In times both jolly and jolly perilous, a good old singalong can work wonders. Though the sounds of ivory-tickling no longer wafts out of most East End boozers, there are a surprising number of singalong sessions around London where you can gather around the ol' Joanna and have a right good knees-up.
Tony 'Fingers' Pearson, The Golden Eagle, Marylebone (every Tuesday and Thursday)
Marylebone may not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of Chas & Dave covers, but the Golden Eagle has been a family-run pub for over 30 years, and alongside the flowing Otter beer and bonhomie, hosts a free singalong every Tuesday and Thursday from 8pm. Tony 'Fingers' Pearson leads the way from his upright piano — and with a name like that, he's cut out for the role. The Golden Eagle, Marylebone
Mrs H and the Sing-along Band, Walthamstow Trades Hall (every Wednesday) and Exmouth Market Centre (every Thursday and Friday)
Actor, writer, performer, guitarist and singer Harriette Ashcroft heads a motley band of musicians, who put on thrice-weekly singalong drop-ins for children in east London. It's playful stuff — with a scattering of puppets, dress-up and storytelling. Bear in mind, this is not your usual pub knees-up — the pint of bitter will have to wait. Mrs H and the Sing-along Band
Carradine's Cockney Sing-a-Long, My Fogg's Tavern, Covent Garden (every Thursday)
Passing Mr Fogg's Tavern (on St Martin's Lane) on a Thursday* evening (8.30pm-10.30pm), you could be forgiven for thinking you'd stumbled through a wormhole into a music hall era of yesteryear. Ivory tickler extraordinaire Tom Carradine takes to the ol' Joanna, inviting folk to gather round and join in with standards like She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain and There'll Always Be an England. Aside from this weekly spot, Tom also performs with his six-piece band the China Plates every three-four months at Wilton's Music Hall, as well as doing Baby Knees Up, a family-friendly show with puppets and bubbles. Carradine's Cockney Sing-a-Long
*Mondays in December only
Supersonic Singalong, Cavendish Square, Oxford Circus (second Friday of the month)
Not a piano in sight at Supersonic Singalong, which is instead a form of mass karaoke, where pop, indie and rock anthems are blasted out, along with the words and videos on the big screen, and everyone joins in the euphoria of it all.
Supersonic Singalong, Cavendish Square, Oxford Circus
Overtures, Louche Soho (every Friday and Saturday)
From Cabaret to Les Misérables, the nimble pianists at Overtures will indulge your showtune singalong whims. This is one for anyone who's dreamed of being on the West End stage. It is, after all, technically a stage in the West End. You've made it, baby! Overtures, Louche Soho
Sunday Sing-A-Long, Duke of Kendal, Marble Arch (every Sunday)
After demolishing your Sunday roast at this central London boozer, stick around till 7.30pm — when classic singalong ditties are played on a piano. All and sundry and invited to join in with the singing — it's smart way to forget about that looming Monday for another couple of hours. Sunday Sing-A-Long, Duke of Kendal, Marble Arch
Variety Bunker Singalong, Gladstone Arms, Borough (one Sunday a month)
Duo Mister Meredith and Miss Em combine their cockney knees-up powers for a monthly show at the Gladstone, belting out knee-slapping, arm-swaying classics like My Old Man (Said Follow the Van), through to adopted American anthems such as Sweet Caroline. Sometimes there's singalong bingo, as well as special guests — for instance, members of the George Formby Society. Variety Bunker Singalong, Gladstone Arms, Borough
Kirsty's Poptastic Piano Singalong
For over 10 years, pianist, improviser and 'human jukebox' Kirsty Newton has been leading crowds in joyous renditions of pop classics, throwing in mash-ups and medleys to keep you on your toes. Kirsty's violinist sister Heather sometimes joins in too. There's no regular London slot per se, but Kirsty does perform every few months at Downstairs At The King's Head in Crouch End and at The Royal Standard in Blackheath. Kirsty's Poptastic Piano Singalong
Prince Charles Cinema, Leicester Square
Join fellow film buffs in one of the city's best loved cinemas, for regular Sing-A-Long sessions. Do the Time Warp to The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Belt out "tell me more, tell me more..." amidst a sea of Grease fans. And at Christmas, sing along with Messrs Caine and Kermit, to one of the Prince Charles's (many) Muppet Christmas Carol screenings. Prince Charles Cinema, Leicester Square
