If you like a good laugh - and let’s face it, who doesn’t - then you’ve come to the right place. Birmingham is the second biggest city in the UK after London, and this size means there are plenty of comedy clubs to enjoy during your visit to the Midlands. And, whether you’re a fan of off-the-cuff improv shows, big-name artists stopping off on national tour dates, or you’re a true comedy aficionado who loves checking out local comedy talent and stars of the future at traditional comedy club nights - there’s truly something for everyone in Birmingham. Read on for some of the comedy clubs that await visitors to Birmingham, UK.
1. Cherry Red's Comedy Club
This intimate venue, which features seats for fewer than 50 people, is a great option for comedy fans who prefer the atmosphere which smaller locations provide. Those who visit Cherry Red’s Cafe Bar in John Bright Street for one of its laugh-filled monthly Cherrybomb evenings will be almost within touching distance of your comedy host. What’s more, some impressive talent has passed through the doors of Cherry Reds. These include a number who have appeared on national TV, such as Joe Lycett (Channel 4’s panel show, 8 out of 10 Cats) and Ivo Graham (the BBC’s stand-up show, Live at the Apollo). But, with such a cosy venue, tickets can sell out quickly, so if you plan on stopping by for one of the comedy club evenings during your trip, you’ll want to book in advance.
Cherry Red's Comedy Club
Address: 88-90 John Bright Street, Birmingham, B1 1BN
Website: Cherry Red’s Comedy Club
Opening hours: Comedy sessions - 7.30pm to 11pm. Venue open longer.
Average price for two: From 7.92 to 34.32 USD
2. Hare & Hounds
Located in Kings Heath, this grade-two listed pub is not just a venue for comedy fans. It has played a major role in Birmingham’s music scene down the years - even playing host to UB40’s first ever gig nearly 40 years ago as well as the chart-conquering likes of Ed Sheeran and Ellie Goulding before they hit the big time. Today, it is still a thriving live music venue, but its spacious interior - which includes two downstairs bars - means it also puts on comedy “most nights of the week”, so fans of a hearty chuckle should take note. What’s more, it also hosts regular food evenings and pub quizzes, so you may wish to make an evening of it by tucking into some cracking food before the comedy begins.
Hare and Hounds
Address: High Street, Kings Heath, Birmingham, B14 7JZ
Website: Hare and Hounds
Opening hours: Midday to midnight (Sunday to Wednesday); Midday to 1am (Thursday); Midday to 3am (Friday and Saturday)
3. The Laughing Sole
Risque comedy has its place, but if you have a family, then you’ll likely want to opt for events which are suitable for all ages. That’s where The Laughing Sole comes in. This comedy club takes place at the Midlands Arts Centre (or the MAC to its fans) on a quarterly basis, and it is specifically aimed at children and families. The most recent act to enchant youngsters was Duncan Disorderly. The organisers also do occasional adult club nights at The British Oak pub in Stirchley, so if you’ve no children with you then you’ll want to keep tabs on their event listings.
The Laughing Sole
Address: Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Queen’s Ride, Birmingham, B12 9QH
Website: The Laughing Sole
Opening hours: The comedy session is typically mid-afternoon. Latest event ran 2pm to 3.15pm. The venue’s hours are longer. See website for details.
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4. MAC Birmingham
And speaking of the MAC, as well as a range of performing arts, it plays host to all manner of comics in its own right - from local comedians to touring shows. And, while many of its shows are not strictly comedy club nights, enough comedians visit the venue on a regular basis to check it out. What’s more, those eager to experience a more traditional comedy club session need not feel left out - the venue does host Upfront Comedy sessions featuring a number of local comics. If you’re lucky, there’s a chance a comic will be visiting the venue at the time of your trip.
MAC Birmingham
Address: Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Queen’s Ride, Birmingham, B12 9QH
Website: MAC Birmingham
Opening hours: Acts usually start around 8pm. Venue is open longer.
Average price for two: Varies depending on act but 26.40 USD to 34.32 USD is typical for two.
5. Jewellery Quarter Comedy Club
Set amid Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, the Rose Villa Tavern is another option to consider when looking for a few chuckles during your time in the city. It is home to a comedy night - the Jewellery Quarter Comedy Club - which takes place on the first Tuesday of every month. For just 5 GBP per person (6.59 USD) you can enjoy no fewer than four different comics - one established professional headliner and three up-and-coming stars of the future. Recent acts have included the likes of Andrew Bird, who has supported such comedy stars on tour as Lee Hurst and Rhod Gilbert, and he has performed in such hallowed comedy settings as London’s Hammersmith Apollo. What’s more, while you’re enjoying the intimate Birmingham comedy night, the club’s location within a pub means you’ll not have far to go to enjoy some food and drink.
