“Burlesque does have an element of striptease to it, but you wouldn’t really ‘get off’ on it,” says Karen Farini, co-founder of Volupté, “It’s theatrical, flamboyant and sexy in a kitsch, comic way."

Volupté offers relaxed surroundings to enjoy a tantalising array of often saucy burlesque-inspired performers. The London bar, club and restaurant opened in November 2006 after Farini and co-founder Denise Farrell had worked for more than a year to get the venue up and running. “We set out to create a place with great service and live entertainment which everyone could come to. One night a while ago we had two people on their first date, a couple celebrating their wedding anniversary and a stag night. We get old and young, attached and single, gay and straight. It’s a complete range.”

Burlesque originated in Italy, but was popularised in 1800s France before being transported to America during the great depression of the 1930s. Recently it has enjoyed something of a partial revival aided by such performers as Marilyn Manson’s ex-wife, Dita Von Teese.

However, despite Time Out magazine now having a section for cabaret (which includes burlesque), initially Farini saw mainstream acceptance of the adult art form being a long way off, as demonstrated in the challenges she faced in getting Volupté off the ground.

“We had problems with the legal practice next door. They saw burlesque on our licence application and thought ‘Oh shit’, and so they took us to a hearing. The problem was on our own application form. Like an idiot, I wrote ‘no nipple exposure’,” she laughs. “So that made things a bit difficult. But we told them we’re all about old fashioned glamour, getting dressed-up and leaving behind the mundane aspects of life. It’s so much more than just striptease.”

Volupté is situated in the heart of Holborn amongst the glittering skyscrapers of the booming city. Farini originally wanted to be located in Shoreditch, but competition for bars and clubs meant she was unable to secure a licence. ”We knew that we would have to do a lot of marketing, being in Holborn,” she laughs, “but because we’re so specialised people come to us for what we do. In a sense its better as they have to make an effort. Plus we don’t get drunken idiots walking in from the street. It’s quite cute being located at the bottom of an office block as people walk in and are amazed at what they find. It’s like a little chocolate box in the middle of the corporate world.”

Set on two levels, Volupté features an art deco-inspired bar, an intimate club and a restaurant. “We don’t have a stage, as it’s a sit-down cabaret. You can have dinner and drinks and then watch the show. A lot of performers weave their way amongst the tables. The singers sometimes perform on the tables or on the grand piano.” Farini pauses to point up towards two hooks in the ceiling. “Then we also have the swings.”

The Volupté performers range from jazz bands to outright striptease artists and the club can draw on a huge variety of acts as it also operates as a performer agency (key performers include the elegant Miss Vicky Butterfly, the flexible Kitty Bang Bang and the, er, entertaining Crimson Skye, who performs a striptease from a straight jacket).

“Anyone wanting to watch a show is advised to book and pay for tickets in advance as the 70 capacity fills up pretty quickly. One Christmas, for instance, every day was at capacity taken up by a corporate party. They love it. We can tailor their evening entirely to specification. We’ve even had a few of the lawyers in from next door for a show. And they had a great time.”

Can you imagine?

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