Restaurants are back. As Sydney keeps on opening up, more and more people are flocking back to their old and new favourite spots to make up for lost time when it comes to eating well, drinking even better, and catching up with friends. Throw some live music in the mix from talented local bands, from brassy alleyway boogies to wharfside jazz sessions, and you’ve got a recipe for a damn good time.
We’ve rounded up three of our favourite Sydney restaurants that offer weekly live music so you can elevate your dining experience with something much more lively and atmospheric than the restaurateur’s Spotify wrapped playlist.
Il Pontile
Sydney’s best new Italian restaurant can be found down at Woolloomooloo’s iconic Finger Wharf, positioned as the first restaurant on the boardwalk, with alfresco dining and an open-air trattoria-styled space that feels appropriately ripped straight from the Mediterranean. Grab the stunning chef’s table if you’re with some mates, but if you’re more a 1-on-1 type of person you’ll definitely want to sit outside on a Wednesday or Saturday night. Why? Well, these are the two nights where high-energy jazz band The Graduates pop on down to help soundtrack all that seafood and pasta. From 6:30pm onwards, the band help serenade hungry diners while the waterside breeze wraps around the venue.
Address: 2/6 Cowper Wharf Roadway, Woolloomooloo
ilpontile.com.au
Esteban
It didn’t take long after opening before Esteban shot straight to the top of everyone’s dining list when it comes to looking for excellent Mexican flavours in the CBD. Bringing a fresh pop of vibrancy and a festive atmosphere to the laneway, it’s now one of the few spots in the area that feels unlike anything else in Sydney. Spice that up every Thursday, Friday and Saturday because the restaurant uses the laneway to welcome in a whole host of Latin American bands, from samba and Cuban acoustic artists to funk trios and tango artists. It all kicks off at 6:30pm and wraps up at 10pm on each of those nights.
Address: 1 Temperance Lane, Sydney
estebanrestaurant.com.au
Frankie’s
Obviously. Frankie’s has become synonymous with good times in Sydney for the late-night crowd, constantly slinging reliable pizza and welcoming the tougher textures of typical rock, grunge, and punk. There’s not much else to say here; Frankie’s Pizza will always be a favourite for the AU team and even if the dining menu doesn’t bother with anything even amounting to variety, it qualifies as a restaurant that’s almost always pumping with live tunes for your ears and your palate.
Address: 50 Hunter St, Sydney
swillhouse.com
