If you’re in the Sydney area and want to take in some great live music, then you may want to read up on the following list of the best music venues in Sydney. Whether you’re looking for a small venue or a big one, there are plenty of options to choose from in the city.
Carriageworks
Carriageworks is Australia’s largest contemporary multi-arts venue. It features a year-round program of works by emerging, established and visiting artists. From experimental avant-garde to large-scale installations, Carriageworks showcases an eclectic mix of art. The diverse and inclusive program reflects the diverse cultures of Sydney and the surrounding regions.
Carriageworks is located in Redfern. The venue’s imposing building has a Gothic design and old-school French style decor. There are several large art galleries in the building, as well as bars and restaurants.
Carriageworks has hosted world-renowned musicians and artists. The venue also hosts concerts and festivals of all genres. In 2016, the Carriageworks K-Pop Party was held in partnership with the City of Sydney and SBS Pop Asia.
Carriageworks also features a range of large-scale visual art exhibitions, including French artist Mathieu Briand’s interactive sound sculpture The Spiral. Additionally, Carriageworks is the host of Sydney Chamber Opera and other resident companies.
Carriageworks also houses the Performance Space, an experimental arts incubator. This space features work in progress and queer focus. They host a range of events, from small concerts to album launches.
Carriageworks has also partnered with many of Australia’s major events. For example, they have hosted the K-Pop Party, and have partnered with the City of Sydney to host a farmer’s market.
Botany View Hotel & Crowbar
Whether you’re looking for an iconic live music venue or a small pub with a great band, Sydney has an array of options to choose from. These places are known to host the best of the best in the local and international music scene. Here are some of the top ones.
The Lansdowne is one of Sydney’s most iconic and intimate live music venues. A staple of the Sydney live music scene for almost ninety years, this venue offers a visceral live music experience. It has a large downstairs and an intimate upstairs.
Max Watt’s is a 1500-capacity music venue that’s located in the heart of the entertainment quarter. You can find a broad range of genres at Max. In addition to rock, it’s also home to EDM, alternative and hip hop acts.
This venue has been known to put on some of the best dance parties in town. Every week, the venue hosts some of the best local and national acts.
Camelot Lounge is an artist-curated live music lounge. Originally opened as a photo-play theatre, this venue has hosted a wide range of local and international acts.
The Oxford Arts Factory is another live music venue that’s been a Sydney institution for decades. It’s known for bringing in the most promising new artists and supporting established bands. Among the artists who have played the space include Courtney Barnett, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Tame Impala, Matt Corby and Chet Faker.
Oxford Art Factory
The Oxford Arts Factory is a premier Sydney music venue. It’s been around for quite some time and has been home to a whole host of renowned artists including Chet Faker and Mumford and Sons.
As well as offering a wide variety of live musical acts, the venue also hosts regular art exhibitions and a monthly market. One of the most impressive aspects of this venue is the design, with walls and ceilings lined with colourful murals and heavy industrial elements.
The venue boasts several flexible performance spaces, which are dotted throughout the main room and a gallery bar. These areas are equipped with state of the art sound and lighting systems, and have been used to showcase the works of countless local and international artists.
Another notable feature is the OAF Gallery Bar, which is equipped with the best of the best when it comes to DJs. This room is a popular hangout for local musicians and fans alike.
The Oxford Art Factory has also been a pioneer in promoting new and old sounds alike. For example, the venue has been home to several legendary Australian artists, from the aforementioned Chet Faker and Mumford and Sons to the likes of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard.
Vanguard
If you’re looking for a live music venue in Sydney, you can check out The Vanguard, which has recently reopened in its old home at 42 King Street. You’ll find a full bar, a restaurant, and a wide range of music genres.
This is a great place to see up-and-coming local acts, as well as international performers. While it’s a small venue, the music is fantastic, and the atmosphere is a treat.
It’s no wonder that the Vanguard has become a legendary venue for music. From jazz to blues to reggae, it’s been a hotspot for a wide variety of genres.
With a great bar and restaurant, it’s also a great place for late-night eats and drinks. And while it’s not a huge venue, it’s certainly one of the most intimate in Sydney.
Aside from the live music, it’s also a great place to catch a movie. There are several screenings every night, so you’ll never run out of things to see.
The Vanguard has been in operation for nearly 13 years, and has hosted some big-name artists. In fact, it’s the longest-running live music venue in the state.
It’s also a great place for burlesque shows. The theater itself has a sexy 1920s theme, with red velvet curtains and a balcony.
Golden Age Cinema & Bar
The Golden Age Cinema & Bar is an underground movie theater and live music venue in Sydney. It is a stylish and glamorous spot that hosts concerts of a wide variety of genres. Located in the former Paramount Pictures building in the heart of Surry Hills, it is also an excellent spot to enjoy a drink after a film.
Unlike other movie theaters, the Golden Age offers a unique experience. In addition to its classic movie program, the cinema is home to a great selection of cult classics, independent releases and leading stars.
This Sydney movie theater and bar was originally built in 1940 and features antique art deco fittings. The screening room is equipped with antique cinema chairs from Zurich. They are sturdy and low-profile, but a bit scratchy.
Aside from movies, the bar is open to the public and features a variety of drinks, snacks and specials. On Saturday nights, Golden Age is also a great place to enjoy live music. You’ll find artists from R&B, rock, folk, and experimental pop here.
The Golden Age Cinema & Bar is open on Tuesdays through Sundays and is a great spot for intimate gatherings. If you’re interested in reserving the venue for a private event, the cinema is also available for rent.
Mary’s Underground
Mary’s Underground is a revamped version of the live music venue, The Basement. This legendary jazz venue had been serving Sydney for 45 years. A group of hospitality legends, including Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham, managed to save the venue from demolition.
When the Basement was closing, it had been a cornerstone of the Sydney music scene. It was also one of the oldest jazz clubs in Australia. In fact, many great musicians have performed here. Among the acts that have played are Bob Dylan, KISS, and Sonic Youth.
It was also a popular place for Sydney hospo lifers to hang out on their days off. Today, however, Mary’s is a restaurant, jazz bar, and music venue.
Its mission is to support the thriving live music scene in Sydney. With a special focus on natural wine, the menu features an eclectic mix of dishes. Some of the dishes are lobster and dry-aged duck.
While the drinks aren’t certified organic, the wines on the menu do come from New Zealand and Australia. Wines are also available by the glass, and half the selection is international. Caitlin Rees, former sommelier of Fred’s in Paddington, has created a minimal-intervention wine list.
Sydney Coliseum
There are plenty of great music venues in Sydney. Whether you want to catch an international act or a local band, there’s something for everyone. These top spots have been around for a long time and are putting on some of the best shows in the country.
One of the oldest and most iconic venues in Sydney, the Opera House hosts a wide variety of live entertainment. From opera to ballet and jazz, there’s a lot to see here.
Max Watt’s is a mid-sized music venue that caters to all kinds of musicians. It regularly hosts acts from all genres, including EDM and alt rock.
Factory Theatre is one of the most popular live music venues in Sydney. Located on King Street, Newtown, the Factory is committed to nurturing the city’s entertainment scene. Featuring a full service bar and late night food, the venue is always full of shows most nights of the week.
If you’re looking for a venue with a grittier, more authentic feel, you can’t go past The Roxy. It’s been a cult classic for over 20 years and is now hosting some of the biggest bands in the world.
Another newest addition to the city’s live music scene, Liberty Hall has been steadily attracting both national and international artists. With a capacity of more than 1,200, the hall has hosted everything from Moodymann to Omar S.
