If you're looking for a wild drag show that warms the sequin cockles of your heart (and who isn't?), Aunt Charlie's Lounge in San Francisco is the place to be.

Aunt Charlie's is a transvestite show bar that generally features 10pm shows on Friday and Saturday nights. Regular hostesses include the $65,000 silicone wonder Gina La Divina, Tiger the Asian Tart and Mount Olympus Grand Duchess XXVI Kristy Cruise. This club has firmly established itself in the San Francisco scene and has become popular with gay, lesbian, straight, TS, and TV crowds - mainly because of its warm, welcoming attitude toward anyone of any gender or sexual bias.

When you decide to take the plunge and join the fun, you'll find that customers consist of locals and out-of-towners culled from both a mature and a younger, hipper crowd. Cocktails are stiff and inexpensive. Past (and future) entertainment ranges from tributes to Cher and Madonna, to Shirley Basse imitations, all with guest appearances by the Imperial and Ducal Courts.

Now if that isn't enough to get your hot-pants down there in a hurry, perhaps the subtle beckoning of sequins and eye-shadow (sorry, did I say subtle?) will seduce you into parking your butt on a chair at Aunt Charlie's.

If you visit Aunt Charlie's website, you'll find an expansive array of photo delights and teasing taunts complete with hostess photo displays and bio info. Once inside the site, you can also find links to gallery pics and a calendar of upcoming events sure to make your venture to Aunt Charlie's no one-time visit.

The ladies of Charlie's regularly hold benefits for PAWS, a volunteer organization that "helps to provide quality of life for persons with AIDS or other debilitating illnesses by offering the emotional and practical support to keep the love and companionship of their pets…" according to the official site. Empresses and Grand Duchesses usually host these events.

Do it for the animals…they'll thank you later. You'll thank yourself immediately.

Aunt Charlie's - by Alexia O'Neil

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