If you are looking for a full breakdown of the local music scene in Sydney you are in the right place. The best instrument stores in your area including some different sections for where to buy guitars and the best drum shops in town will also be covered.
There will definitely be a lot of crossover between some lists but we have done our best to get the right spots in the right sections for you. Up next we will get into quality instrument repair shops near you because some reading this may need a piano tuned, a guitar repaired, or work done on other band instruments and there is somebody out there that can assist.
Contents
Then it will be time to pivot to the best music lessons for kids or adults. Following that we will give a shout out to the top stores for music lovers that sell vintage CD’s and records here.
We also think many of you will want to know about the best concert halls and live music venues while some others may prefer to visit bars and restaurants that have free live music around the city.
And we will get you out of here with the best festivals on the Sydney music calendar. Stay with us til the end where you will find a map with the wide variety of stores and venues we are discussing pointed out.
Everyone reading this is welcome to look through more of our blogs on cities around Australia at that link.
Sydney Musical Instrument Stores
Some of the best musical instrument stores near you would be:
- Mona Vale Music at 51-55 Bassett St
- Downtown Music at 141 Parramatta Rd
- Carlingford Music Centre at 320 Pennant Hills Rd
- In Tune Music at 101/48 Atchison St
- Engadine Music Store at 25 Station St
- The Music Man at 27/191 Parramatta Rd
- Turramurra Music Centre at 1267 Pacific Hwy
- Big Music Australia at 85 Alexander St
- H Music Shop & Studio at 102/67 Macarthur St
For a family-owned and run music store, recording studio, and tuition facility that sells a wide choice of instruments in your area as well as expert servicing and support for guitars, drums, orchestras, pro audio, and keys consider Mona Vale.
Downtown Music is a leading Inner West guitar store with a huge range of electric and acoustic guitars, ukuleles, amps, and pedals.
Carlingford MC carries a large selection of top-quality general musical instruments and accessories.
In Tune Music is one of Sydney’s leading brass and woodwind instrument repair centers that also sells saxophones, flutes, clarinets, and trumpets.
You can buy instruments or get local lessons and repairs with Engadine Music.
The Music Man was first established in 1972 delivering quality guitars, amps, bass, saxophone, and clarinets along with exceptional customer service.
Turramurra Music began as a modest music store on the North Shore since 1976 offering records and a limited selection of instruments and accessories including guitars, keyboards, recording gear, PA equipment, and microphones.
A wide range of acoustic, electric, and bass guitars, pianos, keyboards, drums, ukuleles, and much more can be found at Big Music.
For a variety of instruments and accessories from iconic brands including Gibson, Takamine, Cole Clark, PRS and others visit H Music Shop & Studio.
Where To Buy Guitars
For all the guitars and accessories you need check out:
- The Guitar Lounge at 275 Clarence St
- Wild Horse Guitars at 4/460 Brumby St
- Guitar Factory Parramatta at 255 Church St
- Guitar Jungle at 153-155 Regent St
The Guitar Lounge sells guitars, ukuleles, basses, amps, and accessories from Fender, Gretsch, Maton, and more plus they do repairs.
Wild Horse Guitars buys, sells, and consigns vintage guitars and related gear near you and has been supplying the music community with dependable instruments since 2005.
One of the most comprehensive selections of electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, amplifiers, musical accessories, and more can be found at Guitar Factory.
Guitar Jungle has been collecting, repairing, servicing, and selling great guitars for over 25 years and has a large selection of acoustic, electric, and bass guitars to choose from.
Just about any store in our initial instrument stores list as well as some from other lists will also be good places to buy guitars in Sydney too.
Drum Shops Near You
And then there are these drum shops too:
- Drum Factory at 257 Church St
- Drummers Dream & Dream Music at 610-612 Canterbury Rd
Drum Factory is one of Australia’s most trusted instrument and professional audio retailers supplying snares, drum kits, cymbals, and hardware among other things.
If you are searching for where to buy acoustic drum kits, electric drums, cymbals, snare drums, percussions, and drum gear near you head to Drummers Dream & Dream Music.
Earlier we linked you to Mona Vale Music, Downtown Music, The Music Man, Turramurra Music, and Big Music but we also need to mention them here in the local drum stores section.
Instrument Repairs
Instrument repairs in Sydney are available at:
- Solar Music Brass & Woodwind at 179 Parramatta Rd
- Corcoran Custom Guitars & Repair Service at Robert St
- Sydney Band Instruments at 286 Victoria Rd
- Tom Sparkes Instrument Repairs at 6/103 Hunter St
- All Brass & Woodwind Instrument Repairs at 52 Caroline Cres
- Diefes Brass Repair at 13 Babbage Rd
Solar Music is a haven for the brass and woodwind performers near you repairing all brass and woodwind instruments including flutes, clarinets, and soprano saxophones.
Corcoran Custom Guitars’ workshop is located in the inner west neighborhood of Petersham and provides a quality service for all guitar repairs but you need to make an appointment.
For one of Australia’s premier woodwind and brass repair shops visit Tom Sparkes Instrument Repairs.
