All AWOL events at the Laird are for male-only identifying patrons and 18+ only.

 

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE LAIRD

The Laird is one of Australia’s longest running gay-owned and operated venues.

Since its humble beginnings in 1980, The Laird is now well recognised throughout the gay community, both local and international and like its 'sister-venues’ Club 80 and The Peel, remains a staple of the local scene.

In 1998 The Laird and Club 80 were granted ‘Male-only’ status by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) in deference to their history and service to the gay community. While we still maintain this status, a few times a year we open the doors to the community for events such as Vic Leather Open Day (May), Men on Men Open Day (June) and Northside Bizarre (October).

Formerly known as "Melbourne's only bear and leather bar", The Laird has progressed over the years to become a haven, meeting place and party space for same-sex attracted CIS and Trans males.

We cater to a wide range of men, and it’s a great place to meet up with locals and visitors from around the world.

 

THE HISTORY OF AWOL

In 2008 Paul and Richard, the owners and operators of Mannhaus, encouraged Brett and Mark from The Laird to start up the Laird Leatherman Competition. That comp had so many contestants, it had to be run over 3 nights with two heats and a grand final!

Of course, we needed a party to help celebrate each new Laird Leatherman every year, and thus Code Black was born. A party celebrating leathermen in all their glory with in an atmosphere befitting what it means to be a Leatherman.

As the years went by more events were added around the competition, including workshops on Wednesdays (Laurie Lane’s Get Knotted, Eagle Sessions and new for 2021, Mannhaus Sessions). We also introduced High Shine on Thursday taking the Lairds weekly fetish night to a whole new down n dirty level. From there it was only logical to turn things into a week-long celebration, thus AWOL : A Week of Leather was born. While the Jock Party and Hustle are the main parties, year after year more events have been added to the calendar, including exhibitions and social gatherings that have led to AWOL as we know it today - a true week of leather and fetish.

 

 

 

For AWOL enquiries including sponsorship, media or volunteering, please email us at contact@lairdhotel.com