Clubbing and gigs might hit the Manchester nightlife headlines – but its live comedy offering is pretty good too.
You could time it right to see a headline act or just pop down to a relaxed open mic night, available most nights of the week in this city which takes its laughter-making seriously.
Here’s a guide to the small, medium and large comedy venues where you can guffaw the night away.
1. The Frog & Bucket Comedy Club
The Frog & Bucket
Originally opened back in 1994, this club has gone from strength to strength in showcasing local funny talent.
This family-run venue hosts comedy four nights a week and prides itself on developing and nurturing northern comics
Beat the Frog, the Monday amateur night has seen the likes of Peter Kay, Johnny Vegas and John Bishop try their luck in the spotlight, so you might see the next big thing before they’re famous.
Thursdays often see new material and relaxed routines from established acts, while Friday and Saturday nights are described as more raucous.
Getting there: 102 Oldham St, Manchester, M4 1LJ
2. The Comedy Store
The Comedy Store in Manchester has been around for 15 years, and it’s a specialised 500 seat comedy venue.
There’s live stand-up here every weekend evening, starting from Thursday through to Sunday.
Thursdays feature three comedians, while on Friday and Saturday nights you’ll see five gag makers appear.
Sunday is an open mic night for members of the public – who if they don’t make you laugh, will be gonged off unceremoniously.
If you want to eat there, there are plenty of meal deals to choose from, which combines your food and your show ticket (with reserved seating).
Getting there: Arches 3 and 4, Deansgate Locks, Whitworth Street West, Manchester, M1 5LH
3. Comedy Balloon
If you’re after some free stand-up comedy on a Wednesday night, then head down to this long-established underground comedy venue.
You’ll catch around eight new acts, each with just ten minutes to make you laugh, along with a headline act and an experienced compere.
Check their social media channels if you want to find out who’s appearing, or otherwise just turn up on the night – the show starts at around 8.30pm.
Getting there: The Ape & Apple 28 John Dalton St, Manchester, M2 6HQ
4. Pub / Zoo
If you turn up here for Open Mic Night on a Monday, you might see some comedy, or you might see something totally random.
Their Tuesday comedy club, XS Malarky, is a much safer bet, kicking off an evening of merriment at 8.30pm.
Compered by Toby Hadoke, you’ll see a good mix of acts, and some of the names to appear over the years have included Steward Lee, Alan Carr and Peter Kay.
Getting there: 26 Grosvenor Street,Manchester, Greater Manchester,M1 7HL
5. Hot Water Comedy Club
While the club is firmly established over in Liverpool with five nights a week, they’re currently just putting on a Saturday show in Manchester.
You can catch their stand-up show at the Dancehouse Theatre (see no. 8), which features three top comedians and a compere.
6. The Lowry
Lyric Theatre, The Lowry, Salford Quays. Copyright Percy Dean
The Lowry shows three to four different comedy performances per month, so there might be stand-up, a sketch show or a comic play.
There are two main theatres and a studio space (1,730, 466 and 180 seats respectively), with the headliner comedians, like Jimmy Carr and Jason Manford taking the larger theatres, and upcoming comics appearing in the smaller auditorium.
While you’re there you really should visit the gallery, as this is where you’ll find the largest collection of LS Lowry’s paintings and drawings in the world (there are more than 400 in total).
The theatre opened in 2000, as part of a wider £106m waterfront development of the Salford Quays and is now one of Manchester’s most popular hangouts.
Getting there: Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ
The-Lowry (c) Percy Dean
7. 02 Apollo Manchester
You’ll see major acts on the comedy circuit appearing here, including the likes of Amy Schumer, Catherine Tate and Roy “Chubby” Brown in 2016.
It’s a Grade II listed building in the Art Deco style (1938) and they can change the size and seating to suit the size of the audience.
If there isn’t comedy on when you visit, chances are there will be a decent gig on.
Getting there: Stockport Road, Ardwick Green, Manchester, M12 6AP
8. Dancehouse Theatre
You’ll find a great range of comedy at this Art Deco theatre, with big-name comedians like, Jerry Sadowitz, Jimmy Carr and Sarah Millican appearing as well as breakthrough acts who you might have seen on the television.
After undergoing a major refurbishment, they’ve become well known for their theatre and music offering, along with comedy nights.
You can watch live entertainment in their main auditorium or the smaller, more intimate studio.
Getting there: 10A Oxford Rd, Manchester M1 5QA
9. Manchester Arena
The biggest and best comedians have strut their stuff on this major stage, with Billy Connolly booked in to be the stand-up star of 2016.
This vast venue is most famous for Peter Kay’s record-breaking residency in 2010/2011, where he smashed stand-up records (Kay actually hails from Bolton, just to the north west of Manchester).
If there isn’t comedy on when you visit, there is sure to be a major music name playing, with Madonna, Take That and Lady Gaga among those to have wowed the crowds there.
Getting there: Hunts Bank, Manchester M3 1AR
Manchester mirthmakers – comedians that hail from city
- Jason Manford is a Salford born stand-up comedian and TV presenter
- Cold Feet and Fast Show star, John Thomson, is another comedian to hail from Salford.
- The BAFTA Award-winning actress, comedian and writer, Caroline Aherne, lived in Manchester until her death in 2016. She’s most famous for writing and starring in The Royle Family, Mrs Merton and the Fast Show.
- Les Dawson was a world-weary stand-up comedian famous for his comic piano playing, hosting of Blankety Blank and sketch shows.
- Chris Addison is a stand-up comedian who is probably best known for his role as Ollie Reeder in The Thick Of It and as a long-standing panellist on Mock the Week. Although born in Wales he moved to Manchester at the age of four.
Discover more British stand-up
We’ve now got plenty of comedy tickets, for stand-up and comedy nights across the UK.
If you want to find laughs in London, here’s a guide to the capital’s best comedy clubs to choose from.
The west country is also full of humour and cheer, so check out where to discover comedy in Bristol.
What else can you do in Manchester?
Manchester City skyline, at dusk
Quite a lot as it turns out, -we’ve found 25 cool things to see and do in Manchester to get you started.
We’ve also put together a guide to the best bars, along with the must-see Manchester museums.
And with all this going on, chances are you’ll want to stay the night – so here’s the latest Manchester hotel deals.
Tell us your comedy night favourites
We’d love to hear where you like to go for laughs.
Let us know your favourite places to watch comedy in Manchester by leaving a comment below.
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