“Every city has a quintessential gay bar, and this is Sydney’s. It was the first gay bar I went to when I got to the city in 2000, and now I have a star on the floor, Hollywood Walk of Fame–style! They have drag shows, multiple levels, and are open seven nights a week.”

“Formerly the Midnight Shift for those of us born in the past millennium, [the upstairs at Universal] is where the boys get sweaty and dance shirtless in the lasers on Friday and Saturday nights. If you are familiar with the Shift of yore, they have redone the toilets (which was a relief to everyone). Downstairs is the public bar with drag shows and fun to be had most nights of the week.”

“POOF DOOF has moved to Kinselas at Taylor Square, making the strip a very exciting place to be right now. We have three big options on the weekend for dancing, and I love Saturdays at the DOOF. There’s a handbag vibe, a big room vibe, and they are known for having great DJs and drag, and big music acts perform too.”

“Locals sit in the window drinking pints, and there’s a new rooftop which is very cute for a cocktail. It’s right on the corner of Oxford and Crown Streets. I remember when the Colombian was the new girl on the block, and now she’s an Oxford Street staple.”

“Another jewel in the crown of Oxford Street! The ground level is a local watering hole, the basement club has a great vibe, and Ginger’s upstairs is a glamorous cocktail bar. There are lots of places to sit down and enjoy a drink, and there’s a dance floor if you want to boogie. It also has drag shows on the weekend with artists like Maxi Shield and Coco Jumbo.”

“Down the stairs from Oxford Street, you will find this basement dance floor frozen in time and playing all your favourite hits from the past millenium. The line on the weekend gets massive. It’s iconic and nostalgic and a hit with the locals.”

“This is a great queer bar in Redfern. If you are looking for more diversity and home bar vibes, this is one of my favourites. Queerbourhood on a Wednesday is great, and they often have live acts, including singing and burlesque.”

“The place where the Mean Gays of Sydney go every Sunday afternoon to drink, and then when the sun goes down, we shuffle upstairs into the club to dance all night.”

“Drag, drag, drag, and more drag! There is something for everyone here. Sexy masculine stuff and fabulous feminine stuff. High heels, jewellery, wigs, stockings, makeup and more!"

“Swimwear, underwear, clubwear, and more. Lots of fun outfits, too."

“A fabulous shop full of—as the name suggests—lots of heels, big platforms, and thigh highs. They also have a lot of fabulous stripper outfits, which I think work on a body of any gender. I’ve been known to rock a crystal mesh bodysuit from here as Shane or Courtney. I also always have an assortment of their pasties in my stockpile to complete any look.”

“The bodybuilding gym of the gaybourhood. Open 24 hours with lots of equipment, classes, and a serious workout environment. City Gym has been around forever but has recently been refurbished and has all the mod cons.”

“An honourable mention for Lady Chu, as it’s my favourite place to eat. It’s fresh Vietnamese street food, but you’re sitting at a restaurant table. I recommend the truffled spinach-and-tofu potsticker dumplings. The coconut pandan is a must for a little dessert treat.”