Words and images by Henry Walsh
The Eora music scene is as strong as it’s ever been, with new collectives and DJs springing up each week there’s no shortage of amazing music to experience here in our beautiful city.
In this article we take a look at some of the city’s top venues for your next night out. (This is not a rated list and all selections are in a random order).
No.1: The Abercrombie
Located on Broadway in Chippendale, the Abercrombie is a heritage-listed, multi-level late-night venue hosting electronic events each week. After closing in 2014, hotel giant Solotel took control of the venue in December 2023 and, situated in a convenient location near Central Station, it has been booming since. Enjoy pizzas and cocktails on level three and plenty of good tunes on the ground and second floor. The venue is a great late-night choice and is popular with students during the week. There are also two impressive courtyards, multiple balconies and great sound throughout the venue. A brand-new parties series, Hardwire, has also recently been launched and occurs each Friday.
No.2: Club 77
Located on William St, Darlinghurst, Club 77 needs no introduction. The venue has operated for over 30 years, playing host to some of Sydney’s best DJs and artists. Although the decore has changed many times over the years the dimly lit intimate 70s style remains intact with resident DJs and takeover events hosted each weekend. The late-night venue attracts a wide variety of punters and provides a gloomy yet cosy raving experience. Club 77 hosts events spanning all electronic genres and is generally free entry with prior RSVP, and is also a proud LGBTQ safe place. Club 77’s legacy continues to live on with many punters having a soft spot for the iconic venue, especially the older generation of Eora ravers.
No.3: Carousel
Located in Taylor Square, Carousel is a 70s-style cabaret-inspired venue playing host to a wide variety of electronic music events each weekend. It is one of Oxford Street’s longest-standing establishments and has been known as Byblos, Miind Club and Nevermind. During renovations in the lead-up to the venue’s reopening in 2023 a rotating stage was unearthed, this led to the club’s quirky name. S.A.S.H sessions, jungle nights and takeover events are all standard business here with the late-night venue proving a favourite with punters since its reopening. Carousel has a lighting set-up imported from Amsterdam and also boasts one of Eora’s best sound systems with 33 speakers littered through the venue – including the toilets.
No.4: The Ivy
The Ivy, Merivale’s trophy venue, is one of Eora’s biggest and boldest spots within the Sydney CBD. Boasting not only some of the city’s best eats, including Totti’s and Jimmy’s Falafel, The Ivy provides a comprehensive amount of electronic music events from Thursday to Sunday throughout the multi-levelled establishment. Ivy Thursdays is your go-to for RnB and house, Friday’s WAO series transforms the venue into a super club with the best hip-hop, trance and EDM music. Saturday is all about the house with all four levels, including the pool bar, spinning the finest house Eora’s selectors have to offer. And finally Lost Sundays, arguably one of the city’s best weekly parties, which happens in the courtyard each Sunday. Line-ups are carefully curated and span from techno, house, UKG to breakbeats, with some of the world’s best artists gracing the decks each week. Lost Sundays is truly a party for the people.
No.5: Tokyo Sing Song
When you think of a night out in Newtown there are many choices, but none are more appealing than Tokyo Sing Song. Located on King St, underneath the Marlborough Hotel, the venue is a favourite among promoters and punters. Boasting a Pioneer Z-series sound system, the venue hosts a range of electronic music events each Friday and Saturday night. The venue is open till 4am each weekend, which makes it a great spot to kick on to, and the relaxed pub atmosphere on the ground floor means you can take a breather from the rave and catch up with friends over a game of pool or in the impressive courtyard. There’s also an upstairs with another courtyard and balcony which overlooks iconic King St. Whether you’re keen on a big night of techno or DnB, or simply looking for somewhere to pop past after dinner, Tokyo Sing Song has you covered.
No.6: Mary’s Underground
Located in Circular Quay, Mary’s Underground is a bar, nightclub and restaurant that dishes up burgers, live music and solid parties Tuesdays to Saturdays. Mary’s took over the space in 2019 after legendary venue The Basement closed its doors after 45 years in operation. This closure was a massive blow for Eora’s live music scene until Mary’s Group decided it would branch out and take control of the iconic establishment. The venue continues to pay homage to its previous settlers, hosting a large variety of live music events including rock and metal gigs, jazz nights, hip-hop sessions and even under-18 events. There are also a large number of electronic music events hosted each weekend, including their resident Basement techno party.
No.7: Bridge Hotel
Located in Rozelle, the Bridge Hotel is one of Eora’s only 24-hour venues, hosting a large number of live and electronic music events each week. The venue is Sydney’s longest continuously run pub and live music venue, operating for more 35 years under the same ownership. Located 4km outside the city, the venue is a favourite among punters keen to steer clear of the hustle and bustle of the CBD. The Bridge is especially known for its Sutra Sunrise parties, which commence at 11pm on Saturdays and run till 12pm the following day. Thirteen hours of music across three rooms means this party is not for the faint of heart, and is the ultimate kick-on spot. Easily accessible by public transport, the Bridge Hotel is a must visit for any die-hard raver.
No.8: Chinese Laundry
Chinese Laundry, located underneath the historic Slip Inn which has a history dating back over 100 years, is another venue that needs no introduction. Chinese Laundry became notorious in the 60s pioneering Sydney’s raving scene, this legacy continuing until 2020 when it was shut due to COVID. The venue remained shut until late June 2024 when it was announced it would begin trading again, taking the Eora electronic music scene by storm. Each weekend since its reopening the venue has hosted takeover events with a different Eora-based crew spanning genres from techno, UKG, DnB and house. With cheap tickets, two rooms, late-night tunes and classic sweatbox vibes Chinese Laundry is a guaranteed good time.
No.9: The Lord Gladstone
Located in Chippendale, The Lord Gladstone is a very special venue. The pub has been providing the goods for punters and electronic music lovers for over 20 years and continues to be a massive crowd favourite due to its relaxed atmosphere, convenient location and, most importantly, an extensive live music program and weekly events. The Gladdy hosts a variety of live music and electronic events throughout the venue including the inside, courtyard and upstairs where they also have a full gallery space. The Goodspace Gallery hosts gigs, galleries, pop-up shows and programs like the Gladdy Drawing Club. With weekly bands and DJs spinning tunes in the courtyard The Gladdy is one of Sydney’s most respected and fun venues to visit. The venue also serves delicious food, is dog friendly and trades until 3am from Thursday to Saturday.
No.10: Civic Underground
To wrap things up we have our final pick, Civic Underground. Also known as the Civic Hotel, the pub and club is located on Pitt St within the CBD. From the surface it just looks like any other pub in the city, but down those stairs is an amazing space where some of Sydney’s best parties are held each week. The venue, which holds 350 punters, has 26 LED panels on its ceilings which constantly change colours, an impressive sound system and a moveable DJ console with plasma installations which gives the venue multiple set-up options. This flexibility and innovation provides punters with a unique raving experience. The location is also extremely convenient and the relaxed pub atmosphere upstairs also means ravers can enjoy a quiet drink before and after events.
Eora has no shortage of amazing venues to choose from, yet these 10 establishments really stand out as some of the city’s best. All of these venues are accessible and everyone is welcome through the doors.
Think I’ve missed a few? Email henry.walsh@studytafensw.edu.au to give me your favourite pick.
Featured image: Skepta pop-up show at the Abercrombie, October 2024.
