When Shea Couleé donned the cover of GAY TIMES last year following her triumphant (and long-awaited) win on the fifth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, we hailed the star as the Buffy the Vampire Slayer of drag. While she’s certainly lived up to that title, because into every generation there is a Shelayér, we’re gonna have to add another: the mythical Flemish king Gambrinus of drag, who is credited by several legitimate sources including WIKIPEDIA as the inventor of beer. In 2020, the legendary star followed in the aforementioned mythical Flemish king’s footsteps as she collaborated with Goose Island for her own custom beverahge, the aptly titled Shea Coule-Alé, which benefits the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ center: the Brave Space Alliance. Following the royally successful launch in 2020 (all drinks sold out during presale week), Shea has partnered with the brand once again for a Royal Edition, which has expanded into multiple markets including Chicago, NYC, Philly and St. Louis. As clubs, pubs and restaurants are slowly re-opening around the world, we asked Shea to guide us on the best queer destinations in her native Chicago so we know where to grab a refreshing pint of Shea Coule-Alé if we’re ever in the neighbourhood. Get your jush below!
Meeting House Tavern
Location: 5025 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
“The one I’m really excited to open back up is Meeting House Tavern. On Sundays, they do Sunday Social, hosted by @chamillafoxx, who is an impeccable Chicago drag queen. It’s such a fun brunch show, love them.”
You can visit their website here.
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Roscoe’s Tavern
Location: 3356 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657
“I love Roscoe’s. They’re a really great Chicago establishment that are centred in the Halsted strip. They do brunch shows and Roscoe’s Drag Race, which is on Tuesday nights, it’s their amateur drag competition. It’s actually been around longer than RuPaul’s Drag Race! Roscoe’s Drag Race has probably been around for close to 18 years at this point. That’s actually where I got my start before I made it onto Drag Race, it was the first amateur competition I did. I lost. I lost every single time. That’s why when season nine happened and everyone was so devastated I was like, ‘Well… I’m kind of used to this now.’ I had a lot of practice at losing!”
You can visit their website here.
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Hydrate Nightclub
Location: 3458 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657
“Hydrate was where I had my first weekly show that I hosted. My daughters, Khloe, Bambi and Kenzie Coulee are actually bringing back my old show, which was #Face. It’ll be back June 4th, so the legacy continues! I’m so excited to see my girls carry that on.”
You can visit their website here.
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Vincent
Location: 1475 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
“Oh my gosh. There is this restaurant, Vincent, in the neighbourhood that I live, Andersonville, which is a queer neighbourhood. Back in the days, people would informally refer to Andersonville as ‘Girl’s Town’ because of all the queer women. There’s a book store called Women & Children First, which is a queer staple in the neighbourhood, so a lot of people referred to Andersonville as Girl’s Town because that’s where all the antique shops and brunch places are, and that’s where all the lesbians go to settle down. Anyway, that’s my neighbourhood and I love it! But Vincent… So, so, so good. There’s great craft cocktails, amazing food. It’s queer-owned, queer-staffed. One time I sat not too far from Joan Cusack there. I was like, ‘Oh my god.’ It’s great for people who love good food.”
You can visit their website here.
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Replay
Location: 5358 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
“This is a really great bar and restaurant that hosts drag talent and it’s also an 80s-themed arcade, so there’s free games to play. I also used to work there as a host and server back in the day! I had to hustle! Definitely Replay. I don’t know who the resident queen is there anymore, but I’m sure it will be someone amazing. Actually, Replay was the only bar last year in Andersonville that was carrying Shea Coule-Ale. They had their patio set up and I would be walking down the street and see tons of people with their little Shea Coule-Ale’s on their table! So, I really appreciate Replay and their support because they love your girl Shea and they’re so proud. They’re a great place to visit.”
You can visit their website here.
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You can purchase Shea Coule-Ale: Royal Edition here.
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