Thank you Leadfingers and "guest" for putting the "why"s into this. A list of clubs would become abit turgid, whereas reasons make for more interesting reading.

I'd agree with Leadfingers that Maidenhead has a great ambience due in part to the convivial setting, but mostly due to the friendliness of the hosts.

Other favourites to play reflect how well I feel I've gone down: an audience that is attentive and/or up for it as appropriate makes for a good gig. And it helps to be able to see the whites of their eyes. I didlike venues where the audience are hiding in the shadows or spread around the edges of the room.

Oxford at the Port Mahon comes to mind as a good combination of venue and enthusiastic punters. Breezy's in the Comfort's good, too: big choruses when needed and always intimate.