Philly Drag Mafia's Drag Brunches
Nightclub drag shows can be a lot. When you’re looking for something that’s fun but a bit less bawdy and in-your-face, consider one of the Philly Drag Mafia’s many brunches throughout the region. The hosts tailor the show a bit according to who turns up — i.e., the straight-up raunch becomes double-entendre if the kids are in tow. phillydragmafia.com.
VinChelle
Lots of drag queens pay tribute to Queen Bey, but VinChelle goes above and beyond. See for yourself at one of her Beyoncé-themed parties, the next being at Franky Bradley’s on August 12th. instagram.com/_vinchelle_.
Lisa Lisa
Where’s the longest-running drag show in Philadelphia? South Street dive Bob & Barbara’s. What’s the secret to its longevity? Yes, the bar is cool, and the drinks are cheap. But the real answer is the talent and persistence of Miss Lisa Lisa, who’s been holding down the show and sashaying every Thursday night for more than 25 years. 1509 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, .
John Jarboe
The founder and artistic director of the gender-bending Bearded Ladies Cabaret company plans big things. One of her most recent projects is the Beardmobile, a performance van tricked out with a stage, sound system and lights that lets her bring drag anywhere she damn well pleases, including to libraries and public parks. In September, find her at Late Nite Snacks — the Fringe Festival cabaret she curates — and onstage in her new play, Rose: You Are Who You Eat, which is probably the world’s first musical about a twin who eats her sister in the womb. beardedladiescabaret.com.
Bob & Barbara's
Not even a global pandemic could stop the city’s longest-running drag show. When drag legend Lisa Lisa and her crew of queens couldn’t perform inside, they went outside. In winter. Literally stopping traffic on South Street to sway and sashay. Now that they’re back indoors, they’ve gone from one show every Thursday night to two. A true Philly institution, and a survivor. 1509 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, bobandbarbaras.com.
Philly Drag Mafia
Whether you prefer to attend a drag show at a Thai restaurant, a Gayborhood club, a Delco watering hole, or — one of the coolest spots in town — the rooftop bar of the Bok Building, indefatigable Brittany Lynn and the queens of her Drag Mafia have you covered. Sooooo gay, as Brittany likes to say. phillydragmafia.com.
Eric Jaffe's Singing Telegram
For $100, this bearded, boisterous ukulele-playing drag queen — whom you might recognize as the resident entertainment host at Fishtown’s Fabrika or the co-producer of the semi-annual Snatcherella drag competition at Franky Bradley’s — will show up anywhere in the city and sing a song for your loved one. Want to cheap out? Her $10 Eric Jaffe Coloring Book makes a good gift as well. theericjaffe.com.
Lamia
Your average drag queen goes for the glam and loves to perform to Madonna and Diana Ross. Not Lamia. The self-described “cursed queen” goes for the dark, Goth-y look and does her spooky thing to the sounds of Judas Priest and Slayer. Performance art you won’t soon forget. instagram.com/thelamiaqueen.
Sapphira Cristál
An operatic drag queen with a six-octave range and some of the most fabulous costumes around? Hell yeah! instagram.com/sapphiracristal.
Tabu Lounge and Sports Bar
Theres always something fun and fabulous happening at this Gayborhood staple. Downstairs, its cocktails, conversation, and whatever games are on the flat-screens. Upstairs, its cheap beers, karaoke and drag shows. How can you go wrong? 200 South 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, tabuphilly.com.
The Martha Graham Cracker Cabaret
If your impression of a drag show is a bunch of bedazzled trannies lip-synching to Madonna, you need to see this groundbreaking show starring Pig Iron Theatre Company co-founder Dito van Reigersberg in a wig, heels and false eyelashes. It's pure theater, and a true Philly gem. 00000, facebook.com/MarthaGrahamCracker.
Bob & Barbara’s Lounge
The longest-running drag show in Philly is still fresh (thanks to a rotating cast of Philly favorites and up-and-comers), still under the direction of show founder and iconic hostess Miss Lisa Lisa – and still the best $8 you can spend on a Thursday night. 1509 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, bobandbarbaras.com.
Bob and Barbara's
Whether it's Friday night's DJ'd happy hour, Thursday's long-standing drag show, Sunday karaoke with Sara or the foot-stomping jazz on the weekends, this quintessential dive is always a party, fueled by the all-important Pabst-and-Jim Beam special, still only $3 ($3.50 after 9 p.m.) after all these years. 1509 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, bobandbarbaras.com.
Sorella
She might not channel Beyonc in her everyday life, but if she'd like to glam it up for the prom which she can actually do, if she so chooses, in Mama Beyonc's line, House of Deron then take her to the downstairs Prom Lounge of this fashionable boutique on Media's so-cute main drag. She'll find the dress, the shoes, the jewelry, and thanks to the helpful sisters who own the shop, you'll keep your sanity in the process. 23 East State Street, Media, PA 19063, sorellashop.com.
Varlo Apparel
Former Division-I track star Soj Jibowu stumbled into the world of triathlon competitions without even knowing how to swim — and still managed to create multi-sport drag-resistant apparel that compresses in all the right places. You can also create your own sleek design from the more than 300 fabric choices in the custom online shop. varlosports.com.