The Top Secret Comedy Club
The Top Secret Comedy Club
4.5
5:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Monday
5:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Tuesday
5:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Wednesday
5:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Thursday
5:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Friday
6:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Saturday
12:30 PM - 12:00 AM
Sunday
4:00 PM - 10:30 PM
About
Our main shows on Sun-Thurs start at 8.00pm and finish around 10.15pm/10.30pm. We are open every day (except 3 days over Christmas). Mondays and Wednesdays are New Material nights, with 6 professional comedians trying out some freshly baked gags. Sundays and Tuesdays we have Nico Yearwood hosting 3 stand-ups performing 20 mins sets. Thursdays is business as usual, with a stand-up show featuring the best of London’s Stand up Comedy Scene. On Fridays and Saturdays we have two shows per day: the early show at 7pm until 8.20pm, and the late show from 9pm until 11pm- ish. Between 6.30pm - 7.30pm Sun-Thurs come for free and see the comedy work in progress as it shapes and develops. Our Bar offers Pints from £3.50 (£13 for 4 pints), Wine from £3.30 and spirits + mixer from £3.00) Line ups are subject to last minute changes, best rest assured that all of our lineups (no matter how changed) will always be of a top class quality. Under 18's are permitted with a parent or teacher.
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Address
Neighborhood: Covent Garden
Whether you're headed here to check out the multitude of shops, theaters, cafes, pubs, and restaurants, or simply to be among the multitude of people who pass through this pretty part of town, you'll love soaking up the festive and historic atmosphere in and around Covent Garden. Even if you don't have tickets to the opera or a show at one of the many famous theaters here, don't be surprised if find yourself captivated by some impromptu act of a street performer wowing the crowds in Covent Garden's Piazza. If you do have tickets, you'll be pleased to note that many of the local eateries accommodate theatergoers with prix fixe menus, early dinners, and later than usual opening hours. 


How to get there
  • Covent Garden • 4 min walk
  • Holborn • 4 min walk
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See what travelers are saying

