The Adelaide venue Marys Poppin is marking a decade of operation, a milestone that traces back to its 2016 opening and the vision of owner Stephen Craddock. Craddock set out to build what he called an ideal queer venue — a space where people could immediately sense belonging and safety. Over ten years the Synagogue Place nightclub has evolved into more than just a bar: it has become a place of celebration, a performance incubator and a social anchor for the city’s LGBTIQA+ community. This anniversary evening on May 2 will bring together artists and patrons to honour those beginnings and the many memories created there.
From an idea to a living community
When Craddock opened Marys Poppin he imagined a warm, theatrical atmosphere where queer culture could be visible and thriving. The venue’s growth has been driven by the patrons and performers who treated it as their own, turning the space into a hub for friendship, rites of passage and loud, unapologetic joy. Staff and regulars often describe Marys as both a stage and a sanctuary: a place to try new material, form lasting relationships and unwind after a tough week. The club’s staying power is especially meaningful given the closures of other queer venues in Adelaide, including Mars Bar in 2017 and My Lover Cindi in 2026, underscoring why keeping nightlife spaces open matters to the broader community.
Performers, pioneers and the stage that shaped them
Marys has hosted an array of national and international drag talent, which has helped cement its reputation. The venue was once described by visiting star Trixie Mattel as “one of the most beautiful gay bars in the world,” a line that has echoed around its reputation. Other high-profile names to appear at Marys include Jinkx Monsoon, Alaska, Courtney Act and Erika Jayne, who performed alongside the club’s stable of 11 resident entertainers. For many artists, Marys offers more than a gig: it’s a developmental stage where risk-taking and community feedback accelerate artistic growth and deepen audience bonds.
Resident talent and local icons
Local performers have been central to Marys’ identity. Drag queen Kane Enable, who stood on the venue’s opening night, remains a familiar face and will co-host the main stage at the anniversary event alongside visiting “honorary Marys divas.” Management and front-of-house staff, including club manager Lily Jaksic, who has worked there for five years, credit the regulars and performers for making Marys a place where confidence is discovered and friendships are formed. The reciprocal energy between stage and crowd is often cited as a defining feature of the venue: audiences feed the shows, and the shows, in turn, lift the audience.
Ten years on: celebration and stewardship
The birthday program on May 2 is framed as a celebratory tally of a decade’s worth of nights, milestones and dances. Owner Stephen Craddock has dedicated the milestone to everyone who has passed through Marys’ doors, acknowledging that the venue’s longevity is a shared achievement. Staff emphasize that reaching a decade brings both pride and responsibility: keeping queer nightlife vibrant requires ongoing care, attention and community commitment. The anniversary is positioned as a love letter to the bar’s patrons and to Adelaide itself — a recognition that a thriving queer venue benefits the city’s cultural life.
Collecting memories: Mary’s Confessional
To capture the stories that made Marys meaningful, the team has launched “Mary’s Confessional”, a community-led project inviting patrons to submit favourite moments, untold stories and private confessions. Selected contributions will be released over the coming year to form a living archive that documents the venue’s impact — from tender firsts to chaotic nights and everything in between. This initiative aims to preserve oral history and emotional snapshots that otherwise might vanish, ensuring Marys’ role in Adelaide’s queer history is recorded for future generations to explore.
Looking ahead
As Marys celebrates ten years, the conversation turns to sustainability and legacy. The venue’s staff and supporters want to keep it relevant and welcoming while honoring the traditions built on its stage. Whether through performances, community projects like Mary’s Confessional, or the nightly rituals of laughter and dance, Marys Poppin continues to be a vital cultural space in Adelaide. Its decade-long presence reflects the value of dedicated queer spaces and the power of a community that chooses to make a place its own.