THE IMPERIAL UNVEILS A MAIN BAR REIMAGINING A DAZZLING MIX OF ENTERTAINMENT, DINING, AND... DOGS!

The Imperial Erskineville

An iconic LGBTQIA+ venue bursts back into the limelight, as The Imperial Erskineville reveals its revamped Main Bar. From new sumptuous, diverse dining options to vibrant, expansive entertainment, and now with an open invitation for four-legged friends – The Imperial is painting the Inner West in shades of fabulous.

The changes start on the entertainment line-up with a touch-up worthy of a drag queen pre-show. Jewel in the crown is the new Saturday night show, The Priscilla Experience. This brand new, high-octane production celebrates the iconic Australian film that first put The Imperial on the map. Featuring Lada Marks, Sia Tequila, and Aunty Tamara, The Priscilla Experience promises heart-thumping numbers, lavish costumes, and drag comedy that'll have you spilling your drink.

But the spotlights don’t dim there. Whether it's the tropical flair of Tropic Like It’s Hot every Friday or the brainy camp of drag trivia on Wednesdays, every night is a celebration. Mix in Red Hot Sundays, Drag Bingo, and the pulsating Late Night Disco, every evening at The Imperial will be like entering into a fabulous, queer, exotic, glamorous, immersive menagerie of self-expression.

And with three stages now spread across the Main Bar floor, it doesn’t matter where you are in the room, you’ll get a front row seat to the action.

The Imperial’s renowned Drag & Dine experience has also evolved. While the beloved banquet menus for groups of eight or more remain, the dining experience is no longer reserved for special occasions. Want a quiet burger on the side while sashaying to a live drag show? Now you can! It’s an elevated local dining experience, spiced up with the grandeur of live, riveting performances.

The menu has been curated by Head Chef Vaughan Chapman in collaboration with Universal Hotels Group Executive Chef Dean Sammut. The Main Bar kitchen will be serving up a range of signature dishes incorporating familiar pub classics with touches of Mediterranean inspiration and plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. Diners can expect flavourful plant based dishes like glazed eggplant, crispy brussell sprouts and roasted cauliflower alongside classic burger and pasta dishes, schnitzels. Daily $15 specials and a $6 daily Happy Hour from 4-6pm will have both wallets and taste buds rejoicing.

The Imperial Erskineville

Dog parents can rejoice; The Imperial Main Bar is also now dog-friendly so your four-legged family members can join in on the fun. The hairier, the merrier!

Local Drag Legend and The Imperial’s curator of Entertainment Etcetera Etcetera said, “We’ve created brand new shows to show off some of Sydney’s brightest drag talents - and put together shows with a uniquely Inner West Flavour. Drawing inspiration from the Impy’s colourful past, but with new costumes, new stages, new wigs - our drag shows are brighter and sparklier than ever!”

The changes to the Main Bar are just the latest in a slew of updates new owners Universal Hotels Group have been implementing at The Imperial. Most recently, Sydney’s cult Pizza Bros have taken over The Rooftop serving up their famous leopard crust pizzas daily.

Stay up to date with The Imperial:
Website: www.imperialerskineville.com.au
Instagram: www.instagram.com/imperialerskineville
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheImperialErskineville

* Matt Fraser matt@originalspin.com.au