Best Gay Bars & Bathhouses In Mildura
Mildura sits in northwest Victoria, roughly 550 kilometres from Melbourne — a five-to-six hour drive. There are no dedicated gay bars, gay clubs, or bathhouses in Mildura itself. For those, Mildura locals head to Melbourne, which runs one of the most active LGBTQ+ nightlife scenes in the Southern Hemisphere. The venues below are where Mildura residents actually go when they make the trip.
The Mildura LGBTQ+ Scene
Melbourne doesn't have a single gay neighbourhood, with LGBTQ+ people and spaces distributed throughout the city. The gay scene is mainly centered around Gertrude and Smith Street in the Collingwood area, with venues ranging from gay bars to nightclubs hosting regular themed events. South Yarra is another gay area of Melbourne located around 5.5 kilometres south of Fitzroy, where you can find gay parties like Poof Doof. Back in Mildura, the community is smaller and more dispersed — connection happens through apps, private gatherings, and the occasional road trip south. Midsumma, Melbourne's annual LGBTQ+ arts and cultural festival running January through February, is the most common reason Mildura locals plan a Melbourne visit around the scene.
Top Gay Bars & Bathhouses for Mildura Locals
The Laird Hotel
Type: Gay bar / Leather and bear venue / Men-only
Location: 149 Gipps Street, Abbotsford, Victoria — approx. 550 km from Mildura (Melbourne)
Features: Australia's longest-running gay-owned and operated bar and accommodation, The Laird has evolved from Melbourne's only bear and leather bar into a haven, meeting place, and party space for same-sex attracted cisgender and trans males, open seven nights a week with three bars and a massive beer garden. Theme nights vary each week, from a relaxed pool competition to hardcore events with a dress code.
Website: https://www.lairdhotel.com
The Peel Hotel
Type: Gay club / Dance venue / Men-focused
Location: 46 Peel St, Collingwood VIC 3066 — approx. 550 km from Mildura (Melbourne)
Features: A gay men's nightclub open Friday and Saturday from 10pm to 7am, with three bars, a courtyard, and one of the best dance floors in the city. The Peel is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for gay men, with policies and overall philosophy that prioritize the well-being, comfort, safety, and enjoyment of its patrons.
Website: http://www.thepeel.com.au
Sircuit Bar
Type: Gay bar / Mixed LGBTQ+ / Drag venue
Location: 103–105 Smith St, Fitzroy VIC 3065 — approx. 550 km from Mildura (Melbourne)
Features: Sircuit features pool tables, a dance area, plus a men-only floor with a movie lounge and private rooms, with different themes each night and no cover charge except for special events. It has the feel of a neighbourhood gay bar that just happens to get very busy very quickly.
Website: https://www.sircuit.com.au
DT's Hotel
Type: LGBTQ+ pub / Mixed and inclusive
Location: 164 Church St, Richmond, Melbourne 3121 — approx. 550 km from Mildura (Melbourne)
Features: Melbourne's oldest queer venue, with a range of different events including gay salsa night, drag night, stand-up comedy night, and karaoke. An all-inclusive queer pub for years — the kind of local where every colour of the rainbow walks in and feels at home.
Website: https://www.dtshotel.com.au
Poof Doof
Type: LGBTQ+ club night / Weekly rave
Location: 386 Chapel Street, South Yarra — approx. 550 km from Mildura (Melbourne)
Features: Melbourne's biggest weekly queer rave — two floors, thousands of people, drag performances, and DJs running from midnight until long after sunrise. Runs every Saturday night.
Website: https://poofdoof.com
Wet on Wellington
Type: Gay bathhouse / Sauna
Location: Wellington Street, Collingwood — approx. 550 km from Mildura (Melbourne)
Features: A luxury sauna experience with amen