Welcome to the Bear World Guide to Perth, Western Australia
There are a lot of things that you can do and see while you are visiting Perth.
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 Perth.
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:
Bears Perth
Bears Perth is Perth’s queer bear club — established in 1993, is a warm and welcoming space for male-identifying people of all shapes, sizes, ages, and levels of hairiness — and their admirers. Whether you’re bearded or smooth, big or small, young cub or silver fox, cis or trans, you’re welcome in our bear cave. Den Nights are the beating heart of our community, held at Loton Park Tennis Club on the 2nd Saturday and 4th Friday of each month. Guests who identify as male are always welcome at Den Nights and most events. They value body acceptance, diversity, and intergenerational inclusivity. First-timers are welcomed warmly, with specific information for newcomers on their site. For more information, check out the links below.
Western Roundup: A five-day festival in September, highlighted by the Mr Bear Perth Competition. The week includes mixing events, drag, dance parties, and community-building activities. Growl Underbear, are restricted to male and male-presenting guests at Perth Steam Works (see more information on Sauna).
Home Page: https://bearsperth.com
Address: Lord St & Bulwer St, Perth, Western Australia, 6000, Australia
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BearsPerth
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bears_perth/?hl=en
Email: enquiries@bearsperth.com
Pubs and Nightclubs:
Connections Nightclub
Iconic gay club in Northbridge, home to many queer events, including the Mr Bear Perth finale. Dance, enjoy drag shows, people-watch, or relax in the lounge areas.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connectionsnightclub
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectionsnightclub
Website: https://www.connectionsnightclub.com
Opening Hours: Wednesday and Thursday (8pm to late), Friday and Saturday (8pm to 5am)
Address: 81 James Street, Northbridge, Western Australia, 6003
Phone Number: (08) 9328 1870
Email: promo@connectionsnightclub.com
The Court
A historic LGBTQ+ venue welcoming all, known for its vibrant parties, drag shows, and fun themes. Inclusive and friendly to bears and their admirers. Lively gay bar with a chic, modern interior and a sprawling courtyard, for pub grub and DJs.
Address: 50 Beaufort Street, Perth, WA, 6000
Trading Hours: Wednesday (12pm to 12am), Thursday (12pm to 10pm), Friday (12pm to 2am), Saturday (3pm to 2am). Closed Sunday to Tuesday.
Website: https://thecourt.com.au
Phone: (08) 9328 5292
Email: info@thecourt.com.au
The Flamin Galah (Brewing Co)
Cozy, newly opened gay bar in Fremantle, celebrated for its inclusive and body-positive environment.
Address: 19B Essex Street, Fremantle, Western Australia, 6160
Website: https://www.theflaminggalahfreo.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theflaminggalahfreo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theflaminggalahfreo
Hula Bula Bar, Tiki as FK, and Frisk Bar
Popular, quirky bars loved by the local LGBTQ+ community—great for cocktails and casual meetups.
Address: 2/12 Victoria Avenue, Perth, Western Australia, 6000
Website: https://www.hulabulabar.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hulabulabar
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hulabulabar
Sauna:
Perth Steam Works
Perth Steam Works is Perth’s only male sauna. They are in Northbridge, offering a safe, discreet venue. They host some of the largest bear events, including the Growl Underbear party. It is a clothing-optional venue well-known in the scene.
Address: 369 William Street, Northbridge, Western Australia, 6003 (Entry off Forbes Street) – look for the black and white sign
Website: https://www.perthsteamworks.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perthsteamworks/
Email: admin@perthsteamworks.com.au
Recreational Activity:
Loton Park Tennis Club
Loton Park Tennis Club is an inner Perth City tennis club with 6 well maintained grass courts and 2 flood-lit hard courts. Their grass court season typically takes place between October and May. In the down season, while the grass courts are closed for maintenance, play continues on the hard courts. They celebrated 100 years of continuous operation as a tennis club in 2016 and we are a heritage listed venue. Loton Park changed its constitution in 1995 to be an LGBTQIA+ managed Tennis Club. Their motto is Diversity is our Advantage. They are not an exclusively LGBTQIA+ tennis club – they just don’t ask! They welcome anyone who is accepting of diversity.
Website: https://play.tennis.com.au/LotonParkTennisClub
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086013410634
Holiday Travel Locations:
Rottnest Island
This is an island off the coast of Perth, and it is the best place to relax as a bear. There are a lot of things to do, like Skydiving, Beach walks, surfing, relaxing, eating baked goodies at the Rottnest Island Bakery, shopping and seeing historic sites, including military. But the most important one is Quokka spotting and selfies.
Quokkas are the famous, happy (and goofy) furry-faced wonder who are cousins with kangaroos, wallabies and rats (Rottnest means rat’s nest in Dutch). Quokkas love to come out in the afternoon when it is cooler, they love baked goods and snacks, and they love the beach. So Quokkas would be the perfect bear in our hearts (like koala bears, which are not bears – as if). It is important to know, though, that quokkas might be cute, but you cannot touch them despite being cute.
Website: https://www.rottnestisland.com/
Another website: https://www.ria.wa.gov.au/
Travelling from Perth to Rottnest via ferry: https://rottnestexpress.com.au/
