Intro
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150. Tiffany Anne Coke
With beauty, moves and humor, this lady keeps us snorting (with laughter) at Lips Restaurant on weekends; she also co-hosts shows with Boudoir LeFleur at Pieces and Clarice Hart at Monster every week. In 2024 Tiffany also got a Friday night program of her own at Stonewall, “The Coke Show.”
149. Lucas Skywalker
A co-producer of the hit satellite parties “Mercury in Reggaeton” (with Damn Steven) and “Hard Serve” (with Dahlia Sin) as well as a sexy representative of the Haus of Muse, Lucas is also a much in-demand disc jockey under the name DJ SKYWALKER–he spins frequently at 3 Dollar Bill and Le Bain, and this year also popped up at Hush, Red Eye, Knockdown Center, Paragon, About Last Night, the Brooklyn Monarch and other major venues for special gigs.
148. Daniel Gold
The dancer, choreographer and philanthropist has brought dance performance to the nightlife stage thanks to the efforts of Leg Up On Life, an arts initiative they founded that “is dedicated to bringing an inclusive community together to raise funds for different LGBTQIA causes.” Through that brand Daniel produced several installments of “Night of Life,” a massive benefit showcase for important charities featuring some the city’s best dancers joining forces with drag talent, and “Spotlight Mondays” which presents different drag queens and dancers weekly at Industry. Mx. Gold and sis Vanity LaVain share a monthly presence at Fresco’s care of “Showtime,” and Daniel also zhuzhed up the Glam Awards in 2024 in the role of Show Director.
147. La Zavaleta
Serving lewks ranging from freaky fetish to phantasmagoric and performances that can give high octane hand grenade or ghostly candle in the wind, Dragula Season 4 (2021) alum La Zavaleta is here to terrorize and titillate. The “Bitch Fest” competition she produces and hosts at C’mon Everybody is often a fever dream of talent that pushes its drag challengers beyond their creative peaks, and it’s become an essential platform for Brooklyn bitches to get known. Zavaleta also made several appearances of her own throughout the city, and even joined OG Dragula winner Meatball for her infamous “Flat Slut” party in LA in November.
146. Jeff Eason
A multiple award-winning icon of both on-site and studio nightlife photography, Jeff’s website needs to be checked regularly by everyone in the scene for their soon-to-be favorite shots of themselves glamming it up at the latest hotspot. He’s also the resident shutterbug of Get Out Magazine, responsible for making first time covergirls of so many NYC’s nightlife stars.
145. Naarak
Established in 2022, the queer Asian / API / Asian-American nightlife brand is the brainchild of Thai-born entrepreneur Tai–its purpose being to bring New Yorkers of those descents and their allies together to form a community through fab kikis. Always looking to incorporate new talent and a variety of environments, Naarak boasts an increasingly impressive roster of rotating DJs and hosts, and has set up home bases in Boxers Chelsea, Red Eye, Hush, VERS and now The Rose over the years.
144. Dahlia Sin
With a style that lands between hot banjee and high couture and a sexiness that doesn’t get in the way of a playful silliness in some numbers, our darling Dalia kept busy in 2024 with a brunch show at Fresco’s co-hosted by sis Essence, several months of a Balcon show with Jamie CD & Venus Mystique and multiple other big time appearances. A popular party she created with Lucas Skywalker, “Hard Serve,” returned as a Red Eye event towards ’24’s end.
143. Someone From Berlin
A producer behind the Pines nightlife app turned event brand ShareGurl and the Fire Island parties “Rebecca” and “Spray,” SfB honed his own DJ skills over time and eventually birthed the music-centric “UltraMaroon” party. Word of mouth elevated that into a major seasonal monthly affair at the Blue Midtown, drawing masses who want to dance and be social more than pose and make content. He also continuously stays true to his FI roots with producing the IndepenDANCE and events for the Pines Party every summer, and premiered a new party, “Ceremony” at Red Eye this November.
