A great comedy night out is hard to beat. Whether it’s a proper belly laugh at a stand-up show, a brilliantly silly theatre comedy or a night at one of the UK’s famous comedy clubs, there’s nothing quite like laughing until your sides hurt with a room full of people.
The UK has an absolutely brilliant comedy scene — from the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe to long-running West End shows, packed-out comedy clubs in every major city and touring shows by some of the biggest names in comedy. Whatever your taste, there’s something out there that will have you in stitches.
West End Comedy — The Long-Running Favourites
These shows have been making audiences laugh for years and are a brilliant starting point if you want guaranteed fun on a London trip.
The Play That Goes Wrong
Duchess Theatre, London
Quite simply one of the funniest things you will ever see on a stage. A murder mystery play performed by a disaster-prone theatre company where absolutely everything goes wrong — and brilliantly so. Perfectly timed physical comedy and an audience that laughs from start to finish. Suitable for all ages.
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The Book of Mormon
Prince of Wales Theatre, London
From the creators of South Park — outrageous, bold and absolutely hilarious. This is strictly adults only and not for the easily offended, but if you like sharp, fearless comedy it’s one of the funniest nights out in the West End. You’ll be talking about it for weeks.
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The Producers
Garrick Theatre, London
Mel Brooks’ record-breaking comedy musical about two scheming producers who cook up a hilariously bad plan. Packed with brilliant comic moments, ridiculous characters and a plot that gets funnier as it goes along. A true comedy classic that never gets old.
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Avenue Q
Shaftesbury Theatre, London
Think Sesame Street for grown-ups — puppet characters dealing with the awkward realities of adult life. Rude, funny, surprisingly touching and brilliantly performed. Adults only, but a fantastic night out for anyone who likes their comedy clever and a little bit unexpected.
Check TicketsComedy Clubs Across the UK
If you want to see live stand-up comedy, a comedy club night is one of the best ways to do it. Most comedy club nights feature several acts on the same bill — typically a host who keeps things moving, one or two support acts warming up the crowd, and a headline comedian to finish the night off. It’s a brilliant format and you often discover new comedians you’d never have heard of otherwise.
The UK has fantastic comedy clubs in pretty much every major city. Some of the best include:
🎤 London
London has more comedy venues than anywhere else in the country. The Comedy Store in Leicester Square is probably the most famous — it’s been launching careers since 1979 and still puts on brilliant nights. The Soho Theatre is excellent for more cutting-edge comedy and new talent. There are also great regular nights at smaller venues all over the city.
🎤 Manchester
Manchester has a brilliant comedy scene. The Comedy Store Manchester is a great night out, and there are regular comedy nights at venues across the city centre. A comedy show pairs perfectly with a Manchester city break — great food, great bars and a proper northern welcome.
🎤 Edinburgh
If you’re visiting Edinburgh, you’re in comedy heaven. The Fringe Festival in August is the biggest comedy event in the world — thousands of shows, big names and exciting new acts all crammed into one extraordinary city. Even outside festival season, Edinburgh has a lively comedy scene year-round.
🎤 Other Great Comedy Cities
Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Bristol, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham, Cardiff and Brighton all have thriving comedy scenes with regular club nights and touring shows. If you’re planning a UK city break, there’s a very good chance there’s a great comedy night on wherever you’re heading.
A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Book
Comedy is personal — what has one person crying with laughter might leave another person cold. If you’re booking for a group, have a quick look at the comedian’s style online before committing. A two-minute clip on YouTube will tell you everything you need to know.
Check the content warnings — most comedy shows are clearly labelled as to whether they contain strong language, adult humour or potentially sensitive material. Don’t assume a show is suitable for everyone in your group without checking first.
Not all shows are adults only — there are brilliant family-friendly comedy shows too, especially at festival time. Just make sure you’re looking at the right type of show for your group.
Single performer vs mixed bill — a touring show by a comedian you already love is a safe bet. A mixed-bill comedy club night is more of an adventure — you might discover someone brilliant, or some acts might suit you more than others. Both are great fun for different reasons.
Food and drink arrangements vary — some comedy clubs are dinner-and-show venues, others are bar-based with no food, and some are traditional theatre-style seats with a bar in the foyer. Always check what the venue offers before you go so you can plan your evening properly.
Book touring shows early — when a big-name comedian announces a UK tour, tickets can sell out in hours. If you have a favourite comedian, sign up to their newsletter or follow them on social media so you hear about tour dates as soon as they’re announced.
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