Categories > Guides and Tips
Snatched and Tucked: 13 King- and Queen-Approved Drag Shows in Canada!
- Toronto
- Glad Day Bookshop Sunday Drag Brunch
- Smoking Hot Divas Show at Woody's
- Frisky Fridays at Church St Garage
- Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
- Vancouver
- The Junction
- Montreal
- Cabaret Mado
- Bar Le Cocktail
- Ottawa
- The Lookout Bar
- Swizzles
- Quebec City
- Le Drague
- Calgary
- Dickens
- The Palace Theatre
- Special Drag Event
- Canada’s Drag Race Tour
Yas, queen! Canada’s got you beat when it comes to the best drag performances! There’s no shortage of fantabulous shows performed by gorgeous queens who serve and slay the stage with every act!
We’ve been to our fair share of drag shows, which have always been fun and memorable! It’s even more exciting when we see our favourite performers (and if they’ve been on TV!). Starstruck, much?
Time to tuck it in! We’re sashaying you away on a trip across Canada to catch the best drag shows you’ll ever see!
Toronto
Glad Day Bookshop Sunday Drag Brunch
Media credit: selenavyle
Location: 499 Church St
Contact: 416-901-6600, [email protected]
Hours: Sunday: 11 am & 2 pm
Website
Brunch and drag show in one? It’s like Christmas came early! Glad Day Bookshop Sunday Drag Brunch is the longest drag brunch in the region, which is more than enough reason to be a part of it!
It’s hosted by the talented and gorgeous Selena Vyle, a drag queen who brings glamour, laughs, and entertainment! It’s more of a playful show, so you can bring the kids if you don’t mind them hearing some harsh humour.
Toronto is spoiling us with all-you-can-eat brunch and a different guest each week! We’ve been to a couple, and we have to say they’ve been some of our best brunches in the city!
Pro Tip:
This is by reservation, so don’t forget to book your ticket! It costs $16.45 + tax per person.
Smoking Hot Divas Show at Woody’s
Media credit: woodysonchurch
Location: 467 Church St #465
Contact: [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Friday: 3 pm – 2 am
- Saturday – Sunday: 1 pm – 2 am
Meet us at Woody’s for the Smoking Hot Divas Show! Late-night Sundays have never been the same since we went to a show— it’s electric, fun, and smokin’ hot!
It features seasoned performers, Canada’s Drag Race contestants, and newbies. One thing’s for sure: no matter who the performer is, the crowd will surely go wild!
Woody’s, located in Toronto’s gay village, has been an important figure in the queer community since 1989. After overcoming challenges (like the pandemic), it has continued to provide a safe space for the LGBTQ community.
Pro Tip:
Join their Facebook group to keep yourself updated with shows, special events, and guests!
Frisky Fridays at Church St Garage
Media credit: churchstreetgarage
Location: 477 Church St
Contact: 647-352-5508
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11 am – 2 am
Website
Church St Garage has never disappointed us. It hosts several cool shows that always slay the night away!
Frisky Fridays is one of our favourites, where talented drag performers like Beardra Bidness and Devine Darlin, give their all for mind-blowing shows where the audience will laugh, be amazed, and wish the night will never end!
That’s not the only fabulous show. You can also join drag brunch on Saturdays, then come back at night for Heavenlee Saturdays for dragtastic performances!
Pro Tip:
Plan your week ahead. Going to two shows in one day may be overstimulating for some, so make sure you sprinkle your visits throughout the week.
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Media credit: buddiesto
Location: 12 Alexander St
Contact: 416-975-8555
Hours: Show dependent
Website
There’s a true destination for queer culture in Toronto— Buddies in Bad Times is a queer theatre where the community’s voices are heard. This is the world’s largest and longest-running queer theatre, which has supported veteran and emerging artists.
This is the place for artistic performances and for gripping stories. Watch drag queens snatch the audience’s attention with their powerful performances.
For post-show fun, head over to the in-house bar called Tallulah’s Cabaret. It’s open from Wednesday to Sunday, where club nights and open mics are held.
Pro Tip:
Tallulah’s Cabaret doesn’t require reservations during party nights, but special events are ticketed. So, check out the website’s events page to see which nights need tickets.
Vancouver
The Junction
Media credit: thejunctionpub
Location: 1138 Davie St
Contact: 604-669-2013
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 1:30 pm – 3 am
Website
If you ever visit Vancouver, you have to pop by The Junction in the heart of Davie Village. This lively pub is the ultimate stop for drag events because there’s a lot— and with the rotating DJs, you’ll dance to queer hits, old-school tracks, and top bops!
Visit on Thursday nights for Haze, hosted by Hazel, a weekly high-energy, sexy, and captivating show. You get special performances as well, available for one night only and inspired by whatever’s popular right now, like Wicked and The Eras Tour!
There’s so much going on at The Junction; you’ll find something cool every night! Don’t miss out on special guests, including famous queens and newcomers!
Pro Tip:
If you’re a student, bring your ID and pay only a $7 cover fee. This doesn’t apply to special events, though.
Montreal
Cabaret Mado
Media credit: cabaretmado
Location: 1115 St Catherine St E
Contact: 514-525-7566
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 4 pm – 1:30 am
Website
Cabaret Mado was founded by Mado Lamotte, a famous Quebec drag queen— she was impersonated by Lady Boom Boom in Canada’s Drag Race! You might get to see our very famous Mado perform at her club!
This Montreal spot does not disappoint when it comes to fantabulous shows. Get ready to be entertained by dazzling, fun, and sexy performances!
For those who were unlucky with tickets, maybe you can catch the Taylor Swift tribute show by celebrity impersonator Jimmy Moore. Other drag queens who have graced the stage are Sami Landri, Gisèle Lullaby, and CC Chanel.
