This is something new for the Discovering Bites. It’s my first entertainment review, and what better way to start than with a night of live comedy? For Christmas, I bought my girlfriend a date night voucher book filled with different experiences she could pick at any time. As someone interested in British comedy, she redeemed her comedy show date coupon, which led me to The Top Secret Comedy Club.

Intrigued by their Friday night line-up, I booked tickets for £22 each, which included four acts, two of whom were billed as top-secret celebrity comedians. The night turned out to be truly memorable, and I couldn’t wait to share the experience.

The Comedy Line-up

The venue is located on Drury Lane, and as we arrived, the rain made us rethink waiting in the queue. Instead, we stopped off at The Sun, a nearby pub, for a pre-show beer. Through the window, we could see the queue growing as an earlier audience exited the venue. The Top Secret Comedy Club runs multiple shows daily, with ticket prices varying based on the day, time and number of acts.

Once the doors opened, we dashed across the street and stepped inside. The venue felt incredibly intimate, seating around 300 people. Walking in, we passed walls covered with photos of legendary comedians who had performed there, including Stephen Merchant, Rob Beckett, and Micky Flanagan. It built up the anticipation of who we might see that night.

Unlike most events where people scramble for the front row, here, the opposite was true—audience members were reluctant to sit too close, hoping to avoid becoming part of the show. As luck, or misfortune, would have it, we ended up right at the front, prime territory for any spontaneous jokes from the comedians.

One thing the website doesn’t fully convey is that while the ticket promises four acts, the show follows a "Live at the Apollo" format. A host performs before and in between each act, meaning we actually saw five performances. The show lasted two hours, from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm, and for the price, it felt like an absolute steal.

On the night, we saw Australian comedian Tom Green, who was effortlessly hilarious and our two surprise celebrity acts turned out to be Reginald D. Hunter and Joanne McNally, both of whom are well-known faces on British television. The intimate setting encouraged plenty of audience interaction. Tom Green in particular spent most of his time riffing with a group of Australians in the crowd, barely touching his set but keeping the room in hysterics. He was the highlight of the night and has more upcoming shows at the club. Reginald D. Hunter was another standout. Having watched him for years on shows like Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo, and QI, seeing him perform up close was a real treat.

Pricing & Drinks

Ticket prices vary throughout the week, but even the most expensive shows, like the one we attended (£22), feel like a bargain given the calibre of comedians. Some shows cost as little as £1, and others are completely free. Even on our night, there was another show featuring a top-secret celebrity act for a lower price. It’s an excellent opportunity to see both up-and-coming talent and established names without breaking the bank.

One of the most surprising aspects of The Top Secret Comedy Club's affordability, is not just for tickets but also for drinks. While the bar isn’t fancy, it offers great value. Beer prices are no more than £5.50 per pint, which is impressive for central London, where most places charge upwards of £6. I even overheard someone ordering a bottle of wine for just £25, and they also serve jugs of beer for £14.

Booking & Tips

There’s no single "must-see" show since the line-up changes constantly, and sets can take unexpected detours depending on audience interaction. The best approach is to check the website and choose a show based on the time and number of acts.

I wanted to see as many comedians as possible, and the draw of two top-secret celebrity acts made the £22 Friday night show an easy choice. The 9:00 pm slot worked perfectly, giving us time to grab a drink beforehand. The location in Drury Lane is central and convenient for anyone coming from work or planning a night out in London.

The club also has a second venue at York House on Kingsway, so there are plenty of options. However, tickets sell quickly due to the small venue size, especially for peak-time slots like 7:00 pm. Initially, we wanted the 7:00 pm show, but the 9:00 pm one ended up offering more acts for only a slight price difference.

Final Thoughts

The Top Secret Comedy Club is one of the best value-for-money entertainment experiences in London. Whether it’s for a date night or a night out with friends, the mix of high-quality acts and an intimate setting makes for an unforgettable evening.

I’ll definitely be returning—just maybe not in the front row next time!

Key Information

Website: thetopsecretcomedyclub.co.uk

Address 1: 170 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5PD

Address 2: York House, 23 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6UJ

Ticket Prices: Each day and show varies. Typically, you can find plenty of free shows and the most expensive weekend show is £22

Drink Prices: Cheap! (for London), beers are £5.50 or less