Dear reader, It was a cool Saturday evening that I found myself there. The positive points are that the rooftop bar area was pleasantly greeted with the sea breeze from Darling Harbour. The smell of spring was in the air. The negative points are that never did I see so many security staff at the entrance, and there was a tone of passive aggressiveness from other serving staff, who did not seem to want to be there. As you walked on the dance floor, it felt like walking on semi sticky glue. Alas, do I dare to imagine that I was walking on the spilled alcoholic drinks or vomit from previous nights? It would be a great gesture of goodwill, if $5 cloak room fee is waived, considering how much we spent on drinks. The songs were nostalgically good choices, but ear deafening. This place has the potential to be a great night out. It helps for the front line staff to smile, because people come to have a good time. Please consider waiving the $5 cloak room fee as an investment for the customers to spend more on drinks. A good clean of the place will keep the customer staying at your place longer. Nostalgic songs should serve as a pleasant reminder of the fading past, not the cause of a future need for hearing aids. I wish you a great night out ahead. Yours sincerely, David

The security let several drunk people ahead of us in, and then refused others who appeared much more sober for being drunk?? Would love to know how this is fair? Was denied entry when I had only had one drink and my friend was celebrating their birthday inside.... disappointing management ruining people’s nights for no good reason, would give you guys 0 stars if I could, hope you reconsider your entry policies.

As 2 middle aged women who grew up with Retro music , The bouncers were aggressive horrible and we hadn’t done a thing but smile to them and chat while in the line. If you don’t want people over 40 than don’t play our music and make it clear as we asked the question about age!! It’s totally discussing and I will tell every one I know to boycott the place !

You used to be so cool retro... you will be missed. Bouncers are extremely aggressive and power hungry. What a shame.

So you want to go out at the Retro... think again.... because when you put your drink down because you don't want to spill it on your fellow party people's shoulders... and it falls over.. you get thrown out like a criminal. The guys that are security here are ridiculous... I think I'm one of the most easygoing, loving and most tolerant people in the world, but I felt like I was a criminal at this place... they throughe out and it felt lile they had something to prove... So disgusting... i will never ever set a foot in this place again or spend a dollar here. THANKS GUYS for making an awesome night end this bad....

$10 entry for a place with sticky floors and smells of piss. Do not recommend.

I went there on 06/06/2018. The bartender doesn't care of the quality of the service. I was there during the happy hour and the bartender let me pay more for less. I'm not keen on coming back there anymore.

I cannot comment constructively for the Bartenders or the music, as both were very good. However, please do something about your toilets. It is absolutely appalling. Urine can be smelt from 10ft away from the toilets, one door was broken off completely in women's, and the cleanliness was shocking. It was only 9:00pm in the evening and it was already in a terrible state. Organise a cleaner to clean your toilets on an hourly basis. I have never left a review before, but as other patrons in the toilets were complaining as well, it is important you are aware.

Sydney Retro !!! Loved this place years ago music pumped into the early hours. 3 levels, sticky floors, plenty of drinks, music, dance & fun !! After years in mediocre lockdowns this town is dead. Retro you gotta make a comeback bring a spark to this town back to life!!!

They charge 2 dollars for extra sauce in the rooftop bar.

Horrible security guards. Was here for a friend’s birthday which had a guestlist, and half the group didn’t even get let in. Will NEVER be hosting an event here again and hope you won’t either. if I could give it 0 stars, I would. Don’t even waste your time coming here because you will get turned away

Wow. Don't even order chips here. They gave us the tiniest sauce and asked us to pay when we asked more.

I was physically abused by the security guards who called me a black b****h. Marc and his partner tonight were racist and tried to kick my friends and I out. Almost called the police. Would've been a nice place but honestly ruined by the bouncers. Will not recommend this place to anyone ever.

Last time they left a drunken weirdo inside who was annoying for an hour everybody. This time a friend of us didn't get in because a 20 years old told her she had a few drinks too much. Well we had the party somewhere else WITH her. Unfortunately another security who takes themselves way to important and just ruin a fun night out. Great work retro, not that much fun!

Warning don't ruin an important event by having it here its Terrible! Its overpriced for the service. The security at the door are extremely rude. The area in which the food is served is run down there is no roof, boarded windows, no paint on the walls, and very uncomfortable seating. Not something you want to view while celebrating an event. The atmosphere up stairs was boring and the music wasn't too great to dance to. I had to give it 1 star because google review wouldn't let me to give it none.

