Rusty’s Showbar in Times Square provides all the glitz and glamour of a Vegas cabaret to Newcastle city centre.
Opening its’ doors in February 2024, Rusty’s general manager Dan Shaw as well as former Drag Idol winner, hostess and now-‘face’ of the business Gladys Duffy, teamed up to create the sister menu to one of Newcastle’s most popular clubs, Rusty’s in Times Square, right next door.
The Showbar is free to enter, with tickets available for meet and greets. It is open until midnight every Friday-Sunday.
“Showbar is a completely different vibe, it’s a cabaret bar- you come to SEE and LISTEN to the drag queens” said Newcastle-based drag performer Sweet Boy on the similarity to its’ sister venue.
They also praised the Showbar for creating “opportunities for drag artists in the North East”.
Britain’s Got Talent’s Lorraine Bowen and internationally-regarded drag talent and West-End performer Mary Mac performed at the extravagant opening weekend, which closed with the premier performances of nationally-renowned competition, Drag Idol Newcastle 2024, as reported by The Chronicle Live.
Gladys Duffy said “these bars were built up as sanctuaries and havens for people who were different, a lot of love and care has gone into it” and noted “it was such a great experience opening this bar, and we haven’t had a quiet weekend yet”.
Winner of ‘Rupaul’s Drag Race UK’ Series One and West-End star ‘The Vivienne’ is set to round off this year’s Northern Pride Weekender at the Showbar on July 21st, fresh from her role as the Wicked Witch of the West in the UK tour of Wizard of Oz. The performance will be free to watch, with limited meet & greet tickets available at £15.
“These bars were built up as sanctuaries and havens for people who were different”
Gladys Duffy, Rusty’s Showbar Manager and Hostess
The Showbar has also been hosting Drag Idol Newcastle over a number of weeks, with contestants like rising star Bipty P taking part in weekly wacky competitive performances on the Showbar stage. Bipty commented “Drag Idol is just one of the best things on the drag scene, it brings everyone together”.
‘Rupaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World ‘ winner Tia Kofi along with fellow ‘Drag Race UK’ stars Davina DeCampo, Baga Chipz, Ella Vaday, Victoria Scone, Ginny Lemon also perform and conduct meet and greets on the Showbar stage.
President of Newcastle University’s Drag Society Dan Chester described the bar as having a “very warm, welcoming sense of community”.
With over 10,000 Newcastle residents now identifying as members of the LGBTQIA+ community, the popularity of queer nightlife in the city has greatly increased.
A Bottomless Drag Brunch Bonanza is available every Saturday including live drag performances, bingo, sassy meals, karaoke, cocktails and prosecco. Packages start from £30 per person.
“it has a very warm, welcoming sense of community”
Dan Chester, DragSoc President, Newcastle University
Gaining a cult following, the runners of Rusty’s Showbar are aiming to have the establishment become a favourite amongst the queer community in Newcastle, hoping to spread word about performances and gain bigger and better names to the Showbar stage.
Hostess Gladys Duffy said “it’s for the people of Newcastle, it’s for the queer community and it’s all in the name of showbusiness”.