Bottom line: Stay away unless your idea is fun is hanging out with bachelorettes.
In Boston for a long weekend, we were struggling to find something of a gay scene for a fun night out. Jacques seemed like an interesting possibility based on an internet search, so we decided to give a go. I love a good drag show.
Yikes. I should have read more carefully.
I'm not sure how much of this can be blamed on the management, but this was a waste of time and money. A $10 per person cover to get in the door seemed a bit much, but that's not unheard of. What I didn't expect was to find the entire bar taken over by 75 straight women from what looked like 3 different bachelorette parties. There was no seating anywhere, not even at the bar, and nowhere to get a decent view of the show. We stayed maybe 10 minutes until it was clear that no fun was to be had that night, at least not for us. The bachelorettes, I'm sure, had great time with the 4-foot tall inflatable penis (I wish I were making that up).
I hope the bar puts our $20 charitable donation to good use.
Despite some objections I had to going here for a (gay) bachelor party, the other members of the wedding party overruled my objections. Good lord I wish they hadn't. I'll give you the highlights (lowlights?):
1. A ludicrous $10 cover. Who are they trying to keep out of a classy place like this?
2. The drag was just slightly below mediocre. I'm not going to pretend to be an expert, but the lip syncing was off (for all of the 2 and a half performers we stayed for), the costumes were meh, and the songs were trite, cliched, and expected. Drag is supposed to be performative and at least engage the audience, and the ladies here seemed stand offish. The almost-entirely straight female audience seemed to be having a better time than the performers. In sum: they just weren't fun.
3. The crowd was 98% heterosexual women. I'm not sure if Jacques ever pretended to be a gay bar, but as the march toward progress continues, so do the stereotypical sorority girls that think we gay men automatically want to be their friends. And this is their ground zero, apparently.
3a. Of the 98% heterosexual women, there were probably like 3 bachelorette parties being caricatures of themselves. I'm told this is typical for the place.
4. I ordered a whiskey and coke, which apparently means (for $5.50) a shot of flat coke, an eye dropper of whiskey, and a dirty ice cube from a snarly bar tender. Now, I'm from Philadelphia, I know a thing or two about snarly bar tenders and generally appreciate them...but here?
In sum, if you want to go to a gay bar, go somewhere else. If you want to see *good* drag, go to a drag night somewhere else. Or skip this all together and give the $10 cover to charity.
Definitely a fun time, any night of the week. The ladies always put on a good show. The drinks are strong and reasonably priced, and there's a server who comes to your table for orders, so you don't have to get up during a performance.
My favorite event here is Perestroika, the first Monday of every month. Katya Zamolodchikova is the inimitable hostess; regular performers are geriatric gem Frieda Fries and around-the-way-girl Nicholle Pride.
Seats fill up quick, so be sure to make reservations ahead of time, especially if you have a party of five or more. And bring ones to tip the bartender, the server, and the performers for a job well done.
I've been here twice, and both times I had a damn good time! Tonight I decided to stop by with a friend to celebrate pride week. I was so excited about it, because I love drag, and I was not disappointed. All of the girls were top shelf! They brought wit, charisma, beauty, and talent. What they do is an art-form, so I give them tons of credit.
My favorite is Destiny. She is BEAUTIFUL, energetic, and outside of the show, she's a sweetheart! I enjoyed all of the girls. I didn't catch the names of all of the performers (though their performances were not forgettable), but there was one that was super-flexible and did all kinds of splits and flips. The hostess was HI-LARIOUS! She was good with the crowd, could lip-sync her ass off and was creative with her performances. All of the girls tonight were absolutely amazing!
Getting into the club, there was a $10 cove (not bad!). Once inside, make sure you have a stack of singles, because it's customary to tip (for those who've never been). As for atmosphere and customer service, the staff was very friendly, and the drinks weren't over-the-top expensive. The venue is small, but any bigger and it would lose its charm. The ladies work the room, so if everyone was all spread out among a huge room, they would not get to interact with everyone the way that they do. The crowd was pretty cool. I was surrounded mainly by bachelorettes and their rowdy girlfriends, but everyone was there to have a good time, and their antics only added to the experience.
I can't wait to come back, and I will have a stack of singles, and I will be tipping well!
Went on a Sunday night with a group of 5, mostly ladies.
First, it's near the theatre district, really close to the Blue Man Group building, but just far enough off that it's sort of in a poorly lit residential alley-like place. Sorta creepy. When you walk in the door, it doesn't get better. The bar/builidng itself is a dive. The bathroom smelled like homeless people. All that said, their beer prices were quite affordable.
BUT! We were not there for that. We were there for the (drag) ladies. There were 4 dancers, one of whom was performing for the first time. They were great. Great make-up, cool outfits, and between the 4 of them (each dancing 3 times I think) they had a good mix of music and dance style. It was relatively empty in there, with two 5-person groups and three couples. Also, one random strange guy that was NOT quite right in the head. But having less ppl meant that we had a great seat right up front and had plenty of opportunities to give away dollar bills, y'all.
