Civic Hotel: An Art Deco Classic
One of the most beloved old pubs in Sydney, the Civic Hotel features an uncommonly gracious fusion of old and new. Built in 1940, the Civic Hotel is a heritage-listed, three-storey entertainment venue – one of the most visually striking examples of Art Deco architecture in the Sydney CBD.
In its formative years the Civic Hotel had a reputation as a rather fine, gentlemanly sort of establishment, but as the years passed, things slowly but surely went downhill for the grand old dame. In the 1970s and 80s, the Civic was one of the city’s most rocking live music venues, playing host to INXS, Midnight Oil and Mental As Anything. Much like the bands themselves, the Civic became increasingly run down, and after closing its doors in the early 1990s, it lay derelict for a full decade.
Fortunately, a very swanky refurbishment in the early 2000s brought the Civic back to life in a big way. Apart from a good spit and polish, that gorgeous Art Deco exterior has remained virtually untouched, and inside you’ll find plenty of reminders of the Civic’s roaring 40s past – mosaic tile work, elegantly curving bars and an extremely cool 1940s light box that’s now used as a catwalk for fashion parades.
The Civic’s street level bar calls itself the Saloon – a smooth, stylish and comfortable lounge, perfect for relaxed after work drinks and casual meals from its homestyle Greek bistro, Eleni’s. On weekends, international DJs ramp things up a bit with eclectic tunes and the occasional live instrument jam. Upstairs, on the rooftop, is the Terrace, a sophisticated semi-outdoor space with an adjoining cocktail bar. Up here you’ll also find Civic Dining, a classy, elegant and much-lauded fine dining establishment with a smart modern Mediterranean menu.
For big beats, a searing sound system and some of Sydney’s most happening parties, descend to Civic Underground, a funky basement bar with a fabulous 70s-inspired dance floor, top notch DJs and fantastic live music events. While the upstairs bars go to bed relatively early, Civic Underground keeps rocking until sunup on most weekends.
Posted on Feb 27, 2011 by Fiona Davies
