A place to be your full self: new wave of queer bars revitalises Australia’s LGBTQI+ scenes

The owners of Flippy’s bar, Em Lipschitz (L) and Amy Parker (R), say there was a shortage of queer spaces even before Covid. Photograph: Ellen Smith/The Guardian

In the middle of Sydney Road in Brunswick is an unassuming bar. The blinds are drawn across the windows, and scribbled on the door – so faint it would be easy to miss – is the word “queer”.

Inside, a crowd of she/hers and they/thems dressed in flannel, flares and silver chains are popping off. The vibe is pumping.