Balham’s iconic bar, The Bedford, has recently re-opened following a full renovation with an audacious new persona. Now sporting chic interiors, its ‘club room’ at the rear of the building has recently set the stage for a series of cabaret nights, in partnership with Medium Rare entertainment.
Having recently kicked off in January and next appearing on 22ndof this month, The Bedford have re-thought how to use its space. More so than simply a late-night dancefloor and live music venue, this recent collaboration with Medium Rare has introduced an evening of cult cabaret and cutting-edge variety; showcasing its new dishes set alongside an evening of debauchery.
Medium Rare describe themselves as ‘home to the weird, wild and supremely talented’. A daring circus act, the evening showcases new performances from around the globe including cabaret and comedy acts, pole dancing, acrobatics and opera; all in The Bedford’s iconic Club Room. Acts include comedy drag performer, Madame Galina Prima Ballerina, Bruce Airhead which can only be described as some sort of balloon artist, and hoola hooper Jess Love from down under. This February, the line-up will also include opera singer, Ronald Samm, while Kalki Hula will take to the hoop.
Intimate candlelit tables fill the space on the ground floor and up on the mezzanine above. We are welcomed with a glass of extra dry Versetto Prosecco on arrival and with wine at our table (either half a bottle of South African Rambler white wine, or an Italian Rambler Rosso). Dishes roll on out with a cumin fermented beetroot with cauliflower & onion and a duck & chicken liver parfait with apricot chutney and toasted brioche.
Onto main courses – an excellent slow cooked beef brisket served with mash, sautéed greens and red wine jus; this seeming the popular choice as it also filled the plates of most tables around us. Other main options – a pan seared sea bass with new potatoes, green beans, black olives, sun blushed tomato and pesto or a pumpkin & mushroom wellington with winter vegetables. For dessert a classic sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream, however other options from the set menu include flourless chocolate cake or cheese and grapes. This all enjoyed as the show warms up behind the scenes.
Adding another dimension of entertainment to the iconic south London landmark that was first built in 1931, these daring new cabaret nights sit in parallel with The Bedford’s recently completed a multi-million-pound refurbishment, creating an unrivalled pub, club, restaurant, live music and entertainment with the addition of 15 luxe boutique bedrooms. Serving artisan spirits, craft beers, cocktails, wine and Champagnes – the restaurant exploits the best ingredients from the British Isles such as free-range chicken and pork, beef aged in-house and sustainably-caught fish. With its past live acts really putting it on the map, The Bedford has previously set the stage for Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Eddie Izzard and Michael McIntyre.
Doors open at 7:30pm with dinner at 8:00pm. Dance the night away after the show with DJ Sarah Smith aka The Wee Smithy hitting the decks from 11pm – 2am. Tickets cost £50 per person. To purchase tickets for the February event please e-mail info@thebedford.com.
Address: 77 Bedford Hill, London, SW12 9HD, 020 3976 8007, thebedford.com
