Uptown District Profiles
Teams of businesses who completed the Uptown Accelerator 2023 collectively developed a unified vision and identity to promote their district. You can learn more about the 21 districts in this year’s program below.
District Profiles
145 C.T. – Bringing the East of the World to the West of Sydney
In Chinese, the number 145 phonetically corresponds to the name of the suburb Eastwood, situated in the western region of Sydney, where the essence of Eastern culture converges.
C.T., an abbreviation for Chinatown and symbolizes a city that embraces all.
Our district's identity is firmly grounded in a vibrant blend of history, heritage and innovation. Eastwood flourishes as a vibrant hub for food and culture, paying tribute to its strong local Asian community. Here, you'll discover an array of independently run retail and hospitality establishments, each infused with its own unique personal narrative. Featuring highly coveted 'hidden gem' eateries, a wide array of authentic Chinese restaurants showcasing a rich tapestry of regional flavours, a lively night market reminiscent of hawker stalls, an abundance of bubble tea shops, and a bustling fresh market atmosphere, Eastwood beckons locals, surrounding residents, and tourists alike to savour its diverse culinary offerings.
We are acutely aware of the profound impact that collaboration across industries can have. As such, we extend a hand of partnership to our fellow stakeholders, driven by our unwavering conviction that it is through collective endeavours that we will unlock the full potential of our district, and elevate Eastwood beyond its current status.
Say hello to Hornsby reimagined - Hornsby After Dark (2077AD) - where day meets night amongst the vibrant tapestry of cultures, stories and curated experiences. With Hornsby Mall as it’s pulsing heart - 2077AD is your gateway to the best that Sydney's leafy northern suburbs has to offer.
Bridging the enchanting vibe of the Eastside and the wild Westside, you'll find everything you need to live, work and play right here on your doorstep. From discovery trails, kids' activities and free events to retail therapy, cinemas, live music, popup art activations and alfresco dining.
Weekly markets and seasonal events bring the best of the Hawkesbury and Hills regions to you. Locally grown produce, variety retailers, handmade artisan products and unique cultural celebrations. All only moments away from other local attractions – sport and wellbeing facilities, shared green spaces, relaxed pubs and clubs, and our surrounding bushlands and waterways.
In every corner of our town centre, you'll find a celebration of our collective heritage and a fusion of cultural diversity, created by a welcoming and harmonious community that thrives on the richness of our differences.
Welcome to our new local – where unity through diversity is not a slogan, but our way of life.
Australia Street. Bristling with quirky local businesses, sophisticated restaurants and of course, our wonderfully diverse residents, that make Newtown, Newtown. We’re quintessentially the Inner West but full of surprises. Moments from busy King Street, but an oasis of calm.
Australia Street is an eclectic haven with an eye on global trends in a cultural melting pot. Where locals, tourists and creatives alike flock to enjoy a buzzy vibe in a peaceful tree-lined pocket.
Run by a passionate collective of makers and creators, it’s diverse, inclusive and safe. And, with Pride Square next door, it remains an important place to our queer community.
Australia Street. It might just be the coolest little street in the heart of Sydney's Inner West.
The Bars of Barangaroo represents the collective of over 40 world- class bars and restaurants on Sydney’s Western Harbour Waterfront.
Spanning 22 hectares along the Sydney Waterfront, Barangaroo delivers unrivalled access to the natural beauty of Sydney Harbour and is one of the world’s most sustainable precincts, embodying the quintessential spirit of the Sydney lifestyle.
Well-known for our premium establishments and corporate environment, our vision is to let Sydney and the world know that we are more than this. We are also a collective of bars that are open and welcome for all to enjoy a casual drink at any hour of the day and into the night. From sunset schooners on the waterfront to a pre-dinner spritz or a late-night aperitif on a rooftop, Barangaroo is a place to celebrate the big occasions alongside the everyday.
Barangaroo is a playground for everyone.
Campo. We’re the geographic centre of Sydney’s vibrant Inner West. We’re ten minutes from almost anywhere and the glue that binds Sydney’s creative heart.
Whether you’re an experience enthusiast, a green space seeker, craft beer lover or foodie hunter, Campo has it all. We’re vibrant, eclectic, connected and open. And, so much more than Parramatta Road. Experience the unexpected.
From breweries, small bars and pubs to Sydney’s only urban farm, the biggest bouldering gym in the city and one of its best parks. With places to connect, and places to inspire, Campo might just be the coolest place you’ve never been.
So, meet you in Campo!
Darlo is a leafy enclave in Sydney's inner-east nestled between Kings Cross and Oxford St in the heart of Darlinghurst. Intimate in scale but big in personality, Darlo is a colourful neighbourhood with an eclectic past.
