Carriageworks

As a performing artist I have been involved in a few performances and creative developments in this funky old train carriage repair place/​thing.
As a punter I have also attended a few exhibitions and shows in the space.
It’s an amazing space, masterfully using using the original architecture to create a funky, stylish and above all else, versatile venue.
There’s always something going on at Carriageworks, and as an out-​of-​Towner, I always make it my business to visit whenever I’m in Sydney. I’m never disappointed.
My favourite Carriageworks feature is the Café, restaurant, kiosk, bar, or whatever it actually is. Great menu, good coffee and a selection great wines. It’s my understanding the staff also supplies the catering for the events held in the venue… And events are always well catered for!

So, pretty much any creative repurposing of an old wrought-​iron, tin-​roofed train station is gonna get 5 stars from me.
They’re just so damn cool, and anything you put in them — art galleries, farmers markets, banging parties — is cool by association. Went to a mad sick MINI warehouse banger here last night, if you’ve got the cash to splash the venue can’t be beat.
And if that repurposing revives tired old Redfern, with its old streets and checkered past? So much the better. Cue hipsters running in and lousing the place up.
I can’t paint, but if I could, I’d have a show here, and I’d invite everyone and their mums.

I attended the White Ribbon Gala event at Carriageworks.
Venue was amazing. Still has that rail yard feel but with a modern refurbished look to it. The main event room was very spacious. Felt like a big nightclub with a circular bar in the middle.
Drinks were great but the canapés were appalling. Some canapés you would’ve thought would be hot were served cold. Wtf indeed! For those thinking of booking Carriageworks as a party venue, be careful with the catering or you will end up with a drunken bunch of unhappy guests!

This is a great space for art. It’s an ex-​railyard, a factory setting that has building made to a scale that accomodate locomotives for repair. It’s big, sturdy, and with huge open spaces.
They’ve been able to turn CarriageWorks into an arts venue that’s somewhat grand. There are large approaches to the building, the entry hall is huge, and there are plenty of large interior rooms. It’s been finished in a very modern style, though, so there’s no oppressive industriality to it. Neither is there a huge amount of approachability. Once inside, it’s a surprisingly blank canvas.
They seem to give a lot of time to less well-​known artists, which is very good for a space this size.

I attended a corporate Christmas party at CarriageWorks several days ago. It’s a very large venue that is actually a restored rail yard down in Eveleigh. I was immediately struck by the difference between the industrial exterior and the modern, clean design of the inside. There’s a café on the left part of the lobby that is really trendy in design. There are several bays that are venues for events, though the one in which my Christmas party was set up was Bay 17. It’s a absolutely massive space that spans dozens of meters in height, length, and width. It allows for relative freedom when it comes to decoration and set up, which was apparent to me in the Outer Space themed party that I went to. Even though the venue is great, it’s kind of hard to find the entrance and confusing to find parking space, though.
CarriageWorks hosts not only private functions, but also various cultural and artistic exhibitions throughout the year.

The formerly disused rail yards at Eveleigh has been home to Carriageworks since 2007, and a better use for this space could not have been found. Carriageworks is a hub of arts and culture in Sydney and its many venues boast a truly fabulous, diverse programme with kids festivals, operas, the milk crate homeless choir, markets, and the wonderful international festival of ideas TedX.
We can thank Arts NSW for doing the place up and turning it into a world-​class Arts venue while still retaining the industrial atmosphere of the rail yards. TedX is a free event but you have to apply to be one of the privileged people to sit in the theatre– personally I prefer packing a picnic, diving into one of the Lovesacs that litter the lobby and watching the talks on the big screens in comfort! Finder Keepers markets are coming up in December and always have a gorgeous array of handmade jewellery and arts and crafts. See anything here or just hit the John and Peter Canteen for a spot of lunch and a cheeky vino in a 19^th Century former railyard, you won’t be disappointed.

Carriageworks in Eveleigh is a great space with an interesting history and an exciting future. Formerly the Eveleigh Rail Yards, the new venue opened in early 2007 with a view to housing arts and cultural events, such as the excellent Finders Keepers markets. There are a couple of theatres, a gallery and exhibition space, rehearsal rooms and a workshop.
Check the Carriageworks website regularly to stay on top of upcoming shows, events and exhibitions. (They ALWAYS have great things happening, so it pays to find out first and get your tickets before the masses!) For example, SCEGGS Darlinghurst will be running a stage version of the classic Aussie novel Cloudstreet all through November — definitely one to look out for.
You’ll also find the John and Peter Canteen at Carriageworks, which is open for lunch Wednesday to Sunday and dinner Wednesday to Saturday. There are some great pre-​theatre special deals available ($ 25 meal and glass of wine), so contact the restaurant for details.
Carriageworks is close to the Redfern or Macdonaldtown train stations, or try your best to find a park.

First off this is a beautifully restored train yard building, with state of the art interiors designed for huge conferences. This space is big enough, and technically savvy enough to be the home of TedX in Sydney.
Located in Eveleigh, just 4 km from the CBD, its proximity to the city allows it to be a flexible venue for a range of events. CarriageWorks contains two large flexible state-​of-​the-​art theatre spaces, a gallery space, exhibition spaces, offices, a bar and café.
Be careful if you’re driving in, as parking can be a mission. Try and get a taxi, as they have a taxi rank it’ll be easy to find one once you’re ready to leave.
If you’re not in the mood to put on a conference, or have your next event at CarriageWorks, come for the Eveleigh markets on Saturday from 8am-​1pm.