10 Of The Best Drag Shows In Sydney Right Now

If there’s one thing we know, it’s that Sydney/Eora doesn’t just host drag—it breathes it. From the glitter-stained pavements of Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ core in Oxford Street to the suburban sanctuaries of the Inner West, the drag scene in Sydney is unparalleled.

But the real beauty behind Sydney’s drag shows? It’s 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.

Especially during Mardi Gras (from 13 February to 1 March in 2026), there’s an undeniable buzz that has you donning your tallest and sparkliest pair of stilettos and loudest outfit. From a three-course meal with a side of drama to a hidden basement rave decorated in a kaleidoscope of love, we’ve got you.

Get dressed up and ready to have a gay old time—these are Urban List's picks for the best drag shows in Sydney right now.

Universal

85–91 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst

Image credit: Universal | Facebook

If Oxford Street is the heart of Sydney’s queer scene, then Universal is its pulse. Fill up your entire week with all the best drag shows in Sydney at this two-level superclub. Famed for its risqué shows, which run literally every single night of the week. Expect high production, high energy, and high glam as soon as you set foot through its lit-up doors.

Kicking off with Hospo Monday shows from 10pm—a show dedicated to the industry legends who work while we play. Rock up to Twist Tuesdays from 9.30pm featuring none other than Sydney’s Party Girl, @champagnedrag. And for the ultimate mid-week pick-me-up? UNI NIGHT returns every Wednesday, bringing a wild energy that keeps the scene fresher than ever.

As the weekend rolls around, the heavy hitters take centre stage. Magnetic shows are on at 11.30pm and midnight on Friday nights, featuring Champagne, Eli Crawford, and Sia Tequila alongside Sydney’s top queer DJs. And finally, end the week with Sunday Shenanigans—a queer open night to discover some of Sydney’s hottest up-and-coming drag icons from 10pm.

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, Stonewall Hotel is a triple-threat venue. With three distinct levels—each offering a different flavour to the community—it’s the cornerstone of any drag night out. Inclusive, historic, and unashamedly camp, you’ll feel just like a local from your first visit.

Expect good queen fun all night long from Wednesday through to Sunday. Starting with Male Box Wednesdays at 9.30pm, hosted by Marilyn Mootrub and Maleman Pablo—it’s cheeky, interactive and has been a Stonewall staple for years. On Thursdays, get up close and personal with your favourite Go Go Boys dancers with four sexy sessions every night starting from 9.45pm.

If you’re looking to kick off the weekend early, strut along to Mulan Rogue Fridays. Filled with drag and drama from 7pm until 9pm, before The Real Housewives of Stonewall takes the night away from 10.30pm until the early hours of the morning.

Super Saturdays are for the queens, with Charima Belle, Carmen Geddit, and Cassandra the Queen turning up the heat from 10.30pm, while Sundays’ Centre Stage is where legends shine, and stars are born—with celebrity drag hosts, amateur drag spotlights and Sydney’s best DJs—a happy ending to a sparkling week.

See full schedule here.

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). The Imperial has longheld its position as a national treasure since 1983, and its 2018 glow-up turned it into a multi-level masterpiece.

It’s theatrical, community-focused, and artistically avant-garde. Expect Glitz and glam-packed drag shows, queer parties, drag bingo and of course, their famous Drag & Dine to lure you into every level of this Inner West pub.

Enjoy some mid-week magic with drag trivia on Wednesday nights and drag bingo on Thursdays. Or start your weekend with a bang with The Impy’s signature—Drag & Dine on Fridays and Saturday nights. Sit down for a stellar meal while queens weave through the tables for a full theatrical production—now that’s what we call a dinner and a show. Plus, if you don’t want the night to end (who does), kick on with Late Night Disco from 9pm. Want to take it up a notch? The iconic Priscilla Experience is on every Saturday night with shows at 8pm, 9pm, and 10pm—just remember to bring your groove.

If a bottomless drag brunch sounds more like your ideal weekend, waltz along to the beloved The Priscilla Drag Brunch on Saturday afternoons.

The Imperial’s schedule is jam-packed, with a dazzling show (or two) to suit everyone. See the full schedule here.

Kinselas

383 Bourke Street, Darlinghurst

Image credit: Kinselas | Instagram

The spiritual home of Darlinghurst’s late-night scene, Kinselas, is a multi-level playground with a history as colourful as its patrons. In its past life, it famously operated as a funeral parlour, which only adds to its gothic, art-deco charm. Nowadays, the only things being laid to rest are your inhibitions on the dance floor.

Gritty, cool, and undeniably queer. The atmosphere is thick, and the energy is pumping through every floor—whether you’re people-watching at Middle Bar, heading upstairs to the eerie-gothic Chapel Bar, or going down to the siren call of the basement where all the weekly parties kick off.

