19 Best Things to do in Sydney at Night

Need something to do in Sydney tonight? Check out this post for the best things to do in Sydney at night.

Sydney, New South Wales’ capital, is a city full of both vibrancy and entertainment. This is because its nightlife has plenty of places where people can dance, socialize and listen to music. In fact, many clubs have been known for bringing the city to life like the Retro, Arcadia Sydney and Chinese Laundry. However, if you’re new to Sydney and you don’t fancy clubbing, this post will break down all of the major things you can do in Sydney’s most popular venues at night.

Watch the Phantom of the Opera at the Sydney Opera House (things to do in Sydney at night)

Known as one of the world’s favorite musicals, the Phantom of the Opera is an interpretation of the classic novel Le Fantôme de l’Opéra by French author Gaston Leroux. The plot of the story focuses on a mysterious masked man who lives underneath the Paris Opera House. He becomes obsessed with a beautiful young singer, Christine Daae, and stops at nothing throughout the novel to get closer to her. So, if you want to see this story come to life, I highly recommend reserving a seat at the Sydney Opera House to watch the Phantom of the Opera in person.

Do a Sunset Cruise on the Sydney Harbour (things to do in Sydney at night)

Spending a night in Sydney on a sunset cruise is a great way to admire some of the city’s landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney can offer you this cruise in addition to a three-course meal with food and wine. The three-course meal will feature an array of fresh food from New South Wales and some wine hand-selected from the finest wine region. So, if you’re interested in booking this cruise, I highly recommend reserving a spot on Tripadvisor. Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney will only take a maximum of 90 guests per slot to make the cruise an intimate and special experience.

Climb up the Sydney Harbour Bridge (things to do in Sydney at night)

Climbing up to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! At the top, you’ll get uninterrupted views of the harbour as you take in the vantage point from the bridge. The top is also a great place to celebrate some of the most significant milestones in your life. For example, some locals have used the top to celebrate an anniversary, a birthday or even a proposal. Overall, the top is a memorable place to celebrate any special occasion. So, if you’re interested in climbing all the way to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, I highly recommend booking a tour with BridgeClimb Sydney.

Visit Sydney’s Version of NYC’s Coney Island (things to do in Sydney at night)

Luna Park is Sydney’s most iconic amusement park that features fantasy architecture from the 1930s. The concept of the park itself was based off of the first Luna Park that opened in New York in 1903. The creator of that park, Herman Philips, decided it would be a great idea to open another Luna Park in Sydney. The park itself has rides and games that include but are not limited to the Boomerang, the Big Dipper and the Sledgehammer. So, if you’re interested in checking out Luna Park for yourself, I highly recommend riding the Sledgehammer. After the sledgehammer drops, the ride will take you back and forth and spin you all the way around.

Watch a Show at the Capitol Theatre (things to do in Sydney at night)

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The Capitol Theatre is a great place to experience the quirky architectural elements of John Eberson’s theatrical design vision. As a renowned American designer of theatrically themed theatres, John Eberson was commissioned to create the Capitol Theatre in 1927. As of right now, the theatre is currently playing multiple shows that include but are not limited to the 9 to 5, Sondheim on Sondheim, and the Moulin Rouge! The Musical. So, if you’re planning on watching a show at the Capitol Theatre for the first time, I highly recommend checking out the 9 to 5. It’s a show about the corporate world that focuses on three women who are pushed to the edge by their narcissistic boss.

Go Up the Sydney Tower Eye (things to do in Sydney at night)

The Sydney Tower Eye is a great place to get aerial views of Sydney without the high price of a helicopter or flight tour. At the tower, you’ll have the opportunity to see the entire city skyline and the Pacific Ocean right from the vantage point. With a ticket, the admission includes the use of their binoculars as well as admission into their 4D cinema theater. So, if you’re planning on visiting the Sydney Tower Eye for the first time, I highly recommend using the binoculars they have available. With them, you’ll be able to get a better close up of the Sydney skyline and the Pacific Ocean.

Join a Private Luxury Night Tour (things to do in Sydney at night)

Doing a private luxury tour of Sydney at night is the best way to discover the magic that lives in the city. Sydney Private Day Tours offers a magical tour that will provide you with a guide educated on the French Quarter, the Finger Wharf, and the Opera House. After the tour has ended, you will also be provided with some champagne, canapes, and an enchanting view of the city. So, if you’re interested in doing a private luxury tour in Sydney at night, I highly recommend reserving a tour with the Sydney Private Day Tours. With your reservation, complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off will also be included.

