Bear Bar, the Australian pop-up for bears and their friends, is back in time for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

Locals and visitors to Australia’s largest city will once again be able to celebrate the festival on the top floor of the Burdekin Hotel (2 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst). It will run for 9 days from Friday, February 24 to Saturday, March 4.

As well as fun pub-style events the entertainment line-up includes some special events geared to tourists including an Australian wine tasting function run by United Cellars and a walking tour exploring Sydney’s secret gay history.

Organiser Jonny Bastin from Honey Productions told BWM: “Its so much fun running this pop up bar; we love celebrating bear culture during Mardi Gras and welcoming people to Sydney.”

The bar will feature the cream of the Australian bear scene plus some special guests including US DJ Barney Philly and Queer rapper Rica Shay from LA and comedian Dean Arcuri from Melbourne.

Bear Bar will continue its community partnerships and has the backing of the GROWLr app, Bear World Magazine, the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation HIV charity and SX News.

Plus Red Bull, United Cellars and BearSkn underwear have also jumped on board as sponsors this year. 

The walls of the bar will also display work by Sydney based bear artist duo Corpus Rex throughout the week.

“Expect 9 days of parties, great Australian  beers, live performances, cool art and charity fundraising. It’s been a lot of fun in previous years and we’re really looking forward to seeing everyone again at the bar in 2017”, Jonny Bastin says.

The bar will wrap up on March 4th with a massive final party with great views overlooking the Mardi Gras Parade featuring Australian DJs Grant Cook from Melbourne, and Sydney based DJ Baby Bear and popular DJ/Producer Division 4.

Full details of all the events and ticketing information for the closing Honey party can be found at: www.ilikehoney.com.au/bearbar

Bear Bar runs from February 24 to March 4 at the top floor of the Burdekin Hotel, 2 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst.

BWM is a proud supporter of Sydney’s pop-up Bear Bar.