Guide to Free comedy in London
How much does it cost to make you laugh? Apparently nothing – London plays hosts to some great free comedy events every week. Some of are them well known and others not so well known – not to worry, this guide is all you need to stay in the know if you’re into free comedy in London.
Weekly Free comedy nights
Mondays:
The Theatre Royal at the Stratford East has a free comedy night every Monday. They have a good line up of professional comedians.
From 8pm, at Theatre Royal Stratford East Gerry Raffles Square, Stratford, London, E15 1BN map
Every other Monday catch free comedy at the Camden Head. There is a voluntary contribution at the end. Check out the line up & dates on Timeout
From 8pm, at Camden Head, 2 Camden Walk, London, N1 8DY map
Set up Punchline at the Builders Arms in Kensington. Watch professional London comedians. This show is free, but you can make a voluntary contribution at the end if you liked it. Don’t you wish everything in London was like that?! See the line up here
From 7.30pm, at Builders Arms, 1 Kensington Court Place, Kensington, London, W8 5BJ map
The Marie Lloyd Comedy Box gives amateur comedions a shot on the big stage. There are 10 performance spots each night and admission is completely free. You can book a place in advance by contacting Jay on marielloyd@hackneyempire.co.uk. More info
From 8pm, Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, Hackney, E1 1EJ Map
Tuesdays:
Comedy Virgins at the Cavendish Arms now runs an open mic night every Tuesday watch up to 20 new and established comedians perform 5 min slots in the beautiful Ballroom. Show starts 8pm and email in advance to reserve your seat. Find out more here
From 7pm, The Cavendish Arms , 128 Hartington Road, SW8 2HJ map
Wednesdays:
See new talent at the open mic night free on Wednesdays at the Comedy club in Old street where the open mic night for new talent. See more details here
From 9pm, at Comedy Cafe, 66/68 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3AY map
Shinky Shonky – Free Comedy & Cabaret at the Ku bar, Leicester Square. Free entry all night and selected drinks for £1.50! There’s a different act every week see more details here
From 10pm, at Ku Club, 29-30 Lisle Street London WC2 map
Saturdays:
Jewish comedian Ivor Dembina presents a run of his solo show about Israel, Palestine and the Jews, quite aptly titles ‘This is not a subject for comedy’. It will run every Saturday up to and including the 13th March at the Phonenix Arts Club. To see more details click here
From 3.30pm, at Phonenix Artist club, 1 Phonenix Street, London, WC2H 0JP, map
Sundays:
Geek night held at the Comedy Pub every first Sunday of the month, its a night of absolute geek knowledge where Paul Gannon and Rob Deb, the organisers invit an array of new and well established stand up comedians to talk & take the mick out of their weird and wonderfull geeky passions.
1st Sunday of the month, 7.30-10.30pm, The Comedy Pub , 7Oxendon Street, London , SW1Y 4EE map
Free Audience tickets to Comedy shows
Don’t forget, most comedy shows are filmed in front of a live audience, getting tickets to one of these shows can be really easy..if you look in the right places that is…heres a list from yours truly 
- BBC Audience services
- The Applause Store
- Standing room only
- Hat Trick
- Be On Live
- TV recordings
- Clappers
- Lost in TV
- Free and cheap tickets
photo credit: andrewrennie
photo credit: YoLaGringo
