This is by no means the conclusive list of comedy venues but they are all places that we have actually been (which i find helps tremendously when commenting on them!). We will keep growing the page and if you have a favourite clown hole that you feel should be added please just let us know.
2NORTHDOWN, North London
Formerly known as the Invisible Dot, 2Northdown is a really strong reinvention of one of the quirkiest comedy spaces in London. This venue offers intimate gigs and a range of comedy performers that covers the full spectrum from established clowns like Tim Key, Paul Chowdhry and Mae Martin to people workshopping gigs for the very first time. Great staff, great value, worth a look.
2 Northdown Street, Kings Cross, N1 9GB – 2Northdown.co.uk
BACKYARD COMEDY CLUB, East London
This place is old school comedy. It has gone through a number of incarnations since Lee Hurst first set it up in 1998 but it goes back to the routes of stand-up and delivers. I have seen some amazing shows here including a Maxwell’s Full Mooners and a very early set by Micky Flanagan East London needs a well located, fair priced custom comedy venue and this is it.
231 Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green, E2 0EL – backyardbar.co.uk
BILL MURRAY PUB, North London
The Bill Murray Pub is not actually named after ‘that’ Bill Murray but apparently he is welcome anytime. It’s a classic residential corner pub that has been lovingly converted into a tiny –but well stocked– bar and a well crafted comedy space that brings back memories of the Underbelly cave venues of old. Angel comedy have created a venue that offers the festival experience in the heart of London and drops some truly impressive comedy bills.
39 Queen’s Head St, Islington, London N1 8NQ – angelcomedy.co.uk
CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK, Brighton
Located somewhere between London Road and the Level Brighton (thanks website) this place has been a staple of the Brighton comedy scene for many years. We were lucky enough to visit in summer where sitting outside with a drink added an extra plus. The venue space is large and well laid out and whilst the acts offered are definitely a mixed bill we thoroughly enjoyed our time there.
39 Ditchling Road, Brighton, BN1 4SB – carolineofbrunswick.co.uk
COMEDY STORE, Central London
It’s hard to say enough about what this place has done for comedy in London, the pictures as you walk in say it all – Paul Merton, Mark Thomas, Robin Williams (yes, that one), Rik & Ade, Mike Myers, French & Saunders… I could easily go on. Back in 1979 it launched the careers of greats, now it is more steady and commercialised with a regular run of solid acts to appeal to the Leicester Square crowd. Don’t get it twisted though this place can still provide the magic.
1a Oxendon St, London, SW1Y 4EE – thecomedystore.co.uk/london
GILDED BALLOON @ TEVIOT, Edinburgh
A truly stunning building right in the heart of the Fringe… what could possibly go wrong? Well for starters, how about trying to cram too many people in to popular shows. Leg room is by no means a guarantee at the Guilded Balloon and neither is a start time. I have had some good nights here but for the big shows, the ones you remember, I always walk out wishing they had been held somewhere else. Tired and in need of some love.
Teviot Row House, 13 Bristo Square, EH8 9AJ – gildedballoon.co.uk
HAMMERSMITH APOLLO, West London
The home of ‘Live at the Apollo’ has certainly become something of a comedy hub and it’s nice to go to a full theatre venue that really works for comedy. The acts that we have seen here really are top notch including – Jack Dee, John Richardson, Ricky Gervais, Jimmy Carr, Chris Rock, Tim Minchin and so on and so on.
45 Queen Caroline St, London, W6 9QH – eventimapollo.com
JUST THE TONIC, Edinburgh
I have always loved the cave venues at the Edinburgh Festival, I remember seeing a fantastic Andrew Maxwell Full Mooners in the largest ‘Just the Tonic’ room which provided exactly the right atmosphere for a midnight gig. The Fancy Room is easily one of the best mid size spaces at the Fringe and I can’t say enough about their bar, chilled out, fun games and a really solid selection of IPAs and cool Scottish gin.
253 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1NN – justthetonic.com
LEICESTER SQUARE THEATRE, Central London
It took me a little while to warm to the Leicester Square Theatre. Initially I always wanted to walk straight past it to the Prince Charles Cinema but over the years my opinion has changed – having the chance to see see clowns like Richard Herring and Jerry Sadowitz there certainly doesn’t hurt! Not my favourite venue but certainly not one I’d walk past anymore either.
6 Leicester Place, London, WC2H 7BX – leicestersquaretheatre.com
MONKEY BARREL COMEDY, Edinburgh
I quickly became a convert to the Monkey Barrel during the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe. Heading down to the main bar the staff were helpful and friendly and the fact the bar doesn’t make you transfer your drinks to plastic glasses gives you an idea of their confidence in their customers. Their stage rooms are well laid out and spacious making it a great spot for both audience and performer.