It was quite a fun night.
I came here on Saturday on 4/20 with a party of 10 ladies for my cousins last night out as a Miss. We had planned this about a month in advance and called to make the reservation early to make sure we could get a table here for that night. I have been here atleast 5 or 6 times for different events, all on Saturdays. It was always a great time, so i recommended coming here for her last few nights out. BIG MISTAKE and I feel so embarrassed to have recommended this place and come and have a horrible night.
First off, we were the first ones there besides the bartenders and employees of course. We got brought down stairs in a dirty dingy basement were the bathroom smelled of piss and probably haven't been cleaned in YEARS. As the show started it was OK, as they progressed through the show it got really bad and BORING. Not even 30 min into the show we were ready to leave and bored out of our minds. We felt bad if we had left for the bride to be, knowing if we left there was a good chance we weren't going to get into any other places at 11PM in Boston on a Saturday. So we stuck it out and stayed the show. All they did during the whole entire show was walk around, dance, and lip sing. They would only go to people who were holding there money out, if you didn't have money then you didn't see them. Which is really not OK especially were you are paying a cover to get in. Long story short, it was boring and dirty and cant even believe that they would even bring us down into the basement like that especially for being the first ones there. And not to mention we didn't even get sat at a table, they sat us along the BAR. Â Through out the night people were hanging all over us, pushing us out of our seats to get there drinks ect.
The bar tenders downstairs on the other hand were AWESOME! They even agreed with us, how boring it was that night and what a mess the drags were, they were shocked them selves. And I was definitely shocked for this being my 6th time coming and have never experience anything like this before. Â I have always had a blast here and recommended it to people until this last time. Â Which will be my last time coming there unless the manager reaches out to me.
At the end of the night we went up to talk to the manager to see if we could atleast get our cover charges back that were $10 a person for 10 people= $100 (biggest waste of money) and the guy told us "shes out back coutin her dough" wow! we asked if we could stick around and wait and he told us "shes gunna be out there for a while you probably wont see her tonight, go on yelp and write a review." Â I am very disappointed in this place and the night we gave her for her bachelorette party.
This place was different. My friends and I went here on a Saturday night. First let me say this place is small. The show started at 10:15-10:30ish. We got there at 10. Shame on us we should have came earlier. However, when we get inside there is nowhere to sit. The place was packed with brides to be and birthday's celebrations. One of the guys who work there offered us some seats downstairs by the bar (FYI: there is an upstairs and a downstairs both having a show at the same time). When we get downstairs we ask the guy for a menu so that we can have food and drinks. To our luck they did not serve food. What a buzz kill. Now we are hungry and annoyed.
The show then starts and was somewhat boring once it started. Not knowing what to expect we were open minded. It was an okay show but BRING YOUR SINGLES. The performers walk/dance around the audience to engage the crowd but also looking for your money. To say the lease, this place is okay but I guess you have to be super drunk or just in to that kind of stuff to have a blast.
So go after you have already ate dinner because you will be disappointed if you go hungry and bring your single dollar bills so you can tip the performers. I will not be attending another drag show, but I can check that off my bucket list.
This place is so much fun!! On the particular night that I went, it was jam packed with three bachelorette parties. We had to sit at the bar, which had a little bit of an obstructed view, but the cabaret members tend to float through the crowd throughout their show so this really wasn't a concern. The drinks are CHEAP by Boston standards and quite heavy on the liquor, so you could hardly be disappointed about that. Then the show! The show was FANTASTIC, so much fun. The music has quite a fun range, from songs like TLC's "No Scrubs" to Christina Aguilera's "Show Me How You Burlesque", all of which are lip synced by various cabaret members to a choreographed routine. One cabaret member dressed like Nicki Minaj and pulled it off incredibly! The songs they use and the jokes they make can get pretty raunchy, so leave the easily offended at home, but it makes for such a great girls night - I can see why their show attracts so many bachelorette parties!
Review Source:So. Much. Fun.
I am going to be telling everyone i know to go here. I went on friday for my birthday and had a blast!! Altough someone with my party got a little too drunk forcing us to leave a bit early, I will for sure go back again! The miss-leading ladies put on a fantastic show, and the atmosphere is just awesome.
Don't be shy- it's too fun.
I called Jacques with plenty of time to spare to reserve a table for a Saturday night bachelorette party I was planning. They were all out of tables, but told us to show up at 9:15 for the 10:15 show. With crew in tow, we showed up at 9:15 on the dot and were greeted by the front door guy that told us we were too late and should have shown up by 8:00ish. Luckily, he was just giving us a hard time and the amazing waitress got us a primo table right in the action. The bride to be was showered with attention as was the rest of the table. The dancers are a blast and super enthusiastic. I just can't imagine coming for anything other than a birthday or bachelorette party as that is what it seems everyone goes for.
