London's best comedy open-mic nights

Comedy open-mic nights

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  Angel Comedy

  
  Every Saturday, Camden Head

  As well as hand-picking some of the best acts from the open-mic scene (every comic must have performed at least 100 gigs and have been seen by all three promoters), each week this free show is headlined by a well-established act. What more could you want from a Saturday night out?
  View Angel Comedy listings
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  Comedy Café

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

  Getting a spot at the open-mic night of this long-running Shoreditch club is a big deal for newbies. With a capacity of 200, it’s a big room for the inexperienced, so can be a challenge. But the Comedy Café has a seriously good hit rate at spotting future stars.
  View Comedy Café listings
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  Comedy Car Crash

  Every Tuesday, Bar Rumba, 36 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7EP

  The line-up here is drawn out of a hat on the night, so anyone can put themselves forward for stage time. The promoters say they ‘take no responsibility for the quality’ of the acts, but ‘guarantee it will be an interesting night’. That’s for sure.
  View Comedy Car Crash listings
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  Comedy Variety Night

  Every Thursday, Up the Creek, 302 Creek Rd, SE10 9SW

  Whether it’s a song, monologue or sketch, piece of improv, mime, or stand-up, as long as it’s funny, it’s granted a spot at Up The Creek’s weekly open-mic club on Thursday nights. And with a professional MC handling proceedings, you’re guaranteed a fun show, whatever the line-up may be.
  View Up The Creek listings
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  Downstairs at the King's Head

  Every Thursday, Downstairs at the King's Head, 2 Crouch End Hill, London, N8 8AA

  The waiting list for an open-mic spot at the King’s Head’s weekly showcase can be rather long. Why? Well, because this basement space is a joy to play and one of the most highly regarded clubs in the capital.
  View Downstairs at the King's Head listings
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  Freedom of the Fringe Comedy Night

  
  Every Thursday, The Torriano, 71-73 Torriano Av London, NW5 2SG

  Another freebie, this weekly club in Kentish Town provides a friendly atmosphere for new comics. The crowd is generally very supportive, making it a tremendously pleasant evening for both performers and punters.
  View The Torriano's listings
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  King Gong

  Every last Monday of the month, Comedy Store, 1a Oxendon St, SW1Y 4EE

  The Monday-night drinkers; the vicious heckling; the fear on comedians' faces – The Comedy Store’s gong show is undoubtedly the rowdiest open-mic night in town. But it’s also the most fun. Each act attempts to survive five minutes on stage, trying to keep the audience on their side and hoping not to be ‘gonged off’ by the MC. It’s simply not to be missed.
  View King Gong listings
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  Party Piece

  
  Every Tuesday, Queen's Head, 66 Acton St, WC1X 9NB

  If variety is the spice of life, Stoke Newington’s Party Piece is one spicy comedy gig. As well as a showcase for open-mic stand-ups, warm host Tom Webb invites sketches, music, magic and dance acts, plus anyone else who might be entertaining. Plus it’s free!
  View Party Piece listings
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  Pear Shaped Comedy Club

  Every Wednesday, Fitzroy Tavern

  Open-mic comics only make up a small part of this ramshackle gig in Fitzrovia, but they’re often some of the most peculiar in town. The sublimely daft Brian Damage & Krysstal and Anthony Miller are hosts, and even if the gig does go tits up, it’s always a right laugh.
  View Pear Shaped Comedy Club listings
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  Rudy's Comedy Night

  Every Wednesday, Rudy's Revenge, 168 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7AA

  The atmosphere is hugely friendly at Rudy’s, where a large bill of new acts perform alongside pro comics trying out new material. The shows can be on the lengthy side (up to 15 comics perform at each gig) but if you’re not enjoying one act, another will be on the way shortly.
  View more on Rudy's Revenge