A Lady in London

I go out for dinner a lot. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I ate dinner at home. Most of my meals are pretty standard: a course or three, wine, and pleasant conversation. But recently I had a dinner that involved all that and more. A lot more. It was a dinner at Volupte Burlesque Cabaret Club in London, and there was more flesh involved in my meal than just my steak.

Volupte invited me and a friend for dinner and a burlesque show. We arrived at the venue in time for a drink at the low-lit upstairs bar, after which we were led downstairs to the intimate dining room. Tables were set in two rows, and in front of them was an area that had been left clear for the show.

We ordered our dinner from a menu with all of the classics. I had soup and a steak, and my friend ordered scallops and pasta. As we settled in for the entertainment, we sipped on glasses of the house red wine.

Soon we were greeted by the emcee of the evening, a man of many magical talents. He wowed us with everything from card tricks to one-liners before introducing the first lovely lady of the night, Dolores Deluxe.

Dolores sang a song for us, tantalizing the audience with a scant outfit but not revealing anything beyond her bikini lines. When she finished, the emcee returned for more fun. It was all a bit bizarre, but in a good way.

As I worked to cool my hot soup, the burlesque show entertainment absorbed the steam. Vicious Delicious was up next, and she had a racy number that culminated with rather a lot of flesh. Almost as much as my steak. Not being adept at writing about all things burlesque, I will leave her outfit (or lack thereof) to your imagination.

The same went for the number involving ballet shoes, the act performed to a Michael Jackson song, and the classic “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend”.

Interspersed among the scantily clad women and their creative acts of seduction were more antics by the emcee. He encouraged audience participation in his card tricks, getting a girl on her hen do to pick a card out of a deck from which he then retrieved it. He even put a giant yellow balloon on his head.

At the end of the cabaret show, all of the girls came back on stage and did a final number together. They then lifted up the emcee and carried him off the stage, leaving the audience to hold its own impromptu dance party to the sounds of the DJ. It was strange. It was fun. It was a great change of pace from my normal nights out.

As my friend and I walked up the stairs to the exit, we couldn’t help but feel like the Volupte burlesque cabaret show was a great way to mix up our usual dinner routine in London. Next time I’m in the mood for food and a bit of out-of-the-ordinary entertainment, I might just go for another round.