Freshly updated for 2026.
You've got to laugh. No really, when there are so many incredible comedy venues in London, you really do. Here's our guide to the funniest venues, club nights, festivals and more across the capital.
The best live comedy in London
Here are — in our humble opinion — the GOAT London comedy clubs; venues bringing the creme de la creme of mirthmakers, consistently. Lots are naturally in the West End, but there's plenty going on further afield.
Angel Comedy Club @ Camden Head and Bill Murray, Angel (daily)
Ever come across a snaking queue in Angel? It's either for the Breakfast Club or Angel Comedy Club — held at the Camden Head. Upstairs in this unassuming boozer, you'll find free stand-up every freaking night of the week, with RAW comedy nights (Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs and Sun) and more honed shows (Fri and Sat), interspersed with WIPs from mahoosive names like Dylan Moran and Simon Amstell. You can catch anything between three to six consecutive shows at the Camden Head each night. Truly the daddy/mummy/legal guardian of the free comedy circuit.
Angel Comedy Club also oversees the nearby Bill Murray — a regular pocket-sized laughter emporium. Multiple shows are hosted here every day of the week, with frequent surprise appearances from VIPs. Just remember, legally it's named after Charles I's whipping boy, not that Groundhog Day chap. Angel Comedy Club
Leicester Square Theatre, Soho (daily)
Swaggering old 400-seater favoured by the likes of Stewart Lee, Sh!t-faced Shakespeare and seasoned podcasters such as Richard Herring. What it lacks in atmos, it makes up for in true star quality (and it has, like, four bars). Also home to the annual Sketch Off! final. Leicester Square Theatre
Comedy Store, Soho (daily)
London's answer to NYC's Comedy Cellar; everyone from Robin Williams to French & Saunders to Bill Hicks have trodden the boards here. Home to the Comedy Store Players, and the infamously brutal King Gong nights. In short: legendary. Comedy Store
Top Secret Comedy Club, Covent Garden (daily)
They don't announce all the acts in advance, hence the name. That's some savvy marketing in a biz where you might not actually know who your headliner is till the last second. You'll probably be pleasantly surprised though; Top Secret Comedy Club has hosted the ilk of Trevor Noah and Katherine Ryan. Top Secret Comedy Club
Soho Theatre, Soho (most days)
Frenetic six-days-a-week comedy/theatre mecca, where anyone who is anyone gigs, and which is famous for giving birth to Fleabag (you might have heard of it). Have roared at Kieran Hodgson, the Delightful Sausage, Richard Gadd, Hannah Gadsby and countless others at Soho Theatre. The catch? Tickets are not all that cheap — even the standing ones. Soho Theatre
Soho Theatre Walthamstow (most days)
Soho Theatre's second venue — inside a 960-seat former art deco cinema — got off to one helluva start when it opened in 2025, with Natalie Palamides' tear-inducingly funny WEER. Since then, it's shown it need not fret about filling all those seats, filling it out with barnstorming sets from Jordan Gray, Lucy Beaumont, plus regular outings from Neon Nights With Ed Gamble. Soho Theatre Walthamstow
Big Belly @ Big Belly Bar & Comedy Club London, South Bank (most days)
Barely pausing for breath, Big Belly (formerly Vauxhall Comedy Club) puts on a cavalcade of razor-witted young acts (Patrick Spicer, Alex Kealy, Lou Taylor, Sikisa) most days, with tickets at a very fair price. Note: these days the venue's on the South Bank. Big Belly
Museum of Comedy, Bloomsbury (most days)
Yes, it really is a museum — they've got Tommy Cooper's handmade magic tricks and everything. There's also a pint-sized stage in this 72-seater crypt venue, putting on stand-up, sketch and cabaret. God-tier comedians like Alexei Sayle and Frank Skinner do WIPs here too. Museum of Comedy
Backyard Comedy Club, Bethnal Green (most days)
