We put together this list of things to do in Sydney at night because we have heard people say there is nothing to do here once the sun goes down. We disagree- while Sydney is definitely not a 24-hour city- there is almost always something going on that will strike your fancy. Not to mention the abundance of bars and eateries for those who bring the party with them.

After extensive research on the topic, we discovered that most lists with ‘things to do in Sydney at night’ featured the same suggestions. Thus, this list was born of our self-assigned challenge to see how many things we could find to do in this great city at night. So, read on for our findings (note: we made sure to only include things we would actually want to do so there is no fluff)

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There are plenty of great things to do in Sydney at night; in fact, we came up with our list pretty quickly. Whether you are looking for free things to do at night, have a special celebration coming up or are trying to find evening activities for families visiting Sydney, we have you covered.

This is a pretty long article, so you might want to get comfortable; by the time you are done here, I am sure you will have chosen more than a couple to add to your calendar.

We have grouped our suggestions to make it quicker to find just what you want.

• 10 things to do around Sydney Harbour
• 10 free things to do in Sydney at night
• 9 places to enjoy live music and DJs
• 11 romantic things to do in Sydney at night
• 10 things to do in Sydney at night with kids
• 10 tours offered at night that perfect for solo travellers
• 10 ways to get cultured at night in Sydney
• 10 Sydney dining experiences
• 6 fun classes you can do at night in Sydney
• 10 seasonal night time events in Sydney

Things to do around Sydney Harbour at night

One of the best things for visitors to do in Sydney at night is to spend some time exploring the harbour and foreshore. There is plenty to do in the streets surrounding Circular Quay at night to keep you busy for a few hours.

We believe no matter what your budget, you can have fun here at night. No money – no problem! Just walk around and take in the lights for free.

Feeling flush? Splurge on a show at the Sydney Opera House or a special Sydney Harbour dinner on an evening cruise.

Here are our favourite ideas for exploring the area around Circular Quay at night.

Sunset Sailing

Being out on Sydney Harbour at sunset is hard to beat, and a sailboat gives an entirely different feel to a ferry or cruise ship. Being this close to the water helps you appreciate just how big the harbour is.

We like this tall ship tour, we have taken it several times with friends and always have a great time.

Walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge

While this does not need to be a nighttime activity, it works perfectly well as one. Take the train to Milson’s Point and wander down to Mary Booth Reserve for some stunning harbour views.

Once you are done, make your way back to the Harbour Bridge steps and head over the bridge to Circular Quay. Take in the view or snap away till your heart’s content. Either way, the golden hour just before sunset and the blue hour that is the period immediately after are lovely times to spend looking out at the harbour.

The steps just beyond the Southeast pylon will take you down into the Rocks, where many a distraction awaits. You can follow our instructions here.

Try a Bridge Climb with a difference

If walking the footpath is not daring enough for you, get up high on a Bridge climb. And special Vivid climb during the Vivid Festival?

You can book either a twilight climb or a night climb complete with miners light. Get all the details on the different types of climbs here. These do tend to sell out quickly, so best to book in advance.

Ride a ferry and watch the city sparkle

You might be wondering, do Sydney ferries run at night? Well yes, they do and, they are a great way to spend some time relaxing. It can also be pretty romantic! The Manly ferries leave Circular Quay late into the night with the last return journey at 11.45pm. Services depart every 30-45 minutes, and the trip takes 30 minutes each way.

If you prefer a shorter journey, you can make a round trip to Double Bay, leaving just before 9pm and returning to the city at 9.35pm.

Fancy a nightcap after your ferry ride? Take a Balmain or Barangaroo ferry will get you some excellent views up close to the bridge and a drink at the end of the trip. These two services run pretty late, with the last return from Barangaroo at 11.23pm and Balmain at 11.35pm.

Read about our favourite Sydney ferry rides for more inspiration.

Walk around the Rocks and check out the historic pubs

The Rocks is a great place to explore by day, but at night it’s time to head indoors and visit a few of the historic pubs.

