the show is Late Night Ravál Cocktails - free entry till late.
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Tone
16 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills
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Tone is Sydney’s newest small bar, performance space and restaurant located in one of the oldest warehouse spaces in Surry Hills. Designed to cater for discerning music lovers, artists and party people, Tone has been restored to the original 1920s aesthetic with a contemporary twist through street art laden walls, state of the art lighting design and a truly world class P.A. system.
Our mission is simple – to provide a rich experience in a quality environment with great food and drinks at reasonable prices. We love music. We love art. We love food. We love a good drink.
Tone has partnered with some of the city’s most creative minds to provide a full offering of art, culture and music. Please see our events calendar for more information and make sure you subscribe to our mailing list and twitter for the latest news, members only giveaways, food and drink specials and more.
It’s time to set a new Tone.
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