The grand finale will be one hot tamale at The Star Gold Coast’s Atrium Bar.
The grand finale will be one hot tamale at The Star Gold Coast’s Atrium Bar.
Ok friends, the time has come for the Thursday’s a Drag series’ grand finale one thing’s for sure – it’s gonna be one HOT tamale! Set to go out with a bang, we’re all kinds of hysterical here; hysterically excited (#obvs), and also just plane hysterical coz soz, just what the heck are we going to do with our Thursday nights now (insert diva size tantrum). But, being the glass is half full kinda gals that we are, let’s stick with the former because there ain’t no party like a drag queen party….especially at THE destination with a Master’s Degree in Fierce, Atrium Bar at The Star Gold Coast.
If you’ve missed the last three shows, don’t fret firstly because you’ll fuel those pesky 11 lines, and secondly because the last performance will bring more frivolous fun than you can poke a jewel-encrusted mike at.
Don your sparkliest party pants and get ready to slay all day (or night) with drag royalty, Carla from Bankstown who will headline this climactic 90-minute spectacular, hosted by Beverly Kills. Also along for the ride are two luscious local Queens, Shu Shu Funtanna and Scarlett Fever, teaming up for a night of unforgettable divalicious debauchery.
Sprinkling their signature magic and slinging endless naughty lols, this high-energy drag show is filled with sickening (drag slang for epic) performances, death drops (dance move where a queen dramatically falls back into a stroke pose) and lip syncs for your life. Translation; the night will be anything but a drag, and we’re here for the bold, brashy, trashy, OTT fabulousness of it all.
Like these bedazzled beauties, we love nothing more than spilling some tea, which is precisely what we’re about to….(insert cheeky grin).
Not only will you enjoy 1.5 hours of back-to-back A-grade drag performances, but you’ll also score a complimentary cocktail on arrival. And with all this spilling talk, please handle said freebie with care coz we’re talking Belvadere vodka and darling, it ain’t no el-cheapo Clean Skin.
But wait there’s more and no they’re not throwing in a set of sassy pink steak knives, but a special food and cocktail menu. Available for purchase throughout the evening, our advice is to stock up on bevs and bites and chuck a sickie the next day, coz Friday is basically Saturday anyway.
So round up your crew and get ready to twerk and werk it with the best! For tickets and more information, go here.
Get your tickets now before they “sashay away!”
Where: Atrium Bar, The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach
When: Thursday 20th of April. Doors open 6pm for a 7.30pm start. Show concludes at 9.30pm.
Words by Bianca Trathen.
STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST
The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol. Guests must be aged 18 years or over to enter Atrium Bar and the casino. BET WITH YOUR HEAD, NOT OVER IT.
Thursday nights are about to get a glittering glow up with more sparkle and sass than you can poke a rhinestone encrusted stiletto at. Back by popular demand, get ready to sashay your way once again to Atrium Bar at The Star Gold Coast for Thursday’s a Drag #OnThursdayNightsWeWearPink.
Starting from 30th May and strutting its way through every second Thursday night until 11th July, it’s a celebration of all things fabulous and fierce. Each high-energy 90-minute show features four iconic queens and a headliner ready to werk, twerk, and throw more shade than a Cool Cabana.
From electrifying performances to iconic lip-sync battles, the queens of Thursday’s A Drag will slay you into a standing ovation with dazzling renditions of your favourite diva anthems and classics that made ‘Priscilla Queen Of The Desert’ so iconic.
Inspired by the legendary Les Girls, Thursday’s A Drag is a nod to the golden era of drag entertainment. Step into a world where the spotlight is brighter than your highlighter, with a smorgasbord of glamour, costumes, and awe-inspiring performances that will leave you gagging for more.
Kicking off the series on 30th May is ultimate drag scene trailblazer, the bedazzling Beverly Kills. With performances that explode with energy and a wit as sharp as her eyeliner, this glittering glamourpuss is proudly the first and only Queensland representative on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under.
Shimmying in on 13th June is sequin slinging sensation, Hannah Conda. Recently crowned runner-up on the Stan’s Original Series sensation, the award-winning RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under Season 2, she’s currently slaying the screen again on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Vs The World.
