Sydney’s iconic Oxford Street, running through the center of Darlinghurst, is known for being the city’s main queer district and home to the annual Mardi Gras festival. But where does one go for LGBTQIA+ fun outside of Pride week? We ask resident drag queen Kiama Blowhole.
I’m two sips into my first G&T when drag queen Kiama Blowhole whips her boobs out. It’s not for attention—she doesn’t need that. Customers at Burdekin Hotel’s rooftop bar have had their eyes locked on Blowhole since she strutted through in her scarlet lacy dress 10 minutes ago. On the contrary, the self-proclaimed “big-boobed drag queen” is keen to get my opinion on her latest significant silicone investment.
“Go on, give them a good squeeze,” insists the 25-year-old, who named herself after the world’s largest blowhole and popular tourism spot on the New South Wales south coast. Blowhole, who regularly performs around Sydney, has just launched a new tour of her favorite LGBTQIA+ bars on the iconic Oxford Street ‘strip’. I’m performing this breast check on our first stop.
“What do you think?” she asks. “Impressively soft, like playdough,” I reply.
“Quality,” she nods proudly, fixing them back in place. “The rest of me is held together with superglue and nicotine,” she quips.
Blowhole describes herself as sassy, flirtatious, crude and outrageously over the top. “I’m not supposed to be for the kids, you know? You’re never gonna catch me at drag storytime,” she says. When she’s not performing at her own shows (Drag Brunch and Blowhole Bingo), you’ll catch her on the strip checking out new events or supporting friends at their own shows.
So, what makes a good LGBTQIA+ bar according to Blowhole? “Not one that calls itself an inclusive venue, but doesn’t host any sort of queer event,” Blowhole says as she gets stuck into rainbow washing (think greenwashing profiteering but for queerness). “And not one that bans open-toe shoes. That is just fucking ridiculous”.
What makes our community strong is being diverse and being open to all.
- Kiama Blowhole
She favors smaller operators or independent venues that put safety at number one with quick-acting, experienced security. “It’s not inclusive unless it’s offering protection,” Blowhole says. “A good cocktail is a top priority too.” Burdekin’s rooftop specializes in a raft of cocktail concoctions that include the ‘Slutty Mermaid’ (made with vodka, Malibu, blue curacao) and ‘Back Ally’ featuring Aquafaba, which Google tells me is a vegan egg white substitute using, surprisingly, the water from a drained can of chickpeas.
From ‘Burdie’s’, the bar crawl stretches roughly 600 meters to Taylor Square where Sydney Mardi Gras was born. On June 24 1978, around 500 people—now famed as the 78-ers—gathered in the square before marching along Oxford Street to call for an end to discrimination, police brutality and all anti-homosexual laws (back then sexual contact between men was a crime punishable by up to 14 years in prison).
Today, half a million gather every year to celebrate the largest Pride festival in Oceania. Over one hundred events across 17 days culminate in Sydney’s world-famous Mardi Gras Parade—a dazzling show of pride that has captured the hearts and minds of all.
2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in NSW. The Government recently announced it will issue a formal apology to “those who suffered”. However, Blowhole says the apology needs to be backed up with actions. As Equality Australia points out, there is a legacy of unjust criminal laws and ongoing discrimination faced by LGBTQIA+ people.
Despite the 2023 NSW Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTIQ hate crimes recommending “mandatory and ongoing training for NSW Police officers”, Blowhole says police are still dismissing gay beatings and she was laughed at when attempting to report a death threat: “I invite Premier Minns to come on one of my bar tours and listen to the community.”
The bar tour enables people of all orientations to embrace the queer community in a way they haven’t been able to before, Blowhole explains. “I also feel some straight people want to explore different things without judgment.”
I can testify to that. At Stonewall, where three levels of partying are in full Saturday night swing, I experience the unbridled joy of cage-dancing. That’s something I can now tick off my things-to-do-before-I-kick-the-bucket list.
