Mardi Gras Laneway Tribute Nights

Overview

Sydney's annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is more than just the parade. In fact, the festival features over two weeks of events — both official and not. One such place that's getting the party going early is The Winery. This year, the Surry Hills' garden oasis is hosting the perfect warm-up shindig with four fun-filled nights of good tunes, tasty food, great booze and, of course, drag queens.

Go along between Tuesday, February 26 and Friday, March 1 with your dancing feet and vocal cords ready as the queens from Sydney Drag Royalty engage in an old-fashioned drag battle. Each night there'll be three heats where the queens perform to classic pop hits — we're talking tracks from Elton John, Tina Turner, Dolly Parton, Madonna and George Michael — to the whim of the crowd, who'll vote to decide who'll make it through to the grand final  'battle royale' on Friday, March 1.

The nightly show will set you back $20, which includes an Absolut cocktail on arrival. Plus, $5 from that goes straight to the Black Dog Institute (a mental health research facility). While you're watching these fabulous renditions, you can snack on tasty treats including prawn skewers, chicken wings and wagyu beef sliders. A carb-free option comes in the form of a dress-your-own-lettuce-cup station with meats from the barbecue on offer — vegetarian options will be available, too. Food is not included in ticket price.

And if you want to be close to the action, but not so close that you're actually stuck in the crowds of people, The Winery will be screening the Mardi Gras parade on Saturday, March 2 on the big screen for free.

The Mardi Gras Laneway Tribute Nights will run nightly from 5pm, Tuesday, February 26 to Friday, March 1. To purchase tickets, visit The Winery's website.