Glasgow Comedy Venues

Glasgow is a city that truly loves comedy. Humour is part of everyday life here. Quick jokes are as common as sharing drinks at the pub, and people come out in large numbers. Sometimes, just a few in a small room, looking for entertainment. Whether it's a grand theatre with soft velvet seats or a small basement club where you can get close to the performers, Glasgow's comedy scene has a place for every kind of night out.

ARTA

 Located at 62 Albion Street, G1 1PA, this venue has three floors. It features a Hacienda-style bar, an indoor courtyard, and a late-night club area called Canvas.

 If you think this place is just for food and drinks, think again. ARTA has hosted many comedy events over the years, often during special theme nights or festivals. For example, "Stand-Up Comedy Night" includes a two-course dinner and a show for about £27.50, or you can buy a ticket for just £10. Comedians like Graham Mackie, Alan Jay, Peter Wood, Kavita Bhardwaj, and headliner Nick Coppin have all performed here.

 The venue hosts an exciting array of events, including hilarious comedy drag shows and entertaining drag bingo, featuring talented local performers like “Barbra La Bush.” It truly creates a vibrant and joyful atmosphere for everyone to enjoy!

The Glee Club Glasgow

 Discover the vibrant Glee Club at 11 Renfrew Street, G2 3AB, right in the heart of Glasgow! Since opening its doors in February 2019, this beloved venue has revitalised the former Jongleurs site and quickly established itself as a cornerstone of Scotland's thriving comedy scene.

 The Glee Club hosts comedy shows every Friday and Saturday night. Each show features four stand-up comedians and a host who introduces them. These mixed-bill nights focus on delivering lots of laughs, and there’s usually tasty food available too.

 The venue hosts solo shows from well-known comedians. Recent highlights include Gianmarco Soresi: The Drama King Tour, Gaurav Kapoor, Rahul Dua, and Tom Stade: Naughty by Nature, offering a variety of comedy styles. During its launch weekend, The Glee Club welcomed Sean Lock, along with Gary Little, Geoff Norcott, and MC Jay Lafferty, showing it was serious about comedy from the start.

The Comedy Cabaret

 Located at Blackfriars of Bell Street, 36 Bell St, Glasgow G1 1LG in Merchant City.

 Nestled inside Blackfriars, this basement club features a proper stage, tables for lounging, and a bustling bar upstairs. It’s just a short walk from Central or Queen Street, situated right in the heart of Merchant City, surrounded by a vibrant mix of pubs and lively late-night spots.

 Every Friday and Saturday, The Comedy Cabaret hosts shows with a mix of acts. Doors open at 7:30 pm, and the last entry is at 8:00 pm. The show runs from 8:30 to 10:00 pm. After the show, the venue continues with live music and drinks, so the night keeps going. They also offer dinner deals before the show. Regular shows feature award-winning performers and TV personalities. Recent acts include Gary Little, Billy Kirkwood, and Ryan Cullen. The Comedy Cabaret also highlights how its team helped launch the careers of well-known comedians like Kevin Bridges, Alan Carr, and John Bishop.

 Blackfriars offers a variety of comedy events, not just Cabaret nights. You can catch Fresh Comedy new-material Mondays and Darren Connell & The Funny Bunch here as well. This is why you will see different posters for the same basement room throughout the year.

Good Egg Comedy

 Located at Gael & Grain, 23 Sandyford Place, Glasgow G3 7NG in the West End.

 Good Egg Comedy has found an ideal location in Gael & Grain’s cosy Comedy Lounge. This small space is designed for performances and is located inside a friendly Scottish restaurant and bar in the West End of the city. It’s an intimate venue where the host can easily chat with the audience, making everyone feel included in the show.

 What began as a monthly event in 2021 has now become a twice-weekly show. On Wednesdays, “Cracking New Jokes” allows Scottish comedians to share new material with a friendly audience. Fridays host the “Main Event Comedy Show,” featuring professional comedians in a rotating lineup. Shows usually start around 7:30 and end by 9:45, making it a great option for a night out.

 The stage has featured both well-known Glasgow comedians and popular Scottish acts. Billy Kirkwood, Darren Connell, and Vladimir McTavish have all performed here, along with rising talents like Stephen Buchanan, who often uses the space for Edinburgh Fringe previews.

Blackfriars Basement

 Located at 36 Bell Street, Glasgow G1 1LG, Blackfriars Basement is an important part of Glasgow’s local comedy scene. It is located under one of Merchant City’s busiest pubs. The main bar upstairs has polished wood, craft beer taps, and is lively on weekends. When you go down the stairs, you will find a small performance space with low ceilings, rows of chairs, a small stage, and just enough room for an intimate and energetic atmosphere.

 The basement hosts regular comedy nights. The main event is The Comedy Cabaret, which runs shows every Friday and Saturday featuring professional comedians from around the UK. On Mondays, the space becomes a place for new comedians to test their material during new-act and new-joke nights. This gives audiences a chance to see ideas develop in real time. The club also features Darren Connell & The Funny Bunch, a variety-style comedy night that includes music, sketches, and stand-up all on one bill.

 Over the years, many performers have performed on the basement stage at Blackfriars. This includes well-known Scottish acts like Gary Little and Raymond Mearns, as well as visiting performers who test their Edinburgh Fringe sets.

Tennent's Laughter Lounge

 Tennent’s Bar is located at 191 Byres Road, Glasgow G12 8TN, in the heart of the West End. It’s a favourite spot for students and a local institution, known for its affordable pints, big screens, and simple pub food. Upstairs, you’ll find Tennent’s Laughter Lounge, which has hosted a comedy night that makes Glaswegians laugh. The room has a cosy atmosphere, with low lighting, close seating, and just enough space for one microphone, one stool, and one comedian.

