Burlesque has had a presence in Las Vegas dating back decades, whether it was famed performer Lili St. Cyr headlining the El Rancho in the 1950s or “Ladies of Barry Ashton’s Wonderful World of Burlesque” at the Silver Slipper in the 1970s, among others.

In the past year, several new burlesque productions have debuted in Las Vegas along with others making a return to the stage after COVID delays.

2022 also saw the in-person return of the Burlesque Hall of Fame’s annual weekender for the first time in three years, drawing purveyors of the art from around the world to perform and compete in what’s billed as the longest-running Tournament of the Tease in the U.S.

The productions have found a way to flourish and keep the art of burlesque alive, largely away from the corporate casinos and in smaller, locally-run venues, such as Backstage Bar & Billiards, Taverna Costera and Badlands Saloon, to name a few.

Shows like “Babes and Blues,” produced monthly by Isabelle Marie at The Usual Place; and “Revusical,” a quarterly production by Buttercup at The Space, offer burlesque performances backed by a live band with classic bump-and-grind styles and glitzy costumes, both drawing a host of talented headliners among others.

“Original Burlesque Bingo” by Los Angeles’ Audrey Deluxe brings a humorous, game-show twist to crowds at The Mint, while her recent productions of “Pop!” and “Rancho Deluxe” featured pop culture and western-style themes, with performances in the former referencing a host of characters and movies, such as C-3PO, “A Space Odyssey,” Poison Ivy and Beetlejuice.

For those looking for more affordable options, some productions offer free shows at local bars and restaurants, including Mollie de Menthe’s “A Night Of…” at Red Dwarf, and the weekly rotating “Retro Peepshow” and “Tittease,” produced by Ms. Brandi Glass and Lolita Haze respectively, at Square Bar.