25
Nov,2025
When you walk into Haus of Cabaret in London, you don’t just sit down to watch a show-you step into a living, breathing world of glitter, grit, and pure unapologetic joy. Every Thursday through Saturday, this Soho basement transforms from a quiet alleyway haunt into a roaring hub of drag queens, burlesque dancers, comedians, and live musicians who refuse to play it safe. No velvet ropes. No pretense. Just real people, real talent, and a crowd that shows up to laugh, cheer, and sometimes cry right along with the performers.
What Makes Haus of Cabaret Different?
Most cabaret venues in London try to feel fancy. Haus of Cabaret doesn’t. It’s not about Michelin-starred cocktails or white-glove service. It’s about the raw, messy, electric energy of live performance that doesn’t wait for permission to be great. The stage is small, the lighting is bold, and the sound system thumps like a heartbeat. You’re never more than five feet from someone mid-sing, mid-sashay, or mid-joke that had the whole room gasping.
Unlike upscale cabarets that book touring acts, Haus of Cabaret is homegrown. Most of the performers live in London, train here, and show up week after week to refine their craft. You’ll see the same face one Thursday and notice they’ve added a new lip-sync routine, a new costume, or a new punchline. That’s the magic-you’re watching artists evolve in real time.
Thursday Nights: The Warm-Up That Feels Like a Party
Thursday is the night the regulars show up. The crowd is looser, the drinks are cheaper, and the energy is like a group of friends throwing a surprise party in their living room-except the living room has a 20-foot stage and a DJ spinning disco bangers between acts.
The lineup usually kicks off with a local drag king doing a parody of a 90s pop anthem, followed by a burlesque performer who turns a feather boa into a story about heartbreak. Then comes the surprise guest: maybe a spoken word poet who slams a piece about growing up queer in a council flat, or a musician who plays ukulele covers of metal songs. No two Thursdays are the same.
It’s not the most polished night of the week-but it’s the most honest. If you’ve never seen live cabaret before, Thursday is the perfect entry point. The performers know you’re new. They’ll wink at you, hand you a glitter sticker, and make you feel like you’ve been invited into the inner circle.
Friday Nights: The Peak of the Chaos
Friday is when the city shows up. Tourists, influencers, artists, and people who just need to forget their Monday morning show up in droves. The line snakes down the street by 8 p.m. The bar runs out of the signature ‘Candy Crush’ cocktail-vodka, elderflower, crushed candy, and a shot of lime-before midnight.
This is when the headline acts hit the stage. Think: drag legends like Miss Demeanour, who won RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and now brings her full theatrical production to Haus every Friday. Or Vixen Vortex, whose lip-sync to a 1980s synth-pop anthem has been watched over 12 million times online-but seeing it live, with the crowd screaming along and confetti raining down, is something else entirely.
The show runs about 90 minutes with no intermission. There’s no pause to reset. One act ends, the lights cut, and the next one is already on stage. It’s fast, it’s loud, and it’s designed to leave you breathless. By the end, you’re not sure if you clapped harder for the dancer who did a backflip off a ladder or the comedian who roasted a customer in the front row and made them laugh harder than anyone else in the room.
Saturday Nights: The Grand Finale
Saturday is when Haus of Cabaret turns into a celebration. It’s not just a show-it’s a ritual. The crowd is packed shoulder to shoulder. People come in full drag, in suits with glitter on their cheeks, in matching outfits with their friends. The energy isn’t just excited-it’s communal.
The Saturday lineup is always the most ambitious. You’ll get a full-scale musical number with six performers, a live band playing original songs written for the show, and a finale that involves the entire cast dancing on tables while the audience sings along to a 2000s dance hit. There’s often a surprise guest too-last month it was a former West End star who came out in full sequins to perform a duet with a 19-year-old drag queen who had never been on stage before.
By 11 p.m., the room is sweating, the floor is sticky, and everyone is still dancing. The show doesn’t end with a bow. It ends with the cast handing out glitter tattoos and taking selfies with anyone who wants one. There’s no separation between performer and audience. You’re not watching them-you’re part of it.
