In partnership with Concrete Playground, we’re celebrating what makes Glebe, Ultimo and Pyrmont such a vibrant community to live in and visit: its 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.
Image (above): The Boathouse, Blackwattle Bay, Glebe
DAY
HOW TO DO GLEBE, ULTIMO AND PYRMONT
Do as the locals do by DAY
Cafes
While Sydney has an abundance of good cafes, nowhere has more Instagrammable places to show off your coffee (or red velvet latte).
- LOCAL MBASSY: A quaint cafe serving red velvet everything.
- QUICK BROWN FOX: A Pyrmont cafe with Single O coffee and food by an ex-Fat Duck chef.
- OH MY DAYS: A cafe in Glebe baking 'buttery' vegan croissants and pastries.
- PIOIK BAKERY: A prime Pyrmont pitstop for coffee, bread and cake.
- THE WEDGE ESPRESSO: Wedge serves mugs of Milo and great brunch on Glebe Point Road.
Image: Quick Brown Fox
Restaurants
No matter your budget or cravings, there’s no shortage of great eateries. Have some of the best fried chicken or a big steaming bowl of ramen.
- RAMEN GOKU: Sydney's beloved ramen joint comes to Glebe.
- LUMI BAR AND DINING: This tasting menu-only Pyrmont restaurant offers refined Italian fare with Japanese influences.
- FLOUR EGGS WATER: Crown Street's Besser has made way for A Tavola's new pasta haven.
- BELLES HOT CHICKEN: Finger-licking fried chicken goodness.
- CHUUKA: A buzzing fine diner on the water serving up Chinese-Japanese fare.
Image: Belles Hot Chicken
Shop online
Can't visit the area soon enough? Do some online browsing and get gems from these businesses sent straight to you instead.
- URBAN OASIS: A Pyrmont gift shop stacked with local designers.
- SYDNEY FISH MARKET: Sit amongst the pelicans at the largest seafood market in the Southern Hemisphere.
- PASSIONTREE VELVET: Order a decadent custom cake or enjoy a traditional high tea at this sweet patisserie.
- VEGAN GROCERY STORY SYDNEY: A one-stop shop for vegan-friendly groceries.
- VIC'S MEAT MARKET: Smokers and every cut of beef under the sun — meatlovers, this one's for you.
Image: Vic's meat market
Arts and culture
'Look but don’t touch’ is old news, these artistic spaces and galleries are all about interaction and collaboration.
- KIL.N.IT: Here, you'll find studio space, services and classes for all your ceramic needs.
- POWERHOUSE MUSEUM: Pay a visit to one of Sydney's most interactive museums.
- SAPPHO BOOKS CAFE & WINE BAR: Have tea in the sci-fi section at this long-loved bookstore cafe.
- SYDNEY LYRIC THEATRE: Globally acclaimed plays are held at this luxe theatre.
- GLEBE MARKETS: Legendary Saturday morning market with food, art and music.
Image: Powerhouse Museum
Leisure
For when you feel like exercising the mind as well as the body, head to one of these stunning local spots.
- IAN THORPE AQUATIC CENTRE: This slick indoor aquatic centre is a must-visit for swimmers.
- VICTORIA PARK POOL: Take a quick dip in this outdoor pool in the centre of a park.
- NATURE'S ENERGY GLEBE: You'll find everything you need to pamper yourself at this inner west bathhouse and spa.
- THE GOODS LINE: Sydney's answer to New York's High Line.
- PIRRAMA PARK: The harbourside park offers free barbecues, outdoor exercise equipment and stellar views.
Image: Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre
Shops
Shopping in the area is all about creature comforts — pick up something to decorate your home or find your next read.
- INNER CITY CYCLES: Glebe Point Road's long-standing bicycle shop has a broad range of bikes, including electric and hybrid.
- DESIGN BY THEM: Shop for timeless and sustainable furniture all designed and made in Australia.
- BLACKWATTLE DELI: Stock up on handmade cheeses and pantry essentials at this deli inside the Sydney Fish Markets.
- GLEEBOOKS: Lose yourself in freshly printed books here.
- THE COUCH THAT JACK BUILT: Renovate a preloved couch or armchair with help from these upholstery experts.
Image: Gleebooks
Editor's itinerary
Here is how our editor loves to spend a few hours in Glebe, Ultimo and Pyrmont.
- Oh My Days: At this plant-filled cafe, you'll find pastries baked in-house daily, burritos and pancakes — and every single thing is vegan.
- Tramsheds: The airy, sunlit Tramsheds has a fix for every craving, from house-made gelato to natural wine and spicy fried chicken.
- Vic's Meat Market: Chat to the helpful staff and find your favourite cut of beef (or don't wait and eat something charred from the smoker).
