By John Hayden & Steven O. Evans, PhD
When Gloria Gaynor sang “I Will Survive,” she may as well have been foreshadowing the resilience of South Florida’s drag scene. After nearly closing its doors, one of the region’s most iconic LGBTQIA+ venues has not only endured—it has reemerged more dazzling than ever.
Aquaplex Fort Lauderdale—formerly known as Lips—just celebrated its one-year anniversary under the ownership of husbands Jon and Michael Barrett. Already proprietors of Aquaplex Key West, the couple seized a pivotal opportunity to preserve the venue’s legacy, fully aware of the essential role drag entertainment plays in queer culture.
Today, the transformation is undeniable. The stage sparkles with Broadway-level productions, the décor glows with fresh sophistication while still winking at Lips’ beloved kitschy flair, and the sass-infused service remains delightfully intact. Entertainment Director Velvet Lenore captures it best: “The new owners are really in tune with taking care of us. They want to hear from us. That’s more than we can ever ask for.”
The anniversary was marked in true theatrical fashion with the premiere of Off Off Broadway in August 2025—a high-energy spectacle featuring powerhouse numbers from Chicago, Wicked, and Cats. General Manager Rianna Petrone reflects: “We were basically a dying club, and they saved us. Now, customers walk in and say, ‘Oh my God, it looks gorgeous in here.’”
Building a Global Vision
But the story doesn’t end at one nightclub. The Barretts’ triumph in Fort Lauderdale has inspired a broader mission: the creation of Pride Holdings, a venture committed to rejuvenating struggling LGBTQIA+ venues across the U.S. and Europe. Under the Aquaplex and Bird Cage Cabaret brands, performers will have opportunities to tour, share their artistry with wider audiences, and uphold production values that rival any professional stage.
International Show Director Velvet Lenore will oversee talent across all venues. “I’ll make sure every brand has the same energy and quality, while letting each city add its own local flavor,” she explains. From innovative choreography to signature moments—like every curtain call ending with The Golden Girls’ anthem “Thank You for Being a Friend”—the formula marries consistency with creativity.
Yet Pride Holdings reaches beyond the stage. The company is also expanding Johnson’s, a brand synonymous with high-end male revue entertainment, and curating the Pride Hotels Group, a hospitality brand devoted to LGBTQ-inclusive travel. Its crown jewel is Castello di Camino, an 11th-century castle in Italy’s Piedmont region, where centuries-old history now joins a new era of queer visibility and celebration.
Jon Barrett distills the vision to its essence: “The whole point of our community is inclusivity. There’s no room for discrimination—we face that every day as queer people. Our mission is to create spaces that welcome everyone.”
From Fort Lauderdale to the World
The effort to preserve a single nightclub has now grown into a broader commitment to community and culture. Aquaplex’s first year shows how preservation and care can open the door to new possibilities.
