If the name didn't suggest it already, the Oxford Art Factory is a place known in Sydney for its...well, art. Don't drop in expecting to find crowds of mainstream teenyboppers and minimalistic chic: here, it's all about the creative side of life.
The Oxford Art Factory is a paradise for bands, visual artists, and anyone who's vibe is a little bit funky. Sporting a grungy, factory-style (it's not called the 'art factory' for nothing) of decor, this location can't really be called a bar: rather, it's home to the underground side of Sydney that chooses to embrace the new, the different, and the quirky. The walls are generally lined with art or exposed brick for an urban, underground vibe that can't be found anywhere else. The factory houses The Gallery (a space for artists to exhibit their work), The Art After Dark bar (for art lovers to come and meet new people as well as grab a drink), and The Live Art Space (for performances). The one thing that caught my eye when I went there was the glass cube that people can walk through or use as a live performance space: it surely was the most creative of anything I've ever seen at a night venue, and it certainly does make every patron stop and stare.
Of course, being a house for all things art, it's natural that the focus of the Oxford Art Factory is on live entertainment. At least four days of the week, you can expect to find bands rocking it out in the Live Art Space. From local to international performances, and dubstep to rock, Oxford Art doesn't discriminate. No matter what the occasion, before rocking up to this place make sure to check their upcoming events to find the entertainment playing that best suits you. As with all locations, there is also a dance floor but depending on the performance each night, it may range from a crazy dancing group to a mellow crowd who's just there to listen. Tickets have to be bought to events too, so check out the website before turning up for a band you like, or else you might not even get in to the event!
And on the subject of crowds, don't forget that the people who come to Oxford Art are largely a part of Sydney's art group. If you're anything like me (I can appreciate creativity but don't know enough to fit in perfectly here), you will spend most of the night feeling lost and confused, but at the same time, intrigued. The people that come here can sometimes seem a bit pretentious, but remember that it is Sydney's creme-de-la-creme venue as far as art is concerned. Just dash to the awesome bathrooms if the crowd gets to be too much - you'll find that the urban grunge extends far beyond just the rooms.
To sum up all of the Oxford Art Factory is near impossible: it's an experience that you just have to see to understand. Even if art and bands aren't your scene, give this nightclub a go...you might just be pleasantly surprised by what you find.
By Kelly Teng
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