Home to the Gadigal people - and later to notorious gangsters, famous artists, celebrated poets and iconic drag queens - Darlo is a place with many stories to tell.
Standing witness to its storied past, Darlo still boasts many of its original terrace homes, laneways, iconic watering holes like The Darlo, and sandstone institutions including the notorious Darlinghurst Gaol (now the National Art School), St Vincents Hospital and St John's Church.
A true day to night district, we invite you to explore the Heart of Darlo and experience everything that this quirky hood has to offer with hidden garden laneways, trendy cafes, small bars, intimate dining, boutiques and vibrant cultural encounters.
Looking for Sydney's most authentic, music‐filled and multi‐cultural street? Explore Enmore Road, easily the coolest, most unpretentious street this side of Austin's East 6th. And now the word's gotten out ‐ according to Time Out's 2022 global survey of the very best of urban life, Enmore Road is the coolest street in Sydney.
Often termed a 'little big street' by locals, the strip reflects the true eclecticism of local Inner West life. And yet it brilliantly maintains a welcoming attitude to visitors thanks to friendly owner‐operator bars and restaurants, vibrant shops and 'live and let live' residents. From grabbing a bite at the hip Cairo Takeaway to catching a show at the classic Enmore Theatre, or a beer at tucked away brewery Young Henry’s, the street maintains some of city's best gems.
The street's business and resident community has organically assembled over the years to support each other and maintain a community‐minded ecosystem that wants to preserve the area's proudly independent vibe, celebrate special heritage and to continue sharing experiences with more and more people.
Plan a family day of fun, a date night, or a late night out with friends at Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter, Australia's premier live entertainment district.
The Entertainment Quarter is the iconic entertainment, leisure and retail precinct located right in the heart of Sydney. Featuring cinemas, restaurants, bars, retail and leisure outlets, largely surrounding The Showring, an exceptional outdoor performance and event space, and home to weekly and monthly community markets.
Situated immediately adjacent to the Sydney Cricket Ground, Allianz Stadium, Disney Studios Australia, The Hordern Pavilion and The Royal Hall of Industries, the site benefits from the major sporting and entertainment events that are held regularly at these facilities.
Whether you are coming to a concert, or to experience a live event, enjoy one of our many restaurants and cafes, or just have fun on your mind at the cinema or electric go-karting – The EQ has everything in one place.
The Entertainment Quarter is a dynamic place for makers and creators, where collaboration happens, and innovation comes to life.
Boasting world class arts, music and sports venues, the coolest restaurants and the biggest activation; our vision is to continue the fun and that the Entertainment Quarter will grow to be Australia's home of entertainment – whether that be in sports, music, film, food or fun.
For more details check out Entertainment Quarter.
Haymarket - Sydney’s Chinatown
Where Cultures Connect
Haymarket is a melting pot of diverse Asian cultures, a dynamic, welcoming and constantly evolving urban hub in the heart of Sydney.
A sensory journey steeped in history, boasting Sydney's original Chinatown and renowned Dixon Street, Thai Town, Korea Town, Paddy's Markets, Market City, Capitol Theatre and Darling Square.
Haymarket is an exciting district that collectively houses hundreds of restaurants, offering a mosaic of authentic Asian cuisines that span from traditional to contemporary, catering to both budget-conscious diners and connoisseurs seeking fine dining experiences. Here, hidden culinary gems and unique aromas and flavours await discovery.
Haymarket is an inclusive intergenerational playground, offering unique shopping, immersive gaming, vibrant street culture, karaoke, art, dance and a thriving late-night scene that pulses with energy 24/7.
It's where cultures and communities converge, creating a dynamic urban haven for locals and visitors, that celebrates diversity and brings the world together.
At the centre of Sydney’s vibrant Eastern Suburbs, the Heart of Randwick is a changing district that brings diverse communities together through creative approaches to wellbeing and innovation.
Randwick is a lively district, bustling with outstanding dining, major brands, local cafes, cinema and entertainment quarters. Anchored by a new collaboration between world-class healthcare and educational institutions, collaboration across the local area provides an opportunity for invention and creative thinking about our night-time experience.
Some of the best and brightest minds mix and mingle in Randwick throughout a spectrum of day and night. Our Partnership connects 58,000 students, 22,000 staff, five medical research institutes, locals, and visitors from all around Sydney, in addition to the precinct’s 24-Hour Hospitals and Health Workforce.
The High Street light rail has connected us to Tech Central and the CBD, and in 2025, Randwick will be transformed with the launch of a major state-significant redevelopment, paving its collaborative mission for innovation and excellence. With it, comes remarkable creative credentials, from UNSW and beyond, thought leadership and future-focused technologies, as well as a dynamic influx of younger generation students and startups.
