They’re places where you can drink cocktails or a few pints, have a laugh, and forget about what’s going on in the world for an hour or two – which we can all do with sometimes. Here’s our rundown of 16 comedy clubs in London that will have you laughing your bloody socks off:
1. Top Stand Up Comedy at the Seven Dials Club
Kicking off this list of the best comedy clubs in London is a real humdinger. Think top comedians (e.g. Jack Whitehall, Sara Pascoe) plus a top location (the Seven Dials Club in Covent Garden), minus the top price tag! Walk just two minutes from Covent Garden station, grab a drink in their lively bar, and take a pew for a night of belly laughs for just 16 quid. Now you can’t say fairer that right? Cop your tickets here.
2. South Ken Comedy Nights at The Hoop and Toy
The organisers behind this comedy club in London say that ‘you’re guaranteed to laugh until you cry’. Strong words there, but we believe them if we’re honest. Over the course of two hours, you’ll get to listen to a range of different comics who will be giving it their all and covering all kinds of comedy. The Hoop and Toy being a pub, there’ll also be loads of drinks on offer, and you can come on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, or stave off the Sunday fear with a comedy night on Sunday. What’s not to love? Buy your tickets here.
3. Soho Comedy Factory at The Blue Posts
In partnership with the acclaimed Soho Comedy Factory, eclectic venue The Blue Posts hosts a surprise, stellar lineup of comedians for your chuckling pleasure every Wednesday. See some of the finest talent that British comedy has to offer in action, as well as the stars of tomorrow. Previous shows have included acts seen on ‘Live at the Apollo‘, ‘Mock the Week‘, ‘The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan‘, ITV’s ‘The Stand Up Sketch Show‘, and many more. Get a hold of your tickets here.
4. Comedy Carnival at Covent Garden Studios
It won’t be the first time you’ve seen many of the faces you will see on stage at Comedy Carnival, with award-winning, international comedians performing every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. While the comedians will eventually have to call it a night, you certainly won’t, as you’re just a stone’s throw away from some epic bars and clubs. Well cheers to that! There’s also a sister version in Clapham which has seen the likes of Reginald D. Hunter, Paul Chowdhry and Milton Jones perform. Pretty good return on your mullah we say. You can find out more here.
5. The Comedy Store, West End
A firm West End favourite, The Comedy Store sees over 3,500 people pass through its doors every single week. They’ve come a long way since they first opened their doors in 1979 (comics no longer have to change in a cupboard or wee in a sink like they did at the Gargoyle Club). From topical news-based comedy on Tuesdays, to improv on Wednesdays and Sundays, all the way to the best stand-up Thursday to Saturday (and the odd open mic talent night on a Monday). Whatever kind of humour tickles you, The Comedy Store offers something for everyone’s taste! You can find out more here.
6. Backyard Comedy Club, Bethnal Green
“The Backyard Comedy Club in Bethnal Green – if there’s a better comedy club in the world I don’t know where it is“. If the words of Russell Howard don’t speak for themselves, we don’t know whose will! Enjoy pool, table football and ping-pong at the largest professional, purpose-built comedy club in London, which has been the home of comedy in the East End for the past 20 years. Harry Hill, Dara O’Brien, Jo Brand, Alan Carr, Rhod Gilbert… quite frankly, the list is endless, so check it out for yourself.
7. The Bill Murray, Angel (& Camden)
A comedian-run, crowd-funded comedy club: ‘2 venues. 7 nights a week. 100% funny.’ This club is in a pub and doubles up as a hub (we may not be humorous but we certainly are poetic). If you’re feeling funny, The Bill Murray provides a creative space for comedians to meet, write, rehearse and perform. And if you don’t have the gift – don’t worry, just come and laugh at all the amazing comedians that do! Many of their shows are FREE, but do arrive early to secure your seat (especially on weekends). Get involved here.
8. Bearcat Comedy at The Viaduct, Twickenham
“Without question one of the oldest, most respected and genuinely exciting comedy clubs in the world” – Omid Djalili
^ He said it 🤷♂️ – and who can argue with that? Find out more about Bearcat Comedy at The Viaduct in Twickenham here.
