KINSELAS & JOHNNIE WALER
THE 120-YEAR-OLD VENUE IS SET TO TRANSFORM WITH ONE OF THE LARGEST MURAL WORKS AND ENTERTAINMENT LINE-UPS TO FEATURE IN RAINBOW CITY
The legendary Kinselas in the heart of Darlinghurst’s entertainment precinct is being transformed by Johnnie Walker for Sydney WorldPride into the Walk Proud @ Kinselas Bar.
The project in Taylor Square aims to celebrate and promote a more equal understanding of all LGBTQIA+ identities through education, storytelling and performances from proud members of the community, whilst also creating an ongoing legacy within the bricks and mortar of the heritage listed building.
The City of Sydney has granted a Heritage Exemption for the entire exterior of Kinselas to be painted with an inclusive artwork commissioned by Johnnie Walker and designed by Double Rainbouu’s Co-Founder & Creative Director, Mikey Nolan whose artwork is intended to represent ‘the patchwork of diverse identities that form our wonderful LGBTQIA+ community and reflect that we are made up of separate identities, but we are also one, and we are stronger together,’.
Angus McPherson, Managing Director Australia of Diageo said, “Walk Proud @ Kinselas is an extraordinarily special project for us at Diageo, and a chance for Johnnie Walker to create a safe and inclusive space for everyone to celebrate the full spectrum of the LGBTQIA+ community during Sydney WorldPride. We’re proud to partner with Kinselas to revamp this legendary location and spread a message of progress and positivity that inspires people to Keep Walking Proudly towards a more inclusive future.”
Walk Proud @ Kinselas will host over 40 events throughout its residence across all four floors, including acts from critically acclaimed non-binary musician G Flip, Queer Folk-Pop artist Alex The Astronaut, Australian Pop Band Cub Sport and Gomeroi woman, Trans and First Nations advocate and solicitor DJ Crescendoll.
BACARDI
Bacardi-Martini Australia is bringing its range of exciting events. From cocktails after your ‘Pride Climb’ on the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge with your favourite drag queens, to a ‘Rainbow Laneway’ in the middle of the CBD featuring all the best food, beverage, music, and dancing.
YCK (Sydney CBD): Delicious, bespoke Bacardi cocktail menus in all of the venues along the precinct, featuring the colourful rainbow Pride Flag for inspiration. One dollar from every every cocktail sold in these venues during Sydney World Pride will be donated to the Pride Foundation Australia.
Sydney Harbour Bridge (Sydney CBD): During the Sydney WorldPride festival, climbers will have the opportunity to fly the rainbow flag as they ascend and pose with a stunning drag queen at the very the top. Enjoy a delicious post-climb drink in a pop-up bar, featuring Grey Goose, Patrón, BACARDÍ and Bombay Sapphire colourful, and refreshing cocktails to celebrate proudly!
Kings Cross Hotel (Kings Cross): Kings Cross Hotel will transform into ‘Queen’s Cross Hotel – Pride Party Palace’ for the fifth year running, with five levels of celebration for all community and their allies in their own unique theming and events. Join for 16-days of non-stop entertainment, dancing, food & drinks courtesy of Bacardi Rum.
Bank Hotel (Newtown): GiRLTHiNG & Woody’s will be curating two weeks of parties and entertainment at The Bank for World Pride. ‘GiRLTHING, BOYTHiNG, OURTHiNG’ will be celebrating every night of Pride festival with all the best Bacardi cocktails on offer.
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE
GOROS (Surry Hills): Favourite late-night venue GOROS’ resident drag queen Milan is taking over to bring two weeks of fabulous activity to ‘Milan’s Pride Playhouse’. Featuring Bombay Sapphire cocktails, Kara-OK, queer anthems and DJ’s, throw it back 90s and 00s dress up, face painting, and prizes, GOROS is the place to be dancing all night long this Mardi Gras.
QT Hotel (Sydney CBD): Bombay Sapphire is sponsoring independent LGBTQIA+ Film Director – James Demetri – on his independent film ‘The Winner Takes It All’. There will be multiple screenings on the 18th February at the Queer Film Festival premiere.
