Experience 'RuPaul's Drag Race' At Hudson Valley Viewing Parties

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — If you are looking for a place to watch “RuPaul’s Drag Race” that is not your own couch, the Hudson Valley gives you choices.

According to Big Gay Hudson Valley, viewing parties allow for a shared experience of the Emmy Award-winning reality competition series, now in its 16th season.

Stephan Hengst, co-founder of Big Gay Hudson Valley, said that a huge part of getting together in public now is because people are putting the pandemic and its sense of isolationism behind them.

“It’s a way to find people like us and share experiences,” he said during a phone interview. “It’s a chance to connect.”

Also, “for many queer people watching Drag Race is like watching the Super Bowl,” Hengst said. “Everyone feels that they have a horse in the race.”

He said that people are feeling better now about going back out, and that one of the great things is that the viewing parties happen fairly early in the evening.

“Even among younger audiences, there’s a hesitancy about going out late,” Hengst said.

In the Hudson Valley, Big Gay Hudson Valley is letting people know about three locations that are holding “Drag Race” viewing parties.

• The Roosevelt Bar in Beacon
• Camp Kingston in Kingston
• The Central in Peekskill

The television show begins at 8 p.m. on MTV, but at Camp Kingston they show the previous episode and then watch the latest episode live.

Camp Kingston owner Sam Shapiro said people come from all around Ulster County to watch the show.

“For us, having a queer space and bringing people together is fun and important,” he said in a telephone interview.

“It’s an opportunity to see drag and enjoy it and celebrate,” Shapiro said.

There is no cover charge or minimum drinks. There is a “special pretty pink” Cosmopolitan that can be purchased, along with other drinks and snacks.

For more information about where to watch season 16 of RuPaul’s “Drag Race” locally — and for other drag events — check out this website.