The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade has taken place every year since it first began in 1978. And for 44 years, nothing has stopped one of Sydney’s most vibrant communities from gathering to celebrate together and call for change while remembering those who came before them. In this edition of Monday Munchies, we’re rounding up the best venues to celebrate the Mardi Gras in style while filling your stomachs with some of the best food the harbour city has in the process. Let’s check it out.
The Mardi Gras Parade will take place on Saturday 5th March at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
CAMP at Il Pontile
One of our favourite restaurants in Sydney, Il Pontile, is hosting a fabulous Mardi Gras lunch on Sunday 6th March 12-4 pm where guests can indulge in authentic Italian flavours, bespoke cocktails, exhilarating entertainment by award-winning artists and music by International DJ Shiralee Coleman. Guests will have the choice between an à la carte menu, or two decadent set menu packages detailed below. To make your night special, incredible surprises and huge giveaways with prizes valued at $8000 are only the beginning. Bookings can be made via the link below.
Check out our full review of Il Pontile by clicking the link here.
Set Menu Packages:
Mardi Gras Menu – $120 pp
- Includes a four-course set menu.
- Click here to see the $120 set menu
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert – $195 pp
- Includes a three-course set menu, cocktail on arrival and free-flowing Bellinis throughout the event.
- Click here to see the $195 set menu
Beckett’s Fab-U-Luxe Evening
Celebrate Mardi Gras at one of Sydney’s most opulent spaces. Beckett’s is hosting a fab-u-luxe Mardi Gras evening with the delightful drag qween, Crystal Ball, who will take guests on a journey of all the big musical theatre numbers – from ballads to fun dance ditties Resident pianist Glenn Rhodes will kick off the evening with some Elton John and John & Peter Allen classics.
Dressing up is encouraged, and in honour of Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Very Peri, guests are encouraged to wear their best shade of periwinkle. A best-dressed award should be enough motivation!
Beckett’s is a loving ode to the bistros and cocktail bars of the early and mid-century; a place where contagious laughter and great conversation is appreciated. If you love your food mod-European with a dash of New York and London, your martinis icy cold and ice-clear, and your wine classic and quaffable, you’ll love Beckett’s.
No need to pre-purchase tickets, just book a table via the link below and enjoy a night of fun entertainment with a moreish menu by chef patron, Jeff Schroeter (Bayswater Brasserie, Bistro Moncur).
Date: Thurs, 3 March from 7pm
Dinner: A La Carte Menu
Reservations: here
The Streets of Barangaroo
A festival of colour has taken over the Barangaroo precinct in keeping with this year’s theme, UNITED WE SHINE. Step up and step out at The Streets and celebrate pride, equality and love. Here are some of our favourites we recommend checking out if you’re in town.
Butcher’s Block, Barangaroo
Wrap your lips around three speciality cocktails during Mardi Gras at The Butchers Block. From now until March 6th, you’ll be able to wrap your chops around $16 cocktails, including;
- Rupauls Rainbow: Malibu, Havana club, grenadine, curacao, pineapple juice
- Death Drop: Midori, gin, lime juice, spiced sugar syrup, aquafaba
- Rainbox Jockstrap: Midori, gin, lime juice, spiced sugar syrup, aquafaba
NOLA Smokehouse and Bar, Barangaroo
Partake in the festivities of New Orleans Mardi Gras with a night of live music, cocktails and dress ups!
The event starts at 4 pm on Friday 4th of March, and in true Mardi Gras style, a roaming brass band will make an appearance from 6 pm, playing traditional tunes straight from the Big Easy. NOLA has partnered with Southern Comfort to create a limited edition Mardi Gras menu that goes a little something like this:
- Cocktails ($20ea):
- Little Liza Jane: Southern Comfort Original, Rye Whiskey, White Peach, Lime, Orgeat
- Antoine’s Sour: Southern Comfort Black, Bourbon Whiskey, Peychauds Bitters, Lemon
- Mama Roux: Southern Comfort Black, Bourbon Whiskey, Crème de Cacao, Agave, Angostura Bitters
- La Dauphine Champagne Punch ($85): Taittinger Brut Prestige, Southern Comfort Original, Dry Vermouth, Lemon
- Southern Comfort Black Tiramisu ($14)
- Carolina Pork Ribs with Southern Comfort Glaze ($45 for 500g or $70 for 1kg)
This event is looking to be one of the biggest in Barangaroo, and we highly recommend booking ahead via the links below.
Chi by Lotus, Barangaroo
Lotus will be serving up their limited edition purple XO prawn dumplings (RRP $21) to pair perfectly with their ‘United We Shine’ cocktail (RRP $22). Available from 3rd to 5th March, or until sold out. This even is likely to be packed, and we recommend booking via the link below.
Untied, Barangaroo
Untied are giving revellers a different kind of Brunch with the Soul experience.
Sexy Sunday Jam will be belting out classic camp favourites to lift the party atmosphere while foodies enjoy two hours of southern-style bottomless brunch. Whether you’re pre-gaming before the parade or partying it up on your own, this will be a fun Mardi Gras brunch celebration to remember. You’ll have the option of two sittings (11am and 2pm) with bookings at $79pp.
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