When life’s a drag, there’s one positive factor that may prevent from the tedium: watching a drag queen learn a room to shreds. Fortuitously, there are many drag exhibits in Houston the place the queens come able to throw the shadiest of shade, to lip-synch tougher than a former Disney baby star proper after their first stint in rehab, and to don wigs so bouffant and meticulously coiffed they’d put a Tammy Wynette hairpiece to disgrace.
We’re right here to spill the tea on one of the best drag exhibits in Houston. Whether or not you’re within the temper for an old-school present at Michael’s Outpost otherwise you’re itching for a full of life drag brunch at Boheme, we’re right here to verify your drag-watching plans are at all times probably the most fabulous. Learn on for our picks.
Tremendous Sunday Drag Present at JR’s Bar & Grill
Montrose
Houston LGBTQ+ bar staple JR’s not too long ago celebrated its fortieth anniversary, and its longevity is due in no small half to its welcoming environment and its place as a bedrock within the metropolis’s queer group. Though a lot has modified within the gayborhood by means of the years, the drag exhibits at JR’s are as full of life as ever. Among the finest methods to expertise JR’s is at its Tremendous Sunday Drag Present, each Sunday at 11 p.m. Should you come early, you’ll be capable to benefit from the bar’s Sunday Funday Karaoke, a riotously entertaining occasion that throws down each Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m.
Rebarlesque at ReBar
Midtown
Begin your Saturday evening out with the basic dinner and a present on the LGBTQ+ venue staple ReBar. The present, Rebarlesque, has a mixture of risqué choreographed burlesque performances, a full dinner menu, craft cocktails, and comedy—all below an excellent spiked disco ball. Doorways open at 8 p.m., with the present going from 8:30 to 10 p.m. Whereas there isn’t a cowl, patrons are inspired to safe a seat by making a reservation on OpenTable. Come early for the present, and keep late for the DJs on the fundamental stage.
Theme Queens at Buddy’s
Montrose
Everybody loves a superb theme! Each Sunday at 8 p.m., Buddy’s performs host to Theme Queens, a range present hosted by Muffy Vanderbilt III. The present has a unique theme—from Disney to superheroes—each week, that means the queens are at all times bringing one thing completely totally different to the stage. Theme Queens contains a everlasting solid of Phoebe Seymour, Chanell La’Sha, Malibu Von Schweetz, and Amber Vanderbilt.
Sing! at Hamburger Mary’s
Downtown
On Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., get able to sing your coronary heart out at this extremely interactive present, normally hosted by Dessi Love-Blake. The viewers is split in two, and both sides will get to sing alongside to their favourite tunes from the ’70s by means of early 2000s. There are half-price burgers in addition to specials on drinks and pictures. As an additional deal with, the winner each week will get to take dwelling a particular prize.
Shenanigans at Hamburger Mary’s
Downtown
At Shenanigans (pronounced with a tough “she”) you’re going to get loads of high-energy dance numbers and plenty of comedy from rotating cohosts Blackberri and Cyn Metropolis. The present, which takes place each Friday from 7 to 10 p.m., options a few of Hamburger Mary’s youngest solid members, so it normally consists of loads of present music, together with loads of illusions (celeb impersonations). All collectively, it’s chock-full of shenanigans.
Get together with the Divas at Hamburger Mary’s
Downtown
Should you’re a fan of conventional drag exhibits, look no additional than this occasion held at each Hamburger Mary’s throughout the nation—it’s the drag juggernaut’s hottest present. Hosted by Alexye’us Paris each Saturday at 4:30, 7, and 10 p.m., it runs the gamut from old-school drag to new-school drag and comedy.
The Broad’s Method, Chuckle Monitor, and EyeCons at Michael’s Outpost
Montrose
This bar could also be extra on the laid-back aspect of an evening out, however the drag leisure all through the week is nothing wanting spectacular. Assume Off Broadway–stage vocal expertise from native main girls, snazzy bartenders, and, after all, present tunes from each period. Seize a nightcap on a Monday and watch the Broad’s Method, hosted by Regina Thorne-Dubois, often known as “the Broadway Beard of Houston,” or catch the comedy showcase Chuckle Monitor on Tuesday at
9 p.m. for some not-so-clean jokes and a hearty chortle. Should you’re ready for the weekend, you possibly can’t go fallacious with EyeCons, town’s longest-running celeb impersonation revue.
Queens Night time Out at Hamburger Mary’s
Downtown
The drag scorching spot is dwelling to Queens Night time Out each Wednesday beginning at 8 p.m. The present, hosted by Alexye’us Paris (sure, she’s all over the place!), is mainly a range present that options its host alongside two unique Hamburger Mary’s solid members. Do you want video games? This present has loads of them, together with gigantic cube which can be rolled down the aisles in addition to a lot of trivia and drag musical chairs.
¡Que Calor! at Papi’s
Montrose
Hosted each Saturday at Houston’s solely Latinx LGBTQ+ membership, this present positive packs the warmth. Sip on one in every of Papi’s well-known frozen margaritas whereas watching this rotating solid of queens dance to High 40 Latin and pop music hits. The present, hosted by Alexia D. Crawford, features a lineup of native drag favorites like Selina L. Crawford, Linda D. Crawford, Aivah D. Crawford, and Aaliya A. Lareese. The present kicks off at 11 p.m.
Kings of Houston at Pearl Bar
Washington Ave
Each drag queen wants her king, and Pearl Bar, one in every of solely two lesbian bars in your entire state of Texas, has them aplenty. Hosted by H-City Kings, a drag group composed of “kings, queens, and in-betweens,” in accordance with the group’s social media pages, this present is one in every of Houston’s most distinctive occasions. Normally held on Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. (however dates fluctuate), the performances are 21 and up, include a $5 cowl, and typically carry themes like Star Wars or basic rock.
Sunday Highlight at Eagle Houston
Montrose
This selection present is hosted by Alexye’us Paris each Sunday at 7 p.m throughout Trash Disco nights at Eagle Houston. The present, which markets itself on its inclusivity, is open to all and consists of two new entertainers each week. The music, all tunes the viewers can sing alongside to, normally consists of a lot of Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, and different High 40 treats. Common performers embrace queens like Keymiyah Dupree, Suede Doll, and Lana Blake.
Boys Night time Out at Eagle Houston
Montrose
Improve your hump day by ending it at Eagle Houston from Boys Night time Out. The present, hosted each Wednesday at 11 p.m., is a favourite of youthful drag followers because the music is normally upbeat and consists of a lot of dance mixes. On the present, additionally hosted by Alexye’us Paris, you would possibly get some Mariah Carey in addition to a dance-y remix of your favourite sluggish quantity. The likes of Valencia St. James Mun’ro and Skai Royale make common appearances.
The Dollhouse at Grand Prize Bar
Museum District
Is there something higher than watching a drag present at a dive bar? We positive don’t suppose so. Each Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. Violet S’Arbleu and Deyjzah Opulent Mirage host the Dollhouse on the second flooring of Grand Prize Bar, together with a particular visitor, and it’s virtually at all times a raucous affair. Blissful hour runs from 9 p.m. to midnight—come for the queens and keep for the $4 Deep Eddy and $2 off choose cocktails.
Snatched at Ripcord
Montrose
Get turned up on a Tuesday by stopping at this drag present hosted by Reign LaRue at 11 p.m. Since Ripcord is Houston’s oldest leather-based bar, think about dressing the half by coming by in your favourite leather-based harness, latex ensemble, or sports activities gear. These high-energy exhibits, typically with themes like Rihanna or Selena, are intimate affairs due to the small measurement of the bar, that means you’ll be capable to get proper up subsequent to the queens as they skulk their means by means of the group.
Millennial Dolls at South Seashore
Montrose
Each Wednesday at 11 p.m., legendary bar South Seashore is dwelling to this spirited drag present hosted proper below the bar’s well-known spinning chandelier by diva extraordinaire Reign LaRue. The present, hosted through the bar’s Cafe Con Leche evening, options an all-star solid of Adriana LaRue, Amaya Jackson Ross, and Mistress Isabelle Brooks from the present season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Upbeat music for the present is offered by DJ Mel, one of many native LGBTQ+ group’s hottest DJs.
The Roxanne Collins Present at Barcode
Montrose
Houston has many LGBTQ+ bars, nevertheless it solely has one bar totally devoted to pull. Whereas Barcode has had many names over its 50-year historical past, it has remained one of many high spots on the town to observe drag performances. The Roxanne Collins Present, hosted by a dwelling legend each Friday and Saturday at 10:30 p.m., is modeled after The Carol Burnett Present and presents each old- and new-school drag, combined with comedy and reside singers. Professional tip: be sure you keep for the aftershow, which Collins hosts each Friday and Saturday at midnight.
The Drag Present Brunch at Boheme
Montrose
Montrose mainstay Boheme has lengthy been a favourite ingesting spot for Houston’s LGBTQ+ group, and it’s much more so now as a consequence of its weekly Drag Present Brunch, which throws down each Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tickets for the exhibits, which function among the metropolis’s most proficient and full of life drag performers, price $35 per particular person. However don’t fret: meals is included. Attending drag-show connoisseurs get to select from Boheme’s expansive brunch buffet, which incorporates treats like Filipino biscuits and gravy, ham and cheese croissants, and french toast. For an additional $30, you can even get your self a carafe of mimosas—required libations for any drag present!