Where To Watch The Mardi Gras Parade Around Sydney If You Couldn’t Score A Ticket

Kassia is the Editor of AWOL, and a straight-up travel…
Mardi Gras is fast approaching, so it’s time to plan your parties. Yes, the most glitter-fuelled day of the year will look a bit different this year, but with all the fab parties (remember those?) happening around Sydney there’s no need to sit it out.
Several of your favourite bars and pubs around Sydney are throwing a rainbow shin dig, here’s seven to get you started. If you’re not in Sydney already, maybe you should check out this special Pride Flight to arrive in style.
#1 Kings Cross Hotel, Potts Point
This Kings Cross staple will be making a rebrand for Mardi Gras — say hello to the new Queens Cross Hotel. Fab drag queens Miss Danni Issues and The Liquor Sisters will lead the charge, styling an entire floor of the pub in their own glam styles and favourite forms of entertainment.
Where: 244-248 William St, Kings Cross
When: February 15 – March 15
Info/bookings: www.kingscrosshotel.com.au/queenscrosshotel
#2 The Bank, Newtown
This Newtown icon is throwing the “Queen of all Mardi Gras parties”, lasting all month long. Expect an array of drag queens, raffles, DJs, Plant Daddy masterclasses, trivia and more. Plus, for the entire month ,$1 from every Pure Blonde schooner sold will be donated to ACON.
On the big night of Mardi Gras parade, they’ll be showing the action on every big screen in the venue, as well as more drag queens and DJs, of course.
Where: 324 King Street, Newtown
When: 21 February – 6 March
Info/bookings: www.bankhotel.com.au/mardi-gras
#3 The Clock Hotel, Surry Hills
Surry Hills will light up for Mardi Gras at The Clock with all the Australian Mardi Gras posters from the past years. A Poor Tom’s pop up will be serving up cocktails that match the revolving line-up of DJs over the party season.
They’ll also be joining forces with The Surry Hills Creative Precinct to throw a picnic celebration in the courtyard over the Mardi Gras main weekend (March 6 to 7). Like The Bank, The Clock will also donate $1 from every Pure Blond sold to ACON.
Where: 470 Crown Street, Surry Hills
When: 19 February – 7 March
Info/bookings: www.clockhotel.com.au/mardigras
#4 The Marly, Newtown
Sure, the official Fair Day isn’t going ahead this year, but on Sunday 21 the Marly will celebrate what would have been with DJs.
There’ll be more DJs until the early hours, with a recovery session the following Sunday with a “backyard pool party” hosted by the fabulous Liquor Sisters. On the day, $1 from every Pure Blond sold will be donated to Twenty10.
Where: 145 King Street, Newtown
When: 19 February – 7 March
Info/bookings: www.marlboroughhotel.com.au/mardi-gras
#5 Darlo Bar, Darlinghurst
Head to the Darlo on Mardi Gras parade day to watch the fabulousness on their big screens. Drag king Marlena Dali and Cherry Kills will host you for the day, with live performances followed by Darlo DJs.
Where: 306 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst
When: 6 March, 5pm – late
Info/bookings: www.darlobar.com.au
#6 Paddo Inn, Paddington
Join in the Mardi Gras parade Watch Party, with all the action live and loud on the big screens through the venue while you chow down on A+ pub grub.
Where: 338 Oxford Street, Paddington
When: 6 March, 5pm – late
Info/bookings: www.paddoinn.com.au
#7 The Beresford, Surry Hills
Ain’t no Mardi Gras party like a Beresford party. From 2pm, live DJs will be playing as you catch the parade on their big screens and take your own turn to pose in a photo booth. If you buy an Absolut Banger cocktail, $2 will be donated to ACON and the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation charity.
Where: 354 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
When: 6 March, 2pm – late
Info/bookings: merivale.com/whatson/mardi-gras-events
(Lead Image: Provided / Dollar Bin Darlings)
Kassia is the Editor of AWOL, and a straight-up travel addict. She was born without a sense of direction, yet an intense desire to explore the world. As such, she's lost 90% of the time but she's learned to roll with it. You can catch her latest adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.