Oxford Street Fair, SydneyCredit: Destination NSW
Couple dancing at the Oxford Street Party, a part of Sydney World Pride, a 17-day celebration of queer Australian people and culture, with more than 300 events across the city including Sydney's famous Mardi Gras Parade.
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Dive Into Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ Nightlife
Oxford Street Fair, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
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While Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ nightlife is loud and proud all year round, it’ll be truly buzzing when Mardi Gras 2025 celebrates Australia’s queer communities with fabulous events, parties and concerts from 14 February to 2 March 2025. Shimmy onto a packed dancefloor or gather your tribe in an intimate corner booth — there are plenty of LGBTQIA+ venues to enjoy across the city’s queer-friendly neighbourhoods.
Party all night in Darlinghurst and Surry Hills
Feel right at home at the Darlinghurst end of Oxford Street, Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ heartland and the setting of the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade. Ease into the scene with a beer or a cocktail at The Colombian Hotel, a multi-level pub occupying a prime position on the corner of Oxford and Crown streets in Darlinghurst. Count your blessings if you can snag a stool at the venue’s long open window — you can settle in for an epic session of people-watching.
Lose track of time as you dance and dine across the four levels of the iconic Oxford Hotel, a couple of minutes’ walk up Oxford Street from the Colombian. Or step back in time a few doors down from the Oxford Hotel at Palms on Oxford, which draws an inclusive crowd for its classic disco and pop from the ‘80s, ‘90s, and ’00s from Thursday to Sunday. And strike up random conversations with strangers in between drag shows at the busy Stonewall Hotel, across the road from The Oxford Hotel on Oxford Street.
Launch yourself into the local clubbing scene at Oxford Street’s Universal, a dual-level space with dancing downstairs and drag and performances upstairs, and Darlinghurst institution Arq, which has reopened its Arena dancefloor and Vortex performance space, just off Taylor Square on Flinders Street, following extensive renovations. Dance the night away amid confetti cannons, Australian pop royalty and Sydney’s biggest drag acts at POOF DOOF, an all-inclusive party that takes over the top two floors of Kinselas on Taylor Square each Saturday night.
Take a breather at The Beresford, arguably Sydney’s most upscale queer haunt that’s only a few minutes’ walk away from Taylor Square on leafy Bourke Street in Surry Hills. Refresh with a drink in the leafy courtyard during the popular Sunday afternoon DJ sessions, perhaps lingering to head upstairs to dance later in the evening.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2023, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Celebrating the colourful collision of creativity and culture across our communities, the world renowned Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade unites hundreds of thousands of revellers for the biggest night on the LGBTQIA+ calendar.
#feelnewsydney
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2023, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Celebrating the colourful collision of creativity and culture across our communities, the world renowned Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade unites hundreds of thousands of revellers for the biggest night on the LGBTQIA+ calendar.
Universal Sydney, Darlinghurst Credit: Destination NSW
Artist performing for Fireball Fridays at Universal Sydney, Darlinghurst.
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Universal Sydney, Darlinghurst Credit: Destination NSW
Artist performing for Fireball Fridays at Universal Sydney, Darlinghurst.
Fire your imagination in Newtown and surrounds
Spread your wings and explore Sydney’s inner west, a ring of suburbs close to the city centre that are home to many of the city’s bohemian and LGBTQIA+ residents. Feel your senses come alive as you make your way down colourful King Street in Newtown and adjoining Enmore Road in Enmore, encountering small bars, cafés and venues that welcome queer and non-queer patrons in equal measure. Restore your energy levels with a refreshing drink at safe spaces for rainbow communities like Newtown Hotel, The Bank Hotel and the Marlborough Hotel, or ‘the Marly’, which hosts regular queer events.
Join a raucous basement party at the inner west’s quintessential LGBTQIA+ venue, The Imperial, a few minutes’ walk away from Newtown in Erskineville, catch a drag show over dinner at The Impy’s Priscillas restaurant, or head upstairs for pizza with a side dish of dirty Italian disco at Carlotta’s Rooftop bar.
Catch experimental theatre, a sweaty rave or a blistering punk gig at The Red Rattler, a queer-run non-profit venue established to amplify the voices of Sydney’s non-conforming artists and performers in Marrickville, a 10-minute drive from Newtown.
The Imperial Erskineville Credit: Destination NSW
Drag artists getting ready for Drag n' Dine at The Imperial Erskineville in Sydney's inner west.
