Many words have been shared throughout the online- and meat-space about queer venues in Austin over the past, oh, million years. (This is how long Austin has had LGBTQ-centric places, yes?) And while I’m sure everyone – aka no one – is salivating for this print-media employee’s thoughts, I really don’t care to share ’em in ink. However, I will point out that there’s a LOT of queer-owned and -friendly spots around Bat City that don’t always show up on the brand-name web-search for “Gay Hot Spots in Austin.” To be quite honest, any place you find that provides a sense of queer community is a special one, whether that’s a nightlife nook, literary hub, cinema space, or otherwise. Several of them might even show up in this week’s listings! So let’s log off for a little while and enjoy each other’s company in various places and spaces. See ya out there, babes.
Carabiner Club: Jennifer’s Body
Thursday 23, Hyperreal Film Club
Set your sapphic sights on a scare for this month’s Carabiner Club screening of Karyn Kusama (director of the best episode of Amazon’s Dead Ringers show) and Diablo Cody’s (innovator of the phrase “Oh my blog!”) 2009 teen horror. Also on deck: drink specials, a costume contest judged by drag star Karabiner, and post-movie music spun by DJ Kshal. 7pm.
Glamp Glamp – Icons: Dead or Alive
Thursday 23, Lynny’s on Gunter
If you haven’t taken your turn at “Austin’s only Queer Experimental Performance Art Open Mic Night” yet, tonight might be your time! This month’s theme is tributes to your fave icons, whether they’re here or in heaven (or hell, I suppose). OUTsider Fest hosts a pre-show happy hour during the 6pm sign-up time. 7pm.
Classic Whorror
Friday 24, Cheer Up Charlies
Glaze mag presents a murderers’ row of music, spins, and burlesque for the second edition of their Halloween happening. This year’s their Villain Era, so dress up in your most evil duds to stun and, perhaps, slay. 9pm.
Boobye Party/Halloween Bash
Friday 24, RSVP for Location
OutWellness throws a ta-ta to titties that’s welcome to everyone who’s gotten top surgery, wants it, or has supported someone through their journey. Expect fun games, a body-adornment station, and Halloween vibes. Shirts are optional, so come show off that chest! 8pm.
Bastrop Pride Presents Halloween HoeDown
Friday 24, Lightnin’ Bar
Get your fill of frights out in Bastrop with this seasonal shindig hosted by Elgin’s Aria Forte and featuring performances by Stellar Manx, Eva Inez, Miss Kitty Litter ATX, Petty Cakes, Yvonne F. Mei, and Holliday Cash. 8pm.
Fantasy Femme Fest
Friday 24, Tiny Minotaur Tavern
Hear ye, hear ye: All sapphics have been summoned by the High Council of Lavender Lesbians to join them at this soiree among the fae. Dress as fantastic as you please and come ready for tarot, flower crowns, vendors, and more.
Aura After Dark: Queer Vampire Rave
Saturday 25, TOATS
Sapphic social club Aura brings a fang-tastic vibe to their Halloween party, with spins by DJs Amarji King, Dragonnqueen, Orya, and Kuntress accompanying cocktails, flash tattoos, vendors, and more – hosted by the one and only Xoy. 9pm.
Futch Fetish: Femme Fatale
Saturday 25, Cheer Up Charlies
The horror’s all here as hosts BeeBee Blvnt and Karabiner present sickening stage performances by Atlas Mars, Les Bone, Impulse Purchase, Ethel Institution, Marilyn Moonlight, Senor Sissa Muerta, and Perra Normal. Plus, DJ BB Crux behind the decks. 9pm.
The 3rd Annual Birthday Roast of Jose Da’Hype
Saturday 25, ColdTowne Theater
He’s back and just as bitingly funny as ever, so celebrate Jose Da’Hype’s b-day in the traditional style: watching him get comedically shredded by killer local comics such as Mattie Yapp, Priya Blunts, Gabe Davis, Lisa Smith, Reese Davis, Genevieve Clinton, and Holden. Niki Coleman hosts, with a pre-show outside the venue hosted by Rochelle McConico. 7pm.
