Here are comedy specialist Sophie Johnson’s favourite comedy venues in London. Call us to book tickets or for a guide to clubs and theatres in your area.
Soho Theatre
21 Dean Street, London W1D 3NE
Small theatres are a good way of seeing hit Edinburgh shows without having to fork out for a train fare to the Royal Mile. Sophie says: ‘Edinburgh Comedy Award-winner Tim Key and comic actor Kevin Eldon have both brought their Fringe shows here after the festival.’ Leicester Square and Bloomsbury Theatre also stage the best of the Fringe.
The Lyric
29 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 7ES
The Lyric’s compilation shows mix established stars with underground talent. ‘They’ll usually have a well-known headliner alongside other acts you won’t have heard of unless you follow the comedy scene closely,’ explains Sophie. Richard Herring runs a monthly Sunday night where he’ll handpick a selection of stand-ups.
Downstairs at the King’s Head in Crouch End
2 Crouch End Hill, London N8 8AA
‘This is my favourite,’ says Sophie. ‘It's been going for 20 years and always has great acts.’ Thursday night features a mixture of new comics and veterans showcasing fresh material, and Saturday is devoted to the best in stand-up. Club Senseless is its monthly live music night while Clover & Cohen's Funny Story Night sees celebrity guests regale the audience with twisted narratives.
Hen and Chickens Theatre
109 St Paul's Road, London N1 2NA
Comics often sharpen their sets before the Fringe festival at this Highbury Corner pub, which hosts plenty of Edinburgh previews from May to the end of July. Expect to see new shows this year from the likes of Holly Walsh, Tom Price and Edward Aczell.
The Old Rope Comedy Club
The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PP
Even seasoned stand-ups can get nervous trying out new material. Tiffany Stevenson’s weekly show drives this point home with unsubtle aplomb, making its performers deliver fresh routines while standing beneath a noose. If they succumb to tried and tested gags, the comic must grab the rope to show the audience they’ve admitted defeat. Isy Suttie, Ed Byrne, Jack Dee and Stephen Merchant have all performed at this Monday night slot.
Knock2Bag
Bar FM, 184 Hopgood Street, London W12 7JU
The Tabernacle, Powis Square, London W11 2AY
The Luxe, 109 Commercial Street, London E1 6BJ
Knock2Bag is a cult night that draws those who are serious about comedy. It’s held in various venues across London (and will soon launch in Bristol) and offers a mix of stand-up, sketches and character comedy. Carl Donnelly often MCs and the shambolic Brian Gittins is a resident performer. Sophie says: ‘Some leftfield clubs are great one week and disappointing the next. This is a reliably brilliant option for people who want to see something different.’
Popcorn Comedy
Various locations
Popcorn Comedy gives those more used to working with film the chance to show their clips to a live audience. ‘I saw Father Ted writer Graham Linehan present his favourite YouTube clips here,’ Sophie says. ’It’s a good choice if you’re bored of watching people stand behind a mic.’ It’s based at the Tabernacle in Notting Hill, runs kids’ events at the Clapham Picturehouse, and has screenings in Bristol and Birmingham.
Karaoke Circus
Various locations
Karaoke is at its best when it has a sense of humour. Martin White and Danielle Ward invite comedians and the audience to compete for the Karaoke Crown at this fun night, where you can out-sing the likes of Lee Mack and Phill Jupitus.
Sophie’s favourite comics working the London circuit
Richard Herring does London runs of his Edinburgh shows every year, recordings of his award-winning podcast As It Occurs To Me, and appears at clubs across the capital. It’s always a treat to see Tim Key perform his oddball poetry. Watch out for his rare appearances with Tom Basden as the two-man sketch group Freeze! Catie Wilkins is a hugely funny rising star who recently hosted a night where comics and amateurs told their version of the infamous Aristocrats joke.
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