Tip These Queens

We’re assembling a dynamic task force of legendary drag performers to offer up their life lessons in and around cocktail culture, served with a stiff dose of etiquette and the occasional read.

Tip These Queens: Life Lessons from Legendary Drag Performers

Nation

Photo by Jeremy Daniel

Drink

Find the best spots daily to eat and drink in hipster neighborhoods. Hit the roof, drink a beer and eat delicious at top-tier restaurants. Plan your nightlife adventure with maps and reviews of unknown micro-brews, rooftop parties, and independent drink.

Best Restaurants & Bars - Places to Eat & Drink - Thrillist

A group of us waited for Jinkx Monsoon to arrive in an empty cocktail lounge in a midtown Manhattan hotel.

Why We’re All Under Jinkx Monsoon’s Spell

Cole Saladino for Thrillist

To call what The Cake Boys do “drag” would be a gross oversimplification.

The Cake Boys Are All About Chaos

Photo by Cole Saladino for Thrillist

For two years during the pandemic, I interviewed performers remotely.

How Brooklyn Musician Mel 4Ever Became Her Own Superhero

The Brooklyn drag scene is famous for its innovative looks, and there’s no better example than Untitled Queen, a fixture on the scene for over a decade.

For Brooklyn’s Untitled Queen, Drag Is Art

Despite being a card-carrying lover of all things drag, my first experience at Bushwig—the Brooklyn drag festival founded over 10 years ago by Horrorchata and Babes LaBeija—was only last year.

Bushwig Founders Are Breathing New Life Into the Decade-Old Festival

Photo by David Martinez for Thrillist

Most people know BenDeLaCreme from her iconic self-elimination on the third season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.

BenDeLaCreme Uses Puppets to Get Deep About Love and Loss

Photo by Robert Frashure

Ever since her boundary-breaking appearance as the first out trans cast member of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Peppermint has been keeping rather busy.

Peppermint Says Now Is the Time to Be Loud, Proud, and Registered to Vote

Pride

Join us in our celebration of the queer community and learn how to support those near you this month.

Thrillist Pride Month: How to Celebrate Pride Month This Year in Your City

Renowned Drag Collective Switch n’ Play Is Happy to Be Back on Stage

I first saw cabaret performer Daphne Always at a RuPaul’s Drag Race watch party at a gay bar in Williamsburg a few years ago and I saw her one-woman show a few times before the pandemic shut everything down.

Cabaret Singer Daphne Always Is Still Evolving

Weed

Everything You Need to Know About Legal Weed, Smoking, Edibles, CBD and More

Photo by Eric Magnussen

How Cannabis Queen Shea Couleé Is Branching Out

Photo by Chona Kasinger for Thrillist

Michete is one of the most consistently funny people on my Twitter timeline.

Michete Just Wants You to Remember Her

Generally, I don’t make a habit of discussing drag performers’ non-drag lives, but Gary Carmichael and I met in a way that was too good not to share.

Why We’re All Under Jinkx Monsoon’s Spell

The Portland native shares her journey from ‘Drag Race’ to Broadway.

The Cake Boys Are All About Chaos

The drag king collective brings music, animation, and other elements of visual and performance art to their exhilarating shows.

How Brooklyn Musician Mel 4Ever Became Her Own Superhero

She’s sober, naked (sometimes), and excited to record her next album.

For Brooklyn’s Untitled Queen, Drag Is Art

The multidisciplinary artist discusses her evolving looks and the next wave of Brooklyn drag.

Bushwig Founders Are Breathing New Life Into the Decade-Old Festival

Horrochata and Babes La Beija discuss the evolution of the iconic Brooklyn drag celebration.

BenDeLaCreme Uses Puppets to Get Deep About Love and Loss

The Seattle-based queen is inspired by her parents, Jim Henson, and self-exploration.

Peppermint Says Now Is the Time to Be Loud, Proud, and Registered to Vote

Plus, the singer-actress dishes on her latest R&B tour and filming ‘Fire Island.’

Renowned Drag Collective Switch n’ Play Is Happy to Be Back on Stage

These drag and burlesque performers talk about what queer family means to them.

Cabaret Singer Daphne Always Is Still Evolving

The NYC performer talks upcomings shows and trans identity in the drag world.

How Cannabis Queen Shea Couleé Is Branching Out

The ‘Drag Race’ all star star talks new line of drinks and what makes Chicago drag so special.

Michete Just Wants You to Remember Her

The Seattle-based musician talks Gaga, transmisogyny, and breaking boundaries.

How Gary Carmichael Became a Five-Borough King

This sharp-dressed man shares what keeps him going in the fight for acceptance.