Eve (nightclub)
Eve was a private members' nightclub at 189 Regent Street, central London. Founded in 1953, it had the world's first-ever illuminated glass floor and the "most daring show" in London's West End, including topless girls and strippers. Members included kings, ambassadors, sultans and a bishop. It was popular with diplomats and senior civil servants, and was a hotbed of intrigue. The Romanian-born co-owner and hostess worked as a spy for Britains MI5 and MI6.
Formation | 1953 |
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Founder | Jimmy O'Brien, Helen O'Brien |
Jimmy O'Brien had been a cloakroom attendant and later the manager of Murray's Cabaret Club in nearby Beak Street, where he met his future wife Elena Constantinescu (later Helen O'Brien), who worked there as a cigarette girl and dancer. Together, they opened Eve on St Valentine's Day in 1953.[1] Although the address was 189 Regent Street, it was in the basement, with the entrance down an alleyway in New Burlington Place.
As a members only club charging a guinea a year, it did not have to comply with the usual licensing laws and served alcohol until 3am.[1] Members included kings, ambassadors, sultans and a bishop.[1]
As the hostess of Eve, Helen introduced topless girls and strippers to the club's entertainment, performing on the world's "first-ever illuminated glass floor" in what was the "most daring show" in London's West End.[2][3] The club was known for "its unique appeal of glamour, intrigue, sex, sophistication, daring floorshows and mystery".[3]
Customers included Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Shirley Bassey, and Errol Flynn.[1] John Profumo had his stag night at the club.[1]
Eve closed in 1991, and the O'Briens spent their retirement at a villa in the south of France.[1]
References
- Horwell, Veronica (29 September 2005). "Obituary Helen O'Brien". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- "Helen O'Brien". The Daily Telegraph. 20 September 2005. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
- Hollingsworth, Mark (2023). Agents of influence: how the KGB subverted western democracies. London: Oneworld. p. 170. ISBN 9780861545339. Retrieved 8 September 2023.