'West End Shows at East End Prices' runs the motto. Feast on new acts as well as established ones. This place also home to the London Alcohol-Free Comedy Club. And yes, the venue looks like its been made out of old pallets — got a problem with that? Backyard Comedy Club
Good Ship Comedy @ the Thieves, Battersea; @ Swimmer at the Grafton, Holloway Road; @ the Honor Oak, Forest Hill; @ the Old Fire Station, West Norwood (a lot of the time)
No longer anchored in Kilburn, Good Ship Comedy plies its route across four London venues, delivering a shipment of seriously good comedians: think Catherine Bohart, Paul Sinha and Jessica Fostekew. Good Ship Comedy
Pleasance London, Islington (a lot of the time)
Warehouse venue that's an offshoot of the famous Edinburgh Pleasance. Theatre and wrestling aside, there's a steady stream of stand-up: expect to catch comics like Ania Magliano, Celya AB and Max & Ivan warming up for August in Auld Reekie. Pleasance London
Soho Comedy Factory, Soho (a lot of the time)
Giggles galore at this intimate venue that sometimes gives the bigger Soho venues a run for their money. You won't always know who's playing though. Soho Comedy Factory
Always Be Comedy @ the Tommyfield, Kennington and @ the Trafalgar, Chelsea (Monday-Friday)
James Gill's prolific club night frequents the Tommyfield in Kennington, and has recently landed in a second venue, in Chelsea. Gill's Filofax is packed with stand-up blue bloods: Nick Mohammed, Joe Lycett, Nish Kumar, Aisling Bea, Kevin Bridges, Michael McIntyre... Expect unexpected cameos from some of the biggest names in the game. Lots of class upcomers, too. Always Be Comedy
99 Club, Soho (Tuesday-Sunday)
Stellar triple bills six days a week (think Catherine Bohart, Laura Lexx, Ivo Graham) in a snug West End subterranean venue. 99 Club
Gits & Shiggles @ Half Moon, Putney (every other Tuesday)
The backroom of this smashing Fuller's boozer in an affluent part of London is better known for its music, but this bi-weekly comedy fest is a who's who. We have giggled at Ahir Shah, Rosie Holt and Abandoman here. (Also expect lots of gags about how posh/minted everyone in Putney is.) Gits & Shiggles
Camden Comedy Club @ Camden Head, Camden (Tuesday-Sunday)
All the greats start their careers upstairs in pubs; chances are the Camden Head was one of them. For as little as four quid a pop, watch new material and WIPs from established comics, plus a raft of newer funny peeps making a name for themselves. Camden Comedy Club
Up The Creek, Greenwich (Thursday-Sunday)
Quality latter-week laughs in front of a brick wall, so you can pretend you're in NYC. Comedians are as hot as they come: think Jon Robbins, Amy Gledhill, Ahir Shah. Home of the infamous Blackout nights, where performers do a tight five, the twist being the audience can choose to ditch them after just two mins. They pour their own beer too (the venue, not the comedians). Up The Creek
Downstairs at the King's Head, Muswell Hill (Thursday and Saturday)
Unassuming basement venue riddled with comedians, with a Try Out Night on Thursdays, and more established acts on Saturdays (think Arthur Smith, Shazia Mirza). Downstairs at the King's Head
Knock2Bag Comedy @ MOTH Club, Hackney (Wednesday and occasional Thursdays and Saturdays)
A voguish working men's club turned music venue is home to Knock2Bag's glittering comedy nights (and that ain't just the golden curtains). The ilk of Bridget Christie, Sheeps, Tom Basden and Lolly Adefope await. Sign up to the mailing list for the occasional chance of free tickets. MOTH Club
Live at the Chapel @ Union Chapel, Highbury & Islington (once in a while)
A religious experience for comedy disciples in more way than one; the stunning church setting plays host to a ludicrously talented set of comedians. Have rolled around in the (literal) aisles laughing at Tim Key, Mae Martin, Reginald D Hunter and countless others here. Live at the Chapel
More great comedy in London
We've only just begun. Here are scores more of splendid comedy happenings across the capital.
