Fun atmosphere! Memorable experience for a bachelorette party. Getting drink refills were slow but food was good! Drinks were strong! Drags were hilarious! They do reservations only. Lots of people celebrating birthdays, anniversary and bachelorette parties. All ages. They pull everyone celebrating an occasion on stage!! Great time. Would go again.
Review Source:If you're looking for a good time, look no further! Lips is where the party is at...even for a Mother's Day gospel brunch! They were "cross dressing for Christ"!
The place is gaudy, but in the best possible way. Disco balls, glitter, bright colors, and a 1970s nightclub feel transports you to another world inside Lips. Your orders are taken by gorgeous drag queens which makes up for the crappy cruise ship/banquet food that is served...bottomless mimosas helps too.
Then...the show begins! Woohoo girl, get ready! Ready to party, that is. It's so much fun! I want to be a drag queen when I grow up just so I can collect the tips. They are making bank with each number they perform.
Overall, Lips is a great time. You'll laugh, you'll dance, you'll drink. What else could you ever want?
So I have never been to a drag show. Â When you walk in the door, Lips looks like a cross between an old cheesy strip club and the place the Bird Cage was filmed at. Â Its everything you would expect, lots a good looking men in heels, crazy mix crowd of people (gay/straight/young/old), and tons of glitter and fruity drinks. Â Do not come here if you can't take a joke or if you take yourself too seriously. Â This is a very R rated but light hearted group of people so if you are not open minded then don't bother spending your money.
Ok so for the food and the show. Â I went with a group of 5 for a birthday party. Â Everyone had a blast. Â This isn't the type of thing you do all the time its more for special occasions or birthdays and can get a little expensive. Â For an extra $10 they give the special person of the group a crown and a special dessert then they make them come up to the front of the stage for a picture. Â
The Food
So other people have mentioned the food is a bit pricy, and it is but you do get a show included with dinner so it makes sense.  Definitely bring a lot of dollar bills because the ladies will come table to table looking for tips.  We tried the Calamari  to start (Desiree Dubois) and it was actually very good and fresh.  The size of the calamari rings were big and perfectly fried we really enjoyed it.  As for dinner we tried 3 things off the menu, the Brenda Starr which was a pork tenderloin in a madeira wine sauce with wild mushroom risotto (very good), the Gina Roberts which was shrimp francaise jumbo shrimp, white wine and lemon butter sauce with spinach and rice (very good) and the Charlize Angel which was grilled chicken with a sundried tomato and roated garlic tapenade  with wild mushroom risotto.   I posted pictures of all the food.  Everything was very good, not 5 star but worth the price of the meal and the show.  Without the show it would be a bit over priced. Â
The show
It is a bit cheesy and mostly old school music like Cher and Tina Turner but what do you expect from a lip synced drag show.  It is funny and entertaining and like I mentioned  worth it for a special occasion when you are looking for something fun and interesting and out of the ordinary to do.  We went to a Thursday night show and it was still crowded but not as bad as the weekend so I would suggest a week night show if you can. Â
We would definitely go back!
Always looking for something new and different to partake in.   Well.... this was the place to do just that  My man and I went for dinner and show.  Nothing special to celebrate.  It was super fun.  Well for me anyway.... my guy was a little uncomfortable at times because they really focused in on him when dancing in the aisle.   I never laughed so hard and the pictures that I have of him he has a got a genuine smile so I know he was entertained to.   Bring dollars bills.  I had no idea what to expect so I was surprised to be giving them money like a strip club.
Food was surprisingly good. Â Not gourmet, but for what I expected it was good quality.
Dinner will be served almost right away since your servers are also the performers so make sure to get your eat on and drinks before the show starts. Â Show lasted about 45 minutes.
Food: Â Very good for the price! I had salmon cakes and salad, I'd pay that price w/out entertainment (23.50 not incl tip)
Drinks: Â Bottomless Mimosa's, Sparkling wine, and/or Bloody Mary's included in price!
Entertainment: Â Awesome! Â I went 4 years ago for the Sunday gospel show, and returned again this year on my weekend getaway to Lauderdale. Â The first time we went 4 years ago, we didn't leave after the first show, saw at least half of the second, and the bartender actually gave us a pitcher of bloody mary's at that point and the MC included us in the act.
Service was great. Â Of course, if every server is in the finale scene, you won't get a drink, so get one before the finale.
Overall value: Â Excellent!
Friends and I went to Gospel Brunch on Jan. 19, 2013, and loved the show. And despite reading other reviews about the poor quality of the food, we all enjoyed it a lot. Waitress Francesca suggested salmon cakes and Tuscan veggie stack, which were great. And believe me, we are a discerning bunch.
