Sydney nightclubs

Not ready for bed yet? There are plenty of places in Sydney where you can dance, socialise and sing along to live music until the early hours. So put on your party shoes and get ready for a big night of fun.

In the city

Home the Venue in Darling Harbour is Sydney’s original superclub. It hosts special events from Thursday to Sunday, and can fit 2,500 people across three levels and nine bars. Nearby, Candelaria is a quirky addition to the Sydney nightlife scene – a Latin club doing salsa, reggaeton and bachata beats, as well as delicious margaritas.

Home the Venue, Sydney City

A fan of the hits? Located at The Star, Marquee regularly hosts music megastars, with Calvin Harris, Bruno Mars and Post Malone taking the stage in the past; Chinese Laundry attracts international DJs like Sasha, DJ Slink and James Holden; and those looking for R’n’B should make tracks for MVP Nightclub.

The ivy precinct on George Street is another huge venue with multiple bars and restaurants (including Bar Totti’s, Felix and The Royal George), a rooftop pool club, regular free gigs and a much-loved Poof Doof night.

Ivy, Sydney

More fun to be had

Kings Cross, traditionally the centre of Sydney’s late-night action, has undergone many changes in recent years and a new crop of nightclubs have opened their doors. Try hedonistic rock ‘n’ roll club Boogie Mountain or kick back in the glamorous Miami-inspired Flamingo Lounge.

Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst

Inspired by Andy Warhol’s 1960s New York nightclub The Factory, Oxford Art Factory is one of Sydney’s top live music venues and has launched the careers of many well-known local artists. Nearby, walk into a tiny hot dog store on Wentworth Avenue, open the door to a vintage Coca Cola fridge and you’ll find Soda Factory, a hidden nightclub with a retro 50s feel and DJ sets until 3am on weekends.

Oxford Art Factory, Darlinghurst

Party with Sydney’s vibrant LGBTQI community at Stonewall Hotel, a three-storey bar on Oxford Street with entertainment that ranges from drag shows and karaoke to up and coming DJs. In the Inner West suburb of Erskineville, The Imperial has been flying the rainbow flag for more than 35 years. Come for the fantastic drag and cabaret shows, or a dance in the expansive basement.

The Imperial Erskineville, Inner Sydney

Although Bondi Junction might be the last place you’d expect to find a club – known more for its malls than dancefloors – The Junction (previously the Jam Gallery) is a great choice for live music. Hosting both international and local talent, the reggae and jazz nights are always popular.

For beats with a twist, The Cliff Dive is an under-the-sea-themed tiki club slinging out tropical cocktails and playing hip hop, grime, trap and R’n’B for its dancefloor crowds.

In Surry Hills, Goros combines Japanese fare, arcade games, karaoke booths and DJ sets to make the ultimate hangout come Friday and Saturday night, when it is open until 2am.