Comedian Dominic Holland found his plans for an evening at his local pub in Kingston-upon-Thames disrupted after his son, actor Tom Holland, publicly praised the establishment, causing an unexpected surge in customers. Dominic Holland, 59, shared in a recent Substack post that his usual quiet visit to The Cocoanut, a Thai restaurant and pub, was upended when the venue was fully booked by 7 p.m. on a recent Saturday.

The increased patronage came after Tom Holland, 30, mentioned The Cocoanut during media interviews following the release of his film The Odyssey in August. In an interview with The New York Times, Tom Holland referred to the pub as a preferred local spot, highlighting its dog-friendly policy and Thai cuisine, and recommending it to his co-star Matt Damon.

Dominic Holland described the experience as a mix of pride and inconvenience. He noted that despite his son’s rising celebrity status, the pub was usually a peaceful place where their family could dine without much attention. The actor’s endorsement, he said, attracted visitors from outside the area, making it difficult for him to secure a table and forcing him to eat outside in the garden.

“I have never seen the place so busy,” Dominic Holland said, adding that the surge underscored the challenges faced by many local pubs, which are increasingly under pressure from economic and regulatory factors. He criticized government policies in Westminster for contributing to the closure of pubs across the UK. “Two pubs close every day in the UK, thanks to our hapless politicians, most of whom have never run a business. Because of taxes and regulations, alcohol is ruinously expensive in pubs and comparatively cheap in supermarkets,” he commented.

Despite these challenges, Dominic Holland expressed hope that the increased popularity would benefit The Cocoanut in the long term without detracting from its welcoming atmosphere. The venue also offers a takeaway service, providing some relief when dining in becomes difficult due to demand.

Both Dominic and Tom Holland remain fans of The Cocoanut, with the comedian acknowledging the positive impact his son’s public profile has had on supporting a local business, even if it means occasional inconvenience for himself.