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Two drag queens pose by bar holding cocktails
Photograph: Anna Kucera | Miss 3D and Etcetera Etcetera at the Imperial Hotel, Erskineville

The best gay and queer pubs, bars and clubs in Sydney

Head to one of these popular LGBTQ+ spaces for a good time

Alannah Le Cross
Edited by
Alannah Le Cross
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From a historical drag palace to subterranean digs – we've got you covered for where to go for a gay old time. These pubs and clubs serve Sydney's LGBTQ+ communities with open arms, providing safe spaces, thrilling parties and quiet beers with a side of queer 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.

Top LGBTQ+ clubs and bars in Sydney

  • Bars
  • Erskineville
  • price 1 of 4

The launching site from the famous bus journey in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, this pub has been a historical safe space for Inner West LGBTQ+ communities since the early '80s. Head here for regular drag shows, fabulous food, and a killer subterranean dancefloor. Bring your nan to drag n' dine, or find subversive events like Honcho Disko in the basement.

  • Gay and lesbian
  • Darlinghurst

This Oxford Street venue has nicely cultivated itself into an inclusive hub where you can drink cocktails with rubber ducks in them and see drag most nights of the week, from lively amateur performers to the matriachs of the Pink Mile. The upstairs night club, formerly known as the stalwart Midnight Shift, transforms into a sparkling pop-up dinner theatre most weekends before the dancefloor heats up with the biggest dance parties from GAYM Entertainment.

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  • Bars
  • Surry Hills
  • price 2 of 4

In a former life the Bero was a famous gay bar, and the gentlemen of Darlinghurst are still well-represented in the crowd (especially on Sunday nights). The prettiest boys in Sydney pack out the courtyard here, and after a few pints, they start to head upstairs to the dedicated concert space and nightclub dancefloor. 

  • Bars
  • Redfern
  • price 1 of 4

The weird and wonderful are welcomed at Redfern’s lesbian-owned neighbourhood art bar. There is a mix of punters that properly reflects the Sydney rainbow, and nobody gives it a second thought (that's right, a toilet is a toilet here so there's no awkwardness when choosing what door to open). On Wednesday nights, Queerborhood is a welcoming night of queer performance bliss. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in heart.

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  • Gay and lesbian
  • Darlinghurst

For many years, a good night out at Arq has meant shaking your booty on podiums, makeouts and makeup tips exchanged in the mixed bathrooms, and some of the most fabulous drag queen production shows you'll see on the Pink Mile. Outside, the lovingly coined "Trash Alley" that runs alongside the club is where many stories and ciggies (well nowadays, pineapple ice crush vapes) have been shared. It looked like Arq was closing good when it was listed for sale in 2021. However, blessed be, it reopened in December 2022

 

  • Bars
  • Darlinghurst

This legendary Taylor Square hotel boasts a treasure trove of treats and an intriguing history. Nowadays, notorious party starters Poof Doof are taking over the top floor and the middle bar every Saturday night. Expect non-stop bangers and house music all night long, along with show-stopping production numbers and drag go-go dancers. There's also regular events throughout the week with a queer twist, including drag trivia and drag bingo. Or you can just grab a drink and enjoy some seriously good people-watching, Taylor Square style. 

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Ching-a-lings
  • Bars
  • Darlinghurst
  • price 1 of 4

The tricky thing about this small Oxford Street bar is finding it, but hey – no sign, no line. The entrance is simply a small doorway behind a friendly bouncer with zero attitude. The rest is easy-peasy. You'll find big vibes in a small space (plus an outdoor wooden deck) and events including queer-centric life drawing nights and lofi drag shows with big camp energy. 

 

  • Bars
  • Darlinghurst

A grab bag of themes, patrons and specials are always on offer at this longstanding corner pub. The basement of this iconic gay bar, known as Undergound, is a boutique bar and club. One level up you’ll find the main (street level) bar with an open floorplan and outdoor deck. On level two sits the recently refurbed Ginger's – dedicated to showcasing cabaret, drag shows and live music. 

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The Colombian Hotel
  • Bars
  • Darlinghurst

One of the best spots on Oxford for kicked-back vibes and a cheeky boogie. This former bank is one of Oxford Street’s more revered and historic gay bars. The Colombian’s spacious street-level bar features cushy booths for a midnight pash, bar-stool seating that screams ‘you’re one chardonnay away from falling off me' and a generous window where punters can sit and people-watch as the hours tick by. 

  • Nightlife
  • Darlinghurst

This no-frills dive bar is one of the most beloved clubs on Oxford Street. People tend to head here for daggy, tipple-heavy nights that – more often than not – end up stretching into the wee hours. It's not the cool factor that draws the crowds, who often line-up down the street to get in, but rather the opposite: the messy fun vibes, daggy disco ambience and DJ sets of back-to-back '90s and '00s bangers.

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