Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ nightlife

Darlinghurst and Surry Hills

If you’re not sure where to begin your exploration of Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ nightlife, the Darlinghurst end of Oxford Street, usually the setting of the annual pride celebrations, is a safe bet. For a low-key start, grab a beer or a cocktail at the Colombian Hotel, a multi-level pub that occupies a prime position on the corner of Oxford and Crown Streets. Visit during a less busy time and you might be able to snag a stool at the venue’s long open window, which offers views up and down the strip.

Universal, a dual-level space with dancing downstairs and drag and other performances upstairs, is a popular spot for catching a show. You’ll find Universal one block back towards the city end of Oxford Street from the Colombian. Nearby, the Burdekin Hotel hosts regular events from bottomless brunch and quiz nights to live bands and party nights.

Universal Sydney, Darlinghurst - Credit: Universal Sydney

Carousel heats up Wednesday to Sunday with electronic music pumping through its 33 state-of-the-art speakers, scattered throughout the club, including in the bathrooms. Dance the night away amid confetti cannons, Australian pop royalty and Sydney’s biggest drag acts at POOF DOOF, an all-inclusive party that takes over the top two floors of Kinselas on Taylor Square each Saturday night. The Oxford Hotel is a couple of minutes’ walk away, across the road from Taylor Square. This popular pub spreads across four levels and offers drinking, dancing and dining – the higher you ascend, the fancier the place becomes. 

The Oxford Hotel, Darlinghurst - Credit: The Oxford Hotel 

Many long-time residents of Sydney, queer or otherwise, have at some point caught a drag show at Stonewall Hotel, across the road from The Oxford Hotel on Oxford Street. Stonewall’s stage plays host to many of the city’s best-loved queens, and its always-busy bar is a great place to strike up random conversations with strangers. The energy and beats at nearby Aura have to be experienced to be believed. With lasers, deep bass and full-wall screens, you’ll be wrapped in sound and light as you dance. 

Then there’s The Beresford Hotel, located on leafy Bourke Street in Surry Hills, a few minutes’ walk away from Taylor Square. The Beresford is arguably Sydney’s most upscale queer haunt, with a slick fit-out and restaurant-quality food. Its weekly Beresford Sundays event is very popular with gay men. 

The Beresford, Surry Hills

Newtown and surrounds

Sydney’s Inner West, a ring of suburbs around 10 to 20 minutes’ drive from the city centre, is home to many of the city’s bohemian and LGBTQIA+ residents. While there are a number of nightlife pockets, most of the socialising takes place along vibrant King Street in Newtown and adjoining Enmore Road in Enmore, where you'll encounter small bars, cafes and venues that welcome queer and non-queer patrons in equal measure. Restore your energy levels with a refreshing drink at safe spaces for rainbow communities like Newtown Hotel, The Bank Hotel and the Marlborough Hotel, or ‘the Marly’, which hosts regular queer events.

Marlborough Hotel, Newtown - Credit: Marlborough Hotel

Join a raucous basement party at the Inner West’s quintessential LGBTQIA+ venue, The Imperial, a few minutes’ walk away from Newtown in Erskineville, catch a drag show over dinner each Friday and Saturday, dance at basement club nights, or play trivia and bingo at weekly events.

The Imperial, Erskineville

Be sure to check out what’s happening at The Red Rattler, a quirky non-profit venue in Marrickville, a 10-minute drive from Newtown. ‘The Rat’ is a queer-run space that was established in 2009 to amplify the voices of Sydney’s non-conforming artists and performers. This multi-use space can be a theatre, a nightclub or a music hall, depending on how it’s set up. On any given night, you might catch an experimental theatre show, a sweaty rave or a blistering punk gig.

The Red Rattler Theatre, Marrickville - Credit: The Red Rattler Theatre | Mosca Media

Events and parties

Celebrate inclusiveness at the biggest event on the LGBTQIA+ calendar, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, though you’ll also find plenty happening outside the regular Mardi Gras festival period in February and March.

Leather up and head along to an Extra Dirty dance party at a variety of venues across the city. Find like-minded lesbians at the sophisticated Lemons monthly get-togethers at Teddy’s Enmore and network with queer business owners and professionals at Fruits in Parramatta and Sydney CBD.

And dip into the city’s bear culture at Bear Essentials, Harbour City Bears’ massive disco held each year during the Mardi Gras festival. Alternatively, join the gay social group at inclusive weekly gatherings held around Kings Cross, Newtown and Darlinghurst.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Sydney - Credit: Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

Join House of Mince’s regular Club Mince events, which often feature edgy international DJs and rappers. Every Wednesday night, Birdcage takes over Waywards Ballroom with DJs, non-stop drag shows and wild dance-floor moments. Keep an eye out for the next pop-up event by Heaps Gay, which seeks out under-utilised indoor and outdoor spaces for 12-hour fiestas. Heaps Gay events are so friendly and inclusive that they’ve become popular with non-LGBTQIA+ patrons too.

Heaps Gay, Sydney