Beneath the Paramount Hotel something deliciously sinful is happening at The Diamond Horseshoe Club. Closed since the 1950’s and re-opened in 2014- the original production, Queen of the Night is unlike any dinner-theater you’ve ever seen before- largely because you’re not only seeing it, attending Queen of the Night means being a part of the show.
After receiving a welcome cocktail and descending into the club, a jewel encrusted leopard in the entrance hall introduces you to the enchanting and highly stylized ballroom within- and the show is definitely a ball. Formal clothing is required, so it’s the perfect place to rock your favorite evening look. And guests aren’t the only ones looking fabulous, since all of the costumes in the show are designed by NYC’s own Thom Browne.
Once inside, guests and performers mix together under the gaze of the queen, who watches from a platform at the center of it all. Under sheer fabric, a topless woman inhales and exhales slowly on a table; aerialists hang from the ceiling looking into the eyes of chosen guests; waiters lead visitors away from their friends to have their fortunes told; fantasies are revealed- and this is only cocktail hour.
When the show really begins, table seating is open- even for those with VIP tickets, so unless you bring several friends with you, plan on having dinner with strangers.
The meal is heavy, but delicious and includes plenty of wine, so arrive hungry. Various family-sized main courses are given to tables randomly, so if you would rather have lobster than prime rib or a roasted pig, you must barter with another table.
Without revealing too much, the show that unfolds over dinner is deliciously sinful, impresive, and naughty. Attending Queen of the Night is like living in a dream, if only for 3 hours, but enjoying it really depends on your openness and willingness to lose yourself in the experience.
Participation is key to making the evening special, so if you’re looking to sit back and relax, it probably isn’t for you. With that said, whether or not you love Queen of the Night, you’re guaranteed to be thinking about it for days, and that alone is truly unique in this day and age.
Article by Amelia Whitworth for FashionIQ