-
(02) 9051 1292
Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras at Opera Bar
We brought the rainbow to Opera Bar in 2026.
Applejack is a Proud Partner of Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras 2026, celebrating over a decade of support for SGLMG and the LGBTQIA+ community.
Opera Bar transformed into a celebration of music, dance and queer expression – created in collaboration with Arts-Matter and Archie Rose, the official gin partner of Mardi Gras 2026.
View how we celebrated below –
Ballroom By The Bridge
Guests experienced the art of voguing against the backdrop of the Sydney Opera House sails as House of Silky brought ballroom culture to the harbour.
Born in Harlem’s Black and Latino LGBTQ+ communities in the 1960s, ballroom is a tradition of fierce self-expression, chosen family and joyful resistance. Sydney-based QTBIPOC collective House of Silky honoured this legacy with a live voguing performance spanning categories from Old Way to Vogue Femme.
Archie Rose Cocktail Specials
We partnered with Archie Rose, the official gin partner of Mardi Gras 2026, to shake up some special cocktails. $1 from every cocktail was donated to Qtopia Sydney, the world’s largest centre for queer history and culture.
Sunset DJs
Thursday 20 February
DJ Alex Taylor, 7-10pm
Soulful deep house through to tribal and progressive grooves.
Saturday 21 February
DJ Byron Spencer, 7-10pm + House of Silky’s Ballroom By The Bridge from 8:30pm
Sunday 22 February
DJ Cassette + Drag Wheel of Fortune, 3:30-6:30pm
Friday 27 February
DJ Alex Taylor, 7-10pm
The perfect sunset session
Saturday 28 February
DJ Troy Beman, 3:30-6:30pm
High-energy set paying tribute to LGBTQIA+ people of colour whose influence shaped global dance music. The perfect pre-party before Grace Jones on the Forecourt.
Archie Rose Drag Wheel Of Fortune
Sunday 22 February
Two fabulous drag queens took over Opera Bar for an afternoon of playful chaos, prize-spinning and Archie Rose cocktails by the harbour.
Guests purchased an Archie Rose Mardi Gras cocktail and spun the wheel for their chance to win prizes including Distillery Tour vouchers, exclusive merch, Yuzu Honey, free cocktails and the ultimate Queens Prize: one of everything!
