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Comedy, Cabaret, and Burlesque

 

Londoners have recently decided that booze and music is not enough for a memorable night out: cabaret has come out of the closet, burlesque is shaking its tassels all over the mainstream, and experimental theatre and performance art have discovered that they're far more appreciated when people are drunk. Here are ten of our favourite places where you'll be guaranteed a memorably eccentric night out.

 
 
Comedy, Cabaret, and Burlesque
 

Bethnal Green Working Men's Cub

44-46 Pollard Row, London, E2 6NB
Until 2002 this Formica-clad, 1970s-style social club was an exclusive retreat for working class East enders. While the interior of this one-time dance hall hasn't changed much - leatherette and laminate coverings, Formica, garish red carpets and teak panelling still abound - the door policy and entertainment programme have seriously evolved. The upstairs area is now a fun, fabulous entertainment free-for-all. A giant heart made of raunchy red lights frames a stage, lighting up the garishly-costumed audience, showing off their feather boas and corsets. From dance classes, DJs and disco to karaoke and cabaret this club has well and truly embraced its new role as a 'living canvas' and one of the most creative venues in town. There's even bingo on offer for the seriously ironic, and it's become a post-modern playground for fashionable East Londoners. Remaining honest to its working class roots, local members can still retreat to a private area downstairs, while the income generated from the public outlet allows the original club to function without threat of closure. Refreshing and raunchy.
 
 
Current events at Bethnal Green Working Men's Club
The Sundae Kups, Yu Sato & The Kupa Bros event Friday 1st June
TIMES Friday 1st June 2012 - 8pm-2am  PRICING £5, £4 before 10pm
American surf rock band now based in London.... More about this event
 
 
Comedy, Cabaret, and Burlesque
 

Bistrotheque

23 - 27 Wadeson Street, London, E2 9DN
For minimalist warehouse chic in the middle of the East End head down to this converted factory. Its whiteness, high ceiling and hanging lights (not too bright) just add to the effect, which is elegant and stylish. You'll find unpretentious classic dishes, bringing together choice influences from French and English food. The whole vibe is effortless - understated sophistication at its best. Downstairs there's an antique mahogany bar and a cabaret room, which is a great place to catch some lively acts in a style reminiscent of the old school music hall tradition. Regular shows begin every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening at 9.30pm with camp musical entertainment from boys-as-girls starring Jonny Woo and The Lip Sinkers, experts in the silent art of lipsynching. Guest acts are by the likes of Lavinia - an original member of Bloolips, an international award winning gay drag theatre musical-comedy troupe. Drag queens and show queens, glad rags and hand bags; it's absurd, comical and very silly fun.
 
 
Bistrotheque - Information
 
 
Comedy, Cabaret, and Burlesque
 

CellarDoor

Zero Aldwych, WC2R 0HT
The Victorians built their public buildings on a grand scale and they built to last, which is why this former public toilet makes a surprisingly chic and comfortable 60-seat bar. The steps down are in the middle of the street, just opposite the Lyceum Theatre. Things are pretty intimate here, but there's no sense that you're cramped, just the pleasure of being close to the stage, and on friendly terms with neighbouring tables. The cocktails are excellent, and they've found a novel way of getting round the smoking ban by selling snuff behind the bar. The decor is a seductive futuristic take on Weimar Germany, with purple neon a dominant theme. As a tribute to the venue's original purpose, they also have some decidedly... unusual toilets. A progamme of jazz, cabaret and burlesque enlivens the small stage on most evenings and the low-arched roof and chic decor create a speakeasy atmosphere that would be impossible to replicate in a more conventional space.
 
