The Phoenix Arts Club is introducing a new late-night musical theatre singalong titled Sing Out, Louise! following the recent closure of The Room Where It Happens. This initiative aims to support performers left without work amid widespread venue shutdowns in central London.

The Phoenix Arts Club, a West End venue operating since 1988, will host Sing Out, Louise! from 14 February. The show will run Wednesday to Sunday evenings, initially at 10.30pm with plans to move to a 9pm start as programming allows. This new singalong is presented by the team behind Overtures Piano Bar and the now-closed Room Where It Happens at Greek Street Live.

The closure of The Room Where It Happens last week left pianists, hosts, singing waiters, and musical theatre performers without work. It follows a series of closures including The Theatre Café, Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, Nightjar Soho, Haus of Cabaret, Proud Embankment, The Windmill, Café de Paris, and soon the Banana Cabaret.

Colin Savage, creative director of the Phoenix Arts Club, emphasised the club’s role in the live performance ecosystem. He said: “London is losing spaces that give performers regular, paid work – particularly those working in musical theatre, cabaret and live music. The Phoenix Arts Club has been part of that ecosystem since 1988, and it felt essential that we stepped in.”

Producer and programmer Dave Cribb, formerly behind the Showtunes Singalong at The Room Where It Happens, highlighted the wider cultural loss caused by venue closures. “This isn’t just about one show – it’s about an entire community of musicians and singers who rely on these spaces… I’m hugely grateful that The Phoenix Arts Club is giving us a place to continue,” he said.

Sing Out, Louise! offers £10 entry on the door, with monthly and annual membership options for £10 and £100 respectively. Tickets can also be booked online.

The Phoenix Arts Club currently presents over 400 performances annually, spanning musical theatre, cabaret, variety, and live music. The new singalong aims to maintain artistic opportunities and audience connection amid a challenging period for London’s live venues.