Best Things To Do In Sydney At Night

One of the negatives of Sydney nightlife is that most places shut quite early in comparison to other big cities and even restaurants stop serving food relatively early. This can be quite frustrating for those who prefer to eat late or for sightseeing tourists who have been so busy visiting the city that they haven’t realised the time flew by. Luckily there are a few late-night spots that cater to the night owls among us. One of those late-night gems is Big Poppa’s in Darlinghurst. This 90-s hip-hop themed restaurant and bar is open 7 days a week from 5 pm to 3 am, with last orders in the kitchen coming in at around 2.30am! Not only is the food really delicious, specifically their gorgeous and extremely popular pasta dishes, they also have a great selection of cocktails and other drinks to quench your thirst. And if you’re after a midnight snack rather than a full meal, they also offer signature cheese boards featuring a huge variety of quality cheeses to be paired with a good bottle of wine. This is another one to add to your list of things to do in Sydney on a Saturday night as when the weekend rolls around, the party vibes get cranked up a notch and people head downstairs to the dimly lit bar to sip after-dinner cocktails, listen to the old school anthems and dance the night away! 

I’m a big music fan and so another one of my favourite things to do in Sydney at night is to go to a gig or concert to enjoy some great live music. My music taste is varied but since moving to Sydney I’ve become hooked on quirky bands who tap into those chilled Aussie vibes that everybody loves. I also have a friend who plays in a Jazz band and so I often attend live music events in venues across Sydney, but most often in Newtown. If you’re into live music and want to discover new bands and new music, then why not find a concert or gig that you can attend whilst in Sydney? My top tip for this is to look up local artists on Spotify and check when and where they are playing. Another tip is to keep your eyes peeled for posters and flyers around town, especially in Newtown, which advertise concerts, gigs and other live music events. This area is pretty safe and Sydney nightlife safety is generally good. For those who aren’t familiar with the city, I’d also advise you to check out the Entertainment Quarter where they have a big cinema, two concert venues, and loads of restaurants & pubs to enjoy at night. You’re almost always guaranteed to come across some great live music in this area on most days. Grab a drink, settle down and chill out to the sounds of Sydney!

Another one of the cool things to do in Sydney at night is to get up high after sunset for a view of Sydney’s night skyline. One of the best nighttime views of the city can be seen from the 360 Bar and Restaurant, located high above the city in the iconic Sydney Tower. 360 Bar and Dining is not simply a restaurant, but rather a culinary experience complete with revolving views of the entire city below. Enjoy sightseeing at night from above with 360° panoramic views of Sydney while sipping on your favorite cocktail or indulging in a fine dining experience. Tip: Check what time the sun is due to go down on the day you visit and make sure to get up there nice and early to grab a window seat and enjoy sunset cocktails as you watch the city get bathed in an orange-pink haze all around you before eventually setting far on the horizon.

Bar hopping is a popular nighttime activity in Sydney and is one of the best ways to get to know the city by night. Surry Hills, Kings Cross, Newtown and the Rocks are all top bar hopping hot spots with tons of cool places to hang out and rub shoulders with locals while you enjoy a few evening drinks. My top choice is usually Surry Hills, with lively Crown Street right on your doorstep as well as many other busy side streets you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to boozing options! The only thing you need to do is to choose where to begin, which is easier said than done! In the mood for good wine teamed with a winning charcuterie board? Check out The Winery (285 Crown St). Fancy kicking off your nighttime fiesta with margaritas? Head to Mexican party shack, Tio’s (4/14 Foster St). Or why not start off with relaxed drinks at The Dolphin (412 Crown St), a recently revamped pub-style drinking den with an open terrace. A bar crawl in Surry Hills is the ultimate boozy pick’n’mix for thirsty visitors to Sydney wanting to experience the best of Sydney’s nightlife after a full day of sightseeing!