Review Source:We went here for my bachelorette party. Very fun show, wish it lasted a little longer though. Definitely worth it for a special event or just to experience it once. It's not something I would just go and do for whatever reason because of the cost. Also, my salmon was extremely salty, like somebody accidentally poured the whole salt shaker in it. It was basically inedible. I didn't send it back because our "waitress" was scary.
Review Source:Reading some of the other reviews, I think we made the right choice by going to Lips on a Wednesday. Parking was absolutely no problem, we didn't have to pay for guests who didn't show up, and there was no cover!
I think I spent my entire night at Lips laughing hysterically. Between performances, the ladies are the servers at the tables, and they are funny and very friendly. The venue is a lot more intimate than I expected, so there are only a few large tables and there is no way to hide if you are shy!
Watching some of the performances I was stunned, as some of the ladies (who are like 6 feet tall, some of them) are droppin' it like it's hot and pulling out other moves that would cause my body pain if I tried them. Some are better than others... I like the performances when you can tell they're really into it.
The food was decent. I had the island chicken in the prix fixe menu ($18 for a caesar salad, selected entrees, and a brownie). The island chicken tasted better the second day (I had leftovers!). The salad was a regular old salad and the brownie was yucky. The $15 minimum per person is reasonable and easy to attain. However, it's hard to avoid spending money when there are $5 cosmos! $5. Might as well start out with 3 of them! They were soo deliciously good. I think they added 18% gratuity and were nice enough to accept 3 credit cards and the rest in cash.
Our group had tons of fun, but we did notice one man at another table who left shortly after a performer danced up on his lap. This is not the place to go if you're not okay with that kind of stuff. These large ladies WILL get in your space!!
Wednesday nights are Bitchy Bingo, so it was pretty tame compared to what I've heard about Saturday nights. The performers were so accomodating to us. My friend did the $10 celebration package and got a cute pic and a crown. We were all serenaded throughout the show. I enjoyed and would return!! Great for a girls' night out.
When my best work friend told me we would be going to Lips for her 25th birthday, I was a bit hesitant. I don't want to admit it, but drag queens have always made me nervous. It's just something about that sass, hairspray, sparkling glitter, and incredible gymnast talent they possess that makes me feel intimidated. Maybe I am just jealous, but I am a shy boy, after all. However, since it was my friend's birthday, I happily obliged and said to myself, "Sure! Why not? This will probably be an experience I will never forget." And I have to admit...yes, it was!
The night of my big adventure my friends and I arrived to the venue, and  I was exposed to a warehouse with valet parking from the outside (it seemed like a setback), but the moment I stepped in the door, I was exposed to a visual array of purple hues and sparkle. Do you remember that episode of True Blood when Sookie and Jason go to the fairy tent and see a carnival of half-naked people dancing and partying their hearts out? Well, imagine that type of setting, and you have Lips (but equipped with drag queens, a stage, a wall with blown-up pictures of today's most popular drag queens, and a screen showing the hottest music videos), giving it an alluring yet sensational vibe.
Lips requires you to spend a minimum of $15 (which is pretty standard for a place like this), so I purchased myself a drink and some coconut shrimp. The waitress said it was the tamest drink on the menu, but I think she may have lying because after a few sips I was a goner. It may have been that Asian gene kicking in-- the ones that makes Asians easily drunk. But Good thing, I had all that coconut shrimp to get me sober. My platter came with about six to eight coconut shrimp (can't remember because I was a bit tipsy), but I do remember they were crunchy, delicious, a good size, and came with sweet and sour sauce. It was a good meal.
After about 15 minutes, it finally happened-- the drag show--the late night ADULT TABOO drag show, featuring about ten different drag queens. The drag queens were very involved with the crowd and brought up all the birthday girls and bachelorettes who were waiting to get married, and they were all given a complimentary photo. There were also some funny games. My friend volunteered for one of them thinking it was a drinking game, and when they told her the rules, her jaw just dropped onto the ground. I don't want to ruin the surprise for anyone, but let's just say that the game should have just been called "Let me hear your BIG- O!" (okay, that's kind of obvious). Do not volunteer for the games if you are shy--or better yet, volunteer for the games if you have a large lung capacity. You may win a free Sunday brunch. There was no discrimination in the room, as the drag queens came in different shapes and sizes. But the best part of the evening had to be when one of the drag queens just stripped down and was wearing paper confetti stickers in all her private areas. Let me just say I was impressed by the strength of that body glue and the flexibility of that dancer.
Overall, Lips is a place where one can go for an uninhibited great time. Drinks are strong. Food is good. Perfect place for bachelorette parties and birthdays. Do not go if you are ultra-conservative. You may be mounted for a dance or two.
