The nightlife options in the Randwick local government area have been expanding to the point that certain parts – particularly The Spot and Coogee – have become buzzy at night. There's even talk of the area becoming one of Sydney's next Special Entertainment Precincts.
We've rounded up the best places to go out after-dark in the area – everywhere from Randwick to Kingsford to Coogee, Clovelly and Maroubra.
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Kalyx is a late-night live music venue, open 6.30pm to 3am Friday and Saturday, and 7pm to midnight on Tuesdays. The two-storey lounge and club has retro bohemian decor and a diverse gig line-up – check out what's on over here. We also love that it's pokies-free.
With a distinctive Art Deco design and impressive sound system, they’ve been puttin’ on the Ritz here since 1937. This family-owned six-screen cinema is both a local landmark and an important hub of film culture in Australia. It’s an excellent venue for catching the latest mainstream movie releases and retrospectives, along with off-beat cult classics and arthouse films – and even live performances!
This heritage building was first erected in 1887, with several bars and The Royal Bistro, which serves elevated pub classics. They have dinner specials, including a $20 chicken schnitzel on Mondays and a $23 lamb shank on Tuesdays. Get Spritzes for $14 and cocktails for $18. The Lounge Bar is open till 2am Thurs-Sat, 1am Mon-Wed and midnight on Sundays.
Bat Country is a neighbourhood bar inspired by legendary journo Hunter S. Thompson. Settled opposite the Ritz Cinema it stands out among the cafes and suburban shops at The Spot. Get well-crafted cocktails, a list of local and international wines as well as craft beers. When we visited, the menu was focused on share-style dishes and good drinking accompaniments like plates of prosciutto with dill pickles.
Love to party Irish style? Jimmy's is your place. Go for Irish food (they even have a spice bag burger!) and a well-poured pint of Guinness. It's open until midnight every night except Sunday (when it closes at 10pm).
The Coaches has been pouring beers in Randwick since 1864. These days, they have three bars: a sports bar, lounge bar and a fairly leafy beer garden. Take advantage of one of their $18 weekday lunch or dinner specials. And the best bit? They're open proper late – until 5am Friday and Saturday nights, 4am Monday to Thursday nights, and 2am Sunday nights.
The DOG (DOG stands for Duke of Gloucester) is a solid put with dozens of beer taps, good pub grub, plenty of screens for watching sport, and a weekday happy hour – from 4-6pm Mon-Fri, you can get $7.50 schooners and $10 pints of select house beers, $7.50 house spirits, $7.50 house wine, $15 Aperol Spritzes and $18 cocktails. It's open till 2am Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights – and closes a bit earlier on the other days.
Burger 10 might just look like a burger joint, but it's open until 10.45pm most nights of the week, and they have some great drink specials, including beer and wine from $9 a glass. The burgers are good, but they also serve nachos and quesadillas, mixed grill plates and meal deals. It's a decent cheap eat.
Tucked near the Ritz Cinema at The Spot, The Spanish Fly has been bringing Mediterranean-inspired tapas, cocktails and lively atmosphere to Randwick for many years. The menu is built for sharing, with classic Spanish-style small plates, seafood dishes and chargrilled meats designed to be paired with a glass of wine or one of the bar’s signature cocktails.
Just try to walk past the pretty Dolce Fiori frontage (covered in greenery) without wanting to stop by for an Aperol Spritz – either outside under one of the bright-orange umbrellas, or inside the elegant dining room that transports you to Italy. They have an extensive cocktail list, which heroes Italian drinks.
If you're after a late-night feed, this pizza restaurant is open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays (but only until 9pm every other night). Arthur's has been making pizzas since 1970, and they have locations across Sydney, so they know what they're doing when it comes to a good slice.
Due to its proximity to the UNSW campus, this is a student destination. They're also dog friendly. And this is a popular spot for late-night karaoke – every Thursday night from 10pm, you can belt out your favourite tunes in front of a crowd.
This is the home of the South Sydney Junior League Club, and offers everything the senior version might provide: a fitness centre, function and entertainment spaces, plus multiple bars and eateries. The large Eastern Suburbs venue also hosts public events, regular games nights and screenings of the footy. It's more convenient to get to now, thanks to the light rail that stops nearby.
This four-level pub in a restored heritage building features multiple bar and dining areas. They have food specials, including $22 sirloin on Tuesday nights and $18 chicken schnitzels on Wednesdays – plus $5.50 beers from 4-7pm on Saturdays (cheers to that!). They're open until 3am Thursdays to Saturdays.
The Roundhouse (in the University of NSW) is actually one of Sydney's OG venues, having been host to live concerts, film premieres and parties since the 1960s. Check out what's on over here.
Being by the beach is all well and good but once the sun goes down, the surfboards, goggles and togs get put away and those sun-kissed bodies need a place to let off steam. And that place is the Coogee Bay Hotel. The Bay has no lack of loyal followers.
The Clovelly Hotel's pretty Art Deco past is seen in the beautiful lighting above the Lounge Bar. To feel like you're near the ocean, take the stairs to the second level and out to the beer garden with views (of sorts) out to sea. And this is a Swans-friendly venue for AFL fans. When the Sydney sunshine revs up, you're hard-pressed to find an opening in the beer garden.
Little Jack Horner is a colourful beach cafe across the street from the Goldstein Reserve that opens bright and early at 6am. But then the revelry continues on into the night – they're open until midnight on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
At this slick, Mediterranean-leaning wine bar and restaurant you can keep it classic with cheese and charcuterie if you're down for simple snacking in the front bar, or go hard and follow some freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters with a bowl of Alaskan king crab pasta or MBS 5+ Wagyu scotch fillet with brandy Dianne sauce and crisp king browns. As the name suggests, they have a large wine list (400 labels that span Australian and European drops).
This multi-level party palace has something for everyone. You'll find downstairs heaving with everyone from young families to long-lunch crews thanks to a wood-fired pizza oven, oyster bar and playground kitted out with ping-pong tables, giant Scrabble board and blocks. Then there's the rooftop, with 270-degree beach views.
This cheap and cheerful waterfront venue boasts an all-glass facade with uninterrupted ocean views, plus other spaces downstairs. If you need somewhere to go late at night in the 'Bra, this is probably the place, since they're open until 3am every night except Sunday (when they close at midnight).
Southend is the only motel in Maroubra, but it's also a family-friendly bistro with live music and other entertainment. They offer a menu of bistro classics, plus Irish favourites including Irish chicken curry, chips with McDonnells curry sauce and cheese, and spice bags.
This Italian-inspired restaurant and bar sits across from the gorgeous stretch of sand that is Maroubra beach. It was opened by locals Georgette Unger and Patrick Agostinelli (originally from Valtellina). The duo wanted to create a relaxed yet elegant seaside venue that’s suited for special celebrations as much as it is for a post-surf Spritz and pizza. Note they close at 9.30pm though, by which time you'll need to move onto one of these other joints.
Don't expect to have an all-nighter here – they close at 9.30pm – but as long as you don't mind having to depart after dinner, South Coogee Bowling Club (and it's restaurant, Bistro on the Greens) is a great place for a family night out.
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