THEGAYUK FEB/MARCH
2014
TRAVEL
At the same time of year there is
also the Melbourne Food and
Wine Festival, Melbourne
Queer Film Festival and the
Melbourne International
Comedy Festival (See I told
you they do a good festival.) This
makes January to March an ideal
time to visit with so much going
on and weather in which shortshorts are almost compulsory.
If you fancy a break from the
hustle and bustle of the city,
Daylesford is just a 90-minute
drive away and is more than gayfriendly; in fact it's gay-centric.
The area boasts the highest
concentration of mineral springs
in the country and so spa breaks,
massage and holistic treatments
are in abundance out here
combined with breath-taking
mountain views it makes for the
The imaginatively titled Poof
perfect little romantic getaway.
Doof is a Saturday night event
held in the CBD (central business
Having said all that, you're
district, in case you didn't know)
gonna want to go out and get
on Little Collins St. Not so much
drunk at some point and while
there is no dedicated gay area as a gay club Poof Doof is held in
in some cities there are still some the equally suggestively titled
great haunts for a great gay night Bottom End Pub, which
believe it or not isn't a gay bar!
out.
It's just a cool, trendy pub/bar/
dance floor that is transformed
The first venue that people
into a perfectly seedy gay disco
mention is the Greyhound
from 11pm on Saturdays. There's
Hotel, this is a massive venue
a hidden upstairs entrance that I
with several different rooms
could not find the first two times
within and always a great show
I went there and a strict "no
to be seen. The Greyhound is a
photos" policy which means
gay venue from Wednesday to
what happens in the disco, stays
Sunday but it opens for other
events and functions throughout in the disco.
the week.
Other gay venues include but are
Another great venue is The Peel not limited to: IQ in
Hotel over in Collingwood (not Collingwood, Pretty Please in
St Kilda and Love Machine
quite in the city centre or as the
Melbournians call it the CBD but over in Chapel Street; all of
which have been described as
close enough to walk/stumble).
young and a bit pretentious;
The Peel is a great venue if you which may be you're thing or
not.
want a wide variety of music
throughout the night and, as it
Lesbian club wise there are a few
opens at 9pm until 8 am, it's
gay-friendly and centric venues
usually the place to go after
geared towards the ladies such as
you've been kicked out
Alia bar in Collingwood and
everywhere else.
DnM in South Yarra. Having
120
said that when I was there, DnM
had a drag show with hot male
AND female dancers, alongside
Carly Rae Jepsen remixes and
breakdancing miniature
lesbians ... now that was a fun
night.
Melbourne is a fantastic city and
one of my absolute favourites in
all the world; and just because it
isn't in your face gay, doesn't
mean it can't be. ∎
•Correct at time of publication
Flights are available on British
Airways, Virgin Atlantic and
Qantas.