Must-See Comedy Shows in London: 2025's Top Picks & Local Favourites

If you haven’t laughed out loud in public lately, you’re probably missing out on what’s really buzzing in London right now. Comedy in this city isn’t just alive—it’s pulsating through every borough, lighting up theatres, poky pubs, and even the odd riverside barge. You can spot people in hysterics after a gig at Soho Theatre, or hear them swapping favourite one-liners from big names and local legends as they ride the Central line home. There’s just something about stand-up, improv, and sketch nights in London that feels electric, even when it pours buckets outside. Right now, there’s a genuine hype about live comedy, from established acts to underground newcomers. If you’re looking for a guide to what’s actually hot—what everyone is genuinely talking about—strap in. Things are funnier than ever in 2025.

The Comedy Scene in London: What Makes It Unique?

London’s comedy scene is its own beast. It’s not just a city with stand-up; it’s got layers. The West End sparkles with world-famous comedians and touring acts at venues like the Apollo or Palladium, but that’s only half the story. The real magic for a lot of locals happens in places you might walk past without a second glance—the tiny basement rooms, pub function spaces, even old bingo halls that’ve been turned into theatres.

Start with the classics. The Comedy Store in Leicester Square—a spot that’s launched stars like Paul Merton and Catherine Tate—remains a rite of passage. Every Friday and Saturday, their flagship "Comedy Store Players" improv night gets the sort of reaction you’d expect from a Saturday night football crowd, only swap the chants for cry-laughing. Over at Soho Theatre, everyone from Nina Conti to Nish Kumar has crafted new shows before they hit arenas. Their late-night atmosphere practically dares performers to push the envelope.

But what London does so well is blend big hitters with up-and-comers. Walk from Covent Garden to Fitzrovia and you’ll find events like Angel Comedy at The Bill Murray, which prides itself on pay-what-you-can entry and truly eclectic line-ups. It’s not uncommon to see a random punter in jeans followed five minutes later by Sara Pascoe working out a new hour. This democratic vibe runs deep. Nearly a third of all stand-up gigs in the UK take place in the capital, according to Eventbrite stats from earlier this year.

London’s diversity pours into its comedy, too. You’ll hear jokes about the night tube, local councils, the price of a Pret coffee, or awkward first dates in Clapham. There’s hack material, sure, but mostly, comics here serve up social commentary that feels tailor-made for the city’s patchwork of cultures and quirks. If you’re new in town, you’ll leave your first night with a new way of looking at Oyster cards or red buses.

Must-See Big Names and Shows Everyone’s Buzzing About

Big names draw big crowds—and London’s hosting a turbocharged roster. In 2025, Michael McIntyre’s “Full Chuckle” residency is packing the O2 Arena for multiple weekends, with tens of thousands shelling out for tickets months in advance. The O2 is a beast—20,000 people, kind of like comedy’s answer to Glastonbury Lite. Critics say it’s safe, but locals know McIntyre’s riffs on London transport and the “escalator etiquette police” hit different when you’ve just elbowed off the Jubilee Line yourself.

Another heavyweight, Mo Gilligan, has carved out a show called “London Laughs Loudest” at the Hackney Empire. Mo’s material—everything from his mum’s WhatsApp disasters to navigating Westfield Stratford on a Saturday—feels basically ripped from daily life in the capital. He’s even started introducing guest slots for other London acts, often surprising the audience with appearances from Joe Lycett, Shaparak Khorsandi, or even a surprise musical number. Admittedly, these tickets sell out fast. If you’re quick, try for resale on Twickets instead of the usual touts.

Daisy May Cooper, fresh from another BAFTA win, has brought her sell-out character show to Wyndham’s Theatre, delighting crowds with her “Essex Nan on the Northern line” skits and merciless takes on dating apps. Her blend of character comedy with sharp storylines makes these nights feel like a TV pilot being performed live. And don’t miss Nish Kumar’s “Britain Is (Still) Broken?” which is rotating across different theatres, each night retuned with new political carnage. He’s been called “the voice of angry London,” and when he hits the stage at The Soho Theatre, the place practically shakes.

