The Two Brewers is the multi award-winning cabaret mothership in Clapham home to the UK’s biggest drag stars, amazing DJs and one of the best bar teams in the UK. Right now the builders are in and it’s getting the biggest makeover in its long history. Dave Cross spoke to General Manager Jimmy Smith to get the lowdown.
Hi Jimmy, the Brewers has been shut for two weeks, so this is more than a lick of paint then?
Yes dear! We’re so excited as this is the first major investment in over 21 years. It is so much more than our annual sparkle; we have been planning it for a while and we hope you love all the changes as much as we do.
In basic terms, can you tell us what is going to happen?
The whole building is having a much needed face lift with no corner being left unturned.
And this is throughout the whole building?
Absolutely, the Cabaret Bar is getting most of the work, with a brand new cabaret feel. The Club Bar will be getting new sound and lights and some fabulous new seating, while the toilets and the outside of the building will be getting some much needed attention too.
What is the decor going to look like?
That’s top secret – you will have to come down after Saturday to see, but I can say the Two Brewers is coming into the 21st century.
You are opening on Saturday (20 Oct), but it will be very much a soft opening, won’t it?
Yes, changes to the bars will help our staff serve more efficiently, but as with any big change we will need to get used to things, so we are ready for our famous Halloween weekender.
So more work will be done until the big opening party the Friday after (26 Oct)?
The majority of the work will be done before but we will be doing the outside of the building after, so you don’t miss out on Halloween weekend.
What can we expect on Halloween weekend?
We have our launch party on the Friday (26 Oct) with Alison Jiear and Mary Mac, and on the Saturday it’s our famous Halloween Fancy Dress Competition hosted by CK with £500 worth of prizes for the best costumes. On Sunday we are having the Brewers Family Party with our Power of Three plus Myra DuBois as well. Then it’s Monday Halloween Bingo with Ophelia Moore, Tuesday Scaryoke with Kevin Walsh and also our line dancing group is having their Halloween party in the club. We end the week with a Halloween themed quiz with Sum Ting Wong and Rose Garden after. We also have the amazing Harry Poppers show on Wednesday and Thursday in the Club, so you can see there is a lot going on.
What else is coming up after Halloween?
A lot! Just to name a few: Karaoke Battle of the Bars is coming back; Michelle McManus; Nicki French and The D.E will be back; and The Cheeky Girls will be back too. Miss Hope Springs is bringing her show back as well, London Gay Big Band is planning a show, and there are some amazing club nights already planned with Ball, Ruggercub, Backroom, Pineapple and Countdown as well as more shows from the Two Box – too many to mention it all!
Photos by ChrisJepson.com
The Two Brewers, 114 Clapham High Street, London, SW4 7UJ.
the2brewers.com
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