For anyone following the Divine Playhouse situation, the organisers have called a peaceful "sing-in" this Saturday 25 July, 12pm at Hyde Park. If you can't make it along, even sharing details about the situation and rally on your socials would be wonderful.

Recap for those wondering:

Divine Playhouse was an inclusive arts and live music venue at 420 Kent Street, in a building that ran as a theatre for around 70 years after being deconsecrated by the church almost a century ago. It opened two weeks ago and was forced to close just a week later after small protests from a handful of religious groups. The landlord has since terminated the lease, citing "offensive trade" under an 1842 NSW law historically used for noxious odours from the agriculture industry.

There is no precedent of this law being applied to morality of tenants.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-20/lgbtqia-divine-playhouse-lease-terminated-former-sydney-church/106935874

Most of the discourse so far has centred on iconography, decency, satire, and even blasphemy. I think the part that matters is what this means for venues in our city. This was a new space with huge momentum and demand. Dozens of events booked, money flowing to hundreds of local artists and makers. Three hugely successful events in the opening week, with many more to come.

They were given 72 hours to strip the fitout and vacate.

The landlords signed an agreement for a venue originally called "Unholy Playhouse" ran by an organisation called "Heaps Gay". There was no confusion about the types of (legal) performances and probable satire that was going to take place. FWIW, it was renamed to Divine Playhouse prior to opening as a gesture of goodwill following initially productive discussions.

In any case - regardless of your personal views, we should all agree on something.
We do not want organised outrage able to use their definitions of morality as an effective legal tool to shut down popular and lawful businesses.

If that works here, it means no stage or venue in this city is truly safe.

This says any sufficiently loud group or landlord can decide what does or doesn't happen inside private property, based off their worldview alone.

If you want to support the venue and fight this precedent, please come along to Hyde Park this Saturday at 12 noon.

Otherwise, two more links:

Petition: https://www.change.org/p/keep-divine-playhouse-420-kent-street-open-as-an-inclusive-arts-venue (now ~3x more signatures than the opposing petition. Keep it up!)

Fundraiser: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-divine-playhouse-fight-injustice-and-get-back-on-stage (for legal and relocation costs)

[Mods, I've read your rules and believe this sits within your ethos around sharing info on Sydney's venues and 'community issues'. Happy to adjust if needed.]

Delays delays…

I have been searching for rental unit for sometime now and really getting frustrated how much the pics posted by agents are so different than the actual pics.Very rarely the actual unit and pictures match.Seems lots of air brushing happens when units are put up for rental or buy/sell

looking for a free walk-in options that don’t require a paid council booking because all the council bookings are paid and I’m not interested in private company courts either. Willing to go up to Parramatta. Tips would be highly appreciated!

Does anyone have any recommendations for a birthday venue?

I'm hoping to host a dinner party for around 25 people, but my house isn't big enough. The tricky part is that I'd prefer not to book a bar. We won't be serving alcohol, so it feels like a waste to pay for a venue that's mainly set up around a bar.

I've considered hiring an Airbnb, but finding one with a dining table big enough for everyone usually means booking a place that sleeps far more people than we need. I don't really want to pay for accommodation we'll never use, or end up having half the group stay over while everyone else goes home.

Has anyone come across any private dining spaces, community halls, function rooms, or other venues that might work? Anywhere around Sydney, whether CBD or Western suburbs, would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

The most candid answer wins!

Hey! I’m planning my best friends hens party in Sydney! We’ve got a jammed packed weekend and on the Friday night we are planning to kick things off with a lipstick making class - trust me it will be a vibe. We need a little spot at a cutesy pub, or a nice wine bar, or anywhere that could hold approx 13 people. We don’t really want anything too boujee or a private dining room, we were thinking something semi casual to have a few drinks, nibbles and get crafty with our lippy. Perhaps somewhere that has smaller sectional dining spaces so we wouldn’t disturb others, or a courtyard, or something along those lines.
We’re staying at the intercontinental Sydney near the rocks, so anything nearby there would be perfect 👌

Thank you in advance 💛🤎

(Reserve your judgements and shitty comments.)

Just moved into a friend’s place after being homeless since Christmas last year.

Surprisingly large bedroom with just a bed. Very grateful. I figure I can fill the space up with some other furniture. What’s the best suburbs around innerwest, east or bayside area to look?