9-11 Blair St, Edinburgh, EH1 1QR – monkeybarrelcomedy.com
NEW DIORAMA THEATRE, North London
Paid our first visit to the New Diorama in 2021, set within a glass new-build complex just across from Great Portland St Tube it reminded me of the Werks venue spaces in Brighton. The staff are a delight, the bar is well stocked and the event space is both comfortable and well laid out. If our first experience here is anything to go by we will definitely be back for more shows in the future.
15-16 Triton St, London, NW1 3BF – newdiorama.com
O2 ARENA, East London
I have been to the O2 Arena on numerous occasions and for all sorts of events. It really is a great space for sports like basketball and tennis and works pretty well for music but comedy has so far been a bit hit and miss. The highs (Lee Evans) and the lows (Kevin Hart) just show that this venue adds nothing – it is all about the act on the stage. If I am honest I personally prefer a more intimate venue for my stand up comedy.
Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX – theo2.co.uk
PLEASANCE COURTYARD, Edinburgh
I’m not sure that there are many comedy experiences that beat sitting in the Pleasance Courtyard waiting for a show. The acts relax within the crowds, the venue offers quirky and interesting stage spaces and there is always a happy buzz rippling through. I have a love of the Cabaret Bar, Upstairs and, of course, the Grand spaces but that is down to the acts that I have seen there. A great place to see the clowns.
60 Pleasance, Edinburgh, EH8 9TJ – pleasance.co.uk/edinburgh
PLEASANCE, North London
The Islington (cough…Holloway) branch of the Pleasance doesn’t share the same storied comedy history as Edinburgh but the venue itself is solid. Over the years I have seen some interesting acts perform there -most memorably David Strassmen with Ted E. Bear- but I struggle to recommend it because of it’s location. If the act is good enough however it is worth the journey.
Carpenters Mews, North Rd, London, N7 9EF – pleasance.co.uk/london
SOHO THEATRE, Central London
A tale of three levels. The Soho Theatre is a really cool space set right in the heart of, well, Soho! Let me get the upstairs out of the way, it doesn’t work for me, I will actively not see a show there – too cramped, poor layout, not great. The downstairs is a great new space with a relaxed vibe and it’s own bar! But the highlight for me is the main theatre. This is an intimate comedy space where you can really feel a great clown at work. I cannot recommend it enough.
21 Dean St, London, W1D 3NE – sohotheatre.com
THE STAND, Edinburgh
One of the very few full time comedy clubs in Edinburgh. This place has established a well-earned place in the heart of comedians and comedy fans alike. It’s a back-to-basic stools and drinks venue but this is traditional stand-up – quirky basement spaces and loyal clowns. The Stand sometimes suffers due to location during the Fringe but is well worth a visit especially as it expands dramatically in August.
5 York Place, Edinburgh EH1 3EB – thestand.co.uk
UDDERBELLY, Edinburgh/Southbank London (mobile venue)
What can honestly be said about the reality of sitting inside a large purple upside down cow? Well actually it’s surprisingly comfortable. This has become a bit of an iconic comedy space as it travels around the country, it’s fun and you can get a good atmosphere going. My only knock would be that you can’t get away from the noise outside which can be a problem. If it moo-ves near you though I would give it a try.
Mobile venue – various – udderbelly.co.uk
UNDERBELLY @ COWGATE, Edinburgh
When I first started going to the Fringe I used to love nothing more than heading to a cave at midnight and sitting there with the wet walls and the heat, drinking pint’s of vodka red bull and laughing until 5am. Over the years, success has changed the appeal, they cleaned it up, but with that came less spontaneity and yet an oddly less organised product. I still go and I still recommend theexperience of cave comedy but what it’s lost it may never get back.
Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 – underbellyedinburgh.co.uk
THE VAULTS, London
Walking down the railway bridge tunnel you are instantly struck by the smell of fresh spray paint. The artwork that adorns the entrance way to the Vaults is impressive and offers a taste of the venue itself. This is the closest I have come to finding that early and honest ‘Underbelly’ feel outside of Edinburgh. The vibe is somewhat hipster – as is often London’s way– but the acts and vibe the place offers are well worth putting up with a few wanabees.
The Vaults, Leake St, London SE1 7NN – vaultfestival.com
WERKS CENTRAL, Brighton
Located on an often missed street and surrounded by buildings in need of care stands this little gem of a venue. Walking through the entrance you are greeted by their friendly team – who really are the single biggest plus of this venue. There are a number of performance spaces housed within this former media centre, all with delightful quirks making them ideal for Fringe acts. Looking forward to visiting again soon.
15-17 Middle St, Brighton, BN1 1AL – werksgroup.org.uk
CLOWNSTER.CO.UK 