Lady Gaga surprises Sydney

Lady Gaga (right) shows her appreciation to Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore after receiving a certificate of honorary citizenship. Photo / AAP

Never one to do things by halves, Lady Gaga performed two surprise shows in Sydney just hours after being anointed an honorary citizen of the city.

The singer drew more than a thousand fans to Oxford Street on Monday after announcing unscheduled gigs at two gay venues, Nevermind and ARQ, via Twitter.

"Thinking of going out in Sydney Tonight. How I wish we had a show. NEVERMIND, don't listen to me. Maybe i'll just go for a walk in the pARQ," she tweeted during the afternoon.

Fans queued for up to seven hours to see the singer perform three songs from her latest album - Born This Way, Edge Of Glory and Judas - after which she thanked them.

"I just want to say thank you so much because without Australia I would not be where I am today," she told the crowd at ARQ.

"Today I met the mayor of Sydney and she made me an honorary citizen of Sydney for my gay advocacy.

"So thank you for being so f***ing gay."

Gaga emerged in a black veil before stripping down to leather underwear, replete with studs and chains, as she was flanked by a dozen dancers.

Encouraging her "little monsters" to raise their paws, she held poses for cameramen and fans alike before promising more at her forthcoming concert at Sydney's Town Hall on Wednesday.

Hundreds of hopefuls were shut out due to the venue capacity restrictions but those lucky enough to get into the impromptu shows left happy.

"I'm so psyched I can't quite explain it right now," said Grace Jung from Glebe.

"She's so awesome and I don't care it was only three songs, I got to touch her thigh."

-AAP