The best live comedy venues and festivals where you’re guaranteed a giggle

It’s a city known for its comedy, from legends like Sir Ken Dodd, Arthur Askey and Kenny Everett to today’s laughter makers John Bishop, Adam Rowe, Paul Smith, and loads, loads more.

Not forgetting your average Scouser in the street who’s never short of a gag or a comic quip, Liverpool’s famous for its cracking sense of humour.

It’s not surprising then that there are some amazing comedy venues and festivals in the city centre and wider city region where you can go to for a side-splitting few hours of fun.

Hot Water Comedy Club at Blackstock Market

Founded in the city in 2010 Hot Water Comedy Club’s gone on to become one of the most successful comedy clubs in the world – and now in its new home at Blackstock Market with four theatre spaces holding more than 1000 people for any one show time, the biggest regular comedy venue in the world too! With comedians like Paul Smith, Adam Rowe, Tony Carroll, and Jamie Hutchinson taking to the stage, along with open mic nights where everyone gets a go, it’s guaranteed to get you giggling (although if you’re on the front row when Paul Smith’s on, don’t be surprised if you’re the one being laughed at!).

Find out more here.

Laughterhouse Comedy

Laughterhouse Comedy takes stand up across the country but in Liverpool you’ll find it at its flagship venue, The Slaughter House in Fenwick Street. The basement venue opened its doors in 2004 and has hosted big names like Alan Carr, Sarah Millican and John Bishop and its live comedy show features three international headline comedians hosted by an equally funny MC, usually local lads Neil Fitzmaurice or Chris Cairns.

Find out more here.

Benidorm Bar

First Wednesday of every month is the city’s only LGBT Comedy Night with Laugh Out Liverpool Comedy Club. Award-winning comedienne Miss Angela Bra presents a fabulous night full of laughs with some of the city’s biggest LGBTQ comedians at the Stanley Street venue.

Find out more here.

Lock & Quay Bootle

Bootle’s boss boozer by the canal – owned and managed by the community – loves its comedy nights and, while you might have missed it this month, there’s another coming on Saturday, July 5, with Hayley Ellis as the headliner. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for more.

Find out more here.

Southport Comedy Festival

The Southport Comedy Festival’s back for its 14^th year this year and they reckon it’s going to be bigger and better than ever. From October 3-19, stars from the world of comedy will descend on the mirth-making marquee in the seaside town’s Victoria Park for 17 days of laughter. Names already expected are Omid Djalili, Ardal O’Hanlon and – fresh from his successful Strictly stint – Chris McCausland.

Find out more here.

Fem De La Femme at the Everyman 

Downstairs at the Everyman welcomes Fem De La Femme on the fourth Thursday of every month. The seriously funny comedy night is packed with some of the finest women comedians from the North West and beyond, from established comics to those taking their first steps. It’s a night packed with jokes and laughter … and there might even be a raffle! From Thursday to Saturday, May 22-24, it’s also launching the Fem de la Festival with three nights of women comics performing five fab shows, plus some open mic mayhem on the final night; Find Your Funny Workshops, and a Q&A panel session for women trying to navigate the industry.

Find out more here.

M&S Bank Arena

The waterfront arena is host to a whole load of amazing live events from music gigs, to shows and comedy… and there are plenty of people lined up to give us a laugh there this year including Peter Kay, John Bishop, Ricky Gervais and Jimmy Carr. 

Find out more here.

The Philharmonic

It’s not just music the Phil is famous for; there’s a lot of laughter too at this famous Hope Street venue. Harry Hill, Rob Beckett, Sophie McCartney, Jack Dee, Sara Pascoe and Josh Widdicombe are just some of the funny people you can catch there in 2025.

Find out more here.

Find more comedy events across Liverpool on our calendar.