Merivale and Absolut Vodka have created a campaign: We Are Stronger Together to celebrate the 2021 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. 

Featuring a jam-packed programme of festivities, Stronger Together is inspired by community, love and unique connections and will bring people together in a joyous celebration of pride and diversity.

The vibrant campaign shot by Georges Antoni features Dimitri Calavrias (Merivale’s Brand Manager) and his brother Jeremy; Trans sisters, Kalypso Finbar Otu and Skye Paez (Merivale customers); friends and ACON Ambassadors, Maria Hristodoulou and Josef Garrington (Beresford Bingay hosts and Merivale and Absolut charity partners); co-stars, Troy Stone and Minnie Cooper (Absolut Beresford Sunday cabaret performers); Stuart Cogan (ivy Events Operations Manager) and his sausage dog Snitz; friends and colleagues, Silvio Cohilj and Yibo Luo (ivy hosts and restaurant leaders). 

Justin Hemmes, Merivale CEO, said: “We are proud to celebrate and champion Sydney’s Queer culture and the LGBTQIA+ community. If 2020 taught us anything it is the importance of looking out, supporting and lifting each other up - exactly what the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is all about. I can’t wait to see the city alive with pride and experience the big, beautiful energy that Mardi Gras always brings to Sydney''. 

As ongoing allies of the LGBTIQA+ community, Merivale and Absolut have also created the ‘Absolut Banger’ cocktail. Available in selected venues* from 5 February - 7 March, $2 from each cocktail will be donated to longstanding charity partners, Bobby Goldsmith Foundation and ACON. The cocktail is a delicious mix of Absolut Lime, Lillet Blanc, passionfruit and granny smith apple.

Merivale also has a limited number of drink, dine and stay packages still available. Each package booking at The Beresford, Queen Chow Enmore, The Paddington and Bar Totti’s on Saturday 6 March includes an official Mardi Gras Parade ticket compliments of Absolut (per person), an Absolut Banger cocktail on arrival, live DJs and entertainment, and a $5 donation to Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Bookings can be made from https://merivale.com/whatson/mardi-gras-packages/. 

While the Mardi Gras festivities might look a little different this year, the spirit of Mardi Gras is still very much alive at Merivale. 

THE BERESFORD:

Cabaret: ‘Step Back In Time’ - Every Friday and Sunday in February and March from 7pm

Dinner and a show and a whole lotta woah! After the success of ‘A Night in Paris’ and ‘Absolut-ly Christmas’, Minnie Cooper, Jacqui St Hyde, Mynx Moscato, Troy Stone and Hayden Baulch are bringing their new brand-new cabaret, ‘Step Back in Time’, to Beresford Upstairs. Everyone loves a bit of nostalgia and this show promises to have something for everyone, making its way through the decades from the 20s through to the 80s with plenty of amusing twists and turns on the way. 

Tickets are $75pp (plus booking fee) and include an Absolut Banger cocktail on arrival, three-course dinner and a fabulous show. 

*During Mardi Gras week, ‘Step Back In Time’ will take place on Thursday 4 March and Sunday 7 March. 

Alfie Arcuri Live @ Upstairs Beresford - Friday 5 March from 7pm 

Feel the Mardi Gras love live, loud and proud with a night of soulful singing. Listen to the nostalgic sounds of Ms Thandi before an intimate live performance by Alfie Arcuri including his newly released song "Handsome Man". Doors open and bar and food service from 7pm, and Ms Thandi live from 7.30pm.

Tickets are $65pp (plus booking fee) and include an Absolut Banger cocktail on arrival and antipasto board to share.

Parade Day Screening Party - Saturday 6 March from 2pm 

When it comes to Parade Day, no one parties prouder than The Beresford. From 2pm the doors will open to absolutely everyone, so don’t be tardy for the party. There will be DJs playing all day and well into the night, a photo booth in the front bar to capture the most extra Parade Day poses, and all the parade action from the SCG screening in the Courtyard from 7pm. Order an Absolut Banger cocktail while you’re there with $2 from every drink donated to ACON and the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation charities. 

Walk-ins only. 

