Drag Brunch NYC

It's Brunch, Bitches

1. brən(t)SH/

noun

      a late morning meal eaten instead of breakfast and lunch.

Add a group of fierce and talented drag queens and unlimited mimosas to the late morning meal, and you get a whole new definition of brunch!  The Highline Ballroom in Chelsea hosts Drag Brunch (presented by Voss Events) every Sunday, featuring a sassy group of queens who will treat you to an afternoon of dancing, death drops, diva impersonations and delicious shade throwing.  The ticket includes an unlimited supply of mimosas and one item from the following brunch menu:

• Scrambled eggs and bacon with home fries (my choice)
• Blackened salmon arugula salad
• Highline cheese burger deluxe
• Fruit platter
• Vanilla bean brioche French toast
• Jumbo shrimp cocktail
• Blackened French chicken

The advertising for the event implies that “special guests from the hit television series RuPaul’s Drag Race” will make an appearance but sadly this was not the case when we attended the brunch on a recent Sunday.  As a longtime fan of the show, the possibility of seeing one of the contestants was one of the deciding factors so it was a bit of a disappointment when no such “special guest” was forthcoming. Having said that, the regular cast was fantastic on stage and in their interactions with the audience, who left with big smiles on their faces. The show included appearances by divas such as JLo (in a sparkling body suit), Celine (My Heart Will Go On eleganza followed by River Deep, Mountain High Celine in a mini), Britney (dressed in Circus era ringmaster’s outfit) and Beyoncé (in her Coachella get-up complete with fringe boots) as well as a jazzy intro by the cast paying tribute to New York City and a sparkly homage to the divas of disco past. 

 

Our host for the afternoon was Sheniqua, a hilarious queen who made it clear that nothing and no one was off limits (the Puerto Rican lesbians, recently divorced “Magnum PI”, the “Chinese” patrons from Manilla and the very awkward straight man from Virginia). She paid tribute to Aretha Franklin (though I’m hesitant to call it a tribute after the ridiculous backlash Madonna faced after she shared a personal story about the Queen of Soul that was NOT meant to tribute at the VMAs) which I think Aretha would have loved.

Just be aware of the fine print.  Firstly, there is some inexplicable “service fee” when you purchase the tickets – what service? I had to print the tickets at home myself.  Then, you are also warned that “all Brunch prices do not reflect applicable taxes, gratuity or additional beverages” and “each guest will be presented with a bill for the applicable tax 8.875% & optional 18% gratuity”. Then of course there are the expected tips for the performers, which is not an issue since they put on a great show.  But by the time you leave left the brunch, you have paid way more than your initial ticket.  Still, it is NYC after all where ridiculous fees and surcharges and taxes are par for the course and should not deter you from a fun and fierce Sunday brunch.