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Comedy, Cabaret, and Burlesque
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.

Bethnal Green Working Men's Cub
44-46 Pollard Row, London, E2 6NBUntil 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.
TIMES 9pm-2am. No entry after midnight. PRICING £5, £3 concessions
Here's a chance for all you misfits, non-conformists and generally lovely party people to indulge in a little judgement free disco dancing this Valen... More about this event


Bistrotheque
23 - 27 Wadeson Street, London, E2 9DNFor 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.

CellarDoor
Zero Aldwych, WC2R 0HTThe 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
TIMES Thursday 16th February and Thursday 23rd February 2012 - 9pm PRICING Free
Resident DJs play jazz and swing, plus live act Kitty La Roar and Nick of Time.... More about this event

TIMES Friday 17th February and Friday 24th February 2012 - 9pm PRICING Free
A burlesque show starring striptease artiste Miss Beatrix Von Bourbon.... More about this event

TIMES Saturday 18th February and Saturday 25th February 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

TIMES Sunday 19th February and Sunday 26th February 2012 - 9pm PRICING Free
The pianist plays jazz standards.... More about this event

TIMES 13th February, 20th February and 27th February 2012 - 4pm PRICING Free
Performance artist Michael Twaits entertains with a cross-dressing show.... More about this event

TIMES 14th February, 21st February and 28th February 2012 - 9pm PRICING Free
Champagne Charlie hosts this open mic night.... More about this event


Comedy Cafe
66 Rivington Street, EC2A3AYThe 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
TIMES Wednesday 29th February 2012 - 8pm PRICING Free
... More about this event

TIMES Friday 2nd March 2012 - 8pm PRICING £12
Sharp and edgy storytelling from Canadian stand-up Tom Stade, plus Michael Legge, Ola The Comedian and Mick Ferry.... More about this event


Comedy Store
Haymarket House, 1a Oxendon Street, SW1Y 4EEThe
TIMES Thursday 16th February 2012 - 8pm PRICING £18 & £23
Slick stand-up and banter from John Fothergill, plus Carl Donnelly, Addy Van Der Borgh and MC Joe Bor.... More about this event

TIMES Monday 20th February 2012 - 8pm PRICING £12, concs £10
Rap-infused stand-up from Doc Brown, plus Tony Law, Al Pitcher, Keith Farnan, Josh Howie, John Lynn, Ian Stone, Elis James, Paul Sweeney, James Mullin... More about this event

TIMES Tuesday 21st February 2012 - 8pm PRICING £14, concs/NUS £9
Topical comedy from Ian Stone, Sean Collins, Stephen Grant, Rob Rouse, Steve Gribbin and Paul Sinha.... More about this event

TIMES Monday 27th February 2012 - 8pm PRICING £8, concs £5
With MC Mick Ferry.... More about this event


Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA)
12 Carlton House Terrace, The Mall, SW1Y 5AHThe 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.
TIMES Saturday 18th February 2012 - 9pm PRICING £8, concs £7, mems £5
Art-rock by the London-based outfit.... More about this event

TIMES Saturday 18th February 2012 - 12.30pm PRICING £8, NUS/mems £5, concs £7
Presentations, talks, events, and film screenings about the Polish duo's work.... More about this event

TIMES 25th January 2012 to 25th March 2012 - Various Times PRICING Free
A survey of artists' serial publications.... More about this event

TIMES 25th January 2012 to 25th March 2012 - Various Times PRICING Free
Experimental films spanning the artist's career, challenging perceptions of the medium as a tool of communication.... More about this event


Madame Jojo's
8-10 Brewer Street, W1F 0SPThis 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
TIMES Wednesday 15th February and Wednesday 22nd February 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

TIMES Friday 17th February and Friday 24th February 2012 - 10pm-3am PRICING £8, mems £5
DJ Snowboy and weekly guests spin funk, soul and retro hits.... More about this event

TIMES Saturday 18th February and Saturday 25th February 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

TIMES Saturday 18th February and Saturday 25th February 2012 - 10pm-3am PRICING £5
Keb Darge and Andy Smith play blues, rockabilly, funk and Northern Soul.... More about this event

TIMES Sunday 19th February and Sunday 26th February 2012 - 10pm-2.30am PRICING £5, £3 before 11pm
Resident DJs spin old skool, disco, jazz, soul, house and Latin.... More about this event

TIMES 14th February, 21st February and 28th February 2012 - 10.30pm-3am PRICING £4-£5
DJs Matty, Olly and Marcus spin electro, techno and indie.... More about this event


The Pigalle Club
215-217 Piccadilly, W1J 9HNInspired 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.

Royal Vauxhall Tavern
372 Kennington Lane, London, SE11 5HYThe
TIMES Saturday 18th February and Saturday 25th February 2012 - 9pm-2am PRICING £6
The resident DJs spin pop, indie and cabaret.... More about this event

TIMES Sunday 19th February and Sunday 26th February 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

TIMES 13th February, 20th February and 27th February 2012 - 8.30pm-12midnight PRICING admission Free, £1 per game
Bingo hosted by Timberlina, with music from DJ Hey Baylen and DJ 50 Pence.... More about this event

TIMES 14th February, 21st February and 28th February 2012 - 6pm-12midnight PRICING Free
Camp cabaret, performance, comedy and music.... More about this event

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