Burlesque

8 bars that New York on Tap listed under “Burlesque” around 2008, with what's licensed at each address in 2026.

Manhattan

• Bar on A

  170 Ave. A · East Village

  Closed; now Rabbit Books and Bar

  Sometimes referred to as Barona or BOA, this relaxed dive across from Thompkins Park manages to remain low-key and neighborhoody despite snakeskin bar stools and ruby red lighting.

• The Cutting Room

  19 W. 24th St. · Union Square/ Flatiron

  Moved to 44 East 32nd Street, New York City

  Aside from hosting an incredibly eclectic array of acts in its back room dinner theatre, The Cutting Room with it faux Louie the 14th furniture, tall ceilings and warm lighting, is also one of the best places to catch a drink in the Flatiron District.

• Nurse Bettie

  106 Norfolk St. · Lower East Side

  Still pouring

  This shoebox sized pinup themed bar hosts frequent burlesque shows which you can enjoy with steak frittes thanks to delivery from nearby Schillers.

• Pussycat Lounge

  96 Greenwich St. · Financial district

  Still pouring

  Sleezy in the best possible way. A strip club that attracts as many women as men, books rock bands, and where people actually dance together at the same time without exchanging cash.

• The Slipper RoomPick

  167 Orchard St. · Lower East Side

  Still pouring

  A friendly and unpretentious cabaret bar leading the Burlesque revival in the LES.

Brooklyn

• Balanza Bar

  426 Lorimer St. · East Williamsburg

  No license found in 2026

• Barrette

  601 Vanderbilt Ave. · Prospect Heights

  No license found in 2026

  The sexy sophistication of black walls, bordello style tassled lamps, table top candles are given a gritty counter-point thanks to Budweiser tallboys and 2am-4am two for one special and most importantly a burlesque stage.

• Botanica (Red Hook)

  220 Conover St. · Red Hook

  Still pouring

  An elegant space with enormous windows on a great corner is home to Red Hook's first $10 cocktail lounge. They serve three types of absinthe and selection of beers that extends to the truly unusual.

Already closed by 2009

• FezClosed by 2009

  2330 Broadway · Upper West Side

  A different business is licensed at this address: The Apsley

• GalapagosClosed by 2009

  70 N. 6th St. · Williamsburg North Side

  Closed; now Patagonia

  ***Closed and moved to DUMBO when their rent went up $10,000 a month.*** Dozens of candles lining the walls, enormous ceilings, a huge pool of water that exists only because it looks cool - music, burlesque, film. Now, this is what should be done with a Williamsburg loft.

• Marion's ContinentalClosed by 2009

  354 Bowery · NoHo

  Closed

  First opened in 1950 Marion's features tasty cocktails, cabaret acts, and an undiluted glitzy charm. Two for one specials on cocktails on Sunday and Monday.

• RififiPickClosed by 2009

  332 E. 11th St. · East Village

  Closed; now Buffalo Exchange

  When people fall in love with NYC they fall hard. Googoo eyes, feeling like you've lost some part of yourself when you're away, talking about it way too much and annoying your friends. Well, when you go to a bar like Rififi you can't help, but feel like they're playing your song. Burlesque, foreign films, improv, and dance parties where no one wants to leave at 4am. Only in New York.