Sydney Nightlife Tips by SydneyGal

Nightlife Spot: Bridge Bar

The Bridge Bar has just been awarded the title of Australia's Cocktail Bar of the Year, by 'bartender' magazine. I have been there on quite a few occasions and can understand why!! There are views to die for in this very hip cocktail lounge. This elegant venue is suspended between the tenth floors of two of Sydney's most desirable apartment blocks at East Circular Quay. Famed for its million-dollar views on eye level with the Harbour Bridge and overlooking Sydney Harbour, Circular quay, the Opera House and Botanical Gardens, sunset can be a real treat. Add to this a cocktail list to rival any in the country with 189 delicious concoctions, faultless and friendly staff, relaxing lounge music and great bar food and you're starting to get the picture. There is also am impressive list of cigars to try. Stunning. Perfect for visiting tourists and locals alike.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: This is an upmarket cocktail lounge so dress accordingly!!
Address: Level 10, Opera Quays
Directions: There is no obvious signage about. Look out for a lift from near the Dendy Theatre, which will take you to your destination!
Website: http://www.cadmus.com.au/Subpage/BBar.htm

Nightlife Spot: Home Nightclub

3 floors, numerous bars, a great dancefloor and chill out areas ... this is a Sydney clubber's mecca. It has a 2000 capacity crowd and often fills to its capacity. This is where top international DJs choose to play if they come to Sydney, and the resident DJs are not bad either! This is the crowd who is responsible for one of Sydney's biggests NYE events, Mobile Home (a massive outdoor Dance Party on Bondi Beach) $25 entry fee. Great for 18-25 year olds. During the day 10am-10pm, it is converted to Home Bar, where you can hang and have a bite to eat and drink by the water.

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: Young and funky (pic left: the epitome of grooviness... yeah baby!)
Directions: Cockle Bay Wharf, 201 Sussex St, Sydney
Other Contact: Ph: 9266 0600, Thurs to Sat from

Nightlife Spot: Paddington Inn

This bar/pub is a Paddington/Sydney Institution. This place is busy most nights and all weekend with people in their 20s and 30 'somethings' ... and is a great place to meet people as well. If you are into Fashion, check out the shopping surrounding this bar on Oxford Street, as well as Paddington Markets on a Saturday, and then cap off the day with a drink here. The Paddington Inn (or better known as the Paddo Inn) also offers some decent pub food for reasonable prices, so if you are lucky enough to get a table here, it is worth trying the food. The Light Brigade Hotel, a pub further down Oxford Street is also worth checking out - similar crowd and a good atmosphere too.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: Smart casual fashionable
Directions: Oxford Street, Paddington
Other Contact: http://sydney.citysearch.com.au/

Nightlife Spot: Soho Bar

There is something here for everyone. It has a relaxed and fun atmosphere, numerous dance floors and pool tables, ... and of course - people watching. And it's friendly.

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Theme: Live Music
Directions: 171 Victoria St, Kings Cross
(about 200 metres down the same street as the Kings X Hotel)
Other Contact: Tel: (02) 9358-6511
http://www.s

Nightlife Spot: Q Bar

A bit seedy but fun. Excellent music for dancing always. Anything goes here, there is a good vibe. 2 dancefloor areas, 3 bars, pool tables, pinball machines, a chillout area. Doesn't start to get going till about midnight. After 4am it can get a bit seedy and there could be a few strange-looking people lurking about, so avoid this place if you are not into that kind of thing! Try to overlook the bathrooms which are in dire need of renovation. I used to hang out here quite a bit, this Bar/Club is great for watching people and their off-beat antics. Warning: The doormen can be a bit tough sometimes.

