Brunch News
House of Blues drags Dallas into hottest trend in brunch right now
Brunch is already one of the grandest dining moments of the week, and yet somehow, they've found a way to make it grander. It's called the drag brunch, and it is as you might possibly guess: a brunch combined with performances by drag queens.
Eater tracks the origins of the drag brunch to '90s New York, and New Orleans is not far behind. But Dallas has been in sync with the currently emerging drag brunch trend, with previous installations at venues such as Don't Tell Supper Club (which alas closed in August).
Now there's a new place to experience it: House of Blues Dallas, which is launching a new "Drag Diva Brunch" series on Saturday, September 14.
Beyond its reputation as a live-music venue, House of Blues was already known for over-the-top brunch, having hosted a Sunday gospel brunch for decades. The drag brunch is another way and day to celebrate, says marketing manager Taylor Bulen.
"We did a trial event in August, and it sold out," Bulen says. "Once we saw that response, we knew there was a demand."
The drag brunch combines a brunch buffet with wildly entertaining shows that are popular for bachelorette parties, birthdays, girls days, and other celebrations.
Doors open at 10:30 am, as does the bar, and seating begins at 11 am. You help yourself to food in as leisurely a manner as you wish, with prototypical brunch offerings like shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, and more. The show begins at noon.
House of Blues works with a company called DragDiva.com, which produces parties; private events; films; and TV shows, including RuPaul's Drag Race.
The company currently organizes 10 events around the country, in cities such as Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco. The show is like a concert, generally running about two hours, sometimes with local talent, sometimes with performers from out of town.
The show is open to all ages, but anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a chaperone.
"We always describe our show as fun and flirty, and our emcees occasionally use adult humor and language, but the show is never raunchy," DragDiva.com says.
Bulen says they put on "quite the interactive performance," stating, "They're singing everyone's favorite songs, and it's very engaging."
House of Blues is also doing themes, with each brunch dedicated to a specific act or concept such as Spice Girls, Beyonce, and Sex and the City. The theme extends to the menu. The Spice Girls brunch has drinks such as Baby Spice Sangria, Sporty Spice Punch, Scary Spice Margarita, Ginger Spice Mule, and a Posh Spice Manhattan.
The buffet features favorites like Macaroni & Say Cheese, Sassy Catfish & Grits, Dragon Diva Salad, and Chicken & Rainbow Waffles.
Dallas and Houston are first in what will be a company-wide initiative, Bulen says.
"We began this in New Orleans at the Fillmore for Live Nation, and then Houston wanted to launch it, so we gave them a couple shows," Bulen says. "Dallas asked for it next, but we anticipate that it will eventually come to all 10 locations of House of Blues."
Future loxation of H-E-B at Hillcrest Road and I-635.