The city movie-strip is located near the Sydney Town Hall, with a cluster of Village and Greater Union locations. Oxford Street's Chauvel, features independent releases, and Reading Cinemas in Chinatown offer Hollywood hits and cheap tickets. Other cinemas include Cinema Paris and Hoyts at the Entertainment Quarter at Fox Studios.

The IMAX Cinema at Darling Harbour boasts the world's largest screen, showing specially formatted film in 2D and 3D. A number of other cinema centres feature 3D screens. Dendy Cinemas at Opera Quays and in Newtown as well as Palace Cinemas on Oxford Street and Leichhardt will show main stream features as well as arthouse movies and hold film festivals throughout the year.

For a summer evening under the stars, take a picnic to Centennial Park for the Moonlight Cinema, or enjoy the delights (food and beverages sold on premises) of the St George OpenAir Cinema, by the harbour at Mrs Macquarie's Chair. Coogee’s closest cinema is the Ritz in Randwick.

One of Sydney's major art centres is the Opera House, where Australia's pre-eminent companies perform ballet, opera, music and theatre. The nearby Wharf Theatre is home to the Sydney Dance Company, the Bangarra Dance Company and the Sydney Theatre Company. Further along the harbour foreshore you will find, opposite Pier 6/7, the brand new Sydney Theatre.

The Seymour Centre, next to Sydney University features two theatres.

The city's selection of traditional theatres include the Theatre Royal, and the dazzlingly baroque State Theatre. The renovated Capitol, is all gold and Grecian statues and is the venue for long-running musicals. The Lyric Theatre at Star City Casino is not very far.

Popular Belvoir Street in Surry Hills, and The Ensemble, over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, in Kirribilli, feature well-known Australian actors. For something alternative, try The Stables, Old Fitzroy Hotel and the Performance Space. From classical ballet to contemporary, the Sydney Opera House, the Wharf Theatre and Sydney Theatre are headquarters of Australian Dance movement. Other venues include The Bondi Pavilion, and Enmore Theatre.

Closer to Coogee the Parade Theatres at NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art) are both an outlet for students to tread the boards for the first time and for other Australian companies in search of new venues.

The Verbruggen Hall at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, The City Recital Hall in Angel Place, and the restored Customs House are welcome additions to Sydney's music scene. Enjoy international concerts at the Sydney Entertainment Centre or at the Acer Arena (formerly Super Dome) at Olympic Park.

Live Band music is alive and well in a large number of local pubs throughout Sydney's suburbs. The Rose of Australia in Erskineville is a great proponent of it.

For jazz, head to the Basement at Circular Quay, or on Sundays to Pontoon Bar at Cockle Bay.

The club scene is a moveable feast, with venues coming and going like fashion. One of the hippest is Home at Darling Harbour. Oxford Street is bustling with places frequented by a relaxed and friendly crowd. DCM, Q Bar, Mr Goodbar and Rogues are pumping until dawn.

Some of the best bar and pubs include Longrain in Surry Hills and the Grand Pacific Blue Room on Oxford Street. Business types should head to the SlipInn, Wine Banc, Aqua Luna Bar and Jacksons On George. Oxford Street has Gilligans and the Burdekin Hotel, with the cool Dugout Bar underneath. A downhill stroll along Crown Street brings you to East Village, a happening little spot, with restaurants and bars. Popular venues include the Centennial Hotel, Golden Sheaf and the Beach Road in Bondi.

Sydney is like San Francisco, a gay capital of the world. The scene is in Oxford Street and its surrounds. Nightclubs like Midnight Shift and sometimes Stonewall are best left for men, but it is a happy, mixed crowd on the dance floor at ARQ nightclub. Get down to the Colombian Bar for drinks or venture to Newtown and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at the Newtown Hotel or the new digs at the refurbished Bank Hotel. Other popular spots include Slide, the Oxford Hotel with its Gilligan’s Bar on the 2nd floor and Ginger’s on the 3rd Floor. For a happening Friday night, visit the friendly Middlebar at Kinselas. The lesbian scene changes regularly, so check local press. Favourites include Lava Lounge and girl's night at ARQ.