In partnership with City of Sydney, we’re celebrating what makes these suburbs such a vibrant communities to live in and visit: their local businesses. It’s been a tough year, and these bars, restaurants, shops and cultural spaces need your patronage more than ever. It’s time to hit the streets, spend consciously, and throw your support behind these local gems.
DAY
HOW TO DO CHIPPENDALE, DARLINGTON AND EVELEIGH
Do as the locals do.
Cafes
It doesn’t matter what way you take your coffee, you’ll find someone who makes it just right in this caffeinated enclave.
- SOMETHING FOR JESS: A colourful corner cafe serving cold drip coffee and farm-fresh food.
- WHITE RABBIT TEAHOUSE: A Chinese teahouse inside Chippendale's contemporary art gallery.
- CONCRETE JUNGLE: An eco-conscious cafe bringing a touch of greenery to Chippendale.
- OLD GOLD CAFE: Try specialty coffee, single-origin Ecuadorian hot chocolates and sour cherry bagels inside an old confectionery warehouse.
- TERRA COTTA ROASTERS: This Darlington cafe has all-you-can-drink batch and cold brew coffee for all.
Image: Old Gold Cafe
Restaurants and pubs
Food lovers don’t have to look very far, with buzzing food precincts and cosy local pubs dotted across the three suburbs.
- IPPUDO: Are you a hopeless ramen-tic? Find comforting bowls of bone broth at this popular ramen chain.
- THE ROSE HOTEL: This vibrant beer garden has provided an inner city oasis for over 100 years.
- GAMI CHICKEN & BEER: Melbourne's home of Korean fried chicken is now serving its goods to Sydneysiders.
- BISTROT GAVROCHE: Kensington Street's old-school French bistro is succeeding in recreating the classics. And, yes, that includes snails.
- THE EVELEIGH HOTEL: This lively corner pub has been serving the locals of Redfern and its surrounds since 1879.
Image: Gami Chicken & Beer
Shops
Forget high street. Chippendale offers a boutique shopping experience from one-of-a-kind gifts to luxe homewares.
- CULT DESIGN: A designer furniture store with homewares by Hay, Nau, Vipp and Gubi.
- FABRIC MUSE: Hunt for special designer fabrics — from Italian silks to everyday linens — for your next sewing project.
- ESSTUDIO GALLERIA: Visit this eclectically designed boutique salon for a quick blowdry or full day of treatments.
- DAISO JAPAN: The Japanese megastore sells everything from cleaning products and snacks to skincare and stationery.
- PIGEONHOLE: Find the perfect gift for your quirky coworker, bestie, partner or mum here.
Image: Cult Design
Arts and culture
Chippendale is awash with independent galleries, with works by acclaimed international artists and fresh young talent.
- WHITE RABBIT GALLERY: A free art gallery showcasing rotating exhibitions featuring contemporary Chinese works.
- VERGE GALLERY: This creative space offers an exciting program of exhibitions, discussions and performances.
- CARRIAGEWORKS: Set within historic Eveleigh rail yards, this arts venue plays host to world-class exhibitions, performances and festivals.
- GALERIE POMPOM: This mixed media gallery exhibits work from young and emerging Sydney and Melbourne-based artists.
- DUCKRABBIT: A tiny garage that's been transformed into a gallery showcasing emerging artists' works.
Image: White Rabbit Gallery
Leisure
There’s never a dull moment in Chippendale, with markets, parks and an epic gaming arcade to help keep your diary full.
- CARRIAGEWORKS FARMERS MARKET: This Sydney institution has returned with its seasonal produce, biodynamic food and gourmet goodies.
- HUMMING PUPPY: This yoga studio in a converted warehouse makes for an inspiring place to say your oms.
- THE JAPAN FOUNDATION: Immerse yourself in Japanese culture at this inner city space hosting language classes, art exhibitions and a library.
- TIMEZONE CENTRAL PARK: Throw it back to your childhood with Street Fighter, pinball and laser tag.
- SEW MAKE CREATE: Channel your inner grandma with quilting, macrame, crocheting and sewing machine workshops.
Image: Carriageworks Farmers Market
Shop online
Can't visit the area soon enough? Get gems from these local businesses sent straight to you instead.
- KOI DESSERT BAR: Chippendale's beloved dessert bar and restaurant from MasterChef alumni.
- GIN LANE: This Kensington Street townhouse is filled with 75 gins around the world.
- BRICKFIELDS BAKERY: The sourdough specialists. Head to this bakery cafe for fresh bread, flaky pastries, excellent toasties and Mecca coffee.
- LUKUMADES: This Central Park spot is dedicated entirely to Greek doughnuts.
- GYUSHA: A Japanese-style barbecue restaurant where you grill your own high-quality wagyu.
Image: Lukumades
Editor's itinerary
Here is how our editor loves to spend a few hours in Chippendale, Darlington and Eveleigh.
- Brickfields Bakery: Indulge your sweet tooth with jam crostatas, Persian love cakes and buttery, flaky croissants. And wash it all down with top-notch Mecca coffee.
- Carriageworks: Almost every day of the week brings something different to Carriageworks. Find the farmers markets on Saturdays, free exhibitions throughout the year and a celebrated program of performing arts.
- White Rabbit: This gallery dedicated to contemporary Chinese art is worthy of several repeat visits. Each exhibition brings extraordinary works to the public, providing powerful insights into modern Chinese culture.
- Palace Central Cinemas: If you're in the habit of arriving at the cinemas after the start time to avoid all the ads, you're going to want to rethink that tactic here. Arrive early to have a cocktail at the pretty-in-pink bar, then settle in one of the huge recliner lounges to watch the flick.
