The Imperial Hotel

I like this place but I am not so sure of its direction now that it is owned by spice. They have put tables and chairs in the front bar that look unkempt and need fixing. They have glued plait patches over holes in cheap vinyl. This bar used to be so busy that there were too many people to have this spread of tables and chairs.
Didn’t go in the back bar which I think they call the lounge or the spice bat downstairs.
Thank god there is still a predominantly gay crowd. They seem to have drag shows only on Saturday nights now.

The hotel has closed! An icon of gay bars has now disappeared. It was very sad to go to have a drink at a hotel that I have enjoyed many fun nights at and see that it is now closed indefinately.

One of the worst venues around the world. It is really sad to see this place falling back into its same old habits. Bad drag shows doing the same finger flicking choreography. Each time I walk in the the bar staff gets worse and worse.
For being a «Gay» bar having a homophobic bar manager/​security guard seems to be a very bad choice. This guy is a down right jerk. Calling patrons horrible names, and seeing the way he talks to performers, with such little respect leaves a very bad taste.
Now it appears to be turning into a «Trannie» bar, my guess this is because of the new Trans event manager. This venue has such potential to live up to its International reputation. It is in the prime location of Newtown and erskineville, full of arts and culture. This venue could boom with patrons with the right staff and events, neither of which I can see in the near future.
Sad to see! I can only hope for a better future!

I am going to miss living around the corner from this place and watching the owner transform it from a very run-​down, seedy bar back into the glamorous gay institution it deserves to be. The transformation is pretty much complete at this point, so this Mardi Gras is going to be the best one yet. Sing it, Ladies!

Absolutely wonderful dive bar, where all are welcome and made to feel so. The décor is grubby tack but the venue has a great floor plan with a couple of pool tables, decent loos and a lovely crowd, especially on a weekend.
A good spot for a wee boogie & If you’re there when the drag shows run, I do recommend ‘em!

We don’t ever grow up we just learn how to act in public. And this venue is a playground for big kids. It’s a gay bar and when you enter there are groovy lights hanging from the ceilings. Every thing is sparkle and shine due to the drag shows that are held here regularly. There is also pole dancing, the venue does attract people who want to have a good time so don’t be a wallflower. You pretty much become a slave to the beat when you walk through these doors. Rhythm takes over your body and you find your soul. It’s great to sometimes get out of the mainstream. Although these venues can seem a bit pretentious it’s all in a nights fun and all is forgotten in the morning so there’s plenty of time to dress to impress and find your inner funbug.

After four years of renovations and much consternation, the diamond venue of the inner west is back in action. The public bar retains most its original Art Deco charm and locals are breathing a confused sigh of relief that it still looks pretty much the same.
After watching the famed Mitzi McIntosh destroy the drag queen’s stage four years ago, I am pleased to see that the new wave of girls are reinterpreting Priscilla and Abba three times a night, every weekend, under the dizzy mirror ball on high rotation.
The underground dungeon has been transformed from the grimy, dark cavern into a Babylonian dance arena, complete with mezzanine walkway for the circumspect perve.
While the public bar is free, it is also packed with people and you can be sure to snag a few conversations while edging towards the bar. The drag shows and entry to the downstairs dance haven has a cover charge, which varies depending on special events.
Upstairs there are cleanly renovated yet few toilets, with highly social unisex hand basins. To cope with non-​smoking laws, there is an upper level deck/​courtyard to get fresh air, or not.
«The Impy» as it is affectionately known is an iconic queer venue with a laid back, straight-​friendly crowd. There is even a security guard in a hi-​vis vest with a star wars wand to get you into a waiting cab down the road.