 
Current events at CellarDoor
Friday Folies Bergere event running until Friday 25th May 2012
TIMES Friday 25th May 2012 - 9pm  PRICING Free
A burlesque show starring striptease artiste Miss Beatrix Von Bourbon.... More about this event
Saturaday Night Diva event running until Saturday 26th May 2012
TIMES Saturday 26th May 2012 - 9pm  PRICING Free
Amanda Pet plays swing, jazz and retro classics, plus a burlesque and cabaret performance from Bettsie Bon Bon.... More about this event
Saturday Afternoon High Tease & Burlesque event running until Saturday 26th May 2012
TIMES Saturday 26th May 2012 - 2pm  PRICING phone for prices
Resident DJs spin jazz, swing and vintage hits, plus burlesque performances from Miss Ivy Paige and Vicious Delicious.... More about this event
Pete's Piano Lounge event running until Sunday 27th May 2012
TIMES Sunday 20th May and Sunday 27th May 2012 - 9pm  PRICING Free
The pianist plays jazz standards.... More about this event
Life's a Drag event running until Monday 28th May 2012
TIMES Monday 21st May and Monday 28th May 2012 - 4pm  PRICING Free
Performance artist Michael Twaits entertains with a cross-dressing show.... More about this event
Trash Tuesday event running until Tuesday 29th May 2012
TIMES Tuesday 22nd May and Tuesday 29th May 2012 - 9pm  PRICING Free
Champagne Charlie hosts this open mic night.... More about this event
Under The Counter event running until Wednesday 30th May 2012
TIMES Wednesday 23rd May and Wednesday 30th May 2012 - 9pm  PRICING Free
Resident DJs spin jazz, swing and vintage hits, plus burlesque and cabaret performances from Desmond O'Connor and Pippa Evans.... More about this event
Monster Mash event running until Thursday 31st May 2012
TIMES Thursday 24th May and Thursday 31st May 2012 - 9pm-1am  PRICING Free
Resident DJs play jazz and swing, plus live act Kitty La Roar and Nick of Time.... More about this event
 
 
Comedy, Cabaret, and Burlesque
 

Comedy Cafe

66 Rivington Street, EC2A3AY
The cheap-and-cheerful paintwork on the exterior disgiuses a venue that has ben very carefully thought through. It's a far less slick-seeming outfit than Jongleurs or The Comedy Store, but the Comedy Cafe has a reputation as the venue most favoured by performers. It's a purpose-built venue with a laid back, intimate environment. Rafts of small tables have been crammed into a dimly lit space, with a small, unobtrusive stage for the comic. Finger food, pies and good value pints are the main items on the menu. On Wednesday nights they welcome new talent and let lucky Londoners in for free. The quality can be a little patchy so if you want guaranteed laughs aim for a Friday or Saturday.
 
 
Current events at Comedy Cafe
Erich McElroy: The Brit Identity: Preview event Thursday 24th May
TIMES Thursday 24th May 2012 - 8.30pm  PRICING £5
Observations from the American stand-up about what it means to be British.... More about this event
Heroes Of Comedy event Monday 28th May
TIMES Monday 28th May 2012 - 8pm  PRICING £5
Unpredictable stand-up from Bob Slayer, plus Martin Soan.... More about this event
Liam Mullone: Crap Empires: Edinburgh Preview event Thursday 7th June
TIMES Thursday 7th June 2012 - 8pm  PRICING £10
Hard-hitting intellectual humour as the stand-up tries out new material.... More about this event
New Act Night! event Wednesday 20th June
TIMES Wednesday 20th June 2012 - 8pm  PRICING Free
... More about this event
Comedy Cafe event Thursday 21st June
TIMES Thursday 21st June 2012 - 8pm  PRICING phone for prices
Surreal humour from Canadian stand-up Tony Law and stories and anecdotes from Owen O'Neill.... More about this event
 
 
Comedy, Cabaret, and Burlesque
 

Comedy Store

Haymarket House, 1a Oxendon Street, SW1Y 4EE
The Comedy Store is the spiritual home of stand-up in the UK. Despite being the best large comedy venue in the country, the Store still succeeds in creating an intimacy between comic and audience and the central London location gives it a wonderfully mixed crowd. It can also be credited with discovering a host of alternative comedians throughout the 80s: Paul Merton, Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmonson, Eddie Izzard, Steve Coogan, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Keith Allen, Clive Anderson and Ben Elton all started out in this small West End joint. Weekends are always busy so try and book tickets as far in advance as possible. The world-famous Comedy Store Players take to the stage every Sunday and Wednesday with their one-off displays of improvisation at its best, Tuesdays offer topical comedy from 'The Cutting Edge' crew, while Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays promise 'The Best in Stand-Up', and by this they mean exactly what they say: a superbly programmed night. You’re having a laugh if you don’t pop in.
 
