Intro
#500-451 | #450-401 | #400-351
#350-301 | #300-251 | #250-201
#200-151 | #150-101 | #100-51
#50-1 | Previous tHOTlists
400. Stefan Daniel
The aesthetically perfect choice to help helm Luis Fernando’s “Twink Army” Pride party at The Rosemont, Stefan also produces the recurring “Dress Code” party (which features an actual look theme) at that same venue, and also occasionally at Phoenix Bar.
399. Alicia Love
2023’s Miss Trans New York and the winner of the fifth cycle of VERS Bar’s “Get Schooled” competition, the alluring Alicia was a contestant in both Miss Hell’s Kitchen and Mx. Cantina this year. She also turned out heavenly numbers at Amor Loco, Pieces, Paradise, Industry, Sandy Jacks and many more spots throughout 2024.
398. DD Fuego
We’ll keep saying it until you all listen… why are we sleeping on this queen!? She’s got it all: great looks, hilarious and intricate mixes, quick comic timing, crowd-pleasing hype… even creative merch! Right now you can see her as the monthly guest of Bootsie LeFaris for Pieces Bar’s “Sinful Saturdays,” and she recently joined the cast Hush’s Friday night “Reinas” show as well. We here are firmly in our DD Era, and the rest of world needs to get on board with us!
397. Atlas Social Club
Celebrating 11 years as a go-to, no frills bar / lounge in Hell’s Kitchen, Atlas continues to be a crowd pleaser for regulars and passersby alike. Boasting an old-timey gym decor, comfy seating, a staff of to-die-for thirst traps, boozy ice cream, weekend parties hosted by the lovely Zeta Jones… and most importantly, the crazy popular Tuesday night game night “Level Up” hosted by Shane Cherry and a little website called Thotyssey.
396. Xana DuMe
“The Brazilian Tap Dancing Cabaret Drag Diva” introduced her Who She cabaret to New York at the Triad Theater last year, and now currently hosts a weekly Tuesday show of the same name at The Duplex. Xana’s also streaming a single called, what else, “Who She” (branding!) that she dropped in May.
395. Mocha
A fierce Brooklyn drag warrior for well over a decade, Mocha (née Mocha Lite, but sometimes still Mocha Lite depending on who made the show flyer) has always served cutting edge fashion looks and dance performances. These days Mocha is a favorite featured pop-up performer for Playhouse’s Friday night party “Play,” and taking part in a bunch of other shows and parties in Manhattan and Brooklyn. You probably also caught her at Bushwig, both performing and selling wares with her longtime partner-in-crime Misty Meaner.
394. Amygdala & Silly Brown
Two visibly remaining reps of Brooklyn nightlife’s Haus of Quench continued through 2024 to hold court at Brooklyn’s All Night Skate as co-hosts of the monthly “Blow Pop” show that featured guests and open sets. Both performers also popped up in several other Brooklyn shows, while Amygdala also hosts and produces the recurring “Pleasuredome” showcase of eclectic talent at Purgatory.
393. Jack Barrow
2024’s Best Burlesque winner at the Glams and an all-around beloved nightlife fixture, Jack appeared in several burlesque shows at venues like The Slipper Room and the Beechman, starred in Nora Burns’ stage show The Village: A Disco Daydream, and served us spirits as a Good Judy staffer. An injury took him out of performing near the end of the year, but we have no doubt he’ll be physically healed in no time so he can get back to sexually healing us (you can help).
392. Maxx Love
Merging darkness and sexuality, drag and burlesque, performer Maxx has haunted stages with jaw-dropping performances all over Brooklyn in 2024 including those at Purgatory, C’mon Everybody, Pink Metal, All Night Skate, Bushwig at Knockdown Center and a recurring provocative trans showcase at The Sultan Room called “Thirst.”
391. Rosé
The RuPaul’s Drag Race S9 (2021) finalist displayed a wide range of talents before, during and after her tenure on that show: dynamic live vocals, delightful improv and polished-yet-sexy fashions. After a fun 2022 run in off-Broadway’s Titanique, Rosé toured with a musical parody of MEG4N and starred in a one woman showcase at Red Eye in November.
390. Penny Livonia
A live singer and rapper, Penny hosted monthly shows and and karaoke nights at Rockbar in the West Village, where she also made it to the Mx. Rockbar finale. She was also found co-hosting a Drag Race viewing party and other shows with Marcel the Artist at Brooklyn’s Secret Pour, and later in the year performed at Branded Saloon.
