Welcome to the pre-Pride vibe. Honestly, it’s pretty much the same as the vibe last week and the week before that. Austin’s a pretty gay city! Can’t help that queer biz is always in high demand. Lotta new events this time around though, like an anime-themed burlesque revue from Nightshade Nerdlesque curator Raven Noxx (see Saturday) and the Afters List’s sapphic shindig I Licked It She Liked It (see Friday). There’ll even be a fundraiser for Hutto Pride (Saturday), which means the Pride vibe has breached those famous Austin city limits. Party hardy, but maybe not too hardy since you’ll need the strength for next weekend’s big ol’ buncha happenings. See you on these gay streets, reader!
OH WAIT: Also wanted to let you know that Soupleaf Hot Pot – you know, the newest addition to the Crescent shopping center that isn’t that boondoggle Starbucks – is donating a dollar from every sale of their Lychee Dream drink. In partnership with Queer Liberation Network, Soupleaf says this money will go toward “Empowerment Microgrants” that’ll launch in December “to put direct aid in the hands of those who need it most.” Cheers, and happy hot-potting.
McBling House Party
Friday 15, RSVP for address
TribRelations returns from their well-deserved break to throw a big ol’ blinged out party themed around Aughts-core slumber parties. Tix run $5.55, but non-Black attendees to this Black sapphic space must pay an extra $2 at the door. 9pm.
Shock Therapy Presents Slop
Friday 15, Elysium
Celebrate cast member Jenna Talia’s birthday at this porcine party featuring the full Shock Therapy crew as well as special guests Venus Rising, Cupcake, Arinna Dior Davenport, and Betty Boof. 10pm.
Sir Rat Back Alley Party
Friday 15, Sir Rat Leather Austin
Dance all night to DJ Daddy D behind Sir Rat’s Cesar Chavez digs. Refreshments will be on offer, but the Sirs Rat encourage a BYOB-and-share attitude from all 21 and over attendees. 8pm.
I Licked It She Liked It: Sapphic Edition
Friday 15, Cheer Up Charlies
Get gay as hell with musical performances from Blakchyl, Autumn Cymone, Stephy Lee, and Jasper. But the lesbian love doesn’t stop there, as there’ll be DJs, burlesque, go-go dancers, a vendor market, games, free tattoos, raffle drawings, and cash prizes for the hottest femme. 9pm.
Deadlift & Drag: The OutWellness Anniversary Party
Saturday 16, OutWellness
One year in, and OutWellness has a whole lot to celebrate – so they’re throwing a queer-led wellness clinic and deadlift showcase. In addition to flexing OW’s first-year accomplishments – and muscles – there’ll be drag and DJ sets as well. 12pm.
Noxx’s Nightshade Nerdlesque Presents Waifu Wonders
Saturday 16, Show Pony inside the Jackalope South Shore
There’s nothing cringe on this burlesque stage as the Nightshade Nerdlesque performers celebrate their favorite anime lady heartthrobs. 6pm.
Munch!
Saturday 16, the Iron Bear
Bring a big appetite for “cheek, charm, and competition” to this peachy party, featuring $5 Munch punch and a midnight showdown with host Chique Fil-Atio. DJ Mike spins. 9pm.
Bombshells Through the Decades!
Saturday 16, Kick Butt Coffee
Time-travel through all ages of sexy seduction with your Bat City Bombshells in their decade-spanning showcase of burlesque talent. 7pm.
Hutto Pride Fundraiser
Saturday 16, Rockabilly Brewing
This game-show-style event ain’t just about raising scratch for Hutto’s Pride org: It’s also a chance to mingle with the org’s newest members, win prizes, and see all yer gay friends. 3pm.
QTOPIA 4 Kids: Tell Your Own Story
Saturday 16, Birdhouse Books
Crafty queer folks of all ages are invited to this zine-making event also featuring storytime with Holliday Cash and show-and-tell. Supplies for zines are provided, OutYouth’ll be tabling, and a lucky kid may go home with one of the storytime selections. 10:15am.
Pop Star Showdown: Sabrina vs. Chappell
Saturday 16, Cheer Up Charlies
Hosts Greta Grip and Cassie Opeia do the unthinkable and pit two queens against each other. One’s the hetero-camp champ; the other’s the sapphic pop priestess; and they’ll both get tributed by the night’s performers. Plus: vendors, tattoos, and a costume contest. 9pm.
Pard’ner Queer Two-Step Workshop
Saturday 16, Sagebrush
This here’s for duos wanting to perfect their partner dance skills. Country Fried Dance leads the lesson while Neon Rainbow’s Ed West spins the body-moving music. All levels welcome. 4pm.
Let’s Have a Kiki
Sunday 17, Austin Motel
Those silly sirens of Fou Fou Ha! Austin are splashing down at the Austin Motel pool for a pulpy performance of clown drag. Plus, drink specials, DJ Lady Vitamins, and games abound. 2pm.
