Date: Sunday 5 June 2011, 6pm-midnight
Location: Secrets, Euston
A new type of event for lesbians in London.
On a rainy Sunday evening, we arrived at Secrets near Euston, not entirely sure what to expect from the Sweet Dreams evening, marketed as 'an evening of pole dancing, burlesque and table dancing'. We recognise that this kind of event does not meet all tastes within the lesbian community, and that some of our visitors may be offended or opposed to events of this nature. However, our aim is to try and represent all tastes within the community and appreciate the diverse nature of those tastes.
The ticket price was at the high end of £20, but the event included stage dances from the Secrets Dancers and traditional burlesque performances throughout the night. The night was in support of Cancer Research UK and Southend Hospital Charitable Foundation Bosom Pals Appeal.
Planet London are by no means aficionados of table dancing events, whoever the target audience. The approach taken with this review is to offer those who are inexperienced a brief insight into the style of the event. We arrived, and were greeted and seated at our stage-side table. We ordered drinks (it’s table service only) and visitors should be ready to expect to pay the top end for drinks (average price £9 glass wine, £10 for single + mixer), however the event offered half price drinks on singles and soft drinks which made the prices slightly more affordable.
The venue itself is what one might expect from a stereotypical image of a private members table dancing club: dark lighting, glitter balls, a pole dancing stage and tables and booths. Plenty of security maintaining a very pleasant, trouble free atmosphere and friendly waiting staff ready to take your drink orders. The venue had a rather sophisticated feel to it.
The evening was hosted and compered by the organiser, Miss Jackson, who looked stunning and maintained an overview of the night’s performances in a chatty friendly style. It was a bit disappointing the mic didn’t reach the stage, so we couldn’t see more of her. Once the audience arrived and took their seats (which wasn’t really until about 8pm even though the event opened at 6pm) there was a very good, friendly, up for it atmosphere. My only criticism would be that there were one or two straight men in the bar area*.
Now obviously, the main reason people come to a night and venue like this is to see the pole dancing and to purchase the naked lap dancing (available at a special price of £20 per dance – 1 song length) and there were a number of dancers across the Secrets venues, for many of whom this was their first women-only night at work. The dancers were friendly and chatty and made their way around the tables to encourage guests to purchase a dance. It was clear many of them did not know what to expect from the guests and how to approach us successfully, but they started to get the hang of it as the night went on. A few we talked to seemed far more comfortable with the audience – and had a lot more experience dancing for women. I think it’s important to point out that if you come to a night like this, you are expected to buy some dances (the dancers are self-employed). The dances don’t take place at your table but at the more discreet champagne lounge.
We were also treated to a plethora of excellent burlesque dancers and singers throughout the evening, which complemented the pole dancing and gave a real queer touch to the night.
The music inbetween performances wasn’t particularly conducive to sexiness and was quite a contrast to the burlesque music and the tracks the ladies danced on the stage to.
The venue is very well organsed and obviously used to running a smooth operation. Between Miss Jackson, the venue owners and staff, the dancers and the burleseque performers everyone made for a very welcoming and relaxing environment and anyone who has not been to an event like this before and who may not be sure, you can be sure that you will be welcomed and made to feel relaxed and at ease.
How to make the most out of the night
If this is something you are interested in experiencing, it’s not as daunting as it might seem, be relaxed and be yourself. Follow the lead of other guests.
It’s a night for drinking and feeling relaxed and comfortable – have a drink before you go and expect to spend money on drinks when you are there - Take plenty of cash - £20 notes
You can go in a group or in a pair – whatever makes you more comfortable.
Pick your timing, and the dancer of your choice before committing to a dance. www.sweetdreamsgirls.com
Review by Katie Hall
Location: Secrets, Euston
A new type of event for lesbians in London.
On a rainy Sunday evening, we arrived at Secrets near Euston, not entirely sure what to expect from the Sweet Dreams evening, marketed as 'an evening of pole dancing, burlesque and table dancing'. We recognise that this kind of event does not meet all tastes within the lesbian community, and that some of our visitors may be offended or opposed to events of this nature. However, our aim is to try and represent all tastes within the community and appreciate the diverse nature of those tastes.
The ticket price was at the high end of £20, but the event included stage dances from the Secrets Dancers and traditional burlesque performances throughout the night. The night was in support of Cancer Research UK and Southend Hospital Charitable Foundation Bosom Pals Appeal.
Planet London are by no means aficionados of table dancing events, whoever the target audience. The approach taken with this review is to offer those who are inexperienced a brief insight into the style of the event. We arrived, and were greeted and seated at our stage-side table. We ordered drinks (it’s table service only) and visitors should be ready to expect to pay the top end for drinks (average price £9 glass wine, £10 for single + mixer), however the event offered half price drinks on singles and soft drinks which made the prices slightly more affordable.
The venue itself is what one might expect from a stereotypical image of a private members table dancing club: dark lighting, glitter balls, a pole dancing stage and tables and booths. Plenty of security maintaining a very pleasant, trouble free atmosphere and friendly waiting staff ready to take your drink orders. The venue had a rather sophisticated feel to it.
The evening was hosted and compered by the organiser, Miss Jackson, who looked stunning and maintained an overview of the night’s performances in a chatty friendly style. It was a bit disappointing the mic didn’t reach the stage, so we couldn’t see more of her. Once the audience arrived and took their seats (which wasn’t really until about 8pm even though the event opened at 6pm) there was a very good, friendly, up for it atmosphere. My only criticism would be that there were one or two straight men in the bar area*.
Now obviously, the main reason people come to a night and venue like this is to see the pole dancing and to purchase the naked lap dancing (available at a special price of £20 per dance – 1 song length) and there were a number of dancers across the Secrets venues, for many of whom this was their first women-only night at work. The dancers were friendly and chatty and made their way around the tables to encourage guests to purchase a dance. It was clear many of them did not know what to expect from the guests and how to approach us successfully, but they started to get the hang of it as the night went on. A few we talked to seemed far more comfortable with the audience – and had a lot more experience dancing for women. I think it’s important to point out that if you come to a night like this, you are expected to buy some dances (the dancers are self-employed). The dances don’t take place at your table but at the more discreet champagne lounge.
We were also treated to a plethora of excellent burlesque dancers and singers throughout the evening, which complemented the pole dancing and gave a real queer touch to the night.
The music inbetween performances wasn’t particularly conducive to sexiness and was quite a contrast to the burlesque music and the tracks the ladies danced on the stage to.
The venue is very well organsed and obviously used to running a smooth operation. Between Miss Jackson, the venue owners and staff, the dancers and the burleseque performers everyone made for a very welcoming and relaxing environment and anyone who has not been to an event like this before and who may not be sure, you can be sure that you will be welcomed and made to feel relaxed and at ease.
*we have been advised that these were the general manager and club owner due to being the first event to ensure things ran smoothly.
How to make the most out of the night
If this is something you are interested in experiencing, it’s not as daunting as it might seem, be relaxed and be yourself. Follow the lead of other guests.
It’s a night for drinking and feeling relaxed and comfortable – have a drink before you go and expect to spend money on drinks when you are there - Take plenty of cash - £20 notes
You can go in a group or in a pair – whatever makes you more comfortable.
Pick your timing, and the dancer of your choice before committing to a dance. www.sweetdreamsgirls.com
Review by Katie Hall
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