Jewellery Quarter Comedy Club
Address: 172 Warstone Lane, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham, B18 6JW.
Website: Jewellery Quarter Comedy Club
Opening hours: Shows start at 7.30pm. Pub hours vary.
Average price for two: 13.18 USD (for comedy night tickets for two only). Bar food and drink costs extra.
6. Comedy Junction
Located within the Station Pub in nearby Sutton Coldfield - just 8 miles (13km) north of Birmingham - the Comedy Junction has had people ‘rolling in the aisles for 17 years with its monthly gigs, which promise “the small club with the big names”. And they aren’t kidding when they say big names. Rhod Gilbert is just one of the comedians to have performed in the past. Recent acts have included Noel James (who starred on TV show Britain’s Got Talent), Rob Mulholland, Paul Savage and Sean Percival, all of whom have won strong reviews in the national press.
Comedy Junction
Address: Station Pub, 44 Station Street, Sutton Coldfield B73 6AT
Website: Comedy Junction
Opening hours: Usually 8pm start. End times vary. The pub operates longer hours.
Average price for two: Typically 24 USD for two people
7. Fat Penguin Improvised Comedy Club
A club which will not just appeal to those who enjoy good comedy, but those who wish to give it a whirl themselves. The Fat Penguin Improvised Comedy Club offers everything from weekly two-hour taster sessions, to serious courses which will help budding comedians and comedy writers hone their skills. Of course, if you’d rather just leave the jokes to the experts, the club hosts a, roughly, weekly improv night in the Patrick Kavanagh Pub featuring “some of the best performers in the Midlands”. And, as the name of the club would suggest, improvisation rules the roost, with performers creating a completely improvised evening of laughter on the spot with a lot of help from the audience. Many of these sessions are suitable for over 18s only though, owing to the unpredictability of the improv comedy.
Fat Penguin Improvised Comedy Club
Address: Patrick Kavanagh Pub, 142 Trafalgar Road, Birmingham, B13 8BX
Website: Fat Penguin Improvised Comedy Club
Opening hours: Comedy nights usually start at 8pm
Average price for two: 13.20 USD for two people (suggested donation)
8. The Glee Club
Those who enjoy their comedy on a regular basis will likely want to head for The Glee Club, which hosts regular weekly comedy evenings three nights a week, alongside special events and one-off visits from popular comics. The Comedy Carousel, every Thursday, is marketed as a “spontaneous show” that sees comics use a large screen to bring “the best bits from the weird world of the web”, while the Friday Night and Saturday Night Comedy sessions feature four stand-up comedians and some tasty food and drink. Alongside very popular local comics, the venue also welcomes one-off shows from big names from the world of comedy - with the likes of Russell Howard, Michael McIntyre, Jo Brand and Jack Dee among those to have graced the stage in the past.
The Glee Club
Address: The Arcadian, 70 Hurst St, Birmingham, B5 4TD
Website: The Glee Club
Opening hours: Show start times vary. Doors typically open at 7pm but check for individual show details.
Prices: Starts from 15.50 USD per person for show only.
9. Just the Tonic Comedy Club
Another of Birmingham’s major comedy clubs, Just the Tonic Comedy Club hosts Saturday night sessions on a weekly basis in Rosies Nightclub. Each show typically features four top local comics, with names lined up including the likes of Hayley Ellis, Kane Brown, Ignacio Lopez and Ian Cognito. There are also Friday dates available at certain times of the year, so you may wish to check the website for possible events when visiting the city. And, after you’ve enjoyed the more than three hours of comedy, the event’s nightclub location means you and your friends can enjoy a late night on the town (should you wish).
Just the Tonic Comedy Club
Address: Rosies Nightclub, 259-262 Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2HF
Website: Just the Tonic Comedy Club
Opening hours: 7pm to 10:45pm and after party until 4am (on show days, typically Fridays or Saturdays). Doors open 6.30pm. Box office open 10am to 2pm (weekdays).
Average price for two: 38.60 USD (standard ticket for two); 44.88 USD (premium seating for two); 31 USD (concessions for two).
Laughs aplenty
Get ready to split your sides laughing during a visit to Birmingham. With plenty of comedy club options available, you’re sure to find a comic with a direct link to your funny bone.
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