Top 10 things to do in hip eclectic Newtown.

Free-spirited, bohemian, hipster or shabby chic and more – that’s hip eclectic Newtown (stretching from St Peters to Enmore neighbouring suburbs) it’s one of Sydney’s most diverse neighbourhoods.

Stroll King Street to St Peters and/or King Street and down Enmore Road it’s on these streets you’ll find all the action.

Boho boutiques, vintage stores to serious second-hand shopping from bric-a-brac to antique dealers.

Mixed amongst the shopping there are organic coffee shops and cafes, small bars and pubs serving local brews and cocktails with food places of every nationality. So, there’s always somewhere to take a break!

Don’t forget the boutique art galleries and to stroll around the laneways and back streets where you’ll discover amazing colourful street art.

You can always stay on into the night and enjoy music of all kinds, venues large and small, drag queen shows and everything in between.

1. Newtown Style Shopping 

It’s easy to spend a day cruising Newtown’s eclectic stores. Some of our favourites are:

• Pentimento– Beautiful Books and Gifts
• Dangerfield– Vintage Vibes and Street Style Fashion
• U-Turn– Recycled Vintage and Designer Fashion

• Vinnies – Op Shop Clothing, Furniture, Books and More
• Repressed Records – Imported and Vintage Vinyls
• Status Anxiety – Great Cool Leather Handbags and Wallets
• SWOP – Clothing Exchange Circular Fashion

• Better Read Than Dead – Floor to Ceiling Books New and Recycled
• Blue Dog Posters – Posters and Wall Art of all kinds
• Vintage 585 (St Peters) – Wonderful Eclectic Vintage Items of all kinds

2. Cafes of Newtown

Some of our favourite cafes around the neighbourhood:

• Black Star Pastry – very famous for its watermelon cake
• Brewtown – famous coffee roasters and more

• Flour Drum – a treasure trove of house baked sweets and more
• Shenkin – known for their fresh and natural ingredients
• Buddha Bowl Café – yummy whole plant based food

3. Street Art of Hip Eclectic Newtown

There is a huge amount of amazing street art. Some of the more well-known include:

• ‘It’s a jungle sometimes’– corner of Enmore Road and Bailey Street
• I have a dream’ on King Street (between Eliza and Mary Streets)
• There are many murals in Camperdown Memorial Rest Park

• ‘The Housing Bubble’ corner of Enmore Road and Station Street
• ‘Fintan Mural’ corner of King Street and Church Streets
• You can even do a ‘self-guided street art tour’

4. Historic Architecture

Many of the buildings lining King Street (the main strip) and Enmore Road still have their historic facades from the 1800s and 1900s. Also, for a bit more history with this self-guided tour wander the backstreets and check out the historic houses, many of these being some of the most expensive in places in Sydney.

5. Camperdown Cemetery

Right in the heart of Newtown on Church Street check out the oldest (and most beautiful) cemetery in Sydney, founded in 1848, tombstones and all. Once a lot bigger, in the 1940’s a large part was converted into the connecting park, often nick named ‘dog park’. The first Sunday of every month you can do a historic tour of the church and grounds but you must book.

6. Camperdown Memorial Rest Park or ‘Dog Park’

Camperdown Park is a great spot for dog and people watching, or day-drinking (until 9pm) and groups socialising usually with furry friends in tow. There are always interesting things to see in this park. It’s also famous for the annual ‘Newtown Festival’ too.

7. Pubs of Newtown

Some popular local drinking establishments:

• Courthouse Hotel – a cool local off the main King Street where dogs and kids are welcome
• The Newtown Hotel – famous for its Drag Queen shows

• The Bank Hotel – many venue’s in one edgy, glossy and dog friendly
• Botany View Hotel – great rooftop and food with a music scene
• The Carlisle Castle Hotel – a hidden local gem with a great bistro

8. Small Bars of Hip Eclectic Newtown

Here’s some of our favourite local small bars:

• Gurdys – casual relaxed, fun bar serving plant based bar food
• She Loves You – a wine bar with creative cocktails from a top Sydney sommelier
• Corridor Newtown – where old-meets-new and an experience that’s sure to impress
• Jacoby’s Tiki Bar –  tiki themed with bowl-sized cocktails and free banana chips
• Earl’s Juke Joint – saloon-style cocktail bar with a New Orleans vibe and dancing

9. Enmore Theatre

One of the most historic art deco entertainment venues in Sydney and a well-known building in the Inner West, Enmore Theatre opened in 1908 and is the longest running live music venue in NSW. Check out what’s on here but be sure to book before you go.

10. Local Neighbourhoods Around Hip Eclectic Newtown 

Also, don’t forget to check out the local neighbourhoods around Newtown and the Inner West most within walking distance or a short bus ride:

• Erskineville – A great village atmosphere with Pubs, Cafes and Music
• Enmore – Restaurants, pubs, cafes and music
• St Peters – Antiques, Shopping, Pubs, Music
• Camperdown – Parks, Cafes, Music, Small Bars

• Annandale – Cafes, Walks, History and Architecture
• Glebe – Restaurants, Pubs, Bars and Cafes
• Forest Lodge – Restaurants, Walks and History
• Glebe Point Foreshore Walk to the Fish Markets
• Chippendale – Creative Precinct, Art Galleries, Cafes and Pubs

That’s our hip and eclectic Newtown we hope you enjoy exploring with wonder world of Newtown and the inner west.

TIP: Oh, and, remember to take an open mind it’s LBGTQIA friendly and your camera. It’s a great place for people watching and crazy dog spotting, architecture and much more.