142. Yuhua Hamasaki
The Drag Race Season 9 (2018) alum has carved out a well-followed presence on YouTube care of Bootleg Opinions, her Drag Race episode-by-episode review that focuses largely on the fashion and what her designer brain would do differently with each look. She also continues to host the long-running drag fan favorite “Trading Spaces” Friday show at Pieces (few today remember why the show is called that, but it involves some classic Boots & Saddle shade). This year Yuhua also took part in the Stonewall Brick Awards Gala and a Brooklyn benefit for the National Queer Theate. Also the indie film she appears in, Guys At Parties Like it, finally hit the streaming platforms in ’24.
141. The Bad Judies
New York’s only multi-instrumental drag band–consisting of founders Lyra Vega, Wesley and WorshipHer plus newer recruit Mercy Be–are showing drag performers and fans alike that there is more than one way to Do The Thing. They’re also fun as hell, creatively finding ways to interpret pop hits and showtunes into rock arrangements and looking fabulous doing it. The Judies rock Red Eye every Sunday night, and turned the party out all summer at The Ice Palace.
140. Androgyny
A drag performer known for punk pirate looks, wild energy and acrobatics would seem like an unlikely bingo hostess, but Androgyny has clearly found her sweet spot rolling those balls. You can find her doing just that twice a week, at Not A Speakeasy and Rebar (where she also hosted a party with DJ Susan Levine, “FUQBOI”). She additionally works the light board at Industry for the huge drag revue “QUEEN,” in which she will turn the occasional performance.
139. Svetlana Stoli
From Russia with Lust comes NYC’s longtime comedy queen, who loves paying homage to old school campy drag and true stage showgirlship. Svetlana’s major platform these days is “Unhinged,” her weekly Tuesday show at Balcon Salon where she lives up to the show name in every way possible to get you to laugh; she also uses the slot to showcase the skills of not only guest queens, but all sorts of performers. Senses at the Laurie Beechman was another such showcase Svetlana hosted, and in that case her cast was hot, talented guys. And she continually mixes it up with the OG queens she admires as well, getting shout-outs from the great Sherry Vine at her birthday roast and co-hosting bingo with Linda Simpson at Nordstroms’ Broadway Bar.
138. Dawson & Dropo
Longtime dance party favorite DJ Dawson has spun some of the biggest parties including the Black Party, the Pride Pier Dance and this past summer’s Pride Party beach dance. His roommate Alex Dropo is an up-and-comer who’s been popping up in all the dance-centric hotspots like Animal, Bossa Nova Civic Club and The Ice Palace. The two often work together in the booth, and helped co-create Red Eye’s “Good Friday / Global Entry” weekend dance parties which turned a year old in January ’25.
137. ARRA
One of this moment’s coolest and most in-demand queer dance party DJs in New York, the stylish ARRA is in regular rotation for big kikis like “ZOO” at The Rosemont, “Ty Tea” at 3 Dollar Bill, “Paul’s Dolls” at Paul’s Casablanca and “On Top” at Le Bain.
136. Chelsea Piers
This dazzling dancer has grown into an important figure of Manhattan drag; she is a cast member of Industry Bar’s “QUEEN,” the biggest drag revue in the City, hosts “Chelsea Does Chelsea” every Tuesday at Industry’s sister bar Barracuda, marched with MAC Cosmetics for Pride, and staged her one woman show Now That’s What I Call Chelsea 2 at Red Eye in October.
135. Vena Cava
Part of Brooklyn drag’s proud Puerto Rican posse, this lovely, intelligent performer and previous Glam winning door goddess has expertly moved into show and party production. Her “ByLatinQueers” is a weekly smash hit at The Rosemont (where she also co-hosted “The Ki” with current Drag Race star Lana Ja’Rae), and “Chancleta” at C’mon Everybody is another recuring hit of hers. One thing’s for certain: we are all looking forward to seeing what 2025 holds for Ms. Cava.
134. Occupy The Disco
Once a trio, Occupy the Disco is now a two DJ operation care of RuBot and Tad Haes. Their seasonal “Paradisco” at Le Bain is perhaps the Gayborhood’s most popular early Sunday dance party, and a callback to the sexy soundscape of the pre-9/11 Meatpacking District. This year they were also frequently spinning at The Pines, and brought the kids to Brooklyn with nights at Jolene Sound Room, Good Room and Gabriela.
