The Meatball Shop Drag Brunch

Whitney Espinoza

1

Graphic Designer

Motion Designer

Adobe After Effects

Adobe Photoshop

Canva

Restaurants

The Meatball Shop Drag Brunch – Social Media, Event Promotion & Custom Brunch Menu

Background

As a creative marketer and designer, I had the opportunity to work on The Meatball Shop’s monthly Drag Brunch series, a high-energy event celebrating NYC’s vibrant drag scene. Located in Hell’s Kitchen, The Meatball Shop is known for its scratch-made meatballs, lively atmosphere, and strong connection to the LGBTQ+ community. To elevate the brunch experience and attract a dedicated audience, I developed engaging social media content, event branding, and a custom-themed brunch menu for each event.

Goals & Challenges

Goals:
Increase attendance and awareness of the Drag Brunch series through digital marketing.
Strengthen The Meatball Shop’s brand identity as a fun, inclusive, and community-driven venue.
Create visually engaging, themed promotional materials for each brunch event.
Enhance the brunch experience with a customized menu, featuring a special “Drag Meatball” dish and a playful meatball mascot doodle.
Highlight live DJ performances and music entertainment as a key part of the experience.
Challenges:
Maintaining consistent branding and engagement for a recurring monthly event.
Ensuring promotional materials aligned with each month’s unique theme while keeping a cohesive brand identity.
Driving Eventbrite ticket sales and increasing social media visibility.
Balancing the promotion of drag performances and live DJ entertainment as essential event elements.
Creating high-quality, themed content on a fast-paced timeline.

My Approach & Solutions

To meet the project’s goals, I developed a strategic content and branding approach that aligned with The Meatball Shop’s identity while creating excitement around the Drag Brunch series.
1. Social Media & Digital Marketing Strategy
Designed and scheduled engaging social media content for Instagram, Facebook, and Eventbrite.
Created monthly themed promotional graphics aligned with holidays and seasons:
June – Pride Month 🌈 (bold, rainbow-infused graphics)
July - September– Summer Vibes ☀️ (bright, beachy aesthetics)
October – Halloween Spooktacular 🎃 (witchy, spooky drag queens)
November – Thanksgiving Feast 🦃 (warm, autumnal tones)
December – Holiday Extravaganza 🎄 (festive, glamorous winter wonderland)
Designed Instagram stories, event countdowns, and motion graphics using Adobe After Effects to enhance engagement.
Created eye-catching Eventbrite cover images for each event, ensuring a cohesive and professional presentation.
Promoted live DJ performances, incorporating artist features into promotional materials to build anticipation.
2. Custom Brunch Menu & Branding Enhancement
Designed a special Drag Brunch menu, featuring a themed “Drag Meatball” dish exclusive to the event.
Illustrated a custom doodle of The Meatball Shop’s iconic meatball mascot, adding a playful and branded touch.
Ensured the menu matched the restaurant’s overall branding and aesthetic while emphasizing the drag brunch theme.
3. Event Experience & Live Entertainment Integration
Highlighted live DJ sets and music performances across social media, giving each event a unique musical identity.
Captured behind-the-scenes content of performers, DJs, and crowd reactions to increase engagement.
Developed post-event recap content, including reels and Instagram stories, to maintain momentum for future events.

Tools & Software Used

Adobe Photoshop – Created custom social media graphics, Eventbrite covers, and promotional materials.
Adobe After Effects – Designed animated Instagram stories and social media motion graphics.
Canva – Used for additional stock imagery and quick design elements.
Midjourney AI (Minor Use) – Utilized for stock-style imagery to enhance visual storytelling.

Results & Impact

Increased Event Attendance – Social media promotions drove ticket sales and built anticipation for each event. ✅ Stronger Brand Identity – The Meatball Shop became a go-to venue for LGBTQ+ nightlife and drag brunch culture. ✅ Enhanced Community Engagement – Themed visuals, engaging stories, and interactive promotions strengthened audience connections. ✅ Consistent Monthly Growth – Each event maintained a strong following, expanding The Meatball Shop’s reach in NYC’s drag and brunch scene. ✅ Elevated Entertainment Value – The addition of live DJ performances and music sets created a dynamic, immersive experience for attendees.

Conclusion

By combining creative branding, digital marketing, and event promotion, I helped transform The Meatball Shop’s Drag Brunch into a highly anticipated, must-attend event. Through themed content, engaging social media campaigns, a unique branded brunch menu, and live music integration, the project successfully boosted brand visibility, attendance, and community engagement, solidifying The Meatball Shop’s place in NYC’s thriving food and entertainment culture.
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Posted Feb 28, 2025

Created themed social media, event branding, and a custom menu for The Meatball Shop’s Drag Brunch, boosting engagement, ticket sales, and community excitement.

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Timeline

Jun 1, 2024 - Dec 31, 2024

Clients

The Meatball Shop

Tags

Graphic Designer

Motion Designer

Adobe After Effects

Adobe Photoshop

Canva

Restaurants

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