Monday nights are reserved for karaoke at Kinselas, hosted by the dazzling Kiera Billie. Warm up those vocal cords, bring out those whistle notes, and give it your all on stage. On Thursdays, join the legendary, comedic powerhouse, Jackie Daniels, from 7.30pm for trivia unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before.

See the full schedule, including Mardi Gras specials here.

The Newtown Hotel

174 King Street, Newtown

Image credit: The Newtown Hotel | Facebook

The Newtown Hotel is loved for its daily $6.50 happy hour, crankin’ schnitties and, of course, its dog-friendly atmosphere. A relaxed, dog-friendly pub by day, a glammed-up performance venue by night—bringing the queens to the Inner West, The Newtown Hotel knows exactly how to have a good time.

Whether you’re singing along with drag sensation Dakota Fann’ee at Newtown’s only live piano bar every Sunday, signing up for a night full of drag bingo, games and lip sync fabulousness from none other than Miss Felicity Frockaccino, or grooving with iconic drag queens every Friday and Saturday night, such as Kalin Klein, Dammit Janet, Etcetera Etcetera—a drag-filled weekend is on the cards. 

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.

InSitu

1/18 Sydney Road, Manly

Image credit: InSitu | Instagram

The Queens are crossing the bridge to Manly’s InSitu. The ultimate triple-threat combo awaits—bottomless brunch, drag bingo or trivia, and a fabulous drag show (of course). With each ticket, you’ll get a shared menu including delicious tapas and more-ish pizzas, bottomless house beer and wine, and three cocktail serves per person.

Tickets are $99 per person, or $65 for a non-alcoholic ticket. Book your spot here.

The Winery

285A Crown Street, Surry Hills

Image credit: The Winery | Instagram

This leafy Surry Hills oasis trades dark club nights for sunshine and spritzes. The Winery presents Sip & Slays Sundays—a ripping drag show blended with bottomless brunch at 12.30pm and 3.30pm. Tuck into bottomless spritzes, a two-course shared brunch menu, and performances from Sydney Drag Royalty.

And for a Mardi Gras special, The Winery is hosting a brunch on 28 February 2026. Expect 90 mins of drinks, bold shared lunch menus and fierce drag performances. And because one brunch is never enough—especially on parade day—six sessions of Mardi Gras Brunch will run throughout the day, with the first one starting at 11.30am.

Both Sip & Slay Sundays and Mardi Gras Brunch are $99 per person.

Beresford Hotel

354 Bourke Street, Surry Hills

Image credit: The Beresford | Instagram

Sashay your way to the iconic Beresford Hotel, AKA The Bero, this Mardi Gras. With its special Priscilla Drag Brunch on 28 February 2026, you’ll find drag legends Carmen Geddit, Charisma Belle, and Minnie Cooper live-laugh-loving every moment with performances that’ll turn The Bero courtyard into a rainbow-coloured phenomenon.

For $99 per person, you’ll get a shared three-course menu as well as a two-hour beverage package of sparkling wine, Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, Shiraz, Hahn Super Dry, and cider.

Seats are limited, book your table here.

For the full Mardi Gras schedule at The Bero, see here.

The Oxford Hotel

134 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst

Image credit: The Oxford Hotel | Instagram

The Oxford Hotel has stood its ground as a community favourite for over a century—and with good reason. This multi-level labyrinth offers a traditional pub-meets-high-end-cabaret vibe featuring heavy-hitting lineups all week long.

Get the chance to dance the night away with Drag Race Down Under Royalty, Maxi Shield, all week. From one-day-only Mardi Gras viewing parties to mid-week faves such as Smart Arse Trivia on Wednesdays at 7.30pm.

For an unforgettably sassy weekend, don your highest pair of stilettos and indulge in some of the most spectacular drag shows you can find in Sydney, such as Absolut.ly presented by The Fatty & Skinny Show on Fridays, Fan Girls featuring Maxi Shield, Coco Jumbo, Jacqui St. Hyde, and Ivy League on Saturday nights, and the Kiera Billie Experience on Sunday evenings.

For the full event schedule, see here.

You might also like

• Sydney's Best Bottomless Brunches
• Sydney's Best Nightclubs
• Sydney's Best Bars

The Burdekin Hotel

2–4 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst

Slap on some sunscreen, sparkles and head to Burdekin Hotel’s rooftop stat. Every Saturday, Mynx Moscato hosts a legendary bottomless brunch and drag show, Spritz or Swallow. You’ll get free-flowing drinks to quench your thirst and loads of fun and entertainment with a special guest every weekend—it’s the ultimate day-drag experience.

Drinks and food packages start at $79. While walk-ins are available, spots get filled up fast, so bookings are highly recommended. For more details and to book a table, click here.

Main image credit: The Imperial Erskineville | Supplied

Urban List Best Of: has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.