As Mardi Gras season unfolds a little differently across Australia this year, W Brisbane is leaning into celebration with purpose, rolling out a series of initiatives centred on visibility, inclusion and genuine community connection.
Throughout February, the hotel is marking the season with programming designed to weave LGBTQIA+ representation into its ongoing cultural calendar, creating space for community voices, stories and talent to be seen and heard, not just for one weekend, but as part of the venue’s year-round rhythm.
At the heart of it all is SALTY Saturdays, a month-long campaign at W Brisbane’s WET Deck. With an open call-out to local LGBTQIA+ DJs and music artists, the initiative is about more than filling a lineup. It is a platform for emerging and established talent from the community to take over poolside each Saturday, turning the WET Deck into a bold, inclusive space for self-expression and connection.
The programming begins with a Pre-Mardi Gras Beach Club Soiree on 21 February, opening the iconic hotel pool to the public for one day only. The event will set the tone with Brisbane-based DJ David Subritzky, alongside DJ Emma Salmon, plus drag performer Freya Armani, bringing a celebration that’s described as bold, joyful and unapologetically inclusive.
Tickets are designed to keep the day accessible, while still offering a few ways to dial up the indulgence. General Admission ($25) includes entry, access to the WET Deck Bar, a signature margarita on arrival, and entertainment. For those opting for VIP ($75), the offer expands to include access to the heated WET Pool and lounges, plus two hours of canapés served poolside. Bookings are available online via the hotel’s link.
On the menu, the campaign continues with a playful twist on a classic: a limited-edition SALTY Margarita menu, spotlighting a range of distinctive salts crafted to lift bold flavours. Think pepper berry, toasted coconut and hojicha salt, each designed to shift the familiar margarita into something a little more surprising, and a little more expressive.
Leading the rainbow cocktail line-up is Paraíso Azul, a colourful, creamy creation inspired by the tropical richness of a pina colada, layered with lychee and passionfruit. For something with bite, Fuego Verde brings a bold, savoury take, featuring house-made pickle and fresh jalapeño juice. And for a bright, warming balance, Brisa Amarilla pairs pineapple’s natural fruitiness with a hint of ginger spice. The full limited offering includes six cocktails and seven custom salts, available from 21 February through to the end of April at WET Deck.
Anchoring the campaign are local stories that place community at the centre, rather than on the sidelines. Brisbane business owners Simon Reader-Alexander and Christian Alexander will be the faces of the campaign. They were also the first same-sex couple to celebrate their wedding at WET Deck six years ago, a personal milestone that has become part of the hotel’s ongoing story.
“W Brisbane has always felt like a place where all are welcome and where we could show up as ourselves,” Simon and Christian said. “Celebrating our wedding at WET Deck six years ago was incredibly special for us, and seeing the space continue to actively uplift the LGBTQIA+ community means a lot. It’s not just about one weekend or one event, it’s about creating environments where people feel welcome, visible and celebrated year-round.”
Their involvement also connects to a new hotel initiative, Love Letters, encouraging guests to write a love note to someone they want to share the love with, or someone who deserves to know they are loved. The letters will form a community-driven art installation in the hotel’s Welcome area, before being posted out to recipients by the W team in March.
W Brisbane – SALTY Beach Club Soiree Details:
- Date and time: Saturday 21st February, 6PM – 10PM
- Location: WET Deck at W Brisbane – 81 North Quay Brisbane 4000
- Price: General Admission tickets ($25) include access to WET Deck Bar, a signature margarita on arrival and entertainment. VIP tickets ($75) will also get access to the heated WET Pool and lounges, and two hours of canapes served poolside.
- Bookings: here
