Australia Australia & NZ Bear City Guides

Welcome to the Bear World Guide to Adelaide, South Australia

19th September 2025 Luka Musicki

There are a lot of things that you can do and see while you are visiting Adelaide.

We’re passionate about supporting and promoting queer businesses in your local areas. Whether you live there or are just visiting, check out our guide to queer-owned or queer-friendly businesses in and around Adelaide.

Check them out, head to their websites, and follow their social media. To get listed here, contact us at bwmguides@grayjonesmedia.com.

Bear Kindred Group:

Bear Men of Adelaide (BMofA) Social Club

The Bear Men of Adelaide was established in 2000 as a social club for LGBTIQ bears and their admirers. Whether you’re a bear, a bear admirer or just someone who appreciates friendly people, they welcome all shapes and sizes, and respect each other’s differences. As a socially conscious group, they always make sure they give back to the LGBTQI community. BMofA is indeed Adelaide’s central group for hairy, older gay men and their admirers. BMofA hosts regular “Pub Nights” and “Den Nights” at the Duke of Brunswick Hotel (Gilbert Street) on the 1st and 3rd Fridays each month. These relaxed evenings are dedicated spaces for the bear community and welcome admirers and friends. BMofA also runs events like dance parties, art exhibits, theatre, road trips, and food gatherings throughout the year, plus they participate in annual festivals and give back to the broader LGBTIQA+ community. They also host Bearstock Festival, which is a key annual festival in October celebrates South Australia’s bear community, featuring parties, socials, and the Mr Bear SA contest—perfect for meeting others and experiencing bear culture.

Website: https://bearmenofadelaide.com.au

Email: info@bmofa.org.au

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bearmenofadelaide/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bearmenofadelaide/

Pubs and Nightclubs:

The Duke of Brunswick Hotel

Where BMofA holds most of their social events and gatherings. Welcoming atmosphere, good pub food, and perfect for making new friends.

Address: 207 Gilbert Street, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000

Website: https://thedob.com.au/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThedobSA/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedobsa

Mary’s Poppin

Adelaide’s best-known queer-owned gay club with drag shows, parties, and regular events, popular with older members of the LGBTIQA+ community. The jewel LGBTQIA+ community in South Australia, Mary’s is very proudly queer owned and operated. They opened in April 2016 and have been poppin’ ever since.

Address: 5 Synagogue Place, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000

Operating Hours: Open from 9pm until late, every Friday and Saturday.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryspoppinbar/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryspoppinbar

Website: https://www.maryspoppin.com

Email: info@maryspoppin.com

Mother Vine

An inclusive wine bar treasured by Adelaide’s LGBTQIA+ community. Great for chilled evenings and meeting new people in a relaxed setting. Mediterranean small plates and wine tastings, offered in a hip bar with exposed-brick walls.

Address: 22/26 Vardon Avenue, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000

Website: https://www.mothervine.com.au

Phone: (08) 8227 2273

Email: info@mothervine.com.au

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mothervinewinebar/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mothervinewinebar/

Event Venue

Diverse City

Whether you’re queer or straight, performer or patron, employee or owner, the most common thing they hear is “Coming to Diverse-City is like Coming Home!” All they ask is that everyone treat others with Respect in our Venue.

Address: 163 Gouger St, Adelaide SA 5000

Hyperlink: https://www.diverse-city.com.au

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiverseCityAdelaide/

Point of Interest (Tourism)

Pride Walk in Light Square

A celebration of Adelaide’s LGBTQIA+ history, perfect for daytime exploring and photos.

Location: 39 Light Square, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000

LGBTIQA+ Health Community:

Shine SA

SHINE SA provides comprehensive and integrated sexual and reproductive health services and programs. Founded in 1970 as the Family Planning Association of South Australia, SHINE SA retains an approach founded on the principles of bodily autonomy and choice and prioritises services for populations with the highest needs and vulnerabilities to poorer health outcomes.

SHINE SA also delivers a statewide education program providing comprehensive and inclusive relationships and sexual health education to educators and school staff, develops and delivers health promotion information, resources and campaigns and partners with Thorne Harbour Health on South Australia’s targeted HIV prevention and health promotion response through the SAMESH program. Supporting our education and health promotion programs, SHINE SA has a specialist sexual and reproductive health Library and Resource Centre.

As a Rainbow Tick Accredited organisation, SHINE SA provides LGBTIQA+ inclusive and affirming services and programs, including training in LGBTIQA+ inclusive practice for other organisations. We celebrate diversity and strive to make our organisation safe and accessible to our priority populations, including young people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, LGBTIQA+ people and people with lived experience of disability, HIV and sex work.

Website: https://shinesa.org.au

Email: info@shinesa.org.au

Location: 57 Hyde Street, Adelaide (Hyde Street Practice), or 64c Woodville Road, Woodville SA 5011 (Woodville)

South Australia Mobilisation + Empowerment for Sexual Health (SAMESH)

SAMESH provides support, education and training about Sexual Health and HIV for men who have sex with men and people living with HIV, as well as services for the broader LGBTIQ community in South Australia.

Website: https://samesh.org.au

Location: 57 Hyde Street, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000

Email: samesh-enquiries@samesh.org.au

LGBTIQA+ Festivals

Feast Festival