Image: Brickfields Bakery
NIGHT
HOW TO DO CHIPPENDALE, DARLINGTON AND EVELEIGH
Do as the locals do.
Restaurants and pubs
Whether you’re looking for casual eats or a fine dining affair, Chippendale and its surrounds have you catered for — from top-notch Italian to woodfired feasts.
- MEKONG: Spice Alley's sit-down restaurant takes you on a journey through Southeast Asia.
- MARY'S ON TOP: A burger bar by the Mary's team on the rooftop of Chippendale's historic Lansdowne Hotel.
- OLIO: Kensington Street's Sicilian restaurant serving traditional dishes with contemporary flourishes.
- AUTOMATA: An experimental dining experience by top Australian chef Clayton Wells with one of the best degustations around.
- MANNY'S PIZZA DINER: A pint-sized diner serving up late-night pizza by the slice and cheesesteaks.
Image: Automata
Bars
For a sophisticated tipple, look to Kensington Street and the neighbouring streets, where some of Sydney’s best watering holes sit smartly side-by-side.
- THE CLARE BAR: Three high-end restaurants, 62 guest rooms and its very own custom-designed scent.
- MONKEY'S CORNER: A near-faultless small 20-seat cocktail bar from the team behind KOI Dessert Bar.
- THE OLD CLARE ROOFTOP BAR: This hotel pool bar is open to the public for cocktails and snacks.
- THE DUCK INN PUB & KITCHEN: Across from the Seymour Centre and hidden just out of view from the hustle of Cleveland Street is a real quacker of a pub.
- SAGA BAR: This ornately designed bar is in Chippendale — but you'll feel like you're in another world entirely.
Image: The Old Clare Rooftop Bar
Live music
The live music scene is still alive and kicking in the Chippendale area. From jazzy wine bars to beer garden bands, follow your ears to these great live music venues.
- THE LANSDOWNE HOTEL: The resurrected Chippendale pub has an entire floor dedicated to gigs, plus a Mary's burger pizza.
- FREDA'S — CLOSED: Finding Freda’s is like stepping through the back of a magic wardrobe.
- THE CHIPPO HOTEL: The Chippo boasts A+ live music vibes and a New Orleans-inspired menu.
- KNOX STREET BAR: This cement-walled drinking dungeon hosts live music, storytelling, burlesque and drink-and-draw classes.
- THE LORD GLADSTONE: Continuing the Abercrombie's legacy of deep-fried Golden Gaytimes and Chippendale chill-outs.
Image: The Lansdowne Hotel
Shops
There’s plenty to browse in Chippendale after dark. From cellar doors to art stores, here are the best places to shop after the sun goes down.
- HANDPICKED CELLAR DOOR: Chippendale's wine and cheese haven (and they deliver).
- UPS SKATE SHOP: A gnarly skate shop in the Central Park Mall. Roll in for street and skatewear, wheels and skateboards.
- THE BEER BARREL: This hidden gem specialises in pouring quality craft beers directly into growlers.
- DONUT PAPITO: Sydney's favourite doughnut joint has a new little sister that'll fulfill your post-Spice Alley dessert cravings.
- TRIPLE MAJOR STORE: A concept store originating from China celebrating independent fashion.
Image: Handpicked cellar door
Arts and culture
A next-level luxe cinema. An underground theatre space. These are just some of the spots where you'll find cultural experiences in the area.
- ZIGI'S WINE BAR: Art, wine and cheese, it’s the golden trifecta. It’s not in the title, but it does cooking classes, too.
- SEYMOUR CENTRE: A performing arts centre which hosts quirky and subversive theatre, dance and comedy.
- PALACE CENTRAL CINEMAS: This premium cinema complex contains ten screens, and a pretty-in-pink lounge bar.
- DOWN / UNDER SPACE: This event space, hidden below Chippendale bar Freda's, plays host to performances and art from emerging creatives.
- INTERCHANGE PAVILION: South Eveleigh's stunning new 350-square-metre architectural installation.
Image: Palace Central Cinemas
Concrete Playground Staff Faves
Here are our favourite haunts for when the sun goes down and the streets of Chippendale, Darlington and Eveleigh come alive.
- SPICE ALLEY: A not-so-secret, hidden alley of Asian culinary delights.
- LP'S QUALITY MEATS: If you’re not addicted to smoking, then you haven't tried LP's Quality Meats.
- KINDRED RESTAURANT: A cosy trattoria serving top-notch pasta made from scratch in-house.
- SNEAKY POSSUM: Chippendale's multifaceted bar can satisfy your morning caffeine fix and your late-night margarita craving.
- ESTER: With a woodfired oven as the restaurant's core, Ester's hearth produces food with heart.
Image: Spice Alley
Editor's itinerary
Here is how our editor loves to spend a few hours in Chippendale, Darlington and Eveleigh.
- Sneaky Possum: Grab a craft beer or tap wine from the bar and head towards the back to challenge your mates to some pinball or, even better, Buck Hunter.
- Handpicked Wines Cellar Door: Select some bottles to take home, or sit in for a wine flight and charcuterie and cheese boards.
- Ester: Whether you're celebrating something special or the everyday, Ester's $98 set menu is the meal to do it over — blood sausage sanga and fermented potato bread included.
- The Lansdowne: With a new lease on life, this pub brings all the charms of a great uni bar, plus live music, a dance floor, an excellent wine list and, most importantly, Mary's burgers, pizzas and even burger pizzas.
Image: Sneaky Possum
Content provided through a content partnership. To find more guides on Sydney visit Concrete Playground.
All details are accurate as of 01 May 2021. Information may change. Check businesses websites for the most up-to-date information.
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