London’s comedy scene never disappoints. If you’re up for a night of pure laughter, there’s no shortage of places to go.
I’ve spent many evenings laughing my head off at comedy clubs, watching big-name comedians trying out new material and rising stars who steal the show.
If you also want to experience the best of it, I’ve rounded up the best comedy clubs in London. These are spots that guarantee big laughs and an unforgettable night out.
Angel Comedy Club
Media credit: angelcomedy
Address: 39 Queen’s Head St
Contact: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Every night
Pricing: Up to £9.50
Angel Comedy Club is one of the most intimate comedy spots in London. The place is tiny, the stage is practically at your feet, and there’s nowhere to hide when a comedian locks eyes with you mid-set.
The walls are covered with photos of comedy greats like James Acaster, Nish Kumar, and Lou Sanders. It reminds you that some of the best in the game have stood on this very stage.
The best nights are the free Angel Comedy RAW shows every evening at 8 PM. One time, I turned up expecting an open-mic night and ended up watching a surprise set from Ed Gamble.
Pro tip:
Free shows fill up fast, so turn up early. If you miss out, grab a drink at the bar—you might chat with one of the comedians before they go on stage.
Comedy Store
Media credit: stevegribbincomedy
Address: 1a Oxendon St
Contact: +44 20 7024 2060
Pricing: £12–£30
The Comedy Store has been making people laugh for over 45 years, yet it’s packed like it just opened last week every time I’ve visited.
The energy here is different. Some comedians banter with the audience, turning hecklers into part of the act. Others hit the stage with bold and edgy jokes.
The late-night improv show is pure chaos, in the best way. Watching comedians make up jokes on the spot is wild—sometimes it’s hilarious, sometimes it completely falls apart, and that’s what makes it fun.
Pro tip:
The front-row seats are dangerously close to the action. Sit there if you don’t mind being part of the jokes. Otherwise, grab a booth further back for a safer but equally hilarious view.
Soho Theatre
Media credit: sohotheatre
Address: 21 Dean St
Contact: +44 20 7478 0100
Pricing: £13–£30
Soho Theatre is a go-to venue for comedians who like to push creative and social boundaries while keeping things hilariously entertaining. Unlike comedians who just stick to punch lines, the performers here bring their most thought-provoking and controversial material.
One night, James Acaster turned his personal struggles into a set that had the entire room howling with laughter one second and sitting in stunned silence the next. It was brutally honest, painfully funny, and the kind of show we won’t forget.
Another time, Jordan Gray blended stand-up comedy with music while tackling gender identity in the boldest, funniest way possible.
Pro tip:
Big names play here, and tickets sell fast. If a show’s too pricey, check out the work-in-progress gigs—same comedians, just testing new material for a lower price.
Boat Show Comedy Club
Media credit: boatshowcomedy
Address: The Tattershall Castle, Victoria Embankment
Contact: +44 20 7839 9229
Operating Hours: Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
Pricing: £6–£20
The Boat Show is London’s only floating comedy club. Before the show, we gather on deck, sipping drinks with Big Ben and the London Eye glowing in the background.
Inside, the atmosphere shifts. The low ceilings and cosy layout make it intimate, but the energy is high.
The line-ups are solid. A mix of TV-famous comedians, circuit pros, and rising stars.
The comedians love playing off the fact that we’re literally on a boat. Jokes about the floor moving and the rare but hilarious sight of someone misjudging their balance after a few drinks—it all adds to the chaos in the best way.
Pro tip:
Get there early to grab a drink on the upper deck before the show—the view is unbeatable.
Downstairs at the King’s Head
Media credit: kevanhallcomedy
Address: 2 Crouch End Hill
Contact: +44 20 8341 2328
Operating Hours: Thursdays & Saturdays, plus occasional other nights
Pricing: £5–£17
Downstairs has been running since 1981, which you can tell when you walk in. The place feels like entering a time capsule of proper, old-school stand-up.
The pub upstairs looks ordinary enough, but head down the narrow staircase, and it’s a whole different vibe. The tiny basement has low ceilings and a stage so close you can see every reaction on a comedian’s face.
I went for their legendary Try Out Night, where fresh faces and seasoned comedian Alistair Barrie share the same stage. Some acts had the crowd roaring, and we crashed so hard that we even had to laugh.
Pro tip:
Arrive early if you want a good seat—space is tight, and tables fill up fast.
99 Comedy Club
Media credit: the99clubcomedy
Address: Ruby Blue, 1 Leicester Place
Contact: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday
Pricing: £9–£20
The 99 Club has been named Best London Comedy Club at the Chortle Awards for ten years running, and after spending a night here, it pretty much says it all.
The vibe is different from underground comedy spots. It’s slicker, with a proper stage setup that gives it a more professional feel. The stage is well-lit and framed perfectly, so every seat in the house gets a clear view—no craning your neck or peering around pillars.