133. Charlene
If Brooklyn nightlife was embodied in a single human, it would be Charlene Incarnate. One of the borough’s edgiest, boundary pushing, most grounds breaking performers, the trans legend is going to give you a moment to remember–whether it’s headlining one of Baby Love’s “Fagtasia” productions, serving “Baby Tea” brunch shows with Tyler Ashley, tearing up the Bushwig stage, hosting the “Body Hack” rave at Nowadays, or celebrating Sondheim at the Parkside Lounge. Charlene’s also becoming a DJ force as well, house down bootsing the booths of 3 Dollar Bill and Le Bain.
132. Mitch Ferrino
Beginning as a bartender, venturing into DJ’ing and ultimately winding up producing both music (lots of RuGirl bangers) and TV (he was part of the We’re Here team), Mitch has made more than a mere mark in the nightlife and entertainment worlds. These days he frequently DJs at Hush and The Eagle NYC; he also co-created Red Eye’s “Good Friday / Global Entry” parties with DJs Dawson and Dropo.
131. All Night Skate
Owners Olivia Hu, Danny Waits, and Mitch McCann opened the eclectic roller rink themed bar (sans actual roller rink) in Brooklyn in 2020, with a Mexican themed menu, chill patio and dedication to inclusiveness. In post-Covid years, the LGBTQ+ friendly Skate has become an epicenter for the newest generation of Brooklyn drag: rising stars like Daniella Darling, Didi Opulence, Pam Who, Paris L’Hommie and Mt. Aloofa are some important breakthrough acts that still retain a presence there. For a cute preview of the decor, check out the Chappell Roan tribute video that Selma Nilla filmed there.
130. Cherry Poppins
The campy comedy queen had a big 2024 and is becoming increasingly good at pageantry–becoming the Miss Stonewall runner up and the the Miss’d America second runner up this year. Cherry’s also strongly associated with Monster Bar, where she hosts Wednesday night bingo (she’s also Elise Navy-Dad’s monthly bingo co-host at 181 Cabrini uptown, by the way); she’s additionally the first person you see at the Spunk gogo boy party at Pieces every Sunday, where she resides as the door queen. Next up: an actual pageant crown, no doubt!
129. Rebar
The Chelsea venue had a bit of a management shuffle in ’24, but remains a destination for mostly masculine gay nightlife. The top draws there are likely Diogo Ambrosio’s Brazilian flavored weekend circuit parties (“Pégate,” “Clandestino,” “Nonstop,” etc.) and Leo “Gaystrychef” Ryder’s Thursday night adult content cruisefest “Collabs.” But the bar also has some variety in its programming, including live jazz, drag shows, a live model drink and draw, bingo and Drag Race viewing parties.
128. Peppermint
Who needs the tHOTlist when they’re already on the Out100!? Pep is on the top of everyone’s list, actually. It’s easy for any of the 200-plus alums of the central RuPaul’s Drag Race flagship U.S. show to fall through the cracks of fame, but Peppermint was already a very established star in the scene prior to filming her season (S9, 2017) with original music, a history of international touring and screen credits to her name; she easily used the platform to continue her evolution. After becoming the first trans actress to originate a Broadway role and appearing on Pose and the film Fire Island, in 2023 she appeared in several episodes of Michelle Buteau’s Netflix comedy Survival of the Thickest as a version of herself and hosted her first standup special So-SIGH-ety Effects on Amazon Prime. In 2024 she performed with her new all trans singing trio TransSisterRadio, brilliantly recreated Janet Jackson’s “Together Again” music video, fostered the Black Queer Town Hall initiative and podcast with sis Bob the Drag Queen, joined the Drag PAC dedicated to politically educating queer voters, was a controversially early elimination from Season 2 of The Traitors, and starred in late sister and activist Cecilia Gentili’s restaged one woman play Red Ink. Peppermint, who works as hard to protect and inform her community as she does to entertain them, continues to be an inspiration to us all.
