East Balmain is mainly residential with some fine restored houses, a tiny shopping centre, and the obligatory pub. A public bus runs from the ferry to the town centre of Balmain, which is much larger and crammed with ordinary, everyday shops you would expect to find in a village. But it also has a string of restaurants, cafes and pubs along with a couple of old churches and a handful of restored historic buildings. Balmain sidestreets are very narrow and quite confusing, but there are some very pretty restored workman's cottages. Fine if you like to walk, but an adventure to drive around.
Interesting shops sell books, bric a brac and arty things.
There is a Saturday old wares and craft market in the grounds of a disused church where you might find the occasional treasure, though there is plenty of junk. Several pubs have music on weekends and serve meals. Entertainment is very much a moveable feast, so it is wise to look in the entertainment section of one of the city papers or one of several free publications which are generally distributed through pubs. It begins near Sydney University at Broadway, which is a continuation of the city's George Street. The main street is Glebe Point Road, which is one of the best eating areas in Sydney.