If you’re heading to any of these major cities why not clear an evening to visit a renowned comedy club?
Soho’s Comedy Store was founded in 1979 by Comedians Don Ward and Peter Rosengard and named after a Los Angeles club Rosengard had recently visited. Famous faces to tread its boards include Paul Merton, Alexei Sayle and Rik Mayall; as you can tell by these names, the club became synonymous with the 1980s alternative comedy scene.
Frog & Bucket Comedy Club – Manchester
Opened in 1994 Frog & Bucket has won Chortle’s best Comedy venue in the North West two years in a row. The club proudly quote Richard Herring as saying “I’ve done the frog for the last ten years. I love this venue!”
The Stand Comedy Club – Glasgow
A 17-year-old Kevin Bridges began his comedy career at The Stand, which is situated in the basement of an old school. This October’s shows range from a kid’s version of Romeo & Juliet to ‘The Wee Man’s Comedian Rap Battles’.
Hot Water Comedy Club – Liverpool
Founded in 2010 as one night at a city centre club, Hot Water Comedy Club is now Liverpool’s only purpose built comedy club, bar and restaurant hosting live comedy seven days a week. The club’s owners (brothers Binty and Paul) are passionate about nurturing new talent so regularly run comedy courses, writing sessions and offer photography studio space.
Birmingham’s 2400 capacity club The Comedy Loft prides itself on a big Saturday night out experience with food available before the first of the night’s four acts hit the stage. If you really want to make a night of it you can stay for the after party.
The Empire Laughs Back – Belfast
Colin Murphy and Jake O’Kane host this Tuesday night show at the city’s music venue, Empire. The shows feature headline acts from across the UK and international comedy as well as top supporting acts and open spots.
Cardiff’s 450 capacity Glee Club has played host to the likes of Sarah Millican, Ross Noble and Alan Carr. The club is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays supporting both household name touring comedians and those new to the circuit.
Monkey Barrel Comedy – Edinburgh
Monkey Barrel is a comedy club in the heart of Edinburgh with an emphasis on encouraging new talent. Each Tuesday they run a new ideas comedy lab project entitled Project X. Run by comedians and comedy lovers, the venue has a reputation for attracting an open minded, supportive audience.
Having operated from the upstairs room of Southville’s Hen & Chicken since 1998, The Comedy Box is arguably Bristol’s best known comedy night. They specialise in looking out for the next big comedy talent but have also hosted big name acts like Russell Howard, Al Murray and Peter Kay.
Showcasing the hottest local talent alongside top headline acts, Grinning Idiot is a multi-venue comedy club based in the North-East. Dave Johns, Sarah Millican, Ross Noble and Reginald D Hunter have all graced the Grinning Idiot stage.
