Despite a surfeit of dedicated queer spaces and venues in the City Beautiful, local drag is having a real moment with a veritable explosion of new faces and bold talent. Here is a rundown of just some of the places to check out the glittering new stars of now … and tomorrow.
Black Haus Creature Feature
Don’t call it a comeback! This spring sees the return of the OG (original ghoul) alt-drag showcase after a hiatus. Led by the twin forces that are Dragula winner Victoria Elizabeth Black and host Opulence Black, this is a spooky spectacle not to be missed.
instagram.com/blackhaus_creaturefeature
Boots
The Renaissance Theatre is now also the host to wildly popular new Saturday drag night Boots, a raucous and down-home combination of Austin City Limits meets Flaming Saddles and Drag Race. Saddle up and make your way over to this saloon.
Communion
Monthly alt-drag showcase Communion is a uniquely Floridian phenomenon, rooted in the aftereffects of being raised in and around Southern Christianity, punk rebellion and the fatalistic sense of “us against the world” that can only come from living in a Republican-dominated state. Co-created by DJ Pup Rocky and Anesthesia, the Sunday event at The Dust is a freewheeling tour through subterranean glamour-as-performance with a dark-pop kick.
Gala of Ghouls
Gala of Ghouls is a hybrid bimonthly pop-up market–slash–drag showcase featuring young and on-the-rise queer drag performers. Curated by trans drag mover Kissa Death, it happens at Thornton Park’s Veranda with innovative drag, burlesque, fire performances, local artisans and food vendors offering their varied wares and photo ops!
iScream Sundays
The newer weekly Sunday drag showcase iScream Sundays at Savoy — curated and hosted by punk-drag legend Axel Andrews — pairs creative locals with visiting royalty, including Drag Race and Dragula stars. Even though it’s on a Sunday night, Savoy surely swings with a lively crowd for these soirees.
Kandi Krave
Combining the two symbiotically interlinked expressions that are dancing and drag, Kandi Krave consistently delivers a stellar lineup of adventurous DJs and drag performers. The events are riots of vivid colors and pumping beats, with crowds dancing far into the night and, gratifyingly, not heading out as soon as the drag is done.
Off the Record
When you go out for the night do you want to hear those club classics? Do you want to immerse yourself in a local drag show? Or are you looking to have a messily fun night out with friends? Three things can be true at once, and the answer to all questions might just be Off the Record on Wednesday nights at the Ren. The wildly popular midweek drag showcase is all glamour, all the time, to a soundtrack of nouveau pop hits.
Treehouse
Mystree Hugga hosts a weekly drag showcase Thursdays at Sanford’s Manikins — a venue never averse to a wild happening — and it’s a great place to get up to speed on new faces in Central Florida drag.
instagram.com/treehouseatmanikins
Volume
Bimonthly drag/music/art hybrid showcase Volume gathers diverse subcultures together under one roof — Will’s Pub — for a rollicking celebration of queer community and culture. Curated by Davi Oddity, the events feature boundary-pushing drag performers, live bands and vendors. Each installment is themed and has open-stage slots for new faces. (Shoutout to sister event Showghouls, a recurring open-stage showcase for even newer faces.)
This article appears in City Guide 2025 and City Guide (2025).