Sydney has a thriving gay scene and plays host to one of the world’s best pride events: Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. There are a range of gay areas (or “gayborhoods”) in Sydney where the community congregates at amazing gay bars and clubs, as well as at more laid-back coffee houses and restaurants. We’ve put together a guide to help you decide where to stay and what to check out but you’re sure to feel welcome wherever you go.
Gay areas in Sydney: Darlinghurst
Darlinghurst is one of Sydney’s main gay neighborhoods and, back in 2016, almost one in five couples were men in same-sex relationships. It’s home to Oxford Street, the center of Sydney’s gay scene with clubs, bars and cafes run by and for Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ community.
The strip was dubbed the ‘Golden Mile’ during its peak between the 70s and 90s and was a haven where queer men could socialize 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 LGBTQIA+ activity and hosts Sydney’s famous Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, usually held every March on Oxford Street.
Best gay 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 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 a DJ and live performers.
Best places to stay in Darlinghurst
The ADGE Apartment Sydney is only around five minutes from some of Darlinghurst’s best gay neighborhoods and venues and has fully equipped 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 15 minutes from Oxford Street.
Potts Point
Potts Point has historically been Darlinghurst’s main competition when it comes to Sydney’s gay scene and this harborside 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 center of Sydney’s nightlife and home to one of Sydney’s earliest gay bars, the Bottom’s Up Bar. In 2016, just over 15% of couples in Potts Point were gay men.
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, that’s often the way its clientele skews. Bloody Mary’s is an excellent 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 is a great accommodation option that provides beautiful views of the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House and is only a short walk from the harbor itself. Regents Court is a luxurious option for those looking for furnished apartments offering chic studio apartments with privacy and comfort. You can also find short-term apartments in Potts Point offered by LGBTQIA+ 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 harbor, Sydney’s CBD and many other gay districts, including Potts Point and Darlinghurst. This area is more peaceful and upscale and has some excellent dining options, including Maggie’s, a German restaurant particularly popular with LGBTQIA+ 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 popular 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 very popular with LGBTQIA+ clientele. It hosts the iconic Laneway party every Mardi Gras and the rest of the year, it’s an excellent restaurant serving wood-fired pizza and homemade pasta. It hosts a variety of events, including shows and themed nights geared toward gay patrons.
Best places to stay in Surry Hills
Hotel Harry is a stylish, hip hotel close to Crown Street which also has an onsite restaurant with a dance floor and live music performances. The Adina Apartment Hotel is on Crown Street and is only around 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 neighborhoods like Redfern, which has the fifth-highest proportion of gay couples in Australia (as of 2016). Redfern is only around three kilometers from Sydney’s CBD and is home to beautiful parks and an excellent cafe and dining scene.
Best bars, clubs and restaurants in Redfern
The Bearded Tit is a fantastic bar and art space that’s the gathering point for many of Redfern’s most colorful 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 are 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 that’s around 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 neighborhood on the CBD’s doorstep is Chippendale, a beautiful suburb with a thriving arts scene. You’ll find a number of small, contemporary galleries, along with performing arts centers 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 popular with 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, as of 2016. The area is popular with working professionals and students (it’s very close to Sydney University) 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/Esrkineville
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 LGBTQIA+ venues in Sydney’s Inner West and one of Sydney’s most iconic locations, once used as the setting for the famous 1995 film Priscilla Queen of the Desert. 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 it also has rooms available where you can stay overnight. It’s about seven minutes 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 seven kilometers 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 art and music scene. The Marrickville Organic Food Market runs every Sunday where you can find organic produce and handmade crafts, while many of the old warehouses have been transformed into excellent coffee houses.
Best bars, clubs and restaurants in Marrickville
Red Rattler is a super unique venue that hosts a whole bunch of different queer events. It’s a not-for-profit organization that’s artist and activist-run. A converted warehouse, that’s part theater, 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’s near great shopping and dining options and is super close to 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 and relaxed hangout for LGBTQIA+ locals, particularly during the summer months. If you’re looking for a nude beach, the small and secluded Obelisk Beach is popular with gay locals and tourists.
