Best Comedy Clubs in the UK

The UK Comedy Scene

The UK has one of the richest stand-up comedy traditions in the world. From the alternative comedy boom of the 1980s to the current golden age of live comedy, British comedians have consistently pushed the art form forward. The circuit is vast — on any given night, there are hundreds of comedy shows running across the country, from polished weekend headliner shows to chaotic open mic nights in pub basements.

At the centre of it all is the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the largest arts festival on the planet, where thousands of comedians perform every August. But the Fringe is just the showcase. The real work happens year-round in the comedy clubs and backrooms that form the UK circuit. These are the venues where comedians develop material, build audiences, and hone their craft.

Whether you're looking for a night out or a venue to host your own comedy night, here are the best comedy clubs in the UK.

Best Comedy Clubs in London

London is the beating heart of UK comedy. The sheer volume of shows means you can see world-class stand-up every single night of the week.

The Comedy Store

The Comedy Store in Leicester Square is the most famous comedy club in the UK. Founded in 1979 and inspired by the LA original, it was the birthplace of alternative comedy and has launched careers from Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders to Lee Mack and Michael McIntyre. The 400-seat main room hosts nightly shows including the legendary Comedy Store Players improv night every Wednesday and Sunday.

Angel Comedy

Angel Comedy at The Bill Murray pub in Islington is one of London's best-kept secrets. It runs completely free comedy shows every night of the week, with lineups that regularly include TV comedians testing new material alongside rising stars. The intimate 80-seat room above the pub creates a perfect atmosphere for stand-up. The fact that it's free and still this good is remarkable.

Top Secret Comedy Club

Hidden in a basement on Drury Lane in Covent Garden, Top Secret Comedy Club runs shows seven nights a week. The 120-seat room has an underground speakeasy feel, and the programming consistently delivers strong lineups at affordable prices. It's a reliable option for a spontaneous comedy night in central London.

Backyard Comedy Club

Backyard Comedy Club in Bethnal Green is one of East London's premier comedy venues. The purpose-built 200-seat room has excellent sightlines and acoustics, and the programming mixes established headliners with new act showcases. The attached bar and terrace make it a great venue for a full evening out.

Up The Creek

Up The Creek in Greenwich has been running since 1989 and is known for its raucous, audience-driven atmosphere. The Friday and Saturday night shows are legendary — hecklers are actively encouraged, and only the strongest comedians survive. It's not for the faint-hearted, but it's some of the most exciting live comedy you'll see anywhere.

The Bill Murray

Home to Angel Comedy (above), The Bill Murray is also a venue in its own right, hosting paid shows, work-in-progress previews, and Edinburgh Fringe warm-up runs. The 80-seat room is one of the best small comedy rooms in the country. Named after the comedy legend (with his blessing), it's become a destination venue for comedy fans.

Banana Cabaret

Banana Cabaret at The Bedford in Balham has been a South London institution since 1983. The ornate Victorian ballroom holds around 300 people, and the Friday and Saturday night shows feature three acts and a compere in a classic comedy club format. It's one of the longest-running comedy clubs in the UK and still delivers consistently strong nights.

Comedy Cafe

The Comedy Cafe in Shoreditch has been a fixture of the East London comedy scene since the 1990s. The 250-seat room hosts shows throughout the week, including a popular free Wednesday night new act show. The ground-floor location with a dedicated comedy room and separate bar makes it one of the most comfortable comedy venues in the city.

Leicester Square Theatre

Leicester Square Theatre is a 400-seat venue that sits between a comedy club and a theatre. The downstairs room hosts intimate comedy shows, while the main space upstages feature longer runs from bigger names. It's where many comedians choose to do London runs of their touring shows, and the central location makes it easy to reach from anywhere in the city.

Best Comedy Clubs in Manchester

Manchester has a thriving comedy circuit with clubs that have been running for decades alongside newer rooms pushing the scene forward.

The Comedy Store Manchester

The Manchester branch of The Comedy Store at Deansgate Locks is the biggest dedicated comedy club in the North of England. The 500-seat room hosts shows every night, and the standard is consistently high. Like its London sibling, it runs a Buzz Comedy improv night and programmes a mix of established and emerging talent.

Frog & Bucket

The Frog & Bucket on Oldham Street in the Northern Quarter has been running since 1994 and is one of the most important comedy clubs outside London. The Tuesday night Beat the Frog open mic competition is legendary on the circuit — it's where many of today's biggest comedians cut their teeth. The weekend shows are reliably strong, and the intimate room creates a great atmosphere.

XS Malarkey

XS Malarkey runs every Tuesday at the Bread Shed (formerly the Pub/Zoo) and is one of the best-regarded weekly comedy clubs in the UK. The lineup typically features a headline act alongside newer performers, and the relaxed, supportive atmosphere makes it a favourite with comedians and audiences alike. It's been running since 2001 and shows no signs of slowing down.

