Bears Perth is a queer bear club — a den of grizzly old-timers, cuddly pandas, brawny polars and curious cubs. There is no one way to be a bear, and you don't need to be big, bearded or burly to belong.
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Is this for me?
Who's welcome
Bears Perth is open to every kind of bear — gay, bi, pan, queer, or still working it out. Cis and trans men, and non-binary people who feel at home in a male-presenting space. Trans men are part of this club and have worn the Mr Bear Perth sash.
Can I bring someone?
Most of what we run is for men and male-presenting folks. But Community Den Nights and most of Western Roundup are open to everyone — partners, friends, chosen family, your mum and dad. Each event page says which it is.
What we're not
Not a sex club. There are plenty of bear hugs and cheeky banter, but our events are about community and connection, not cruising.
What it costs
Den Nights are free for members and $5 for guests. Board games afternoons are free for everyone. Other events are ticketed, and prices are on each event page.
Do I need to know anyone?
No. Most people turn up alone the first time. Committee members wear orange name badges and getting you talking to someone is literally their job.
What actually happens
Come to whatever's on next. There's no wrong first event and nobody's keeping score — but here's what each one is actually like.
Den Nights
Our regular evenings, and the ones most people start with. Cheap drinks, nibbles put out through the night, a raffle and a door prize. People gather on the deck and talk. That's the whole event, and it's enough.
We hibernate through late December and January.
Grizzly Board Games — monthly on a Sunday afternoon, 12pm to 3pm at the Hyde Park Hotel, free for everyone. We take over a corner of the pub and crack out the games, cooperative through to cutthroat. Bring your own if you have a favourite. It's daytime, you can stay sober, and a game gives you something to do with your hands and a reason to talk — which is why it suits some people better than a room where the only thing to do is mingle.
Community Den Nights — several times a year, at Loton Park, open to all genders. Partners, friends and chosen family welcome.
Getting there and getting in
Den Nights and most of our other evenings are held at Loton Park Tennis Club in Highgate. The first ten minutes there are the part people worry about, so here they are in order.
- Come to the Bulwer Street side of Loton Park and look for the open gate on the city side.
- Follow the ramp up to the main deck.
- Sign in at the desk. Someone will be there, and they're expecting people they don't know.
- Get a drink. You're in.
By bus or train
East Perth Train Station is a few minutes from the gate. Several bus routes also stop on Lord Street, at Stop 11656 beside the park. The map shows the routes and where they pull in.
Parking
Along Bulwer Street, or on the grass via the driveway.
Read the parking signs before you walk away. Loton Park backs onto HBF Park, and on stadium event days the surrounding streets switch to restricted parking. The restrictions apply on specific dates and they are enforced — cars get ticketed and towed.
And please drive safely, especially after a drink.
Access at Loton Park
Ramp access to the deck and the clubhouse, and a large accessible bathroom. There is an indoor clubroom, a large open-air deck and a covered verandah, so there is always somewhere quieter to settle in or have a proper conversation. The smoking area is reached by stairs only.
The bar
Beer, wine, premix and soft drinks, and the bar is EFTPOS only. Entry and raffles take cash or card. Memberships can be paid online or at the door.
Getting changed
The accessible bathroom is large enough to change in if you'd rather arrive in something else.
The Hyde Park Hotel
Where the board games afternoons are held, a few minutes away on Bulwer Street. The event space is mobility friendly and drinks and snacks come from the pub bar.
How we treat each other
Bears Perth is a safe, welcoming space for every kind of bear. Keeping it that way asks a few things of everyone who comes.
- Consent first. Always ask before touching, hugging or stepping into someone's space. No assumptions.
- Social, not sexual. You might meet someone special. But our events are about community, not cruising, and they are not sexually charged spaces.
- However you got here. Cis or trans, gay, bi, pan or questioning, big, small, hairy or smooth. If you're at home in this room, you belong in it.
- Respect differences. Some people are chatty, some are quiet, some are neurodiverse. Let everyone engage on their own terms.
- Dress how you like. Jeans and a tee, or full leather. Loton Park is a licensed venue, so full nudity isn't permitted.
- No photos without asking. We protect everyone's privacy. Recording isn't allowed unless the committee has approved it.
- Drink responsibly. Enjoy one if you like, but know your limits. Intoxicated or disruptive behaviour isn't tolerated.
Something not right? Look for a committee member in an orange name badge. That is what they are there for, and you will not be making a fuss.
Inclusion and accessibility
There is no one way to be a bear. Our members vary by age, build, hairiness, sexuality, gender and wiring, and none of it changes whether you belong here.
We choose venues with step-free entry and an accessible bathroom wherever we can. Support workers and carers come free, whatever their gender. There are face masks at the front desk for anyone who wants one, and nobody has to mingle, stay late, or explain why they have stepped outside for a bit.
If something would make it easier for you to come, tell us — that is the whole reason the page below exists.
Inclusion and Accessibility in full
Western Roundup
Our biggest event of the year, held each September across several days and venues. The programme changes from year to year, but it usually includes:
- Welcome drinks to open the week
- An evening to meet the Mr Bear Perth contestants — usually the friendliest night of the week for a first-timer
- Growl: Underbear, our late-night underwear party, male and male-identifying only
- The Mr Bear Perth competition itself
- A relaxed after party to close it out
Most of it is open to all genders, so you can bring your besties, your gal pals, your mum and dad. There is normally a Season Pass that covers the whole programme for less than buying events separately.
This year's Western Roundup program
Also through the year
Non-members are welcome at all of it unless noted.
| Event | Who | When |
|---|---|---|
|
Growl Late-night, adults-only, a cheekier energy |
Male and male-identifying only | Several times a year |
|
Gaming nights Console tournaments at Loton Park, on top of the monthly board games afternoons |
Male and male-identifying | Through the year |
|
Perth PrideFest Our Fairday stall and the Pride Parade |
Everyone — members, friends and allies | November |
Still got a question?
Every bear started as a shy cub, and there is no question too small. Contact us and one of the committee will get back to you.
