There needs to be a "queer friendly" policy in place at every bar in Melbourne. And the overwhelming majority of them are. However, many gay bars and clubs have openly welcomed the LGBTQIA+ community from the start of their establishments.
We have made this comprehensive list of gay bars and clubs in Melbourne to show our appreciation for all that they do for the city's vibrant LGBT community and for the wider world. Get comfortable in your own skin and do the kinds of things that make you happy if you want to have the time of your life. However, if you identify as homosexual, visiting bars that do so specifically will improve your quality of life. In a gay club, you can socialise with like-minded individuals and indulge in sexual activities with those you meet.
For those looking for gay-only watering holes in Melbourne, the options below should do the trick.
List Of Melbourne's Dedicated Gay Bars
Circuit/Mollie's Bar & Diner
The same people own multiple locations, but each one offers a different experience. Mollie's, on the second floor of the building at 103-105 Smith Street, is an official safe space for anyone and everyone. When you dine at Mollie's, you can expect delicious, freshly prepared food with a dash of sassy service. In addition to its cosy interior, this restaurant boasts a sunny, covered terrace. Naturally, they were referring to a dinner and a show. The fabulous and rowdy drag entertainment will begin on Wednesday and continue through Sunday, so you can enjoy your meal while watching some great performances.
The famous Circuit, which is known throughout the world, can be found on the first floor. If you're looking for a sweaty, chaotic end to your weeknights, look no further than Circuit, where entry is free and drinks are included every night (Thursday through Sunday). Thanks to a revolving roster of DJs and drag queens, Circuit is always buzzing with activity.
Pride Of Our Footscray Community Bar
Locate the Pride of Our Footscray Community Bar in a quiet area of the inner west, just across the street from Footscray Market. Pride is a trailblazing illustration of the potential for thriving co-op communities. Pride is a community-owned and -operated venue for the LGBTQIA+ community in Footscray. Locals can invest in the bar's success by buying shares, strengthening ties between locals. The bar has a pool table and hosts exciting nightly entertainment such as stand-up comedy, live music, poetry readings, adult bingo, and, of course, drag shows.
Poof Doof
Indeed, even the name says it all. Perhaps the most well-known gay space in town, the Poof Doof also has a sister venue that dominates in Sydney. As of recently, "A gay club for all" has become the business's new catchphrase. The sight of it fills us with delight.
Evie's Bar & Diner
Discreetly located near the intersection of Smith and Gertrude, you'll find Evie's. Did you really think that Evie's incredible bubblegum and ultraviolet interior wouldn't live up to your wildest expectations? The "hottest queens in town" host weekly events like Balls Deep Bingo and Queeraoke at Evie's, so you know you have to check it out.
The Laird
The longest-running business in Melbourne that has been owned and operated by the gay community. Since the 1980s, the Laird has been a mainstay of the gay male community, and in 1998, it received legal recognition as a men-only business. The bar welcomes cis and trans men of the same sex and serves as a place for them to stay, socialise, and host events.
Adam
ADAM, located in Melbourne's Inflation Entertainment Complex on King Street, is a nudist bar and club exclusively for men. Famous for hosting massive parties every Thursday, ADAM is open to all men who are attracted to men of the same gender. Putting on clothes is optional.
The 86
The Smith Street gay cabaret hosts nightly shows that are sure to impress, with a focus on drag performances. Whether you're looking for a comedy show, a parody, or bingo, The 86, formerly the site of the famous Honcho Disko, is your best bet. Simply put, anything outrageous or ridiculous counts as high camp.
Sub Club
Sub Club should be singled out for their invaluable assistance with this compilation. Despite the club's lack of a "gay section," it serves as a safe haven for the wonderful community of queer youth who are into the techno. Though we miss Hugs&Kisses dearly, Sub Club has helped to fill the fun, wild, and raucous void it left in the Central Business District's club scene.