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The Imperial Erskineville Credit: Destination NSW
Drag artists getting ready for Drag n' Dine at The Imperial Erskineville in Sydney's inner west.
Bank Hotel, Newtown Credit: James Horan; Destination NSW
Bank Hotel on King Street in Newtown
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Bank Hotel, Newtown Credit: James Horan; Destination NSW
Bank Hotel on King Street in Newtown
Connect with locals at events and parties
Celebrate inclusiveness at the biggest event on the LGBTQIA+ calendar, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, though you’ll also find plenty happening outside the regular Mardi Gras festival period in February and March.
Leather up and head along to an Extra Dirty dance party at a variety of venues across the city. Find like-minded lesbians at the sophisticated Lemons With A Twist get-togethers on the first Friday of the month at the Burdekin Hotel in Darlinghurst. And dip into the city’s bear culture at Bear Essentials, Harbour City Bears’ massive disco held each year during the Mardi Gras festival, or join the gay social group at inclusive gatherings each Friday night at the Oxford Hotel in Darlinghurst and on Sunday afternoons at the Town Hall Hotel in Newtown.
Connect with the Queer As Fvck crew, which hosts gigs by local independent rock bands along with DJs and drag artists, if you prefer guitars to glitter balls. Or lean more alternative with the House of Mince’s regular Club Mince events, which often feature edgy international DJs and rappers.
And look for the next pop-up event by Heaps Gay, which seeks out under-utilised indoor and outdoor spaces for 12-hour fiestas. Heaps Gay events are so friendly and inclusive that they’ve become popular with non-LGBTQIA+ patrons too.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2023, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Celebrating the colourful collision of creativity and culture across our communities, the world renowned Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade unites hundreds of thousands of revellers for the biggest night on the LGBTQIA+ calendar.
#feelnewsydney
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2023, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Celebrating the colourful collision of creativity and culture across our communities, the world renowned Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade unites hundreds of thousands of revellers for the biggest night on the LGBTQIA+ calendar.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2023, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Celebrating the colourful collision of creativity and culture across our communities, the world renowned Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade unites hundreds of thousands of revellers for the biggest night on the LGBTQIA+ calendar.
#feelnewsydney
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2023, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Celebrating the colourful collision of creativity and culture across our communities, the world renowned Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade unites hundreds of thousands of revellers for the biggest night on the LGBTQIA+ calendar.
More Inspirational Stories
Aster Bar Credit: InterContinental Sydney
Aster Bar, InterContinental Sydney
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Dazzle your date when you take them to one of these hot new Sydney bars and restaurants. Or rekindle the romance with your partner on a memorable evening out, sipping cocktails on a newly opened hotel rooftop or sharing plates in a buzzy wine bar.
Embrace the skyline
Feel like you’re on top of the world — or at least on top of Sydney — at reservations-only Aster Bar, on the rooftop of the recently refurbished InterContinental Sydney in the city centre. Drink in the uninterrupted views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and Royal Botanic Garden from 32 floors above the ground. Sip a signature cocktail such as the Golden Hour , with Juniper Gin, Tumeric, Italicus, Cocchi Americano, citrus and chilli, and nibble on oysters with finger lime and ginger dressing or beetroot and gin relish duck pâté.
Indulge in opulence
A rooftop bar open til 2am with live DJs, quality booze, good food and views of the city sounds like a unicorn. ESCA (the same restaurant group responsibly for Nour, Aalia, Henrietta and Ito) has made the dream happen, and it’s called Joji. Good Food Guide Chef of the Year winner Paul Farag is behind a Japanese-influenced menu divided into raw, robata grilled and not-raw (mostly snacks like karaage, Japanese sandos and curry bread). If you’re there late, dig into the bar menu that includes a Japanese burger with a layer of Bolognese.
Pump up the volume
Share a passion for old-school forms of music with your partner? Bond over the curated LP playlists at Rekodo as you soak up the views of Darling Harbour from this Japanese restaurant and vinyl bar. You’ll find Rekodo on level one of the visually striking Barangaroo House at Barangaroo (look for what appears to be three giant bowls stacked on top of each other). Geek out over the top-shelf audio system as a DJ spins records, with popular musicians curating their favourite vinyl tracks on a monthly rotation. Sip from sake flights, choose a sake-inspired cocktail such as the Wild & Peaceful, a gin cocktail made with ginger and jasmine tea, or pick one of the 50-plus whiskies on offer.
