Log in to My Time Out for your personalised guide to what's on in London. It's fast, easy and FREE!

Free comedy in London

Ride out the recession with free laughs at the capital's top comedy clubs

Top 10 comedy shows

The best comedy in London

Recommended comedy gigs

  1. Best of the Comedy Store
  2. Boat Show
  3. Spoonfed Live presents Comedy on a Roof
  4. Lewis Schaffer is Free Until Famous
  5. The Comedy Store Players
  6. Comedy Store
  7. Comedy Store
  8. Bill Bailey - Qualmpeddler
  9. Weirdos Comedy - Stoke Newington
  10. Monkey Business Chalk Farm
More comedy gigs

Comedy interviews

  • Ardal O'Hanlon

    Time Out speaks to the biggest names, hottest new talent and rising stars of the comedy world

View more comedy interviews

With comedians charging top dollar to watch them from a mile away at the O2, we here at Time Out offer you a guide to the financially viable alternatives – London’s best free comedy gigs. The quality can be a little hit and miss, but there’s no doubting that these ten offer excellent value for money. A minor warning: although they say ‘free’, many clubs invite donations at the end of the night. Don’t feel rude if you can’t make a contribution, but if you’ve enjoyed the show, why not pay what you think it was worth?

Want more free comedy shows? See our free comedy listings

Free comedy nights in London

  • Absolutely Free Comedy Night

    Every Monday, Africa Centre, 38 King St, WC2E 8JT

    Slick, honest and occasionally bleak, the mightily funny Henry Ginsberg is MC of this Piccadilly club. You’ll see the best new talent here, alongside circuit headliners and the occasional big TV name – all in an intimate room with a super-friendly atmosphere. And, of course, it won’t cost you a penny.
    Absolutely Free Comedy Club is currently cancelled until further notice

  • Angel Comedy

    Every Saturday, Camden Head, 2 Camden Walk, London, N1 8DY

    Past headliners of this N1 gig include legendary surrealist Simon Munnery, ‘Mock the Week’ guest Ian Stone and ‘Royal Variety Star’ Hal Cruttenden. What more could you want from a free comedy gig on a Saturday night? Oh, an array of tremendous new talent too? Done.
    View Camden Head details

  • Comedy Café

    Every Wednesday, Comedy Café, 66 Rivington St, London, EC2A 3AY

    This renowned weekly open mic night is where many of today’s biggest names first gained stage time. The ever-so-slightly rowdy crowd make it a challenging gig for newcomers, but many leave the stage as heroes.
    View Comedy Café details

  • Free and Funny in Angel

    Free and Funny in Angel

    Every Thursday, Camden Head, 2 Camden Walk, London, N1 8DY

    This comedy night in Angel proves that Thursdays are indeed the new Fridays. The bills here usually include a top headliner, up-and-coming talent and a few acts trying stand-up for the very first time.
    View Camden Head details

  • Geek Night Out

    Geek Night Out

    The first Sunday of every month, Comedy Pub, 7 Oxendon St, SW1Y 4EE

    It’s not just nerds that will enjoy this celebration of geekiness hosted by Paul Gannon: this very welcoming central London comedy night sees stand-ups speaking passionately about the things that most excite them.
    View Comedy Pub details

  • Hoopers Comedy Night

    The first Sunday of every month, Hoopers Bar, 28 Ivanhoe Road, Southwark, SE5 8DH

    Resident compere Sion James is a charming MC, effortlessly riffing with the audience. Some of circuit’s best comedy talents join him here every month to test out material or just enjoy a fun gig.
    View Hoopers Bar details

  • Lewis Schaffer Is Free Until Famous

    Lewis Schaffer is Free Until Famous

    Tuesdays and Wednesdays, The Source Below, 11 Lower John St, W1F 9TY

    Brooklyn-born honorary Brit Lewis Schaffer performs his sharp solo show twice (sometimes thrice) a week in London. It's the longest continuously running solo stand-up show in the UK, and Schaffer is always adding new jokes and refreshing his material.
    View The Source Below details

  • Selkirk Comedy Club

    The last Wednesday of every month, Selkirk, 60 Selkirk Rd, SW17 0ES

    Taking place on the last Wednesday of every month, this Tooting gig features a mix of circuit regulars and rising newbies. Plus it serves delicious food at very reasonable prices.
    This gig is no longer running

  • Set Up...Punchline

    Set Up… Punchline

    Every Monday, Archangel, 11-13 Kensington High St, London, W8 5NP

    This very friendly Kensington club’s line-ups showcase mostly new material from established comics, plus newcomers working on their first five or ten minutes of material.
    View Archangel details

  • Weirdos Comedy Night

    Weirdos Comedy Night

    The second and fourth Tuesday of every month, King's Cross Social Club, 2 Britannia St, WC1X 9JE

    As the name suggests, at this gig stand-ups are invited to perform material or comedy pieces considered too odd or alternative for the mainstream clubs. Come with an open mind and you’ll leave with a big grin on your face.
    View King's Cross Social Club details

Back to top
Email Tweet Share

Share your thoughts

  • or log in into My Time Out
  • *
  • *
* Mandatory fields for leaving a comment

Comments

By Mr Slee - Oct 30 2011

There is a new free comedy one in my local pub that I have been too and can share with you that it is really, really good. Every Wednesday from 8pm at the Finsbury on Green Lanes by Manor House tube station is ROFL and LOL comedy. There is about 8-10 acts and a really warm crowd so it has been a good show when I have been - they have a facebook page - www.facebook.com/roflandlol

Report
By Giles - Oct 28 2011

Comedy Cafe is great, actually this is a solid round up of the places you should hit in London for some decent comedy shows.... sometimes free comedy gigs can be rubbish..

Report
By gordon - Oct 15 2011

There is a free evening of comedy by the dead comics society at
Address
The Nellie Dean

89 Dean St, London, United Kingdom W1D 3SU
Transport Tottenham Court Road on the 30 Oct and every month, its free too and great

Report