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There’s a lot in the works for Parramatta, especially after dark. Back in July 2024, new Late Night Trading development controls were introduced to allow businesses in Parramatta’s CBD to operate around the clock. Now, Sydney’s second CBD has secured $195,000 in NSW Government funding to kickstart plans for a 24-hour entertainment precinct, paving the way for later trading, more live music and a busier night-time scene.
According to the City of Parramatta, the funding will allow the council to develop and trial a Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) in the heart of the CBD – a planning model designed to make it easier for venues, businesses and cultural spaces to stay open later while balancing the needs of residents (more on Sydney's existing SEPs over here).
If the trial gets the green light, Parramatta locals can look forward to extended opening hours for bars, restaurants and shops, more live music and performances, later-night community spaces and creative venues, plus incentives for hospitality businesses and music venues, including reduced liquor licence fees and access to additional trading hours. As mentioned above, the proposed precinct builds on Parramatta's existing late-night trading strategy and forms part of the city's long-term vision to become a thriving, round-the-clock destination for Western Sydney.
Already home to some of Sydney's fave multi-cultural restaurants, special riverside spots and major cultural venues (with another biggie on the way), Parramatta has been cementing its reputation as a destination in its own right for a hot minute now. A dedicated entertainment precinct could see the city's nightlife expand even further, giving locals and visitors more reasons to stick around after dark.
While the trial still has work to do before it's officially up and running, it's another sign that Parramatta's transformation into Sydney's second CBD is gathering pace. You can learn more about the plans over here.
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