The Bookshop Darlinghurst has devoted its shelves to the wider LGBTQI+ community since 1982. And the feeling is mutual. When it suffered a near-death experience at the beginning of 2020, the community rallied and saved the shop from an untimely closure. Such is the love for this specialist bookseller. Today it’s thriving, with an expanded and refreshed webstore, thanks to a grant from the City of Sydney.

But if you can, it’s always best to visit the store in-person. The entire bottom floor is jammed with bargain titles, where you’ll find a comprehensive selection of books, magazines, DVDs and erotica (look out for some “very sexy calendars”). There’s a good showing of general titles too, plus an enviable performing arts section.

Above all, the shop prides itself on showcasing hard-to-get titles from abroad and up-and-coming Australian authors. It’s this thinking that’s made it a community favourite.