Oxford Art Factory guide: trains, parking, ID, lockers

Oxford Art Factory is a two-room basement venue at 38-46 Oxford Street in Darlinghurst. It opened in September 2007 and it's still independent. The bigger room holds 490 people by the venue's count, the Gallery Bar about 120, so most gigs here are standing, close-up and loud.

It's the kind of room where you catch a band before they play arenas. The venue's own list of people who've played or launched there includes Tame Impala, G Flip, King Stingray, Charli XCX and The 1975, and Time Out says Lady Gaga played her first Australian show here in 2008.

Everything below comes from what the venue, Moshtix, Ticketmaster and Transport for NSW publish, checked on 26 September 2026. Rules can change from show to show, so read your event page too. The photo at the top is from 2011, so don't take the fit-out as current. For other gigs around town, see concerts in Sydney.

Quick facts

Main Room or Gallery Bar: which one is my gig in?

The venue describes itself as "a two room, multi-functional venue". The two rooms can run separate shows on the same night or open up together, so check which room is on your ticket. Moshtix even splits its listings three ways: Whole Venue, Main Room and Gallery Bar.

• Main Room: the main stage, a dance floor, a mezzanine level and a merch and bar area. This is the 490-capacity space. Time Out puts it at 500, but we're going with the venue's own number.
• Gallery Bar: a smaller room of about 120 with its own stage, dance floor, bar, art wall and a booth or merch space. Moshtix's venue description calls it free entry, which applies to bar nights rather than ticketed gigs.

The whole place was inspired by Andy Warhol's 1960s New York Factory, according to the venue. It's also pokies-free.

How do I get to Oxford Art Factory?

Take public transport if you can. There's no parking at the venue and street parking around Oxford Street is limited, according to Moshtix's venue info.

Train

Museum Station is the closest. Moshtix says it's a five minute walk; Time Out says eight. Call it five to ten minutes depending on your pace and which exit you use. Moshtix also puts Central and Town Hall at 10-15 minutes' walk.

As of September 2026, Transport for NSW lists Museum Station as having independent access, with a lift, stairs and an escalator, a hearing loop, wheelchair ramp boarding assistance and an MLAK accessible toilet. There's a taxi rank listed at the station too.

Metro

Gadigal is on the Metro line (Chatswood to Sydenham), and Time Out puts it about a six minute walk from the venue. Transport for NSW says Metro trains run every 4 minutes in peak, 5 minutes between peaks on weekdays and 10 minutes at other times.

Bus

Moshtix's venue text says "many buses run down Oxford and adjacent streets", depending on which way you're coming from. Plan your route on the Transport for NSW trip planner or call Transport Info on 131 500, which runs 24 hours a day.

Getting home after the show

For an early show, just walk back to Museum, Gadigal or Town Hall and take the train. It's the later nights that catch people out.

As of 26 September 2026, Transport for NSW's late night services page says:

• From midnight to 4:30am, most trains stop running and NightRide buses replace Sydney Trains services.
• Many NightRide services leave from bus stops near Town Hall Station, so that's usually where you're heading.
• Some Intercity trains still run after midnight.

Secure taxi ranks on Oxford Street

This is the bit most guides skip. There are two secure taxi ranks right on Oxford Street, both running Friday and Saturday, 10pm to 5am, according to Transport for NSW:

Transport for NSW says to use a secure rank on Friday and Saturday nights and nights before public holidays. These ranks are pre-paid between 10pm and 5am, so you may be asked to pay before the trip starts.

We couldn't find a designated rideshare pick-up point for the venue. If you're booking an Uber or similar, check with the venue.

Is there parking at Oxford Art Factory?

No. Ticketmaster's venue page says plainly: "There is no parking at the venue." Street parking nearby exists but it's limited. If you drive, use a paid car park and walk.

Check current rates on each operator's website. Moshtix's older venue text names the operators differently, so go by the car park address rather than the brand.

What can you bring in?

The venue doesn't publish a bag size limit. Ticketmaster's page just says "Standard rules apply on banned articles", so check your event page if you're planning to bring anything bigger than a small bag.

What the venue's FAQ does say, as of September 2026:

• Food: outside food is allowed.
• Drinks: you "cannot bring any drinks to the venue and cannot drink on arrival". Don't turn up having just finished a tinnie on the footpath.
• Cameras: "Professional photography or recording equipment may require special permission." Flash photography and recording the whole event are typically not allowed.
• Smoking and vaping: smoking is only allowed in the designated area outside the front doors. E-cigarettes and vapes aren't allowed inside.

