LGBTIQ+ Canberra Venues

Canberra, the Capital city of Australia, say its the most inclusive city in the country and has more to offer than just politics! It has a thriving LGBTIQ+ community, and plenty of gay friendly spaces spread around the city.

Here's our guide to gay Canberra's queer scene, places to go and things to see!

Canberra is a small city with a big RAINBOW heart!

Canberra is well known as Australia's most LGBTIQ+ inclusive and gay-friendly city. It's busting at the seams with stunning architecture, museums, parks and historical sites — and that's just the beginning. Dig a little deeper to find amazing restaurants and food experiences, beating nightclubs, quiet pubs and quirky cafes, hidden gems in back alleys, quiet nature, and so many awesome attractions to keep you entertained.

Canberra has a thriving LGBTIQ+ community and plenty of great festivals and queer-friendly spaces spread around the city — it's no wonder Canberra is quickly becoming a popular destination for LGBTIQ travellers worldwide.

Canberra Metro operations celebrate diversity and pride in Canberra.

CANBERRA LGBTIQ BARS & NIGHTCLUBS

Cube Nightclub

Cube has a younger to mid-aged crowd with high-energy dance music. More than a nightclub, Cube is a home away from home with a sense of family so unique it cannot be compared. Canberra’s premier gay venue, along with ARIA-accredited resident DJs, provides a mix of music beyond the charts.

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With a décor featuring beds, lockers, mosaics and loads of pouffes to sit on, there’s an ‘anything goes’ attitude and a certain open-mindedness that smacks you in the face often before you’ve even walked in the door. Amazing theme parties such as Homo High, White Party and HalloQueen, along with dancing poles on the centre stage and some of the most amazing Drag talent this country has to offer, Cube makes for a cocktail of interest and fun – shaken not stirred – ensuring a night to remember every time. Above all, Cube boasts a Zero Violence Policy within the club, ensuring the safest clubbing experience possible for everyone.

Like the carousel located out the front of the club, don't be scared; jump on and enjoy the ride.

CUBE NIGHTCLUB
33 Petrie Plaza, Canberra City ACT 2601

Bar 88mph & Drag Glory!

A mixed-aged crowd, fun 80s music with a mix of people. Do you love (or miss) the 80s disco queer scene! On the first Thursday of every month, 88mph is serving up diva realness with Drag Roulette, with gag-worthy divas, open spot for rising stars, and fierce lip-sync battles.

Totally drag-fantastic, these divas take the 88mph dance floor and battle it out for the best lip-sync performance in our first night of Drag Roulette. Hidden in a super cool basement at Hobart Place in the city, Bar 88mph is jam-packed with all things 80’s, music, colour, hair, disco and lots of very queer retro glory!

8-10 Hobart Place, Canberra City ACT 2601 

Queer Crash & Karaoke @ Transit Bar

Transit Bar is a mixed bar that is gay (LGBTIQ) friendly, with varying styles of music, live shows, and pub-style food. You'll find Transit just around the corner from the CUBE nightclub in the Canberra city centre.

Party underground and check out the local drag shows and queer karaoke on Thursday nights. Queer Crash dance nights hosted by 'Phish and Phreak' happen every second Friday of the month. A safe nightclub/dance space for the LGBTQIA+ community.

143 London Cct, Canberra City ACT 2601

Queer Triva @ Blackbird

Blackbird is a funky queer-friendly and welcoming bar in Canberra city. Inspired by the soul, groove and rock and roll during the golden ages of music. And all the old-school tipples and delights to match.

Fabulous and fun Queer Trivia happens every Wednesday, plus look out for Blackbird Bar 'Love Disco Drag' nights. Blackbird is inclusive, fun and LGBTIQ friendly.

BLACKBIRD BAR
112 Alinga Street, Canberra City ACT 2601

Smith's Alternative 

Canberra's alternative bar and cafe. Celebrating queerness and local culture and providing a safe and inclusive space with live music, poetry, comedy, burlesque, theatre, drag, queer shows, cabaret, art gallery openings, performance art, dance parties, and so much more!

SMITH'S ALTERNATIVE 
76 Alinga Street, Canberra City ACT 2601 

She Rocks! Women's Dance Annual Event!

Hosted by Hit'n'Miss and SpringOUT Canberra, this wild women’s dance party is the ultimate inclusive and intersectional event! 

Celebrating our LGBTIQA+ community and welcoming folk who identify on the feminine/female spectrum, including transgender, non-binary and agender people. She Rocks! Celebrates the charisma, creativity, diversity, and power of women. Venues vary, whats out on the FUSE website for event details!