“F#%k, Mardi Gras’ coming” the familiar cry of the LGBTQIA+ community in Sydney throughout the month of February. Here at A Modern Gay’s Guide, we’re cancelling the “Mardi Gras shred” because you’re all gorgeous gorgeous people, just as you are. So dust off your nipple tassels and get ready to spread the tasty love this Mardi Gras by dining out at some of these queer owned/queer friendly Sydney eateries.
Giuls (Surry Hills)
Pasta Is a Love Language at Giuls. Located in the buzzing dining district of Crown Street, it’s your new local, offering Italian classics with a modern twist, iconic cocktails and fine wines. Get settled in under the FABULOUSLY gay pink and white brollies while enjoying live music and the “Pasta Gras” lunch. The Tuscan-inspired menu ($89 per head) features Giuls’ handmade pasta and your choice of Mimosa or Bloody Mary.
Eden Bondi (Bondi Beach)
Eden is a 100% plant-based restaurant, reimagining plants and showcasing flavours we did not know were possible in the plant-based world. The seating is spread across an internal dining area and a leafy courtyard garden, perfect for a lingering afternoon of drinks with the gals. The team have created a limited edition plant-based doughnut and cocktail menu, perfect for your post recovery dip at Bondi Beach.
Beast&Co (Surry Hills)
Beast&Co is your modern, bohemian local, bringing Czech cooking, flavors and techniques to the heart of Surry Hills with a protein heavy menu perfect for all the gym goers out there. This year, their bottomless brunch picnic is back, transforming the outside beer garden into a Mardi Gras playground. Enjoy live music, the unlimited drinks menu ($40 per head) and signature or vegan food menu ($49 per head).
Bloody Mary’s Gazebo (Potts Point)
What Mardi Gras list would be complete without Bloody Mary’s Gazebo?!? Their Bottomless brunch has already become a weekend essential for Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ community. This Mardi Gras they are taking things up a notch with an entire weekends worth of gayness. Topless waiters Friday, bottomless brunch and Mardi Gras viewing party Saturday, recovery session Sunday… maybe bring a toothbrush and take up temporary residence for the weekend?
Ezra (Potts Point)
Ezra brings the vibe of Tel Aviv to Potts Point, whipping together Ashkenazi, Mediterranean and Mid East flavours – Sydney style. This year they have launched a limited edition cocktail, a Watermelon and Basil Mimosa, to help get you warmed up for the weekend’s festivities. The al fresco courtyards – one out the front and one out back – are perfect for sipping your cocktail while enjoying your daily dose of hummus.
Bar Positano (Surry Hills)
Sitting on the corner of Crown and Goulburn Street, Bar Positano is serving up that little ray of European Sunshine we so desperately need. Grab a panini on the go, or sit down to an aperitivo board with a spritz, soaking up that Mardi Gras atmosphere. This year, the team have launched three limited edition Mardi Gras cocktails ($15 each), featuring the Positano Kiss, Espresso Martini and Strawberry Caprioska, as well as a take away food menu, including mini Arancini and pizzett, for the busy gay who simply doesn’t have the time.
InSitu (Manly)
We can’t forget Sydney’s Northern Beach babes. By day it’s a luxe courtyard café, by night a stylish lounge restaurant, for the more sophisticated amongst us. This year InSitu is working with the iconic Ms Penny Tration, bringing you gender bending good times. We’re talking bingo, trivia, daily happy hours, bottomless Aperol brunch ($65 per head) and $10 Espresso Martinis on Sunday. Meet us at the bar?
