Happy week before Valentine’s Day, Reader! Maybe you have a sweetheart or several at once; maybe you’re single but still want to mingle; or maybe you just want to have a nice time despite the horrors – whatever the situation may be, the time to plan a stellar V-Day is now. Next week, eh, that’ll narrow the options for a romantic dinner down to Whataburger. (Not that the right person wouldn’t be down for two patty melts and a couple’s beef-induced coma session, I suppose…)
Austin’s got a good selection of queer-owned restaurants to take your sweeties – helping support your community as well as satiate your hunger. South Lamar’s Spanish spot El Raval – headed up by chef Laila Bazahm – has a special Valentine’s Day-only, five-course meal featuring Ibérico ham, lobster, spicy tomato sauce, wagyu short rib stew, and plenty of potatoes made fancy. Looking to enjoy a chicken heart yakitori with the one who holds your heart? Stop by Kazu Fukumoto’s self-titled izakaya on Sixth and Medina, where delicious and elevated Japanese-style bar staples will leave you satisfied. Or maybe, since V-Day falls on a Saturday this year, you can enjoy a romantic brunch at the new outpost of biscuit haven Lynny’s over on 12th. Coffee, crispy edged fried eggs, and carbs worth ruining your new year’s diet for await. (Plus, they’re open Mondays now, just in case you lost track of time locking lips all weekend.)
Hmmmm, what else, what else. Oh! Parade and festival registration for this year’s Austin Pride have opened up. The org’s Insta post warns that “sponsors and vendors are already claiming prime placements” so if you want to get a good spot, I suppose you ought to hurry on up.
Hard to think about June already! Let’s try to get through these next six weeks of winter. Stay aware, stay safe, and stay open to love.
Austin Vogue Nights
Thursday 5, Swan Dive
Kick off February with this monthly mini-ball. Ms. Girl6, aka Mother Natalie Lepore, emcees with DJ BabiDoll at the decks. Check @centraltxkikiscene for a rundown of this month’s category requirements. 10pm.
Mistress Madness
Thursday 5, Highland Lounge
She’s fired up the Drag Race fans, now Mistress Isabelle Brooks lights up Austin with this competitive drag blowout featuring 10 queens vying for the top title. Audience participation expected, as are chaos and kooky behavior. 9pm.
Stampede
Friday 6, the Highball
Don’t get caught underfoot of this line dance party, because this Neon Rainbows boot-stompin’ ain’t no joke. All levels are welcome with Country Fried Dance teaching beginner lessons and two-stepping in between. 8pm.
Loverboy Anthems Only
Friday 6, Cheer Up Charlies
If that hockey show’s got you all warmed up, skate on over to this all-gay-anthem DJ night themed to the Canadian TV sensation. On deck are DJs Ryan McClure, Lidia Beatz, and Scam Likely – plus Aira Juliet hosts a Hollander & Rozanov look-alike contest. 10pm.
First Fridays
Friday 6, Rain on 4th
Pride in Black ATX returns to Fourth to welcome in Black History Month. February’s DJ select is She23, who’ll warm everyone up with slow jams. “But don’t worry,” promises the organizers, “we gone throw a lil ass too!!” Phew! 10pm.
GRRRL’s Night In
Friday 6, Oilcan’s
The grrrls – RIOTGIRL and Titty Androgynous – are having a sleepover and you’re invited! Join the hosts of this queer and trans celebration for a nostalgic night featuring Y2K tunes and a pajama dress code. 11pm.
Walk-In Day
Saturday 7, Queer Audacity
Get fresh ink right as February starts from one of the talented tattoo artists situated in Springdale General. Flash sets avails, but it’s all first come, first served, so arrive early to secure your spot. 11am.
Hot Yoga
Saturday 7, Pure Yoga Texas North & Downtown Austin
Cheer Austin continues their fundraising efforts for local queer orgs with this hot-yoga class benefiting Rainbow Connections ATX. Attend a 90-minute session at either their Burnet Road or Oakland Avenue locations, and your $15 minimum donation will help support LGBTQ eldercare. 10am.
Black Queer Renaissance
Saturday 7, Carver Museum
As part of the Carver Museum’s Black History Month kick-off, TribRelations, writer Marzetta McClung, and Pride in Black ATX lead a kiki ball themed to the Harlem Renaissance. 5pm.
Mi Casa Es Su Teatro
Saturday 7, Mishpocha Woods Artist Compound
Self-described as “a dangerously DIY domestic fringe fest,” this theatrical gathering supported by Hyde Park Theatre and FronteraFest features over 20 experiments in short plays, installations, spaces, and clowns. Plus, beer, food, zines, and plenty of cool peeps to share your time with. 11am.