On Thursday 27th June, bow down to Kween Kong! Finalist on Drag Race Down Under Season 2, illustrious leader of the House of Kong, and a choreographer/dancer who even performed on tour with Nelly Furtado, she’s far more than just a pretty face with the world at her sky-high-heel-clad feet.
And last but certainly not least on Thursday 11th July is Art Simone who’s not just breaking stereotypes; she’s stomping them flat with her fierce footwear. From pushing boundaries to promoting inclusivity, Art is leading the charge to make drag a mainstream sensation. And trust us, this queen is just getting warmed up!
The hottest ticket in town, a night with these dazzling divas is $25 per person and even includes a signature Skyy Vodka cocktail to wet your whistle and get the party started. And speaking of bevs, there’s special food and cocktail menus available throughout the night to keep you fuelled and fabulous.
So for a night of fun fit for a queen, round up your pals and head to the epicentre of entertainment, Atrium Bar at The Star Gold Coast, for Thursday’s A Drag. Grab your tickets here: https://www.star.com.au/goldcoast/whats-on/thursdays-a-drag-series
May the fabulosity be with you.
Where: Atrium Bar, The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach
When: Doors open 6pm for a 7.30pm start. Show concludes at 9.30pm. Thursday 30th May, Thursday 13th and 27th of June, and Thursday 11th of July.
Words by Bianca Trathen.
STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST
Guests must be 18 years or over to enter Atrium Bar and the Casino. The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol. Bet with your head, not over it
Welcome, April. It’s the month that kicks off with people playing silly pranks on each other, temperatures finally dip (and yay, our makeup stays put), the kids are on school vacay (like, again, and we’re still recovering from the 10000-week Christmas hols), and of course, the Easter bunny bounces into town. It’s also the month our friends at the home of amazing food and entertainment, The Star Gold Coast, pull out all the stops with fun and frivolity for the whole family. Here’s a taste…
EASTER SUNDAY
Garden Kitchen & Bar
We all know the food is *chef’s kiss* at Garden Kitchen & Bar, and Easter Sunday is certainly no different. In fact, they’re embracing the day with eggstra enthusiasm, hosting free face painting, an Easter egg hunt from 1pm to 3pm, and of course a visit from everyone’s fave fluffy friend, the Easter Bunny. Eggcellent!
ENTERTAINMENT
Live on The Lawn – Garden Kitchen & Bar
The good eggs at The Lawn, Garden Kitchen & Bar have you covered this Easter long weekend with live entertainment coming in hop! DJ Chris Bent will be on the decks (next to the deck), as will DJ McGill and DJ Axel, all doing what they do best. For a laid-back Easter Sunday sesh, check out the Buttered Duo from 3pm to 6pm, the perfect way to chillax after an epic Easter lunch. Finally, tell Siri to set reminders for Lisa Hunt playing on Friday 14th and 21st, and Groove City on Saturday 22nd.
Thursday’s a Drag – Atrium Bar
Seeing as we all have this Friday off, there’s no eggs-cuse to say no to “Thursday’s a Drag“, slaying from 6pm (doors open) to 9pm. Always a divalicious night of drag mastery, the queens sure know how to get the party started. The good times don’t stop there though, as crowd fave DJ Brent will be in da house mixing up a storm until 1am.
Bingo Loco – Events Centre
If a game of bingo married a rave party and had a baby, it would be Bingo Loco. Whilst it sounds as mismatched as a bride and groom on MAFS, it’s actually the perfect union complete with bass rumbling rave rounds, petrifying lip-sync battles, dance-offs, confetti cannons and spine-chilling special effects, comedian MCs, dancers, crazy theatrics, and of course epic prizes. Previous loot includes a holiday to Bali, a bathtub, a car, a 3m teddy bear, a bag of rubbish, a lawnmower, and even a boat! Doors open at 6.30pm on Friday 14th and tickets are $49 per adult (plus booking fees).
EAT & DRINK
Harvest Buffet
You know who loves an all-you-cat-eat buffet? Everybunny, especially kids who can eat FREE at Harvest Buffet with each paying adult! From scrumptious breakfast options to perfectly cooked roasts, fresh seafood, and a wide selection of desserts, this means one thing; wear your stretchiest pants.
Easter Cocktails
Umm, we need no further convincing here! Indulge in a little adult Easter fun with delicious Easter themed cocktails at Cucina Vivo, Kiyomi and Cherry Bar. They’re only available for a limited time so hop to it and chick them out.