Comedy Cabin, Hoxton (a lot of the time)
Queer comedy nights, French comedy nights... the Comedy Cabin has it all, so long as it's funny. The cosy cellar bar puts on a high frequency of shows, and it's often only a few quid to get in. Comedy Cabin
Happy Mondays @ Amersham Arms, New Cross (Monday)
The backroom of a pub, a pint, and a slew of high-class comics for a reasonable fee can elevate your Monday night from silently sobbing in front of Happy Valley, to crying with laughter and tricking yourself into thinking it must be at least Wednesday. Happy Mondays
Jester Jesters @ Betsey Trotwood, Farringdon (Monday)
Throw caution to the wind with a Monday night on the tiles, or more specifically, at the Betsey Trotwood, and Jester Jesters. Upcoming stand-ups (sometimes sketch and character comedians too) vie for giggles, as they perform a litmus test on newly-penned material. Tickets are very cheap. Jester Jesters
Outside the Box Comedy Club @ Fighting Cocks, Kingston (Monday)
Robin Williams once played this west London showcase apparently, though that must've been a while ago now. That said, they still have some very good (living) comedians: think Nick Helm, Sara Pascoe and Ellie Taylor. Outside the Box Comedy Club
Fool & Co @ the Albany, Fitzrovia (Monday)
Marketed as "luxuriant comedy" Fool & Co's weekly Monday nights are nonetheless affordable; not only are some shows a trifling fiver, but they sometimes do a 2-for-1 on these tickets! Recent comedians have included the much-vaunted Ruby Carr and QI Elf Joe Mayo. Fool & Co
Punchlines @ the Cornershop Bar, Shoreditch (Monday)
Gary Michaels — a man with 20+ years experience on the circuit — takes the helm at this night where wannabe stars of tomorrow brave the mic. Expect a real pick 'n' mix. Punchlines
Ivory Arch Comedy @ Ivory Arch Comedy, Elephant & Castle (Monday)
A south London railway arch creates an intimate space in which to watch freshman comedians play with newly-cooked-up gags. Ivory Arch Comedy
LOLipops Live Comedy @ the Distillers, Hammersmith and @ the White Hart, Southwark (Monday and Tuesday, plus some Thursdays and Fridays)
New acts on two Tuesday shows in Hammersmith and in Southwark, inc. new acts/material plus Neurospicy Comedy. Shows with established comics headlining on some Thursdays and Fridays. LOLipops Live Comedy
Comedy Bandits @ Railway Tavern, Clapham (Monday, Wednesday and once a month on Friday)
Newish, but nonetheless gifted, stand-ups stiffen the sinews and summon up the blood, to perform free shows at this Clapham boozer on Monday and Wednesdays. Monthly Fridays showcase more established acts, which they'll (rightly) charge you for. Comedy Bandits
Comedy Virgins @ Cavendish Arms, Stockwell (Monday-Wednesday)
A slew of acts take to the stage for five mins at a time in a bid to win your laugher/applause/respect. Given the sheer amount, some are inevitably better than others, but it all moves so fast that hardly matters. Ultimately, you'll choose who was funniest of all. Two shows a night, so six in all. Comedy Virgins
2nd Row Comedy @ Piehole Shoreditch (Tuesday)
When you think about it, there really ought to be more free comedy shows where you can see circa eight acts AND score a decent pie. As if that weren't appealing enough, 2nd Row Comedy also offers 'free exit' as well as free entry; big if true. 2nd Row Comedy
Hot Comedy @ Hot Toddy's, Camden (Tuesday)
Cheap comedy once a week at (from what we can fathom) is a nice little stage inside a Belushi's. Hot Comedy
Free Comedy @ Hoxley & Porter, Highbury & Islington (Tuesday)
Catch weekly bouts of comedy from (usually lesser-known) comics with some good food and drink deals to boot. Free Comedy
Hood Rat Comedy @ Rumba, Soho (Tuesday)
Free comedy from fresh comedians, plus beers from £2.50 a pop. That's a cheap laugh we can get on board with! Hood Rat Comedy
The Queer Comedy Club, Archway (Tuesday-Saturday)
Billing itself as 'the UK's First LGBTQ+ Comedy Club', this is a safe space for queer performers and audience members, with a 'Raw' Monday show (free), a 'Not Totally Queer' Tuesday show (free), plus a paid-for 'Big Thursday Show', where you get proper polished/star name comedians. There are occasional Saturday shows too. Queer allies are welcome. The Queer Comedy Club
