Party Like a Rock Star at These Weekend Brunches
From drag shows to live tunes to hookah, brunch is never boring at these local spots.
Need a little something extra in your weekend? Lost Boy Cider hosts the occasional drag brunch, featuring Millie Meringue. (Photo by Tegan Buin)
There’s brunch and then there’s party brunch—rollicking affairs that serve up a side of entertainment with your eggs Benedict. Arlington’s got loads of spots for a delicious midday weekend meal, but if you want more pizzazz with your pancakes, check out these lively brunches in the area.
Darna
Each Sunday, this luxe lounge above coffee shop Detour hosts an afternoon brunch party from 2-6 p.m., featuring hookah and dance music spun by DJ Ceasar. A three-course meal is $27 and champagne bottles are available for $50. After brunch service ends at 6 p.m., stick around for more party time; the club keeps the music, food and drinks going till 10 p.m. // 946 N. Jackson St., Arlington (Virginia Square)
Dudley’s Sport & Ale
Brunch is an all-day event at this Shirlington sports bar, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. While you dig into chicken and waffles or breakfast pizza, catch up on the big games on any of its 40-plus big-screen TVs. You can celebrate your team’s victory (or mourn its loss) with a $5 bottle of champagne. // 2766 S. Arlington Mill Drive, Arlington (Shirlington)
Freddie’s Beach Bar
Every day is a party at Freddie’s, an LGBTQ+-friendly establishment known for feather boas and boxed Barbie dolls. Each weekend brings a champagne brunch buffet from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., accompanied by a live jazz band and followed closely with happy hour specials from 4-7 p.m. On the second Sunday of the month, you can also swing back (or just stay) post-brunch for a sing-a-long (with numbers ranging from show tunes to Madonna) from 2-5 p.m. If you’ve been missing Freddie’s fabled drag brunch, the venue now hosts a Freddie’s Follies drag show every Saturday night at 9. // 555 23rd St. S., Arlington (Crystal City)
King and Rye
Catch a drag brunch at King and Rye in Old Town on Nov. 5. The show stars “premier drag queen” Cake Pop! and admission ($45) includes an entree from the Southern-influenced brunch menu, plus a selection from the juice bar. // 480 King St., Alexandria
Lost Boy Cider
The Lost Girls (see what they did there?) host a drag brunch every few months at this Alexandria cidery, and you can catch the next one Nov. 13. From 10 a.m.-noon, enjoy performances by Millie Meringue and other talents while nibbling on eats from Welle Made Co. (purchased separately) and sipping on cider. Your first 12-ounce pour is included in the $15 admission. // 317 Hooffs Run Drive, Alexandria
Brunch at Punchbowl Social (Courtesy photo)
Punch Bowl Social
They’ve got avo toast. Bread pudding French toast. And something called “beermosas.” But what this entertainment destination also sports is a host of fun stuff to do while you feast. From foosball to bowling to karaoke, brunch here can’t be a snooze. (Keep an eye on the adult playground’s Instagram feed for updates on occasional drag brunches.) // 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Spoons, Toons and Booze
From time to time, comics and “cereal experts” Michael Austin and Nell Casey pop over to Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse on Columbia Pike for hours of animated fun, an all-you-can-eat cereal bar and brunch beverages. On Dec. 17 and Dec. 18, catch their Christmas special, with holiday-themed cartoons. // Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse, 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington
