Sydney comes alive with an extra sparkle during Mardi Gras season, when rainbow flags flutter across the city and celebration fills the streets. As one of the world's largest and most iconic LGBTQIA+ festivals, Sydney Mardi Gras transforms neighborhoods from the glittering CBD to the historic gayborhood of Darlinghurst into a playground of pride, parties, and cultural events. 

Whether you're in town for the legendary parade, the 17-night festival of arts and culture, or simply to soak in the city's inclusive atmosphere, this guide will take you through Sydney's most vibrant precincts – showing you where to feast, rest your head, and join the revelry. From rooftop cocktails with harbor views to intimate queer-owned cafes, from boutique hotels steps from the parade route to historic venues that have been central to Sydney's LGBTQIA+ community for decades, here's your essential guide to experiencing the best of Sydney during its most fabulous season.

Sydney CBD

Eat and drink 

Sydney’s CBD isn’t just the glamourous home to many award-winning fine-dining options, it’s also a hub for caffeine, cocktails and casual bites. Try A.P Place (bold and innovative) or Humble (classic) for baked goods and sandwiches, while Skittle Lane, Diggy Doo’s and Gumption are classy caffeine stops. Midden by Mark Olive is the place to go to try native produce by a celebrity chef. A bougie night out starts with drinks at rooftop bars Aster or Jackson’s on George, or Bar Herbs for martinis and Conte for negronis. Then continue onto luxury Mediterranean bistro Palazzo Salato, the plush pink furnishings and playful menu of Penelope’s or Euro-inspired bar-bistros Clam Bar and Bar Morris. Level up with internationally acclaimed fine diner Saint Peter just over the way in Paddington.  

Stay  

W Sydney boasts harbour views, several places to dine and a rooftop bar with a dramatic infinity pool overlooking Darling Harbour. Set in a heritage-listed building, high-end, international award-winning luxury hotel Capella provides lush furnishings, a curated collection of art and a truly remarkable wellness space. The Ace Hotel brings the style of the local art scene to rooms appointed with record players and minibars stacked with local products. Settle in with sleek business stylings at minimalist Little National Hotel, or the grander, heritage-listed Sofitel Wentworth, Sydney’s original five-star hotel. 

Play 

The CBD is the glitzy heart of Sydney’s theatre, dance and arts scene, and is one of the city’s nightlife hubs. See a mesmerising performance by world-renowned First Nations dance company Bangarra and catch everything from popstars to local theatre at the Sydney Opera House. Dance to live music at the century-old Marble Bar or to the beats of a touring international DJ at Civic Underground. The Sydney International Art Series brings the world’s most outstanding art exclusively to Sydney at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Art Gallery of New South Wales – duck into the nearby Library Bar before or after your visit, and don’t forget to book at ticket to the gallery’s annual Queer Art After Hours event. Scaling the 134-metre-high Sydney Harbour Bridge summit is a bucket-list ticket while in town. 

Larry Kramer’s blistering drama The Normal Heart returns after 40 years to the the Sydney Opera House, charting the early AIDS crisis through the eyes of Ned Weeks. 

Darlinghurst and surrounds

Eat and drink 

Potts Point’s sibling cafes Piña and Room 10 are consistently referred to as top Sydney cafes with broad menus and near-constant (but worthwhile and quick-moving) lines. If you’re staying local for the evening, Vermuteria serves vermouth and Spanish-inspired small plates, aperitivo bar Piccolo Bar dishes up Italian snacks alongside amaro and Caravin provides an intimate Parisian-style dinner. In neighbouring Darlinghurst, dine on Italian with a late-night twist at Vin-Cenzo's; or match a cocktail to the colours of the sunset on the rooftop of historic gay club The Columbian. You’ll also find cult gelato on Oxford Street at Mapo, New Haven-style pizza by-the-slice at Appizza and Buffalo Dining Club (highlight: pasta finished off in a giant pecorino wheel) for dinner. In Surry Hills, Armorica (Parisian brasserie) and Nour (innovative, glammed-up Middle Eastern) are also options. 

For a brunch like a local in the neighbourhood, head to Chin Chin Sydney in Surry Hills for a Mardi Gras Margi Party between 21 Feb and 1 March. Enjoy a feast of Chin Chin signature dishes alongside your favourite Don Julio–infused cocktails for $109pp. Ovolo Sydney is hosting the fourth-annual Virgin Australia Pride Flight Recovery Brunch on Saturday 28 February 2026, this year with a Disco Rodeo theme. Expect gourmet food, bottomless cocktails, a live DJ, playful entertainment and a mechanical bull. The Winery is serving all-day Mardi Gras energy with multiple bottomless drag brunch sessions  that pair flowing drinks with outrageous performances, followed by a parade party in the garden. 

