Best Gay Bars & Bathhouses In Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie sits on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, roughly 390 kilometres north of Sydney and about 230 kilometres north of Newcastle. There are zero dedicated gay bars or LGBTQ+ nightlife venues within Port Macquarie itself. That is not unusual for a regional city of its size — the venues Port Macquarie locals actually visit are mostly in Newcastle and Sydney, with Newcastle being the closer option at around two and a half hours down the Pacific Highway.
The Port Macquarie LGBTQ+ Scene
Port Macquarie is a coastal city on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, sitting 390 kilometres north of Sydney, with a population of just under 52,000 as of 2023. A queer community does exist here — it organizes primarily through online networks, private events, and occasional local Pride gatherings rather than fixed venues. There is no gayborhood and no dedicated bar. Newcastle, located about two hours south, is a harbour city with a welcoming LGBTQ+ community, with gay-friendly venues centred around the CBD and inner suburbs. For anything more extensive — multiple bars in a strip, bathhouses, big club nights — Sydney remains the destination, though that means a four-hour drive or a flight.
Top Gay Bars & Bathhouses for Port Macquarie Locals
Bernie's Bar
Type: Gay bar / Drag venue / LGBTQ+ community space
Location: 410 King Street, Newcastle West NSW 2302 — approx. 2 hr 30 min from Port Macquarie
Bernie's Bar is the only dedicated gay bar in Newcastle; it opened in 2023 on the site of the former Star Hotel — itself a historic trans bar — and the owners transformed the space into an elegant, well-lit establishment where people from the queer community can bond over food and cocktails. The bar runs a diverse range of events including drag nights, trivia, and themed parties.
Website: https://www.berniesbar.com.au
The Oxford Hotel
Type: Gay bar / Drag venue
Location: 134 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010 — approx. 4 hr from Port Macquarie
The Oxford Hotel is an extremely popular gay bar in the heart of Darlinghurst. The hotel runs Naughty Numbers drag bingo on Tuesdays from 7:30 pm, and the venue's multiple bars across several floors make it a natural anchor for a night on the Oxford Street strip.
Website: https://www.theoxfordhotel.com.au
Stonewall Hotel (Newtown)
Type: Gay bar / Club / Drag venue
Location: King Street, Newtown NSW — approx. 4 hr from Port Macquarie
Sydney's iconic Stonewall Hotel entered administration after 28 years on Oxford Street, marking the end of an era for the LGBTQ+ community. Despite the closure of its Oxford Street location, the Stonewall brand has already begun a new chapter, with a venue opening on King Street in Newtown. Check current trading status before visiting.
Website: https://www.stonewallhotel.com
The Columbian Hotel
Type: Gay bar / Club / Mixed LGBTQ+
Location: 117–123 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010 — approx. 4 hr from Port Macquarie
The Columbian Hotel hosts a bustling late-night gay bar with a lively mixed crowd, regular themed dance parties, house DJs, and a dance floor upstairs with views of Oxford Street, while downstairs offers a video bar and a sociable space to meet people.
Sydney Sauna
Type: Gay bathhouse / Sex-on-premises venue
Location: 38–42 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010 — approx. 4 hr from Port Macquarie
Sydney Sauna is located on Oxford Street in the heart of Darlinghurst; following a comprehensive refit, this two-level venue offers 23 serviced rooms, numerous cruise areas, a large cinema room, and a fully serviced café, with wet facilities including a spa, sauna, and