The burlesque connoisseur’s guide to New York City: Pride edition

Looking to celebrate the art of the tease this month? Mark your calendars for the hottest Pride month burlesque in the city that never sleeps.

1️⃣. Hot & Fresh Burlesque

• Have you always wanted to play out your own showgirl fantasies? Look no further than the debaucherously iconic Brooklyn venue, House of Yes! With several years of critically acclaimed parties and shows under its belt, House of Yes is a speeding train of joyful queer nightlife that shows no signs of stopping.
• What to expect: This year, with Hot & Fresh Burlesque, expect a safe space in which to perform as a first timer! Replete with prizes and games for “burlesque babes of all genders,” prepare to applaud your contemporaries for having the gumption to leave it all on the stage, or to brave the audience yourself and take it all off!
• Rather watch than take the stage? Book a striptease class on Sensuali.
• Thursday June 20, 2024 (7pm).
• “It’s an interactive funhouse!” – Kae Burke (Wondercade)

Click here for more information.

2️⃣. Hot Rabbit Priday

• Hailed as the “apex of queer music, performance, and immersive nightlife in NYC,” Hot Rabbit maintains its presence as a high-energy, queer dance party staple.
• What to expect: At Hot Rabbit, expect to be drinking, dancing the night away, meeting new people, and digging in your pockets to tip the absolutely stunning performers! Hot Rabbit Priday checks all the burlesque boxes at the Brooklyn Monarch, complete with a beautiful stage, light shows, queer strippers, drag artists, and an all-inclusive good time. This is an event that epitomizes the freedom of expression queer folks strive for. Since 2011, Hot Rabbit’s Priday has remained a raucously sexy Pride month book-end!
• The captivating gaze of an especially skilled stripper can be life-changing. Explore stripper experiences on Sensuali.
• Friday June 28, 2024 (9pm).
• “…you’re bound to have the time of your life at Hot Rabbit’s PRIDAY!” – Dayna Triosi (GoMagazine)

Click here for a full review.

3️⃣. Brolesque

• Beginning in November of 2022, Brolesque’s deeply talented array of dancers promises a bold, daringly queer aesthetic that seamlessly weaves camp, comedy, and unbridled hotness into your evening.
• What to expect: In the words of the producers, expect to be “dazzled by an unforgettable night of jaw-dropping performances and sassy entertainment. The team at Brolesque is excited to announce a new Wednesday residency at the Red Eye New York. A long time club staple in Berlin and Fire Island, the Red Eye New York (RENY) maintains a brand new location in Times Square! Allow the mystery and mischief of the atmosphere to take you on a fantastically queer and unapologetically sexy journey this month, and throughout the month of July. The producers at Brolesque guarantee a night of quintessential burlesque naughtiness at its finest!
• Wednesday, June 26, 2024 (7pm)
• “We are excited for our big show this June with all the bells, whistles, and boys to make it a show you’ll never forget!”

Click here to learn more about the team!

4️⃣. Company XIV Burlesque.

• On the hunt for a classic cabaret? The folks at Company XIV have got you covered year-round! Grab your tickets for performances Thursday through Sunday to enjoy Baroque Queen of Hearts, a burlesque ode to Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.
• What to expect: Down this rabbit hole awaits a beautifully delicious assault on the senses. Like true professionals, Company XIV’s performance begins as soon as you step foot in the door. From the storybook to the stage, aerialists, jugglers, singers, and
  classically trained dancers do an absolute bang-up job at creating the burlesque atmosphere of your wildest dreams. Prepare to laugh, scream, and cheer at this diverse cast of artists any weekend during Pride month. Expect to leave this event forever changed.
• Inspired by the fairytale cabaret at Company XIV? Get started with your own role play by exploring with some of the best in the business.
• Weekends, Thursday thru Sunday (8pm).
• “Pleasure. Self-expression. Confidence. Beauty.” – Gillian Russo (New York Theatre Guide).

Click here to to discover more!

5️⃣. Tease Factory NYC

• Now, if you know anything at all about the New York City nightlife scene, you know why we saved Tease Factory for last. Hosted by the famed and endlessly celebrated Venus Cuffs (a former New York City dominatrix), Tease Factory this month will be a fabulous all-Black cabaret complete with raunchy, glitzy burlesque, erotic spoken word, variety performers, and “rhinestone butt jiggles.”
• What to expect: Aptly entitled WE ARE HERE, this celebration of Juneteenth and Pride will be hosted at Joe’s Pub in downtown Manhattan, a performance venue within The Public Theatre. Expect beautiful aerial performers, gorgeous burlesque dancers, and for Venus Cuff’s charisma to sweep you off your feet.
  As an audience member, Tease Factory dares you to be your most authentic self while you hoot, holler, laugh, and even cry at its sumptuousness. Tease Factory’s safe, accommodating, and colorful atmosphere is an amalgam of Venus Cuff’s experience as a pro-Domme, sex-positive advocate, her love for community, and overall creative genius. Tease Factory is an undeniable bucket-list event for New York City burlesque fanatics. Expect to be moved by this performance, and expect to beg on your knees for more.
  Tease Factory is also known for impact play tasting stations for newcomers.
• Not sure where to start with whips and floggers? Explore BDSM experiences on Sensuali.
•  “Venus Cuffs (…) understands how important it is (for) us to have a good relationship to our bodies and by extension, ourselves.” – Ian Kumamoto (TimeOut New York)

Click here to learn more.

Featured photo courtesy of Company XIV Burlesque.

Read: 3 things I learned at amateur burlesque night.

Autumn Thomas

Author

The Kinky Copywriter (aka, Autumn Thomas) is a performing artist, writer, and active Leatherdyke in New York City. In her natural habitat, she can be found at various downtown Manhattan cafés curating written content for sex workers and sex positive organizations. With a cortado at her side, Autumn remains ever-devoted to the liberation brought by queer, debaucherous freedom, and ardently refuses to shut up about it.