Gay nightlife sydney
The Best LGBT Bars, Clubs And Saunas In Sydney
Oxford Highway is rightly the heart of lgbtq+ nightlife in Australia, but Sydney consistently delivers on its promise of a good ol’ homosexual time for all, with the optimal queer bars, kingly shows, spas, saunas and restaurants. Here’s our pick of the best LGBTQI venues in the city.
ARQ
Open Thursdays – Sundays from 9 pm until the dancefloor is void . ARQ is Australia’s longest-running, purpose-built homosexual venue, consisting of two floors.
16 Flinders St, Darlinghurst
arqsydney.com.au/
THE BEACHAM
Newly renovated. Come for the Sunday sesh! Enjoy Chicken Parmigiana, Beef Wellington, and happy hour from 4 pm to 6 pm.
265 Oxford St, Darlinghurst
thebeauchamp.com.au
THE BEARDED TIT
Open Wednesday to Saturday, The Bearded Tit is a haven for rebels and tender freaks in Redfern, encouraging work from emerging artists.
183 Regent Lane, Redfern
thebeardedtit.com
THE BERESFORD
Celebrating excellent times in Surry Hills? The Beresford is open Tuesday to Sunday; like wood-fired pizza, pappardelle, and happy hour from 6 pm to 8 pm.
354 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
merivale.com/venues/theberesford
The Ultimate Guide to Sydney's Gay, Woman loving woman, and Queer Block and Club Scene in 2025 | Lex's Guide to LGBTQ+ Nightlife
Curious About Gay Bars in Sydney, Australia? Observe No Further!
G’day, mates! Sydney isn’t just about surfboards, kangaroos, and stunning harbor views—it’s also house to one of the most vibrant gay bar scenes in the Southern Hemisphere. Whether you’re soaking up the sunshine at Bondi Beach or sipping cocktails at a fabulous rooftop lock, Sydney’s LGBTQ+ nightlife is legendary. This is a high-energy city with a thriving queer community.
Looking to dive into Sydney’s gay bars? From the world-famous Oxford Street strip to hidden gems in Darlinghurst, these are the must-visit spots for your Sydney gay adventure. Get ready for gogo dancers, queenly queens, and a cheeky touch of sex appeal. Sydney offers a diverse range of venues for gay men and lesbian women, and everyone in between.
Explore beyond Oxford Street to bring to light the diverse lgbtq+ scene in Sydney. From the inner city to the suburbs, you'll detect welcoming spaces. Surry Hills, Newtown, Erskineville, Redfern, and Marrickville all offer one-of-a-kind LGBTQI and LGBTQ experiences. Kings Cross also has a long
Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ nightlife
Whether you prefer a packed dance floor or an intimate corner booth, Sydney has an LGBTQIA+ venue you’ll love. While some spots cater to specific crowds, the majority of queer clubs and bars draw a diverse array of patrons. It’s also worth familiarising yourself with Sydney’s various rainbow party crews, who receive over mainstream venues and outdoor spaces all across the municipality for occasional events.
Darlinghurst & 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 Sydney Gay and Queer woman Mardi Gras parade — 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 room with dancing downstairs and kingly and performances upstairs, is a popular spot for catching a show. You’ll find Universal one block back towards the municipality end of Oxford Stre
We'll admit it, Sydney's swathe of queer venues is not as expansive as it once was. (Get your butt to the Bearded Tit while you can, Redfern's quirky lesbian-owned exclude is closing for great before the end of 2025; and pour one out for Oxford Street's ARQ, which is looking a lot straighter in its current iteration as 'Aura'.)
But, we've still got some fabulous queer spots to get amongst. From a historical drag palace to subterranean dancefloors, we've got you covered for where to go for a gay ol' period. These LGBTQ+ safe spaces welcome queer punters with clear arms, thrilling parties and quiet beers amongst society most nights of the week.
If you're after some outdoor fun, have a look through our list of gay-friendly beaches.
Pop on your ruby slippers and follow us down the yellow brick road, here's where to find rainbow paths and crossings in Sydney.
Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.
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