389. Angel Au
This stunner continues to charm audiences and social media users with her gorgeously intricate drag looks and fun numbers. In 2024, Ms. Au walked on a New York Fashion Week runway, entertained Lucky Chengs brunch audiences at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, competed in Janelle No. 5’s “Ultimate Diva All-Stars” pageant and turned out monthly “Whisky & Wasabi” shows at Fresco’s Grand Cantina.
388. Richard Cortez
The handsome musician continues to serve classic jazz to queer nightlifers and their allies weekly at Rebar in Chelsea and BEEPUBLIC in Brooklyn, and frequently at Club Cumming. Right before Halloween, Richard dropped Mood Swings, a jazz vocals album, for the masses to bump, jive and sway to.
387. Prima Love
The vibrant featured queen of Aveq Moi’s “Family Jewels” at The Rosemont, dance diva and Lucky Cheng’s brunch entertainer Prima also starred in “The Girl Show,” which for several weeks was the Financial District’s only weekly evening drag party, at Lilly’s Bordello on Stone Street. She’s also a frequent karaoke host at Jersey City’s Six 26.
386. Madame Vivien V
2024 was business as usual for the multifaceted designer and drag star: try to crash the Met Gala, check. Perform at the North Pole, check. Gearing up to host a fancy podcast in 2025, check. And of course there’s Joyface, the Avenue C venue where Viv has been hosting Wednesday nights for a hot disco minute. Check, check and check!
385. Eros Hedonista
The Puerto-Rican born drag queen can mostly be found in the DJ booth these days, in rotation for The Rosemont’s super popular “ByLatinQueers” weekly party and several other pop events at that bar. This year Eros also DJ’ed Drag Out the Vote and National Queer Theater benefits at 3 Dollar Bill as well as Pride at Macri Park, among other events.
384. Dorothy Bishop
A deft and hilarious vocal impersonator of celebrity voices and mannerisms, Dorothy has been killing it with her monthly-ish Dozen Divas show for years now; the latest incarnation at the Triad Theatre, which includes special Halloween and Christmas editions, is not to be missed. Also, subscribe to this lady’s socials–funny things can often be found, or at the very least you can ogle pics of her adorable, constant Chihuahua companion.
383. Adrena Lin
One of Kizha Carr’s newest drag daughters, Adrena was a busy bartender and budding fashion designer throughout the year as well as the hostess of Barracuda’s Friday night party “Maxxxed Out.”
382. Emi Grate
Celebrating a decade in drag in ’24, producer / host of “A+: The Pan Asian Revue” and Dromedary brunch co-host Emi continues to remain true to her Burmese heritage, musical theater inspirations and political activism with her mostly Brooklyn-based performances.
381. Jack Sullivan
The host and creator of Stonewall’s monthly queer standup comedy showcase “Chaotic,” Jack also happens to be a viral social media thirst trap in leather pants. The best of all worlds, if you ask us!
380. Kenzo Onyx
2022’s Mr. Eagle has made Rockbar his home base these past few years, where he hosts fetish events that cater to the needs of pup players, diaper wearers and leather enthusiasts alike.
379. Gigi Cutina
Looking fab while flipping and dipping her way through her monthly appearances at Pieces in the West Village, Sanger Hall in Long Island City and Mazzy’s Bar in Mount Vernon, Gigi is also making sure many other girls glow with her own in-demand self-designed costumes and styled wigs.
378. Saline Dijon
Boasting one of New York drag most impressive set of pipes who live sings all her numbers, Saline continued her reign as a favorite Fire Island guest performer this summer while also hosting bingo at Stonewall and Not a Speakeasy.
377. Chiquitita
Making headlines for disrupting the live New York GLAAD Awards ceremony in May as part of an ACT UP pro-Palestine demonstration, activist / actress / showgirl Chiquitita also hosted monthly trans-centric showcases at C’mon Everybody. Since the summer though, she’s scaled back her nightlife appearances somewhat.
376. Pam Who
A Brooklyn-based comedy queen modelled after a Midwestern Housewife Goddess, Pam’s Who’s aptly branded vehicle “Your Mom’s Fuckin’ Drag Show” reoccurs monthly at All Night Skate while occasionally gracing the stages of other venues like C’mon Everybody.
375. Nicole Anadyme
Astoria’s karaoke queen can be found leading the children in song weekly at Icon Bar and monthly at Albatross, with the latter bar being where she also hosted five week singing competition ‘The Voice.” Nicole was additionally a part of the Midnight at 6 Reefer Madness shadowcast in April.
