It’s not hard to pack a party filled with eager TV-watchers, but off-season queens got to make a living, too. While fair-weathered drag enthusiasts have been causing trouble online, gay bars and viewing parties empty out every summer as soon as RuPaul’s Drag Race ends, leaving local parties thirsty for dollar bills.
What straight people and casual audiences might not remember is that drag queens and other assorted queer people party all days of the week, all months of the year. Just because your favorite famous queens aren’t gracing the small screen every week doesn’t mean you can’t go out and support the hardest working gender benders in show-biz.
Here’s our list of local Brooklyn parties and shows that’ll keep the carry going, long after the crown has been handed off.
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Tanlines at The Rosemont
63 Montrose Ave., Williamsburg
Hosted by DJ Ickarus and DJ Hannah Lou, Tanlines is an outdoor Latinx house / disco party featuring performances from various Bushwig stalwarts, including the Haus of Aja. The party is paired with a boutique of underground designers including Casey Caldwell and Shock Vintage, with snacks by Remedi food. Tanlines is held on big holiday weekends, with a huge blowout for Pride on June 24th.
Papi Juice at Baby’s All Right
146 Broadway, Williamsburg
Papi Juice is a longstanding QPOC party with a rotating shift of rappers, performers, and underground Djs spinning a wide variety of nu-club bangers. Established as a safe space for all genders, races, sizes, and identities, Papi Juice has been widely celebrated as one of Brooklyn’s most progressive parties. June marks the 35th iteration of this particular monthly festivity.
A+ Pan-Asian Drag Revue at Bizarre Bushwick
12 Jefferson St., Bushwick
Social Justice Warrior Princess Emi Grate has gathered a diverse collection of kings and queens for what might be the first all-Asian drag spectacular ever thrown in Brooklyn. A showcase that transcends exotica and Orientalism, this revue seeks to explore Asian and queer identities. The first edition of this new endeavor will be held on July 11th.
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Hot Fruit at Metropolitan Bar
559 Lorimer St., Williamsburg
Rapper and legendary nightlife figurehead Will Sheridan has been throwing Monday night parties at Metro for what seems like a thousand eternities. A staple of the Brooklyn drag world, Sheridan curates a unique experience by bringing together performers from all corners and scenes of the borough. DJ Econ spins an eclectic mix from his vinyl collection throughout the night.
Be Cute at Littlefield
635 Sackett St., Gowanus
What started as a tiny party at One Last Shag (formerly Sweet Revenge, RIP) turned into a nationally-touring brigade of ultra-fierce queens and DJs led by the beloved Horrorchata. Mama ‘Chata makes sure to include queens ranging from banjee to arty for each edition of this monthly dance party, with music spanning the gamut from gay bar pop classics to obscure hip-hop.
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