Fucking events: London's burlesque scene goes underground

There’s a whole world sizzling beneath (and sometimes atop) London’s main streets. Burlesque is a decades old form of erotic entertainment, but it’s still alive and well in these dapper venues hosting regular sexy revues featuring London’s finest. 

Cellar Door



This intimate venue beneath Aldwych takes the term “underground” quite literally. Follow the steps down to a world akin to 30’s Berlin and relish in nightly performances that will get your blood pumping and heart thumping.


July 13th - Cabaret Voltaire: Either get in free or reserve your seat at this weekly cabaret. Featuring the best of Edinburgh Fringe plus live burlesque by Cellar Door newcomers (the more experienced performers come out later in the week). 


July 14th - Kit Kat Kabaret: Tonight the venue’s seasoned performers come out to tease and titillate. The show starts at 9 and goes until 1. Reserve your seats and get served complimentary champagne or Vedett. 


July 15th - Friday Folies: Pete the piano player and Cellar Door’s own Femmes Fatales take the stage for Friday cabaret and burlesque. In addition to the usual wines, beers, and spirits, the back bar carries snuff in various flavors.


July 16th - Saturday Night Diva: DJs in drag spin live beats while burlesque beauties grace the stage. Free entry starts at 6 PM. Settle into a cozy couch or dark corner and sit back and enjoy the show.

Hippodrome Casino


A more modern and lavish experience than the dark underground of Cellar Door, Hippodrome is not only home of classy burlesque, but also of London’s largest casino, an elegant theatre, and a savory steak house.


July 14th-17th - Blanc de Blanc: Brought to you by the masterminds behind Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour, Blanc de Blanc is a hot circus show featuring beautiful bendy bodies, acrobatic talents, lots of skin, and saucy tunes to keep you in the mood. Only those 18 and over will be admitted. (If you’ve got a young face, bring ID!)


July 16th - The Soho Burlesque Club: £15 buys you an evening of raunchy and risqué burlesque featuring Kitty Bang Bang (2014 winner of Best Burlesque at the London Cabaret Awards), Bettsie Bon Bon, Beau Rocks, and Ayesha H. Comedy will cool you off after luscious live performers heat you up, but don’t worry, the tantalizing circus act will warm you right back up.



House of Burlesque


Offering more than just engaging performances, The House of Burlesque cultivates sexiness and creativity in their classes and workshops geared toward those looking to learn about burlesque for fun or in a professional context.


July 16th - Speakeasy: Tempest Rose presents a night of learning and living London’s Burlesque spirit. The occasion starts with a 5 PM class for burlesque beginners and culminates in a 6:30 show. On stage there will be fan holding goddesses, tassel wearing princesses, sparkly circus performers, and inspiring cabaret. Arrive early, happy hour goes from 6-7. 


Keep your eyes peeled for our next installment of sex-positive events to get you through the summer heat. (And if you’ll be spending any of that time in the US, drop by thiswink.com for what America has to offer open minded travellers.)

Zoë Tersche is a New York-based writer focusing on fetish sexuality and the freedom of sexual expression. Follow her on Twitter @ZoeTersche and find out more about her here.