See themed production shows at the weekend from three of the Pink Mile’s matriarchs – Charisma Belle, Carmen Geddit and Hannah Conda. Drag is back amongst the colourful mixing pot of Newtown at King Street’s Newtown Hotel, with famous Sydney queen Minnie Cooper leading a trio of showgirls in live drag shows upstairs at the pub. An iconic Syndey venue with private function rooms, classic pub dining & punk rock vibes. Instantly, my friend Graeme and I knew the answer. Apr. The drag of Oxford Street’s golden era still lives on. This Erskineville pub has been a sanctuary for LGBTQIA Sydney since it was bought in the ’80s by Dawn O’Donnell. “It’s a night of variety and entertainment – from lip-syncing to live music, to comedy, storytelling, erotic dancing, and the list goes on. It’s lived many lives (it had a starring role in, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, You’ll find drag queens at the Impy practically every night, whether they’re dining hostesses (Drag N Dine is seven nights a week) or performing pop classics late on a Friday or Saturday night atop the main bar, . “No two nights are ever the same, but what I can guarantee is a great time,” Charisma Belle tells us. Photograph: Cassandra Hanagan | Coco Jumbo and Carmen Geddit, We’re not sure whether it’s the excess of balls or the colourful little dabbers, but there is something about bingo that just goes hand in hand with drag. We also have plenty of queens who love the classics and will entertain Nan with some old jazz standards and slapstick comedy. “Before 9pm we allow supervised minors to dine in our Priscilla’s restaurant – so it’s a perfect place for a little diva in the making to see a big glittery show. Since early 2000s, Newtown Dragway has been hosting ATVs and Dirtbike races with numerous 100+ Bracket Entry races. Go for: Daring, boundary-smashing queer performance. It’s the ultimate drag king competition at Max Watts hosted by the self-styled “gutsy immigrant-carny scumbag of your wettest and weirdest dreams” Marlena Dali with guest judges Jo Kingskin and D'Vinyl. And Friday night’s drag show from 7pm to 10pm is anything but a drag. , an original drag king musical cabaret exploring the questionable world of hens nights. On Wednesday nights from 7pm, your beautiful and sharp hostesses with the mostesses Fran Giapanni and Dakota Fann’ee are queering trivia. Located on Newtown’s vibrant King Street, Newtown Hotel is one of the area’s most iconic pubs. Queer performance artists come in a gorgoeusly diverse array of idenities, and their stage personas are a rich kaleidoscope of influences and expressions. There were still plenty of racist and otherwise crass drag ‘artistes’, but it was clear that there was a lot more to the drag scene than that. This weekly night in Enmore (Wednesdays from 7pm) has a great community vibe and some hugely exciting young queens and queer artists of all kinds – they even have a semi-regular drag king night called New King on the Block. Our performance repertoire extends to private & corporate bookings, special events, hen's nights, pubs, bars, nightclubs, restaurants & full production shows. are queering trivia. The “Glamdrogynous Freakshow” is intimate and wild, featuring drag performance that falls under the broadest possible definition across the full gender spectrum. Go for: The most inclusive queer night in town. If you’re after a more chilled out afternoon sesh, you can also catch the Doof-ers and their queens by the beach on a Sunday afternoon session this Mardi Gras at, Photograph: Universal/Ann-Marie Calihanna, Witnessing a seasoned, professional queen work a room with a seamless lip-synch and an unclockable look is quite something. On Sundays, you can see Polly’s Follies, Sydney’s longest-running drag night (it’s been running for 27 years – longer than Cats was on Broadway). Drag brunches are like the light at the end of the tunnel, allowing us to be ourselves and spend time with ones we love, and who doesn't want to drink mimosas and watch six-foot glamazons strut around a pool singing their favourite tracks?!”. The best places to see drag shows in Sydney. ... 1st Annual ATV Show-Me Shootout. Every show is different, but you’re guaranteed a great night out.” Over Mardi Gras season, the Kings crew are ramping things up: strap on for a ballsy Drag King Bingo on Wednesday, March 3, and from March 25-27 you can catch All The Kings Hens, an original drag king musical cabaret exploring the questionable world of hens nights. The quiet streets of Glebe and louder Newtown, grouped around the University of Sydney, are the best known of these tightly packed suburbs, but Enmore, Marrickville, Summer Hill, Petersham and more are all worth investigating. Each event features a drag queen host and assistant hand-picked by Penny and involves five rounds for you to play mixed in with two performances, silly sound effects and guaranteed laughs. Thunder Valley Sand Drags “We were stuck in lockdown for so long and didn’t get to spend time with our friends. Elsewhere, you can catch drag darling Krystal