- Gleebooks: For over 40 years, this independent bookshop has been a go-to for Sydneysiders looking for their next read. Follow its social platforms to be across upcoming book launches and other events.
Image: Oh My Days
NIGHT
HOW TO DO GLEBE, ULTIMO AND PYRMONT
Do as the locals do by NIGHT
Restaurants
Can't go overseas for traditional Southern or Japanese cooking? Don’t worry, your tastebuds can travel the globe in these suburbs.
- THE CHARLESTON: This millennial pink-hued Glebe eatery is inspired by the coastal towns of South Carolina.
- GLEBE POINT DINER: It's perfect for a casual graze, an intimate first date or a well-overdue catch up with mates.
- MOMOFUKU SEIOBO: Put your Blackjack money back in your wallet and save it for a fantastic night of unconventional eating.
- SOKYO: Sokyo does elegance extraordinarily well.
- OMBRETTA: What Italian joints across Europe have been selling for centuries: a place to spritz and snack.
Image: The Charleston
Live music
From a brewery's malt room-turned-performance space to a lively jazz bar, catch some tunes and dance at these live music haunts.
- THE LITTLE GUY: Boysenberry cider, a 16-strong beer list and live music.
- DIFFERENT DRUMMER: Before the rise of the small bar, this was Glebe's cocktail oasis in a desert of old-man pubs.
- STAVES BREWERY: Get stuck in with two-for-one pints at Glebe's backstreet brewpub.
- FOUNDRY 616: One of Sydney's most loved jazz and blues clubs.
- THE TOXTETH HOTEL: This Glebe pub straddles old and new with great pub grub and a mixed crowd.
Image: The Little Guy
Shops
Flowers for special occasions, crystals for the enlightened and spiritual and wine for everyone else just trying to get through the week.
- FLOWERS ON THE POINT: You'll find no nonsense flowers, cards and plants at this reliable gift store in Glebe.
- MINERALISM: Find gemstones and jewels from around the world here.
- GALLUZZO FRUITERERS: A Glebe Point Road institution for fresh fruit and veg.
- GLEBE LIQUOR: A well-stocked family-owned liquor store.
- THE SOURCE BULK FOODS: Pick up organic treats and healthy ingredients at this waste-free corner store.
Image: Mineralism
Bars
Whatever vinous adventure you crave, the Glebe/Pyrmont area has got just the spot for you.
- GALLON: Wine and crumbed soft cheese in a leafy courtyard.
- MISTER PERCY: An inner city pintxos and wine bar based in a former wool store.
- TIMBAH: A neighbourhood wine bar pouring whatever's open and dishing out a world of flavours.
- 12 TAPS GLEBE: Glebe's new beer bar showcases a rotating lineup of independent Australian breweries across 12 taps.
- THE ROOFTOP: A Palm Springs-inspired rooftop bar and lounge in Pyrmont.
Image: Timbah
Pubs
The area is peppered with historic pubs that have been given face lifts. These are our faves.
- QUARRYMANS HOTEL: Welcome to Pyrmont's craft beer haven.
- TERMINUS HOTEL: After lying dormant for 30 years, this Pyrmont pub is back.
- FRIEND IN HAND HOTEL: You'll find this lively, old-school pub in the backstreets of Glebe.
- THE LORD WOLSELEY HOTEL: The narrowest pub in NSW now has a star ex-Quay chef at its helm.
- THE GLEBE HOTEL: This historic pub has been given a new name and dog-friendly courtyard.
Image: Terminus Hotel
Concrete Playground Staff Faves
Here are our favourite haunts for when the sun goes down and the streets of Glebe come alive.
- BAR CLEMENTINE: A European-style wine bar in Pyrmont.
- BODEGA 1904: A wine and tapas bar — and bottle shop — in Glebe's Tramsheds.
- FLYING FAJITA SISTERS: Glebe’s long-standing Mexican haunt is known for its cheap tacos and glowing wall of tequilas.
- BOMBAY STREET KITCHEN: This Glebe restaurant pays tribute to the dying street food culture of Bombay.
- THIEVERY: The Middle Eastern restaurant home to that burnt butter hummus — and a cracking vegetarian feast.
Image: Thievery
Editor's itinerary
Here is how our editor loves to spend a few hours in Glebe, Ultimo and Pyrmont.
- Friend in Hand: Have your beer served by the friendly cockatoo (not really) at this loved local pub, or just hang with this fine-feathered friend.
- Mineralism: This mystical mineral shop has rocks to calm and improve the vibe of your home and workplace.
- Powerhouse Museum: This museum is often host to vivid, immersive exhibitions. It also hosts regular talks and events coinciding with its exhibitions.
- Wine Society: Fancy yourself an oenophile? Peruse the ace wines on offer at this well-stocked bottleshop in the heart of Ultimo.
Image: Wine Society
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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