The Peel

Bar

Queer Collingwood & Fitzroy

Dancing and drag at a long-running gay nightclub with a late license, 3 bars and a courtyard. As they say, “All roads lead to the Peel.”

The grand dame of the Collingwood gay scene, The Peel has been operating since 1988. It tends to get busy later than other venues so don't plan to get there before midnight. With its late license (it's open until 7am), it tends to be where everyone ends up once the other bars close. The nocturnal migration from Smith street to the Peel is so pronounced, it has ruffled the feathers of residents living on the migration route. It's not uncommon to see a lineup down the street soon after 3am.

It's a large venue with 3 bars and and courtyard. The front bar has more of a gay pub feel with Tom of Finland prints on the walls to make it abundantly clear you're in a gay space. In the main area, DJs pump out pop and gay anthems to a usually packed dancefloor. Out the back is a huge covered, heated courtyard which can often be the busiest area in the club.

It's open Friday and Saturday nights as well as some public holiday eves so check their website if there is a public holiday coming up.

The Peel has a special license granted by the Equal Opportunities Commission that allows them to refuse entry to anyone who is not a gay man. However, this policy appears to be rarely enforced because you'll often see a diverse crowd.