Fruits Turns 30: Three Decades. Three Levels. One Big Night.
Happy birthday, Fruits! This Thursday, PBA’s longest-running event turns 30 and we’re throwing it the party it deserves.
REGISTER NOW: Fruits 30: Three Decades. Three Levels. One Big Night.
Where it all began
Back in October 1996, a PBA board member named Simon Davies had a simple idea: a monthly social event where gay professionals, business owners and allies could connect and build their networks. At the time PBA was still the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association (SGLBA), and Simon’s idea became Fruits in Suits first held at Sol Bar in Taylor Square.
Flashback to an an iconic Fruits event.
It didn’t stay small for long. Macquarie Bank came on board as an early sponsor, giving the event mainstream attention and helping land advertising in The Australian Financial Review. Word spread fast enough that “Fruits in Suits” chapters popped up in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Auckland, Hong Kong and even Tokyo.
Fruits and Suits even traveled as far as Hong Kong.
Over the decades, our Sydney gathering has called a few different venues home — The W Hotel, Mars Lounge, Slide, the Beresford Hotel, and more recently Mezzanine House. The name’s shortened over the years, but the aim hasn’t changed once: get our community in a room together and see what happens.
Thirty years on, Fruits is the longest-running LGBTQIA+ networking event in the Southern Hemisphere. That’s not a small thing to sit with — and it’s why we’re celebrating properly.
This Thursday: Fruits 30
For our 30th, we’re taking over all three levels of Tribe@231; an LGBTQIA+ owned business on Oxford Street, just around the corner from where Fruits first began. One night, one whole venue, three decades of connections to celebrate.
Because if there’s one thing that’s stayed true since 1996, it’s this: you never know who you’ll meet at Fruits. A future client. A new collaborator. An old friend. Your next employer, business partner, mentor, or big idea. Sometimes, just someone you’d never have crossed paths with anywhere else.
Celebrating 30 Years of Fruits.
Expect a packed house, great conversations, familiar faces and new ones. From business, community, government, the arts and beyond. There’ll be drinks, canapés, and a shot at some seriously good prizes.
A lot has changed in 30 years… but also not much at all.
Whether you run a business, lead a team, work for yourself, are building a career, changing direction, or just want to meet interesting people — everyone is welcome at Fruits. Come with colleagues, bring your friends, or arrive solo. One conversation is often all it takes.
The Details
🎉 What: Fruits 30 — a whole-venue takeover celebrating 30 years of Fruits
📅 When: This Thursday, 17 September
📍 Where: Tribe@231, Oxford Street, Sydney
🎟️ Tickets: PBA Members — FREE entry + free drink on arrival (log in to access your ticket) · Non-Members — $20 online / $25 on the door
👉 Get tickets: pba.org.au/events/fruits/fruits-30
Capacity is limited — early registration is strongly encouraged.
Stay the night
Make a night of it at ADGE Hotel — a King Room for just $155 on Thursday 17 September, exclusively for Fruits 30 guests. Email Kelly to book.
Celebrating 30 Years of Fruits.
Win big
There are 30 prizes up for grabs for Fruits 30 — check out the raffle here, drawn on the night.
Here’s to the last 30 years of Fruits — and to everyone who’ll be in the room for the next 30. See you Thursday. 🍊
REGISTER NOW: Fruits 30: Three Decades. Three Levels. One Big Night.
Celebrating 30 Years of Fruits.
Everyone is welcome at the PBA! Check out our upcoming events. Thank you to everyone who made last night so memorable. See you at the next one!
