If there’s one thing we know, it’s that Sydney/Eora gets around a drag show (especially during Mardi Gras season, which is 14 February–2 March in 2025).
The beauty of Sydney’s drag shows is that, thanks to the world-class creative queens who craft them, they're all so different—from the music and costumes down to the interactive experiences like bottomless brunch, karaoke, bingo or trivia they offer. Plenty are centred around Sydney's LGBTQIA+ core of Oxford Street and surrounds, but they spread to the suburbs too.
Get dressed up and ready to have a gay old time—these are Urban List's picks for the best drag shows in Sydney.
Universal
85–91 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
Image credit: Universal | Facebook
If you’re up for filling out your entire week with all the best drag shows in Sydney, make your way to Universal. This two-level bar and club is famed for its risque shows which run almost every night of the week, kicking off with Hospo Monday shows from 10pm, Glamour Feud on Tuesdays and the Slay 4 Pay competition of fresh drag queen talent on Wednesdays hosted by Carmen Geddit and Charisma Belle.
Closer to the weekend there are shows at 10.30pm and 11.30pm on Friday nights, loads of shows until late on Saturdays, and the Sunday Shenanigans open night on Sundays from 9pm. See the full schedule of drag shows and events here.
Stonewall Hotel
175 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
An homage to NYC's Stonewall Inn and its LGBT history, the Stonewall Hotel has three levels and a multitude of spaces to take in talent at a top-tier Sydney drag show most nights of the week.
There's live entertainment here every night, with drag fun like trivia on Mondays, karaoke on Tuesdays, Pick a Purse fun and drag queen shows at 10.30pm, 11.30pm and 12.30pm every Friday and Saturday, and Showgirl Sundays performances at 8pm, 9pm and 10pm. That's what we call good queen fun.
The Imperial
35 Erskineville Road, Erskineville
Image credit: The Imperial | Supplied
The Imperial in Erskineville is an absolute beacon of the queer scene in Sydney (and the world, thanks to its starring role in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert), with glitz and glam-packed drag shows that run Wednesday–Sunday across every level of the Inner West pub.
The program here includes drag trivia on Wednesday nights, drag bingo on Thursday nights and the beloved Fancy Feast drag brunch on Saturdays, plus late-night performances and The Priscilla Experience every weekend. If you want to catch some of Sydney's most glam drag queens at the top of their game, this is the place to do it.
The Newtown Hotel
174 King Street, Newtown
Image credit: The Newtown Hotel | Facebook
Bringing the queens to King Street, The Newtown Hotel is loved for its daily $6 happy hour, crankin’ schnitties and, of course, the fact that it’s dog-friendly.
When it comes to after-dark, glammed-up entertainment, it's also a sure bet every Thursday–Sunday, with Transcendent Thursdays putting the spotlight on the talented trans community with shows at 8,30pm, 9.30pm and 10.30pm, and fabulous productions from drag queens on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Check out what's on here.
The Winery
285A Crown Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: The Winery | Facebook
There's drag shows—and then there's drag shows with bottomless drinks packages. The Winery serves a ripping drag show blended with bottomless brunch every single Sunday at Disco Brunch, where you can tuck in to bottomless spritzes, a two-course shared brunch menu, and performances from Sydney Drag Royalty (so queens like Charisma Belle, Coco Jumbo and Sia Tequila).
The Disco Brunch is $89pp and runs 12.30pm–2pm, and DJs kick off at 2pm to keep the great vibes flowing. Details and bookings here.
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ARQ
16 Flinders St, Darlinghurst
Image credit: Poof Doof | Facebook
As one of Sydney's biggest LGBTQIA+ clubs, it's only natural that ARQ is also home to beloved house music club night Poof Doof, when you can catch some of Sydney's best drag shows.
Poof Doof takes over the huge club every Saturday night (and other nights around special occasions like Mardi Gras and the holidays), with drag shows in the main room and Snap Crackle Pop downstairs room.
The Burdekin Hotel
2–4 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
Slap on some sunscreen and sparkles—every Sunday sees queen Mynx Moscato host bottomless brunch and drag show Spritz or Swallow on the Burdekin Hotel's rooftop, serving loads of fun and entertainment with a special guest every weekend.
Packages start at $69 for bottomless Aperol spritzes, mimosas, bellinis and bubbles with canapes, or you can upgrade to more nibbles for $99. Get details and book here.
Main image credit: The Imperial Erskineville | Supplied
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