Sydney Nightlife Tips by M0B1US

Nightlife Spot: The Old Fitzroy Hotel

"The Old Fitzroy Hotel, Just around the Corner but a Thousand Miles Away"

Site of our double jackpot winning quiz team, where we have managed to walk away with over $1500 between us (my haul was about $315, being one of only two team members to have been there on both occasions!). The other major draw is the 'Box of Cash', which I think was won last week with over $3000 going to the lucky winner!!!

The Old Fitzroy Hotel is a cozy old fashioned pub located in historic Woolloomooloo very close to the centre of Sydney. It was founded over a century ago and has two bars, a bistro and a live theatre.

The hotel (why are pubs in this country called Hotels!!???) has some fine beers on tap including the excellent local brews from Coopers and James Squires, as well as Stella and Guinness from overseas to name just a few. Also the usual wine by the glass, cocktails & coffee.

There is plenty of seating here too, with two bars (ground is cosy with an open fire in winter; upstairs is the 'party room' and where the pool tables live), sunny balcony/bistro area and street seating.

The Laksa dishes served here are regarded by many as the best in Sydney and the pub, together with its live theatre, is regularly acclaimed in Sydney's newspapers.

The Theatre is a small 65 seat 'fringe' theatre which only recently ran one of Nick Hornby's plays, 'Nipplejesus' - for $20 you can do a 'Beer, Laksa and Show'!

The Old Fitzroy Hotel is also meeting place for the Hash House Harriers with regular runs going from the hotel.

The Hash House Harriers was founded in Kuala Lumper in 1938 by British expatriates in order to promote physical fitness and acquire a good thirst. Its popularity grew and expanded overseas. Today, there are over 1000 clubs covering six continents and many islands.

We love the Fitz and I will miss this place when I leave Sydney... :-(

Now I'll have to buy a T-Shirt!

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Theme: People Watching
Dress Code: Casual, informal, relaxed, laid-back, easy, comfortable, unceremonious, stress-free – only 1925 characters left to use up!
Phone: (Ph: 02 93563848)
Address: 129 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011, Sydney
Directions: Behind William St and just down the hill from King's Cross, it's a little tucked away - just keep wandering around till you find it - It's worth it! :-)
Website: http://www.oldfitzroy.com.au/

Nightlife Spot: The Opera Bar

Man, what a place to kick back and relax after a hard day's work with your friends - it really is one of the prime spots in all of Sydney with broadside views of the Harbour Bridge and the bulk of the Opera House looming over you.

My favourite part is watching all the ferries coming and going from Circular Quay and people watching those that promenade along Bennelong Point.

It also helps when you know the event coordinator of this place, as many perks came our way including tickets for the exclusive New Years Eve party held here for the first time.

What a success that was - congratulations Chet!

Still, if you're thinking the generosity was a one way street, he did get a bunch of us to pose for the website publicity shots (pictured), if we were real extras it would have cost the bar $000's each instead of the free beers we got... ;-)

This place does great food (see website menu) and a mean coffee, the beers are cold, the winelist is long and the cocktails are great! And the prices are actually rather reasonable...

So c'mon down and check out my favourite drinking spot in all of Sydney - there are some great memories to be cherished!

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: Casual, sometimes smart casual for events
Phone: 02 9247 1666
Address: Lower Concourse Level, Sydney Opera House
Directions: Bennelong Point - on the waterfront out past 'The Toaster' but before the Opera House
Website: www.operabar.com.au

Nightlife Spot: Fusion Bar

The Fusion Bar is one of those rare and treasured finds where you feel truly fortunate that you stumbled upon such a place...

Behind an unprepossessing facade of a very average looking Sydney pub, and up a flight of stairs is the wonderful Fusion Bar.

Attracted by the all day $1 pool games I found a lively and funky venue full of great tunes, friendly bar staff and a great ambience with about four pool tables in the main room and a smaller side room. Strikingly the tables are covered in a yellow/gold baize with tiger print cushions with polished wood surrounds, which although sounding slightly tacky, really looks the part with the decor of the room which includes whole rows of sumptuous leather sofas and potted palms...

Crazier still is the circular blue baize pool table, which is a real laugh to play on but is murder on the angles!

Most nights this place plays host to a small and friendly hip crowd of people, always with room to sit down and drink back a cocktail and plenty of opportunity of 'poolside action'...

On Tuesday nights the place really takes off with the biggest backpacker night and mixed pool comp in Sydney with loads of prizes given away and cheap drinks all night!

This was a real find for me as it was a 3 min walk from home for me!

If you can't even make it that far, check out my Wood Duck Inn Accommodation entry as it is situated directly above!

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Theme: Other
Address: 49 William St, East Sydney 2010
Directions: Just East of Hyde Park and the Australian Museum

Nightlife Spot: The Old Fitzroy Theatre

Part of the Old Fitzroy Tavern, this cozy 60 seat theatre has put on over 60 shows including the premieres of around 30 Australian productions for over 47,000 punters since 1997 - no small beer for a pint sized and unfunded theatre in deepest darkest Woolloomooloo!

So, if you fancy the best that Aussie theatre has to offer in authentic and intimate surroundings - come here!

The best deal by far on offer is the famous ‘Beer, Laksa and Show’ deal at $30. Other prices are $18 concession & $24 Adult. Most preview nights are $15 and many of the companies run a ‘Cheap Tuesday’ ticket.

Check out their great website for further details - I feel honoured and privileged that this was my 'local' when I lived here in Sydney...

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Theme: Theater
Dress Code: Come as you are!
Phone: +61 (0) 2 9294 4296
Address: CNR CATHEDRAL AND DOWLING STREETS
Directions: Just back from William St, between King's Cross and the City
Website: http://www.oldfitzroy.com.au/tamrocktheatre/current.htm

Nightlife Spot: QVB Jet Bar/Cafe

Whenever I wanted to meet someone, or just chill out with a book or newspaper over a coffee, Jet was the place to be!

With its big glass windows and outdoor seating to see and be seen, this lively Italian cafe/bar does excellent coffee and has a great breakfast menu.

It is a fantastic place to meet with friends as it is right in the centre of town at the southern end of the QVB building facing the statue of the great lady herself. On top of the Town Hall city rail station, in the centre of the shopping district, next to the Town Hall and a stone's throw from George Street - what better location can there be for a bar/cafe!?

There is also a small quieter upstairs area where you can hide away as well - which is where we retired to in our inaugural Sydney VT Meet over some delicious pizzas!

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Phone: 9283 5004
Address: South end of QVB Building, York Street Side
Directions: QVB Floorplan