The best places to see comedy in Sydney

This cafe and bar has become a comedy hub thanks to long-running Monday weekly Comedy Lounge, and more recent Saturday and Sunday weeklies – all booked by Rhys Jones.

Head to this George Street venue for Bonkerz Comedy Club on Friday and Saturday nights.

This weekly Friday-night stand-up smackdown features a headliner and emcee with six shorter support slots from local talent. Even better: Staves brews its own ales, and there's plenty of choice on tap.

Sydney's comedians are pretty fond of this cosy comedy club; more importantly – so are you, voting it Best Comedy Club for the last two Time Out Sydney Comedy Awards. With an intimate vibe and weekly shows featuring at least two names you know and guests you may not, Happy Endings also has the benefit of being beneath El Rocco Room, for pre-show noms or post-show beers.

This weekly night at Redfern's Tudor Hotel features a local emcee and short sets by emerging comics, but also has a bunch of spots for open mic.

Promoter Donte Winbush is behind this weekly comedy club, which features pros, semi-pros and emerging comics.

Newtown's own live music and cocktail den Waywards transforms into a comedy club every Wednesday, showcasing a buffet of Australian and international comics. 

What She Said is a relatively newcomer on the Sydney comedy scene, but it's already attracting crowds each Sunday at the Chippo Hotel. The acts range from total first-timers to seasoned professionals, and the purpose of the event isn't just to give audiences a great time but to foster a supportive community of comedic talent.

Get cocktails with your comedy at this Time Out Sydney favourite.

Prepare for three glorious days off the clock: the long weekend is nigh! Celebrate ol’ Lizzie’s birthday by having a royally good time at the theatre, absorbing musical majesty at live shows, or pampering yourself like a queen at the city’s best spas. The Sydney Film Festival is kicking off for all you movie buffs, but if you need a little fresh air between screenings, brave the outdoors and have lunch at one of Sydney’s best picnic spots. RECOMMENDED: Indigenous walks and tours in Sydney.

The Catherine Tate Show hasn't been on the air since 2009, but the characters and catch phrases created by Tate have taken off in the years since. Now she's bringing The Catherine Tate Show - Live to Australia for the first time, after a huge tour around the UK in 2016. 

Michael McIntyre does things big: big tours, big venues, big crowds and big laughs. He consistently sells out the kind of long runs that could turn pretty much any major rockstar green with envy. He's even played 28 shows at London's 16,000-seat O2 Arena, eclipsing all other comedy acts.

“This show may not be for everyone,” says Pacquola at the close of a show I soon prescribe to everyone. Or, everyone in the memory of my phone. Of all moments that make the hour, there was just this one that didn’t seem to fit. 

South African comedian Trevor Noah broke through internationally at the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe with his show The Racist, which scored him his US television debut – on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Show with David Letterman.