Comedy Incorporated @ Signature Brew, Haggerston (Tuesday), @ The Railway, Putney (Wednesday), @ The Gipsy Queen, Kentish Town (Thursday), @ The Wheatsheaf, Tooting Bec (Thursday)
Plenty of chances to catch this laid-back affair, taking place four times across London every week. There's no crowd work (phew), no heckling (phew on the comedians' behalf) — just a heap of freshly worked out material. It's free and you can just show up. Like we say, proper chilled. Comedy Incorporated
Rose & Crown, Kentish Town (Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday)
Bucketloads of comedy gratis at this plucky north London boozer: Shtick (Wednesday and Sundays) and Freedom Fridge (Thursdays). Rose & Crown
Comedy In Your Eye @ Camden Eye, Camden (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)
With tickets as cheap as £3 a pop, this is a thrifty way to catch grassroots comedy in north London — and some pretty big acts as well. Comedy In Your Eye
JK Comedy Club @ Spice of Life, Soho (Tuesday)
You know it's a proper comedy show when they've got a brick wall behind the comedians. For the markedly un-princely sum of £5, you get to enjoy an evening of stand-up comedy every Tuesday. JK Comedy Club
Armpit Comedy @ the Clapham North, Clapham (Tuesday or Wednesday, every two weeks)
A frankly ludicrous number of comedians i.e. nine are packed into every Armpit Comedy show, so even if you don't get out to another comedy show this year you've still seen more comedians than most. Armpit Comedy
Chippy Tea @ Aces & Eights, Tufnell Park (Tuesdays, every other month)
Midlands double act Bab present a female/LGBTQ+-forward show bringing 'the hottest chips out the air fryer'. Said chips are a salty mix of stand-up, sketch and character comedy. Acts have included Joz Norris, Freya Parker and, of course, Bab themselves. Chippy Tea
Slap and Giggle Comedy @ Coin Laundry, Exmouth Market; @ Little Yellow Door, Notting Hill; @ Never For Ever, Gospel Oak; @ Greenwich Theatre (some Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays)
Prolific comedy slingers Slap and Giggle put on up-and-coming comics in various corners of London, having them rattle out two-and-a-half hours of free laughs every other week. Slap and Giggle Comedy
City Comedy Club @ Trapeze Bar, Shoreditch (Wednesday-Sunday)
Tickets range from £5 to £12 depending which night of the week you go. They also do bottomless wings, drinks and laughs for £55. City Comedy Club
It's Comedy @ Spit & Sawdust, Elephant & Castle (Wednesday)
Big laughs in a small room with an invisible entrance fee — that's It's Comedy, which showcases two comedians each Wednesday, with shorter support sets from others. It's Comedy
Laugh Train Home @ the Thieves, Battersea (Wednesday)
So much going on in the Thieves — karaoke, quizzes, arcade car games... and Laugh Train Home, which presents a real roulette of comedians: we've seen tumbleweed, we have also seen unadulterated genius. Always worth taking the rough with the smooth here. Laugh Train Home
Comedy at the Old Crown, New Oxford Street (Wednesday)
Established acts mingle with the newbies at this super central weekly evening that often packs out. Comedy at the Old Crown
The Laugh Bath @ the Endeavour, Deptford (Wednesday)
Up and coming comics serve as a warm-up for a more established headliner. There's also a 'Rubber Duck Award for Cleanest Comedian' — presumably the least sweary one? The Laugh Bath
Elgin's Marvels Comedy Club @ the Elgin, Maida Vale (every other Wednesday)
The posh areas of London like a laugh too, at least every other Wednesday. Expect newer acts, and no entrance fee. Elgin's Marvels Comedy Club
Rip It Up Comedy @ Wood Street Bear, Wood Street (every other Wednesday)
"London’s most indie comedy night" showcases up and coming comics with no entrance fee. Rip It Up Comedy
Instant Laughs, Sydenham and Mitcham (one Wednesday or Thursday a month)
