Big Gay Piano Bar celebrates a year of joy and sing-alongs at the place where it all began.
On August 1, 2025, John Milligan presented the first Big Gay Piano Bar at Ginger’s bar at the Oxford Hotel.
Since then, there have been 31 ticketed events and more than 2,550 tickets sold across the Piano Bar nights, community showcases and cabaret events.
“I wanted to create a night that felt welcoming, joyful and genuinely communal,” Milligan said.
“Piano bars work because the audience helps create the show. People request the songs they love, sing together and become part of the performance rather than simply sitting and watching.”
The first birthday to be held next Friday on July 31 culminates a year of events, featuring more than 20 regular nights, and a range of special events.
“To have sold more than 2,500 tickets and reached more than 30 ticketed events in our first year is something I’m incredibly proud of,” Milligan said.
“It has grown much more quickly than I expected, but the most rewarding part has been seeing people return, bring friends and feel that they are part of the night.”
Milligan told Gay Sydney Daily that joy and intention were the reason people kept coming back to Ginger’s.
“At many bars, live entertainment can feel like something happening in the background. Even on Oxford Street, having a drag performer on stage does not necessarily mean everyone in the venue is actively engaged,” he said.
“Big Gay Piano Bar is different because the entertainment is the shared experience. People come specifically to participate: to make requests, sing along, enjoy the performances and spend time with good company over food and drinks. There is a real sense of intention in the room — everyone has chosen to come out, join in and have a good time together.”
Katrina Fox, a self-described sing-along fanatic, agreed, which is why she’s been to over 20 events.
“It’s a hugely fun, joyful experience in a warm, friendly environment, where strangers become friends through singing together.”
It’s hard to pick one standout moment, said Milligan, who said that for him it was all about when the audience sang the loudest.
But the community events held a special place for him because it was a chance to hear new people.
“Performing at Fair Day, producing cabarets with amazing musical theatre and drag acts, and especially the community showcase events, which give space for emerging, amateur and professional singers alike to share their voice with warm and supportive audiences, have been the highlights!”
For a long time, the show used to start with “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” by Celine Dion, which was Milligan’s favourite to play.
But over time it’s changed to a song from Cabaret, “Maybe This Time.”
“The lyrics are full of potential, and musically it’s so rousing. It sounds grand, but can also be cheeky. I sometimes liken the lyric ‘Maybe this time I’ll be lucky, maybe this time he’ll stay’ as a mantra for opening Grindr or walking into a sauna!”
Other than the first birthday, which will be held on July 31, there are plenty of events in the works for Milligan.
The show recently expanded to Canberra at the newly opened ChiChiz Bar, and it will return there in August and September.
Brisbane and Melbourne are next, with plans also underway for Big Gay Cabaret events like the ones held at The Beresford during Mardi Gras and Pride Month.
Tickets are on sale now for next Friday’s event at Ginger’s, with doors opening at 6:30 before singing kicks off at 7:30.
“We will be celebrating everything we have achieved during the first year, while looking ahead to more Sydney events, more community showcases and the continued expansion of Big Gay Piano Bar.”