The Taphouse on the parade path, BrewDog South Eveleigh, Untied Barangaroo, The Butler Potts Point and Forresters Surry Hills are all hosting a slew of brunches and parties across the Mardi Gras festival. QT will be offering Ecstatica Happy Hour in Gowings bar between 3pm to 6pm with a public DJ set on Market Street Friday 27th. 

Stay 

On Oxford Street, Oxford House is a stylish, relaxing oasis with a glistening pool and rooms outfitted with eclectic artwork, Grown Alchemist bathroom products and Double Rainbouu robes. There’s also 25Hours Hotel The Olympia, a new hotel ideal for design lovers, kitted out with four dining spaces. Down the road in Surry Hills is the Sydney Design Awards gold medal-winning Paramount House Hotel. Within the 85-year-old building you can also catch a classic film at the Art Deco Golden Age Cinema, get a shaken iced coffee and textural salad at Paramount Coffee Project, have a rooftop pastry at A.P House or sip natural wines at Poly. The Adge Hotel, just off Oxford Street, offers a range of different sized rooms and location, location, location.  

Play 

Darlinghurst is the heart of Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ community, and Oxford Street is where most Mardi Gras revellers will find themselves at midnight. Stonewall and Universal are key pitstops for pop hits and heaving dance floors.Live music venue Oxford Art Factory supports up-and-coming and experimental artists, and next door’s Cliff Dive is a tiki-themed, R&B and EDM bar-club. Goro’s in Surry Hills is the spot for karaoke and Japanese snacks. During the day, shop Australian labels in Paddington or, if you’d prefer to explore the area with a guide, join The Fabulous Wonder Mama on a walking tour of Oxford Street, and wander through Qtopia (the largest museum and cultural centre for queer history and culture in the world). Come nighttime, peruse the inclusive Oxford Street Night Market, and in the morning, turn your attention to Tucano’s Disco Drag Brunch.  

Bondi

Eat and drink 

Bondi’s Etheus matches the surrounding beauty with simple yet sophisticated fire-led Greek dining. Tucked away on Warners Avenue you’ll meet neighbourhood gem Bistro Bondi, there’s relaxed seaside bar and dining destination Pavilion Social and stuffed-to-the-brim panini sandwiches at Tommy Panini.     

Stay 

Boutique hotel chain QT’s Bondi iteration is a block from beach, laidback but luxurious, and has rooms featuring pops of colour and plush robes. Get closer to the waves with the flamingo-pink Hotel Ravesis, the only Bondi hotel with beach views.  

Play 

Take a surf lesson with Let's Go Surfing and, afterwards, stroll 6km of cliffside pathway past enticing swimming spots on the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. Change pace with an infrared or traditional sauna and ice bath at Slow House, Bondi’s stylish wellness centre, or join the locals at the Icebergs sauna.  

Newtown and surrounds

Eat and drink 

Newtown’s King Street is a famous Sydney eat street. Start at Ante, a sake bar serving bold-flavoured, Japanese-inspired innovations; Mister Grotto, Joe’s Tavern and Osteria Mucca join Continental Deli to make a four-in-one precinct on Australia Street; Bella Brutta serves up-market pizza; and Cafe Paci is the only Finnish-ish fine diner in Sydney. For a sweet snack try artisanal gelateria Mapo and a pide in the Turkish hub (Konak or Taste of Turkey are great picks). Drinks-wise, stop in at Newtown Hotel to see a drag show, the underground Pleasure Club, Famelia wine bar and bottle shop or the cosmically themed martini specialist Bar Planet. 

In Enmore, you’ll find Lebanese diner Emma’s Snack Bar, sports bar The Magpie and the eccentric Jacoby’s, which mixes a tiki theme with natural wines and a rum-heavy menu. There’s also bustling local falafel hot spot Cairo Takeaway, cute Japanese bakery Azuki and classic cafe Soulmate, which serves an excellent cuppa and breakfast sandwich. 

Stay 

The two-bedroom suites of Australia Street Suites are the ‘ultimate foodie escape’ positioned above the previously mentioned Australia Street venues. Nearby in the leafy suburb of Erskineville is the brand-new Kurrajong Hotel, offering a historic Art Deco atmosphere, great food, drinks, boutique accommodations, and live events. Straddling the inner west and the CBD, Chippendale’s The Old Clare Hotel is an elegant, welcoming and character-filled boutique hotel (you don’t need to stay to check out its rooftop pool and bar.) Further into the inner west, The Urban in Newtown offers industrial-chic rooms in the centre of everything. 

Play

Made immortal by The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Erskineville’s The Imperial and its Drag ‘N’ Dine shows is an essential Sydney Mardi Gras stop. Up the road is the Enmore Theatre, the longest-running theatre in NSW and champion of iconic Australian acts and international talent alike. Head a little west to find Soak Bathhouse in Alexandria and unwind in this lively wellness space. The area is also home to a barrage of vintage clothes and homewares stores.