 
Current events at Comedy Store
Channel 4's Comedy Showcase event Monday 21st May
TIMES Monday 21st May 2012 - 8pm  PRICING £10
Intelligent insights from John Gordillo, plus Tom Rosenthal, Chris McCausland, Joe Lycett, Bethany Black, Pat Cahill, Celia Pacquola, Joe Wells and MC... More about this event
The Cutting Edge event Tuesday 22nd May
TIMES Tuesday 22nd May 2012 - 8pm  PRICING £14, NUS/concs £9
Ian Stone, Sean Meo, Roger Monkhouse, Imran Yusuf, Paul Thorne and Steve Gribbin... More about this event
The Best In Stand Up event Thursday 24th May
TIMES Thursday 24th May 2012 - 8pm  PRICING £18 & £25.50, NUS/concs £13 & £20.50
Jeff Innocent, Simon Evans, Jo Caulfield, Michael Smiley and MC Dave Johns, plus open spots... More about this event
King Gong event Monday 28th May
TIMES Monday 28th May 2012 - 8pm  PRICING £8, NUS/concs £5
With MC Paul Thorne.... More about this event
Comedy Store Players event Wednesday 30th May
TIMES Wednesday 30th May 2012 - 8pm  PRICING £17, NUS/concs £12
Improvised comedy from Lee Simpson, Neil Mullarkey, Richard Vranch, Andy Smart, Steve Steen and Josie Lawrence.... More about this event
 
 
Comedy, Cabaret, and Burlesque
 

Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA)

12 Carlton House Terrace, The Mall, SW1Y 5AH
The ICA boasts three galleries (exhibitions changing approximately every six weeks), a cinema, theatre, restaurant, bookshop and late bar and cafe. They also play host to series of lectures, events, late night art and music parties. Housed in elegant Regency premises on the Mall, the ICA is nonetheless a good place to start if you're looking for the very cutting edge of gallery art work.
 
 
More info: Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube
Current events at Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA)
Little Stabs At Happiness event Thursday 24th May
TIMES Thursday 24th May 2012 - 8pm  PRICING £10, concs £8, mems £5
Mark Webber curates a revival of his music and underground film club including the shorts Nitsch, Straight And Narrow and Incontinence: A Diarrhetic F... More about this event
Bridget Crone/Plenty Projects event Friday 25th May
TIMES Friday 25th May 2012 - 9.30pm  PRICING £5, mems Free
Performances by artists including Gail Pickering and Jimmy Robert.... More about this event
Cinema As Art: Talk event Saturday 26th May
TIMES Saturday 26th May 2012 - 4.30pm  PRICING £10, concs £8, mems £5
With Maeve Connolly.... More about this event
Eris event Saturday 26th May
TIMES Saturday 26th May 2012 - 9.30pm  PRICING £5, mems Free
A multimedia performance adapted from Claire Hooper's film, following the experiences of Danielle Marie Shillingford as she struggles to regain custo... More about this event
Student Symposium: On Failure event Saturday 26th May
TIMES Saturday 26th May 2012 - 10am  PRICING £10, concs £8, mems £5
Students present their research.... More about this event
 
 
Comedy, Cabaret, and Burlesque
 

Madame Jojo's

8-10 Brewer Street, W1F 0SP
This was once a sleazy Soho strip club, as the name suggests, and it really shows. Deep reds are the dominant colour, with mirrors, booths and velvet curtains creating an atmosphere of sleazy glamour. This sordid ambience makes it one of Soho's most enjoyable bars, adding a superb frisson to the many excellent early-evening comedy and cabaret events it hosts. Sundays are reliably ridiculous, with everything from burlesque to belly-dancing on offer. On Friday and Saturday nights, there's good food to accompany the early evening stage shows, then later on DJs step up for their devastatingly fashionable funk, ska and rockabilly nights, which give patrons the chance to flash their finest vintage fashion selections.
 
