New entertainment precincts in Canley Vale and Canley Heights boost Western Sydney nightlife
The 40-minute drive from one end of Sydney to the other was no deterrent for Hurstville woman Priscilla Sanaa and her friends; With its young crowd, neon signs and good music, Bar 53 in Canley Vale was worth the journey.
“We love it here! The people, the atmosphere, everything is so much fun,” he said.
Speaking in the crowded bar a stone’s throw from Canley Vale station, Aaliyah Lasala prefers a night out in western Sydney rather than a night in the CBD, which “has no vibe and no atmosphere”.
“It’s cheaper here, no lines, no entrance fee. There’s also a crowd like us, people who actually get up and dance,” Lasala said.
Nightlife is growing significantly faster in Sydney’s west than in the east, and that’s no coincidence. More locales are popping up and their aim is to revitalize nightlife by giving Sydneysiders more options closer to home.
Bar 53 and six other businesses on Canley Vale Road make up the “Asia Minor” district pioneered by Anthony Nguyen. He had a vision for Canley Vale to become Sydney’s nightly destination for Southeast Asian culture, art and food.
“We’re not going to travel an hour to go to the city, then party, then spend an hour getting home; that’s dangerous. We have to create something for the local people,” Nguyen said. “We literally went and knocked on everyone’s door and said, ‘Hey, we’re going to create a district.'”
At around 11pm on Saturday night, the multigenerational crowds packed into restaurants like Hai Au Lang Nuong show no signs of abating. Tuk-tuks line the paths, and inside, children play on retro video game consoles while their families eat nearby.
“There used to be a huge stigma associated with this area, but now it has completely changed,” Nguyen said. “If you want authentic Asian food until 5am, you can always find something to eat here.”
There is also a neighboring district, “Canley Heights Nights”, run by district coordinator Seng Ly, just up the road.
Separate from the local Asia Minor initiative is the recently launched 12-month trial for a state government-led “special entertainment precinct” in Canley Vale and Canley Heights. Nguyen hopes a two-pronged approach will increase activity.
The area, called “Canleys”, is part of the government’s wider boom reforms which aim to relax rules on trading hours, live music and noise for restaurants and bars in a given area.
For example, venues in such areas can stay open for two hours on nights with live music, and for an hour longer on other nights. The policy also prevents single noise complaints from shutting down a venue and offers an 80 percent discount on liquor license fees.
“Canleys will breathe new life into our night-time economy and stand as a vibrant hub for dining, entertainment and connection, an experience people will want to return to again and again,” said City of Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone.
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Cindy Yin is an urban affairs reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.
