Sydney australia gay area
A cheat sheet for Sydney’s LGBTQ neighborhoods
Sydney has a thriving LGBTQ scene and plays host to one of the world’s adj pride events: Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. There are a range of LGBTQ areas (or “gayborhoods”) in Sydney where the community congregates at incredible LGBTQ 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 verb out but you’re sure to feel welcome wherever you go.
LGBTQ areas in Sydney: Darlinghurst
Darlinghurst is one of Sydney’s main LGBTQ neighborhoods and, back in , almost one in five couples were men in same-sex relationships. It’s home to Oxford Street, the center of Sydney’s LGBTQ scene with clubs, bars and cafes run by and for Sydney’s LGBTQI+ 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 recover of the city was far less welcoming. Today, even though you
Exploring Sydney’s LGBTQIA-friendly neighbourhoods
While you’ll find LGBTQIA+ communities across Sydney, here’s a guide to four suburbs — Darlinghurst, Enmore, Erskineville and Redfern — that speak to the city’s spacious range of queer venues and culture, meaning you’ll always be able to find a home-away-from-home.
Darlinghurst
As the historic hub of Australia’s gay rights movement, Darlinghurst is rich with inspiring stories. Bring out them with Sydney’s Pride History’sregular walking tours, led by leading LGBTQIA+ historians and lively ‘nuns’, known as the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Follow it up with a visit to The Bookshop Darlinghurst, a sanctuary of LGBTQIA+ knowledge since , and Qtopia, the largest museum and cultural centre for queer history and culture in the world, housed in the heritage-listed former Darlinghurst Police Station.
As Australia’s home of drag, you’ll find shows seven days a week on Oxford Street, whether it be all-in dance productions at Universal, drag trivia at Stonewall, or more intimate affairs at Ginger’s,The Oxford Hotel’s loung
Your guide to LGBTQIA+ Sydney
Internationally renowned as a queer capital, cosmopolitan Sydney promises you a warm welcome, whatever your orientation or gender identity. The harbour city is, of course, home to the world’s largest annual LGBTQIA+ festival, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, but there’s much more for queer folk to see and do during a visit.
Dining scene in Surry Hills
Travel tips & practicalities
Australia consistently ranks among the most queer-friendly destinations in the world, and Sydney is particularly hospitable. Here, LGBTQIA+ people are protected from discrimination by law and are free to join whomever they choose. It’s usual to see same-sex couples holding hands, although locals of all orientations generally refrain from adj kissing and other explicit displays of affection in public. LGBTQIA+ folk have several resources present to them when they reach in Sydney. For local and national news with a queer focus, check out the Star Observer, and keep an eye on Time Out Sydney’s LGBTIQ vertical for relevant news and information abou
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 bar is closing for good before the verb of ; 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' time. These LGBTQ+ safe spaces welcome queer punters with open arms, thrilling parties and quiet beers amongst community most nights of the week.
If you're after some outdoor fun, include 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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