Pro Tip:
There are lots of drag shows, so check their website to see what you’re most interested in. You can purchase tickets there, which varies depending on the show.
Bar Le Cocktail
Media credit: barlecocktailmtl
Location: 1669 St Catherine St E
Contact: 514-597-0814
Hours:
- Monday: 7 pm – 12 am
- Tuesday – Saturday: 4 pm – 3 am
- Sunday: 3 pm – 3 am
Head over to Montreal’s Gay Village and watch spectacular drag shows at Bar Le Cocktail. It has a lively atmosphere with delicious cocktails, inexpensive cover charges, and epic performances!
This bar hosts jaw-dropping events by artistic and fabulous queens, such as Crystal Starz, Emma Déjàvu, and Bambi Dextrous. Make sure your voices are ready for karaoke nights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Purchase tickets from the website, where you can see all the shows. But if you don’t speak French, you won’t understand the shows unless the host and performers are singing songs.
Pro Tip:
Ste-Catherine St E is pedestrian-only during the summer season, so you can’t pass by driving. You can park in the surrounding areas, but it might be tough to find a spot, so it’s best to use public transportation.
Ottawa
The Lookout Bar
Media credit: thelookoutbar
Location: 41 York St 2nd Floor
Contact: 613-789-1624
Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday & Thursday: 7 pm – 12 am
- Wednesday: 7 pm – 2 am
- Friday: 4 pm – 2 am
- Saturday: 3 pm – 2 am
- Sunday: 3 pm – 11 pm
Ottawa’s Byward Market is home to The Lookout Bar, a queer bar that has been around since 1996. This inclusive space is all about fun parties, spectacular shows, superb talents, and glamour everywhere!
Cheer for the competitors at the annual Naughty and Nice Competition, celebrate dragversaries, and watch Professional Night hosted by Elle Faekwa. Don’t miss out on seasonal events, like spookylicious Halloween festivities!
If you love Canada’s Drag Race, head there early for viewing parties, which are followed by a Q&A and a drag show. Drag Race contestants also pop by, like Perla and Aurora Matrix.
Pro Tip:
Don’t be late for ticketed events! Once the show starts, entry will be limited based on capacity requirements.
Swizzles
Media credit: swizzlesbar
Location: 246 B Queen St
Contact: 613-232-4200, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday: 4 pm – 2 am
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 4 pm – 2 am
- Thursday – Friday: 3 pm – 2 am
- Saturday: 7 pm – 2 am
- Sunday: 5 pm – 2 am
Thursday nights at Swizzles are epic! Everyone is welcome— girls, boys, and queer. Hosted by Zelda Marshall, their weekly immersive drag event is packed with fun times, raunchy humour, and side-splitting acts (there’s no boring night!)
There’s limited seating, so book your reservation for an hour of fierce performances. Catch fabulous queens like Tanya King, Phionna Kitty, and Spicy Pancetta!
Pro Tip:
On weekends, visit on a Saturday for a burlesque show if you want underground entertainment. It’s best to book a reservation to save your spot!
Quebec City
Le Drague
Media credit: ledraguecabaretclub
Location: 815 Rue Saint-Augustin
Contact: 418-649-7212
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11 am – 3 am
Website
Quebec definitely pulls out all the stops when it comes to drag shows! At Le Drague, the LGBTQI2A+ community is welcome any day of the week, where everyone can enjoy the most tantalising shows!
A variety of the most fabulous drag talents are here to werk, like Lady Boom Boom, Jojo Bones, Adriana, and Yannick Rockstor. They’re ready to perform small and large-scale shows!
Join drag brunch on Saturdays, register for the drag revival contest, sing along at karaoke on Wednesdays, and dance along queer party anthems on Fridays!
Pro Tip:
Before coming in, check if the event you want to go to requires tickets. Bingo and karaoke don’t need reservations, but special shows do.
Calgary
Dickens
Media credit: dickensyyc
Location: 1000 9 Ave SW
Contact: 403-233-7550, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 11 am – 2 am
- Saturday: 5 pm – 2 am
- Sunday: 12 pm ‘til late
Adults, hop over to Dickens, an 18+-only event space for live music and special performances! There’s a show for everyone— there’s rock n roll, dance parties, trivia nights, viewing parties, drag bingo, and seasonal happenings.
Expect to see a flow of talented queens to host and perform, such as Lilith Fair, Karla Marx, and the Boulet Brothers. During the holiday season, you can join festive and electrifying nights when the music is loud and guests dance the night away!
Pro Tip:
Arrive early to get good seats.
The Palace Theatre
Media credit: palacetheatreyyc
Location: 219 8 Ave SW
Contact: [email protected]
Hours: Based on events
Website
The Palace Theatre is where concerts and shows are held. It doesn’t regularly host drag shows, but it’s where you can watch larger events during special occasions, like The Pride Drag Show.
Drag shows here have impressive line-ups. You get to see some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Aquaria, Tynomi Banks, and Brooke Lynn Hytes.
Pro Tip:
If you’re driving, make sure you have dedicated time to find a parking slot. The venue doesn’t have a parking lot, so you’ll have to look around the area.
Special Drag Event
Canada’s Drag Race Tour
Media credit: canadasdragrace
Location: Multi-city tour
Website
You’ve been living under a rock if you haven’t heard of the famous Canada’s Drag Race, the Canadian version of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Gorgeous queens from the show will werk the stage on a multi-city tour in Canada!
Enjoy extravaganzas and see these ladies gag you with their over-the-top acts! So if they’re stopping by your city, grab those tickets quickly!
Pro Tip:
They won’t stop in all major cities, so keep your schedule clear if you want to travel to where they’re at. If you want a meet and greet, save up to secure those tickets!
