Taylor Swift and Domhnall Gleeson [screenshot from Opalite music video]

HOW did Taylor Swift end up filming her latest music video at a historic working men’s club in Newington Green?

The world’s biggest pop star seems an unlikely figure to grace the rainbow-streamer-backed stage at the Mildmay Club, where she danced with actor Domhnall Gleeson in a joyful scene from her Opalite music video featuring Graham Norton, Lewis Capaldi, Greta Lee, Jodie-Turner Smith and Cillian Murphy.

Mr Gleeson also had a scene with a cactus love interest – watch it to understand – which was shot in the club’s iconic snooker hall.

Ms Swift has told how she decided to bring this cast together after they shared the sofa on The Graham Norton Show last year and Mr Gleeson joked that his dancing skills might qualify him to appear in one of her videos.

“It’s pretty cool that it’s just the place where we hang out,” said Daniel Dwyer, 30, who has been a member for three years and told how he recognised the snooker hall immediately when he watched Ms Swift’s new video.

Actor Mr Gleeson in the club’s iconic snooker hall [screenshot from Opalite music video]

This isn’t the first time the Mildmay has starred on the big screen – its old school interior has appeared in films like Steve McQueen’s 2024 Blitz, starring Saoirse Ronan, TV shows like Call the Midwife, and music videos by Oasis, Franz Ferdinand and Florence & the Machine.

Mr Dwyer added: “It’s so cheap, the bar is subsidised, there are a tonne of events on and you can play pool, darts, board games, whatever you want. I absolutely love it.”

Membership to the Mildmay Club costs £35 for the year and you have to be recommended by existing members – as well as pass an interview with a board member.

“As far as I’m aware, a lot of it is subsidised by the filming that goes on there,” Mr Dwyer said.

“But they tell you way in advance and if having it be occasionally unavailable keeps the whole thing affordable for everyone, that’s a good sacrifice in my mind. You can have £3.50 pints on a Friday and listen to live music with a guaranteed seat – that’s pretty unheard of in London.”
Hiring out the space for film and TV shoots brings in up to £300,000 per year according to the company accounts – just slightly less than takings from the bar.