Please note, the place is cash only and you better have dollar bills to tip the entertainers!
Wow, I was soooo looking forward to Jacques, but ended up coming out slightly insulted and disappointed. Perhaps, I should have never came on a Thursday night.
Monday-Burlesque Show
Tuesday-Karaoke
Wednesday-Drag Show
Thursday-Drag Show
Friday-Drag Show
Saturday-Drag Show
Sunday-unknown
The show started at 10:30pm with Melinda Wilson as the MC for the night. Charisma and Ashley Michelle were also part of the trio for the Thursday night showcase.
I think what brought my whole experience down was the rudeness of the MC and the lack of enthusiasm from Charisma's set. The MC insulted my friend and was super pushy about tipping her during her showcase. I love to tip, but like anybody else if you're good, you don't have to ask for tip, it will just come to you...right?!
I want to be fair and state why the MC was rude. My friend loves to have a good time and always laugh when she is enjoying herself. To state to the obvious, we were at a drag show where it naturally brings laughter to the night. I can understand sassiness from them, but when 'she' comes up to you and ask, "What's WRONG with you, you high or something?' 'I want your money, not hers'.........not cool, tsk tsk.
Besides those incidents plus a few others, we tried to enjoy the rest of the night. Ashley Michelle was amazing keeping the energy high for the night. It really felt like we got all them in their 'rehearsal' nights. I would not recommend EVER coming here on Thursday, but perhaps Friday and Saturday.
Our ' waitress' Deana, for the night was wonderful. Just be prepared to be asked some very personal and awkward questions.
PS. Jacques open nightly till midnight
yes, another reviewer here who went for a bachelorette party.. and yes I have pretty much the same things to say - amazing talent & amazing fun!!
We had reserved a table for a Saturday night 10pm show. We got lost on the way and ended up showing up 5minutes late.. luckily they hadn't given our table away yet. When you first walk in, you go by the pool tables (and what look like the regulars) and there some interesting people.. coming from a sheltered suburban town it was kind of shocking, but if you decide to go here you really have to just go with it!!
We were in the room downstairs. It was crawling with other bachelorette party's and a few birthday celebrations -- once the show got started the fun began!! they first pulled birthdays up on stage and then the bachelorettes - the host was very playful and outrageously inappropriate which made it absolutely hilarious!!! They had no problem with picture taking and if you had money to wave around you were their favorite person. The show lasted exactly two hours and it was constant fun the entire time!!!
I would absolutely recommend this place and I will definitely be back here for my bachelorette party this fall!!
She's got legs that could last for days! In this case, the she is a he, but damn he has nice legs.
At Jacques Cabaret, it is all love- inappropriate entertainment, bold and vulgar movements, professional lip syncing, which means you better be ready to pull out some dolla dolla bills, y'all! These ladies work the stage, skillfully strutting around to make their presence known; twirls, bold makeup, wearing big wigs like a boss and it makes the crowd come to life! I even saw a split in mid air that landed on the ground perfectly. Doesn't that hurt their- crap, I forgot to buy more bowling balls for this weekend.
Prudes: Be cautious. I saw one drag queen lift up a girl's legs and pretended to go down on her. Don't worry, the girl's clothes were on. They are not afraid to get in your face, so this is for the fun and inviting people only.
Oh fo sho! I'll be back here again. With strong cocktails at $7 a pop and cheap cover charge, make sure your butt is on time for the show out of respect for these spectacular ladies, and to get a really good seat too.
So every time when you think, "ugh, I'm so sick of Boston." Go to Jacques Cabaret to experience something completely new and exciting.
Thanks for giving me another reason to love my Boston, Jacques.
Well hello my favorite place in Boston, where you been all my life?!
I think I went into a sequin and glitta stupor. I have this glitter addiction it's the best problem I have. Â If it sparkles, I probably love it. That being said, I WANT ALL OF THE COSTUMES! I need to find out where these ladies shop, because ummm I'm in god damned love!
Destiny is likely my favorite, she's GORGEOUS! Â Girl you've got it....shake it.
Shout out to our 'server' as well, he was wonderful and I'm sad I can't recall his name.
Looking forward to heading back for Karaoke and free cover Tuesday.
Go here, then go back. Â If I lived in Boston, I would be a Jacques regular.
Katie Homophobia and Destiny were some of the best performers I have ever seen.
Seems super popular for bachelorette and birthday parties.
$10 cover for a show that is at least an hour. Reserve a table and order lots of cheap beer. Its sort of hidden in an alley so there is a speak easy sort of vibe.
Definitely come here when in Boston. The staff members even made some drunk bachelorettes sit down when they were blocking our view after I kind of drunkenly started yelling at said bachelorettes. Good performances, good service.
WARNING: I HAVE AN IDEA THAT A Â LOT OF PEOPLE WHO CLAIM TO BE "WOMEN" AT THIS PLACE MIGHT BE DUDES.
