The best comedy clubs in London

Angel Comedy was the first community comedy club in the UK. Today, this beloved comedy institution can be be found at two locations in London, both hosting a variety of performances throughout the week, from big names practising their new material to emerging artists looking to break out into the comedy scene. The Camden Head venue hosts free comedy nights seven days a week, while The Bill Murray is the club's own comedy pub, a refurbished Victorian boozer with a cosy atmosphere.

Unlike most London comedy clubs that find refuge in whichever venue is willing to host them, Big Belly Comedy Club operates out of a purpose-built comedy club in Southbank, complete with bar and food vendors. The programme regularly features the biggest acts on the circuit, such as Nikki Glaser or Katherine Ryan, and the club also hosts special events like bottomless brunch comedy.

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.

Soho Theatre is a charity, social enterprise, and the city's most vibrant new theatre, comedy, and cabaret producer. Their roots go back to the early 1970s when they functioned as a small but influential fringe theatre. They host a festival-like programme of events throughout the year, including a range of comedy nights featuring acts both big and small. In May 2025, Soho Theatre expanded to Walthamstow, bringing its varied programme along.

More than just a comedy club, the Museum of Comedy is set inside the repurposed crypt of St George's Church near the British Museum. They host regular comedy nights with 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.

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 for over four decades years, a Grade II-listed pub which also houses a boutique hotel with 15 rooms, a restaurant, and a roster of live music performances and events.

The Boat Show is London's floating comedy club aboard The Tattershall Castle in Embankment. Playing host to various comedy performances, from emerging talent to bigger names and celebrity guests like James Acaster and Sarah Silverman, the refurbished paddle steamer also has a bar so that you can enjoy a drink or two while watching the show.

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 they also host The Black Out, where new acts must beat five minutes on the clock without getting voted off by the audience. Drinks come courtesy of the in-house brewery.

Signature Brew is a well-known London brewery that hosts comedy nights, live music, and other events at its two venues in the city. Set in an arch, the Haggerston branch serves up weekly comedy nights on a pay-what-you-feel basis. The Walthamstow venue, meanwhile, operates straight out of the Signature Brew brewery, hosting big acts right next to the vats brewing up your next pint.

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 reliably ranked among the best stand-up comedy clubs in London and regularly features celebrity comedians.

Comedy Carnival is the ultimate hub of London 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 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.

Knock2Bag at MOTH Club is an award-winning weekly comedy night that brings an eclectic line-up of big names and carefully chosen ones-to-watch to the iconic Hackney Central venue. It's excellent value for money, featuring consistently varied line-ups 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 Gothic revival church right next to Highbury and Islington Station is home to 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, Fern Brady, and other established comedians, as well as plenty of emerging jokers.

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 free comedy nights as well as one-off shows.

A cosy and contemporary space for cocktails, coffee, and live comedy performances, 21Soho is a multi-purpose venue. By day you can have coffee and snacks in the trendy coffee shop, or sip on cocktails, local beers, and seasonal wines later on. The venue has a busy line-up of comedy shows from diverse performers.