Courtesy: Thomas Gravanis

With its small but vibrant LGBTQ+ scene, Athens is a city where everyone is welcome and diversity is celebrated. There are many places you can watch dazzling drag shows in this city; from slapstick acts in drag to glittery extravaganzas, there’s something for everyone.

By Kiriakos Spirou

Drag performances have been part of the local scene for many years, mainly through the decades-long dedication of the team at Koukles Club in Koukaki. But in recent years, thanks to social media (and RuPaul’s Drag Race), as well as the fact that Greece has become much more accepting towards LGBTQ+ culture, drag shows have entered mainstream entertainment in Athens and can be enjoyed more regularly and in more places, all year round.

In Athens, drag shows can differ from the ones usually seen in other countries. In the UK or the USA for example, a typical drag show consists of witty stand-up routines and live singing. In Athens, drag performances usually feature lip-syncing and dancing to popular tunes—with the obligatory extravagant costumes and over-the-top hairdos, of course. Athenian queens take their job very seriously and serve no less opulence and fierceness than their counterparts in other parts of the world. So, be careful not to cross them, otherwise expect to be read thoroughly and without mercy.

If you’re looking for venues where you can enjoy drag shows in Athens, here’s a short but comprehensive guide on where to find them and what to expect.

BEqueer

This LGBTQ+ club is right at the heart of Gazi and is popular with younger Athenians and a queer/non-binary crowd. Here you’ll find all sorts of queer creatures with unconforming outfits and various amounts of glitter on their faces. It’s usually not crowded like other mainstream clubs and the music ranges from favourite gay anthems to trashy Greek pop songs (when the DJ is trolling). There are rather theatrical drag shows at BEqueer, usually once a week, with each performance boasting its own theme. However, don't expect your typical RuPaul-idolising queens here: the shows are much more alternative and DIY, with heavy doses of humour and local cultural references. You might find yourself wondering who the performer is impersonating, but hey, asking a local about context might be that ice-breaker you’re looking for.

Photo: Thalia Galanopoulou

Backstage at Backdoor.

Photo: Thomas Gravanis

Julia Glitter and her girls at S-cape.

Photo: Thomas Gravanis

Strike a pose at Backdoor.

Photo: Thomas Gravanis

Meet Kangela, your next door psychedelic-punk-clown-housewife.

Photo: Ernst van Deursen

Bit of bright pink to shine through the dark, at S-Cape.

Photo: Thomas Gravanis

Performing at the marvellous stage of Backdoor.

Photo: Thomas Gravanis

Backdoor is where the creatures meet.

Photo: Thomas Gravanis

Final touches before the show at S-cape.

Photo: Thomas Gravanis

Cage dancing at S-Cape.

Photo: Thomas Gravanis

Venues with smaller gigs

Some bars in Athens, like Shamone for example, host smaller drag gigs on busy days. Instead of staging an entire scripted show, a drag performer will show up every hour or so and dazzle the crowds with dramatic costume changes, lip-syncing and dancing. Always a welcome intermission when you get to do back vocals to a brilliant queen who’s singing your favourite pop anthem, before you go back to dancing your feet off when the DJ takes over again. A few blocks away over at Big Bar, you can mingle with Athens’ bear crowd (and lovers) and catch occasional acts by furry divas. Make sure to track down both Shamone and Big on their social media for any drag events while you’re in town.

A rainbow bar. A rainbar! At Shamone.

Courtesy: Shamone

Annual LGBTQ+ Events

Held annually during Pride Month, Athens Pride is the city's largest public LGBTQ+ event. Parties and happenings take place all over town in the weeks leading up to the main parade day (typically a Saturday). It’s the perfect time of the year to experience the queer side of Athens at its most celebratory and vibrant. Check the official programme for scheduled drag performances, or keep an eye on social media hashtags to discover artists who might be performing in Athens during Pride Month.

Founded in 2022, Bearly Athens is an annual celebration of all things furry, scruffy and extra cuddly. Targeted primarily at the bear community, but embracing all tribes and sizes, this weekly extravaganza usually takes place during summer and involves everything from pool and leather parties to sightseeing tours, cruises, brunches and, of course, drag shows. Their events are always announced quite early in advance, so there’s plenty of time for you to plan ahead for some local honey tasting.

Celebrating all colours at the Athens Pride.

Photo: Thomas Gravanis

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Venues with smaller gigs

Annual LGBTQ+ Events

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