I've seen many a great band advertised here but as is my wont, the thing that finally got me here…read morewas the lure of a spankin new comedy night. And it doesn't hurt that this deep wild-wild-inner-western venue is on the freakin bondi junction train line! #ftw Hump Night (Wednesdays, in a camel themed bar, capiche?) Comedy's opening night was brilliant, with a stellar lineup & full house. The decor description is best quoted to the night's MC- David Smeidt- who described it ss if a gay pirate was having a garage sale. Camels, camel themes, and some classic posters- the gay pirates responsible for decorating Camelot have definitely never heard the expression, "less is more"... I ordered a garlic pizza cos it was like $8. It was alright & for $8 I ain't gonna complain the crust was a bit hard tho. Some pretty amazing looking mezze plates were doing the rounds and making me regret my decision. Now that I know how easy it is to get to and groovy a venue it is I'm looking forward to joining the camel cult.

Random nights are the best nights, aren't they?…read more My friend Isobel sent me a message last week, with a Facebook link saying, wanna check this out next week in good old Marrickville? I was like, yeeerrrppppp, let's go. Why not, right? So tonight, I look at the Facebook page to figure out where it is and its like all trendy and ambiguous "in the back streets of Marrickville".... well, where the FUCK is that, eh??? Bloody thing. Well, I figured it out and I can't tell you how AWESOME it was! Dimly lit, trendy, hipster kitch. Think Shady Pines, but not so much Americana. Yes, cowboys. But also gypsies, persian carpets, camels and eastern flair. The owner, came over and introduced himself to us and was like, how did you hear about us? Well, we have the very uncool story that Isobel's mum told her about it. Yeah, I'm serious. LOL. We think it's funny as hell too, especially since the place was so great, so unknown. Her mum saw some live music here a few weeks ago. I should probably make up a cooler story about how I know about the place that makes me sound really awesome with my finger right on the pulse of avant guarde Sydney or something, so when I bring people here I can be like... yeah... I'm cool... man?!! We had wines which were delicious. I had an SA Pinot Noir. Hey, look! I'm trying to learn my wines! Be impressed. I'm a wine doofus. Downstairs is "Django Bar" which is I guess, not a music venue. Camelot is technically on the top floor, and is a music venue with some food... the garlic pizza is amazing. Perfectly garlicky and cheesy melty goodness. Sean Taylor was playing, he was described as a Chris Isaak acoustic guitar type.... well, wow, I could have easily stayed out til past midnight if it wasn't a school night. He was amazing. Everything was 5 star. I'm really glad to be able to write this review for such a great NEW establishment, but it's even better that it's in my home suburb of dear old MARRICKVILLE!!! Marrickville is seriously Sydney's Brooklyn. Seriously. Its coming up in the world. Watch out.

Great chips brought to start up - very smooth prohibition vibe Tge service was fast, attentive,…read moreand upbeat attitude. Loved the atmosphere, very New Orleans, easygoing positive and Rey!

I love all things NOLA. I mean, I had been there 3 times and still had my bachlorette's in New…read moreOrleans. We did not have a reservation, but they fit us in as a walk-in at a small coffee table with 2 ottoman seats. Not the most comfortable set up, but I appreciate the cozy atmosphere, almost like you are sitting in someone's very posh and dimly lit den. All the NOLA classics were featured, like Vieux Carre (no likey), old fashioned (likey), and hurricane. There were some twists on the classics as well. I liked the newer house specialties, and ended up having 3 drinks, more than I intended. We snacked on some popcorn chicken, which was nothing special, but very satisfying when hungry. We were also lucky enough to be there when the live jazz band played a brief set, which really set the mood. I took off a star because not every drink was a homerun, and the service was a bit too impersonal for a speakeasy. We had a different server each time. One of my favorite parts of going to a speakeasy is to watch the bartenders work their magic and ask them for recommendations, and if I'm lucky, maybe get an off menu drink. Not quite set up that way here.

Great jazz jam and board game night on Monday nights. They have good pizza available and make good…read moremixed drinks. My only complaint was the audience was talking fairly loudly during the performance but the band was fantastic. I'll definitely come back next time I'm in Sydney.

