London is the world’s comedy capital. As you know, Londoners are known around the world for their sophisticated sense of humour. Sometimes not sophisticated too! London hosts a plethora of clubs offering all sorts of shows, from stand-up comedies to large festival shows. You can find several events every day, from early evenings to late hours. With so many comedy shows in London, the only problem you might have is the lack of time. One thing is for sure: you’ll never get bored in the UK’s capital. In this guide, we’ll help you choose the best comedy shows in London.
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Joker Comedy at Earl’s Court
Joker Comedy at Earl’s Court calls itself London’s nicest weekly comedy night! Judging by the audience’s response, it’s true! The show includes ten stand-up comedians. From rising talents to established professionals, they offer a fun and varied programme. The event’s hosts Josh and Thor will do their best to make you feel part of the show. Joker Comedy takes place at Bolton’s and Proeflokaal Rembrandt Pub on Wednesday and Thursday nights. You can order food and drinks at the table while you watch the show. Don’t forget to try one of the exotic Dutch beers, the pub’s specialty.
Shoreditch Comedy At City Comedy Club
The City Comedy Club in Shoreditch is one of London’s most popular comedy theatres. They host a weekly line-up of talented comedians. But that’s not all: celebrity mystery guests pop up frequently. The club’s legendary events include: Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Russell Howard’s Good News, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, and the Comedy Central Roast Battle. The Comedy Club is on the lower level of the Trapeze Bar in Shoreditch. Take note that their cocktails are as good as the shows. There are shows every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. Sip your preferred beverage while enjoying 2 hours of laughter and fun, guaranteed.
The West End Comedy Club
The West End Comedy Club is the newest addition to the city’s comedy scene. This stand-up comedy show takes place every Tuesday night on the upper floor of the Covent Garden Social Club in the heart of Theatreland, London. Though this is a new venue, they’ve managed to select a fantastic lineup, including local and international talent. Shows run for up to 2 hours, with 3 or 4 comedians taking the stand and a master of ceremonies. The club is perfect for a night out with friends. Be sure to contact them if you are more than 10. The venue accommodates up to 70 people but feels intimate.
Comedy Cabin
The Hoxton Cabin is a hip little comedy place on the edge of Shoreditch, across Hoxton Overground station. The club has shows from Mondays to Saturdays. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, new talent meets seasoned veterans in RAW nights. However, the best events happen during the weekend. The small and cozy venue offers snacks and drinks, so grab a cocktail and enjoy a couple of hours of comedy. Other popular nights are The Comedy Sack, Camden Fringe, and Erotic Fan Fiction. There is always something going on for everyone at the Hoxton Cabin.
The Boat Show Comedy Club
Can you believe that London has a comedy club on the water? The Boat Show takes place on a real boat called the Tattershall Castle, a paddle steamer, docked at the Victoria Embankment right across London Eye. A fantastic boat show comedy night takes place every Friday and Saturday evening and includes four comedians and an occasional special guest. The boat has four bars with great views over the Thames. Food is available before the show, though you can’t have hot food during the show. The venue has a relaxed dress code. Please don’t wear a fancy dress or sports clothes.
Comedy Downstairs at the Shakespeare
No list of the best comedy shows in London can be complete without the Comedy Downstairs at the Shakespeare. The event takes place every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at one of London’s oldest pubs. Located next to the Barbican tube station, the Shakespeare pub serves delicious Anglo-Italian food in a wood-furnished interior. The place is small, intimate, and loads of fun. The show starts as early as 07:30 PM and lasts for almost 2 hours. Some of the most talented stand-up comedians in the country perform here. Come early, grab some food and drinks, and enjoy this hilarious show.
London Wonderground by Underbelly
The London Wonderground festival takes place from July 15th to September 26th at the former Earls Court 2 Exhibition Centre in Earl’s Court. The Wonderground features a city beach, bumper cars, dinosaurs, a helter-skelter, live music, and several outdoor bars and restaurants. There is something for everyone in the family, including activities for kids, music, and a lot of comedy. Everything happens under a giant upside-down inflatable purple cow known as the Underbelly! The iconic cow flew happily over the South Bank and at the Edinburgh Fringe for ages. With over 20 comedy acts to choose from, you will for sure have a blast.
The Covent Garden Comedy Club
Without a doubt, the Covent Garden Comedy Club is one of the best comedy events in London. The gig opened almost 20 years ago and is now a classic. With over 200 seats, it is the biggest independent comedy club in central London. Take note that they are at the Prince of Wales pub in Convent Garden this summer and not at their usual spot, Heaven. Their lineup includes some of the best performers in the business and television stars. We are talking about artists such as Simon Brodkin, Mary Bourke, Ninia Benjamin, and Marcel Lucont. Since each performs only a few times a year here, all the shows are different. Each show consists of 3 to 4 comedians and a master of ceremonies. The club has no dress code.
Up the Creek Comedy Club
The legendary compere Malcolm Hardee founded Up the Creek Comedy Club in 1991. The club was built for comedy nights and has won several awards. Today, it is one of the best places for live comedy in London. The club is open every day and features an extensive list of comedians, including rising stars and established artists. According to The Guardian, the Sunday Special is the No. 1 comedy night in the UK. Their Black Out format is a fan favourite too. Some 15 comedians have 2 minutes of free stage time. The audience decides who survives and who gets a total blackout. Don’t forget to try their burgers and home-brewed beers.
Crack Comedy
If you live in South London, you must have heard of Crack Comedy. This iconic comedy show has been entertaining locals since 2002, making it Kingston’s longest-running comedy club. It takes place every Friday in the Ram Jam at the Grey Horse. If Kingston is too far for you, head over to Brixton for their Saturday evening show in the historic Prince of Wales pub. If you are organizing a fundraiser for a charity or school, you can hire Crack Comedy to entertain your guests. They also offer live stream comedy and a six-week stand-up comedy course.
