REVIEW: Cabaret Supper Club
By Tara McLaughlin
As night’s out in Belfast go, it’s up there with some of the most entertaining. A co-business with AM PM restaurant, the Cabaret Supper-club is neatly tucked away on Belfast’s Upper Arthur Street. Away from the hustle and bustle of Cathedral Quarter and busier parts of the city, the supper-club boasts a cosy, intimate atmosphere from the outset.
On arrival, guests are met at the separate entrance, manned by a suited and booted concierge who promises a night like no other in Belfast. That it was! Accompanied to our seat in an exclusive booth and waited on by the manager, we had the star treatment from the outset.
The supper-club offers a lavish Art deco décor. It’s all velvet wall panels, leather booths and huge crystal chandeliers. It also offers an extensive drinks menu with cocktails, spirits and plenty of wines and sparkling. A bottle of their own exclusive prosecco was the order of the day, served in an extravagant ‘souvenir’ bottle, true to supper-club form. We made sure to take it home.
Food was served promptly after ordering, as the warm-up act provided some mellow, background, easy listening. Marty Bryne on guitar with Ross Anderson-Doherty followed. As far as one man and his guitarist goes, this was anything but. Their unique ‘neo cabaret’ double act was something of a spectacle. Ross was donned in his latest stilettos and whipped up the crowd welcoming the umpteen hen, stag and (divorce) parties. Some easy listening, background music and entertainment to accompany our meal it was not, by the time we reached coffee and dessert we were in raptures.
The double act ended shortly after 10, quickly followed by Drag artist ‘Cherrie on top.’ She opened her vocal drag act with her version of Sia’s ‘chandelier.’ A fitting ode to the 10,000 crystal artistry dangling precariously overhead. Cherrie’s strong vocals then belted out some Queen Bee, harmonised by the numerous hen dos with promises of a re-appearance later.
Stand-up comedian Gemma Hutton introduced each act with a witty tongue-in-cheek quip in true Cabaret style. On introducing singer and burlesque artist Nuala Rude, the stage revealed a huge cube dangling from the upper ceiling. Her core strength display was an impressive feat to watch as we all tucked into our expertly crafted cocktails.
Fire breathers, aerial artists and burlesque dancers quickly followed rounded off with a sister act singing duo belting out classics and contemporary pop to cater for the diverse crowd. A fitting end to a highly entertaining evening. Cabaret supper-club is the perfect spot for a hilarious, hen party or just a feel-good girly night out. At just £45 for a two course meal and all-night show, the Cabaret Saturday spectacular is reasonably priced providing a full evening’s entertainment. They also boast a full calendar of tribute shows in the run up to the festive season which will undoubtedly be worth checking out.