A guide to attending live comedy shows

The UK, with its long tradition of stand-up, sketch and improv nights, has (rightly!) an enviable reputation as a hotbed of great live comedy. From the famous spots in London to the small and quirky venues dotting the countryside, comedy-based nights out are available pretty much all over the UK.

Comedy in this country is not restricted to just big names or big cities; it thrives everywhere. Across the country, local clubs and theatres host open-mic nights and platform up-and-coming acts that give a glimpse into the future of comedy. Towns like Brighton, Bristol and Manchester, meanwhile, are blessed with highly active comedy eco-systems, offering residents multiple options every night as a result of that.

Stand-up comedy is the backbone of the UK comedy scene, and has never been more diverse. Expect everything from observant comedy to cutting satire, through quintessential British wit. Shows tend to be anything from an hour to three, so they are great for an evening out with friends, family and even colleagues. Laughter always help to make a night out to remember.

For those just getting into the world of live comedy, here's a walkthrough of a couple of things to think about when planning your next evening out:

Choose the best venue

The UK is packed with venues that put on comedy. There's the more 'classical' comedy venues, such as Soho Theatre or The Comedy Store, through to theatres giving comedy a platform, and even just rooms above pubs; there's at least one option in most towns and cities.

Comedy works best with low ceilings, darkness and no distractions (such as people walking through the stage area to go to the pub's loo). Finding the perfect venue can enhance your experience, so take some time to check out reviews of the place you're looking to attend.

Securing tickets

Booking a ticket before you turn up guarantees you'll get in, so that's always worth doing. As you'll know, for entertainment generally there are plenty of sites online that let you book tickets, for example you can access concerts and shows without queuing up on this site. For bigger gigs, the ticket platforms sometimes even let you select which exact seats you'd like to sit in, and/or book food and drink options.

Regardless of whether you're into front-row seats and thus likely to be talked to by the comedian or a little cosy at the back, advance reservations mean you don't miss out on a moment of the hilarity.

Enjoying the show

Heading to the venue early so that you can get good seats and set the mood for the evening by soaking in the pre-show ambience of the place is a good plan. Be considerate of the performers: they feed off the audience's reactions, so don't be afraid to laugh out loud or engage when prompted naturally. Don't ever use your phone during the performance though, as this distracts both the comedian and the other attendees.

Thinking about the above minor details in advance can definitely help you have the fullest experience of attending a comedy show. The most important thing though: enjoy yourself!