The Caterpillar Club

Sydney’s hottest new late-night venue brings vinyl vibes and sonic perfection.

Story: Preshan John

Tucked away at 92 Pitt Street in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, the newly opened Caterpillar Club is far more than your average underground bar. With a vibrant music program, an extensive vinyl collection of nearly 12,000 records, and the perfect fusion of retro chic and modern sound technology, the Swillhouse Group venue is redrawing Sydney’s expectations of late-night culture in the city. Live music is a major drawcard at Caterpillar Club, and whenever a band isn’t on stage, a DJ spins vinyl through the house sound system. The club creates an atmosphere so compelling you’ll want to stay until the early hours of the morning, and if you get lost on your way, just look for the long queues outside the door.

NOD TO THE PAST

From the moment you descend into Caterpillar Club, it’s as if you’ve been transported to a cool speakeasy from another era. The venue exudes a distinct ’70s charm with dim, atmospheric lighting, cozy leather banquettes, and walls lined with record sleeves, creating an environment that’s both intimate and buzzing with energy. You can almost feel the influence of New York’s underground scene — a conscious homage, according to General Manager Emma Franceschini.

“We’ve taken inspiration from some great places from the ’70s. There’s a lot of New York inherently in this building,” Franceschini explains. “We have bands five nights a week from Sunday through to Thursday, and  any time there’s not a band on, there’s a DJ spinning vinyl. And we’ve got a little hidden secret tiki bar with DJs, so on Friday and Saturday night, essentially you can have two parties in one.”

THE VINYL EXPERIENCE

At the heart of Caterpillar Club’s identity is its record collection, one of the largest private collections in the world. It’s no surprise that vinyl plays a huge role in the venue’s appeal, as DJs regularly spin from this extensive collection between live sets. The tactile warmth of vinyl emanates through the space, offering something deeper than what digital music alone can provide — a sense of timelessness, nostalgia, and raw authenticity.

But what really sets this experience apart is the attention to detail in how the music is heard. Franceschini points out that vinyl isn’t just about the records themselves, but about how they are delivered to your ears.

“We’re a vinyl bar. We’re playing cool, interesting records. You want to be able to hear the nuances, and having a world-class sound system allows you achieve that,” she says. “Good audio is everything. You know if something sounds good or bad, even if you can’t articulate it. It’s just a feeling. When the balance of the sub is right in the room, and you get that thump in your chest, the whole place feels warm and comfortable to be in.”

Good audio is everything. You know if something sounds good or bad, even if you can’t articulate it. It’s just a feeling

MARTIN AUDIO: FINDS ITS PLACE

Swillhouse Group, the venue operators, took a no-compromise approach to the Caterpillar Club’s sound system, insisting that whether you’re chilling in the cozy corners or grooving by the stage, the sound envelops you perfectly. Swillhouse enlisted Avivo Technology to design and install the system. Countless hours of objective and subjective testing were devoted to achieving a perfect result.

Anthony Russo, Technical Director of TAG, explains the choice of UK-based PA manufacturer Martin Audio, widely regarded as one of the most top-shelf loudspeaker options for hospitality venues. “Caterpillar Club wanted the best seat to be every seat in the house,” Russo says. “They went with a Martin Audio CDD system, which is the premium solution for a lot of the top venues around Australia.” The numbers are impressive – over 60 loudspeakers are installed across 30 amplifier channels with a huge 40,000W of available amplifier power.”

Russo goes on to describe the meticulous speaker placement that ensures every inch of the venue is bathed in pristine audio. “In every corner of the room, you’ll see everything from CDD8s and CDD6s, concealed subs in the ceilings, subs under the banquette seating, right through to the front of house system, which is a powerful CDD12 system with a delay system complete with Martin Audio LE100 foldback wedges.”

The result is an exceptional sonic experience, where every frequency is delivered with clarity and precision. “Everyone gets what I call a headphone experience — a speaker nearby, not too loud, just at the right level — while still talking to their friends. It’s something people haven’t been used to — a real hi-fi experience in a live venue environment. That’s why we’re so proud of it,” Russo adds.

EVERY SEAT IS THE BEST SEAT

“The thing with the Martin Audio sound system is you have that extra clarity in the room,” says Franceschini. “You’re able to take it to a pretty substantial volume and still have great conversation with your friends in the space.”

It’s a fine balance — loud enough to feel the energy of the live performance or the groove of the vinyl DJ, yet restrained enough to lean in and share a moment with your companions. The technology behind the Martin Audio system is engineered to ensure warm, rich sound that’s as comfortable as the venue itself.

Audio is processed and distributed across zones by a Q-SYS backbone. Zones are selected and controlled via QSC touchpanels with a custom GUI. An Allen & Heath SQ7 digital console and stagebox take care of live mixing duties.

TWO PARTIES, ONE NIGHT

What truly makes Caterpillar Club stand out is its ability to cater to different moods in a single evening. The main room offers live music and vinyl DJ sets, while a hidden tiki bar within the venue provides an entirely different vibe.

“On a Friday, Saturday night, essentially you can have two parties in one,” Franceschini notes. This dual experience lets you float between worlds: one moment you’re soaking in a band’s live set or dancing to a vinyl groove, the next you’re transported to a secluded hideaway for a whole other experience.”

Sydney’s nightlife scene is in constant evolution, and Caterpillar Club is an example of where it could be headed. By fusing nostalgia with state-of-the-art sound, live music with vinyl culture, and creating a space where people can truly engage with the music over fantastic drinks and snacks, Caterpillar Club is setting a high bar for late-night venues in the city.

Caterpillar Club: swillhouse.com/venues/the-caterpillar-club
Avivo Technology: avivotech.com.au
Technical Audio Group: tag.com.au

Posted in: Bar