New home for the Martini Lounge

MadeUp popped into the Martini Lounge over the weekend for some birthday bellinis and to check out its new home, Zeligs in Liverpool One. Despite being sceptical beforehand as to how it would work in there, it proved to be a fantastic venue, creating a cosy, yet atmospheric cabaret style. It was a mix of familiar acts and, as usual, one or two that will have us talking for a long time. What's great about the Martini Lounge burlesque nights is that hostess Millie Dollar always manages to attract some absolutely top-notch talent and Sunday night proved no exception. And the best bit about it is that feeling that you have to be there to find this out. You can watch the same routines on YouTube, sure, but it's nothing on the shared experience of being close to the action and discovering someone really interesting. The star attraction this time was hula hoop sensation Pippa the Ripper (pictured above), but for our money, it was Belgium-born cabaret star Laurie Hagen who simply stole the show. Part Dita von Teese, part Sally Bowles, her act - sometimes a strip, sometimes a rousing vaudevillian song - was just uber-cabaret, bursting with wit and incredible talent and hitting the mark every time. Here's a taste of her Joan of Arc burlesque routine. We want her back soon: Des O'Connor, the mischievous, ukelele-wielding compere who won't let an Equity card get in the way of a good USP was our host for the night, and it was great to see Millie Dollar perform a new routine after getting to know her signature dances so well. The change of venue from St George's Hall means the price of tickets have come down, and if a night of high quality glamour, comedy and grown-up fun is what you're looking for you can do much worse than check out the Martini Lounge.