Guidebook for San Francisco

Verushka
Guidebook for San Francisco

Drinks & Nightlife

This venue, named after its famous sister in New York, is the only place in Sydney where you can watch drag every night of the week. From stand-up comedy—like my Friday show, Let’s Talk About Sex, where people put their ‘problems’ in a letter box for me to solve live—to solo acts and choreographed routines, it’s a fun place for all. On Sundays, you can see the longest-running drag show in Australia: Polly’s Follies, hosted for more than 25 years by Polly Petrie, who was a dancer at the legendary club Les Girls before becoming a drag queen. Polly’s Follies is a variety show for beginner drag queens—from the terrific to the tragic.
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Stonewall Hotel
175 Oxford St
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This venue, named after its famous sister in New York, is the only place in Sydney where you can watch drag every night of the week. From stand-up comedy—like my Friday show, Let’s Talk About Sex, where people put their ‘problems’ in a letter box for me to solve live—to solo acts and choreographed routines, it’s a fun place for all. On Sundays, you can see the longest-running drag show in Australia: Polly’s Follies, hosted for more than 25 years by Polly Petrie, who was a dancer at the legendary club Les Girls before becoming a drag queen. Polly’s Follies is a variety show for beginner drag queens—from the terrific to the tragic.
An old gay and lesbian haunt that turned mostly straight after it was bought and renovated becomes gay once again—every Sunday afternoon in summer from 3 pm until late. We sip smart cocktails in the courtyard and enjoy the eye candy along with the sunlight while DJs play tunes and old friends reconnect. After dark, the action moves to the club upstairs. Check the schedule for the much-loved, DIVA award-winning transsexual DJ Victoria Anthony, who can often be found spinning tracks on the deck or up in the club for the fabulous Sunday crowd. DJ Kitty Glitter is another who tours the world and sometimes pops in on a Sunday night.
The Beresford Hotel
53 Elmer Road
An old gay and lesbian haunt that turned mostly straight after it was bought and renovated becomes gay once again—every Sunday afternoon in summer from 3 pm until late. We sip smart cocktails in the courtyard and enjoy the eye candy along with the sunlight while DJs play tunes and old friends reconnect. After dark, the action moves to the club upstairs. Check the schedule for the much-loved, DIVA award-winning transsexual DJ Victoria Anthony, who can often be found spinning tracks on the deck or up in the club for the fabulous Sunday crowd. DJ Kitty Glitter is another who tours the world and sometimes pops in on a Sunday night.
When two storied gay bars—owned by a notorious lesbian operator—shut down in Newtown, Sydney’s second gay ghetto, the community moved here. This inclusive establishment offers great cocktails and even greater times—as well as delicious barbecue in the backyard beer garden. And it’s open until 4 am on Saturdays. Although very mixed, this is one of the most popular places in Sydney amongst the lesbian community. The Inner West has long been a working-class lesbian heartland, and vibrant Newtown is still one of the best places for lesbians to meet and mingle.
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The Bank
324 King St
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When two storied gay bars—owned by a notorious lesbian operator—shut down in Newtown, Sydney’s second gay ghetto, the community moved here. This inclusive establishment offers great cocktails and even greater times—as well as delicious barbecue in the backyard beer garden. And it’s open until 4 am on Saturdays. Although very mixed, this is one of the most popular places in Sydney amongst the lesbian community. The Inner West has long been a working-class lesbian heartland, and vibrant Newtown is still one of the best places for lesbians to meet and mingle.

Shopping

A one-stop shop with everything a showgirl needs, from wigs and shoes to bright gems and makeup to costumes off the rack and made to order. One of Sydney’s leading drags, Chelsea Bun, started the enterprise and has won many DIVA awards for costuming. It’s no surprise this is where RuPaul’s Drag Race girls stock up when they’re in Sydney. Chelsea makes costumes for drag queens as well as musicals, theatres, school groups, and dance troupes, so book ahead if you want an original made. If you can’t wait, she can customise some off-the-rack garments and has a spectacular collection of costumes for hire—but you’ll want to keep them.
House of Priscilla
47 Oxford St
A one-stop shop with everything a showgirl needs, from wigs and shoes to bright gems and makeup to costumes off the rack and made to order. One of Sydney’s leading drags, Chelsea Bun, started the enterprise and has won many DIVA awards for costuming. It’s no surprise this is where RuPaul’s Drag Race girls stock up when they’re in Sydney. Chelsea makes costumes for drag queens as well as musicals, theatres, school groups, and dance troupes, so book ahead if you want an original made. If you can’t wait, she can customise some off-the-rack garments and has a spectacular collection of costumes for hire—but you’ll want to keep them.

