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Sydney is the capital of the Australian state of New South Wales and located on the country's east coast. It's famous for a stunningly beautiful harbour,
some gorgeous hunks on Bondi beach, the dazzlingly unrivalled Oxford Street gay nightlife, plus art, food, shopping and numerous iconic attractions
which make Sydney a world class gay holiday destination.
It's Pride celebrations are second to none, making it a must-visit location. From its humble beginnings as a gay rights demonstration in 1978, Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has grown into a fortnight of culture and debauchery every February.
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It's the largest, most fabulous, most diverse queer celebration in the Southern Hemisphere - Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi
Gras which runs each year from mid-February to early March alongside Sydney World Pride.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is one of the oldest continuously operating LGBTQI organisations in Australia. It was built on the foundations laid by early community activists who fought for equal rights in a time of wide-spread oppression and discrimination. They aim to be a global leader in the promotion of LGBTQI diversity, inclusion, equity and social justice through culture, creativity and partnerships. Full details can be found here mardigras.org.au. |
Photograph by Mazz Images.
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| Unless you're the Energiser Bunny, you'll be hard pressed to attend everything, but there are a couple of perennial events you should try not to miss. The annual Mardi Gras Parade on the first Saturday is a bustling extravaganza that brings Sydney to a standstill and shines a global spotlight on LGBTQI lives, culture, communities and creativity. With spectacular floats and thousands of participants, the Parade showcases the glitz and glamour of the community. | |
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Every year before the event, a mean-spirited group of God-botherers pray for rain. Imagine the
horror on their faces when, one year, after a brief shower, a rainbow appeared! Come rain or shine, the Mardi Gras Parade is a dazzling affair
featuring around 200 floats and 12,500 people marching, dancing and generally whooping it up through the streets of Darlinghurst.
After the Parade, the Official Party is both spectacular and raunchy, normally staged in Hordern Pavilion and some surrounding venues from 10pm-8am. It's a time for the community to glam up and go hard. There's no question that they'll be mad at it for days. |
Photograph by Mazz Images.
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If Mardi Gras is the main reason you want to visit Sydney then be prepared. Hotel and Airbnb prices go through the roof and gay bars are bursting at the seams with
enthusiastic partygoers. Highlights like the Bondi Beach Party and the Mardi Gras After Party are certainly not to be missed. If all this seems a little overwhelming,
then be sure to avoid the February/March season.
But eitherway where do you stay? There are three main options for any gay traveller. Darlinghurst specifically Oxford Street, offers the best of the gay scene right on your doorstep. It's also pretty central, the major sites are a short distance away and the central train station is a 10-15 minute walk. The most vibrant part of the LGBTQ community can be found in the area all around Darlinghurst, with Potts Point above it and Surry Hills on its southern edge. So if not Darlinghurst then try a bit further afield in Surry Hills, which is still pretty central and still super gay, or head for the area around Sydney Harbour. Although away from many gay attractions it is in the center of town and has one of the most recognisable buildings in the world very nearby - the Sydney Opera House. | |
SYDNEY SIGHTSOne thing you should definitely do is catch the Manly Ferry. Seriously. It leaves from Circular Quay, and takes you to Manly Beach and back. And it's one of the best and cheapest ways to enjoy a cruise with the locals on Sydney Harbour. At Manly, wander down The Corso to Manly Beach, pick up some fish and chips, and enjoy the sun, sand and surf. It's magic. |
 Ferry arrives at Manly Wharf, Manly. (c) Destination NSW |
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A less-touristy alternative is to catch the ferry from Circular Quay to Old Cremorne,
then take an easy walk along the foreshore to Cremore Point and pick up the ferry
on its return to the Quay. It has all the wonderful views but without the crowds.
