Best burlesque shows in New York City
Where to see burlesque and other sexy after-dark shows.
Knockers Up! A Benefit for the Burlesque Hall of Fame
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
An alluring cast of New York burly-Q artists—including Legs Malone, Darlinda Just Darlinda, Creamy Stevens, Kita St. Cyr, Tiny D, Boo Boo Darlin’ and Ginger Twist—take the stage to raise much-needed funds for Las Vegas’s Burlesque Hall of Fame, dedicated to preserving the memory of iconic performers from the scene’s rich heritage. The World Famous *BOB * serves as the evening’s host
- Slipper Room 167 Orchard St, at Stanton St
- Wed May 22
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.
- Slipper Room 167 Orchard St, at Stanton St
- Wed May 22
Nuit Blanche: Ginger Burlesque
- Critics choice
- Free
Dances of Vice brings a glamorous gaggle 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, saluting all the crimson-maned burlesquers out there, stars Raquel Reed, Bettina May, Gin Minsky, Madame Rosebud and Albert Cadabra; a dance party with DJ Eve Salvail follows the performances, keeping the action coming until 2am. Call 212-675-2400 for dinner reservations (or just imbibe a cocktail or three).
- Beaumarchais 409 W 13th St, between Ninth Ave and Washington St, 10014
- Wed May 22
Nurse Bettie Burlesque
- Critics choice
- Free
Shelly "The Singing Siren" Watson hosts this night of burly-Q action at the intimate Nurse Bettie, which features both nightlife newbies and stars of the Gotham scene.
- Nurse Bettie 106 Norfolk St, between Delancey and Rivington Sts, 10002
- Wed May 22
Shaken & Stirred
- Critics choice
- Free
Breathtaking burlesque, gorgeous go-go, DJ Jess on the decks—and free shots! What more could you ask for? Sugar Shack Burlesque's RunAround Sue serves as the weekly soiree's host, and an array of burly-Q performers regularly stop by to wow the crowd.
- The Delancey 168 Delancey St, at Clinton St
- Wed May 22
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.
- Kraine Theater 85 E 4th St, between Bowery and Second Ave, 10003
- Thu May 23
Cabaret des Illusions
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
- Free
The newly relocated Duane Park eatery hosts an evening of bedazzling magic and music, as Marco Frezza wows the crowd with his feats of prestidigitation, and "professional sensationalist" Amber Ray and other stars of the burlesque scene add to the night's appeal.
- Duane Park 308 Bowery, between Bleecker and E Houston Sts, 10012
- Thu May 23
Cabaret Marlene
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
Subtitled "Weekly Bump ’n' Grind in Sunnyside," this affair sees host Moe Cheezmo and burlesquer-in-residence Ruby Solitaire welcoming stars of the scene to an intimate café space. This edition features contributions from BB Heart and Francine "The Lucid Dream."
- Cafe Marlene 41-11 49th St, at Skillman Ave, 11104
- Thu May 23
Pinchbottom's Pretençión
- Rated as: 3/5
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
Theater review by Raven Snook. Elektra Theatre (see Off Broadway). By Jonathan Van Gieson. Dir. Van Gieson and Jeremy X. Halpern. With ensemble cast. 1hr 30mins. One intermission. Ostensibly a parody of over-the-top, obscure yet ubiquitous cirque spectacles, Pinchbottom's Pretençión is, at its heart, a burlesque revue that lovingly sends up itself. Following the Wizard of Oz template, a ringmistress (the wonderful, wide-eyed Tansy), an unstable clown (boylesque legend Tigger!) and an ordinary man (Murray Hill, the ultimate quipster) go on a magical journey to the land of Imaginaçión in order to regain their pretension, because without it, they fear, their burlesque is just plain old stripping. Along the way, they’re misguided by a none-too-helpful Fairy (Broadway Brassy) and four affected Jonny Porkpies, all played by writer, codirector and Pinchbottom Burlesque cofounder Jonathan Van Gieson. Like the characters, Pretençión seems to exist between two worlds: high and low, theater and nightlife, smart and stupid. There are scripted bits that leave a lot of room for improvisation, containing references to Proust and Godot as well as deliberately awful jokes about croque-monsieur. Between scenes, special guests perform superb yet seemingly unrelated acts. (Dirty Martini, Julie Atlas Muz, Jo "Boobs" Weldon and Angie Pontani—luminaries all—performed on the night attended.) Scenesters will rightfully be seduced by Pretençión, and those on the lookout for top-notch burlesque shou
- Elektra Theatre 673 Eighth Ave, between 42nd and 43rd Sts, 10036
- Thu May 23
Rhinestone Gorilla Burlesque
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
The Rhinestone Gorilla gals inaugurate Coney Island USA's burly-Q season with a semiscripted show paying tribute to their home ’hood, featuring Lucida Sans, Gemma Stone, Miss Cherry Delight, Angelique A'lamode, Kinky Demure, Debra DeLorean, Izébel Vivant, Fancy Feast, Avian Rush and Pearls Daily, with the Leisurely Wieners supplying the tunes.