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: anything, whatever is in fashion. The manager here has been seen in a purple crushed velvet 3 piece suit. hmmm.
Directions: Oxford Street, opposite Hungry Jacks. Look out for the bouncers under an orange sign labeled 'Synergy'

Nightlife Spot: International Bar

=== Oh no - update - this bar has been closed down in order to make way for a luxury apartment block. NOOOOOO!!!!
=== This is one of Sydney's Swankier Bars, here you'll be rubbing shoulders with the glam set of Sydney. This place is slightly pretentious with a ridgid door policy...but the views are to die for. Dress cool to get in, because if you do, it is worth it! The Bar area offers stunning views by night of the city and Sydney Harbour. Get there early to ensure a window seat. Warning, it is expensive, but if you want one of the best views money can pay for (!) this is definitely it. On the opposite side the bar is the International Restaurant.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: Stylish and sexy
Directions: 14th Floor, Top of the Town Hotel, Victoria St, Darlinghurst. (on the non-Kings X side of Sydney's famous Coke sign)
Other Contact: Oh NOOOOOO! This bar has recentl

Nightlife Spot: Cargo Bar

Since it opening date around the time of the Sydney Olympics, the Cargo Bar has been one of the hottest bars in town. There are 2 main sections of 'Cargo Bar'. Downstairs you will find more of a 'pub' style crowd and it may be easier to get inside - though sometimes there is a wait as this place tends to get pretty packed. Upstairs is Cargo Lounge - more upmarket and with a strict door policy later in the night. However, the bartenders upstairs at Cargo would have to be amongst the best in Sydney (think Tom' Cruise's 80s flick - Cocktail). A lot of fun. TIP - I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND going to 'The Malaya' restaurant for dinner before going to Cargo Bar. This restaurant is also located at King Street Wharf. Magnificent Malaysian food at reasonable prices, and great atmosphere.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: Downstairs - casual jeans will do. Upstairs - dress up a little more
Phone: 02 9262 1777
Address: King Street Wharf, Darling Harbour
Directions: Go to Darling Harbour. From Cockle bay, you need to walk past the Sydney Aquarium, then you'll see the King Street Wharf complex.
Website: http://www.cargobar.com.au

Nightlife Spot: The Peppermint Lounge

A discreet little drinking hole just off the main drag of King's Cross - walk up the stairs and the red light strip is a world away. A mural of a James Bond look-alike with martini glass in hand decorates the entry to the lounge, pretty much one big room with retro lounges and seats cut into the walls that look like spaceship capsules.

DJs play a mixture of '60s and '70s soul, funk, R&B and early disco, at a level that's loud enough to keep people awake, but still allows for a comfortable chat. Great cocktails and dancing!

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: Smart casual. The doormen can sometimes be strict on who they will let inside.
Address: 281 Victoria St , Potts Point, Sydney
Directions: Near Kings Cross Station

Nightlife Spot: Kinsela's Middle Bar

Sydney is graced with many stylish bars, yet few match the finesse of Kinsela's Middlebar.
The sophisticated interior is reminiscent of the uninhibited opulence of a glamorous LA lounge, and is one of the few inner city venues that offers an outside space to enjoy a Sydney sunset and drink.

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: This is probably one of the hippest bars in Sydney right now, so dress hip. Dress to impress.
Address: 383 Bourke St Darlinghurst
Directions: Near the corner of Bourke and Oxford St. Near the Courthouse hotel.
Website: http://www.kinselas.com.au/default.asp?bhcp=1

Nightlife Spot: Paddington Green Hotel

Paddington Green Hotel offers a great laid-back atmosphere, with music to match. This bar has an outlook over the historic Victoria Barracks from the designer lounge rooms. It is a great place to relax with a few friends and a few drinks. Every evening there's something happening - from good music to the Friday 2-4-1 Champagne Night. If hunger strikes, you can try the Thai food offered at the back.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: smart casual
Address: 182 Oxford Street, Paddington
Directions: Cnr Brodie Street, in between Darlinghurst and Paddington.
Website: http://sydney.citysearch.com.au/E/V/SYDNE/0053/65/