Qmmunity: Queer Pride’s Back on the Menu

Courtesy of Once Over Coffee Bar

Across the street from jockstrap heaven Package, queer caffeine hounds will find another big gay reason to hang out on South First. Once Over Coffee Bar intro’d their new winter seasonal menu on December 29, with bean bevvies representing LGBTQ figures across generations, locations, and orientations. Notable names include artist Keith Haring (a citrus-forward vanilla matcha), author James Baldwin (espresso with black sesame, brown sugar, and an option for “goth salt”), and local drag star Brigitte Bandit (espresso with peppermint bark).

Once Over owner Nicole Soumbeniotis spoke to Qmmunity over email about the shop’s latest seasonal offerings, coming after summer’s Kaiju crafted coffees and fall’s Rocky Horror Picture Show sips. Despite the idea being one the coffee bar was very enthusiastic about, Soumbeniotis said nailing down what LGBTQIA+ icons to represent proved tough. “We’d wanted to have the menu out at the beginning of December but didn’t want to put it out until we were sure it was right,” she explained. “There are so many amazing LGBTQIA+ icons!” Though Soumbeniotis is proud of the final list, she added that it’s “just a starting point.”

Photo by James Scott

“Our hope is that it will encourage people to seek out, and learn from, all the amazing queer revolutionaries who fought hard and sacrificed so much,” she said. “That fight continues and it is now ours to take on.”

Soumbeniotis, who took charge of Once Over in 2021 from original owners Rob and Jenee Ovitt, emphasizes the coffee bar’s role as an “unapologetically queer space.” She’s well aware of LGBTQIA+ Texans’ perilous situation, having testified against attempted drag-ban Senate Bill 12 during its time bouncing around the 88th Lege session. “As a business owner you always walk a fine line between needing to make money (the bummer of capitalism), and the desire to stay true to your ideals,” she said. “But in times like these, there is no room for subtlety; people’s lives are at stake. My hope, and sincere belief, is Austin’s queer community supports the businesses who support them. And we are here to support, shelter, and love our queer community in any way we can.”

Though Soumbeniotis admitted the drink-to-person pairing system was largely arbitrary, the drinks are “still thoughtful and delicious in their own right.” Perhaps more importantly overall is that these queerly be-named beverages even exist. “They are a way to say the names of people we wish to honor and to hopefully bring them into the public consciousness,” Soumbeniotis said. “There is so much to be proud of in the queer community and especially in the Austin queer community, and we’re very thankful to be a part.”

Ratcat Presents: Free Week

Friday 3, Cheer Up Charlies

Finally, all our weeks have been freed by Red River Cultural District just in time for you to enjoy this show featuring Mean Jolene, Cormae, Lynzi, Bee and the Hive, TV’s Goodtimes, and Feedr.

Now Serving

Friday 3, Hideaway Kitchen & Bar

Tiffany Epiphany presents dinner and a drag show, where the plates are hot and the performances are even hotter – unless you ordered those sizzling fajitas, of course.

Drama Gaze

Saturday 4, Oilcan’s

Hosted by Lawrie Bird, this show utilizes a multimedia setup to “teleport you into a twisted world reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoons!”

Pork’d

Saturday 4, the Iron Bear

Do not worry: Even though it references Sus scrofa domesticus in its event title, Package Austin and the Bear’s party of rotating gear/fetish themes doesn’t contain any actual pork. But feel free to pig out on sexy vibes anyway.

Coco Cxnts Fourth Anniversary

Saturday 4, Coconut Club

Fourth Street's rooftop divas hit their fourth anniversary show with a big ol' bang, so celebrate this quarter with the Cxnts.

Sir Rat Kink Bingo

Sunday 5, the Austin Eagle

Sir Rat’s Randy, Simone Riviera, and Hexa Dulce host this monthly bingo with prizes from your favorite leather and gear spots. Dress code? The four genders: “Gear, Leather, Uniform or Everything else.”

Critter Mosh

Monday 6, the Austin Eagle

Put your paws up and wag your silicone tail because Boop Society of Central Texas invites all critters to mosh.

Walk & Run Club

Monday 6, Ann and Roy Hike & Bike Trail

Local Queer ATX and OutWellness partner for this movement moment, where all levels are encouraged to walk, jog, or run their way to that signature Juiceland treat at the trail's end.

Queer Craft Night

Tuesday 7, Lark & Owl Booksellers

YES: Here’s something for y’all way out North. Georgetown Pride hosts their monthly craft night within the literary sanctuary of Lark & Owl. BYOC, aka bring your own craft.

Reading the Rainbow Book Club

Wednesday 8, Twin Oaks Branch Library & Virtual

Come in person or attend online: Either way, you’ll be having a gay ol’ time discussing queer speculative fantasy novel Vagabonds! by Nigerian author Eloghosa Osunde.