Hamburger Mary’s

Words and photos by Amiyah Golden

Fabulous, audacious and unapologetic, Jordyn Sinclair is a prominent figure in the drag and LGBTQIA+ community – locally and beyond – as an entertainer and an advocate . A Michigan girl with a Texas-sized heart and upbringing, Sinclair has  spearheaded the reopening of the beloved Hamburger Mary’s, which was closed in 2023 due to a fire. While the physical loss was devastating, it paled in comparison to the emotional toll it had on performers and patrons.

“The biggest loss for me would be the safe space that Jacksonville lost as a whole.” Sinclair said. “Mentally you know everyone that put their heart and soul in there had been pretty much beaten down. “

To lift spirits, much of the city came together to raise money for a new Hamburger Mary’s.

“They didn’t think twice about it. Fundraiser after fundraiser took place. Bingo was held and an auction was put together. There was even a GoFundMe that raised over $5,000. So, there was no shortage of love.” Sinclair added.

While sorting out plans to rebuild and reimagine Hamburger Mary’s, many local businesses stepped up to employ workers and hold space to keep Mary’s entertainers working.

Sinclair is a testament to the necessity of community as the drag community supported her throughout her own journey. “The drag community embraced me, and I embraced it as well. [You] see the benefits of having a community filled with diversity and love.”

With very few spaces in Jacksonville dedicated to uplifting queer voices and stories, Hamburger Mary’s anticipated reopening is a cardinal moment. Many of us don’t have to think twice when planning a night out; we go in with the ability to merge amongst the crowd without having to conceal our identity due to fear of retaliation or rejection. I have many queer friends who feel restricted to places that affirm their identity – and understandably so, as we still have much work to do as a society to solidify acceptance – so this rebirth is vital! 

Hamburger Mary’s 2.0 will be sure to keep some signature components such as the Mary Burger, the Purple Reign cocktail, male review shows, and of course Drag performances; but will also feature some new and exciting elements. 

A club-themed night is on the docket as an innocuous option for those who want to gather for a night of music and dance! 

Bingo will also be returning, as well as, a trivia night that will be added to the calendar.

Friday and Saturday nights will be exclusive to adults, with Sunday brunches being kid-friendly! 

“We want to be respectful of the kids and have a place to go to appreciate and understand drag,” Sinclair said.

Sinclair is making strides to curate a space for everyone to come and have fun! Accompanying the new location will be the launch of another business venture for Sinclair. Right next door, Sinclair plans to open a sister enterprise, Drag-On, that will provide beauty services for bachelorette parties and more!  

“I would just like to leave everyone with this… we understand that times seem a little tough at the moment, and we want everyone to know that whatever they’re feeling currently that they’re not alone! Mary’s will be a safe haven for anyone who wants to just come in and be themselves and not be judged and ridiculed or looked down upon. Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world because if we did, people would just let people live their own lives,” expressed Sinclair. “I waited until the age of 42 to transition simply because the world back then wasn’t what it is now. I transitioned because I realized at that point in my life it was either transition or more than likely die. It saved my life, so please stop and think about the words that you choose when you’re speaking to or about another person’s choices because at the end of the day, it’s not your story to tell!”

It is such a privilege to not have to be hyper-vigilant about where you go because of your identity or expression, but it is a grim reality that many face. Places like Hamburger Mary’s and other local establishments have held the torch to make sure there are spaces available for the queer community, allys, and those who want to immerse themselves into a place where everyone is welcomed!  

The new Hamburger Mary’s will be located in the Murray Hill area across the street from The Walrus, with a soft opening scheduled for December 16 and the grand opening slated for March 2025!