Universal Bar

What’s On

WHAT’s on

The Divas

**Carmen Geddit**
Slay 4 Pay, Fireball Fridays
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**Keira Billie**
*Glamour Feud, Sanctuary*

**Champagne**
Slay 2 Stay Champion 2021
*Glamour Feud, UNIQUE, Mirage*

**Les Beau Fierce**
*Sunday Shenanigans*

**Jacqui St Hyde**
*Hospo Monday, Bone-Hers*

**Vybe**
*Drag Race Viewing Party, Fireball Fridays*

Make a booking

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Terms

All bookings are dinner reservations, it is expected that all guests who make reservations are intending to dine with us. Universal is a licensed venue and only allows patrons 18+ on premises. Guests may be asked to produce a second form of ID to verify proof of age. We do have space for walk-in guests who do not intend to dine. Please note that we do not accept bookings for Hens or Bucks parties.

I understand and intend to dine. I confirm that myself and all my guests are 18+ and that my booking is not for a Hens or Bucks party.

Priscilla’s Corner

Priscilla’s Corner - powered by House of Priscilla - is your new go -to for those late night drag essentials! Empty Spirit Gum?Broken heel strap? - Priscilla’s got you Diva!

And as we head into the chillier season, you can now cloak your items at Priscilla’s Corner for $5 an item. See our friendly team for more information.

houseofpriscilla.com.au

Our History

Universals humble beginnings span back to the 1970’s when Oxford Street was quickly becoming a social-center for LGBTQI+ people. A small discotheque sat on the site named Club 85 hailed as “ ... the most glamorous new nightclub on the strip’, ‘packed to the rafters with Oxford Street’s new men from the day it opened’. Tragically Club 85 fell victim to one of the many homophobic arson attacks hitting gay venues at this time. With the interior completely destroyed it wasn’t until 1981 that a new venue appeared on this site with the now iconic name – The Midnight Shift. The Midnight shift was a hub for queer people to meet, dance and party!

The Australian drag scene at the time was very underground, as the Australian landscape was still hostile to Queer people. But nothing could stop the communities strength and determination following the first Mardi Gras protest in 1978 which would quickly become that vehicle for the queer Sydney we know today. Through the 1990’s The Midnight Shift saw a boom as Drag became more accepted thanks to films such as Priscilla Queen of the Dessert showing that campy and larger than life drag the world has come to know Australia for.

Changing ownership a few times The Midnight Shift, at the time simply The Shift, closed its doors in 2017 impacted by the Sydney Lockout Laws and an array of other factors. In 2018 it was announced that Universal Hotels would be purchasing the venue with the vision to create a space that everyone could feel home in, regardless of your race, sexuality or gender identity. With this vision in mind Universal Sydney was born. Since opening our doors our pink and gold tiled wall and neon wings have been synonymous with the Sydney Queer Scene boasting a state of the art Superclub on the upstairs level and a fabulous Drag Bar on the ground level.

Mural

The photo mural in the Universal Bar is a love letter to our community and it’s history. Installed in 2015, spanning five decades, with 800 images of performers, patrons, artists, DJ’s and staff - curated by Mazz Image, Mark Dickson, Markham Lane, Ash Penin, and the Australian Lesbian and Gay Archive.