I went to this place because I heard they had a good pool table. When I was there, there was a girl dancing on stage to some 90's song with tons of make up on. Then I realized that she had a 5 oclock shadow under the make up and a really muscular body. Then I realized she might actually be a dude. Then I realized she was a dude.
The felt on the pool table is unbeatable though...
I haven't been here for a bachelorette party--but this place is still crazy fun. The performers are hilarious!
Interestingly, the management is pretty loose about letting people film footage of their performers. (Just get the courtesy permission first). This was really useful for us when we needed to do something edgy for our documentary journalism class.
And our video ended up being a hit! Check it out here <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dd2iTVBCxSsw&s=f820a742eda5817be55d6aa2d46e0b1fe2eee9fb5045ff17359194e4808ea8c3" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/w…</a> (Yes, we had to take out the music for copyright purposes).
Fuck the annoying bachelorette parties!
Hit Jacques on Monday nights for either Perestroika or Cherry - both shows feature the gorgeous, the alluring, the hilarious, Becca D'Bus or Katya.
Yes, I probably spend far too many Monday nights at Jacques, but what can I say, I'm addicted to glitter, lipsyncing, and fabulous asses.
As a seasoned veteran of wild and crazy drag shows, you can imagine that when I received my itinerary for my trip to Boston from Jen. L., I was pleased to see we would be going to Jacques Cabaret.
The place is tucked back (sorry about the bad pun) on a circular drive, and as soon as our incompetent cab driver found it, we were ready to go. The cover was $7 a person. My first thought was surprise at how tiny the space was. I wasn't expecting a sports arena, but aside from one pool table and a couple bars, there's only a dozen or so tables around the stage and runway. You know you're in a classy joint when the Christmas decorations are still up and there's mirrors on the ceiling!
We stop at the bar where a friendly bartender informs us that a 4 oz. ice filled cup of Malibu and Diet would be $5.50 a piece. Really? OK, fine. We had a reservation, but we just sat at a table of our choice. The tables are all the same size, and they look like they're frequently pushed together for large groups. I thought maybe the drinks were so expensive because they included Malibu, but when we ordered a well rum and diet the price plummeted to $5. So it was official: The drinks were decidedly overpriced. If they'd had a larger cover, or served larger drinks, or a combination of the two, it would have been fine. And it's cash only. Not convenient at all.
The show began with a sassy emcee who announced the first lovely lady. Excellent choice for starting out with Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance". She knew the dance pretty well (but give me a half dozen drinks and I can rock it too!) My favorite performer did numbers from Pink and I lost my shit when she started with "If I Could Turn Back Time". She did a great Cher, complete with her leotard and glittery boots. I guess the place couldn't fit hundreds of handsome sailors for authenticity's sake...
It was instantly apparent that the clientele is composed of a lot of straight women. It's like Chippendale's, except the dancers tape it back and throw on some wigs. There were two hetero girl birthdays; one was a table of five, the other a table of 12 virtually interchangeable girls. The trend in Austin has been for bachelorette and birthday parties to start holding court in gay bars, so it wasn't a big surprise that they would do this. They were predictably irritating to some degree, and so are the issues they raise. I'm not quite sure if this trend shows social progress, or if the whole thing is just a glorified minstrel show for twenty something straight chicks. But I don't want to over-analyze...
We were told that the show's expiration date is about an hour in, so that's how long we stayed. I'm not sure how long it continues, but for us an hour was plenty. I've been to better shows, and I've been to worse ones. At the worse ones, I'm bored and the queens are just vicious, not funny. At the better ones, I'm on stage assisting them in spraying down dick dancer crotches with water bottles. It was what it was.
I am prefacing this entire review with the concept that perhaps my experience wasn't so great because I went on a Friday night and the place was completely overrun with bachelorettes. Â I'll come back to this thought in a moment...
Dive bar. Â Totally. Â The stools are uncomfortable. Â The pool table is uneven. Â The drinks are fairly cheap for how strong they are ($5.50 for a Malibu and Cranberry that had me pretty far gone after just one tiny plastic cup). Â Bathrooms? Â Horrible - and mostly because while you ladies like to think you're the only ones using them - you're not. Â I've seen plenty of men going in there too. Â So now you've got just the grossest of both sexes using ONE location. Â Not cool.
The drag show itself was, at least on a Friday night, boring. Â I've seen plenty of drag shows in places like Provincetown where the ladies are actual performers. Â These "girls" are primarily lip-synchers. Â Also, I have this thought that drag literally means a "boy dressed like a girl" - which some were, but some were not. Â Some were tgirls who have already had some surgery done. Â That's cheating, in my book. Â The art of drag is that you take someone and make them look like something you never thought they could be. Â Not that you have thousands of dollars in plastic surgery and lip-synch. Â That's Heidi Montag, not a drag show.
