Western Sydney outperforming city’s CBD as night-life hub

Sydney’s CBD is no longer the go-to for night-life, with new data showing the areas where night-time spending is booming. Find out the top spots for Sydney’s night-life.

Western Sydney is fast becoming the party hotspot of the city with new government data showing the area has outstripped Sydney’s inner city for growth in night-time spending.

Sydneysiders are choosing to party closer to home, instead spending the night out in Blacktown, St Marys, Merrylands and Parramatta according to exclusive new data from the 24-hour Economy Commission’s Data After Dark report.

St Marys, Bringelly-Green Valley, Liverpool and Bankstown increasingly became go-to entertainment hotspots in 2024 beating out inner city suburbs in both growth of number of businesses in the night-time economy sector and growth of in-person expenditure.

While night-time businesses such as bars and restaurants grew in inner city suburbs by nearly 5 per cent in the last two years, Blacktown saw a nearly 25 per cent boom with a 21 per cent increase for both St Marys and Bringelly. Penrith had a 15 per cent increase while night-time businesses in Merrylands and Parramatta grew by more than 14 per cent. Bankstown also saw an increase of 13.8 per cent.

Natasha and Sophie Taggart celebrating New Year’s Eve at St Mary’s Leagues Club say that going out closer to home in Sydney’s west is safer and more accessible than venturing into the CBD. Picture: Thomas Lisson

While Sydney’s CBD and inner suburbs still have the lion’s share of night-time spending, the report said that the higher growth in Western Sydney suggested that the areas were “catching up and narrowing the gap” as more Sydneysiders prefer to party closer to home.

The report said the upwards trend in more Sydneysiders going out in Western Sydney was driven by population growth and infrastructure investment in the area, including developments at the new Western Sydney Airport due to open in 2026.

The Parramatta Lanes festival earlier this year.

Night-Time Economy Minister John Graham said the data showed Sydneysiders increasingly are searching for late night options close to where they live.

“That is driving a growing Parramatta foodie scene and a healthy live music scene popping up again on our state’s south coast,” he said

“The epicentre of this night-time boom is Sydney’s west.

“It is great for local businesses, but also for people who may choose to visit these areas.”

Rooty Hill local Nikki Potter says going out in Western Sydney is not as chaotic as it is in the CBD and there are fewer idiots hanging about. Picture Thomas Lisson

St Marys Leagues Club has seen a boost in numbers with locals choosing the area to go out at night. Chief financial officer David Smith said the venue had “absolutely” seen an increase in numbers, with the club now sporting 52,000 members. He believes the boom is in part because prices are far cheaper than in Sydney’s CBD.

The venue currently offers a standard schooner for $6.20 and a short glass of vodka lemonade for $8.60 – unseen prices in the inner city.

“There’s a lot of younger families moving out here, there’s more industry out here, the airport is opening in two years time,” he said.

Rooty Hill local Nikki Potter’s nights out are often down at her local watering hole.

“I like local pubs a lot. The music’s pretty good, there’s good company – it’s just not as chaotic like it is in the city,” the 24-year-old said.

Rapid growth in the area wasn’t a surprise, with Ms Potter adding venues in the CBD closed far earlier than those out west.

“There’s no lockout, there’s no idiots hanging around the front carrying on.”

Baulkham Hills locals Sophie Taggart, 18 and her sister Natasha, 21 said they preferred to go out closer to home as the venues were more safe and accessible with travel times to the CBD a big turn-off.

“I know not many of my friends … stay in on a Saturday night.”

“Sometimes it’s not safe in the city, you never know what’s going to happen. So at least our parents are around the corner if something does happen and there’s some way to get home safe,” Sophie said.

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]