Are you looking to experience all that gay Hobart (nipaluna) has to offer?
nipaluna is the capital city of lutruwita (Tasmania). We acknowledge the traditional lands of the Muwinina people which nipaluna (the palawa kani word for ‘Hobart’) stands, and pay our respects to elders past and present.
Whether you’re looking for a casual drink, a dance party, or simply want to meet other guys into guys on your trip to Hobart, we’ve got you covered.
You’ll find LGBTQ people throughout the city, but there isn’t a specific neighbourhood that’s predominantly gay.
Several areas in nipaluna are popular with travellers and locals — such as Hobart City and Battery Point, especially along Salamanca Place and Liverpool Street.
Although Hobart tends to have a more traditional vibe than its Northern neighbours, these areas have plenty of gay-friendly businesses, including bars, cafés, and restaurants.
Gay meeting places in Hobart
nipaluna offers a handful of fun and lively spots for the city’s queer community, so you’re in for a good time on a visit here.
As well as gay-friendly bars and nightlife, LGBTQ events and organisations bring the community together, including the TasPride Festival every February and community organisation TasCAHRD (Tasmanian Council on AIDS, Hepatitis and Related Diseases).
Where to Drink – best gay bars in Hobart
nipaluna is buzzing with plenty of nightlife options for your stay. While some of these are not dedicated queer spaces, they are certainly gay-friendly!
Altar
In the heart of Hobart City, you will find this temple of live music. Altar is a space to embrace the night, where the lights are low, and spirits are high. Start your night with a drink, listen to a live show, then head upstairs to High Altar for late-night club kick-ons with the best electronic DJs and nocturnal artists nipaluna has to offer. Check out their monthly queer event, Judy’s, hosted by local drag performer Pussay Poppins.
Boodle Beasley
Serving craft beer and cocktails with a rustic-meets-modern décor, Boodle Beasley is a great option for dine-and-drink in North Hobart. Have a drink in their beer garden and enjoy a delectable meal of cheese platters, bao buns, and burgers. Join the regulars for a chill board game night or catch one of their takeovers to try some local brews.
Grinners Dive Bar
Perfect for a first date or a night out with mates, Grinners is your local watering hole in the bustle of Midtown. They serve beer, wine, cocktails, and Mexican street food with a smile, seven days a week. Cosy up next to the fire or snag some afternoon sun out the front and enjoy a taco and a ‘Mezcolada’ (if the Pina Colada went to Mexico for a holiday).
Rude Boy
Next door to Grinners, you will find a Rude Boy serving great cocktails and fried chicken. Their friendly and definitely not rude bar staff are shaking up award-winning cocktails (with an emphasis on rum), highlighting the local, fun flavours of nipaluna. Try to catch their extravagant team-ups with other local bars and producers, such as their campy-looking Delinquente & Bizzarro Street Party.
The Grand Poobah
On Liverpool Street, you will find this fun venue for late-night dancing, music, and cabaret called the Grand Poobah. It’s open Thursday through Saturday from 9pm, ideal for your gay Hobart weekender. The Grand Poobah is home to QT Cabaret, a queer and trans variety performance act hosted by Hera the Fox every two months.
Where to eat – gay restaurants and cafes in Hobart
Bear with Me café
For a fantastic café in South Hobart, check out Bear with Me. Open seven days a week, Bear with Me brews delicious coffee and serves beautiful brunch classics with an Asian twist. It is a must-visit for your visit to nipaluna.
Hairy Legs café
If you’re looking for a queer café for people to relax and enjoy quality coffee, Hairy Legs is the place for you! Queer-owned and run, you can find this café in Mayfair Plaza, Sandy Bay. Filled with plants, a zero-waste mug library and plenty of local pups, make sure to embrace the Hairy Legs on your trip down south.
Hometown secrets
In the heart of nipaluna, this Malaysian dim-sum restaurant is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Steeped in generations of culinary heritage, Hometown Secrets menu ranges from beautiful dim sum favourites like Shao Mai and BBQ Pork Buns to tasty Malaysian classics such as Beef Rendang and Curry Laksa. Bring your friends and family to Liverpool Street and enjoy a delectable meal from this family-run joint.
