For 43 years, Banana Cabaret has been a much-loved fixture on London's comedy circuit. Hosted by Balham pub The Bedford, it's nurtured talents including Lee Mack and Sara Pascoe, and has been central to the birth of the UK's alternative comedy movement. Now, its producer Dave Vickers is ready to retire, and he's throwing one last big bash to celebrate.
Banana Cabaret's farewell festival goes on throughout May, with a packed line-up of big comedy names, including Al Murray doing his touring show 'All You Need Is Guv', and mixed bills with the likes of Zoe Lyons, Milton Jones, Luisa Omelan, and many more. Until then, Best of Banana Cabaret shows will run every weekend in March and April, with special guest appearances including Tim Vine and Harry Hill.
Illustration Ellen Wishart
Pub crawling is a noble art – it’s not for the fainthearted and you have to get it right. My advice: have a game plan and an end in sight. The combination of boozing and frequent movement offsets the possibility of getting utterly bladdered, and the prospect of a finish line means you can stagger into the final pub like a marathon runner with friends.
The South Bank offers the crawling drinker a plethora of alcoholic establishments (and a Slug and Lettuce). So, you’ve donned your sturdy walking shoes, you’ve popped to the cashpoint – let’s crawl!
Okay, the name is the wrong way round, and it’s a gastropub, but there’s a mighty fine selection of draught beers to sample here, so it makes a good first stop. If you’re going to eat, best make sure your party doesn’t include any veggies – this is a pub that revels in carnivorism. (Is that a word? It is now.)
36 The Cut, SE1 8LP
All pub crawls should include a KA, and this one – with its hanging baskets, top-notch ales and sticky wooden floor – is a classic. Drink number two, sorted.
25 Roupell St, SE1 8TB
Stop number three is situated opposite the ITV studios, so you might catch Ant and Dec enjoying a swift pint (between them).
89 Upper Ground, SE1 9PP
You can’t go to Waterloo and ignore this railway arch gaff. Sup a mild, and you’re ready for the home straight…
5 Mepham St, SE1 8SQ
For three Saturdays only, I’ve got myself a tent, a bar, a band, a variety show and an audience – you! – and I look forward to seeing you at the end of your crawl. Cheers!
London Wonderground, Jubilee Gardens, SE1 8XX