  • Lorrane W
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    (NOT) Cheap evening out
    Great evening. £3 a ticket a great cheap evening........ But at the end of the evening you were asked to donate what you thought the comedians were worth and felt compelled to donate because they were in the doorway with buckets and cash card machines at the ready , we would have rather paid more for the tickets upfront then we would have budgeted for the experience. Great comedians, lots of laughter. The comedians made the evening 9/10. The ticket business 5/10.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 23, 2023
  • Paul T
    Warrington, United Kingdom59 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Brilliant - Highly Recommended!
    I regularly stay in London for 1 or 2 nights a week for work reasons and have always loved attending stand up comedy. On finding this place in June this year have now been loads of times and have not had one bad night! Great comedians from the comedy circuit, up and coming new comedians and surprise guest celebrity comedians.... its got it all. Great atmosphere and reasonably priced drinks. Also took my missus here for a Saturday afternoon gig when we were both in London for 2 days together last month and she loved it too. Just book a ticket and give it a whirl - you won't regret it!
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written November 12, 2023
  • Belinda H
    New York City, New York787 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fun comedy club
    A fun comedy club in a convenient location in London. Comedians were funny, and it was a good atmosphere and drinks a reasonable price, though I’d skip the wine (tasted weird) and stick with the beer. It was a larger venue than expected with quite a large audience — we are use to more intimate clubs like in NYC. There was slightly misleading messaging online that said the show would have a “surprise celebrity comedian”, but there was no such comedian, and also, they started the show 30 min after the scheduled time. However, it was altogether a fun time and was glad we were able to check out the London comedy scene!
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written November 13, 2023
  • BeLu London
    London, United Kingdom454 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The top secret here is cheap drinks and quality comedy
    In Drury Lane, not far from Tottenham Court Road and Covent Garden, I’ll let you know a top secret! It was a spontaneous Friday night visit to the late late show here, not the late show one before this one, to this conveyor belt of comedy. Ive been to a few comedy clubs in London and this one is the most spit and sawdust basement style out of all of them. But it works. It’s short and sweet and cheap. Downstairs, into an efficient bar area with lots of staff, drinks are served quick and very reasonably priced for late night London, especially wine. Then into the large ish seating area on a first come, first served basis. Side seats offer good views too. Small intimate stage. Good music between acts, MC, 2 comedians at 10 minutes each and then another 2 comedians at 10 minutes each after a drink and toilet break. Whilst I’m there, toilets were clean and erm intimate. Watch out men, your queue will be longer than the ladies at the end of the night. Josephine Lacey was just the funniest MC I have ever had the pleasure of listening to, about as quick witted as one can get. This place is open 362 days a year so plenty of time to try it out. Nothing to do one afternoon or evening? Well worth a visit!
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 30, 2023
  • Mr Michael C
    Brentwood, United Kingdom27 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Can’t beat it for a quid!
    We booked two £1 seats for a Saturday afternoon. Weren’t expecting to see any well known faces obviously. We were directed to two seats right beside the small stage. We had a compare and four comedians. All were really good. Compare was v funny taking the piss out of audience members including me. Well I was right on the stage. Two of the acts were, I think, ready for a tv appearance on the Apollo or similar. But all made me laugh out loud. They ask for donations on exit to pay the comedians. Give whatever you want. I put £20 in the bucket and was given two membership cards which was nice. There is a bar if you want a drink while watching the show. A good way to spend a couple of hours in the centre of London that doesn’t cost a fortune. Will definitely be going back.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written March 12, 2024
  • Mairi C
    2 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great Night! But..!
    Please scrap the donation and charge more for your tickets. The acts were good, and yes worth the requested donation amount plus original ticket fee (£15.00 in total) but the vibe completely changes when everyone is queuing like passport control to leave. Staff standing at the exit with card machines automatically charging each person a ‘donation’ is not truly a donation. Please, just charge more for you tickets so people actually leave laughing
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 28, 2024
  • Ruddz74
    Letchworth Garden City, United Kingdom127 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great night for a £1
    We had an absolute blast at the Top Secret Comedy Club! Attending an afternoon show with tickets priced at just £1 was an incredible deal. The experience was so much fun, and Alexandra Haddow's performance was outstanding. It was a fantastic evening of entertainment, especially for such a bargain. I highly recommend the Top Secret Comedy Club for a memorable and affordable night out!
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 27, 2024
  • Lou H
    New York City, New York8 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fun and funny - Just what I needed
    This would have been 5 if the ladies room had been in better order. But the comedy was wonderful. I suggest arriving early to get the best seat possible otherwise you might not get a good option - it's that popular. When I attended there was a "headliner", the MC who did her sets before and after the official comics, and a "secret" performer who was someone that I know was more famous - just not to me. Perhaps it's because I'm from the US and didn't recognize him. There was also a last minute addition of a comic who came in and wanted to do a short set, I assume to try out some new material. All the performers were good - professional and funny. The MC worked a little blue for my tastes, but that was just me. I would definitely go again. I did this on a whim as I suddenly had a night free on a business trip and didn't feel like something heavy. Perfect for that!
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written June 2, 2024
  • wendy
    13 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent Evening Out - Lots of Laughs!
    The best comedy show I have ever been to! Each of the 6 acts were hilarious, which in my experience is rarely the case. There might be 2 or 3 great acts, and the rest so so. Not this time. Loved them all and the host was fabulous too. Other reasons to not hesitate to go is that there is not a bad seat in the house. Perfect evening out with lots and lots of laughs.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 15, 2024
  • sammy_deville
    Nottingham, United Kingdom154 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great Value
    We visited the new venue on a Friday evening. We found it to be great value, the drinks weren’t too expensive considering London prices, the staff were all friendly, the toilets were clean and the bonus we could take in our own food. We bought France Manca from just round the corner. The comedians were very funny, Eleanor the host was hilarious. Highly recommended.
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written August 4, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

