Entertainment in Sydney
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Sydney Symphony
The SSO is blessed with principal conductor and artistic director Vladimir Ashkenazy and plays 140 concerts annually with famous local and international musicians. Catch them at the Sydney Opera House and the City Recital Hall.
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A
Blu Bar on 36
The drinks may be pricey, but it's well worth heading up to the top of the Shangri-La hotel for the views, which seem to stretch all the way to New Zealand. The dress code is officially 'smart casual', but err on the side of smart if you can't handle rejection.
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B
Aquarium
On the top floor of the historic Beach Palace Hotel (1887), a massive booze barn at the northern end of Coogee Beach, Aquarium is a good place to be on a Sunday afternoon. The views from the terrace are awesome; DJs and live acoustic acts provide the theme tunes.
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C
Hordern Pavilion
Holding over 5000 heaving music fans, the historic white and grey Hordern (1924) hosts plenty of big-name rock gigs (Coldplay, Nine Inch Nails, The Presets) and, along with neighbouring halls, the massive Mardi Gras Party. If these walls could talk…
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D
Darlinghurst Theatre
The Darlinghurst Theatre Company brings pithy, intelligent Australian scripts to life in this intimate (and allegedly haunted) Potts Point theatre, which features seats, mirrors, lighting and the bar from the old Her Majesty’s Theatre in Haymarket.
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E
Griffin Theatre Company
The Stables Theatre is the home of this important little company, dedicated to the development and production of new Australian plays since 1970. Cate Blanchett started her professional career here. On Mondays there are 'pay what you can' 18:30 sessions.
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F
Orbit Lounge Bar
A murderously cool revolving Goldfinger -esque bar, orbiting your mind with killer cocktails and views to die for. Sink into an Eero Saarinen tulip chair and sip a Mango Rush: crushed mango, Bacardi, red-fruit jam, mango spirit and lychee juice.
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G
Cricketers Arms Hotel
The Cricketers, with its cruisy, cosy vibe, is a favourite haunt of arts students, turntable fans and locals of all persuasions. It’s ace for a beer any time, and there are open fires for when you need warming up.
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H
Wharf Theatre
Sydney Theatre Company’s own theatre shares a beautiful Edwardian pier building in Walsh Bay with Bangarra Dance Theatre's studios and Sydney Dance Company.
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Palace Verona
This urbane cinema has a cool cafe and bar, useful for discussing the artistic merits of the nonblockbuster flick you’ve just seen.
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Clovelly Hotel
A recently renovated megalith on the hill above Clovelly Beach, this pub has a shady terrace and water views – perfect for postbeach Sunday-afternoon bevvies and the sleepy sounds of acoustic twangers. Singer-songwriters strum their stuff on Thursdays and DJs crank it up on weekends.
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K
Oxford Art Factory
Indie kids party against an arty backdrop at this two-room multipurpose venue modelled on Warhol's NYC creative base. There's a gallery, bar and performance space that often hosts international acts and DJs. Check the website for what's on.
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Tank Stream Bar
After work suits head to this watering hole above Sydney’s original water supply. The Tank Stream runs thick with bottled beer, wine and cocktails, with high stools and flashes of steel enhancing the original warehouse interior.
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Empire Hotel
The Empire’s 300-capacity bar gets down ’n’ dirty with Sydney’s best blues and roots. Local bands with loyal followings play free gigs; listen out for international artists and regular metal, ska, rockabilly and country and western nights.
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Opera Australia
Opera Australia is the big player in Oz opera, staging over 600 performances a year. The company is based both here and in Melbourne.
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Cream Tangerine
Bringing a touch of glamour to summertime drinking in Bondi is this place set on the terrace of the Swiss Grand Hotel. There’s an extensive drinks menu (a martini for every meal of the day), DJs and sunken sofas for watching the sunset.
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P
Chinese Laundry
One of the longest-running clubs in Sydney, this underground warren has plenty of nooks and crannies to get lost in. Local and international DJs spin floor-filling house, electro, techno, hip hop and break beats over three dance floors.
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Chauvel Cinema
The revamped Chauvel Cinema, located inside the historic Paddington Town Hall, strives to offer distinct and alternative cinema experiences and to foster Sydney’s film culture. It also plays host to various quirky film festivals.
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Madame Fling Flong
Newtown’s best (and only) cocktail bar has got that scruffy Inner West thing going on with its retro lounge and shabby-chic decor. On Tuesday nights the Flong screens art-house movies from 8.30pm, but book ahead as seating is limited.
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Sydney Conservatorium of Music
This historic venue showcases the talents of its students and their teachers. Choral, jazz, operatic and chamber concerts happen from March to November, along with free lunchtime recitals on Wednesday at 1.10pm.
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Statement Lounge
Hidden underneath the State Theatre, this low-lit jazz-era bar blends Deco features with a modern makeover. Slink into this atmospheric locale for a quiet drink (it's rarely busy) or a show tune belted out by a cabaret chanteuse.
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All Tomorrow’s Parties
A spin-off of the Sydney Festival, this artsy (dare we say mature?) music festival on Cockatoo Island in the middle of Sydney Harbour was a rip-roaring success in 2009 – expect encores in 2010 and beyond.
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U
Govinda’s
The Hare Krishna Govinda’s is an all-you-can-gobble vegetarian smorgasbord, including admission to the movie room upstairs. Expect blockbusters, art-house classics, incense in the air and cushions on the floor.
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Newport Arms Hotel
The mammoth beer garden buzzes with bronzed Aussies discussing surf boat competitions and comparing ocean swim times. Ignore them and enjoy the beautiful views over Pittwater instead. The Garden Bistro serves up good pub grub.
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Marlborough Hotel
The Marly has a front sports bar with live bands on weekends, a shady beer garden, a cellar nightclub and a large cocktail floor with a cool wraparound terrace.
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