Guide to the best comedy clubs in London

This long-standing comedy club has been the centre of comedy in the East End for more than 20 years. Some of the best names in comedy have taken to the stage here, from Harry Hill and Jo Brand to James Acaster and Russell Howard. They host free nights for emerging talent to practise their performances with other cheap weekday tickets also available to purchase. You can also enjoy nibbles, bar snacks, beers, spirits and soft drinks.

The Big Belly Comedy Club features an indoor stage area where seven days of stand-up comedy takes place, featuring comedians at all levels of fame. There's also a large outdoor terrace area and a heated beer garden, one of the largest in London, where you can enjoy al fresco food and drinks. The food options are varied, with six street food traders serving everything from wagyu burgers and Greek fare to French tacos, pizza and more.

The Museum of Comedy is set inside the repurposed crypt of St George’s Church near the British Museum. They host regular comedy performances from emerging comedians and more established artists testing their new material. The museum is adorned with numerous comedy artefacts, like Bill Bailey’s 6-neck guitar. It’s one of the most extensive collections of comedy memorabilia in one place.

This comedy night, set inside a Victorian pub, is run by comedians and features a variety of performances, from big names practising their new material to emerging artists looking to break out into the comedy scene. The bar serves a range of drinks to cater for everyone, from beers and spirits to wine and soft drinks. Entry is usually free or very cheap.

Camden Head Comedy offer free comedy shows every single night, seven days a week. They feature everyone from amateur, emerging comedians to experienced acts trying out new material. It’s located inside the cosy Camden Head pub in the heart of Angel and is renowned for being one of the best spots in the city to catch a comedy show.

Soho Theatre Club is a charity, social enterprise, and the city's most vibrant new theatre, comedy and cabaret producer. They date back to the early 1970s when they functioned as a small but influential fringe theatre. The venue later closed in 1990 but was reopened in 2020 as Soho Theatre. They host a festival-like programme of events throughout the year, including a range of comedy performances, like Stamptown, which takes place downstairs at the Soho Theatre every couple of months. It includes a range of acts, is hosted by an MC clown and has been known to feature some of the bigger names in comedy.

This iconic comedy club was built in the ‘90s by renowned comedian Malcolm Hardee, and it’s remained one of the best places to enjoy comedy performances ever since. Tickets vary in price, with Sunday usually being the cheapest. They tend to have surprise big-name acts taking to the stage, and on Thursdays, they host ‘The Black Out’, where new acts must beat five minutes on the clock without getting voted off by the audience.

The Top Secret Comedy Club is located beneath a restaurant on Drury Lane. It’s the perfect spot to come and catch a light-hearted comedy show in a relaxed, intimate setting. It’s been ranked the best stand-up comedy club in London by Trip Advisor and Google and regularly features celebrity comedians.

Seven Dials Club is a comedy venue in the heart of Covent Garden, hosting everything from dance classes and gigs to quiz nights and comedy. Some of the best names in comedy have performed here, and tickets are cheap. They also have a bar for pre or post-show tipples.

Comedy Carnival is the ultimate hub of comedy, where award-winning international comedians regularly perform, attracting world-class talent from all over. Big names have taken to the stage here, like Jack Whitehall, Russell Brand and Sarah Millican. There are three venues around the city, all in excellent locations in terms of restaurants and bars, so a performance can be paired with dinner and drinks before or after a show.

The Shakespeare pub in Barbican is an old-school boozer in the Barbican where they serve a menu of Anglo-Italian fare in a laid-back, chilled atmosphere. The pub is dimly-lit and oozes British charm, it's a wonderful spot to sink a pint or two in a bustling part of the city. They also host comedy nights throughout the week, featuring established stand-up comedians and up-and-coming talent to suit everyone’s comedic acquired taste.

Banana Cabaret is one of the longest-running comedy clubs in the UK, having featured some of the biggest names in the industry, from Eddie Izzard and Al Murray to Sindhu Vee and more. They've been resident inside The Bedford pub for over 39 years, a Grade II listed pub which houses a boutique hotel with 15 rooms, a restaurant and a roster of live music performances and events.

The Boat Show is London's ultimate floating comedy Club located in Embankment, playing host to various comedy performances, from emerging talent to bigger names and celebrity guests, like Sarah Silverman. There's also a bar on board so that you can enjoy a drink or two while watching each performance.

The Comedy Store is the OG of all comedy clubs, first opened in 1979 above a strip club in Soho. They host comedy shows throughout the week on most nights, with a staggering line-up that remains pretty consistent. It’s a purpose-built club and is one of the country's best places to enjoy a stand-up show. It seats 400 people, with chairs placed closely together to maintain the intimate feel that makes a comedy show so unique.

Knock2Bag at Moth Club is an award-winning weekly comedy night that brings an eclectic lineup of big names and carefully chosen ones-to-watch to its venue in Hackney Central. It’s excellent value for money, featuring consistently varied lineups of established and emerging talent, including creative sketch troupes.

It's worth visiting Union Chapel even if you aren't swinging by for a comedy performance. This beautiful church is set in a Gothic revival style Grade I-listed building right next to Highbury and Islington station. It's the home of Live at the Chapel, a comedy night hosting some of the most interesting line-ups in the city. The stage has hosted the likes of Simon Amstell, Noel Fielding and other established comedians, as well as plenty of emerging artists. 

Near Archway station is London's first permanent LGBTQ+ comedy club, The Queer Comedy Club. This is a welcoming and inclusive space that hosts big-name comedy acts in addition to lesser-known talent. Some events showcase queer talent only whilst others also present allies and friends. The venue hosts regular nights as well as one-off shows.