Archie Rose’s Guide to Sydney WorldPride 2023
The festivities of Christmas and NYE a distant memory now? No time for dozing, the biggest Queer Christmas Sydney has ever seen is about to take up camp here on our fine shores. And when we say camp, we mean it.
Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras and WorldPride have joined forces for 2023, unleashing their fun and fabulosity on our harbour city for several action packed weeks from 17th February - 5th March.
In case you missed it, we’re a proud ally and supporter of the LGBTQIA+ communities and voices. So, we’re tickled pink (and green, blue, yellow, red, violet) to be the official Gin Partner for the festivities. This just means there’ll be many ways you can enjoy an Archie Rose over the coming weeks, including sampling our Limited Edition WorldPride Bottled Cocktails (grab them while you can).
We also chatted to our team and our LGBTQIA+ friends with good taste and have gathered all our must-see events, moments and fab-happenings for easy Mardi planning. Needless to say there’s more highlights than a Drag Queen’s brow, read on below.
Nothing beats brunch, except maybe brunch with a side of Archie Rose Cocktails and Drag Queen antics. Join the sensational desert diva, Philmah Bocks, and Ru Paul’s Drag Racer, Jojo Zaho, for a beachside brunch like no other.
Hotel Ravesis, 10.30am -1pm 18th & 25th February, 4th March
Drag Bingo at Hotel Ravesis
It’s time to get FAB-U-LOUS with everyone’s favourite dessert queen, Philmah Bocks, and Ru Paul’s Drag Race star, Jojo Zaho. Get ready for a night of good vibes, glamorous outfits, glitter, gags and glorious cocktails.
Hotel Ravesis, 6:30pm-9:30pm 16th & 23rd Feb, 2nd March
The pulsing, fluoro heart of WorldPride smack bang in the CBD? Yes please! Archie Rose will take over Bar 83 with a specially curated cocktail menu and music. Available for all your pre, during and post party needs.
Cause knowledge is what? Fundamental! Not to mention sexy-as. Join us for an evening of insight, empowerment and aphrodisiac-inspired dining and drinks as we let LBDO Founder, Rachel Baker, and LBDO sexologist, Meg Callander take the lead.
Archie Rose Bar, 6.30 - 8pm, 2nd March
Archie Rose Sydney WorldPride Garden Walk
Join us for a gorg WorldPride Celebration at the unmatched Royal Botanic Garden’s Rose Garden. Tour the buds and treat your taste(buds) to two limited edition Archie Rose cocktails and a guided tasting of Archie Rose Signature Dry Gin. Peruse the pop-up bottle shop post tour too. Bloomin’ beautiful, darling.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Rose Garden, 24th Feb & 5 March
Session 1 – 12.00 pm To 2.30 pm
Session 2 – 3.00 pm to 5.30 pm
Queer in Warrane | FBi x Archie Rose x Museum Of History NSW
The concept for Queer in Warrane is to create a welcoming and atmospheric event series that celebrates LGBTQIA+ communities at a unique historic Sydney location. The concept is based around community radio institution FBi radio collaborating with Archie Rose Distilling Co and Museums Of History NSW to create a hub for emerging LGBTQIA+ live acts, artists and DJs over 3 nights from Feb 22 to Feb 24 in addition to s special Mardi Gras viewing party on Feb 25.
The Queer in Warrane projections, curated by Creative Producer Jacqui North, bring art to the street offering reconnection and immersion through three unique artworks. Audiences will experience the world premiere of Dylan Mooney’s Still Here and Thriving, and Jacqui’s powerful Love that Dares and Shine. To enhance the celebrations and create a go-to destination for Sydney WorldPride, over four nights the Barracks will celebrate a different music scene represented by LGBTQIA+ performers and DJs in a beautiful open air CBD courtyard.
Hyde Park Barracks, 22nd - 25th February
Vir-GIN Pride Flights
Archie takes to the skies with Virgin for the most fabulous inflight cocktails of your life, complete with RuPaul Drag Race Down Under Drag Queens, DJs and more. For flights departing from Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth en route to Mardi Gras on the 24th of February.
