On the eastern fringe of the city adjoining suburbs of Surry Hills and Darlinghurst, you can explore Sydney's famous Oxford Street, which is lined with a range of popular LGBTIQ+ nightlife venues and many other queer-focused businesses, as well as a diverse selection of cafés and restaurants. Be sure to grab an afternoon drink at one of the many local queer pubs which have been serving locals for decades.
Sydney’s other unofficial ‘rainbow strip’ is King Street in Newtown in the Inner West, where the vibe leans more alternative. Here, you’ll find tattoo parlours, design stores and some of Sydney’s best Thai food, along with a diverse crowd of locals — not only queer folk but also students from nearby universities, bohemian families and many of Sydney’s musicians and artists. The surrounding suburbs of Erskineville, Enmore and Marrickville are also packed with LGBTQIA+ residents.
Not sure where to stay while you’re in Sydney? Consider the suburbs of Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay, which sit between Darlinghurst, Kings Cross and Sydney Harbour. This densely populated area has long been popular with queer Sydneysiders, and Potts Point, in particular, offers a range of accommodations, from upmarket chain hotels to boutique lodges. From here, Oxford Street is an easy walk.
If you’d rather be closer to the beach (this is the city where Speedos were invented, after all), notoriously queer-friendly stretches of sand include Clovelly, Tamarama and Coogee. If staying at the latter, be sure to check out the rainbow walkway on the steps to the water – the council voted unanimously to make the colourful curves a permanent feature.
SYDNEY LGBTIQ+ CLUBS, PUBS & NIGHTLIFE
The Oxford Hotel
Popular with the locals, The Oxford Pub has stood proudly for over 100 years and is made up of four very distinct spaces.
The ground floor hosts the main bar with a bistro and a large terrace. Popular with mid-aged and the older gay crowd and bears through the week. Weekends are very busy with a mix of gay, straight, young and old of all genders.
Situated on the first floor of The Oxford Hotel, Gingers is a glamorous New York-style cocktail and entertainment bar. With luxurious finishes, intimate booths, mezzanine-level seating, and a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system, Gingers offers an alluring, contemporary, and decadent event experience. It is suitable for birthday parties, corporate events, and live music entertainment. Head up another floor, and you'll find the glamorous Polo Lounge.
The basement, with its booming sound and lighting system, is an exceptional gay party location and is also available for events.
134 Oxford Street
The Stonewall Hotel
You'll find a fantastic mix of fabulous LGBTIQ+ people at The Stonewall Hotel on Oxford Street. It's a great venue to meet new people and hang out with friends.
Stonewall says it's committed to supporting the lifestyle that all of us in the Gay Community enjoy so much. Whether it be entertainment, fashion, parties or music, Stonewall will bring you events and items that help create the spirit of unity and love for our way of life.The music at Stonewall showcases local Dj's, and provides a safe place for the queer community.
Showcasing Sydney's best drag queens, Go Go Boys and local DJ's, the Stonewall Public Bar has entertainment 7 days a week and is free of charge. Catch up with locals for Happy Hour every night between 6 – 8pm.
175 Oxford Street
Darlinghurst, Sydney
Monday-Thursday: 4.00pm - 2.00am
Friday- Saturday: 4.00pm - 4:30am
Sunday: 4.00pm - 2:00am
Arq Nightclub
Popular with younger queer folk and the gay dance party crowd, Arq nightclub has two spaces. It hosts an ongoing program of local and international DJs, drag performers, pyrotechnics, aerialists, and live musicians, contributing to that renowned Oxford Street energy and ensuring the dance floor is always packed.
Every Saturday, Arc also hosts its now-world-famous POOF DOOF Dance Party, featuring drag, gogo dances, the best house music, and non-stop bangers all night.
16 Flinders Street
Darlinghurst, Sydney
Universal
Previously known as The Midnight Shift, Universal Sydney was born in 2018 after Universal Hotels takeover.
This gay hot spot on Oxford Street is steeped in queer history and, over the years, has cultivated itself into an inclusive venue where you can dance the night away, drink cocktails with rubber ducks in them and see drag performances five nights a week from lively local performers.
The upstairs nightclub, once known as the Midnight Shift, has been revamped and relaunched as Universal and continues to be a busy and popular LGBTIQ+ dance club. Expect a primarily male gay crowd, from twinks and party boys to bears and daddies of all ages.