127. Flaming Saddles
A country western themed gay bar with cute bartenders serving two stepping dance breaks on the counter seems like an alarmingly simple concept–but a profoundly effective one nonetheless. Since choreographer Jacqui Squatriglia opened the Hell’s Kitchen space in 2011, Flaming Saddles is now a major queer tourist destination and provider of great ambiance for events like Orville Peck’s ‘2024 record launch party. Perhaps even more interestingly, it’s also become the spot in HK for drag queens, DJs and bar staffers from other venues to meet up after their gigs and go hard. To really get the full Manhattan nightlife experience, one must end the night at Saddles.
126. Alotta McGriddles
All hail the Queen of the Fashion Bears! This old school yet refreshingly unfiltered Brooklyn drag pioneering entity and vintage fashionista has gradually fisted her way into a the masc bear cave scene, where drag isn’t normally so visible. But the 2024 Alotta is unafraid to mix male and female presentations for the optimal experience, and willing and able to fly her freak flag in the process. Her now-long running “Bear Naked” party at Phoenix Bar was recently re-branded to “Bawdy,” and she’s planning a second recurring event there as well; her weekly trivia night at Metro continues to be a popular attraction; and her “NOODZ” naughty selfie party at Rockbar is a creative take at cruisy and silly queer fun.
125. Sasha Velour
When Drag Race’s Season 9 (2017) winner was announced to be joining the new cast of We’re Here this year, it seemed like a good match. Sasha is serious about queer art and community, and the HBO Max docuseries was exploring queer realities in the rural parts of America for its fourth season–the first under the recently amplified anti-drag rhetoric that’s since swept the MAGA movement. Unfortunately though, cameras captured how bad it had really gotten out there… Sasha and her co-stars were met with hostility at nearly every turn in the first few Tennessee-filmed episodes. There were inspiring moments as the queens worked to make a local drag show happen, but the stark moral ugliness they faced was a splash of cold reality we didn’t know we needed heading into the disastrous presidential election. But Ms. Velour, who’s highbrow multimedia approach to drag has genuinely inspired swarms of art queens, is not one to go into hiding–she brought her acclaimed “Nightgowns” review back to Le Poisson Rouge for several months in ’24 and again in ’25, inviting local performers and fellow RuGirls alike to join her onstage and celebrate the art she loves.
124. Pattaya Hart
One of New York’s most prestigious pageant queens, Bangkok-born Pattaya won another esteemed crown in 2024: Miss Heart Of America Continental, and then placed first alternate for the national Miss Continental proper–perhaps the world’s most prestigious drag pageant system. Another phenomenal feat for Ms. Hart, who when in town is a cast member of “Legend Wednesdays” at Rise and “QUEEN” Thursdays at Industry.
123. Bianca Leigh
The celebrated pioneer cabaret showgirl and theatrical performer of the glory days of NYC nightlife, Bianca’s musical and acting talents made her a standout even when holding court with the likes of Lady Bunny and Coco Peru. Over the years she’s lent poignancy to several stage productions, and movies like Transamerica and Hurricane Bianca. In 2024 she was cast in small, off-beat “historical” stage comedy that wound up becoming Broadway’s sleeper hit of the year: Cole Escola’s Oh, Mary!, where she played a character who’s strange relationship with ice cream is called back to throughout the show. After years of performance excellence, Bianca’s career has entered an even more exciting phase that we’re excited to follow.
122. Papi Juice
Illustrator Mohammed “Brohammad” Fayaz, DJ Oscar Nñ and audio/video technologist and DJ Adam R are the production force behind this hit beats heavy party brand that promotes queer multimedia artists of color. Mostly popping up monthly at Brooklyn’s Elsewhere, Papi Juice had a few additional, unique incarnations this year including a Pride party at Brooklyn Bridge Park, a Red Bull sponsored “Culture Clash” collab with other party brands in Greenpoint, a Ladyland set care of Ladyfag Under the K, and a silent disco at Lincoln Center.
121. Misty Mountains
Our funny, friendly and fetching Miss Stonewall 2023 stepped down gracefully and twirled right on into her long-running gigs: “Mystical Mondays” at Icon Astoria, and “Snacktime” Saturday and Sunday brunch at La Pulperia in Hell’s Kitchen. After her fun single with Ritzy Bitz, “I’m That Bitch,” dropped shortly after her Miss Stonewall win, Misty also shared some new tracks in ’24. We’re here for the somewhat melancholy “Nighthawks,” which shows a deeper side of the queen who hilariously won her crown in part to a dildo talent number.
