Woolloomooloo Wharf
Photograph: Chris Ting

Woolloomooloo area guide

Restaurants, bars, shops and events in Woolloomooloo
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The suburb that gives everyone pause (when they're trying to spell it) is one of Sydney's most dramatically gentrified – at least around the Finger Wharf (probably the coolest apartment block in the whole of Australia) on which you'll find look-at-me hotspots like Ovolo Hotel, OttoChina Doll and Aki's.

Bordered by the DomainKings Cross and Potts Point, the harbourside suburb is home to a real grabbag of Sydney landmarks, including the Andrew Boy Charlton Pool, Garden Island Naval Base and the Matthew Talbot Hostel, the largest hostel for homeless men in the Southern Hemisphere.

Woolloomooloo highlights

The best restaurants in Woolloomooloo

El Taco Grill
Restaurants

El Taco Grill

  • 5 out of 5 stars
This tiny food truck in Marrickville, run by two Puebla-born cousins, is serving up some of Sydney’s best tacos
Eat at ROBs
Restaurants

Eat at ROBs

  • 5 out of 5 stars
This no-frills burger joint in Rozelle serves up seriously good Oklahoma-style smash burgers for just $10.50 (or make it a double for $12.50)
Neptune’s Grotto
Restaurants

Neptune’s Grotto

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4
An underground cave in Sydney’s CBD is now home to a rollicking, candlelit Italian-themed party – and one of the city’s most exciting new restaurants
The Duke of Clarence
Bars

The Duke of Clarence

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4
Things are getting very British in Sydney’s den of bar excellence
Margaret
Restaurants

Margaret

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Neil Perry’s supposed swan song brings poise, polish and produce fit for the gods to the heart of Double Bay
Sofitel Sydney Wentworth Hotel
Travel

Sofitel Sydney Wentworth Hotel

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4
The historic Art Deco hotel in Sydney's CBD has recently undergone a $77-million makeover, and it involved so much more than a surface-level glow-up
Olympus
Restaurants

Olympus

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 3 of 4
Does your last trip to Greece feel like ancient history? Slip on your sandals and head to Sydney’s Olympus Dining
Olympic Meats
Restaurants

Olympic Meats

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 1 of 4
Everything’s made in-house at Marrickville’s delicious new BYO Greek eatery – and nothing costs over $21. But you may need to wait

The best bars in Woolloomooloo

The Duke of Clarence
Bars

The Duke of Clarence

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4
Things are getting very British in Sydney’s den of bar excellence
The Old Fitzroy Hotel
Bars

The Old Fitzroy Hotel

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4
Woolloomooloo’s historic pub has cracking food, its very own theatre and more character than you can poke a stick at rolled into one grand old time
The Bat & Ball Hotel
Bars

The Bat & Ball Hotel

  • 5 out of 5 stars
This classic old Sydney pub has had a refurb – but the team have managed to retain the bar's vintage charm
Centro 86
Bars

Centro 86

  • 5 out of 5 stars
It doesn’t matter how crowded or empty it is – tequila bar Centro 86 is always a vibe

Other things to do in Woolloomooloo

Pleasure Club
Music

Pleasure Club

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 2 of 4
With nostalgic cocktails and rollicking live performances every night, you can escape reality at Newtown’s purple-hued basement bar (well, until 4am at least)
Helensburgh Glow Worm Tunnel
Things to do

Helensburgh Glow Worm Tunnel

This abandoned rail tunnel just outside of Sydney is home to one of the largest colonies of glowworms in NSW
Club 77
Clubs

Club 77

  • price 1 of 4
The William Street bar and nightclub has had yet another renaissance

What's on in Woolloomooloo

The Rocks Christmas in July Markets
Things to do

The Rocks Christmas in July Markets

Sydney’s beloved Christmas in July Festival is coming back to The Rocks this winter with a magical alfresco cinema and much, much more
The Rocks
Cats
Theatre

Cats

  • 4 out of 5 stars
Old cats and old tricks are a song for success in this nostalgic revival of musical theatre's feline fantasia
Sydney
Peter Pan Op Shop
Shopping

Peter Pan Op Shop

Shop sustainable and support vulnerable children and families with this epic four-day op shop sale
Paddington
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Heartland Festival
Things to do

Heartland Festival

This two-week-long celebration of Sydney's heartland features a handpicked program of more than 50 artists
Parramatta
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Greenwood Snow Festival
Things to do

Greenwood Snow Festival

North Sydney’s Greenwood Hotel is shipping in 50 tonnes of real snow for this big wintery festival
North Sydney
Loco Markets
Things to do

Loco Markets

This new winter wonderland changes every week – with a fresh line-up of live entertainment, artisan stalls, workshops, food and drinks
Prospect
Koreaboo
Theatre

Koreaboo

  • 4 out of 5 stars
In this heartfelt debut play, an estranged mother and daughter come together over a peculiar summer inside a Korean convenience store
Surry Hills
Burramatta NAIDOC
Things to do

Burramatta NAIDOC

This lively outdoor festival celebrates 50 years of NAIDOC Week, with market stalls, artsy cultural workshops and incredible breakthrough First Nations artists
Parramatta
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The Spare Room
Theatre

The Spare Room

  • 4 out of 5 stars
Eamon Flack brings Helen Garner’s much-loved novel to the stage in an emotive and evocative performance that will envelop you in its quiet intensity
Surry Hills