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Stonewall Inn
Photograph: Shutterstock
Photograph: Shutterstock

The best New York City drag shows and events

From weekly bar performances to massive parties, here is your ultimate guide to the best drag shows in NYC.

Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner
Written by Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner
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New York is the capital of the drag arts. Gender-bending world superstars from Bob the Drag Queen to Bianca Del Rio have honed their craft on NYC stages, and the scene shows no signs of slowing. 

These days, you can catch drag queens (often for free) every night of the week onstage at gay bars throughout the boroughs (and on Fire Island), and even on Broadway stages, especially at Cats: The Jellicle Ball. Beyond the formal theater setting, we've rounded up the best drag shows—including karaoke, bingo, and more—to see at queer spaces around the city. Here’s where to catch drag every night of the week in New York. More of an early bird? Check out our roundup of the best drag brunches across the city. 

RECOMMENDED: Full NYC drag queen guide

Drag shows NYC

1. Bingo Mondays at The Toolbox Bar

Say goodbye to the Monday blues with bingo every week at this Hell’s Kitchen gay bar. Bingo Daddy and Virgo Rising co-host an event with performances, banter, games, and prizes to get you through the week. There’s pretty much drag every night here, whether you visit on Tuesdays for karaoke with Matzah Belle Soup, Elle Barto’s Wednesday trivia night, or Heidi N Dix and Virgo Rising’s performances at weekend dance parties. 1742 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10128

2. Thirsty Thursdays at Suite

New York’s only combination gay bar and Indian street food restaurant has one of the most fun weekly drag shows: Thirsty Thursdays. Hosted by local queen Moxy Cillin, the 10pm has no cover, plenty of interactive opportunities, and is a fun kickoff to the weekend. The bar also hosts drag queen karaoke on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, along with more drag events throughout the week. 992 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025

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3. The Stonewall Inn

The Stonewall Inn
The Stonewall Inn
Photo: Courtesy of Shutterstock

Of course, this legendary gay bar has epic drag shows. Visit on Sunday nights at 9pm for a weekly show featuring various queens ready to command the small upstairs stage and entertain a notably diverse crowd of all ages (21 and up) and backgrounds. Saturday nights also bring out big drag performers, and Mondays are drag bingo if you need to recover from a lively weekend. 53 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014

4. Pieces Bar

This cornerside gay dive in the West Village is a hub for drag every night of the week (and the bar opens at 2pm daily, so plenty of time to pregame). Mondays kick off with the Queen 4 Queen show, followed by the live drag competition, Drag Wars, with no cover all night. The rest of the week has DJs and drag dance events, plus Drag Race watch parties with former cast members. Early birds can visit for Saturday happy hour, which runs until 8pm and offers entertainment by Heidi Haux plus $6 drink specials. 8 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014

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5. Metropolitan Bar

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One of the last remaining gay dives in Williamsburg, Metropolitan is best known for its enormous backyard, and free Sunday barbecues throughout the summer (you never know when you’ll catch a queen voguing in the yard). Plan to visit on the third Thursday of every month, for DRAGnet at 10pm, when amateur drag queens battle it out for our judges for a chance to compete in an annual Miss DRAGnet competition. Merrie Cherry Watch hosts the monthly event. 559 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211

6. 3 Dollar Bill

Part of the fun of this queer Williamsburg nightclub and performance venue is that you never know exactly what you’ll get, but you know it’s going to be a good time. Drag shows may include one-off events like a MadonnaGaga themed performance or queens hosting a viewing party for the latest season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Check the events calendar to pre-book tickets or just show up for what will be a memorable night of drag, dancing, and more. 260 Meserole St, Brooklyn, NY 11206

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7. Albatross Bar

One of the oldest gay bars in Queens, this Astoria pub brings out drag performers from all backgrounds to take on the small stage and rev up the crowd. Drag events change often, so check the calendar to plan on visiting for drag game nights, dance parties, themed performances and much more. 36-19 24th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103

8. Icon Astoria

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Locals flock to this queer club for happy hour and drag brunch, and it’s absolutely the place to be in community, whether you’re looking to sit down and be entertained by drag comedy or shake it on the dance floor. Events include open stage nights to feature emerging talent, plus fundraisers, dance parties, a bimonthly Dungeons & Dragons drag night, and many more highly social and enjoyable drag queen parties, often without a cover. 31-85 33rd St, Astoria, NY 11106

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