The Butterfly Club

Overview

Melbourne's Butterfly Club has entertained the public since way back in 1999. At one point, it was Melbourne's only full-time cabaret venue, with cabarets still regularly performed today.

The venue itself, located on Carson Place, is small and full of hundreds of brightly coloured kitsch items to get you in the mood for a night of frivolity. Think fairy lights, old-school dolls, mismatched furniture and artworks from every era. The place screams fun and whacky, where the weird and wonderful are both invited to perform and spectate while drinking awesome cocktails and rolling around in laughter.

There are shows on almost every day at The Butterfly Club, with sometimes two or even three a day. There is a weekly burlesque drawing show with feathers, fans, fishnets, and pens and paper. You'll be invited to watch and draw along with circus, drag, burlesque and sideshow performances.

Every Friday, you'll find the Big HOO-HAA!, Melbourne's longest-running import comedy show. Two teams, the Hearts and the Bones, battle it out for improv supremacy while the audience is invited into the show by offering up suggestions. On Saturday nights, the regular gig is Laugh Later, a night of top-tier comedians, while there are regular one-off shows from visiting comedians who want to test out new material.

As well as comedy, there is plenty of live music at The Butterfly Club, with piano nights, tribute shows, and the famous cabaret. As for drinks, the bar has received two "cocktail glasses", the equivalent of a Chef's Hat in the bar world, thanks to The Age Good Bars Guide.

It's also a very queer-friendly space, with the team going to great lengths to ensure everyone feels safe and celebrated.