Tampa Bay’s 1st Place Favorite Local Performer: Drag Queen
In the eight years since Adriana Sparkle started doing drag, the self-described bearded mermaid — who “emerged from the sea to bring her unique brand of sparkle magic” to the masses — has taken Tampa Bay by storm.
Just ask anyone who frequents Cocktail, The Saint or The Wet Spot Pool Bar and Day Club, as many Watermark readers do. Among other wins, this year Cocktail secured Tampa Bay’s 1st place win for Favorite Local LGBTQ Bar/Club and Happy Hour; The Saint received 2nd place for Favorite Local Allied Bar/Club and The Wet Spot won 1st place for Favorite New Local Business.
Sparkle has served as entertainment director at each venue since its respective launch, helping to shape them into the LGBTQ staples they’ve become. She calls her front row seat incredibly rewarding.
“It’s great because I’ve gotten to mix it up to where it’s not just drag queens,” she explains. “I bring in male entertainers, nonbinary performers, burlesque entertainers, pole dancers, fire eaters, things like that. I’ve also gotten to ensure that there is a lot of POC representation through our DJs, dancers and other entertainers.”
It’s for that reason Sparkle says the job has “become more of an important role than I realized when I initially took it.” She’s very proud of her work, particularly as a bearded queen. The entertainer says her facial hair has sometimes presented roadblocks in her industry.
“I’ve gotten a lot of ‘no’s’ because I’m bearded, especially in Florida which has very pageant and kind of traditional drag,” Sparkle explains. “For our area, I’ve been one of the first signs of visibility when it comes to bearded drag.”
In part, obstacles like that are what’s led Sparkle to cultivate new talent throughout the region. She’s long co-hosted an open mic talent night, and currently does so at Cocktail, to create “a completely judgment-free zone.”
“Drag kings, drag queens, nonbinary entertainers, it’s for the whole community,” Sparkle says. “That’s my favorite thing to see — people feeling like they’re accepted.”