Dt's Hotel
DT's Hotel in Richmond is a no-fuss gay bar, pub, and cabaret spot. DT's is a gay and lesbian hangout where you can enjoy traditional pub fare, lovely regulars, and possibly even karaoke or trivia.
The Peel
All roads lead to The Peel is their slogan, and it says it all. Calling out into the night, The Peel promises a fun time dancing inside and is always there for you. This establishment stays open until late at night. This is obviously only relevant if you identify as a male. As a result, the Peel has a strict door policy: only trans and cis men who are attracted to men of the same gender are allowed in, while straight men are welcome to attend as guests but are expected to act respectfully and conscientiously at all times.
Rainbow House Club
It's a pleasure to introduce you to Rainbow House Club, a charming local watering hole that devotes five nights a week to showcasing queer excellence. The venue hosts a wide variety of events, from the "free queer piano bar" Tinkle on Wednesdays (where enthusiastic singers are rewarded with free drinks) to the "fisty's hyperpop paradise" on Sundays (where a rotating roster of iconic live performers and DJs perform).
Guide To You Finding The Best Gay Club
What Do You Want?
If you want to have a good time in a gay club the way you've always imagined it, you need to have a clear idea of what that is. Then, if you want to achieve something specific, you need to make sure the club's vibe is conducive to that. Once you know what kind of entertainment you're looking for, you can easily narrow down your options to find the best for you and your friends. You'll be able to relax and enjoy yourself once you figure this out.
Check Out The Website
Visiting the club's website is the quickest way to get up-to-date information on upcoming events, fee-based services, and other pertinent details. Whether you're looking for the address of the club or a list of the VIP amenities, you'll likely find everything you need on the site. Visiting the gay club's website will make your decision to join much less complicated.
The Location Of The Club
The location of the club is the next most important thing to look into before making a final decision. Make a few choices if you want to have a good time at the club. Therefore, it's best to join a club that's not too far from your home. The time and money you save will allow you to do whatever makes you happy whenever you like.
Talk With Your Partner
If you want to bring your date with you to the gay club, you need to tell them about your plans. If you and your partner want to have some sexual fun, you should join a club that offers such activities. Once you know what kinds of sexual services are offered, you and your partner can easily arrange the details of your upcoming experience.
Best Lesbian Bars & Clubs In Melbourne
You'll find the same to be true if you try to find a lesbian-friendly bar in Melbourne. To find other lesbians looking to meet women, you should have some success at most of the bars and clubs on the mixed list. However, if you visit one of these establishments and don't, you should keep looking until you find the one that works best for you. This could mean going to mainstream nightclubs all over town, despite the fact that they are not typically thought of as LGBT safe spaces in the area.
Drag Shows & Trans Bars
We aren't really to the point of having full-on trans bars in Melbourne, but you can find drag shows that may help you locate ts near you at:
- Drag Show at Circuit Bar on Wednesdays
- Hey Henny at Circuit Bar on Thursdays
- Adult Bingo at Pride of our Footscray on Wednesdays
- Fellas in Frocks at The 86 on Friday Nights
- DT's Bar
We know the scene here pretty well, if we may say so, but we cover way too many cities to have a piece of more intimate knowledge on all of them than the local experts. Our goal is to keep our lists as up to date as possible, but we need your help to do so.
Please use the comments section to let us know if you notice anything dated. There is not one main gay area or gayborhood here, but we have a map coming up that can help you understand the lay of the land better. We have also written posts on:
- LGBTQ Nightlife in Sydney
- LGBTQ Nightlife in Brisbane
- LGBTQ Nightlife in Adelaide
- LGBTQ Nightlife in Gold Coast
- Weekly, Monthly, & Pride Events
Here are some of the best LGBT events that occur regularly:
- Hoochie with Pool Comp at The Laird on Tuesdays
- Trivial Hirsute at The Laird on Wednesdays
- Spit and Polish at The Laird on Thursdays
- Thursday at Yah Yah's on Thursdays
- Bad Habits at Yah Yah's on Saturdays
- Feeling Frisky Fridays at The Peel Hotel
- Boys Night Out at The Peel Hotel on Saturdays
- Big Gay Trivia at DT's Hotel on Thursdays
- Friyay at Francesca's Bar on Fridays
- Apollo at Circuit Bar on Saturdays.
