St. Louis is seen as one of the nation’s drag capitals due to our abundance of talent and our role as the headquarters of the Miss Gay America Pageant. For years, entertainers and audiences largely stuck to their preferred haunts, but 2020 has seen everything upended, sending wigs flying.
In addition to the pandemic, which moved many shows outdoors, the community has suffered two major closures beginning in August with the Grove’s historic Attitude’s Nightclub. For three decades, Attitudes was a laboratory of creativity and experimentation, catering to a young and diverse crowd. On the other end of the spectrum was Downtown’s Hamburger Mary’s, which showcased established, pageant-winning talent and largely catered to the West County and bachelorette party set. They closed at the end of September.
The good news for drag aficionados is that our scene is dynamic and resilient. Performers are bejeweling plexiglass face shields and are making the rounds, and their masked fans are following their lead. If you’ve been sticking to mainstream establishments to see shows, this is an opportunity to delve into more authentic scenes.
Below are the top four places to see socially-distanced drag right now, plus two performers to know.
Photography by Michael Paynic
Bubby's patio
Bubby’s is a downtown Alton staple, pulling in patrons from all over the region due to their unparalleled hospitality and dazzling performances. They’ve moved the shows from the upstairs cabaret to the patio, and have also eliminated the cover. Showtime is at 8 p.m. every Saturday night. Big Boys Q is out there grilling as well. 602 Belle, Alton; 618-465-4773.
Photography courtesy of Janessa Highland
The House of Markstone
2. The Monocle
“Queen of Controversy” Janessa Markstone-Mornett Highland may be barred from half the stages in town, but she reigns supreme on the Monocle patio every Thursday night with her House of Markstone family. And since the Mother Alicia Markstone is among the nation’s top drag designers, you can be sure the fashions will be spectacular.
The high-end Monocle serves craft cocktails in an intimate setting. If you bring some friends, it could easily have the feel of an exclusive, private event. 4510 Manchester; 314-932-7003.
Courtesy of Rehab
Divas of the Grove
Rehab owner Victoria Rose runs the tightest ship in town, and her club is the gold standard for COVID safety measures. “Divas of the Grove” shows take place on their massive patio, which allows plenty of room for social distancing. The patio will be enclosed and heated during the winter.
Photography courtesy of Rehab
Rehab St. Louis anchors the eastern end of the Grove.
“We take no chances here. We have mandatory temperature checks and strict rules on wearing masks while not seated. I had to kick someone out just the other day for not complying,” Rose says.
When a customer tested positive months ago, Rehab closed for a week, was professionally sanitized, and all staff were tested twice before returning to work.
Second only to Grey Fox in the number of shows, Rehab’s divas perform five nights a week, skipping Tuesday and Thursday. 4054 Chouteau; 314-652-3700.
Photography by Justin Lehman Photography
Grey Fox has shows six nights a week.
The gritty Grey Fox Cabaret is emblematic of one of those “authentic scenes” mentioned earlier, but with shows six nights a week, no stage in town is busier. “I started performing at the Grey Fox in 2004, and became show director in 2015,” said Jade Sinclair, who also performs at Bar: PM on Sunday, and Soulard’s Bastille on Monday. Perhaps the most prolific performer in St. Louis, you might even find her performing on a riverboat or emceeing a Mardi Gras ball.
“I think we have a very comfortable venue,” Sinclair says of the Grey Fox. “All-indoor seating with tables spaced for distancing. Climate controlled, probably the largest stage in town, and really good lighting. We’ve made a lot of investments in that.”
But most of all, Sinclair points to the diverse talent Grey Fox attracts.
“Our city sits in silos, but Grey Fox is a place where everyone comes together. We have two former Attitudes performers on our cast, but have also had girls from Hamburger Mary’s perform.”
Adding to the authenticity is the fact Grey Fox is a neighborhood bar in every sense of the word. Situated in the LGBTQ-centric Tower Grove South, many of the patrons walk there. The neighborhood hospitality extends to new faces as well. 3503 S. Spring; 314-772-2150.
Photography courtesy of Kristopher Reynolds
Krista Versace remains secure in her throne.
The diva Versace
When the iconic Krista Versace was let go from Hamburger Mary’s, not only did big names follow her out in solidarity, dozens shut down the street in protest. It may not have been the night the lights went out in Georgia, but the venue did go dark 90 days later.
“She felt beat down,” began close friend Erica Leigh Foster, “but seeing the outpouring of love from the community gave her her strength back.”
“I’ve worked every weekend since the day I began 27 years ago,” Versace recalls. “I’ve either been in a cast or had my own shows. That still remains to this day. I was overwhelmed with gratitude, from not only my community, but sisters here and throughout the nation. I had no intentions of saying anything to anyone about what took place. I planned to move on with my life. I actually was relieved to be out of that situation. It feels like a huge burden has been taken off my shoulders. I have peace of mind and I’m grateful to still be doing what I love. I love my St. Louis peeps. They made me what I am today.”
Krista Versace hosts her own show Friday nights at Bar: PM but also performs all over the city. After being a caged bird for years, in a venue that required exclusivity, she’s stretching her wings.
Photography by Excell Graham
Ming Lee electrifies audiences.
Body of work: Ming Lee dominates the night
“Ming Lee has to be the highest-tipped queen in the city,” someone in the cabaret said as dollars rained down like confetti—and we'd have to agree. A dollar or two per number is expected, but Ming’s fans throw far more her way as the scantily clad femme fatale enraptures the crowd with her sultry, high-energy performances.
Ming, who is trans, had breast augmentation and a Brazilian butt lift early this year. “I feel like my confidence and my entertainment value went up,” she said.
At 28, she’s forging her way after the closing of Attitudes, where she was the show director and host for three years.
“Attitudes was like a family. It’s hard because it was one of the places where the African-American community felt comfortable, especially on Thursday nights.”
Now, she’s performing at Bar: PM on Sundays and at the Grey Fox Thursday thru Saturday.
“Grey Fox is a stepping stone for so many people. It’s the club with the most shows,” Ming says. She’s also comforted by the support of Jade Sinclair, who took an interest in her years earlier.
Ming and Jade regularly perform Lady Gaga’s “Rain on Me” together. If you go see them, that would be a perfect time to make it rain.
Chris Andoe is the author of Delusions of Grandeur and his next book, House of Villadiva, will be released Spring 2021.
