Mardi Gras

Last weekend the streets of Sydney were literally painted with rainbows, as the 2013 Mardi Gras embraced us with arms wide open.

The girls and I had all had a bit of a tough week for one reason or another, and the opportunity to get together, blow off some steam and just have a good night was too good to resist. When we realised that none of us had ever experienced Mardi Gras we knew it was on. We frocked up, put on some red lip stick, stilettos, doused ourselves in glitter and set out to find a fabulous set of false lashes.

We booked a table for four at Claire's Kitchen at Le Salon on Oxford St, who were hosting a viewing party on their mezzanine level. We were delighted with the contents of our French picnic baskets, filled with a wicked duck liver pâté complete with baguette, tuna Niçoise salad, goats cheese & tomato tarts, croissant, eclairs and macarons.

To kick things off I ordered a cocktail named after the star who owns and runs the show, Claire de Lune. It is described on their drinks menu as follows:

"CLAIRE DE LUNE: Claire’s own favourite mix of Vodka and Crème Yvettes is stirred with fresh
lime, mint and raspberries, then lengthened with sparkling wine. Fruity and bubbly, as the name would suggest."

Claire herself is vibrant, stunningly sequined and greets you with an intoxicating French accent and wide smile as she flits from table to table, ensuring that everyone is having a good time.

The party guests gathered around the balcony to watch the variety of floats as the parade descended down Oxford St. My favourite had to be the giant pink cake, or the topless, fluro, glow-in-the-dark, hula-hooping bunch.

The party really got started when Claire convinced her bar staff - all young and gorgeous, French-speaking men - to serve the rest of the night shirtless. They must have made a motza in tips! On this subject, I must make a point of singling out Aurelian, their sommelier. He rustled up various cocktails at random for me, until he found the one that fit best - an Amaretto Sour. This kind of service is what I constantly seek out and can't be commended enough, not just Aurelian but Claire herself.

At the conclusion of the parade we left Claire's in high spirits and spent the rest of the night a few doors up at Slide, which had a giant, velvet drape of rainbow at the entrance. Part nightclub, part show, it was an enjoyable night as drag queens and dancers took to the stage, performing acrobatics, singing and dancing, burlesque, and comedy.

It was a late and messy night, but damn it was alot of fun! I was pleased with the real sense of community and acceptance that filled the area. I find it a rare occasion that so many strangers can come together and embrace one another like old friends.

I cannot wait for next year!