Evenings only in Sydney - best to see and do?
 

I'm in Sydney for four days (Weds - Sat) in late August. Sadly I'll be in a conference until about 4.00pm each day. My husband will be with me. I'd love some suggestions for things to do in the evenings. I enjoy museums, markets, sightseeing and food (in particular cheap and cheerful ethnic places). The only thing I'm not keen on is anything involving animals. I've plenty of energy - I'd rather cram in lots to see than to sleep. I'll be staying somewhere close to the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre. Budget is somewhat of a consideration. I'd love to hear suggestions of things to see and do that will be open in the evenings. Many thanks :)

Hi Sophie,
There is a night market in Dixon St in Chinatown on Friday nights. It is not enormous but quite fun, and food features heavily. You can get a cheap meal there, or eat at a restaurant or food court (also cheap) in Dixon St. There are usually a lot of people outside the restaurants trying to encourage you to come in. In all, quite a good night's entertainment. Another place you might consider is a pub in Pitt St, the Arthouse Hotel. They have interesting entertainment with an arty theme (such as life drawing and photography workshops, live music, etc.). If you google it they have a what's on page with current events. There is also a restaurant there but I've never eaten there so can't comment on it.
Have fun!
Lavandula

The Art Gallery of NSW is open late on Wednesdays - until 9 I think. A bus runs from York St, outside the QVB [Queen Victoria Building]. It's free except for special exhibitions -the permanent exhibitions are excellent.

Being August it will get dark fairly early and will be cool to cold, but there should be enough daylight to explore Circular Quay area.

Cheap and cheerful ethnic restaurants in Sydney I would recommend include: Spice I Am, in Wentworth Ave near Central Station (terrific Thai), Malay and Chinese Take Away, Hunter St City (open til 8 pm, it has the best Laksa for $10-15).

Around Surry Hills there are a number of good Lebanese restaurants (around the intersectio of Elizabeth st and Cleveland), Sopra, Danks St Waterloo (excellent cheap Italian, only open for lunch). Uchi Lounge, off Oxford St, Darlinghurst (cheap Japanese).

If you don't mind going out a bit further from the city, there are a number of very good amd very cheap Vietnamese restaurants in Illawarra Rd, Marrickville and there's excellent northern Chinese food in Ashfield (Shanghai Nights), Lakemba has excellent cheap middle eastern food.

For Brazilian barbeque Churras in Norton st Leichardt is very good and reasonably priced. Leichhardt is little Italy. Around Liverpool st in the city is the Spanish area, Captain Torres is very good for tapas. The Spanish club is just across the road.

Saturday market in the Rocks.

See something at the Opera House.

Dinner cruises from Circular Quay.

The Basement (Reiby Place, just off Pitt Street, Circular Quay end) often has good acts. http://www.thebasement.com.au/

Great place to check out some Australian wines and good food in an interesting heritage setting - Wine Odssey. Argyle Street, The Rocks. www.wineodyssey.com.au

I forgot to add excellent cheap Indonesian food is available around UNSW in Anzac Parade, Kensington.

Few more things not overly exorbitant Sophie
. http://www.therocks.com/sydney-Educa...s_Pub_Tour.htm and of course you can do your own walking about the Rocks
. http://www.sydneyobservatory.com.au/..._catalogue.asp
. a ferry across to Manly as an alternative to a dinner cruise, or one to Watsons Bay to eat at http://www.doyles.com.au/ - it gets rubbished by a few people but still not too bad there and their pub section at end of street up from wharf is great value.
If weather is fine, you could even take a short stroll up to the ocean side and look out towards Auckland if feeling homesick!
. http://www.sydney.com.au/kingsx.htm - looks to me from a day time passing through a year or so back that it could but be a shadow of its former self but for a look at the other side of life - don't stay too late!