Lips

Lips Atlanta is much more than a restaurant with a drag show added between courses. Located at 3011 Buford Highway NE, this spectacular dinner-theater venue has turned drag dining into a complete experience, where towering wigs, sparkling costumes, generous cocktails and gloriously cheeky humor arrive directly at your table. The queens are not only the stars of the show: many of them also serve the guests, meaning the entertainment begins long before the stage lights come on.

The interior embraces a deliberately extravagant style. Chandeliers, theatrical lighting and lavish decoration create the feeling of entering a glamorous palace where subtlety was politely asked to wait outside. Lips is especially popular for birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, anniversaries and group celebrations, but gay travelers do not need a special occasion to join the fun. A sense of humor and a willingness to applaud enthusiastically are perfectly acceptable reasons to book a table.

The weekly program offers a different personality on each night. Wednesday’s Bitchy Bingo combines dinner, drag performances and mischievous rounds of bingo. Thursdays bring Laughs & Lashes, a camp drag variety show filled with surprises. Friday evening is devoted to Glitz & Glam, with big hair, high heels and classic show-stopping performances. Glitz & Glam Encore takes over Saturday evening with two seatings. Weekend afternoons are reserved for Dragalicious Brunch, held on Saturday and Sunday, while Serve Sunday closes the weekend with energetic performances, cocktails and plenty of attitude.

Brunch is one of the venue’s signature experiences. The package includes a brunch entrée, the show and unlimited mimosas or Bloody Marys for guests legally permitted to drink alcohol. Saturday brunch begins at 1:30 p.m., while Sunday generally offers seatings at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dinner menus vary according to the evening and may be offered as fixed-price packages. Taxes and the suggested gratuity are not necessarily included in the advertised price, so check the current menu while booking.

Reservations are required and tables are generally limited to two hours. Guests should arrive on time because bookings are held for only fifteen minutes, and late arrivals may not be seated if they disrupt the following service. Online reservations are available for groups of up to eight people; larger parties should contact the venue directly. One bill is issued per table, although payment can be divided among a limited number of cards and cash.

Most performances welcome guests aged 18 and over, although selected late-night sessions may be restricted to those aged 21 or older. Alcohol is served only to guests aged 21 and above with valid photo identification. The humor includes adult innuendo and colorful language, so this is not intended as children’s entertainment. Specific restrictions can vary according to the show and should be confirmed in advance.

Tipping is an important part of drag culture. Bring some dollar bills for the performers and remember that your server may also be stepping onto the stage. Audience interaction is encouraged, but respect remains essential: celebrate loudly, never touch a performer without permission and allow the queens to control the moment.

For gay travelers discovering Atlanta, Lips offers an accessible and joyfully over-the-top introduction to the city’s drag culture. It may attract mixed groups and plenty of celebrations, but its heart remains unmistakably queer. Come dressed casually or add a little extra sparkle, order something fabulous and prepare for dinner with considerably more drama than usual.