“Normal” is a social construct; it’s more boring than a vacation timeshare sales meeting. At least with the timeshare meeting, you scored a free vacation, right?
Right under your nose is a community of fierce, creative, and intelligent individuals living their fullest lives and dying to entertain you.
Come on, we are in New York City: land of art, drag, passion, and overpriced drinks.
So, throw on your going out shirt Carole, cause it’s time to let your freak flag fly. Give me your tired, your poor, your straight, and your queer, here are 8 Places where you can throw money at beautiful drag queens.
ON TOP!: Le Bain (848 Washington St, Manhattan)
Since moving to NYC, I have enjoyed ON TOP at Le Bain. Let me give you the break down:
Rooftop club with a DJ
Plunge Pool in the middle of the dance floor (yeah a pool in the middle of the dance floor!)
Wall to wall Drag Queens, Drag Artists, with performances and looks to make your eyes pop out of your head, come back inside your head, and pop out again
ON TOP! is an event created and curated by The Avant-Garde Legend Susanne Bartsch. Every Tuesday at Le Bain, creativity, individuality, self-expression, and the celebration of beauty in all forms is set to house music and fueled by designer cocktails. Think a more avant-garde studio 54 with a pool.
There’s no cover, but entry is by the discretion of the bouncer. If you want to experience the wonderland that is ON TOP! My advice to you is this: show in your most avant-garde looks, look like you belong, and be the wonderful and creative person that you know you are.
drewkingphotography @ageofaquaria @joeexclamation 6/19/18 Susanne Bartsch wants you On Top at Le Bain in the Standard Hotel #aboutlastnight #ontopnyc #ontop #nightlifecouture #rupaulsdragrace #aquaria #lebain #bartschlandontop #drewkingphotography #clubkids #nightclub #Dragqueen #pride🌈 #club #pridenyc #electronicmusic #queer #dragqueensofinstagram #aboutlastnight #ageofaquaria #nightlife #nyc #teamaquaria #performance #performer #artist #costume #instagay #queer #dragrace #pridenyc
Rock Bar (185 Christopher St, Manhattan)
New York's preeminent Bear Bar Rock Bar is the known for it's various Bear focused events, strong drinks, and vibe of acceptance while having a good time.
Make sure to catch Cocktail's and Contour's Bella Noche on Tuesday's for GAME ON Trivia for your chance to win a cash prize.
3 Dollar Bill (260 Meserole St, Brooklyn)
As if by sheer fate, at ON TOP! I was made aware of the newest Queer bar on the scene. The Sister bar to the legendary Phoenix bar, 3 Dollar Bill is sure to become the next spot everyone is elbowing their way into.
They host events and performances throughout the week. Cover and ticket policies change day to day check the website for event and ticketing details.
Remember that if you get in for free (there's usually is no cover before 10, but check before you head out), you should use that money to support your local queens!
3dollarbillbk #Repost @drewkingphotography ・・・ @saintthesinner @jaxisgold @blakedeadlynyc @chartruice 🎉: Pop, Lock N Drag It 07/25/18 🛎️: @3dollarbillbk #brooklyn #brooklyndrag #nightlife #fashion #Nightlife #NYC #clubkids #discodaddy #drewkingphotography #queer #lgbtq #makeup #clublife #dragqueensofinstagram #dragqueen #clubnight #clubkid #fashionblogger #fashiongram #gay #instagay
Barracuda Lounge (275 W 22nd St, Manhattan)
A home bar to many a local queen and some famous RuPaul’s Drag Race Alumns. This is my go-to drag bar due to its dependability: constant👏 drag👏excellence👏.
barracudanyc @bobthedragqueen MONDAYS AT MIDNIGHT Don't miss it ! 💃😈🔥💥👯 @djnatazu @ro.studio @diegovalleny @yournewstepmom #bobthedragqueen #dragqueen #nyc #bar #boys #men #ladyboys #showtime
Barracuda is well know for many reasons but its weekly Star Search event is what has queers, queens, and curious people clamoring. Tina Burner hosts Star Search every Thursday. It's a drag where, in classic drag tradition, queens dance, dip, and lipsync to the death for cash prizes.
Come out on Thursdays to end the cycle of violence and shower your local queens with love and singles.
This bar is always a fun time and truly not a bar you can go wrong with.
Albatross (3619 24th Ave, Queens)
Open seven days a week the Albatross is Astoria's queer gem.
There's karaoke Monday and Friday's, Drag Bingo hosted by Miss Gilda Wabbit on Tuesdays, and a drag double feature on Saturdays. Don't miss their two for one drink special.
petticakenyc 🌈IM A HOMO 🌈 Thanks @albatrossastoria and @iconastoria for letting me play with you guys 😍 Thanks @nicoleonoscopi for the photo 😘
Lips (227 East 56th St, Manhattan)
Some find brunch to be tedious and so commonplace.
Lips' serves a heightened brunch experience by combining drag and New York’s favorite meal.
Lips' delivers food, friends, and fierce queens: 3 of the 4 essential F’s people need in their lives.
lipsnyc Your celebration at LIPS is the most fun you can have! Call NOW to reserve your wild night out!! 212.675.7710 #lipsnyc #bachelorette #drag #dragshow #dragqueen #birthday #celebration
The ToolBox (1742 2nd Ave, Manhattan)
For some of you, you may have never gone to a drag show and you are probably a little anxious not knowing what to expect.
If you are anxious about seeing a drag show in all its entirety, my recommendation is to go to the Toolbox during the on season of RuPaul's Drag Race or Rupaul’s Drag Race All-Stars. They host viewing parties for those shows every week and it is a great experience to get you acclimated to the community.
Not everyone has gone to a drag show or even gone to a gay bar and that is totally fine. Toolbox viewing parties are a great way to dip your toe in. Give it a try and when you’re ready go back for a drag show.
Rise Bar Lounge (859 9th Ave, Manhattan)
Raise your hands if you spiritually connect with Garfield The Cat’s loathing of Mondays!
If that’s you then you need to come to Rise Bar Lounge and get messy! Every Monday the bar hosts Messy Mondays: a way to keep the weekend going strong. Just because you have to go to work on Monday morning doesn’t mean the party has to end on Monday night.
Let a bunch of drag queens Joan Crawford the Monday blues out of you.
New York is filled to the brim with Gay Bars and Drag Shows of all kinds. Take some time to explore your local drag and gay scene. Just remember to bring a lot of singles wherever you end up. #supportlocalqueens
