The Marquee Cabaret
100 Wardour St's new Friday night cabaret concept is an unbridled Rock n' Roll revival, powered by Coca Cola. Launching 27th September, every Friday at 10pm, London’s best drag performers, vocalists and rock musicians will take you back to the days when Jimi Hendrix and Axl Rose were rising stars on the 100 Wardour St stage…
From 1964-1988, 100 Wardour St was “The Marquee Club”, a hotspot for up and coming rock icons from David Bowie, to the Rolling Stones, Queen and Guns N Roses. The Marquee Club was the place to be for anyone hoping to make it in London’s music scene.
The ethos of these early beginnings will be revived with a raucous late-night cabaret, brought to life by incredible drag performers, vocalists and musicians in the heart of Soho.
LAUNCH NIGHT
Launching 27th September, hosted by Jools Holland and starring T'Pau, “The Marquee Cabaret”, you'll sing along to classic hits you know and pick your jaw up off the floor at stories and antics from our incredible drag performer, Envy.
A ROCK N' ROLL HALL OF FAME
The stage was home to the Rolling Stones first performance on July 12th, 1962.
Throughout 1964 The Who had a Tuesday Residency.
In 1966 Pink Floyd had an “anything goes” Sunday afternoon schedule with free haircuts and naked audience members rolling in jelly.
In 1967 Jimi Hendrix nervously played his first big UK Gig, with an audience of The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Who & Eric Clapton.
In 1968 Led Zeppelin played their second ever gig as a full band.
1973 David Bowie played his last ever gig as “Ziggy Stardust” with a 3-day TV special, scandalising NBC with fishnet stockings.
1976 Sex Pistols were boo-ed off stage and the band trashed the headliners Eddie & The Hot Rods equipment leaving stage. They were subsequently banned from the venue.
In 1987, the Guns N’ Roses played their first 3 gigs outside the USA, launching their career.
In 1981 The Police, who had already scored eight Top 10 hits, decided to play Marquee under the alias “The Aces”. The gig was ultimately too secretive and nobody turned up. Staff were forced into Soho to get passers-by but were unsuccessful.
1985 Wham! Took over the venue to record “I’m Your Man”, with an audience of models and actors.
The Marquee also boasts performances from icons like Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd, Sex Pistols, U2, Crown of Thorns, Queen, The Flower Pot and Dire Straits (pictured).
Source: “Marquee: The Story of the World’s Greatest Music Venue” by Robert Sellers with Nick Pendleton
The Marquee's Drink of Choice
As an unlicensed venue, The Marquee did not serve alcohol.
So, the number one best-selling drink at the venue was, of course, Coca Cola.
In fact, The Marquee Club sold more Coca Cola than any other venue on London’s West End.