Lips was a very fun experience and definitely something different to try! 2 girlfriends and I went to the late night Saturday show Taboo and had a blast! It was my birthday so the girls took me onstage and i got to take a picture with one of them which they give you to take home at the end of the night ( the picture not the girl) jajjajaa. Wonderful atmosphere and great service all around, we will for sure be back with more friends!
The reason for 4 star rating instead of 5 is because we had to wait very long to park, their parking lot is very small compared to how busy they get... Other than that they deserve a 10.
The drink "Pick the Diva Off The Floor" is delicious and strong enough to make you fall after a couple!
Appetizers crab cakes and coconut shrimp were awesome.
My partner and I founds ourselves in Ft. Lauderdale with nothing to do the night before our cruise. Â He found Lips' dinner show and we decided to go. Â We weren't expecting anything special, but we were pleasantly surprised with the place. Â The show was fantastic, the "girls" were so much fun and really knew how to work the crowd. Â The food, OMG, the food was really really good. Â It wasn't cheap for the two of us, but it was well worth the money. Â I highly recommend this place for a fun evening of dinner and show.
Review Source:Went for a Saturday girls night out. Not so impressed with the show or the staff but surprisingly the food was pretty good.
I think Saturday night is just not a good night because I had heard great things about some of the shows. Saturday was over filled with bacheolorettes, birthdays and even a baby shower party! Seemed like they took half the show time bring up these people up on the stage for pictures.
Our service wasn't too great. 6 of us and we all ordered premium drinks which showed up with about 4 cubes of ice in mine. It look me over 30 minutes (when the food started showing up) to get someone to bring me some ice since it was warm (and at about $20 a drink I wasn't going to drink a warm Grey Goose & cranberry).
Our waiter/ress was a bit on the snobby side and some of the other performers seemed to be just going through the motions, maybe they were having an off night.
I've been there now, done it once and probably won't go back. But if you're thinking of making this a fun night out SKIP SATURDAY nights and go another night for one of the themed or celebrity shows, as those were the ones my friends recommending it to me had seen. Â
Only other comment was that we took a taxi there as to not drink and drive and they were totally unhelpful in assisting us to acquire one home. We ended up piling 6 of us in a cab dropping some other girls off. So be sure you prearrange with your own taxi driver to come back and get you.
Awesome show!!! Loved it and I will definitely be back. All of the girls have a ton of personality and are so nice about taking pictures with you. Â Love the decor. Â Definitely the place to go for a bachelorette or birthday party.
Expect to spend at least $60-$70 if you are drinking and going with a group. Its not a cheap evening and it is important that everyone in your party bring cash because they only take 2 credit cards per check and they won't split your check. This is not specified on the website. There is a $10 charge for the  birthday/bachelorette celebration (crown, picture on stage and dessert (not on the website either) on top of the show charge.  So if you don't want to pay that, don't tell them its your birthday/bachelorette!
Appetizers are not included in the prix fixe menu. Â Just entree, caesar salad (too much dressing!) and dessert (which was a plate of yummy cannoli's for the whole table). Â Our total bill for 6 was almost $400 for a Saturday night. That included 2 birthdays. Â Everyone ordered the prix fixe menu, however 2 people ordered appetizers and but not everyone had a cocktail. I believe it was 18% gratuity added.
One of the birthday girls made our reservation 2 weeks in advance. There is only complimentary valet parking. It gets a little crazy especially between shows cause you have people leaving and arriving at the same time. Â They offer VIP parking where you pay $5 to park in front and you keep your keys.
We went to the early show on Saturday that was fun. Â Next time I want to come to the late Saturday TABOO show.
Went for a friend's bday on Tuesday night had a ball, our waitress Deja was both entertaining and fun she kept us laughing the entire time. Â Besides the great performance she put on the other girls did a great job also especially the host. Â This place will be on my occassional to do list. Â So when you are in or near fort lauderdale please stop by and enjoy a good show, food, and strong drinks.
Review Source:Stopped into Lips Florida for the first time a few weeks ago. I wanted to show a friend from out of town a really fun, unique, memorable night in Fort Lauderdale. Lips was the RIGHT choice...!!!
Just as an FYI - and all of this is on the Lips website, by the way - know that Lips is professional restaurant/dinner theater featuring the full 'diner and show' experience, as opposed to bar/nightclub which offers live shows intermittently throughout the evening.
There is a cover and minimum for food, not including drinks. And dinner - while very well executed in all regards - isn't exactly cheap, either. But that's fine. What you're really paying for at Lips is the 'show' part of 'dinner and a show' - and the show is well worth the price.
We went to Lips on a Friday night and had a amazing time. The entertainers - who also double as your waitresses prior to the show - Â all were top-notch and offered a terrific evening of entertainment - and nobody had to 'lipsynch for their life,' either.
