Gay Guide to Wellington
New Zealand legalized same-sex marriage in 2013, the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to do so. Wellington, the compact, creative capital at the bottom of the North Island, keeps a friendly queer scene right in the heart of town.
The center of it is Cuba Street, the bohemian, pedestrian-friendly strip of bars, cafes, and shops that has long been the hub of the city's LGBTQ+ life, with nearby Vivian Street part of the same historic quarter. Intimate venues like Ivy Bar and S&M's carry the nightlife, cabaret-forward and welcoming, in a city small enough to feel like everyone knows each other.
Wellington pairs harbourside setting, strong coffee, and an arts-and-film culture with a community that is visible and easygoing.
Wellington Pride, known as Proud, runs across the summer with a festival of parties, film, and art, and the beloved Out in the Square fair gathers the community in the city's Civic Square.