Queer Column: Our Guide To Sapphic Mardi Gras Events
Without designated environments for us, it’s harder to feel in touch with our sense of belonging, make friends with shared experiences, meet romantic/sexual interests, and escape feelings of alienation (sometimes at the hands of our own community).
Who are we?
I’m Isabel, I’m 20, and I’m a lesbian. I’ve only celebrated Mardi Gras twice. This is partly because for most of my teenage years, I was deep in the closet. But mostly it’s because I struggle with social anxiety, and I’ve found that Mardi Gras can often be a letdown.
My first Mardi Gras was at 17 and was half spent obtaining a bottle of vodka (poured into an empty plastic water bottle, no mixer, in true underage fashion). The other half was spent sitting around outside St Mary’s Cathedral with some boys from our school that we’d run into (some of whom I knew for a fact were homophobic and had no business being at Mardi Gras). I watched my friends hook up with the boys and take nangs with randoms they befriended. I didn’t even get to see the parade.
My second Mardi Gras was at 18 and I had made plans to spend it at the Imperial with a girl I liked at the time. As I was curling my hair, I got a text message cancelling our plans last minute and also calling things off between us entirely. I was devastated, but determined not to spend my first Mardi Gras as an out lesbian alone in my apartment. My friends and I went to the Imperial and then immediately left, unable to pay the $50 entrance fee. We then ventured to Oxford Street, got in line, waited for 20 minutes, and then I started having a panic attack due to the staggering amount of loud, drunk people around. We spent an ungodly amount on an Uber straight back to where we had come from.
I’m B, I’m also 20, and I’m bisexual. Thirteen marked the age my best friend and I came out to each other through giggling whispers on a crowded bus. Fifteen marked the age I first confessed my feelings to a girl I liked (it ended tragically, as many first queer high school romances do). Nineteen marked my first Mardi Gras, which I spent with some lovely people I met through uni. This year, after the end of a long-term relationship, I will be attending my first Mardi Gras as a single, sapphic woman!
Despite being fortunate enough to come to terms with my sexuality pretty early on in my adolescence, starting university a few years ago opened a bright glittering door into a world where I feel the most vibrant and unapologetic version of me is truly seen, appreciated and loved. Never before had I been surrounded by so many queer people, especially sapphics. The friendships I have forged with these beautiful people in my life are truly like no other. We laugh, we cry, and we squabble, but something that brings us together time and time again is bitching and moaning about the lack of spaces for queer non-men in Sydney…
Mardi Gras: Where should the Sapphics go?
Sydney is a very gay city, and Mardi Gras is a unique, important part of our history as well as our geographical identity. Reading this article, you may be thinking to yourself: There are so many gay clubs to choose from… have you never walked down Oxford Street?
And you’d be right – partially.
There doesn’t seem to be a shortage of queer venues and events, but any sapphic could tell you that there is a lack of spaces specifically designed for queer women, trans and nonbinary people. Sure, we are welcome at the places and events to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in general, but many of us feel a pronounced empty space in Sydney’s nightlife. If you’re a queer non-man living in Sydney, you’ve probably heard of Birdcage – the lesbian and queer night the Bank Hotel in Newtown hosts every Wednesday. But, beyond Birdcage, there aren’t many recurring activities or spaces for us to go to. If you look it up, you’ll be flooded with a myriad of gay bars, clubs and activities, but you have to sift through them to find those explicitly sapphic events.
Without designated environments for us, it’s harder to feel in touch with our sense of belonging, make friends with shared experiences, meet romantic/sexual interests, and escape feelings of alienation (sometimes at the hands of our own community).
This is why we have taken it upon ourselves to compile a list of events happening around the Mardi Gras period for us sapphics to enjoy.
All the events listed below are welcoming spaces for trans and gender non-conforming people, who are an essential part of our sapphic community. Events are listed from cheapest (free) to most expensive.
Birdcage Full Venue Takeover
You truly can’t go wrong with Birdcage. A safe haven for many (including yours truly), Birdcage is a fun and welcoming place with a community of regulars to match – a great place to celebrate Mardi Gras. For this special night, Birdcage is not limited to the Bank Hotel’s upstairs venue Waywards – the party is taking over the entire venue!
When: Wednesday 28th February, 8pm-2am
Where: Waywards, The Bank Hotel, Newtown
Ticket Cost: Free! That’s Birdcage, baby!
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MEDUSA III
Birdcage isn’t the only Mardi Gras event happening at Waywards. Meet MEDUSA III, a night for queer women, trans and nonbinary people who want to show off their sexy, sultry selves. Expect an exciting lineup of DJs and performers – this party is all about queer confidence and expressing yourself!
When: Friday 23rd February, 10pm-4am
Where: Waywards, The Bank Hotel, Newtown
Ticket Cost: $20 (first release)
https://events.humanitix.com/medusa-iii-mardi-gras-edition
Dykadellic Dance Party
What better theme for a sapphic night than Enchanted Forest? Dress up as a woodland fairy, a sexy goblin or come wearing chainmail and nothing else! The lineup for this mystical dance party includes various DJs, dance and pole performers, drag artists and a fire performer!
When: Thursday 29th February, 7pm-1am
Where: Kinsellas Hotel, Darlinghurst
Ticket Cost: $34 (third release) – $49 (fourth release)
https://events.humanitix.com/dykadellic-290224?c=fb
Junipero Full Moon Party:
Don’t want the night to end at the parade? Dance until the moon disappears and morning takes over at Junipero’s afterparty. Your event ticket will get you access to two levels of parties, including PLANET BUBBLEGUM for any hyperpop lovers, multiple DJs, drag and burlesque performances, fire dancers, a UV paint station and a photobooth.
When: February 24th 9:30pm-4am
Where: Burdekin Hotel, Darlinghurst
Ticket Cost: $34.58 (GA tickets are on sale until Feb 16, so get in quick!)
Eden Sydney Pop-Up: Recovery Boat Party
Eden Entertainment Group is travelling all the way from Los Angeles to host two pop-up events in Sydney for Mardi Gras. One of them is their boat club cruise through Sydney Harbour, with two levels of open deck, exclusive DJ sets, live music, and burlesque dancers. If you’ve never been to a boat party before, we strongly recommend it (unless you have motion sickness).
When: Sunday 3rd March, 2pm-6pm (arrive at 1:30pm to board) Where: Casino Wharf, Pyrmont
Ticket Cost: $73.88
GiRLTHING MARDI PARDI
Can’t make Dykadellic but want to party with some elves? Well, good news. Great minds think alike - GiRLTHING is hosting a parade afterparty that is themed around magical creatures!
When: 2nd March, 9pm
Where: Metro Theatre, Town Hall
Ticket Cost: $85 (final release GA tickets)
https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=GIRLTHIN24&eg=SNATCH&ep=GRAB
Beans Mardi Gras Pop-Up
You’ve probably heard of Beans, Melbourne’s new lesbian, nonbinary and neurodivergent bar, on TikTok. Excitingly, for Mardi Gras, Beans is coming to Sydney! This pop-up party includes DJs, performers, private photo booths and a prize for the best dressed.
When: Saturday 2nd March, 9pm-3am Where: Potts Point Hotel, Potts Point
Ticket Cost: $86.02 (fourth release)
Eden Sydney Pop-Up: Parade Viewing and Afterparty
This event is the best of both worlds: a chance to get a good view of the parade and go to a great party. This event includes front-of-house parade viewing, exclusive DJ sets, live music, and burlesque dancers.
When: Saturday 2nd March, 6pm-3am Where: Courthouse Hotel and Judgement Bar, Darlinghurst
Ticket Cost: $105.49