- Story by Toby Tannas Photography by Lia Crowe
Friends of Dorothy is a lounge best enjoyed with friends 鈥ut if you don鈥檛 bring them, you just might find some at this moody-yet-upbeat hot spot nestled in 琉璃神社鈥檚 downtown core.
And while the topnotch entertainment will get you in the door, it may be the food and drink that keep you coming back.
Dorothy鈥檚 is known for its drag shows, including the famed Sunday Drag Brunch where local queens interact with the guests. It鈥檚 breakfast with a spectacular, saucy side of glam and attitude.
鈥淭he drag shows are back and everyone鈥檚 excited,鈥� says head chef Sarah Maw. 鈥淭hey bring so much to the atmosphere, and when they get on the mic, they banter as only 琉璃神社 queens can. And, of course, they perform a number or two.鈥�
Reservations are highly recommended for the Sunday Drag Brunch.
Dorothy鈥檚 has made a name for itself from an entertainment perspective, and it just might be the most inclusive spot on 琉璃神社鈥檚 bar-and-restaurant landscape. LGBT2Q+ at its core, Dorothy鈥檚 is a place for everyone to gather and be themselves.
鈥淗owever you identify, you will feel comfortable at Dorothy鈥檚. We try to make the experience very different from other bars in town with our variety of acts鈥攏ot just drag queens but also comedy,鈥� explains Sarah.
In addition to mastering its entertainment and atmosphere, Dorothy鈥檚 has perfected its food and drink menu since opening in early 2020. Sarah and beverage director Eric Pihrag go all out to create a unified offering between the two menus.
On the cocktail side, you鈥檒l find a tightly curated local wine list alongside creative and exotic handcrafted signature drinks. Choose from The Ruby Slipper, Wicked Witch of the West or Not in Kansas Anymore. (You are picking up on the theme here, right?)
鈥淭he most popular is There鈥檚 No Place Like Home,鈥� says Sarah. 鈥淭hat one has got a tang to it. With two types of gin, grapefruit and rosemary, it feels really good on the mouth.鈥�
When it comes to food, the offerings are as diverse as the friends that Dorothy picks up along her yellow brick road journey in The Wizard of Oz.
The Hong Shao Rou Pork Belly Bites are like little pieces of heaven melting in your mouth. The provolone-stuffed Mushroom Arancini, with its Italian notes, is a delicious happy-hour option for plant-based eaters, and don鈥檛 skip over the Crispy Artichokes, a chef Sarah specialty, served with a sweet chili sauce. If you鈥檝e got a bigger appetite, you might opt for the Crispy Chicken Sandwich.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a Karaage-style chicken on house-made brioche. We do a sriracha aioli, and I like to infuse a lot of the liquors in my cooking, so it鈥檚 got a Jack Daniels glaze that people are crazy for.鈥�
While we all appreciate the finer foods, can we agree that every eatery can be defined by its fries? Friends of Dorothy鈥檚 are topnotch. (Ask for extra roasted garlic aioli 鈥� yes, it鈥檚 that good!)
Watch for a new menu coming later this summer. Chef Sarah is excited to work with local farmers to incorporate Okanagan-grown produce. She鈥檚 also creating a sexy Mediterranean platter made for sharing.
鈥淭hink whipped feta, hummus, house-baked naan and olives,鈥� she says.
Whatever the season, Friends of Dorothy is the place to sit, sip, savour and socialize.
鈥淛ust come and be yourself. I don鈥檛 know of anywhere else right now that offers this upbeat lounge atmosphere,鈥� Sarah says.
With indoor and outdoor dining options, Friends of Dorothy welcomes guests 19+ seven days a week.
Also鈥攊f you find yourself on Vancouver Island, sashay your way into the fabulous Victoria location where families are welcome.
Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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