The MC for the night was South Florida's own 'DIVA' and she worked the entire room like a seasoned veteran. There were a couple of bachelorette parties seated near us on the night that we stopped by and 'DIVA' made sure that all of the members of both parties were properly recognized and/or singled-out for her hilarious 'one-liners.' Â A lot of the jokes were 'risque' and 'naughty,' as you would imagine. So, if you're considering bringing your mom and dad, just give them a gentle primer about the content and spirit of the show that they're going to experience.
With DIVA leading the way, the show at Lips was first-rate all the way around.
And our dinner was really good, too.
I had a salmon dish that was cooked perfectly and my friend ordered an ahi tuna entree that was amazing. We split a delicious, fresh lettuce wrap appetizer, as well. Only good things to say about the meal.
We also tried a couple of the 'outrageous' drinks on the Lips cocktail menu. The drink I ordered was called the 'Pick That Diva Up Off the Floor' or something funny like that. We also ordered shots that were served in blinking 'Lips' shot glasses that you can keep.
All in all, we had an AMAZING time at Lips. So, if you're looking for the type of memorable, laugh-out-loud evening that you can't get anyplace but Fort Lauderdale, then Lips should be one of your top choices.
I'll definitely introduce many more friends to Lips in the future. In fact, I'm trying to think of a reason to go back again already...!!!
I decided to celebrate my birthday at Lips... AND IT WAS AWESOME!
I had been forewarned about the inconveniences... every person you RSVP for has to show up, or you pay $15 per person. Â There is a $10 cover. Â There is a food minimum of $15 per person (excluding drinks). Â They won't split the check for you. Â You can't pay with more than two credit cards at the most. 20% gratuity added to the bill. Â I let everyone coming with me know about these issues, so everyone brought cash, and I had no problems with my party of nine.
This place has such a fun atmosphere.  We were seated, and our waitress/performer Velvet came over and started the show right at our table.  My friend let her know it was my birthday, so I was given a crown, and later during the show I was able to go on stage with a piece of cake and take a picture with some of the Ladies of Lips.  While I was up there, the MC Diva proclaimed me to be a "transvestite piñata", which I took as a complement =].  They printed out a copy of the pic and presented it to me in a birthday card (I was charged a $10 "Celebration Fee" and it was totally worth it).
I was worried about the food, but everything I tried was really tasty, including the coconut shrimp and the mozzarella tomato salad.
The show was so much fun - these ladies have amazing costumes and performance skills (make sure you bring some ones with you so you can tip them when they come into the audience!). Â Our waitress Velvet was by far the best - she lip-synced to Single Ladies and killed it!
Basically I spent four hours with some of my favorite people laughing 'til it hurt. Â If you are thinking about going to Lips, quit thinking and just do it!
Love, love a million times love.
Kudos to my awesome Dad and step mother for taking me here for my birthday. I got so wasted and had so much fun it is ridiculous.
Everyone here is amazing. The bartenders, the performers, everyone. One of the best nights I have had in a long time.
First off, the drinks are on the cheap side and VERY strong. This lends for a great opportunity for you to get drunk, have tons of fun and tip the ladies well!! There are many bachelorette parties here and I can see why.
The food is not spectacular, but it works because you aren't here for a fancy meal, you are here for an amazing show, strong drinks and a damn good time.
The inside is like a dive bar, but the good type of dive bar that you love. Depending on what night you go there are different shows. Saturday night of course, is the most popular night, but Sunday night is also great. Sunday night has impressions of famous singers like Cher, Reba, Mary J, Shakira, Nicki Minaj, Liza etc..(check the schedule though). I was so freakin excited for Mary J and Nicki Minaj which were done by the same performer. Whoever she was she was AMAZING!
I have never been so drunk and had so much carefree fun as this night. I was going through a really tough time in my life when my Dad took me here and for one night I had so much fun.
Worth it!! TIP WELL. These ladies deserve it.
Ah! I went to the Sunday Gospel Brunch which turned out to be one real hoot of a good time. The champagne and mimosas are bottomless, the service very good, the food nothing to rave about, but the diva and bitchy drag queens some of the best, some of the funniest to be found. Much of their show is impromptu, made up by them, much of it on the quickest spur of the moment and I honestly believe the drags really aren't acting but honestly are in real life the stereotypical drama divas of ones imagination. If not, they are just too good for me to believe otherwise.
When I was there, the place was packed, no one got in without having had an advance reservation and the patrons included a fascinating cross section of individuals, a hefty number of gay guys, drag wannabes, guys with their female dates (some of them real some of them not), a group of the elderly red hat ladies and a surprising number of senior citizens. Indeed, it was a place for everyone and everyone felt comfortable, laughed and had a hoot of a good time.
