If you’re an avid theatergoer looking for a new thrill or just your average RuPaul fan, chances are you’ll love seeing drag live and in person! The Memphis drag scene can be found from cozy bars to enormous dance clubs, and everywhere in between. We’ve gathered a list of to-die-for drag shows and events throughout the city.
Bar DKDC Monday Nights with Mary Gagz and Her Gaggle of Drags
As a part of their service industry nights, Bar DKDC has recently begun doing drag shows hosted by Mary Gagz every Monday night starting around 9:30 pm. It is a $5 dollar cover unless you are a service industry worker. Come out to this intimate space in the heart of the Cooper-Young District for a night with some of the most personable drag queens you’ll meet. No need to be intimidated! The gals are friendly, welcoming, and love to snap a selfie.
Friends of George’s
A non-profit, locally established and owned theatre company, Friends of George’s puts a creative twist on in-drag performances. As part of the larger TheatreWorks family, their name pays homage to old iconic Memphis gay bar, George’s Disco. This take on drag incorporates traditional theatre genres and styles by actors all in drag! Their season is ongoing and more details about their upcoming shows can be found on their website: friendsofgeorges.org.
Dru’s Place
Well known lesbian and gay bar, Dru’s Place, hosts weekly drag shows Thursday and Saturday nights, hosted by local Memphis kings and queens. If you’re looking for a place that isn’t just a bar, it’s your bar—come out to Dru’s for a night of intense lip syncs and death drops (if you’re lucky). You can even bring your own liquor! Just don’t forget to tip your lovely kings and queens during the performance. They host other various shows and karaoke nights during the week also. For more information, you can find them on Facebook at Dru’s Place.
Atomic Rose Bar & Grill
Atomic Rose Memphis opened in 2019, and even though their the new kid on the block, they already have us feeling our oats! With weekly drags shows on Fridays and Saturdays, plus Drag Race watch parties and Sunday Drag Bingo and Brunch, there are many opportunities for you to see something sick’ning.
The Pumping Station — RuPaul’s Drag Race Watch Parties
While not a live drag performance, The Pumping Station offers a community watch party of RuPaul’s Drag Race hosted by Brenda Newport every Friday night at 7 PM! It’s a watch party with Drag Race trivia and prizes to the top three winners. If you find yourself screaming “Oh Henny!” alone at your TV, probably startling both your neighbors and your cat, sashay your way to the Pumping Station for drinks and friendship based on what truly matters – All-Stars! For more information about it, you can follow Brenda Newport on Facebook.
RuPaul Drag Race Watch Parties at Rec Room
Con-drag-ulations! There’s another spot in town for you to see the queens of RuPaul’s Drag serving fish and lip syncing for life. Make your way to Rec Room every Friday at 8PM to watch on the big screen as “herstory” is made.
So what are you still doing at home? Grab a pair of your highest heels and longest lashes and sissy that walk to any one, or all, of these werk rooms. See you there, henny!
Special thanks to @the.brenda.newport for her assistance with this post!
