Western Sydney night-life still alive with Night Market at Lakemba attracting 30,000 people

You can hear a pin drop in the CBD after 10pm, but further afield you’ll be greeted by the scent of charcoal and the vibe that only comes from a cheerful crowd at the Ramadan Night Markets in Lakemba which opens till 4am.

Up to 30,000 people have flocked to Lakemba for the night markets. Picture: Damian Shaw

YOU can hear a pin drop in the CBD after 10pm but head west this month and you’ll discover crowds of up to 30,000 joining in a festive celebration of vibrant night life and sumptuous street food cranking out of grills until the early hours.

While a cold blustery Saturday night would usually mean takeaway and Netflix for inner-city professionals D’Arcy Roche and Simun Soljo, the pair instead were among the well-fed masses at the Night Market at Lakemba last weekend.

Lakemba night markets have attracted thousands of people during Ramadan. Picture: Damian Shaw

It might look like a normal burger but this is actually camel burger. Picture: Damian Shaw

Mr Roche, 23, from Camperdown, who went to his first Night Market last year, returned this time with Mr Soljo, 37, from Potts Point, who ­enjoyed the sahlab — a creamy drink made of cornstarch, rosewater and cinnamon — as much as the festival vibes.

“It’s great for people to be taking over the street and having a good time,” Mr Soljo said.

Tiarne Baker and Sam El Haddad at the Lakemba night markets. Picture by Damian Shaw

On weeknights, around 10,000 people turn up to Lakemba’s Haldon St to devour buttery roti, chargrilled chicken tikka skewers, garlicky shawarma and syrupy knafeh desserts. On Saturdays, when the main road is closed off to traffic, the numbers swell to 30,000 as frenzied foodies converge.

The markets began as a gathering for iftar, the feast that ends the day’s Ramadan fast. Food is served from sunset around 5pm until 4am, and you don’t have to be a practising Muslim to enjoy it.

Potatoes being unloaded from the back of a car, ready to be cooked. Picture: Damian Shaw

These giant kebabs weigh almost 80 kilos each. Picture: Damian Shaw

You can never go wrong with meat on a skewer. Picture: Damian Shaw

Broaster Chicken co-owner Abdul Obeid, who is known for his camel burgers, inadvertently started the festival when he set up a small iftar barbie by the store 10 years ago. He now goes through nearly 400kg of camel mince on a Saturday night.

The markets are on until June 14.

Originally published as Western Sydney night-life still alive with Night Market at Lakemba attracting 30,000 people