3 Tips for Your First Weekend Drag Brunch

Dilame Lindmeier
Wed, 12 Apr 2023 18:33:14 +0000
Happy Hour

Learn some etiquette on money, jokes and personal space with the Sunday queens

By Dilame Lindmeier

Every two weeks at CRAVE American Kitchen, located on Hennepin in downtown Minneapolis, drag queens touch up the finishing details of their costumes and performers let down their hair—or take it off – for a drag queen Sunday brunch.

Whether you’re a college student or simply a person interested in a new weekend activity, you can get front-row tickets to witness and experience the Twin Cities’ vibrant LGBTQ+ culture while sipping the bottomless mimosas. But first, let’s go over some basic etiquette.

Tip #1: Do not touch the performers.

If you meet a drag queen before or after the show, don’t touch their hair or grab at their outfit. Drag can easily be damaged, so it is important to leave those queens alone. Drag queens are still people, y’all. You wouldn’t just start touching someone’s hair or grabbing their outfit, so don’t do it to a drag queen.

Tip #2: Bring your cash and let it rain.

Though drag queens are typically paid a set fee for the hours they perform, a significant amount of their wages come from the generosity of their attendees. Be sure to tip your queens, especially when they’re going the extra mile to put on a good show with kicks, splits and costume reveals.

Tip #3: Respect people’s autonomy.

Follow the queens’ lead when offering money so you respect their bodies. Hold out the tip if they’re taking them or leave it on stage afterward. If the queens reach to take your dollar, do not grab them, and hold them captive. (Remember: No touching.) If you put money in your mouth, don’t expect the drag queen to use their mouth to take it from you. Unless they hold their panties open to allow you to tip them into their undergarments, don’t reach your hand there. Bottom line: don’t tease with your dollar and try to have a moment. Just enjoy the time and be considerate of the queens and audience members.