120. Busted
Most drag performers are praised when they express change and adaptability, but Busted is beloved by fans in Fire Island and Manhattan alike for her ability to appear aesthetically the exact same, every show, for years from wig to wrap dress. What she’ll actually do during a Busted show, however, is anyone’s guess… although chances are Zatarain’s Rice jingle will work it’s way into her set multiple times. Since the Ice Palace reopened under new management last year, the Busted Fire Island experience has gained a much more rabid fanbase, and her weekly Wednesday show at Pieces remains a solid-yet-kooky good time for regulars and passersby alike.
119. Egypt
A ton of drag excellence in a petite package, the final (?) and forever Miss Barracuda tumbles and vamps her way from late mornings (Rise brunch shows) to late nights (a long run via Wednesdays with Holly Box-Springs and a new Stonewall show on the way). We also saw the conclusion of the long-running “Sister, Sister” with co-host Yasmin Delano at Industry Bar, and enjoy her frequent pop-ups in shows across Manhattan and beyond.
118. Ariel Sinclair
The bawdy and beloved veteran hostess of Lips Restaurant and the Ice Palace, Ariel is also the grande dame of drag bingo care of Stonewall (where she is also the annual hostess of the Miss Stonewall pageant), Long Island’s One Trick Pony and most recently Phoenix Bar in the East Village.
117. OhRicky
A longtime resident of Manhattan’s Tito Rocks bar franchise (Pieces, Hardware, Playhouse and Balcon), OhRicky is one of queer NYC’s rare VJs–mixing and selecting music videos rather than mere audio tracks to engage patrons– infamously specializing in the Kylie Minogue discography. Ricky provides the soundtrack to some of the biggest queens in the city including Shequida, Lagoona Bloo and Ruby Roo. He’s also big with the City’s Eurovision crowd, and currently produces a weekly Sunday tea dance at Playhouse catering to the hit songs from the back and current catalogue of the competition / genre.
116. Drag: The Musical
Drag began as a planned comedic concept album about two drag houses at war, written by super-famous Drag Race alum / recording artist / podcaster Alaska with Tomas Costanza and Ash Gordon. It gradually involved into a workshop theater piece in LA, a cast recording album, and finally an actual production that finally made its way to NYC’s New World Stages in October. Starring Alaska herself alongside a bevy of drag beauties from Drag Race and the local scene as well as veteran stage actors both in and out of drag, the musical serves as an absolute escapist delight with gorgeous costumes, wigs and set pieces, charming and catchy rock-inspired tunes, some very funny moments and even a bit of poignancy. Drag continues to be a hit into 2025 with cast changes including Jimbo filling in for Alaska; it’s a great way to see your favorite TV and NYC queens flex different muscles than what you’ve normally seen from them, and certainly a fun way to put aside the doldrums and horrors of real life for an evening.
115. Mariyea
2024’s Ultimate Diva and Glam winning Breakthrough Artist, Mariyea’s stunning features, graceful stage presence and positive attitude are just a few of the traits that make everyone want to see her and work with her. She appears in large cast shows most weeks, hosts the monthly “Next In Drag” at Fresco’s, co-hosts the Cliffhangers podcast with Julie J, and as a stage actress is involved in a variety of productions.
114. Catrina Lovelace
2024 was a lovely year for our Miss Lovelace! She represented New York in the National Comedy Queen pageant after winning the Miss Big Adam’s Apple in 2023, and co-hosts Astoria’s favorite drag brunch (per Glam two consecutive wins) “Chismosas With Mimosas” at Fresco’s Grand Cantina. Catrina is also becoming prolific in the DJ booth as well, spinning for Icon’s Friday night dance party and Pixie Aventura’s Barracuda show.
113. Yasmin Delano
A gorge member of fierce drag quintet The Assassins, Yasmin danced and glammed across the stages of Barracuda (where she was a rotating co-host of Holly Box-Springs), Hardware (fellow Assassin Kamilla Kockman’s co-host), Balcon (“Bounce” dance party performer) and Industry (the recently concluded but long running “Sister, Sister” with Egypt).
