Phoenix Arts Club

A Hidden Gem Behind the Theatre

Located at 1 Phoenix Street in London's West End, the Phoenix Arts Club remains deliberately obscured from casual passersby, hidden behind the Phoenix Theatre itself. This concealment is entirely intentional—part of the venue's mystique and charm. For over three decades, it has cultivated a reputation as one of London's best-kept secrets, a place where theatre-goers and locals alike discover an alternative to the polished, corporate entertainment that dominates the West End. The club occupies a unique position in London's cultural landscape: neither fully a restaurant nor entirely a nightclub, but rather a hybrid space where dining, drinking, and performance art converge in deliberately unconventional ways.

The Art of Provocative Entertainment

The Phoenix Arts Club specializes in hosting performances that push boundaries and challenge expectations. Drag queens, burlesque artists, cabaret performers, and comedians take the stage in shows that are equal parts artistic and risqué. The venue has become known for hosting events such as Next Generation Burlesque, featuring performers with names like Miss Chastity Belt, who combines sharp wit with impressive vocal talent. Fire-eaters, rope performers, and dancers in elaborate costumes create spectacles that blur the line between high art and cheeky entertainment. The shows are deliberately suggestive rather than explicit—nipple tassels, fur stoles, and theatrical nudity are presented as performance art rather than gratuitous display. This approach has earned the venue respect from those who appreciate performance art as a legitimate cultural form worthy of preservation.

Intimate Dining and Cocktail Culture

The club's food and beverage offering is surprisingly sophisticated for a venue of its size and character. Artisan pizzas are prepared fresh and served in generous portions, earning consistent praise for quality and value. The cocktail program features exotic creations mixed with generous pours—reviewers frequently note that drinks are "as stiff as they can be," with no skimping on spirits. A QR code ordering system allows guests to request additional drinks and food without interrupting the show experience. The combination of theatrical entertainment, quality food, and well-crafted cocktails creates an atmosphere reminiscent of classic speakeasies, where patrons feel welcomed into an exclusive, relaxed family rather than treated as mere customers.

Atmosphere and Member Experience

The Phoenix Arts Club operates on a membership model, with membership fees offering exceptional value for money. The venue's owner, Colin, is known for personally circulating through the room to ensure guests are enjoying themselves, occasionally offering complimentary drinks to enhance the experience. The atmosphere is deliberately old-school and slightly seedy in an intentional, charming way—not polished or corporate, but authentic and lived-in. The intimate scale of the venue, with its limited seating capacity, creates genuine connection between performers and audience members. This is a place where audience participation happens naturally, where you might find yourself being sat upon by a performer or engaged in witty banter with the compere.

Theatrical Productions and Variety Shows

Beyond cabaret and burlesque, the Phoenix Arts Club hosts theatrical productions and variety shows. The venue has staged intimate musical theatre productions, such as Title of Show, a meta-musical about four people creating a musical. The club's minimal technical requirements—four chairs and a keyboard—make it ideal for experimental and fringe theatre. Regular programming includes The Saturday Supershow Cabaret, a two-hour spectacular featuring rotating cast of performers. Drag queen nights featuring power ballad sing-alongs, dragaoke events, and improv comedy shows round out the diverse entertainment calendar. This programming diversity ensures that repeat visitors encounter fresh experiences while maintaining the venue's core identity as a space for unconventional performance.

Location and Accessibility

Situated in London's West End theatre district, the Phoenix Arts Club benefits from proximity to major transport links and the energy of London's entertainment quarter. The deliberate obscurity of its location—hidden behind another theatre—adds to its appeal as a discovery rather than a destination. For those seeking an alternative to mainstream West End entertainment, the effort required to find it becomes part of the experience. The late opening hours, extending until 2–3 AM depending on the day, position it as a destination for evening entertainment and late-night socializing.