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The rest is easy-peasy. The gay activities have been moved to the rooftop, enjoy trivia on Tuesdays, dragaoke on Thursdays and Sunday sessions with a free sunset included.
Happy Hour is Monday to Friday 5 pm to 7 pm where house beers, wine, and spirits are only $5.50.
Where: 146 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
How to get there: There’s a bus stop a few meters away and the Museum train station is a 10-minute walk.
Stonewall
Sydney’s Stonewall Hotel is a party destination.
Think again, my friend.
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It has a new dine-and-drag option. Follow it up with a visit to The Bookshop Darlinghurst, a sanctuary of LGBTQIA+ knowledge since 1982, 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 lounge bar.
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.
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.
There are still seven gay venues all offering something a little different. On weekends, club nights like Honcho Disko and House of Mince take over the basement.
The Imperial Erskineville, Inner Sydney
Across the road is gastro pub The Erko, with pool tables, a spacious, dog-friendly beer garden, and a barbecue menu filled with slow-cooked smoked meats.
The weekly lineup includes Monday trivia, Tuesday games night, Thursday is trans night with bingo and karaoke, with drag shows in the main bar on Friday and Saturday nights.
The Newtown Hotel also serves up delicious pub food coupled with excellent local beers.
Where: 174 King Street, Newtown
How to Get There: The Newtown Hotel has a bus stop almost outside its front door, or it’s a 7-minute walk from either Erskineville or Newtown train stations.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
Sydney’s biggest LGBTQ+ celebration transforms the city every February and March, culminating in the world-famous Mardi Gras Parade.
Uncover them with Sydney’s Pride History’sregular walking tours, led by leading LGBTQIA+ historians and lively ‘nuns’, known as the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. On level two sits the recently refurbed Ginger's – dedicated to showcasing cabaret, drag shows and live music.
One of the best spots on Oxford for kicked-back vibes and a cheeky boogie.
It’s open six days a week with something for everyone. Grab a great deal on your hotel stay when you book via GayMapper!
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Meanwhile, The Sunshine Inn is a warm bistro-bar soaked with natural light in the day. At the back, a leather door hides DD’s, a small diner with a handful of seats, a chandelier and an ever-changing degustation menu based around seasonal produce.
The Sunshine Inn, Redfern
Erskineville
This leafy Inner West suburb is home to Australia’s most famous gay bar: The Imperial, made immortal in The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen Of The Desert.
In the heart of it all is Oxford Street, the home of lively nightlife and the place where locals and visitors gather. Recently refurbished, the venue embraces its history with Drag’N’Dine nights five days a week at restaurant Priscilla’s. You’re sure to feel right at home here. 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.
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).
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Been there, done that? From the iconic drag shows of Oxford Street to the alternative charm of Newtown, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Sydney’s gay nightlife in 2025.
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Dedicated to sustainability, its vegan-friendly menu uses produce from the bar’s patch at Erskineville’s vegetable garden, paired with beers from nearby breweries. There’s also a bus stop a few meters back down Oxford Street.
Palms on Oxford
Palms on Oxford has transformed from a dance club to an all-events venue.
These days it’s a straight-friendly gay bar with classic pub food, happy hour specials, and weekly events.