They say life is a cabaret, old chum.

But sometimes you don’t even want to show up, let alone show off.

That’s when you let the professionals do it, at The Pigalle Club, which opens tomorrow. The 1940s-inspired cabaret and supper club, which closed in the early ’70s, is now housed in the former ABC cinema in Piccadilly, and it’s wonderfully grand, with a spacious wood-paneled dining area on a balcony overlooking a well-lit stage.

Watch live performances from up-and-coming stars or already-risen ones like Shirley Bassey (a favourite at the former Pigalle) and Van Morrison, while staff dressed in traditional 1940s attire (clothes, accessories, hairstyles, the lot) serve you such French-inspired dishes as snails with garlic butter, smoked haddock risotto and hot chocolate fondant.

In addition, post-prandial DJ sessions turn the venue into a late-night lounge at the end of the evening.

From start to finish, it’s a jolly good show.

The Pigalle Club, 215 Piccadilly, W1 (020 7734 8142).