Ten pubs named after comedians

As we report that the new home of London's Angel Comedy Club is to be named The Bill Murray, we round up ten boozers named after comedians, or with comedy-related names.

1. The Bill Murray, Islington

Formerly known as the Mucky Pup, the new home of the Angel Comedy Club, is allegedly named after the first Earl of Dysart – the childhood whipping boy of Charles I of England and later, an adviser to the king – after the landlords didn't secure the permission of the Hollywood star. But I think we all know the truth…

2. The Eric Bartholomew, Morecambe

Many pubs on this list are Wetherspoon's, which has a habit of naming bars after local celebrities. The one, just around the corner from the famous statue of Eric Morecambe in Morecambe Bay, bears the real name of the town's favourite son.

3. The Charlie Chaplin, Elephant & Castle

This boozer, next to the Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, is being demolished as part of the redevelopment of the area… but it might not be missed by everyone as online reviews include 'unremitting horror' and 'What a shit hole!' But beer's often £2 a pint and curry £1.50, so there are plusses. The pub adjoins the Coronet cinema, first opened as a theatre in 1879 and Chaplin, who was born in nearby Walworth, is said to have performed there.

4. The Four Candles, Oxford

This Wetherspoon's is two doors down from Oxford University's history faculty, which was originally the High School for Boys – attended by a certain's Ronnie Barker. Tourists are probably none the wiser about the origin of the name, and its confusion with 'andles for forks'.

5. The Marie Lloyd Bar, Hackney

When the Hackney Empire was redeveloped in the early Noughties, its new bar was named in honour of the entertainer who played there several times in its music hall days.

6. The Sir Norman Wisdom, Deal

This is another Wetherspoon's, close to Deal Castle and formerly a job centre. Norman Wisdom was born into an impoverished family and, at an early age, was sent to live in the Kent town before seeking work in London at the age of 14.

7. The Stan Laurel Inn, Ulverston

Again named after the town's most famous son, this family-run pub offers accommodation in rooms named after Laurel and Hardy films Laughing Gravy and Another Fine Mess, and Lonesome Pine, after the song from Way Out West.

8. Sir Michael Balcon, Ealing

Not a comedian, but an influential figure in the comedy world, Ealing's Wetherspoon's is named after the film-maker who was head honcho at the West London suburb's film studios during its golden era, overseeing films such as Passport to Pimlico and The Lavender Hill Mob.

9. The Frankie Howerd Club, Eltham

A private social club, not a public bar, this tiny venue behind a community hall. is decorated with memorabilia from Frankie Howerd's career. It's known for its real ale and was a former Camra National Club of the Year.

10. The Black Adder, Rhodes

Get your lips around a Baldrick (rum, verjuice, bitter almond and 'syrup of condensed must' - whatever that is) or a Lord Melchett (tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice & agave syrup and soda) in this stylish holidaymakers' bar named after the Rowan Atkinson sitcom, but not otherwise themed around it. And on the subject of expat bars,there's also a Benny Hill's in Magaluf.

Published: 10 Nov 2016