Drag Queen Bingo at Denver Milk Market

Sunday brunch is alive and thriving at downtown Denver’s micro-district Dairy Block and, trust, you don’t want to miss this fun, free event. Having just announced the extension of the January run into the month of February, there is time (but limited space) to get your B.I.N.G.O on with some of your favorite local queens.

Always open-minded but forever a skeptic, I have been hesitant yet eager to get out to something that felt both safe and entertaining. When I was offered the chance to check out Denver Milk Market’s drag brunch bingo in the heated alleyway between Blake St. and Wazee St., I knew I couldn’t pass up the chance, and I was not disappointed.

    Community staple and top performer Shirley Delta Blow hosted the three-hour event that ran from noon to 3 p.m., and let me tell you, that is not an easy feat. Alongside her co-host Dixie Krystals, another favorite collaborator of OFM, the banter was top-notch, and the queens delivered a gallant, daytime affair that was unforgettable.

Related article: Steube’s Uptown Brings Drag to the Brunch Menu

Here are a couple recommendations to make sure you get the most of your time with the hosts serving winter realness, LoDo style.

1. Think of dressing warm, and then dress warmer: Yes, the alleyway is heated with overhead warmers and various gas lamps, but you are still outside, in Denver, in the winter. The alley is mostly shaded, and while the afternoon sun made a slight appearance, it does not make up for the fact that it is outside, in Denver, in the winter. I wore a big jacket, scarf, and gloves, but wished for more. The jovial nature of the event helped me forget how cold I was, but I was still cold.
2. Get there early: While there are an impressive amount of tables for seating, most of them with space for four to six people, I arrived almost an hour ahead of the noon start time, and there were only a couple tables open. It is first-come, first-serve, open seating, so if you see a table, grab it. This also means that you are responsible for social distancing and keeping your mask on, as it is outside and a free, public event. Tables are spaced far apart; masks are required to enter the Dairy Block/Milk Market building, and generally speaking, this new normal really has become normal.
3. Don’t arrive hungry: One of the things I was most looking forward to about bingo brunch was the food. I love brunch, and it’s one of the things I have missed the most about indoor dining being shut down for months on end. I eagerly ordered a skillet and biscuits and gravy and settled in with my partner to enjoy the day. While the food arrived hot and fast, I have to admit that I was unimpressed. The menu was decent due to the collaboration of the many food stands inside the Milk Market, but the brunch options left much to be desired, and the plasticware is a flimsy and cheap substitute for what could easily have been real silverware. While the flavors were better than bland, and the plating was marginal at best, the portion sizes were very good, and I still ate every single bite. I wouldn’t say skip it, but just know that this is not where you’re going to get the most bang for your buck.
4. Get your Venmo ready: The queens work HARD to keep the pace up and combine elements of crowd work, lip synching entertainment, and witty banter between calling numbers. I must say, this has by far been the most fun I’ve ever had at drag bingo and it was because of Shirley and Dixie. Each and every dollar you can safely send them through Venmo is not only greatly appreciated from these professional performers, but it is well deserved.

Playing to mixed audiences of all ages, gender identities, and sexualities was navigated with poise and humor as the queens performed to both live audiences and those who were joining via zoom. I can’t stress this enough; the combined entertainment of Shirley and Dixie truly made this event unmissable. While it’s fun to get out of the house for an afternoon, it isn’t always worth the effort, and this drag bingo is definitely worth it.

With at least five more times to get a chance to bingo brunch at Denver Milk Market, you too can snag a chance at supporting the local drag queens and winning some free prizes. The just-announced lineup includes an all-star combo of more queens to join Shirley in dishing out the drama and keeping things spicy during the month of February. Combining the ambiance, the comedy, and the all-ages bingo makes this a must-attend and support extravaganza that will absolutely add some magic to your weekend.

*photos by Veronica L. Holyfield