All Brass & Woodwind Instrument Repairs specializes in playing condition servicing, re-padding, overhauls, and general repair and service for all brass, woodwind, and band instruments.
Diefes Brass Repair provides local repairs, servicing, modifications, sales, and accessories for all brass musical instruments.
Other places that we have mentioned throughout the post that also offer instrument repairs include Mona Vale, In Tune Music, Engadine Music, Guitar Lounge, and Guitar Jungle.
Music Lessons
Level up by taking lessons at a music school in your area:
- Shine Music School at 9/2 O’Connell St
- All Age Music School at 2/391 Enmore Rd
- Stormer Music Parramatta at 2/23 Castle St
- Melody Music Lessons at Kensington NSW 2033
You can get guitar, violin, drum, piano, singing, and more lessons from the skilled instructors at Shine Music.
All Age Music School has educated hundreds of students both young and old so if you’re looking to start or restart your musical journey join their academy for learning guitar, piano, and violin.
Stormer Music Parramatta is a music school in Parramatta that provides private music lessons for all ages in a variety of styles such as rock, pop, blues, jazz, classical, and others on a variety of instruments like the guitar, drums, piano, keyboard, violin, ukulele, flute, voice and singing, and many more.
Positive and motivating music lessons for students of all ages and levels including piano, guitar, pre-schooler music, and theory go down at Melody Music Classes.
Other places that we have mentioned throughout the post that also offer music lessons near you include Mona Vale and Engadine Music.
CD & Record Stores
Check out all kinds of vintage CD’s and records at these local stores for music lovers:
- The Record Store at 34/277 Crown St
- Red Eye Records at 143 York St
- Beatdisc Records at 11/181 Church St
- Egg Records at 3 Wilson St
- Repressed Records at 413 King St
The Record Store sells, buys, and trades new and used records in your area with a specialty in electronic, house, and techno 12″ records.
Founded in 1981 Red Eye Records is one of the biggest local independent music shops stocking a wide range of used and rare collectable materials such as DVD’s, LP’s, CD’s, and records.
Beatdisc Records which opened in 1995 sells new, used, and rare records, CDs, and cassettes as well as turntables and accessories.
For a family-owned new and used record store in Sydney offering a large selection of new and used LP’s, CD’s, music DVD’s, t-shirts, and memorabilia from many genres check out Egg Records.
Repressed is an independent record store that specializes in independent music and sells LP’s, 7’s, CD’s, books, and DVD’s ranging from rock to hip hop to jazz.
Sydney Live Music Venues
Seeing a concert at Sydney live music venues is always a good time:
- Valve Bar & Venue at 871 George St
- Oxford Art Factory at 38-46 Oxford St
- Brass Monkey Live Music Venue at 115A Cronulla St
- Home The Venue at 101/1-5 Wheat Rd
Valve Bar & Venue is an underground venue that promotes new bands in their bistro and bar area.
Expect to find a two-room multi-purpose venue with a full bar that hosts live music near you at The Oxford Art Factory.
The Brass Monkey is a small live music club that opened in 1999 and has hosted some of Australia’s and the world’s top acts featuring live jazz and rock as well as hearty Middle Eastern platters.
Home the Venue spans three levels and features light shows, quirky wall art, and waterfront outside spaces.
Fun Restaurants With Entertainment
You can take a date or a group of friends to these restaurants with live music:
- Blackbird Cafe at Wheat Rd Balcony Level 1
- Restaurant Hubert at 15 Bligh St
- River Canyon Bar & Grill Restaurant at 94 Phillip St
River Canyon Restaurant offers an international buffet in a big setting with live music and a dance floor.
Bars With Live Music
There are also some bars that play live music around town:
- Marble Bar at Level B1/488 George St
- Rock Lily at The Star Sydney, 80 Pyrmont St
- The Soda Factory at 16 Wentworth Ave
- Opera Bar at Macquarie St
- Since I Left You at 338 Kent St
Rock Lily provides varied live performances, comedy evenings, and a tequila bar with rock ‘n’ roll decor, as well as some of Sydney’s best live music and an outstanding assortment of spirits.
For a US-style diner and bar that serves hot dogs and throwback drinks with booth seating, live music, and DJ’s check out The Soda Factory.
Music Festivals
The Brunswick Music Festival in March embraces their traditional and contemporary cultural and creative expression making a significant contribution to life in the area. If you know of any other good music festivals in Sydney or within a few hour drive please let us know in the comments, thanks.
In the past we have also discussed:
- Music Lessons In Melbourne
- Music Lessons In Adelaide
- Music Lessons In Gold Coast
- Music Lessons In Brisbane
Enjoy The Sydney Local Music Scene
We tried to cover everything as quickly and as well as possible for you on this page. After reading about the best musical instrument stores, drum and guitar shops, instrument repair services, classes and lessons, vintage CD and record stores, concert halls and other live music venues near you like bars and restaurants, and the best festivals in the region you should have a much better understanding of what is available.
And anyone that made it this far might just know a little bit about the local music scene themself and if so feel free to tell us what we got wrong in the comments or share your own thoughts. Now it is time for you to go enjoy the music in Sydney.