Archie Rose take over Jackalberry and Zephyr Bar, Hyatt Regency Sydney
For the celebration of love and fun, we are spilling the tea at Jackalberry Bar and Zephyr Bar, located in Australia’s largest hotel, Hyatt Regency Sydney. Follow the rainbow, take a swing and snap a selfie, while sipping on limited-edition cocktails, created by master mixologists and made exclusively with Archie Rose spirits. For every Archie Rose cocktail sold, we will donate $1 to Acon, a NSW charity that supports the LGBTQIA+ community, committed to ending HIV and supporting people living with HIV to live healthy and connected lives.
Zephyr Bar, Hyatt Regency Sydney Jackalberry throughout Sydney WorldPride
Philmah Bocks set to slay at Zephyr Bar, Hyatt Regency Sydney
World-renowned Drag Queen, Philmah bocks will take to the Zephyr rooftop from 7pm, Saturday 18 February. This one-night-only event is the perfect sassy Saturday night entertainment overlooking Darling Harbour and Zephyr’s spectacular sunset view. Philmah will have a bunch of special prizes to give away and will treat guests to a lip sync performance.
Zephyr Bar, Hyatt Regency Sydney 18th of February
Gin and Oysters at Zephyr, Hyatt Regency Sydney
Join us for an evening of culinary delights at Zephyr Bar, Hyatt Regency Sydney and experience the perfect pairing of fresh oysters and premium gin cocktails, expertly crafted by Archie Rose and local oyster producer East 33. Immerse yourself in a world of flavour and sophistication, all while enjoying the stunning atmosphere of Darling Harbour.
Zephyr Bar, Hyatt Regency Sydney Thursday 23rd February & Thursday 2nd March
Other Highlights
1st February - 6th March
Archie Rose takeover, Paddo Inn
15th February - 15th March
Bring the party to you via Archie Rose National Events Team, special Mardi Gras packages available all festival long
14th & 23rd Feb, 2nd & 8th March
Sydney Opera House Tour & Tasting, Sydney Opera House, 6:15pm
16th & 23rd February, 2nd March
Drag Bingo, Hotel Ravesis, 6.30pm - 9.30pm
18th & 25th February, 4th March
Drag Brunch, Hotel Ravesis, 10:30am-1pm
18th February
Day for Night: The Pleasure Arc (Archie Rose pop-up bar), Carriageworks, 12pm - 19 Feb 12pm
22nd February
Drag Make-up session, Archie Rose Bar, 6.30pm - 9pm
23rd February
Life Drawing, Archie Rose Bar, 6.30pm - 8.30pm
23rd February
FAB-U-LOYSters and Cocktails, Hyatt Regency
GALA, Sydney Opera House
24th February
Pride Tour, Sydney Opera House
26th February
A Deeper Love, A Deeper Dance, A Queer Recovery (Archie Rose pop-up bar), Sydney Dance Company, Wharf 4 / 5 Dawes Point, 4pm - 10pm
26th February
Queer Trivia, Archie Rose Bar, 6pm - 8pm
1st March
Gay Klay, Archie Rose Bar, 6.30pm - 8.30pm
2nd March
Sundowner Drag, Hyatt Regency
3rd March
Drag Bingo, Archie Rose Bar, 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Find Archie Rose stocked at:
Riverside Theatre, 6th January - 4th March
Queer Film Festival, The Dendy, 10th February - 5th March
The Rocky Horror Show at Theatre Royal Sydney 14th February - 1st April
National Art School: Dyke Bar - 16 Feb - 5 March, from 4pm, Block - 16 Feb 6pm - 10pm, Parade - 25 Feb - 6pm - 12am
Sydney Theatre Company, 17th February - 5th March
Bell Shakespeare, Sydney Theatre Company, 17th February - 5th March
Archie Rose pop up bar at the Ethics Centre, 2nd March, 6:30pm-8pm