10 of the Best Jazz Clubs and Bars in Sydney

When it comes to a night out in Sydney, nothing compares to an evening of good food, excellent cocktails and a music performance of live jazz.

Thankfully, if this is something you are looking for, the Emerald City provides you with plenty of opportunities to swing with the cool cats.

For years, Sydney has been Australia’s leading city for jazz clubs and bars. With a host of venues in the city hosting some of the biggest names and hottest emerging talent in the business.

From New Orleans-inspired speakeasies to contemporary clubs that push the envelope, Sydneysiders are blessed with great choices.

In case you are new to the city, or simply don’t know where to go, here are 10 of the best jazz clubs and bars in Sydney.

1. Sound Lounge

Located in the suburb of Chippendale, The Sound Lounge is renowned for being one of the coolest jazz clubs and bars in the city.

Presented by SIMA (Sydney Improvised Music Association), you’ll find it in the Seymour Centre – an acclaimed multi-purpose venue for performing arts.

Boasting an excellent stage and a top-quality sound system, it is a fantastic live music venue with wonderful acoustics.

For this reason, it hosts world-class performances from a range of international and Australian artists, across several genres including jazz.

Performances take place throughout the week and you will be able to enjoy a well-stocked bar as you enjoy it too.

Address: City Rd &, Cleveland St, Chippendale NSW 2008

Phone: (02) 9061 5344

Hours: Check their website for performance dates

2. Camelot Lounge

For over 15 years, The Camelot Lounge has been a major player on the Sydney jazz scene.

Situated in Marrickville, it is a multi-generational, boutique, live music venue that houses some of the world’s most talented singers/songwriters. Most notably across the genres of jazz, folk, blues,

cabaret and world music.

With two fantastic stages and dancefloor spaces, there is plenty of room for young and old to dance. The venue also boasts eclectic decor and seating, good ambient lighting and a bar that offers a fabulous selection of beer, wine and cocktails.

Address: 103 Railway Parade & 19 Marrickville Road, Marrickville, NSW 2204

Phone: (02) 9550 3777

Hours: Mon and Tue closed, Wed – Thu 6:30 pm – 11:00 pm, Fri – Sat 6:30 pm –12:00 am, Sun 6:30 pm – 11:00 pm

3. The Swinging Cat

If ever a venue’s name suggests jazz then The Swinging Cat is it!

Nestled on King Street, in the heart of the CBD, this hip venue wouldn’t look out of place on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

Set within an atmospherically lit underground space, it boasts an interior with a velvet-lined entry and gas-lit street lamps that have been inspired by the French Quarter.

The vibe here is rich in Louisiana character. With talented performers playing swing jazz music pretty much every night.

The drinks menu also features staples from The Big Easy, with cognac, vermouth and authentic Sazeracm whiskey all being available. You can enjoy these with a food menu that includes charcuterie boards and a delicious range of cured meats.

Address: 44 King St, Sydney NSW 2000

Phone: 0401 490 285

Hours: Mon – Thu 4:00 pm – 12:00 am, Fri – Sat 4:00 pm – 2:00 am, Sun closed

4. Venue 505

Despite being able to host 160 people, Venue 505 has a rather intimate feel to it.

Tucked away in Newtown, it has been a popular concert destination for over 15 years. With lovers of live music being able to enjoy several performances of jazz, as well as funk, reggae, roots, Latin, gypsy and instrumental.

Featuring shows from international headliners, as well as local, up-and-coming artists, the venue is has a great ambience and an excellent food and drink menu.

Address: 5 Eliza St, Newtown NSW 2042

Phone: 0419 294 75

5. Johnston Street Jazz

Once upon a time, Colbourne Avenue in Glebe was one of the most popular jazz clubs in Sydney. Unfortunately, when it closed down it left a big hole in the scene.

Thankfully one good thing did come from its demise – a reincarnation in the form of Johnston Street Jazz.

Located within the Annandale Creative Arts Centre, the transition has been quite seamless, with the signature ambience of its predecessor remaining the same.

You will also still see several acclaimed artists from interstate and around the world, as well as emerging talent from the local area.

