London is where British comedy lives and breathes. It is the city where most comedians cut their teeth, where new material is tested, and where the biggest names in stand-up still perform regularly in surprisingly intimate rooms. Whether you want to see a household name working out new material or discover the next big thing at an open mic, London has a comedy club for every taste and budget.
The legendary clubs
The Comedy Store
The Comedy Store on Oxendon Street, just off Leicester Square, is the most famous comedy club in the country. It has been running since 1979 and launched the careers of many of Britain's greatest comedians. The main room hosts a mix of headline shows and the legendary Comedy Store Players improv night on Wednesdays and Sundays. The standard is consistently high, and the atmosphere is electric. Book in advance -- it sells out regularly.
Soho Theatre
Soho Theatre on Dean Street is not strictly a comedy club, but it has become one of the most important comedy venues in the UK. The intimate main space and even smaller downstairs room host previews, work-in-progress shows, and full runs from some of the best comedians working today. Many Edinburgh Fringe hits transfer here. The bar is excellent, and the programme also includes theatre and cabaret.
The Bill Murray
The Bill Murray on Queen's Head Street in Islington is the home of Angel Comedy. It hosts free comedy shows almost every night, featuring a mix of established circuit acts and promising newcomers. The quality for a free night is remarkably high, and the room has a warm, supportive atmosphere. It is the best value comedy night in London -- arrive early to guarantee a seat.
Established clubs across the city
Top Secret Comedy Club
Top Secret Comedy Club on Drury Lane in Covent Garden is a basement venue that hosts some of the best lineups in London. The room is small, which means you are close to the performers, and surprise guests (including major TV names testing new material) are a regular occurrence. The central location and reasonable prices make it a reliable choice for a comedy night out.
Backyard Comedy Club
Backyard Comedy Club on East Road in Bethnal Green has established itself as one of east London's best comedy venues. The room is purpose-built for comedy, with good sightlines and acoustics. The Saturday night shows are consistently strong, and the venue also hosts regular themed nights and work-in-progress shows from bigger names.
Banana Cabaret
Banana Cabaret at The Bedford in Balham has been running for over thirty years, making it one of the longest-established comedy nights in London. The beautiful Edwardian venue adds a touch of grandeur to the evening. The Saturday night shows feature three or four acts plus a compere, and the standard is reliable. South Londoners are fiercely loyal to this venue, and rightly so.
Up The Creek
Up The Creek in Greenwich is one of London's most raucous comedy clubs. The audiences are notoriously lively (bordering on rowdy), which means the comedians who play here are battle-hardened. It is not for the faint-hearted, but if you enjoy comedy with edge and unpredictability, there is nowhere better. The Saturday shows are the most electric, and the late shows can be genuinely wild.
Newer and independent rooms
The Moth Club
The Moth Club on Valette Street in Hackney is a converted ex-servicemen's club that hosts comedy alongside music and cabaret. The retro interior -- complete with wood panelling and a mirrored ceiling -- gives it a unique character. Comedy nights here attract strong lineups, and the room's intimate feel creates a connection between performer and audience that larger clubs cannot replicate.
2Northdown
2Northdown on North Down Street in King's Cross is a multi-purpose venue that hosts comedy, podcasts, and music. The programming is eclectic and the atmosphere is relaxed. It has become a popular spot for podcast recordings, so you might find yourself in the audience for a live taping of a show you listen to regularly.
Monkey Barrel Comedy (London)
Edinburgh's acclaimed Monkey Barrel Comedy expanded to London with a venue in Covent Garden. It brings the same ethos that made the Edinburgh original so successful -- sharp lineups, fair prices, and a room designed specifically for stand-up comedy. The Edinburgh pedigree means the booking is consistently excellent.
Free comedy nights
London has an abundance of free comedy nights, particularly during the week. Beyond The Bill Murray, look out for free shows at Downstairs at the King's Head in Crouch End, Comedy Virgins at various locations, and the many pub comedy nights across the city. These are often the best way to discover new comedians -- the acts are trying out material, which means you see comedy at its rawest and most experimental.
Practical tips
- Book ahead for weekend shows -- Popular clubs sell out, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. Midweek shows are easier to get into and often feature better lineups at lower prices.
- Arrive early -- Most clubs operate general admission seating. Arriving early gets you a better seat (or any seat at all for the popular rooms).
- Do not sit in the front row unless you are comfortable with audience interaction -- Many comedians interact with the front rows. If you prefer to watch rather than participate, sit a few rows back.
- Check for two-drink minimums -- Some clubs require a minimum drink purchase. This is standard practice but worth knowing in advance.
- Put your phone away -- Recording is almost universally banned at comedy clubs. Comedians test new material in these rooms and filming it can be genuinely damaging to their work.
Finding comedy shows
London has comedy every single night of the week, in every corner of the city. Browse upcoming comedy events on Tickts with no booking fees -- paying less for your ticket means more money for drinks at the bar, which is exactly how a comedy night should work.