 The Laughter Lounge is open on Sunday nights. It features both experienced comedians and newer performers who want to improve their skills. The audience is usually lively and often loud.

 Many well-known Scottish comedians have performed here. Kevin Bridges, Susie McCabe, and Christopher MacArthur-Boyd have all taken the stage. The venue also hosts acts from England who stop here on their way between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Community Central Hall

 Central Community Hall is located at 292-316 Maryhill Road, Glasgow G20 7YE. It may not look like a typical comedy venue since it is a multi-use community centre in the Maryhill area. However, the main hall inside has become a warm and lively place for stand-up comedy.

 Comedy here often comes as part of special events or seasonal programmes, including shows during the Glasgow International Comedy Festival. Past shows have featured names like Raymond Mearns and Janey Godley, alongside a host of rising Glasgow talents.

Gael and Grain

 Gael & Grain is a Scottish restaurant and bar located at 23 Sandyford Place, Glasgow G3 7NG. It features a small, cosy comedy space downstairs. This lounge has a low stage, soft lighting, and close seating to create a personal atmosphere for every show.

 Good Egg Comedy organises two comedy nights each week. On Wednesdays, “Cracking New Jokes” features comedians from the Scottish circuit testing their new material. On Fridays, the “Main Event Comedy Show” offers a polished performance with a mix of well-known comedians and rising stars. The line-up changes every week, keeping the shows fresh and exciting for regular attendees.

 The Gael & Grain stage has welcomed acts like Billy Kirkwood, Darren Connell, Vladimir McTavish, and Stephen Buchanan, along with visiting comics looking for an intimate Glasgow room to road-test Fringe sets.

King's Theatre

 The King’s Theatre is located at 297 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JN. It is a historic Edwardian playhouse that has hosted live shows since 1904.

 Famous tours often stop at the King’s Theatre. Some past performers include Jimmy Carr, Sarah Millican, Kevin Bridges, and Bill Bailey. During the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, the venue showcases well-known acts and special events that require a large stage.

 Thanks to its central Bath Street location, the theatre is surrounded by restaurants, bars, and late-night cafes, making it an easy choice for a full night out.

Reid Hall

 Reid Hall is one of the rooms inside Maryhill Community Central Hall at 292-316 Maryhill Road, Glasgow G20 7YE, just a short journey northwest of the city centre.

 Dane Baptiste and Tanyalee Davis have performed shows at the Glasgow Comedy Festival, bringing lots of laughs to areas outside the city centre.

The Stand Comedy Club

 The Stand Comedy Club is located at 333 Woodlands Road, Glasgow G3 6NG, in a basement, near Kelvingrove Park and has been making people laugh since the late ’90s. The Stand is known as one of the best comedy clubs in the UK.

 The Stand hosts shows nearly every night, featuring many popular comedians. Mondays are for Red Raw night, where new and experienced acts try out their material. On weekends, you can enjoy shows with three or four top comedians, along with a skilled compere. Throughout the week, there are also solo tours, previews for the Edinburgh Fringe, and themed events such as political comedy nights or storytelling sessions.

 Over the years, The Stand has hosted many well-known British comedians: Frankie Boyle, Kevin Bridges, Susan Calman, and Daniel Sloss all have strong connections to the club. Touring stars from other places often visit for small warm-up shows.

Kings Park Hotel

 Kings Park Hotel is located at 250 Mill Street, Rutherglen, Glasgow G73 2LX. This hotel is in Rutherglen, a town just a short drive southeast of Glasgow city centre. It is a popular venue for weddings, events, and nights out. The main events suite also hosts comedy shows throughout the year, particularly during the Glasgow International Comedy Festival and other special performances.

 The function room is bright and spacious. It can hold a few hundred people while still feeling personal enough for stand-up events. Because the hotel also has a bar and restaurant on-site, it’s easy to make a full evening of it: dinner, drinks, and a night of laughs without heading into the city.

The Pavilion Theatre

 The Pavilion Theatre is located at 121 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3AX. It is a unique venue in Glasgow, known for its grand Edwardian style and neon-lit entrance. Since 1904, it has been a popular part of the city's entertainment scene.

 The Pavilion has featured many well-known Scottish comedians, such as Billy Connolly, Kevin Bridges, and Janey Godley. It has also welcomed popular touring acts like Sarah Millican and Jimmy Carr. Additionally, the Pavilion hosts larger comedy-theatre shows that combine stand-up with sketches, music, or character performances.

 The theatre is located on Renfield Street, making it easy to get to from Queen Street and Central Station. There are also many bars and restaurants nearby for before or after the show.

The Garage

 Located at 490 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3LW.

 The Garage is known as the largest nightclub in Scotland. At night, especially during the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, it transforms into an unexpected comedy venue. Located on Sauchiehall Street, the club is easy to find because of the bright yellow truck that extends from its front, a landmark as well-known as the club itself.

 The comedy events usually happen in one of the club’s upstairs rooms. These rooms can be arranged with tables for a cabaret style setup or in a theatre style for larger audiences.

 If you are on Sauchiehall Street, you will find plenty of places to eat and drink before and after the show. Options range from casual bars to late-night diners. The Garage also hosts its own club nights after the comedy show, making it one of the few spots in Glasgow where you can enjoy a stand-up performance and then dance until the early hours, all in one place.