A typical day of people watching on South Beach includes lobster-looking tourists, the dude who walks around with a huge snake on his neck, and if you're lucky, a drag show at The Palace.
But now, the Sunday Drag Brunch at The Palace is no more, and attendees think the problem is an angry neighboring hotel.
The popular gay attraction once served up an over-the-top drag show to go along with french toast and eggs, but it turns out the show was quite a drag on the Palace's neighbor, the Tides Miami Beach.
They claim the noise coming from the shows is a never-ending nuisance to their guests.
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"Tides South Beach has been in contact with The Palace management for several months but we have been unable to find a mutually acceptable solution to the noise issues which are impacting Tides’ hotel guests," a Tides South Beach spokesperson said. "This matter is in the hands of Miami Beach Code Compliance, regarding the Palace’s adherence to their Conditional Use Permit."
A quick search of the city's code compliance Website revealed dozens of noise complaints against the Palace, some anonymous but many from the Tides.
In fact, since July of 2009, the Palace has received 11 noise complaints, though all were dismissed or unfounded.
As early as three weeks ago, on Jan. 23, the Tides called to report the Palace for noise violations, and though a report was filed, no further action was taken.
"I met with the manager at the Tides Hotel. They stated that the Palace which is located at 1200 Ocean Dr had loud music prior to our arrival," the report read. "There was music and a Live Performance at the time we were there, however it was not unreasonable or excessively loud."
A Facebook page dedicated to saving the Drag Brunch blames the Tides for putting an end to the Sunday shows. The page boasts over 1,100 members, most of whom are outraged that their beloved brunch is being shut down.
"The nerve!!! What gives Miami Beach (south beach) its flavor and style is the gay community and places like the Palace. I will do all i can to try to stop this," one member wrote.
"I cannot believe that something so special like drag brunch where we have all kinds of people rally to see our art is in danger," wrote another.
The members of the Facebook group are asking people to stop by The Palace to sign a petition, and to write a letter to the City of Miami Beach to bring the shows back.
Meanwhile the Tides said the problem is the noise, not the content of the show that needs to stop.
"The issue for our hotel is in the disturbance itself, not the nature of the disturbance," the Tides spokesperson said. "And we look forward to a resolution that allows the guests of both our establishments to enjoy their time on Ocean Drive."
