Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GAY & LESBIAN MELBOURNE
Melbourne's gay and lesbian community is well integrated into the general populace, but clubs and bars are found
in two distinct locations: Abbotsford and Collingwood; and Prahran and South Yarra. Commercial Rd, which sep-
arates Prahran and South Yarra, is home to a couple of gay clubs, cafes and businesses. It's more glamorous than
the 'northside', which has a reputation as more down-to-earth and a little less pretentious.
Plenty of Melbourne venues get into the spirit during
Midsumma Festival
(
www.midsumma.org.au
; Jan-
Feb) . It has a diverse program of cultural, community and sporting events, including the popular Midsumma
Carnival at Alexandra Gardens, St Kilda's Pride March and much more. Australia's largest GLBT film festival,
the
Melbourne Queer Film Festival
(
www.melbournequeerfilm.com.au
), screens more than 100 films from
around the world each March.
For more local info, pick up a copy of the free weekly newspaper
MCV (Melbourne Community Voice)
.
GLBT-community radio station
JOY 94.9FM
(
www.joy.org.au
)
is another important resource for visitors and
locals.
Drinking & Nightlife
Rd, South Yarra; 5pm-late; 72) The former Exchange Hotel, Kama Bar is one of the few remaining gay
venues along Commerical Rd, with regular DJs and drag shows.
Laird
( 03-9417 2832;
www.lairdhotel.com
; 149 Gipps St, Collingwood; 5pm-late; Collingwood)
The Laird's been running its men-only gay hotel for more than 30 years now. It's on the Abbotsford side of Gipps
St, which runs off Collingwood's Wellington St.
mond; 78, 79) This small and intimate gay pub hosts some of Melbourne's best drag shows, retro nights and
happy hours.
Peel Hotel
( 03-9419 4762;
www.thepeel.com.au
;
113 Wellington St, Collingwood; 9pm-dawn Thu-Sat;
86) One of Melbourne's most famous gay venues, the Peel features a male crowd dancing to house music,
retro and commercial dance. It's on Peel St, which runs east off Smith St.
Commercial Hotel
( 03-9689 9354;
www.hotelcommercial.com.au
; 238 Whitehall St, Yarraville; Thu-
Sat; Yarraville) A friendly, low-key pub in Melbourne's inner west that presents drag shows on Saturday
nights. From the city centre, follow Footscray Rd and turn left down Whitehall St.
Brighton Rd, St Kilda; 16, 67, 79) The old Greyhound's had a facelift; expect drag-filled evenings from
Thursday to Saturday and a nightclub with a state-of-the-art sound system.
Sleeping
mond St, Carlton; d incl breakfast $135-145; ; 1, 8) A privately owned guesthouse in a renovated, 19th-
century terrace in the inner north, one block from vibrant Lygon St.
