It’s no secret that everybody’s been getting a little gloom ‘n’ doom about Sydney nightlife lately, but the worst thing that we can do as punters is sit at home and watch re-runs of Hot Plate when we could be supporting all the great parties happening all week around town.
We also know that everybody loves a cheap night out, so we collected ten parties which will cost you $10 or less to get into. $10 can’t get you much nowadays, except for five cheeseburgers from McDonalds – so take a break from the fast food, save up a tenner and hit the town at some of our favourite spots below.
Some of them are even free, and who doesn’t love free shit? Get involved:
HALFWAY CROOKS @ GOODGOD SMALL CLUB (Image above by Jordan Kirk)
Local rap lords DJ Levins and Captain Franco recently celebrated the sixth anniversary of Sydney’s definitive rap party, and despite a few location changes, the turn up is as real as ever at Halfway Crooks. With special guests bringing the bangers with the duo on the first Saturday of each month, prepare for body-rolling R&B jams and unadulterated Southern ignorance. Any party where you can hear Ciara & Gucci Mane in one night has seven thumbs up from us. 10 dollarydoos for entry.
BAD DEEP @ THE SLY FOX
Prepare to go all out when you attend Bad Deep, the monthly bender thrown by Entropico – the local creative crew responsible for music videos from Hayden James, Touch Sensitive, The Meeting Tree & more. Each party is themed, with interior decorating and costumes being of paramount importance – and at just $10 entry, your paying exactly $1 per hour of partying for the event which runs until 6:00am. Come here, have a beverage, watch the sunrise and wave at people walking their dogs on the way home. Next party on September 11.
LTR ON @ OXFORD ART FACTORY
A new weekly late-night initiative from Oxford Art Factory, LTR ON features cheap as chips DJ sets from local and international talent in one of Sydney’s favourite live music venues. They’ve already grabbed everyone from Carmada madman Yahtzel to DFA Records legend Nancy Whang for the parties, while the next installation will feature Miami Horror and Young Franco. Given Australia’s endless stream of electronica and dance talent, LTR ON has plenty of stars to showcase.
ONE DAY SUNDAYS @ THE FACTORY THEATRE (Image above by Averie Harvey)
Since throwing their inaugural event in 2013, local hip-hop collective One Day have expanded their monthly Sunday soiree into the country’s biggest touring block party. Shit gets very loud and intense here, with lots of people wearing expensive trainers and oversize NBA jerseys. The next One Day Sundays will be their last in Sydney for the year, before it evolves into something even bigger – head down for two stages of rap music that’ll leave you dusty on Monday morning.
GOOD FRIENDS @ THE LORD GLADSTONE (FREE)
The Lord Gladstone has undergone quite the makeover in recent months – you can now watch Ronda Rousey bash somebody on the big screen while eating a deep-fried Golden Gaytime and some of Sydney’s best burgers. Upstairs, the Good Space gallery plays host to frequent art shows from our pals including James Jirat and Chris Yee, and Friday nights see the outside area become a dancefloor for Good Friends. Free entry, hip-hop, mates and a relaxed vibe – it’s a nice wind-down after the working week.
WEDNESDAYS @ EL TOPO BASEMENT (FREE)
Sydney dance legend Beni hosts a thumping mid-week party every Wednesday at El Topo Basement, sitting in the heart of Bondi Junction and outside the lock-out area. Rotating guests join the decks to drop the latest in house and electro anthems, while they switch up the flavour once a month with a night dedicated to all things urban. Bonus: There’s also a Mexican restaurant upstairs, so treat yourself to extra guacamole and a cocktail before sweating it out in the Basement.
HOMIES ON THE PREMISES @ THE CLIFF DIVE (FREE)
It’s an interstate affair on the third Saturday of every month, with Melbourne cult clothing label For The Homies taking over The Cliff Dive for a night of hip-hop heaters. The Oxford Street staple serves up Caribbean cocktails which pair well with the extreme likelihood that you’ll hear at least one track by Sean Paul. Get down early for free entry and a dancefloor that packs out at the blink of an eye. Also grow corn rows in anticipation of a Sean Paul medley which may or may not happen.
SOSUEME @ BEACH ROAD HOTEL (FREE) (Image above via Facebook)
Whether it’s indie bands or DJs, Sosueme gets it done every Wednesday with conviction. The fact that they have ‘99% Genre Free’ written on their flyer should tell you that eclecticism is the name of the game, with everybody from DZ Deathrays to Hot Dub Time Machine having performed free shows down by Bondi Beach. Expect heaps of good looking people, and who cares if it’s Wednesday? Take tomorrow off work, you deserve it.
FRIDAY LITE @ GOODGOD SMALL CLUB
While Goodgod Small Club’s Front Bar tends to be a little more tame than the smoke-filled dungeon of doom at the back, Friday Lite turns it up a notch every week with hip-hop and more erratic electronic tracks that turn the venue into a sea of contorted, well-dressed bodies. Cool story alert: One time I came here and they had a cocktail named after Fetty Wap, it was delicious. $15 entry for the Front Bar and Danceteria parties, which means $7.50 each! Talk about a fuckin’ good deal!
PLAYER HATERS BALL @ GOODGOD SMALL CLUB
Player Haters Ball sees FBi Radio’s Shantan Wantan Ichiban honour R&B with slow-grinding goodness courtesy of guest DJs and live performers. The next soiree will hit Goodgod Small Club with an entire night dedicated to The Neptunes! This production duo have made beats for everyone from Busta Rhymes to Britney Spears, so we’re expecting the best – and maybe even Hell Hath No Fury in its entirety. Also, the flyer promises Tinashe & Usher, so we’re sold.
Head image by the God himself, Jack Bennett