For a hoot of a good time with drag entertainment and even though I might not be a total fan, it's the best around, the best there is, so Four Stars.
So about 4 years ago me and 2 great friends stumbled upon a great odyssey is freedom of expression. Â We were mesmerized by the simplistic menu, ok drinks and great entertainment.
It made it special that we were coming off of a cruise and promised ourselves we would return. Â We still have not figured out WHY it is so fabulous to watch men imitate women and to a certain extent, be more fem fatale. Â We found our faces hurting from the awesome service and actual pride in what they were doing. Â IDK I consider myself a hard to please DIVA and self proclaim QUEEN of wherever I am, I must say, my crown was taken off, along with some hair and washed off my make up and was feeling beautiful amoungst my new temporary friends, Cher, Lucille Ball, Whitney Houston, Â
The restaurant is intimate and the service is as well. I truly enjoyed myself and am anxiously waiting to return. Â
I must say, I enjoyed the relaxed and professional atmosphere. Â The service I received here was NOTHING like what I recieve at many other places. Â If excellence, fun and great service are on your menu, pay this spot a trip for a great opportunity to shake up your routine! Â I was hoping to try Bitchy Bingo, maybe next time!
Interact with the show, toss a few ones back and enjoy one of the best show you will enjoy for a long time! Â THIS Â IS Â LIVING!
Hands down the BEST place for a girl's night (bachelorette party, birthday, divorce party, Tuesday night etc...)!! I've been to this location and the one in NYC... both are fab-u-lous!
The ladies are pros at putting on a great show and giving you a memorable night! Hilarious and high energy! Costumes are ridiculous and such fun music choices! I've never laugh more with all of their cheeky personalities.
Honestly it's really expensive but if you can be extravagant for the night, do it.
Beth's Tip: All of the photos turn out amazing, so take TONS!
Food and service are subpar and thats being nice. fun and funny show, but dont give me fuckin attitude u diva when i ask for water instead of ordering your overpriced bullshit watered down sugar drank. food is basically inedible. show is quick and entertaining but once is enough for me, gets old quick. make u valet. eh this aint my bag baby. having a big group is a big ordeal and just bs. pray i never have to be back here again for some whackness love vooodoo for their drag shows
Review Source:For the longest time, I would wake up and drive by this place called Lips and wonder what is this place. I also wonder why I was so drawn to look at the place. Then one fateful day I had found out from my parents that Lips was a restaurant with a drag show and right then and there I knew I was celebrating my 24th birthday here.
Organizing big groups at Lips is a pain in the butt if you have non-committal friends. In this day and age, it is hard to find people who say yes and stand by a yes. I am digressing, but the long story short is that this place will charge the party as if a no-show was actually present. Another qualm about the place is they only accept one credit card per table, so they told us. With that said on to the food.
My party and I had a set menu and everything from the appetizer to the dessert was just mediocre. Nothing bad, but nothing great. I had Caesar Salad and chicken dish and it only gets marks above mediocre only if it were made by a significant other and they were pinching me really hard.
I have been to another place like this in SF, so I fee compelled to compare the two shows. The show put on by Lips is wonderful. They are fun entertainers and are very very funny. They like to play with the crowd, so make sure you are not texting your mom while they perform like I did and do not admit to texting your mom like I did; they will have a field day. The girls at Asia SF make you question if they were ever a man. Here at Lips, it is a bit obvious, but that is fine because they entertain with the best of them.
It is quite the experience and definitely worth the price for the first time. Lips is your place if you are looking for something lets say..... different.
P.S. I was torn between the 3 and  4 stars. when is the half star option going to come out.
Michelle C had a UYE here last sunday with other fellow yelpers and i must say it was a great night. I have seen some other drag shows in the past but this one sure gets the gold medal for crowd participation.
When we got there we had to wait a bit until they could seat us but that was ok because the cbar was right there next to us...lol.
Once seated we got our menus and our waiters/waitress introduced herself and it was on from there on...we had a great group and the show was great. There was Tina Turner, Shakira, Reba, and so on....the food was on point as well. I was pleasantly surprised to be honest with you. The last time i came to a place like this was Lucky Changs on lincoln road back in the days....lol...and they had thai food.
the service was a lil slow at times but i kind of understand because our waitresses are the performers as well. Good times were had here and this is a great place for a group to go with. Great Job Michelle  : )
About time I got myself here to see what the hype was all about....
The whole experience was underwhelming. At first, it seems promising as you enter the front door and notice all the campy decor, which was extra campy due to all the holiday decorations. I thought the campier, the better! Even when I ordered a beer from the bar, the server was very witty and charming, and so were all the other employees! They really know how to turn up the notch a bit if you know what I mean. So, of course, I thought this does indeed sound promising. All the elements were in place to what I thought was going to be a captivating and raucous show.