354 Bourke Street
Surry Hills, Sydney
Palms on Oxford
Blast from the past! This classic and retro queer Darlinghurst basement nightclub is open from Thursday to Sunday. Small but mighty, you can party the night away at the tropical-themed bar with the 80s and 90s dance hits that play all night long.
16 Flinders Street
Darlinghurst, Sydney
Colombian Hotel
Occupying a former bank on a well-positioned Oxford Street corner with a mixed crowd of straight and LGBTIQ folk of all ages. From sports nights to disco drag bingo, the Colombian offers something for everyone.
Grab a stool in the airy street-level bar, and sip on a drink as you cast your eye over the colourful characters that stroll up and down the so-called Golden Mile – there’s always a good crowd for after-work drinks before things get wilder on Friday and Saturday nights.
354 Bourke Steet
Surry Hills, Sydney
THE BURDEKIN HOTEL
Darlinghurst’s 5-storey icon is open Tuesday to Sunday with drag trivia, Italo dining, and bottomless brunch. You can enjoy heavy metal to princess pop at this iconic Sydney pub.
Every Sunday on the Burdekin Rooftop, enjoy Sydney’s best bottomless brunch and drag show, Spritz or Swallow! Mynx Moscato is your main host, providing entertainment, sass and glam along with a special guest each week.
2-4 Oxford Street
Darlinghurst, Sydney
KINSELAS
Kinselas is one of Sydney's most iconic mixed venues. It boasts a rich history and offers a variety of entertainment options, including arcade games, trivia nights hosted by drag queens, and themed live music nights. The Chapel, with its ornate art deco ceilings, pays homage to the venue's past as a funeral parlour. It's a place for fun, history, and community.
383 Bourke Street
Darlinghurst, Sydney
The Beresford
Behind The Beresford's Art Deco exterior beats the heart of a neighbourhood pub with a diverse mixed crowd.
In a former life it was a famous gay bar, and the gay guys of Darlinghurst are still very well-represented in the crowd (especially on Sunday nights), alongside big groups of blokes and bears guzzling the lager. Big, earthy-hued couches fill the leafy outdoor area, which is closed off from the madness of nearby Taylor Square.
The kitchen offers everything from a simple bowl of fries to wood-fired pizza and homemade pappardelle. You won’t go hungry here. Catch up with friends for a drink at the main bar, then head out to the beer garden to soak up some good vibes.
354 Bourke Street
Surry Hills, Sydney
The Eagle
The Eagle holds events for the Sydney BLUF, leather and fetish community throughout the year in Sydney. Check out their website for locations and event details in and around Darlinghurst, Sydney.
The Bearded Tit
Part neighbourhood queer bar, gallery and creative space, The Bearded Tit is a local clubhouse for the parched, hungry and curious. Joy Ng and her ragtag band of misfits, work to create a welcoming environment for the whole community (so be cool or leave, man).
The Bearded Tit focus on community, queer culture, visual and performance art carves a space where people can enjoy a drink in the setting of a local’s bar, and also experience performances and events outside of traditional gallery spaces and nightclubs.
183 Regent Street
Redfern, Sydney
The Imperial Erskineville
Since 1983, The Imperial Erskineville has been an icon and an institution of the LGBT+ community. In March 2018 after a much-needed nip and tuck and a deluge of love, this national treasure reopened to showcase her new look and keep the good times going.
Unique in style, diverse in culture, we invite you to drag & dine or party the night away in our Main Bar! Here we celebrate self-expression, creative individualism, performance, dance and music. We match all these passions with a deep devotion to seriously good food and killer cocktails.
Up top is the Inner West’s favourite Rooftop Bar, waiting for you with immaculate vibes. With pizza from Inner West legends, the Pizza bros – the Rooftop is the perfect place for a slice, a spritz and some revelry you won’t regret.
In the Basement, The Imperial’s party-loving soul shines brighter than ever. A haven for live performance, DJs and parties hosted by your favourite promoter groups, including Superficial, Dumpster Dive, Girlthing, Bearpit, Runway, + more. Don’t forget the Impy’s own Club 2043- the free Friday club night taking the city by storm! There is plenty of love in our house.
35 Erskineville Road
Erskinville NSW 2043
Canberra Travel Guide with local Luka Musicki
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