Sydney Iron Men and New Year 2006
The sun is (almost) always
shining, the air is clean, and the leafy streets are a joy to wander, day or
night. Sydney is blessed with a laidback
population of over four million - and though it's Australia's biggest metropolis, its
spectacular waterfront location means it never feels grey or grim.
New Year’s Eve is a great
time to visit Sydney,
its mid summer and the spectacular firework show from the harbour bridge is
amazing. Temperatures were as high as 35 degrees which makes beach life great. Bondi Beach is the place to go. If
you’re looking to hang out with the Speedo clad gay boys, the main area is at
the far end of the beach just in front of the North Bondi Surf Club. Another
gayish beach is Tamarama. To get to this follow the beautiful cliff top walk
around from Bondi, actually the cliff top walkway is a photo opportunity in
itself and takes about 15 minutes. The nude beach is over in Botany Bay called
“Little Congwong Beach” and Obelisk Beach next to the Naval Station on the North side of Sydney Harbour
is said to be very cruisy.
If you’re into watching
straight boys in Speedos go check out one of the Surf Carnivals. “Iron men”
compete solo and in teams via swim, run and row competitions; you’ll be amazed
by these buff studs they are just beautiful to watch. For dates of events
around Sydney
check out SurfLifeSaving.com.au
Sydney Gay Scene
The
gay scene is centred around Oxford
Street. The main 2 bars are the Midnight Shift and Stonewall, other
famous Sydney bar's include Palms, the Oxford, the Columbian and the new
sophisticated venue Slide (although we
weren’t allowed into Slide… either
because we weren’t wearing kits (it’s a bit posh) or the door bitch thought we
were straight). All of these venues are located along
the main drag of Oxford Street.
If you are into the leather scene or masculine denim guys, then check out Manacle (the old Barracks
Bar), located in the basement behind T2, it’s also an after-hours venue.
There are three main
clubs in Sydney, two permanent clubs, namely ARQ, and the Midnight Shift club... and Home, which holds
gay NIGHTS, called HomeSexual.
Arq is an old converted car garage on Flinders street and
attracts a shirtless twink to twank crowd, into bottled water (which is
necessary in Sydney)
and possibly the odd glow stick. It is a fun venue, but as always the crowd
makes the place... the lighting rig upstairs is cool, and the downstairs bar is
fun for grooving with friends and having a game of pool. It is the venue that
scores most of the live PA gigs from stars and celebrities over big party
weekends.
Upstairs at the Midnight Shift
is the Shift Club, it’s a bit of a Tardis… looking small from outside on the
street, but its very big club inside. It’s been around for well over 20 years,
and really is the old empress of Sydney
clubs... but like any form of royalty, it has given itself a few nicks and tucks
over the years. The upstairs has been transformed into one of the most
technologically advanced dance spaces in the city. Lasers, intelligent lighting
and the craziest lighting rig you will ever see.
Home Nightclub down at Cockle Bay
holds the internationally famous "Queer Nation" parties - usually on
long weekends. They are themed differently each time; check the web site for
dates and info: HomeSexual.com.au
Recommended Sydney web sites:
Here are another couple of funny links:
www.42below.co.nz/flashad/hero
and www.42below.co.nz/flashad/gay
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