One of the most successful additions to Sydney's "must do" list is BridgeClimb Sydney. So get your gear on, strap up, and join a small group climb over the top of the ultimate Sydney icon, the Harbour Bridge. The views are to die for. You can't come to Sydney and not enjoy lunch while gazing out over the Pacific at Bondi Beach. Bondi's main drag, Campbell Parade, is lined with cafes and restaurants: try Sean's Panorama at the northern end; Yulla or Fu Manchu at the southern end. By the way, alcohol is no longer allowed on the beach itself. After lunch, go for a walk along the cliffs to Sydney's gay beach, Tamarama, renamed Glamarama in honour of the beautiful people. It may not be an obvious choice, but as a Norwegian visitor put it "leaving Australia without trying to surf is like visiting Norway and not going skiing." And where better to have your first surfing lesson than at Bondi Beach? The local surf school caters for beginners who have never ridden a board before, and for less than 20 pounds provides boards, wetsuits, and two hours of friendly tuition in small groups of about six. The experience is loads of fun, and those wet suits can be very sexy. | |
CLUBBING & BARSDespite the closure of a number of iconic gay hang-outs, Darlinghurst is still the place to circulate and degenerate. The main drag - Oxford Street - is home to some of Sydney's busiest gay bars. One of the oldest is the Universal Sydney. Once a dingy, smoke-filled space where you could perv on blokes playing pool, these days it has a more universal appeal and is not exclusively gay. There's a club upstairs and a bistro next door. They call it "a safe place for all humans to connect" and you can expect the place to be heaving.A hop, skip and fandango away you'll find the Stonewall Hotel featuring three floors and four bars. Stonewall is twink central and one of the very few places in Sydney to still showcase drag. Palms On Oxford Nightclub is gay club with an unpretentious vibe and a tropical theme, playing hits from the 80s and 90s. The Eagle Sydney is a popup bar which has events during the year. Their biggest programme is each year during Mardi Gras. Another mainstay of the Oxford Street strip is the Oxford. The Oxford exudes a chilled vibe offering grub, cocktails and a range of entertainment with live bands and DJs, in a stylish hangout with 3 bars and a lounge that's great to relax in. | |
 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade, Oxford Street. (c) Destination NSW / Steven Yee |
Across the way, off Taylor Square, you'll find Arq in Flinders Street. For 18 years, this spacious multilevel club has been packing
them in. Upstairs you'll find wildebeests of shirtless brawn strutting to beats, while down below there's more groove than corrugated
iron. Over 30s will especially appreciate the soft furnishings where acting laidback couldn't be easier. They stage regular drag performances
and DJs spinning house. On Saturdays they are regular hosts of the Poof Doof night known for Snap Crackle and Pop music.
Poof Doof itself can be found in both Melbourne and Sydney their host a variety of nights in different venues. They offer the best house
music and non-stop bangers all night long. Expect to see the coolest and best DJs with show stopping productions and the fiercest drag gogo dancers around.
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If Darlinghurst gets a bit too much, you can always head to Erskineville where you'll find another gay icon of the scene: the Imperial.
Known as "The Impy", The Imperial Erskineville blends the charm of a traditional Aussie pub with captivating drag shows and a rooftop bar area.
The venue hosts the Drag N'Dine show and pays tribute to the iconic numbers from "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert." Remember that the
opening scene of the iconic movie Priscilla Queen of the Desert (1994) was filmed at the Imperial, so both its drag and its bar are a must!
