Burlesque Etiquette
First time at a burlesque show? Welcome. Here's everything you need to know to have a great night.
What is Burlesque?
Burlesque is a performance art form rooted in theatricality, satire, and spectacle. It traces its lineage to 19th-century variety shows — vaudeville, music hall, and working-class comedy — where it was always about more than bodies: it was about wit, character, and turning the gaze back on the audience.
The modern neo-burlesque revival has reclaimed that tradition as a celebration of bodily autonomy, artistic courage, and radical self-expression. A burlesque act is a crafted piece of theater. Performers spend weeks — sometimes months — building a costume, rehearsing choreography, choosing music, and developing a character. The reveal at the end is earned, not incidental. It's the exclamation point on a story.
You will see comedy, drama, absurdity, romance, and fury on our stage. You may gasp. You may laugh out loud. You may feel something you didn't expect. All of that is the point.
Why Tip?
Tipping is the heartbeat of burlesque culture, and it means more than just providing drink or gas money.
Our performers are independent artists. Every costume, every prop, every hour of rehearsal comes out of their own pocket. There is no backstage budget covering their rhinestones. When you tip a performer, you are directly funding the art you just watched — and telling them that act landed.
A tip is not obligatory, but it is meaningful. Even a dollar says I saw you. That was real. Tips are passed through our Kittens — our tip runners who circulate through the crowd during and between acts — and if you're lucky, our performers may come into the crowd and snag it themselves. We also have QR codes placed throughout the bar that makes it easy to tip in the digital age.
The Rules
These aren't suggestions. They're what makes this a safe, joyful space for everyone — performers and audience alike.
- No touching the performers or staff. Security is watching.
- Tip respectfully.
- Whistling & hollering? YES. Cat calls? NO. Be respectful.
- Only use stage names. Never use IRL names.
- No photos or videos.
- Do not walk in the performance spaces.
- No smoking in the VIP area or near the stage.
Questions? We're friendly. Come find us.