Tonteria club gets an edgy refurb with body stapling, snakes and dwarves as monkeys

Prince Harry’s favourite nightclub reopens tonight (October 12) following a make-over with a “mischievous” line-up of acts — including dwarves dressed as monkeys, “plus-size” burlesque artists, “freak-out” performers and snake dancers.

The owners of Mexican-jungle-themed Tonteria in Sloane Square say they want to distance themselves from the conventional brand of West End nightclub entertainment dominated by scantily clad young female dancers and aimed at “twentysomething” lads.

General manager Ermano Dias said: “For our fifth anniversary we wanted to evolve the show to reflect the clientele who have grown up with the club. We want to make it more accepting, more inclusive, more mature and make everyone feel more comfortable.

“So we have plus-size dancers and we want it to be very female-friendly. We’re the only club that will always have male dancers.”

One of the more eye-catching stunts of the performance artist will involve stapling objects to her own body, Mr Dias said.

The venue, first opened by club impresario Guy Pelly in 2012, quickly became a favourite haunt of the young royal set including Princes William and Harry and Princess Eugenie, as well as Pippa Middleton and Harry’s ex-girlfriend Cressida Bonas.