The Box to Open Outpost in London

Infamous burlesque nightclub The Box is crossing the pond, and will soon launch an outpost inside London’s old Raymond Revue Bar.  While a noise-making scourge for many a Lower East Sider, Londoners seem welcoming of “New York’s most risque cabaret club” on their shores.

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According to the Guardian UK, the residents of Soho (yes, their Soho) feel that the “famously rackety area of London is being transformed into a bland space colonised by chain bars and restaurants,” and that the neighborhood would benefit from the raucous variety of The Box.  A return to the sex roots of the area, as it were.  The venue reportedly received its liquor license last November with ease.

Lesley Hardcastle, a local resident for 45 years and president of the Soho Society, said: “The joy of this area has always been its variety. We have succeeded in preserving the buildings, but not the multitude of small businesses and activities which once flourished here. I’d rather see a burlesque club open than yet another branch of Slug and Lettuce.”

Club owner Simon Hammerstein, grandson of famous lyricist Oscar Hammerstein, reportedly aims to import some of his New York acts.  But he’s also auditioning plenty of local London talent, since the audience there is apparently “more demanding.”

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[Photo Credit: NY Magazine]

The Box gained plenty of notoriety here at home for being a magnet of elicit behavior, specifically with regard to allegations of sexual harassment, drug abuse, and other backstage antics. And then there was the loose connection to a pair of rape cases shortly after opening at 189 Chrystie in 2007. At the time, a faux livery driver targeted female patrons of the nightspot.  He “abducted, robbed, and raped” two women on separate occasions and was eventually caught a few months later.