As the capital of culture, London attracts world renowned comedy talent. This city also nurtures the first fledgling forays into the comedy circuit. This union means a diverse range of styles to suit all tastes from innocent and conservative to the controversial and avant garde. We have taken but a small cross section of some of the best venues to escape from a day of an intense, bustling metropolis.
Nightly (Mostly)
Shambles
Unpredictable and chaotic – that sums it all. This comedy club is always testing with the new materials, new ideas and new personalities too. Promoter, stand-up comedian and producer Harry Deansway brings together the most exciting comedians with inexhaustible determination! This club is actually best with the resident acts and the leftfield acts. You should expect a pleasant mix of brand new materials, bizarro antics and popular TV names.
When? Most nights something is on
Address: 156-158 Fortess Road, London NW5 2HP
Website: www.clubshambles.co.uk
Nearest tube station: Tufnell Park
99 Club Leicester Square
This gang has been in business for decades now and continues entertaining with excellence. You can expect a hike in their entry fees during busy times like Christmas. Usually, they are good value for money and always worth your time. One of the longest-running comedy clubs, they have survived the loss of many central arts venues with a time-honoured formula.
When? Tuesday to Saturday every week
Address: 28A Leicester Square, London WC2H 7LE
Tel: 0776 048 8119
Website: www.99clubcomedy.com/leicester_square_2.html
Nearest tube station: Leicester Square
Camden Comedy Club
The quick refurbishment in the room upstairs at the Camden Head makes way for the brand new Camden Comedy Club. A varied programmes is taken up by the best comedians and promoters in that L-shaped space and staged on different nights. Hampstead Comedy Club is on Saturdays (even if that sounds confusing enough), hosted by the veteran comedian/promoter Ivor Dembina with amazing line-ups. Various other highlights worth a mention are the chaotic and experimental gigs of the Flashmob and Laugh out London with Sara Pascoe.
When? Often seven nights a week
Address: 100 Camden High Street, London NW1 0LU
Tel: 0207 485 4019
Website: www.camdencomedyclub.com
Nearest tube station: Camden Town
Angel Comedy
Running seven nights a week, this popular and crowded venue encourages donations at the end of each night. Professional comics and rising stars are here for the shows every Friday and Saturday. Solo shows and the new material spots on weekends mean you never know what to expect.
When? Seven nights in a week – every day comedy!
Address: 2 Camden Passage, London N1 8DY
Website: www.angelcomedy.co.uk
Nearest tube station: Angel
The Invisible Dot
This permanent venue with a capacity of 100 has the best atmosphere of any comedy club in London, without the forced feel of many intimate shows. The ‘Saturday Night Show’ presents to you the themed gigs during Christmas, Valentines or Halloween. Among the best and one of the trendiest comedy clubs, featuring gigs from the likes of Adam Buxton, Tim Key and Simon Amstell.
When? Most of the nights of the week.
Address: 2 Northdown Street, London N1 9BG
Tel: 0207 424 8918
Website: www.theinvisibledot.com
Nearest tube station: King’s Cross St. Pancras
Up the Creek
This was originally set up by Malcolm Hardee back in the 90s and now has a welcoming atmosphere from a local crowd. The relaxed weekly Sunday special must be tried out. Ticket prices are cheap. This is a comedy club which is renowned for being a lively space, where only the best and strongest comedians have managed to survive.
When? Thursdays to Sundays (weekends plus other occasional off-days)
Address: 302 Creek Road, London SE10 9SW
Tel: 0208 858 4581
Website: www.up-the-creek.com/
Nearest DLR station: Cutty Sark
Leicester Square Theatre
Earlier known as The Venue, Leicester Square Theatre is not new to comedy. They have given a facelift to a monotonous space and came back with a bang in 2008, opening with a new bill of comedy, theatre and cabaret. If you are planning to catch up specifically with their comedy show and cabaret, you should be here in its intimate basement bar. Not strictly a space for comedy, this place also lets you enjoy lots of music and theatre as well. The main house has over 400 seats, where the big names like Jerry Sadowitz, Stewart Lee and Doug Stanhope perform. It has also witnessed the warm-up gigs by Micky Flanagan, Bill Bailey and Michael McIntyre. Lewis Schaffer and Rat Pack gang should be counted among the top highlights.
When? Most nights of the week.
Address: 6 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7BX
Tel: 0207 734 2222
Website: www.leicestersquaretheatre.com
Nearest tube station: Leicester Square
The Comedy Store
The capital of all the comedy clubs started way back in 1979 when there wasn’t much comedy happening around! Now, it excels and comes out with shining colours. They have been hosting the most stunning shows to this day and are there to entertain you most nights of the week. Performances by The Comedy Store players can be enjoyed every Wednesday and Saturday.
The raucous King Gong new act nights that can be enjoyed on the last Monday of every month are not to be missed.
When? Six to seven days in a week
Address: 1A Oxendon Street, London SW1Y 4EE
Tel: 0844 871 7699
Website: thecomedystore.co.uk
Nearest tube station: Piccadilly Circus
Weekly/Weekends
Comedy Café
Counted among the top comedy clubs in London and located right in the heart of vibrant Shoreditch, this comedy club is second to none when it comes to perfect comic timings and rising talents. Start your weekend with a show here before the DJs take over and make cafe into club.
When? Every Friday and Saturday
Address: 68 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3AY
Tel: 0207 739 5706
Website: www.comedycafetheatre.co.uk
Nearest tube station: Old Street
Downstairs at the King’s Head
It’s been there for more than 30 years now and takes pride in being one of the most successful and oldest comedy clubs in London. With exceptional comedy accompanied by speciality beers, seasonal menus, ales and Sunday roasts, this north London boozer revives traditional pub comedy. Thursdays introduce new blood to the competitive stage. Saturdays feature the prime cut while Sundays offer a more varied array of performers.
