The Palace Bar & Restaurant is a legendary, iconic LGBTQ+ venue in South Beach, Florida, renowned for its dazzling drag shows and vibrant atmosphere.
What Makes It Unique
The Palace is a true South Beach institution and a pioneering venue for the LGBTQ+ community, blending world-class drag entertainment with a full dining experience right on Ocean Drive.
- Drag Shows & Brunches: It’s famous for its daily drag performances and, most notably, its legendary Drag Brunches (available Friday to Monday), where fabulous queens perform, often spilling out onto the sidewalk to interact with the crowd, making it a unique South Beach spectacle.
- A Beacon of Inclusivity: The Palace has served as a consistent beacon of acceptance, joy, and fabulousness for the LGBTQ+ community for over three decades, especially being the last remaining gay-catered establishment on the central strip of Ocean Drive.
- The Vibe: The atmosphere is described as “flirtatious, exquisite, and memorable,” offering a unique combination of gourmet food, signature cocktails, and high-energy drag artistry. The venue recently expanded to include the Palace Lounge, a permanent late-night club space.
History
- Pioneering Days (1988): Palace was founded in February 1988 by Steve Palsar at its original location, 1200 Ocean Drive. It was the first bar and restaurant on the thoroughfare and quickly became the heart of Miami’s burgeoning gay scene, establishing itself across from the now-famous 12th Street gay beach.
- The Glamour Era: In the 1990s, the venue drew an A-list crowd. Fashion icon Gianni Versace, whose mansion was nearby, was a regular, often bringing celebrity friends like Madonna, Elton John, Princess Diana, and Luciano Pavarotti to dine.
- A Renaissance: In 2007, Thomas Donall took ownership, revitalizing a struggling Palace by introducing daily drag on-the-street shows and launching the now world-famous drag brunch, solidifying its place as a cultural landmark.
- New Home (2018): Due to development, the original location closed in 2017, but the Palace spirit was undeterred. It reopened in a new, larger “castle” at its current address in November 2018, continuing its legacy.
Highlight Menu Items
The menu features American and contemporary cuisine, with some signature items and favorites including:
- Appetizers: Tuna Tartare, Grilled Fresh Calamari, Cauliflower Bites.
- Entrées/Mains: New York Strip (12oz strip loin), St. Louis Ribs (full rack, fall-off-the-bone tender), Tuna Steak, Flame-Grilled Salmon, and the Palace Burger.
- Pasta: Fettuccine alla Bolognese, House-made Butternut Squash Ravioli.
- Desserts: Housemade Molten Lava Cake, Chocolate High Heel Cheesecake.
- Signature Cocktails: The menu offers creative, themed drinks like the Malibu Barbie Cocktail and Smoked Fashionista.
Significant Events & Contributions
- Community Activism: The Palace has been a significant force for the LGBTQ+ community, championing causes and raising over $2 million for community organizations.
- Landmark Recognition: The bar was instrumental in advocating for the rainbow landmark placed at the 12th street corner in 2009, officially marking the area’s importance to LGBTQ+ unity.
- Memorials: Following the Pulse nightclub tragedy in 2016, Palace stood as a beacon of remembrance and resilience, hosting ceremonies to honor the victims.
- Block Parties: For major LGBTQ+ celebrations like Miami Beach Pride and Winter Party, the Palace has historically hosted massive, free block parties, often acquiring permits to shut down 12th Street to accommodate the crowds.
- Drag Royalty: It has been the home for many renowned drag performers, including some who have gone on to star on RuPaul’s Drag Race, such as Latrice Royale (in the past), Malaysia Babydoll Foxx, and Mhi’ya Iman LePaige.
Customer Feedback
Palace consistently receives positive feedback, particularly for:
- The Drag Brunch: It is frequently cited as a must-do activity in Miami Beach and has been named one of the best drag brunches in America.
- The Queens: The performers are praised for their energy, talent, audience interaction, and attentiveness.
- The Location: Its prime spot on Ocean Drive is ideal for people-watching and soaking up the South Beach vibe.
Location and Contact Information
Online Presence
