Best Arts and Culture Places in New South Wales

"Housed in a historic Art Deco building it contains more than 4,000 works of modern art and is dedicated to showcasing the works of living artists from Australia, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, along with artists around the world. It displays paintings, photographs, sculptures, drawings, film, and performance art. Whilst you're indulging your creative..."

"The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia is one of the city’s must-see museums dedicated to living artists. Located on the bank of the picturesque Sydney Harbour, it’s home to a vast collection of both international and Australian masterpieces of painting, sculpture, photography and moving images. It also has a large collection of works from indigenous artists."

"Run by husband-and-wife duo Roslyn and Tony Oxley, the Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery has been supporting contemporary art since 1982, and helped foster the careers of some of Australia’s most influential artists, including Tracey Moffatt and Bill Henson, taking many of its artists to top international art fairs such as the Venice Bienniale. See the best emerging artists here first before they become bigger names in the future – Roslyn Oxley has a brilliant eye for picking out the best in Antipodean artistic talent."

"Established in Sydney in 1982, Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery has a rich history of promoting and supporting contemporary art. For over 25 years, the gallery has been exhibiting at international art fairs. Committed to continuing its presence the diverse programs of exhibitions focuses on artists from Asia-Pacific region – Australia, New Zealand, and Japan in particular."

"The Artists’ Paradise, or TAP for short, is one of Sydney’s longest-running artist-run spaces, also set in the Surry Hills area of Sydney. Established in 1989, it’s been at the heart and soul of Sydney’s burgeoning art scene for three decades, with regularly changing exhibits and the chance to talk to the artists about their work. Its entirely uncurated approach means that it’s open to artists of all genres to exhibit or perform their work, making it one of the most exciting galleries to visit in Sydney."

"One of the most loved art spaces in Sydney is definitely Tap. It supported a number of Australian artists such as Andrew Logan, Carlos Barrios, James Powditch, and Mark Hanham, among others. Tap is also the place to be for Sydneysiders who want entertainment, as Tap operates as a performing and visual arts center, alongside the exhibitions that occur at the space."

"Olsen Irwin, originally known as Olsen Irwin and Tim Olsen Gallery, was established in 1993. Fostering the dialogue between contemporary Australian artists and the leading European, American and Asian authors, the gallery prides itself and its relationship with the Australian contemporary art scene. Among the variously represented artists is the celebrated author John Olsen, presently regarded as Australia’s most esteemed living artist."

"Founded in 1995 and run by Campbell Robertson-Swann and Lauren Harvey, Defiance Gallerymaintains a reputation as a leading gallery featuring the highest quality Australian and International sculptureand painting. The gallery’s support for sculpture and display of the innovative stable of both Australian and international artists forms the varied exhibition calendar. Organizing such events, Defiance Gallery also facilitates and curates a wide variety of satellite exhibitions in collaboration with institutions such as the Nock Art Foundation, Hong Kong, and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy."

"Continental Delicatessen promises to be one of the most fun restaurants in Sydney, with stiff drinks, cold cuts and canned goods – but not the kind of non-perishable food items you might expect. Their fresh produce includes tinned Mediterranean-inspired delicacies such as anchovies from the Bay of Biscay and French sardines to create a deli and bistro that is straight out of a European laneway. Plus you can even find their famed cocktails in tins: the Mar-tinny and Can-hatten are batched and canned onsite and offer a new way to enjoy a cocktail."

"Led by Elvis Abrahanowicz and Sarah Doyle (co-owners of Porteno and Bodega), the team here has delved into the lost art of preserving and are putting everything in tins. Not just the usual canned suspects though like seafood, pears, and peas: With your platter of sliced charcuterie and cheeses, you could also attempt tinned okra, tinned crème caramel with a side of potato chips, or — wait for it — a martini in a tin. Fans of vintage aesthetics are going to flip over the Continental branded tins."

"The Henson is a chilled little neighbourhood spot, perfect for an evening meal or afternoon lunch with the family. Boasting a gorgeous open-air back garden and a chic courtyard for sunnier days, as well as a simple and safe play area, both adults and children will be seduced by The Henson. A nod to its locale (Marrickville), the venue is very on-trend and a bit grungy, but adults will be able to relax and let the wee ones play about in its safe and enclosed dining and play area."

"A bit further out in Sydney’s inner west, this joint shouldn’t be missed when you are in the area. The Henson is a quiet pub with a local feel serving great craft beer from nearby breweries, a seasonal wine menu and delicious pub grub. The Henson created their menu using quality ingredients and reputable sources, using free range, organic, hormone and chemical free meat & poultry & sustainable seafood."

"The Henson is an incredible, community-minded restaurant in Marrickville; one of the trendiest and art-centered neighborhoods in Sydney. This restaurant is fun for kids, just as much as it is for adults. One one hand, children can enjoy themselves in the ball pit at the back, or in the courtyard play area decorated with toys to play with."

"Marrickville’s pet and kid friendly brewery The Grifter Brewing Co is equal parts laid-back and cool. The edgy warehouse screams Inner West brewery, accompanied by a full suite of quirky brews like watermelon pilsner and coffee cream ale. For a cheeky drink and some grade-A bar snacks like crackling and jerky, a visit to the bar is a must."

"An established Northern Beaches brewery with outposts scattered around the Northern Beaches. At the brewery in Brookvale, the Truck Bar (literally fashioned from a 1960 Dodge pickup truck) is the place to be, with Thursdays being game night. Giant Jenga and shuffleboard anyone?"

"Young Henry’s are the trendsetters in the Inner West brewery scene. They have a well-earned reputation for their top-notch brews and community vibe. The Tasting Bar is open seven days a week and on the weekend, you can expect a crowd basking in the beer, beats and bites."

"When a bookstore meets a café, it really is the best of both worlds at Ampersand Café & Bookstore on Oxford Street in Paddington. The perfect setting for book clubs and foodies, this venue has more th..."

"WoolloomoolooHead Chef Matthew Kenny switched to a plant-based diet a little over 15 years ago and is now a master at creating the dishes we all know and love, but making it vegan. Alibi is the colourful restaurant inside Ovolo Woolloomooloo, which acts as a bar and restaurant at different times of the day. The set dinner menu is by far the favourite."

"Alibi Bar & Kitchen will offer their full plant-based ‘Dirty Greens’ bar menu for takeaway and delivery 7 days a week, from midday to 10 pm, in addition to their plant-based high tea takeaway for two. Menu highlights include the Alt Meat Co cheeseburger, fysh and chips, mac n ‘cheese balls, kelp noodle Cacio e Pepe and jalapeno loaded fries."

"Alibi Restaurant open: Wednesday - Saturday Currently we are offering our A la carte menu Wednesday to Friday and our 8 Course Tasting menu on Saturdays only Alibi Bar: 7 days from 4pm till late (kitchen closes 10pm)Bar menu featuring classic dishes, burgers..."