Gay neighborhood melbourne
Gay Melbourne (Naarm): Where to eat, drink, perform and sleep
By Emen8, updated 8 months ago in Travel and party / In Australia
Headed to Melbourne (Naarm) for a vacay? You’re in for a rainbow treat, because this Aussie city is a gay utopia, with enough places to eat, slurp, play and sleep to keep you happy for more than just a weekend.
Whether you want a chilled-out weekend exploring Naarm’s iconic laneways and drinking its famous coffee, or you’re after a down-and-dirty weekend of sweaty club nights and even sweatier saunas, Melbourne has it covered. Welcome to our essential travel guide for a gay-friendly trip to Melbourne.
Where is the lgbtq+ scene in Melbourne?
It might not be an understatement to say that the whole of Melbourne is gay-friendly. It’s not uncommon to find rainbow flags, queer street art, and other ‘hey, you’re so welcome here’ signs wherever you are. But, if you really want to find Melbourne’s gay people, make sure you consume some time in Collingwood and Fitzroy.
Collingwood
Located on the outskirts of the Melbourne CBD, Collingwood is by far the gayest gaybourhood of them all. It’s home to some of the best gay attractions in
The two adjacent suburbs are just north of the CBD and have a similar artsy, bohemian sense. Both have undergone gentrification in recent years with Fitzroy’s starting in the 80s and Collingwood’s still underway. Both are in hot demand and own some of the most expensive rents in the city.
Narrow streets are lined with Victorian architecture housing everything from working-class pubs, bohemian cafes, op shops, art stores and inhabit music venues. The area also has a mighty queer representation with some of the city’s foremost queer venues located in the area.
In fact, the area can be mind of as Melbourne’s homosexual village. Giant rainbow flags are painted on the sidewalks along Smith road, and there is growing selection of queer-interest bars, clubs and bookshops.
The appeal of the neighbourhood is not limited to locals. Timeout magazine has often sung the area's praises, including ranking Fitzroy as the #1 coolest neighbourhood in the land in its 2022 rankings.
For decades Collingwood and Fitzroy were known as working class areas - which is evident in the names of pubs The Workers Club, The Perseverance and The Builders Arms Hotel. The cheap rents attracted
Gay Guide: Melbourne
A love letter from our (former) Marketing Manager to his residence away from home.
I lived in Melbourne in 2015/16 on a Working Holiday Visa. I was 29, recently single and looking to escape The Amazing White North. I wanted to move somewhere beachy (Check!), urban (Check!), and gay (As I said: single. Check!). I fell head over Australian operate boots for the capital. In fact, if it weren’t for my visa’s pesky expiry date, I’d still be ordering smooth whites in Melbourne’s infinite cafes today.
Anyhoo, here’s my personal gay guide to Melbourne. I’ve included the city’s basic layout, some good-to-know Aussie slang, and all the hidden gems you can handle from a city known for its hidden gems.
Melbourne’s Neighbourhoods
A brief introduction to the city’s layout
From ritzy Prahran to beachy St. Kilda and even too-cool-for-school Brunswick, Melbourne is a capital of neighbourhoods. While most visitors base themselves in the Central Business District (or CBD for short), the soul of this quirky capital is in her bountiful burbs.
Regarding layout, the CBD is at the centre of everything. It hugs the snaking Yara River about 20 minutes inland via streetcar (
Looking to get some move without having to navigate the apps? You can always go to a sex-on-premises venue. Melbourne is home to a couple of gay saunas and steam rooms, with many offering fun theme nights – often with playful names like Tight-Arse Tuesday or Bound Kink Late hours to keep things spicy.
And just in case you still want to dabble on your fave pick-up apps, all of them also offer cyber lounges. Just remember to engage safe.
Want more? Check out Melbourne's best nightclubs and gay bars.
Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.
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Where to have sex on premises in Melbourne
1. Wet On Wellington
Wet is one of Melbourne’s most popular saunas. Staggering distance from Collingwood's bars and restaurants, it’s busiest on Friday and Saturday nights. With its busy steam room, a cosy spa and sauna, bar and Greco-Roman decor downstairs, plus a
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