Florida Agenda

Monkey Business drag hostess Amanda Austin has a driving ambition to bring aspiring, talented female impersonators into a venue where they can hone their craft.

“It’s not easy to transform yourself from a young man to look like a young woman,” Austin admits. “It’s not just about putting on a dress: You need to know how to carry yourself. The makeup has to be perfect, because when you get on stage, under those demanding lights, it has to [look] flawless.

“Then of course there is the hair,” he adds. “If an upstart has their own hair and can use that, great, but if not, then there is the question as to whether you do blonde, brown, black, red— what works with the makeup and the clothes? Some people just think you throw on a dress and some stilettos, and you are all set. It is not that easy,” explains Austin (whose non-stage name is Shawn Steele).

By Dale Madison

“I really started Drag Wars at Monkey Business as a way to help develop new talent in the area,” the performer explains. “We do Drag Wars on Monday nights, beginning at 9:30, [and] we run the cycles in eightweek increments. [The current cycle began on September 24). At the end of the cycle, all winners return for a final contest. Weekly winners win $50 and get a paid booking, they work one of the shows, and get their tips. The cycle winner gets $100 cash, but the total is actually about $300, because Monkey Business pays their entry into the Miss Illusion contest, and [they receive] either jewelry or a crown.

“The weekly contest is judged by the audience, and then the final is judged by a group of [drag performer] peers: Those who have paid their dues and have what I like to call the ‘right stuff,’” he adds.

Unlike other competitions, “The judges actually give feedback to help the contestants get better,” Austin notes. “It’s sort of like ‘America’s Got Talent,’ in that we all want to see them get better at the craft.”

Potential Drag Wars competitors should be aware of a few basics before they enter: First, bring a CD with just one song for the DJ to play. Secondly, because dressing space is limited, performers should come dressed and ready to go on stage. Lastly, go to your Facebook page and promote the fact that you are going to be performing at Monkey Business. Audience participation is how the weekly winners are chosen, so get your peeps to come and support you.

Austin notes that there is no cover for the weekly contest and from 9:30 to 11 p.m. all well drinks are $3 during the show. For more information about Amanda Austin and Drag Wars, visit Facebook.com/MonkeyBusinessBar.

ALIBI

2266 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors
Gayborhood tradition since 1997. Comfortable, inviting
atmosphere with indoor video bars, outdoor drinking and
dining. Drink specials all week, with mammoth 22-ounce
Long Island Iced Teas for $3 on Thursdays

ATOMIC/BOOM

2232 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors
The bar with two names features a dance club and
Gayborhood bar. Drag Bingo on Mondays, karaoke
Mondays and Tuesdays, dance music Fridays and Saturdays,
and (indoor) Sunday T-Dance.

BILL’S FILLING STATION

2209 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors
Videos, pool tables, dart boards, dance floor, happy hour,
live shows, Tuesday and Thursday karaoke – and great burgers,
to boot. Fun and friendly truck-stop-themed bar.

BOARDWALK

1721 North Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale
Over 100 of the sexiest men from all over the world. Go-go
dancers, cages, billiards, 2-4-1 Happy Hours. Drag emcees
and did we mention the Boys?

CORNER PUB

1915 N. Andrews Ave., Wilton Manors
Friendly atmosphere, unpretentious clientele and staff.
Next to Island City Pizza (so you can get your drink AND
your slice on).

CUBBY HOLE

823 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale
Butch bar and grill with a rockin’ daytime crowd (and a fun
nighttime one, too). Fifty cent pool, 2-for-1 drinks all day
every day, video games, hot movies on HDTV and DirecTV.
Thursdays it’s Bare Bear Chest Night, and every Friday and
Saturday the fur flies with Hot Bears on Poles (where their
Grizzlies Grind)!

DEPOT CABANA BAR AND GRILL

2935 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale
Adjacent to the America’s Best Inn and Suites (in case
things go really well during Sunday and Wednesday
karaoke). Friendly vibe, poolside.

DUDES

3270 N.E. 33rd St., Fort Lauderdale
Men dancing for men. Hot go-go boys in an upscale
atmosphere, piano lounge for more quiet interludes. Steamy
shower shows.