112. Mack Mackey
The versatile event producer responsible for brands Camp Classic (large cast tribute shows at 3 Dollar Bill) and Aveq Moi (“Family Jewels” at The Rosemont). Mack is also busy DJing parties and drag shows in both Manhattan and Brooklyn.
111. Ickarus
A mainstay of Brooklyn DJing and production who is one of the main reasons Bushwig happens every year in a fashion that appears both massive and effortless, Ickarus makes magic happen every week. When they’re not DJing parties in venues like Hush, 3 Dollar Bill or The Rosemont, they’re supporting shows hosted by Svetlana Stoli, Linda Simpson and more, or they’re pouring spirits at Happyfun Hideaway in Brooklyn.
110. Bubbles D’Boob
This hot mess in a dress is one of local dragdom’s greatest hostesses; not only is she hilarious and unpredictable onstage, but she often gives individual face time to all the patrons in the room. That’s the sort of thing that creates new fans and regulars, a nearly lost art in the drag scene today. Bubbles rules the Pines in summertime with “Showtune Sundays,” one of Fire Island’s most popular shows; she brings a version of it, “Showtunes in the City,” to Playhouse with DJ Borowski and co-hostess Bootsie LeFaris for the rest of the year. Another fun Manhattan weekly Bubbles and Borowski experience is the “Chic” party, Thursdays at Balcon.
109. Club Cumming
Owned by famed actor and writer Alan Cumming since 2017, this small but very mighty establishment both encapsulates much of what was weird and magical about the East Village bohemian scene of decades past, while providing us with something altogether new and challenging to describe. At any given night you can find, dance parties, drag, burlesque (Tallulah Talons has a loyal fanbase there), standup, cabaret and piano bar nights (main acts Lance Horne and Tim Young serve sexy live sung weeklies) drink-and-draws, crafting sessions, political rallys, celebrity cameos, stars of the future and naked guys painting with their penises. It’s also probably the best place to communally watch The Traitors, given that show’s host and the venue owner are one in the same.
108. Honey Dijon
Splitting her time between her homes in New York and Berlin and gigs worldwide, legendary multi-disciplinary DJ and producer Honey Dijon has been well-known across the globe for decades. But her fame has only expanded in recent years thanks in part to her producer contributions to Beyonce’s Renaissance, which won a Grammy for Best Dance/Electronic Album in 2023. Her June party at Knockdown Center, “Stamina,” was one of the most attended and discussed nightlife events of the year, and her Teksupport sponsored “HouseNation” event at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in November was a successful follow-up. Also, her recent remix of fellow legend and Renaissance collaborator Kevin Aviance’s “Cunty” is fire.
107. Jackie Cox
A smartypants and true stunner both in and out of geish, Drag Race alum (Season 12, 2020) and soap star Darius Rose aka Jackie Cox did not make 2024 a year of rest by any definition. Hosting two stage shows at The Beechman, one at Joe’s Pub, a benefit for Democrats at VERS and the Miss Hell’s Kitchen pageant, Jackie was all over New York’s drag stages. If you wanted to see a whole other side of Jackie / Darius, then you probably went to see her take over the role of Kenneth Marlowe in the off-Broadway biographical one-person play Make Me Gorgeous–she had us laughing, crying and learning about an extraordinary life. Jackie has proven time and again that she’s a star in nightlife and most other platforms–we can’t wait to see what’s next for her and Darius.
106. Frankie Sharp
One of the few prevalent Ideas Men in the biz, producer and DJ Frankie is always here to make it work, find the next new thing, respect the history of nightlife and keep his name in our mouths and brains. We were sad to see the short life of Frankie’s Pub, the space that the Rebar guys originally opened as Thirst in 2023 and rebranded with Frankie’s creative management later that year (now it’s It’s Him)–he gave us lots of unique programming that still exists in some fashion today in other places. He’s gone on to produce major events at Red Eye, the Ice Palace and The Rosemont, and we’re looking forward to the premiere of his new party “So Below” at Manhattan’s heavenly fever dream venue The Stranger in 2025.
