Gay club melbourne australia
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The Laird is a men-only leather/bear hub with themed parties and a strong community feel. Set within a beautifully restored 1920s landmark, the restaurant radiates old-world glamour—think soaring ceilings, curved leather booths, and soft, golden lighting. It peaks with the highlights of the Midsumma Carnival at Alexandra Gardens and the Midsumma Pride with tens of thousands of attendees.
Set inside the slick, art-filled Ovolo South Yarra hotel, Lona Misa brings serious flair to plant-based food with a menu that blends Latin street vibes and refined bistro cooking. Follow the glowing martini sign to Backroom, an art deco cocktail den hiding a Pop Art games room. The quality of food is amazing in literally every restaurant you could choose, and from unapologetically loud gay clubs to hidden speakeasy bars, heritage theaters to spontaneous street performances, there’s always somewhere to go and something (or someone) to do in Melbourne.
Every area offers its own take on Melbourne cool—whether that be the upscale kind found in South Yarra or the grungier Fitzroy and Collingwood (where most of the gay nightlife is centered).
To get the night going, they often have drag shows themselves.
Melbourne Gay Bars and Clubs
The Peel Hotel – A Melbourne institution where pretty much all the gays go last, as it stays open until 7 a.m.
The best time to visit is late January through March. Think again, my friend.
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Book tour →
Featured image by Amanda Kevins
Note: Some of these links are affiliates which means using them won’t cost you any extra but we do receive a small commission for each referral. The menu is full of standouts: delicate steamed dumplings, fragrant rice-paper rolls, crisp bánh xèo, and vibrant noodle salads. It has multiple bars, a big bear garden (I meant what I said), and has a community-first feel to it.
The signed C/O zone is a walk north from the Sunnyside Rd car park—follow the path and check the markers.
The big anchor event is Midsumma Festival in January and February, with Pride March in St Kilda and lots of parties, arts, and community events. There’s an entrance fee, but it’s worth it because you get a sleek bar with a clubby feel.
Wander through historic sheds packed with artisan cheeses, cured meats, coffee, pastries, and global street eats, then browse rows of stalls selling everything from handmade crafts to quirky souvenirs. Book tickets →
Queen Victoria Market – A Melbourne institution since the 1800s, Queen Victoria Market is the largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere.
Then catch some rays and waves at Brighton Beach for the sun lovers. Downstairs is your circuit-party affair, with topless muscular men with Aussie tans everywhere you look. Melbourne Gay Saunas & Cruising Bars
8. Another highlight is the Midsumma Pride March, where thousands parade down Fitzroy Street in St Kilda.
Inside, you’ll find everything from ancient artifacts to contemporary installations, plus that iconic stained-glass ceiling in the Great Hall. Thanks in advance for supporting this site if you choose to use our link! Another spot to check out is DT's in the Richmond area on Church Street, known as Melbourne's oldest queer venue, which hosts a long list of events including gay Salsa night to swing those hips, drag performances, and karaoke nights.
Known for its pre-party vibes, thumping music, and neon-lit attitude, Chin Chin is a place where bold Southeast Asian flavors collide with Melbourne’s love of fun, fast, and beautifully executed food. Prahran and South Yarra, along the banks of the Yarra River, are other excellent choices as unofficial secondary gayborhoods—although they’re also a bit posher and therefore more expensive.