On a side note, I wish I had known prior to coming here that you need to endure a good hour and a half of waiting before the show begins. In fact the show starts after they begin clearing the tables. Through all this you sit through loud, throbbing music making it difficult to talk to those around you. The food arrived, and I was pleasantly surprised by what I ordered: Chicken Roulade; chicken breast stuffed with spinach, ricotta cheese, and mozarella in a marsala mushroom wine sauce with mashed potatoes and vegetables. It was a home run, but at the same time this should be expected with the prices that have to be paid here. So, gold star on that note!
Now, the show. It started out great with some great stand-up by the host, DIVA, the MC of that night's show - Retro Superstar Sundays. That said, with just that title alone, I should've known better. Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland, etc. That's not my thing. It felt dated to me, but I suppose that's due to the thematic nature of this particular show. I would've preferred something more contemporary, something more current. Needless to say, I was at moments bored looking forward to the interludes with DIVA interacting with the crowd. Those were in my mind highlights. I laughed out loud more than a few times! Yes, indeed I did, and quite boisterously too! Ha!
Anyway, I most likely will never come back unless if it were for someone else's special occasion. All in all, memorable but with one experience I think you'll see it all.
Had an awesome time here for my 25th birthday! We walked in and the place was decorated awesome. It looked like Lady Gaga, Cher and Richard Simmons' living room.
The queens put on a really great show, we were cracking up the whole time. Now, its a little on the pricey side. I would expect to pay around $40-$50 a person. The drinks were good, the food was okay and dessert was yummy. However, I had an awful stomach-ache right after we left. Some other review said the food reminded him of high end wedding food, and he was pretty much on point.
It was pretty good tasting, but my stomach thought otherwise.
All things aside, it was a fun night. I even got pulled up on stage with the queens and got my picture taken with them. They came around with a birthday card and a copy of the picture at the end of the meal...which was a nice touch!
Let me start by saying I was very excited to go to this place and see the drag queen show. I have never been to a show like this and assumed it would be a lot of fun, I also assumed there would be suggestive jokes etc...but nothing like what I experienced..
I had an absolute horrible time once the show started, and only stayed for a few minutes. Â I went here for my anniversary. I was excited to have a fun night, that didn't happen. Â We got there at 7:30pm, the "show" didn't start till 9pm. The food was just okay, you have to spend a minimum of $15 in addition to the cover charge. My boyfriend told them it was our anniversary, they gave us hats to wear which seemed cute. The host queen came out and asked us questions, such as how long were we together and if we had any children... then preceded to ridicule me and call me names for having a child before marriage. Now I can definitely take a joke but this was relentless. I was very uncomfortable, after being called a "stupid bitch" one too many times, I got up and left...after 10 minutes straight of being treated rudely.
I've never been treated like that in my life, I can fire back with the best of them but I didn't have the microphone and I really didn't expect to be treated like shit. I suppose if these guys wanna dress up like women they should fix a couple of things like wear better foundation, and have some class because a real woman would have better business sense and wouldn't be so outright rude to people who are paying money to enjoy themselves
I would never go back or recommended to anyone. If fact I am telling everyone I know to never go there.
I had been to the Lips in New York, so when I learned that there was a Lips in Fort Lauderdale, I knew immediately that was going to be my birthday kick off starting point. Â We made a reservation for 8 for the first show (I recommend making a reservation a few days before) and had a fabulously huge booth table in the back. Â
Our sassy, waitress was sure to play with everyone at the table - especially ordering drinks called "Blow Jobs" and "Buttery Nipples" :) We had a mixed bag of people at the table of all ages and our waitress knew how to work all of us. Â Our cheeks hurt from laughing so hard!!! Â
Drinks are good - a bit on the weak side. Â The food was surprisingly decent - but we aren't going to Lips for the food and drink, now are we?
The attitude of all the servers was just awesome - it was a great vibe and a great show. Â The last number was a spoof off an Anita Baker song that we are all still singing. Â It is just a wonderfully entertaining night of brassy and sassy fun.
One visit is enough for Lips. I went there twice (with a few months in between) and though the outfits changed the jokes were exactly the same. These ladies have to switch it up a little. Overall the show is fun and the ladies do interact with the crowd. One minute I had our "Mariah Carey" look alike serving drinks, the next minute she was on stage putting on a show. You will laugh, you will drink (several shots called "kick the bitch") and you will eat (its mandatory). The food is alright but then again I wasn't expecting a gourmet dining experience.
