One of the biggest drag scenes in the country, with some of the top performers and venues, is in Chicago. Chicago launches a new drag mecca in the south side, promising ferocious queens, potent drinks, and more. Lips are the epitome of drag dining, with show palaces in Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, New York City, San Diego, and most recently, Chicago. Its distinctive brand of entertainment combines excellent food and specialty drinks with Las Vegas-style drag acts in a fantastical, storybook atmosphere for a winning mix. Lips Chicago, a posh restaurant and bar that has numerous weekly drag shows, is one of the favorite places for drag performances.
Whoopi Goldberg, Drew Barrymore, Liza Minnelli, Toni Braxton, Jewel, Missy Elliot, Ricard Dreyfuss, Bananarama, Big Ange, Tyra Banks, Anderson Cooper, Dennis Rodman, and Cyndi Lauper are just a few of the famous people that have appeared at Lips in Chicago. Additionally, Lips has drawn media attention from around the world as the backdrop for a number of well-known movies and TV shows.
The Phenomenal Lips Chicago
Address: 2229 S Michigan Ave Chicago 60616
Contact Number: (312) 815-2662
Website: www.lipschicago.com
Hours: Wed & Thurs 6 p.m. – 11 p.m., Fri – Sun 7 p.m. – 12 p.m.
Lips Chicago’s Menu:
Lips Chicago distinguishes itself from other drag bars mostly through its menu. All of their menu Lips Chicago distinguishes itself from other drag bars mostly through its menu. All of their menu items are given the names of well-known drag queens, which gives them a unique flair.
Tom J. Schmidt (Little Goat), who created the menu for Lips Chicago, focuses on delicious food to keep customers full while they watch the performance. Smaller bites include the “Harlet Wench” and the “Batty Davis,” which are elote corn fritters with cilantro, lime zest, queso fresco, and smoked chile crème (battered calamari, garlic, Fresno aioli, basil dipping sauce). The “Ladies of Lips Couture Collection” of entrees includes beef and chicken dishes such as the “Ryan Royale,” as well as pasta dishes like the “Angel LeBare” (shrimp fettuccine alfredo) (flat-iron chicken, kohlrabi slaw).
Drink menu:
The drink menu of Lips in Chicago features customized shots, frozen drinks, and mixed beverages. These include the “Yvonne Lame” frozen cosmo, which is the mini-flagship chain’s beverage, and a “Mimi Marks” frozen margarita. The intriguingly called cocktail “Kick the Bitch to the Curb” (Cuervo gold, Cointreau, Chambord, sour mix, lime juice), among others, will be available to drinkers, along with a choice of three flavored martinis. The “Buttery Titty Twister” (butterscotch schnapps, Bailey’s, and Southern Comfort) and the “Hot Chata” are two alternatives for shots (Fireball, Rumchata).
Space:
The fact that Lips Chicago strives to deliver an extravagant experience shouldn’t come as a surprise. Bright pinks, greens, and purples reflect light from four eight-foot crystal chandeliers, four disco balls, and a cluster of dazzling disco balls, giving the 8,000-square-foot area the appearance of a kaleidoscope. The stage is large, and there are lots of hallways between the tables for performers to move around while performing. A few well-heeled mannequin legs adorn a striped wall, and the room is filled with whimsical touches like glittering stilettos on tiny platforms over the bar making it one of Chicago’s fanciest drag experiences.
174 people can be seated at Lips Chicago at tables in areas that are sectioned off on the side of the room, in front of the stage, and on stools that have backs along the bar. Lips offer catering for bachelorette parties, birthdays, anniversaries, and even the rare divorce party, making it the finest spot to celebrate any occasion. A souvenir photo and time onstage with the musicians will be provided for special guests of honor.
Lips Drag Show in Chicago
The weekly, themed performances at Lips Chicago—many of which feature pre-set cuisine selections in the ticket price—are quite fantastic. You will love a nice lunch here at Lips Chicago, so these are some of the favorite Lips drag shows options:
- Twisted Broadway, Weds
- Dinner with the Divas, Thurs
- Showstopper Sunday Dinner Show
Bottom Line
Having a bachelorette (or bachelor) party, celebrating Pride Month, or just taking in an amazing dinner and performance are all fantastic reasons to choose Lips Chicago as the location. Lips Chicago guarantees a great night of camp, glam, and spectacle whatever the occasion.
