Set in the heart of the CBD,
The Metro Theatre is a haven for contemporary musicians and music lovers. Its capacity of 1500 punters caters to bands with followings of the likes of Augie March, The Drones, Yeasayer, and Gomez.

The Metro in Action
The floors are sticky with the spillage of booze from the two bars. One is a buzzing limited seating area by the entrance foyer, good for chilling before a gig. The other is at the back of the venue, for getting drinks after the support act, and acting as a suitable excuse to wander the venue with the purpose of people-watching.
A big plus for this venue is that its layout is democratic: tickets are almost always general admission and you have your choice as to how to see the band. There's a front dance floor for getting up close, and the stage, if they haven't fenced it off, is just low enough to rest one's elbows on. Behind that are several tiers of steps so the people at the back can see, and then above is a mezzanine for the sitters. Perhaps the best place to be as far as sound goes is in the centre, just by the mixing desk.

The Bar
Lighting is decent, making for happy post-gig photo viewing; but don't bring your SLR unless you have a pass (and don't take too many because it annoys the people behind you.)
Do check in regularly to see who's playing. There's a relaxed atmosphere despite the cavernous ceiling, and seeing bands here can be a pleasant night out, only with the volume turned up loud.
The Metro is on 624 George Street, Sydney, about 2 minutes walk south of Town Hall station.