Drag Me to the Tavern: Oops! All TRTs
Saturday 25, Tiny Minotaur Tavern
Celebrate the style, the spirit, and the spice of co-host TRT at this show totally themed to the TRT brand/lifestyle. Come for the many mutations of the signature TRT mustache; stay to donate all your pocket change to fellow knight Sir Beau Elliot’s top surgery. 9:30pm.
Crowned With William
Saturday 25, Busy Signal
Malibu Imported presents her drag brunch in a speakeasy with a special guest: Drag Race‘s William! Snag a ticket before they sell out. 1pm.
Drag Me to the Candy
Sunday 26, Ani’s Day & Night
What a sweet show this’ll be, with drag hosted by the Lezzz B. Honest crew, a Local Queer ATX trunk-or-treat, tote-bag painting, a costume contest for peeps and pets, and much more. Plus, all those delicious drinks and noshables from Ani’s kitchen and food truck friends. 12pm.
North Lake Travis Pride Festival
Sunday 26, Jones Brothers Park
Splish, splash, time to take a bath – in all this local Pride, that is! Jonestown celebrates their first Pride fest with a family-oriented shindig featuring drag, vendors, music, food, and all-day trick-or-treating for kids. 1pm.
The One Dab One Direction Drag Brunch
Sunday 26, the Glassmith’s Speakeasy Lounge
Whether you’re there for the dab + bud bar or the 1D midnight memories, this drag show featuring Sir Dree, Sir Maxim, Gemma Nye, and hosts Slaylem Cholula Cuntress and Larry Stylinson is sure to leave you with “Stockholm Syndrome.” (Look, it’s one of my favorite songs, okay!) 1pm.
A Brunch of Drag: Halloween Party Edition
Sunday 26, Eden San Marcos
Scare up a good time with Amber Nicole Davenport, Amy H. Graves, and host Eileen Dover at this seasonally eerie edition of their brunch show. Plus, a halftime costume contest. 2pm.
Haute Seat! After Dark
Sunday 26, Cheer Up Charlies
The nights haven’t cooled off yet in Austin, so the heat keeps right on rolling off this Embry Officially-hosted show with performances by cast members Sir Beau Elliot and Harlot. But that’s not all: There’ll also be vendors as well as spins by DJ Lavender Thug. 5pm.
The Glitoris Presents: Swalloween
Tuesday 28, Swan Dive + Barbarella
TuezGayz gets creepy, crawly, and c*nty for their 15th anniversary of this seasonal costume party featuring all your favorites like Diamond Dior Davenport’s Drag Dive as well as signature Glitoris spins all night. 10pm.
High-lloween: Halloween House Party
Tuesday 28, Oilcan’s
Enter the eerie atmosphere at this Alexander the Great-hosted show, where the vibes aren’t so much frightening as they are heightening – get it? Because with THC drink specials running throughout, you’ll be high as, well, whatever things are up high. I’m 5’4; I don’t know. 9pm.
The Rocky Horror Drag Show
Wednesday 29, Hotel Vegas + Volstead Lounge
Dammit, Janet! That’s what you’ll be saying to your friend Janet if she didn’t snag a ticket to the Vixens of Volstead & Friends’ drag shadow cast performance of the classic Tim Curry horror comedy. But don’t worry, Jan: There’s two performances (7 & 10pm), so that’s double the chances to correct your mistake.
Boyz of Austin 10th Anniversary Spooktacular
Wednesday 29, Elysium
Get your start on the Halloweekend with a scary drag show a decade in the making! The Boyz celebrate 10 years of gender-diverse drag performances plus many more to come, and you’re invited to monster-mash with ’em. 9:30pm.
Workout! With Erica Nix
Thursday 30, Double Trouble
Austin’s favorite fitness queen pumps up the North Loop crowd every Thursday with an hourlong class that includes a free coffee in your $15 ticket purchase. Snag a spot and see what all the fit fuss is about. 8am.
