Address: 12 New Burlington Street, London W1S 3BF
Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus
Opening Hours: Mon (23PM – 04AM) Thur-Sat (23PM – 04AM)
Best night: Monday
Music Type: Commercial House, Funky House
Website: www.cirquedusoir.com
Roll up, roll up, Cirque Du Soir, the most delectable circus in town, has pitched its tent in Mayfair. At Cirque Du Soir, members enjoy a mesmerising experience sprinkled with snake charmers, fire eaters, stilt dancers, tattooed ladies and much more, all delivered with a dedicated concierge service. The attention at Cirque du Soir is not focused on you – the crowd – but on the performers, and having fun is so much easier when you can loosen up and let the professionals take the spotlight.
The Venue
Half eccentric circus tent, half decadent boudoir, Cirque Du Soir greets you with a small sign and cheery illuminated lights in the window, which are truly reminiscent of vintage vaudeville cabaret. Hardly detectable during the day, it is impossible to miss it at night time, especially if you are a regular at any of the high-end Mayfair nightclub
For once the attention is not on you. Once the acts are revealed, all the eyes are drawn to the entertainment. However, it would be wrong to assume that the crowd at Cirque Du Soir is anything but glamorous, fashionable, beautiful and wealthy. If anything, this place attracts the creme de la creme of Mayfair socialites: haute couture designers, young models, rockstar offspring, incognito millionaires and much more. Celebrities? They probably come to enjoy the show but thankfully Cirque steers clear of snap-happy paps and flying visits from the starlet of the day.
The atmosphere here is quite unique. Before the acts come out to perform in the middle of the crowd, there is excited anticipation which does not hinder in any way the dancing, drinking and socialising. By the time you are actually face to face with a fire eater, however, everyone is having a a great time dancing to the (slightly too loud) music and snapping those precious Facebook-bound photos which will be the envy of your friends.
It must not be forgotten that, in fact, Cirque Du Soir is a members’ only establishment. While this is one of the most desirable membership cards to acquire in town (for the sheer entertainment factor, alone), you may be allowed in under special circumstances (or via their advance guestlist) but do not count on it. Members are clued-up on the theme of the night and you can expect most people to make an effort to conform to the sailor and sailorette dress code among many others (tip: avoid cheap fancy dress as it won’t be appreciated). Fitting in and successfully surviving the face screening at the door, therefore, may not be easy. Cirque makes no bones about its selective door policy and, despite or in fact because of this, the club is packed to capacity even on a Monday night, probably due to the fact that it is their signature event and new acts are revealed. Hence put that iPhone to work and try your hardest to get on the guestlist: all your efforts will be duly rewarded.