As for the bachelorettes, they were totally obnoxious. Â First of all, no one cares about your ring except you and maybe your insurance company. Secondly, your veiled tiaras look ridiculous - even in a drag bar! Â Third, I'm still not sure why a 'fun' and 'innocuous' time have to be combined to equal drag show. Â You're getting slapped on the ass by a man - whether he's in a string bikini or three pounds of makeup, it's still a man slapping your ass. Â The fact that it's a drag show doesn't change that fact.
Also, I found it funny that this was one of the few places I've ever seen straight men NOT be completely homophobic and defensive when a man - yes, that really IS A MAN under all of those falsies - hits on them.
I'm gonna give it another try on a weeknight and see if these girls simply play to their audience.
My friend brought me here as a surprise treat for my birthday and pseudo reunion since I hadn't seen her for four years. I visited Boston over Memorial Day Weekend, and she'd been hurrying me through dinner saying we needed to be at this secret venue before 10pm.
Our cab driver gave it away, before she could really surprise me. "Oh, the TRANSVESTITE BAR? ALL YOU NEED IS HERPES AND YOU'RE GOLDEN!" Yeah, awkward.
But we pull up to this seedy place on a corner tucked away in the dark trenches of Bay Village.
The inside is just as run-down as one would expect: the smell of stale alcohol, a true cornucopia of people -- mostly bachelorette parties yet notwithstanding the requisite group of elitist gays. The bathrooms are disgusting and the bartenders, all nearing retirement age weren't friendly and poured weak drinks. Homegirl with the wonky eye was the bitchiest of them all.
But the showgirls did not disappoint. I'm normally quite terrified of drag queens, but Ms. Ery and all of her sassiness made the show enjoyable. Cut to the end where we encountered some intra-party cat fighting which made us leaving the venue with our heads scratching yet our bodies still pulsing with energy. Ms. Ery (read: Misery) was not pleased.
Still a good time and loads of entertainment! Those who, like me, don't normally patron drag bars are in for a treat!
Dive bar + drag show = fun night out, gar-oohn-teeed!
As others have pointed out, if you come here and don't have a good time, you really have something wrong with you. Â Hello, $3 beers and $5 shot + splashes! (that's $5 call-drinks served in teeny tiny cups topped with just a bit of mixer, mind you). Â We went to the late show this weekend and there were nine, that's right NINE bachelorette parties crowding the floor. At first, I did the mandatory blinking bridal veil eye roll, but still had a blast. Â At least it wasn't nine ANNOYING bachelorette divas (although I'm sure Mizery would have readily handled them). The entertainment is great, both on and off the stage, the drinks are strong, and Kinevil is just such a lovable MC. Â
Jacques definitely makes the short list of "Places you must go whilst living in Boston". Â Two thumbs and one sequined skirt way up.
Things to remember: $10 weekend cover; bar is cash-only, so don't be THAT girl/guy who orders 400586 drinks and then hands over plastic.
While on stage with about 5 other bachelorette's our lovely MC for the evening asked us all to display our engagement rings. Apparently she thought mine was impressive because upon seeing it she said "Damn girl, you must swallow." The crowd cracked up and so did I but I also said "Oh my God, my MOTHER is here!" She laughed and said "Your mother knows a thing or two about sex. How do you think you got here?"
Moments later she shoved my face between her enormous implants and held it there. I was afraid she'd never let me up for air.
Since my friend made the reservation ages ago, we had the best seat in the house. Right at the end of the cat walk. Cut to me being taken up on stage by Mizery who whispered in my ear "When I tell you to, straddle me and just go with it". I was several solo cups of vodka & soda in, so I went with it. Mizery picked me up, I straddled her and she proceeded to flop me around like a rag doll and faux-humped me. Did I mention, my MOTHER was there.
And let me tell you, my mom developed such a crush on Miss Phena-Barbitol that she called me the next day to tell me how nice the picture came out of her & her "pretty blonde friend."
The funniest, most pee your pants moment of the night was when my mom took her water bottle, poured some of it out on a $5 bill, and then stuck it to Destiny's cleavage.
So yeah, we did it. Me and a gaggle of female friends & family did the whole bachelorette party thing. The thing everyone thinks is so tacky, including me. It was one of the funnest nights I've ever had!
Oh, Jacques, how I love you. Let me count the ways...
This is quite possibly my favorite place to go in Boston. I have a deep love and adoration of dive bars. I also have a fascination and enthusiasm for drag queens. This is like the perfect balance between those two things. And what makes it even more amusing to me is that it is tucked up behind the theater district and in a very yuppie neighborhood. Is that not the perfect placement for a drag cabaret?
You enter Jacques and there are three very distinct sections. The front area is mainly occupied by people that, let's just say, are in various states of metamorphosis. You then get into the second section where the drag shows are held. And let me just take a moment to talk about the dcor, and I use that word in the loosest sense possible. Jacques looks like a dive bar from the mid seventies. It very well could be a time capsule from the mid-seventies. Â And then there is the basement for bad rock bands and you should see the straight boys running for the safety of that basement!!