The Comedy Station

The Comedy Station in the Northern Quarter is a newer addition to Manchester's comedy scene, offering a purpose-built comedy room with tiered seating and a focus on emerging talent alongside established circuit acts. The weekend shows offer reliable entertainment, and the midweek new act nights are worth checking out for adventurous comedy fans.

Best Comedy Clubs in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the world capital of comedy every August during the Fringe, but the city has excellent year-round comedy too.

The Stand Comedy Club

The Stand on York Place is the best year-round comedy club in Scotland. The 200-seat basement room has an electric atmosphere, and the programming is outstanding — expect to see future stars and established headliners on the same bill. The Stand also operates venues in Glasgow and Newcastle, and runs the New Town Theatre during the Fringe.

Monkey Barrel Comedy

Monkey Barrel on Blair Street has quickly become one of the most important comedy venues in Scotland since opening in 2017. It now operates three rooms and runs shows every night, from polished weekend headliner shows to experimental new material nights. During the Fringe, it's one of the most sought-after venues for comedians looking for an intimate, high-quality room.

Gilded Balloon

The Gilded Balloon is one of the Edinburgh Fringe's "big four" venues. During August, it operates multiple rooms at the Teviot Row House and other locations, hosting hundreds of comedy shows. The Late 'n' Live show is a legendary Fringe institution — a chaotic late-night show where anything can happen. Outside the Fringe, the Gilded Balloon programmes events and comedy throughout the year.

Pleasance

The Pleasance is another Fringe giant, with the Pleasance Courtyard complex hosting some of the festival's biggest comedy shows. The main Pleasance One room seats around 750 and is where many comedians have their breakthrough moments. The Pleasance has launched careers from Fleabag to Taskmaster, and getting a Pleasance slot during the Fringe is a milestone for any comedian.

The Caves

The Caves beneath the South Bridge host comedy during the Fringe in one of Edinburgh's most atmospheric settings. The stone vaults create an intimate, underground feel that works brilliantly for stand-up. Outside the Fringe, The Caves hosts occasional comedy nights alongside its music and events programme.

Best Comedy Clubs in Birmingham, Bristol & Glasgow

Birmingham

Birmingham has a growing comedy scene anchored by a few key venues. The Glee Club on Hurst Street is the city's flagship comedy venue, running shows every weekend in a slick, purpose-built 350-seat room. The Old Joint Stock Theatre in the city centre hosts comedy alongside theatre and music, and its intimate 100-seat space above a pub is ideal for work-in-progress shows. MAC Birmingham in Cannon Hill Park programmes comedy as part of its wider arts offering.

Bristol

Bristol punches well above its weight for comedy. The Comedy Box at Hen & Chicken Theatre in Bedminster is the city's longest-running comedy club, hosting weekend shows since the 1990s. Comedybites runs regular shows at various Bristol venues with a focus on emerging talent. The Bristol Old Vic and Tobacco Factory Theatres also programme comedy runs from touring acts.

Glasgow

Glasgow audiences are legendarily warm and up for it. The Stand Glasgow on Woodlands Road is the sister venue to Edinburgh's Stand and runs nightly shows with the same high standard. Blackfriars in the Merchant City hosts the long-running Friday Night Comedy Club, and Yesbar on Drury Street has become a popular newer comedy room with regular midweek and weekend shows.

How to Run a Comedy Night

Starting your own comedy night is one of the most accessible ways to get into live event promotion. Here's what you need to know:

• Find a venue with the right vibe — Comedy works best in intimate spaces with low ceilings. A 60-100 capacity room above a pub is the classic starting point. Browse comedy clubs for dedicated rooms, or look for pubs with function spaces.
• Book a mix of acts — A typical comedy night has a compere (MC), two middle acts, and a headline closer. For new nights, reach out to local comedy Facebook groups and open mic communities to find willing performers.
• Keep ticket prices accessible — Most grassroots comedy nights charge £5-£10. The goal is to fill the room and build a reputation before raising prices.
• Use free ticketing — Major ticketing platforms take 5-10% in fees, which destroys your margins on low-price tickets. Tickts charges zero fees — fans pay the listed price, and you keep everything.
• Promote consistently — Build an email list, post on social media, and get listed on local event guides. Consistency is key — a monthly residency builds an audience faster than sporadic one-offs.
• Create the right atmosphere — Dim the house lights, arrange seating close together, and start on time. Good comedy rooms feel packed even when they're not sold out.

For more on finding and booking a venue, read our complete venue-finding guide.

Browse Comedy Clubs

Explore our full directory of comedy clubs across the UK, or search by city: