Overview
Most Sydneysiders will be familiar with legendary restaurateur Maurice Terzini's Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, a Bondi icon that has been a must-visit stalwart of the city's hospitality scene for more than two decades. And yet, despite being synonymous with Sydney's most famous ocean views, Terzini, who has helmed dozens of successful venues in Australia over the past 30 years, has become an increasingly familiar sight on the streets of Kings Cross and Potts Point in recent months.
Spotting the renowned tastemaker strolling up Macleay Street — with his armfuls of tattoos and achingly cool fashion-forward wardrobe — could be reasonably chalked up to his short-lived but wildly popular pop-up Snack Kitchen — a laidback Italian-leaning cucina-cum-wine bar he co-opened alongside his son Sylvester on a corner plot set to be redeveloped into luxury apartments. However, it turns out that there's another reason behind Terzini's recent visits to the Glittering Mile.
Nikki To
The restaurateur is turning impresario to launch an innovative new venture on Bayswater Road, set to welcome its first punters this spring: a 21st-century cabaret club developed in partnership with Peter Shopovski of queer party collective House of Mince. The dinner-and-a-show concept is aiming to rekindle the now-dormant glitz and excess that was once so essential to The Cross' identity, but through a blend of hospitality and hedonism that is firmly rooted in the now.
Much like Snack Kitchen, Mirage KX will be a temporary "residency" within a building awaiting redevelopment. However, Shopovski says that while it may be here for a good time not a long time, the venue will help reclaim the area's status as the nightlife hotspot of Sydney — a reputation that was all but erased by the now-repealed lockout laws.
Dean Tirkot
"Reviving this vernacular of nightlife in Kings Cross is important to me. It's about reconnecting with a vibrant history that once defined the area's identity and bringing that energy back to life," Shopovski says. "Kings Cross has always been a hub of creativity, diversity and bold expression, and restoring that essence feels like paying homage to its legacy. It's about honouring the past but also infusing it with new energy, ensuring that the spirit of Kings Cross continues to thrive and inspire."
For more than a 13 years, House of Mince's collective of artists, DJs and rabble-rousers have created vibrant, unapologetic, joyously safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community to gather and celebrate. From Marrickville warehouses and Mardi Gras dance parties to residencies at Dark Mofo, Vivid and Subsonic, and even takeovers of the Sydney Opera House, House of Mince has set the gold standard for queer party events in Australia — so much so, that they are the official Australian partner of the mythically cool Berlin nightclub Berghain, presenting associated artists when they visit on Antipodean tours.
"It's not just a show; it's a statement, a community celebration and a night out that champions the curious, the courageous and the captivating."
While it might seem like something of a departure for Terzini to take on a live performance venue, the Mirage KX concept is a passion project that's been in the works for several years, building on previous collaborations between House of Mince and Bondi Icebergs during 2023's Sydney World Pride and this year's Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
"Maurice and I have admired each other's careers for years and there's always been a mutual pull towards collaboration." Shopovski explains. "Maurice's reputation for redefining the hospitality landscape makes him the ideal partner for realising the vision for this venue. Partnering with such a revered legend means a lot to me — it brings a depth of expertise and a touch of prestige that elevates the project. It's not just about combining our creative ideas but also about learning from Maurice and ensuring that every aspect of the venue reflects both [House of Mince's] bold vision and his unparalleled standard of excellence."
(L–R) Ché Daniel and Peter Shopovski
A night at Mirage KX will be an immersive experience, where the boundaries between hospitality and performance will blur. "Imagine stepping into a space where the energy of the House of Mince parties is transformed into a more intimate, yet no less euphoric, experience," Shopovski says. "You can expect a mix of provocative, boundary-pushing acts, sexy decor and an inclusive atmosphere. It's not just a show; it's a statement, a community celebration and a night out that champions the curious, the courageous and the captivating."
To achieve this seamless melding of service and performance, Terzini and Shopovski have tapped front-of-house veteran Ché Daniel, who boasts stints at top Sydney diners including Restaurant Hubert, Billy Kwong and Longrain on his resumé. Guests can expect service that is polished and sophisticated yet infused with elements of the unexpected.
Mirage KX will be one of the boldest additions to the area's nightlife in years, but a Kings Cross renaissance has been in the offing for a while now, in large part thanks to the efforts of Club 77's Dane Gorrel and hospo heavyweight David Spanton who saved treasured institutions Piccolo Bar in 2021 and Cafe Hernandez, rebooted as Vermuteria in 2023. Spanton has also channeled another fabled venue from Kings Cross' past at his latest venture, The Hook, a piano and oyster bar that, in part, pays homage to the Bayswater Brasserie — once one of Sydney's ritziest restaurants.
Dean Tirkot
Mirage KX is set to open this spring. Follow the Mirage KX Instagram account for future updates.
Top Image: Dean Tirkot.