Bear Pride 2023

Opening Act

Sunday 20 August 2023

Bears on a Sunday

Ladies and gentlemen, prepare for a night of enchantment, desire, and pure seduction. Welcome to the Opening Act at the Townie Hotel, where bears, gays, and circus magic intertwine to kick off Harbour City Bears' Bear Pride Festival 2023!

Step into a world where pleasure takes centre stage, where the air crackles with anticipation, and where inhibitions are left at the door. Join us for an evening that will leave you breathless and craving for more!

With exclusive use of both the Midway Bar and the rooftop Cactus Bar, The Townie Hotel is your passport to a night of pure indulgence. Embrace your inner bear and let the magic of the evening ignite your desires.

Bear Week 2023 : Under The Big Top turns Sydney into a playground where hearts race, pulses quicken, and connections are forged in the heat of the moment. It's a celebration of love, pleasure, and the freedom to express your true self. Share the excitement, invite your friends, and let's make this Bear Pride a week to remember. It's time to celebrate our unique identities, embrace the magic of the circus, and revel in the sensuality that brings us together!

Bar Tabs to be won at 5:30pm, as well as our membership badge draw at 6:30pm. We will also be giving out some other special prizes to celebrate Bear Pride 2023!

Where?	The Town Hall Hotel 326 King Street, Newtown
When?	Sunday 20 August 2023 4pm to 9pm
How Much?	Free, no registration required

Sideshow Alley

Tuesday 22 August 2023

Press Paws

Get ready to level up your gaming experience and press paws on reality! Introducing the Press Paws Sideshow Alley Games at the Oxford Hotel, where bears, gamers, and circus enthusiasts come together for an unforgettable night of fun and excitement!

Join Gayme Master Daniel for a night of fun with a selection of games on Nintendo Switch, come flex your skills or just play for fun!

At the start of each night, 2 games will be randomly selected for play! Players will be randomised for each round and each game will have a separate final for the top players of each game!

Prizes are $50 for 1st and $25 for 2nd in each game. (JB Hifi Vouchers)

Each player can only win 1 voucher, so if you are lucky enough to be in the top twice, your prize will go to the next player in the match instead. Upon arrival and each time you receive a place in any match you receive a ticket which can win you bar tabs or additional JB Hi-Fi vouchers, so even if you don't take out the top, you still have a chance to win!

After the comp there's free play Smash Bros or Mario Kart until the end of the night!

Where?	Ginger's - Upstairs at the Oxford 134 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst 2010
When?	Tuesday 22 August 2023 6:30pm to 10pm
How Much?	Free to spectate $10 to play

Snack Bar

Wednesday 23 August 2023

Dinner with the Bears

Get ready for a feast of flavours and furry fun at the one and only "Snack Bar" at Europe Grill in Newtown!

Join us for an evening that will tantalize your taste buds and ignite your senses in a celebration of bear-y delicious food, fabulous company, and a sprinkle of circus magic!

Europe Grill, opened in 2005 almost entirely run by two individuals, Elena K and Goran P. Elena is the laughter in the restaurant, performing her best as the maître d'. Goran is the craftsman: butcher, chef and sausage maker. One of the reasons it’s so loved is because it represents the whole Balkan Macedonian experience. Europe grill offers gluten free and vegetarian options.

Where?	Europe Grill 506 King St Newtown NSW 2042
When?	Wednesday 23 August 2023 7pm to late
How Much?	$50 for members $60 for non-members

Europe Grill is licensed, and also has a BYO wine license if you prefer. There is a $6 per bottle BYO charge from the restaurant, payable separately.

Swordswallowers &
Snakecharmers

Thursday 24 August 2023

Sauna Night at 357

Calling all steamy adventurers! Get ready for a sensational experience that will leave you wanting more!

Introducing the Sauna Extravaganza at the 357 Sauna, where bears, gays, and steam enthusiasts come together for a night of hot, wild, and unforgettable fun! Step into a world where relaxation meets excitement, where the heat rises, and inhibitions fall away. It's time to indulge in the ultimate sauna adventure, surrounded by a community that celebrates diversity, freedom, and a shared love for good times!

357 Sauna is a brief stroll from Chinatown and has elevator access to all floors.

Whether you're relaxing in the spa or getting your hair done, that woofer you're looking for could be around the next corner.