There are at least a dozen, each with its own vibe. All offer meals too if you work up an appetite.

If you want someone to show you around there are a number of bar tours. This one is fun.

Dine on the Coat of Arms at The Australian Heritage Hotel

Want to try kangaroo and emu but a bit too squeamish to try them straight up? Well, the Coat of Arms pizza at the Australian Heritage Hotel is just the thing! They also have beer tasting paddles and a considerable number of Aussie brews on tap.

Drinks and nibbles at Opera Bar

Sitting at Opera Bar with a cocktail or cold beer in hand feels like sitting in the dress circle at the theatre. Panoramic views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, city skyline and of course the Opera House make this a popular spot, particularly in summer. Arrive between 5pm and 6pm for bargain happy hour drink prices.

There is live music from 7pm, seven nights a week. Also, in a city that can make it hard to find something to eat after 10pm, food is available until closing.

Check out Badu Gili

For seven minutes, a stunning light show, Badu Gili, which means Water Light in the local Gadigal Language, lights up the eastern sails of the Opera House four times a night. Learn more about the artwork here.

Daily from sunset, 8.30pm, 9pm and 9.30pm.

Walk across the Cahill Expressway

At the eastern end of Circular Quay Station, you will find a glass elevator leading onto the Cahill Expressway. Walk to the centre for some spectacular views. It’s an excellent spot to sit and watch the world go by.

See an Opera

Opera Australia is world-class, and among the offerings for 2024 are Sunset Boulevard, Tosca Hamlet and Così fan tutte.

There will also be the famous outdoor Handa Opera on the Harbour performance in April – this year it is West Side Story.

Fun things to do at night in Sydney on a budget!

Trying to find fun things to do in Sydney at night on a budget? We think we have come up with a pretty good list here. There are a bunch of free things here that will give you an insight into the local lifestyle and leave you with some money in your pocket to spend on holidays.

Watch sport live in an Aussie pub

Head to the Golden Sheaf at Double Bay and watch a game live on the big screens with some passionate locals. The Sheaf is the home of local teams the Sydney Swans (AFL) Sydney Roosters (NRL), Waratahs (Rugby Union) and Sydney FC (soccer) Check the schedule here.

Free fun and cheap eats at Soda Factory

With 3:30am trading on weekends plenty of fun free events during the week, Soda Factory is popular with locals and visitors alike. On Tuesdays you can try your luck at Musical Bingo while on Wednesdays there is live entertainment and $1 wings and $10 Fried Chicken and Waffles. Saucy Soda Thursdays are also a good first stop on a night out with free entry till 10pm. Soda Factory offers plenty of fun at bargain-basement prices.

Check the what’s on page for current specials and events.

Join in the fun at Friend in Hand Hotel

For 22 years the crab racing at this Glebe institution has been drawing a crowd. Ridiculously good fun and completely free make this an easy choice for something to do on the last Wed of every month.

Don’t worry if you’re not in town for the races, there is also Life Drawing on Mondays, Drag Queen Bingo on the last Tuesday of the month, Comedy shows every Thursday, and Poetry readings on the third Wednesday of the month. Visit their website for more information!

Test your skills at Pub Trivia

Head to Harts Pub in the Rocks for some good old-fashioned fun, the pub quiz. Reserve your table in advance and mention free drink and the first round of drinks is on the house. It’s free to play, and the pub has a great range of beers on tap too.

Get a workout Indoor rock climbing

With all the good food on offer it’s a good idea to up the exercise quota and what’s more fun than burn off some calories doing something new. The Ledge Climbing Centre at Sydney University offers casual visits for only $15.

Escape Room

There are a bunch of escape rooms to choose from in Sydney, but one that offers a great range of rooms is Mission Sydney. Choose from 6 experiences ranging from moderate to super hard. Their rooms are also the most hi-tech in the city.