The ascending queen got her break three years ago when she jumped in to help established entertainer James ‘Breko’ Brechney with his trivia show after another drag act called in sick. “I was a performative kid growing up. I went into drama classes. I love making people laugh. It’s a kicker for me,” says Blowhole. “I thought, ‘I could do this for life’”.
Playing a game of pool with Blowhole at Kinsella’s is highly challenging for two reasons. One: Her boobs are covering the pocket I’m aiming for. Two: People constantly seek her attention. Reverence for Blowhole accompanies us throughout the evening. “Some people think that I’ve been on RuPaul’s Drag Race,” she says. She hasn’t; but it explains why I feel like I’m following around a celebrity.
Sydney’s new queer history and culture museum, QTOPIA, sits poignantly at the end of the strip in the redundant cop station notorious for beatings and abuse. “Police officers from that precinct would patrol the streets and arrest any person that looked gay,” [Kiama Blowhole] says.
“A lot of straight girls love me, which is very typical for drag queens. But a lot of fluidity around sexuality has come about. What makes our community strong is being diverse and being open to all,” she explains.
Blowhole recalls a mum and teen son she hosted: “He was socially introverted and just wanted to have gay friends. It was mum’s idea, which I thought was sweet. I really enjoyed helping to build that bridge.”
From events such as ‘Drag Against Humanity’ (billed as a game for horrible people) at The Oxford Hotel, to Poof Doof at The ARQ, a buzz is guaranteed seven nights a week on the strip. As we seamlessly move between bars and I’m chaperoned past queues through to the best spaces, I’m welcomed with huge smiles from security who seem attuned to my desire to learn how to be a better LGBTQIA+ ally (while still having a blast). Blowhole is masterful at balancing both.
Sydney’s new queer history and culture museum, QTOPIA, sits poignantly at the end of the strip in the redundant cop station notorious for beatings and abuse. “Police officers from that precinct would patrol the streets and arrest any person that looked gay,” she says.
Blowhole explains the museum is a bittersweet project, documenting the “horrific” history while celebrating the resilience of the LBTQIA+ community. “It showcases the activism that has brought the change and the freedoms we have today.”
I dance and sing the rest of the night away with a euphoric crowd at Universal and stick around for the midnight drag show to marvel at the gravity defying talent of Eli Crawford—a musclebound, leather-corseted, lip-syncing burlesque dancer, who can gracefully ‘jump-split’ his 120-kilo body weight in thigh-high patent stiletto boots.
Blowhole is a divine host who cheers, warms, inspires and breaks through sobering moments with a wacky demeanor, reminiscent at times of the legendary late Kenny Everette’s ‘Cupid Stunt’ antics.
The chats, however, are up to you. My tip is, if deeper conversation is gifted, dive in. Blowhole’s slapstick flamboyance wraps a great deal of insight and understanding. And there is a huge heart behind those big boobs.
Oxford Street Bar Guide
Burdekin Hotel— Lively refurbished 1840s venue with multiple retro-chic bars, cheeky cocktails, rooftop city views and one of Blowhole’s favorite drag shows, Mynx Moscato.
Stonewall Hotel — Happening bar over three levels with DJs, cage dancing and the best Karaoke on the strip (Tuesdays) according to Blowhole.
The Oxford Hotel — Three bars, a bistro, live bands and DJs, over four distinct spaces including a large terrace, a New York style cocktail bar and Naughty Numbers Bingo with Marylyn Mootrub
Kinsellas Hotel — Historical funeral parlour turned high-ceiling Art Deco retro club and pub with $1 pool all day every day.
The Riley Hotel — Popular, down-to-earth venue offering pub grub classics with contemporary twists, weekday specials, live music and DJs at the weekends.
Arq — Home of the legendary Poof Doof every Saturday boasting the fiercest drag gogo dancers on the strip.
Universal — Long-running, double-decker, family run venue with DJs, dancing, laser lights and risque shows.
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You can book an Oxford Street bar tour with Kiama Blowhole here.
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Tracey Croke is an award-winning travel journalist addicted to roughty-toughty off-track adventure and gallivanting on her mountain bike. She is a highly-qualified expert in following whims and getting lost.
