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Lips Florida
Rating Details »
Categories: Music Venues, Performing Arts, Bars
1421 East Oakland Park BlvdOakland Park, FL 33334
(954) 567-0987
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live, Music Videos
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sat, Sun
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
6 reviews for Lips Florida
Overall 3.5 stars, but I'll round up to 4 since this is a fun and unique experience that one doesn't come across every day.
A group of us went to see the late night show on a recent Friday (Dinner started at 9:30, the show started at 10:45). For the shows on Friday and Saturday nights (there are early and late seatings each evening), this isn't simply a "show up and watch a show" or "walk in anytime and check it out" kind of venue. This is an hours-long affair where you have dinner and drinks, then the servers that work the tables and serve the meals go on stage and perform the drag show. As they advertise on their website and as they have posted on signage in the entrance, there is a $15 food minimum (not including drinks), and a $7 cover. The food is priced reasonably, but in many cases you do need to order a lot in order to hit the $15 minimum (entree salads for instance are only $9 - $12 each and they're large, but to meet the minimum $$ you also need to order an appetizer which are also good sized). As others here have commented, the food is good, but not great. 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. 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. 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. I agree with Ken D.'s comments - 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. On the nearby side streets there were "No Parking" and "Local Resident Parking Only" signs posted everywhere. 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. 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.
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I'll keep this review brief.
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.
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.
I've just come back to Miami from a birthday celebration at Lips. Drag Gospel brunch was...well, drag...gospel...and brunch. With free-flowing booze (It is Ft Lauderdale, afterall) and a serviceable menu, we were well 'brunched'. 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. Each performer has her own style, with something for everyone. The last few numbers were knockouts. Yes, it may have been the aforementioned free-flowing booze, but I actually teared up during one number toward the end. (I won't describe it as not to ruin the surprise for you.)
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. I did notice one table of two 'boys', who seemed a bit out of place. (One was enamored with his cellphone the entire time. His date seemed so lonely. Cute, but lonely. It made me wonder if this is not the type of place to bring a date.) 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.
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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. 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.
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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!! Lips of Ft.Lauderdale, Florida is one of 3 Lips locations, the other two being San Diego and Greenwich Village.
The interior is over the top, with bright colours, glitter, golden statues, rhinestone festunes, rainbow-chandeliers, and disco-balls. The front of the main dining-room features a stage where the entertaining takes place. There's a large bar, a DJ Booth, a side-car bar, and both table, large-group and booth-style seating.
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).
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. Believe me, they do. 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. I wasn't sure how they would do it.... but they did it in spades!!
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.
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;
__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.
__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. (For Sunday Brunch, you spend about $28.00 per person when it's all said and done.)
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 (Over the top, nicely tacky, bright, colourful, perfect for the venue!)
Location: Oakland Park Blvd just East of Dixie Hwy. (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. It's the best way to show your appreciation.
Age Limits: Over 21 stongly recommended! Under 17 is Parental Guidance strongly suggested. Anyone younger than that, the venue is not appropriate. I don't recommend anyone under 17.
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
Con(?):
__Large groups of 15 or more are required to sign a contract. 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.
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