Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about our sessions. Please get in touch if you have a question of your own, and we’ll add it to our list!
How much do hen party sessions cost?
Please contact us in the first instance – we tailor our quotes for each party, enabling us to give you the best possible price. Prices start from a very competitive £220 per group.
I just want more information. Can I contact you direct?
Please feel free to get in touch! We’ll do our best to advise you on any queries you may have.
Is there an age limit for joining Academy of Burlesque & Cabaret classes and hen parties?
All participants must be 18 or over for the burlesque classes and hen parties, and in general should be over 16 for the showgirl, fan dance and can-can sessions. Our classes usually take place in dance studios where there is no issue with entry, but our party lessons are often held in premises such as function rooms of bars, where minors are not allowed entry. It should be possible for us to accommodate under-18s at any hen party theme except burlesque, but please make this clear on initial enquiry so we can ensure we book a suitable venue.
What is burlesque?
To find out more about burlesque, visit our page ‘What is Burlesque?’
Can anyone attend classes?
In general our sessions are suitable for all, regardless of dance ability.
AGE: Some of our sessions are suitable for over-18s only (burlesque). There is no upper age limit and we’ve had plenty of seniors tassel-twirling!
MALES: Our hen parties are geared towards females, but plenty of males have enjoyed them too. Sling on your heels and party with the girls! In terms of classes, our Beginners classes are for females only, but males are welcome to join Improvers and General level classes – it would be useful to indicate on booking so we know to expect you, and we may modify our syllabus to include that all imporant Showboy pose! Why not request a special Boylesque session?
PREGNANCY: For hen parties, please inform us on booking, or when it becomes known, if a member of your party is pregnant. Pregnant ladies can take part in some sections of our parties and classes. Please see the Health and Safety section of our Ts and Cs for more information. Come along and show your bump off with style! For classes, please inform the teacher at the beginning of the session.
SPECIAL NEEDS: Please contact us with details.
Are spectators allowed?
There are no spectators in our regular classes. In our hen party sessions, your party is just for your group, so if there are members who aren’t taking part in the class, they can spectate – you can encourage them to be your troupe’s official photographer!
What do I wear to Academy of Burlesque & Cabaret sessions?
We recommend that you wear unrestrictive clothing that you are comfortable moving in. Dressing up is part of the fun, so we encourage classes and parties to dress in the style of their lesson if you’re comfortable doing so.
Do I need to bring anything to the class or hen party?
We will inform you on booking of anything you might like to bring to the class or hen party. Regular classes will be told what to bring week by week. For our hen party sessions, you will never be required to bring anything that is essential to the party, only items that might add to the atmosphere.
Where are Academy of Burlesque & Cabaret classes located?
We have regular burlesque classes in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Cardiff, Newport, Aberdeen, Paisley and Fife. Classes coming soon to Ipswich! See our Classes page for more information.
Where are the Academy of Burlesque & Cabaret hen party locations?
We hold sessions all over the UK and Ireland and in Europe, and locations are listed on our Hen Parties page. If you don’t see the location you would like listed, please contact us as we are normally able to organise parties in additional locations.
What kind of venues do you use for hen parties?
We normally use private function rooms of bars and clubs, dance studios, or function rooms in hotels – please advise if you have a preference. If you have a specific location in mind (such as your own house or rented accommodation) we are usually able to send a teacher to you. Please provide us with the postcode plus any directions or public transport information on initial enquiry if possible.
How long does a party last?
Your group has a two-hour time slot with between 90 and 120 minutes’ instruction. We have allowed time, should you need it, to get changed, order drinks, fill in health and safety forms, take photos, take a break and if your group is running late you’re not going to miss the essentials. We know it can be difficult to get groups of girls out and about on time!
Can we bring alcohol?
We ask that you do not bring your own alcohol into our hen party classes, unless it’s being held in your own accommodation. If your class is in a bar or club, you will normally be able to buy drinks there.
How do I book a hen party?
Please contact us in the first instance to check availability. It’s useful to know which kind of party you’d be interested in, date, time and approximate number in group, so we’re able to help you best. Don’t worry if you don’t have this information – we understand plans change, or you may not know quite what you’re looking for. We’ll be happy to help you. Please see our How To Book section (just scroll down to below the Contact form) for more information on the booking process after you have received a quote from us.
Do I need to pay a deposit?
We ask that parties pay a £95 deposit on booking, and full payment should be made two weeks before the party. For details on how to pay, please go to our How To Book section (scroll down to below the Contact form). Please note your booking is provisional until a £95 deposit is received.
What is the cancellation policy?
We regret that all deposits for sessions are non-refundable. This is due to costs of administration, and non-refundable hire costs for venues and teachers. If you need to cancel your party with less than a week’s notice, ie after full payment has been made, please contact us and we will try to help but are unable to guarantee any refund can be made. Please have a look at our Terms and Conditions for more information.
What if I need to amend my booking?
We do understand plans sometimes change, especially with group bookings. Please contact us as soon as possible – we are unfortunately unable to guarantee a change of date, time or location will be possible, but we will do our very best to accommodate any changes.
How do I contact Academy of Burlesque & Cabaret?
Please contact us via the online form or by email on info(@)burlesqueandcabaret.com – don’t forget to remove the brackets from round the @ – we just don’t like spam! You’re very welcome to call us, but we’re often out and about teaching and performing ourselves – just leave a voicemail and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. You can also drop by our Facebook page. See our Contact Page for all the ways to reach us.
It looks great, but the bride-to-be is very shy, and I’m worried it might be a bit racy for her – will she enjoy it? (from Emily B, Newcastle)
We’ve had plenty of unsure hens, and we’re always delighted when groups come back after the class to us to tell us that they didn’t know what they were nervous about! We realise groups are made up of many different personality types; our classes and hen party sessions are pitched at complete beginners and are designed to put participants at ease straight away. Take a look at our Testimonials from previous hen parties and class participants.
Thank you so much for a wonderful burlesque session in Ipswich! Do you want to see the photos? (from Suzanne M, Ipswich)
Yes – we love to see what you got up to! Join us on our Facebook page, where you can post your photos of the lesson, and later that night… did your showgirl poses last all night long?!
Can anyone attend classes?