03/04/11: For my 17th birthday I got dolled up to go out, drink, gyrate, pounce on anything that moved and then, after inhaling a kebab, throw it back up – spending the night in any appropriate gutter. Well, we all have a past we’d rather forget! Yet having fessed up to my not so wholesome teenage years, it feels awfully refreshing and mature. I’m guessing this is what its like for the new and improved 79CXR. Not ashamed of it’s rather fruity history, cleaning up its act and celebrating in style in its new incarnation as a cabaret bar. Bette Rinse and Patti O’Dors hosted as the Ma’Fear girls, also launched their new Sunday afternoon cabaret followed by Bette’s karaoke. The event was a treat, with nibbles, prizes to be won, and the added bonus of performances by familiar cabaret faces; Baga Chipz, Minny Diamond, Tanya Hyde and Rose Garden to name a few. With Bette Rinse as Judy Garland and Baga Chipz as Liza Minelli, they really had a great mother daughter thing going on. Do we smell a new show? To wind up a high-kicking, hi-octane cabaret extravaganza, Bette, Patti, Mzary Mac and Misty Lee came over all Coyote Ugly with a bar-stomping finale that Jersey and co would be proud of. Happy Birthday CXR and here’s to many more.
79 Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0BN
Words by Peter Stephanou
Photos by Marc Abe