The DJ line-up includes:

  • Colin Gaff, 2pm-6pm
  • Alex Taylor, 6pm-9pm
  • Adam Love, 9pm-1am

Coogee Rooftop Sunday’s: Mardi Gras Edition - Sunday 28 February 

The Sunday session that Sydneysiders already love – but way more colourful! Kicking off at 2pm and partying on well into the night, there will be an absolutely fabulous lineup of DJs and live entertainment to take the weekend up a notch in the lead-up to the 2021 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Head to the bar for this year’s Sydney Mardi Gras Absolut Banger cocktail – a delicious mix of Absolut Lime, Lillet Blanc, passionfruit and granny smith apple, with $2 from every sale donated to ACON and The Bobby Goldsmith Foundation. 

Book a table here to secure your spot today.

Sunday 28 February:

  • Bannie
  • Amanda Louise
  • James Alexandr
  • Pat Stevenson
  • Sveta
  • Mo’funk

POOL CLUB

POOF DOOF Drag Brunch - Saturday 27 February  

Treat yourself to a whole afternoon of fierce drag superstardom, a 1.5-hour bottomless mimosa and brunch package including a complimentary Absolut Banger cocktail on arrival, plus so much more camp fun. The runway is in and around the ultra-glam ivy pool and the afternoon will be hosted by  the one and only Marilyn Mootrub and star the iconic Coco Jumbo, Sia Tequila and Miss Danni Issues in shows all afternoon along with fabulous guest performers each week. 

  • Saturday 27 February:  Faúx Fúr

Tickets are $89pp. Bookings are essential and a variety of table sizes and configurations are available here.

POOF DOOF Long Lunch at uccello - Thursday 4 March, 12pm-5pm 

The inaugural POOF DOOF Long Lunch is here, queer and kickstarting Mardi Gras at Merivale’s iconic poolside restaurant, uccello. POOF DOOF have curated the perfect long lunch to network with Sydney's queer professionals over a three-course extravaganza designed by Head Chef Nigel Ward with a glass of champagne on arrival.

The afternoon will feature guest speakers including a keynote from Albert Kruger, CEO of Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, and music curated by Australia's leading queer DJs including Kitty Glitter, Sveta and Kate Monroe. Guests can also look forward to some very special, surprise live performances throughout the afternoon. After lunch, guests can sashay over to ivy Pool Club to take an afternoon dip.

Tickets are $159pp. Tables are limited and bookings can be made here.

Parade After Party at Pool Club: Saturday 6 March

POOF DOOF are hosting yet another epic Mardi Gras parade after party at ivy Pool Club from 9pm until the wee hours of the morning with an all-star lineup of DJs, live acts, drag performers and more. Leading the stacked line-up is Sgt Slick, alongside drag DJ icons Kitty Glitter and drag DJ duo Jawbreakers. POOF DOOF Melbourne residents Argonaut and Jason Conti will go back-to-back while Sydney DJ icons Sveta, Troy Beman and I.O.U. round out the lineup for house music lovers. There will be epic shows from drag brunch divas Coco Jumbo. Danni Issues, and Sia Tequila, and a very special performance from Vanity Faire, Maxi Shield and Lexi Gaga. 

Very limited tickets will be on sale soon. 

Vic on the Park

Vic on the Pardi Gras - Sunday 28 February 

Vic on The Park have programmed a line-up of DJs and performers in the coming weeks to get you in the mood, culminating in a Dollar Bin Darlings extravaganza on parade day featuring go-go dancers and a live stream straight from the stadium. Head to the bar for this year’s Sydney Mardi Gras Absolut Banger cocktail – a delicious mix of Absolut Lime, Lillet Blanc, passionfruit and granny smith apple – with $2 donated from every sale to ACON and The Bobby Goldsmith Foundation. 

Sunday 28 February:

  • Gonz - 1-4pm 
  • Aunty Jonny & Friends - 4-10pm 

Dollar Bin Darlings Parade Day Extravaganza - Saturday 6 March 

Hosted by Aunty Jonny and the Bottom Dollar Buddies, Vic on The Park will be livestreaming the parade complete with go-go dancers, glitter bombs and more. Arrive in full colour as there’ll be prizes for the best dressed on the day.

Tickets and bookings now available at www.merivale.com/mardi-gras/.   

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