And these are the best pride events plus other LGBT events throughout the year:
- Midsumma Festival
- Melbourne Queer Film Festival in March
- Closet Party
Best Lgbt Dating Sites
Finding other people in your area who identify as LGBT for the purposes of dating or hooking up used to be much more challenging, especially if you weren't the partying type. Unfortunately, the days of being confined to the gay and lesbian bars in your area are long gone.
There are probably some people reading this who don't want their pictures taken at a gay bar and shared online, and we don't know or care about your sexual orientation. Reasons for this could include their distaste for being photographed in public places. Adult Friend Finder has been the most popular hookup website since the community's inception nearly two decades ago. They run a huge network of sites, most of which are unknown to the general public. People in large cities are often taken aback by the sheer number of Men Nation users, given that the site is regarded as the best there is for finding gay men nearby with whom to have a fling. If you're looking for a quick hookup with a hot woman in your area, Lesbian Personals is the place to look. Those who identify as bisexual and are interested in dating people of various sexual orientations will find a welcoming community on Adult Friend Finder.
Including not only straight and LGBT users, but also swingers and people with a wide range of kinks and fetishes, this site unites everyone who frequents their network of sites. Consequently, Men Nation is the place to go if you want to hook up with men, and Lesbian Personals is the place to go if you want to hook up with women. In addition, we'd like to recommend the top transgender dating service available anywhere. As more transgender people than ever before are able to live their authentic lives, dating as a transgender person in Melbourne has never been easier. We have finished our in-depth look at the LGBT bar scene in Melbourne. You know where the best gay and lesbian clubs are, where trans people can go out and have a good time at drag shows, and where to find the best LGBT dating websites. Choose the option that will give you the most enjoyment, and good luck!
Gay Bars In Brisbanite
As of now, Saturday night in Brisbane. In this contemporary concrete jungle, you will encounter a melting pot of people and characters as dense and varied as the flora that adorns it. Brisbane does a better job of creating an environment that encourages interaction between attendees of its various venues than the larger cities in the surrounding states.
Having people of all genders and orientations spend the evening together is a recipe for a great time.To what extent the humid subtropical climate contributes to our increased libido is unknown. There's a chance that we've simply internalised the easygoing, carefree, and unpretentious culture of Queensland. Whether you've been living in Brisbane for years or are just visiting the Sunshine State, you're in for a wild time with some of the most wacky locals you'll meet anywhere. Put on your seatbelt and prepare to have a good time either way.
The Wickham
The Wickham Hotel is conveniently located in Fortitude Valley's exciting entertainment district. The building that has become known as "The Wickham" has established itself as a significant landmark for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community over the years. Despite the whispers about the owners' dedication to keeping the establishment's identity as a dedicated queer space, you can still expect to find a diverse and chill crowd there on a Saturday night. It also takes great pride in its long history of hosting the annual Big Gay Day street party on the third Saturday of March.
The hotel's large and recently renovated courtyard won the 2016 Queensland Hotels Association Award for Best Outdoor / Non-Enclosed Facility. This honour is certainly warranted. Food is available until late for those who, after a few beers, might find themselves hungry, and live music keeps the mood light and social. This is a great place to start looking if you want to get a jump on the competition. If not, we will continue on to Spring Hill, our next stop.
