Beaux | BIG TOP Turns 19!
by: Hera Wynn
For 19 years, Big Top has brought drag, dancing, sexy go-go dancers and a little beautiful chaos to the Castro—and this October, we’re celebrating bigger than ever.
Nineteen years in queer nightlife? Werk!
Before anything else, thank you to our incredible community who has shown up, supported our artists, packed the dance floor and made all of these years possible. Big Top simply wouldn’t be Big Top without you.
Big Top was created by nightlife producer Joshua J Presents, now co-owner of Beaux, with the support of San Francisco drag royalty Juanita MORE! and Heklina. Since then, it has grown into one of the Castro’s longest-running and most beloved parties.
My own Big Top story began in 2022, when I first performed at Beaux. At the time, Big Top was the Castro’s longtime Sunday-night destination, hosted by Big Top legend Adriana Roy. Getting booked by Adriana was a dream come true. Over the years, Adriana passed the torch to me, and I went from performer to hostess and producer. More recently, we moved Big Top to select Saturdays at Beaux, and the community followed! The party continues to pack the house and was recently named “Best Drag Show 2026” by the Bay Area Reporter. Yes Gawd (tongue pop)!
Today, Big Top is the wildest and most popular drag show and dance party in the Castro—combining incredible drag, major special guests, a packed dance floor and, of course, the sexiest go-go dancers in the Bay Area. Underneath the wigs, heels and mayhem, Big Top has always been about community. As a transgender woman and full-time drag entertainer, I’m proud to use this platform tocreate opportunities for queer and trans artists, advocate for our community and make everyone who walks through the doors at Beaux feel welcome.
On Saturday, October 17, we celebrate BIG TOP’S 19TH ANNIVERSARY with our biggest show yet—three, yes THREE, RuPaul’s Drag Race headliners: Detox, Naomi Smalls and Laganja Estranja, alongside Adriana Roy and me. Okkkrrr! If you’ve been to Big Top, you already know: “THEY GOT THAT HENNESSY!” And we’re gonna be turning up before, during and after the show!
UPCOMING BIG TOP SATURDAYS
SEPTEMBER 19 — Mia StarrOCTOBER 17 — BIG TOP 19TH ANNIVERSARY
Detox • Naomi Smalls • Laganja Estranja
with Adriana Roy & Hera Wynn
NOVEMBER 21 — Drag Race legend Raven
Tickets available now at BeauxSF.com