A decade ago, a small upstairs space dedicated to championing queer performances across drag, art and self-expression opened it's doors for the first time.
Mary's Poppin has grown into one of the best nightclubs in Australia, with performers travelling from around the world for their chance to step onto the famed stage.
Australian drag artist Kane Enable was there from its inception and says no other venue quite compares to the magic that is Mary's.
"Mary’s was really built by the performers which was the main selling point, people were hungry for a queer space because there was really nothing like it at the time," they told AAP.
"People know Mary’s as a place you can come and see the best queer performances in Australia and as a venue it has really allowed people to grow and flourish as performers."
A testament to the club's standing has been its survival through the COVID-19 pandemic and other nightlife venues closing over the past few years.
"Something we always say is that we don't ever want to be complacent, we’re always pushing ourselves to do better and provide a better space," Kane said.
The venue's birthday will be marked on Saturday, with performers from all over Australia flying in for one huge night of drag and celebration.
The milestone belongs to every person who had walked through Mary's doors and made the venue what it is, owner and founder Stephen Craddock said.
"Ten years of Mary’s is incredibly emotional, because when I opened the venue, I wanted to create my own dream queer bar, somewhere people could walk into and instantly feel like they belonged," he said.
"What’s happened since then is bigger than I ever could have imagined: Mary’s has become part of people’s lives, their friendships, their wild nights, their milestones and their memories.
"To be here a decade later, still full of life and still full of love, means everything to me."
For club manager Lily Jaksic, Mary's is more than a nightclub.
It is a safe space, a dancefloor, a meeting place and a second home.
Ms Jaksic started as a bartender at Mary's just after she turned 18 and quickly realised it was so much more than a job.
"I went to an all girls private high school which wasn't the most accepting environment for a queer person (and) I didn’t know any queer people until I started at Mary's," she said.
"Transformative is the word to describe it ... having that community, I felt like I was becoming who I was meant to be.
"It’s clear that having a space where people can connect and have a good time with their community is really impactful to people's wellbeing."
While hospitality businesses typically see high staff turnover due to the relentless nature of the work, Mary's is different.
Many staff have been there for a number of years, with some working jobs in other industries full time during the week before taking on a weekend shift to keep their connection to the venue.
"The magic of Mary's is really special (and) being able to experience that magic is what keeps people sticking around," Ms Jaksic said.