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Tony H
Maulden, UK405 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
I was looking for somewhere to take my wife on the evening of her birthday and found that one of my favourite comedians was on the bill on the evening in question, better still, tickets were only £1, I guessed Tuesday night, light on numbers, a good way of getting an audience but a quality comic, what could go wrong? Now I have been here before on a busier night and gave it a 5* rating a few years back. Positives are that it looks like nothing outside, but is an oasis inside, good priced drinks and friendly enough but that was a Friday and I recall paying only a fiver with several of my mates for a Christmas bash and we had a great time! Having promised my wife this great comic, imagine my disappointment when he was not even on the bill! Not only that but there were two shows going on. One in a dirty offshoot of the main one upstairs behind a curtain and the other in the main club downstairs! Well we got shown into this smaller venue, not what I remembered at all, but hey, so what an intimate if a little intimidating room for me to see what "I thought was an excellent comedian. Can't help feeling as if I was duped, and indeed I think I was! Well if you are paying a discounted price then explain what you are going to get for your money. If its a downgraded experience, tell the punter, don't dupe them into thinking they are getting a great deal only to let them down later. And finally when the audience have got in for £1 don't tell them at the end that they are underpaying for great entertainment and hold out a bucket at the door asking for more! It doesn't do your brand any favours and doesn't bring people back! The audience were full of students no doubt attracted by the 'deal' Don't then intimidate them into paying more! I took my wife and our son and daughter of 24 and 25 joined us to celebrate my wife birthday. unbeknown to me, my son put a £10 note into the bucket as he was embarrassed by the hard sell! good job I didn't see that or I would;d have rescued it! Very Bad practice guys! Had I known the price up front, I would have paid it, but not this way! Tell the truth, and just make up the funnies! Shame, enjoyed the evening and the comedians overall, but this was a wake up call to dodgy club practices. I will return, but it had better change!
Written February 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi There, Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy aspects of the experience - other then the comedian which, i guess is what you came to see - you would have seen 3 or 4 comedians that evening, plus a host for the entry of £1 each. We collect after the show Sunday-Wednesday. like many other comedy clubs across the Country and the Edinburgh fringe festival, we operate a - 'pay what you think the show was worth afterwords - if you can afford it'. The idea is that you can come and see Stand up Comedy whether you have money or not, as we like stand up comedy to be a very inclusive not exclusive experience. This is all detailed on the website if you care to look - This money is then split with the comics, so that they can earn a living. If you prefer to pay before entry and not be asked for a voluntary contribution after the show, please book a ticket for one of our Thursday - Saturday Shows. We now operate 2 venues at the same location, many audience members and acts prefer the ground floor venue to the basement one, it's a subjective thing, some prefer the intimacy of the ground floor. We fill up each of the venues separately depending on the day, so if you had come earlier or later that day you may well have been shown in to the basement, both are the same price and both are the same show, the acts perform in one room and then in the other - you were not sold a different experience other then the size of the room which has a capacity of 150 over the basement which has a capacity of 220. Sometimes acts cancel the shows and they are replaced with equally good or better acts on these occasions - glad to see you enjoyed the comedy at least, your only upset appears to be that the room is smaller then you remembered and that you were asked for a contribution for the comics who you describe as "excellent" I also host many of the shows - and if i come across a group such as yourself i would definitely say something like - "Well done for spending a POUND on the birthday treat!!"
Written February 27, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

gcs3
London, UK67 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
Started so well but completely ruined at the end.

Booked for the 5pm show on Saturday, the show was cheap at £1 each, we got there had some drinks (reasonably priced) so we had a good few drinks as the tickets were cheap, as we thought was the idea?

Show started late, but compare was very funny and got the crowd going. Next act wasn't particularly funny, but Jeff Innocent was very good as always. Overall whilst the show was fairly good, the venue isn't too bad other than a little hot and dingy. drinks a good price.

