SYDNEY
After losing famed leather bar the Barracks and the Sydney Sleaze Ball a while back, Sydney’s Leathermen are on the rebound and ready to show you a hot time.
Hot-spot neighborhoods: Darlinghurst, Newtown, Paddington, Potts Point, Surry Hills…and Darlinghurst
Drink Fuck Shake Buy Crash Eat Pump Trim Ink Hang See Plan
WHERE TO DRINK (AND CRUISE)
Bear Bar (2 Oxford St, Darlinghurst) Leather-friendly bar for manly men in the basement of the Burdekin Hotel. link
The Eagle Sydney (2 Oxford St @ the Burdekin Hotel, enter on Liverpool St, Darlinghurst) The Eagle is Sydney’s inclusive “pop-up” fetish bar. Check the website to see when the Eagle will be soaring next. link
Kinselas (383 Bourke St, Darlinghurst) Macho men congregate at this art deco bar on Fridays. link
The Oxford Hotel (134 Oxford St, Darlinghurst) Extremely popular gay bar in the heart of Darlinghurst. Not a leather bar, but Leathermen have been known to hang out here in their civvies. link
WHERE TO FUCK
357 (357 Sussex St, Sydney City) Proudly gay-owned four-level bathhouse near Chinatown. link
Bodyline Sydney (10 Taylor St, Darlinghurst) Very popular spa and sauna. link
Lady Bay Beach (aka Lady Jane Beach) (Watsons Bay) This nude beach isn’t just clothing-optional. It’s clothing-frowned-upon. Scenically located on the tip of land where Sydney Harbour meets the Pacific. Head to the rocks to get your rocks off. link
Obelisk Beach (Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman) Nude beach on the other side of the bridge, across Sydney Harbour from Lady Jane. Watch out for the rangers while you’re getting frisky in the bushes! link
Sydney Sauna (38-42 Oxford St, Darlinghurst) This steamy place comes complete with porn lounges, glory holes, and other amenities . link
TRADE (273 Crown St, Surry Hills) Men-only dance and cruise club on 4 levels. Come for the dancefloor, stay for the playrooms. link
WHERE TO SHAKE YOUR ASS (AND CRUISE)
Extra Dirty Leather and fetish dance parties in various spots around Sydney during various times of the year. link
Man Trap (273 Crown St @ TRADE, Surry Hills) Men-only dance parties. Check their website for their schedule. link
TRADE (273 Crown St, Surry Hills) Men-only dance and cruise club on 4 levels. link
WHERE TO BUY GEAR
BANG (4 Flinders St, Darlinghurst) Pick up flirty fashions in deepest Darlinghurst. link
Sax Fetish (247 Oxford St, Darlinghurst) High-quality leather and fetish gear on the Oxford strip in Darlinghurst. link
The Toolshed (181 Oxford St, Darlinghurst) Sydney’s favorite sex shop, on the Oxford strip in Darlinghurst. link
WHERE TO CRASH (AND MAYBE FUCK SOME MORE)
The Kirketon Hotel (229 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst) Budget-friendly hotel in Darlinghurst close to Kings Cross. link
Manor House Boutique Hotel (86 Flinders St, Darlinghurst) Homey digs in a historic property in Darlinghurst. link
Pullman Sydney Hyde Park Hotel (36 College St, Darlinghurst) Upscale property on the edge of Darlinghurst and central Sydney. link
Vibe Hotel Sydney (111 Goulburn St, Sydney City) Popular, modern hotel close to Darlinghurst. link
WHERE TO EAT (AND CRUISE)
Amperand Cafe and Bookstore (78 Oxford St, Paddington) Mellow café for hearty fare and intellectual discussions, just down Oxford Street from deepest Darlinghurst. link
The Beresford (354 Bourke St, Surry Hills) Welcoming spot for casual fare near Darlinghurst. link
bills (359 Crown St, Surry Hills) Eat communally at this place especially loved for breakfast. link
Claire’s Kitchen at Le Salon (35 Oxford St, Surry Hills) French brasserie near Darlinghurst. link
Colombian Hotel (117-125 Oxford St, Darlinghurst) Leather-friendly spot for bites and booze. link
Lord Roberts Hotel (64 Stanley St, Darlinghurst) Gay-friendly spot for pub grub. link
Maggie’s (50 MacLeay St, Elizabeth Bay) Gay-friendly spot for hearty Austrian and German fare in Kings Cross, for when you’re missing Berlin. link
Thai Kanteen (541 Military Rd, Mosman) Gay place for Thai food on the other side of the bridge. link
Thai Nesia Restaurant (243 Oxford St, Darlinghurst) Gay place for Thai food on the Oxford strip in Darlinghurst. link
Una’s (340 Victoria St, Darlinghurst) Another place near Kings Cross for homestyle Austrian and German food. link
Urban Bites (70-72 King St, Newtown) Casual fare in gay-friendly Newtown. link
ZINC (77 MacLeay St, Potts Point) Trendy, gayish place for casual indoor or outdoor dining. link
WHERE TO PUMP IRON (AND CRUISE)
Anytime Fitness Potts Point (14 Kings Cross Road, Potts Point) Popular workout spot in the heart of Kings Cross. link
City Gym (107 Crown St, Darlinghurst) Extremely gay-friendly gym in Darlinghurst near Kings Cross. link
Fitness First Darlinghurst Platinum (63 Oxford St, Surry Hills) Very gay gym very close to Darlinghurst. link
Fitness First Kings Cross Platinum (82-94 Darlinghurst Rd, Potts Point) Another popular Fitness First location very close to Darlinghurst. link
WHERE TO GET A BUZZ CUT AND BEARD TRIM
The Naked Barber (Oxford St, Paddington) The world-famous Naked Barber will keep you trim up, down, and all around. link
WHERE TO GET INKED
Little Tokyo (342 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills) A temple of art in Surry Hills. link
Stone Heart (77 William St, Darlinghurst) A body modification shop in Darlinghurst. link
WHO TO HANG WITH
The HIDE Join these hot Leatherfolk at their monthly mixed (but mostly male) full-fetish socials. link
Non Denominational Leather Social – Sydney A group for all members of Sydney’s fetish communities. You don’t want to miss their get-togethers when you’re in town. link
Sydney Kink Krawl A fun group of guys devoted to getting you to wear your gear with pride out and about in Sydney. link
Sydney Leathermen SLM You definitely want to hook up with these hot Leathermen when you’re Down Under. link
WHAT TO SEE WHILE YOU’RE IN TOWN
AIDS Memorial Bell (St. James’ Church, 173 King St, Sydney City) A church bell inscribed with the names of some of those lost to AIDS. link
Sydney Park AIDS Memorial Groves (Sydney Park, 416 Sydney Park Road, Alexandria) A memorial featuring thousands of trees planted in the memory of those lost to AIDS. link
WHAT TO PLAN FOR
February/March
The Eagle Sydney MG Check the Eagle’s website for the week of hot fetish events they host during Mardi Gras. link
Extra Dirty Extra Dirty’s main event is this massive leather and fetish dance party held annually in conjunction with Mardi Gras. It’s sure to make your Mardi Gras extra fun and, yes, extra dirty. link
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras One of the world’s largest and most glittery gay events. link
Fetish Australia This group’s biggest function is to put together one of the sexiest floats in the Mardi Gras Parade. They’d love for you to join them! link
September/October
Sydney Fetish Week A celebration of Sydney’s diverse kink communities. link
[Suggestions? Corrections? Contact me!]