Mad Monkey Bayswater

Mad Monkey Bayswater is a hostel at 79 Bayswater Road, at the Kings Cross end of Rushcutters Bay, roughly five minutes' walk from Kings Cross station. Google's listing describes functional dorms, a rooftop terrace, a lounge and free Wi-Fi. Mad Monkey is a backpacker chain, so expect a young, social crowd. It's a mainstream hotel, not a gay venue. Rushcutters Bay has no gay bars of its own; Oxford Street in Darlinghurst, where Sydney's gay bars are, is about 1.5–2 km away. Google rates it 4.4 from about 410 reviews. It's the cheapest bed on this stretch of Bayswater Road and suits solo travellers who want company; couples after a quiet room are better off at a guesthouse nearby.