We’ve given you a full rundown on how to survive the sweat and sequins of Sydney Mardi Gras, plus some of the top events and parties, but you’re also going to need to know where to eat when you’re strutting around town in your most fabulous Mardi Gras costumes.
Bottomless brunch, anyone? Mardi Gras is always the best time for it. We’ve rounded up all the best food and drink specials that’ll be popping off around town over the next few weeks for the duration of Sydney Mardi Gras, which begins on Friday, February 13 and ends on Sunday, March 1.
10 places to eat and sip during Sydney Mardi Gras
1. The Winery
The Winery is offering a special bottomless drag brunch for $99 per person on Parade Day (February 28). Your boozy brunch will feature 90 minutes of bottomless drinks with a shared menu, plus “outrageous” drag performances with all the lip-syncs, live numbers and banter you could ask for. There are six brunch slots available, between 11:30am and 4:30pm, and bookings are essential.
Where: 285A Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
2. Tucano’s
Surry Hills’ Tucano’s is already known for its disco drag bottomless brunches, with Tiki twists on Mediterranean food plus delicious cocktails, wine and tap beer. On February 28 (Parade Day), the modern tropical bar will host a disco drag brunch with 12pm and 2:30pm bookings, continuing with drag disco sips and snacks from 5pm and then DJ, dancing and nonstop entertainment from 7pm. The groovy bar is another great option for a post-parade boogie, thanks to its proximity to the Parade route, aka the main artery of Mardi Gras.
Where: 277 Goulburn Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
3. Cho Cho San
For two Mardi Gras Saturdays, beloved Potts Point institution Cho Cho San will host ‘Bums + Bottomless Bubbles’, a special take on their signature bottomless brunch. At $130 per person, you’ll be treated to an hour and 45 minutes of bottomless bubbles, wine, beer and cocktails, the chef’s selection of Cho Cho San favourites, drag performances hosted by Sia Tequila, Mardi Gras-inspired cocktails and a feel-good, funky soundtrack. Available from 12pm-3pm on February 21 and 28, this bottomless brunch is not one to miss.
Where: 73 Macleay St, Potts Point, NSW 2011.
4. Opera Bar
Arguably Sydney’s most famous watering hole, the Opera Bar is transforming into a harbourfront playground this Mardi Gras, celebrating queer expression, music and dance. Kicking things off on February 20, DJ Alex Taylor will lead the way with a soulful, funky house set, before dance takes centre stage on February 21, with a live Voguing Contest and performances from House of Silky, the Sydney-based QTBIPOC ballroom collective.
Festivities continue throughout the Mardi Gras run, with other fun-filled events, from a love Drag Wheel of Fortune on February 22, to repeat sets from DJ Alex Taylor and a final pre-party by DJ Troy Beman on February 28, ahead of Grace Jones’ Opera House Forecourt performance. With Applejack celebrating its first Mardi Gras with the Opera House, there’s no doubt it’s one of the places to eat, sip and celebrate.
Where: Opera Bar, Sydney Opera House, Lower Concourse Level, Sydney NSW 2000.
5. Chin Chin
One of Sydney’s vibiest bottomless brunch spots, Chin Chin, is hosting a Mardi Gras Margi Party, featuring a table of Chin Chin hits (think Moo Ping pork skewers, scallop fried rice and tuna tartare) paired with your favourite Don Julio infused cocktails. Enjoy free-flowing margs, the mouthwatering menu, plus high-energy drag performances from 1pm to 3pm on Saturdays, all for $109 per person. There will also be DJs spinning tunes from 12pm-3pm on Sundays, for a more mellow vibe.
You can check out the full menu here.
Where: 69 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills NSW 2010.
6. Taphouse
You knew Taphouse would be going big for Mardi Gras. The iconic Darlinghurst corner pub is kicking things off with Karaoke Queens on February 13, a free sing-along where you can expect to hear a lot of Whitney, Gaga and Cher. Their iconic Big Drag Brunch will then return on February 21 and 28, featuring a cocktail on arrival, 2.5 hours of flowing drinks, a Chinese feast and powerhouse queens taking over the rooftop.
On the day-to-day, enjoy their Sip & Slay Bottomless Package, including 2-hours of flowing drinks plus a cocktail on arrival for $99 per person. There’s also drag trivia, drag bingo, and a free Parade Day Party that accepts walk-ins only. Arrive early, as Taphouse’s prime Parade location is sure to draw a crowd.
Where: 122 Flinders St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010.
7. Jimmy’s Rooftop
On Parade Day, the Ivy precinct will be completely taken over by ‘The Big Gay Block Party’, which actually kicks off at 11am with their iconic ‘Poof Doof’ brunch. Tickets start from $51.74 and include 90 minutes of complimentary mimosas from 11am to 12:30pm. While food isn’t included, it will be available to purchase at the event. Jimmy’s Rooftop has a lineup of internationally acclaimed queens performing, including the stunning Bimini from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, plus Coco Jumbo, Karina Ford and Vybe from Drag Race Down Under.
Where: Jimmy’s Rooftop, Level 4/320 George St, Sydney NSW 2000.
8. The Rook
Another Mardi Gras, another of The Rook’s Big Gay Brunch, set to take over the afternoon hours of Parade Day between 12pm and 3pm. Hosted by the iconic and outrageously entertaining Bettie Blackheart and Dior Drop, this crowd-favourite brunch is back, with two-hours of bottomless spritzes and a delicious six-course sharing menu. Tickets cost $89 per person, with guests encouraged to arrive hungry, thirsty and ready for a good time.
Where: level 7/56-58 York St, Sydney NSW 2000.
9. The Lucky Prawn
Yum cha, but make it Mardi Gras: introducing Mardi Cha.
Lucky Prawn, at Marrickville’s quirky Bob Hawke Beer and Leisure Centre, is bringing back its Mardi Cha on March 1, with drag star host Jackie Daniels, vinyl DJs and a special Berocca Breeze cocktail to help nurse any sore heads from the night before. The recovery is just as important as the party, so enjoy a yummy Sunday afternoon yum cha session with a relaxed, hangover-friendly vibe.
Where: 8/12 Sydney St, Marrickville NSW 2204
10. Untied
Untied is turning the volume all the way up for Mardi Gras weekend with two days of rooftop celebrations. Kick things off on Saturday from 11am with ‘Brunch with Soul: Mardi Gras Special’, the ultimate Parade Day warm-up featuring live singers belting out all your favourite anthems, a Southern-style brunch and two hours of bottomless cocktails, all for $89 per person.
Ease into your Sunday and get rid of that pesky headache in style, with Untied’s BAD (breakfast all day), which will be accompanied by nu-disco vibes. If Saturday’s fun wasn’t enough for you, you can opt for the bottomless drinks package of espresso martinis, bloody marys, house beer and wine (for $65 per person), which you can enjoy while a DJ spins retro-inspired pop and dance classics.
Where: Lvl 4/400 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo NSW 2000.
