Down a lane off George St, Ivy is the HQ of the all-pervading Merivale Group. It's a fashionable complex of bars, restaurants – and even a swimming pool. It's also Sydney's most hyped venue; expect lengthy queues for the club nights, which at the time of research included a backpacker special on Thursdays and an LGBT club, Poof Doof, on Saturdays.
At other times, the main club space is Palings, a good bar and popular restaurant, with Thai street food on the menu alongside steaks, grilled fish, salads and other well-prepared meals. It's a buzzy, open space that's good for a leisurely lunch once the office crowd disperses around 2pm. Evening events here include popular Wednesday salsa nights
Summer Sundays see a pool party, Marco Polo (www.mrco.pl), with house music around the water and hip-hop DJs in the Changeroom. Cheaper advance tickets for this and club nights are available via the Merivale website.
