Restaurant Says Drag Shows Will Go On Despite Opposition From Governor

PUNTA GORDA, Fla.—A Miami restaurant is in the sights of Gov. Ron DeSantis for holding drag queen shows where children were part of the audience—and the show—but its owners are pushing back against a complaint filed by the state where investigators called the venue a “nuisance.”

They say the controversial drag show will go on in spite of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ criticism.

At the urging of the governor, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is targeting the liquor license of the R House, which stands accused of exposing children to “sexually explicit” drag queen shows after an investigation conducted by the state.

A spokesman for the restaurant told reporters, “It’s business as usual at R House.”

Drag queens Athena Kills (C) and Scalene Onixxx arrive to awaiting adults and children for Drag Queen Story Hour at Cellar Door Books in Riverside, Calif. on June 22, 2019. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images)

“As of right now we are set to continue this weekend,” said Larry Carrino, a restaurant spokesman on July 28. “There are no plans to alter operation while the client and their attorney are working with the state to remedy the situation.”

Owen Bale, co-owner of R House, said there has been “overflowing” support since the dispute unfolded.

“We had a lovely, positive vibe in the restaurant last night [July 27] and look forward to serving our guests tonight and in the days and nights to come,” Bale said in a released statement on July 28.

“R House is and always will be an all-inclusive environment and we thank our fans, friends, and the entire community for the positive, heartfelt support we’ve received in the wake of the complaint.”

The controversy began on July 26, when DBPR filed a complaint asking for a final order on the

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