Live shows · COMEDY SHOWS IN THE UK
The 15 best comedy shows in the UK you can book tonight, with the price of a seat, how long the show runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason, so start there.
Ride York’s black Necrobus for a 75-minute comedy horror tour led by theatrical guides such as Frank Stein, Edgar, Phil, or John Doe. Expect dark stories about Clifford’s Tower, York Minster, Dick Turpin, and York’s ghosts, mixed with jokes, audience interaction, and light scares.
“It was excellent. Frank Stein was very funny and made the tour. Worth every penny.”
Spend about 85 minutes at Bristol’s Smoke & Mirrors Comedy & Magic Theatre Pub, where a house magician leads an adult evening of comedy, audience participation, and close-up magic. Arrive early for table allocation, bring valid ID if needed, and expect strong language, smoke, and possible strobe lighting.
“Had a fantastic night magic was outstanding and will be recommending this to friends and will definitely be back in the near future thanks guys”
Spend around three hours at Comedy Station behind Blackpool Tower, with a host and three comedians performing live stand-up. Friday and Saturday tickets are available by mobile entry. The venue has a bar, but drinks and snacks cost extra. Minimum age is 16.
“Great night very funny would come again next year , great staff !! Really belly laughed all the way through”
Spend about 85 minutes at Bristol’s Smoke & Mirrors for a Saturday evening of comedy magic, close-up tricks, live music, and audience participation. Two magicians perform in a small 1920s-style theater inside a pub. Drinks, pizza, and nibbles cost extra, and seating is assigned by the box office.
“More comedy than magic as each trick had a 10 min build up. Entertaining but the audience will determine how good a show you get.”
Spend about 90 minutes at Bristol’s Smoke & Mirrors Comedy & Magic Theatre Pub for close-up tricks followed by a comedy magic show in a small 1920s-style theater. Your admission includes pizza and prosecco. Shows can change, audience participation is part of the fun, and seating is assigned.
“Certainly not a perfect show but very sympatic entertainment on local level. Althought we could follow the magician's tongue only partially we had a lot of fun with his card tricks and especially the location, the backroom of a bar and the possiblity to have a snack or a beer while the show goes on were an unforgettable experience ...”
Head to Big Belly Bar & Comedy Club at 30 Stamford Street for live stand-up every night. Expect new material Monday to Thursday, stronger circuit acts on Friday and Saturday, short sets, an MC, food and drinks, and a small-room feel.
“I really enjoyed the comedy club really had me laughing i would definitely go again. Being a small venue it felt like you were right up there with the comedian.”
Join Lord Larksford and Cheeksworth for a 75-minute open-top Routemaster tour from Trafalgar Square. Expect London landmarks, historical facts, dark comedy, improv, surround-sound audio, and a theatrical ride that returns to Northumberland Avenue.
“Fantastic tour. Guide was very funny, friendly and informative. We thoroughly enjoyed it! Thankyou!”
Spend 1 hour 45 minutes at Smoke & Mirrors in Bristol for close-up magic, food, drinks, and a 90-minute comedy magic show from two resident performers. The intimate 40-seat theatre makes audience participation part of the fun, with past acts including Richard Newman and Chris Smith.
“Fantastic location, a small theatre and pub. Pizzas were really good - the thin authentic version! Show was great, really funny and the ‘magic’ was amazing. Will be back again!”
Spend an evening at Hot Water Comedy Club in Blackstock Market, Liverpool, with three headline comedians and a lively compere. Doors open 90 minutes early for food, drinks, music, and entertainment. The 7pm show runs until 9pm with two short intervals and suits ages 14 and up.
“Hot Water Comedy Club delivered big laughs and great atmosphere; at £18 a ticket, it felt fair value for a lively, memorable night out. Caitlin was the show manager, she’s hilarious.”
Head to the Tattershall Castle for a floating comedy night on the Thames. Doors open at 7pm, comedy begins at 8pm, and Friday and Saturday tickets include nightclub entry until 2am. Expect a mix of TV comics, circuit regulars, and newer acts in an 18-plus setting.
“Don't expect the show to start on time BUT, once it does watch out because it will leave you rolling in the aisles. But, that's just a figure of speech because it's to confining to have any aisles. Perhaps laughing to hard that your tears will be flowing and containing laugh driven farts will be your biggest problem”
Head to The Comedy Attic above the Beehive Inn at 8:15 pm for Edinburgh’s late-night comedy show. Your mobile ticket covers entry to a lively set built around an MC and several comedians. Expect a small venue, bar service, crowd work, and roughly 1 hour 45 minutes of laughter.
“Chose to do this last minute, turned out to be a great time. The energy was high and the drinks were good. The comedians did some great crowd work.”
Head to the attic of Edinburgh’s Beehive Inn for 105 minutes of live stand-up hosted by comedy veteran Rick Molland. Expect several UK and international acts, audience banter, a friendly pub setting, and drinks available downstairs. It is an adults-only evening.
“Excellent; so much fun; my wife and I have rarely Ilaughed so hard. All comedians had their own unique style but all were really funny. I hope to stop by again on our next trip to Edinburgh.”
Head to Big Belly Bar and Comedy Club between Upper Ground and Stamford Street for a two-hour English-language show. You’ll see four to six comedians, mixing fresh material with tested routines, and may catch a surprise celebrity comic. Drinks and food are available to buy.
“Great comics and set up, good venue to get drinks before, during and after the show and good food options available”
Spend two hours at Smoke & Mirrors Comedy Magic Theatre in Bristol, where two magicians mix live tricks with crowd participation and comedy. You’ll have a table in a cosy 1920s-style theatre, plus a 9-inch pizza to share and a glass of prosecco served during the interval. The show is for adults aged 18 and over.
“Great entertainment and live interactions on stage. Pizza and Prosecco was perfect. Definitely a must do if visiting Bristol”
Spend 2.5 hours at Dragonfly Cocktail Bar in Edinburgh’s Old Town with host Ralph Brown or Ross Leslie and four or five comedians testing brand-new material. You can order cocktails, hear local acts preparing for festivals and TV, and enjoy an intimate Thursday night show for $9.
“Ross was brilliant host, comedians were trying out new material with mixed results but overall very funny”
Pick a stage, a dinner table or a dance floor.