The drinks are cheap, strong and served in tiny plastic cups. Yes, even the wine. And Andrea the barmaid is amazing so tip her well when you go. She is super nice and love giving the low down to Jacques Virgins.
The shows are always amazing. They are open 365 days of the year and each night is a different show with different performers. The Friday and Saturday night shows are always mobbed by people having birthdays and bachelorettes. They shows are a lot of fun but if you don't make a reservation, you probably won't get a seat. You better tip them because those ladies are working it for you and those wigs don't buy themselves.
My only complaint is that it does close at midnight, although, this does give time to dart into your local club or bar to try and chase ass. I, being an epitome of virtue and grace, would never do such a thing but I am just saying that it is within the realm of possibilities.
Imagine all the sorority girls you hated in college. Imagine them trying to be "naughty" and "edgy." Now imagine them all drunk. And all in the same place.
This is Jacques Cabaret, dear reader. And before you start quaking in your Bikini Kill T-shirt, I will assure you that watching endearingly conservative, well-coiffed and oh-so mainstream Boston Bachelorettes get trashed and celebrate their upcoming special day by being dry humped by drag queens is almost nearly as entertaining as the show itself.
The cover fee on Saturday nights is pretty reasonable: $10. Given the caliber of entertainment you will see, that is a bargain. The drinks were pretty reasonable as well- $3 for a beer. I heard that mixed drinks are considerably more expensive, but I am all about the class and the Bud Light, so I didn't get a chance to see for myself. You might want to save up on those drinks, anyway. You'll need a fistful of dollar bills that you'll go through quicker than 400 Highland goes through storefronts.These dollars  are to be stuffed into the phenomonal cleavage of that evening's perfromers. For extra fun, brave ladies: stick a dollar in *your* cleavage or out of your bra strap and watch as you get a fabulous nuzzling from the diva who will retrieve it with her teeth. Â
The performers themselves. I, intimately acquainted and knowledgeable with all things burlesque, cabaret, theatrical, and countercultural in the Greater Boston Area, was wowed. The performances and the energy were AMAZING. I have seen very few performers who have had such confidence and such mastery of  their craft and even fewer who could demand the attention of an entire room the way they did.
There was something for everyone. Do you like silly, dirty parodies? There's the hilarious Kris Kenivil belting out  twisted versions of Dolly Patron songs. Do you want totally hot dance routines to Janet Jackson's greatest hits? Then check out Destiny ( sidebar: who was totally hotter than many women I have seen. Wow.) If you want something that fulfills your need for total over-the-top-Diana-Ross-level diva-dom, look no further than Mizery. Special props for the routine she does to Missy's "Lose Control" which absolutely blew my mind.
If I were Tyra Banks ( and regrettably, I am not Tyra, though I wish I could be) I would dub all these ladies as "fierce."
Helpful Hint: If you will be in a large group, say over  four people ( on a weekend) make sure you get there early as all tables will be taken up by reservations and you might need to fight for a bar stool.
And my joking about the bacelorette parties?Never fear, bbs, I'll probably decide to have my bacelorette party at Jacques despite my joshing.
If you haven't been here- I won't be insulted if you read no further and simply GO!
Great place for Bridal Shower's. I don't usually enjoy organized group escapades, but this! was exceptional. Â You should pre game here EVERY Â night you intentionally drink. The show was so entertaining, I mean who (?) doesn't want to dance to Betty Wright (see Candyman's Knockin' boots if you don't know what I'm referring to) in between acts. Stiff drinks and gender bending enjoyment. Without Jacques the world would be a boring place.
*I also like to take note of the seemingly straight laced (tie donning) wedding banded "business men" Â that frame the bar.
As the dollar bills passed from my fingertips through the hands of Becca D'Bus and into the back of a baby doll's onesie.. I knew my Mondays would never be the same.
I was at Jacques last night for their all Asian all queer cabaret - The Jaded Lounge. Fellow Yelper Kit and a friend of mine Becca D'Bus were on the bill, so who could say no? I've heard other nights are fabulous, but after last night I'll definitely be coming back for more. Dances from Jujubee and Tiela Monroe will leave room for questioning just like Ligaya mentioned in her review. Boy crush? Girl crush? Plain envy for their fabulous legs, flawless makeup, and delicious eyelashes? Kit did a small shout out to Yelp in one of his slam poems which got the crowd cheering, even though they had no idea what Yelp was. heh.. Drag king Govinda and his.. er... side act? Were interesting. One of my new idols, Melissa L. (another Yelper) solved a Rubix cube while singing a song she wrote! Kit and Melissa are going on tour as a duo, Good Asian Drivers so look out for them in a city near you. Sweet!