Karaoke at Goros

An Izakaya in Surry Hills that will have you feeling like you have been transported to Japan. Goros offer FREE Karaoke in 3 rooms (book first) and is open until 3am on weekends and midnight earlier in the week. Check what’s on tonight here.

Govinda’s

Govinda’s have been offering cheap buffet meals and movies in Kings Cross for decades. For under $40 you get an all you can eat Indian buffet and a movie with very comfy cushion seating to lay on.

Putt-Putt at Holey Moley

With 9, 18 or 27 holes to challenge you the whole family can enjoy Putt-Putt here (or at Newtown) until 8pm each day. After that is adults-only time. Plenty of deals early in the week, Mondays are unlimited golf for $15 and $10 pizza. Check their website for more.

No lights No Lycra

Do you love to dance but can’t totally get into it when it feels like everyone is watching? Try No Lights No Lycra, the original dance in the dark movement.

Held on Tuesday nights at the Main Hall Newtown from 6:30pm or Thursday nights at the Bondi Scout Hall from 6:30pm, entry is $15. Both sessions are located within walking distance of a range of bars and restaurants so you can cool down with a drink or enjoy a big meal knowing you’ve earned those calories.

Sydney night tours – Perfect for solo travellers

If you are travelling alone and looking for something to do tonight in Sydney then check our list of fun night tours that will let you kick some sightseeing goals after the sun goes down.

These tours are a perfect choice for solo travellers looking for things to do at night in Sydney because they give you a chance to connect with a group for a couple of hours. You may even meet someone else who is travelling solo and end up with a new sightseeing buddy for the next day.

Ghost Tour at Q Station

For over 150 years Q Station was Sydney’s Quarantine Station, a place where ships carrying disease, or any contamination stopped before being cleared to enter the port. This resulted in a high number of deaths and a bunch of restless spirits taking hold here.

For the last 30 years, they have been running very successful ghost tours. They are a couple of tours on offer, I did the kids one because I am a bit of a baby when it comes to ghosts. Plenty of frights and lots of interesting history make this a great night out.

If you prefer to explore the Ghosts of the Rocks, you could check out this tour

Small Bar Tour in Surry Hills

Hitting a bar in an unfamiliar city as a solo traveller can be a bit daunting. Well, we don’t think you should skip seeing some of the cities great small bars, so we highly recommend this small bar tour in Surry Hills with Local Sauce.

We tried it out a few months back and had a great time discovering a few new places we had not been to. Several people on our tour kicked on after. The night was lots of fun and a great way to make friends with fellow travellers.

True Crime Tour

This tour is perfect for history lovers or crime novel addicts. Filled with stories of some of the areas most infamous crimes. The guides do a great job bringing to life the Rocks of old when the area was home to Sydney’s most notorious criminals

Free Rocks at Night Walking Tour

Don’t let a lack of funds keep you at home, the team at I’m Free offer a nightly tour of the Rocks. So while a tip is expected, meaning this is not really “free”, this is a bargain way to get a crash course in the history of Sydney.
By tours end, you will likely have a buddy to share a drink at one of the pubs in the Rocks.

Forbidden Sydney Walking Tour

Sydney is home to one of the biggest LGBTQI+ celebrations in the world, and this tour will highlight the history of Gay and Lesbian Sydney right back to the early days of the colony. You will learn how the Mardi Gras grew from a demonstration in the 1970s to Sydney being announced as the host of World Pride 2023. Find more details on the tour here.

The Rocks Historical Pub Tour with Drinks and Dinner

If you prefer your history served with a drink or two, then this tour should fit nicely. This 3.5-hour tour includes a walk around the rocks and its pubs, a brewery visit, 5 drinks and dinner.

Foodie tour of Surry Hills

Let an experienced guide help you find the most delicious eats in one of Sydney’s best-loved foodie hot spots.

