The Establishment was a
London nightclub which opened in October 1961, at 18
Greek Street,
Soho and was famous in retrospect for satire although actually more notable at the time for jazz and other events. It was founded by
Peter Cook and
Nicholas Luard, both of whom were also important in the history of the magazine
Private Eye. The name "The Establishment" is a play on the meaning of "establishment" as in "institution," i.e. the club itself, and
the broader definition meaning the prevailing social order of the time, which the satirists who founded, funded and performed at the club typically undermined. Peter Cook called it "the only good title I ever came up with."
The venue allowed the opportunity for budding comedians and satirists to perform new material in a nightclub setting, outside the jurisdiction of the Lord Chamberlain, whose censorship of language and content was a problem for many performers. Some who appeared included Lenny Bruce, Barry Humphries (as Edna Everage), and musically, The Dudley Moore Trio.
A second club was established in New York in 1963. However, both folded after only a few years. The Establishment in London closed in 1964.
In March 2008, the club was renamed Zebrano's but after a small group of Peter Cook devotees pressured the management for some recognition of the old club's importance in satire, the owners agreed to replace The Establishment in writing above the door.
