In London, comedy isn’t just entertainment-it’s a weekly ritual. From tiny basement venues in Peckham to packed theatres in the West End, the city’s stand-up scene thrives on sharp wit, local grit, and a healthy dose of self-deprecation. If you’re living in London or just visiting, skipping a good gig means missing out on the city’s most honest social commentary. Forget the tourist traps-these are the 10 comedy shows you actually need to see in 2023, the ones locals queue for, the ones that sell out before you can say "cuppa".
1. The Comedy Store (Soho)
The Comedy Store in Soho isn’t just the oldest continuous stand-up venue in the UK-it’s the birthplace of modern British comedy. Every Monday night, the London comedy shows here feature a rotating lineup of rising stars and established names like Stewart Lee and Sarah Millican. The crowd? A mix of East End bankers, art students from Slade, and expats who’ve learned to laugh at the Tube delays. Don’t expect polished sets-this is raw, unfiltered, and often absurd. Arrive early or risk standing in the back next to someone who’s had three pints at the nearby Red Lion pub.
2. The Gilded Balloon (Edinburgh Fringe Returnees)
Yes, this one’s technically a Fringe transplant, but every autumn, the Gilded Balloon brings its best Edinburgh acts to a converted church in Islington. In 2023, it’s hosting the return of My Dad Wrote a Porno’s Jamie Morton and the brilliant, surreal chaos of Bo Burnham: Inside-esque performer Tilly Keyes. If you’ve ever been to the Fringe, you know the vibe: packed aisles, people sitting on the floor, and a queue that snakes past the Camden Lock market. It’s not just comedy-it’s a cultural pilgrimage.
3. The Stand Comedy Club (Newcastle Road, Edinburgh-style in London)
Don’t let the name fool you. The Stand’s London branch in Camden is a direct offshoot of the legendary Scottish venue. It’s where you’ll find the most consistent lineups in the capital. In March 2023, comedian David Baddiel sold out four nights here with his show about Brexit and his mum’s NHS card. The acoustics are perfect, the beer’s cheap (real ale from Camden Town Brewery), and the staff remember your name if you come back. Pro tip: Go on a Tuesday. It’s quieter, the crowd’s more attentive, and you might catch an early version of a set that’ll go viral by Christmas.
4. The Comedy Café (Sutton)
If you live south of the river, you’ve probably missed out on this hidden gem. The Comedy Café in Sutton is the only venue in Greater London that books exclusively local talent-think South London rappers turned comedians, NHS nurses doing observational bits about waiting rooms, and retired teachers roasting the Tube’s new accessibility updates. It’s not flashy, but it’s real. In 2023, the host, Tanya “Taz” Williams, started a monthly show called South London Says It Like It Is, where the audience votes on the funniest joke of the night. Winner gets a free pint from the local pub, The Swan.
5. The Oxford Comedy Festival (Oxford Road, Manchester-style, but in London)
Wait-Oxford? In London? Yes. The Oxford Comedy Festival is a pop-up event held every June at the historic Oxford House in Bethnal Green. It’s not named after the university-it’s named after the building. This is where experimental comedy thrives: improv troupes from Goldsmiths, podcasters from the BBC’s London studios, and even a few ex-MP’s trying stand-up after losing their seats in 2019. The crowd is diverse: students, retirees, and a surprising number of people who work at the nearby Tate Modern. Don’t miss the Comedy in the Crypt event-yes, they perform in an actual 18th-century burial chamber.
6. The Secret Comedy Club (Various Locations)
London’s most talked-about show doesn’t have a fixed address. You get the location via text message 24 hours before the gig-sometimes it’s a bookshop in Hackney, sometimes a disused bank vault near Bank station. The lineup? Always surprise guests: comedians who’ve just been on Live at the Apollo, or unknowns who’ve gone viral on TikTok after a bit about the cost of a £5 coffee in Shoreditch. Tickets sell out in minutes. Join the mailing list on their website, set a reminder, and don’t be the person who says, "I didn’t know it was happening."
