Bristol’s Comedy Scene: The Venues and Nights You Should Know About
Stand-up shows, improv sessions, and up-and-coming talent in comedy; Bristol's comedy scene is bubbling over.
Who doesn’t like to laugh and like any major city, Bristol plays host to some of the biggest names in stand up, so you’ll never go without laughter there.
Plus, we’ve said it before and we’ll say it again; Bristol is bubbling with creativity, and it has thrown up some big names on the comedy scene - Lee Evans, Russell Howard and Stephen Merchant, to name just three! These guys had to start somewhere, so we also sought out the smaller stages where budding comedians are cutting their teeth.
We all need laughter in our lives, and if you’re in Bristol, we’ve got you covered; below is a list of venues (big and small) as well as dedicated comedy nights so that you can always get a fix:
Bristol Beacon
Trenchard St, Bristol BS1 5AR
This obviously isn’t a picture of Bristol Beacon. What would be funny about that? Rather its an image of the hilarious Rob Beckett who will be performing at Bristol Beacon later in the year.
Although the main drive behind Bristol Beacon is music and music education, take a look at their calendar and you’ll find that they take comedy very seriously; it’s absolutely littered with events to make you laugh.
There's the brilliant Jason Manford, Sarah Pascoe, Rob Beckett, Kane Brown, and the hilarious Rob Brydon to name a few, all performing later this year and then there is the amazing Silent Comedy Gala, the sparkling centrepiece of Slapstick Festival. Step into the golden age of cinema for an evening of timeless comedy and a night of song, laughter and cinematic magic, all on the big screen - just as it was meant to be.
Check out the comedy events HERE
The Comedy Store Redgrave Theatre
Redgrave Theatre, Percival Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LE
The Comedy Store - “The Best In Stand Up” from around the globe, showcasing the brightest names in comedy today. The Comedy Store is coming to Redgrave Theatre in Bristol, 6 Sept 2025, 25 Oct 2025, 21 Feb 2026, 11 April 2026, 26 Sept 2026 and 31 Oct 2026.
For nearly 40 years The Comedy Store has been nurturing new comedic talent - the likes of Eddie Izzard, Jimmy Carr and Sarah Millican have all appeared on the bill before they were famous, so it seems likely that you’ll see some rising stars on the circuit before they make a name for themselves.
Simply the funniest show you’ll see all year!
You can book tickets here for £19.30 (imagine seeing Eddie Izzard for under twenty quid!).
Bristol Improv Theatre
50 Saint Pauls Road, Bristol, BS8 1LP
Improv(isation) is hard, especially improv that’s truly funny (22 Jump Street, anyone?), but if there’s somewhere to find the good stuff, then it’s here, Bristol Improv Theatre, the UK’s first full-time dedicated improv theatre, which grew out of a network of local groups coming together in 2012.
This is the place where they flex their funny muscles, and not only do they host improv troupes from across the UK and abroad; they also nurture homegrown talent, with Improv Drop-Ins, Gyms and Taster Sessions for anyone looking to dip their toe or dive right in to the training ground of funny people. We can’t really tell you what to expect except laughter!
The Gaffe Comedy Club
20 Wine Street, Bristol, BS1 2BD
The Gaffe is Bristol’s hottest comedy club, and is run by the team behind award-winning comedy nights in Bristol including The Room Above, The White Bear Comedy Club, The Bristol Comedy Club, Robin Hood Comedy and The Comedy Cave.
Now with a dedicated venue on Wine Street, The Gaffe team are bringing you the best stand-up comics in the UK, famous faces from the TV, sketch shows, gong shows, drinking games and outrageous late night comedy, all right in the centre of Bristol.
Whether you’re planning your next date night, mates-night, or a post-work pint on a weeknight - make it a night to remember at The Gaffe! It's the perfect place to start (or finish!) a night out in Bristol. There’s even comedy for £5 on a Thursday – yes you read it right £5 - with some of the best comedians in the South West! There’s also a weekly free comedy show at The Robin Hood Pub on St Michael’s Hill, produced by The Gaffe Comedy Club.
