MINE'S A PINT AND A NATTER

DURING this lockdown I’ve realised how much I love pubs and bars.

- Andy SMART

In my job, as a stand-up comedian, I spend most of my time in bars. I love bars. I love sitting in a bar and chatting, telling stories, meeting new people, and discussing football.

Some grounds stick in my mind, like Lewes. What a great bar they have at the Dripping Pan! There are so many great beers in the home of Harvey’s Brewery. I always loved going down there.

Dave Lamb, who does the voice over on Come Dine With Me, is a fan of theirs, and Patrick Marber, the playwright, too.

I’ve known Patrick since the early days of Alternative Comedy in the eighties. In 2010 I went down to see the game against my club Farnborough and Patrick was very confident. He walked past me before the game, and said “Ready to be thrashed?”

Farnborough were 3-0 up at half-time and even though I knew how good the bar was, I waited for him to walk back past me, so I could say, “How’s that thrashing going?” Happy days.

Another ground with a great bar is Whitehawk. The barrels stacked high in the clubhouse.