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And it demonstrates something even more important: that the queer community does have the power to fight gentrification, though it requires the diligence of staking a claim in the places we helped create. Whereas the old location was a bit run-down and didn’t mirror the fabulosity of its tagline, “Every queen needs a palace,” the new location offers brighter colors and blasts louder music. From a Friday Happy Hour packed with Winter Party attendees to its iconic drag brunch on Sunday catering to tourists in town for a good time, Palace Bar seems to be making a much bolder statement on Ocean Drive than it did before. This includes a front patio with more seating and room for drag queens to death drop and somersault.Īfter visiting Palace Bar while in town for Winter Party earlier this month, I was impressed with the updates management had made to the venue. The larger location, 1052 Ocean Drive, is two blocks down from its original haunt and features more indoor and outdoor space than before. 1 Drag Bar in South Beach for 34 yrs Tag us for a chance to be featured palacesobe palacebar Drag Show Reservations. As rising rents priced out other LGBT-owned-and-operated businesses, Palace Bar persevered and eventually became the last gay bar on Ocean Drive.Īfter closing on July 4th weekend with a blowout celebration, Palace Bar owner Thomas Donall vowed to reopen the iconic LGBT hot spot in “a bigger location and make it an LGBT center.” The nightclub owner made good on his promise, opening the new Palace Bar during Thanksgiving weekend 2017, the same weekend as Miami’s White Party. Over the years, the location changed owners, crafted a full-service food menu and became world-famous for its extravagant drag brunch, at which queens would prance right on the asphalt of Ocean Drive. The bartenders began adding booze to their fruity concoctions, and later started offering drag shows as entertainment. The bar instantly became popular with the gay community. According to the story, its original owners were inspired to put the word fruit in the name since the beach right across the street was a popular gathering for gays.
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art, and creativity, but the 2019 event was one that truly raised the bar in an entirel. including the famous Palace Bar, just a couple of blocks down Ocean Drive, and Twist South Beach, which is a couple of blocks west at 11th and. Long before Palace Bar was the gay nightlife hub we’ve come to know, it was a juice bar called The Fruit Palace. Miami’s Best Gay-Friendly Beaches offer soft sand. The pride colored crosswalks and honorary street sign are proof of the city’s support of the LGBT community.” Realtime driving directions to Gay Bar, 1057 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, based on live traffic updates and road conditions from Waze fellow drivers. They, too, were disappointed at not kiki’ing at the corner of 12th and Ocean anymore, enjoying views of eye candy strolling by or stellar drag shows from the bar’s talented roster of queens, many of whom are transgender.Ī statement read, “The Palace Bar is the foundation for what has become one of South Beach’s legendary and iconic LGBT meeting places, 1200 Ocean Drive. Not only did the closure affect locals, but it also impacted gay tourists from all over the world, who flock to Miami for its beautiful beaches and even more beautiful men. We are now distributors for many well-known companies in our short time in the industry like Department 56, Disney, Loungelfy, December Diamonds, Trick Or Treat Studios, Morris Costumes, Morbid Enterprises, Kreepsville666, Alchemy Of England and Neca.īoodee, Inc.is a family run business with Tom and Ted always working to serve you better.Many in the LGBT community of South Florida were saddened by this news. As time went on and we progressed and became more well known our clientele grew and so did our product lines. owners Thomas Pepe and Ted Long offered just 2 lines of products Barbie Dolls and other Collectible Dolls. All your favorite brands are right here in our store. We are committed to bringing you high-quality Collectibles, Dolls, Figurines, Statues, Halloween Masks, Costumes, Props, Weapons, Make-up, Appliances, and Accessories. offers high-quality collectibles distributed by top brand companies.