Burlesque in London: The Best Shows and What to Expect

Burlesque has quietly become one of London’s most popular nights out, and it is easy to see why. It is glamorous, funny, a little cheeky and a world away from a standard club. If you have never been, here is what to expect and where to find the best of it.

What a burlesque night is really like

First, let us clear up the biggest myth. Burlesque is not a strip club. It is a variety show built around theatrical tease, dazzling costumes, live music, comedy and a lot of wink-at-the-audience charm. The art is in the build-up and the performance, not the reveal. Expect feather fans, sharp choreography, a compere with quick wit, and a room that has dressed up and is in on the fun. For more on the art form itself, see our beginner’s guide to what burlesque actually is.

Where to see burlesque in London

London has options for every budget. At the glossy, big-night end you have immersive dinner-and-show venues like The London Cabaret Club and the notorious Box in Soho, where cabaret tips into full-blown spectacle. Around town you will find long-running cabaret rooms, supper clubs and one-off nights in venues from Shoreditch to the West End. Soho and Covent Garden are the traditional heartland, but the scene has spread right across the city.

How to do it right

A few pointers. Book ahead for the big venues, especially at weekends. Dress up, because half the fun is being part of the glamour, and most places love a bit of vintage flair. Go with a group or a date, as it works brilliantly for both. And arrive ready to join in, because a good compere will play with the crowd.

Burlesque slots perfectly into a bigger evening. Pair it with dinner and cocktails at one of the best bars in London, or fold it into a full gentleman’s guide night or a luxury evening in London. However you build it, it is one of the more memorable ways to spend a night in the city. For the wider picture, our guide to London after dark rounds up the rest.