Entertainment in New South Wales
-
A
Hotel CBD
This lovely old corner pub is a multilevel escape for those who've had a tough day making money in the CBD. The ground-floor bar gets crowded after work but there are quieter options upstairs and a celebrated bistro.
reviewed
-
B
Great Northern
You won't need your fancy duds at this brash and boisterous pub. It's loud and beery with live music most nights and even louder when hosting headline acts. Live music almost nightly. Soak up the booze with a wood-fired pizza.
reviewed
-
C
Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace
Return to cinema’s golden age at this fab art deco gem (1935). It still has its original Wurlitzer organ, which gets a workout at special events.
reviewed
-
Sleaze Ball
The Mardi Gras after-party is so fabulous that once a year isn’t enough, with its sluttier spin-off taking place on the Saturday of the Labour Day long weekend. Proceeds go towards staging the annual parade.
reviewed
-
D
Sydney Theatre
It seems odd that no one thought of this name before... Opening a few years ago, the resplendent Sydney Theatre holds 850 bods for specialist drama and dance. Managed by the Sydney Theatre Company.
reviewed
-
E
National Institute of Dramatic Art
The former stomping ground of Mel Gibson, Cate Blanchett and Geoffrey Rush, NIDA is the place to see stars on the way up. Student and graduate plays happen throughout the year in four intimate performance spaces.
reviewed
-
F
Star Hotel
This local favourite has a huge beer garden out the back and a front bar with pool tables where the gregarious owners will keep you entertained. It’s a little off the main drag but worth the walk down Olive St.
reviewed
-
G
IMAX Cinema
It’s big bucks for a 45-minute movie, but everything about IMAX is big, and this is reputedly the biggest IMAX in the world. The eight-storey screen shimmers with kid-friendly documentaries (sharks, Mars, haunted castles etc) as well as blockbuster features, many in 3D. Size matters.
reviewed
-
H
Hotel Gearin
This art deco watering hole is one of the liveliest in town, with trivia nights, live music, pool comps and Sunday afternoon jazz. It’s owned by actor Jack Thompson – reason enough for a beer and a $5 steak.
reviewed
-
Cactus Café & Gallery
One of the few good eating options, Cactus Café & Gallery is in a Spanish Mission–style building where you can eat indoors among gifts and knick-knacks or outside under a lovely arbour.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
I
Shore Club
The island bar of this Miami Beach–style boozer is staffed by a bevy of bleached blondes in short shorts who serve tongue-in-cheek cocktails such as the Pool Boy. Show off your dance moves in the Sound Bar.
reviewed
-
J
Delaney
Something of a Newcastle institution, the ‘Del’ is grotty and grimy but it does guarantee a cracking night out. Friendly staff, friendly punters and excellent live music make this pub a hard act to follow.
reviewed
-
K
Seymour Centre
Behind a glass curtain wall on an insanely busy intersection, this Sydney Uni-affiliated theatre (actually, four theatres) shows an eclectic selection of plays, cabaret, comedy and musicals.
reviewed
-
Musica Viva Australia
Musica Viva is the largest stager of ensemble music in the world, providing some 2500 concerts around Australia in a number of musical styles (including chamber music, a cappella, experimental and jazz). Sydney concerts are normally held at the City Recital Hall.
reviewed
-
L
Gaelic Club
Whether it’s the latest darlings of the British music press or some local sonic assailants made good, concerts at the Gaelic bridge the gap between the pub scene and the larger theatres.
reviewed
-
M
Beach Road Hotel
Weekends at this big boxy pub are a boisterous multilevel alcoholiday, with Bondi types (bronzed, buff and brooding) and woozy out-of-towners playing pool, drinking beer and digging live bands and DJs.
reviewed
-
N
Bondi Openair Cinema
Enjoy open-air screenings at the ocean's edge, with live bands providing prescreening entertainment.
reviewed
-
O
Mocean
Sexy surfers and their suntanned girlfriends carve it up to funk and R&B at this subterranean Bondi bar. The cool, moody interior makes an urbane departure from the sandy stresses of the beach.
reviewed
-
P
Central Hotel
More of a laid-back affair, the Central Hotel, with its old-school, art deco exterior, pulls an older crowd and bands or a DJ on weekends. You’ll make friends here whether you like it or not.
reviewed
-
Q
Event Cinemas George St
An orgy of popcorn-fuelled mainstream entertainment, this monster movie palace has 18 screens and plenty of eateries and teen-centric distractions. All tickets are $11 on tight-arse Tuesday.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
R
Pier
It’s amazing what a facelift will do for a dowdy old pub. This place is now the haunt of 30-somethings still kicking up their heels (and a few years away from needing facelifts themselves).
reviewed
-
S
Aprés Bar
Cosy couches and crimson leather poufs are crammed together in this cosy over-25s atmosphere. The tunes are spot on and vino by the glass is affordable. It's downstairs at the Denman Hotel.
reviewed
-
Australian Ballet
The Melbourne-based Australian Ballet performs a wide repertoire of classic as well as contemporary works. See them twinkle their toes at the Opera House.
reviewed
-
T
Crow Bar
It has cheap drinks and a line-up of local bands; visitors are welcome - get a student to sign you in. You'll be mixing with a spunky 18 to 28 year-old group from all over the world.
reviewed
-
U
Civic Theatre
The Civic has a booking office, not only for its own productions but for much of the locally created entertainment, from youth theatre to performances by the Riverina Conservatorium.
reviewed