AfterSlay the Sydney Mardi Gras 2022.
United we shine, the payments we split.
More than a fabulous party, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a lifestyle, darling. It’s a month-long celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and, more broadly, a celebration of love.
Throughout February, there is a steady stream of events, culminating in the iconic parade at the Sydney Cricket Ground on 5 March. This year, the theme is United We Shine. And whether you’re local or visiting, a first-timer or a seasoned veteran, we’ve got what you need to join the party, and split the payments.
Travel - Getting to the ‘Gras.
First thing’s first – getting to Sydney. Fortunately, you can now book all your travel with Webjet and Jetstar using Afterpay making it super easy to manage that first big purchase. Just be sure to check with your state government’s rules and airline’s returns policy when booking flights as they’re always changing.
Need a little entertainment for the flight? Order yourself a copy of the hilarious Caught in the Act by Courtney Act from Booktopia, or the heart-warming Anything But Fine by Tobias Madden from Dymocks.
If you and your mates wanna explore a bit more of Sydney while you’re here, the people at Jucy can help you out with a car or van hire during your stay.
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Accomodation - Find your place.
Sydney is a big, beautiful sprawling city with accommodation options for every itinerary and budget.
Meriton Hotels and Accomodation and Agoda offer something for everyone; from studios to deluxe suites, across a massive range of suburbs, which means you can choose how close to the action you’d like to be.
However, if you prefer something a little bit more like home, head straight to AirBnB. Whether it’s a room, an apartment, or a share house for the whole crew, the options are pretty incredible, and you can split the payments by using an AirBnB voucher from Afterpay.
Dining - Taste the rainbow.
Mardi Gras is a marathon, not a sprint. So it’s important to stay well fed and hydrated! Fortunately, in Sydney (and with Afterpay), there’s no shortage of fabulous places to drink and dine. To get you started, here are some of our faves:
The Winery, Surry Hills. Nestled just back from Crown Street, the Winery is a gorgeous place for dinner and drinks with your best Judys.
North Bondi Fish, North Bondi. Arguably one of the most beautiful views and divine seafood menus in Sydney.
Chiswick, Woollahra. For something a little more intimate and traditional, Chiswick is the place to be wined and dined by the famous Matt Moran.
Little Pearl, Manly. If you need a break from the party, jump on a ferry to Manly and have a cool, refreshing wine to the sound of waves crashing on beautiful Manly Beach.
Outfits - Get the Lewk.
When it comes to dressing for Mardi Gras, there’s no such thing as too much colour! You can keep it subtle with a colourful tee or dress from Showpo or Cotton On for the gals, and Levi’s or Restated Vintage for the guys. Feeling a little more extravagant? Check out the range at Camilla! We also offer a Gender Inclusive shopping experience for anyone looking to shop for labels without the labels.
For those of you looking to go all out, there’s only one place you need to know about and that’s Priscilla’s House of Drag on Oxford Street in Darlinghurst. They’ve got jewels, wigs, boots, feathers, sequins – anything and everything you could possibly need to buy or borrow for the event.
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Salons - Mardi Gras Glam.
During Mardi Gras, it’s essential to approach every outing as the glamazon that you are – so it’s a good idea to plan ahead. For hair cuts, colour and styling, Toni & Guy are great because they have salons all around Australia. And for all your makeup and beauty needs, Mac Cosmetics and Sephora offer a massive range of fun and fruity makeup palettes to help you shine like the diamond you are.
(Psst… If you need a little self-love after the party, be sure to check out Endota Spa or Silk Laser Clinics for a refreshing beauty treatment.)
Shop Pride - Be proud, shop pride.
For everything else you might need, check out our Pride page. It features Pride collections from big retailers like David Jones, The Iconic and Cotton On. Plus, collections from LGBTQI+ owned businesses like Rude Rainbow, Rainbow Roo and Between the Lines.
Check out the Pride Store for all your Mardi Gras needs.