9. The Top Secret Comedy Club, Holborn
Keeping the prices low, the quality high and the club on the hush hush. It’s a Top Secret Comedy Club remember? Michael McIntyre, Ken Jeong and Robyn Perkins are just a handful of the names that have graced this stage. Book in advance because, as Jack Whitehall once said, “Top Secret is one of London’s best comedy clubs, it won’t be secret for long!” Get your arse down here pronto we say.
10. Downstairs at the King’s Head, Crouch End
One of the oldest comedy clubs in Britain prides itself on creating the right ambience for each event and providing unbeatable value for money. With a capacity of just 100, it makes every comedy night an intimate one. Many of the biggest comedians have passed through the doors of the King’s Head, some of whom continue to perform there, so keep your eye out on their website.
11. The Stand Up Club at The Comedy Pub
Another banger of a comedy club here if we say so ourselves. The Stand-Up Club’s flagship venue – The Comedy Pub – is a Grade II-listed building, with four floors, three bars and a lively atmosphere, hosting award-winning comedy every weekend. What more could you ask for from this roundup of comedy clubs in London, eh? Find out more here.
12. The Camden Comedy Club, Camden
NOT to be confused with The Camden Head in Angel, this comedy night takes place upstairs at The Camden Head in, yep – you guessed it, Camden. Their brand new programme is full of stand-up comedy nights, sketch and improv, new material, Edinburgh previews, and even workshops and masterclasses for the budding comedian. A lovely new refurb has made this an intimate, friendly little room, where comedy magic happens every day of the week! Get the lowdown here. They also have the Top Stand-Up Comedy Club just down the road at The Camden (confusing we know). You can get a hold of those tickets here.
13. The Honor Oak, Forest Hill
Laugh Train Home is known for hilarious comedy nights, a fun atmosphere and a bit of the unexpected. Seann Walsh, Josh Widdicombe, Reginald D. Hunter and Sara Pascoe are amongst the humorous heroes that have had crowds in stitches at The Honor Oak in South East London. Head down on a Tuesday for a good laugh! You can find out more here.
And now for something a bit different…
14. Bottomless Booze Comedy at Vauxhall Comedy Club
We all love laughing, drinking and having a good time. So, what could possibly be better than a comedy brunch with bottomless booze? This monthly event will have you splitting your sides, filling your bellies and dancing your socks off. Settle in with 90 minutes of bottomless spirits and mixers or beer, wine and cider at the Vauxhall Comedy Club. Then, once you’ve had your fill, the finest TV and circuit comics the UK has to offer will make sure to get you laughing till it hurts for the rest of the evening. All of this for the same price as a few cocktails in some Soho dive bar! Sounds pretty damn good to us. You can grab your tickets for the show here.
15. Comedy on the Thames at The Tattershall Castle
All aboard the Tattershall Castle for a laugh-out-loud evening of hilarious live comedy and beautiful riverside views! One of the best comedy clubs in London, their shows are a non-stop barrage of laughs, featuring the capital’s finest comedic talent, including regular TV names and cream of the crop of the UK circuit. As well as live music, there’s also a nightclub on board that keeps spinning until the wee hours – party on we say. Take a leap off the pier and jump on board for a laugh here. They’ve also got a fancy-dress themed version this month too – cop your tickets for that here.
16. Shiny Things: A Night of Improvised Comedy at Arkstar
Join three of London’s best improvisational comedy troupes at Arkstar for a festive night of rapturous comedy that will leave you giddy and gasping for more! Experience the magic of improvised comedy at its finest, with house team ‘Fool’s Gold’ joined by major improv legends – Graham Dickson and Naomi Petersen – and followed by the ‘Mean Girls’. After the break, headliners Lauda will round things off, with Anna Marie Simonsen injecting her unique character ‘Naughty’ to assist the host throughout. It’s going to be a Christmas to remember. Get a hold of your tickets now here for this one-off event which promises to be one hell of a night to remember.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best comedy clubs in London. If you’re looking for a belly laugh or two, then you’ve definitely come to the right place!