Our District is connecting its communities, its cultural capability, transforming our laneways and streetscapes, and designing night-time experiences at the future of civic wellbeing and the Heart of Randwick.
Welcome to the Inner West, the Craft Beer Capital of Australia.
The Inner West Ale Trail is a collective of 14 (and growing) hyper local, independent microbreweries spanning 5 suburbs. At the heart of the Trail is Marrickville, a thriving industrial mecca of creativity and culture, progressive ideals, and according to Time Out, one of the coolest suburbs in the world.
Locals and visitors alike revel in warm hospitality in an inclusive, relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, sipping on over 200 unique craft beers while exploring the diverse local creators, bakers, and candlestick makers who make up the vibrant, eclectic neighbourhood.
The Inner West Ale Trail breweries are proud ambassadors of all the Inner West has to offer.
Little India. A slice of South Asia in Australia!
Taste the aromas, feel the vibe, see the colours – this is Little India.
Our vision is to share the rich diversity of South Asian culture with Australia in an accessible, affordable and entertaining way.
Little India is a literal and physical melting pot of Indian culture, food, fashion and retail. It’s already a happening destination, moments from Parramatta, but worlds apart. And, our heart, Harris Street, is quite possibly Sydney’s most vibrant little street that come’s alive at night and during the day featuring festivals like Ujjala and Diwali.
We’re undiscovered by many, but a second home to many more and we’re aiming to be heart of South Asian culture in Australia for residents and visitors alike.
It’s a place where people say salaam alaykum, vanakkam, g’day and namaste. All in the same day.
Stretching from Burwood Road to Clarendon Place, Lunar Nights is a buzzing Inner West dining and entertainment precinct. Conveniently located 10km west of Sydney's CBD, Lunar Nights is just footsteps from Burwood Train Station, Burwood Plaza and Emerald Square.
Featuring a tucked-away, neon-adorned arcade, quaint shopfronts, a laneway and a communal outdoor gathering space, this next generation Chinatown features a diverse variety of culinary offerings from the latest food trends to more nostalgic, home-style cooking.
With over 50 hawker-style eateries serving Chinese, Thai, Malaysian, Taiwanese, Korean and Japanese cuisine, and a bustling outdoor night market from Thursday through Sunday, Lunar Nights is a vibrant 'urban pantry' attracting locals and foodies from all over Sydney.
Lunar Nights invites you to explore, connect and savour a uniquely Burwood 'food adventure experience' from mid-morning 'till late. There are also plenty of Insta-worthy moments because if you don't share, did you really even visit?
At the centre of Sydney's CBD, stretching from Martin Place to the home of the State MP's, Parliament House, this influential enclave known as 'MP District' is where the echoes of the past meet the call of the future.
Nestled amongst imposing colonial sandstone buildings, significant modernist masterpieces, award-winning contemporary architecture and outstanding natural beauty, MP District is a visual testament to its powerful living history.
Home to some of Australia's oldest civic and financial institutions sitting alongside powerful global corporations, at its core, MP District is a place of duality blending the old and new, tradition and innovation, civic and corporate, public and private, commemoration and celebration, protest and compliance, work and play.
Expressing its double identity as both a bustling business and leisure hub, MP transcends the conventional 9-5, calling the city to remain vibrant from 5pm to 9am with a tightly curated selection of high-end experiences including fine dining, premium bars, enriching cultural offerings and high-end retail.
A city redefined.
MP District. Work 9-to-5, play 5-to-9.
Newtown.
It has the grunge,it has the grit, and it has an eclectic community that embraces its "inner-weird".
A gateway between the City of Sydney and the Inner West, Newtown is a neighbourhood with a strong sense of identity. It's home to grass roots movements, a thriving fringe art scene, progressive ideologies and diverse cultures.
Set against rowed terraces, former industrial sites and graffitied walls, it’s a vibrant cultural playground with a wide array of businesses that thrive on Newtown's quirks, diversity and creativity.
From thrift shops, vegan restaurants and cocktail bars to progressive modern dining, multicultural food and infamous watering holes and anchor institutions such as RPA and Sydney Uni, its Sydney’s true 24-hour district.
It’s unconventional. It’s embracing. It’s Newtown.
Sitting at the foot of the Blue Mountains, and on the edge of the beautiful Nepean River, Penrith is the heart of Greater Western Sydney.
Our community hub, Out West is a vibrant, fun, and evolving district with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Locals have everything they need on their doorstep with sophisticated bars, a growing craft brewery scene, diverse cultural experiences, an eclectic dining offer from cheap eats to fine dining.
We’re by the people, for the people and we’re unapologetically changing the face of Penrith and its unique offering.
Proudly local, Out West is also a great place for visitors to enjoy and discover all that Penrith has to offer – but not as you know it!