Sunset with wine cheese and fabulous Instagram shots

Spend an hour on a catamaran on Sydney Harbour all the best photo spots around both sides of the harbour in a lot less time than if you try to find them by yourself. You also get a beer or wine and some light snacks. Find more details here.

Get cultured in Sydney at night

Art Gallery of NSW (AGNSW)

Along with guided tours of current exhibitions, the AGNSW has talks and 1-hour concerts or performances. The bar is open till 10pm and café till 9.30pm most Wednesday (except between Dec 18 and early Jan).

Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA)

The MCA at Circular Quay also stays open late on Wednesday, till 9pm. The programs are most suitable for all ages the whole family can get a dose of Modern Art here with curator talks and hands-on workshops. The two most popular programs Sounds on the Terrace and the Sundown Sketch Club are offered on a rotating basis. Check their website for details.

Golden Age Cinema and bar

This small 50 seat cinema brings to life the cinema-going experience of old. With both art-house and latest release on the playlist and a fun Tuesday night film trivia quiz held in the bar this is a movie lovers paradise.

Outdoor Cinema

There are so many outdoor cinemas across Sydney that we have a whole page dedicated to them. The first and most impressive for visitors is the Westpac Outdoor Cinema at the Botanic Gardens. You can also watch a film under the stars at Bondi Beach.

Dine and Drag at Imperial Hotel

The Imperial is possibly the most iconic LGBTQ+ venue in the city. After all, the opening of Priscilla Queen of the Desert was filmed here! Their Dine and Drag show combine a fantastic menu with a strong vegetarian focus with a fun show in classy surrounds.

Check out a Musical

2024 will see some big musicals hit town including & Julliet, Six, a return of Hamilton and more. Find tickets and info at Ticketmaster.

Experience Bangara Dance Theatre

A night of contemporary dance with Bangara is something very special. This Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performing arts company is world-class, and 2024 will see a brand-new show Horizon in Sydney through June and JUly

Slide Sydney

Slide is a dinner cabaret venue on Oxford Street that offers a range of fantastic entertainment. Circus acts, burlesque artists and vaudeville performers entertain. Dinner is a themed degustation. This 3-hour dinner experience is great fun and highly recommended. Slide is currently closed

Catch a performance at the Belvoir Street Theatre

This much-loved theatre company produce some truly outstanding show and often showcase some of our finest actors. The large theatre only seats 350 people allowing you to be quite close to the action. The 2024 season looks like a cracker!

See a Show at the Opera House Show

Sure you can do a tour of the Opera House but why not go to a show instead? You may not learn all the facts and figures that you will on a tour but watching a performance is hard to beat. From symphony to ballet, modern theatre to comedy, there is something here for everyone and tickets are much more affordable than you think.

Kensington Street

The revitalised area in Chippendale has pretty much everything you could want in one space. Start at Handpicked wines, pick from the dozen-plus great restaurants or choose something cheap and cheerful from Spice Alley Of the restaurants, we love Mekong for Asian, Automata for Mod-Oz and Olio for very good Italian (Sicilian). Finish up with a frozen gin treat at Gin Lane.

Firedoor

In complete comparison to Paperbark, Firedoor is all about the meat and seafood, cooked over nice smoke flavours. The kitchen uses no gas or electricity and watching the chefs is like watching live theatre. Make a booking if you are keen as this place is popular.

Want more ideas? Check out our Ultimate Food and Drink bucket list put together with the help of our Sydney Expert community.

Eat at Darling Square

The newest precinct in Darling Harbour, Darling Square, is all about the food. You could spend the first hour of your evening just trying to decide where to eat; there is so much choice here. It’s great for when you don’t quite know what you feel like, cause after a walk around, one spot is bound to grab you. So far we love Boque by Tapavino, Lilong by Taste of Shanghai for their great Xiao Long Bao.

Mary’s in Newtown

With a web address getfat.com.au, this grungy looking building in Mary Street is upfront about what regular dining on their American style burgers and fried chicken will get you.