105. Sabel Scities
A major sexual health advocate who has consistently worked to provide information and access to care for all people, this queen who left being a staple of New York drag some time ago for Hawaii with stints on Fire Island returned to her kingdom in a big way this autumn. Her competition for the major Miss Hell’s Kitchen 2024 pageant which benefits AIDS charity Cycle for the Cause was stiff, but Sabel’s ultimate win was one of the most epic and talked about since the pageant’s creation in 2012. She’s since seemingly settled back into the city, and now hosts her own weekly “Sabel & The City” at Industry Bar.
104. Nicky Boom Box
A long-time, good-time DJ of NYC’s gay hubs, Mariah / Kylie / Madonna stan Nicky keeps the beat alive and the charm intact at Hardware, Pieces, Playhouse, Balcon and Monster.
103. Purgatory
The Bushwig space which opened in 2019 is primarily owned, operated and patronized by queer women, and is notably a venue where punk, drag, circus and some real gonzo activity converge into a thriving mini-scene of its own. For people who have grown weary of seeing the same people do the same shit at the bars, listening to the same eight songs over and over… Purgatory is that bar between Heaven and Hell that might be the shot of freak adrenaline you need. Some Purgatory calendar boxes to check include resident event producer and DJ TK the Kid’s open stages / decks and karaoke nights, various queer punk band live shows, the annual Mx. Nobody pageant preliminary rounds and the popular recurring Black drag showcase “Sylvester.”
102. Mike Borowski
Hell’s Kitchen and the Fire Island Pines just don’t work properly without the beats of Broadway press agent turned DJ Mike Borowski. His “Showtunes Sundays” at the Pines and “Showtunes in the City” at Playhouse (both hosted by sister Bubbles D’Boob) send Broadway queens into an ecstatic frenzy as they vamp out to showtune performances on screen–it’s truly beautiful gay magic to behold. Mike’s other big DJ nights include Busted’s, and then Izzy Uncut and Jan Sport’s, Wednesday night shows at Pieces Bar; “Super Size Queen Fridays” at Hardware Bar; “CHIC” at Balcon; and “Divas” at the Pines Sip n’ Twirl on summer Thursdays. Newly added is “Pop Up Video” Tuesdays at Red Eye.
101. Murray Hill
Many of today’s younger drag kings would balk at the idea of performing as a boisterous, outspoken, Vegas lounge lizard, mid-century classic model of a man’s man… but they can’t focus on the miles of road that Murray has paved for them. Although his early era of “traditional” male drag (1990’s-2000s) was kind of a fad, and many of its stars vanished from the scene (show producer Cherry Jubilee had to remove the Best Drag King category from the Glam Awards for years because there were so few reps of that scene remaining), Murray remained and continued hosting hit cabaret comedy style shows across the country. His local home base was, and still is, the immortal Joe’s Pub of the Public Theater where he performs several times a year.
And although recent years included the tragic loss of most his possessions in an apartment fire, it’s also been an incredible period of achievement and stardom for Murray. His longtime friend, comedian and singer Bridget Everett, cast him in one of the most lovely, gentle, truthful and unique scripted series of the streaming generation: MAX’s Somebody Somewhere, which ended a three season run in 2024. Murray (an out trans man) played Kansas agricultural soil scientist Fred Racoco, who had a large personality but was still a very believable, relatable man. Fred touched the hearts of millions of viewers who had probably never met a trans man before–it was a performance groundbreaking in its normalcy. But that wasn’t all for Mr. Hill! He was also featured in multiple seasons of Hulu’s Life & Beth starring another Joe’s Pub comedy friend Amy Schumer, emceed the insane drag themed party hosting competition Drag Me to Dinner, appeared in the John Cena / Awkwafina action comedy Jackpot, and announced in 2024 that he would host a new drag competition solely for drag kings. Murray’s busted down doors and shattered ceilings for all types of performers, and for trans people in general… we can’t wait to see what he’ll smash next.
Intro
#500-451 | #450-401 | #400-351
#350-301 | #300-251 | #250-201
#200-151 | #150-101 | #100-51
#50-1 | Previous tHOTlists
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