A Brunch of Drag: Disney Channel
Sunday 17, Eden San Marcos
All y’all San Marcos queers get ready to rock out for this Disney Channel-themed drag show hosted by Eileen Dover. Featuring Serena Blake, Glitter Lxve, and Rhea Moonlight serving their best DCOM energy. 2pm.
Austin Pride’s Big Gay Brunch Pride Week Edition
Sunday 17, the Brewtorium
Kelly Kline hosts another Austin Pride drag brunch, but this time her special guest comes all the way from Drag Race Season 16: Plane Jane! Snag your ticket to the function soon, but be warned: That $21.40 price doesn’t include food, so you’re buying your eggs and bacon à la carte. 12pm.
Early Morning Hike
Sunday 17, Ann & Roy Butler Trail
Queer Black Women Alliance, Pride In Black ATX, Indigenous Movement Crew, Latino Outdoors, Local Queer, ATX Choclit LGBT, ATX Sapphic Hiking Crew, Ride Bikes Austin, We Outside ATX, and Asian Family Support Services of Austin invite YOU to slide on those hiking boots for a 4-mile jaunt among friends and fam – including furry ones! 9am.
Big Gay Austin Pride Bazaar
Sunday 17, Rain on 4th
Flying by Fourth this weekend is Plane Jane, who’ll touch down for a special performance at this vibrant vendor market featuring tons of local queer biz for you to shop. 4pm.
Campfire Queer Storytime: Super Gay Poems
Sunday 17, BookWoman
In a special edition of the Rainbow Connections ATX storysharing shindig, readers will recite their favorite poems from Super Gay Poems: LGBTQIA+ Poetry After Stonewall by Stephanie Burt, which came out this year. Plus, it’ll be in that sweet BookWoman air-conditioning! 6pm.
Austin Pride Sound Bath
Sunday 17, OutWellness
Wash away the bad vibes at this restorative sound bath provided by Hiral Patel of Selva Wellness Collective. 11:45am.
aGLIFF Pride Pool Party
Sunday 17, Hotel Indigo
Raise funds for Austin’s oldest and queerest film festival while also cooling off in a rooftop pool. DJ Kimmy K spins while the hotel serves up specialty cocktails and the Haute Dog buffet, which is exactly as it sounds: an elevated hot dog buffet. 1:30pm.
Sad Girls Only
Monday 18, Swan Dive
Head down Red River for all the most melancholy dames struttin’ their sad stuff. Louisianna Purchase and Ruby Knight host with perofrmances by Tatiana Cholula, Noodles, Rosalind Hussell, Dior Diet, Lavender Thug, Stephanie Elegonza, and Puja Purchase. 10pm.
Austin Pride Rainbow Skate
Monday 18, Playland Skate Center
Lace up your skates for this Pride pre-game at the roller rink, featuring DJ Chorizo Funk soundtracking your wheelin’ and dealin’. 7pm.
Monday Night Karao-Kiki
Monday 18, Rain on 4th
Sing loud and proud with your karaoke queen & host Mars. 10pm.
Country Fried Dance Queer Pard’ner Lesson
Tuesday 19, Central Library
Have you been yearnin’ to learn yourself how to hoof it, but can’t make it out to Country Fried Dance’s club workshops? Swing on by the library, where CFD will lead a lesson on partner dances for all those light in the loafers, as well as those who love ’em. 6:30pm.
Queer Trivia: That’s So… Gay
Tuesday 19, the Little Gay Shop
The award-winning trivia talents of the Little Gay Shop and Aira Juliet return to Chups for another quiz, this time focused on important gay topics like divas, feuds, and that time Hilary Duff ended homophobia. 7:30pm.
Exploring Inclusive Paths to Family Building
Wednesday 20, 1972 Pub
Women-owned sports pub 1972 invites LGBTQ families as well as individuals curious about family planning to this information session with CCRM Fertility. Free food and drinks provided, but RSVP via the number on their Instagram for a spot. 6pm.
Scissor Sisters Launch Party
Wednesday 20, Pershing Hall
The former Queen Bee ATX rebrands and you’re invited to celebrate with ’em! Expect drink specials, lesbian arm-wrasslin’, tattoos, vendors, tarot, and more. Then buzz by King Bee for the after party. 8:30pm.
Futch Fetish: Lesbian Awakenings
Thursday 21, Cheer Up Charlies
Hosts BeeBee Blvnt and Karabiner kick it back to the source at this month’s show, with performers digging into the characters that inspired their sapphic awakenings. Anyone else got Annie in the first Community paintball episode? Or is that just me… 9pm.
Tha’ Spot: Black Pride Edition
Thursday 21, Rain on 4th
Diamond Dior Davenport’s Sunday celebration of top-shelf talent takes over Thursday with Pride in Black ATX. Featuring a college night strip-off with Bobby Cook as well as DJ Cysum on the decks. 10pm.
This article appears in August 15 • 2025.