The Colombian Hotel is a revered and historic gay bar on Oxford Street with a spacious street-level bar. Features cushy booths, bar-stool seating, and a generous window for people-watching. The rooftop bar is the perfect place for an early evening cocktail. Nearby, Ching-a-lings is smaller but has some big vibes, coming from an outdoor wooden deck that's just brimming with boyz. They have some notable events including lo-fi drag shows with big camp energy and some queer-centric nights. Kinselas Bar is a legendary Taylor Square venue and former funeral parlour! Don't let that put you off their show-stopping production numbers, drag acts and go-go dancers. Several party promoters also take over the top floor and middle bar during weekends and special occasions, with guest DJs playing a mix of non-stop bangers and house music. Beresford Sundays at the Beresford Hotel is a celebration of diversity at the former famous gay bar in Surry Hills. They have a large courtyard and dedicated concert space. On Sundays they promise captivating drag performances that celebrate diversity and individuality. The day starts early in the afternoon beer garden and the party continues late into the night with the sexiest Sydneysiders ready to party. The venue in Surry Hills also hosts Laneway during Sydney Mardi Gras, one of the festival's most popular events. Spritz or Swallow at the Burdekin Hotel has some sassy entertainment at one of the most popular venues in Darlinghurst, The Burdekin. They host fun nights with the legendary drag queen Mynx Moscato. Spritz or Swallow offers a blend of sassy entertainment and scenic views over Sydney. You can enjoy some delicious brunch options served up with entertaining performances. Be warned, this event is always busy with a queue for tables. In nearby Newtown, while not exclusively gay, both the Bank and the Newtown both to be found on King Street are lively spaces that attract a mixed bag of punters. The Bank offers cocktail jugs and hearty food in a bar with an open street view, plus a vibrant, leafy beer garden. The Newtown meanwhile has Sydney Drag Icons and some Disco Heaven Queens on Saturdays nights. Both Erskineville and Newtown have the advantage of having escaped the city's notorious 'lockout laws'. In response to incidents of alcohol-fuelled violence, the NSW government has introduced laws preventing bars and clubs from accepting patrons after 1.30am - so it pays to think ahead about where you want to be spending the latter part of the night. DOWN UNDER 'N' DIRTYIf you want to play down 'n' dirty Sydney has no shortage of saunas and sex clubs. Investigate Trade Club on Crown St, Darlinghurst - it's a large gay cruise club & dance bar with a wide range of facilities including playrooms, cruise area, video lounge, private cabins, bar, cubicles and refreshment facilities.Those who like to take in the baths should head for Sydney Gay Steam on Sussex Street, Sydney Sauna in Oxford St, Darlinghurst or closeby The Den. The venue has an adult entertainment shop which sells all the suuplies a boy could ever need. | |
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The owners of 357 Sydney City Steam have moved to Taylor Street in Darlinghurst, and renamed it Sauna X.
This recently-renovated 4-level venue is designed to provide a clean, safe, discreet and comfortable environment for gay, bisexual, pansexual or curious men to
relax, explore, and connect with others (all genders and sexualities are welcome every Tuesday). Their cafe, bar and lounge are a perfect setting to chill out.
They have private and themed rooms, wet areas, a large spa, sauna, and spacious steam room.
Cozy Spa in Sussex Street, Haymarket is a place to rejuvenate with some friendly Asian male therapists. They have private treatment rooms where you can take a shower before and after treatments. Each therapist is trained by a thai trainer or in Thailand where massage skills have been perfected over the centuries. |
.jpg) Mardi Gras Bodypainting Photo: Eva Rinaldi CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons |
| Aarows is an adult entertainment club in Rydalmere which caters for discreet gay, bi and swingers. It has been established as Sydney's premier health, recreation & social centre where safe sex is permitted regardless of gender. They have a gym, spa and lounges over 3 levels which are open 24 hours a day. On Sundays it's Men Only and nude from 8am - 8pm on their 3rd floor, which has a cinema room, private booths, sling rooms, large orgy area and a cosy lounge area. | |
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OUT AND ABOUTBeing Sydney, there's also a beach scene to explore. Obelisk, Tamarama, Lady Jane and La Perouse are all good for a cruise.Above is just a microcosm of the carry on to be had. As you'd expect from the party-pig capital of the Asia Pacific, Sydney has something for everyone. So enjoy, stay safe and have a brilliant time! |
 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade, Oxford Street. (c) Destination NSW |
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Revised December 2024 | |