Is there a cloakroom?

The venue's FAQ says it "provides lockable lockers for patrons to rent and store their coats and other personal items", and that availability varies by event. They're paid.

Moshtix's older venue info mentions a cloakroom that's generally open Friday and Saturday nights between 9pm and 2am. The venue's own FAQ now talks about lockers, so treat the Moshtix hours as possibly out of date.

Can you leave and come back in?

Moshtix's venue info says "Passouts are accepted before 3am with a valid stamp." That isn't on the venue's own FAQ, so ask the door staff on the night before you step out.

Age restrictions and ID

The venue says it "generally allows entry for individuals who are 18 years and above". Moshtix calls it "a licensed venue for patrons over 18 years of age".

Under-18 shows do happen. Moshtix says they're clearly advertised as under-18 events, and the venue's FAQ says they're "strictly monitored", with a parent or guardian possibly required depending on the event. If the event page doesn't say it's all ages or under-18, assume it's 18+. Ticketmaster's page just says "No one under 18 years of age will be admitted", which is its standard line.

Accepted ID, according to Moshtix: a driver licence, proof of age card or current passport.

Dress code

There's no strict dress code, but the venue's FAQ says "Thongs and Steel Capped Shoes or Boots are not permitted." Sneakers, boots without steel caps, whatever you'd normally wear to a gig are fine.

Accessibility

• Lift: the venue's in a basement, but there's a lift. Moshtix's venue info says front door staff can help with entry via the elevator.
• Toilets: the venue lists accessible washrooms, and Moshtix mentions a wheelchair accessible bathroom.
• Seating: it's a standing venue, but the FAQ says there are "seating arrangements for individuals with disabilities". The venue appreciates notice in advance.
• Companion Card: Moshtix says Companion Cards are accepted, and to contact the venue in advance if you can.
• Parking: there's no accessible parking at the venue itself. Goulburn Street Car Park lists disability access.
• Getting there: Museum Station has a lift, a hearing loop and an MLAK accessible toilet, according to Transport for NSW.

We couldn't find anything on a hearing loop or a quiet sensory space inside the venue. Call (02) 9332 3711 or email hello@oxfordartfactory.com before the show to sort out anything you need.

Food and drink

Both rooms have a bar. Remember that outside drinks aren't allowed, and you can't drink on arrival. You can bring your own food, which is handy because the venue doesn't publish a food menu. If you want a proper feed, eat on Oxford Street or in the city before doors.

Tickets, doors and set times

• Tickets are sold through Moshtix or Ticketmaster, depending on the show. Buy from the link on the venue's event listing.
• Door times vary by show and aren't published as a standard. Check your ticket or event page. Time Out lists the venue's general hours as 8pm till late, but that's not a guide to any particular gig.
• The venue's events page has a weekly Set Times email with "this week's set times, including supporting acts". Handy if you only want to catch the headliner, or want to make sure you don't miss the support.
• We couldn't confirm box office hours or whether tickets are sold on the door. If a show isn't sold out, contact the venue to ask.

A bit of history

Oxford Art Factory opened in September 2007, founded by Mark Gerber. It celebrated its 18th birthday with a free party with FBi Radio on 13 September 2025. Gerber's line on it: "Reaching 18 years as an independent venue...is no easy feat."

Time Out says the venue "has survived lockouts, lockdowns, and the worst of what's been thrown at the live music industry". On the venue's ten-year retrospective, the list runs from The Rubens, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and The Preatures to Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins playing as Chevy Metal. Of Lady Gaga's early show, Gerber said: "I had no idea what to expect she was unknown then, we got way more than we ever bargained for."

Before you go

• Check which room your gig is in, and the age rule on the event page.
• Bring a driver licence, proof of age card or passport.
• Wear anything but thongs or steel caps.
• Don't bring drinks. Food is fine.
• Sign up for the venue's weekly set times email if you want to time your arrival.
• Plan your trip home: Museum closes overnight, NightRide runs from near Town Hall, and there are secure taxi ranks on Oxford Street on Fri and Sat nights.
• Driving late? Use the 24/7 Goulburn Street Car Park rather than Riley Street.
• Need the lift, seating or Companion Card entry? Contact the venue ahead of time.

Upcoming shows at Oxford Art Factory