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A DAY AND NIGHT GUIDE

CHIPPENDALE, DARLINGTON AND EVELEIGH

Flip the switch below and discover this location by day or night
Concrete Playground
January 03, 2018
Chippendale, Darlington and Eveleigh

For arts and eats, you can’t go past the busy inner city area of Chippendale, Darlington and Eveleigh.

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.

Flick the switch above, and we’ll dim the lights to show you the best things to do once the sun goes down. You can also explore more inner city suburbs and discover more local businesses to support here.

For arts and eats, you can’t go past the busy inner city area of Chippendale, Darlington and Eveleigh.

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.

Flick the switch above, and we’ll turn on the lights to show you the best things to do pre-6pm. You can also explore more inner city suburbs and discover more local businesses to support here.

DID YOU KNOW

Central Park’s green wall is the tallest vertical garden in the world. Designed by French botanist Patrick Blanc, the 1200-square-metre structure is made from 35,000 individual plants spread over 23 walls. The vertical garden is also unique as none of the greenery is grown in soil, with all water and nutrients mechanically fed to each plant.

GETTING AROUND

Chippendale, Darlington and Eveleigh are easily reached by train services to Central Station and Redfern Station or by bus down George Street or City Road. With many of the laneways surrounding Central Park closed off to traffic, the best way to explore the area is on foot or by bike.

DON’T MISS

Grab a latte from The Caffeine Project and head to Chippendale Green to soak up the sun and pat some pups. The inner city green space contains Halo, a great piece of public art, as well as free barbecues and a water feature you can run through. From here it’s just a two-minute walk to the area’s top art spot, White Rabbit Gallery.

LOCALS LOVE

Want to see Chippendalians in their natural habitat? Head to the Carriageworks Farmers Markets where you’ll find them stocking up on organic fruit, veg and eggs, sipping Single O coffee and scarfing down buttery crumpets at Merna’s stand.

DID YOU KNOW

Ever wondered what that gothic rotunda just behind Prince Alfred Park is? Creepily enough, it’s an old funeral train station, one of the only mortuary train lines in the world. The station, which operated from 1867 to 1948, was used to transport coffins from Sydney city to the Rookwood Cemetery for burial. It was later a short-lived pancake restaurant and now sits dormant, housing a few ghosts (probably).

GETTING AROUND

Chippendale, Darlington and Eveleigh are easily reached by train services to Central Station and Redfern Station or by bus down George Street or City Road. With many of the laneways surrounding Central Park closed off to traffic, the best way to explore the area is on foot or by bike. When trains cease in the evening, night rides take over from Railway Square.

DON’T MISS

Follow the sound of sizzling to Sydney’s hottest hawker street, Spice Alley. This lantern-lit laneway sells tasty Asian street food with offerings from Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. With communal seating in an openair, BYO courtyard, there’s nothing stopping you from mixing your ramen with your rendang.

LOCALS LOVE

Date night is sorted, thanks to the abundance of casual fine dining eateries in the Chippendale area. From homemade pappardelle with lamb ragu at Kindred to the raw kingfish with ginger caramel at Ester, there are attractive options around every corner and at prices that won’t break the bank.

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.

1. Something for Jess

A colourful corner cafe serving cold drip coffee and farm-fresh food.

2. White Rabbit Teahouse

A Chinese teahouse inside Chippendale's contemporary art gallery.

3. Concrete Jungle

An eco-conscious cafe bringing a touch of greenery to Chippendale.

4. Old Gold Cafe

Try specialty coffee, single-origin Ecuadorian hot chocolates and sour cherry bagels inside an old confectionery warehouse.

5. Terra Cotta Roasters

This Darlington cafe has all-you-can-drink batch and cold brew coffee for all.

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.

1. Ippudo Central Park

Are you a hopeless ramen-tic? Find comforting bowls of bone broth at this popular ramen chain.

2. The Rose Hotel

This vibrant Sydney beer garden has provided an inner city oasis for over 100 years.

3. Gami Chicken & Beer - CLOSED

Melbourne's home of Korean fried chicken is now serving its goods to Sydneysiders.

4. Gavroche

Kensington Street's old-school French bistro is succeeding in recreating the classics. And, yes, that includes snails.

5. The Eveleigh Hotel

This lively corner pub has been serving the locals of Redfern and its surrounds since 1879.

Shops

Forget high street. Chippendale offers a boutique shopping experience from one-of-a-kind gifts to luxe homewares.

1. Cult Design

A designer furniture store with homewares by Hay, Nau, Vipp and Gubi.

2. Fabric Muse

Hunt for special designer fabrics — from Italian silks to everyday linens — for your next sewing project.

3. Esstudio Galleria

Visit this eclectically designed boutique salon for a quick blowdry or full day of treatments.

4. Daiso Japan

The Japanese megastore sells everything from cleaning products and snacks to skincare and stationery.

5. Pigeonhole

Find the perfect gift for your quirky coworker, bestie, partner or mum here.

Arts and Culture

Chippendale is awash with independent galleries, with works by acclaimed international artists and fresh young talent.

1. White Rabbit Gallery

A free art gallery showcasing rotating exhibitions featuring contemporary Chinese works.

2. Verge Gallery

This creative space offers an exciting program of exhibitions, discussions and performances.

3. Carriageworks

Set within historic Eveleigh rail yards, this arts venue plays host to world-class exhibitions, performances and festivals.