OUTsider Monster Bash
Thursday 30, Museum of Human Achievement
Transmedia fest OUTsider throws a frightful fundraiser on Halloween Eve featuring performances by fest faves like San Cha, a costume contest, a silent auction, and much more. B. Nassty hosts. 7pm.
Community Altar Building
Thursday 30, allgo
Ahead of their Nov. 2 Day of the Dead celebration, allgo hosts a night of collective creation focused on altar building. 6:30pm.
The Dollhaus
Thursday 30, Swan Dive
On the back patio of ol’ SD, there’ll be spins aplenty from DJs Angel Doll and Amarji King as they go B2B with pop, dance, house, and club classics bringing Red River to their feet. 10pm.
ANGELEZ OBSKÜROS
Thursday 30, Cheer Up Charlies
Hosted by Munster Mash, this divine showcase puts together drag, music, and vendors from all over Austin to prep you for the phantasmagoric weekend ahead. 9:30pm.
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
Thursday 30, Swan Dive
Dive: After Dark invites one and all to explore the shadows during this edition of the pole performance show featuring Disco Lemonade, Lael, Kristen, Faerialiste, and Boy Taylor. 7pm.
Queen of the Night
Thursday 30, Oilcan’s
Ritzy Bitz brings a new competition series to Fourth that highlights all the different drag styles around Austin. Who will be the King/Queen of the Night? Come see who excels at this week’s theme, which is punk, alt., and horror. Winner walks away with $300. 10pm.
In the Calendar
Battle & Bloom Fashion Show
Saturday 25, 506 Congress Ave.
Fashion and alterations brand SwankKi debut their fall/winter runway at this FLWRPOT-hosted fashion show. Combining themes of resilience and growth alongside fellow featured designers Pink Sage and T’Angelo, this style showcase finds floral functionality from upcycled streetwear looks to otherworldly couture. Those looking to not only see designs that embrace evolution & creativity but also celebrate BIPOC queer artistry ought to snag their tickets, stat. – James Scott
The Lost Boys
Sunday 26 – Wednesday 29, Alamo Village & Lakeline
A perfect time capsule of Eighties vibes that not only highlights the omnipresence of sax solos but also puts forth the visual concept of hot twink Beetlejuice in young Kiefer Sutherland as dangerous vamp gay-ng leader David: This is Joel Schumacher’s masterpiece. (Do NOT argue with me, Phantom phans!) By contrasting the gothic legacy of vampires with the beaches of California, the film’s tale of finding family & belonging boosts its cheesier scenes to pure camp class. Plus, there’s the queer subtext to consider – and trust, we’re all considering that very, very hard. Screens at Alamo as part of the non-Highball-set Queer Film Theory 101 series. – James Scott
The Living Dead Girl
Sunday 26, We Luv Video
Pre-Rob Zombie song and pre-doll collection that used to scare me in Hot Topic, this title belonged to a French horror flick from director Jean Rollin. Known best for his erotic horror highlights The Nude Vampire and The Shiver of the Vampires, this later work falls into the same category many B-movies inhabit – the not-vampire vampire movie. A toxic waste spill may be what resurrects lead character Catherine, but her lust for human blood echoes those fanged monsters featured before by Rollins. As for why this is on WLV’s SunGay schedule, well. Wouldn’t you know it but this reanimated ma’am’s a sapphic bloodsucker, whose morbid hunger extends to the love of her childhood friend Hélène. – James Scott
CHRISTEENE
Tuesday 28, 29th Street Ballroom
She’s left Bat City for the glitz and grime of NYC, but we’ve never forgotten our favorite feral icon. And apparently, she hasn’t forgotten us! Christeene returns in all her freaky finery for a one-night-only show featuring music, mayhem, and “a homespun darke space for all to gather and gild the revolutionary flames in this mad fukkn world.” Joining her on the Fruth Street stage is producer Peter Stopschinski as well as AMA winner p1nkstar handling opening hype-up duties. – James Scott
This article appears in October 24 • 2025.