Review Source:I'll keep this review brief. Â
My wife, myself and a friend were looking for something different to do on a friday night.... this was very different. I have been to some great drag shows around the world (Madame JO JO's in London). This wasn't one of them. It was ok, but far from great.
The place is dated. Very dated. It feels like it used to be a strip club. The food was one notch up from catered wedding food. Better than your average diner, but nothing to write home about. It felt very Marriott/corporate quality. The entertainers were very friendly, often funny, and one of the few redeeming qualities about the place. There were specialty drinks abound - they were expensive and fruity and heavily pushed by the staff - go figure. LOL.
Overall, I had a halfway decent meal and was moderately entertained. Would I go back again? No.
Would I recommend it to a friend? Probably not.
Would I tell someone not to go? Tough one. Overall it was entertaining enough that I won't tell you not to go, but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it either.
Overall 3.5 stars, but I'll round up to 4 since this is a fun and unique experience that one doesn't come across every day.
A group of us went to see the late night show on a recent Friday (Dinner started at 9:30, the show started at 10:45). For the shows on Friday and Saturday nights (there are early and late seatings each evening), this isn't simply a "show up and watch a show" or "walk in anytime and check it out" kind of venue. This is an hours-long affair where you have dinner and drinks, then the servers that work the tables and serve the meals go on stage and perform the drag show. As they advertise on their website and as they have posted on signage in the entrance, there is a $15 food minimum (not including drinks), and a $7 cover. The food is priced reasonably, but in many cases you do need to order a lot in order to hit the $15 minimum (entree salads for instance are only $9 - $12 each and they're large, but to meet the minimum $$ you also need to order an appetizer which are also good sized). As others here have commented, the food is good, but not great. Â I had the lasagna; it was average and was only lukewarm when it was served. That being said, the food isn't really the primary reason for coming here. Drinks are priced reasonably ($7.50 for a mixed drink, $4 for domestic bottled beer).
The servers are also the performers in the drag show, and as is the situation with their performances, some of them are better servers than others and some are more fun to interact with than others. Also, while they do have someone to cover the various tables while your server is performing, on this night that person stood at the bar most of the time so it was difficult to get refills on drinks after the show had started, unless you got up and went over to the bar on your own as I saw several people do.
On the night we were here, all tables and booths in the dining area were full. There was 1 table and 1 booth full of men, 2 of the tables were mixed and had mostly couples seated at them, but most clientele seemed to be tables of women, a few of which were celebrating birthdays or bachelorette parties. There were 4 servers/performers, the host was also a performer and did a few numbers herself, and a male stripper (kept his shorts on, no nudity) also came out and stripped/danced to a few songs as well. They said that the show we were at (late seating) is their "dirty show" and for the "over 21" crowd. However, except for some language in a few of the songs, the male stripper and the models putting their bikini-clad boobs in guys' faces, it was pretty tame overall. The show was definitely interactive and the models and the stripper worked the room more than they were actually on stage which was part of the fun. There were several photos being taken by other patrons, some of which I'm sure will be used as blackmail later. Â Performers did accept tips as they danced or performed if you were so inclined.
Overall it was a very fun night and something different to try. Â OK food, generously poured drinks and a very fun show where you get to interact with and cheer for the models and laugh a lot. Our dinner started at 9:30 and once the show was over, we'd paid and were ready to leave it was about 12:45 a.m. Â I agree with Ken D.'s comments - Â Go with a group, you'll have more fun that way, especially if you're with a rowdy bunch!
One comment about parking: On this night, only valet parking was available. Â On the nearby side streets there were "No Parking" and "Local Resident Parking Only" signs posted everywhere. Â That being said, when I arrived the valet attentant told me to pay on the way out, and when I went to leave he didn't ask for a specific $ amount. Â I gave him a tip and he thanked me and opened my door, so I'm not certain if there is an actual charge for the valet service here.
I've just come back to Miami from a birthday celebration at Lips. Â Drag Gospel brunch was...well, drag...gospel...and brunch. Â With free-flowing booze (It is Ft Lauderdale, afterall) and a serviceable menu, we were well 'brunched'. Â Carl C's review provides so much wonderful detail, that I'll just second his here, and add a few thoughts.
The show was also better than I expected. Â Each performer has her own style, with something for everyone. Â The last few numbers were knockouts. Â Yes, it may have been the aforementioned free-flowing booze, but I actually teared up during one number toward the end. Â (I won't describe it as not to ruin the surprise for you.) Â
We went with a group of 12, and, while I didn't really get to 'bond' with folks at the other end of the long table, the mood of the room was very friendly, due in great part to the performers/servers working the room. Â I did notice one table of two 'boys', who seemed a bit out of place. Â (One was enamored with his cellphone the entire time. Â His date seemed so lonely. Â Cute, but lonely. Â It made me wonder if this is not the type of place to bring a date.) Â My advice 'Go' and go in a group to ensure that you have at least one table mate who isn't a complete and total drag.