South London rings out with laughter prompted by a set from five stand-ups. Some of these shows are BYOB. Instant Laughs
How to Be a Strong Woman in One Hour @ The Coach House, Piccadilly (Thursday)
Once a week since July 2025, Monica Hsueh has taken over the Coach House for 60 minutes, performing a show that's becoming renowned for its honest storytelling and audience Q&A. Feel-good, non-cynical stuff. How to Be a Strong Woman in One Hour
Rye Lane Ruckus @ Eagle Eats Bakery, Peckham (Thursday)
What is presumably the best-smelling comedy club in London, Rye Lane Ruckus mixes established and emerging acts... in a bakery. It's free (the cakes are not). Rye Lane Ruckus
The Comedy Industrial Complex @ Pub on the Park, Hackney (Thursday)
Stand-up with a difference, as apparently much of this is topical comedy/satire. (They also promise "story tellers and just plain wacky bafoonery"). The Comedy Industrial Complex
NewsRevue @ Canal Cafe Theatre, Little Venice (Thursday-Saturday)
Proudly declaring itself the world's longest running live comedy show, we could hardly leave NewsRevue off this list. Songs and sketches galore are mashed into this 60-minute run down of topical news, playing three days a week. Given the state of the planet right now, it's a wonder they can keep up. If this is REALLY up your street you can buy an annual pass for £99. NewsRevue
Comedy Carnival, Covent Garden, Camden, Clapham & Leicester Square (Thursday-Saturday)
A chain of comedy nights in London venues, Comedy Carnival has been going almost 20 years. With its meal package options, it's a solid shout for work outings, birthdays etc. Comedy Carnival
The Stand Up Club @ Zebrano, Soho; @ Two Bridges, London Bridge; @ the Antelope, Tooting (Thursday-Saturday)
Take your pick from several venues for these shows, with an ever-swelling roster of talent, performing in threes or fours. The Stand Up Club
Live Next to the Apollo @ Riverside Studios, Hammersmith (Thursday and Friday)
A few mins around the corner from where they record the most famous/mainstream stand-up show on TV, Live Next to the Apollo brings twice-weekly laughs to discerning comedy fans, with acts including the likes of Eric Rushton, Dee Allum and Kuan-wen Huang. What's more, they regularly stage acts who've performed at Live at the Apollo itself. It's just that here, you get to enjoy them in a far more intimate space. Live Next to the Apollo
Quintessentially Comedy @ Quinn's, Camden (every other Thursday)
Friendly new act/material night MCed by Dave Lynch. Quintessentially Comedy
Comedy Rumblings, Charlton, Leytonstone and Blackheath (Thursdays, once or twice a month)
One to keep your eyes peeled for: the venues and dates seems to shift around somewhat, but whenever/wherever it is, it's a Thursday. Comedy Rumblings
Free Me Abeg, the Brookmill, Greenwich (some Thursdays)
Damiete MCs this semi-regular bout of stand-up from on-the-up comedians. Free Me Abeg
Boat Show Comedy @ Tattershall Castle, Westminster (Friday and Saturday)
One of few comedy nights we know which is bobbing about on the blinkin' Thames. It rocks with laughter too, thanks to Friday and Saturday nights feat. *chef's kiss* lineups (think improv rapper Abandoman, and Live at The Apollo's Cally Beaton). Tattershall Castle
Comedy Club Shoreditch @ Bistrot Walluc (Friday and Saturday)
The Friday night offering from the busy London Comedy Group, Comedy Club Shoreditch ushers you into Bistrot Walluc for free comedy, and (not free) fondue. Comedy Club Shoreditch
Comedy Oxygen @ the Trinity, Borough (Friday)
Pro comics try out new bits, while newer ones dip their toe into the circuit. Comedy Oxygen
Clapham Comedy Cave @ Lit Bar, Clapham (Friday)
Squish into the bowels of the Lit Bar every Friday for a showcase of comedians — many who'll you'll recognise from Comedy Central, Channel 4, BBC Comedy, Dave et al. Clapham Comedy Cave
Crack Comedy @ the Grey Horse Kingston (Friday, Sunday and some Mondays) and The Shed, Wimbledon (Saturday)
Raucous shows with circa four slick acts apiece. Stars of Live at the Apollo come to warm up here. Crack Comedy
Headliners Comedy Club @ George, IV Chiswick (Friday and Saturday)