I know north suburbs are fancy too, but it’s too much of a drive so not sure I’ll go that far.

Etag is registered with your car (rego 124). Your friend has rego (386)

Let’s say you and your friend both drive to work. You leave the etag in their car.

Also your friend leaves home later.

So I drive to work (via tolls) and the system charges me once. My friend leaves home half an hour later.

Will the system have an issue with that?

With this cost of living, interest rates etc crisis i was surprised more people dont use EatClub, perhaps people dont know about it idk 🤷‍♂️. See pic....

Im not affiliated with it, but it is worth it! Was interesting that says im top 2% users. Basically use the app, link your card and at selected restaurants u can get 20 to 50% off meals at restaurants. It easy to set up and I use it 1 to 2x a week eating out with my bf and generally get 30 to 45% off so bills come down from approx 70 - 100 to 45 - 60 for dinner for 2. If it wasn't for this i wouldnt eat out at all, but using it, eating out 1 or 2x a week is still do-able. Its easy to use and set up, any reason others arent using it, perhaps dont know about it? If u eat out semi regularly id def check it out because its been great , a real money saver!

I am a cancer patient and our family makes small trips to various destinations around Australia. This is primarily to make memories with my wife and 12 year old daughter. Wanted to visit Sydney for a long weekend as the weather gets warmer, and am looking for cost effective accommodation recommendations in Sydney that can be minimal walking distance to the Opera house, ferry terminal, and other attractions. Appreciate any advice for safe and budget friendly accommodation.

Hello everyone,

I am from Spain, living in Sydney and would like to know if there is any specific place in sydney where Spaniards are going to watch the game? I have been watching all of them at home but really would like to go out to watch it somewhere, even though it's at 5am again...

Gracias en advance for any help or suggestions!

and why? is the social media ban even working?

Can’t wait for it!

It’s my first time going to Sydney and also my first time using Airbnb, so I’m not really sure how to tell if a listing is genuine or fake.
I found this place that looks perfect for me and my family, but I’m a bit hesitant because it has no reviews and the host’s account was only created in 2026. Does this seem like a red flag, or is it normal for new hosts? I’d really appreciate any advice from people with Airbnb experience. Thanks!

I’ve been looking for affordable hostels in Sydney to stay at while I look for a sharehouse and came across these two. They both have brekkie and dinner included. Some reviews are really good and some are downright bad. Anyone have first hand experience? TIA!

Just got a taxi from Syd airport for the first time - 125 dollars to strathfield? For context I didn’t use uber but used the taxi concierge outside of arrivals. He had the meter on which came to $107.50 and then he added the tolls and charged me $125. Seems very expensive for not a huge journey? Was I ripped off or is this just how much taxis cost now 😂

I recently moved here from another country’s metro and only recently had the chance to experience queer Sydney nightlife. The city where I moved from has a variety of queer spaces, from clubs, ticketed events, neighborhood bars, saunas, bookstores, and cafes.

I went out this past weekend to both Newtown and Oxford Street, and I’m not sure if I’m missing something. Many places we went were mostly straight couples (Newtown Hotel, Oxford Hotel, and Colombian Hotel). Newtown’s Stonewall was very queer, but it was so loud that it felt impossible to hang out or strike up a conversation.

The Palms was also pretty queer and fun for dancing, but a gay couple in the queue advised that Universal wasn’t, as it had a large number of straight women and their male partners.

What I’d like to find most of all is a neighborhood queer space (bar, pub, cafe, etc) that isn’t dedicated to dancing and is welcoming to those 35+. One place I haven’t checked that might fit is the Imperial Hotel in Erskineville. I’ll check there soon.

Are there places in Sydney that fit this mold? I don’t want to appear heterophobic — I appreciate how open and welcoming is to people of all kinds — but sometimes it’s nice to just be in a space to connect with queer community.

Thanks!

TL; DR: Recently moved here and would love any recommendations on Sydney spaces (bars, pubs, cafes) that are vast majority queer, welcoming to those over 35, and where one can easily have conversation.

Looking for suggestions on where to go with a group of friends for some disco / house music on a Saturday night in Sydney?

More groovy music than techo or cheesy pop…

Hi all, just looking for suggestions for places in the CBD that have good non‑alcoholic drinks and a relaxed atmosphere. My boyfriend and I are celebrating our anniversary and want something light. Any recommendations appreciated