Between the tours, the striptease classes, and the expansiveness of the curation, we could’ve stayed at the BHOF another hour or two, but we’re late for brunch (offered on Saturdays and Sundays) at The Garden around the corner. We catch the tail end of a Selena megamix by a queen named Isha Cypress. The crowd is wild, with a robust representation of bachelorette parties and “woo-hoo” girls that fill the space with high energy and lots of cash.
Among legends like Tamisha Iman and Jade Jolie, our favorite performer is a Sin City siren by the name of Salem who gives us kicks, dips and splits without missing a single beat or lyric. We have a long day ahead of us, so we sadly pass on the bottomless mimosas, but in an alternate universe we’d gladly indulge. Maybe next time!
When you think of Las Vegas, it’s unlikely that you think of nature, but just outside the city is a range of mountains, canyons, hot springs, wildlife habitats, and state parks. My travel companion Neal is a hiking enthusiast, and I have the Carhartts to accommodate, so we make our way to the Wetlands and do a 1-mile jaunt to the Las Vegas Wash at the heart of the park.
Watching the sunset on the desert landscape, our nature-chasing turned out to be a much-needed break between our brunch shenanigans and the night that lies ahead of us. Vegas is very go-go-go, filled with neon lights, cold drinks, and hazy fun-seeking. But when you’re looking for a break, pick one of Nevada’s many natural oases for a breather.
On our bucketlist was to go and see the home of Drag Race: Live! at the Flamingo. We popped by the gift shop, aka “Ru’s Werk Room,” and got lost in the theme park feel of this quintessential Vegas casino. Though we try to find a Texas Hold ‘Em table, the night is too packed and we venture instead back to the Fruit Loop.
Before we get too rowdy, we pit stop at Get Booked, an LGBTQ store with a 30-year history that, to our surprise, didn’t have very many books. But if you’re in need of some cute underwear or a sexy fit, Get Booked is your spot.
Next door is Quadz, a sports bar with a chattier ambience that provides a welcome change of pace from the general untz-untz vibe of Vegas. Quadz feels less touristy, with an unpretentious interior and home bar feel.
Of the five different nightclubs and bars on the Fruit Loop, the one we’re most excited for is Piranha, and it does not disappoint. Every club on the strip has high security and strict no-photographer policies, and though Neal is sad we don’t get to photograph inside, it’s reassuring that these establishments are dedicated to the privacy and protection of their communities. Drag Race’s own Eureka O’Hara is on the mic as we ping pong through the club’s many different rooms and vibes. One room is Latin, another is R&B, another is pop, and a glorious range of gogo boys and girls rounded out the experience as a whole.
As we closed our night on the city’s gay strip, Vegas’ many different LGBTQ+ bars were reflective of the city itself — something for everyone. This travel destination is much like a theme park, which you can build and finetune to your liking whether you like fast rides or chill vibes. The LGBTQ+ locals and business owners in Las Vegas understand its unique cultural imprint on the country: nonstop fun, rich LGBTQ+ nightlife scenes, and a menu of things to choose from, no matter your background. If you’re looking for a sure-fire good time, or perhaps a distraction from your daily life, start your next travel plan to Sin City.