District Profile

Just as the bars, clubs, theatres, cafés and restaurants offer diversity unmatched anywhere else in Sydney, the area itself has its own unique blend of styles. The Kings Cross district embraces seven distinct precincts, each with its own character and appeal.

Bayswater Road - Potts Point

Potts Point is the place for quality dining and sophisticated bars, from the chic to the new cool. There’s cabaret, jazz, dance clubs and some of Sydney’s best eating. You can start your evening as the sun goes down and find plenty to do until the sun appears again.

Darlinghurst

Cross William Street heading south and you enter Darlinghurst Village. A favourite with local and visiting film stars and models, the village comes alive when cafés open their doors at 5.00am and the aroma of early morning coffees fills the air. Throughout the day the streets are an endlessly fascinating parade of sports cars cruising, people shopping for quirky fashion, locals catching up on the news and hungry diners looking for a flavour hit from one of the area’s rich mix of cuisines.

East Sydney

Once best known for the red lights burning in the doorways of many of its terraces, the East Sydney village today is a buzzing area centred around Stanley Street. An eclectic mix of restaurants and cafés, home to Sydney's best known gym and pubs that still have a village feeling. Here tiny terrace homes tucked away in hidden lanes sit cheek to cheek with cutting-edge apartments and luxury car showrooms.

Kings Cross ("The Strip")

The lights are on 24/7 on The Strip. The bars, the clubs and the live shows along Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross, have always been a popular entertainment destination for Sydneysiders and visitors alike. Everyone who’s been here seems to have a tale to tell. It’s busy, it’s noisy, it’s even slightly crazy. Part Amsterdam’s Red Light District, part London’s Soho, The Strip is hard to label but surprisingly easy to enjoy.

Macleay Street - Potts Point

Stroll down Macleay Street Potts Point and you’ll get a sense of life from a bygone era. Grand apartment buildings from the 20s and magnificent old houses from the 19th century line the streets. There’s something that reminds many visitors of Paris. Maybe it’s the locals walking their dogs, the aromas from the bakeries or the restaurant and café terraces. It’s just another facet of this diverse place we call Kings Cross.

Victoria Street - Potts Point
If The Strip is Kings Cross at its brightest and brashest, just around the corner is a different Cross all together. This is Victoria Street, Potts Point. The grand old buildings along the street might house a fine restaurant or a budget hotel, a bookstore or a nightclub. Here the air seems a little cooler, thanks to the shelter of the huge trees. Whether you visit during the day or the evening, the pace seems a little slower here.

Woolloomooloo

So much of Woolloomooloo's history has been shaped by its location on the harbour. The wharf that hosted merchant ships now welcomes visitors in search of a little luxury and sensational food. In place of the old steamers, sleek pleasure craft now occupy its berths. The area's pubs are no longer watering holes for thirsty sailors, but magnets for a much more urbane clientele.