Sadly the whole show was ruined at the end. The acts finished and the compare then went on a 5 minute plea begging for more money for the show. The owner has lost money due to covid, the acts dont get paid, the building costs money it went on and on. apparently dont go putting in change...they want notes or card only!!

The reason the tickets are cheap is that this is a small 10 minute warm up slot for the acts before they go on somewhere else. Jeff Innocent had two other shows that night for example. We went on the basis it was an hour out of our day and we would have a few drinks as the ticket was cheap and that was to offset it? if that is not the case then increase the ticket prices!!

after the long plea for money, the compare runs to the top of the stairs and stops everybody on the way out. you then had all the 200 audience stuck inside the venue and on the staircase waiting to get out past the new "doormen" who are demanding money to leave. it took us 10 minute to get out of the venue, despite the fact we had a reservation and couldn't get out. when we got to the steps the 2 new "doormen" said "cash or card" like that that there were only 2 options. there isn't there's a 3rd and that's to leave. Nowhere on the website does it say that it is pay what you think the show is worth....if you had we would have paid more, but the way you acted was disgusting and acting like the Kray Twins demanding money before allowing people to leave.

if you go be aware of the above and you will no doubt enjoy the night, we wasn't aware of the above and don't agree with the practice of demanding money to leave the venue. I notice there are older pre-covid reviews saying the same, so this isn't a loss of covid revenue request.
Written August 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dhall1404
London, UK14 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021
We came to the 5pm show upstairs on Saturday 26th June. The host was very funny but the 2 main acts were not great. 2nd comedian (sorry can't remember the name) I could hardly understand what he was saying and we were front row, just seemed to mumble a lot. Perspex screens I suppose are necessary but think I would prefer to wear a mask as it made me feel claustrophobic and pretty pointless as there was no social distancing at all. First time I came here a couple of years ago was brilliant the acts were hilarious and we were downstairs which I prefer. We order a bottle of fix which were shocked at the price, after advertising cheap drinks this was quite expensive at £20 for a not very cold bottle. I guess that is cheap for London maybe but even so! For £5 per ticket I guess cant complain too much and I will come again as it is so reasonably priced and hopefully next time the acts will be funnier. The host did say she was doing her now show as we commented to her about her being the funniest so we will seek her out.
Written June 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BigRed
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2020 • Couples
I’ve been to The Top Secret Comesy Club a few times and have never been disappointed. Anytime I’ve been there, from midweek to Saturday evenings it’s always been top quality.

They have taken steps to keep the audience safe within the Covid era with Perspex glass between the rows and gaps in seatings. Masks are to be worn at intermissions and walking around, apart from that it’s business as normal.

Drinks are amongst the cheapest in London and they now have “table service” where you order drinks to your seats using a QR code. They come fast!

The acts themselves, my goodness.... I spent two hours cry-laughing without a break. Being a large, bearded ginger man with an Afro, the usher thought it would be a good idea to go front and centre. Where I got the piss ripped completely out of me, it was all tasteful, unique and utterly hilarious. The humour is dark, topical, progressive and did I say DARK?! Strap in and enjoy. Helps to remember that they are all jokes, if you lean towards the sensitive side.

The best nights I have in London are always the ones I spend in Top Secret and I don’t know why I don’t go more often!!! 10/10
Written December 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
10/10 is all we could ask for. Thank you for such an amazing review. We aim to please.
Written December 11, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Matt G
1 contribution
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022
I can 100% understand not expecting the very best from the £1 comedy nights - filled with new and untested materials. However, what leaves a sour taste in my mouth is ending the night with the MC holding a bucket at the exit door.

Unable to read the room made up of 90% students, the MC ended the night by guilt tripping everyone into forcibly leaving a tip. Standing at the exit door with a bucket, asking if it's 'cash or card?', makes it unbelievably embarrassing to admit you can't afford to leave more than a couple of quid - this was made to feel like an insult to the comedians.