Slide Into the DMs
Saturday 7, Fallout Theater
Fall in love for the first time with this social media inbox-inspired comedy show. Angelina Martin hosts as comics take real-life romantic horror stories and spin ’em into improv gold. Make sure to laugh really loud; this is their first Valentine’s Day taping! 10pm.
Big Tits Bigger Dreams
Saturday 7, Oilcan’s
Brigitte Bandit hosts this non-competitive drag open mic for alllll the budding performers out there who just need a welcoming space to bloom – and get professional pics taken. Sign-ups open on Thursday through the @bigtitsbiggerdreams Insta. 7pm.
Queer Mic
Sunday 8, the Vortex
From the folks who brought you Try Hard Mic and Anybody but Tony, a new LGBTQ stand-up showcase emerges. Sign up for what DEI comedy says is a queer open mic where “we curate this space to keep out the riffraff,” aka jerks. 8:30pm.
Score
Sunday 8, AFS Cinema
Radley Metzger’s raunchy little romance based on an off-Broadway play finds bisexual marrieds Jack and Elvira (extremely bi-coded names) challenging each other to woo a couple naive newlyweds. Apparently there’s softcore and hardcore versions, but I’ll let you guess which one’s screening this weekend with an opening from programmer Elizabeth Purchell. No, really: Your guess is as good as mine… 3:45pm.
Beyond Gravity
Sunday 8, We Luv Video
To counteract recent sour events, SunGays gives us something sweet. This New Zealand-made short film from the late Eighties follows an anxious man pursued by a brash loverboy with expectedly cute results. 7pm.
Super Bowl Watch Party
Sunday 8, RSVP for location
OutWellness hosts a watch party for that big football game happening during the Bad Bunny concert. All you gotta do is RSVP via DM and bring a football-themed snack. 5:30pm.
Perreo Club Super Bowl Party
Sunday 8, Coconut Club
Watch the Bad Bunny concert-slash-football game with your Perreo Club pals. Starting at 11am with Rebekah’s RITMO fitness class and leading right into Chef Jose Vega’s Lechon a la Vara – whole roasted pig – this’ll be an all-day party soundtracked by DJs Suxxy Puxxy and Soularreal. 11am.
Bad Bunny Super Bowl Watch Party
Sunday 8, Cheer Up Charlies
Enjoy the football game – or Benito Bowl, as CUC calls it – with free burger, hot dog, and salad stations, spins from DJ Scam Likely, and post-game Latinx karaoke. 7pm.
Queer Cuties Market
Sunday 8, the Little Gay Shop
Fill your heart with objects and items made by local queer vendors at this TLGS-curated market. Plus, a Rainbow Connections ATX-helmed station to make cute Valentine’s cards for queer elders. 11am.
100 Years of Dyke
Sunday 8, Ani’s Day & Night
You’ve waited 100 years for this sapphic panel. What’s a week? Thawed out from the previous freeze, Austin Dyke March’s dyke table talk and lesbian variety show returns with collaborators TribRelations and Futch Fetish in tow. Damiana Divine, Hurricane Short King, BeeBee Blvnt, and Venus Rising host. 12pm.
Vanjie
Thursday 12, Oilcan’s
Icon of the Drag Race oeuvre, Vanessa Vanjie dazzles on the Oilcan stage with host Celia Light and local cast members Brigitte Bandit, Casady Milan, Lawrie Bird, Harlott, and Ryan. Grab your tickets soon, because these’ll sell out quick – if they haven’t already! 10pm.
Tunnel Vision
Thursday 12, Elysium
Set sights to sickening for this returning show from host Solovino, featuring performances by Flex Brojas, Franky La’Mour, Demavoid, Basura, Dante Picante, Liz Dexia, and Slaylem Cholula Cuntress. Plus a vendor market. 10pm.
In the Calendar
Roller Rodeo Disco
Monday 9, Pins & Wheels at Playland
Swing your partner round and round, but not too hard! Y’all have roller skates on, after all. Neon Rainbows – Austin’s very own queer country party planners – bring the rodeo to the roller-rink with a big ol’ bash hosted by drag delights Brigitte Bandit and Travis Randy Travis. DJ Ed West spins “Cosmic Country Remixes & Hot Disco Beats”; orgs like Trans Texas, ASHwell, and Vada Counseling set up a queer wellness market; and a costume contest asks competitors to dress in their best rhinestones, wigs, and chaps. – James Scott
This article appears in February 6 • 2026.