Weekly Friday and Saturday stand-up outing at Chiswick's George IV; as the name hints, the star acts tends to be a pretty big deal in the comedy world (Troy Hawke, Ed Byrne, that kind of big deal). Headliners Comedy Club
South Kensington Comedy Club @ Hoop and Toy, South Kensington (Friday and Saturday)
Cram into this 60-seater upstairs venue for an intimate comedy night, with plenty of cameos from comedians you'll recognise off the telly. South Kensington Comedy Club
Banana Cabaret @ the Bedford, Balham (Friday and Saturday) CLOSING FOR GOOD IN MAY 2026
Nigh-on four decades of this fruity comedy show — on Fri and Sat at the sprawling Bedford pub (the main space is a cracking miniature Roundhouse of a thing). Impeccable array of talent: Luisa Omielan, Sarah Kendall, Jeff Innocent, Stephen K Amos. Sold. Banana Cabaret
Bearcat Comedy Club @ Turk's Head, Twickenham (Saturday)
Nathan Caton, Tony Law, Fin Taylor and Adam Bloom have all done this Saturday gig lately. Bearcat Comedy Club
Candlemaker Comedy @ the Candlemaker, Battersea (Sunday)
New acts and new material are given a public airing for a couple of hours every Sunday evening. Candlemaker Comedy
Free Comedy @ Brewhouse & Kitchen, Highbury (Sunday)
A 90-minute blast of free comedy might be just what the doctor ordered ahead of Monday morning. Free Comedy
The OM Comedy Club @ North Nineteen, Upper Holloway (first and third Sunday of the month)
Not many places are slinging free comedy on a Sunday, but this place almost makes up for the deficit, platforming 10+ acts in one fell swoop. Chris Ali comperes. The OM Comedy Club
Tall Tales & Cocktails @ Camden Comedy Club, Camden and @ The Glitch, Waterloo (some Sundays)
The finest raconteurs on the comedy circuit spin side-splitting yarns in an intimate setting. Something a bit different from the usual stand-up. Tall Tales & Cocktails
Collywobblers Comedy Club, various venues (regular)
Sion James invariably MCs this comedy night, which springs up in various locations in the south of the city, including Brockley Brewery, Mondo Brewery and Streatham Common's Railway Tavern. It's from the people who bring us Happy Mondays (see above), so you know you're in safe mitts. Collywobblers Comedy Club
Silly Goose @ the Trinity, Borough (semi-regular)
Comedians attempt to make you honk with laughter at this welcoming comedy night, established by Maddie and Will. Recent appearances include Sam Campbell and Sara Barron. Silly Goose
Nice N' Spiky Comedy Club, various venues (semi-regular)
Nice N' Spiky's been going over 20 years, with many performers going on to become A-listers (Judi Love, Stephen Merchant, Dane Baptiste.) Venues include the Lower Third in Soho and Signature Brew in Walthamstow. Nice N' Spiky Comedy Club
Bitches in Stitches @ Hoxton Cabin, Hoxton (occasional)
"When women are forced to fight over a token five minutes on male-heavy lineups, there's little room to truly grow. So I say: Let's build our own stage." So said Fran Ayala Rock, and build a stage she certainly did. While stand-up comedy remains a male-heavy industry, Bitches in Stitches proudly platforms all-female/non-binary comedy nights "for the sisters, the allies, the mischief-makers, and anyone who likes their comedy served with a side of cvnt." Bitches in Stitches
FOC It Up!, various venues (occasional)
Another comedy night that flies in the face of CIS white men, FOC It Up! champions femmes of colo(u)r — with acts like Kemah Bob, Kudzanayi Chiwawa and Kate Cheka delivering the goods at venues including Soho Theatre and Queer Comedy Club. FOC It Up!
Arabs Are Not Funny! @ Royal Albert Hall, South Kensington (occasional)
Big names from the Arab community and beyond (think Janine Harouni, Farah Sharp, Esther Manito) play the Elgar Room of the Royal Albert Hall. Arabs Are Not Funny!
Watch sketch comedy in London
While stand-up comedians stalk every street corner in this metropolis, sketch comedy is a more elusive beast. Like, really quite hard to find. Honestly though, if you know where we can find more of it on a regular basis, let us know.
