Sydney Eat Street: Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2024

Dust off some glitter, straighten your sequins and enjoy some of these Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras cuisine options this weekend.

Get the colours of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras on the street and your plate. All pictures: Jenifer Jagielski

Dust off some glitter, straighten your sequins and enjoy some of these Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras cuisine options before the parade officially takes off.

Sydney Eat Street has surveyed the city to offer up the five best venues to grab a bite and enjoy a drink.

More from Sydney Eat Street.

Gin Lane

Stroll along the trendy cobblestone lane of Kensington St till you come across the moody midnight blue terrace house with stylish alfresco seating and, true to its name, a gin-centric menu where leading mixologist Grant Collins has established this bar as a destination for perfectly balanced drinks and their theatrical presentation. In keeping with the festive mardi gras vibe, he has outdone himself with a multi-coloured, limited-edition cocktail.

Gin Lane’s Rainbow G&T will colour up your weekend.

The drink was created in honour of the Mardis Gras.

Grant says, “The Rainbow G&T was inspired by the energy and vibrance of Sydney mardi gras and my experience and interactions with the festival. It’s vibrant, fun, funky, colourful, a little spicy and very fruity!” Served as a highball to show off the bold hues, a mix of Manly Dry Gin and Creme de Peche is poured over coloured ice chips. As the crystals melt, the primary colours blend to create an impressive rainbow in a glass. Fear not, though, as The Rainbow G&T is available throughout March.

16a Kensington St, Chippendale; ginlanesydney.com.au

Donut Papi

When Kenneth Rodrigueza and Karen Rodrigueza-Labuni first hit the scene their saucer-sized fluffy donuts, caught marketgoers attention, but it’s the Asian-influenced variations reflective of their Filipino heritage that garnered them a cult following.

Donut Papi’s limited-edition mardi gras collections are back.

Foregoing the typical sugar and chocolate glaze for the slightly vanilla-flavoured ube (purple yam), it was clear from the start that Donut Papi was destined to be a standout, and there’s no better time to show some colour than during mardi gras. A fan of all things fabulous, Kenneth’s limited-edition mardi gras collections are always something to behold. This year, the donuts – each one with its own name and story – have had some fantastical inspiration. Starting off in the Land of Oz is The Dorothy with white chocolate coating, sprinkles, and rainbows.

Donut Papi’s fare always catches the eye of festival-goers.

The plum-coloured glaze derived from purple yam, a popular ingredient in Filipino desserts, is perfectly suited to Ursula, the vampy sea witch in The Little Mermaid (whose character, appropriately enough, was inspired by the famed drag queen of the 70s and 80s, Divine) while the delicate strawberry glaze is reserved for Glinda, the good witch of the north who dressed in a blush-coloured ball gown floats above Oz in a bubble. (Available through Sunday, March 3, 2024).

139 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville; donutpapi.com.au

Bar Morris

For an over-the-top experience on Parade Day, head to this art decor bar and boutique hotel, where the elegant surroundings will give way to fun and frivolity with a side of decadence – book in for an outrageously entertaining afternoon of Drag Bingo hosted by Dakota Fann’ee.

Fancy up your Mardis Gras with Bar Morris.

Do your best as there are fantastic prizes to be won. While you’re playing along, tuck into a plate of Head Chef Rosy Scatigna’s housemade pasta or nosh on some nibbles such as smoked almonds, fried prawns with saltbush, and bruschetta. A special treat for the day is rainbow-sprinkled semifreddo and ruby-red sangria.

A Mardis Gras with Bar Morris wouldn’t be complete with a rainbow semifreddo.

But for a true indulgence, try a caviar bump, a petite scoop of sturgeon roe that is eaten off the back of your hand and followed by a shot of frozen vodka. Tres chic, darling. (Saturday, March 2, 2024; 12pm).

412 Pitt St, Haymarket; barmorris.com.au

Kid Kyoto

The rebellious kid from Kyoto is welcoming one and all on Parade Day with drink specials and an array of activations.

Kid Kyoto is also embracing the mardi gras spirit with a range of options.

A rainbow light installation welcomes you into this offbeat Japanese izakaya, where you’ll find a collection of three limited-edition sake-based cocktails inspired by the elaborate mardi gras celebrations Of New Orleans, such as the Her-icane and Da-Queerie. Head Chef Rhys Watson-Lamb’s standing menu boasts equally vibrant bites, including watermelon sashimi and grilled corn ribs.

Snap some food porn at Kid Kyoto and win.

Take some snaps and post on socials to win a $100 voucher, plus all guests leave with a Come As You Are mardi gras tote bag. (Saturday, March 2, 2024, 12pm to late).

17-19 Bridge St, Sydney; kidkyoto.com.au

Harry’s by Giuls

It’s set to be a hot one on parade day. All that walking around is sure to build up an appetite, not to mention quite a thirst. Harry’s by Giuls has a solution for you, though, with their bottomless Marid Gras Brunch.

Harry's by Giuls has a bottomless brunch to keep your Mardis Gras day fuelled.

Sit back, relax, and watch the world go by while sipping on free-flowing (and refreshing) mimosas, Aperol spritzes, espresso martinis, and house wine/beer ($79pp). Chef Alessio Rago has also created a special buffalo mozzarella, Napolitana sauce, and prosciutto rainbow pizza as a side item. There’s no need for kitsch colouring when the fresh seasonal produce, including sweet yellow corn, pickled red onions, purple cabbage, and orange pumpkin, is vibrant enough ($27).

There’ll also be a live DJ on site to keep the energy going. (Saturday, March 2, 2024; 12-5pm; 90-minute sitting).

78 Stanley St, Darlinghurst; harrysbygiuls.com.au