Newtown is the Brooklyn of Sydney.
Newtown named the Brooklyn of Sydney
August 4, 2026 - Brooklyn Of (brooklynof.com), a travel publication that names the coolest neighborhood in more than 150 cities worldwide, has named Newtown the Brooklyn of Sydney.
The "Brooklyn of" a city is a metaphor, of course: shorthand for the coolest neighborhood in town, the one where independent culture, serious coffee, and creative energy define the character. Not the old town, not where the hop-on-hop-off bus goes. Every big enough city has one, and the site names exactly one per city. In many cities the pick is close to consensus, the name locals would give without hesitating. In others it picks a side. Sydney's verdict went to Newtown ahead of Burwood, Marrickville and Chippendale, which take the runner-up positions.
"We named Newtown the Brooklyn of Sydney. One long stretch where every block has a different personality, murals that change with the seasons, and students, queers, old-timers, and new parents all sharing the same footpath. Sydneysiders are welcome to tell us we are wrong," says Per, creator of Brooklyn Of.
The verdict comes with a guide to Newtown's independent hotels, cafes, restaurants, bars and shops: no big chains, nothing sponsored, and placements are not for sale. Selections draw on research and local tastemakers in each city, and readers who disagree are invited to make their case.
The full Sydney verdict: brooklynof.com/sydney
Press contact: Per, creator of Brooklyn Of, hello [at] brooklynof.com
Press kit and images: brooklynof.com/press/sydney
Runner-up neighborhoods: Burwood, Marrickville, Chippendale
Free for editorial use in coverage of brooklynof.com. Credit: brooklynof.com.
hello [at] brooklynof.com · Per is available for interviews, quotes, and written commentary on this and every city in the index.