- Sideshows by the Seashore 1208 Surf Ave, at 12th St, 11224
- Thu May 23
The Wiggle Room
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
This aptly named affair—"an elegant evening of booze, boobs, laughs…and boobs"—sees host Bradford Scobie welcoming an array of lovely burlesque ladies to the Slipper Room stage.
- Slipper Room 167 Orchard St, at Stanton St
- Thu May 23
!BadAss! Loves Janis
- Critics choice
The alt-burlesque babes of !BadAss!, led by Velocity Chyaldd, head to the East Village to pay tribute to a lady who was a bit of a badass herself, Janis Joplin. Juliet Jeske channels the Jack-chugging singer as the night's host, with performances coming courtesy of Cassandra Rosebeetle, Reverend Mother Flash, Delysia La Chatte, RunAround Sue, Boo Boo Darlin', Nasty Canasta, Kat Mon Dieu, Legs Malone, Dangrrr Doll, Gal Friday, Francine "The Lucid Dream" and Chyaldd herself. Faceboy and SuperMorgan are the stage masters, while Amanda Whip serves as the night's stage kitten.
- Kraine Theater 85 E 4th St, between Bowery and Second Ave, 10003
- Fri May 24
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.
- Kraine Theater 85 E 4th St, between Bowery and Second Ave, 10003
- Fri May 24
Burlesque-A-Pades Beach Party
- Critics choice
The glamorous Angie Pontani and the World Famous Pontani Sisters (Helen and Tara) are joined by an all-star cast in this salute to the coming fun-in-the-sun season. Albert Cadabra, the Maine Attraction and Tansy are on the show's enticing lineup.
- Sideshows by the Seashore 1208 Surf Ave, at 12th St, 11224
- Fri May 24
The Plume Revue
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
- Free
Duane Park presents this weekly, feather-heavy salute to hot jazz and steamy burlesque. Cunio is among the night's rotating roster of hosts, the Duane Park house band plays the tunes, and stars of the NYC burly-Q scene (Gal Friday, Tansy Tandora, Essence Revealed and Peekaboo Pointe among them) work their onstage magic. Dinner is available for $80.
- Duane Park 308 Bowery, between Bleecker and E Houston Sts, 10012
- Fri May 24
Room 69: The Hotel Chantelle Way
- Critics choice
- Free
The busy burlesque babe Calamity Chang, along with Shelly "The Singing Siren" Watson, is the host of this Friday-night parade of pulchritude on Hotel Chantelle's street-level floor, with they and their guests strutting their stuff as you tipple your cocktail.
- Hotel Chantelle 92 Ludlow St, between Broome and Delancey Sts, 10022
- Fri May 24
Sharkbite Sideshow
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
Joe the Shark brings a bit of Coney Island to the Lower East Side at this night of burlesque and sideshow diversions. Onstage action comes courtesy of Dottie Dynamo, Ivory Fox, Aurora Galore, Sukki Singapora, Leta LeNoir, Matt Knife and Tiny Dee. Scarlet Stepford is the night's stage kitten, Scooter Pie supplies additional go-go action, and Penny Pollak serves as host. If you have a shark tattoo or a scuba certification card, your admission fee is sliced in half.