7. The Comedy Workshop (Camden)
Run by ex-Mock the Week writers, this weekly workshop doubles as a show. It’s where new material is tested, hecklers are politely ejected, and the audience is treated like co-writers. In 2023, the most successful bit came from a guy who compared Brexit to his mum’s refusal to throw out a broken toaster. It’s not polished, but it’s the most honest comedy in the city. If you’ve ever been to a pub quiz in Islington or a community centre meeting in Brixton, you’ll get the references.
8. The Stand-Up Club (Battersea)
For years, Battersea was considered too far out for comedy. Then, in 2022, a former BBC producer opened this venue above a Thai restaurant. Now, it’s the go-to for quieter, more thoughtful comedy. Acts here tackle things like the NHS waiting lists, the cost of childcare in Wandsworth, and why everyone in London still uses paper tickets. The crowd is mostly locals-parents, nurses, teachers. You’ll hear more nods than laughs, but when the room erupts, it’s because you’ve been there too.
9. The Comedy Basement (Brixton)
Underneath a Caribbean takeout in Brixton, this basement venue is where London’s Black and Caribbean comedians shine. It’s loud, it’s proud, and it’s the only place in the city where you’ll hear a joke about Notting Hill Carnival turned into a 15-minute bit about gentrification. In 2023, the show Spice Up Your Life became a sensation-hosted by comedian Doreen “Doe” Johnson, who does a bit on how her nan still thinks "Netflix" is a new kind of jam. The sound system is terrible, the chairs are wobbly, and the vibe? Pure magic.
10. The London Comedy Festival (October)
It’s not just one show-it’s 17 days of performances across 30 venues, from the Barbican to a pub in Greenwich. The festival’s 2023 lineup included a one-man show about surviving the 2022 heatwave, a female comedian who impersonates London Underground announcements, and a panel called Why Is Everything So Expensive? with comedians from every borough. Tickets are £10 or less if you book early. If you’re in London in October, this is the one event you can’t miss. Even if you don’t laugh, you’ll feel seen.
London’s comedy scene doesn’t care if you’re from Peckham or Peking. It just wants you to show up, laugh at the truth, and maybe buy the comic a drink afterward. The best part? You don’t need a ticket to the West End to get it. Sometimes, the funniest moments happen in a basement with no heating, a flickering light, and a crowd that knows exactly what you’re talking about-because they’ve been stuck on the Northern Line too.
Where’s the best place to get a drink before a comedy show in London?
For Soho gigs, head to The French House for a pint and some people-watching. In Camden, The Dublin Castle is legendary-cheap beer and a crowd that’s already in the mood. If you’re in Brixton, The Electric is the spot-live music, good food, and a vibe that matches the comedy. Avoid places near the theatre district if you want to skip the tourist prices.
Are London comedy shows expensive?
Most are under £15, especially if you go midweek. The Comedy Store and The Stand charge £12-£18 for headliners, but many smaller venues like The Comedy Café in Sutton or The Basement in Brixton are £8-£10. The London Comedy Festival has £10 tickets for most shows. Look for "pay what you can" nights-many venues offer them on Mondays.
Can I bring a group to a comedy show in London?
Yes, but book ahead. Groups of six or more often get seated separately unless you reserve a table. Some venues like The Stand offer group discounts if you book 10+ tickets. Avoid Friday nights if you want to sit together-those slots go fast. Weekday evenings are better for groups.
Is there a comedy show in London that’s good for tourists?
The Comedy Store in Soho is the most tourist-friendly-it’s central, well-marked, and has English-speaking acts. But if you want something uniquely London, go to The Comedy Café in Sutton or The Basement in Brixton. You’ll hear jokes about the Oyster card, the weather, and why no one can find a decent cup of tea. Tourists love those.
What should I wear to a London comedy show?
There’s no dress code. Most people wear jeans and a jumper. If you’re going to a West End venue like The Apollo, smart casual works. For basement gigs in Peckham or Brixton, wear something you don’t mind getting spilled on. Comfort matters more than style-especially if you’re standing for an hour.
Don’t wait for the next big Netflix special. The real laughs are happening right now-in a pub basement, above a Thai restaurant, or in a church in Islington. London’s comedy scene is alive because it’s messy, local, and unapologetically itself. Go see it before it sells out again.