Do a Private Sydney Harbour Helicopter Tour (things to do in Sydney at night)

Doing a helicopter tour of Sydney is the best way to get an aerial view of the city at night. In a helicopter, you’ll have the opportunity to ride high above the city’s famous sights as you enjoy a view of the vast Pacific coastline. Sydney Helitours also offers a tour that will provide you with your own private pilot who is educated on the city’s history. The tour will even include refreshments and a photo opportunity in front of the aircraft. So, if you’re planning to do a helicopter tour of Sydney for the first time, I highly recommend booking a reservation with Sydney Helitours.

Go to a Sydney Ghost Walking Tour (things to do in Sydney at night)

A Sydney Ghost Walking Tour is a night-time stroll through the haunted corners of the city that contain mysteries with a supernatural twist. The Lantern Ghost Tours offers a tour that includes an informative guide who will lead you for about 1.5 hours around the Rocks district. The Rocks is a neighborhood in Sydney full of spine-tingling stories and legendary ghosts. So, if you’re planning on doing a Ghost Walking tour in Sydney for the first time, I highly recommend booking a reservation with Lantern Ghost Tours. With your reservation, photo opportunities around The Rocks District will also be included.

Do a Pub Walking Tour at The Rocks (things to do in Sydney at night)

Doing a pub walking tour around The Rocks is a great way to explore Sydney’s history and drinking culture. Dave’s Pub Walks offers a tour that will take you around the four oldest pubs in Sydney’s history. A visit to each pub will include a drink and a commentary from your well-educated guide. The tour will also only allow a max number of 15 people per group. This helps keep the group tour small so that people can ask questions and get personalized attention. So, if you’re interested in doing a pub walking tour around Sydney for the first time, I highly recommend booking a reservation with Dave’s Pub Walks. With your reservation, a visit to the Harts Pub will also include a 20% discount.

Go Rock Climbing at the Ledge Climbing Centre (things to do in Sydney at night)

The Ledge Climbing Centre is a great place to go rock climbing in Sydney at night. It has a vibrant social atmosphere that makes it comfortable for people to practice, challenge and excel as a climber. If you are new to the gym, the staff at Ledge Climbing Centre will greet you with a safety induction so that you can use the gym safely and effectively. The Ledge Climbing Centre also features state of the art textured climbing walls that have been used by the most experienced Australian rock climbers. So, if you’re planning on rock climbing at the Ledge Climbing Centre, I highly recommend purchasing a casual bouldering pass. It’s $13 for adults and $11 for students.

Be an Audience Member at the Gentleman Magician’s Magical Soiree (things to do in Sydney at night)

Bruce Glen, The Gentleman Magician, was inspired to do magical soirees by Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, Max Malini, Johann Hofzinser and Steve Cohen. All of these men were famous magicians who had an impact on Bruce’s life and his career. As a result of them, he now enjoys entrancing his audience with an evening of magic and storytelling. With magic, Bruce uses ropes, cards, and handkerchiefs to conjure and amaze his audience. With his anecdotes and humorous tales, Bruce uses his story characters to deceive and fool the audience. So, if you’re interested in going to Bruce’s magic show, I highly recommend dressing up for the event. The dress code includes cocktail dress but you can also wear smart casual.

Play Escape Hunt Sydney (things to do in Sydney at night)

Escape Hunt Sydney is Sydney’s most live and interactive escape room experience. Based in Australia, the escape rooms at Escape Hunt Sydney have a historical Sydney twist. Each game in the hunt has a backdrop that is set against a real historical event in Sydney’s history. These escape rooms include but are not limited to Secret Service Mission, The Bank of Australia Heist, and the Young Wizard’s Quest. So, if you’re planning on playing Escape Hunt Sydney for the first time, I highly recommend doing the Bank of Australia Heist. It’s a game based on the 1920s where you get to play a police officer.

