3 Cities to Catch 'RuPaul’s Drag Race' Queens IRL

With tonight's premiere of RuPaul Drage Race All Stars, we decided to take a look at three of just three of our favorite drag-culture cities where you'll most likely run into one of your favorite contestants. 

BROOKLYN

While Manhattan is on all drag queens’ lists of places to pop in for paid gigs, the girls tend to visit Brooklyn when they want to get down, show off more risqué sets, and where many call home. Besides the annual Bushwig festival (which was headlined last year by Alyssa Edwards), the borough that’s home to nearly three million people has venues like long-standing staple Metropolitan that is frequented by Thorgy Thor, Bob the Drag Queen, and Acid Betty. The most exciting part about Brooklyn, though, is seeing queens take drag culture back to its alterna-roots. Pop by Macri Park to see Merrie Cherrie and then head to The Rosemont for unexpected surprises (for god’s sake Bjork DJed a viewing party). 

SEATTLE

Home to Drag Race–winner Jinkx Monsoon, Seattle breeds a different kind of drag that mixes Seattle grunge, hippy, and theater. You’re most likely to run into Monsoon at Julia’s On Broadway where a long-running impersonation show takes place. The divey Pony Bar is another popular hangout with cheap drinks, porn-plastered waslls and a go-go boy. BenDeLaCreme (another Seattle girl) and Jinkx will be hosting a party tonight (1/25/18) at Century Ballroom.

ATLANTA

There may not even be Drag Race without Atlanta. Mama Ru called Atlanta home for his formidable years, learning a lot from the club scene and ladies who made up the punk rock and alternative scene. Winner Violet Chachki still has time for her home city, performing at Pride, starring in shows at the Starlight Cabaret theater, and holding special events such as the WUSSY Prom with Violet Chachki and Fade-Dra Phey. Check out Atlanta’s upcoming talent and some locally established girls at either Burkharts and Blake's on the Park.