I went here as part of a set of restaurant reviews I did for "Check Please! South Florida."
The show was alright, although the quality of the performers varied WIDELY.
But the food was just plain mediocre. Â It seemed to me that it was all out of the freezer section of Costco.
I think there are better dinner shows to be had, so unless you really are jonesing for the "Birdcage" atmosphere, but even more over-the-top, or on the first stop of a bachelorette party, I'd skip this.
Oh, and be prepared for the HARD SELL of whatever the featured drink is that night. They won't let up for it.
Lips Florida is in a category all it's own ... not just a restaurant ... not a Nightclub ... not a Drag club...
It's Drag and Dinner (or Brunch) ... and oh so much more!! Â Lips of Ft.Lauderdale, Florida is one of 3 Lips locations, the other two being San Diego and Greenwich Village. Â
The interior is over the top, with bright colours, glitter, golden statues, rhinestone festunes, rainbow-chandeliers, and disco-balls. Â The front of the main dining-room features a stage where the entertaining takes place. Â There's a large bar, a DJ Booth, a side-car bar, and both table, large-group and booth-style seating. Â
The Sunday Brunch is probably the mainstay of Lips Florida, with a troop of Drag-Queens (female impersonators) doing "Drag for Jesus" (Sunday Gospel Brunch). Â
If you're church is full, your pews are too hard, your denomination doesn't accept "your kind" or you're tired of the hypocrisy, then maybe Sunday Brunch will feed your eternal soul...
At first glance, you would wonder if Drag and Sunday Gospel would mix. Â Believe me, they do. Â It works!
From the very first number, the "ladies" both inspired and moved the entire dining room, with their renditions of everything Gospel - from Sandi Patti, to African Soul - Olde Time Gospel to Contemporary Christian Music, the venue was lively, loud, upbeat, professional, entertaining, fun, and engaging -- all the while being respectful of the Gospel songs, entertainers, and Message at the heart of Gospel music. Â I wasn't sure how they would do it.... but they did it in spades!! Â
The entertainers moved among the audience (about 150 when fully booked), asking questions ("Where you from?" ... "Who you with?" ... "What brings you here?" ... "What's your name?" ...) Telling jokes, embarrasing birthday boys and girls, and sharing their own moments and even a testimony or two. Â Â Â Â Â Â
Lips has other venues available throughout the week, such as:
Monday - Private Parties (Birthdays, Bachelorette Parties, Cocktail Parties,
Tuesday - Drag Karaoke
Wednesday - Bitchy Bingo
Thursday - Dinner with the Divas
Friday and Saturday - Glitz and Glamour Las Vegas (dress to impress on Fridays. )
__Nightly seatings are at 6:30 or 9 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; Â
__Sunday brunch kicks off at Noon or 2 p.m.
__Call (954) 567-0987 within the hours of 10:00am - 5:00pm Tuesdays thru Saturdays to make a reservation and get the best seats. Â
__There's no charge to sit at the bar, but tables come with a per person food minimum of $15, as well as a $5 entertainment fee. Â (For Sunday Brunch, you spend about $28.00 per person when it's all said and done.) Â
Food: B+ (Just OK food, but the show made it worth while.)
Price: A (A good value for brunch/dinner and a show.)
Service: A+ (Attentive and Friendly)
Atmosphere: A Â (Over the top, nicely tacky, bright, colourful, perfect for the venue!)
Location: Oakland Park Blvd just East of Dixie Hwy. Â (2.5 miles from downtown Ft. Lauderdale, 1 mile from Wilton Manors.)
Valet parking: $3.00 per car, tips welcomed. The valets were quick on their feet and were always running.
Staff Tipping: Tipping the female entertainers, DJ and Bar Tenders is encouraged. Â It's the best way to show your appreciation. Â
Age Limits: Over 21 stongly recommended! Under 17 is Parental Guidance strongly suggested. Â Anyone younger than that, the venue is not appropriate. Â I don't recommend anyone under 17. Â
Alcohol Guidelines: Full Bar. Persons under 21 years of age will not be served. Intoxicated persons will not be served. No smoking.
Overall: A+ (Sunday Brunch is highly recommended)
Pros: OK food, fantastic show, fair price, attentive staff, professional demeanor, always smiling Â
Con(?):
__Large groups of 15 or more are required to sign a contract. Â If some of the party fail to show, the "host" will be billed for their meals. Cancellations (partial or full) are required 48 hours in advance to avoid additional fees.
__Food was "ok" but could have been better.