On top of the awesome time I had, I got a question right (haha) in the stupid Asian quiz and won an apron (which Becca said was ugly and I think is adorable) and a family sized container of wasabi (which I was informed to not use in the bedroom). Â Before the show, they served containers of greasy Chinese food, which I passed on but the performers ate throughout the show.. so it can't be too shady right? I did have my first taste of Brubaker's.. and I'm still feeling it. Classy classy.
Condoms and lube were on the tables thanks to MAP (Massachusetts Asian and Pacific Islanders for Health.. NOT Morgan F's planner). Never recycle! All in all, what a fun and educational night! I wonder if my mom will be mad that I spent the money for her Christmas gift on "theater".
OH! And I've also got love for them because Chris donated gift certificates for the date auction back in October.
It was here that I became utterly smitten.
And then
it was here that I became utterly STUMPED.
My question is this:
If one is a woman and develops a crush on a drag queen is that a mancrush, girlcrush or BOTH?!
Don't answer that. Just talk to me about the third Monday of every month where delightfully raunchy Becca D'Bus hosts Jaded Lounge, an Asian and queer night and I first saw Jujubee grace the stage.
This glam lady is 100% hawtness. She shakes it like you do to a new carton of OJ. You'll forget about the slight grime factor while you watch her gleefully, downing your Solo cup o' booze. If you're lucky you'll get to hear Kit Y (yah fellow Yelper!) bust out amazing slam poetry and Melissa Li own a Rubix cube and rock the mic like an Asian Ani DiFranco.
I've heard the regulars (both drag and musical acts) are just as fantastic and also encourage raucous but good natured catcalling from the audience, which when I visited was mostly comprised of women.
Such an awesome option for a night out with the gals. Where else will you feel as good waving dollar bills at the ladies whose knockers and booties you envy?! Nowhere, ever. So stuff the tops of your boots with folded ones for easy access and wield away!
Last night was the Queer Asian Cabaret at Jacque's. Â They call it "The Jaded Lounge." Â In between sets of sexy drag queens in tiny outfits lip-syncing to pop songs were questions from the "Stupid Asian Sex Quiz." Â If you answer one of the questions right then you just might win one of many cool prizes, including a pair of wall shelves, a bottle of Lysol kitchen cleaner, or a head of slightly wilted cabbage. Â Hilarious. Â
Not too many folks were in the audience, unfortunately. Â It would have been a lot more exciting if some more people rolled in. Â But it was still a good time. Â And the folks at the bar are sweet and friendly. Â I'd go back just to hang out.
This past weekend I had my first and hopefully not my last Jacques experience! The bartenders were friendly, the drinks were cheap and the shows (live music down stairs and cabaret upstairs) were fantastic!
The performers were all very talented which made it all the more obnoxious when brides to be would get up, uninvited mind you, and dance around with their friends. First off, I did not pay money to come see you dance in your stupid veil. Second, just because  your getting married doesn't mean you can dance. Third, get off the effin stage.  If that wasn't enough the bachelorette party in front of us kept standing up and yelling "woooooooooooooooooo" blocking our view of the stage. Even the lighting guy behind us threw stuff at them!
Cover is $10 and includes both upstairs and down stairs. Get there early and get seats!
This place is truly a great night out. And yes, it is a fun alternative to the 'tequila rain' bachelorette party: just respect the performers and other audience members.
Great location for a bachelorette party event!
Picked the place on a Saturday for my friend's bachelorette party, I admitted, we were all a little skeptical at first. Â But we all ended up having an awesome time!
Location - Hidden - Behind the Radisson 2 blocks from the Wang Center. Â
Price - $10 for the show, which worth every single penny! (FYI - Bring tons of dollar bills, you will need them during the show!!! Trust me)
Host - Absolutely the greatest. Â Got all the birthday gals and bride-to-be on stage, did a little Q&A and had each of them walk to cat walk!
Show - Great show by the entertainers. Â Can't ask for a better Tina Turner double! Â They really can get the crowd going, people were dancing and singing alot with them!
Entertainers - Great body, I mean, I'm actually jealous!!! Great boobs, abs, legs, arse!
Can't wait to bring another group of friends here next time.
I was here last weekend for a bachelorette party, and we hit up the early show at 8:30pm. The girls planning had called weeks prior and been told most of the tables were reserved, but not to worry, we'd be able to find seating. Not true, but I felt like we had a better view standing in the back, and had better movement over to the bar and bathroom in the end.
This place totally wasn't what I expected in terms of the venue. For some reason I thought it'd resemble the downstairs of Axis, but its a little dirty dark divey bar, which was a pleasant surprise! Despite there being I think over 15 separate bachelorette parties there, it was always super easy to get up to the bar and the bartenders were quick to take your order.
The performers were amazing, and nothing less than completely entertaining. Â The hostess really makes all the brides-to-be feel special despite being one of many with a little interview and then an opportunity to walk the run way.
We also didn't miss out much on participation in the show, as most of the queens came down off the stage and interacted with the crowd stuck in the back. And it was really nice to see both Mizery and Destiny in a smaller, more intimate venue, where they cleaned up on tips.
