Westminster refurbishments mean two famous pubs could close. Where will MPs drink then?

Two infamous politicos’ pubs – St Stephens Tavern and the Red Lion – could soon be seized by parliament and closed. Under one of several plans to restore the Palace of Westminster, to be voted on by MPs today, politicians would decamp to buildings across the road, enclosing both pubs in a new £50m security ring. We would lose two open forums where tourists jostle with parliamentarians. Luckily, there are plenty more. Here are four other boozers where you might be able to find your MP ...

The Sports and Social Club

The “Sports and Socialist”, as it is sometimes known, is the closest thing to a proper boozer within the Palace of Westminster. Accordingly, it is popular with the left, and all those looking to embrace a simulation of working-class culture.

Famous for: Bonking. It’s the bag carrier’s first port of call, a febrile hothouse for 25-year-old special advisers. It was here, too, that six years ago the then Labour MP Eric Joyce assaulted four people (three Tories, one from his own party) in a bar-room brawl.

The Westminster Arms

One of those places so parliamentary that it has its own division bell, so drinking politicians can dash back to the Commons when there is a vote.

Famous for: Nigel Farage, who made it his living room during his heyday. A long line of Ukip brass and fixers have kept up the tradition. In 2015, Farage cooked up a scheme to “save” it from developers, who had planned to turn its basement wine-bar into flats.

The Strangers’ Bar

Halfway up the pecking order of exclusivity, well behind the MPs-only tea rooms, here visitors (“strangers” in parliamentary lingo) are allowed entry, but to preserve some exclusivity, only MPs can pay for drinks.

Famous for: A sense of sanctuary. David Cameron would apparently sink pints and smoke fags here in the darkest evenings of the referendum campaign, trying to marshal his inner Churchill.

The Players

This somewhat downmarket, albeit not cheap, late-night piano bar in Charing Cross is near enough to Westminster to play more than a bit part in its booze ecosystem.

Famous for: Its popularity with gay MPs. At least one honourable member allegedly “keeps a leather jacket and skintight leather trousers” in his office in case he needs to change into something more inappropriate for a visit.