The top floor is a bar and chill out area where you can relax with a beverage. Drinks are assigned to your locker number for easy payment on your way out. Fresh towels are available from the counter at the entry.

We will have DJ Loo-ee spinning sexy bear beats from 7pm to Midnight!

Where?	357 - Sydney City Steam 357 Sussex Street, Sydney 2000
When?	Thursday 24 August 2023 7pm to Midnight
How Much?	$25 for HCB members $27 for kindred club members $29 for non-members

3 Ring Circus

Friday 25 August 2023

Mr Harbour City Bears
Competition

Gentle-bears and Significant-Otters, brace yourselves for the grandest spectacle in town! Step right up to witness the extraordinary Mr Harbour City Bears Competition at The Imperial Hotel Erskineville, where the bear community takes centre stage in a dazzling display of talent, charm, and furry fabulousness.

Hosted by the woofy Chris Knight and the fabulous Barbara Please, get ready for a night of jaw-dropping performances, heart-stopping excitement, and a whole lot of bear-ylicious fun. Our bear-tastic contestants will bring their A-game, strutting their stuff in a show that's sure to leave you begging for an encore!

Marvel at the strength and grace of our burly contenders as they showcase their skills, juggling the art of charm and charisma like true circus masters! Prepare to be captivated as they take you on a thrilling journey through a ring of laughter, joy, and unadulterated bear excellence!

In between acts, enjoy bear beats from DJ Tom Rogers!

Where?	The Imperial Hotel Basement 35 Erskineville Road, Erskineville 2043
When?	Friday 25 August 7pm to 11:30pm
How Much?	$25 for HCB members $27 for kindred club members $30 for non-members

Presenting Mr. HCB 2024

Friday 25 August 2023

Mr. HCB After Party

Announcing the sizzling Mr Harbour City Bears After Party at the Imperial Hotel Basement. After the competition, keep the party roaring!

After the breathtaking Mr Harbour City Bears Competition, it's time to turn up the heat and let our fur fly. Prepare for an electrifying night filled with pulsating beats and an atmosphere that'll make you roar with delight!

Featuring DJ Puppy, embrace your inner bear and unleash your desires on the dance floor, where the music will make your heart race and your paws move in perfect harmony. Join our circus of love as we dance, laugh, and create unforgettable memories together!

Where?	The Imperial Hotel Basement 35 Erskineville Road, Erskineville 2043
When?	Friday 25 August 2023 After the Mr. HCB competition has concluded 11:30pm to 2am
How Much?	Free, no registration required

Menagerie

Saturday 26 August 2023

Bear Pride: Bear Pit

Harbour City Bears present Bear Pit: Menagerie for Bear Pride 2023!

Menagerie; noun:

a collection of wild animals kept in captivity for exhibition.
a strange or diverse collection of people or things.

Step right up and be part of the hottest circus in town! Come one, come all, and let's paint the night with vibrant colours of love and acceptance.

Share the excitement, spread the word, and let's make this party an unforgettable celebration of bear pride and gay fabulousness. Dress up as your favourite animal and unleash the beast within!

Our fabulous DJs:

DJ Shanie D - 9pm to 11pm
DJ Charles - 11pm to 1am
DJ Chip - 1am to close

Sydney Silverbacks will working the coat-check as they raise money to get them to the Gay Games! $5 via cash or card.

Where?	The Oxford Art Factory 38/46 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst 2010
When?	Saturday 26th August 2023 9pm to 4am
How Much?	$35 for HCB Members $45 for non-members $50 on the door (if not sold out)

Please note: Moshtix charges a $3.10 transaction fee which will be added to each transaction.
Members will need to enter a discount code to get member pricing. Check your email for the code.

The Grand Finale

Sunday 27 August 2023

Bears on a Sunday

Step right up for the grand finale! It's time to bring down the curtain on an epic journey with an afternoon of fun at The Townie, as we close out our Bear Pride week for 2023.

From 4pm until late, we’re taking over The Townie again, with 2 floors of bears, cheap drinks and great food!

Bar Tabs to be won at 5:30pm, as well as our membership badge draw at 6:30pm. We will also be giving out some other special prizes to celebrate Bear Pride 2023!