When? Thursdays, Saturdays and Sunday, and other occasional nights
Address: 2 Crouch End Hill, London N8 8AA
Tel: 0208 340 1028
Website: www.thekingsheadcrouchend.co.uk
Nearest train station: Crouch Hill
The 99 Club Covent Garden
Enjoy performances from talents like Jo Caulfield, Bob Mills and Ed Gamble. They ensure that you have had your weekend sorted out with the finest comedians in the world. Russell Brand, Sarah Millican and Jack Dee are among the former acts included. They have been the winners of Chortle Awards for four years at a stretch.
When? Every Saturday
Address: Strand Palace Hotel, 372 Strand, London WC2R 0JJ
Website: www.99clubcomedy.com/covent_garden.html
Nearest tube station: Covent Garden
Banana Cabaret
No-nonsense comedy to be enjoyed in its cosy room, right inside The Bedford pub! Vickers and his most entertaining Banana Cabaret team make the Balham Comedy Festival super-fun here. This festival takes over the pub for a week and is held sometime in July. It has been attracting starry names from all over the world. About to step into its 30th year and still counting!
When? Fridays and Saturdays
Address: 77 Bedford Hill, London SW12 9HD
Tel: 0208 682 8940
Website: bananacabaret.co.uk
Nearest tube station: Balham
The Comedy Tree
The Comedy Tree is one of the highly recommended comedy clubs in London, best known for its intimate atmosphere and high-quality shows – and lots of fun! Some big talents have performed here – Flight of the Conchords, Milton Jones, Jim Jefferies, Micky Flanagan, Lee Mack, Stephen Merchant.
When? Every Thursday
Address: 1 Black’s Road, London W6 9DT
Tel: 0207 041 7312
Website: www.thecomedytree.com
Nearest tube station: Hammersmith
Laugh Train Home
High-quality, grade-A comedy shows are guaranteed, with great food and nice beer. Some of the greatest acts who have graced the stage here are Bob Mills, Josh Widdicombe, Bobby Davro and lots more. Gigs are great value for the money spent!
When? Every Thursday
Address: 264 High Street, London W3 9BH
Website: www.laughtrainhome.com
Nearest train station: Acton Central
Comedy Carnival
With shows hosted at the Rumba in Soho, the Carnvial features the higher end of world class acts. Some of the most popular acts who have performed here include Flight of the Conchords, Russell Brand, Micky Flanagan, Michael McIntyre, Milton Jones and Jim Jefferies.
When? Every Friday and Saturday
Address: 36 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 7EP
Tel: 0207 041 7312
Website: www.comedycarnival.co.uk
Nearest tube station: Piccadilly Circus
Boat Show
The joy of being on a comedy club that’s held on a Thames steamer! With consistent and superb line-ups of comic talents, they present the breakthrough TV stars, the established and the new comers. They also have the celebrity guests coming in (recently Sarah Silverman). There is a nightclub which follows the show every Saturday. The boat is moored so don’t worry if you’re late.
When? Fridays, Saturdays and Tuesdays
Address: Tattershall Castle, Victoria Embankment, London SW1A 2HR
Phone: 07932 658895
Website: www.boatshowcomedy.co.uk
Nearest tube station: Embankment
Old Rope
This brand new material gig in central London is hosted by Tiff Stevenson. With all the freshly thought jokes falling on you like bombs, this will blow your mind away. Since it has been running every week, it has got itself associated with the big names in stand-up comedy. This comedy club has always been among the favourites of Robin Ince, Milton Jones and Rich Hall. Be here for watching newcomers and the circuit regulars in town. Make sure that you check the dates for all the latest headliners. Not to be missed.
When? Every Monday
Address: 37 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PP
Tel: 0207 493 8003
Website: www.phoenixcavendishsquare.co.uk/events
Nearest tube station: Oxford Circus
Monthly/Sporadically
Live at the Chapel
The comics here are capable of making headlines with some superb ones to follow – like the comedy big guns. It’s a blessing come true! They are mostly or always stunning. This comedy club also takes pride in staging its shows in one of the most beautiful venues in London. Past performers include the big bombs like Bridget Christie, Josie Long, Milton Jones, Nish Kumar, David O’Doherty, etc. Refer to the dates for all the latest line-ups.
When? Usually the first Saturday of the month
Address: Compton Terrace, London N1 2UN
Tel: 0207 226 1686
Website: www.unionchapel.org.uk
Nearest tube station: Highbury & Islington
Always Be Comedy
You just have to be here for at least once in your lifetime to find out why and how the pub gigs of ABC have emerged as a complete success in the city that literally has so many other entertaining things to keep all busy. With a strong line-up, securing a place that is safe enough to be successful is surely a big deal. Most of the comic acts they have performed here are capable of grabbing the headline slots. Laugh guaranteed with regulars like Romesh Ranganathan, Nick Helm, Katherine Ryan and lots more.
When? Runs fortnightly on Thursdays
Address: 185 Kennington Lane, London SE11 4EZ
Tel: 0207 735 1061
Website: www.alwaysbecomedy.com
Nearest tube station: Kennington
Laugh Out London
With some of the finest line-ups in town, Multi-award winnersThomas Meek and Jack De’ath put the best talents together for their stage. The shows here really are affordable.The comedy-savvy Londoner need not go elsewhere. With over half-a-dozen branches spread out in London, this is highly recommended. The slightly anarchic conceptual nights in Camden are also highly recommended.
When? Sporadic nights each and every month, keep an eye out!
Address: Different locations – Islington, Camden, and Brixton. Refer to website.
Website: laughoutlondoncomedyclub.co.uk
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