Now, although it may not perhaps be everyone’s cup of tea, watching a drag show can be a tremendously fun and exciting night out on the tiles.
So when looking for some of the best drag shows in Houston, TX, which bars, clubs, and hidden gems offer the best performances?
Here in our guide, we explore not only the best dressed, best-performed shows in Houston, but the most fun, the biggest and wildest, and the most tongue in cheek.
Which Drag Acts Are The Best In Houston, TX?
So when it comes to drag shows in Houston, we realize everyone likes something different. This is why when we went on the lookout for some of the top picks in the Houston area, we visited all kinds of places, from back street dive bars to events and pubs and all other types of stage show we could find.
We hope to find you a venue to enjoy a drag show while enjoying a dance, some comedy, or even some food and drink with our guide.
So without further adieu, let us take a look at some of the most fantastic drag shows that we thought deserved to make it to the top.
1. Diva Royal
| Address | 6501 Chimney Rock Road, Houston, TX 77081 |
| Website | www.divaroyale.com |
| Features | Brunch, dinner, party bookings, celebrity impersonations |
Diva Royal is a show which features the finest drag queen and the best celebrity impersonators in town. These are all performed alongside fantastic brunch and dinner menus.
You can expect to get up close and personal with your host and her guest queen divas during the shows. You can expect to see Brittany Spears, Whitney Houston, Madonna, Dolly Parton, Celine Dion, Liza Minelli, Nicki Minaj, Beyonce, Sia, Adele gracing the stages. Each different drag act moves around according to the venue, so if there is one, in particular, you would like to see, be sure to check in with the restaurant before you attend to find out who is performing where.
The restaurant here is the ultimate drag queen dining experience. It is one of Houston’s most popular spots for bachelorette parties, and it is a party haven for the gay bachelor!
The ladies of Diva Royal who host the parties love to entertain, and you can guarantee that you will not be left bored after a night with these girls. You’re in for a whole night of laughter, sing-song, and receive the complete diva treatment from start to finish.
Also Read:Top 8 Best Movie Theatres in Houston
2. Barcode Drag Show
| Address | 817 Fairview Avenue, Houston, TX, 77006 |
| Website | N/A |
| Features | Relaxed atmosphere, well-priced drinks, patio area, weekly events |
Nestled deep in the Montrose neighborhood, right behind South Beach and JR’s, Barcode is one of the best dive bars for drag shows.
If shows like the ones seen at Hamburger Mary’s aren’t quite your vibe, then Barcode is most likely the spot for you.
Here you can enjoy a cocktail and meet the locals and regulars, all inside this little shack, which features an indoor stage and an outdoor patio area.
Although this may be off the beaten track, this doesn’t take away from the memorable experience you receive when you visit. It’s great fun for groups and parties of all kinds looking for a fabulous drag show.
They have something different every night of the week, which means you can visit multiple times over the weekend and experience something different. On Mondays, they have “Vicious Voices” Karaoke night. Tuesday is a live drag, Wednesday night, girls on film, Thirstier Thursdays where you can get some fantastic deals on drinks, and have an awesome club night, Friday night is the R&B diva, Saturday night is the “Celebrities,” and Sunday is “Kings and Things.”
There are many more special events among all these weekly events, so be sure to check their Facebook page for the latest information.
The prices of the drinks here are very reasonable, and this can be made into a great cheap night out if you don’t want to break the bank.
3. Hamburger Mary’s
| Address | 2409 Grant St, Houston, TX 77006 |
| Website | www.hamburgermarys.com |
| Features | Outdoor patio, great food, drag shows, family-friendly |
Hamburger Mary’s is a family of locally owned independent restaurants. Each venue offers its own blend of themes and character because each owner and every city is completely unique. But you can guarantee no matter which location you visit; you will get the same experience of charm and openness of the original Hamburger Mary’s.
And most people who visit Mary’s know it well for its flamboyant charm, friendly service, and mouth-watering menu. They have a family-friendly concept that ensures everyone is welcome.
They have a distinctive concept because they are the only national restaurant with a strong history in the LGBT community.