Kleer hosting Bingo B*tches at Japanese style booze and snack haven Goros in Surry Hills on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. Baby drag nights are awash with performance jitters and community camaraderie, and those elements could be what sees lines of people filing down Oxford Street mid-week at, from 9pm every Wednesday. We already have this email. For more exploits with stuffed and bound studs, Sydney Kings from the city’s biggest queer party starters, Heaps Gay, is a monthly night of drag king cool that always sells out at the Vanguard in Newtown. It’s irresistible. “I think events like this are becoming more and more important. However, the real stickler here is the Hotel’s classic Saturday night antics, which have been voted the best drag shows in Newtown. Mark Cortale proudly presents BOB THE DRAG QUEEN’s return to Town Hall for one night only on Sunday, August 11th in a brand new show entitled CRAZY BLACK LADY. If you’re after a more chilled out afternoon sesh, you can also catch the Doof-ers and their queens by the beach on a Sunday afternoon session this Mardi Gras at Coogee Pavilion Rooftop. Starring Sydney Drag … In the basement downstairs, you’ll find a slightly more envelope-pushing style of drag, particularly at Saturday night parties like the monthly Heaps Gay and Honcho Disko nights. Check out the best queer pubs and clubs in Sydney and the city's best retro dancefloors. Hosts, performers, Drag Queen Cabaret, Drag queen Shows, DJs and everything in between, we’ve got them all. Thanks for subscribing! By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Each peak represents a season. The performers often don elaborate costumes and makeup, and sometimes dress to imitate various … The “Glamdrogynous Freakshow” is intimate and wild, featuring drag performance that falls under the broadest possible definition across the full gender spectrum. The best places to see drag shows in Sydney, This Erskineville pub has been a sanctuary for LGBTQIA Sydney since it was bought in the ’80s by Dawn O’Donnell. at 7pm or 9pm for this post-lockdown arrangement. You can catch the next Poof Doof Drag Brunch at the oh-so-bougie Ivy Pool Club on Saturday, February 27, tickets are $89 and include a 1.5-hour bottomless mimosa and brunch package and a complimentary Absolut Banger cocktail on arrival. Our favourite night is Thursday, which is a touch more chilled (slightly fewer shirtless gym junkies) and with the focus at least as much on the killer lip-sync performances as the partying. “We were the original and first drag queen bingo to leave the gay clubs and cross the bridge, go interstate and even on P&O cruises,” she tells us. We can also see that it’s started to decrease a little bit after 10 years, which is not too bad considering the show survived 10 years, and is still going. From queens to kings and those who defy every label – here's how to get the most out of Sydney's famous drag scene. By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Sat. Let us entertain you! Try another? flattering cuts, natural fibres, hand screen-printed fabrics, a sustainable ethos, and of course Pockets. You can also catch Drag for Dollars from 10pm, which features mainly amateur queens giving their all – some are extraordinary, others not quite so much. For more exploits with stuffed and bound studs. You can be entertained with performances craftily coordinated by a leading lady of drag as you help yourself to a drink, a snack or something more filling. “You can learn how to do your makeup, wig design and how to sew all without leaving the comfort of your own home. There is a mix of punters that properly reflects the Sydney rainbow. Whether they’re doing a tribute to Madonna, Mamma Mia! There’s more than one kind of drag royalty waltzing the streets of Sydney. “People can expect what they know about drag to be thrown on its head!” show host Big Rod tells us. Newtown Dragway ATV Sand Drag Series 3693 Byrds Mill Rd Newtown, 23126 . Sat. Sydney Drag Queen showcases the best of Sydney Drag. There’s more than one kind of drag royalty waltzing the streets of Sydney. or Chicago, the performances pop up in a tiny corner of this small bar. There is a certain level of over-the-top campery and brutal showgirl wherewithal that is true to Australian drag of a certain vintage. Each event features a drag queen host and assistant hand-picked by Penny and involves five rounds for you to play mixed in with two performances, silly sound effects and guaranteed laughs. We’re working hard to be accurate – but these are unusual times, so please always check before heading out. “You can learn how to do your makeup, wig design and how to sew all without leaving the comfort of your own home. Witnessing a seasoned, professional queen work a room with a seamless lip-synch and an unclockable look is quite something. On a Sunday afternoon in November 2007, Graeme and I were due to catch up for a beer, but to our surprise, the night before was the hotel’s final night after many years as a gay bar, and many years with drag shows.