A neighborhood queer bar and creative space, The Bearded Tit greets visitors with a sign reading ‘Free love, not free beer’ and a glass box filled with knitted penises, setting the tone for the free-range good times ahead. Cocktail highlights include the Cherry Bomb and Hail Mary, and there’s a rotating roster of performances and exhibitions. 183 Regent Street, Redfern

Locally-plucked ingredients are kissed by fire and brought to life with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flair at this cavernous Surry Hills diner. Don’t miss the house charcuterie, their puffed-up woodfired flatbread, and anything from their award-winning wine list. Then it’s just a hop, skip and a jump to all the Sydney WorldPride Week fun on Oxford Street or the Mardi Gras Laneway at the Beresford Hotel. 16 Foster St, Surry Hills

This Sydney Italian institution has been getting the small stuff right since opening on a leafy street in Potts Point in 2001. You can’t miss the house special of spaghettini tangled with scampi in a rich, buttery bisque – and anything Italian by the glass. Time to dance off your carb coma at Kings Cross’s legendary The Glittering Mile.12-16 Challis Avenue, Potts Point

A lowkey, late night Oxford Street haunt from a team of Sydney bar bigwigs is bound to bring the good times, and Big Poppa’s delivers this in spades. Italian small plates and excellent cocktails are the lay of the land here, perfect for refuelling between all the Mardi Gras fun outside. 96 Oxford Street Darlinghurst

This Darlo icon is the perfect vantage point for soaking up all the Sydney WorldPride sparkle. Sink into one of their comfy chairs, grab a signature cocktail (the vodka, passionfruit and prosecco-spiked Pornstar Martini is a winner) and pick at a souvlaki bowl while plotting your evening hijinx. 234 Palmer St, Darlinghurst

Some of the city’s best Thai food is served out of this Thaitown favourite, with a menu that traverses the tamarind-soaked big city stars to the fiery, piquant plates of the Issan. It’s well placed for the stellar lineup of Sydney WorldPride shows at the Seymour Centre and only a quick tram ride away from the city events.

Harbour views? Tick. Small bar-style attention to detail? Double tick. Verdant garden oasis housing top-notch food and drinks? Step right this way. Few venues boast the good looks and backing credentials of The Butler in Potts Point, so make like the masses, drop in for a bite and a bevvy and keep the good time rolling after in Kings Cross. 123 Victoria St, Potts Point

You could do worse than hit up one of the city’s rowdiest margarita bars during Sydney WorldPride – even better when it’s literally surrounded by all the festival glitz and glamour. Whether you like yours spicy, frozen, classic or watermelon-soaked – this shrine to tequila and Tex-Mex snacks has you covered. 4/14 Foster St, Surry Hills

Rye and rum cocktails will ease you into a night of Parisian street food at this downtown bar. Kittyhawk, as the name suggests, is inspired by the soldiers and machines of World War Two – more specifically – liberation day in Paris, so don’t be surprised to see drinks sporting names like The Polynesian Pearl Diver here. 16 Phillip Lane, Sydney

Every suburb needs a neighbourhood bar and diner like this one, with staff who know you by name and how you like your negroni poured. Don’t leave Bart’s without trying their hasselback potatoes or any pasta special – you can’t go wrong here. Drinks lean towards the biodynamic side, with a focus on small Aussie producers. 92 Pitt St, Redfern

Sydney’s sparkling harbour sets a formidable backdrop for sundowners, but the small plates rival the big views at this city stalwart. Overseen by Matt Moran, the menu features crowd-pleasing snacks like prawn rolls and crudo, plus pizza and more substantial fare. Afterwards, head upstairs to Blak & Deadly: The First Nations Gala Concert. Macquarie St, Sydney

Offering Sydneysiders a taste of America’s South, Surly’s is the perfect primer for any night of festivities. Once you’ve filled up on comfort food plates like Texan barbecue, burgers or fried chicken, wash it down with a cold one, reapply your lippy and make for the Sydney WorldPride action outside. 182 Campbell St, Surry Hills

A plush Greek restaurant by one of the godfathers of the cuisine in Sydney, Alpha is for lovers of saganaki, souvlaki and seriously good wine. The bright, curvy dining room sets the scene for traditional Greek plates that have been turned on their heads: think halloumi saganaki and a moussaka of seared scallops, tarama and eggplant. 238 Castlereagh St, Sydney

If belting out your favourite Kylie tunes while throwing down Japanese beer, sake and share plates sounds like a good idea, you’ll love this late-night bar where custom-built karaoke rooms, arcade games and DJs all live in joyful unison. 84-86 Mary Street, Surry Hills This article was made possible by American Express