London Comedy Clubs: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Stand-Up Venues in the West End and Beyond
London is the undisputed capital of stand-up comedy in the English-speaking world. From the gritty basement clubs of Soho to converted riverboats moored on the Thames, the city’s comedy scene offers something for everyone — seasoned circuit legends, Edinburgh Fringe breakout stars, and open-mic newcomers alike. With more than three dozen dedicated comedy venues operating across the capital, London’s laughter infrastructure is unmatched anywhere on the planet. Whether you are planning a first date, a corporate night out, a birthday bash, or simply a spontaneous Tuesday evening of world-class stand-up, this comprehensive guide covers every major comedy club in London, from the historically significant to the newly minted.
The History of London’s Comedy Club Scene
The story of London’s modern comedy club culture begins on the evening of 19 May 1979 — just sixteen days after Margaret Thatcher’s first general election victory — when entrepreneur Don Ward and insurance salesman Peter Rosengard opened The Comedy Store in the rooftop rooms of the Gargoyle Club in Dean Street, Soho. Rosengard had been inspired by a visit to the original Comedy Store in Los Angeles the previous year, where observational stand-up was poking irreverent fun at politics and the establishment. His ambition was to bring the same radical energy to London. The first person to answer their advert for would-be comedians was an angry young man from Liverpool named Alexei Sayle, who became the club’s first compère and set the incendiary anti-establishment tone that would define British alternative comedy throughout the 1980s.
That original Comedy Store launch pad produced some of the most influential names in British television and live comedy: Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson, French & Saunders, Paul Merton, Ben Elton, Jo Brand, and Mark Thomas all developed their craft on its stages. In 1980, Sayle and fellow comic Tony Allen founded Alternative Cabaret, a collective that spread the non-racist, non-sexist comedy ethos to pub back rooms and student union bars across London, sowing the seeds of the sprawling pub-comedy circuit that now feeds dozens of clubs every night of the week.
Today, London’s comedy infrastructure is so vast that you can see live stand-up every single night of the year, often for free or for as little as £1 at certain venues. The West End — particularly the triangle formed by Soho, Covent Garden, and Leicester Square — is the densest concentration of comedy clubs on earth, while further-flung neighbourhoods from Camden to Bethnal Green, from Angel to South Kensington, ensure that no Londoner is ever far from a good laugh.
The Legendary Anchors: London’s Most Iconic Comedy Clubs
The Comedy Store — The Birthplace of British Alternative Comedy
The Comedy Store (Oxendon Street, off Piccadilly Circus) holds a unique place in British cultural history. Founded in 1979 and now based in a purpose-built venue near Leicester Square, it is the oldest and most storied comedy club in the United Kingdom. Over four decades it has maintained its reputation as the place where careers are made, with alumni ranging from Michael McIntyre and Jimmy Carr to Eddie Izzard and Dara Ó Briain. The Comedy Store Players — an improv troupe founded in October 1985 by, among others, a young Mike Myers and Paul Merton — still performs on Sunday nights, making it one of the longest-running improv nights anywhere in the world. The club’s Tuesday night topical show, The Edge (originally The Cutting Edge, launched in 1990), predates Have I Got News For You by six months and continues to dissect the week’s news with savage wit. Rated 4.7 stars from over 3,300 Google reviews, The Comedy Store consistently ranks as the benchmark against which every other London comedy venue is measured.
The Top Secret Comedy Club — Unbeatable Value in the Heart of London
The Top Secret Comedy Club operates from two central London locations — a basement venue near Covent Garden and a second room at 23 Kingsway — and has built its reputation on extraordinary value and consistently strong line-ups. With entrance fees that can drop as low as £1 and main shows running from 8pm to 10:30pm most nights (with double bills on Fridays and Saturdays), Top Secret makes professional-quality stand-up accessible to everyone. Both locations carry a 4.9-star Google rating — the Covent Garden original from nearly 20,000 reviews and the Kingsway room from nearly 2,000 — making it the highest-rated comedy operation in London by volume. The no-frills basement atmosphere strips away any pretension, putting the focus squarely on the comedy.
