ALEXANDRIA, ROSEBERY AND GREEN SQUARE
The former industrial heart of the city has taken on new life as a homewares and food mecca.
In partnership with City of Sydney, we’re celebrating what makes Alexandria and Rosebery such 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.
The former industrial heart of the city has taken on new life as a homewares and food mecca.
In partnership with City of Sydney, we’re celebrating what makes Alexandria and Rosebery such 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.
Green Square is a ten-year development project. We’ve already seen the unveiling of an underground library and creative centre (managed by Redfern’s 107 Projects). And construction is underway on an aquatic and recreation centre inspired by Sydney’s ocean pools, a 6200-square-metre park and a futuristic residential development with a food-filled laneway.
Green Square Station is just a few quick stops from Circular Quay in one direction and the airport in the other, so the train is the easiest artery into the area. There are also bike paths that connect the city to Green Square via Alexandria, and pedalling is a good way to get between venues, which can be quite spread out.
One of the most Instagrammed places in the whole country, The Grounds of Alexandria is a colourful garden and cafe with a bakery, weekend markets, a florist and many farmyard friends. The grounds in question are an old pie tin factory, which has been converted into a lively community space popular with families, foodies and photographers.
Alexandria is a coffee lover’s paradise, with no shortage of well-brewed beans. Mecca has its headquarters here with an on-site roastery, the understated locals’ secret Two Tales is brewing delicious cups opposite leafy Alexandria Park and people travel from across the city and beyond for the rotating menu of global coffee beans at The Grounds.
When Archie Rose Distillery opened in 2015, it was the first independent distillery to open in Sydney since the 1850s. The distillery’s opening also helped kick off the rise in homegrown spirits which now dominate many a cocktail list around Sydney and beyond.
Green Square Station is just a few quick stops from Circular Quay in one direction and the airport in the other, so the train is the easiest artery into the area. The summer timetable has trains running until around 1.30am.
Thrill-seekers looking for fun hangs should head to Doody Street in Alexandria. At Sky Zone you can flip out on trampolines, join a dodgeball league or climb some rock. Next door, live out your Stranger Things arcade fantasies, complete with bar, bowling alley and laser tag at Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq.
This is the land of boutique booze. Archie Rose has revived the art of distilling local liquor, while The Rocks Brewing Co. was one of the earliest adopters of the craft brew movement in Sydney. The local bottle-o has been taken up a notch here too, with exquisitely curated selections at The Drink Hive.
How to do Alexandria, Rosebery and Green Square
Do as the locals do.
Cafes
Choosing between the local lineup of elite coffee brewers and brunch masters is a privileged problem keenly felt in Alexandria and Rosebery.
1. Textbook Boulangerie Patisserie - CLOSED
2. Went to See the Gypsy - CLOSED
3. Bread & Circus Wholefoods Canteen - CLOSED
4. Meet Gerard
5. Mentmore & Morley
Restaurants and Pubs
This on-the-up area is attracting exciting new names in the food scene who are eager to move into the ever-expanding drinking and dining district.
1. The Grounds of Alexandria
2. Three Blue Ducks Rosebery
3. Sushi Jones Japanese Bistro
4. The Nighthawk Diner
5. Rocks Brewing Co Tap House
Shops
Worthwhile fashion outlets, delicious food emporiums and pre-loved wares reign supreme in this area of warehouse stores worth getting lost in.
1. Lunatiques
2. Incu Outlet
3. Koskela
4. Mr Cook
5. Simon Johnson Providore
How to do Alexandria, Rosebery and Green Square
Do as the locals do.
Restaurants and Pubs
From industrial warehouse to Italian farmhouse, the restaurant interiors are as inventive as the cuisine served within.
1. Da Mario
2. COOH Alexandria
3. Frenchies Bistro and Brewery
4. Pino's Vino e Cucina
5. Nguyen Brothers Alexandria
Bars
If you’re searching for drink diversity, you’ll never get bored in this neighbourhood rife with craft creations and cocktails.
1. Yulli's Brews
2. Archie Rose Distillery
3. No. 5 Restaurant and Bar
4. Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq
5. The Lord Raglan Hotel
Shops
Find shops that cater to your creative inclination, whether that be towards food and drink or the arts.
1. The Drink Hive
2. Mitchell Road Antique and Design Centre
3. Gelato Messina Rosebery
4. Australian Meat Emporium
5. Hunter and Fox Tattoo
Editor's Intinerary
Here is how our editor loves to spend a few hours in Alexandria and Rosebery.
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Went to See the Gypsy
From soy lattes to single origin filters, this specialty cafe from the crew behind Gypsy Espresso is a true coffee lover's oasis. You'll find it in a sprawling warehouse space kitted out with state-of-the-art equipment. -
Lunatiques
Browse the excellent rustic, vintage wares at this 300-square-metre warehouse full of antique furniture and homewares. -
Three Blue Ducks
The focus here is smoke and fire, with lamb, pork, beef and chicken cooked over its Argentinian grill in the garden. -
The Cannery
Spend an entire afternoon at this former cannery housing a sustainable bottleshop, French brewery, fine dining and plenty of other culinary treats.
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Archie Rose
Take a tour of Sydney's first distillery in over 160 years, then pop into the neighbouring bar to sample its tipples as well as other Australian distillers. -
Da Mario
Although the Rosebery branch of Pizza Mario offers a more extensive menu, the pizza's just so good it'll sabotage your ability to try anything else. -
The Drink Hive
Sustainability is key at this bottle shop where you'll find both refillable beer and wine stations, plus hard-to-find, quality brews, vinos and spirits. -
Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq
Channel your inner child at this arcade-bar-kidult wonderland. Also, dodgems are only $6, laser tag is $12 and bowling is $21.
Find Your Way Through the Alexandria Area
Track down the must-visit local haunts.
Explore more of Sydney and your favourite suburbs through the eyes of other locals by following #sydneylocal on Instagram.