Love Musicals and Sunday Brunch in NYC? BWW's Concierge Has Got You Covered!

If you live in New York City, you no longer have to wait until Monday to get your musical theatre "fix" at Musical Mondays at Splash Bar, in Chelsea. You can now satisfy that craving, along with Sunday brunch, at LIPS on East 56th Street.

After seeing an ad for the newly inaugurated BROADWAY BRUNCH, hosted at LIPS, BroadwayWorld was, naturally, curious to check it out ... and, boy, did we have fun.

The self-proclaimed "Ultimate in Drag Dining," venue offers what could quite possibly be the best in glittered, lip-syncing entertainment one could come to expect from such outings.

Bejeweled with mirrors, crystal chandeliers, a glittering stage, VIP cabanas and a kaleidoscope of colors, LIPS' new home at 227 East 56th Street was designed by the internationally acclaimed Brenda Starr, to resemble the inside of a drag queen's show box. The over the top, almost La Cage Aux Folles-ish ambiance perfectly accompanied the stylish fun, show, which was impossible for even the most conservative among us to resist. 

LIPS' original home was in the West Village. After 13 successful years there, they found themselves "Movin' On Up" to a very special piece of real estate, which in the 1970s was home to the legendary Little Hippodrome and La Vie En Rose Supper Clubs. Both were historically well known for outrageous drag performances.

History continued here, where in March of 1975, the Glam Rock group The New York Dolls gave their last live performance. A show called POUFF followed, delighting audiences for years with near nudity, drag queens and five overhead trapezes with no nets.

In the 80s and 90s the space was home to Bill Hongs, an infamous Chinese restaurant by day and illegal casino by night. The place is wildly theatrical and has been described as "Ken and Barbie's dream house on acid". That statement is absolutely true and you won't find more fun or a greater value for your Sunday Brunch dollar in all of New York City...or any of its boroughs!

It's Vegas in approach and the staff and waiters/waitresses couldn't be nicer. Our particular waitress was Lauren Ordaire (get it?), who we fell madly in love with.

All the waitstaff also perform - even the bartendress - and please the crowd to no end. The pitchers of Bloody Marys and Mimosas were fantastic, as was the food, and, most importantly, the coffee.

The basic price for your Sunday outing is an economical $16.95 and, of course, you can upgrade. The menu is a riot with selections including LEGALLY BLONDE - Eggs Any Style, SISTER ACT- Salmon Benedict, CATS - Ham and Cheese Omelet, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS - Tuscan Veggie Sandwich, SWEENEY TODD - Steak & Eggs, and it goes on.

For years the Brunch here was a GOSPEL BRUNCH, but very recently inaugurated the BROADWAY BRUNCH – Starring Ginger Snapt and a fantastic cast that will do almost anything to entertain you. The costumes, the song selections and all the “cleverness” we don’t want to give away.

LIPS is a fantastic space, perfect for private parties and small group outings. It's easy to go as one, perfect for two, four, six or up to any number, as they can accomodate large individual groups seated together in the room. Speaking only for ourselves, we left sated, sort of drunk and entirely entertained. A nice nap afterward is enthusiastically recommended.

In addition to BROADWAY BRUNCH on Sundays, it should be noted that LIPS is open all week, with highlights such as RETROTASTIC Tuesdays (All ‘80s) and BITCHY BINGO Wednesdays.

BroadwayWorld loves BROADWAY BRUNCH, but we have a funny feeling that no matter when you go, you'll get a plate full, and more, of fun! If we were giving stars on this ... it would be 5 out of five.

Want to see more?  Check out the establishment - and some of the fine LIPS ladies - below!