Hamburger Mary's

Hamburger Mary's Bar & Grille is a drag-themed burger restaurant chain[1] that started in San Francisco, California in 1972.[2] The eateries are often in gayborhoods and are intended to represent stereotypical gay culture through humorously named menu items,[3] flamboyant decor, and many of their locations hosting drag shows on weekends. "Mary" in the name is a reference to the slang descriptor "Mary" used for gay men as far back as the early 1900s.[4][5]

Hamburger Mary's Bar and Grille
TypePrivate
IndustryRestaurants
Founded1972 (1972)
Headquarters
Chicago and West Hollywood
,
United States
Number of locations
17
Websitehamburgermarys.com

Locations

There are 17 Hamburger Mary's in the U.S. and one in Berlin, Germany as of 2015 (closed).[6] Their Portland, Oregon location closed in April 2013 due to a landlord dispute. Their Denver, Colorado location has relocated to 1336 E 17th Ave.[7] Their main offices are in Chicago and West Hollywood, as of 2013.

U.S. locations are sited in California (Long Beach, Ontario, West Hollywood, San Francisco), Colorado (Denver), Florida (Jacksonville, Orlando, Wilton Manors[8]), Illinois (two locations in Chicago, Oak Park), Michigan (Grand Rapids, Ypsilanti), Missouri (Kansas City and St. Louis (closed)),[9] Nevada (Las Vegas), Texas (Houston),(Dallas) Wisconsin (Milwaukee), and Ohio (Toledo).[10]

Challenge to Florida drag ban

In 2023, Hamburger Mary's filed a lawsuit challenging a new law by Florida governor Ron DeSantis banning drag performances where children may be present, citing a "chilling effect" on First Amendment rights to free speech as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.[11] U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell rejected the state's request to dismiss the case and granted an injunction temporarily blocking the law.[12][13]

Hamburger Mary's was featured in the "Grand Finale" of the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.

The Psychedelic Furs reference the term "Hamburger Mary" in their 1982 song, "Run and Run".

References
  1. Crain, Tom (March 2006). "Out is in at unconventional bar and grill chain". Franchise Times. pp. 22–24.
  2. Weigle, Lauren (May 16, 2016). "Hamburger Mary's Bar & Grille on 'Undercover Boss': 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  3. "Hamburger Mary's, Andersonville | Metromix Chicago". Chicago.metromix.com. April 5, 2012. Retrieved April 12, 2012.
  4. Ferruzza, Charles. "Hamburger Mary's figures Kansas City's ready for big gay burgers | Restaurant Reviews". The Pitch. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  5. "Hamburger Mary's Bar & Grille Franchise Information". Entrepreneur. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  6. "Hamburger Mary's, flamboyant foolishness, modest flavors". The Bay View Compass. April 2, 2012. Retrieved April 12, 2012.
  7. "Denver Hamburger Mary's revamped as M Uptown". the Denver Post. December 23, 2015. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  8. Rodriguez, Gustavo (June 12, 2023). "Hamburger Mary's Ft. Lauderdale Location". Hamburger's Mary. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  9. Johnson, Kevin (September 28, 2020). "Hamburger Mary's St. Louis closes downtown after two years". St Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  10. Garcia, Keith (July 21, 2016). "Hamburger Mary's Returning to Denver — Just Six Blocks from M Uptown". Westword. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  11. Argueta, Brenda (June 23, 2023). "Hamburger Mary's lawsuit: Judge blocks Florida law to punish venues where children see drag". WKMG. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  12. Trotta, Daniel (June 23, 2023). "U.S. court blocks Florida law restricting drag performances". Reuters. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  13. Villarreal, Daniel (June 26, 2023). "Hamburger Mary's wins court victory against Ron DeSantis' drag ban". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved June 26, 2023.


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