Best burlesque shows in New York City

Where to see burlesque and other sexy after-dark shows.

Brown Girls Burlesque: Solid Soul

  • Price band: 2/4
  • Critics choice

The Brown Girls Burlesque troupe pays tribute to two shows that provided the funk- and disco-fueled teenage soundtrack to those of us of a certain age: Soul Train and Solid Gold. Chicava HoneyChild, Miss Aurora Boobrealis, exHOTic Other, Jazabel Jade, Sister Selva, Bianca Dagga and DT UndaCova are among the performers; let's hope they reenact Soul Train's line-dance segment.

  1. Kraine Theater 85 E 4th St, between Bowery and Second Ave, 10003
  2. Sat May 25
More info

Bawdy with Jesse Luttrell

  • Price band: 2/4

Cabaret trollop Jesse Luttrell headlines this monthly gender-bent retro revue. Ever-changing guests include drag stars, comedians, burlesque hotties and various other nightlife creatures. For more information, go to bawdyshow.com.

  1. Stage 72 158 W 72nd St, between Columbus Ave and Broadway
  2. Sat May 25
More info

Dead Sexy

  • Price band: 2/4
  • Critics choice

The inimitable Jonny Porkpie joins forces with Jeremy X. Halpern to present this weekly neoburlesque-oriented show in the unlikely setting of Times Scare. (Given the venue, expect performances to skew a bit toward the eerie/creepy end of the burly-Q spectrum.) Tonight's show sees the likes of Calamity Chang, Darlinda Just Darlinda, Harvest Moon, Lil Miss Lixx, Peekaboo Pointe, Pinkie Special and Hula-Hoop specialist Ferro taking the stage; Baron Von Weirdo and Schäffer the Darklord are tonight's hosts.

  1. Times Scare 669 Eighth Ave, between 42nd and 43rd Sts
  2. Sat May 25
More info

Floating Kabarette

  • Price band: 2/4
  • Critics choice

Galapagos hosts this long-running, crowd-pleasing cabaret night, featuring a rotating cast of amazing performers—expect burlesque, magic, trapeze and much more. Check the venue's website for each week's cast.

  1. Galapagos Art Space 16 Main St, at Water St
  2. Sat May 25
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Le Scandal Cabaret

  • Price band: 2/4
  • Critics choice

Bonnie Dunn, the MC-chanteuse behind this burlesque-circuit stalwart, presides over a lively mix of stand-up, magic, acrobatics and high-concept strip. The city’s longest-running girlie revue, Le Scandal is still looking young, hot and ready to party.

  1. Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Café 407 W 42nd St, between Ninth and Tenth Aves, downstairs, 10036
  2. Sat May 25
More info

Mr. Choade's Upstairs Downstairs

  • Price band: 2/4
  • Critics choice

The Slipper Room presents this long-running night (since 1999!), with stars of the burlesque, vaudeville and sideshow scenes strutting their stuff. =

  1. Slipper Room 167 Orchard St, at Stanton St
  2. Sat May 25
More info

The Tassel Room

  • Price band: 3/4
  • Critics choice

Duane Park’s Saturday night show features classy burlesque and old-school jazz. Irrepressible downtown impresario Murray Hill hosts; performers Amber Ray, Gal Friday and their pals twirl the titular tassels; and swing quintet the Stiff Gimlets provides the soundtrack. The price also includes a three-course feast with your choice of dishes from the Southern-inspired menu, such as spicy Creole bouillabaisse.

  1. Duane Park 308 Bowery, between Bleecker and E Houston Sts, 10012
  2. Sat May 25
More info

Kitty Nights Burlesque

  • Price band: 1/4
  • Critics choice

This burlesque show has been purring along since 2006, featuring Fem Appeal and stars of the local scene titillating the crowd on a weekly basis with their bump-and-grind allure. Go to kittynights.com for more information.

  1. Mug Lounge 448 E 13th St, between First Ave and Ave A
  2. Sun May 26
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Wasabassco Sundays at Bathtub Gin

  • Price band: 2/4
  • Critics choice
  • Free

Doc Wasabassco leads his parade of vaudevillians and burlesque beauties to this speakeasy-style boîte every Sunday. This evening of bump ’n’ grind action features lovely ladies Evelyn Vinyl, Hazel Honeysuckle, Medianoche and Nasty Canasta, along with their burly-Q buddies. Go to wasabassco.com for more info.

  1. Bathtub Gin 132 Ninth Ave, between 18th and 19th Sts
  2. Sun May 26
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Empire Beats' Juke Joint Revue One-Year Anniversary

  • Price band: 1/4
  • Critics choice

Rhythm & blues combo Empire Beats, featuring vocalist Camille Atkinson, marks a full year of music, burlesque, comedy and more at the lovably divey Parkside Lounge. Burly-Q performers Lavinia Draper, Miss Poison Ivory, Genie Adagio, Plucky Charms and Wae Messed add to the celebration's hoopla.

  1. Parkside Lounge 317 E Houston St, at Attorney St, 10002
  2. Mon May 27
More info

Monday Night Bingo

  • Critics choice
  • Free

Hosts Linda Simpson ("In the know and on the go!") and Murray Hill ("the hardest-working middle-aged man in show business") team up for a night of alt-bingo mirth every Monday on the Lower East Side. Admission is free, but a game card will cost you two clams.

  1. Hotel Chantelle 92 Ludlow St, between Broome and Delancey Sts, 10022
  2. Mon May 27
More info

Strip Club

  • Price band: 1/4
  • Critics choice

Once a month, Kristen Lee and Veronica Vroom present their dreamland version of the strip-club world, with the Moth's Peter Aguero serving as host, Rosabelle Selavy adding her acrobatic skills to the onstage activities and DJ Stevie C spinning the bump-and-grind beats. This month's special guest is Mary Cyn.

  1. R Bar 218 Bowery, between Prince and Spring Sts
  2. Tue May 28
More info

Wasabassco Tuesdays at Bathtub Gin

  • Critics choice
  • Free

Doc Wasabassco returns to this speakeasy-style drinkery every Tuesday, with Evelyn Vinyl, Hazel Honeysuckle, Medianoche, Nasty Canasta and their burlesque pals strutting their salacious stuff.

  1. Bathtub Gin 132 Ninth Ave, between 18th and 19th Sts
  2. Tue May 28
More info

Glitter Gutter

  • Price band: 1/4
  • Critics choice

This evening of old-school downtown entertainment (burlesque, comedy, sideshow performances and more) is fast and loose–and sometimes messy. Each week brings a unique show. Go to slipperroom.com for more info.

  1. Slipper Room 167 Orchard St, at Stanton St
  2. Wed May 29
More info

Nuit Blanche: Film Noir Burlesque

  • Critics choice
  • Free

Dances of Vice brings a glamorous collection of glittering showgirls and exotic performers to the Meatpacking District; the burlesque affair features three sets in an all-new production each week. Tonight's show salutes the stylishly shadowy world of film noir, with femmes fatale Cassandra Rosebeetle, Marlo Marquise, Jenny Rocha and Hazel Honeysuckle joined by Dandy Wellington; a dance party with DJ Eve Salvail follows the performances, keeping the action coming until 2am. For dinner reservations, call 212-675-2400 (or just imbibe a cocktail or three).

  1. Beaumarchais 409 W 13th St, between Ninth Ave and Washington St, 10014
  2. Wed May 29
More info
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Comments & ratings

Rated as: 5/5 (1 rating)
  • New Burlesque Late Night Shows at The Metropolitan Room starts in June 2012.

    Bernie Furshpan Sun May 27 2012
    Rated as: 5/5
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