Mars Bar

Until my first visit to the Mars Bar, I had never been to a nightclub. Ever. What an interesting and slightly overwhelming introduction to the world of clubbing!
As most people in Adelaide know, the Mars is the city’s ‘gay bar’, although everyone is welcome here. If you want to go out for a night of fun and frivolity with a little bit of wacky mixed in, this is your place.
Everyone is friends here. Strangers will not only dance with you but will compliment you on your outfit or your hair! There is no judgement here, and boys in skirts or girls in flannel shirts are completely acceptable (and pretty common)! I am normally quite a self conscious person, but quickly realised that this is a place that those disapproving stares just don’t exist :)
When I visited the Mars the entry fee was only $ 10 which at first I was annoyed at but then realised it was actually great value (apparently other clubs often charge more than this just to get in — who knew!). There were shows on at 11pm and 2am, the first of which was dancers in fluro gym gear, and the second was a Christmas drag style show which was both entertaining and hilarious.
There were some great drinks specials on the night too, which is always good.
If you get overwhelmed (which I did!) there’s a really nice beer garden upstairs where you can take a breath and regather yourself before heading back down to the party.
I can’t wait to get back to Mars and this time I might even make it onto the dance floor!

Found out upon arrival the admittance fee had increased from $ 10 to $ 15
Rarely heard any classic tracks — was mostly Top 40 rubbish on the dance floor.
Brought a straight friend and was appalled when he was slapped across the face by a complete stranger just for talking to someone (he nearly pulverized this person), then later he was felt up on his crotch by someone who KNEW he was straight…
And finally, he was hassled by a member of security while he was at the urinal and peeing — for no good reason he could discern.
Needless to say, even though he was loving the place to begin with, he doesn’t want to go back now.
Way to go…
As much as I loved the service and all though, I think I’ll be finding some nice pubs or alternative venues…

Oh I love the mars. Full of flamboyant boys looking fabulous, complementing you on your dress and clothes like your boyfriend should have, and dancing up a storm to Gaga and Madonna. Of course both gay men and women go here, but it’s my gay boys aways bringing me here for a fun night out with them.
Here the boys go to mars to get more bras, as the drag shows draw the crowds and make the experience extremely entertaining. These boys would definitely give Priscilla a run for her money. I would recommend not admitting you’re new to the venue though because they will try get you on stage to show you off to the crowd, which can be embarrassing.
There’s plenty of drink, dancing and darlings here. Girls on their first adventure, be prepared to have the boys in the toilet with you. Gender is nothing here!
I always have a ball here, but obviously if you aren’t comfortable with gays then this place is not for you.

Homosexuals! You’ve likely heard of the place already. This club is sort of like gay headquarters. It is the only exclusive gay club left in Adelaide. When I say ‘exclusive’, I mean it’s for gays every night (The Garage Bar is gay on Sundays only, for instance). I don’t mean you have to be gay to enter. There are no gaydars. They don’t exist.
There are two dance rooms, the main floor and the kitchen bar. The main floor plays mainstream, modern, commercial music, with the occasional dance classic and popular song remixed for dancing. The kitchen bar has a great offering for those seeking a more hardcore club dancing experience, with the latest dubstep tracks and more.
When you’re sick of rubbing up against scantily-​clad fellows and ladies, there’s a wonderful beer garden upstairs where you can catch a breath of fresh air (or the smoker’s smog).
For a ten dollar entry free, you get a drag show, with drag queens, male dancers and elaborate costumes, which is more than most clubs can say. With some clubs charging up to fifteen dollars to get in, that’s sounds like a pretty good deal.
And, as hinted in the opening paragraph, the Mars Bar isn’t only for gays. If you’re looking to be entertained by the gimmick of a gay bar, you shan’t be disappointed.

Mars Bar is where I always seem to end up when I’ve had a few too many wines at dinner time and I’ve slipped from respectable dinner into slightly less respectable party mode.
If you’ve seen the film ‘Priscilla Queen of the Desert’ and you enjoyed it then you will love the drag show that occurs in between dirty dancing, sweet talking and bouts of making out anywhere and everywhere. The hostess has a wicked sense of humour and is really quite good at making jokes at another persons expense.
It was funny the last time I was there because I was with my partner at the time and I was told that by an overtly gay patron that it was very cute to see a straight couple having a good time! I’m still not really sure what they meant by that.
All I know is that its fun to dance in a place where you can be as crazy as you want because Lady Gaga is the norm.

The Mars Bar has been infamous for being Adelaide’s exclusive ‘gay friendly’ nightclub, but appears to becoming more popular with the straight community over the years.
Sexual preferences aside, you wont find a more safer environment to completely be yourself, go spastic on the dance floor, or hang out in the upstairs courtyard and chat. Even on packed nights, I’ve found the bar service to be ultra fast.
The drag show is great for a laugh also.