Throw Axes at MANIAX Axe Throwing (things to do in Sydney at night)

Throwing axes at MANIAX Axe Throwing is an incredible experience that will bring you closer to being one with one of the Old Norse gods. MANIAX Axe Throwing is also known for specializing in private events where groups are fully hosted in the Axe Throwing experience. These events will start off with individual coaching and end in a playful tournament. However, if you’re not throwing axes in a group, MANIAX Axe Throwing is happy to accommodate singles with a Public Session. A Public Session is a 2-hour session for like-minded singles who want to throw axes in a group. So, if you’re planning on visiting MANIAX Axe Throwing for the first time, I highly recommend doing a Public Session. This option is great for female solo travelers and for meeting new people.

Go Stargazing at the Sydney Observatory (things to do in Sydney at night)

Located in the heart of the historic Rocks neighborhood, the Sydney Observatory is the perfect place for visitors who want to learn more about Sydney’s history and astronomy. In the observatory, you can use a solar telescope to view the sun for its sunspots and solar flares. The observatory also has a planetarium where you can learn more about the uniqueness of the southern sky and its constellations. So, if you’re planning on going stargazing at the observatory for the first time, I highly recommend doing the Sydney Observatory Highlights tour. It’s 60 minutes long and it’s led by several expert astronomers.

Get Dinner at the Chinatown Night Market (things to do in Sydney at night)

Chinatown Night Market is an event in Sydney where the main strip of Chinatown transforms into a night market selling Asian street food, desserts and gifts. The Asian street food sold includes but is not limited to takoyaki, dragon beard candy, and potato chips on a stick. Takoyaki is a Japanese savory doughnut hole filled with seafood. Dragon Beard Candy is China’s version of cotton candy filled with peanuts, shredded coconut, and white sesame seeds. The potato chips on a stick is pretty self-explanatory. So, if you’re planning on getting dinner at the Chinatown Night Market for the first time, I highly recommend trying the dragon beard candy. Even though it’s different from American cotton candy, it’s still made out of sugar.

Spend the Night on Cockatoo Island (things to do in Sydney at night)

Located in the heart of Sydney’s Harbor, Cockatoo Island is a short ferry ride from Sydney’s Central Business District. Cockatoo Island is also known for being a place where visitors can explore historical landmarks and stay overnight. These historical landmarks include but are not limited to a convict penal establishment and a ship dockyard. However, since the 1800s, these two historical landmarks have now turned into the most popular arts and entertainment venues in Australia. Many musicians have even been lucky enough to perform there like Justin Bieber and Lorde. So, if you’re planning on staying overnight at Cockatoo Island for the first time, I highly recommend going to a concert while you’re there. To find out more about the next upcoming concert at Cockatoo Island, please click here.

Watch the Badu Gilli Light Up the Opera House (things to do in Sydney at night)

Badu Gilli is a phrase used to describe “water light” in the language of the Gadigal people. The Gadigal people were the traditional custodians of the land at Bennelong Point where the Sydney Opera House is located. Together, the phrase and the Gadigal people were the inspiration behind the Badu Gilli: Wonder Women art show. The art show was created in collaboration with the Art Gallery of New South Wales to celebrate the work of six female First Nations artists. Their works and stories are projected up onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House at 8:30, 9, and 9:30pm. So, if you’re planning on watching the Badu Gilli light up the opera house for the first time, I highly recommend going as soon as you can. Even though the lighting takes place at the scheduled time every night, it’s projection will only last for six minutes.

Watch a Movie at an Outdoor Cinema (things to do in Sydney at night)

Going to an outdoor cinema in Sydney is the best thing you can do in Sydney at night. In Sydney, there are a lot of outdoor cinemas you can choose from like the Moonlight Cinema, the Sunset Cinema and the Westpac Open Air Cinema. The Moonlight Cinema is located in Centennial Park and it has a food truck and a bar. The Sunset Cinema is located in the North Sydney Oval and it has a range of food, beverages and a bar. The Westpac Open Air Cinema is located near the Sydney Harbor and it has a PremAir Terrace where people can reserve a dining table and order food. So, if you’re planning on going to an outdoor cinema in Sydney for the first time, I highly recommend going to the Westpac Open Air Cinema. You’ll have a much more better time while you’re there since it has a restaurant, a bar, and grandstand seats.

Overall, I really hope you enjoyed this post on the best things you can do in Sydney at night! Please let me know in the comments down below which thing you would like to do the most! I would love to hear from you. 🙂

P.S. If you’re looking for some more Sydney content, be sure to check out these instagrammable places in Sydney and the best Australia eSim!

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