Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

SYDNEY AFTER DARK 161
10 Sydney After Dark
Australians are party animals when they’re in the mood; whether it’s a few beers
around the barbecue with friends or an all-night rave at a trendy dance club,
they’re always on the lookout for the next event. You’ll find that alcohol plays a
big part in the Aussie culture. Thursday through Saturday, nightclubs are generally
open 9pm to around 5am or so. Pubs, or “hotels” as they’re also called in
Australia, usually open daily from 10am to around midnight. You’ll easily find
some pubs that stay open to 2am, 3am, or even 24 hours.
WHERE TO FIND OUT WHAT’S ON
The best way to find out what’s on is to get hold of the “Metro” section of the
Friday Sydney Morning Herald or the “Seven Days” pullout from the Thursday
Daily Telegraph.
THE PERFORMING ARTS
If you have an opportunity to see a performance in the Sydney Opera House,
jump at it. The “House” is actually not that impressive inside, but the walk back
after the show toward the ferry terminals at Circular Quay, with the Sydney
Harbour Bridge lit up to your right and the crowd all around you debating the
best part of this play or who dropped a beat in that performance—well, it’s like
being on the streets of New York after hearing Gershwin—you’ll want the
moment to stay with you forever. For details on Sydney’s most famous performing-arts
venue, see section 5 earlier in this chapter.
THE OPERA, SYMPHONY & BALLET
Australian Ballet Based in Melbourne, the Australian Ballet tours the country
with its performances. The Sydney season, at the Opera House, is from mid-
March until the end of April. A second Sydney season runs November through
December. Level 15, 115 Pitt St. & 02/9223 9522. www.australianballet.com.au/.
Australian Chamber Orchestra Based in Sydney, this well-known company
performs at various venues around the city, from nightclubs to specialized
music venues, including the Concert Hall in the Sydney Opera House. Opera
Quays, 2 East Circular Quay. & 02/9357 4111; box office & 02/8274 3888. www.aco.com.au.
Opera Australia Opera Australia performs at the Sydney Opera House’s
Opera Theatre. The opera season runs January through March and June through
November. 480 Elizabeth St., Surry Hills. & 02/9699 1099; bookings & 02/9319 1088.
www.opera-australia.org.au.
Sydney Symphony Orchestra Sydney’s finest symphony orchestra is conducted
by the renowned Edo de Waart. It performs throughout the year in the
Opera House’s Concert Hall. The main symphony season runs March through
November, and there’s a summer season in February. Level 5, 52 William St., East Sydney.
& 02/9334 4644; box office 02/9334 4600. www.symphony.org.au.
THEATER
Sydney’s blessed with plenty of theaters, many more than I have space for here—
check the Sydney Morning Herald, especially the Friday edition, for information
on what’s currently in production.
Belvoir Street Theatre The hallowed boards of the Belvoir are home to
Company B, which pumps out powerful local and international plays upstairs
in a wonderfully moody main theater, formerly part of a tomato-sauce factory.
Downstairs, a smaller venue generally shows more experimental productions,