Metro Theatre

The Metro is a bit of an odd concert venue - probably only fits a thousand people and seems more like it should be in Newtown/Enmore for the scale. Inside are remannts of the previous cinema setup still in place, you could imagine the bar area being where you buy your popcorn, the rails on the side of the tiered seating now standing room, etc. The venue was never originally designed for these numbers so queueing up for drinks in the foyer can be disorganised. It's generally dark, lacks anything that looks modern, kinda the on par vibe for your live music venue, but given the rarity of these in the cbd it is an important one.

The Metro Theatre, Sydney – Where Legends (and Posters) Live On I can’t believe I hadn’t been to the Metro Theatre before. Seriously, where have I been? This place oozes cool in the way only a venue with real musical history can. You walk in and immediately feel like you’ve stumbled into the sacred halls of Aussie rock history—complete with dim lighting and sticky floors that tell you: "Yes, this is where the magic happens." The men's toilets deserve a special mention. Weird thing to rave about, right? But stick with me. They’re basically a museum of gig posters from bands that have graced the Metro stage—some legendary, some forgotten Aussie gems that will have you muttering, “Oh yeah, them!” as you, well… you know. It’s nostalgic and oddly humbling. And if the posters are any indicator, this venue has seen some epic nights. I saw the American band Lawrence, and wow, the sound was so crisp it felt like the music was slicing through the air just for me. The lighting? Top-tier. They knew exactly how to set the mood—whether it was soulful and intimate or full-blown party vibes. Whoever runs the sound and lighting desk deserves a raise and maybe a shrine in the aforementioned toilets. But what I loved most? The vibe. The Metro doesn’t try to be fancy or pretentious. It’s authentic, raw, and feels like a place made for real music lovers. It’s not just a venue; it’s an experience. One of those spots where you can imagine someone saying, “Yeah, I saw them here before they blew up.” I’ll definitely be back—whether it’s to catch another killer gig or just to bask in the nostalgia of those bathroom walls.

Amazing venue and great acoustics. Love seeing R.E.M BY STIPE. Perfect venue

Great venue for smaller shows. Have seen some great bands in this venue like Crown The Empire, Papa Roach, Motionless in White and Drowning Pool

I went there to see young Sydney singer/songwriter Azure Ryder perform. A real star deserving of more exposure.

The iconic metro theatre! A fantastic venue conveniently located along George street Sydney, close to many options of public transport, large well organised venue attracting some being name artists that’s regularly perform here, Close to surrounding bars and restaurants. Internal bar for beverages and snack foods. Would recommend a visit to the metro theatre

This is a very intimate venue that was located close to my hotel. I walked by at several times, and was familiar with several of the art. Was able to see Allman Betts play with some great Sydney musicians. Great concert venue, standing only.

Great little theatre. Great views from every seat and well looked after if you have a disability. Had a great night.

Are you ready to ROCK? Well pull on those skinny jeans, kid, and wax up that indie fringe 'cos the Metro, that grand old dame with the leather pants and smoky, sexed-up eyes, has got what you need and she's got it in spades. I've seen a cosmic $hit-ton of gigs here, from Julia Stone to Miami Horror to The Rubens just last night, and the place always jams. No matter where you stand, from the pit floor to the tiered platform standing that wedding cakes up to the back of the house, you'll get a rich view of the stage, ain't no black spots here. The drinks are pretty exxy but hey, this is rock and or roll, this biz ain't free, yo. One of my all-time favourite Sydney venues, the original and still the best.

Easily the worst theatre in Sydney. The metro may pull in good acts, but the staff goes out of their way to ruin good vibes. Go here to see an artist you love but avoid it if you can

We had a great night watching our favourite band however the security staff are unnecessarily rude & hostile. Without doing anything to upset them, their attitude was terrible considering there were no issues in the crowd. The band we watched paid to have the room until 12am and at 11.15pm our friends were kicked out when all they were doing was standing waiting to meet the band. They really ruin the vibe when everyone is just trying to have a good time. It's so strange to have these types of people working at a music venue where everything is chill! They honestly need to calm down!! Have to say though the bar staff were lovely, just recommend reviewing the security staff it seriously put a downer on the night

This is the kind of place that enhances Sydney's reputation for great gigs. Apart from the ridiculous prices of alcohol ($8 for a can of beer) I loved just about everything about the Metro. Designed to attract big acts, yet still remain intimate, it achieves the holy grail of live performances. It has been cleverly constructed in such a manner that everyone is on always their feet and everyone has a great view. The acoustics are excellent and if you're not prepared to get down and dirty, you will feel like an outsider because it seems that's what you come to the Metro to do. Billed as 'Sydney leading independent rock venue' it doesn't disappoint. Having recently spent considerable time in both Melbourne and Glasgow, cities know for their live music scenes I can safely say that, in the Metro, Sydney too has a kick ass venue.