Some nights get unpredictable—especially when a comic decides to go off-script and work the room. Watching a comedian completely roast an unsuspecting audience member is a 99 Club speciality, and it never gets old.
Pro tip:
If you’re up for a surprise, try a midweek show—sometimes, big names drop in unannounced to test new material.
Always Be Comedy
Media credit: alwaysbecomedy
Address: The Tommyfield, 185 Kennington Lane
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: Around £10
Always Be Comedy is one of London’s most unpredictable comedy clubs. The atmosphere feels more like a mates’ night out than a traditional comedy club. No dark, moody lighting or distant stage setup—it’s bright, friendly, and ridiculously fun.
There’s no pressure to sit in silence and wait for punchlines. People laugh, interact, and sometimes even become part of the show.
The host, James Gill, keeps the atmosphere loose. He constantly chats with the audience, making sure everyone feels part of the fun. Sitting up front almost guarantees you’ll be part of the show, but even from the back, the energy is infectious.
The line-ups are stacked with comedy royalty. Kevin Bridges and Katherine Ryan are some of the big-name comedians that have performed here, and you never know who might drop in.
Pro tip:
If you want to gift someone a comedy night but aren’t sure which date to pick, grab an e-gift voucher from the Always Be Comedy website.
Backyard Comedy Club
Media credit: backyardcomedyclub
Address: 231 Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green
Contact: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Thursday to Saturday
Pricing: Free–£10
The Backyard is a purpose-built comedy club. Their venue is big, with long tables and plenty of rooms to move, unlike many clubs that squeeze shows into basements or side rooms.
Before the acts start, we hang out by playing ping pong, pool, or board games, which makes the whole place feel more social.
Every night feels different. Some shows feature classic stand-up, while others incorporate games and challenges.
Their segment, Comedy Knockout, is easily one of the best parts of the night. The host chooses random topics, the audience contributes ideas, and the comics must be funny on the spot. Then, the crowd chooses the winner, making every show funnier.
Pro tip:
If you plan a group night out, Backyard Comedy Club offers reserved seating for larger parties. Book in advance to ensure you all sit together and get the best view of the stage.
Up the Creek
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Address: 302 Creek Rd, Greenwich
Contact: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Thursday to Sunday
Pricing: £8.80–£22
Up the Creek is a proper old-school comedy club with a wide stage and close-up seating.
I went on a Blackout Night, and the energy was wild. New comedians get just two minutes to prove themselves, and if they’re not funny enough, we can literally vote them off stage by holding up red cards.
Watching someone desperately try to win back a tough audience was entertaining, especially when the host jumped in with quick-witted jabs to make things funnier.
And when the show’s over, the venue turns into a full-on party with music, drinks, and plenty of post-show chaos.
Pro tip:
If you’re celebrating a birthday, sign up for their Birthday Club on the Up the Creek website for a free ticket.
Covent Garden Comedy Club
Media credit: thecoventgardencomedyclub
Address: Freemasons Arms, 81-82 Long Acre
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: £18–£22
Covent Garden Comedy Club is known for its top-tier line-ups, featuring some of the biggest names on the circuit such as Andy Parsons and Rufus Hound.
The setting makes it perfect for a dinner-and-show night out. The club is inside the Freemasons Arms, so you can grab a meal and a drink before heading into the comedy room.
The vibe feels a bit more polished than the usual pub gig—no rowdy hecklers or chaotic open mics, just solid stand-up in a proper venue.
Pro tip:
Seating is first come, first served, so arrive early if you want a spot near the stage.
Top Secret Comedy Club
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Address: 170 Drury Lane
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: £1–£12
The Top Secret Comedy Club might sound exclusive, but it’s one of the liveliest and most unpredictable comedy nights in the city.
The crowd is always hyped, the drinks are cheap, and the jokes are definitely not for the easily offended. The jokes lean heavily into adult humour, so you’ve got to be up to date with global trends, news, and culture to really appreciate the punchlines.
This club brings in comedians from all over the world—well, sort of. One night, the line-up featured Americans and a celebrity Brit whose accent left everyone guessing.
Pro tip:
If you’re coming with a group, arrive early to sit together—last-minute arrivals end up scattered across the room.
Stand-Up Club
Media credit: standupclubuk
Address: 7 Oxendon Street
Contact: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Fridays and Saturdays
Pricing: £15–£20
The Stand-Up Club is one of the best independent comedy spots in the UK. It has multiple locations, but the Piccadilly location offers a special kind of fun.
The room is just the right size—not too big, not too small—so you feel part of the show without being crammed in.
The club runs British Comedian of the Year, a major competition in which rising comedians compete for the title. Thus, the talent here is always strong—comedians are either pros or rising stars. Even if a joke flops, they always find a way to make the moment funnier.
Pro tip:
If you’ve got a comedy ticket, you can get discounts on select drinks at the bar.