If you are a connoisseur of live jazz performances, there is no better place to attend.

Address: 81 Johnston St, Annandale NSW 2038

Phone: (02) 9519 9000

Hours: Check their website for performance dates

6. Lazybones Lounge

Renowned for its ornate ceiling murals, sparkling chandeliers and leather couches, Lazybones Lounge is a popular live music haunt in Marrickville.

Radiating a relaxed and sophisticated vibe, the venue has hosted some of Australia’s biggest names in jazz including the Sonic Mayhem Orchestra and Steve Hunter.

Spread across two floors, they also present other genres of music too in the form of daily performances.

Somewhat uniquely on Sydney’s jazz scene, the venue is known just as much for its incredible food and drink offering as it is for jazz.

Address: 294 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204

Phone: 0450 008 563

Hours: Mon – Wed 7:00 pm – 12:00 am, Thu – Sat 7:00 pm – 3:00 am, Sun 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

7. Palmer & Co

Nestled within a vaulted brick basement that lies within the Establishment Precinct, Palmer & Co is a throwback to the roaring 1920s.

Inspired by the speakeasies that defined the era, you enter it by descending downstairs off an innocuous side alley that takes you to another world.

Featuring a classic decor with black and white photos and other furnishings as befitting the time, live jazz is the go here from Wednesday through to Sundays. During this time the place fills with lovers of this genre of music.

Their bar features an excellent range of cocktails, spirits and champagne, while the dapper-dressed staff have all the authenticity of a bona fide bootlegger.

Address: Abercrombie Ln, Sydney NSW 2000

Phone: (02) 9114 7315

Hours: Mon – Wed 5:00 pm – 3:00 am, Thu – Fri 3:00 pm – 3:00 am, Sat 4:00 pm – 3:00 am, Sun 5:00 pm – 3:00 am

8. The Hero of Waterloo

A place rich in character and heritage, The Hero of Waterloo has been a stalwart on the Sydney bar scene for over 170 years.

Rightfully seen as a landmark in the city, what separates this venue from its contemporaries is that it has been a destination to listen to live jazz music for as long as anyone can remember.

With performances from the likes of Norfolk ‘n’ Goode and The Old Time Band, the sandstone pub hosts some very big names.

Aside from the performances it also offers a terrific menu of food and drinks as well as fireplaces to relax in front of during the colder months of winter.

If your nerves can handle it, they also offer ghost tours as well!

Address: 81 Lower Fort St, Millers Point NSW 2000

Phone: (02) 9252 4553

Hours: Mon – Wed 10:00 am – 11:00 pm, Thu – Sat 10:00 am – 11:30 pm, Sun 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

9. The Vanguard

A legendary venue for live music, cabaret and burlesque, The Vanguard has hosted some of the most celebrated international and local jazz artists in the business over the last 20 years.

Regularly presenting the likes of African jazz, blues and swing performers, this hip joint is a place for those who really feel this type of music.

With a fabulous stage and one of Sydney’s best sound systems, you will find yourself intoxicated by the vibe within minutes.

If that doesn’t set you off, then their killer cocktails and delicious bar bites will. And just quietly, the mood here is rather sexy.

Address: 42 King St, Newtown NSW 2042

Hours: Mon closed, Tue – Wed 6:00 pm – 12:00 am, Thu – Sat 6:00 pm – 1:00 am, Sun 6:00 pm – 12:00 am

10. Foundry 616

Just a stone’s throw from the Powerhouse Museum, Foundry 616 is probably one of Sydney’s best-loved jazz bars.

Since opening in 2013, it has presented some of the best modern jazz music shows in the city, pretty much every night of the week. Attracting artists like JazzGroove, Sandy Evans, Dereb the Ambassador, Mothership Orchestra and the Coltrane Project.

A laid-back spot that oozes style, the venue has a distinctly European feel to it. Although its food menu is very much influenced by Cajun, New Orleans and Southern US dishes.

Another spot where the sound system is exceptional, the atmosphere is always electric here too.

Address: 616 Harris St, Ultimo NSW 2007

Phone: (02) 9211 9442

Hours: Mon – Sat 6:30 pm – 12:00 am, Sun closed