The Pleasance Islington:   The Pleasance name has become synonymous with comedy in the UK thanks to the excellent multi-venue Pleasance Courtyard that makes up such a large part of the Edinburgh Festival. This venue is definitely off the beaten track (I couldn’t really say that Islington is the best description of the area…) but once there you’ll be glad that you came.

The venue is a novelty in itself, with a ‘bar to holding area to stage’ set-up that you don’t often see at other clubs. If you have ever been to the Edinburgh Festival then this venue brings all the memories flooding back – maybe it’s the bright yellow signs or the photocopied reviews plastered all over the place - or maybe it is just something in that Pleasance atmosphere.

Better still, this is possibly the most comfortable comedy venue in London, with large, cushioned, arena seating and generally a good amount of space per person. The venue draws some great acts out of the safe centre of town and if they ever bring back the London comedy festival, this should be a flagship venue.

Price:            £8-£10
Acts:            A variety of stand-up and theatre but always offering some of the best.
Atmosphere:  Good comedy crowd, not always full due to location.
Website:       www.pleasance.co.uk/islington  
Location:       Pleasance, Carpenters Mews, N7 9EF

Soho Theatre:        A theatre as much as it is a comedy haunt, but it does feature some amazing comedians and has provided some of the greatest comedy nights outside of Edinburgh. The venue is right in the heart of Soho and provides comfortable steeped seating in
its main two theatres. Attracts hour-long shows from top quality acts such as Andrew Maxwell and Adam Hills.

Price:            £10-£15 depending who is on
Acts:            Some of the finest individual stand-up shows in Europe
Atmosphere:  Nice, comfortable, busy venue and if the audience is up for it then the place can rock.
Website:       http://www.sohotheatre.com/p16.html
Location:       21 Dean Street, W1D 3NE

Filed under: London