Feel the heat
Experience a wave of umami flavours as you share a series of memorable small plates at Kiln, on the 18th floor of Ace Hotel Sydney in Surry Hills, on the fringe of the city centre. And feel the buzz of the glass-walled communal dining room as tempting creations by chef Beau Clugston showcase a coming together of Australia's unique alphabet of ingredients and the simplicity that roots Scandinavian culinary philosophy. Or soak up the warmth of a Sydney summer night on Kiln’s spacious terraces, which feature retractable ceilings.
Rekodo Restaurant and Vinyl Bar - Barangaroo House Credit: Steven Woodburn
Menu items at Rekodo Restaurant and Vinyl Bar - Barangaroo House
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Rekodo Restaurant and Vinyl Bar - Barangaroo House Credit: Steven Woodburn
Menu items at Rekodo Restaurant and Vinyl Bar - Barangaroo House
Kiln, Ace Hotel Sydney Credit: Anson Smart
Kiln, the new restaurant from Chef Mitch Orr is a rooftop dining destination crowning the recently opened, Ace Hotel Sydney.
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Kiln, Ace Hotel Sydney Credit: Anson Smart
Kiln, the new restaurant from Chef Mitch Orr is a rooftop dining destination crowning the recently opened, Ace Hotel Sydney.
Bask in the flavours
Embark on a culinary adventure complete with moody lighting and an inner-city buzz at Gildas wine bar, a few minutes’ walk away from the Ace Hotel in Surry Hills. Put yourself in the hands of chef Lennox Hastie, whose Firedoor restaurant is mere steps away down the side street, and settle in for an evening of incredible Spanish and Australian produce expertly prepared in bite-sized Basque-style snacks, or pintxos. Wow your taste buds with pencil squid with ajo negro (black garlic) and fennel, ‘retired dairy cow tartare’ or Pork pluma, Tropea onions, chimichurri as you sip a sherry or a glass of Spanish wine.
Discover new negronis
Savour the difference a good vermouth makes when you order a negroni at Bar Conte, on Riley Street a block downhill from busy Crown Street in Surry Hills. A café by day and a negroni aperitivo bar by night, Bar Conte was named for the cocktail’s inventor, Conte Camillo Negroni. Take your time choosing between variations of the classic Milano-Torino recipe, spice it up with a Mexican version using mescal, or try the Japanese-inspired Samurai. Then sip your drink as together you take in the dark green marble bar, chic parquet floors and exposed beams overhead of the cosy space.
Experience electric vibes
Feed on the energy of your fellow guests and the flow of traffic far below as you gaze out to the neon-lit inner-city skyline at Kasbah, Strand Hotel’s rooftop bar. Soak up this Moroccan-inspired rooftop oasis of this Darlinghurst hotel with its prime position on William Street, around halfway between Hyde Park and the famous Coca-Cola sign at Kings Cross. Nibble on a parade of French-Moroccan dishes while sipping on their adventurous range of cocktails & beers.
Step back in time
Seize the moment and treat your partner to a spontaneous date night at Bar Louise on Enmore Road, Enmore, a short walk from the heart of Newtown in Sydney’s Inner West. (You can book ahead, but this tapas wine bar also welcomes walk-ins.) Take in Bar Louise Salón de Tapas’s distinctive facade, a pink and mauve shopfront dating back to the 1950s, before settling into your seat and browsing a tapas menu that features plenty of seafood such as kingfish crudo and anchovies from the Cantabrian Sea off Spain, as well as jamón and Iberian-style craft sausages. Sip one of the many aperitifs on the wine list or go with the retro flow with a sherry — there are plenty to choose from.
Gildas, Surry Hills Credit: Nikki To
Lennox Hastie's 60-seat Surry Hills wine bar, Gildas.
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Gildas, Surry Hills Credit: Nikki To
Lennox Hastie's 60-seat Surry Hills wine bar, Gildas.
Dishes at The Strand Hotel, Darlinghurst Credit: Trent van der Jagt
The Strand Hotel on William Street, Darlinghurst has completed the final phase of its multi-level restoration of the 99-year-old pub with the new 17-bedroom The Strand Hotel and Rooftop Bar now open - joining the French-inspired Strand Bistro.
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Dishes at The Strand Hotel, Darlinghurst Credit: Trent van der Jagt
The Strand Hotel on William Street, Darlinghurst has completed the final phase of its multi-level restoration of the 99-year-old pub with the new 17-bedroom The Strand Hotel and Rooftop Bar now open - joining the French-inspired Strand Bistro.