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/guardian of the free comedy circuit. Angel Comedy Club also oversees the nearby Bill Murray — a regular pocket-sized laughter emporium inside. 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 like 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 infamous 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. 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. Have roared at Kieran Hodgson, the Delightful Sausage, Richard Gadd, Hannah Gadsby at Soho Theatre. The catch? Tickets not exactly cheap. Soho Theatre

Soho Theatre Walthamstow (most days)
Soho Theatre's second venue — inside a 960-seat former art deco cinema — promises some of the finest comedians in the land when it opens in May 2025. On the docket early days are Ahir Shah, Mark Watson, Dara O'Briain, Josie Long, and This Is Going to Hurt creator Adam Kay. Also: a monthly showcase of stellar comedians, Neon Nights. Soho Theatre Walthamstow
Big Belly, Big Belly Bar & Comedy Club London, South Bank (most days)
Never 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, established ones, plus non stand-up (think the cerebrally comic Nerd Nite). It's 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, Battersea, Holloway Road, Leytonstone, 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. Soho Comedy Factory
Always Be Comedy (Mon-Fri)
James Gill's prolific club night frequents the Tommyfield in Kennington, but pops up elsewhere (for instance the Sambrooks taproom). The esteemed organiser has the blue blood of stand-ups in his Filofax: Nick Mohammed, Joe Lycett, Nish Kumar, Aisling Bea, Kevin Bridges... I mean ruddy hell, James. Always Be Comedy

99 Club, Soho (Tues-Sun)
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 Tues)
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. Lately we have giggled at Ahir Shah, Rosie Holt and Abandoman. (Also expect lots of gags about how posh/minted everyone in Putney is.) Gits & Shiggles

Camden Comedy Club, Camden Head, Camden (Tues-Sun)
All the greats start their careers upstairs in pubs, and 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. Also love the idea of its monthly English Speaking Comedy Borsch, which exclusively stages comedians for whom English isn't their first language. Camden Comedy Club
Downstairs at the King's Head, Muswell Hill (Thurs and Sat)
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
Up The Creek, Greenwich (Thurs-Sun)
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

Knock2Bag Comedy, MOTH Club, Hackney (Thurs and occasional Sats)
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. Never not seen this place rammed. MOTH Club
Live at the Chapel, Union Chapel, Highbury & Islington (once a month)
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. 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, too. Comedy Cabin
Happy Mondays, Amersham Arms, New Cross (Mon)
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's at least Wednesday. Happy Mondays
Jester Jesters, Betsey Trotwood, Farringdon (Mon)
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. Jester Jesters
Outside the Box Comedy Club, Fighting Cocks, Kingston (Mon)
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 (Mon)
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
Comedy Virgins, Cavendish Arms, Stockwell (Mon-Weds)
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 of acts up here, some are 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

The Queer Comedy Club, Archway (Tues-Sat)
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
Rose & Crown, Kentish Town (Tues, Weds, Thur and Sun)
Bucketloads of comedy gratis at this plucky north London boozer: Pegasus Comedy (an open mic for anyone and everyone), Weekday Shtick, Freedom Fridge (where comedians try out their new stuff) and Sunday Shtick (another open mic gig). Rose & Crown
LOLipops Live Comedy, White Horse, Wembley (Tues and Thurs)
New acts on two Tuesday shows; established comics on the last Thursday of the month. LOLipops Live Comedy
Boat Show Comedy, Tattershall Castle, Westminster (Tues, Fri and Sat)
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). Tuesdays = new material eves. Tattershall Castle

Comedy In Your Eye, Camden Eye, Camden (Tues, Weds and Thurs)
With tickets as cheap as £3 a pop, this is a thrifty way to catch grassroots comedy in north London. Comedy In Your Eye
JK Comedy Club, Spice of Life, Soho (Tues)
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 also puts on occasional Sunday and Monday shows. JK Comedy Club
Armpit Comedy, Clapham North, Clapham (Tues or Weds, 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

City Comedy Club, Shoreditch (Weds-Sat)
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
Comedy Bandits, Railway Tavern, Clapham (Weds and Thurs)
Newish, but nonetheless gifted, stand-ups stiffen the sinews and summon up the blood, to perform at this Clapham boozer twice a week, for a free show featuring two or three headliners a pop, plus other acts. Comedy Bandits
Top & Bottom Comedy, the Book Club, Shoreditch (Weds)
Created by comics Ben Lovell and Alexander Pankhurst, Top & Bottom gathers in the Book Club every Wednesday. It's just £3 to get in, while £7 also gets you a pint of Jubel. Top & Bottom Comedy
It's Comedy, Spit & Sawdust, Elephant & Castle (Weds)
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 other. It's Comedy
Laugh Train Home, Four Thieves, Battersea (Weds)
So much going on in the Four 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
NewsRevue, Canal Cafe Theatre, Little Venice (Thurs-Sun)
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 four days a week. Given the state of the planet right now, it's a wonder they can keep up. NewsRevue
Comedy Carnival, Covent Garden, Camden, Clapham & Leicester Square (Thurs-Sat)
Chain of comedy nights in three London venues; Comedy Carnival has been going almost 20 years. Not overly cheap, but with its meal package options, a solid shout for work outings, birthdays etc. Comedy Carnival

