Sydney has a thriving LGBTQ scene and hosts one of the world’s best Pride events: the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. There is a range of gay areas in Sydney where the community congregates at amazing bars and clubs as well as more laidback coffeehouses and restaurants. We’ve put together a guide to help you decide where to stay and what to check out but, wherever you may be on the LGBTQ spectrum, you’re sure to feel welcome wherever you go.
Darlinghurst
Darlinghurst is one of Sydney’s main LGBTQ areas, and back in 2016, almost one in five couples were men in same-sex relationships. It’s home to Oxford Street, the centre of Sydney’s gay scene with clubs, bars, and cafes run by and for Sydney’s LGBTQ community.
The strip was dubbed the “Golden Mile” during its peak between the 70s and 90s and was a place where queer men could socialise and be themselves during a time when the rest of the city was far less welcoming. Today, even though you can find gay hotspots throughout the city, Oxford Street remains a major hub for LGBTQ activity and hosts the famous Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, usually held every March.
Best bars and clubs in Darlinghurst
Oxford Street is where you’ll find most of the best gay bars in Darlinghurst. Sydney’s own Stonewall Hotel is one of the most popular spots with entertainment spanning across three levels including two bars and a drag venue. Another excellent option is Ginger’s, a New York-style cocktail bar with DJs and live performers.
Best places to stay in Darlinghurst
The ADGE Apartment Sydney is only five minutes away from some of Darlinghurst’s best gay venues and has fully furnished apartments with private balconies and an excellent on-site restaurant. The Kirketon Hotel has a range of rooms that can suit a variety of budgets and is around fifteen minutes away from Oxford Street.
Potts Point
Potts Point has historically been Darlinghurst’s main competition when it comes to Sydney’s gay scene. In 2016, just over 15% of couples in Potts Point were gay men. This harbourside suburb is known for its brunches, boutique shopping, and cutting-edge street fashion. It also includes part of Kings Cross, a non-official suburb that was historically the centre of Sydney’s nightlife and home to one of the city’s earliest gay bars, the Bottom’s Up Bar.
Best bars, clubs, and restaurants in Potts Point
The Bourbon is an excellent cocktail bar with outdoor seating in the heart of Potts Point. It features live music performances every day from 5:30 pm. It’s not a gay bar per se, but given its location it has become popular among queer people. Bloody Mary’s is a wonderful gay-friendly restaurant in Potts Point’s iconic Gazebo Building with both indoor and outdoor areas. Order some takeaway to eat on the go from their extensive, American-influenced menu, or settle in for one of their bottomless brunches.
Best places to stay in Potts Point
The Macleay Hotel offers a great accommodation that provides beautiful views of the Harbour Bridge. The Sydney Opera House is only a short walk from the harbour itself. Regents Court is a luxurious option for those looking for furnished apartments and chic studios that offer privacy and comfort. You can also find short-term apartments in Potts Point offered by LGBTQ locals.
Elizabeth Bay
On the other side of Kings Cross lies Elizabeth Bay, which has one of the highest densities of gay residents in Sydney. If you stay here you’ll be close to the harbour, Sydney’s CBD, and many other gay districts including Potts Point and Darlinghurst. This area is more peaceful and upscale and has excellent dining options, including Maggie’s, a German restaurant particularly popular with LGBTQ clientele.
Surry Hills
Where Darlinghurst has Oxford Street, and Elizabeth Bay and Potts Point have King’s Cross, Surry Hills has Crown Street, a laid-back, village-esque strip where you can find vinyl record shops, upscale eateries, and thriving gay bars all close to one another. Bar Positano is a lovely cafe bar that often runs limited edition cocktails during Mardi Gras to go with their usual offerings of delicious paninis and Aperol spritzes.
Best bars, clubs, and restaurants in Surry Hills
The Beresford Hotel on Bourke Street was once solely a gay club and today it’s still famous with LGBTQ clientele. It hosts the iconic Laneway party every Mardi Gras, and the rest of the time it’s an excellent restaurant serving wood-fired pizza and homemade pasta. It hosts a variety of events including shows and themed nights intended for gay patrons.
Best places to stay in Surry Hills
Hotel Harry is a stylish, hip hotel close to Crown Street that also has an onsite restaurant with a dance floor and live music performances. The Adina Apartment Hotel is on Crown Street, just a five-minute walk from the Beresford Hotel. It offers a gym, an outdoor pool, and sleek, minimalist rooms.
Redfern
The density of gay residents drops off after Potts Point, but there are still thriving gay communities in suburbs like Redfern, which has the fifth highest proportion of gay couples in Australia (as of 2016). Redfern is around 3 kms from Sydney’s CBD and is home to beautiful parks and an excellent cafe and restaurants.
Best bars, clubs, and restaurants in Redfern
The Bearded Tit is a fantastic bar and art space that has become the gathering point for many of Redfern’s most colourful characters to sit back and relax with some delicious cocktails. The atmosphere is lively and the decor is a collection of wonderful oddities including fruit chandeliers and a taxidermied boar playing the trumpet. The only food they offer is cheese boards, but you’re also welcome to order food to the bar from the nearby Lorentto Pizzeria.
Best places to stay in Redfern
Hotel Hacienda is a lovely, welcoming hotel, a 10-minute walk from The Bearded Tit. It’s a great budget choice with a few different options for single rooms as well as multi-room apartments on offer. The Cantina downstairs serves delicious South and Central American cuisine, and the bar serves a range of international beers and cocktails.
Chippendale
Another excellent gay area on the CBD’s doorstep is Chippendale, a beautiful suburb with a vibrant arts scene. You’ll find a number of small, contemporary galleries along with performing arts centres and hip cafes. Kensington Street is the hub of Chippendale’s dining scene and Central Park Mall is a remarkable urban renewal project with hanging vertical gardens.
Newtown/Erskineville
The suburbs of Newtown and Erskineville are famous among both gay men and lesbians with the seventh highest proportion of male same-sex couples and the second highest proportion of female same-sex couples in Australia back in 2016. The area is popular among working professionals and students (it’s very close to the University of Sydney) and has a lovely, laid-back atmosphere. It’s close to King Street and Enmore Road, where you can find excellent cafes and restaurants.
Best bars, clubs, and restaurants in Newtown/Erskineville
The Bank is a great pub right in the heart of Newtown on King Street, and they pride themselves on being a welcoming, safe space for everyone. They host live music and serve delicious pitas and cocktails. The Imperial Hotel is one of the most popular LGBTQ venues in Sydney’s Inner West and one of Sydney’s most iconic locations, once used as the setting for the 1994 film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert starring Guy Pearce and Hugo Weaving. There are plenty of regular events including drag nights and cabaret shows.
Best places to stay in Newtown/Erskineville
The Erko Hotel is one of Erskineville’s best pubs and has rooms available where you can stay overnight. It’s about 7 minutes away from The Bank and just down the street from The Imperial Erskineville, so you’ll never be far from some of the area’s best gay venues.
Marrickville
Marrickville sits right next door to Newtown, around 7 kms from Sydney’s CBD. Once a major industrial hub, it’s now a popular foodie hangout with a number of craft breweries and a thriving arts and music scene. The Marrickville Organic Food Market runs every Sunday where you can find organic produce and handmade crafts. Many of the old warehouses in the area have been transformed into excellent coffee houses.
Best bars, clubs, and restaurants in Marrickville
Red Rattler is a unique venue that hosts a whole bunch of different LGBTQ events. It’s a not-for-profit organisation run by artists and activists. In this converted warehouse that’s part theatre and part rooftop bar, you can find a variety of events including fundraisers, plays and musicals, dance performances, and cabarets.
Best places to stay in Marrickville
The Hideaway in Petersham is a beautiful, bright, furnished apartment in Marrickville that is situated close to fabulous shopping and dining places as well as public transport. It’s a studio apartment with a double bed and a sofa bed that provides great value for money.
Clovelly Beach and Obelisk Beach
If you’re hoping to chill on the beach during your trip to Sydney, then make sure to visit Clovelly Beach. This small cove is a popular hangout among LGBTQ locals, particularly during the summer months. If you’re looking for a nude beach, the small and secluded Obelisk Beach is highly recommended by gay locals and tourists.