Hi punters, Thank you for your recent review of The Retro. We apologise that our security is on a power trip. All feedback has been passed onto our team to be completely ignored. We hope to welcome you back to The Retro again soon so you can be intimidated by our security team. Cheers, The Retro Management Team

So apparently you shouldn’t be out if you’re sick? The security guard wouldn’t let me in because I “had too many drinks” to be honest with you because I’m SICK! I hadn’t had a single drink as I was just out to show my face for a friends birthday. Anywho I wouldn’t recommend this place the security took 10 minutes to check my I.D because he was too busy socialising. I’m done with Sydney byeeee

Punjabi security personnel from India - mate we understand your authority of letting anyone in or out of the pub but nobody has given you an authority to misbehave. Tonight you misbehaved with my brother in law, sister and I for no reason - grow up mate!!! Retro Management - security is the last part which you want to train on customer centricity but unfortunately they are dealing with your customers day in and out..... ALARM BELLS...

Not the worst or the best. Would probably give it a pass next time, sticky floor and shantytown feel, But it could be good if you into that kind of style.

I've been here many times and the floor is always so sticky! I've read other reviews of this place and many comment on the stickiness of the floor. Please clean it. The security out the front stand in a leering and intimidating bunch. The music is fun for nostalgia, if you can get past the 'macho, power hungry' attitudes of the bouncers. If you can forget about the floor and bouncers, then it can be a pretty fun night at Retro.

This place reminds me of a lot of the cheap bars around Asia- 90s tunes, unsanitary toilets, sticky floors. Good to go here for a laugh, but you have been warned!

Got in after midnight for $20, great place.

Worst security in Sydney

Been several times and adore it always. The different dance floors provide a variety of music, depending on your style, and my friends and I LOVE the karaoke! Excellent areas available to hang out and talk. As a hens night venue, it is a little seedy looking, but the food and entertainment was on par. Staff are always friendly, and the crowd never fails to be cheerful and friendly, no matter how late at night or inebriated. Highly recommend

let's not beat around the bush here, wouldn't be my first choice for a night out. music was really fun, but it was overpriced as heck entry, bit of a gross crowd, literally a bit gross, sticky and smells like sweat. in the girls bathroom, there was no door in one cubicle, and the toilet seat literally fell off in the other cubicle while a girl was using it.

Good place. Very safe and secure. Would say to go in a bigger group rather than 1 or 2 people to have the most fun

DJ played the best god damn set I've ever experienced 26/10/18, one of the seccies really wanted to kick me out for most of the night though for some reason but still 10/10

Security are drunk on authority. Do not advise if you plan on having more than three drinks

Asked if I could put my jacket somewhere and all I got was “ no cloak room here” Somebody then stole my jacket and the staff could not have been more rude and less helpful in trying to find it.

This place is ?

New favourite place. Just a great easy going atmosphere with old school favourites everyone can dance and sing along to. Too many Sydney bars are too pretentious these days. This is a rare fun place where you can really dance and just enjoy yourself.

The staff are exceedingly rude and the security are high on authority. When complaining to management it was disregarded. Would not recommend this club!

Good, but Cindy lauper wasn't played

For a place known for hens and bucks nights, pretty disappointing to let in two groups of hens and a 'birthday' party of 8 lads but not a group of 7 on a bucks

Place is quite nostalgic and they play some great tunes all night. Their choice of drinks is fairly good too. However, their unsanitary toilets and sticky floors makes it a no go. Probably be back if they can rectify it.

They have no honesty,no integrity,theirs no communication between any staff nor managers so after 20 yrs of going their I'm never ever going back to the retro or Bristol arms again btw I also like to concur with all the other reviews of this hotel

i should go most wknd with my close friend and it like my second home , i use love there .

Combination of hip hop, 80s & dance music!

Amazing Decor! Love love love.

Loved it!!

A memorable night achieved ✌?

Love this place just needs better toilets and cleaning

The music was hit and miss as was the bar service. I ended up with self service water because the queue was too long. BUT don't drink too much water as the toilets are nothing less than foul...

Awesome place!

Great tunes all night. If you like nostalgia and a good laugh, it's the place to be!!

Bar service was ordinary, Bouncers were rude and place wasn't the cleanest, Old school music is nice, but that's all it has going for it

Great music!!

Horrendous

A place worth visiting

Okay. Dj takes requests but doesn't play the requests so its sort of pointless espscially when he plays hey jude before youre the voice

Great decor