Discover London's top comedy clubs for live stand-up in 2025, from iconic venues like The Comedy Store to hidden gems with raw, unfiltered humor. Find the best shows, book smart, and experience why London's comedy scene is world-class.
Best Comedy Clubs London
When it comes to best comedy clubs London, live stand-up venues where raw, unfiltered humor meets local culture. Also known as London comedy venues, these spots aren’t just places to drink—they’re where comedians test new material, audiences get real reactions, and the city’s wit comes alive after dark. This isn’t about fancy theaters with velvet seats. It’s about cramped basements in Shoreditch, hidden rooms above pubs in Camden, and speakeasy-style rooms in Soho where the only spotlight is on the person telling the joke.
The London comedy scene, a mix of up-and-coming talent, seasoned pros, and improv troupes that thrive on audience energy. Also known as stand-up comedy London, it’s grown from fringe nights into a global hub. You’ll find ex-lawyers, ex-teachers, and ex-punks all telling jokes about Brexit, dating apps, and why the Tube is still the worst thing about living here. The crowd? Not tourists. Locals who know when to laugh, when to boo, and when to yell "Again!" What makes these clubs work isn’t the decor—it’s the vibe. No VIP sections. No cover charges that make you think twice. Just a mic, a stool, and someone brave enough to say what everyone’s thinking.
Some spots, like The Comedy Store in Piccadilly, have been around since the 80s and still pack rooms with rising stars. Others, like The Stand in Camden, let you drink a pint while watching a set that might go viral tomorrow. Then there are the hidden ones—The Glee Club in Soho, Up the Creek in Greenwich—where you need a friend’s tip to even find the door. These aren’t listed on Google Maps. They’re passed down like secret recipes.
If you’re looking for something different, London’s improv nights in Hackney or open mic nights in Brixton offer a rawer kind of humor—unpolished, unpredictable, and often hilarious. You won’t find polished Netflix specials here. You’ll find people who just got fired, broke up, or moved from another country and turned it all into five minutes of stage time.
What ties all these places together? Real people. Real stories. Real laughter. No scripts. No rehearsed punchlines. Just the sound of a room full of strangers suddenly becoming a group of friends because something made them forget their day.
Below, you’ll find real stories from people who’ve been to these spots—not the ones with big ads, but the ones locals whisper about. Whether you’re new to London or you’ve lived here ten years and still haven’t found the right club, this collection will point you to the places where the jokes land hard and the drinks stay cheap.