What to Expect When You Go
You don’t need to dress up. But most people do. You’ll see everything from leather jackets and jeans to full corsets and wigs that take up half the room. No one gets judged. No one asks you to “tone it down.”
The venue holds about 150 people. Tickets sell out fast-especially on Friday and Saturday. You can book online, but if you’re spontaneous, show up an hour before doors open and you might get a standby spot. The cover is £15 on Thursday, £20 on Friday, and £25 on Saturday. Drinks are reasonably priced: £7 for a pint, £9 for a cocktail. The bar runs on cash and card, but there’s an ATM inside.
There’s no seating chart. You get in, you find a spot, and you claim it. Some people bring cushions. Others stand at the front and never move. The stage is low, so even if you’re in the back, you’ll see everything. There’s a small balcony with a few tables, but it fills up fast. If you’re with a group, get there early.
Who Is This For?
This isn’t just for LGBTQ+ people. It’s not just for drag fans. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider and found a place where they belong. It’s for the 70-year-old man who comes every week because he says the show reminds him of his youth. It’s for the 18-year-old who just came out and needs to see someone like them owning the stage. It’s for the straight couple who thought they’d hate it-and left crying because they’d never seen anything so real.
Haus of Cabaret doesn’t sell tickets to a show. It sells tickets to a feeling. To being seen. To being wild without apology. To laughing until your stomach hurts and dancing like no one’s watching-even though everyone is.
What’s Next for Haus of Cabaret?
They’ve started a monthly open mic night called ‘No Rules, Just Rhythm’-anyone can sign up to perform. They’re working on a podcast featuring backstage interviews with performers. And they’re launching a small merch line with designs made by the cast themselves. One T-shirt says: ‘I Came for the Glitter. Stayed for the Truth.’
There’s talk of expanding to a second venue in Peckham next year. But for now, it’s still just this basement in Soho. Still just three nights a week. Still just a group of people who turned a forgotten space into a sanctuary.
Don’t wait for someone to invite you. Go alone. Go with your best friend. Go with your mom. Go because you need to remember what it feels like to be completely, unapologetically alive.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance for Haus of Cabaret?
Yes, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets often sell out 2-3 days in advance. Thursday shows have more availability, but even then, it’s safer to book ahead. You can reserve online through their official website or at the box office, which opens two hours before showtime.
Is Haus of Cabaret suitable for children?
No. The shows contain adult themes, strong language, sexual humor, and nudity in some acts. The venue enforces a strict 18+ policy. ID is checked at the door, and no exceptions are made-even for teens accompanied by adults.
Can I take photos or videos during the show?
Still photos without flash are allowed during the performance, but video recording is strictly prohibited. The performers rely on live ticket sales and don’t want their acts shared online without permission. You’re welcome to take selfies in the lobby before or after the show, and many performers will pose for photos with fans after the final curtain.
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Haus of Cabaret has a ramp entrance, accessible restrooms, and designated wheelchair spaces in the front of the main floor. If you need assistance or have specific accessibility needs, call ahead-the staff will help arrange seating and ensure your night runs smoothly.
What time do the shows start and end?
Doors open at 8 p.m., and the show starts at 9 p.m. sharp. There’s no intermission. The performance ends around 10:30 p.m., but the party doesn’t stop. Many people stay until midnight or later, dancing to the DJ or chatting with performers at the bar.
Can I book a private event at Haus of Cabaret?
Yes. They host private bookings for birthdays, anniversaries, and corporate events. Minimum spend applies, and the venue can tailor the show to your group. Contact them directly via their website to discuss options. Private events are usually held on Sundays or Mondays when the venue is closed to the public.
What to Do After the Show
Don’t rush out. The real magic doesn’t end when the lights come up. Most performers stick around after the show to chat, sign autographs, or just grab a drink. If you’re feeling bold, say hi. Many of them will remember your name by the end of the night.
There’s a tiny record shop next door that stays open until 2 a.m. and plays vinyl from the 70s to today. A few doors down, there’s a 24-hour diner where the staff know the cast by name. You’ll see them there at 3 a.m., eating fries and laughing like they just won the lottery.
Haus of Cabaret isn’t just a venue. It’s a community. And once you’ve been, you’re never really gone.