Big Belly Bar & Comedy Club — South Bank Powerhouse
Big Belly Bar & Comedy Club on the South Bank is the most-reviewed comedy venue in London, having accumulated nearly 5,700 Google reviews at a 4.9-star rating. Located near London Bridge, it combines a lively bar atmosphere with a professional comedy programme, attracting both tourists and locals seeking a reliable night of laughter in one of London’s most vibrant riverside neighbourhoods. Its combination of high foot traffic, accessible pricing, and consistent booking quality has made it a cornerstone of the non-West-End comedy circuit.
The West End Cluster: Comedy Clubs in Soho, Covent Garden and Leicester Square
The West End is home to the greatest concentration of comedy clubs on earth. Within a roughly ten-minute walk, you can find more than a dozen dedicated stand-up venues operating on any given evening. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the major players in this remarkable entertainment district.
Soho Comedy Venues
Soho proper is home to several distinct comedy operations. The Soho Comedy Factory (rated 4.9 stars) and its sister venue Soho Comedy Factory — Berwick Street (rated 4.7 stars) offer polished comedy programming in the heart of London’s most famous entertainment district. The JK Comedy Club Soho (4.9 stars, 939 reviews) is one of several JK-branded venues that have carved out a reputation for reliable, well-curated line-ups across the West End. The Soho Comedy Cellar and Soho Comedy House both carry perfect 5-star ratings (from 45 and 219 reviews respectively), suggesting intimate, focused experiences that consistently exceed expectations. The Stand-Up Club, Soho (4.8 stars, 238 reviews) rounds out the area’s premium offerings.
Covent Garden Comedy Venues
Covent Garden has emerged as a rival comedy hub to Soho in recent years. The JK Comedy Club Covent Garden (4.9 stars, 680 reviews) and the Covent Garden Comedy Club (4.8 stars, 500 reviews) offer reliable mainstream stand-up in easy reach of the piazza. Comedy Carnival Covent Garden holds an impressive 4.9-star rating from over 1,100 reviews, while the Rum Monkey Soho (4.8 stars, 335 reviews) offers a more cocktail-bar-infused comedy experience. The Seven Dials Comedy at The Seven Dials Club provides an alternative neighbourhood venue with a 4.7-star rating, while the Maple Laughs Comedy venue carries a perfect 5.0 from 17 reviews — a newer arrival showing exceptional early promise. The Boat Show Comedy Club, moored on the PS Tattershall Castle opposite the London Eye on the Embankment, offers one of London’s most distinctive comedy experiences — the only dedicated comedy club afloat on the Thames — rated 4.5 stars from 357 reviews.
Leicester Square Comedy Venues
The Leicester Square area is anchored by The Comedy Store but also encompasses several other significant venues. The 99 Club Leicester Square (4.3 stars, 1,214 reviews) has been operating for over a decade, typically offering top-quality circuit line-ups four nights a week at Ruby Blue on Leicester Place, and is noted by Time Out for its remarkable value. Comedy Carnival Leicester Square (4.7 stars, 702 reviews) provides another strong option in the area, while JK Comedy Club Leicester Square (4.9 stars, 182 reviews) is a newer addition maintaining the JK brand’s high standards. The Leicester Square Theatre (4.5 stars, 2,096 reviews) is not technically a comedy club but frequently hosts major comedy names and tour previews alongside its wider theatrical programming; Richard Herring records his podcast there regularly. The Lion’s Den Comedy Club (4.5 stars) and the Soho Comedy Club add further variety to the Leicester Square constellation.
