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

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
Piqu
Restaurants

Piqu

This unassuming dining room on King Street is serving up a delightfully spicy, hyper-flavoursome menu and zingy Lemongrass Margaritas
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
Grandfathers
Restaurants

Grandfathers

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Taking up shop in the former Long Chim site is this red-and-black succulent Chinese diner by some of Sydney’s finest – bring your pop
South End
Restaurants

South End

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Forget the wild northern end of Newtown – it’s about time you wandered down the south end
Cotenna
Restaurants

Cotenna

  • 5 out of 5 stars
It's worth a trip over the bridge for one of these rotisserie pork rolls
Pellegrino 2000
Restaurants

Pellegrino 2000

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • price 3 of 4
This cracking Surry Hills Italian from the Bistrot 916 team has amped-up trattoria classics that will stay with you long after you've said arrivederci

The best bars in Woolloomooloo

No. 92 GPR
Bars

No. 92 GPR

This light-filled Glebe terrace is a natural wine haven – with punchy snacks and a banging bottomless brunch to match
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
Kalyx Lounge Bar and Club
Bars

Kalyx Lounge Bar and Club

Old meets new at this late-night futuristic speakeasy with local and international electronic DJs
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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

Other things to do in Woolloomooloo

Powerhouse Castle Hill
Museums

Powerhouse Castle Hill

This state-of-the-art building is home to free talks, tours and programs that showcase some of the Powerhouse Collection’s 500,000 objects
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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)
The Day Spa at the Langham Hotel
Health and beauty

The Day Spa at the Langham Hotel

This magical, star-studded subterranean spa in Sydney's CBD is offering Australia’s first in-hotel IV therapy experience

What's on in Woolloomooloo

Archie Party
Art

Archie Party

Get down after dark at this gallery party celebrating art, music, food – and the Archibald Prize
Mackenzie
Theatre

Mackenzie

  • 5 out of 5 stars
A flamboyantly fresh adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s most renowned works, 'Mackenzie' is filled with laughter, farce and flair
Burramatta NAIDOC
Things to do

Burramatta NAIDOC

This free outdoor festival celebrates NAIDOC Week with market stalls, cultural workshops and incredible First Nations artists
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Snow Time in the Garden
Things to do

Snow Time in the Garden

A winter wonderland is landing in the Hunter Valley this June and July, complete with a 45-metre toboggan and an ice skating rink
House/Music
Things to do

House/Music

A new music series featuring experimental artists is taking over heritage sites across Sydney
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Seascapes at Sydney Fish Market
Things to do

Seascapes at Sydney Fish Market

Sydney Fish Market has launched a stacked cultural calendar featuring art workshops, live performances and more – and all events are free to attend
The Lion King
Theatre

The Lion King

  • 5 out of 5 stars
Royalty takes theatrical form – long live the (Lion) King!
Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes
Art

Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes

Check out all the artistic takes on famous faces at Australia's favourite art prize – along with its stunning sibling exhibitions