The club is smokey, without there being any real smoke, and lit
by red, tassled lamps as waitresses in bustiers, stockings and
suspender belts cruise the room taking drink orders.
Normally the domain of West End clubs like the Windmill, the
Stork or Raymond's Review Bar burlesque has suddenly made an
unexpected foray into North London.
And not to just anywhere in North London, but to Camden Town -
heartland of the capital's indie band scene and shops that sell
strange paraphernalia for 'legal' and non-legal highs.
Even though the Roundhouse theatre venue is just up the road it
feels like a fairly non-conformist place to stick a cabaret club,
but local entrepreneur Alex Proud doesn't think so.
The launch of The Proud Cabaret Camden, after a £150,000
refit of the former Proud Kitchen, introduces a hitherto unseen
level of glamour to the area. It's other incarnation near Fenchurch
Street station caters very much to the City crowd, so this is a
gamble, a venture into the unknown.
The club's opening night acts evoked the stylishness of
burlesque, that has been repopularised by Dita Von Teese.
Performers such as Banbury Cross, Annette Bette Kellow and Betsy
Rose dance traditional burlesque, while other artistes, such as
Marnie Scarlett, bring a harder-edged fetish element to
proceedings.
They also have a very good house piano man, called James, who
looks like a throwback to the 1950s and croons versions of
Radiohead and Jeff Buckley songs.
Proud admitted: "We've made various attempts to get the
restaurant right and each time it hasn't worked.
"This time, after a lot of hard work we've created an
inspirational venue, that serves great food and puts on the best
cabaret in London."
The club itself is smokey, without there being any real smoke,
has black leather banquettes around the edges and red, tassled
lamps for lighting. Waitresses in bustiers, stockings and suspender
belts cruise the room taking drink orders.
The food is first rate and the cost, on nights such as these, a
very reasonable £26 per person for a show and three course
dinner.
Courses are served between acts, of which there are three: each
showcasing two burlesque performers and the restaurant's
fast-talking compere, a funny, enigmatic woman called Miss Vicious
Delicious.
If there is a downside, it's fighting your way through the acid
house club next door to get to the cloak room - but that's Camden
for you.
The Proud Cabaret Camden can be found at The Stables Market,
London NW1 8AH.
www.proudcabaret.com