Erskineville nightlife in Sydney

Erskineville is a few quiet streets with one very loud corner — The Imperial, an LGBTQIA+ institution since 1983, with drag and dinner in the Main Bar and the Imperial Basement underneath for late shows and parties. Add drag bingo at the Erko Hotel, bands Thursday to Sunday at MoshPit, and Newtown a short walk up the road.

Events

Venues

  • Imperial Hotel Basement — Erskineville — The Imperial Basement is an underground late-night room with a bold performance-led identity and deep ties to Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ nightlife. Expect drag, burlesq…
  • The Imperial — Erskineville — Since 1983, The Imperial Erskineville has been an icon and an institution of the LGBT+ community. In March 2018 after a much-needed nip and tuck and a deluge o…
  • The Erko Hotel — Erskineville — The Erko Hotel is a pub located in Erskineville, Sydney, offerings various entertainment options such as live DJs, bingo nights, and karaoke. The venue also ho…
  • The Hive Bar — Erskineville — The Hive Bar is a venue located in Erskineville, Sydney, offering seasonal eats, cocktails, and a selection of local and international spirits. The space featu…
  • MoshPit — Erskineville — MoshPit is a small rock 'n' roll bar located in Erskineville, Sydney. With a capacity of 100 punters, it focuses on live music, hosting bands every night from …
  • Alexandria Erskineville Bowling Club — Erskineville — The Alexandria Erskineville Bowling Club is a community venue located in Erskineville, Sydney. It features three well-maintained bowling greens and hosts vario…
KIKII

The Imperial, drag bingo, and a basement after dark.

ErskinevilleNightlife in Sydney

Drag, dinner, and a basement for after…

Erskineville is a few quiet streets with one very loud corner — The Imperial, an LGBTQIA+ institution since 1983, with drag and dinner in the Main Bar and the Imperial Basement underneath for late shows and parties. Add drag bingo at the Erko Hotel, bands Thursday to Sunday at MoshPit, and Newtown a short walk up the road.

11 nights over the next month · 5 rooms · runs til 3AM

DragLGBTQIA+-friendlyLate-nightLive musicLocal

The KIKII Receipts

Receipts, not rumours — counted off every venue and night KIKII lists in Erskineville.

  • How lateIt goes late — some rooms to 4AMDon't plan anything for the morning.10 of the 19 nights with a listed finish ran past 3AM
  • TimingAbout 3 nights a monthThere's usually something on — worth a look before you travel further.22 nights listed here over 9 months

How a night goes in Erskineville

The way the area's own regulars do it — one place to the next.

  1. 01Early

    Drag bingo at the Erko Hotel, or dinner at The Imperial.

  2. 02Later

    The Imperial's Main Bar for the show.

  3. 03Late

    Down to the Imperial Basement for drag, burlesque and the after…

What's on in Erskineville

11 nights listed over the next month.

This week1–7 Nov8 events

Tonight
Lip Sync HeroesThe Imperial· ErskinevilleFreeThis Wednesday
DRAG TRIVIA at The ImperialThe ImperialFreeThis Thursday
DRAG BINGOThe ImperialFreeThis Friday
PAINTED, HUNG & ON DISPLAY @ The ImperialThe ImperialFreeThis Friday
Drag & DineThe Imperial· ErskinevilleFreeThis Friday
Late Night Disco @ The ImpyThe Imperial· ErskinevilleFreeThis Friday
WTF FRIDAYS!The ImperialFreeThis Saturday
THE PRISCILLA EXPERIENCE @ The ImperialThe ImperialFree

Next week13 Nov1 event

New — Added to KIKII in the last 7 days.
A VERY SPOOKY DIVAQONThe Imperial· ErskinevilleFrom$20

Further out2 events

Pick a month to see its nights.

More LGBTQIA+ nightlife across Sydney

On tonightThis weekendThis week

The rooms in Erskineville

Queer rooms first, then the rooms with nights on.

The Imperial

The Imperial

Erskineville · Party Bar

sociallocal
Imperial Hotel Basement

Imperial Hotel Basement

Erskineville · Bar

party barqueer-friendly
The Erko Hotel

The Erko Hotel

Erskineville · Pub

socialcommunity
The Hive Bar

The Hive Bar

Erskineville · Bar

localrelaxed
MoshPit

MoshPit

Erskineville · Bar

local favouritedive bar

Close by

Measured centre to centre, with a little extra for the streets.

See all
NewtownAbout 9 min on foot · Live music, indie pubs, and casual local nights.ChippendaleAbout 2 km away · Small bars, creative venues, warehouse energy.MarrickvilleAbout 2.5 km away · Brewery district, warehouse parties, and inner-west grit.Surry HillsAbout 3 km away · Wine bars, design-forward dining, and stylish bar-hopping.DarlinghurstAbout 4 km away · LGBTQIA+ heart, late dancefloors, Oxford Street energy.

Questions

Erskineville nightlife FAQs

The 4 we're asked most, answered straight.

  1. The Imperial has been an institution of Sydney's LGBTQIA+ community since 1983 — drag and dinner in the Main Bar, and the Imperial Basement underneath for drag, burlesque, DJs and late parties. It reopened in 2018 after a refurbishment.

Explore Erskineville nightlife in Sydney on KIKII — your LGBTQIA+ nightlife finder for LGBTQIA+ events, bars, clubs, and venues. Discover what's on tonight in Erskineville, find LGBTQIA+-friendly spots, and plan your next night out.