Soho Theatre, Soho (most of the time)
For a consistent freshet of sketch comedy — from Crybabies to Norris and Parker — it's got to be good old Soho Theatre (see top of this article). You might end up watching it in the boiling hot attic room, or the cavernous main auditorium but there's always lashings of it, and it's invariably very, very good. Soho Theatre
NewsRevue, Canal Cafe Theatre, Little Venice (Thursday-Saturday)
(See above)
Sketch Off! (January-spring)
An unrelenting binge of sketch and character hijinks with many many heats, which start simmering away at the Museum of Comedy (see all-time best comedy venues, above) in the early months of the year, and gradually heat up into an explosive final at Leicester Square Theatre in the spring. Names like Crizards and Muriel have been there, done that. Sketch Off!
Improv comedy in London
And yes! Though improv comedy isn't everyone's cup of tea, others go gaga for it, and it's nowhere near as illusive as sketch. Here are some of the main regular shows making it up as they go along.
Hoopla Improv @ the Miller, London Bridge (most days)
You can hardly miss this improv theatre located above the excellent Miller pub near London Bridge; its name is slathered in huge letters outside the building. Here, Hoopla Improv run classes and workshops — as well as shows most days of the week. Depending when you go, you could be watching complete newbies, utter pros and anything in between. Hoopla Improv
Duck Duck Goose @ Hope & Anchor, Brixton (Monday)
Every Monday night, this small room in a south London pub comes alive with improv-ers acting out strange scenarios that you've told 'em to create. Tickets are free, but it's recommended you reserve in advance. Duck Duck Goose
The Free Association, Southwark (Thursday-Sunday)
For those looking to make it (up) in the improv game, The Free Association and its range of classes and workshops may well be where they might head. Their new Southwark venue is also where improv fans can enjoy a conveyor belt of improv shows, including improvised medical drama St Doctor's Hospital. The Free Association
Comedy Store Players @ Comedy Store, Leicester Square (Sunday)
It's that club again. The Comedy Store Players are the bee's knees when it comes to improv. The great Paul Merton did this gig for many years, and some of his peers carry on in this rotating-cast weekly outing, with newer blood including Cariad Lloyd and Ruth Bratt. Comedy Store Players
Shoot from the Hip @ the Bill Murray, Islington; @ the Albany, Great Portland Street (semi-regular)
According to their website, a Londonist reviewer once called Shoot from the Hip "the finest improv you'll find in the city", so there you go. This peripatetic setup can be found in and around London, including the Bill Murray and Leicester Square Theatre. Shoot from the Hip
Other great places to watch comedy in London
21Soho, Soho
A relative newcomer seriously pulling its weight, with acts like Frank Skinner and Drunk Women Solving Crime strutting their stuff in this bougie space. 21 Soho
Aces & Eights, Tufnell Park
Pint-sized cellar venue putting on some cracking WIPs and new material nights. Aces & Eights
Bloomsbury Theatre, Soho
Some quality headliners on in this pro space; think John Kearns, Lucy Beaumont. Bloomsbury Theatre
EartH, Hackney
Gorge grand old former cinema hosts lots of music acts, but also a steady stream of comedians. EartH
Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith
Live at the Apollo is indeed filmed here. Other blockbuster stand-up shows come here too. Eventim Apollo
Fairfield Halls, Croydon
The Southbank Centre of the, er, south. Massive comics play big shows here: Harry Hill, Jon Richardson, Rhod Gilbert. They're liakle to crack a joke at Croydon's expense, too. Fairfield Halls
The Glitch, Waterloo
Super lil Cafe with a subterranean cellar space that's so small we've seen comedians refer to it as a 'corridor'. The Glitch
Hackney Empire: Sizeable theatre which big comedians (think Josh Widdecombe, Michelle de Swarte) often play. Hackney Empire
The O2, North Greenwich
You've might've heard of it. Hosts superstar names like Peter Kay, Steve Coogan and Flight of the Conchords. You need more than a tight five to play this place — more like a tight two hours. The O2
Pub theatres like the Tabard (Chiswick), Etcetera Theatre (Camden) and Old Red Lion (Angel) often have comedy plays, and sometimes stand-up, too. Lots more pub theatres in our guide here.
Radio and TV recordings for shows including HIGNFY and Graham Norton. Read more about getting free tickets with our guide.
