Lips Chicago

Having first opened in NYC over twenty years ago, Lips Drag Queen Show Place has traveled from New York City to San Diego to Fort Lauderdale to Atlanta and has finally arrived in Chicago. Lips Chicago is a drag dining experience located at 2229 S. Michigan Avenue and will undoubtedly become a mainstay for residents and tourists of Chicago. This particular venue hosts 8 shows starting on Wednesday of every week until Sunday evening, so take your pick! It’s a Russian roulette of top-notch-high-heel entertainment. 

Upon entering through the velvet curtains, you will be treated to a meal served by the queens before they take the stage as performers. Chef Tom J. Schmidt has curated a menu that offers appetizers, entrees (mainly pastas, poultry, seafood, and beef), and brunch, depending on what show you attend. In keeping with the wit and sass of the drag tradition, some menu items have tongue-in-cheek (maybe other places too) names such as “Batty Davis,” “Discord Adams,” and  “Too Wong Foo.” While there aren’t many vegan/vegetarian options, who needs that when you have the option of bottomless Bloody Marys and mimosas on Sundays, a full bar, and a bevy of signature cocktails during the evening?  

The decadent 8000 foot space accommodates 174 people, not to mention crystal chandeliers and disco balls dangling from the ceiling. With its pink leopard print walls from which sculptures of disembodied legs hang, it is the perfect venue for a birthday party, bachelorette/bachelor party, anniversaries (are divorce parties a thing?), or any kind of much needed break from the drudgery of your day to day life. Don’t even bother dressing nice because I can guarantee that no ensemble out of your closet can even compete with the glamour of the queens on stage. Most of the seating is located on the main floor in rows of tables, with more intimate booths lining the wall furthest from the stage. But there isn’t a bad seat in the house given that the ladies of the show sure know how to work the floor and an audience. 

If you don’t go to church, head on over for their Dragalicious Gospel Brunch at 1 pm. If you do go to church, go to the earliest mass/service so that you can make it in time for this opulent and spiritual experience hosted by Mz. Ruff ‘n Stuff with the Sisters of Sequins. Not every song is a gospel song, but they will all have you shrieking “amen,” “gay men,” or “hallelujah” at the end of it. Money was flying out of my hands as the six queens performed songs ranging from gospel standards Madonna and Ariana Grande, with some of them even singing with their own voices. 

Delilah J. Brooks hosts Twisted Broadway on Wednesday nights with the Ladies of Lips delighting theatre fans with twisted takes on musical theatre classics. On Thursdays, Angel LeBare brings us Dinner with the Divas and the best in celebrities impersonations of our favorite divas: Cher, Gaga, and Madonna, to name a few. Fridays and Saturdays have two evening shows of Glitz and Glam, your good old trusty formula of savory food and queens. In the AM of Sundays, you can treat yourself to brunch with Dragalicious Gospel Brunch and then return in the PM for Showstopper Sundays with MiMi Marks. 

Founded by New York Queen Yvonne Lame, this bejeweled, bedazzled, and bodacious kaleidoscope proves that pride isn’t limited to just the lusty month of June, but should be celebrated and honored year round. How can you go wrong with the best drag talent in town combined with lip syncing, live vocals, and bawdy and campy humor? It just goes to show that everyone can appreciate a little or a lot of glitter and hairspray in their lives. 

Reservations are needed for all performances by calling (312) 815-2662. Prices include a cover and the cost of the meal, ranging from $15 to $40 depending on the show. Valet parking is available, and there is street parking as well. Lips Chicago is easily accessible from the Cermak/McCormick Green Line stop and the Cermak/Chinatown Red Line stop. 

Highly Recommended

Sophie Vitello