Darlinghurt's Carousel named one of the world's best nightclubs

Carousel Darlinghurst has been named one of the best nightclubs in the world.
The cutting-edge nightclub on Oxford Street comes in at #87 and is the only Australian venue on the list.
The list is unsurprisingly dominated by Europe and the USA.

Sydney’s nightlife was dead and it had been for years following the notoriously misguided, small-minded and ineffectual lockout laws, then the double-whammy from the Covid pandemic felt like a nail in the coffin. So it’s a great sense of pride for Sydneysiders that one of the city’s most advanced and tech-forward nightclubs has just been named one of the world’s best.

Darlinghurst’s Carousel is one of the world’s best nightclubs according to the authoritative Nightlife International, which releases a round-up for the 100 best nightclubs in the world each year.

Not many Sydneysiders would have heard about the list simply because Australia has never really had a presence in the round-up, which is each year dominated by destinations like Las Vegas, Brooklyn, Spain and Berlin.

While this the 2024 best nightclubs in the world list is no different when it comes to the expected European and North American cluster, Australia has managed to slot in at #87 with Carousel, which opened on Oxford Street in 2023.

One of the most notable things about Carousel is its layout. The designers moved the DJ decks from the back of the venue to the middle, inspired by the in-the-round performance style of the iconic party series, Boiler Room.

The reliably fun nightclub is clearly leading charge at reviving Sydney’s late-night party scene and setting the Harbour City on the path towards a genuine 24-hour economy. A strong program of top international and homegrown DJs, coupled with a state-of-the-art sound system and lighting rig, plus plush interiors and cocktails you’d actually want to drink has made Carousel a staple of Sydney 2.0, right alongside favourites like Newtown’s Pleasure Club and the city’s Song of Eve.

Carousel’s debut on this best nightclubs list tops storied party behemoths like Ibiza’s Playa Soleil (#93), Rome’s Spazio 900 (#91) and Amsterdam’s Shelter (#100). Just one spot above Carousel is Tokyo’s highly-regarded WOMB, which is considered one of Asia’s most symbolic nightclubs. So despite us being in the bottom half of the list, being placed amongst some heavy hitters in the clubbing world is a major nod towards Sydney’s nightlife.

Notably, this is the first time Australia has been included on the list, making Carousel the best nightclub in the country.

For more on Sydney’s nightlife check out our comprehensive round up of more than 50 nightclubs and bars helping restore Sydney’s nightlife.