Melbourne gay area
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You’ll find yourself at iconic spots like The 86, featuring a lineup of entertainment and drag shows, where you can sink into the plush, comfy booths, The Peel is a perfect spot to dance away the night on the weekends, Beans Bar, a vibrant and inclusive haven that caters to lesbians, trans individuals, non-binary folks, and the neurodivergent community.
Dates: 2026 to be announced. Book tickets →
Laneway Street Art Walk (CBD) – Melbourne wears its heart on brick walls with laneways that are basically open-air galleries.Hidden between office towers and cafés, these narrow alleys burst with ever-changing murals, stencils, characters, and color—often refreshed overnight.
These LGBTQ+ areas have more than just the best gay bars in Melbourne, and are filled with clothing stores, queer cafes, and other hangouts. There are banquet options, and the menu hits hard: zingy kingfish sashimi, addictive chili-jam fried chicken, fragrant curries, and shared plates. Melbourne's trams are recognized as iconic cultural assets and a tourist attraction.
Airport Transfer
The main airport serving the city is Melbourne Airport.
Airport shuttle buses operate from Melbourne Airport and the city.
If you are a plant lover don't miss out!
Melbourne is an easy city to do queer travel in.
You can go with a set menu or à la carte. In addition to being a perfect date location, they provide half portions of mains and sides for solo diners. Queen Victoria Market, located in the central business district, covering over seven hectares, is the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere!
This wonderful city in Australia's southern state of Victoria offers an abundance of LGBTQ+ experiences and a warm embrace to all who seek an inclusive and accepting haven.
Open since 1913, the room sits at the heart of Australia’s oldest public library, with free exhibits, historic artifacts, and plenty of cozy corners to explore.
Restaurants and Cafes
Gimlet at Cavendish House –The perfect Aussie high-dining experience. In addition, there are a number of very gay friendly places to stay.
All places to stay bookable on our site are exclusively gay or very gay friendly so you will receive a warm welcome.
Sightseeing
Melbourne is an international cultural centre and the city serves as Australia's cultural capital.
The City Circle Tram provides free transportation between many of central Melbourne's sightseeing attractions.
Fantastic Melbourne Things To Do + See
For those seeking grander adventures, Melbourne boasts iconic landmarks like the National Gallery of Victoria, which was founded in 1861, and is Australia's oldest and most visited art museum. Mollie’s Bar & Diner is a solid pick for drag bingo and Drag Race screenings. If you want fewer crowds and lower prices, aim for March after the peak events but while nights are still busy.
Dates: February 1–22, 2026.
Melbourne Queer Film Festival (MQFF) – Australia’s longest-running queer film fest screens bold features, docs, and shorts—often across ACMI and partner cinemas. Rent a car then drive past surf beaches, koala-filled eucalyptus forests, and dramatic clifftops, with charming stops like Lorne and Apollo Bay along the way.
Step outside and Chapel Street is right there, ready for brunch-to-cocktails adventures. 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).