Aquaplex Fort Lauderdale Show Palace, Restaurant & Bar

Overview

Aquaplex Fort Lauderdale is a full-production drag dinner theater on Oakland Park Boulevard that replaced the former Lips venue with a serious renovation – a massive video screen, upgraded decor, and a lineup of top-tier queens who work the room rather than just perform at it. The format is dinner-and-a-show with a cover charge, and the kitchen holds its own against the stage. Guests consistently single out the lobster ravioli, calamari in sweet-and-sour sauce, and a steak-and-mashed-potatoes plate that tastes homemade. Weekend drag brunches come with pitchers of mimosas on the table and a rotating cast that mixes high-energy lip syncs, comedy, and dramatic character performances. The host Nicolette keeps the energy up with humor she openly describes as racy – think Joan Rivers – so set expectations accordingly if your group skews conservative. Thursdays bring specialty lineups like Ground Zero and friends, and the Saturday and Sunday brunches draw bachelorette parties, birthday groups, and tourists looking for something louder than a poolside cocktail. The cocktail program is strong across the board – beer, wine, and hard liquor all available – and the bar runs happy hour pricing on both drinks and food. Service is fast and genuinely attentive even when the house is packed, and the staff accommodates dietary restrictions without fuss. Reservations are required, so book ahead, especially for weekend brunch. The crowd is a mix of locals, out-of-towners, and celebration groups, and the vibe is welcoming, festive, and unapologetically over the top. Aquaplex also operates a sister venue in Key West, so the production quality reflects real experience running this kind of show.

Good to know

• Rating: 4.7/5 from 1,223 Google reviews
• Price: $$
• Best for: Bachelorette parties, Birthday celebrations, Drag brunch groups, Tourists seeking nightlife, Date night with a show, LGBTQ+ nightlife
• Features: Happy Hour, Live Music, Dancing