When we lived in Boston, the only place for a drag show was Jacques. This place was tucked away in a quiet neighborhood and as a result, the neighbors and the bar were always fighting. The neighborhood association was always trying to have the bar shut down and the bar was always asserting their right to be there. It was a never-ending battle, but the drag shows were pretty good.
In Fort Lauderdale we have slightly more choices, but not a ton. Monkey Business, located on Andrews, has drag shows throughout the week. The ladies here can be a bit rough around the edges, but given how small this place is, you can usually meet them, which is fun. Lips is located on Oakland Park Blvd. This is a big place. You can eat there, play bingo with the drag queens, get drunk with them. Whatever you want. However, be aware that on one occasion we went there and they were simply closed that night for no reason. So, call ahead to make sure they are open.
In Key West things are a little different. We saw three different drag shows while we were there and all the others I have seen pale in comparison to these. The first place we went, Bourbon Street, is a bar that has a drag diva and then nekkid men dancing later on in the night. We went here twice because the drag queen who was performing blew our minds. She had the most amazing voice. She didn't sound like a man in a dress, she really sounded like a woman. Steven and I doubted her manliness for a while, but then we settled on the fact that she probably is a man.
The next place we went was La Te Da. You need tickets to see the drag show here, but it is so worth it. We saw Randy Roberts perform. This drag queen is really something. With multiple costume changes and movies in between sets, Randy Roberts really puts on a show. She does Bette Midler, Cher, Lucy, and her own creation, Randy Roberts. This is a must for anyone who is visiting Key West. It is a little pricey (I think our tickets were $31), but you can make a night of it.
After seeing Randy Roberts, we joined a couple of guys we met at our guest house and headed over to 801 Bourbon. The drag show here is a real value. $5 gets you admission to the upstairs area where no fewer than 5 drag queens entertained us for hours. They have really fun costumes and do it up big time. What was so interesting to us was the number of straight people at this show. There was a cute straight couple sitting next to us from Wisconsin. Once the show started, a drag queen pulled the guy up on stage and took off his shirt. He was embarrassed, but a total sport about the whole thing. She tried to take his pants off, but he protested. They settled on her showing us all his butt. You could tell he was nervous, but he took the whole thing in stride and the drag queens took care of him for the rest of the night. I really think he and his girlfriend had a fun time, unlike another group of straight people near them.
Two girls and two guys came into the show. You could tell they were pretty hammered. The girls were having a great time, but the guys were visibly uncomfortable, which is the wrong vibe to give off at a drag show because the queens pick right up on that and torment you. One of the guys was kind of a jerk to the drag queen. She gave it right back to him and gently made fun of him. He stayed for a little while, but eventually left. That was fine with me because I don't want to see the drag queens fight. I pity the poor soul who messes with one of them!
If you're ever in key West, be sure to take in a drag show or two. You won't be disappointed!
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