In the Hanging Garden
Come in(side) the Hanging Garden, and you might lose an entire evening of sleep to this lush and pumping cultural precinct. Open for lunch and dinner in Midtown, this garden oasis serves small bites and hearty meals from its six resident kitchens. Grab a fluffy-crusted Pizza Pizza, enjoy a marg and street eats from Mother Mexican, or chow down on Anju’s classic Korean barbeque. Why not make a night of it and listen to a live gig or vibe on the Altar dancefloor upstairs.
Plain Jane
Don’t let the name fool you; Plain Jane café is sure to brighten your day. A little north of the city in Moonah, you will find this gorgeous café serving up delightful brunch food with a rustic, homey flair. Plain Jane does all the classics, along with an array of picture-perfect sweet treats and some delicious international specials. Open seven days a week, make sure to check this one out, and not just for their cute barista!
Where to play – things to do in gay Hobart
Gay cruising clubs in Hobart
Looking for gay cruising clubs in Hobart? You’ll need to travel further away as there are no gay saunas or cruising clubs in Tasmania.
Find our complete guide to sex venues across the country here. If you’re new to sex-on-premises venues or want to improve your pick-up game, check out our guide on how to up your chances of picking up at a gay venue!
Still, if you’re planning on having some fun on your trip to nipaluna, make sure you bring enough PrEP or HIV treatment meds, condoms and lube. There are also places to access PrEP and PEP while you’re there.
Gay beats in Hobart
There are a couple of known gay beats around nipaluna to meet other men for fun. You can find them using hook-up sites such as Sniffies, BBRT and Squirt. If you’re new to beats, check out our article Beats and bathrooms for how to navigate them safely and pack plenty of lube, PrEP or HIV treatment meds and condoms.
Gay festivals and events in Hobart
TasPride Festival
Every February, TasPride Inc. put on a fabulous festival to celebrate LGBTIQ Tasmanians. TasPride Festival has an exciting array of events and activities over the month. Previous festivals have included a tennis tournament, queer art awards, Judy’s Pride Ball, and a pride parade and party. If you’re looking for a taste of the queer community in nipaluna, February is the time to go!
Judy’s
Hosted monthly at Altar, Judy’s is the peak queer dance party in Hobart. Host with the most, Pussay Poppins runs Judy’s alongside a rolling line-up of nipaluna’s finest drag shows and DJs. Each month is a different themed event; some past ones include Judy’s Ruby Slipper Ball, the statewide drag competition Judge Judy’s and Judy’s Halloween Ball.
QT cabaret
QT cabaret is a queer and trans variety performance act hosted by Hera the Fox every two months at the Grand Poobah. It’s a quirky, alternative, and fabulous night summed up perfectly by this intro to Hera:
“A prized pig of Hobart, her bacon spills over into the mouths of queers, and others alike, with her unique brand of sexy, angry, and downright depressing performance art. She is poise, she is grace, she has a bit of schmutz on her face. She is Hera.”
Zap Gyms Hobart
If you can’t miss gym even on holidays, Zap gyms in nipaluna are said to be ‘filled with gays’ according to the locals. If you’re looking to meet other like-minded gym gays or get pumped after your pump, add this one to your itinerary.
Where to stay – gay-friendly hotels in Hobart
With sparkling nightlife and a vibrant gay scene, Hobart is the perfect destination for an unforgettable gaycation. Stay in or around Hobart’s Midtown to be close to all the action. As with Australia’s other major cities, nipaluna has no shortage of accommodation options, from hotels to hostels.
Comparing options may land you a more competitive price in your desired location. You can also check out the popular misterb&b for a range of LGBTQ-friendly accommodation options across nipaluna.
For budget travellers, hostels and lodges are spread across Hobart’s CBD, with a cluster along Liverpool and Collins St. You’ll be in a central location with the gay scene, Midtown and Hobart Dock on your doorstep at a highly affordable rate. Be prepared to share bathroom and cooking amenities with other travellers; you may even make a new friend!
So, there you have it—the complete guide to the best places for gay and bi guys to drink, party, sleep, and repeat in nipaluna. Let us know what you would add to the list!
Want to visit other locations in Australia on your trip? Take a look at our gay-friendly travel guides to these Australian cities: