Night-time life spruce starts in Surry Hills

City of Sydney starts night time economy overhaul with free comedy, music and art in Surry Hills Library.

Last week saw Gimcrack Journalism come to Surry Hills Library as the first of a series of free events hosted by City of Sydney Council in conjunction with their late night Sydney plans.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said the city’s nightlife needed to be expanded further than just drinking based activity.

“Sydneysiders want more diverse things to do at night, and in unexpected venues,” Ms Moore said.

The Council trialled library events in the previous weeks to great success leading them to make Thursday nights a permanent gig within the Crown street institution.

“It’s also a fabulous opportunity to bring some of Sydney’s most inspiring and talented artists, curators and writers into the library,” Ms Moore said.

The news comes at the same time council decided to trial other ideas to spruce up Sydney’s nightlife.

The trials take ideas from the six week long community consultation and will include using quality food caravans which roam the city, portable urinals, pop-up events with workshops and activating unused spaces.

“We’ve listened to that consultation and now we are acting on some of the best ideas sooner rather than later because we believe Sydney deserves a fun, exciting and safe late night city now,” Ms Moore said.

Ms Moore said having many options available for residents at night would not only make the night more exciting but also make for a safer and balanced city.

The policies so far released by Council have been criticised by some community members for a lack of quiet late night options.

Convenor of Pyrmont Action Group, Elizabeth Elenius, said there needed to be more restaurants and cafes open late night that offer quieter options.

“I made a personal submission asking for some quiet venues where people can go after a show and not be bombarded with loud music,” she said.

“I can’t see anything . . . that indicates that my (and perhaps others of similar ilk) needs will be met.”

Jan Wilson of The Coalition of Glebe Groups, said extended hours of pubs and clubs was not wht he community or council expected.

“I see it as a very positive thing ,” she said.

“If we get other shops opening later we get more movement in the economy.”

Manager Late Night Economy Suzie Matthews said the council will commission a study to reveal the economic and cultural value of expanding Sydney’s late night economy.

“To make this a truly robust policy we need the community and industry’s input coupled with solid evidence-based research,” Ms Matthews said.

As part of the city’s late night policy, Surry Hills Library is now open until 10:30 on Thursday nights.