It’s the weekend and you’re definitely keen to go out for a couple of drinks. However, you’re after a certain type of music and if you hear another ‘doof doof’ at your local, you’re going to break down. Fear not! For we have compiled a list of the best bars to cater to your music taste, whether it be jazz, metal, rock or many others.
Jazz
Venue 505 in Surry Hills is the perfect place to go for your jazz fix. These guys are open every night apart from Sundays with something different on every night. Monday nights are particularly fun with jazz and board games. Hello Scrabble and saxophones.
Other places of note: The Basement, The Vanguard.
Venue 505
280 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills
Open 6–11pm Monday to Saturday
Hip Hop/Rnb
If you’re craving fat beats, MCs and those old 90s RnB vibes, Hustle and Flow is one of Sydney’s best hip-hop bars. With images of Biggie Smalls and 2Pac pasted over the walls you know it will be legit. They even have drinks under hip hop monikers- Snoop’s Gin’n’Juice and 2Pac’s Thug Passion.
Hustle and Flow
105 Regent Street Redfern
02 9310 5593
Open: Tuesday-Friday, 5pm-midnight; Saturday, 2pm-midnight
80’s
Bondy’s oozes 80’s and is where you need to be if you’re in desperate need of some Madonna, Bowie or MJ. The bar has 80’s inspired cocktails such as the ‘Rob Lowe’ and the ‘Pat Cash’.
Other places of note: The Passage on a Saturday night.
Bondy’s
Corner of Bent St & Phillip St Sydney
Open: Thursday and Friday 5pm – late. Saturday 9pm – late
Rock
You want rock? Well Vasco will give you rock! The place is loaded with rock ‘n’ roll paraphernalia- Fender bar stools, cymbal turned lamp shades, and menus covered in iconic album covers. It’s the little things that make this bar top them all.
Other places to note: Shady Pines Saloon, Marys.
Vasco
421 Cleveland Street Surry Hills
0406 775 436
Tue-Sat 5pm-midnight
Heavy Metal/Punk/Emo
We struggled to find a venue dedicated exclusively to heavy metal/punk/emo (someone get on that!). The good news is there are still places that have amazing nights for you to head bang and get into death metal mosh pits. Hot Damn is on every Thursday night and will definitely cater to your needs.
Other places of note: Frankies Pizza on a Sunday, Mary’s.
Hot Damn
81 Sussex Street, Sydney
Open Thursdays 8pm till late
Dance
Play Bar in Surry Hills is located underground on Campbell Street and plays all the best type of dance music under one (very low) roof. From funk to jazz, hip hop, dance and pop they are the ultimate venue for any type of music that makes you want to move.
Play Bar Sydney
72 Campbell Street, Surry Hills
(02) 9280 0885
Noteworthy… Good God Small Club (pictured below).
