Working Men’s Club meets cabaret fever dream
If you’re after a Christmas night out that’s less polite mince pie and cuppa, and far more festive chaos, Humbug at The Vaults is exactly where you need to be, writes Luigia Minichiello.
Now back in its iconic home beneath Waterloo Station, right by those atmospheric graffiti-covered tunnels, Humbug welcomes you into Santa’s favourite dive bar —and things get brilliantly bonkers from the moment you step inside.
It becomes clear that this is not your standard “mulled wine and carols” kind of evening. This is the sort of night best enjoyed with friends or as a work outing, because Humbug immediately drops you into the world of a rock-and-roll Santa, a glorious mix of Elvis and Liam Gallagher, with all the swagger, cheek and loudness you’d expect.
The Vaults have been completely transformed into a full-blown Christmas playground. There are walk-through sets, neon lights, confetti cannons, and plenty of spots for the all-important silly seasonal selfies. I happily lost a solid ten minutes inside Mariah Carey’s shrine, soaking in every sparkly, glitter-soaked moment.
Without spoiling too much, the loose storyline follows Santa, who’s ready to quit his job, while Daphne the Waitress and Howard the Mailman do everything they can to change his mind. The mischief is perfectly pitched, and the house band —The Barflies – keep the energy high with classics throughout the show. The cast weave between tables, encouraging everyone to get involved. Think less “North Pole” and more “Working Men’s Club meets cabaret fever dream.”
The action never stops: cabaret, storytelling, sing-alongs, dancing, and even a few club classics you never expected Santa to have tucked away in his sack. The playlist is pure festive joy — from Mud’s Lonely This Christmas to Ariana Grande, there’s something on the list for everyone. It didn’t take long for the Sunday night crowd to get up on their feet.
Fuel comes courtesy of Humbug’s Christmas Humburgers from Bang Bang Burgers. I went for the crispy chicken with all the trimmings — stacked high, full of flavour, and exactly what you need to keep going. Festive tipples from the ‘Naughty or Nice’ cocktail list match the atmosphere perfectly.
If you want to go all out, VIP tickets mean prime seats, a welcome drink, table service and even a meet-and-greet with Santa in his grotto.
Humbug is the ultimate festive knees-up: live entertainment, nostalgia, an epic house band, and so much tinsel it borders on spectacular chaos — in the best possible way. For a Christmas party that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Humbug absolutely delivers. Open now at The Vaults until 31 December.
Booking and full details: https://humbugchristmas.co.uk/
