Sydney after hours

'Go hard or go home' is the clubber's catchcry. Unfortunately, Sydney is a city that retires early and has 2am lockouts. If you've been on the streets in the dead zone between 4–6am you'll be all too aware of this lamentable state of affairs. So we've done our best to dig up the places that won't just allow you in, but will welcome you with open arms, at a quarter to late.

Midnight
At 12 the night is still young, and presumably the only thing standing between you and the party is a queue and your friendly neighbourhood bouncer. You can get past both with a bit of patience, decent threads and the appearance of sobriety. Boys, if you're in a big group try to spread yourselves out and enter in twos or threes. Or politely ask a girl in the line if you can accompany her in and then (this is important) LEAVE HER ALONE. Girls, be generous and remember that dancefloor karma is a powerful force.

The Late Show, Oxford Art Factory
A couple of nights a month the OAF puts on a late session after the main show. Starting at 11.30pm, they let people in until 3am and keep on kicking till six. Check the website for when the next event is and who's performing. Fri & Sat till about 5am.

Late & Live, The Basement
On Saturdays after the main performance, the Basement invites a featured jazz band to do a late-night jam session. It starts at midnight and goes until the musicians have had enough. Trust the Basement to channel the true nocturnal spirit of jazz. Till about 3am on weekends.

Darlinghurst and Kings Cross
If you're not sure where you're heading tonight, these two areas are your safest bet. They both have heavy concentrations of bars and clubs that are open late. Try the Colombian Hotel on Oxford Street or the Bourbon on Darlinghurst Rd, both open until six in the morning with no lockout policy.
Colombian Hotel, Mon-Sun till 6am.
The Bourbon, Fri-Sun till 6am.

Sunrise
When the lights come on and the bouncers are asking you to finish your drinks, there are still a few places to kick on. After all, the bar staff need to party too. Check out these day clubs for an after-party party.

Spice, Home
Having moved from the Bourbon to the Kings Cross Hotel and now to HOME Terrace, SPICE After Hour Club keeps you moving with deep and tech house from 5am. Sun 5am–after 12 noon. $20.

Trash Palace, Supper Club
From 5am the statuesque Ms Kitty Glitter, DJ and drag queen, spins up-tempo dance tunes to a sexually mixed crowd united by missing the "go home" chromosome. Sat–Sun 5am–9am. Free.

Rising, Phoenix Underground
A gay-oriented day club, Rising keeps the hi-NRG house tunes thumping till lunchtime in a subterranean venue where you're guaranteed not to see the daylight. Sat–Sun 6am–12 noon. $10.

Daydreams, Hunter Bar
This is one of the longest running day clubs in Sydney and is the place to hear hard house, trance and electro after the sun comes up. Sat–Sun 5am–12 noon. $20.

Late night bars

Courthouse Hotel. 24 hours.
Criterion Hotel. 24 hours.
Cheers. Daily till 6am.
Charlie Chans. Daily till 6am.

Late night restaurants

Harry's Café de Wheels. Till 4am Fri and Sat, not licensed.
East Ocean. Daily till 2am, licensed.
Aperitif. Till 3am Mon-Sat, till midnight Sun, licensed.
Golden Century. Daily till 4am, licensed.

24-hour restaurants

Café Hernandez. Not licensed.
Maisy's Café. BYO, not licensed.
City Extra. Licensed.
Pancakes on the Rocks. Licensed.

Late-night karaoke

Ding Dong Dang. Till 3am daily, licensd.
Karaoke World. Till 4am Fri-Sat, licensed.
Cash Box. Till 4am daily, licensed.
Echo Point. Till 6am daily, licensed.

RIP Dean's Café

Farewell to another Kings Cross late night institution. We'll always think fondly back to the jukebox, the courtyard and the laid-back staff... well, the nights we can remember, anyway.