The best gay bars in Melbourne

Since opening in 2011, this Smith Street cocktail bar has become the go-to spot in Fitzroy for cabaret, queer events and drag performances. On top of regular events like 'Late Night Frockers' on Fridays and 'The Late Night Show' on Saturdays, there's always something new to look forward to, so keep an eye on the website. If you're not feeling a show, you can always book in for booths, bar stools and outdoor seating in the stable. 

This community-run establishment opened in 2018, and its co-owned by 200 people who all chipped in to get the party started. The result? A super friendly, cooperative and colourful bar that hosts a fabulous array of entertainment for people from all backgrounds. Swing by for drag bingo, dance parties, drag performances, comedy shows and more, and be sure to check out the cocktail bar for a spicy Margarita or a Pornstar Martini.

Beans Bar describes itself as Melbourne's first dedicated lesbian, trans, non-binary and neurodivergent bar. The venue was created to give those who might not feel comfortable at mainstream bars a place to call their home away from home. Beans Bar hosts a regular roster of events including everything from comedy and spoken word to social mixers and film nights.

What makes beans neurodivergent-friendly? Every Sunday is 'Sensory Sunday', where noise and other stimuli are kept to a minimum. There are also bubble poppers and simple food to help people feel more at ease.

This Collingwood 'bear and leather' bar opened in 1980 and has remained one of Australia's longest-running gay-owned and operated venues. In 1998, VCAT granted the Laird 'male-only' status, but it occasionally opens its doors to the wider community for events. It's open seven nights a week for same-sex attracted cisgender and transgender males, and it hosts a variety of events like the Thursday 'Spit 'n' Polish' leather and fetish night, a Wednesday 'Trivial Hirstute' night and 'blokeoke' nights. 

This pop dance club and gay bar hybrid is known for being open until 7am on Fridays and Saturdays, so it's basically the perfect club for kick-ons. Similar to the Laird, the Peel is proudly a gay male venue and is designed specifically for gay men. You can attend as a guest as long as you're respectful and mindful of your behaviour during your visit. 

The Prince is a Frankenstein’s monster of a pub. Within its walls are a boutique hotel, a casual bar, a dining room restaurant and a huge band room, and it's become known as one of Melbourne's oldest gay-friendly pubs. The versatile venue is looking smarter than ever after after a recent multi-million dollar refurbishment. If you're not so keen on sticky floored bars that turn into clubs at night, then this easy-going joint is for you. 

DT's has been Richmond's premiere gay joint for many years, and it's a relaxed affair where every colour of the rainbow is welcome to come to relax and have a drink. Try your hand at karaoke on Thursdays or catch Rubi Taböö, Tequila Mockingbird and Esther Rix putting on three camp shows on Saturday nights. There's also a cracker of after work drinks deal Wednesdays to Fridays – get house wine and schooners for $4 from 4pm, $5 from 5pm, $6 from 6pm and $7 from 7pm.

This Fitzroy bar has become renowned for its vast array of weekly specials offering cheap drinks, food and entertainment from Wednesdays to Sundays. Enjoy cheap pints and RDTs while dancing the night away with award-winning DJs, and keep an eye out for ticketed parties and events that often sell out. ADAM takes over Sircuit on Mondays, hosting a ticketed nude social night with men comfortably having a drink and playing pool in the buff.

Alright, so this is technically a gay pool and sauna centre that also happens to have a bar, but if you're keen to pair your bev with a soak, then make your way to Collingwood. Wet often hosts events like queer pool parties, nude nights, under 30s nights and even nights specifically for bears, cubs, otters and pandas and the people who love them. Be sure to drink responsibly, because high temperatures, wet areas and alcohol don't mix well.

Poof Doof definitely crosses over into nightclub territory, so give it a miss if you're looking for something quieter and more relaxed. But if you like your drinks paired with amped up tunes, then wander through the dark doors and prepare to groove beneath the disco ball.