The best New York City drag shows and events

We consider ourselves very lucky to be able to party with Horrorchata, Charlene and the other icons of Brooklyn drag at this low-priced monthly kiki. Count on hits from Janet Jackson and Britney Spears and outrageous performances from Bushwig's greatest hits. Serve your look, but prepare to sweat your fake eyelashes right off.

Ask any Brooklyn queer and they're likely to tell you: This is the most wonderful time of the year. Hundreds of drag performers flock to the Knockdown Center for two days of innovative performances, outrageous looks, nasty dancing and community love. A stellar mix of local queens and global superstars comes to play, with acts like Sasha Velour, Aja, Horrorchata, Charlene, Merrie Cherry, Untitled Queen and others hitting the stage. As always, count on excellent food vendors, jewelry and gown shopping and plenty of after-parties. Serve! 

Push your way down 42nd Street and then through the diners noshing on hummus at the West Bank Cafe to plunge into the basement, where a low-ceilinged cabaret setup (lots of round tables, a bar, a postage-stamp-sized stage) hosts singers, comedians, burlesque shows and the occasional performance artist.

This drag-themed restaurant offers catchily-named meals, strong cocktails and over-the-top drag shows.

Brooklyn's best drag queens love this spot for a round of karaoke, performing or just a casual nightcap. Hang out in the chill backyard or head inside for a low-key kiki with the city's best performers on any given night. 

If it’s true that one in ten people is gay, and that Brooklyn is home to more than 2.5 million people, then the borough must be crawling with queers. Billyburg cuties can call this place their own. The cozy, 1950s ski-lodge–inspired space, with two fireplaces and exposed-brick walls, is home to a friendly crowd of guys and gals chilling with nightly drink specials at the weekly DJ parties.

Bushwick's thriving queer rennaissance converges at this laid-back spot, at which low-budget drag, dirty dance parties and backyard hang-outs are always going down. Grab a cheap happy hour special and sit back in the couches; you're certain to make new friends.