 
Current events at Madame Jojo's
The Good Foot event running until Friday 25th May 2012
TIMES Friday 25th May 2012 - 10pm-3am  PRICING £8, mems £5
DJ Snowboy and weekly guests spin funk, soul and retro hits.... More about this event
Kitsch Cabaret event running until Saturday 26th May 2012
TIMES Saturday 26th May 2012 - 8pm-3am  PRICING £25
A Las Vegas-style show with old-fashioned music and comedy, starring Miss Terri, Krystal and Sahara.... More about this event
Lost And Found event running until Saturday 26th May 2012
TIMES Saturday 26th May 2012 - 10pm-3am  PRICING £8, mems £5
Keb Darge and Andy Smith play blues, rockabilly, funk and Northern Soul.... More about this event
Free Your Soul event running until Sunday 27th May 2012
TIMES Sunday 20th May and Sunday 27th May 2012 - 10pm-2.30am  PRICING £5, £3 before 11pm
Resident DJs spin old skool, disco, jazz, soul, house and Latin.... More about this event
White Heat event running until Tuesday 29th May 2012
TIMES Tuesday 22nd May and Tuesday 29th May 2012 - 10.30pm-3am  PRICING £5, concs/flyer £4
DJs Matty, Olly and Marcus spin electro, techno and indie.... More about this event
Trannyshack event running until Wednesday 30th May 2012
TIMES Wednesday 23rd May and Wednesday 30th May 2012 - 10pm-3am  PRICING £5, w/flyer £3, Free before 12midnight
Miss Dusty O, Tasty Tim and Lady Lloyd spin commercial dance and pop.... More about this event
 
 
Comedy, Cabaret, and Burlesque
 

The Pigalle Club

215-217 Piccadilly, W1J 9HN
Inspired by the genteel, romantic elegance of the 1940s the Pigalle Club is located in an old tearoom and cinema dating back from the same decade. Waiters in Forties suits, big bands, live crooners and celebrities are all on hand to submerge you into another world, a sophisticated joint with a hint of subterranean subterfuge. Named after Paris's red-light district, Pigalle is decorated accordingly: mirrored walls, wood-panelling and twinkling diamond lights provide the setting for an evening of food and entertainment which can range from the swinging house band, to DJs, cabaret performers, cheeky burlesque and even the occasional impromptu celebrity act. Van Morrison and Shirley Bassey have both taken to the stage here in ad-hoc performances. An excuse to dress up (the official code is smart/casual, but most guests aim to add to the ambience with vintage styles), dine out and dance away, an invitation to stay up late here is hard to refuse.
 
 
Le Pigalle - Information
 
 
Comedy, Cabaret, and Burlesque
 

Royal Vauxhall Tavern

372 Kennington Lane, London, SE11 5HY
The Royal Vauxhall Tavern has been a gay venue since the Second World War, surviving both oppression and the great mainstreaming of gay culture that saw it lose its biggest stars (including Lily Savage) to television. It's the spiritual heart of Vauxhall's gay village, and a busy midweek program packs it out every night for bingo, comedy, music or drag acts. On weekends, queues stretch all the way round the block for Duckie, the collective who've performed their cabaret/comedy/experimental theatre show everywhere from the Barbican to New York. Straights are very welcome, but the more delicate should be aware that there is a lot of audience participation.
 
 
Current events at Royal Vauxhall Tavern
Duckie event running until Saturday 26th May 2012
TIMES Saturday 26th May 2012 - 9pm-2am  PRICING £6
The Readers Wifes spin pop, indie and cabaret at this long-running rock disco hosted by the irrepressible Amy Lame, featuring special guests every wee... More about this event
S.L.A.G.S / CHILL-OUT Sundays event running until Sunday 27th May 2012
TIMES Sunday 20th May and Sunday 27th May 2012 - 2pm-12midnight  PRICING £8, £5 before 7.30pm
Simon Le Vans, Andy Almighty and Sean Sirrs spin disco, electro and house, plus The D E Experience performs live.... More about this event
Bingo Pub Night event running until Monday 28th May 2012
TIMES Monday 21st May and Monday 28th May 2012 - 8.30pm-12midnight  PRICING £1, Free
Bingo hosted by Timberlina, with music from DJ Hey Baylen and DJ 50 Pence.... More about this event
Bar Wotever event running until Tuesday 29th May 2012
TIMES Tuesday 22nd May and Tuesday 29th May 2012 - 6pm-12midnight  PRICING Free
Camp cabaret, performance, comedy and music.... More about this event

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