They have an excellent food menu, where they use only the freshest ingredients. The saying goes that nothing beats a Hamburger Mary’s Gourmet burger. Each burger is made fresh to order with a fun assortment of toppings available to choose from. They are served on bakery-fresh buns. Some of the burgers on offer include the famous “Buffy the Burger Slayer” and the “Queen Mary” and “Proud Mary”. As well as the all-natural beef selections, there are other options, such as the black bean burger and the chicken burger.
On top of this, they also offer a full menu, including homemade soup, chili, garden salads, and some fantastic desserts such as the deep-fried twinkies and s’mores. There is also an option for “Little Lambs,” so the kids have plenty of choices when it comes to the food.
Of course, it’s not all about the fabulous menu and exciting decor. Hamburger Mary’s is all about the whole experience. So, if you’re looking for pure entertainment, these guys sure know how to come up with the goods.
When it comes to drinks, you won’t be in short supply. They have a full bar service specializing in a unique selection of beers, lots of tantalizing cocktails, and wine.
They also boast a lovely outdoor patio area for the warmer times of the year where you can kick back and enjoy entertainment such as HamBINGO, MaryOke, drag shows, and a weekend DJ.
Make sure you check their website for all the latest special events to catch something new and exciting.
Also Read: Top 7 Best Beer Gardens in Houston
4. Illusions The Show
| Address | 6501 Chimney Rock Rd, Houston 77081 |
| Website | www.illusionsthedragqueenshow.com |
| Features | Hundreds of locations, package deals, private hire, three-course brunch, lunch, and dinner options. |
Illusions, The Show, is the nation’s number one drag queen and celebrity dinner show combination.
This is a great place to celebrate, be it for a bachelorette party, date night, birthday party, divorce party, or simply just bringing along your friends and family for a night of great food, cocktails, and pure entertainment.
Illusion The Show features more drag queens, musical performances, and stand-up comedy than any show of its kind in the whole of the states. So why settle for anything else when you can enjoy the one and only Illusions The Show, all the while enjoying a fabulous three-course meal.
The show offers ticketing both with or without the three-course meal. (Brunch shows are also available, check online for many dates and locations).
The three-course dinner will include a choice of soup, salad, and other starter dishes, beef, chicken veggie, or seafood for your main course, and a beautiful selection of desserts. The menu is different for every location, so if you’re traveling with a fussy eater, call them ahead to discuss the menu for the evening, and be sure to order a meal in advance if you don’t want to be served the set menu.
The prices of the tickets here are very high. There are many different packages available, whether you want to stand or be seated, whether or not you’re dining. However, if many people are at your party, there will be a package to suit everybody.
The show is also available to hire for your own private event, so the stars of the drag will come to you, at your choice of venue, for any celebrations and performances. This includes the option to bring with their brunch, lunch, and dinner packages.
5. Michael’s Outpost Piano Bar
| Address | 1419 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX 77006 |
| Website | www.michaelsoutpost.com |
Michael’s Outpost Piano Bar is a unique LGBTQ bar on the fringes of Monrose. It first opened in 1998 and was taken over in 2011 when it was remodeled into today’s drag show venue.
They are, in fact, the only gay piano bar in Houston, showcasing three different pianists each week.
They play all kinds of music, everything from show tunes to pop, down to country music.
They also proudly offer a Cabaret atmosphere, presenting professional drag acts four nights a week.
We recommend visiting on karaoke night, it’s great fun, and the host and participants make for an all-in-all fabulous evening.
The staff here are very professional. The servers and bartenders are fun, fast, polite, and attentive. They serve some of the best beverages and bar snacks in the area.
The clientele here varies according to dates and times. For instance, during the day and throughout the week, the atmosphere is incredibly cozy and very relaxed. However, if you intend to visit on an evening, especially at the weekend, then expect to be met with a high-energy, pumped evening.
The prices here are incredibly reasonable. Although there are many options available to suit each person’s pockets, as an example, we found that on average for two people, including alcohol, you can enjoy a whole night at Michael’s for around $70.00.
Also Read: 8 Best Clubs to Enjoy Jazz Music in Houston, TX
In Summary
Have we got you excited for your next party or night out? Hopefully, after reading our guide, you now have a good idea of exactly which places in Houston offer the best night of entertaining when it comes to drag shows.
If you think that this guide has been helpful to you, why not check out some of the other things you can do for fun in the Houston area like 10 Best Skyline Scenic Views in Houston, TX or Top 7 Best Beer Gardens in Houston, TX