Go-go dancer, Kings Cross night club, © 1965. Robert McFarlane

In the second half of the 20th century, Sin City was in every way a fitting title Sydney. Organised crime held a grip on the city and corruption was rife, infiltrating the top levels of politics, law and justice.

Focusing on the 1940s to the 1980s, this exhibition will examine some of the audacious crimes, fascinating people and various vice trades – from suburban SP bookmakers and sly-grog sellers to narcotics dealers and flashy illegal casinos – that bankrolled corruption.

By presenting a mixture of new interviews, short biographies, rare objects and a comprehensive news archive, Sin City will uncover the elements of Sydney that condoned and encouraged corruption, and expose some of the popular myths associated with this celebrated topic.