Somehow telling people you're going to "The Metro" to see a gig automatically ups your social status. You must know something about the music biz if you're seeing something here.... You see The Metro has somehow found a way be popular enough to be a successful business but grungy enough to accept alternative patrons - that's a pretty challenging mix. Their music range varies from night to night - as they host both local and international acts. I suggest you keep checking out the website to find their latest gigs and to purchase tickets. It's super easy to find - it's on George Street directly across from the BIG Greater Union Cinemas.... It's probably a 5 minute walk from Town Hall, so easy for young people to train in if they're see an ages gig - or a cheaper alternative to cabbing if you feel like a big boozy night. It's a fun venue and I do recommend it - I just can't guarantee you will like the band you choose to see.

'Sydney leading independent rock venue' is one cool cat. It manages to walk the fine line between getting the punters in the door and offering gigs that are a bit alternative; a bit more Triple J, a bit less Taylor Swift. Accordingly, the gigs can be a bit hit and miss - but a band that you like are playing at The Metro, I can almost guarantee a good time in a venue that won't disappoint. It's intimate enough to be able to see everything from all spots in the theatre, yet large enough to feel that you're not in someone's garage while they try and convince you they are a rock star. Found on George Street just down south of Town Hall Station, it's a real breeze to get to and from. It's also located dangerously close to a LOT of dive bars... cheap pre drinks, anyone?

I've been walking past The Metro for years and years. Usually I'm heading to George Street Cinemas or strolling down to Chinatown for dinner, and somehow it didn't occur to me just how much I took this venue for granted. I mean just clock the location! Could it be more central if it tried? Finally this year I went for a James Blake gig and *finally* I understand why people love this venue. The tiered standing area is a total win, as are the well placed bars. The acoustics were spot on - which must be a task for an act like James Blake - and all the staff I came into contact with were bright-eyed and bushy tailed. None of this too-cool-for-school nonsense. Well played, Metro, well played.

Probably one of the best live venues in Sydney, it's small and intimate, it's in the heart of the city and its easy to get to. With lots of local acts and even a lot of international acts, this venue is great to get up close and personal with your favourite bands. The raised standing area is great, with plenty of places to perch and rest your drink, and for short people like me, you can actually see the stage because of the awesome layout. Drink prices are pretty expensive and very stingy, but a great venue overall.

The Metro is a small and intimate(ish) venue smack in the middle of George St. It hosts a pretty good sound system for a small venue and thus this place rocks when the right bands play here. Don't forget to wear earplugs though, it can get loud (my ears are still ringing from the last gig here, trying to convince myself it will go away soon). There's a nice bar in the front of the venue, which makes for a great pre-gig waiting bay. The bar area has mural-esque paintings covering the walls, with beautiful painted red velvet curtains draping the walls and the walkway to the stage lined with painted warehouse crates, adding a splash of character and class to the live music venue. Once you get in, you've got the option of standing close to the stage, sitting in the raked seating banks, or standing up top on the balcony. The staff here are usually pretty cool, from the bar staff to security and ticket attendants. If you're attached to your ticket number, I'm afraid you may have to let go of that attachment - ticket collectors take your ticket from you upon entering, leaving it in a tub of tickets so you can collect your souvenir of the show afterwards. If you're truly committed, you can leaf through the 600 tickets until you find number one, but I don't have that patience/care factor.

I saw My Morning Jacket here a few years back The sound was good, but there was not much else to write about the venue, for better venues: I prefer the Enmore theatre

If your favourite band is playing then this is the place to go and watch them. You'll pretty much have a view of the stage at any point on the venue. And if that nearly 7 foot guy stands in front of you, because you know he will, there is an elevated section which has a stairway to heaven (the bar) at the top. The drinks are a bit pricey as expected but because the cups are small the drinks are strong so you'll be dancing like a fool before you know it.

When I was in high school in North Carolina (go ahead and insert "Dueling Banjos" here), my friends and I would constantly sneak into the Cat's Cradle to see whatever band was playing and attempt to fit in with the much cooler 1990's version of hipsters. As I got older and moved around, the opportunity to see great bands in more intimate venues became more and more scarce. Sure, the Hollywood Bowl is great, but there's something about a semi-sticky floor and black painted walls and ceilings. Enter the Metro, which does an amazing job of not only securing decent acts on a regular basis, but successfully evokes that teenage nostalgia of sweating with a couple hundred other music fans in tight quarters. The thrill of sneaking in underage may be gone, but the charm of catching a show in this type of venue is a nice reminder of home.

We're here for the Cruel Sea, and in a world first, the entire crowd must be 40 plus, so for the first time ever, me and my early thirty something friends don't feel like prehistoric relics out on the Friday night town. The staff here are super friendly and aim to please. I once came here post Rocks markets stall with a massive suitcase of market stuff... the security guard lugged it up all of those stairs, and the bar graciously checked it out the back for me. I was being (unusually) high maintenance, and these guys just took it in their tolerant stride. A sweeping bar and ample bar staff means it's generally relatively easy to get a drink, but disposable plastic cups gradually accrue beneath your feet on the dance floor which can become an annoying obstacle. The chandelier is the most impressive I've seen, and I review my iphone pics in the morning to find I've captured it at least 6 times. Perhaps the bar staff were a little too efficient. If you're buying tix at the door, bring cash, or better yet, enter with no cash, then leave as if you're going to get some, and get stamped on the way back out... as happened to my fluky friend. One instant free ticket.