Beyond the West End: Comedy Clubs Across London
North London Comedy Venues
Angel Comedy Club at Camden Head (4.8 stars, 811 reviews) in Islington is one of London’s most beloved institutions, running free stand-up every single night of the week from upstairs in the Camden Head pub on Camden Passage. As Londonist notes, it hosts RAW comedy nights Monday through Thursday and Sunday, with more polished shows on Fridays and Saturdays, and has welcomed work-in-progress sets from major names including Dylan Moran and Simon Amstell. The Camden Comedy Club (4.5 stars, 339 reviews) occupies the upstairs room of the Camden Head after a refurbishment and rebrand, offering a varied programme from multiple promoters in a characterful L-shaped space. The Museum of Comedy (4.5 stars, 445 reviews) in Bloomsbury is a unique venue housed in the crypt of St George’s Church in Holborn, combining a permanent exhibition on British comedy history with regular live performances — an unparalleled experience for anyone with a serious interest in comedy culture.
Comedy in Your Eye (4.9 stars, 836 reviews) in Archway/Upper Holloway offers strong north London stand-up programming, while Comedy Freaks (4.9 stars, 300 reviews) provides an additional option for north Londoners. The Cloud9 Comedy club (5.0 stars, 85 reviews) and Fitzrovia Comedy Club (5.0 stars, 51 reviews) both carry perfect ratings, with Fitzrovia offering a central location near the British Museum. The Backyard Comedy Club in Bethnal Green (4.5 stars, 1,581 reviews) operates on the motto “West End Shows at East End Prices” and hosts everything from new acts to the London Alcohol-Free Comedy Club, in a venue that looks, endearingly, as though it has been constructed from reclaimed pallets.
City and East London Comedy Venues
The City Comedy Club (4.6 stars, 481 reviews) serves the Square Mile and its surroundings, catering to the professional workforce that populates the area during the week. Located in EC2, it provides a convenient after-work laughter option for those in finance, law, and the wider City economy.
South and West London Comedy Venues
The South Kensington Comedy Club (4.2 stars, 76 reviews) brings comedy to one of London’s most affluent and tourist-heavy neighbourhoods, offering an option for visitors staying in the museum district who do not wish to travel to the West End for entertainment.
The London Comedy Club Directory: Ratings and Review Summary
The following table provides a consolidated reference for all major comedy clubs in London covered by this guide, drawn from Google Maps ratings data:
| Venue | Area | Rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Top Secret Comedy Club | Covent Garden | 4.9 ⭐ | ~19,363 |
| Big Belly Bar & Comedy Club | South Bank | 4.9 ⭐ | ~5,677 |
| The Comedy Store | Soho / Leicester Square | 4.7 ⭐ | ~3,337 |
| Backyard Comedy Club | Bethnal Green | 4.5 ⭐ | ~1,581 |
| The 99 Club Leicester Square | Leicester Square | 4.3 ⭐ | ~1,214 |
| Comedy Carnival Covent Garden | Covent Garden | 4.9 ⭐ | ~1,124 |
| Comedy in Your Eye | North London | 4.9 ⭐ | ~836 |
| Angel Comedy Club @ Camden Head | Islington | 4.8 ⭐ | ~811 |
| Leicester Square Theatre | Leicester Square | 4.5 ⭐ | ~2,096 |
| Comedy Carnival Leicester Square | Leicester Square | 4.7 ⭐ | ~702 |
| JK Comedy Club Covent Garden | Covent Garden | 4.9 ⭐ | ~680 |
| Soho Comedy Factory | Soho | 4.9 ⭐ | ~959 |
| JK Comedy Club Soho | Soho | 4.9 ⭐ | ~939 |
| The Top Secret Comedy Club (Kingsway) | Holborn | 4.9 ⭐ | ~1,917 |
| Covent Garden Comedy Club | Covent Garden | 4.8 ⭐ | ~500 |
| City Comedy Club | City of London | 4.6 ⭐ | ~481 |
| Museum of Comedy | Bloomsbury | 4.5 ⭐ | ~445 |
| Camden Comedy Club | Camden | 4.5 ⭐ | ~339 |
| The Boat Show Comedy Club | Embankment | 4.5 ⭐ | ~357 |
| Comedy Freaks | North London | 4.9 ⭐ | ~300 |
| The Rum Monkey Soho | Soho | 4.8 ⭐ | ~335 |
| The Stand-Up Club, Soho | Soho | 4.8 ⭐ | ~238 |
