The Moulin Rouge...what can one say? It's one of those experiences I'm glad to have experienced, once. I'm not sure I'd rush to do it again, particularly given the steep price tag. But I'd say it's worth it if you have the money to spend to do it right and just go with the flow.
What I mean by doing it right: spend the extra to do the dinner service before the early (9pm) show, which means arriving between 6:45-7:30. There are three expense levels to the menu, plus special diet options as well. We chose the mid-priced menu (Toulouse-Lautrec), and were seated in an excellent spot, first tier up and right at the front of our table for 6. I noticed that all of those front seats went to couples/people dining, and then were filled in by those just opting for the show + champagne after 8:30. It also seemed, to my eye, that people were seated based on what menu they chose, for speedy service...so perhaps splurge for the most expensive menu if you want to be right up by the stage? (I'm not certain but this seemed to be my observation.)
The food itself was fine, not the best meal we had in Paris but basically decent banquet food (I wouldn't recommend the veal, though, as it was the second tough and dry veal dish I had in Paris.) Service was perfunctory at best: get you seated, fed, your drinks, one glass of water, don't expect more than that. A band with a male and female singer performed some "smooth jazz" and easy dancing music while we ate, and people were given the opportunity to dance on a small dancefloor in front of the stage as well, which was fun. How many times can you say you danced at the Moulin Rogue?
On to the show, which started promptly at nine. I'm no expert - I don't go to Vegas, I'm not really into musical theater - but I thought it was fun. I was entertained throughout though even I noticed that the dancers weren't necessarily the most synchronized or exceptional, except I suppose in appearance and body type. Now, I'm not a prude and can enjoy attractive (almost, like 95% nude) female bodies. But after a while I began to wonder if there shouldn't be a little equality here, on stage. The male dancers were attractive, too...why couldn't we get at least a few of them in speedos or thongs? I do get annoyed by the visual of fully dressed men + naked (except for beads and a tiny thong) women after a while.
I actually was most impressed by the three "intermission" acts, particularly the roller skating couple. And that's something I never thought I'd be saying.
Basically, I'd say go for it if you're curious and want to say you've done it. Just go with the experience and atmosphere, but don't expect it to be the most mind blowing or dazzling thing you've ever seen. read more