Cultural life

The University of Sydney contributes greatly to our local, national and international cultural life and provides one of the most vibrant student experiences of any university in Australia.

Concerts

Concerts at the Conservatorium of Music
Concerts at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music are performed by students, staff and visiting guest musicians and feature an eclectic selection of jazz, percussion, early music, chamber music, choral music and opera.

Live music venues and bars

Hermann’s Bar
A quiet and relaxed atmosphere where you can study or use your computer (wireless internet available) while enjoying a fine selection of beers, wine, hot beverages and food. Also offers free events such as lunchtime trivia, sunset jazz, comedy nights and poker.

The Grandstand Sports Bar
Enjoy the bar and café while overlooking Sydney’s Number 1 Oval on the Camperdown Campus.

Manning Bar
Manning Bar has long been the iconic heart of student life at the University of Sydney. It is the venue for many of the gigs and dance parties USU holds throughout the year as well as Theatresports, trivia, debates, forums, clubs and societies events and much more.

Museums and art galleries
Sydney has one of the largest and finest university collections of antiquities, art, ethnography and natural history in Australia.

Macleay Museum
The oldest of its kind in Australia, the Macleay Museum holds significant collections of ethnographic artefacts, scientific instruments, biological specimens and historic photographs.

Nicholson Museum
The Nicholson Museum contains the largest and most prestigious collection of antiquities in Australia.

Pathology Museum
Housing approximately 1600 pathological specimens, the museum originated in 1889 as the Museum of Normal and Morbid Anatomy. The most prized exhibit on display is a flask of broth prepared by Louis Pasteur for the culture of bacteria. Visit by appointment only.

Rare Books and Special Collections Library
The Rare Books and Special Collections Library holds early printed books from Europe, Australia, America and Asia and holds over 170,000 items in the collection.

SCA Galleries
The SCA Galleries are located in the heart of the Sydney College of the Arts campus. They present an annual program of exhibitions and events.

The Tin Sheds Gallery
Part of the Art Workshop complex within the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning. The gallery hosts exhibitions across a wide variety of contemporary visual arts practices from individuals and groups, as well as community projects and curated exhibitions.

University Art Gallery
Contains over 3000 works of art including paintings, works on paper, sculpture and decorative arts which have been acquired by donation and bequest since 1850.

Verge Gallery
The Verge Gallery is an exciting new addition to the University of Sydney campus, housing the best in unique and rousing student art.

Theatre
Seymour Centre
The Seymour Centre presents a range of innovative musical and dramatic arts throughout the year. Their program includes dramatic and musical productions, public lectures, including Sydney Ideas, the Sound Lounge live music venue and, of course, student revues.

The Cellar
The Cellar Theatre is Sydney University Drama Society’s (SUDS) very own performance space, hosting more than 16 productions each year.