Laugh in the New Year

'You can't try to have fun,' as Ozzy Osbourne sagely observed on Was Not Was's hit Shake Your Head. But, as if to defy the crown prince of sharp-witted befuddlement, once again it's that time of year when you're encouraged to feel like a hopeless case if you don't have the most debauched night of your life.

Let's be honest, New Year's Eve at a comedy club can rarely reach those giddy heights. But deferring the pressure to keep things lively can certainly loosen the spirit. A late bar at pub prices, plus dancing after midnight, will do the rest.

Still, if you want your comedy to be merely a warm-up act to other shenanigans, look no further than the wonderful West End show by Bill Bailey, Part Troll (Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue W1. Tel: 020 7494 5070).

A few yards away, the Comedy Store (1a Oxendon Street SW1. Tel: 0870 060 2340) has a cracking bill fronted by brilliant compere Tim Clark. But its serried ranks of seats aren't to everyone's taste - local comedy clubs can be stronger on the easy atmosphere required. Most put on special shows, often with food and always - be warned - significantly more expensive than on regular nights.

Balham's Banana Cabaret (The Bedford, 77 Bedford Hill SW12. Tel: 020 8673 8904) is a New Year's Eve mainstay. This year, quickfire lefty local John Moloney heads a terrific bill that includes Paul Tonkinson, John Fothergill and, fresh from the Royal Variety Performance, Will Smith. The floppy-haired English one, that is.

Up in Camden, Monkey Business (Lush Bar, 31 Jamestown Road NW1. Tel: 07932 338 203) has a chummy atmosphere that suits its quirky acts. This year's line-up includes Matt Dyktynski, Dan Antopolski and former Flying Picket Gary Howard. His acoustic renderings of current hits showcase both his own powerful voice and, amusingly, the songwriting skills lurking beneath overproduced hit-parade fare.

Finally, heading east, Lee Hurst's Backyard Club (231 Cambridge Heath Road E2. Tel: 020 7739 3122) features a line-up compered by the erstwhile They Think It's All Over star himself. Local boy Mickey Flanagan - who, like a lot of New Year's Eve acts, is also to be seen in at least one other venue - is joined by Ben Norris and the proudly pedantic but utterly affable Alun Cochrane.

In all cases, book ahead - getting turned away at the door on New Year's Eve is nobody's idea of having fun.