The Slipper Room Show
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
Burlesque and variety headquarters the Slipper Room is back in full force, and its Friday-night shows attract the cream of the city's scene for a night of bump ’n' grind fun. Go to slipperroom.com for more info.
- Slipper Room 167 Orchard St, at Stanton St
- Fri May 24
The Sophisticates
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
This night of classic burlesque, helmed by the beauteous Madame Rosebud and MC extraordinaire Bastard Keith, returns to wow the crowd at the Flatiron District's Metropolitan Room. Stars of the NYC burlesque scene, including Dirty Martini, Tansy, Perle Noire, Bettina May, Maine Attraction, BB Heart, Jubilee Diamond and Kristina Nekyia, regularly stop by to strut their considerable stuff.
- Metropolitan Room 34 W 22nd St, between Fifth and Sixth Aves
- Fri May 24
Trixie and Monkey's Velvet Banana Cabaret
- Price band: 1/4
Burlesquers Trixie Little and the Evil Hate Monkey show off their acrobatic and comedic talents in a variety show that highlights their bananas appeal.
- Slipper Room 167 Orchard St, at Stanton St
- Fri May 24
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.
- Kraine Theater 85 E 4th St, between Bowery and Second Ave, 10003
- Sat May 25
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.
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.
- Times Scare 669 Eighth Ave, between 42nd and 43rd Sts
- Sat May 25
D20 Burlesque: 8-Bit Burlesque
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
D20 Burlesque puts on shows themed around gaming, online culture and total geekdom in general—and somehow, the crew makes it sexy! This edition, focusing on the bygone days of Super Mario Bros. and Legend of Zelda, features performances from Anja Keister, Dangrrr Doll, BB Heart, Foxy Vermouth, Teddy Turnaround, Matt Knife, Australia's Red Devotchkin and go-go babe Kita St. Cyr. Lewd Alfred Douglas spins the between-set tunes.
- Parkside Lounge 317 E Houston St, at Attorney St, 10002
- Sat May 25
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.
- Galapagos Art Space 16 Main St, at Water St
- Sat May 25
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.
- Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Café 407 W 42nd St, between Ninth and Tenth Aves, downstairs, 10036
- Sat May 25
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. =
- Slipper Room 167 Orchard St, at Stanton St
- Sat May 25
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.
- Duane Park 308 Bowery, between Bleecker and E Houston Sts, 10012
- Sat May 25
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.
- Mug Lounge 448 E 13th St, between First Ave and Ave A
- Sun May 26
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.
- Bathtub Gin 132 Ninth Ave, between 18th and 19th Sts
- Sun May 26
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.
- Parkside Lounge 317 E Houston St, at Attorney St, 10002
- Mon May 27
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.
- Hotel Chantelle 92 Ludlow St, between Broome and Delancey Sts, 10022
- Mon May 27
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.
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.
- Bathtub Gin 132 Ninth Ave, between 18th and 19th Sts
- Tue May 28
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.
- Slipper Room 167 Orchard St, at Stanton St
- Wed May 29
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).
- Beaumarchais 409 W 13th St, between Ninth Ave and Washington St, 10014
- Wed May 29
Nurse Bettie Burlesque
- Critics choice
- Free
Shelly "The Singing Siren" Watson hosts this night of burly-Q action at the intimate Nurse Bettie, which features both nightlife newbies and stars of the Gotham scene.
- Nurse Bettie 106 Norfolk St, between Delancey and Rivington Sts, 10002
- Wed May 22
Shaken & Stirred
- Critics choice
- Free
Breathtaking burlesque, gorgeous go-go, DJ Jess on the decks—and free shots! What more could you ask for? Sugar Shack Burlesque's RunAround Sue serves as the weekly soiree's host, and an array of burly-Q performers regularly stop by to wow the crowd.
- The Delancey 168 Delancey St, at Clinton St
- Wed May 22
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