The Sportsman Hotel
The Sportsman Hotel, in its 26th year of operation, is the only Brisbane hotel to be owned and operated by the gay community. It is commonly known as "Sporties" among the locals. It's possible to compare the structure of the site to that of a "game of two halves," like that of many common ball games. If you enter the building on the left, you'll find a classic pub bar with pool tables and comfortable seating areas. But over on the right, you can get your groove on with some late-night drag show double features and upbeat dance music. You can switch between the two whenever you want for a refreshing change of pace.
The shenanigans on Saturday nights aren't the only way Sporties keeps the community entertained and united; during the week, they find a number of other ways to do so as well. Balls Out Bingo is a lot of fun every Friday night, and it's even more entertaining if you join in on the racy bingo calls and play along. Nellie's Bunker, located below street level, is sometimes the site of special events on Saturdays. See if there are any upcoming events by checking the website. There's no need to worry if you've made it this far into the night without even the slightest hint of a disco pash. The Beat is the only place to go.
The Beat Megaclub
Five rooms, six bars, and three courtyards at The Beat Megaclub play music for a wide range of tastes, and if you haven't been there yet, you're missing out. The Cockatoo Club upstairs is the perfect place to begin your disco adventure once you've returned to Fortitude Valley. Once you've crossed the bridge, continue through the maze to reach Crystals. All sides are pounded by cheesy dance and pop songs from the '80s, '90s, and '00s, with a few dance floor surprises thrown in for good measure.
Things to learn and people to meet are in abundance, so you won't get bored. Even if you're not attracted to men, you might find yourself conversing with a good-looking heterosexual man. You'll have the chance to mingle with interesting people from all walks of life, as the club welcomes those of all demographics in the name of maximising the fun of a wild night out. It's in your best interest to relax your guard and join the fun. It's possible that someone across the room will catch your eye while you're waiting for another Bundy at the bar.
Conclusion
The following establishments in Melbourne cater specifically to the gay community. Admission and drinks are free at Circuit every night (Thursday through Sunday). Located at 103-105 Smith Street, on the second floor, Mollie's welcomes people of all backgrounds and walks of life. The LGBTQIA+ community in Footscray can use and enjoy the facilities at Pride, which are owned and operated by members of the local community. AdamADAM is a male-only nudist bar and club.
Balls Deep Bingo and Queeraoke are just two of the weekly events held at Evie's, which is decorated in bubblegum and ultraviolet. Sub Club has stepped in to take the place of Hugs&Kisses on the dance floor in the Central Business District. Traditional pub fare, attractive regulars, and karaoke can all be found at DT's, a popular gay and lesbian hangout. Trans and cis men who are attracted to men of the same gender are not permitted entry to The Peel. If you want the latest information about the club's events, membership, and other services for which there is a fee, you should check out their website.
Join a club that is conveniently located near your house. You can now do whatever makes you happy whenever you like thanks to the time and money you've saved. Though Melbourne lacks a central gayborood or gay district, we hope this map will help you get around. Every Saturday is "Boys Night Out" at the Peel Hotel, and every Thursday is Big Gay Trivia Night. Nearly two decades after its launch, Adult Friend Finder remains the most widely used online dating service of its kind.
The gay dating app Men Nation has a stellar reputation. If you want to get it on with a hot woman right away, Lesbian Personals is the place to go. In the heart of Fortitude Valley's vibrant nightlife is where you'll find the Wickham Hotel. It has become an iconic symbol for the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community. Among Brisbane's hotels, the Sportsman is the only one run by the gay community.
Meeting interesting people from different backgrounds is easy at Sporties. The Beat Megaclub features a diverse musical selection across its five rooms, six bars, and three courtyards. If you enjoy making racy bingo calls, then you'll enjoy Balls Out Bingo.
Content Summary
- Every Melbourne bar should have a "queer friendly" policy.
- To counter this, many gay bars and clubs have always welcomed the LGBTQIA+ community openly.
- As a token of our gratitude for all they do for Melbourne's thriving LGBT community and the world at large, we've compiled this exhaustive list of the city's gay bars and clubs.