Perhaps I've always wandered by on the wrong nights, but it wasn't until last week that I finally…read morewitnessed one of Venue 505's free-jazz Fridays! At around 21:30 this place was packed and the fantastic band was finishing up their first of many sets to come. The underground location and vibe really sucked me in and makes me feel like I was witnessing some great big secret. The ceilings are high, the walls are covered in murals and there are couches and seats everywhere. While the couches give it a "relaxed feeling," we had a bit of difficulty finding a spot and unfortunately there isn't any area dedicated to dancing. And we're in a music venue. Hmmm ... There's an extensive bar and food menu, and considering that you're also being treated to fantastic free music, it's really, really well priced! A house wine only sets you back $6 and the food mains were around $12. There are also a few share platters and cheese boards, too! During the week that are a ton of free events - such as Swing Tuesday - that I'm super keen to check out! Definitely, definitely one of the best music venues of this kind in Sydney.

A standing room performance venue. There are-limited benches. I came during the FBI free evening…read more Mostly a 20 to 30 year-old crowd. Expect loud music. The mezzanine is not as loud. I stayed for two sets. Credit card only for beverages. A short walk from the town hall train station

Are you ready to ROCK?…read more Well pull on those skinny jeans, kid, and wax up that indie fringe 'cos the Metro, that grand old dame with the leather pants and smoky, sexed-up eyes, has got what you need and she's got it in spades. I've seen a cosmic $hit-ton of gigs here, from Julia Stone to Miami Horror to The Rubens just last night, and the place always jams. No matter where you stand, from the pit floor to the tiered platform standing that wedding cakes up to the back of the house, you'll get a rich view of the stage, ain't no black spots here. The drinks are pretty exxy but hey, this is rock and or roll, this biz ain't free, yo. One of my all-time favourite Sydney venues, the original and still the best.

The Vanguard is a delightful high-ceilinged theatre with balcony and a 1920's feel perfectly suited…read moreto the fantastic acts they always have on here. They mainly book great Aussie blues, roots & jazz-type bands but mix it up with some cult cinema and the like. I have never ever seen a not-great gig on the Vanguard stage or even in their calender- true story! They do dinner & show packages and the dinner seating varies depending on the type of act that are playing, booking numbers etc - sometimes it's in front of the stage and sometimes up on the balcony. The sound here is really good no matter where you end up sitting, tickets are reasonably priced and I can't comment on the food because I've never tasted it. You're on your own there sorry! Drinks prices are a little on the high side but the service is good - we were unintentionally in the way of the bar & the woman we were bothering, instead of getting annoyed, graciously found us a table. The only reason I dropped a star was the drink prices. I would go here for the music every night if I could afford to! Oh and check their listings for business hours as they're not open every night - it varies.

I haven't seen my mate from school in a while and he happens to be playing at the Vanguard. I've…read morenever been to the Vanguard and so take this opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. (A violent yet skill involved metaphor.) The night goes as follows; I get to the Vanguard early and take a seat in one of the booths, only to discover that behind me in the near booth is my friend, looking quite different, but still recognisable and I join their table for a chat and to meet his band. They play their set and I watch on from the rear of the club standing with the family at the CD sales stand. A few CD's are bought and I drink of the wine. Next comes some Cabaret, a few strips and a lot of singing. The MC is tres hilarious and the music is great. I get my phone out and track down a few of the numbers for later listening activity. The night ends in further beers, additional chats and the purchase of a CD for my good self. Good shows, tasty wine and a food option. The view from upstairs is glorious, but interrupted briefly by a pair of lesbians ripping each others hair out and getting escorted by the security. The view from downstairs is great as well, but lacks lesbian lovers quarrelling.

One of the absolutely coolest spots that I visited in Sydney…read more I honestly hope it's still here. We came during a business conference and ended up here 4 nights in a row.

My friend and I stopped in for drinks after a concert. The entrance is located in an alley, and…read morethere is a small sign. It totally has a speakeasy vibe despite the sign at the door. The photos in the entry way were super cool. As we descended down the stairs, it felt like we were going back in time to the Roaring 20s. It was a Wednesday night, so the bar wasn't terribly crowded, though it was still busy. We grabbed a seat and browsed the menu. After a few minutes, no one came by so I eventually got up and ordered at the bar. I had to wait nearly 10 minutes before I was even able to order a drink. I don't know what the hold up was, but the service was extremely slow. While I was waiting, there were some drunk guys who were pushing the hanging light fixtures. This went on for a few minutes and the staff never said anything to them. It was annoying and extremely off putting. Once I was finally able to order a drink, I asked for a Martinez. The bartender could not understand me. I think I repeated myself at least three times. I guess the way I pronounced "Martinez" sounded like "martinis" lol. I ended up pointing to the drink in the menu before he finally understood what I was trying to order. I know I have an accent, but I didn't think it was that heavy lol. I will say that my Martinez was well made and tasted so good! My friend had planned to order a drink, but changed her mind after she saw how long it took for me to get my drink. Luckily she's a local, so she can go back whenever she wants. If it weren't for the long wait and the annoying drunk guys, this would have been a 5-star experience. If you enjoy craft cocktails and have patience, go check it out.

