Thirty venues around the country have been announced as the official hosts of viewing parties for the upcoming Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade.
In cities and towns from the coast to the outback, the venues have received cash grants to host COVID-safe festivities as Sydney celebrates the country’s biggest LGBTIQ+ parade on Saturday 6 March.
Each event is set to feature plenty of rainbows and glitter, along with entertainment including comedy, drag, music, and more.
A $100,000 partnership between Mardi Gras and Facebook Australia, the new Mardi Gras Parade Viewing Events Grants are supporting hospitality venues, small businesses, and LGBTIQ+ artists and performers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic over the last year.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO Albert Kruger said that the grants have provided “much-needed support to the hospitality and arts sectors” while “helping create safe spaces for our community to gather and be a part of our Parade audience”.
“These venues will truly capture the spirit of Mardi Gras, with each programming incredible entertainment,” said Kruger.
“If you’re looking for a fun space to celebrate in style, you really can’t go past these venues.”
New South Wales venues
The Bank Hotel, Newtown
The Bearded Tit, Redfern
Bitter Phew, Darlinghurst
Burdekin Hotel, Darlinghurst
Café Fredas, Darlinghurst
The Colombian Hotel, Darlinghurst
Daniel San, Manly
Darlo Bar, Darlinghurst
Home The Venue, Sydney
Honkas, Potts Point
The Imperial Hotel, Erskineville
The Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Wickham
Oxford Hotel, Darlinghurst
The Oxford Tavern, Petersham
The Palace Hotel, Broken Hill
Lansdowne Hotel, Sydney
The Rainbow Underground, Woonoona
The Shakespeare Hotel, Surry Hills
Stonewall Hotel, Darlinghurst
Rex Tamworth and Forum 6 Cinemas, Tamworth
Taylors Rooftop, Sydney
Universal, Darlinghurst
Que Bar, Wagga Wagga
The Wickham Hotel, Newcastle
The Winery, Surry Hills
Queensland venues
East Brisbane Bowls Club, East Brisbane
Crystalbrook Flynn, Cairns
Club Southport, Southport
Victoria venues
Piano Bar, Bendigo
Piano Bar, Geelong
“These 30 viewing events highlight the resilience and spirit of the LGBTIQ+ community, and Facebook Australia is proud to empower people to celebrate Mardi Gras in new, safe ways this year,” said Mia Garlick, Director of Policy at Facebook Australia.
