From Wikitravel

Darlinghurst is one of the best known of Sydney's Eastern Suburbs. In local and travellers' parlance, Darlinghurst is understood to include large parts of east Sydney (to the north) and Surry Hills (to the south) — it is also unclear exactly where Paddington starts, as an extension of Darlinghurst's outlook and lifestyle along Oxford Street. The main thoroughfare in Darlinghurst is Oxford Street, probably best known (together with the streets around it) as the biggest concentration of Sydney's large and vibrant gay community (other gay villages include the adjoining Paddington and Newtown. Oxford Street is well known worldwide as the primary route for the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. Unsurprisingly, Oxford Street is where any number of gay bars, nightclubs, cafes, and bookshops can be found. (For film buffs: Oxford Street is where Muriel/Mariel in Muriel's Wedding found work — and some love — in a video rental shop).

Darlinghurst is for straights as well, of course: the district is home to a large number of great restaurants, bars and stylish shops.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By train

The most convenient station for Oxford Street is Museum. Alight there and walk southeast across Hyde Park, past the large Anzac Memorial and cross Whitlam Square into the western end of Oxford Street.

[edit] By bus

The Darlinghurst end of Oxford Street is one of Sydney's main bus arteries serving the Eastern Suburbs. The routes 333, 392, 397, 373, 394, 399, 377, L94 run down the street while the Bondi and Bronte (eastern) services continue along Oxford Street past Taylor Square, the Coogee, UNSW and Maroubra (south-eastern) routes turn at Flinders Street at Taylor Square.

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit] Nightclubs

• ARQ [1], 16 Flinders Street — One of the premier gay night clubs in town. Upstairs features trance and hard house on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, while downstairs has funkier music and shows on some nights. The venue often has short live performances in the middle of the night. Usually open from 10pm until dawn - often still going at 10am.

• The Midnight Shift, [2] 85 Oxford Street- A gay venue that has a great upstairs for Friday and Saturday nights. Downstairs bar is open daily. Very popular with the Asian crowd.

• Spectrum, [3] 34 Oxford St - An intimate live music venue, with a capacity of 250 people, catering to the the rock and indie crowd. A good place to see up and coming local talent. After the band are over DJs play pop, rock and indie hits till the early hours.

• The Stonewall Hotel [4], 175 Oxford Street - Drag shows, dancing and cocktails. Attracts a young and beautiful gay / mixed crowd most nights.

[edit][add listing] Buy

• The Bookshop [5], 207 Oxford Street, +61 2 9331 1103, open Mo–We 10am–10pm, Th 10am–11pm, Fr–Sa 10am–midnight, Su and public holidays 11am–11pm — Trading for over 20 years, the Bookshop is one of Sydney's premier retailers of gay and lesbian books, magazines, calendars and DVDs. Great for a browse.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• The Pink Peppercorn, 122 Oxford Street, (02) 9360 9922. Away from Oxford Street's carnival carry-on, Pink Peppercorn is all calm understated class. Chocolate-box pinks and creams match the mahogany furniture. Monks robed in orange smile down from the walls and hot-pink napkins color tables. Its informal and minimalist, letting the food do the talking. Anouvong Kaseum's beautifully presented dishes fuse Lao flavors (think Thai with less kick) and Western influence.

• Betty's Soup Kitchen, 84 Oxford Street, (02) 9360 9698. If soup is your thing, then Betty's is the place to have it.

• Balkan Seafood Restaurant, at 217 Oxford Street, +61 2 9331 7670, fax +61 2 9331 7279, [6]. Open 6 days - closed Monday. Croatian cuisine at its finest. Serves both seafood (mediterranean) & continental dishes. Famous for its generous portions and menu of the grill.

[edit][add listing] Drink

• The Columbian Hotel at 117 Oxford Street (on the corner of Crown Street- One of the most popular gay bars in the area. The beautiful people sit at the open table facing the street to be seen.

• The Oxford Hotel On the corner of Oxford and Burke St is a great place to visit. The basement contains Gilligan's, home to the famous Oxford Smash cocktail.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Mid-Range

• Sullivans Hotel, 21 Oxford Street,+61 2 9361 0211, fax +61 2 9360 3735, sydney@sullivans.com.au [7]. Standard rooms from $135 a night. Great value hotel situated on the main drag between Paddington and Darlinghurst. Visitors suggest trying to get a courtyard facing room, as those facing Oxford Street can be noisy.

[edit] Fitness

• City Gym Sydney, 107–113 Crown Street [8]. Heading north out of Darlinghurst is one of the premier gyms in east Sydney.

• Golds Gym Sydney, 23 Pelican St [9]. Part of the international chain of gyms, located in Darlinghurst, just off Oxford St near police station. Popular with locals & International guests. Involved with the local gay and lesbian community.