THE Top Gear lads zoomed into Lillie's Bordello last night to continue the show after their RDS performance.

The Herald can reveal how TV petrol-heads Jeremy Clarkson and James May hit the town with a vengeance as they headed to the celeb haunt for an invite-only party.

The presenters booked out the entire library area of the VIP club, normally used by Bono, for their private jamming session to unwind after thrilling audiences at the southside venue.

Motormouth Jeremy wasted no time in taking to the drums alongside the house band and spent more than an hour helping them revving up punters.

One of his party pieces was Mustang Sally. He told punters: "I'm going to have to go soon but this is one of my favourite songs from my favourite Irish films, because of all the f**king swearing."

However, there was no sign of Richard 'The Hamster' Hammond after a source revealed how he was "too wrecked" to head out for some after party fun.

His TV colleague James May was still eager for action though and was more than happy to press the flesh.

And although declining to join Jeremy and the band, he opted for the outside smoking area to hang out with pals.

When asked if he was going to sing, James told the Herald: "No, I'm not going to sing tonight -- I'm not an attention seeker."

But the big surprise for Top Gear fans came when Clarkson refused to pose for photos with them.

When asked for a quick snap with one fan, he replied: "No, the cameras have been going all night. You might say it's going to take just a minute but then it takes an hour. I just want to have a cigarette and relax."

No expense was spared by organisers as they pulled out all the stops to impress the lads for their visit back to the club. Champagne corks were popping the whole time as they laid on complimentary booze.

Earlier in the night, the Top Gear team regaled fans with their mad-cap antics. Among the celebrities enjoying the fuel-filled fun were Ireland rugby captain Brian O'Driscoll and new rugby sensation Jonathan Sexton. Also spotted was RTE star Laura Woods, Rosanna Davison and Lillie's co-owner Oliver Hughes.

mfinn@herald.ie