374. Michael T
A longtime nightlife legend and creative force within NYC’s queer music scene, Michael creates musical moments from the DJ booth weekly at rockabilly friendly Beauty Bar in the East Village and for the recurring Donna Summer disco worshipfest “Love 2 Love” at Ridgewood’s TV Eye alongside fellow DJ Bill Coleman and host Mother Juan Aviance. From the stage he’s also fire, care of multiple performances with his rock band The Vanities, specializing in spot on David Bowie covers, throughout the year at TV Eye, Arlene’s Grocery and Bowery Ballroom.
373. MTHR TRSA
Known these days for some genuinely striking photography of nightlife figures and other subjects that just reek of coolness and appear in self-published zines and elsewhere, MTHR also takes the drag stage often enough at spots like C’mon Everybody (home of the benefit party “Judy” that she regularly performs for and “What’s Happening,” her whenever show with Brenda) and 3 Dollar Bill (where her signature show “Hole Pics” turned five this June). As if that weren’t all multimedia enough, she DJs on occasion as well.
372. Queerly Femmetastic
A singing burlesque performer that totally shimmers with It Factor starlight, 2024 was one of the Queerly-est years in history. Besides serving several crowd pleasing performances all over the country including the premiere party of the New York Burlesque Festival, Ms. Femmetastic was also crowned Miss Subways at Coney Island in May and Mx. Nobody at the Mercury Lounge in September–the latter she accomplished via a brand new drag king persona. The sky is the limit for this all-star in 2025.
371. Matzah Belle Soup
Toolbox Bar’s Tuesday karaoke hostess is a talented drag queen on the rise who excelled through rounds of competitions and pageants in 2024: Mx. Rockbar, Repair The Queen, Battle of the Jacks, Pantheon, Red Idol, and then some. It’s only exposed her solid live vocal and comedy chops to wider and wider audiences, and now Matzah can also be found regularly at Rockbar, Albatross and Club Cumming, and in December announced a new weekly at Phoenix Bar as well.
370. Gabrièl Reyes
A Glam nominated gogo boy two years in a row, Gabriel is a masterful and in-demand choreographer and dancer as well. When not titillating us from gogo boxes in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, Gabriel is also supporting drag queens as a backup dancer in larger scale Balcon productions and in the upcoming Kiss of the Spider Woman musical film remake with Jennifer Lopez.
369. Victoria Chase
The fun hostess known through the decades for turning the party in Fire Island, the West Village and Jackson Heights is now residing solely at Hamilton Heights’ Suite Bar, where she leads a diverse army of regulars in song via karaoke four nights a week.
368. Cameron Cole
A long time favorite DJ and multimedia go-to guy in the Brooklyn scene, Cameron has been mixing it up more in recent years. As a DJ, he supports To Proudly Go’s weekly at Chelsea’s Barracuda with their hostesses’ drag shows and Star Trek viewing parties, as well as Hell’s Kitchen shows at the now-defunct The Spot and it’s wine bar sister venue The Red Stache. He’s also blowing our minds via trivia, which he hosted weekly at both Barracuda and Macri Park in Brooklyn. Also, expect a short film he wrote to screen any minute now!
367. Hot Rabbit
The sapphic-centric (but all-welcomed) party conglomerate known for great DJs and a stellar variety of pop-up performers served up a whopping five events across the boroughs during Pride Month, as well as big kikis for Valentines, Halloween and New Years Eve.
366. Ella Fartzgerald
The classy dame with the silly name, Ella stunned us with a monthly one woman live vocals show at Good Judy called “Lovergirl” (which had its first anniversary in February ’24), and keeps us rolling with monthly bingo at Diane’s in Brooklyn alongside co-host Nouveau Richie.
365. Macy Rodman
An iconic performer from the Golden Age of Brooklyn Nightlife, content creator, recording artist and the co-host (with Theda Hammel) of the podcast Nymphowars, Macy has a monthly slot to basically do whatever she wants on the C’mon Everybody stage… and the kids come out for it each time!
364. Hope 808
The queer rock band Talon’s drummer is also a popular Brooklyn DJ known for The Rosemont’s Sunday party “Family Jewels” and her own self-produced “Lezzie Maguire” monthly at C’mon Everybody.
363. T-Boy
Combine old school East Village vibes with modern West Village realness, and you’ve got one of queer NYC nightlife’s coolest and most enduring specimens: recording artist, It Girl and Stonewall resident DJ T-Boy.
