Cabaret Mademoiselle, Brussels | A review
Burlesque cabaret – Brussels
It is purely by chance that Aliki and I came across Cabaret Mademoiselle. We were looking for a nice eatery in the LGBTQ district in the centre of Brussels when we passed in front of it. It was the word ‘cabaret’ that drew our attention. So we couldn’t help but walk in.
Delicate Mademoiselle Boop
The place
Cabaret Mademoiselle turned out to be a really pleasant surprise. The place is quite small, but that works in its favour, making the atmosphere cosy. It comprises a bar area and a small stage, on which every half an hour or so there is a Burlesque show. The decor is kept simple and minimalist, keeping the focus on the performance.
On our first visit the performers where three drag queens ‘and a real woman’, as the bearded La Veuve, the presenter, put it. They were all genuinely enjoying themselves and their good mood spilled over into the audience. The performances included the right touches of witty humour and slap-stick parodies of the songs they were mimicking on playback. All this came packaged in a splendid array of lavish dresses, more than enough to make women jealous! Mademoiselle Loulou Velvet was just ravishing!
The crowd was a very hip one: mostly well-groomed and young. It cheered good-humouredly, creating an ambiance of good fun. We felt immediately at ease.
Value for money
The entrance to the Cabaret is totally free. At some point the ladies come out amongst the crowd, collecting in hats, and they deserve every penny they get (or, in the words of La Veuve: ‘it’s Euros baby, we are in Brussels!’)
The drinks are a tad expensive -my Belgian Owl Whisky set me back 16 EUR- but that is close to the going prices in the centre of Brussels and considering that the entrance is free, it is acceptable.
Cabaret Mademoiselle, Rue du Marché au Charbon 53, 1000 Brussels
Photo credit: Cabaret Mademoiselle (Main), Couple of Secrets
