Play Dance Bar

What a VIBE! This LGBTQ club was so fun. As a straight mid aged female I never once felt uncomfortable except my poor feet from dancing my A off! The ladies on the stage were individually SPECTACULAR and GORGEOUS! Arsenal and Mrs.Todd…. Please be my bestie bc yall killed it!

There are so many reasons that my friends and I keep coming back to Play over and over. My first visit to play was in 2016 and I continue to be wowed by the Queens and the employees. First, the drag queens are absolutely top notch. Vanity is hilarious, kind, and humble. Aquamarine is always so remarkable, Corlis’ makeup is always spot on, and Deception has been a personal favorite since my very first visit 8 years ago. The bartenders are great and I always feel like I can approach them. I always feel safe here and on the very rare occasion that something needs to be addressed, the bartenders are quick to help. Play continues to be a favorite.

This place used to be such a great environment for anyone to feel safe and accepted. Now frankly it just isn't. The customer service here is horrible my bartender didn't say one word to me just flipped the screen when I needed to pay. The shows aren't even shows anymore half the time we're just watching someone on a screen then it ended. They can do better I mean if you have to pay to get in, and the drinks are expensive at least make the atmosphere work going

My partner and I had several drinks, Bill came out to 58$ which is not bad for two. The patio is probably my favorite part, very smoker friendly. I love that it is fenced in. The drag is top notch, cover was 15$ but it was a Saturday, last time I went it was 20$ but it was a Saturday during pride. I drive from out of town to get here and have come multiple times. It's 18+ which was great when I was still in college and had friends that weren't quite 21 yet. Fantastic dance floor, live dj. Worth every penny.

I travel up to Play about once a month from Alabama. The atmosphere is amazing, the drag shows are fantastic, and the service is always above and beyond! The bartender Taylor always has the best drink recommendations and has all around amazing and consistent service. It’s rare to have a bartender in such a busy place remember your exact drink order every time, but he always has. I hope to see him every time I come!

It’s a fun place. The drag queens offer a little bit of everything and are super entertaining. The music on the dance floor is okay. It’s mostly pop/gay anthems remixed with heavy, monotonous bpm, bumpy bass. The DJs sit there like statues most of the time, so it feels a little low effort. Though it’s pretty enjoyable to dance to if you’re wasted! I like going on Saturdays, because I think that’s when the dance floor is most populated. The outdoor area is cool—lots of friendly people feening for cigarettes and conversation. I went last night, and there was a different DJ than usual. He was incredible. He was energetic and had some creative remixes. Great stuff!

This post is coming from someone who has been to Play a few times and has always enjoyed their time there. Plus I know Play/Tribe is known as being an amazing bar for drag queens. I was excited that after the Sweat Tour concert that they were hosting a party. What I could not comprehend is that they had only 2 bartenders on the Play side and 1 bartender on the Tribe side at the party. I understand it was a week day but if you are going to advertise an after party of a concert that was at Bridgestone, only a few miles away, why would you not staff accordingly? Left very disappointed and upset since the night had started so well off.. This is also not a reflection on any of the bar staff or the individuals who were working that night, much more on the management side.

As I'm dancing to a bunch of high hats and snares because the DJ doesn't know that he's playing a music mixer, so it has no base.. the crowd soon realizes it to... They start motioning with their hands spinning to please switch up the music.. with the Dj in a techno trance, he just didn't get it until half the Dance floor was cleared.. he would have been better off just playing top '40s off the radio.. instead we got techno early 2000 remixes of the snares and high hats... If a song had bass in it you would only hear it for 5 seconds. If the DJ noticed the people enjoying themselves he would switch it quickly to more hat and snare until the crowd died back down and started leaving the Dance floor. Everyone's spinning hand would have been my clue to change the music. I should have taken a video of the Dance floor simultaneously spinning their hand and gesturing please change it.