Other Destinations
The Allways Lounge & Cabaret, the Grand Dame of Burlesque clubs in New Orleans, at 2240 St Claude Ave. presents more live burlesque than the rest of the city combined, with shows quite literally every night of the year. It is not to be missed when visiting New Orleans.
The Jazz Playhouse, in the Royal Sonesta hotel often features burlesque shows.
No Dice, Siberia, and Saturn Bar, along St. Claude Ave. usually have several burlesque shows a month.
Burlesque also played a significant role in shaping American attitudes toward sexuality, autonomy, and freedom of expression. Performers used costume, choreography, and character to reclaim ownership of the gaze, presenting sensuality not as something hidden but as an art form worthy of applause. This empowerment resonates across eras: the boldness of burlesque artists helped pave the way for later movements in feminism, queer performance, and body-positivity. It challenged the idea that sexuality must be controlled or silenced, instead presenting it as playful, theatrical, and profoundly human.
In the 21st century, New Orleans has become one of the leading centers of neo-burlesque, a movement that honors the past while reinventing the form for modern audiences. Performers celebrate body diversity, gender fluidity, and artistic experimentation, making burlesque a platform for empowerment and self-expression. This contemporary renaissance continues to cement New Orleans as a city where burlesque is not only entertainment but also an important cultural force—one that echoes the city’s values of resilience, creativity, sensuality, and joy. Burlesque remains a living, breathing art form in New Orleans, carrying forward a legacy that is both historical and vibrantly present.
where can I see burlesque in New Orleans?
The Original Nite Cap
The Original Nite Cap, at 1300 Saint Bernard Avenue in New Orleans, is home to several of the cities top recurring burlesque shows and has a full dining menu and cocktail bar.
Whiskey and Rhinestones is the house feature show and occurs every Friday at 8PM. Featuring and hosted by Bella Blue, its fun, funny, irreverent, sexy, and inclusive.
Burlesque Italiano is another recurring show that features Italian performers, Italian music, and light-hearted poking of fun at Italian American culture. It’s a little comic poke by Bella at her husband, Andrew Principe, who oversee much of the Sicilian restaurant downstairs, Pulcinella! This show occurs periodically throughout the year
The Blue Velvet Revue is a new project of Bella’s and features a live jazz trio, the Austin Silly Bunch. Live jazz and burlesque to hand in hand in New Orleans and this show harkens back to a different time in New Orleans history. This show alternates on Saturdays at 8PM.
Diamonds and Pearls, produced by Ramona Rose, features a dazzling array of performers and occurs on alternating Saturday nights at 8PM.
New Orleans has always been deeply intertwined with burlesque, serving as one of the country’s most vibrant—and historically significant—burlesque cities. From the Storyville red-light district in the early 20th century to the Bourbon Street nightclub era of the mid-century, the city fostered a nightlife culture where music, dance, satire, and sensuality intersected. Jazz musicians and burlesque dancers performed side-by-side, influencing one another and contributing to the city’s reputation as a place where artistry and seduction coexist in harmony. Legendary clubs like the Sho-Bar became iconic stages for dancers whose names now live in the lore of New Orleans entertainment history.
Burlesque in New Orleans has also been shaped by the city’s unique blend of cultural traditions: carnival pageantry, costuming, street parades, Creole aesthetics, and a deep love for performance. The city’s embrace of theatricality makes it an ideal home for modern burlesque revivalists who draw inspiration from vintage glamour, Mardi Gras excess, and contemporary artistry. Today, New Orleans hosts festivals, revues, and world-renowned performers who keep the tradition alive—often infusing it with humor, political commentary, queer identity, and storytelling that reflect the city’s ever-evolving culture.
