Make It a Sunday Brunch to Remember in Palm Springs
Since the golden days of Hollywood, celebrities, artists and warm-weather seekers have flocked to the desert, drawn to its oasis climate and resort lifestyle. The Coachella Valley celebrates diversity, and Palm Springs is home to a welcoming LGBTQ community. There are several events that celebrate the gay lifestyle every year, including the annual Palm Springs Pride Festival in November. But whatever your persuasion, you’re sure to enjoy mimosas, craft cocktails and brunch while being entertained—and sometimes served—by fabulously talented female impersonators. Here are our top-five picks for the best drag brunches in Palm Springs! Best Drag Brunch Shows
Palm Springs Drag Brunch
Location: Roly China Fusion
You can purchase tickets to this restaurant’s rooftop Sunday drag brunch throughout the spring and summer. Starting at $45 per person, choose from three levels of brunches: “Basic Bitch,” “Mean Girls” and “Diva Lounge Seating.” Roly China Fusion serves up some of the best Chinese fusion dishes in the desert thanks to culinary artist and restaurant owner Chad Gardner. Enjoy a two-course brunch with menu items like dim sum, pork shu mei and kung pao chicken. A full bar is also available with an array of drink specials. You’ll see Rosemary Galore as “the hostess with the mostest” and performers like Angelique VaGorgeous.
Best Drag Brunch Shows
Amazing Sunday Drag Brunch
Location: Chill Bar Palm Springs
This establishment is a winner of the Best of the Valley’s “Best Bar/Nightclub Scene” award. Chill Bar boats an indoor/outdoor vibe with a LGBTQ-friendly ambience. Enjoy the view of the Arenas Strip and San Jacinto Mountains through Chill Bar’s glass walls while you munch on a yellowtail ahi salad or Ba Que Pizza created by top Coachella Valley chefs. You can also pair your food with a craft cocktail, wine or beer. The bar’s “Amazing Sunday” drag brunches feature performances by Calypso Jete of HBO’s “Legendary” and Honey Davenport of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” among others. Show hours are from noon to 2:30 p.m.
11/12
Various Drag Brunch Shows
Location: Oscar’s Downtown Palm Springs
This cabaret and restaurant features fun weekly events and entertainment, including a long-running Saturday and Sunday “Bitchiest Brunch.” Tickets range from $35 to $50 with brunch and bottomless mimosas priced separately. You can create your own omelet or feast on a Scottish smoked salmon Benedict or chilaquiles. The bar menu includes stellar cocktails like the spicy Mango-Rita and Desert Manhattan. The brunch reportedly stars some of the most outrageous drag queens in town and is currently hosted by Anita Rose, a favorite of Palm Springs locals. You’ll also enjoy Saturday brunch with Mimosa Men, who do some provocative dances and pour champagne.
Best Drag Brunch Shows
Illusions The Drag Brunch Palm Springs
Location: Pete’s Hideaway
Enjoy hilarious drag queen hosts and celebrity impersonators at this entertaining brunch, which takes place on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the spring and summer at Pete’s Hideaway in downtown Palm Springs. You can come to brunch or just the show, and ticket prices start at only $10! (Brunch and drinks are priced separately). You’ll experience amazing tribute performances to celebrities like Madonna, Cher, Rihanna, Britney Spears, Adele and more. This drag brunch is perfect for occasions like bachelorette parties, birthday parties, date night, moms’ night out or anything you want to celebrate!
10/18
Disco Boozy Brunch
Location: PS Air Bar
Join drag queens Candace Camera and Diva along with the entire PS Air crew every Sunday at PS Air Bar inside Bouschet, a 737-themed bar in Palm Springs. There are two brunch seatings, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and for the reasonable price of $45, you can get a glass of champagne, a choice of three entrees served “airplane style,” and enjoy performances by PS Fly Girls. Tom Beatty, a flight attendant for 34 years, and Dennis Costa opened this unique bistro/wine bar several years ago to give visitors a fun aviation experience without having to go through security checks!
Best Drag Brunch Shows
Lynne Eodice is an accomplished writer & photographer. She is the former Features Editor for Petersen’s PHOTOgraphic magazine, and has contributed her writing and/or editorial expertise to Photographer’s Forum, Rangefinder, DoubleExposure.com, California Tour & Travel, Family Photo and Adorama’s Learning Center. She is also the author of Photos That Inspire: Photo Workshop, an instructional book that’s illustrated with more than 200 images by various photographers, published by Wiley & Sons.
