That One Time I accidentally took everyone to a Drag Bar and Grill

[arukou]

So I’m involved in a summer program with a lot of Chinese and Japanese nationals, and today was their first real exploration of my city. We showed them how to get to the touristy parts and then let them wander off. The group I was with really wanted to eat a “Real American Hamburger ™” so I looked up a place and led them to it. It had an exceedingly innocuous name and a high rating, so i thought “Perfect.” We rounded the corner, and I noticed there were a great many women’s legs in the windows (Think the leg lamp in A Christmas Story). So my first thought was, “Oh. This is like Hooters. Well. They might as well discover our version of sexism now.” 

But the second I walked in, I noticed a stage with a music video back drop. Second thought: “Oh god. Is this a strip club? Is there such a thing as a hamburger restaurant and strip club? Surely not. But then, actually maybe?” It was relatively empty, and the seating hostess let us explore a bit and choose our own table. At this point, I still wasn’t entirely sure what we’d gotten ourselves into, but given that the seating hostess appeared to be in her fifties and was dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, I’m thinking my initial (and admittedly ridiculous) fear was likely unfounded. Especially as I was now realizing there were Pride flags everywhere.

The menu was the final confirmation. On the front, there were glamor shots of several featured drag queens, as well as show times. Not a Strip Bar and Grill, but a Drag Bar and Grill.

On the one hand, I was thrilled to discover such an establishment exists. On the other, fascinating but awkward cultural conversations ensued, especially as none of the Chinese or Japanese people know the term “drag” and also because it’s Pride in the city right now. I think it was maybe a good learning experience, though, and I made plans to go to a show with one of the students, so it was not an Utter Cultural Disaster. They even gave us the checks in a sparkly, high-heeled shoe, which was adorable. The more you know!