Food Scene

This multi-award-winning French restaurant run by the talented French drag queen and TV chef Claire de Lune—who also started Sydney’s renowned El’Circo show—is a favourite amongst musical theatre stars, drag luminaries, politicians, and celebrities. It’s chic and sophisticated and the gorgeous staff are almost as delicious as the incredible food. The mezzanine level sometimes holds private performances and special cabaret nights. Claire also runs cooking classes in drag, and a fundraiser in partnership with the charity Twenty10—which supports GLBTI youth rejected by their families. Kids come in to learn how to cook, serve patrons, and socialise.
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Claire's Kitchen at le Salon
35 Oxford St
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This multi-award-winning French restaurant run by the talented French drag queen and TV chef Claire de Lune—who also started Sydney’s renowned El’Circo show—is a favourite amongst musical theatre stars, drag luminaries, politicians, and celebrities. It’s chic and sophisticated and the gorgeous staff are almost as delicious as the incredible food. The mezzanine level sometimes holds private performances and special cabaret nights. Claire also runs cooking classes in drag, and a fundraiser in partnership with the charity Twenty10—which supports GLBTI youth rejected by their families. Kids come in to learn how to cook, serve patrons, and socialise.
Tucked away in a little mall at the Hyde Park end of Oxford Street, this gay-owned and operated cafe features traditional Brazilian fare—more feijoada than churrasco on a stick—giving expat Brazilians and students from the nearby English language school a taste of home. It’s also popular with the gays, who come to enjoy the tasty Brazilians. Ovo’s Brazilian co-owner, Ralphy Lasmar, used to be an occasional bar-top dancer as well as the principal barman at El’Circo. He makes a mean caipirinha, and other great Brazilian cocktails, to go with your meal.
Ovo Cafe
63 Oxford St
Tucked away in a little mall at the Hyde Park end of Oxford Street, this gay-owned and operated cafe features traditional Brazilian fare—more feijoada than churrasco on a stick—giving expat Brazilians and students from the nearby English language school a taste of home. It’s also popular with the gays, who come to enjoy the tasty Brazilians. Ovo’s Brazilian co-owner, Ralphy Lasmar, used to be an occasional bar-top dancer as well as the principal barman at El’Circo. He makes a mean caipirinha, and other great Brazilian cocktails, to go with your meal.
An institution within the gay community, this restaurant has glass doors that open up to Oxford Street and reasonably priced Greek and Italian food. Meals are as hearty and satisfying as the hospitality of the owner, Colin Paull, a flamboyant, gay Greek-Australian who we call Mama—he takes care of you and makes you feel like family. Book a table by the entrance ahead of time, especially if you’re coming on the weekend, to enjoy the full kaleidoscope of GLBTI colour on Oxford Street. The whole restaurant is good for people-watching—its glass doors fold away at nighttime—but the tables on the street offer the full experience.
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Belloccio Restaurant
91 Oxford St
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An institution within the gay community, this restaurant has glass doors that open up to Oxford Street and reasonably priced Greek and Italian food. Meals are as hearty and satisfying as the hospitality of the owner, Colin Paull, a flamboyant, gay Greek-Australian who we call Mama—he takes care of you and makes you feel like family. Book a table by the entrance ahead of time, especially if you’re coming on the weekend, to enjoy the full kaleidoscope of GLBTI colour on Oxford Street. The whole restaurant is good for people-watching—its glass doors fold away at nighttime—but the tables on the street offer the full experience.
After the gays have been out for a weekend—or more—of dance parties, they go to this unlikely recovery station on Victoria Street to recharge with hearty German and Austrian cuisine. It’s traditional fare, like chicken and wiener schnitzels, served all day. Most people come at dinnertime, though it may be their breakfast. The Jaeger Schnitzel: two veal schnitzels the size of your plate and as big as your head, served with hash browns and a little bit of sauerkraut and salad. If you haven’t eaten for a day or so, it’s exactly what you need.
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Una's
340 Victoria St
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After the gays have been out for a weekend—or more—of dance parties, they go to this unlikely recovery station on Victoria Street to recharge with hearty German and Austrian cuisine. It’s traditional fare, like chicken and wiener schnitzels, served all day. Most people come at dinnertime, though it may be their breakfast. The Jaeger Schnitzel: two veal schnitzels the size of your plate and as big as your head, served with hash browns and a little bit of sauerkraut and salad. If you haven’t eaten for a day or so, it’s exactly what you need.

Parks & Nature

When you think of famous Sydney beaches, you don’t think of Clovelly, which is exactly the point. It looks like the rocky coves of Italy, but what it lacks in sand it makes up for in sea life. The long bay is protected from fishing, and swimming in it is like snorkelling in an aquarium. Gorgeous gays like to sunbathe here and inevitably end up in the water. You’ll see rockfish and blue groper, but the human scenery above water is just as captivating as the marine life below—especially when the local professional rugby league team comes down for a dip or to cool their thighs after training.
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Clovelly Beach
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When you think of famous Sydney beaches, you don’t think of Clovelly, which is exactly the point. It looks like the rocky coves of Italy, but what it lacks in sand it makes up for in sea life. The long bay is protected from fishing, and swimming in it is like snorkelling in an aquarium. Gorgeous gays like to sunbathe here and inevitably end up in the water. You’ll see rockfish and blue groper, but the human scenery above water is just as captivating as the marine life below—especially when the local professional rugby league team comes down for a dip or to cool their thighs after training.

Arts & Culture

Inside the landmark building, this intimate space that used to be the orchestra’s rehearsal studio features a fabulous array of musical, cabaret, circus, queer, and non-mainstream acts. People like cabaret dancer, drag star, and musical-theatre performer Trevor Ashley appear here—especially in Jan/Feb during the Sydney Festival and Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Arrive early and have a drink at the Opera Bar, looking out on the spectacular Sydney Harbour—a show in itself. And if you’re enjoying that drink, you can feel free to take it—or a fresh one—into the Studio with you for the show.
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Sydney óperuhús
1998 íbúar mæla með
Inside the landmark building, this intimate space that used to be the orchestra’s rehearsal studio features a fabulous array of musical, cabaret, circus, queer, and non-mainstream acts. People like cabaret dancer, drag star, and musical-theatre performer Trevor Ashley appear here—especially in Jan/Feb during the Sydney Festival and Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Arrive early and have a drink at the Opera Bar, looking out on the spectacular Sydney Harbour—a show in itself. And if you’re enjoying that drink, you can feel free to take it—or a fresh one—into the Studio with you for the show.