DRAG BRUNCH SLC
It’s 11:00 a.m. on a Sunday, and you’re drinking orange juice on your patio. You’re watching the leaves dance in the breeze. It’s peaceful, it’s beautiful, it’s… boring. You need some excitement on your Sunday morning–some entertainment! And maybe a little champagne to add to that OJ?
Well luckily for you, there is a place right here in Salt Lake City that can help with ALL of your Sunday needs. That place is Why Kiki, a local bar that hosts a drag brunch every Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
WHy Kiki Location
Before we jump into what Why Kiki is all about, let’s first look at the history of where they are located. Why Kiki is located downtown on 69 West and 100 South in a historical building that was built in 1912– imagine how much more roaring the roaring 20s would have been if they had drag shows!
The building has been built taller as the years have gone by with the very top floor now only being used for office storage. While there have been some changes, the windowpanes in the basement are actually the original panes (so if you’re down there, check them out!).
Because the building was built in the early 1900s it gets hot in there fast, especially with so many people moving around. So, we recommend dressing cool when you come to visit.
Sunday Brunch Drag Show
Photo Courtesy of Why Kiki Bar
Now that you have a bit of history, let’s get to the fun stuff – the Drag Show! Why Kiki performs a drag brunch every Sunday at 11:00 am. This is the perfect outing for a bachelorette party, birthday, or as I mentioned earlier - just because your Sunday needs more FUNday!
Why Kiki prides themselves in being the place for everyone, and they hold up to that title. They not only have drag queens but also drag kings and burlesque performers!
Their brunch performances consist of five to six performers who perform twice, each in a total of two sets. All of their performers are diverse and have completely different music tastes, dance styles, costumes, and personalities. It really is a treat to get to watch so many different types of performances in one show.
Why Kiki Brunch Menu
In addition to the drag show, Why Kiki provides delicious food and drinks. Their brunch menu specifically is to die for.
They have delicious rice and gravy dishes and even one that is vegan. However, what they are really known for is their dick waffles. Yes, dick waffles!
These waffles are shaped like penises, and you can get them in many forms. Their classic is the “chicks and dicks” platter, which is two dick waffles with some chicken strips. In addition, there are varieties of waffles and gravy, and specialty waffles, including “s’more dick” and my personal favorite, “pumpkin spice.”
Not into dick? Trade out the penis waffles for vagina shaped ones instead (remember, Why Kiki is a place for everyone)!
Why Kiki Brunch Cocktails
Okay, but we’re at a bar, so we need some alcohol. What do they have in terms of drinks? For brunch, you can never go wrong with a classic like a Mimosa or Bloody Mary. If you can convince your whole table to go the mimosa route, then make sure to get the mimosa bucket.
Why Kiki serves these mimosas in sand buckets – yup, just like the pails you take to the beach to make sandcastles with. Each bucket includes a bottle of sparkling wine, 4 champagne glasses, and up to two juices of your choice.
While the classics are always fun, Why Kiki also has a variety of specialty cocktails. A fun one to get is the Fish Bowl, which includes Swedish Fish, Nerds, worm candy, coconut rum, orange vodka, and blue curacao.
Another fun drink that people order a lot is the Coconut Slut, which includes coconut rum, crème de banana, vanilla vodka, pineapple juice, and coconut. I can attest that that one also tastes delicious.
Evening Drag Show SLC
Need a reason to stay up past your bedtime? Why Kiki also hosts drag performances at night!
The main evening drag show is held every Saturday night and you have two opportunities to attend. They host two performances, one at 8:00 p.m. and one at 11:00 p.m. These shows are similar to the brunch show in that they are seated and include the option for ordering food along with your drinks.
One really fun thing about the Saturday shows is that they have a theme! A few fun themes that they have done are Barbie Night, Summerween, and Villain Night.
For each theme, the performers will base their outfits, songs, and routines on the theme of the night. It’s also encouraged for everyone in attendance to dress up as well! If you dress up according to the theme and show up before 10:00 p.m., you can even get into the bar with no cover charge.
In addition to the standing Saturday show, Why Kiki also hosts a special Thursday evening drag show at different times throughout the year. The Thursday shows typically have a special guest contestant from RuPaul’s Drag Race that comes to Why Kiki to participate in the show.
