Peter Shopovski of House of Mince and Icebergs’ Maurice Terzini are gearing up to open Mirage KX this week. Potts Point’s newest venue promises to deliver excitement back to the area with an offering that sits somewhere between restaurant, performance space, and nightclub.
“We wanted to bring back that sense of excitement and reinvention to the area. The location felt perfect for a new venture that merges dining and entertainment in a fresh way,” says Shopovski.
Shopovski and Terzini have worked together on several events at Icebergs and Jacksons on George, and when the former landmark strip club with a “notorious history” came up, Terzini saw their pairing as a natural fit.
“We didn’t exactly choose the Kings Cross location—it sort of landed in my lap,” says Terzini of the 36 Bayswater Road venue, which was a previously empty retail space awaiting development.
“Sydney has a lot of empty retail spaces waiting for development, and I’m a big fan of activating these spaces while DA approvals are in progress,” says Terzini.
“It’s a great model—lower investment, less risk, and it keeps areas lively rather than dormant. It’s also a great way for younger people to get into the industry without the huge overheads. Councils should be making this easier by supporting these kinds of temporary activations,” says Terzini.
Mirage KX is ushering in a new era for Shopovski, who established a name for himself running beloved queer party House of Mince from Sydney for over decade.
While the duo plan to offer the “decadent vibe” and similar music programming to House of Mince, Mirage KX won’t be replicating the Mince offering.
“I’ve always been a fan of House of Mince, even though I wasn’t a regular, I loved its cool, decadent vibe—probably the best music programming in Australia,” says Terzini. “We’ll carry some of that boldness and energy into Mirage KX, with a similar attention to music and atmosphere.”
“House of Mince has been all about creating unique, unpretentious fun, and we’ll definitely carry over that ethos to Mirage KX. While the two projects are distinct, you can expect the same commitment to creative energy and attention to detail that defines Mince,” says Shopovski.
Alongside a mix of “world-class DJs”, live shows, and curated music nights, Mirage KX will offer menus determined by seasonal guest chefs.
The first season will see Icebergs’s Matty Opai crafting the drinks and Lewin White handling the food.
“We’re bringing back hors d’oeuvre in a big way—think towers of two or four servings. The rest of the menu is classic and pairs well with drinks, while our drink list offers a more decadent take on 80s disco cocktails,” says Terzini.
Cocktails include the Belvedere Trolley and an “Up All Night” cocktail featuring Don Julio with cinnamon, vanilla, and a new Chell-oh by Opai and Alex Pichardo.
Industry veteran Ché Daniel will be responsible for coordinating all service, culture, and operations. “His experience will be crucial to making everything run smoothly,” says Terzini.
As for the name, Shopovski says Mirage captures the essence of what the pair are creating: “Something that evolves and transforms as the night goes on. It’s a place where the experience shifts from dinner to entertainment, almost like an illusion of different worlds unfolding within one space.”
The venue’s Venus Lounge will open from Wed-Sat 5pm-12am, and the Chelsea Room and Gold Rooms will open soon. It will also occasionally host Sunday brunch.
Image: Ché Daniel and Peter Shopovski.
Laura Box
