Top 6 Comedy Clubs and Festivals in the North and Scotland

Want to enjoy some of the best comedy around? There’s no need to go all the way to the capital as there’s plenty of top draw acts performing right on your doorstep (or just a short train ride away). Here’s our pick of the very best comedy clubs and festivals you can enjoy throughout the North of England and in Scotland.

Let’s start with the biggy, shall we? The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is something everyone should experience at least once. As the largest arts festival in the world, it’s THE place to catch boundary-pushing theatre, cabaret, dance shows, exhibitions and, of course, stand-up comedy. The 2016 event’s just finished, but keep your ear out for announcements about the 2017 festival so you can get your hotel and train tickets to Edinburgh booked before they all sell out!

This legendary club, which is just 10 minutes’ walk from Piccadilly train station, has been the leading light of the Manchester comedy scene for over 20 years. The Frog & Bucket has played host to a huge roster of comedians, many of whom have gone on to find major fame, including Johnny Vegas, Peter Kay and Jason Manford. You can enjoy live shows here four nights a week; if you want to be the first to discover the next big thing, try Monday’s ‘Beat the Frog’ night, where up-and-coming comics attempt to stay on stage for five minutes without being “croaked off”.

3. The Stand Comedy Club, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle

This trio of comedy clubs has become a Northern institution, with the likes of Billy Connolly and Frankie Boyle performing at the original Edinburgh venue during the early days of their careers. You can catch a laughter-packed show at any of the The Stand venues every night of the week, from one of the famous fundraising benefit nights, to the ‘Red Raw’ new talent evenings, or the always hilarious comedian ‘rap battle’.

4. Liverpool Comedy Festival, Friday 16th September – Sunday 2nd October

Back for its 14th season, this year’s Liverpool Comedy Festival is set to be the biggest and best yet. For two weeks, a huge variety of comedians will be performing at venues across the city, from traditional theatres, pubs and clubs to more unusual spaces like schools and even a few front rooms! Amongst the dozens of acts appearing will be Sara Pascoe, Rufus Hound and Romesh Ranganathan. Don’t miss out – get your tickets booked and jump on a train to Liverpool to join the fun.

5. House of Fun Comedy Club, Leeds

The House of Fun Comedy Club brings top-notch Northern comic talent to three venues across Leeds: The Wardrobe, The Original Oak and The Woods. Past performers include Alan Carr, Russell Howard, John Bishop and Sarah Millican, and, because they don’t host open mic nights and only book professional comics, belly laughs are guaranteed.

6. Last Laugh Comedy Festival, Thursday 6th – Saturday 29th October

Jason Byrne, Richard Herring, Rich Hall and Justin Moorhouse are all treading the boards at Sheffield’s finest theatres over the course of the three-week Last Laugh Comedy Festival. Either head to see one of the big headliners or give the Last Laugh Comedy Cabaret a go to enjoy a show in a more laidback setting. Be sure to book your tickets in advance as the bigger shows will sell out fast.

If you go along to any of these comedy events, be sure to tag us on Facebook (@TPExpressTrains), Twitter (@TPExpressTrains) or Instagram (@tpexpresstrains) and use the hashtag #TPEcomedy.

Travelling by train takes all the stress out of heading off for a night out so you can focus on enjoying yourself. Remember: you can save up to 50% by booking your train ticket in advance online, and if you use your family rail card, you can save even more.