We’ve all been desperate to get back onto the dance floor after the past two years, but with so many changes to old favourites, it’s hard to know where to go. Sydney’s new diverse night-life proves that things are picking up as the sun goes down. From an iconic LGBTQIA+ venue on Oxford Street to a classic basement bar in Newtown, here are five places in Sydney serving late-night drinks, gigs and dance floors.

Mary’s Underground

Mary’s Underground in Circular Quay is one of four venues from the Mary’s boys, who opened their first rock‘n’roll burger joint in Newtown way back in 2013. This iteration serves all the classic burgers and beers but doubles as a live music venue. Popular for album launches and smaller gigs (there are lots of Vivid events on the calendar) it’s open from Tuesday to Saturday, though gigs usually take place on Friday and Saturday nights when it stays open past 10pm.

Tokyo Sing Song

Underground paradise Tokyo Sing Song is the basement bar underneath Newtown’s famous corner pub the Marlborough Hotel. It’s your typical rave cave: a dark room that’s really just a dance floor, with no windows, lots of neon lights, a bar and a DJ booth. Isn’t that all you need? There are parties every Friday and Saturday night (hosted by touring group Picnic) and it’s open until 3am.

77

Many Sydneysiders will remember Darlinghurst’s Club 77 as one of the grimiest late-night clubs in town, regularly hosting The Bang Gang DJs and Starfvckers. After being sold and refurbished in 2016 it’s now known as just 77 and it looks a lot slicker (a bar with leather booths, no less), but the dance floor and regular gigs remain. Every Friday and Saturday there are parties until late and it’s often free entry before midnight.

Oxford Art Factory

Going strong since 2007, Oxford Art Factory is one of Sydney’s longstanding live music venues. Slightly smaller than the Metro Theatre but bigger than The Factory in Marrickville, this is the place to catch local or up-and-coming artists before they break the big time. Descend the stairs to the underground main stage, dance floor and bar with cosy leather booths. It’s been known to get sweaty and free down there: you’ll only need to look at photos from recent gigs for proof.

Universal Bar

Also on Oxford Street, Universal Bar is one of Sydney’s best-known LGBTQIA+ venues. The iconic club was established in 1981 – a few years after the first Mardi Gras in 1978 – and it is truly one of the best places in Sydney for a dance. Downstairs there’s a relatively low-key bar which hosts drag entertainment seven days a week, upstairs it's the nightclub. It has a huge dance floor with rave lights, dancing platforms and DJs until the early hours of the morning. Naturally, Universal goes off on Mardi Gras weekend. But no matter when you rock up, you’re guaranteed a party every time.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Destination New South Wales.