The best regular comedy nights in Melbourne

When: Monday

On the Parliament end of Bourke Street in the CBD, Spleen Bar is a bona fide Melbourne institution. One of the city’s most popular comedy venues, you can expect a cracking line-up every Monday. The self-professed dive hosts both established performers and up-and-coming talent, and has seen comedic legends such as Wil Anderson, Josh Thomas, Fiona O’Loughlin and Claire Hooper grace the stage.

Did all that laughing leave you peckish? Don’t miss out on Spleen’s famous jaffles, available until 5am Monday to Saturday. Wash it all down with an ice cold draft or frozen cocktail and make it a Monday night to remember.

When: Friday and Saturdays (but sometimes more!)

The Basement Comedy Club is the place to go to see big stars on a low-key stage. The New York-style club has hosted the likes of Wil Anderson, Dave Hughes, Celia Pacquola, Luke McGregor, Tommy Little and Nazeem Hussain, so you’re in with a good chance to see your faves for the price of a happy hour cocktail.

Every Friday and Saturday night you can head down to Morris House's basement for a drink and a laugh, with tickets priced around $28. Keep an eye on socials for the latest line-up, but bear in mind that some A-list appearances are often kept a surprise. You never know who’s going to pop in!

When: Friday and Saturdays

If cabaret-style pub comedy is what you’re looking for, Comedy at the Coopers Inn ticks all the boxes. One of Melbourne’s most established pub comedy nights, the regular weekend event has been running for six wildly successful years. The illustrious (but still humble) stage has welcomed stars from around Australia and across the globe, including names such as Luke Kidgell, Celia Pacquola, Anne Edmonds and Dave Thornton.

Get your pub meal downstairs before the show – the parma is one of the best in the city (we can’t decide if the chicken or eggplant version comes out on top). Head upstairs at 8pm for a guaranteed laugh, or at least a giggle if you’re a real hard nut to crack, courtesy of a stellar line-up of comics. Pre-booking is essential, and tickets cost $22.

When: Tuesdays

This comedy night takes place in the Catfish’s upper band room and hosts some of the best headliners and up-and-coming acts from across Australia. It’s always a hilarious line-up, and has seen its fair share of international drop-ins over the years.

Past guests include Hannibal Burress, Hannah Gadsby, Wil Anderson, Celia Pacquola, Dave Hughes, Kyle Kinane, Aunty Donna and so many more. Tickets are just $15 and be sure to grab a Philly cheesesteak from Sparrow's while you're there! 

When: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays

There’s a thin line between comedy and tragedy, so we suppose it makes sense that a shiny new purpose-built comedy theatre popped up in Melbourne in 2020. Comedy Republic is a space created by comedians, for comedians. Quench your thirst for comedy in a room Goldilocks would be all over (not too big, not too small) and kick back in the bar before or after the show.

The venue now has four regular main stage comedy nights weekly, with shows on Wednesday through to Saturday. Catch five or more acts per show for the price of $22-39 depending on the night, with line-ups boasting an always-hilarious mix of local and international comics. Since opening, Comedy Republic’s stage has welcomed the likes of Daniel Sloss, Anne Edmonds, Sam Campbell, Guy Montgomery and Melanie Bracewell – what a list.

When: Fortnightly on Mondays

The Rochey is bringing the laughs back to Fitzroy with the return of regular comedy nights. Running fortnightly on Mondays from 7.30pm, the guaranteed laugh fest will be held in the beer garden and hosted by MC Oscar Lang. Expect to see names like Max Flett, Charlotte Macmillan, Zachary James, Montana Papdanis and Alex Harris on the line-up.

Our tip? Head in early for a $20 curry (comedy and curry? The ultimate duo!). Bookings from 6pm are encouraged, and you can also enjoy happy from 4-7pm, including $8 house wine, $9 pints and $14 cocktails.

When: Fridays 

Love improv? For more than a decade, the Big Hoo-Haa has been delighting Melbourne with its weekly improv comedy night, which these days takes place at the Motley Bauhaus in Carlton. 

Improv is, of course, a high-risk, high-reward game where luck and the zeitgeist of the audience on the night can determine success or failure. The Big Hoo-Haa has two teams, the Hearts and the Bones, who battle it out for the ultimate improv crown every Friday at 8.30pm. Bring your most unhinged suggestions and watch Melbourne’s best improvisers do their thing.

When: Tuesdays

George Gerswhin once said: “Life is a lot like jazz. It's best when you improvise.” Lido Cinema took the spirit of improvisation to heart, and transformed its jazz room into a comedy club. Did you know that Lido had a jazz room? We didn’t, but it sure works well for a stand-up gig.

The small, soundproof space makes the Lido one of the most intimate comedy nights in Melbourne, and seeing comedy in a cinema means you can enjoy the show with wine, beer and choc tops in hand from Lido’s candy bar. Line-ups feature a mix of up-and-comers and local favourites, so you can see seasoned professionals AND have your I-saw-them-before-they-got-famous moment in one laugh-packed night. Tickets are limited and will set you back a mere $10.

When: Mondays

Local Laughs is the self-professed longest running comedy room in Australia – no idea how to fact check this – but we can vouch for them being one of the best comedy rooms in Melbourne's southside.

It’s hosted in the Local Taphouse, a European-inspired neighbourhood tavern specialising in craft beer and classic pub food. A little more elevated than your typical comedy basement, but it works well and earns this comedy room our (informal) award of Cosiest Room on the Scene. Comedy legends, newcomers and familiar folk from TV and radio are equally likely to appear on the line-up, making it a reliable pick for your weekly comedy hit.

When: First Tuesday of the month

West is best, as the locals say, and Comedy at Jambo makes a trip across the West Gate worthwhile even if it’s not your usual neighbourhood. The night is run by Footscray Comedy Club, which sprung up in 2020 to support local comedy and businesses during Melbourne’s lockdowns, and to carve out a space in the scene for diverse voices. 

Comedy at Jambo takes place on the first Tuesday of the month at Jambo Bar and Café, where you can sample the iconic pairing of comedy and a delicious Ethiopian platter (the vegetarian combo goes off). Tickets are $10, and comics who’ve appeared in recent times include He Huang, Dahn Rozario, Sonia Di Iorio, Oliver Coleman, Henry Yan, Urvi Majumdar and Robyn Reynolds.