Sydney at night : Going out on weekdays !
Key points to remember
Sydney offers a rich but regulated nightlife: bars in Surry Hills (alternative), Newtown (student), CBD (chic), Kings Cross (legendary but slowed down since the “lockout laws”). Special parties every day, beach clubs at Coogee and Bondi.
Bars and nightclubs in Sydney at night :
Monday :-
The Side bar, one of my favorite bars in Sydney
This bar located below Wake up is a little gem, there are live music shows every Monday and Wednesday from 8pm to 11:30pm and from 11:30pm, this place becomes a bar nightclub! This place is packed with young travelers like you who want to have fun and enjoy themselves. Unfortunately, this place closes its doors at 2am on weekdays and 3am on weekends.
The SCUBAR, this place is often full, you have to go early otherwise you end up waiting in line for 1 hour, Monday night is crab racing. It’s quite fun to watch!
  ; Tuesday :-
The establishment :
Wednesday :
Did you know?
The “lockout laws” imposed in 2014 have almost killed the nightlife of Kings Cross: no entry to bars after 1:30am, last service at 3am. Officially relaxed in 2020, the area has never really recovered.
It can also be Side bar day but if you want to change, know that Wednesday is the night of Eastern based in Bondi Junction, this nightclub is spread over several floors (at least 2 floors during the low season up to 3 when it’s busy). These are often pop and R’n’B parties.
Thursday :
-
It’s the night of boat cruises or Bus parties !
The bus takes us on a PUB Crawl, a tour of bars (exactly 5) and ends at Home on Darling Harbour!
My experience
My best party memory in Sydney: a Wednesday night at the Side Bar in the CBD, near Central. Beers at 5 AUD until midnight, international backpacker vibe. At 1am, everyone ended up at the Scary Canary, the institution for working holiday makers looking for late-night partying.
Friday :
| Neighborhood | Style | Audience |
|---|---|---|
| Surry Hills | Cocktail bars | Trendy |
| Newtown | Indie, students | Students, artists |
| CBD | Pub bars | Working Holiday Visa holders, internationals |
| Bondi | Beach clubs | Tourists, surfers |
| Coogee | Pubs | Locals |
-
It’s the night of IVY,
a two-story club with an open-air dance floor, the downside is that you get other people’s smoke! You can hear the music from outside and it really makes you want to go in!
Advantages
- Very varied neighborhoods (chic, alternative, student)
- Beach clubs in summer
- Beers at reasonable prices (5-7 AUD during happy hour)
- International crowd
- Themed parties every day
Disadvantages
- Lockout laws limit late-night outings
- High cocktail prices (15-20 AUD)
- Distance between neighborhoods (expensive taxis)
- Crowd sometimes aggressive after 2 a.m.
- Limited public transport after midnight
Saturday:
-
The place to be is Kings Cross,
With all these bars, I don’t have a particular one to recommend except that same night, if you want to stay central, go to the Three Monkeys, a three-story bar located on George Street or the Shark Hotel, it’s a huge place for what it is, there’s often room to dance or have a drink and there are quite a few women! What more could you ask for?
  ;The classic trap to avoid
Avoid Kings Cross after 2 a.m.: since the dismantling of the bars, the neighborhood mainly attracts wandering people and fights regularly break out. Prefer Surry Hills, Newtown, or Bondi for a safe night out.
The Cargo is also a very nice place but since it’s often crowded, the bouncers at the entrance don’t let everyone in. Be careful! This venue located on Darling Harbour is very lively on Saturdays, with an outdoor area, tables, and a dance floor.
Sunday:
If you are preparing to leave, take a look at our guide on backpackers sydney things to do which complements the topic well. The feedback around partying in Beijing also provides useful benchmarks to avoid unpleasant surprises. And for further inspiration, the article on sydney places is worth a detour.
-
The Hugo in King Cross,
Newtown: the place is dedicated to university students, there are many student accommodations. Indeed, Newtown is located next to the University of Sydney, or the University of Technology, it is a place made up of many bars, it’s the place where all Australian students hang out, the unconditional spot after classes or to go out in the evening.
Find other articles in the section: Australia blog
If you are preparing to leave, take a look at our guide on backpackers sydney things to do which complements the topic well. The feedback around partying in Beijing also provides useful benchmarks to avoid unpleasant surprises. And for further inspiration, the article on organizing my first is worth a detour.
Where to go out in Sydney?
Surry Hills (chic), Newtown (student), CBD (mainstream), Bondi (beach). Kings Cross is but a shadow of its former self.
How much does a night out in Sydney cost?
Beer 5-8 AUD, cocktail 15-20 AUD, club entry 15-30 AUD. Budget 80-120 AUD for a full night out.
What are the best party hostels?
Wake Up! Sydney (CBD), Bounce Sydney Central, Mad Monkey Bayside: integrated bars, parties every day.