Either pick that any donations to the night are welcome or charge extra for the tickets, because making it seem as though leaving a couple of quid (because thats all you can afford) is insulting as you should tip 'what you feel the night is worth'.

I truly believe these nights should just charge extra for the tickets - instead of drawing people in with the idea that they provide 'accessibility' for everyone to comedy, then embarrass members of the audience by saying if they don't tip everyone loses out.

I'm not saying the club itself isn't worth visiting, I would just steer clear of the cheaper nights if you're trying to simply have fun on a budget.
Written March 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Emma h
118 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Couples
Came to London for my husband as he had never been we had no real plans , brought tickets the comedy club for £3 each motnknowing if we would even go but atleast it was an option and I've wasted more money on less before. When it came to it we decided to go and we where not disappointed it was the funniest night I've ever had and my hubby loved it too, comics that weren't on the bill turned up including paul chowdhury everyone was hilarious , drinks where a good price , its rough around the edges but it doesn't matter atmosphere and material was great didnt mind paying into the bucket at the end of it as it was totally worth it . Highly recommend to anyone with a sense of humour and who enjoys a good laugh.
Written March 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hey Emma, Thanks for taking the time to leave your lovely review, it really means a lot to us. We're so glad to hear that you had such a great experience with us, and we hope to welcome you back at Top Secret again soon!
Written March 10, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

mumstheword_11
Keighley, UK33 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2022 • Friends
We booked our £1 tickets for a Sunday 8pm show in which there were 4 comedians plus the host. 4 of the 5 were fabulously funny and it was a great night out. The bar was open and reasonable in price. On completion of the show, the audience were asked to pay what they thought the show had been worth, as they left, either in cash or on contact less. As far as I know, everyone paid something.
Written February 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ben M
London, UK84 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
We have membership cards which grant us free entry Sunday - Wednesday. We queued up and then we were told our cards were only valid Sunday - Tuesday. When we pointed out that our cards said Sunday - Wednesday they said they’d changed the policy. How were we supposed to know that? We only got the cards 4 months ago.
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi There, very sorry that you had this experience. The members cards DO give you free entry Sunday to Wednesday. We would never change that - it’s a written policy on the card. There must have been some misunderstanding on the door from your end. Although the members cards give free entry Sun-Wed, also written on the card is the exception of when we have a celebrity guest appearances the Free entry may not apply - although in this circumstance the card still gives 20% discount on the card. Also simply turning up with the card would not guarantee entry as we sell out almost every night - so the best way to guarantee entry is to book in advance on the website for free with members price discount. This way you will have your free entry booked and confirmed - then you will need to bring your members card with you on the night to prove your members status. Hope this helps and looking forward to seeing you next time.
Written February 11, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Stephanie W
Doncaster49 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021 • Couples
Visited with my partner whilst on a trip down london as something different, we didn’t stop laughing from start to finish and left a big tip to show our gratitude. I hope some day the money raised can help get a better venue as the toilets weren’t great, it was small and very cramped that’s all. But this didn’t affect our evening. The alcohol was cheap, we had a great time and would recommend to anyone visiting the area to come here.
Written July 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

seasider2020
Lytham St Anne's, UK373 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021 • Couples
Great comedy at a very fair price. We paid £1 each admission to the venue. Drinks were also good for London prices. The venue is a bit seedy, hot and lacking AC, but what to expect for £1. There is a fairly forceful cash collection at the end of the show which delayed departure and personally I would have preferred to pay a higher ticket price. Not too sure exactly how the payments were handed out or how it was accounted. Saw two female comedians, the first was excellent and the second was very good. Less impressed by the third one but the highlight was Ivo Graham who was brilliant. Coped well with a heckler, and really just chatted to the audience, no obvious routine, but an easy and friendly conversational style of delivery which went down very well with the audience.
Written September 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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The Top Secret Comedy Club - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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