A long-time stalwart of Sydney’s dining and late-night scene, Potts Point Village is a haven for those seeking contemporary vitality, sophisticated culinary experiences, rich culture and a vibrant social scene.
From boutique hotels, specialty retailers and some of the best restaurants in Sydney, to tree-lined streets, art-deco charm, and picturesque shop fronts reminiscent of Paris. It’s still a place of contrast and diversity with just enough grit and eclecticism that made the area famous, but also a place with a deep sense of belonging.
Potts Point Village is moments from the CBD and sparkling Sydney Harbour but a world of its own. A real urban enclave that embraces the elegance of Parisian charm and ambience.
Our vision is to create a neighbourhood that fosters creativity, community engagement, and a refined urban lifestyle making the Parisian end of Potts Point a destination that captures the hearts of residents and visitors alike.
Redfern holds the distinctive title as one of Sydney's oldest suburbs and the epicentre of urban Australian Aboriginal history. Today, it's a contemporary inner-city enclave where Sydney goes to really let its hair down. The crowd’s hipper than that of surrounding suburbs, the tourist quotient is lower, and everybody embraces each other's quirks.
From art spaces like The Nest, theatres like Improv Theatre Sydney, restaurants like RaRa, bars like Hustle & Flow and The Dock, Atomic brewery, and even NSW Railway Historical Society. Redfern remains a vital part of Sydney’s fabric with a diverse community, bustling day trade and thriving nightlife with something for everyone.
RED is inviting you to rediscover and reconnect with wonderfully weird Redfern. Whether it's enjoying city-best hospitality, gazing at provocative street art, enjoying live performances or witnessing a proud, larrikin spirit, Redfern will always surprise you.
Take a walk in Sydney’s oldest neighbourhood and you will have a sense of how we came together and develop a sense of this city's origin.
The Rocks has plenty for you to discover along our cobblestone streets of new mixed in with the old. From refined whisky and rum in hidden cocktail lounges, through to world leading galleries and treasured fashion outlets. It has beautiful parks and some of the largest al-fresco dining areas in the city, even our own brewery and gin distillery.
The Gadigal people would fish and forage along this harbour and a city would grow from its sandstone foundation, there is a deep connection to Country here, which can be felt while relaxing by the harbour. Day or by night, The Rocks is a place to re-discover where modern Sydney was forged, to re-connect with Country and to re-imagine the neighbourhood's long-told legends awaiting their next chapter.
An oasis of calm moments from the hustle and bustle of the city and Sydney’s famous Circular Quay. Our northern gateway, alongside the historic harbour bridge, is a proud home to independent venues, artists, educators and makers, on show to the world. We are proud to work and live in an area that is reminiscent of our shared history on these lands.
When night falls the energy shifts, live music fills the streets, restaurants overflow and the stone-paved lanes glow. It's no wonder The Rocks is our most enchanting & memorable destination for those that want to fall in love with our Sydney again.
Surry Hills. Colloquially known as the “local’s Sydney” or simply ‘Surry’, it’s a place of many guises. Once synonymous with pastoral land, market gardens, and larrikin street gangs. More recently, the thriving centre of Sydney’s rag trade, restaurant and eatery hub and much more.
It’s a place of tree lined streets, iconic Sydney terraces and former industrial warehouses that pay homage to its eclectic past. It's got so much to love; boutique gin bars, neighbourhood restaurants that are world class, experimental retail, art, culture and design. Progressive social enterprises and some of the best pubs in Sydney. And of course, quite possibly, the best high street in Sydney, Crown Street.
It’s a diverse and vibrant hub that promotes connection, creativity, a sense of belonging and an actual sense of community. On the edge of TechCentral and moments from the City, Surry’s already bristling with markets, community festivals, pop-ups and creative talent.
A quintessential Sydney experience. Surry’s back. Like you’ve never seen it before.
Welcome to Sydney’s ‘Little Italy’, where life is celebrated amidst the festive atmosphere and bustling vibrancy of Norton and Marion Streets. The cultural heart of Sydney’s Italian community.
Drawing on our migrant heritage whilst welcoming new generations, we are united by our passion for cultural diversity and great food - made with pride, infused with stories and to be shared with friends and family.
Take a leisurely stroll and savour the everyday moments that matter - gelato and kids, laughter, coffee and conversation, relaxed alfresco dining, celebrating life's milestones, inspiring cultural experiences and art installations. There’s something for all generations.
Seasonal festivals and events showcase a range of experiences inspired by the “Italian” way – from fresh produce and delicious fusion cuisine, to cooking classes and handmade artisans, bespoke fashion and of course, family-friendly fun.
We invite you to experience “la dolce vita”, the Aussie way!