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.

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.

This is a joint where $10 gets you 3 live bands…read more That's, like, three bucks a band. Is that even legal? How are these kids making money? Financial concerns aside, what an ass-kicking deal. Combine that with a super intimate venue and cheap drinks and why would you not come here, eh? The bartender was having an off night when I went - lost his bottle opener, had to run downstairs to find a new one, and couldn't find a light beer (I was driving, awright) on the register and asked "How does $5.20 sound?" Good question. Caught me out. Should have gone for some happy bartering but didn't think quickly enough. But hells, this is run by community radio station FBI and I saw 2 hrs of cracking tunes, what's a couple bucks between friends. Plus he was super nice about it in a Fawlty Towers kinda way. And you'll notice this still gets 5 stars. They could spit on me when i come in and it would still get 5 stars, that's how much I rate the local live music scene and these dudes that make it happen.

I love live music and any venue dedicated to keeping Sydney's live music scene from fizzling into…read moreextinction. If I'm honest, I secretly want Sydney to be filled with divey-style bars like this level of the Kings Cross Hotel... I'm a sucker for dim lighting, cheap drinks and good tunes... throw in a few tall men in shirts and tight jeans and my little heart is content. The music can be hit and miss (as it should be) and occasionally the painfully-hipster:regular-person ratio is too heavy on the hipster... but if you're happy to chill out, go with the flow and get your indie on, you'll have a fun night here.

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 :)

I saw Jimmy Eat World, Panic! At The Disco, and Alkaline Trio here. Well, that's not true, as I…read moredidn't get there in time to see A3. But I did see the other two bands, even though the venue seemed oversold and way too full. I watched Panic! from the floor and had a pretty poor view of the band, so I found a spot upstairs on the balcony to watch Jimmy Eat World. Much better view as I get to see all the guitar pedals, too. Nothing wrong with the venue, just not my favorite venue ever.

This review is for the venue not the band I went to see. The Living End always get five stars…read more The Hi-Fi Bar, Sydney is easy to find and has close parking out at Fox Studios. It's a standard live band venue. All black inside. Although I was sweating bullets...no ventilation and not very strong air-con. I understand when the show starts you'll be sweating but before waiting around...no thanks. The bar was fairly easy to get drinks but everything was in a glass bottle which means they have to poor it in to a cup. Talk about slow service. Install kegs and taps and reduce the amount of options on offer. They had a full A4 page of drinks in size 12 font, double column. The lighting in the place is also questionable. The stage lighting is fine but they've put the merch stand right of stage. The lights for that weren't turned off the for whole show. It sort of dulls the atmosphere when the band finishes a song in to a black out. Size wise I'd say it's as big as The Metro. Like my rating shows it's an average venue. I'd rather see a band at the Annadale or the Enmore Theatre. Better atmosphere.

What do you get when you take a Surry Hills warehouse on Elizabeth Street and fill it with 5 floors…read moreof artists from musicians, painters, poets, video producers and dancers just to name a few? You get the Hibernian House that's filled with loads of talent and oozes creativity. Enter in through the front door that's situated just next to the Indian restaurant next door. There's different things going on and you'll be lucky if you find a night to go on!

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 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.

Perhaps I shouldn't be declaring that I've actually had a night out here...It's something ever so…read moreslightly looked down upon by central Sydneyers!! The grottiness? The sweaty old leery men? The aging rock bands headlining there? The underage and wasted teenagers? What's not to love?! No, I did actually have a great night here as I love a good grotty night, you know? The ones where no-one is posing or taking themselves too seriously and are just out to have a good time and make a lot of noise. It's a tiny little place but the prime watering hole for anyone that's ever spent a night in Manly. Worth a visit just for the comedy of the whole thing!

One of the Last of Manly's Icons. SO many poo poo this place, Nah,…read moreI have no Idea what people are looking for, Its relaxing, so the music may be hit n miss, but the staff are always friendly and the patrons are easy as. If you cant talk to anyone here, you've got a social disease. I love this place and as a Manly local, I frequent this place. LOVE IT!

Who needs a sauna when you can go to a concert at the Horden? This mid-sized venue should have a no…read morelong sleeves policy; with no ventilation bar the two back doors and 5,500 dancing fans and you're guaranteed to come out dripping your own and everyone else's sweat. Another for the dress code - platform heels, for both genders. The floor is big and flat and the stage low, so unless you're over 6 foot or in the first few rows, good luck trying to see anything. The only reprieve is the limited tiered seating, but I'm not nana enough to sit down at concerts just yet.

Hordern Pavillion is a hugely versatile venue, hosting live music, expos, corporate functions and…read moremy favourite, the roller derby. Basically just a big hall, it mainly houses music gigs. And whilst these gigs go off, the sound system isn't actually that great - it's loud (very, very loud) and unless you're standing right in the middle of the hall you're pretty much missing out on anything quality. It's far from being intimate, and yet it's not big enough to qualify as stadium proportions. There is a bar just outside the hall - a shitty and expensive bar whose fridges are stocked with shelves of energy drinks, Smirnoff Double Blacks and tinnys of VB. And people line up for this. What's more, with only one ATM the money line is always really long, meaning that any trip to the bar involves a 15 minute line at the ATM plus a 20 minute wait at the bar in order to buy an expensive and sugary premix. The venue in itself isn't one of Sydney's best. But in saying that, it hosts a lot of fantastic gigs, and a night of roller derby at the Hordern is one of Sydney's greatest sporting sights.