Bristol is an essential stop-off in the UK comedy circuit. The Comedy Box is probably the city’s most prolific stand up promoter, regular shows bring crowds to The Hen and Chicken, The Tobacco Factory and Colston Hall’s ‘The Lantern’. In summer The Comedy Garden in Queens Square brings a who’s who in British comedy with past guests including Stewart Lee, Marcus Brigstocke, Mark Watson and Shappi Khorsandi. The Loco Club (beneath Temple Meads train station) is home to occasional stand up nights promoted by Bristol Underground Comedy. In the city centre alongside the headliners found at Colston Hall and Bristol Hippodrome, Riproar Comedy host stand-up every Friday and Saturday evening.
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Our recent comedy recommendations
Free entry / PWYC! US-led resource grabs are as old as The Star-Spangled Banner, but the total brazenness of the Maduro abduction feels like a 21st century high-water mark. Bristol Stop the War and Venezuela Solidarity Campaign convene to wade thorough the sociopolitical shockwaves being felt across Latin America, Greenland, Palestine and beyond.
No to Imperialism! Stop Trumps Wars! Free Maduro!
Darker-than-dark teen comedy meets dystopian road movie, The Doom Generation is a dizzying, hyper-violent trip through adolescent angst, polyantagonism and surreal crime-spree hedonism in 90s LA. Soundtracked by brooding grunge and with a breakout star turn from Rose McGowan, it’s perfectly unhinged fare for a retina-obliterating Megascreen showing from Queer Vision + 20th Century Flicks.
A rare opportunity to see Gregg Araki’s breakthrough cult classic on the biggest screen in Bristol, in a stunning new 4K restoration for its thirtieth anniversary
The People’s Republic of Stokes Croft throws open its doors for a massive free-entry art weekender centered around an open group exhibition and market, alongside all-ages, all-abilities creative workshops, live improv, and a screening of documentary portrait Ackroyd & Harvey: The Art Of Activism.
Ten days of all things creative, including an open group exhibition of local artists, workshops, events and much more
Deep in the recesses of Park Row’s opulent Red Lodge, the Bristol Society of Magic offers you a ticket to another time. Drawing on 100 years of magical excellence for a daring presentation of the illustrious arts of illusion, psychological sleight of hand, escapology and more.
Bristol Society of Magic - Annual Showcase of Magic
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What our editors say
“"What a funny night! First time going to a comedy show, found myself in the front row put on the spot by the MC! Definitely will be back, loved every minute of it!" - Izabella, Google Local Guide reviewer”
From: Olga Koch: Fat Tom Cruise
“BAFTA-winning comedian Tom Davis returns to the stage with a brand new stand up tour packed with laugh-out-loud takes on life’s chaos. Known for Murder in Successville, King Gary, and his hit podcast Wolf and Owl with Romesh Ranganathan, Tom brings his unmistakable charm and sharp wit to this no-holds-barred live show. Big laughs, big heart, big lad — this is comedy at full throttle.”
From: Tom Davis: Spudgun
“He will bring his razor-sharp wit and international style straight from London's comedy scene to Bristol and yes, he'll be performing entirely in English. Originally from Barcelona, Sergi made a name for himself in the UK, performing at world-renowned venues like The Comedy Store in London and The Comedy Cellar in New York.”
From: Sergi Polo in Bristol
“Pear Tree is a stand up comedy show about pear shaped events between Sri Lanka and Australia. It’s about family, love, homes, knives, kids and cats - spliced with a bit of geopolitics and singing. As with her last show Boundaries (now on YouTube) Sashi’s signature observations remain dedicated to taking absolutely nothing too seriously.”
From: Sashi Perera: Pear Tree
“Already earning a 4½-star review and called “British comedy at its best” (One4Review ★★★★½), Lobster is packed with the sharp observational storytelling, likeability, and non-stop jokes that have made Harry a favourite of audiences across the UK and beyond.”
From: Harry Stachini: Lobster – UK Tour