Lips Restaurant
American · Sunday Brunch · San Diego, CA
About
Hot pink lights, sequined curtains, and a waitress who might break into song mid-sentence. At Lips Restaurant in North Park, your server doubles as the evening's entertainment. This drag dining spot, open since 1999, seats 175 in a Moulin Rouge-inspired space designed by award-winning drag queen Brenda Starr. The menu leans American with brunch staples and signature cocktails like the Frozen Cosmopolitan. Menu items playfully reference drag icons: the RuPaul salad or the Divine vegetable plate.
Sunday Gospel Brunch draws crowds with unlimited champagne, mimosas, or bloody marys for $17.95. Weeknights offer themed events: Ladies of the 80's on Tuesdays, Bitchy Bingo on Wednesdays. The crowd leans heavily straight for bachelorette parties and birthdays, but regulars say it's one of the few gay-friendly spots east of Hillcrest. Reservations recommended, especially for weekend shows.
Located in North Park, east of San Diego's main gayborhood Hillcrest, this drag dining spot is a standout in a diverse, up-and-coming area known for its indie shops and eateries.
Features
- ✓Takes reservations via Yelp
- ✓Full bar with signature Frozen Cosmopolitan
- ✓Sunday Gospel Brunch with unlimited drinks for $17.95
- ✓Themed weekly events like Ladies of the 80's Night
Cuisine
Good for
Practical
Best nights: Fri, Sat, Sun
What people say
Rated from 1,123 reviews. 26 community ratings. View this venue on Yelp
From the community
“Entertaining Dinner”
I would definitely come back here. The drag queens are much better looking and the dinner is good.
A visitor · Over a year ago
“More popular with heteros”
It's funny how drag shows often draw bigger straight crowds than gay ones, and Lips is a prime example—most nights you'll see more straight people than gay ones (not counting the staff). Still, it's one of the few gay-themed spots left east of Hillcrest in North Park, alongside Redwing and The Eagle. It used to be on 5th Avenue in Bankers Hill but is still thriving for those who like the vibe. The food is nothing special; the flamboyant service and entertainment are what make it stand out.
A guest · Over a year ago
“expensive”
It was quite pricey and felt very exclusive.
A recent visitor · Over a year ago
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need reservations? +
Yes, the venue takes reservations and it's recommended, especially for weekend shows.
More Restaurants in San Diego
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
4.4
Restaurants · $$ · 1.9 mi
Hash House A Go Go
4.1
Restaurants · $$ · 2.0 mi
Bronx Pizza
4.4
Restaurants · $ · 2.0 mi
Jsix
Restaurants · 3.6 mi