Is Enmore Road now the nightlife capital of Sydney? Plus the best places to eat, drink and mosh

Enmore Road is becoming Sydney’s go-to after-dark destination as relaxed regulations promote a jubilant post-pandemic era of late nights and live music.

In March, Inner West Council made Enmore Road a designated special entertainment precinct with the aim of protecting its strong nighttime economy from the noise complaints typically associated with suburban gentrification.

The relaxed rules allow Enmore Road businesses to host live entertainment without first seeking council approval; extend their trading hours up to 30 minutes; and offer footpath dining until 11pm.

The entertainment precinct status was a key consideration when bar owners Pasan Wijesena (Jacoby’s Tiki Bar, Earl’s Juke Joint) and Russell Martin (The Cliff Dive) decided to open The Trocadero Room, a new live music venue on Enmore Road.

“With all of the support from local and state government for live entertainment in Enmore, there’s really no better place to try this,” Wijesena tells Good Food.

The Trocadero Room, a tribute to the glamorous dance palace that operated in George Street between 1937 and 1971, is set to open at the end of October. The late-night venue (it will be able to trade until 3am) will channel the charm of a long-forgotten hotel lobby bar, where chandeliers hang over worn red velvet booths, and historic black and white photos recall a more hedonistic time.

Comedians, live bands and cult horror films will regularly occupy the stage as customers watch from booths, dining tables and bar stools. There’ll be a smart selection of cocktails (there’s talk of a martini trolley) local craft beers, and snack plates by Ellie O’Brien, head chef at neighbouring pop-up restaurant Babs.

But along with ticketed events, there are plans for DJs, dancing and informal dinners (“I want to re-enact that scene from Goodfellas, when they bring out a table and a lamp and put it right in front of the stage,” says Wijesena).

The Trocadero Room will be hidden behind a second new venue, The Magpie, a miniature pub where bifold windows open wide to the street and punters can watch the footy with a beer and sausage roll in hand.

“We’re having a bit of fun with the classic Aussie pub concept, with a perfect Federation green pub carpet [sourced from the Museum of Parliament House], old-school brewery posters and hanging pot plants,” Wijesena says.

Wijesena moved to Enmore Road with the opening of Jacoby’s Tiki Bar in 2018.

“There wasn’t a lot going on beyond the pubs, the theatre and some well-established restaurants [like neighbourhood favourite Osteria di Russo & Russo],” he says.

“It’s evolved a lot over that small timeframe, with a lot of well-run venues opened by locals that have, in turn, been supported by the local community.”

From Odd Culture’s The Duke of Enmore and the refurbished Enmore Hotel, to the swathe of quality dining options such as Little Lagos, the hospitality community on Enmore Road offers a diverse range of experiences across all price points.

“The additional support of the council after the pandemic has been pretty major,” Wijesena says. “It’s encouraged a lot more people to give it a go.”

‘There’s music everywhere, there are people going in and out of bars, and there’s so much good food.’

Daniel McBride, Enmore Country Club

Among the venues to open on Enmore Road this year are Famelia, a wine bar and bottle shop serving tasting flights; Babs, a walk-in only, female-led eatery inspired by Barbra Streisand; and Enmore Country Club, an urban saloon pouring cherry colas.

And there are more to come. Construction is in the works for Kimu Sabi, a plant-based sushi bar; Hide, a zero-waste teppanyaki restaurant; and the long-awaited return of late-night dining institution Steki Taverna.

Enmore Country Club co-founder Daniel McBride, who introduced country music nights as a consequence of the relaxed regulations, says the designated entertainment precinct is helping to reinvigorate a nighttime culture long restricted by lockout and lockdown laws.

“It gives us a real edge over other neighbourhoods,” he says, noting the strong concentration of new businesses.

“There’s music everywhere, there are people going in and out of bars, and there’s so much good food.”

Famelia owner Amelia Birch says the entertainment precinct status has flow-on effects for the entire street, encouraging an influx of walk-in customers.

“There are so many areas like Kings Cross, and even the city, that have just died because of NIMBYism but Enmore has retained that gritty vitality,” Birch says.

“There are so many people on Enmore Road after a show that it feels like Sydney’s version of London. It’s full-on.

“We’re finding we have to turn away up to 50 people some nights because we’re so full. I think it’s only just the beginning.”

Good Food’s guide to Enmore Road

WHERE TO EAT

Babs
For a fun, casual dinner with big bowls of pasta and bottles of natural wine.
178 Enmore Road, instagram.com/babs_pops_up

Bar Louise
For Spanish-inspired share plates such as tuna tartare, and Jerusalem artichokes with rosemary and stracciatella cheese.
135 Enmore Road, barlouise.com.au

Cairo
For arguably some of the best falafel in Sydney, with a generous BYO policy and no bookings required.
81 Enmore Road, cairotakeaway.com

Little Lagos
For delicious Nigerian street snacks like small chops (meat pies) and puff puffs (doughnuts rolled in sugar), plus the occasional pop-up dance party.
125 Enmore Road, alittlelagos.com

Osteria di Russo & Russo
For a hearty and well-priced Italian meal, finishing with nonna’s tiramisu and a shot of home-made limoncello.
158 Enmore Road, russoandrusso.net.au

WHERE TO DRINK

Bar Planet
For a dirty martini by candlelight.
16 Enmore Road, barplanet.com.au

Enmore Country Club
For sipping cherry cola cocktails as country musicians croon.
182 Enmore Road, enmorecountryclub.com

Famelia
For flights of thoughtfully curated wine, starting at just $27.
55 Enmore Road, famelia.com.au

Fortunate Son
For old-school hospitality and killer cocktails, such as the smoked chilli margarita.
105 Enmore Road, fortunateson.com.au

Jacoby’s Tiki Bar
For the spectacular theatre of a bartender setting your tiki-themed cocktail alight.
154 Enmore Road, jacobys-tiki-bar.com

WHERE TO CATCH A LIVE SHOW

The Duke of Enmore
For hardcore bands and pickle-back shots.
148 Enmore Road, oddculture.group

The Enmore Hotel
For howlin’ blues bands and hot pies (dogs welcome).
199 Enmore Road, enmorehotel.com.au

Enmore Theatre
For big-name comedians and internationally acclaimed musicians at the longest-running live theatre in Sydney.
118-132 Enmore Road, enmoretheatre.com.au

Hopsters Co-op Brewery
For small acoustic acts, live comedy and bloody good beer.
198 Enmore Road, hopsters.coop

The Midnight Special
For old school rock’n’roll in a cozy dive bar.
44 Enmore Road, Newtown, themidnightspecial.com.au