Going Off With A Bang – Mary’s Poppin Opening Night – Review

5 Synagogue Place, Adelaide, Fri 8 Apr The Adelaide queer community has been excitedly gossiping about the new cocktail lounge in Adelaide since news of the bar emerged in December 2015. When the rumour was confirmed that Stephen Craddock was behind the venture, people knew they were in good hands, due to his superb effort founding In The Dark Presents. That company is Australia's largest independent Gay and Lesbian event producers, best known in Adelaide for the Gay RnB and Hip Hop Party, Swagger. So does Mary’s Poppin live up to the hype surrounding it? Yaassss Honey! There’s no throwin’ shade here! Mary’s Poppin has been designed by the internationally renowned Michael Delany, the visionary genius behind Melbourne hangouts Honkytonks, Sorry Grandma and The Bottom End. Delany has not just embraced pop culture in his design, but forcefully thrusts it on its patrons so that they have no choice but to worship it. Once climbing the stairs above Apple Bar, patrons are greeted to a huge photo collage of Ru Paul, Kim K, Kylie, Caitlin Jenner and other celebrities and each gender neutral toilet cubicle has been named after a pop star and has a disco ball inside. There is also a giant chandelier to light up the dedicated selfie corner, lots of pink flamingos, dancing poles and a white grand piano with DJ decks inside. The club is unashamedly camp in not only its design, but its music with hits from Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys and Madonna getting everyone pulling out their best dance moves on opening night. The menu has a great selection of wines, beers, champagne, spritzes and brilliantly named cocktails, like Glamazon, Don Dunstan, Fire Island and Schlong Island Iced Tea. The venue will double as a performance space with burlesque and drag to feature strongly. Tonight’s dancer Rhys Bobridge and drag queen Dallas Dellaforce thrilled the packed crowd. Mary’s Poppin is just what Adelaide and particularly the East End needed. It works as a casual cocktail lounge bar at the start of a night out as well as the place to dance the night away to 90’s pop classics in the early hours. The essential bar for your next night out. Bobby Goudie Mary’s Poppin is open Thu, Fri and Sat from 8pm to late. Free entry. For more information click HERE Image courtesy Eric W Brumfield