David Mitchell once revealed the Cambridge pub he always returned to for a drink before the Footlights pantomime, despite admitting it had one rather unglamorous feature
Ludwig star David Mitchell has revealed the Cambridge pub that holds a special place in his heart, despite admitting it may not boast the smartest surroundings.
The comedian and actor looked back on his university days in Cambridge in a 2005 piece for The Guardian, recalling the drinking, comedy and acting that eventually helped shape his career.
The 52-year-old described his time at university as a happy one, although returning to the city brought mixed emotions as he was reminded of his younger self.
He explained that he and several former Footlights performers would regularly head to the same pub before watching the Cambridge comedy club’s annual pantomime at the ADC Theatre.
“It always seems to happen when a group of us goes back,” Mitchell wrote. “Maybe we’re all trying to drown our nostalgia sadness, or maybe we’ve managed to convince ourselves that getting drunk was genuinely all we did when we were students, rather than just being all we talked about.”
And there was one particular watering hole that repeatedly drew the group back.
“The Maypole is the best pub in Cambridge,” Mitchell declared. He admitted it was “not the smartest” and that it did not serve the city’s finest food, although he praised its “good and very comforting” dishes.
The pub, on Portugal Place, has long been a family-run establishment. It was taken over by Vincent Castiglione’s father in 1982 and is now run by Vincent and his son Mario.
Vincent said his family had been in Cambridge for more than three decades and described the pub as having a strong community atmosphere.
“My family’s been in Cambridge for 32 years; my dad’s Sicilian, my mum’s English and I’m Cambridge born and bred,” he said. “I love running the pub, it’s a lovely place and our customers are fantastic. It’s a safe, friendly pub; it’s got that ‘local’ feel, despite being right in the centre.”
The Maypole has also built a reputation for its drinks selection, with 16 real ales, including beers from local and micro breweries, alongside Belgian bottled beers and cocktails.
Food is another major draw, with Vincent describing it as “good, home-made pub food”. The menu includes Italian and English dishes, as well as pizzas made at the pub.
Its proximity to the ADC Theatre has also helped make it a popular haunt for performers and comedy fans over the years.
Vincent revealed: “David Mitchell used to drink here, and we got a mention in his autobiography. When he played a gig at the Corn Exchange not long ago, he popped back for a drink here afterwards.”
He added that Mitchell was far from the only famous face to have frequented the pub, naming Richard Ayoade and Rachel Weisz among other actors and comedians who had been regulars during their student days.
For Mitchell, however, the appeal appeared to be less about celebrity connections and more about the familiarity of returning to a place where he felt remembered.
“It’s comfortable, friendly, lively and, crucially, they remember me there,” he wrote.
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