This local drag brunch serves high energy looks, not liquor

A San Diego sober bar offers a zero proof drag brunch experience catering to those who identify as sober, LGBTQ+ and “sober queerious.”

Photo Essay by Sam Barney-Gibbs, Edited by Kate Morrissey

As sunshine lit up a packed bar, five local drag artists stunted around velvet chairs and moody lights to celebrate birthdays, new employment and even a sober anniversary. 

The Sunday morning showcase had almost every aspect of a typical drag brunch except one — no one drank alcohol.

Good News Bar, one of San Diego's first non-alcoholic bars, hosts a recurring Sober-Queerious Drag Brunch, with its most recent edition at the beginning of July. Four local drag queens and one drag king performed multiple numbers, dancing and lip-syncing around a packed bar and lounge area.

The end of San Diego Pride, July 18, marks the one-year anniversary of the bar as it continues to host free sober events, drag brunches and drag bingo. The brunch's hosts hope to provide comfortable spaces for those who identify as LGBTQ+, sober, or curious about sobriety to explore a major part of LGBTQ+ culture without the pressure of substances. 

“I don’t think we should have to rely on the purchase of alcohol to find community,” said Whorchata, a transgender Latina activist and drag queen who hosts the monthly brunch. “I’ve tried to create a space here where no one’s turned away.”

Whorhata added that not everyone who walks into Good News Bar must identify as sober. 

“There's a reason why God created other drinks than horchata,” she said. “It's the reason why he created Jamaica because some people need to have those other options.” 

In 2024, six months into the start of her drag career, Whorchata went through a rehabilitation program for substance abuse. When she returned from treatment, she said she struggled to pursue drag in spaces that weren’t alcohol forward or didn’t pressure people’s sobriety.

As an avid drag fan and openly gay bartender who previously worked in spaces where he said he felt like the token “gay boy behind the bar,” Good News bar manager Troy Packer said he wanted to foster a community space that broke from the part of queer community culture that promotes using substances to have fun.

He said Good News supports people in their sobriety journeys and offers exploration for those who are sober-curious — or “sober-queerious.”

At eight months sober, Packer said he still has trouble finding diverse beverage options, especially as someone who feels more comfortable with a drink in hand.

“It's so important to have places where alcohol is not a temptation, but not only that, there's an actual variety of things to partake in,” he said.

He said he’s grateful for Whorchata showing him and other San Diegans how expansive drag can be as her shows bring in new regulars and pour “life into the space.” 

“People head home not hungover and not drunk, but instead lifted up in their spirits,” Whorchata said. “They’re re-energized to continue on with their day and to continue on with their life.”

Sign up for Daylight San Diego

News and information that is for San Diego's diverse communities, not just about them.

Subscribe

Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.