Drag yourself to Bubbles Bar

‘Life's not worth a damn till you can say you've been to Bubbles Bar’

Once upon a time; a rather special queen was born in Paris. LolaLou mastered photography, painting and five languages, but found her calling while living in Poland - there she became a French singing diva. One day, she fell head over heels in love with a gorgeous South African hunk called Trevor and decided to pack up her sparkly dresses and move to Cape Town. Not content with her residency at gay burger bar, Beefcakes, LolaLou decided to start a drag family of her own.

There are plenty of De Waterkant's venues that offer drag nights, although there isn't one that specialises in them. LolaLou has teamed up with husband Trevor and her drag sensation sister, Venus Mercedes (who sung at Nelson Mandela's 75th birthday celebration), to offer us what we've been missing – a venue dedicated to the art of drag.

“Bubbles Bar is a place that will give drag queens a platform,” gushes LolaLou over the phone, “Only the most talented queens will grace our stage and will develop under the strict supervision of their ‘mothers’.”

Bubbles Bar may be tucked away down a little passageway, but it isn't very well hidden.

The cavorting drag queens in their sparkling sequins on the balcony are like a homing pigeon for this Cape Town drag hag. I've no doubt in my mind that the echoes of Ce Ce Peniston's, Finally,emanating from the bar, can be heard as far as Bellville.

“Hi, I'm Trevor!” a man announces, as we emerge from the stairway, off Waterkant Street. He thrusts a glass of pink bubbly (What else?) into our hands and tells us LolaLou is still getting ready. I imagine her dressing room: all feathers and perfume with light bulbs framing the mirrors.

We find ourselves on a relaxed patio with long wooden tables. At the risk of sounding clichéd, the crowd are well-groomed and welcoming.  We're soon enjoying sundowners and good conversation with gays, straights, boys, girls, young and not so young – anybody who enjoys drag.

Bubbles is part-Parisian bar, part-London drag pub and part-1930s Berlin joint. Dimmed lights and black walls create a cosy atmosphere and ensure all eyes are on the stage. There are barrels painted like Russian babushka dolls. The small bar at the back of the room sells traditional drinks, but will soon serve cocktails and bar snacks. A smaller room hidden behind the bar has black leather couches and soft tea lights.

"Drag is universal. Everybody knows how to YMCA!"

“Mother!” sound the cries as LolaLou sweeps into the room and her children tell her how fabulous she looks. Her hair is big, blonde and bouncy, her dramatic eyelashes flutter and she's wearing a sparkling purple dress (one of her own creations). She pauses for effect.

The front doors are closed, the black glittering curtains come down and a stage fit for a queen is set. We take our place on high stools as the crowd gathers in anticipation. The familiar intro to Gloria Gaynor's, I am What I am, rises from the speakers as LolaLou sashays onto the stage, joined by larger than life Venus Mercedes.

Their dramatic routine is carefully choreographed and the audience agrees it's nothing short of comedy genius. They are followed by The Bublettes consisting of Roxy Le Roux, Riri Rosenberg and Hunter Roberts; who sing popular ballads and upbeat tracks live. Fellow blonde Fabulash lip-synch's like a diva. The crowd is dancing, clapping and giddy with merriment.

Bubbles Bar is open every day between 17:00 and 2:00. There is an open stage for aspiring drag queens on Wednesdays, The Bubblettes take to the stage on Thursdays, Venus performs on Fridays, Lola performs on Saturdays and Odidiva brings 'Disco Divas' to Sunday nights. Call (0)21 801 0501 or simply make a wish and blow!

Article by Lisa Nevitt, pictures by Huge, LolaLou Productions and Venus Mercedes

Bubbles Bar
125a Waterkant Street | De Waterkant | Cape Town | +27 (0)72 277 2392

We heard Odidiva gave a fabulous performance last Sunday. Read our interview.

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