Comedy in London

London has some of the best comedy clubs in the world. Comedy venues come in all shapes and forms, from dedicated comedy venues, to pubs and places that turn into a disco after the comedy has finished.

Arguably the most famous comedy venue in the capital is the Comedy Store  in Leicester Square. Ticket prices range from around £13-18 depending on what day it is. There are also midnight performances. Just as enjoyable as the stand-up acts, is the improv night by the famous ‘Comedy Store Players’. This takes place on Wednesday night and features well-known names such as Paul Merton, Josie Lawrence and Richard Vranch. There is a bar at the venue, but during the performance you sit in rows.

If you’re in the East End, definitely head to Lee Hurst’s comedy club at the Fymfyg bar- on the Cambridge Heath Road. As well as his one-man show, there are also regular stand-up nights. Again, you sit in rows during the performance but there is a bar to visit during intervals. The Saturday night show is followed by a ‘Cheese on Toast’ disco. This comedy club is slightly cheaper than other venues of a similar size and if you check their website regularly, there are often good offers and vouchers to be found.

Just down the road in Shoreditch is the Comedy Cafe. Unlike the previous two comedy clubs that have been listed, at the Comedy Cafe, you are seated at tables with table service for food and drinks.

Similar to this is the chain of Jongleurs comedy clubs with a venue at Hammersmith. This really is an excellent comedy night, again with table service for drinks and food, followed by a disco afterwards. Moove2London recommends this club. Tickets are roughly £16-17, but if you register on their website, you’ll be sent offers and vouchers.

If you’re looking to watch comedy in a relaxed pub environment, then head to the King’s Head in Crouch End for their Downstairs at the King’s Head comedy. Ticket prices go up to £10 and many famous comedians such as Russell Brand, Rich Hall and Dara O’Brain have performed there in the past. If you’re in West London, head to the Canal Cafe Theatre, above the Bridge House pub in Little Venice. The venue has been home to the NewsRevue,  which is 30 years old and holds the Guinness record for ‘longest running live comedy show’.

Finally, if you want to be part of the audience for some TV comedy, then you’ll love ‘Live at the Apollo’ in Hammersmith. As it’s for a TV show, tickets are free and sent out on a first-come, first-served basis. Beware, that receiving a ticket does not guarantee you entry to the event, you’ll also need to turn up really early on the day and wait in line. Keep an eye on sites like SRO Audiences that release tickets for TV audiences.