Bottoms up: meet London's three new cabaret kings

Concept Hidden beneath the City, Proud Cabaret is a 1920s-inspired speakeasy offering food, drink and mischief until 3am. To date, the velvet basement boudoir has attracted a mix of burlesque enthusiasts and errant City boys, not to mention Helena Christensen and Alice Dellal. 'I want people to feel like they've walked on to a film set,' says owner Alex Proud.

Team The son of a stamp collector, Alex left his hometown of Brighton to study economics and politics at York University in the late 1980s. From there he tried his hand at everything from selling Rolls-Royces to Russians to assisting former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy. Although he has built a successful empire setting up the Proud art gallery on the Strand in 1998 and the Proud Camden bar and gallery in 2000, Alex, 40, claims that he doesn't have a creative bone in his body. 'I'm ridiculously overconfident in my own opinion,' he says.

Venue Minutes from the Gherkin and Tower Bridge, Proud Cabaret was previously a restaurant called Bel Canto, where waiters sang opera at the tables. 'I couldn't think of anything worse,' says Proud, who got his hands on the space in September. It took him just six weeks to turn it into a glitzy bo"te seating 150.

Look With low ceilings and blood-red interiors, Proud was inspired by the dissolute cabaret scene of the 1920s. His wife Danielle, writer and creative director for the Proud group, added a dash of Moulin Rouge by way of The Wizard of Oz with candlelit tables, oversized martini glasses, free-standing candelabras and sequined vintage shoes masquerading as door handles.

Top dish Caterers Absolute Taste, whose clients include Gordon Ramsay Holdings, devised the menu. Beef Wellington and shepherd's pie are specialities and there's a set menu at £30 for three courses. 'It's English comfort food at its best,' says Proud.

Performers The line-up is constantly changing but expect a heady mix of live music, DJs, striptease and comedy sketches. Currently on the bill are comedy nights, burlesque with the Tassel Club, retro cabaret night Folly and The Lady Luck Club, hosted by vintage DJ El Niño.

Mission 'It's been a long-cherished dream of mine to create something really loud and sexy, and here it is,' says Proud.

Proud Cabaret, No 1 Mark Lane, Corner of Dunster Court and Mark Lane, EC3 (020 7283 1940; proudcabaret.com)

Concept Dining, dancing and general sparkle. A quartz platform runs the length of Circus, doubling as a banqueting table. After pudding, it becomes a twinkling stage for burlesque and performance art. 'We actively encourage people to dance on the tables,' says owner Adam Davies. Holly Branson wanted her birthday here but it wasn't ready in time. Maybe next year...

Team The ringmaster is exuberant Adam Davies, 37, from Kingston. He started his clubbing career while studying quantitative economics at Tufts University in Boston and worked for the Light Group, which runs clubs in Las Vegas. But Circus is his baby: he and his father Trevor, a restaurateur since the 1960s, have invested £2 million in the project.

Venue The 130-seat site was used as a stable for elephants by the Royal Opera House in Victorian times. 'We aim to recreate that animalistic circus vibe,' explains Davies.