Rosemary Branch, Islington
Catch various WIPS and comedy plays in this canalside pub theatre. Rosemary Branch
Signature Brew, Walthamstow
Lashings of fresh beer make the comedy even funnier at the various sessions held in this Blackhorse Beer Mile brewery. Signature Brew
Shirker's Rest, New Cross
Magnificent micropub with an upstairs space where they sometimes host intimate comedy nights. Shirker's Rest
Three Hounds, Beckenham
This fave Londonist bottle/beer shop has a cosy downstairs space that puts on occasional stand-up sets. Three Hounds
Woolwich Works, Woolwich
Occasional comedy nights, including Arabs Are Not Funny, are held in this stunning listed warehouse building, formerly part of the Royal Arsenal. They also host Bring Your Own Baby comedy sets (to be clear, your baby doesn't need to prepare a tight five, you can just bring them to watch). Woolwich Works
London comedy festivals
London is one big comedy festival IMHO, so there's no need for anything as blockbuster as the Edinburgh Fringe here. There is, though, a scattering of events you should know about.
Rosebuds Festival (January-February)
Clapham's Bread & Roses theatre packs 20 promising stand-up, sketch and character acts into six days. It returned in 2026 so we can officially say it's now established. Rosebuds
Sketch Off!, Museum of Comedy and Leicester Square Theatre (January-early spring)
If you adore sketch, then boy, is this going to ruffle your truffles. See the sketch section above for more details. Sketch Off!
Sketchfest (March)
Where's all this sketch comedy coming from all of a sudden?! What we think is the resurrection of an old festival, Sketchfest surfaced for two weeks in spring 2026, with shows at the Hen and Chickens, and the Canal Café Theatre. Sketchfest
Stand Up at the Subway (21-24 May 2026)
A newbie for 2026, Stand Up at the Subway is staged beneath the Crystal Palace Subway's fanned ceiling. A total of 11 shows over four nights will send belly laughs ricocheting off the ornate brickwork, with turns from Daniel Kitson, Elis James, Kerry Godliman, the Shoot from the Hip improv troupe, and plenty of other top-tier comedians. Stand Up at the Subway
Greenwich Comedy Garden (15-19 July 2026)
Tom Allen, Chris McCausland, Jack Dee, Sara Pascoe... names don't get much bigger than those appearing at this new-for-2026 al fresco festival in the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College. Greenwich Comedy Garden
Laughterama (29 July-2 August 2026)
Cashing in on the rise of the comedy festival Somerset House launches Laughterama in 2026, with the likes of Rosie Jones, Kemah Bob, Tim Key and Ross Noble working their magic in the Edmond. J Safra Fountain Court. Laughterama
Camden Fringe (3-30 August 2026)
The closest London comes to Edinburgh, with hundreds of shows sprinkled across north London's theatres and pubs. Plenty of comedy in the mix every year, from stand-up to sketch to clowning. Camden Fringe
Roundhouse Comedy Festival (1-18 August 2026)
Debuting in 2023, this big name, one-venue festival —then sunk without a trace. It is, however, back for 2026 — its lineup including Frank Skinner, Phil Wang, Rosie Jones and Celya AB — and we hope will resurface yearly from henceforth. Roundhouse Comedy Festival
Drag nights in London
A genre unto itself, there's no doubt a lot of drag is aimed to make you giggle your pants off. This is not a comprehensive roundup of places to watch it, just a pick of some of the best:
- Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Vauxhall: drag on tap at this GOAT LGBTQ+ pub.
- Two Brewers, Clapham: Drag-laced hijinx seven days a week, from Monday Madness to Power of Four.
- Dalston Superstore, Dalston: Partay central, and home to a legendary drag brunch.
- CellarDoor, Covent Garden: Smoosh up with revellers in these erstwhile toilets to watch drag-doused debauchery.
- Their Majesties, Croydon: Monthly mayhem in a pub from Asifa Lahore and Shepherd's Bush.
- Zebrano, Soho: Home of the Drag Brunchette, hosted by The Royal Highness, Queen B*tch of Soho.
Oh gawd, we missed somewhere didn't we? While it's impossible to make this a comprehensive list of comedy in London, if you think we've omitted something that needs to be on here, email [email protected]