The other patrons in the bar were mostly older men just having drinks at the bar. When I went out for a smoke I also totally had a great time chatting up the door guys and limo drivers. Oh, and when I asked the bartender if he could put my backpack behind the bar, since it was such a tight space in there, he was completely accommodating and sweet about it, which I can't imagine happening in many bars.
Located in some alley, you'd never would have thought this place existed and if you did, you wouldn't know that it was more than just a bar.
Yes there's a $10 cover to get in. You walk in there's a pool table and a bar, but if you walk just a bit further, you'll be able to see the show and what this place is all about.
This place definitely has some good pours for their drinks! That first sip will knock your socks off! Â But that's not what this review is about.
This review is about those drag/tranny's on stage. And they were magnificent! Some of the girls/guys were just beautiful - you would have never known they were guys if they were walking down the street. They're hotter than most girls! Yes they are lip syncing, and yes it would be even better if they were actually singing, but this is a cabaret, not a singing contest.
Most of the place was made of girls from bachlorette parties, but there were certainly all types of people in the crowd. You have guys, girls, couples, groups of girls like me and Chere, gays/lesbians, etc. All are there to have a great time and I most certainly have.
Of course you would have to go with the right people, who can accept such differences. But be sure to bring cash, as they do not accept credit cards!
This place was so awesome, we're going back this coming weekend! Who's with us?! Whoot!
**** EDITED 2/24/08 ****
WOO!!! Been back several times now and each time is still a great show. It never gets old and actually every show is different. They seem to incorporate new acts/songs, guests appearances, and new outfits. Each time I've been back it's always a blast.
My favorite and the main reason why I go back is for Destiny. I absolutely love and admire her.
This is a great place for a girls night out.  But make sure this is the  second or third bar,  after you've had many many drinks and are slightly numbed from the alcohol. Â
So the idea behind this place is pretty simple - drag queens that entertain. Â What's a little disapointing is they don't really sing, they just lip-sync and that kind of took away from the charm. Â They guys are great though and very entertaining. Â What is a plus is the tickets are cheap, it's like $10 and if you call ahead you can reserve yourself a table, which I highly recommend. Â There are two shows a night that last about 1 1/2 hours.
The reason I think you need to be numbed from the alcohol is b/c of the chicks (Did I mention very drunk ones?) that treat this place as if it was the fucking chippendales on stage. Â I've never seen more ladies dish out dollar bills to a bunch of drag queens. Â Ladies!!! Â I know ya'll is drunk, but they are men dressed as women! Â Ha Ha!! Â Again this does add to the entertainment and some very fun people watching. Â
It's a little divey which I think also appealed to me. Also it's mixed clientele - straight chick bachorlette parties, transvestites, gay couples and drag queens. Â But the cool thing about it is that everyone parites in unity and you can't find that in many places around Boston.
Check it out for sure....but ladies don't drag your man. Â He will hate it and possibly you.....unless of course that's your MO.
Ah yes, nothing says a good time quite like Jacques. Â One of the USA's oldest drag bars, it is truly a local treasure. Â When you walk into this "dive" it is like stepping back in time. Â
The drinks are incredibly strong - selection not so great. Â Whatever you do, don't order the cheap champagne - stick with the shots & beer. Â After a few of Jacques super-shots you will find the show gets better and better - funny how that happens.
I have been to several shows with various groups of friends. Â I find the Saturday night show with Norell Gardner to be the most professional with the best performers. Â On Monday nights they have more "edgy" punk rock type drag queens, who I love equally! Â Not for the faint of heart or conservative, however. Â
Everything at Jacques is just as it should be - dirty, dank, offensive, edgy, sketchy. Â I love it!
Miss Jaquie O
Perhaps it's because I am 30 or maybe I wasn't drunk enough, but I didn't think this was the best drag show ever. Â Or maybe I have just been to a lot of drag shows and I can tell the good from the ok. Â Either which way I was only moderately amused.
I think this is more for a younger crowd early to mid 20's. Â I guess just not my scene. Â The mixed drinks were small plastic cups and overpriced but some of the ladies did do well. Â I enjoyed "the russian" and the madonna impersonater. Â I only give this a one snap up in a circle.
Sure you can go see a drag show at Jacques, but its also a decent place to catch some good live music. What am I talking about here? Its called Jacques Underground.
Jacques Underground is in the basement of Jacques and is accessible via stairs in the back of the club. There is no additional cover to check out the bands, as its included in what you pay when you enter the door. Bands range from punk to hard core to good o'le rock 'n roll. Room is loud and nothing spectacular, but there is a second bar down there. However its also incredibly well sound proofed, as you could have a punk band playing at 11 down there and people watching the drag show would never even know. This is probably part of the reason why most people who attend the cabaret never know that there's a small music club downstairs.
So, next time you're a Jacques, take a look downstairs as you might find yourself pleasantly surprised.
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