The Gilded Lounge on George Street has launched sold-out Friday and Saturday cabaret nights after owners were inspired by a London show, bringing fire eaters, contortionists and live jazz to Hull for £30 a ticket
A fire eater at The Gilded Lounge in Hull(Image: Submitted)
A popular entertainment space is injecting a little pizazz into Hull’s evening scene by offering cabaret nights – complete with fire eaters, live music and a chance to dress up for the occasion.
The Gilded Lounge on George Street has re-vamped its weekend offerings after owners Paul and Beverley Hazell visited a cabaret show in London, and dreamed of bringing the concept back to Hull. Paul said: “We went to a cabaret show in London and were blown away by it. We thought: ‘Is Hull ready for something like this?’ It’s an immersive theatre cabaret show.”
The cabaret show Paul speaks of is at Belle Livingstone’s 58th Street Country Club in Peckham, South East London. The jazz club is well known for its subversive and interactive dining and theatre experiences. Paul said he and Beverley paid £147 per ticket for the show. The Gilded Lounge charges £30 for entry, which includes a glass of prosecco and canapes.
The show debuted last weekend and tickets were sold out on both Friday and Saturday nights. The show will run every Friday and Saturday for the coming weeks, with concepts changing every six weeks or so. Guests are greeted by a house jazz pianist, called “Mr Rogers” who is described as a “master of melody, magician of the keys”. There is also a fire eater, contortionist, and singers bringing the 1920s and 1930s vibes. Musical entertainment is provided on saxophone and by local singer Sunny Stevens-Booth. Paul said: “The minute you walk in it’s a party atmosphere, from the minute you walk in, to going home. Everyone was just mesmerised by everything.”
Paul began his career performing in Hull as a comedy hypnotist. Always an entertainer, Paul said: “I wanted to open a comedy club so I opened The Comedy Lounge and did it for nine years. It has been very successful. But we noticed that other places were doing comedy more and more now. We thought that we’d try and do something that Hull isn’t offering.” He credits Beverley with the idea of bringing cabaret to The Gilded Lounge.
The Comedy Lounge’s upstairs venue, The Stage Door, is still welcoming comic acts and tributes. Downstairs – in the Gilded Lounge – is where you’ll find the cabaret, which has a fully-licensed bar. The pair say they’ve had great reviews from their opening weekend. Each £30 ticket includes a welcome drink and canapes, with cheese boards available for purchase.
Reviews on The Gilded Lounge’s Facebook page rave about the atmosphere which had an “old school jazz feel with great music, atmosphere and entertainment”. It continued: “The ticket price is a real snip for the quality of the show and there is nothing else like it in the area”. Another reviewer described it as “an amazing night from start to finish”.
Those choosing to attend are encouraged to take part by dressing to impress. The Gilded Lounge gives style guidance on its websites for attendees, saying “for a perfect match with the lounge’s vibe, we recommend polished evening wear. Above all, wear what makes you feel fabulous and ready for a night of music, cocktails and timeless glamour.” The website describes a “sophisticated evening” with “a dash of old-world glamour – black, white, metallics, rich textures and striking details. Tailored suits, elegant dresses, satin, silk, velvet, sequins, and subtle vintage accents are all warmly welcomed.”
Paul said: “Other than in London, there’s nowhere that we know of that’s offering things like this. We were blown away by the reviews from the weekend. Everyone dressed up and looked really really nice. I hope it lifts people up. I hope it goes and goes again now, I’m sure it will.”
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