The Stand Up Club, Piccadilly, London Bridge and Tooting (Thurs-Sat)
Take your pick from three venues for these shows, with an ever-swelling roster of talent, performing in threes or fours. The Stand Up Club
Groovie Comedy, Grove Tavern, Hammersmith (Thurs)
Nights that welcome stand-up, musical, character, sketch, clowning, musical theatre and more. Groovie Comedy
Wicked Funnies, HWK Hackney Wick (Thurs)
Regular acts at Wicked Funnies include Peter Jones (presumably not THAT Peter Jones, or come to think of it, THAT Peter Jones either), Mike Rice, Evaldas Karosas and Shalaka Kurup. £5 beers and 2-for-1 cocktails should prime you for some full-throated laughter. Wicked Funnies
Quintessentially Comedy, Quinn's, Camden (every other Thurs)
Friendly new act/material night MCed by Dave Lynch. Quintessentially Comedy
Some Night in Soho, Phoenix Arts Club, Soho (one Thurs per month)
Romesh Ranganathan, Joanne McNally, Mawaan Rizwan, Thanyia Moore, Jamali Maddix and Rosie Jones are among the comedians who've played this monthly showcase in what is one of the area's most characterful venues. Some Night in Soho
Comedy Rumblings, Crown and Greyhound, Dulwich (third Thurs of the month)
Note the new venue for this once-monthly night bustling with a bill of talented comedians. Comedy Rumblings

Comedy Club Shoreditch (Fri)
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
Cuddles for Troubles, the Trinity, London Bridge (Fri)
Comics of all levels perform at this weekly free night, but some will surely hit your tee-hee spot, plus Cuddles for Troubles also welcomes sketch, musical and character acts, so it's got variety on its side. Cuddles for Troubles
Clapham Comedy Cave, Lit Bar, Clapham (Fri)
Squish up in 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
Instant Laughs, the Pavilion, Raynes Park (one Friday a month)
One Friday of the month, Raynes Park rings out with laughter prompted by a set from five stand-ups. For those who fancy watching with a pint in hand, consider getting the ticket/drink combo. Instant Laughs
Crack Comedy @ the Grey Horse Kingston (Fri) and Tunnel 267, Wimbledon (Sat)
Raucous Saturday shows with four slick acts apiece. Stars of Live at the Apollo come to warm up here. Crack Comedy
Headliners Comedy Club, Chiswick (Fri and Sat)
Weekly Fri-Sat stand-up outing at Chiswick 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
Banana Cabaret, the Bedford, Balham (Fri and Sat)
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 (Sat)
Nathan Caton, Tony Law, Fin Taylor and Adam Bloom have all done this Saturday gig lately. Bearcat Comedy Club

Comedy Freaks, the Harrison, King's Cross (Sat)
A mere £4 grants you entry to the Harrison's weekly bout of burgeoning and already-made-it comics. Jomi Cruz comperes. Comedy Freaks
Sunday Laughs Comedy, La Rosetta, Stoke Newington (Sun)
Digging into tasty pizza while laughing your head off sounds like a hoke hazard to us — so mind how you go at La Rosetta's Sunday comedy afternoons. Sunday Laughs
Silly Goose, the Trinity, Borough (first Sun of the month)
Six semi-pro comedians attempt to make you honk with laughter at this welcoming comedy night, established by Maddie and Will. 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
Collywobblers Comedy Club, various venues (semi-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
Sketch comedy in London
While stand-up comedians stalk every street corner in this metropolis, good sketch comedy is harder to find. 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 (Thurs-Sun)
(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.

Duck Duck Goose, Hope & Anchor, Brixton (Mon)
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
Hoopla Improv @ the Miller, London Bridge (Tues-Sat)
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. Hoopla Improv

The Free Association, De Beauvoir Arms, Dalston (Fri, Sat and Sun)
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 Dalston 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 (Sun)
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 fresh blood including Cariad Lloyd and Ruth Bratt. Comedy Store Players

Stage Time, Shoreditch Balls (first and third Tues of the month, except Dec)
A smörgåsbord of London improv groups take it in turns to feel their way through comic scenarios at this twice-monthly, good vibes get-together. Stage Time
Shoot from the Hip, the Bill Murray and 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

21 Soho, 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. Also home to the Hackney Comedy Experience, hosting the ilk of Bridget Christie and Leo Reich. EartH

Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith
So, Live at the Apollo? Yeah, they do that here. Other blockbuster stand-up shows 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, etc. 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
The O2, North Greenwich
You've might've heard of it. Has superstar names like Peter Kay and Flight of the Conchords. A pretty big deal actually. The O2

Oh So Funny!, Heathcote & Star, Leytonstone
Alan Davies, Rich Hall, Hal Cruttenden and Russell Kane are among the heavyweight comedians who've played this every-now-and-then night in east London. Oh So Funny!
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, plus the monthly Tall Tales & Cocktails 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
Comedy festivals in London
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, to wit:

Rosebuds Festival (January-February)
A new-for-2025 comedy festival at Clapham's Bread & Roses theatre, which packs 20 promising stand-up, sketch and character acts into six days. 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!
Balham Comedy Festival, Bedford, Balham (July)
Proof that you only need one pub to run an entire comedy festival, this convention of comics unfolds in the various nooks and crannies of the esteemed Bedford, and makes for a marvellous way to affordably binge on stand-up. Balham Comedy Festival
Ealing Comedy Festival (July)
Al fresco comedy in the splendid Walpole Park. Previous acts have included Shaparak Khorsandi, Josh Widdecombe and Ed Byrne. Nothing to do with those black and white Ealing films as far as we know. Ealing Comedy Festival
Camden Fringe (July-August)
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
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.
- Camden Cabaret, Camden: Heady cocktail of drag, comedy, burlesque and more every Fri and Sat.
- 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 this is not meant to be a comprehensive list of comedy in London, if you think we've omitted something that needs to be on here, email [email protected]