- A gay club is a place to meet other people who share your sexual orientation and have fun with them.
- The following establishments in Melbourne cater specifically to the gay community.
- Bar, Restaurant, and Cafe Where Mollie Fits Into the Circuit Similar people own multiple establishments, but each one is unique.
- Pride of Our Footscray Community Bar can be found in a peaceful neighbourhood of the inner west, directly opposite Footscray Market.
- The LGBTQIA+ community in Footscray can use and enjoy the facilities at Pride, which are owned and operated by members of the local community.
- A.K.A. the Supreme Being, God, Creator, etc. (Laird) longest running gay-owned business in Melbourne.
- Despite not having a designated "gay section," the club is welcoming to the diverse community of young people who identify as queer and enjoy techno.
- We Stayed at T.'s Hotel
- An unpretentious gay bar, pub, and cabaret, DT's Hotel can be found in Richmond.
- Community Center with a Rainbow-Colored Ballroom
- Welcome to Rainbow House Club, a cosy local watering hole that features queer talent five nights a week.
- Going online and checking out the gay club will make deciding to join much simpler.
- Decide on some options if you want to have a good time at the club.
- We want to give you the most recent data, but we can't do that without you.
- There is no central gayborood or gay area in this city, but we've put together a map that should help you get around.
- Here are a few of the most anticipated annual gatherings for the LGBT community:
- When March rolls around, Melbourne hosts the annual Queer Film Festival.
- Sadly, you no longer have to limit yourself to the gay and lesbian bars in your immediate area.
- Since its inception nearly two decades ago, Adult Friend Finder has dominated the hookup community as the most widely used website.
- Bisexual people and those who want to date people of other sexual orientations will find a supportive group of people on Adult Friend Finder.
- Therefore, if you're looking for a hookup with men, you should visit Men Nation, and if you're looking for a hookup with women, you should visit Lesbian Personals.
- Further, we'd like to suggest the best transgender dating service currently available.
- Dating as a transgender person in Melbourne has never been easier than it is now, as more transgender people than ever are able to live their authentic lives.
- Our comprehensive review of Melbourne's LGBT nightlife establishments is at an end.
- You are well-versed in the best gay and lesbian hangouts, the best drag shows for trans people, and the best LGBT dating websites.
- The Sportsman Hotel is available for those who are interested.
- In its 26th year of business, the Sportsman Hotel is the only hotel in Brisbane that is owned and operated by the gay community.
- Participating in the racy bingo calls and playing along with the crowd at Balls Out Bingo on a Friday night is a great way to increase the enjoyment of the game.
- The underground venue Nellie's Bunker hosts occasional Saturday night events.
- There is music for everyone at The Beat Megaclub, which features five rooms, six bars, and three courtyards.
FAQs About Gay Bar
- Be Able to Explain Why You Want to Start a GSA.
- Find Out Your School's Rules for Setting Up a Club.
- Find a Faculty Advisor or Sponsor.
- Tell the Administration That You Want to Start a GSA.
- Prepare and Turn In Any Necessary Paperwork.
- If the School Says Yes. Start Meeting.
Once an iconic gay bar until the early 2000s, the Flinders had reinvented itself, targeting an urban crowd with a small bar vibe. Unfortunately, the Flinders is the latest Darlinghurst pub to report a downturn in trade.
A gay bar is a drinking establishment that caters to an exclusively or predominantly lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) clientele; gay is a broadly inclusive concept for LGBTQ+ communities.
One in 10 gay men lives within two kilometres of Taylor Square on Oxford St, the beating heart of Sydney's gay scene. Sydney's most gay-friendly neighbourhoods stretch from premier harbourside Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay through Darlinghurst and Surry Hills.
Sydney. The New South Wales capital has long been recognised as one of the top destinations in the world for LGBTQI travellers, and around Mardi Gras time, you'll feel like the whole city has turned gay.