A roof with a view

As anyone with a well-placed balcony will tell you, the best view of the Mardi Gras parade is off the street.

It’s even better if the parade view comes with toilets, a pub-priced bar and plenty of like-minded souls.

That’s what Randa Magdi is offering Sydney’s women on Mardi Gras night, when she opens up the rooftop of the Palace Hotel.

This will be a chance for the girls to party together, Magdi says.

We’ll be able to be there, right on the parade route, hear the noise and experience the parade.

Magdi believes there are a lot of lesbian Sydneysiders who don’t watch the parade any more because of the crowds and time commitment, not to mention the break in proceedings between the end of the parade and the start of the party. Having a venue at the end of the route will ease the transition between street and dancefloor, she says.

The Palace rooftop viewing is an extension of a new night at the Flinders Street institution, a weekly Saturday event for women and their guests starting this week called Private Party, that Magdi is hosting with former Bumpher Bar promoter Cass Daniels.

On parade night, Private Party will open at 5pm for pre-parade drinks and music from DJ Charlie Villas.

It will also be a safe space near the Mardi Gras party for women to fill the hours between the parade and the party.

The Mardi Gras viewing party tickets can be bought for $30/ $20 concession at this Saturday’s launch of Private Party. Any left will be available at the door on the night, but a limited number of rooftop tickets are available.

Private Party will kick on until 1am on parade night. Entry after the parade finishes costs $10. This Saturday’s launch party is $10 on the door; following Saturdays will be $5.