Mary’s Poppin Turns 10 And Adelaide’s Queer Scene Is Louder Than Ever
If you’ve never made the pilgrimage to 5 Synagogue Place, you’ve still probably heard the name. Mary’s Poppin is the 100% queer-owned bar in the Adelaide CBD that’s been running weekend drag shows, themed club nights and the kind of unhinged dancefloor energy you remember on Monday morning. It opened in April 2016, and on Saturday night, it celebrates ten years of doing exactly that
A queer-owned home in the heart of Adelaide
Mary’s Poppin sits inside a heritage-listed building and runs across four zones, with doors open Fridays and Saturdays from 9pm. The team behind it call it “the jewel of the LGBTQIA+ community in South Australia,” and the numbers back the bravado up. More than 200 verified five-star Google reviews. Over 30 resident drag performers known as the Mary’s Divas. North of 50 queer events every year (Mary’s Poppin, 2026).
It’s the kind of place that takes its zero-tolerance policy seriously. Homophobia, transphobia, misogyny and racism get you walked to the door, no debate, which feels especially worth saying out loud in 2026.
The world’s biggest drag names have stopped through
Mary’s has hosted some of the biggest drag exports on the planet. Trixie Mattel and Jinkx Monsoon are both on the alumni list, alongside a rotation of local talent who keep the divas line-up fresh from week to week. The themed nights run the full pop spectrum, with recent and upcoming bookings tied to Slayyyter, Zara Larsson, RAYE, a Devil Wears Prada tribute and a Glee Night for anyone who still knows every word of Don’t Stop Believin’
For Adelaide locals, that consistency is the story. Queer venues across Australia have shut their doors over the past few years, so a regional bar holding the line for a full decade is worth a glass of something cold and pink.
A busy season for queer Adelaide
The birthday party lands in the middle of a strong run for the city’s LGBTQIA+ scene. Cabaret superstar Reuben Kaye is bringing his dark, funny and very queer energy to the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in 2026, and we wrote about what’s on his program over here. Stack the festival with a Saturday at Mary’s, and you’ve already planned your next queer Adelaide weekend.
Mary’s Poppin is at 5 Synagogue Place, Adelaide, open Fridays and Saturdays from 9pm. Photo ID is required at the door. The tenth birthday celebration runs this Saturday night. Full event listings and dress code are on the venue page.
