Cabaret restaurants.
You might think they’re trying to juggle too much at once.
But if anyone can hack it, it’s Proud – the cabaret nightclub which has no sooner closed its Camden doors than lowered the drawbridge on its vast, Moulin Rouge-esque restaurant-meets-bar-meets-theatre right on the Thames.
Perched directly beneath Waterloo Bridge, it’s a gorgeous, double-height space filled with wood panelled walls, grand staircases and Belle Epoque touches. On the ground floor, you’ll find a fleet of waiters bussing pan-Asian dishes between candlelit cabaret tables (perfect for impressing a date); while the next storey up holds the first-floor cocktail lounge overlooking the stage (perfect for impressing a date… with cocktails).
On that stage nightly is an insanely talented cast of acrobats, magicians, contortionists, singers, can-can dancers and burlesque artists; plus death-defying performances of the circus industry’s most dangerous act, the Cyr Wheel. In fact, the only thing you won’t see on there will be aerial performers.
Because they’ll be swooping with daredevil aplomb above your head, instead.
And if you find yourself wondering if you can can-can too, sink another sazarac and join the rabble when they push the tables back and the whole place turns into a vast, 750 capacity nightclub, where you’ll be able to break a hip unleash your high-kicks until 5am.
By which point, you should feel pretty Proud, too.
NOTE: Proud Embankment is open Thurs-Sat. The show line-ups differ from night to night; check the programme on their website HERE to see what you can expect.
Proud Embankment | 8 Victoria Embankment, WC2R 2AB
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Carpe Diem!