Food Quarter and M&G Cafe
Calling all sweet tooths to Food Quarter and M&G Cafe! Grab some freshly baked Hot Cross Buns for $3.50 each, premium quality Small Chocolate Bunnies for $19.90 each, and Large Chocolate Bunnies for $29.90 each #TheDietStartsAfterEaster.
For more information on any of The Star’s epic Easter activations, go here.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach
When: Various activations throughout April
Words by Bianca Trathen.
STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST
The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol. Guests must be aged 18 years or over to enter Atrium Bar and the casino. BET WITH YOUR HEAD, NOT OVER IT.
The definition of cool according to the Inside Gold Coast edition of the Oxford English Dictionary is livin it large circa 1970, cocktail in hand (always), somewhere swanky in Las Vegas. Well friends, now we can do exactly that – sans the long-haul flight and time machine. Introducing Marilyn’s Diner & Bar, a high-end watering hole and American style burger bar, transporting us back to the hedonistic 70s with precision and panache.
Every aspect of this beautifully executed establishment is designed to immerse you in the glitz and glamour of the era. At the same time, it also pays tribute to one of literature’s most iconic tales of excess and adventure, Hunter S Thompson’s ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’. With nods to the classic book from pillar to post, Marilyn’s atmosphere is truly unique and captivating. From the specially crafted cocktails served in funky retro glassware, to the eclectic music selection and lively atmosphere, this place is #trending. It’s nostalgic but sophisticated, contemporary yet classic, refined but embraces the quintessential party girl. Simply put, Marilyn’s is unapologetically Marilyn’s.
Opening earlier in the year, the intimate venue boasts 50 seats across two areas including an outdoor “al fresco” lounge area. The bar child of long-term mates Alex Marks, Rupert Critchley, Brad Morgan, and Johnny Rogers, it’s a very welcome addition to the Broadbeach eats and sips scene. Alex (who also dons the Head Chef hat) is a chef, whisky specialist and award-winning cocktail bartender. He has cooked in some of London’s most loved restaurants, plus his impressive resume boasts stints at Melbourne’s Eau De Vie and a brief spell at Rick Shores.
Rupert has a background in cinematography and film making (cool much?!) specialising in filming food and wine. He’s also owned a cafe/ bar in the Austrian alps (again, cool much… quite literally) and worked at one of Sydney’s top rum bars, The Lobo. The gents found themselves in the right place at the right time meeting with local businessmen (and old friends) Johnny Rogers and Brad Morgan, and the rest as they say is history.
Championing the modern and contemporary styling with era-appropriate swagger was a breeze for Rupert, who worked tirelessly with Alex to design and build the majority of the venue. As luck would have it, the boys have a team of mates who conveniently have the specific trades they needed and note to self; must befriend more tradies.
To keep us coming back time and time again, there’s an ever-changing menu featuring the American-style smash burgers and other delicious delights. The staple offering is the Cheese Burger with two smashed beef patties with American cheese, house pickled onion, seasoned tomato, iceberg lettuce, pickles and signature sauce, served on a toasted potato bun. We also find it difficult to pass up the Prawns & Corns consisting of whole fried Tiger Prawns with corn ribs in Mexican brown butter.
It’s always cocktail o-clock at Marilyn’s and the expertly curated and eclectic selection is #goals. Do yourself a favour and order the Watermelon Sugar with vodka, spiced watermelon, lime, and whey, and suddenly we can’t get Harry Styles out of our head. Then go with a Rupus Du Sol with vodka, hibiscus, strawberry, eucalyptus, coconut, and sherry, followed by the Centre Court with minted rum, sour lime, fresh kiwi, and mescal. If you’re still vertical, finish with the Bold Fashioned with Starward two-fold Aussie whisky, coffee, and caramel.
For those who appreciate the finer things in life, from fresh and crisp wines to delicious and delicate cocktails paired with quality eats, it’s Marilyn’s for the win. See you there.
Where: 10/90 Surf Parade, Broadbeach
When: 2pm – 11pm Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Mondays.
Instagram: @marilynsbargc
Website: marilynsbar.com.au
Words by Bianca Trathen.
Images by Brittany Kreskas.
