Sydney’s dance music scene is in the burgeoning stages of a renaissance, with a proliferation of epic new house and techno events appearing around the place over the last three years. From intimate underground gatherings to huge open-air parties, the city offers something for people looking to go bonkers to proper dance music of all different kinds. With Bardar you can easily find and navigate these thumping events. Here’s your guide to the best house and techno events in Sydney.
1. S.A.S.H.
S.A.S.H. is the go-to party for minimal, groovy house and techno in Sydney. S.A.S.H. will be right up your alley if you’re a fan of artists like Robbie Doherty, Max Dean, Chris Stussy, Kolter or Josh Baker.
One of Sydney’s very best Sunday parties, S.A.S.H. usually comes in two parts – By Day and By Night. By Day is an outdoor day party at Watsons EQ, whereas By Night starts a couple of hours later at Carousel on Oxford Street. Known for its marathon long weekend sessions that take over Home the Venue and stretch well into Monday morning, S.A.S.H. attracts a loyal crowd of house music aficionados.
2. Summer Dance
Summer Dance offers an unforgettable open-air house and techno experience in the heart of Sydney during the summer months.
Hosted at Liberty Hall in the Entertainment Quarter, Summer Dance is a seasonal event that brings ravers together from September to March at the Liberty Hall basketball courts for a day party, and then inside Liberty Hall itself for a night-time boogie. The focus ranges based on the headliners (who are often major international touring DJs) spanning from disco to speed garage and hardgroove. Undoubtedly one of the best house and techno events in Sydney, Summer Dance is the perfect way to enjoy Sydney’s warm evenings with great music and a lively crowd.
3. Club Mute
Club Mute is a hot new event pushing the edge of Sydney’s underground house and techno scene with a smashing first couple of months bringing in international talent and showcasing local heroes.
Club Mute is a new Friday-night event taking over Carousel and delivering a fresh option for those looking to dig into some serious dance beats. Leveraging Carousel’s unreal sound and light system to showcase local dynamos like Wolters, Massi, Prizefight and more. If Mute continues pulling in stellar lineups as they’ve been doing so far, there’s no doubt this will soon be Sydney’s ascendant Friday night party for House Harrys and Techno Timmys alike.
4. Lost Sundays
Lost Sundays at Ivy offers a vibrant, inclusive space to enjoy cutting-edge house and techno every week.
Lost Sundays is the brainchild of the team behind Lost Paradise, offering a weekly Sunday event at the Ivy in the CBD. The focus is on inclusivity and high-quality house and techno, with a welcoming atmosphere that attracts a diverse crowd. The music is always fresh, with a mix of local talent and international guests gracing the decks.
5. Basement
Basement offers an intimate, high-energy setting for connoisseurs of the higher BPM dance music, including techno, hardgroove, trance, Eurodance and more, all in the heart of Circular Quay.
Taking over Mary’s Underground, Basement is Sydney’s best regular Saturday night event for those who really want to go wild on a night out. It’s always busy, the crew that run the place are very relaxed and it’s one of the few clubs in Sydney where you regularly see clubbers soaked in sweat, shirtless or in minimal clothing, really going for it. Basement is also notable for how late it goes, often still heaving at 4am, and continuing until 6, making it a great afters spot.
6. Chinese Laundry Invites
Chinese Laundry Invites offers an intimate, electric experience with top-tier international DJs in a legendary underground venue.
Chinese Laundry is one of Sydney’s most legendary nightclubs, and their “Invites” series is a highlight for any house or techno fan. These events bring top-tier international DJs to the club’s intimate underground setting, offering a chance to see some of the biggest names in the industry up close. The atmosphere is always electric, with a crowd that knows and loves their music.
7. Black Noir
Black Noir offers a dark, immersive techno experience at the Flinders in Surry Hills.
Black Noir is one of the few events in Sydney that really delves into the full spectrum of techno, including industrial, dub and hardcore. Held on Friday nights at the Flinders, Black Noir is known for its immersive environments and carefully curated lineups that regularly feature international talent from techno meccas like Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. Black Noir attracts a dedicated crowd of techno-purists who come for the music and stay for the atmosphere.
8. Sutra Sunrise
Sutra Sunrise is a monthly 13hr-rave that happens at the Bridge Hotel in Rozelle, running from 11:30am Saturday to 12:30pm on Sunday.
A mini-festival happening once per month, Sutra Sunrise is a fantastic, colourful and psychadelic rave that turns the Bridge Hotel in Rozelle into a tropical dance music paradise. Sounds range through a variety of genres, encompassing everything from D&B to organica and deep house. Always packed, Sutra is a key stop on any summer long weekend bender.
9. Switch
Switch is the biggest house and techno event in Sydney’s east, filling a legendary venue and regularly picking up international DJs as headliners.
Taking over Coogee’s iconic live music venue Selina’s, Switch is a monthly dance music event that picks up DJs with a diverse variety of sounds and makes the most of the impressive historic space by filling it up with happy, sweaty ravers. Definitely a must-visit for dance music fans in the East, and worth a trip for anyone else as one of the best house and techno events in Sydney.
10. Sundays at 77
Sundays at 77 delivers a raw, unfiltered house and techno experience in one of Sydney’s most iconic basement clubs.
Club 77, affectionately known as “77,” has been a cornerstone of Sydney’s nightlife for decades. Their Sunday sessions are legendary, offering a mix of house, techno, and everything in between. The intimate basement setting creates a raw, unfiltered vibe that keeps the dance floor packed until the very end.
Conclusion
Sydney’s house and techno scene has grown in recent years from being on the verge of death to extremely vibrant and diverse. Whether you’re into intimate underground sessions or large-scale outdoor events, there’s something for everyone. With Bardar, you’ll always be able to find the very best house and techno events in Sydney with ease.