There’s comedy to suit everyone at The Gaffe, with stand-up shows on weeknights and weekends, plus late night comedy on Saturdays. So grab a drink at the bar, take a seat, and get ready to laugh until it hurts!
Smoke & Mirrors Comedy & Magic Bar
8 Denmark Street Bristol BS1 5DQ
From the outside, Smoke & Mirrors is a classic traditional pub with an intriguing name….Step inside and you'll embark on a journey from the ordinary to the extraordinary where you’ll be transported back to the 1920’s to a secret underground theatre that comes alive with performances from the crème de la crème of the UK's established talents and rising stars.
Witness extraordinary showcases spanning the realms of music, magic, comedy, and more, as we proudly present the best in established acts and promising newcomers. The theatre has echoed with uproarious laughter, hosting standout comedic talents such as Helen Bauer, Esther Manito, Russell Kane, Russell Howard, Alan Carr, Jon Richardson, Rob Beckett, and Romesh Ranganathan. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or a curious newcomer, Smoke & Mirrors Theatre Bar promises an unparalleled evening of entertainment.
The Comedy Cabaret
Basement 45, 8 Frogmore St, BS1 5NA
The Comedy Cabaret Bristol hosts Saturday night Stand-up Shows at Basement 45, where guests can enjoy four top UK comedians, cherry picked to ensure a diverse variety of comedic styles including award-winning or TV headliners to guarantee a giggle for everyone!
The Team behind The Comedy Cabaret also organise the English, Scottish and Irish Comedian of the Year competitions. This gives us unparalleled knowledge of who is funny. We were the first people to give Lee Nelson a gig, the first to give paid work to Kevin Bridges & Alan Carr, the first to headline John Bishop & Lost Voice Guy as BGT Champion – we know funny!
After the show, all ticket holders can enjoy Free Entry until 11pm to Bristol’s hottest new nightspot – Circuit, just 8 minutes’ walk from Basement 45!
The Comedy Cavern at Wookey Hole
Wookey Hole Caves, Wookey Hole, BA5 1BB
The Comedy Cavern is back at Wookey Hole in 2025 providing fabulous nights of banter, toe-curling gags, and side-splitting laughter. Get your bookings in early!
Working in partnership with Genius PR & Events, The Comedy Cavern welcomes both known and up-and-coming stars so you can say you 'saw them before they were famous'.
Headliner for the Comedy Cavern is Paul McCaffrey! Star of BBC Three’s Impractical Jokers; Alex Farrow and Irish comedian Tony O’Hara. Your Host is Dani Johns, quick-witted, brutally honest and bursting with Bristolian charm.
Slapstick Festival: Silent Comedy Gala
Trenchard St, Bristol BS1 5AR
Join Slapstick Festival: Silent Comedy Gala on Friday 6th February at Bristol Beacon for an evening of timeless comedy and live music celebrating the golden age of cinema - the sparkling centrepiece of Slapstick Festival
This year’s headline film is the hilarious and heartfelt Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid (1921), his first feature-length masterpiece, with Chaplin’s original score being performed live by the Bristol Ensemble in a specially arranged 16-player version, conducted by maestro Guenter A. Buchwald.
Special guest, legendary keyboardist Rick Wakeman, is performing a live, semi-improvised score alongside Guenter for Buster Keaton’s The Boat (1921). Plus, a brand-new 4K restoration of Laurel & Hardy’s Leave ‘Em Laughing (1928) accompanied by the European Silent Screen Trio.
With preceding live music in the Bristol Beacon foyer too, the Silent Comedy Gala will be an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience not to be missed.
Hen and Chicken
210 North Street, Southville, Bristol, BS3 1JF
The Hen & Chicken – Bristol’s go-to destination for live entertainment, comedy, parties and great food & drink.
Stand Up For The Weekend is The Hen & Chicken’s flagship weekly comedy show from The Comedy Box, featuring top circuit headliners and guest acts plus incredibly funny and engaging comperes who host the show. A choice of table seats, reserved row seats and unreserved row seats are available to book online.
Along with great comedy entertainment The Hen & Chicken enjoy taking full advantage of the fantastic Bristol brewing scene for their craft beers which are rotated on a regular basis. The food is made fresh using produce from local, sustainable suppliers.