Drag brunch is exactly what it promises, a feast for both the eyes and the palate. It’s a mashup of high-energy performances and an indulgent, time-hopping meal known as brunch. It’s where breakfast meets lunch, and where drag queens artfully defy gender norms. You sit, you sip, you savor, all while dazzling sequins, sky-high heels, and exuberant hair light up the room with charisma. Dance, comedy, and song all find a place at the table, and anything goes.
But don’t be fooled, drag brunch culture offers much more than bottomless mimosas and eye-popping outfits. It’s a celebration of history, culture, and community. And the event provides a stage for performers to explore and express their identities, challenge norms, and entertain with unbridled joy. In these spaces, inclusivity reigns supreme.
In a time when drag culture is facing unjust scrutiny and a surge in anti-drag legislation across the country, Denver’s drag brunches stand as bold reminders of why these spaces matter. Supporting these events isn’t just about having a fantastic time, it’s an act of solidarity with a community that thrives on creativity, diversity, and the freedom to be fierce.
Show your support and have a great time at these staples in the community. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or a first-timer, don’t forget to bring plenty of cash to tip those queens, unbridle your joy, and enjoy the feast of senses at these five spots around town.
Brunch at Champagne Tiger
At last owner Chris Donato’s foodie drag pop-up has a solid place to call home. Champagne Tiger just opened in the former Tom’s Starlight, ne Tom’s Diner, on Colfax Avenue, and already it’s a great place to go for French-American bistro food and fun. While drag shows pepper the monthly calendar, it’s Sunday when the venue hosts “Denver’s Most Luxurious Drag Brunch” at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Start with a plate of fried and sugared dough ($10), then move your palate to the savory side with a duck confit benedict ($23) and bacon and mushroom omelet ($17). Order a craft of Mimosas ($29) for the table, or go super boozy with the Coffee Boulevardier ($14). No matter your path, it’s all a good decision. Make a reservation for the show and enjoy a bit of bubbles with brunch. 1633 N. Pearl St., Denver, champagnetiger.com
Hamburger Mary’s Denver
The Mile High outpost of this iconic gay-friendly burger joint franchise is the only little purple house in Denver where you can, “Eat, drink, and be Mary.” Here in Denver, Hamburger Mary’s calendar is packed with endlessly entertaining and occasionally a bit shocking daily performances. However, it’s the iconic weekly drag brunch the space is famous for.
This chaotic and unapologetically adult affair, happens every Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with performances at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Bottomless mimosas flow for $22, and the menu caters to every craving. Whether you’re feeling like a Basic Byotch complete with eggs, potatoes, sausage or bacon, and toast *$15) or a Dirty Birdy with fried chicken, scrambled eggs, and hollandaise sauce on potato buns ($15), you’re in for a treat.
Leading the charge is Jessica L’Whor, Denver’s self-proclaimed “nastiest bitch” and drag mother to a whole brood of queens. Her mission is simple, to make sure you leave feeling better than you arrived, with a little help from DJ Dazz-Ill. This must-see brunch gets packed, making reservations essential. No matter what you order, each person pays a $10 per person cover, and it’s best for a mature crowd who loves a good time. 1336 E. 17th Ave., Denver, milehighmarys.com
Sunday Brunch at Osteria Marco
Located in the heart of Larimer Square, Osteria Marco dishes out a spectacular weekly drag brunch served with a dash of Italian flair and a side of sass. Every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the chic eatery morphs into the stage for B-I-N-G-Osteria Marco. Helmed by Shirley Delta Blow, who has a penchant for quick wit and even quicker costume changes, gives a full-fledged production. Shirley’s high-energy performances are complemented by a rotating lineup of co-hosts like the glamorous Lala Queen and the always-entertaining Dixie Krystals, ensuring every week is a new adventure.
Osteria Marco’s brunch menu is a departure from the ordinary as well. Think house-smoked salmon whipped with ricotta and dill crème frâiche atop chewy ciabatta ($18). Carbonara Pizza with crispy pancetta and a runny egg on creamy bechamel ($22). Or Italian sausage in a cast-iron skillet with San Marzano tomatoes, eggs, and whipped burrata over crispy herb-roasted tomatoes ($20). Add on bottomless mimosas to the mix for $20, or opt for beverages like the Pancetta Bloody Mary ($16) or Boozy Cold Brew ($16). There’s also a striking tower of eight Aperol Spritzes, a surefire key to get you in the mood to sing along with the lively crowd. Bonus, there’s no cover and it’s free to play BINGO. 1453 Larimer St., bonannoconcepts.com
Milk Market at The Dairy Block
Brunch gets a fabulously flamboyant twist every Sunday in Dairy Block, where Milk Market hosts its weekly Drag Queen Brunch Bingo. Every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the bustling Milk Market food hall transforms into the stage for Drag Queen Brunch Bingo, a rollicking event that’s as much about the performances as it is about the food. During the show Denver’s fiercest queens work the room, pulling bingo balls, calling out numbers, and dishing jokes while you sip on bottomless mimosas ($20) and nibble blueberry pancakes ($9), vegan avocado toast ($11), and biscuits with gravy ($10).
All the while, make sure to collect stamps for your bingo board in a quest to claim one of the prizes. With no cover charge, it’s an accessible way to dive into Denver’s drag scene, but be sure to reserve your spot ($10 per person for groups of four or more), as seats fill up faster than a queen changing wigs. 1800 Wazee St., Denver, dairyblock.com
Apple Blossom in the Hyatt Centric Hotel
Located in the Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver, when Apple Blossom’s kitchen retained a new staff and partner, drag brunch came on the menu. The recurring event is hosted by the towering star America Jackson who showcases a mastery of the quick costume change, slipping into fresh gowns between rounds of bingo highlighted by hilarious crowd work and fun singalongs.
The bingo is free to play, and prizes include complimentary hotel stays and gift cards. As for the fare, the churro French toast ($16) is a great way to satiate a sweet tooth, while the sausage rainbow hash ($18) delights as a savory dish. As for libations, Mimosas can be single ($9) or bottomless ($23). Or go for a bit of caffeine with the Espresso Old Fashioned ($14), which gets you buzzing in more ways than one.
Drag Brunch Bingo runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. one Sunday a month. Make a reservation to secure your spot, and check the restaurant’s Instagram to find out more information on the next show. Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver, 1776 Champa St., Denver, appleblossomdtdenver.com
