Sydney 24-hour entertainment, nightlife plan: International experts say non-stop transport key to success

Nightlife experts from across the globe say plans to transform Sydney into a city that never sleeps will not work unless the NSW Government can find a way to make public transport as accessible at 3am as it is during peak hour.

• Nightlife hubs in the suburbs

Nightlife experts from across the globe say ambitious plans to transform Sydney into a 24-hour city that never sleeps will not work unless the NSW Government can find a way to make public transport as accessible at 3am as it is during peak hour.

The leading expert of the European Cities After Dark Network, Simone d’Antonio, told The Saturday Telegraph public transport, and the newly-opened Sydney Metro line through the heart of the CBD operating around-the-clock would be the “most vital piece of the 24-hour puzzle”.

“If Sydney activates its public spaces and offers the 24-hour public transport options to match, the hospitality industry will follow and this city will have a real opportunity to be a nightlife powerhouse,” Mr d’Antonio said.

“The city needs to be just as accessible at midnight and 3am for partygoers as it is for commuters during peak hour.

Nightlife representatives from around the world from left Alicia Scholer Vice-President, Responsible Hospitality Institute from California, USA, Michael Rodrigues NSW 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, Natalie Mets Night-time advisor, City of Tallinn, Estonia, Simone d'Antonio Lead Expert Cities After Dark, URBACT from Rome, Italy and Andreina Seijas Principal, Night Tank from Paris, France at The Rover in Surry Hills. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“Hospitality and live music venues will do the heavy lifting, but Sydney won’t be a city that doesn’t sleep without activated 24-hour public transport and vibrant civic spaces.”

The Rome-based nightlife expert said the harbour city was “teetering on the edge of becoming a world-renowned, 24-hour entertainment hub”.

“Around the world, we are seeing major economic benefits and social benefits with late night and 24-hour entertainment plans – Sydney has the opportunity to provide incredible nightlife plans, and make a lot of money at the same time.”

In Sydney for the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner’s 2024 NEON Forum, the nightlife expert confessed that “one of the things Sydney lacks is the opportunity to have drinks and dinner late at night”.

DAILY TELEGRAPH. OCTOBER 8, 2024. Pictured is the Metro Trains Sydney Mission Control Centre in Tallawong. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“Paris is a perfect example of a hospitality industry that has an incredible food and drink offering all through the night,” he said. “You can be driving through the city at 2am and there will be restaurants and bustling wine bars filled with people.”

Meanwhile, the ‘nightlife tsar of London’, Night Time Industries Association boss Micheal Kill said round-the-clock public transport was “fundamental to an incredible plan to transform Sydney’s nightlife”.

“Sydney is facing the same problem that my hometown of London is, where public transport slows late in the night which grinds nightlife opportunity to a halt,” he said.

“Sydney has a growing persona and a concrete plan for a 24-hour city, that wants to do business and wants to entertainment.

“One thing that we see with a 24-hour economy is the need for it to grow holistically with public transport,” He said. “It is fundamental in the successful operation of an expansive 24-hour economy target. 

“You have to have that infrastructure in place if you want it to work – the key to a 24-hour strategy is round-the-clock public transport.”

Mr Kill said NSW 24-hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues’ reforms, and plans waiting in the wings from the City of Sydney Council meant that the CBD has an “unparalleled plan for growth on the world stage”.

“Sydney is close to being parallel with city leaders like London, New York, and Tokyo – but with this city-wide plan, it is becoming a world leader.

Sydney band, The Blamers, fronted by lead singer Bella Grist, performs at The Crowbar in Leichhardt. Photo: Tom Parrish

Last month, The Telegraph exclusively revealed the City of Sydney Council had released plans for entertainment precincts in the CBD to allow bars, clubs, and even cafes and retail shops across the majority of the CBD to apply to open 24 hours a day.

Exclusive Business Sydney data revealed the 24-hour retail, dining and entertainment hub would add a further $1 billion to the $5.7 billion in sales turnover raised by Sydney’s night time economy.

The proposal, now on exhibition to the public, would also include the option for venues to apply for an additional three hours of late-night trading to 4am for small bars and clubs in the CBD and the embattled Oxford St entertainment precinct, without a development application.

following the announcement and her visit to Sydney this week, Paris Night Tank founder Andreina Seijas said the city needed to follow other global leaders to overcome economic pressures and a shift in consumer preferences by providing “unique and immersive experiences” if it wanted to thrive.

While Sydney Metro operators revealed to The Telegraph last month they were investigating whether the driverless system could operate 24-hours on Thursdays and Fridays, Transport Minister Jo Haylen said Sydney was already “served by multiple modes of public transport which run late into the night”.

NSW Minister for Transport Jo Haylen. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

“If you are out enjoying the best city in Australia you should know that there will always be a public transport option to help get you home,” she said.

Sydney Metro operates for 22 hours on Friday and Saturday nights, operating until 2:23am on Friday and Saturday nights, with frequencies of every 10 minutes between 8:30pm until close. She said Metro services then recommence the following morning at 4:35am.

Meanwhile, the Dulwich Hill Line, the Randwick Line and Kingsford Line light rail services run between Central Station and Dulwich Hill via Darling Harbour and the Inner West every day from 5am to 1am the following evening.

At the same time, NightRide buses replace most train services between midnight and 4.30am on key transport corridors.

“Sydney’s big nights like New Year’s Eve and Mardi Gras involve extensive forward planning and significant costs to ensure train and metro services can run throughout the night.”

Michael Rodrigues NSW 24-Hour Economy Commissioner at The Rover in Surry Hills. Picture: Jonathan Ng

24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues said the future of nightlife in NSW “is not just about more options for people going out; it’s about creating spaces where people of all ages feel comfortable to connect”.

“It’s increasingly about sports and recreation, arts and culture, and a great meal – with or without alcohol,” he said. “With all of this work to support night-time workers and businesses, people across the state can expect better and more diverse offerings after dark as we head into the warmer months.”

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Originally published as Sydney 24-hour entertainment, nightlife plan: International experts say non-stop transport key to success