Whether you are looking to see one of the RuPaul special guests or go out for a fabulous Saturday evening, Why Kiki has a Salt Lake City Drag Show for you! To find out what Saturday night themes are coming up or who the special guest performers are, make sure to follow Why Kiki on Instagram and view their events calendar on the Why Kiki Bar website.
Other Events at Why Kiki Bar
While Why Kiki is THE place to be in SLC for a Drag Show you don’t have to wait for a show to enjoy this bar. You can have just as much fun making this one of your favorite downtown bars.
So, what can you expect from Why Kiki the bar? A lot of fun!
Silent Disco in Salt Lake City
This Salt Lake City bar has a large basement where they host silent discos every week. From Thursdays through Saturdays, you can dance to the music of your choice from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. This is a great alternative if you feel like doing the dancing, rather than watching others perform.
What is a silent disco? Basically, instead of having a DJ playing downstairs, they provide headphones with different channels of music that you can choose from. This is great for anyone who has been to a bar where the DJ plays a song and it just doesn’t fit the vibe, but you’re stuck listening to it.
What is great about the silent disco is that you get to pick what music you want to listen to through Why Kiki’s music channel choices. In terms of music channels, on Thursday nights they have two Latin channels and one hip hop. On Friday and Saturday nights, they have a house channel, an open formal channel, and a hip-hop channel.
Since everyone is listening to their own music channels on headphones there is no noise in the actual room. Thus the “silent disco” name. So, if you walk downstairs at Why Kiki without headphones on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, don’t be surprised by a bunch of people dancing without any music.
Comedy Show SLC
A new addition to the Why Kiki event calendar in the fall of 2023 is a weekly comedy show. This weekly show is every Friday night from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
This weekly show covers a wide range of comedy each month. Throughout the month you can enjoy improv inspired by stand-up, a comedy showcase by The Crowdsourced A-Squad, or even test your own comedy as part of the Comedy Competition.
Why Kiki is also host to the ONLY recurring All Womens Comedy show in Utah! Once again living up to their reputation of providing a space for everyone.
Like the Saturday evening and Sunday Brunch Drag shows, the Friday night comedy show is a ticketed event. Therefore, you want to make sure and Get Your Tickets ahead of time.
Visiting Why Kiki BAR
Whether you are looking for a drag show in Salt Lake City or to dance to your favorite music, Why Kiki Bar is the place to be in downtown Salt Lake City. The bar isn’t open just for shows or silent discos though.
If you don’t want to dance and just want to eat and drink, Why Kiki has you covered as well. In addition to the performance area and the basement, there is separate seating indoors to order drinks and food. There is also a patio with a DJ outside.
And if you really need to spice up your week, make sure to stop by Why Kiki Bar on Wednesdays so you can participate in riding Willy, their giant mechanical “bull” (“bull’ as in penis. Yup, it’s a mechanical penis … the penis theme is strong, hahaha).
You can visit the bar Wednesday through Saturday beginning at 5:00 p.m. and as early as 11 a.m. on Sunday for Drag Brunch. The bar stays open until 12:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 2:00 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 1:00 a.m. on Sunday.
One thing that may be new to you when visiting this bar is that their bathrooms are gender neutral, which I think is one more amazing feature that makes this bar truly a place for everyone!
Staycation Ideas SLC
If you are planning a staycation in Salt Lake City, Why Kiki is an excellent addition to the itinerary. Especially with the bar’s tropical vibes – you’re practically in the Bahamas, right? Well maybe not exactly, but we won’t turn down some stellar drag shows in Salt Lake along with delicious food and drinks in a tropical setting!
If you are planning a staycation for a special event or a girl’s weekend, here are four of the best hotels in downtown Salt Lake to check out. These hotels are all within walking or scootering distance (have you tried the Lime or Spin scooters yet?) to Why Kiki. They are also a quick and cheap Uber or Lyft Ride away.
The Peery Hotel
Hotel Monaco
AC Hotel by Marriott Salt Lake City
Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City
Have a large group staying downtown? Consider checking out one of the many unique Airbnb rentals available downtown. Whether you choose to stay in a stunning hotel in downtown SLC or an amazing SLC Airbnb, you will be in the perfect location to visit Why Kiki.
Support Local Drag
Whether you want a fun brunch outing or a crazy and exciting night to remember, Why Kiki has a place for you and everyone in your group! Moreover, they do a great job of making you feel welcome - again making it the place for everyone.
Thank you, Why Kiki for entertaining Salt Lake City for many years, and for holding a space for all kinds of people!