If you’re just after a classic live taping, BBC’s “Live at the Apollo” records up at Hammersmith. Tickets are free via the BBC Shows and Tours site, but you have to act fast—these go quicker than Glastonbury wristbands. The crowd mix is a show in itself: tourists, students, city workers, and the odd celebrity guest hiding in the back.

Hidden Gems: Underground Comedy and Where Locals Go

You don’t need to spend big money to see incredible comedy in London. In fact, some of the best gigs cost less than a fiver—or nothing at all. Head north to Angel Comedy at The Camden Head, and you’ll spot some of the city’s sharpest talents workshopping new material. The energy here is different. The crowd might give tips or supportive heckles—an “honest crowd” is how one comic described them.

For improv, Hoopla at The Miller near London Bridge is hard to beat. Weeknights are dedicated to shows ranging from rookie acts to full-blown musical improv where the cast makes up songs on the spot. Last year, they hosted the British Improv Project’s live finals, with teams from Glasgow, Bristol, and Manchester facing off against London’s homegrown stars. If you’re up for a giggle but no clue what to expect, this is the spot.

And if you want variety, check out "StandUp at The Railway" in Clapham, which champions LGBTQ+ voices and often serves as a testing ground for new festival acts before the big push to Edinburgh. There’s also Top Secret Comedy Club in Covent Garden—not actually a secret, but famed for putting on insane line-ups at student prices. It’s the sort of place where you might see Katherine Ryan or Romesh Ranganathan turn up for a surprise set.

For those who love a challenge, head to The Backyard Comedy Club in Bethnal Green on a Thursday for “New Act Night.” It’s a cross between a talent hunt and a school disco. A dozen up-and-comers get five minutes each to win over a room that’s not always shy about booing as well as cheering. This gauntlet creates some real heroes (and the odd crasher). Most regulars cite this comedy shows London venue as a top litmus test for which new act is about to break into TV.

Why do locals flock to these smaller shows? It’s the thrill—seeing tomorrow’s stars before they’ve made it big. There’s also that British tendency to root for an underdog, and maybe heckle just a touch. You might end up in a set that suddenly goes viral, as when a Top Secret open mic two years ago was clipped and hit 5 million TikTok views overnight.

Tips for Navigating London’s Comedy Scene in 2025

If you’re planning to check out a comedy night in London, a few well-timed moves can save you money, disappointment, and the heartbreak of being told: “Sorry mate, show’s full.” Here’s how to get the most out of it.

First off: book early for big names. Anything at the O2, Apollo, or major West End theatres usually vanishes weeks ahead. For smaller rooms, check the act’s Instagram as they sometimes announce pop-up gigs that old-school ticket sites don’t catch. Shows like Angel Comedy release their line-ups just a day or two before; sign up to the newsletter or follow them online for alerts.

Don’t ignore festivals. VAULT Festival (now in its new south London venue in Elephant & Castle) offers weeks of comedy, with tickets often under £10. Camden Fringe in August is another goldmine. For real die-hards, the Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year contest can be a way into the next big thing—several TV names started here, and the semifinals are always rowdy.

• Arrive early, especially at pay-what-you-can nights—seats go fast.
• Bring cash for drinks or to drop in the hat at free shows. Yes, London is contactless, but some haunts still run old-school.
• Check age restrictions: a chunk of nights are strictly 18+.
• If you’re shy, don’t sit in the front row. Comics always spot the nervous ones.
• Tube strikes and delays are part of modern London. If your show’s across town, check the TfL status before heading out, or leave a buffer.
• Eat something beforehand—nobody wants to be the mate with a rumbling stomach mid-set. Some venues offer burgers or chips, but most just serve pints.

If you want to dip into the scene from home, some clubs now livestream open mics or archive legendary sets on YouTube. “The Second City UK” channel saw a 30% jump in subscribers this spring—proof that London comedy keeps finding new crowds, no matter where they tune in from.

It’s worth remembering that comedy tastes change fast. One minute everyone’s quoting lines from Russell Howard’s latest Netflix special, the next they’re raving about an all-women improv troupe in Dalston. That’s the thing about London—the city’s sense of humour never stands still.

Laughing along with a packed room has its own weird magic, especially in a city as sleepless as this one. So next Friday night, instead of scrolling, hit up a show—odds are, you’ll leave grinning all the way to your night bus home.