4. Galerie Pompom

This mixed media gallery exhibits work from young and emerging Sydney and Melbourne-based artists.

5. Duckrabbit

A tiny garage that's been transformed into a gallery showcasing emerging artists' works.

Leisure

There’s never a dull moment in Chippendale, with markets, parks and an epic gaming arcade to help keep your diary full.

1. Carriageworks Farmers Market

This weekly event is a Sydney institution showcasing the freshest seasonal produce from growers and producers from across NSW.

2. Humming Puppy

This yoga studio in a converted warehouse makes for an inspiring place to say your oms.

3. The Japan Foundation

Immerse yourself in Japanese culture at this inner city space hosting language classes, art exhibitions and a library.

4. Timezone Central Park

Throw it back to your childhood with Street Fighter, pinball and laser tag.

5. Sew Make Create

Channel your inner grandma with quilting, macrame, crocheting and sewing machine workshops.

Shop Online

Can't visit the area soon enough? Get gems from these local businesses sent straight to you instead.

1. Koi Dessert Bar

Chippendale's beloved dessert bar and restaurant from MasterChef alumni.

2. Gin Lane

This Kensington Street townhouse is filled with 75 gins around the world.

3. Brickfields Bakery

The sourdough specialists. Head to this bakery cafe for fresh bread, flaky pastries, excellent toasties and Mecca coffee.

4. Lukumades

This Central Park spot is dedicated entirely to Greek doughnuts.

5. Gyusha - CLOSED

A Japanese-style barbecue restaurant where you grill your own high-quality wagyu.

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.

1. Mekong - CLOSED

Spice Alley's sit-down restaurant takes you on a journey through Southeast Asia.

2. Mary's On Top - CLOSED

A burger bar by the Mary's team on the rooftop of Chippendale's historic Lansdowne Hotel.

3. Olio

Kensington Street's Sicilian restaurant serving traditional dishes with contemporary flourishes.

4. Automata - CLOSED

An experimental dining experience by top Australian chef Clayton Wells with one of the best degustations around.

5. Manny's Pizza Diner

A pint-sized diner serving up late-night pizza by the slice and cheesesteaks.

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.

1. The Clare Bar

Three high-end restaurants, 62 guest rooms and its very own custom-designed scent.

2. Monkey's Corner - CLOSED

A near-faultless small 20-seat cocktail bar from the team behind KOI Dessert Bar.

3. The Old Clare Rooftop Bar

This hotel pool bar is open to the public for cocktails and snacks.

4. 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.

5. Saga Bar

This ornately designed bar is in Chippendale — but you'll feel like you're in another world entirely.

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.

1. The Lansdowne Hotel

The resurrected Chippendale pub has an entire floor dedicated to gigs, plus a huge sun-drenched rooftop.

2. Freda's - CLOSED

Finding Freda’s is like stepping through the back of a magic wardrobe.

3. The Chippo Hotel

The Chippo boasts A+ live music vibes and a New Orleans-inspired menu.

4. Knox Street Bar

This cement-walled drinking dungeon hosts live music, storytelling, burlesque and drink-and-draw classes.

5. The Lord Gladstone

The Lord Gladstone has amped up the entertainment with more live gigs, parties and art exhibitions.

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.

1. Handpicked Cellar Door

Chippendale's wine and cheese haven (and they deliver).

2. UPS Skate Shop

A gnarly skate shop in the Central Park Mall. Roll in for street and skatewear, wheels and skateboards.

3. The Beer Barrel

This hidden gem specialises in pouring quality craft beers directly into growlers.

4. Donut Papito - CLOSED

Sydney's favourite doughnut joint has a new little sister that'll fulfill your post-Spice Alley dessert cravings.

5. Triple Major Store

A concept store originating from China celebrating independent fashion.

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.

1. 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.

2. Seymour Centre

A performing arts centre which hosts quirky and subversive theatre, dance and comedy.

3. Palace Central Cinemas

This premium cinema complex contains ten screens, and a pretty-in-pink lounge bar.

4. Down / Under Space

This event space, hidden below Chippendale bar Freda's, plays host to performances and art from emerging creatives.

5. Interchange Pavilion

South Eveleigh's stunning new 350-square-metre architectural installation.

CP Faves

Here are our favourite haunts for when the sun goes down and the streets of Chippendale, Darlington and Eveleigh come alive.

1. Spice Alley

A not-so-secret, hidden alley of Asian culinary delights.

2. LP's Quality Meats

If you’re not addicted to smoking, then you haven't tried LP's Quality Meats.

3. Kindred Restaurant

A cosy trattoria serving top-notch pasta made from scratch in-house.

4. Sneaky Possum

Chippendale's multifaceted bar can satisfy your morning caffeine fix and your late-night margarita craving.

5. Ester

With a woodfired oven as the restaurant's core, Ester's hearth produces food with heart.

Editor's Picks

Here is how our editor loves to spend a few hours in Chippendale, Darlington and Eveleigh.

  • Brickfields Bakery

    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

    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

    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

    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.
  • Sneaky Possum

    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

    Handpicked Wines Cellar Door

    Select some bottles to take home, or sit in for a wine flight and charcuterie and cheese boards.
  • Ester

    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

    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.

Find Your Way Through the Chippendale Area

Track down the must-visit local haunts.

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