JOHNNY’S

1116 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
Club, bar, lounge. Male dancers and the men who love (to
ogle) them. Sunday amateur strip contest (and karaoke!).

LIPS

1421 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Oakland Park
The Ultimate in Drag Dining. Dinner and shows six nights a
week. Sunday Gospel Brunch with the Sisters of Sequins.

LIVING ROOM

300 S.W. 1st Ave., Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale Arts & Entertainment District meets South
Beach. Friday nights they’re here, they’re queer, and they
drink free from 10:30(ish) to Midnight. Only House Music
club in town with its own Classical (and classicallychiseled)
violinist.

THE MANOR

2345 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors
WeHo vibe (think: LA’s The Abbey) in the heart of the
Gayborhood. Dine, drink, dance, play, mingle. Theme rooms
(salsa and meringue every weekend in the Latin Quarter!).
Live dancing and dining.

MATTY’S ON THE DRIVE

2426 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors
Drink specials, billiards, and a chill gayborhood vibe. 75
Cent drinks on Wednesdays. No Drama, No Smoking.

MONKEY BUSINESS

2740 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale
Cozy neighborhood bar. Karaoke, drag shows, Patio Bar –
and open at 9 a.m. daily.

MONA’S
502 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
Cocktail Lounge in the heart of Searstown. Fun customers,
fun bartenders and fun proprietor (the Legendary Jerry).
Outside patio. Wednesday karaoke, Thursday Speedball
Tournament.

NAKED GRAPE
2039 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors
Relaxing, friendly, hip, unique – the alternative gathering
place on Wilton Drive. Wine tastings and events. Tuesday
and Wednesday Late Night In the Biz.

PJ’S CORNER POCKET
924 N. Flagler Drive, Fort Lauderdale
Interracial Private Social Club. Bottle club memberships.
Get your groove back on Wednesday nights with $2 drinks.

RAMROD
1508 N.E. 4th Ave., Fort Lauderdale
Voted World’s Favorite Leather Bar. Pig Dance first Saturday
of the month – South Florida’s Busiest, Craziest Monthly
Party (with caged hunks at Midnight on Saturdays – is there
a downside to this?).

ROSIE’S BAR & GRILL
2829 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
Nexus of the A-Gay List. Be Seen in the Scene (without
making one). Food, folks, libations, and a killer Sunday
Funday.

SCANDALS SALOON

3073 NE 6th Avenue, Wilton Manors
A line-dancin’, tight blue jeans-wearin’ good time. Country
and western music, two-steppin’, three-steppin’, pool
tables, and themed events year ‘round. Cowboys and
Indians was never this much fun, Pilgrim.

SIDELINES
2031 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors
Where Sports come first. Nationally known destination
sports bar with TVs streaming NFL, MLB, NBA and college
games. Pool tables, dart boards and large indoor (and
now smoke-free) facility. Outdoor patio features area for
smokers. Mixed crowd of gay men and women (who would
have thought?). Featured in Bloomberg Businessweek and
recommended by LOGO.

STABLE

205 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
Levis-and-leather neighborhood bar, where the bears line
dance and the cowboys are VERY friendly.

SMARTY PANTS
2400 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
Cozy neighborhood bar with daily happy hour, and regular
patrons. Show night Thursdays at 9 p.m. Karaoke Friday and
Saturday nights, and with matinee on Sunday afternoon.

TORPEDO
2829 W Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
Dance, shoot pool, drink til 4 a.m., 7 nights a week. Doors
open at Midnight; dance til Dawn.

VOODOO LOUNGE
111 S.W. 2nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale
Gay and mixed every Sunday, with afternoon T-Dance and
drink specials, then the popular Life’s a Drag show with
gobs of female impersonators, hot dudes and the chicks
who want to change them.

WHISKEY BLUE
401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
In the W Hotel on Fort Lauderdale Beach, downstairs it’s the
elegant Whiskey Blue, upstairs the luxe Living Room: hot
dance and social settings in a distinctive atmosphere with
signature cocktails and upscale patrons.

Indoor and outdoor
lounges.