They have several options around the city, including Castlereagh Street and the Basement, but the home base in Newtown is the spot to go. The bar and the music are outstanding here.

@Bangkok

If hunger strikes in the wee hours @Bangkok is the place to head. Serving some of the best street food that hails from the Thai capital. The restaurant is usually open till at least 3am – often later or earlier, depending on how you look at it.

Dine at a celebrity chef restaurant

If you like to collect celebrity chef experience Sydney won’t let you down with plenty of internationally known local and overseas chef restaurants to choose from. We have written a whole post about Sydney’s Celebrity Chefs.

Skyfeast Sydney Tower

Watch the world fly by while you enjoy dinner 300 meters above the city. The Skyfeast Sydney Tower rotates slowly allowing you to catch the same view as you can from the observation deck below.

Book now to reserve your spot

Degustation at Nel

Nel offers one of the best value degustations in Sydney and can cater for almost all dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose intolerant and nut-free. The menu changes every 8 weeks, and their current Christmas menu looks great!

Captain Cook Dinner Cruise

This Captain Cook dinner cruise is a great way to see the harbour at night and enjoy some great food. You can choose from a 3-course al la carte or 6-course degustation and the price includes drinks. The boat is very comfortable and between courses or after dinner pop up to the roof deck to enjoy the views.

Book a 3, 4 or 5 course dinner

Learn something new at a night class

Learning a new skill either as a traveller or a local is a fun way to spend the evening. These are some of our favourite options running at the moment.

Salt Meat Cheese cooking class

From perfecting your pasta making skills to learning to craft the perfect cocktails, Salt Meat Cheese at Circular Quay offers a range of 3-hour classes that all end with you eating and drinking. Find out more here.

Sydney Seafood School

These classes at the Sydney Fish Market include a chef-led demonstration, followed by a chance to get hands-on. They serve complimentary wine, and you get a free cloth apron as a souvenir. Book a class here

Cocktails with native ingredients

Learn to make great cocktails (or mocktails) and dumplings at the two in one class—these classes are held at a Potts Point rooftop bar.

Clay and sip

If you have already tried your hand at paint and sip why not give this a go. Clay and Sip sessions are suitable for absolute beginners and are a great way to decide if you might want to take up pottery as your new hobby.

Learn the art of Aboriginal Dot Painting

This First Nation dot art painting class is held in Chippendale on the edge of the CBD. This beginner friendly class will help increase your understanding of Indigenous Art and Culture. You also get to take home a gorgeous piece of art at the end of the night! The classes are taught by Kabushka Ngemba, a contemporary Indigenous Australian artist.

Twilight Yacht Racing on Sydney Harbour

If you fancy having a go at learning to sail, can you imagine a better place than Sydney Harbour? This 3-hour twilight lesson is great value and includes a glass of celebratory wine at the end.

Sydney Festivals that are on at night

If you are lucky enough to be in Sydney during one of these events you won’t have to look far for things to do. Details on these festivals can be found on our What’s On pages and include plenty of evening events.

1. New Year’ Eve – ok one night but what a night!
2. Sydney Festival (January)
3. Symphony Under the Stars (January)
4. Sydney Comedy Festival (April)
5. Royal Easter Show (14 days either side of Easter)
6. Vivid (May/June)
7. Sydney Film Festival (June)
8. Sydney Fringe Festival (September)
9. Sculpture by the Sea (Oct/Nov)
10. Sydney Open (November)

More check our monthly what’s on pages for details of all these events.

So there you have it – our guide to the best places to go in sydney at night. Know something great we missed? Please share it with us so we can check it out!

Night Time Fun for Kids and TeEns

While these things are all family-friendly, they are not just for kids so feel free to go along regardless of your age. Well, maybe not the playground lol.

Darling Harbour Fireworks

Darling Harbour must be the most family-friendly spot in Sydney with plenty for kids to do and see and lots of child-friendly dining. Add to this the free fireworks show on Saturday nights at 9pm (in summer and earlier in winter), and you have a great end to an afternoon in the city.

