Dance the Night Away at The Best Live Music Venues in Sydney
From basement gigs to memory-making evenings at the Opera House, these are the best live music venues in Sydney to catch a concert.
Sydney's live music scene is nothing short of legendary, bursting with iconic venues catering to every taste. From intimate gigs at clubs and bars to grand concerts in famous halls and stadiums, the city offers no shortage of spots to catch incredible performances.
Whether you're a rock or hip hop enthusiast, a pop lover, or a fan of up-and-coming indie bands, there's always a place to enjoy an unforgettable gig.
Throw on your dancing shoes and read on for our guide to the best live music venues in Sydney.
The Oxford Art Factory
This Darlinghurst venue has been delighting music fans for over a decade. Sitting on Oxford Street, The Oxford Art Factory is inspired by Andy Warhol's 1960s NYC warehouse and breathes life into Sydney's music scene as it plays host to live acts.
With shows on every week across any night of the week, you can catch local, emerging and established talent in the Main Room or Gallery Bar. Some boogie nights are dedicated to big-name pop stars, providing a night of singing and dancing along to your favourite soundtrack or album, while others are for up-and-coming bands to take the stage.
Check out their website for the full gig guide - perhaps something will grab your attention. For example - The Sims Rave is a welcome hit of early 2000s nostalgia.
38/46 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
Sydney Opera House
Forget just Sydney, Sydney Opera House is arguably one of the best live music venues in all of Australia. The iconic landmark is a beauty inside and out, drawing admiration from around the globe and hosting the best in dance, music, theatre, leadership and the arts.
What goes on inside - or in front of - the famous sails is equally spectacular. An impressive string of local and international artists have graced Concert Hall and entertained thousands of concert-goers, from Sting and The Cure to Björk and Bob Dylan.
A meeting place and celebration of excellence in the arts, to catch a live concert at the Opera House is the stuff of bucket list dreams.
Bennelong Point, Sydney
The Hordern Pavilion
The Hordern Pavilion celebrates 100 years of entertaining Sydneysiders in 2024. Since opening its doors in the 1920s, it has become one of Australia's most iconic live music spots.
Hosting legendary concerts from the likes Frank Sinatra, Nirvana, Queen and The Rolling Stones, the venue continues to attract international acts and artists, with Simple Plan, Macklemore and Incubus headlining its centennial celebration.
The Hordern is also a premier event space having hosted film premieres, gala dinners, sporting events, the ARIA's and even the 2023 TikTok Awards.
1 Driver Avenue, Moore Park
Mary's Underground
A revived Sydney institution for live music, Mary's Underground is centrally located in the heart of Sydney at Circular Quay - though as you take the steps down to the basement, you will soon forget about the buzzing city above you.
With release parties, basement sessions, disco nights and high-energy DJ sets, the party is always just getting started at Mary's.
Check out their socials for what's on, but if past performances from Winston Surfshirt, BIG WETT and Kim Churchill are anything to go by, you are all but guaranteed to have a good time.
29 Reiby Place, Sydney
Enmore Theatre
Step into history at the Enmore Theatre, Sydney's oldest and longest-running live theatre. Recently awarded 'Best Live Music Venue in NSW' at the 2023 National Live Music Awards, this iconic venue is a masterpiece of architectural styles, blending Art Nouveau, Edwardian, Art Moderne, and Art Deco elements.
More than just live music, the Enmore hosts stand-up comedy, live podcast recordings, tribute concerts, and talks. The theatre has hosted some of music's most exciting performers like The Cranberries and Dizzee Rascal, making it a hub for all music lovers.
118-132 Enmore Road, Newtown
Accor Stadium
A Sydney icon, many of us have likely seen one of our favourite artists or athletes at Accor Stadium. The largest live music and sporting venue in Sydney, Accor hosts the biggest and best, from Taylor Swift with her record-breaking 'Era's' stadium tour to blockbuster games of NRL, cricket and soccer.
With a capacity for over 80,000 spectators, tickets for popular upcoming concerts are a little easier to nag (excluding Miss Swift herself, of course) and with big names like Coldplay on the way, Accor is undoubtedly one of the best live music venues in Sydney.
Edwin Flack Avenue, Sydney Olympic Park
Liberty Hall
Liberty Hall in Moore Park is a wonderland for art, music, and performance, offering a blank canvas for artists to bring their flare to the stage.
This malleable space transforms into a creative hub, hosting everything from Belgian Waffle Burlesque to Deep Space immersions and dance parties. With no limits or parameters for creatives who book the space, Liberty Hall is a stimulating and invigorating live music venue.
A short stroll from Sydney's iconic landmarks, past performers include Becky Hill and Gym Class Heroes, with Lime Cordiale and North East Party House on the 2024 lineup.
Building 220, Errol Flynn Boulevard, Moore Park
Jolene's
Do Dolly proud by enjoying a night at York Street’s Nashville-inspired whiskey, cocktail and live music bar. In the proper Southern tradition, you can expect a back bar stocking over 150 whiskeys - some usually very hard to come by in Australia - along with some of the best live music in town.
Jolene's pays homage to late nights spent in Nashville. Whisky lovers will rejoice as this bar stocks some of the most delicious, rarest drops and the live country and western music will have your foot tapping all night.
Lower Ground, 73 York Street, Sydney CBD
The Abercrombie
If concert halls or big arena shows aren't your thing and you prefer to boogie the night away to an electric DJ set, perhaps one of Sydney's iconic party pubs may be your answer.
Watering holes across the city host weekly sets and gigs, so it may be worth checking out your local - you never know who may be scheduled to take the stage!
One of our favourite pubs to enjoy a cocktail with a side of tunes is The Abercrombie in Chippendale. Following from a recent facelift, this 3-storey venue has it all under one roof for a memorable night out.
Start your evening on the rooftop sipping on a margarita before heading downstairs for a meal from the full pub menu. A little later on, the venue transforms into a nightclub, where local DJs set the vibe for the night ahead.
With music bingo and rooftop parties also on the agenda, it's not hard to see why we love this spot.
100 Broadway, Chippendale
Has our guide to the best live music venues in Sydney inspired you to get out and see more of the city? Check out what's on this month, or hit your step count with the best hikes in Sydney.
