For the country bred- turned Londoners looking for liberation, Shoreditch offers an extensive drag scene boasting a brilliantly charismatic and camp cast of Queens, many featuring a ticket price of buying them a pint. So extensive in fact, you may bar hop until you drop and kiki with a different queen every night, if you heart so desires. Follow the rainbow brick road to these five bars across Tower Hamlets and enjoy a very thorough, culturally enriching narration of life as London’s finest painted gentleman.
Vogue Ballroom on Monday’s at Ninety One Living, Brick Lane
Ballroom’s voguing dance nights has a history so rich it can only be rivaled by London itself. Every Monday night, Brick Lane’s Ninety One Living throws open their doors to an extravaganza of ameateur talent, a night of catwalk un-couture put on by the public itself. Join in, or watch respectfully, as dancers shine in the LGBTQ holy dance ceremonial, a totally original runway to the soundtrack of a crowd’s unconditional galore.
2. Drag Bingo at Queen of Hoxton on Wednesdays
The self-professed “sexy nobodies” at Queen of Hoxton host good old fashioned bingo (not like the kind your grandma plays). Featuring a playlist of 80’s classics, the show is described in the promo as a “NIGHT OF BALLS, WIGS AND SATANIC INVOCATION”. Tickets to play are a whopping one pound and bingo starts at 8:30, sharp. They say the burgers are ice cold (and at times, the performers too) but the piano’s hot!
Girl Power at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club
Nestled in the bleeding heart of the east end (bordering the moment when you begin to feel a little unsafe) lies the hotbed of inclusivity that is first Friday drag night in Bethnal Green! 9:00 serves the dancefloor narrated by the most trustworthy of 90’s hits, followed by a stellar celebration of all things LGBT+ (emphasis on the plus, straights welcome!).
Calling posh queens, who have no problem tightening their corset a bit more to suit the society crowd. Saturdays at Concrete air on luxury and indulgence, a witty cabaret-style performance which still gives attendees that charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent, to quote Drag muse Ru Paul. Tickets go for 15 pounds, a pretty penny for Shoreditch but reasonable for burlesque, even when it has a twist.
A Comedy Drag Bottomless Brunch at Gigi’s Hoxton, Saturday March 4
It is a distinctive and no doubt memorable morning when one decides to join a “squad of sassy and outrageously hilarious brunch queens” for bottomless mimosas at a ripe one o clock in the afternoon. Revel in Miss Ginger Phlappage and her gaggle of ever changing hens for a well spent afternoon of games, quizzes, live performances, and a meal which has affectionately been dubbed “Great British Brunch Off”. Tickets run for 40 pounds, which includes a sure ticket to tipsy, guaranteed conversation with Miss Ginger Phlappage herself, and meal of choice.