The Square is, at the time of writing, literally the newest venue in Sydney as I was there for…read moreopening night just last night (08/10/11 for any aliens that find this post in a time capsule of The Futcha). My friend couldn't find the place so called me from Goulburn St. I gave him the directions the opening night band had posted (under Harry's De Wheels in the Capitol Centre) and he found it just fine. *I* got there a bit later and wandered around Harry's for 10 minutes looking for a sign, an entrance, evidence there was something happening besides the food court, ANYTHING! Finally spotted a 1 1/2 foot high chalkboard with "The Square" chalked on it and was informed when I got inside that I'd passed the scrupulous intelligence test involved in finding the place and I could therefore come in! Now let me tell you right now, this place will not be everyone's bag. But it is SO mine and i.m.o places like this are essential to Sydney's vitality as a city that people under 70 and who want to go out late and SPEND MONEY (yeah that was for you, bitching locals) also live in. The Square is a true dive bar. Low-key, no bullshit, and rock'n'roll. I could practically touch the ceilings, the "Toilet" sign was clearly hastily texta'd on the fire doors that afternoon before the gig, the house wine (a pinot I would rather forget) was poison... but they have boags on tap & barrels scattered around and the sound quality was faultless! Props to the sound guy. If you "get" rock'n'roll or dirty blues & the vibe it thrives on you will realise that the things I'm saying that sound negative are high praise. If you don't, The Square is not for you.

cool atmosphere. Pepsi the choice over the other cola brand. some other options could be yelpful to…read moreus ... uhem ... non drinkers. but no worries! :-)

We had the pleasure of speaking with Jaz, serving at the bar, whilst upstairs for the 5ive concert…read more This young lady was so professional, friendly and accommodating in helping us with with our merchandise. Jaz needs to be commended on her quick thinking and bubbly persona :)

Wow wow wow!!! If you sneeze, you could miss the entrance since it's not all that 'in your face' on…read morethe street. There is a cover charge of $20pp to walk in the door. I'm not sure there's an elevator so if you aren't able to walk up two flights of stairs, better give them a ringy-dingy before you head over. We went for the Jazz but started out in the 2nd floor for some finger foods and drinks. What a hoot!! The menu has a good variety of choices and we had the 4 cheese pizza and chips. Both soooooo good! The volume was not so noisy so we could actually talk and hear each other. Then the first band came in and, I'm sorry to say I did not catch their name because they were incredible! Their vocalist has quite a versatile range and adorbs. The guitarists and drummer were da best!!! We sat there longer than planned because song after song was wonderful! And, make sure you check out the ceilings!! Purty interesting to say the least. (If you are more a prudish type, I suggest not looking up. No judgement!) But, eventually we did go to the jazz venue.... Jazz. Hot Jazz! Mellow, delicious and...what can I say? This band was soooo laid back....and talented! Lots of great tunes from the '50's that were well done. Oh and.....definitely (!!!) check out the ceilings in here, too. I can not imagine what this building housed before Lazy Bones, but....just check it out! Parking on a Friday night...not too much in the main drag but we found side streets had plenty of free parking available. One more thing i noticed is the variety of age. Top floor was mostly 20's and up though there was a few more mature people, too. Jazz venue I'd say 30's and older. Yeah...we were the oldies but goodies at both places!! Lol. If you like jazz, if you like good music of any kind, get yoreself over here!!!

This is the most amazing new nightspot in sydney, Great…read morelive jazz bands and the best DJ's that play old records of some real classics Craig the owner and barman is out of this world this place is going to do really well. Hidden just off the main street of Marrickville up a few flights of stairs you walk in to a awesome bar with the roof painted with a huge Kama sutra mural and tin roof tiles and leather lounges. Licensed to 3am with great wines and boutique beers on tap.

This place has the worst food you can imagine. I wouldn't serve this crap to my dog! The drinks…read morewere good.

Fish n chips was a 7.5/10. Better than the US. Drink menu looked promising. Weekly specials were…read morealso a solid deal.