Dublin, prepare yourselves. The butches are coming, and they’re ready to serve. The cult London event, Booters, a gloriously queer reimagining of Hooters staffed entirely by butches, studs and mascs, is crossing the Irish Sea searching for butch servers for its first international dining event this summer as part of Dublin Dyke Festival.
Following the huge success of their packed-out butch contest at Street 66 last December, Booters is going even bigger this time, taking over Smock Alley Theatre. Audience members can expect campy challenges and a lot of whipped cream.
At the centre of the event is the search for Dublin’s hottest local butches, studs and mascs, who’ll join the Booters team for a full diner service later this summer as part of Dublin Dyke Festival. Aspiring contestants are encouraged to apply whether they’re seasoned hospitality dykes, shameless flirts or simply “think they’d look good in the uniforms”.
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Crucially, Booters isn’t interested in narrow ideas of masculinity. The event explicitly welcomes all expressions of butchness, stud identity and dyke masculinity, with organisers especially encouraging trans, BIPOC and plus-size contestants to take part. In a cultural moment where trans and intersex people are increasingly targeted, that openness feels political as much as celebratory.
Events like Booters tap into something deeply joyful within queer culture: the ability to parody gender while also finding liberation inside it. Masculinity here becomes theatrical, playful, flirtatious and collective rather than restrictive.
That connection to queer solidarity runs throughout the night. Booters are partnering with Trans and Intersex Pride Dublin, with ticket profits helping fund this year’s protest on July 11.
Because beneath the whipped cream and camp chaos lies something serious: queer people creating spaces where different kinds of bodies, identities and masculinities are not only accepted but adored.
Reserve your butch cheering-on spot here. To enter for your chance to join the Booters team, DM @bootersbutchbar via Instagram and express your interest.
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