10 Best Queer Bars and Clubs in Sydney

There’s less than a year ‘til the annual Mardi Gras and the much-awaited Sydney WorldPride 2023, but if you can’t wait for the festivities to begin, Sydney is filled with safe spaces you can get together in. These LGBTQIA+ clubs and bars keep the queer community and its allies partying all year round! There won’t be a dull moment in sight at any of these 10 vibrant venues.

Looking for a safe space in the city before Sydney WorldPride rolls in? From drag palaces at the Gay Golden Mile to queer-ky digs, here are 10 bars and clubs in Sydney that will welcome you with a warm embrace:

Ever drank cocktails with rubber duckies inside? Once you’ve had a sip of Universal’s iconic ducky drinks, you can never go back! This Oxford Street venue has been a monument for inclusivity for Sydneysiders since its days as the Midnight Shift. With two levels of fabulous fun, Sydney’s iconic LGBTQIA+ venue Universal holds drag parties most nights of the week and offers platforms for new-to-the-scene performers and even the best of the best drag queens.

Can’t wait for Sydney WorldPride's buzzing parties? Start the festivities at your own time at The Bearded Tit! This vibrant bar-slash-art space features sexy art pieces and quirky interiors like gilt mirrors and taxidermy pieces. Aside from serving topnotch mixed drinks (make your night even hotter by trying out the triple-hot-sauce Bloody Mary!), The Bearded Tit hosts live gigs and exhibits to showcase and celebrate the creative queer community.

Wednesday? More like Wednes-gay when you come in for happy hour and smell the roses at Secret Garden. This cosy neighbourhood bar in Enmore is the best place to enjoy signature cocktails for a mid-week sesh. Don’t be afraid to get a lil bit frisky when you join Canned Fruit, Harbour City’s juiciest queer party, where you’ll dance to retro and modern hits. It’ll keep you amped up for Sydney WorldPride!

Better keep your eyes alert for Ching-a-lings, a buzzy little joint along Oxford Street. The entrance isn’t marked with a sign out front—just a zero-attitude bouncer guarding the stairway that leads up to this gritty bar. What it lacks in size, it makes up for its immense camp energy. It may not officially be a gay bar, but Ching-a-lings welcomes everyone with their lo-fi drag shows and queer drawing nights.

The Imperial is another go-to spot if you’re looking for a place to TGIF before Sydney WorldPride. Have you watched ​​The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert? You might find the venue familiar—yes, it’s where the outback movie adventure kicked off. Impy has been an iconic LGBTQIA+ venue and has kept the dancefloor alive since the ‘80s. As a treasure trove of live performances, drag and caberet shows, DJs and parties hosted by groups such as Honcho Disko, Canned Fruit and Heaps Gay, the Imperial Erskineville is the perfect spot for a good feed and boogie. 

Another Oxford Street gem lies in Palms, a no-frills bar perfect for tipple-heavy weekend nights. Get ready to jam to back-to-back bangers from the ‘90s and Y2K until the wee hours of the night. Go early on Friday and Saturday nights—the nightclub’s tropical theme, and fun and unpretentious vibes attract a huuuuge crowd!

Named after the Stonewall Riots of 1969, the Stonewall Hotel is the beating heart of Gay Liberation in Sydney. It’s every queer’s favourite gay club and is home to the biggest night-outs in Harbour City. Swing down this heritage-listed building and enjoy, not just one, but FOUR inclusive bars. From drag divas at the street-level bar to party raves with DJs on the top floors, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Most Sydney bars and clubs open late but know that you can always count on The Colombian if you want to hit it early. Set in a former bank, this iconic Golden Mile haunt is a revered gay institution. It offers the perfect parade vantage point during the annual Mardi Gras (and definitely during Sydney WorldPride, as well!). On ordinary days, the street-level bar features cosy, comfy seating—ideal if you wanna people-watch the whole time.

Looking for the prettiest boys in all of Sydney? They’re probably in The Beresford Hotel or Bero. It may have transitioned into your neighbourhood pub, but Bero still holds a tender spot in Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ scene. If Oxford Street is a bit too packed for your taste, head over to the nearby Bourke Street on Sunday nights and party at Bero’s upstairs dance floor!

We know—it’s not a bar or a club, but this list wouldn’t be complete without Red Rattler. When you’re on the hunt for alternative Sydney arts and performances, this warehouse venue in Marrickville should be on your list. Born from the collective dream of local queer artists, Red Rattler has sprung to be an inclusive creative playground and hosting space for a colourful roster of queer events, such as improv nights, parties, and fundraisers.