Founded in 1982 by Les McDonald and Wayne Harrison, the Darlo Bookshop began on Crown Street and found a home on Oxford Street in 1984 — right at the heart of Sydney’s LGBTQ+ precinct. Over more than four decades, The Bookshop grew beyond retail, serving as a sanctuary during the AIDS crisis, a hub for author events, and an anchor for generations seeking community, affirmation, or simply the right book at the right time.
Its loss is already being felt deeply across Sydney's queer community and the broader LGBTQIA+ world.
The closure comes after a tumultuous year for the business. Charles Gregory, who took over ownership in June 2024, planned to relocate the shop into a newer, larger space as part of the Oxford & Foley redevelopment, aiming to usher in a modern chapter while honouring the shop’s storied past. But persistent construction delays, now stretching the move date into an uncertain future, combined with rising expenses and a slow winter trade, ultimately made survival untenable. Critical trading periods like Christmas, summer, and Mardi Gras were missed, and mounting financial strain forced this bittersweet decision.
"It is with a heavy heart that we share: after more than four decades of serving Sydney’s LGBTQ+ community, The Bookshop Darlinghurst will close its doors."
Gregory, in a heartfelt message to the community, reflected: “The Bookshop Darlinghurst has been more than a store. It has been a meeting place, a refuge, and a beacon for queer literature for more than four decades. I am truly sorry I was not able to carry on this legacy. I invite everyone who has loved this space – or who has yet to discover it – to visit before we close the doors.”
Community leaders and regulars have voiced heartbreak and gratitude in response, recalling times the bookshop offered solace, celebration, and the rare magic of being seen—and seeing yourself—in a world that too often erases queer experience. Calls for the City of Sydney to intervene or offer support underscore just how deeply The Bookshop has been woven into the cultural, historical, and emotional fabric of Oxford Street and beyond.
From pamphlets in the dark days of homophobia to today’s vibrant tales of identity, love, and resistance, The Bookshop’s shelves have held the stories that shaped a community, comforted the lost, and inspired activism, creativity, and self-acceptance. Staff, former owners, and countless patrons now prepare to say goodbye to this irreplaceable space and thank those who kept its doors open for so long.
While the future may call for new queer spaces and innovative ways to preserve LGBTQIA+ history, The Bookshop Darlinghurst’s legacy—as a beacon of dignity, refuge, and rainbow connection—will endure in the hearts of those it served.
Customers and community members are encouraged to visit before December 24, 2025, to share memories, buy books, and help The Bookshop say farewell with the respect and love it has given so generously for 43 unforgettable years.