362. Mr. E. Minx & Nxthing
Besides sharing a Bushwig stage moment, this deliciously devilish drag pair also co-produce and host a monthly themed and haunted affair called “Necropolis” which currently resides at Brooklyn’s Sleepwalk.
361. Octavia Anyae
A cherished drag hostess who entertains regularly in both New Jersey and New York (including the recurring party “Green Lips” at Monster Bar), Octavia is a pageant stunner who began the year by becoming the first Black contestant to be crowned Miss Mundo Latina USA (and scored a Get Out Magazine cover in the process).
360. Virgo Rising
Is she a standup comic in drag or just really funny queen? Whatevs, we’ll take it! Virgo is making her presence known on comedy and drag stages alike. Regarding the latter, Virgo is Toolbox Bar’s Monday night bingo hostess, and the co-host with Shaneeda Bump of “D.R.A.G.” (Debauchery, Ridiculousness and Amusement Get-Down), mostly-monthly at Club Cumming.
359. Olivia Lux
One of the Drag Race franchise’s most gorgeous and multitalented contestants (from Season 13 in 2021), NYC / Jersey Girl Olivia has been busy with various performance and fashion related ventures across the country. She made a few local performances this year in 3 Dollar Bill, Paradise, Hardware and Metropolitan, and is set to begin hosting FlipPhone Events’ weekend brunches at Stella 34 in 2025.
358. Dromedary: Coming Out
When the Dromedary Tiki Bar owner Michael Lombardozzi left the establishment to start two new ones (a doughnut shop and a speakeasy), an interesting thing happened: he wound up selling the original venue to its staff, who revamped it into a fully queer bar and eatery. While keeping the site’s long-running drag brunch, they also added a unique calendar of programming which included clown shows, horror drag competitions, burlesque, live music, standup comedy and various discussion panels. Sadly Dromedary announced they’ll be closing on New Year’s Eve, but the experience no doubt provided an important platform for a number or artists and professionals in the scene.
357. Kia Karr
For a good time, do weekly karaoke at Boxers NYC in Chelsea and / or Six 26 in Jersey City, where this queen of the people is the hostess with the mostest.
356. Gloria Swansong
Well known in the city for her classic (and classy) inspirations in both her GLAM-nominated design commissions and her own drag performances, Gloria’s recurring Judy Garland tributes at Stonewall are essential drag viewing experiences. We’ve also seen Gloria’s takes on Liza Minnelli and Madonna throughout the years, and ogled her garments and headpieces appearing on the likes of Drag Race stars like Sasha Velour and runway models of major brand fashion shows alike. And as if that weren’t all enough, she was crowned crowned Miss Cherry Grove in this summer’s Miss Fire Island pageant.
355. Frida Nipple & Bermuda
Two thirds of Macri Park’s Friday night party / show / girl band “Queer Kids Next Door,” Frida and Berma also happen to be two of the coolest kids in the Brooklyn borough.
354. Bare Naked
A resident DJ of The Eagle NYC who created a party of his own called “Sanctum” at Red Eye this year, Bare lives up to his namesake via the sexy sonic energy he drops onto dancefloors. In 2024 he also DJ’ed Rash, Club Lambda, The Stranger and the Pines Party.
353. Lala Wiggy
One of two rotating karaoke hostesses at Boxers HK, brassy vocalist Ms. Wiggy is also a frequent performer at Stonewall where she hosts a recurring showcase called “Killer Queen.”
352. Black Cherry Sideshow
The haunted quartet serve a dark carnival experience that combines gothic drag surrealism with shocking stunt work at Brooklyn’s Purgatory, for cult favorite monthly late night excursions. Separately, they are all in demand performers as well: Klondyke pulsates with dark drama in their frequent Brooklyn draglesque numbers; Selena Surreal is another frequent Brooklyn performer who makes us flinch with hook-and-chain acts and also produced events as part of nightlife squad Big Drama; Xaddy Addy hosts open stages at Pink Metal (with Miss Bussy) and Purgatory (with DJ TK the Kid); and Oliver Herface is the punk rock god he is in frequent Brooklyn shows and an August Stonewall Invasion.
351. Poppy J. Snacks
New York’s latest bear-lebrity, Poppy is popping all over as a standup comic, event producer and gogo dancer. His monthly bingo night at Rockbar is also a pretty big hit, and now he also produces the monthly “Delici-oso” party at Fresco’s in Astoria.
Intro
#500-451 | #450-401 | #400-351
#350-301 | #300-251 | #250-201
#200-151 | #150-101 | #100-51
#50-1 | Previous tHOTlists
Thotyssey 