http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31380 I’m taking you for a day out to the alternative and indie kids paradise, Newtown. Although only one station from Central, backpackers and tourists tend to miss this lively area.

Here is my guide to a place often forgotten for the Bondi sunshine and lifeguards. So put away you boardies and pick your favorite pair of skinny jeans.

Newtown is amazing for food. Every time I went to Oz, I ended up piling on the pounds because I lived so close to so many delicious places. I am actually slightly drooling when I think of it. Get me there now.
To start the day right, one of my favorite places for breakfast is Café Sophia on Erskenville Road. You have to try their banana raspberry melon smoothie with salmon and eggs benedict or their French toasts. Actually try everything. Just go every morning for four months like I did.

For lunch, I would generally go for one of the many Thai restaurants on King’s Street, Newtown's main road. Most of the places are vegan/vegetarian and although I'm neither, I did get a little bit addicted to the fake duck, pak choi and rice $6 lunch boxes.

To walk off all this food, shop around! Newtown has lot to offer when it comes to retail therapy, whether it’s one the many vintage stores or young designers’ outlets, you will find everything you need to look like the Sydney hipster crowd.

Then head to the art gallery “Oh really?” on Enmore Road. Oh really? is a collective/magazine/gallery presenting the latest street artists around. They regularly organize openings and you could find yourself having a beer with artist Ears while nodding to some breakbeat. Check out what’s going on at ww.ohreallymagazine.com

Then it’s time to wind down. Head down for a cold long neck at The Court House (“The Courtie”) on Australia Street. Cheap drinks, a lovely beer garden decorated with fairy lights, a lively atmosphere and very important, a pool table.

Then move on for some cocktails on the Zanzibar Roof. You will find a cosy terrace and the staff there are always lovely (and not too shabby looking either).
If the schooners have gone straight to your head, then it’s time to go and pull some shapes on the dance floor. I have to say this is not in Newtown. On a Friday I’ll head to Mum at World Bar in Kings Cross to watch live music and listen to the latest indie-electro. Check the coming up MUM nights on MusicFeeds. On any other night check out Sydney promoters and all around cool kids UPTOOUR HIPS for the best nights in town (seriously).

And there you go, I can assure you this will be hell of a good day.

Now there is a lot more to discover by yourself in Newtown and around. But it would take way too long to tell you all about it and I have still things left to see myself. It’s alright; I’ll be back very soon. I’ll see you at The Courtie.

PS: If you were still to be hungry on your way home, stop by Saray’s on Enmore Road for a pite (also called Laknore) ,a filled bread from Kosovo with lemon juice on it. Delicious.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31380 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29947 Guzman is a small chain of Mexican burrito bars. Get the mini veggie burrito and a frozen margherita for $14 before a night out ...
Sabbaba is similar, but a falafel joint. One also in Newtown, city end of King St, one at Bondi. Good falafel pitta pockets, again very reasonably priced. Don't bother with Sabbaba's frozen cocktails though, Guzman's are far better!
While I'm on about good food and cocktails in Newtown, there's a tapas bar called Soni's, five minutes toward the city from the station, which does good tapas and margheritas. Upstairs is Madame Fling Flongs which I have yet to visit but apparently does good cocktails in a slightly kitsch seting.
Happy Eating!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29947 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25282
Pontoon is awesome on Saturday night and plays a mix of House and RnB.

Cover charge is $10.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25282 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25159 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25159 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20439 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20439 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19896 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19896 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19892 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19892 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19237
Of all the clubs, I recommend most are Home Club and Tank for rock solid nights... whereas Pontoon is perfect for a drink on the harbour.

Finally, Sounds on Sunday at the Greenwood is essential for cool clubbers.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19237 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2950
House music is what it's all about at YU, where you can hear the cream of Sydney's local DJ talent keeping the unpretentious, up-for-it crowd entertained in style.
A must for all clubbers.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2950