Sydney by night: EliteSingles’ favourite nocturnal goings-on

couple dancing in a bar

Many people would agree that whilst a city throngs during the daytime, it’s when the sun goes down that it truly comes to life. Sydney by night is no exception to that rule. You’ll be happy to hear then that the night owls at EliteSingles have been busy at work putting together an octet of standout after dark ideas for you to enjoy. Some of our inclusions are old favourites. Others are less well known. One thing’s for certain – we’re sure you’ll find something that floats your boat!

Exploring Sydney by night

At EliteSingles we spend a lot of time thinking about how to make our members comfortable whilst getting to grips with online dating. Of course, a significant trench of this involves compiling practical advice for things like profiles and messaging. However, we’re also on top of our game when it comes to offering our users local dating tips, like those contained in this article.

We know that our Sydney singles spend a lot of time juggling their work-life balance. Rather than stressing about what to do and where to go, why not check out some of our favourite things to do in Sydney, after dark. So, take a peek at the map below to orientate yourself with our tips and get exploring tonight!

Get nautical

One of Sydney’s biggest pulls is without doubt its harbour. Both iconic and breathtaking, it’s a feature that draws people to the city from far and wide. We’re of the opinion that the best way to appreciate the city is from the water, with the sun setting behind you. And there are a number of evening cruises on offer to do just that; from the diminutive water taxi to mighty tall ships! If you’ve not quite earned your sea legs yet, it’s probably better to stay on dry land. That’s not to say you have to miss out on the waterside action. Watching the sunset at one of Sydney’s many beaches is a great way to ramp up the romance, especially with a bottle of bubbly at hand!

Stargazing

Though it may sound a little cheesy, few things are more romantic than gazing up into the inky-blackness of the night sky and pondering the enormity of the universe beside your beau. If this sounds like fun on an extraterrestrial scale, take your cosmic girl/spaceman on a trip to the Sydney Observatory! Perched atop the aptly named Observatory Hill, the Museum of Applied Arts and Science-operated lookout affords stunning panoramas over Sydney Harbour. After marvelling at the telescopic sights, blast off into the planetarium for some astral action. Tours run on a nightly basis and get underway at 8.15pm sharp.

Late night snacking

Fact; Sydney is an oasis for food lovers. If you’ve got an appetite as voracious as ours, you might want to check out our top picks when it comes to the most romantic restaurants Sydney has to offer. Here, however, we want to talk about some of the gastronomic goings-on that are exclusive to Sydneysiders. Things like the Chinatown Night Market. Open every Friday from 4-11pm, it’s the ideal place to wander from stall to stall, taking your taste buds on an Asian expedition. Weekend grazers are best off getting down to Paddy’s Markets in Flemington. Set in the humble surroundings of an undercover car park, it’s the place to tuck into a bit of street food courtesy of Sydney’s favourite food trucks.

Grab the mic

Karaoke might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Indeed, for many the idea of crooning along to a questionable cover of some 80s power ballad is their idea of purgatory. However, if you can’t get enough of the limelight and love bellowing out Careless Whisper to a room full of half-cut punters, Sydney is a great city! Venture over to Surry Hills’ Goro’s if you’re after a truly authentic Japanese experience. Delicious yakitori, crisp import beers and private booths make this a great double date destination. Chinatown’s sci-fi style Dynasty Karaoke is another Sydney institution worth visiting when it’s time to wax lyrical!

Wednesday night’s alright for art

If you happened across our Sydney singles events article, you’ll know that we’re massive fans of the city’s burgeoning arts scene. It often feels like a challenge keeping up with what’s going on, though the good news is that we’ve always got our ears to the ground. Even better, your artistic appetite doesn’t have to be confined to daylight hours. If you’re stepping out on a Wednesday evening, make sure you check out Art Gallery of NSW’s Art After Hours programme. Open until 10pm, it boasts an excellent collection of works from Australia and beyond. If you prefer something more contemporary, peruse the MCA’s Lights on Later series, also on Wednesdays.

Adrenaline junkies

If you’re a thrill-seeker at heart, Sydney’s got some great night-time attractions to get your pulse racing (though you’re date will have hopefully accomplished that already!). For starters, why not get stuck in to some good old-fashioned fun at Luna Park. After being swallowed up by the infamous Face, loose yourselves amongst Luna’s many attractions. If theme parks are too juvenile, a climb up the nearby Sydney Harbour Bridge is a great shout. Though it could be a bit touristy for some Sydneysiders, when it comes to seeing Sydney by night, in all its glistening glory, there aren’t many better places to take in the view.

Catch a flick

Movie-going might not seem like the most creative of date ideas, but stick with us for a second. When it comes to top-notch cinemas, Sydney is incredibly well endowed. We’re not just talking about a trip to Hoyts here! If you’re after a nice little independent picture house, we’ve got your back. For a touch of the art deco, nowhere oozes as much 1930s verve as Cremorne’s Hayden Orpheum. The Palace Verona in Paddington is a great spot for a low-key night at the pictures. During the summer month’s it’d be criminal not to savour the silver screen at one of Sydney’s outdoor cinemas. Our favourite has to be the Moonlight Cinema in Centennial Park.

Hit the tiles

Last but not least, why not appreciate Sydney by night from one of its many watering holes! Given there’s an abundance of hostelries to enjoy, it pays to be selective. That’s the reason we put together a list of our favourite bars in Sydney. That said, if you’re looking for something a little less obvious, there’s plenty to pick from. If you’re a thinker-drinker, head off on an evening tour of Rosebery’s famous Archie Rose Distillery. Not only can you get to grips with the science behind premium booze, you can also take a class in how to blend your own whiskey and gin. Fans of the grape should make every effort to pop down to Handpicked Wines’ CBD cellar door, their team is always eager to curate a tasting session Bacchus would be proud of!

About the author: Alex Rennie

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