The Abbey’s 35th Anniversary Party Had RuPaul, Melanie C, Christina Aguilera, and Drag Royalty
For one night, The Abbey became the center of the queer universe yet again. Though honestly, many would argue it never stopped being that.
The legendary West Hollywood hotspot celebrated its 35th anniversary Thursday night with a packed celebration hosted by comedian Meg Stalter, bringing together drag stars, music icons, reality TV favorites, and longtime LGBTQ+ community figures for a chaotic, glamorous evening that felt tailor-made for queer nightlife history books.
The anniversary bash honored not just the venue itself, but the decades of community, visibility, and nightlife culture that have made The Abbey one of the most recognizable queer spaces in the world. Few venues anywhere on earth carry the same cultural weight, the same sense of belonging, or the same ability to draw together such a wildly eclectic crowd under one roof. Thursday night was proof that after 35 years, The Abbey has only grown more magnetic.
A Night Packed With Surprise Performances
The party wasted no time escalating.
Guests were treated to a DJ set from RuPaul before the evening swerved into full pop spectacle territory with a surprise appearance from Melanie C, who later took over the afterparty DJ booth.
One of the biggest crowd reactions came during a Spice Girls tribute performance led by drag stars portraying each member of the iconic girl group. Aquaria stepped in as Posh Spice, while Trinity the Tuck channeled Ginger Spice. Heidi N Closet appeared as Scary Spice, Vanjie embodied Sporty Spice, and Sugar rounded things out as Baby Spice.
Then came the twist: Melanie C herself emerged live during the set, sending the room into immediate meltdown mode before launching the afterparty.
The Spice Girls tribute segment was arguably one of the most purely joyful moments of the evening. Watching five drag performers fully commit to their respective interpretations, complete with costumes, choreography, and unmistakable energy, was a celebration of both pop culture and the drag artistry that has always been central to The Abbey’s identity. When Melanie C stepped out from behind the curtain and into the spotlight, the crowd’s reaction said everything. It was the kind of spontaneous, electric moment that no amount of planning can fully manufacture. It simply happens when the right people are in the right room.
Later in the evening, Christina Aguilera joined Melanie C in the DJ booth as the celebration stretched deep into the night. The sight of two iconic pop voices sharing the decks at one of the world’s most beloved queer venues felt like a genuine statement of solidarity and love for the community that has championed both artists throughout their careers.
Adam Lambert Premieres New Music
Another standout moment arrived courtesy of Adam Lambert, who debuted his new track “Under the Rhythm” during the event’s world premiere performance.
Lambert was introduced by longtime friend Mayhem Miller before joining owner Tristan Schukraft behind the DJ booth.
The performance added another layer to a night that already felt equal parts Pride celebration, pop culture reunion, and queer nightlife fever dream. Choosing The Abbey as the venue for a world premiere was a deliberate and meaningful decision. Lambert, who has long been one of the most outspoken and celebrated queer voices in mainstream music, could have debuted new material anywhere. The fact that he chose this particular stage, on this particular anniversary, for this particular crowd, reinforced just how significant the venue remains as a cultural touchstone for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
Hollywood Turned Out for The Abbey
The guest list reflected The Abbey’s status far beyond West Hollywood nightlife.
Throughout the evening, attendees spotted included Cara Delevingne, Chelsea Handler, Gabrielle Union, Nicole Scherzinger, NeNe Leakes, Carmen Electra, Jodie Sweetin, Simon Rex, Tia Carrere, Chris Colfer, and Thora Birch.
It was the kind of crowd that only a place like The Abbey could pull together: queer icons mixing with reality stars, drag performers, actors, and musicians under one roof while dance music rattled through West Hollywood. The sheer breadth of the guest list spoke to something important. The Abbey has never been a venue defined by exclusivity in the traditional sense. Its magnetism comes from openness, from the sense that everyone who walks through its doors is welcome and seen.
Image Credit: Getty Images
More Than a Party
Between performances and celebrity sightings, the evening also paused for a meaningful recognition from the City of West Hollywood.
Officials presented Schukraft with an official proclamation honoring The Abbey’s 35 years of impact on LGBTQ+ culture, nightlife, and community organizing.
Since opening in 1991, the venue has evolved from a local coffee shop into one of the world’s best-known queer destinations. Over the years, it has hosted Pride celebrations, political événements, drag performances, celebrity appearances, and countless nights that blurred into sunrise. That evolution from humble coffee shop to global queer landmark is a story worth pausing to appreciate. It reflects not only the vision and dedication of its ownership but also the loyalty of a community that has returned again and again, through decades of cultural change, social progress, and personal milestones.
For many LGBTQ+ people, especially visitors arriving in West Hollywood for the first time, The Abbey has long represented more than just nightlife. It represents safety, belonging, and the radical joy of being exactly who you are in a space that celebrates that without reservation. For countless people, a first visit to The Abbey has marked a turning point, a moment of recognition that they are not alone and that their community is vibrant, beautiful, and very much alive.
And judging by the packed dance floor Thursday night, the party is nowhere near over.
