Sydney? Gay? No... Really? Yes! Sydney really does have a permanent GLBT community, not just one that shows up for the gay and lesbian Mardi Gras festival and the free food. There's not really all that much free food.
Sydney's GLBT community is (by and large) open, friendly, diverse, versatile and very, very Out! There are streets, squares, neighborhoods and entire suburbs that seem to explode with merry men and saphic ladies, but look a little closer in other parts of Sydney and you'll see influences there too... and they ain't subtle darlin'. At the bottom of this article, you'll see a number of links to resources, community groups and events that are specific to Sydney, as well as some blog links.
Lets start with Oxford street and the best known "alternative" club strip in the country. At one end, at Taylor Square we have Arc, which should be the ultimate highlight on any tour of Sydney's night life, gay or straight. Google Map this location for your own reference, and Google Street View should give you some interesting images. Arc is a very open LGBT, or alternative, club, catering to anyone brave enough to traverse its black light entryhall and spin through the revolving glass door into a dance haven. Arc does provide specific nights for special events, so make sure you check it out.
Down the hill towards Hyde Park you will absolutely need to poke your head into The Oxford and StoneWall (opposite each other) and see who's about, and maybe even see a show. Both StoneWall and The Oxford have separate rooms and bars that have independent access that double as secondary night clubs on special nights (Thursdays count as special don't they? What about Fridays?). Moving on you'll come to Slide Bar; a very happening place, very upmarket and very cool. If you can avoid the straight Yuppie crown on a Saturday. moving on again there's the Columbian, the Tool Shed, Midnight Shift and Video Bar and even more if you turn the corner onto Wentworth Avenue and head on down to the Mars Lounge. Whew, you should be tired by now!
Oxford street, as well as having a veritable plethora of night life venues, is also home to many, many, many GLBT friendly retail outlets such as books stores, toy and hobby stores as well as clothing and accessories. There are also a number of community outreach programs that have offices and walk in centers, so if you're ever feeling lost, victimized, or down head on in and speak with someone. There's always someone there that can help.
Moving away from Darlinghurst and the city for a bit, we head to Newtown (and Enmore by extension) for a quick look at the Bank Hotel, Zanzibar, the Court House, Colettos Cocktail Bar and (yes, yes, we'll get there, don't worry) the Sly Fox Hotel (home to BinGay, and Sydney's newest Drag King Troupe, InnerWest Life). As Oxford street, Newtown is bursting at the seams with alternative clothing stores, restaurants, cafes, pubs, retail stores, health food stores, and the list just keeps getting longer. King street, Newtown and Enmore road, Enmore are two of the most accepting and comfortable places for people to be, gay, straight or alien.
The Sydney GLBT community has something happening almost every night of the week, and during Mardi Gras season (February through March) there is something happening all day, every day. Here's a quick run down for you, excluding nasty things like work, and other aspects of real life. Monday: A little light shopping on Oxford street, checking out Oxford Street books and all the shiny toy stores, then lunch across form Hyde Park, lamenting the restricted hours of the night club next door. Maybe a quick drink at the Oxford before we go for more shopping.
Tuesday: Lunch in Newtown, possibly, the Italian Bowl on King street, some shopping, a look in some of the art galleries in the area, and a relaxing chai latte at Cafe Newtown, watching the fashion walk by. Then, after a quick dinner one of the incredibly well priced restaurants on Enmore road, head into the Sly Fox hotel for BinGay; a weekly ACON (Aids Council of New South Wales) fundraiser and a barrel full of fun (say hello to Mitzi Makintosh and Naomi!).
Wednesday: Recover from BinGay and a look at the galleries and exhibitions over in the Rocks (Sydney's oldest area), then head back into Newtown and spend some time socializing in the Bank Hotel, then (for the girls more than the guys) head on back to the Sly Fox to watch the drag shows starting at 10.30pm, and if you're lucky you'll be able to see InnerWest Life perform their CrazyDragKingMoves (this word is owned, so I'm told, as is Strangertainment...) for your entertainment. If your really lucky, you'll see either Leo de'Lush or Lea (not sure of a Drag name, but the street name has been provided by a reliable source, but she'd the shortest member of InnerWest Life) in solo performance that will knock your socks off. The hotel is still recovering from the cool that was Lea's version of "Black and Gold".
Thursday: Oxford street all the way; Stonewall, the Oxford, the Art Factory, it doesn't matter, and it'll just keep on going.
Friday: Recover from Thursday, then head on down to the Mars Lounge, then off to Arc for the hottest dance club experience in Sydney. If you're lucky, you'll still be there come Saturday afternoon.
Saturday: Keep on dancing, the musics still playing
Sunday: Head on over to Moore Park and relax while watching other people run around playing sport, while you recover from an awesome week.
The following are links specific to Sydney and the GLBT community: http://www.mardigras.org.au/ www.arqsydney.com www.acon.org.au Sydney PRIDE Centre Twenty10 - Gay and Lesbian Youth Support Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service of NSW PFLAG Sydney Star Observer Metropolitan Community Church, Sydney