| Soho Comedy House | Soho | 5.0 ⭐ | ~219 |
| JK Comedy Club Leicester Square | Leicester Square | 4.9 ⭐ | ~182 |
| South Kensington Comedy Club | South Kensington | 4.2 ⭐ | ~76 |
| Seven Dials Comedy | Covent Garden | 4.7 ⭐ | ~81 |
| Cloud9 Comedy | Fitzrovia | 5.0 ⭐ | ~85 |
| Fitzrovia Comedy Club | Fitzrovia | 5.0 ⭐ | ~51 |
| Soho Comedy Cellar | Soho | 5.0 ⭐ | ~45 |
| Soho Comedy Factory — Berwick Street | Soho | 4.7 ⭐ | ~65 |
| Maple Laughs Comedy | Covent Garden | 5.0 ⭐ | ~17 |
| Lion’s Den Comedy Club | Soho | 4.5 ⭐ | ~20 |
| Covent Garden Comedy Point | Covent Garden | 4.3 ⭐ | ~3 |
Choosing the Right London Comedy Club for Your Night Out
With so many options available, the right choice depends on your priorities. For sheer historical prestige and consistently professional line-ups, The Comedy Store remains the gold standard. For value and reliability in the West End, the Top Secret Comedy Club is almost impossible to beat, with entrance fees that can be astonishingly low for the quality on offer. For a free-entry community-oriented experience with genuinely outstanding talent, the Angel Comedy Club at the Camden Head has no peer in the country. For a tourist-friendly, highly-reviewed experience in a central riverside location, Big Belly Bar & Comedy Club on the South Bank delivers consistent quality at scale.
First-timers to London’s comedy scene are well advised to start in the West End triangle — Soho, Covent Garden, Leicester Square — where the density of options means that even without advance booking, you are likely to find a show starting within the hour. Experienced comedy-goers seeking to explore the full depth of London’s scene should venture into the neighbourhoods: Angel and Islington for free-entry quality, Bethnal Green for East End grit and diversity of programming, Camden for a characterful north London pub atmosphere, and Bloomsbury for the unique experience of watching stand-up comedy in a Victorian crypt.
London Comedy Clubs and the Edinburgh Fringe Connection
London’s comedy clubs are not merely entertainment venues — they form a critical part of the talent pipeline that feeds the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the largest arts festival in the world and the global marketplace for stand-up comedy. Throughout the year, London clubs host Edinburgh preview shows, work-in-progress nights, and post-Fringe tour launches, meaning that a London comedy audience is often among the first in the world to see material that will go on to win major awards, generate Netflix specials, and define the comedy landscape for years to come. Venues like the Angel Comedy Club, the Top Secret Comedy Club, and the Comedy Store are all well-known on the Edinburgh circuit as trusted testing grounds for new material.
Practical Information for Comedy Club Visitors
Most London comedy clubs operate a strict 18+ door policy, and many require valid photo ID from under-25s. Advance booking is strongly recommended at popular venues on Friday and Saturday nights, though many clubs offer walk-up tickets on slower weeknights. Prices range from free (Angel Comedy Club, various open-mic nights) to around £25 for headliner shows at The Comedy Store and similar prestige venues. Many West End clubs are within a five-minute walk of Leicester Square, Covent Garden, or Tottenham Court Road underground stations, making them easily accessible from across the city and from mainline stations including Charing Cross, Waterloo, and London Bridge.
For up-to-date listings, show times, and ticket availability, the most comprehensive resources are Time Out London Comedy, Chortle (the UK’s leading comedy industry website), and individual club websites. London’s comedy scene changes rapidly, with new venues opening, existing clubs changing programming, and promoters moving between locations — checking directly with venues before travelling is always advisable.
