Since the launch of the Uptown District Acceleration Program in 2022, 38 funded Districts across NSW have formed; each with a unique story to tell and diverse places to visit. One of those Districts is Rainbow Precinct.
Rainbow Precinct is situated in the vibrant heart of Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ community, with Oxford Street serving as its throughline. But what makes Rainbow Precinct unique? And what can visitors expect from the District?
To find out, we chatted with Rainbow Precinct’s District Coordinator, Lorraine Lock, who gave us the inside scoop of the District and how it came to be.
What is Rainbow Precinct?
Rainbow Precinct is the area around Taylor Square and Oxford Street. It takes its name from the Rainbow Crossing, and it’s also Sydney's most predominantly LGBTQIA+ area, both in the number of venues, the type of clientele, and the history and culture of the area as it's the home of the Mardi Gras parade.
If you think of Taylor Square as the heart of that area, then the "tentacles" of Rainbow Precinct extend down Bourke Street as far as the Beresford, along Oxford Street towards the city as far as the Burdekin Hotel, and out to South Darling Street and the National Art School. Oxford Street acts as an artery with other little areas branching off it.
While Rainbow Precinct proudly embraces its queer roots and the "pink mile," there's also more to it than that.
It's the heart of Sydney's LGBTQIA+ community, home to lots of queer bars, drag shows and other diverse events. However, while Rainbow Precinct proudly embraces its queer roots and the "pink mile," there's also more to it than that.
There are also many other businesses in the area: cafes, small bars, cool fashion stores, and some of the best vintage shops—probably the best, other than Newtown. You'll also find indie record shops and independent fashion labels. Crown Street, from Campbell down to Oxford Street, has been recently re-landscaped by the city, and there are lots of cool new shops popping up there as well.
Further down, from Kinselas to the Beresford, there's a charming little village vibe, with flower shops, barbers and cake shops. While we proudly fly our queer flag, Rainbow Precinct is a vibrant, diverse area with much more to offer.
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How did Rainbow Precinct come to be?
It actually happened organically. I work on festivals and events for local Chambers of Commerce, including Darlinghurst and Surry Hills. Oxford Street acts as the boundary between these areas, but it's a soft border.
We had already recognised that there were micro-precincts in the area and that Oxford Street itself was struggling. For example, we currently have the bike lane (under) construction, and three massive city blocks of development going on. This started about five years ago, so we knew Oxford Street couldn't be our main focus.
We started to develop what we called hubs—Stanley Street became a foodie destination hub, and Rainbow Precinct was another natural fit. The businesses in the area were already collaborating, for instance, during Mardi Gras when we organised an art walk with pictures in everyone's windows.
When the Uptown District Acceleration Program was announced, we thought Rainbow Precinct ticked all the boxes.
What are some successes that have arisen as a result of taking this collaborative approach?
That's how this conversation started. Uptown recognised that we were asked by the City of Sydney to manage the Oxford Street Pride Business Charter. The city developed it, and now we administer it.
Sydney Pride Month in June is another example. People often confuse Pride Month with Mardi Gras, but they are very different. Pride Month is more grassroots, and we approached them to manage strategy and support, including liaising with the City of Sydney.
We transformed Pride Month from a small, fledgling festival into a larger, more organised event for the area. We didn’t create it from scratch but helped elevate it, making it more impactful for Rainbow Precinct.
How does Rainbow Precinct encourage businesses to get involved in projects like this?
We put together a pack explaining how businesses can participate—decorating their windows, using stickers, or promoting the program.
We also helped redesign the pride month website, which was outdated and kept getting hacked. Through our contacts at the City of Sydney, we got them listed on the "What's On" platform and secured posters in city-owned bus stops.
Additionally, we connected them with queer publications for free ads and editorial coverage. It was about leveraging our network to support the community and promote the precinct.
A kind of "show, don’t tell" approach, right?
Exactly. It’s cheaper and more effective than advertising because it feels more organic.
What else does Rainbow Precinct have in the works?
We’re focusing on advocacy, including lobbying the City of Sydney for more placemaking around Taylor Square. For example, people struggle to find the Qtopia museum at Taylor Square, so we need better signage.
We’ve also applied for Purple Flag accreditation and are pushing for the area to become a Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP).
Finally, what are the benefits of the collaborative hub approach, and what would you say to other areas considering the District model?
The collaborative ‘District’ approach has been powerful for communicating with businesses and uniting them under a shared voice. For example, rather than one business complaining about an issue, we represent the needs of 30 businesses.
For anyone considering starting a district, it’s hard work, but it’s worth it. Resources like Neon Marketplace provide case studies to guide you.
To learn more about Rainbow Precinct, you can visit their District page, and more than two dozen other NSW-based Districts on Neon Marketplace.
If you're a business owner and you'd like to become part of a District, you can learn more about our Uptown District Acceleration Program.