Lips Lands in Chicago

Lips Chicago opened on August 22 at 2229 S. Michigan Avenue with much local fanfare. Kicking off with a red carpet entrance of nationwide Lips drag queens crammed into a classic car, the VIP party started with frozen cosmos and passed crab cakes.

Announcements were made from the owner at the fourth establishment in the Lips chain before performances started of the various queens to give the guests a taste of what was in store for the future.

To really experience the place, I went on a separate night to try the cuisine and see the legendary Mimi Marks' show. While the area of this new location has some growing to do, it is fantastic to see so many of the drag queens we grew up on spotlighted and in their element. The luxurious surroundings with crystal chandeliers and ornate decorations show that Lips is ready to put its money where its mouth is.

The menu is presented by Little Goat's Tom J. Schmidt. Angel LeBare's shrimp fettuccine alfredo had a very rich sauce and the Mz Ruff N Stuff grilled steak fritte was cooked perfectly. There is no dessert offered yet and the chef's appetizer is only available Friday and Saturday nights.

The drag queens not only perform on the stage but among the audience as well, serving the food and taking orders. Many of them don't have a background of waiting on tables, but time should smooth over the rough spots as they become more familiar with the menu. The shows are selling out because they need more servers to fill up the back of the room and the tables upstairs. Reservations are currently the only way to go with information at LipsChicago.com. Walk ins may be something to consider when the staff is hopefully beefed up.

Themed shows such as the gospel brunch are a step or a strut in the right direction with seasoned queens deservedly taking the spotlight. The new drag queens really show that flexibilty and acrobatics can captivate an audience. Shots offered and a birthday throne are all part of the current gags during the show, but one can hope that new bits will be thrown in to keep things fresh.

Overall, Lips Chicago is a valued addition to a chain that has lasted over 25 years in other parts of the country. Sure, there were some opening night gitters and all of the moving parts are not quite in sync yet, but Lips shines in all the right places. Chicago audiences continue to crave more creative drag and personalities that we have grown to love from the gay bar scene. The real question is this a place for nearby conventions, travelers that are staying downtown or bachelorette parties? Can the LGBT community and straight allies all come together to listen to dine and be entertained with unique performances? Only time will tell as Lips grows and evolves.