Best Pubs, Bars & Brunches for Sydney Gay Mardi Gras 2026

Sydney Gay Mardi Gras is as much about where you celebrate as how you celebrate. From harbourfront dance floors and rooftop brunches to parade-route parties and drag-fuelled long lunches, the city’s pubs and bars come alive with colour, music and unapologetic queer joy.

If you’re planning your Mardi Gras 2026 itinerary, these Sydney venues are delivering some of the biggest, boldest and most inclusive events across February and Parade Day itself.

Staying in Sydney for Mardi Gras? Check hotel availability near the parade route.

Sydney Gay Mardis Gras 2026 - Opera House Precinct & CBD

Opera Bar

A harbourfront icon that truly shines during Mardi Gras. Expect sunset DJ sets, live performances and immersive cultural moments across the week at Opera Bar. Friday 21 February is one to mark, with a live Voguing Contest celebrating ballroom heritage, hosted by House of Silky bringing high-energy QTBIPOC runway culture to the stage.

The Winery

The Winery turns Mardi Gras into an all-day affair. On 28 February, book into one of the bottomless drag brunch sessions before rolling straight into the Parade Day garden party, complete with big screens, DJs and late-night snacks. Brunch, but make it fabulous.

Parade Route Favourites

The Taphouse

Right on the parade path, Taphouse is a Mardi Gras HQ. Highlights include FREE sing-along Karaoke Queens (13 Feb), Big Drag Brunches (21 & 28 Feb), drag trivia, bingo nights, daily bottomless packages and a FREE Parade Day party on 28 February.

Forrester’s

Forrester’s goes big all month with LGBTQIA+ singles nights, relaxed bottomless lunches and a FREE Parade Day party with live entertainment and cocktail specials. Easy, inclusive and always buzzing.

Inner South & Rooftop Vibes

BrewDog South Eveleigh

A queer-friendly clubhouse in the inner south, hosting weekly drag bingo nights throughout February, a Drag Queens vs Comedians showdown on 20 February, and a massive Parade Day pre-party with live shows and big-screen parade viewing.

Untied

Mardi Gras goes sky-high at Untied. Start Parade Day with Brunch with Soul: Mardi Gras Special (28 Feb), featuring live singers, bottomless cocktails and rooftop views. Stick around for the B.A.D (Breakfast All Day) recovery session on 1 March.

Colour, Culture & Celebration

The Butler

The Butler blends celebration with meaning. Expect a charity cocktail menu supporting Rainbow Families, a new mural by queer Sydney artist Louis Wayling, daily long lunches and an exclusive Manaakitanga Mardi Gras Dinner on 26 February — a one-night collaboration celebrating community and culture.

The Rook

Kick off Parade Day at The Rook’s Big Gay Brunch on Saturday 28 February. Hosted by Bettie Blackheart and Dior Drop, this two-hour extravaganza features bottomless spritzes, a shared six-course feast and loud, proud drag chaos before the parade begins.

Whether you’re brunching, dancing, parading or all of the above, Sydney Gay Mardi Gras 2026 delivers unforgettable moments across the city. Book early, plan your route, and get ready to celebrate love, identity and community — Sydney style.