Book a stargazing tour at the Sydney Observatory

If you have a budding astronomer in the family, these Twilight tours run for 90-minute and are offered at 5.30pm and 7.30pm. Guided by an expert, you get a chance to check out the southern sky through the telescope and other family-friendly activities.

Older kids might prefer the later tour which, has more time devoted to using the scopes.

Chinatown Night Market

Head to Dixon Street on Fridays for stalls featuring yummy street food and a variety of gifts and accessories that you would expect to find in an Asian night market. The markets run from 4pm-11pm every Friday.

Take the kids on a sleepout at Cockatoo Island

There is plenty to keep the kids entertained on Cockatoo Island, and when the day is done, you can spend the night in glamping.

If you stay on a Saturday night, you can join the family-friendly Haunted History Tour. More details here.

Darling Harbour Children’s Playground

While a daytime visit is essential for anyone with kids, at twilight, the lights come on, and it’s a pretty cool place to end the day. Grab a burger from Bettys for a cheap dinner under the stars.

Luna Park

From the fun of yesteryear at Coney Island to the stomach-churning Hair Raiser kids of all ages can enjoy an evening at Luna Park.

Along with great views of the harbour, there are special prices on Monday and pricing based on height meaning; you pay less for younger kids.

Roar and Snore

Roar and Snore see you spending the night sleeping in a tent at the zoo, a very lovely tent with beautiful harbour views. The experience includes a night safari and a morning behind the scenes tour. You can even spend the whole next day at the zoo.

Reviews the latest reviews on TripAdvisor

Need more ideas for things to do indoor with kids? Check out our list of things to do with kids when it rains.

Enjoy a magic show

Bruce Glen, The Gentleman Magician combines magic and storytelling in this 90 minute show at the Sir Stanford Hotel in Circular Quay.

One of only 359 members worldwide of The Magic Circle – the most exclusive magic club on earth this show is sure to entertain! Your ticket includes Champagne and gourmet canapés 

See glow worms in the Blue Mountains

This five hour tour departs from Sydney or Parramatta and allows you to explore the Blue Mountains at night. You will learn about flora and fauna and spot glow worms after dark.

Smash things up!

Looking for a new and fun weekend experience to try out with friends? Let us introduce you to Sydney’s newest smash room, Smash Room City. Based in Homebush West, Smash Room City is the home of releasing any rage or stress you might have.

Pick your weapon of destruction from a sledgehammer or baseball bat and smash TVs, ceramic plates, and glasses with rage-filled music getting you pumped! A 30-minute session starts at $60 per person with prices reduced for group bookings. Check their website for more.

Virtual reality gaming

Teens (and their parents) will love this VR gaming venue in Bondi Junction that combines cutting-edge multiplayer games, incredible 4D effects, and curated physical spaces. With escape rooms, drive simulators, laser tag, and game pods that include a selection of the most awesome and engaging virtual reality games on the planet.

Check out some Aussie sport

Which sport will depend on the time of your visit.:

• Summer offers Cricket (20/20, a shortened version of the original game, is held at night at its lots of fun).
• From March to September, check out Australian Rules Football (AFL), a fast game that showcases the athleticism of the players.
• Soccer, a game the rest of the world calls football, is gaining popularity in Australia every year. The season runs from April to October.
• Finally, the most popular team sport in Sydney, the NRL, is on from March to October.

Archie Brothers in Alexandria

Part old school arcade hall, part digital arcade with everything from dodgem cars to virtual reality, laser tag to arcade games it’s almost impossible not to have fun here. Buses from the city if you don’t have a car.

Kids welcome till 8pm and plenty of kid-friendly (if not entirely wholesome) food on the menu.

Got questions about things to do at night in Sydney?

Do you have specific questions about the best choice for your circumstances? Head over to Facebook and join our Sydney Expert Facebook Group where you can ask questions and find friendly locals happy to share their advice!