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Juice Magazine, May 04
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Joogleberry Playhouse – downstairs in the Cabaret
Bar
Currently offering an alternative to Brighton’s manic
dance music scene is the Joogleberry Playhouse on Manchester
Street, Kemp Town. Split into two sections, the relaxed
café/restaurant/bar is at street level, the Cabaret
Bar downstairs.
With a different act performing every night of the week, few
venues in Brighton can consistently offer such an eclectic,
high quality programme of events. Aimed at the slightly more
mature music fan, the Cabaret Bar’s environs offer a unique
and fantastically intimate setting. Walking downstairs the first
thing you notice is the décor, a combination of starry
sky and backlit gothic skyline. It sounds a little spooky but
it works really well, creating the perfect ambience for a night
of quality live music.The candlelit tables with seating for
eighty provide a comfortable setting from which to watch the
performance, and with table service for both drinks and the
tapas-style food menu, you needn’t miss a second of the
gig.
Try the Jooglewings, which at £4.50 for a huge portion
were delicious and surprisingly filling.
The Joogleberry Playhouse will be hosting a number of Brighton
Festival events during May, on top of its traditional programme.Check
out the Festival short-film night on Sun the 2nd, the English
singer-songwriter Lianne Hall on Tuesday the 11th, the legendary
Boogaloo Stu on Monday the 24th, or even live flamenco each
and every Wednesday.
Full May listings are available from www.joogleberry.com.
I recently saw ‘MJ and the Boys’ perform, back
in early April. Sat at the piano flanked by her youthful backing
band ‘the Boys’, MJ delivered some classic numbers
including Cyndi Lauper’s “Time after Time”
and Nina Samone’s “Feeling Good”.
With her powerful, emotive voice and eccentric on-stage
persona, a night in MJ’s company guarantees a good
time. Catch her on the 3rd Thursday of every month.
With other special treats such as table magic on a Saturday
afternoon in the restaurant/café area, performed
at your table as you eat your lunch and an extensive absinthe
and cocktail menu, this truly is the only venue of its kind
in Brighton.
> Juice Magazine Nov 03
“Much more than an utterly entertaining Cabaret Theatre
and Bar The Joogleberry Playhouse is fast becoming known for
its superb food – giving other restaurants in the area
a run for their money”
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