[image]
[title]Heaps Gay has been coaxing Sydney out of its shell with larger-than-life parties since 2013. Whether you're gay, straight, or somewhere in between, you'll have a heaps good time at one of Sydney's favourite inclusive queer events.
From 50-person warehouse parties to 3,000-person street festivals, the collective has been going strong, platforming the best queer performers, DJs, musicians and artists from Australia and around the world – think Dyan Tai, Dorian Electra, Cakes Da Killa, and Bimini Bon Boulash.
In the words of founder, Kat Dopper: “The good thing about Heaps Gay is that it sort of feels like a house party, you never really know what you’re gonna get in terms of sound, but the music is always accessible.”
“What we try to do is create a really cheeky environment – so lots of fun decor and promo, and interesting performance artists that you may not have seen before. We’re always trying to think about commissioning artists to create new and exciting works.”
Kat founded the collective to provide safe spaces and parties for the queer community and allies to gather and celebrate without judgement. She was already an established event producer in the music industry when the idea was born at a backyard barbecue during Sydney’s lockout-era.
Speaking to Time Out in 2016, Kat said: “I'd just arrived back from London where the party scene was so vibrant and alive and I felt like there was nothing like it here in Sydney. Especially where my straight friends would feel comfortable – so we brainstormed names and HG was born!”
A Heaps Gay party can be your perfect intro to queer nightlife, or it can be the perfect place to bring your straight mates to taste the rainbow and have a gay ol’ time. You can count on Heaps Gay to host one of the biggest Parade Night parties in town during Sydney Mardi Gras (and also in our fondest memories of Sydney WorldPride 2023) with multiple dance floors and pop-up drag performances; as well as some of the best post-parade kick-ons as you’re convalescing the next day; and perhaps even some kind of next-level dining event with all the best LGBTQIA+ chefs, dessert masters, performers, decorators and designers around.
Heaps Gay has also toured and worked with Australia’s biggest festivals such as Falls Festival, Vivid Sydney, Melbourne Music Week, Brisbane Festival, and Groovin The Moo.
You can keep up with upcoming parties and events by following @heapsgay on Instagram.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news and things to do, straight to your inbox.