Steph Waechter
Tampa Bay’s last standing Hamburger Mary’s—a once popular restaurant franchise staffed with drag performers—will soon close its doors. Yesterday, Clearwater’s Hamburger Mary’s located 28910 U.S. 19 N, announced its imminent closure without naming any direct causes for it.
“Yes, all the rumors are true, it’s our finale weekend at this location...it’s so hard to say goodbye so instead we will say see you later," its social media post reads.
Clearwater’s Hamburger Mary’s is going out with a bang so to speak, and will host various events before its closure—including charity bingo on Wednesday, March 8, trivia on Thursday, Micro Mania wrestling on Friday, an all-star performance on Saturday and a final drag brunch on Sunday.
The restaurant encourages folks to call for reservations, as its last weekend is expected to be quite busy.
Some of Hamburger Mary's resident divas include queens like Brianna Summers, show director Antwanette Chanel-Roberts, Delores T Van-Cartier, Juno Vibranz and Amanda D'rhod, among many more. The soon-to-close restaurant says that it will continue to use its Facebook to promote its former queens and their upcoming performances elsewhere in Tampa Bay.
Besides boasting a staff filled with drag performers, Hamburger Mary’s is known for its charity events, drag bingo and a menu stacked with sandwiches, salads, signature desserts, and of course, burgers.
Ybor City’s Hamburger Mary’s closed in 2019. The closure came after a worker tested positive for Hepatitis A, although owner Kurt King denied the infection, stating that the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County took "false and discriminatory actions." Shortly following the closure of its Ybor City location—which recently reopened as a Big Storm Brewing taproom—King announced the closures of his Brandon and St. Petersburg locations as well.
Clearwater’s restaurant debuted in 2013, and has had its doors open for just about a decade. After it closes this weekend, there will be only three other Hamburger Mary’s in Florida located in Fort. Lauderdale, Orlando and Jacksonville.
Local gay clubs like Enigma, Bradley's on 7th, City Side, Southern Nights, Cocktail and newly-opened restaurant Zoie's still host a slew of drag queen performances amidst Florida’s heightened anti-LGBTQ+ political atmosphere, which may include proposed bans on all-ages shows.
“Yes, all the rumors are true, it’s our finale weekend at this location...it’s so hard to say goodbye so instead we will say see you later," its social media post reads.
Clearwater’s Hamburger Mary’s is going out with a bang so to speak, and will host various events before its closure—including charity bingo on Wednesday, March 8, trivia on Thursday, Micro Mania wrestling on Friday, an all-star performance on Saturday and a final drag brunch on Sunday.
The restaurant encourages folks to call for reservations, as its last weekend is expected to be quite busy.
Some of Hamburger Mary's resident divas include queens like Brianna Summers, show director Antwanette Chanel-Roberts, Delores T Van-Cartier, Juno Vibranz and Amanda D'rhod, among many more. The soon-to-close restaurant says that it will continue to use its Facebook to promote its former queens and their upcoming performances elsewhere in Tampa Bay.
Besides boasting a staff filled with drag performers, Hamburger Mary’s is known for its charity events, drag bingo and a menu stacked with sandwiches, salads, signature desserts, and of course, burgers.
Ybor City’s Hamburger Mary’s closed in 2019. The closure came after a worker tested positive for Hepatitis A, although owner Kurt King denied the infection, stating that the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County took "false and discriminatory actions." Shortly following the closure of its Ybor City location—which recently reopened as a Big Storm Brewing taproom—King announced the closures of his Brandon and St. Petersburg locations as well.
Clearwater’s restaurant debuted in 2013, and has had its doors open for just about a decade. After it closes this weekend, there will be only three other Hamburger Mary’s in Florida located in Fort. Lauderdale, Orlando and Jacksonville.
Head to the Clearwater restaurant for one last weekend of eating, drinking and being Mary.
Local gay clubs like Enigma, Bradley's on 7th, City Side, Southern Nights, Cocktail and newly-opened restaurant Zoie's still host a slew of drag queen performances amidst Florida’s heightened anti-LGBTQ+ political atmosphere, which may include proposed bans on all-ages shows.
