Universal Sydney

What a great bar, so clean, new and modern! Feels very high end and the drinks are good too. First time in Sydney's gay scene and I love it. Here for new year and will definitely be back. Music was good and a high quality sound

Great vibe, comfy seats, friendly staff, had a really nice chill time. Venue is beautiful. Loved my peach emoji cocktail!

The staff were great throughout the night. I’m a Pacific Islander. Last Saturday, 18 July, I was sitting alone at a table directly across from the bar when a group of Caucasian friends walked in. One of the women asked if she could use one of the chairs at my table, and I said yes. While her male friends stood nearby, one of her gay friends returned with a beer, looked at me curiously, then back at her as they chatted. Moments later, he knocked his full glass of beer over the table, soaking my grey jeans. He apologised quickly after but it didn’t feel genuine. I kept my composure, the old me would’ve erupted right after that. But I went to the bathroom to clean myself up, couldn’t take off the beer stench on my clothes. Returned to find the group dancing as if nothing had happened. It left me wondering whether it was simply drunken carelessness or something more deliberate—and whether security and bar staff are really monitoring patrons’ level of intoxication, or simply turning a blind eye until something more serious happens.

I rarely leave negative reviews as I appreciate when local venues put effort, time and money into our community entertainment, but I can’t stay quiet after last night. This was, without question, the worst night out I’ve had in years. The “2 Sisters” (or whatever they call themselves) completely killed the atmosphere with what felt more like karaoke than a performance. I heard people around me questioning if that was a joke..it felt like it. What was even more baffling was the DJ (actually both DJs of the night). For a 90s-themed night, they somehow managed to avoid playing Britney Spears, Madonna, Whitney Houston, and so many other iconic artists that people actually came to hear. Instead, we got hours of garbage music that nobody knew nor connected with. We brought more than 20 friends to celebrate my partner’s birthday, and by the end of the night every single one of them said they wouldn’t be coming back. The drag show was probably the only moment that actually felt like a 90s event - for less than 5 minutes. If you’re advertising a 90s party, people expect 90s music, all the bangers. Sadly, this was a huge disappointment and we won’t be rushing back

Came here on Friday night after a concert with two friends. We were refused entry at the door with no reason given — just “not today” after one security guard looked at another and nodded. We weren’t drunk, there was no line, and the venue clearly wasn’t at capacity. All three of us are brown. I don’t know what was behind the decision, but it was uncomfortable and no explanation was ever offered. We went to Palms straight after and were welcomed in with no issue. Two very different experiences on the same street on the same night.