5 Must-See Miami Drag Brunches & Shows
Miami is a mecca for all types of colorful, artistic expression. The city is known for its delicious food, always flowing cocktails, and lively entertainment. Combine all that and you’ve got the recipe for the area’s most iconic outing: a drag show. Mostly taking place in the form of brunches, local drag shows blend burlesque skits, impressive choreography and gymnastics that could easily double as gold-medal-winning floor routines at the Olympics. The below-listed shows are in high demand, so most require reservations, sometimes weeks in advance. Also, keep in mind the price tag doesn’t include tips for your performers, so bring some dollar bills to show your appreciation!
Here’s the need-to-know details about each venue, with no particular order of fabulouness.
R House Wynwood’s Drag Brunch keeps people coming back. Get ready for an extraordinary afternoon hosted by internationally known Athena Dion filled with electrifying and interactive performances by Miami’s best drag queens. The brunch takes place on Saturday and Sunday with showings each day at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.The cost is $55 per person and includes a selection of bottomless drinks and a family-style set menu for all guests with a delicious mix of sweet and savory dishes like cayenne fried chicken and cinnamon sweet French toast. Reservations are highly recommended as the show is in high demand.
The Palace Bar has been an iconic staple in the South Beach scene for more than three decades. On any given weekend, tourists and Miami natives out for an afternoon stroll down Ocean Drive will notice the head-turning, costumed queens parading on the sidewalk as the animated brunch crowd cheers them on. The Palace Bar’s list of show-stopping talent includes queens like Nicky Monet, TP Lords, and Tiffany T. Fantasia. Named one of OpenTable’s “100 Best Brunch Restaurants in America,” Palace Bar’s drag brunch runs two shows at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday through Sunday. And for those who aren’t ready for the weekend to end, Palace offers a Monday drag brunch that starts at noon. The show costs $50 per person and reservations are recommended.
Twist was founded in 1993 and is among the longest-running gay bars in Miami. For 28 years, the club has been known as a LGBTQ friendly and vibrant venue that features seven different bars and three dancefloors, all with their own unique aesthetic and vibe to keep the energy going all night. With two stories to bar hop and explore, the only thing you won’t find at Twist is a cover charge. The bar and club boasts a lovely cast of dancing drag queens and shows multiple nights a week. Check out Twist’s website before for a calendar of upcoming shows featuring special guests and glamorous resident queens like Adora, Ebonee Excell, and Karla Croqueta. Wednesday nights get fresh with TP Lords and an out of this world drag performance. Reservations are not needed.
Sweet Liberty has an upbeat atmosphere combines classic Miami Beach with a creative spin. As they enter, guests are greeted with a pink neon sign that hanging on the wall that reads “Pursue Happiness.” This suits the vibe perfectly. Sweet Liberty’s drag show, “Fruit Cocktail,” runs on Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m. and is hosted by one of Miami’s favorite Cuban queens, Karla Croqueta. Admission is free and the à la carte brunch menu features always-popular picks like chicken & waffles ($17), avocado toast ($12) and bottomless rosé ($35). Reservations are required for a table.
Sins is home to Royal Drag brunch that lights up the quaint Miami Shores gastrobar every third Sunday of the month. The show starts at 1 p.m. and is hosted by Miami’s very own Poizon Ivy, with music by DJ Adora. Sit back and enjoy the lively performance and indulge in bottomless mimosas ($25) and a la carte brunch bites like the popular slow-cooked pulled pork Dirty Benedicts ($19). Reservations are suggested but walk-ins are welcome.
